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Two girls sat at a table in a crowded café. At their feet were several shopping bags that were becoming a serious threat to any passers-by. One, a slim redhead, was talking animatedly, pausing occasionally to take a drag of a cigarette. The other, an Asian girl with startling blue eyes had a disgusted expression on her face, was waving a hand in an attempt to dispense the cloud hovering around them. "Listen, Dani ・ you want to get emphysema that・s fine with me, but I don・t want to die of lung cancer from inhaling second-hand smoke." "God Jubi, you always exaggerate," Dani replied but put out the cigarette anyway, "Sooo・" she smiled wickedly at Jubi, "you never told me what Josh said to you yesterday." "Your point being・?" "Give me all the details and I won・t tell him about the dream・" "Oooh that・s low Dani." "Desperate times Jubi." "Fine," a slight blush tinged her cheeks, "he said・well he didn・t actually say・but the impression I got was that・maybe・he was kinda interested in me." "Woo hoo," Dani whooped, drawing stares from nearby tables, "sorry." She looked at her friend critically, "Y・know for such a flirt, you get really・whatstheword・flustered whenever a guy really pays attention to you." Jubi flushed even more darkly, "I am not a flirt. And I don・t get flustered." "You are and you do." She scanned her friend・s face again, "I know what it is." She started to light another cigarette but stopped at Jubi・s look. "You do." Her tone was that of an adult humouring a child. "Yes I do. It is so very obvious," she paused for dramatic effect, "you are totally without self-confidence." "Am not." "Are too." "I・m not doing this, it・s completely childish." "Fine. You know I・m right though." Jubi nearly growled with frustration, "Listen, let・s get back to the issue at hand here. Kay?" Dani shrugged, "Fine. What・s the issue?" "Josh!" "Right, right. It・s very simple・you ask him out." "Simple as that." "Simple as that." Jubi groaned and covered her face. "This is pathetic," Dani looked at her friend and sighed, "Look, you like him. And I know, for a fact, that he likes you." The hands came down and the eyes narrowed, "And how exactly do you know that?" "Ned told me." "Daniii. God, you・re such a cow. You just like watching me squirm, don・t you?" "Yep." "Sadist." Jubi glanced at her watch. "Shit, it・s nearly seven. Gotta go." She began to gather up her bags. "Why? What・s tonight?" "Video night with Remy." Dani・s expression could only be described as a cross between dreamy and hopeful, "Can I come?" "No. You・re freaky when you・re around him." "But he・s so --- I am not freaky." "Sure, whatever. See ya." Jubi hurried out the door. "Say hi to Remy for me." Dani called after her, leaning back in her chair and lighting up another cigarette." **** Gambit glanced at his watch, 7.45 and Jubilee wasn・t home yet. He wasn・t sure whether he should be worried. He looked around the living room. Everything was in place; popcorn, soft drinks and many chocolate products. All that was missing were the videos and Jubilee, which were slightly necessary for video night with Jubilee. He heard the front door open and relaxed. "Hey, I・m home! Sorry I・m late・got the videos." She continued talking, going into her bedroom to drop her bags and coat before coming into the living room. "Here, I got two this time." She held out the videos to Remy, "I just gotta make a call." She disappeared into the kitchen. Jubilee picked up the phone and hesitantly dialled. Okay, deep breathes here. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Nothing to worry about. Ring. Ring. "Hello?" "Hi. Is Josh there?" "Sure. I・ll just get him for you." Jubilee could clearly hear, "There・s a girl on the phone for Josh," being shouted in the background. The phone was picked up again. "Hello?" "Hi, Josh. It・s Jubi." She kept her voice level, but toyed nervously with the phone cord. "Oh, hey. What・s up?" "Oh not much," keep breathing in and out, don・t forget, "I was wondering if you・d like to go to the cinema tomorrow." Pause. "With me?" "No, with Jebediah your evil twin. Duh, you." That・s right, joke. You・re completely relaxed. You. Are. "Well, what do you want to see?" "There・s a new Star Trek in and Dani refuses to go see sci-fi movies