The X-Men's lives seem to have very few pockets of tranquility. Not
only do they have to deal with the rigors of being mutants, but they also
have to deal with the pains and struggles of adolescence. But if you were
to provide them with a choice of either taking on a dangerous mutant or
going out on a first date, they would probably pick the latter, not
realizing that the level of antagonism is probably the same. Still, the X-
Men do have their moments of normal teenage life, doing the things that
teenagers do and having the same problems. With a few more unique problems
thrown in, their lives are just a little more complicated then most kids
their age. But having a little teenage anxiety in an X-Man's life is
preferable to an everyday reality of persecution and fighting.
As so it was the X-girls were having a slumber party in Kitty Pride's room. All of the girls in the X-Mansion were invited. The boys on the other hand were banned from even going upstairs. Scott Summers, alias Cyclops, valiant leader of the X-Men, was in charge of corralling the other boys into the TV room for a night of violent action movies and video games, keeping them from realizing any notion to spy on the girls and reminding them that there would be consequences. Any violation of this protocol by a male mutant would cause them to suffer unimaginable pain and suffering (via the girls). If this were not enough to deter the bold young men, Logan would make it his business to run such mutants through their paces with a series of arduous chores and training sessions. As a result, the boys stationed themselves downstairs, indulging in graphic violence and digital mayhem, wondering aloud about what they thought the girls were doing (or who they talking about). Occasionally, volumes both electronic and vocal would fall silent whenever laughter would emanate from the room to downstairs. The boys would hopelessly attempt to listen for any piece of gossip or even the mention of their names. Scott would just smile and laugh to himself at the immaturity of his young teammates.
He wondered what Jean was doing.
Two of the older female mutants, Jean Grey and the girl known as Rogue, were also at the slumber party. Rogue was there because she happened to share a room with Kitty and figured that the stupidity of the girls upstairs would be more tolerable than the greater stupidity of the boys downstairs. She was unaware of the fact that Kitty had chosen their room for the party on purpose, just to get Rogue to attend, or at least get her in the vicinity. Kitty knew that Rogue would have to go to her room at some point to get something like a book or go to sleep. Thus, Rogue begrudgingly attended the festivities, staying in the corner of her room, reclining on her bed and reading her book. She would occasionally look up, roll her eyes and groan at the sheer banality of the spectacle. Jean, despite being older, was enjoying herself. She liked interacting with the younger girls and she was very curious to learn more about them on a social level. The event for her was almost nostalgic. The young female mutants in turn, liked interacting with Jean outside of school and Danger Room exercises. Jean seemed to represent the potential of everything that they could be, both as girls and mutants. While she was by no means perfect, people tended to believe she was. And through all this female bonding, Rogue continued to read her book.
Along with the usual fare of junk food and loud music, the girls started to talk about boys, which led to talking about boys at school, which of course led to the boys in the X-Mansion. Someone (namely Tabitha) formulated an impromptu game of Scruples, where she would read the name of a boy to someone and they would have answer whether or not they thought they were hot. If everybody thought they were telling the truth, they would win a point. If somebody thought they were lying, they could challenge her on it. If everybody agreed, they'd lose and that person would get a point. The young X-girls seemed to be intrigued with this idea and agreed to the change in format. Even Jean was enthused; the idea of ending up with a date with one of the younger mutants seemed pretty funny (because there would be no chance of it ever happening). The cheers of the girls were beset by a distinct and familiar groan that came from the corner of the room. Rogue wanted to express her utter disdain of having to listen to this game about puppy love crushes. Partly because she thought it was silly, but also the pain of knowing just how futile a crush on a boy could be. The curse of her mutant power made physical contact and intimacy impossible. The idea of going through life, being unable to have an intimate relationship, even share a simple kiss, was a heavy pain that Rogue carried. Watching people in relationships, even talking about them, brought about a fierce combination of anger and sadness. Perhaps the greatest pain of all was her longing for a particular boy, who barely acknowledged her existence (at least not in the way she wanted). And then watch him share these intimacies with someone else. This girl, who Rogue perceived as the embodiment of everything that she would never be, had the only boy that ever brought out the passion within her. Within her mind's eye, she could never compete with such perfection. And she could never show the boy the full force of her desire. Rogue could tell him how she felt, but she wanted to express her feelings in ways that went beyond words, like other girls. But everything in the universe seemed to conspire against this from ever happening. Even a simple kiss with someone she cared about would never be permitted. The constant babble of girl and boys getting together only made this fact clearer and all the more painful.
"Alright, who's first?" piped Kitty, ready to get things underway.
"Well, since you asked," said Tabitha with a grin, "It's you!"
