Jackie Crighton had to smile slightly as the white haired young listened to Rachel's exciting story. "I almost can't believe that Mr. Wisdom had it in him," she admitted, having changed out of the usual borrowed X-men uniform and into more casual clothes. Rachel and Kate sat together on a couch nearby the fireplace in the common room, sharing some cocoa before going to bed. They made an unusual looking couple, the redheaded teen and the silver metal skinned woman, but somehow they just fit. Jackie watched them, largely uaware that her own expression showed a mix of envy and regret. Rachel chuckled, "I know , Pete does spend a fair bit of time smoking and complaining, but he was really good out there." "Why were you asking?" Kate asked curiously, the living technology that made up her face tasking on a curious look. She lookerd like a statue that came to life,. coated in circuitry and wires, and it could be just a bit unnerving to those who first met her. Jackie felt a faint bit of color appear on her cheeks, "Just curious, I guess." She cleared her throat, "Mr. Wisdom is a interesting man." There was a slightlly impish smile on Rachel's face as she said, "Yeah, I guess he is. It heps that he doesn't much like talking about his activities in the old days, too." Kate snuggled there with Rachel, the two clearly enjoying each other's presence. "Has our resident mad scientist made any progress?" she decided to change the subject, taking pity on the clearly embarased woman.. "Some," Jackie admitted as she drank from her own hot cup of cocoa. "It appears my body is storing up thermal energy until it explosively releases," she quietly explained, "she thinks with practice I can use it at will." "That would be helpful," Rachel noted. She studied the white haired woman, "I hesitate to ask, but do you think you might be sticking around once your powers situation is solved?" "You don't think that I'll be outstaying my welcome?" Jackie asked them with a charming sort of nervousness. "You've fit in pretty well so far," Kate answered Jackie firmly, "and I'm pretty sure Pete would be glad to have you." She chuckled softly as she added, "Not to mention having more practical experrience than most of us here." Jackie considered a moment the smiled slightly. "You know, I think I'll go give Pete the good news," she said, excusing herself. "Well isn't that intersting," Rachel finally murmured after Jackie had gone. "Don't assume too much," Kate chided her gently. She smiled as she continued, "Just because she's curious about Pete doesn't mean anything." "Still," Rachel smirked. Largely unaware that she was the topic of amused speculation Jackie walked the halls of the Muir Island Mutant Research facility, first heading to the kitchen to drop off her now empty cup then over to the command center, the place that Pete was most likely to be hanging out in between missions or if he hadn't anything better to do. Sitting by the main computer screen Pete was looking up at the image of Reed Richards, thge two talking softly. Reed, also known as the adventurer Mr. Fantastic and leader of the Fantastic Four, had a faint frown on his face, He wasn't the oldest looking man, though premature grey lightened his temples, and his face was still unlined. "I'm glad to say we've dealt with the security break that let Mouse hack into our systems," he explained, blue jumpsuit crisply clean. "Did you figure out the problem?" Pete asked, lighting a cigarette. "The hackers used our link with SHIELD's computer system," Reed said grimly, "they have good security but not up to the level the Avengers of Fantastic Four have. I've informed Nick Fury about it, and they hope to patch the holes." Pete nodded grimly, picking up his coffee and slurping on it. "Have you had any luck finding out what the hackers got?" he asked. Reed brightened a bit, "That I can help you with. Our system logged the file sections they went for, I'll email you a listing of what they got." Pete nodded then took a bracing breath before he asked, "Anything major I need to be worried about their having?" Reed hesitated, then with a sigh said, "They accessed genetic data that I compiled on Franklin, my son, as well as Rachel Summers." The look on Pete's face was priceless as he digested that little piece of information. "So whoever the Marauders work for have the data on Phoenix and a little boy who's powers are already right off the scales..." He visibly shook himself, "You should know that a police officer here will be contacting you, a Dai Thomas." Reed actually smiled wryly as he replied, "I already spoke to him by phone. He's a fairly unique person, I think." "Good at his job, though," Pete replied. Noting that Jackie was waiting nearby he excused himself, promising to update Reed on any further developments. "Sorry for interrupting," Jackie said as she walked over to his side, silently glad that the vents cleared the cigatette smoke away. Pete smiled up at her, "Actually I'm glad to be rescued." He made a face, "Richards is a good man but I didn't need another techno-babble filled explaination." "He does that often?" Jackie asked, taking a nearby chair. "The few times I've met him on the job, yes," Pete agreed. He crushed his cig out as he contrinued, "So what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" "I was wondering if you'd object to me staying on with the team after Cecelia is done with me?" Jackie asked confidently. Pete looked over at her in surprise then he visibly brightened, "Really? I'd be glad to have you aboard, Jackie." "Thank you," Jackie grinned. "You'd better get ready for your teammates to start dressing you," Pete said impishly after a few moments thought.. Jackie blinked at him. "Huh?" she asked intelligently. Pete grinned, "You can almost be sure that someone, probably Rachel, is going to be redesigning your costume, now that you're staying on." Jackie had to admit he had a point, especially considering her usual red and gold costume dated back to world war two. "I hope they don't try anything too radical," she sighed, "I've seen some of the X-Men's costumes these days." "They aren't that bad," Pete said mildly. "I've seen the White Queen's uniform," Jackie said dryly. Pete actually laughed, "Okay, point. But I think that she's a special case." "I'd say," Jackie chuckled. She studied him thoughtfully a m,oment, "At least you've managed to avoid wearing any costumes." Pete snorted, then drank a bit of his coffee. "Back when I was in Excalibur the first time I told 'em that I wouldn't wear one, thanks," he shrugged. Jackie found herself saying, "Oh I don't know, I'd think you'd look pretty god in skin tight spandex." A blush colored her cheeks and the white haired young lady nearly clapped her hand over her mouth, she was that embarassed. "Oh no," Pete shook his head, "I can't imagine wearing that sort of thing in an English winter." He shuddered visibly, "A man could lose important bits." Jackie chuckled softly. Pete grinned back, his expression mostly impish. Finishing off his coffee he said, "You want to go see if there's any leftovers from dinner?" "Sounds like an idea," Jackie smiled as the two walked out together.
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