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om_mainJean-Paul kidnaps Doug to talk about Thanksgiving.
Jean-Paul at the door to Doug's lab was rarely an indication that everything was routine. While Doug was among the select few that Jean-Paul routinely bullied into eating "real" food, Jean-Paul was usually willing to wait until his prey stuck his nose above ground before he pounced and carted him off for interrogation about what percentage of his diet was made up of pizza and snack cakes. Which meant the speedster had something on his mind.
"Get your coat," Jean-Paul said simply. "I'm going for a drive and I need company."
"O-kaaay." Doug's eyebrows rose as he got to his feet, looked around for his jacket (he was almost positive he'd brought it down with him - ah, there) and went and retrieved it from where he'd tossed it on the bean bag chair. For Jean-Paul to just appear in the doorway of his lab, something had to be seriously amiss. Nothing urgent, or they wouldn't be going for a drive, but still. Something. "Where are we going? And do you want me to drive?"
"Either Eden's Pantry or Canada. I haven't decided which yet." Jean-Paul turned and began walking. "And I am definitely driving."
Doug's eyebrows climbed higher, though he hurried along after Jean-Paul, simultaneously scrambling into his jacket. "Canada. Right. Ummm...do I need to grab my passport, then?"
"Only if you make it quick."
Realizing he had no idea where his passport might be, Doug shrugged and hurried along behind Jean-Paul. "I'll take my chances." Seriously, Jean-Paul couldn't really mean it about Canada anyway. Could he?
Jean-Paul was silent until they were in his roadster, top up and heater on. The cold didn't really touch Jean-Paul, but he did try to be considerate of his guests...not to mention the interior of his car.
"How was Thanksgiving?
Taken by surprise by the sudden question, Doug glanced over at Jean-Paul before answering. "It went fine. Well, other than my mom burning the stuffing, but that's really nothing new, and River doesn't seem to be holding it against her. How was yours?"
"I don't have much attachment to it as a holiday; it's mostly about humoring the Americans in my life." Jean-Paul kept his eyes on the road. "And Simon decided he wanted to get away to the woods so he could turn my sister's cabin into a hideaway for when the school is inevitably set upon by government forces."
Doug let out an amused snort. "How does Jeanne-Marie feel about -" he broke off as he realized Jean-Paul wasn't joking and blinked. "Hold it. Rewind. Simon wants to do what, why?"
"He's rigging the place with a remote security system and talking about laying in medical supplies and caches of freeze-dried food and such. Because sooner or later, someone we can't beat is going to take a shot at the school." Jean-Paul kept his eyes on the road. "I had a hard time arguing otherwise."
"Mmmm." Well, Simon maybe had a point there, Doug had to admit. Sooner or later, someone was going to take a shot at the school. "Yeah. I can see that. Still, it seems kind of..." he fished around for a word that would be appropriate without causing Jean-Paul to feel as if he needed to defend his boyfriend's sanity, "drastic?"
"It is. And yet, not unjustified. River and I have been attacked more than once, and all he could do was mop up afterward."
"I can sympathize." Doug made a face. Being there for River afterwards wasn't a bad thing. He could never help feeling, however, that it wasn't anywhere near enough. "So, you're in favor of turning your cabin into a survivalist camp?" That...somehow didn't quite match with the vibe he'd been getting from Jean-Paul, but he could easily be wrong.
Jean-Paul shot Doug a slightly exasperated look. "I understand why he did it. I think I even agree with the idea of having somewhere to run if worst comes to worst. But it still feels like setting up a bunker in enemy territory." His hands tightened on the wheel as he jerked his gaze forward again. "And I fucking hate that I feel that way about my own home."
"You could have told him no. I mean, it's your cabin, right? Or Jeanne-Marie's." Doug frowned. "Also, literally enemy territory, given Alpha Flight. Wouldn't you have been better off finding somewhere that isn't already on record as belonging to you?"
"I wasn't talking about the cabin." Jean-Paul didn't look over at Doug this time.
Doug grimaced and nodded. "Not sure there's much to do about that," he said apologetically.
"No," Jean-Paul admitted. "It's weird, though. I can be anywhere on the damn continent in practically no time, and I just feel more cornered every time I think of it. Like I said...I understand. I can even understand why he'd do it. I just hate it." He sighed. "You're not wrong either, though. If someone's looking for Beaubiers in particular, there's a limited number of places to check. And my attachment to Simon is well known."
"So, what are you going to do? And how do I fit in?" Doug offered a lopsided smile. "Other than as someone to vent to."
Jean-Paul smirked. "If I say 'honorary Tam-Beaubier' are you going to throw yourself out of this car?"
Doug let out a snort of laughter, and shook his head. "No, but if you call me that around Simon, you've probably got any revenge you might want for him installing a security system in your cabin. Somehow, I'm guessing that might feature prominently in his nightmares."
