Again, I'm really sorry for not getting this up sooner. Things have been
pretty hectic here. Anyway, I hope that this chapter sheds more light on
Jubilee's grocery scheme.
Thanks for your reviews and patience
Questions, comments? Email or review.
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There was one women's bathroom in her wing of the mansion. Recently remodeled, it could accommodate up to four females, although presently, only she and Paige shared it. Jubilee took a long, hot shower, enjoying the feeling of the warm water on her skin. Back in her LA apartment, there was almost never hot water and never any water pressure. And then there was the time that her landlord had neglected to pay the water bill. Jubilee shuddered at the memory. Two weeks of showering at gyms and youth hostels.
Upon finishing her shower, she towel dried her hair, gathered together her items and left. When she turned into the hallway, she saw a longhaired blonde woman ahead of her. Undoubtedly Paige. Jubilee debated about drawing her friend's attention. The choice was taken out of her hands when Paige looked over her shoulder.
"Hey Jubes. Beautiful morning, isn't it?" she asked, slowing her pace so that Jubilee could catch up. Paige's words were spoken rapidly. Her surprise at running into the younger girl was evident.
"I guess. I haven't been outside, so I couldn't tell you?"
"Oh."
Jubes was glad that Paige hadn't had the presence of mind to ask her why she was awake so early. Then again, having known her teammate for several years, it was likely that Paige assumed that she'd become some sort of a role model to her friend. That Jubilee, inspired by Paige's perseverance, would strive to rise before the sun and practice Tae Bo with Billy Blanks.
As if.
As they walked, Jubilee cast a sidelong glance at Paige. The blonde, though a notorious early riser, looked tired. With a start, Jubilee realized that she was wearing the same clothes she'd had on yesterday.
"How was the picnic?" asked Jubilee coyly, doing a lousy job of pretending to sound disinterested.
"Nice," was Paige's terse response. Jubilee could tell that she wasn't going to get any more information out of her. Yet. She did conclude, though, that based on her friend's silence and tired manner, she was just returning. Well, that made one person in the mansion that had gotten even less sleep than she had. Two, if you counted Warren. She hoped that the team wasn't going to be sent on any mission today. She could see the Daily Bugle headline now: Outlaw Mutant Team Defeated by Sleep Depravation!! See page 8 for full story.
The duo was approaching Jubilee's room, as signaled by the resounding snores of the Juggernaut next door. Instead of heading to her room, which was just around the corner, Paige followed Jubilee inside. Apparently, she wasn't too tired for some good old-fashioned girl talk, Jubilee thought, rolling her eyes.
"How do you sleep with that snoring?" asked Paige, nodding her head towards the wall that divided Jubilee's room from Cain's.
"I manage," responded Jubilee distractedly. She'd removed her bandages before showering. The freedom felt good, and she was disappointed that she had to replace them. Personally, she thought that her wounds were healed to the point where she no longer needed the bindings. However, she knew that Hank, Logan, and a score of others would disagree. She decided to wear them to avoid a confrontation she would undoubtedly lose.
"How often do you have to do that?" Paige asked, watching Jubilee gather her gauze and disinfectant with great interest.
"At least two times a day. Sometimes I do it more."
"Do they still hurt?" asked Paige.
Jubilee lifted a hand into the air, so that it was parallel to her face. She inspected the scab on her palm, and then turned her arm so that she could see the back of her hand, which was marked by an identical wound. The scabs had torn slightly during her Danger Room workout yesterday, though there were no signs of this.
"Not too often. It stings sometimes, though." Jubilee's answers were short. She felt uncomfortable with Paige watching her work over her shoulder, yet couldn't bring herself to ask the girl to leave. I really am getting soft, she thought sadly.
Lowered her arm, she began disinfecting her injuries. Finally, she wrapped up her hands with strips of sterile gauze. She did her left hand first; that was the easiest. Her right hand took a little extra work. She was getting pretty good at using her left hand to dress her wounds, though. Paige, who continued watching, made several moves indicating that she wanted to help her friend, but ultimately decided against it. She studied Jubilee with sadness in her eyes.
"Can you still use your powers?"
The smaller girl didn't look up from her work, instead giving Paige an answer in the form of a small fireworks display behind her.
"It doesn't hurt to do that, does it?" Paige asked again. Jubilee sighed. This was getting redundant.
"No, luckily. It would have totally sucked if I'd lost my powers because of that whole mess." That whole mess. What a nice way to sum up her torture, death and resurrection.
"You'd still be Jubilee."
"No. I wouldn't."