with me," Jubilee perjured her soul without compunction, "so I thought we could go see that." "Right." She could practically see him smiling, "I・ll drop by your place around 12, and we can go get some lunch before it starts." "Great, it・s a da・See you tomorrow." <{> "Ok. Bye." "Bye." Jubilee put down the phone carefully, then started to do an impromptu victory dance in the middle of the kitchen. She stopped when she saw Gambit grinning at her from the doorway and blushed. "Eavesdropping, Remy?" "Course not, p・tite. Came in just now and caught your, ahem, performance." Jubilee made a face at him and headed into the living room, "C・mon let・s just watch the films." She kicked off her shoes and collapsed on the sofa. Remy sat down next to her and she automatically leaned against him. "Ok, then." He pointed the remote at the television set and all conversation ceased. They were almost halfway through the second movie when the phone rang. They let the machine get it and a few moments later they heard a woman・s voice. "Remy, are you there? It・s Ororo." Jubilee and Gambit stood up quickly, "I・we need your help. I・m ringing all of your homes. Well," a nervous laugh, "the one・s we know of. If you get this message please come to the following address on Sunday at 6 p.m." She paused, "We really need you." She read out an address in Turkey, then a beep signalled that she had hung up. Remy and Jubilee looked at each other. "It・s a good t・ing we didn・t put your name on de answering machine, no?" Jubilee gave a small laugh and headed over to the answering machine to replay the message. Gambit listened carefully, noting the tension in Ororo・s voice. Strange for the weather goddess to sound anything but serene and in control. He glanced over at Jubilee. Her expression was troubled. He walked over to her. "It・s okay p・tite, I・m not going to leave you." He hugged her. For a moment she hugged him back but pulled away. "No. You have to go, they need you." She crossed her arms, a determined expression entering her face. "I said I・d be here for you. They can manage without me." "I・m serious Remy." "So am I." "Remy," she nearly stamped her foot, "they need your help. You heard Ororo, this is big." "I・m not leaving you alone, chere." He crossed his arms as well. "I・ve been alone before, I・ll be fine here." "But Jubilee ・-" she grabbed him by the collar and pulled him down so his face was level with hers. "Listen to me Cajun, they need your help. Just because I・ve had a little misunderstanding with them is no reason for you to turn your back on the team." Gambit was startled by the vehemence in her voice but made one last attempt, "I・m not goin・ to just leave you." "It・s not like you・re going to just disappear Rem. I・ll expect a phone call every day, and as soon as you・ve helped the team you・ll get your butt back here, right?" Her voice was gruff, and a single tear trickled down her cheek. He brushed it away and took her into his arms. "Alright, p・tite. Alright." She squeezed him even tighter for a moment, then pulled away. "Right. You start packing, I・m going to call the airlines and get you on the next flight to Istanbul." She turned away, pulled out the phone directory and began leafing through it. He looked at her for a second before dropping a kiss on her hair and heading to his bedroom. Jubilee・s fingers trembled as she looked through the directory. She didn・t want him to leave, not really but this was the right thing to do. The X-Men needed him・ therefore he must go. She inhaled slowly, she・d be okay, and he・d be okay. Everything was going to be a-okay. She booked him on a 6-a.m. flight and put down the phone. He came up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. "I・ll come back as soon as I can." "I know・" she straightened up, "you・re booked on a six o・clock flight from Gatwick." A smirk crossed her face, "First class of course." "O・ course." She turned around and looked up into his face, "You should go get some sleep. I doubt Storm will be showing you the sights of Turkey." He laughed but shook his head, "I・m not tired." "Me neither," she lead him back over to the sofa, "let・s just watch the rest of the movie." She pulled him down and snuggled up close to him. By the time the movie ended Jubilee had fallen asleep with her head on