See Part Four A
Title of Series: The Web - Borne Of The Fall
Part Four C
A Continuation Of: "It Can Swallow Her Whole Star Intact"
JUBILEE
It's morning.
I find myself blinking away crusties while staring at the ceiling, willing the person knocking on the door to be gone. It doesn't work. Asher and I are going to have a serious discussion about keeping us day-dwellers awake until dawn.
The whimper that fills the room as I sit up surely isn't mine. The protesting groan that comes next, when Emma Frost walks into the room, probably is but we both pretend that it's not.
It takes me a moment, but I slowly come to the realization that I had been alone in the room. *Kora?*
*Yes?* She sounds distracted, but given the image of the Danger Room she sends me, I'm not surprised.
*Nevermind.* A quick check of the link tells me that Adam's awake, on a plane, and bored out of his skull. Asher is asleep, the lucky bastard. Creed's harassing a waitress at a pancake house for making his steak n' eggs too well-done. It's to Creed and Adam I project to because I don't want to wake up Asher or distract Kora. *"Ya want somethin', Frosty?"*
She levels a glare on me, a silent disapproval of the nickname. "I have an appointment at Roger's Spa and Salon in an hour. You have just enough time to get dressed and get in the car." I frown at my teacher, but she's turned toward the door and leaving.
*Why does she want you to go with her?* Adam's willing to focus on anything except the seven hour flight.
*We used to do this after she started giving me private lessons for my telepathy. It's usually a reward for doing something difficult or unexpected or a way to relax after one of her more snarky business deals.* I continue to frown as I jam my legs into one of my more dressy black slacks. *I think she wants to talk to me.* I pull on a deep purple sweater with an oversized collar.
*Ya think she'll try somethin' stupid?* Creed finally sends his steak back with a crying waitress with firm orders to have the next one bloody.
*Nah, this is her way of trying to find out what's been going on with me. She's probably hoping that getting me out of the house will help me open up ta her.*
KORA
When I fall to the ground for the fourth time, I wonder if it's worth getting up again. In the end, I do. I need this practice.
*Hey, Kore. I'm headin' out with Frost-bite. Don't let Cassidy run you ragged.*
I send an affirmative to Jubilee and move back into opening stance. I'm in an odd state of paradox. I know how to fight hand-to-hand, with a sword, and with guns, but all that knowledge is in my head; my body has no idea how to react. So many years locked away has caused me to have very little muscle but because of all the times I was allowed to starve, I barely have any fat.
Sean Cassidy, one of Jubilee's teachers, is trying to show me how to defend myself and has been for the past three days, but I'm still not getting it. I mean, I watch his movements and know what to do to counteract them, but my body doesn't react quickly enough. All the training Jubilee, Adam, and Victor have put into their bodies has taught their bodies how to move while the brain simply memorizes the success rate. I'm working backwards and it's confusing Cassidy to no end. He sees me move into the correct positions without being told, but he can also see how awkward the position is for my frame.
I have gotten better, though. After the first day, I stopped falling on my face because my body lost balance and started falling on my butt because I would fumble and Cassidy would drop me. Surprisingly enough, I think I'm becoming more toned. Even Bobby mentioned it the other day. I wonder if my body's trying to match up to the other four in the link or if I'm gaining mass from Victor. He does say that his extra mass is a part of his mutant ability.
Cassidy throws a punch and I duck it. I move in closer, kick my knee into the left side of his ribcage, and use my hands to push him down when he winces. He falls onto his butt with a surprised expression, then kicks my feet out from under me. I fall over yet again.
JUBILEE
I'm in the middle of having my shoulder length hair chopped off when Frost walks over, a manicurist trailing after her with a foot soaker in preparation for a pedicure. "You've been avoiding most of your old teammates and all of your current ones."
Ah, so that's the problem. *"I have been hangin' with the popsicle and Gumbo. I've just been busy with Kora, makin' sure she's okay. It's not like she can communicate with anyone."*
Frost sits down in one of the chairs and leans back, her poise confident that there is someone there to wait on her hand and foot. "Yes. Kora." The manicurist picks up Frost's foot and starts massaging lotion into it. "I find it odd that Kora has no idea how to read or write. It would make communication much easier if she did. And I'm curious to know how she became mute anyway. Was she born that way?"
