Penance and New Beginnings: Chapters 8-9

by Verthril

Chapter 8: Two Weeks Later

 Jubilee stood in front of the Sentinel, with the behemoth of a machine oblivious to her presence.  Charging up, she threw a focused stream of plasmoids at the robots head, sending it clear from its body as the giant robot toppled.  Turning to survey the landscape, she could hear the sounds of the giant robots footfalls as they approached the mutants they could detect.  Breaking out into a dash, she ran towards where she had last seen Clarice.

As she rounded a hilltop, she saw Clarice and Emily working hand in hand against a Sentinel.  Clarice had been armed with a plasma rifle, while Emily used her control of gravity in the battle.  Watching, she noticed that neither of them were doing much damage to either of the robots, and only putting themselves in more peril.

¡¦Aim for the head!  It¡¦s their weak spot!¡¦ Jubilee shouted down to them, and shortly after Emily and Clarice both unleashed their attacks upon the Sentinel, sending the head clear off with the rest collapsing to the ground.

¡¦Now run!  Before a repair sequence initiates!¡¦ Jubilee yelled to them, and gave a sigh of relief as both darted off.

Jubilee watched on either side of the hilltop as the giant robots slowly began to stir.  Waiting for the right moment, she started to let the plasmoids drift down the declines of the hill towards her awaiting prey.  Dropping her stealth shield as the robots rose, they soon caught her signature and began to advance on her.  Continuing her focus on the trap, the plasmoids soon began to react with the hill, creating more plasmoids and finding the cracks in the pile of rubble that made the hill.  Finally as either robot were half way to her on either side, she unleashed the energy of the plasma, destroying the hill and the Sentinel¡¦s along with it.  Jubilee now found herself on the remains of a building, looking over the blasted landscape.

Inside the observation booth, the X-men watched with rabid attention as they put the teens through the trials.  Jubilee had faced off with Sentinel¡¦s often, and was giving her advice wisely as team captain.  Emily and Clarice made a fine pair; with Clarice making up for a lack of an offensive mutation with the lessons Bishop had been teaching her.  Jake was tearing away at the robots in his tiger form, stalking them through the rubble unnoticed by the robots as the new form disguised his mutant signature.  Jubilee never ceased to amaze them with the creative uses she had found for her powers since they had last saw her.

¡¦They¡¦re doing good.  They have good teamwork skills and work well together.  We should approach them and see if they wish to stay here.¡¦ Scott commented as he looked to the screen that held the space where Jubilee was to be, yet was not.

¡¦That stealth power of Jubilee¡¦s is rather interesting.  Invisible to all forms of unnatural detection as well as telepathic means.  I always found it intriguing how it seemed to go dormant for the most part since her arrival with the X-men.¡¦ Hank remarked.

¡¦Perhaps she was tired of hiding?¡¦ Jean replied.

¡¦Could be.  And without her even knowing of it, she never knew to use it.  You have noted how she needs to prepare herself mentally to use it.¡¦ Ororo remarked.

Suddenly from the landscape, a Tyrannosaurus appeared, charging a Sentinel that threatened Clarice and Emily.  The giant beast shattered the robots right leg with a slap of its tail, and then moved in for the kill as it clamped down on the head with its massive maw, ripping it off in a spray of sparks.  The collective X-men let out shocked remarks, while Scott typed away at the keyboard.  In the back of the room, Hank was clapping and letting out a hearty laugh.

¡¦Bravo Young Jake!¡¦ Hank exclaimed as he walked to a screen and caught a replay on it.

¡¦Jake!¡¦ The collective X-men exclaimed.

¡¦Yes.  I gave him a tooth of a Tyrannosaurus from an expedition to the Savage Land.  He had trouble morphing to it, and we feared that at this stage he could not morph into something with such a larger mass in ration to his human size.  It appears he found a way.¡¦ Hank remarked, watching with glee at the playback, as Jake noticed Emily and Clarice in danger, and finding the strength for the transformation.

¡¦Next time Hank, could you inform us of such surprise¡¦s?  I had thought that the Danger Room had a bug and was throwing in elements of the Savage Land scenario rather than the scenario based on the alternate timeline Rachel Summers came from.¡¦ Scott remarked with an annoyed tone to his voice.

¡¦Of course my Cyclopean Friend, though I do hope you understand that this was as much as a surprise to myself.  I had thought Jake had left the tooth with me until he could master the morph.¡¦ Hank replied in an apologetic tone as he continued to look over the replay.

¡¦Ah, of course Hank.  Sorry.¡¦ Scott replied as he turned back to survey the scenario.

