Chapter 9
"Ok, what just happened here?" Frankie asked Jubilee.
"I have no clue. All I know is I am glad it did happen though. That would have hurt if it had hit me."
"No it wouldn't have. It was all show, not much power. I may be mad at ya, but I don't wanna hurt ya."
"Why are ya mad at me? I worry because I care. I know you can take care of yourself, but that doesn't change the fact that you can't control every situation."
"Neither can you. Gees Jae, you don't know everything I have been through in my life. All you see now is someone in a chair that needs help. I am so much more than that."
"Oh I know. I just don't want you to have to prove it to anyone. I'd feel that way even if you weren't paralyzed. That is just the way I am. But because you are, we have to take certain precautions. That is one reason I got so mad at you for not letting me know sooner. I can't properly train you for anything if I don't know your limitations."
"Who said I need your training? Maybe on controling my powers, but not for fighting. I thought I had proved that to you this past week. I've held my own against you and Kitty plenty of times."
"Yeah, but we could have seriously hurt you, not knowing about the braces. Especially Kitty. If she had phased through one of them, she could have taken them out."
"But she didn't. Can't you see? I am not some helpless thing you have to rescue. I am a very capable adult who can take care of herself."
"I know that. Just letting you know I have your back. Now, do you want to hole up in here all day, or do you want to get a little training in before Kitty and Bishop get back?"
Laughing Frakie replied, "Just let me get my braces on, then you are in for a world of hurt."
About two hours later
Kitty and Bishop arrive at the warehouse to the sound of a battle going on.
"What in the world is all that noise?" Bishop asked Kitty.
"Sounds like Jubilee and Frankie are at it again. I just hope they waited till Frankie cooled down some before they started. I have a feeling Jubilee wouldn't have lasted too long if they didn't."
"I heard that!!!" Frankie yelled out to Kitty.
"Damn, forgot about that hearing of hers. It's almost as good as Logan's."
"Wow, she has been developing her powers since I saw her last. Only one she had back then was the empathy."
"Oh just wait. Wanna go watch them for a bit?"
"Sure, I want to see how well she is doing."
With that the two walked into the warehouse area and got a bit of a shock. Both Jubilee and Frankie were going at it full tilt, holding nothing back from each other. You almost needed sunglasses to watch the sparring between the two. All of a sudden, Jubilee pushed Frankie back and sent a paf her way that would have knocked her in to next week, had it actually hit her. Instead, just like what happened when Frankie tried to paf Jubilee in the bedroom, Frankie seemed to just absorb it.
"Damn, you win again. What's the score again, five to three?"
"I think you forgot a couple, but that sounds about right. Wanna take a breather and say hi to our guest?"
"I guess, but don't think I'm letting you off the hook. I still owe you for beating me."
"Hey, you gave as good as you got. I just got lucky a few more times than you did."
Laughing, they both walked over to where Kitty and Bishop were standing.
"Ok, what just happened there? How were you able to absorb that Frankie?" Kitty asked.
"To be honest, I have no idea. We found out about it earlier today. I got a little steamed and tried to paf Jubes. Instead of it hitting her, she absorbed it. So we decided to see if it was a two-way street. Seems we can't hurt each other, that way at least."
"Feels kinda weird though. Scared me when it first happened."
"Whoa, wait a second. Since when have you been able to do that, Francis?" Bishop asked.
"First off, I have told you time and time again, don't call me Francis. I hate that name. Second, I just found out about a week ago about this. That is when I finally had to admit to myself what you told me all those years ago, Lucas. Still hard to believe though."
"Wait a second. You've known she could possibly be a mutant, and you let her join a mutant-free police force?" Jubilee asked Bishop.
"No I didn't let her do anything. As a matter of fact, I was surprised to find out she was living here. Last I heard, she was in Cleveland, finishing her masters degree."
With that, Kitty, Jubilee and Bishop turned to look at Frankie. She looked down, blushing and tried to explain. "Well, I was bored with school. Then I had a huge blow-out with Mom. I decided I really just needed to be on my own for a while. So I went to my counsler and made arrangements to finish my degree on-line, and moved out here. I really did get my masters, Bishop. Honest, I'm not lying."
"Damn, would you look at that. The totally self-assured Francis Johnson is actually scared of Bishop." Jubilee said, not being able to resist teasing Frankie a little.
"Well, he did pay for my schooling after all. So I just couldn't exactly not get my degree. I just couldn't stand living in that city anymore. You understand, right Lucas?"
Smiling, Bishop replied, "Yeah. Besides, I was wondering how long it would take before you and your mother finally had it out. But why did you move here, of all places?"
"Something just pulled me here. I can't explain it. I was planning on moving back down to Texas."
"Wait, isn't that where your ex lives?" Jubilee asked.
"I told you before, I have no idea where she is and I have no desire to know either. She is in my past. So quit worrying about her, ok?"
"No. Not after everything you told me about her. I want to find out where she is so I can make sure she never hurts you again."
"UGH!!! Lucas, talk some sense into her. She doesn't believe I can take care of myself. While you are doing that, I am going to go take a shower." With that, Frankie turned and went to her room.
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A/N: Thank you to all those who are still reading this story. Please give me some feedback on how I am doing. Also, even though I have an idea where this is going, if you have any suggestions, I am more than willing to hear ya out. either put them in a review, or you can email them to me at buck44105@aol.com
