Thanks to Marvel Comics for all of their wonderful characters. Psylocke, Juggernaut, Courier, Nitro are all their characters.

Chapter 2

Garrison looked at me with something in his eyes bordering on fear. Fortunately, I didn’t have to rely on the look in his eyes. The man was scared about what happened, and the potential of having a human bomb walking about.

“Do you mean to tell me that this man survived a blast equivalent to ten thousand pounds of TNT, at the point of explosion?”

“I think he caused the explosion, boss. It wasn’t intentional, from what I got from him, but the nanites from the explosives have destabilized his molecular structure, enabling him to explode at will, and then reform his body.”

Courier was shocked “Son of a bitch, Garrison. This guy’s our worst nightmare. A suicide bomber who can explode over and over again. None of our facilities will be safe”

“I know the ramifications, Courier. Psylocke, can you track him?”

“It’s difficult, but I can at least keep tabs on his mental state. I don’t think he has reformed his body. That’s why I can’t get a fix on his location”

“Keep working on it. We’ve got to get this nutball shut down, and quick. Stay here while I get the Secretary on line. I may need you to explain”

I was twirling my hair absentmindedly while listening to him and gave a sarcastic laugh. “Like he’s going to listen to a purple haired weirdo like me. Can’t you just tell him that you have some good intelligence or something like that?”

He dismissed the thought. “Just be ready to explain”

The Secretary of Homeland Security came online on the secure videoconferencing channel. Special Agent Garrison began the briefing. Garrison turned it over to me, and, like the 18 year old I was, I stuttered and stammered and generally made an ass of myself.

The Secretary rolled his eyes and addressed Garrison. “Please tell me that you have more to go on than the word of this girl”

I shot a look at Garrison and gave him my best “SEE?” face.

“Sir, however Psylocke's briefing was delivered, I believe her assessment is correct. We have a serious threat to national security here. Psylocke will attempt to keep tabs on him, and we will mobilize the necessary assets to deal with the situation”

“Do we have J1 available?”

“Not at present. He can be a bit…recalcitrant at times. I’ll see what I can do, but there are no guarantees”

The Secretary leaned forward. “You get him online and available or bring him in. That’s an order, Garrison”

I knew who J1 was. Cain. I laughed out loud at the prospect of anyone bringing him in against his will.

The Secretary glared into the screen. “Something to add, Agent Braddock?”

I opened my mouth to give the Secretary a piece of my mind, but Garrison intervened. “No sir, she doesn’t”

“Very well, Garrison. Keep me informed”

“Yes sir.” The screen went to a test pattern.

Garrison glared at me. “Do you have any idea who that was?”

“Yes, I do. A pompous ass that insults me and expects me to like it. I could have him playing with dolls in two seconds, and he’s mouthing off! And really. Who’s going to drag Cain in if he doesn’t want to come in? I’ll tell you. No one, that’s who! Not even that big ass woman from Chicago”

Courier interjected a thought “He likes you, Psylocke”

“And I want to keep it that way. I’m not going to bother him unnecessarily.” I then turned to her. “And he doesn’t like me like ‘that’, Courier. He saved my life taking out that big ugly ape that Shadow King sent I owe him”

Garrison pounded his desk. “Enough! Psylocke, contact him now!”

“Oh, screw you, Garrison. I’ve had just about enough of being treated like a second class citizen around here. I was promised an education, and all you’ve done since I got this ability is work me to death. I missed my senior prom, Homecoming, Christmas with Tracy’s family, MY FAMILY!” I was beginning to get loud now. The stress of the day was causing me to melt down, and that was bad for everyone in that room.

The staff members working in the Center were starting to stop what they were doing and looking toward the supervisor’s office. I didn’t care.

“Agent Braddock, you will get yourself under control NOW!”

That did it. “I’ll show you control, SIR!” I proceeded to shut down everyone’s mind in the trailer, with the exception of Courier. The activity went to zero. I looked at Courier, who I still considered a friend.

