When Chase did not come back, Nico made the call. And in a flash of blue they answered her.
On one side of their temporary shelter, both Runaways and Young Avengers took shifts to watch over Klara and Molly as they slept. Especially Klara, who continued to sniff and shake. Any trace of vegetation was ensured out of her reach.
Teddy had taken one look at Klara curled up in a tight ball, immediately returned to his human-like, less threatening natural form and insisted on a double shift. Having – watching - someone you love die to protect you was something he understood very well. By his insisted third shift, Cassie and Karolina joined him.
On the other side, blue light glowed and Billy's telltale "IwanthimtohealIwanthimtohealIwanthimtoheal" chanting hung in the air about them. As they waited, Vision finally joined the main group, still maintaining his go-to "Jonas" identity.
"How's Chase doing?"
"He has stabilized," he answered, "and if he rests properly there should be no permanent damage."
Nico released the breath she had been holding, then turned to Kate. "Thanks for doing this."
"No problem. You would have done the same for us."
There was an awkward silence, both not really knowing what to say in the face of all this. Finally, Nico noticed Eli head outside to watch for trouble.
"What happened to his hand?" she asked, pointing out the unsubtle brace. Kate smirked.
"He broke it punching the Iron Patriot."
"... the who?"
"The Green Goblin in Iron Man Armor," Kate clarified.
"Ah."
It was then that Tommy came back in a rush of wind, Victor hanging off his shoulders and looking woozy. The speedster quickly removed the other from him before handing out bags.
"The one on the right is girl stuff," he added. "Victor picked it, by the way."
"You helped," Victor added from the floor.
"You don't know what you're talking about. Go get sick outside."
Victor stumbled out. Tommy zipped from room to room to hand out the rest of his loot. Soon, it was just Nico, Kate and Vision again.
There was more silence. Finally, Kate broke it with a sigh.
"Nico, I know we've asked this before," she started, "and I know your answer, but … we still want you to come with us. Our teams can help each other. We'll need to look out for each other, now more than ever."
"... we can't," Nico finally answered. "Even with all that's happening... no, especially with all that's happening... we're better off out of uniform and out of public eye. I'm not risking Molly or Klara getting swooped up by the Registration Act and dying before they hit puberty."
Kate winced, but accepted it. "Just promise you'll call us again if... you know."
"I know. And thank you."
"Whoa..." Tommy uttered suddenly, actually walking out from Chase's room in a daze. "That's just beyond creepy."
Billy poked his head out right afterward. "Uh, Viz? You wouldn't happen to have any recent footage of Chase, would you?"
"I do." Then Vision turned back and took note of Nico's expression. "... Oh yes, Billy had to change Chase's face to keep the authorities from recognizing him before we could get him out. Should I have mentioned that earlier?"
"Change his..." Nico's eyebrows shot upward as it hit her. "So who does he look like now?"
Vision blinked his "human" eyes for effect before answering: "Are you familiar with a man calling himself Deadpool?"
"WHAT?!"
"I'm sorry!" Billy sputtered. "I had to think of someone who might look like a car wreck victim, and he was the first one to come to mind! Vision, could you please hurry before he-"
From behind him, there was a hoarse but nevertheless horrified scream.
"... He's awake."