Chapter 8 Moving On
Her stomach was turning flip-flops when she finally rose from the chair, and the Professor dismissed her. Slowly she walked out as Miss Frost opened the door to the waiting area. Everett leapt up from the chair he'd waited in. He wasn't alone unfortunately. She panicked when she saw he'd been waiting with Wolverine of all people. A hot embarrassed flush came over her.
"Everett, Mr. Logan… good evening," said Miss Frost.
"'Evenin' Ma'am," Wolverine said politely, yet with the same measure of aloof disdain. Frost was this way with everyone, Jubilee told herself. Yet there was still considerable animosity towards an old enemy. Nevertheless Logan would smell or sense any foul play, and she knew all too well that there was no question that Frost was the teacher she needed most.
"I wanted to express my gratitude in you making sure she got here safely," Frost said, extending her hand. Wolverine took it and gave it a gentle pressure as if he were about to lean over and kiss it, but shook it instead.
"Not a problem," Wolverine said as he rose and folded his arms across his chest.
"My thanks, Logan... although I do wish you had contacted me prior... though better late than never..." Professor X said.
"So Chuck… you expectin' me to come back with ya?"
"I'll trust that you will return when you've finished here, Logan," Professor X said quietly. "Jubilee, I hope that this semester will improve… I hope to see you again… in the summer…"
"Yes Professor…" she said quietly.
"Everett, would you be so kind as to see the professor out?" asked Miss Frost.
"If you don't mind I'd like to stick around and speak to Jubes… I mean Mr. Logan some more… I think there's something we gotta clear up…" Everett cleared his throat.
"You may do so after you have seen him out," Frost said quietly. "Remember you are on probation... like the rest of the class…"
"Yes Ma'am…" he nodded. "This way… Professor Xavier…"
With a nod, the Professor glided out, accompanied by Everett. Emma Frost turned to face Jubilee whom stood shifting her weight from one foot to the other. She said, "Jubilation Lee I shall see you bright and early on Monday, in class, understood?"
"Yes Miss Frost. Have a pleasant day, and thank you," Jubilee said politely, her eyes glistening with tears. Wolverine sighed as he saw her chin wobbling.
"If you wish to spend the night before departing, you're welcome to use the guest room. I'm certain Jubilee can make certain you're comfortable…" Miss Frost said. She exited with a nod to Logan. He grunted and turned to her, saying, "Good night Ma'am…"
Jubilee led Wolverine down the hallway towards the guestroom. He carried his duffel retrieved from his 'scoot, watching the slow movements of his friend as she walked with slumped shoulders. Even though he smelled the chemicals within the tears she held back, he waited before even broaching the subject of how she held up. It was clear to him anyway.
"You should be OK here," she said, handing him the key. "Frosty has the best hired help, and if you wanna eat breakfast with the rest of us, she'll have it in the dining hall by eight thirty…"
"Thanks…" he said, watching as she unlocked the door, and opened it. He followed Jubilee into the guest suite, his Harley boots grinding into thick plush Arabian carpet. A large four poster bed dominated the room with a suite of Victorian furniture that matched. Long lace curtains covered both windows, allowing the light of the afternoon sun to filter through. The lace holes left a speckled pattern along the bed and shadows that lengthened.
He set his bag down on the floor, and stopped her with a hand on her arm before she left. "Jubilee, I know yer not really up to it, but I gotta talk to ya about that Everett guy… somethin' doesn't smell ri…"
"Don't say anything please," Jubilee said, holding up her hand. "I'll just go to my room now…"
"Jubes…" Logan started. She turned to leave, but he stopped her again with a grip on her shoulder. Sighing, she stopped.
"What?" she asked.
"You gonna be okay…"
"What do you think?" she sighed. "I just got my ass handed to me…"
"Yeah, I figured as much. But if ya need to talk…" he started.
"I don't' know what I need…" she sniffled, rushing out of his room.
"Excuse me but I just need to be alone right now…" came her voice as the door slammed shut. Sighing he wandered over and dropped onto the large ornate bed. He lay back, letting himself collapse with frustration.
Outside, Jubilee burst into a run, dashing up the stairs and praying he didn't see her crying. From inside the room, Logan could hear her footsteps. He listened for a time, and then snarled when he smelled a familiar scent passing by. It stopped right by the door to his room.
Great… just perfect.
"I know yer there kid, an' I'm in no flamin' mood to talk," Wolverine called.
"I need to talk to you, Mr. Logan…"
"Make it quick," he snapped, getting up to open the door.
A sense of strong powers wreathed out and covered him. He prickled his nose and firmly said, "Butt out kid… I am not in the mood for this now…"
Everett stepped into the room, hands on his hips. Darkly he glared at Wolverine, and said; "If you could sense me down the hall you can sense WHY I'm here…"
"Fine, but pretend I'm real slow, an' spit it out… what's got your underwear inna wad…" Logan demanded, matching Everett's glare.
"Jubilee. I don't get why you're hanging around here… you're only making her more upset…"
"That ain't your business…" Logan started.
"I'm not finished," Everett started. "I can tell you don't care for me. Fine, whatever. But I care a lot about Jubilee, no matter what YOU might believe or think. If you really want to help her, I suggest you leave her alone… and let US deal with her problems…"
"Like you dealt with it at the club? I don't THINK so, kid," Wolverine growled. "Ya see… you screwed up BIGTIME… an' I don't LIKE it when…"
"No worse than YOU… at least we were in the same club… and we DID know where she was," Everett retorted, making fists. He wreathed his power over Wolverine, synching instantly with fast reflexes and healing to anticipate the next move of the feral.
