Date: Tue, 6 Sep 2005 06:03:44 -0700 (PDT)
From: Adrian Ali <phoenix_587@yahoo.com>
Subject: XXXMen Series 9

Xmen Story
Chapter Nine

Sorry, no extensive thank yous this time, even though I got alot of emails,
it's just that this is rush rush. My mom is being a toatl bitch and
all. Just to a few people. Namely goGo for sending me that email with the
passage it helped a lot. Mitsaso, for writing a great comedy that made me
laugh through this time of trouble. Phil for the email. And Ian Macmillan
for the excellent suggestion on how to deal with that annoying person.

Oh and no matter what. if you don't hear from me in a while, I still live
and i'll be back! Just post a short message once a while so the group won't
be erased, thanks. This isn't as long as I'd like it to be, but I'm working
on it.

***To the Nifty readers, I am sooo sorry that I took so long, but as ya'll
know, life can get complcated and throw EVERYTHING out of whack. It's not
an excuse, lol, just one of life's harsher realities. Love you guys, :).

[]-Com link communications {}-Telepathic communication.  *Personal
thoughts, not shared via telepathy*

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

She awoke that day with her suspicions confirmed. Her thoughts kept roving
back to the night before, with Scott in the kitchen. She'd never expected
in her wildest imaginings that Scott would grow violent and hit her. That
alone spoke volumes, it showed how truly unstable he had become. She was
steeling herself, contemplating a course of action. She really didn't want
to go to the Professor about this, honestly she didn't. She didn't think
that Rick was in any real, immediate Danger. She was more concerned about
Scott's welfare, for now. It must be pure torture for him to be working in
such close proximity to Rick, to have a constant reminder of his past so
close at hand, at all times. She remembered the argument they'd had. Scott
had blamed her, she ruined his life, he'd said. Jean always subscribed to
the belief of talking things out. She honestly believed that it always
helped. She couldn't help but feel that Scott was right. It had been her
fault, no matter what consolations she told herself. She regretted it, she
just honestly didn't think that Joshua would react the way he did, she
thought she knew him better than that. They all had grown up together, like
siblings, she went on the principle that familiarity brought
understanding. She thought that Scott and Joshua were as close as Brothers,
all they lacked was the blood, how wrong she had been.

"You ruined my life Jean!"

She burst into fresh tears, she'd cried herself to sleep the night
before. He'd hurt her the worst way he could, with the truth. So many ugly
truths. He accused her of trying to get it on with Logan, and she knew he
was right. That had backfired. The link worked both ways, he would
naturally sense some of what she thought, she couldn't block it all out. He
spat out the fact that she broke the most sacred of Xavier's Tenets. she'd
invaded the mind of another without express permission. It was the one and
only time she'd ever used the power of Telepathy for such a heinous
purpose, excluding the field of combat of course. She wondered...Scott had
asked her what her students would think of her-the woman who broke that
tenet that Professor Xavier had set in stone. It stabbed at her conscience,
she told them at the end of every session this most unbreakable of rules,
almost with scriptural flourish. How could she hold it against Jacob in
righteous indignation, when she herself was as guilty as he was, infinitely
more guilty in fact, she'd damaged the Psychological well-being of someone
in the process and "Ruined his Life". She got out of bed and looked at
herself in the mirror. She was a mess, and there was a weal where Scott had
hit her on the side of her face. She wondered if she might just take a day
off. She couldn't remember when last she had some time alone to herself,
surely the Professor would understand. And this weal on her face made her
ashamed to be seen in public, what if someone asked? When Scott had hit
her, she felt this rise of Power in her, the like of which she hadn't felt
since the Phoenix Force was active within her. It was dormant,
sleeping. Sleeping she thought, not dead, anything asleep could be
re-awakened. She almost thought she would lose control and send Scott
flying. But she restrained herself, mastered the anger, that was what had
counted.

Rick had given her quite some food for thought too the night
before. Apparently, he had confessed his-status-to Ororo. She'd been
exceptionally understanding. For that, Jean was overjoyed. But then the
news came, bad news. Rick had been thinking. It tortured him, the fact that
she knew, Ororo knew and the Professor, not to mention Jacob, but his
parents, his own flesh and blood didn't. What was worse, he was going to do
something about it. On his birthday to boot. She felt herself compelled to
do something, but what? She had never faced such a dilemma. She didn't want
to see Rick hurt and disappointed, that was a given. But how could she tell
him that his father was a homophobic son of a bitch...how indeed? She
didn't even know his mother, Julie's, view on this. She took heart however,
surely they couldn't hold it against their own son, Scott was a friend,
Rick was blood. So much to think about, and Rick's birthday was in two
weeks, it was almost as if she'd started a sub-conscious countdown the
moment Rick had announced his plan to her. She decided to go to class
after-all. She had a responsibility to her students, regardless of personal
issues. The Fabled Xmen Spirit of self-sacrifice. If anyone asked about her
weal, it was because someone opened a door and it struck her on her
face. If they wanted to know why she was in such a mood.......hell, the old
PMS-on my period routine would have to do.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"What the Hell is wrong with me these days?! Amara old girl, you have got
to get out of this slump."

