xp_logs | Jean and Garrison: Trophy Night (NSFW

xp_phoenix posting in

A stolen trophy and an abundance of booze make for an interesting night for Jean and Garrison.

By some small miracle Jean had the day off for the next couple of days, so where did she go to spend it? Harry's Hideaway, of course. It wasn't her fault that they had insanely good bar food and surprisingly good IPAs for the area.

Walking into the bar, Jean gave a wave to Harry before heading to the jukebox to look through the tunes.

"Doc. I replaced all the selections with the Hip. There's no help to be found there." Kane said from a nearby table, sipping his pint and watching the hockey on television.

Jean squinted at the up and coming song list. "Now that's just rude," she said, then glanced over at him with a smirk.

"What if I wanted to listen to Bright Eyes?"

"You put them on after the Hip, like the rest of the civilized world. But fine." Kane pantomimed hitting a button, but really he just waved to Briar who switched the jukebox back to default mode.

Jean smiled proudly. "Thank you," she said, putting in her selection. "That song is truly overrated."

She sat down at the table next to him, not sure if he wanted to drink alone or not.

"It is. But I've been drinking for ages here, so I'm supposed to be all angry about new music. Do I look angry enough?"

Studying him, Jean tilted her head thoughtfully. "I dunno....could be angrier. Where's the fist slamming on the table and the grumbling?"

"Takes too much effort. Also, it fucks up my crappy alcoholic image." Kane gave her a smile. "If you want a story about the Mountie that hit on you, I won't deny it."

"But doesn't crappy angry alcoholic go against that story?" Jean said, shaking her head. "Not buying it."

She knew it was all banter anyway.

"I have a hat in my room. And a uniform, but the hat is a big deal. Would that convince you?"

Jean held up her finger for one beer. Harry knew her typical order. She looked back to Garrison.

"Just how big of a deal are we talking?"

Kane chuckled and grinned at her. "It's a lot more thick than big, Doc. Oh hell, we got there this quick?" The Canadian shook his head. "I'm sorry, Jean. Just... I'm in a weird space right now."

Pausing, Jean made a face. She shook her head. "No, it's okay. I...may have pregamed a little before I got here. Everything is....awesome. I'm sure I'm not helping."

"It's not you, it's me. Distractions like booze and... well, not booze and work are about the only coping mechanisms operational right now and they aren't that great at it. Buy you a drink? You can tell me all the gory details about the hospit- wait?" Kane paused, looking past Jean's shoulder. "Harry? Where's the big trophy?"

"Aw hell." Harry appeared with a pair of pints, huffing into his mustache. "Disappeared a couple of hours ago. Charlie's kid came in with a bunch of his frat buddies for a 21st birthday. I figured one of those little bastards thought it would be funny to pinch it."

Jean squinted thoughtfully. "Who's...Charlie?" she said, looking between Harry and Garrison. It wasn't particularly fair to assume Garrison knew but he was in here enough to probably pay rent so there was a 50/50 shot.

"Owes Charlie's Old Town Tavern. Harry's competitor out by the highway." Kane explained. He'd heard the saga. "You guys can't still be feuding."

"He thinks we are. And my son is living in Boston so he ain't here to balance things out."

"So his idea of balance is stealing a giant trophy?" Jean said, nodding slowly. "Sounds about right."

She leaned back in her chair, thoughtful for a moment.

"If we leave now, we might be able to catch up with wherever they went..."

Retrieving a stolen "treasure" sounded like her idea of a fun night.

"A frat party that left hours ago? They could be any where, Doc."

"Look Kane, I wouldn't normally but... Charlie knows you're a cop. If you wouldn't mind dropping by the tavern, see if he knows where his kid is? I appreciate it."

Sitting down beside Garrison, Jean leaned in. "Come on, don't you want an adventure where something isn't trying to kill us?" she said with a grin.

"Fine, I'll drop by. You're coming with me Doc."

"You thought I wasn't?" Jean said, taking another drink of her beer.

"Sounds fun."

"You are a weird chick.' Kane waved to Harry. "I'll talk a look, man."

Jean paused. "I should be offended, but I'm not," she said with a smirk. She finished off her drink, then stood.

"You be Law, I'll be Order."

So perhaps she was having far too much fun with this.

"You have no idea who much I hate this." Kane huffed.

***

Charlie's Oldtown Tavern was busy but not packed, which made it easy for Kane to catch the bartender's eye.

"I"m looking for Charlie's kid."

The bartender eyed Kane curiously. "Who's askin?"

"Seriously Gary. If I need to get heavy I will." Kane said.

Gary laughed. "I'm just screwin' with ya, Kane," he said, grabbing a mug.

"Kid's not here. He left about a half an hour ago," he added, peering at Jean a moment, then back to Garrison.

"What'd he do?"

"He grabbed the bowling trophy." Kane said. His expression changed to a more serious tone.

Gary's smile disappeared and he rolled his eyes. "Ah fuck," he said.

"Of course he did. Kid's always trying to prove himself."

Jean leaned in. The crowd around them was pretty loud. "Did he leave it here?" she said.

Gary shook his head. "Nah, I didn't even see it. Must've had it somewhere else. He said something about a bar crawl."

"So who is-" Kane was cut off by a shriek.

"Bitches, we need cock! Where is the cock we ordered!"

Rubbing her forehead, Jean blinked. "Can't help you there, sorry," she said, turning to see what the commotion was all about.

"Oh hell. It's a bachelorette. " Kane turned back to Gary. "You need to know where he went."

