The Problématique - XFI Meeting

[x-adrienne.livejournal.com]

Those connected to X-Factor Investigations are called in for a meeting with Bishop, who shares information and sorts out their tasks in regards to assembling the team for Prague and manning the office.

The note on the X-Factor Investigations door downstairs said it was closed for the afternoon. The agency's only two permanent staff members gathered with their three temporary investigators upstairs in the office. No one had been given any reason for the urgent meeting Bishop had called. New notes graced his crime board of Vanessa's disappearance but the additions were hard to notice in the clutter of notes, photos and colored string connecting one bit of information to the next. There was a tension about the big man, though, that suggested this meeting was beyond simply important to him.

"Boston didn't give us much but we have a lead from Garrison; Prague. She took a flight from Logan airport to Prague and Doug gave us a lead on a possible hideout. I want Warren and Laura for reconnaissance, if you two are free. Adrienne or Riley here in case another lead comes in would be very helpful, as your time permits. We don't want to risk missing anything." Despite being anxious and feeling a strong sense of urgency, Bishop knew most of the people he was making requests from were volunteers and that he was not their boss. He tried to remember to make his directions a request. This was not a PD, despite their nickname.

Warren just nodded, his attention having being caught as soon as Bishop mentioned the meeting was about Vanessa's disappearance. If he thought it would be helpful at all he would have been out the door in a split second, but he was smart enough to realize that rushing off wouldn't help anything. But this was the first real lead they had, and he was anxious to help track it down.

"You've got me, absolutely. Whenever, wherever." Even if he had other things on his plate, he'd drop them immediately for this.

Instantly excited by Bishop mentioning a lead, Adrienne took Warren's 'whenever, wherever' line and ran with it, singing a very loud and off-key "whenever, wherever, we're meant to be together, I'll be there and you'll be neeeear and that's the deal my deeeeeear!" with some dancy hand motions before sobering up.

"Uhh, yeah. I don't know what Riley's time constraints are," she said, never having met Riley before today, "but I'm sure we can work something out so one of us is always here. I can be here whenever I don't have students. I might have someone who could cover some classes for me during the day, as well." What was Sam teaching nowadays anyway? He might jump at the chance to lead some history discussions again.

Riley looked at Adrienne and gave her a nod. "We'll figure it out, make it work." In her other identity she had a daytime commitment as well, the same one Adrienne did, but she didn't see that as stopping them from being able to cover the office at all times. There were so few students to teacj, flying between Xavier's and the X-Factor office didn't take that much time, and Crystal was always prepared with assignments for her students to complete out of class should situations such as this one arise and need her to be out of the classroom for a few days.

Laura nodded from her site on the wall. "You know I'll do whatever it takes, so count me in." She wasn't really in the mood to play around, not when Vanessa was involved. She looked a lot more relaxed than she thought she would be though, maybe because all the time that had passed since she had first learned of her friend going missing.

"I'm requesting assistance from other groups as well. Our bases should be covered, I'm scheduling the trip and I'll be in contact. Time is still important so our departure might be on short notice." Bishop warned before opening the meeting up. "Does anyone see anything I missed?"

"Well, you missed giving Riley and I some sort of warning about not destroying or redecorating the office while you're all gone," Adrienne smirked, still a bit giddy about the prospect of a fresh lead. "I think that usually goes somewhere along the lines of 'if you wouldn't want to tell me you did it, then take that as a sign you shouldn't do it and don't' or some such. Of course, I have no shame, so there's not a lot that I wouldn't want to tell you I did. As in, I filled Vee's apartment with plush goats for when she comes home and I don't have any problem telling you that. I may do something along those lines with the office while I'm waiting for you guys to find her and bring her back. Maybe panda bears?"

Bishop stared at Adrienne for a long, silent moment. "I'm going to have Anna check in and report back to me while we're gone."

"Pfft, who, your girlfriend?" Adrienne scoffed, "I bet we can take her if she tries to take our panda bears! Besides, I can be very persuasive. I bet she'll agree with me that this place would look really good in black and white."

"I'm with Bishop. No panda bears. The fact that you've overrun Vanessa's apartment with goats is really enough."
Warren was going to start having nightmares about plush toys at this rate.

"If you need any help from the X-Men," Warren continued, bringing the topic back to the point, "Let me know and I can speak to people. Who did you have in mind for the team?"

Bishop smiled more than the usual momentary smirks he offered. "I have a wish list." He pulled a small notebook, held closed with a rubber band, out of his back pocket. The pages were folded in an unusual way that seemed to allow him to flip to exactly where he wanted to be. He held it out for Warren to take. "You'll know better than I will who is available, interested, or who has ties to Vanessa."

Warren nodded, taking the notebook and flicking through it, glancing at the suggestions. Unsurprisingly, it was a good team, and he couldn't really find fault in any of the choices.

"Can I suggest one other name?" He raised his gaze to Bishop. "Monet would be good to have along - another flier, and she's a physical powerhouse as well. She's a good person to have at your back."

Bishop nodded his consent. "If she'll come, I'd be glad to have her on board."

"I'll contact her. I'm sure she'll be happy to join us."