The X-men strive to protect a world that doesn't want them in it. Their latest endeavor has been fighting the Unstoppable Juggernaut – Charles Xavier's step-brother. However, they were quick to realize that the Juggernaut's prison break was a distraction so that Mystique and her prodigy, Anna-Marie "Rogue" D'Ancanto could break the Brotherhood out of Alpha Flight's custody.

Anna-Marie attacked Carol Danvers under the orders of Mystique, and as a result absorbed Carol's power permanently. Luckily, the X-men successfully rescued her, but her presence isn't appreciated by that of Logan Howlett – Carol's boyfriend.

In addition to Rogue being their newest recruit, Bobby "Iceman" Drake has his own share of personal problems, most notably the lacking of communication with his family and his internal struggle with his homosexuality.

Issue 35: Breaking the Habit

X-Corporation Tower – The Danger Room

"Alright, kids! Keep up! C'mon, quicken the pace!"

"Logan, last I checked . . . we are not Olympic athletes!" Warren gasped out as he made his way through the obstacle course.

"Wings, shut it! This is an easier course considerin' the fact that Rogue's now part of the team and ya just got outta recovery! Time ta go to work, bub!" Logan growled; a not-so amused expression on his face.

The X-men were in a Danger Room session, on a Sunday, of all days. However, Logan was insisting on bumping up their training sessions even more than usual. He had a good reason for it too.

Ever since Anna-Marie "Rogue" D'Ancanto had attacked Carol Danvers and released the Brotherhood out of Alpha Flight custody, she'd found herself in deep trouble. However, luckily, thanks to Tony Stark's lawyer, Matt Murdock, they managed to work something out for Anna-Marie. She was offered to join X-Corporation to perform heroic acts as a form of what Tony called "community service" as an alternative to prison. However, she realized that Logan "Wolverine" Howlett was a lot tougher on her. She knew that Logan was just harder on her since she had caused his girlfriend to fall into a coma. She understood that he was highly untrusting of her, so until Anna-Marie proved that she was a changed person, Logan wasn't going to put any trust in her.

'I still don't trust Rogue whatsoever . . . I can't trust her. Who's to say that she won't turn on us but and stab us in the back? After what she did to Carol, I can't break bread with someone like her,' Logan thought as he observed the training session; Rogue, with a jaded glare in his eyes, arms crossed against his chest.

Scott and Jean were currently running through the obstacle course in the effort to catch up with Hank, who had decided to take part in the training that day rather than just sit in the control room with Forge and the professor. Warren was wheezing as he attempted to catch up with the rest of them. Being in the infirmary for a good week had taken him out of the game, and as a result, he felt as though he was in the worst shape he could ever possibly be in.

"Warren, if you think that this is hard, you better forget it, compared to how tonight will be with my parents and grandparents, a Danger Room session will be a walk in the park!" Bobby shouted.

That day, Bobby turned fifteen years old; however, that meant he had to go out with his family for his birthday. He'd refused to go to Boston for the weekend, so his family was coming down to New York. But he wasn't looking forward to it. After a disastrous Hanukkah and Christmas with his parents and grandparents, the last thing Bobby wanted was to go to a restaurant that evening with them.

As Bobby said those words, Jean felt a pang of sympathy hitting her chest. She understood that Bobby still didn't have a good relationship with his parents. Jean telekinetically put a shield up around her to block the incoming paintballs. Ororo used her powers to manipulate the air pressure around her to allow herself to fly beside Rogue. However, they could all tell that Warren was falling ridiculously far behind the rest of them.

"Jean . . . I think that you should try something right about now!" Scott yelled as he looked at the time on the clock. They had about forty-two seconds left.

"Scott, I know what you're thinking but are you sure about this?" asked Jean.

"Positive! Just do it, Red!"

With a telekinetic tug, Jean lifted Warren off the ground after he had fallen, hardly able to keep flying through the obstacle course. Using her telekinesis, she guided Warren the rest of the way through.

