Title: A Friend in Need II: Sweet Child of Mine 11/22
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 11
Feeling the warmth of sunlight on her face, Jubilee slowly cracked one eye open.
It appeared to be morning, but she had no idea what time it was. Wondering how
much time she had left to sleep, she rolled over onto her side and peered at the
clock on her nightstand. It was going on seven o'clock.
*No, that can't be right,* she thought, sitting up and grabbing the clock to get
a closer look. But the time read six fifty-six. How could that be? Jean always
got her up promptly at six-thirty. She never let her sleep in. Why had Jean not
awakened her this morning?
Concerned, Jubilee threw back the covers and swung her legs over the side of the
bed. She gave her crutches a cursory glance, but then ignored them as she got to
her feet. She took a first unsteady step, then a second, but by the third felt
confident that she would be able to maintain her balance. She made her way
across the hallway to the master bedroom.
Finding the door ajar, she slowly pushed it open. "Jean. . . ?" she whispered,
peering inside. Slowly, she stepped into the room. Through the thin streams of
sunlight that made it in through the blinds, she could see a lone form lying
beneath the blanket. Walking closer, she saw that Jean was still fast asleep.
Her face looked peaceful in slumber. Unhampered by the worry that had plagued
her these past several days. Jean lay on her side of the bed, but one hand
reached out, touching the empty pillow beside her. Jubilee wondered if she was
missing Scott. Maybe she was dreaming of him, and that was why she did not want
to get up.
For a moment, she considered waking Jean. But then she thought better of it. If
she was still asleep, the odds were it was because she was tired, and needed the
rest. A glance at the clock radio on the bedside table revealed that Jean had
forgotten to set the alarm. She had definitely been distracted this past week,
so this really came as no surprise to Jubilee. No, better to let her sleep in.
Jubilee quietly crept out of the bedroom, closing the door most of the way
behind her. She went about her normal morning routine--washing, dressing, eating
breakfast. Jean was apparently still fast asleep when she was ready to head over
to the mansion for her physical therapy session with Logan. Grabbing a piece of
notepaper and a pen from her nightstand drawer, Jubilee quickly scrawled a note
to Jean, explaining that she had gone on ahead without her, and would be back
after her morning workout. She left it on her bed, figuring that would be the
first place Jean would check when she awoke.
Pulling on a sweat jacket, Jubilee grabbed the new cane Wolverine had given her,
and headed out the door. She did not need to use it until the last leg of the
journey. It felt good to finally be rid of the crutches. Hopefully after another
few weeks she could ditch the cane as well. Breathing heavily from the exertion,
she made her way down to the gym. When she entered, she found Logan setting up
some mats, his back to the door.
"I was gettin' ready to send out a search party for ya, kid," he said, tugging a
last mat into place.
Jubilee glanced at her watch. "Just over ten minutes late. Not too bad,
considerin' I walked the whole way myself."
"So I see," Logan replied, nodding toward her cane. "Good for you. Where's Red?"
"Jean, she, uh, decided to sleep in this mornin'."
He scowled. "That don't sound like Jeanie."
"Well, I think she forgot to set her alarm. I don't think she's been sleepin'
well lately, so I figured it was best not to wake her," Jubilee explained,
shedding her sweat jacket and tossing it into a corner before beginning her
usual stretching exercises. She bent down to touch her toes.
"I can't believe how stubborn she's bein' 'bout this whole situation."
"Tell me about it," Jubilee replied, her face upside-down. She was now able to
place palms to the floor as she stretched out the muscles of her back and legs.
"Has she spoken to Scott at all?"
"Nope." Jubilee stood up, and bent one arm over her head, stretching to the
side. "She refuses to answer the phone. Uses the machine to screen the calls. Or
me, when I'm there."
"Has he called?"
Jubilee straightened, and then bent to the other side. "Every night. He always
calls to see how I'm doin'."
"Does he ask to speak to Jeanie?"
"Not outright. I tried to get her to come on the phone the first couple nights,
but she refused. I think he realized it's a lost cause; that when she's ready,
she'll speak to him. But every time, before he hangs up, he always asks how she
is." Straightening up, Jubilee managed a small smile.
Logan shook his head. "Man, I never saw this comin'. How long's it been now?"
Jubilee cocked her head to the side in thought as she bent an arm back over the
opposite shoulder, grabbing her elbow to stretch it out. "Well, he spent those
first couple nights at the mansion. Then I guess he contacted Sean, an' decided
to go stay at the school in Massachusetts for a while, giving a series of guest
lectures, I forget the exact topic. Something about fightin' strategy an'
tactics, leadership an' stuff." She paused, switching arms. "He's been there
goin' on a week now."
Once again, Logan shook his head disappointedly. "Somebody's gotta have a talk
with Jeanie. This is gettin' ridiculous."
"Believe me, Wolvie, I've tried. Ororo's tried. Hank's even tried. If you want
to, please, be my guest. I want Scott to come home as much as anybody. Maybe
you'll be able to talk some sense into her."
"I'll give it a shot, kid. Don't know if she'll listen to me. But it's worth a
try, right?"
"Wolvie, right now, I'm willing to try anything."
"*Right* now, how about ten minutes on the bike?"
