" But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children."
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7 (ESV) -
(The Next Day, Rouen, France, 8:00 AM)
A brunette woman named Karena Lesproux walked around the hallway. She was wearing a dark streamlined jumpsuit without any holsters or a belt around it. She saw a group of mutants chattering along with Allen. She got surprised to see him.
" Allen? " the woman widened her eyes. " Is that you? "
" Hey, Karena. It's been too long since we last worked together not since 682, " he smiled at her.
" You know, mon amie, this friend of ours may look like 682, but he saved me from those evil Kree soldiers. "
" Good that you're alive and I will thank him for that too when he wakes up, " he answered and noticed Karena's temporary leg cast. " So how did you end up fighting the Kree?"
" It's a very challenging one that happened three weeks ago, " she replied. " I threw bombs at them on the streets of Rouen as they started firing me, but I managed to dodge when they shot me on the leg. "
Karena managed to take some little steps which she had trouble walking normally. Allen slightly smiled and saw her. She was about to stumble when he carefully took her hand. The French lady mercenary blushed and looked at him. She never felt that concern from him since her early years from her job.
" At least, you're walking again, " he smiled. " We lost too many people. I don't wanna lose anyone close to me. "
" Oui, " Karena smiled back. " It will never happen again. "
" I've been dealing with other stuff managed to get Carol Danvers to join us too."
" Madame Danvers? " his friend raised her voice. " Is she here?! "
" Yes, she's Captain Marvel and looking for that lizard boy who saved you. "
" Oh, that Monsieur! Yes, he took me here. She's with you? "
" She's with the boy, right now. I guess she was staying with him all night when we found him. She got mistaken him as 682. "
" Oh, me too, but he told me that there is a community of refugees and displaced people. " Karena answered and turned to a group of Inhumans talking around the hallway.
Allen also noticed some mutants, exiled Kree people, and other mixed beings eating on a long dining table. There were half-Lizard and Faunus children running and kicking an old soccer ball at the garden. Then, there were elderly people talking about the glorious years with some younger ones. Karena and her male friend were pleased to see a refugee community inside this hidden mansion away from their enemies.
" I wish they could still live this way after the war, " Allen thought and turned to his friend. " I wonder how long this place can be kept hidden. Sometimes, we should be fighting and not hiding from these threats. "
" That is why the Inhumans, mutants, and their other comrades are here to protect each other, " the brunette answered. " That is what I like about them. "
" Well good to have them on our side. Have you had trouble with our former partners from the company or that been silent since our departure from them?"
" Oui, they are good people. No wonder why those evil blue men and the lizards like to kill them. "
" Well what Carol has planned might change that soon. "
" Wait, I'm seeing those two, " Karena pointed at the two figures from a distance.
The elderly half-Kree woman and the lizard had come from the dining hall and eaten their breakfast. Allen and Karena were pleased to see them walking and talking on the hallway.
" I guess we could see them together and check up on them, " he shrugged. " I hope she ain't drinking again. "
" Well, you can't tell, " she laughed.
" True. When I met her the first time, she was drinking and was quite moody. Until meeting that lizard seemed she changed. "
" How come? "
" She deeply cares for him like a son to her. "
" I understood then. They seem to be like a mother and son. I'm so glad for him that he found someone to care for him, " Karena nodded and looked at the two which the lizard boy went laughing at the old woman's jokes and understood them.
" Do you miss our old lives being agents? " he asked and looked at Karena.
The French mercenary sadly sighed as she recalled that day meeting with the real 682. She was so horrified to see all her fellow people had met their demise. Only she and Allen were the surviving witnesses from that incident.
" Oui, it is sad to remember what happened. " she replied and held Allen's right hand. " I don't want to see that anymore. "
" You still have me Karena at your side, " he placed his arms on her shoulders. " Don't worry, I don't plan on leaving you again. I promise you that. "
" I will. "
Allen thought of kissing and hugging his female friend. He took a deep breath and tried to build his confidence to open-up his love for her. Karena turned to him and got curious.
" Allen? Are you all right? " she asked. " Is there something bothering you? "
" Well, Karena perhaps me and you could give it a try? " he smiled at her as she blushed harder. Carol and the lizard boy turned to them. Karena felt embarrassed and turned to her friend. Allen nervously chuckled and scratched his head.
