I Hate Mondays

Chapter 10: Dates

By

Anything but ordinary3

And

The Uncanny R-Man

Disclaimer-Emma, Bobby, Hank, Tigra and the X-Men all belong to Marvel. Helia belongs to Anything but ordinary3.


Shout Outs-

Sakura Sohma- Glad you liked it, fluff rules!

Ldypebsaby- At least Emma isn't jealous of Jean anymore.

SpyOfNabiki-Heheh, any excuse for a love triangle.

Agent-G- I think Bobby's more nervous that he's going on a date with Frosty, she does have a reputation you know.

Thanks to- Freakaleek4jello


Xavier's-

"So how do I look?" The voice held the faint trace of fear

"Like you are awaiting execution." Came the deep rumblings from the expanse of blue and black.

"Well you know what Hankster you don't look so confident yourself." Bobby commented "In fact you look like you are going to a funeral."

"Yeah, yours." Hank mumbled under his breath, cleaning his glasses on a cloth.

Bobby continued as if he hadn't heard "…and besides whoever told you blue and black go together."

"The same person who said that women love ice wedgies."

"Oh Hank that was low and in my defence I thought that…." Bobby stopped for a moment to think "Ok so I have no defence for that."

Hank chuckled and got up from the chair on which he had previously been seated.

"Where you going big guy? Don't tell me you are standing me up." Came a husky voice from the door.

"Tigra." Hank half yelped "I mean er…I'm just heading to check on Helia quickly before we go, these last few days have been hard for her and…"

"Henry you are babbling." A more haughty and frosty voice cut in from the doorway behind Tigra.

"Emma." Bobby greeted with a gulp. "You look…"

"Fabulous I know." Emma said gliding across the room in a white dress and matching stiletto's. Hank excused himself quietly and bolted out the door shutting it behind him.

He padded to his daughters room quietly and opened the door a crack, smiling to hear her soft snores. He noticed he could hear her staccato heartbeat without even straining his ears, a benefit of his latest transformation.

He walked over to her bed and softly brushed her hair away from her face, admiring the thickness of her eyelashes laid against the smooth, pale curve of her plump cheeks. He bent down and pressed his lips against her forehead gently before retreating from the room.

Truth be told Henry McCoy had gone to see his newly found daughter more as an excuse to catch his breath and psyche himself up for this evenings date (or as he liked to think of it 'ordeal'). It wasn't that Hank wasn't looking forward to it, quite the contrary in fact and that was the problem.

The problem –or problems—was that he was scared of it not quite attaining the high heights he hoped it would, for the past few days Hank had been thinking of nothing but this date with Tigra. He had a whole mini movie in his head on how it would go; he would be charming and witty, everyone would focus on him and listen earnestly to what he had to say. Unfortunately, it had been so long since he had been on a date he was scared he might make some heinous faux pas and neglect to observe dating etiquette, after all it had been ages since Hank had had a proper date. Ages.

Even then he had been dating the witch (or Trish Tilby as the general populace knew her) for years and the rules of dating hadn't mattered anymore. His last date with her had resulted in the collapse of the relationship thanks to his new accursed form, which had transformed the predatory look, which had used to make the witch swoon, into a threatening gesture.

Further more the date wasn't with a perfect stranger it was with an old friend (who happened to be perfectly proportioned). If everything went belly up and he did something horrendous he would be unable to forget it as he would see her again, unless he ruined a perfectly good friendship in the process as well.

'Henry! Stop thinking.' His brain cautioned him forcefully; unfortunately Hank was on a roll.

Bobby 'elephants never forget' Drake was going to be there too, so just in case Hank did forget any cringe worthy moments Bobby would always be able to remind him of it and if he was very lucky Bobby would even act it out for him.

'Sarcasm isn't attractive Hank ol' boy.' He thought to himself.

If you asked Hank, which nobody did, he was far too old to date. He should be happily married by now with a string of kids and adoring in-laws, he would not be in his current predicament; wondering if one was to kiss on a first date or just hold hands.

Should they even hold hands?

Hank was back outside the door to the main foyer where he could smell Bobby's cheap aftershave and deducted they had all gathered; he wasn't ready for this at all.

Hank took a gulp of air, like a drowning man preparing to get plunged into the deep once more, before striding into the hall more confidently than he felt.

"Tigra, as ravishing as usual." He bowed elegantly taking her hand in his and bestowing a kiss upon it.

"Why didn't I think of doing that?" Bobby muttered to himself, following Hanks lead and offering an arm for Emma.

Emma took it without a word; she seemed to be deep in though her eyes fixed on Beast's broad back in front of her.


The restaurant-

Bobby wasn't happy.

Throughout the meal his date ignored him; instead talking about stuff that went over his head to Hank and Tigra, the one topic he managed to follow soon passed and he was left folding his napkin into exotic balls once more.

Tigra took pity on him over dessert and initiated a chat with him over the best brand of ice cream but alas, this too ended in disaster as they began to argue at first good naturedly and then more heatedly about what was better 'Ben and Jerry's' or 'Carte D'or', they broke off their talk after their raised voices interrupted Hank and Emma's discussion on red wine.

Things got gradually worse as they left the restaurant and made their way to a dance hall down the street and Hank and Tigra left him alone with Emma while they went to get more drinks.

Sure Emma was pretty to look at, but if Bobby was being totally honest the woman scared the hell out of him. One moment she could be purring words of love into your ear then next she would be lashing your ears off with her tongue; or so Bobby would imagine.

"So…ah…Emma, I hope you are having a good time." Bobby forced out uncomfortably.

Emma looked at him for a moment "How could I not with such delightful company."

