Eastern Butterfly4: Seeking
author: Lucinda
Series: Eastern Butterfly Story #4
rating: pg 13
main character: Psylocke
pairing Betsy/Logan, Kwannon/Bobby
Disclaimer: I do not own Psylocke or any other characters from Marvel Comics. People with more money & lawyers do.
Distribution: please ask first, Psyknife & Luba may have it.




There had been a considerable amount of tension between Betsy and the other woman, who had agreed to be use the code-name Revanche. They had come to the mutual conclusion that it would be safest for all the others to spend as little time together as possible, and a room had been found for Revanche with her lavender hair away from Betsy's room. Revanche had found herself spending a great deal of time with Bobby Drake. He had decided to take the responsibility of making certain she felt accepted or at least comfortable at the mansion. When she had decided that she needed new clothing, he and Jean had gone on the shopping trip. Bobby had come back after that was over, swearing that he never again wanted to spend the day out shopping with two women for a new wardrobe. Two days later he found himself out with the lavender haired lady shopping for shoes.

Logan and Betsy had found that a bit interesting. Logan had speculated that perhaps Bobby was simply to nice for his own good. He offers her his room, and next thing, he's being dragged shopping with her and Jean both. Betsy had laughed, and insisted that it was sweet. She had also speculated that perhaps Bobby had another reason for shopping with Revanche other than simply being nice. Especially considering how much Jean enjoyed shopping. She had paused, thinking over all the factors of that trip.

"Maybe it isn't because Bobby's just too nice to refuse. Maybe, just maybe, Bobby might be sweet on someone." Her voice had held traces of amusement.

"What! You think he's sweet on... I know he isn't sweet on Jeannie, all his reactions are wrong for it. But him and Revanche... I haven't watched the two of them together very much. You really think he might have feelings for her?" Logan wasn't entirely certain where Betsy was getting her idea.

"Why exactly do you think that he couldn't have feelings for her? IS there a particular reason? Some particular problem with her?" There was a note of warning in Betsy's voice.

"I generally take a while to trust people that skewer me. She's pretty, and smart, and she can fight. That isn't enough to mean that she'd be good for Bobby. I suppose that it doesn't mean that she'd be bad for him, but I don't know yet." Logan tried to phrase his answer carefully.

Frowning slightly, Betsy considered this. "I suppose your right. It's just... I seem to go between being furious that she has what used to be my face, and I don't and feeling like she's... as if she's family. And then she'll say something that I remember, and I'll feel all angry and jealous and furious that she has all of my life in her head. It's a bit confusing, and I certainly can't talk to her about it."

Logan chuckled a bit. "Maybe part of the reason she gets so upset at you so easily is because you have all of her life in your head. If that upsets you, why wouldn't it upset her? Didn't the Professor say you two had identical copies of the memories of Betsy and Kwannon both? Between that and the DNA testing that Hank did, I'd say you two are sisters now, like it or not."

"Sisters? She's not... well, maybe sisters would be the closest word to use. My sister... I never had a sister before, only brothers." Betsy seemed to find the idea of a sister interesting, and far easier to accept than simply someone else remembering her life.

"Near as I can tell, family seems to be able to frustrate, exasperate and annoy faster than anyone else in the world, so she fits perfectly." He wrapped his arms around Betsy, tucking her against his body. "Besides, who else does she have in this world?"

Smiling slightly, Betsy had a quick reply. "Bobby."

"You seem to find the idea that there's something between those two an awful lot. What if there isn't anything there? What if it's all in your head?"

Betsy sounded almost amused when she answered. "Then we set them up until there is something. Bobby is a sweet-heart, and deserves to be happy. And Kwannon... her life hasn't had a lot of happiness. Besides, if she's my sister, it's my solemn duty to be nosy about her personal life."

The only response that Logan could think of for that was to laugh. Followed by thoroughly distracting her from wondering about someone else's personal life.

end part 1.


Logan had taken Betsy out for a moonlight walk. They had ended up being a bit... distracted, and had fallen asleep outside. They were trying to slip back into the house before anyone noticed. Unfortunately, it was obvious that that wouldn't happen. They could clearly hear loud voices raised in something that wasn't quite a discussion, but hadn't crossed over into argument yet.

