There Must Be Some Kind of Way Out of Here
Chapter 23
Author's Note: Stuff in italics are thoughts and I love you all. Thanks for all of the positive feedback, everyone. It's good that people like what I write, cause you know, if you didn't, I wouldn't be writing. You know, I don't know where I'd be without Post's big reviews. Seriously man, you rock. I think you might be looking too much into the dreams, even though I write the sequences and some are just products of male hormones (like the one with Kitty). Just be glad I haven't (yet) inserted off-the-wall dreams like I have sometimes, where I'm playing football with Hobbits or driving a taxi to Russia.
Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men: Evolution or anything in it. Marvel and Kid's WB do. I only own John Jashback, and his arms that fall off. And your souls...hahahahahaha. Ok, sorry.
Note: If you really like Pietro, or don't like me questioning his sexuality, skip this chapter. Don't say I didn't warn you.
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John Jashback stepped through the front doors of the mansion, and found himself staring at every female student in the Institute, who looked like wolves eyeing a deer stuck in some brambles.
If I'm gonna back out, it has to be now...
"Listen...I appreciate all this. I really do, but I don't know if it's such a good idea. Besides, I uh, don't have any money."
"Don't worry," Jean said, pulling something out of her purse. "The Professor loaned us his credit card."
And he trusts a bunch of girls with it?
"Um...uh...ok... Still...I wouldn't want to uh, impose or anything."
"You didn't bring that much stuff with you, John. Do you honestly expect us to believe you carried enough clothing in that little bag you brought?" Jean asked.
"Er...well...uh...I guess you're uh...right...." John said timidly.
"Then it's settled," the redhead said.
"C'mon! Let's go!" shouted Jubilee, who darted for the door, and grabbed John's arm to drag him with her. Of course, she caught John by surprise, so when she pulled....
She squeaked. There was no better explanation for the noise Jubilee made. She alternated, staring wide-eyed at the arm she held that was no longer attached to a body, and John, standing there with only one arm, a shirt sleeve hanging limply.
"Er, uh....sorry," John said, his face a deep crimson. He snatched the arm from her hand and held it behind his back, while he forced out a new one. John sagged for a moment, and he was already starting to sweat (although some of it was from staring at the female occupants of the mansion).
That's two times today. I wonder how many it'll end up being.
John glanced over to the others, who all had different reactions to his arm regeneration. Kitty and Amara looked like they were going to turn green, Jubilee much the same. Jean had a look of disgust on her face, but she quickly masked it with one of total neutrality. Rogue bit back laughter, and Rahne stared at the floor.
"Er...yeah. I guess this means we aren't going, huh?"
**********
John Jashback sat in the back of the van, a vexed look on his face, as it's cargo of him and six mutant teenage girls drove towards the Bayville mall. Mutant teenage girls. Alone, those are powers to be reckoned with. Together though... Well, John was just glad Rogue was there, though she wore an amused little smile on her face. She didn't seem like someone who went shopping a lot, or at least not with the girls from the Institute.
"You know, all this for me isn't necessary!" John called to the front.
"Who says we're just getting stuff for you?" someone from the front yelled.
How did I get myself into this?
John nudged Rogue in the seat next to him. "They uh, aren't going to try and uh, dress me, are they?"
"And who says Ah'm not gonna try an' dress ya?" she said with a wink.
John tried not to groan too loud.
**********
"Ooooh, this would look go great on you!" Kitty squealed, holding a shirt up to John's chest.
John sighed, rolling his eyes. "Too fancy for me," putting the shirt back on the rack.
Somehow, John found himself in the men's department of some fancy store with Kitty Pryde. The others had all gone off to look at various things for themselves or something for John.
"You just like, don't like anything I pick, do you?" Kitty shouted.
John wished it was Rogue who was with him. She probably wouldn't have cared what he wanted, and she certainly wouldn't be trying to get him into fancy designer clothing.
"How about this?" she asked, holding up another shirt.
"Do you try and dress Lance?" John interrupted.
Kitty's face reddened for a moment. "I've tried, but he won't wear anything I pick."
