Times Change and We With Time: Parts 7-8

by Muir

Author・s note: Consider this completely AU to what・s currently happening in the comics. I・m not following X-Treme but will include various elements currently present in the core books when possible.

Part 7

Jubilee awoke with a feeling of overall contentment. It was an odd sensation for her, and for a moment it was puzzling. Then she remembered.

Remy.

Smiling dreamily to herself she stood up and stretched. She was in love・she sighed and opened her bedroom door. She was in love・she walked towards the kitchen. She was in love・she stopped and gave herself a mental shake. There was no way that she was going to become some addle-brained sad-ass just because・she was in love・stop it. She pinched herself. Good. Better. Now to stop grinning like a fool.

Oh well, one step at a time.

She should just concentrate on making breakfast. Making breakfast for the man she loved・snap out of it・this was getting a little old. Eggs and bacon. Nothing romantic at all about those food products. She was in control, she was cool, calm and collected. She took out a pan and placed it on the cooker.

Remy was awakened by someone prodding him in the shoulder. He mumbled something incoherently and tried to bat the offending hand away. A smothered giggle caused him to open his eyes. Jubilee was sitting on the corner of his bed, still dressed in her habitual sleeping outfit of pyjama shorts and strap top, and holding a tray in her lap.

・Jubilee?・ he murmured questioningly.

She looked down at him, laughter in her eyes, ・Morning sleepy head.・

He sat up slowly and shook his head, ridding himself of the sleepy haze that was surrounding his brain. He looked at her again, ・What are ya doin・ in my room, p・tite?・

She held out the tray, ・Breakfast. Y・know・custom of eating in the morning・sound familiar?・

・Ha ha, and de reason you・re in my room would be・?・

Jubilee rolled her eyes, ・It・s called breakfast-in-bed, dummy. Get your brain in gear already.・ She placed the tray across his lap.

・Dat・s y・r only reason?・

・Of course that・s the reason. Why else would I be・ooh,・ she looked at him with eyebrows raised, ・getting a little ahead of ourselves, aren・t we?・

・Don・ know what you・re talkin・ about,・ Remy focused his attention on the food, ・this looks good, p・tite. You havin・ some?・

・I already・・ Jubilee broke off as an idea hit her. A mischievous gleam came into her eyes, time for Remy to suffer a little, ・Sure, scoot over.・

・WHAT?・

・Remy, look at what I・m wearing.・ He did as commanded and smiled wanly, ・I・m getting goosebumps and you,・ she pointed at him, ・are all snuggled up nice and warm under the covers. I did make breakfast for you so come on, move over.・

・I don・ know if dat・s such a good idea, p・tite.・

・Are you naked under the covers or somethin・?・

・No!・

・So what・s the problem?・ she asked coaxingly.

・I・okay, chere. You win. Get in.・ Just think of this as an exercise in self-control Remy.

Jubilee beamed at him, and gave him a peck on the cheek, ・Don・t worry Gumbo, it・s not like I・m gonna jump you or anything.・

Remy sighed.

・Did you say something?・

・No, nothin・ at all.・

Smirking, she slid beneath the covers next to him, ・Ok. Bacon・s all yours. After seeing ・Babe・ I just can・t look at it the same way anymore.・ She picked up a slice of toast, ・I・ll just have some bread, I・m not really hungry.・ She smiled up at him and snuggled closer.

Gritting his teeth, Remy managed to smile back at her before picking up a fork and beginning to eat. He concentrated on chewing the bacon and not on her bare leg pressed against his, he did not nearly choke on his coffee when she rested her head on his bare shoulder or nearly drop the fork every time she reached over for some bread and brushed against his hand. This was ridiculous. He was a self-assured man of twenty-six years yet there he was, feeling as nervous as a schoolboy and jumping every time the woman next to him so much as exhaled.

Jubilee watched Remy out of the corner of his eye and choked back a laugh. This was too much fun, just watching him squirm. To the untrained observer he may have seemed to be perfectly at ease but she was an expert in Remy. Every time she moved against him she could feel his muscles tensing, see his jaw clenching ever so slightly and even the angle at which he held his head was also a dead give-away. Jubilee actually enjoyed knowing that she had this effect on him. She sneaked another look at him from under her eyelashes and grinned inwardly. Yes, this was most definitely fun.

・Did you enjoy that?・

・Enjoy what?・ Remy seemed to jump at the question.

・Your breakfast, of course.・

・Right, breakfast・it was won・erful p・tite.・

・Good. Give me the tray.・ She took it from him and placed it on the ground before turning back to Remy and wrapping her arms around his waist. ・This is nice.・

・Yes.・ That was pretty much all he could manage in a semi-normal tone.

・Rem? You okay?・ He looked down into her face and noticed that the corner of her mouth was quivering. Almost as though she was・trying・not to laugh・

・You・re・you・・ he stuttered.

The picture of innocence she looked into his eyes, ・Something wrong?・

・Minx.・ He draped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer.

・What ever do you mean?・ Wide-eyed and innocent, an expression that usually indicated mischief when it came to Jubilee.

・Y・know what I mean.・

She shook her head, ・You・ve lost me comple-・mmph.・ Her words were lost as he suddenly kissed her. His arms slid down her back to her waist pulling her closer and continuing to kiss her as the two slid further down under the sheets. When they eventually surfaced a few minutes later they were both breathless and flushed. Jubilee looked at Remy wide-eyed, wonderment written on her face. ・Wow.・ Leaning forward she began to kiss him once more, along his jaw line, down his throat. And although he was quite happy with this course of action, he realised that they had some important matters to discuss.

・P・tite.・

・Mm?・ She was now trailing kisses across his shoulder.

・We need t・talk.・

・Uh-uh.・ Her mouth moved upwards again and she kissed him on the lips, effectively silencing him. After a few moments he broke away reluctantly.

・We need t・talk about de X-Men.・

She stopped and looked at him with disbelieving eyes then rolled away from him onto her back, ・Way to kill the mood Remy.・

・I・m serious chere. Can・t just pretend dey・re gonna love de idea of us t・gether.・

・We can・t?・

Maybe they could・no. He wanted to know the score from the beginning. Wanted to make sure that she・d stay with him when the others would be trying to tear them or maybe just him, he grimaced at the thought, apart. ・No. We can・t.・

・Fine.・ She propped herself up on her elbow and looked at him, ・Get with the talking already.・

Hmm. How should he phrase this? Couldn・t make it sound as though he didn・t trust her but couldn・t make it sound too trivial either. ・Y・know dat the team won・ like dis.・

・Uh-huh.・

・Dey・ll probably try and take you away.・

・Uh-huh.・

・You know all dis.・

・Uh-huh.・

・And it doesn・t bot・er you.・ His tone was hard.

Jubilee rolled her eyes, ・Duh, Remy it bothers me. But you・re forgetting one teensy weensy detail.・

・And what・s dat?・

・They don・t know・・

・And・?・

・Who says they have to.・ She finished with a wicked grin.

・You don・t want them t・know.・ He made it sound like an accusation.

・Remy,・ she sighed and moved closer to him, wrapping one arm around his waist and resting her head on his chest, ・What did I say last night?・

He couldn・t resist, ・You said a lot of things last night.・ He yelped when she pinched him lightly.

・Trust a guy to forget. Remember I said something about me belonging to someone?・

・Yeah?・ He was confused and wasn・t sure where she was heading with this.

・Does that sound like a short little closet romance to you?・

Comprehension finally dawned on him, ・Y・make de closet romance sound like a bad t・ing chere.・ He was rewarded with another pinch.

・Look Gumbo, here・s the deal. I・m madly in love with you,・ she blushed a little, despite herself, before continuing, ・blah blah bliddy blah but, of course, the others are going to want to kick your ass if they find out right now. Because, chances are, they won・t see it our way. So, basically, what I・m thinking is we don・t tell them. At least, not now. We don・t tell anyone. But once I turn eighteen I・m a free woman and we can then figure out a way to tell everyone. Sound like a plan?・

・A very vague plan, but sure I suppose y・could call dat a plan.・

・Thanks a bunch.・ She nestled closer, ・So have we talked about it enough?・

・No, but it・ll do f・r now.・ Putting a hand to her head, he ran his fingers through her hair.

For awhile they just lay there, not speaking. Just enjoying being together. Together. It seemed as though it was all that mattered. Eventually, though, Jubilee sat up with a sigh.

