Chapter 5: Who Let Jean and Jan Conspire Together?

When Jean and Storm arrived at the tower, they weren't surprised to find that Clint was outside playing with Sicem — though they were surprised that the other playmate was Thor, of all people, who was currently being licked to death by the golden sitting on his chest while Clint gleefully encouraged the whole thing.

Of course, when Clint saw that the two of them had arrived, he redirected entirely and darted over to hug each of them in turn, grinning up at both of them.

"I haven't seen you in forever!" he said. "I was starting to wonder if you were gonna come say hi or if you were just gonna forget all about me!"

"How could we forget about you?" Jean said, grinning at him. "We were hoping you'd be able to come back by now!"

"Well, Thor electrocuted Sabretooth and stuck him in a prison place, but Mom says that doesn't mean the other bad guys aren't watching the school," Clint said with an open shrug. "But I wanna come back too. I miss you guys!" He grinned up at Jean. "And you're gonna have a baby and — and I don't want you to forget me just 'cause you have your own."

"There is no way anyone could forget your sweet self," she promised. "Gossamer wings, right? That leaves an impression."

Clint giggled and nodded. "Yeah, that's where Mom says I came from, and she's always right." He pretended to preen his wings behind him and then grinned up at Storm. "What do you think? Mom says I'm a duck, but I don't think that's a good Avenger name — and I wanna be an Avenger!"

"You have a little time to figure it out," Storm promised. "And I'm sure you can come up with something better than a duck."

"Especially 'cause if you shout it when you're fighting, then people duck, and that's no good," Clint pointed out.

Storm smiled at him then stepped closer to pull him into a hug. "How do you like life in the tower, my young friend?"

"It's pretty cool," Clint said. "Thor plays with me and Sicem, and Jan will always play board games even after me and Mom got her covered in glitter." He leaned forward with his eyes sparkling. "She was being pushy, and Mom said that had to stop."

"And glitter was her cure?" Ororo asked with a laugh. "Did it work?"

"Well… I dunno, because she was trying to push Mom and Logan even more together, and he's in Japan, so we'll see, I guess," Clint said with a shrug.

The two X-Men shared a look, but it was Jean who had to ask: "What … was she pushing for?"

Clint rolled his eyes. "You know. Mushy stuff like — like she wants to make Mom a wedding dress and that's just — that's just not gonna happen."

"I'm not sure I've even seen your mom in a dress," Jean teased.

"She's real pretty," Clint said. "She wore one one time when we were disguising ourselves from the bad guys — and nobody at the circus even recognized her!"

"Well, now I want to see that," Jean said.

Clint shook his head at her. "That's how come I told Jan that you and her need to be friends — she likes dresses and all that stuff too."

"It sounds like I need to have a word with her anyhow if she's trying to push our Wolverine into rushing off to get married," Jean said.

Clint smirked at that. "I didn't even think about that part," he said. "He's an Avenger and an X-Man, so — so I bet you guys gotta say it's okay, right?"

"Well, no..." Jean said.

"That's not our decision," Storm said. "He chooses his own path; we just don't like anyone pushing him."

"Well ... well, he'd be lucky to get my mom even if he was pushed," Clint said with a little sniff.

"Absolutely," Storm agreed. "But don't you think they should decide that on their own?"

"Well, I already asked Mom if she wants to get married, and she said that she doesn't wanna right now, so it doesn't matter anyway," Clint said with a shrug.

"No, it doesn't," she agreed. "Why don't you show us around?"

"Okay, yeah!" Clint grinned and grabbed Ororo's arm. "I can show you where our room is, and then I can show you the roof, 'cause you can see forever from up there!"

Jean couldn't help but smile as she watched Clint lead Ororo off — but she hung back a bit herself. It was clear to her that she needed to talk with Wasp before things got out of hand, especially since she knew that with both K and Clint, being pushy was the best way to push them away.

Not to mention the fact that she could pick up on Clint's obvious fear without even trying — and she knew that now was not the right time for this conversation.

She reached out telepathically until she found where she could find Jan — just coming out of Hank's lab after making sure he ate food — and made her way down there with a little frown.

