A/N: Wow! I got like six reviews for the last chapter! Thank you!! Well, I've finally decided where I'm going to break this story for part two. Chapter 55 will be the last in this part, but there is still lots to come for Jenny, Tommy and the other Rangers. Part Two will be called "Home Again" - at least I think so. This chapter is one of the parts I was seriously considering leaving out. It is really totally unnecessary, but fun so here it is. Hope you like it!
Jubilee spoke up. "Wolvie's getting restless."
Jenny perked up at this news. "That usually means that he's looking to go to Harry's or the Auger Inn. Since you're telling us, either you couldn't find anyone else to inform or you're inviting us."
Logan's blue eyes twinkled at Jenny. "I'm willing to bet my left arm that you're getting a little stir crazy yourself."
Jenny bit her lip. "Yeah, a little" she admitted. "But Hank'll never let me go out - especially with the two of you to either one of those places."
Jubilee's eyes glinted with mischief. "True, but he's totally busy in the Danger Room right now and he does have that experiment he needs to get back to…"
Jenny fought to keep the grin off her face as she nodded. "That's very true. He'd never miss us for a few hours."
Tommy finally spoke. "Jenny, are you sure-"
Jubilee interrupted him. "She'll be fine. Me and Wolvie'll be with her and you too."
Tommy looked at Jenny's pleading look and Jubilee's confident look before he locked eyes with Wolverine. Something in the feral man's eyes told Tommy he had nothing to worry about. Logan's next words confirmed it.
"For quite a while, I have considered her family. I will not let anything happen to someone I consider family."
"Another surrogate daughter, Wolvie?" Jubilee teased.
"No." Logan locked eyes with Jenny. "A sister. She and I have traded blood more times than I want to count. She knows my wild side in a way that no one else does."
Jenny smiled gently as her mind flew back over the numerous times that he referred to. She stood and walked over to him and held out her hand. They clasped each other around the forearms near the elbow in a way that Tommy recognized. He and Jason had done it many times in the past. He relaxed a bit.
"I guess it's decided then" Jubilee said. "We need to change clothes and head out as fast as we can."
Logan nodded as he released Jenny's arm. "I just need to change my shirt and then I'll tell Ororo that we're going out." He looked at Tommy. "When the girls went shopping last, they picked you up some clothes of your own. I'd recommend jeans and a shirt that you don't care if it gets messed up."
Tommy raised an eyebrow at this information, but said nothing as he rose to go change. Jubilee grabbed Jenny's hand and all but dragged her into the house. "Come on! I know exactly what you and I should wear!"
Jenny laughed and let the petite girl pull her along. The men laughed and followed more slowly. "Meet us in the garage in ten minutes!" Logan called after the two girls. Jenny called back an acknowledgement just before they disappeared from view.
Eight minutes later found Logan and Tommy waiting in the garage for the girls. Logan seemed to be debating something. He finally turned to Tommy. "Can you drive a motorcycle?"
"It's been a while, but yes, I can. Why?"
"Jen, Jubes and I all have our own cycles and I know we prefer to use them when we go out. If we take cycles, you'd have to ride with someone or use the spare."
A voice from the doorway got their attention. "He probably should ride with Jenny. If she gets too tired to drive back, no one has to go back for her bike."
Wolverine grinned wolfishly at the young woman standing in the doorway. Black boots, black leather pants, blue shirt to match her eyes - he loved the way she dressed to go to the bar! Everything was loose enough to move in and tight enough to look good.
Jubilee spoke again. "Jenny will be here in a minute - she's just finishing her hair."
"Or - I'm already done" Jenny said as she stepped through the door. Tommy whistled appreciatively. Black T-shirt with a loose green shirt over it and dark green jeans that were tucked into knee high black boots. She had a leather jacket slung over her shoulder and her hair had been braided tightly and looped up so the end was tucked in and out of the way.
She smiled at him and returned the appraisal. He was dressed all in black - T-shirt, jeans and boots. "Not too bad yourself" she replied. She turned her attention to the other couple. "Jeep or bikes?" she asked.
