There Must Be Some Kind of Way Out of Here
Chapter 6
Author's Note: Yeah, yeah, I think you know by now: the stuff in italics are thoughts. Thanks for all of the positive feedback. It's a great incentive for writing. If you have any recommendations for what you want to see in the story, feel free to offer them, cause c'mon, I made up a character who's arm falls off, so I'm open to pretty much ANYTHING.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the people or locations in this story, except John.
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Stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid...
John Jashback yelled various obscenities at himself while pacing in a circle next to a door. The dinner had ended relatively well, and he had managed to pull away from the others unhindered. Finally he stopped and stood with his face nearly pressed against the door and sighed.
Well, I've got three choices. I can leave, I can stay and be awkward forever, or I can stop being so damned scared and get this over with.
While the first two choices seemed so much more simple, John knew he'd have to do what needed done. He took a deep breath, mustered up all of the courage he could handle, and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" called a voice from inside.
John opened the door and poked his head inside and tried to smile. "Uh...hi. Remember me? I'm the uh, new guy who uh, made you mad..." His smile slipped as he watched the two girls glare at him as if he carried the plague.
The Goth girl, Rogue just stared while Kitty gave him a look as cold as ice. "Like, what do you want?"
"Yeah, uh, I just wanted to apologize," John began, and at that moment he was glad they could only see his head, because his whole body was shaking with anxiety. He cleared his throat before starting again, talking much faster than he could have liked. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry for before, both of you. Kitty, I'm sorry for scaring you so much, and Rogue, I'm sorry that I upset you. I just...I didn't know. You've got to believe me. I'd never intentionally do anything like that to anyone. It's just...it's hard...everything, you know? I'm just trying to get used to being a mutant, and getting used to things here." John finally exhaled. He had done his part, and he hoped they wouldn't burn him at the stake.
The two girls sat in silence for a moment, before Kitty finally spoke up. "It's ok. I wasn't exactly like, the most happy person in the world when I finally accepted I was...different. Just uh, make sure I don't walk into the bathroom and catch you doing that again," she finished dryly, a wicked glint in her eyes.
"Oh ah'lright. Ah forgive you," Rogue said. "Not your fault for somethin' ya didn't know."
"Great!" John exclaimed. "Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it. I mean it. I hope we can eventually become friends." He let the rest of himself in the room, both hands behind his back and walked over to Rogue. With a great flourish, he produced a rose from behind his back and handed it to her. He walked over to Kitty and did the same. "I, uh, saw these earlier when I was outside with Kurt, and I uh, kinda figured they'd help show how I sorry I was," he said quickly, occasionally stumbling over his words, backing out of the room, grinning like a fool and waving. "Good night!" he managed to cough out, before closing the door in front of him, and exhaling much harder than he had done when apologizing. His legs started to buckle underneath him, and he sat down in the floor, leaning against the wall for support, breathing heavily.
Oh, I can rip off my arm and grow a new one back, but I can't apologize without making myself look stupid... Man, that burned me out.
Just as John was beginning to relax, a shadow cast itself over him. He looked up and saw Jamie staring at him curiously.
"Hey, how you doin'?" John said wearily.
"Fine... What're you doing?"
"Oh me? I just got done apologizing to Kitty and Rogue, oh and I made myself look dumb."
Jamie clamped a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing out loud, but failed miserably.
John ran his fingers through his hair and sighed in anguish.
"Hey uh, Jamie? You won't uh, tell anyone what I just, will you?"
The younger boy gave him a sadistic grin. "I won't... But there's a saying: 'You scratch my back and I scratch yours.'"
John gulped. "Uh...what do you want me to do?" A million different thoughts raced through John's head.
Oh God...he better not want me to go back into Rogue and Kitty's room...
"Heh heh heh..." Jamie's laugh was eerily chilling, and John shivered at the sound of it. "I won't tell anyone if you..." In that pause between words, John Jashback's heart stopped beating. "...if you show me your powers!"
He let out a silent breath of relief. "Oh. Uh, sure. No problem."
"Cool!" Jamie exclaimed, jumping up and down.
"Er...I won't do it here in the hall. Let's head to my room," If I remember where it is..., "and I'll show you there."
"Ok. Let's go."