Remy・s shoulder. He looked down at her face, so peaceful. He didn・t want to leave, not now. Everything was going so well. Jubilee was coming out of her shell, making friends, doing well in school, and enjoying life as she was meant to. He didn・t want to leave her. He had to go, though, and he knew it. Ororo had sounded fairly desperate on the phone and he couldn・t ignore that. Remy sighed. The slight movement roused Jubilee. "Remy?" Her eyes fluttered open and she gave a little yawn, "Was afraid you・d gone." "・M afraid you・re stuck with me for awhile longer." "Oh, I don・t mind," Jubilee smiled at him and nestled closer. "Remy?" "Yes?" "Y・know I love ya, right?" He looked down at her, a surprised smile on his face. "In a completely platonic, big brother, little sister kind of way." She hurriedly finished. "I know. Love ya too, p・tite." "Cool." They spent the rest of the night talking, reminiscing. Eventually, at four in the morning, he left. Jubilee didn・t cry. He would ring every night; he would be back soon. It wasn・t like he was abandoning her, she trusted him to keep to his word. Cheered by the thought she went for a shower before changing into the string top and pyjama shorts that constituted her night-clothes. She fell asleep as soon as she slid beneath the bed covers. *** Ding-dong. "Go away," Jubilee moaned into her pillow. Dingdongdingdongdingdong. "Lemme alone." Knock-knock-knock. "Fine! I・m up." She stomped out of her room and opened the front door, "You happy noww・" Josh was standing outside. "Josh! Oh my God, I forgot・" He looked her up and down, "Hey Ju. Nice outfit." He grinned as she wrapped her arms around herself self-consciously. Jubilee nearly melted when he smiled at her. He was so cute with those blue eyes and his messy brown hair, not to mention his body・She shook herself out of it. Grabbing his hand she pulled him inside, "I・m so sorry, I stayed up late last night and slept in." He smiled at her again, unaware that he was causing her to lean against the wall for support, "Hey, no worries. We・ve plenty of time." She flashed him a grateful smile, "I・ve just got to get changed. Kitchen・s that-a-way, help yourself." She turned and went into her bedroom while he watched the retreat of the shorts with a sigh, then mentally hit himself for looking. He headed into the kitchen. Jubilee was panicking, she had nothing to wear. She tore through her wardrobes, then remembered the previous day・s purchases. Ah hah! Perfect. Josh found some instant coffee in a press, and put water in the kettle. If Jubi was anything like his sisters she could be dressing for hours. He settled down for a long wait. Ten minutes later Jubilee emerged from her room. Josh choked on his coffee. She was wearing a long blue knitted figure-hugging dress that came down to her calves and had a slit up one side to just above her knee, she was wearing black suede knee high boots and had a long black coat over one arm. Her long hair was done up in a loose bun, strands of black hair falling over her face. She had rushed so hadn・t been able to do much in the way of make-up besides some lipstick and mascara. She smiled at his reaction. "I・m just going to get some coffee and then we can go, okay?" He nodded dumbly as she dropped the coat on a chair and turned on the kettle. She missed Remy. Already. She was getting too dependent on him for her own good. Let him come home soon, please God? Keep him safe. Josh noticed that Ju was just staring into space, a forlorn expression on her face. "Ju?" She looked up quickly and automatically smiled, "Yeah?" He moved over to her side and put a hand on her shoulder, "Everything alright? You seem a little・distracted." She looked at Josh. He was her friend, she couldn・t just block him out. "Remy got called away. Family emergency." Of course, at the same time, she couldn・t tell him the truth. He squeezed her shoulder in silent support, "Is it very serious?" "Nah. Probably be fine." Ju looked up into his eyes. "Just can・t help worrying, y・know?" "Yeah, I know." He reached out unconsciously and brushed some hair out of her eyes. She caught her breath but he didn・t notice, "We don・t have to go out if you don・t want to. We could just hang around here, talk and stuff." "And stuff?" There was a mischievous gleam in her