She laughed at the fact that, here she was, seventeen, in the girl's room,
talking to herself, like some thirteen year old. But she didn't laugh for
long. She was a growing girl, a growing girl with NEEDS. Needs that, until
recently, were not being met. She knew the day was coming, dreaded
it. Looming on the horizon, a dark day when she would have exhausted the
store of boys at the Mansion. It hadn't yet reached, but her recent lack of
success seemed to bode ill for her. For her, it was all about the thrill,
the power she had over them when they were with her. That's right, with
HER, she was never with THEM. Her slump had started the week that Rick
McKenzie waltzed into the mansion. Well, okay, it was in the preliminary
stages before he even got here, but he seemed to be a bad omen. It
accelerated. Since he came into these halls, Roberto, Bobby, and Rick
himself had spurned her. She'd tried briefly at Jacob, and God knows she
was not done there, lol. Sure she had eased off, she didn't want to appear
desperate. The fact was, she had always thought him cute, and now...Gosh!
She really believed she could actually be falling for him. To hell with
that lame-ass Steve, he's so under his girlfriend's heels. Now at least she
could go back to trying her all with Jacob. She remembered with fondness
the day before in the Danger Room. She was preening around Jacob, trying
her utmost to attract his attention, and having absolutely no luck. Then,
as luck would have it, she stumbled and tripped. She thought she was going
to make herself such a fool. But to her satisfaction, she tripped and
instinctively caught hold of Jacob's crotch for support. She could ask for
no better reward. Immediately his dick sprang to life in her grasp. She'd
been with a LOT of guys, no questions there, and had yet to experience
holding one so...big. She sure could think of better uses to put it to
alright, lol. All in good time. There was no guy who could resist her-for
long. At least no straight guy she knew of. She was the princess of prick,
they'd all die to go for a ride with her. She giggled in fiendish
delight. Damn, all this thinking was making her horny-that is hornier than
usual. Well she'd use Steve for the night and tomorrow, a fresh start. She
could hardly wait.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"We're going on a trip?! Where?! When?! With who?! Why?!", was all I could
get out before I was silenced by Ray.

Ray: "Take it easy, it's not that kind of trip."

"Well, what is it then?"

Jamie: "It's survival training."

Bobby: "All in the wilderness. Some backwoods with Logan."

I didn't let their lack of hyped up enthusiasm dampen my spirits. I was all
for it. The idea of going out into the wilderness with a bunch of hot guys
and having to do all our changing and bathing together was highly
appealing, oh and um-Nature was in my blood too. Damn! The horniness again,
I knew I had better watch it. I'd caught myself popping boners like I had
suspected I wood- shit-would. I mean I was never as sexually hungry as
Jacob, but just having him there was like an outlet. I was beginning to
think that maybe I acted a little too rashly. And Jacob had started sublime
come-ons on me. A couple of times, I almost relented, but caught myself. I
promised myself we had to go at least a month before I would be sure to
trust him again like that. Sigh. But at least I'd have a trip in the great
outdoors to help take my mind off of my current state of affairs.

"Wow. I can't remember the last time I've been camping."

John: "Heheh. I guess you could call it that."

"You guys have done this before, with Logan?"

Ray: "Yeah, all the time, Routinely that is. He takes us out to some
outdoor place, in the jet, and we camp out. We have to survive on our own
for a weekend."

"THE JET?!? OH MY GOD! WE'RE GOING IN THE JET?!?"

Bobby: "Hahaha! Yeah, we're going in the jet. I mean this is official
Xmen-in training business, right?"

"Yeah, I guess so. So-uh-does Logan let anyo-"

Jubilee: "Hell no, he doesn't let anyone fly the Blackbird."

We turned around to see Jubilee had entered the room. We were in Mr. Mcoy's
Biology class, on Friday afternoon. Jubilee had been some time in getting
here. It was odd, she was always very punctual. Anyhow, I didn't get
anymore time to think of it, Mr. Mcoy came in, all prepped for
class. Respiration, as dull and dry a topic as any. I knew that half the
class population was just waiting for us to arrive at sexual reproduction
in the textbook. I wasn't too hyped. The diagrams, photographs and drawings
didn't do a damn thing for me-well at least half of them didn't. I confess
I got off on SOME of them. Lol. The class wore on as we counted down our
minutes to freedom. This was Friday, and the last class of the last day of
the week.

Mr. Mcoy: "So, can I have a definition of Respiration? Raymond?"

Ray: "Uh-it's when a substrate like ah-glucose is combined with oxygen."

Mr. Mcoy: "Half-way there Raymond. That's oxidation. Pay better attention,
you don't want to be stuck in this class, repeating it indefinitely do you?
John?"

John: "It's when you burn sugar or fat."

Mr. Mcoy: "By my stars and garters...we seem to be taking a few steps back
aren't we John? Robert."

Robert: "It's ah-(I decided to help him out. The text was open to the
chapter right in front of me. I sent the definition telepathically to
him.)-when oxygen is combined with a substrate like lipid or a sugar like
glucose, with the resulting oxidation releasing energy."

Mr. Mcoy's bushy blue eyebrows did a twitchy thing. He apparently was very
astonished. It didn't look like he was expecting and acceptable definition
from this source for quite some time.

Mr. Mcoy: "Why, yes! Yes Robert, exactly. You see, you can succeed if you
apply yourself appropriately to your studies."

Bobby: "Uh-Yes, sir Mr. Mcoy."

