Defrosting
Disclaimer: I don't own the X-Men, but I kinda wish I did. At least I'd try to write them better. Comments are always welcome, but I'd prefer if you'd keep your flames. I'm not sure if my weak fragile writer's ego can take it.
I guess this is an AU, because I don't really follow what's going on in comics of late, and as far as I'm concerned, Emma never dated Scott.
It's one of those rare nights at the mansion where it is quiet and void of commotion. The respective members of the X-Men are out doing various things, enjoying their downtime before
the students start returning for the oncoming semester. Tonight Bobby Drake finds himself with the mansion all to himself. After numerous games of pool, Bobby is officially bored. He places the pool cue on the table, deciding to try his luck with the tv, when something flashes past the doorway of the rec-room. Bobby quietly hops over the back of the couch, sneaking to the doorway to investigate the blur. His fists are clenched, ready for anything. When he peers around the corner and sees what has caused the blur, he almost wishes he hadn't gotten off the couch at all.
"Emma." Bobby says monotonously. He realizes he isn't alone in the mansion now, though considering the company, he almost wishes he were.
"Robert." Emma acknowledges him blankly. She had sensed his presence in the mansion and had no desire to stop and speak. Unfortunately for her, getting to her destination leaves her no choice but to walk by the rec room.
"Gee, Em, you're all sweaty," Bobby grins. "What have you been doing?" He's bored and wants to entertain himself by getting under her skin.
"I was working out, something you might want to consider sometime instead of sitting in front of the television all day. Now if you don't mind . . . " Emma lets her voice carry off to insinuate the conversation is over. She turns and heads back toward the stairs.
Emma doesn't take his bait and walks away. Bobby doesn't want to spend the entire night alone and he considers it for a moment before calling out. "Hey Emma, wait a sec."
He jogs to catch up to her and she stops to hear what he has to say. "Yes Robert?" She says with a bored tone in her voice.
Suddenly he's intimidated by her and the look in her eyes makes him feel insecure. "Umm...Do you have any plans tonight?"
"Why?" Although her expression is simply an amused smirk, she is secretly intrigued.
Her response catches him off-guard. "I was- umm I was wondering well...everyone is out but us, and I don't want to hang around here all night by myself. So umm, do you wanna get some food and catch a movie or something?"
Emma's face remains as stoic as ever as she listens to his proposition. She takes a long pause before answering to weigh her options. She really doesn't want to stay in all night either. Instead of letting him know this, she answers with a cold "Alright."
"Alright? Ok. How bout we meet back here in a half hour?"
"Forty-five."
"Forty-five minutes? How long does it take you to get dressed? You hardly wear anything." He laughs to himself before continuing. "Fine, forty-five it is, but can you at least wear something not rated R?"
"What exactly, is wrong with my attire?" Emma puts her hand on her hip, glaring at him.
"Nothing...'cept well, there ain't much of it."
"I'll wear something...more appropriate. But, since we're on the subject of attire, do not wear any of your frumpy shorts or character t-shirts."
"Hey! My clothes are not frumpy." Bobby protests.
Emma simply looks at him, daring him to try and argue. Knowing it is an argument he can't win, he accepts the small defeat, and with a grin, makes the deal even sweeter.
"No white."
His request shocks her, and for a second he thinks he sees a glimmer of surprise in her eyes, but it quickly disappears.
"No blue." She says, rising to his challenge.
"Not a prob, Em. See ya in forty-five."
Both head up the stairs and turn in opposite directions like fighters going to their corners.
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Bobby glances at his watch for the umpteenth time since returning to the rec room. The allotted fourty-five minutes is nearly up, and he's spent the better part of the last 10 minutes smoothing out his shirt and checking his collar in the mirror. He can't remember the last time he wore a button up shirt for something other than a funeral or special occasion. As he paces in place, he's already beginning to dread what he's sure will be a night in hell. He groans inwardly as he thinks of various disasters than can happen tonight and fights the urge to run while he has the chance. It's too late for him to bail now, for her hears her approaching footsteps around the corner. Bobby sighs again and his breath catches in his throat when Emma emerges from around the corner.
