saga/title/fandom: Two of Us chapter 3 (X-Men)

author: Alex L

rating/genre: (R) - Romance/Drama

warnings: het, language, adult situtations

summary: Set after the kiss in Homecomings, Bobby finds happiness with Jubilee. In progress. Please read and review!

comments/disclaimers: I forgot the disclaimer for this one---my apologies. All characters belong to Marvel. The story is mine.Feedback is always appreciated.

Chapter Three: I’ll Be

For their part, Bobby and Jubilee were rather subtle about their newfound courtship. There were no overt public displays of affection one often associated with young relationships. In fact, it was quite easy to miss the cues that signaled the two were an item in the first place. The two chose to spend their time together in quiet seclusion, away from the prying eyes of many of the residents. It was not until several days later that others around the mansion began to notice.

Given how close the two had been before, some simply assumed that they were only friends and nothing more. However, upon closer observation, there were behaviors that distinctly implied more than friendship was at play. There was the clasping of the hands. An arm wrapped around shoulders or around a waist. Every once in a while, there was the brush of the lips against the back of a hand or against a cheek or forehead. There was the brushing back of tendrils of hair with gentle fingers. Finally, there were the small, knowing smiles the two would often exchange while together.

As for the reaction regarding the realization that the two were now an item, many were not especially struck by the news. Those who knew either Bobby or Jubilee well were not all that surprised the two were together. There were even some, like Tabitha, who had even gone so far as to comment, “It’s about damn time”.

Sure, it did take some getting used to seeing the young couple hold hands. Neither one had been involved in a relationship for some time (this applied more to Bobby than to Jubilee, who had never been in any kind of romantic relationship ever). But watching them together, the picture seemed to make sense. Adding to this was the happiness that appeared to exude from them. While they were not the syrupy sweet picture of love (no cutesy talk or constant kissing in the hallways), it was quite evident that the two thoroughly enjoyed one another’s company---whether it was the perpetual twinkle in Jubilee’s eyes or the broad grin Bobby wore. It was as if they were often relaying a silent “You get me” to each other.

A late summer afternoon found the two sitting on the weathered dock by the lake. Bobby, having administered a two-hour test to his students that morning, was looking for some time away from the mansion and the students. He was tired of being perceived as the bad-guy, the instructor bent on destroying the freedom associated with summer. It did not help that he heard Tabitha’s rather unflattering impression of him.

As he was leaving the classroom with his pile of completed tests, he had found Jubilee standing outside the doorway. She stared at him, instantly reading his fatigued expression. It was then that she asked him to accompany her to the lake for a walk. At first, he was reluctant, stating he had to grade his tests so that he could pass them out the following day. However, he managed to be convinced that the tests could wait.

In the end, Bobby was relieved that he had caved in to Jubilee. It was a picturesque day---the sun shining brightly against the pale blue sky. Gentle breezes sent ripples into the water. The soft chirps of crickets mingled with the rustling of the trees that surrounded the mansion’s property. The idyllic scenery seemed to recall days he thought had long passed, filled with carefree and feelings of endless happiness. No anxieties about being different, being alone, or about harm coming to those he cared about. Instead, a soothing calm enveloped him, filling him with a tranquil sense of being.

Jubilee removed her flip-flops, allowing her coltish legs to dangle over the edge of the dock. She smiled up at Bobby. It still surprised her that he was now with her. She was afraid at times this was all a part of a dream and that she would soon wake up, finding that nothing ever happened. To her relief, it was no dream. This was what happiness was like. This was what she had observed and longed for over the years, watching her friends and others around the mansion find people to make them whole and complete. The flutter in one’s stomach and the accompanying heart palpitations whenever the other person was near; the constant smile and feeling that one was walking on air---that was all a part of it. What was even more thrilling was the need to make the other person just as content, to make them feel just as special.

For Jubilee, talking Bobby into spending some time away from the school seemed to fit that bill perfectly that day. She could see the wariness in his face, which was uncharacteristic for Bobby who liked to think of himself as the type of person who would not allow stress weigh him down. He left that kind of thing to Scott or Warren. During their walk down the stone path that led to the lake, he had joked around about being the nasty math instructor, but sighed that he wanted to shake that reputation. All the while, she listened attentively, providing him with empathic feedback and assuring him that the students were only joking around. Having known most of them as friends, she told him that it was simply customary for students to have a somewhat antagonistic relationship with instructors.

