Disclaimers: The standard disclaimers apply-the characters belong to Marvel, no money is being made, ad infinitum ad nauseaum. This story is dedicated to Luba Kmetyk, a wonderful writer, archivist, and friend. Happy Birthday (belated), Luba, from your friends Joe and Michelle!
 

The look of command coming from the Wasp's brown eyes matched her serious demeanor as her gaze swept the main conference room at Avengers' Mansion. "All right -- does everyone understand what they're supposed to do?"

"Yeah, Wasp -- you've only told us... what... a million times now?" The Amerasian mutant known as Jubilee fidgeted in her seat as she took out her nail file.

"Let's go over it one more time -- just to make sure," Jan said in a level voice. "I don't want any foul-ups here -- we only get one shot at this and I want everything to go right." Her gaze turning towards the most respected member of the Avengers, Jan smiled warmly. "What's your status, Cap?"

"I've got a Quinjet prepped and Wanda's ready to go whenever you give the word," the Star-Spangled Avenger replied as he looked into the eyes of the current leader of the premier superteam on the planet.

"Do you think you two'll have any problems securing her cooperation?" Jan said, a slight note of worry in her voice.

"I don't think so," Captain America said softly, "Especially after the significance of the situation has been explained to her."

"Good." Jan smiled briefly before turning her gaze towards one of the communications screens displaying the faces of Kurt Wagner and Carol Danvers, lovers and current co-leaders of the reformed Excalibur. "Kurt...  Carol... is Excalibur on board?"

"Ja, naturalich." The fuzzy elf flashed a toothy grin as his lover gently stroked the fur on his arm. "We'll be there."

"What about your package -- any possible hang-ups?" The Wasp asked, concern edging her voice -- the Avengers' leader knew that the whole operation hinged on the success of both Excalibur's and Captain America and Wanda's missions. It was vital that those two teams succeed.

"Nein." Kurt smiled indulgently. "He's here now and more than willing to cooperate with us."

"Excellent." Jan smiled back. "We'll see you here at H-hour minus 2 then."

"Jawohl, Frau Wespe." The furry co-leader of Excalibur grinned. "We're on our way."

Turning her attention now to the stocky Canadian and his statuesque redheaded companion, Jan flashed a nervous smile. "Logan... Jean... everything copasetic on your end?"

"Yeah, Jannie." The feral X-Man flashed a wicked grin as he regarded the diminutive Avenger. "We'll be ready."

"Don't worry, Jan." Phoenix smiled warmly. "We've been busy contacting anyone and everyone who has ever worn an X -- we won't let you down."

"Emma and Sean have already been informed and they told us to tell ya that they'll be ready to go whenever you say." Logan added with a grunt.

"Great!" Jan smiled as she then turned her attention to the redheaded mutant sitting across from her and her young fiance. "Angel... Vance? You know what you're supposed to do?"

"Not a problem, Wasp," Firestar said in an even voice. "Justice and I'll get right on it."

"Excellent." Jan sighed as she turned to the couple filling the other view screen. "Reed... Sue... what about you? Your person's kinda hard to track down, you know?"

Puffing gently on his pipe, Reed Richards allowed a slight grin to cross his features. "It took some time, Jan, but I succeeded in getting a positive lock-but we have to hurry -- we have a limited window within which to act and every second could be crucial to our success -- in any event, we'll probably be late getting in."

"Ok.I get the message." Jan chuckled at the leader of the Fantastic Four's gentle rebuke. "Go." Then, addressing her next question to the entire room, the Wasp asked, "Can anyone think of anything that we might have left out?"

"Yeah," Jubilee smirked. "Where's Wisdom? You'd think he'd wanna be here for this!"

"I've given him a very special assignment -- one that he's very well qualified to handle." Jan smirked back as assorted snickers and snorts filled the room.

"Oh?" Phoenix grinned evilly. "And what might that be?"

Flashing an evil grin of her own, Jan said in an even voice, "His assignment is to keep our target diverted until H-Hour -- using any means necessary."

