Chapter 42 - Straight Back To Business
Billy and James had taken their time for their honeymoon in the woods, but by the time it was over, they were both finding it hard to make themselves go back. Once again, James was seriously considering just … staying gone. The knee-jerk reaction to stress he'd grown up with to move and disappear was still strong, even though he knew that, out of himself and his siblings, he was the one with the most ties that prevented him from doing exactly that. Which was annoying. But also, in a weird way, nice to know he was needed.
They hadn't had a bit of trouble at the cabin in the woods - and the weather had been perfect, even when it wasn't. The only thing that felt odd was how no one had texted the whole time. Sure, their friends and family all knew they were trying to relax and kick off their marriage right, but James honestly had thought someone would at least have been unable to stop gossiping once.
Once they were finally set, they joined hands, and Billy wished them to their apartment. He had to get enrolled for the fall, and he was on the fence on which classes he wanted - and which ones he could get into for demand. James simply had to take a look at the mountain of emails that were waiting for him, not to mention the chore of going through their snail mail. And there was a mountain of it.
According to the note James found by their snail mail, Nate had brought the mail in for them so it wasn't too overwhelming - but if this was just part of it … James started to sort it out … there was plenty of the usual, but there was also a lot from strangers … cards, letters, small packages. It took him a moment to realize that they didn't actually know when the press got a hold of the news that they were married - and the address much of this had been sent to was the tower. Or the school.
And amidst all that mail was a little note from Mia: Your mom wished it so no one could bother you, but when you get home, I need advice about your brother. -Mia
"You've got fan mail from your favorite X-Man," James called out when he saw the note.
"Oh, Dazzler left a note?"
"Hurtful," James laughed. "How could you pick the second-best sparkler in history over a goddess?"
"Wait, Mia sent fan mail?" Billy laughed.
"She wants advice on your brother, so … I'm gonna count it."
"Oh, huh." Billy looked over his shoulder at the note. "Really hoping he didn't self-destruct again. Is that bad?"
"He didn't," James said. "He's doing alright. Trust him a little."
"I do; I just also worry about him because he's an idiot sometimes."
"He's really not," James argued. "Self-destructive sometimes, but …"
"You know that's why he's so scared to talk about the future with her, right? The self-destruct thing?"
"Yeah. I know," James agreed easily.
Billy paced a small circle. "Okay, I'm wishing her here," he decided, because he was too curious. And a second later, Mia was standing there with a PopTart in hand, blinking around at them.
"Welcome back!" she said once she had adjusted to the sudden shift. "I guess you got my note, huh? We couldn't call unless it was an emergency… And your mom's bar for what an emergency is? Very high."
"Yeah, she's like that. What's going on?" Billy asked.
Mia flopped onto their couch. "Every time someone asks when Tommy and I are getting married, he acts like me being nineteen is the big reason. And at what point do I just ask him so he realizes he doesn't have to wait for me?"
"When you're ready to and he's dragging his feet," James said as he pulled up a word processor on his laptop.
"I mean, we don't even have to elope; an engagement would be nice," Mia said. "I know he's not used to going slow, and it started out romantic for him to slow down, but I'm a teleporter!" She threw her hands in the air.
"So tell him he's slow; he loves that," James teased with a smirk.
"I mean, just propose," Billy said. "If you want him to, you can wait or just tell him you're ready now, but he has the self-esteem of a snail right now." He held up a hand. "Still an improvement over the negative self-esteem he had a year ago, but… honestly, when I talk to him, he's stressed about screwing up, and he's overthinking everything. Which is, like, the weirdest thing from him."
"Do you want him to be the one to propose?" James asked.
Mia let her shoulders drop. "I think so?" She closed one eye. "I just … knowing where he was last year, how low he got, I don't know if this is him being slow or him hurting himself."
Billy glanced at James, who had his mouth pressed in a line. "You get him," he told her at last. "He's really, really lucky."
"So… do I propose?" Mia asked, her tail clasped in her hands.
"Only if you'll be okay if he doesn't," James said finally. "If you really want him to, you'll have to wait and probably give him some very very obvious hints. Speaking as one, guys don't do subtle too often. Go more … sledgehammer."
"I thought I was!" Mia laughed.
"Clearly, you weren't," James argued.
Mia shook her head. "Well, I'll work harder, I guess. Your brother is dramatic," she told Billy, who snorted so hard.
"It's genetic."
