The X-Men characters featured in this story are property of Marvel Inc and used without permission.

AJ Rovner/Unicorn was created by Abby Rovner and is used with permission.

Ziska Xavier is my own creation.

William Creek is a jointly created character.  You know who you are and thank you.

Co-writing credit to AJ

Hanukkah was early this year. So AJ has already come back to work. Having the best intentions, she volunteered for a double shift of security watch. She thought most people would try to go home to visit family, like she had done rendering the house empty, and therefore at risk. Hank and Bobby left three days earlier, and are expected back after New Years. Scott and Jean somehow manage every year to spend the weekend before Christmas with his brother Alex and from the Monday after to late afternoon Christmas Day at her parents’ home. Betsy is going to Great Britain to see her brother, and she is taking Warren with her.

In the days leading up to Christmas, however, it becomes very clear many do call the mansion “home.” Ziska of course is staying with her father, and her unaware biological mother is not mentioned. William is a runaway and he has made it clear he won’t be welcomed home. Logan, Rogue, Ororo, Remy…the mansion remains surprisingly full.

Still, she made a promise she intends to keep, eyestrain be dammed. With most people up and around daytime hours, there is little need for a day shift guard. As it turns Christmas Morning, there is a thin layer of snow on the ground. The trees are barren, save for a few icicles from a few days worth of alternating rain and snow. Maybe this is real source of the line “not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” Logan is the last one, coming in around two in the morning, from parts unknown.

But as the time stamp on the camera turns to four, AJ watches a shadowy figure on top of the staircase. Taller than Rogue, but shorter than Ororo with long dark hair. AJ knows it is Ziska before she turns the corner to the sitting room, where the Christmas tree lights clearly show her face. AJ notices the bag over her shoulder, realizing Ziska is stuffing things into Christmas stockings hung by the fireplace. She stops for a moment in the kitchen and then Ziska heads to the elevator.

It’s only one damn set of stairs Zee. AJ thinks while rolling her eyes as the door closes. But Ziska hits the elevator down button and in a moment is in the same sub basement as the security center. She knocks on the door of the surveillance room a moment later.

“Good morning! Merry Christmas!” Ziska announces, unbelievably chipper considering the time. “Care for some tea?” She asks as she walks in with a cup in her hand.

“Thanks.” AJ replies when Ziska hands her the tea while carefully eyeing her teammate. “Nice touch, filling the stockings this early.”

Ziska shrugs it off. “Nice that most people don’t remember me at Christmas. I can pull some of the same surprises. Speaking of which;” Ziska starts as she fumbles around in her bag finally pulling out an envelope with AJ’s name on it. “Merry Christmas.”

AJ is startled for a moment. “Thank you… but, you know I’m Jewish, right?”

“It would have been kind of stupid to send you along with presents and not send several more to your family. And for Dad and me, the best part is always seeing people’s reaction.”

AJ smiles and turns her attention back to the monitors, but notices Ziska isn’t leaving. “You expect me to open it, don’t you?”

Ziska nods with a smile. “Anyone ever tell you that you are hard to shop for?”

Reluctantly, AJ tears open the envelope. “Membership to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums?”

“It just felt right… and makes sense coming from you and how you’re taking care of the big cats in the barn.” Ziska come closer to the chair, trying to push AJ out of the seat. “Now get some rest. I’ll cover the rest of the night shift.”

AJ leans back in the chair. “What are you up to? You are not usually this nice. Or even awake this early.”

Again, Ziska smiles at AJ, prodding her to move. “Call it the spirit of the season? Besides, I know these people. If you walk past them Christmas Morning, you’ll get hauled to the tree. Dad and I aren’t the only ones who tried shopping for you.”

AJ stretches and allows Ziska to sit down. “What is this going to cost me?”

Ziska glances up at AJ. “Lock your door, and don’t hurt Rogue and Remy. Well, you can’t hurt Rogue, but Remy is more likely to get in harms way.”

