Juno's eyes widened.

"A cure?! Becca?!" She jerked her hand off Adrian's shoulder.

"You knew about this?"

Sly sighed. Of course it was too good to be true.

He raised his voice just a bit to get everyone's attention, "I'm not cured. I can still feel the virus, but Becca has healed the damage it did to me and I think as long as I stay close to her it won't come back. I'm not sure I can put it into words better than that." He hesitated then added, "I just stretched myself a bit power wise after I thought I was cured and I could feel some traces of the virus lingering in the wings, but the symptoms didn't return."

Sly gave Becca a grateful smile, "I hope you don't mind but I think you are my new best friend." He chuckled and squeezed her shoulder.

Adrian turns to Juno,
"I - just - found out ... about a minute ago when she hugged me and wanted me to feel better. Then, the virus was gone. I've never felt so much better and I know instinctively what she'd done. She didn't though."

"I didn't shout this to the heavens or drag her around to the rest of you because I don't went them," motioning to the government folks, "to take her apart to figure out how this works. I'd have told you as soon as I felt it was safe. I trust you. Do you trust me?"

The Kid breaths in deeply and lets out a sigh,
"I just didn't want Sly to die, so I asked her to do it again, and look what's happened."

"Juno, I don't know what to do. I figure she can cure us all, but it will take some time - maybe once a day. Man, I wish Travis was here - Travis and Ronnie. He'd have a plan."

"Juno, help me protect Rebecca. I don't want her disappearing."

It was clear he was a long way from trusting 'normal' humanity.

Simon untangled himself from his sister, making unstead steps over to where the others had gathered around Sly and Adrian and Becca. He put a hand on Adrian's shoulder and said with serious eyes, "My mother once said that mutants exist because humanity is still evolving, still responding to the world around us. Maybe she's our answer to something that's killing us off, or at least a first attempt. Either way, she deserves to be protected; to have her freedom protected, too. None of us wanted to be locked up and she shouldn't be either, no matter how precious we might think she is."

He smiled down at the girl still in Sly's arms. "She's our hope. If you need, or want, I will help protect her as well. She should have a chance at the life she wants, at getting to grow up without being afraid or being locked up." He glanced over at Savi in commemeration, then back to Adrian to see what his response would be.

Kevin took the phone Ms. Storm offered. He was about to step just outside the door when everything went down with Sly and Becca.

At first, Kevin was as hopeful as everybody, though there was still a part of him that 'knew' it was too good to be true. Then, Sly announced that it was, and his fears were realized.

When Adrian started going all paranoid, Kevin stepped back in. "Ok, ok, just calm down, please. She's not a cure, per-se, but she could most definitely be a treatment. Though, by the looks of the side effects on her, one that we should use only in the most dire of circumstances. However, trust is built slowly, and mistrust lingers long. That being said, you're probably correct, she does need protection. If not from the government proper, then from anybody who would think to profit from her.

Adrian, I promise you, and I promise you all, that no one will get hurt so long as I have a say in it. I will expend every last resource that I have and every last breath in my body protecting each and every one of you. That goes for you, as well as those not with us, and those without abilities." With that last statement he glanced over his shoulder at Ms. Storm.

Addressing the group again, "Now, I will be back shortly. I'll be just outside these doors if anyone needs me. And Adrian, I'll check in on Becca as soon as I get back; if her condition changes, come get me, ASAP. OK?"

He waited for an affirmative reaction from Adrian before stepping outside the doorway and leaning against the wall, just on the other side of the hinges. He opened up the borrowed cellphone and dialed the router that he could use to check his messages; the one that he used when he didn't want the direct number being able to be tracked.

Three months and a lot of stuff hitting the fan... no telling how many messages he had... or from whom. Silently he prayed, to no one in particular, that the Queen was alright. He didn't know what he would do if she had succumb to injuries that he could've healed.

Kevin dialed his router and after the familiar 3 rings the voicebox activated. He punched in his code and waited for the machine to start its recordings.

There was only one message which got repeated over and over again. Kevin was supposed to go back to HQ in London ASAP and report to the authorities.