"Clearly." She blew out her breath and then hugged them both. "Welcome home, by the way."
"Love you, Mia," James said. "He'll figure it out."
"I know. I've just never had to be patient with him," she said, blushing purple.
"He needs a little patience," James told her. "He's already being rushed elsewhere."
"Yeah, that's what he needs," Billy muttered under his breath, smirking.
"So do you," James teased.
"Lies."
"You just aren't ready to hear it," James replied loftily.
"Sure, sure," Billy said. "But consider: I'm perfect."
James snerked. "Okay."
"I can see myself out," Mia offered, and Billy laughed.
"If you need his ring size, let me know," he told her.
"Text it to me, please. So I have the option."
"Done," Billy promised. "Want me to wish you back to breakfast?"
Mia laughed and waved her PopTarts. "Just grabbed these after an overnight mission, actually."
"Then you need some sleep, huh?"
"Please and thank you."
Billy wished Mia back, then turned his whole body toward James, sighed, and came to sit with him, putting his head on his shoulder. "Saw that look. You have thoughts you're not telling her."
"I was thinking that you could tell your brother to move his ass, but sure."
"He's the one who told you about the loophole. He knows he can move."
"So you think I should tell your brother to move his ass?"
"No, I just… don't know how to tell him he's allowed to be happy, I guess."
James sighed, then held Billy's gaze as he opened his phone and called Tommy up. "So you know, she likes a marquis cut."
"What the heck, hi," Tommy said on the other end, sounding like he'd been almost asleep.
"Just sayin'."
"Okay, sure. Welcome back, I guess?"
"Hi. Just trying to make your life easier," James told him.
"Did your big brother switch flip on the second I became your brother-in-law?"
"I was kind of trying to look out for you before that, but if that's what you need to tell yourself to feel better about it, no skin off my nose."
"Well, alright then. For the record, Lexi said the same thing about ring styles."
"Of course she did. That's because it's the truth? And I thought I would just leave it at that instead of telling you she's worried that you're under the impression that she's too young to make a promise to."
"No, no, no, that's just what I told the press to get them to back off? It buys time?"
"Alright. Good. But so you know? She's pining and thinks she's been dropping hints to you." James laughed. "I told her there was no way she was dropping hints and you'd missed it."
"Oh um…"
"I know. It's a ridiculous idea," James said, smiling brightly since he knew that Tommy would start to analyze every single interaction from the past … who knows how long.
"Right, yeah. Okay well good talk. I got … stuff to do bye!" Tommy said and hung up.
James put his phone in his pocket and let out a sigh. "There. I helped," he told Billy.
Billy dissolved into laughter. "I could hear the blue screen from here!"
"So I didn't directly say there was a problem … not really. And I didn't get after him. Exactly."
"And if he's still dragging his feet, I will personally tell him to stop hurting her while he's hurting himself, because I don't know how much more direct we need to be."
"He won't," James said, sure that Tommy would light a fire on his own. "He'll get there on his own. Ish."
"Ish." Billy laid his head back down. "It's so hot when you're all 'this is how it is'."
"Conniving?"
"I did marry an evil consort or whatever. So conniving."
"I mean … I killed the king and now I'm scamming you, obviously. I'm surprised I haven't seen more headlines about how Genosha's making shady contracts with the weapons company. I'm sure it's a matter of time."
"We've only been home for a couple minutes and we've only seen the curated mail. Who says there aren't headlines?"
"This is true. I haven't gotten into much yet," James agreed.
"It'll be fine. Mom's not going anywhere; we have years before it matters anyway."
"I am firmly in the mood of anyone with a problem can kiss my ass," James said.
"Perfect: I love that mood," Billy said and pulled him into a kiss.
So, the interview is in a few hours, James was texting to Kamala. Uniforms, or are you going dressy? He was pretty sure she wanted to go in wearing the uniforms and masks, but that was only going to halfway happen for him. No way was he not showing his face.
Oh, well, I'm wearing my uniform but no pressure either way, Kamala replied, obviously trying to be accommodating.
Perfect. Fair warning though, I'm probably not going to wear my cowl. Easier on me that way. See you soon.
Don't be late! I've talked to reporters before off the cuff, but this is my first planned thing, and I'm totally going to need you to hype me up before we go on the air. Thank you so much for doing this with me!
It's overdue. JJ has been asking for an interview for a while.
