ATitle: A Friend in Need 13/18
Author: Somogyi
Email: somogyi02@yahoo.com
Archive: Sure, just please ask first
Rating: PG-13 for language, violence, and disturbing imagery
Summary: Synch and Jubilee are captured by Tessa and Shaw. A thoughtful look at how
the resulting scars have lasting effects on the whole GenX team.
Disclaimer: The X-Men and Generation X are property of Marvel Entertainment.
Characters are used without permission, no profit is being made, and no infringement
on copyright is intended.
*****
A Friend In Need
by Somogyi
somogyi02@yahoo.com
Chapter 13
Jean walked down the hospital corridor between Scott and Logan as they headed
for Jubilee's room. Sean had left them several minutes earlier to have one of
the nurses page Dr. Knight. At first Jean had insisted that Sean be present, but
he refused. He felt that since Jubilee did not even remember his being her
teacher--he remarked offhandedly that he would be lucky if she knew his name--it
would be much easier if he were not present when they told her about the
situation. Reluctantly, Jean conceded that just having Scott, and Logan, and
herself present would probably be best. Besides, she was simply relieved that
Emma had agreed--albeit reluctantly--to their idea. In fact, she was still
surprised that Emma had barely protested when they announced their plans. At
least she had not objected verbally.
When Jean had announced what she and Scott planned to do during breakfast
earlier that morning, Emma's countenance had immediately hardened, and she
prepared to voice her objections--loudly. Jean had seen the look that was then
exchanged between Emma and Sean; after the years in which she and Scott had
shared a psychic rapport, it was easy to see when a telepathic communication was
occurring. Sean's sidelong glare and whatever silent words accompanied it had
stopped Emma's response before she could even utter it. Evidently, they must
have had a talk the previous evening in which he made it perfectly clear to her
that he was not going to stand any more outbursts from her.
Emma had quickly gotten control of herself and then calmly asked for more
details. After Jean and Scott supplied them, she silently nodded her head. She
asked Sean what he felt about the matter. Rubbing his goatee in a thoughtful
fashion, Sean, too, slowly nodded. He said that while he was reluctant to give
up custody of Jubilee--for he still felt the best place for her was at the
school--he had to admit that it was the best suggestion they had heard thus far,
and just might be good enough to work.
Emma agreed that it was a clever idea, and one that would greatly benefit
Jubilee if successful. With those words of approval, she even went so far as to
offer to pay any legal expenses that might arise to file the necessary
paperwork. Then, assuring them that she would refrain from visiting Jubilee from
the hospital in order not to upset her, she took her leave. Jean stared at the
others in baffled silence. Scott shrugged. Sean sighed. Logan grunted and took
another helping of eggs. And Jean had to wonder if she had judged Emma Frost too
harshly.
Now, as they neared Jubilee's room, Jean found herself increasingly agitated.
Why should she be so nervous? They were simply here to explain to Jubilee the
dire situation she was in, and their best solution. Surely, she would agree to
it. Without any protest. In fact, she would probably welcome the idea. Maybe.
Perhaps. But what if she did not want to come live with them? What if she would
rather take her chances at--
*Stop it,* she chided herself. *Don't be ridiculous. Of course Jubilee will
agree.* She would not want to be separated from these people she had come to
know and love--the people who were now her family. So why was Jean suddenly so
fearful? Could it be she was frightened . . . of rejection?
She quickly pushed the thoughts aside. She felt Scott's hand grasp hers firmly.
Giving it a squeeze, she looked at him and smiled. He returned the gesture and
nodded at her reassuringly.
"Well, here it is," Logan said as they stopped in front of the room. "Guess
money talks, huh?" Emma had pulled a full strings--including loosening those on
her purse--to get Jubilee a private room. "You two ready?"
Taking a deep breath, Jean nodded. She still held tightly to Scott's hand.
Logan knocked.
"Come in."
Logan held open the door and they all entered the room.
Jubilee was sitting up in bed. Though still a little pale, there was much more
color in her cheeks than there had been the previous week. Her head was still
bandaged, and the cast was still on her arm, but all of the wires and tubes were
noticeably absent. A tray with juice, tea, and a slice of barely-touched toast
sat on a table at her bedside. She still looked tired and weak, and Jean
realized how thin she had become. Jubilee had been watching television, but when
she saw them come in, she used the remote to shut it off; the motor control of
her arm and hand seemed perfectly normal, Jean noted with relief.
"Hi, guys," Jubilee greeted, her voice soft and weak.
"Hey there, darlin'," Logan said. "How ya doin'?"
"Not bad . . . W-Wolvie," she said, forming the words much slower than normal.
"You?"
"Good, now that you're awake."