It would take him at least 10 hours to get there... and then he would abandon the kids. Decisions had to be made but what had priority?

Savannah nodded quietly, suppressing her concerns as her brother spoke. Simon knew what was best, and if he wanted to promise their protection to this girl, then that's what they'd do. She'd be damned if they were just going to hand over their names to the government though, not when they'd worked so hard to conceal them. Her eyes flickered over to her brother and Sly, before moving on to rest on Ms. Storm.

"Of course, we'll be willing to help you. But if you'll pardon any inconvenience, ma'am.. we'd still prefer to just see a list. Last names starting with "R", if that helps you narrow it down enough to speed things up."

I'd like to get her in a lab! Tim thought excitedly, as he envisioned developing and selling a cure for the virus. Tim was good at science, but not spectacular. He was more the brainy bookworm type.

"I can see that we are going to have to wait on those casualty lists." Tim said with a sigh. He had already assumed that Rosa was dead. There was no sense in getting his hopes up at this point. Maybe they destroyed the casinos. He thought wisfully. For as much as he hated his mom, he wished she was not inside one when it was destroyed.

Tim grabbed the clothes that had been offered and began to get dressed.

If Ms. Storm was offended by Savannah's near tantrum it didn't show. Instead she nodded at the twins and sighed.

"I understand your grudges against the Government for what has been done to Mutantkind, I really do. My sister was one of the first to get interned in one of the MICs here in Washington D.C. We know today that the alien invaders are to blame for that. They are to blame for a lot that happened to both Human- and Mutantkind."

The secretary of State tried to find the proper words but found that she was incapable of saying anything that could excuse the past terrible years. She looked defeated to the floor and shook her head.

"Listen - you don't have to make a decision as group. If any of you don't want to accept this offer you don't have to. The President will still hold you in high regards and make sure you're future will be safe and secured as far as he is able to guarantee that. You shall not suffer anymore and the nation owes you more than any material compensation can provide."

She made another note on her PDA and looked at the others, expecting to be asked to leave the room.

"I don't trust you, but I don't have a choice, do I? If I want to defeat the aliens the easiest path lies through working with you. You have to fight them too because if you don't drive them out you know they won't lose a second time."

He starts getting dressed in front of her without shame.
"Those of us who want to continue the fight will see the president. We'll hear what you want us to do and decide how close to suicidal it is. None of us have any delusions how tough the aliens remain."

"I don't imagine you are stupid, so we'll probably agree. We'll want assurances that those who don't want to continue are well taken care of for all they've risked so far. Us mutants have to look out for one another because ... well, forget that for now."

"Ms. Storm, I think you doing your best and telling us the truth as you know it. Thanks."

He tucks his shirt in. He goes over to Sly and takes up his sister.

"Were can I put Rebecca were she'll be safe. Maybe she can meet the president next time. I'd also like to be back before she wakes up, if possible."

"

Juno glanced around at the others in the room, then locked eyes with Adrian and said firmly, "Relax. We'll keep her safe. You can leave her with my guys if nothing else. You two are in with us now."

Kevin hung up the phone. At least ten hours in transit after three months of being comatose. He sighed. If they could get everything settled here within an hour or two, then things wouldn't be that bad. Maybe he could even procure a ride from the President in a plane or jet that would take less than 10 hours. After all, they said that they'd help 'as much as they could'... right?

Kevin walked back in, and stood conspiratorially close to Ms. Storm; his tone was low enough that nobody else should be able to hear him. "Miriam Webster. That's who I need to know about in Las Vegas, Miriam Webster. And I also need to know, as quickly as possible, the fastest that you could get me to London, England."

He then walked over to Grav. His tone was still hushed, as if what he said was meant for her, and her alone. "Annalise, have you ever been to London England before? Either way, would you be able to, safely, make a portal there? Without putting yourself in any danger of the virus? Please think about it and let me know once you're certian. I appreciate it."

