Michelle "MJ" Jones

For some reason, I got up a lot earlier than I wanted to. I tried to go back to sleep, but I after trying for fifteen minutes straight, I decided that it wasn't worth it. Maybe it was just one of those days where I couldn't sleep past a certain time – I've had those days plenty of times before. Or maybe I was just too stressed out about the happenings that was going on in my life.

It was probably the latter, really.

Not knowing what else to do, I decided to get ready for school early. After my normal routine, I went to the kitchen. I thought about cooking something up. I had the time. I wasn't in the mood for anything that would took a lot effort. Instead, I just decided to make some oatmeal. After I was done making it, I sat down on the couch and watched TV for a bit.

Within the first few seconds, I wished I didn't.

First thing that I saw was CNBC doing a report on Jessica Jones' arrest. There was even a clip of Matthew Murdock – Jessica's attorney – maintaining her innocence. During this, I remembered the conversation that I had with Betty and Cessily that one time in Peter Pan. I couldn't shake the feeling that Beck was involved in some way shape or form with Jessica's current predicament. How was he involved? I didn't really know. I couldn't even think of a plausible theory as to why Beck would target Jessica Jones or even Luke Cage for that matter, assuming he was being targeted by the same people. But I couldn't shake the feeling that there was a connection there. I just couldn't see the strings yet.

After I finished my oatmeal, I went to the kitchen rinsed out the bowl, put it in the dishwasher, then went about finishing getting ready for school. I waited until I got a text from Cessily saying she was downstairs before I made my way out.

Afterschool, I was in the library studying. Cessily was sitting next to me, doing the same thing. For a bit – just for a bit – I was able to focus my mind on school and not any of the extra stuff. That wouldn't last for too long, unfortunately. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I sighed as I reached into my pocket and pulled the device out. I looked at the screen to see that I got a text from Betty. I opened it up and read it.

"Hey, are you and Cessily doing anything right now?" she asked.

I tapped on the screen as I typed up a message before I sent it. "We're studying. Why?"

A few seconds later, she sent another text. "Can you two meet me in Queens?"

I narrowed my eyes as I replied. "What it's in Queens?" Something told me I wasn't going to like the answer. I took a glance at Cessily, who was still studying. I looked back at my screen to see Betty's reply.

"…Is it okay to call right now?"

I stared at the screen for a few moments. I just knew that the phone call was going to make me upset. Despite that, I responded. "Let me give you a call in a minute." I sighed as I leaned back in my seat.

"Homework kicking your behind?" Cessily asked.

I gave her a sideways look. "I almost wish," I replied. "We need to get to the roof."

A couple of minutes later, Cessily and I were on the roof. I held the phone between us. It was set to speakerphone. I shook my head slowly.

"So let me get this straight," I began. "You want to sneak into Hammer Industries for the sake of trying to investigate the crime scene?"

"Yes," Betty said. "And I want you two to be there with me."

I took in a breath. "…Okay, I'll take the bait. Why?"

"Well, because this whole situation with Jessica has been looking rather suspicious. Even if I ignore the fact that Jessica wouldn't do something like that, there's been radio silence about Hammer since the attack – nothing about his condition, nothing about what hospital he's in, nada! I just think there's a chance that there could be something might shed light on all of this."

"Okay, I get that," Cessily said. "I really do. But even if I do agree to go along with this – which I don't – it's only going to be one of us with powers. And even with my powers, it would be extremely dangerous for us to get in there."

"We should really be talking to Scott and Kitty about this," I said.

"I know we should," Betty agreed. "But they have their hands full as is with what's going on with that mysterious fire figure. Plus, Alias needs Jessica. And the longer she's behind bars, the more dire our situation becomes. I'm looking towards you guys for help. But with or without you, I have to make a move."

I opened my mouth. I was about ready to tell her off. But Cessily spoke up before I could.

