[Extemporal: Made or uttered at the moment]

Somehow, after that, several days on end passed uneventfully. It was as if the downpour of difficulty had finally subsided.

The X-men finally had some trouble they actually had to attend to around the world, as if it had been waiting for them to get their other ducks in a row.

It was a respite for Gambit, at least, getting away from all the Spiritual stuff around the house.

Miraculously, Mystique was not attacked by either of the the two ex-horsemen. They lacked as passionate a temperament as Angel on any given day and were just not ones to rock the boat by taking such a risk. They ignored her if they saw her. But they were joining in Shine's instruction of the other Morlocks, now curious.

Shine continued to be in her element here. She had clearly gotten used to teaching large groups on her other missions, and she was good at it, always ready to answer questions.

Wally didn't help as much with that, but he made sure the Morlocks learned how to do chores and other tasks around the house.

Shine told the X-men that Wally often helped people with chores and groceries and things even at home and was known for his one-on-one time with his fans. 

"One of the things that attracted me to him," she said, "using his speed for actually good reasons. No task too small. A philosophy I embrace."

"It's handy enough," Storm said.

Jean finally told Shine they could put their fight to rest and they'd both said things they shouldn't have.

Shine let her have that, for the sake of peace, even if she thought she'd said mostly the truth.

Jean didn't like making conflict.

Scott?

He finally had to crack.

He told Shine and Wally, very reluctantly, that he had regretted pushing them on the issue with Muir Island and how he had gone about it was...rude.

It was not much, for all he'd put them through, but it was so unexpected from Scott that they were quite willing to forgive and forget it.

And to his great surprise, they didn't mock him about it at all or push for more of an apology.

Even Scott had to wonder if he'd misjudged them and had assumed the worst... Of course, now that he'd had to admit his own mistakes, he could look back and see how much of their problems might have been "misunderstandings."

Shine told Wally that this convinced her they should stick around longer anyway, Morlocks or not. If Scott could humble himself, they must be doing something right.

Wally agreed and said he might even learn to get along with Scott in time.

They were never going to like him much, they had a feeling, but they were people who could get along with people they didn't like, as long as they were respectful.

The other X-men's hostility was long gone, and even their hesitancy was fading.

Hank and Xavier had the least time with the DJs, but, Hank enjoyed Shine's scientific commentary and ability in debate...and she was giving him a lot to think of when they did talk.

Xavier was aloof. Not stopping them, but still not sure he supported them fully, and perhaps, even, he was envious. Though he didn't know he was. He felt his X-men were turning their attention more and more to things inside the team. And less on helping the mutant world in general.

It went so far as Rogue asking if they really should even get involved in one thing that came up in one country.

Not for lack of caring, Rogue just thought it might be taken the wrong way if they used force to straighten it out, maybe they should just try talking.

Rogue was usually the last person, except Logan, to suggest talking over anything else, and  Xavier was stunned.

Of course, he had to agree that they could try talking, and Rogue and Storm actually went to do this...and it worked...at least partially. The people were uncertain, but less ready to start trouble once Storm had explained to them that Mutants were really not so different, and had told them of their efforts at aiding mankind.

Such a simple thing as explaining their motives did wonders, as it turned out. Rogue backed her up and knocked a few things around when necessary.

Storm got this idea from having seen how easily Shine and Kurt both tended to calm people down just by telling them what they believed, but she was surprised when it worked, and happier than she'd been in ages.

Progress was certainly being made.

Pastor Billings began talking again, asking how things were...surprised to hear about the Morlocks, and saddened too.

Shine said that they could arrange a way to drop things off for the Morlcoks probably without direct contact from her and Wally, since some were still not really guilty. But their visits to the sewers were over, unless there was a change.

There were many Morlocks at the house to reach out to instead, and Billings said maybe it was time to change this ministry into something new anyway, the Drive had always been a temporary idea, a sort of warm up.

"There's still talk of a conference," he said. "Some of my colleagues have been paying attention more to your X-men friends on the news, and have become interested in the plight of mutants. I've received a lot of calls asking for more details. Now is the time. Perhaps we could have one by October...you will still be in town then?"

"Well, Shine and I have felt like we need to extend our stay, " Wally was the one on the phone at the time. "We thought it would just be a few months, but, things have taken off and we're feeling a leading to stick around. But are you sure you'd want us to speak at it."

"Mr. West, you are gifted at this," Billings said. "And you have the most personal experience with the Mutants. I'd be happy to meet more of them, but they are afraid of me. Who else but you can do this? God must have put you in this position for a reason."