He whispered a "Thanks" when he sat back down, flashing me a look of pure
gratitude.. I was only too pleased. After all of his support, a little
telepathic trick was the least I could do. Besides it wasn't really
cheating. Bobby was really smart, I could tell. He just isn't the sort of
guy who does good with the theory straight out of a text book. He's more
into practical solutions. Like that morning, when he helped me out with my
Elemental training. He came up with a fantastic idea, on the fly. I was
surprised I hadn't seen it. We had become seatmates in whatever class we
were in together by now, and a lot of the times we were together it was to
study something or the other. Either in class, study periods or even in our
free time. I was a little confused. I mean A lot of things Bobby came to me
to help him with were pretty straight forward. He seemed to understand them
in class. But then again, I guess his problem was poor retention of facts
and figures. Maybe he just forgets stuff really fast. Anyhow I was really
glad and flattered that he'd come to me for help. It was only when he sat
down that I noticed the staring eyes of Jubilee. I wonder if she suspected
our little trick? I was seriously glad when class ended that day. The
quicker that our trip to the wilderness would come. When bell rang,
Mr. Mcoy barely had time to tell us to read up on Anaerobic and Aerobic
Respiration. We were all out of there that fast.

Ray: "Anybody wanna hit downtown?"

John: "And be too beat for training tomorrow? You know how Logan is."

"He's rough on you guys?"

John: "And then some."

"So, what do you all actually do?"

Jubilee: "Well, we have to find shelter and-"

"What do you mean FIND shelter? Don't you all carry tents and stuff?"

Jubilee: "Actually we don't. We have to improvise, it's really survival
training."

"But you do carry food right?"

Bobby: "Of course we carry food. Hahaha-but we don't usually eat it."

"What?! What kind of crap are you talking?"

Ray: "Usually Logan polishes it all off. If he's in a good mood, he
shares. We have to hunt our own food. We have to act like we're stranded
out there and find ways to stick it out until "Help" arrives."

"I am not hunting and killing any woodland creatures out there, and that's
a given."

Bobby: "Well, what will you do for food?"

"I'll-I'll sneak some stuff in with me, maybe in my sleeping bag."

John: "You ain't gonna get a sleeping bag. We sleep on the ground too."

"Wait, uh-what happens if we have to go to the..." I let my silence lead
them on to what I was asking.

Ray: "What do you think happens?"

"Okay, now you're scaring me."

Bobby: "Logan doesn't like us to use our powers either. I think he does it
because all he's got are those two claws of his. If we used our powers it'd
be too easy. He has to get up close and personal, we don't."

"This is starting to sound a lot less fun than I thought it would be. No
chance I can get out of this, is there?"

Bobby: "Nope, it comes with the job."

"If I had known alla this yesterday, I might have really left the team."-I
joked.

Bobby: "You,-don't really mean that do you?"

"What! No! Just kidding, You're stuck with me."

Bobby: "Well, I can't think of any other person I'd rather be stuck with
this weekend."

Okay...this was sounding seriously strange. I mean if I didn't know Bobby
better I'd think- I mean, I do have an overactive imagination, maybe I
didn't hear that quite right. No one else seemed to take it too
seriously. I decided to erase any possibility of it sounding too gay-ish.

"Yup, you guys are all stuck with me."

Hopefully that did the trick. We couldn't go out that day, with a stressful
two days of training on the weekend, so we figured we'd kill time in the
Rec-Room, after dinner that evening. I didn't have any problems with it. I
figured I might as well pack on the pounds too, if Logan really treats them
that cruelly, I was going to need every protecting pound I could get. I'm
not a big believer in hunting and slaughter, and I guessed I would have to
starve if it came to it. I went up to my room to change for an evening of
fun, hopefully. As I was about to enter my room, I felt someone tap me on
my right shoulder. Instinctively I looked right. When I didn't see anyone
there, I knew it was Jake. I turned and saw him on my left.

Jake: "Hey, so how was your day?"

"Great, yours?"

Jake: "It was good. So, I guess you know by now about your trip tomorrow
huh?"

"They told me about it just a while ago. At first I was hyped, like on a
sugar high, but then they let me in on all the other details, and I gotta
say, it isn't all too appealing to me right now. I wish I could skip it."

Jake: "Well, just pretend you're sick and stay here with me tomorrow."

Huh? Wait, he asked my if I knew about MY trip..

"You're not going?"

Jake: "Nuh uh, I passed that course already. A while back. I don't know
what's up with the rest of them, they always seem to break the rules, or
get Logan mad or something. They failed it like three times already."

"Three times. Hmmm...I don't think it'll look too good if I stay away
tomorrow. Besides, I might as well just go and get it over with."

Jake: "Well, you do know if you don't go this time, they'll make you go
some other time right? Just ask for some time off, besides, if you go with
that bunch, you just might end up wasting your time anyway, they may be
killer in the Danger Room, but out there, without powers, hehehe, they have
much to be desired."

"No, I think it'll be better if I go. After what I said and stuff, I
wouldn't want it to look like anything's changed."

Jake: "Oh-I understand."

"Something wrong?"

Jake: "No, I was just thinking that maybe we could spend some time
together, that's all."

"Jake ,you know what I said yesterday when-"

Jake: "I'm not talking about that, I just meant some time together, guy
time is all."

"Well, why don't you come with us tomorrow?"

Jake: "Uh, well I passed it already and I don't know if Logan would let
me."

"Just...act like you liked it, fun in the great outdoors."

He shot up his eyebrows.

Jake: "Well hunting and killing your own food, sleeping on the floor,
getting bitten by mosquitoes and having to use bushes for a bathroom isn't
my idea of fun. I don't think he'd buy it."

"Well, why don't, hmmm, why don't you act like you're doing it for the good
of the team. I mean, you passed it right? And they always seem to have
trouble, maybe you could go along as a kind of trainer."

Jake: "You know, that does sound like it could actually work."

"So you'll do it, then?"

Jake: "Of course I'll do it. You don't think I'd miss the chance to spend a
weekend with you in a secluded scenic locale-"

"With everyone else on the team and hardass Logan on all of our cases and-"

Jake: "Okay, you just ruined the moment. I better go talk to Logan about
it. See you at dinner?"