Yeah, your dad's been hearing it too. This'll be the first anyone's heard from either of you 'officially' since the Genosha trial. You know, besides any remarks made in the field…
Yep. It'll be interesting one way or another.
Before James could put his phone away, Billy leaned over to rest his head on James' shoulder, snuggling in with an easy smile. "So you know, Tommy asked me for some help while you're gone. Something about how Mia has been dropping hints for a while?" he teased.
"Sounds like he's getting off his ass," James said, his tone perfectly unconcerned.
"Something like that," Billy agreed and then stole a kiss. "Wish me luck. I know you've got things on your end," he said and then wished himself off to his brother, leaving James alone to prep.
In no time at all, he had made his way to meet up with Kamala, who was, as expected, plenty early and already pacing, her scarf flying behind her with every sharp turn back and forth. And as soon as she saw him, she darted over with a nervous grin and a slight bounce in her steps.
"So. You've been doing well with the off the cuff interviews on scene- this is totally different. So a few ground rules. The instant you feel like you have to defend yourself or explain? Stop talking. " James frowned to himself. "We should probably have a signal…"
"Maybe you should kick me under the table? Or something? Something physical. Because I start over explaining and rambling when I'm nervous and trying to make my point…"
"I'm not going to kick you."
"It was just a thought…"
"Five minutes," said an assistant close by, and Kamala bit her lip and fidgeted with her hair.
"Okay. Okay. Here we go," Kamala said under her breath.
"I'll tap your arm," James said quietly, allowing the tech to adjust his microphone. "Just don't feel pressured to answer anything, let alone all of the questions. I'm here, too. It'll be great."
"Thanks," she whispered, smiling tightly as the assistant ushered them toward the studio.
It looked like JJ was just winding down a rant about fringe politicians pushing reactionary policies because they couldn't stand change. He was nice and worked up, as usual, and that just had Kamala bouncing on her toes and chewing her lip harder.
James rested his hand on her shoulder, just as a means to get her to look up at him so he could try and give her an encouraging smile. "Fun."
"I'm okay," she promised. "Nervous but okay. And hoping everything I practiced in my head doesn't fly out of my brains as soon as we sit down," she added with a soft laugh.
"I know."
The show went to commercial break, and JJ waved them over to take their seats and get situated before the cameras were rolling again, though both of them were careful, knowing they were still on B roll.
"So, you got married early," JJ said. "Congratulations. Risky move."
"Thanks," James replied. "And it seemed to be the right move at the time. We're both happy about it, and we sure as hell didn't do it for anyone but us, so …" he gestured openly.
JJ nodded but didn't say anything else about the matter, possibly saving that for when the break was over. He did, however, hold out his hand for Kamala to shake. "And it's nice to see you in person; you've given my field reporters good quotes, so try to keep that up today, hm?"
"Can do," Kamala promised with her brightest and most disarming smile, which had about as much effect on JJ as anything else did.
One of the assistants signaled to JJ, and he nodded, sat up straighter, and turned toward the two of them as they counted down to live.
"We've heard plenty from Senator Robbins' press conferences about his so-called registration. Personally, I think any list of United States citizens is suspect in the extreme, which is why we have two people here who would likely be on that list: Wolverine and Miss Marvel." He turned toward the two of them. "We've heard a few choice quotes off the cuff about this proposed mutant registry, but in a more official setting, what can you tell us about your team's reaction first - and your personal reaction as well?"
Kamala glanced toward James and straightened up. "I can tell you everyone I know - everyone - is either scared or angry. I mean, who does he think he is telling us we're dangerous because of our genes? I thought eugenics went out of fashion decades ago."
JJ nodded, leaning toward her. "What do you say to his arguments about how dangerous your powers are?"
"My elementary school bully was also dangerous, and he didn't end up on a list, as far as I know," Kamala said. "People are capable of violence. We're also capable of great kindness. Let us show you who we are before you judge us, huh?"
JJ turned toward James. "And what about the team as a whole?"
