Chapter 2 Five years later
Date night. Spring break. Monet's big idea was a quick getaway over Spring Break to New York City. Of course she had the connections to get a townhouse for the six friends to all stay in during the week, and insisted they all travel together. While Jubilee was not crazy in the least at occupying the same apartment for her vacation, Paige's persuasive nature got the better of her.
"You need to get out," Paige had said. Which was pretty much what topped off the whole unfortunate mess as far as Jubilee was concerned? Other issues warranted her hesitation, considering the proximity to the X Mansion in West Chester, and the distinct and remote possibility that they might cross paths with her old teammates.
Her social life was a buzz with group forays into Boston. While they were way too young to drink, some of them, somehow they managed to slip away to the local places and haunts of teens. Coffee houses and dance clubs were adopted as official Gen X hangouts. Jubilee and Paige had memorized most of their favorites in the three years they had been roomies and shared their secret sorrows and pains.
Jubilee was eighteen for six months now, awakening to the whole daunting reality of boys. They swore they would take her out on the town and show her the local scene, and perhaps get everyone rip roaring drunk at this place that Monet knew would not ask questions.
Everett could swear something had come over Jubilee lately. He was worried sick about her, and yet she did not even open up to page. Hadn't she gotten over these moods lately? For the last two days she hadn't come out of the bedroom that she'd claimed in the townhouse, preferring to read those trashy VC Andrews's novels and shop till she dropped with Paige.
"What gives?" he asked, snagging Angelo as he started to tackle his evening look. "Is it just me, or is Jubes really bumming lately?"
"Jubicita's always like this, this time a' year. Whaddya want, hombre?" Angelo shot back. "That's why Paige an' you an' me gotta get her pretty butt outta that room and onto the town tonight!"
"I know you're gonna give me the whole thing about how she isn't always LIKE this till we get her partying. But don't it bother you any that she's locked herself in that room for the last two days… an' won't even come out unless you mention shopping and Paige in the same sentence, man?"
"She's onna rag. That's the sitch," Angelo chuckled.
"You are so sick, and that's SO wrong…" Everett snapped at him.
"Hey, that's what it is before…" Angelo shrugged. "She always gets like this. Then after we haul her out, she's the party animal!"
"Yeah, after the booze," mumbled Everett. He liked drinking a bit as much as any of them, but he did worry about when Jubilee cut loose. Paige was a lousy drunk, and Jubilee mellowed and relaxed after one or two. However she only drank when they were all out together, and wanted to join in. But the moods he was getting from her lately were terrifying. They all centered on that horrid anniversary of the event that shook her up so badly.
Magneto's last gasp. And his worst.
What made it so painful is that he really liked her. Not just liked her, liked her, but REALLY liked her. As in wanted to get to know her better. Torn between Monet's flash and sophistication, and Jubilee's spunk and reckless honesty, he was undecided. They all s hared the coziness of group dates, which was all Emma Frost would allow. Something in Jubilee sparkled his interest, and he felt her hunger that echoed his own. She was a good pal to hang with, but he saw the attractive sexy woman she was blossoming into, and he really wanted a crack at taking her out and showing her a good time. Making her forget all the angst crap and making it all better.
However she was probably deferring to Monet. Not that he MINDED, but he got the distinct feeling she was avoiding getting close to any guy. Since WHEN did she ever go past a first date? His subtle hints to 'go out' were always met with some excuse, or with Monet jumping first. Still, he wanted to give her every chance. So far, she wasn't picking up the hint, and he couldn't bring himself to turn down Monet when she was willing and available. When Monet WASN'T around, he hungered for the contact with that fiery spunky girl from So Cal.
Jubilee lately wasn't taking much but what was offered in the group dates. The few times she had agreed to go out were the double dates with Paige and Angelo, or Jono and Paige. Chamber was one strange guy, but he had his innate quirks that made him good guy pal material once you got past the fact he had half his lower face missing. That didn't stop Paige or Jubilee from getting closer. Nor him and Angelo trying to get him up to speed with what 'girls looked for' in a guy.
"Hold on, I'm gonna see if they're ready," Everett said as he walked out. Angelo snorted and shook his head.
Paige threw up her hands as she rushed out of the bathroom. "God, where IS my flattening iron? I'm so lost without it?"
"You seen Jubes?" asked Everett.
"You mean she didn't come down yet?" asked Paige, glancing at her watch.