eyes. They were standing very close now, face to face. Josh cleared his throat nervously, "Oh y・know, watch TV, listen to some music・stuff." She smiled up at him, "Oh that stuff." All she had to do was put her arms around his neck and kiss him. Simple. Nothing to it at all. Sigh. Her courage failed her and she turned back to the kettle, "No, it・s ok. We・ll grab some lunch and see the film. It・ll be fun." She smiled at him again. The moment was gone. Cursing his complete lack of backbone he sat down. If he didn・t sit down and she smiled at him again he・d just fall down so sitting seemed like a better idea. Josh looked at her profile and sighed quietly. According to Ned, Dani had said that Jubi had a crush on him. So he liked her, she liked him and both of them were waiting for the other to make the first move. It could be going better. You have been up against Magneto and Sabretooth and lived. You・ve survived everything from homicidal maniacs to giant killer robots to Frost・s cooking. You know this boy likes you, you most definitely know you like him. What・s the problem here? Jubilee took a deep breath and turned around to face Josh. *** Two weeks later. Ring. Jubilee looked at the phone and mentally willed it to ring. You will ring・now! Nothing. The phone was being stubborn, this happened. Jubilee closed her eyes and tried again. Not a sound. Dani watched Jubilee with amusement. She had thought up that nickname herself, Jubilee. A combination of her first and last name. Dani was actually quite proud of herself; Jubilee sounded better than Jubi or Jubilation. She glanced at her friend again. She had been staring at it for the last five minutes, you・d think she was waiting for Josh to call or something but no. She was waiting for her guardian/big brother/father. Then again, Dani reflected, if Remy was her guardian・ The phone rang. Both the girls squealed in surprise, the sudden sound giving them a fright. Jubilee grinned at Dani and picked up the phone. "Hello?" "Hello p・tite." "Remy・what・s happening? You coming home soon?" "Oui. I think I・m almost done here, I should be back in a day or two・at the most." "Yes!" Jubilee bounced on the sofa. "Aw, did・ja miss me, chere?" His tone was teasing. She smiled, "Of course I did・I also missed your platinum credit card." "Ouch. I・ll be home soon・everyt・ing alright there?" "Yeah, everything・s fine. Dani・s here・oh, look she・s swooning at the thought of you." There was a strangled squawk in the background. Remy chuckled, "Tell her she makes me swoon too. I・ll talk to you soon p・tite." "Could you hang on a few more minutes, I think Dani・s gonna kill me." "No use prolongin・ the inevitable. Bye." "Remy, you traitor--- " He hung up, laughing softly. "Who was that, sugah?" He turned around quickly in surprise. Rogue was standing in the doorway, watching him curiously. "Just a friend," he replied shortly. He strode past her and started up the stairs. "You leavin・ us soon?" He paused, anger causing him to tense, "Didn・t peg you for an eavesdropper Rogue." "Ah didn・t・I mean・" "Forget it・I・m going to bed." "Remy・" "It・s ok Rogue, and yeah I・ll be leavin・ soon. I think I・ve done my bit." She twisted her hands together nervously, "You could stay awhile. Catch up with ev・ryone." "No t・anks, chere. I・ve been away long enough." Her curiosity got the better of her, "Away from whom?" He tensed again, "G・night Rogue." He strode up the stairs, leaving her alone. *** Back in London. "Dani! Mercy・please・mercy!" Jubilee collapsed on the floor after being tickled for the last five minutes. "Fine. But I・m only letting you live because you・re helping me with my German." Jubilee picked herself up off the floor. Travelling across Europe had turned her into quite a linguist, not that she bragged about it or anything. But most kids in her year came to her for help, it was a nice ego boost to go from resident dunce to acknowledged brain. "Ok." She shot her friend a sideways glance, "And Remy said you make him swoon too." "He did?" Dani gazed dreamily at Jubilee, then snapped out of it. "Cow. Quit it right now." Jubilee laughed and dodged a pillow cushion, "Ok, ok." She glanced at her watch, "Look Dan it・s getting late. Your parents will have a freak attack if you・re not home soon." Dani sighed, "True." She started packing