Coming Out
by Alystraea and Morrioghan
Authors' Note: This is a silly fic. Plain and Simple. This is what happens when two authors live in the same house, and they are both tired of writing angst! Be afraid, be very afraid :)
Standard (well almost) Disclaimer: Marvel own's 'em. They don't know what we have done to them, and they probably don't want to. If you tell on us, I'll send my cats after you. Then I'll send Al's dog. Trust me, you just don't want to go there! :)
Standard Pathetic Begging Type Stuff: You know what we want! So please give it to us! You can send it here or here. Take your pick. We don't care. Though somebody, who is staring over my shoulder, says that the left one is better, but don't believe her! :)
Bobby grimaced as he saw the pile of clothes sitting in front of the cash register. One look at the three women standing next to him halted any protest that he might have made. Quietly, he handed the clerk his credit card. This is the last time I say 'Hey guys, lets go shopping,' he thought ruefully. Of course, I expected to have Sam and Jimmy along. But, no. Jimmy wanted to 'catch up on his reading.' Obviously he had previous experience shopping with Terry, Bobby grimaced. I can't wait to see the 'surprise' Sam and Rahne have for us. Is it 2:00 yet? he wondered desperately. Unfortunately the clock on the wall said 12:30.
As he finished signing away is soul, he felt a tug at his arm. Ignoring the tug, he put away his card, and gathered up the half dozen bags he had been ordered to carry.
"Come on, Bobby. Pick up you feet. We still have the whole other side of the street to check out!" Tabitha Smith grabbed her boyfriend's hand and dragged him forcibly out into the bright San Francisco sunlight.
"This was a great idea, Bobby! I've always wanted to shop in Haight-Ashbury." Terry gushed, as she handed him yet another bag, and followed Dani across the street.
"This city is incredible. It is a true mix of cultures." Dani commented as they passed an Oriental foods market. "I don't think anyone would feel out of place here."
"Yeah," Tabitha joined in the conversation, "Most people here seem pretty cool about stuff here."
"I've never imagined such a mix of cultures," Terry said, pushing back a stray lock of hair, and glancing at more dresses on a rack outside a shop. "It was a good idea to move out here. Mutants don't cause much excitement, we're pretty bland in comparison." As if proving her point two Hare Krishnas walked by deep in conversation with a biker and a priest.
"I knew it was a good idea," Bobby added smugly, forgetting for a moment who had volunteered to pay the bills. He instantly regretted it when he heard Tabitha exclaim "Ooo, look at the jewelry!" The three girl almost ran over him to get inside.
"She did that on purpose," he muttered under his breath, but not wanting to risk the wraith of Tabitha, he meekly followed them inside.
The store was almost empty, only a lazy clerk sat behind the counter with his feet propped up, reading a book. He gave them a brief glance while flipping a page, before turning his attention back to his book.
The store was decorated in hanging tapestries and a beaded curtain closed off the back room from customers. All types of stars and moons hung from the walls and ceilings.
Dani immediately went over to a case filled with Native American drums, pots, and jewelry. The clerk noticed her and lazily called out "Old White Wolf on South Street makes all that stuff. He's a great dude. His card's on the counter somewhere." Dani nodded to be polite, but rolled her eyes at her friends, while picking up a card and putting it in her back pocket.
Bobby scanned the cases briefly, his eyes falling on a garnet teardrop pendent on a sterling silver chain. He was a bit surprised to find something that simple,yet elegant in a place like this. He wondered what it would look like on Tabitha.
The girls looked around for a while. Terry, looking for a birthday present for her father, drafted Bobby as a model. Two dozen rings later, she settled on a sterling silver ring with a Celtic knot design. With much prodding, the clerk rose from his seat, and Terry made her purchase.
"Let's go," Tabitha said starting towards the door.
"Wait a sec," Bobby said to her retreating back, placing the bags on the floor, "I need to adjust these or I'm gonna lose something."
"Okay," she replied, not really concerned, "We'll be getting a drink next door." The girls walked outside.
