Disclaimer: I do not own X-Men: Evolution.

Chapter Twenty Nine – Homecoming

October 27th 1998

At his words, the atmosphere in the room visibly changed. Remy dropped shakily into one of the arm chairs, relief evident on his face. John laughed aloud and scooped the small child into his arms, spinning her round, causing her to shriek with laughter. And Jubilee practically threw herself, sobbing, into his arms. "Thank you! Thank you!"

Pietro patted her back as she clung to him. "You're welcome. Now let go."

"Sorry." Hastily pulling away, Jubilee wiped her eyes and turned to his companion with a smile. "Hi! I'm Jubilee."

"Lexa." She returned, shaking her hand. "But you already knew me."

"We do?" Remy asked.

"Well, you wouldn't." Jubilee told him. "You were in the infirmary with Rogue. X-23, right?"

Lexa flinched and nodded.

"I think Lexa suits you better." Lorna commented, looking a little confused.

"Okay, Lorna, Bella, this is Pietro Maximoff, better known as Quicksilver." Jubilee explained, in a far better mood than she had been for months. "Lorna Dane and Belladonna Boudreaux. The little one is Illyana Rasputin. And you know Remy, John and Rahne, don't you?"

"Yeah." Pietro nodded to them. "They should be getting back any minute now. Shouldn't we be waiting for them?"

"Right." Jubilee agreed. "We'd best get down to the hangar."

Lorna stood and took Illyana from John, settling her onto her hip. "Lead the way."

"Didn't we just pass one of the elevators?" John asked as they followed her down the hallway.

Jubilee rolled her eyes. "Power's out, Pyro. Back-up generators give us light and security. Unfortunately, they don't extend to the elevators so we are just gonna have to walk." She stopped, pulling aside a photo frame to pull a lever, causing a hidden door to open, revealing a staircase.

Unlike the rest of the house, this was well-lit, which was a relief, since the space was small and the steps wound downwards in a tight spiral.

"You have a mansion like that and a staircase like this." Pietro muttered. "What happened to the planning there?"

"We need to use all the space down here." Jubilee responded. "The less space this takes up the better."

They emerged into the hangar, just in time to see a jet pulling out of the exit tunnel and come to a smooth stop in front of them.

Jubilee's face lit up with realisation. "Oh that's where it went! How did you two not notice them lifting the jet?"

John shrugged. "We were a little preoccupied."

The hatch opened and Wanda jumped out, only vaguely acknowledging her brother. "We need the infirmary as soon as possible."

"I've had it ready since you went out." Jubilee told her. "But I don't know how much of it's powered by the back-up …" She trailed off as the lights flickered and then brightened. "Oh! I think the power's back on. Never mind. Down the hall and to the left." She took Illyana from Lorna. "I don't suppose you have any medical training, do you?"

Lorna shook her head. "No, sorry."

"I do." Lexa told her.

Jubilee sighed with relief. "Okay, well, if you and Bella go with Wanda to the infirmary and handle things in there and Lorna …" She glanced up as Remy caught Alex's arm as he stumbled. "You alright?"

"Yeah." Alex clutched his head. "Got a killer headache, but I'm fine."

"Lorna, you take everyone else up to the kitchen." Jubilee finished. "There's a first aid kit with ice-packs and painkillers; that way the infirmary stays clear for the people who need it. Alex, go with her." She stifled a smirk, seeing the spark of interest in his eyes when he saw Lorna, and accepted Roberto's hug. "You alright, Rob?"

"Never better." Roberto grinned. "Who's the newbie?"

"We'll explain later." Jubilee shoved him towards Rahne. "Go on."

At that moment, the radio at the control panel crackled into life. "SHIELD One requesting permission to land."

"Dammit." Jubilee muttered, grabbing the mic. "You'll have to wait SHIELD One; we need to move the Blackbird first."

"Understood."

"We'll catch a ride back with them." One of the original pilots told her.

"None of you need medical attention?" Jubilee checked.

