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rivulet027 Jan. 1st, 2024 05:17 am)
rivulet027 Jan. 1st, 2024 05:17 am)Title: Reasons
Fandom: Alpha Flight
Characters/Pairings: Jean-Paul & Jeanne-Marie, Jean-Paul & Joanne, background Jean-Paul/Kyle, Jean-Paul & Logan
Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Marvel. It's not my toy box and I'm merely playing.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Jean-Paul quit Alpha Flight to raise Joanne. Jeanne-Marie doesn't agree with this decision. After she convinces Jean-Paul to join the team for a mission that goes badly they talk.
A/N: Written for VanaTuivana for![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
yuletide_admin. Joanne Beaubier lives in this one.
Reasons:
Jean-Paul hates being a superhero. Jeanne-Marie loves being a superhero. Jean-Paul can understand that Jeanne-Marie thinks he’s using his adoption of Joanne as an excuse to stop being a superhero, but it’s only the light power she loses if he’s not there. He’d hope that was negligible in the grand scheme of things and that she wouldn’t find a mission where it’s critical. And then she does.
Jean-Paul leans back in his chair, letting Joanne’s weight comfort him as Vindicator goes over the plan, showing him the parts where his presence is necessary. He’d let Joanne pick out her current favorite princess dress, which is Rapunzel due to the fancy sleeves. She’s sleeping on him instead of wandering the meeting and interrupting to remind everyone that she’s Jean-Paul’s priority. There’s no distraction from the meeting, but Jean-Paul can’t be upset when his daughter is napping on him.
Alpha Flight wants use of his and Jeanne-Marie’s light powers, which only work if they’re touching. Jean-Paul wants to say no. He wants to pick up his sleeping toddler, remind them he quit the team to be a father, and walk out. Except his relationship with Jeanne-Marie is becoming more strained as he refused to give up his retirement from being a superhero and this whole mission is about rescuing kidnapped children. Jean-Paul kisses the top of Joanne’s head as he reminds himself there are contingency plans for her. She won’t end up alone if he dies. She’s even got a trust fund and a college fund. It’s little comfort. He wants to watch her grow up.
“That’s enough,” Jean-Paul cuts Heather off. “I’ll need to arrange a sitter.”
“Department H can…” Heather starts.
Jean-Paul shakes his head. “Just let me make a few phone calls. I understand this is time sensitive.”
Kyle agrees to take her. Their relationship is still new and Jean-Paul isn’t sure if he’s asking too much of Kyle, but Joanne likes him and Kyle is comfortable taking Joanne home and staying overnight. Then he calls Logan to make him aware of the situation Jean-Paul is putting himself in.
The mission is a disaster.
Jean-Paul wakes up in the medical wing of Department H. His mouth is dry and his heart heavy. His sister is sitting in a chair by his bed. She takes his hand and Jean-Paul groggily tries to figure out which version of his sister he’s interacting with. There is one thing he needs to know, one thing that's slightly more important than that and it doesn't matter which version he's talking to she'll have an answer. He grimaces as he opens his mouth and asks, “The kids?”
“Rescued, you were the only one injured,” Jeanne-Marie informs him.
“How long was I out?” he asks.
“Almost a whole day.”
Jean-Paul winces. He takes stock of the IV in his arm and the room. It won’t completely keep up with his speedster metabolism. Considering how his body goes through calories when his healing factor kicks in, they’ll want him eating something soon. Jean-Paul wants his phone. He needs to check in on Joanne and Kyle. He needs a drink of water so he sounds more like himself when he calls.
“Why is Logan who Joanne goes to if you’re incapacitated?” Jeanne-Marie asks. She sounds offended. Jean-Paul tries to remind himself that this means she’s hurt by his decision.
“You want this argument now?” he says.
“I assumed it would be me,” she confesses.
Jean-Paul considers making a flippant response about not wanting his daughter to grow up with Catholic guilt, but that would lead to an argument and possibly a screaming match and he’s too tired and too thirsty to even think about that. He just wants to get out of this hospital bed and get back to the routine he and Joanne have evolved over the last few years. Jean-Paul sighs, “How does your life change if you’re her guardian?”