"I'm not saying we're going to help you," Cessily said. "But, assuming that we do, we have to do this as wisely as we can. If we do this, we'll do this late at night. The less people there in the building, the better. Plus, it'll give us time to make some semblance of proper preparation."

"…Okay," Betty conceded. "I'll wait until about 10 to hear back from you two. Is that fair?"

"I guess," I replied. I wasn't sure if I was being sincere or not.

"Okay. Oh, while I have you here, MJ, expect a call from Peter tomorrow."

My eyes went wide. "…Um… why?"

"Scott ordered him to repair a certain suit of his, and he's going to need your help."

I swallowed a sudden lump in my throat. "Betty, I don't think –"

"MJ, I understand that you and Peter are having a bit of an issue. I do not know what that issue is, but I do know that it's very low on my list of priorities. Craig and Carmilla are both out of commission and the others need as much help as they can get. You helping Peter would be a huge help to him. And when this is all over, you two can actually talk it out… or go back to giving each other the cold shoulder. At this point and time, I don't care what you guys choose to do."

I wanted to retort. I wanted to point out that if Peter wanted to, he could've repaired that suit a long time ago. I was also low key bitter that it took an order from Scott for Peter to actually give me a call. Still, I couldn't ignore the fact that Betty was right. The X-Men needed all the help they can get. And if spending a few hours with Peter meant that they can overcome this threat, I could handle that right? Of course, it didn't help that there was a small part of me that found it a little rich that I was upset over Peter needing an order from Scott to call or talk to me when I was being just as stubborn Peter was.

I decided I'll unpack that at a later time.

"Fine," I said.

"Good," Betty responded. "Talk to you guys soon."

The call ended. I grimaced as I put the phone in my pocket. "I love Betty to death, but damn if she isn't annoying."

"She has a point," Cessily said. "Not about the infiltrating Hammer Industries, but about the Peter thing."

I immediately changed the subject. "So what are we going to do about tonight?"

"We need to call Kitty and tell her," Cessily said.

And that's exactly what we did. Cessily used her phone to call Kitty up. Once Kitty picked up, Cess put her speakerphone before she and I explained everything.

"So what do we do about Betty?" I asked.

I heard Kitty sigh. "There's nothing we can do, really," she said. "Right now, she's working as part of Alias, and this is kind of Alias's M.O. I don't like it, but Betty has that right."

I took in a breath as I closed my eyes. "…What the fuck…?"

"So what do we do?" Cessily asked.

"Go with her," Kitty answered. "Do whatever you need to do to prepare. I'd go myself but there are things I have to handle. That said, if anything happens, just give me a call. And tell Betty that she gets you two into trouble, I'll skin her alive myself."

I actually chuckled. "That's fair," I said.

"Hope for the best. But if things go south, just give me a call. As a matter of fact, swing by The Bunker and grab a burner phone and whatever you else you need. Got it?"

"Got it," Cessily replied.

"Good. I'll let Scott know."

Once the call ended, I pressed my lips together and shook my head.

"I hate this," I said. "I really fucking hate this."

"I'm not thrilled either," Cessily said. "But we have to make moves. Should we head to The Bunker now?"

I looked over at Cessily. I then shook my head. "Let's stop at my home first."

Cessily and I took the Subway home. When we stepped into the apartment, it was rather quiet.

"Mom, Dad, I'm home!" I called out. There was no answer. I removed my shoes and looked towards the kitchen. As I figured, there was a note held to the fridge by a magnet. I walked up to the fridge and took the note before I read. I then scoffed. "Date night. Of course."

"So it's just us?" Cessily asked.

I looked over her. "Yeah, it's just us."

"Okay." She tapped her watch a few times. That's when her appearance changed in a blink of the eye. Gone was her pale skin. Instead, her skin was this shiny reflective metal. It reminded me of T-1000 except she still looked organic and soft to the touch. It was if she was made up of some kind of liquid metal. I couldn't help but stare. "If you're going to gawk at me like that, then at least buy me dinner."

