## - represents thoughts
CHAPTER 10: Pool Party
Hank's relunctance to go to the pool party was quite evident as Rogue had to come into his lab and drag him out by the scruff of his neck.
"But rogue!" Hank protested, trying not to whine, "I really must finish that computation! It's critical for my research!"
Rogue would hear not of it. "Sugah, your research ain't goin' anywhere, an' the party's here now. The only thing missin' is you, and ah'm here to see you get there!"
"Rogue, please just let me finish this page! Just...just...okay! OKAY! I'm coming!" Hank exclaimed as Rogue proceeded to frog march him out of the lab.
* * *
By the time Hank got there, the party appeared to be in full swing. The barbeque was going strong with Logan in charge. He was wearing an apron that had been altered to read: "Kiss the cook and die!"
Jean and Scott were lounging in chairs next to the pool, and quietly, very quietly, deep down in his mind, Hank had to admit that she was a fine looking woman.
Jubilee was in the shallow end, tossing a big multi-coloured beach ball between Bobby and Ororo. Gambit, not surprisingly dressed in speedos, was just exiting the pool after a rather impressive dive. Behind him, Hank could hear Rogue closing and locking the door.
Damn, he thought. #There goes my escape route and hope of making a token appearance and sneaking off.# With heavy steps, he slowly made his way over to one of the chairs and sat down. #As long as I don't get wet, everything should be fine.#
Looking around intently, several minutes passed before Hank knew Tyger was even there. She was sitting in a chair on the other side of the pool, shielded by plants. He had only noticed her when he saw a glass of lemonade appearing and disappearing from a nearby table.
Yes, he thought, tigers can hide when they want to. It's for the best anyway. I won't be injured over here...I hope.
It was at about this time that Tyger noticed Hank. After all, the blue, furry giant couldn't really hide behind the flower pots, could he? He looked as uncomfortable as she felt. It appeared this pool party wasn't his idea of a fun time, either. Should I go over there? Tyger mused. After all, misery loves company. Then again, maybe I'd better leave him be. He looks like he wants to be alone.
Bobby, with an evil, unrepentant grin, noticed the pair so obviously ignoring each other. #What can I do?# he thought to himself sadistically. #Correction - what can I do to them that won't get me injured again? I don't want to eat something I can't pass. The bell was bad enough. Hmmmm. What if...hmmmm...#
He turned to Jubilee. "Jube, what's with those two? Our kitty looks like she got up on the wrong side of the basket this morning!" Jubilee gave him a pitying look.
"Bobby, it's obvious that whatever common sense you've got left just packed up an' left. Keep your mouth shut before she makes you eat that beach ball you're holding."
"Oh," he said in a small voice. "But what is it between those two? Is she still sore over the collar?"
"Bobby," said Jubilee, "sometimes you're so dense...
arrggh!...even I can see what's goin' on. Why don't you go soak your head!" she added as she splashed him.
"C'mon, Jube! We have to do something about those two. Whatever's eating them, we have to work it for the good of the team!" Jubilee blinked at him. "I mean, for the good of the group they have to come together: compadres, buddies, and that sort of thing."
Jubilee gave him a strange look. "Bobby, are you feeling okay?"
"Me?" he said, trying to sound hurt. "You KNOW I have the best interest of the group at heart, now and ever and always! So, we HAVE to do something!"
Jubilee just rolled her eyes and dived under the water.
"Well, I'M going to do something. I can't let this go on," he said as he moved and climbed out of the pool. Trying to elicit help, he casually went over to Remy who was now lounging by the pool.
"Remy, have you noticed what are furred comrades have been up to?" Bobby asked him.
Remy opened one eye a crack and looked at him, a completely non-commital look on his face. "Bobby, what are you up to?"
"Me?" Bobby said, once again working on innocence. "I'm simply worried about the unity of our merry little band."
"Really?"
"Yes, Remy! I mean those two can't even be in the same room together without a disaster happening, and have you noticed they've never even shaken hands as far as I can tell? I mean, just WHAT is it between them?"
Remy closed his eye. "Bobby, when you grow up, you'll know."