John thought on that for a moment and grinned wryly. "I guess there's not much I can do to keep you from this. Alvers can bring the building down. Me? My arms will fall off, making escape harder for me, and making your job easier."
Well, I guess this means she doesn't want me dead anymore. Maybe Alvers told her what I did at school.
Before Kitty could grab another shirt John didn't like, he grabbed a plain, dark blue t-shirt off a table and held it up. "This is what I want, and this is what I'm getting."
Kitty stuck out her tongue at John. "That's like, so boring. Here, try this one!"
John never gave her a chance. He turned heel and darted off, back hunched over, in a desperate attempt to hide.
"Hey wait! Get back here!" Kitty shouted.
John dove into the middle of a clothes rack, and rolled himself into a ball. A pair of feet passed by, and John poked his head out to see Kitty disappear around behind a row of jeans. He relaxed and let out a sigh of relief.
"Hey, you're the new X-Geek," a voice said rapidly. "What the hell are you doin' down there?"
John looked up to see the white-haired member of the Brotherhood staring down at him.
"Who, uh, me? I was just uh, takin' a little rest," John said, and stood up and stepped out from inside the clothing rack.
"There you are, John!" chimed Kitty, walking over to him. "Where'd you go? I found a great pair of pants that totally go with the shirt I got for you." Then she spotted his company. "Ugh, like what are you doing here, Pietro?"
"I could say the same for you, Miss Kitty," he said in his rapid-fire speech. "You cheatin' on Lance with this new guy?"
Kitty blushed slightly. "Like no way!" she yelled indignantly.
"She's just helping me get some clothes," John said, looking Pietro right in the eyes. "Besides, I don't like anything she picks out."
"Hey! I'm right here, you know!" Kitty said angrily.
"Yeah. I bet she's helping you try on the clothes too," the white-haired mutant said, leering at Kitty.
"No, but I bet you wish you were helping me try 'em on though, huh?" John said, sneering.
"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?" Pietro shouted.
Kitty started to giggle loudly. This was really starting to get entertaining for her.
"Well, you're gay, aren't you?" The way John said it, so matter-of-factly, made Pietro fume on the inside. His face went red, and looked ready to burst into flames. If he were a cartoon character, steam would have shot out his ears.
"Gay? GAY?!? I'LL SHOW YOU GAY!!" Pietro yelled, and took a swing at John. Being as fast as he was, and as angry as he was, the hit connected hard with John's jaw. He staggered backwards a few steps before regaining control. He brought a hand up to his lip and checked for blood. There wasn't any. Yet. John balled up a fist and pulled back his arm and surged forward, taking a swing at Pietro. Once again, the mutant's speed was to his benefit as he easily dodged the attack, countering with his elbow being planted in John's stomach. John coughed and gagged, and fell onto his knees, clutching his stomach, breath coming in short gulps.
Christ...he....hits....hard...
"Pietro, stop it!" Kitty shouted, running over and pushing him away from John. "Get out of here now!"
"Yeah, I was about to go anyway. Your boyfriend's too slow to be any kind of challenge." A gust of wind signaled his speedy departure.
John started to stand up, but his lungs weren't quite ready, and he slumped back onto his knees.
Kitty bent down next to him. "Are you ok?" she asked soothingly.
"Yeah, I'll be...fine. Just let me...catch my breath," he said slowly.
Jesus, my bad luck is so bad, I can't even buy clothes without something happening.
"C'mon," she said, pulling him up (but careful not to pull too hard), "Let's get out of here. I think we've caused a big enough scene already."
John looked around. Sure enough, various employees and customers had gathered around to see what all the commotion was about. They made their way over to the ladies department, and found Jubilee, Rahne, and Amara exclaiming over various clothing. They seemed at home in such an environment, especially Jubilee. It was scary, to say the least.
Seeing their arrival, Rahne said, "Did you guys get anything?"
John was content with just shaking his head but Kitty spoke up. "Mr. Armless here didn't like anything I picked out for him. Besides, we like ran into Pietro and had to leave."
"So that's what all that noises was," Jubilee said.
"What's that about Pietro?" asked Jean, who seemed to have popped up out of nowhere.
"Oh, he and John like got into a fight after John called him gay," Kitty explained.
