Return of the Dragon: Chapters 1-2

by Parodys


Disclaimer: The movies belong to their perspective owners, as does Adam Sandler and the other hotties I mentioned. Peter Lee is mine・and Marvel owns everything else.

A/N: This story was born because of a ・What if・. If you・re not familiar with my work then -in- indicates a break in the story, a switching of scenes.

A/N: Jubes is about 16 in this, her grandfather/great uncle is about 58. As for the Chinese used in this...I tried my best! If anyone is fluent in the language and notices some horrible mistranslation let me know and I・ll change it as soon as possible. Thanks to Jane and Ambrosia for the great beta jobs・any mistakes are mine. And a special thanks to Gables for getting the term Uncle Petey in my head where it won・t leave! Enjoy!

*telepathic thought*

And reviews help feed the addiction・so ahem・be kind


Chapter One

It was almost time to go home, the last test had been graded and Sean had nothing more to do than circle the last score with a flourish. ・Done!・ The papers were stacked and filed away, and with barely hidden glee Sean was pulling on his jacket when the phone rang. Briefly contemplating making a run for it, his conscious finally won out and he picked it up.

・Hello?・ he said tiredly, slumping back into his chair.

・Hi, may I please speak to Sean Cassidy?・ a bright woman・s voice greeted him and Sean couldn・t help but smile.

・Aye, speaking. How cannae help you?・

・This is Sarah Conroy, Jubilation Lee・s caseworker. We met a few years ago when she was placed under our custody?・

Sean dimly recalled a plump brunette with a bubbling laugh. ・Of course. How are you?・

・Fantastic thank you. I have got excellent news, we have found Jubilation・s family.・

-in-

The team, otherwise known as Generation X to the world, were camped out in the living room. Since it was a Friday night, the start of a blissfully free weekend without homework and hopefully crazed psycho killers. So, they were loaded down with every kind of junk food known to man, soda pop, and were entrenched in front of the television.

Angelo and Jubilee had been designated as movie-getters, each representing the male and female contingent of the team, and in the spirit of compromise (and total lack of regard for movie rental return dates) were carrying ten movies between them.

Holding her five up triumphantly, Jubilee waved the DVD・s at Paige and M. ・I got The Beach, The Fight Club, Save the Last Dance, Charlie・s Angels and Shrek.・

Jono groaned. *What the hell did you get that Shrek thing for?*

Jubilee shrugged. ・Well Paige had to watch something. Ducking a thrown pillow, Jubilee tossed the offending movie at her attacker. ・Nah, it・s the Fifth Element, nothing like an old classic.・

・Please tell me you got something starring other than Willis, Pitt or some other pretty boy.・ Jono pleaded, twisting his neck to see the movie titles.

Angelo grinned and jumped onto the couch beside Jubilee. ・No worries here, amigo. Unlike the chicas here, I have taste. We have Seventh Gate, Descent into Hell, and of course the ever popular Adam Sandler genre- Little Nicky, Billy Madison, and (drum roll please) the ever famous, best movie of his career・・Haaappppppyyyyyy Gilmore!!・

Monet rolled her eyes. ・That is the last time we even let you chose movies. Last week it was Jim Carrey and you promised that・.・ she trailed off at the sight of Sean・s face who had just entered the room. ・Is everything alright?・

Nodding slightly, Sean motioned to Jubilee. ・Emma and I need to talk with ye lass.・

・Se-an, we were just about to start. Can・t this wait?・ Jubilee moaned from her spot on the couch where she had just settled down.

・No, and the others might as well start the movies because this will definitely take awhile.・

・Okay.・ Sighing dramatically, Jubilee heaved herself up and trailed after Sean rolling her eyes at the others.

*Don・t let em break you down about the chair luv* Jono called after her. *Nobody knew it was a 15th Century piece.* Laughing the team began the long task of deciding what movie to watch first.

Grumbling while she walked behind him, Jubilee followed him into Emma・s office where she sank down into one of the overstuffed leather chairs, refusing to look at either adult. ・What・s the big friggin deal?・

Emma bit down an angry reply as she looked at the sulking girl. First one and now another, her team was being whittled down to nothing and she was helpless to stop it. ・Sarah Conroy called, she・s your caseworker remember?・

・What・s the old bat want?・

・The old bat, as you call her, phoned us today and let us know that family has been found. ・Yours to be precise.・

Jubilee looked up, her blue eyes wide with shock. ・But who? My mom and dad always said that there was no-one else left besides them.・

・He was your grandfather・s youngest brother, an archaeologist working in Central America when your father was born. By the time your father was three, it had been assumed that his uncle had died in the jungle somewhere. Earlier this year he reappeared and has been searching for you ever since.・

・What is his name?・ Jubilee whispered.

