A/N - Thanks again to all who were kind enough to review. And hnyswtypie
you're sharp!
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Jubilation Lee, also known as Jubilee, was drinking a tall glass of milk while looking in the refrigerator. She shook her head at the pitiful selection. Mostly fruits and vegetables. They never brought junk food into this place. She wished the tall white haired lady would come back and bake again. Those muffins had been pretty good. She scrunched up her nose as she remembered the awful taste of that brown stuff she'd tried to put on one of the muffins. She'd never heard of the stuff before and thought it might be good but, boy was she glad when she'd dropped it. She might've wasted a good muffin. Still, she had to clean the sticky mess up and that had been a big pain but fortunately no one had been around.
Shaking her head she pulled out the makings for a good double-decker. Leftover turkey, mayonnaise, tomatoes, pickles some Colby cheese and romaine lettuce. Now why didn't these people ever buy the normal stuff like American cheese and the good kind of iceberg lettuce? And what's with the bread they bought? Brown wheat stuff instead of good ol' white bread? She started making her sandwich despite the wheat bread. From the corner of her eye she noticed Gateway was still sitting on his rock. Every time she looked at him she felt his eyes were always looking back at her. It gave her the creeps. Still, he'd let her follow the four beautiful women who'd saved her back at the mall and he was letting her stay without telling anyone so that had to count for something. She was getting pretty bored though. You could only hide out for so long and play dress up and hide and seek like a kid.
What would they do if they found her? She'd observed enough to realize these people were like her but they seemed to be fighters of some kind. She'd seen them come and go often returning bruised and bloodied, like the little guy and the white haired lady the other night. Who were they fighting though? People who hated their kind? She could only guess that was the answer. Why else would they have tried to save her?
Just then she heard footsteps in the hallway. She dropped the bread and scampered quickly into the small broom closet. She'd often hidden there in emergencies. It was tall and narrow perfect for her slender body and with the aprons hanging in it she could hide her face and upper body. She was usually out during the night when everyone else was sleeping. She'd noticed no one had returned last night so she'd presumed they'd be gone another night. Now she thought she'd gotten careless.
"Shoot! Look at this mess! Those men sure are pigs!"
Jubilee knew that was the skunk stripped haired lady speaking because of the strong but soft southern drawl. She heard light melodic laughter but couldn't figure out just who was laughing.
"Storm, you're quite sure everything's fine?"
Jubilee knew that must be the purple haired lady since she spoke with a proper British accent.
"I have never felt better actually, Elisabeth."
"Wolverine was rather worried . . ."
"Betts, sugah, he's always worryin' about somethin'. He wouldn't be our Wolvie if he weren't."
Jubilee heard the soft laugh again and she realized it was the white haired lady, Storm.
"You're in wonderful spirits today," said the British voice.
"I slept well last night."
"That sure is a relief. Ah, was gonna ask you if I could have what you were drinkin' . . ."
The same beautiful laughter filled the room again. Rogue and Betsy looked at each other and then back at Ororo but before they could say anything Logan burst into the kitchen.
"We gotta go, 'Ro!"
Jubilee heard the gruff voice of the muscular, burly little man and she tried to scoot further into the little cubicle. Whenever she saw him he seemed to be sniffing and prowling around as if he could smell her or sense she was there. She knew if anyone could catch her it would be him. Fortunately he wasn't usually around and he seemed to be in a rush right now. She could hear a chair scraping along the floor as if someone was getting up suddenly.
"What's wrong, Logan?"
"'Ro, you just gotta see this. It ain't nothin' serious girls so sit back down an' finish yer gossipin' or whatever you were doin'."
Rogue snorted while Betsy smiled as she watched Logan and Ororo. Logan grabbed half of the sandwich from the table and pulled Ororo out of the room with him.
"There's somethin' weird goin' on with them two," Rogue noted. "Whaddya think it is, Betsy?"
Betsy shook her head slowly. "Your guess would be as good as mine right about now."
Rogue shrugged. "Well, ah'll grab the chips an'soda--you get the ice an' we can watch that movie!"
