Chapter 5 Breakfast of Champions


A shower seemed in order, Logan thought. That's what would wake him up ultimately. That occupied the first ten minutes immediately after awakening. Steam flooded his room as he strode out into the small space. The free weights were in their usual positions, not to mention the weaponry hanging on the walls. A battered alarm clock was kept together with pieces of duct tape, and showed 10:30 AM in bright red numerals. Something just made him all the edgier; knowing that Professor X was not possibly coming back anytime soon.

"Dammit," he cursed again, and rubbed his chin. Already the stubble was coming back, due to his healing factor. Hair grew at a much faster rate as a result. Shaving was a daily operation, but oddly enough his hair would grow to a specific length and then stop. Only if it were cut would it present such a problem. Still wet it wasn't sticking up in its usual manner, and he glanced his reflection in the mirror. It hung over the place where three clawmarks had slashed the wall years ago. If he closed his eyes he could imagine the day they had been made, and Jubilee's voice quavering at the reality that he was leaving. Poor kid felt so guilty that she was the cause of him losing his cool.

"Shouldn't havta make her worry like that," he mumbled. "But no way t' stop it… even if I wanted her to…"

Now when he glanced at his reflection he saw just himself. Thanks to Khesara, and the many other inhabitants of that fishing village in Japan. He had even taken Jubilee around on a guided tour when she'd shown up. Imagine that, she'd actually followed him, risking trouble with Professor X and the others to pilot a minijet almost a world away. Of course he'd insisted on flying back. Not because he didn't trust her, but because he insisted she must be tired from all the excitement.

He was the better pilot after all. A few rounds with her in the flight simulator had gotten her enough experience to fly the darn thing. And those driving lessons in his jeep were hair raising enough. Scott had taken her in his car, then Rogue in hers. Finally Gambit had been the one that took up the whole point of teaching Jubilee to drive. Till she almost took out a mailbox with his Ferrari, and Logan took it upon himself to make up some story about needing beer, and threw his keys to Jubilee.

She was terrified. Logan chuckled and told her that his jeep was far better at taking punishment then Gambit's car. So she'd swallowed her fear and turned the key. Soon she was driving the jeep through the streets of New Salem, and Wolverine managed to get to the store and get his beer and smokes with only a few shouted directions to keep her on track. One trip became several, and before they knew it, she was borrowing the jeep or Rogue's sportscar to make trips to Wegmans for food, or to join her friends for a drive.

When she had gone off to Massachusetts he had missed her far more than he would like to admit. Putting on a clean pair of jeans, he shook his hair dry and walked barefoot to sit on the edge of his bed. Again he thought of Jubilee's eventual journey to adulthood. For a year she had been gone to another school in Masachusettes to interact with other mutants, and another half-year with Hank in South America. Life had gone on, and he had taken his various side trips to Canada. Thank God she hadn't been around when the whole Weapon X thing went down.

Logan licked his lips still tasting her there. There wasn't fear, just shock, and he realized that as soon as he mulled over the conflicting scents he had experienced. Sure she had freaked at first, but she was holding onto him pretty tightly, and she was responding to his impulsive kiss. His body had gone and done something that came naturally, and instead of being repulsed, she had actually enjoyed it. What made him hesitate was that he didn't want her thinking he was some animal who was going to use her for his pleasure and throw her away, just because she happened to be an adult suddenly. The relationship… the friendship they had developed wasn't worth trashing just to scratch an itch. Loneliness was not the best foundation for a long-term thing, like she deserved.

It was eleven thirty when he heard Jubilee's footsteps going past his door. Raising his head, he heard them stop just before, and wondered if he was going to hear her knock. However the silence confused him, and he heard her footsteps as she wandered down the hall, and away from the dormitory. What was she doing, he wondered? Should he interfere? Other sounds indicated that nobody yet was up, except Betsy Braddock who was on sentry duty. Damn, he should have volunteered for that, considering he hadn't gotten much sleep last night.

Opening his door, he pulled on his green bathrobe and wandered down the hall. From the direction of her scent and her footstep minutes before, she was likely headed to the kitchen. Carefully he picked his way down past the other rooms. From Jean and Scott's room he smelled the pheromones of two people making love. Then from Gambit and Rogues a similar smell, and it was making him nuts.

