April 29, 2008
It was a difficult winter and spring was hardly excited about coming. As the snow continued to drip into muddy swirls around the yard and turn the flooded streets brown, the house remained as busy as ever. While almost everyone had finally found their niche and had been working to prove themselves people worthy of return to their mother country, there were some that had just moved on with their lives with the lot given to them. The busiest had been Teller and Roger. The former had been elated about the reopening of his bar for the third time (with Xavier's help) and the latter had been anxious about another growing movement that he alone was in charge of overseeing.
Roger had wanted some action done this winter, but with the weather so horrible, he was loathe to move and felt lethargic sitting around for months. Instead, he studied this new assembly, another bunch of youthful maniacs who were extremists separate from Ellis (and that was being nice), and he thought them too easy to abolish. He wanted his usual team to deal with it and received positive answers from two of them at least (Teller and Jay) and a negative from one because of personal reasons (Alex). However, he only had to wait for consent from two more people and they had been too busy in their misery that Roger would need to meet with them separately.
First, there was Danielle. A mother missing two of her children and doting on another for the time being (and for life by the looks of it), the Ellis widow had been attempting to dive into teaching the household children before September claimed them in a more public setting. She had also been inquiring about other things quietly, most of them about Michael and Riley and how Magneto was doing (since no letters had been forthcoming), and had been pretending to mind her own business when it came down to how the military government was doing.
Otherwise, Hank and Xavier had her on other assignments in her spare time, most of them involving some scouting in the towns when Devon was sleeping and perhaps taking a drink at the local bar…until someone asked if she was Danielle Ellis. By then, they had to stop since people were asking Danielle too many awkward questions and were inquiring why the widow was not mourning for her loss or celebrating like the rest of the world.
And they thought it would be easy to camouflage her. The silly fools do not know how plastered her face is on every public arena in the world.
And then, there was Logan. While released to them and only allowed to leave the town if the Canadian government said so (and that required a lot of annoying paperwork), he had been like a caged animal, but silent and in a worse condition than he was since the Ellis shooting. It was bothersome, but something Roger could work with, especially with the course of action to get Logan to interact again.
Initially, Logan had stuck to the basement and hardly spoke to anyone. Teller had been the only one to reach him, even if Xavier had tried the same tactics as before and did not succeed as well, backing down for the more familiar and like people in Logan's life. He had not been able to be a friend to Logan as he was before, more of a guiding hand more than anything, and remained less pushy than before.
Regardless, nobody had been able to gauge how Logan felt and if he was up to the task of running another mission. Roger felt that he was ready and would do all he could to make it happen. Indeed, he had already submitted the request to both heads of state (in Canada and in the US) for the pair to be part of this assignment, biting his nails every so often. While the Canadians were easier on Danielle, they were harsh on Logan. The same happened to Danielle in the US.
It was next a battle for Roger to explain their merits, any plans to make them as invisible as possible and having promises extracted from him that the two would behave themselves and only do what was necessary. That the master spy could agree to. It would be easy to keep Danielle out of trouble as she never liked courting it (it always came to her). Logan was the tricky one, the danger magnet even if he did not call for it. Roger was sure that something dramatic would come up and bite them in the ass…and that it would be one or the other.
In his upstairs office writing some correspondence to the US government one cold afternoon, Roger heard a knock on his door and called out to whoever it was on the other side. He continued his scribbling though, thinking it more important than a visitor to finalize the plans and send it via unofficial channels (having recruited more than he bargained for from the Black Serpents and having them continue on after all). While he noted that Teller sat before the desk, he went on ignoring the bar owner until he was done, sealing the envelope and making it a grand show of it.
"Gee, I feel so loved," Teller remarked to Roger when the communication was set aside.
"Part of the trade," Roger replied, feeling quite annoyed that he was interrupted. He preferred his wife for company these days, but she was busy with childish scrapes and tears. "What's going on?"
Teller shrugged his shoulders. "You tell me. Charles gave me what he could to help me get reestablished like last time, but even that isn't kicking off until we get there and wait for some amnesty and protection. Doesn't help that I don't have my crew. Speaking of which, hear anything about Snake Eyes yet?"
