A/N: I took all of your suggestions and made the following chapter.
A little bit of angst
with a little bit o funny. I hope you like it. And for Storm lovers
out there..sorry there had
to be a bad guy in there somewhere. Cilia....I couldn't resist your
idea, thanks!
text surrounded by *text* indicates actions. Text in italics
represents telepathic speech.
Ruby Slippers: Flying Monkeys
*ding-dong*
A mad rush to the door was stopped in its tracks with Scott's bellowed. "I'LL GET IT!!" He paused for a moment to glare at the rest of the team who were clustered around the foyer motioning for them to leave, once he was satisfied they were gone he opened the door. "Hello Jubilee, Emma. You know you didn't have to knock."
Jubilee winked, her hand still in Emma's and held out a bottle of wine. "Yeah, I know but I wanted to make sure that you had enough warning."
"Thank you." Scott's voice conveyed more than just gratitude for the wine and enveloped Emma in a bear hug, taking the time to whisper. "Be strong, Emma."
The older woman stood stock still, her arm going up belatedly to pat Scott on the back. Scott smiled at the two of them before returning to the kitchen to get some drinks. Once he left Emma shot a wry glance at Jubilee. "This must be bad if Scott's on our side."
Jubilee snickered and kissed Emma. "It will be okay, now let's go sit down and make nice."
Emma allowed Jubilee to lead her to the living room where the team was scattered around the room trying to look casual. Bobby was perched precariously on the couch next to Hank and Logan. Rogue and Ororo were in the window seat, while Cecilia sat in front of the fireplace.
Cecilia rose when they walked in and gave Jubilee a hug. "I'm so glad that you two could make it." To Emma's surprise Cecilia swept her up in a hug, her protruding belly making it slightly awkward. "It's so nice to finally meet you. Jubilee has done nothing but sing your praises every time she's here."
"Thank you. How much longer till the big day?" Emma's gaze fell on the other woman's stomach.
Cecilia glowed, and took Emma's hand and put it on her stomach. "Less than month and I am glad."
"I can imagine." Jubilee chuckled. "Any kid of Blue has got to be bouncing around in there like a hyperactive ball of fluff."
"And then some." Cecilia agreed as she sat back down with a sigh next to her husband, successfully shifting Logan closer to the women who had just sat down in the love seat.
"Hey Wolvie. How have you been?" Trying to meet his eyes and failing, Jubilee touched his arm lightly. "Wolvie?"
"I'm fine, Jubilee"
The lack of his nickname for her cut deeper than she cared to admit, and Emma winced in sympathy at the whirl of mental hurt. "That's good."
"Well Ah fer sure want ta know how yer research is goin, Jubes." Rogue stepped up with a dazzling smile, aiming a well-placed kick somewhere near Logan's shin.
"Its been going great. I just got a grant from NYU that will let me continue the line of research for at least another year. Plus I just got permission from the head of Egyptology to extract DNA samples from some of their mummies. It's a huge honor."
"That's great. Ah can't wait to see FOH's collective face when we prove that mutants have been a part of history all along."
"Indeed, it seems that our Jubilation's findings have been hitting a discordant note with our feverous opposition." Hank sipped some wine and held up a glass to Emma. "Not to mention our dear Emma who single handedly save several research centers from bankruptcy that specialized in mutant research."
"We fight our battles in our own ways."
"Indeed, some of us actually fight with our lives instead of money." The entire room turned to look at Storm who was swirling her brandy in her hand. "Not that one is better than the other of course."
The room was so cold that her words seemed to hang in the air, suspended until they came shattering down in barb-like shards. "Of course not."
Exasperated Jubilee jumped to her feet and glared at the room. "I'm not going to sit through an entire meal full of innuendoes and little jabs aimed at Emma or me or our relationship. I came here because I wanted share this special person with all of you. We are in a relationship. Get use to it. Make up your minds if you want us here or not because I sure as hell have better things to do with my time than sit here and be insulted."
Emma felt a surge of pride at the woman she was in love with. That wasn't really necessary. I could have handled it.
I know, call it a perk. That and the hot monkey lovin. she added as an afterthought.
It took all of Emma's willpower to choke back her laughter, and ended up having a coughing fit instead. Jubilee chose to ignore her while she waited for a response to her ultimatum.
Finally Ororo stood up. "I'm sorry Jubilee, its hard to accept this relationship. Emma has done little to make me like her in the past."
Jubilee's eyes hardened. "Oh, I forgot about the past. Like how you were a thief living on the streets, stealing whatever and whenever you could. Say, is that my necklace you're wearing?"
"That was different."
"I fail to see how. We each have the right to remake our own destiny. You said that I believe."
"The woman took over my body! You cannot change what was pure black to begin with!"
"DINner's ready!" Scott barked as he ran into the room holding a steaming basket of garlic bread.
"I don't think we'll be staying." Jubilee glanced outside as a thunder rumbled ominously. "And quit the dramatics Ro."
"I. Am. Not. Being. Dramatic." Storm forced the words out between clenched teeth, lightning crackling at each pause.
Jubilee rolled her eyes. "Fine whatever. I have better things to do than sit and play shrink to your traumaed ass."
