Disclaimer: I don't own Mutant X or the X Men.

Discoveries

Chapter 7

Brennan tried to coax Jubilee to him. Every move he made she pulled further away. "Jubilee, I won't hurt you. Let me help."

Kitty had been feeling better but was now fighting the urges to caress and take advantage of Brennan again. She balled her fists and tried to draw on the last of her determination. "It's not you --- she doesn't trust. Feeling like me --- she can't trust--- herself. ---Cares --- for you."

Brennan's heart broke as he remembered what Logan revealed to him almost a year ago. He was flattered to know that when she was younger she had a crush on him but she was a young woman now and he knew she was very much in love with Bobby Drake. He tried again to persuade her. "It's alright, Jubes. I'll just hold you. I won't let it get out of hand."

Just then Jesse phased into the room. Kitty moved away from Brennan and ran into Jesse's arms. Without giving him time to think she began kissing him passionately.

Brennan, knowing that Kitty didn't need him anymore, moved to kneel before Jubilee. He reached to stroke her hair as she continued to fight and resist him. "Jubes, please? It's killing me to see you like this." He gently grabbed hold of her and pulled her close as she continued to fight against him.

As soon as she was against his chest she stopped fighting. Immediately it was as if all her determination was gone and all she could focus on was the feel of Brennan's skin against hers. She suddenly began kissing him and caressing his bare skin with a vengeance.

Shocked by her sudden change, Brennan automatically responded to her kisses. For a long moment they both forgot who they were and what was happening. Shalimar's name ran through his mind and his desire and passion for her saturated into the deepest parts of his soul. He needed her in a whole new way. Then, as if snapped out of a dream, he realized that it wasn't Shalimar against his lips and the reality of the situation returned to him. He gently tried to push Jubilee away. She resisted as she tried to continue kissing him. "Jubes, hey, it's ok. I won't let you go."

"I --- need--- hurts" she cried as she tried to keep her head down against his shoulder.

"I know. We just have to get you back to the mansion and then Hank ---,"he stopped when he felt her begin to kiss his neck. Turning to the other couple, he could see that Jesse, likewise, was having a difficult time with Kitty.

"Kitty---Baby---It's ok," he muttered in between kisses. He gently but firmly pushed her away. "Baby, we have to get you both to the Blackbird."

With strength that surprised him she pushed his hands off her arms and began to attack him again, kissing him and trying to pull his shirt off. "No. Jesse, I need you. I need you now."

"Kitty, we can't. This isn't really what you want." Jesse tried in vain to pull away as she continued her fight with his garments.

Using all his strength to be forceful as well as gentle and resist the inappropriate feelings that Jubilee stirred, Brennan pushed her back and turned to Jesse. "This is getting worse. We're never going to get them out of here without being seen."

Just then Jean brushed against Jesse's mind. He held Kitty at arm's length, took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

Jesse, we're waiting for you. Is everything alright?

No, Jean. The serum's made the girls uncontrollable. We can't get them to settle down long enough to get out of here. Do you have any more of the sedative Hank sent?

Yes.

Good. Could you get it in here quick? And, Jean, you better get Bobby in here, too. Jubilee's killing Brennan.

We'll be right in.

Jesse opened his eyes. "Jean's on her way. She's got a sedative Hank sent. It should hold them until we can get them back home."

"Did you tell her to hurry?" Brennan was flushed from fighting off Jubilee.

"She's bringing Bobby in."

"Thank God," Brennan whispered as Jubilee reached up to kiss him once more.

When they arrived the door was locked. Bobby took hold of the knob and froze it. With little effort it shattered as he pushed against the door. Once inside the scene playing before him gave him shivers. His normally refined and reserved friend was trying to tear the clothes off her boyfriend. As he turned, his heart almost stopped when he saw Brennan on his knees fighting off a very determined Jubilee. "Jubes," he gently called to her.

As soon as she heard his voice she pulled away from Brennan and turned her head. When she saw Bobby actually standing there, she ran to him and began her onslaught. He stumbled as she began kissing him passionately and pulling at his shirt. Brennan was left breathless where he knelt.

Jean quickly took the syringes and administered the liquid first to Kitty then to Jubilee. As the sedative took affect, both girls slumped in mid kiss. "There, now they should be ok until we get them to Hank."