"Hey buddy. Do you have a minute here?" Bobby asked the clerk, who had just settled back in his seat.
"Yeah," he sighed and got up with great effort, putting aside the book as though he would never see it again, "Whatta ya need, man?"
"Can I get this necklace?" Bobby said, pointing to the garnet necklace he had seen earlier.
"Sure," the guy told him and opened up the case. The purchase was made quickly, as much to Bobby's relief as the clerk's.
"What took you so long?" Tabitha asked him as she held out a soda for him.
"Turn around," Bobby told her with a slightly evil grin on his face, setting the bags on the sidewalk.
"You're not going to do anything gross are you?" she raised an eyebrow, as she turned.
"Nooo, not me," he answered in an innocent voice. He gently placed the necklace around her throat, making sure the clasp was done tightly.
"Ooooo," Tabitha gasped. Placing a hand on the necklace, she turned to face Bobby, and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Terry laughed as she watched this little scene, "And is this the same man who was complaining about how much money we're spending?"
"I do believe I see another clothing store over there," Dani held her hand up over her eyes, scouting out the territory with a predatory gleam. The two girls walked off laughing.
"Thank you, Bobby," Tabitha said softly and gave him a quick kiss, before following the other two in pursuit of more clothes to conquer. Bobby groaned in mock agony, but couldn't keep a smile off his face as he followed them. This wouldn't be so bad if they carried their own bags, he thought, I mean what else are trust funds for? He grinned, wishing Sam were there to carry his share of the burden.
He caught up with the girls in front of a gay and lesbian book store. Dani was peering in the window at a collection of feminist novels.
"Its a shame you have to come down here to find good reading material," Dani commented, "Not every feminist is a lesbian. I'll have to come back here later, when I have more time. Today is clothes day," she pronounced, adding sweetly, "I wouldn't want Bobby to hurt his back carrying all those books."
"Gee thanks Dani, you're too kind," he glared at her over the bags in his arms.
"I know," she said and kept walking.
"I think it's great that this city is so willing to accept different lifestyles," Terry said, "It kinda puts back yer faith in humanity."
"Yeah, I don't know why people can't mind their own business and let people be!" Tabitha stated firmly, "I don't see why people have to creep out about someone's race, or who they're sleeping with. People should be able to live their lives with out other people butting in." she finished her rant with a stiff nod. Then her eyes lit up. "Look we missed a clothing shop on the other side of the street, and look at that dress in the window!"
Half an hour later, Bobby was sitting outside the dressing room with all of the bags piled beside him, hoping to God that none of them would ask him how they looked. He almost wished he had a book like the guy in the shop. Where are Sam and Rahne. It's almost 2:00, and I need reinforcements, he thought with a sigh. He looked up to see Dani prance out of her little room wearing bell bottom pants, and one of those trendy long shirts that flared out at the hips. She twirled in front of him before moving over to the full length mirror.
"What do you think?" she asked him. Bobby suppressed the urge to flee.
"You look great," he said with an attempt at enthusiasm, hoping it was the right answer.
Dani looked back at the mirror, put a hand on her hip, tilted her head to one side, pronounced "It makes me look hippy," and marched back into the dressing room. Bobby lowered his head to his hand and muttered, "Why me?"
Tabitha was the next one to emerge. Bobby didn't have to fake his enthusiasm when her saw her in a tight green minidress.
"I like that!" he told her, sitting forward in his seat. She leaned her elbow on his shoulder and whispered in his ear "I thought you would," with a flirtatious grin, she added, "but it needs something else." She ran off, not caring that she wasn't wearing any shoes. Bobby watched her go with an appreciative gleam in his eye. Maybe shopping isn't that bad after all, he thought.
Dani came out of the dressing room wearing her own clothes. Moving to a nearby rack she hung up the rejected pants and shirt. "Terry, how's it going in there?" she called out.
"I don't know if this is me." Terry replied. "I think..."
