Jennie and Ororo - Wednesday Afternoon

[x-roulette.livejournal.com]

Jennie gets called in for a talk in her CO's office. And finds out her place on the team has changed.



Rubbing her sweaty palms on her jeans, Jennie swallowed nervously and knocked on the door to Ororo's office to announce her presence. She had no idea what the summons would be for, unless she had screwed something up. Maybe the tapes from the convenience store hadn't been erased after all? Whatever it was, she would have preferred it was Scott she was talking to. Scott she liked and respected, but a lecture from him was nothing compared to what she felt from Ororo. With Scott she would feel bad, with Ororo she would want to crawl under the floor and die.

Because, y'know, it wasn't like the woman had saved her personally twice, or anything.

"Come in." When Jennie entered the room she saw Ororo ensconced behind her desk, hands folded neatly on top as if she had been sitting and waiting for some time for the girl to show up. Her expression was serious. "Jennie, there you are. Please, sit down."

Oh shit. Jennie nodded and seated herself in front of Ororo's desk. If her back had been any straighter she might break something. She crossed her legs in front of her and couldn't stop the nervous foot jiggle. "Is there something you need to talk to me about, Ms. Munroe?"

"As a matter of fact, there is." The silver-haired woman paused for a moment, letting the silence draw out before resuming. "I do not have call to do this very often, but I feel I must discuss with you the responsibilities and duties of being on the team; though you might think it a boring subject, remembering these obligations is vital to performing well and keeping yourself from discipline."

Jennie closed her eyes for a second, trying to not look too pained. Responsibilities and duties. Right. Jennie knew she wasn't very good at following the rules most of the time, but being on this team was something she wanted and to mess that up... well, there was going to be creative swearing and banging a head against a wall later. "Yes, Ms. Munroe," she mumbled.

"There is more to being on the team than flying out on the Blackbird or causing property damage. The more mundane events are just as, if not more, important - practice, reviewing your performance, manning the comms..." Ororo took a deep breath, her voice having taken on its best 'teacher lecturing' quality. "Shirk those, and the rest of your time on the team will reflect that."

Damn damn damn damn. Jennie could feel herself blush. And she never blushed. Hadn't she done enough comms? True she'd skipped DR last week but that was to attend rehearsals for the spring dance show, and she'd had Scott's blessing. Jennie rubbed her hands on her jeans again. "Sorry," she said softly.

"As one of the team leaders, it is part of my job to oversee the trainees and their progress. I believe I can safely say that I have never seen a group quite so unconventional in their methods and practices as you and your peers, Jennie." It seemed as if there was a hint of humor in Ororo's voice, but her expression was still completely straight. "Perhaps it is a reflection on the rest of the team, and the example we set. What do you think?"

"Uh," Jennie blinked. "Well, I guess sometimes you have to do what's needed to get the job done. ...Within reason," she amended quickly. "You gotta think on the fly, and not everything goes according to plan. I hope that I can do what's needed when it's called for, and it's what I see going on around me." She shifted in her seat and clasped her hands in front of her. "That's what all of us want."

"Mm, I see..." Oh, hasn't the poor girl had enough? No need to be cruel. Shifting herself, Ororo leaned forward and placed something on the edge of the desk in front of Jennie. "I suppose that is why it seems time to give you those. You have earned them."

Jennie paused, and then cautiously reached forward and pulled a box off the desk, confusion plain on her face. It was a black box, innocent enough, and when Jennie opened it, two shiny X's stared back at her. Collar tabs. Her mouth opened in shock.

"Buh, wha?" she looked back at Ororo, blue eyes wide.

Now that was why she needed to have a camera handy. "Congratulations, Jennie," the older woman said, her previously stoic demeanor entirely replaced by warmth. "Pending your acceptance you are now a full member of the team. We have been watching you and feel that you have demonstrated your readiness for the team quite well." Ororo smiled.

"Welcome to the X-Men."

Jennie broke into a true smile, completely and utterly caught off-guard. "I... wow." she said, admiring the tabs. "This is, well, this is so cool!" And losing any and all sense of decorum, she bounded out of her chair and threw her arms around her CO. "Oh my god!"

Now it was Ororo's turn to look surprised, though she returned the hug after a shocked moment of paralysis. "You have earned this, Jennie. It was your own hard work that got you here."

Jennie laughed, pulling away and looking slightly embarrassed. Did I just hug my commanding officer? I totally just did. I am such a dork.

"This is, wow," she said, momentarily lost for words. "So, does this mean I get to pick my own codename and get my own uniform and everything?"

"It does. You are no longer subjected to the whims of your teammates when it comes to names. And I have notified Forge that you will be needing a uniform - you will want to sit down with him and let him know of any particulars you would like factored into the design, of course."

"Oh joy," Jennie said. Designing a uniform with Forge probably meant him showing her picture of bikinis for an hour until she smacked him enough to get him to actually work. Her other options were Shiro and Clarice, but Clarice still had the radiation poisoning thing and her relationship with Shiro remained cold and cordial. "Do I get to post and say 'you can't call me Jackpot anymore, neener neener neener' on the team comm?" And possibly rub it in that she had achieved team?

"If that is how you would like to start your tenure on the team," Ororo answered, surpressing a smirk at Jennie's quip. "But however you word it, I think a post to the team would not go amiss... unless you would rather Scott or I do that. The choice is yours."

"It might be best if one of you does it," Jennie said, sitting back down in her chair and holding the box with her collar tabs gingerly, as if it might evaporate without her knowing. "I don't want to come off as gloating."

Ororo chuckled. "I am sure most of the members of the team remember how it felt to join and would not begrudge you the excitement. But we would be happy to make the announcement for you. It is nearly as exciting for us, after all," she added.

Jennie grinned. She was official now, and holding tangible proof of her achievement in her hands. From a dark time and a vow made in blood when she was half-insane, to sitting in a sun-drenched office with a woman who she'd done much in the past to disappoint smiling at her, Jennie sat straighter. Feeling more adult than she ever had in her life.

"Thank you, Ms. Munroe. Thank you for everything."

"You are quite welcome, Jennie." Though they had already hugged, Ororo extended a hand for Jennie to shake - it seemed the moment needed something a bit more formal. "And thank you, too. I look forward to having another teammate to rely on."

Jennie clasped it. "I won't let you down," she promised.