"Jeannie, a little warning next time would be extremely helpful!" cried Warren, scared by the fact that Jean had done that so suddenly.

"Sorry, War, but, nobody gets left behind!" Scott said in an apologetic tone as they moved along. Finally, they reached the end of the obstacle course with only thirty-seven seconds to spare.

"End simulation!" Logan barked at Forge. He turned back around to face his team. "Okay, guys, I can just say I am happy that you guys didn't entirely fuck up today, but, there's room for improvement. Warren, ya better start puttin' in more hours of physical therapy. Rogue, same with you; I don't wanna see anyone here slacking off. And Drake, yer no exception. I don't give a shit if it's yer birthday or whatever the fuck is goin' with yer parents. Leave that at the door when ya come in here. Use yer heads, guys! Are we clear?"

"Crystal," Scott chose to say. He knew not to argue with Logan at that moment.

'Wow . . . and Jean and Slim claim he's got a softer side? Ah'm not seein' that. The way he's been givin' meh the cold shoulder since Ah came 'round . . . hell Ah can't blame him there. After all, Ah did hurt someone that he loves,' Rogue thought as she stood there.

"That's all we get out of you today?" Ororo asked her mentor, wincing slightly. Ever since Rogue had attacked Carol, Logan had been in even more of a sour mood than usual. It didn't help that Rogue also didn't know what Magneto and the Brotherhood were planning, because she hadn't stuck around to find out. She had been too scared to stick around after what had happened with Carol.

"Yeah, Ro," Logan said sternly. "Now go, scram. We'll do this tomorrow, same time! Be ready, runts."

Everyone piled out of the Danger Room to go and take their showers. As they exited, Anna-Marie couldn't help but notice that Logan was still giving her the cold shoulder despite it being almost two weeks of her being part of the team.

'God, Ah know with Logan that what Ah did was wrong . . . Ah remind mahself of that every dang day! But I swear to God if he doesn't stop givin' meh the glares at every opportunity, then there's no way Ah'll even be able to get through another Danger Room session! This is affecting meh too! Ah had to hear his girlfriend inside mah head after Ah absorbed all her powers! Isn't that punishment enough for meh?' Rogue thought. She felt Jean wrapping an arm over her shoulders; the redhead had heard her thoughts.

"Don't get discouraged, Rogue; Logan's just extra sour because we do not know what the Brotherhood is planning, and they're part of the equation as to why his girlfriend is out of commission," Jean told the Southern belle. "He's also trying to adjust to you now being part of the team, considering you're part of the reason why Ms. Danvers got into that accident in the first place. It's going to take you a while to earn Logan's trust and respect. It's not going to just happen overnight."

"Ah also know he's not the fondest of meh; Ah'm practically a fugitive," Anna-Marie admitted.

"You're pardoned from that because Tony and Matt got you out of it. Give it time. He'll come around," Jean assured her. "He just needs some time to adjust. He's just a bit over-protective of us, especially with Scott and me."

Over on Bobby's side, he was especially sour that afternoon. His birthday dinner with his parents and grandparents was going to be coming in just three short hours, and he was already dreading it. On top of that, he had a lot more on his mind than usual. He had just come to the conclusion that he was gay, and it was bothering him so much. He knew that if he told his family that he was gay, he would either get cut off from the family name, or get forced into conversion therapy, for all he knew. His father had blamed him.

"Bobby, you're the one not trying; you need to put in the work," his father had said, but, that couldn't be further from the truth. Bobby did try. But whenever he tried to mention his training or his friends at school, his parents would shut him down and dismiss him. He hated being rejected as though he did not matter. To suggest that Bobby didn't try would be ridiculous.

As Bobby walked up to his bedroom, he swallowed hard. He was not looking forward to dinner with his family. He felt as though they hated him, even though Jean insisted that that wasn't the case. As far as Bobby knew, he didn't have parents anymore. He felt Scott's arm coming around his shoulders in the form of a comforting gesture.