***********************

Stretching out languorously on the king-sized bed, Kitty sighed as she felt the sun's rays warm her exposed leg. "I don't want this feeling to ever end." She sighed and then gasped as she felt the stubble from her lover's cheek graze hers as he nibbled on her neck and shoulder.

"And what feeling would that be, love?" Wisdom growled in a low voice as he switched his attention from his young lover's neck to the valley between her now exposed breasts.

"Mmmmm... just keep going and I'll tell you when you get there." Kitty chuckled in a low, throaty voice as Pete continued to kiss, lick, and nibble his way down her body, until, reaching his final destination, he smiled inwardly as he heard his lover's sighs become moans.

************************

"I don't believe it!" Mr. Thomas whispered to his wife as they both looked up from their gardening. "That's... Captain America!" he said in hushed, awed tones as the tall, red, white, and blue-costumed Avenger strode confidently, towards their neighbor's house, accompanied by a radiantly beautiful dark haired woman wearing a red gypsy costume that both nurses knew from news photos to be the Scarlet Witch.

Gathering his courage, the bald elderly man called out to the Living Legend as he stood at attention, "Hey Cap! I was with ya at Pont du Hoc back in '44 -- Private Sam Thomas, 1st Rangers!"

Stopping and turning towards the man calling out to him, Cap smiled as he walked over towards him and held out his hand. "Good to meet you, soldier! That was a hard day's work -- but we did it, didn't we?"

"We sure did, Cap!" The smiling WW2 vet said as he shook the hand of his hero. "I just wish we could've all made it outta there," he said, his face reflecting his sadness at the loss of friends and comrades in that bloody battle.

"So do I, soldier," the star-spangled Avenger said in a low voice as he also reflected on the sacrifice made by those brave men, "so do I." Then, turning back towards the house next door, Cap gave the man one last handshake and smile. "You and your Missus take care now, friend, and we'll see each other again!"

"Sure thing, Cap." The old man smiled back and then, after squeezing his wife's hand, returned once again to his pruning.

As the Sentinal of Liberty rang the doorbell, his partner asked in a low voice, "What if she doesn't want to come with us, Cap?"

The former soldier thought about that for a moment, and then answered, "I don't know, Wanda. I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens."

Just then, they heard the lock on the door unlatch and a voice, "Hello... oh my... did something happen with Kitty? Did she suffer a relapse?"

"No Ma'am... nothing like that at all." Cap said in a reassuring voice. "We just came because... well, you know today is your daughter's..."

"Of course I know." Theresa interjected, her guilt obvious in her voice. "I sent her a card earlier this week."

"Kitty got it, Ma'am," the Scarlet Witch quickly said. "And she was very happy with it."

Sighing in relief, the young mutant's estranged mother then asked, "What can I do for you, then?"

Smiling, Cap then took over. "Well, Ma'am. Jan's planning a birthday party for Kitty and she wanted you to join us."

At the mention of Kitty's newly-discovered sister, Theresa reddened with both embarrassment and shame. "I didn't think that she'd want me there... not after she found out why we'd put her up for adoption."

The Scarlet Witch then added in a consoling voice, "Jan understands that you did what you two felt you had to. You both were young... still in school. She doesn't blame either one of you. She wants both you and Mr. Pryde to come -- it would mean so much to Kitty to see both of you at the party this evening."

"This evening!" Theresa chuckled as she wiped away a tear. "How are we going to ever be able to make it in time? I've got to call in at work, pack, book reservations -- there's no way!"

"Don't worry about it, Ma'am." Cap grinned. "We've got a Quinjet ready to go. You just go on in and get packed and squared away with your job -- and, if you need us to help you out there, just let us know."

"I'll be ready in a few minutes then." Theresa exclaimed as she darted back into the house, tears of joy running down her cheeks.

************************

"So.what do you want to do today, love?" Pete said in a low voice as he stretched out on the bed.

"Mmmmm?" Kitty murmured sleepily as she shifted under the covers.

"What do you want to do? It is your birthday, you know!" Pete grinned as, for once, he arose from the bed first.

"Let's see..." Kitty grinned as she stretched out languorously on the bed. "Breakfast first." Then laughing as she saw the look on Pete's face, Kitty continued, "Don't worry -- we'll go to 'Nick's' -- I know you like it there."

