A/N: Hi I'm Kusco, here's the things you may need to know or may have just forgotten...

The world was shaken when the Hulk attacked a Peace Summit in Metropolis and Captain America was critically injured. Dr. Doom demanded the Cap's body and Wonder Woman vowed to stand in his way. With the help of Iron Man and Thor she felled a dragon who pronounced doom upon every living thing. Meanwhile the Joker was killed by the Punisher for his alleged part in the peace summit massacre. Batman was injured in the attack and taken to X-mansion along with Catwoman by Professor Xavier. In order to confirm the Joker's death, Batman performed an autopsy. All the while Wolverine recovered from the latest attempt on his life by the League of Assassins as punishment for his killing of Ra's Al Ghul but of all the events in the X-mansion, none were more important than the fact that Jean Grey, who had lain in a coma for a year, was suddenly speaking again...

Chapter 10

The Perfect Set Up

"Thor."

"Tony."

"I gotta say…" Tony scratched the back of his neck, he saw Thor almost weekly at Avenger's Mansion, but for some reason making small talk while standing at the foot of a dragon carcass was just plain awkward. "… I didn't expect to find you out here."

"I was lead to believe your armor supplies you with global positioning wherever you may be," Thor raised a brow and it tucked beneath his helmet.

"Well as you can see," Tony held his arms out to display his trashed two thousand dollar suit. "Not exactly armored up right now."

"Indeed," Thor nudged the dragon's bloody snout before walking over to his teammate. "Before we share more words, I wish to know what tidings you have of Steve. Does he yet cling to life? Is there improvement to his condition?"

Tony sighed and shook his head. "No improvement since the last time I checked in with the hospital. He's stable for now that's about the best I got."

Thor nodded solemnly for a moment. "Then it shall have to suffice. Steve has fought many battles and won. In this too he shall triumph."

"Who am I to question a god?" Tony shrugged. "You haven't by chance put in a word with your Old Man about him have you? Maybe he could work some of his Super God mojo and heal Steve?"

Thor's fingers tightened just a little on the grip of his hammer and his eyes narrowed. Tony knew that look and he forced himself to focus on Thor's hammer to keep himself from grinning.

"The power of the All Father is not to be taken lightly," Thor grunted but then closed his eyes and shook his head. "But I am afraid I have asked my father and he does not see fit to intervene."

"It's okay," Tony started away from the dragon corpse. Somehow, even though it was dead, he still got the impression that it could hear them. "I didn't really think Odin was going to start throwing out 1ups."

"1ups?"

"Nevermind, the point is that you're right, Steve will pull through."

"Indeed!" Thor nodded and clapped Tony's back "And what a tale we will have to tell him when he does. How you aided Diana and I in besting the wyrm! It was a valiant thing that you did Tony, facing it without your armor. I never thought you had the stomach for that sort of thing!"

"Believe me," Tony glanced back at the dead beast. "I don't. And I also don't have a coat and it's freezing. Mind if we get back to Wonder Woman's jet?"

"Very well!" Thor chuckled and scooped Tony up like a groom taking a bride across the threshold. By the time Thor even acknowledged Tony, they were a hundred feet in the air and gaining altitude over the brunt remnants of evergreens and shattered remains of rock faces; a testament to the power of their battle, but something Tony barely noticed. He was too busy shouting at the god carrying him.

"Whoa! Whoa! I didn't say you could carry me!"

"And I did not ask permission," Thor shrugged. "It is the quickest way, Diana is surely waiting for us. Now show me the way to where you landed."

"Hold on, just hold on," Tony did is best to remain calm. "It's over that way, southwest now if you don't mind… do you… do you think there's anyway for you to carry me that doesn't look like we're eloping to the hills in the Sound of Music?"

"I don't understand," Thor raised a brow. "This is the simplest, most comfortable way for me to carry you."

"Again with the assuming I wanted you to carry me. Come on Thor, you understand a man's dignity don't you?"

"Aye, that I do," Thor nodded and one hand released Tony's legs and caught him below the armpit. "Does that embolden your manhood?"

"Dear God Thor, why do you have to say it like that?"

"Behold, I see our lady ahead."

