Sidekick

Chapter 3


The next day, Jubilee tossed her rollerblades over her shoulder and snapped her gum. She shifted her pink sunglasses up on her forehead and trudged into the house. A scrape stung her as she stumbled up the front stairs, muttering to herself about forgetting to wear her helmet. Why did Storm always have to be right?

"Petit, ya forgot something, non?"

"I get the message Gambit, all right?" Jubilee snapped as she brushed past him, grabbing her long forgotten helmet. The Cajun resisted the urge to deliver another wisecrack when he saw the scrapes on her knees and elbows.

"You'd better let Gambit get ya fixed up before the Wolverine sees you. He'd t'ink that Remy's slippin' watching over ya…" Gambit said as he rested his hand on her shoulder.

"Big freakin deal, it's just a scrape, god," Jubilee rolled her eyes. "No need to throw a big fuss okay?"

"Remy doesn't want a bigger fuss when Storm sees you all scraped up," Gambit insisted as he took the skates from her, and Jubilee puffed her breath she'd been holding. The bits of hair that fell over her face flew up with her exhalation and she realized he was only trying to help. And she'd pity him if Logan found out he'd let her go without a helmet.

"Alright, I'll let ya fuss, but it's just a scratch," Jubilee mumbled as Gambit walked her over to the kitchen, and she hopped onto a stool. The Cajun X-man reached under the sink and grabbed the first aid kit, dumping Jubilee's roller blades into the hallway first. She knew he meant well, and her knee DID sting, but she hated people fussing over her like she was some kid. After all, Logan got busted up all the time, and nobody made a fuss, did they? Her logic seemed pretty far out, but hey, she didn't wanna start ruining her rep being a crybaby.

"All right this'll sting a bit, Petit," Gambit said as he pulled out the bottle of iodine and cotton. He rubbed it over the scrape to clean it, and Jubilee hissed through her clenched teeth.

"Jeez Louise Gambit, it flamin hurts worse!" she complained. "Give me a BREAK! OW!"

"If you'd listen to Gambit, you'd not be sittin' here, non?"

"Well if YOU'd gotten off the stupid phone and paid attention to the fact I'd FORGOTTEN my helmet maybe I'd give a care what you'd said!" Jubilee retorted. "I mean like if you'd even SAID to put on the stinkin' helmet I'dve done it, but excuuse me if I don't remember you sayin' so!"

"Remy was sure he told d' petit to wear it," Gambit muttered, ignoring her outburst. "Now, this's gonna sting some more…"

Jubilee exhaled at the silent treatment as Remy bandaged her knee up, and looked into his red eyes that glanced up at her. "All better?"

"I guess," she muttered, amazed he didn't even comment on her last outburst. She was always floored at how patient Gambit could be when she was in such a lousy mood. Now t hat she recalled it, she HAD been wearing her Walkman when she'd dashed out and seen Gambit holding something up as he rushed after her, and then the phone rang.

"Gambit figured you'd remember next time t' wear the helmet, petit," he said softly as he finished his first aid. "No point 'n scolding you more… I t'ink you learned the lesson well enough now…"

"I'm sorry I'm snapping yer head off, Gambit," she sighed, kicking the stool with her heels. "I just was thinkin' you DID tell me like, but I was like so into this new tape… I forgot t' listen. My bad."

"Remy knows, petit," he said as he gripped her shoulder. "This' the hard time that all belles go through before they blossom. No need for Remy t' tell you he told you so. Better bein' the big brother t' kiss the hurts n' make 'em go away…"

"How do you get it, and they don't?" Jubilee asked him as he kissed her knee and she slid down off the stool. "I mean like you're the bad boy n' stuff and you so totally get me way more times then the others do…"

"Remy remembers when he was young himself," Gambit said simply as he steadied her when she stumbled. The long trenchcoat wrapped around his body, and she saw he was wearing his usual armor underneath. He seemed so quiet and aloof with the others, but he knew her so well. Like the big brother she never had.

"Wish the others did," Jubilee muttered. An awkward silence ensued, and Gambit looked down at her, as if waiting for something to happen.