"If you need a hobby, I'm sure I can find you something fitting to do," Jean said to catch her attention.

Jan looked totally taken off her guard as she spun to face Jean. "I — what? I have a hobby, thanks."

"Oh? So there are other interests than wedding dresses?"

"Um, I'm a designer," Jan said, one eyebrow quirked up.

"So … design something for someone who isn't skittish." She rested her hand on her stomach. "Or … think smaller. Maybe?"

Jan's suspicious look immediately turned into a delighted one, and she beamed at Jean. "Oooh, yes! Clint told me that you were expecting. Do you know if it's a boy or a girl yet?"

"It's a girl," Jean said, smiling wider. "Her thoughts are so very clear already."

"Oh, wow, that would be so cool," Jan said. "Were you able to know before the doctor or…"

"Most of the time, it's just an impression — how she's feeling," Jean said. "But yes, I suspected strongly that it was a girl before Hank confirmed it for us."

"Ooh, I bet he turned into a teddy bear," Jan said, giggling. "Beast is so not the right name for him."

"That would mean there are times when he's not a teddy bear," Jean laughed.

"Good point," Jan said. She gestured for Jean to walk with her as she shrugged up one shoulder. "So… who busted me? Tony? It was Tony, wasn't it? You read his thoughts, right?"

"No, actually, it was Clint," she said. "He caught the two of you talking."

Jan visibly winced. "Oh no… is that why he wouldn't talk to me earlier this week? I thought he was just… having a grumpy morning or… something. That's why I didn't even say anything about the glitter... "

"Clint isn't ready for anything like that — and I should tell you, I don't think she is either."

"Well, why not? What's wrong with Wolverine?" Jan asked, one hand on her hip. "I happen to like our mutual teammate! A lot!"

"So do I," Jean agreed. "But … what do you know about Clint's past?"

"Well…" Jan bit her lip. "Not much besides the fact that he had a massive blonde idiot kidnap him."

Jean looked over her shoulder and took a moment to make sure they were well and truly alone, but when she saw Steve looking on with interest, she switched to telepathic projection. He came from a broken home. His father was an abusive alcoholic. And K found him running away from a foster that beat him. He has issues with men in general. The garbage with Creed just … honestly, I think it undid a lot of the good that Logan had worked out for them both.

Jan looked stunned — and upset — as she listened to Jean before she took a moment to concentrate hard to respond telepathically as well — a little less controlled than Jean was used to from her teammates, but then, there weren't any telepaths on the Avengers' roster. I didn't know any of that, she admitted. But… Logan's not like that at all!

I know — on both counts. But I thought you should know. Logan is working on it. If and when they move forward, you'll know about it. But I know he wants both of them on board before he even considers asking.

I honestly thought they were on board, Jan said. I mean… Clint seems to really like Logan, and you should see how comfortable K is all curled up in his bed!

I have, Jean said, smirking. The flirting between them was very quiet and matter-of-fact to start with. Then, it was just like … it was always like that.

Jan shook her head with a breath of a laugh. They're so sweet together. Really! And I get that Clint has a hard time with men, but Logan … and you should see him with Thor! He's doing alright in our team full of guys, you know. I'm the only other girl here!

He did well with most of the guys after he got used to them, Jean told her. But it was rough at first with all of them. All. Of them.

Jan let out a long sigh. Well… what can I do to help? Because I know you have to see it too — they are so meant to be.

Jean grinned at her. Just let them come to it on their own. He's there. And he's patient.

There's got to be something I can do, Jan insisted. I can… I can help Clint with something, right? Maybe… I don't know. Something!

Jean simply watched her for a long moment before she gently shook her head. Steer clear of that. He'll be okay. I'm sure of it.

Jan let out the longest, most drawn-out sigh she could before she nodded and threaded her arm through Jean's. "Okay, but, in the meantime? I can still totally design a dress and design you some cute little girl clothes. It'll just… call it an investment in the future Mrs. Wolverine."

Steve coughed hard from across the room. "Excuse me?"

Jan beamed at him over her shoulder. "Awww, Steve, keep up! We're totally family planning over here. If you don't keep your eyes open, I'll appoint you minister!"

