"How did you…." Sean started, very confused as to how she knew about the Flatscanners.
"Your search history. To say I know my way around a computer is a vast understatement." She explained.
He picked up a piece of paper, and it was the start of a list. Names, targets of the grassroots organization that had started targeting mutants after the fall of Krakoa. Next to each name was a set of coordinates.
"You tracked them all down? How?" He questioned, as he noticed a strange artifact on the table, it looked like it was made of bone, but looked very similar to the helmet that Xavier had worn during their time on Krakoa.
"The Mercy Crown. An artifact of Limbo, very similar to Cerebro. Made the process much easier once I knew what to look for."
"Madelyne has taken all the guesswork out of it for us, Seanie boy." Tom cut in.
"Tom, there is no us. I can't allow-"
"Can't allow us to help ya? Ya can't do this all on your own, Ms. Pryor just proved that."
"And while I am grateful for what Madelyne has achieved, I can't allow you and Cain to go galavantin' off around the globe, doin' God knows what, unsupervised."
Before Tom could argue further, Madelyne spoke up. "Who says they would be unsupervised?"
The way she tilted her head, the way she smiled, Sean stared at her for a moment before swearing under his breath.
"Look, Madelyne, I truly appreciate what you've done for me and my family-" He started as he set down the piece of paper.
"I'm going to stop you right there, because you sound like you're trying to let me down gently, and that routine is not going to work on me."
He raised a brow. "Be beggin' yer pardon?"
"Here is what I know, Sean." She swung her legs so that she was cross-legged in the chair, leaning her elbow on the table. "You are trying to track down this…..organization, which is more of an online bullying fest that seems to have access to some pretty shiny and dangerous toys, all by your lonesome, you have a daughter who is lucky to be alive, and is experiencing what can only be called post-traumatic stress disorder, and you have a Spirit of Variance who is inhabiting your body, with no actual way of controlling or communicating with it, which makes you just about as dangerous as the Hulk on a bad day. To say you need help is a massive understatement, and you know it." She spoke matter-of-factly, and watched as his face became increasingly more tense by the second.
Tom and Cain looked surprised, but said nothing as they watched Banshee and the Queen of Limbo stare at each other, one with annoyance, the other with slight smugness.
"With all due respect Ms. Pryor, I have it all under control."
"And with all due respect Mister Cassidy, I call bullshit. I know a man like you doesn't like hearing it, but Tom is right. You cannot seriously take on all of this by yourself." Her tone was calm as she stood up from her chair. "Your first priority is Terry. Everything else can be delegated, and Tom and Cain are more than willing to be boots on the ground."
"And you? What do you gain from this little venture?" His words carried a hint of resentment.
"I'm offering to help you, something I am in a unique position to do." She was practically toe-to-toe with him. "And not just with the Flatscanners group. Unless you'd rather walk around for the rest of your life not knowing when you'll turn into the Irish Ghost Rider."
Sean opened his mouth to argue, but found words were escaping him at that moment, and he was having a hard time staying angry when the words 'Irish Ghost Rider' came out of her mouth.
She must have been equally taken aback by her own words, as she covered her mouth with her fingers, trying to hide her expression.
Tom and Cain watched with confusion as the two broke into a fit of quiet chuckling.
"Irish Ghost Rider, eh?" Sean teased.
"Got your attention, didn't it?" She quipped.
He sighed and ran a hand through his ginger hair. "Just a wee bit." He paused, his hands in his pockets. "What are ya suggestin'?"
"A compromise. I use my skills to locate the mutants that are being targeted, and you send Tom and Cain with the coordinates to try and peacefully stop whoever comes after them. In exchange for my help, you allow me to help you with the Spirit. All while you get to stay here and keep an eye on Terry."
Sean glanced at Tom. "I'm guessin' you two are already on board with this?"
"Indeed we are."
Sean sighed. "Well. Seems I'm outnumbered then." He remarked with a small smile to show that he was being sarcastic. His eyes drifted back to the page he had been inspecting.
"Is this the whole list?"
"First page."
"Mother of God…" He mumbled. "Well, you boys better get a move on, then."
"Come on, Cain. We gotta see a man about a portal." Tom practically leapt up out of the chair, dragging Cain with him to the door.
Some time later, Madelyne walked into Theresa's bedroom, finding the younger woman sitting up, nursing a bowl of soup.
Smells good, whatever it is." She leaned against the doorframe.
"Vegetable soup. Old family recipe."
Madelyne smiled. "Well, at least you're eating something. It will help with the recovery."
Theresa seemed to debate with her words for a moment. "Somethin' you said earlier….I wanted ta ask ya about, if it's okay."
Madelyne tilted her head slightly. "Sure. What's on your mind?"
"...ya said ya know what it's like ta carry that burden. Did you….?"
"Lose my baby? In a way, yes. It's complicated, but….my son had to grow up without me."
"...Cable, right?"
"Yes." The soft, sad smile came over her features. "His life…wasn't easy, through no fault of mine or his."
"Have ya had a chance ta connect with him…talk to him?" Terry asked.
"No….perhaps one day." Madelyne answered softly. She noticed the empty bowl. "Did you want more?"
Terry shook her head. "I'm good, thanks."
Madelyne took the bowl, and squeezed Terry's hand. "It never truly goes away. Each day just gets a little easier to bear."
The two women, sharing a silent understanding in that moment, smiled at one another, before Madelyne slipped out of the room, not knowing that Sean Cassidy, from his bedroom doorway, had heard every word.