By: Cierce
Summary: Jubilee returns to the X-Men for a wedding.
Rated: G
Dear Diary,
Its been a week since Paige and Jono
left for France on their Honeymoon. I swear, I never saw any bride as
pretty as Paige was! Even the ones in the magazines! I want to be a
pretty bride one day...
Bobby and Jubilee looked nice when they were dancing. I was watching them,
because slow dancing with Hank is nasty. (He's like my uncle!) I've
never slow danced with anyone (not even my dad), Mom always said that your first
slow dance should be as sacred as your first kiss. But anyways, Bobby
looked so happy while dancing with Jubilee. I think something's going
on...but I don't know for sure. One day I'll figure it out. Jubilee
looked happy, but there was a look in her eyes that I've only seen once.
Daddy was supposed to be coming home when the big San Francisco earthquake
struck. Since we lived in Fresno, Daddy had to come across the
bridge. When the earthquake struck, Mom shoved me under the table.
Then later, when the police came to make sure everyone was alright, Mom asked
about Daddy. The police to ld her that the power was out. Mom wore a
look that was so close to Jubilee's. Even though Mom's looked more
frightened, it was technically the same look.
On a lighter note, the Professor told me that my agility was
getting better! He said that hopefully I should be able to go on missions
with the team! I suppose that I should start thinking of a code
name...Yikes! Its 10:45! I was supposed to be in the Danger Room at
10:30! Crap!
Love Forever,
Anne M. Nichols
Anne sped down the hall until she got to the Danger
Room. She took one look at the Professor and Wolverine, deciding that she
wasn't too late. At least, the Professor and Logan didn't seem
angry...In fact, they seemed to be staring at something. Anne leaned in
closer to see what they were looking at. Someone was using the Danger
Room. The only question was who? As Anne looked, she thought
she saw a flash of light. Then she heard a familiar laugh, as all the
holograms disappeared. Jubilee! It was Jubilee training down
there! Anne looked up at Wolverine. She had discovered through
unknown blue furry sources that Wolverine considered himself Jubilee's surrogate
father. Wolverine gave a quick half grin, and looked at Anne,
"C'mon Kid. Your turn." then he looked
at the Professor, "Jubes doesn't look too shabby, considerin' everything
that happened. Italy an' not trainin' an' all." The Professor
only smiled,
"Indeed. She still has lots of potential
Logan." Wolverine looked proud as he looked at Anne,
'Go on Kid. Ya do wanta train, don'tcha?"
Anne nodded as she ran to the Danger Room. Once there, she waited while
Logan set up the program.
* * * * * * * * *
"Hey Professor! God you've been training the
Popsicle hard. Bobby gave me a run for my money." She laughed,
"'Course, he seemed distracted...like his mind was with Beast and Twinkies
'stead of me."
The Professor looked at Jubilee with a grandfatherly expression.
"Jubilee, you were not too rusty, have you considered
rejoining the team once you have trained more?" Jubilee shrugged,
"Sure, I guess so. Kinda missed all the action ya
know?" She paused, looking out the window of the Control Room,
"Anne trainin'?"
"Yes, she has potential, have you seen her in
action?" Jubilee shook her head.
"Naw, but she told me that she can fly, but I haven't
seen her do anything but hover."
"That is all she can do without her visible
mutation." Jubilee stared at Anne as she readied herself for the
coming battle.
"What 'visible mutation?'"
"Watch." The Professor's voice held a hint of
mystery.
* * * * * * * * *
"Ok Anne, get ready, and do what you were
told." Anne crouched, ready for her assailant. As soon as the
first wave of robotic warriors came, Anne began to apply what Wolverine had
taught her. Ducking and placing well placed punches, Anne had taken out
three warriors. Then came the second wave. As she was closed in by
twenty or so warriors, Anne leapt up, popping her...
* * * * * * * * *
"...Wings! Anne has wings!?" Jubilee
watched as Anne weaved in and leveled opponents. Then quite suddenly,
the numbers came in faster, Anne flew up to the ceiling, face contorted in
concentration. Anne readied herself, and charged the robotic holograms,
kicking one as she dodged another. From her perch in the Control Room,
Jubilee could view Anne's amazing agility, as she twisted and turned her lithe
body, all the while preparing for the next barrage of robots. Suddenly,
Anne's concentration was broken by the sound of Wolverine's voice,
"Ya' did good Kid. Not great, but good. Now,
remember, that was level one. Prepare for level two."
Anne grinned at the older man below her. Victory was still fresh on her
mind, and she was caught up in its high.
"I can take anything you can dish out Old
Man!" Wolverine growled, as Jubilee choked back peals of laughter
from the Control Room.
"Don't get cocky kid." From Wolverine,
Jubilee expected worse. Then as she eyed the Professor, Jubilee
understood, Anne was gonna get it when the Professor was gone.
* * * * * * * * *
From up in the Control Room, everything seemed to happen at
once. As Anne began to fall, Jubilee watched her face form a silent
scream. Jumping up, Jubilee cried,
"Anne!" and watched in horror as her friend
fell towards the floor from fifty feet in the air. On the floor, Wolverine
acted with a more level head than Jubilee. He called to the computer,
Computer, shut the ******* program off!" and ran to
catch Anne before she hit the floor. Back in the control room, the
professor was gripping his hover chair, and exchanging thoughts with Anne in
record time.
*Anne, pop your wings back out!*
*I'm trying Professor, but they won't pop!*
Finally, Anne neared the ground, and Wolverine lunged forward,
barely catching her in time to save her. Anne stared at her savior, her
grey eyes large in her pale face. Sweat covered her face, and as she
wrapped her thin arms around his neck, he noticed how clammy they were.
"T -thanks..." it was only one word, but Anne
managed to express in it all the emotions, and to Wolverine, it was thanks
enough.
* * * * * * * * *
Jubilee collapsed in the chair behind her. Anne was
safe. Jubilee's knees were weak, and her hands shook. Taking a
breath to calm herself, she looked at the Professor,
"Tell me that was a one time thing."
"I'm afraid that Anne does that often. Not so
often anymore, but if startled, her wings will 'pop' either out or in.
That is how she was discovered. Though we have hopes that Anne will loose
the tendency to 'pop' them in times of stress as her training continues."
Jubilee eyed the Professor,
"So, if her wings aren't stable enough for a battle, why
are you raising her hopes by telling her to begin deciding on a code
name?" The Professor looked back at Jubilee,
"We are hoping that by the time she actually
participates in battle, her wings will be much more stable. Remember, you
stayed at home many times after you joined the team." Jubilee's eyes
clouded, Don't I know it.
Anne chose that moment to walk in, having retained her
sea legs.
"How'd I do? I think I did good, until the popping
thingy." Anne waved at Jubilee as she flopped down in a chair, and reached
for her water. The Professor turned and faced Anne,
"You have improved, and I think that in a couple of
weeks you shall possess the necessary skills needed to partake in
battle." Anne beamed at the Professor, jumping up and flinging her
arms around his neck,
"Coolness!" The Professor looked a tad
startled, but smiled at the teenager,
"Now Anne, about you Biology -" Anne looked
panicked,
"Umm...I gotta go...Shower! Y'know, Bobby is so
mean to me after I work out. He calls me a sweaty pig and stuff, plus...I
need to eat, I'm kinda hungry! Bye!" Anne ran out of the
room. Jubilee looked at the Professor and began to laugh, after a moment
to process what had just happened, the Xavier began to laugh as well.
* * * * * * * * *