Sidekicks
Xmenfanfic by Trynia Merin
Started 02/12/05
PG now, but possibly PG13 for later
Note that this story takes place in the animated series continuity, sometime between season one and three, where Jubilee has been with the X-men for one year. However, in this story, Angel was once an original member of the X-men, but left shortly after Bobby Drake to pursue his own life. Betsy Braddock is his girlfriend in this, and both are just recently joining the X-men in this story. This story takes place at least 9 years previously to "I Gotcha Now", and sheds some light on the relationships between characters previously. Lori is my creation and is a fanfiction character. I don't own the Xmen, and this is my second fanfiction, and not for profit!
Pairings: Rogue/Gambit, Storm/Wolverine, a little Jubilee/Bobby (nothing beyond teenage infatuation, more like a crush, and Jubilee's crush on wolverine and gambit are explored here, but there will be no underage hanky panky… trust me!) Jubilee is 15 going on 16 in this story.
Wolverine peered down the length of the long slender pool cue, and wrapped his other hand around the handle. He drew back in one fluid motion. Through his fingers were thrust the tip, which connected with the cue with a sharp staccato. Through the haze of cigarette smoke Gambit watched the progression of the ball, which collided with the six and the nine. Both sank one after the other in opposite pockets.
"Luck, mon ami," Gambit said, charging the end of his smoke and inhaling. A curl of smoke shot out his nostrils, and he flicked ash off the tip into the same tray by his left hip.
"Yeah, right," Rogue shook her head. She sat in a chair near the table where Remy leaned. Storm sat on the other side, while Scott and Jean approached the table with a tray of beverages.
"I don't see you making the next shot," Wolverine smirked as he looked at Gambit. The Cajun simply smiled and picked up his glass of white wine. Jubilee took a swig of coke, and hid her laugh behind her hand.
"You still have the others on the table…" Gambit said. "Gambit don't see how you gonna pull off another shot wi'out forfeiting…"
"Says you," Wolverine smirked as he leaned over and aimed his next shot. The stick cracked against he cueball, nudging the striped out of the way of the eight, and into the ten.
"He never gives up, Cherie does he? Let Gambit show you how it's done, petit," he said as he glanced in the direction of Scott and Jean. Both took a seat at a table nearby, and Jean caught Rogue's look of frustration.
"That sucks," Jubilee muttered as she squinted at the shot.
"No charging the cue, bright eyes," Rogue said as she grabbed Remy's sleeve.
"Moi?" he asked innocently as he pointed to his chest.
"The last time you did that we were kicked outta the pool hall for a week," said Rogue. "Ah just so happen t' like this place, thank you very much!"
Betsy and Warren slowly approached Scott and Jean's table. Jubilee wondered why they had come back so soon. Hadn't they found the professor yet? Jean glanced towards Jubilee, and the girl heard a voice in the back of her mind.
"Don't worry, we hadn't gotten the chance to tell you, but he's well…" came Jean's answer.
"Nobody tells me anything," Jubilee sulked as she drew her knees up into her chest and bit her lip. It happened more and more lately.
"I can't believe all that fuss over old chuck," Wolverine said as he walked over and sat near Storm. "Figures he just had some run in with some nutjob and turns out he just had a concussion…"
"He is most fortunate," said Storm. "We have Betsy's brother to thank…"
"You mean major union jack?" Wolverine raised an eyebrow. "Big flamin' deal…"
"Read 'em and weep, wolverine," Gambit laughed as the next few solids plunked in, and Logan's head turned abruptly.
"Uh huh, I'm shaking in my shoes,' he quipped as he picked up his Labatt's blue, and swigged half of it down. "That's nothing…"
Jubilee was bored. She glanced over to where Scott and Jean were laughing at some erudite remark Warren had made. They were all smiles and laughter. Betsy Braddock had her arm looped through Warren's, and was leaning slightly against his shoulder like Scott was with Jean.
