Chapter 41

An Offer

Disclaimer: Notes same as before, I'm gonna pull an L1 with a secondary Misfits team, heh! This also features some re-writes/new scenes as well! Bulldog and Lionheart also belong to L1 if I'm not mistaken but I could be wrong.

As the day went on and Wolverine disappeared for awhile with only Clara having any idea on why he left and not saying much on it since it wasn't anyone's business except for the Starrs, Jubilee, and Rina, the Misfits would show up with General Hawk along for the ride surprisingly enough. Something that had made both Bulldog and Lionheart to tense up and for Ace to scowl the man's way due to his strong dislike of the Government! "At ease you two, matter of fact I'm here with some good news for the two of you." Hawk told the two siblings as everyone dispersed to do their own thing.

The two looked at one another and then back at Hawk and it'd be Bulldog who would speak first. "Good news? For us?"

"Yeah, turns out, that little scuffle you two were involved in that saw the two of ya leaving the Service was exactly what you both thought it was; A frame up. One caused by Cobra infiltrators."

"Those bloody Snakes!" Snarled Lionheart angrily and mentally saw herself going to town on those arseholes!

Hawk nodded in a grim manner. "And because of that, I was told if I ever happened to see the two of you, I was to inform you both ASAP of the whole thing. And that you are both welcome to return." He informed the two.

Gotta love the fact that they had been gearing up for a transfer to GI Joe when the whole sorry thing had happened. Effectively screwing them over in the process. "Furthermore, if you two so wish it, you can transfer directly to GI Joe."

The two looked at one another again before looking to him. "As much as we appreciate being told this, Sir, we have responsibilities now where the kids are concerned. We can't just leave Clara and Ace on their own to deal with them." Bulldog told him.

Causing the General to nod in understanding. "And I get that perfectly, son. Matter of fact, I have an idea and its one I think not only you two will like, but so will the others. But we need them here for that talk."

"You might find Ace a little difficult since he has issues with the Government." Lionheart informed him.

"I'll deal with that as we go along so no worries there."

Shortly after that, Hawk had the entirety of the Fabulously Fab currently present plus a somewhat reluctant if curious Craig in Xavier's office. This was actually something Althea liked quite a bit as Vincent had started to get on her nerves with his behavior towards her and had been close to decking him. "So what's going on, General Hawk?" Asked Clara curiously.

"How would you guys like to form a secondary Misfits team? One that would be based in California." Began the man, not seeing a need to beat around the bush any.

Everyone looked at him in shock and surprise and Ace would proceed to clean out his ear. "Sonny boy say what now with the who and why!?" He asked, not entirely sure he'd heard that right!

"You heard me rightly, Mr. Starr. I know you and yours have been pretty much all over the Country and I figured you guys would like a chance where you can really do some good with that experience. And California certainly could use it." Gotta love the quick effectiveness of the Multiple News Network!

"I know you especially have… Issues towards the American Government, Mr. Starr, believe me, I am aware. But you could think of it this way, this would be your chance to effectively give those in charge the finger so to speak by working as a Misfit."

"Hmm… That could be a ton of fun…" Considered the Cat like Mutant thoughtfully.

Especially if it meant he got to cross paths with Nick Fury at some point! "Why California of all places?" Asked Vincent somewhat suspiciously. Even wondering if perhaps this was some plan to keep him away from Althea.

Hawk sighed before speaking. "Basically? In the short amount of time since the Pride fell, things have been going nuts all over the state thanks to various criminal organizations taking advantage of the vacuum left in their wake. The primary goal of a West Coast based team would be to combat them and occasionally Cobra when they rear their heads and any other threats that may pop up. All of you have experience, either from long lives or from what you've all been doing around the Country and its, sorry if this sounds crude, in our best interest to take advantage of that."

"Ooh, The Man is rearin' its ugly head through you, dude!" Ace remarked.

"Did you know that 'The Man' is really Paperwork?" Countered Hawk and the way he said the word indicated how strongly he felt about that particular subject.

Jennifer hummed thoughtfully before speaking. "I believe it, I remember how my dad always complained about it."

"So did me old man as well." Vincent added thoughtfully.