"Bikes" said Jubilee. "And Tommy can ride with you."
Jenny cocked an eyebrow at Tommy. "You can't drive a motorcycle?"
"It's been a while and I'd rather not screw up a borrowed bike."
"Or" Jenny glanced at Jubilee "if I get too tired to drive back, we don't have to leave my bike behind." Jenny grinned at Jubilee as the other girl grimaced. "I think I still have a little of Wolvie's blood in me - I could hear you all the way down the hall." Jubilee started to protest, but Jenny held up a hand to stop her. "It's okay - it makes sense. Besides, if Tommy rides with me to the bar, he can refresh his memory of the mechanics in case he needs to drive back."
She strode over to a deep blue Harley, grabbed the helmet off a nearby rack on the way and tossed it to Tommy before grabbing her helmet off the seat. Everyone slipped their jackets on and the three drivers mounted their respective bikes. While Jenny got on the bike, Tommy slipped his helmet on and she put her helmet on as he straddled the bike behind her.
As one, they kick started the bikes. They pulled out of the garage and Tommy put his hands on Jenny's waist. She smiled beneath her helmet. When they got to the gate, Logan punched in the code to open it and Jenny turned to Tommy. "Just so you know, you had better hold on better than that if you want to stay on the bike with me."
Before he could respond, Jubilee revved her bike and Jenny and Logan revved theirs in answer. Tommy suddenly realized what was going to happen and scooted up closer to Jenny, wrapping his arms around her waist tightly. As soon as he did, she bent low over her bike and he followed suit. He heard the clang of the gates as they opened fully and it was as if a starter's gun had been fired. The three took off in a squeal of tires and a burnt rubber smell.
Jenny, Jubilee and Logan raced down the access road toward the main road, bobbing and weaving with each other. Tommy realized that they must have done this dozens of times when Jenny had lived here. They all moved in and out with well practiced grace. Tommy thought it was almost like watching dancers - just at a very high speed. He peeked over Jenny's shoulder at the speedometer and groaned inwardly. He suddenly felt their speed decrease and saw that they were approaching the main road.
They all turned and their pace became much more sedate. Tommy relaxed completely and enjoyed the rest of the ride. They finally pulled up to a nondescript building with an almost full parking lot. The three parked together near the end of the lot and dismounted. They removed their helmets and stuffed them in the saddlebags and headed inside.
The barman hailed Logan, who responded with a wave. He looked at the others. "Whatcha drinkin'?"
Tommy asked for a beer, while the girls said that they wanted their usual drinks and would find a pool table while he got them. Logan nodded and made his way up to the bar, unzipping his jacket on the way. He placed his order and waited for it to be filled. A woman sidled up to him.
"Hey, Logan. Brought some fresh meat with you?"
Logan recognized the woman by her smell without looking - she smelled of alcohol and sex. "No, Bev. I'd stay away from him if I were you. You aren't his type and he already has a girlfriend."
She pouted. "Pity. He looks good enough to eat."
Something in her voice told him that his warning wasn't going to be enough. As soon as he got the tray, he headed towards the table the girls had found. He handed out the drinks, giving Jenny hers last. "Watch your man" Logan growled in an undertone that she alone could hear. "Bev's on the prowl and she's marked Tommy."
Logan caught the flash in her eyes and the minute nod before he turned away. He shed his jacket and addressed Jubilee. "Come on, girl. Rack em."
They had been playing pool for almost an hour before Bev made her move. She waited for Tommy to line up a shot and moved to the opposite side of the table and bent down so that her charms were on display - both of them. "Well, you're new around here" she drawled.
Jenny stood, but Logan caught her arm. "Wait" he said. "Let's see what he does."
Jenny snarled low in her throat, but remained where she was and listened to Tommy's response.
"Yep. Not staying too long, either." He took his shot, sunk the ball and started looking for his next shot.
"There's lots to see in New York. I'd be happy to show you-"
Tommy cut her off. "I've already seen everything worth seeing - well, almost - and I'm sure I'll see the rest of what I want to see soon enough."