"Dammit, this really doesn't help," he grumbled. Past the stairs to the attic, he stopped and sniffed, his nostrils widening. Was that Hank's scent he picked up?

"Flamin perfect," he mumbled, and heard distant whispering and the sounds of chuckling from overhead. He would have to get out of here before he went bananas from the sexual pheromones ripping through the entire place. Thinking twice, he decided to return back to his room and finish dressing.


By the time Logan made his way downstairs, he was dressed in street clothes. His leather jacket overtop the button up shirt was partly zipped, and he had pulled on a pair of comfortable hiking boots. The steel toed sort that the serious hiker donned for a long march in the woods. She had her back to him when he stole into the kitchen, and was pouring a huge bowl of Lucky Charms. A jug of chocolate milk was being poured overtop, and a plate already held chocolate frosted Pop Tarts.

"So much for givin' up sugar, huh kid…"

Lights sizzled and exploded in his face amidst Jubilee's scream. He barely managed to cross his arms as her paff slammed into him like a giant fist. His back slammed against the cabinetry, making a sizeable dent there. Enough to knock the wind out of him, and leave him with some black and blue marks for sure. Shaking his head, he scolded himself for such a stupid move. Sneaking up on Jubilee was not a good idea, and he was glad that she had used a cold shot of plasma, not a hot streak in her defensive posture.

"Oh my god Wolvie, I'm like SOO sorry!" she wailed as she stood over him, wearing cutoff sweats and a loose T-shirt from the Ramones. She wore flip-flops on her feet, and her hair was pulled back in a messy bun that was half coming loose from its clip.

"Cripes kid, it's my own dumb fault fer sneaking up on ya unawares…" he mumbled, shaking his head. She reached down and held out a hand to haul him up.

"You scared the hell out of me!" she babbled, a look of concern and horror on her face that drove the guilt even further into Wolverine when he climbed to his feet with a grunt.

"I'm sorry darlin, I didn't mean to scare ya… just wanted to know if you were okay n' all… I smelled the count chocula and well… seeing as yer starting your own brunch buffet down here…"

"I could have really hurt you," she said quietly, hugging herself. "That was so not fair, Wolverine… scareing me like that…"

"I really AM sorry," he said, walking over and hugging her tightly. Jubilee shivered against his chest, face flushed hot with anger, and she clung to him tightly. Her bare legs were goospimpled, and the scorch marks on Wolverine smelled slightly of ash. At worst she only singed his jacket and jeans, and since it was battered anyway, there was no major damage.

"You should be," she said, muffled against his neck.

"Well I am," he said gently, kissing her forehead as he continued to rub her back. "Anyway I can make it up to ya?"

"Dunno, I'm gonna have to get back to you on that," she muttered, stiffening in his hug. He released her, and she awkwardly turned to the cereals again. Logan pretended not to see the blood rushing to her tanned cheeks while she turned.

However from the scent that came from her, it was not anger that caused her to tense at his touch. Something else and it resembled the scents from all the other women in the X mansion. Possibly she was still trying to make sense of the kiss they had shared. Was it a mistake, or something they should try again? Poor kid, he thought. And poor him, because it was not helping him settle down to go to sleep anytime soon. "Guess I could make you some breakfast … after I clean this up…" he offered, dropping to his knees and started to mop up the soggy cereal that lay puddled on the floor.

"It's okay… I guess I'm the dweeb for letting you sneak up on me like that…" Jubilee said. She passed him a roll of paper towels and a sponge to help. Every so often he stole a sidelong glance of her shapely and bare legs, freshly shaven that were visible from her shorts. Granted that loose baggy shirt hid a lot of her adult curves, but he had seen an eyeful when she wore that tight red costume. He guessed that she had pulled on the yellow coat to remind herself that she was still their Jubilee.