・It・s almost noon and I・m not even dressed yet,・ she pointed an accusing finger at him, ・you・re a bad influence.・

・It・s de holidays p・tite, y・r allowed to stay in bed.・

・I suppose,・ she conceded, ・but you still can・t spend all day just lying around.・

Remy looked at her with an amused smile, ・Is dis the same Jubilee who used to lounge around de mansion, dressed only in ・er pyjamas, eatin・ Sugar Bombs like dere was no tomorrow and watchin・ dose scary anime cartoons?・

・I grew up Gumbo,・ she replied with a cheeky grin, ・don・t say you haven・t noticed.・ She pulled the sheets off her, stood up and stretched, ・I・m gonna go take a shower. You can clean up the breakfast stuff.・ With that she skipped out of the room.

Sighing resignedly Remy picked up the breakfast tray off the floor and headed towards the kitchen.

**********************************************************************************************

Xavier Institute, Westchester.

Emma rubbed her temples wearily and eyed the telephone next to her with intense dislike. She had spent the better part of the last hour trying to convince the X-Men not to ring Jubilee the instant they arrived at the mansion. She・d also had to persuade them to let her be the first to talk to their firecracker. The previous hour had been spent restraining the other half of the X-Men, including Jubilee・s former team-mate Chamber, aka Jonothan Starsmore, from rushing off to London once they・d learned of her whereabouts. Jono had been furious that he hadn・t been among those who had met Jubilee, as had Bobby. Unsurprisingly they were currently involved in shredding the Danger Room. And the worst was yet to come・

Sean.

Sean Cassidy aka Banshee, current resident of Muir Island and former co-mentor to the group of teenaged mutants known as Generation X. And Emma was only now informing him of Jubilation・s location. She hadn・t been thinking too clearly when she learned where Jubilee was. None of the others, of course, had thought to inform him so now it was up to her.

Oh joy.

She picked up the telephone and punched in the number.

RingRing.

・Rahne here.・

・This is Emma Frost, could I speak to Sean please?・

・Sure, one sec.・

A moment later the phone was picked up again, ・Hello? Emma?・

・Sean, how are you?・

・Good and you?・

・Fine,・ she paused, ・we found Jubilee.・

There was a gasp on the other end of the line, ・Is she there? Is she alright?・

・She・s fine Sean but she・s not here.・

・Where the hell is she then?・

・London.・

・London.・

・Yes. With Remy LeBeau.・

・REMY LEBEAU?・

・Calm down Sean.・

・I will not calm down. Why in God・s name is she in London with that・that little shite?・

Emma smiled wryly at his choice of words; ・It appears she has been living with him since July.・

・You・ve spoken to her.・

・Yes.・

・Have you seen her?・ His voice was dangerously even.

・Yes.・

Emma held the phone away from her head as a stream of expletives came booming down the line. Eventually it subsided and she held the receiver back up to her head, ・Are you quite finished?・

・Not even.・

・I・m sorry Sean, I should have told you where she was straight away but ・

・When did you find out where she was?・

・New Year・s Eve.・

・Two days ago.・

・Yes.・

・Two fecking days. Christ Emma, what were you thinking?・

・I wasn・t Sean, I just wanted to get to London, fry that stupid thief・s brain and bring Jubilee back home.・ It all came out in a rush and she found, to her dismay, that a tear had come trickling down her cheek.

・What happened?・ His voice was gentle, reassuring.

・Sean, she was so・she was just so angry with us. All of us. And she・s changed so much. You wouldn・t know her Sean.・

・What happened?・

She took a deep breath and told him about everything that had happened while she was in London. When she had eventually finished there was silence at the other end of the line.

・Sean?・

・And you say she transferred guardianship to LeBeau?・

・Yes.・

・And got herself citizenship for the UK?・

・Yes. Seems our Jubilee is quite the little cyber-wonder.・

・Heh. Yeah. So what now?・

・I don・t know. Try and make it up to her, treat with some respect for a change.・

・Right. How are the others taking it?・

She laughed, ・Not well. As we speak Jonothan and Robert are demolishing the Danger Room, Logan is lurking around the grounds somewhere, doing his crazy little feral man routine and the others are either sulking because they feel guilty, sulking because they・re angry with Jubilee or both.・

・I・m sure it・s not that bad.・

・Well you don・t have to live with them.・

They laughed together, relaxing a little, ・You sound tired Emma. When was the last time you slept?・

・Oh・recently.・

・You haven・t slept since you found out, have you?・

・No.・

・Feeling guilty?・

・Among other things.・

・Good, so am I. Look do you want me to ring her first or you?・

Emma brushed a hand across her eyes, ・I don・t know. I was going to, but she・s probably not too happy with me right now.・ She sighed, ・She always liked you more anyway.・

・You・re fishing for pity Emma.・

・Never say so Sean dear. I・ll give you her address and phone number. Don・t ring her until tomorrow at least.・ She read the details out to him.

・Right. Got it. But listen to me Emma, go to bed. You・ll be no good to anyone if you・re dead on your feet. I・ll ring Monet and Paige to tell them, then I・ll ring Jubilee tomorrow and I・ll call you straight afterwards. You hear me?・

・Yes Sean.・

・Good. Angelo・s here. Want to talk to him?・

・Tomorrow.・

・All right. Get some sleep.・

・I will. Goodbye.・

・Bye.・

Emma hung up. She felt immeasurably better. Of all the X-Men, Sean was the only one whom she was truly at ease with. She respected one or two of the others, but he was the only one that she could truly call her friend. With a tired smile she undressed and lay down on her bed, quickly drifting off into untroubled sleep.

**********************************************************************************************

London, one week later.

Jubilee entered the apartment quietly. She had just finished her first day of school after the Christmas break. Remy wasn・t home. The apartment was silent. She walked into her bedroom, pulled out her schoolbooks and began to do some study. However she found herself unable to concentrate, as her thoughts drifted to the events of the past week. Practically all the X-Men had been in contact.

First Sean. He somehow managed to make her feel exactly one inch tall before apologising to her for his insensitivity when it came to her future after Generation X. They talked for awhile. She wrangled a promise out of him not to incur bodily harm on Remy and when they said goodbye their relationship had been restored to what it had been before. Then came Angelo. He wasn・t so soft on her. He told her, in terms that drew claps of admiration from Jubilee that if she ever took off again without informing her friends that he wouldn・t be held responsible for his actions. He also asked, in his own unique way, whether she was sleeping with Remy. She was able to reply honestly to that question, but she was being was evasive and knew he had probably picked up on it. Emma called after that. The White Queen actually sounded・humble. She mingled criticisms of Jubilee・s conduct with admissions of guilt and Jubilee realised that that was as close to an apology that she would ever get from her former teacher.

Paige, Monet, Jono, Bobby, Jean, Scott, Hank, the Professor and even Warren had been in contact. And, of course, Wolverine. Jubilee sighed as she thought about him. He rang practically every day. The first two times it was to argue with her. The conversation would start out well, then he・d start talking about how much he missed her, how she should be home with the X-Men, next came the criticisms of Remy and it would eventually end with one of them slamming the phone down. He・d become better after that, actually listening to what she had to say. Their relationship was far from what it used to be・but at least it was a start.

Jubilee was jerked out of her reverie by the front door opening.

・Lo? Jubilee, you home?・

・In here Gumbo.・

Remy walked up behind her and dropped a large package in her lap, ・Post, p・tite.・

Jubilee turned the parcel over curiously, ・It・s from the mansion, wonder what it is.・

He leaned on the back of her chair, ・Only one way t・find out.・

Carefully peeling off the layers of padding and wrapping, Jubilee finally came to a box. Taped to it was a note reading:

Jubilee ・You・ll always be a part of the team. Emma Frost.

Inside was the new standard X-Men uniform. Jubilee gazed at it dumbfounded for a moment before a smile spread over her face. ・Hey Remy,・ she turned to look at him, ・wanna see me in leather?・ Not waiting for his answer she pushed him out of the room and closed the door firmly behind him. A few minutes later she emerged clad in the tight black top and leather pants, posing dramatically in the doorway.

・So, do I look ready to defend a world that fears and hates me?・

He placed his hands on her shoulders, holding her out from him and looking her over critically, ・You・ll do.・

・No・please・no more compliments・no really, I know I・m a stunner.・

He moved his arms to her waist and pulled her to him, ・Yes, y・are.・

・You・ve such good taste.・

・Remy LeBeau is known for ・is good taste.・

・Well Remy LeBeau,・ she replied, mimicking his tone, ・are you gonna let me go anytime soon? I want to change back.・

・Act・ally,・ he gave her a sly grin, ・you look good in de uniform. You should keep it on.・

She batted his arm, ・Geez you・ve a one track mind. Lemme go, I want to e-mail Emma to thank her for this.・

He dropped a kiss on her forehead before releasing her, ・Alright den. I・m gonna make some lunch, y・want some?・

Jubilee disappeared back into her room, ・Yeah, sure.・

Remy began pulling food out of the cupboards, ・I was talkin・ to Scott dis morning・

・Uh huh.・

・An・ while we were talkin he・・

・He asked if we were sleeping together, right?・

・More or less.・

・I・ve been asked that by Paige, M, Ange, Emma・pretty much everyone.・ Jubilee appeared in the doorway of the kitchen.