Terry's reply was cut off abruptly by a loud squeal coming from the front of the store. "Oh my God! Guys! Guys!" Tabitha's voice reverberated throughout the store. "You have gotta see this. I can't believe... Guys! Oh Guys!" Tabitha called, her voice rising steadily.
Bobby glanced at the bags, then at Dani. They looked at each other, shrugged, and hurried over to see what was making Tabitha squeal. "Hey, Terry. Can you get the bags when you get out?" Bobby asked, as he hurried after Dani.
"What's goin' on?" came the muffled reply from the dressing room. "Wait up! Bloody dress. I'm coming! Why isn't Bobby getting the bags?" Unfortunately her friends were already across the store, staring gape-mouthed at the sight that had so excited Tabitha.
"Naa. It can't be. Can it?" Bobby asked, as he peered across the street and into the bookstore that had caught Dani's interest earlier.
"I'm telling you, I saw them go in." Tabitha answered indignantly.
"Then why didn't they call us and tell us they were in San Francisco?" Dani asked.
"Maybe, they didn't want US to know." Bobby suggested, still not completely convinced that Tabitha saw what she claimed to see.
"What is it?" asked Terry, as she hurried over, holding up a minidress that was possibly shorter than the one Tabitha was currently wearing.
"Terry, you coulda finished changing." Tabitha said, as she noticed that Terry had one arm in a sleeve and one out of her dress.
"I didn't want to miss anything." Terry replied, as she tried to shimmy her arm back into the dress, without flashing the entire store.
"Look, they're coming out," Bobby said. All eyes turned to him. "What? What did I say?"
"Oh, Bobby." Dani groaned.
As one, the four looked out the window, towards the bookstore across the street. They watched intently as two men emerged from the shop, one man holding a large bag of books, while the other put his wallet away. They watched transfixed as the two men walked over to the neighboring coffee shop.
"Ye don't think?" Terry asked hesitantly, not noticing that her dress was slipping dangerously.
"What do you think?" Bobby asked, stunned.
"Well, I think that we need to get a better look." Tabitha declared. "Bobby, go pay for this stuff."
"But I'm not sure I want this dress," Terry glanced down. Realizing exactly how far the dress had descended, ducked behind a rack, blushing furiously. Maybe no one noticed, she thought hopefully, as she shimmied completely into the dress. That hope was quickly shattered as she heard several groans of disappointment come from the other side of the store. "Okay. Bobby pay for this stuff. It's time to leave. Now." she stated firmly.
Dani quickly gathered their bags, while Bobby paid the bill for the dresses Tabitha and Terry were wearing. The quartet quickly crept out of the clothing store to mingle in with the crowds outside.
"Do you think they see us?" Tabitha asked glancing at the two men now seated outside the coffee shop.
"No I don't think so, it looks like they're looking at one of the books they bought," Bobby answered.
"What are we gonna do?" Terry asked hesitantly, "Should we go over there?"
"NO!" the other three replied at once.
"At least not yet," Tabitha said. "Look those bushes on the other side of the coffee house are big enough to hide behind."
"What are you suggesting?" Dani gave her a puzzled glance, "That we spy on them?"
"I wouldn't call it spying, more like investigating," Tabitha declared righteously, "They didn't tell us they were in town for some reason. I just wanna..." she paused for a moment, then continued "Look let's just go over there and then decide."
The others, not able to think of a better idea followed her over to the bushes.
"So now what do we do?" Bobby asked.
"How am I supposed to know." Tabitha replied.
"Well, ye're the one with all the ideas." Terry answered. "Hey, Dani. What time is it?"
Dani looked at her watch. "About quarter to 2:00. Hey, weren't we supposed to meet Sam and Rahne..."
"At the coffee shop." Bobby finished.
"Oh man, this is not good." Tabitha said, glancing around nervously. "What are those two gonna think about this? I mean, neither of them are exactly urban, if you know what I mean." She looked at her companions apprehensively.
"Yeah," Bobby replied. "Especially Rahne. I mean she used to get all uptight about everything being sinful and all. And well Kentucky isn't much better about a lot of things."
"They're gonna flip," Tabitha replied.