books into a bag, "But you・re helping me tomorrow during lunch. This language is pure torture and you・re going to suffer with me." "Actually, I kinda like German." "You would." They hugged, " Talk to you tomorrow, kay?" "Kay, see ya." Jubilee closed the door behind her friend. Remy would be home soon, she had friends, she was doing well in school, and she had a boyfriend・she bit her lip and blushed slightly. Yep, life was good. Smiling she went to bed. *** Two days later. Gambit slid the key into the lock silently and turned it. He didn・t want to wake Jubilee if she was asleep; he・d just surprise her in the morning instead. Closing the door quietly behind him he walked into the living room and stopped short. Jubilee wasn・t asleep. She was on the couch. There was also a boy on the couch. The boy was kissing her. Gambit cleared his throat noisily. The two fell apart so suddenly that the boy fell off the couch. If anyone besides Jubilee had been involved Remy would have laughed. But she was so he didn・t. "Remy you・re back!" Jubilee nearly flew across the room and gave him a hug. Some of his anger ebbed and he hugged her back. "Yes, p・tite. Aren・t you going to introduce me to y・r friend, here?" He looked across at the boy who was now red-faced. Jubilee looked up at Remy・s face and cringed inwardly, not the best way for Josh to be introduced to him. She took Josh by the hand and brought him in front of Gambit. "Remy this is Josh. Josh, Remy." The two shook hands, Josh trying bravely not to wince at Remy・s iron-like grip. "Nice to meet you." "You too." Jubilee looked from one to the other, "Josh came over to study. We・re in French together." Gambit smiled tightly, " Really. How many tongues do you know Josh?" Josh gulped, Jubilee scowled at Remy before turning back to her sorely tried boyfriend. "We should call it a night. We can study more tomorrow." Josh shot her a grateful look as he gathered up his stuff. Jubilee walked him to the door and kissed him on the cheek before he left. She stomped back into the living room. "Remy!" She was torn between laughter and anger, "What did you think you were doing?" "Me?" Immediately he was all righteous indignation, "What about you? He had his hands all・all over you!" She flushed but replied, "He did not! Anyway, we agreed that I could have boys over." He snorted, "We agreed? More like you said so an・ I wasn・t allowed to have an opinion." "And you still aren・t!" "You・re livin・ in my home, p・tite." "Remy," Jubilee let out a sigh, "I missed you and I don・t want to fight with you over this, so can we just agree to disagree?" "No・" "Good," she walked over and hugged him, "glad that・s settled." Gambit smiled and wrapped his arms around her, "Missed you too, p・tite." "So what ・ave you been up to since I left? Besides invitin・ strange boys over, I mean." She socked him lightly in the stomach, "Hey, it・s singular ・ boy. And Josh is not strange." Her eyes lit up with laughter, "Though he did look funny, he was terrified of you." Remy laughed with her but turned serious once more, "I・d prefer not to have to come home and find you on de couch with some boy, Jubilee. I mean it." "Josh is not just some boy," her eyes flashed with anger, "he・s my boyfriend and anyway," she continued in a quieter voice, "he really did come over to study." "Boyfriend, huh? Well if you say he came over to study I believe you chere, but I・m not at all sure of his intentions." Jubilee hugged him again, "I can take care of myself Remy and, anyway, Josh isn・t like that." She stepped back and looked him over, "You・ve lost weight. Didn・t they feed you over there?" Remy looked down and shrugged, "Didn・t have much time for eatin・." She grabbed him by the hand and pulled him into the kitchen, "Come on. I・m going to make you a proper meal and you can tell me ・bout everything." Remy sat down on one of the kitchen chairs and watched Jubilee take assorted food products out of the presses. "So what did they need you for?" "De usual. Evil bad man nearly killed dem all, he had somet・ing they wanted so they had to go back. I was needed to help squash evil-bad-man・s minions. End of story." "Sounds a tad familiar. How were the others?" "Good. Stormy, though, she looked a little stressed. She・s been pushing herself a little too hard I think." "She