"Great," Kitty said sheepishly, and she sat cross-legged on the bed, resting the side of her face in her hand, awaiting the questions to come.
Tabitha rubbed her hands in anticipation, "Okay, I'll throw you an easy one..."
"Hey, how come you get to ask?" questioned Amara, wanting to ask the juicy questions herself.
"Hey, I thought of it," answered Tabitha, " I get to ask the questions. You'll get your chance. Take a chill pill."
Tabitha turned to Kitty and said a name. "Jamie."
"Oh my god!" exclaimed Kitty in horror and disgust. "He's a child!"
"Yea, Tabitha," echoed Rahne in her thick Scottish brogue. "Give ous someone who's at lest eligible."
"Yeah," said Danielle. "Let's get to the good stuff already."
"The good stuff, huh?" said Tabitha, looking pensive. Her mouth formed a sinister smile as the appropriate name germinated in her consciousness. Kitty gave a proverbial gulp and worried in anticipation.
"Kurt!" said Tabitha distinctly.
Kitty was in shock. The rest of the girls were enjoying themselves. This is what they wanted.
"K..K..Kurt?!" Kitty asked nervously. She quickly blurted out, "No!!"
A roar of disbelief came from the rest of the girls.
"Kurt and I are like, friends" said Kitty, who was on the defensive.
"Oh come on Kitty," said Amara. "Everybody knows you like him."
"You practically inseparable at school" added Danielle. "You're always a pair when we have partners in the Danger Room".
"You have to admit, the blue guy's cute" said Tabitha, smiling at the image of Kurt in her mind.
"And he's so sweet" said Amara as she too thought of Kurt's antics.
"An' hey definitely likes you," said Rahne adding her part to the case against Kitty.
"I challenge," said Jean, remembering the rules to Scruples. The rest of the girls groaned with the realization of this fact. Still, Kitty had yet to respond to the accusations so the moment of disappointment passed quickly.
Kitty remained positively mute as she was hesitant to respond to the allegations brought before her. She doubted that she could successfully refute their claims. Kitty did have an attraction to Kurt Wagner, but she had always denied it. She liked him for who he was. She even liked his looks despite having three digit hands and a prehensile tail. But her feelings for Lance were still stronger. There was no doubt that he was the one that Kitty most wanted to be with, even if their relationship was at most times, volatile. Still, she would never convince the girls that there was nothing at all between her and Kurt.
"Like, okay," said Kitty, attempting to formulate her most politically correct response. "While there's definitely nothing, NOTHING going on between me and Kurt, I...do...think...he's........cute."
A wave of mocking laughter came from the girls. "Ha! Ha! YOU LIKE KURT!!!!"
This unexpected response caused Kitty to become quite angry, turning her back to them, folding her arms and sulking.
"My, my," joked Jubilee. "What would Lance say?"
Tabitha spoke up in response. "Speaking as someone who has had the misfortune of living with Lance, let me tell you, you're better off with 'blue boy`". Tabitha thought about it for a moment. "Maybe I'm better off with Kurt, he'd just needs to loosen up a bit..."
Kitty seemed a little offended by Tabitha's musings. "I think he can do a lot better than you." she said caustically.
The bite of Kitty's remark silenced the groups of girls. Tabitha caught the sting of her well-placed jab and proceeded to generate some of her explosive balls of energy. The group attempted to calm down both Kitty and Tabitha to prevent any irreparable damage to the party. While the girls were doing this, Jean attempted to contact Scott telepathically.
"Scott..." said Jean.
"Jean?" asked Scott, recognizing the melodic voice inside his head. "What's up?"
"Oh, just some girl-talk and gossip, the usual, and you?"
"Just trying to keep the guys from sneaking upstairs, I already stopped two attempts to eavesdrop on the party"
"Violent movies and video games aren't enough of a distraction?"
"Not when it comes to girls."
Jean laughed. "I can't blame them I guess. What do want to do later?"
Scott got a grin on his face as his thoughts began to formulate about what he wanted to do.
"Scott!!" Jean said in shock, but in truth Scott's thoughts paralleled her own thoughts. The girls noticed that Jean was blushing and giggling to herself strangely.
"Uh, Jean?"Amara asked. "It's your turn."
"Wh-h-a-a-t?" Jean said, as she snapped out of her link with Scott.
"Yeah," Tabitha said, still a little cross about the previous spat. "The Queen of Denial over there picked you to go next." She gestured to Kitty who was looking at Jean with a smirk, indicating to Jean that her questions would be less than wholesome.
Jean's worries rescinded when she realized that the questions were about the other boys in the mansion. And the fact was, there was absolutely no one but Scott for her.
"Go ahead," said Jean confidently. "Ask away."
"What's it like kissing Scott?" questioned Kitty with exuberance.