Paige didn't respond, and for several moments, the only noise to be heard came in the form of loud snores issued from the room next door. Jubilee felt relieved. Maybe her teammate had finally realized that she was uncomfortable with the current topic of conversation.
"Y'know, if you'd just let him, I'm sure Warren –"
"No!" Jubilee cut her off angrily. Why hadn't she seen this coming? She had no doubt that another dose of Warren's blood would clear up the last remaining signs of her ordeal. The only thing was, she wasn't sure if she wanted that. Part of her was still wallowing in self-recrimination – she thought that maybe the scars she bore as a result of her crucifixion would teach her to be more careful. She wanted them there to serve as a reminder. To ensure that she always remembered what had happened to her, and, more importantly, what had happened to Angelo.
"Jubilee, it's not that bad. You're almost healed. I'm sure just a little more –"
"Paige, I said no."
"Why not?" challenged her friend.
"Because."
"Because what?"
"Just because. Leave me alone, okay," Jubilee said, her voice curt and loud.
Paige looked down, defeated. "I'm heading down for breakfast," she said quietly, changing the subject. "Do you want to come?"
"Yeah, sure. Just give me a minute here," Jubilee said after a pause. Her eyes brightened at the mention of food. Maybe she could get something out of this after all.
"You ready for Lorna's bachelorette party?" asked Paige, still intent on changing the subject. She was still upset that Jubilee had snapped at her.
"Oh yeah. That's tonight, huh?" Jubilee asked. She crumpled the empty gauze package into a ball, which she tossed into the wastebasket next to her desk. She shoots, she scores!
"We're leaving at nine."
"I can't wait," said Jubilee. Paige wasn't sure if that was sarcasm or if the young girl was sincere.
"Look," Jubilee continued, hoping her teammate would take the hint, "I've still got a couple of things to get together here. Why don't you head downstairs and I'll join you"?
"Y'sure"?
"Course, hayseed."
Paige frowned at Jubilee. She hated that nickname and Jubilee knew it. At the moment, however, the dark haired girl was preoccupied with cleaning up her mess, ignoring the angry look Paige was casting her way. Without another word, Paige left.
She returned only minutes later, as Jubilee had hoped she would.
"Do you know that there's no food in the kitchen? No good food, anyway. All I found was a bunch of Pop Tarts, potato chips, and some onions? Who did the grocery shopping?" Paige shouted, frustrated. "I'm exhausted, irritated, and hungry, and there's nothing to eat!"
"Whoa there girl, don't lose it on me," said Jubilee, the wheels in her head turning.
Paige took a deep breath, and said more calmly, "Sorry. I just really don't need this right now. I didn't mean to yell."
"S'okay. Look, I've got some cinnamon granola bars I've been saving up," Jubilee began. Paige's eyes widened at the mention of her favorite snack. "But I know you really like them," continued Jubilee, "so, if you want, they're yours."
"Really?" asked Paige.
"Totally. You're like, one of my best friends," Jubilee responded, opening her refrigerator a crack and reaching for a box.
"Why do you keep them in the fridge," frowned Paige.
"Um.....I like them cold," responded Jubilee, thinking fast. Darn it Bobby, she thought, I know you're the Iceman, but not everything has to be cold.
She handed the box to Paige, who smiled in appreciation. "Thanks, Jubes. You're such a great person," she gushed.
Jubilee smiled what she hoped was a friendly smile. "Glad to help out." A pause followed, then she muttered, "I just wish ... never mind."
"What?"
"It's nothing."
"Liar. Tell me."
"Well, I was going to ask if I could wear that necklace you have to the party tonight. You know, the one with the pink stones you showed me yesterday? The one with the matching earrings."
"The one that Warren just got me?" Paige asked. Jubilee nodded. "Jubilee, I haven't even had a chance to wear it yet. I was planning to wear it tonight."
"Oh. I understand," muttered Jubilee, turning her gaze away. "It's just that it matches the dress I got today perfectly, and I still don't know what happened to all of my old stuff, and... and... and I just wanted to look pretty for once," she rambled on, staring at her hands. She didn't want to risk a glance at Paige to gauge her reaction, lest something in her expression give her away
Paige looked down at the box of granola bars in her hands and back at the young woman sitting in front of her. Jubilee looked so sad and dejected.
"On second thought, I think it would look better on you than me anyway. Pink's so not my color. Why don't you wait here? I'll go get it."
She returned with the necklace and earrings seconds later.
"Thanks, Paige," Jubilee exclaimed, barely able to contain her giggles. Her plan was paying off.