"I figured Nightcrawler would want that appointment," Steve said. "But really … what? I didn't think they were that serious."

"They're not," Jean said. "She's just … wishfully thinking."

"Wouldn't it be the best?" Jan insisted. "They'd be a whole family! Logan could adopt him and everything! Tiny little Wolverine-y family."

"Well," Jean said, tipping her head to the side. "She'd need the official paperwork herself."

"Wait." Jan stopped and turned Jean's way fully, her hands in front of herself. "You mean they haven't done that yet? What's the holdup?"

"Kind of hard to do when they're on the run."

"Well, they're not anymore. We're the Avengers, for crying out — no." Jan shook her head. "No, we have to fix this. I'll make Tony do it. He knows all the right legal people and just — how long has this been left to sit?"

"She's running from Weapon X, Jan," Jean said. "Not just Sabretooth."

Jan shook her head. "No, no. This is more important than some — some stupid black ops group."

"It is," Jean agreed. "But we don't have all the information we need anyhow. And I'm very sure that 'K' isn't going to cut it on the paperwork."

"Well, what do you need?" Jan asked. "I can ask K about her stuff but… what do you need? Really? I will get this done. It'll be, like, an end-of-summer surprise or something."

"I might have done some searching into the laws from where he was from …"

"Well, what do you have? And who do I need to volunteer Cap to twist their arms if need be?" Jan asked, fluttering her eyelashes Steve's way.

"I'll send you all the information I have along with the standard paperwork we use when we pick up kids that are orphaned or … well. Thrown out."

Jan shook her head. "That just… that really happens with you guys?"

"All the time," Jean told her.

"Okay, but now I want to hit some people. Totally unrelated…"

"You wouldn't believe how quickly some people disown their kids when they find out they're mutants. Or the number of people that will turn them in or even … last spring, we had one whose family locked the doors and wouldn't let them in while a mob came after her."

Jan blinked at Jean before she let out a noise that clearly said what she thought of that. "Oooh, that… that is evil," she said, her face scrunched up and her hands clenched.

Jean shrugged. "That's the reality of the world we live in, Wasp."

"Well, it's wrong," Jan said. "And if I'd been there… I'd have blown in the door and given them a piece of my mind!"

"Then you're probably on the wrong team," Jean said. "That happens — or things like it — all the time. Sometimes a few times a week." She tipped her head to the side. "Why do you think Scott is so serious all the time?"

"I thought he was just like that?" Jan said, one eye closed and her shoulder shrugged up.

"He and Clint bonded over shared experiences," Jean said quietly.

Jan's eyebrows shot up. "What… really?" She tipped her head. "I mean, I guess that explains a few things but… is it okay if I just randomly hug your man; is that allowed?"

"Oh, please do," Jean giggled. "He won't know what to do with that, and I'll get the best mental projection of 'um, Jean …what?' that you can ever imagine."

"Oh good, then I'm doing that for sure," Jan said, grinning even wider. "Besides, you'll be seeing plenty of me once Clint goes back to you guys for the school year section of our time share," she teased.

"Is it an official timeshare now?" Jean asked. "Do they know this? How does Christmas work out?"

"Oh, we're not telling them, or they'll mess it up on purpose," Jan said seriously. "No, no. This is just between our teams. If he wants to go to your school, then we so need to have him for the summers, because Thor would go through withdrawals! You don't want to make the thunder god sad, right?" She gave Jean her best, most dramatic pout to complete the picture.

"Unless … it becomes a good family time for them …"

"I'm starting to think that Logan should have brought them to Japan with him," Steve said, shaking his head as he went back to his sketch.

"Party pooper," Jan said, sticking her tongue out at him before she turned back to Jean and grinned. "Oh yes. I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship."

"Oh, don't act like you don't want to see it as much as we do," Jean said to Steve with a troublemaking smile. I know you do.

Steve glanced up at the girls and then smirked and shook his head, going back to his drawing. I've known him longer than either of you. I know he'll get what he wants — without your help.

"Now that is a statement, Mr. Rogers," Jean said. "Oh my gosh."

