disclaimer: All characters are the property of Marvel, except Jenny who is MINE.

The Dating Game
by Dizi

Hi! My name's Jenny, and you may have heard of me. Used to be a waitress at Harry's? Well, you'll see me there again. It's home and it's calling. Literally. He calls sometimes twice a week to make sure Charles hasn't talked me into leaving him.

And to think I had to beg for the job.

I'd say it's a nice vacation, but it's not. Don't get me wrong, I really like it here. I have a lot of fun. There's satellite TV, movie's galore, computers everywhere - Hank's been teaching me how to use it and Bobby's been showing me the games - video game systems, a library like you wouldn't believe, and so much more I can't think of it all. There's great people, including my best bud, brotherly trio, and gal pals.

Okay, I eventually even forgave Bobby. Like I said he's showing me the fine art of computer games. Did you know you need next to no computer skills for most computer games? It's mind-boggling. Hank's got me hooked on the internet. He's been talking about putting a computer in the kitchen. Luckily Scott nixed that idea or I'd never get anything done. Which brings me back to the subject.

It's not all fun. It's also a whole lot of work. Have you ever tried cleaning up after a college dorm? It's about like that, I think. So, I have to keep them on their toes. It's cool, they usually pretty much listen now. Though, they've learned the signs of a cleaning rampage coming and know when to scatter, but that's okay because I've gotten that I do it when I want them out of my way.

Scott knows. He just sits there drinking coffee while they run away. I usually discuss it with him in the morning and he sits back all amused and watches. Like I said before, he's got a great sense of humor. Sometimes he asks me to do it so the mansion will get quiet. He likes to be kept informed and I like to let someone know what's going on. We get along great. He's kinda my boss so that's cool. He even cleans up after himself.

You wanna know fun though? Fun is picking out who gets to go shopping with me. It's gotten so there's almost a fight on grocery day. Everyone wants to go. I was shocked the first time. These people are serious about food.

Or at least serious about what they like. Individually. Most of them tend to forget that we're not shopping for just them and me, but the whole mansion.

Remy? My sweet shoulder-to-cry-on, eye-candy-deluxe, Remy? He put back Hank's Twinkies. Can you possibly imagine the trouble there would have been if I hadn't caught it? This is the man who reminds me to buy them three times the day before and twice in the morning before we leave when I've shown him I've already got 'em on my list. And Remy put them back on the shelf!

Don't get me wrong, he's great to shop with. He's a lot of fun. Great to hang around. But I'm never taking him grocery shopping for the mansion again. Too much stress. Any other shopping I need to do he can be right there. He's even fun clothes shopping, picks out great stuff, but not groceries for the mansion.

Rogue's gotten to be my favored companion when it comes to grocery shopping. She's good at following the list and gives good input. It's been a great bonding time for us. Which is great because I really want her to be my friend. Remy loves her and I don't want to lose his friendship because we don't get along. She gets jealous.

Unfortunately in an effort to divert my interest, or maybe his in me, she's started trying to hook me up with all kinds of men. I'm not sure if she knows or understands that my interest is purely visual. I mean Remy's eye-candy. So are most of the men in this place. Okay, sure, I admit Remy's got a place in my heart, but it's not a romantic interest. I knew from the beginning that his heart was taken and I'm not willing to settle for leftovers. Even if I could be interested in someone that way, but we'll leave that alone.

So anyway, she started getting me dating. She makes them all sound really nice. Maybe they would be if I were more like her. She's tough, and I'm not talking about her being invulnerable or super-strong. Rogue could handle these guys easy, but me? I'm just not like that.

Let me give you an example and maybe you'll understand. It seems one of the things she tells them is that I'm lonely, so most of them take that to mean I want sex. Now, one of them said he'd take me to dinner and a movie and she thought that sounded like I'd have a great time. I admit I thought so too. Turned out dinner was fast food, which is okay, but the movie was... well, we'll call it 'adult entertainment'.

Logan and Bishop almost went ballistic. Remy's staying out of it, and I don't blame him. I would if I could.

I didn't have to put my foot down, they did it for me. No, I didn't get upset about that. Why? Because I just couldn't figure out how to tell her to stop. I mean, she has good intentions. She thinks I need someone. It's not just the Remy thing. She's concerned about me. Rogue's just not good at setting people up. It's understandable, she doesn't date much herself and she's got Remy.