"No thanks, we're fine." The other assured her.

"There's hot cocoa up in the kitchen." Jubilee told them, seeing the two women almost hiding behind them. "Reporters?"

"Long story." Angel told her, cradling his left arm against his body.

"That looks broken." Jubilee commented, switching her focus to him. "Infirmary, go."

"No." Warren shook his head. "Kitty needs it more than me."

Jubilee felt her stomach drop. "How bad?"

"Really bad." Todd answered, hopping out of the jet with Fred.

"Okay." Jubilee took a deep breath. "Wolfsbane, will you show these people to the kitchen; get them something for the shock."

"Got it."

As soon as the elevator had closed behind them, Wanda turned back to the jet, levitating a stretcher down.

Jubilee bit back a horrified gasp, seeing the state of her team-mate. "Oh my God … Infirmary now! Angel, go with them. You still need that looking at whether it's now or later." Putting out a hand, she stopped Lance from following them down the hall. "Avalanche, I'm afraid you're the only person I trust to move it."

Reluctantly, Lance re-boarded the Blackbird and it rolled forwards a few feet, into place beside the Velocity. At Jubilee's nod, John flipped a switch on the control panel and the hatch opened above them, a few droplets of water tumbling down towards them as the swimming pool slid away.

Jubilee switched the mic on again. "SHIELD One, you have clearance to land."

Everyone took a few steps back as the helijet landed softly in front of them. The hatch opened and Wolverine jumped out, before helping Scott, who was heavily favouring his right leg, to disembark.

"Sunspot." Jubilee called.

Roberto hurried over, taking over from Logan as a prop and helping Scott to the infirmary.

"Who's the kid?" Logan asked.

"This is Illyana." Jubilee bounced the little girl slightly, causing her to giggle. "Colossus's little sister; John found her in Australia."

"Pyro's back? Anything else happen?" Logan prompted.

Jubilee nodded. "Gambit got back from New Orleans with his best friend-slash-sister, Belladonna, who's not mutant, but has some medical training, so she's in the infirmary. Mexico's already back; the Brotherhood lifted the Blackbird to go and help, but that's back safe …"

Logan's mouth twitched. "Eh, I think we can forgive them, given the circumstances."

Jubilee laughed. "Yeah. Erm … Angel's got a broken arm and Kitty …" She trailed off with a shudder. "Well, they're the only injuries aside from cuts and bruises."

"Kitty's what?" Logan frowned.

Jubilee pulled a face. "You'll have to see for yourself, Wolverine; I can't explain it. Oh, we got a call about a new student, Lorna; Rahne and I flew to get her. Figured she'd be safer here if everything blew up." She explained nervously.

Logan just nodded. "Good decision. That all?"

Jubilee shook her head. "X-23's back. Except she's going by Lexa now. She's helping them in the infirmary as well."

"Right." Logan turned back to the helijet. "What's keeping you?"

"Something's happening!" Kurt called, teleporting out to them.

Sam appeared at the hatch, an arm around Anna's waist as she leaned heavily on him, teeth gritted in pain. "I think she's in labour."

"I know I'm in labour." Anna gasped as a contraction shot through her. "Shit."

"Little ears." Jubilee called, shielding Illyana.

Remy ran over to the helijet and he and Sam carefully helped Anna down. "Sorry, chérie."

"You should be." Anna growled, hugging him anyway. "This freakin' hurts!"

"Bella's in the infirmary." Remy soothed. "She's delivered babies before; you're alright."

Jubilee watched with a fond smile as he guided her out of the hangar towards the infirmary, whispering something to her before kissing her forehead.

As the helijet took off, Scott returned to the hangar with less of a limp, though that might have been due to the heavy bandage on his ankle.

"Wasn't broken?" Jubilee asked.

Scott shook his head. "Sprained ankle. ETA on the other jets?"

Jubilee smiled sympathetically. "She can't be that far behind you, Scott; you left from more or less the same …"

"SHIELD Two requesting permission to land."

