Generally, it would have been a happy day had not the activities been better for time out of the apartment suite. Danielle was informed the night before that she would be touring some of the internment camps in California the next morning. No other information was given despite the terse message, but by the time morning came and she was about to eat breakfast with Mae and Michael, Peter entered with his team of bodyguards and ushered her out without further ado. She hardly had time to dress for the occasion or even get a bite out of her toast. However, by the time they passed the reporters outside of the apartment building and entered the waiting limo, Peter presented her with clothing for the day, drawing the shades on all of the windows and ordering her to dress.

To say the least, it was very humiliating for a married woman to dress in front of someone who was not her husband or even someone she loved in return. Danielle noted Peter's eyes on her each time she slipped out of one of her garments and pulled on a new one. In turn, she changed her clothes as quickly as she could and soon was opening the blinds, watching the vehicle roll down unfamiliar roads to the first camp she had to tour.

From there, it went from bad to worse. Throughout the sea of more reporters, security and even the officers of each camp, Danielle saw sights she never thought were possible, enough to make her throw up and cry many times over. Each prisoner, dead or alive, was treated with so much disrespect that she had to wonder where Leon was going with his plans for purification and why nobody else had said anything. Hard labor defined the lives of the inmates, most of them aged from their teenaged years to middle-aged, but no more than fifty-five years old or younger than four. With specific instructions, all of them built the infrastructure of the country, from roads to businesses to houses.

Not all were in the building business though. Danielle noted that some children left behind were either sent into solitary confinement or into mines, to bring out natural resources or sometimes other precious metals. Others who were older broke rocks, made car license plates or even processed the belongings of those who just came or those who had been declared deceased. In other parts of the camps, some were sent to the medical unit for experiments and other so-called scientific studies.

By the time Danielle entered the fifth camp and began the showing (the commander in charge of the tour droning on and on), it was after lunchtime and the weak winter sun shone hotter. Not only did she feel lightheaded from the lack of food and the heat, but from the emotional shock and the reporters that badgered her for commented (she even said one that would get her in trouble later on, she was sure). She could not begin to comprehend or explain the unfairness or the disgust she felt upon seeing these poor people, all of them condemned because they were different like her. She could hardly believe that anybody would go that low, especially after the events from many wars ago, and that anybody would allow it to happen or to continue.

I guess it's the charisma that matters. Sighing towards the end of the last leg of the journey, Danielle tugged on Peter's suit sleeve, asking when they were stopping for food.

Peter recoiled, insulted that Danielle dared to touch him and in front of many other people too, and soon was pushing himself to the front of the line. Danielle didn't bother checking to hear what Peter was saying, but it was obvious that everyone around them was in agreement. By the time Peter came back to Danielle, the commander announced that lunch was being served in his quarters and that all were welcome to join in.

It was a relief. Danielle followed her group back to the commander's office, where several courses were set up, and was seated to the commander's left. Peter took the right and was soon babbling about this and that thing. Danielle did not pay attention, only taking in her food slowly. While it was delicious at first, she soon lost her appetite. It did not seem right for her to be eating when so many others were starving. Choking down some red wine and nibbling on some mashed potatoes instead, she smiled as Peter buzzed on and sat down.

Throughout the meal, Danielle also chose to remain silent, nodding every now and then and speaking a word or two in encouragement. Peter was pleased, she saw, and figured that he was calculating something in his head, most likely how to report bad behavior if there was any. Danielle did not want to know what it was otherwise, thinking it perverse to even try to probe his outer thoughts. It was easier to stay the way she was and bite on food she felt was wasted on her.

Honestly, what she found was entertaining was listening to the officers. All of them were loyal to her husband, but they seemed joyous and boisterous. They all were her age or slightly older, which made relating to them easier, albeit it was hard to keep to herself and not join in. One of them even winked at her, his eyes glistening gold for a second before he turned back to his partner to spit out a joke. Nobody noticed it other than Danielle. However, she felt comforted by a familiar presence, even though it was disguised.

Towards the end of the luncheon, a guard entered and was soon between the commander and Peter. He whispered something frantically into the commander's ear, something that caught Peter's interest greatly, and exited. The commander then rose from his seat, prompting the rest of the party to do the same, and gave everyone a sorrowful glance.

