Disclaimer: Yeah, Marvel still owns the X-men and I still own Susana

Disclaimer: Yeah, Marvel still owns the X-men and I still own Susana. There is NO continuity here; it's a completely alternate universe. I just wanted to use the characters. I have no idea if Beast as written by me is right, but it was fun using lots of words I don't usually get a chance to use. Don't mock me too much! The Willard Intercontinental Hotel is a real place, and I want to go there. Since I'm poor, I'll just have to content myself with writing people there.


Notes:

sound
*thought*
} telepathic conversation {

Setting: En route to Washington/Washington proper. Late afternoon/evening.

"But how can that BE, Hank?" Susana looked confusedly back and forth from the laptop to the older X-man's face. "I thought that if this list of specifications was met," she turned the laptop on the tray table and pointed to a spot on the onscreen display, "then the whole thing wouldn't work."

"Under normal circumstances, that would be the case. However, in this particular instance, the usual conventions seem rather inapplicable." Hank shifted in his seat, offering a smile of apology when he bumped Jean's arm. He leaned forward to consider the screen further, then leaned back as a flight attendant pushed a drink cart down the first class aisle.

While the attendant dispensed drinks, Susana closed her try table, shut the laptop down, and slid it into the carry-on bag tucked under the seat in front of her. A short while later, the pilot announced the beginning of their descent into Washington National Airport.

After picking up their luggage from the carousel, the four headed outside to get a cab to their hotel. On arrival, Jean went inside to check in, then returned to the cab with a key to their suite and a hotel employee to bring the luggage in. They all followed the man with the luggage cart inside and into an elevator. The doors closed with a soft hiss, and the elevator rose smoothly to a higher floor.

"So, Jean, what kind of place is this? I've never been to DC before...but this place...God. It's amazing. I don't even want to know how much this is costin' the professor." Susana laughed. "I sound like a complete yokel, don't I?"

"Of course not...anyway, this is costing him enough that we're going to be seen as a force to be reckoned with the minute we mention where we're staying. Don't worry, he can definitely afford it." Jean grinned happily. "We were in luck. Apparently this, our home for the week, was reserved, but the ambassador who'd reserved it had to cancel his trip because of the recent diplomatic tensions between our two nations. His loss is our gain- we've got a suite with three bedrooms, which is eminently better than three separate rooms. I got keys for everyone, and if we all keep them with us, then we can do as we want...I'll write out a schedule of the things that we have to do while we're here, and we can meet up for them." She stopped as she felt Susana in her mind.

}Jean?{

}What, Susana?{

}Breathe. I'm tired just listenin' to ya.{ The elevator doors opened, and Susana stepped out into a sumptuously decorated hallway. "Oh. My. God. Jean, this is incredible...and it's just the hallway!"

}Don't tell the guys, but I'm pretty floored, too...we haven't stayed in the Presidential suite on any of our previous trips. We usually stay in the Federal suite...and that's like, half the size of this one.{ Jean looked around the hallway, then led the way into the suite. After tipping the luggage handler and closing the door behind him, she allowed herself to gape at the rooms of their suite.

"so, guys, let's get unpacked and then we can go grab dinner...cause I dunno about ya'll, but I'm starved!"

"Now that you mention it, I do find the idea of sustenance truly appealing...just let me take this suitcase to my room and I'll be ready. Er...Jean?"

"Hmm?" Jean stuck her head out from a bedroom down the hall.

"Where is my room?" Hank's blue eyebrows drew together in a confused frown as he waited for the answer.

"Well, I thought since Jono and Susana are sharing, they could have the master bedroom...and the other bedroom's next door to this one." Jean's words trailed off as she disappeared into her room. Hank shrugged and carried the suitcase into his room to drop it on the bed. Susana and Jono dragged their suitcases into the master bedroom, and Jono had to herd Susana out of the room.

}You're the one who's hungry. You can explore when we get back.{ He placed a hand on the small of her back and pushed her towards the door.

"So..." Jean began, "where do we want to go? I saw an adorable little bistro on the way in..." she trailed off at Susana's pained expression. "What?"

"Do you really think we'll escape unscathed if Jubilee finds out we didn't go for Chinese here? We're only a few blocks from Chinatown...Yeah, she'd definitely beat us if we didn't go. We can go to the bistro tomorrow, though- when I'm not about to die of hunger." She clutched her stomach theatrically and staggered backwards into Jono, then slid down his side to slump on the floor. Rolling his eyes, Jono leaned down to pick her up.

}You missed your true calling, gel...yer not an MBA student, you're a drama queen.{ He let her arms go, then staggered back as she collapsed against him.

"Point being? C'mon, let's go...I mean, I'm so hungry I can't stand on my own." She rested the back of her hand on her forehead and sighed deeply.

}Ignore 'er, Jean. She's just tryin' to cop a feel.{ He wrapped an arm around her waist and placed his other hand over her mouth to muffle her indignant snort. }'Ey now! None of that!{ He pulled his just-licked hand away and scrubbed the palm down his leg.

"Coulda been worse. I could've bitten you" She twisted in his arms and grinned, then stretched up on tiptoe to press a kiss to the tip of his nose.

}Admirable restraint. What stopped ya?{

She grinned widely, showing perfectly spaced teeth, then reached up and tapped one with the nail of her pinky finger. }I'd ruin the work of too many orthodontists. Besides, when I say you're yummy...well, I don't usually mean it in a literal sense.{

}Damn shame, that.{ He raised an eyebrow, daring her to comment. With a delicate sniff, she shook his arms loose and headed for the door. "Hank, you ready to go?"

"Yes, certainly, my vocally gifted friend. Where will we be dining tonight?" They followed Jean out of the suite and into the hallway, where they debated restaurant choices while waiting for the elevator. Eventually, they decided to go to a small Chinese restaurant recommended by the hotel's desk staff.

When they returned, it was almost 9, and Susana quickly disappeared into the master bathroom, pleading residual hangover effects and a need for a warm bath in the oversized tub. She was curled in a tight ball under the thin, summer-weight covers when Jono came in. He quickly stripped down to boxers and his ever-present wraps before joining her in bed.

"Mm...You're warm." She scooted closer to him, nearly knocking him off the bed. "Sorry...but I'm freezing." Her words were muffled, since she was actually speaking into the bend of his elbow. With his free hand, Jono drew the covers up closer around her. That, combined with the heat from the energy inside his chest, was soon enough warmth to help her fall asleep easily.