"How are you feeling?" Jean asked her, walking up to the bedside.
"All right. Thanks to those lovely little pills . . . my headache's down . . .
to a dull throb. I'm still tired, though. . . . And my . . . my voi . . . my
voice. . . ." She looked at them in frustration. Her mind knew what she wanted
to say, but her mouth just would not listen. Hot tears stung her eyes.
"Easy," Jean said, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "I know it's hard right
now. But the words will come with time."
Blinking, Jubilee nodded, thankful for her understanding.
"How about your legs?" Logan asked.
Jubilee smiled. "I'm able to move my . . . my lay--" She paused, shaking her
head. Seeing Jean nodding in encouragement, she took a deep breath and tried
again. "I can move 'em a little better. . . . The doc said it'll still be a
while . . . before I'm able to walk normally again. . . . He said . . . it'll be
a lot of work . . . 'fore I'll be running any m-marathons."
"These are for you, Jubilee," Scott said, handing her a colorful bouquet of
flowers.
Jubilee looked a little taken aback. She took them and smelled them. "They're b-
beau . . . really pretty. Thanks, Cyke."
"Would you like me to put them in some water?" Jean asked.
"Yeah, thanks," Jubilee said, handing them to her.
"I brought you some of your things," Jean said, indicating a bag she had put
down on a chair. As she put the flowers in a pitcher of water, she levitated the
bag onto the bed. Jubilee opened it and pulled out a faded nightshirt in the
style of a football jersey with the number four on it.
"My favorite nightshirt?" Jubilee reached for it. "H-How'd you know?"
"Paige told me."
"Who?"
That one simple word gave Jean pause. "Paige Guthrie is your roommate, and a
fellow student."
"Student? What, there're more X-Men now?"
"Paige isn't an X-Man. She, like you, and several other mutant teenagers, is a
member of Generation X."
Jubilee smirked. "What, a cool version of the New Mutants?"
"You could say that."
"Paige . . . does she have blonde hair and blue eyes?"
"Yes," Jean said, hopes rising. "Do you remember her?"
"Nope. Just figured if her name's Guthrie . . . she must be Sam's kid sister,
and so she p-prob-prob'ly looks like him."
It was sound logic, Jean realized. Nonetheless, she could not help but feel a
sudden onrush of disappointment and sadness.
"If she's my roomie . . . is she, like, my best bud or something?"
"That'd be Everett. Everett Thomas," Logan told her. "Ring any bells?"
"A guy, huh?" Jubilee thought a moment, then slowly shook her head.
"It's all right," Jean whispered, sitting down on the edge of the bed and
touching Jubilee's leg. "It'll all come back to you eventually."
"I guess." Jubilee paused before continuing. She swallowed hard. "I've been w-
won-wondering. . . . How- how did I get hurt?"
"You don't remember anything about it?" Scott asked.
She shook her head. "L-Last thing I 'member was bladin' out on Graymalkin Lane.
. . .Must've hit a rock or major crack, 'cause I took a nasty spill an'
everything went dark. . . . Next thing I know, I woke up in the hospital." She
looked at each of them in turn. "So, what happened?"
Jean was the first to speak. "You and Everett were in Boston one night when a
woman you were trying to help psi-blasted you. Some goons put restraining
collars on you and kidnapped you. Sebastian Shaw and Tessa, of the Hellfire
Club, turned out to be behind it. They interrogated you. Everett was beaten
severely, and Tessa attacked your mind. Then they dumped you both, leaving you
for dead."
Jubilee sat quietly, taking it all in. She had no recollection of any of those
events--it was as though she was hearing a story about someone else. "Is he
okay?" she asked finally.
"Yes, he's fine," Jean assured her. "He was released from the hospital several
days ago. He's been worried sick about you, though. He really wants to come and
visit you--all the kids do--but they wanted to give you some time first to come
to terms with everything."
"How bad was I hurt? I mean, aside from my legs, I know my wrist is busted, like
some of my ribs are . . . and I've got, like, the mother of all Excedrin
headaches . . . but how bad was it?"
"You sustained a concussion, and were in a coma for a few days."
"How'd I come out of it?"
When Jean said nothing, it was Logan who replied. "Yer mindscape was runnin' all
helter-skelter. Jeanie here went into your mind, riskin' her own life, in order
to help you fix the damage created by Tessa's meddlin' and exorcise yer demons.
A little while later, you woke up. From what I hear, there was some pretty bad
stuff floatin' 'round in yer noggin', the result of Tessa's tamperin'. If it
weren't for Jeanie here, you wouldn't be talkin' to us right now."
"You . . . you did that for me?" she asked Jean.
"It was nothing, really," Jean said modestly. "You were the one who did all the
hard work--defeating the astral image of Tessa. I was just there for moral
support."