always did." Jubilee started chopping some onions, causing tears to stream down her face, "How ・bout Psylocke and the rest?" "They・re fine. Bishop is still lookin・ for you." Jubilee looked around at this, "What?" Remy smiled and shrugged, "In his future you・re de last X-Man, if you・re gone for good it changes everything・again." "Huh. Never thought of it that way." She turned back to the chopping board, "So do I have to beat it out of you, or will you tell me willingly?" He looked up at her, confused, "What?" "Rogue, duh." His face hardened, "There・s nothin・ to tell, p・tite." She noticed the change in his voice and turned around to look at him, "Remy? What・s up? What happened?" "Nothin・ happened, just forget about it." Jubilee ignored him and kneeled down on the floor next to him." "Remy, what happened? Did you two fight?" She curled her fingers around his hand comfortingly. "I・d really prefer not to talk abou・ Rogue. So jest drop it ok?" "Remy・" Gambit looked down into her face and sighed, "There is no Rogue an・ me chere. Don・ think there ever has been." "I don・t understand・" He sighed again, and squeezed her hand, "Did y・know that at one time, me and Rogue could touch." He smiled at her obvious surprise, "Yeah. After I went back in time, long story, Sinister tinkered wit・ my powers so I could get back to the present. The result was dat I was creating some bio-kinetic field around my body which prevented me from actually touchin・ her. But it wasn・t enough." He looked away, "We didn・t trust each other enough for it t・work. We・ve both got too many secrets dat we aren・t willin・ to share. That・s not any kind of a relationship." Jubilee squeezed his hand in silent sympathy, "Have you still got the bio-kinetic field?" "Nope," he shook his head ruefully, "powers are back de way they were before. Kinda glad ・bout dat actually, didn・t like having so much power." "Know what you mean・so you and Rogue are over? For good?" "Yeah・I・m tired of feeling like she has me on a leash, an・ can yank me back whenever she wants." He smiled wryly, "That was full of self-pity wasn・t it?" "Yep," she patted his hand and smiled, "but if you want to wallow, I・m there for you." Remy laughed, "I think a hug should cure me." "Your wish, my command." She dropped his hands and hugged him, "There now, feel better?" "Much," he lifted her hand to his lips, "so when・ll my food be done?" Jubilee rose to her feet and turned back to the cooker, "Sheesh, you・re bossy." He put a hand to his chest, a hurt expression on his face, "Chere, I am suffering from a broken heart. I need comfort." "Shyeah, right." *** "Hello? Anybody home?" Jubilee paused, "Remy, you here?" No reply. She looked around the apartment. No one home beside herself. Yes. She went into his room and started to search. Finally she found what she was looking for, flicking it open quickly she memorised the date inside before returning it to it・s place. She returned the room to what it was before and left. *** November 6th BeepBeep. BeepBeep. Bee-Crunch. Remy groaned and looked at the remains of his alarm clock, then looked at the calendar and groaned again. November 6th, God he hated that date. He rolled over and looked at the ceiling. He・d just ignore it, like he did every year. Of course Jubilee had chosen the last week to become unbelievably irritable, he put it down to PMS and homework but her mood wouldn・t help him forget what day it was. Sighing he pulled on some sweatpants and opened his bedroom door. Immediately an energetic 17-year-old ambushed him. "Remy! I・ve got a surprise for you, c・mon." Jubilee grabbed his hand and started dragging him towards the dining room. Remy groaned, it was too early for surprises especially if they involved water balloons or plastic spiders. "P・tite, it・s eight in the morning I just want some coffee please・?" He stopped in amazement, the dining room was covered in streamers and a banner proclaiming ・Happy Birthday Remy・ was attached to the far wall. On the table was a rich looking chocolate cake with 1, 2, 3・he counted, yep・ all 26 candles. Next to it were two packages, one large and one small. Jubilee flung her arms around him, "Happy Birthday Rem." He returned the hug dazedly and allowed her to lead him to a chair. "C・mon, open them up." She shoved the larger