And Then There Were Twelve-

"Oh come on Logan!" Jubilee whined, chasing after the growling Wolverine, "Please…"

"No, kid." Logan grunted, picking up the pace hoping to lose her. Determined as she was, Jubilee sped up to catch him.

"Logan, be reasonable. I'm just asking for a ride home." Jubilee stressed, crossing her arms across her chest.

"I told you, I'm busy kid." Logan glared at her, rolling his eyes at her usual outfit. Jubilee insisted on wearing a pink, frilly tee shirt; worn, white-washed cut off shorts; brown hiking boots; and a yellow rubber jacket with matching gloves. And if that wasn't bad enough there was also the pink sunglasses that always rested on top of her head.

"Aaaaah!" Jubilee growled, "You're such a drag." She huffed, storming away pouting her lower lip.

"Logan, you could try to be a little nicer to Jubilee. She idolizes you like a father figure." Jean came around the corner, shaking her head. She wasn't wearing her X-men uniform today, instead fashioned simple black jeans and a loose blue blouse.

"Not now Jean…" Logan growled; he wasn't in the mood for one of her numerous pep talks.

"What's wrong Logan?" Jean asked concern laced within her voice. Jean was one of the few X-men to actually used his name, everyone else just called him Wolverine. She began playing with her flame red hair, like she always did when she was nervous.

"Rogue and Gambit are overdue on their mission checkup…I guess I'm just a little tense, I just want to be here in case something….in case something goes wrong." Logan croaked out, shrugging away his emotions, shoving his hands in his jean pockets.

"Rogue is a grown woman Logan; she can take care of herself. Especially with those killer powers of hers…." Jean lighted lightly at her jest, then smirked mischievously, "Besides, I doubt Gambit would let anything happen to her."

"Rrrrgggg, there's something about that rat that irks me." Logan grunted.

"The way he looks at Rogue I'm not surprised…." Jean smiled at the dark glare Logan shot at her, "I know you fancy Rogue as a daughter figure, much the same way as Jubilee, but you got to let them grow up."

"I know…it's just I worry more when their not here for me to watch." Logan replied.

"Me too…strange how we've become one big happy family…." Both Jean and Logan chuckled at that, remembering all the good times they'd had together, "…you know the whole team couldn't go. It was a stealth mission, and I don't know about you, but I think our little band of misfits would draw far too much attention." She laughed again.

"True…" Logan sniggered at the thought of Angel or Beast trying to be stealthy. Those two would stick out like a sore thumb.

"Don't worry, everything will be alright." Jean patted his back.

"Thanks Jean." Logan smiled.


Logan could be such a stubborn ass sometimes…Jubilee growled under her breath, cursing silently.

"Great, now I've got to walk all the way to the mall, then all the way back…fun…" She rolled her eyes, "Stupid Logan." She mumbled.

"Hey Jubilee!" Scott called from behind, she turned staring up at him, "I could drop you off at the mall, if you don't mind?" He offered. Jubilee's face lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Really!" She screeched, "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you Scott." Jubilee leapt up, trapping him in a bear hug, "You're the sweetest, most awesome teacher in the world."

"No prob. I was heading into town anyway, just glad I could help." Scott laughed at her silliness.

"You're a lifesaver…Yay! Let me go grab my things, be back in five." She skipped off down the hall happily humming a low tune.

"Meet you outside in the car." Scott called after her.

"Aye Aye Cap'n." Jubilee saluted him, before dashing down the hallway to her room.

"Silly girl…." Scott laughed as he turned to head towards the garage.


"No offense sug, but you're being far too obvious." Rogue chastised Gambit, who was strutting beside her. They were in street clothes; Rogue in blue jeans, a long sleeve emerald blouse, a short brown leather coat and her usual yellow gloves and Gambit in black slacks, a white muscle shirt and his trusty brown leather trench coat, and not to mention his fingerless black biker gloves.

"What Gambit do?" The Cajun hunk asked huskily.

"One: ya keep staring like a love sick puppy. Two: we're following two close. And Lastly…would ya put that damn camera away." Rogue sighed heavily, slapping her right palm into her forehead as she shook her head.

"Oh cher, Gambit be posing as a tourist." He smiled wickedly, taking another picture of the couple they were tailing.

"Then at least try taking a picture of the scenery, anything other then them." Rogue suggested.

"Lighten up mon chéri." Gambit jabbed her with his elbow.

"This is a critical mission if you hadn't noticed, you stupid Swamp Rat." Rogue hissed angrily through clenched teeth.

"Now that hurts Gambit cher." He gestured over his heart, like he'd been struck by a stray arrow.

"Would you be serious for two seconds?" Rogue countered annoyed.

"Gambit is serious, that hurt." He turned towards her fixing her with his crimson eyes, "You owe Gambit an apology for that."