"No problem. What are friends for?" replied Paige, returning to her room to enjoy her newly acquired granola bars and catch up on sleep.
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There was one women's bathroom in her wing of the mansion. Recently remodeled, it could accommodate up to four females, although presently, only she and Paige shared it. Jubilee took a long, hot shower, enjoying the feeling of the warm water on her skin. Back in her LA apartment, there was almost never hot water and never any water pressure. And then there was the time that her landlord had neglected to pay the water bill. Jubilee shuddered at the memory. Two weeks of showering at gyms and youth hostels.
Upon finishing her shower, she towel dried her hair, gathered together her items and left. When she turned into the hallway, she saw a longhaired blonde woman ahead of her. Undoubtedly Paige. Jubilee debated about drawing her friend's attention. The choice was taken out of her hands when Paige looked over her shoulder.
"Hey Jubes. Beautiful morning, isn't it?" she asked, slowing her pace so that Jubilee could catch up. Paige's words were spoken rapidly. Her surprise at running into the younger girl was evident.
"I guess. I haven't been outside, so I couldn't tell you?"
"Oh."
Jubes was glad that Paige hadn't had the presence of mind to ask her why she was awake so early. Then again, having known her teammate for several years, it was likely that Paige assumed that she'd become some sort of a role model to her friend. That Jubilee, inspired by Paige's perseverance, would strive to rise before the sun and practice Tae Bo with Billy Blanks.
As if.
As they walked, Jubilee cast a sidelong glance at Paige. The blonde, though a notorious early riser, looked tired. With a start, Jubilee realized that she was wearing the same clothes she'd had on yesterday.
"How was the picnic?" asked Jubilee coyly, doing a lousy job of pretending to sound disinterested.
"Nice," was Paige's terse response. Jubilee could tell that she wasn't going to get any more information out of her. Yet. She did conclude, though, that based on her friend's silence and tired manner, she was just returning. Well, that made one person in the mansion that had gotten even less sleep than she had. Two, if you counted Warren. She hoped that the team wasn't going to be sent on any mission today. She could see the Daily Bugle headline now: Outlaw Mutant Team Defeated by Sleep Depravation!! See page 8 for full story.
The duo was approaching Jubilee's room, as signaled by the resounding snores of the Juggernaut next door. Instead of heading to her room, which was just around the corner, Paige followed Jubilee inside. Apparently, she wasn't too tired for some good old-fashioned girl talk, Jubilee thought, rolling her eyes.
"How do you sleep with that snoring?" asked Paige, nodding her head towards the wall that divided Jubilee's room from Cain's.
"I manage," responded Jubilee distractedly. She'd removed her bandages before showering. The freedom felt good, and she was disappointed that she had to replace them. Personally, she thought that her wounds were healed to the point where she no longer needed the bindings. However, she knew that Hank, Logan, and a score of others would disagree. She decided to wear them to avoid a confrontation she would undoubtedly lose.
"How often do you have to do that?" Paige asked, watching Jubilee gather her gauze and disinfectant with great interest.
"At least two times a day. Sometimes I do it more."
"Do they still hurt?" asked Paige.
Jubilee lifted a hand into the air, so that it was parallel to her face. She inspected the scab on her palm, and then turned her arm so that she could see the back of her hand, which was marked by an identical wound. The scabs had torn slightly during her Danger Room workout yesterday, though there were no signs of this.
"Not too often. It stings sometimes, though." Jubilee's answers were short. She felt uncomfortable with Paige watching her work over her shoulder, yet couldn't bring herself to ask the girl to leave. I really am getting soft, she thought sadly.
Lowered her arm, she began disinfecting her injuries. Finally, she wrapped up her hands with strips of sterile gauze. She did her left hand first; that was the easiest. Her right hand took a little extra work. She was getting pretty good at using her left hand to dress her wounds, though. Paige, who continued watching, made several moves indicating that she wanted to help her friend, but ultimately decided against it. She studied Jubilee with sadness in her eyes.
"Can you still use your powers?"
The smaller girl didn't look up from her work, instead giving Paige an answer in the form of a small fireworks display behind her.
"It doesn't hurt to do that, does it?" Paige asked again. Jubilee sighed. This was getting redundant.
"No, luckily. It would have totally sucked if I'd lost my powers because of that whole mess." That whole mess. What a nice way to sum up her torture, death and resurrection.
"You'd still be Jubilee."
"No. I wouldn't."
Paige didn't respond, and for several moments, the only noise to be heard came in the form of loud snores issued from the room next door. Jubilee felt relieved. Maybe her teammate had finally realized that she was uncomfortable with the current topic of conversation.
