" A mother's arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them." 

- Victor Hugo -

        Elder Carol Danvers and Allen Stroud spent walking along the dark hallway with a tall reptilian boy who held a candelabra. They headed their way to the East Wing of the mansion to find their respective rooms. The rusty 19th Century furniture and wall decorations were seen along the way which Allen kept looking at them. Then, he noticed some people sleeping in the rooms while the others snoring on the living room couch. The rest were sleeping on the floor as Carol saw them. The three were careful enough not to disturb them. 

     " So, lizard. How have you kept this place from being discovered? " Allen curiously asked in a low voice. 

     " It's an abandoned mansion, " he answered. " The Kree soldiers and the Chaos Insurgency couldn't make their way here. I found it by myself. "

    " Oh good, " she nodded. " Nice choice."

    " I still have few contacts from the rebel forces. My fellow lizard friend, Jared Coulson helps me to bring these people here. He goes along with Jake Fury. "

    Allen never realized this lizard boy had a fellow friend who helped him. He turned to Carol and smiled at her. The elderly half-Kree woman just nodded and understood of this secret activity. 

   " I see guess the Chaos Insurgency would be to be busy on hunting heroes like you, Carol. " 

   " Yeah, Jared Coulson and his pal Jake keep us posted. " she answered and turned to the lizard. " It's great that you have other friends, even they suspect you as 682? "

    " I saved Jared from a tragedy. He lost his girlfriend afterwards. I hope you two will never experience the same thing as his. "

    The boy remembered that incident when a group of attackers and slave drivers put their subjects to death. His best friend had witnessed and lost his girlfriend. The lizard rescued him from any imminent danger and met him. The gas masked man understood what the lizard had said as he thought of someone. 

   " Pretty sure Karena Lesproux moved on by now, " Allen replied. " So guess, I'm not gonna worry about it. " 

   " Did you say Karena Lesproux? " the lizard curiously queried. 
 

  " Yes. What do you know of her? "

  " I saw her fighting against the Kree three weeks ago in the woods, " he replied. " I found her wounded and took her into this place."

  " How bad was her injuries? May I talk to her? " 

  " She's in that room over there, " the hooded being pointed at the farthest room in the hallway. 

   Carol suspiciously glared at the lizard and crossed her arms. The lizard felt intimidated at the elderly blonde woman's death stare and gulped. Allen grinned which he was about to laugh. Carol knocked the gas masked man's arms when Allen became uneasy to look at her.  

  " You boys should really behave when I'm here, " she sternly spoke and turned to the being. " I hope you never scared her, Kid. "

  " Let me explain..." the lizard answered. "  At first, she was afraid of me. She thought I was about to kill her.  When I brought her into this place, she got surprised to see more people joining with her. "

  " Well, I guess I could go see her, " Allen shrugged. " But she is perhaps busy with someone"

  " She's sleeping..."

  " Oh, yeah, I forgot about that. When she wakes up, I could surprise her. She was in fact the leader of my squad, too. "

  " Well, that's great to hear that, " Carol smiled and stretched her arms upward as she was yawning. The two noticed her action which they were finding some rooms to sleep.  " You know... this kid is taking us to more people."

  " Suppose maybe he is trying to recruit us? " Allen asked. 

  " Well, I think he's on our side, but he works underground. " she nodded and turned to the lizard. " Kid, you could have been a good spy. "

   The lizard boy heard the old Kree-hybrid woman's compliment and blushed harder. He never experienced being appreciated by anyone in his life. For him, it was rare which he had experienced the worst days. Carol wanted to learn more from the boy as soon as she could, but she was very tired after the trip and the violent encounter. She thought of having a serious talk with him anytime when they could get to know further. 

  " I just wanted to help as much as I can. " 

  " You have my thanks for saving my friend. So that's a first from me. I guess Carol still owes you for having me shooting you, " he laughed a bit.

  " Seriously, it was just a first attempt, " the elderly woman monotonously answered and glared at him.