Jean gasped. "You called him gay?"
John looked down at the floor for a moment and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah well uh, I thought he was gay. He does kind of come off as it."
"I always thought he was kind of cute," said Amara, who gave a start when she realized she said it out loud. She blushed and looked away from everyone.
"Who's cute?" asked Rogue as she came walking up.
"Amara likes Pietro! Amara likes Pietro!" Jubilee sang.
"Yah didn't get anything?" Rogue asked John.
"Heh, no. Pietro and I got into a fight before I found anything."
"Now why would that happen?"
"I'll tell you later. And since uh, you don't look like you're done here, I'll go try to find some clothes. By myself," he added, more for Kitty to hear. She made a face and stuck her tongue out at him but made no move to follow when he started walking away.
Rapid footsteps behind him marked someone running to catch up. Amara came to a stop next to John, but didn't say anything to him. They walked along in silence for a moment before John finally said, "Hello."
"Hi."
"So uh...how are you doing?"
"I'm fine."
John nodded, and they continued walking in silence. Every so often, John would glance over at the girl, who seemed to be arguing with herself over something.
Boy, this conversation sure is opening up doors.
They made their way back to the men's department, and John managed to find some clothing that wasn't too 'preppy' for him.
"I'm going to uh, go try these on," motioning with some pants he was holding. "I'll uh, be right out."
Amara nodded and sat down in a chair outside the fitting rooms, by now, she was visibly arguing with herself. John raised an eyebrow, but went to try on the clothing. Five minutes later, John came out of the fitting rooms, satisfied with the clothing he had picked out. Amara jumped to her feet with a big smile when he came out.
I wonder what she's so happy about.
John managed to put up a smile himself. "Well, they all fit. So uh, ready to go find the others?"
"Hey John, you want to go out with me tonight?" she asked excitedly.
John's mouth formed an 'O' and his eyes darted around the store for a moment.
Wow, that came out of left field. Am I on Candid Camera or something?
Her smile started to diminish at the lack of an answer, and she started to lower her head.
John blurted out the first thing that came to mind: "Uh...sure."
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Oh yeah. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who celebrate it!
Chapter 23
Author's Note: Stuff in italics are thoughts and I love you all. Thanks for all of the positive feedback, everyone. It's good that people like what I write, cause you know, if you didn't, I wouldn't be writing. You know, I don't know where I'd be without Post's big reviews. Seriously man, you rock. I think you might be looking too much into the dreams, even though I write the sequences and some are just products of male hormones (like the one with Kitty). Just be glad I haven't (yet) inserted off-the-wall dreams like I have sometimes, where I'm playing football with Hobbits or driving a taxi to Russia.
Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men: Evolution or anything in it. Marvel and Kid's WB do. I only own John Jashback, and his arms that fall off. And your souls...hahahahahaha. Ok, sorry.
Note: If you really like Pietro, or don't like me questioning his sexuality, skip this chapter. Don't say I didn't warn you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Jashback stepped through the front doors of the mansion, and found himself staring at every female student in the Institute, who looked like wolves eyeing a deer stuck in some brambles.
If I'm gonna back out, it has to be now...
"Listen...I appreciate all this. I really do, but I don't know if it's such a good idea. Besides, I uh, don't have any money."
"Don't worry," Jean said, pulling something out of her purse. "The Professor loaned us his credit card."
And he trusts a bunch of girls with it?
"Um...uh...ok... Still...I wouldn't want to uh, impose or anything."
"You didn't bring that much stuff with you, John. Do you honestly expect us to believe you carried enough clothing in that little bag you brought?" Jean asked.
"Er...well...uh...I guess you're uh...right...." John said timidly.
"Then it's settled," the redhead said.
"C'mon! Let's go!" shouted Jubilee, who darted for the door, and grabbed John's arm to drag him with her. Of course, she caught John by surprise, so when she pulled....
She squeaked. There was no better explanation for the noise Jubilee made. She alternated, staring wide-eyed at the arm she held that was no longer attached to a body, and John, standing there with only one arm, a shirt sleeve hanging limply.