Looking at her, making sure that she understood what he was asking, he moved on to Becca; giving Grav time to think. He leads Adrian to put her on one of the newly vacated gurneys, and starts examining her. There may not be a lot that he can do for the virus proper, but he can at least heal the damage that it causes. He lets his healing energies flow into her and tries to see if there's anything wrong with her besides the effects of the virus.

Ms Storm tried to be calm and compassionate as she answered Savannah, "I will get you that list as soon as possible. It's not a matter of not wanting, it's a matter of retrieving a huge amount of data that is largely classified. Patience, trust me."

Then Kevin leaned closer to her and she quietly nodded to him. "I'll see what I can do about that. May I ask you why you need to go there?", her question seemed sincere and not trying to be too provocative.

(ooc: Examining Becca reveals that she is suffering from the virus, you can stabilize her, though.)

Annalise nods once Yeah If I'm willing to do a little more.."

She looks to Kevin. "Where exactly would you like it to come out in London?"

Tim looked at Ms. Storm with a lost look. "Excuse me maam, but is there a place that I can smoke around here?" He didn't have any cancer-sticks, but he was sure that where there was a place to smoke, there were smokers. And smokers always had cigarettes. Tim was not above bumming a smoke.

As for the list of killed and wounded: He'd get to that after he had a smoke. Three months was far too long to go without feeding the addiction.

Adrian went over and stood beside his sister's bed. What could he do against the insidious might of the virus, if it was the virus. Were the aliens behind it? If they were ... well, it was another notch in their coffin, another reason to want to see the die for what they had done to Earth.

Juno looked around at everyone going off into their own private concerns, then looked at the Secretary.

"So...getting the list? And it sounds like most of us are leaning towards seeing the President too, so..." She shrugged. "I guess put us on the guest list or whatever."

"Hey, doc...when can we get out of here?"

"If there is nothing else you need to discuss right here, I've got transportation ready to go. Major-General - we get you to Captain Hicks after the meeting, ok?",Ms. Storm said and not waiting for Kevin's approval simply assuming it was ok.

The mutants quickly got into their clothes which fit them rather perfectly and proceeded to meet the President. With Kevin's help Rebecca regained her consciousness but still felt rather weak. She was ready to go though, not wanting to stay back or slow them down. Outside the hospital was a huge assembly of reporters and Television broadcast units. As soon as they reached the hospitals main hall all hell broke out or so it seemed. Hundreds of voices echoed through the hall asking for interviews and the well being of humanities saviours.

"Is it true that you've found a cure for the mutant virus?"

"Are the mutants going to take the fight back to the invaders and chase them away?"

"Are the mutants going to vote for the US Presidents candidancy as the world President?"

There were literally thousands of questions and the Secretary of State tried to calm the reporters down.

"There will be a press conference in one hour at the White House. We will answer your questions there. Please excuse me now, we got little time and an appointment with the President of the United States. Thank you."

With an uncanny routine Ms. Storm pathed herself through the crowds protected by an array of security MIBs that waved the mutants through to a van that was large enough to accomodate all of them. What seemed impossible to overcome was dissolved in a matter of minutes after her announcement that there'd be a press conference.

The trip to the White House was relatively unspectacular except for the arrival of the requested list.

"Let me see.", Ms Storm said handing out PDAs to the mutants.

"Mr. Reyes is on the list. He is in Las Vegas and recovering.", she gave Juno a PDA and smiled at her. The PDA read that her father was in intensive care after suffering from a serious concussion which resulted in cracking of his skull. He can consider himself lucky that he's still alive.

"Miriam Webster is in Vegas too, Mr. Bridges. She must be doing well, she is enlisted as nurse.", she gave him a PDA just like Juno's. Miriam works in the hospital where Juno's father is.

The others who didn't give more details had to use the PDA's search functions to find the names they were looking for.



At the White House the mutants got escorted to the Oval Office where the President was already waiting for them. Everyone who saw them immediately smiled, some with great relief and other with obvious awe.

"Ah! Humanities saviours!", the President stood up and walked around his desk greeting everyone personally by shaking their hands.