・What・d you say to dem?・

She sighed and walked towards him, ・I dodged the question. What・d you do?・

・I・ve only bin asked by Scott. He wanted to know whether I was ・avin・ ・inappropriate・ relations wit・ you,・ he grinned and shrugged, ・de others were just happy wit・ their ・subtle・ threats.・

Jubilee hopped up on the counter and smiled back at him, ・Good to know they trust us.・

・Chere,・ he cleared his throat, ・have you t・ought dat maybe we should hold off for awhile?・

・Yup.・ She reached over and snagged a slice of cheese.

・Y・have.・

・Yeah,・ she chewed slowly before continuing, ・but then I realised that us as ・just friends・ wasn・t going to work anymore.・

・How・s dat?・

・Remy, we live in the same apartment. We・re around each other like 24/7, and I・m supposed to not jump you? Get real.・

・Y・want to jump me?・

・Mm hmm, all the time. More cheese please.・

・Yeah, here,・ he handed her another slice, ・wait. Let・s go back to de part where you want t・jump me.・

Jubilee rolled her eyes, ・I・m not gonna repeat myself just to boost your male ego.・

・Why not, chere?・

・Would you forget that already? Anyway, if I can manage it I・m not going to lie outright to the others. I・m getting really good at the whole ・dodge the question・ thing.・

・I・ve been doin・ it for years.・

She looked up at him and put one of her hands over his, ・Yeah, you have, haven・t you.・

・I・d still feel better if we didn・t ・ave to lie to de team but・・

・You want to be with me・as in with-with me.・

・Yes.・

Jubilee could feel a blush rising in her cheeks, ・Oh Remy, you make me feel as giddy as a schoolgirl.・

Remy grinned at her, ・Y・are a schoolgirl petite.・

・Details, details,・ she waved a hand airily then paused and grinned at him, wiggling her eyebrows, ・unless you・re into that sort of thing of course・・

・Wha-? Oh, right・schoolgirl,・ he shot her a look, ・I・m not.・

Her gaze was innocent, ・Just wondering.・

He snorted, ・Yeah, sure. Back to de X-Men t・ough・・

・Oh yeah,・ she bit her lower lip, ・how does telling them when the time・s right sound to you?・

・I don・t know.・ He gave her a doubtful look but she continued anyway.

・Good. ・Cause you know it・ll take them awhile to get used to the idea of us living together as friends. Give them too much information at once and they・ll probably overload.・

Remy grinned at her, ・Prob・ly.・ His expression became more subdued for a moment, ・But we・ll do it soon Jubilee. I・ve kept enough secrets from them, and, for once, this isn・t one I・m ashamed of.・

Jubilee felt herself going red・again.

He looked at her amusedly, ・You・re beautiful when y・blush.・

Blushing even more furiously she muttered a ・yeah right・ before getting off the counter to set the table.

・So what else was Scott saying to you?・

・Just makin・ sure that you were still practising with y・r powers and keeping fit・・ he shot her a sideways glance, ・he also wanted to see how y・felt about spendin・ your birthday at de mansion.・

・Oh.・ She looked down at the ground.

・So what d・you think of de idea?・

・I dunno・・

・We can just stay ・ere if y・want.・

・I・ll think about it, okay?・

・Dat・s all they ask.・

・Yeah, well・・ she sat down, ・did the invitation include you?・

・Barely,・ flashing her a grin he set the plate of sandwiches on the table in front of her, ・I think they・re still a li・l sore about me not telling dem where y・were.・

・Well,・ she took a bite out of a sandwich, ・das mare mobwem.・

・Riiight. Could ya run that past me one more time・?・

・I med,・ she swallowed, ・that・s their problem.・

・They・re trying, p・tite.・

・I know・just feel that once they have me back I・ll be quickly forgotten again.・

・I think dat they might be learnin・ from their mistakes.・

Jubilee smiled warmly up at him, ・Ever the optimist.・

・Does that mean you・ll go?・ He hugged her from behind, ・It・d mean a lot to them, it・d also be a good opportunity for you to meet up wit・ some of y・r old GenX friends.・

・Fine I・ll go,・ she half turned in her chair to get better view of his face, ・But they better not think that everything・s forgiven-and-forgotten, I・m still pissed.・

・Scary,・ he leaned down to kiss her, ・I・ll ring dem later.・

・Fine. But can we pleease not talk about the X-Men?・ she whined, ・Feels like they・ve been practically living with us for the last week.・

**********************************************************************************************

Three weeks later.

DingDong.

・I・ll be dere in a minute,・ Remy stirred the contents of one saucepan slowly then lifted the spoon to his lips for a taste.

DingDong.

・I said I・ll be dere in a minute,・ he shouted before turning his attention back to the pots simmering in front of him.

DingDong.

Remy stalked out of the kitchen towards the front door, ・I swear t・God p・tite if y・ve forgotten your keys again I・ll・・ he yanked the door open and his jaw dropped.

・Heya sugah.・

Seventeen minutes later.

・Hey Remy, I・m home!・ Jubilee bounded into the apartment, ・You will not believe what that psycho history teacher gave us for homework. A ten-page essay on - ・ she reached the living room and stopped abruptly, stunned.

Remy was sitting on the sofa and across from him was Rogue.

Rogue.

The former love of Remy LeBeau・s life was sitting there, larger than life, in the London apartment. It didn・t help that, as usual, the Southern woman looked as stunning as ever・despite her obvious confusion. Gritting her teeth, Jubilee automatically put on her friendly face.

・Hey Rogue, how・s it going?・ Bending down, Jubilee awkwardly gave the older woman a hug.

・Fahn.・ Rogue looked at her with concern, ・Remy tells me that you・ve been livin・ with him for awhile now.・

・Yeah, y・know, just wanted to get away from the X-Men,・ she shrugged, ・get my head together. Gumbo here offered me a place to stay.・

・So I hear. We ・Storm, Bishop, the others and I haven・t touched home base with the team for awhile. Didn・t know ya were here sugah.・

・Well,・ Jubilee gave her a cheerful smile, ・here I am.・

At this point, Remy entered the conversation, ・Y・never told me what brings you here, chere.・

・Ah just thought, what with you missin・ Christmas with the team an・ all, that I・d just drop by. See if ya were interested in coming back to the mansion.・

・Oh, right. T・anks chere.・ He gave Jubilee a look that said ・play-nice・ before continuing, ・Well, you・re here now. Y・should stay wit・ us f・r awhile. Right Jubilee?・

・Of course!・ You so much as look at him the wrong way ・sugah・ and I・ll paf you into next week.

・No, I shouldn・t. You・ve only got two bedrooms.・

Gosh darnit, she・s right Remy.

・Dat・s alright chere, I・ll sleep on the couch.・

You・re a dead man LeBeau.

・No, Ah can・t kick ya out of your own room.・

Oh dear. Well・bye-bye.

・No I insist, can・t have you sleeping in a hotel when you could be stayin・ here.・

Why not?

・Well if y・r sure・・

・Course I・m sure, you just put your stuff in m・room. It・s the second door on de left.・

Rogue stood up and lifted her backpack onto one shoulder, ・Thanks Remy.・ She gave him a dazzling smile before turning and walking out of the room.

Sighing, Remy turned to a seething Jubilee, ・Y・don・t mind p・tite, do you?・

・Me? Mind? That your ex is gonna be living with us for the foreseeable future? Nope. I don・t mind.・

・You・re jealous.・

She gasped with indignation, ・I am not.・

・I・m sorry, but y・are.・

・Am not.・

・Yes y・are.・

・I AM NOT.・

・Whatever y・say, p・tite,・ he suddenly reached out, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards him. ・Y・have nothin・ to worry about.・ He murmured as he traced the contours of her face with his lips, ・It・s only f・r a couple of days.・ The sound of approaching footsteps warned them of Rogue・s approach and Remy stood up and met the woman at the doorway, leaving Jubilee half-swooning on the couch.

That was pretty much the high point of the day for Jubilee. Remy and Rogue spent the evening joking, talking and reminiscing over past adventures. Despite them including Jubilee in the conversation as much they could, it wasn・t long before she had sank into a pit of gloom behind her cheerful facade. After dinner she excused herself as soon as possible, under the pretence of doing some study. But when she retreated to her room it wasn・t to peruse her schoolbooks, but rather to curl up in a ball under the covers.