"Kitty," Jean said obviously annoyed. "This isn't 'Truth or Dare'."
"She's right," said Rahne, nodding in agreement. "But I think this line of questioning is a lot more interesting!"
"I agree," said Tabitha excitingly. "All those in favor or the new game say "I!"
"I!" they all shouted (except Jean, and of course, Rogue).
"All opposed?"
"Nay!" said Jean, glaring viciously at all the girls.
"Well the 'ayes' have it, Jean, answer the question!"
"Uh, noooooo."
"Like come on Jean!" exclaimed Kitty. "At least tell us something, like, how often and long?"
"Ef it wear meh an' Scott", said Rahne, putting in her two cents. "Eh would be kissin' 'im as often as eh could fer as long as eh could."
"Me too," said Amara. "Scott's a hunk."
"Scott's a little square," Tabitha observed. "Plays the "leader man" a lot of the time. Not all that wild but if I could loosen him up....well...I wouldn't mind trying."
"The thing is," stated Danielle. "Scott's such a nice guy..."
"Right...and?" said Jubilee, waiting for Danielle to finish.
"And he's so good-looking too. But he doesn't act like he's God's gift to women"
"You mean he doesn't realize that he's a hottie..."
"Exactly."
"Like, when he's working outside without his shirt." added Kitty. "I almost died, he looked so hot, but he acts like it's nothing, and he talks to you, and he so nice. He's not fake at all, or putting you on, he's just so nice, like he really cares."
"He's practically perfect." said Jubilee, summing it up in a nutshell.
"Yeah..." said the rest of girls in agreement.
"I'd love to have Scott for a boyfriend." Amara said dreamily.
"Yeah..." said the girls, repeating the previously.
"I mean he's the type of guy, who if he went out with you, would treat you like a queen. He'd do anything for you."
"I know what I would do for him..." muttered Tabitha under her breath.
"Uh, hello, girls, I'm in the room" said Jean, annoyed by their lusting after her boyfriend.
Unbeknownst to the girls, the boys were attempting to listen in on their conversation. Scott was conveniently in the kitchen getting some more junk food, so the other boys decided to take advantage of the situation and spy. In order to circumvent the rules about setting foot upstairs, Bobby fashioned a horn of ice that extended from the stairwell to the door of Kitty's room. To their dismay they were only hearing certain parts of their conversation.
"So?" asked Kurt, hoping to hear some gossip involving him. "Vot are they talking about?"
"Scott," answered Bobby.
"Figures" said Kurt disappointingly. "Vhy ist it alvays Scott? Vhy can't it be me they talk about vonce and a vhile?"
"What are they saying about Scott?" asked Roberto, awaiting a response.
"I don't know," replied Bobby. "I only get a few mumblings and Scott's name is the only thing that I can make out."
"Doesn't surprise me," commented Ray. "Scott's the oldest. Girls always want the older guy."
"Yeah," added Sam. "Scott has 'em fawning all over 'em. But he's too busy obsessin' 'bout Jean t'even notice all the other girls."
"Girls?" pipped Jamie. "Bleach! Why would Scott want that?"
"Someday Jamie," said Kurt. "You'll vont girls to notice you. I vish girls vould notice me."
"Wait a minute," said Roberto. "Don't you have a girlfriend already?"
"Yeesss," answered Kurt. "But I like vee idea ov being noticed by other girls."
"So what you're saying is that you want to be wanted?"
"Ov course, no girl vants to be with a guy vat no von vants!"
Contrary to Kurt's ideology, Jean at this moment and time was feeling the exact opposite way on the matter.
"I didn't realize that you all felt that way about Scott," said Jean looking cross at all of her fellow female mutants.
"Relax Jean" said Amara, placing her hand on Jean shoulder. "He wanted you. You wanted him. You're together now. It's not like any of us had a chance..."
A barely inaudible grumble came from the other side of the room from Rogue, who was trying not to listen in on the conversation. But Scott Summers was a subject that she could not feign interest in. Why seeming to be fixated on her book, she listened intently to everything that was being said. Even she was surprised by the girls interest in Scott. But Amara's words struck a chord. 'It's not like any of us had a chance...'
"Look Jean," said Kitty, trying to sum everything up. "Before anyone knew we were mutants, Scott was like, considered to be a hottie by all the girls. Even Ro.."