"Well Cherie, you be here now with Remy. Remy's thinking he wants to take a ride into the town, and wonders if the petit wants to come with?"

"That'd be awesome, Remy, but no can do," Jubilee sighed as she glimpsed someone walking inside the hallway. "I think the it's gonna hit the fan, because I'm like so late for my tutor session thingie with Storm…"

"Gambit apologizes. He'd be forgettin yer times f'r the Danger room," he said.

"It is good someone remembers," Storm said not unkindly. "Jubilation, what did you do to your knee?"

"Just a little scratch, Roro, the Gambit fixed up," Remy said quickly. "He'd be tellin' her to be more careful."

"Jubilee, do you know that it's half past four… you almost missed combat training…" Storm started, but saw the tightening of Jubilee's features. She'd only been with the X-men for a year or so, and Storm knew that the teenager could shut down. Inhaling deeply she stopped and tried to remember those lessons learned with her Kitten.

"Storm, I know I just…" Jubilee trailed off.

Storm counted to ten, and sighed, "Very well, we still have forty minutes. Are you still up to it today?"

"Yeah, I guess," Jubilee said, relaxing when she saw Storm's face was loosing its stern mask. "What's it gonna be today?"

"More combat drilling. Learning to fight along with using your 'pafs' as you call them… should you lose the ability to access your mutant power…" Storm said. She reached over to touch Jubilee, who was hunched over, and stopped inches from her arm. Jubilee glanced up and then over at Gambit.

"Aww Storm," Jubilee mumbled. "Major dullsville…"

"Perhaps we can find a way to 'spice it up'?" Storm suggested. "Gambit, perhaps you'd care to show her some of your unique skills…"

"Remy's goin' shoppin, ladies. It'd be rude of him to interrupt your lessons. I'll be back later. Either of you two seen Rogue?"

"I believe she mentioned something about going to the mall. She had invited me to join her later," said Storm. "Is that why you're so anxious…"

"Could be. Don't worry Petit, Remy'll be back after her sees the Cheri, and maybe have some new games along the way…"

"Tres cool! You stopping by Game Shack?" Jubilee brightened up.

"I could be," Remy said. "Anyt'ing else I should get, Storm?"

"Tell Rogue, if you see her, that I will be joining her for dinner… at the food court. Once I finish with Jubilee's lesson for today…"

"Tell me I can come along puleez?" Jubilee begged.

"If you successfully prove you've retained, we shall see," Storm said gently.

"Be seein' you petit! Be good and show 'em what Remy told ya…" he winked. Remy blew them both a kiss as he wandered off. His long coat swished around his heels as he walked out of the front door, leaving Storm and Jubilee alone.


"Duh, like you could have TOLD me Rogue was going to the mall! What I wanna know is why you weren't with her… like I know we've got combat stuff n' all, but you could've told me…" Jubilee commented as she followed Storm to the main staircase that led to the other quarters of the house. The one leading downstairs ended up on the sub levels where the Danger room and the Blackbird secret hanger were located.

"I apologize Jubilation, I forgot," Storm said as she waited for Jubilee to keep up with her long legged pace. "Rogue wanted to take advantage of the white sale to see if she could replace some of her undergarments… and perhaps find a new dress for the dance…"

"What dance?" Jubilee asked. "Someone throwin' a party and forgot to invite the Jubster? Not cool!"

"It is with our friend Misty Knight," Storm said quickly. "A number of us are going to join her and Jean at her apartment for a baby shower. I had forgotten till just today that we all were invited… I suppose I didn't realize that you'd be interested…"

"Dressin up for a baby shower, pul-eez!" Jubilee laughed. "There's MORE to it. Is it a grownup thing that you don't want the jubster to tag along?"

"Not at all, I just figured that you had said grown up parties were… 'Stuffy and boring?" Storm asked.

"Yeah well, maybe and maybe not. It might be kinda fun… I mean will any tres cute guys be there?" Jubilee asked as Storm raised her hand to activate the panel to the Danger Room antechamber.