Eventually, the two lapsed into silence as they neared the lake. Unlike before, this silence was a comforting one, devoid of any tension. Not needing any additional words or conversation, the couple used body language to communicate---smiles or squeezes of hands as they were being clasped. This continued until they settled on the dock.

She rested her head against Bobby’s shoulder. “Better now?” she asked softly, feeling the material of his Hawaiian shirt against her cheek.

“Much,” he told her, planting a kiss against her forehead. “Thank you.”

“No problem,” she replied, feeling his arms wrap around her. She liked how strong and tight his embrace was. It seemed to tell her that all was right in the world and that nothing could ever harm her while he was around. Very reminiscent of Logan, but somehow the experience was different with Bobby. With Bobby, there was not only the feeling of comfort and safety, but also the certainty that he would not pick and leave suddenly.

He inhaled her sweet scent of bubblegum and cinnamon, which seemed to permeate from her hair and skin. “I’m glad you brought me here,” he said. “It’s a nice spot to get away from the mansion---not too far, but not too close.”

She nodded. “It’s a good place to clear your head. I used to sit here a lot by myself, especially when I first got back....”

Unconsciously, his arms squeezed her slightly. Bobby’s jaw clenched as his mind was flooded of memories from that time. Seeing his friend battered and bruised as a result of being held captive by Bastion. The excruciating physical recovery that was entailed over the course of many months. Logan’s rage regarding his own sense of helplessness and his subsequent departure. Looking back at all, there was a part of Bobby that could relate to what the brooding loner had been experiencing. It was going to be a cold day in hell before anyone was going to hurt her again.

“You don’t have to think about that anymore,” he told her determinedly.

Her sapphire-blue eyes stared up at him, wonder filling their depths. She could feel her heart skip a beat when she saw his protective expression. It was something she had never observed of Bobby in all the years she had known him. “No,” she whispered, “I don’t suppose I do.” Then she cleared her throat, feeling his embrace relax slightly. “I didn’t spend all my time here, thinking about that.”

“Oh yeah? What else?” His fingers absentmindedly brushed tendrils of raven hair from her satiny cheeks. He was relieved that she wanted to move past those traumatized days.

She shrugged her slim shoulders. “Stuff.”

He grinned down at her playfully. “Now that’s descriptive,” he commented.

Nudging his chest with her shoulder gently, she gave him a wry smile. “I don’t know.... Things that teenagers angst over.”

“What don’t teenagers angst over?” Bobby teased, gray eyes twinkling. He felt her settle against him again, stirring feelings of warmth inside of him. “Seriously, Jubes....”

She sighed. “Like being left behind a lot,” she finally said.

He frowned slightly at her, quizzical. “What do you mean?”

“It wasn’t just being away in Massachusetts while the rest of you were here, or everyone having to leave on missions,” Jubilee began. “There were other things. Everyone kept treating me like this kid. Granted, I gave them a lot of reasons, but pretty soon it got annoying. Do you know what I mean?”

He nodded. Once the youngest member of the original team, he could easily relate. Underneath the jokes and the teasing, he experienced a yearning to be looked upon as an equal to Scott or Warren. Instead, he was viewed as the one who needed constant admonishing and discipline. He was the one who was left out of important decisions because he was just Bobby, the X-Man no one took seriously. Needless to say, he was frustrated, thinking that if he wanted to be treated like some kind of pesky kid, he could have stayed at home with his parents.

“But you weren’t like that,” she said, her voice breaking into his thoughts. The corners of her eyes crinkled as she smiled up at him. “I could always depend on you to be cool. It’s like you knew.”

He did not answer her right away, reflecting on what she had just said. Bobby had always supposed that it was their shared wit and sense of humor that initially brought them together as friends. But he had that with Hank and lately, with Kurt. Yet, there had been something else that made him empathize and understand her whenever he was around. Sure, he had been aware that they were closer in age. However, it was not until Jubilee had verbalized it at that moment was he made aware of what that something else was.

His lips brushed against her forehead like the gentle breeze that swirled around the mansion’s grounds. “I’m glad I could be that for you,” he said, his eyes earnest behind his purple-tinted sunglasses.