James had settled back in his chair, and waited to make sure Kamala had her say as he considered how to approach this properly - and he had several angles to run with. "I'm going to have to disagree a little with Miss Marvel on a few points," James said carefully. "Scared hasn't entered my mind on this front. Not when all the evidence points the other way. This platform that the senator is pushing … I could have sworn we'd settled this debate years ago. It wasn't that long ago that the original X-Men - including my parents - were murdered by people who claimed they were afraid of the damage mutants could do. And who did they take it out on? The ones who were most vocally helping. And the X-Men weren't helping just mutants, but humans, inhumans, mutates, and others that needed help to escape people that wanted them dead based on genes. I'd say it's fear based, but that doesn't quite cover it. I spent my entire childhood in hiding from people that wanted me dead based on my parentage. There is no way in hell that anyone - anyone - can stand on a platform like that and spew out garbage saying that following a eugenics protocol or a registration is all for the safety of kids. Especially when the numbers are against him. 70% - that's the last number I saw that represented the kids that have tested with a positive marker for the x-gene at birth. I guess I don't understand anyone who goes against every bit of data out there. And if you look at the crime rate, it doesn't show mutants as anywhere near the top offenders. So why are they really pushing to get rid of us?"
"That's something I wanted to bring up too," Kamala chimed in. "I'm really worried about what this list would do to kids. I mean, when does someone get on a list like that? Birth? Once they start going to public school and get found out? What kind of dystopia is that?"
"Several of his supporters are quoted saying it's preventative, so we know who to blame-"
"You're really going to sit there with Wolverine in the room and talk about placing blame or taking responsibility? Like he wasn't in the middle of the biggest media circus ever last year in which he and Cyclops were publicly part of the justice system? Who honestly thinks our team isn't willing to answer for what we have to do, seriously?"
"Miss Marvel, I'm just quoting Senator Robbins here," JJ said, though he was smirking getting good quotes and clips from how this was shaking out.
"If you want to get technical, more often than not, an active x-gene is passed on from the father, so if he's having issues, he should probably look at himself first," James said in an almost bored tone. "But instead of looking inward, he wants to put the burden of responsibility on the kids or the mothers, the way I read it. Please, correct me if I'm wrong, though."
"He's definitely putting the onus on kids, which is my worry," JJ said. He leaned toward James. "Of course, I don't have a doctorate in genetics. It's nice to have a guest who can act as an expert witness on multiple fronts. Would be nice if the politicians putting out laws actually consulted someone who knows what the hell they're doing, wouldn't it?"
"That, Mr. Jameson, is patently unrealistic and perfectly reasonable," James replied with a smirk. "So not very likely to happen."
"But if they want to talk, it's not like our team is hard to contact," Kamala said brightly. "Any one of us would be willing to talk to Congress about what this kind of law would do."
"Careful, Miss Marvel; that's going to happen now. You've chummed the water," JJ said dryly as James held his breath. He tapped the desk. "Now, we only have so much time. I did want to catch you, Wolverine - you're officially royalty now, aren't you?"
"That might be stretching it," James said. "A lot."
"I understand it's a bit murky. Married but not yet recognized. Why the rush?"
James shook his head lightly. "No rush. We've been dating for a long time, and that was the plan all along. The fact is we were looking for some good news after a long stretch of some hard fights. It felt like it was overdue."
"Yes, there has been a lot of speculation about who has and has not been seen in public on the team recently," JJ said pointedly.
James smiled pleasantly. "Who are you most concerned with, ? I'll answer you as clearly as I'm able."
"Probably mad Kate hasn't given a camera the middle finger in a hot minute," Kamala said in a stage whisper.
"She's matured," James said her way, but hadn't dropped his focus from JJ.
"She and your brother have been out of the public eye," JJ noted.
"And enjoying a bit of hard-earned privacy," James agreed. "They'll be back when they're ready."
"Not quite the clear answer I was promised."
"If I gave anything more clear, that could interrupt their privacy," James pointed out. "Remember, my siblings and I grew up well away from the public eye. That's how we're most comfortable."
"And our newer members are getting a chance to shine more too," Kamala put in. "There's a few that are almost ready to debut, and they're gonna knock your socks off." She grinned. "We have such cool people, Mr. Jameson, and it's so fun to be at the school and see them become heroes."
Jameson shook his head but saw an assistant signal the two-minute warning. "Well, we don't have much more time. Let's get back to the situation at hand. Is there any message the X-Men want to give the supporters of this registration list?"
"Think very carefully about what it is you're backing. Pressure like this was what had Magneto creating an entire country where mutants could be safe. Asking for the same regulations to force people into a corner because they had the audacity to exist just makes him right about how he saw some humans behavior toward mutants. He lumped all humans into the same category in exactly the same way registration lumps all mutants together. He was right to give mutants a safe place to be - but that wasn't enough then to stop mutants from being hunted and murdered, and with more mutants being born every day, it sure as hell falls short now. In the long run, Professor Xavier was absolutely right - the only way to move forward is through peaceful coexistence. Anything short of that just bubbles up hatred and ultimately, death."