¡¦One Sentinel left.  Who ya think is gonna nail it?¡¦ Victor asked, looking down to the blasted landscape.

¡¦Jube¡¦s is left high and dry on that building, though she is making her way down.  Emily and Clarice have knocked down one, while Jake has killed three.  Jube¡¦s nailed two at once.  I¡¦m betting Jake.¡¦ Logan remarked as he chewed on an unlit cigar.

¡¦I have a feeling you shall be surprised Logan.¡¦ Bishop remarked enigmatically as he watched.

Below, Clarice and Emily were falling back, throwing everything they had at the last Sentinel to no avail.  Jake had fallen back behind a building after taking a few shots from the Sentinel, his thick hide protecting him from the brunt of it.  Jubilee looked down to see her boyfriend and jumped onto his head as she let a battle cry fly into the air.

¡¦Charge!¡¦ Jubilee yelled, and with that Jake started to charge at the Sentinel.

Emily looked back and with the last of her strength held the Sentinel¡¦s legs in place.  Clarice adjusted her settings on her plasma rifle, increasing its beam size, yet lowing the force it struck with.

¡¦Lee!  I¡¦ll distract it!  You and Jake move in for the kill!¡¦ Clarice yelled as she took aim and fired at the optics of the Sentinel.

¡¦Jake!  Ram it!  I¡¦ll jump off and blast its legs!  Then tail-whip it good!  Emily!  When Jake moves in for the tail-whip, you put all the pressure you have on its legs!  They should buckle!¡¦ Jubilee yelled as she prepared to vault off Jake¡¦s head.

What happened next was an example of perfect timing and teamwork.  Jubilee jumped clear of Jake¡¦s head just as he lowered it in for a smash in the back.  Clarice reset her rifle and began firing a barrage at the legs of the Sentinel, combined with Jubilee¡¦s own attack.  As the Sentinel shook from the attack, Jake spun around and slashed his tail at the robot, just as the groans of the metal under stress could be heard.  With the slash, the legs of the robot shattered completely, sending the torso tumbling to the ground.  With a triumphant stomp, Jake brought his foot down on the torso while Emily, Jubilee and Clarice destroyed the head.

Up in the control booth, Bishop let a rare chuckle out as he watched with admiration at the battle that finished beneath the booth.  The other X-men stood in awe of the attack for a moment and then turned to Bishop.

¡¦How did ya know bub?¡¦ Logan asked, looking to Bishop.

Bishop merely shrugged and walked down to the Danger Room entrance where the triumphant young mutants were just exiting the Danger Room.

¡¦Nice one Clarice.  Who¡¦d think ya would be so good with a plasma rifle!¡¦ Jubilee exclaimed as Bishop relieved Clarice of her rifle and sheathed it in a shoulder strap.

¡¦That attack on the hill of yours was pretty impressive.¡¦ Clarice replied as she smiled.

¡¦I still can¡¦t get over Jake!¡¦ Emily cried out, giving her friend a slap on the back.

¡¦Yeah!  A freaking dinosaur!  Can you believe that?¡¦ Jubilee added, turning around and planting a kiss on Jake.

¡¦Come on.  Lets get you four to the showers and cleaned up.¡¦ Bishop remarked as he lead them off to the showers, waiting outside for them.

Fifteen minutes later, Jake joined Bishop, toweling down his shaggy hair.

¡¦Let me guess.  Girl¡¦s are still in the showers?¡¦ Jake asked with a chuckle.

¡¦Indeed.¡¦ Bishop remarked as he checked over Clarice¡¦s plasma rifle.

¡¦How¡¦re the lessons with Clarice going?¡¦ Jake inquired idly.

¡¦Very well.  She is an excellent shot and has a good eye for detail.  Little in the simulations goes unnoticed by her.¡¦ Bishop remarked with the pride evident in his voice.

¡¦Good to hear.  With the world the way it is, it¡¦s a dangerous place.  I was always worried about her being found out as a mutant by one of those hate groups.¡¦ Jake remarked.

¡¦Remember, a weapon can always be disarmed, and turned against you.  I¡¦m going to start training her in hand to hand next week.¡¦ Bishop said as he sheathed the rifle.

¡¦Could I join in those too?¡¦ Jake inquired.

¡¦Of course.  I am glad to see you are taking an interest in protection beyond your mutant ability.  There are times you¡¦ll have to rely on conventional attacks to not give away to the public you are a mutant.  Like when Jubilee and I were fighting the FOH in New York.  It wasn¡¦t until the crowd became frenzied that the need arose.¡¦ Bishop explained.

¡¦Thanks Bish.¡¦ Jake replied, using the nickname he had learned from Jubilee.