It wasn・t so much the conversation that had bothered her. Remy and Rogue had a lot of shared history, most of which didn・t include her but she knew and accepted that. Her main problem was the look in Rogue・s eyes every time she looked at Remy. So much tenderness, affection, caring and・love. Jubilee stifled a sob. She hadn・t even dared to look at Remy, afraid that she might see that expression reflected on his face. There was the possibility that he was completely over Rogue but・it was such a slim chance. Jubilee had seen the look of devastation on his face when he spoke of Rogue; she had seen how hurt he had been when they had been unable to make their relationship work.

Can a person ever really move on from a love like that?

And now she was being a drama queen. ・Cut out the melodrama Lee,・ she told herself, ・Remy loves you now, remember?・ Sighing she sat up and wrapped her arms around her legs, resting her chin on her knees. The logical part of her mind was telling her that she could trust Remy with anything and that he was truly in love with her. Then there was this・voice. A small niggly voice that kept chanting ・you・re gonna lose him, you・re gonna lose him・ over and over again in her head. And it just wouldn・t GO AWAY.

With a groan of exasperation Jubilee collapsed back against her pillows. Right. Time for a plan of action. Somehow she would have to get Rogue to back off without actually letting her find out that Jubilee and Remy were a couple.

No problemo.

A whoopee cushion on Rogue・s seat wasn・t going to work, unfortunately. Besides Jubilee was too mature for pranks like that.

Yeah, right.

No. No pranks. What a situation like this called for was some deviousness and general underhandedness. Yawning Jubilee settled herself into a more comfortable position. She could think of a plan tomorrow. There was no way she was leaving Remy on his own with that woman all day, so she・d skip school and show Rogue the sights of London. Now that she thought about it, the whole situation was actually kind of funny, this was the second time she・d met one of Remy・s former lovers in London.

Tomorrow・she・d deal with Rogue, Jubilee yawned again, tomorrow・

Chapter 8

Remy tiptoed quietly into the darkened room, carefully closing the door behind him. The steady rhythmic breathing coming from the bed told him that the woman there was sleeping. Silently he moved towards her, saying her name in a low voice. She shifted slightly.

・Remy?・ Her eyes slid half open, clouded with confusion.

・Shh, chere.・ Sitting on the edge of the bed he gently cupped her face in his left hand, ・just thought I・d spend some time with you b・fore she wakes up.・

Jubilee smiled dreamily and pulled Remy to her, moving over on the bed to give him space. He slid under the bedclothes and took her into his arms.

・We・re not gonna get to do this again for awhile are we?・ she whispered.

・No.・ He began to run his fingers through her hair, ・maybe she won・t stay with us for long.・

She snorted softly, ・Remy・she・ll stay as long as it takes.・

・As long as what takes?・ he asked in confusion.

・As long as it takes to get you back, dumbass,・ she replied sadly.

・Already told ya p・tite, Rogue an・ I are finished. Permanently.・

She lifted her head to look at him, ・I don・t know if she・s clear on that Rem.・

・Then we・ll just have t・make sure she is,・ he pressed his lips to her temple, ・Won・t we?・

Smiling happily Jubilee rested her head once more on his chest, ・What time is it?・

・B・fore seven.・

・When do you think she・ll wake up?・

・Around nine or ten. She・s got jetlag.・

・So we got like two hours・cool.・

・Yeah.・

・Remy?・

・Mm hmm?・

・You plan on kissing me anytime soon?・

・Any moment now.・

・Well get on with it already.・

**********************************************************************************************

When Rogue awoke later that morning, both Remy and Jubilee were already up and cooking breakfast. Both were extremely・perky. When they rejected her offer to help she sat on one of the stools in the kitchen and watched the two as they worked together. She was suddenly conscious of a twinge of jealousy running through her.

They looked so comfortable together, laughing and joking as they prepared the food. Jubilee seemed more relaxed than she had been the previous night, apparently she was getting stressed over some exams she had coming up, and was at that moment teasing Remy about his culinary skills who retaliated by launching an all out tickle-attack on the young woman. Rogue couldn・t recall when she had last seen him so much at ease. She paused and considered her last thought.

How often did one really see Remy relaxed?

Even when he joked around with the X-Men he was on edge, ready to spring into action at any moment. Especially after the trial・she looked away. Not her proudest moment. But now she was going to make it up to him. He・d see how sorry she was and things could go back to the way they were before. Rogue looked up at Remy again and mentally cursed Jubilee・s presence. She would have to ring the mansion and get their opinion of the situation. Why couldn・t the girl just go back to the X-Men? Surely the team should have persuaded her to return home? Rogue examined the pair closely. There didn・t seem to be anything more than a close friendship between the two. Then again, with Remy you saw only what he wanted you to see. All his emotions carefully locked away. As for Jubilee・Rogue had never been particularly close to the young firecracker but there didn・t seem to be anything more than friendly affection in her eyes when she looked at Gambit.

She・d have to watch them both closely.

Jubilee noticed Rogue observing her out of the corner of her eye and gave Remy a wry smile. He returned the smile but turned his attention back to the food cooking in front of him. Taking the hint, Jubilee slipped back into hyper-little-teenybopper-mode.

・So Rogue, where were you with the team last?・

・Dubai; we got a lead on another one of those diaries. Didn・t lead t・much tho・.・

Jubilee nodded her understanding, ・Oh, okay. So where・s Storm and the others now? Did you all split up or what?・

・No, sugah. They・re all goin・ back to the mansion for awhile. I・ll be joinin・ them soon.・

・Oh no, do you haveta?・

Rogue looked up quickly at this. Although the younger woman・s expression was sincere, there had seemed to be a sarcastic inflexion in her voice. Keeping her eyes on Jubilee, she replied.

・Yeah. We・re gonna regroup there b・fore headin・ out ag・in.・

・So how long have you got here, cause there・s like so much stuff to see in London it・ll take forever to get around to everything.・

Rogue dismissed her former suspicions, chalking them up to paranoia, ・Two・maybe three weeks,・ she looked up hopefully at Remy, ・if that・s alright with you, o・ course.・

・Course it・s alright, chere. You・re always welcome here.・

・Great,・ Jubilee chimed in with a bright smile, ・when we・re finished breakfast we can make out a plan of where we・ll go first.・

・Sounds good.・

They settled down to eat after that. Jubilee practically kept up the conversation on her own, allowing Rogue to focus her attention mainly on Remy. He caught her staring once or twice at him and each time she merely ducked her head, blushing. She wanted so much to just reach out and touch him・

・More coffee Rogue?・

Rogue looked vacantly at Jubilee, ・Coffee・? Oh, no・thank you.・ She stood up, ・I・m just gonna go an・ take a shower, if that・s alrigh・.・

・Course chere, take your time.・

She smiled her thanks and left the room. Once out of earshot, Jubilee・s cheerful expression melted into one of anxiety and anger.

・Did you see that?・

Remy began to collect the dirty dishes, ・See what?・

・The way she was looking at you・I swear I thought she was going to eat you.・ Jubilee hissed in reply.

・Really?・ He raised an eyebrow, ・Interestin・.・

・Interesting?・ There was practically steam coming out of her ears as she stood up and stared at him angrily.

・Oui.・ He placed the dishes in the dishwasher and closed the door, ・What else would y・call it?・

・Oh, I dunno,・ she shoved a lock of hair behind her hear, ・maybe, um, disturbing・annoying・pathetic. What do you think?・

・I can・t help it dat she finds me devastatingly attractive,・ he quirked a grin at her.

Her anger melted away and she stood up sighing, ・Yeah・well・always knew Rogue had her problems.・ The corners of her mouth twitched slightly.

・Hey!・

She laughed at his insulted expression and moved towards the door but was smoothly intercepted by Remy. He grabbed her around the waist and lifted her up onto the kitchen worktop before beginning to kiss her.

・Remy,・ she protested breathlessly, ・Rogue could・ walk・ in ・any second.・

・Where・s・y・r sense・of adventure, p・tite?・ He replied between kisses.

She twined her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer, ・It・s gone・on holiday with your・sanity.・

・・s alright, I・m ・adventurous enough・for both o・ us.・ He tightened his grip on her hips.

・I noticed.・ Throwing caution to the winds she brought him to her again, pressing up herself fully up against him as she kissed him back. They continued to like this for another quarter of an hour before Jubilee eventually broke away.

・I have a plan.・ She informed him.

・No offence, chere, but y・r plans haven・t been exac・ly spectacular so far.・

・But this is a good one.・ She replied, sighing as he planted a series of kisses along her neck.

・Fine, tell me about y・r plan.・ He pulled back reluctantly but his arms remained around her waist.