"Hey, Pryde," the former Black Air agent protested. "It's your day -- we'll do whatever you want."

"It's ok, Pete." Kitty smiled back. "I like it there too -- I wanna go to Nick's."

"Ok, love -- what do you want to do after that?"

"Well... would it be alright if we... there's a lecture on dark matter being given at the Hayden Planetarium at 11 that I'd really like to go to -- but I'll understand if you don't wanna."

"Right then, the Hayden Planetarium at 11." Pete smiled as he inwardly cringed at the thought of sitting through a boring lecture -- but as he said, this was his love's day. Besides, it was an excellent diversion-- Jan's plan called for Kitty not returning to Avengers Mansion until 6 this evening, and this lecture would easily kill a couple of hours. "How's about lunch after that?"

"Good idea!" Kitty grinned. "Hey... I know... why don't we give Logan a call and see if he can join us?"

Knowing that Logan and Jean were going to be busy, Pete flashed a slight grin. "Sure, love -- but you know the Old Man -- he might be out when we call."

"Yeah... I know." Kitty sighed melodramatically. "But we can still try -- if nothing else, he'll call -- since we got Dallas straightened out, he never misses at least calling me on my birthday. That reminds me -- we need to get back to the Mansion some time today -- I don't wanna miss his call."

"Don't worry, Pryde," Pete smiled back. "I'm sure if he calls while we're away, he'll call back." Then, holding out his hand, Wisdom leered, "Now, love -- let's grab us a shower, and then some food -- I don't know about you, but I'm starving here!"

"Oh you!" Kitty then playfully hit him as she took his outstretched hand and pulled herself off the bed. "I swear -- you only think about two things -- your stomach and..."

"And..." Wisdom leered as he patted his lover on the rump.

"And... we'll discuss the rest in the shower." The former X-woman teased as she dashed into the bathroom, allowing the sheet that she had wrapped around her nude body to fall to the floor.

*************************

"Everyone ready to go, mein vogelchen?" The fuzzy elf flashed a grin as he kissed his lover on the cheek.

"Just about, Furbie." The blonde former Avenger and now member of Excalibur, Warbird, smiled back as she patted her blue-furred lover's hand. "We're just waiting on Moira, Rahne, Adrian, and Kitty's father now."

"I have to admit, Dr. MacTaggart," Carmen Pryde sighed as he walked in between the Scottish doctor and Adrian St. Simon, the British Intelligence officer supervising his daughter and her boyfriend, "I'm more than a little nervous about... well... this'll be the first time I've seen Theresa in years and the first time ever that all four of us have been together. I didn't even know about Jan until she came over with her boyfriend and Kitty and Pete, and they told me."

"Och, man -- Don't worry about it! Neither one of yuir daughters is holding it against you! They understand what happened!" Moira said in an encouraging tone as they walked. "Jan made a point of making sure you'd be there -- she knows how much Kitty wants to see you -- and she wants to see you too."

"Mum's right, Mr. Pryde," the young Scots weregirl chimed in helpfully. "Ye should look on it as a blessing -- now you've got two daughters and they both want to be with you."

"The young woman's right, old man." St. Simon added. "Don't worry about it."

As the foursome entered the hanger bay, Nightcrawler called out to them, "Are you ready to go?"

"Aye, we're ready, Kurt." The acerbic Scots doctor cracked a smile as she saw the rest of Excalibur gathered by the Midnight Runner.

"Just had to talk Carmen here down from a slight case of nerves," St. Simon added.

"Ich verstehe," the fuzzy elf replied in a sympathetic voice. "Do not worry, Herr Pryde... Katzchen and the fair Wasp will be happy to see you."

"Thank you, everyone." Carmen Pryde smiled back as he looked on Kitty's friends. The last few weeks had been confusing for the former banker, to put it mildly. When Kitty, Pete, Jan, and Hank met with him in London a few weeks ago, he had never expected them to tell him that Janet Van Dyne, the heiress to the Van Dyne fortune and leader of the Avengers, was his biological daughter. He was quite literally floored by the news. But, as it sunk in, he was surprised that it didn't occur to him earlier. Jan and Kitty did bear a remarkable resemblance to each other -- all the way down to almost the exact same color of hair and eyes. Also, Jan's facial features bore a remarkable similarity to Kitty's. Jan was somewhat shorter and a little more endowed in the chest and ten years older, of course, but other than that they could almost be twins.