"I've got limited room to criticize there." Jean-Paul nearly missed his turn, but took it hard and just avoided anything too unpleasant. "You weren't around for my most obnoxious moments with Jeanne-Marie's boyfriends -- and I'm not sorry for any of it, come to think of it. Anyway. Point being, he's got good reason to be protective of River, and she's more than capable of putting him in his place if he gets too smothering. But, for what it's worth, I think you're good for her."
Doug had started grinning at the mental image of Jean-Paul vetting Jeanne-Marie's boyfriends (and the language TA's likely reaction), but blinked and looked over at him, surprised. "Thanks. I think it's more likely the other way around, but...I try?" He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling self-conscious, then shrugged. "Anyway, is there anything I can do, other than listen to you vent?"
Jean-Paul smirked. "I don't suppose I could put you and Kitty on writing another fanfic? I think it's the best publicity I've gotten in a year. But seriously, you think being able to unload to someone without conflicting loyalties in this does not help? Because trust me, it does."
"Glad I can help, then." Doug grinned a little and shrugged. "Sorry, normally when people want my help, they want something programmed or hacked. The fanfic," his grin took on a hint of mischief, "was a nice change of pace."
"I would have to be less of a Luddite than I am to rise to the level of needing something programmed or hacked," Jean-Paul admitted. "If it's more complicated than my iPod, I tend to let it be."
Doug let out a soft amused snort, then shook his head and glanced over at Jean-Paul. "So, what are you going to do about the cabin?"
Jean-Paul sighed. "Talk to Jeanne-Marie, I suppose. Simon needs it more than either of us right now. And she and Bobby haven't really been using it, despite the new decor. For now..." Jean-Paul shrugged. "Maybe it will help him feel more secure to know it is there. It's more than I've been able to do for him lately."
"I know that feeling." Doug grimaced and turned back to look out the front windshield. "But hey, you're actively doing things. You're with the X-Men, you went undercover with Alpha Flight. I do a lot of homework, go do my internship with Stark, and hide under the desk with River when she needs company. So, y'know, could be worse?"
"They're better than nothing," Jean-Paul agreed. "But they're more...greater good goals, non? For the overall good of mutantkind and such. It doesn't do a lot to make him feel better over having his skull cracked while his sister was freshly traumatized. You're better able to be there for River immediately. Simon and I are spending more time apart, and it will be even worse when I go back to school. So...whatever he needs right? Even if what he needs is to string security cameras all over the woods."
"I think stringing security cameras all over the woods is a little overkill, maybe?" Doug forced a half smile, then let it fade. "But, y'know, I think you're underestimating the greater good goals. And you were there as soon as you found out about Simon and River. It was just...one of those freak things no one could have predicted."
"Did you know Laura very well before she left?" Jean-Paul asked.
Doug shook his head, bemused by the sudden topic change. "She stopped in to see Diaval a few times, but I pretty much said hi and made myself scarce. Why?"
"When we went to rescue her and River from the Facility, Laura shredded my side, stabbed me, and nearly tore my guts out. She wasn't in her right mind, and she'd have never done it again, but that didn't stop me from having nightmares. Simon and Josh Foley were there for me as soon as we got out and whenever I needed them after...but that didn't make it better." Jean-Paul shrugged. "You're not wrong. But it still doesn't make a difference."
"And you think knowing he has a bolt hole will?" Doug considered that, his expression doubtful, but he shrugged. Maybe it would. Like River always said, symbols were important.
"I hope so," Jean-Paul sighed. "If it makes him feel any safer at all, I'm at least willing to try it."
Doug sighed and nodded. What could he really say? He'd have done the same for River.
They had nearly reached Salem center by the time Jean-Paul spoke again. "Merci. And since it seems I am not kidnapping you and running off to Canada, is there someplace you'd like me to drop you off? Or are you willing to risk a shopping trip with me?"
"Hey, I came this far with you. I can probably survive shopping." Doug smiled. "In fact, if you want to slum it for once? I'll even buy the pizza."
Jean-Paul gave Doug a wounded look, but finally nodded. "I'll let you foot the bill if I can pick the restaurant."
"It's a deal." After all, considering how many times Jean-Paul had brought him dinner when he was on a deadline, it was the least he could do. "So, any idea what kind of security system Simon installed? And whether or not it can be remotely monitored?"
"Motion sensor remote-viewing cameras," Jean-Paul said quietly. "Fairly expensive crap too. One of those rigs where it won't trigger for things under a certain size."
"You'd need that there," Doug mused. "Otherwise every squirrel that ran past would set things off.
"Or we'd be running to the computer in time to view a lot of moose ass." Jean-Paul let himself be distracted by the details of the conversation. More than anything, the distraction was what he needed and Doug was being more than accommodating in that respect. Definitely worth the price of a lunch out.
