Title: A Friend in Need II: Sweet Child of Mine 10/22
Author: Somogyi
Email: somogyi02@yahoo.com
Archive: Sure, just please ask first
Rating: PG-13 for language, violence, and some disturbing imagery
Summary: Jubilee is well on the way to recovery from the physical injuries she
sustained during "A Friend in Need," thanks to the help of Logan and Jean. The
psychic damage, however, has been slow to heal: she is still plagued by regular
nightmares and her memory has not yet returned. And while Jean's endless devotion
to Jubilee is helping her to recuperate, it is starting to put a strain on Jean's
marriage to Scott.
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 II: Sweet Child of Mine
by Somogyi
somogyi02@yahoo.com
Chapter 10
"You know, Scott, you'd've made a great firefighter," Jubilee told him from her
perch in his arms as he carried her into the house, Jean closing the door behind
them.
"But if I were using the traditional fireman's carry, you'd be bent over my
shoulder," he pointed out.
"Nah, I think this way is more fun," she said, kicking her legs playfully as he
brought her into her bedroom.
"Just a sec," Jean said, pulling back the covers telekinetically even as she put
the pillows against the headboard, fluffing them manually. "Okay, all set."
Scott wordlessly placed Jubilee down in the bed and stepped back, allowing Jean
to settle the covers around her.
"There you go, all set," Jean said, sitting down on the side of the mattress.
"You're looking much better this morning, sweetie," she told her, gently
stroking the hair on Jubilee's temple. "Your color looks much better."
"It's all this bed rest. I think I'm indulging too much. I feel like I'm getting
out of shape already."
"Well, Hank wanted you to take it easy one more day," Jean pointed out.
"Enjoy it while you can," Scott added. "Tomorrow you start your physical therapy
with Logan again."
Jubilee rolled her eyes. "Lucky me." She turned to look at Jean. "So, you never
did tell me how your weekend was. Did you enjoy being pampered?"
"It was wonderful. Quite relaxing. I just missed you, that's all."
"Yeah, right. A weekend of massages and facials and hot tubs, versus cooking and
cleaning up after a teenaged kid. No contest there."
"None whatsoever," Jean replied simply, patting Jubilee's leg. "Are you hungry,
sweetie? Would you like me to make you something?"
"Oh, no, I'm fine, Jean, thanks. I'm still full from breakfast." When Jean
looked at her questioningly, she went on, "Scott brought me something while I
was still in the medi-lab. An egg-and-cheese muffin thingie."
"You were getting her room ready at the time," Scott explained to Jean.
She nodded. "Oh. Well, do you need anything to drink?"
"Nope. I'm good. I think I'm just going to read for a while," she said, reaching
for a book she had left on her night stand.
"All right, sweetie. You just let me know if you need anything. I'll just be in
the next room."
"Sure thing. Thanks, Jean."
Nodding, Jean smiled at her. She gave her hand a quick pat before rising.
"If you're in the mood later, I can bring the chess set in here and teach you
how to play, like you've been asking," Scott told her.
"Sure, Scott. That'd be great. Maybe later this afternoon, after lunch."
"Just let me know. And in the meantime, shout if you need anything."
"Will do." She smiled and waved as he followed Jean out of the room and into
their bedroom.
Scott sat down on the bed and began to remove his shoes. "Well, she seems to be
doing well. More restless than anything else."
When there came no reply, he looked up to watch Jean retrieving some discarded
clothing from the back of a chair, and placing the items on hangers.
"Jean? Did you hear me? Don't you think Jubilee is in good spirits?"
Still, she said nothing as she returned the clothing to the closet. In fact, she
made no indication that she had even heard him.
"So how long are you going to keep up this silent treatment, Jean?" Scott asked,
angrily tossing his shoes across the room so that they hit the wall with a loud
bang. "How long are you going to continue to shut me out?"
"I have nothing to say to you."
"Bullshit. There's obviously a lot left unsaid between us, or else we'd be
talking."
"I've said all that needs to be said."
"Damn it, Jean. I told you I was sorry I didn't call you about Jubilee. I
thought I explained my reasoning. You may not agree with it, but can't you at
least accept it? Can't we just move past this, and get on with our lives?"
"Maybe I can't get past it."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean? That you're never going to forgive me
for a mistake? A mistake, I may point out, I made out of love for you."
