Remember anything between ( ) stand for thoughts and mental exchanges.
Ages : Asa - 26 , Logan -? and Xavier - ? (They do not look their age,does any X-character for that matter.), Scott - 27, Jean- 25, Storm -25, Sam -21, Bobby- 22, Rogue-22, Gambit-25, Marrow-19, Jubilee - 16, Paige -16, Hank -32, Emma Frost -26
Chapter 3
Jubilee had been looking for Logan a few minutes. She found him outside getting into his jeep ready to leave.
Jubilee- "Hey where are you going?"
Logan - "Into town darlin', need to blow off some steam."
Jubilee - "Gee I was hoping we could do some thing this evening. I am going back to school soon and we have barely had a chance to do anything. I really need to talk with you."
Logan -"Sorry kid, maybe we can do something before you leave, bye."
Off he went. As he was going down the road Logan was starting to feel a little guilty, he hated to disappoint her. But maybe it was for the best, the less time they spend together the less likely she can get hurt by somebody out to get him.
Jubilee watched him go a few tears started to flow down her face. It was hard being a 16 year old teenaged girl, especially when you happen to also be a mutant. She had been through a lot as a member of Gen-X , but she put up a good front, but lately things were getting harder to face. Sure things get hard for everyone, but she was feeling more and more alone. Sure she had friends, but she was feeling like she had no family. Her family was dead, but the X-Men had become her new family. Then when she went to the Academy in Massachusetts they had become more distant. No one had come to visit her unless they were doing some official duty like teaching or tutoring. And Logan, her best friend, mentor, father figure, partner, the one person she would die for seemed not to care anymore. Sure he had a dark past, one he was still figuring out. But he rarely keeps in touch anymore and he evened missed my last birthday. *Sniff*
Jubilee - "It just is not fair! *sob*.....(oh well I better go to dinner, as if anyone cared.)"
She went to one of the mansion's rest rooms to calm down and blow her nose. But her thoughts kept going to Logan and her troubles. (Oh God why me?)
Asa had a nice refreshing warm shower. He quickly put on a pair of jeans, brown hiking boots, and a white sweatshirt. The sweatshirt had a image outlined in black and with red lettering. The image was of a muscle bounded Samson pushing apart two pillars with the words 'God's Gym' on the front. On the back was "......be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." - Ephesians 6:10. He put on some cologne and headed for dinner.
In the kitchen were Jean, Scott, Bobby, Storm, Hank, Sam, Paige, Rogue, Gambit, and a unusually somber Jubilee seated at a table. He said hello to each making sure he got the names right.
Jean - "Tonight we have fish, please help yourself Asa."
Asa - "Thank-you Jean....(wow this is one nice kitchen)"
While Asa was fixing his plate he did not notice that everyone was looking at his sweatshirt, especially Gambit. When he was done he sat down between Storm and Rogue. Everyone was already part way done eating, Jubilee just played with hers. Asa bent over his plate and prayed silently. When he was done Gambit asked him a question.
Gambit -"Gambit wants to know if you are some sort of right wing religious nut."
Asa -"Excuse me?"
Rogue - "Leave the guy alone Gambit he is trying to eat."
Gambit -"Gambit just wants to know."
Asa - "Well Gambit I do have very strong beliefs."
Gambit - "What do you believe?"
Rogue was about to kick Gambit under the table, but she had to admit she was a little courious herself. All eyes turned to Asa.
Asa -"Well Gambit I believe there is a God in Heaven, that he sent Jesus Christ to earth to die and become a sacrifice for our sins. That Jesus rose from the dead three days later and ascended back into Heaven and will becoming back someday. Jesus is my Lord, Master, and best friend."
There was silence for about a minute. Then Storm spoke up.
Storm -"Asa why don't you tell us about yourself and why your here, that is if you want too."
Asa smiled at her, and she returned it.
Asa- "Well let's see..."
Asa told them what he had told the Professor. Lost memory, found wandering around Africa, found out he was a mutant with powers [he left out just what all his known powers were], he went to West Virginia to found answers. When he did not find any he wandered about till he found work with a very wealthy man, this man left him a fortune when he passed on, then he had been all over West Virginia and the world looking for clues, but still he had not found any. He added that his faith, though he had no memory of ever being a Christian before 22, had helped him through. Though he was a wealthy man he was still lonely, and there was a empty space in his heart were a family should be. So he was hoping the Professor could help him. As he was saying the final part he had his head down with a sad expression on his face. Everyone but Gambit had a sympathetic look on their face. Asa then noticed that Jubilee was trying very hard to surpress some tears, and felt that is was not his story that was the root cause. So he thought he had better lighten the mood some.