"Startin' out easy on me, huh?" Smiling, she made her way over to the exercise
bicycle.
*****
"That's it, darlin' . . . three more," Logan encouraged Jubilee as she extended
her knees in the leg press machine. "Two more . . . c'mon, kiddo, last one . . .
an' one!"
With a whoosh of breath, Jubilee bent her knees, letting the weights she had
been lifting fall back to the stock. Releasing her grip on the handlebars at the
side of her seat, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes, breathing
heavily.
"Great job," Logan told her, adjusting the pin on the nautilus machine so that
it was back to the lowest setting. "That's one more set than you were able to do
last week."
She smiled up at him. "I did good, Wolvie?"
"You did great, darlin'. Simply marvelous."
"Thanks," she said, getting up and re-seating herself on the floor in
preparation for meditation. Since Ororo had introduced her to the technique, she
had been using it as a cool-down exercise after a workout. For the most part,
visualizing her thoughts as a river flowing in front of her had been working
quite well as a means of relaxation. In fact, the river she was imagining had
been practically reduced to almost a stream--until the discord between Jean and
Scott came to a head. Since then, the river's current had begun to flow rapidly
again with all that she had on her mind. Nonetheless, she still found taking the
time to calm her thoughts soothing.
Ten minutes later, she had just finished her meditation when she heard a
familiar voice call out into the room.
"I trust you had a good workout?"
They both looked up to the doorway to see Ororo entering the gym.
"Kid's makin' great progress. 'Fore long, she won't need a cane anymore."
"That is wonderful news," Ororo replied, handing Jubilee a bottle of water.
"What's up, 'Roro?" Logan asked as he got to his feet.
"The professor has requested your presence in his study. There is something
about which he wishes to ask you."
"Any idea what it's about?"
"No. He did not tell me. Only that it was urgent that he speak with you."
"Why didn't he just message me in the ole noggin'?" Logan asked, tapping his
temple.
"He did not want to interrupt your session with Jubilee."
"Well, you're gonna have to walk the kid back."
"That would be my pleasure," Ororo replied. "That is, if it is all right with
you, Jubilation," she added, looking down at the girl, who was taking several
large gulps of water.
"Sure, if you can stand the stink of me, I wouldn't mind the company," she
replied, pressing the cool bottle to her flushed face.
"Then it is settled."
Logan shrugged. "Sure. Fine. Whatever." He looked down at Jubilee. "I'll stop by
later to see how you and Jeanie are doin'," he told her.
"Sounds good. See you then."
With a final nod of the head to each of them, Logan left the gym in search of
Xavier's study.
"Are you ready to head back, or would you like more time to rest?" Ororo asked
Jubilee.
"Nope, I'm ready to go. I wanna go catch a shower anyway."
"All right." Storm held out a hand to her, which Jubilee gladly accepted to help
her to her feet.
Polishing off the remaining contents of the small bottle of water, Jubilee
tossed it into a recycling bin. She retrieved her sweat jacket, which she used
to mop her face off with before tying it around her waist. Then, she grabbed her
cane, and together she and Ororo made their way back to the main level and out
the mansion, onto the path toward the house.
"I take it Jean did not accompany you to your workout session this morning,"
Ororo said.
"Nope. She decided to catch some extra z's."
Ororo arched an eyebrow in surprise. "Oh? Is she feeling all right?"
"Far as I know, she's just tired. I don't think she's been sleepin' well lately.
Lot on her mind, I guess."
"She still refuses to speak to Scott?"
Jubilee nodded, even as she sighed. "I tried talkin' to her 'bout it, but she
just doesn't wanna discuss it. I really don't know what else to do. Wolvie's
offered to try speakin' to her."
"Yes, perhaps he will be able to reach her where we have not been able to."
Nonetheless, Storm's tone did not sound particularly confident.
"I don't ever remember them fightin' this way."
"Neither do I."
Jubilee shook her head sadly. "I didn't think it was possible for anything to
come between 'em. I mean, I've always looked at Jean an' Scott as like this
super-couple or somethin'. Unbreakable."
"Well, I suppose it demonstrates that they are just as human as the rest of us."
"But I thought they--the love they have--was above that. That it's somethin'
extra special. That it could--'scuse the pun--weather any storm."
"I suspect it shall do so ultimately. It is just going to be rough sailing for a
while."
"I guess."
"Well, here we are," Ororo said as they approached the house.
"You wanna come inside?" Jubilee asked. "Want somethin' to drink? To see Jean?"
"No, I think I shall return to the mansion. Tell Jean that if she needs to talk,
I shall be around, all right?"
"No prob. Thanks, 'Ro, for the walk an' the talk."
"My pleasure. Do not worry, Jubilation, Scott will come home soon."
From the way Storm was looking at her, the sympathy and understanding that
filled her gaze, Jubilee could tell that Ororo knew how much she missed him.
Managing a small smile, she nodded at Storm before opening the front door.
With a final wave, Ororo turned and headed back toward the mansion.
Sighing, Jubilee stepped inside. She made her way through the living room, and,
seeing that it was empty, entered the kitchen. No sign of Jean there either. The
coffee pot was not on, and there were no dishes in the sink or the drainer other
than those from her own breakfast. Surely Jean was not still sleeping.