"Bobby, I know what you're thinking; I may not be a telepath, but I know you do not want to have to deal with your parents tonight," he told him.

"Scott . . . I can't with them. They claim they want to have me in their lives, but, every time I try to talk to them about the things that matter most to me, it's like they just don't care. They dismiss me like I'm a piece of shit because I'm a mutant," Bobby said bitterly. "I try and I try and I try, and it's not good enough. You would think that because I'm using my powers to do good, that I'm getting good grades in school now that they should be proud, but they're not." He whispered several curse words in Spanish.

"Bobby, I didn't know you speak Spanish," Hank said.

"I've been teaching myself how to for the past year, but right now, I only know a few curse words," Bobby admitted. "But, right now, I don't even wanna think about my parents. I'm sick of them and their attitude now. I mean, you guys know about . . ." He felt his eyes starting to burn with tears.

Scott swallowed, breathing out a sigh. Bobby had come out to him not long ago. In fact, it had been a conversation between them when an argument had occurred between Bobby and his father over the phone. Scott remembered having heard Bobby yelling over the phone line and getting more and more upset, and when he, Warren, and Jean had gone in to see what was going on, they'd walked in on the sight of Bobby sitting on the floor crying.

"I'm scared, because I do not fit in. I . . . I don't fit it, because I-I'm . . . I'm gay!"

That had been Bobby's moment of release when Scott had gone to his side and hugged him. It was that moment that got Bobby, Warren, Jean, and Scott becoming closer than they'd ever been in the last few months.

"Bobby, trust me; I'm in your position. My parents and I are just starting to communicate again. Try to give it some time," Warren suggested. "Only time will tell. If you do not go with them tonight to this dinner for your birthday, they will feel as though you aren't trying."

"Believe me, Warren, I am. I went to spend Christmas and Hanukkah with them, and what did they give me as my Christmas present? A therapy session, where they were best friends with the therapist and I was forced to sit there, too embarrassed to say anything. I knew anything that I said would get twisted and blame would get put on me," Bobby said bitterly when they finally reached his bedroom. "Well, I gotta shower and get ready. That's all I can do at this point," he said.

"Alright, we'll see you later; try and have fun tonight. Remember, if you need anything, call or text. We're always here for you," Scott said as Bobby entered his bedroom. The youngest X-man collapsed on top of his bed, looking around his room. He had trophies from basketball tournaments on his bookshelves. He'd told his family that he made the basketball team at his new high school, but, his parents and brother never attended one of his games and tournaments. They always made the excuse that they were "busy," but, Bobby knew that that was complete crap at this point. He knew his family was embarrassed by him because he was a mutant. He got into the shower, hoping that the hot water would wash away his misery that he was feeling right there in that moment.

Lee's Dim Sum – Three Hours Later

That evening, Bobby was at one of the many Kosher Chinese places in Chinatown with his family, since his father and his grandparents were Orthodox Jew and they had to eat Kosher. Bobby knew that every time he and his family went out to eat, they had to eat at places that were Kosher because of how strict his father's religious beliefs were.

Sitting across the table from his mother and father, Bobby picked at his chicken dumplings, not really wanting to be there. But he knew that he had to in order to make his family feel as though he was trying.

"Okay, so, Bobby, how has school been?" his grandmother asked him.

"It's been fine. I'm done with basketball; grades are keeping up," he said. "I'm planning to do soccer next fall, too. And I'm in the math club."

"Good to hear," Bobby's mother told him.

Bobby let out a sigh. The tension in the air was so thick; you could cut it with a chainsaw. It was no secret amongst anyone in his family that Bobby and his parents were on bad terms. However, all Bobby could be at that moment was himself; someone had to try and cut the tension.