He had to admit he liked the different hairstyle, loose and shoulder length. It framed her face, and was the style of a young woman. Those sunglasses she normally wore were absent, and were folded neatly and tucked into a pocket of her coat. Here they were absent, and her hair stuck out in odd angles from the messy bun that she fixed it in. Strangely he was glad that he had showered, and smelled the moisture of conditioner on her hair too, not to mention bayberry Bath n' Body Work's shower gel on her skin.

Matching scents too, he figured. They did not mask the pheromones and the awareness that mingled with her scent he had memorized. He had to figure all this out, and not just let the Wolverine inside him go for broke and make this female a mate out of mutual hunger. For a moment he didn't know how to react, and then settled on being helpful and protective when he dropped the wad of messy towels in the trashcan she held up for him. "How about I take ya for some chow and we get outta here for a while till Cyke gives us the go call…"

"Now? Where in the HECK are we gonna find an breakfast place… oh wait… duhh the diner down the road near town…"

"If ya wanna stop an' put some warmer clothes on… it's still kinda chilly this morning…" Logan said. "And come down n' meet me in the garage so it's not so obvious like…"

"That'd be great…" she nodded, and kissed his cheek before walking out of the kitchen. Logan mumbled and stripped off the coat. He carried it out to the foyer, and rooted around for his old reliable jacket with the alpaca lining.

"Nah, the jeep will do… I can put the top up," he chuckled. His old reliable had been replaced with a Jeep Cherokee, with a removable hard top. This way he could use the thing in snowy weather, and still have the freedom of having it open in sunny weather.


Jubilee trotted downstairs, wondering what everything meant. She had slept reasonably well for a girl worried about her future, but the uncertainty still remained. As she walked by, she saw Storm and Hank giving each other a hug as they emerged from his room. She shook her head with a chuckle and pretended to ignore them. Apparently they had the same idea about leaving at different times to look less obviously like a couple. Tugging on her sleeves she picked lint off the three quarters length polo top that was slightly V necked to show a hint of cleavage. Rhinestones clustered around the neck in a sparkly random pattern to add a bit of oomph to it. Boot cut jeans with a bleached streak running down either leg were a mix of casual and glamorous. Boots with the ponty elf toe trod on the carpet, giving a bit of extra sophistication.

"Good morning, Jubilation… did you manage to get any sleep?" Storm asked as she caught up with Jubilee.

"Slept like a rock, actually," she smiled, seeing Ororo's nervous expression. "You?"

"Reasonably well. I wanted to ask how you were feeling… considering the Professor…"

"I'm gonna be okay…" Jubilee murmured, looking down at her feet.

"It will be difficult, but I am here for you, not just as deputy leader but as your friend," Storm said. She rested her hand on Jubilee's shoulder. Then Jubilee looked up at her and suddenly threw her arms around storm's waist. Ororo hugged her tightly, and they stood there for a few minutes comforting one another.

"Ahem, is there something wrong ladies?" asked Hank gently. "Some issue that I could address with additional moral support? I could not help but overhear your conversation…"

"I'll be okay… but not right away," Jubilee murmured. "Just please, don't worry that I can't handle it…"

"None of us should face this loss alone," Beast added. Jubilee hugged him tightly as well, realizing it was all right to let down her mask and accept their support and comfort. In so doing she realized that she was giving them strength in return.

"Now, would you like to join Henry and I for breakfast? We were just going to see if anyone else…"

"Um sure… I was about to see who I could bum a ride from," Jubilee chuckled. The three friends wandered downstairs together, basking in temporary safety of their shared friendships.

Gambit and Rogue were walking, hand in gloved hand towards the garage. "Care to join us?" Beast asked.

"Sure sugah, but right now two's company an' three's a crowd…" Rogue apologized.

"Go on, have fun…" Storm said. "Unless you're headed to the same place for brunch…"

"We be goin' t' Harry's," said Remy. "How you holdin' up, Petit?"

"Okay I guess… you guys?" asked Jubilee brightly. She walked over and held out her arms to Gambit, who leaned down and kissed her cheek after she did the same. Rogue hugged her next, stroking Jubilee's cheek with her gloved hand, and rocking for a second in sisterly concern.

"Thanks ah needed that, sugah," said Rogue, wiping something away that look suspiciously like an unshed tear. Gambit intertwined his fingers with hers, and kept his hand on Jubilee's back.

