Since the kids' time alone has but one more week left, here's a little refresher course in where everyone is:
Scott & Jean: They were a couple when the series started out in 'The Lockdown'. Jean has been on and off sick throughout this story. Being in charge seems to be getting to poor Scott. Neither one likes grits or even knew what they were before the last chapter. They are both owed a piece of 50th anniversary cake by some cook named Joe in The House of Grits.
Kurt & Kitty: They became a couple during our story. They were both in other relationships at the beginning of the series, but had a fairly smooth transition into their new relationship. They were the ones who actually misinterpreted Sam's letter to start with. They're in The House of Grits on the way home and are the reasons for Scott and Jean's anniversary cake.
Rogue & Remy: They became a couple during our story. At first, Rogue wouldn't go out with Remy, but his persistence eventually got to her. Remy recently bought Rogue a toy penguin which now resides in her pocket for safe keeping. They were both just served plated of grits in The House of Grits are trying to get through the meal.
Sam & Amanda: They became a couple during our story. Their first date was at McDonald's. Recently, they were bored and watching TV, when an ad came on with an idea for entertainment. At the suggestion of the commercial, they took off to New Jersey to earn their licenses to marry people. Scott, Jean, Rogue, Remy, Kurt, and Kitty came after them and now all eight are seated in The House of Grits. Sam was the only one to actually get what he ordered.
Warren & Betsy: They were a couple when they entered our story a few chapters ago. Since then, they haven't had the biggest parts, but something is coming soon. Last chapter, they were just minding their own business and somehow ended up agreeing to take Bobby, Jubilee, Amara, and Ray to the beach.
Pietro & Tabby: They are still not a couple. They've both joined TFSC, despite the fact that they are very beloved characters in most X-evo stories. During a mission to steal the sleeves in the house, they were locked in a closet and have been stuck there for two days. Tabby was mad at Pietro, but they seem to be on good terms again.
Wanda & Todd: They became a couple two chappies ago. When Todd got hit by a car trying to protect her, Wanda went all 'mother hen' on him and didn't let him outside for days. Todd, in an effort to see daylight once again, gave some things to think about. Having thought about them, Wanda asked Todd to be her boyfriend. They recently joined Tabby and Pietro in being stuck in the closet.
Lance: Lance has been a strange character the whole time. In 'The Lockdown' (the first story in this series), he and Kitty broke up. In this story, he hasn't been around the mansion much. He frequently leaves mysteriously with a false mustache and some books. No one has any idea what is going on with him.
Bobby & Jubilee: They became a couple during this story. During a punishment, they found directions to Xavier's Spa and Resort, which was below the DR levels of the house. They haven't had a very large part in the story. Recently, they got Warren and Betsy to say they'd take them to the beach.
Amara & Ray: They are still not a couple. During a punishment, they found directions to Xavier's Spa and Resort, which was below the DR levels of the house. They haven't had a very large part in the story. Recently, they got Warren and Betsy to say they'd take them to the beach.
Alex & X23: They were a couple in 'The Lockdown'(the first story in this series). They are the founders and president/vice-president of TFSC. Their club has grown in size quite a bit and has been the cause of a lot of chaos in the mansion. When X23 was arrested, they admitted that they love each other and have only gotten closer since. Currently, they're training in the DR.
Jamie & Rahne: They were a couple when the series started out in 'The Lockdown'. They were two of the first members of TFSC and were the only ones to ever actually recruit anyone(besides when Alex got them). They, along with Tabby, are the ones who take care of the animals and have had quite a large role for such minor characters. Last chapter, while taking the animals into the house, Jamie got a head injury which is making him think he's Batman.
John: John was recruited by Jamie to TFSC. He's mostly just watched TV since his admittance into the club. He called a random number on Prof. X's phone and has been talking to Dr. Cecilia Reyes.
Piotr: Piotr was dragged onto the scene by John, who is apparently his best friend. He joined TFSC and has mostly been watching out for John. Right now, he's watching John talk to Dr. Reyes on the phone.
The adults: The nine adults; Charles, Erik, Raven, Hank, Irene, Forge, Ororo, Logan, and Victor; are secretly in Florida having a great time. The kids think they're all in different places. Some of the adults feel a little bad about leaving them, but, for the most part, they think it's pretty funny. The call every once and a while to make sure everything is going okay.
Georgie, Stephie, & Carl: Georgie the giraffe, Stephie the zebra, and Carl the elephant came onto the scene during the first chapters of this story. Though getting Georgie was Ray and Alex's idea, Tabby, Rahne, and Jamie have been the ones to care for the animals since the beginning. Georgie, Stephie, and Carl are all honorary members of TFSC and have been put on guard duty a few times. They've quickly became some of the most beloved characters in the series.