"Yeah, I was just going in to get ready."

Jake: "Well, see ya later."

"Yeah, see you then."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jubilee: "Bobby, can I talk to you for a while? It's important and I really
need to get this straightened out."

It seemed innocent enough. At the start. So, how could he refuse her? He
had decided before to change his ways to keep Jubilee off his
case. Especially as she had been so helpful and got Ray to change his
attitude to Rick. So, he accepted. Hell, he could bear whatever she had to
say, maybe even her talk of reconciling things with Amara.

Bobby: "Yeah sure, what's up?"

Jubilee: "Come with me outside for a while. It'll be better if I can talk
to you alone."

Bobby: "Okay. Let's go by the pool, no-ones there. But I gotta say, I don't
get why you're acting all dark and mysterious."

So they walked out to the pool. Bobby got there quite a bit in advance of
Jubilee. She was walking in an uncharacteristically sluggish gait. He
wondered what was up. There was this troubled look on her face, he'd never
seen anything like it before, not on her face. She was the tough talking
chick around here. She could arm wrestle with the best of them and drink
any guy under the table. Now she seemed-forlorn and worn down. He really
hoped this wasn't anything serious, like pregnancy or anything. So he just
anxiously awaited her arrival. She walked up presently and took a seat on
one of the pool's recliners.

Bobby: "So-uh what's wrong with you Jubes? You don't look to happy."

Jubilee: "Nothing's wrong with me Bobby. But I am a little worried about
you."

Bobby: "What, me?! Hahaha! I'm fine, really. Why do you say that?"

Jubilee: "Well, it's just that you've been acting so, strangely for a while
now. I'm just wondering if everything's all right with you, that's all."

Bobby: "Oh please. I am not acting strange. I'm being...me."

Jubilee: "No Bobby, you may not see it, but others do. Why did you argue
with Ray like that yesterday, Bobby? I mean, I know he was outta line, but
you went outta line too. Way outta line."

Bobby: "You heard what he told Rick, you saw how he treated him
Jubes. Don't raise this again. Ray's calmed down now, and it's all better
anyway."

Jubilee: "Bobby, that was Rick's business. You saw that he handled it
himself. I'm not saying that you shouldn't have...talked to Ray about it,
but Rick took care of it himself."

Bobby: "You call stomping out of the room, and planning on quitting the
team taking care of it?"

Jubilee: "Do you really think that Professor Xavier would simply let him
quit without checking in on all sides of the story?"

Bobby was taken aback. He hadn't once thought about what the Professor
would say about it. This added a whole new dimension to the issue. All he
knew was Rick was leaving, Ray was to blame, and he wasn't going to just
let it slide just like that. Jubilee seemed to have thought things out
better than that.

Bobby: "He's my, friend Jubilee, I couldn't let Ray say all of those things
to him and stay quiet about it."

Jubilee: "Isn't Ray your friend too, and for a lot longer? Did you think of
how you made him feel? Bobby, this was what we were warned about, not to
let personal matters cloud our judgement and hinder the team. It was Xmen
business, the Professor would handle it. It stays on the team and doesn't
leave it. You know that."

Bobby: "On the team conflict left the team with Ray, he started it
Jubes. When were taking on the Juggernaut and you got injured, Ray blamed
Rick for it. When I got injured in that accident, he did it then too. He
let team conflict out into our personal lives and HE'S THE LEADER. It was
always Rick this-Rick that, behind his back too. Didn't even have the
decency to say it to his face, instead of badmouthing him behind his back
when he wasn't there to defend himself."

Jubilee: "You know that Ray doesn't hate Rick, right Bobby? It's just that
he worries about the people he cares about. I like Rick a lot too, but you
have to admit, he's one powerful kid with some control issues. And
sometimes it does scare me. You have to see that, right."

Bobby: "Rick would never hurt us. When he loses control it isn't him that's
doing it. Or have you forgotten when the Professor explained it to us? You
think it was all hunky-dory for Ray to say that he could end up killing us
all?"

Jubilee: "Well, I've only seen him lose control a couple of times, but I'm
wondering. Nearly everyone who comes here for help, comes here after
something bad happens, that's how they know they have a problem. Do you
realize that? Rick hasn't even told us what let him know that he had a
control problem. I mean with other mutants it's usually something simple
like they set something on fire or made a little kaboom, and they talk
about it, but Rick hasn't said anything and it does worry me."

Bobby: "Well, take it from me. He only loses control when he's really
scared of someone hurting him or people he cares about, that's all. Ray
doesn't know squat and he was all about accusations."

She eyed him a little oddly here.

Jubilee: "So, you think you Rick better than us? All I'm saying is we
really don't know all that much about him, so just give Ray some time to
figure him out."

Bobby: "Well, I've figured him out. And Ray seems like he has too. They
look like they made up all right."

Jubilee: "You really do like him huh?"

Bobby: "Yeah, he's a great friend. The best."

Silence...

Jubilee: "Bobby, I can't help but notice how you've changed recently. I
mean with Amara."

Bobby: "Oh..."

Jubilee: "I mean so what if she came on to you a little strong? You know
that's her way. I mean I thought about it and, well-"

Bobby: "Oh, well I'll think about apologizing if that's what you're
asking."

Jubilee: "It's not just that. I mean-were you so hard on it because,
there's-someone else you're interested in?"

Bobby: "Sigh. I guess maybe you could say so."

Jubilee: "Having any luck with-her?"

Silence...

Jubilee: "Bobby?"

Bobby: "I don't want to talk about it Jubilee."