"Don't mention it, Mr. Pryde," Brian Braddock added as he helped his lovely wife, the fey Meggan, on to the plane. "We're only to happy to have you along with us."

"Brian's right, Carmen." Meggan smiled warmly, "After all, you're family too!"

*************************

"Hey, Kitty... Pete! The usual?" Betty, the morning waitress at Nick's, called out in greeting as Kitty and Pete entered the local pub-restaurant that also served as an unofficial hangout for some of the Avengers.

"Yeah, love," Pete answered with a smile as he escorted his lover to their usual booth.

"Ok! A cinnamon bagel with cream cheese and Earl Grey tea for the lady and 2 eggs, sunny side up, bacon, toast and marmalade, and orange juice and coffee for the walking garbage disposal!" Betty teased as she poured a cup of coffee from the pot she carried with her.

"Hardee bloody Har Har!" Pete teased back as he sat down opposite Kitty. Smiling at his young love, Pete asked as he sipped his hot, black coffee, "So, love -- how you enjoying your birthday so far?"

"So far, it's the best ever!" Kitty smiled back.

"Well, love -- we've got the whole day to do whatever you want." Wisdom flashed a quick leer as the rest of the morning crowd came in.

**************************

"Good thing we decided to take a quinjet." Angelica Jones said to her fianc‚e as they entered the dorm on the campus of Mississippi Valley State where Donna Waters, the young woman Kitty and the others had rescued along with her family and Kitty's father, resided at. Approaching the desk clerk, the two Avengers, wearing regular street clothes instead of their usual costumes, smiled.

"Morning." Vance said as the young woman at the desk raised her head from the textbook she was studying.

"For some of us, maybe," the young woman said with a snort. "The rest of us have a sociology midterm in a couple of hours. So... what do you want?"

Smiling understandingly, Angel replied, "I know what you mean. I used to hate this time of year while I was in school. Could you please tell us what room Donna Waters is in?"

"Donna -- sure -- room 436. But you'll need to sign in here," the student assistant said as she pointed at the guest ledger.

"Sure thing," Vance said as he took the pen on the desk and signed his name and gave the pen to Angel who then signed hers. "Thanks a lot, and good luck on that midterm!"

"Thanks!" The young woman smiled back. "I'm gonna need all the help I can get!"

The two Avengers, reaching Donna's room, knocked on the door and were greeted by the young African-American physics major. "Hello?"

"Donna Waters?" Angel smiled as she glanced at the organized chaos that was Donna's room through the open door.

"Yeah. That's me." Donna smiled back. "Can I help you?"

"We're friends of Kitty's." Vance took over as he offered his hand in greeting. "Did you get Ms. Van Dyne's message about today?"

"I sure did!" Donna smiled back as she shook first Vance's, and then Angel's hand. "Just give me a few minutes to throw some stuff in a suitcase. Then, opening the door completely, the young freshman invited her guests in. "C'mon in... make yourself at home. There's some bottled water and sodas in the fridge." She then motioned toward a small refrigerator next to a makeshift bookcase made of milk cartons and boards. Squirming a little in embarrassment as she began picking up old clothes lying on the backs of chairs and on the bed, she grinned. "I'm sorry about the mess... but there's a couple of chairs here for you to sit down in. My roommate's got an early class, so she won't be back for a few hours. So... is everything still a surprise?"

"Yeah." Vance grinned back as he opened the fridge and took out a bottled water for his fiancee and a coke for himself. "She's got no idea what's going on. Pete took her to a hotel yesterday and he's keeping her distracted while we get everything together."

"Yeah... I'll bet he's keeping her distracted." Donna smirked as she began packing.

"Knowing those two," Angel flashed a wicked grin of her own as she sipped her water, "I wouldn't be surprised if they still hadn't gotten out of bed."