Jubilee could hear a chair being dragged across the room now. Chips? Where? Were they hiding food now? Rogue stood up on the chair and reached into a high cabinet above the stove while Betsy washed up and filled two tall glasses with ice.
"Who ever said men were smarter 'n women didn't know us," Rogue laughed as she and Betsy carried their goodies away.
"Sneaky! They're hiding the junk food!" Jubilee muttered to herself as she slipped out of the cubby hole when she was sure they were gone. She stretched for a moment then she frowned. Half her sandwich was gone! She hastily poured out the glass of warm milk and poured herself another glass then grabbed what was left of her sandwich and retreated back to her hideout. She'd have to wait till everyone went to sleep in order to find their stash of junk food and find it she would!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Logan had insisted that Ororo fly them out to Gateway who had opened his portal immediately upon sighting the two. Ororo wasn't surprised to find they were back in the alley beside the Princess bar. Logan grabbed her arm and dragged her around to the front of the building. He pulled at the door knob but the door was locked.
"Flamin', friggin'. . ." Logan's claws snapped out ready to take the door out.
Ororo put a hand out to stop him and tried not to laugh as she slid down onto her knees. She pulled a lock pick from her hair and easily let them in. The bar was dimly lit. There were no lights on inside and curtains were drawn over the new windows. No one seemed to be inside not even Abraham. Logan sniffed and growled as he pulled Ororo along.
"Patch, look," Ororo pointed to the back of the bar where the glass rack had been pulled aside.
Logan glanced at the rack but crouched down beckoning Ororo to follow suit. She followed his gaze and saw a small man laying under the table closest to the bar. He was looking at them but didn't seem to see them.
"That's Foo," Logan said. "You remember?"
Ororo nodded. The poor little man was playing with his mouth, curled up in a fetal position.
"What is the matter with him?"
"Man's a flamin', droolin' idiot."
"That was obvious when I first met him but what is wrong with him now?"
"Look at 'im! He's literally a droolin' idiot like someone . . . ." Logan stopped in mid sentence. They heard a heavy step from behind the bar and Logan kept Ororo from rising. A deep voice with a South African accent was speaking.
". . . . A brain aneurysm, Sera. I can arrange for someone to take care of the body if you like."
"Hmm? Oh, no. I will take care of everything," Sera said quietly.
"Whatever you wish," the doctor said.
"What about John Foo?" The doctor asked as an after thought.
"He is my responsibility. I will take care of him," Sera said, her voice so quiet it almost seemed lifeless.
"He will need 24 hour care now. He has the mind of a baby not even a year old I believe. And you say you do not know what happened to him?"
Sera didn't answer and the doctor sighed. "Do you want me to help you with the little girl? At least put her in your room?"
Still Sera didn't answer but they could hear the doctor's heavy footsteps as he went back into the room behind the bar. Logan stood up pulling Ororo with him. He went around the bar and looked down at Sera. Tears were slowly falling down her face.
"Sera, darlin', what's wrong? Why's the doctor here?"
Sera looked up, her hair was disheveled and her eyes and nose were red. She shook her head and let out a wail that rang through out the building. The doctor came running out of the room, carrying a small body.
"What is wrong?" He asked.
"You tell us, bub!" Logan demanded as he went over to the man.
"Her daughter is dead," the doctor said.
Logan looked at the little body in the doctor's arms. The child appeared to be an albino. She was tiny. There was a tiny trail of dried blood coming from her nose. She looked just like Sera he thought and then he began to remember.
Ororo knelt and gently hugged the little lady. She held Sera until she stopped crying. "I'm so sorry, Sera," Ororo murmured as she gently caressed Sera's long hair.
"I'm alright, N'Dare. Hmm . . . . thank you."