She stepped closer. "But you haven't seen what I can show you." Her voice was breathy and promised all kinds of pleasure.
He stepped away. "No thanks. I'm not interested."
Then Bev made a serious mistake. She reached out and slid her hand up his arm. Jenny had had enough. "Bev, if you don't want to lose that hand, you will remove it from my man right now."
Tommy looked at Jenny. Rage and jealousy were written all over her face. He glanced at Logan who mouthed one word at him - Move. Hastily, Tommy stepped back as he realized that he was between the two women. Bev was distracted enough that he was able to slip around her and go stand by Logan and Jubilee. He realized that they were ready to jump in if she needed help and turned his attention back to the two women.
Jenny approached the other woman with measured steps. She stopped six inches from her and spoke very quietly. "If you touch him again, I will make sure that is the last thing you do with that hand. If you push me in the least bit, I will make damn sure that you are never able to pleasure a man again - in any way."
"Oh lighten up, honey" Bev replied. "You don't own him. It's not like he's your husband or anything."
Jenny's eyes narrowed as she felt her hands clench into fists. "As if that's ever mattered to you."
Bev laughed, but it was hollow. "Men are like busses - there'll be another one along in ten minutes."
"Then go catch another bus - this one's mine." With that, Jenny turned to walk back to the others. Bev's hand flashed and, before anyone could move, she had a knife pressed to Jenny's throat.
"If I want him, you can't stop me" she hissed and looked at Tommy. "Come with me or I'll slice her wide open."
Tommy hesitated for a moment and then took a half step forward. Jenny spoke calmly - too calmly. "If you don't want to go with her, stay where you are."
Tommy hesitated once more before stepping back into his former position. He didn't want Jenny hurt, but she seemed to know what she was doing. A quick sideways look at Logan and Jubilee and he relaxed slightly. They were both smiling slightly. In a very low voice, Logan informed Tommy that this was nothing more than a warm up for them.
Suddenly, Jenny reached across her body, grabbed Bev's knife hand and with her other hand grabbed the back of Bev's head. A quick dip of the knees and a pull had Bev flying over Jenny's shoulder and crashing on the floor. A quick kick sent the knife spinning across the floor. A moment later, Jenny was sitting on Bev's chest with a knife pointed at her throat.
"Now" Jenny said "I think we've had enough of this little game of yours. You stay away from me and my people - and I won't have to hurt you. Understood?"
Bev swallowed hard and gave a slight nod. Immediately, the knife disappeared and Jenny got off her and let her escape. Jenny walked back over to the others, picked up her pool cue and said, "Whose shot is it?"
"Tommy's still up" Jubilee answered.
Jenny looked at Tommy. She saw the look in his eyes and smiled gently. "Nothing to worry about, Tommy. I'm fine. Besides, I knew the three of you had my back. Now, take a deep breath, shake it off and take your turn."
Tommy did as he was told and was not surprised when he missed his shot. He suddenly realized that the mentality in this bar was totally different than he had expected. For some of the patrons, this was very much a wild environment with survival of the fittest being the primary rule. He grinned to himself. He had most of them beat - he was in touch with the wild spirit inside him. He relaxed and let the senses of the falcon flow through him.
An hour later, a fight broke out on the other side of the bar. Jubilee finished taking her shot and then looked over the fight with a practiced eye. They were still a good distance away, so she lined up her next shot. She missed and it was Logan's turn. He cleared the table efficiently of the last three balls and won the game for him and Tommy. He was about to suggest that they rack the balls again, when Jubilee said, "Incoming."
Logan sidestepped just in time for a body to fly past him, slide across the table and roll off onto the floor. "Okay, that's it, kids. Time to play."
Wolverine grinned wolfishly as Jenny and Jubilee stepped to either side of him. As one, they launched themselves into the fray, Tommy only a few steps behind. Thirty minutes later, the fight was over and the four surveyed the bar. There were a dozen others that were conscious - either because they didn't fight or because they were friends of Logan and Jubilee. Jenny cracked her knuckles and narrowed her eyes as she saw that Bev was one of the ones still standing.
