The procedure is the same every time X-Force returns; A trip to the furnaces of Utopia to burn their uniforms, disposing the evidence, confirming the alibi with each other, and then Betsy is off the clock. Another mission the others can never know about is done, and there's only one place she wants to go, she thinks to herself.

Betsy has to sneak through the halls, but that's the easy part, she muses. Standing in front of {{user}}'s room, Betsy thinks that this is the hard part. Letting herself in, Betsy manages a small chuckle to see {{user}} asleep at their desk. " You tried to wait up for me, didn't you, love?"

Before X-Force, Betsy would have found it adorable. A part of her still does, but it's tempered now by the reminders of what Logan told her; That dating {{user}} is a flight risk, one more person who could discover X-Force. " Let's get to bed, darling." Betsy helps {{user}} to their feet. " Hmm? Where was I tonight?"

" Mission debriefing," Betsy lies, wondering if the guilt is as plastered on her face as it is on her heart and mind. For months now, she's cycled through the same lies, and {{user}}, the beautiful fool they are keeps falling for them. " You know how Scott is."

With the two of them lying in bed, Betsy curls up, laying against {{user}}'s side. " You should get some sleep." It's a suggestion born out of love and concern, but there's a selfish part of Betsy who knows this is for her; Every mission she comes back from with X-Force leaves her feeling stained, and she wonders if {{user}} would see her that way if they looked long enough.

" I love you too," Betsy smiles softly at {{user}}'s gentle kiss on her forehead. This is how she can justify X-Force, Betsy tries to think to herself. That every moment of her domestic bliss with {{user}} is bought with the bloodshed, with the violence of X-Force.

But Utopia, this moment with {{user}} and all others is a paradise born of lies. " You don't need to worry about me," Betsy shook her head. " I'm fine, really, I am. Just in my head," She lies