"On behalf of our nation I must thank you for what you did. Without you there wouldn't be much left of the United States. We owe you more than I dare to say. Tell me, how did you accomplish this amazing task?", before they could anser his question he raised an eyebrow at Ms. Storm and asked her.

"Aren't two missing? What happened to them?"

Ms. Storm leaned in on him and whispered something into his ear and the President just nodded. "I understand"

His attention was fully back on the mutants and he gave him his best smile expecting to hear from them.

Adrian looked around for a moment then stood forward,

"Mr. President, we would really like to make sure we see Travis and Ronnie again. Even if it is just to say good-bye."

"Thank you for taking care of us and our people. That makes up for a lot. When can you brief us on what the aliens have been up to, were they are now, and what they are expected to do? We want to get this war over with as soon as possible. Some of us have normal lives they want to get back to."

"Is it true that you are running for World President? If so, what would you do to see that the camps never happen again? I'm bitter. I think I have a right to be bitter. For those of us left, we deserve to not have to be looking over our shoulder ever again."

"Oh yeah, I'm the child of Will-o-Wisp and Valiant. You can tell the press that I mean to take up were my parents left off."

Tom stares angrily at the President, "How did we accomplish this task? Well for practically all of us it meant hiding our abilities for our whole lives so that we didn't get rounded up into the Concentration Camps you called MIC's. After that it was fighting robots who killed others in capturing us, escaping from a ship in lunar orbit and finally doing a raid and diversions on the ship at Las Vegas. Is that what you wanted to know?"

With a brief pause he continues, "I know, here's an election winner for you. Why not round up all those sick with Cancer next, shove them in handy Concentration Camps, and while they are obviously ill provide them with little or no medical care. Oh and I forgot, you better slash the funding for Cancer cures as well, they are much too out of line with what you funded, if anything, towards a cure for the Virus."

"Gentlemen, please calm down.", the President said raising his arms in defence.

"I am not responsible for the MICs - that was a resolution made by the UN. I can assure you that the United States of America would have not voted for the referendum if we didn't have proof that it was actually improving the situation by containing possible spreading of the virus. Death rates have significantly decreased after the MIC got established."

The President sighed and nodded. He could tell by the look of the mutants eyes that they didn't want to hear this.

"I asure you that there will be no more MICs or any other anti-mutant resolution once we established the World Alliance - the League of Nations. We know today that we made grave mistakes in the past and we won't allow to let that happen again. I'm here to offer you compensation for both what you accomplished and what has been done to you and your families. I truly apologize on behalf of every citizen of the US. Without you, there would be no us."

Annalise was in shock at actually meeting the PRESIDENT of the United States. She wondered what her parents would make of their little freak daughter now.

"First let me say what it is to mee you Mister President."

She turns to Tom and Adrian and sighs. "Guys relax. The past is the past, and no one will forget it, but nor can it be changed. The President has given us his word that it won't happen again and his personal and formal apology. That doesn't bring anyone of those who died back, or those who suffered solace, but it is a beginning."

She turns to the President and smiles. "I would reiterate what my colleagues have asked. We'd like to know exactly what happened in the last three months and what you'd like for us to do now."

Her manner was the picture of elegance and composure, befitting any experienced school teacher.

Tim returned from a smoke break only to find his fears confirmed. Rosa was dead: Killed by the metal soldiers of the aliens. And while he had prepared himself for that fact, it was still impossible hard to bear. He withdrew into himself as he shut down all emotions and stopped speaking with anyone. He was in too much pain.

Even as they were meeting the President, Tim conveyed no outward signs of emotion. He was like a Vulcan, he told himself later. He felt no joy, sadness, anger or love. All that he had room for inside was cold analytical reasoning. Until he had eliminated the alien threats, he vowed that he would not grieve for a woman who had been like a best friend for over two years. As for his mom...he could care less. She had gone into a coma years ago; a gambling coma. Nothing had changed there.

tim listened impassively as the president and the others continued to speak.

Kevin was so relieved when he heard about Miriam that he let out a long sigh, and actually let a giggle slip out. He had been so sure that she was dead, and not even dared to hope otherwise. It was from that moment on that his feelings began to open back up for him. Kevin was slowly becoming 'human' again; losing his kinship with the metal hulks that they'd destroyed.