"And honestly? Just grow up," Kamala added. "The Dark Ages are over. Join the rest of us acting like adults and not getting mad just because people who are different exist."
JJ looked like he had more to say, but he had to wrap up the program, so he simply pivoted to give a closing speech and a preview of the next show before signing off. And once the cameras were off, he chuckled and took off the mic, getting to his feet. He obviously had more questions - but he wanted to get away from the studio setup so they'd actually answer him.
James tapped Kamala's arm and gestured for her to take off her mic, unhooking the battery on his as he did so - and followed suit as he got to his feet as well. He gave JJ a little nod and fell into step with him on the way to his office with Kamala catching up quickly behind him.
"I think that went okay," Kamala whispered to James, still wide-eyed and obviously keyed up from the whole thing.
"Later," James whispered back.
"Oh, okay." Kamala nodded and held onto her elbows until they were at JJ's office, letting James take the lead here, since she was officially not sure what to do from there.
"You gonna tell me the truth about where everyone's been lately?" JJ asked as soon as the door was closed.
"Off the record?" James asked.
"If that's the only way I'll get answers."
"Then, yes," James said. "Off the record, Kate and Nate are taking time for their family - and finally working through all the crap Hydra put her through."
"Something crop up again? I know there's been something going on with Wanda Maximoff putting a magical taboo on their symbol, and even that is confusing to the layperson. I barely follow it myself."
"Ah … again, off the record, they pissed her off and they're getting what they got coming to them," James said. "And I don't really get all the magic stuff, either, to be fair."
"Which is really saying something, considering who you're married to," JJ grumbled.
James smirked. "Hey, I don't need to understand the magic to respect it. And I know that getting her that mad is not healthy."
"Considering who we're talking about here, I think they're getting less than what they deserve, but alright."
"So far."
"Cryptic." JJ sat down behind his desk and pulled out his box of cigars, putting his feet up on the desk as they talked.
"Honest," James said, smirking. "And I don't even know what exactly she has in mind - but it seems to be popcorn worthy."
"We'll see," JJ said. He nodded toward Kamala. "Good move getting one of your youngest members out to talk about this thing, by the way. Helps drive home the fact that they're coming after kids."
"She wanted to join in," James said. "I'd have brought someone else, but she was the one that spoke up, right?"
Kamala nodded quickly. "Reporters keep finding me for quotes, so I kinda figured it would be better to do an actual interview."
"Hard to argue that you aren't honest," JJ said diplomatically. He gave James a pointed look and then leaned back again. "Your, what, stepmother? made the national news too. Not every day a new hero debuts at that age. Got people talking and looking at pictures of her at Cyclops' trial."
James nodded at that. "Yeah, I was out of touch at the time, just saw snippets after the fact. Sounded like she did pretty well."
"Love to have her on," JJ said pointedly. "Like I said: most people in your line of work start much younger."
"I'll let her know," James said. "I can't promise that she'd be interested, but I will definitely pass it on."
"Good. And tell your father to get down here, huh? He's been gone a year on that damn island and then disappears as soon as that big fight in Australia was over."
James smiled at that. "Sorry to be so subpar," he teased. "It was a rough fight."
"Obviously. We got to see more of Miss Marvel here and the younger crowd while everyone involved in that one recovered," JJ pointed out. "Not hard to piece together how much it took out of your team, even without an official statement."
"No one wants an official statement this far after the fact," James said.
"Not what I was angling for," JJ said.
"I know."
"Good." JJ blew a perfect circle of smoke as he considered the two of them. "Off the record: you'd tell me if that fight left any career-ending consequences, right? Hate to spend all that energy chasing down someone not in the game anymore."
James frowned slightly. "Australia?" He nodded at that. "The biggest news to come out of that was Noh-Varr dying."
"The biggest news to come out of that was the prince of Genosha showing up later with a metal arm. No offense to your team, but most outlets aren't going to cover an alien's death for long."
"Okay, that's fair," James agreed. "It's not career ending, and Tommy's actually enjoying it."
"Yeah, I've seen."
"Who're you worried about?" Kamala blurted out when the back and forth had gone on too long for her to stand. She blushed when they looked her way. "It's just… you're asking how everyone's doing without asking it."