"I guess so," Wally said. "Huh...not usually how it works, but...maybe this time is different. If you want to set it up, we'll do our best."

"I'll start arranging it," Billings said.

***

In the middle of the stretch of this week, Rogue had a weird experience while she was out shopping with Storm and Jean, it took three of them now to cover everything...even with help from the donations.

Rogue had gone off in search of some clothing items, when she looked across the street, and she saw Carol Danvers coming out of a shop.

Rogue froze.

Carol herself looked up, like she sensed someone watching her, and then stared at Rogue.

There was a dreadful pause.

Rogue had never been sure if Carol would remember any of what happened, and hadn't had the nerve to go back to the hospital and find out...but the way the woman was looking at her, she recognized her at some level.

Carol raced across the street, not paying much attention to traffic, luckily the drivers saw her, and honked angrily, but she never noticed.

Rogue backed up against the window of a shop.

Carol came up in front of her.

"I know you," she said outright. "Don't I?"

"Ma'am?" Rogue said weakly.

"It's like a dream..." Carol said. "But...you were that girl...the one who put me in a coma."

"Yes ma'am..." Rogue said sadly. "I did...I'm sorry."

"But I saw you...after that," Carol said, frowning. "In my dreams...or was it real? I remember...it was like sharing a body...and then...I was sent back...or was that just some odd out of body thing...no one has been able to explain...but you know, don't you."

"Yeah...uh...these people I know, they helped me," Rogue said. "We...sent you back...we were stuck...but if you don't remember, consider yourself lucky, I'll never forget." She rubbed her arms.

"I thought it was crazy," Carol stepping back. "But it was real...How long was I like that...it was like no time for me. You stole my life, didn't you?"

"I didn't mean to," Rogue said sadly. "I gave it back, when I could. That ain't no excuse, but I really am sorry...I still have your powers," she lifted into the air.

Carol got an odd look.

"I wondered..." she said. "It almost seemed like that was a dream too..."

She yanked her purse strap up a little.

"Look...I've gotten used to having a real life again," she said flatly. "You stole my powers...but in a way, it's a relief...the job of being Ms. Marvel was never one I liked that much. So...I guess since I'm back, I got lucky enough. Stay away for me, and I'll call it even. I never want to see you again."

"You won't have to," Rogue said.

Carol nodded. "Good."

She moved away, but then stopped and looked back. "Did you know you'd keep my powers?"

"No," Rogue said. "But I thought it was only right."

Carol tilted her head. "Right...well...Rogue was it?"

Rogue nodded. "That's right."

"Use them wisely," Carol said. "And...thanks, I guess..."

She walked away.

Rogue hugged her sides and then turn, wiping some tears away.

[I thought this was a better end for the ever unfortunate Ms. Marvel, who as far as I can tell either never wakes up, or turned evil in the comics, and is unbearable in the movies. She was never that nice of a person, so it seemed returning her to a normal life was the best option for her, and not one she'd really mind, she didn't even want her powers.]

https://youtu.be/DukKDdBri3Q

***

At the Sunday Service, finally back in an actual building [doesn't that just hit home after Covid], Jubilee got a chance to introduce Ryan to the others properly and to the other church members. No one thought much of it.

If at first some of the Way's members hadn't been sure about starting to welcome mutants, it was certain that the public attention they'd gotten and the support form other churches had changed their minds.

Also at the service were some new people who might have been mutants, or mutant curious as it were, but hadn't dared to show up while it was in the park, and exposed.

They didn't speak to any of the X-group, but they looked around, intrigued.

Morph tagged along to this, interested, and Kurt was glad to finally go to a service again also. They even talked a few less shy Morlocks into coming...with moderate success.

The congregation seemed to just accept that with the blue guy coming in, some green scaled kids and otherwise odd looking characters was just the status quo.

It was this that must have finally really convinced some of the Morlocks that adapting to life on the surface might be possible.

Anne Billings was as welcoming to them as ever, and even gave each of them a free bible, which they had restocked...and told the story of how the church got burned down, upon request.

"I'm really starting to think that was the best thing that's ever happened to the Way," Mike told Shine and Wally and Storm aside.

"I believe your saying goes, 'The Lord works in mysterious ways,'" Storm said.

"Right you are...how do you say it again... Orora?" Billings didn't not say it right.

"Ororo," Storm repeated, more correctly. "Don't worry about it, Mike, no one knows how to say it but my tribe."

"You should have told us you were a foreigner," Mike said. "People love a good convert story from overseas."

"But I didn't convert overseas," Storm said.

"I doubt it would matter to them," Mike said drolly. Then he folded his hands a bit nervously.