"If that's a sign of your affection, I'd hate to see what you'd do to those you
hate."
"Oh, for God's sake, Jean, will you cut the melodramatic crap? I'm sick and
tired of this holier-than-thou attitude of yours."
She turned to face him then, eyes flashing in indignation. "What--?"
"You know damned well what I mean. Jubilee's been staying with us for almost two
months, and in that time I feel like I've barely said two words to her. *We*
agreed to take her into *our* home, Jean, to care for her *together*, but you've
barely let me get within two feet of her. Time and again, I've offered my help,
but you've pushed me away, rebuked me. You want to do everything your-goddammed-
self."
"That's not true, Scott. I'm not the only one--"
"Well, you have let Hank handle her medical care, but I suspect that has
something to do with his degree. Hell, I'm surprised you've let Logan be in
charge of her physical therapy rather than take on that responsibility yourself
as well."
"You're just jealous of the time I've been spending with her, that's all."
"Not jealous, no. But after spending the weekend with her, I'm sorry I never did
so before. Sorry you never gave me the chance."
"I never stopped you--"
"Like hell you didn't! That's what I've been trying to tell you, Jean. You've
been monopolizing care over her. In the process, you've not only worn yourself
down, but you've isolated her from the others here--from her friends, the people
who care about her. You don't own sole rights to her love, you know. Did you
ever stop to think that perhaps what she needed was a change of pace, some new
company? That maybe you were suffocating her with your attention?"
Jean simply stared at him, too stunned to reply.
"You know, this weekend was the first time I can remember hearing Jubilee laugh.
I don't mean just chuckle. I mean, throw her head back and laugh from deep in
her belly with the careless abandon of a child. Because that's what she is,
Jean--just a child. I'm not sure you know that. While it's true that on the one
hand, you're coddling her like one, on the other hand, that same kind of care
can be stifling. Sometimes, it's best to just let her be, and to try to do
things on her own, for herself."
Jean's eyes narrowed and she pursed her lips in annoyance. "So now you're
criticizing the way I care for her? At least she never had a seizure when *I*
was caring for her!"
Scott threw his hands up in exasperation. "Go on and continue to blame me for
that. Fine. Nothing I can say will change your mind anyway. But let me also
point this out to you: while *you* were gone this weekend, and Jubilee was in
*my* care, she managed to walk the entire way to the mansion, without any help.
Then, later on, she was able to walk for a short distance without the crutches
at all. So perhaps you should reconsider whether letting her do things for
herself at her own pace might not be the better way to go."
Jean brought a shaking hand to her mouth. "She . . . she walked . .. without the
braces?"
Smiling proudly, Scott nodded. "She didn't even notice not having them," he
said, his voice softer, as he took an unconscious step closer to her.
Jean could not help but return the grin. But almost as quickly as it appeared,
it faded. "Maybe she pushed herself too hard. And that physical exertion taxed
her, affected her brain in some way to cause the seizure."
"You can't for one minute accept the fact that someone other than yourself is
capable of caring for Jubilee, of helping her. In fact, you can't stand the idea
that she may actually have enjoyed the time she spent alone with me this
weekend--without you around."
"Don't be ridiculous, Scott."
"No, I don't think I'm being ridiculous at all. In fact, I don't think it's me
who's jealous where Jubilee is concerned. I think you need to start looking in
the mirror, Jean."
"I am not jealous!"
"Stop it!" came a shout from the doorway. They both turned to see Jubilee
standing there, leaning on the doorframe, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Both
of you, just stop it! I can't stand to listen to you fighting!"
"Oh, sweetie, we weren't fighting," Jean said, hurrying to the doorway to help
Jubilee inside. "C'mon, let's go sit down."
"I don't need your help!" Jubilee snapped, shrugging off Jean's hands. "I don't
want to sit down. I just want you two to stop fighting."
"But, Jubilee, I already told you, we're not--"
"So now you're going to start lying to her, too?" Scott asked his wife. "She's
got ears. She knows perfectly well that we're arguing."
"About me," Jubilee cut in. "You're arguing about me. I'm sorry. I didn't mean
to make you fight."
"Oh, sweetie, it's not your fault," Jean told her.
"That's something we agree on," Scott added. "Kiddo, we're mad at each other,
not at you."