"You've been IN there for two hours, I thought that you'd…" Everett trailed off. "Wait here… she's probably in her room…"
"Dammit, this is not good," Paige grumbled. "I told her to get her butt down here and help me pick out a shade of eyeshadow an hour ago."
"You don't seem t' miss her much…"
"Well I figured she was using the upstairs bathroom to get ready, because…"
"Wait here," said Everett. "I gotta bad feeling she hasn't left her room most of the afternoon…"
"Crap," Paige sighed, rolling her eyes as she watched him rush up the stairs. He rapped on the door to the single that Jubilee had claimed, and out of their respect for her desire for privacy had granted her. Which meant that Paige and Monet were stuck together. In small doses it was all right. There were four bedrooms after all in the townhouse. Jono had the other single, while the others doubled up.
"Go away," Jubilee mumbled.
"Girl, it's Ev… are you sick or something?" he asked.
"Ev?" she asked. "What time is it?"
"It's six thirty… Jube, are you okay? We're getting ready… Paige was wondering where you got to… and I'm worried…"
"I'm okay, no big deal… I guess I just fell asleep."
"Can I come in at least?" he asked.
"Okay Ev," she sighed, and the door opened. He saw the dark circles under her eyes, and she waved him in.
"You're not even ready," he mumbled. "Paige said she left you the bathroom up here… she's gonna give us all grief that…"
"I'm not feeling too hot," Jubilee yawned. "Why don't you all go on without me."
"Jubilee, this isn't like you," Everett said as he closed the door. "You wanna tell me about it?"
"Not really," she mumbled, sitting on the bed. A tear twinkled in the corner of her eye, and then she turned away.
"Is it cause we're in the City, and you don't wanna run into someone?" he asked.
Jubilee nodded, and hid her face partly behind one hand. He heard the sniffles and grabbed the tissues. Everett sat next to her on the small bed and passed the box her way. Jubilee tugged one out and dabbed at her eyes. "It's stupid. I should be over this… you'd think after three years…"
"Is it…" Everett asked. "That guy you told us about that one time… you know the dude who owned that cowboy hat or something?"
"Yeah," Jubilee sniffled. "Dammit…"
"Thought you dug him…" said Everett. "Oh wait… that's right, you said you were pissed at him…"
"You're damn right I am."
"Then why are you givin' yourself grief over it and getting bummed if you're pissed?" he asked. "He stop writing you?"
"I stopped writing him. Figured there wasn't a point. HE wasn't gonna come back. If he hadn't come back in three years, he'd never… but the other day I got a letter from Storm saying he HAD come back, and he was asking why I hadn't returned his letters for the past year or so…"
"Oh… he didn't get the hint, did he?"
"He was angry and hurt. He was hurt… she said," Jubilee sniffled. "That I had shut myself off from him. But I just told her I didn't wanna hear it, because it hurt too much… she said she didn't blame me, but she still was begging me to reconsider throwing years of friendship away…"
"Jubilee, he isn't worth you ruining your life," said Everett softly as he lay his hand on top of hers. "Specially if HE left you. I know we've gone here before… the last few times… but can't you just forget him and just have FUN with us?"
"It isn't that easy. This is the night that he left… the same month that Illayna died… and that I came to Gen X…"
"Why do you think we dragged you here?" Everett asked.
"I just… dammit," She sighed deeply. "Why don'tcha just leave me be. I'm bumming YOU out…"
"He really hurt you, didn't he?" Everett murmured. "You must still care about him if you're THAT torn up…"
"Yeah, no duh," she mumbled as he traced his hand across her shoulder. "Just leave me alone, okay?"
"No way, Jubilee. We're your friends and we're worried 'bout you," Everett murmured. Jubilee felt the kindness of his touch, and hugged her knees. Her entire throat was sealed off with the agony of that pain she couldn't fill.
"God just leave me alone," she sniffled. He glanced at the pictures on her dressed, and exhaled. Of all Gen X he had been the one who volunteered to venture into her room. Two years it had been. They'd all gotten to know one another. Faced life and death. Jubilee had spent many a night at the clubs, but never dated anyone else except the casual flings.
"We're going out… c'mon…" Paige urged as she kicked open the door. "An' you won't get outta it so easily, Lee!"
"Leave me alone Page, jeezus!" Jubilee grumbled, hugging herself. "I'll only sour the damn mood…"
"C'mon, please… for ME! I planned this for AGES!"
"Please Jube, for us?" Everett asked. "I hate seeing you funked out…"
"Okay, for you," Jubilee mumbled as she sat up, and glanced at the concerned faces of Paige and Everett. Angelo's head curled round.