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

AJ hears a quiet knock on her door, keeping her eyes closed as she tries to ignore it. Another, harder, knock; she opens her eyes. The alarm clock says it is seven-thirty in the morning. Who the hell over age ten gets up this early Christmas Morning? She grumbles. She’s been asleep for a little over three hours, and she enjoys it. She plops a pillow over hear head and mumbles. “Go away.”

“Merry Christmas!” Rogue shouts through the door. “Come an’ join us!”

She knew, didn’t she? AJ considers but refuses to fully wake up. “No. I just got to sleep. I NEED sleep.”

“Night shift ended an hour ago, plenty o’ time to catnap. Réveiller!” Remy joins.

AJ stays quiet, hoping they’d think she’s gone back to sleep.

“Aw come on… it’s Christmas!” Rogue starts again.

“I’m Jewish; I don't care!" AJ grumbles from under her pillow.

Remy is becoming impatient. “We all agree to dis here mornin’ meetin’."

"I didn't!" She shoots back. “Now good night… day, whatever!” She looks up long enough to realize she did lock the door.

"I'm gonna knock the door down and drag ya downstairs!" Rogue calls out while mockingly pounding on the door.

"It’s not your door to knock down, now is it?" AJ mumbles back. Realizing there is another silence AJ turns into a cat and snuggles under the blanket. Before she can enjoy it she hears a clicking noise as Remy must have gotten his lock picks. Dammit! Still under the pillow and covers, she hears the door open and footsteps in her room.

“Where’d she go?” Rouge asks.

Remy doesn’t reply, but AJ can hear his heavier footsteps coming closer to her bed. He noticed. Sure enough, Remy pulls off the covers and the pillow, only to look down on the cute little calico AJ turned herself into. She lazily looks up at him and just for effect gives a big yawn and fakes a purr.

“Don’ try dat, it ain’t gonna work.” He says as he tries to pick up AJ’s cat form.

Not done yet! AJ considers and sets her claws into her bed. Whenever Remy manages to wrangle control of one of her limbs another gets free and her claws are back in her mattress.

“Mind givin’ me a hand here?” Remy asks exasperated.

Rather than wrestle, Rogue grabs the bed sheet and wraps it around AJ, who considers turning into a much larger cat, but realizes Rogue could easily carry even her liger form. I give up!

“Got her!” Rogue triumphantly calls as she enters the sitting room, the sack that was AJ’s bed sheet dangling over her shoulder. Gently, she puts the blanket on an oversized chair and unfolds it, again revealing the cute little calico. “Alright, ya can change back now.”

William covers his eyes as he smirks. “Why would she? You forgot something.”

“It’s all in good fun.” Rogue replies.

“Well, aside from the cat-napping...” William replies. “AJ isn’t in any position to change back.”

Rouge and Remy share a surprised look. “Comment ça se fait?” He finally asks.

“Does AJ have loose molecules nightwear?” Ziska cuts in from the hallway leading to the kitchen.

Now Remy realizes what the fabric was that fell out of the sheet when Rogue wrapped up AJ; her clothes. “Erm… sorry bout that?” He apologizes sheepishly.

AJ hisses back, though everyone realizes she’s teasing him. And since no one trusts AJ to not slink off to bed, Ziska gets AJ’s clothing, while the latter turns into a skunk to threaten her kidnappers. After Ziska returns, AJ changes in the downstairs bathroom, since the stairs and elevator are blocked by staff.

“Alright, since we are all present, now for the presents.” Ziska calls from the hall, and get groans for her pun. “Any complaints about house gifts this year are to be taken up with me.”

“Your papa still not feelin’ better?” Remy asks.

Ziska nods. “I’ll check on him as soon as his cappuccino is done.”

“Tea would be better for him.” AJ points out in the middle of a fake yawn.

“You try telling him that, especially since he hasn’t had anything besides tea in three days.”

