Next

-Marvel Earth-616-

"I can do this all daaaaay!"

Walt rolled his eyes but smiled as the girls had fun singing their hearts out gathered around the iconic shield. He'd agreed the girls deserved a reward after putting up with zombies and helping to search several other 'verses the last couple of days. He'd promised them a night out... he hadn't been expecting they'd want to see a show though!

After a bit of discussion they'd eventually decided on going to Earth-199999 and catching Rogers: The Musical. Despite having not yet seen the movies Gwen and Jubilee had really enjoyed themselves! Walt had to admit it was pretty good as far as musicals went.

Gwen and Jubes had begged him for T-shirts and he'd told them they could get whatever they wanted. He'd trucked home all kids of merchandise.

"I totally want to see those movies and stuff now!" Jubilee said after they'd finished singing... again.

Gwen nodded. "Definitely! It's a shame that the Avengers get all the love but I suppose they're the biggest deal around. It would be cool though to see some Fantastic Four or other group get recognition too."

Jubilee nodded. "An X-Men show or franchise would be fun but half the world hates Mutants so it'd never work."

Gwen nodded. "And nobody cares about Spider-folks. We're not popular enough to... Walt?"

Walt was laughing his head off. He laughed so hard he thought he'd cry. "You both have no idea! You only have popularity struggles within your 'verses! There were a couple Fantastic Four things but there were several X-Men movies and television shows! And Spider-Man was popular enough to have the same! People love the X-Men and Spider stuff."

He started laughing harder as Jubilee's gum fell out of her open mouth. "Popular... loved... the X-Men?!"

Gwen shook her head. It was hard for her to wrap her mind around. "There's no way that's true!"

Walt chuckled. "It is true... they made a Spider-Man musical too. It wasn't bad, had some good songs, and while critics were split it was popular enough with audiences... but suffered financially. Very costly and lots of injuries to performers. Too many stunts and special effects and the story was muddled in places. They originally shut it down once they realized that it was likely never going to make back the money they'd invested."

Gwen was stunned. "There's... a Spider-Man... musical?"

Walt nodded. "Yup. "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" was the title."

Jubilee had recovered and giggled. "Okay that's a bit silly! No offense."

Gwen shook her head and Walt said, "Agreed but many musicals are pretty silly. There was talk of bringing it back with real Spider-folks preforming the stunts and I think they did and made back the money they lost on the original years ago."

"Whoa," Jubilee said. "My mind is blown! The words a crazier place than I ever imagined! Did they ever make any X-Men derivative stuff?"

Walt paused thinking of the tons of Marvel inspired pornography that had been made even before the RealDreams effect had happened. "There's... a few things, I think." He shrugged. He had no intention of bringing that up unless asked about it directly. "I'm going to start on dinner."

Walt went into the kitchen and after awhile Jubilee joined him. "Need a hand?"

Walt shook his head and smiled. "No, I got this. I just want you two to relax. It was a tough day."

Jubilee shook her head. She opened the refrigerator up then pulled out a beer for him. "Gwen went home. She wants to see her dad now that he's out of the hospital."

Walt sighed. "She better not be patrolling! She's starting to push herself a bit hard."

Jubilee laughed and handed him the beer. "Gee whiz! I wonder where she gets that from? She couldn't be being influenced by someone else's actions? Hmmmm?"

Walt smirked and took the beer. "Yeah... guilty as charged." He sipped the beer and. "I'm sorry."

Jubilee shrugged. "Not sure what you're apologizing for."

Walt nodded. "For today."

Jubilee rolled her eyes and grabbed herself a drink too. "That's hardly your fault! I'd assumed she'd had combat training too. We'll fix that."

Walt shook his head. "Not that... for Dazzler... and Black Cat."

"Oh..." Jubilee said. She closed the refrigerator and popped open her drink taking a sip. "That... isn't your fault either. Just the way it went down. Besides that wasn't Alison or Felicia and they were dead." She pointed at him. "You didn't like fighting Steve or T'Challa either, right?"

Walt nodded. "I didn't. I hated it actually which is why I trued to end it quickly. I... know alot about necromancy. Pretty sure I felt something familiar back there... doesn't mean I like it sometimes. It's just..."

Jubilee smiled. "This job."

Walt nodded and smiled too. Of course she understood. She'd been doing this stuff a longtime. "The job."