Now, she just gives them my phone number. When I went on the first date, Logan insisted I get a cell phone. Which was good because I need a ride home a lot. Logan would come to get me and we'd go to Harry's and chill, then Rogue didn't find out the date was a bust until the next day. So, I'm like most everyone else now and can be reached at the touch of a button.

I'm terrified to answer it. You never know who might be on the other end. One couldn't speak English and I had to search for someone to talk to him and tell him not to call anymore. Turned out to be Japanese and Betsy spoke to him, so he started calling and asking for her.

After about three weeks of non-stop phone calls, I finally decided to take matters into my own hands. I really wish I could have seen the guy's face.

See, this one guy, his name is Dave, must have been desperate. He was the first one to call me and never stopped. You'd think he'd have gotten a clue after the first few times of me saying 'no'. He didn't, and I have no idea what she told him, but he was persistent.

It got so everyone knew his number from the caller-id and wouldn't answer the phone for me. To be fair, they wouldn't answer any of the calls anymore, not just his. I couldn't get any work done. Laundry was piling up and the bathrooms were just nasty. Can't stand a dirty bathroom.

I decided to change tactics. Bishop was proud of me.

Went like this, he called again and I started talking like one of those phone-sex commercials. You know the one's I mean. "Hi, Dave." all sultry and seductive-like.

He said the same old spiel about really wanting to meet me.

"Oh Dave, I'd reeaally like to do that." sounding all breathless. I was walking upstairs at this point.

Dave started sounding somewhat abnormally excited at the prospect. By now, I had reached Logan's room and lucky for me he was opening the door having just woken up. Oh goody.

"Oh yes, Dave, that sounds wonderful. Just you, me, and Master Logan." Now, I'm not really sure where that last part came from but you should have seen Logan's face! Really woke him up. It must have appealed to his sense of humor though because he grinned like you wouldn't believe and gestured for me to give him the phone.

"You'll need to ask his permission, Dave." This guy was so hooked it was scary. And Rogue wanted me to date him? "Yes, he's right here."

I'm not exactly sure what Logan said to him. He took the phone and shut the door in my face. About two minutes later, it opens again and Logan smirks as he hands the phone back and tells me "He hung up."

Dave didn't call back again.

After that Remy broke down and promised to talk to Rogue. I've gotten rid of most of the callers and the mansion's back in order. It's safe to use the bathrooms again, the laundry is under control, and I'm about to tackle the attic.

Rogue's still my favorite to go grocery shopping, but thankfully she's not trying to get me to go out with the bagboy anymore.

Will I ever date again? I hope so, but I'm still waiting for it to be fun.

One thing this has taught me is that I can date. Now, I just have to find the right person. I've got time, I'm sure he'll come along. Probably someone whose just a little like each of my brotherly trio.

What am I thinking? That could never happen. Someone as protective as Logan, as sweet Remy, as calm and reliable as Bishop, and as sexy as all three is just never going to happen. So, maybe I won't be dating after all.

What can I say? I have high standards.

note:
B Oots- Thanks a lot, I was a little troubled as to whether that would go over well, but inspiration struck.
Elizabeth Robbins- I appreciate your discretoion. Not sure if the bonus is because she's right, for having the idea, or for the 'traumatic experience'. Maybe there'll be a story about it later. (wink wink, nudge nudge)
Jinxeh- Happy (belated) Birthday! I'll get to your Jenny's sequel soon, promise.
GothikStrawberry- Hope you like this little piece with Rogue. I have an idea for a story based on her but it's about 3 or 4 stories down the road now. Got a hint about it listed in my bio, if you're interested.

Next short is another Jenny pov (hey, I was on a roll!) and it get's a bit dark again as Jenny deals with nightmares. I like it as it reminds me of "Fantasies and Nightmares" which I'll re-post here just before I start the actual sequel. Writing it not posting it. Probably next week or so. F&N is one I'm most proud of besides "Waiting" (as you know if you've read my bio) and I thought I'd share the original idea for Jenny again.

Thanks for reading and the support,
Dizi