"Y'know, if you'd just let him, I'm sure Warren –"
"No!" Jubilee cut her off angrily. Why hadn't she seen this coming? She had no doubt that another dose of Warren's blood would clear up the last remaining signs of her ordeal. The only thing was, she wasn't sure if she wanted that. Part of her was still wallowing in self-recrimination – she thought that maybe the scars she bore as a result of her crucifixion would teach her to be more careful. She wanted them there to serve as a reminder. To ensure that she always remembered what had happened to her, and, more importantly, what had happened to Angelo.
"Jubilee, it's not that bad. You're almost healed. I'm sure just a little more –"
"Paige, I said no."
"Why not?" challenged her friend.
"Because."
"Because what?"
"Just because. Leave me alone, okay," Jubilee said, her voice curt and loud.
Paige looked down, defeated. "I'm heading down for breakfast," she said quietly, changing the subject. "Do you want to come?"
"Yeah, sure. Just give me a minute here," Jubilee said after a pause. Her eyes brightened at the mention of food. Maybe she could get something out of this after all.
"You ready for Lorna's bachelorette party?" asked Paige, still intent on changing the subject. She was still upset that Jubilee had snapped at her.
"Oh yeah. That's tonight, huh?" Jubilee asked. She crumpled the empty gauze package into a ball, which she tossed into the wastebasket next to her desk. She shoots, she scores!
"We're leaving at nine."
"I can't wait," said Jubilee. Paige wasn't sure if that was sarcasm or if the young girl was sincere.
"Look," Jubilee continued, hoping her teammate would take the hint, "I've still got a couple of things to get together here. Why don't you head downstairs and I'll join you"?
"Y'sure"?
"Course, hayseed."
Paige frowned at Jubilee. She hated that nickname and Jubilee knew it. At the moment, however, the dark haired girl was preoccupied with cleaning up her mess, ignoring the angry look Paige was casting her way. Without another word, Paige left.
She returned only minutes later, as Jubilee had hoped she would.
"Do you know that there's no food in the kitchen? No good food, anyway. All I found was a bunch of Pop Tarts, potato chips, and some onions? Who did the grocery shopping?" Paige shouted, frustrated. "I'm exhausted, irritated, and hungry, and there's nothing to eat!"
"Whoa there girl, don't lose it on me," said Jubilee, the wheels in her head turning.
Paige took a deep breath, and said more calmly, "Sorry. I just really don't need this right now. I didn't mean to yell."
"S'okay. Look, I've got some cinnamon granola bars I've been saving up," Jubilee began. Paige's eyes widened at the mention of her favorite snack. "But I know you really like them," continued Jubilee, "so, if you want, they're yours."
"Really?" asked Paige.
"Totally. You're like, one of my best friends," Jubilee responded, opening her refrigerator a crack and reaching for a box.
"Why do you keep them in the fridge," frowned Paige.
"Um.....I like them cold," responded Jubilee, thinking fast. Darn it Bobby, she thought, I know you're the Iceman, but not everything has to be cold.
She handed the box to Paige, who smiled in appreciation. "Thanks, Jubes. You're such a great person," she gushed.
Jubilee smiled what she hoped was a friendly smile. "Glad to help out." A pause followed, then she muttered, "I just wish ... never mind."
"What?"
"It's nothing."
"Liar. Tell me."
"Well, I was going to ask if I could wear that necklace you have to the party tonight. You know, the one with the pink stones you showed me yesterday? The one with the matching earrings."
"The one that Warren just got me?" Paige asked. Jubilee nodded. "Jubilee, I haven't even had a chance to wear it yet. I was planning to wear it tonight."
"Oh. I understand," muttered Jubilee, turning her gaze away. "It's just that it matches the dress I got today perfectly, and I still don't know what happened to all of my old stuff, and... and... and I just wanted to look pretty for once," she rambled on, staring at her hands. She didn't want to risk a glance at Paige to gauge her reaction, lest something in her expression give her away
Paige looked down at the box of granola bars in her hands and back at the young woman sitting in front of her. Jubilee looked so sad and dejected.
"On second thought, I think it would look better on you than me anyway. Pink's so not my color. Why don't you wait here? I'll go get it."
She returned with the necklace and earrings seconds later.
"Thanks, Paige," Jubilee exclaimed, barely able to contain her giggles. Her plan was paying off.
"No problem. What are friends for?" replied Paige, returning to her room to enjoy her newly acquired granola bars and catch up on sleep.