Jean-Paul at the door to Doug's lab was rarely an indication that everything was routine. While Doug was among the select few that Jean-Paul routinely bullied into eating "real" food, Jean-Paul was usually willing to wait until his prey stuck his nose above ground before he pounced and carted him off for interrogation about what percentage of his diet was made up of pizza and snack cakes. Which meant the speedster had something on his mind.
"Get your coat," Jean-Paul said simply. "I'm going for a drive and I need company."
"O-kaaay." Doug's eyebrows rose as he got to his feet, looked around for his jacket (he was almost positive he'd brought it down with him - ah, there) and went and retrieved it from where he'd tossed it on the bean bag chair. For Jean-Paul to just appear in the doorway of his lab, something had to be seriously amiss. Nothing urgent, or they wouldn't be going for a drive, but still. Something. "Where are we going? And do you want me to drive?"
"Either Eden's Pantry or Canada. I haven't decided which yet." Jean-Paul turned and began walking. "And I am definitely driving."
Doug's eyebrows climbed higher, though he hurried along after Jean-Paul, simultaneously scrambling into his jacket. "Canada. Right. Ummm...do I need to grab my passport, then?"
"Only if you make it quick."
Realizing he had no idea where his passport might be, Doug shrugged and hurried along behind Jean-Paul. "I'll take my chances." Seriously, Jean-Paul couldn't really mean it about Canada anyway. Could he?
Jean-Paul was silent until they were in his roadster, top up and heater on. The cold didn't really touch Jean-Paul, but he did try to be considerate of his guests...not to mention the interior of his car.
"How was Thanksgiving?
Taken by surprise by the sudden question, Doug glanced over at Jean-Paul before answering. "It went fine. Well, other than my mom burning the stuffing, but that's really nothing new, and River doesn't seem to be holding it against her. How was yours?"
"I don't have much attachment to it as a holiday; it's mostly about humoring the Americans in my life." Jean-Paul kept his eyes on the road. "And Simon decided he wanted to get away to the woods so he could turn my sister's cabin into a hideaway for when the school is inevitably set upon by government forces."
Doug let out an amused snort. "How does Jeanne-Marie feel about -" he broke off as he realized Jean-Paul wasn't joking and blinked. "Hold it. Rewind. Simon wants to do what, why?"
"He's rigging the place with a remote security system and talking about laying in medical supplies and caches of freeze-dried food and such. Because sooner or later, someone we can't beat is going to take a shot at the school." Jean-Paul kept his eyes on the road. "I had a hard time arguing otherwise."
"Mmmm." Well, Simon maybe had a point there, Doug had to admit. Sooner or later, someone was going to take a shot at the school. "Yeah. I can see that. Still, it seems kind of..." he fished around for a word that would be appropriate without causing Jean-Paul to feel as if he needed to defend his boyfriend's sanity, "drastic?"
"It is. And yet, not unjustified. River and I have been attacked more than once, and all he could do was mop up afterward."
"I can sympathize." Doug made a face. Being there for River afterwards wasn't a bad thing. He could never help feeling, however, that it wasn't anywhere near enough. "So, you're in favor of turning your cabin into a survivalist camp?" That...somehow didn't quite match with the vibe he'd been getting from Jean-Paul, but he could easily be wrong.
Jean-Paul shot Doug a slightly exasperated look. "I understand why he did it. I think I even agree with the idea of having somewhere to run if worst comes to worst. But it still feels like setting up a bunker in enemy territory." His hands tightened on the wheel as he jerked his gaze forward again. "And I fucking hate that I feel that way about my own home."
"You could have told him no. I mean, it's your cabin, right? Or Jeanne-Marie's." Doug frowned. "Also, literally enemy territory, given Alpha Flight. Wouldn't you have been better off finding somewhere that isn't already on record as belonging to you?"
"I wasn't talking about the cabin." Jean-Paul didn't look over at Doug this time.
Doug grimaced and nodded. "Not sure there's much to do about that," he said apologetically.
"No," Jean-Paul admitted. "It's weird, though. I can be anywhere on the damn continent in practically no time, and I just feel more cornered every time I think of it. Like I said...I understand. I can even understand why he'd do it. I just hate it." He sighed. "You're not wrong either, though. If someone's looking for Beaubiers in particular, there's a limited number of places to check. And my attachment to Simon is well known."
"So, what are you going to do? And how do I fit in?" Doug offered a lopsided smile. "Other than as someone to vent to."
Jean-Paul smirked. "If I say 'honorary Tam-Beaubier' are you going to throw yourself out of this car?"
Doug let out a snort of laughter, and shook his head. "No, but if you call me that around Simon, you've probably got any revenge you might want for him installing a security system in your cabin. Somehow, I'm guessing that might feature prominently in his nightmares."