Asa - "But you know I have had some interesting adventures......"
Asa begins to tell of a few of his more humorous adventures, though going through some of them at the time was anything but fun. The mood went very somber to fits of laughter. Even Jubilee's frown turn upside down. The last of his short stories for the evening he told about his first and last encounter with a hippo.
"Once there was this river in Africa, I forget the name. But it was a nice place for a swim during a hot day, sadly for most animals and people the alligators usually had the same idea. One day before my powers started to really kick-in I was helping repair a certain village's water purification system and a power generator. It was not very hard, but the day was hot. So I decided to take a dip in that river. I made sure that there were no gators around and jumped in, the current was not to bad and so I went to where it was just above my head and floated from there. Ahhhhh it was nice and cool. I sort of lost track of what was going on around me. Suddenly I realized I was floating a little too far away so I turn over to swim back to shore. As I did I came face to face with a large gator, we both just floated there and stared at each other. Before anything happened something large popped out of the river right next to us. Both me and the gator turned to see what it was, it was a hippo. Now a hippo can kill both man and gator by stomping or with it's powerful jaws, but that was not the end we were facing......."
"Ewwww, gross" Jubilee giggled. Everyone was starting to laugh.
Asa continued "Now it's rear was still mostly under water but there when some strange bubbles started to form. The gator started to turn in the other direction with a look I had never seen on any reptile, fear. But before either of us could do anything for some strange reason a powerful stream of water, that was going against the flow of the river, propelled me almost 15 ft to shore.......
Bobby was holding on to his sides. Even Gambit had a grin on his face.
"I dragged myself back to shore and sat down I had no idea what had happened, my sense of smell for some reason was not working. I looked back and there was the gator floating upside down, it's legs sticking up in the air. I then turned around to look inland and saw a female loin with it's head cocked to one side looking at me. It was about 8 ft from me. I thought what rotten luck. I survived both gator and hippo to only be eaten by a loin! That loin took one good whiff in my direction and for some unknown reason turned and ran away. I stood up and watched it go. And I thought a cheetah could run fast. Anyway I returned to the village I had been working at. Some of the villagers noticed as I was coming near all the animals around were giving me a wide berth. A few villagers told me to stop a few feet from the village. A group of elders were huddled in a group nodding to each other and whispering. They just shook their heads and tossed me a bar of soap.....so I went back to the river."
Upon finishing his story the room exploded.
Bobby and Sam fell to the floor. Hank and Jean were leaning back in their chairs roaring with laughter. Paige and Jubilee were leaning against each other unable to contain themselves. Scott was trying to maintain his composure as the leader, which lasted five seconds. Gambit was also trying to keep his composure, after all he did not like this guy too much, he lasted ten seconds longer than Scott. Rogue was bent over holding her sides. Storm had her hands crossed on Asa's Shoulder with her forehead on top, her eyes were watering.
Bobby - (Air I need Air.)
Rogue - (Oh my aching sides.)
Jean -(It feels good to hear some laughter at the table for once.)
The laughter continued for a few more minutes before calming down. Everyone returned to his or her seats smiling. 10 minutes later at 6:30 pm after some small talk dinner was done everyone got up headed for their evening activities. Sam, Bobby, Paige, and Jubilee, made a beeline for the T.V. room. Hank went to go do something in his lab. Marrow had briefly come up to see what all the noise was about, "Upworlders." was all she said as she returned to her room. Jean, Scott, Rogue, Storm, and Gambit were going to a movie. Gambit had already gone to the car while they were taking. The women went to change into something else for the evening. Scott and Asa continued in small talk has they headed toward the door and were standing in front of the stairs. Jean came down first.
Scott- "Here is my beautiful wife now."
Asa - "Your one lucky man Scott."
Jean -"And, he knows it."
Jean was still feeling a little awkward around him. "Are you coming with us?"
"No Jean, I think I will settle in some more and hit the hay a little early." Asa said as he started to yawn.
Jean - "Ok."
Scott - (I am sure Gambit will be happy.) he said mentally as he exchanged thoughts with his wife.
