Where Do We Go From Here?
Author Note: I wrote this story a long while ago maybe a year or two. I've been meaning to put this up but since I was not intending to make it a one-shot, it only seemed right to at least try to start chapter 2. After a long writers block I'm hoping to finish this story. I hope you like this first chapter. Please keep in mind since the show ended I've long forgotten how the characters are so if they seem out of character I apologize in advance that is just how I seem them.
MY APOLOGIES! As i was posting chapter 6 i FINALLY realized that the plus signs i've been using to seperate the jumps from one scene to the other in the chapters dont show up when i upload it on fanfic! i have corrected it on this chapter now using DASHES, so i hope this will make it easier to read and follow along. sorry for any trouble it caused in the previous chapters, i will be fixing it them now.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from X-men: Evolution.
Chapter One: Broken Tradition
Bobby stood in front of his mirror fixing the collar on his shirt. 'Perfect' he thought as he touched the last button.
"Come on dude, you've been staring at that mirror for more than an hour." Ray exclaimed as he entered Bobby's room.
"You're exaggerating." Bobby answered as he sprayed some cologne on himself.
"Well I won't be if we don't leave anytime soon." Ray said as he glared at Bobby.
"Ok ok I'm coming." Bobby replied as he grabbed his wallet and a jacket.
The two guys entered the hallway to come across Jean, who wore a dark blue dress.
"Wow, looking good guys." Jean said as she smiled and looked at the guys.
"You too Jean, beautiful." Ray replied as he smiled. Jean giggled at the compliment.
"Happy Valentines Jean." Bobby said as he smiled sweetly. "Plans with Scott today?" He asked as he raised his eyebrows.
"Hmm yah. I think we might check out a movie and have some dinner tonight." Jean answered. "And where are you guys heading to?"
"Well, we decided to have an early dinner with these girls from school and maybe a stroll in the park." Bobby answered as he thought about his plans for the day.
"Stroll in the park? Sounds romantic." Jean answered as she thought about the idea. Maybe she could talk Scott into walking through the park after some dinner.
"Thank you, my idea." Ray answered as he took a playful bow. "Well we should be heading off, don't want our dates thinking we're standing them up." He then added as he motioned for Bobby to start walking.
"Have a great time." Jean called out as she giggled to herself as she thought about how the whole institute seems to be in such a giddy mood just because of this special holiday.
The two guys talked about stopping by a store to buy some flowers for their dates, as they walked down the stairs.
'Flowers' Bobby thought as he began to ponder what kind of flowers to buy, maybe some chocolate too, one with a stuff animal carrying a box. 'Stuff animal with a chocolate box' he thought as he stopped midway in the staircase.
"I'll be back." Bobby stated as he began to turn around.
"What?" Ray asked a bit confused in Bobby's action.
"I forgot to do something!" Bobby called out as he reached the top of the staircase. Ray groaned softly as he leaned against the banister, 'I feel like I'm never going to leave.' He thought as he stared at the top of the staircase waiting for Bobby to return.
Bobby continued to jog down the hallway until he reached the familiar room. Giving it a knock and waiting for a quick second Bobby turned the doorknob open.
"Hey." He replied his eyes slightly lighting up at his friend.
"You know one of these days I might not be dressed." Jubilee replied as she looked at friend, referring for Bobby's impatience to wait for her to call him to open the door.
"That's what I'm hoping." Bobby answered as he winked at Jubilee.
Jubilee giggled as she rolled her eyes. "Handsome, all dressed up." Jubilee commented as she took notice of Bobby's clothes, placing the magazine that was in her hand on her bed she turned to face Bobby.
"I just wanted to stop by before I leave." Bobby said as he leaned against the frame of the door. "You don't have any early plans this year?" he asked as he frowned slightly at the thought of his friend alone for valentines.
"Nope not this year." Jubilee answered her voice not sounding a bit disappointed.
"Well we still have tonight right?" Bobby asked his voice filled with happiness.
"Yup, don't we always?" Jubilee answered as she stared at her best friend dressed up.
Bobby nodded his head and he smiled at the thought of the plans they had for tonight with each other.
"So who's the lucky girl this year?" Jubilee asked trying to recall who Bobby was taking out, when she thought about it she realized she didn't know.
"Hah, its quite funny Ray actually hooked me up with her. I haven't even met her." Bobby answered. When he thought about it, he didn't know why he had even said yes to a blind date on Valentines Day. Maybe it was the thought of being alone on this day, but he wouldn't have been alone he'd be with Jubilee.
"Blind date." Jubilee said a bit amazed at the thought.