"Emma!... You um... You look nice." Bobby manages to spew out. She has kept her word; her outfit is appropriate and she isn't wearing white. She looks very attractive to him this way, but he'd never admit it out loud. Finally collecting himself, Bobby adds, "I didn't know you owned pants, let alone black ones."
Emma smirks at his remark as she takes in his appearance. It's his turn to be scrutinized. She mentally notes the improvement of his appearance when he's neatly dressed. Instead of letting him know this, she decides to play his game.
"You look nice as well Robert. I didn't know you had a comb, let alone anything with buttons. I thought they might be too difficult for you."
Bobby grins at her comeback. Maybe if she keeps up the banter, the evening won't be a complete disaster. "Good one, Emma. Ready to go?"
"Sure."
"I'm driving."
"Wouldn't it be safer to use my driver?"
"What's the fun in that? We don't need the limo, we can take my car."
"Perhaps I should borrow Logan's helmet."
"Hey! I'm not that bad of a driver."
"You're not that good either."
"Geez, those pants must be magical or something. They're giving you the power of witty remarks."
"Side effect of my mutation."
"Funny. Guess I have it too."
Bobby laughs and double takes at Emma walking beside him. She's smiling. He's shocked. She's actually smiling, and it isn't her usually forced one thin-lipped grin. Bobby can't believe she's acting so...normal. He didn't know she had the ability. Bobby's never seen her in this light, and when he thinks about it, he doubts any of the others have either. He's only saw her as the "White Queen", Emma Frost, with the heart of ice. She rarely shows any emotion, and isn't the type to laugh out loud, so he is more than happy with a smile. Bobby quickly remembers Emma's telepathy, and doesn't want her to hear anything he doesn't want her to. As he clicks his seat belt, he turns to her.
"Let's make a deal; no powers tonight. Let's just have fun."
After some thought, Emma agrees. It wasn't so long ago that Emma would have been trepidatious to do so, but since her secondary mutation manifested, in which she has no access to her telepathic abilities, it isn't an issue anymore.
Neither of them speak as Bobby drives to the gate. The awkward silence in the car and the empty silence in Emma's mind is deafening and she's not sure how much longer she can take it.
"Since you get to drive, I"m at least choosing the radio station." Emma says, already turning the radio to her desired frequency. Once she finds the station she wants, she sits back and listens to the music. Even relaxing, her back is stiff with posture.
"Wow, I never pictured you as a rock fan."
"Let me guess, you thought my collection entirely classical?"
"Honestly, yeah I guess I did. I didn't know you had good taste in music, I listen to this station all the time."
The silence between them resurfaces as they make their way into the busier section of Salem Center, but it is no longer awkward. As Bobby observes the townspeople out on the town, he isn't sure where he wants to go. The easy choice would be to get fast food, but he doubts Emma would want any. He can't even recall a time he ever saw her touch the stuff. To be honest, he wasn't in the mood for any either. As Bobby slows at a red light, he remembers a small café he used to frequent but hasn't visited in a long time. He decides it's the perfect place to go.
"There's this little café type place I know of that's a couple streets over. Wanna check it out?"
"Sounds fine." Emma replies. She is relieved he didn't choose the burger place on the corner.
As Bobby parks the car, Emma scrutinizes the place. It's not a place she'd ever consider him to go to. She considers Chuck E. Cheese much more his style than this quaint, cozy place. Bobby holds the door open for her as she enters the Café. It's quiet and cozy, with the faint hum of patrons talking and soft music playing. An older woman walks towards them to seat them, but as she approaches, a large smile spreads across her face and her steps quicken.
"Bobby? Is that you?" She asks in an excited voice.
"Abby! It's so good to see you."
Abby walks right up to him, embracing him in a huge hug, not even appearing to notice Emma standing beside him. When they pull apart, her happy visage has evolved into a stern expression.
"Where on Earth have ya been boy? We ain't seen ya 'round here in ages. You know you're my favorite customer."
"I'm sorry. Things have been pretty hectic and I've been really busy. I'll make up for it with a big ol' tip tonight."