Kitty shut her mouth with both of her hands with an expression of shock. She suddenly felt a set of angry eyes burning into the back of her head from across the room. Kitty did not want to turn around. The rest of the girls looked at Rogue seething as she stared at Kitty. Rogue still cross noticed the other girls, surprised at the revelation but not entirely shocked. It was just something that was left unspoken, but everyone kind of sensed that Rogue had some sort of attraction to Scott. Her eyes moved to meet Jean, who rather than showing surprise or anger, had an expression of concern and worry upon her face. Rogue's glare was softened by Jean's unexpected reaction. Rogue didn't understand why Jean would be worried about Rogue liking Scott. She was after all, his girlfriend. Scott was only interested her, not Rogue. The both of them were practically inseparable by Rogue's estimation. As well, Scott never had eyes for anyone else. Even with Taryn, he was fighting for his life most of the time. Even then, Jean was all Scott could really think about. Jean knew this as well. How could she not know? And yet, to see Jean act so concerned about Rogue's feelings about Scott intrigued Rogue. Suddenly in a short moment of quiet reflection, it hit Rogue.
"She sees me as a threat!" thought Rogue. "Miss Perfect is worried that ah might interest Scott. Me. Ah can't believe this." Rogue couldn't help but feel a little giddy. She had always felt a step lower in the presence of Jean. But it came as a complete surprise that Jean did not see it that way. "She actually thinks that ah could steal Scott away from her? That Scott might actually want to be with me? Instead of her?! She actually feels that way! That ah'm good enough to steal Scott away from her! Ah'm actually kind of flattered by it. Ah love it!" Rogue looked into Jean's eyes and smiled a knowing smile.
Jean was taken aback by Rogue's reaction. Rogue never smiled at her, for any reason, especially in a supposedly tense situation like this. Kitty practically told everyone what she always suspected. Rogue liked Scott. The cat was out the bag. Why else would she be so mad at first? But what was she smiling about? Jean could not figure it out, but she didn't like it. She didn't like any time Scott and Rogue spent together. She didn't like it last Christmas. Jean didn't care about the other girls' crushes; they were too young for Scott to even consider. But Rogue wasn't. Rogue was pretty, intelligent, athletic, courageous; the type of girl that could win Scott over, the type of girl that could take Scott away from her. But Rogue wouldn't do that. Although they weren't exactly friends, Rogue didn't hate Jean enough to hurt her that way. Jean was certain that Rogue would never try to steal Scott from her. "Besides," Jean thought. "Scott loves me. He hasn't said it yet. But he implies it. I think. No, he does. He must. He better. Anyway it doesn't matter. We're a couple, Rogue knows it and there's nothing to worry about." Jean saw Rogue still smiling at her. She still didn't like it and grew visibly angry.
"It's ahlright Jean," said Rogue, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "Ah'm not interested in Scott. Besides, he's yours right?"
"Yes," answered Jean. "Yes, he is. Why? Do I have something to worry about?"
"Of course not. Why? Are you worried?"
"Not at all. You're right of course. What would I 'have' to worry about?"
Jean's last comment had really stung Rogue. Her eyes narrowed as she stared right into Jean's soul. "What do you mean by that?" thought Rogue. "Ah'm not good enough for Scott? Maybe cuz ah can't touch anyone?! You think you can throw that in my face?! You think that Scott wouldn't like me because of something like that?! Scott likes me, for me. We always play racquetball and have a good time. We can talk openly. We're friends. Good friends. We could be more than friends, Ah know it. You know it too, 'Ms. Perfect', that's why you're scared of me. Ah could get Scott if ah wanted too. You know it Jean! You know it!"
Rogue turned her back to girls. A wave of despair overcame her. Rogue looked into herself and felt a familiar deep sadness. "No Jean, you're right. You have nothing to worry about. Ah can't touch Scott. Ah can't touch anyone. You need to be intimate with a guy. You can't have a real relationship if you can't touch anyone. You just can't. As much as ah want you Scott, you need someone who you can touch and hold. No matter how much ah want it to be us, it's you and Jean. An' Jean can give you what ah can't. Rogue, you got to move on with your life. You can't keep pining over something that ain't going to happen. You gotta get Scott out of your head. It's gotta end. You have to stop hurting."
Jean sensed that Rogue was in anguish. She didn't want to intrude on her thoughts but the emotions were quite strong. Jean feared that her words might have caused it and she felt a great deal of remorse. "Rogue, I'm sorry..."
"No, Jean," thought Rogue. "I'm the one who's gonna need to say 'ah'm sorry.' Ah need closure and ah can only do that with Scott. Ah'm going to need him for awhile, just for one night, then you two can ride off into the sunset or whatever. Ah'm going to tell Scott how ah feel and leave him be. He loves Jean. He always has, always will. It doesn't mean ah can't have one date with him. And ah know just how to do it."
"It's okay Jean," said Rogue. "ah'm sorry too."
A sigh of relief emanated from the rest of the girls who thought Jean and Rogue were going to have at it.
Jean was happy that things were okay. "Great, let's not hold any more grudges."