Kevin, for his turn, spoke in the most proper English. He used manners that befit the Queen and her court. His tone was even and formal. "Mr. President, sir. You asked how we accomplished that amazing task. To put it succinctly, a number of us are... how should I say... intimately familiar with the alien's systems and workings. We were able to devise a plan in which the majority of us distracted the aliens and robots around the Las Vegas ship, while a small group of us infiltrated the ship and took it down from the inside... and apparently the rest of their network as well.

As for everything else, sir, let me first inform you of the mutant's medical situation, as you have probably never been briefed by someone who is both a doctor and a mutant. The MIC camps were flawed from their inception. They were designed to stop the spread of the virus, however every single mutant already carries it. The reason for their supposed success, in lowering the number of fatalities, is that it hampered the use of powers. It is the use of our abilities that aggravate the virus and lead to our deaths; and as such, even if it infected the human population as a whole, which it may already have done, it would still affect only the mutants, as we're the only ones with powers.

Now you have some facts, besides the fact that we saved the planet from alien invasion, with which to fight future legislation. And I am more than willing to speak as an authority to any body of lawmakers on the subject; provided I haven't been otherwise detained.

One last thing, Mr. President, sir. But you say that the League of Nations is coming back? If I remember my history correctly, sir, in its' first inception it was a complete failure at its' primary purpose, and the United States, who was a strong force in establishing it, failed to ever join it. The UN, while it has had its share of shortcomings, has been markedly better than the League ever was. Are you saying that this is going to change now? Is the 'support' that we've been promised in finishing this fight from the U.S. alone or are you promising on the behalf of the U.N. or the League?"

Kevin waited patiently for the President to reply to what he had said, giving him a polite 'thank you, sir' when he was finished and stepping back with the rest of the group.

Hopefully his superiors wouldn't find fault with what he'd said, exposed, or promised. He'd find out later today though.

Sly waited as the others said their piece but it finally boiled up out of him, "So Mr. President, the MIC's actually lowered the fatality rates for the mutants you say? Does that statistic include the fact that nearly every mutant on the planet is now dead precisely because we were easy stationary targets for the Aliens? Has it even occurred to you that we might have been herded into those camps because the Aliens orchestrated it?"

"Uh...Sly...there're a lot of reasons the MICs sucked," Juno says, "But I don't think anyone was really thinking that making us sitting ducks for alien invasion forces was on the top of anyone's list."

Grav looked at Sly in shock and quickly anger. "I'd be careful what you accuse the President of Sly."

She shakes her head. "Honestly what passes for good manners these days."

The President listened very carefully to Kevin's report while Ms. Storm was taking notes recording what has been said on her PDA. He smiled at Kevin appreciating his attempt to be precise and to the point.

"The League of Nations we're talking about now has nothing to do with the historical attempt to form such. We are looking at one world government. One united nations of the world - no exceptions. I believe in the face of near extinction we have finally managed to overcome our prejudice and move on as one people of planet earth."

The situation in the Oval Office was suddenly getting emotional again when Sly spoke up and even the President had a hard time keeping his temper.

"I think you have no idea what it means to lead this country, Mister. I am not the one to blame but if you feel better this way feel free to unload your frustration - I will keep this conversation inside these walls.", he wanted to add more to that but decided against it. Taking a deep breath the President resumed his former, friendly attitude and looked at the much younger mutants who haven't said anything yet.

Yeah, good luck with that. Thought Tim. Some Underdeveloped pisswater nation will never agree to join into a global governement. Their leaders are too powerhungry to let that happen. They will tell their people that it is a plot by the US to take away their sovereignty, and your mighty, new League of Nations will fall as well. While Tim's view was cynical, he had also read plenty about the histories of these nations. Those savage fucking nations will never go along. They still hate their neighbor because he's froma different tribe. The fools will even deny the existence of aliens to keep themselves in the dark.