"You two are making such a big deal out of this." He looked up at last, still smirking. "Now, I'm absolutely on board to help get paperwork in order — you're right; Clint and K should have that concretely sorted out. But as to the rest of it? Be patient. It'll happen."

"Scott's on his way with the information for Clint," Jean said with a smile.

Jan beamed. "Oh good! When is K's birthday — do you know? We can totally make it a birthday present if it's soon."

"Actually, I don't …" Jean said, her smile falling slightly. "That's on the list of things we don't know about her."

"Well…" Jan let out a breath. "Well, it couldn't be a surprise anyway, because we have to talk to her to get information for the adoption paperwork. And I bet she'll be cagey unless we explain what we're doing outright, you know?"

"She absolutely will," Jean agreed.

"So!" Jan clapped her hands together and beamed. "I'll talk to K, and you and Steve can work out the rest of the paperwork with your sweet husband — who I am totally still hugging, by the way…"

"Or," Jean said, "I can join you in talking to K, and we can let Scott and Steve figure it out. You know. In case you need my help …"

"You just want to see her face when we tell her we have a way to make her his mom officially," Jan giggled.

"That and I want to know her name."

"I bet it's something like… Sicem-worthy," Jan giggled.

"It could go any way, really," Jean said. "But she hasn't shown any favoritism toward any name we guessed…"

"Well, let's not sit in suspense!" Jan beamed — and then suddenly, she was wasp-sized, her wings fluttering. "Race ya!"

Jean narrowed her eyes and reached out telekinetically to hold Jan in place. "You got it." She took her time walking past her with a smile.

"Oh, you are such a cheat!" Jan laughed outright.

"Says the girl who tried to fly there!"

"Can't you fly, Marvel Girl?"

"I can," Jean agreed. "But this is just as effective."

"Still cheating!" Jan sang out.

"You love the competition!" Jean sang back before she released her — but didn't warn her about the telekinetic shield that wouldn't let her pass her by either.

Jan laughed as she tried to catch up, though of course, she didn't get there before Jean found K first — all curled up in the light of a window overlooking the city as she read an old book. Jan wasn't too far behind, of course, but Jean was grinning, especially when Jan blurted out, "You are such a cheater!"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Jan," Jean said, pulling a face and shrugging up to her ears.

Jan shook her head and stuck her tongue out at Jean playfully before she dropped down beside K with a wide grin. "So!" she said. "Apparently, Cyclops has paperwork for kids that get, you know, kicked outta their homes and stuff — and we decided it is high time that you and Clint had paperwork too."

"I'm very sure you need to have federally approved identification for that kind of thing," K said.

"Um, we've got Captain America on our side," Jan pointed out. "We can totally figure it out."

"I don't know about that," she said. "All my records were destroyed by the program. Legally, I don't really exist. And I can't really prove otherwise. So unless you're talking about Captain America forging documents …"

Jean shook her head. "We've had to deal with some weird situations with the school…" She leaned forward. And if we need to, Charles and I can always just… make it happen.

Oooh, you're a very bad girl, Mrs. Summers. Bad influence, K projected back.

I am, I know. Now do you want to be a mom or not?

K closed her book and looked between the two of them. "Did you clear this by Clint?"

The two women glanced at each other and shook their heads. "No, but you're the one we need information from," Jan said.

"You need his permission, too," K said. "I won't participate in anything like that unless it's what he wants."

"Of course he does," Jean said, looking like she couldn't believe what she was hearing. "How soon did he start calling you 'Mom'?"

"I don't know," K said, shrugging. "But there's a difference between that and this." She got to her feet. "I can ask him if you really think that it can be a thing, but if that is what he wants — you damn well better be able to deliver."

"Between the Avengers and the X-Men?" Jan pointed out. "How could it not happen?"

I'm still not above forging it for you, Jean projected, with a smirk that kept widening.

Bad girl, K replied.

I had to get this way somehow, Jean teased, gesturing to her stomach.

Corrupting that sweet boy. Trickery.

He loves it.

I'll bet he does, K projected out, smirking to herself. "Where's Clint anyhow?"

"On the roof," Jean said. "Showing Storm how much he loves heights."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Jan grinned at the two women. "Let's go!"