Gary shook his head, holding up his hands. "Sorry, Kane. He didn't really talk that much to me," he said.

"Someone else, maybe?" Jean said, glancing over her shoulder. "Like maybe, a group of hot women?"

All of whom might have been single--except for one.

Gary straightened. "Matter of fact..."

Jean smiled, turning to Garrison. "We might have what they're looking for."

“That group is so drunk already that they don’t even know what they are looking for.” Kane said, but Jean approached them. "NO, stop. We're not-"

“If you ladies were looking for something, this guy just got here.” Gary called over to them and cocked a thumb at Kane.

"OMG! Are you the stripper?" The bride looked at Kane and pulled her bodice down to show her tits to him. "Work it, stripper man!"

Jean's mouth fell open and she covered it with her hand, stifling a surprised laugh.Well, that escalated quickly...

"Uh..."

"I'm not the stripper. I'm an officer of the RCMP and I need to know about a trophy-"

Jean held up a hand. "He's totally in character, isn't he?" she said, then glanced at Garrison.

~They are way too blasted. Getting too professional with them will make them panic and they might not tell us anything.~

-You goddamn bitch.- Kane said as he unclipped his shirt. "Alriight ladies, you get your money out. You tell me where that group went." Kane said, stripping off his shirt.

Eyebrows raising, Jean realized the alcohol was getting to her but...she didn't much care.

~Language, Mr. Kane. Do you want to get the trophy back or not?~

She took a seat at the table, listening as the ladies started to hoot and holler, reaching for their purses to tuck $20 bills into his belt line.

"What group?" one of them asked from behind a martini glass.

"They were a group of young guys....said they were going on a bar crawl? Probably bragged about taking something?" Jean offered helpfully.

The women giggled. "Oh yeah...it's starting to come to me but I dunno...I think I need some dancing to get the memory really going," the bride said.

Behind her, one of the bridesmaids flashed her tits at Kane. "C'mon Mountie, make this hot. Music! We need music!"

"No, we don't need-"

Dropping in a a dollar, 'Pony' by Ginuwine started up over the bar speakers and Jean, avoiding the girl's boobs, gave Garrison the thumbs up.

Kane bit back the comment he wanted to make as the song came on. The Canadian was not an intuitive dancer but he had two advantages. One, that the jukebox was digital and a video of the song was playing. Two, he had a tactical chip at the base of his skull that allowed him to learn and mimic the moves of an enemy combatant that also worked for dance moves. Kane started to move, slowly at first but faster and with more confidence. With the semi-circle of girls egging him on, Kane's chiseled physique was more and more on display as they hollered.

Jean's eyes widened, and she found herself covering them, then pulled her own hand down.

Kane didn't notice (not that she was the only one) as he navigated his shoes and pants off in a move that almost required preternatural dexterity as a bare minimum to execute. Fortunately, his clothing was landing near his teammate, hoping she'd collect them. Meanwhile, the girls were starting to get handsy.

"I think this deserves a location for the group by now."

The bride gave a hoot along with her holler, settling down in her chair with a massive grin.

"I don't even have to pay for a stripper now....Damn. Okay...okay...." she said, twirling her hair around her finger before adjusting her 'bride to be' crown.

"They said they were headed to a karaoke bar....I think it was called....The High Note."

"Did she tell you-" Kane jumped. "Hey! Hey! Don't be so grabby!"

"I grabbed some Canadian bacon, ladies!."

"That is not cool!"

Jean was trying to stifle her laughter, then held up her hands. "Okay...no touching the merchandise. Bad form," she said.

"Do you remember anything else?"

"Yes, that women are terrible... and I'm great." Kane shook his head as he collected his clothes while the party threw bills at him. "The High Note. You know it?"

"I was talking to the girls," Jean said, then laughed.

"Yeah, I've heard of it. Popular hang out with the ESU crowds. I might have gone there a few times in my undergrad days."

"Give me a chance to find my self respect and my pants and we'll get out there." Kane paused. "Although, I can't say a lot for that wedding. I got numbers slipped into my underwear by everyone, including the mother of the bride."

Jean grinned. "One last hurrah. Not to mention the entertainment wasn't too bad to look at," she said. A moment passed. She grimaced.

"That's the beer talking. Ignore me."

"Should I? Or is the Doc embarrassed by all the muscles?" Kane said, pausing. Grey had been very defensive, in her new incarnation. "Next time, it's going to be you in your underwear."

Snorting, Jean rolled her eyes. "I am a doctor. I've seen more penises and pecs than a gay review," she said.

"But since we're teammates I figured that wasn't---professional. Like strip teasing at bridal shower is but...there's a line somewhere." She eyed him thoughtfully.

"Besides.....some of us can take off our shirts and have it be legal while others can't. Double standard..."

"I agree. It's a huge double standard. If you want to take off your shirt..." Kane shook his head. "Sorry Doc. Just giving you shit."

"I noticed," Jean said with a smirk. "Maybe some other time."

She motioned toward the door. "I think it's about time to head to the next place. Don't want to lose our prey, do we?"

"Unless the shirt thing is still in play. Because I'm willing to pay for shots for that."

"I bet you would," Jean mused, waving him toward the door. "Onward."

"So long as there aren't bridesmaids. I've had entirely enough of those for one... life."