Sly nodded as if in response to something other than the President's words. In an about face that had no external stimulus Sly's attitude toward the President changed completely. "Thank you Sir. I trust you and will support your bid for the world Presidency."

Making connection with the others mentally Sly shares what he learned, *The President is aware of manipulations by the Aliens and that many other world governments were infiltrated Germany being the most compromised. They did cause us to be rounded up. He also is not at all happy about that and would have fought it if he had known at the time. Apparently the US was less compromised than most of the other countries.*

((OOC: Those who resist Sly's contact he will skip.))

To his credit, Adrian doesn't look at Sly when he gets the news. He does relax visably though, as some of the anger and tension leaves him. His parents weren't total fools fighting for this country after all. Betrayal came from an outside source.

"I'm almost ready to fight. I need to put a few things in order then I'm on board."

"Oh yeah, we need Travis and Ronnie back. I know I'm repeating it, but its important. Really important."

The President sighed not because he was frustrated it was more a gesture of finding his centre.

"Good - I think we're all on the same side. Unfortunately I cannot say anything about your two missing friends... Ms Storm?", he turned to the secretary who briefly nodded.

"I'll get them here ASAP, Mr. President.", her statement sounded as if she had already done that.

"Alright - we're making progress. I'm about to get to the Press conference and need some briefing before we start it. I hope you all take up our offer to work for the government as I am planning to form a special mutant team and establish it as Earth's defender. I assure you, your future and that of your families will be secured both financially and politically. Let me know how you decided after I'm done with the conference. Ms. Storm will provide you the details."

The President excused himself and left the Oval office leaving the Secretary and the Secret Service with the mutants behind.

"Well... in case you don't want to join the team you'd be still provided financially and with a full package of insurances for lifetime. You won't have to work again and can decide where you want to live. You'll get a house with personell and your own security to make sure you're not molested.", she looked the mutants each in the eyes before she continued.

"Should you decide to join the team you'll get the same package on top of working for the government - your salary in this case will be far higher, trust me on that."

"So what's your call?"

Simon and Savi had stayed towards the back of the group, doing their best to be inconspicuous and overlooked. Simon glanced over at his sister at Sly's abrupt change of demeanor and then the mental 'knock' on the twin's shared mind-space. After the telepath had moved on, Simon silently asked his other self, *Well, what do you think? If our family is okay and Sly is right about the president, we'd be able to be with them and help them. I'm not sure about this whole 'Defenders of Earth' thing, but it's not like we had much else planned.*

With all the time they'd spent being batteries and in a coma, the twins might look like adults, but they were still little more than teenagers. They'd left so much behind that the thought of going home was both alluring and little frightening to Simon.

Juno frowned as she thought it over. Finally she planted her hands on her hips and asked, "First, what'll we have to do? Who'll we take orders from? And second, can we quit or is this one of those things where once we're in, we're in, and we know too much to ever leave?"

Sly couldn't help but smile at Juno's question. Know too much! If some people knew that Sly was even aware of their existence he'd be some kind of target either for forced recruitment or more likely termination, and he'd just scratched the surface. Now that he had access to the center of politics there was no limit to how deep he could go in discovering the conspiracies and plots and secret agencies that the taxpayer unknowingly funded.

He decided it was time to take a chance.
*Mr. President, I don't know if this room is bugged, so I apologize for speaking to you directly mind to mind. It is not something I would ordinarily do. I try to respect the privacy of others unless my personal safety or those of my friends here are at stake. I believe you should be aware of something I learned today. There is a shadow organization within the US government dedicated to using and controlling mutants. It is an unofficial and illegal offshoot of the NSA called the Mutant Division. The man in charge is Alexander Nash a former US Army General. They have some rather unpleasant means for keeping mutants in line like devices that enhance the effects of the Virus. It is they who currently hold Travis and Ronnie our two missing companions. That's how I discovered their existence. I am not asking to have them shutdown or imprisoned or anything. I just thought you should be aware of their existence and know that we, my friends and I are. Should it ever come to hostilities I will arrange to have the group and all of it's illegal and politically embarrassing exploits exposed to the world media. Also, I want you to know that I believe in you and will do what I can to support you since I believe you are the right candidate to lead the world in this crisis. I would very much ask that you not reveal to the press or even do you best to suppress any mention of my powers. People fear telepaths, sometimes for good reasons, in cases like Mr. Nash, but that makes me and those like me targets above and beyond my companions.*

Kevin listened intently to everything that was said, verbally and otherwise. He allowed Sly to speak to his mind, but did his best to hide everything that was in there.