  " Really?! You ordered me to shoot him! " 

  " Yeah... you're welcome...." the lizard unsurely spoke. " I'm sorry that I didn't ask your name. Oh...how rude of me..."

  " Carol Danvers, Captain Marvel." she offered him a handshake. " Sorry for that supposed onslaught...."

  " It's nice to meet you...." he responded with the same gesture. " And it's all right..."

  " My name is Allen Stroud, former agent, now a mercenary, " the man nodded his head at the lizard and removed his gas masked. He was in his late-twenties as they noticed him. 

   " Yeah...It's nice to meet you, too. "

   The lizard recalled Carol and Allen's conversation earlier which he closely paid attention earlier. He turned to them and decided to open-up. Carol's intriguing mind was turned on when she put her both hands on her waist. She waited for him to speak when they stopped at the corner near the empty room. 

   " So, you two have been looking for the Kree Eternal's son as I heard, " he said. "  If I find him, then I'll let him meet and talk to you. "

  " Do you know where we can start looking for him? " Allen asked. 

   " I'm not sure if you can see him. " 

  " Methie has been finding him in years, Kid, " Carol added. " We hope that your species never hurt his son. "

  " That I cannot guarantee, but I'm sure he's alive and searching for his family. "

  " Well with 682 and the Chaos looking it makes our job quite difficult, " the mercenary sighed. " I wish I was born an Inhuman or a mutant. " 

  " The mutants and the Inhumans might help in your search as well as your enemies, " the lizard assured. " I'm sure they have answers with that man you're looking for. "

  " Sure, kid. " Carol nodded and smiled. " They can be a good help along the way. "

  " This will be your room. You can sleep here. " he said. 

  " Well, how about me? " Allen asked and scratched his head. " I want to get my own. "

  " You can find one. "

   " Yeah, sure. Thanks, pal..." 

   " I need to get some sleep, I'll see you in the morning, " he said.

   " Goodnight " she smiled and looked at the lizard's lonely green eyes. The elderly half-Kree woman sighed and watched him going farther. 

   The two entered into the empty room where the furnitures were covered with a white cloth. Allen found a chair, carefully removed it, and sat down. Carol coughed at the dusts which she was waving and shaking off with her left hand after fixing the bed. Then, the half-Kree woman opened the balcony's window which she saw a gloomy and beautiful view of Paris and the Eiffel Tower from a distance. She sadly sighed in seeing it. It was no longer the lively City of Lights which everyone had known. Carol realized it was doomed when the Kree and the Lizards invaded Earth some years ago. Still looking at the distant and dark Parisian view, her mind wandered to the lizard boy whom she had met. The blue blood of his had puzzled her and remained a mystery. 

   Allen noticed the old woman standing at the balcony where she spend several minutes staring at the view. He stood up from his seat and crossed his arms. Carol turned to him which the mercenary gave her a suggesting look. 

 
  " Aren't ya gonna sleep, old lady? It's already late,  " he reminded.  " You spent stargazing and night watching around. "

  " Sorry, I'm sad to see Paris like that.  It's not the greatest city in the world anymore, " she replied. 

  " You seemed reminiscing those good ol' days, Captain Marvel. "

 
  " Allen, I'm just wondering, " the elderly half-Kree woman changed her topic. " Could it be him? He's more different than 682." 

  " Maybe by chance that he might be a copy of it? " the mercenary returned to his seat and pondered.

  " Yeah, the real 682 has several reptilian eyes, but the kid's eyes more like humanoid,"  Carol entered the room, instantly sat on the bed, and held a pillow. Her face seemed puzzled from what she had observed earlier. " They're just like Methie's. What do you think? "

  " When I fought that abomination, its scales were able to handle bullets. Recently I shot him, it was able to go through."

  " Do you mean he's...."