・I believe it・s Peter Lee.・

・Wow.・

・He would like to meet you.・ Sean said softly.

Her face flushed as she took everything in. ・Wow! I mean do you think he・s a mutant too? I wonder how old he is, do you think I・ll recognize him? He sounds really cool. Wait till everyone hears about this! Can I go tell them? When is he coming? What do you think I should wear? Is he really traditional, do you think? Maybe I should wear a dress?・

Sean looked at Emma, a painful expression on his face. Nodding she walked over to Jubilee and put a hand on her shoulder, stilling the excited 16-year old. ・He is meeting you to・to take you home with him. He・s coming in just two days, on Sunday. We・ve already checked him out and he seems to be a good man. He・s an adventurer, extremely wealthy and before his disappearance was an active participant in various charity work across the globe. You take after him I imagine.・

・What?・ Emotions warred on Jubilee・s face. ・I・m going with him? What about Gen X? Wolvie? What if he doesn・t like mutants?・ Jubilee・s hands shook as the full impact hit her, she had found her family and lost it all in one day.

・Yes, you have to go with him, the courts have taken it out of our hands. Jubilee, give him a chance, don・t hate him just because he wants to be with you. Do you want to stay and talk? We can make some hot chocolate and we can・・

・I want to be with my friends Frost.・ Roughly shoving off Emma・s hand, Jubilee stalked towards the door.

Sean held out his hand, blocking the doorway. ・You・ve been given a second chance at a family. Not all of us have that chance.・

Jubilee pushed his hand out of the way. ・Funny, I thought you guys were my family.・ Emma and Sean watched the girl・s retreating figure, the silence heavy between them.

・She thinks we・ve abandoned her, just another one in a long line in her life.・

・Sean what are we going to do?・

・Be there for her when she needs us. That・s all we can do.・

・That and wait for the outraged team to come and convince us that we・re giving Jubilee over to some insane killer.・

Sean sighed. ・Ah yes, that too.・

Chapter Two: Family Trees

Bruce Willis had just lost the last points on his license when Jubilee walked in, and angrily wedged herself between Angelo and Paige in her former seat on the couch. Ignoring the others, Jubilee stuffed a handful of popcorn in her mouth refusing to answer Ange・s whispered questions of, ・So, how bad did ya get it?・

Studiously chewing and swallowing the salty kernels, Jubilee wasn・t able to keep a tear trailing down her cheek and once one fell, others came in a wash of despair. With a sob, Jubilee flung herself into Paige・s arms, crying her heart out as the room fell silent.

Jono shut off the movie with a frown. *Man, what the hell did Frost do to you?*

Her words were muffled by Paige・s collar, and only Paige heard the faint, ・I・m leaving the team.・

・Oh, why Jubes?・ Paige asked, stroking Jubilee・s hair back.

・Why what?・ Angelo asked.

・She・s leaving the team.・

・Why?・

・When is she going?・

・Does Wolverine know?・

・I・m trying to find out!・ Exasperated, Paige glared at them until they fell silent. Ducking her head close to the small ear she whispered, ・Why, Jubilee?・

Jubilee half sobbed and laughed against Paige・s chest. ・They found my great uncle or something and now I have to go live with him in the jungle and what if he・s not a mutant and I have to leave everyone here and I・m going to miss you all so much and he・s picking me up Sunday.・

*Sean・s sending her to the jungle to live with mutant tribes and make sundaes??* Jono asked, sounding shocked. *It was only a chair!*

・I don・t think so.・ Angelo had turned a deep red and without further notice, stood, turned on his heel and stalked out the door, closely followed by Jono and Monet.

Sean had been enjoying a rather nice cup of tea with Emma when he found his office door being flung open by some indignant students. Totally ignoring Emma, Angelo walked up to Sean until they were nose to nose, his furious brown eyes glaring into Sean・s green ones.

・Listen up viejo. We take care of own here, and no one messes with it. No matter what Jubilee did to the chair...・

*Which was ugly anyway.* Jono piped up.

・It・s no excuse for kicking her out of the team and sending her to some jungle tribe for punishment. We・re the only family she has and..・

・You・re wrong.・ Emma said softly.

・What?・

・We・re not her only family any longer.・

・What do you mean?・ Monet asked coldly.