Thor dropped them below the treeline and Tony had to lift his knees and practically do a curl up to avoid getting slapped between the legs by the top of a pine tree. Wonder Woman's jet was of course no where to be seen, but they could spot her looking out at them from an open hatch floating a few feet off the ground.

They came in for a landing and Thor, thankfully, let Tony down only a foot away from the ground. Still he couldn't help but stumble a couple of steps before righting himself and strolling toward where he assumed the jet's loading ramp was.

Wonder Woman stood up ahead and Tony matched the welcome grin she gave to him. He remembered how impressed she was back at the fight and could already think of several ways to capitalize on it. And that would start by giving her a snappy one liner as soon as he reached her.

Before he could do that however Thor landed just in front of him, standing nearly as broad as the hatch. Tony reeled to a halt but still managed to take a face full of Thor's cape.

"I am most pleased you came," Thor said to her. "And I regret that in the heat of battle I could not greet you properly. A misstep I shall correct right now."

With that Thor bent one knee and clasped one of Wonder Woman's hands. "Hail Diana! Fair Princess of Themysicara and most Fair. May not one locke from your perfect head fall unnoticed and may you bring swift death to all your enemies."

That said, Thor kissed the top of her hand. Tony tried to convince himself that it was just a trick of the light but he swore Wonder Woman's cheeks grew just a bit rosier. Perhaps it was the cold mountain air spilling into the cabin. No way she would be suckered into Thor's chivalrous god routine.

"As Princess of Themyscira I accept your greetings with humility and gratitude," she bowed her head as Thor rose. "And I do return to you all due honor upon your godly brow. May your enemies cower at the very mention of the name of Odinson and may valor flow to your people."

They held each other's gaze for a moment until Tony stepped into the cabin and only then did Wonder Woman seem to notice him for the first time.

"Hi Diana," he gave a little wave as he tried not to feel somehow small.

"Hi Tony," Wonder Woman nodded to him before turning back to Thor.

"Diana," Thor said. "Would that you should accompany me to Asgard! There we may rest from our travails and properly speak of the events foretold by the slain beast. You would be most welcome there as the All-Father is most eager to meet you."

Wonder Woman shook her head. "I'm afraid that will have to wait, I came searching for you in order to gain your favor on a great task."

Thor crossed his hands over his chest and smiled. "Of course, the Princess of the Amazons does not simply make social visits. What is it you have risked death to speak with me about?"

"Doom," she said. "And I am more convinced than ever that he is at the center of what the beast foretold."

"I see…" Thor frowned. Diana motioned toward the chairs at the cockpit and the two of them sat down, Tony followed, choosing to stand and lean against a nearby bulkhead while he watched. "… I must confess I am no expert when it comes to the subject of Victor Von Doom. Have you tried consulting Reed Richards?"

"He was unavailable," Wonder Woman replied. "However this does not lessen my need. Doom has made a threat against the United States, and Steve Rogers, I am certain he plans on doing him harm."

Thor's lips pressed into a fine line and he sat up a little straighter in his chair. Tony gave a small nod to himself. Thor may have been the God of Thunder and dealt with all sorts of demi-gods and regular super villains but few things got to him as much as messing with one of his friends. And few men were closer to Thor's heart than Steve Rogers.

"Then what is it you wish to do?" Thor said. "If Steve is in danger then I am at your service milady."

"That's actually something I've been wondering myself," Tony said, drawing their attention. "I mean let's be honest Diana, as much as I love spending time in your company, you usually have your own little circle that you go to when there's problems."

"True," she nodded. "But people in your circle have more experience with Doom than those in mine."

"And what else?" Thor said.

"I'm sorry?"

"There is something else," he said. "Something you are not saying. If you need help with Doom, why not call upon Superman or Batman? As I understand it, you are particularly close to them."

"Superman isn't available," Wonder Woman said. "But I wouldn't approach him with this even if he was, for the same reason I won't go to Batman. They're too close to this. Superman is wrapped up in his quest to bring in the Hulk, Batman is too wrapped up his investigations."

"So we're just your silver medals?" Tony said. "Wow, you know how to flatter a guy."