"But you're fighting *about* me. I'm the cause. I never would have agreed to
come stay with you guys if I knew this was going to happen. I didn't mean for
you two to get mad at each other. I've never seen you two fight like this.
You're the happiest couple I know. But now I'm tearing you apart."
"You're not, sweetie," Jean told her as she put an arm around her shoulder.
"No, I think we're doing a bang up job of that all by ourselves," Scott amended.
Jean shot him a look that could melt the coldest of glaciers. "Dammit, Scott,
you're not helping matters here!" She felt Jubilee start to cry. "Oh, sweetie,"
she crooned, pulling Jubilee into her arms. The girl held onto her tightly, sobs
shaking her small frame, her hot tears dampening Jean's blouse. "I hope you're
happy, Scott Summers. Now look what you've done!"
"Don't you dare blame me for this, Jean. You're just as much at fault as I am.
It takes two to argue."
"Stop," Jubilee whispered in between sobs. "Please stop. Stopstopstop."
Glaring at him one last time, she turned her attention back to the crying girl
in her arms. "Shh, Jubilee. It's okay, sweetie. It's okay. C'mon, let's get you
back to bed." Jean slowly began to lead the girl out of the master bedroom and
toward her own.
"I see we're back to the silent treatment!" Scott called after her. "That's just
like you, Jean, to shut me out! To retreat, rather than talk to me! To push me
away, rather than let me in! If that's the way you want to play things, fine by
me!"
Jean tried to ignore his angry shouts as she led Jubilee over to her bed and
helped her into it. She continued to hold the girl in her arms, rocking her
gently, rubbing her back, whispering soft words of reassurance. All-the-while,
she heard loud banging noises coming from her and Scott's bedroom as he opened
and closed drawers. A couple of minutes later, she heard his loud footsteps
treading down the hallway, toward the living room. A moment later, she heard the
front door slam shut. Both she and Jubilee started at the noise.
"Did Sc-Scott . . . l-leave?" Jubilee asked against her shoulder.
"Yes."
"Where'd he g-go?"
"I don't know, sweetie."
"Wh-when's he comin' back?"
"I don't know, sweetie." Jean continued to rock Jubilee in her arms, even as she
blinked back her own tears. "I don't know."
End Chapter 10
*****
Author: Somogyi
Email: somogyi02@yahoo.com
Archive: Sure, just please ask first
Rating: PG-13 for language, violence, and some disturbing imagery
Summary: Jubilee is well on the way to recovery from the physical injuries she
sustained during "A Friend in Need," thanks to the help of Logan and Jean. The
psychic damage, however, has been slow to heal: she is still plagued by regular
nightmares and her memory has not yet returned. And while Jean's endless devotion
to Jubilee is helping her to recuperate, it is starting to put a strain on Jean's
marriage to Scott.
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 II: Sweet Child of Mine
by Somogyi
somogyi02@yahoo.com
Chapter 10
"You know, Scott, you'd've made a great firefighter," Jubilee told him from her
perch in his arms as he carried her into the house, Jean closing the door behind
them.
"But if I were using the traditional fireman's carry, you'd be bent over my
shoulder," he pointed out.
"Nah, I think this way is more fun," she said, kicking her legs playfully as he
brought her into her bedroom.
"Just a sec," Jean said, pulling back the covers telekinetically even as she put
the pillows against the headboard, fluffing them manually. "Okay, all set."
Scott wordlessly placed Jubilee down in the bed and stepped back, allowing Jean
to settle the covers around her.
"There you go, all set," Jean said, sitting down on the side of the mattress.
"You're looking much better this morning, sweetie," she told her, gently
stroking the hair on Jubilee's temple. "Your color looks much better."
"It's all this bed rest. I think I'm indulging too much. I feel like I'm getting
out of shape already."
"Well, Hank wanted you to take it easy one more day," Jean pointed out.
"Enjoy it while you can," Scott added. "Tomorrow you start your physical therapy
with Logan again."
Jubilee rolled her eyes. "Lucky me." She turned to look at Jean. "So, you never
did tell me how your weekend was. Did you enjoy being pampered?"
"It was wonderful. Quite relaxing. I just missed you, that's all."
"Yeah, right. A weekend of massages and facials and hot tubs, versus cooking and
cleaning up after a teenaged kid. No contest there."
"None whatsoever," Jean replied simply, patting Jubilee's leg. "Are you hungry,
sweetie? Would you like me to make you something?"