After the President left, he listened to Ms. Storm and the beginnings of her proposal. After she finished and Juno had spoken, Kevin spoke up. "I have a few questions to add to hers. We would be working for the United States government, correct? Is this just until the new 'League of Nations' if finalized and put into effect, or would this be a U.S. thing even after that? Where would we be stationed? Would we react to threats or situations on a global scale, or only in regards to the U.S. and her interests? In fact, what type of threats, situations or other events would we be sent out to fix, correct, stop or otherwise 'set straight'?

Ms. Storm, the benefits are nice, but what's the so-called 'job description' of what we'd be agreeing or disagreeing to. I think that'd help everybody else make a decision. I, however, have some others who I have to inform about this and hear where they weigh in on the issue before I make a final decision."

With that, Kevin patiently waited for an answer.

"I think it's important we nkow whose in charge and if we can quit if asked to do something we are opposed to. I really don't care wether or not I work for the US, or the League. I imagine I'll be doing the same kind of work."

He stepped closer to Juno once he had finished speaking.

"Those are all viable questions...", Ms. Storm said and smiled professionally.

"You'll be working for the League of course and would respond to the President alone. As your own Department you will get an liasions officer who will have a small staff of employees to coordinate your efforts at the HQ. Structure, leadership and organisation will be left to you - you're going to get as much freedom as possible to execute your missions. As Earths primary line of defense you're expected to defend Earhts citizen from every outer and inner threats that put our freedom in jeopardy. If you want to retire at one point later in your career option 2 of the deal will take effect." Ms. Storm looked at the mutants hoping to get a positive response from what she was saying.

"Of course it would be a huge boon to the President's popularity in case you accepted this offer which we expect to influence the election to our favour...", the Secretary added quietly.

Savannah shared a long glance with her brother, biting her lip a little bit as they silently spoke - a sign of her thoughtfulness.

*I suppose we could. I mean.. what else are we going to do? People are always going to know who we are. I guess if nothing else, we should help with the current situation. I mean, we'll never really be able to say that we're safe if we don't get this taken care of, will we?*

Savannah seemed equally hesitant about the idea, and he got the distinct impression that his second half would feel more comfortable about returning home if they didn't have alien invasions to worry about anymore. She seemed uncomfortable with the idea of getting their parent's hopes up - or their own - until things seemed more stable.

Annalise nods once. "Sign me up. I'll do what I can as long as I can."

"We will join as well." Simon's voice was quiet, but carried through the room and pulled attention to the blond twins for the first time. "At least until the alien threat is dealt with."

When Sly makes contact with his mind, Tim listens, but seeks to block his emotions. He didn't want anyone to know how much pain he was in. He does respond though, as he seeks answers to what he saw in Sly's mind earlier.
* Who were those aliens and what did they want from you? I saw them when I was in your mind.

When the president made his offer to the them, Tim almost lashed out. While the offer was generous, no amount of money could replace Rosa. For years she was his confidant, friend and in many cases, his dependant. She shared her life experiences with him and vice-versa. She was irreplaceable. As he remembered her laugh, her voice came into his head, as a memory surfaced. 'We can't go back and regret our past. We can only move foreward and remember that which gave us joy or pain'. He made his decision.

"I accept your offer."

The Secretary smiled almost happily at the positive response she was getting from the mutants. Just before she wanted to say something one of the Secret Service agents stepped next to her and whispered something into her ear. She briefly nodded and before she could speak the door opened rather unexpectedly.

Travis and Ronnie entered followed by several Agents all with drawn weapons and really worried looks on their faces.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen...", Ms. Storm motioned carefully towards her people trying to sooth the situation. "Those mutants are no threat... how did you get here so fast?", she asked them somewhat surprised.