・Well・・ she leaned forward and whispered in his ear. He jerked his head back quickly and looked at her in shock.

・You・re joking, right?・

・Uh uh.・ Shaking her head a slow smile spread across her face.

・Are you crazy p・tite?・

・Technically・no.・

・Dat・s reassurin・.・

・C・mon Gumbo,・ Jubilee pouted coaxingly, ・trust me.・

・I don・ like the plan but・・ Taking this to mean his agreement Jubilee beamed at him before slipping off the counter and ducking under his arm.

・Thanks Rem, I・ll just go and set it up, k?・

He sighed in defeat, ・Fine.・

She reached up to pat his cheek consolingly, ・Just think of how much more privacy we・ll have once Rogue・s gone.・ She slipped quickly out of the room, leaving Remy behind with a comical expression of hope and fear on his face.

**********************************************************************************************

・NO WAY!・

・Oh, c・mon Dani. Please? I・ll owe you for life.・

・No.・

・Please?・

・No.・

・You・ll get to kiss him・・

・・・

・Dan, you there?・

・Give me a minute.・

・・okay.・

・Right. I・m ok now. But still not sure・・

・Please? Pretty please.・

・Alright already, but you owe me・big time.・

A squeal, ・Thank you soo much. I・ll never forget this.・

・Yeah, well・you・d better not.・

Jubilee hung up the phone, an exuberant smile on her face. She turned to face Remy who was glumly sitting on a chair opposite her.

・Well?・

・She・ll do it.・

Remy groaned.

・Oh come on・it won・t be that bad.・

・Easy f・r you to say.・

Jubilee flopped down on the sofa, ・Relax. I・ll go over to Dani・s tomorrow, get her prepared, bring her over here and all our problems will be solved.・

He raised a sceptical eyebrow.

・Alright, not all,・ she conceded, ・but one very big one.・

He grinned at her continuing annoyance over Rogue・s presence, ・Well maybe y・shouldn・t go sightseeing with her today.・

・And leave you all alone with her? I don・t think so.・

・Jubes? Remy?・

・In here Rogue.・

Jubilee shuddered, ・Let the boredom commence.・

Rogue stepped into the room and immediately Jubilee was up out of her seat and at her side, ・Come on Rogue. I・ve got the entire day planned out. First we・re going to Madame Tussauds, or maybe we could go on one of those tour bus things ・cause sometimes they like include a ticket in the price, but anyway we can go to Harrods, y・know do a little shopping・・ she rattled on and on about various tourist spots. Rogue looked slightly bemused as she tried to keep track of what she was saying and Remy had to summon all his self-control not to burst out laughing. ・Okay, I・ll just go get my coat and we can leave.・ With that Jubilee bounced out of the room and Rogue looked at Remy in amazement.

・How can ya live with that?・

・She・s a great pers・・ Remy started defensively but caught himself, ・Jubilee・s a great kid.・

・Yeah, I know.・

Jubilee came back into the room, ・We ready to go?・

They filed out of the apartment with Remy bringing up the rear. Sighing he closed the door behind them

**********************************************************************************************

Jubilee was desperately searching for the upside to the situation.

She liked shopping. It was a hobby, a form of comfort, and a tool to make Remy・s eyes bug out, when he saw the credit card bill, something that never ceased to be funny.

This was different.

Somehow, somewhere along the line shopping had become a very specialised form of torture. And Jubilee knew whom she had to blame.

Rogue.

After the museum of natural something-or-other Rogue had decided that they had done enough sightseeing for the day. So they went shopping. Jubilee wasn・t sure when Remy had made his escape but it was sometime before Harrods and after Harvey Nichols. Sneaky git.

Currently Jubilee was sitting in the changing-room of a lingerie store, surrounded by a sea of shopping bags while the sales assistants fawned over Rogue. Apparently Miss Southern Belle had made some serious mullah on her last mission・but it was all very hush, hush of course.

・Jubilee?・

・Uh huh?・

Jubilee looked up to find Rogue now fully dressed with several new bags (groan) in her hands. She looked slightly nervous.

・Ah wanted to ask you about somethin・・・

・Yes・?・

・About Remy.・

・What about him?・

・I・um,・ Rogue chewed her lower lip, ・You wanna go sit down somewhere? I・m pooped.・

・Uh...sure.・

Quarter of an hour they were both sitting in the corner of a nice little caf・ Rogue seemed to be having trouble organising what she was going to say, and kept opening her mouth to speak then shutting it again suddenly. In fact, as Jubilee watched the other woman in fascination, she was oddly reminded of a goldfish she had once had・

・Jubilee, I・ve been meanin・ to ask you something.・

・Yeah. You said that.・

・I did? Ok, well, it・s just・・ Rogue sighed. And then she sniffled. Sniffling・didn・t that usually indicate・? Jubilee looked closely at Rogue and sure enough, there they were.

Tears.

・Rogue?・

・Ah・m sorry, sugah・・ she dabbed fruitlessly at her eyes as her mascara coloured her tears, making dirty tracks down her face, ・jus・ gimme a sec.・

・Oh Rogue,・ and before she knew it Jubilee had scooted her chair around to Rogue・s side and was hugging the sobbing woman.

・I・ve made so many mistakes when it comes t・ Remy,・ she whispered, ・I don・t know・I・・

・It・s okay, he・s forgiven you -,・ Jubilee began consolingly.

・I keep pushing him away, he must hate me・・ Rogue continued brokenly, sobbing on Jubilee・s shoulder.

・Shh.・ Jubilee patted the woman・s back and murmured, what she hoped were, comforting words. But her mind was elsewhere. Mainly focused on the guilt she was currently experiencing. Ever since Rogue had arrived Jubilee had perceived her as the ex, the conniving former girlfriend looking for reconciliation, the enemy. But she wasn・t the enemy. She was Rogue, Jubilee・s former team-mate and, more importantly, a friend. And even though she was jealous of Remy and Rogue・s past relationship ・yes, she was jealous. She admitted it ・she cared too much about them both to leave it like this.

・Rogue?・

・Y-yes?・

Jubilee looked sternly at the tear-stained face in front of her, ・You have got to talk to Remy about this. You・re making yourself miserable.・

Rogue shook her head emphatically, ・No, I can・t ・・

・Yes you can,・ Jubilee interrupted impatiently, ・now go to the restroom and clean up. Then we・re going back to the flat.・

・But Ah ・

・Go.・

Sniffling Rogue made her way to the ladies・ bathroom at the back of the caf・ The minute she was earshot Jubilee whipped out her mobile phone and dialled.

・Hello?・

・Dani, it・s off.・

・What・s off?・

・The plan.・

・You・re kidding me.・

・Nope, I・m really sorry.・

・What the hell am I meant to do with a blonde wig, a rubber chicken and 20 feet of twine?・

・Erm・I・m not sure. I・m really, really sorry Dan.・

・Yeah well・you should be.・ Came the grumpy reply.

・I am.・

Dani・s curiosity got the better of her, ・What happened?・

・Stupid conscience is what happened.・

・You・ll be glad you didn・t do it.・

・Suppose.・

・I expect full reimbursement.・

Jubilee smiled, ・Naturally.・

・Right. Bye.・

・Bye.・

Jubilee dialled again.

・Lo?・

・Remy it・s me.・

・Petite, havin・ fun?・

・Har har. Shut up, we・re coming back.・

・What?・

・Rogue has to talk to you, we should be there in about twenty minutes.・

・What・s goin・ on, chere?・

She sighed and rested her forehead on her hand, ・She・s really upset about the way things are going between the two of you. I think you both need to sit down and talk things over.・

・Rogue and me.・

・Yeah. Just Rogue・and you.・

・And where will you be durin・ all of dis?・

・At Dani・s most likely. I dunno.・

・P・tite, are y・alright?・

・Not really,・ she gave a short laugh, ・can・t believe I・m doing this.・

・I can.・

She could feel the tears pricking at the inside of her eyelids, ・I better go Remy. I・ll talk to you later.・

She was just about to end the call when he spoke again, ・Jubilee?・

・Yeah?・

・I・nothin・. Never mind. Bye.・

・Bye.・

She switched the phone off and banged her head lightly against the table, earning her some wary stares from the other occupants of the restaurant. Probably thought she was crazy. They were probably right too. Crazy or just bloody stupid. Honestly, what kind of idiot persuades her boyfriend to have an intense discussion with his ex?

Answer ・the special Jubilation Lee brand of idiot. She could almost visualise the infomercial.

Then again, in some ways she wanted them to work things not only for their sake but for hers too. She wouldn・t be comfortable being with Remy, knowing that Rogue had unresolved feelings towards him and he towards her・

Jubilee resumed banging her head against the table. Her life was turning into one huge soap opera.