Cyclops, who was standing at the door, moved in. "Then let's go. We still have a police drop to make."

Jesse and Bobby each lifted their girls into their arms and followed Cyclops out into the hall. Jean moved over to Brennan who turned to put on a shirt and collect his stuff. "Brennan, are you alright? You look like Jubilee really did a number on you."

Brennan turned a half hearted smile to her and continued packing. "It's not Jubilee. Although,---I have to admit I've never been dumped in the middle of a kiss before." He finished and turned toward the door to leave. He saw Jean just waiting for him to continue. She would know if he lied to her. They were friends and he knew he could trust that friendship. "Shalimar and I had a little disagreement before I left. I'm just figuring out what she meant by some of the things she said."

"I know Shalimar loves you fiercely. Whatever was said, I'm sure you both will be fine." Jean smiled as she linked her arm with his and walked back to the Blackbird.

On the trip back to the mansion Kitty and Jubilee were restless in their sedation. They occasionally tossed and whimpered. "Jail's not good enough punishment for that guy," Bobby spat as he watch helplessly.

"The serum in their system is only getting stronger." Ororo surmised. "They have not yet been satisfied."

"Are we going to have to---?" Jesse asked but couldn't finish as Kitty sitting next to him began to show signs of increased discomfort.

"No," Logan replied sharply. "Hank is waiting with an antidote."

Brennan turned and watched for a moment as Bobby sat holding Jubilee's hand. His feelings were running strong since his mind began to unravel the tangle of emotions Shalimar sparked with the fight. He moved to sit on the other side of Jubilee. "How is she?"

"I don't know. I know that even asleep she's fighting the affects of that serum." Bobby's eyes never left her face.

"Listen, I just wanted to tell you that whatever you saw back there, well, it wasn't anything like what it looked like." He watched as Bobby turned unsure eyes on him. "Jubilee is like a kid sister to me."

Bobby looked back to watch her face. "I know," he whispered. "Thank you for going in to get her." After a slight pause he added, "She still looks up to you. She really cares about you."

"Yeah,---she means a lot to me, too. Are---you and I---still cool?" Brennan met his eyes and waited.

Bobby looked to Jubilee again then back up to Brennan. Extending his hand he smiled, "Yeah, man. If it had to be, I'm glad it was you.

Brennan shook his hand. "I hope Jubilee will be as glad when she wakes up."

Once in the mansion Hank administered the antidote. "Now we just have to wait for them to awaken."

"Will it work before the sedative wears off?" Jesse asked as he sat at Kitty's side.

"It is my expectation that it will. From the information Jean gave me on the amount and time of sedation, I approximate that they will begin to wake in about 2 hours. By that time the serum should be completely dissipated. Past experience tells me that the two of you will be remaining here. I shall then return to my book. If, when they awake, you need me, just call." They thanked the good doctor as he left the lab.

"Now that I know they'll be ok, I'm going to bed. Tomorrow I'll take the Helix back. When you're ready to come home, I'll come back for you. Goodnight." Brennan walked out and headed for his room.

He walked in the door and gathered what he needed for his shower. With the hot steaming water beating down on his tired muscles he closed his eyes and thought. He remembered his conversation with Jean. She love's you fiercely. Jesse tried to explain, it's a woman thing, her feral side just makes the need stronger., She's terrified that you'll take advantage of the situation to leave her. Brennan rubbed his tired neck. 'Doesn't she realize that I'm not going anywhere? God, we've been together for 5 years now. How could she doubt---' Suddenly his thoughts changed. His posture straightened and his eyes opened wide. 'How could she not doubt? What have I given her to hold on to after 5 years? I've got to get home. In the morning I'll leave and make a few stops." He finished his shower and headed for bed thinking of all the things he was going to do the next day.

Jesse and Bobby were both startled awake by the whimpers Kitty made as her body tried to shake the last of the sedative. Jesse moved closer and took her hand. "Shh, it's ok, Baby. You're safe now. I'm right here."

Kitty stirred more at the sound of his voice. Finally she opened her eyes. "Jesse? Jesse, what happened? Where's Jubilee?"

"She's right here," Bobby answered.