Roger sighed, anticipating the question. "Nothing yet. He disappeared off the map again. For all I know, the guy could have developed a personality, grabbed a wife and helped to pop out a million kids by now."
It took all of Teller's strength not to snort at the absurd statement, although he managed to smirk to show his amusement. Snake Eyes was said to have survived the trials since his capture over ten years before, but he had not been traced since. Roger combed through every registration and Red Cross paperwork in all towns and found nothing. Teller took it as the man was hiding out and testing out the political situation before poking his head out permanently. Then again, he never knew with his bouncer, who was as mysterious as the day Erik dropped him off, saying that Snake Eyes needed to be invisible and to never be put on paper again.
"Then, I want Jay Mitchell as my bouncer," Teller demanded. "Storm and Matthew need to handle lights and music. I want Rogue, Bobby and that metal guy for my cleaning crew. Danielle is entertainment, maybe with Jay or Jean perhaps. Alex can man the back rooms if Lorna would allow it. Logan can take his usual spot at the counter if he wants to. I will keep that set warm f I have to."
Roger sighed, now frustrated by the stipulations. "We can only handle a few things at a time," he said to Teller, trying to remain calm. "I have Jay and Fiona down there already, so you'll have your one bouncer back. Alex has already declined any involvement and is currently chasing Lorna across the country. Storm and Matthew have yet to be asked and I doubt they would want to reopen those wounds. Logan might be interested. Rogue, Bobby and Colossus though? Really? A bunch of kids?"
"Who are now adults," Teller reminded him. "You've picked up kids younger than them. Need I remind you of Danielle?"
"She was different," Roger declared hotly, sounding defensive. "She was ready and mature enough, a rare feat in someone. Training her was never a regret."
Now, Teller snorted. "Whatever, Firebird. You can pick and choose as you please, whenever the condition suits you. However, deal is mine to make. I want the whole crew or nothing."
"Even if Charles was willing to financially put you up for the second time?"
"Even then. However, I will be returning his money if that is the case. He won't be pleased."
"Alex is definitely a no-go. Are you willing to work with that?"
Teller took a second to think it over. "Yes. Lorna is a tough cookie anyway."
Roger was visibly relieved, tired of negotiating. "All right. If Matthew and Storm cannot make it, then who do you want?"
"Bring Scott and Jean and the family. I want them anyway, but that's not the point. I can take them all on."
"Like Scott will agree to that. Jean will be horrified."
"They can kiss my ass. I don't want to separate the families, them especially, and you need to deal with it. You're gonna have to take the hand you're offered or leave it. Same thing I told Ellis all those years ago."
Roger waved his hand in dismissal, thinking the sentimental statements trivial in this case. "We'll work on who is coming later. Care to get me the miserable couple?"
Teller knew who Roger was referring to. Getting up from his chair, he executed a mock salute and left, something that even made the master spy smile. It reminded him of times past when he thought the bar owner was a nuisance (and before Logan recruited him to their side of things), something that he quickly terminated as easily as Teller's soft decisions. He was impatient though, hoping to get Logan and Danielle onboard.
Roger only had to wait a few minutes before Logan entered first. He wasn't quite what the spy expected. He was wearing the same clothes he had for three months (he wasn't one for shopping and Mae and to sneak in measuring him for new clothing and boots, something that Logan did not notice or care about) and he didn't appear so disheveled as he had when he came back in December. He was stoic, displaying neither his usual displeasure when dealing with Roger nor his shining sarcasm to hide his beaming personality. His cigar smoking and beer drinking was still sorely missed too (that was a sure sign things weren't normal), even if Xavier banned both in the house.
Regardless, the petulance was still simmering underneath, especially when he crossed his arms. "What?" he asked Roger.
"Want to go back to New York for a while and legally this time?" Roger inquired in return, toying with a letter opener laying forlornly on his desk, balancing it between his fingers. "Got something for ya to play with."
"No." Logan was final about it.
Roger had to tempt him and try to corner him, although that was already a hard task. "Everyone says it's ok for you to go, s more being collared by the military. Besides, all you're doing in the same thing you've always done. You drink, you smoke, you laugh, haha, everybody goes home…and you get the information."
"No."