Concerned, Jubilee headed for the master bedroom. The door was still ajar, and
so she opened it enough to poke her head inside. Glancing at the bed, she saw
that it was unoccupied, though the covers were thrown back. But where was Jean?
It was then that she heard it--a strange noise coming from the bathroom. Jubilee
entered the room and slowly crept toward the bathroom. As she drew closer, the
sound became more recognizable: that of coughing and gagging.
"Jean?" she called. "You okay?" She walked over to the bathroom door, found it
was open almost completely. Peering inside, her eyes widened in surprise.
Jean sat kneeling on the floor, hands grasping the sides of the toilet bowl, as
she retched, each wave shaking through her body with a near-violent intensity.
"Oh God," Jubilee gasped. She quickly hurried to Jean's side, dropped to her
knees beside her. She started to reach for her, but for a moment, she hesitated,
unsure as to what to do. But then she swallowed back any doubt. She gently
pulled back Jean's hair, getting it out of her face.
Startled, Jean turned her head, caught sight of Jubilee's sympathetic look. Her
own expression softened a touch, but then she quickly turned back to the commode
as she brought up more stomach contents.
Not knowing what to say, Jubilee instead touched Jean's back, and gently rubbed
it, hoping the gesture would offer some comfort. Then she just waited until Jean
had nothing left to vomit, and the dry heaves had finally subsided.
With a gasp, Jean lifted her head, pulled down on the handle to flush, and
scooted back to lean against the side of the tub. Closing her eyes, she wiped
her mouth with the back of her hand.
Rising, Jubilee quickly retrieved a washcloth and wetted it down with cool
water. Then she knelt down beside Jean and placed the cloth against Jean's pale
forehead. Jean's eyes opened almost instantly, and she looked at Jubilee with a
grateful expression. She mouthed the words "Thank you". Smiling, Jubilee began
to dab Jean's cheeks, her chin, her neck, and chest with the cool cloth. When
she was done, she gave the cloth to Jean to wipe her mouth and then folded it
before placing it on the back of her neck.
"Can I get you anything else?" Jubilee asked. "You want some water?"
Jean slowly shook her head before closing her eyes once again.
Jubilee silently sat down next to Jean, facing her. "Feelin' any better?"
"A little," Jean whispered. "Nausea's starting to subside."
"That's good. Jean, I--" Jubilee stopped herself, unsure of what to say next.
She watched as Jean's eyes raised, her gaze directed past Jubilee, toward the
doorway. "What is it?" she questioned.
At that moment, the sound of someone calling her and Jean's names reached them.
Jubilee turned her head just as Ororo reached the doorway. "There you are,
Jubilation. I realized that I forgot to ask you--" Apparently it took her a
moment to see Jean, who remained leaning against the tub with her eyes closed
once more. "Goddess! What has happened to Jean? She does not look well." Ororo
hurried into the bathroom and knelt down at Jean's side. One hand immediately
reached to take her pulse even as she used the back of the other to feel her
forehead.
Slowly, Jean looked up at Storm. "I'm fine, Ororo. I just need a few minutes to
get my sea legs back."
Ororo looked unconvinced. "Perhaps I should take you to the medi-lab."
"There's no point, Ororo. I'll be okay. It's just about passed," Jean whispered
wearily, her eyelids dropping closed once again.
Storm looked toward Jubilee as though to ask her what had transpired.
Jubilee shrugged. "She was huggin' porcelain when I found her. Scared the hell
outta me."
Ororo nodded. "Me, as well." She looked back at Jean and shook her head
disappointedly. "I was worried something such as this would happen, Jean."
"We all were," Jubilee agreed, nodding.
Jean glanced first at Jubilee, then Ororo, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Everyone has been warning you not to push yourself so hard," Ororo explained.
"To step back, and take it easy."
"Yeah, why do you think I gave you that weekend at the spa for a gift?" Jubilee
chimed in.
"And now you have succeeded in making yourself ill," Ororo resumed. "If you do
not slow down, you will likely give yourself a serious illness, such as the flu
or pneumonia, or you shall collapse from sheer exhaustion."
"Ororo, I'm not sick."
"Oh, gimme a break!" Jubilee exclaimed, exacerbated, before Storm had a chance
to reply. "I may be just a kid, but I'm not dense. I just saw you toss your
cookies myself. You can't deny--"
"I'm not sick," Jean repeated, her voice thick and heavy, her eyes shining.
"But--"
"I'm pregnant," Jean said. And with that, she burst into tears.
Jubilee's mouth fell open. She sat that way for several long moments in stunned
disbelief. Her mouth suddenly dry, she licked her lips. She searched for
something to say, but for once in her life, found herself speechless.
Jean's face had crumpled, and she lifted a hand to her mouth, even as the tears
streamed down her cheeks. Jubilee wanted to say or do something, but she had no
idea what Jean would find comforting. She looked toward Ororo, hoping that the
other woman would be willing and able to take charge of the situation. At that
moment, however, Storm looked just as befuddled as she felt.
"Jean, you . . . you are with child?" Ororo asked, her friend's words seemingly
taking a moment to register.
Jean nodded.