Jubilee: "Bobby, it's obvious to me that you're going through something and
it seems to be related to this. I think it might help to have someone to
talk to."

Bobby: "If I thought that talking would help it, I would have."

Silence....

Jubilee: "Bobby, how long have we known each other?"

Bobby: "About, maybe eight or nine years, why?"

Jubilee: "Have you ever known me to be bigoted or judgmental to anyone
about anything?"

Bobby: "What are you saying? I don't understand why you'd bring that up."

Jubilee: "I'm just trying to tell you that you can come to me to talk if
you need to about anything, I won't try to judge you or tell you what's
right or wrong or anything. About this-person you like, does-this person
know?"

Bobby looked at her for long time. The way she was talking was seriously
unnerving him. He couldn't help but feel nervous around her now. He
detected the subtle shift in the way she referred to his "Crush". First it
was-"Having any luck with HER?". Then Jubilee started using "This PERSON."
And all the talk about her knowing him for years and her not being a bigot
and judgmental...He realized he was so caught up in his thoughts he stopped
breathing. He hadn't said a word in reply yet to her question. What if she
suspected something? Was he really that conspicuous? He thought back to all
of the things he could have said and did to make people suspicious. Why,
just that morning he told Rick that he couldn't think of anyone else he'd
rather be stuck to, for the weekend! Damn! Why'd he say that?! He couldn't
watch himself all the time, not every minute of everyday.

Bobby: "What's it to you Jubilee? I can handle it by myself."

Jubilee: "I don't think you are handling it okay. Now, does this person
know?"

Bobby: "I don't have to tell you anything. I don't interrogate you and Ray
do I?", The panic was getting to him. He sounded a lot more defensive than
he intended. And Jubilee, being the smart-ass girl she was, might probably
pick up on it.

Jubilee: "All defensive are we? This-girl-must mean a lot to you. I can't
remember the last time you had a girl on your mind. I thought that after
you called it off with-what's her name-you had called it quits. Hmm...I was
beginning to think you had been serious when you said you were swearing off
women."

He had meant that as a joke! They had taken it as a joke too. Everyone knew
what a control freak Jenny was. But Jubilee was bringing it up again, and
he didn't like the tone she was using. Did she suspect anything? Was she
sure about him, or was she merely groping in the dark? If she wasn't sure
then maybe he could-"

Jubilee: "Okay Bobby, I tried to do this as easily on you as possible, but
then again I guess there's no easy way to ask this. Bobby, is there
something going on between you and Rick?"

Shock! Panic! Terror!

Bobby: "W-what do mean Jubilee?" (Was that HIS voice, stuttering?!?).

Jubilee: "Bobby, you know I'd never judge you, I'd never be a
self-righteous bitch. I'm not like Ray that way and frankly, I don't like
that about him either."

The fact that she brought Ray's attitude into this could mean only one
thing. Sure, if she'd said it in isolation, he'd think she was talking
about his "I'm right, You're wrong" complex, but the fact that she asked if
"Something was going on between him and Rick" meant his OTHER
attitude. Still, maybe he could act dumb. If he pretended to be clueless he
could probably salvage the situation.

"I have no idea what you're talkin' about Jubilee. Would you listen to
yourself?"

Unphased Jubilee went on,

Jubilee: "I've been listening to you, recently, and watching how you behave
too. And I want to talk to you about the things I hear and see. Like today
for instance. I heard you say to him that there's no one else you'd rather
be stuck with for the weekend. Bobby, I think when Rick said we were stuck
with him, I think he meant WE, the team were stuck with him. Why'd you
think that he was referring to you?"

Damn her! She had him there and he knew it too. Just how long had she been
observing him like that? How extensive was her knowledge, really? He tried
to think back to Rick's arrival, specifically, to all the things he might
have said or did that could have aroused Jubilee's suspiscions. Damn!
Hindsight is twenty twenty, there were so many things that an educated
observer could have picked up on, where could he start? Still, if she
wanted to make a big deal of it, she could have brought it up with the
others around, but No, she made sure and lured him away from them, out into
the lawn too. She made sure they were alone. He hoped that these were
positive signs. He'd known Jubilee for a long time, that was true. She'd
never struck him as the kind of person who could turn bigoted or
self-righteous. That was also true. All the times that Ray acted in his
usual homophobic way, she usually expressed disapproval, usually. Call him
crazy, but he was deciding whether or not to confide in Jubilee. Especially
as she seemed on the verge of discovery all on her own. It would probably
be better for him to tell her than having it forced out of him. That way,
he'd be in control of the situation. Jubilee was a very, very persistant
girl. He remembered a few years back, when she was single, and on the
prowl. She had decided to stake claim on him. He was caught too, for a
while. He was always grateful that Ray came along and he was able to
subtlely ease her along in the right direction. Away from him, and closer
to Ray. Of course, he had to act like he was devastated that he'd been
dumped. Had to, Have to keep up appearances.

Jubilee: "Well, Bobby? Something you want to tell me?...I really think it
would be good for you to get this off your chest and share it with
someone."

Okay, okay he could do this.

"Jubilee, I have somethin' to tell you, but if I tell you, it stays between
us, only us. And if I don't want to talk about it anymore, you'll drop it,
and pretend that this conversation never happened."

Jubilee: "Okay, that's fair. So what is this big, bad secret?"

"Jubilee, I'm-gay."

Jubilee: "You're gay?"

"Yeah, I'm Gay."

Jubilee: "You're sure you're gay? Not just Bi-curious or anything?"

"I'm sure. Been sure since I was around twelve-thirteenish. Is that a
problem? I mean are you okay with it?"