"Yah I know. Ray, I owe him." Bobby answered, when he recalled one of the real reasons. Ray was dying to take this girl out on Valentines, but she accepted only if she could bring a friend. Faced with the chance of a third wheel disaster Ray went on a rampage looking for a guy in the mansion that would come with him. Leaving Bobby a perfect target considering he owed Ray for bailing him out on a prank that went wrong, and would have left him grounded for 3 months.
Jubilee nodded her head, a bit disappointed now realizing that Bobby was going more because he had no real option and not because he wanted to. She thought about how fun it would have been this year if they spent the whole day together.
"Oh Ray." Bobby exclaimed as he smacked his head, breaking Jubilee from her thoughts. "He's waiting down stairs, I got to get going. I'll be back at 9 Ray promised." He replied as he gave a quick smile to Jubilee.
"Can't wait." Jubilee called out as she watched Bobby run outside of her room.
Bobby ran down the stairs, to see Ray was now sitting at the bottom of the staircase. "Sorry." He replied a bit out of breathe.
Too much in a hurry to leave, Ray nodded it off as the two walked out of the mansion.
- - -
"Finally, we're going to meet up with the girls." Ray replied as he glanced at his watch. 'Good its only 5:45, we're not late.' He thought letting out a sigh of relief, a bit scared he wasn't going to make it at the restaurant at 6.
Bobby nodded his head as he held a single rose in his hand and a plastic bag. He was hoping the date would go back quickly smoothly and painless. He really wasn't big on blind dates, and the fact it was Valentines wasn't making the thought any easier.'
"So what's in the bag?" Ray asked as he peered at the plastic bag. "Condoms?" he joked as he winked at his friend.
"Yah right!" Bobby answered as he shook his head in disgust, although he knew it was a joke. "It's a white teddy bear with chocolate."
"You bought her a rose, and a teddy bear with chocolate." Ray exclaimed as he held the half a dozen roses in his hand.
"No just a rose." Bobby replied, he laughed a bit as he looked at the frantic Ray.
"Oh." Ray replied he had calmed down. "Wait." He then said as he stopped in his tracks. "Who's the bear for then?" he asked as he looked at Bobby.
"It's for Jubilee." Bobby answered as he reached his car.
"Right." Ray answered as he leaned against his car which was parked next to Bobby's. "So wait, why did we drive separately and why are you buying a bear for Jubilee." He then asked, as he began to think about why he hadn't asked Bobby why they were driving separately earlier.
"Because, incase you decided to go have a little fun after the date. I need a ride home." Bobby answered as he opened the door to his car.
"So what about Jubilee?" Ray called out as he watched Bobby step into his car, starting to wonder what the deal was with the two teammates.
"Its tradition. We do this every year." Bobby yelled as placed the bag behind his seat.
"I swear, sometimes you guys should just date." Ray answered as smiled at his friend.
Bobby smiled and shook his head. It was something he heard often, and for Jubilee she probably heard it more from the girls since they tend to be more romantics. Best friends, they seemed perfect for each other and the fact that they did almost everything to together why shouldn't they go out was what everyone said.
Bobby sat in his car thinking about the question, but hearing Ray start his engine, his thoughts shaken as he too then started his car not too long after.
- - -
Bobby pulled up into the mansion right behind Ray and parked next to him.
"Man did I have a great time." Ray replied as he closed the door to his car, and leaned over it to look at Bobby. His date with Kate had been one of the best dates he had ever had. She was easy to talk to; she laughed and knew how to have fun.
Bobby laughed as he stepped out of his car, he nodded his head. He had to agree his date with Amy had turned out to be a much unexpected blind date. Right from the start they hit it off; it didn't even feel like they were set up by their friends. He was even considering calling her up for a movie, since she did leave him her number.
Grabbing his door, he was about to close it when something caught his eye. Letting out a groan he grabbed the plastic bag that sat in the back of his car.
"What is it?" Ray asked as he watched Bobby slam the door to his car.
"Shit." Bobby mumbled as he ignored Ray's question and looked at his watch, 11:54. He slammed his hand against the hood of the car.
"What." Ray asked grabbing Bobby's shoulder a bit concerned for his friend. His mood had quickly changed and he wasn't sure why.
"Jubilee, I forgot." Bobby softly said as he held the bag in his hand.
"No, you didn't. You bought the bear, tradition right?" Ray replied a bit confused at the situation.
"You don't get it, its tradition that I buy her some sort of bear with chocolate. But it's also tradition that we spend the evening together." Bobby replied as he mentally continued to scold himself for forgetting.
"It's ok though. I mean she knew you were going on this date right?" Ray said.
"Yah she knew, but I told her I'd be back at 9. Remember dinner and a walk in the park." Bobby replied as he recalled his exact words to her.
"Then the unexpected movie." Ray mumbled realizing the problem. 'That's why Bobby needed a sure ride home, incase things went past the plans. I thought it was just incase he hated his date.' Thought Ray.