"Yeah, great," said Rogue, a little annoyed by Jean's instant perkiness. "anyway, let's play a real game."
"Real game?" question Jean. "Like what?"
Rogue reached into the drawer of her dresser and pulled out a deck of cards.
Rogue smiled and said one word. "Poker."
As so it was the X-girls were having a slumber party in Kitty Pride's room. All of the girls in the X-Mansion were invited. The boys on the other hand were banned from even going upstairs. Scott Summers, alias Cyclops, valiant leader of the X-Men, was in charge of corralling the other boys into the TV room for a night of violent action movies and video games, keeping them from realizing any notion to spy on the girls and reminding them that there would be consequences. Any violation of this protocol by a male mutant would cause them to suffer unimaginable pain and suffering (via the girls). If this were not enough to deter the bold young men, Logan would make it his business to run such mutants through their paces with a series of arduous chores and training sessions. As a result, the boys stationed themselves downstairs, indulging in graphic violence and digital mayhem, wondering aloud about what they thought the girls were doing (or who they talking about). Occasionally, volumes both electronic and vocal would fall silent whenever laughter would emanate from the room to downstairs. The boys would hopelessly attempt to listen for any piece of gossip or even the mention of their names. Scott would just smile and laugh to himself at the immaturity of his young teammates.
He wondered what Jean was doing.
Two of the older female mutants, Jean Grey and the girl known as Rogue, were also at the slumber party. Rogue was there because she happened to share a room with Kitty and figured that the stupidity of the girls upstairs would be more tolerable than the greater stupidity of the boys downstairs. She was unaware of the fact that Kitty had chosen their room for the party on purpose, just to get Rogue to attend, or at least get her in the vicinity. Kitty knew that Rogue would have to go to her room at some point to get something like a book or go to sleep. Thus, Rogue begrudgingly attended the festivities, staying in the corner of her room, reclining on her bed and reading her book. She would occasionally look up, roll her eyes and groan at the sheer banality of the spectacle. Jean, despite being older, was enjoying herself. She liked interacting with the younger girls and she was very curious to learn more about them on a social level. The event for her was almost nostalgic. The young female mutants in turn, liked interacting with Jean outside of school and Danger Room exercises. Jean seemed to represent the potential of everything that they could be, both as girls and mutants. While she was by no means perfect, people tended to believe she was. And through all this female bonding, Rogue continued to read her book.
Along with the usual fare of junk food and loud music, the girls started to talk about boys, which led to talking about boys at school, which of course led to the boys in the X-Mansion. Someone (namely Tabitha) formulated an impromptu game of Scruples, where she would read the name of a boy to someone and they would have answer whether or not they thought they were hot. If everybody thought they were telling the truth, they would win a point. If somebody thought they were lying, they could challenge her on it. If everybody agreed, they'd lose and that person would get a point. The young X-girls seemed to be intrigued with this idea and agreed to the change in format. Even Jean was enthused; the idea of ending up with a date with one of the younger mutants seemed pretty funny (because there would be no chance of it ever happening). The cheers of the girls were beset by a distinct and familiar groan that came from the corner of the room. Rogue wanted to express her utter disdain of having to listen to this game about puppy love crushes. Partly because she thought it was silly, but also the pain of knowing just how futile a crush on a boy could be. The curse of her mutant power made physical contact and intimacy impossible. The idea of going through life, being unable to have an intimate relationship, even share a simple kiss, was a heavy pain that Rogue carried. Watching people in relationships, even talking about them, brought about a fierce combination of anger and sadness. Perhaps the greatest pain of all was her longing for a particular boy, who barely acknowledged her existence (at least not in the way she wanted). And then watch him share these intimacies with someone else. This girl, who Rogue perceived as the embodiment of everything that she would never be, had the only boy that ever brought out the passion within her. Within her mind's eye, she could never compete with such perfection. And she could never show the boy the full force of her desire. Rogue could tell him how she felt, but she wanted to express her feelings in ways that went beyond words, like other girls. But everything in the universe seemed to conspire against this from ever happening. Even a simple kiss with someone she cared about would never be permitted. The constant babble of girl and boys getting together only made this fact clearer and all the more painful.
"Alright, who's first?" piped Kitty, ready to get things underway.
"Well, since you asked," said Tabitha with a grin, "It's you!"
"Great," Kitty said sheepishly, and she sat cross-legged on the bed, resting the side of her face in her hand, awaiting the questions to come.
Tabitha rubbed her hands in anticipation, "Okay, I'll throw you an easy one..."
"Hey, how come you get to ask?" questioned Amara, wanting to ask the juicy questions herself.
