A/N - Hello hello! I told you I was going to try to get these out a little quicker. Toldja. Practically An Avenger - Thank you for your review! We both were delighted with your thoughts and reactions. So much love your way! So in thanks - here ya go!
Chapter 110 - Light Gossip
While James was still amazingly on the fence and continuing his tour of colleges and ever expanding options, Kate was preparing for a very important dual-purpose party to announce her college intentions after her own short, but more targeted college tour.
Not that anyone there was surprised by her announcement. She got all the girls together, brought out a custom-ordered cake, and revealed the message: I'm not going anywhere!
Literally no one was surprised, though. Rachel was a telepath and shared everything with America. Cassie, May, and Dani had grown up with her telling any Avenger that would listen that she was going to be a hero her whole life. Mia had been pouring her heart out to Kate about wanting to get an engineering degree and knew Kate wasn't at all interested in college (even though she was very supportive as a friend). And Lexi was literally Kate's sister.
But this was also an excellent excuse for Kate to show off her new apartment, so the "college reveal" also totally doubled as a housewarming party, and that part was more fun. Since Nate had done most of the help setting up the place, the girls hadn't seen it unpacked and without boxes thrown everywhere.
It was the perfect night to have their girls-only party, too. Nate was taking a moment to guilt trip his dad into doing something engaging with him while James and Billy volunteered to go on what all signs said was a simple pick up run in the midwest. Tommy was staying close to the tower to distract his dad - mostly by torturing Tony with his still new 'grandfather' title.
The girls wasted absolutely no time ordering pizza, popping some popcorn, turning on terrible rom-coms, and lounging around in their pajamas for the best slumber-party celebration they could come up with. They took most of the cushions off the couch and all of the blankets out of the closet and off the bed to pile into the living room, so the place was officially broken in, too.
"We should do this for you when you find a place, Dani," Kate said, throwing a kernel of popcorn her way. "Heard you got accepted into the journalism program at NYU."
"Yeah, the way Mom tells it, I'll have two degrees and an internship with the New York Times by the time I'm old enough to drink," Dani laughed, then smirked and poured some of the champagne America had brought. "Legally."
"I mean, she's not wrong. Aren't you applying to internships this year?" Rachel pointed out, telekinetically stealing the champagne back so she and America could have some more. "And doing summer semester if you don't get it the first go round?"
Dani shrugged. "I'm not patient," she said simply.
"Yeah, no one here can relate to that," May teased.
"Never even heard the word. Can you use 'patient' in a sentence?" Kate agreed, frowning when her phone went off with a notification. She checked it - "Hey, Rachel, Jimmy says your dad is getting dinner with the rabbi to talk over some logistical stuff, so no sighting of the Great White Whale- I mean Witch - I mean whatever she is."
"Oh, good. At least that's good news. Is he going to get spotted again?" Rachel asked, smirking to herself since Jimmy had been so proud of his unbustable record.
"He says it doesn't count when your dad has cybernetic eyes. He can't fool electronics."
"So he's got a handicap?" Rachel laughed.
Kate smirked. "Something like that. But-" She leaned forward. "Betsy told him if he can focus better, he should be able to get people to ignore what they're seeing on readouts, too."
"Ooh that should be fun," Rachel said, leaning toward her. "I'll bet I can help him with that if Betsy is irritating him. She's kind of focused on other things right now."
"The adorable little girl they're in the process of adopting, you mean?" Cassie said, grinning widely.
"Yes. Those things," Rachel agreed. "Warren said they really will pick out Godparents soon. I think it'll end up being the whole team the way they're going."
"I mean, who can resist?" Mia pointed out, her tail swaying easily. "Her name is Angela. It's like she was tailor-made for Angel. Everyone wants in."
"She really was," Rachel agreed. "And she's warming up to our team finally. For the longest time it was only James and Nate that she was alright with. Ugh. That was some pretty harsh whiplash for that kid."
"Hard to blame her. Not everyone can get rescued from the mob by Storm for their introduction," Kate teased.
"Yeah, well you're a little spoiled," Rachel shot back. "It's okay."
"I am, aren't I? Can you imagine if Tony had gotten custody?" Kate teased.
"You'd be way worse," Cassie deadpanned, picking the unpopped kernels out of her bowl.
"Probably have to stop hanging out with you," Mia agreed. "You'd be nearing Hellfire Club territory."
"Ugh." Kate threw a throw pillow at Mia, who dodged it. "That's disturbing."
"No way," America said. "Hip holes and bustiers don't mix."
"I like how it's the outfit and not the fact that I'm too good a person," Kate drawled out.