"I got to go." Bobby said, as he began to jog to the door into the mansion.
Bobby ran into the mansion, the plastic bag now thrown away somewhere along the way and now he clutched the plush bear in his hand.
Reaching the stairs, Bobby stopped in his stairs. Looking up he began to think about Jubilee. 'This is great' he thought to himself as he stood silently.
The previous evening events began to play in his mind. Amy was gorgeous; she had blonde hair and wonderful smile. A cheerleader at the school she attended, which gave away why her body was so nice. Dinner went by faster then he thought it would be, they laughed and shared their interesting. The walk in the park was even more better then dinner, they even shared a kiss. It neared 9:10, and Kate suggested going to the movies, Bobby didn't even remember his plans with Jubilee and eagerly answered a yes. He had totally forgotten it was even Valentines Day.
Now here he was, 11:57 am. Almost 3 hours late with his plans with Jubilee, and he didn't have a good enough reason to why he was except the fact that he forgot.
Climbing the stairs Bobby began to envision the conversation he would be having with Jubilee. He could just imagine him opening the door and having firework sparks being flown at him, her words already going before he'd even get the chance to close the door. Calling him an uncaring best friend, and how stupid he would be to forget their plans for the evening. How of all the irresponsible things he had done in his life this one was the worst.
Bobby shut his eyes at his thoughts, as he let out his breathe that he was holding in. This would be worst then the time Bobby was caught eavesdropping on Jubilee's conversation on the phone with one of the guys she was seeing. He did it to tease her afterwards, but his plans backfired when he realized that Jubilee was slightly being dumped by the guy on the phone, he had let out a "what" without thinking, and starting going off at the guy at how stupid he was for doing so.
Jubilee was shocked and so surprised that she just hung up the phone. When he finally approached her, she began yelling so loud about how he didn't have any consideration and invaded her privacy that Kitty had to come and calm her down.
Eventually she forgave him, considering the fact he was her best friend. And the other fact that he told the guy off even after she hung up the phone. It was the first time Bobby had hurt her, even though it was unintentionally.
Finally reaching her room, Bobby let out another deep breath and knocked on the door before opening the door. Slowly sticking in his head he shut his eyes quickly at the caution of the sparks that would start flying. When nothing came he let his whole body into the room.
The room was dimly lit, from a lamp on Jubilee's night stand. Looking at the bed, Bobby had thought she was sleeping when he realized it was empty. His eyes wondered as he looked for Jubilee, it stopped when he saw her sitting next to her window looking at the sky.
Bobby opens his words to speak, but closed them when he realized he didn't know what to say. He had thought about what Jubilee would do to him when he got here, but he hadn't even thought about what he was going to tell her. He didn't think he'd have a chance to with his thoughts of her screaming most of the time. He slowly began to approach her.
"Are you ok?" Jubilee asked her voice just loud enough for him to hear. Her back remained facing against him. But he knew she knew it was him.
Bobby looked up from the ground and stopped a bit caught off by her question. "Uh yah." He stuttered as he ran a hand through his hair.
"Good." Jubilee whispered, this time he had barely heard her and he wondered if she didn't want him to.
Bobby began to walk up to Jubilee until he was only a three steps away from her. Stopping Bobby opened his mouth again to speak, "Jubilee." He said his voice came out scratchy and he shifted his legs out of nervousness. 'Why is she so quiet?' He thought as he stared at her long black hair, her pajamas covering her legs and her shirt seeming a little bit too big for her.
"Maybe you should go Bobby." Jubilee whispered, not letting him finish his sentence, afraid of what he was going to tell her, where the conversation would go.
"Jubes." Bobby began again not wanting to leave until he knew things were ok.
"Don't Bobby." Jubilee said her voice louder stronger. Her eyes remained at the dark sky, she could feel her eyes begin to water and swallowed nothing but air to try and compose herself.
"Jubilee." Bobby replied his voice louder. Frustration rose from within him at the fact she was barely talking to him, let alone had not turned to look at him.
"Stop Bobby." Jubilee yelled, as stood from her chair and faced Bobby.
It was the first time he had actually seen her face since he left earlier that day. She looked different though, 'was it the lighting?' he thought as he stared blankly at her. His eyes squinted a bit to adjust to the poor lighting and then realized the real reason why she looked so different, her eyes seemed to be puffier, and had bags under her eyes.
Jubilee eyes looked at him; she was about the say more but stopped herself. She was not going to let things explode; she didn't have the energy to. She was ready to walk away from him, anything to stop a conversation from starting but it was too late, and she stopped when she heard Bobby speak.
"I'm sorry. I know I'm late." Bobby whispered his eyes looking straight at her. Never in his years knowing Jubilee had he seen her looking so emotionless.