"I know this may be out of line but...I was wondering...can Anne and I perhaps visit the mansion at any time?...It is just hard for us to feel a part of this when we cannot even see all of the people we're helping...it's not good practice either, I think."

Logan chomped on a cigar. "They wouldn't feel comfortable with humans knowing where they live...other than these two weirdos we can't seem to get rid of."

"Love you too, Logan," Shine said.

"But, guys, you know Mike and Anne are the real deal," Wally said. "They're doing all this with us, taking the hits, why can't they at least get a little trust."

"If it were up to me, Wally, of course," Storm said. "But not all of the team are comfortable with this...I'm sorry...perhaps we could vote on it, but the Morlocks are people to think of also."

Jubilee walked up right then.

"Guys," she said, looking uneasy. "Trinity wants to have a sleep over."

"When does she want you to come?" Morph asked.

"No, no, she's not allowed to have friends sleep over," Jubilee said. "She wants to come to our house." She looked nervous. "What do I tell her?"

"Why is she allowed to come over?" Shine asked, puzzled. "Speaking as a girl who's parents never let her do that."

"I guess her mom thinks it's too much of a hassle to have different kids over at her house," Jubilee said. "But she's okay with Trinity going as long as it's with church people around. And she wants to meet more Mutants..."

"Why? She think we're a zoo?" Logan said.

"No it's not like that, she's like Rev Billings, she wants to get involved," Jubilee said. "We talked a lot at camp...I don't want to hurt her feelings, I think she thinks I don't trust her just because she's a human, I mean, since Ryan is here now...and he was a total stranger before."

"Surely she understands why that is different," Storm said.

"Ororo," Shine said. "She is only 16, I believe, do you really think a teenager is going to understand fully? I'm sure she's trying to, but it looks as if we do not trust her. Trinity is a good girl."

"She might be," Morph said. "But if someone found out and questioned her, it would be bad, wouldn't it?"

"You can worry about that the rest of your lives, or you can stop acting like you have something to hide," Shine said. "A few trust worthy people is a good place to start...of course, we are not going to push you if you just can't, but you should at least think about it before you say no like that."

Mike cleared his throat. "That's fair enough, perhaps Trinity and I will just have to accept things are as they are for now, everything in it's time, I suppose."

Trinity was watching and shaking her head like she could guess how it was going.

Jubilee went back to tell her it was a "maybe".

"Maybe means no with my parents," Trinity said.

"It might mean no with the X-men too," Jubilee said. "But who knows, they might miraculously change their minds...I don't know if all of our new guests, would like it though."

"Yeah...they didn't want to talk to me," Trinity had already tried to say hello and even the kids had been skittish. "They look so different, like Mr. Kurt."

"Some of us just do," Jubilee said. "We can't help it."

"I see why they're afraid," Trinity said. "I wonder if I would have the guts if I looked different."

"Yeah, but it's way cool that they could even come here," Jubilee said. "A year ago, I would have said that would never, ever, ever, happen. Maybe humans and mutants can be friends after all."

"Mmm," Trinity nodded.

Later, on the way home...which took three cars now...Rogue commented on something else.

"I didn't get much out of the service when we visited the first time, but now it's different, like it's kinda making sense for me. Funny, ain't it?"

Shine smiled. "That's normal. Though it tends to ebb and flow with years, as with all things. There's the first enthusiasm, then there will be a lull, then there will be the more steady appreciation of it that comes with practice. For most of us, anyway. There are some people who seem like they never stop being excited. I wonder how they do it, my emotions can't burn that strong all the time."

***

"I'm delighted to hear that things went well," Xavier said later, when he heard about it. "Such acceptance of our friends was more than I had hoped for this soon...but as for humans coming and visiting here...I've accepted the Wests, but they are not ordinary humans, their experience makes them more acceptable even to the outcasts among us. And then, there's endangering the humans themselves."

"This is fair," Storm said. "But there is one thing I keep thinking. Every time we have taken a risk in this direction, it has not been easy, and not without some backlash, but it has taken us forward. And whenever we refuse, nothing seems to change. Perhaps we are stopping ourselves by keeping the doors of this house closed to anyone not a mutant...your dream is for them to be in harmony, is it not?"

"It is," Xavier said. "But that goal is years away."

"We gotta start somewhere," Rogue said. "We ain't asking them to live here. Just for a few to visit, they know us already. Let Jubilee have a friend, maybe...is that so wrong?"

"You gotta think o' da bigger picture, Chere," Gambit said. "Maybe it go well for a while, but someone is bound ta notice, and dey be in danger."