"Don't matter if yer 1000 miles or 10 feet, ya shouldn't have let her get DRUNK… ya realize what ya faced was NOTHING Compared to what I wanna do to you an' yer buddy Angelo right now…" Wolverine growled. Everett waited for the rasping noise of the claws, but heard nothing to his shock.
"Fine. Believe what you want, MISTER Logan," said Everett pointedly. "But get this, I'm not gonna drop out on her when she needs me the most. So I suggest you watch your step… cause I care about her too… and as screwed up as you say we are, you're just as much to blame…"
"You tryin' to piss me off, is that it?" Wolverine shook his head, laughing harshly. "Don't mess with the big boys… cause if ya are, yer goin' down…"
"Want a piece of me?" Everett asked.
"Yeah, but it ain't worth the effort. Since Jubilee obviously is sweet on you… I don't want to make her cry. Consider yourself lucky. But if I ever HEAR of anything happening… if you so much as MESS with her…"
"I know the consequences," said Everett. "And I feel the same way about anyone who'd hurt her. Including YOU."
"Fine. Ya made yer point. Now get lost…" Wolverine snarled.
"If you're thinking of talking to her, I don't think she's really into listening to anyone now," Everett said with a dark look to Wolverine. He opened the door and stalked out, still meeting Wolverine's sharp glare.
Just inside the hall he bumped into Jubilee. She rushed away, shaking her head and covering her eyes with one hand. Everett said nothing as he followed her. With each passing step, Jubilee wanted the floor to swallow her as she rushed towards her room.
Everett caught up with her. "Jubilee… are you okay?"
"No… but I'll live," she sniffled. "What the HELL were you doing? Wolvie coulda killed you!"
"He had no right to make things more messed up then they were," Everett said.
"He cares about me, Ev. Just leave him alone…" Jubilee sniffled.
"Why is he all of a sudden Mr. Wonderful? After all, wasn't he the one…" Everett started.
"Don't GO there, okay?" Jubilee cut him off, shoving her door open and pushing her way through it. Everett shoved his hand into the closing gap to stop her from slamming it in his face.
"Jubilee… please, I'm sorry. I was out of line. But I know you're really torn up from that coring out Frost gave you… please… let me in? I'm sorry you had to go through that…" Everett whispered, opening the door to her room. She plunked down on her bed. Everett sighed and entered, drawing the door closed after him.
"So am I, Ev, so am I… but I deserved it," she sniffled, watching him sit down on the bed next to her.
"We deserved more, cause we put you through it," said Everett angrily.
"Where's Paige?" she asked.
"They're on a long hike with Mr. Cassidy," Everett said. "A field trip to build character. Frosty's keeping me around to make sure I don't accidentally synch with Banshee and make it worse…"
"I sure could use a chat with Paige now…" she whispered. "Dammit…"
Her chin wobbled and he hugged her tightly. "Jubilee, man I wish I could say something to make it better but… I'm not even supposed to be up here in your room…"
"So do I… just gimme a hug… please…" she whispered. Everett crushed her to him, shushing her and whispering to her it would be okay.
"Hey girl, shh, it'll be okay, trust me. You'll get through this… and you'll be back in no time with me and the rest of your friends…" Everett soothed, stroking her hair. Jubilee sobbed, letting him rub her back and kiss the top of her head. Glancing past her hair, he saw the door crack open a slight bit, and saw Wolverine peering through.
Everett's gaze leveled on him with a bright challenge. Wolverine remained where he was, silent and foreboding. Nevertheless Everett turned his attention to Jubilee, cupping her face between his hands. Jubilee turned away from him as he leaned forwards.
"Maybe you should leave… Frosty's probably gonna give you double duty if you're here in the girl's floor," said Jubilee.
"I'm sure she'll be okay when she sees I'm just needed to spend time here first. I'm your friend and friends are HERE for each other right?" Everett reminded her.
"Are you allowed to be talking to me?" she asked.
"Yeah, but only if it's 15 minutes or less," he chuckled. "She took away my cell…"
"Yeah, figures," Jubilee chuckled. "Well… bye…"
"Bye," Everett said. Out of the corner of his eye he saw movement, as Wolverine crept over and stood just behind the open door. Everett rose from the bed, blocking Jubilee's immediate view.
"Ev…" Jubilee choked. "Wait…"
"Yeah?" he asked.
She leaned up, and he sat down next to her again. Leaning close, she said, "Um since we're gonna be grounded, I'd better do this now… cause I don't know when else… I'll be able to…"
"What Jube?" he asked. Tentatively she brought her face close to his, pressed her lips to the corner of his, and then to his mouth. Everett held her in place, and hugged her tightly to him. The kiss was clumsy but sweet, and Everett returned it.
"Be seeing you," she said, backing away.
"I'll be seeing you first," he nodded, and then kissed her briefly before walking out, putting his cap back on his head. He glared at Wolverine on the way out.
Seeing him there, she saw the look on his face as he left and closed the door. For a while he stood there and glanced up, relieved that she had found someone at long last to fulfil that aching need. One her own age, who she could replace his image with in her dreams. That was the way it should be, after all, he nodded. She was essentially his daughter... or was she? To tell the truth in the last five years he'd been anything but that capacity. Rather Sean Cassidy had resumed the role that Scott and Jean had taken up after he left on his adamantium-less sojourn.
