Allistaire Stuart watched with a certain amount of awe as Kitty and Illyanna thanked the assembled magicians then bid them farewell, the astral forms disappearing one by one. "Did you get the data you wanted?" Alysande asked from nearby, her uniform crisp and neat as usual. Her eyes weren't focused on the departing magicians, though, instead she looked towards where Rachel and Phoenix were talking. "Reams of it," Allistaire answered her honestly, "we'll be analyzing it for weeks." He hesitated, looking at her thoughtfully then bluntly asked, "Are you taken with this American?" "What?" Alysande blurted. Allistaire gave his twin a wry smile. "I know you pretty well," he reminded her gently, "besides, we have similar tastes." "Well yes," Alysande acknowledged. Allistaire had been trying to charm Rachel off and on, but the young woman hadn't show all that much interest in him. She tried not to be obvious watching Jean as she continued, "But I'm needed here..." "True enough, but," Allistaire raised a finger, an impish smile on his face, "I seem to recall you haven't taken any vacation time in the last few years." "Well we've been busy," Alysande began to smile, seeing where he was going. "I think you have several months saved up by now," Allistaire said thoughtfully, "and a vacation in America would be quite the thing." A bit more seriously he added, "It would certainly give you the chance to get to know her a bit better." "But would you be all right, Allistaire?" Alysande asked him softly. "I'll miss having a military liaison who knows me as well as you do," Allistaire acknowledged, "but I can manage the administrative end all right. I should be fine." "Now I have to try asking them," Alysande fretted softly. "Courage," he encouraged her, Allistaire giving her a gentle push forward. Alysande walked over to Kitty and Illyanna, who were saying good-bye to Jennifer Kale, the last of the magicians to leave. "Maybe we'll see each other at the Witching Hour," the young blonde waved then Jennifer faded away. "Alysande," Kitty smiled at her, the brown haired magician giving her a curious look. "Are you planning to leave soon?" Alysande asked cautiously. "With the Anti-Phoenix dealt with we don't have much reason to stick around," Illyanna said, the blonde young woman looking mildly amused about something. Alysande wasn't quite sure she liked Illyanna, in all honestly. There was something mildly disquieting about the girl, but it was more of a subtle undercurrent. "True enough," Alysande agreed, trying to think about hot to bring up her request. "I was wondering," Kitty looked at Alysande with a merry twinkle in her eye, "has the Weird Happenings Organization had much experience with magic?" "Some," Alysande said cautiously. "We were thinking that the WHO could send a observer along with us to the States," Illyanna stepped in smoothly, "but it would have to be someone already familiar with us, and I think a woman might be best." Alysande felt herself blush, realizing that both young women knew of her interest and were interested in helping. "Do you have anyone in mind?" she asked casually. Kitty wasn't fooled, of course. "How would you like the job, Colonel?" she asked with a grin. "I'd like that very much," Alysande agreed, "just let me grab my overnight bag." Illyanna had to fight back a laugh as Alysande raced off, a bounce to the older woman's steps. "I'm glad that Phoenix is sticking around for awhile to train Rachel in controlling the power of the baby-Phoenix," she remarked. "She sure sounded glum about leaving England and Alysande, I noticed," Kitty said, rubbing her hands together gleefully. "You are such a matchmaker," Illyanna laughed. Rachel quietly made her way over, leaving Jean alone to look out on the water with a sad look on her face. She smiled at her teachers wryly as the younger redhead asked, "What are we going to do about Jean and Alysande?" she asked. Both Kitty and Illyanna looked at each other then they began to laugh. "So you noticed them, too?" Kitty asked. "Hard not to," Rachel said, "it's like watching two teenagers too scared to make the first move." She frowned at them, "So what's so funny?" "It's already been taken care of," Illyanna reassured her, "Alysande is accompanying us to the states as a WHO observer." "Good," Rachel chuckled, "I think Jean was considering doing something rash, otherwise." Kitty had the sudden mental image of Jean slinging Alysande over her shoulder and had to fight back a laugh. "I'm glad that wasn't necessary." Jean turned from watching the waters, frowning slightly as she saw Kitty, Rachel and Illyanna laughing together. She felt a certain amount of relief at the defeat of the Anti-Phoenix, but more regret that her time spent here was coming to an end so soon. It was odd... she hadn't been so intrigued by someone in a long time, and to know she probably wouldn't see Alysande again hurt. Alysande emerged from her tent with a bag slung over her shoulder, her military cap straight and a smile on her face. She strode over to Kitty and the others, exchanged quiet words with them then walked over to where the now nervous Jean waited. "Is the WHO breaking camp already?" Jean asked her quietly. "Not exactly," Alysande set her bag down by her feet, then took her cap off to run a hand through her brown hair. "I'm going with you." Jean blinked at her in surprise, feeling her depression suddenly begin to lift. "What?" she asked, wonder in her voice. "Technically I'm observing for WHO," Alysande explained. "And how long will this be?" Jean asked her gently, reaching out a bit hesitantly to take Alysande's hand. With a warm smile Alysande squeezed those fingers, "Oh, I've got several months vacation time saved up." Jean and Alysande began to walk back towards where Kitty, Illyanna and Rachel were standing close together. "And what do Kitty and Illyanna think of this?" Jean asked a bit warily. "They suggested it," Alysande said a bit wryly. She and Jean exchanged a glance, both a bit amused at how easy they were to read. Allistaire joined them just as Jean and Alysande reached the group. "Remember to email me occasionally," he reminded Alysande gently, "I'd worry about you otherwise." "I'll remember," Alysande reassured him. "Thank you for all your help," Kitty shook his hand, "it's been good to meet you." "No, thank you," Allistaire grinned back, "our observations from this event will keep us busy for months, at least." "Typical scientist," Rachel laughed. Dropping her voice she added to him alone, "I'm sorry, but I have a girlfriend back home." "It's all right," Allistaire shrugged with a smile. "Best get your sensors ready," Illyanna said impishly, "you're in for another show." Even as a few WHO techs held out monitors Illyanna summoned a stepping disk, the silvery energy construct sweeping over the group and teleporting them away. "Incredible," Allistaire Stuart smiled wryly, turning away to guide his techs in packing their gear away. Meanwhile in the Sanctum the group appeared... ... just as the alarms warning of an attacker went off. "Now what?" Kitty grumbled. "Outside," Illyanna said, leading the race over to a window. Guardian creatures had been automatically manifested to protect the sanctum from physical attack, but the woman outside was making short work of them. Her brown hair was short, matching the simple brown and gold bodysuit she wore, and shockingly twin metallic claws extended from the back of each hand. "Jane?" Rachel exclaimed in shock. "Who!" everyone looked at Rachel.
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