"Go ahead." Jubilee responded into the radio. "She's here, Scott."

The next helijet landed with a soft thud in front of them; the hatch opened and Jean flew into Scott's arms. "Thank God!"

Scott held her tightly. "Are you alright? And the baby?"

"We're fine." Jean took his hand and pressed it against her stomach, letting him feel the reassuring thuds. "See? Are you okay?"

"Sprained ankle." Scott kissed her. "We did it."

"I know …" Jean buried her face in his chest as tears of relief made their way down her cheeks.

With a soft bell noise, the elevator doors slid open and Lorna and John emerged with trays of mugs. "Hey, everybody; we thought we'd …"

"Amara!" John sprinted over to the jet, dropping the tray in his hands, but it hovered in midair.

"Did you catch that?" Scott asked his girlfriend, but she shook her head, wiping her eyes.

"I did." Lorna off-loaded her own tray onto one of the stools and took hold of the other. "It's a metal tray."

Jubilee glanced up as Professor Xavier wheeled off the jet. "Hi, Professor."

"Hello, Jubilee." Xavier greeted. "I see we have a new student."

"Uh huh." Jubilee smiled knowingly as Alex left the elevator as well and took the tray from Lorna. "Maybe two. This is Lorna Dane, from Connecticut. Lorna, this is Professor Charles Xavier." She didn't wait to watch the rest of the conversation, taking Illyana over to the helijet, where John had helped his queasy-looking girlfriend to the ground and was holding her tightly. "Hey, everyone; there's hot cocoa if you want it!"

Illyana's face brightened as her brother disembarked. "Yay!"

"Afternoon." Jubilee greeted cheerfully. "Anyone order a four-year-old?"

"Illyana …" Piotr took his sister from her. "Where did you find her?"

"You're better off asking Pyro when he comes up for air." Jubilee nodded to the mutant in question. "I just fed her."

"Hey Jubes!"

"Hey!" Jubilee hugged Tabitha as she jogged over.

"Did the boys show up?" Tabby asked.

"Yeah, they lifted the jet and took off for Mexico." Jubilee answered, not at all surprised when Tabby just sniggered and offered a high five to Pietro, who appeared beside her.

"Nice one!"

Pietro just smirked, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Have fun?"

"Don't I always?" Tabby glanced around. "Where's Rocky?"

"Infirmary." Pietro answered grimly. "With Kitty."

That wiped the smile off Tabby's face. "How bad?"

"Bad." Pietro answered. "I've never seen so much blood. You think we should …" He trailed off, jerking his head in the direction of the infirmary.

Swallowing hard, Tabby nodded and he shifted his arm down to her waist before sprinting off.

Jubilee smiled sadly, realising just how close Kitty was to the rest of the Brotherhood, and turned to catch Jamie as he ran into her. "Hey kid!"

"I'm not a kid!" Jamie protested.

"Of course not." Jubilee agreed mildly as the helijet took off again.

"Where's Kitty?" Jamie asked worriedly.

Jubilee sighed, crouching down in front of him. "Jamie, Kitty's hurt. Really badly hurt."

Jamie paled. "But she's gonna be okay, right? Can I go see her?"

"I don't know, sweetie." Jubilee caught his arm. "But she won't want you to see her like this. Why don't you go and get some hot cocoa? It'll make you feel better." She caught Lorna's eye and the other girl excused herself from her conversation to jog over. "Jamie, this is Lorna Dane. Lorna, Jamie Madrox, youngest member of the X-Men." She kept eye contact the entire time, praying that Lorna would understand.

Thankfully, Lorna did and smiled brightly. "Hi, Jamie. Want some cocoa?"

Jamie nodded quietly and she guided him towards the elevator, chatting about Bayville and the Institute and, before the doors closed, Jubilee was relieved to see him smile and answer one of her questions.

Now all she could do was to wait.

She perched on the chair next to the control panel, the mic easily within her reach, her heart thudding in her chest.