Mercifully, everyone piles on AJ’s gifts first. William bought her an amethyst pendant. Ororo gives her a small plant, which Bishop follows up with a pot to put it in until the garden is usable again. Rogue and Remy also bought a combination gift, from a boutique designer perfume and some… quality make up. Not that AJ has ever seen a difference between regular brands and the behind-the-counter items. In their absence, Hank’s gift is a book on theology; Jean and Scott bought her a beautiful framed print of different big cats; Betsy and Warren got her a set of amethyst earrings and a bracelet.

Finally, AJ is given permission to leave. As she turns the corner back to the stairs, she’s nearly run down by Logan, eyes closed as he yawns and stretches.

“How’d you get away without the wake up committee coming after you?” AJ asks while stifling her own yawn.

“Didn’t sleep in my own room. Plenty o’ ‘em to spare.” Logan responds. “Heading back up already?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Stick around a minute, I got somethin’ fer ya.”

“Make it quick.” AJ grumbles as he leaves her at the landing.

Logan knows she was up all night, but he’d rather she be awake for his gift, so he quickly returns from the kitchen with a Bonsai tree. “Didn’t think wrapping it was a good idea.”

“Thank you.” She replies with an exhausted smile, now leaning against the stair case.

Logan leans against the other railing. “What are ya waitin’ for?”

“Trying to find the strength to get up that mountain of stairs."

"Crash down here."

"Too much noise, and only if someone starts a fire… I shouldn't be picky right now, should I?" They stand there for a while Logan looks at AJ and she is looking at the stairs.

“You know you walked by the elevator to get to the stairs… right?” Logan mentions.

AJ glares at him, even if she can barely control her eyelids. “It’s. Only. One. Set.”

Before either of them can say another word, AJ starts to float. Both turn and see Zee coming towards the stairs. “One set of stairs, can be a royal pain in the neck under certain circumstances.”

AJ shifts her glare from Logan to Ziska. “You’re eavesdropping again?”

For a moment, Ziska looks dumbstruck. “…No…. why?”

“Nevermind. ‘preciate a lift.”

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

After floating AJ down to her room, Ziska approaches her father’s bedroom. She taps lightly on the door, and waits for a response.

Come in. He tells her telepathically. As she walks in, her father is reclining against a pillow on his bed. He’s exhausted, but between the coughing and sore throat he isn’t getting much sleep.

“Are you sure you want this instead of tea?” Ziska asks quietly.

I need a change. He replies and takes the cup from her. What was going on downstairs? AJ seemed rather putt off.

Ziska laughs. “You know how pushy Rogue can be around Christmas. If Remy wouldn’t have been around, she might just have tackled the door.”

Charles smiles in return, but is cut off as he coughs. Ziska hates to see him like this. But a cold has to run its course. What are your plans for the day?

“I don’t have any.”

Her father leans back and eyes her carefully. No trip to Rockefeller Center’s Christmas tree? It has been a tradition for us since you were five.

“The keyword being ‘us’.” Ziska replies. “You’re in no shape to go.”

Take AJ and William, they undoubtedly could use a distraction.

“AJ could use sleep a lot more than a road trip.”

William could still use the distraction. He misses home. And you need to get out of the house. She starts to object, but he stops her. Aren’t you the one that keeps reminding me of ‘a perfectly usable medical facility in close proximity’ or something like that?

Ziska smiles. “Yeah, something like that. You just love having a near perfect memory, don’t you?”

You’ve been here long enough now Franziska. This is your world as well. Go.

She kisses him on the forehead and starts to the door, but half way there Ziska turns back to look at her father. “You do remember, don’t you?”

Why wouldn’t I?

“Well, there were usually more than us two.”

It seems with… Gabrielle choosing to opt out, she is exempt from the rule. I remember quite well. Although you said that couldn’t happen… No, she wasn’t always there…But we still weren’t alone, were we?

“No, not usually.” Ziska replies. “Uncle Erik used to come along.”