"...if she wants to go out and fight with us, why shouldn't she?" That sounded like Bobby.

"Have you forgotten what happened to Wolverine when he got between her and Psylocke? She skewered him! The X-Men are not killers! What happens if we take her with us and she kills someone?" Scott's voice was unmistakable as he raised concerns about Revanche's suitability.

"Weren't you saying we needed to increase our fighting skills? She's a good fighter, you can't deny that." Bobby had an almost pleading tone to his voice.

"I'm not arguing that she can fight. She's a very skilled fighter, and that's half of my concern. Can she take people down without killing them?"

"Why don't we try to find out before you forbid her to go anywhere? If she isn't part fo the team, what gives you any authority over her? If she's part of the team, she'll have to follow the rules, to listen to our leader."

"How exactly do you expect us to try..." Scott's words were interrupted by the sight of Logan and Psylocke coming through the door.

Betsy simply looked at him, and gave him a small, slightly sad smile. "She can take people down without killing them if she wants to. I know that she's capable of it. Besides, Bobby's right. Either she's a member of the team and has something to do or she's simply staying here under no-one's authority or guidance. Make your choice."

"Are you certain that that is a wise idea? To let a former assassin onto the team?" Scott sounded doubtful.

His doubts hit Betsy, and she found herself remembering her time as the Lady Mandarin. The assassin that had killed people for her lover the crime lord. The person that had tried to kill Logan. With a small almost indecipherable noise, she left the room, going upstairs in an almost blind haze of emotions. Scott and Bobby were both left in utter confusion, and Logan was scowling at Scott. He knew exactly what must be going through Betsy's mind about now, and it didn't make him happy.

"Isn't one of the big things here second chances? Hasn't the Professor gone on about giving people a second chance no matter what? Isn't that why we have Rogue? I don't know if it's wise to keep Revanche here or not. I do know that it would be giving her a second chance, and that's supposed to be one of the points of this place. Betsy has a good point though. If she's not here with the team in some capacity, even probationary, then we have no authority over her." Leaving his words in the kitchen, he went upstairs, hoping that Betsy wasn't to upset, that he could help calm her down.

He found Betsy on her way to the lower levels, already changed and looking ready for a workout. Her eyes looked a bit red, and they seemed a bit brighter from the unshed tears, but it was obvious that she didn't plan to just hide upstairs and cry. She had a towel slung over one shoulder, and looked like she was trying to keep a neutral expression.

"Want a partner?" Logan wasn't certain how upset she was, but it was clear that she was a bit disturbed.

"Always. But it might be good to have someone to work out with me." There was a hint of a smile with her words, a hint that told Logan that all wasn't so bad.

They decided to use the danger room, to add a bit more challenge to the session. Betsy wanted something that would leave her too busy to worry about 'had Scott meant her with his comment about former assassins' or did he even know what the Professor had said about her and the other? How they were like four minds in two bodies, each containing all that had been Betsy and all that had been Kwannon? Such thoughts only made her feel upset and worried, and made a small part of her want to cry.

Betsy had worked up a fine sheen of sweat over her muscles when she heard the small bell that indicated another person had joined the session. She gave it little thought until she caught a glimpse of lavender out of the corner of her eye. Revanche had joined in, and was fighting the drones and dodging obstacles alongside her.

"So, sister, what are your intentions towards Bobby?" Betsy couldn't quite resist testing the other woman. She also wanted to learn how she would react to being called 'sister'. Logan's logic had made sense to her, but that didn't vouch for how the other woman would feel.

"Sister?!? What do you mean by that? And why do you care what's between me and Bobby? You have Logan, remember?" There was something guarded in the other woman's voice.

"We know everything about each other's pasts. We know exactly how to aggravate each other, and frustrate each other in a way that normally only family can do. I've never had a sister before, but..." Betsy shrugged, trying not to antagonize the other. "As for why do I care about Bobby, he's a nice guy. I just want him to be happy."

Her eyes narrowed in frustration, Revanche kicked the head off of an attack droid. "I don't know what's going on with me and Bobby! He's nice, and sweet... and I've never had anyone be so sweet to me before unless they were trying to manipulate me into something. He's not trying to get me to do anything! He's just... nice, and it confuses me. He makes me feel all..."