"Thanks, all the same."
"Anytime, kiddo. Anytime."
The room then lapsed into silence. Jean sat down in the chair at the bedside,
and Scott walked up behind her. Wolverine walked over to the window and looked
at Jubilee, arms crossed.
"What's going on?" she asked. "What's with the sourpusses? Cyke I'm used to, and
even the Wolvster can get moody . . . but not you, Jean."
"Jubilee, there's something we need to discuss with you," Jean began, searching
for the right words.
"What is it? Sounds serious."
"It is."
"It's about me, isn't it? What is it? Am I gonna be crippled forever? Is my
memory not gonna come back?" She felt herself beginning to panic.
"No, no, sweetie, it's nothing like that," Jean said. "You're legs are getting
better, and your memory should return soon."
Feeling Jean's hand on hers, Jubilee began to relax a little. "What, then?"
"There's no easy way of putting this. . . . Social services have contacted your
doctor. Together, they've come to the decision that the school is not the best
place for you now."
"The school, meaning the X-Mansion?"
"No." Jean sighed, realizing that she needed to fill Jubilee in about all of the
major changes that had occurred during the time that she could not recall.
"Almost two years ago, Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters was relocated to
Massachusetts. It's now headed by Sean Cassidy and Emma Frost. The other
students are teenaged mutants like yourself, and together you make up Generation
X."
"Then what happened to the mansion?"
"It's still there," Scott said. "Only now, it's the Xavier Institute for Higher
Learning."
"Oh. Guess that makes more sense, since most of the X-Men look a little old to
be youngsters. . . . 'Cept maybe for Drake," she muttered with a smirk.
Jean could not help but smile. *At least she hasn't lost her sense of humor.*
"When you decided to join the school, Professor Xavier thought it would be
better if Sean was named your legal guardian in his place. But now they want to
remove you from his custody."
Jubilee looked at her, mouth agape. "Take me away? And what, put me in another
foster home?"
"Not exactly. You've been seriously hurt and you're going to need a lot of care
during your rehabilitation. They feel you would not be able to receive the
necessary attention at the school. They want to put you in a special care
facility."
Jubilee's mouth instantly snapped shut. "In other words, an orphanage for
invalids. Sounds like loads of fun." She sighed. "So, why doesn't the prof just
ask for me back?"
"It's not that simple, sweetie. Things have happened with the professor since
you left. . . ." Jean paused. How could she begin to explain Onslaught and the
ensuing months of hell left in his wake? She did not think it wise to even try.
"Besides, they're hardly going to see the professor capable of seeing to your
convalescence."
"In other words, how is one cripple s'posed to help another, right?"
Scott opened his mouth to chastise her, but quickly thought better of it.
Jubilee had a right to be angry. She had been through hell already, and she had
just learned that it was far from over. He would be upset, too, if he found out
that he was going to be removed from the closest thing to a family he had.
"That's only a part of it," he told her. "We think there's something else at
work here--someone pulling some strings, trying to get you removed from the
school. And, quite frankly, we think social services would object to the
professor as being the best foster parent for you."
"We've realized that our best chance is to find someone else to be yer legal
guardian," Logan continued. "Someone who they can't find anything to object to."
He looked at Jean and nodded his head.
Feeling decidedly nervous, Jean took a deep breath. Feeling Scott's hands on her
shoulders, she drew on his strength. "Jubilee," she began, taking her hand in
her own, "Scott and I would like to be your legal guardians. That is, if you'll
have us."
Jubilee looked at Jean, eyes wide in surprise. Then she looked up at Scott. "You
guys? You two want to be my foster parents?"
Smiling, Jean nodded. "I realize it might sound a little strange, but I think it
would work out all right."
"But. . . ." Jubilee struggled for the words, feeling hot tears fill her eyes.
She looked at Logan, eyes pleading. "But I thought. . . ."
"Kiddo, it wouldn't work. I've barely got a past. They'd never give me custody."
"Oh. I . . . I understand." Jubilee looked away, staring out the window. She
blinked, and a tear slid down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away. "You don't
want the responsibility of taking care of a crippled, brain-damaged kid. You . .
. you don't want me." The last words came out as a barely audible whisper.
In a few short strides, he was at her bedside, kneeling down beside her so that
he could look her in the eyes. "Darlin', that ain't true. I want to take you in
. . . more'n anythin'. I'd do it in a heartbeat." He gently cupped her cheek in
his hand, wiping away a tear with his thumb. "But you heard what Jeanie said--
these guys are playing hard-ball. They'd use any kind of dirt to prevent someone
from bein' granted custody. I ain't exactly got a clean record. Of any of us,
Scott and Jeanie have got the best chance. Fer starters, they're a married
couple--that's a major point in our favor. Besides," he said, and his eyes met
Jean's, "they'd would make much better parents to you than I ever could."