Jean - (And Rogue and Storm will be disappointed though....I do not remember them warming up to anyone this fast.)
Storm and Rogue came down.
Rogue "Hey Asa, ya coming with us?"
Asa - "No Rogue I think I need a little rest."
Rogue - "Ok sugah, you have a good night's sleep." She gives him a quick hug, careful not to let the exposed skin of her face touch his. About then the there was a beeping sound coming from the driveway. Rogue, Jean, Scott walked through the door.
Rogue - "We're coming Gambit!"
Storm also gave him a quick hug, he liked hugs, especially by beautiful women.....(Bad Asa, bad.) "Sleep well Asa."
Asa- "Thanks Storm. You all have a good time, and please tell Gambit I am sorry about the chin."
Her smile got wider, she waved then left. Asa stretched then headed for his room. (Wow, what a day!...I wonder what will happen in the days ahead?)
Later that night at about 1 am almost everyone was asleep. Logan was still gone. The movie goers had returned and went to bed. The house was quite, but someone was up. It was Jubilee. She had turned in about 11:30 and got back up an hour later. She could not sleep after that so she decided to wait for Logan. It was a clear and cold night it was about 15 degrees. Still Jubliee waited. She started to walk the grounds into the woods, not the smartest thing at this time of night alone. She had a winter coat on and was deep in thought. Thinking about her life, she just looked up at the stars. She was thinking so much that she failed to notice that something was sneaking up on her. It was moving from tree to tree. This was not Logan, but another mutant that seemed to have bypassed the grounds security system. He watched the young girl and licked his lips as he continued to move closer. He had a strange collar shaped device in one hand.
Asa's eyes snapped open, he sat up in his bed. He had gone to sleep at 9 it was now 1:05 am. Something was wrong, he could feel a new mutant on the grounds. But of course in this place that should be nothing new. Maybe it was someone from one of the other X-teams he had heard about. He was about to lay down again but something inside of him told him this new mutant was dangerous, then he felt a more familiar mutant out there as well. But who? -Continued
Next chapter - A dangerous mutant has sneaked on to the mansion's grounds, and has his eyes set on Jubilee. Will Asa be able to help the X-Men defeat this foe, or will his first day as a potential X-Man be his last?
Ages : Asa - 26 , Logan -? and Xavier - ? (They do not look their age,does any X-character for that matter.), Scott - 27, Jean- 25, Storm -25, Sam -21, Bobby- 22, Rogue-22, Gambit-25, Marrow-19, Jubilee - 16, Paige -16, Hank -32, Emma Frost -26
Chapter 3
Jubilee had been looking for Logan a few minutes. She found him outside getting into his jeep ready to leave.
Jubilee- "Hey where are you going?"
Logan - "Into town darlin', need to blow off some steam."
Jubilee - "Gee I was hoping we could do some thing this evening. I am going back to school soon and we have barely had a chance to do anything. I really need to talk with you."
Logan -"Sorry kid, maybe we can do something before you leave, bye."
Off he went. As he was going down the road Logan was starting to feel a little guilty, he hated to disappoint her. But maybe it was for the best, the less time they spend together the less likely she can get hurt by somebody out to get him.
Jubilee watched him go a few tears started to flow down her face. It was hard being a 16 year old teenaged girl, especially when you happen to also be a mutant. She had been through a lot as a member of Gen-X , but she put up a good front, but lately things were getting harder to face. Sure things get hard for everyone, but she was feeling more and more alone. Sure she had friends, but she was feeling like she had no family. Her family was dead, but the X-Men had become her new family. Then when she went to the Academy in Massachusetts they had become more distant. No one had come to visit her unless they were doing some official duty like teaching or tutoring. And Logan, her best friend, mentor, father figure, partner, the one person she would die for seemed not to care anymore. Sure he had a dark past, one he was still figuring out. But he rarely keeps in touch anymore and he evened missed my last birthday. *Sniff*
Jubilee - "It just is not fair! *sob*.....(oh well I better go to dinner, as if anyone cared.)"
She went to one of the mansion's rest rooms to calm down and blow her nose. But her thoughts kept going to Logan and her troubles. (Oh God why me?)
Asa had a nice refreshing warm shower. He quickly put on a pair of jeans, brown hiking boots, and a white sweatshirt. The sweatshirt had a image outlined in black and with red lettering. The image was of a muscle bounded Samson pushing apart two pillars with the words 'God's Gym' on the front. On the back was "......be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." - Ephesians 6:10. He put on some cologne and headed for dinner.