***

"The High Note. You will never find a more wretched hive of people who can't sing the fucking slightest." Kane said, staring up at the sign. Oh good, it was the night they had prizes, ensuring the place would be packing with warbling never-divas, Jimmy Buffet fans, and that one asshole that still thought Adam Sandler's songs were hilarious. "You know, can we just stand out here and pick through their brains for information?"

Jean shot him a look. "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that," she said with a smirk.

"It's against my moral code. They aren't evil, after all. Just---incredibly drunk. What, you aren't up for a little detective work?"

"Do you not know what the cover- Jean- !" He said, following her inside as she walked past him. The doorman stopped them just inside and handed a piece of paper to Jean.

"Cover." She reached for her purse but he waved it away and pointed at the paper. "Cover." He said again.

"It's talent show night. The cover is a song, Doc." Kane explained from behind her.

Jean stared at the doorman sceptically.

"Seriously?" she said.

That was a bargain. Especially in this area.

"Any kind of cover or is there a theme you're going for here?"

"You're trying to negotiate the humiliation? It's any song you want. Marie, uh... she found this place a while ago." He really did not want to mention karaoke with Marie. It was traumatizing.

Jean laughed. "She found it because of me. I used to come here in college," she said. She smiled at the doorman.

"Alright..." She drew in a breath.

"I'm gonna fight 'em off....a seven nation army couldn't hold me back..." she began, her voice a little unsteady and rusty from lack of use but surprisingly good. The longer she sang, the stronger she became.

"They're gonna rip if off...take their time right behind my back. And I'm talking to myself at night, because I can't forget. Back and forth through my mind, Behind a cigarette. And the message coming from my eyes...Says leave it alone..."

The doorman and Kane shared a look. "Uh, Doc. You got to do it in there. In front of everyone." Kane pointing over her shoulder at the stage as the doorman took the paper and wrote down the song name and the artist. "And thank you for choosing a solo song. I'll go 'investigate' while you sing."

Jean tried not to look mortified, and she whacked Kane in the arm.

"Why didn't you stop me?" she said, then realized why.: payback for earlier.

Narrowing her eyes, she mouthed 'I hate you' as she stomped her way toward the stage.

"Well, I'm pretty sure that ended any attraction the strip show might have started." Kane said as he headed over to the bar and ordered a drink before scoping the place out. It was popular with couples, parties of women, really intense looking older guys and... ah, a small collection of frat boys ordering shots. He made his way towards them, counting on the attractive red-head to distract them.

Jean stepped on stage as the music started. It'd been awhile since she'd been on stage to do karaoke. Being a young resident didn't offer a lot of free time but when she had it it was nice to head to a place where when every eye was on you, and you screwed up, no one died.

Unless it was from embarrassment. Jean began to sing.

Thank God for Jack Daniels.

"You boys celebrating?" Kane waved for the bottle as he sat down with as the shots arrived. "I'm looking for Stuart. I'm betting you're part of his birthday crew?"

"Yeah, what if we are?"

"Just want to know where he is now."

"Fuck you, man. I smell bacon."

"I am, in fact, a cop. Which is the only reason I'm not currently beating his fucking location out of you right now in the bathroom. So, here's the deal, I'll buy the shots. We drink them. Any of you tap out before me, you tell me where he is."

"And if we win, old man?"

"Old man?" Kane mouthed a 'wow'. "See the redhead on stage?"

"The hot one, sure."

"She's my partner."

"Fine. We win, we each get to motorboat her tits."

"That sounds fair." Grey would kill him if she heard, but this wasn't even a bet. Kane took the bottle, took a healthy swig, and filled up the shots. "Get it down your necks, kids. There's lots to drink."

The song continued, and Jean caught sight of Garrison downing drinks like they were water. But the crowd surged and covered them up. Jean managed to give a decent performance, though she found her voice a little strained, and stopped herself while she was ahead. She did not want to lose it again.

At least it would've been a normal way and not due to a mind-controlling squid.

The song ended, and Jean hopped down off stage, giving a high five to a drunk girl and her boyfriend before making her way toward Garrison.

" -and then she... she fucked Tom."

"Bros before hos."

"Wait, aren't you Tom?" Kane said. The drunk man paused and shrugged. "Oh boy... hey Doc. Nice pipes. Crowd liked you."

A few of the guys were snickering and elbowing one another. and Jean arched a brow.

"Uh...hey," she said curiously. "Thanks."

One of the guys grinned. "We really did," he said, eyes lingering downward a little too long.

Jean cocked her head to the side. "Right."

"Oops, that's been two minutes. Either another shot or Stuart's location. Tick tock, boys."

"OK, there's a party at the house tonight. He went back there with the stupid trophy."

"And I win. Ta." Kane knocked back the shot. "Good evening, kids. I've got more detectoring to do."

There came a collective chorus of boos. "Damn it!" one of them shouted, then peered at Jean with puppy dog eyes.

"Just one motorboat for pity sake?"

Jean narrowed her eyes. "I will hurt you," she said.

The guy jumped back. "Yes ma'am."

Jean sighed. "''Ma'am?' I am not that old."

"They're frat boys. Anyone over the age of 23 is old. If you're a girl, that drops to 18." Kane said, nudging her towards the exit. "We got the lead we needed."

"Touche," Jean said, wishing she were evil for just a second so she could make that guy think he were a mountain goat.

"Hooray. Where is it?"

"Party at a frat house, so, you know, don't shoot down the motorboating as a potential weapon." Kane said as they walked out into the night air. "Actually, jokes aside, that was a pretty decent turn at the mic, Doc."