¡¦Think nothing of it.¡¦ Bishop remarked.

Another twenty minutes later, the girls finally emerged from the showers.

¡¦What took you so long?  Decide to have an impromptu water balloon fight or something?¡¦ Jake inquired, recalling hearing such a tale at the girl¡¦s dorm at the U of T.

¡¦Well¡¦¡¦ Jubilee said hesitantly.

¡¦Now!¡¦ Emily shouted, and soon all three girls pulled the water balloons they had hidden behind them, with Jubilee and Emily hitting Bishop, and Clarice her brother.

The three girls ran off laughing hysterically, leaving the two men looking to one another through drenched hair.

¡¦You thinking what I am thinking Bish?¡¦ Jake asked.

¡¦Stun setting on the plasma rifle?¡¦ Bishop replied.

¡¦Umm¡¦no¡¦not quite that dramatic.  But how about we scare them out into the yard and have Storm blast them with a good drenching?¡¦ Jake asked with a chuckle.

¡¦Acceptable.¡¦ Bishop remarked as he tapped the communicator and relayed the plan to an enthusiastic Ororo.

Logan and Victor stood in the den, looking out the window at the woods, the call of the wild ever enticing to the beast that lurked in either man.  Both stood silently, smoking cigars and drinking imported Canadian beer, both giving a chuckle as they looked overhead at the clouds while the girls ran frantically on the lawn.

¡¦Locked out?¡¦ Victor asked.

¡¦Yup.¡¦ Logan replied.

¡¦Looks like rain.¡¦ Victor remarked.

¡¦Yup.¡¦ Logan replied and then turned to look at a soaked Jake and Bishop as they walked in and joined them at the window.

¡¦Tutu.  Looks like rain.¡¦ Jake remarked with a chuckle a moment before the heaven¡¦s let open their floodgates and the girls screams could be heard though the window as they ran around looking for a door into the mansion.

Ororo soon joined them with a smile on her face, carrying a bundle of towels.

¡¦My thanks Ororo.¡¦ Bishop said as she walked in, relieving a towel from her for himself and Jake.

¡¦You are welcome.  Though I shall have to ask for your aid the next time Bobby dares a prank on my person.¡¦ Ororo replied as she sat on an armchair, awaiting the girls.

Bobby came in whistling with a smug look on his face.  Everyone turned to Bobby with a look that spoke ¡¦What did you do now¡¦ as the frigid X-man made his to the sofa and turned it on to a sci-fi movie.

¡¦What!¡¦ Bobby asked as he turned to face the room, feeling their stares on him.

¡¦Well?¡¦ Logan asked.

¡¦Well what!¡¦ Bobby exclaimed.

¡¦What did you do?¡¦ Ororo asked.

Bobby looked around, with his gaze stopping on the two feral mutants.

¡¦Fine!  I locked all the doors with some aid from the security room.¡¦ Bobby answered and turned back to the movie.

The other X-men and guests looked to one another and immediately vacated the room.  Bobby had just taken their revenge a step further, and they did not want to be around when the girls found out, especially with the tricks Logan had taught Jubilee, along with her own rabid imagination.  The sound of breaking heralded the return of the girls as Emily shattered a door, and the fleeing mutants in unison cried out ¡¦Bobby Did It!¡¦ as they ran to the kitchen.  The cries of a tortured Bobby Drake could be heard all about the mansion, with odd cries of ¡¦Not the Hot Wax!¡¦ or ¡¦If that photo gets passed around to the team I¡¦ll freeze your shorts!¡¦ fueling the imaginations of the X-men.

Later that day the X-men found, much to their amusement, photos of Bobby in a dress with makeup on his face holding a sign reading ¡¦Mess with the best, Cry like the Rest¡¦.

Elsewhere in the Mansion, Jubilee along with Victor, Emily, Jake and Clarice found themselves sitting in the War Room.  Jubilee was sitting on a chair with Jake, while Victor stood in a corner chewing on a cigar.  Clarice was busy sketching away with Emily checking on the computers, fiddling around with things.

¡¦Sorry to keep you waiting.¡¦ Scott said as he walked in, flanked by Ororo and the Professor following behind in his hover chair.

¡¦No prob.  Though I¡¦d have Hank run a diagnostic on the computer as Emily was mucking with it.¡¦ Jubilee remarked.

Emily looked up and smiled sheepishly as she backed away from the console.

¡¦I¡¦ll keep that in mind.  What I¡¦d like to talk to you about is concerning the results in the Danger Room.¡¦ Scott said, earning a glance from everyone.

¡¦We did good didn¡¦t we?¡¦ Clarice inquired, looking up from her sketchpad.