Travis gave her a lopsided smile and raised an eyebrow as if that was enough to excuse him and Ronnie. "Now that's a complicated story.", he admitted and making clear there wasn't really much to talk about it.

Changing the subject in his typical nonchalant demeanor Travis added, "So we missed the party already? Aww..."

Kevin acknowledged Travis and Ronnie's dramatic entrance (there was the slight look of fatherly disapproval at the breach of protocol) before he spoke again to Ms. Storm. "Ms. Storm, as I said before, I cannot make my decision right away. Is there anything further for us to do here, or might I be able to go and see the Captain to restore what was lost to him?"

He then turned to the rest of the group. "Guys, as I'm sure you know, I can restore Captain Hick's sight once I get a chance to see him. That is where I plan to go immediately from here. However, what you don't know, is that I have support, resources and influence in England. After the Captain can see, I'm going to ask Grav here to make me a portal to England, where I will meet with my sources and try to garner support for us and our mission. With any luck they can also give us their support, and possibly allow us to use them as a base of operations while we finish the fight in Europe. I'll be in contact once I'm finished over there."

He waited and looked around the group, hoping to get their approval. Unlike Travis and Ronnie, he wouldn't just run out on them with no explanation before hand.

"Decision? What decision? Are you thinking of having that surgery to get the stick out of your ass? 'Cause I totally support you if you choose to go through with it." Travis' smirk was insufferable and despite his somewhat ill appearance from the virus it showed that he was quite clearly still feeling himself. He walked over to Adrian and Juno, "Hey kids, miss us?"

Ronnie choose a seat and sat down. Unlike Travis, she had exacerbated the progress of the virus in her system and she truly felt like shit. But she wouldn't admit that was in part because of what she'd learned today.

She wasn't in control of her own destiny. Nothing was what she thought it was. Raven had made it clear; she had been directing everything from the beginning, and Ronnie and the Others had been her pawns. Ronnie was ready to fight her, but how do you fight someone who is you?

"Is England not on board with us?" Ronnie asked, rubbing her face. "I have someone who might help with-" She cut herself off, and tears started to sting her eyes as the loss of her sister Rebecca really set in, becoming reality. "I mean," she added, her voice hoarse with tears, "I had someone who could help with England. I can help with contacts in Germany, though, myself."

Ronnie thought she was holding herself together, but there was a shattered sense of vulnerability to her that had been absent before.

Juno aimed a coquettish smile at Travis and swayed her hips playfully, bumping Adrian in the process. "Hey, welcome back. You missed the exposition and job offer. Guess you've already got a job though..."

Her smile fades when she sees something wholly unexpected. Ronnie sitting there, looking lost with moist eyes. The idea of Ronnie being vulnerable is hard to swallow.

"Are you guys okay?"

Travis looked and saw Ronnie apparently starting to crack under the strain of recent events. "We've been better. We got some answers but they weren't what we expected and they raised more questions than they answered." He shook his head, "On the plus side I see brain boy is up and about, which bodes well for me. Apparently I got teeped in the skull," he taps his forehead with his index finger. "Scrambled my brains to make me forget stuff ..." Travis trailed off as he saw Ronnie's eyes actually start to go red and wet, Oh hell.

He excused himself with a joke about forgetting his manners in his other pants and went to Ronnie. He stood in front of her trying to provide some measure of privacy. "I'd ask if you were OK, but even I can see that you aren't. So instead I'll ask if I can do anything."

Ms. Storm took Kevin briefly to the side and spoke in a low voice to him not wanting to interrupt the re-joining of the lost friends. "We can take you to the military hospital right away. I believe the Captain would be very grateful if you could really restore his eyesight.", she nodded at Kevin and waited for him to be ready to go.

"My men will get you there as soon as you are ready."

"Not right now," Ronnie said, managing a smile for him. "Though I wouldn't turn down a cigar and somewhere to smoke it in." The privacy would give her enough time to shoot off some tears and compose herself again. "What do the kids know? Anything new?"