I pull out a piece of gum and start chewing. *"Nah. I think she went all silent-like when her parents got dead ta her."*
*That's perilously close to a lie.* Adam's amused voice rings through my head.
*Well, she died ta them so they must have died ta her too. Fer cryin' out loud, they staged her death and got a death certificate and everything!* I was outraged when Creed told us about the death certificate and funeral tapes he got a hold of for a Kora Elizabeth Sorren yesterday afternoon. The fact that any parent could be so hideous to their child... My rage was actually eclipsed by Creed's, though. I think he sympathizes with her early childhood.
Frost turns to me, surprised. "Her parents are dead?"
Heh, this one I don't have to lie for. *"Yep. Apparently, her home was attacked and everyone inside was killed."* I don't bother mentioning that it was attacked from the inside and Kora was the attacker. It's information Frost doesn't need.
Frost frowns thoughtfully, one perfectly manicured nail going to her lips. "That would constitute as trauma enough to make her fear speaking. Especially if she thought she had to be quiet or she'd be killed."
I don't correct her thinking aloud. Let her go off and find her own conclusions, I don't care. I relax as the stylist starts blow-drying my hair.
KORA
Oh, I need a shower. I need to change my clothes. I need food. I need to crawl into the zippered blanket in Bobby's room and sleep for a few days.
I stop in the kitchen to pick up a bottle of water. Jubilee tried to get me to drink her soda stuff, but it's too sweet for me. Plus it makes me burp and when I try to not burp, it comes out my nose and burns. Bobby's in the kitchen, watching Remy throw together a salad. They both smile at me when I enter the room and I wave in return.
"'Ello, petite. Want some salad? If you don' get some now, Bobby may eat it all." Remy winks at me, a smile on his lips. "Bobby have a hole in his stomach, cherie, so no matter how much he eat, he still hungry."
I blink in surprise at Bobby and tilt my head in question. Bobby scowls at Remy and smacks him on the arm. "Don't confuse her." He turns to me and grins. "I don't have a hole in my stomach, I just like eating."
Oh. I like eating too, so I nod my understanding at him. Then I turn to Remy and smile, showing him that I'd love a salad.
He smiles at me and begins muttering things I don't understand. He turns to the refrigerator and pulls out a few more items to add to the salad, then orders Bobby to pull out plates and forks. Bobby does so with a grumbled, "Slavedriver."
I giggle as I watch the two men interact. I know they hadn't been talking for awhile, but the way they're behaving now is fun to see. It's a bit like Adam and Jubilee. Those two will bicker at each other, but they aren't doing it to hurt anyone, they're just teasing. Bobby and Remy are behaving like friends. They seem comfortable in each other's presence.
"Here ya go, petite. One Gambit Chef Salad Special." Remy smiles as he holds out a full plate of salad and a fork. I take it, smile back, and seat myself at the kitchen table beside Bobby. He's rubbing his hands together and looking very pleased as Remy sets a plate of salad in front of him.
"So where's Jubilee?" Remy's slowly eating each little bit that touches his fork. He watches everything before it goes into his mouth and chews very deliberately before swallowing.
Bobby's using two forks to stab two croutons and make them dance on the table like feet.
I tilt my head and concentrate on the bright, sparkling energy that signifies Jubilee. She's feeling very comfortable as someone rubs her shoulders and back. Adam's whimpering from his little chair on the airplane and Creed's sitting in his car, purring. They really like the second-hand massage.
*Jubilee, where are you?*
*guh. nails, hair, back. nice.* I'll bet she's real proud she can string that coherent thought together.
I look at Remy, lift up my hand, and rub my nails. Then I mimic brushing hair and styling it. He blinks at me and turns to Bobby. Bobby shrugs nonchalantly as he munches on one of the 'shoes'. "Kora says Jubilee's getting her hair and nails done."
I smile at Bobby, then giggle as he blushes. Remy looks between Bobby and I. "An' jus' how didja figure that out, Bobby?"
Bobby grins. "The same way I know to make the coffee really strong when you get in after dawn and have practice at eight in the morning. The same way I know Jean, Rogue, Ororo, and Betsy are all pms-ing. The same way I know to drag Hank out of his labs before his fuzzy blue head explodes. I'm good at picking up on the little hints and even better with the big hints." Bobby pauses before saying in a bright, slightly self-mocking voice, "I'm great at charades!"