" Allen, I want to express my interest to you, but not now. " she thought and instantly changed the topic. " I think Madame Danvers and Monsieur Mon Amie are waiting for us. "
" Oh right! " he nodded. " I hope he is feeling better too from those dreams he is having."
" Do you hear him crying from his nightmares? " Karena asked. " I got used to hear one every evening. "
" Yeah, it's a very terrible one. He has an extreme shell shock from whatever he had experienced. I hope Carol could find out and help him overcome it. "
" Exactly, it has been bothering him very much. "
" Hey, both of you come here, " the old woman called them. Allen walked over with his partner as they joined the two.
" So any progress Carol? " he asked.
" We have our breakfast with the new Inhumans who have just arrived from two days ago and are willing to work with this kid, " Carol replied. " Well, I'll be off to Paris and meet my friend. Wanna come? "
" Yeah, I will come along do you want to as well Karena? "
" Oui, merci beaucoup, " the brunette woman smiled.
" Good, " the old blonde Kree-Hybrid lady nodded and offered a handshake. " You must be Karena Lesproux. It's nice to meet you. "
" Oui, tres bien! I have heard so much about you, " Karena responded.
" It seems you two are meant for each other, " the lizard spoke as Allen and Karena blushed and exchanged glances. " We just saw how close you two are. "
" Monsieur! I-It was nothing r-really! " she nervously spoke. " Allen is just my best friend! "
" Admit it..."
" There were times Karena that I wanted to be with you and still want to as well, " he stepped closer to her.
Karena was blushing harder to see her best friend. She wanted to express how she felt for him, but she was afraid to open-up. She kept fidgeting her fingers and felt sweating.
" Seriously, it's not the right time to tell. I can't! " she nervously thought and laughed. " When did monsieur become a Cupid? Eh? I think I'm getting too close to..."
" Kid, so you're a match-maker then?! " Carol grinned and gently patted the lizard's shoulder. " Funny, a monstrous looking one is a love angel in disguise. "
" I always see people fall love with each other when I wander everywhere. It's very nice to see them that way. It makes me forget those terrible things I have seen and experienced, " he answered. " Like everyone says...Love is in the air. "
" Well, he is right, " Allen shrugged and smirked. " Karena so maybe?"
" Oui!! " she kissed Allen's cheek as he blushed.
" See? " the lizard boy turned to Carol as she smiled.
" Well, Kid, you made one! " she chuckled. " You shipped them! "
" I do believe this kid has what it takes, " Allen grinned, turned to his girlfriend and smirked. " Thank you, Karena. I guess our company's former agents have now reunited under a new banner. "
" Well, it looks like we have one, " Karena smiled back and leaned on his shoulders.
The lizard sadly sighed as he thought of something and looked at the couple. Carol curiously raised her eyebrows and got concerned with him. The lingering sadness was still within him when she sensed it.
" Kid, are you okay? " the elderly half-Kree woman asked.
" My appearance makes me undesirable to love someone, " he replied. " I'm just a monster who people think of me. They know I destroy everything. I don't deserve to be loved at all. I'm too horrible for them, but I want to experience how to love and be loved. "
Carol held the lizard's hands and understood what he meant. She gently touched his forehead and smiled at him.
" I don't know what to say, but you did a good job in saving a community of former slaves, " she said.
" No, Carol. It's not that, but why I can't find one? "
" Kid, I'm not sure, but I think you should start from yourself. Finding love will take time to heal your broken heart. "
The lizard heavily sighed as he couldn't understand her. Allen noticed him and gently patted his back.
" Look, pal, " he said. " You gotta find you true self first before you can go further. Carol has something planned for you. It's a better thing than you can imagine. You just need to keep your head up and hang-in there. You know... True love waits. "
" Yeah, Kid. You will, " the elderly Kree-Hybrid woman added.
" I hope so. Only one can dream and experience love, " the lizard sighed and turned to the Inhuman couple at the garden hugging and kissing at each other. The boy desired to have that feeling.
" Well, sometimes dreams can reveal things to you. Maybe someday, you will see someone who finds such interest with you, " Allen said." But do you dream on other things besides that freak?"
" A blue skinned person...It's a Kree. He is hugging me perhaps. I don't know why..."