・Her great uncle has appeared from a forty year absence and he・s taking her with him. Jubilee does have family now and he wants to be with her.・ The only sound that could be heard was the faint clinks as Emma stirred her tea, her words hanging in the air like droplets of water before splattering on the floor.

・She has a great uncle?・ Monet sat down on the chair beside Emma, absently popping a sugar cube in her mouth.

・If ye had managed to hear the whole side of the story, you would know that Jubilee is leaving with Peter Lee this Sunday. Ye should be happy for the lass, not sorry for her.・ Sean added at the looks on their faces, smiling weakly.

Angelo shook his head, his hair swinging softly from side to side. ・This makes no sense whatsoever. This guy pops up out of nowhere for the first time in forty years and no one thinks this is strange? Please, no place is so remote that they couldn・t get to a phone. Hello, anyone remember the whole Bastion thing? This guy could be some crazed psycho out to get Jubes.・

Refraining from another sigh, Emma walked over to the desk and pulled out a file. ・Angelo, please take care to remember that we also care what happens to Jubilation. We have thoroughly checked out his background and what happened over that period of time. I understand that you・re worried about her so I・m letting read this. Do, not however, tell her about the contents. If he wants to let her know what happened then so be it.・

The trio fell silent as they read the thick folder and it was over ten minutes later when Monet closed the manila cover.

・Wow.・

*Damn.*

Angelo, however, was not impressed. Handing the folder back to Sean he looked him squarely in the eyes. ・These can be faked just as much as anything. If something happens to her, I・m holding you responsible. The only reason I・m not going to go tell everything to Jubes is that she deserves this if he is who he says he is. Let・s go guys.・ With that, the three of them walked out leaving Sean and Emma sitting in the office.

・Well.・

・Well.・

・He・s right you know.・

・Yes, we can・t deny her this though. We・ll be there if she needs us.・

Sean pulled out a ten and handed to Emma. ・Under ten minutes, damn.・

Emma smiled and tucked the note in her bodice. ・As if they would wait a day.・ Her smirk faded as comprehension dawned on her face. ・So that・s what happened to the Louis XXI th chair....・

-in-

Sunday approached with a speed that Jubilee found hard to grasp as she floundered between excitement and dread. It seemed as if she had just told the gang when she and Paige were finished up her packing Sunday morning. The last item tucked carefully away in her duffel bag was Wolvie・s hat (the remnants left from the fire) and she buried her nose in the soft leather, smelling the lingering traces of her mentor under the dusky smell of smoke. Wolverine had disappeared and no one had been able to contact him, and as for the X-men they had been scattered across the globe on some mission and weren・t able to communicate. It was kind of fitting, Jubilee thought, that she left their lives the same way she came into it, quietly and without notice.

・That・s it.・ Jubilee zipped the bag shut with finality. The room was oddly bare, devoid of the color that used to garnish it・s walls.

・Paige looked at her sadly. ・ I can・t believe you・re not going to be here anymore.・

・Yeah, I know. It seems like I・ve been here most of my life and now I have to go. Weird.・

・Hey chiquita?・ Angelo called softly from the doorway. ・Can we come in?・

Jubilee glanced one last time at her bare walls. ・Yeah.・

Angelo, Jono and M filed in and they stood awkwardly for a moment. Finally Angelo plopped on the bed beside her and Paige and handed her a box. ・It・s from all of us. I know it isn・t like we・ll never see each other again but we can・t have you forget about us right?・

・As if!・ Pulling open the box, she revealed several CD・s and a velvet box. Jubilee flipped through the CD・s seeing No Doubt, Godsmack, Green Day and all of her favorite bands. ・Wow! Cool, thanks a ton!・

*Check out the box gel.*

Jubilee opened the lid to a glint of silver. Nestled in the red velvet was a silver chain with an X pendant. Turning it over, Jubilee could make out the tiny engraving ・To the human sparkler, Forever X・.

・Thanks guys.・ Beginning to sniffle, Jubilee grinned at Paige who was starting to get teary as she fastened the necklace around Jubilee・s neck. ・Man, who・s going to get you guys in trouble without me?・

Putting her head on Paige・s shoulder, the two girls began laughing and crying at the same time. Angelo nudged them indignantly. ・Hey, it was my idea for the necklace. I・m gonna miss you too.・

Reaching out, Jubilee put an arm around Angelo whose eyes became suspiciously red.