"That's all she wrote," Rogue said when the eight ball plunked into the pocket, and Wolverine snorted. Jubilee shook her head, and realized it was going to be a longer night than she thought.
"Rematch?" Gambit said.
"Not now Cajun," Wolverine said. "Why don'tcha go show off to the belle…"
"You scared I beat you again…" Gambit asked.
"I ain't scared o' nothin, Gumbo," Wolverine snapped back as he tossed the cue at Gambit. "I'm just sick o' yer lip… ya think yer so flamin' hot…"
"Easy sugah, he's just rattling yer cage…"
"Logan, is anything the matter?" Storm asked as she got up from her seat and moved between Gambit and Wolverine.
"Everything's fine, 'roro… flamin' fine," Wolverine muttered. "Sorry gumbo. Got other fish t' fry… I'm not in the mood for another rack if ya don't mind…"
"No hard feelings, Wolverine," Gambit said. "Right?"
"Nope," Wolverine muttered as he wandered over towards the bar. He plunked his glass down hard next to where Gambit stood, and Rogue glanced at Storm with concern. He passed Betsy and Warren as they chattered, and Jean glanced up at him with worry. Jubilee got up from her chair and walked quickly after Wolverine. She could tell something was going down.
"Storm, Remy, Rogue, why don't you join us?" Jean said as she waved to them.
"You seem quite happy," Storm said.
"Why don't we oblige 'em Cherie… since the Wolverine's pouting…" Gambit suggested.
"No thanks t' you, sugah," Rogue muttered as she got up, and left Remy alone. He moved over and pulled out a chair for Rogue, opposite warren and next to Jean. She sat down, and he took the space next to her. Storm seated herself near Hank, who was sitting alongside Carly. Bobby was there with his girlfriend and they were all chummy as Warren waved the waitress down.
"I'll have another round of whatever anyone wants," he said. "Drinks are on me…"
"You don't need to…" trailed off Scott.
"Let him, let him," Bobby laughed as he took his girlfriend's hand.
Jubilee glanced back as she heard the laughter, and turned to Wolverine who was leaning his elbow up on the bar. "Lucky jerk," she muttered as she glanced back, and bit her lip. He'd come back into the X-men, but had totally ignored her. She fought the urge to walk over and fire a paff in the side of his face for that.
Wolverine picked up his second Molson, and leaned against the bar. Jubilee grabbed a stool and perched next to him, glancing in the vicinity of his line of site. She was pleasantly surprised when the bartender set a glass of diet coke next to her elbow. She stirred the ice with the swizzle stick, and glanced up at him.
"Thanks," she said, picking up the glass and sipping a sizable mouthful.
"Not a problem," he grunted as he picked up his beer. She followed him like an eager puppy, not wanting to miss out on just what was going down. He didn't tell her to get lost at least, when he took a seat at the table with the others, and Jubilee swung into the one closest to Bobby.
"Logan, we were just wondering when you'd join us," Jean said suddenly as she smiled.
"Figured it was a private party, Red," he commented.
"Don't be silly," she waved with a smile. "Wouldn't be the same without you."
"I'm to understand that Jubilation here is a rather outstanding lady," Warren said suddenly. Bobby glanced over.
"Um, uh, yeah…" she said as she glanced at him, and felt a bit nervous. Bobby's glance had wandered into her direction at least.
"Causing a plasma feedback is no mean feat," said Hank.
"Just who was behind that I'd like to know," said Betsy slowly as she slid her hand into Warren's. He gave it a protective squeeze.
"How awful…" Trish got out as Beast patted her hand. Rogue leaned her hand on the table, and her lips were drawn taught.
"You sayin' that someone was deliberately messing up the weather…" said Rogue.
"Yes unfortunately," Storm said.
"I saw it on the news… someone's blaming the mutants," said Warren.
"It never stops, does it?" asked Bobby, shaking his head.
"Not since you and I were on the team," Scott said as he glanced at Bobby, and then at Hank, Jean, and Warren. They were the original five, a class by themselves.