"It's not just that," Wonder Woman stepped closer. "I don't just intend to end the threat of Doom. I want to ensure Steve's recovery in the process. For that I need the power of a god, and someone that has first hand experience snatching an injured man from the jaws of certain death. Sure, I suppose Superman and Batman may qualify, but they won't be as invested as the two of you."

Tony couldn't help the smile that crept up his face. He really didn't want to give her the satisfaction but he had to admit that when she actually wanted to play the part of ambassador she knew how to work it. He glanced over to Thor, who shared his smile.

"Then we should celebrate our new found camaraderie," Thor said. "Lady Diana, let me guide your craft to the finest meadhall in all midgard!"

"Here we go…" Tony rolled his eyes and Wonder Woman cracked a grin.

Clouds had hung heavy over X-mansion for the better part of the day. Big, plump, grey ones that threatened to unload all kinds of rain, sleet, or hail onto the building at a moments notice. Jubilee often suspected that at times like this, Storm was just jerking them around; waiting for them to put their guard down before she unleashed 'mother nature' or whatever.

Of course as ominous as the clouds may have been, they paled in comparison to the look she saw on Cyclop's face every time he left Jean's room. He had burst in a while ago demanding to use Tim's phone in an effort to get a hold of the Professor but had since been reduced to just going in and out of Jean's room, scowling at anybody that tired to go in that wasn't Professor Xavier.

This became especially hard when the Professor had actually returned to the mansion then flown back to Gotham to retrieve the Joker's body without even speaking to him.

Which made Jubilee avoid Jean's room altogether, Cyclops was about as likely to blast something as he was to talk. Of course she also had to avoid the room Tim currently occupied, otherwise she would have to watch as he assisted Batman in rummaging through a dead clown's guts. Not exactly her idea of a night well spent.

So, she set upon her what had become an even more tiresome chore than any of those other things. Namely, making sure Wolverine was actually resting and recuperating from the League of Assassin's latest attempt on his life. At least having Tim around was worth having someone being able to figure out who kept attacking her favorite Canadian hairball. Or at least getting him to admit it.

Of course she didn't find Wolverine in his room, much less his bed. Nope, that would make too much sense. Get sliced open by swords that negate your healing factor? Do you bed rest? Of course not! You go to the Danger Room and work out!

And that's exactly where she found him. By now she knew well enough not to go directly into the danger room during one of his sessions; she valued her eyebrows and limbs far too much for that. She made her way to the control room and watched as Wolverine faced off against trap doors, jets of fire, steel presses, and the occasional robotic drone. The Danger Room 'Classic' as they liked to call it at the mansion.

After shutting it down, Jubilee rushed to the floor and got there just as Wolverine was yelling into the comm panel for someone to reactivate the simulation. She just leaned against the doorframe and waited for him to notice her. She actually found it slightly adorable that his eyes widened just a little and his mouth twisted in something that resembled the frown of a child that had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

"Yeah," she said. "This looks like 'resting' to me."

"Right," Wolverine shrugged and went for a water bottle. "And how's your date going tonight darlin?"

"You try dating a guy who's always on call," Jubilee sighed and handed Wolverine a towel. "He's helping Batman with an autopsy."

"Thought I smelled the Bat," Wolverine said as he wiped himself down. "You know you'd think he might smell like bat droppings but more often than not it's some kind of fresh soapy smell. I think his butler washes his clothes a little too well."

"Okay," Jubilee shook his head. "We're taking you back to Beast. You're using humor to deflect the fact that I'm mad at you. That's not right."

"Wasn't joking. I think it's Cheer."

Jubilee rolled her eyes, crossed her arms, and did her very best 'woman very much not putting up with you' face that she could. She'd lost count of how many times she'd seen it on the face of one of her colleagues; usually when they had to deal with the likes of Wolverine or Gambit.

"Look, I'm mostly healed by now," Wolverine lifted up his shirt, revealing the faint outlines of scars along his ribs. "Once I got that stuff off of me my healing factor kicked in."

"Well that's great and everything," Jubilee said. "But you could at least give it a rest for a few hours? Everything is going to hell and you're here in the Danger Room pretending that it's no big deal that ninja's attack you everywhere you go!"