¡¦Yes.  You did excellent, and your teamwork is to be commended.  You all used your strengths and worked well together, combining strengths to eliminate weaknesses.  I was very impressed.¡¦ Scott said, earning a shocked expression from Jubilee.

¡¦Whoa, this is a big deal guys.  We impressed the ol¡¦ Fearless Leader.¡¦ Jubilee said as she stared at Scott.

¡¦I would care to know if you three would care to stay here and study with us, learning more about your mutant powers.  Too for Emily and Jake, you could tutor with Hank in your studies.  Jubilee and Victor, there is a place on the team for you too.¡¦ Scott explained.

The group looked to one another, and finally all leveled their gaze on Jubilee.

¡¦Scott, could you give us a few minutes to talk about it?¡¦ Jubilee asked, and soon Scott gave a respectful nod as Charles and Ororo followed him out.

¡¦So guys, what do you want to do?¡¦ Jubilee asked.

¡¦Well, I think Em and me could learn a lot from Hank, and well¡¦it would be great to finally be able to learn more about our powers without worrying about getting caught.¡¦ Jake said, looking to Emily and Clarice.

¡¦And I could have Jean and Charles help me with my shields and my powers.  Plus I really enjoy training with Bishop.¡¦ Clarice added.

¡¦Always the quiet ones.¡¦ Jubilee said with a chuckle, and then turned her gaze to Victor.

¡¦Hey pup.  I¡¦m with ya on whatever ya want to do.¡¦ Victor remarked.

¡¦Don¡¦t give me that macho crap.  I know ya enjoyed hooking up with Logan, being all-lucid as you are now.  And I know he enjoys your company.  You tell me what you want to do.¡¦ Jubilee said as she glared at Victor.

¡¦Fine pup.  I¡¦d like ta stay here.  It¡¦s like back on my old world.  I got a team and friends again.  A place to belong and a purpose and a way to pay for this blood on my hands.¡¦ Victor replied.

Jubilee looked around and then yelled for Scott and the others to return.

¡¦Did you come to your decision?  Or do you need more time?  We don¡¦t want to rush you.¡¦ Scott replied.

¡¦Oh, we came to our decision.  We¡¦re staying.  I think Vic would probably be looking for some action, but for now I¡¦ll put off on that place on the team.  I¡¦ll help out when I can or when I¡¦m needed, but for now I¡¦m not ready for active duty and seven in the morning training sessions.  Too much I need to work out.¡¦ Jubilee said to a much-pleased Scott.

¡¦Wipe that smirk off yer face.  I heard how ya are and I¡¦m askin¡¦ ta be put on Storm¡¦s team.¡¦ Victor said with a feral grin, as Scott went straight faced and glared at Jubilee, who in return only gave him a raspberry.

¡¦If that¡¦s all, Jake and myself got a movie date, along with Bobby and Em.¡¦ Jubilee said.

¡¦And I got another lesson with Bishop in two hours.¡¦ Clarice added.

¡¦And Logan and I are headin¡¦ ta the Auger.¡¦ Victor remarked.

¡¦Well, I won¡¦t keep you from your plans.  Oh, Jake?¡¦ Scott said, catching Jake¡¦s attention.

¡¦Yes Mr. Summers.¡¦ Jake asked.

¡¦Please, Scott.¡¦ Scott remarked as he tossed a set of keys to Jake.

¡¦What¡¦s this?¡¦ Jake inquired.

¡¦Keys to your new car.  I can¡¦t remember what Remy said it was, but it¡¦s a BMW at the least.  Remy said it¡¦s a gift to you and ¡¦de P¡¦tite¡¦.¡¦ Scott said as Jake¡¦s eyes grew large.

¡¦A car?¡¦ Jake asked quietly.

¡¦Yup.¡¦ Jubilee said.

¡¦Lee, get ready to go.  Em, go get ready to go and get Bobby.¡¦ Jake said, eager to try out his new car.

¡¦You think Bobby¡¦s still sore about the whole putting him in a dress?¡¦ Emily asked as she and Jubilee walked out of the War Room, earning a chuckle from all.

¡¦Ya treat ¡¦em well Jake.  Not that I know ya wouldn¡¦t.  Anyways, I gotta go meet up with Logan.¡¦ Victor said as he left the room, giving Scott a hard slap on the back, knocking the wind out of him.

After he left, Scott turned to Storm who had a smirk on her face.

¡¦I¡¦m glad he¡¦s going on your team.¡¦ Scott said, not evening wanting to imagine a team with both Victor and Logan on it, and somewhere in a dark recess of his mind, the idea of Jubilee added to that equation laid dormant where it belonged.