Jean slipped her hands into her pockets. "Thanks," she said with a laugh.

"It was fun, all things considered. Been awhile since I've done more than just sing in the shower."

"American karaoke lacks all the songs I can sing, so it isn't as fun for me." He said, giving her a nudge. "You should do it more often. I mean, I'm not going to do it with you, but I support you doing it."

"You mean you don't like the White Stripes?" Jean said, putting her hand to her chest. "That hurts."

She smiled. "Thanks. Maybe I will." It'd been so long since she'd allowed herself to loosen up. The brush with the squid, Shadow King, all of these elements made her want to take more charge of her life. Or try to have more fun, at least.

"I love the White Stripes. I just sing them like I'm in pain. So you get that one, Doc McRedhead."

"So what do you sing, then?" Jean asked as they made their way down the street. It was late but still early enough that people were out and about.

"Mostly Canadian. Come on, you've heard me out back at the firepit before." Kane said, nudging her with his elbow.

Jean arched a brow. "Can't say that I have," she said thoughtfully.

"You might have to hum a few bars to jog my memory."

"You already got to see me in my underwear which is small enough that it basically means you can guess my religion. If you want songs, you're going to need to buy me a few drinks first."

Jean laughed. "Sure, why not? I think I can arrange that. But considering you just outdrank 5 frat boys I have to draw a line somewhere."

"You draw the line at five frat guys? I mean, we are headed for a frat party." Kane said, clearly kidding. "Tell you what, we get the trophy back and I'll give you a few bars of the Hip."

"The Hip?" Jean said curiously.

"The Tragically Hip. Are you familiar with the Beatles or Bruce Springsteen?"

"My dad's a big fan Springsteen, mom loves the Beatles," Jean confirmed.

"So yeah. I'm guessing the Tragically Hip's like their lovechild?"

"No, they make those bands look like talentless schlubs."

Jean laughed. "Don't let my parents hear you say that," she said, then nodded.

"I'll add them to my list of things to listen to."

"So they aren't going to come to the wedding? I'm crushed." Kane waved for a nearby cab and opened the door when it stopped. "You ready to face a house full of drunken 20 year olds, hopped up on booze and hormones?"

"Uh...you lost me," Jean said. Wedding? She glanced up at him. "And I'm a doctor. I see drunk 20 year olds, hopped up on booze and hormones in the ER every week. Bring it on," she said with a smirk as she climbed inside.

"Where I meet your parents? My jokes are obviously fantastic tonight..." Kane said as he climbed in beside her and passed the address over to the driver.

"A for effort," Jean offered with a laugh.

"I'll still accept the karaoke after the trophy, though. If you're up for it."

"They never have any of my music, typical Yankee bias... but we can see back at the mansion where I can get my guitar."

Jean blinked. "Guitar?" she said, tilting her head. "That's impressive. So are you...full on John Mayer or is it just a hobby?"

"Oh no. I'm good enough to take a turn at an open mic, but I'm not good enough to do much more than that." Kane shrugged. "It's a nice hobby and I get to annoy the kids at a barbecue with old people music. But that's it."

Jean smiled. "That's pretty cool. I'd love to hear it," she said. She leaned back in the seat.

"I'm obviously more of a vocalist than a music player. My hands are mainly reserved for the OR. I've always wanted to learn piano or the violin, though."

"It's a big time investment. Mind you, if anyone is going to fit it in between the team, your hospital shifts and a vigorous karaoke schedule, it would be you." The cab stopped. "And we're here. Get ready to be ankle deep in stale beer and bodily fluids."

"Pity I can't clone myself," Jean said, then laughed. "Yet."

She handed the driver some money, then hopped out of the car, surveying the house with a light grimace.

"God, I have been having so many flashbacks to college tonight."

"I don't, but I was in a special program. I had to wait for graduation before I started to make poor sexual choices and drink suicidal amounts." Kane said, on his way up the path, dodging past several drunks passed out on the lawn.

"Guess you have to start some time," Jean said, trailing slightly behind Garrison as she tried to look like she belonged, even if she was easily 10 years older than most of the people here.

"This kid must be a mutant if he can still drink that much and not have alcohol poisoning."

"Most jocky college kids have that power." Kane took a quick scope out of the area. "I'm going to pull a coitus interruptus and check upstairs. You see if anyone has seen these little weasels down here?"

Jean saluted. "It occurs to me, though, that we don't actually know what the guy looks like. We just have a name," she said.

"That's why I have my cop shouty voice." He grinned briefly at her. "You'll need to improvise."

Jean rolled her eyes. "I have stern doctor voice. You've heard it. It can be pretty intimidating."

"Doctors can't send you to jail, Mom!" Kane jibed at her and disappeared upstairs, leaving her with a ground floor full of drunken, partying students.

Jean didn't reply, save for an inward grumble as she made her way into the overabundant smell of of desperation and Axe body spray. Sometimes she missed being in college. And then there were days like these, especially when she saw a group of guys in the kitchen with a row of red solo cups playing a game of beer pong.

"Hi. So, I'm looking for a guy named Stuart and I was wondering if you happened to have seen him here?"

Jean was met by a group of surprised stares at her. All four looked her up and down twice, confused. “Did-“ The youngest one turned and looked at the others. “Did you guys order her?”

“No, we didn’t, Kevin. Remember the talk we had about just blurting out confessions to crimes, Kevin”

“So, we don’t get to see her tits?” He received a cuff upside the ear.