“Well, I have to be a better option than Wolverine!” She’s standing over him now. It’s not helping him remain calm or want to talk about this in a manner that doesn’t end in screaming. He’s tired of screaming matches with his sister and if Joanne is going to be brought to see him he doesn’t want to risk her seeing that.
“This isn’t about you, it’s about what’s best for Joanne,” Jean-Paul snaps. Jeanne-Marie glares at him. Jean-Paul pinches the bridge of his nose. “Answer the question. How does your life change?”
Jeanne-Marie sinks back into the chair by his bed. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Jean-Paul reaches out for her again. She frowns down at his hand for a moment before taking it. He takes a slow breath before elaborating, “Do you quit Alpha Flight, move into my apartment, and concentrating on giving her the best life she can have or do you move into my apartment and start hiring people to raise her so you don’t have to give up being a superhero?”
“I’m sure there’s a third option and a way to strike a balance between raising a child and being a superhero,” she protests.
“For some people,” Jean-Paul agrees. “But I’m not one of them and I don’t think you are either.”
She starts to protests. He squeezes her hand.
“Logan would quit, at least until she’s a teenager. He’s agreed. No hesitation. His healing factor is better than mine so after losing me she wouldn’t have to worry about losing him,” he tries to explain. “You and I both had difficult childhoods and now I have the means and the time to ensure that Joanne doesn’t have to even consider having a difficult childhood and I want to keep it that way.”
Jeanne-Marie is quiet for a moment, then admits, “I didn’t think about it like that.”
“Because you love being a superhero. You love seeing all the people you help. I never loved it. It made me miserable. To me it’s this grim game of death.”
“I wish you wouldn’t call it that,” Jeanne-Marie protests.
“It’s what I’ve always called it,” he points out.
She huffs. He squeezes her hand. She squeezes back.
“There are so many people that need saving,” she protests, but by her tone he can tell he’s finally made an impression.
“There are always people that need saving, but that doesn’t mean I have to make myself miserable doing so,” Jean-Paul reiterates firmly. He sounds so reasonable, not like he’s trying to start an argument. Maybe all those parenting books and time spent in therapy is finally making a difference? Either way Jean-Paul is going to be proud of himself because he’s said what he’s wanted to say to Jeanne-Marie for months and they’re not screaming at each other. There’s been a lot of screaming, far from toddler ears, over the last few months. Jean-Paul continues, “Being a father makes me happy. Watching her grow and learn about the world is exciting and sometimes even helps me see things in new ways."
“I do like being an aunt,” Jeanne-Marie says.
“You don’t always need me for the missions you ask me to join,” he points out.
Jeanne-Marie huffs and leans back in her chair. “I know. I’ll try to find other solutions instead of defaulting to how you’d be able to help.”
“That’s all I’m really asking,” Jean-Paul sighs.
Jeanne-Marie nods, then shakes her head, “Really, Logan?”
“I trust him.”
For a moment he thinks she’s going to say something more, but there’s a knock on the door. Jeanne-Marie gets up to open it.
“Daddy!” Joanne yells in excitement as she barrels past Jeanne-Marie and makes her way towards him. Kyle is right behind her and lifts her up onto the bed. She launches herself at him and Jean-Paul catches her into a hug. “I missed you!”
“I missed you too,” Jean-Paul agrees as he presses a kiss to her temple. “Were you good for Kyle?”
“Yes! And Uncle Logan!” she informs him.
Logan is moving out of the doorway so a nurse can get past him. Kyle drops into the seat by his bed and takes his hand, kissing his knuckles. The nurse, Dana, checks his vital signs, then tells him, “Either I or a tech will be by with a meal tray shortly.”
“Thank you,” Jean-Paul manages. He means it to the nurse, Kyle, and Logan.
“You haven’t eaten yet?” Joanne asks, eyes widening. She understands about his high metabolism, but thankfully hasn’t seen him hypoglycemic.
“I just woke up,” he tells her.
Jeanne-Marie starts to step out of the room.
“You don’t have to go,” Jean-Paul protests.
“I’m just going to find more chairs,” she informs him.
