Jean was sitting at the kitchen table alone in the nearly dark mansion. She was unable to sleep for obvious reasons. Jean was in her housecoat and slippers as she devoured her late-night snack. She was seeking solace in milk and chocolate chip cookies. Jean was always an emotional eater. Whenever something was weighing heavy on her mind, the consumption of high calorie sugary sweet junk food provided relief like no other. Jean was in a particularly bad mood, again for obvious reasons, so this was the most positive way she could think of to ease her mind, other than breaking all the furniture in the mansion. Her feelings were fluctuating from self-pity to anger, to worry, to anger again, to despair, to really angry, to just really ticked off. The sounds of her incoherent grumbling could be heard amongst the sound of crunching cookies. She had almost finished the entire carton of milk and she was starting on her second bag of cookies. As she looked at the empty bag of cookies she began to obsess about her weight.
"Oh no," said Jean to herself, "I'm going to get fat. I'm going to get all fat and then Scott won't love me anymore that jerk. But I love him and he loves me not that he ever says it like it wouldn't kill him to tell me to my face unless he doesn't. Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Maybe he doesn't love me, that jerk, but he's my jerk and love him even though he never says it and I don't know why he doesn't say it because it's so easy to say when you mean it and I know he means it. I know he does! I know he does! So why is he out with that no good, low-down, sneaky…no, it's my fault. I told him to go. Stupid! I told him to go on this date! I made that stupid bet, and lost! Stupid! I could have just said, I won't do it, Rogue. I'll just owe you the money. I can pay you in monthly installments. You can charge interest. Or I can give you my boyfriend. Real genius, Jean. Real genius. She's always wanted him. I have enough trouble with the girls at school and the rest of the girls at the mansion. If anything good came out of that sleepover, it's the knowledge that every girl is after my boyfriend. My beautiful, sweet, lovely boyfriend who's having a good time with another girl, that jerk. But I'm the jerk. I made him go. He did it for me because he loves me. I know he does, not like he says it. Just say it! Do I have to read your mind to find out what you really feel! Did you have to be so willing to go? You didn't know the reasons why you're out on that date with Rogue. You don't think it's a date at all. Because you're so trusting. You trust me. You'd do anything for me. But you didn't think it was weird at all. Maybe you were looking forward to it. A little too forward. What did happen last Christmas? You still wear that sweater from your 'friend'? What does she have that I don't? Maybe because you're both so depressing at times, you both could teach a course. Not like I'm one to talk. I'm up all night, alone in a kitchen, stuffing my face with junk food feeling sorry for myself. All because of you, you jerk. Oh Scott, I love you, I don't want to lose you."
Suddenly, Kitty appeared, emerging upside down from the ceiling.
"Jean?" she asked, with a tone of concern.
Jean, who was used to Kitty popping out the woodwork, remained totally unfazed, responded with little enthusiasm.
"Hi Kitty," sighed Jean, who continued to wallow in self-pity as she consumed another chewy cookie.
"Uh, Hi," responded Kitty, taken aback by Jean's lack of enthusiasm. "Listen, Jean, like, I just came to see how you were doing?"
"I'm fine," Jean said unconvincingly. "Go to bed."
"Oh well," said Kitty who was also not convinced. "Seeing you, like pig out like this, makes me think that, y'know, upset about Rogue and Scott…"
"Look," said Jean, interrupting Kitty's attempt at counsel. "I said I was fine. I'm okay with it, really. Go to bed." Jean downed another cookie.
"No your not!" argued Kitty, who at this point, emerged completely from the ceiling and turned herself right side up. Like Jean, she was worried and unable to sleep, but not for a lack of trying. "I know I'm not directly involved or anything but I feel that when two of best friends are mad at each other I think it's like, my personal duty, to something about it. I mean, I'm worried to y'know. It's like tearing me up inside. I mean, do I take sides? Do I have to take sides? If I pick one friend will she hate me forever what? I don't want you to hate me Jean, please don't hate me!"
"Kitty!" growled Jean in frustration and annoyance as she clasped her by the shoulders. "Now listen to me very carefully. I'm your friend. I'm always going to be your friend even when you're annoying the heck out me like now. So do a friend a favor and go to bed."
"Do you hate Rogue?" Kitty asked suddenly, with her eyes all wide and innocent like a puppy dog.
As much as Jean wanted to be brutally honest, she couldn't stand it when Kitty looked at her like that. She usually used it on Jean when she wanted a driving lesson or a trip to the mall. So for Kitty's sake, she formulated the best answer she could in the span of three heartbeats.