*Man, I hate it when everyone cries.* Jono said and then dove into the huddle, arms opened, his eyes hidden in the influx of arms and shoulders. Finally it was just Monet standing there, unsure as to what she should do when Jubilee looked up at her and said. ・What the hell, I・m gonna miss ya too, M.・

Emma walked in a few moments later to see a bundle of crying teenagers all hanging on to each other like they would never see each other again.

・Children, Mr. Lee is downstairs waiting for Jubilee.・ One by one each broke off until Jubilee was sitting alone on the bed. ・Come dear, it・s time to go home.・ Jubilee picked up her bags and walked to the door taking one last look at her friends. Gently leading the girl out of the room, Emma paused at the top of the stairs and pressed two things in her palm. ・If you ever need us just use this communication device and we・ll be there. You have my personal number and the cell phone is in case you need to talk to me.・ Emma・s hands shook slightly as she held onto Jubilee・s hands. ・I will miss you Jubilee.・ Smiling softly Emma lightly kissed the girl on the cheek and walked down the stairs, letting Jubilee take her time.

From the curve of wall, Jubilee couldn・t make out her uncle and taking a deep breath started to take the first step towards her future.

・Wait!・

Frowning Jubilee turned to see Angelo running towards her. ・What?・

Indecision tore Angelo・s face as he stared at her intently. ・Just wanted to say that if you ever need us, we・ll be there for you quita.・ Biting his lip, he darted forward and kissed her, tenderly tasting her lips before pulling away and softly caressing her face. ・Go to your uncle.・ Taking one last look at her face, Angelo walked off with a smile growing rapidly on his face.

Blinking rapidly, Jubilee stared after him, a grin on her face. Suddenly feeling lighter, she began the trip down the immense oak stairs, her uncertainty fading with each step. At the bottom, she dragged her eyes to look at the man that was calling himself her family. Peter Lee was an elderly gentleman, dressed in khaki pants and a loose shirt. He was fairly tall, well built and his eyes sparkled with the same blue as the teenager staring up at him. His hair was totally grey and his eyes twinkled at Jubilee who seemed unable to speak.

Walking over to her, he gave a slight bow. ・Greetings Jubilation, ni hao ma? (how are you?)・

Still in a daze, words long forgotten came to Jubilee・s lips as she replied. ・Hao, ye ye. (good, grandfather.)・

・That is good. Are you ready to go?・

・Yes, I just have to say good-bye to Sea...I mean Mr. Cassidy.・ Dropping her bags on the floor, Jubilee ran over to Sean and gave him a bear hug. ・Bye Sean, don・t forget to tell Wolvie and everyone else ・kay?・

Giving Emma a piercing look, she gathered up her bags. *He has my eyes!*

Peter took the bags from her, putting an arm around her. ・Time to go, bau wu (treasure).・

・Okay.・

Emma and Sean watched as the two walked out, got into a Porsche and drove off. The last thing Emma heard was Jubilee saying. ・Oh, and ye ye? Please call me Jubilee.・

-in-

Time- about a month later

Place- a mansion off the coast of Durban, South Africa

From Jubilee・s vantage point on the bed she was able to make out the last vestiges of dawn over the Indian ocean. Stretching luxuriously, she slowly mad e her way out onto the balcony where she could see the faint outlines of ocean rigs out on the horizon. Her adoption by her great uncle had been something she still couldn・t quite believe. Peter Lee was perhaps one of the kindest men Jubilee had ever met, reminding her a little of Xavier. He had been patient with her and they had spent the past few weeks getting to know each other and while she hadn・t worked up the courage to tell him that she was a mutant, she was growing more and more fond of him each day.

Flipping open her cell phone she automatically dialed the number to Paige・s room, while she gazed around her room. She had been given permission to do her room any way that she chose, so she had opted for something new. The room was light and airy, a large four poster bed in the middle of it, protected by wisps of fine mosquito netting artfully draped from the ceiling over the bed. On the one wall lay her entertainment center, namely her playstation and games, a TV and a desk with her newly acquired laptop. Across from the bed was her personal bathroom and walk-in closet.

・Hello?・ Paige・s voice crackled at the distance.

・Hey Paige. What・s up?・

・Nothing much here. We have finals in a couple of weeks so Frost is working us pretty hard. What about you?・

・We・ve just been hanging out lately. Uncle Petey has been talking about getting me a tutor so I don・t fall behind. Hopefully they won・t be too much of a dork.・

・Yeah, life・s hard when you live in a mansion with money to burn.・ Paige laughed at her. ・Man, Emma・s calling for a Danger Room session, gotta go. Talk to ya later Jubes, bye!・

・Bye.・ Her reply was only heard by the dial tone and she flipped the phone shut. Looking sadly at it for a moment she tossed it on the desk before getting some clothes to change into. Once cleaned up and ready, she headed downstairs to where her uncle was waiting for her.

