Rules of Engagement

• Writer - Chuck Austen
• Penciler - Ron Garney
• Inker - Mark Morales
• Colorist - J.D. Smith
• Lettering - Chris Eliopoulos
• Ass't Editor - Mike Raicht
• Editor - Mike Marts
• Editor in Chief - Joe Quesada

Summary

  Xavier brings Alex up to speed (since X-Factor 149, Sep-98): secondary mutations, 9-11, Piotr's death, Nova, Genosha. "Oh, and don't be surprised to see Juggernaut wandering the halls."

  Others wait outside to meet with Xavier; Lorna and the original X-Men cut in line to welcome Alex home; Annie objects; Lorna pointedly tells her Alex doesn't need her anymore. Scott stands by Annie while Lorna gushes over Alex, who seems uncomfortable and hugs his brother, instead. He says he loves the X-Men all so much, that thinking of them kept got him through his coma. Lorna apologizes (presumably for breaking up with him in X-Factor 148), and asks him to marry her. Everyone is stunned; Annie anguished; Alex doesn't actually answer, and Hank congratulates the couple.

  Warren checks on Bobby, since he and Lorna were an item once (iss. 49, Oct-1968), and then goes to lunch with Paige; Bobby makes fun of their age difference: "Sixteen'll get you twenty."

  In the infirmary, Paige babbles about Warren, Annie's skeptical and asks if he can walk on water; when Paige mentions he healed her with his blood, she worries about AIDS, but Paige says the X-gene makes them immune. Alex shows up unexpectedly, sensing there's something he should know.

  Xavier finally gets around to meeting with Cain; they go for a walk on the grounds, and Cain awkwardly, sincerely, says he likes working with a team and not being chased by the police. He asks if he can stay, and Xavier happily approves but says the team leaders will have to decide if he can join the team.

  Alex thanks Annie for tending him; embarrassed, she stammers about washing him and then switches subjects to his engagement.

  Kurt tells Xavier he's leaving to join Alex and Lorna on an archaeological dig in Bermuda. Next day, Alex says a long goodbye to Annie, who he seems to remember from his coma. Lorna calls him into the cab, and he offers to read to her, using the same words Annie had always used to Alex.

  Two days later, Alpha Flight comes knocking on the door with warrants from Canada and New York state. They're taking the children.