"What's the news?" Peter asked, although Danielle suspected that he knew already.

"We have just received word that the Ferris brothers have been assassinated," the commander announced drastically.

"How? Why?" Peter feigned being stunned. His features even twisted into one that was dazed and confused. "It's impossible!"

"I'd rather not say anything in front of Her Excellency," the commander stuttered.

"I believe that Her Excellency can deal with some unpleasant information sometimes and swallow her womanly charms," Peter snapped. "This is now an official investigation under my jurisdiction and I will have the details. Out with it!"

"They had been campaigning in the south with His Excellency." The commander quickly shot an apologetic look at Danielle, a face that told her that he at least respected her. "The night before, when they retired to their respective tents, an assassin managed to sneak past the perimeter security and…and shot them both in the head. He left no other mark."

Danielle, even as an assassin, put a hand to her mouth. "How awful!"

"So we have any suspects? Anyone detained?" Peter pulled out a notepad from his back pocket and pretended to write and be attentive about the matter. "More information?"

"No other information has been presented to me," the commander stated to Peter. "I'll leave that in your capable hands."

Afterward, the commander dismissed everyone. Peter put his writing items back into his pocket and motioned for his guards to escort Danielle back to the limo. They quickly left and entered the vehicle. As soon as Danielle was settled inside and Peter had taken the seat opposite from her, he ordered them to depart and go back to San Francisco. Indeed, Danielle was glad to leave, although she thought the news terrible, even though she hardly liked the Ferris brothers anyway. She knew the consequences of this. The power struggle between the Ferris brothers and Peter was well-known and gossiped about. With them gone, the way to glory and power was paved for the Ellis cousin.

It was a dire situation Danielle did not want to think about. The way Peter stared at her when she was dressing and how he always fought to be the best was enough. She knew that he lusted after her. There was also no question about his want of power either. Danielle had not planned what would happen in case Leon was killed or died suddenly. She sure was going to fight though and ensure that things were set back right again and without Peter taking a grab for it. If Michael was to be a leader of all men, they by God, she would teach him right.

Peter found Danielle gazing out the window after their withdrawal. For two hours, he watched her moves and wondered if she used her powers to communicate with people. He could not tell. He would assume that she would have at least the facial expressions to show it, but there was nothing. He had to do something though. He was sure that Danielle was somehow connected to this assassination, although he found it convenient that the Ferris brothers had been killed. She's proven her worth in words and deeds. What more was she capable of?

"I would ask you what you know, but it seems you know nothing except wishing people peace," Peter began, a statement that startled Danielle. He even referred to her remark to the media about hoping everyone had a good life and all of that, which was nonsense in Peter's eyes.

"Huh?" She shook her head. "I know nothing of this, Peter, just like you've said. I've shown you that I am innocent and that I can take on your henchmen without a problem. What more do I need to do to establish the fact that I am a loyal subject and wife to my husband and his laws?"

"You're a mutant. That makes you a natural liar."

Danielle grew defensive, squaring her shoulders for this new fight. "I'm also a trained assassin and can manipulate you to do anything I want you to do. I've beaten your men before you called in the dogs. What makes you think I can't do the same to you and leave without a trace?"

"You're state property, Danielle. You wouldn't dare."

"No, I wouldn't. Not now anyway. I feel my allegiance should stay with the people I am with. In this case, now and forever, it's you and Leon."

"You've betrayed him and gave him a mutant son."

Danielle shrugged her shoulders. "The power of genetics. What can I say?"

"You ought to be shot," Peter declared, his face shaded red.

"And what? You watch me laugh at you?"

"I could order the same for your brother."

"He'd do the same thing to you. Give it up, Peter. You can't touch me. You can do nothing to me now."

"I can blame you for the assassination. Leon will believe that."

"You've also been spying on me for how long? Give it up. I'm monitored and recorded and so is Mae. There's nothing on us. You also don't have a right to lock us up."

"No, but your husband does. So, tell me, Danielle…you wish him success on this latest venture in Mexico?"

"I hope Leon gets everything he ever wanted and has success at every turn," Danielle said fervently. "I wouldn't want him harmed."

Peter licked his lips. "A very roundabout answer, my lady, I'll give you that. However, it doesn't mean anything. The new laws say that I can accuse you of anything and have you killed on the spot."

