A confrontation. A conclusion. And no exclamation points.

Ch.3 - Fighting through the pain

“What did you do to him? You’re a jerk, you know that Pryde? What, you don’t even care enough to talk to him? Or maybe he just doesn’t care enough to talk to you. That why you wanted me back? He couldn’t care less about you and you needed my help? I wouldn’t be-”

Kitty had lasted longer then Jubilee had thought she would but now she lunged. The tray of food clattered to the floor. Jubilee dropped and rolled, praying she was fast enough. A body hurled itself through the space she had been in a moment before. Jubes started talking. If she didn’t talk fast enough she was going to be dead.

“Thanks, Kitty. You know I’m really sorry for being a jerk like that but you know Wolvy, he thinks everything thing can be solved by fighting so I thought that he’d try to. Like, you know, save me if I got in trouble so I got you mad at me and did you see him move but you should probably leave now I’ve got to talk to him, you know, like you do when he’s feral and I think he’s still mad so I gotta calm him down – you really should leave – thanks, you’re the greatest, oh, hi Wolvy, there’s nothing to be mad about, Kitty’s like Miss Perfect, she wouldn’t have hurt me badly you know…”

---

“…Gees, I’m crying again. I wonder how long I’ve been doing that. I missed you, you know. Stupid thing to say, but I did. I missed everyone. I even missed Kitty, who I don’t even like! I don’t care how many times I’ve said this already but this was a stupid thing to do. You know that I’m hungry? Should have got the tray before she rushed me..”

“Kid?”

“’cause then I would have got something to eat – oh, you’re talking again, that’s good, don’t mind me I’m just crying, you’re the stupidest idiot on the planet and I hate you and after this I’m never talking to you again and Kitty was SUICIDAL you jerk and it was all my fault so I hate you and I erased all her e-mails and she needed my help and why didn’t you listen to HER and now she hates me even more ‘cause you attacked her which was my fault too and, oh Wolvy!”

---

It’s been said you never truly grow up, that you’re always a child when you come home. Perhaps it’s true. Jubilee certainly looked like a child, wrapped up in Wolverine’s arms, crying into his chest. Kitty was the big sister, watching them, both grateful and jealous, through the doorway. Too scared to come in and break them up, afraid that her mentor might turn on her, claws drawn. She would get over her fear, Logan would give her a tired smile. She would put down the tray and Jubilee would finally turn, makeup smeared and skirt hiked up to an indecent height, maturity forgotten as she exclaimed over the food. Kitty would drop beside Logan for a gentle hug and would be sitting beside him when Jubilee turned back. They’d look at each other, forgive the past, and share out the meal. When they finally got up, there would be three grown ups, and they’d go to separate rooms, exhausted by the day.

Now, however, there’s just a family - a father and two daughters - and all the pain that they share. It’s hard growing up.