"Er, uh....sorry," John said, his face a deep crimson. He snatched the arm from her hand and held it behind his back, while he forced out a new one. John sagged for a moment, and he was already starting to sweat (although some of it was from staring at the female occupants of the mansion).
That's two times today. I wonder how many it'll end up being.
John glanced over to the others, who all had different reactions to his arm regeneration. Kitty and Amara looked like they were going to turn green, Jubilee much the same. Jean had a look of disgust on her face, but she quickly masked it with one of total neutrality. Rogue bit back laughter, and Rahne stared at the floor.
"Er...yeah. I guess this means we aren't going, huh?"
**********
John Jashback sat in the back of the van, a vexed look on his face, as it's cargo of him and six mutant teenage girls drove towards the Bayville mall. Mutant teenage girls. Alone, those are powers to be reckoned with. Together though... Well, John was just glad Rogue was there, though she wore an amused little smile on her face. She didn't seem like someone who went shopping a lot, or at least not with the girls from the Institute.
"You know, all this for me isn't necessary!" John called to the front.
"Who says we're just getting stuff for you?" someone from the front yelled.
How did I get myself into this?
John nudged Rogue in the seat next to him. "They uh, aren't going to try and uh, dress me, are they?"
"And who says Ah'm not gonna try an' dress ya?" she said with a wink.
John tried not to groan too loud.
**********
"Ooooh, this would look go great on you!" Kitty squealed, holding a shirt up to John's chest.
John sighed, rolling his eyes. "Too fancy for me," putting the shirt back on the rack.
Somehow, John found himself in the men's department of some fancy store with Kitty Pryde. The others had all gone off to look at various things for themselves or something for John.
"You just like, don't like anything I pick, do you?" Kitty shouted.
John wished it was Rogue who was with him. She probably wouldn't have cared what he wanted, and she certainly wouldn't be trying to get him into fancy designer clothing.
"How about this?" she asked, holding up another shirt.
"Do you try and dress Lance?" John interrupted.
Kitty's face reddened for a moment. "I've tried, but he won't wear anything I pick."
John thought on that for a moment and grinned wryly. "I guess there's not much I can do to keep you from this. Alvers can bring the building down. Me? My arms will fall off, making escape harder for me, and making your job easier."
Well, I guess this means she doesn't want me dead anymore. Maybe Alvers told her what I did at school.
Before Kitty could grab another shirt John didn't like, he grabbed a plain, dark blue t-shirt off a table and held it up. "This is what I want, and this is what I'm getting."
Kitty stuck out her tongue at John. "That's like, so boring. Here, try this one!"
John never gave her a chance. He turned heel and darted off, back hunched over, in a desperate attempt to hide.
"Hey wait! Get back here!" Kitty shouted.
John dove into the middle of a clothes rack, and rolled himself into a ball. A pair of feet passed by, and John poked his head out to see Kitty disappear around behind a row of jeans. He relaxed and let out a sigh of relief.
"Hey, you're the new X-Geek," a voice said rapidly. "What the hell are you doin' down there?"
John looked up to see the white-haired member of the Brotherhood staring down at him.
"Who, uh, me? I was just uh, takin' a little rest," John said, and stood up and stepped out from inside the clothing rack.
"There you are, John!" chimed Kitty, walking over to him. "Where'd you go? I found a great pair of pants that totally go with the shirt I got for you." Then she spotted his company. "Ugh, like what are you doing here, Pietro?"
"I could say the same for you, Miss Kitty," he said in his rapid-fire speech. "You cheatin' on Lance with this new guy?"
Kitty blushed slightly. "Like no way!" she yelled indignantly.
"She's just helping me get some clothes," John said, looking Pietro right in the eyes. "Besides, I don't like anything she picks out."
"Hey! I'm right here, you know!" Kitty said angrily.
"Yeah. I bet she's helping you try on the clothes too," the white-haired mutant said, leering at Kitty.
"No, but I bet you wish you were helping me try 'em on though, huh?" John said, sneering.
"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?" Pietro shouted.
Kitty started to giggle loudly. This was really starting to get entertaining for her.
"Well, you're gay, aren't you?" The way John said it, so matter-of-factly, made Pietro fume on the inside. His face went red, and looked ready to burst into flames. If he were a cartoon character, steam would have shot out his ears.
