xp_logs | Log: Kane/Jean: My Dinner With Christian

Christian drops by the mansion for a visit with his son and his new girlfriend, just to make sure the quota of awkward parental time is properly fulfilled.

Harry's was Kane's easy hideaway, which he retreated to when things were tough. He didn't want to buttonhole Jean for it, but she enjoyed the lunch special and he couldn't come up with another idea to meet

"Garrison. How are you, son?"

"Dad, I'm good." Garrison got up to shake his dad's hand. "Can I introduce my girlfriend Jean?"

"Ms Grey. It has been a few years. It has been some years since Skull Island."

"Pleasure. Feels like a lifetime ago," Jean said, extending her hand as well.

"And it's Dr. Grey." But it wasn't like she wore a lab coat around everywhere so it'd be hard for him to know.

"Fair. My daughter is Dr. Kane but I forget occasionally. I apologize." He said smoothly, finding his seat. "So, Garrison, how has it been?"

"Murder, rape, genocide. The norm." Kane said a bit defensive.

"Of course. That's how the world works." Christian said, a bit sympathetic. "But you're both in the face of it."

Glancing between the two of them, Jean sensed a little bit of tension...from observational cues, not necessarily telepathy (which still wasn't working anyway). It was practically written on the walls.

"Unfortunately, yes that has been a given lately," Jean said with a smile. She opened the menu, listening while they spoke.

"Still, we do try to find some right spots even when everything is on fire though."

"Which is important." Christian said. He took a sip from his decidedly mediocre scotch. "I'm here for some work with Snow Valley but I wanted to check in. Your email from New Orleans was a bit cryptic, son. You, let me check, acquired a wolf named Gord, died, was brought back to life and then ended the life of a magical queen from another universe. If it was anyone else, I'd call it insanity. But from you, it's Tuesday." Christian's smile warmed, trying to connect. "So... do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really." Kane said and held up his hand. "Not because I'm avoiding anything, Dad. I'll give you the whole story but... I'm okay. For the first time in ages. I just want to focus on that. Oh, and I'm dating the hot red-headed doctor who is way over my league. I feel like I've earned a victory lap."

A bark of laughter cut over the other conversations at the bar and Christian raised a glass to them. "Fair enough. You have earned it. So, Dr. Grey... I don't know. Welcome to the family sounds a little premature or aggressive. How are you?"

Jean was in the middle of taking a drink of water and choked when he mentioned 'family,' before quickly relaxing a little at the mention of prematurity. "Uh...Good?" she said, not sure if this was some sort of test or multi layer coded conversation. She glanced at Garrison for a split second before back to Christian with a smile.

"How...are you?"

"Garrison is wincing, so I'm in my proper role as the embarrassing father." Christian said. "I don't get a lot of opportunities and if he's going to be cryptic, I am required by the parental code to make him pay."

"Father of the year here." Garrison rolled his eyes. Despite the banter, there was no heat or anger in their exchange. It was obvious that they simply had settled into this kind of patter years ago. "The wolf's name is Gord, if you want to refer to him as your only grandchild."

"I will only after he graduates college."

Jean raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a slightly wry smile. "So, if we’re diving into family dynamics already, I have to ask, is Gord paying his own tuition or are you footing the bill?"

Leaning forward to rest her elbows on the table, her eyes flickered to Garrison for a split second before returning to Christian with an amused laugh. "For what it’s worth, you’re absolutely nailing the embarrassing dad thing. Five stars."

"Let me tell you a well hidden Kane secret. I'm a terrible dad. I did what I could but that man is the child of his mother. Who was extraordinary." He took a sip from his drink. "I do this because I've been trying to make up what can't be made up for over the last twenty years. I like you, Dr. Grey. I like how you make my son look. I can tell when he's not killing himself for what is right and carves out some happiness for himself."

He gave her a smile, even as complex emotions chased over Garrison's face. "So, can I buy you both another drink?" He said brightly.

Jean was silent for a moment or two before smiling back. "Sure," she said, catching Garrison's look.

"Though you're technically wrong about the former...with the being killed and resurrected and all. Which you're....taking a lot in stride."

"Dr. Grey, over his time with the X-Men, I've had reliable people I trust tell me my son was dead at least four times. Oh, and one of those times, the person that told me was him. God killed you that time."

"A god."

"Right, a god. Hard to imagine God from the Church of England doing that. Unless it was drowning you in weak tea and some terrible biscuits." Christian said. "My point is that until all avenues are exhausted, I've learned not to bet against my son when it comes to his mortality. I'm actually proud. The number of times the Soviets sent out a press release that they'd had me executed was a running joke in MI6."

Jean blinked, glancing rapidly between Garrison and his father. "FOUR ti--" she paused, then took a breath but not before squinting at Garrison.

"I must have missed hearing about a couple of those."

"I don't like to talk about it. Some are from the world before this." Kane said, making ineffectual gestures with his hands.

"A proper Kane. You hang on to the end for what is right." Christian grinned. "I've heard you do the same, Dr. Grey."

Pausing, Jean folded her arms. "I...probably not like Garrison..." Or one of her other selves. "...but I appreciate the compliment."

"I get it. Not taking praise. Not feeling worthy of it." Christian said casually, with another drink. "Or just wanting to deal with it." He took a deep breath. "I've reached the end of 'embarrassing my son' quota which is familial and goes into mean spirited. So, if you would like, I'd like to invite you to join Garrison for us for the post holidays at some point. Just the South Seas... warm days, beautiful seas, excellent food and drinks... I'm not good at family, but I am told I get this right."

"A few days of sun and waves sounds like a welcome respite," Jean said with a smile.

"Always." He said with a smile. "Welcome to the Kanes, Dr. Grey. I hope you survive the experience."