As it turned out, the particular hallway they were in happened to be where John's room was.
Upon noticing that, Jamie exclaimed, "Hey, you're only two doors from the room I share with Roberto!"
That explains the teddy bear and the scorch marks.
The younger boy practically danced around with excitement when they finally got into the room. "Show me show me show me show me show me!" he bubbled, as he jumped up and down.
Ah, to be young again... What the hell am I saying? I'm not an old man yet. But at this rate, it won't be long...
"Alright Jamie. Here's what we're gonna do. Grab my left arm and pull as hard as you can, ok?"
Jamie nodded and John held out his arm. The multiplying mutant grabbed hold and John shifted his weight to the leg opposite the arm.
"On the count of three, Jamie. One...two...three!"
Jamie yanked hard, and John heard the familiar crack. He worked hard, steadying himself so he wouldn't fall, but Jamie fell and hit hard, arm in his hands. Upon impact, four multiples split from the main body.
"Cooooool," they all said at once, each holding a multiple of John's arm.
"Make a new arm!" shouted on multiple.
"Another!"
"Another!!!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Calm down...all of you," John said. "How about I got without an arm for a while? It kind of hurts, especially since I've done it twice today." He had to speak the last part loudly, over the disappointed cries of the Jamies. "I'll uh, show all of you in the morning."
"Promise?"
"Yes, uh...Jamie."
Most of them weren't even paying attention, as four of them were engaged in a deep battle, striking one another with the arms they held. And then an idea hit John, and he grinned like a kid in a candy store.
"Get up you guys. Let's play a little game."
"A game?"
"What game?"
"Let's play!"
"I wanna play too!"
"Yeahhh! A game!"
"Ok guys," John began, "I want you to stand side by side. You," he said pointing at one the Jamies. "Get your arm. You'll need it for the game."
Once they were lined up, John couldn't help but be proud. "You guys look like soldiers. I hereby name you the First Multiple Irregulars Division of uh, X Company." John grinned. "You're in the army now, boys!"
"Yay!"
"Cool!"
"Huh?"
One of the Multiples held his arm like a rifle and starting shouting "bang bang" at the others. "You're dead," he shouted. Soon, they were all pretending to shoot each other with their copies of John's arm.
"Wait, wait, wait!" John shouted. "There's something you 'soldiers' lack, and that's discipline! Line up again. Or should I say, get back in formation, men!"
The Multiples lined up again and one even saluted.
"Ok men. Atten-shun!" Half a beat late, all of the Jamies stood up straight and as tall as they could be.
"Shoulder arms!" The Multiples looked at John confused. "That means hold the rifle against your right shoulder," he whispered.
John held in his laugh, but barely. The sight of the five of them standing up straight with arms held against their shoulders...it was priceless.
"Preeeesent arms!" Once again, John was given five very confused looks. "Hold it out in front of you with both arms extended," he told them.
They nodded in agreement and quickly did what they were told. As they held their arms (both in the literal and metaphorical sense) out, John stifled another burst of laughter. The scene was so funny, and so ludicrous at the same time.
"Ok, let's try it again and see if you get it. Shoulder arms!" In a not-altogether fluid motion, the five Multiples pressed the arms to their shoulders. "Preeeesent arms!" With better accuracy, they did as ordered. "Good. Now again..."
They went at the motions a little while longer before finally getting them down straight. Of course, they were interrupted once or twice by a pounding on the wall, followed by a "SHUT UP!"
"Excellent work men. At ease." As they looked at him questioningly again, he told them that it mean to hold the arm along their left side with one arm. Once situation, John began to pace in front of them, stopping at the Jamie in the middle.
"You. Private uh..." he began. "Psst, what's your last name?"
"Madrox," he giggled out.
"Private Madrox! Front and center!"
The middle Jamie stepped out and gave a mangled salute, to which John returned. "Present arms!"
As all five Multiples picked up their 'arms,' John waved his one hand at them.
"No no no. Just him," he said, pointing at the middle Jamie.
Now...present arms!" The Jamie before him quickly brought the arm up to his shoulder and stiffened to attention. "Soldier, is that your weapon you are hold?" John barked out.
"Uh..uh..I guess," the younger boy managed to say.
"And what is the name of your weapon, soldier?"