"What's that supposed to mean?" he said indignantly.
"Bobby, Remy need say no more since you obviously don' understand."
"Oh? And I suppose you, with your superior intellect, know exactly what's happening between those two?" he angrily retorted.
Remy simply ignored him. And after a few more unresponsive minutes, Bobby stamped off in a huff.
Jean shook her head as she watched this encounter, wondering idly what the devil he was up to now. Bobby obviously thought those two hated each other, not understanding in the slightest what was actually happening. As if either of that pair was likely to admit it.
Smiling a secret smile, she relaxed on her chair and let the thought pass from her mind. Bobby was Bobby. And one day he would grow up - likely to the shock of everyone who knew him.
Bobby, after leaving Remy's presence, was at a loss as to what to do next. A single glance in Jean's direction was enought to inform him that no help in his schemes would come from her. And Logan, well, he'd been the brunt of too many of his jokes to be of any help.
But he had to do something. The urge, the need burned inside him. And, well, Tyger was so...innocent...prime meat for his exploits. Still, what to do? Knowing how much Hank disliked getting wet, he could guess how much Tyger would love it. The problem was, how to get her dunked without him being implicated. The thought of what Tyger would do to him if she found out gave him shivers. But the practical joke he was planning left him tingling with anticipation.
It was worth the risk.
If there was one thing bobby had, it was patience, especially patience for a good joke. So he was in no hurry to trigger his little scheme until his timing was perfect. So he waited, and watched. And eventually, Tyger extracted herself from her seat, and headed toward the barbecue, having to pass next to the pool doing so. Bobby was ready.
As soon as tyger stepped onto the damp tiles, Bobby reduced the thin film of water to black ice. Predictably, Tyger, not expecting it, slipped along it straight into the water.
Tyger's yowl of surprise and horror drew everyone's attention to the pool. Tyger went under, and Jubilee's eyes widened with panic as she remembered what Tyger had said. "SHE CAN'T SWIM!!!" she shrieked.
Without a thought toward the matter, Hank leaped from his chair and dived into the pool (which was ten feet away).
* * *
CHAPTER 10: Pool Party
Hank's relunctance to go to the pool party was quite evident as Rogue had to come into his lab and drag him out by the scruff of his neck.
"But rogue!" Hank protested, trying not to whine, "I really must finish that computation! It's critical for my research!"
Rogue would hear not of it. "Sugah, your research ain't goin' anywhere, an' the party's here now. The only thing missin' is you, and ah'm here to see you get there!"
"Rogue, please just let me finish this page! Just...just...okay! OKAY! I'm coming!" Hank exclaimed as Rogue proceeded to frog march him out of the lab.
* * *
By the time Hank got there, the party appeared to be in full swing. The barbeque was going strong with Logan in charge. He was wearing an apron that had been altered to read: "Kiss the cook and die!"
Jean and Scott were lounging in chairs next to the pool, and quietly, very quietly, deep down in his mind, Hank had to admit that she was a fine looking woman.
Jubilee was in the shallow end, tossing a big multi-coloured beach ball between Bobby and Ororo. Gambit, not surprisingly dressed in speedos, was just exiting the pool after a rather impressive dive. Behind him, Hank could hear Rogue closing and locking the door.
Damn, he thought. #There goes my escape route and hope of making a token appearance and sneaking off.# With heavy steps, he slowly made his way over to one of the chairs and sat down. #As long as I don't get wet, everything should be fine.#
Looking around intently, several minutes passed before Hank knew Tyger was even there. She was sitting in a chair on the other side of the pool, shielded by plants. He had only noticed her when he saw a glass of lemonade appearing and disappearing from a nearby table.
Yes, he thought, tigers can hide when they want to. It's for the best anyway. I won't be injured over here...I hope.
It was at about this time that Tyger noticed Hank. After all, the blue, furry giant couldn't really hide behind the flower pots, could he? He looked as uncomfortable as she felt. It appeared this pool party wasn't his idea of a fun time, either. Should I go over there? Tyger mused. After all, misery loves company. Then again, maybe I'd better leave him be. He looks like he wants to be alone.