James reached into his pocket and took out a little device he kept close at hand that Tony was far more known for using. He flipped it on and set it on JJ's desk. "If you're worried about people spying on you, that will put a quick end to it."
JJ set his feet back on the floor, raised an eyebrow as he looked at the device, and then shook his head. "SI's got to be glad they snagged you."
"Oh, that's Tony's invention," James said. "I just made it smaller."
JJ shrugged, but when Kamala was making "go on" motions at him, he made a gruff sound in the back of his throat. "Last time my usual point of contact dropped out this long, it was one big helluva disaster," he grumbled.
"This was one big helluva disaster," James agreed. "That went on for months."
"Multiple disasters," Kamala muttered under her breath.
"True, but not the point," James pointed out softly to her before shifting his focus back to JJ. .
JJ made another noise and then sighed. "Just… tell 'em to get up out of the dirt sooner than later," he said. "If my sources in Washington are right - and they are - this is exactly the kind of fight that, God help us all, the X-Men actually need to be at the top of their game for."
"He's actually doing alright," James promised. "If it ends up being back to the same place it was when Dad was going to the Hill, I'll be with him. Or … going for him. I'm not sure yet."
"You can see why I'm asking about your brother and father when you say things like that," JJ pointed out.
"Yeah, I can," James agreed. "And if it makes things easier, I plan to be more available if you need a second source in the near future."
JJ chuffed. "Alright," he said. "I'm just warning you that Cyclops and Hawkeye have been some of our best public relations sources, and when they're both quiet…"
"I know," James said. "And I've been more with Stark lately, but they need to live their lives, too. If I can get them to go with, I will. If not, you'll just have to make do."
"Fine, fine." JJ waved his hand. "Anything else you need?"
"Me? No. But if you're looking for something mysterious, you can always start digging into what's going on in Latveria that no one has reported on. At all."
JJ's eyebrows went high, and he grinned. "Now that's what I'm looking for," he said. "What can you give me? Anything at all."
"Off the record, of course -" James said with a smirk. "They're searching for new leadership. Desperately."
JJ's grin got wider. "Now that's a story."
"Consider it an apology for being out of touch for so long," James said as he got to his feet. "Hate to leave you hangin'."
"Always good to do business," JJ said, still smirking to himself as he shook James' hand and then Kamala's. "And Miss Marvel, keep at it."
Kamala nodded quickly, though she was back to being nervy now that they were done, and she very nearly held her breath all the way out of the office space.
James didn't say a word until they were in the elevators headed down. "You look like you really need a churro - or something."
"I think I do," she agreed, running a hand through her hair. "That was so scary and he's not even a supervillain."
"So let me spot you," he said, smirking at her. "You really did pretty well. Just a bump or two - but nothing too bad."
Kamala winced her whole body into an apology. "It was the word vomit, wasn't it? I was doing really well and said the stuff I practiced with Bruno, but … I think I'm better at speeches than questions?"
"That's okay," James said. "I get too short with on the scene reporters. Just … maybe don't be surprised if Jan decides you need some attention on how to handle the press. There was a lot of America and Mayday coming out back there."
"Oh, well, America's been my coach for hand-to-hand, and May's - I mean, look, I love the team I came with, but I gotta have a girl to talk to, you know?"
"She's Mayday, there's a reason I call her that," James said.
"Because I call her for backup when the testosterone is too high?" she teased.
"Ah, because pretty much any time we ever did stuff, we ended up in trouble."
"Sounds right. We go out as a trio with Leslie Ann to do some neighborhood help, you know?"
James was nodding as they headed out of the building and down the street in search of their snacks. "That's her favorite kind of helping," he agreed.
"Yeah, I don't think she likes the world-ending stuff," Kamala agreed.
"She … kinda got a little too close to it when we crossed paths with the department," James said. "I was told she was trying to apologize to me about not taking it seriously."
Kamala did a full-body shiver. "Yeah, she…" She sighed. "She kind of fell apart. Me and Lexi and Leslie Ann and Cassie did a full-court press to take care of her while the rest of the group was getting intensive care. She felt so bad for falling apart, and she didn't want to ask for help."
"I would joke that I'm down that no one got video of her apologizing, but honestly, I never wanted her to see any of that. She's a friendly neighborhood spider … that was too much."
"Well, she's a good friend. And I like doing the friendly neighborhood stuff too, honestly. It's why I got into this job in the first place."