Jubilee remained motionless, her eyes continued to look at him with no emotion. He looked the same from earlier that day, when he stood leaning against the frame of her door. But now the scenario was different, and neither was smiling. It took all her strength just to not cry or let any emotions show.
He looked back at her eyes stared at him, it began to worry him that she wasn't saying much to him. "Happy Valentines." Bobby whispered after several seconds of silence, he held up the bear in front of her.
Jubilee's eyes fell on the bear, on the red box scribbled in Bobby's handwriting from after he bought it was To My Best Friend. He continued to hold it out to her as she made no attempt to move.
Shaking the bear playfully in front of her, he watched as she remained still, Bobby began to feel his heart sink. He knew he messed up.
Jubilee shook her head, as she grabbed the bear from his hands. She was tired of trying to stop him from starting things, she needed to get out, get away from him. She walked up to him quickly and pressed the bear against his chest. "No Bobby." She said as she stared into his eyes, her eyes burning with anger.
Bobby swallowed a gulp of air, preparing himself for the fireworks show.
"No Bear." Jubilee continued as she pressed the bear against his chest, slightly pushing him. "No tradition." She then said the anger in her eyes changed and filled with sadness, pushing the bear against him once again this time causing him to take a step back.
Bobby's hands lifted from his side, he held them in front of him ready to stop her from starting again. He opened his mouth to say something, to argue, to stop her but she stopped him.
"No." She said as pressed the bear against his chest, this time not pushing him. "I don't feel like talking." She said softly.
"Jubes …" Bobby began to whisper, as he watched her shake her head no.
"Happy Valentines Bobby." Jubilee whispered as her eyes filled with water as she placed the bear back in his hands and walked passed him.
Bobby stared at the bear in his hand. Turning around he called out, "Jubilee" as he watched her open the door and leave.
With the bear in his hand, he jogged up to the close door and opened it quickly. Looking into the empty hallway he couldn't figure out where she was.
Bobby spent the whole night trying to find her, he looked every where. The places she'd go to find some alone time, the places she went to hide away from the world, he looked every where he thought he'd find her and he had no luck.
Checking her room one last time Bobby let out sigh to find it empty. Closing the door in defeat he looked at his watch 3:23 a.m. 'Maybe she went to one of the other girls rooms' he thought as he let out another sigh and leaned against Jubilee's closed door. His legs tired, he slid himself down on the ground. 'What have you done Drake.' He thought as he closed his eyes and leaned his head against the wooden door.
- - -
"Bobby." A girl's voice filled Bobby's mind as he felt someone shake him gently.
"Jubes." He mumbled as he opened his heavy eyes, it was the only girl in the house that would usually wake his sleepy self.
"Sorry honey." Kitty replied as she squatted in front of Bobby.
"Oh hey Kitty." Bobby said as he smiled slightly.
"What the hell you doing sleeping in front of Jubilee's door?" Kitty asked she raised her eyebrow at him.
The words snapped Bobby fully awake. He wasn't aware at exactly where he was he couldn't believe he had fallen asleep at her door. Bobby flushed a bit, embarrassed that Kitty had found him asleep there.
"Does she know you're out here, with a bear?" Kitty asked, as she noticed a bear that was slightly being covered behind Bobby's back and realizing he wasn't answering her first question.
"No. Unless she came back when I was sleeping and went away." Bobby mumbled as he grabbed the bear from behind him.
"What she's not in her room?" Kitty exclaimed, as she looked at Bobby.
"Sorry Kitty, long story. But I better get going." Bobby answered, before Kitty could ask any questions. By the look in her eyes she had hundreds already.
Walking down the hall Bobby held the bear in his right hand; he turned the corner and bumped in someone.
Looking up Bobby was hoping it was Jubilee. He was disappointed to see that it was Evan.
"Sorry Bobby didn't expect you there walked right into you." Evan exclaimed held his skateboard in his hand.
"It's ok." Bobby mumbled as he held up his hand in the air to motion Evan away.
"Hey is that Jubilee's bear?" Evan asked as he looked at the famous 'bear with chocolate' in Bobby's hand. "What did you forget to buy it for her yesterday?" Evan joked, being one of the older x-men he was aware of the tradition the best friends had.
"Sort of." Bobby mumbled as he squeezed the bear. Before the conversation could go any farther Bobby walked away, and headed towards his room. Bobby felt like everything he was feeling never went away even when a new day had started.
That's the end of Chapter One. How did you like it? I hope you take the time to review; any suggestions are welcomed and would be deeply appreciated to help my writers block. I know it ended kind of suddenly but I didn't want to drag this chapter out too long. I already started Chapter 2 if I can finish it today I hope to update tomorrow since I go back to school next week.