  " I guess we don't have to search no more, " he said to her. " Let's see further more, until you make the choice if he is the one or not. "

  " Well, I'm still finding ways to gain trust, " she answered. " But I have plans for him as Methie has told me. "

  " Can you explain to me of your plans for him or that between you and him? "

   
   Carol remained silent and recalled something from she and the Kree-Eternal in the past. Allen was eager in listening which he became more intrigued. He put down his weapon and gas mask on the floor and leaned on his seat. 

   " Project: Marvel, " she seriously answered. " Thirty years ago, the MTF scientists took my DNA and his to form a test-tube Kree baby boy. They kept him contained for years to reach his adult form. It's a very classified project. Possible, that kid will have his new body, soon. "

  " But how are you going to take him out of that body? "

  " Well, they have a sophisticated machine for that body transfer in Paris which I need to see it. " 

  " What will become of his old body? "

  " I don't know. That means, this process will make him my son. "

  " I guess you finally got what you want, " Allen smiled. " Do you think he could overthrow that Kree tyrant? "

   " That's what Methie has predicted, " she shrugged. " But for now I have to let him find out by himself. The kid will never believe me if I tell this anytime."

  " More like, he will have to learn soon from you. Sometimes, the truth comes out. "

  " Yeah, he will, but I hope our enemies will never enslave or manipulate him as the monster we know. "

  " Well with you by his side, maybe he will have a chance. Since, he doesn't have a family in the beginning, " the mercenary suggested. "  That means you can be a mother to him, right? "

 
  " It will be challenge to raise a boy like him, but I'll do my best to be a mother, " Carol determinedly answered and warned. " If Kasius enslaves him, we need to keep an eye on that kid. "

   " Well, if it comes to it. Maybe you should make a team for him? " 

   " I might ask Methie to come, but Kasius wants him dead. That's why he's disguising as someone else."

   " The only way to help is his son. So,  I guess the risk is worth it. " Allen gave the old lady an idea. " That part I can fill in for you. " 

   " Good, I'll do what it takes even people will ridicule me. It doesn't matter to me at all, " she smiled. " Anyway, the place is in New York once we infiltrate there, but we're here in France. "

   " So, we need to fix that. Do you still have a Quinjet? " 

   " We left the Quinjet earlier, " she reminded. " We need to secure the people here. "

    " Oh, crap! I forgot! " he chuckled and snapped his fingers. " Then, with this several people here, maybe we got our small army already to start a cause. " 

   " This young man can help, " Carol smiled. " I hope so. " 

   " If your plan works for him. " 

   " If he listens to me, then why not. "

   " What if he gets carried away with his power? Could you handle in calming him down? "

   " I guess so, " she replied and looked at the window. " But he doesn't have any powers, yet. I don't even know if he could find his ways to do so. "

   " I understand then, " Allen nodded and put his arms at the back of his head. " Anyway, tell me. What did you see in his mind? " 

   " There's a hint of loneliness even he could not tell. He wanted to open-up, but he's ashamed about it. " 

  " So, I guess he hasn't much friends I take it nor family members, " the mercenary sadly sighed. " That must be difficult for him to experience that. Yet, I wonder why. " 

   " That's the point, " the elder said. " If he claims to be a 682, but where does his Kree genes come from? "

   " Why not ask him again, if he wakes up. "

   Carol was creating questions from her mind and willing to find answers from the boy's life. Looking at the stars from the night sky,  her light soul sparked from her mind and got an inspiration to dedicate herself in becoming a mother. The half-Kree woman was ready to take the responsibility, but her alcohol problem  lingered. It could be very conflicting to handle a son and that old habit. She must find a way how to overcome it. 
 
   Suddenly, they heard the lizard's voice on the other room as he was having a nightmare and crying. Allen and Carol seemed to be troubled and anxious which the people from this mansion would wake up. 

   " Better check on him Carol, " he reminded. " This could be your chance to see what he is dreaming about. "

   " Right, " the elderly woman nodded. 

    The elderly half-Kree woman rushed into the hallway and entered the lizard's room. She sat beside him and shook his shoulders. He was still crying while sleeping.