Trevor: Trevor is the penguin toy Gambit gave Rogue. He is small and currently resides in Rogue's pocket.
Evan, Roberto, & Fred: These three became friends mostly because no one else was paying them any attention. They've done a lot of stupid things like play hide and seek in the kitchen and side across the hard wood floor. Freddy recently put several holes in the wall and is the main reason for Jamie's injury.
This chappie is dedicated to Mark C and Miss Ginny!
------
"I don't feel so good..." Jean stated, suddenly getting up and running toward the bathroom.
Everyone watched her leave for a minute before Scott sighed and went to make sure she was okay.
"Zat's so weird. She vas fine all night." Kurt said.
"Yeah," Kitty agreed. "She's like been sick every morning for like a week now."
Everyone stared at Kitty, silently, as if they were shocked.
"What?" she asked.
"Do you realize what you just said?" Rogue wondered.
"Um... no..."
"Morning sickness." Amanda answered.
Kitty looked confused. "Morning sickness? Don't you have to be...? Oh... You guys don't think...?"
"Ah don't know," Rogue stated. "She did say that her and Scott were... um... 'close'..."
"Yeah," Kitty replied, in a hushed tone, "But you don't actually believe that Jean Grey is pregnant, do you?"
-
"Come on, Jubilee!" Bobby's voice called from downstairs.
"I'll be right there!" She yelled back. "I've just got to get a volleyball!"
She opened the closet door and jumped back in surprise when four Brotherhood members popped out at her.
"Thank-you-thank-you- thank-you- thank-you- thank-you- thank-you- thank-you- thank-you- thank-you- thank-you- thank-you- thank-you!" Pietro exclaimed, hugging Jubilee tightly. "Do-you-have-any-idea-how-long-we've-been-in-there?!"
Jubilee, silent and shocked, shook her head.
"This-would've-been-the-4th-chapter!" He shouted, still hugging her. Tabby hit him in the back of the head and he let go to rub his injury. "I-mean-like-two-days!"
"Okay..." Jubilee replied. "Why didn't you just tell the computer the override code?"
"There's an override code?!" Pietro, Wanda, and Todd all exclaimed, falling down.
"Why didn't I think of that?" Tabby asked, absently. She shrugged. "Oh well."
-
"I can't believe we've been away from the students for an entire week!" Hank exclaimed.
"I know," Raven replied. "Isn't it great?"
The nine adults were currently in a richer bar near the hotel they were staying at. It was about 10AM, so they had the place pretty much to themselves. Raven, Erik, Hank, and Irene were playing pool in one end of the place with Charles watching near by. Forge and Victor were getting along better than anyone expected to get on with Sabretooth and sat at the counter exchanging stories of lost loves and battles past. Ororo and Logan were at a table by themselves, laughing and talking.
After an apparently particularly funny joke, Mystique glanced back at Wolverine and Storm with a look of distaste. "Isn't that the most disgusting thing you've ever seen? They're obviously madly in love and everyone knows it but them."
"Scott and Jean were worse." Charles stated, offhandedly, examining his glass.
"Ah yes." Erik agreed. "Far worse. At least Ororo isn't a telepath."
"Speaking of our oldest students, do you think we should check up on them?" Hank asked, taking his turn in their game.
"I suppose we should." Charles replied, pulling out a cell phone.
"Since when do you have a cell phone?" Erik wondered.
"Oh, I don't." he stated, dialing. "This is Scott's. He won't miss it, though. Honestly, who would he call? He hardly lets Jean out of his sight and that Paul friend of his went off to his live with his aunt. Now be quiet, it's ringing." Pause. "Oh, hello, Alex. Is Scott there?" Pause. "Well, how about Jean?" Pause. "Well then, maybe Rogue?" Pause. "Kurt? Kitty? Gambit? Anyone from the older X-men team?" Pause. "Oh, I see. No, that's alright. I suppose I'll call back later, then. Good bye, Alex." The bald man hung up.
"What did he say?" Hank asked.
"Nothing useful. He apparently has no idea where any of the older children are." Professor Xavier responded. "He told me I could talk to any of the Brotherhood members, though. Also, apparently the other two of your Acolytes are there."
"That's strange." Magneto replied. "I wonder what they're doing there..."
-
"Really?" John asked the telephone. "I'll see you at eight then. G'bye, sheila." He hung up.
"You just spoke to that woman on the phone for two hours," Piotr stated. "Why would you need to see her again tonight?"