Jean-Paul relaxes against the bed. They’ll need to talk more, but he’s hopeful it’ll go well. He smiles at Kyle, then turns his attention to Joanne. “Are you going to help me eat the ridiculous amount of food they’re about to give me?”
Currently Joanne loves the word ridiculous.
“I will try things,” she tells him seriously, “but Daddy you have to eat.”
“I know,” he agrees. “You’re so smart. What should we do when I get out of here?”
He smiles as she starts to make plans.
Fandom: Alpha Flight
Characters/Pairings: Jean-Paul & Jeanne-Marie, Jean-Paul & Joanne, background Jean-Paul/Kyle, Jean-Paul & Logan
Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Marvel. It's not my toy box and I'm merely playing.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Jean-Paul quit Alpha Flight to raise Joanne. Jeanne-Marie doesn't agree with this decision. After she convinces Jean-Paul to join the team for a mission that goes badly they talk.
A/N: Written for VanaTuivana for
yuletide_admin. Joanne Beaubier lives in this one.Reasons:
Jean-Paul hates being a superhero. Jeanne-Marie loves being a superhero. Jean-Paul can understand that Jeanne-Marie thinks he’s using his adoption of Joanne as an excuse to stop being a superhero, but it’s only the light power she loses if he’s not there. He’d hope that was negligible in the grand scheme of things and that she wouldn’t find a mission where it’s critical. And then she does.
Jean-Paul leans back in his chair, letting Joanne’s weight comfort him as Vindicator goes over the plan, showing him the parts where his presence is necessary. He’d let Joanne pick out her current favorite princess dress, which is Rapunzel due to the fancy sleeves. She’s sleeping on him instead of wandering the meeting and interrupting to remind everyone that she’s Jean-Paul’s priority. There’s no distraction from the meeting, but Jean-Paul can’t be upset when his daughter is napping on him.
Alpha Flight wants use of his and Jeanne-Marie’s light powers, which only work if they’re touching. Jean-Paul wants to say no. He wants to pick up his sleeping toddler, remind them he quit the team to be a father, and walk out. Except his relationship with Jeanne-Marie is becoming more strained as he refused to give up his retirement from being a superhero and this whole mission is about rescuing kidnapped children. Jean-Paul kisses the top of Joanne’s head as he reminds himself there are contingency plans for her. She won’t end up alone if he dies. She’s even got a trust fund and a college fund. It’s little comfort. He wants to watch her grow up.
“That’s enough,” Jean-Paul cuts Heather off. “I’ll need to arrange a sitter.”
“Department H can…” Heather starts.
Jean-Paul shakes his head. “Just let me make a few phone calls. I understand this is time sensitive.”
Kyle agrees to take her. Their relationship is still new and Jean-Paul isn’t sure if he’s asking too much of Kyle, but Joanne likes him and Kyle is comfortable taking Joanne home and staying overnight. Then he calls Logan to make him aware of the situation Jean-Paul is putting himself in.
The mission is a disaster.
Jean-Paul wakes up in the medical wing of Department H. His mouth is dry and his heart heavy. His sister is sitting in a chair by his bed. She takes his hand and Jean-Paul groggily tries to figure out which version of his sister he’s interacting with. There is one thing he needs to know, one thing that's slightly more important than that and it doesn't matter which version he's talking to she'll have an answer. He grimaces as he opens his mouth and asks, “The kids?”
“Rescued, you were the only one injured,” Jeanne-Marie informs him.
“How long was I out?” he asks.
“Almost a whole day.”
Jean-Paul winces. He takes stock of the IV in his arm and the room. It won’t completely keep up with his speedster metabolism. Considering how his body goes through calories when his healing factor kicks in, they’ll want him eating something soon. Jean-Paul wants his phone. He needs to check in on Joanne and Kyle. He needs a drink of water so he sounds more like himself when he calls.
“Why is Logan who Joanne goes to if you’re incapacitated?” Jeanne-Marie asks. She sounds offended. Jean-Paul tries to remind himself that this means she’s hurt by his decision.
“You want this argument now?” he says.
“I assumed it would be me,” she confesses.