“Allow me to apologize for my friend here. He's a freshman. So, how can we help you Officer? Or is it Professor. Or-“ He paused. “Is there someone here who calls you Mom in a non-erotic way”

Jean stared at them blankly for a moment. Between the ma'am comment earlier that was the second time tonight that she felt like an old school marm or something.

"None of the above. I'm just trying to look for a guy named Stuart. He took something from a friend of mine and I'm trying to get it back."

"I could be Stuart!"

"Shut up, Kevin." He received a second thwhap to the ear. "As a matter of fact, Stuart is a member of this frat but it sounds like he's being accused of some kind of crime and we couldn't in good faith just turn him in. But, say, if providing the information was part of some kind of wager..."

For a moment, Jean considered a few options: Throwing clout by saying she knew a cop, or just giving up and plucking it from their brains before making them think they were a group of dim-witted cocker spaniels but that wasn't nice. Nor something she would do. So this appeared to be the quickest route.

"What kind of wager?"

"Well, we were just settling in for a game of beer pong. Now, not that we'd expect of woman of such... maturity to play, but if you wanted to and happened to win, we would feel obligated to give up Stuart." He gave a flourish with his hand. Obviously someone was working on an arts degree. "But if you lose... well, you add your panties to our wall."

He pointed to a space to Jean's right. Thumbtacked on the wall were a myriad collection of panties, ranging from flirty thongs to more substantial pieces, obviously taken of and by other college aged women presumably the frat brothers knew. "We'd happily name them 'House Mom's' if it helps."

Jean was trying very hard not to roll her eyes and let out a laugh.

"Wow, you're charming," she said with manufactured amusement. She was silent for a moment or two, then nodded.

"Alright, deal."

This was probably a bad idea, but she was having fun. And they didn't know she had certain..advantages.

Meanwhile, Kane was upstairs, already being bombarded by the twin sounds of people awkwardly having sex and people awkwardly trying to negotiate about the chance of having sex. He chose to focus on the latter, flipping on an overhead light to immediately overwhelm the red t-shirt over the lamp attempt at mood lighting. They both were still fully clothed, shared a bottle of Southern Comfort back and forth. Really, Kane was doing them a favour.

"Hello, hello! This is a surprise... mattress inspection. Does that mattress still have its tag." In the startled young man's eyes, he saw his chances for sex burning to the ground. "This seems to check out. Now, where's Stuart? We have a warrant to check his mattress."

"Wha- who the fuck are you! Get out!"

"Just point me at Stuart's room and I'll let you get back to disappointing this young woman."

"Fuck-" He swung a punch at Kane's gut. The Canadian doubled over as he caught the fist easily, shifting so the young man's body partially blocked his companion's view and pulled him in close. A pulse of bone rending pressure made his eyes go wide, even as Kane let out a howl of pain.

"Oh! Oh, you got me!" Kane pulled him in and hissed under his breath. "Point me at the room and you're a hero. Don't, and your wanking hand is out of commission for eight weeks in a cast."

"Uh-" The guy shuddered for a moment and pointed. From her perspective, it looked like he was point at the stairs, but instead it was to an open room door. "Yeah, uh, get out and don't come back!"

"You've certainly trounced me, young man. I'm no match for your stamina." Kane said as he staggered back into the hallway. "I'm no match for a man like you, that's for sure." He shuffled along the hall as the door was slammed and the sounds of enthusiastic female leaked through. He straightened up and went over into the Stuart's room, hoping that he'd just dumped the trophy there but it only took a couple of minutes to determine the only thing hiding in Stuart's room was any standard of hygenie. It was up to the Doc, he told himself as he walked back downstairs.

"Come on, Dave. You can't miss this."

"I won't."

"I bet they're black. And lacy." Kevin said, staring wistfully at Jean. Or Jean's chest, at least.

"Shut up, Kevin! I'm trying to concentrate." Dave fired down the ball with just a little backspin. It arced over the cups and caught the rim of one. The spin caused it to bounce back slightly and down, a perfect shot.

Jean regarded the three men, glad she had her mental walls up to keep from the filthy thoughts splashing around in their minds.

She winced a little as they made the shot, silent for a moment or two before extending her hand for them to pass her the ball.

One motioned with his hand. "Drinky drinks first, babe." He said, passing her the ball over after she'd drained the partially full solo cup.

Quirking a brow at 'babe,' Jean finished off the cup like it was water, then slammed it down. She held up the ping pong ball, preparing to aim it with a squint, then aimed it again, before tossing the ball at the cup. Time seemed to slow as the ball circled the rim before landing in the cup.

Jean turned back to the men, motioning toward their cups for them to drink.

"Bottoms up."

"Lucky shot?"

"Lucky shot. Absolutely." They tilted back their drinks

Dave took the ball and rapped it for a high arc, but it was offline and bounced off the side of the rim.

Jean tilted her head to the side at the fail, giving them a light smile and a 'sympathetic' pity pout. "Rats."

Waiting to be handed the ball, she gave another sizing up for aim, then again, before sending the ball toward the cup. This time, it immediately went right in without hitting the rim, the equivalent of a basketball hoop style 'swish.'

"Wait, that was-" Dave started to say something, but was cut off as Jean pointed at the drinks. They slammed them back.

"Do you guys think she'd go on a date with me?"

"Shut up, Kevin!" Dave said, turning his ballcap backwards as he bent over and concentrated in a manner he must have thought was convincingly serious. He flicked the ball on another bounce shot, trying to take out the corner cup. It hit the edge and hiccuped up. As it came down, it struck the rim and bounced away.

