Chapter 26: Outstanding Issues

September 16

Howlett Manor

While, for the most part, everyone in the manor was taking the chance to just… get a breath, relax, and try to come back down from everything that had happened over the last few months, Charles and Bobbi were still hard at work with their fellow former victors.

To their great relief, it seemed that Johnny, at least, would be relatively easy to deal with now that the drugs were out of his system. Once those were gone, it was clear to Charles that there was no need to restrain him, as Johnny just didn't want to fight. It was more a matter of getting him to engage than getting him to stand down, actually.

"It's okay; I'm good right here," Johnny said. "I get it. Really. I'm safe. And … here. So. it's okay."

Charles let out a small sigh as he sat down beside Johnny and gave him a friendly smile. "Yes, you are safe," he had to agree. "But it's just as safe to get out and talk with the rest of the residents of this manor — and to engage with life."

"I don't want to do anything until you know I'm not going to go after anyone," Johnny said. "I remember how messed up it was when we got Logan back."

"That situation, while similar, was not the same as yours," Charles told him gently.

"And besides, you know I'll take you down in three seconds flat if you have any problems," Bobbi promised with a little grin. "Which you won't. From what Jess said — you know, when she's being helpful — your default command was not to engage."

"Right. Because I'm such a wrecking crew all the time on my own otherwise."

"You can be when you want to be," Bobbi teased lightly. She reached over and squeezed his arm. "Come on. Everyone's been throwing popcorn at Norman's face on the screen whenever he makes a presidential speech. It's fun, I promise. Or we can find a campaign poster for you to set fire to."

"Can't I just set fire to him?" Johnny asked with a crooked smirk.

"Yes, yes you could," Bobbi said, nodding and honestly sounding a bit relieved to hear him joke around.

"So … how long before you know for sure if I'm crazy or … messed up or whatever?"

"To be quite honest with you," Charles said, leaning forward with a twinkle in his gaze, "it was obvious some time ago that you're perfectly sane. Or is that not what you were expecting to hear?" He smiled a little wider as he added, "And as for being 'messed up,' that's a simple matter of just letting you return to your normal life. Everything else, we will deal with as it comes."

"I just figured … with the way it went last time... that it was going to be a while," Johnny said.

Charles shook his head, still with that same warm smile. "What Norman Osborn did to you and Jessica was absolutely wrong, but you were not subjected to the same things that Miss Sarkissian did."

"Trust me," Bobbi said, leaning forward. "I'm literally an expert on this. You're going to be just. Fine."

"Well, okay then," Johnny said, leaning back and relaxing.

"So ... come play pool with me tonight?" Bobbi asked with a little smile. "If we're quick, we can steal the best table before the Hawkeyes get there."

"Hey, you know what? That sounds like a great idea," Johnny said, smiling back at her.

She grinned. "Great. I look forward to totally wiping the floor with you."

She moved to undo the restraints, and as soon as Johnny was freed, he sat up. He rubbed his wrists, the smile slowly getting wider until he pulled her over for a quick hug. "I'm really glad you're here."

"Hey, we've got each other's backs," Bobbi said.

"Yeah." Johnny let out a long breath and gave her one more squeeze. "Thanks."

Charles looked to Bobbi as Johnny stretched and got his bearings about him. "So now, we take on the more difficult case."

Bobbi let out a little sigh and smiled Charles' way, though it was a little tighter. "Sure I can't just hug it out with her too?" she had to ask, just to tease a little.

"Well you could try, but I doubt that you'll have the same results."

Bobbi had to chuckle at that before she got up to stretch and then head next door to find Jess, who was harder to work with — simply because for her, there had been fewer drugs, after she'd been more conditioned to what Norman needed from her. So it wasn't as easy as just getting her clean.

"Thanks for the help with Johnny," Bobbi told Charles, pausing in front of the door to Jess' room. "Knowing the default command — I think that helped him get past the little block he was having, mentally."

"I'm certain it did," Charles agreed. "Whenever you're ready, we can start with hypnotism with Miss Drew and see if we can find the commands — unless you think you can do it without."

"No, no — you go ahead. It's easier with help," Bobbi said quickly. Which was true. It was always easier to do this kind of work with someone else, especially since she could feel Viper's shadow looming over her shoulder every time she did it. Better to have someone there who knew her — and could stop her if she started to lose herself again.

He gestured to the door, and soon after that, the two of them were settling in with a very uncooperative Jessica Drew. The session wasn't very productive — it was hit and miss with Jess sometimes — and it left both Charles and Bobbi frustrated. They knew they were likely to have bad days at times, but Bobbi was honestly downhearted.

It was, after all, much harder to reverse this kind of thing than to inflict it.