・Sugah?・

Jubilee・s head snapped up to see Rogue standing in front of her, gazing at her with concern, ・Y・alright?・

・Just fine,・ Jubilee stood up and began to gather up the shopping bags, ・peachy keen in fact.・

・Ookay then, if y・are alright,・ Rogue began to fidget with her scarf, ・are we goin・ back to the apartment, now?・

・Yup, you and Remy have some serious talking to do,・ she began to drag the Southern woman towards the street, ・so let・s get goin・.・

Nearly half an hour later, Rogue and Jubilee were standing in front of the door of the apartment. After a few seconds of fiddling with the lock, Jubilee opened the door and ushered Rogue in.

・C・mon, move girl.・ Placing a hand in the small of her back, Jubilee propelled Rogue down the hall and into the living room where Gambit was waiting.

・Hey Remy.・ Rogue gave him a small anxious smile.

・Rogue.・ He smiled in return.

Panic. Panic. Panic. You・re gonna lose him. You・re gonna lose him. Look at her, she・s the love of his life. You・re gonna lose him. You・re just an annoying teenager with a smart mouth. Panic. Panic. Panic. You・re gonna lose him. Why would he want you when he can have her? Panic. Panic. Panic. Oh shit, starting to hyperventilate. Time to leave.

・So, like, I think I・ll go and・uh・leave you guys to it.・ Oh. Bad choice of words.

・Oh, right, I just ・ave to talk t・ you for a minute p・tite.・ Remy sent her a meaningful glance.

Jubilee smiled her goodbye at Rogue before following Remy down the hall and out the front door. Once out in the hall she leaned back against the door and looked up at Remy expectantly.

・So・what・s up?・

Remy ran a hand through his hair, ・Are you alright?・

She ducked her head, allowing her long hair to hide her face from view, ・I・m fine.・

・Jubilee・・ he put a hand under her chin, tilting her face upward. Her eyes were hard as he gazed down into them, ・Rogue an・ I・you know we・re just friends now.・

She shrugged, ・Yeah, I know.・ Removing herself from Remy・s grasp Jubilee pushed away from the door and walked towards the elevator, ・I・ll be at Dani・s if you want me.・

・P・tite・・

・What?・ She spun around and fixed him with an impatient stare, ・I told you I・m fine. Go in. She・s waiting for you.・

He took a step towards her, ・Jubilee I・・

・What?・ Jubilee felt weary suddenly and closed her eyes, ・Just spit it out already.・

・I just・y・know I love you, chere・and・dat・fuck,・ he inhaled sharply, ・Screw it.・ She heard him walking towards her, but before she could open her eyes he had pushed her up against the wall and was kissing her. Desperately. And suddenly Jubilee could understand・could feel what he had been trying to tell her. Everything he felt for her was in that kiss・the desire, the longing, the frustration, the tenderness, the trust・and the love. He was hers and she was his. Always. Smiling against his lips she wrapped her arms around his neck to bring him closer while his grip on her waist lifted her off the ground. Eventually Remy pulled away and a cry of protest inadvertently broke from Jubilee・s lips. He smirked and leaned forward to rest his forehead against hers.

・Come back in two hours.・

・OK.・ She whispered breathlessly.

He kissed her once more before turning on his heel and walking back into the apartment. Once the door shut behind him Jubilee slumped to the ground, a goofy grin on her face. Tracing her lips with a finger she closed her eyes as she began to remember that last kiss・

Ding.

Startled, Jubilee scrambled to her feet as the elevator doors slid open and Josh stepped out.

・Josh, what are you doing here?・

・Hi to you too.・

They stood awkwardly opposite each other. Finally he spoke.

・It・s Wednesday, y・know French study night?・

・Oh God, I・m so sorry・I・

He waved a hand, dismissing her apology, ・It・s alright, I just really came by to see if you were okay,・ he blushed slightly, ・you weren・t in school today.・

・Yeah,・ she jerked a thumb towards the apartment, ・old friend came for a visit. Totally unexpected.・

・Yeah well・・ he shuffled his feet, ・seeing as you・re okay I・ll・uh・get going.・

・Oh・okay.・ He turned and started walking towards the lifts. ・Wait.・ He stopped and turned around to look at her. Jubilee smiled hopefully at him, ・Listen Josh, if you・re not doing anything right now, would you like to go get a coffee or somethin・? Y・know, just talk?・

He looked at her blankly, ・Talk? I mean, yeah・sure, that・d be, uh, good.・

・Cool. Let・s go.・ She pushed the elevator button and gave her former boyfriend a friendly smile.

**********************************************************************************************

Two hours later.

Giggling Jubilee stopped in front of the apartment door and faced Josh.

・Thanks Josh,・ she beamed up at him, ・I had a good time.・

・Yeah,・ he grinned back, ・we haven・t really hung out much since we, uh, y・know broke up.・

・I know. So・we・re still friends, right?・

・Yeah, we・re friends.・

・Great,・ she turned to open the door but paused and looked back at him, ・oh, Josh?・

・Yeah?・

・Tell me how things go with that Sandra chick, will ya?・

He flushed a dark red, ・Umm・yeah・sure・course.・ He stuttered before disappearing into the elevator.

Snickering softly Jubilee opened the front door of the apartment and slipped inside. From the direction of the living room she could hear the gentle murmur of voices. Following the sound she found Remy and Rogue chatting・over cups of coffee. Very civilised.

・Hey sugah.・ Rogue smiled warmly up at the young woman.

・Hey,・ Jubilee perched herself on the arm of the sofa and looked at the pair warily, ・Everything okay?・

Remy and Rogue exchanged looks before Rogue looked back at her, ・Yeah・everything・s okay now.・

・Good. That・s good.・

A hush fell over the room.

・So,・ Jubilee stood up abruptly, ・who・s for pizza?・ When the others voiced their agreement she disappeared into the kitchen to order the food.

Two pepperoni cheese pizzas later the atmosphere was considerably more relaxed. Rogue had decided to recount a few choice memories to Jubilee, much to Remy・s dismay.

・・So our poor little Cajun is standin・ there, wearin・ only his birthday suit, surrounded by all those Amazon type gals and he chooses that moment ta-・

・I t・ink dat・s enough for tonight chere,・ Remy broke in hastily.

・But Gumbo,・ Jubilee protested, pouting, ・I wanna hear the rest of the story.・

・Tough luck, p・tite.・

・But-・ Jubilee started to wind herself up for an argument.

・Y・know,・ Rogue intervened, ・Ah・m actually feelin・ kinda tired. I・m gonna call it a night.・

・All right,・ Jubilee relented, ・but you better tell me the rest of that extremely interesting tale tomorrow. Kay?・

Rogue stood up and yawned, ・Promise. Night y・all.・

・Night Rogue.・

・G・night chere,・ Remy kissed Rogue・s gloved hand.

・Night.・ She smiled sleepily at the two before exiting the room.

The moment they heard her close her bedroom door, Jubilee jumped out of her seat and settled herself on Remy・s lap, ・Everything really okay?・

He brushed a lock of hair back from her face before replying, ・Yeah it is.・ Glancing down at Jubilee he realised that she wanted more details, ・Rogue and I talked about everythin・ basically. Um・we both decided dat we wanted t・ move on with our lives and that although we・re friends, we both don・ want it t・ become more than dat in the future.・

・Sounds very sensible to me Gumbo.・

・Glad we have y・r approval.・

Jubilee rested her head against his shoulder and sighed in contentment. Say what one might about kissing but in Jubilee・s opinion a good cuddle was all it took to make a person feel loved.

・And Rogue・s okay now?・

・Yes p・tite, she・s okay now.・

・Good.・

Remy could feel the small body in his arms relax the puffs of warm breath on his neck becoming slower and steady.

・Jubilee?・

・Wha?・ Came her drowsy reply.

・You should go to bed.・

・・M not sleepy・・ she kissed his neck, ・・see?・

Remy groaned and stood up, Jubilee still in his arms, ・You・re goin・ to bed chere.・

・Okay,・ she relented, looping her arms around his neck, ・But only if you,・ she nibbled on his earlobe, ・tuck me in.・

Remy clenched his jaw resolutely and carried Jubilee into her bedroom before dumping her unceremoniously on the floor next to her bed.

・Hey!・ She yelped.

・Sorry p・tite,・ he gave her a contrite smile, ・missed.・ Chuckling he walked away from Jubilee, leaving her to glower furiously at his back.

・Remy?・ He turned around and found himself pinned against the wall by a small body. Jubilee looked at him and smiled wickedly, ・You forgot your goodnight kiss.・ Grabbing some of his T-shirt in her fist she pulled him down to her and kissed him. Before he had a chance to react, however, she had shoved him out of her bedroom and into the hall. ・Night Gumbo.・ Smiling widely she closed the door in his stunned face and prepared for bed.