"Well, obviously. This is the spoiled princess version we're talking about," May pointed out - relieved to be back in the inner circle of young heroes. She honestly had been surprised when Kate invited her to the slumber party, and she'd had to pull her mom in on her argument to get her father to back off and let her go hang out in Bedford Stuyvesant.
"The more spoiled princess," America corrected her, and Kate threw popcorn at her. "You know, for someone who trades in aim, you suck, Princess."
"Shut up," Kate said, throwing more popcorn at America - which ultimately led to a popcorn fight.
And that would have gone on indefinitely, too, if Rachel's phone hadn't gone off and America hadn't stopped with a groan to say, "If it's another reporter, I'm throwing your phone into another dimension."
"It's not like I can stop them very easily," Rachel pointed out as she sent the call to voicemail and silenced her phone. "Sorry. I thought I had it silenced already."
"Getting harassed again?" Kate asked, frowning and picking popcorn out of her hair.
"Yeah, they want a statement about one thing or another - the stories change depending on who's calling. But, they can't get to my brother, so they're pestering me." Rachel pulled her feet up underneath her as she tried to look more casual than she felt. She was still bothered by the insinuations the press had latched on to when they first figured out her identity. And it still didn't matter that both she and James denied any fooling around - and it didn't even seem to matter that both of them had been spotted with their respective sweethearts. Somehow, some of the press had decided that America and Billy were just covers.
"And since no one knows the family connection, I'm sure that's been fun," Kate said, rolling her eyes. "I'm getting calls and I'm just on the team with him. I can't imagine the fact that they know you're close."
"It's pretty stupid," Rachel agreed. "Did Nate tell you about their coffee stop after running by the tower the other day? Nate in the inducer, James refused to, and when the guy started pushing, James looked over his head and acted like he didn't exist."
"Yeah, Nate told me he was trying not to bust up laughing," Kate said, grinning. "He's just glad no one's bothering him, because anyone who thinks about asking him about his relationship to me suddenly forgets what they're asking about."
"Well, and he keeps changing his inducer," Rachel pointed out. "Which is great."
"Yeah, one time he came home and tried to kiss me in it and I was like… yeah, no, feels wrong," Kate said.
"Oh, really?" Rachel asked, dramatically re-crossing her legs and leaning into her fist with her chin. "When he came home? Sounds cozy."
Kate looked around to see that the girls were all watching her, and she brushed her hair out of her face. "It's not, like, official or anything…"
"No? Then what are your intentions with my sweet little baby brother?"
"Ummm… yes."
"There's not a good way to answer her," Dani said.
"Probably not," Kate said, though after her initial fumbling, she was starting to get back her good mood. "Besides, it's kind of an open secret that Nate's not moving out of that house until Scott's not post-Annie depressed."
"Oh, I know. Unless you were to go back to say, Cambridge or something," Rachel teased. "Then he'd be right back with you there. In the clubhouse. Playing house."
"First of all, I loved the clubhouse. Second of all? Yes."
Rachel grinned at her. "Good."
Kate brushed her hair off her shoulder and returned the grin. "How is your dad, by the way? I get the stressed-Nate report and the Jimmy spy report, but you've got the inside scoop."
"Torn between the two - and pleasantly distracted with a job to do," Rachel said. "He has his moments, but it's enough work keeping up with the schedules and dealing with the pushy press that he has to keep focus up. Which is actually, kind of nice."
"Mom says Summerses just need jobs to do," Mia said lazily, stealing popcorn with her tail to throw it up in the air and catch it in her mouth.
"She's not wrong," Rachel said. "And I'm more like Dad than Nate is, so I can admit it."
"I told you he was stress baking the other day, right?" Kate said, her eyes alight. "He imprinted on Annie like a duck."
"Yep. Just like a little baby duck," Rachel agreed. "But he only does that when he's here. He's afraid to trigger Dad by baking."
"Which is why my apartment smells like baked goods," Kate said, smiling lightly.
"You did a fine job of domesticating him," Dani laughed.
"Right? Can you imagine once we get married?"
"Are you planning on him staying home with the kids?" Dani teased.
"Oh, totally," Kate said without missing a beat.
"He'll love it," Rachel said as she settled in with America a little better. "He's half kid himself, and probably always will be."
"When James isn't hogging the little kids on missions, Nate's the squishiest," Mia agreed. "You guys need about five of your own."
"After Billy, you mean," Rachel said.
Mia closed one eye. "Billy beats Nate for squishy when James is holding the kid," she decided.
"Okay, I'll let you think that," Rachel said.
"Okay, I will."