"We'll need to get her up and out of the bed soon," Charles pointed out. "And as formidable as you are, I would prefer you had help."

"I'm not opposed to backup," Bobbi said. "Who did you have in mind?"

"Who do you think would be most helpful to her?" Charles asked. "It should be someone she trusts. Or … did trust."

Bobbi leaned back in her seat as she thought about it, long and hard. "Jess… plays things close to the vest. The list is very small."

"And yet you know her probably better than anyone else," Charles said with a little smile.

"Yeah, she totally saved my life after I became a victor," Bobbi agreed, leaning back still farther as she considered it. "She trusted Fury. She trusted me… Hill and Coulson — and May, maybe. And Logan."

"Then our options are limited," Charles said, nodding his head.

"She trusted a few of the kids as well," Bobbi clarified. "But I'm not sure … Natasha, maybe Clint could help, but for the most part, she was sort of in charge of the sweet stylists and the little kids."

"Then I'll go talk to Logan," Charles said with a little nod. "I'm sure he'll want to help Jessica."

"Yeah, if you tell him it's for Jess, he'll be here in a heartbeat," Bobbi said. "I'll stay here with her, see if I can…" She glanced over at the glaring Jess. "Well. Do something."

Charles simply slipped out of the room, closing it carefully behind him on his way to find Logan. It wasn't much of a search, as most of the kids of the original Awesomes were gathered up in the kitchen while Kate and Skye were comparing little remedies for their various complaints.

Kate had just been very theatrical in her insistence that her nausea was much worse than she thought humanly possible when Logan reached over and gently took her hand to press a spot on her wrist, shaking his head at her as she went from telling him he was nuts to grinning.

Kurt was smiling widely as well, having been sure to take note of where the pressure point was. "Any excuse to hold your hand, Vögelchen," Kurt laughed as he took over for Logan.

"If you don't mind," Charles said, hating to interrupt the party but going forward all the same, "I could use your help, Logan."

"Sure," Logan replied, not even asking what was the task was.

"We're working on Jessica Drew," Charles said as they hit the kitchen door.

"Whatever you need, Charlie," Logan said, not bothered in the least.

"You think you can work with Bobbi on this?" Charles asked, not wanting to surprise Logan if he could avoid it.

"What do you need me to do?" Logan asked. "Just be ready to tackle her, right? I can do that."

Charles tipped his head Logan's way. "That is the long and short of it, yes." The two of them got to the room, and it was clear that Bobbi was just waiting for them to really get started. "I have done some hypnotism work with her already. We need to test and make sure that she's alright with them before moving on."

Bobbi raised a hand in greeting with a small smile. "Believe it or not, she's improving. She helped us with Johnny a little earlier.

"So what do you need me to do?" Logan asked. "Or is this another 'just stand there' kind of situation?"

"I need someone good for back up. Jess can take me down on a good day," Bobbi admitted.

"Then I'm here if she's havin' a good day?" Logan said with an eyebrow raised. "Sure. Stand there and be pretty it is."

Bobbi smirked at him for that before Charles joined her and the two of them set to work, gently guiding Jess through the hypnotism session, with occasional input from Bobbi when it seemed she thought they might have found something worthwhile.

"No, that was it," she said under her breath to Charles as she put a hand on his arm. "Back up … watch her reaction…"

Charles paid a little closer attention to their patient as Jess half held her breath and almost shook in a panic, anticipating … something.

But as he and Bobbi discussed it, Logan was silently starting to panic on his own. He wouldn't say anything, of course. For multiple reason. For one, Jess needed him there — but just as importantly, he'd heard Bobbi's tone a few too many times to just skim over or ignore it. And if he was being honest with himself, he was rooted to the spot.

It was another half an hour as Charles gently worked Jess through, trying to convince her that she was alright and to get her to calm down — but after a while, they finally had to call it a day and let Jess rest for as worked up as she had gotten at several points.

Charles rubbed both of his temples with the tips of his fingers for a moment before he stood to leave. "Thank you, Bobbi. I think we're making actual progress here. At the very least, she didn't try to attack anyone this time," he added, smiling Logan's way and fully intending to thank him for coming, even if they hadn't needed him — until he saw that look of panic on Logan's face that had Bobbi still in her tracks as well when she saw it.

Logan was locked on to Bobbi, and the moment she moved, he sidestepped toward the door, unwilling to take his eyes off of her. He didn't say a word, though, before he stepped out ahead of them and flat vanished.

It was quiet in Jess' room for a few moments. It was clear that Bobbi was crestfallen at the very least.

"I wasn't expecting that," Charles admitted softly.