Resting her chin in her hand, Jean glanced between the three of them as she nodded once more toward their next round of drinks.

"You...have done this before, haven't you? Or did you just buy a package of panties at Target for your wall?"

"A couple of lucky shots doesn't make you an expert. But for that, we're giving Kevin twenty minutes with your panties before we put them up."

"Really?"

"Shut up, Kevin! Take your shot. It's harder when there's only two left."

Unnoticed, Kane slipped into the next room, watching from his leaning spot on the wall with his arms crossed.

Rolling her eyes, Jean held up her hands to concede to Dave's statement about 'luck' as she picked up the ball.

"Columbia's finest," she muttered. She circled the table for a moment while making motions with her hand to imply trajectory before returning to her spot and letting out a breath.

After a few moments, she let the ball sail. It made it's way toward the cup, sliding around the rim like it was about to bounce off and making the cup shudder from the force of the momentum. Then, it corrected course and sailed around the rip, landing with a plop at the bottom.

Jean's eyes widened as she broke into a broad grin of surprised excitement. Settling herself down, she motioned for them to continue.

"Brah, she's winning!"

"I know, Shut up!"

"But she's winning!"

"I know! Shut ! Up!"

"I think I saw her nipple bump on her shirt-"

"Shut up, Kevin!"

"Three left. I can take three." Dave said, concentrating. He gave the ball a gentle bounce, willing it to the front cup. It hit the back of the rim and then the front, hanging up for a second. Then, with agonizing slowness, dropped in.

"Yes! Yes! Drink! You drink!"

Kane rolled his eyes in the back ground.

"Three left? Sorry boys, but there were only two. That means if I win this last one, you tell me what I want to know and it's just Kevin and his hand tonight," Jean said, picking up the cup to drink as the spoke, nonetheless. Had to be a good sport.

Her liver was probably getting a good workout.

"Yeah, you want to up the bet? Maybe put your sweet ass on the line?"

Jean laughed. "No," she said, leaning against the pool table that was serving as their 'gameboard.' She wasn't going to be goaded by a trio of 21 year olds who looked like a reject hipster boy band.

"I just want what I came for," she said. Tilting her head with a light smile, she held out her hand for the ball.

"Are we playing or not?"

"Like you're making this shot." He tossed it to her contemptuously.

Catching the ball, Jean's smile widened and she said nothing, choosing to let her actions speak for her.

She sized up the ball, the last cup waiting there like a raised hole in one. The room fell silent. Well, as silent as it could at a frat party with 'Party Rock' by LMFAO playing in the other room so loud that the bass could be felt through the walls. Someone coughed, and another guy hit him in the stomach to get him to shut up.

Finally, Jean raised her hand and threw the ball like she were tossing a crumpled piece of paper. It sailed through the air, everyone's head lifting to follow it, then lowering as gravity took the ball downward. Time seemed to stop as the ball made its way into the cup, sliding along the rim like a man walking on a wire.

No one breathed.

Circling the rim, gravity continued to propel the ball forward and it spun further and further in before making landing at it's destination in the bottom of the cup. Those who were not in with the trio of men let out a cheer and a hoot and holler as they started to clap.

"Man, you fucked up, Dave," one guy yelled with a laugh.

"So... no panties?"

"Shut up, Kevin!"

"Sounds like you owe the lady some answers?" A voice said from the back of the crowd. Dave shook his head.

"I haven't lost a game in- fine. You know, fine. Stuart is headed to the lake. Go find him. Throw yourself in after him."

Jean smiled. "Thanks," she said cheerfully. "I'll let you get back to applying aloe vera to that burn."

She turned to leave, scanning the crowd to see if she could spot Garrison.

"Hey Doc. Nice work on the beer pong. A little TK sharking involved?" Kane said as he fell in beside her. "Upstairs was a bust. If they still have the trophy, it's with them."

Jean blinked at him innocently. "I don't know what you mean," she said casually, her voice slightly slurred. She made a face.

"I can't wait to get back to the good beer. That was...awful.."

"Frat beer is designed to be affordable and shit. You ok? I can handle the next part if you're flagging?"

Holding her chin up high, Jean then shook her head. "Nope. I'm your partner, partner. We're in this for the long haul. For...Harry and...beer...and...glory."

"Who am I to argue with a woman who risked her panties to Kevin in order to accomplish her mission. By the way, I'm the all time beer pong champ. Can't sink the ball to save my life, but I can just keep drinking." He grinned at her as they started to follow the trail behind the frat out of the campus grounds and towards the lake.

"Must be nice to have a healing factor," Jean said thoughtfully. "My cheating only works if no one knows about it. I won a lot of money in college."

She smiled proudly, walking in step beside him toward Rye Lake.

"So why'd you agree to come help? Could've said no," she said.

"Harry's a friend, who puts up with a lot more of my shit than he needs to. I kinda owe him. Which brings up the question, why are you doing this? I've seen you in the Hideaway, but it's not like it's a nightly haunt for you as opposed to me. I mean, you literally bet your underwear to try and find this stupid bowling trophy."

Jean shrugged. "I knew I'd win," she said. She stared ahead at the moonlight through the trees.

"I never do anything like this. I guess...I wanted to live a little."

"Really? Geez Jean, you seem to pack in more life in every hour than any other person I've seen. Is it about a different kind of life you're looking for?"

Jean blinked at the question. "It's not that much," she interjected, but at his skeptical look paused.