¡¦Oh?  I have not agreed to his placement on my team yet.  It might be valuable to have him on your team, balancing out the power.¡¦ Storm replied, her voice a mask of seriousness hiding the amusement of watching Scott squirm.

¡¦You wouldn¡¦t?¡¦ Scott asked with dread in his voice.

¡¦No, I would not Scott.  Though I did enjoy that look on your face just now.¡¦ Storm replied, giving Scott a pat on the shoulder as she left.

¡¦And what are you thoughts Professor?¡¦ Scott asked, looking to Charles.

¡¦I think that things are well in hand.  Good night Scott.¡¦ Charles said, and then left as he sought out his bed.

Scott whispered a good night to his mentor, and then walked over to the console where Emily had been.  Tapping his intercom he called Hank and informed him of the problem.  Giving a look around the War Room, he walked to the wall and turned off the lights, calling it a night.  Much had been accomplished today he thought as he made his way to his bedroom, new mutants to teach, and valuable additions to the family that the X-men were.  Giving a glance to the laneway before he made his way up the stairs, he saw Jake and company piling into his car, while Logan and Victor mounted their bikes and tore off into the night.  He pitied the staff of the movie theatre, and too whoever would pick a fight with Logan and Victor.  Giving a wry smile, he finally climbed the stairs and made his way to bed.

Chapter 9: Dark Horizons...

 A simple trip to the movies with friends was what it was supposed to be.  No heroics, no life or death fights, nothing of the sort.  Overpriced candy, cramped seating, the latest Hollywood blockbuster, and a night of snuggling up to the man she loves.  No, Jubilation Lee thinks that tonight wasn¡¦t supposed to entail an attack by the Friends of Humanity.  Now she runs along side her boyfriend Jake, with Emily floating next to her and Bobby Drake coursing through the night on an ice slide.  They run from the three jeeps that follow them through the woods, running for a place where they know they¡¦ll find aid, the Auger Inn.

¡¦Ok guys, enough running!  There¡¦s only three Jeeps on us as we lost the chopper a good mile back when we came into the dense underbrush, Drake¡¦s been keeping our thermo signatures attuned with the night air so they can¡¦t track us with IR detectors.¡¦ Jubilee yells to the group.

¡¦So what¡¦s the plan Fearless?¡¦ Bobby chides as he creates an icy coating down a hillside for the group to slide down.

¡¦First, don¡¦t call me Fearless or I¡¦ll get Wolvie ta gut ya!  Second, we do this by the X-men code of honor, no deaths.  That means I¡¦m on hand-to-hand detail, as I don¡¦t feel like lighting up those gas tanks with any paffs!  On the count of three Emily and Drake, you will form an ice slide with Emily forcing us rocketing back at them with a freefall, got it!¡¦ Jubilee yells as she looks ahead to the field before them.

As the group breaks out of the forest, the chopper can be heard off in the distance.  One, Jubilee yells out to the group as they race into the center of the field.  Two comes out as they ready for a leap at the wall of ice that isn¡¦t there yet.  Three, the final count, the group leaps out as Drake creates ice and Emily causes a distortion in the gravitational field of the area, forcing the team sliding across the ice slide and back at the Jeeps now breaking from the woods.  The ice slide ends as they are sent flying at the Jeeps, Jake transforming into a large snow tiger in midair.

¡¦Shit!¡¦ A FOH devotee calls out as he tries to swerve, only to get a kick from Jubilee¡¦s boot to his face.

Jake takes a Jeep alone, as does Jubilee.  Iceman is now encased in a nearly impervious shielding of ice, with Emily having created a field of freefall about her to ward off any attacks, take on the remaining Jeep.  The fight is short lived as natural talent combined with the X-men¡¦s years of training kick in.  The group struggles to bring the Jeeps to rest as the Chopper flies over the tree line, hovering overtop the group.

A spotlight from the chopper blinds all who gaze into it, leaving the team shielding their eyes.  Then come the gunfire.  Bullets ricochet off Bobby, while they are deflected from Emily.  The ones that hit Jubilee mean little to her as she leaps from the Jeep and over her love, protecting him as best she can as he morphs into a rat.  Unharmed, he curls up into her jacket and hides.  Weakened as her healing factor fights against the bullets embedded in her flesh, she falls heavily onto the floor of the Jeep.  Bobby and Emily look to their fallen teammate, their hearts sinking at the pain she must have now felt.  Anger takes over as they turn to the Chopper.  With a gesture Emily forces it to the ground, while Bobby freezes the guns of the FOH devotees before they can fire another volley.

