New Teams, Old Problems

Chapter 3: John Jonah Jameson

K had to smirk to herself as the junior squad kids came in that morning, out of breath, sweaty, and looking like they'd been half beaten down in addition to running. Scott was a bit red-faced but more or less unbothered, and Logan ... looked like he always did — though listening to the complaining kids clearly had the wheels turning in his head on how best to make them suffer tomorrow.

He made his way over to plant a little kiss on the top of her head before he headed up to hit the shower, and in his absence, Bobby came in and turned the news on — as he usually did on his arrival to the kitchen.

"He's getting started bright and early," Bobby commented in a thick voice as he poured his first cup of coffee. "There oughta be a law against giving him a microphone before ten A.M."

K chuckled and held out her mug for Bobby to top her off. Elin was giggling and playing in the little playpen just off the kitchen, so K was taking a moment to slowly wake up. But she was forced to pay attention as JJ seemed to be on a full on rant — and the show had only been on the air for five minutes. "He really is worked up today, isn't he?" she asked before she actually honed in on what he was saying.

"All I'm asking for is a little transparency and accountability," JJ said. "We know next to nothing about this woman, and while we're picking up the pieces, she's continuing on as a non-entity, not concerned with things like consequences or laws." He twisted his moustache for a moment. "I'm telling you — the skeletons that must be in that woman's closet. What's got her so scared to come defend herself from starting a war? You'd think that would be her worst offense, but something worse scared her off."

"Hey Bobby, put some popcorn on; this oughta be enlightening," K said with a smirk. "Let's see how good he really is."

Bobby looked like he couldn't believe K could use the word "good" to describe JJ, but he turned it up anyway as JJ continued to rant.

"I'm sure it wouldn't surprise any thinking person to know that this person walking around with the X-Men unregistered and unchecked isn't even on our side," JJ said with relish as he leaned forward. "In fact, she's been involved in multiple strikes against legitimate agencies meant to cripple their ability to protect us. She's got a kill list that would blow your mind — and those are just the ones you won't lose your lunch reading. This woman is vicious, and we're letting her run around with no oversight!"

"Better tell Fury he's out of a job," K said dryly as Bobby smirked alongside her.

"That's why she's not out here telling her side of the story, like the Avengers are," JJ said conclusively. "And that's only what I've seen from a few of the crimes and misdeeds she's committed, and I haven't even been through the rest of what I've found. But trust me, there's enough in here to make the headlines for a month before I run out of material. And she knows she's got no defense for her laundry list of crimes — so she's staying in the shadows. No one is pulling her out of her hiding place to demand answers, and I want to know why!"

"Yeah, I bet you're trying to pull her too. You even called yet, JJ?" Kate grumbled out at the TV as she came down to breakfast a bit earlier than usual, a wide-awake Krissy in her arms clearly the culprit of her early-morning wakeup call.

"Good morning, sunshine," K sang out. "How are things with our little purple elfling?"

"She seems to think if she's sleeping, she's missing all the action," Kate said, as Krissy stared around wide-eyed and tried to take it all in, her tail in constant motion.

"She is not wrong," K replied as she pushed her coffee mug away. "Want a break?"

"I'm okay," Kate said, even as she gently handed Krissy over so she could pour herself some coffee that Krissy wouldn't tip over with her out-of-control tail.