"I think the real news here is that Kate's not even denying the marriage and kids plan," Cassie said, and Kate whispered "traitor" her way.
"That's not news," America said. "At all. She's been hooked on him since before his voice dropped."
"Accurate. I saw it," Dani agreed with a delighted laugh.
"I think the first time she said she was gonna marry him, she was four," May put in.
"Long term planning," America said, nodding slowly. "Way to a Summers' heart?"
Mia snorted audibly. "It is. Now do me and Tommy. Demon and the grandson of Magneto…"
"Just watch how fast you're going," America advised. "I don't want to have to kill Billy's brother but I will."
"Oh my lord, I was making a joke and you're acting like my mother," Mia groaned dramatically.
"No, chica, I would do it for your mother. Hands clean. Sneakers … not so much."
"Ask her what college she's thinking of attending," Cassie stage-whispered.
"Is it the one in Genosha?" May asked with a grin. "Its the one in Genosha, isn't it? It is."
"It's got a robotics course taught by Vision," Mia pointed out.
"A future father in law for a teacher. Mmhmm. Thought so," May said, nodding with a grin.
"Better get started on that paperwork," Kate said. "I heard there's a whole official process."
"It's like filling out an application to be considered to take home a puppy," Cassie said. "With a thorough background check."
"Why do you know this?" Kate asked.
Cassie shrugged. "My stepdad wants me to be a detective." Then, she grinned. "Billy's a terrible person to practice questioning. Told me everything the second I even looked like I wanted to ask what was going on with that."
"Wanda offered to repeal the law, you know," Kate said.
"And my brother is an idiot," Rachel said. "Said he wasn't going to screw up anything else over there."
"This, too, is not news," Lexi said, looking up from petting Lucky, who had joined the girls for the party.
"I just wish that stupid report would get out and over with already," Rachel said.
"Tommy said it should be, what, a couple weeks at most?" Mia shrugged. "They want to put it out there, but I think they wanted to talk to Lorna one more time, since she was the one who saw the security footage and they trust her story."
"Before it got magnetized, you mean," Cassie said. "I heard about that, too. Somehow."
"Yep, real mystery that they're not interested in pursuing too closely," Mia said. She let her tail drop a bit. "I think Wanda's been quietly slow-walking the report because of all the other drama that happened."
"She'll be doing that forever if that's what's going on," May pointed out.
"Which is why it's finally coming out," Mia agreed.
"Whatever," May said in a sigh. "She'll just dismiss it if anyone is found to be at fault."
"That's true," Mia agreed.
"It just depends on how they weight it," Rachel added in an attempt to be diplomatic. "It'll be fine either way, though."
"Yeah, worst case scenario, Wanda steps in and pardons him and he can carry on being a cabana boy," Kate said easily.
"Ooh, what if she has to get rid of that law anyhow so he's not just a cabana boy?" May said with a grin.
"She'd do it too," Mia said, grinning. "She's basically let me know me and James are already part of the family in her eyes, and she's literally willing to change reality for family."
"That is very true," Rachel said, then threw a pillow at Mia to redirect. "So … moving on from all that very squishy stuff …"
"Ooh, I know," Mia said, grinning over at Lexi. "When are you joining the team, huh?"
Lexi pulled a face. "Cap says I have to be this many years to ride this ride," she said, holding her hand up to ear level.
"You're still, what, a year-ish from sixteen?" Cassie said.
"Yeah." Lexi sighed and snuggled into Lucky. "Any tips?"
"Puppy dog eyes," Kate said, and Lexi stuck her tongue out at her big sister. "Seriously, though, try Jan. She was our advocate for getting X patches; she's on our side for sure."
"She said she'd work on the uniform designs," Lexi said slowly. "But she didn't offer up any hot tips yet."
"They got spooked by all the spectacularly bad stuff lately," America said, waving her hand. "Give 'em time. They're all ready to drop dead of coronaries every six seconds."
Mia waved her hand. "It's because they're on Avengers level." She lifted one shoulder to her ear. "Mom said they never did deal with the same kind of bad guys. So … here we are."
"Here we are," Lexi agreed, sighing. "It sucks being in the younger group sometimes, just so you know. They're getting more and more convinced we should be, like, legal adults to start. Cap's been muttering about that every time I ask him."
"I promise to try my very best to avoid drama that will make Cap make good on that," Kate said with one hand over her heart.
"Oh please," May said. "How many times have you been kidnapped by Hydra again? All total?"
"Do we count times when I broke out within ten minutes?"
"Yes."
Kate closed one eye. "Twenty … nine. As of two weeks ago."