"Bright Lady! That . . . that is wonderful news. Congratulations, my friend,"
she declared, beaming at her.
Given Jean's current emotional state, Jubilee had to wonder if Ororo had taken
the best approach. But then she watched as Jean looked up at Storm, managing a
small smile. Jubilee's anxiety had just started to subside when she heard a
choking sound as Jean was overcome by another sob.
Ororo sat down beside Jean and reached to take her friend in her arms. Without
hesitation, Jean grabbed onto her and buried her face in Ororo's shoulder.
"Shh," Ororo soothed, pressing her cheek to the top of Jean's head, even as she
gently rubbed circles across her back.
Watching the interaction, Jubilee suddenly felt like an intruder. She knew she
should probably leave the two women alone to talk. But at the same time, she
felt almost an obligation to stay. She cared about Jean, wanted to do whatever
she could to help her. Besides, it was not as though either woman had asked her
to leave. Hell, Jean had revealed the news of her pregnancy fully aware of
Jubilee's presence. Surely if she had not wanted her to be there, she would have
asked her to leave.
And so, because of the simple fact that neither woman had asked her to do
otherwise, Jubilee decided to remain. She would not leave unless asked to do so
directly.
"Do not cry, Jean," Ororo was saying. "You should not be crying. You should be
laughing, celebrating. This is wonderful news. I know that you have spoken of
your desire to have a child."
*She has?* Jubilee wondered incredulously. Actually, the more she thought about
it, the more it made sense. It certainly explained Jean's doting, maternal
nature toward her these past couple of months.
Jean nodded against Ororo's shoulder. "I did want a baby, Ororo. I still do.
It's just . . . I-I didn't want it t-to be like th-this. . . ."
"Like what? I do not understand."
"I-I've screwed everything up. I-I've r-r-ruined everything. . . ." And with
that, she burst into a fresh set of tears.
"You mean with Scott?"
Another nod.
"Why? What did he say when you told him? I cannot imagine him being anything
other than excited."
"That's just it. . . . I-I . . . I haven't told him."
"What? Why not?"
"I-I only found out a few days ago. By then, he had already moved out. We were
already separated."
"Jean, you are not separated. Scott did not move out. He is only visiting the
school in Massachusetts. He will be returning shortly. I am certain that if you
tell him about the baby, he shall be on the next plane back."
"That's just it, Ororo. I don't want him coming back just because of the baby--
because of the obligation I know he'll feel. I want him to come back because he
wants to."
"Are you afraid that he does not want the baby?"
She took a shuddering breath. "Partly."
"Well, do not be. I am sure that he shall be thrilled, Jean."
She shook her head. "He's told me that he doesn't feel ready."
"Is anyone ever truly ready? You have both told all of us stories about the time
you spent in the future, raising Nate. It is as clear as day that you both made
wonderful parents. One need only look at Cable to see that."
Jean shrugged, seemingly unconvinced.
"'Ro's right, Jean," Jubilee piped in, finally breaking her self-imposed silence
before she had even realized what she had done. Both women looked at her, making
her feel suddenly self-conscious. Perhaps she should not have spoken. Perhaps
she should just leave. No, her inner voice told her. You said you wanted to help
Jean. There's nothing wrong with speaking your mind.
Swallowing, Jubilee forced herself to continue. "Yeah, Jean, if that weekend I
spent alone with Scott were any indication, I'd say he kinda misses having a kid
around to look after. I'm sure he'll be totally psyched about being a dad
again."
Slowly, Jean let go of Ororo and looked up at Jubilee. "Do you really think so?"
"I know so. Trust me on this one, Jean. Believe me, after all the foster homes
I've been in, I know excellent 'rents when I see 'em. Both you and Scott--you
guys are da bomb."
Sighing, Jean wiped her cheeks with her hands. "God, I've never been more
confused. I don't know what to do."
"Well, the first thing I think you need to do is call Scott," Ororo suggested.
Jean's eyes widened. Then she slowly shook her head. "No, I can't. Not yet."
"Why not?"
"There's still so much we have to work out. We both said some pretty hurtful
things. This pregnancy isn't going to erase that. We need to deal with those
issues first."
"Then do that. But you must talk to him, Jean. You cannot hide this from him
forever. He has a right to know."
"I know that. It's just. . . ." She lowered her head into her hands. "I-I just
need a little more time. I'm not ready to deal with all of this yet." Sniffling,
she could not stop the tears from falling again.
"It is okay, Jean," Ororo said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "This is a great
deal for anyone to handle. You shall have to take it all one step at a time.
Deal with it little by little, as much as you can at any given time. Just know
that you do not have to do it alone. Whatever you need--I shall be here for
you."
"Thank you, Ororo," Jean said, covering her friend's hand with her own.
"Yeah, me too," Jubilee said, scooting closer so that she could take Jean's
other hand. "I'm here, too. Just like you've been there for me--since my
injuries, even before, with Yana an' Wolvie's leaving an' all. I just want you
to know that you can count on me the same way."
Jean gazed at her, smiling through her tears. "Thank you, Jubilee. You don't
know how much that means to me." She reached for her, and embraced the girl.
"I think I've got a pretty good idea," Jubilee whispered into Jean's hair. "A
very good idea."