・Good morning Jubilee. Sleep well?・ he smiled up at her as she sat down at the table next to him.

・Yeah.・ She lifted the cover off her plate to find the kind of food she was becoming used to- edible eggs, non-burnt toast, crisp bacon, and freshly made muffins. ・Yum.・

Peter waited until she was almost through before he put the paper down and cleared his throat. ・Jubilee?・

Mouth full of toast, she looked at him expectantly. ・Yes?・

・I...I was contacted last night by an associate of mine. He was someone I worked with while I was researching some of the Mayan ruins up in the Yucatan peninsula.・

Jubilee・s toast dropped to the table, her face began to darken.

・An emergency has come up and I am needed. I・ll only be gone a week and I have arranged for you to be taken care of an old friend of mine. I know that we・ve just been reunited but I promise...・

Her eyes turned ice blue as she looked at the older man. ・You・re leaving me.・

・I know that..・

・You got lost once! What if they can・t find you again? I just got you, you・re the only family I have left! This isn・t fair!・

・I・m sorry Jubilee, I know this hard for you but I promise that will come back. I・m leaving in an hour...・ The doorbell rang and he got up quickly. ・That must be Jessica, I asked her to come.・

Pouting Jubilee didn・t move from her seat as her uncle got up and answered the door. She could hear their muted conversation and ignored them when they entered the dining room. Her uncle laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. ・Jubilee, this is Jessica. Jess this is..・

・Yes, I recognize her from the few dozen photos you sent.・

Curious, Jubilee afforded one glance at the woman who was smiling at her. Jessica was dark-skinned, her relaxed black hair cut into a short bob and warm brown eyes with flecks of green. ・Hey.・

Sighing, Peter squeezed Jubilee shoulder. ・Jubilation.・

・Fine.・ Jubilee turned and smiled an utterly insincere smile at the visitor. ・Hello Jessica, welcome to our home, I hope you will be happy here.・

Instead of being annoyed, Jessica merely grinned back. ・And now I know who you take after. I・ve spent a year with your uncle and I can tell that you are going to be a lot of fun.・

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Jubilee just shoved half a muffin in her mouth. A horn sounded outside and Peter squatted down to look at his last remaining relative, heir to mass fortunes, the jewel of the Lee empire and currently very ticked off teenager in the eye. ・Bau wu, nothing will take me from you now that I・ve found you. Listen to Jessica and I will back within a week. In the meantime I give you this.・ Slipping a heavy ring off of his pinky, he handed it to her. Jubilee looked at the gold ring that had a Chinese dragon engraved on jade stone. ・So you will be reminded of me even when I・m not here.・

Biting her lip, Jubilee flung her arms around her uncle. ・Be careful okay?・

Peter grinned smoothing Jubilee・s hair. ・Okay then.・ Exchanging a quick glance with Jessica, he walked quickly from the room and had driven off by the time the two women had gotten to the door. The two stood in silence looking out onto the driveway. Sighing, Jubilee shut the door and slumped into a big white chair in the living room.

Jessica looked at the depressed girl and perched on the armchair. ・You・ve been here for what? About a month, right?・

・Yeah.・

・So what have you done?・

・The beach a few times, and a place called Woolworth for stuff. That・s it.・

A large grin creased Jessica・s face. ・Don・t tell me that you・ve lived a month in Durban and you haven・t been to one of the biggest malls in South Africa?・

・Really? They have malls here?・

・It・s called the Pavilion and honey, you ain・t seen nothing yet. Trust me it・s lekker.・

・Lekker?・

・Uh...good, nice, fantastic. Trust me by the time you uncle gets back I・ll have you speaking decent Afrikaans, Sesotho and Zulu.・

Jubilee tied her hair back, mentally weighing the options and grinned back at the woman. ・So let・s go, I have a million souvenirs to get the gang.・

With light hearts the two women, headed into the depths of Kwazulu Natal for something that is universal no matter where people go....shopping malls.

-in-

A/N There is more...and as for the Pavilion...it is one of the coolest malls on the South African border. *sigh* Picture some of the cheapest, fabulous clothing shops you can get your hands on ...all within fifteen minutes of the beach. Well see you next time...I have to go Wal-Mart now ;) And remember..reviews are good・nice・.so be kind and let me know what you thought!