In the kitchen were Jean, Scott, Bobby, Storm, Hank, Sam, Paige, Rogue, Gambit, and a unusually somber Jubilee seated at a table. He said hello to each making sure he got the names right.
Jean - "Tonight we have fish, please help yourself Asa."
Asa - "Thank-you Jean....(wow this is one nice kitchen)"
While Asa was fixing his plate he did not notice that everyone was looking at his sweatshirt, especially Gambit. When he was done he sat down between Storm and Rogue. Everyone was already part way done eating, Jubilee just played with hers. Asa bent over his plate and prayed silently. When he was done Gambit asked him a question.
Gambit -"Gambit wants to know if you are some sort of right wing religious nut."
Asa -"Excuse me?"
Rogue - "Leave the guy alone Gambit he is trying to eat."
Gambit -"Gambit just wants to know."
Asa - "Well Gambit I do have very strong beliefs."
Gambit - "What do you believe?"
Rogue was about to kick Gambit under the table, but she had to admit she was a little courious herself. All eyes turned to Asa.
Asa -"Well Gambit I believe there is a God in Heaven, that he sent Jesus Christ to earth to die and become a sacrifice for our sins. That Jesus rose from the dead three days later and ascended back into Heaven and will becoming back someday. Jesus is my Lord, Master, and best friend."
There was silence for about a minute. Then Storm spoke up.
Storm -"Asa why don't you tell us about yourself and why your here, that is if you want too."
Asa smiled at her, and she returned it.
Asa- "Well let's see..."
Asa told them what he had told the Professor. Lost memory, found wandering around Africa, found out he was a mutant with powers [he left out just what all his known powers were], he went to West Virginia to found answers. When he did not find any he wandered about till he found work with a very wealthy man, this man left him a fortune when he passed on, then he had been all over West Virginia and the world looking for clues, but still he had not found any. He added that his faith, though he had no memory of ever being a Christian before 22, had helped him through. Though he was a wealthy man he was still lonely, and there was a empty space in his heart were a family should be. So he was hoping the Professor could help him. As he was saying the final part he had his head down with a sad expression on his face. Everyone but Gambit had a sympathetic look on their face. Asa then noticed that Jubilee was trying very hard to surpress some tears, and felt that is was not his story that was the root cause. So he thought he had better lighten the mood some.
Asa - "But you know I have had some interesting adventures......"
Asa begins to tell of a few of his more humorous adventures, though going through some of them at the time was anything but fun. The mood went very somber to fits of laughter. Even Jubilee's frown turn upside down. The last of his short stories for the evening he told about his first and last encounter with a hippo.
"Once there was this river in Africa, I forget the name. But it was a nice place for a swim during a hot day, sadly for most animals and people the alligators usually had the same idea. One day before my powers started to really kick-in I was helping repair a certain village's water purification system and a power generator. It was not very hard, but the day was hot. So I decided to take a dip in that river. I made sure that there were no gators around and jumped in, the current was not to bad and so I went to where it was just above my head and floated from there. Ahhhhh it was nice and cool. I sort of lost track of what was going on around me. Suddenly I realized I was floating a little too far away so I turn over to swim back to shore. As I did I came face to face with a large gator, we both just floated there and stared at each other. Before anything happened something large popped out of the river right next to us. Both me and the gator turned to see what it was, it was a hippo. Now a hippo can kill both man and gator by stomping or with it's powerful jaws, but that was not the end we were facing......."
"Ewwww, gross" Jubilee giggled. Everyone was starting to laugh.
Asa continued "Now it's rear was still mostly under water but there when some strange bubbles started to form. The gator started to turn in the other direction with a look I had never seen on any reptile, fear. But before either of us could do anything for some strange reason a powerful stream of water, that was going against the flow of the river, propelled me almost 15 ft to shore.......
Bobby was holding on to his sides. Even Gambit had a grin on his face.