Remy frowns at Bobby, the expression making his too-thin face seem even more gaunt. "You're de one who makes de coffee? You're a'tually awake in de mornin'?" Bobby nods, so Remy continues. "An' you're de one who stocks up on de chocolate toffees an' ice cream ev'ry month?" Again, Bobby nods. "An' de jokes you play on Hank? De 'midnight twinkie run'? Dat's all to keep Hank from gettin' so focused on de cure dat he forget to live, nes pas?" Bobby shuffles in his seat, his discomfort apparent, but he eventually nods. "Den you, Robert Drake, are a much bette' man dan I."
Bobby's head snaps up, a frown marring his features. "Hey-"
"Hush, Drake. Ea'cher salad." Remy returns to his single-minded consumption.
Eventually, there's a huff from Bobby and rustlings as he too continues eating.
JUBILEE
S'nice getting pampered, even if Frost only did it to grill me about Kora. Ah well. Take whatcha can, says I. At least she borrowed Chuck's car with the plush interior so I can stretch out and enjoy the ride home.
If I've had any supporters in the past year, it'd probably be Frost. She's not the easiest person to get along with, but then neither am I. She'll always be distant. The death of her first students, the Hellions, did that. I think she's afraid that if she relaxes around us, she'll lose us too, and that's not something she's willing to allow happen. I've seen her do some really off the wall things to save the Gen-Xers, even risk herself in weird and unmentionable ways. She really does love her students, even if she can't bring herself show it.
She's been there for me on a private level as well. When Ev died, I lost a best bud but Frost started having nightmares about her Hellions and Ev blaming her for their deaths. Of course, I'm not supposed to share that with anyone.
To be honest, I'm surprised no one else heard the weeping. I guess having insomnia was good for something. I woke Frost up from her nightmare that night. She was grateful, I could feel that, but she was also ashamed at herself. I'm not sure I'll ever know what the shame was for.
"Logan was saying that you've been avoiding him lately. That's not like you."
I look up at Frost with a cross expression. No, tact isn't her strong point. I decide to leave the link out of this, it's a fairly personal conversation. "Logan's spent so much time with Kitty I'm surprised he noticed I wasn't around."
She looks from the road only a second to glance at me. "He's noticed. He's talking to Jean about it."
Shit. That means Jean's going to blab to the entire mansion about how I need to be spending more time with everyone. "Thanks for the warning."
Frost raises an eyebrow. "Would you mind telling me why you're so angry at them?"
"Them who?" I turn to study Frost's profile. "Logan, Jean, 'Ro? Maybe Rogue, Cassidy, Summers, and Worthington? How about Jono, Paige, Monet, Ange, and you?"
Frost carefully doesn't turn to look at me. "All of the above."
"Lessee." I put one my newly painted dark blue nails with a single white diamond at the tip up to my lip. "Logan. He considers me a daughter but he won't talk to me when I need him, it's always me going to help him out when he's all feral. Jean? She's a busybody. She means well, but her world isn't mine. She's got the looks, the brains, and the husband. She's never had to live on the streets or be in a position where she'll do anything necessary to stay alive. 'Ro, however, has lived both sides of the spectrum. She was a thief and a goddess and she's let it all go to her head. She's got the regal mothering nature down perfectly and the biggest problem is that she isn't my mom and never will be my mom, no matter how hard she tries. It's only gotten worse since I got older. Even more so now that I'm legally an adult."
Now that I'm starting to warm up to the one-sided conversation, I can't seem to stop. "Now Rogue. Rogue was basically an enemy of the X-Men through her younger years, turns traitor on her mother, and has the gall to tell other people that they're bad. She's a hypocrite and a liar. Cassidy just spends so much of his time trying to pretend all the Gen-Xers are Theresa that I've gotten plain sick of him. I love the man ta death, don't get me wrong, but I'm not his daughter any more than Storm's my mom. He's gotta stop looking at us to make up for his past mistakes. Summers, all of them. ...Do I really need to get into that? No, I didn't think so." Frost's lips quirk slightly.
