Ch.2 – Skanky but sophisticated
The plain taxied to a stop outside of the airport. Hank watched it worriedly. He was trying, with a mind trained on quantum mechanics and chemical reactions of diabolical complexity, to figure a way to get the person on this plane through the mansion safely. He was stumped.
It would have helped if Scott could have come. Scott understood tactics better then him. The e-mail, however, had been firm.
-I'm coming. Pick me up. Don't bring anyone. Not Scott and DEFINANTLY not Bobby. I don't want to talk to anyone.
Still, she was coming.
The skirt was shorter then she usually wore and the heels higher. It bordered on trashy but would be pretty tame in the mansion. If anyone else was wearing it. Big, dangly earrings, a bit too much makeup (to hide the red eyes), and a tiny little purse. But the colours were simple and elegant, her hair was sophisticated, her neckline conservative, and she was moving like a dangerous cat – or at least as much like a cat as a 5 foot nothing with short legs can do. The get up might be low class but it was obvious she wasn't.
It was equally obvious she wasn't a child. That was important.
Hank gasped when he saw her and then ran to catch up with her retreating back. She didn't even glance at the luggage return. She was travelling light.
The drive back was strained. The anybody she didn't want to talk to obviously included him. He relaxed a little. She was past polite. This meant that there wouldn't be any trouble at the mansion. If they didn't get out of her way on their own they'd be removed from it.
She stalked through the mansion, pausing only long enough to get directions from Hank. Kitty was by the door she needed to enter. Kitty gasped but didn't stop her. Kitty opened the door. She didn't have time for Kitty but the opened door was nice. She wasn't sure if she was capable with anything as complicated as a door knob right now.
She was talking as she entered. More babbling then anything. Jubilee had survived most of her life by talking faster then most people could think. Right now she was trying to outpace herself.
"Hey, Wolvy. You're an idiot, you know that? This is your stupidest stunt yet. I'm young, I'm allowed to make dramatic gestures and march out. You're not. I had a life, you know!" Make sure you're smiling. Keep your voice sunny. "I was perfectly happy with your old bosses. I liked Japan, I liked my apartment, I'd gone on a couple dates. I can't believe how selfish you are. I didn't want to come back here!" Make sure none of the security cameras are working. Make sure no ones watching. "I was getting good at the merc stuff. Bobby came and visited me once, Paige and me hung out…" This is NOT the time to think about your fight with Paige. Or maybe it is. "We fought, you know. Paige and I. She wanted to bring some of my 'friends' down. I said no. I've actually been terribly antisocial, so don't think its just you. Course, it is BECAUSE of you. You're all they talked about. Now I know why, but STILL…"
Hours passed. Kitty came in with some food. Jubilee ate. Logan didn't. He hadn't moved since she had arrived. He looked like he never moved, anymore. She started talking again. Eventually she cried. After that she yelled. After that she talked again, quiet and smiling.
"…a stupid stubborn idiot. But you'll crack. You haven't had as much practice at this as I have. You're usually homicidal – which is, by the way, far less annoying. What I need is a plan. What sort of things make you go psycho?"