Uncle… Charles considers for a moment. Unpleasant thoughts to say the least. What do you suppose happens to shared memories for people who are quite likely dead?

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

“Slow down Zee!” William hisses between some hard turns.

“What are you worried about? It’s not like we have to worry about traffic or ice patches.”

“Yeah, well, still, explain to me why we are flying rather than driving?” William calls back as Ziska pulls him along telekinetically.

“Because I do not want to worry about traffic or ice patches. And this is faster.”

William just shakes his head. “You worry me.”

“Hey this IS New York City we’re heading to. Would it make you feel better if I were to use a large fire ball and have everyone think I’m Human Torch?”

“What happened? Got some bad news or something?”

Ziska doesn’t turn around. “Just found out I had a death in the family, so to speak. My godfather apparently died some time ago. Well, this time line’s version of him.”

“Oh… I’m sorry.”

They stop mid flight as Ziska turns to look at William. “You don’t remember him?”

“Can’t say that I do.” William answers. “Besides, didn’t you say that the memory transfer thing from then would only apply to the people that also are memory transferred?”

He watches her eyebrow arch up in surprise. “That is what I thought. But Dad obviously does remember some things.” Ziska focuses on the ground as they land in an alley.

“What was his name? Maybe it will jog my memory.”

“Erik Lehnsherr.”

“Sorry, doesn’t ring a bell.” William replies. “Does he have anything to do with you having a German name?”

Ziska nods. “He is… was from Germany. Dad and Uncle Erik met in Israel, and they worked together. That’s where Dad met my biological mother. Uncle Erik stuck around and realized my mother was pregnant. He and my mother had an argument that Dad had a right to know about… well, me. When it came down to it, my mother wanted to use part of my father’s name. Guess I almost wound up being Charlene or something like that. Uncle Erik recommended Franziska, and here I am. I know they knew him here as well. Mom had a picture of the three of them at her apartment.”

“So what happened to your Uncle?”

“Well, he became my godfather, and helped my father with the X-Men on and off. Guess he had a hard time trusting humans. Dad says that he’s probably dead in this reality.”

“Probably? He doesn’t know?” That doesn’t make any sense. The Professor would loose track of a friend? William considers. “Was he a hero as well?”

Ziska shrugs. “Don’t know. He was definitely a mutant though. I was kinda scared to look for friends that weren’t nearby. He went by Magneto in my reality.”

William stops dead in his tracks, keeping his voice down as they are on the open street. “Magneto? Your godfather is MAGNETO?”

“Erm… yes? What?”

William stops again, but this time to choose his words carefully. “Ziska… in this reality, he’s… he’s the enemy… you’re saying they used to be friends?!?”

Ziska turns away and lets the information sink in. “Yes…. wow, talk about a change in circumstances. So… he was trouble here?”

“That’s an understatement.” He replies, but again softens his tone. “Sorry Zee.”

Ziska considers for a long time. “If he was their enemy… maybe Dad does know if he’s dead or not.”

“Can’t blame him for keeping a secret.”

“I suppose not.” Ziska takes a quick breath and exhales sharply. “Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“Rockefeller Center. Did you have any other plans?”

“Well… I mean, are you okay?” William asks.

“I will be. I learned a while ago that this isn’t the same reality. Something was bound to be drastically different. Though I wish it would have been something else.”

Hope you mean that. William considers. “I’ll follow your lead.” As Ziska walks ahead, William checks his watch, which must have just stopped a while. Is the battery shot?

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

This is so not fair! AJ complains to herself as she’s having trouble falling back asleep. Having left her bed sheets downstairs, the rougher mattress was not nearly as cozy. She likes to think she doesn’t mind these things. But cats always look for the coziest spot. She finally decides to check on the big cats in the barn.