"Come on, Logan, this is kind of important. The military is taking steps to ensure that the US is back to what it used to be and that nobody stops it, even those little shits. Buildings are being reconstructed and people are being put forward as candidates for the positions we all know and love. People are rejoicing that the hard times are over. What is so wrong about watching one little group?"
"No."
Roger sighed quite dramatically. "This isn't going to hurt you. You're not doing as much as the others."
"Who?" This piqued Logan's interested at least. He raised his eyebrow.
"You'll see if you're coming, but I guess you aren't." Roger played it out that he was disappointed about the decision and even considered it good timing that Teller ushered Danielle in." Ahh, Danielle! I was just telling Logan that New York is the place to be right now."
"So, I've heard. What's your game today, Roger?" Danielle sighed, taking the seat that Teller recently vacated. "I've got a music theory class to teach in five minutes and the crowds are getting wild. I don't have time to chat."
"The finer details will come later, but the basics is that you've got permission to be in the US for a bit and nobody will be the wiser," Roger explained, ignoring Logan for the moment. "Change your name and maybe your bright fiery hair color and you'll be good to go. Got one of them set at least, so the dye is on you."
"Where am I going exactly and why now?" Danielle impatiently tapped her foot on the carpeted floor and copied Logan, arms across her chest.
"Teller and his bar are now the centers of attention and the race is on," Roger continued. "Usual spot, same pay. Got a cover name for ya too…Regina Raine…and Teller has decided to make an act out of it if you're willing to consent to going."
"Got posters up yet?"
"Yeah, but no picture attached to it because we weren't sure. We're hoping it'd be you who plays the part."
"When do you need me to leave?"
"Maybe in a few days, no more than a week. I can organize someone to cover your little classes if you're that concerned."
"I'll go, but Devon is coming with me."
"What?! No!" Roger was outraged at the demand and how the tables turned against him. He did not expect this monkey wrench. "No kids are allowed for the centers of attention."
"That or nothing," Danielle haggled. "I am not leaving Devon behind and having him wonder what happened to me or if our goodbye was the last. I can easily keep him hidden and he's had experience anyway. Compared to a baby or a young child, a teenager can make use of their surroundings and shut up."
Roger pursed his lips together thinly and cursed Danielle to himself (sure that she heard anyway, which made him glad she knew of his displeasure). He hated children being in the way, no matter the age, and she was the second to bring it up. He was glad to have had Gil when he was older and when the then-teenager was able to keep out of sight and away from Roger's scheming. It even made Roger proud when he heard that Gil had something that was him, with his electronic tinkering and spying and such. It was the closet he would get to saying that to Gil.
However, hearing everyone around him scream on about carrying their families around and making them a part of their fighting…what a ridiculous notion! However, if Teller was asking for some of the young adults to be doing some cleaning, then a teenager might have its advantages. Devon might be used for something else. Roger just had to figure it all out in his head.
"Fine," Roger decided, thinking to surprise Danielle. He licked his chapped lips, still planning it out. "We'll think of something for him to do."
Danielle smiled, similar to a predator looking at its prey. "Then, I'll go. Tell me what to pack and I'll provide the hair dye. I have a brunette color in mind."
Both Logan and Roger watched Danielle saunter out, seeing her somewhat cheered by the exchange. The former turned to the latter, refusing any output on the matter. Indeed, Logan had no words. He saw a ploy for Roger and how he could use everything to his advantage. That was the way the master spy always worked, even if it was against everything else and all that they stood for.
However, he also saw the happiness in Danielle's eyes. She was going home to Salem Center (even if it was for a little while), applauded on by the same people who vilified her when she was younger. Nobody had seen her in years. There was no chance of someone recognizing her or pointing out that she was the widow of their former infamous resident. Besides, it would have been too long for someone to remember the name of Danielle Mitchell unless they were a major townie anyway and there were very few left. Logan was sure of it.
Roger decided that the meeting was over, motioning at Logan to get out too. The master spy still wanted him to know that he was working this out with fewer players, but that it was a shame that Logan would not join as well. However, Logan did not obey Roger and only stared at the empty hallway, his face cocked to one side in an unreadable position. Roger could not interpret his thoughts, but he was sure that Logan had been caught by a hook…and that was always going to be Danielle.