"Kitty," she said. "I'm going to be as nice as I possibly can. She's not exactly my favorite person in the world right now, that being said, I can honestly say that I don't hate her…much."
"Okay," Kitty sighed, who seemed more despondent than ever. "But let me say this…"
"Kitty," said Jean, stopping her before she began. "I don't think at this particular time, that I'm ready to hear anyone defending Rogue."
"Oh, I'm not defending her," Kitty replied.
"Really?" Jean asked in surprise.
"Really," answered Kitty.
Jean was simply taken aback because she was certain that Kitty would end up defending Rogue.
"Good."
"But if I was…" added Kitty.
"Of course," Jean groaned.
"I would, like, try to see things from her point of view."
"I'm dripping with anticipation," said Jean with complete and total sarcasm.
"As I said before," began Kitty, "I'm totally not defending Rogue at all. What she's doing is so uncool. But please, before you like, hate her forever. Try to understand that she's always had this thing for Scott…"
"Thing?" asked Jean, again cutting of Kitty. "What thing?"
"Y'know," replied Kitty in matter-of-fact tone. "She's always had a crush on Scott."
"You knew this!" roared Jean, her eyes suddenly ablaze. "She told you that!"
"Well she didn't exactly tell me," Kitty responded, seemingly oblivious to Jean's volatile reaction. "I kinda figured it out myself. I mean, like I'd say something to Rogue like, 'You think Scott looks good, today?' And she'd be like 'No, ah don't like Scott that way,' but you know she totally does. And then I'd say something like, 'Doesn't Scott have, like, the best hair ever?' And then she'd be like, 'it's okay ah guess.' But you know she totally does notice cause she thinks he's hot. And then I'd be like, 'Don't you think that Scott looks hot without his shirt?' And she'd say something like…"
As Jean quietly listened to Kitty ramble on, a myriad of thoughts crossed her mind. She wondered who she hated more at this point. Rogue, for going out with her boyfriend, or Kitty physically dissecting her boyfriend to her face. It seemed Kitty could not read into the fact that Jean was glaring at her in annoyance. Kitty was right though, Scott was hot. It's not the reason that Jean loved him the way she did. She dated plenty of good looking guys. But Jean always wanted something more. It was more like the icing on the cake. Scott was a wonderful guy who, just by coincidence, looked really, really good. Jean suddenly lost interest in analyzing her feeling for Scott and more focused on Scott without his shirt. She absentmindedly stuffed her mouth with another cookie letting bits of cookie crumbs and chocolate chips spilled out of her mouth all over the kitchen table.
"Jean!" cried Kitty, appalled by Jean's lack of table manners. "Use a plate or something!"
"Oh," mumbled Jean, who woke up from her pleasant stupor and cleaned up the mess with her napkin.
"For good sake," said Kitty, rolling her eyes. "You're almost as bad as Kurt!"
Suddenly, a small explosion manifested itself in the room, bringing with it, the smell of sulfur and something else that was pungent. Out the smoke appeared Kurt, hanging on the kitchen light with his tail.
"whose verse van me?" Kurt asked indignantly.
"Kurt Wagner," stated Kitty, waving her finger at him. "You were spying on us!"
"Not exactly," said Kurt attempting to defend himself. "Let's just say vat I happened to be in vee next room by vee door within earshot."
"Don't worry about it Kitty," Jean said dismissively. "I knew he was there all the time."
Kitty was shocked by this revelation. "How did…?"
Jean stopped her in mid-sentence and gestured by pointing with both her index fingers towards her temples.
"Psychic," she answered with a wry grin.
"You're not mad?" Kitty asked in amazement.
"Hey, if Kurt wants to listen in on me eating cookies and milk in the kitchen, that's fine with me. I'd think it was strange if it was anyone else but its Kurt, so what else is new?"
"Thanks," said Kurt. "I think."
"Just out of curiosity, why are you spying me?" Jean asked with limited enthusiasm.
"I vasn't spying on you Jean," Kurt reassured her. "I vus vaiting up for, you know..."
"Your sister?" Jean asked, with a little more interest.
"Actually, for both ov vhem," answered Kurt hesitantly.
"Really?" inquired Jean, elated by Kurt's answer. "I take it that you don't approve of your sister going out with your best friend?" Jean leaned forward, anticipating Kurt's answer.
"Don't get me wrong, Jean," Kurt said. "In any ovher circumstance, I'd be absolutely thrilled if Scott and Rogue got togevher."
"Oh." Jean responded, disheartened.