"I've got limited room to criticize there." Jean-Paul nearly missed his turn, but took it hard and just avoided anything too unpleasant. "You weren't around for my most obnoxious moments with Jeanne-Marie's boyfriends -- and I'm not sorry for any of it, come to think of it. Anyway. Point being, he's got good reason to be protective of River, and she's more than capable of putting him in his place if he gets too smothering. But, for what it's worth, I think you're good for her."
Doug had started grinning at the mental image of Jean-Paul vetting Jeanne-Marie's boyfriends (and the language TA's likely reaction), but blinked and looked over at him, surprised. "Thanks. I think it's more likely the other way around, but...I try?" He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling self-conscious, then shrugged. "Anyway, is there anything I can do, other than listen to you vent?"
Jean-Paul smirked. "I don't suppose I could put you and Kitty on writing another fanfic? I think it's the best publicity I've gotten in a year. But seriously, you think being able to unload to someone without conflicting loyalties in this does not help? Because trust me, it does."
"Glad I can help, then." Doug grinned a little and shrugged. "Sorry, normally when people want my help, they want something programmed or hacked. The fanfic," his grin took on a hint of mischief, "was a nice change of pace."
"I would have to be less of a Luddite than I am to rise to the level of needing something programmed or hacked," Jean-Paul admitted. "If it's more complicated than my iPod, I tend to let it be."
Doug let out a soft amused snort, then shook his head and glanced over at Jean-Paul. "So, what are you going to do about the cabin?"
Jean-Paul sighed. "Talk to Jeanne-Marie, I suppose. Simon needs it more than either of us right now. And she and Bobby haven't really been using it, despite the new decor. For now..." Jean-Paul shrugged. "Maybe it will help him feel more secure to know it is there. It's more than I've been able to do for him lately."
"I know that feeling." Doug grimaced and turned back to look out the front windshield. "But hey, you're actively doing things. You're with the X-Men, you went undercover with Alpha Flight. I do a lot of homework, go do my internship with Stark, and hide under the desk with River when she needs company. So, y'know, could be worse?"
"They're better than nothing," Jean-Paul agreed. "But they're more...greater good goals, non? For the overall good of mutantkind and such. It doesn't do a lot to make him feel better over having his skull cracked while his sister was freshly traumatized. You're better able to be there for River immediately. Simon and I are spending more time apart, and it will be even worse when I go back to school. So...whatever he needs right? Even if what he needs is to string security cameras all over the woods."
"I think stringing security cameras all over the woods is a little overkill, maybe?" Doug forced a half smile, then let it fade. "But, y'know, I think you're underestimating the greater good goals. And you were there as soon as you found out about Simon and River. It was just...one of those freak things no one could have predicted."
"Did you know Laura very well before she left?" Jean-Paul asked.
Doug shook his head, bemused by the sudden topic change. "She stopped in to see Diaval a few times, but I pretty much said hi and made myself scarce. Why?"
"When we went to rescue her and River from the Facility, Laura shredded my side, stabbed me, and nearly tore my guts out. She wasn't in her right mind, and she'd have never done it again, but that didn't stop me from having nightmares. Simon and Josh Foley were there for me as soon as we got out and whenever I needed them after...but that didn't make it better." Jean-Paul shrugged. "You're not wrong. But it still doesn't make a difference."
"And you think knowing he has a bolt hole will?" Doug considered that, his expression doubtful, but he shrugged. Maybe it would. Like River always said, symbols were important.
"I hope so," Jean-Paul sighed. "If it makes him feel any safer at all, I'm at least willing to try it."
Doug sighed and nodded. What could he really say? He'd have done the same for River.
They had nearly reached Salem center by the time Jean-Paul spoke again. "Merci. And since it seems I am not kidnapping you and running off to Canada, is there someplace you'd like me to drop you off? Or are you willing to risk a shopping trip with me?"
"Hey, I came this far with you. I can probably survive shopping." Doug smiled. "In fact, if you want to slum it for once? I'll even buy the pizza."
Jean-Paul gave Doug a wounded look, but finally nodded. "I'll let you foot the bill if I can pick the restaurant."
"It's a deal." After all, considering how many times Jean-Paul had brought him dinner when he was on a deadline, it was the least he could do. "So, any idea what kind of security system Simon installed? And whether or not it can be remotely monitored?"
"Motion sensor remote-viewing cameras," Jean-Paul said quietly. "Fairly expensive crap too. One of those rigs where it won't trigger for things under a certain size."
"You'd need that there," Doug mused. "Otherwise every squirrel that ran past would set things off.
"Or we'd be running to the computer in time to view a lot of moose ass." Jean-Paul let himself be distracted by the details of the conversation. More than anything, the distraction was what he needed and Doug was being more than accommodating in that respect. Definitely worth the price of a lunch out.