"Heading out, Logan?" Roger resettled himself back into his chair comfortably and reached for some paper, intent on writing another communiqué, this time to the Canadian government. He did not like the new computers everyone insisted on having, but that was beside the point.
"Now," Logan only replied, not saying what he meant by it.
The implications were clear either way, Roger felt. As soon as he eyed Logan retiring from his office, he had to grin, victorious. He had won this round. Logan was traveling back to Salem Center.
~00~
It was so much warmer and the air echoed cleanliness and freedom, although they were still forty miles from what used to be New York City and its ghastly humidity and noise. The country and small town life in Salem Center rolled before them and had honestly had been sorely missed, although the people who populated it in the years leading up to the coup were not. All and all though, everything had changed from times of long ago and many people were either dead or had moved on.
However, as the vans rolled into the city lines and soon found its way towards the deserted downtown area, everyone felt nervous. Most of them had been disguised to hide who they were, making it easier to run from place to place and to work amicably with the current government in order to stay there permanently. The others, so openly showing their true faces, shook in anticipation and nervousness. It was going to be a long road towards reconciliation and reconstruction, but it had to begin with them.
Ororo and Danielle decided to remain in the vehicle with Scott and Jean and their children. While Matthew decided to ride in the other one behind them (claiming that the children were too rowdy and giving him a headache), he luckily missed out on the long and frustrating trip they had to endure because of Cable and Rachel. Devon had decided to keep to himself and not instigate this time, but even he too was trying his patience by the immature antics.
After the last time Rachel stuck some silly putty to the window and argued with Cable (narrowly missing Ororo's dyed black head), Danielle turned to her friend and tried her hardest not to grimace. Ororo returned the same gesture and the two even rotated over to Jean, imploring her to do something. While she tried her hardest, it was Scott who calmed the two. From that moment on and until they rolled into the back parking lot of the bar, they had some peace. As soon as the doors opened though, it was fair game.
It was a shock to see Salem Center up close. Danielle had not been within the downtown area in a handful of years, ever since she had been rescued the first time and after her mother's funeral. Even so, it was wrecked, a shell of what it was used to be. Distrustful merchants kept their doors and windows locked. Most of them still held the signs that would deny her entry anyway. Garbage flew across the sidewalks and streets and the warm brick buildings were grey with decay and colored otherwise with graffiti. A sad sight indeed, but it was hopeful, a blank canvas that could be painted over once things had started picking up again.
Scott stood next to Danielle as he held onto Rachel and Cable by their shirt collars. "Doesn't seem like home to me. I remember coming here when I was a kid, when Alex found me. It was more welcoming then and nobody really cared for someone like me. It was before…you know, all of that happened."
Danielle was quite surprised by his kind words and swallowed a forming lump in her throat. "I agree. Hopefully, in the near future, this can be what it used to be and more."
"You can't believe that," Scott replied, the annoyed tone returning. "Even now, I cannot."
"Not really," she admitted, "but I need something to believe in. You do too. I mean, we've come this far and stayed on path ever since. We might as well finish it."
Scott wanted to feel the same way, even though he was not fond of Danielle and wanted to be pessimistic. Indeed, she left his side, turning to greet the people coming in to meet their arrival. Jay and Fiona Mitchell had driven in from Westchester, some young adults joyfully exclaimed their glee at the arrival of some and the other children had joined in on the celebrating. Teller had even jumped out of the driver's seat of the second van and was announcing that drinks were on him, even soda for those who were underage.
Cable and Rachel were anxious to be with everyone else. Even though Scott grinded his teeth in irritation, one look from Jean in the corner allowed him to release the two. He obeyed her silent plea, watching as everyone went inside. When his feet soon planted him inside the musty bar, he had to glance around, memories overwhelming him. Alex was the one who was here more often than he was, but even so, the place held a charm that reminded him of easier and less dangerous times, especially after the near destruction of the world over twenty years prior to this.
Even so, Scott wanted to hold onto the same hope everyone else had. It seemed to be the only way to move on and to dispel the bitterness he had courted close to his heart for since he was a prisoner. He was a freed man today and would be for the rest of his life. Right now, there was no better way to do that than to take the broom that Jean offered and started sweeping away the dust on the floor.