Jubilee: "Of course it's not a problem! I'm just glad I got you to admit
it. I thought you could be in denial or something, and if that were true,
you could be causing yourself all sorts of trauma."

"You-mean you knew?"

Jubilee: "I didn't know for sure but-"

"So I told you for nothing?!"

Jubilee: "I wasn't putting you under interrogation or trying to satisfy my
curiousity. I did it for you. To ease up your burden so you know you have
someone to talk to. And I didn't know for sure, but I had a damned good
inkliing. It was easy to see if you looked at the situation
right. So...does he know?"

"Does who know what?"

Jubilee: "Back to being dumb are we? Rick, does Rick know how you feel
about him? Don't deny anything now, I've seen the way you act around him,
heard the things you say and the way you look at him, so spill the beans."

"Why do you women always have to be so controlling?"

Jubilee: "It's in the genes, you men can't do anything right. Got two heads
and still can't think things out."

"Yeah, well you got two sets of lips, and no matter when they're supposed
to be closed, at least one pair of 'em's always flapping."

Jubilee: "Okay, since you're so hesistant to tell me about Rick, I guess he
doesn't know anything about how you feel."

"Don't you even-"

Jubilee: "Of course not! What am I going to do? Hey Rick, Bobby has the
hots for you, you make his heart melt, so go get him while the gettin's
good? It's up to you, whether you tell him or not. But don't let this eat
you up inside. Now I guess I understand why you've been this way all of a
sudden. Especially with Amara, you're in love!"

A look of sudden understanding flashed across her face. Then sadness.

Jubilee: "Bobby, do you remember when we used to date?"

"Yeah, I remember."

Jubilee: "Did you know that you were gay back then?"

"Yes, I knew."

Jubilee: "So were you using me for a cover up?"

"No, I tried to break it off. And then well, Ray came along. And, well-"

Jubilee: "I-understand. But-"

"If I were a straight, I'd probably end up marrying you."

Jubilee: "Oh, haha. Sigh."

"Provided you changed some of those ways of yours, the nagging, the
controlling, the prying. I swear if we got married you would be the one
trying to wear the pants all the time."

Smack!

"Oww!what was that for? It's true!"

Jubilee: "Ugh...men. Let's get back inside. Before everyone thinks were
messing around with each other out here."

"Ewwwwww....spare me the image, Please!"

Smack!

"Hey!"

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jamie: "Ugh..meatloaf, again!?! You'd think they could be a little more
creative with the food here. I'm a growing boy, with needs!"

John: "So eat your meatloaf little boy!"

Roberto: "Like a good little boy."

Jamie: "Hey, I ain't little!"

Amara: "Um hmm. Give him a couple more years...lol".

Slut Slut Slut!!!

Here we were at the cafeteria table, having Dinner. We were all there,
including the Slut. Well, except for Jake. Everybody was enjoying the last
bit of relaxation we would be having this weekend. Come the next two days,
and we would be off to whatever wilderness peckerwoods Logan had planned
for us. Living like savages. Lying up in caves, groves, bushes. Catching
and eating whatever we could get our hands on. Well, they would, I wasn't
planning on hunting whatever poor unfortunate wildlife was out there. They
might do it if they got hungry enough but I certainly wasn't going to.

Ray: "Whoa! Rick, take it easy! You act like you've never seen food
before."

"Well, I'm stocking up for tomorrow. I won't be seeing a real meal until
maybe, Sunday evening. I'm still thinking about sneaking some stuff in with
me too."

Jubilee: "Wouldn't work, I think he'd smell it before you even smuggled it
aboard."

"I didn't even think of that."

Just then Jake came up to the table and took a seat next to me. He was
smiling. I wonder...

{Did you...}

{Jake: Yeah, I asked Logan and he thinks it's a great idea. So I guess i'm
going with you guys tomorrow.}

When he announced it to them, they seemed pretty happy. I KNOW Amara was
thrilled at the idea. Her thoughts patterns came through loud and clear, as
if her facial expression wasn't enough. I didn't get just how happy she was
until a little later on though. But I shifted my attention to Bobby. For
some reason he seemed to be happier than normal. I could just sense
it. Hmm...I wonder what could be behind it? Maybe that girl finally came
around to her senses.

Jake: "Okay, so tomorrow, no funny stuff okay. This'll be the third time if
you guys mess up."

They looked at me.

"Okay, okay, I suppose I could just starve. I won't try and sneak food into
the jet. Happy?"

Bobby: "You know what's the worse thing? The last time, we had to eat
barbecued owl...and Logan had pizza stocked up in the jet all along."

"Barbecued owl?!?"

Jamie: "People, I'm eating here."

David: "You always eat. As I recall, you finished off the owl last
time. Hardly was any left for us, not that I was thrilled about owl."

Jamie: "Hey! I'm eating for ten here."

Haha. I guess that was one way to justify it. Multiple Jamie's, multiple
appetites. It was then that I felt it. Someone's bare foot was sliding up
my side. Up Jake's leg! I saw him visibly squirm. Trying to act like
nothing was happening. I glanced at the table. Who else, Amara. She was
pretending to be eating too. Oblivious of everything and everyone else. I
watched Jake squirm. If she kept this up, pretty soon he'd squirt! But what
to do?