Unlike AJ, they are all asleep, cuddled together in a mock cave, the mother on top of the structure. The cubs are getting bigger. As she feared, there are too few spaces in sanctuaries, and an inability to breed means they have nowhere to go. To his credit, the Professor accepted that they are permanent residents, going as far as to have a walk in cooler installed for their food and heaters for the actual enclosure, as well as having opened up the loft with some climbable structures for enrichment.

I’m glad there are people like the Professor who are willing to share their good fortune with those who aren’t so lucky.

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

After the visit to the tree, Ziska and William are not quite ready to go home. Ignoring the street side merchants, they decide to go to the ice rink, mostly to people watch. Considering the usual crowd this time of day on the relatively small ice, actually skating isn’t something either of them is interested in.

Though to their surprise, the rink is deserted. “I know it is Christmas morning, but I expected more people.” William asks.

Ziska nods, indicating the skate shack. “Considering the crowd, it’s not for lack of interest. Something wrong with the skate rental?”

As they approach, they realize what the problem is. For reasons unknown, the skates standing on the shelves are rattling. The poor girl behind the counter repeatedly tells a story of how earlier that morning, people kept slipping and falling, even using their own skates. For “safety concerns” the rink is shut down.

As they get some distance between themselves and the crowd, William leans closer. “Some prankster telekinetic having fun?” He asks quietly

Ziska shakes her head, though she doesn’t seem sure. “Shaking some skates make not be heavy, but keeping it up for almost two hours will wear anyone down. I doubt it is telekinesis...” Before she gets further with her explanation, she feels something pull on her belt buckle. She looks down, and feels as the belt slowly turns to her left. “Okay, it’s magnetic manipulation.”

“Sounds like it’s time for back up.” William replies and pulls out his phone, only to have the display show that there is no reception. In New York City. “Alright, think you can contact someone telepathically?” William turns his head to look where Ziska was just standing. “Zee?” While William was busy with the cell phone, Ziska slipped off the belt, using the buckle to figure out where the magnetic field was pulling it to. William caught up in a moment, but Ziska is pre occupied. “Don’t get your hopes up.”

“For what?” She feigns, but quickly drops the act. “Hey, we all can have Christmas miracles, right?”

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

Back inside, AJ walks into Christmas brunch, the various smells of bacon, eggs and French toast filing the house. She joins in, intending to only stay a few minutes as the “family” talks. Even though they see each other daily, holidays are special. AJ and Logan are first to hear the whirling sound of the Professor’s hover chair.

Merry Christmas everyone. He announces with a smile, his throat too sore to speak. AJ, were you able to catch up on sleep?

“Not so lucky Professor.” She replies.

“Family almost all here.” Logan calls from the other side of the table as he moves a chair aside to make room for the Professor closer to the group, rather than his usual spot on the other end of the table. “‘Cept Ziska an’ William.”

They are in the city. It’s a family tradition to see the Rockefeller Center Tree on Christmas Day.

“By the time dey get home wood will be cold.” Remy replies.

I am certain they will be home shortly.

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

“I told you not to get your hopes up Zee.” William warns as they try to find an entry to the source of the magnetic field.

They are close. Ziska has to hold the belt tightly for it not to fly out of her hands, and pedestrians around them are having trouble with their trinkets and cell phones.

“Hopes or not, this could be trouble.”

“So why don’t you telepathically call for back up?”

“Waves are giving me a headache.” Ziska replies while walking towards a side alley.

“How?”

“It’s a side effect.” Ziska starts. “Before Dad figured out the kinks with Cerebro, he sometimes had Uncle Erik boost his telepathy using a magnetic field.”

“Sounds painful.”

“Only if you don’t know what you are doing.” As the turn the corner, the belt jerks forward. “We’re close.” Ziska expectantly looks back at William. “You are coming, right?”