Betsy smiled, feeling a bit of satisfaction that she had been right. "Fluttery inside? Find yourself thinking of him and smiling? You're developing feelings for him."

Revanche looked at Psylocke, her expression suspicious. "Is this where you tell me to back off and leave Bobby alone?"

Psylocke smiled. "No, this is where I say just try not to break his heart."

end part 2.


Revanche started going on missions, always accompanied by Iceman. She handled herself well under fire, although she had spent a great deal of time forcing herself to practice in simulations of combat with mutants, to make certain that she would be prepared for energy blasts and telekinetics as well. Her practices and preparations drew grudging respect from Cyclops.

She had also spent some time practicing with Bobby, and he had been very impressed with her fighting abilities. There had been a few practices with Psylocke, and while the two of them were not precisely friends, they had come to something like a truce. The now referred to each other as sisters, even if it was often in tones of frustration.

It had been decided to try to avoid having both Revanche and Psylocke on the same mission, so Betsy didn't often get a chance to see how her sister actually did, but she felt confident that her 'sister' could handle herself. She did hear and see for herself that Revanche was growing closer to Bobby, and that they were showing definite signs of influence on each other. He was gentling Revanche, soothing some of her sharper edges away, calming her temper. Bobby was also taking some things more seriously, and had shown more seriousness and effort in learning new extents of his powers. They were good for each other.

Betsy was considering the idea of Kwannon and Bobby together. They were good for each other, balancing each other's extremes, and drawing out new facets of each other, things that hadn't been so apparent before. She was also getting to be on better terms with her sister. Not exactly learning more, because they had each other's memories, but they were getting along better, forming an emotional connection that had been absent before.

Logan was smiling slightly as he sat down beside Betsy. "You were right. What do you win?"

Slightly startled, she looked at him. He was smiling, so it wasn't a terrible thing that she was right. What did he know that she didn't? "What am I right about this time?"

Logan leaned back in the chair, his smile widening. "Kwannon and Bobby. They definitely have something between them. How do you feel about in-laws?"

The implications of his words soaked in, and she sat on Logan's lap, her hand resting on his shoulder. "In-laws? Are they thinking about getting married then?"

Logan chuckled. "Not sure if they are thinking about marriage, but they've gotten up close and very personal. If she's not careful, she could end up with a little Drake running around."

Betsy smiled, thinking of an adorable little baby with a smiling face and little tiny fingers. "I could be aunt Betsy and buy all sorts of goodies for their little one. Hmm... I like parts of that idea."

"Whoa, hang on there woman! I said they're having sex, not having a baby! One may cause the other, but I don't think it has yet. Stop planning a nursery until someone's actually expecting."

Sighing slightly, Betsy nodded. "I suppose that's reasonable. I just hope things work out well for them both."

What neither of them knew was how concerned Scott was about the involvement of Spiral in the matter of Revanche and Psylocke. He had developed a near phobia about manipulative plots, and had concluded that someone had to go investigate the matter of Spiral. Investigate the matter of the two women with the memories of Betsy Braddock, and to uncover the truth about what had happened.

The group that went to learn the truth consisted of Scott, Jean and Rogue. It was their hope to find out what had happened, and learn if there was any future danger to the team intended through this confusing procedure. Scott also wanted to find some clarification on what sort of person Kwannon had been, to discover how safe she really would be to have around.

Their departure caused unsettling but vague dreams in both of the purple haired telepaths. Revanche and Psylocke both felt that only trouble would come of their 'fact-finding' mission. Perhaps the measures of happiness that the two women had found would only be temporary after all.

end part 3.


While Scott, Jean and Rogue were away, life continued for the rest of the team. Missions continued to arise that required intervention, and there were new mutants in need of rescue. Revanche was settling nicely into place, and had even started letting more people call her Kwannon. She had gone on 'Girls Nights' with Betsy, and Storm, and was starting to develop a friendship with Storm, something much easier than her relationship with Betsy.