"I dragged myself back to shore and sat down I had no idea what had happened, my sense of smell for some reason was not working. I looked back and there was the gator floating upside down, it's legs sticking up in the air. I then turned around to look inland and saw a female loin with it's head cocked to one side looking at me. It was about 8 ft from me. I thought what rotten luck. I survived both gator and hippo to only be eaten by a loin! That loin took one good whiff in my direction and for some unknown reason turned and ran away. I stood up and watched it go. And I thought a cheetah could run fast. Anyway I returned to the village I had been working at. Some of the villagers noticed as I was coming near all the animals around were giving me a wide berth. A few villagers told me to stop a few feet from the village. A group of elders were huddled in a group nodding to each other and whispering. They just shook their heads and tossed me a bar of soap.....so I went back to the river."
Upon finishing his story the room exploded.
Bobby and Sam fell to the floor. Hank and Jean were leaning back in their chairs roaring with laughter. Paige and Jubilee were leaning against each other unable to contain themselves. Scott was trying to maintain his composure as the leader, which lasted five seconds. Gambit was also trying to keep his composure, after all he did not like this guy too much, he lasted ten seconds longer than Scott. Rogue was bent over holding her sides. Storm had her hands crossed on Asa's Shoulder with her forehead on top, her eyes were watering.
Bobby - (Air I need Air.)
Rogue - (Oh my aching sides.)
Jean -(It feels good to hear some laughter at the table for once.)
The laughter continued for a few more minutes before calming down. Everyone returned to his or her seats smiling. 10 minutes later at 6:30 pm after some small talk dinner was done everyone got up headed for their evening activities. Sam, Bobby, Paige, and Jubilee, made a beeline for the T.V. room. Hank went to go do something in his lab. Marrow had briefly come up to see what all the noise was about, "Upworlders." was all she said as she returned to her room. Jean, Scott, Rogue, Storm, and Gambit were going to a movie. Gambit had already gone to the car while they were taking. The women went to change into something else for the evening. Scott and Asa continued in small talk has they headed toward the door and were standing in front of the stairs. Jean came down first.
Scott- "Here is my beautiful wife now."
Asa - "Your one lucky man Scott."
Jean -"And, he knows it."
Jean was still feeling a little awkward around him. "Are you coming with us?"
"No Jean, I think I will settle in some more and hit the hay a little early." Asa said as he started to yawn.
Jean - "Ok."
Scott - (I am sure Gambit will be happy.) he said mentally as he exchanged thoughts with his wife.
Jean - (And Rogue and Storm will be disappointed though....I do not remember them warming up to anyone this fast.)
Storm and Rogue came down.
Rogue "Hey Asa, ya coming with us?"
Asa - "No Rogue I think I need a little rest."
Rogue - "Ok sugah, you have a good night's sleep." She gives him a quick hug, careful not to let the exposed skin of her face touch his. About then the there was a beeping sound coming from the driveway. Rogue, Jean, Scott walked through the door.
Rogue - "We're coming Gambit!"
Storm also gave him a quick hug, he liked hugs, especially by beautiful women.....(Bad Asa, bad.) "Sleep well Asa."
Asa- "Thanks Storm. You all have a good time, and please tell Gambit I am sorry about the chin."
Her smile got wider, she waved then left. Asa stretched then headed for his room. (Wow, what a day!...I wonder what will happen in the days ahead?)
Later that night at about 1 am almost everyone was asleep. Logan was still gone. The movie goers had returned and went to bed. The house was quite, but someone was up. It was Jubilee. She had turned in about 11:30 and got back up an hour later. She could not sleep after that so she decided to wait for Logan. It was a clear and cold night it was about 15 degrees. Still Jubliee waited. She started to walk the grounds into the woods, not the smartest thing at this time of night alone. She had a winter coat on and was deep in thought. Thinking about her life, she just looked up at the stars. She was thinking so much that she failed to notice that something was sneaking up on her. It was moving from tree to tree. This was not Logan, but another mutant that seemed to have bypassed the grounds security system. He watched the young girl and licked his lips as he continued to move closer. He had a strange collar shaped device in one hand.
Asa's eyes snapped open, he sat up in his bed. He had gone to sleep at 9 it was now 1:05 am. Something was wrong, he could feel a new mutant on the grounds. But of course in this place that should be nothing new. Maybe it was someone from one of the other X-teams he had heard about. He was about to lay down again but something inside of him told him this new mutant was dangerous, then he felt a more familiar mutant out there as well. But who? -Continued
Next chapter - A dangerous mutant has sneaked on to the mansion's grounds, and has his eyes set on Jubilee. Will Asa be able to help the X-Men defeat this foe, or will his first day as a potential X-Man be his last?