End Chapter 11
*****
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 11
Feeling the warmth of sunlight on her face, Jubilee slowly cracked one eye open.
It appeared to be morning, but she had no idea what time it was. Wondering how
much time she had left to sleep, she rolled over onto her side and peered at the
clock on her nightstand. It was going on seven o'clock.
*No, that can't be right,* she thought, sitting up and grabbing the clock to get
a closer look. But the time read six fifty-six. How could that be? Jean always
got her up promptly at six-thirty. She never let her sleep in. Why had Jean not
awakened her this morning?
Concerned, Jubilee threw back the covers and swung her legs over the side of the
bed. She gave her crutches a cursory glance, but then ignored them as she got to
her feet. She took a first unsteady step, then a second, but by the third felt
confident that she would be able to maintain her balance. She made her way
across the hallway to the master bedroom.
Finding the door ajar, she slowly pushed it open. "Jean. . . ?" she whispered,
peering inside. Slowly, she stepped into the room. Through the thin streams of
sunlight that made it in through the blinds, she could see a lone form lying
beneath the blanket. Walking closer, she saw that Jean was still fast asleep.
Her face looked peaceful in slumber. Unhampered by the worry that had plagued
her these past several days. Jean lay on her side of the bed, but one hand
reached out, touching the empty pillow beside her. Jubilee wondered if she was
missing Scott. Maybe she was dreaming of him, and that was why she did not want
to get up.
For a moment, she considered waking Jean. But then she thought better of it. If
she was still asleep, the odds were it was because she was tired, and needed the
rest. A glance at the clock radio on the bedside table revealed that Jean had
forgotten to set the alarm. She had definitely been distracted this past week,
so this really came as no surprise to Jubilee. No, better to let her sleep in.
Jubilee quietly crept out of the bedroom, closing the door most of the way
behind her. She went about her normal morning routine--washing, dressing, eating
breakfast. Jean was apparently still fast asleep when she was ready to head over
to the mansion for her physical therapy session with Logan. Grabbing a piece of
notepaper and a pen from her nightstand drawer, Jubilee quickly scrawled a note
to Jean, explaining that she had gone on ahead without her, and would be back
after her morning workout. She left it on her bed, figuring that would be the
first place Jean would check when she awoke.
Pulling on a sweat jacket, Jubilee grabbed the new cane Wolverine had given her,
and headed out the door. She did not need to use it until the last leg of the
journey. It felt good to finally be rid of the crutches. Hopefully after another
few weeks she could ditch the cane as well. Breathing heavily from the exertion,
she made her way down to the gym. When she entered, she found Logan setting up
some mats, his back to the door.
"I was gettin' ready to send out a search party for ya, kid," he said, tugging a
last mat into place.
Jubilee glanced at her watch. "Just over ten minutes late. Not too bad,
considerin' I walked the whole way myself."
"So I see," Logan replied, nodding toward her cane. "Good for you. Where's Red?"
"Jean, she, uh, decided to sleep in this mornin'."
He scowled. "That don't sound like Jeanie."
"Well, I think she forgot to set her alarm. I don't think she's been sleepin'
well lately, so I figured it was best not to wake her," Jubilee explained,
shedding her sweat jacket and tossing it into a corner before beginning her
usual stretching exercises. She bent down to touch her toes.
"I can't believe how stubborn she's bein' 'bout this whole situation."
"Tell me about it," Jubilee replied, her face upside-down. She was now able to
place palms to the floor as she stretched out the muscles of her back and legs.
"Has she spoken to Scott at all?"
"Nope." Jubilee stood up, and bent one arm over her head, stretching to the
side. "She refuses to answer the phone. Uses the machine to screen the calls. Or
me, when I'm there."
"Has he called?"
Jubilee straightened, and then bent to the other side. "Every night. He always
calls to see how I'm doin'."
"Does he ask to speak to Jeanie?"
"Not outright. I tried to get her to come on the phone the first couple nights,
but she refused. I think he realized it's a lost cause; that when she's ready,
she'll speak to him. But every time, before he hangs up, he always asks how she
is." Straightening up, Jubilee managed a small smile.
Logan shook his head. "Man, I never saw this comin'. How long's it been now?"
Jubilee cocked her head to the side in thought as she bent an arm back over the
opposite shoulder, grabbing her elbow to stretch it out. "Well, he spent those
first couple nights at the mansion. Then I guess he contacted Sean, an' decided
to go stay at the school in Massachusetts for a while, giving a series of guest
lectures, I forget the exact topic. Something about fightin' strategy an'
tactics, leadership an' stuff." She paused, switching arms. "He's been there
goin' on a week now."
Once again, Logan shook his head disappointedly. "Somebody's gotta have a talk
with Jeanie. This is gettin' ridiculous."
"Believe me, Wolvie, I've tried. Ororo's tried. Hank's even tried. If you want
to, please, be my guest. I want Scott to come home as much as anybody. Maybe
you'll be able to talk some sense into her."
"I'll give it a shot, kid. Don't know if she'll listen to me. But it's worth a
try, right?"
"Wolvie, right now, I'm willing to try anything."
"*Right* now, how about ten minutes on the bike?"