Allen looked at Carol while nodding at her, " Guess you should tell him. "
Carol remained silent and recalled of mentioning about her Kree Eternal friend last evening. This time, she decided to go to Paris and meet him somewhere else. Allen, Karena, and the lizard boy waited for her to speak.
" Anyway, Allen. Thanks for reminding that one, " she broke her silence. " I'm supposed to help those exiled Kree and half-Lizard kids this morning, but I'm going to meet someone. "
" Who? " the lizard curiously asked.
" It's a friend. I wish to let him see you, but you're busy guarding the place. I'll let you know. "
" Sure, just tell me everything."
" Allen, shall we? " Carol turned to her mercenary friend.
" Yeah, " Allen nodded in agreement. " The sooner we meet him, the quicker he can see our new friend".
" Okay, kid. Behave yourself, " Carol kissed the Lizard's forehead as she levitated.
" Carol..." he blushed.
" I see a mother and son bond here! " Karena giggled.
" You got a new son now Carol and someone to follow your path, but you can protect him, too. "
" I will..." she smiled and turned to the lizard boy.
" Take care of yourself..." he held her hands.
" Don't worry, kid. I'll be just be fine! "
" Hey, Old Lady. You are sober right? " Allen asked.
" Yeah, I wish to drink more red wine! " she laughed as the lizard boy facepalmed to hear her.
" I guess Paris is the place for it and a place for love too, right? " he looked at Karena.
" Oui, mon amour! " the brunette lady kissed his cheeks. " I want to return home again for a long time. "
" Good for you, " he kissed back and turned to the elder. " Will our person of interest be in disguise, Carol? "
" Yeah, he is " she nodded. " I think we need to fly going there. "
" Me and Karena can use the Quinjet if it returns. We can't fly like you can, " he nervously laughed a bit.
" Oh, right! " she smirked and noticed the Quinjet landed which they rode from yesterday. " I think they found us. "
" Should we hide him first? " Karena asked.
" Yeah, " she nodded.
" Got a place to hide in here, lizzy boy? " Allen asked.
" Underground as usual. I'll see you later, " he nodded as a wolf Faunus helped him to open the basement door. The boy had gone to hide.
" Good."
The rest began to guard the mansion as well as the others began hiding. Captain Marvel and her other two companions left the mansion. The dark-haired mercenary put on his gas mask while preparing his gun to his side.
" Ready, Karena? "
" Oui. " she nodded and had herself armed.
Suddenly, a tall brunette half-Lizard man in his late thirties had come from the small air fleet, approached the guards, and started conversing. The three walked over as the man noticed them. The elderly half-Kree woman recognized him and smiled.
" Jared? " Carol called his name. " You're just here? "
" Hello, Elder Danvers, I've come all the way from New York, " the half-Lizard man replied. " I'm sorry for leaving you last night. Elder Hill asked me to find you and that 682. The other back-up team with you joined with Absalom Bav-Tek's European rebel faction. Well, you know, more umbrage anywhere else? "
" It's Maria, I knew right! " Carol thought and said. " Oh, yeah. He went somewhere. "
" My bad, but the other guy who looks like him is my purpose. That's why I'm here. "
" Yeah, we are still looking for our target, " Allen answered. " But this spot was a dead end. "
" I see. It's a perfect place to hide all the escapees, " Jared nodded. " You must be Allen Stroud. It's nice to meet you. Sorry, I never had a chance to chat with you last night. I was flying the old Quinjet going here and leaving you. "
" Yes, I'm a former agent of...well, " the dark-haired man sighed. " Anyway, that is not worth saying, but I'm a freelancer now joining with you for a while. No worries, man. We're all in the same page, here. "
" You've heard about my great uncle, Phil Coulson? "
" Yes, was he the former head of SHIELD before, but resigned? "
" Died..." the half-Lizard rebel sadly sighed. " How rude of me, I'm his great nephew, Jared. I mean my full name is Jared Philip V. Coulson, formerly known as Slave 789. Don't worry, I'm not one of the bad guys who ruin this planet. "
" You still took a page of Phil, " Carol smiled.
" I guess, I am, Elder Danvers. "
" So, you're following his foot steps trying to be like him? "
" Yeah, you're right, " Jared nodded and smiled. " Right now, I'm taking you to the Quinjet going to Paris. Mr. Blue Cat is there. "