"Jubicita, you THROUGH yet? Caramba! Get yer pretty butt down here an' join the rest of us! Stop feelin' sorry for yourself or we'll drag you outta there!" Angelo yelled at her.
She hugged Page. "I'm a real dumb ass… okay… I'll go… but I wont have much fun…"
"None at all," Page chuckled, crossing her fingers and winking at Angelo and Everett. "Now get outta here… we've got work to do… majorly."
Minutes later, Jubilee was radiant in glitter eyeshadow, and a tight babydoll T. The hip huggers and fake navel ring hung just right around her, and she saw the two little princess buns on either side of her hair that Paige was twisting her locks into. "Okay, you ready?"
"Ready, let's do it," Jubes nodded, swallowing her anger. Her friends were only trying to help, and the least she could do was let them try. The sounds of Monet banging on the door alerted them, and they strode out. Caramel toffee skin and a flawless minidress curved on Monet's body. Paige's tank top and miniskirt flowed around her legs like a cloud.
"BMW's fired up. Angelo's wondering what's keeping you two so long," Monet tapped her foot. "I told them I'd get you in 7.5 minutes from now…"
"We're on time, jeez!" Paige groaned dramatically. "So where's Evv?"
"He's on the phone with Jono. His band's playing at 10. Luckily I know the club owner who can get us in…" Monet said as she looked at her nails. "Now, are we done with the prelims?"
"Okay, now or never," Jubilee mumbled, fixing her strawberry gloss. Although she couldn't tolerate Monet except in small doses, the bond of team spirit was with her. Especially when she saw Everett stride out in his long baggy cargo pants, baseball cap, and matching leather sports jacket. He gave Jubilee a look over and smiled.
Angelo wolf whistled, and motioned to them. Page fluttered her eyes dramatically, and thrust her hand through Everett's one arm, and he extended his hand to the other. Monet sashayed down the stairs first, followed by the three musketeers. Angelo opened the door, and motioned for Jubilee to cram in the back with Everett and Paige. Monet settled up front, and they waved goodbye to the others who were staying in that night.
The motor roared as Generation X piled into the car and the sounds of Linkin Park rattled through the soundsystem. They were off to Club Flaming Feather, where Jono's band was playing for it's once a month gig, and where tonight Monet had promised to get them in free, because the club owner was a relative of hers.
"This takes me back," Bobby Drake crowed. They stood before the Flaming Feather, almost on top of Side Pocket.
Lori rolled her eyes. "You have GOT to be kidding! This is a 21 and under night!"
"Well there is the bar next door… with LOTS of pool tables," said Drake. "That's why we came, right Gambit?"
"You know it, mes ami," Gambit laughed.
"Don't know WHY in HELL you dragged me here," Logan grumbled.
"Mister Personality strikes again," Drake whispered to Lori.
"Well why did we drag him along again?"
"The only reason I came with you clowns is cause Jeannie asked me to, for her sake," Logan mumbled. "An' to keep YOU outta trouble…"
"Hey I don't NEED a babysitter… capiche?" Bobby snickered. He strode over to the entrance on the one side that was to the left of the club part, where a line of teenagers were clustered before a bouncer crossing his arms over his chest.
"Damn kids," Logan mumbled as he and Remy stood at the entrance to the club.
"Don't knock it," Gambit said with a laugh. Rogue held his hand, and they were motioning for a table in the back.
"Do they have any damn pool tables?" Logan asked, glancing around at the throbbing pulse of the nightclub next door. Teens gyrated and body bumped to the beat that made him want to grit his teeth.
"Hey, just like college," Bobby laughed as he held Lori's hand.
"Yeah… it kinda grows on you. But we're STAYING away from the dance club… I don't wanna smell puke everywhere…" said Lori with a chuckle
"Ah promise we'll take that chip offa yer shoulder, Wolvie," said Rogue as she nudged Logan.
"Soon as we get in, we rack up, Remy promise," Gambit reassured him.
"C'mon you cranky old bastard, lighten up," Marrow kicked Logan in the shins. "Stupid flatscan place…"
"There are mutants perhaps THIS way," Colossus jerked his head in the direction of the nightclub.
"More my speed," Marrow mumbled. "Friggin adults. Let's get the fuck outta here, Reds…"
"Excuse me," Colossus said as he wandered off.
"Over there, but Remy have someone he want you to meet," said Gambit.