Gambit slid his arm around Rogue, who didn't push him away, and listened as Betsy suddenly held up a hand and let out a loud squeal. "I forgot to tell you, since you were all talking about Misty's shower… I happen to know a boutique, which is carrying Madame Alexandra's latest line…"
"You don't say," Jean turned her head. "Where?"
"In West Chester…"
"No way," Jubilee said as she focussed on Bobby.
"I think this one particular number would go perfect with your eyes and hair, Rogue," Betsy said. "And there was a chiffon number that would coordinate perfectly with your skin tone, Storm…"
"We had discussed that, but in recent events…" Storm trailed off.
"We have to go tomorrow… if Scott doesn't' mind," Jean said. Wolverine picked up his beer and swallowed a sizable chug as Scott glanced at her.
"Why should I? The professor's safely at Muir Island… and we're due for some down time…" Scott said. "I don't see why not…"
"Jubilee, you are going too, aren't you?"
"Uh you serious?" she asked.
"Of course…" Jean said. "Misty said that she was most anxious that we all came… so of course you need the right dress…"
"Way cool"! she brightened up. "So this isn't like just a shower is it?"
"Actually a shower, and a birthday bash…" said Betsy. Warren coughed.
"Whose birthday?" Jubilee got out.
"Her husbands of course," said Bobby. "It's at the Circle club… aren't you a member Warren?"
"I've got us all invitations… and you are all welcome to join Betsy and me at the reception… we're hosting it… under my membership…"
"You some friend of the mother to be?" asked Jubilee.
"We go way back," Jean smiled. "Since the time we were your age, Jubilee…"
"Don't remind me," Jubilee muttered. Logan raised an eyebrow at her dark look, and then she grabbed a nacho out of the dish that was being passed around.
"Those were the days," Bobby laughed.
"And the Professor got over your turning his office into a beach just now?" Warren joked.
"A what?" Jubilee asked, snapping up.
"We took a big box of sand one winter…" Bobby started as he turned to Jubilee.
"And a beach ball," Warren snickered. "Tell 'em what you did, Hank…"
"I refuse to on the grounds of self incrimination," Beast teased.
"Oho what happened next?" Jubilee asked. As she leaned against Bobby, he glanced at her with a surprised look.
"Umm, well you're gonna love this, Jubester, but he almost flipped… and I remember you Scotty were so uptight you made Warren and me pick up every grain of sand with a teaspoon…"
"No way!" Jubilee laughed as she saw the snickers.
"Gambit wishes he were there," Remy laughed.
"Oh can yo0u see it now," Rogue shook her head.
"Hah flaming hah," Wolverine said sarcastically. "Won't catch any of US having that kinda laughs… right Scot? Weren't all fun n' games as I recall…"
"You party pooper," Warren rolled his eyes. "I see why the mood has gone rather… stale lately. You've been missed Bobby…"
"An that means…" Wolverine said quietly, his blue eyes flaring with something wild and challenging. Warren coughed and loosened his shirt collar.
"Somebody better get a diaper for Warren n' bobby cause they're piling it high and deep," Jubilee joked. "I mean there's no WAY they could've gotten through and survived with all the stuff they're claming… right?"
"You'd be surprised, kid," said Bobby as he nudged her.
"Did Jean ever pull anything?" asked Rouge.
"You must tell them about the first time that I discovered the pool," Storm said. Warren coughed into his drink, and Wolverine smirked.
"Jean was quite handy with her telekinesis," said Storm. "I was not accustomed to the senses of propriety in that time…"
"You sure she should hear?" joked Warren. Jubilee picked up her straw and put a toothpick it in.
"You say I'm too young, and I'll fire this at you," she threatened.
"She looks serious better lay off," Gambit commented.
"Needless to say, I saw Storm's um… lack of the proper attire, and let's just say the towels were covering more than just the prying eyes," Jean chuckled.
"Whoa…" Jubilee giggled.
