Disclaimer: I do not own the X-men or any marvel related property. I do not work for marvel or even fox for that matter as I definitely would not have left Jubilee out of the movies the way they did giving her a few non speaking points where you briefly see her for a second or so. How disrespectful of one of their main characters. They seriously need to rethink their writers and add her in the future. I am sorry that you all just had to experience my rant. I get a little edgy when I think back to how awesome of a character they could have made her. Especially with everything they can do with special effects these days. Her powers would have been awesome. Anyway now that I have vented and all of you have just wasted your valuable time reading my thoughts I will continue with the story. I had fun writing this one and I hope you enjoy it.
"So are you going to tell me what happened David?" A concerned Jubilee asked.
"You saw what happened." David answered as he began walking arm in arm with Jubilee toward the exit of the danger room. "Whats up wolvie." David then added as they passed Wolverine standing in the doorway.
"Damn it Jubilee I told you about his hearing." Growled Logan before unsheathing his claws and pointing them at David.
"I know I know Logan That's the last time." David remarked as he placed a hand on Logan's shoulder.
"Better be." Grunted Logan as David and Jubilee left him to train alone.
David made his way to the elevator with Jubilee on his arm. He soon realized he was asking too much in hoping she would drop the fainting incident.
"There is something your not telling me David." Jubilee said once they stepped onto the elevator.
"Jubilee I am fine just exhausted." David replied scratching the back of his head a clear indication that he wasn't being completely honest.
"For someone that always has reserve energy due to his mutation I don't think so David. Out with it." She then demanded.
"What do you want me to tell you Jubilee I know about as much as you do." The elevator door slid open and they began heading toward David's room.
"Maybe you should see Hank." Suggested a worried Jubilee.
"Not gonna happen Jubes. Im perfectly fine now thanks to the energy you gave me." They climbed the stairs while Jubilee tried figuring out a way to get him to see the good doctor.
"David if this keeps up your going to have to do something. How do you expect to train a whole team when training one student exhausted all of your energy?" She then asked him.
"Don't worry about me Jubilee. Just make sure you are ready for training tomorrow. For now I need a shower. Am I going to see you later?" David then asked hoping that she would still come by tonight.
"Yes David. I will see you tonight." Jubilee answered before he entered his room.
David closed his door feeling much better now that he had some energy. He had to admit to himself that Jubilee was right and something was definitely not right. There should be no reason that he had to fight to even stand the last few minutes of his training with Alex. He decided to give it another day or so and see if the problem persists before talking to anyone about it.
David headed into the bathroom and turned on the shower. He began to undress and looked in the mirror where he could clearly see bags under his red bloodshot eyes. He finished stripping off his clothes and got In the shower allowing the hot water to wash off all of the sweat and grime away along with some of his worries as well.
After his shower he headed down stairs where dinner was to soon be served. He made his way to the cafeteria where he saw Piotr and Kitty already sitting at their normal place.
"Hey Pete, Kitty how are you guys doing?" David asked as he joined the two.
"We are doing well comrade, how are you doing?" Piotr asked glad to see his friend. Now that school had started back up they didn't have as much time to hang out.
"Had a bit of a rough day. Doing much better now though." David said deciding to leave out the details. "How about you Kitty?"
"I'm doing great." Kitty said wrapping an her arms around Piotr's much larger one.
"Glad to see everything is going good between the two of you." David smiled.
"Everything is perfect comrade. How are things between you and Jubilee? It can not be easy being forced to hide your relationship." Piotr then asked him.
"No not at all. We are making it work though and I have a plan to take her out this weekend, well sorta. I am trying to keep it a surprise for her though so if you wouldn't say anything to her that would be great." David said directing the last part more towards Kitty.
"I wont say anything I promise." Kitty said making a motion to cross her heart.
"Thank you Kitty." David said before he smelled Scott approaching from behind.
"David I am glad to see Alex didn't hurt you. He told me how everything went I want to thank you. But next time could you not push him so hard? I think he is already in bed for the night." Scott asked concern in his voice for his brothers well being.
"I don't tell you how to run your team Scott." David remarked sounding more rude than he meant to.
"David all I am saying is that-" Scott began before David cut him off.