"Sez you," Jubilee muttered.
"Jubilee, I know how close you and Logan are," Scott said. "I want to make it
clear that I--we--" he gave Jean's shoulder a gentle squeeze--"are not looking
to replace him. I won't lie to you; this situation is very serious. There is a
good chance that they won't even grant us custody--in which case, this entire
conversation is moot. We all discussed this--Jean, Logan, Sean, Emma, the
professor. We think this is our best chance of preventing you from being put in
an orphanage. That's the last thing we want to see happen; I'm sure you'll
agree. You've become very special to all of us. You'll always be an X-Man--
you'll always be a member of our family. What Jean and I want to do is ensure
that you get to stay with your family. In the process, we'll help you with your
convalescence--physical therapy, psychic therapy as well. You'll be in a
familiar environment, surrounded by people who care about you and want to see
you well."
Jubilee looked at him and Jean, then to Logan.
"You've known me long enough to know that I would never lie to you. It's our
best shot, kiddo," he told her. "But it's up to you to decide."
Jubilee looked back to Scott and Jean. "I don't have to call you Mom and Dad, do
I?"
They all laughed. That tension-breaker helped them all begin to relax.
"No, sweetie," Jean said, still smiling. "We're not looking to replace your
parents. Yes, we'll be helping to take care of you. But so will everyone else--
Logan, Hank, Ororo, the professor. Everyone wants to see you back on your feet."
Jubilee considered. It did not sound all that terrible. She would be living in
the only real home she had known since her parents' death several years earlier,
with the best friends she had ever had--her family, as Scott had said. Having
Jean as a foster mother would definitely not be so bad--kind of cool, actually.
Jean had already been looking after her, helping her through some tough times,
like a real mother would. Scott, on the other hand. . . . Well, they had never
been close. He would not be her first choice as a foster father. Hell, he
probably would not be on her list at all. He was too uptight for her tastes.
Sure, he could be nice and all, but all she really saw him as was a leader.
There were a million reasons for her to object to him. He did not smile enough,
that was for starters. But, hey, maybe this would be her opportunity to help
change that. And yet, he loved Jean deeply, of that much she was certain; so it
was not as if his heart were made of stone. Yeah, he probably would not be so
bad once she got to know him better. What the hell. Besides, she did not seem to
have much choice.
"All right," she told them. "Sounds okay to me."
"Really?" Jean asked. "You're sure?"
"Uh huh. Hey, Cable turned out all right . . . so you guys can't be too bad as
far as parental units go. I could do a lot worse."
"I'm so glad!" Jean said with a smile as she reached to embrace Jubilee.
*Whoa,* Jubilee thought as she hugged Jean back. *She seems really hyped about
this. Didn't think I was such a hot commodity . . . .*
"I'm actually kind of excited about it," Jean admitted. "I've missed you since
you went away to school. This will give us a chance to catch up, spend some time
together."
"Yeah, that sounds great." Looking at Jean's face, which nearly beamed with
excitement, Jubilee's brow furrowed. Were those tears in her eyes?
"Now, why don't you try to finish some of your breakfast," Jean said, pulling
the tray in front of Jubilee.
"Geez, I no sooner agree to this, and already you're actin' like a mom."
There came a knock at the door.
"More visitors? Geez, I didn't know I was so popular. Come in!"
Sean walked inside. "Hey there, lass. How are ye feelin' this mornin'?"
"Much better, Mr. Cassidy. Thanks for asking."
"That's good t' hear."
"Did you have a chance to speak to Dr. Knight?" Scott asked.
"Aye. As a matter of fact, the representative from social services just called
him from her cell-phone. She should be here in about ten minutes. He wants us t'
meet with them in his office."
Nodding, Jean got to her feet. She and Scott followed Sean to the door. Seeing
that Logan had not done the same, they turned to face him.
"You three go ahead," Logan said. "I'll stay with the kid."
"Are you sure?" Jean asked him.
"Yeah. She could use the company, I'm sure," he said, grinning at her. "'Sides,
this don't really concern me."
"Of course it does," Jean told him. She could see, though, that his mind was
made up.
With a nod, Jean followed the others out of the room.
"So, how did it go with Jubilee?" Sean asked as they walked toward the elevator.
Scott and Jean exchanged a glance. "Good," she told Sean. "She seems all right
with the idea."
Sean smiled. "That's a relief. One less thing t' worry about."
"Now, if only the doctor and social services can be as easily convinced," Scott
remarked.
"Aye, Scotty. Let's just be sure to keep our fingers crossed."