Behind a dumpster, William notices a pair of shoes, covered in dirt. Zee follows his line of sight and makes a dash, William not reacting fast enough to stop her but right at her heels. As they look around the dumpster, they see an emaciated man, covered in dirt and a mangled beard lying sitting against the wall. His eyes are open, but he’s not paying any mind to the two people gawking down at him Just as William thinks it’s a false alarm, Ziska does loosen her grip on the belt, the buckle flying right into the man’s lap.

William checks for a pulse. Faint, but detectable. “He needs medical attention, fast.”

Ziska kneels down to the man’s side, sliding up his right shirt and looking at his arm. “Remember saying I shouldn’t get my hopes up?”

“Yes.” William replies, uncomfortable with the implication.

“I should have hoped harder.”

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

Except for AJ, most people in the dining room were at the mansion when the wiring for the intercom was done. Over the years, they can tell where a communication is coming from just from the way the consol beeps. And the console also beeps when an entry door opens up. There was some surprise as the group realizes the Blackbird hangar door is opening.

“Mam’selle took a plane to New York?” Remy asks with a laugh.

No. But it is the closest doorway when coming from there flying telekinetically.

“It ain’t that much farther to the patio doors!” Rogue counters.

I am sure there is a reason… The Professor starts, already scanning ahead telepathically. He’s surprised at what he sees, quickly making for the elevator.

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

The Shi’ar medical equipment runs automatically. William and Ziska carry him to the table, Ziska still telepathically overriding his power control. As the scanner comes to life, Ziska tends to William’s injury.

“Who would have ever thought I could go toe to toe against Juggernaut, but nearly get myself crushed by a stupid dumpster?” William laughs as Ziska pulls on gloves and pulls out the alcohol swabs.

“A dumpster magnetically attached to the most powerful living magnet on earth. Hold still.”

As Ziska starts to clean William’s scratches, Professor Xavier enters, shocked at the patient on the table nearly unrecognizable between the weight loss and the shaggy beard and filth. How did you find him?

“Strictly an accident.” Ziska replies. “His powers were out of control. A good section of New York City was affected by him.” She pauses again, and carefully looks at her father. “He is catatonic. His mind seems to have been wiped clean.”

Charles presses his eyes shut, and then turns to his daughter and her friend. I’m sorry Ziska. At the moment… I didn’t see any other options…

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

“He can’t stay here!” Scott argues when the group is back together. A lot of people nod their head in agreement.

“He’s in a vegetative state, what would you prefer us doing?” Ziska shouts back.

“This is complicated Franziska.” Scott replies. “I don’t know what you knew him like back in your reality, but here… it’s different.”

“The X-Men aren’t above forgiving their enemies Scott!”

“Enemies that want to change! If he ever wakes up, he might be on our side for a while, but long term, not a chance.”

“The odds of him coming back are almost zilch! I mean, seriously! His mind was wiped out.” She quickly turns to Logan. “And yes, I understand what he was, and what he did to you… but what, was he supposed to die on the street?”

The argument is over before it begun. If nothing else, Magneto should at least die in peace, with some dignity.

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

The days quickly pass. After getting medical treatment, Erik Lehnsherr’s body starts to recover, but his mind seems lost. When Ziska is not in the room, Hank gets a result that he didn’t think she should know and delivers the news to the Professor on New Years Eve.

“The Magneto we knew is gone, Professor.” He starts calmly.

The elder man lets out a sigh. “Undoubtedly so Henry. So the brain scans are conclusive, there is nothing there.”

Hank stammers. “Not…precisely so….”

“Meaning?”

“There is a faint brainwave pattern. But it only resembles the original on file.”

Charles looks up. “Resembles it how?”

“There are noticeable differences. I would liken it to the changes as for ourselves, after we accepted a certain memory transfer…”

Charles tries to calm down. “You are saying that when I wiped his mind, I made an alternate connection with him and through me, the memories he would have of Franziska are all that is left of his mind.”

“Yes… that is what I’m saying. If Ziska would still have her memory power, I imagine she would have a way to give even more of that persona to this Magneto. Though as it stands… this is a completely different person….”

The End