"Darlin'," Wolverine said. "When you get attacked by ninja's as long as I have it really stops being a red letter day when they do."

"You're unbelievable!" Jubliee threw her hands up and made for the door. "Whatever Wolvie, just… just don't expect me to haul your hairy ass to your bedroom the next time it happens."

Wolverine let out a grunt and followed behind her, slinging the towel behind his neck and letting it hang over either shoulder. Jubilee did her best to ignore him but he kept a quiet pace right behind her, all the while she acted indignant. Before she even knew it though, he was right beside her, walking silently until she chose to acknowledge him.

"What?"

"I heard Jeanie is speaken again," he said.

"Yeah," she nodded. "Though I figured you would have been down there already."

"There's a time and place to do your battles," he replied. "And trying to get in to see her while Slim is fixin to give the literal death glare to anybody that bothers him didn't seem to fit the bill. Not unless she was in danger or something."

"From what I heard, she's just repeating the same word over and over again," Jubilee shrugged. "Dirge, or something like that."

"Dirge," Wolverine rubbed his chin. "Do we know someone named Dirge? Seems like we should, or maybe someone in Batman's circle."

"Hell if I know," Jubilee shrugged, happy that he was finally taking things at least somewhat seriously. "I stopped trying to keep track of everybody's names years ago."

Wolverine let out a short chuckle and the two continued down the hallway in a comparatively companionable silence. Jubilee really wanted to ask him a number of things, the mansion was close to chaos, what with the Professor and Scott dealing with Jean and the Batman cutting up corpses. Someone needed to make sure that the X-men were taken care of. Maybe Wolverine wasn't everyone's number one choice to help out but he was hers.

Instead she just walked along with him, waiting for the right moment to bring up the fact that no one had bothered to check any of their alert systems or even e-mails, at least that's what Tim told her when he was using their computer earlier in the day. How he managed to find that out was beyond her. She just knew to never lend him her cell.

For a moment she considered bringing her concerns up, unfortunately she never got the chance. A familiar and loud 'bamf' noise broke the silence of the hallway and Nightcrawler popped into being directly in front of them. In spite of herself, Jubilee jumped backward at the sudden appearance of their resident teleporter.

"Hey watch it Elf…" Wolverine started but then paused when he actually got a look at their fellow x-man. He held his head over his hands, sweat trickled over his face, and every step he took looked as if he might fall over. "…Kurt… you okay?"

Nightcrawler turned his eyes on them and rushed at Wolverine, grappling his shoulders "Stoppen Sie die Musik! Kann man da nicht die Musik hören?"

"What?" Jubilee raised a brow.

"We don't speak german," Wolverine said. "Elf, you need to speak-"

"Die Musik! Ich kann nicht aufhören! Nicht auf sie hören! Hört es, wenn ich schlafen will! Lauter jedes mal!"

"Dammit Kurt what's…"

Before Wolverine could finish the sentence, Nightcrawler groaned and the disappeared in a puff of sulphur smelling vapor. Jubliee and Wolveirne both swatted at the smoke and did their best to not inhale it. Once it cleared they were left staring at each other trying to figure things out.

"What the hell was that?" Jubilee said.

"Dunno," Wolverine took a few steps. "Something really shook the elf up. Not sure what but we need to…"

"We need to… what?"

"Got his scent," Wolverine started down the hallway. "You coming girl or not?"

Given her luck, it was no wonder that as soon as she made her way to the rooftop, the heavy clouds would pick that moment to open up and dump their contents on her. She could only sigh and then frown; as cliché as it was, cat's hated water.

And of course, she wouldn't even be out there, in the pouring rain, if he had the good sense to not brood outdoors.

But there he was, standing on the roof, letting the rain splash off his batsuit, and trail down his cape in little rivulets. Ordinarily, a wet Batman was something she might find sexy as all hell but knowing the state he was likely in at this point, she had to wonder if the X-men's blue, furry, doctor was single. He seemed like less work.

Still, someone had to talk some sense into him.

"Robin told me about the results," she said as she approached.

He didn't answer.

"So he's finally gone then."

He just stood there.

"And you told Dr. McCoy to have the body cremated… guess that makes sense."