End Chapter 13
*****
Author: Somogyi
Email: somogyi02@yahoo.com
Archive: Sure, just please ask first
Rating: PG-13 for language, violence, and disturbing imagery
Summary: Synch and Jubilee are captured by Tessa and Shaw. A thoughtful look at how
the resulting scars have lasting effects on the whole GenX team.
Disclaimer: The X-Men and Generation X are property of Marvel Entertainment.
Characters are used without permission, no profit is being made, and no infringement
on copyright is intended.
*****
A Friend In Need
by Somogyi
somogyi02@yahoo.com
Chapter 13
Jean walked down the hospital corridor between Scott and Logan as they headed
for Jubilee's room. Sean had left them several minutes earlier to have one of
the nurses page Dr. Knight. At first Jean had insisted that Sean be present, but
he refused. He felt that since Jubilee did not even remember his being her
teacher--he remarked offhandedly that he would be lucky if she knew his name--it
would be much easier if he were not present when they told her about the
situation. Reluctantly, Jean conceded that just having Scott, and Logan, and
herself present would probably be best. Besides, she was simply relieved that
Emma had agreed--albeit reluctantly--to their idea. In fact, she was still
surprised that Emma had barely protested when they announced their plans. At
least she had not objected verbally.
When Jean had announced what she and Scott planned to do during breakfast
earlier that morning, Emma's countenance had immediately hardened, and she
prepared to voice her objections--loudly. Jean had seen the look that was then
exchanged between Emma and Sean; after the years in which she and Scott had
shared a psychic rapport, it was easy to see when a telepathic communication was
occurring. Sean's sidelong glare and whatever silent words accompanied it had
stopped Emma's response before she could even utter it. Evidently, they must
have had a talk the previous evening in which he made it perfectly clear to her
that he was not going to stand any more outbursts from her.
Emma had quickly gotten control of herself and then calmly asked for more
details. After Jean and Scott supplied them, she silently nodded her head. She
asked Sean what he felt about the matter. Rubbing his goatee in a thoughtful
fashion, Sean, too, slowly nodded. He said that while he was reluctant to give
up custody of Jubilee--for he still felt the best place for her was at the
school--he had to admit that it was the best suggestion they had heard thus far,
and just might be good enough to work.
Emma agreed that it was a clever idea, and one that would greatly benefit
Jubilee if successful. With those words of approval, she even went so far as to
offer to pay any legal expenses that might arise to file the necessary
paperwork. Then, assuring them that she would refrain from visiting Jubilee from
the hospital in order not to upset her, she took her leave. Jean stared at the
others in baffled silence. Scott shrugged. Sean sighed. Logan grunted and took
another helping of eggs. And Jean had to wonder if she had judged Emma Frost too
harshly.
Now, as they neared Jubilee's room, Jean found herself increasingly agitated.
Why should she be so nervous? They were simply here to explain to Jubilee the
dire situation she was in, and their best solution. Surely, she would agree to
it. Without any protest. In fact, she would probably welcome the idea. Maybe.
Perhaps. But what if she did not want to come live with them? What if she would
rather take her chances at--
*Stop it,* she chided herself. *Don't be ridiculous. Of course Jubilee will
agree.* She would not want to be separated from these people she had come to
know and love--the people who were now her family. So why was Jean suddenly so
fearful? Could it be she was frightened . . . of rejection?
She quickly pushed the thoughts aside. She felt Scott's hand grasp hers firmly.
Giving it a squeeze, she looked at him and smiled. He returned the gesture and
nodded at her reassuringly.
"Well, here it is," Logan said as they stopped in front of the room. "Guess
money talks, huh?" Emma had pulled a full strings--including loosening those on
her purse--to get Jubilee a private room. "You two ready?"
Taking a deep breath, Jean nodded. She still held tightly to Scott's hand.
Logan knocked.
"Come in."
Logan held open the door and they all entered the room.
Jubilee was sitting up in bed. Though still a little pale, there was much more
color in her cheeks than there had been the previous week. Her head was still
bandaged, and the cast was still on her arm, but all of the wires and tubes were
noticeably absent. A tray with juice, tea, and a slice of barely-touched toast
sat on a table at her bedside. She still looked tired and weak, and Jean
realized how thin she had become. Jubilee had been watching television, but when
she saw them come in, she used the remote to shut it off; the motor control of
her arm and hand seemed perfectly normal, Jean noted with relief.
"Hi, guys," Jubilee greeted, her voice soft and weak.
"Hey there, darlin'," Logan said. "How ya doin'?"
"Not bad . . . W-Wolvie," she said, forming the words much slower than normal.
"You?"
"Good, now that you're awake."
"How are you feeling?" Jean asked her, walking up to the bedside.