"Okay, it's a lot. It's work. And it's rewarding. And I feel like I make a difference. But sometimes..." She kicked a rock, sending it sailing down the trail.

"I need to...be out of my head, I guess. Not....responsible for anything."

"Really? I mean, I get it. It's just you project this... ultra capable vibe all the time. You know-" He nudged her. "It's kind of nice you know that you need a break."

Jean laughed a little, then shrugged again, nudging him back. "This has been nice. It's fun. Plus...it's still helping someone. With beer. So much beer."

"Wrong. There's only two classifications of beer; not enough beer and just enough beer for now. It always falls between those two." He slowed as the shouts and shrieks of partying people carried through the trees. "I think we're getting close."

"Either that or someone's getting murdered enthusiastically," Jean mused before letting out a hiccup. She covered her mouth. "Excuse me."

She reached out her mind. "There's about... 35 of them. Younger. Very drunk" she said.

"Let's not surprise them. Come on." Kane left the trail and moved into the woods in a crouch. It only took a few moments before they were behind a tree and able to look over the lake. There was a dock which held at least a dozen or so people dancing either in their underwear or nude. In the shallows, around a raft, sat the trophy with the rest crowded around it, drinking and dancing as well. Bluetooth speakers scattered around played about three different songs at full volume to no apparent issue by the crowd. Every so often, another cluster of partiers emerged, either to doff their clothes and join the party or in pairs and trios, obviously having left the party for the relative privacy of the woods.

"Yeah, that is one bombed group of students."

Jean squinted. "I could probably move it with my telekinesis but that would definitely freak a few people out. Even if that would be hilarious," she said.

"We need a plan B."

"I could flash a badge and send them running, but there's a good chance that the trophy gets bashed up and dropped into the lake when they scattered. Fortunately, they aren't paying that much attention." Kane said, thinking over. If we could get in close, you could yank it away behind us and we quietly walk back up into the woods. Even if any of them notices, they'll be too drunk to care or just think we're sneaking off to fuck against a tree or something."

"That's all well and good but...we don't exactly look the part," Jean said. She laughed.

"You may need to be half naked again."

"You're going out there with me, Doc. I already got grabbed by the dick today by at least three overly boisterous bridesmaids. Can you fuzz up their already addled minds so no one pays too much attention to both of us?"

"I know, I know, I'm in. I just feel bad that you're having to do this twice tonight," she said. She rubbed her forehead.

"I can make things hazy but I'm a little buzzed so we should make it quick. I don't want to take any chances."

"Hanging around a frat proto-orgy isn't high on my lists either." Kane started to peel off his clothes. "Also, nothing to feel bad about, Jean. I made my own decisions, not you."

Jean said nothing but gave a little laugh of acknowledgement as she slipped off her shirt and shimmed out of her jeans until she was in her bra and panties. She felt a little self conscious at first but reminded herself that it was practically like wearing a bikini.

"If Harry had any idea the lengths we went to..."

"We can't tell him. He'd feel so guilty." Kane stepped out of his pants and neatly folded them on top of his shirt and shoes.

Jean whacked him against the arm. "I wasn't gonna tell him," she said with a laugh that ended in a lingering smile.

"Besides, it's been fun."

"We've got very different ideas of fun. Sitting at the bar sinking pints while watching the Jays game is fun. Chasing horny frat boys around town is... ok, it's a little fun, but less so when I can't arrest them." He bundled his clothes behind a tree. "Alright, act casual until we reach the water."

"So you want me to act like a horny college student?" Jean mused.

"I actually made that request specifically in my last letter to Santa."

Jean gave him a side eye and a smirk as she walked past him toward the party.

"Alright, let's go Animal House."

"There are so many potential meanings for that." He muttered but followed, letting her take the lead.

Pushing through the tree cover, Jean strolled onto the beach surrounding the lake. The music from the bluetooth speakers was so loud people could only yell at each other very close to one another. Most people were in the lake but a few people crowded around a bonfire and were roasting marshmallows, drinking, or both.

Fortunately, between the firelight and the reflection on the water, there was plenty of light to see by but enough darkness to obscure the details In this case, the perfect lighting for deniable sex and hookups worked to make the older pair not stand out as much as they might have otherwise.

Jean scanned the crowd before once more zeroing in on their prize. The revelers around the raft didn't look like they were planning on moving away any time soon. "You ready to dance?" she shouted to Garrison.

"Ready when you are." He nodded, moving closer, edging between clusters of people.

They made their way across the beach, then down into the water. A couple of people glanced them over but Jean had already started broadcasting the fuzzy field as she started to dance and people went back to their own make out session.

"What's Stuart look like?" Jean said to Garrison. She was tempted to ask him mentally but remembered last time that happened with Quentin and went the old fashioned way. The moment the question left her lips she remembered he didn't know.

"Not sure. Tall, brown hair. Never really paid attention. If I had to bet-" He said as he finally cleared enough people to get close to her. "I'd say the guy holding court with the three girls in front of the raft."

Jean turned to look where he'd described and promptly cocked her head to the side, making a face.

"Well, that's disgusting. At least he's distracted, though."

"I'll get in the way. You snake the trophy out behind me?" Kane suggested, moving closer to the raft as he splashed through the water.

Jean nodded. "Okay if we talk this way?" she said, tapping her temple as she circled around on the other side. "I'll make it easier."

"Absolutely." Kane said telepathically as he pulled out a can of beer and leaned on the raft to drink it. His body blocked the direct line of sight to the trophy for most of the people involved.