"Ish," Rachel added. "To be safe."
"Well, yeah, I don't remember all of the times from when I was little and Mom got me out before I was even aware I was in trouble."
"Most of them were lackluster, so you're forgiven," Rachel laughed. "I used to think you were all going to pick up and move like we did."
"I used to think that too, actually," Kate admitted. "The first time I was in real trouble and not just something Mom could fix in half an hour, Mom had just had Lexi, and I overheard her and Dad genuinely discussing whether it was time to take a long break for civilian life."
"She would have hated it," Rachel decided.
"Yeah. Dad moved all the time when he was a kid, so he wasn't thrilled about not giving me stability, either," Kate said. "And Mom still thinks if she stops doing hero work, she's let the scales tip the wrong way."
"She and my dad have more in common than I thought," Rachel said. "Expressed a little differently, but still."
"Probably why they became friends," Kate said.
"Lucky that's all," America said heavily. "Can you imagine the anxiety levels on the children if they got together instead?"
Kate leaned forward delightedly. "Mom told me once that she informed Dad if he didn't want to get married, she'd go after Scott. Swear to God."
"No," America said in a hushed tone.
"Said he had a ready-made family for her, including her little uncle's son and a redhead who keeps her dad in his place…"
"Oh, my god." America was grinning broadly. "And that's the reality that Tony got you."
"And me and Jimmy are Summerses," Lexi said.
"Only if she cheated on him with your actual dad," America pointed out. "Otherwise, they'd be little overly anxious half-Russian spies."
"Jimmy already thinks he's a spy," Lexi laughed.
"Yeah, but … imagine that with laser face or whatever Scott used to do," May said. "I don't know the technical term, I'm not being a jerk, I swear."
"Optic blasts," Mia said.
"Yes. That's it. Optic blasts," May said, snapping her fingers.
"Could be fun," Lexi said thoughtfully. "But then I wouldn't get to talk to Lucky, huh, boy?" She ruffled Lucky's ears.
"Again, you're missing how genetics work," May said in a heavy sigh. "Clearly that's an inherent trait from the Barton side."
"Geez, May, we play pretend and joke around about a reality and you gotta be classist."
"I can't pretend with unreasonable science!" May defended.
Lexi rolled her eyes. "Whatever, May."
"Well I like unreasonable science," Rachel said. "And in this scenario, I want a pony."
"Done," Kate said without missing a beat.
"Yay! I'll keep it in Dad's living room. He won't mind."
"And ride it into battle like a knight in fiery armor," Cassie teased.
"No, I don't want it getting hurt. I'll just ride it into the kitchen for popcorn refills and coffee in the morning," Rachel reasoned, glad to get the discussion off into more ridiculous territory. Especially when she knew May hated it.
"Fair enough," Cassie agreed. "And in this universe, I obviously turn into an ant."
"Different ant depending on your mood," Mia giggled.
"But Nate still comes home to Kate," Rachel teased. "Bringing gifts of fresh banana bread as an offering."
"Damn straight," Kate said. "And since Tony's my dad, my kitchen has the nicest appliances."
"That are never used unless Nate is there," Rachel said. "Unless … he's not your Jarvis, is he?"
"God, no. Please don't make me think about it like that."
"I'll project him in a french maid outfit if you need it," Rachel offered, then held up one finger. "Ooh, wait, no. I'll project that to him. As a suggestion."
"Remind me to stay on your good side."
"Shouldn't have to remind you," Rachel shot back. "You should just know by now."
"Good point. Gotta get that in there now that Nate's coming home with me."
"Yep - but hey, don't worry. We'll plan out your next announcement party for you."
"Perfect. I expect a French maid outfit."
"Depends on the announcement," May said under her breath.
"Better not or Mom'll kill him," Lexi muttered May's way.
Cassie tipped her head toward May and Lexi. "They have a point."
"We already covered that," Rachel said.
"I think this is the part where we start making fun of the movie," Mia said, grabbing a new champagne bottle with her tail.
"Woah, easy little part demon girl," Rachel said, diving right back into her usual big sister mode. "Your mom will lose it if you get home tipsy."
"This is not my first time drinking, Rach," Mia said. "It's legal in Genosha and Wakanda."
"Yes, but I don't want it to be your last," Rachel said. "And how drunk did you get in Genosha?"
"We're not talking about that."
"The newspapers sure are, though," Lexi muttered under her breath.
"I kinda think we should," Rachel said. "Especially since there's been so much attack on Kate and my brother while they're living in sin - or whatever that crowd calls it."
"It's the evil mini-Magneto. Corrupting the goddess," Cassie said seriously. "We should all be worried."