"All right. Thanks to those lovely little pills . . . my headache's down . . .
to a dull throb. I'm still tired, though. . . . And my . . . my voi . . . my
voice. . . ." She looked at them in frustration. Her mind knew what she wanted
to say, but her mouth just would not listen. Hot tears stung her eyes.
"Easy," Jean said, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "I know it's hard right
now. But the words will come with time."
Blinking, Jubilee nodded, thankful for her understanding.
"How about your legs?" Logan asked.
Jubilee smiled. "I'm able to move my . . . my lay--" She paused, shaking her
head. Seeing Jean nodding in encouragement, she took a deep breath and tried
again. "I can move 'em a little better. . . . The doc said it'll still be a
while . . . before I'm able to walk normally again. . . . He said . . . it'll be
a lot of work . . . 'fore I'll be running any m-marathons."
"These are for you, Jubilee," Scott said, handing her a colorful bouquet of
flowers.
Jubilee looked a little taken aback. She took them and smelled them. "They're b-
beau . . . really pretty. Thanks, Cyke."
"Would you like me to put them in some water?" Jean asked.
"Yeah, thanks," Jubilee said, handing them to her.
"I brought you some of your things," Jean said, indicating a bag she had put
down on a chair. As she put the flowers in a pitcher of water, she levitated the
bag onto the bed. Jubilee opened it and pulled out a faded nightshirt in the
style of a football jersey with the number four on it.
"My favorite nightshirt?" Jubilee reached for it. "H-How'd you know?"
"Paige told me."
"Who?"
That one simple word gave Jean pause. "Paige Guthrie is your roommate, and a
fellow student."
"Student? What, there're more X-Men now?"
"Paige isn't an X-Man. She, like you, and several other mutant teenagers, is a
member of Generation X."
Jubilee smirked. "What, a cool version of the New Mutants?"
"You could say that."
"Paige . . . does she have blonde hair and blue eyes?"
"Yes," Jean said, hopes rising. "Do you remember her?"
"Nope. Just figured if her name's Guthrie . . . she must be Sam's kid sister,
and so she p-prob-prob'ly looks like him."
It was sound logic, Jean realized. Nonetheless, she could not help but feel a
sudden onrush of disappointment and sadness.
"If she's my roomie . . . is she, like, my best bud or something?"
"That'd be Everett. Everett Thomas," Logan told her. "Ring any bells?"
"A guy, huh?" Jubilee thought a moment, then slowly shook her head.
"It's all right," Jean whispered, sitting down on the edge of the bed and
touching Jubilee's leg. "It'll all come back to you eventually."
"I guess." Jubilee paused before continuing. She swallowed hard. "I've been w-
won-wondering. . . . How- how did I get hurt?"
"You don't remember anything about it?" Scott asked.
She shook her head. "L-Last thing I 'member was bladin' out on Graymalkin Lane.
. . .Must've hit a rock or major crack, 'cause I took a nasty spill an'
everything went dark. . . . Next thing I know, I woke up in the hospital." She
looked at each of them in turn. "So, what happened?"
Jean was the first to speak. "You and Everett were in Boston one night when a
woman you were trying to help psi-blasted you. Some goons put restraining
collars on you and kidnapped you. Sebastian Shaw and Tessa, of the Hellfire
Club, turned out to be behind it. They interrogated you. Everett was beaten
severely, and Tessa attacked your mind. Then they dumped you both, leaving you
for dead."
Jubilee sat quietly, taking it all in. She had no recollection of any of those
events--it was as though she was hearing a story about someone else. "Is he
okay?" she asked finally.
"Yes, he's fine," Jean assured her. "He was released from the hospital several
days ago. He's been worried sick about you, though. He really wants to come and
visit you--all the kids do--but they wanted to give you some time first to come
to terms with everything."
"How bad was I hurt? I mean, aside from my legs, I know my wrist is busted, like
some of my ribs are . . . and I've got, like, the mother of all Excedrin
headaches . . . but how bad was it?"
"You sustained a concussion, and were in a coma for a few days."
"How'd I come out of it?"
When Jean said nothing, it was Logan who replied. "Yer mindscape was runnin' all
helter-skelter. Jeanie here went into your mind, riskin' her own life, in order
to help you fix the damage created by Tessa's meddlin' and exorcise yer demons.
A little while later, you woke up. From what I hear, there was some pretty bad
stuff floatin' 'round in yer noggin', the result of Tessa's tamperin'. If it
weren't for Jeanie here, you wouldn't be talkin' to us right now."
"You . . . you did that for me?" she asked Jean.
"It was nothing, really," Jean said modestly. "You were the one who did all the
hard work--defeating the astral image of Tessa. I was just there for moral
support."