   " Kid! Kid! Wake up! Wake up! "

   " C-Carol...." he slowly opened his eyes as his tears flowed on his face. " Why are you here? "

  " Kid, it's okay, " she hugged him and gently rubbed his spiky back. " Don't be afraid. I'm right beside you."

   The lizard was still in tears which he was waking up from a nightmare. The old woman kissed his forehead. This time, he was ready to tell everything from his dream. Carol was willing to hear more from him. 

   " Skirmish...." he answered. 

   " What do you mean? " she asked.

   " Deaths of innocents...I can't take this anymore! I don't want to see!! I DON'T WANT TO SEE!! "

   " Kid, calm down..." 

    Carol read the lizard's mind as she saw the memories of the real 682 committing murder from the past. She was astonished to witness all the bloodshed which the murderer had done. These caused the boy to have a severe depression. He was weeping and wailing as Carol used her red sash to wipe his tears. 

   " Kid, you're having his memories, aren't you? " she asked.

   " I don't want to see those things anymore! "

    The elderly woman hugged him and kissed his forehead. The lizard was still bursting into tears when she gently touched his back. 

   " Kid..."

    Allen watched the two as he sighed and waited for sometime. Carol pacified the lizard boy as she hummed a lullaby which she heard from her mother when she was younger. The boy had calmed himself down which the old woman was still rubbing his back. 

   " Man, this is tough. Is he having PTSD or something? " he curiously thought and asked. "Are you and that freak of nature connected by mind? Do you see what it sees in your dreams?" 

    " I think he is. " she seriously answered. The lizard boy widened his eyes in fear and began weeping. 

    " I don't want to see those things! I don't want to see those things! I don't want to see those things! I DON'T WANT TO SEE THOSE THINGS!!  "

   " Kid, calm down. You're not gonna see those things anymore, " Carol assured and touched his face. " I'm right here. It's okay to cry. " 

    The elderly woman's words had pierced his heart as he sobbed and hugged her. Allen had witnessed the sincere and soft side of Captain Marvel which he had never seen before. He knew she was tough and powerful woman all along, but this scene had shown her natural mother instincts.

   Allen sighed and thought of something as he got curious of why the boy and 682 had the same problem. He waited for him to be pacified and still watching the old woman hugging him. 

   " Hey, Boy...."  Allen broke the silence as the lizard remained silent. "  I'm sorry if I triggered you so much. I'm just plain curious how did you become linked to it? " 

   " I'm a clone of that...monster, " he answered. " Everytime I see his memories, I'm like his prisoner of his own miseries. " 

   " Then please tell me this. How do I kill it if you are a clone of it and see its memories. Do you know how, too? "

   " You can't just kill him...He's indestructible. He even abused me when I was younger. He did something terrible to me. "

    Carol and Allen exchanged glances as they heard something from the lizard boy. He opened up which they wanted know why. 

   " Abused, but how come? " the elderly woman curiously thought and continued rubbing his back. "  Great Pama, this is something else. He has more to tell. " 

   " Carol, wouldn't be the first time I heard that I had some problems in my past with creatures? " the mercenary said.

   " Can you tell me? " she queried. 

   " The company I used to work for hired me to steal a virus sample claiming it to be a virus of a different anomaly. We raided the lab, but things happened the scientist injected himself with the sample. " 

   " Okay, so what happened? "

   " The man got mutated causing an outbreak. I guess the anomaly was capable of making dead bodies into zombies. So me and my squad had to take it out. Karena was not apart of it. Then, we had to clear out witnesses too. So I had to do my orders, when we killed the creature and the survivors. " 

   "  When and how did you meet 682? "

   " The next day that same person who gave us the mission wanted me back into another one to steal a blood sample of that thing, " Allen recalled.  " I found out it was a suicide mission. That thing ambushed us once we were in the sewers. I got Karena out of there while my other men of my squad got torn apart of it. I blew up the sewer passage to block it from chasing me. That 682 was still alive and escaping. Then, I shot my superior soon after and quit the company. " 

   " So, you met him in the sewers. "

   " Yes that was my first time seeing that abomination."