I shook my head, snapping out of it. "I'm sorry. I just… I'm just… I didn't expect this."

"I get that a lot." She brought her hand outward. A bit to my surprise, her fingers stretched out towards me slowly, covering the whole distance from the door and to where I was standing in the kitchen. They stopped a foot short of me. I glanced at her. She smiled at me. I brought my hand up and gently grabbed one of the fingers. They melt soft and moldable. A second later, the fingers converged on my hand and engulfed it. My hand felt like it was in some kind of liquid. Some seconds later, Cessily pulled her mass back, freeing my hand. She was walked up to me as her arm moved back and turned back into its normal shape. "I guess I should explain what my power is. I'm basically made out of this non-toxic version of mercury. Because of that, I can control the shape of my body, cling to walls, melt into a puddle… I'm basically T-1000 in human form."

I smiled. "That's incredible."

Cessily smiled back at me. "Thank you." Her smile faded. "But why did we stop here?"

"I needed to grab a change of clothes." I beckoned towards the fridge. "Help yourself to whatever. I'll be back."

I went to my room. After I closed the door behind me, I went up to my closet, opened it, and pulled out a few items. I grabbed a black trench coat, a white shirt with blue sleeves, a black pair of jeans with a pair of matching Air Force Ones, a black wig, and a red half mask for covering the bottom half of my face. I stared down at the attire for a couple of minutes.

I guess I'm going to have to bring Silk out again, I thought to myself. I remembered when I called myself that on a whim when that Gwen chick walked in on me. I was amused by the memory until I remembered the part where I told her that I was Spider-Man's girlfriend. I pushed that thought out of my mind as I focused on the task at hand. I didn't really like the thought of running around with an alter ego. But I needed a good disguise if… or rather when… things went south.

I went to my closet again before I grabbed a duffle bag. After packing my clothes and items, I stepped out of the room and into the kitchen. Cessily was sitting at the kitchen island. She looked at me.

"Ready to go?" she asked.

"Yeah," I confirmed.

From there, we made our way to The Bunker. While we were there, we grabbed some more items. We grabbed three burner phones which were fully charged. We also grabbed a ski mask along with two bulletproof vests. While we were still there, I got changed into my Silk attire and made sure to wear a bulletproof vest underneath my shirt.

"Do you need a vest?" I asked Cessily as we made our way out. She gave me a look. I smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, forgot – T-1000. But what about your disguise?" She raised her left hand and pointed to her left wrist with the index finger of her right hand. I scoffed. "Looks like you got a lot of things covered."

"It's a Scott thing," Cessily said.

That made all the sense in the world.

At 10 at night, we called up Betty. An hour later, we met Betty in an alleyway a block away from Hammer Industries.

"Hey guys," Betty greeted. "Look, I know that I what I'm doing is OOF!"

I didn't let her finish. I shoved the backpack into her chest. "In the backpack is a bulletproof vest and a ski mask," I said. "Put them on and let's get this over with."

Betty took the bag. "Thank you." She kneeled down and opened up the bag. "If things go as planned, we'll be in and out in no time."

"That is a rather huge 'if'," Cessily stated. "Well, anyway, let me put my game face on." As I looked at her, she tapped away her watched. What I assumed to be hologram that made up her disguise changed. She no longer looked like a redheaded teenager. Instead, she looked like a raven-haired woman who was probably in her thirties.

"Well that's handy," I commented.

"It comes with different presets. It helps me whenever I have to slip through a crowd.

"Good to know," Betty said with a muffled voice. Cessily and I looked at her as she stood up. She had the black ski mask over her head and the bulletproof vest over her upper body. "Okay, I'm ready to go. Anything else I should know?"

"Kitty says that she'll skin you alive if Cessily and I get into trouble because of you," I said.

"…Noted." Betty took in a breath. "Let's go."