"Sorry Scott its been a rough day. Look Alex is a bright kid, he did exceptionally well but you of all people should no how dangerous lack of control can be. He was scared to even let a blast loose in the danger room. He made incredible strides and he worked hard to prove himself if he is already in bed its because he earned it. I didn't push him any harder than I would have any other student in his predicament. I understand that he is your brother but he is a student to me and also a teammate of his own choosing. I will not settle for less than one hundred percent from my team. If he was not your brother would we be having this conversation?" David asked standing his ground.
"No I suppose not. I understand where you are coming from I just do not wish to see him get hurt." Scott answered honestly.
"Neither do I Scott. That's exactly what I am trying to prevent. You have led the X-men on countless missions you know exactly that one screw up can jeopardize lives." David then stated.
"You cant demand perfection David accidents do happen." Scott shot back feeling like David was becoming more of a drill instructor.
"I can demand whatever I want. I know that I will most likely not get it. I know every mission will not go off without a hitch but if pushing them harder better prepares them and minimizes injuries or collateral Damage then that is exactly what I will do. If Alex has a problem he is free to quit my team at any time but I see it is not him questioning my methods. He saw that they worked firsthand. As much as I pushed him, he pushed himself just as hard and because of that he succeeded in his goal. Maybe next time ask him how he feels about everything before jumping the gun." David said getting unnecessarily annoyed.
"Whoa David calm down. You made your point." Scott glared from behind his ruby glasses.
"He was happy that he learned control you are free to pull the video and see for yourself. You should see the look on his face before you come here and tell me I am being too rough." David then replied.
"David what has gotten into you today?" Scott asked.
"Bye Scott." David added with a sense of finality in his voice.
Scott walked away and David took a deep breath to calm himself. He then turned back to his table to see the shocked look on his friends faces.
"What an ass, I cant believe he just questioned my methods." David then said.
"I have never heard anyone other than Logan talk to him like that David. As great as it was he was only concerned for his brother." Kitty said informing David that he took it too far.
"Yea comrade. As uptight as he can be you just as you say ripped him a new one." Piotr chimed in.
"Your probably right. Its just been a long Day I am a little frustrated and tired. Ill give it some time to cool down and I will apologize." David said looking down ashamed at the table.
"Apologize for what?" Jubilee asked as she made her way in followed by Bobby and Rogue.
"I yelled at Scott for giving me shit about being too rough on Alex." David answered sheepishly.
"Seriously I didn't think you were that rough on him. But I may be a little biased as it turned me on to see that commanding side of you." Jubilee replied causing Kitty to spit up the soda she had just taken a drink of.
"Jubilee!" Rogue jumped in.
David only smiled before speaking again. "We will see if you feel the same way when you are on the receiving end of it tomorrow."
"Sounds to me like she wants to be on the receiving end of it now." Bobby chimed in causing jubilee to blush a bright shade of pink.
Everyone laughed and made jokes at Jubilee's expense as dinner was served. They all began to eat and talk amongst each other for the remainder of the meal. After they had all finished eating they all went their separate ways. Jubilee went with Kitty and Rogue to the library to get some studying done. While David retired to the Rec room for some much needed R&R. David entered the room and sat on the sofa in the room and laid his head back occasionally glancing up and half watching the show the students were watching on the television.
"David there you are." Cordelia said as she walked in to the rec room.
"Hi mom." David replied turning his head to face her.
"I have been looking for you since Scott mentioned you yelling at him. Is something wrong?" She asked as she sat down next to him.
David sighed deeply before responding. "Here we go again."
"Im only concerned David." Cordelia stated as she sensed David's uneasiness at the conversation.
"So is everybody, Its getting annoying I am perfectly fine." David began making his way to his feet planning to leave.
"No your not." Cordelia said her tone taking on a motherly feeling. "I have noticed it the past few days, you have been frustrated and tired and cranky and it's not like you at all."
"Maybe it has something to do with people not knowing when they should mind their own damn business." David said beginning to walk away.
"Where the hell do you think you are going?" Cordelia asked angrily getting to her feet and grabbing David's wrist. "I don't care how old you are or what the problem is you are having you will not I repeat will not take that tone with me." She then added as she directed him back to the place he was sitting.
The students in the room seemed to know when they should leave because before David knew it the TV had been turned off and the room vacated.
David sighed deeply before responding softly. "I don't know what is going on mom. I have been completely drained of energy the past few days which given my mutation is a little weird."
"Then we are going to see Dr. McCoy." She stated leaving little room for argument.
"I don't think so mom." David stated as much as he liked the blue mutat he hated being in the med lab.
