Lucy slipped in to wake Rachael. "Hi."

Rachael woke up slowly. "Hello?"

"I'm Lucy." She said. "Come on."

Rachael looked confused. "Where?"

Lucy smiled wider. "I know this is going to sound weird. You've had a bad day. I know. But we have to go get our picture taken now, so come on."

Rachael stood up slowly. "O-okay…" She held herself nervously. Very little seemed to make sense anymore.

She slipped out the door and down the stairs. Most of the others were already down there, milling about.

A man with a microphone and another with a camera were standing in the distance, seemingly occupied with hashing out some detail or another.

Forge smiled. "Lucy, Rachael. Come on." He smiled and waved them over.

Rachael looked hesitant. "What's going on?"

"News crew." Forge said. "Doing a live wrap up on a show they did about us tonight. They want the whole team in the background."

Rachael suddenly stood up strait. Oh my god… She looked around. It… can't be…

Her mind flittered back to another world, where she had grown up seeing a still photograph – taken from a news broadcast image – of her father, mother, uncle, Emma Frost, her boyfriend Gambit and a few other straggling members of their team.

Her mind went awhirl. It's the same moment… just… one world away.

She cast her eyes out to the sea. I… I live… now… but here instead…

She looked at the rest of the group. Many were laughing and moving playfully about.

I decided to come back to now.

I wanted to make a difference…

She glanced to Forge. And he thinks I can…

She took a couple of deep breaths. Okay… I'm in.

And she smiled, ready to have her picture taken.

Forge smiled. She gets it now.

Lucy nodded slowly. I know. Look at her smile.

Back at the TV studio, madness had descended. Phones were ringing in all quarters. People took down messages and darted about trying to file them all.

"What's the word?" The producer asked.

"Sixteen hundred calls. That's what we've counted so far. It's a new record." The studio manager told him.

"Negatives?" The producer asked, concerned.

The manager smiled, chuckled a bit and spoke. "Eight."

Brian stood on the rocks outside the lighthouse and scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah… I guess." He nodded. "Why not?"

Kurt smiled back. "Good. Now, I've got to get ready for the broadcast."

Brian nodded. "Sure." He slipped away and up to his sister who was sitting on a few rocks, holding her side. Despite her wounds she refused to appear on camera in the hospital bed. He crouched down to talk to her. "We're in." He shrugged.

She looked around. "Are you sure? You told him about my record and everything?"

"He says it's his rules and his game, but if we play it his way we're in." He shrugged. "Room, board, adventure… Doesn't sound so bad."

Betsy swallowed and met Brian's eyes. "Not bad? Compared to eviction, death or paralysis?"

He made an understanding face. "So, we lucked out." He winced. "It's still a long way from where we were."

She smiled sadly. "So are we." She swallowed. "We've got real enemies now Brian. Not just business rivals, but… dangerous people. And no money or resources to fall back on for protection."

He shrugged slightly and looked over the crowd. "We've got powerful friends now too. And maybe we can get our foot back in the door were the company is concerned."

"You're not thinking of going after Brice, are you?" She asked, concerned.

Brian shook his head. "Not any more." He smiled slyly. "I told Kurt about him and he's going after him."

Betsy smiled slyly in return. "You're incorrigible."

"Completely." He said proudly.

Then he stood up quickly and whipped around. "Illyana… " He smiled as she approached.

"Oh." She hesitated. "Brian…"

"Can I ask a favor?" He said.

She nodded, almost hopeful.

"It's been a while since any of my friends have seen me. This broadcast is going to be the first time in a long time actually…" He smiled, shyly. "And I'd really like… to have a beautiful woman on my arm."

He offered her his arm.

Her eyes welled up slightly as she took it. "Sure." She said softly before speaking up. "I might need the support. All my friends saw me today and they're about to freak out when they seem me here with all of you…"

Brian's mouth twisted in to a smile. "So? Rub their noses in it."

Illyana thought it over. Really… I might as well…

The pre-taped reporter smiled slightly. "I hope you don't mind that I've been having a bit of fun with you."

"Not at all." Kurt waved dismissively. "I've no problem laughing at myself."

"Do you mind a more serious question?"

"Go ahead." Kurt smiled. "Vhat would you like to know?"

"What do you hope to accomplish as Britain's new Mutant Advisor?" The reporter smiled slyly.

Suddenly, everyone watching the broadcast grew silent. It was a heavy question that demanded a great answer.

Kurt nodded. And now I can see you've been talking to Alistaire… "As a non-passing mutant, I have to say… I am incredibly impressed with the English attitude toward mutants. I had a great chat with a cab driver the other day and it really got me to thinking about how my position has the ability to effect every person in Britain, and by default… Much of the world."

Emma nodded.

Scott pondered.

Rogue beamed hesitantly in pride, hopeful and praying that Kurt's soul could shine through in the answering.

"Vhat I'm really saying is… England has an incredible status quo where mutants are concerned. And I find that fact to be so amazing… In my opinion, it's worth dying to preserve. Honestly."

Little old ladies who feared change and had watched with trepidation… Suddenly found Kurt quite charming.

Bar-room regulars suddenly stood a little taller.

England couldn't help itself. It swelled with pride. After all, how often are you told you've done something amazingly right?

"So my first interest is to preserve the peace." Kurt continued. "I see myself and Excalibur as supplemental to law enforcement first and foremost."

Sebastian scowled.

"Anyone seeking to abuse or exploit others with the use of a mutation, or likewise anyone seeking to abuse or exploit anyone with a mutation IS going to have to answer to me."

Kurt gave the reporter a hard stare. "I know what it's like to be picked on."

"I believe you." The reporter whispered in a hush.

"And I have lived a warriors life." He said, an air of dangerous calm falling over everyone watching. "I never decided to be a soldier, or a leader… And I am both now."

A shiver passed through Magneto. Xavier… He cast his eyes around at his acolytes. What have we done?

The reporter could only nod.

Kurt turned and stared right in to the camera. "And for anyone out there who practices oppression for fun or profit within British boarders; listen up! Because this is for you…"

Kurt smiled. "Form this day forward, it's over. It's not going any further." He raised his eyebrows playfully. "And if you continue down this road… Well then…"

He nodded slowly, still smiling, and it became clear than noting would please him more. "I – AM COMING – FOR YOU!"