The doctor carried the child upstairs while Ororo had Sera sit at a table. Logan was remembering things that had happened the night before but many of the things made no sense. The child's name was Serena? Sera's child, her daughter and somehow the child was dead. She'd been a telepath---said she was going to blur their memories! He looked from Sera to Ororo as he tried to put the pieces together. He guessed that it was the child that had reduced Foo into a blithering idiot. Had that been her intent? He wasn't sure what her intent had been but it was clear Foo's mind had been wiped completely clean which was something only a telepath could do. But she hadn't just erased certain memories as she had his and Ororo's. Maybe she had tried only the man's evilness had been too much for her. And what if she'd been trying to 'blur' his, Ororo's and Foo's minds at the same time and it had simply overwhelmed her? Had the child simply taken on too much and now she had died from a brain aneurysm? He wished his memory was clearer; it was a struggle trying to comprehend the jumbled images in his head.
"Sera, perhaps you should rest a little," Ororo suggested.
Sera nodded and slowly, almost hesitantly, started for the stairs.
"Patch, I will see to Sera but what will we do with Foo?" Ororo asked.
Logan looked at Foo who was still on the floor, his eyes blank, his face almost child-like. Logan had hated Foo for what he did, now with Foo out of commission he felt he had a decent chance to put an end to the trafficking of women in Madripoor but somehow this just didn't seem right.
"I'll think of somethin', go on an' help, Sera," Logan muttered. He watched the women go upstairs and then he turned to Foo. He figured Foo would be fine on the floor. He didn't really care what happened to the man; still Sera had said she would take care of him so he had to do something. He grimaced in disgust at the thought of Foo and Sera together. The thought made him feel like kicking the man.
"Best get as far away from the piece of scum as I can," he muttered to himself as he went to the bar. He needed a drink-several.
As he helped himself to a beer he saw the glass rack Ororo had noticed earlier and he went over to shut the door. When he looked inside the room he saw himself reflected over and over on the mirrored walls. He felt drawn to the room and stepped inside as memories rushed through his mind. He thought he heard the beautiful yet sad telepathic voice of a child in his head for a moment. Serena's voice! He knew this had been her world, her sanctuary. He remembered everything.
"Patch?"
Turning he saw Ororo had come back down. If he had remembered by being inside the room he was sure Ororo would too.
"Patch, what is it?"
"Ya gotta see this room."
"What about Foo?" She asked.
Logan hesitated. He watched her help Foo up. She was gentle, graceful, serene . . . . more serene than he'd seen her in a long time. She had her old peaceful beauty back, something he had missed. It was something he truly loved about Ororo. Her peacefulness had given him peace in some of the worse times of his life as an X-Man. The last incident when he'd thought Jean was alive had really thrown him for a loop. He'd lashed out at Ororo cruelly but when he'd returned she was as forgiving and understanding as ever. He knew now why he'd lashed out at her. Serena had made everything so clear just moments before wiping their minds. He didn't love Jean any more he loved Ororo.
"Patch?"
Logan took Foo from Ororo and carried him to the room but at the door he turned to Ororo and said, "You stay out here. I'll have the doc check on Foo when he comes back down."
Ororo looked confused but he ignored her questioning look and took Foo into the room, now his prison. Ororo made her way behind the bar but just as she reached the door Logan came out. She felt a momentary déjà vu wash over her.
"'Ro? 'Ro, you okay?"
"I. . . .I thought I remembered something but it was so unclear---blurred."
Logan sighed and said, "Ya better get back so Betsy an' Rogue don't start worryin' about ya."
"You are right," she sighed. "I should. Sera is going to need you very much now," Ororo smiled sadly and Logan thought even her smallest smile seemed brighter that the sun, brighter than he deserved.
"I won't be comin' back fer awhile, 'Ro," he said, his voice grim.
The brief flash of sadness that showed on Ororo's face made Logan hesitate again. Should he let her see the room? Did he really want Ororo to remember? Didn't she deserve that? He knew if she were to remember she'd probably blame everything on herself. Foo's plight, Serena's death and Sera's heartbreak. No, she didn't need to remember. She carried the weight of the world---or at least the weight of the X-Men on her shoulders already. She didn't need this too. He knew his decision meant she would never know how she felt about him and would probably never acknowledge those feelings now but she deserved better so he let her go.