Bobby wasn't sure if she was being honest or just jerking his chain but decided to take it as a compliment. He got too few compliments to just ignore this one, ambiguous as it was.

"Why thank you Emma." Bobby said brightening up a little but keeping his eyes glued to the table just in case she were to turn him to stone in a mad medusa like fashion.

"What a marvellous musculature."

"Well I have been working out." Bobby grinned flexing his muscles before glancing up at her and followed her gaze. "Oh has he got a smashed Twinkie tangled in his neck fur again?"

Bobby squinted trying to see if there was any evidence to prove this.

Emma looked back at Bobby rather startled "No, I was just admiring his bu…beautifully tailored suit."

"Oh that, I think it used to belong to an undertaker." Bobby attempted to joke feebly.

"Oh really." Emma said taking a sip of her white wine spritzer and looking over at Bobby's best friend again.

Bobby pinched the bridge of his nose dragging his fingers against his closed eyelids before doing so, dismayed at Emma's blatant disregard to his rather genius joke. Alright so it wasn't that genius and she was obviously enamoured with him but the least she could do was a little light laugh…damn it a simple grunt in acknowledgement of its humorous value would have sufficed. Bobby could swear that she wasn't listening to him; he would say she was too dazzled by his sparkling, pearly white smile but she wasn't even looking at him.

Bobby pushed all bitterness at this to one side charitably as Hank and Tigra made their way back with the drinks.

"Another white wine for Emma, a red wine for me, a vodka and coke for Tigra and a pint for Robert." Hank counted out as he handed out the drinks.

"Well I don't know about you Bobby but I feel rather common compared to these two." Tigra commented, not seeming in the least bothered.

Bobby smiled "Tell me about it and please can we not talk about multinational conglometers…"

"Conglomerates." Hank corrected helpfully

"Whatever. Just let's not talk about them anymore."

Tigra smiled in agreement "You know for a moment I thought I was in a business meeting."

"I apologise milady." Hank said humbly "Perchance a dance to lift the mood"

"Are you asking me to dance?" Tigra asked as she finished sipping her drink.

"Are you saying yes?" Hank shot back his eyes teasing.

"Come on big boy show me your moves." Tigra said grabbing hold of his hand and dragging him onto the dance floor.

Bobby looked around in panic; he had to ask Emma to dance now.

"Ah…Em…ma would you care to…that is to say would you…"

Emma rolled her eyes and stood up and walked to the dance floor.

"I'll take that as a yes shall I?" Bobby muttered trailing after her feeling every bit the whipped lap dog.


The dance floor-

"He does appear to be suffering does he not?" Hank murmured in Tigra's ear, inclining his head towards Bobby.

"Just a little." Tigra chuckled watching Bobby dancing woodenly.

"I don't think he really feels very comfortable with her, they have a kind love, hate relationship." Hank's voice was low.

"In what way?"

Hank chuckled "Well Bobby loves her body and she hates his."

Tigra laughed, moving her body slightly closer to Hanks.

"Seriously though I don't think he's ever really gotten over the fact that she invaded his body and could utilize his powers in ways he never even dreamt of. I don't think he will ever really trust her."

Tigra cast a sad glance over to Bobby "He's not very lucky in love is he really?"

"No, but then is anyone?" Hank commented voice etched with sadness.

"No, I suppose not." Tigra said laying her head on Hank's shoulder.

At the end of the dance Tigra glanced again at a dejected looking Bobby. "Shall I go and rescue him?"

Hank looked down at her softly "Why not?"

Tigra nodded squeezing his hand before striding across to where Bobby was awkwardly finishing his dance with Emma. She walked up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. Bobby spun around to see who it was face flooding with relief when he saw who it was.

"Dance with a fellow commoner?" Tigra asked cheerily.


Later-

The foursome got a taxi back to the institute chatting cheerily amongst themselves, Bobby and Hank benevolently treating the ladies to their special rendition of Frank Sinatra classics. When they finally reached home Hank noticed Tigra had become rather quiet.

"You okay?" He asked her as they stood on the front porch after paying the driver.

"I'm just feeling a little tired." Tigra said with a smile, albeit a small one.

"That's to be expected after all you have been through." Hank said offering her his arm and leading her into the mansion and into the staff common room sitting her down.

Bobby and Emma soon followed.

"Everything okay Henry?" Emma asked.

"I am here you know." Tigra said.

"Of course dear, I am sorry. Is everything okay Tigra?"

"Yes thank you Emma I am just a little tired." Tigra smiled falsely at the, according to Tigra, rather plastic looking blonde before standing up. "I think I should head up to the wooden hill to Bedfordshire."

"Allow me to…" Hank began.

"No that's fine. Thank you for a lovely evening though." Tigra said standing on tip toes to kiss Hank chastely on the cheek.

Hank smiled happily and Bobby winked at him and gave him thumbs up, he didn't notice though as he was too busy watching Tigra leave. Emma looked over at the Hank and then Bobby before marching over to the latter and engaging him in a rather passionate kiss, watching Hanks startled face throughout the intimate moment.

Dr McCoy, a man of discreet nature, backed out towards the door to give his friends time alone. Sadly his retreat wasn't as discreet as he had hoped as –somewhat startled by Emma's icy blue eyes locked with his during her moment of passion with his best friend--- fell over a wastepaper basket full of glass bottles, causing them to spill to the floor with a crash.

After stuffing the noisy contents of that awkwardly placed bin back he flew from the room faster than a vampire from garlic, leaving Emma with a curious smile across her face.

'Just what is Emma thinking?' Hank wondered that night in bed.

TBC…


Next: Fuzzies

Helia finds out about Daddy's little night out.