"I mean, my sister and my best friend, I mean, vat would be great! Vee could hang out, go out for pizza, go bowling, so many possibilities."
"I'm hoping there is a 'but' here," interrupted Jean, growing more impatient and annoyed.
"Vere is, vere is," Kurt replied. "I am here to confront my sister, an' advise her vat vis vas a bad decision."
"I don't see how that's going to help Kurt," said Jean, her nerves frayed. "Since they're already out on the date."
"I see your point," stated Kurt, feeling a little foolish.
"And I like, already confronted her," added Kitty.
"You did?" they both asked. Jean shushed Kurt and turned to face Kitty.
"What did you say?" Jean asked with great interest.
"I like, told her this all crazy, and that like, it's so totally uncool what you're doing."
"And?"
"She like told me all about why she was doing it and I like totally understood."
"Enlighten me, if you will?"
"Closure," Kitty answered with confidence.
"Closure?" Jean asked, puzzled.
"Closure," Kitty repeated with the same confidence.
"Closure?" Jean asked again. "What the heck does that mean, 'closure'?"
"Well," Kitty spluttered, trying to understand it herself. "she wants to like, tell Scott how she feels."
"I gathered that," Jean responded. "Since she pretty much told me that already."
"She did?" Kitty asked, thinking that she was the only one with inside track.
"Yes," replied Jean. "She did. I suppose this is all news to you, Kurt?"
"Vell, no," Kurt answered tentatively. "I kind ovf knew it all along."
"What!" Jean exclaimed, shocked by this revelation.
"Please, let me explain," implored Kurt, seeing Jean's rather explosive reaction. "I didn't know right away. But if you vatched Rogue sneak glances at Scott vhen he valked by or across vee room. And add vee fact vat vey are alvays hanging out with each ovther, it seemed pretty obvious."
"Yeah," acknowledged Kitty, nodding in agreement.
Both of them soon realized that Jean was looking really cross. Kurt did his best to try to dissolve the situation.
"But no that obvious!" he quickly added.
"Yeah, total mystery," Kitty said, in support.
Jean eyed both young mutants and felt that she needed her alone time again. She poured a full glass of milk.
"If you two will excuse me," announced Jean. "I'm going to drown my sorrows." Jean then gulped an entire glass of milk straight down.
"Oh my goodness!" exclaimed Kurt. "Vee milk is almost vinished! And you've practically eaten all of vee cookies! Vat can't be good for you Jean! I mean you don't look so good right now! I mean with no make-up and with vhose bags under your eyes, eating like vat is going to make your hips bigger or someving. Vhy are you looking at me like vat? Vhy is she looking at me like vat, Kitty? Kitty? Vhy are you looking at me like vat?"
"Kurt," said Kitty, slapping his shoulder. "You're not helping!" Jean was still burning a hole through Kurt with a lethal stare.
"Vot did I say?" asked Kurt, who still didn't understand the ramifications of his brutal honesty.
"I think it's time to go to bed," Jean said finally.
"Good idea," replied Kitty glaring at Kurt. "Me and Jean…"
"I mean both of you," Jean added intently.
"Oh," said Kitty who finally took the hint that Jean wanted to be alone. "Okay, Jean, if that's what you want…"
"Oh, it is." Jean interjected.
"But before I do…." Kitty stated, causing Jean to repeatedly bang her head on the kitchen table. "Let me just say that sometimes, like, if you want somebody bad enough, you like, do a lot of stupid things, which you know are like, wrong. And sometimes, you don't see who you're hurting in the process. So before you go all ballistic on Rogue, try to understand what's it like for her, okay? I know that's hard, but try. That's all. Okay?"
"Kitty?" said Jean, who had a simple smile on her face.
"Yes, Jean?" replied Kitty, beaming.
"I've only got one thing to say to you, to both of you."
"Yes?" they both asked excitedly.
"LOGAN!"
Suddenly, Jean found herself alone again with nothing but the smell of Kurt teleporting away. The fear of Logan was enough to scare those two from meddling any further. Jean breathed a sigh of relief. She then eyed the shadows in the hallway leading out from the kitchen.
"You can come out now, Logan."
Logan came out of the shadows, barely lit by the light of the kitchen. He leaned up against the doorway, somewhat amused by Jean's detection of him.
"How'd ya know?" Logan asked.
"Y'know," Jean responded making her 'psychic' gesture again.
"Maybe you should take your own advice Jeannie," said Logan, as he moved back down the hallway.
"What advice is that, Logan?" Jean asked, curiously.
"Go to bed. Things will turn out in the mornin'. Promise." Although she couldn't see his face, Jean could feel Logan smile in the dark.