"Hey, I thought of it," answered Tabitha, " I get to ask the questions. You'll get your chance. Take a chill pill."
Tabitha turned to Kitty and said a name. "Jamie."
"Oh my god!" exclaimed Kitty in horror and disgust. "He's a child!"
"Yea, Tabitha," echoed Rahne in her thick Scottish brogue. "Give ous someone who's at lest eligible."
"Yeah," said Danielle. "Let's get to the good stuff already."
"The good stuff, huh?" said Tabitha, looking pensive. Her mouth formed a sinister smile as the appropriate name germinated in her consciousness. Kitty gave a proverbial gulp and worried in anticipation.
"Kurt!" said Tabitha distinctly.
Kitty was in shock. The rest of the girls were enjoying themselves. This is what they wanted.
"K..K..Kurt?!" Kitty asked nervously. She quickly blurted out, "No!!"
A roar of disbelief came from the rest of the girls.
"Kurt and I are like, friends" said Kitty, who was on the defensive.
"Oh come on Kitty," said Amara. "Everybody knows you like him."
"You practically inseparable at school" added Danielle. "You're always a pair when we have partners in the Danger Room".
"You have to admit, the blue guy's cute" said Tabitha, smiling at the image of Kurt in her mind.
"And he's so sweet" said Amara as she too thought of Kurt's antics.
"An' hey definitely likes you," said Rahne adding her part to the case against Kitty.
"I challenge," said Jean, remembering the rules to Scruples. The rest of the girls groaned with the realization of this fact. Still, Kitty had yet to respond to the accusations so the moment of disappointment passed quickly.
Kitty remained positively mute as she was hesitant to respond to the allegations brought before her. She doubted that she could successfully refute their claims. Kitty did have an attraction to Kurt Wagner, but she had always denied it. She liked him for who he was. She even liked his looks despite having three digit hands and a prehensile tail. But her feelings for Lance were still stronger. There was no doubt that he was the one that Kitty most wanted to be with, even if their relationship was at most times, volatile. Still, she would never convince the girls that there was nothing at all between her and Kurt.
"Like, okay," said Kitty, attempting to formulate her most politically correct response. "While there's definitely nothing, NOTHING going on between me and Kurt, I...do...think...he's........cute."
A wave of mocking laughter came from the girls. "Ha! Ha! YOU LIKE KURT!!!!"
This unexpected response caused Kitty to become quite angry, turning her back to them, folding her arms and sulking.
"My, my," joked Jubilee. "What would Lance say?"
Tabitha spoke up in response. "Speaking as someone who has had the misfortune of living with Lance, let me tell you, you're better off with 'blue boy`". Tabitha thought about it for a moment. "Maybe I'm better off with Kurt, he'd just needs to loosen up a bit..."
Kitty seemed a little offended by Tabitha's musings. "I think he can do a lot better than you." she said caustically.
The bite of Kitty's remark silenced the groups of girls. Tabitha caught the sting of her well-placed jab and proceeded to generate some of her explosive balls of energy. The group attempted to calm down both Kitty and Tabitha to prevent any irreparable damage to the party. While the girls were doing this, Jean attempted to contact Scott telepathically.
"Scott..." said Jean.
"Jean?" asked Scott, recognizing the melodic voice inside his head. "What's up?"
"Oh, just some girl-talk and gossip, the usual, and you?"
"Just trying to keep the guys from sneaking upstairs, I already stopped two attempts to eavesdrop on the party"
"Violent movies and video games aren't enough of a distraction?"
"Not when it comes to girls."
Jean laughed. "I can't blame them I guess. What do want to do later?"
Scott got a grin on his face as his thoughts began to formulate about what he wanted to do.
"Scott!!" Jean said in shock, but in truth Scott's thoughts paralleled her own thoughts. The girls noticed that Jean was blushing and giggling to herself strangely.
"Uh, Jean?"Amara asked. "It's your turn."
"Wh-h-a-a-t?" Jean said, as she snapped out of her link with Scott.
"Yeah," Tabitha said, still a little cross about the previous spat. "The Queen of Denial over there picked you to go next." She gestured to Kitty who was looking at Jean with a smirk, indicating to Jean that her questions would be less than wholesome.
Jean's worries rescinded when she realized that the questions were about the other boys in the mansion. And the fact was, there was absolutely no one but Scott for her.
"Go ahead," said Jean confidently. "Ask away."
"What's it like kissing Scott?" questioned Kitty with exuberance.
"Kitty," Jean said obviously annoyed. "This isn't 'Truth or Dare'."
"She's right," said Rahne, nodding in agreement. "But I think this line of questioning is a lot more interesting!"
"I agree," said Tabitha excitingly. "All those in favor or the new game say "I!"