“Jackie, you had better get that big jerk under control, or I swear to God, I’ll wreck him” I walked to the exit of the Command Center, and then turned to her. “I’ll TRY to contact Cain, but no promises. I’ll also tell him about what that arrogant ass of a Secretary said. I promise you. If I say the word, Hunter will be the least of your worries. I love Cain like a brother, and don’t get in the way of that.”

I started to break down. “I have had the worst day of my life after the death of my parents. I’ve seen crap today that no one my age should have to see, and GI Joe up there expects me to go on like nothing’s happened. I’m going home, and don’t bother me until tomorrow. And it had better be only you that comes to see me. Everyone should wake up in about five minutes”

I went to the nice Agent who helped me. I was crying now. “Can you drive me home please?”

“Sure, Psylocke. Are they done with you?”

“I’m done with them. Let’s go” A subtle mental push ensured no more conversation.

I picked up my cell and dialed the number that Cain gave me. If I dialed that number he knew it was me.

His gruff voice was a welcome sound. “Hey kid. What’s up?”

I couldn’t hold back the emotion. “Can we talk? In person? I’m sorry to bother you, but something terrible has happened, and I might need your help”

Cain was in Canada, at a cabin he built. No one but me knew he was there. I related the events of the day and he listened intently. I told him about what the Secretary said, and he burst out laughing.

“I’ll be down tomorrow, kid. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll even buy you and Tracy dinner”

That brought a smile to my face. “I really am sorry to bother you, Cain. I know how you like to be left alone”

“Don’t worry about it. See ya”

I disconnected, feeling much better. Agent Grant was locked in to driving, so he didn’t hear my conversation. I saw to that.

An hour later, I was walking in to our apartment. I noticed I had picked up a couple of observers, courtesy, no doubt, of Garrison. I focused on them and they drove off. Garrison was pissing me off.

I dialed Courier and she picked up on the first ring.

“Jackie? I just sent two of Garrison’s boys on their way. The next ones get sent away with instructions to kick his ass. I’m serious. Leave me the fuck alone!” I disconnected.

Tracy was inside watching the news reports. It was the only thing on any of the news channels. All of the local channels were on the explosion.

Tracy paused the DVR and ran up to me, giving me a big hug. She was crying, which started me all over again.

“I just can’t believe it, Betsy. I knew people in that area.”

“I know, Trace. Just be glad you weren’t there. It was…terrible”

“You had to go there? Why?”

I looked at her like she was nuts. “My job, Trace. Some nut job set the explosion. It wasn’t a terror attack, though”

I had to get a shower, to get rid of the dust of that terrible place. I also needed Tracy to come with me, but I didn’t want to disturb her. “I’m taking a shower, hon” I said “I’ll be back in five”

I went to the bathroom and sat on the toilet. I cried for the people who wouldn’t be coming home. For the babies who lost their parents. For the parents who lost their babies. I got mad all over again at the bureaucrats who couldn’t get past the fact that I was hurting. So what if I had a job to do. I AM AN EIGHTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL! I haven’t been in sixteen wars and a hundred years of government intrigue. I am a self absorbed little girl. Deal with it. I need time to process this stuff. I don’t care if I was the most powerful person on earth.

I stripped and got into the shower. I let the water run over me. My tears got lost in the water.

I heard the bathroom door close. The shower door opened and Tracy got in with me.

“It’s okay to cry, Betsy. I’ve been doing it all day.”

I needed her right then. Wrapping my arms around her and feeling her slick skin, I kissed her passionately. She returned the kiss. Feeling weak in the knees, I sat on the shaving ledge in the shower. Tracy knelt in front of me, probing my mouth with her tongue. I returned her kisses as hard as I could. My fire was lit, and she knew just what to do. We made love for the next three hours.

We lay in bed, basking in the afterglow of our passion. I was exhausted, as was she.

I turned to her, leaning on one elbow, running my fingers through her hair. “Thank you, Tracy. I really needed that. I needed to know that there was still something good in this life”

Turning on her side to face me she smiled and spoke. “You’re not the only one who can read minds, you know”

Leaning forward, I gave her a light kiss on the lips. “What would I do without you?”