"Uh..uh...Jamie Junior," he said, almost sounding like a question.
"Very well, soldier. You are hereby known as Private Junior. Fall back in ranks!"
John pivoted on his boot heel and walked down to the Jamie on the far right end. Needing no talking, the mutant stepped forward and lifted his arm to his shoulder. John smiled in delight. They were really getting into this.
"Private, what is the name of your weapon?"
"Sir, my weapon is named 'Super Crusher,' sir!"
"Super Crusher, eh? Very well, Private. You are hereby known as..." A grin spread across the Multiple's face. "...Private Snowflake!"
All of the other Multiples, and John burst in laughter.
"But...but...but," the Jamie protested. "I don't want to be Snowflake! I want to be Super Crusher!"
John waved his finger in the boy's face. "Ah, ah. I never promised to name you after your weapon. Now fall back in, Private Snowflake!"
The Multiple slumped his shoulders and muttered under his breath as he got back in line. John eventually got around to re-naming all of the Multiples: Privates Bobby, Shades, and Brotha Man, along with Snowflake and Junior.
"Alright men," John commanded after the naming ended. "I order you men to lead me on an inspection of the premesis!"
"Huh?"
"What?"
"Do I get to shoot anyone?"
"I don't wanna be Snowflake..."
"I'm hungry."
John softened from the drill sergeant persona for a moment and said, "I just want you guys to show me around the mansion. I didn't really get a chance to look around after I got here."
"Cool!"
"We're going on a mission!"
"A 'top secret' mission!"
"Yay!"
"I don't wanna be Snowflake!"
John smiled inside. They were really getting into this.
Well, I think this makes up my fiasco in the dining room earlier...
The Jamies danced around in delight, getting into character and starting to really enjoy themselves, but deep down, happy that someone paid attention to them, and the fact that they got to do something important and special. Well...to them it was.
"Private Snowflake," John called out. "Are we ready to move out?"
"I-DON'T-WANT-TO-BE-PRIVATE SNOWFLAKE!!!!!!"
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Sorry for any goofiness you thought about this chapter. Jamie is the coolest of the New Mutants, and one of my favorite X-Men of all, and I just had to do something special with them.
Chapter 6
Author's Note: Yeah, yeah, I think you know by now: the stuff in italics are thoughts. Thanks for all of the positive feedback. It's a great incentive for writing. If you have any recommendations for what you want to see in the story, feel free to offer them, cause c'mon, I made up a character who's arm falls off, so I'm open to pretty much ANYTHING.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the people or locations in this story, except John.
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Stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid...
John Jashback yelled various obscenities at himself while pacing in a circle next to a door. The dinner had ended relatively well, and he had managed to pull away from the others unhindered. Finally he stopped and stood with his face nearly pressed against the door and sighed.
Well, I've got three choices. I can leave, I can stay and be awkward forever, or I can stop being so damned scared and get this over with.
While the first two choices seemed so much more simple, John knew he'd have to do what needed done. He took a deep breath, mustered up all of the courage he could handle, and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" called a voice from inside.
John opened the door and poked his head inside and tried to smile. "Uh...hi. Remember me? I'm the uh, new guy who uh, made you mad..." His smile slipped as he watched the two girls glare at him as if he carried the plague.
The Goth girl, Rogue just stared while Kitty gave him a look as cold as ice. "Like, what do you want?"
"Yeah, uh, I just wanted to apologize," John began, and at that moment he was glad they could only see his head, because his whole body was shaking with anxiety. He cleared his throat before starting again, talking much faster than he could have liked. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry for before, both of you. Kitty, I'm sorry for scaring you so much, and Rogue, I'm sorry that I upset you. I just...I didn't know. You've got to believe me. I'd never intentionally do anything like that to anyone. It's just...it's hard...everything, you know? I'm just trying to get used to being a mutant, and getting used to things here." John finally exhaled. He had done his part, and he hoped they wouldn't burn him at the stake.
The two girls sat in silence for a moment, before Kitty finally spoke up. "It's ok. I wasn't exactly like, the most happy person in the world when I finally accepted I was...different. Just uh, make sure I don't walk into the bathroom and catch you doing that again," she finished dryly, a wicked glint in her eyes.
"Oh ah'lright. Ah forgive you," Rogue said. "Not your fault for somethin' ya didn't know."