She reached him but he didn't so much as a move to acknowledge her. Part of her had to wonder what was wrong with her, that she willingly put herself in a position to help the Tin-Batman find his heart. She stole jewels and artifacts, she didn't psychoanalyze nighttime vigilantes.

"Bruce," she looked up at him. "Why are you out here? The Joker is dead. You did an autopsy; you've seen it with your own eyes. Is it really so hard for you to accept?"

"I know he's dead," Bruce muttered.

"Oh! He speaks!" Catwoman cocked a grin but let it fade when he didn't go on speaking. "So if you're finally convinced that he's dead, why are you brooding?"

The silent treatment came back.

Catwoman sighed and rubbed her eyes, the rain splashed colder and colder on her tight outfit and she found herself envying Batman's cape. He probably even had his thermal tights on. But as they stood there in the rain, and more shivers ran up her spine, she her patience wore thin, especially since she knew exactly what was actually bothering him. She just didn't want to talk about it or even admit it. But he wasn't going anywhere.

"Dammit Bruce!" she finally said. "Do you realize what a sick bastard you are!"

This got his attention. He actually turned and looked at her.

"Yeah! You heard me! You're sick! The Joker's dead and you're out here mourning him! That man… that thing was the worst creature any of us had known. And I'm not even talking about just you and your friends. I'm talking about everyone that knew him. All of us in your supposed 'rogues gallery' thought it too. We all hated him and we were all a little scared of him. He butchered hundreds, tormented you, and even killed one of your little birds! How dare you feel pity, or remorse, or even guilt now that he's gone!"

"Selina," he said. "You don't understand…"

"Of course I understand!" Catwoman threw her hands in the air. "Holmes lost his Moriarty! Luke lost his Darth Vader! Jerry lost his Newman! You feel some bizarre connection to that madman and now you're sad that it's finally over. Or that you couldn't save him or… what the hell ever. It's not complicated!"

To her surprise, Batman reached out and clasped her shoulder. Then he pulled back his cowl so she could see his face. What she saw surprised her and what he said, even more so.

"That's not it at all Selina," he said. "For years I've wondered how I would feel if I outlived him. And part of me has always feared that I would feel exactly the things you're describing. But now that it's happened and I can finally look at it, I feel… relieved. No, I feel happy. I'm glad that he's dead. And that's why I'm out here. It's the one thing I never expected. I feel like I'm almost ready to close a horrible chapter in my life and I'm not entirely sure how to deal with it."

Catwoman found herself blinking at him and trying to figure out if she really heard what she thought she heard. How on earth did this man always manage to be the most unpredictable predictable man she ever met?

"Okay…" she said. "So you're okay with the Joker's death."

"No," he said. "I'm okay with him being dead. That doesn't mean that I don't fully intend on bringing the Punisher to justice."

At this Catwoman rubbed the bridge of her nose. Of course he planned on bringing in the Punisher. Why not just let one slide? But he wouldn't. That's why he was Batman. At the very least she wanted to try and talk him into not going at it alone. That by itself would be a feat.

She never got the chance to voice her suggestion. Even as she opened her mouth, the sky let loose and a barrage of lightning crashed to the ground. No less than ten bolts carved jacked 'cracks' across the sky, all around the mansion. A moment later the accompanying thunder boom echoed around them. By the time Catwoman turned back to Bruce, he'd slipped his cowl back on.

"That wasn't normal," he said.

"I really should be making a crack about your detective skills," Catwoman said. "But in this case… couldn't it be Storm?"

"Possibly," Batman said. "But she would need a reason to do it. As far as I know, nothing is going on right now."

Another round of lightning went off and Batman had his finger to one of his ears where he could activate his comm-channel. The thunder blasted whatever words he spoke away from Catwoman's ears but the response came in clearly enough.

"Jean Grey," Tim's voice came through the radio with a bit of static. "Something's going on."

And just like that, their heart to heart went the way of most of their heartfelt discussions; thrown by the wayside by a convenient emergency. Sometimes Catwoman really did wonder if there was someone out there playing a big cosmic joke on her.

A/N II: I promise I won't make you wait another year to find out what happens next. I'll be updating again sometime this week. Sorry for the prolonged absence and thank you to everyone that has read this story.