"Wit two lovely ladies, and Stormy makin' four, how can Gambit go wrong, neh?" Remy smiled. "How about you join US…"

"Wouldn't dream of breaking up a DATE…" Jubilee grinned. "But let's just see where this whole group ends up…"

"Yuh seen Scott an Jean… they just up and ran past here like a couple ah teenagers…" Rogue laughed, as the party wandered out to the garage together. Remy kissed Storm's cheek and whispered moral support as Hank gently patted Rogue's shoulder.

"I am most intrigued… when did you observe them in a jubilant manner?" asked Hank, whispering.

"Just this morning…" Rogue grinned. "Ah heard Jean tellin' Scott to get the lead outta his butt, and he told her that he was taking her for a spin…"

"Interesting… am I correct in assuming that they too are taking advantage of temporary leave?" Hank said as he fingered his furry chin. He shifted his glasses more firmly on his nose, while Gambit and Jubilee wandered on ahead to the garage entrance. Storm walked on Henry's other side, her hand lost in his large clawed paw.

"I forgot to mention that Scott and Jean left Morph, Bobby and Warren on duty today… so that Morph could train them in Danger room and security protocols. They were only too eager to help, and Scott had asked me to tell you all that we're off duty for the next forty-eight hours to recuperate… I apologize…" Storm said sheepishly.

"No harm done, my dear," Hank squeezed her hand.

"Hey did y'all hear THAT?" Rogue called. Gambit and Jubilee stopped and turned their heads simultaneously.

"Yes Cherie? Remy already knew…"

"Ah thought we was playing hooky!" Rogue pretended to pout. "Ain't nearly as fun…"

"But we make it like it is runnin' away, right, ladies?" Gambit teased. "So who rides with Gambit in style?"

"I'm glad to see you all," came Scott's voice, and they saw him climbing onto his Yamaha sportster. "Did Storm tell you…"

"I just did," Storm added.

Jean Grey climbed up on the back, strapping her helmet as she wrapped her arms around Scott's waist. "All of you don't' just stand there… go out already! I've got enough on my hands getting Cyclops to take a break…"

"How can Gambit refuse the request of such a lovely lady?" Remy smiled as he blew her a kiss. "C'mon Cherie, let's do as she suggests."

"It's an order," Scott grinned, buckling on his helmet. He zipped up his riding leather jacket, and twisted the handlebars. While not the powerhouse engine of Gambit's Victory or Wolverine's Harley, it gave a fair noise that eclipsed everyone's comments.

"Yuh taking mah car or yours?" Rogue asked.

"Leave da drivin' t' Remy," he smiled. "Petit?"

"No thanks, I'm staying out of this!" Jubilee grinned as Gambit opened the door of his Ferrari.

"Storm, y'all are riding with me," Rogue laughed, opening up her corvette door. Storm and Beast climbed into the back, while Rogue went around and whispered.

"Why doncha drive, Ororo? Yuh might like a chance behind the wheel… it's a nice day," Rogue said. She and Storm levitated out of the seats and switched, while Hank grinned.

"Jubilee?" Storm asked.

"I think if I squeeze over," said Hank. Then Rogue leapt out of the passenger seat and dropped into Remy's Ferrari just as Jubilee was wondering where she was going to ride.

"C'mon Remy, hit the gas!" Rogue yelled. "Bye Storm… y'all have FUN… an make sure they're back before suppah, Jubilee!"

"Hey! Who made ME the chaperone?" Jubilee yelled.

"Jubilee, you could sit in the front," Henry McCoy grunted as he tried to adjust his bulk in the back, and was perched with his blue furred body on the back.

"Get in front, and ride shotgun, will ya?" she slugged him on the back.

"This is MOST surprising," Storm said as she watched Gambit's car roar off.

"Hey, what the hell is Cajun tryin t' pull? I'm not clearing up the rubber burns from that hunk a tin," Logan griped good-naturedly as he leapt up into his Jeep Cherokee.

"Logan, are you joining us?"

"Depends. Where ya headed?"