¡¦Emily, you check on Jake and Jubilee, I¡¦ll handle these punks!¡¦ Drake yells as he leaps up and flies at them upon an ice slide.

Emily rushes for her fallen teammate, finding a white rat resting before Jubilee with a concerned look in his eyes.  Emily quickly checks over her injuries, and with a gasp of horror realizes they aren¡¦t healing.  Fear and instinct take over in this moment as she picks up her crumpled friends form in her arms.  As she leaps into the air, a massive gravity wake rips through the landscape, folding space as she is sent rocketing towards the mansion.  The scene slowly ripples back to normal as Jake stares in horror, morphing back to human form.  Drake looks back at a loss for what just occurred, but reacts as his training has taught him, picking up Jake and sliding back to the mansion as fast as he can.

Upon the front lawn of the mansion, Remy LeBeau sits as he smokes his cigarette.  His mind lost to the woman he loves, and the troubles she is going through at this time.  But as the image of the lawn before him twists and contorts, he find those thoughts banished by whatever might be affecting reality.  At the end of the wake before him, he can see a clearing in the woods, three jeeps resting about a fallen chopper.  Then suddenly from it two girls tumble from the wake.  Remy wastes no time as he rushes to them, finding Jubilee bullet ridden while Emily is bleeding from the nose.  Slamming his fist to his communicator he opens an emergency channel to all.

¡¦Merde!  Hank!  Jean!  Anyone!  Get here now!  De P¡¦tite and her friend are hurt!¡¦ Remy yells over the channel as he checks on Jubilee, appearing to be the worst of the two.

Tears stream down his face as he looks at the wounds that should be healing, yet aren¡¦t.  Pale and sickly looking, her breathing ragged, his heart sinks at the thoughts that he might loose her.  Turning back to Emily he checks upon her, finding her pulse weak but stable, though looking just as weak and pale as Jubilee.  Finally form the mansion the others can be seen nearing, Hank with a medical kit and Jean likewise.  Bishop and Scott both come out with stretchers, racing towards the fallen.

Hank doesn¡¦t even spare a single word as he looks over them, focusing his attention on Jubilee while Jean works on Emily.  With a quick blood test, his fears are confirmed as the readout is shown upon the display of a small device.

¡¦Mercury poisoning.¡¦ Hank remarks in a quiet voice as he drops the device and rummages through his kit.

Hank then helps Bishop raise Jubilee onto the stretcher as they secure her.  A moment later the two men are racing into the depths of the mansion to get her to the Shi¡¦ar medical facility that will save her life if they can reach it in time.  With help from Scott, Jean had Emily loaded upon the next stretcher and whisked it off with a telekinetic bubble.  Remy slowly rose from his feet and took in a deep calming breath, knowing that the others would be arriving soon and would ask questions he didn¡¦t have the answers to.

About fifteen minutes later, and pack of cigarettes barely smoked yet littered about his feet, Remy saw the pair racing towards the mansion on an ice slide.  As they touched down, the pair broke into a run and rushed to Remy, stopping at his feet and panting for breath.

¡¦Where are they?¡¦ Jake finally stammered out as he looked up to Remy.

¡¦De med lab.  C¡¦mon.¡¦ Remy whispered as he took Jake by his shoulder and lead the youth into the depths of the mansion, Drake on their heels.

As the pair entered the room, a gasp was let out at the device Jubilee was hooked up to.  It appeared to be filtering her blood, while the filter and an ominous silver tinge to it.  For Drake the realization hit instantly, while Jake did not know the association to Mercury poisoning and the mutant-healing factor.

¡¦Oh my god.¡¦ Drake whispered as he drew closer to Jubilee, looking over her sickly form.

Jake was to her side in a moment, holding her hand and looking at her unconscious form as a wave of nausea passed over him.  Since the day he had met her, Jubilee had been such a bundle of energy, even when battling emotional troubles she held a spark in her eye.  But now, she appeared to be a fragile child, wounded and broken.

¡¦She shall be fine once we filter the Mercury from her blood.  I¡¦ve already removed the bullets.  For now though she must remain upon life support.  Her healing factor is no where near at par with Logan or Victor.¡¦ Hank remarked in a voice barely above a whisper, but with the silence the room held it came through loud and clear.

¡¦What happened?¡¦ Jake asked as he looked to Hank.

¡¦Mercury inhibits the Mutant Healing Factor, for it must fight to take care of two poisonings at once, that of the Adamantium and that of the Mercury.  We are thankful that Weapon X used a finer grade of Adamantium than they did with Logan, else she might have died.¡¦ Hank said as he walked over and placed a reassuring hand on Jakes shoulder.