She watched as the woman crossed the few steps to an empty booth and sat down. Bev was too close to Tommy for Jenny's liking. Jenny gritted her teeth and started to cross the bar as Bev said something to Tommy. She was close enough to hear Tommy's response.
"I said no as nicely as I know how" he snapped. "You don't seem to get that so we'll try another way. I don't want to catch whatever disease you've probably got. Step off, bitch."
Jenny grinned at the uncharacteristic tone and language. She barely managed to keep the laughter out of her voice as she spoke. "Come on, babe. We're outta here."
Tommy spun on his heel and stalked across the few steps between them, draped his arm across Jenny's shoulders and together they headed for the door. Jubilee was at the door with their jackets and Logan was handing the bartender some money. Shortly, Logan joined them and the four of them headed outside. They had made it to the bikes before Jenny started laughing so hard she could barely breathe.
The others stared at her as if she'd lost her mind. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Tommy. She calmed down enough to say, "Step off, bitch?" before she lost it again. The other two looked at Tommy, puzzled.
Red faced, he explained what had happened, which drew a scream of laughter from Jubilee and a chuckle from Logan.
"She is one of the pushier ones" Logan admitted. "But you seem to have figured out how to deal with her."
Jenny had finally calmed down and was looking everyone over. "Okay guys, injury tally."
Logan grinned, "You know I'm okay, darlin'. Jubes?"
"Scraped knuckles and bruised ribs - nothing major. Tommy?"
"The same - scraped knuckles and a few bruises. Jen?"
"I'm fine - which is a good thing too. We all know what would happen if I came back injured after -" Jenny stopped mid sentence and her eyes slipped out of focus.
She smiled suddenly and her eyes focused once more. "Yep, I am absolutely fine."
The others looked at her curiously. She grinned even wider. "My powers are back." To prove it, she retrieved their helmets by telekinesis and dropped them in the hands of their respective users. "Let's go home before we get in more trouble than we are already in."
Half an hour later, they put the bikes away in the garage and slipped into the house - not unnoticed. Gambit sat on the stairs and grinned at them all. "Mes amies, I would not go dis way if I was you. Cyke be pacing de upstairs hall lookin' for you."
"What does he know?" Jenny asked.
"He saw dat three of de bikes be missing and dat Logan tell Stormy him and Jubilee were going out. Bein' de leader dat he is, when he couldn't find Jenny and Tommy, he guessin' dat you went wit dem."
"Crap" Jenny swore. She thought quickly. They had two choices - lie to him or tell the truth. She looked at the others. "Follow my lead."
They nodded and followed Jenny up the stairs. Sure enough, Scott was pacing the hall but stopped short when he saw them. "Where have you been?" he demanded.
"Out" Jenny answered. "Logan, Jubilee and Tommy went to Harry's and I was walking. I'm pretty sure that none of that is against the rules, is it?"
Behind his ruby lenses, Scott's eyes narrowed. "They went to the bar and you stayed here."
"That's not what I said. I said I was walking. That's not staying here. I did leave the perimeter, so technically, I wasn't here."
"You have a rip in the side of your shirt."
"Caught it on a piece of wood. Look, Scott, I needed to get out of the house for a while and so did they. Nobody's really hurt and we're all going to grab quick showers and probably play cards or watch a movie or just sit and talk for a while. I know I'm still recovering, so just lighten up, will ya?"
Scott huffed and stalked off. They all watched him go before breathing a sigh of relief. "Nice work, Jen" complimented Jubilee.
"Oh please" Jenny snorted. "That story had holes big enough to fly the Blackbird through. He bought it because he wanted to."
Tommy spoke up. "Yes, but you never actually lied to him."
She grinned. "Nope. Every single word was true - depending on how you look at it."
Soft clapping spun them all around. "Nicely done, mon ami."
Gambit stood there grinning. "No lies and just enough of the truth to be believable. Very nice."
Jenny swept into a low bow. "Thank you. Now I do think that showers are in order and then we'll figure out what to do from there." The four agreed and split up to get showers and a change of clothes.