"What about the Mountain View Diner?" asked Jubilee. "It's got an all you can eat breakfast and lunch buffet… and get this Hank, they have Belgian waffles…"

"Extraordinary. Storm, we simply MUST partake…"

"Meet ya there…" Wolverine suggested as Jubilee wandered over and climbed into the front seat next to him.

"No offense but I think you two would enjoy a little time alone…" Jubilee winked. "Have FUN… and don't get LOST…"

"Jubilation…" Ororo pretended to look scandalized as she turned the key, and slowly pulled out. Wolverine pulled out ahead of Rogue's sportscar, and they rolled down the drive that led to Grimalken lane. The sounds of a motorcycle revving mingled with the squeal of tires from Gambit's Ferrari, and they heard Remy's loud laugh booming over the sound of the 250 HP engine.

"Look out!" Storm cried as the Ferrari shot past.

"Y'all are goin the wrong way!" Rogue laughed.

"What on EARTH…"

Then a Yamaha speedster with Scott and Jean Summers zipped by equally fast, and then cut in front of Gambit and Rogue before zipping off at nearly 80 miles per hour. "Now I've seen it all…" Logan mumbled.

"Kids, what are ya gonna do, huh?" Jubilee laughed as he kept his eye on the road, and kept an amused eye on the sight in the rear view mirror. Storm had slowed down, but was quickly closing the gap between their vehicles. Her white scarf fluttered like a banner in the wind, and flew off entirely when Beast grabbed it and threw it. They appeared to be wrestling with it, and Storm was slapping his hands off the wheel as he leaned over.

"Hope we can make it to the joint in one piece…" he shook his head. Jubilee glanced over her shoulder and couldn't help but flinch as the car almost veered off the road, and Storm shouted for a wind to blow it quickly back on. Then she shook her head and groaned overdramatically.


They did make it to the Mountainview Diner in one piece, and while Logan and Hank parked the vehicles, they dropped Storm and Jubilee to get a table. The lot was crammed with people that had more or less the same idea, and Jubilee waved at the girl, Sally who walked over snapping her gum.

"Jubes, how are ya doing?"

"Sal, long time!" she said as she held out her arms and both girls hugged. "You fix us up?"

"Who is this… is this your friend Roro?"

"Hello," Storm smiled, extending her hand. "You must be Jubilee's friend from summer camp…"

"Only shared a bunk with this girl two summers in a row, in camp Van Winkle," Sally grinned, hugging Jubilee around the shoulder. "C'mon right this way, I got a booth for you… or will you be expecting someone ELSE…"

"Table for four," Jubilee whispered, and she nodded. Gesturing to Storm, she grabbed two menus and led them to a corner table with a circular bench at the front of the diner. It afforded a spectacular view of the river cutting through gaps in the trees, with the road winding beneath it.

"This will be lovely," Storm thanked her. She and Jubilee slid into the booth and waited for Hank and Logan to return.

"So, what was that little ruckus back there? Some kinda CAR flirting?"

"Henry was being extremely foolish…" Storm sighed, shaking her head. "He insisted that I had hesitated and almost overcorrected when Gambit and Scott blew past so recklessly!"

"Looks to me like he wasn't just playing driver's Ed instructor," Jubilee grinned as she elbowed storm. "C'mon… give… are you two like goin' steady or something?"

"Well, we have been spending time together, if that is what you're asking," Storm whispered with a conspiratorial smile. "But you must promise NOT to tell Jean and Scott before we are ready to decide just what form that time takes…"

"Two buds, or girl guy," Jubilee said, accompanied by a wink and a clicking sound that was rather suggestive.

"Er…"

"Nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more?" Jubilee tried again.

"Ohhh, honestly Jubilee…" Storm shook her head, burying her head in her hand. "You're becoming more and more like Bobby every day!"

"Is that a compliment or a curse?" Jubilee chuckled. "I wanna hear ALL about it… an' if ya say I'm too young…"

"As I recall, someone just had a birthday. I must apologize that it slipped our minds…"

"Hey, it's okay. Sal an I went out like… and had a few rounds of booze at the frat house… KIDDING!" Jubilee laughed as Storm's face grew to resemble her codename.