"Oh, obviously," May agreed. "Because no one here would ever break into alcohol before they're of age. Nope. Never ever."
"No one here would ever break into alcohol that her cop stepdad could hear about, nope," Cassie said, grinning. "Especially not when you and me got onto the team. Nope."
"Like I said," May agreed.
"Shhh Rachel's in big sister mode and she might go telling Cap," Kate teased.
"Excuse you," Rachel laughed. "I don't tell." She raised one eyebrow and tipped her nose up. "I arrange for ways that make you never want to do that again."
"That's my girl," America said, smirking and leaning into Rachel as Kate threw popcorn at the TV screen because the Hallmark movie had gotten to the part where the perfectly reasonable boyfriend made a stupid communication error that would kick off the whole movie.
Things had officially gone on for too long with how pushy the media had gotten as far as James was concerned. It all came to a head after the X-Men had done yet another rescue, and he'd taken the time to deal with a few young, barely-teenagers that the team had pulled out of trouble when a few paparazzi-types broke through the barricades the authorities had erected around the scene to aggressively start snapping pictures of the team. And James specifically while he was unmasked and talking to the kids. It was open knowledge that he'd talk to kids unmasked, and it seemed like the kids almost insisted on it to make sure it was really him and not someone dressed like him. But it almost always left a window for the press to abuse, and James was fed up … but not toward the kids.
"Hey," James barked out, turning from the kids and glaring at the press - not in the mood to put up with photographers around kids that were freshly traumatized and displaced. "You know damn well you can't have minors in your shots. Back off."
"Just trying to get a good shot and a quote," one of the photographers called back as police started to push him back behind the line. "What have you got to say in response to Jameson's latest piece?"
"Context would be helpful," Kate pointed out, long ago tired of these guys thinking the whole team could read minds.
"Really just looking for why you're dodging from making any kind of statement, to Jameson or anyone else," the photographer called out. "Give me something, man."
"Something other than pestering minors while I'm working?" James shot back, positively fuming already since they'd been pestering Rachel pretty aggressively, too. Especially when she wasn't with America.
"Okay, well… so not in this situation exactly," the photographer said. "Throw me a bone here. I just want a quote."
"Quit exploiting minors for your greasy rep," James growled out.
"Not helpful. What about Jameson?"
"Pretty sure he'd say the same thing," James called back, then turned back to the kids, though he was hoping that Nate was at least figuring out what that was about while he settled the kids out.
Kate was faster to react out loud, though - with Jameson's website pulled up on her phone, she sucked in air through her teeth. "Well, that's fun," she said dryly. "He's managed to get a SHIELD source who's leaking just enough about the stuff with Viper that he knows Hydra wants a weapon, so he's generalizing it as you're being trained as a weapon by the good guys too." She scrolled a little more then let her voice drop to a level that only James would hear. "I mean, he's got enough right that it's a problem. To be honest though, it almost looks like SHIELD's using him to put some pressure on you, to be honest."
It was enough to put James on the warpath, and he quickly had it in his mind to go deal with matters himself. And his next action was to text Dani to find out what was happening at the studio since she was working with her mother there. "Alright," James said under his breath as he watched Dani's response dance in three dots for a long moment, though he'd already made up his mind. "See you later."
"You should let Leslie Ann's little sister do your makeup before you get caught on camera beating him down," Kate teased.
"I don't need makeup," James deadpanned.
"But a little glitter would be-"
"Kate. No."
"Okay, okay," Kate said, holding her hands up. "Just trying to get a laugh."
"Not now," James said, then started off, leaving the team behind. "Tell the powers that be that I'll catch up later to debrief."
"I'm already watching the live streams," Tommy informed Kate, and she laughed.
"Of course you are. Gimmie."
James made a beeline for the studio as soon as Dani told him that the broadcast had really just started - and that JJ was building up a pretty questionable show based on the bullet points she'd seen. Jessica wasn't happy about it, but she'd been using her time to text Tony … for all the good it did when she got the phone call from security about James pushing his way past them to head up.
Jessica managed to catch him at the elevator, then had to keep from smiling too broadly when she saw that he'd been irked enough that he hadn't even considered changing out of uniform first. "Are you sure you want to go out there in stripes?" Jessica asked. "Not the easiest look to pull off."
"His flying monkeys have been pestering Rachel and Kate," James said, then gestured to himself. "Tony's approach with the business suit isn't making a dent in it, so…what the hell."
"Okay, but let me lead you in," Jessica said, smiling crookedly. "You sure you're ready to tangle with him?"