Suddenly Bobby noticed the lack of Emily about and looked to Hank.  Hank picked up on his long time friend distress.

¡¦She is sleeping.  She overexerted herself with that feat she pulled, forming a fold in space to transport herself and Jubilation to us.¡¦ Hank said as he looked to his friends retreating form as he raced off to Emily¡¦s room.

A sputtering cough drew their attention down to their ward as her eyes fluttered open, fighting to stay conscious.

¡¦You¡¦know how much¡¦I hate¡¦when you¡¦call¡¦¡¦ Jubilee whispered out in a tired voice, giving up as she drew short on breath.

Tears welled up in Jake¡¦s eyes as he looked down to her, holding her hand as if it were a delicate flower.  Hank quickly began to check the readings upon the machines and gave a smile to Jake.

¡¦To quote our bed-ridden compatriot, ¡¦I told you so¡¦.¡¦ Hank whispered as he adjusted a few settings.

Jubilee stares up to Jake through the drug induced haze, the faintest of smiles on her purple lips.  Words needn¡¦t be said between the two, for Jake knows she is telling him not to worry with the look in her eyes, while the look in his own speaks of the untold levels he wishes he was the one in the bed at this moment.

¡¦I think I shall leave you two be, I shall be off to visit your friend to ensure there were no complications with the use of her power in such a manner.¡¦ Hank whispered as he slowly makes his departure from the pair.

Though Hank doesn¡¦t get more than give feet as a pair of feral mutants rush past him, sending the furred doctor into an impromptu flip to keep from falling over.  As he casts a glance back, he can see them rushing into the room, and the sudden silence as they stop dead as though they hit a wall.  Shaking his head slowly, he resumes his walk up to visit Emily and to check upon her condition.

Back in the room, Logan and Victor stare at her as they would their own child dying.  Jake waves them over and both men take stead at her bedside, trying to find their voices.  Jubilee casts a weak look to them, fighting against the drugs and the poisoning as she struggles to stay awake.  As Logan takes her frail hand in his own, the smile grows a little larger as she finds him keeping his promise.

¡¦You¡¦didn¡¦t¡¦leave me¡¦¡¦ Jubilee whispers out as she looks up to him.

¡¦Promise is a promise darlin¡¦.¡¦ Logan remarks quietly, gently rubbing a thumb across the back of her hand.

Noticing the fatigue in her eyes, the pair left quietly after kissing her on her forehead, leaving Jake to watch over her.  As they enter the hallway outside the med lab, they cast a glance to one another, echoes of worry passed along.

¡¦What makes me think that the lil¡¦ incident of those FOH losers knowing to use Mercury to stop a healing factor wasn¡¦t just common knowledge.¡¦ Logan asks as he grits his jaw.

¡¦Ya thinking what I¡¦m thinkin¡¦ Runt?¡¦ Victor asks as he looks down to Logan.

¡¦Weapon X had a man on that chopper, and probably was funding that lil fringe group?¡¦ Logan remarks as he looks up to Victor.

Victor merely gives a nod in return as he throws his arm about Logan, the pair walking off down the corridor and into the darkness.  They won¡¦t leave tonight, not until they have the approval of Jubilee, for it would break her heart to know they had gone off to a fight in her honor when their lives might be at risk.  But they head to the best place they can, where they can vent the anger and rage, as well as prepare for the coming battle, the Danger Room.

The next morning Jake awakes to find the face next to his own looking back full of colour and life.  As he slowly raises his head from the bedside he had used as a pillow, with the chair a bed, he finds Jubilee sleeping peacefully.  Hesitantly he pulls away a bandage, and lets out a relieved sigh to find not so much as a scar in its place or the wound he had fear he would see.  Brushing away a stray strand of hair, he kisses her lightly on the cheeks as he rises from his chair to stretch.

With the groan he lets out, Jubilee flutters back to the waking world, letting out a groan all her own.  Weak and tired from the incident, she now longs to be out of the medical room that is deeply ingrained into her mind as a place of pain, and into her own bed with the soft comforting blankets to hide away in.

¡¦Morning sunshine.¡¦ Jake whispers as he turns about and looks to her.

¡¦Get. Me. Out.¡¦ Jubilee mutters as she looks to Jake to relieve her of the medical equipment.

¡¦What¡¦s the magic word?¡¦ Jake remarks as he draws closer to Jubilee.

¡¦Neutered.¡¦ Jubilee growls back in return.

¡¦Good enough for me.¡¦ Jake chuckles back as he starts to take away the medical equipment, afterwards scooping Jubilee up in his arms as he makes his leave of the room.