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Jubilation Lee, also known as Jubilee, was drinking a tall glass of milk while looking in the refrigerator. She shook her head at the pitiful selection. Mostly fruits and vegetables. They never brought junk food into this place. She wished the tall white haired lady would come back and bake again. Those muffins had been pretty good. She scrunched up her nose as she remembered the awful taste of that brown stuff she'd tried to put on one of the muffins. She'd never heard of the stuff before and thought it might be good but, boy was she glad when she'd dropped it. She might've wasted a good muffin. Still, she had to clean the sticky mess up and that had been a big pain but fortunately no one had been around.
Shaking her head she pulled out the makings for a good double-decker. Leftover turkey, mayonnaise, tomatoes, pickles some Colby cheese and romaine lettuce. Now why didn't these people ever buy the normal stuff like American cheese and the good kind of iceberg lettuce? And what's with the bread they bought? Brown wheat stuff instead of good ol' white bread? She started making her sandwich despite the wheat bread. From the corner of her eye she noticed Gateway was still sitting on his rock. Every time she looked at him she felt his eyes were always looking back at her. It gave her the creeps. Still, he'd let her follow the four beautiful women who'd saved her back at the mall and he was letting her stay without telling anyone so that had to count for something. She was getting pretty bored though. You could only hide out for so long and play dress up and hide and seek like a kid.
What would they do if they found her? She'd observed enough to realize these people were like her but they seemed to be fighters of some kind. She'd seen them come and go often returning bruised and bloodied, like the little guy and the white haired lady the other night. Who were they fighting though? People who hated their kind? She could only guess that was the answer. Why else would they have tried to save her?
Just then she heard footsteps in the hallway. She dropped the bread and scampered quickly into the small broom closet. She'd often hidden there in emergencies. It was tall and narrow perfect for her slender body and with the aprons hanging in it she could hide her face and upper body. She was usually out during the night when everyone else was sleeping. She'd noticed no one had returned last night so she'd presumed they'd be gone another night. Now she thought she'd gotten careless.
"Shoot! Look at this mess! Those men sure are pigs!"
Jubilee knew that was the skunk stripped haired lady speaking because of the strong but soft southern drawl. She heard light melodic laughter but couldn't figure out just who was laughing.
"Storm, you're quite sure everything's fine?"
Jubilee knew that must be the purple haired lady since she spoke with a proper British accent.
"I have never felt better actually, Elisabeth."
"Wolverine was rather worried . . ."
"Betts, sugah, he's always worryin' about somethin'. He wouldn't be our Wolvie if he weren't."
Jubilee heard the soft laugh again and she realized it was the white haired lady, Storm.
"You're in wonderful spirits today," said the British voice.
"I slept well last night."
"That sure is a relief. Ah, was gonna ask you if I could have what you were drinkin' . . ."
The same beautiful laughter filled the room again. Rogue and Betsy looked at each other and then back at Ororo but before they could say anything Logan burst into the kitchen.
"We gotta go, 'Ro!"
Jubilee heard the gruff voice of the muscular, burly little man and she tried to scoot further into the little cubicle. Whenever she saw him he seemed to be sniffing and prowling around as if he could smell her or sense she was there. She knew if anyone could catch her it would be him. Fortunately he wasn't usually around and he seemed to be in a rush right now. She could hear a chair scraping along the floor as if someone was getting up suddenly.
"What's wrong, Logan?"
"'Ro, you just gotta see this. It ain't nothin' serious girls so sit back down an' finish yer gossipin' or whatever you were doin'."
Rogue snorted while Betsy smiled as she watched Logan and Ororo. Logan grabbed half of the sandwich from the table and pulled Ororo out of the room with him.
"There's somethin' weird goin' on with them two," Rogue noted. "Whaddya think it is, Betsy?"
Betsy shook her head slowly. "Your guess would be as good as mine right about now."
Rogue shrugged. "Well, ah'll grab the chips an'soda--you get the ice an' we can watch that movie!"