“Thanks,” she replied, taking a small hand and placing it over one of his. The skin underneath her palm was cool to the touch, as one would expect. Yet, the impact sent tingles and rushes of warmth throughout her body. She smiled, bemused. “So this is what it’s like to be with Bobby Drake.”

He stroked her silky hair tenderly. “I take it you’re not disappointed?” he asked, observing the dreamy quality in her smile. His heart felt as if it was expanding in his chest, sending ripples of excitement throughout his own body.

“Hardly,” Jubilee breathed, her skin glowing from the reflection of the sun on the waters of the lake. She turned around to face him. Her fingers traced the outline of his mouth affectionately as she smiled. “Never disappointed.”

Bobby grinned at her broadly, cupping her beautiful face with his hands. He then leaned towards her for a kiss. Suddenly, he paused. A strange, almost unreadable expression fell over his boyish features.

Concerned, she placed her hands over his. “What’s wrong, Bobby?”

He shook his head, his face relaxing. He pressed his lips against her forehead in an effort to assuage her anxieties. “No, nothing’s wrong,” he told her, giving her rueful smile. He hated to see her upset and felt quite guilty for eliciting those feelings. “I just realized something, that’s all.”

A frown creased her delicate brow. She wasn’t ready to be placated so easily. “What’s that?” she inquired, blue eyes wide as they looked up at him.

Cool fingers gently brushed away wisps of black hair with midnight-blue streaks from her face. “We’ve been together for about a week, right?”

She nodded, unsure where he was going with this. “Yes.” A note of wariness crept into her voice.

He planted another kiss against her forehead, continuing to stroke her hair. “I just realized,” he said, looking rather sheepish, “that we haven’t been on our first date yet.”

Her exquisite features soon arranged themselves into a perplexed expression. “Getting together at the dining hall for lunches and dinners don’t constitute as dates?” she asked, confused. Up until that moment, she had simply assumed that they had been on several dates. Then again, what did she really know? This was unchartered territory for the young girl.

“Those were kind of dates, but....”

“But they don’t count? I thought they did.”

“Again, Jubes, kind of. What I’m talking about is an official first date.”

“I don’t understand. What’s an official first date to you?”

“You know.... A real date, where I can wine and dine you.”

“Wine and dine me? Who are you---Dean Martin? Does that make Mr. Worthington and Dr. McCoy your Rat Pack?”

“Very funny, smart ass.”

“Sorry. Go on.”

“A real date meaning being away from the mansion, Jubes.”

“Oh. Um, what do you have in mind?”

He gave her a strange look, about to ask her teasingly whether or not she had ever been on a date before. He stopped himself when he saw the wide- eyed innocence in her eyes, which relayed her guilelessness. Bobby then remembered that before him, she had never been involved with anyone. Being with him was an entirely new experience for her. Affection mixed with some pressure flowed through his veins. Being the first, he wanted to make this good for her. Anything less would not be acceptable, in his eyes.

“Well,” he began, threading his fingers through her long tresses. “I’d ask you out.... Something like, ‘Do you want to go out---let’s say, tomorrow night?’ And of course, you would say, ‘I would love to, Bobby.’” He used a slight falsetto when he played her part.

She giggled, her sapphire eyes sparkling with amusement. “Then what?”

“Then, I’d tell you what time I’d be picking you up,” he informed her, grinning. “Let’s say about quarter-to-six.” In the back of his mind, he was taking notes so that he could back to the mansion later on to plan the actual date. Already, his mind was racing with possible ideas for their first night out together.

“Sounds good,” she said, nodding. Then she peered down at the pink T-shirt and cargo shorts she was currently in. “What should I wear?”

He pulled her close to him. “Now, Jubes, you look beautiful in anything. There’s no need to be self-conscious. In fact, I wouldn’t mind if you came to the door in a burlap sack.” He tried to picture her in such an outfit, an amused expression crossing his face.

That comment earned a playful swat on his chest from her. “I wouldn’t want to be inappropriately dressed or anything,” she told him. Then she added, “Unless you’re taking me to the potato chip factory.”

Bobby looked crestfallen. “How did you know?” he asked, feigning hurt and disappointment in his voice. After the laughter subsided, he looked at her thoughtfully. “OK. How about something nice and comfortable? Does that work?”