*************************

"Thanks, Pete." Kitty smiled as she kissed her morose lover on the cheek. "I know dark matter physics isn't exactly your thing."

"Don't mention it, Pryde!" Wisdom smiled back as he took out a cigarette and, mindful of the fact that he was on a public street, took out a lighter and, after lighting the cigarette into life, drank deep of the nicotine. "Like I said, love -- this is your day. So... what's next -- some lunch?" the former Black Air agent asked, a note of anticipation in his voice.

"Sounds like a plan to me." Kitty chuckled, and then a wicked grin crossed her face. "Hey, I know -- why don't we go back to the hotel and order in."

"You sure, Kitty? We can eat wherever you want, you know," Pete leered back as he realized what Kitty was planning.

"I know, silly!" Kitty then flashed a leer of her own. "But I can't have the dessert I want at Tavern on the Green -- at least not without getting arrested!"

"Right, love!" Wisdom chuckled. "Back to the room then for fueling up and then a bit of a lie down."

"Let's go, babe." Kitty laughed as she slipped an arm around her lover's waist. "The sooner we get back -- the sooner I get my dessert!"

******************

"Everyone ready?" Jean called out from the foyer of the large Westchester mansion that housed the Xavier School of Higher Learning.

"On our way, Jean!" The voice of Warren Worthington, the blue skinned Angel called back as he and his lover, the reborn Asian telepath Psylocke came down the stairs.

"We're ready to go, sugah!" Coming in from the kitchen, Rogue grinned as her sometime lover, the Cajun thief Gambit, appeared with two gift-wrapped packages.

"Presents for le petite chat." Gambit smiled as he handed the gifts to Jean.

"We weren't sure about what to get her -- you know..." Rogue flashed a wicked grin. "Naughty or nice? So we got one of each!"

"Yah." Gambit flashed a leer of his own. "We got her that new computer game she was going on about."

"And a little somethin' for after the party," Rogue finished.

"I think she'll love both of them," Jean chuckled.

"So... where's Stormy?" The Cajun X-Man asked as he looked about for his fellow X-Man and good friend.

"I am here." The regal windrider came in bearing in both hands a lush potted fern. "Did you think that I would miss my Kitten's twentieth birthday?"

"Of course not, Ororo-just as I would never miss this important day for Katya." The large X-Man with the heart of an artist, Piotr Rasputin, then entered, carrying a veiled painting in both his hands and accompanied by his new love -- the former Morlock Sarah, also known as Marrow.

"Oh my!" Rogue flashed a wide grin as she saw the large painting covered up by the cloth. "Can we take a quick peek, Petey?"

Shaking his head and smiling, Rasputin demurred, "Forgive an artist's superstitions, Rogue, but I would rather wait until everyone can see it."

"Oh... ok..." The southern mutant smiled back, her slight disappointment not showing in her expression. "Ah guess we'll just have to wait then."

"I'm glad you could make it, Ororo." Warren then said, a gentle smile on his face. "Betsy and I were hoping that you would eventually..."

"Put aside my distrust for Wisdom?" the weather-goddess said, a slight frown to her face. "I've come to find that, after these recent events, a lot of my... suspicion... towards him was... unfair." Storm, unused to public admissions of her shortcomings, glanced away from everyone's gaze as she spoke. "I am trying... to do better."

Placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, the former playboy said in a grave voice, "That's all any of us can do, Storm."

Then, in an effort to dispel the growing gloom, Betsy asked, "So.where is Logan? I would have thought that he would be the one leading this operation?"

"Oh... he's at the airport right now picking up Emma, Sean, and the others."

"What about Sam and them?" Rogue asked as she recalled Kitty telling her about her tense meeting with Domino. "I know Kitty and Dom sorta settled things, but..."

"There's still a bit of tension between them... I know!" Jean sighed. "Nathan'll be there, and so will Sam... and the impression I got was that Kitty and Domino had reached something of an understanding -- at least the last time I talked to Nate, he had told me that she was ok with everything, so I wouldn't worry."