Bobby, with an evil, unrepentant grin, noticed the pair so obviously ignoring each other. #What can I do?# he thought to himself sadistically. #Correction - what can I do to them that won't get me injured again? I don't want to eat something I can't pass. The bell was bad enough. Hmmmm. What if...hmmmm...#
He turned to Jubilee. "Jube, what's with those two? Our kitty looks like she got up on the wrong side of the basket this morning!" Jubilee gave him a pitying look.
"Bobby, it's obvious that whatever common sense you've got left just packed up an' left. Keep your mouth shut before she makes you eat that beach ball you're holding."
"Oh," he said in a small voice. "But what is it between those two? Is she still sore over the collar?"
"Bobby," said Jubilee, "sometimes you're so dense...
arrggh!...even I can see what's goin' on. Why don't you go soak your head!" she added as she splashed him.
"C'mon, Jube! We have to do something about those two. Whatever's eating them, we have to work it for the good of the team!" Jubilee blinked at him. "I mean, for the good of the group they have to come together: compadres, buddies, and that sort of thing."
Jubilee gave him a strange look. "Bobby, are you feeling okay?"
"Me?" he said, trying to sound hurt. "You KNOW I have the best interest of the group at heart, now and ever and always! So, we HAVE to do something!"
Jubilee just rolled her eyes and dived under the water.
"Well, I'M going to do something. I can't let this go on," he said as he moved and climbed out of the pool. Trying to elicit help, he casually went over to Remy who was now lounging by the pool.
"Remy, have you noticed what are furred comrades have been up to?" Bobby asked him.
Remy opened one eye a crack and looked at him, a completely non-commital look on his face. "Bobby, what are you up to?"
"Me?" Bobby said, once again working on innocence. "I'm simply worried about the unity of our merry little band."
"Really?"
"Yes, Remy! I mean those two can't even be in the same room together without a disaster happening, and have you noticed they've never even shaken hands as far as I can tell? I mean, just WHAT is it between them?"
Remy closed his eye. "Bobby, when you grow up, you'll know."
"What's that supposed to mean?" he said indignantly.
"Bobby, Remy need say no more since you obviously don' understand."
"Oh? And I suppose you, with your superior intellect, know exactly what's happening between those two?" he angrily retorted.
Remy simply ignored him. And after a few more unresponsive minutes, Bobby stamped off in a huff.
Jean shook her head as she watched this encounter, wondering idly what the devil he was up to now. Bobby obviously thought those two hated each other, not understanding in the slightest what was actually happening. As if either of that pair was likely to admit it.
Smiling a secret smile, she relaxed on her chair and let the thought pass from her mind. Bobby was Bobby. And one day he would grow up - likely to the shock of everyone who knew him.
Bobby, after leaving Remy's presence, was at a loss as to what to do next. A single glance in Jean's direction was enought to inform him that no help in his schemes would come from her. And Logan, well, he'd been the brunt of too many of his jokes to be of any help.
But he had to do something. The urge, the need burned inside him. And, well, Tyger was so...innocent...prime meat for his exploits. Still, what to do? Knowing how much Hank disliked getting wet, he could guess how much Tyger would love it. The problem was, how to get her dunked without him being implicated. The thought of what Tyger would do to him if she found out gave him shivers. But the practical joke he was planning left him tingling with anticipation.
It was worth the risk.
If there was one thing bobby had, it was patience, especially patience for a good joke. So he was in no hurry to trigger his little scheme until his timing was perfect. So he waited, and watched. And eventually, Tyger extracted herself from her seat, and headed toward the barbecue, having to pass next to the pool doing so. Bobby was ready.
As soon as tyger stepped onto the damp tiles, Bobby reduced the thin film of water to black ice. Predictably, Tyger, not expecting it, slipped along it straight into the water.
Tyger's yowl of surprise and horror drew everyone's attention to the pool. Tyger went under, and Jubilee's eyes widened with panic as she remembered what Tyger had said. "SHE CAN'T SWIM!!!" she shrieked.
Without a thought toward the matter, Hank leaped from his chair and dived into the pool (which was ten feet away).
* * *