"I'm glad to hear it," James agreed. "It is a lot more fun than the world is on fire stuff."
"It is, but…" Kamala shrugged. "It took me a while to figure out how I wanted to approach being a hero when I first got my powers, you know? I have never seen violence as the first answer to anything… but I can make gigantic fists and bounce back from a hit. I'm still figuring it out, you know?"
James nodded at that. "Well, I didn't want to do it at all. That's why Mayday and I broke up," he said. "But … then I got ticked off, and well … I don't think I can get out of it if I wanted to."
"Yeah, you're pretty stuck with us," she teased. "Poor you."
"I know. So awful. Why did I ever push to get Bruno set up in the same building? Poor planning."
Kamala blushed and laughed. "He… I mean… you're basically his favorite person right now, you know? For pushing to get him all set up with us even though he's not wearing a uniform."
"I saw what he did for you guys. He's needed with your group, and honestly, if that's the kind of thing he likes to do? He should be paid for it. Tony taught me that much, anyhow."
Kamala nodded, falling quiet for a moment until they were nearly to their snacks. "So, um, other than talking to Jan… any notes? Seriously, I want to get better at this."
James smiled at that as he paid the vendor. "Ah … don't invite the politicians to come barking?"
"That's what you meant when you said America was peeking through, huh?" Kamala ducked her head. "Sorry."
"That was a solid mix of the three of you," James said. "They were going to do it anyhow, but … that definitely opened the door a little sooner than when they would have to."
"Yeah, but…" Kamala let out her breath. "I mean, we want to nip this in the bud, right? Because… I've been looking into it and Robbins isn't as fringe as JJ thinks he is. Or says he is."
"I know," James said.
"So why not go public sooner than later?" Kamala pointed out.
"Because honestly, that's the kind of talks my dad used to do - and he's stressed out enough as it is. I will absolutely step in to handle it. Tony, Jan, and Dad have all trained me for that kind of thing, and honestly, if someone decides to try and shoot the mutant representative, I've got the best chance of it not being a problem."
"Oh. I… didn't even think about that." Kamala flushed deep red. "Sorry."
"Hey, don't sweat it. Not likely to be anywhere near as bad as last time if it happens," James teased. "Dad … taught me to think several moves ahead. Always. It's not normal to consider things like that. I know it's not. But it's part of the job."
Kamala nodded. "I'm, um, I'm glad you came with me," she said. "Really."
"There was no way in hell you were doing that alone," James promised.
"America offered to come, and Rachel laughed for five minutes."
"There is no way in hell America would be allowed to do that representing anyone but America."
"And we all know it." Kamala smiled as they headed for a bench to sit and enjoy their food. "How's your brother, by the way? I'm sort of getting Kate updates from Lexi, and everyone in the school knows your dad's on Cloud Nine being a new father again, so no one's really worried about him, even if he's stressed."
"They're doing alright," James said. "If you know the Kate updates, you know a lot already. Nate … will always put her and David first, and deal with everything that stresses him out once they're okay. Or better than okay."
"Okay. I just thought I'd ask because it's not easy being the one who's less hurt but still hurting, you know?"
"I know," he said. "And they both have me on speed dial - or text. I try to help where I can, even if it's grabbing David so they can take a couple hours."
"About that… You know there's a betting pool about you and Billy and the next baby in the school, right?" Kamala said, one eyebrow raised.
James gave her a dry look. "This is my not surprised face."
"Okay, as long as you know," she said, holding up both hands.
"There are always a dozen bets about Billy at the school at any given moment," James said.
"Yeah, but you guys have beat out Tommy and Mia for odds, and that's kind of impressive. I know a lot of kids have had money riding on them getting pregnant and Storm coming for him."
"There's been too many kids there that have seen me come in with little kids on a rescue - or that were brought in on a rescue," James said. "Tommy's not going to be reckless with Mia, though. That's a bad bet."
"Not everyone knows that about him," Kamala pointed out.
"Yeah, but you do, so you could make a killing."
"I don't gamble, but you're not wrong."
"Betting is a tradition there," James laughed. "You can't get worked up about the bets going around - though I'd love to hear what all they are."
"Well, you and Billy are the best odds for the next baby. There's a lot of bets about whether Remy and Bobby are going to last - I mean, I think they are - and then bets about whether they're the type to get married or not - I don't really know there. And there's bets on the next world-ending villain to show up because we can't not make a joke out of it or we'll go insane, I guess?" She pulled a face. "And 'who's next to get married', the odds are good with Tommy and Mia, but that's mostly because they're the only ones with any real prospects. America isn't interested in marriage."