"Alright, so, I haven't told anybody about what had happened a couple weeks ago," Bobby said, trying to start a conversation. It was so awkward; he couldn't take it for another minute. The silence was uncomfortable and it was ruining their dinner.

"We already know about what happened in court nearly a month ago; we watched on the news what Tony Stark had to say about you guys," said his father, not even trying to hide the bitterness in his voice.

"Dad, no, it's not that. I'm talking about how a couple weeks ago, my teammate Warren got himself kidnapped by mutants that live in the sewers, which meant we all had to buddy up to go down there and save his sorry ass. And what happens next is, our tech guy, Forge, starts screaming about being allergic to cats because of this cat-like mutant who attacked him by jumping on him. And then he makes a quip at least a week or so ago about us testing mutant-friendly allergy medicine out on him when he has an allergic reaction to cats. Here's my thought: we bring Forge to our house back in Boston, and shove my cat right in his face to see how bad his allergy really is, because I cannot tell if he really is allergic to cats, or if he's just afraid of cats," Bobby said, getting a chuckle out of his little brother, Ronny. He was happy to see that at least his brother was amused by the story. But his parents and grandparents didn't seem the least bit impressed.

"Bobby, why are you talking about this?" asked his mother.

"Because it's part of my life now," Bobby said, defending himself.

"Don't give me attitude, not in front of your grandparents."

"Mom, I'm not giving you attitude," Bobby asserted, hurt by the fact that his mother was dismissing him again. "I'm just trying to talk to you guys about my life and what's going on with me. You guys ask, and I try to tell you, and then I get shot down in about twenty different ways."

"We're not shutting you down," his father insisted to him.

"Dad, please," Bobby pled, refraining from rolling his eyes. He knew the truth, but, if he rolled his eyes, he knew he'd be holding a brick of ice against his lip. "Dad, you know what Mom just did. If I am wrong, tell me I'm wrong."

"You're wrong; we're not trying to shut you down," said his mom.

Bobby swallowed, suddenly regretting agreeing to go out to dinner with his parents. He couldn't believe that they were out to eat for his birthday, and here his parents were, giving him crap about talking about what was on his mind. Bobby couldn't help who he was. He was honest; he wasn't a liar.

"Okay," he said finally, letting out a sigh as he took a sip of green tea.

"Bobby, don't give us that," his father said.

"Dad, I don't understand why you guys ask me about what's on my mind. I try to say it, and I get dismissed. Okay? I'm an honest person; I don't lie," Bobby insisted. "I'm not a liar. I call it like I see it."

"Son," his father started to say.

"No, don't. Let me speak, please. Let me say my piece, please." Bobby had enough of feeling as though he were more mature than both his parents. "Don't say I do not try, because I do try. Do not suggest that I do not appreciate you guys, because I am appreciative."

"But, Bobby, you did kind of lie. You didn't tell us you were a mutant and we found out when we pulled you out of school," his mother said.

"Mom, I didn't even know that I was a mutant until the moment I accidentally froze the locker room! I couldn't control it because I was scared to death. I was under a lot of stress!" Bobby was exasperated. "Why can't you believe that? Why?"

"Bobby –" his grandmother started to say, wanting to speak on the behalf of her son, Bobby's father.

"Savta," Bobby said, shaking his head. "Savta, please, listen to me for two minutes. None of you can even take two minutes to listen to whatever I have to say. I do try. I want to spend time with you, but you push me away. I feel that this is the most distanced that we have been in these past few months, and I feel almost as though you're putting that on me."

"No, we aren't," Bobby's father said. "Nobody's putting anything on you."

"But, why, whenever I try to talk to you about my training on the phone or my time with my friends, do you dismiss it and tell me to change the subject? Are you not interested in the least about what it is that I have got to say?" Bobby raised an eyebrow. "I mean, we're in public talking about this! If we're going to talk about issues like this, we should bring it up when I come up to Boston!"

"We tried to by taking you to therapy with us," his mother insisted.