package into his hands, practically bouncing up and down. His fingers fumbled with the wrapping as he attempted to remove the paper carefully but eventually just ripped it off. It was a coat, a trench coat. An Armani trench coat to be precise. He looked up at Jubilee, she looked expectantly back at him. "You like it? I know you already have coats but I thought I・d get you a really classy one, y・know. It should fit・" she trailed off, "You can return it if you want." Wordlessly Remy hugged her. "Does this mean you like it?" her tone hopeful. Grinning, he pulled away, "Yes, p・tite, I love it." "Great!" she beamed at him, "and there・s this too." She handed him the smaller package, blushing slightly. "You・ll probably think it・s really corny but anyway, here・" He took off the wrapping, inside was a small box. He opened it. A gold pendant lay inside, the word ・best・ inscribed on it. He shot Jubilee a slightly confused look. "Here," she took it from him. She pulled a necklace out from under her collar, practically identical to Remy・s only with the word ・friends・ inscribed. She fitted the two pendants together, together they spelt out ・best friends・. "See? You keep one half and I have the other. You don・t have to wear it or anything, I just thought it was cute." Still blushing she handed the pendant back to Gambit. He put it round his neck, "It・s wonderful Jubilee." "Ok you stay put," she started to walk towards the kitchen, "I・m going to get your breakfast." "Jubilee?" She stopped and looked back at him, "Yeah?" "How・d you know it was my birthday?" She grinned, "Checked your driving license." "Checked my driving license." He repeated blankly. "Yeah, I kinda had to root around in your room. Sorry," she replied, not looking sorry at all, "Oh yeah, and I was kinda grumpy this week ・cause those stupid Armani guys wanted me to model in a fashion show to help pay for the coat, so I was going to that plus school. So I・m sorry if I was a pain to live with." She disappeared into the kitchen and returned a few moments later with a plate stacked with pancakes, "Here you go, and there・s loads more if you want." She saw him looking at the cake, "Don・t even think about it mister, that・s for later." Planting her hands on her hips she gave him her most intimidating glare. Cowed Remy bowed his head, but chuckled when she left the room. Jubilee skipped school that day and had a motorbike rented for Remy. The two drove out of the city, just drove for hours. By the time they arrived back in London it was in the early hours of the following morning. They came in the door of the apartment, Jubilee a little giddy from the day (she had persuaded Remy to give her a teensy sip of his beer). "Thanks for today Jubilee, I had a great time p・tite." "Good," she smiled up at him, "Me too." She was a little sleepy from the day out and her eyelids were drooping slightly. She yawned. "T・ink it・s time for you to go to bed, chere." He smiled affectionately at her. "Yeah," returning the smile sleepily she went up on tiptoe and kissed him gently on the cheek, "Night Gumbo." "G・night Jubilee." He watched her enter her room, and fingered the pendant around his neck. Best friends・it was a long time since Remy LeBeau had had a best friend. He smiled slightly and headed towards his own bedroom. *** "Okay a little to the left ・ no, no back again. Could you just push a little・yes, that・s it." With a thankful sigh Remy stepped back from the Christmas tree in the corner of the room. He had spent the last two hours in a freezing cold lot arguing with Jubilee over which tree to get. Then he・d had to put it in the boot of his nice clean car, lug it across the lobby of his apartment building to the elevator and was then directed by Jubilee on exactly where to put it in the living room. He directed, what he hoped was a glare at Jubilee. She laughed but gave him a hug for his troubles. "Ok, decorations・I・m thinking red and gold." She looked at him for approval. Remy shrugged and collapsed on the sofa, "Whatever you want p・tite, just leave me out of it." "Remy," she smiled innocently at him, "I thought you・d have more stamina than this." He quickly jerked up into a sitting position, "Stamina? I have plenty of it. Show me the way to the decorations." Still smiling innocently she handed