The doors slid up and steam hissed out as they entered the observation area. Already she saw that Hank McCoy was sliding his hands up and down the controls as he observed Bobby Drake and the mutant known as Angel at work. Slick ice ramps were springing into existence as Angel dodged through a whole maze of courses. The metallic wings glittered brightly, and Jubilee saw how nimbly he threaded through them.

"Psilocke, think fast!" Hank said as he pressed another button. "Don't forget the importance of your agility…"

"Psilocke and the guys?" Jubilee asked as she wandered in, and Storm directed her to a chair to watch. "I dunno Storm; I think we've got to wait in line!"

"Storm, Jubilation, I apologize," Hank said as he turned to see them. Jubilee grinned as Hank seemed a bit flustered for a moment. She had to admit she was spooked at first when she'd met the Beast, but now she saw him like some overgrown cuddly Care bear. Although infinitely cooler and not lamo like those eighties throwbacks.

"That is all right, Beast," said Storm smoothly. "I think Jubilation will benefit from watching this session before we commence…"

"Hey Hank, what's up? I never saw THEM drillin' together," Jubilee muttered. "I mean like Psilocke and Angel hardly ever come by… what's with them hangin' here all of a sudden? They joining the X-men?"

"That would be affirmative, my dear," Hank said as he nodded. "The Professor already has extended his offer, and they were most anxious to move in…"

"Why am I the last one to know these things, sheesh?" Jubilee complained. "I mean like HELLO, I've been around here all week and it's like the first thing I…"

"I suppose it slipped my mind," said Hank quickly. Jubilee seemed pretty much on edge, and he could see the annoyance building up into a typical teenage 'hissy fit'.

"I apologize, Jubilation, the Professor had asked us to keep it low key, until they said yes," Storm explained.

"I'm not gonna like blab it, whaddaya think?" Jubilee snorted as she plopped into a chair. "I mean like I AM a member of the team, right?"

"Technically yes, but you ARE still in training…"

"And like they're just joinin' and stuff, aren't they the same class as me?" Jubilee asked. "Or are they special because they're over the legal legit?"

"Well," Hank said. "Angel was once a member of the original team and Psilocke has had training as a ninja…"

"So's the wolvster," Jubilee pointed out. "What's your point?"

"X-men, please report to the War room, pronto!" came a loud voice that interrupted them. At first they though it was the professor, but Jubilee realized it were Cyclops, and it was not a voice in the back of her mind. Rather the loudspeaker.

"Cyclops, what is it?" Storm asked, depressing her comlink.

"I'll explain when you all assemble… tell Angel, Psilocke and Bobby to get up here too… this concerns them most of all… and Hank, make sure you get Rogue and Gambit on the comlink. WE all need to hear this…"

"Where' the professor, leader man?" Jubilee asked as Beast shut down the training simulation.

"Jubilee, this concerns you too," Scott's voice buzzed over her comlink, which was pinned to the lapel of her long yellow overcoat.

"Hear that, I'm official," she crowed as she rushed out alongside of Storm and the others. "Does this mean our class's off, Storm?"

"I would suppose yes," Storm said, shaking her head as she hurried Jubilee after Hank. The Beast moved most efficiently on all fours, overtaking them quickly as the others brushed past them.

"Gambit's gonna kill ya," Jubilee laughed as she panted to keep up with Storm.


They burst through the doors into the War Room. The large chamber was lined in stainless steel, set with all the various devices and technologies that were borrowed from the Shi'ar. In the center was positioned the circular table, with its holographic projector activated. Scenes played through from Cerebro as Jean Grey placed the helmet on her head.

Most of the chairs were occupied. Gambit sullenly dragged himself in to plunk into a chair next to Rogue. Beast planted himself into the chair near Cyclops, and Angel and Psilocke took several of the remaining seats. Bobby whispered something to Warren, who hid his response behind his hand till a sharp look from Cyclops cut him off. Storm sat down near Jean, while Wolverine turned his chair around and dangled his legs on either side, his arms folded across the back.