"Yeah, and then you were becoming best friends with the therapist agreeing with you repeatedly and acting as though I am the problem! Do not say that that wasn't the case, because it was! Was I the only one there?" Bobby asked.

"No," said his father.

"Okay," Bobby sighed. "I think I made my point clear as I could make it. When I talk to you guys I do not want it to be in a therapist's office. I want it in our own home in privacy; not with some stranger."

"Bobby, there's something off with you. I do not know what it is, but why are you telling us this now?" his mother sounded accusing.

"Mom, there's nothing going on in my life except this," Bobby told her. "Okay? There's nothing wrong with me, nothing. Okay? I'm a mutant! Deal with it, please!"

"Bobby, it's more than just you being a mutant, alright? I can sense that," his grandfather said.

"Saba," Bobby said. "Everything is fine. Okay?"

The tension in the air grew thick again. Bobby felt embarrassed by the fact that his family was in a way talking down to him. He hated that. At least at X-Corporation, his friends and the professor didn't dismiss him.

Bobby let a sigh escape his lips as his grandfather said, "Do not say that everything is fine. There's clearly something with you that is off. I do not know what it is, but I can tell you're carrying a lot of weight on your shoulders right now."

He swallowed. Bobby could hear in his grandfather's tone that he cared. But he didn't want to talk about the core of what was bothering him: the fact that he was gay and closeted.

"Saba, I'm okay, I promise. I'm just a little stressed right now."

"Yeah, I can tell," his mother said to him.

Bobby closed his eyes. He didn't want to talk about this anymore. He felt the fear creeping in his stomach. His leg shook under the table. He wanted to let it all go. He wanted to just say it. His chest felt heavy, as though he were trying to breathe underwater. More than anything, he wanted to reach for his cell phone and text Scott or Jean to come and pick him up, because he couldn't take being there another minute.

"Bobby, you know that you can tell us anything," his father said.

"Well, I feel as though I can't," Bobby admitted.

"If you have got nothing to hide, then what's the problem?" asked his father.

Bobby swallowed hard again. He wanted to release the weight off of his chest. He wanted to just say that he was gay and get it over with. Reaching for his phone slickly, he sent a text message to Jean.

Bobby: Jean, I cannot take any more of this. My parents are badgering me but they don't want to listen for anything . . . I can't. I need you and Scott to come and pick me up

"The problem is, is that whenever I try to sit down and open up to you, you do not listen," he said.

"But, we are listening," his mother said.

"No, actually, you aren't; I can actually say I agree with Bobby," his brother said, finally saying something for the first time that night.

Bobby sighed again. "Mom . . . Dad, just tell me the damn truth at this point. Tell me you do not accept that I am a mutant. Because all I do is try and try, and you both dismiss me like I'm this big loser or something."

"But –"

"No, Mom, don't, please!" Bobby said. "Don't try and make an excuse in the attempt to defend yourself about this! Okay? Because do you want to know part of the reason why I do not tell you guys anything? I feel as though I do not fit in! And it has nothing to do with my mutation, or the fact that I am half Catholic half Jew! It's-It's because . . . I-I'm . . ." He felt his eyes starting to heat up with moisture at the thought of what he was about to say. But, he had to say it. He needed to get it off his chest. He felt as though he was suffocating over it, and he was sick of it. "I'm gay."

Silence followed. Finally, Bobby said the words that had been weighing so heavily on his mind for the past four to five months. He'd finally broken the habit.

"I almost wish that you didn't say that," his mom said.

"So, what are you saying? Are you saying I'm a piece of shit because I'm a mutant and that I came out and said I was gay? Like, what are you suggesting?" Bobby asked seriously, the tears threatening to spill.

"When did I say that?" his mom asked him.