"Maybe we should have," Bobbi said, matching his tone. "I worked on him often enough…"

"And I thought I had gotten him past it," Charles said. "The two of you were joking around."

"Yeah." Bobbi let out a sigh; it was clear she was disappointed. "I was kind of hoping we were past it too. But honestly, Charles, it's not like he's ever been in… well, this kind of setting with me again. You can't blame him. J. Jonah Jameson would probably deck me if I asked him in a room where anyone was restrained."

"We'll have to do something about this," Charles insisted. "There are already too many 'don'ts' that he refuses to address."

"Charles," Bobbi said in a sigh. "Let me talk to him first, at least."

"If you think he'll listen," Charles replied. "In the meantime, I'll have a word with Miss Romanoff. I'd like to get back to work with Jessica tomorrow."

"Absolutely," Bobbi said with a nod. "Nat and I can work together just fine."

September 18

Howlett Manor

Kate was feeling particularly miserable again and trying to get it back under control. Kurt had gone into the town with Peter to get the legal papers that Scott would need now that he and Clara were getting married — and Peter wanted to get things settled for himself and Gwen as well, since, apparently, Norman had done at least one thing in their favor and kicked the spiders into high gear when it came to knowing what they wanted.

Which was great. Kate really was happy for her friends. For Peter, for Gwen, for Scott… She just… was really miserable. And nothing she was doing was working, either.

"That shade of pale doesn't look too good with the purple," Logan pointed out as he took a seat next to Kate on the couch. "You might think about a different color."

Kate pulled a face at him as she tried to get more comfortable. "My favorite hand-holder is gone," she explained through her teeth.

"That's criminal," he said as he turned fully to face her, his head propped up by his arm on the back of the couch.

"Yeah, well, it's for a good cause, so I can't even complain properly," she grumbled.

"Sure you can," he argued. "You're doin' one hell of a job right now. I could do the stand in hand-holding, unless you just like complaining."

She smirked up at him for that one. "No, no, I'd rather be not dying. Please do the stand-in thing."

He smirked the slightest and sat upright a little better before he reached for her arm and started with the right pressure points. "You can do this yourself, too."

"It's easier when it's someone else," she admitted. "The moving thing… just… ugh."

"It'll get better," he promised.

"I mean, I like holding Kurt's hand and all, but — tell me the truth; was it this bad for Skye? Because I totally couldn't tell."

"Some days," he said. "But … not as often as you're dealing with it, I don't think."

She made a face. "Susan said it means I'm having a boy when I called her. Some old wives' tale that boys make you more nauseous."

"Well, there's some truth to that," he said with a little smirk. "Just maybe not the way she's looking at it. Wouldn't be sick at all if not for your boy."

Kate had to chuckle at that. "That… is totally true."

He looked up at her for a moment. "If this isn't working, let me know. I'm pretty sure there's another one to try."

"No, this is working," she promised him, visibly relaxing. "Actually, when it was me and Tony, he had this gadget I could use, but I left it in One. They didn't exactly ask me if I wanted to pack my things when they said it was time to go to the Capitol."

"Wish I coulda got you out quicker," he admitted before he let her arm go.

"It's alright," she promised. "I shouldn't have been out in the first place, when I knew there were snatchings and … all the other stuff I knew." She let out a sigh. "Doesn't matter. I'm back now, I've got my Elf, and you are a great replacement, thanks."

"Anytime," he replied before he leaned back against the couch again. "So … you're not sick for now. Whatcha wanna do?"

"Well, once Kurt and Pete get back, I was supposed to go get Gwen so she can get her butt in gear for signing important stuff," Kate said with a twinkle in her eye. "Kurt was going to find Scott — unless you wanted to just expedite it and get him there too. Picture it: fireman's carry."

"I think Scott would appreciate Kurt more," Logan replied.

"Yeah but the rest of us would miss out," she teased, then grinned even wider. "Oooh, you could do that to Clint. Carry him down to see how it's done so he can get his butt in gear."

"I can tie him up and drag him by his ankles, you mean," Logan said. "And it's not Clint … it's Nat."

"True," Kate nodded. "But she's so much harder to hog tie."

"Says you."

"See, now I kind of want to see you do it," Kate said with a troublemaking grin.

"Then I might have to," he agreed.

"Might have to what?" Bobbi asked from the doorway as she poked her head in.

Logan glanced her way and visibly stiffened up, though he didn't bolt like she was afraid he might do — considering she knew he was avoiding her. "Nothin'," Logan said.

"Tie up Nat and make her see the error of her ways," Kate sang out with a smile Bobbi's way, though she was watching Logan closely. "You know. With all the weddings going on."