"Then again," Hank said. "There is safety in numbers also. If we had more allies in the humans, we would have more options if trouble did start, but I do not know if it is enough, they cannot fight well for us."

"Storm has a point," Logan spoke up. "No risk, no reward. I was slow to trust them, but they've put their butts on the line for us without us even asking, the kid's friend (he meant Jubilee and Trinity) tried to help her and the kid with the weird tongue. If we're not letting them see us in our world, then why should we keep askin' 'em if we can come into theirs. They opened their doors to us, are we not gonna return the favor?"

"When you put it that way..." Xavier said.

Even Scott couldn't argue it made sense.

"We'd have to do it carefully," he said. "If Likstar could portal them here it'd be easier, but she doesn't show her powers to normal humans, does she."

"I think it's more of people who are not their mission," Storm said. "It is too dangerous. And they might feel they were linked to then, those powers do not seem human, even if we know that they are simply humans.  Perhaps we could bring them ourselves, discreetly."

"Yes," Xavier said. "If it is done, we picked them up, they don't come themselves...I suppose we are decided then, unless anyone has another concern."

Gambit scowled.

Jean shrugged. "As long as they do not know how to get here, it should be harmless enough."

They could hope.

***

Jubilee was overjoyed.

To make things easier, all three visits were going to be on the same day but Mike and Anne would only stay to dinner, and Trinity would sleep over...so they had to wait till Friday, of course.

During that time, the newcomers began to finally settle into a routine, and to feel less odd.

Mystique avoided them with all the skill she had, and kept to herself, even when she was allowed to leave her room freely, as they were allowing her more trust.

But her avoiding the Morlocks drove her to spend more time around the X-men by default.

Rogue got used to her being around enough to talk to her normally, finally. Logan chose to pretend she wasn't there most of the time, and Gambit was cold, for obvious reasons.

Morph continued to be friendly, Hank was civil, Xavier usually not around, and Jean...well...was Jean.

Scott made a point of not talking to Mystique at all if he could help it, and showed his disdain as plainly as he always did.

Storm was the more interesting case, she wanted to imitate Shine's goodwill, and Wally's ease, but was not suited to a lighthearted manner. Mystique was still afraid of her...until she slowly realized that this was just how Storm was, and her fear turned into indifference.

Shine encouraged her not to look at them so much as enemies, if she could help it. And they would feel better about her leaving.

Mystique, now that she had a deadline, wasn't so tense about being here, actually. She even allowed herself to loosen up just slightly around the people she was less afraid of, because, now she could afford to, it would even up her chances...but she could never act natural around them. Her different moral code and the fact that she was not wearing a disguise made her unable. She had no idea how to just be Mystique, for long periods of time, and interact with others. At least if it wasn't to scheme.

The X-men didn't care, mostly, and Shine and Wally overlooked her stiffness.

Morph was the only one who got somewhat human reactions from her other than them, and he mostly did it by not trying and not realizing how it worked.

Kurt continued to try to give her space, but she actually softened a tiny bit towards him, not in a warm way, but with the air of one who can afford to be civil because they won't see you for much longer...it kind of stung worse than her coldness had, for that reason. But Kurt tried to hope she'd get used to him and it might become genuine eventually.

Still, seeing more of her around, he told Shine and Rogue both that he realized they had little in common anyway, and a hard time understanding each other.

"Even vhen she is just talking to you, I can't understand," he said. "She is so...hard...and cynical, even vhen she's not trying to be...how does one build a relationship vith someone you cannot relate to at all?"

"You tell me, Sugar," Rogue said.

"I thought you might see this, sooner or later," Shine laced her fingers together. "It was like that for me with some of my family, we had so little in common, and a lot of tension kept us apart for years. But with prayer, I tried to bridge the gap. There are some things you will never understand. But the key to harmony even so, is to accept that, and learn to have affection based on familiarity itself. Just how any family is."

"I don't see how that vill be possible," Kurt said.

"It takes months, even years," Shine said. "Usually. Don't worry about it, Kurt. There is no rule that says you have to feel like family. When it is time, you will understand what you need to do, this too is in God's hands."

Kurt was comforted. Rogue wasn't so sure.

"Momma has been a little less mean than I thought," she said, after he'd gone. "And I do feel sorry for her now, I didn't before...this thinkin' of others thing is catching, I guess. But she's still dangerous. You know they say you shouldn't step too close to a rattler even if it ain't making noise. We'll be safer with her gone."

"But will she be?" Shine asked.

Rogue looked uncomfortable. "We took different paths, Shine...she don't wanna change hers."