"Thanks, all the same."
"Anytime, kiddo. Anytime."
The room then lapsed into silence. Jean sat down in the chair at the bedside,
and Scott walked up behind her. Wolverine walked over to the window and looked
at Jubilee, arms crossed.
"What's going on?" she asked. "What's with the sourpusses? Cyke I'm used to, and
even the Wolvster can get moody . . . but not you, Jean."
"Jubilee, there's something we need to discuss with you," Jean began, searching
for the right words.
"What is it? Sounds serious."
"It is."
"It's about me, isn't it? What is it? Am I gonna be crippled forever? Is my
memory not gonna come back?" She felt herself beginning to panic.
"No, no, sweetie, it's nothing like that," Jean said. "You're legs are getting
better, and your memory should return soon."
Feeling Jean's hand on hers, Jubilee began to relax a little. "What, then?"
"There's no easy way of putting this. . . . Social services have contacted your
doctor. Together, they've come to the decision that the school is not the best
place for you now."
"The school, meaning the X-Mansion?"
"No." Jean sighed, realizing that she needed to fill Jubilee in about all of the
major changes that had occurred during the time that she could not recall.
"Almost two years ago, Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters was relocated to
Massachusetts. It's now headed by Sean Cassidy and Emma Frost. The other
students are teenaged mutants like yourself, and together you make up Generation
X."
"Then what happened to the mansion?"
"It's still there," Scott said. "Only now, it's the Xavier Institute for Higher
Learning."
"Oh. Guess that makes more sense, since most of the X-Men look a little old to
be youngsters. . . . 'Cept maybe for Drake," she muttered with a smirk.
Jean could not help but smile. *At least she hasn't lost her sense of humor.*
"When you decided to join the school, Professor Xavier thought it would be
better if Sean was named your legal guardian in his place. But now they want to
remove you from his custody."
Jubilee looked at her, mouth agape. "Take me away? And what, put me in another
foster home?"
"Not exactly. You've been seriously hurt and you're going to need a lot of care
during your rehabilitation. They feel you would not be able to receive the
necessary attention at the school. They want to put you in a special care
facility."
Jubilee's mouth instantly snapped shut. "In other words, an orphanage for
invalids. Sounds like loads of fun." She sighed. "So, why doesn't the prof just
ask for me back?"
"It's not that simple, sweetie. Things have happened with the professor since
you left. . . ." Jean paused. How could she begin to explain Onslaught and the
ensuing months of hell left in his wake? She did not think it wise to even try.
"Besides, they're hardly going to see the professor capable of seeing to your
convalescence."
"In other words, how is one cripple s'posed to help another, right?"
Scott opened his mouth to chastise her, but quickly thought better of it.
Jubilee had a right to be angry. She had been through hell already, and she had
just learned that it was far from over. He would be upset, too, if he found out
that he was going to be removed from the closest thing to a family he had.
"That's only a part of it," he told her. "We think there's something else at
work here--someone pulling some strings, trying to get you removed from the
school. And, quite frankly, we think social services would object to the
professor as being the best foster parent for you."
"We've realized that our best chance is to find someone else to be yer legal
guardian," Logan continued. "Someone who they can't find anything to object to."
He looked at Jean and nodded his head.
Feeling decidedly nervous, Jean took a deep breath. Feeling Scott's hands on her
shoulders, she drew on his strength. "Jubilee," she began, taking her hand in
her own, "Scott and I would like to be your legal guardians. That is, if you'll
have us."
Jubilee looked at Jean, eyes wide in surprise. Then she looked up at Scott. "You
guys? You two want to be my foster parents?"
Smiling, Jean nodded. "I realize it might sound a little strange, but I think it
would work out all right."
"But. . . ." Jubilee struggled for the words, feeling hot tears fill her eyes.
She looked at Logan, eyes pleading. "But I thought. . . ."
"Kiddo, it wouldn't work. I've barely got a past. They'd never give me custody."
"Oh. I . . . I understand." Jubilee looked away, staring out the window. She
blinked, and a tear slid down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away. "You don't
want the responsibility of taking care of a crippled, brain-damaged kid. You . .
. you don't want me." The last words came out as a barely audible whisper.
In a few short strides, he was at her bedside, kneeling down beside her so that
he could look her in the eyes. "Darlin', that ain't true. I want to take you in
. . . more'n anythin'. I'd do it in a heartbeat." He gently cupped her cheek in
his hand, wiping away a tear with his thumb. "But you heard what Jeanie said--
these guys are playing hard-ball. They'd use any kind of dirt to prevent someone
from bein' granted custody. I ain't exactly got a clean record. Of any of us,
Scott and Jeanie have got the best chance. Fer starters, they're a married
couple--that's a major point in our favor. Besides," he said, and his eyes met
Jean's, "they'd would make much better parents to you than I ever could."