    Carol turned to the lizard and asked." Kid, you can tell me more of your story, soon. But is that what you see from your dream? "

   " Yes...he broke out of the containment..." he answered.

   " Maybe that thing should be sent to a different planet. " the mercenary suggested.

   " Well, this may be a problem for all of us. " Carol muttered. 

   " Kasius is looking for that creature along with his allies, " the boy spoke. "  I'm afraid he's after me. "

    " And what is he gonna do if he gets you and that creature? " Allen asked. 

      " The Kree and Lizard soldiers are looking for a weapon to kill anyone as I heard. That's why I kept hiding from them. "

    " Pretty noble of you taking in all these people even Karena who I....." he paused and blushed as the elderly woman and the lizard boy noticed him. Allen got embarrassed and sighed. "....Well, nevermind. "  

   " I want to make a difference even I look horrible to all of you, " he replied. Carol touched the lizard's hands as she directly looked at him. 

   " Kid, you're not alone, " she replied.

   " Well guess, I'm helping you as well too..." said Allen.

    " Thank you...Allen."

   " It's about time, I played a different role in life...." he smiled. " I guess rather than a hired killer. " 

   " This kid will take us places, " Carol replied and kept hugging the boy. " If only we could find a way for him to deal with his own traumatic experience. "

   " Well...maybe you should find someone who can enter minds and erase those memories?"

    " I wish to do it, Allen. " she laughed. " But apparently, Methie only can do that. "

    The Lizard curiously looked at the elderly Kree-hybrid lady. Carol kissed his scaly cheeks and patted his head. He was blushing harder which he never experienced it.

   " He's my friend. Is there anything that concerns between you and him? " she asked. 

   " No...nothing..." he answered. " Someone just told me a man has been looking for his missing son. " 

   " And who was this person who told you lizzy? " the mercenary shrugged and chuckled. " I'm just calling you that name, cause I dont know your real name. " 

   
     " Lizzy? " 

   " I think I have to figure out your name, but I will still call you 'Kid'. " Carol said. 

    " But, I'm not a young child..." the lizard boy blushed and got embarrassed. 

   " Kid, Unless if I can call you Mar-Vell! " she joked and laughed. 

    " Well...I have to find out what my name will be, but you can call me, Kid. "

    " Okay, Kiddo, you said so. "

    " Kiddo? "

   " Well, I guess it works for him, though. Lizzy Kid could work too, " he joked with both of them. Carol went laughing. The lizard felt dumbfounded at the two until he realized and started to laugh. The elderly Kree-Hybrid woman and the mercenary were pleased to see his spirit being lifted. 

   " It's funny, Kid. I guess in time you will know soon."

   " Yeah, I don't even know what it is..." the lizard slightly smiled and looked at the brightest star from the window. " I hope it will help me set free from this bondage. "

   " It's a pretty big world out that there. You still have more to see and learn once you are free, " said Allen.

  " Honestly, I wanted to have a new life....My terrible past is very hard and painful to tell....I wish I could forget everything..." 

  " You still can. With Carol's help, you'll get your justice. You gotta listen to her not the booze part. "

   " I hope so..." 

   " Kid, you need a mother figure. And that's me. " she smiled.The lizard blushed as he never expected someone to care for him.

    " A mother? Will it be awkward..."

    " No, kid. I've sensed that you're too lonely. "

    He remained silent and pondered why the old woman like her would care for him. He never being loved by someone else. All he had experienced in his early years was pain, anger, resentment, and sadness. He had longed for a family and a normal life which he ever wanted. With Carol's help, she would fill his emptiness. 

