There's A Light Up Ahead

Disclaimer Don't own the X-men and the title of the chapter belongs to Further Seems Forever.

Special Thanks to Beany for recommeding my story on the Wolver/Jubilee board, you rock! Jubilee/Deadpool would be cool I gotta admit, as would Jubilee/Nate Grey. Tell me if you find either of those pairings, please! Thanks again!

Thanks to all my other reviewers and readers.

It had been four days since Jubilee's conversation with Monet and so far neither of them had found any truly horrible flaws in Sam's character. They had found that he occasionally picked his nose when he thought no one was looking, he was a slow driver, and that he had a nasty habit of knowing when he was being watched, as he had called the girls out each time they had been trying to observe him. The two had been sitting in silence for the last twenty minutes, Monet secretly hoping Jubilee would leave soon so she could further analyze what Hank had meant when he had said, "Hello" to her that morning. 'The man isn't perfect,' Jubilee thought to herself, 'there's gotta be something I missed.' She knew he had a low self esteem at times and could be stubborn, but then so could she. Jubilee was excited about the prospects of actually dating a man she respected, but then at the same time she felt that he could just as easily shatter that image if his character was just a facade. She knew it wasn't, but still this seemed too good to be true. "Was this week wasted Monet," Jubilee asked.

"No Jubilee."

"But we didn't find anything wrong with Sam that would keep me from dating him."

"We did find that he has a birthmark when you 'accidentally' walked in on him while he was showering."

"I repeat we didn't find ANYTHING wrong with Sam that would keep me from dating him."

"What was your excuse again? Ah yes, 'sorry Sam, but supper's ready and I've got a throat sore and can't really yell through doors that well.' The look on your face and his were very good reasons for this week to have happened."

"Monet we didn't find anything-"

"No we didn't Jubilee. I had thought the reason for this observation was to decide whether you wanted to date Sam or not, not what his problems were and how you could keep yourself from dating him."

"Its scary Monet."

"Why?" Monet had hoped to hear this as she was also scared of a relationship with Henry.

"Because... I feel that I might actually be happy in this relationship and what if I'm not ya know? Then what was the point?"

"I suppose you could simply do us all a favor and close yourself in a closet for the rest of your existence instead of taking a chance. Jubilee you do not have to marry Samuel, he has asked you on a date. Go with no expectations and I am sure you will have a wonderful time."

"Yeah you're right."

"Why, Jubilee, when have I ever been wrong?"

Jubilee rolled her eyes at the comment. "Thanks for your help."

"Jubilee before you leave I would like a favor from you?"

"OK."

"Tell Mr. McCoy that I would love to."

"Oh would you now," Jubilee smiled, anticipating some juicy gossip.

"Of course, who could resist such a request. I believe I will take a nap now, please wake me for dinner," Monet said, purposefully vague, knowing full well if she were to tell Jubilee the entire story a series of half truths would have made their way around the mansion within an hour.

"Alright princess." Jubilee left the room happy for her friends. She headed towards the lab and found Hank leaving it. "Hey Hank!"

"Jubilation, how are you on this fine day," a toothy Beast asked.

"Good. Hey Monet has a message for me to give you." She saw the fireworks go off in Hank's eyes, his fur start to rise up of its own accord.

"Do tell."

"She says... Actually Hank you're going to have to tell me the question if you want to hear her answer."

"I asked the lady to dinner and an opera."

"Way to go Beaster! I knew you had it in you, so when did you do all of this?"

"Jubilee would you be so kind as to stop torturing my already fraying nerves and deliver Monet's message."

"Yeah sorry about that Beast, she says she'd love to."

"Wonderful, now I must take leave as I have not slept for several days and find that I am most tired. Good day Jubilee."

"Later Hank." 'Looks like the mushies are making their way through the mansion,' she thought to herself before running into Sam who was completely covered in mud.

"Uh Sam-"

"My sister's car broke down and while Ah was there helping her out...Ah got muddy. Ah'm gonna take a shower, you wanna watch a movie or somethin' after dinner?"

"Sure, you alright," she asked, amazed he was taking the fact that he'd been doused in mud so well. He looked tired though.

"Yeah, Ah guess. The car's fixed and Warren's helpin' her into the mansion."

"But are you alright," she said, showing she genuinely cared.

Sam puffed up a little bit at the sentiment and said what any guy would say, "Yeah ah'm good, thanks for askin'. How was your day?"

"It was good Country, now go take a shower cuz you reek dude!"

"Thanks Jubes. Oh, one thing, I know your throat's sore and all so just know I'll be down to dinner when I'm out of the shower," he said with more than a hint of sarcasm in his voice before heading off. Jubilee prayed he wouldn't turn around and see just how red her face was.She quickly turned and headed towards Monet's room, remembering that the girl had asked Jubilee to wake her up.

However, she was somewhat surprised to see Hank at the girl's door kissing Monet. Jubilee cleared her throat rather loudly, "Uh Monet its time to wake up for dinner. If you're looking for Hank he's taking a na- Oh there you are Hank," Jubilee said, pretending to be surprised by Hank's presence at Monet's door. The guilty party quickly separated, a blush coming to Monet's face, while Hank simply gave Jubilee a smile that served as a reminder of what Hank could do with Jubilee's earlier admission of her feelings for Sam. "So yeah guys dinner, lets go," Jubilee teased before walking towards the kitchen. She heard Beast say, "I shall save a table for the two of us my dear," and Monet say, "that would be wonderful Henry, I shall be there in ten minutes." Jubilee was happy for her friends.