**********************************************************************************************

Jubilee sat cross-legged, Indian style, in the middle of the living room. At school the teachers were beginning to pile on the revision work as the exams approached and she was nearing her breaking point. An hour on the parallel bars in the school gym took the edge off the tension building up inside her but she needed to find some sort of release.

Her hands were resting, palms upwards, on her knees while she inhaled and exhaled slowly and steadily. Her eyes were closed and her expression was passive. Gradually, multi-coloured sparkling lights began to fill the room, swirling around Jubilee. Smiling she opened her eyes and watched the result of her efforts.

It had been two weeks since Rogue had arrived and a week since she・d left. Life had continued from then as per usual. E-mails and phone-calls continued to be exchanged between the London apartment and the mansion in Westchester. Bobby kept Jubilee filled in on all the pranks he was subjecting his unfortunate team-mates to. Scott regularly sent her new workout routines and suggestions on how to practise her powers within the confines of the apartment (oh the fun). Emma and Sean were also in touch regularly to alternately remind her to keep up-to-date with mutant affairs, study her advanced physics or merely to tell her to take care of herself.

Remy had also been in contact frequently with the mansion. Most of the team had finally become accustomed to the idea of he living all alone with their little Jubilee, as well as the fact that he kept her hidden from them for so long. Not before, however, Bobby sent a package to Remy that contained exploding itching powder. Unfortunately, for Bobby, Jubilee opened the package. After a week in Coventry he was finally forgiven but she still promised revenge of a gruesome nature.

Several hours later Remy entered the apartment to find it lit with dancing iridescent lights. Following the spectral trail he found Jubilee curled up on the living room floor, asleep. He knelt down beside her and shook her gently.

・Jubilee, wake up.・

Mumbling she turned over, ・Go wa・.・

・C・mon p・tite, wake up.・

Her eyes opened and she smiled drowsily up at him, ・Hey.・

・Hey. Gonna wake up now?・

・Yeah,・ taking his proffered hand, she clambered to her feet. Abruptly, the fireworks that had been hovering around them disappeared.

・How long have ya been able to do dat?・ He asked curiously.

・Do what?・ She yawned and stretched lazily, arching her back.

・Use y・r powers while unconscious.・

・That?・ She considered it for a moment, ・I dunno, while I was on the continent I think. Whenever I was frustrated or・upset I・d use my powers to kinda, y・know, cleanse myself. If I just relax and picture my emotions as though they were paffs I can sorta just push out all the negative emotions through my powers.・ She rubbed her eyes, ・Usually takes up a lot of my energy so I conk out afterwards. The more I do it, the longer the paffs seem to last.・

・You alright now?

She walked shakily towards an armchair, ・I・m fine, just think I need to sit down for awhile.・ Once she had settled herself comfortably she looked up at him questioningly, ・Did you do that job for the Guild?・

・Yeah,・ he peeled off his trench coat and tossed it over the back of the sofa, ・more difficult than I thought, though.・ He collapsed on the couch and sighed in relief.

・Aww, is the poor little master-thief tired?・

・Yes, de master t・ief is tired and would appreciate it if de li・l girl would stop yappin・ in his ear.・

Jubilee threw a cushion at him, ・Dani・s coming over later to do some German revision and I don・t want her to see you snoring and drooling on the couch.・

・I don・t snore, I don・t drool,・ he opened one eye to look at her, ・an・ I t・ought that it was French that you studied wit・ Dani.・

・French with Josh, German with Dani,・ she picked up the remote and began to channel surf, ・keep up.・ She noticed him wince as he put an arm behind his head and eyed him worriedly, ・You alright?・

He gave her his trademark lopsided grin, ・I・m fine, p・tite don・t worry.・ She looked at him sceptically, ・I・m jest a li・l sore. Dat・s all chere.・ She stood up and walked to his side.

・C・mon, off with the shirt,・ she commanded, gesturing impatiently.

・As much as I・d like t・ oblige, chere, I・m too tired t・ ・OWW!・ his words were cut off when Jubilee grabbed his shoulder roughly.

She smirked triumphantly down at him, ・Get yer mind out of the gutter Gumbo, and take off the shirt.・

・But-・

She crossed her arms across her chest and gave him the don・t-argue-with-me look.

・Shirt. Off. Now.・

・Fine.・ Grumbling he sat up, pulling the shirt over his head to reveal bruising on his right shoulder as well as an assortment of cuts and abrasions on his torso.

・Remy・・ she knelt down next to him and gently turned him so that his back was facing towards her. Bruises of a variety of shades covered the majority of his back, she turned him to face her again, ・・Jesus, how・d this happen?・

He shrugged, then winced at the pain the slight movement caused, ・A wall.・

She blinked, ・A wall.・

・Oui.・

She stood up and went into the bathroom for some antiseptic cream and bandages, ・I・m guessin・ you didn・t run into the wall.・ She called out.

・Eh, not exactly chere.・

Returning to the room she sat behind him on the sofa, one leg on other side of him as she smoothed the antiseptic cream onto his back, ・Then, how exactly?・

・Let・s just say dat I hit the wall travellin・ at a high speed,・ he tensed slightly when she touched a particularly sensitive spot.

・Sorry・why weren・t you wearin・ your body armour?・

・It was meant t・be a quick job, in an・ out. Didn・t wan・ t・attract attention by wearin・ de armour.・

・Dumbass.・

・Thank you.・

・Welcome. Turn around.・ Shifting her position, she straddled his lap to reach the cuts on his chest, ・Next time, you wear the armour.・

・Yes ma・am.・

She frowned and began to rub the cream in more vigorously, ・I・m serious. You didn・t even tell me that this little job could be dangerous.・

・No more than usual.・

・That・s not an excuse buster, next time you wear the armour or I・ll kill you myself.・ She slapped a bandage on one of the larger cuts, as though to provide emphasis for her statement and slipped off his lap, ・You・re done now. Get changed and rest for awhile, I・ll bring you some food later.・ She gathered up the pieces of gauze that she・d use to clean some of the cuts and turned to leave.

・P・tite・?・

She looked at him, her expression mildly questioning, ・Yeah?・

・What・s wrong?・

・Nothing・s wrong.・

He stared at her until she finally sighed and relented, ・It・s nothing major Remy. Forget about it.・

・Come here.・

She obediently sat down next to him. ・Now what・s the problem chere?・

She fiddled with her fingers nervously, ・It・s nothing really・I・m just・・ she turned abruptly and faced him. ・Next time you・re doing one of these little jobs・just tell me where you・re going. Please?・

He nodded his head and was about to speak, but she started again.

・I mean, I don・t, like, want you tell me what you・re doin・ all the time or anything like that. It・s just,・ she bit her lip, ・I didn・t know where you were today and you were in trouble and I didn・t know and you mightn・t have come back and I wouldn・t have been able to help and ・・ Remy put a hand over her mouth.

・P・tite, you・re ramblin・.・ He told her gently. She frowned at him and he removed his hand, ・and next time I・ll tell ya where I・m goin・.・

She smiled, barely concealing her relief and leant forward to kiss him lightly on the cheek but he moved at the last minute and she ended up kissing him on the mouth instead. He knew that it only took one kiss for her to melt, she could already feel her body heating up in response to his touch. Sighing she leant forward and he pulled her onto his lap. She slid her hands up over his chest, careful not to touch any of the bruises and scratches before winding her fingers in his hair. He ran his hands up her back eventually slipping one hand under her cotton t-shirt, pressing her closer・

DingDong.

They broke apart hastily. Jubilee tried to catch her breath and Remy narrowed his eyes in annoyance.

・I am goin・ t・ break dat fuckin・ doorbell.・

Laughing she rested her forehead against his shoulder, ・It・s probably Dani.・

He buried his face in her hair, ・I・ve decided dat y・r friendship wit・ dat girl is bad for you.・ She tilted her head so she could look at his face. ・An・ for me.・ He added as an after thought.

DingDong.

・See what I mean?・

Laughing Jubilee reluctantly pulled away and stood up, ・It・s probably a good thing she arrived, you need to rest.・

・I am in perfec・ health, p・tite.・

She began to walk away, ・Maybe but if you don・t mind me saying so, you kinda,・ she pinched her nose, ・reek. Maybe you should, y・know, go for a shower.・

He began to follow her, ・Wit・ you? It would be a pleasure.・

・I・m sure it would be, Gumbo,・ she stopped and faced him, ・but you・re a big boy now. You can wash your own back.・ She opened the bathroom door, pushed him in and closed the door behind him.