"Oh, no, I'm fine, Jean, thanks. I'm still full from breakfast." When Jean
looked at her questioningly, she went on, "Scott brought me something while I
was still in the medi-lab. An egg-and-cheese muffin thingie."
"You were getting her room ready at the time," Scott explained to Jean.
She nodded. "Oh. Well, do you need anything to drink?"
"Nope. I'm good. I think I'm just going to read for a while," she said, reaching
for a book she had left on her night stand.
"All right, sweetie. You just let me know if you need anything. I'll just be in
the next room."
"Sure thing. Thanks, Jean."
Nodding, Jean smiled at her. She gave her hand a quick pat before rising.
"If you're in the mood later, I can bring the chess set in here and teach you
how to play, like you've been asking," Scott told her.
"Sure, Scott. That'd be great. Maybe later this afternoon, after lunch."
"Just let me know. And in the meantime, shout if you need anything."
"Will do." She smiled and waved as he followed Jean out of the room and into
their bedroom.
Scott sat down on the bed and began to remove his shoes. "Well, she seems to be
doing well. More restless than anything else."
When there came no reply, he looked up to watch Jean retrieving some discarded
clothing from the back of a chair, and placing the items on hangers.
"Jean? Did you hear me? Don't you think Jubilee is in good spirits?"
Still, she said nothing as she returned the clothing to the closet. In fact, she
made no indication that she had even heard him.
"So how long are you going to keep up this silent treatment, Jean?" Scott asked,
angrily tossing his shoes across the room so that they hit the wall with a loud
bang. "How long are you going to continue to shut me out?"
"I have nothing to say to you."
"Bullshit. There's obviously a lot left unsaid between us, or else we'd be
talking."
"I've said all that needs to be said."
"Damn it, Jean. I told you I was sorry I didn't call you about Jubilee. I
thought I explained my reasoning. You may not agree with it, but can't you at
least accept it? Can't we just move past this, and get on with our lives?"
"Maybe I can't get past it."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean? That you're never going to forgive me
for a mistake? A mistake, I may point out, I made out of love for you."
"If that's a sign of your affection, I'd hate to see what you'd do to those you
hate."
"Oh, for God's sake, Jean, will you cut the melodramatic crap? I'm sick and
tired of this holier-than-thou attitude of yours."
She turned to face him then, eyes flashing in indignation. "What--?"
"You know damned well what I mean. Jubilee's been staying with us for almost two
months, and in that time I feel like I've barely said two words to her. *We*
agreed to take her into *our* home, Jean, to care for her *together*, but you've
barely let me get within two feet of her. Time and again, I've offered my help,
but you've pushed me away, rebuked me. You want to do everything your-goddammed-
self."
"That's not true, Scott. I'm not the only one--"
"Well, you have let Hank handle her medical care, but I suspect that has
something to do with his degree. Hell, I'm surprised you've let Logan be in
charge of her physical therapy rather than take on that responsibility yourself
as well."
"You're just jealous of the time I've been spending with her, that's all."
"Not jealous, no. But after spending the weekend with her, I'm sorry I never did
so before. Sorry you never gave me the chance."
"I never stopped you--"
"Like hell you didn't! That's what I've been trying to tell you, Jean. You've
been monopolizing care over her. In the process, you've not only worn yourself
down, but you've isolated her from the others here--from her friends, the people
who care about her. You don't own sole rights to her love, you know. Did you
ever stop to think that perhaps what she needed was a change of pace, some new
company? That maybe you were suffocating her with your attention?"
Jean simply stared at him, too stunned to reply.
"You know, this weekend was the first time I can remember hearing Jubilee laugh.
I don't mean just chuckle. I mean, throw her head back and laugh from deep in
her belly with the careless abandon of a child. Because that's what she is,
Jean--just a child. I'm not sure you know that. While it's true that on the one
hand, you're coddling her like one, on the other hand, that same kind of care
can be stifling. Sometimes, it's best to just let her be, and to try to do
things on her own, for herself."
Jean's eyes narrowed and she pursed her lips in annoyance. "So now you're
criticizing the way I care for her? At least she never had a seizure when *I*
was caring for her!"