"You expect her to take one like yours?" Shine said. "That is change? That is where you and I, and possibly Kurt, are different. I don't care where she is, and who she is with, as long as she's doing what's right and is right with God. Some of my students I have stayed close to, some have gone off to find their own path. Not everyone can stay close...but as for that, I'm sure Raven would like to have a family, deep down, but thinks she can't...any path should be open to her, shouldn't it?"

"Raven's her real name, ain't it?" Rogue said. "You keep usin' it, thought it was  a nickname at first."

"Just don't call her that," Shine said.

"I think I'll stick to Momma, it's easier," Rogue said. "And she won't skin me alive for it."

"No, I think she likes it actually," Shine said. "She didn't like you calling her Mystique. She didn't want to be Mystique to you."

"Huh?" Rogue said.

"Whatever she had you do," Shine said. "You were her chance at making herself a little better, I think, or so she thought...our own attempts at redemption usually don't work but sometimes in failing that, we see just what we wanted to begin with. She might not have had much goodness left, Marie, but, she gave all of it to you."

Rogue looked at her dubiously. "Ain't that a little much?"

"No," Shine said. "That is why you are her favorite. You were someone she could help. The other two were people she was not ready for, and had no way to take care of...think about it, if she had kept Grayton, he'd always have had a mother who was an outcast, when he did not have to be, and he'd have resented it, in time, given his temperament. He resents it now, the ungrateful fool. I do not think she knew Sabretooth would do what he did to the kid. Whether she knew Grayton was human or not, she knew he looked human. That's a chance she didn't have. Sabretooth on the other hand, could blend in better, if he chose to, which he doesn't. It was a foolish decision, but it wasn't entirely unreasonable to think it was better for Creed."

"I didn't think of it that way," Rogue said.

"And Kurt...that was wrong," Shine said. "I think she did go back, once, to see whether he survived, she wouldn't tell me much about it. But she was driven out because of him, and she would have been unlikely to find anyone to take in two mutants who look so different. Letting the gypsies have him was probably the best call, in the long run, even if she didn't plan it that way. They kept him safe. She couldn't have done that. You were the only one who could keep up with her lifestyle, and you were already alone and at rock bottom when she found you. Nothing to ruin, nothing to lose. She's a selfish person, Rogue, but when I say she did give you her best, I truly mean that."

Rogue was silent for a while.

"I ain't been fair," she said.

Shine nodded slowly.

"I was so mad over Ms. Marvel," Rogue said. "But...I guess...it's not like she knew...I'm not really angry 'bout it much now, we've got it straightened out, she even helped...I guess she's done all she can to make up for it. But she's not my mother....really. And she didn't love me how I thought."

"No one has ever loved you how you thought, Rogue," Shine said seriously. "Your...forgive me for saying this, but your father proved different than you thought, didn't he?"

Rogue winced.

"And your friends, don't they often surprise you?" Shine said. "Even Remy is not how you think."

"That is true," Rogue didn't deny it.

"And I wasn't, and Wally isn't either," Shine said. "Sweetie, you'll have to understand that your idea of love is incredibly limited and often unrealistic. Don't worry, all of us start off that way, and many of us never grow out of it. But you can. Love looks different from everyone, but the realness of it is always something you can pick out. Here is Raven's...she made you do a lot she shouldn't have, and she was possessive, but now she is letting you go. In that, I see a grain of real love, inside all the other tainted kind."

Rogue pursed her lips.

"Somewhere, she still wants what's best for you," Shine said. "And I will say this the only way I know how to: Is that not better than your own father?"

Rogue stared at her.

"It's being a better parent," Shine said. "Better than mine were, I must say...for all her mistakes. Perhaps she is giving up because she easily gives up on things she wants also, but we must think the best of people when we can. And Rogue, I must tell you, sometimes someone's motive becomes what you make it. If you treat her like she's being forced to give up, that is how she will see it, but if you treat it like she is doing the right thing, and letting you go, then she will probably see it that way, and so it will be true. You have the power here, use it."

She left her to think about it.

[The cool thing about this is that in the comics, this actually happened. Mystique did finally decide to let Rogue go, though she later still interferes with her life, but she respects Rogue's decision up to a certain point...and for Mystique, as her comic self, that's actually rather surprising, I thought. The sad thing is, I didn't get the impression Rogue is ever really that accepting of Mystique in return, or that understanding about why the woman is the way she is, so it doesn't go both ways. About as dysfunctional as Marvel family dynamics usually are, I guess. But makes it more fun for me to write it an alternative way myself.]