Jubilee shrugged. "Well what happens on Zombie earth..."

"Should stay on Zombie Earth-2149?" Walt asked and seeing her nod he shrugged. "I suppose. I get the feeling that there's more to uncover there but it can wait. If some of the things I think are wandering around there I don't want you ladies, or even myself, to cross paths with them... and you're right. We should try to leave the things that happen there behind us as much as possible."

Jubilee nodded. "The truth is it was tough for all of us... but that's just how that messed up world is and none of us made it that way." She pointed at him. "So don't blame yourself for things that ain't your fault. Got it?"

Walt smiled and nodded and put the casserole in the oven. He walked over and kissed her cheek. "Yes, Jubes. Thank you, dear."

He expected her to be sarcastically playful but she wrapped her arms around him instead, holding him close. She laid her head against his chest and said, "You're welcome, dear."

Walt put his arms around her and held her too. It had been a tough day in several ways. But everything had gone well enough. Everyone was safe for now. They'd seen a show and had a good time. Dinner was cooking. The drinks were cold...

And he realized that they were alone. Gwen had gone home. Shogo was being watched on Krakoa.

He felt the lovely young woman's body in his arms. Pressed up close against him. He'd gotten worked up after a dangerous mission and battle. His body was starting to react and it was even worse because...

"Walt," Jubilee whispered feeling his body reacting to her. "We're alone."

... because it was her. Walt swallowed and nodded. "Seems that way..."

Jubilee nodded. "I know what you told me... about not wanting to because I'm "special to you" and you don't want to hurt me but... you're special to me too... and I don't want to hurt you either so..." she swallowed. "I told you... the other night. I want this. I don't want you to go away... but you will go home sometime, right?"

Walt nodded and so did she. "I've been talking with Gwen... and some of your family. I... I know about the collars. About your deal with Gwen."

"Jubes-"

"No," she squeezed tighter. "Please? Let me me finish?"

Walt nodded.

"I want this," she said. "I'm sick of failed relationships and people pulling me close then pushing me away. That hurts worse than the rejection! It's might have been a crush once but it's not anymore. I'm not a child. I'm a grown woman. I love you." She looked up into his eyes. "I want to be with you. To have you in my life... but I'm afraid because, I-I..."

Walt nodded. "You love your son. You'd never give him up."

She nodded and cried. "I do... and so if you say we can't be together-"

Walt squeezed her to him. "No! I'd never! I..." he swallowed. "I love you too. When I say special that's what I mean. I love the both of you and I'd never let anything split you up!" He wiped her tears away. "And if you... are saying you think you want to come with me-"

Jubilee nodded. "Yes! That's what I'm saying!"

Walt nodded. "Then I'd like that... very much. But I think we should we should talk about it. You'd be..."

Jubilee reached up and cupped his face. "We'd be your property. I know that's what it means. It's... weird to think about but I also know... We'd be together. Happy. Loved. Cared for. And safe." She smiled. "It's not the main reason but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a reason. My son... can grow up somewhere safe. With his mother... and a man who'd protect him. Raise him with care. Love him... I'd do anything for that! If the price is binding myself to a man who also loves me? Has always been special and good to me and so much more? I think that outweighs almost every downside!"

Walt swallowed. He stroked her hair. "I was right... you're an amazing mother, Jubes." He smiled and nodded. "I think we should talk more... about what it will entail and mean for you... but I see your mind's made up and also your point. My answer is "yes" but... you don't have to go that far. I already made up my mind to try to set things up to prtect you when I'm done. I'll leave that decision to you."

Jubilee smiled. *Of course he has been working on that!* she thought. *Dummy thinks that makes a difference?*

Jubilee finally let go and said. "That only reinforces my decision as the correct one, Walt. Please?"

Walt nodded. "Alright, Jubes. I-"

The timer beeped. Walt and Jubilee both blinked then laughed. "I need to finish up dinner! Let's finish this after?"

Jubilee laughed and nodded. "Right after dinner!"

Walt nodded and leaned in kissing her forehead. "I promise... it's a date."

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Nora Valkyrie Yang Xiao Long Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Raven Manami Aiba Tsuyu Asui Haruhime Sanjouno The Baroness Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O Merida and Gwenom

Will Return In

TBD

Coming Soon]