"Jubilee, you shouldn't do that to me, what WILL Jean think?" Storm sighed overdramatically. "And you might want to be careful WHAT you say when you don't know WHO may be listening…"

"What was THAT about Frat parties?" Logan asked, standing near the table.

"And why were we not informed?" asked Hank, nonplussed.

"Um… busted," Jubilee said.

"She was joking," said Storm. "Honestly… enough games… it's barely past noon! I cannot function without my tea…"

"Sorry 'Roro," said Logan. "Some yahoo wanted t' gripe and moan that we were blockin' his view… an I told him t' take a hike…"

Jubilee got up, and indicated Logan should slide in next to Ororo. "Let's sit boy-girl… just to be different… huh whadda ya say, peeps?"

"Whatever ya want, darlin," Logan shrugged. "Just get me a menu an point me in the direction of the server so's we can get some food…"

"Before we revert to our primal predilections," Hank whispered, sitting on Storm's other side, so Jubilee slid in between Hank and Logan. That left Jubilee next to Hank, while Logan was next to Jubilee, and Storm was by the wall, separated by Hank only by a gap.


A half-hour later, Beast was conferring with Jubilee about his latest ideas in sprucing up the defensive perimeter by simulating her light displays. Simultaneously, Logan and Ororo were discussing just what possessed Scott to dust off his motorcycle and challenge Gambit to a game of chicken.

"He's acting most reckless, and it's unnerving," Storm murmured.

"Tell me about it, I've never seen Slim cut loose… it's kinda funny… but I smell somethin' sour in it all," said Logan, picking up his cup of coffee and sipping it.

"C'mon guys, its just stress… right? Didn't you say Hank that everyone's gonna act all weird on account of us being all upset over the Professor being gone?" said Jubilee. She dumped ketchup on her scrambled eggs and cheese, then snagged a piece of bacon off Logan's plate, nibbling on it.

Storm finished her fruit salad, and Hank stacked the empty bowl in the center of the table. He moved his plate over to hers, and they began to share their sizable repasts as he continued, "She is correct. Scott is exhibiting a classic case of overcompensation under duress… which has been exacerbated at Jean's insistence that he relieve his negative self recriminating tendencies in a more constructive manner…"

"There he goes again, with the diagnosis, sheesh," Logan shook his head dramatically and grabbed the ketchup from Jubilee to douse his hash browns in.

"That didn't look too constructive to me. It was downright FOOLISH," Storm muttered, dunking her teabag up and down in her clear carafe of hot water.

"That's why we gotta make sure we bring him back down to earth before he goes nutzoid, right?" Jubilee asked.

"Absolutely Jubilee," Hank nodded. "We must vehemently protest any such action that may endanger the well being of the team…"

"But it was Jeannie who suggested it, so she'll keep his butt in line…" Logan laughed, holding up his fork with a piece of egg speared on it. "Although… if she gets caught up in it… poor Scott…"

"Poor YOU and me both, Logan. Because as deputy leader I must 'reign him in', and you'll be the first one I ask for help throwing the rope to bring Scott down…" Storm reminded him. Logan shoved the piece of food into his mouth and chewed on it, lifting a questioning brow at her.

"Who me? Why do I gotta be dragged inta this, Roro?" he grumbled. "It's bad enough havin' ta baby-sit Popsicle and Wings now that they've joined up…"

"They have Betsy and Morph to do so. And I DO need your help, which you promised, Logan. You are the most senior member of the team, next to Jean and Scott…"

"Heck, issat so? Last time I recall, Blue here along with Slim an Jeannie were the original X men," Logan said.

"You know what I mean, Logan," Storm sighed.

"Yeah, he knows, he's just messin' with ya," Jubilee said, stifling a yawn. Logan snagged the coffeepot and freshened up her cup and his.

"Scott will eventually see reason, and the tomfoolery in his current behavior. I'm certain that through our gentle intervention and instance he will achieve a happy medium…" Hank said as he patted Storm's hand. "And as always you may count on my insistence as a physician to implement the necessary prescriptions…"

"You mean use your power to relieve him of command if he goes bananas, right?" Logan snickered.