"Startin' out easy on me, huh?" Smiling, she made her way over to the exercise
bicycle.
*****
"That's it, darlin' . . . three more," Logan encouraged Jubilee as she extended
her knees in the leg press machine. "Two more . . . c'mon, kiddo, last one . . .
an' one!"
With a whoosh of breath, Jubilee bent her knees, letting the weights she had
been lifting fall back to the stock. Releasing her grip on the handlebars at the
side of her seat, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes, breathing
heavily.
"Great job," Logan told her, adjusting the pin on the nautilus machine so that
it was back to the lowest setting. "That's one more set than you were able to do
last week."
She smiled up at him. "I did good, Wolvie?"
"You did great, darlin'. Simply marvelous."
"Thanks," she said, getting up and re-seating herself on the floor in
preparation for meditation. Since Ororo had introduced her to the technique, she
had been using it as a cool-down exercise after a workout. For the most part,
visualizing her thoughts as a river flowing in front of her had been working
quite well as a means of relaxation. In fact, the river she was imagining had
been practically reduced to almost a stream--until the discord between Jean and
Scott came to a head. Since then, the river's current had begun to flow rapidly
again with all that she had on her mind. Nonetheless, she still found taking the
time to calm her thoughts soothing.
Ten minutes later, she had just finished her meditation when she heard a
familiar voice call out into the room.
"I trust you had a good workout?"
They both looked up to the doorway to see Ororo entering the gym.
"Kid's makin' great progress. 'Fore long, she won't need a cane anymore."
"That is wonderful news," Ororo replied, handing Jubilee a bottle of water.
"What's up, 'Roro?" Logan asked as he got to his feet.
"The professor has requested your presence in his study. There is something
about which he wishes to ask you."
"Any idea what it's about?"
"No. He did not tell me. Only that it was urgent that he speak with you."
"Why didn't he just message me in the ole noggin'?" Logan asked, tapping his
temple.
"He did not want to interrupt your session with Jubilee."
"Well, you're gonna have to walk the kid back."
"That would be my pleasure," Ororo replied. "That is, if it is all right with
you, Jubilation," she added, looking down at the girl, who was taking several
large gulps of water.
"Sure, if you can stand the stink of me, I wouldn't mind the company," she
replied, pressing the cool bottle to her flushed face.
"Then it is settled."
Logan shrugged. "Sure. Fine. Whatever." He looked down at Jubilee. "I'll stop by
later to see how you and Jeanie are doin'," he told her.
"Sounds good. See you then."
With a final nod of the head to each of them, Logan left the gym in search of
Xavier's study.
"Are you ready to head back, or would you like more time to rest?" Ororo asked
Jubilee.
"Nope, I'm ready to go. I wanna go catch a shower anyway."
"All right." Storm held out a hand to her, which Jubilee gladly accepted to help
her to her feet.
Polishing off the remaining contents of the small bottle of water, Jubilee
tossed it into a recycling bin. She retrieved her sweat jacket, which she used
to mop her face off with before tying it around her waist. Then, she grabbed her
cane, and together she and Ororo made their way back to the main level and out
the mansion, onto the path toward the house.
"I take it Jean did not accompany you to your workout session this morning,"
Ororo said.
"Nope. She decided to catch some extra z's."
Ororo arched an eyebrow in surprise. "Oh? Is she feeling all right?"
"Far as I know, she's just tired. I don't think she's been sleepin' well lately.
Lot on her mind, I guess."
"She still refuses to speak to Scott?"
Jubilee nodded, even as she sighed. "I tried talkin' to her 'bout it, but she
just doesn't wanna discuss it. I really don't know what else to do. Wolvie's
offered to try speakin' to her."
"Yes, perhaps he will be able to reach her where we have not been able to."
Nonetheless, Storm's tone did not sound particularly confident.
"I don't ever remember them fightin' this way."
"Neither do I."
Jubilee shook her head sadly. "I didn't think it was possible for anything to
come between 'em. I mean, I've always looked at Jean an' Scott as like this
super-couple or somethin'. Unbreakable."
"Well, I suppose it demonstrates that they are just as human as the rest of us."
"But I thought they--the love they have--was above that. That it's somethin'
extra special. That it could--'scuse the pun--weather any storm."
"I suspect it shall do so ultimately. It is just going to be rough sailing for a
while."
"I guess."
"Well, here we are," Ororo said as they approached the house.
"You wanna come inside?" Jubilee asked. "Want somethin' to drink? To see Jean?"
"No, I think I shall return to the mansion. Tell Jean that if she needs to talk,
I shall be around, all right?"
"No prob. Thanks, 'Ro, for the walk an' the talk."
"My pleasure. Do not worry, Jubilation, Scott will come home soon."
From the way Storm was looking at her, the sympathy and understanding that
filled her gaze, Jubilee could tell that Ororo knew how much she missed him.
Managing a small smile, she nodded at Storm before opening the front door.
With a final wave, Ororo turned and headed back toward the mansion.
Sighing, Jubilee stepped inside. She made her way through the living room, and,
seeing that it was empty, entered the kitchen. No sign of Jean there either. The
coffee pot was not on, and there were no dishes in the sink or the drainer other
than those from her own breakfast. Surely Jean was not still sleeping.