Scott threw his hands up in exasperation. "Go on and continue to blame me for
that. Fine. Nothing I can say will change your mind anyway. But let me also
point this out to you: while *you* were gone this weekend, and Jubilee was in
*my* care, she managed to walk the entire way to the mansion, without any help.
Then, later on, she was able to walk for a short distance without the crutches
at all. So perhaps you should reconsider whether letting her do things for
herself at her own pace might not be the better way to go."
Jean brought a shaking hand to her mouth. "She . . . she walked . .. without the
braces?"
Smiling proudly, Scott nodded. "She didn't even notice not having them," he
said, his voice softer, as he took an unconscious step closer to her.
Jean could not help but return the grin. But almost as quickly as it appeared,
it faded. "Maybe she pushed herself too hard. And that physical exertion taxed
her, affected her brain in some way to cause the seizure."
"You can't for one minute accept the fact that someone other than yourself is
capable of caring for Jubilee, of helping her. In fact, you can't stand the idea
that she may actually have enjoyed the time she spent alone with me this
weekend--without you around."
"Don't be ridiculous, Scott."
"No, I don't think I'm being ridiculous at all. In fact, I don't think it's me
who's jealous where Jubilee is concerned. I think you need to start looking in
the mirror, Jean."
"I am not jealous!"
"Stop it!" came a shout from the doorway. They both turned to see Jubilee
standing there, leaning on the doorframe, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Both
of you, just stop it! I can't stand to listen to you fighting!"
"Oh, sweetie, we weren't fighting," Jean said, hurrying to the doorway to help
Jubilee inside. "C'mon, let's go sit down."
"I don't need your help!" Jubilee snapped, shrugging off Jean's hands. "I don't
want to sit down. I just want you two to stop fighting."
"But, Jubilee, I already told you, we're not--"
"So now you're going to start lying to her, too?" Scott asked his wife. "She's
got ears. She knows perfectly well that we're arguing."
"About me," Jubilee cut in. "You're arguing about me. I'm sorry. I didn't mean
to make you fight."
"Oh, sweetie, it's not your fault," Jean told her.
"That's something we agree on," Scott added. "Kiddo, we're mad at each other,
not at you."
"But you're fighting *about* me. I'm the cause. I never would have agreed to
come stay with you guys if I knew this was going to happen. I didn't mean for
you two to get mad at each other. I've never seen you two fight like this.
You're the happiest couple I know. But now I'm tearing you apart."
"You're not, sweetie," Jean told her as she put an arm around her shoulder.
"No, I think we're doing a bang up job of that all by ourselves," Scott amended.
Jean shot him a look that could melt the coldest of glaciers. "Dammit, Scott,
you're not helping matters here!" She felt Jubilee start to cry. "Oh, sweetie,"
she crooned, pulling Jubilee into her arms. The girl held onto her tightly, sobs
shaking her small frame, her hot tears dampening Jean's blouse. "I hope you're
happy, Scott Summers. Now look what you've done!"
"Don't you dare blame me for this, Jean. You're just as much at fault as I am.
It takes two to argue."
"Stop," Jubilee whispered in between sobs. "Please stop. Stopstopstop."
Glaring at him one last time, she turned her attention back to the crying girl
in her arms. "Shh, Jubilee. It's okay, sweetie. It's okay. C'mon, let's get you
back to bed." Jean slowly began to lead the girl out of the master bedroom and
toward her own.
"I see we're back to the silent treatment!" Scott called after her. "That's just
like you, Jean, to shut me out! To retreat, rather than talk to me! To push me
away, rather than let me in! If that's the way you want to play things, fine by
me!"
Jean tried to ignore his angry shouts as she led Jubilee over to her bed and
helped her into it. She continued to hold the girl in her arms, rocking her
gently, rubbing her back, whispering soft words of reassurance. All-the-while,
she heard loud banging noises coming from her and Scott's bedroom as he opened
and closed drawers. A couple of minutes later, she heard his loud footsteps
treading down the hallway, toward the living room. A moment later, she heard the
front door slam shut. Both she and Jubilee started at the noise.
"Did Sc-Scott . . . l-leave?" Jubilee asked against her shoulder.
"Yes."
"Where'd he g-go?"
"I don't know, sweetie."
"Wh-when's he comin' back?"
"I don't know, sweetie." Jean continued to rock Jubilee in her arms, even as she
blinked back her own tears. "I don't know."
End Chapter 10
*****