Swimming around to the back of the raft, Jean could see the glint of gold peeking out from the top of the raft. She started to get closer, then tipped the trophy over telekinetically before starting to move it toward her before yanking it off the raft and into her hands. The trophy was really big, however, so she couldn't really keep it above water without drawing attention, it had to go in.

~Got it. Now I just have to get out.~

"I got you covered." Kane shifted so that even underwater, the trophy wasn't noticeable as she brought it closer to the shore. He sloshed through the water in the shallows, finally starting to get close enough to the dark area of the water to retrieve it unnoticed. "Almost there."

Jean tried to keep up the mental haze with the others as she moved, especially with the big shiny object.

~We need to get further down so we don't draw attention when we get it out of the water.~

"They don't seem to be paying us a lot of attention so we should be-"

Kane's thought was abruptly cut off as a couple of headlights opened up on the water and the cherries of a siren started.

"Alright kids. Stay where you are." The amplified voice said, but it was largely ignored as dozens of students fled into the woods.

~Shit~ Jean said. ~Run!~

As much as someone could run in water, anyway. She broke into a half scramble, half swim toward the edge of the lake and the safety of the trees.

"Crap! We need to-" The headlights caught Kane dead on. "Dammit."

Jean quickly noticed saw her path toward the shore get a LOT brighter and turned around to glimpse the light over Garrison. Her eyes widened...before narrowing as there came a popping sound and the headlights dimmed and went black.

~Go go go!~ she reached out to Garrison.

"I'm cheesing it from the fuzz. Jean, I am the goddamn fuzz!" Kane scooped up the trophy and ran. "Fuck it! Cheese it!"

Jean blinked with bewilderment. "What does that even mean?!" she blurted as she made it to the shore ahead of him, making a mad dash across the sand as it turned into forest and brush.

"They're heading for the dock. They'll be here in a couple of minutes."

"Our clothes are over there! And the cops- I- Jean!" He said as he scrambled after her through the woods holding the trophy. "Are we just running for it?"

"I---I don't know!" Jean said in a panic. "Getting caught by the police in our underwear in the woods with a giant trophy would NOT look good. In fact it'd probably make the news, which we don't need either. So...I guess we are?"

"Run!" Kane yelled as he followed her through the woods.

***

Reaching the mansion had involved going through a largely pine forest (painful), hiding from headlights in a culvert (wet) and dealing with a very angry dog (painful, but only for Kane). Garrison put the trophy in the garage so they could clean it up before returning it the next day. Technically, it already was the next day.

Jean picked what was apparently some sort of kelp or seaweed out of her hair as she stared up at the trophy, then back at the rising sun, the skies lit up with emerging reds, pinks, and oranges.

"Well that was...something," she said.

"I'm pretty sure parts were a felony." Kane said. He was caked with mud from the knees down, his underwear was running ragged and he was a deep breath away from full frontal nudity.

He hadn't felt this good in months.

"Doc, I got to be honest. I wasn't expecting any of this."

Jean started to lean against the wall but knew that if she did she'd leave mud or moss or something there. They already had enough footprints all over the garage and didn't need to power wash the walls either.

She smiled, shaking her head. "Me either," she said. She was just expecting a nice drink.

"Harry is going to appreciate this a lot." Kane said, waving her along with him as they headed into the mansion proper

"I think he will. It's a nice trophy. I can see why he'd want it back," she said, following him. It was early enough that only the crazy people were up. So hopefully no one. She knew the professor, even if he wasn't there, would be rather upset for her to track more mud so once they left the garage she started to float above the ground a tiny bit.

"I feel like we need our own trophy after all of that, though," she mused

"After all this, I'll buy you a trophy. They got close to her room and Kane stopped and leaned against the wall. "You did great, Jean. I owe you one."

Jean blinked, letting out a confused laugh. "What? Why?"

"Come on, Red. Harry likes you but... you don't owe him anything and yet, end of the day... you and I are down to our underwear getting back an old bowling trophy."

"No, I don't owe him anything but...it was the right thing to do," Jean said.

"I mean---there were probably easier, more legal ways to get it but--Harry's a good guy."

"He is. And that's why I owe you one. You did the right thing for a good person even though it was pain for you." Kane said. "Any chance you want a job with the FBI. You'd be a pretty good partner."

Jean laughed. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind just in case this whole doctor/X-Man thing doesn't work out."

"That's the problem with recruiting. So, later today, we'll take the trophy back to Harry together. Sound good?"

"Absolutely," Jean said with a smile. "That's the best part. And also get our clothes and cell phones."

"I'll put in a call about our things being stolen out of our car or something. It will make it easier." He pulled off the wall and offered his hand. "Thanks for a lovely evening, Ms Grey."

Jean took Garrison's hand, giving it a shake as she ignored the fact that he didn't call her doctor. She grinned. 'And you as well, Mr. Kane."

"Well, I'm going to order a pizza the size of my head and kill the six pack... well, twelve pack in my fridge." He gave her his boyish grin and paused. "Unless you want to join me?"

Jean shrugged. "Sure, why not?" she said. "Pizza sounds amazing. Though you can have the six pack. My head isn't going to appreciate the amount I've already head in the mor---well, rest of the day.."

Kane barked out a laugh. "Oh, you'll have at least one, but you get to decide on the pizza toppings." He waved her towards his room. "So, um, have you ever seen Animal House ?"

Jean grinned. "You're joking, right?"