"Fine, I'm sorry." Rogue caved, "Can we get back to the mission now?"

"Gambit wants a kiss for an apology." He smiled sinfully.

"Ya can't be serious?" Rogue gaped at him surprised.

"Completely…." He dipped her chin up with the tip of his ungloved finger, "And Gambit won't take no for an answer." The fact that Gambit wasn't on the ground unconscious by having the life sucked out of him is, amazing as it sounds, because Rogue has limited control over her powers now. She could now stave it off for hours at a time.

"Gambit I can't…." Rogue began.

"You have control now cher, no more excuses." Gambit insisted, glaring passionately at Rogue.

"The mission…." Rogues whispered, overtaken by the look in those ruby eyes.

"Kiss me." Possessed by the power of his charm, Rogue leaned toward him, locking lips. Hungrily she captured his mouth, allowing her passion and affection Gambit to motivate her actions. Six years of being untouched and finally now she could find comfort in his embrace. Rogue reached past his broad shoulders, clasping onto the back of his head, drawing him in deeper. Gambit wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against his rock hard chest.


"Umm…..hmmmmm!" A cloaked woman looked at her companion, "It appears our stalkers are groping each other in the middle of the street." Peering around the dark corner.

"Not only do they suck at blending in, but now they've allowed us to escape their sight….they are by far the worst operatives I've ever seen." The tall, muscular replied, flashing a quick smirk at the much smaller woman.

"I know…we didn't even get to have fun." She pouted, crossing her arms against her chest, "Though…I have to admit that the man is really hot, I might be inclined to jump him too."

The man shot her a disgusted look, "You really need to keep that shit to yourself."

"What, have my words upset you? Are you feeling uncomfortable by the thought of my being attracted to a man?" The woman smiled evilly, "Perhaps I should paint a picture for you…..let's see, he'd grab me passionately, throwing me against the wall…."

"Oh God, don't do that…." The muscular stranger glared at her disapprovingly, "Revolting, that's just one image I never want to see…you're one sick bastard." The burly man glared fiercely.

"Hehe….you're so easy, it's not even a challenge anymore." She laughed, "What'd you say we go cause some mayhem?" She suggested.

"What will it be this time? Bank?" He asked.

"Did that last week."

"Museum…"

"Guards are too old."

"Mall?"

"Perfect…thousands of teenagers, fifty strapping young security guards, and lots of damage to cause…Let's go." She jerked her head to the left, "Should we take them?"

"NA!" The man smiled, cocking an eyebrow, "It'll be funnier when they freak out after they realize we're gone."

"True…" She took one last peek to confirm that they were still making out, "Idiots!"


"Thanks Scott!" Jubilee called over her shoulder waving.

"Be back in two hours." Scott replied, pulling away.

Jubilee headed into two story shopping mall, purse dangling over her right shoulder. At first she just wandered into random stores, not really looking for anything n particular. She already knew what she needed, a birthday present for Professor Xavier. The downside, she had no idea what to get him. Jubilee had only been at the Institute for four months, and frankly knew nothing about the Professor, other then the fact that he was super sweet and the most powerful telepath in the world.

Deep in thought, Jubilee hadn't paid any attention to where she was going, before she knew it Jubilee ran smack into another woman. Both of them were knocked to the ground, grumbling about not seeing each other. Jubilee jumped to her feet, dashing over to help the woman.

"I'm so sorry, are you okay?" Jubilee asked, extending her hand.

"Fine, no damage done." She accepted the help and with Jubilee's hand, pulled herself up, "Though we might want to swap insurance, just in case." She smirked, or at least, Jubilee guessed she did. The woman was wearing a navy blue spandex mask covering from her nose down to her mid-neck. But the mask perked up as if she was smiling. Actually the woman's face was almost completely covered. In addition to the mask, the woman also had her midnight bangs with blue highlights long, hanging down over the left side of her face, ending at a point past her chin. Basically the only exposed space of her face was her right eye, a bright vivacious sapphire eye.

"Eei, don't worry about her. She was probably planning the whole incident so that she could sue you!" A tall, dark and handsome (corny cliché, I know. But he was, Jubilee had to admit) laughed, slinging himself over her right shoulder.

"Yes, I so wanted to be knocked on my ass, you caught me. Guilty as charged." The woman replied sarcastically.

"Are you really alright?" Jubilee inquired, so embarrassed at herself.

"I think I'll make it." The woman laughed softly, "How 'bout you?"

"Oh I'm fine." Jubilee responded.

"Good to hear…catch ya later." The woman walked off.

"See ya cutie." The dark haired, baby blue-eyed man winked at her before following after the masked woman.

Dazzled, it took Jubilee a couple minutes to collect herself. Several moments passed before she realized that her purse was missing, along with her money, id, oh everything.

"Damn it!" She cursed, dashing after the two thieves.