"Sez you," Jubilee muttered.
"Jubilee, I know how close you and Logan are," Scott said. "I want to make it
clear that I--we--" he gave Jean's shoulder a gentle squeeze--"are not looking
to replace him. I won't lie to you; this situation is very serious. There is a
good chance that they won't even grant us custody--in which case, this entire
conversation is moot. We all discussed this--Jean, Logan, Sean, Emma, the
professor. We think this is our best chance of preventing you from being put in
an orphanage. That's the last thing we want to see happen; I'm sure you'll
agree. You've become very special to all of us. You'll always be an X-Man--
you'll always be a member of our family. What Jean and I want to do is ensure
that you get to stay with your family. In the process, we'll help you with your
convalescence--physical therapy, psychic therapy as well. You'll be in a
familiar environment, surrounded by people who care about you and want to see
you well."
Jubilee looked at him and Jean, then to Logan.
"You've known me long enough to know that I would never lie to you. It's our
best shot, kiddo," he told her. "But it's up to you to decide."
Jubilee looked back to Scott and Jean. "I don't have to call you Mom and Dad, do
I?"
They all laughed. That tension-breaker helped them all begin to relax.
"No, sweetie," Jean said, still smiling. "We're not looking to replace your
parents. Yes, we'll be helping to take care of you. But so will everyone else--
Logan, Hank, Ororo, the professor. Everyone wants to see you back on your feet."
Jubilee considered. It did not sound all that terrible. She would be living in
the only real home she had known since her parents' death several years earlier,
with the best friends she had ever had--her family, as Scott had said. Having
Jean as a foster mother would definitely not be so bad--kind of cool, actually.
Jean had already been looking after her, helping her through some tough times,
like a real mother would. Scott, on the other hand. . . . Well, they had never
been close. He would not be her first choice as a foster father. Hell, he
probably would not be on her list at all. He was too uptight for her tastes.
Sure, he could be nice and all, but all she really saw him as was a leader.
There were a million reasons for her to object to him. He did not smile enough,
that was for starters. But, hey, maybe this would be her opportunity to help
change that. And yet, he loved Jean deeply, of that much she was certain; so it
was not as if his heart were made of stone. Yeah, he probably would not be so
bad once she got to know him better. What the hell. Besides, she did not seem to
have much choice.
"All right," she told them. "Sounds okay to me."
"Really?" Jean asked. "You're sure?"
"Uh huh. Hey, Cable turned out all right . . . so you guys can't be too bad as
far as parental units go. I could do a lot worse."
"I'm so glad!" Jean said with a smile as she reached to embrace Jubilee.
*Whoa,* Jubilee thought as she hugged Jean back. *She seems really hyped about
this. Didn't think I was such a hot commodity . . . .*
"I'm actually kind of excited about it," Jean admitted. "I've missed you since
you went away to school. This will give us a chance to catch up, spend some time
together."
"Yeah, that sounds great." Looking at Jean's face, which nearly beamed with
excitement, Jubilee's brow furrowed. Were those tears in her eyes?
"Now, why don't you try to finish some of your breakfast," Jean said, pulling
the tray in front of Jubilee.
"Geez, I no sooner agree to this, and already you're actin' like a mom."
There came a knock at the door.
"More visitors? Geez, I didn't know I was so popular. Come in!"
Sean walked inside. "Hey there, lass. How are ye feelin' this mornin'?"
"Much better, Mr. Cassidy. Thanks for asking."
"That's good t' hear."
"Did you have a chance to speak to Dr. Knight?" Scott asked.
"Aye. As a matter of fact, the representative from social services just called
him from her cell-phone. She should be here in about ten minutes. He wants us t'
meet with them in his office."
Nodding, Jean got to her feet. She and Scott followed Sean to the door. Seeing
that Logan had not done the same, they turned to face him.
"You three go ahead," Logan said. "I'll stay with the kid."
"Are you sure?" Jean asked him.
"Yeah. She could use the company, I'm sure," he said, grinning at her. "'Sides,
this don't really concern me."
"Of course it does," Jean told him. She could see, though, that his mind was
made up.
With a nod, Jean followed the others out of the room.
"So, how did it go with Jubilee?" Sean asked as they walked toward the elevator.
Scott and Jean exchanged a glance. "Good," she told Sean. "She seems all right
with the idea."
Sean smiled. "That's a relief. One less thing t' worry about."
"Now, if only the doctor and social services can be as easily convinced," Scott
remarked.
"Aye, Scotty. Let's just be sure to keep our fingers crossed."
End Chapter 13
*****