A Conversation With Hank

Disclaimer: Don't own the X-men, the title is mine for once though!

Thanks so much to ayka and beany for their reviews and to anyone else who may review or read this story.

by the way this takes place before dinner, sort of Jubilee thinking back on a conversation. it'll make sense later

"Jubilee, how good to see you. You're looking well today."

"Hey Beast," Jubilee said, used to Hank's long winded greetings.

"So how is Samuel," he said with a wry smile on his face.

"Um, he's alright," she said, omitting the fact that he had a large knot on the back of his head, "but why ask me?"

"Well you two have spent so much time together recently I had come to believe that you talked to each other of your wellbeing."

"We do, it's just that it feels like everybody's trying to push us together ever since that picture Bobby circulated around."

"Yes, I do admit, the two of you did look rather cute on the couch together. Your arms thrown around his upper torso, his left arm draped protectively around your back…"

"So how's Monet doing Hank," Jubilee said smiling the same wry smile Beast had flashed earlier.

"The young lady is doing very well Jubilee. We have actually come to an agreement as to what our relationship is."

"Which would be??" Jubilee was excited at the prospect of Beast finally meeting a woman worthy of him.

"Something."

"Something…"

"Our relationship is something. We have agreed that it cannot be nothing because there is too much caring and emotion and want involved and you cannot derive something from nothing, therefore we have agreed that our relationship is something."

"Sounds like you guys are beating around the bush to me," Jubilee cracked.

"That may be so," Hank said with a smile, "but I believe we're getting somewhere."

"Hank! Would you please go tell Ms. Perfect that you got a thing for her? I'll even do it for you if you're too chicken."

"No I believe it's too soon for a talk of that nature. We must circle around the subject at least once more."

"Fine, how long will that take?"

"Well, as we haven't seen each other at all this week, I believe that it will probably be another month."

"Arrggh!"

"Indeed, oh and please do not tell Monet what I have told you. Otherwise I believe that Mr. Guthrie may prematurely hear of your feelings for him, perhaps at the next dinner we all have together."

"You wouldn't!"

"No I suppose I wouldn't, but how do we know Bobby might not hear anything and we all know how his mouth seems to run. Besides Jubilation, I had come to believe you had no romantic feelings towards Samuel."

Jubilee opened and closed her mouth at the last statement, realizing she had already given herself away. "Well I didn't."

"Didn't implies that you now do."

"Maybe."

"Maybe?"

Jubilee pouted for a minute, trying to figure out how she had been tricked into admitting her crush on her friend. "Yes, ok, fine I like him now, ok?"

"And why did you not like him before"

"Because I didn't know him."

"Ah, but now that you do know him you have become infatuated."

"Well, uh, its not like every guy in the world is willing to call me beautiful, and give me pep talks, and take me to dances, and won't leave my side just because some other prettier girl starts talking to him."

"So you simply like him for the way he makes you feel?"

"No, I mean that's part of it, but…Sam's laid back. He doesn't get angry at anything that isn't worth getting angry about. He'll go out of his way to make sure everybody else is ok and is willing to sacrifice himself if somebody isn't ok. He's got a nice butt."

"Well then, nice butt aside; I believe you have found yourself a wonderful young man. Now when exactly do you plan on letting him know of your feelings?"

"Umm never."

Hank looked up from his computer and said, "And why, pray tell, is that?"

"Because he probably just sees me as some little kid."

"Jubilee, Sam is only two years older than you, and you have proven yourself time and time again in these last few months that you are an X-man."

"Yeah I guess so Hank, but what do I do?"

"Well Jubilee, and I mean no offense, I believe you should at least wait a week and think this crush through. Really look at Samuel as a person and see if he's somebody you could have a relationship with."

"OK, but a week?"

"Yes."

"Fine, can you hand me that x-ray?"

"But of course Jubilee, and please do remember that not one word about my feelings for Monet should leave this lab."

"You got it Hank." If there was one thing she didn't want, it was Bobby shouting to everyone that she had a crush on Sam.

While Jubilee was lost in reminiscing Sam was on his way to the bathroom. He was not pleased to see that Bobby blocked the way to the bathroom. "Hey Sam, you busy," Bobby asked with a knowing smile. "Well Ah gotta use the bathroom could you please move," Sam said, frustration beginning to take hold of his usual calm demeanor. "Oh sure, hey you know what? I gotta go too, besides we never got to finish our conversation at dinner."