Kwannon had also moved her things in with Bobby. They were quite clearly involved, and were not trying to hide it. They didn't flaunt their relationship in front of people, but it was not uncommon to see them sitting close, holding hands and smiling at each other. To see them going for long walks together, or sharing a plate of something to eat. Most of the people thought it was rather sweet. Bobby was also much more content with things. He seemed more comfortable with himself, and his powers. He was also discovering new depths for them. He had discovered that he could do more than simply create a layer of icy armor over his body, he could actually transform himself into ice. That discovery had added a whole new dimension to his abilities, and he was still experimenting to see what he could do with his ice form.

Betsy and Kwannon had found a balance point for their own relationship as well. They were not best friends, but they were close, and they understood each other in ways that most people couldn't fathom, would never understand. They had figured out boundaries, figured or decided where one of them ended and the other began. The mansion was seeming much more peaceful. Kwannon and Bobby were being sweetly romantic, and it might have been the first time for Kwannon that anyone had ever wooed her. Romance was blossoming in the air. Betsy and Logan were still happy together, to the surprise of many people that didn't think Logan could actually sustain a relationship. Kwannon and Bobby were sweetly occupied with new love. Storm had started meeting with a 'polite and attractive' gentleman that she had met in the park one day. Yes, it was clearly a time of happiness and tender joy.

But it would not last. It couldn't last, not for them. Things started to crumble when the Professor was taken away by the Shi'ar in order to try to resolve some crisis involving Lilandra. With his benign advising presence gone, things started to feel slightly less organized, slightly more extreme.

Storm, Iceman, Revanche and Beast went on a mission, attempting to rescue a small group of mutants and suspected mutants from a militant anti-mutant group. It was suspected that this group intended to hold a public execution of the mutants, claiming that they were 'simply cleansing the gene-pool'. There was no doubt that they could not simply allow this to happen. It was against the whole concept of heroes, of saving people. Unfortunately, not only were the bigots angry and militant, they were surprisingly well armed. Including a few highly experimental and dangerous weaponry. They managed to free the terrified captives, but there were numerous injuries in the process, and Iceman had been shot while transformed, and had fallen to the ground, several gaping holes, and cracks riddling his ice-form. His mind had registered fear/shock/pain and he had passed out. He had been rapidly moved to the medical facilities, but they were uncertain exactly what to do. He was comatose, and being maintained in a specially chilled room.

Kwannon was a wreck. Her own physical injuries were serious enough to require attention, and had included three cracked ribs as well as numerous cuts and scrapes. She was far more worried about Bobby.

Despite her own injuries and the assorted antibiotics and painkillers that she had been given, she was sitting at Bobby's side as much as she could, hoping that he would recover. It was quite clear to everyone that her feelings for him ran very deeply. It was also clear that if he didn't recover, there was a very good chance that she wouldn't either.

Betsy was able to pull Kwannon away for meals, and could successfully convince her that Bobby wouldn't want her to starve because he was injured. Storm was there as a comforting ear to listen whenever Kwannon wanted someone to talk to, which was often. It was a benefit that Storm would tell nobody what they spoke of, merely saying that she had listened to Kwannon speak of her troubles and concerns, the same as she would for anyone else on the team that wanted a kindly ear.

That was the state of things when Scott, Jean and Rogue came back. Their return was not quite triumphant, and in fact Scott and Jean both had bruises. Rogue was scowling even more than normal, as if something had really annoyed her. Rogue simply entered the mansion, going straight to her room without even a 'hello' to anyone.

Scott and Jean were moving more slowly, their hands linked together. They both looked grim, as if they had discovered something particularly unsavory.

end part 4.


Scott decided to assemble everyone and have a meeting to discuss what they had found. There had been distressing discoveries, and Spiral had done a shocking and terrible thing, something that should have been impossible. He felt that the team should be informed at once. The risks of harboring an assassin were high, and would only be higher if they didn't know, if they didn't take appropriate precautions.

The people began to filter in. Psylocke and Logan and Storm and Beast, followed by a very quiet seeming Revanche. Warren entered the room last, shutting the door behind him. Everyone seemed to be present except for Iceman and Rogue.

Frowning, Scott surveyed the room again. "Where's Bobby?"