"Her voice is very pretty." Pyro replied, sitting down in front of the TV again.
Colossus blinked. "That's it? You're going to see her again because she has a pretty voice?"
"Pretty much, mate." The redhead stated.
Shaking his head, Piotr sat down on the couch and started to read a book.
-
"Hey, Jean." Kitty greeted when the red head and her boyfriend had come back. "These guys think-" She got cut off by Rogue and Kurt's hands over her mouth.
"What she means to say is 'Feelin' better?'" Rogue said with a fake smile.
Jean looked around at the six younger teens. They all had the cheesiest, guiltiest smiles she had ever seen in her life on their faces. She nodded, despite her suspicion.
"Guess ve'd better get going, zen." Kurt announced, getting up. He walk over to the counter. "Joe, can you put zeir cake in a to-go box?"
"Sure thing," the old cook replied.
Rogue pulled Kitty outside.
"What's the matter with you?" The southern girl asked. "Do you want to give Scott a heart attack?"
"She's probably not pregnant, Rogue." Kitty replied.
"But she might be." Rogue added. "And ya know Cyke always expects the worst. So wait until we get home before mentionin' it to her. Then we can pull her aside by herself. Okay?"
"I guess." The younger girl said.
"You ladies ready to go?" A voice asked from behind them. Turning, they saw that the others were coming out the door and going toward the car.
"Yeah, we're comin'." Rogue answered.
-
"Now where could he have gone to?" Rahne asked aloud as she searched for her boyfriend.
"Robin!" she suddenly heard from behind her. Spinning around quickly, she saw Jamie with a towel tied around his neck behind her. "Come, Robin! The Joker is getting away!" With that, he took off, pretending to fly.
"I told ye, already! Batman does NOT fly!" Rahne said, chasing after him. "And I'm not Robin!"
-
As Alex and X23 stepped out of the elevator coming back from their training session, the ran right into Tabby, who was running from Pietro, Wanda, and Todd.
"Protect me!" She squeaked, jumping behind the couple. X23 immediately got into a fighting stance and popped out her claws, thinking that the other teens were actually going to hurt the blonde girl. Pietro, Wanda, and Todd stopped in their tracks, afraid of Wolverine's clone.
"Whoa, dudes!" Alex exclaimed. "What's going on?"
"That- That- That... traitor just sat by and let us stay locked in a cramped closet for two days straight!" Pietro answered.
"I told you! I forgot!" Tabby replied from behind them.
"How could you forget something like that?" Wanda asked.
"I had other things on my mind!" she responded. "X23, tell them not to attack me, please?"
X23 sighed. The things she did for her fellow club members. "If you touch her, I have no problem with turning any of you inside out."
Wanda and Todd took that as their clue to get lost and left. They had only been locked in the closet one night, after all. Pietro was the one who'd been in their longest with her.
"Go to the base." Alex commanded. "We have a meeting in ten minutes."
Tabby and Pietro nodded, other problems seemingly forgotten, and went off to TFSC HQ.
-
Lance came back inside and sat down to watch TV.
"Why are you wearing that?" Roberto wondered as he came into the room.
"Wearing what?" Lance asked, irritably.
"That false mustache." The younger boy replied.
"Get lost, X-Geek." Avalanche responded, sounding really mad. Once Roberto had left, Lance took off his fake facial hair and stuffed it into his pocket, muttering to himself about dumb kids.
-
"Looks like everyone's here." Alex announced as Rahne pulled Jamie into his room.
"No, Robin! How could you betray me like this?!" Jamie shouted, fighting to get out of her grip.
Rahne hit him on the head and he fell to the ground. He sat up, groaning after a moment.
"Continue," Rahne told Alex, smiling innocently.
"Okay..." Alex started. "We're here this afternoon to vote on an idea presented by Brother Jamie at the last meeting. Bother Jamie, please restate your idea."
"Um..." Jamie began. "Well, I think we should have Brother Pietro replace everyone CD's with bologna."
"Wow, that's an awesome idea." Tabby stated.
"All in favor, say aye." Alex commanded.
"Aye." Everyone said.
"It's unanimous." Havok stated. "Go ahead, Bother Pietro."
-
"We're home." Scott announced as he pulled into Xavier's driveway.
"Finally." Rogue stated.
Once everyone started getting out Kitty and Rogue pulled Jean away.
"Can we talk to you, Jean...?"
------
Next Time on 'Of Second Shots and Summer Plots':
"This is my favorite restaurant." She stated, happily.
"I know." He replied.
She looked at him funny. "What have you been stalking me or something?"
So ends another chapter. Stay tuned.