Kitty sat up slowly with Jesse's help. "Are you feeling ok? Do you have anymore pain?" Jesse asked softly.

"No, I think I'm ok now. Did I pass out?"

"Jean had to sedate you. We couldn't get off campus in the condition you were in."

"You mean with how I was acting." She sadly lowered her head.

"Hey, look at me." Jesse gently put his finger under her chin. "You were drugged. The pain it caused when you tried to resist only got worse as time went on."

"But Brennan---"

"Brennan was there to do whatever he could to help you. That's all." Jesse's smile reassured her. "Come on. I'm taking you to your room now. You still need to rest."

"Jubilee?" Kitty walked over to Jubilee's bed.

"Don't worry," Bobby assured her, "Doc said she'd wake up fine, just like you."

She smiled and kissed him then turned to join Jesse at the door. He kept her locked tightly under his arm as they strolled up to her room in silence. Once there, Jesse gave her time to change and then went to tuck her in. He sat next to her and took her hand. "When I found out you had disappeared I got really scared. I thought I was going to lose you." Jesse pulled her to him and embraced her.

"You came after me. What would I ever do without you?" Kitty smiled and held him tighter.

"I'll never let you find out." Jesse kissed her deeply. When they separated a few moments later, Kitty looked down. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked.

"While I was out did Brennan tell you what---?" she couldn't finish for the guilt she felt.

"Tell me what he did with you?" Jesse asked finishing her thought. "Yeah, he did," he smiled at her when she tried to meet his eyes.

"Oh, Jesse, I'm so sorry." Tears began streaming down her face.

"Sorry for what? You didn't do anything. Brennan is my best friend. He only did what he had to, to keep you safe --- for me. You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for and neither does he. Now you need to sleep. Some of those tears are release from the mission. I'll be here when you wake up." He kissed her once more and tucked her under the covers.

Jubilee awoke with a start. "Bobby!"

"Hey, I'm right here."

"Oh, Bobby," she wrapped her arms around him as soon as he got close enough, "Bobby, it hurt so much. I'm so sorry. I know what you saw when you walked in. Can you ever forgive me?"

"Shh, it's over now." He held her close and let his hand caress her hair and back. "You have nothing to be sorry for. I know that you wouldn't really do anything like that on your own." He moved away slightly to look into her eyes. "You aren't still feeling anything, are you? I better call Doc."

Jubilee held him fast as he tried to turn from her. "No, no, I'm ok now. It's just that the pain was crazy."

Bobby sat next to her on the bed as she lay back down. "Tell me about it."

"It didn't affect me as quick as it got Kitty... Kitty! Where is she? Is she ok?" Jubilee spoke quickly but Bobby was used to it.

"Kitty's fine. Jesse took her to her room."

"Oh, good. Well, it hit her first and I thought that she just couldn't handle it. But then it hit me like a runaway train. I tried to fight it but the pain was intense. I saw Kitty snuggled up against Brennan but I --- couldn't do it." Tears began to fall. Bobby took her hands and smiled as she went on. "I was afraid of just exactly what happened. I used to dream about kissing Brennan, but that was a long time ago. I told you I had a crush on him when I was about 13. I knew I was over him but the serum was making me blind with passion. I really tried to stay away. I was so glad that you came in. All I knew was that I wanted to ravage you." Suddenly gasping at her realization she looked him in the eyes. "Bobby, we didn't--- "

He looked away and answered quickly, "No, we didn't. Jean came in and sedated you. Then we brought you home." He looked back and embraced her. "I'm just glad you're here. I was so scared when they told me you were missing. I wanted to come to find you but the professor wouldn't let me. He sent Brennan and Jesse in to complete the mission. I understood but I just wanted to make sure you were safe." He moved away and continued. "Brennan and I had a talk on the way back to the mansion."

"Bobby, it wasn't his fault. He didn't do anything."

"I know, Jubes. I was a little shocked when I walked into the room and you were kissing him but you ran right to me. I understood. I didn't start with him. He came to me. He wanted to make sure we were ok."

"How am I ever going to face him again?" She put her hands to her face in shame.

Bobby pulled her hands away and made her look at him. "He doesn't want your relationship to change. He knows you care for him and he cares a lot for you." He embraced her again. "Everything will be ok, Jubes. You'll see."

tbc