"Don't know WHY you dragged my but to this place," Wolverine mumbled. He was still feeling strange after the return home, disoriented and disembodied from what seemed like a journey of a thousand years. Although Marrow cursed and protested at the whole thing, once she got through the door she seemed to lighten up a bit. She managed to drag Colossus into the club with her, and he shrugged his stoic Russian apology to a moody Wolverine.
"All the ol' fogies are next door playing pool!" laughed Paige.
"Yeah, tell me about it!" Jubilee laughed. She risked only an occasional glance at the adults who were entering and glancing with disdain at the Flaming Feather, right next door to the Side Pocket.
Those who were the under 21 ventured back and forth. Around them, some had the pink armbands that denoted their status as too young to drink, but not too young to party.
Jubilee gyrated and tossed to the flickering lights, along with Monet and Paige. Despite her resentment, she was starting to loose her rivalry towards Monet. Everett and Angelo were whooping it up with the girls, and they were sharing the good well being.
"Have a sip of this," Paige urged. Jubilee sipped the punch, and almost wanted to spit it out, for it tasted of alcohol.
"Ugh, is this spiked?" she asked.
"Yeah, ain't it cool?" Paige drawled, her southern accent coming out with a vengeance.
"How did you get us to DRINK?" Jubilee demanded. "This is so LAME!"
"Here, we forgot these," Paige said with a chuckle. Monet passed something to Jubilee.
"Don't be a poop," Monet tisked. "For all intents and purposes, we are legal…"
"What's THIS?" Jubilee asked, shaking her head.
"So you look legal…" Monet winked.
"As IF!" Jubilee snorted. "I'm not wearing THIS!"
"Who's gonna care? You got the ids like the REST of us, so don't boo hoo," Angelo nudged her in the ribs.
"You in this all the way, or not?" Monet sniffed at Jubilee.
"Fine, you win, M," said Jubilee, grabbing the bracelet and letting the girl clip it on so she matched the others in Gen X.
"Save me," she mumbled as she sighed and grabbed the test tube shot that Everett handed her. He slid his arm around her waist and smiled down at her. Jono's strange stare and mouthless countenance moved into view as he took a place by Paige. He watched with strange muted fascination at the movements of Everett and Jubilee.
Paige slid her arm around his waist, and stood at the sidelines, explaining to him over the pounding pulse. His guitar was to the side stage, while the techno pulsed and roared overtop. Angelo and Monet gyrated alongside Everett and Jubilee. Alcohol worked its magic, and the six teenagers, except for a detached Jono were all drifting off.
En Vogue's song, "Take me Higher" swooned and wreathed in Jubilee's ears. She hung around Everett's hips, feeling the warmth of his body and arms synching around her. Synch reached out to feel the pain that was evaporating, his arms on Jubilee's hips. She snatched a glimpse at Monet's perfect coordination, and the press of Angelo's lips to her cheek. Jono had even joined the strange procession, picking up on Paige's intoxicated thoughts and duplicating them for himself.
"You okay, Jubecita?" Angelo asked as she swung into Everett's arms, and he held her close.
"She don't look too good," Everett whispered. "Jubes, you all right?"
"I'll get her a coke," Monet offered. She moved off.
Jono's telepathic query reminded them that his set was on. Everett gently moved Jubilee to sit down next to him at a table near the front of the club. She sipped the coke, giggling and leaning on Everett's shoulder while he sipped at another test tube shot. Angelo was puffing on what looked like a Cuban cigar of all things, and passed it around.
"Ugh," Jubilee groaned. "Get that damn thing away…"
"Don't knock it till you try it, Jubicita," Angelo laughed as he playfully blew smoke in her face. Jubilee crowed and sipped a bit of rum and coke, kissing Everett sloppily on the cheek. He laughed, his arm twisted round her waist as Paige giggled and waved wildly to the stage.
Back in Side Pocket, Wolverine had gotten a booth away from the noise of the Flaming Feather next door. Why they had to pick under 21 to come HERE was beyond him, but Rogue was rather insistent that he come along. Especially in light of the fact that Storm and Forge were now an item again, since he'd returned.
Not that he wanted to get back in the saddle again. Although Rogue's cowboy hat and her big grin were just too cheesy and stupid to miss. He couldn't miss seeing the shock on her face when she walked in, and found that she had miscalculated the date for Western Night by one week! Despite this, she had regained her self-cheer, because she was running quickly back to the table with someone he'd never met.
"Here you go, mon ami, one shot of whisky and soda," said Gambit, placing a drink before Logan. He sighed and gave a grunt.