"Geez, noplace to sit, huh," she muttered as she glanced around, and the silence fell thick as she realized they were waiting for her to sit. She didn't expect Wolverine to get up and vacate his seat as she crossed around.

"Better take a seat kid, he's gonna make it a long one," Wolverine quipped under his breath, indicating Jubilee should take his chair at the table. She felt a bit nervous still and flushed hot when she realized someone was staring in her general direction. But she sat down gratefully as Wolverine leaned against the wall with his arms crossed instead. Storm stood next to them both, listening as Scott depressed keys on the console.

"So we're all here. I apologize for pulling you here on such short notice… I realize the Professor recommended rest and relaxation for the past few days, but this is important… a situation has arisen that we need to take action on," Cyclops said.

"So leader man, w hat's the big flamin deal?" Wolverine asked casually. "I was about to blow off some steam when ya gave the big go call…"

"Gambit been taken off his shopping spree, mone homme, and wants to know why…" Remy said as he rested his ankles on the table, and started shuffling a deck of cards.

"Shush and let him talk will ya?" Rogue scolded him as she turned to Cyclops.

"I apologize," Scott said patiently, but Jubilee saw the strain of his neck muscles as he controlled his reaction. "But Professor X wants to speak with us…"

Everyone focused on the telepathic transmission as the Professor's astral image projected into the center. Boosted by Cerebro's circuits, his voice echoed in the chamber, "My apologies X-men, I've been delayed in returning from Muir Island, but Moira's instruments have located an unusual series of plasma distortions that have been occurring in various places around the globe… particularly in South America, Britain, and upstate New York…"

"We've seen them here too, Professor," Hank McCoy said.

"As you no doubt have been aware," Professor X confirmed. "Excalibur is investigating the disruptions in Great Britain, and I'm attempting to assist them in ascertaining their location. I don't suspect Magneto, for this is not consistent with his energy signature…"

"What about the FOH, or the Brotherhood?" asked Wolverine. "Sounds like their style…"

"Moira has consulted with some of her colleagues in Scotland, and has been pursuing all leads in the scientific community… all devices have been accounted for," said Professor X.

"how long's this been going on?" asked Storm. "I have sensed slight imbalances in the weather, but I feel the natural cycles of the sun are responsible…"

"Sunspot activity HAS been increased, according to Dr. Corbeau," Hank said.

"Indeed, Moira and I are aware of that... I am needed here to help set up a modified cerebro unit and train the members of Excalibur in psychic attacks… and in light of these recent plasma distortions… it would not be prudent for me to return till we have determined their source. I will relay my observations through Jean and Psilocke…"

"What would you like us to do, Professor?" Cyclops asked.

"Cyclops will lead a team to investigate the disruptions that have happened in South America, along with Jean, Beast and . Warren and Psilocke will remain here. Storm, you will be in charge of the team that will search the upstate New York region…"

"Cerebro reports three diffuse signatures," chimed in the computer.

"Cyclops, you must divide the rest of the team as you see fit, and relay all observations via radio and mini cerebro, and by Psilocke…" said the Professor. "Storm will be in charge when you leave…"

"Yes Professor…"

"Your unique powers will be up to the task of locating and directing any major weather changes."

"Any other teams working?" asked Storm. "This X force…"

"I've been notified that they are investigating another sighting in the Midwest, but that is all that they will reveal," said the Professor curtly. "So it's up to you Storm… make your team ready Scott…"

"Let me get this straight, Cyke gets to go to someplace sunny and we're stuck here?" asked Bobby.

"You're needed where you are, Drake. This isn't a request…" the Professor cut him off. "I will be in constant rapport with Jean and Betsy…"

"Right Professor," Betsy nodded.

"Be careful, my X-men," the Professor said. "It is uncertain who is responsible… and the plasma effects may very well wreck havoc with mutant abilities in ways we are not yet knowledgeable of. Betsy and Jean will be extremely susceptible…"

"We will be careful…" Jean said.

"So, why do you get to go have fun in the sun?" Bobby teased Cyclops.

"This is no laughing matter, Drake," Scott interrupted.

"I've been using Cerebro to try and pinpoint all locations of people who might be affected by the phenomenon or have any possible connections," Jean said quickly.