"I did discover the use of fog that day," Storm smiled. Everyone laughed, and Jubilee snickered. Then the discussion centered on party dresses as Jeannie and Betsy began to compare notes, and Hank started telling the latest findings with Scott and the others. Gambit continued to listen to either conversation while Jubilee turned up her nose at the latest tune drifting through the bar.
"What other stuff did you pull with the professor?" Jubilee asked, sliding her hand through Bobby's.
"Um, well…" he got out.
"Yeah kiddo, I forgot," he said.
"Someone think these tunes are lamo?" she asked, changing the subject. "I was gonna pick something that wasn't two feet in the grave… whaddya say we check it out…"
Jubilee thought she saw Bobby's gaze on her, but it diverted back to her left. "Lori, wondered where you were…" he said as he glanced up.
"Bobby, don't tell me you forgot to save my seat…" she rested a hand on her hip.
"Jubilee, I wanted you to meet Lori… Lori, this is the Jubester…" he pointed up at her.
"I've heard so much about you," Lori smiled, and then glanced down with a question at where Jubilee had taken Bobby's hand.
"Nice to meet you… so what about that tune, Bobby? Something that's not major stinko?"
"You pick something and we'll live with it, Jubester," he said as he playfully bopped a knuckle to her face, and she flushed red. Scott glanced at her as if it was something endearing, and Jubilee bit her lip even more at the amused glances in her direction.
"Bobby told me that you convinced him to rejoin his own college friends," Lori said. Bobby slid his hand out of Jubilee's and she glanced at him in question.
"Um…"
"She was pretty convincing… weren't ya, Jubester… she's a great pal…" he said. He waved Lori over as he pushed out from the table, and she sat on his lap. Jubilee blinked as she slid her arm around his shoulder and she gave Bobby a kiss on the cheek.
"A pal?" Jubilee got out as she blinked again.
"Best opponent in Gamecube… beat the pants off me…" he laughed.
"You play gamecube… you keep him out of trouble?" Lori asked.
"Um, yeah… right," Jubilee laughed awkwardly. Bobby leaned up and kissed Lori, and Jubilee felt as if she wanted to shrink away and hide.
"It's getting hot in here, no?" Gambit glanced over. "You didn't introduce us to the petite fille…"
"I was just in the powder room," Lori giggled, and Jubilee gritted her teeth on the sound of the laughter.
"Lori and I met in my last job… we've been going steady…"
"Ah never figured to meet the lady who'd put up with you," Rogue said as she glanced at the two.
"How long's this been goin' on, lovebirds?" Wolverine asked as he glanced at Bobby and Lori.
"Oh, been long distance for the last three months," he grinned, and she fingered the heart locket around her neck. Jubilee felt steam coming out her ears, and pushed away from the table.
"Excuse me, it's kinda stuffy in here…" she said as she got up.
"Don't leave now, I'd love to hear more about you and Bobby and that shaving cream…" said Lori.
"S'cuse me, I'll be back… I gotta get some fresh air," Jubilee said quickly. She walked quickly away, and Jean glanced up as Storm moved. Bobby glanced from Scott, to the death ray stare that crossed the table from Wolverine.
"What?" he asked. Gambit shook his head and looked knowingly at Rogue.
"I'll go get her," Storm said as she got up.
"Don't bother," Logan muttered as he slammed down a ten. "Kid's got the right idea…"
"So soon… but we were just…" Jean trailed off.
"Save it Red," Logan muttered as he walked away. "Here's a ten for my share. I'll be headin' back…"
"What ate his butt?" Warren muttered.
"I don't think you want to know," Jean muttered. As Logan moved past Bobby, he heard a low growl from the back of his throat.
"What?" Bobby asked.
"Better watch yer step kid, if I was you," Logan pointed at him as he sauntered out. Grabbing his hat and coat he headed off after Jubilee. Storm got up, and glanced after him.
"Let him go," Jean's telepathic voice chimed as everyone stared at Bobby.