"No, but he's just going to keep speculation going in the wrong direction if I don't make an attempt at a statement."
"True." She brushed off his shoulders, then gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Keep your head out there. Let's go give him his fourth heart attack." She stepped back from James as a couple crew members came up to mic him and Jessica called down to the stage manager's podium to warn them at least.
And while James watched Jessica, he focused on pushing down this gut reaction to so many people he didn't know touching him as they found where they could weave the wire between the lapel microphone and the battery pack. He half held his breath as two technicians worked, trying to remember that they were doing what he'd come there for. But that didn't leave him any time to consider how to respond to Jameson once he got into the interview.
As James started toward the anchor desk, he heard some of what Jameson was saying - and it was clear he still hadn't gotten to the meat and potatoes of his program yet. In fact, he was just getting wound up properly when he did a full double take upon seeing James in the shadows off-camera.
To his credit, James didn't rush on like his mother had done all those years ago, dropping into the seat before Jameson had gotten a chance to do anything about it, though Jameson was certainly having mild flashbacks to those days. Instead, James went so far as to give the old man a chance to shift his approach to his story for a more seamless transition for Jameson.
Not that some of the wide-angle cameras hadn't shifted to capture the whole scene of the anchor desk with a wide-eyed Jameson on one side of the frame and a uniformed, towering, very unamused Wolverine with his arms crossed on the other side of the frame.
"And as luck would apparently have it, it seems we're finally getting some answers today," Jameson said, gesturing to the seat beside him once he saw that James had, in fact, been caught on camera. "And in uniform, too - any particular reason or are you just making sure everyone here remembers what you're capable of?"
James smirked crookedly as he stepped forward. "More like I didn't have time to schedule in changing if I wanted to talk to you at all. Busy day."
"I'd imagine every day is busy for you, considering that's what the man screening my calls keeps saying," JJ said.
"Right now, yes," James agreed, then offered Jameson his hand to shake. "Sorry it's short notice."
Jameson took his hand and then waited for James to get settled into his seat as he tried to recalibrate. "Well, then," Jameson said, nodding to himself and visibly redirecting. "All things considered, I don't know how long I'll have you to myself, Mr. Howlett, so I'll get right to the meat of it - what, exactly, can you tell me - tell the country - to reassure everyone that you won't be running back to Hydra anytime soon?"
"For starters I would have had to run to Hydra at some point," James replied. "I don't think anyone was happier to hear that Viper was dead than I was. But unfortunately, for the finer details I'll have to wait for clearance from those higher up than myself to share."
"The finer details of her death or of your own mental state, Mr. Howlett?" Jameson pressed. "Surely you can answer that."
"I'm doing well enough to continue with my college work," James replied. "And once I have a better idea of where that will be happening, Id like to think things will settle out more."
"I imagine so," Jameson said. "But I'm much more interested in hearing about how Hydra has changed you than in the gossip other organizations might care about - though I would like to circle back to your fallout with MIT if we have the time." Jameson leaned forward. "You have to admit that even my junior reporters could spot that you've changed since then. More aggressive, shorter fuse. It's not an encouraging pattern."
James took a moment to consider his answer, weighing out how much he could get away with before SHIELD came swooping in. "When it comes to Hydra? Absolutely more aggressive and precious little fuse. It's well earned, as far as I'm concerned."
At that, Jameson actually smirked. "No arguments there," he said - which was not typical for him to say. Not that it lasted long. "You can't blame us for being concerned, of course, seeing as you were manipulated at MIT. That's on the record. And it's not unreasonable to worry it could happen again."
"Though I appreciate the concern, I can't let that kind of worry hold me down," James said. "I have a life to live and I'm not letting Hydra dictate what that looks like."
"Can't let those fascists get their hands on anyone," Jameson said, making a broad gesture with one hand. "Though I admit I'm impressed with your own security and screening. It's impossible to get any answers about you from the people around you. I'd imagine being raised in the environment you were helps with maintaining secrecy, too."
James tipped his head slightly at that. "I suppose that depends on who you ask. Hard to maintain real secrecy when you're surrounded by the particular people who have been in charge of keeping me safe all these years. Yes, the Avengers in particular were amazing for protective measures, but so many of them are obvious targets for the press, too."
"Yes, you have managed to give tabloids plenty to talk about - as has the rest of the team. But that's, again, something for a different show entirely. Although if you have any insight into the intrigue that seems to be coming out of Genosha as their investigation into Magneto's death publicly wraps up…"
"I don't think it's my place to comment on anything that's not resolved," James said diplomatically. "And not being a citizen of Genosha, my opinion there doesn't really matter, and I won't pretend like it does."