"It wasn't a suggestion David. You will go see Hank." Cordelia informed him.
"Not as Long as I am conscious I'm not." David replied neither budging an inch.
"Why the hell do you have to be so damn stubborn David?" Cordelia asked taking a second to pause before continuing. "You said it yourself there is something wrong everyone is able to tell. Why wont you just go and get it over with?"
"Ill tell you what, If you can let me get some rest. So that I can properly train my team tomorrow I will go see Hank after training." David agreed seeing as how his mother or Jubilee were never going to let up until he complied.
"Thank you, Is that really so much to ask?" She then asked him.
"Yes mom that is a huge order. Can I go now?" He then asked hoping to get away from everyone for a while.
"Yes David you may go." Cordelia said smugly as David began to leave the room.
David headed outside for some fresh air. He took a seat in one of the chairs on the back patio and watched the students playing until the sun started to make its nightly departure. He then made his way back inside and to his room to retire for the evening. He changed into a pair of pajama pants before laying down and realizing that his bed had never been more welcoming than it was this night. He lay there awake going over his plan for his team the following day when he heard his doorknob begin to turn slowly.
"Hey sweetie." David said as his door opened and Jubilee snuck inside.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" She asked as she sat on the edge of his bed.
"Been better." David admitted.
"Well maybe if you had gone to see Hank like I said." Jubilee began.
"Jubilee stop. I have been catching this from all Angles I will go see Hank after training tomorrow. Can we just drop this for tonight?" David asked as he really did not feel like getting into this talk again.
"Sure babe, scoot over." She then said causing him to make room for her to join him. "What do you have planned for class tomorrow?" She asked as she cuddled in next to David's warm body.
"Danger room again only I plan on splitting everyone into groups. So that I can better help everyone instead of dealing with a whole class all at once." David answered quietly as he fought to keep his eyes open.
"That seems like a smart plan. What do you plan on doing with John?" Jubilee asked hoping he wouldn't cause any more problems.
"We wont have to worry about him anymore. He left the institute after my class today." David said trying to fight back a yawn.
"Really, Why?" She then asked.
"Don't know, I didn't ask. It really didn't upset me enough to question it." David wrapped his arm around jubilee and pulled her close.
"Good riddance." Jubilee yawned herself. "David can I talk to you about something?" She then asked. "David?" She then said after receiving no response. "Well maybe tomorrow then goodnight David." She said softly although an earthquake would probably not have woke him. She soon drifted off to sleep herself, letting all her cares and worries drift off with her.
Jubilee awoke the next morning to find that she was still held in place by David's arm around her. He hadn't moved at all during the night. She smiled as she looked up at him and shook him slightly.
"David sweetie, wake up." Jubilee spoke softly eliciting a groan from David.
"Morning Jubes." David groggily replied stretching his arms above his head.
"Are you sure your ok David?" Jubilee asked concerned. "Your normally awake before most of the people in the mansion. Its normally you waking me up." She then added.
"I don't know sweetie, I think you may be right something is wrong." David answered feeling extremely tired where he normally awoke energized.
"Forget class today, go see Hank." Jubilee said knowing for sure that something is wrong when David admits that everything is not well.
"Are you kidding me we are in our first week. I cant go taking a sick day already. Ill suck it up and get through class and team training then I will see the doctor." David said sitting up in bed and rubbing his eyes.
Knowing as stubborn as David is that arguing wouldn't do any good she gave in. "Ok but right after training I want you in the med lab." Jubilee demanded.
"Yea today ought to be a great day." David sarcastically replied as he got to his feet. "Ill see you at breakfast." David said as Jubilee was got up from the bed and began preparing to sneak out of his room.
"Ill see you then sweetie." Jubilee replied before giving David a quick kiss and making her departure.
David gathered his clothes for the day grabbed a towel and headed into the bathroom. He turned the shower on giving it time to heat up while he stripped out his pajamas. He stepped into the water expecting relief from the fatigue that weighed on his body. No relief came but a familiar feeling did make its appearance.
"Chuck?" David thought loudly.
"Yes David what can I do for you?" Charles asked in return.
"Send someone to my room. I am in the shower."
David stated before he collapsed again.
"David is everything quite alright?" Charles inquired concerned.
"No and I may need a stretcher or perhaps a spare wheel chair if you have one laying around." David made a half assed attempt at Joking as he was having trouble using his legs.
