Note: Things that happen in The Secret Invasion continue here.
The door opens. Turning she sees to see Tony walk in. "Well, here I was waiting patiently for the doctor to return." She lets her foot touch the tile floor. "At least, you being here means I am not a prisoner." "We don't have much time. We have just found another identity that has been compromised. I called the family here. But before that I had to see you and see if you can get anything." "And what makes you think I would help; I just escaped dying at their hands?"
"If for no one else; for Luna and Tuc's sakes." "At moments like this; it is hard to tell that you guys are the good guys, when you deliver low blows like this. This must mean that their royal family are on their way. I will do what I can. And I know them. They aren't going to take this lightly. I will do what I can to minimize things. But if I have to, I will stand with them, Tony." "I heard what you did. Its good. We need more joy in our lives; and the children will give them this; along with peace of mind.
The knock resounds against the door. She waits the couple of minutes that it takes for the door to open. "Rachel." "Hello, Crystalia. I heard what happened. I am here to talk to your sister." The other red head appears. "Lady Medusa, the Starjammers and I are at your disposal if you need it. I understand that you don't like or appreciate being sucked into others' problems. I get it. Crystalia must have told you I am going through the same thing; despite trying to distance myself from this life."
"And your father just gave his consent for his ship and crew to be of use?!" "No. But you are going to need a spaceship. He is not above reason. If I explain the situation to him; he won't have a problem. He just helped some of us escape them recently. Besides he hasn't considered Earth his home for a while now." "Very well, come with me then."
"Medusa." "I fear my sister won't understand what lengths I will go to; to get my husband back. You, however, I know enough about you to know this isn't the case. And while normally, we aren't warm to outsiders; you are part of our extended family I want to hear what else you have to say, Rachel Summers-Maximoff." She bends down on her knee at this.
"First, I will say that I will do what I can to serve the Inhuman Royal Family. Second, if they have taken Black Bolt hostage. Who knows who else the Skrulls have taken hostage, have you checked everyone here? The mission Fury had sent me on failed; so, we hadn't been able to discover which of Earth's heroes were prisoners and who weren't; except for one." "I take it this is where you come in; to see if you can tell the difference. You have my permission to search who you want."
"Are you sure about this? We barely just finished dealing with the Skrull invasion. And haven't had time to spend with them. And now it is being suggested that we leave them in her care. I have heard stories about her training methods. I am not comfortable leaving James and the others to experience that. They are still too young." "Sharon, we have to trust her. We may not be comfortable with it. However, if something happens, no one can protect them better than her." Sharon turns to see Rachel standing by the doors, looking away from them."
"Bucky is right. My sister would do everything in her power to keep them safe." "Uncle Alex is right; she has done an excellent job watching over us." "Billy, and what about her leaving you?" "Cap, Sharon; we all know that isn't her fault. Besides she came back for us. We all know the risks. It is better someone more capable than us handle things."
"I hate to say it. But Wiccan is right; I am just as thrilled as the rest of you about someone watching over our children; and being separated from them. But if it keeps them safe, then I will concede" Lyja says. She turns at feeling the pressure in her hand to see Johnny clutching her hand. Torus being held by her other arm, looking around. "This may be true. But she has the Phoenix at her disposal. And we all know how that ends; is leaving our children the best thing?" Natasha asks.
The door opens to reveal Simon. He stands by Rachel. Their heads leaning toward each other. "Are you okay?" "I'm good. They don't trust me to be able to take on this responsibility, especially with what just happened. Along with the danger the Phoenix poses; and maybe they are right. I never thought it would happen; since I have maintained control for years now. But I can feel it slipping.
And if I am not careful; it is only a matter of time before things go wrong." "It will be fine. I have faith you won't. You haven't yet. And you know what is at stake; you would never let those you care about to our enemies, especially the children. Come on." She moves against the wall, following him to where the others are.
Once within close proximity; "I agree. In fact, I am leaving. All of you can decide what you want. I have returned to the land of the living so to speak. I would like to be able to do that." "Bobbi?!" "Clint, we haven't been together for the longest time. And now you expect things to go back the way they were; and act like a family. I need time to rediscover myself. It is best for Mariah. The me that I am now isn't ready or capable of being a mom."
She bends to look at her daughter. "This is the best way I can show my love for now." She turns and walks away; Clint quickly following her. Rachel managing to take Mariah from his arms; as Mariah clutches her, turning to see her parents disappear behind the doors. The beginning of Clint's voice raising; as the tears surface and start falling from her eyes.
"It will be okay. Things will work out in the end. "Your mom was right. She does love you. But she needs to fix herself first; before she can take responsibility for you. It isn't because she doesn't love you. Your dad will handle her for the time being." "I know with the things that have occurred recently you have little reason or trust to me. While I may be one of the best lines of defense when stuff goes down; making me one of the better options to train the children. In the end, it is up to you. I would never overstep your boundaries.
"We trust you, Rachel" Johnny says. "If all of you and Sharon are really concerned about her training them; what about us supervising the sessions, in case we feel it becomes too much?!" Bucky looks to Natasha as Roger is asleep in his arms. "We have no problem with that" he says. "You have our consent as well, Rachel" Lorna tells her. They turn at the sigh. "If Bucky agrees then I trust him."
"Steve?!" "Billy is right. We all know the risks with what we do. And even if she has one of the most powerful cosmic entities within her, along with the grasp of her own abilities. She is just as human as the rest of us; we really can't expect her to be perfect. And despite our misgivings, we all know she would do everything in her power to protect and keep them safe."