"Wolverine, that's so not funny," Jubilee shushed him. "I forgot to laugh already."

"I'm only translating, Jube," Logan held up his hands and smirked. "Someone's gotta keep a sense o' humor even though this whole thing reeks of Scott possibly losing his marbles if Jeannie doesn't chaperone him… an ya gotta admit there ain't no better watchdog for him then her…"

"Usually it's the converse," Hank nodded, shaking salt all over his eggs Benedict, and cutting into the mess daintily along with his Belgian Waffles.

"So, Roro, what exactly's goin' on here that ol' Logan should know about?" he nodded to them.

"I don't know what you mean," Storm said.

"Don't give me that, you two," Logan laughed. "I've seen how you conveniently ended up drivin' Rogue's sports car…"

"That was simply because Rogue drove off with Gambit… and we did not wish to infringe upon any plans you might have, Logan," said Storm gently.

"An what's that supposed ta mean?" Logan hiked an eyebrow, smile disappearing from his face.

"Nothing adverse, simply that we've observed from past examples of your habits, that you prefer to spend your recreation in solitude…" Hank shrugged. "Don't take offense…"

"Oh yeah, sorry," Logan mumbled. "Never mind me. Just a little jumpy…"

"As we all are, Logan. That's why we must keep talking to one another and not assuming that we can read minds. Only two of us are telepaths, and they don't unless it's warranted," Storm said gently. "I apologize if I made you uncomfortable just now…. But it was unexpected…"

"And why's that?" Logan asked, shaking his head.

"What Ororo means is that we should know well to mind each one's own business… but that she requests you extend her and myself the same courtesy…"

"Wolverine, I think they want us to like butt out?" Jubilee murmured.

"I heard the man, Jube," he mumbled. "Okay, I'll mind my own business. Sorry Hank… Roro…"

"It's all right,' Storm said. "No harm done. Actually there isn't much to tell at this point. But if there is anything that you should worry about, we'll talk…"

"Just lookin' out for ya. Yer my friends, an' ya know how protective I get sometimes…"

"Indeed Logan. Might I suggest we er… conclude our transactions and separate to afford one another personal time today? Perhaps time spent in one another's company past a certain point can be detrimental, since we work so closely together…"

"We get the message," Logan grinned. "C'mon Jube, let's let the Professor an Roro here enjoy the view…"

"Later guys," said Jubilee. Logan dropped a twenty by the ketchup bottle, and slid out. Grabbing Jubilee's jacket and his own, he put on his hat and held her coat up.

"Goodbye Logan, Jubilee… don't take offense," said Hank.

"No problemo," Jubilee smiled, giving Hank a squeeze, followed by Ororo. Logan slipped on her jacket, then tugged his own on.

"Later kids," Logan nodded, and walked out, followed by jubilee. Storm watched as he stopped and waited for her to catch up, and then touched her shoulder to indicate she should walk next to him, not tag along behind.

"Fascinating," Beast mused. "Did you also notice an apparent shift in their behavior? Not a familiarity exhibited by a mentor and student, but rather that of a gentleman and his lady friend?"

"Logan is honorable. His intentions whatever they may be towards Jubilee… will be so as well. I'm sure he is simply being overprotective since she is the most vulnerable…"

"Perhaps his intentions involve a less platonic and a more romantic nature. His present overtures suggest an infatuation with our Jubilation beyond fatherly or brotherly concern. More precisely, of a nature more closely resembling yours and mine…" Beast murmured. "I only hope that he will remember…"

"Logan knows Jubilee is 18. It's my guess he'll not rush into this. If he truly has such feelings for Jubilee, he won't be less than a perfect gentleman," said Hank. "And we both have known him for years…"

"She has grown up all too fast it seems…" Storm murmured. "Sadly much like myself… an orphan, and having to fend for herself…"

"Much like Scott as well," Hank nodded, patting her hand. Storm leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. Hank felt his cheeks turn from indigo to violet, and savored the next butterfly kiss that brushed his lips. Sliding his massive arm behind her waist, he tilted her chin to his, and deepened the soft smooch considerably.