"Our esteemed comrade is currently in the medlabs. He was grieviously injured on our last mission, and needs time to recover. Whatever it is that you must say will have to be said without his presence." Beast's answer was clearly filled with concern.

Scott glanced at the table, clearing his throat awkwardly at the news of Bobby's injury. "Oh, what exactly happened?"

Storm spoke, her voice filled with concern. "While we were attempting to get some mutants away from a militant anti-mutant group, he was shot three times in the chest with an experimental laser. He's currently comatose. If not for the recent advances that he's made in the use of his mutation, he would assuredly be dead."

For a moment, all Scott and Jean could do was stand there, clearly stunned by the extent of Bobby's injury. The question was also visible that they were trying to figure out how Bobby had survived three laser shots to the chest. After a few moments of shock, Scott seemed to come to the conclusion that it would be best to get further details on Bobby's condition later.

"We got answers from Spiral and Lord Mandarin. We knew there had to be something shady behind the whole Betsy and Kwannon mess, and it turns out that there was. Mandarin's pet assassin was injured, and it was decided between him and Spiral to use Betsy to fix her. So, both unconscious women were dragged into Spiral's shop and altered, physically and genetically to be more similar. As if that wasn't enough, Spiral put the assassin's mind into Betsy's original body, and Betsy's mind into the broken one of the assassin, the asian body. Which means that you, Revanche, are the assassin, the one pretending to have claim to Betsy's name and past."

Revanche straightened as if stung, her face showing something akin to shock. "Are you saying that... are you trying to claim that I am an imposter? That the memories I have are false?"

"Yes. You are an assassin. You killed people for a crime lord, and showed not the faintest sign of regret for your actions. The X-Men were not intended as a haven for assassins." Scott's voice was flat, possibly from exhaustion, possibly from disdain.

Kwannon made a slight gesture with her hand, almost as if she was reaching towards Scott and Jean. Not more than a heartbeat after making the almost gesture, she pulled her hand back as if it had been scorched, and glanced around the room, as if trying to read the faces and feelings of everyone else in the room. Storm was looking surprised, and unhappy. Warren's expression had become closed and hostile, and Beast's was distant, as if lost in thought. What may have been the most difficult for Revanche to bear were the expressions on Logan and Betsy's faces, expressions of understanding. Finally, she looked back at Scott and Jean, drawing herself into an upright, almost defiant posture. "I am going to go check on Bobby. Someone should look in on him."

Regally, she turned and stalked out of the room, her posture one of anger and outrage. She seemed to dismiss the people in the room from her concern.

Betsy frowned, and sent a delicate tendril of thought to Logan. :What is she... do you think that she's really leaving?:

:Not sure on that one. She was only starting to make a place for herself here. Lot of that depended on Drake, and the fact that you and her weren't fighting anymore. I think 'Ro would be able to get over it and stay friends with her. She isn't the same person anymore, and I don't just mean the physical package. But with Scott, Jean, Warren and maybe Rogue so hostile towards her... she just might pack up and go. Go, talk with your sister.: Logan's thoughts were carefully focused, and Betsy could read the concern he had for Kwannon, as well as the vague almost memories that made Logan think that once upon a time he may have been an assassin as well, although he couldn't quite trust his memories.

Betsy followed Kwannon to the infirmary, trying to determine the best way to put her thoughts. "Kwannon. I think I know how you must feel. It doesn't change anything for me or Logan. You still have us."

The look in her lavender eyes was filled with pain. "But everything else has just been poisoned. Before, they had a vague idea of what I had done. Now, they will know details, and they won't be able to pretend that everything is alright. I won't belong here anymore. They won't let me. It's probably best if I go, and that way, they won't have to go to the trouble of throwing me out. I couldn't bear it if Bobby looked at me with that look, the one that Warren had, or the one Scott had. That would hurt worse than the car accident, or loosing my... your... having my eyes destroyed. I remember that feeling, and I think it would break my heart if Bobby looked at me like that. Maybe it's a bit cowardly, but this isn't something I can fight with any of the skills that I have."

"Kwannon... I want to say that Bobby wouldn't look at you like that. But I know that Logan and I don't. If you ever need anything... and I mean anything, just let me or Logan know. We'll be there for you." Betsy could feel the emotions of her sister. Feel the sense of pain and betrayal that Scott's rejection had caused.