"That's good news." Rogue smiled uneasily as she then contemplated another potentially tense situation-her and Carol Danvers being once again in close proximity. 'As far as I'm concerned.' Rogue said to herself, 'this is Kitty's day and I'm not going to do anything to ruin it for her.'

Smiling to herself, Jean then telepathically sent to Rogue, Don't worry, Rogue. I talked with Carol earlier and she says that there's not going to be any trouble from her end. She's as determined as you are that Kitty's going to have a good day today.

Smiling a little more confidently now, Rogue thought back, Thanks Jean. Ah appreciate it.

Grinning broadly as a dignified blonde woman wearing a spotless white business suit approached, accompanied by a burly red headed man wearing jeans and a NYPD jacket, Logan called out. "Hey Emma... Irish! Glad all of ya could make it!"

"Yeh know there was no way in hell we'd miss today, Logan!" Banshee smiled back as he took the Canadian X-Man's hand with a firm grip.

"Greetings, Logan." The aristocratic White Queen replied, allowing the X-Man to give her a rare kiss on the cheek. "So... is everything set?"

"Yeah." Logan said as he lit a cigar while the kids loaded their baggage into the waiting van. "Jan, Jubilee, and Jarvis are busy setting up the foyer at Avengers Mansion and everyone else is supposed to meet there about 2 hours before the kid brings over the guest of honor."

"So..." Banshee then asked, a note of concern in his voice, "How are Kitty, Jan and Jubilee coping with finding out that..."

"That Jannie and Kitty are sisters?" Logan finished as he took a draw from his cigar. "It took Jubilee a little time -- you know how it was -- she was afraid of being left out."

"I understand." Banshee nodded his head.

"Yes," Emma then interjected, "Jan handled the entire situation with Jubilee beautifully. She really does have an excellent understanding of people and their needs."

"Yeah," the feral mutant agreed. "The little lady's something else, alright." Logan then let loose with a low guttural laugh. "Remind me sometime and I'll tell you the story 'bout how her, me, the kid, Cable, Domino and Goldilocks cracked up that slave ring a while back." Logan then began to laugh out loud, a booming laugh that could be heard all the way to the van. "Ya should've seen the look on those goons' faces when ol' Thunder an' Lightning ripped off the ceiling and yelled, 'VARLETS! YOUR TIME HAS COME!' I swear..." Logan got in between guffaws, "Every man jack of 'em pissed their drawers the moment they heard that voice."

They all then laughed at the visual image of hardened slavers quivering in panic under the gaze of the Odinson. "Aye." Banshee smiled. "That must have been some sight to see."

"Oh, it was." The former Canadian agent agreed. "And it was Jannie and the kid who came up with the plan to free all those people too -- the rest of us just came along for the ride."

"We would love to hear about it some time," Emma said indulgently, and then, seeing that her students had loaded the last of the luggage, added, "I do think that we should be going now, though."

"Sounds good ta me, Em." Logan then flashed an evil grin. "And maybe after I tell ya my little story you can tell everyone 'bout the little date I set up between you and the kid." Then, a serious look overtook his face as he remembered the events of that evening at the Hellfire Club -- the images of Dark Phoenix and of the tragic events that followed flooding into his mind. "I'm glad you took two took me up on those tickets instead of sticking around that night."

"So am I, Logan," the White Queen then said in a quiet voice, as she reflected on how fortunate she was that she had decided to take Pete up on his offer of an evening out rather than stay at the club and watch as Sebastian put the final elements of his scheme into effect. Emma shuddered inwardly as she thought about the probable outcome for both herself and Pete had they both stayed.

"Today has been simply wonderful!" Kitty sighed as she slipped her shirt on and then her jeans. "But we really need to be getting back to the Mansion. Logan must've called a million times already!"

As Pete glanced at the alarm clock on the dresser, a sly grin crossed his face as he saw that he had accomplished his mission. By the time they got back to Avengers Mansion, Jan and everyone should be ready. "Right, love." Wisdom agreed as he buttoned his shirt. "You want to check us out while I finish packing?"

"You mean while you finish that scotch and smoke a cigarette on the balcony, don't you?" Kitty teased as she gave her lover a peck on the cheek. "Ok, sure," Kitty grinned as she opened the door. "I'll be back in a few!"