"Great!" John exclaimed. "Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it. I mean it. I hope we can eventually become friends." He let the rest of himself in the room, both hands behind his back and walked over to Rogue. With a great flourish, he produced a rose from behind his back and handed it to her. He walked over to Kitty and did the same. "I, uh, saw these earlier when I was outside with Kurt, and I uh, kinda figured they'd help show how I sorry I was," he said quickly, occasionally stumbling over his words, backing out of the room, grinning like a fool and waving. "Good night!" he managed to cough out, before closing the door in front of him, and exhaling much harder than he had done when apologizing. His legs started to buckle underneath him, and he sat down in the floor, leaning against the wall for support, breathing heavily.
Oh, I can rip off my arm and grow a new one back, but I can't apologize without making myself look stupid... Man, that burned me out.
Just as John was beginning to relax, a shadow cast itself over him. He looked up and saw Jamie staring at him curiously.
"Hey, how you doin'?" John said wearily.
"Fine... What're you doing?"
"Oh me? I just got done apologizing to Kitty and Rogue, oh and I made myself look dumb."
Jamie clamped a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing out loud, but failed miserably.
John ran his fingers through his hair and sighed in anguish.
"Hey uh, Jamie? You won't uh, tell anyone what I just, will you?"
The younger boy gave him a sadistic grin. "I won't... But there's a saying: 'You scratch my back and I scratch yours.'"
John gulped. "Uh...what do you want me to do?" A million different thoughts raced through John's head.
Oh God...he better not want me to go back into Rogue and Kitty's room...
"Heh heh heh..." Jamie's laugh was eerily chilling, and John shivered at the sound of it. "I won't tell anyone if you..." In that pause between words, John Jashback's heart stopped beating. "...if you show me your powers!"
He let out a silent breath of relief. "Oh. Uh, sure. No problem."
"Cool!" Jamie exclaimed, jumping up and down.
"Er...I won't do it here in the hall. Let's head to my room," If I remember where it is..., "and I'll show you there."
"Ok. Let's go."
As it turned out, the particular hallway they were in happened to be where John's room was.
Upon noticing that, Jamie exclaimed, "Hey, you're only two doors from the room I share with Roberto!"
That explains the teddy bear and the scorch marks.
The younger boy practically danced around with excitement when they finally got into the room. "Show me show me show me show me show me!" he bubbled, as he jumped up and down.
Ah, to be young again... What the hell am I saying? I'm not an old man yet. But at this rate, it won't be long...
"Alright Jamie. Here's what we're gonna do. Grab my left arm and pull as hard as you can, ok?"
Jamie nodded and John held out his arm. The multiplying mutant grabbed hold and John shifted his weight to the leg opposite the arm.
"On the count of three, Jamie. One...two...three!"
Jamie yanked hard, and John heard the familiar crack. He worked hard, steadying himself so he wouldn't fall, but Jamie fell and hit hard, arm in his hands. Upon impact, four multiples split from the main body.
"Cooooool," they all said at once, each holding a multiple of John's arm.
"Make a new arm!" shouted on multiple.
"Another!"
"Another!!!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Calm down...all of you," John said. "How about I got without an arm for a while? It kind of hurts, especially since I've done it twice today." He had to speak the last part loudly, over the disappointed cries of the Jamies. "I'll uh, show all of you in the morning."
"Promise?"
"Yes, uh...Jamie."
Most of them weren't even paying attention, as four of them were engaged in a deep battle, striking one another with the arms they held. And then an idea hit John, and he grinned like a kid in a candy store.
"Get up you guys. Let's play a little game."
"A game?"
"What game?"
"Let's play!"
"I wanna play too!"
"Yeahhh! A game!"
"Ok guys," John began, "I want you to stand side by side. You," he said pointing at one the Jamies. "Get your arm. You'll need it for the game."
Once they were lined up, John couldn't help but be proud. "You guys look like soldiers. I hereby name you the First Multiple Irregulars Division of uh, X Company." John grinned. "You're in the army now, boys!"
"Yay!"
"Cool!"
"Huh?"
One of the Multiples held his arm like a rifle and starting shouting "bang bang" at the others. "You're dead," he shouted. Soon, they were all pretending to shoot each other with their copies of John's arm.