"Thanks, Cajun… I'm glad someone remembered I'm kinda sick of beer…"
"You sure you should be having that… your healing factor…" started Bobby. Wolverine's glare stopped him cold and he glanced anxiously at Lori.
"Let's go see if we can get any pool tables… you game, Logan?" asked Bobby.
"Nah, go ahead an' play. I'll just sit here an' see what Rogue's got cooked up," Logan sighed.
"Suit yourself…" Bobby grinned. "But I know you're gonna be joining us before the night's through… and then we'll see if you still have the ol' touch with the cue…"
"Got more of a touch with the cue then you'd think, kid," Logan mumbled. Gambit said little as Logan sipped his whisky slowly.
"You sure comin' here was okay with you, cause Remy thinks you're kinda quiet…" said Gambit as he sipped his white wine.
"Well, if I didn't, Rogue would drive me nuts," said Logan, sipping more whisky and then rolling the glass between his hands thoughtfully.
"True," Gambit grinned. "Rogue have dat effect on people… wraps men around her little finger…"
"Wolvie, I want you to meet Shandi…" said Rogue introducing him to a perky blonde girl that seemed around Gambit's age. The slight western motif to her clothes seemed appealing, but Logan could only manage a weak smile.
He kissed her hand and let the gentleman take over. Although he didn't feel like he wanted any companionship he let Rogue and Gambit whisk him away with Shandi, and Warren and Betsy towards the booth. They settled down with a whole list of drinks.
"So we were saying that this club should have a WESTERN night," Shandi said as she babbled to Rogue.
"Ah know, ain't it GREAT," Rogue laughed. "But oopsie me, ah plum forgot it was NEXT week!"
"Yeah, swell,' Logan mumbled. That ache at the core of his being wasn't eased at all. Call it massive guilt perhaps. Ororo had gone back to Forge, and he couldn't have expected her to wait for him.
He felt Shandi's arm thread through his, and he sighed. This was not anything he wanted any part of. Playing a game while their inane chatter rattled his brain, and he found himself lighting a cigar and everyone frowning.
"I thought you gave those up," Bobby nudged him.
"I think it's rather rugged… can I give it a shot?" Shandi asked, and plucked the cigar from him.
"Excuse me, I need to see a man about a horse," Logan mumbled. "Carry on folks…"
"Okay," Shandi said, watching him leave. Bobby glanced at her apologetically.
"He's just come back from a LONG trip," Bobby whispered.
"Is he ALWAYS that quiet?" Shandi whispered. "He seems that kinda dark an' angsty type…"
"Ol' Logan just needs a bit a' TLC," Rogue smiled. "Maybe he'll soften up with a few beers in him…"
"Healing factor or no," Gambit added, knocking back his white wine. Shandi grinned as Bobby winked at her, and Lori suddenly complimented her on the terrific way she'd done her hair.
Meanwhile Logan's eyes darted around, desperately looking for an escape. He was way too big to fit through the tiny window in the men's room, so that idea was out. Maybe that damn teenybopper dance club was a good place to duck out. He'd apologize in three hours when they all got wasted and he could ditch the skirt Rogue fixed him up with.
Dammit, he didn't want female company right now. It wasn't in his stomach. All he wanted… was something to ease the ache that had build inside him for two years. That missing piece of what had made him strong, and leeched out of him with the adamantium. Granted his healing factor was working back up to its old capacity, yet he knew there were a lot of unsaid things.
She had gotten his letters, and eventually stopped writing. Wolverine frowned, stepping through the pounding pulse beat. Teens moved and gyrated, and he smelled booze. Who in the HELL had pulled that stunt, for most of these kids were barely legal to buy cigarettes, and hardly even the right side of 21? Sighs and sounds were driving him nuts, and he leaned against a pillar and lit a smoke, relieved that the cigarette smoking teens gave him a cover. He glanced back to see a bit of doorway, and sighed in relief despite the cacophony that his friends had forgotten him.
Shandi had found some young guy to hang on, and Rogue was getting snockered by the look of it. He bellied up to the bar, and saw the perplexed look of the 21 something tender who blinked at him. "Gimmie a whisky," he whispered.
"Um, you looking for someone…"
"Nah, just a drink. They won't let me smoke next door, darlin'," he chuckled. She shrugged and got his drink, and he felt the pressing bodies of teens milling around. Groaning he realized in that flannel shirt and jeans he stuck out like a sore thumb.