"Gay? GAY?!? I'LL SHOW YOU GAY!!" Pietro yelled, and took a swing at John. Being as fast as he was, and as angry as he was, the hit connected hard with John's jaw. He staggered backwards a few steps before regaining control. He brought a hand up to his lip and checked for blood. There wasn't any. Yet. John balled up a fist and pulled back his arm and surged forward, taking a swing at Pietro. Once again, the mutant's speed was to his benefit as he easily dodged the attack, countering with his elbow being planted in John's stomach. John coughed and gagged, and fell onto his knees, clutching his stomach, breath coming in short gulps.
Christ...he....hits....hard...
"Pietro, stop it!" Kitty shouted, running over and pushing him away from John. "Get out of here now!"
"Yeah, I was about to go anyway. Your boyfriend's too slow to be any kind of challenge." A gust of wind signaled his speedy departure.
John started to stand up, but his lungs weren't quite ready, and he slumped back onto his knees.
Kitty bent down next to him. "Are you ok?" she asked soothingly.
"Yeah, I'll be...fine. Just let me...catch my breath," he said slowly.
Jesus, my bad luck is so bad, I can't even buy clothes without something happening.
"C'mon," she said, pulling him up (but careful not to pull too hard), "Let's get out of here. I think we've caused a big enough scene already."
John looked around. Sure enough, various employees and customers had gathered around to see what all the commotion was about. They made their way over to the ladies department, and found Jubilee, Rahne, and Amara exclaiming over various clothing. They seemed at home in such an environment, especially Jubilee. It was scary, to say the least.
Seeing their arrival, Rahne said, "Did you guys get anything?"
John was content with just shaking his head but Kitty spoke up. "Mr. Armless here didn't like anything I picked out for him. Besides, we like ran into Pietro and had to leave."
"So that's what all that noises was," Jubilee said.
"What's that about Pietro?" asked Jean, who seemed to have popped up out of nowhere.
"Oh, he and John like got into a fight after John called him gay," Kitty explained.
Jean gasped. "You called him gay?"
John looked down at the floor for a moment and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah well uh, I thought he was gay. He does kind of come off as it."
"I always thought he was kind of cute," said Amara, who gave a start when she realized she said it out loud. She blushed and looked away from everyone.
"Who's cute?" asked Rogue as she came walking up.
"Amara likes Pietro! Amara likes Pietro!" Jubilee sang.
"Yah didn't get anything?" Rogue asked John.
"Heh, no. Pietro and I got into a fight before I found anything."
"Now why would that happen?"
"I'll tell you later. And since uh, you don't look like you're done here, I'll go try to find some clothes. By myself," he added, more for Kitty to hear. She made a face and stuck her tongue out at him but made no move to follow when he started walking away.
Rapid footsteps behind him marked someone running to catch up. Amara came to a stop next to John, but didn't say anything to him. They walked along in silence for a moment before John finally said, "Hello."
"Hi."
"So uh...how are you doing?"
"I'm fine."
John nodded, and they continued walking in silence. Every so often, John would glance over at the girl, who seemed to be arguing with herself over something.
Boy, this conversation sure is opening up doors.
They made their way back to the men's department, and John managed to find some clothing that wasn't too 'preppy' for him.
"I'm going to uh, go try these on," motioning with some pants he was holding. "I'll uh, be right out."
Amara nodded and sat down in a chair outside the fitting rooms, by now, she was visibly arguing with herself. John raised an eyebrow, but went to try on the clothing. Five minutes later, John came out of the fitting rooms, satisfied with the clothing he had picked out. Amara jumped to her feet with a big smile when he came out.
I wonder what she's so happy about.
John managed to put up a smile himself. "Well, they all fit. So uh, ready to go find the others?"
"Hey John, you want to go out with me tonight?" she asked excitedly.
John's mouth formed an 'O' and his eyes darted around the store for a moment.
Wow, that came out of left field. Am I on Candid Camera or something?
Her smile started to diminish at the lack of an answer, and she started to lower her head.
John blurted out the first thing that came to mind: "Uh...sure."
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Oh yeah. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who celebrate it!