Logan's reassurance made Jean feel better to her surprise. It was comforting to have his support in all of this. But she knew he was right. Stuffing herself was still not making things better. Jean decided that she would try to get to some sleep and not obsess like she was. She unconsciously found herself checking her hips to see if they'd gotten bigger.
"Stupid Kurt!" she thought to herself, as looked in the hallway mirror looking for bags under her eyes. "God, he's right. I am a mess!"
Jean slowly made her way upstairs, still in a daydream. She couldn't stop thinking about Rogue and Scott. She had a strong psychic bond with Scott that was special, but Jean didn't dare try to access it because Scott would know. He would think that she didn't trust him. But it was Rogue that she didn't trust. But Scott was always so naïve and trusting. He was out with a beautiful, attractive girl who was interested in him. If it weren't for the fact that he couldn't touch her without, well, dying, what would stop him from being tempted? Jean was still unsure about her and Scott's relationship. She could go into his mind and find out for sure but she didn't want to. Jean wanted Scott to be open with her, tell her how he really felt. Even in the most intimate of moments, part of Scott was closed off from her. He would always dismiss it as nothing, but as a psychic, she was somewhat empathic and could sense his mood and feelings. It was like he was deceiving her, more like protecting her. It was all confusing to her. Maybe Scott felt that there were things about him that she would never be able to understand. He had such adversity in his life. She didn't, save hiding her powers. But he didn't have his parents and he just discovered his brother only recently. They would need a lifetime to catch up. Even Alex had parents. Scott bounced around from orphanage to orphanage without anybody to comfort him. It was just him. She imagined him alone as a little boy, always searching for someone and never finding them. There were many times that Jean wanted to hold him, to try take away his pain from him, to have him open up to her and share his pain. Jean's life seemed quite tranquil in comparison, parents who loved her, siblings, friends. No wonder Rogue always called her 'Ms. Perfect'. She hated that, but in comparison to Rogue's life, it might be accurate. Perhaps it was the adversity of both Scott and Rogue's lives that allows them to empathize with each other. Maybe it was what drew Rogue to Scott in the first place. Maybe on some level, they connected in way that Jean couldn't. She was starting to get more depressed. Jean decided if she was ever going to sleep (or stop eating cookies for that matter) she needed to stop obsessing.
'Tomorrow is a new day, right?" she thought. 'Yeah, right.'
Jean went around the corner towards her bedroom to find it partially closed. She couldn't remember it being closed. Jean opened the door only to find an unexpected and definitely unwanted visitor, the Acolyte known as Gambit. He was reclined on the edge of her window sill, not at all afraid of being discovered. Gambit had his trademark charming smile on his face and his eyes betrayed nothing of his intentions. Jean on the other hand was startled. She immediately saw that her housecoat was open and Gambit was giving her the once over. Jean instinctively closed her housecoat and proceeded to tie up her belt.
"Please chere," Gambit said. "No need to be modest on my account. A girl like you don't need to be modest." Gambit again gave her wink and another once over.
Jean continued to tie her housecoat tighter, and gave Gambit a glare that would melt steel. He wasn't intimidated at all. Gambit seemed more amused than anything, which only made Jean angrier.
"What are you doing here!" Jean snarled.
"Oh, jus in the neighbourhood," Gambit answered. "Gambit was all lonely an' thought he could have the pleasure of yer company. Don't worry, is not my first time in a girl's bedroom." He winked at her again.
"Get out!" ordered Jean, pointing to the window.
"Pardonez moi, chere," Gambit said, reverting to French as he often did. "Gambit only wants the pleasure of good conversation."
"Get it somewhere else," Jean replied, unimpressed. "How did you get in here anyway?"
"Oh y'know," Gambit answered. "Yer X-Mansion got a pretty good security system. But Gambit is dat much betta." He gestured with both his fingers indicating his superior thieving skills.
"I'm happy for you," Jean said sarcastically. "Now get out before I call for help and you end up having a good conservation with Logan."
"Ok! Ok!" Gambit replied in a panic. "No need for Monsieur Logan to be involved. We get down to bizness. Personal bizness."
Jean enjoyed seeing the cocky Acolyte briefly squirm at the mention of Logan. While she would never admit openly, Jean seemed almost flattered at Gambit's assertive yet tactless flirting. The fact that he was absolutely gorgeous made it much more exciting. But to Jean, in hindsight, Gambit was no Scott. So his comments rolled off her like water off a duck's back. But it's not everyday a strange man enters her bedroom.