As Jake meandered his way back up to the formal living area of the mansion, he passed by the Danger Room and saw that it was occupied.  Careful of Jubilee, he reached over and tapped in a sequence to find out who was inside.  Not surprisingly, Victor and Logan¡¦s names appeared upon the display.  Making a slight detour, he walked up with Jubilee to the observation room to look upon the scenario the men were working at.  His expectations of violence and hordes of assailants were dashed as he looked upon a bar scene, with either man in military fatigues nursing beers and smoking cigars.

Jubilee struggled to look upon the scenario and with a quirk of her eyebrow her eyes met Jake¡¦s.  A look was passed between the two, knowing they best leave their friends in peace and preserve the privacy they appeared to need.  The pair of teens quietly exited and made their way to the den where they found Emily and Drake on the couch, snuggled together closely.

¡¦Jubilee!¡¦ The pair cried out in unison as they motioned for Jake to bring her over to the sofa.

¡¦Hey guys.¡¦ Jubilee whispered as Jake set her down, tucking her in with the wool blanket that was draped over the sofa.

¡¦How¡¦re you feeling?¡¦ Emily asked with concern laced upon her voice.

¡¦Tired.  Freaked out.  Angry.  Hungry.¡¦ Jubilee remarked as she snuggled down into the blanket with Jake resting on the end of the sofa.

¡¦Hey Remy!¡¦ Emily cried out, moments later followed by the Cajun running in with an apron and chef hat on.

¡¦Oui?¡¦ Remy asked as he looked to Emily, Jubilee hidden by the sofa.

¡¦Chocolate chip pancakes on the pronto for our fallen trooper, she¡¦s hungry.¡¦ Emily said in a sweet voice, earning a quirk of Remy¡¦s eyebrow as he neared the sofa and looked over to find Jubilee.

¡¦Hey Gumbo.¡¦ Jubilee whispered, smiling at the sight of him in his favorite cooking accessories.

Remy smiled down to her, brushing a strand of hair from her face a moment before he spun on his heel and strode off to the kitchen.  From the kitchen the shuffling of pans and cupboards slamming could be heard.

¡¦Remy throw in a surprise for you P¡¦tite, and don you worry, no Naw¡¦lins secrets with dis batch.¡¦ Remy called out from the kitchen, earning a smile from Jubilee.

Meanwhile down in the Danger Room, the two lone occupants looked down to their beers in silence as they breathed in various scents the Shi¡¦ar technology recreated, down to the stench of the unwashed bartender.

¡¦Rock and a Hard place bub.¡¦ Logan remarked as he started to peel away at the label of the cold beer.

¡¦Yup.¡¦ Victor replied a moment before he downed the last of his beer, slamming it on the bar afterwards.

¡¦Buncha fanatics out there that know how to stop a healing factor cold, probably getting their 411 from whatever yahoos set up Weapon X again, yet we ain¡¦t about to leave Jubes and the others unguarded.¡¦ Logan growled as raised the beer to his lips, pausing to look to the mirror.

Downing the last of the beer, shaking his head and tossed the bottle down the bar.  The bartender paid little attention, the AI having long since figured in not bothering the two foreign military men before him.

¡¦That call to the Hudson¡¦s wasn¡¦t too encouraging either.¡¦ Victor remarked as he looked down to his friend.

¡¦Heads out there writhing somewhere, trying to pull itself together.  It¡¦s after Jubes now.  What scares me is what they¡¦re gonna find in those encrypted files.  Least they shut down the joint before they could start on any others.  Be thankful for what we get eh?¡¦ Logan said as he reached down to the cooler and grabbed another beer.

¡¦Yeah, what we gotta do now though.  Can¡¦t keep ¡¦em locked up like prisoners in their own home.  Can¡¦t go and finish ¡¦em like our old CIA days.  We¡¦re both X-men now, the same dream with different leaders.  Still freaks me out seeing One eye as a X-man and Chuckles alive and well, Beast a jolly fellow instead of Sinister¡¦s lapdog.  Now we got Weapon X lurking around, after having spent the last thirty years trying to forget about those sadistic bastards.¡¦ Victor mused as he stared in the mirror, images only he could see of the Age of Apocalypse drifting before his eyes.

¡¦Well, whatever we¡¦re gonna have to do, we ain¡¦t gonna find it drinking beer in some half baked excuse for that bar in Cuba.  We¡¦ll need to bring the whole team into this if the local FOH is being supplied with weapons as someone¡¦s puppet.  Cut off the strings and let it topple, then go find whatever hand was jerking them around.¡¦ Logan added, lost to the moment all those years ago in that bar.