“Go crazy, I guess” She then gave me a little pinch on my right nipple. I squealed and gave her a toe curler. She had that glazed look in her eyes when I stopped.

I rolled over to get off the bed “Let me make us something to eat”

Tracy grabbed my arm and pulled me back as I squealed with laughter again. “Oh no you don’t missy. I’ve got something for you to eat”

“Ewww, gross! That’s not romantic at all, you unladylike beast!”

“Whatever, wench…..”

My phone was off the entire night. The apartment phone was off the hook. I didn’t miss it, and wouldn’t have answered it had it rung. I was off the case until someone apologized. Maybe I’m selfish, but I was done with being the junior g-man on the team. Especially one who solved ninety eight percent of the cases we were assigned.

At around six thirty AM, I picked up my phone and turned it back on. There were several messages from Garrison, and one from a blocked number. I had to listen to these messages.

“Psylocke! How dare you use that mind crap on me…” Delete.

“You had better answer this phone. We….” Delete.

“Ok, I may have been a little harsh, but you have to under…” Delete. This was fun!

“Okay, Betsy, You’ve made your point. Come on back in and…” Delete.

“Take the rest of the night, think about things, and get back to me in the morning. We need you on the team.” Delete. That’s better.

“This is Secretary Smith. You are in violation of…” Delete, block number. Tee hee! He doesn’t need to talk to me anyway.

I dialed Courier’s number.

“Hello? Betsy?”

“Hi, Jackie. Your goons can pick me up in one hour.”

“Okay, Psylocke. They are on their way.”

I took my shower and cleaned up. I did my hair, which had taken on more purple highlights in the last year. Looking in the mirror as a put on my makeup, I looked for some signs of Brian, of the Braddock family. There was nothing. I looked like a healthy mix of Caucasian and Asian. I loved my new face, it just seemed exotic. I dressed for action in my preferred uniform, a black leather bustier and leather pants with spandex panels in the thighs for flexibility. I sheathed my katana and placed it in the black bag that carried all of my weapons. I was fully proficient in firearms, but I didn’t carry them. They made too much noise, and I was a stealth weapon.

It was funny. When I put on my uniform, it was like a switch flipped. I was no one to be messed with, and my team knew it. It wouldn’t have mattered yesterday, but now I was pissed. It was a cloudy day, and I decide to mess with the goon squad. The pulled up into the parking garage of the complex. I shadow teleported from the apartment to the garage. The driver was looking in my direction when I came out of the shadow. I’m told it looks creepy when I come out of a shadow. All you see are two glowing eyes and then all of a sudden I come out. Cool.

As I exit the shadow, driver goon about jumps out of his skin. “Damn” He says. Ha! “little girl” my ass!

“Let’s go” was all I said as I got into the car.

They took me to the command center. Courier was there to meet me again.

“Welcome back, Psylocke. I see you’re ready to get serious”

“”Yeah,” I nodded. “But Garrison had better shut his big mouth. I’m not playing today.”

“Understood. The Secretary, however…"

“Had better keep his big yap shut too”

“Oooookaaaayyyy”

We went in to the command center and Garrison was waiting. He wanted to say something, but wisely kept his mouth shut. His thoughts, however betrayed his obvious irritation with me.

I tapped my head. “Special Agent Garrison! What is a 'stupid cunt'? Was that directed at me?”

“Never mind, and stop reading me! You said yourself it’s impolite”

“Sorry, *sir*. Juggernaut will be here today”

His mood lightened considerably. “Good work, Psylocke. I didn’t think he would come”

He came because I asked him. Otherwise, he’d still be on vacation. He doesn’t respond well to threats. Neither do I, as you know now”

“Point made, Psylocke. Have you located Hunter?”

“Yes, and he’s already changed his name. He calls himself Nitro now.” He is in Taylor now. I focused, to get a better fix on him. He was at a bank. I suddenly realized what he was doing. “Shit!” was all I could say before he detonated. Then things went black.