"Oh Dear, Hank Logan Scott and Piotr are on their way."
Charles replied quickly as he was already making his way to the med lab to wait for heard a knock on his door a few moments later. "Give me just a minute I will be right there." he yelled from the shower.
"David is everything ok?" Hank yelled back from the other side of the door.
"Yea just peachy Hank except for the fact that I cant stand and you knocked. Didn't Chuck tell you anything?" David then asked as he laughed to himself. "The door is open come on in make yourselves at home." David then yelled wondering what the doctor was waiting for.
David's door opened and then the shower door as well and David looked up at the Blue mutant followed by the others Charles informed him would be coming.
"David you are not wearing clothes comrade." Piotr remarked as he looked away.
"I don't normally wear clothes in the shower Pete. Come on don't make this weird." David laughed again as Scott and Logan set the stretcher down. "Come on in guys the water is great." David joked again as the others began to look on in disbelief.
"What the hell is wrong with him Hank? Is he delirious?" Scott asked.
"I don't think so Scott. Although I cant say for sure." Hank said as he Handed David a towel to cover himself. "Are you in any pain David?" Hank then asked.
"No why would I be in pain? I just have jelly legs." David asked as he lifted one of his legs up with his hands and dropped it back into the water.
"Have you experienced any nausea, vomiting, diahrea-" Hank began asking.
"God I hope not. Not in here at least." David joked again.
"What about Loss of appetite, fatigue, dizziness." Hank then asked.
"Uh huh." David responded.
"Dizziness?" Hank asked to make sure.
"No appetite, I gotta say breakfast does not sound very good in the shower." David resumed his joking.
"David can you please take this seriously?" Hank asked beginning to get frustrated.
"I'm Sorry Hank I'm trying to I really am but I cant help it." David smiled at the man.
"I think he's slap happy hank." Logan suggested and David just nodded his head trying to fight back another joke.
"Are you experiencing fatigue David?" Hank asked again and David only nodded his head in response.
"Alright Logan can you grab his legs we need to get him out of the shower?" Hank asked the feral mutant.
Logan agreed and grabbed David's legs. Together the two lifted David out of the shower and onto the stretcher. Hank then strapped David securely in place and placed a towel over him for their trip to the med lab.
"Can you guys carry me like this more often? I kinda feel like an Egyptian pharaoh." David asked smirking as they made their way toward the elevator. "Class is dismissed today guys." David joked as they passed a couple of his students in the hallway.
"Are you ok Professor Alexander?" Roberto asked him.
"I'm fine just remember this is what can happen when you jump on the bed." David laughed earning a few weird looks from some of the students as they passed.
They reached the elevator and David was soon loaded on. The doors closed with a hiss and the elevator began making its descent. Hank and the others just groaned as David made a few more terrible Jokes before the elevator reached the sub basement. David was unloaded and they quickly walked the hallway till they reached their destination. Hank entered his code and the door slid open. David was then placed on the exam table and unstrapped from the stretcher. Logan tilted David's body as Hank removed the stretcher and then all but Hank and Charles left the lab after giving David their best wishes.
"David can you recount the past couple Days for us." Hank asked over the rim of his glasses as prepared to jot some things down in his notepad.
"Sure thing Hank but first can you inform Jubilee that she wins." David then smirked again.
"Pardon?" Hank asked confused.
"Never mind, she will find out soon enough. I'll give it 5 minutes till she is here the way news travels at this school." David then replied.
"Back to the past few days David." Hank said hopin David would stick to the topic at hand.
"Right, umm well before yesterday I didn't notice anything weird. I guess now that I think about it I was a little more exhausted toward the end of the day. But it got bad yesterday, It started off normal enough class went ok then I came to see you Hank, I recruited the rest of my team. And after all of that I was completely wiped out. Then Alex came to me and asked if I could help him learn some control. After an hour long session with him I couldn't take it anymore and my legs gave out much like today. Jubilee gave me a boost and It helped for a while but toward the end of the day it began to wear off which is weird. After the first time she did it I felt like my heart could explode at any minute. This just made me feel normal again. This morning I woke up still exhausted. I had planned on coming to see you after training my team. Then my legs gave out again in the shower." David finished beginning to run short on breath.
"I must say David that is really quite odd. I seem to remember you in your early days here having problems with an abundance of energy." Charles stated as Hank finished writing down his notes.