"I!" they all shouted (except Jean, and of course, Rogue).
"All opposed?"
"Nay!" said Jean, glaring viciously at all the girls.
"Well the 'ayes' have it, Jean, answer the question!"
"Uh, noooooo."
"Like come on Jean!" exclaimed Kitty. "At least tell us something, like, how often and long?"
"Ef it wear meh an' Scott", said Rahne, putting in her two cents. "Eh would be kissin' 'im as often as eh could fer as long as eh could."
"Me too," said Amara. "Scott's a hunk."
"Scott's a little square," Tabitha observed. "Plays the "leader man" a lot of the time. Not all that wild but if I could loosen him up....well...I wouldn't mind trying."
"The thing is," stated Danielle. "Scott's such a nice guy..."
"Right...and?" said Jubilee, waiting for Danielle to finish.
"And he's so good-looking too. But he doesn't act like he's God's gift to women"
"You mean he doesn't realize that he's a hottie..."
"Exactly."
"Like, when he's working outside without his shirt." added Kitty. "I almost died, he looked so hot, but he acts like it's nothing, and he talks to you, and he so nice. He's not fake at all, or putting you on, he's just so nice, like he really cares."
"He's practically perfect." said Jubilee, summing it up in a nutshell.
"Yeah..." said the rest of girls in agreement.
"I'd love to have Scott for a boyfriend." Amara said dreamily.
"Yeah..." said the girls, repeating the previously.
"I mean he's the type of guy, who if he went out with you, would treat you like a queen. He'd do anything for you."
"I know what I would do for him..." muttered Tabitha under her breath.
"Uh, hello, girls, I'm in the room" said Jean, annoyed by their lusting after her boyfriend.
Unbeknownst to the girls, the boys were attempting to listen in on their conversation. Scott was conveniently in the kitchen getting some more junk food, so the other boys decided to take advantage of the situation and spy. In order to circumvent the rules about setting foot upstairs, Bobby fashioned a horn of ice that extended from the stairwell to the door of Kitty's room. To their dismay they were only hearing certain parts of their conversation.
"So?" asked Kurt, hoping to hear some gossip involving him. "Vot are they talking about?"
"Scott," answered Bobby.
"Figures" said Kurt disappointingly. "Vhy ist it alvays Scott? Vhy can't it be me they talk about vonce and a vhile?"
"What are they saying about Scott?" asked Roberto, awaiting a response.
"I don't know," replied Bobby. "I only get a few mumblings and Scott's name is the only thing that I can make out."
"Doesn't surprise me," commented Ray. "Scott's the oldest. Girls always want the older guy."
"Yeah," added Sam. "Scott has 'em fawning all over 'em. But he's too busy obsessin' 'bout Jean t'even notice all the other girls."
"Girls?" pipped Jamie. "Bleach! Why would Scott want that?"
"Someday Jamie," said Kurt. "You'll vont girls to notice you. I vish girls vould notice me."
"Wait a minute," said Roberto. "Don't you have a girlfriend already?"
"Yeesss," answered Kurt. "But I like vee idea ov being noticed by other girls."
"So what you're saying is that you want to be wanted?"
"Ov course, no girl vants to be with a guy vat no von vants!"
Contrary to Kurt's ideology, Jean at this moment and time was feeling the exact opposite way on the matter.
"I didn't realize that you all felt that way about Scott," said Jean looking cross at all of her fellow female mutants.
"Relax Jean" said Amara, placing her hand on Jean shoulder. "He wanted you. You wanted him. You're together now. It's not like any of us had a chance..."
A barely inaudible grumble came from the other side of the room from Rogue, who was trying not to listen in on the conversation. But Scott Summers was a subject that she could not feign interest in. Why seeming to be fixated on her book, she listened intently to everything that was being said. Even she was surprised by the girls interest in Scott. But Amara's words struck a chord. 'It's not like any of us had a chance...'
"Look Jean," said Kitty, trying to sum everything up. "Before anyone knew we were mutants, Scott was like, considered to be a hottie by all the girls. Even Ro.."
Kitty shut her mouth with both of her hands with an expression of shock. She suddenly felt a set of angry eyes burning into the back of her head from across the room. Kitty did not want to turn around. The rest of the girls looked at Rogue seething as she stared at Kitty. Rogue still cross noticed the other girls, surprised at the revelation but not entirely shocked. It was just something that was left unspoken, but everyone kind of sensed that Rogue had some sort of attraction to Scott. Her eyes moved to meet Jean, who rather than showing surprise or anger, had an expression of concern and worry upon her face. Rogue's glare was softened by Jean's unexpected reaction. Rogue didn't understand why Jean would be worried about Rogue liking Scott. She was after all, his girlfriend. Scott was only interested her, not Rogue. The both of them were practically inseparable by Rogue's estimation. As well, Scott never had eyes for anyone else. Even with Taryn, he was fighting for his life most of the time. Even then, Jean was all Scott could really think about. Jean knew this as well. How could she not know? And yet, to see Jean act so concerned about Rogue's feelings about Scott intrigued Rogue. Suddenly in a short moment of quiet reflection, it hit Rogue.