him a box of ornaments and pushed him gently towards the tree. Half an hour later they were nearly finished, and all that was left was the angel for the top. Jubilee stood on tiptoe and attempted to place it but, unfortunately, lacked the inches. Pouting she handed the angel to Remy, "Guess you・ll have to do it." Grinning at her, he quickly moved behind Jubilee and grabbed her around the waist. She let out a little squeak as he lifted her up high enough to perch the angel on the top. When she had it carefully placed, he slowly let her down on the ground once more. Once on the ground Jubilee stood still for a moment, fighting the heady feeling Gambit・s arms around her waist created. She took a deep breath before fixing a smile on her face and turning around to face him. "Aww, aren・t you just so sweet?" she reached up and pinched his cheek. Gambit batted her hand away and looked down at Jubilee with concern, "You alright p・tite? You seem a little flushed." "Probably just the change in altitude," she smiled, "I・m just going to get some water. Want anything?" "A beer would be good, chere." She reappeared a moment later with a glass of water in one hand and a can of beer in the other, under one arm she had a package. He took the can with a word of thanks then lifted an eyebrow enquiringly at the package. "Yeah, I was wondering if you could post this for me tomorrow. It・s going to Australia so it might cost a bit." She put the package down on a coffee table, "Just thought I・d ask before I forget." "No problem p・tite," he bent down to read the address, "Ian Kouskos? Who・s he?" Jubilee blushed and bit her lip, "Someone I met while on the Continent." She turned to adjust a decoration on the tree, avoiding his gaze. "A friend?" She continued to fiddle with the ornament, "Yeah." "A boyfriend, perhaps?" She sighed, "Yes Gumbo. A former boyfriend. Happy now?" "Just wonderin・." Remy smiled at her annoyance. "Yeah, well." She turned around and faced him, "I・m actually getting him to post something to the mansion." "What?" "It・s just a Christmas card, just to show them I・m still alive." "I see. He posts it from Australia and they can・t track you down." "That・s the idea." "Very clever, p・tite." "Don・t I know." She replied with mock modesty. She then squealed when he tried to tickle her and fell on the floor. Using her fireworks to keep Remy at bay she then ran and barricaded herself in the bathroom. A few hours later Gambit had gone out for awhile, he had a date, and Jubilee had the run of the apartment. She had just settled down to wrap Remy・s Christmas present when the phone rang. Since the incident with Ororo they had both agreed that it would be best if the let the answering machine get it all the time. So Jubilee continued to wrap the present until she heard a woman・s voice on the machine. "Remy, are you there? It・s me, Rogue. Just thought I・d ring and see if you・re comin・ back to the mansion for Christmas. Umm," pause, "so give me a ring when you get in. Bye." Beep. Jubilee just stared at the machine. The urge to just delete the message was almost overwhelming, but she pushed it down. Remy had every right to spend Christmas with the X-Men, they were his family too. She sighed and continued wrapping the present, hopefully he・d decide to spend the holidays with her but she wasn・t going to use emotional blackmail. *** Three weeks later. The Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters. Bobby slid into the main hallway of the mansion leaving a trail of ice behind him. "Mail call!" X-Men came from every direction and mobbed him. Packages and letters were literally ripped from his hands. "・ card from Angelo・says he・s getting on well on Muir Island・Sean, Rahne and himself will be here for New Year・s・" "・who・s that for・" "・present from Kitty・Ah・ll put it under the tree・" "・can I see・" GRRWWLL. Wolverine suddenly bolted from the hall. His fellow X-Men stared after him in surprise. "What・s his problem?" "This." Professor Xavier came forward in his hover chair and held out a card for the others to see. They all crowded close and read the message inside. "To all those at the Xavier Institute, Best Wishes for the Festive Season. Jubilation Lee." Silence fell in the crowded hallway.
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