"I know. It's odd, considering how things started. I ran a sword through him in an effort to kill you, and now you and Logan are the only ones who aren't trying not to hate me right now. It hurts to much... all the swirling and churning emotions. I can't stay here, I'd probably end up killing someone, and that would just..." With a small shrug, her words trailed off.

She looked back up, a glimmer of her eyes showing the formation of a plan. "I need to write a letter to Bobby. If... when he wakes up, I want you to give it to him. I can't just... go without any sort of explanation for him. Thank you, sister, for being here for me."

As Kwannon left to write her letter, Betsy knew that this would be it. The last night that Revanche served among the X-Men, driven away by the refusal to let her past lie undisturbed. She wished her sister good fortune in whatever new life she tried to make for herself.

end part 5.


Betsy could only hope that her sister found some measure happiness in the life that she would make away from the mansion. It was clear to her that Kwannon didn't plan to return, not now, not soon, possibly not ever. Hopefully, she would be able to rebuild her life.

She went to find Logan, feeling the need to be held, to know that he wouldn't leave her, to feel safe in his arms. Maybe she wasn't actually safer there than anywhere else, but it was a very tangible reminder that she wasn't alone in the world, that she had someone that wouldn't desert her. "She's leaving, Logan. She doesn't think that she would be welcome here any more, and what makes it even sadder is that she's so in love with Bobby that it hurts. And she won't be here when he wakes up."

Logan sighed, pulling Betsy close to him. "Does she have somewhere to go? I have a little apartment in Manhattan, she can stay there for a while if she needs to. She probably won't want to make it her new home, although she's welcome to it if she wants. Can you get a hold of her so I can tell her where it is?"

Betsy smiled, feeling relief that her sister wouldn't be out on the streets with nowhere to stay. "Of course, my love."

She reached with her mind, entwining with Logan's, and then their combined thoughts reached for Kwannon. :Sister/Kwannon? We have an offer for you. Not going to try to tell you that you should stay backing away from a fight by leaving, although you are welcome with usfamily/stronger together than apart. If you want to go, Logan/I have an apartment in Manhattan safe place . You'll need somewhere to stay hidden from these people, even if only for a short while. Stay there as long as you want. Might want to put some groceries in it though... not much beyond dry goods, canned food and beer there at the moment. It's yours for as long as you want to stay there. Be safe:

:Logan? Betsy? You... thank you. It means a lot... especially considering. Betsy and i are the same Logan... I skewered in the danger room. I hadn't expected that either of you would want to help. hadn't expected any help yes... I will need a place to stay... thank you this rejection hurts I will need a bit to get myself established out there... stomach is churning... feel sick:

Contact with Kwannon was lost, and they could do no more for her. The mental link between them slipped looser, so that Logan and Betsy were no longer in each others thoughts, though they could still feel each others minds. They also knew that Kwannon now had the address of Logan's apartment and intended to stay there for a while.

"Did you catch that as well? The... murmured thoughts? Where she feels you two are the same... where she feels sick?" Logan's questions were barely vocalized, as if he was still trying to think his question to Betsy. Since she was a telepath, it was enough, she heard the thoughts if not the words.

"That was the subconscious level. I'm sure there were things on that level from us as well. She won't be back. The only thing that might be enough to draw her would be Bobby, and that's not very likely. Especially if he hears a lot about her past... our past? from Scott and Jean first."

"Ah. Hope she didn't get to much... my head isn't the nicest place to visit. Maybe we'll have to try to get a few words in, try to keep him thinking for himself instead of letting Scott do it for him." Logan's voice was harsh, roughened by concern for Kwannon.

"You aren't as bad as you think you are. As long as someone is willing to realize that we all have some darkness inside, you aren't that bad of a mind to look into." She was still holding him, tears sliding down her cheeks for Kwannon's pain.

"We've done all we can for her right now. I think we should go rest, and do what we can to keep things from getting to ugly."

Betsy sighed, wishing that there was some way that they could do more. Wishing that her sister didn't feel that she had to leave the man she loved behind. Wishing for acceptance.


end Seeking.