Jubilee could hear a chair being dragged across the room now. Chips? Where? Were they hiding food now? Rogue stood up on the chair and reached into a high cabinet above the stove while Betsy washed up and filled two tall glasses with ice.
"Who ever said men were smarter 'n women didn't know us," Rogue laughed as she and Betsy carried their goodies away.
"Sneaky! They're hiding the junk food!" Jubilee muttered to herself as she slipped out of the cubby hole when she was sure they were gone. She stretched for a moment then she frowned. Half her sandwich was gone! She hastily poured out the glass of warm milk and poured herself another glass then grabbed what was left of her sandwich and retreated back to her hideout. She'd have to wait till everyone went to sleep in order to find their stash of junk food and find it she would!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Logan had insisted that Ororo fly them out to Gateway who had opened his portal immediately upon sighting the two. Ororo wasn't surprised to find they were back in the alley beside the Princess bar. Logan grabbed her arm and dragged her around to the front of the building. He pulled at the door knob but the door was locked.
"Flamin', friggin'. . ." Logan's claws snapped out ready to take the door out.
Ororo put a hand out to stop him and tried not to laugh as she slid down onto her knees. She pulled a lock pick from her hair and easily let them in. The bar was dimly lit. There were no lights on inside and curtains were drawn over the new windows. No one seemed to be inside not even Abraham. Logan sniffed and growled as he pulled Ororo along.
"Patch, look," Ororo pointed to the back of the bar where the glass rack had been pulled aside.
Logan glanced at the rack but crouched down beckoning Ororo to follow suit. She followed his gaze and saw a small man laying under the table closest to the bar. He was looking at them but didn't seem to see them.
"That's Foo," Logan said. "You remember?"
Ororo nodded. The poor little man was playing with his mouth, curled up in a fetal position.
"What is the matter with him?"
"Man's a flamin', droolin' idiot."
"That was obvious when I first met him but what is wrong with him now?"
"Look at 'im! He's literally a droolin' idiot like someone . . . ." Logan stopped in mid sentence. They heard a heavy step from behind the bar and Logan kept Ororo from rising. A deep voice with a South African accent was speaking.
". . . . A brain aneurysm, Sera. I can arrange for someone to take care of the body if you like."
"Hmm? Oh, no. I will take care of everything," Sera said quietly.
"Whatever you wish," the doctor said.
"What about John Foo?" The doctor asked as an after thought.
"He is my responsibility. I will take care of him," Sera said, her voice so quiet it almost seemed lifeless.
"He will need 24 hour care now. He has the mind of a baby not even a year old I believe. And you say you do not know what happened to him?"
Sera didn't answer and the doctor sighed. "Do you want me to help you with the little girl? At least put her in your room?"
Still Sera didn't answer but they could hear the doctor's heavy footsteps as he went back into the room behind the bar. Logan stood up pulling Ororo with him. He went around the bar and looked down at Sera. Tears were slowly falling down her face.
"Sera, darlin', what's wrong? Why's the doctor here?"
Sera looked up, her hair was disheveled and her eyes and nose were red. She shook her head and let out a wail that rang through out the building. The doctor came running out of the room, carrying a small body.
"What is wrong?" He asked.
"You tell us, bub!" Logan demanded as he went over to the man.
"Her daughter is dead," the doctor said.
Logan looked at the little body in the doctor's arms. The child appeared to be an albino. She was tiny. There was a tiny trail of dried blood coming from her nose. She looked just like Sera he thought and then he began to remember.
Ororo knelt and gently hugged the little lady. She held Sera until she stopped crying. "I'm so sorry, Sera," Ororo murmured as she gently caressed Sera's long hair.
"I'm alright, N'Dare. Hmm . . . . thank you."