{Jake! Get up and say you gotta go to the bathroom or
something. Now...Jake?}

{Jake: But, won't Amara think it suspicious?}

{Are you enjoying this?!}

{What...no. I'm going.}

When he left, I couldn't help but see and sense Amara's disappointment. I
was happy. She wasn't able to finish up her handiwor- uh-fancy
footwork. I'd have to probably keep a careful eye on her for the
weekend. We'd be out in the wild, which meant Amara might be more on the
prowl than usual. Sigh...if only Amara were a Lesbian...Nah. That'd just
shift the problem to the girls. But it would be damned funny
though. Imagine Amara going after Jubilee or something...lol. We finished
up dinner and Amara hastily made her exit. I knew what, who she was
after. She was headed in the direction that Jake had used to get out of the
room. I got up and clandestinely followed her. I had to see what this bitch
was up to. Aha! As suspected, she followed Jake to the little boy's room,
and began her stakeout. Pacing the floor, back and forth, like a lioness on
the prowl. Humming in that annoying way of her's, enough to make my blood
boil.

"One way, or another.....I'll getcha, getcha, getcha!! One day or some
other,.......I'll getcha, getcha, getcha!"

Bitch had me humming it too! I developed an immediate dislike of the song,
lyrics, melody, singer and all. The way Amara was pacing outside the boy's
room, I was expecting her feet to carve tracks on the flooring. I looked on
in silence, hidden just around the corner. Presently Jake appeared,
stepping out of the bathroom. Amara immediately pounced upon him. I wasn't
on the recieving end of her, "affections", but even I flinched. The fact
that the hallway was currently abandoned seemed to give her extra slutty
license. She threw Jake flat onto his ass. Poor guy, I was lucky, Amara
never managed to do that to me.

Amara: "So, you're coming with us tomorrow huh? Any special reason why? You
passed this course already. Maybe you'll like to keep me company, I'll be
all on my lonesome."

Jake: "Uh-Amara, I'm coming to make sure the team passes the course this
time around. That's all really and-(He eased her off and got onto his
feet)-I don't think you shoulda done that back there."

Yes! Tell her some more!"

Amara: "Huh? Didn't you like it?"

Jake: "Well, yeah, but-look, you're a great girl. But you gotta learn to
have some respect for yourself. Stop throwing yourself on guys. And I don't
think that I'm the guy for you. If you behave like this guys are going to
use you, leave you, then go for the good girls. I don't think you'd want
that. You'd be nothing more than a cheap thrill. You deserve better than
that."

Okay, well said. But I wished he said something a bit more scathing. Like,
"You filthy Bitch! Get offa me, go find someone in for nasty breeder sex
and leave me alone!" Anyway, this would work too. Or...would it? Amara
became all teary eyed and soap opery.

Amara: "No one's evet talke to me like that before. Sniff Sniff."

The cheap breaking down into tears ploy. Haha! Try something else sister,
my guy ain't falling for it. Wish it were true though. Because the next
thing I knew, Jake had his arms around her trying to "console" her. Hmpf!
When she tried that teary shit with me, I consoled her just fine without
hugging her. Anyhow, Jake is a big pushover. He was hugging her innocently,
but I didn't like the way that Amara's hands were dancing over his
back. From the way she was hugging him, it was easy for a casual observer
to get the idea that they were-

Bobby: "Haha! Cute."

I jumped. Bobby! Here, behind me. My gosh! Just how long was he standing
there?! Did he see the vicious/envious scowl on my face? Damn, caught
eavesdropping.

"Bobby, um-what are you doing there?"

Bobby: "I should be the one asking you that."

"Well, i was going to the bathroom."

Bobby: "Really, here in the hall? The bathroom's over there (he pointed in
the slut's direction)."

"Well, I-uh-was going there, byt I saw-them-and I didn't want to just barge
in on them."

Bobby: "Ohhh...haha, yeah. So that's why you're here spying on them
instead."

"Hey! I wasn't spying. I was just...say, if I was spying on them, what were
you doing, spying on me?"

Bobby: "Well, I was um-let's just drop it."

"Fine by me."

He looked on with me. He was amused, I was angry. Presently he whistled.

Bobby: "Damn. Just how long have they been at it?"

"THEY, haven't been at anything. It's just all Amara. Jake's a smart guy,
he can't be fooled by her games."

Bobby: "Well, at least she's moved on to him and left us alone, right?"

"Yeah, I-guess. Hope Jake knows what she's up to."

Bobby: "Ah, he can handle himself."

I was still watching on in silence. Took some time before I noticed that he
was watching me.

"What's up now Bobby?"

Bobby: "Aren't you going to take a leak or something?"

"Well yeah, but-uh-they're still..."

Bobby: "It's a free school. If they wanna play hanky panky in public, it's
their look out. Besides, it's not like Amara will mind. Did you see the way
she grabbed his dick when she fell in the Danger Room?"

"Yeah I saw."

Bobby: "It was kind HARD to miss, haha. Well I don't know, about you, but
when I gotta go, I gotta go."

And with that, he was gone. Jake jumped when he announced his
presence. Amara giggled in feminine superiority. I scowled. I just walked
away from the sickening sight and went into the lounge to relax a little
before bed-time. Jean was there. Watching televison. The news. Normally,
when she sees me, she calls out. She didn't this time though, so I decided
to take the initiative. I walked over and sat down on the
sofa. Hmmm...still no response.

"Hey, Jean."

Jean: "Hi Rick. You prepped for your excursion?"

"Not really. The others have been vague. But one thing I got loud and clear
was that we're supposed to ,uh-eat whatever we can find and lay our hands
on?"

Jean: "Yeah. Without the use of powers."

"But-um-I heard the main course was barbecued owl the last time and I don't
think I can eat like that."

Jean: "Well, we had to resort to-ugh-snakemeat kebabs."

"Please, spare me the details..."

