Notes: More Clark. More Jubes. And finally Emma. Yay.

Just a friendly reminder to buy the Toadies' new CD, "Hell Below/Stars Above." Also, Placebo is going to be touring North America shortly (Or are they already in Canada? Not sure.). If possible, go check them out. I hear they're amazing live. Their CD "Black Market Music" is finally about to be released in America some time in May. As will Tool's new CD "Systema Encéphale."

Sorry. Didn't mean to make this like a commercial. Just don't have anything "important" to write about this time around. And music just rocks!

LATER!

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The trip had been long and tiresome. Clark found out just how distraught Jubilee was about the whole situation. The X-people were Jubilee's only family, and the way they were treating her hurt incredibly. Every once in a while, she would just start to cry.

But she refused to stop driving unless they needed gas, food, or a restroom. She also refused to let Clark drive; she wouldn't even tell him the whole name of the school or its location, so he couldn't drive them there if he actually got behind the wheel somehow. He had also tried to convince Jubilee that she needed to rest and that they should try a motel. She wouldn't have it. Clark was getting very worried.

They reached the school at around 8, and it was almost completely dark. After parking the Xterra, the two got out, and to Clark's surprise, walked around the school. Behind it, there was a cottage, and Jubilee led him to it.

It was at the cottage door that she hesitated. They could both hear quite a few people talking and having a good time inside. Jubilee sniffed, telling Clark she was going to cry again. He frowned sadly and wrapped her into his arms. He then reached around her and rang the doorbell, putting his arm around her again.

Jubilee hugged back, hiding her face into his chest. She was so ashamed.

The door was opened by a beautiful light blonde wearing some form-fitting jeans and a ribbed white shirt. Emma had changed over the years; she had learned the meaning of casual clothing. Her smile vanished when she saw Jubilee, and her motherly (?!) instincts took over. Quietly, she closed the door and enveloped the weeping girl into her arms, both Jubilee and Clark letting her. "Shhh . . . I heard. I know."

Jubilee's face was now buried into Emma's shoulder, and her voice was muffled by it and her emotions when she talked. "I'm such a slut." Clark winced, not knowing that she had felt that way; it just made him feel worse.

Emma shook her head and smoothed out the younger woman's hair soothingly. "No, honey, you're not."

"Ev-everyone's treatin' me like one, though."

Emma's face grew hard. "Why doesn't that surprise me." Her tone softened a little. "Let's go inside and get you more comfortable."

Jubilee shook her head and sniffled loudly. "I don't want anyone to see me or Clark."

"That's okay. No one has to. I'll take you to my study. Is that okay?"

Jubilee nodded softly, and then Emma was escorting the two into the cottage, Clark closing the door behind them. It was a short trip to the small study. Everything was of a dark red wood and of the Victorian style. It was really quite gorgeous. One would be afraid of breaking anything; it looked so expensive. In reality, it was expensive but also very sturdy. It wasn't smart to keep anything too delicate at a school for teenagers, let alone mutant teenagers, especially if that school had anything to do with Charles Xavier.

Emma led Jubilee to a maroon sofa almost in the center of the room. Again, Clark closed the door behind them. He sat down in a large maroon chair in front of the sofa and watched the two women.

Jubilee sat close to Emma, her head resting on the left shoulder of the older woman. Emma, in turn, stroked Jubilee's hair. "What happened? None of us here believes the story we heard."

Jubilee sniffed and looked at Clark. "What'd ya hear?"

Emma frowned and sighed. "To put it nicely, we heard that you were caught pleasuring three men. -- "

"What?!" Clark sprang up indignantly. "Who said that?! -- "

"Clark." Jubilee looked at him pleadingly, and he sat down.

He scratched his head, which was hung a bit. "I'm sorry. It's just . . . that's so far from the truth. Jubes would never do that."

Emma nodded. "I know, but some of the others don't know that, apparently. In fact, some members of GenX became rather indignant when several newer members began joking about it." She lifted Jubilee's head gently with a cupped hand under the younger woman's chin. "You know I would never ask you anything like this out of pure nosiness. I want to help clear your name, and I want GenX to be a team again. Without sounding too impersonal, what happened?"

Jubilee's lower lip began to quiver; she didn't know if she could explain it. In her heart, she was afraid Emma would treat her like everyone else. Clark could see the doubt in her eyes and decided to explain everything. "We were caught having sex in Jubilee's room. That's all that happened."

Emma looked at him oddly for a moment. "That's all that happened?"

Jubilee let out a chuckle and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Nothin' even remotely masochistic. Nothin' much to talk about." She looked up at Emma. "Who told ya guys?"

Emma frowned, anger becoming present in her eyes. "Angelo received an anonymous e-mail from the X-mansion."

"Who would do that?" Clark shook his head, trying to control his own anger. Boy, was he pissed at those X-Men! Couldn't they see what they were doing to Jubilee?! ARGH! He was going to kill them!

Emma shrugged. "I have no idea." Her attention was obviously focused on Clark now. "Why did you sleep with her?" She knew that they were not in a relationship; she was fairly sure Jubilee would have told her if she had a boyfriend.

Clark shrugged back. "Can't say exactly. Hormones, mostly, I guess. When we're alone, sometimes it feels like . . . I dunno. It just happens. It's hard for me to control myself. I'm not like this with any of my other friends." He faltered a moment, realizing how what he had said had sounded. "She's easily my best friend, even though we haven't known each other that long. She's intelligent and nice and funny and beautiful. It's not like I'm her friend just so I can get laid. She's too special to me to use like that."

Emma frowned a bit even though her telepathy told her that he was telling the truth. "How often do you have sex with her?"

"Just once. We had sex one time, and we get caught. Everyone treats her like a slut, and now she thinks she's one. Makes me sick. Wish I hadn't done it."

Emma smiled softly. "You're a good kid. Too bad you got involved with Jubilee like you have. I'm surprised you're still alive."

Jubilee nodded, still trying not to blush from Clark's compliments. "That's why I made him come up here with me."

Emma grinned. "I'm not quite sure he'll be completely safe here, either."

"Yeah, but he'll be safer."

"Hey! What?!" His blue eyes flashed in worry.

Jubilee grinned, realizing for what seemed to be the millionth time just how cute he could be. "No matter where ya go, ya'll find someone who's at least a tad bit protective of me."

He gave a half grin, his dimple in his right cheek showing itself. "So now ya warn me."

Emma couldn't help but grin. They were kind of cute. . . . Too bad they weren't a real couple. They did seem to like each other, though. Hmmm . . . playing matchmaker wasn't her thing, but it could be fun. Maybe. It probably would help Jubilee's reputation, too.