Jubilee pretended to appear frustrated. “Oh, that’s really helpful, Bobby,” she said, adding the effect of rolling her eyes. Then she smiled at him cheerfully. “I’ll figure something out.”

“Great.”

“Then what?”

“Then we’d get into my car and drive into town. There, we’ll have a dinner at one of those restaurants on the main strip.”

“Not McDonald’s?”

“Not McDonald’s, Jubes. A real restaurant. You know, where bibs are optional and you don’t have to color on the placemats while you’re waiting for your food. I’m sure it’ll be kind of overwhelming you. But don’t worry, I’ll be there to help you to get over the shock.”

“Ha ha. Keep talking, funny man.”

“OK, OK. I was thinking after dinner, we’d catch a flick at the local theatre.”

“That sounds good. What are we going to see?”

“How does that latest Vin Diesel movie sound? I think he’s playing an undercover cop, running a hot dog stand in New York City so he can avenge the death of his baby’s momma.”

“Wow, Bobby. It’s like you’re reading my mind. I was thinking about the same movie.”

“Great minds think alike, Jubes.”

“OK, Romeo. What’s next?”

“Well, by then, it would be kind of late. I don’t want to freak Jean out or anything by keeping you. Telepath or not, the woman would not be a happy camper if I didn’t have you home on time.”

“So, the night would end with you taking me home.”

“Oh, that doesn’t mean that the date’s over then.”

“It’s not?”

“No, not at all.”

“There’s more?”

“Yeah.”

“OK.... What comes after that then?”

“After getting back to the mansion, I’d walk you to the house. I’d ask you if you had a good time. And again, of course you would say, ‘Yes, I did, Bobby. This is the best first date I’ve ever had.’”

“That sounds nothing like me. You make me sound like an effeminate Jiminy Cricket. But, do go on.”

“So, we’d be on the front step of the house and I’d say goodnight. After that, I’d give you a kiss.”

“A kiss?”

“Sure, Jubes. First dates always end with a kiss.”

“Oh, I see. Is there anything different about this kiss as opposed to other ones?”

“I don’t know. Could be. How about I show you?”

“I don’t know, Bobby. I mean we’ve kissed before. I ‘m not sure how this is going to be different.”

“We won’t know until we try, will we?”

“I guess not. But wouldn’t this ruin it? I mean, it wouldn’t be as special.”

“Think of it as a sneak preview.”

With that, he snaked his fingers through her silky, dark hair and gently pulled her toward him. Jubilee followed him willingly, her lips curled in a smile of anticipation. Cupping the back of her head with his hand, he brushed his lips over hers. His usually cool breath was warm, which mingled with hers. Bobby’s mouth then explored the curve of her lips. When her mouth opened beneath his, he pulled her even closer to him and his hand tenderly held her face. He could feel her lithe form melt against him. Her fingers stroked his jaw as his mouth nipped at hers. Then he delved deeper into her mouth, tasting how sweet and pure she was. Bubblegum and cinnamon just like the rest of her.

It was like that first night he had kissed her, but different. There was no fear, no anticipation of possible rejection. Instead, he was filled the reassurance and contentment that the object of his affections wanted to return his kiss and enjoyed the same feelings he did. There were so many things racing through his mind at that moment. Topping the list was the hope that this---all of it would never end.

As much Bobby relished the kiss, he realized that both of them needed some oxygen. Drawing back slightly, he ran his finger over her lips affectionately. His heart raced with excitement as he rested his forehead against hers. She was breathing heavily, her shoulders and chest trembling. Her sapphire eyes were wide and glassy as they stared up at him. A blush stained her creamy skin, accentuating the color of her eyes.

“Jubes?” He watched the sunlight dance across the back of her head, creating an angelic halo around her. She was very beautiful at that moment, which made his heart swell in his chest again. Looking at her now, he still could not believe she was with him.

Jubilee pressed her lips against his finger and then clasped his hand in hers. “That might be the best part of the date,” she whispered, gazing up at him. Having never kissed anyone but Bobby, she wasn’t sure if someone else could follow that performance. It was incredible, tingling sensations coursing throughout her skin, not to mention inside her body. “I don’t know if I can wait until tomorrow night for that.”

He grinned, leaning towards her. His gray eyes were warm with happiness as they swept over her lovely face. “You might not have to,” he murmured against her mouth before kissing her again.

home          prior chapter          next chapter          fiction gateway