"She sees me as a threat!" thought Rogue. "Miss Perfect is worried that ah might interest Scott. Me. Ah can't believe this." Rogue couldn't help but feel a little giddy. She had always felt a step lower in the presence of Jean. But it came as a complete surprise that Jean did not see it that way. "She actually thinks that ah could steal Scott away from her? That Scott might actually want to be with me? Instead of her?! She actually feels that way! That ah'm good enough to steal Scott away from her! Ah'm actually kind of flattered by it. Ah love it!" Rogue looked into Jean's eyes and smiled a knowing smile.
Jean was taken aback by Rogue's reaction. Rogue never smiled at her, for any reason, especially in a supposedly tense situation like this. Kitty practically told everyone what she always suspected. Rogue liked Scott. The cat was out the bag. Why else would she be so mad at first? But what was she smiling about? Jean could not figure it out, but she didn't like it. She didn't like any time Scott and Rogue spent together. She didn't like it last Christmas. Jean didn't care about the other girls' crushes; they were too young for Scott to even consider. But Rogue wasn't. Rogue was pretty, intelligent, athletic, courageous; the type of girl that could win Scott over, the type of girl that could take Scott away from her. But Rogue wouldn't do that. Although they weren't exactly friends, Rogue didn't hate Jean enough to hurt her that way. Jean was certain that Rogue would never try to steal Scott from her. "Besides," Jean thought. "Scott loves me. He hasn't said it yet. But he implies it. I think. No, he does. He must. He better. Anyway it doesn't matter. We're a couple, Rogue knows it and there's nothing to worry about." Jean saw Rogue still smiling at her. She still didn't like it and grew visibly angry.
"It's ahlright Jean," said Rogue, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "Ah'm not interested in Scott. Besides, he's yours right?"
"Yes," answered Jean. "Yes, he is. Why? Do I have something to worry about?"
"Of course not. Why? Are you worried?"
"Not at all. You're right of course. What would I 'have' to worry about?"
Jean's last comment had really stung Rogue. Her eyes narrowed as she stared right into Jean's soul. "What do you mean by that?" thought Rogue. "Ah'm not good enough for Scott? Maybe cuz ah can't touch anyone?! You think you can throw that in my face?! You think that Scott wouldn't like me because of something like that?! Scott likes me, for me. We always play racquetball and have a good time. We can talk openly. We're friends. Good friends. We could be more than friends, Ah know it. You know it too, 'Ms. Perfect', that's why you're scared of me. Ah could get Scott if ah wanted too. You know it Jean! You know it!"
Rogue turned her back to girls. A wave of despair overcame her. Rogue looked into herself and felt a familiar deep sadness. "No Jean, you're right. You have nothing to worry about. Ah can't touch Scott. Ah can't touch anyone. You need to be intimate with a guy. You can't have a real relationship if you can't touch anyone. You just can't. As much as ah want you Scott, you need someone who you can touch and hold. No matter how much ah want it to be us, it's you and Jean. An' Jean can give you what ah can't. Rogue, you got to move on with your life. You can't keep pining over something that ain't going to happen. You gotta get Scott out of your head. It's gotta end. You have to stop hurting."
Jean sensed that Rogue was in anguish. She didn't want to intrude on her thoughts but the emotions were quite strong. Jean feared that her words might have caused it and she felt a great deal of remorse. "Rogue, I'm sorry..."
"No, Jean," thought Rogue. "I'm the one who's gonna need to say 'ah'm sorry.' Ah need closure and ah can only do that with Scott. Ah'm going to need him for awhile, just for one night, then you two can ride off into the sunset or whatever. Ah'm going to tell Scott how ah feel and leave him be. He loves Jean. He always has, always will. It doesn't mean ah can't have one date with him. And ah know just how to do it."
"It's okay Jean," said Rogue. "ah'm sorry too."
A sigh of relief emanated from the rest of the girls who thought Jean and Rogue were going to have at it.
Jean was happy that things were okay. "Great, let's not hold any more grudges."
"Yeah, great," said Rogue, a little annoyed by Jean's instant perkiness. "anyway, let's play a real game."
"Real game?" question Jean. "Like what?"
Rogue reached into the drawer of her dresser and pulled out a deck of cards.
Rogue smiled and said one word. "Poker."