Vanessa & JPB, Cammie & JPB (backdated just a bit)

[x-quebecois.livejournal.com]

Jean-Paul calls Vanessa to confirm his new assignment.

The phone was ringing, a steady buzzing in Jean-Paul's ear as he checked the backpack Vanessa had left for him.

She didn't even look to see who it was, just knew it was either Jean-Paul, Bishop or Laura. They'd all gotten the same ringtone since they were X-Factor related. "Aye?"

"Your notes for today, they are on your desk. On top of the blue folder. I will leave tomorrow for Colorado. I could go tonight, but I have some things to do first. This is okay?"

"That's fine, I figured sleep would be needed before you took off anyway. Sure you don't want to head to Arizona or Montana first? That way you go in a line instead of looping back the way you'd already gone if you go from Colorado to Montana and then to Arizona or the other way around. Either way Colorado's in the middle."

"Oui, I know," Jean-Paul said, picking up the backpack and pulling it on as he headed for the window. "I will go to Colorado first. This phone, it is the best way to reach me. But I will text you an email to use in case I do not answer when you call."

"That'll work. I don't care if you call, text or email to check in, by the way. But I sure as hell will find a way to send a search party out looking for you if you don't." After all she had a very bored close, personal mercenary at her beck and call if need be.

"I will check in," Jean-Paul said, knowing he'd wind up setting a reminder for himself just in case. "Adieu, mon ami." And with that, he rang off, tucking the mobile into his pocket before launching himself skyward.


Ambushing Cammie isn't as much of a health hazard as it used to be, which makes it a lot easier for Jean-Paul to stick her in the middle of an already horribly awkward situation.

Jean-Paul was waiting for Cammie at the boathouse, thinking she might come by to be alone for a little while. It was something of a long shot, but it was also easier for him than sneaking through the mansion, avoiding everyone who probably wanted to either brain him or tie him to a post so they could beat some sense into him. He didn't need sense. He needed to remove himself from temptation.

Vanessa's note wasn't helping with that.

When he saw a vaguely familiar silhouette approaching, he waited until he was sure of who it was, then stepped out of the shadows and said, voice quiet, "Cammie."

Cammie jumped, "Holy fucking shit!" she managed. Before the whole becoming 'normal' t hing there would've been a sizable gas cloud where she was standing. As it was there was just a startled girl, "Jesus Christ, a little fucking warning next time?"

"Apologies," Jean-Paul said, glancing toward the mansion. "I have a request, a favour to ask of you. Will you hear me out?"

"Well, you have a few seconds until I stop feeling so fucking funny, so go ahead," Cammie said, leaning on the wall. Adrenaline rush, weirdest feeling EVER.

"I am leaving tomorrow. Not permanently, but on business. The favour I ask if that you check on Kevin for me, oui?" Jean-Paul paused for a moment, then finished, "Please do not tell him this is what you are doing. I would like you to tell me how he is, also without telling him that you are doing it."

"What, did you two break up or something?" Cammie asked, pretty sure that was exactly what happened, "You didn't put him through the wall did you? Because if you did, I will fuck you up. Friends or no." This was going to put her in an awkward as hell place, she just knew it. The threat was also mostly without substance, it was more tired than anything else. She didn't want to beat the hell out of JP, for one.

Voice strained now as he stepped backward, into the shadows near the boathouse, Jean-Paul said, "I did. It was not on purpose, but I did. And so I am leaving, because it is better for him. Will you do this thing that I ask? Please?"

"Tell me what happened first," Cammie said, slumping down to rest on the floor against the wall, "I won't hurt you if it was an accident. I'm the queen of accidental death and dismemberment."

"There is nothing to tell," Jean-Paul said, frowning. "But that he did not go through the wall, he only cracked it. And his ribs also. He is in the medlab for now, with Doctor Grey-Summers." Raising one hand, he rubbed at the bridge of his nose with two fingers, then said, much softer, "I was asleep. It was a concussive blast. He is not safe with me, do you understand?"

"Oh trust me, that I get. And I'm not going to hold that kind of shit against you," Cammie said, "Killed her boyfriend," she said pointing to herself, "so I get the feeling."

"Oui," Jean-Paul said, shifting again. "And this is what I would like to avoid, so... will you tell me how he is? I can give you my personal mobile, so long as you will not give it to him. It is... easier to stay away when I do not think of him too often, you see?"

"This... kinda puts me in a weird place. You still care for him though, don't you?" Cammie asked. Damnit, she wanted two hours without complications!

"Je suis désolé," Jean-Paul said, scrubbing his palms up and over the top of his head, then along the back to the nape of his neck. How to answer that last question - honesty or something else? Honesty would probably get him the results he wanted. Maybe. If Cammie didn't decide he needed to be beaten. Of course, he was half expecting that, so he was prepared to get away from her - she wasn't poisonous anymore, so even if she got him, he wouldn't wind up in the medlab on a bed right next to Kevin's. "Oui, I care for him. It does not matter, though."

"Sure it does," Cammie said, looking up at him, "Look, I'll do what I can, okay? If only because I get it."

"It will not matter to him," Jean-Paul corrected. "But I thank you." Taking the mobile from his pocket, he texted her his mobile number. "As I said, please do not tell him. And... if you must, at least... well. Do not give him this mobile number."

"Yeah," Cammie said, "You know, he had it worse than me. Kevin, I mean. I could at least touch people, he couldn't without hurting them horrifically. I think he'd understand. But you know, I'm not going to shove the moral down your throat. I'll just tell you how he's doing and be happy here in the middle," she said, grumbling the last.

"Merci," Jean-Paul said, nodding. "I must go now, but thank you, Cammie."

"Whatever," she returned, "Just go. I come to these places to be alone."

Jean-Paul took off, heading for the upper heights where it would be easier to fly fast. He stopped, though, and let himself drift over the mansion as he attempted to ignore the niggling feeling that there was one last thing he had to do.

Frowning at himself, he torn his eyes from the back-lit curtains and lights of the mansion and headed back toward New York City.