    Allen was watching and smiling at the two which he was pleased. Just beside him, he noticed a desk table with some old books, newspapers, and magazines. He was amazed to see the heroes of the old written in French. The mercenary picked and browsed an article of Captain America or Steve Rogers. He may have few knowledge of the language, but the pictures were describing his acts in the World War II. 

   " This kid must be a Steve Rogers fanboy but Tony Stark was better than him, " Allen thought,  placed the magazine, turned to the old woman.  " Hey, Carol. Do you have any of your hero friends that are still active from old? " 

   " They're scattered all over the world, " she replied. " I wish they would meet this kid. "

   " I've heard of some stuff of Captain America and on this magazine. Is he still around? "

   " I don't know, but he has another half-Lizard kid named Joshua Rogers. He is in the rebel forces and the youngest member. "

   " Does he still carry the star-spangled shield? " he asked.

   " Well, I think Josh has the shield from his great uncle. If he kept it. " 

   " I wonder if those Vibranium weapons could give me an advantage too. " 

   " Maybe, we could find one in Remnant or in Wakanda. " 

   " Yeah maybe with some touch up, I could make some Vibranium bullets. " 

   " Right, I recommend in using those, " she nodded as the lizard fell into his deep slumber on his bed. Carol carefully covered the boy with a blanket. 

  " So, how's the Republic of Remnant as well? " Allen asked and took another magazine showing the Pacific country's glorious years as a famous tourist destination.

    " The exiled Kree have been inhabitating that nation for years. During this invasion,they started the rebellion against their tyrannical brothers. They never wanted to occupy this planet as an expansion of the Kree Empire. Then, the others joined when bloodshed happened. " 

  
   " Have you tried helping their cause? " 

   " I did, but I got caught in the middle of their war three years ago. " she explained. " One of them was a Lizard, which I got overpowered. He caught and brought me to Kasius in serving his cause, but I rejected his offer and I almost got killed. I fought back and escaped. I went on hiding until you found me, several days later. I joined your team. "

   " How many races follow Kasius? not just Kree right? "

   " The Lizards. One of them was Basha. Kasius allied with her to expand the Kree Empire rule on Earth. Slavery was their first subject for that conquest. If anyone tries to overthrow their rule, he or she is subject to death. Everyone got scared with the Kree-Lizard rule. People had no choice but to oblige. Some rebelled, but they failed. Methie explained and predicted this threat beforehand, but no one believes in him. " she shrugged. " Now, what's the use of fighting since everyone is bound to their demise. That's why I wanted to retire, do something productive and peaceful, and leave a legacy before I die. " 

      Carol made a deep sigh remembering those years as a rebel soldier. She wanted to leave the cause since she was in her golden years. Allen had fully understood the senior half-Kree. Then, she saw the lizard boy was peacefully sleeping.

    " I hope this kid is listening to me, " she said and gently touched his forehead.

    " Hopefully, it's so quite the task ahead of him, " the mercenary nodded and placed the magazine on the table. He found a chair and sat down. " You know, he needs to train hard in his new form when the time comes. "

   " If Methie meets this kid, he surely does need more stuff do. "

   " Yeah, when we go to meet Methie. No one tries to stop us, " he agreed and looked at his MP5 pistol on the floor. " Well, I dont have the right equipment to take on a powered being. "

   " I hope so, he has a lot to tell, " she suggested. " Jared can give you a spare gun just in case. " 

   " Sure, thanks. Anyway with my other partner here, that's an extra gun in the team. " 

   " Good, " she nodded. " I think Methie is in Paris. I can sense his presence. "

   " That is good. Maybe we could meet him tomorrow? "

    " Yeah.  Just be nice to him, he's grumpier and more suspicious than me. " 

   " Good guess, this mission won't have trouble after all. "

    " I hope the kid can guard anyone here. Then, we can comeback. "

   " Yeah, but what if 682 arrives? "

  " Well, I'm going to ask this kid if he knows anyone who could help him, when an infiltrator comes. "

   " Think we might have a shape shifter here? "

    " Well, we saw a community of mixed raced people as he mentioned. "

    " So none of them are Skrull? " Allen asked.

