Disclaimer: X-Force characters belong to Marvel. Thanks to Andrea and Threnny for beta'ing. All and any feedback would be loved at cosmic1982@hotmail.com

 I cringed, the sound of Tabitha's "singing" reaching me even three rooms away. It was nice that someone was getting to the Christmas-spirit, we had all been way too down lately, but this? This was just cruel.

 I could remember a time not so long ago, when our home, our safe-house, had been filled with joy and laughter. The Christmas dinner, the distinct smell of cinnamon, the gifts by the tree, Theresa singing like an angel, or truthfully, more like a siren.

 Just a year ago...Cable had been there, he and Domino playing the roles of parents in our odd little dysfunctional family. Now, they weren't even talking to one another. And both were gone, only God knows where.

 We had got a card from Domino. She had been in Venezuela, at the time. That was something -- not quite a show of affection and caring, but it was something. Cable, on the other hand, was off on one crusade or other. Not that I could blame him, all things considered.

 I walked over to the living room (aka the remake of Scream). I stopped by the doorway and leaned on the wall, looking in.

 "Oi! Tabitha! Could you kindly refrain from doing that thing you're doing?"

 "What? Singing?"

 "I will bloody well not call that thing singing. I've heard donkeys singing better than that. While drunk, even!"

 "Donkeys?"

 "Yes, those four-legged animals related to horses. I thought you learned at least that much in school, but I guess not. Or is it the blonde gene acting up?"

 "Oh, you wound me, Professor W."

 "Miss Smith, are you mocking me?" he asked, glaring at the girl in an effort to look serious and adult-like. The image was somewhat spoiled by the fact that he was up to his chest in Christmas lights, from which Tabby was trying to untangle him from.

 "But of course, Mr. Wisdom." She paused, her lips twitching as if she was trying very hard not to burst out laughing. "And because you insulted me, you aren't allowed to have any more eggnog." She sniffed as if hurt and turned back to her decorating.

 Pete gaped at her, jaw working, but no voice coming out. "But...but..."

 "No buts, Peter. If you mess with me..." She trailed off, glancing back at the Brit and giving him a devilish grin.

 "You can't very well forbid me from drinking it. I was the one who made it."

 "Your point being?"

 "Bloody hell, Smith, what'll you do next? Ground me? The last time I checked, you weren't my mother."

 "So?"

 "So...you can't act like it. I'm older than you, so you can't forbid me from drinking."

 "But I can threaten you with knowing how to make Moira's coffee."

 Pete shuddered. "Girl, you're not just cruel, you're a mean, nasty, old harridan. And for that, you're not on my Christmas list anymore."

 "But I already know what you bought me."

 "Naughty girl. Didn't you know it's not nice to spy on Santa."

 "Pete, I did your Christmas shopping."

 "And probably spent most of the money on that piece of unnecessary jewelry."

 "Oh you old romantic, you."

 They continued bickering, all the while decorating the tree with various ornaments (Tabs' side was sparkly and bright, Pete's with more traditional themes, as well as these tiny dragons, which Pete referred to as flying rodents). I watched them, realizing something. There were families, and then there were families. I wasn't sure in which category this one belonged to, but it definitely was one; a family. And that was something.