She could see John holding Amara, stroking her hair soothingly, and Jean clinging to Scott, both with a hand on her stomach, and she suddenly felt incredibly lonely.

It's okay; they're coming in from China; they're miles away.

The mantra repeated itself in her head, but still she was terrified and, suddenly, exhausted. She'd been strong for too long; she couldn't do it any longer; she needed …

"SHIELD Three …"

Jubilee didn't wait for him to finish, grabbing the mic. "Clear to land."

She could almost hear the smirk in his response. "Thank you."

Her heart in her mouth, Jubilee dropped the radio on to the control panel and stood up, watching the last helijet come to land in front of her, almost torturously slowly.

The hatch opened and then, at last, he was standing in front of her. He had a gash down one side of his face and his uniform was torn, but he was smiling at her and her world was suddenly right again.

Before she even registered moving, she was in his arms clinging to him desperately, sobbing into his uniform, the control she'd been forced to keep all week crumbling like one of Storm's freshly-baked cookies.

Holding her closely, Bobby moved them away from the jet so Evan could help his aunt down, since she looked a little queasy. "It's alright, Jubes." He murmured, kissing her head. "We're alright."

"I was so worried." Jubilee mumbled into his chest.

"I know." Bobby tilted her face up and kissed her softly. "I love you."

"I love you too." Jubilee whispered, loosening her grip slightly. "Are you hurt?"

"Nothing a kiss from you won't cure." Bobby grinned, avoiding her hand as she moved to touch the wound on his cheek. "And speaking of kisses …" He looked around and found who he was looking for. "YO, SAM! Aren't you forgetting something?"

"What was that about?" Jubilee asked, confused.

"Nothing." Bobby shrugged, kissing her again and pulling her close.

Sam turned red and John clapped him on the shoulder. "You lose a bet or something, mate?"

"No, he survived." Amara smirked. "You'd best pick up a phone, Sam; Rahne …" She trailed off.

"She's back." John supplied.

"Oh my God!" Amara squealed, abandoning her boyfriend's arms to hug her former team-mate. "Are you 'back' back? Or this just a temporary thing?"

"No, I'm really back." Rahne laughed.

"Okay, now you have to do it." Amara told Sam, grabbing John's hand and dragging him away.

"Do what?" Rahne asked, giving Sam a hug.

Sam cleared his throat. "Erm … okay. First of all, I really missed you."

Rahne smiled at him. "I missed you too, Sam. Do what?"

"Okay." Sam took a deep breath. "When we flew out, I promised myself I'd do something if I came back in one piece and … I did. So please don't hate me." Cupping her face gently, he pressed his lips to hers nearly collapsing with relief, when she wound her arms around his neck and returned the embrace.

"Awww." Jean cooed, seeing them, having not been close enough to hear the conversation leading to the kiss. "What do you think brought that on?"

"I've got a pretty good idea." Scott told her. "Life's too short. But forever just got a lot longer."

"Yeah, it did." Jean agreed quietly, refocusing on him.

Scott brushed a strand of hair from her face. "How do you feel about spending it with me?"

"What exactly are you asking?" Jean whispered.

"To be my wife as well as the mother of my child." Scott got down on one knee. "Jean Grey, will you marry me?"

Nearby, Amara squealed again, causing silence to descend on the hangar, but Jean hardly noticed.

"Yes!" She cried.

Scott stood again and picked her up, twirling her round before kissing her deeply.

Bobby grinned, wrapping an arm around Jubilee's shoulder so he could greet Amara and John who had headed over to them. "Well, it's about time."

"Scott and Jean or Sam and Rahne?" Jubilee asked curiously.

"Both." Bobby responded, still grinning. "Mainly the latter; Sam's been driving me crazy for the last two years and he's got a chance of getting better. Scott and Jean are always gonna be nauseating, whether they're married or not."

AN: I apologise if my AN last chapter confused people; this fic is nowhere near finished, we're just out of canon now. Please review!