Jean: "And you'll have to start fires without powers, matches, lighters and
stuff. By pure friction."

"Is Logan trying to take us back to the Stone Age or something, Jeez."

Jean: "Well, the Professor once tried to hint that Logan's methods were a
bit extreme, but it didn't take. Logan didn't take the hint. And you're
lucky, we got a desert locale. You're going to a coniferous forest
somewhere in Canada."

"Canada? Like mounty Country? Hmm...with Bears and stuff. This sure won't
be the picnic in the woods I thought it would be."

Jean: "Well tough luck. You're and Xman in training and it's only going to
get harder from here on out. So you gotta be prepared and suck it up."

"Yeah, I know. I can handle the mosquitoes, hell, using bushes for a
bathroom, sleeping on the bare ground, but what I cannot handle is the
food. I mean, don't really wanna-kill-anything and-I think the vegetarian
in me is fighting to get out."

Jean: "Well I could maybe, nah."

"What? You got an idea?"

Jean: "Well, okay. Here's what to do. You'll be given a backpack with
ropes, knives and such tomorrow morning. So prepare tonight. Get sealed
food only, airtight so Logan won't be able to smell anything."

"I get alla that, but how will I sneak it in? I'm a talented guy. But
turning stuff invisible isn't one of my talents unfortunately."

Jean: "Well, there ars toage lockers in the Jet, that us Xmen use. One of
them's mine. The last one by the left window, looking into the room, from
the doorway. You can hide stuff in there, I'll give you the code-key."

"But, I can't get into the hangarm don't have the clearance."

Jean: "Well, I am going to give you that code too you know. Sneak stuff
into my locker tonight. Tomorrow, when Logan's flying the Jet and is too
busy to look in on you guys, move the stuff into your bakpack. He does the
checking on those before you even se foot on the Jet and he won't even
suspect that there was anything on the Jet before. Got it?"

"Haha. Yeah, I would say it's cheating, but I heard from Bobby that he
taunts them with pizza when they haft eat owl."

Jean: "He's cruel. That's the only reason that I'm helping you sneak
something decent to eat onto the jet. This is your first time at this
too. You'll have enough of a challenge with the other stuff without
worrying about food. Hmpf! Trying to catch food powerless. If we were in a
real situation, we could use our powers to make things a lot
easier. Survival training my ass! Nature gave us these powers so it's
fair. Uh-um, Rick?"

"Yeah."

Jean: "Don't mess around with anything else in my locker, okay? Just put
your food in and take it out in time."

"Yeah, sure. But uh-what do you keep in there?"

She gave me a devious, girly grin.

Jean: "Just a little something to keep me company on those long stakeout
missions. Tee hee hee!"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

Jean: "Hahah! If you have to ask, you're too young to know litle boy."

Tick tock, tick tock.....eeeewwwwww! My thoughts must have projected
subconsciously.

"I don't think that I'd be all that comfortable putting food in there"

Jean: "Pervert...I was just kidding. I don't keep stuff like that there."

"Oh...I'm sorry."

Jean: "I keep those in my room, and there's NO WAY I'm telling you the
combination to THAT lock!"

"Are you trying to make me barf?!"

She started laughing, shaking her head from side to side. It was then that
I saw it. A red weal on the left side of her face. Her right side was
facing me before, so that must have been why I missed it. When she shook
her head though it was revealed. Looked pretty nasty. I wonder how she got
it.

"Whoah, Jean, that's one nasty looking weal you got there on your cheek."

Her laughter stopped immediately.

Jean: "Yeah. I know. Hmpf! Telekinetics class today. You know how things
can fly when telekinetics get angry."

"Haha. Yeah I can relate. Still, maybe you should get Jake to heal it for
you. It ruins your pretty face."

She eyed me, amused.

"Hello, Gay, not blind. When you go gay, you're there to stay. Gay guys do
not go straight."

Jean: "Oh, for minute there I thought you were going straight on me."

"Oh, I can assure you that will never happen."

Jean: "Heheh. Yeah I guess. Uh- the keycode for my locker is 628*."

"Any significance to those figures?"

Jean: "Haha. Yeah actually. Um..."

Girly grim again.

"Well, what do they mean?"

Jean: I'm not sure if it's for virgin ears."

"Hey, I think you're forgetting, I'm no longer innocent."

Jean: "Yeah, I guess."

"So tell me already."

Jean: "It's the measurements of the first guy I ever dated. He was 6 feet,
two inches tall."

"Oh. What's the 8 for?"

Jean: "What do you think it's for?"

"Hmm..OH! Hahaha! Jeez. Oh wait, the STAR is cuz you saw stars huh? Haha!"

Jean: "Haha, yeah. Exactly."

"Hmmm....Scott seems about Six Foot two to me."

Jean: "Yeah, it was Scott, sigh."

"Sorry. Well I gotta say, I was luckier."

Jean: "How so?"

"Well, just think...599***."

Jean: "Oh...I see, lol. Although, it's not the size of the boat, it's the
motion of the ocean that counts."

"Well, I don't claim to know much, but bigger is better for me."

Jean: "Well, if it ever reaches double digits, I'm running away from that
weapon."

"Where would you go to, that closet in your room?"

Jean: "....Yeah."

"Hmmm I can only imagine."

Jean: "Enough, go get your food suppiles already. To get inot the hangar,
at the subbasement panel, just punch in 1403*0*."

"Any significance there?"

Jean: "Ugh...men. Just go stock up on your food."

"Okay okay....and thanks. 628* , hahah!"

Jean: "Don't mke me change my mind about this!!"

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++