Disclaimer: Any character you know from Marvel belongs to them. Frankie belongs to me. Please ask permission if you want to use her.
A/N: I'm having a little problem coming up with a title for this story. So any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Also need help with a code name for Frankie, though it's not needed this chapter (Thank heavens or I would have a big problem).Also, this story contains some slash. I'm not planning on anything graphic, but you never know where the story will go.
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'I can't believe I let Kitty talk me into this,' thought Jubilee as she sat in the booth in the bar Kitty dragged her to so she could have a little "fun". It wasn't the kind of place she normally frequented, so as soon as the walked in, she got herself a beer, then found a place in a dark corner to hide. 'This so seems like her scene though. Never knew she was gay. Guess you learn something new everyday. Question is, why did she think I would be comfortable here? Did she know or did she just give up trying the straight bars she has been dragging me to? Thought I hid this part of myself better. Guess there is something to this "Gaydar" after all. Either that, or I am not as good an actor as I thought.'
While she was lost in thought, she missed the approach of someone new to her table.
"Is this seat taken?" asked the newcomer. "This place is packed and this is the last open seat I could find."
"No, go ahead and sit down," Jubilee said without looking up from her drink.
"Hope you don't mind that I got ya a new beer. I noticed you've been playing with that one for about half an hour. Got to be flat by now."
That comment got her to look up. Sitting across from her was one of the most beautiful women she as seen since leaving the X-mansion. Long brunette hair, worn free framed a face with what can only be described as ice blue eyes. She couldn't believe this person wanted to sit with her. She knew the "only chair" line was just that, a line. From where she sat, she could see at least one totally empty table plus a few more empty chairs spread around other tables. 'She had to have been watching me for a while since she knew I've had this same beer for as long as I have.'
"Thanks. Name's Jubilee."
"Francis, but call me Frankie," said the newcomer as she handed over the beer.
Once Frankie sat down, the two sat talking and listening to the music for a while. After about an hour, they decided to join everyone else on the dance floor. They just seemed to click. They made their way to Kitty and Jubilee made the introductions. They stayed together, alternating between sitting at the table and dancing till closing time. At that time they separated, exchanging phone numbers and e-mail addresses and agreed to meet for coffee at 10 the next morning in a café down the street from the bar.
Next morning around 10:15 amAs Jubilee got her third coffee refill, she was thinking about how she felt about being stood-up.
'I knew she wouldn't show up. Why would someone like her want to spend time with someone like me?' While she was agonizing over all this, she kept an eye out, looking for Frankie. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, she felt a tap on her shoulder. Looking up, she saw Frankie standing at the end of her table, dressed in black fatigue pants, a grey t-shirt, and combat boots.
"Sorry I'm late. Had a situation come up about an hour after I left the club and it just ended about ten minutes ago."
Jubilee jumped. "How did you sneak up on me like that? As hard as I was looking for you, I should have heard you coming, especially with those boots you are wearing."
"Don't know. Just something I have always been able to do. Well, unless I want to, then you hear me a mile away. Comes in handy with what I do for a living though. Because of this, I am one of the only rookies on the SWAT team."
"That's cool. Pretty big honor this early in your career."
"You seem to be feeling better today. Although I have a feeling I was almost too late today. I really am sorry about that. I'd never stand up someone as beautiful as you."
Blushing, Jubilee asked, "You telepathic or something? How did you know exactly what I was thinking?"
"I felt your feelings, not read your mind. I'm sort of empathic. Usually I just get vague ideas of what people around me are feeling, but last night, I felt your emotions so strongly, I had to meet you. You seemed so upset, I had to cheer you up."
"So you're a …"
"Psychic."
"That was not what I was going to say."
"I know, but I'm not a mutant."
"And you know this how?"
"You can't be a mutant and be on the SWAT team. Even though I did get out of the blood test because I am former military."
"You were in the service?"
"Yeah. Enlisted right after high school. Wasn't in for long though. Got busted with my first girlfriend and was discharged."
"How long ago was this?"
"About ten years now."
"So that means nothing. They weren't testing for the X-factor gene back then."
"Don't you think I would know if I was a mutant?"
"Hmm let me see… Empathy and you can sneak up on people who are trained not to be snuck up on while you are wearing combat boots on a hardwood floor. That to me equals…"
"Hush. Someone is coming. From the feel, I am thinking FOH."
"How do you know that? Just by "feeling" them?"
Looking down at the table, "No, I heard them. Actually been listening to them for a while now."
"Ok, wait a second, enhanced hearing, stealth, and empathy? And you don't consider yourself a mutant? What do you have against them anyway?"
"Nothing, honestly. I just am not that special."
"Whew. Cause I am…"
"Not going to say what I think you are about to with," listening for a minute, "about a dozen FOH members coming in here."
"Uh, Then shouldn't we be getting out of here?"
"That sounds like a good plan. Together or separate?"
"Together. If we have to split up later, then we will. I'd rather stay with you though in case we have to fight."
"Oh, think I can't take care of myself?" Frankie asked with a smirk.
"No, with you being a SWAT team member and all, I'm sure you can. Just the odds will be better if we are together."
"True. So, ready to go?"
Outside the café"So where are they? Thought they were almost here," Jubilee asked.
"Thought they were. Guess I was wrong. Happens from time to time. Why don't we head to my place? I need to take a shower and get out of these clothes."
"Ok, but then, if you're up to it, I'd like to continue our discussion."
"Why? I told you I am not a mutant. There is nothing left to discuss."
"And again, I ask, how are you so sure of this? You have never been tested for the gene and you are showing some very strong mutant abilities. That to me tells me you might be."
Starting to get aggravated, "Because I know, ok?" As Frankie said this, her eyes started to glow just a bit and some lights appeared around her hands.
"Oh, and everyday normal people can do that?" Jubilee asked, pointing to her hands.
"Uh, That's never happened before."
"It hasn't? Seems we have more to talk about than I thought. Let's just get to your place."