"Mom, please, I know how you feel about people that are gay! You think it's all a choice! Well guess what? I didn't choose to be gay or a mutant! I didn't wake up one day and decide that it's a cool thing to do! But the way you guys talk to me, you act as though it's my fault! How is it my fault? I didn't choose this to happen to me! But I would much rather be honest about who I am and not lie to people's faces. I would much rather be with a person of the same sex, than be married to some girl and be miserable. Get it?!" Bobby asked, standing up from his seat as he felt his face go red. He needed to exit the restaurant before he lost his composure.

Exiting the restaurant, Bobby felt nothing but humiliated and upset. Somehow, he managed to find a secluded area in a back alleyway where he could try and gather his mind. Finally, he allowed the tears to flow from his eyes as he desperately tried to hold his sobs back.

'I can't believe them . . . I am so disgusted with both my parents! My mother telling me she wishes I didn't say that I was gay? Who does she think she is?! I'm done! I'm done!'

As he thought that, he couldn't hold his sobs back anymore. He kept his face burrowed in his hands as he just cried. He felt as though coming out to his family was his way of having a release.

Bobby didn't know how long he sat out there alone crying, but he soon enough felt the presence of Scott and Jean near him. He could hear Scott asking, "Bobby, are you okay?" He felt Scott's hand resting on his shoulder, consolingly. Jean was kneeling in front of him, trying to pry his hands away from his eyes so that she could look at him.

"Bobby, c'mon look at me," Jean told him.

"N-No . . . Jean, I'm-I'm done. I swear to God! No, I'm done. Done!" he said to her amongst heavy breaths.

"Hey, okay? On your behalf, I'm done too," Scott said. "But, right now, Warren's in there trying to handle it. He's trying to talk to your parents. What happened?"

"I-I just . . . I couldn't t-take anymore," Bobby said. "I-I just l-lost it . . . it was disgusting! It-It started with-with them dismissing me after I t-told them about what's been g-going on in my life! I-I tried to tell them that it-it hurts me, but they-they didn't listen to-to that either! And then – and then, I just – I couldn't hold it in anymore! I-I told them that I'm gay . . . and my mother tells me . . . she tells me that she wishes I didn't say anything to her about me being gay!" He felt Scott sitting next to him, a lone hand on his back. "It's l-like they hate me!"

"No, c'mon, Bobby, they don't," Jean whispered, trying to comfort him.

"Y-Yes they d-do!" Bobby dissolved in tears again, feeling Jean hugging him. "It's like w-whatever I-I do it's never g-good enough f-for them because-because they d-don't accept m-me as-as I am." He could feel Jean rocking him gently, rubbing his back in soothing circles.

"Shhh," Jean shushed him.

"C'mon, Bobby, this isn't you," Scott said in a sympathetic voice. "Stop saying that. It's not your fault. Just stop. You need to breathe. Control your breathing; you're going to throw up if you keep this up."

The three of them stayed silent, Bobby bawling on Jean's shoulder as she held onto him. Warren soon enough made his way around the corner, joining them. He felt frustrated on Bobby's behalf. Having parents who had disowned him, Warren knew what Bobby was being put through.

"I talked to them. I told them specifically that, you, Bobby, you try your best to be a good kid, and that you feel they hate you for it," Warren said as Jean pulled away from Bobby.

"And what-what did they say?"

"They said to me . . . well, you're not going to like the answer. Your mom told me that she doesn't hate you. That she loves you, she just can't accept that you're gay and a mutant right now because she needs time to figure it all out," Warren said.

Bobby nodded. "B-But why the hell can't she just t-tell me that instead of dismissing m-me like I-I don't matter? W-Warren . . . c-can y-you t-tell m-me why? Why is this . . . what do you think?" He looked up to face his friends; his face was saturated with tears.

"Um, do you want me to give you my honest opinion?" Warren asked, kneeling next to Jean to Bobby's level.

"Yeah." The younger teen nodded, the tears still streaming down his face. He wanted nothing more than to hear Warren's perspective on it all. Warren had shed plenty of tears over the years over his own family disowning him.