"Worthington. The man loses his wings, gets new ones that are actually worth something in a fight, and bitches about it. So he loses the new wings, gets the old ones, and is still bitching. He's not happy unless the world is as blue as his skin. Jono? Jono's, like, the Gen-Xer's equivalent to a Worthington. He's got some great skills with a guitar, but because he lost his voice, he thinks the world's at an end. He mopes over Paige instead of trying to actually put an effort into his life. It's pathetic. What's even more pathetic is Paige. The girl is a hick-town hayseed who wants very much ta outdo her brother. That's her entire reason for becoming a Gen-Xer? With the hopes of becoming a better X-Man than Sam? The X-Men aren't about becoming better than your siblings, it's a place ta become a better person. I guess that's an ideal no one's bothered to pass on ta anyone else." Yes, I know that came out bitter, but judging from Frost's tight lipped expression, she's in agreement.
"Angelo's got no where else ta go. His family thinks he's dead even though bits of his old gang know he's still alive. He's not the most emotionally stable of people, but at least he's dried himself out of the drugs again." The car swerves sharply before getting back into the lane. "What, ya didn't know he was shootin' up? Damn, Frosty. I thought you kept better tabs than that."
She glances at me, slightly more pink than her expensive, and very revealing, white dress. "I've learned recently that they weren't as good as I had hoped."
"'Parently. Now, Monet." I give off a sharp bark of laughter. "Monet's pissed at me for feeding her apples "like a pet" when she was Penance. Believe me, if I'd known that she really was Monet, I wouldn't have done it. Ya know, even though Penance's skin was too sharp for people to touch, she was still more approachable than Monet ever will be. ...I really preferred it when Monet couldn't talk."
"Monet can be a bit trying." Frost has her blank expression back, but her color still hasn't returned.
"Tryin'? She's a snob. You an' Chuck do the 'I have money and the ability to control your minds, so just do what I say' thing down, but you aren't that bad." Frost turns to me with an amused expression. "What? Think I didn't know about all crap Chuck'll throw out? He's got this great spiel about never using mutant powers against people, but he hasn't got a qualm about going into someone's mind and forcing their powers to do something. He gets people to the mansion by promising to help them, to heal them. Storm's still claustrophobic, Bobby's too scared to show his teammates his potential, Remy's scared to death of his teammates, Sarah would gladly gut us all, Magneto's walking around with no memory, Rogue still can't touch anyone and the Prof's not even around to help with anything. Some great leader."
"Things have been a bit difficult lately, Jubilation." Despite her calm, if somewhat sardonic, words, Frost doesn't sound like she disagrees.
"Yes, things have been difficult. Any leader would be here for his people, helping them survive through this difficult period. Even Magneto has better leadership skills than that."
There's a moment of silence as Frost contemplates that. "What about me? You said you were angry at me, as well."
"You've treated me better than most, Frost, I won't deny that. I've grown up quite a bit and it's mostly because you've treated me as an adult. If I had stuck around with the X-Men, I'd probably still be thinking of myself as a thirteen year old. You've taken me under your wing in a way only Logan had attempted in the past, and that scared me. I'd just gotten used to you being our school mistress, but if you mentored me, you'd be gone like he always was." Frost opens her mouth to protest, but I continue. "It's a bit like taking the Gen-Xers for your students, Frost. If you take us, we're doomed to die. It's not a rational fear." She nods, tight lipped.
"Despite what you taught me, maybe because it was you teaching me, I was mad. I was hurting so badly and you couldn't see it. The one guy I was close to couldn't see me as anything more than one of the guys and then he was dead, and I hurt. I was kidnapped and no one came for me, I escaped myself and I hurt. No matter how many people surrounded me, I was still alone and it hurt. The trips out, the talks, just knowing you were there, that all helped, but it wasn't enough. The X-Men, Gen-X, it's supposed to be a support ring, a net to help catch you when you fall. You were the only string in that net that didn't break, Emma, but you weren't in the center. You were on the outskirts where you couldn't see what was happening, and that's no fault of yours. I got pretty good at hiding myself." I smile slightly, unhappy with my only true success.
"You're not staying, are you?"
It's a question so I answer, truthfully because she doesn't deserve anything less. "No, I'm not."
She sighs, her hands tightening on the steering wheel before loosening again. "When will you be leaving?"
"In two days."
"Will you be okay?"
I smile again, this time more happily. "Actually, I think I'll be better than okay. I'll be doing more than surviving, I know that."
Frost nods, apparently satisfied. "If you need anything, money, a place to stay, a job, you can come to me. You've meant a lot to me in these past few years, too much to just let go of you completely."
In a gesture uncommon for us both, I put an arm around her and just hug. She puts a hand on my shoulder for a few moments before returning it to the steering wheel.