DingDong

・Geez,・ she yanked the door open, ・you are so impatient Dani.・

Dani flashed her a smile before striding past her into the apartment, ・And you are so incredibly slow.・

Jubilee closed the door, ・I was in the middle of something.・ She replied defensively and followed Dani into the living room.

・I・ll say.・ Dani・s eyes took in the shirt on the floor, Jubilee・s flushed cheeks and her tousled hair, ・who・s the guy?・

・Oh that!・ Jubilee gave, what sounded to her like a hysterical giggle, ・Remy and I were doing some・uh・aerobics.・

Dani froze, ・Remy is here?・

Jubilee mentally thanked Remy for his power to infatuate all heterosexual women, ・Yeah.・

Dani looked around wildly, ・Where is he?・

・Gone for shower.・

Dani went completely rigid.

・Dani?・ Jubilee looked at her with concern, ・You ok?・

・Are you saying that this wall is the only thing standing between me and a naked Remy LeBeau?・

Jubilee bit her lip to hold back her laughter, ・Ye-esss.・

・Oh. My. God.・

Jubilee sputtered, ・Deep breaths now. It・s only Remy.・

Dani stared at her in amazement, ・Only Remy? Don・t you realise that this man is like the sexiest man ever?・

Jubilee eyed her friend worriedly, ・You need help. Professional help.・

Dani was no longer paying attention to her, ・Do you think he・ll come out wearing only・a towel?・

・Would it help if I told you some of his really gross personal hygiene habits?・

Dani stared at her blankly.

・Alright obsesso-girl, you・re outta here,・ Jubilee began to push her friend back towards the front door, ・C・mon, keep movin・.・ Dani turned just as they reached the door.

・One picture, that・s all I ask, one・・ Jubilee shut the door and sighed. The trials of having a seriously lust worthy boyfriend.

She wandered into her bedroom and idly flipped through her German schoolbook. Yawning she set it down again, she was still tired from using her powers and couldn・t concentrate on the text. She changed into her night-clothes and returned to the living room where she curled up on the sofa and began to watch the television.

Quarter of an hour later Remy reappeared from the bathroom, freshly showered and clad in sweatpants. He looked around the living room curiously.

・I t・ought dat Dani was here.・

She looked up from the tv and grinned, ・She got a little・uh・excited and had to leave.・

He sat next to her, rubbing a towel roughly over his wet hair, ・Excited ・bout what?・

・You. Well, actually,・ she amended, ・naked you.・

He paused, the towel still held over his head, ・Say dat again.・

・When she found out that you were in the shower,・ Jubilee explained, ・she just kinda freaked out.・

He gave her a perplexed look before shaking his head, ・You have de strangest friends.・

A smirk formed on her lips, ・Don・t I know.・

He slapped her with the towel causing her to squeal, ・Stop! It・s all wet! Stop it!・ She finally grabbed the towel, threw it across the room and made a face at him. He replied by tickling the soles of her feet. After a while they settled down and watched the television. After awhile they lost interest in it and began conversing in low tones.

・Jubilee?・

・Mm hmm?・

・I was jest wonderin・ whether you・d ever considered tellin・ Dani.・

They were lying on the sofa, she turned in the circle of his arms to look at his face, ・Tell her what?・

・Dat you・re a mutant.・

She lowered her head, ・No.・

・Never?・

・Well like I・ve thought about it, but I don・t think it・d go down too well.・

His expression became hard ・I see.・

・No・no, it・s not like Dani・s a bigot it・s just・・ she looked up at him, a rueful gleam in her eyes, ・she・s afraid of mutants.・

He raised a hand to her face, gently brushing away some strands of hair, ・How d・you know?・

・Once, we were listening to the radio and the news came on,・ she closed her eyes and rested her cheek in his hand, ・there was an article about Genosha. Nothing major. And I asked Dani what she thought about the situation, what her opinion was of mutants.・

・What did she say?・

・She said that the whole idea of mutants was terrifying. That it made her afraid to think that humans would be replaced by them and that someday humans would be the ones in the minority.・ She sighed, ・Dani・s just so terrified of what mutants are capable of.・

・And what did ya say t・ her?・

・The usual. That mutants probably only wanted to live in peace and have normal lives. That not all mutants had destructive abilities and that their powers could be used to help the world.・

・But?・

・She just shrugged and told me that I was na・e if I actually believed that.・ Jubilee looked up at Remy and smiled wistfully, ・So I don・t think that telling Dani that I・m a mutant who can blow up a building with the snap of my fingers is such a good idea.・

・I guess not.・

Silence fell for a few moments.

・Do you believe in it anymore?・ her voice was barely more than a whisper, ・do you believe in his dream?・

He knew immediately what she was speaking of; Xavier・s dream of peaceful co-existence between man and mutantkind. The dream that the X-Men fought valiantly for, the dream Remy had fought for.

He was quiet for so long that she didn・t think he was going to answer. But eventually;

・I・m still decidin・, p・tite.・

Another silence.

・Me too.・

**********************************************************************************************

・No, really it・s okay. It・s a nice thought an・ all but・・

・No we really don・t mind. Seriously I --・

・Yes I・m sure・yes, certain・absolutely ---・

Remy perched himself on one of the suitcases and grinned as Jubilee sent him another help me look. She crossed her eyes at him in response before returning her attention to the telephone.

・Honest to God we really don・t・・

・Hank, Hank, Hank・HANK!・

・Can I talk here? Thank you.・ Jubilee put one hand on her hip, what Remy liked to call Jubilee・s I・m-in-charge-here pose, ・Right. Listen. Me and Remy, we・re gonna get on a plane. A nice, big, normal plane. In about seven hours we will arrive in New York. We will then get a cab or somethin・ to bring us to the mansion. We do not, I repeat do not, need the Blackbird to land outside our apartment and whiz us across the Atlantic in like 2.35 seconds. Okay?・

・Hello? No I・Hank! Are you even listening to me? Put Emma on. Put Emma on. PUT EMMA ON!・

Remy winced slightly and lit a cigarette.

・Remy give me one.・

・You don・ smoke, ・member?・

Jubilee fixed him with a death stare.

Remy shrugged and handed over the lit cigarette. Jubilee took one drag before launching into a series of spluttering coughs. She handed the cigarette back to him and he accepted it wordlessly.

・Emma? Thank God. Yeah I・m fine. Just gimme a sec.・

Another coughing fit.

・Sorry. Could you tell them not to send the Blackbird? Thank you. No I・Yeah I know・Tell him I・m sorry・No way, forget it・okay・no・I swear to God, I see one balloon saying Welcome Back and I・m outta there. Yes・no・fine・alright・see ya・bye.・ With a sigh of relief Jubilee hung up. A snigger caused her to focus on Remy once more. ・Glad you think it・s funny Cajun.・

・It is very funny p・tite.・

Jubilee dropped to her knees, ・Please don・t make me go? Please, please, please.・

Remy pretended to consider it before breaking into a smile, ・No.・

She clasped her hands together and fixed him with a sorrowful gaze, ・Please-please-please-please-please-please・・

・Y・told them you・d go.・ He reminded her.

・I know but,・ she sighed, ・I don・t wanna.・

He raised an eyebrow.

・Oh shut up,・ she stood up with a mock scowl, ・but remember mister; we cannot touch, hug or kiss in anyway that might alert the ・Moral Patrol・ for the next 10 days.・

・I・ll survive some・ow,・ he replied nonchalantly before dodging her hand.

・Nice talk,・ sighing she sat on a suitcase next to him and took his hand in hers, ・you ready?・

・Yes. You?・

She began tracing patterns on the palm of his hand with her fingertips, ・Guess so. It・s gonna be so awkward.・

・You・ve made up wit・ all of dem already.・

・Yeah, but I・ve never spoken to them like as a group before. At least not civilly.・

・Don・t worry p・tite,・ he kissed her forehead gently, ・it・ll be okay. Besides,・ he smiled, ・I・ll protect you.・

・That・s funny Gumbo, considerin・ I can kick your Cajun butt any day of the week.・

・Oh really?・

・Yeah, really.・ Jubilee rested her head on his shoulder, ・I・m going to ask once more・can we stay here?・

・Sorry chere.・

・Ok・fine, but I reserve the right to sulk.・

・That・s fine wit・ me.・

・Should have known you・d say that,・ Jubilee stood up, ・alright, let・s get this show on the road.・

Remy hoisted one of the bags onto his shoulder, ・Got de passports, tickets?・

She rummaged through her handbag, ・Yep. We・re set.・

With a wistful sigh she dragged her suitcase outside the apartment and shut the door behind them.

****Feedback would be greatly appreciated.