"You better." She replies, her face reverting to her gentle smile. "I know you've been busy, but you ain't been too busy to forget your manners. Aren't ya gonna introduce me to your pretty friend here?"
"Abby, this is Emma. Emma, Abby."
"Nice to meet you." Emma says politely.
"Oh the pleasures all mine Honey. Any friend of Bobby's is a friend of mine. Now, let me seat y'all at the best table I've got."
Abby leads them to a small table set off somewhat in the back. She hands each of them a menu, and pulls a tablet out of her worn apron.
"Now what would y'all like to drink? Let's see if this old bird still has it; vanilla bean frapp, extra cream, chocolate sprinkles?"
"You're the greatest Abby." Bobby says with a smile.
"Glad ta see I still got it. And what will you have dear?"
"Cappuccino please."
After Abby finishes writing it down, she heads off to get their beverage orders while they peruse the menus in silence. It isn't until she returns with their drinks and takes their food orders and leaves that they finally start talking.
"She sure seems fond of you for some reason." Emma states with a lilt of humor in her tone.
"I used to walk around town a lot when I first came to the school. I passed by one day and it smelled so good that I just had to come in. I used to come in here at least once a month. Abby's always taken good care of me ever since the first time I walked in here. She's one of the kindest people you'll ever find in New York.
They continue to talk about casual things and after their food arrives, it takes a more serious and nostalgic turn.
"How was life before Xavier's?" Emma asks.
Bobby takes a long sip of his drink, his eyes never leaving the cup as he answers flatly, "Cold."
"I'm sorry?"
"Lemme explain. I thought my powers manifested in my teens right before I came to the mansion, but that's not true. I've had them since birth. Mom told me I froze the tub once right before she was going to give me a bath. She didn't wanna wait for the tub to thaw out, so she took me in the kitchen and I froze the sink too. Mom said I did that a lot, but I don't remember any of it. Then somehow, my powers just 'went away' for a few years. Dad hoped it was for good, so he told my Mom to never tell me about it."
Bobby takes a bite of his sandwich before continuing. "If I never got sick, I bet they never would've told me."
"Sick?"
"Yeah. When I was about 11, I started getting sick a lot. I mean really sick. I was always cold. It'd be 90 degrees out, and I would be shivering in sweatshirts. For about 2 years I saw tons of doctors, but none of em could figure it out. They all said I was catching the flu, or I had pneumonia, or low iron in my blood, but they didn't really know. No one knew til one day I got so cold my whole body turned to ice. Then that was all she wrote..."
Emma stares into her cup as his story sinks in. Their conversation has taken a turn Emma hadn't planned on. She never imagined that the two of them would have a conversation this in depth. Hearing him recall the first manifestations of his powers only makes her remember the horrible memories she tries to force down.
"What about you? Do you remember when your powers started manifesting?" Bobby asks.
She knew the question was inevitable, she didn't need her telepathy for that. Her features are hard and stoic, her gaze rigid yet distant. Emma takes a long sip of her cappuccino stalling for time, but the memories continue to play through her mind.
The first memories to coalesce in her thoughts are fragments from her time in the mental institution. She recalls being strapped down to the bed when the voices were too much for her to bear, screaming her lungs out as her limbs were placed in restraints. She relives for the millionth time the first night they come into her room... and her attempts at resisting and fighting back to no avail. The numerous occurrences of that scenario blur past her, her attempts at resistance getting weaker until she no longer fights back.
The sound of clanging dishes wakes her from her reverie.
"Oh my God Emma." Bobby says, shock evident on his face.
"What?" Emma asks confused.
"I had no idea."
"What are you talking about?" Her tone sounding agitated with a hint of her coldness returning.
"I didn't know you went through that."
She glares at him until her eyes widen with realization.
"How did you? My powers are shielded. I certainly did not project."
"I don't know how I saw what I saw, but I did."
Emma realizes he's seen a part of her past she's kept hidden from everyone. She fumbles with her things, finally grabbing her purse. She doesn't need this right now.
"I have to go."
"Wait."
Emma rises from the table in a hurry and Bobby gets up to follow her. He pulls out his wallet and throws some cash on the table. After all, he promised Abby a good tip.
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To Be Continued...
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