"I thought I could be burned, extra crispy?"

"I'm working on it. Would be entertaining to see you in the fire though."

"I'm sure. However, I am deducing you want to know what information I have?"

"Assume away, wife of my cousin. Go ahead. Use your powers and check it out. I want to see your uncanny abilities in action."

"I'm not that disrespectful. I was taught better than that and by a man who was more a gentleman than you'll ever be. So, I'll do this the easy way. Read my lips, Peter. I. Didn't. Do. Anything. I. Know. Nothing."

Peter somehow doubted the words, choosing not to answer and letting silence go between them. However, he could not tell if he was violated or not or if his mind had been manipulated to believe her. Again, there was no way to tell. In the meantime, he could just drop Danielle off at the apartment building. When the limo finally stopped, he called for the usual security escort and passed Danielle through the reporters outside, handing her back the clothes she wore this morning when picked up. Peter then left Danielle at the door without another word. She entered the suite and allowed security to check the premises before allowing her to settle down. When that was finished and she was alone with Mae and Michael, the guards closed the doors behind them.

"There's been news," Mae began, allowing Michael to go to his bedroom and play with some toys after greeting his mother.

"If it's what I heard, then don't bother." Danielle shrugged off her jacket, suddenly feeling ridiculous in the clothes Peter had given her. She tossed the remaining articles on the couch. "We're going to be blamed for it."

"For what? Leon triumph in beating back the Mexicans?" Mae barked out laughter. "Oh, Danielle, how silly of you!"

"Wait, you didn't hear the news about the Ferris brothers?" Danielle was confused.

Mae stopped her laughter and scrunched her forehead into wrinkles. "What are you talking about?"

"The Ferris brothers? The two men who like hanging onto the coat of your brother?"

"Yeah, I know of them. What about them?"

Danielle hesitated before saying anything. "They had been assassinated while campaigning with Leon. The only thing I received about the situation was that they had been shot in the head."

Mae's mouth went agape. "No."

"Yes," Danielle confirmed. "And I think I know who did it."

"Hold that thought," a voice behind them said. When Mae and Danielle pivoted, they saw Mystique in her usual maid disguise, her gold eyes shining before changing back to brown. "We're not speculating this."

"Why now?" Danielle demanded, hands on her hips. "The style of execution fits on person alone."

"And we're leaving it alone," Mystique announced. "Now, I have more information about it and we're leaving it alone. I also have other news that's more important anyway."

"What is it?" Mae was curious, putting a hand on Danielle's shoulder to calm her down.

"First off, Roger is planning a pick-up by next year," Mystique revealed. "Ellis has conquered northern Mexico and pushed their forces back for miles. He's elated despite the Ferris guys getting their due."

"As well he should be." Mae sounded bitterer by the victory than she initially was.

Danielle eased her arms to her sides. "Is he moving forward?" she asked, afraid of the answer.

"Working out a deal," Mystique confirmed. "However, I think it's a trap. He has his eyes set on the country and moving down south. He doesn't seem so concerned about Canada…for now anyway. Peter Ellis is going to be sent up there in two months. In the meantime, armies are massing those borders now."

"How many people versus what Leon has?"

"Canada has more than enough people to make a siege last for years, much like Russia can. They are also calling for reinforcements from the Commonwealth."

"That would mean all of the old dominions from England would help us." Mae seemed a little more relieved.

"If they agree," Mystique warned. "We don't know their feelings, especially since one of our own killed the enemy and was brutal about it. Most of them are tired of the US messing things up and are doing everything in their power to stay away. However, if Canada is up in arms and trying to keep the power contained, then somebody's attention is bound to be grabbed. It only takes one loud voice to get the others to come running."

"And us?" Danielle felt like they were the bait and that they would somehow be forgotten. "What will we do?"

"This is why Roger is taking the year to plan," Mystique replied. "If Ellis is distracted down south and Peter can't cut through Canada, then there's a huge chance. With or without the Commonwealth, we can get through too."

"Get through what?" Mae felt the suspense was suffocating her.

"Get back on reconstruction and win this," Mystique said, glaring at Mae like she was dense. "If Ellis is focused someplace else, then we have the opportunity to cut through their own lines…and strike him down by stabbing him in the back."