"Neither is Rachel, honestly," James said. "Not sure about Bobby and Remy … that could go either way, but my gut says no."
"Yeah, I don't think so either," Kamala agreed.
"As for the next big bad to get their panties bunched up?" He tipped his head side to side as he weighed it out. "My money's on an alien."
"Bruno put down money on Galactus, so…"
"Oh, crap, I hope not," James laughed.
"Oh, same here," she said quickly. "He said it's his way of warding Galactus off because he's never won at gambling in his life," she added with a little laugh.
"If he ends up winning that pool, I am absolutely going to make sure he knows I blame him," James teased.
"You should." She smiled. "I don't know. I think my money is on something manmade, though. A lot of this talk lately…"
"That's too easy," James said, shaking his head again. "They're already trying to resurrect sentinel tech."
"I think it'll be something new," she clarified. "Lexi says her parents have been quashing those attempts where they can."
"Tony has straight up told governments that if they are found to be even vaguely attached to sentinel tech or anything like it, he'll black list them." He tipped his head toward her. "Ours, too. They're already on notice."
"That doesn't surprise me." She shrugged up to her ear.
"He's a little territorial."
"Yeah, you should have seen him three days before you got home when someone said something stupid to me at SI. He turned into my dad for a minute there," Kamala laughed.
"I count him as one of mine," James told her.
"He loves it." She finished her churro and balled up the paper.
"Ready to face the Starks?" James asked as he got to his feet and offered her a hand up.
"Ready as ever," she agreed.
"If it makes you feel any better, I know I'll be getting coaching from Dad and Wanda going forward."
"Great; we can commiserate," she said, smirking. "When can you start parking illegally and getting away with it, again?"
"Um … about three hours after Tony claimed me publicly?"
"Ha ha. I mean when do you get princely diplomatic immunity or whatever?"
He gave her a dry look. "I don't get princely diplomatic anything." He pointed to his face. "Not a prince."
"You will be once you're married," she argued. "I mean, once you're Genosha-married."
James laughed as he shook his head. "Not really."
"You will be, though. You'll be prince consort, and when he's king, you'll be king too, just… not the ruling king. I looked it up and asked Wanda and everything."
"Of course you did," James said in a breath. "That part …. Ah." He scrubbed a hand over his face. "I've never really focused on that part, if you want the truth."
"I can almost guarantee that if you go to Congress, they're going to bring up your royal status," Kamala pointed out gently. "You're gonna want to start thinking about it. "
"I don't have to do that until things happen in Genosha," James argued.
"I thought you said your dad taught you to plan ahead?"
"He did," James agreed. "But … genetically, I come from a long line of 'don't wanna think about it', too."
"Fair. But for the record, I think it's cool. You'll be a good prince."
"It'll take them ten minutes to list off my affiliations," James said in a dull tone. "Doctor this and that, Stark monkey, X-man … officially a royal pain in the ass forthcoming."
"More power to you," she pointed out. "I'm starting sophomore year soon and I'm in for the long haul of education, too. Double majoring and everything."
"Yeah? Where are you going?" James asked. "I know you were considering a switch, but I didn't know if that had anything to do with Bruno thinking of switching or not."
"My Ami would die if I changed my college plans for a boy," Kamala laughed.
"Not for him …. With him. Totally different."
"If you say so." She shook her head. "No, I just… I know I have the head for a lot of the stuff I've been learning with Tony, and thank you so much for helping us get set up with him, by the way. But … I'm also pretty good with speeches, like I said, and I got sucked into a general electives political science class…"
James was nodding. "So … what can I do to help?"
"Just… my family thinks I'm doing too much, you know? Double major, two superhero teams, interning at SI in the summers…"
"You can always cut back on the teams," James pointed out. "And you don't need to intern if you don't want to. When are they coming up to the tower next?"
"In two weeks. And I don't actually want to cut back on anything," she clarified. "I'm really liking all my classes, and the team… I love being a hero, you know?"
James smirked. "Well, if you want me to back you up, just tell me when to be there."
"Thank you thank you," Kamala said, grinning broadly. "I'll text you when they've finalized a time, okay?"
"Yeah, absolutely," he said. "Just gotta let me know. I've got your back."
"You're the best."