"Y'know, you might have a point there, dude, I've done my own taxes more than once and it was always a nightmare." Mentioned Ace.

"Why do you think I go to a professional instead of doing it myself? Paperwork is Hell." Shuddered Clara.

The discussion on Paperwork was getting some strange looks from Craig, Jake, and even Paul himself. "Riiiiiiight." The three all said together at once.

Getting some embarrassed looks from the others in the process and Hawk would clear his throat. "Anyway… I'll give you guys some time to think over the offer and if you guys agree, you will have a base to live and operate from and a team of Joes of your own to work with."

"Say I agree to this, could uhh… Could the Greys come with? They ain't exactly safe back in Stamford anymore since the Walking Pastey Faced King and his goons could come back at any time." Craig asked and basically implying he wasn't about to walk away from his family now that he knows about them. Nor intending to tell anyone about Philippa's email to him.

"That would have to be discussed with them, son."

The youngster nodded in understanding and walked off to go talk about it with them while Jennifer had a thought come to mind. "Would doing this help pay for College? 'Cause while I love the idea of getting to kick evil butt, its time I got focused on College since I want to be a Lawyer. There's also some other stuff I need to deal with before I can start that chapter in my life as I haven't seen my dad in a long while." Jennifer said sadly as due to the newness of being the She-Hulk at the time and a Crime Boss by the name of Nicholas Trask being rather problematic, she'd gone on the run to protect not only herself, but her dad as well.

As part of her had even feared he'd reject her Gammazon self. Jake grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently to provide her emotional support. Hawk stared at her with a frown on his face before answering. "I believe we can work something out where College is concerned, Ms. Walters. As for the situation with your dad, I've got men looking into it and I believe something can finally be done about it."

"Really!? You mean that!?" Came the hopeful sounding question.

"I do."

"Oh, thank you!" Squealed the Gammazon and hugged the General in a happy and grateful manner.

The meeting would come to a close soon after that. Several days later would see the group agreeing to the idea much to Hawk's happiness and the Greys would be coming along as well since Craig had managed to talk them into going along with it. Though a part of Craig would be apprehensive about returning to California for the first time in awhile as he was bound to run into members of the Warlords as he hadn't exactly left a note about his leaving. And their base of operations would be out in Burbank, California and their first clash would end up being with Crime Boss Nicholas Trask and his crew and finally putting down his organization. Of course, Xavier was a little put out about the loss of potential recruits and as well as teachers but even he could see the need for an experienced team out in California. But he did ask if Clara and Ace would be willing to come by every once in awhile to teach at the Institute and Ace, more so than his mother, agreed.

As he loved the opportunity to pass on some knowledge of what he knew about History from his own perspective. Though he would be adamant about the Professor hiring on a PR Firm to continuously do more since the Professor was limited in how much he could do for whatever reason. Mainframe's son Paul and a Joe by the name of Recondo would also become part of the West Coast based team. And after some basic training for Bulldog and Lionheart as a refresher course, those two would be instated as members of the West Coast Joe team as well nicely enough. Allowing for the two siblings to finally get what was meant to be theirs.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department A Week Later

A nervous but in her normal form Jennifer made her way into the LASD for the first time in a long time and made her way to her father's desk. Hoping he was there and breathing a sigh of relief when she saw that he was with Jake quietly following her from behind in support. Quietly, she approached her father with him not paying attention due to being focused on Paperwork. "Daddy?" Came her soft voice.

Causing him to freeze for a moment before looking up. "J-Jennifer?"

Her eyes welling up with tears in her eyes, she could only nod in silence and before she knew it, she found herself being tearfully hugged by her father. "Oh God, you're alive!" He murmured into her hair as everyone else watched the scene.

"I am, daddy, and I am so sorry for running away."

"Its okay, you're home now and that's all that matters."

Any questions he may have could wait for later as this reunion was far more important.

Author's Notes: Well, that was fun and touching! Is The Man really Paperwork? Who knows for certain! I also thought it'd be fun if Scott's friend Paul had something to do with the West Coast team since he and as well as Taryn pretty much disappeared from the stories as time went on.