"Yea its strange. Hey Chuck has anyone ever told you that your head is shiny?" David asked looking at the man and smiling.
"David!" Hank sternly said getting his attention.
"Right sorry Chuck. So whats the prognosis doc?" David then asked.
"I cant say for sure but I would like to get Jubilee down here to help run some tests. Would that be ok with you?" Hank asked in return.
"Does a blue furry mutant shit in the woods?" David asked earning another glare from Hank. "No, Hank I wouldn't have a problem with that." David then said not knowing when to shut up.
"Charles could you contact Jubilee?" Hank asked turning to face the man.
"Of course Hank." Charles said before closing his eyes and communicating with the young girl.
A few minutes later the door slid open and a very frightened Jubilee rushed into the med lab. "What is it Hank what's wrong?" Jubilee asked seeing David on the exam table covered only by the towel Hank had covered his lower body with.
As much as it killed him David knew better than to not joke with her at the moment and covered his mouth to prevent any slip ups.
"It would seem David collapsed in the shower and he mentioned being very tired as of late. I would like your help in running a few tests to determine a diagnosis." Hank explained as Jubilee walked over and grabbed David's hand.
"Of course Hank. Anything I can do to help just let me know." Jubilee hastily agreed.
"Well he informed us that you gave him one of your plasmoids yesterday and recharged his batteries for a brief amount of time." Hank stated before continuing. "I would like you to do the same only a smaller dosage so to speak and we will see how he responds. Have you eaten breakfast yet?" Hank asked.
"Uh yeah Hank but can I ask what that has to do with any of this?" Jubilee then asked not making any connection.
"Well this may take a few hours and I hoped that you did not have an empty stomach." Hank explained.
"Oh gotcha, I am good to go Dr. McCoy." Jubilee said eager to help.
Hank began attaching monitors to Davids forehead and chest much to David's dismay. "Ok well then whenever the two of you are ready I would like for you to start with a miniscule paff."
"Are you ready baby?" Jubilee asked David who had finally escaped his slap happy mood and reverted back to exhausted.
"I'm ready whenever you are Jubes." David responded weakly.
Jubilee put her hand on David's bare chest and inserted the smallest Paff she could muster. Hank looked at the monitors and noticed that there was very little to no energy increase in David.
"How do you feel David?" Hank asked.
"The same as I did thirty seconds ago." David answered not feeling any change.
"Alright this may not take as long as I originally thought. Jubilee step it up slightly." Hank then said.
Jubilee placed her hand onto David's chest once more and smiled down at him as she inserted a slightly more powerful paff into him. One again Hank stared at the monitors unblinking as he noticed slight changes in the readings.
"David any change now?" Hank asked hoping his answer changed.
"Don't feel a whole lot different but my legs are starting to tingle which I am assuming is a good thing." David's voice was now beginning to grow stronger.
"Jubilee." Hank said not having to add anymore.
A few more paffs of increased size and David was soon back on his feet with his towel now wrapped around him. He still felt a little exhausted but he was able to function again. Hank decided to wait A while and keep monitoring David to see the result of David's fading energy. An hour Later and David's shoulders began to droop slightly and he felt the weight bearing back down on him.
"Hank its wearing off." David said as Hank stared unblinking at the screen.
"Well David I still can not be sure but I believe that I have your diagnosis." Hank stated a little uneasily.
"What is it Hank?" Jubilee asked worry heavy in her voice.
"Jubilee as much as I appreciate your help. I believe that I should speak to David about this alone." Hank said to the girl.
"She can hear it Hank." David said uplifting a disappointed Jubilee. "I would just tell her the moment I step out of here anyway. David then informed him.
"Very well. It seems to me David that your body is generating as much energy as it always has but as your strength increases your body depletes more than your body is able to generate. I believe this is why your father absorbs so much energy it is so that he has reserves for instances such as this." Hank explained.
"But I can not absorb energy Hank. Or at least I have not figured that one out yet." David then said feeling defeated.
"Then you must learn soon or make sure that Jubilee is always around you until you do learn. I am afraid that without extra energy to boost your own body you could slip back into the catatonic state you experienced your second day here or possibly worse." Hank informed him giving the information he was hoping to spare Jubilee.
David merely looked down at his feet having gotten the gist of what Hank had said. Jubilee on the other hand spoke up. "You mean that he could..." Jubilee began.
"Yes I am afraid so." Hank answered not having to say the word.