"Yeah, and forcing her to look at anything is only going to hit her buttons," Bobbi pointed out, though she wasn't going to comment on that any further, especially given the history she had with Clint. She didn't want to touch it. Instead, she glanced Logan's way and let out a small breath. "Nat's been partnering with me, by the way. She and Jess got along well enough, and you know between the two of us, we can handle it."

Logan nodded and kept his gaze to his hands. "Good."

Kate looked between the two of them and let out a little derisive noise. "Oh. We're back to this now."

Bobbi shook her head at Kate. "Kate—"

"Have you tried, oh, maybe 'sorry about all the crazy'?" Kate asked Bobbi before she turned to Logan. "Or maybe … listening? For a hot second? Jeez, you two."

"It's fine," Logan said. "I shouldn't have gone with. Simple enough."

Kate gave him a look and then gestured at Bobbi wordlessly. Bobbi responded by shooting Kate a glare, but Kate held her gaze until Bobbi sank down into a seat close by.

"Charles is going to be looking for you. I wanted to tell you before he got to you," Bobbi told Logan quietly.

"Thanks; I'll keep that in mind," Logan replied just as quietly.

She nodded and then let out a long and tired sigh. "I didn't realize having you in the room would be a problem, but in hindsight, it was a huge mistake on my part. I should have known better. I'm supposed to be the expert here."

"Forget it; you got work to do," Logan said with a quick shake of his head.

"Yeah, I'm taking a quick break. Jess was getting worked up again, so we're… cooling off for a while," Bobbi admitted. "Nat's still in there with Charles putting their heads together on what to do next." She glanced his way as she added, "I know I'm the expert, but I hate it, you know."

"Well, yeah, duh, because you have a conscience," Kate pointed out when Logan didn't say anything.

"Worse for the one on the other side," Bobbi said, still looking Logan's way, and when Kate cleared her throat, Bobbi let out a breath. "I really am sorry, Logan," she said.

"You had to keep your cover. Let it go," he said in a gruff tone.

Bobbi shook her head. "No, I should have gotten you out and damn the consequences. And I've got to live with that, so I'd just as soon not forget it."

"I knew going in I could have been killed. It's fine."

"What we did to you was worse than killing you," Bobbi said.

"Just go fix Jess," he said.

Bobbi shook her head. "That's what I'm doing. I just… wanted to give you a heads up on Charles. He's worried. You know how he is."

"He's always worried. He'll find another project sooner or later."

"Oh, I'm sure. But he's pretty stubborn, you know. You didn't have to deal with him as long as I did, and he has a way of getting what he wants."

"Yeah, well. I can be stubborn from time to time too."

A ghost of a smirk crossed Bobbi's face. "Really?"

"I've been told."

"You just don't strike me that way," she said. "They must have been lying."

He just shrugged lightly as if dismissing a mistake anyone could make, and Kate let out a little groan of frustration and a muttered, "It's like watching Clint in slow motion."

Both Bobbi and Logan gave her a look for that one before Bobbi stood up to leave. "I'll let you know how things go with Jess," she promised.

"You don't have to," Logan said. "I'll see her when you two get through with her."

"Sure, but you're on the short list of people she considers a friend. I think I'll update you anyhow," Bobbi said with a nod.

She was barely gone for thirty seconds before Logan got up to leave himself. "Let me know when the rice throwing is done."

"And here I thought you were going to hogtie Nat," Kate said, sounding disappointed.

"Maybe some other time, Trickshot."

Kate tipped her head to the side before she promptly got up and pulled on his arm to snag him in a hug. "Hey," she said. "Whatever's going on? I'm good at holding hands too." She grinned at him with a teasing sparkle in her eyes.

"Not important," he said, giving her a little smirk. "Like you said, just bein' stupid."

"Well you should cut that out. You're gonna be a father soon, mister, and heaven knows the mini director needs to not learn stupid from someone."

"You're too worried about the far future. Kid probably won't even recognize me for a year anyhow."

"Lies. Tell me you don't talk to her. Kurt already talks to ours, but he's just that way."

Logan gave her a look. "I barely talk to you now, and you're in front of me."

"Step it up, Logan," she teased. "Sing lullabies or something. I know you can."

"Can't prove it. And not one damn person in the country wants to hear me singin'."

Kate broke into a wider grin. "Oh, Cecila, you're breaking my heart," she sang under her breath.

"No idea what you're talking about," he replied, finally heading toward the door. "But you're a little sharp."

"You're a terrible liar."

"I'm an incredible liar, and you know it."

She giggled and shook her head. "Mmm mm. Nope. Horrible. D minus."

"Whatever you say, Trickshot," Logan said almost lazily with a wave as he left.