"Jubilee!" A bolt of lightning exploded through the ceiling and left a smoking crater in the basement floor. Storm stood across the gaping hole to point at the younger woman. "The X-men protect our own and you are dating the one person who has continually betrayed us. What happened?"
Scott brandished his bread at the group, waving it enticingly. "Garlic bread anyone?"
"I'm finally happy!" Jubilee blurted out. A soft breath escaped from her lips and she turned to Emma and looked up into her eyes. "She makes the pain worth it."
Emma's eyes shone. "Really?"
"Really really."
"Oh!" Cecilia and Rogue blinked back tears, as they were handed tissues by Hank.
You're everything to me dear heart. Emma whispered in the confines of their minds, a move so intimate that it made Jubilee tremble, her heart stumbling in a staccato driven by her rushing emotions.
Jean smiled, a little sadly, as she overheard the comment. It was perhaps, one of the most unlikely couples she had ever seen but whenever they were together they meshed in way that made her almost jealous. Ever since Scott had returned from his absence, the closeness that once had been as natural as breathing had become forced. It was because of this, she felt, that was one of the reasons Scott was so supportive of the relationship. Living vicariously was better than nothing at all.
Storm, however, was unimpressed. "That mind-witch has altered minds before, who's to say she hasn't done that with you?"
"That's quite enough Ororo. Either leave or stay and act civilized. Let me assure you that no one her could circumvent Jubilation's mind without her permission." Charles rolled into the room, holding a bucket of ice. "Remy sent me in here to remind you that the dinner is getting cold. Shall we?"
Everyone except Storm filed into the dining room, and she watched them angrily. Stepping around the smoking hole in the floor, she walked outside. "Some things are unforgivable."
-in-
*clink*
"Pass the butter please."
"This is really good, Hank."
"Thank you. I think it turned out quite well despite the help of certain persons."
"Hey, de pepper made de sauce have a kick!"
*chink*
"Making your guests cry isn't a kick...its a friggin explosion."
"And I suppose your tears were ones of joy, Wolvie?"
"My eyes were watering from the smoke from the kitchen, kid."
"I didn't see any smo--ow! Kicking with adamantium isn't fair!"
"Bobby, why don't ya blow it out yer rear..."
"Why don't you take your butt and chill out?"
*crash*
"There are some things you just don't do. Lemme show you another one of them."
"EEk!"
*splash*
"Aaahhh! This was a new dress. Bobby, this isn't going to come out of silk. C'mere!"
*thud*
"That hurt."
"Oh yeah."
*crash*
"There goes the salad."
"See why no-one ever wants to come to dinner, Scott? Either Magneto
attacks or we get
invaded by idiots one, two and three."
"And people wonder why I take so many aspirin."
"You think that's bad, imagine them ten years younger and with hormones."
*horrified silence*
"My sincerest sympathies Emma."
"Although I don't see much of a difference now."
*splunk*
"That was childish and immature Logan. Throwing spaghetti is stupid."
*squirt*
"See with a ketchup bottle you can get distance and accuracy."
"Hey Rogue, what's red with yellow all over?"
"Huh?"
*blat*
"You! Hahahahaha!"
"You are in for a world ah hurt little boy."
*slam*
"So that makes how many Bobby-size dents in the mansion so far?"
"Including the Danger Room?"
"Excluding, did I mention I saw the contractor test driving a porche the other day?"
"Six, possibly seven. Do you want to wait to call him?"
"It doesn't matter, he's on the speed dial anyway."
*clunk*
"Anyone seen the garlic bread?"
-in-
Charles walked the two women to the front door. "Are you sure you don't want to stay for dessert?" Emma shot him a look and he grinned sheepishly. "I don't blame you."
"Thanks for dinner Charles, we had an interesting time."
"It was fun. I forgot how dinners at the mansion can be." Jubilee's grin fell as she looked up at the still overcast sky. "I didn't think Ro would be so upset."
"I suspected she might be." Emma said quietly.
Charles frowned. "I'm still not sure why she is so upset, I'll talk to her tomorrow. But for tonight I think I will enjoy myself. Drive carefully, ladies. A moment Jubilee?"
Emma squeezed Jubilee's hand. "I'll go get the car warmed up."
Once they were alone, Charles reached for Jubilee's hand. "I won't waste time or platitudes but I think Logan will come around."
"I hope so."
Inside the house, the man capable of ripping a person apart with his bare hands felt weak. When Jubilee had outed herself to him, he had smiled and said that he was glad he didn't have to worry about killing her boyfriends anymore. When Jubilee had chosen to go away to college, he had gotten her a Harley and told her to visit whenever she could. The day she graduated, he traveled hours to be there when she stood on stage. When she told him that she was going out with Emma Frost, he had destroyed a couch, two chairs and one lamp. Tonight he had hurt his partner by the simple omission of a nickname. Sighing, he sank into the new couch, he would call Jubilee later and apologize. Despite Emma's past she had made Jubilee happier than he had ever seen her. Even though it hurt, he wasn't willing to compromise Jubilee's happiness by forcing her to choose between the two of them, especially when he wasn't sure who she would pick.
-in-
A/N: All great romances must have an ending...the stories of them at
least and the next chapter will be the last one. Emma's birthday will happen
along with a wedding and other surprises. This is the last call for plot
bunnies that you want to see occur. Be kind and take a second to review....it
makes it worthwhile!