"From my personal observation, you are always ready for a fight, because that's what you're expecting. I get it, you're putting in the effort and the work to try and have a relationship with your mom and your dad. But you have also got to give them the chance to adjust to it all," Warren told him gently. He leaned a hand on Bobby's knee in sympathy, giving it a squeeze. He reached his thumb over to wipe Bobby's tears away from his cheeks.

"B-But I-I try so much! N-No m-matter what I do, it's like I cannot make them feel any pride in me! I-I j-just want what my-my friends Peter and-and Johnny and Angelica experience w-with their f-families. I-I . . .!" Bobby sobbed out as Warren continued to try and help him wipe his tears away.

"You're wondering why you can't enjoy that feeling of being accomplished and accepted?" Jean asked in a soft, comforting voice. "What you just did was, you got to the root of the problem. Do me a favor. You should go, and you should tell your family what you just told us. Because that was some powerful crap," she added.

Bobby just shook his head. "No . . . no I'm d-done t-talking to them. It's like I . . . I don't have parents anymore. They're acting like I have done this . . . when I haven't done this. They are putting the wedge between us. They are ruining my relationship with them. It's like I constantly g-get t-treated like I'm a piece of shit. So, unless I put up with my parents' shit, I cannot have my parents, and I cannot have a family!" More tears came to his eyes as the sobs continued to escape his throat.

"Alright, you don't have to do that tonight," Scott said.

"Do you want me to say something to them?" Jean asked him sympathetically.

Bobby nodded as he felt Scott's arm wrapping around his shoulders while Jean went inside the restaurant to talk with Bobby's mother and father. While Scott and Warren got the younger teen to Scott's car so that they could take him home, Jean entered the restaurant, only to see Bobby's mother and father preparing to leave.

"Where's Bobby?" Bobby's mother, Shannon, asked.

"He's upset, which is a given," Jean said. "But he told me this, and I think you need to hear this. He told me, "I work so hard, trying to make my parents feel proud of me. Why don't I get to enjoy it?" All he wants is acknowledgement. He just wants to hear that you guys give a crap about him, and what he's accomplished. He wants you to at least try. That's all he's asking for."

"But what he doesn't understand is, we need time," Shannon said. "This is new for us, too. He's my son; I love him."

"Then why don't you try saying it, maybe a little more?" Jean asked. "Look, I know this is hard for you to adjust to it all. But my parents; they're not here, because I'd lost them in a car crash. Life's short. I guess I'm just saying this, because I know that you love your son, and I just don't want you to have any regrets. You've got to make time for him, because he's a good kid."

Bobby's father, Louis, swallowed hard as he took in what Jean had to say. "I do love him. I don't hate him," he said. "Like Shannon said; I need time. I need time to adjust to Bobby being gay. You don't think I've imagined him marrying some nice girl, having children of his own like every other dad out there?"

"But by you pushing him away while you're trying to adjust to it, it's breaking his heart," Jean said. "Consider that this is hard for him, too. It took him a while to respect himself enough to tell you that he is gay. What I guess I'm asking is, can you at least try and work through it with him? Because I can tell that it's really important to him."

Louis breathed out a sigh. "After I figure it all out, after I have some time, yes, I will be willing to do that."

"Alright." Jean proceeded to exit the restaurant and went out to Scott's convertible, where Bobby was sitting in the back of the car with Warren. Jean slid into her seat next to him and grabbed his hand, squeezing firmly before reaching over and grabbing his head, placing a soft kiss to his forehead as Scott drove them back to X-Corporation.

Up next: Savage Land, Savage Hearts

A/N:

I just wish to say, I am happy that today, I uploaded this issue number of all days. Not only is it the day before my 22nd birthday, but this is my favorite issue number to date from volume 2 that I'd written. We've only got a few more issues of volume 2 left, and before you know it, reflections for volume 2, as well as volume 3, are coming! -

DC-MarvelGirl 1997