"Wait, wait, wait!" John shouted. "There's something you 'soldiers' lack, and that's discipline! Line up again. Or should I say, get back in formation, men!"
The Multiples lined up again and one even saluted.
"Ok men. Atten-shun!" Half a beat late, all of the Jamies stood up straight and as tall as they could be.
"Shoulder arms!" The Multiples looked at John confused. "That means hold the rifle against your right shoulder," he whispered.
John held in his laugh, but barely. The sight of the five of them standing up straight with arms held against their shoulders...it was priceless.
"Preeeesent arms!" Once again, John was given five very confused looks. "Hold it out in front of you with both arms extended," he told them.
They nodded in agreement and quickly did what they were told. As they held their arms (both in the literal and metaphorical sense) out, John stifled another burst of laughter. The scene was so funny, and so ludicrous at the same time.
"Ok, let's try it again and see if you get it. Shoulder arms!" In a not-altogether fluid motion, the five Multiples pressed the arms to their shoulders. "Preeeesent arms!" With better accuracy, they did as ordered. "Good. Now again..."
They went at the motions a little while longer before finally getting them down straight. Of course, they were interrupted once or twice by a pounding on the wall, followed by a "SHUT UP!"
"Excellent work men. At ease." As they looked at him questioningly again, he told them that it mean to hold the arm along their left side with one arm. Once situation, John began to pace in front of them, stopping at the Jamie in the middle.
"You. Private uh..." he began. "Psst, what's your last name?"
"Madrox," he giggled out.
"Private Madrox! Front and center!"
The middle Jamie stepped out and gave a mangled salute, to which John returned. "Present arms!"
As all five Multiples picked up their 'arms,' John waved his one hand at them.
"No no no. Just him," he said, pointing at the middle Jamie.
Now...present arms!" The Jamie before him quickly brought the arm up to his shoulder and stiffened to attention. "Soldier, is that your weapon you are hold?" John barked out.
"Uh..uh..I guess," the younger boy managed to say.
"And what is the name of your weapon, soldier?"
"Uh..uh...Jamie Junior," he said, almost sounding like a question.
"Very well, soldier. You are hereby known as Private Junior. Fall back in ranks!"
John pivoted on his boot heel and walked down to the Jamie on the far right end. Needing no talking, the mutant stepped forward and lifted his arm to his shoulder. John smiled in delight. They were really getting into this.
"Private, what is the name of your weapon?"
"Sir, my weapon is named 'Super Crusher,' sir!"
"Super Crusher, eh? Very well, Private. You are hereby known as..." A grin spread across the Multiple's face. "...Private Snowflake!"
All of the other Multiples, and John burst in laughter.
"But...but...but," the Jamie protested. "I don't want to be Snowflake! I want to be Super Crusher!"
John waved his finger in the boy's face. "Ah, ah. I never promised to name you after your weapon. Now fall back in, Private Snowflake!"
The Multiple slumped his shoulders and muttered under his breath as he got back in line. John eventually got around to re-naming all of the Multiples: Privates Bobby, Shades, and Brotha Man, along with Snowflake and Junior.
"Alright men," John commanded after the naming ended. "I order you men to lead me on an inspection of the premesis!"
"Huh?"
"What?"
"Do I get to shoot anyone?"
"I don't wanna be Snowflake..."
"I'm hungry."
John softened from the drill sergeant persona for a moment and said, "I just want you guys to show me around the mansion. I didn't really get a chance to look around after I got here."
"Cool!"
"We're going on a mission!"
"A 'top secret' mission!"
"Yay!"
"I don't wanna be Snowflake!"
John smiled inside. They were really getting into this.
Well, I think this makes up my fiasco in the dining room earlier...
The Jamies danced around in delight, getting into character and starting to really enjoy themselves, but deep down, happy that someone paid attention to them, and the fact that they got to do something important and special. Well...to them it was.
"Private Snowflake," John called out. "Are we ready to move out?"
"I-DON'T-WANT-TO-BE-PRIVATE SNOWFLAKE!!!!!!"
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Sorry for any goofiness you thought about this chapter. Jamie is the coolest of the New Mutants, and one of my favorite X-Men of all, and I just had to do something special with them.