"I'm waiting," said Jean impatiently with her arms folded.
"Take it easy, chere," replied Gambit, and he prepared himself to tell his story. "I was dinin' tonight at one of my favorite establishments, mind you, not for de food, a bit too greasy fer my palette, but rather de atmosphere. Plus, Gambit get to smoke indoors."
"How nice for you," sighed Jean, rolling her eyes.
Gambit carried on unevaded, ignoring her remarks.
"I was sittin' in de café, indulgin' in coffee and cigarettes, when lo an' behold, guess who's comin' to dinner but de beautiful Rogue and Monsieur Summers. Gambit did not believe it, dey were goin' on like lovebirds, laughin' and holdin' hands an all…"
Jean didn't like this at all, not one bit. It was bad enough that they were out a date, but actually enjoying each other's company. Jean couldn't imagine Rogue actually laughing, or Scott being all that funny. Jean got back to reality to listen to Gambit's report on their date.
"Then all of a sudden, Rogue says somethin' to Scott dat makes him storm out of de restaurant. Rogue look like death warmed over, but she went rite after 'em."
"I hope this has a happy ending," Jean thought to herself, smiling.
"Den dey arguin' back an' fort, den it look like dey come to a resolution. Den dey are walkin' arm and arm towards de park."
Jean's eyes widened in panic and worry.
"You not angry dat yer beau is cheatin' on you," Gambit asked, surprised by Jean's non-energetic response.
"No, no," Jean responded, lost in her own thoughts. "I already knew they were on a date."
Gambit was perplexed by Jean's response. He then gave Jean a stern look. "You been readin' my mind?"
"No, I didn't, it's just, I kind of lost a bet to Rogue and she got to take Scott out for the night."
"Reeally?" stated Gambit, intrigued by Jean's explanation. "May Gambit inquire as to how you bet yer boyfriend an' lost?"
"I didn't bet my boyfriend, "Jean cried angrily, then quickly regained her composure. "Let me explain, we were playing poker…"
"Poker?" Gambit asked, with a grin. He chuckled to himself.
"You mind letting me in on the joke?" Jean inquired, a little perturbed by Gambit's reaction."
"With Rogue?" he added, still laughing.
"Knock it off!" cried Jean, who was getting upset.
"My apologies, chere," said Gambit, suppressing his amusement. "Gambit will let you in on de joke, but you may not find it all dat funny."
"Enough with the pretenses and just tell me," Jean said, demanding that Gambit get to the point.
"Betta dat Gambit show you, chere," Gambit said, taking out a deck of cards. With great alacrity, he dealt them each a hand.
"Now," Gambit stated. "Look at de hand but don't tell me what it is."
Jean looked at her cards, and then looked at Gambit, awaiting a response.
"A flush, right?" Gambit asked, as if it were a rhetorical question.
"Yeah," Jean said.
Gambit threw down his cards to reveal a full house.
"Seem familiar, non?" Gambit inquired.
Jean was in silent shock. Gambit continued on with his explanation.
"Dat was de first thing I taught Rogue. If yer quick enough, you can deal any hand you want if you know how. Mark yer cards, deal under de deck. Count de card if yer able. You can deal yerself a royal flush or four of a kind. But first an' foremost, you gotta be subtle. Make it look fair. Win a few, lose a few. Lure dem in, let dem take de bait, an' den real dem in. A flush is good but not too good. A full house is betta, but not dat much betta. Really good hands but deys are not so uncommonlike. No one would suspect dat dey were bein' played for fools."
Jean's knuckles whitened as her blood seemed to gather to her face, which was red with rage. Gambit recoiled slightly, assuming that she was about to blow her top. While her intensity filled the room, Jean remained still for what seemed to be an eternity. She finally said something.
"Where's your car?" she asked sternly.
"No car," Gambit responded. "Jus my motorcycle."
"Meet me at the front of the gate, I'll be there shortly."
"Chere…"
"Now!"
Gambit, still transfixed on Jean quickly opened the window and slid out, unwilling to argue with the young female mutant in her present state. Jean paced a little as she tried to keep her anger in check. She suddenly looked into the darkness of the hallway. She sent a thought wave into the pitch black hall.
"For the last time, go…to...bed!"
The sound of Jean's teammates scrambling to their rooms with her telepathic shout. They were spying on her and Gambit's situation. Jean didn't care really; she just felt the need to lash out. But Jean knew who she wanted to confront. She was going to save her anger for who truly deserved it.
"You want 'closure'?" she whispered to herself with the undercurrent of her rage. "I'll give you more 'closure' than you bargained for."