"Forty eight hours ago, was the latest in upstate NY," said Hank.

"So you want us to hunt for some mutant, or some gizmo that's responsible?" Wolverine asked casually.

"Duh," Jubilee quipped as she leaned back in her chair. Scott looked at her for a moment, and then cleared his throat.

"If we find nothing in South America, we'll head back within twelve hours," Scott said.

"So if it isn't magneto, do we have SOME clue of who's behind this, or what?" asked Jubilee quickly.

"I was just getting to that," Scott said.

"Our FOH friends?" asked Gambit.

"Or some bug eyed aliens?" Rogue asked.

"Or maybe some secret government project?" Storm said.

"What do we do?" Rogue asked, "Just run around and go 'hey, we're looking for strange stuff? How bad IS this?"

Hank McCoy punched buttons on his console, and Cerebro formed the images of a map of North America. "An excellent question. Here are the three disruptions from twenty four hours ago, twelve, and within the last six. Each successive one has come closer to habited areas of land. Telecommunications were not adversely affected… but sightings of UFOs have increased…"

"Couldn't it be the result of natural phenomenon?" asked Warren. "Ball lightening…"

"I have looked into that, but there has been no appreciable seismic activity. The nature of the energy is focused spheres of plasma that come and go without warning…"

"Any crop circles," joked Bobby.

"No such phenomenon…" Hank shook his head. "Although I am aware of the public misperception…"

"Are the local inhabitants in any danger?" asked Storm. "I have sensed little difficulties with the weather… but people fear what they do not understand…"

"Yes, and no," Scott said. "Tell them Jean…"

"I've scanned for local emotions, and so far people are nervous, but I've not seen anything to indicate immediate danger…"

"Let's say if there is danger we'll know it soon enough," Scott said.

"What now, leader man? Name it and let's go already," Wolverine said through a low growl. "Who does what?"

"What we'll do is this. Gambit will patrol around the town with his contacts to see if anyone's seen or heard anything. Wolverine will reconnoiter around the mansion and surrounding countryside to see if any recent activity shows that the mansion has been surveyed. Storm, you and Rogue will take the point from the air; tap into the elemental forces and see if you can discern any major disruptions now or later with the mini cerebro units… We'll report back in six hours…"

"And I guess Ill be staying here," Jubilee muttered as she leaned back.

"What do you wish Jubilee to do, Scott?" Storm asked.

"Gambit'll take the petit with him through the town, be no problem," Gambit suggested. "Right petit?"

"Yeah right," Wolverine muttered. "Whaddya say to taggin' along for a field trip, kid? She wouldn't be safe here if some goon gets a big idea about trashin the mansion… for all we know they want us to leave the joint undefended…"

"That wouldn't be advisable," Scott said quickly. "She'd be safer with Gambit and Rogue… or back at the mansion to monitor…"

"Hey don't I get a say?" Jubilee protested.

"She'd be safer with me than here, you know what happened last time," Wolverine said curtly.

"I doubt it, considering your unique way of handling things," Bobby cut in.

"Chasing around the woods with the runt's no place for a 14 year old," Warren said quickly.

"As I recall you're a team member like WHEN?" Jubilee shot back. "And I'm 15 if anyone like cared to check!"

"The remote systems can handle any intruders," Storm said quickly. "And if Gambit is only searching the remaining area, then I think she would be safe with Wolverine… provided she does what is asked of her…"

"Can I puleez?" Jubilee asked Scott. "I'll even wear my helmet… promise…"

"He's right," said Rogue. "Last thing we need's you goin' off and flirtin' and leavin' her while ya chase down the professor…"

"Remy's hurt. The petit' not mind, right?"

"Right, and while yer chasin skirts, something happens to her, no thanks," Wolverine snorted at him. "C'mon kid, yer with me… providin' leader man doesn't blow a fuse…"

"Fine, let's go people…" Scott said quickly. "Keep in constant contact. Storm, you're in charge of the local team. And Wolverine, try to stay out of trouble, for the kid's sake…"