The doctor carried the child upstairs while Ororo had Sera sit at a table. Logan was remembering things that had happened the night before but many of the things made no sense. The child's name was Serena? Sera's child, her daughter and somehow the child was dead. She'd been a telepath---said she was going to blur their memories! He looked from Sera to Ororo as he tried to put the pieces together. He guessed that it was the child that had reduced Foo into a blithering idiot. Had that been her intent? He wasn't sure what her intent had been but it was clear Foo's mind had been wiped completely clean which was something only a telepath could do. But she hadn't just erased certain memories as she had his and Ororo's. Maybe she had tried only the man's evilness had been too much for her. And what if she'd been trying to 'blur' his, Ororo's and Foo's minds at the same time and it had simply overwhelmed her? Had the child simply taken on too much and now she had died from a brain aneurysm? He wished his memory was clearer; it was a struggle trying to comprehend the jumbled images in his head.
"Sera, perhaps you should rest a little," Ororo suggested.
Sera nodded and slowly, almost hesitantly, started for the stairs.
"Patch, I will see to Sera but what will we do with Foo?" Ororo asked.
Logan looked at Foo who was still on the floor, his eyes blank, his face almost child-like. Logan had hated Foo for what he did, now with Foo out of commission he felt he had a decent chance to put an end to the trafficking of women in Madripoor but somehow this just didn't seem right.
"I'll think of somethin', go on an' help, Sera," Logan muttered. He watched the women go upstairs and then he turned to Foo. He figured Foo would be fine on the floor. He didn't really care what happened to the man; still Sera had said she would take care of him so he had to do something. He grimaced in disgust at the thought of Foo and Sera together. The thought made him feel like kicking the man.
"Best get as far away from the piece of scum as I can," he muttered to himself as he went to the bar. He needed a drink-several.
As he helped himself to a beer he saw the glass rack Ororo had noticed earlier and he went over to shut the door. When he looked inside the room he saw himself reflected over and over on the mirrored walls. He felt drawn to the room and stepped inside as memories rushed through his mind. He thought he heard the beautiful yet sad telepathic voice of a child in his head for a moment. Serena's voice! He knew this had been her world, her sanctuary. He remembered everything.
"Patch?"
Turning he saw Ororo had come back down. If he had remembered by being inside the room he was sure Ororo would too.
"Patch, what is it?"
"Ya gotta see this room."
"What about Foo?" She asked.
Logan hesitated. He watched her help Foo up. She was gentle, graceful, serene . . . . more serene than he'd seen her in a long time. She had her old peaceful beauty back, something he had missed. It was something he truly loved about Ororo. Her peacefulness had given him peace in some of the worse times of his life as an X-Man. The last incident when he'd thought Jean was alive had really thrown him for a loop. He'd lashed out at Ororo cruelly but when he'd returned she was as forgiving and understanding as ever. He knew now why he'd lashed out at her. Serena had made everything so clear just moments before wiping their minds. He didn't love Jean any more he loved Ororo.
"Patch?"
Logan took Foo from Ororo and carried him to the room but at the door he turned to Ororo and said, "You stay out here. I'll have the doc check on Foo when he comes back down."
Ororo looked confused but he ignored her questioning look and took Foo into the room, now his prison. Ororo made her way behind the bar but just as she reached the door Logan came out. She felt a momentary déjà vu wash over her.
"'Ro? 'Ro, you okay?"
"I. . . .I thought I remembered something but it was so unclear---blurred."
Logan sighed and said, "Ya better get back so Betsy an' Rogue don't start worryin' about ya."
"You are right," she sighed. "I should. Sera is going to need you very much now," Ororo smiled sadly and Logan thought even her smallest smile seemed brighter that the sun, brighter than he deserved.
"I won't be comin' back fer awhile, 'Ro," he said, his voice grim.
The brief flash of sadness that showed on Ororo's face made Logan hesitate again. Should he let her see the room? Did he really want Ororo to remember? Didn't she deserve that? He knew if she were to remember she'd probably blame everything on herself. Foo's plight, Serena's death and Sera's heartbreak. No, she didn't need to remember. She carried the weight of the world---or at least the weight of the X-Men on her shoulders already. She didn't need this too. He knew his decision meant she would never know how she felt about him and would probably never acknowledge those feelings now but she deserved better so he let her go.