   " No Skrulls are present, " the elderly half-Kree woman replied when the mercenary sighed in relief. 

   " How are you able to tell it in disguise? "

   " Well, I punched their faces and turned out to be wobbling and morphing into their true form. "

   " I suppose that works too. It's a good way to make them angry without asking. " 

   " Yeah. " she nodded and nervously laughed. " I think no one from them joins. That's so impossible. " 

   " They wouldn't side with the Kree overlord? "

   " The Kree has a lot of trouble with the Skrulls from a long time ago, lad. That was a long-term trust unresolved issue. " 

   " Were the Kree trying to conquer them maybe that lead to their war? " 

   " Yeah, if the Skrulls invade Earth, they might cause more terror. "

   " Good we have you with us. In case if that does happen, I wonder if SHIELD could help us, too? "

    Carol heavily sighed and recalled witnessing the fall of SHIELD agents. The Kree and Lizard soldiers had infiltrated a base in New York City. Three-fourths of them got killed and the remaining ones survived and got enslaved. She failed to save them when the attackers had hindered her. It was too late to save those people who were lost, even her boyfriend Colonel James Rhodes or War Machine who died on an explosion after the incident.

   Allen noticed the long silence of the old woman. He got concerned if the question had bothered her. Carol wiped her tears with her red sash. 

   " Carol, I'm so sorry for asking..." he humbly spoke. 

  " It's a tragic memory which I wanted to forget, Allen. " she sternly replied. " SHIELD was doomed the during the beginning of this invasion. The others got killed, displaced, and enslaved. The rebel forces were formed with the help of the exiled Kree and some survivors. "

   " That's a shame, but I kinda was never an ally to them. " Allen answered. " But still if they were still around, we could have a big chance fighting back if all together. " 

   " If only we could bring back the big good ol' days. " 

   " You miss your partner, do you? " 

   " Yeah... " she sadly replied. " Rhodey died in that dreadful encounter. I lost him so badly which it brought back my drinking habits. Then years later, I fell in-love with someone else. He never knew I got interested at him. " 

  " And who was that person, Carol? " 

  " Well... " she blushed and nervously spoke. " I-It's a f-friend. D-don't worry, it's a guy. "

  
  " And is this friend still around? " he smirked and waited for her to answer. 

  " Yeah, but he has a girlfriend with him. "

  " So, I take it. This person ain't human?"

  " Yeah..." Carol nodded and suddenly raised her voice. " Wait a second, why are you asking, Allen Stroud? " 

  " Is it an Inhuman, Mutant, Faunus, or Kree? I'm just plain curious. " 

  " Fine, it's a Kree, " she posted and crossed her arms. " You're such a nosy boy, aren't you? " 

  " Let's say, Yes! " Allen chuckled and shrugged. " Suppose you and him still contact each other? " 

 " I guess... I can meet him in Paris."

  " And I could have a talk with my partner too. Then figure out what she was doing before she got injured. " 

   " You sure you want to see her waking up soon. " she intently smiled as Allen gave her a weary smile and scratched his head.

  "  I will give her time to rest and talk to her when she is awake, " he answered. " Come on, old lady! Stop staring at  me like that! " 

   " Your face tells it..."

   " Yeah, you said so... " Allen sighed and stood up. " I'm heading back to the room. Good night. It's nice talking to you, Madam Danvers. "

  " Likewise. I'd better stay beside this kid. " she smiled. " See you, tomorrow. " 

   The mercenary left and had a great time this evening. He headed to his room where he could get some rest. Carol slightly opened the windows to have some cold air. The old blonde woman noticed the lizard boy unconsciously removed his blanket.

   " He felt hot in that thick blanket, " she thought and smiled while watching him sleep. Carol leaned on the lizard's back, whispered, and kissed his forehead. 

   " Sweet dreams, half-Kree boy..."