"Again, it's a bit difficult to believe claims that you're in charge of your own decisions when there's so much you can't discuss," Jameson pointed out.
"Tell me about it," James said with a smile Tony would have been proud of.
Jameson smirked. "So, then, let's talk about MIT," he said. "Several big donors have publicly been calling for a change in leadership there; some prominent names have been fired… what can you tell me that isn't covered by the statements already given? What was your experience, knowing you had done good work and were being forced to re-do everything you had already earned?"
Again, James was careful in how he worded his response, if nothing else than because he knew how much the school had meant to Tony -and himself until, really, SHIELD let it go on for too long. "The teachers and staff that I was in contact with were absolutely wonderful," James said, keeping his expression warm. "I don't agree with mass firings, either. I don't think that the people that were victimized by Viper's actions should be further punished when they already lost whatever they did. It's not as if they were gaining anything. They weren't sworn Hydra, as far as I know. They lost too much already - family members, opportunities … there is a lot they dealt with that I know couldn't have been easy for them. But as far as how I feel about my treatment there? Sometimes, as I'm sure you know, you can do all the right things, do all the right work, follow the instructions to the letter, and after all that, you can still end up getting told 'no'. It happens. Considering the circumstances, I can't hold them personally accountable."
Jameson leaned forward with his hands clasped in front of him, smirking lightly. "An incredibly diplomatic answer," he said. "But I understand that perspective, too. The evidence coming to light about the hostages Hydra took is enough to make the reputations of several of the staff involved unimpeachable, really. I don't know that any of us wouldn't have done the same under the pressure. Which is why, again, I have to keep coming back to what happened to you with Hydra."
"If you really want to know, I discovered that I inherited a large amount of stubbornness from both of my parents," James said. "Pretty sure that's something Hydra would be able to corroborate if they were worth talking to."
"I've met both of your parents; I'd have been surprised if you had none of their will," Jameson said dryly. He shuffled some of his papers. "But since we're on the topic, I understand you weren't captured alone. There were two of your teammates that were captured as well, that much is public record as well. The Avengers aren't speaking up. Genosha has, of course, been tight-lipped about their crown prince, better known here in the states as Wiccan, and every comment from Hawkeye has been a middle finger and a colorful commentary on the lineage of Hydra soldiers."
"Hawkeye is very quotable," James teased. "And not wrong in that respect."
"Hawkeye's vocabulary requires me to put a warning label on her quotes," Jameson shot back.
James grinned. "Wasn't sure which Hawkeye you were quoting, but yeah, that too."
"His are worse," Jameson said. "My point is that we've seen, time and again, your willingness to save those in need. I'm not assailing your work on the team or theirs but asking whether the fact that three of you, all in positions of pressure of your own right, were captured - doesn't that require a little more scrutiny?"
"Out of respect for my teammates, I won't speak for them unless they ask me to," James said. "But - considering the resources available to us, every one of us has been given the opportunities to seek whatever backup we've needed. And of course, I fully expect a reasonably cautious approach. But when the situation involved is so messy and unspeakably cruel, I can't give you hard numbers or graphics, or anything that will make the answer pretty and nicely wrapped up with a bow. It's a process, and we're all trying to do our best to stand up to whatever scrutiny comes our way."
"Considering Hydra's reputation and your ages, I do actually, sincerely, hope you have gotten the help needed," Jameson said. He nodded to himself. "One final question - I have a source in SHIELD that says Viper met her demise at your former residence. That raises a few red flags - for your safety but also for what she wanted, exactly, and what she expected." He paused. "The details are classified, but whatever you can tell me-"
"Yeah, a lot of that is highly classified," James said, tapping his fingers on the table with one corner of his mouth tight. "So … obviously I can't comment too deeply on that incident. However …" One eyebrow lifted slightly and James smirked crookedly. "I can tell you that there were old obsessions in play that Viper had directed to my father. And, I can tell you that if you were to research that a little bit, you might just get an idea of what the crazy old bat was up to. Enjoy following the local stories in Madripoor concerning both of them."
Jameson's expression twisted, and he tapped one finger against the side of his chin as he thought over his next words. "I'll have to look into it," he decided at last. "Still, it's encouraging to see you're able to talk about it at all. I'd hazard a guess and say you're not a fan of so much of your life experience being classified."
"Mr. Jameson, if I could tell you more without SHIELD flooding the studio to blow our discussion and arrest everyone involved, I'd be happy to sit down and chat with you at length. But even at that, most of what I've done has more to do with my schooling than anything else. Pretty boring for most."