Concerned, Jubilee headed for the master bedroom. The door was still ajar, and
so she opened it enough to poke her head inside. Glancing at the bed, she saw
that it was unoccupied, though the covers were thrown back. But where was Jean?
It was then that she heard it--a strange noise coming from the bathroom. Jubilee
entered the room and slowly crept toward the bathroom. As she drew closer, the
sound became more recognizable: that of coughing and gagging.
"Jean?" she called. "You okay?" She walked over to the bathroom door, found it
was open almost completely. Peering inside, her eyes widened in surprise.
Jean sat kneeling on the floor, hands grasping the sides of the toilet bowl, as
she retched, each wave shaking through her body with a near-violent intensity.
"Oh God," Jubilee gasped. She quickly hurried to Jean's side, dropped to her
knees beside her. She started to reach for her, but for a moment, she hesitated,
unsure as to what to do. But then she swallowed back any doubt. She gently
pulled back Jean's hair, getting it out of her face.
Startled, Jean turned her head, caught sight of Jubilee's sympathetic look. Her
own expression softened a touch, but then she quickly turned back to the commode
as she brought up more stomach contents.
Not knowing what to say, Jubilee instead touched Jean's back, and gently rubbed
it, hoping the gesture would offer some comfort. Then she just waited until Jean
had nothing left to vomit, and the dry heaves had finally subsided.
With a gasp, Jean lifted her head, pulled down on the handle to flush, and
scooted back to lean against the side of the tub. Closing her eyes, she wiped
her mouth with the back of her hand.
Rising, Jubilee quickly retrieved a washcloth and wetted it down with cool
water. Then she knelt down beside Jean and placed the cloth against Jean's pale
forehead. Jean's eyes opened almost instantly, and she looked at Jubilee with a
grateful expression. She mouthed the words "Thank you". Smiling, Jubilee began
to dab Jean's cheeks, her chin, her neck, and chest with the cool cloth. When
she was done, she gave the cloth to Jean to wipe her mouth and then folded it
before placing it on the back of her neck.
"Can I get you anything else?" Jubilee asked. "You want some water?"
Jean slowly shook her head before closing her eyes once again.
Jubilee silently sat down next to Jean, facing her. "Feelin' any better?"
"A little," Jean whispered. "Nausea's starting to subside."
"That's good. Jean, I--" Jubilee stopped herself, unsure of what to say next.
She watched as Jean's eyes raised, her gaze directed past Jubilee, toward the
doorway. "What is it?" she questioned.
At that moment, the sound of someone calling her and Jean's names reached them.
Jubilee turned her head just as Ororo reached the doorway. "There you are,
Jubilation. I realized that I forgot to ask you--" Apparently it took her a
moment to see Jean, who remained leaning against the tub with her eyes closed
once more. "Goddess! What has happened to Jean? She does not look well." Ororo
hurried into the bathroom and knelt down at Jean's side. One hand immediately
reached to take her pulse even as she used the back of the other to feel her
forehead.
Slowly, Jean looked up at Storm. "I'm fine, Ororo. I just need a few minutes to
get my sea legs back."
Ororo looked unconvinced. "Perhaps I should take you to the medi-lab."
"There's no point, Ororo. I'll be okay. It's just about passed," Jean whispered
wearily, her eyelids dropping closed once again.
Storm looked toward Jubilee as though to ask her what had transpired.
Jubilee shrugged. "She was huggin' porcelain when I found her. Scared the hell
outta me."
Ororo nodded. "Me, as well." She looked back at Jean and shook her head
disappointedly. "I was worried something such as this would happen, Jean."
"We all were," Jubilee agreed, nodding.
Jean glanced first at Jubilee, then Ororo, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Everyone has been warning you not to push yourself so hard," Ororo explained.
"To step back, and take it easy."
"Yeah, why do you think I gave you that weekend at the spa for a gift?" Jubilee
chimed in.
"And now you have succeeded in making yourself ill," Ororo resumed. "If you do
not slow down, you will likely give yourself a serious illness, such as the flu
or pneumonia, or you shall collapse from sheer exhaustion."
"Ororo, I'm not sick."
"Oh, gimme a break!" Jubilee exclaimed, exacerbated, before Storm had a chance
to reply. "I may be just a kid, but I'm not dense. I just saw you toss your
cookies myself. You can't deny--"
"I'm not sick," Jean repeated, her voice thick and heavy, her eyes shining.
"But--"
"I'm pregnant," Jean said. And with that, she burst into tears.
Jubilee's mouth fell open. She sat that way for several long moments in stunned
disbelief. Her mouth suddenly dry, she licked her lips. She searched for
something to say, but for once in her life, found herself speechless.
Jean's face had crumpled, and she lifted a hand to her mouth, even as the tears
streamed down her cheeks. Jubilee wanted to say or do something, but she had no
idea what Jean would find comforting. She looked toward Ororo, hoping that the
other woman would be willing and able to take charge of the situation. At that
moment, however, Storm looked just as befuddled as she felt.
"Jean, you . . . you are with child?" Ororo asked, her friend's words seemingly
taking a moment to register.
Jean nodded.
"Bright Lady! That . . . that is wonderful news. Congratulations, my friend,"
she declared, beaming at her.