"It is a bit of a shock." Terry said, peering over the bush at the two men seated at the coffee house. "I never expected..."
"I don't know," Tabitha said, in an all knowing tone. "I kinda wondered about those two, if you know what I mean."
"Oh man, did he just brush his hand?" Bobby asked, his jaw practically hitting the pavement.
"No, Bobby," Dani replied. "That was the napkin holder."
"Okay."
"Hey, guys. How was the shopping? Uh, what're ya doin'" At the sound of Sam's voice the quartet quickly turned around guiltily.
"Oh, nothing," Tabitha replied nervously, looking around for Rahne. "Uh, where is Rahne? She stay at the warehouse?" she asked hopefully.
"Naw. She's coming." Sam replied. "Wow, did ya buy out the stores? Oh, nice dress, Terry."
Terry blushed, stepping behind Dani. "Oh, uh, thanks, Sam."
"Uh, well, uh... we should go get Rahne. Yeah, I'm really tired. And, well, these bags are getting heavy." Tabitha grunted as Bobby stepped on her foot. Glaring at Bobby, she continued, "We should get back to the warehouse, right Bobby?"
"What? Oh, yeah. Carrying all those bags really wore us ALL out." Bobby replied, returning Tabitha's glare.
Sam looked at the group, who were all nodding, and trying to look tired. "Gee, guys. Don't ya want to know about the 'surprise' Rahne and I have for ya. I know your gonna love it. Why don't we go over to the coffee shop and you guys can rest for a while, until Rahne and the 'surprise' get here."
"No!" four voices responded at once.
"I mean, well, uh, it's too hot for coffee." Dani said quickly, as Tabitha elbowed her in the ribs.
"Yeah. Um... I saw a ice cream parlor a few blocks down. Why don't we go there?" Terry suggested, as she moved out of the range of the elbow.
"Yeah, that's be great. Don't you agree, Tab?" Bobby chimed in.
"Sure. Ice cream sounds great." Tabitha nodded enthusiastically.
Sam leaned back, crossing his arms across his chest. "What's up? I thought you all were tired."
At that moment, an elated squeal came from the other side of the bushes.
Tabitha, Bobby, Terry, and Dani turned as one, to see a familiar red head dashing towards the couple at the coffee shop.
"Uh Oh," Tabitha muttered.
"What?" inquired Sam, confused by his friends' reaction. He looked over to see Rahne heading towards two men seated in front of the coffee shop. "Come on, guys," he exclaimed happily rushing out from behind the bushes.
The other four stood there, waiting for the inevitable.
"Och, lads! I'm so glad ye called!" came the excited voice of Rahne Sinclair, as she rushed over to wrap her arms around one of the men. "I've missed ye so much! Ye shouldna have stayed away so long!" Noticing Sam emerging from behind the bushes, she exclaimed excitedly "Oh Sam, look who I found."
"Hey, guys" Sam called enthusiastically. As he reached out to grasp Shatterstar's hand, he asked, "You two find the bookstore alright?"
"Sure did, amigo," came the muffled reply, as Rictor returned Rahne's hug with a wide grin. "Missed you too, carrot top," he laughed, mussing her hair.
"Och, watch it lad," Rahne warned Rictor with a grin, "I'm sure I can come up with some interesting stories tae tell yer laddie." Moving over to Shatterstar, she enveloped him in a warm hug. "I hope ye havna been waitin' tae long for us? No' in this heat?"
Shatterstar glanced over at Rictor, "Oh, we have not been out here long."
Authors' Note: This story was inspired by X-Force # and our own silliness. This story is not intended to make a definitive statement about the nature of the Shatterstar and Rictor's relationship. Rather we hoped to point out the dangers of making assumptions, especially when those assumptions concern matters of a such a personal and private nature (matters that should not be the subject of idle and potentially hurtful gossip). And maybe to point out the nature of true friendship - Go Sam and Rahne! (Okay, maybe this fic might not be completely silly.) We leave it up to the reader to draw their own conclusions. That is, if you think it necessary.