Jameson nodded and then turned back to the camera. "There you have it, folks," he told his audience. "Some answers - not all entirely satisfying. But then, it isn't surprising when you consider SHIELD's history, especially where mutants are considered. Rest assured that this reporter won't let good stories get swept under the rug, however - or good people. What other secrets about our safety is SHIELD holding? We'll dive deeper into that next time," he said before moving on into his sign-off to hand off the broadcast to the next show on the hour. Then, shaking his head still, he took off his mic and set it aside. "You interview like your mother did."
"Is that a good thing?" James asked.
"Good for you, maybe," Jameson said, leaning forward to take James's mic too.
"I really do wish I could give you more," James said, shifting to finish removing the battery pack and set it aside as well. "I'm impressed with what you could find, to be honest."
"I've been in this business so long the only organizations left I don't have contacts in are actual infants," Jameson said, waving his hand.
"Still. Thank you for taking a moment today. I will talk to my scheduler about loosening up a little bit, as long as it's not in the middle of a very big push."
Jameson smirked to himself as he turned the battery packs off. "Tell him I said hello," he said, his smirk turning more crooked. "And that he's taught you well. Some of your answers could have been his on the Hill."
James paused and nodded slowly. "That … was definitely a compliment."
"When he decides secrecy isn't feasible anymore - and I don't doubt that will be coming, all things considered - I'd be interested in his side of the story. There's still a lot the world doesn't know about what happened. And from what I've seen, that ordeal didn't end there, either."
"There is," James agreed. "And it didn't."
"Succinct." Jameson got to his feet.
James followed suit and again offered him a hand to shake. "Take care of yourself, Mr. Jameson." With that, James walked off set to where Jessica was trying very hard not to burst out laughing - and Dani had given up entirely. "You two have no poker face." James tipped his chin up toward Jessica after he passed her by. "Do me a favor, huh? Whatever you got on camera yourself … I want to see it before Spidey."
"He's already been texting. He's destroyed that you've managed to come out with your good name and without a menacing title," Dani told him, laughing still.
"Damn," James said before he broke into a genuine grin her way. "Well … year's not over … who knows."
"Go for the gold," Dani giggled.
James shook his head and gave them a little wave as he stepped into the elevator alone, not really letting it sink in what he'd just done, though the relative silence around him had his ears buzzing. He had his cowl in his hands and he was staring at it - second guessing himself again - when the elevator filled with blue light and a moment later, he found himself hit was a blast of hot, humid air and the now-familiar scents of Genosha. He had just enough time to register the wind coming off the sea before Billy hit him with a kiss that knocked him backward a step.
"So, I caught part of your interview," Billy told him when the kiss broke.
"Yeah? Was it any good?"
"I thought so," he replied. "Mom and Dad too …"
"Nice to hear the judges care enough to score it."
"Yeah, you won some major points with some of those answers," Billy said, then kissed him a little more tenderly. "I'll text your dad and let him know where you are, but we're long overdue for a date night."
"That sounds good to me, even if it's already into date night troublemaking hours for you. I need to fill Dad in on the behind the scenes things too," James said, more than happy for the change in subject just as he'd been starting to beat himself up.
"Um, I too, would like the behind the scenes."
"Right. We can do that in privacy, I think."
"Easy enough," Billy agreed, still smiling as they started to walk toward the palace.
James looked over his shoulder toward the handful of people that were out and about that weren't in the royal guard - most of whom were staring at the two of them. Which is when James realized he still hadn't changed. "Ah, so … is this your excuse to take me to Genosha in my uniform?"
"That wasn't my plan, and though showing you off would be fun, I'd like to keep you to myself. The more time we have to spend apart for adult reasons, the more I think that sharing you is highly over rated."
James smiled crookedly at him and took his hand. "That sounds like lots of quiet time. Comparatively."
"Like you said, it is troublemaking hours here. We'll see how it goes after you send your texts or emails or whatever," Billy said. "And you'll need to talk to Mom, too because she loved your answers about Genosha."
James let out a sigh just before they reached the doors. "So … that means all of you were up for troublemaking hours. Something happen?"
"Just … getting back ourselves, honestly," Billy admitted. "Mom and I have an early afternoon meeting tomorrow, but we were in Brazil earlier, so …"
"Globetrotting in an instant," James said, then kissed Billy's cheek. "Alright. If you're all not too worn out, I guess I can answer whatever you like. I'm not tired yet anyhow."
"That's the best news I've heard all day," Billy laughed, though before they were in the palace properly, Wanda and Vision were there to greet him and get the news behind the scenes.