Given Jean's current emotional state, Jubilee had to wonder if Ororo had taken
the best approach. But then she watched as Jean looked up at Storm, managing a
small smile. Jubilee's anxiety had just started to subside when she heard a
choking sound as Jean was overcome by another sob.
Ororo sat down beside Jean and reached to take her friend in her arms. Without
hesitation, Jean grabbed onto her and buried her face in Ororo's shoulder.
"Shh," Ororo soothed, pressing her cheek to the top of Jean's head, even as she
gently rubbed circles across her back.
Watching the interaction, Jubilee suddenly felt like an intruder. She knew she
should probably leave the two women alone to talk. But at the same time, she
felt almost an obligation to stay. She cared about Jean, wanted to do whatever
she could to help her. Besides, it was not as though either woman had asked her
to leave. Hell, Jean had revealed the news of her pregnancy fully aware of
Jubilee's presence. Surely if she had not wanted her to be there, she would have
asked her to leave.
And so, because of the simple fact that neither woman had asked her to do
otherwise, Jubilee decided to remain. She would not leave unless asked to do so
directly.
"Do not cry, Jean," Ororo was saying. "You should not be crying. You should be
laughing, celebrating. This is wonderful news. I know that you have spoken of
your desire to have a child."
*She has?* Jubilee wondered incredulously. Actually, the more she thought about
it, the more it made sense. It certainly explained Jean's doting, maternal
nature toward her these past couple of months.
Jean nodded against Ororo's shoulder. "I did want a baby, Ororo. I still do.
It's just . . . I-I didn't want it t-to be like th-this. . . ."
"Like what? I do not understand."
"I-I've screwed everything up. I-I've r-r-ruined everything. . . ." And with
that, she burst into a fresh set of tears.
"You mean with Scott?"
Another nod.
"Why? What did he say when you told him? I cannot imagine him being anything
other than excited."
"That's just it. . . . I-I . . . I haven't told him."
"What? Why not?"
"I-I only found out a few days ago. By then, he had already moved out. We were
already separated."
"Jean, you are not separated. Scott did not move out. He is only visiting the
school in Massachusetts. He will be returning shortly. I am certain that if you
tell him about the baby, he shall be on the next plane back."
"That's just it, Ororo. I don't want him coming back just because of the baby--
because of the obligation I know he'll feel. I want him to come back because he
wants to."
"Are you afraid that he does not want the baby?"
She took a shuddering breath. "Partly."
"Well, do not be. I am sure that he shall be thrilled, Jean."
She shook her head. "He's told me that he doesn't feel ready."
"Is anyone ever truly ready? You have both told all of us stories about the time
you spent in the future, raising Nate. It is as clear as day that you both made
wonderful parents. One need only look at Cable to see that."
Jean shrugged, seemingly unconvinced.
"'Ro's right, Jean," Jubilee piped in, finally breaking her self-imposed silence
before she had even realized what she had done. Both women looked at her, making
her feel suddenly self-conscious. Perhaps she should not have spoken. Perhaps
she should just leave. No, her inner voice told her. You said you wanted to help
Jean. There's nothing wrong with speaking your mind.
Swallowing, Jubilee forced herself to continue. "Yeah, Jean, if that weekend I
spent alone with Scott were any indication, I'd say he kinda misses having a kid
around to look after. I'm sure he'll be totally psyched about being a dad
again."
Slowly, Jean let go of Ororo and looked up at Jubilee. "Do you really think so?"
"I know so. Trust me on this one, Jean. Believe me, after all the foster homes
I've been in, I know excellent 'rents when I see 'em. Both you and Scott--you
guys are da bomb."
Sighing, Jean wiped her cheeks with her hands. "God, I've never been more
confused. I don't know what to do."
"Well, the first thing I think you need to do is call Scott," Ororo suggested.
Jean's eyes widened. Then she slowly shook her head. "No, I can't. Not yet."
"Why not?"
"There's still so much we have to work out. We both said some pretty hurtful
things. This pregnancy isn't going to erase that. We need to deal with those
issues first."
"Then do that. But you must talk to him, Jean. You cannot hide this from him
forever. He has a right to know."
"I know that. It's just. . . ." She lowered her head into her hands. "I-I just
need a little more time. I'm not ready to deal with all of this yet." Sniffling,
she could not stop the tears from falling again.
"It is okay, Jean," Ororo said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "This is a great
deal for anyone to handle. You shall have to take it all one step at a time.
Deal with it little by little, as much as you can at any given time. Just know
that you do not have to do it alone. Whatever you need--I shall be here for
you."
"Thank you, Ororo," Jean said, covering her friend's hand with her own.
"Yeah, me too," Jubilee said, scooting closer so that she could take Jean's
other hand. "I'm here, too. Just like you've been there for me--since my
injuries, even before, with Yana an' Wolvie's leaving an' all. I just want you
to know that you can count on me the same way."
Jean gazed at her, smiling through her tears. "Thank you, Jubilee. You don't
know how much that means to me." She reached for her, and embraced the girl.
"I think I've got a pretty good idea," Jubilee whispered into Jean's hair. "A
very good idea."
End Chapter 11
*****