"Take your time, love," the former Black Air agent growled.  Then, waiting until he was sure that she was safely down the hall he picked up the phone and dialed Jan's private number. "Hey, Jannie -- we're on our way. Your lot better be ready."

"Not a problem, Pete." Jan's cheerful voice came through loud and clear. "Everyone's here -- except for the FF, but Reed said that they might be a little late, so I'm not worried."

"Right. We'll see you in a bit then," Pete said as he hung up the phone and poured the last of the scotch into his glass. Then, going out on to the balcony with his drink, he lit a cigarette and quietly enjoyed the view of the city skyline. 'Wouldn't do to disappoint Pryde,' Wisdom smirked as he took a drag from his cigarette and then sipped his drink.

"Ok, everybody-they're here!" Jan giggled as she dimmed the lights.

"I cannae wait to see the look on her face!" Rahne snickered as her adoptive mother, Dr. MacTaggart, smiled indulgently.

"Why are all the lights out in the foyer?" Kitty asked, concerned, as she swiped her guest ID card through the security lock.

"Maybe Jarvis forgot to pay the light bill?" Wisdom chuckled as he swiped his card next. The security system then, after recognizing them, unlocked the door.

Opening the door, Kitty was greeted to a pitch-black room. "I don't like this Pete -- think something's happened?"

"Nah," Wisdom said in a low voice, "But I think something's going to happen."

"What are you talking about, Pete?" Kitty asked, her concern growing.

"Just this." Pete smirked as he pressed the small button he had hidden in his coat pocket, turning on all the lights.

"SURPRISE!!" Kitty was left literally speechless as she saw the room full of people -- her old teammates on the X-Men, almost all of the original New Mutants, Cable -- and even Domino -- the new Excalibur, and her new friends, the Avengers -- all cheering and smiling. Then she saw the giant banner that was draped across the foyer saying, HAPPY BIRTHDAY KITTY, the huge birthday cake with twenty candles, and presents stacked on the table next to it.

"Happy Birthday, Sis!" Jan and Jubilee both then shouted in unison. Then, along with Lockheed, they both rushed up to the flabbergasted young mutant, each giving the surprised young woman a kiss on the cheek as the little purple dragon wrapped himself around her neck, cooing gently.

"I... I... don't believe it." Kitty stammered, as her eyes grew moist. "This... is... so..."

"We got one more surprise for you." Jan smiled and winked as Jarvis opened a door revealing both Kitty's mother and father.

"Happy Birthday, Kitten," Carmen smiled, a tear of joy running down his cheek.

"Happy Birthday, Kitty!" Theresa then said through her tears. "I'm so happy to see you!"

"Mom... Dad..." Kitty, barely able to speak, smiled warmly as she rushed into their arms. "I'm so happy to see you!" Then, as she saw Jan and Jubilee standing together with Hank Pym and Everett, the birthday girl, wiping the tears of joy from her eyes, smiled. "C'mon you guys -- you too, Wisdom -- you're a part of this family too."

As Kitty's family gathered together, the security system chimed, indicating that the last of the guests had arrived. The door then opened to reveal the Richards clan -- all four members of the Fantastic Four plus Valeria, Sue's apparent daughter by Victor Von Doom, and the young Franklin Richards. "Sorry we're late," the professorial Reed Richards smiled, but it took us some... time... to fetch our guest."

Appearing from behind the orange bulk of the Thing, Rachel Summers laughed merrily as she saw the stunned look on her old friend's face. "Hey, Kiddo! What? You didn't think I'd miss this, did you?"

Both women then rushed into each other's arms, tears running down their faces as everyone else looked on with warm smiles.

"Jarvis?" The Wasp then called out to the Avengers' faithful butler. "Can you do us a favor and take a family picture?"

"But of course, Madam." The fastidious butler, allowing a kindly smile to cross his features, then fetched a camera as the Wasp shrank down and perched herself on Carmen's shoulder, giving him a peck on the cheek as she did so.

"Ok, everyone!" Jan flashed a mischievous grin as the entire group gathered underneath the big banner. "Smile and say cheese!"