Jean-Paul considers making a flippant response about not wanting his daughter to grow up with Catholic guilt, but that would lead to an argument and possibly a screaming match and he’s too tired and too thirsty to even think about that. He just wants to get out of this hospital bed and get back to the routine he and Joanne have evolved over the last few years. Jean-Paul sighs, “How does your life change if you’re her guardian?”
“Well, I have to be a better option than Wolverine!” She’s standing over him now. It’s not helping him remain calm or want to talk about this in a manner that doesn’t end in screaming. He’s tired of screaming matches with his sister and if Joanne is going to be brought to see him he doesn’t want to risk her seeing that.
“This isn’t about you, it’s about what’s best for Joanne,” Jean-Paul snaps. Jeanne-Marie glares at him. Jean-Paul pinches the bridge of his nose. “Answer the question. How does your life change?”
Jeanne-Marie sinks back into the chair by his bed. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Jean-Paul reaches out for her again. She frowns down at his hand for a moment before taking it. He takes a slow breath before elaborating, “Do you quit Alpha Flight, move into my apartment, and concentrating on giving her the best life she can have or do you move into my apartment and start hiring people to raise her so you don’t have to give up being a superhero?”
“I’m sure there’s a third option and a way to strike a balance between raising a child and being a superhero,” she protests.
“For some people,” Jean-Paul agrees. “But I’m not one of them and I don’t think you are either.”
She starts to protests. He squeezes her hand.
“Logan would quit, at least until she’s a teenager. He’s agreed. No hesitation. His healing factor is better than mine so after losing me she wouldn’t have to worry about losing him,” he tries to explain. “You and I both had difficult childhoods and now I have the means and the time to ensure that Joanne doesn’t have to even consider having a difficult childhood and I want to keep it that way.”
Jeanne-Marie is quiet for a moment, then admits, “I didn’t think about it like that.”
“Because you love being a superhero. You love seeing all the people you help. I never loved it. It made me miserable. To me it’s this grim game of death.”
“I wish you wouldn’t call it that,” Jeanne-Marie protests.
“It’s what I’ve always called it,” he points out.
She huffs. He squeezes her hand. She squeezes back.
“There are so many people that need saving,” she protests, but by her tone he can tell he’s finally made an impression.
“There are always people that need saving, but that doesn’t mean I have to make myself miserable doing so,” Jean-Paul reiterates firmly. He sounds so reasonable, not like he’s trying to start an argument. Maybe all those parenting books and time spent in therapy is finally making a difference? Either way Jean-Paul is going to be proud of himself because he’s said what he’s wanted to say to Jeanne-Marie for months and they’re not screaming at each other. There’s been a lot of screaming, far from toddler ears, over the last few months. Jean-Paul continues, “Being a father makes me happy. Watching her grow and learn about the world is exciting and sometimes even helps me see things in new ways."
“I do like being an aunt,” Jeanne-Marie says.
“You don’t always need me for the missions you ask me to join,” he points out.
Jeanne-Marie huffs and leans back in her chair. “I know. I’ll try to find other solutions instead of defaulting to how you’d be able to help.”
“That’s all I’m really asking,” Jean-Paul sighs.
Jeanne-Marie nods, then shakes her head, “Really, Logan?”
“I trust him.”
For a moment he thinks she’s going to say something more, but there’s a knock on the door. Jeanne-Marie gets up to open it.
“Daddy!” Joanne yells in excitement as she barrels past Jeanne-Marie and makes her way towards him. Kyle is right behind her and lifts her up onto the bed. She launches herself at him and Jean-Paul catches her into a hug. “I missed you!”
“I missed you too,” Jean-Paul agrees as he presses a kiss to her temple. “Were you good for Kyle?”
“Yes! And Uncle Logan!” she informs him.
Logan is moving out of the doorway so a nurse can get past him. Kyle drops into the seat by his bed and takes his hand, kissing his knuckles. The nurse, Dana, checks his vital signs, then tells him, “Either I or a tech will be by with a meal tray shortly.”
“Thank you,” Jean-Paul manages. He means it to the nurse, Kyle, and Logan.
“You haven’t eaten yet?” Joanne asks, eyes widening. She understands about his high metabolism, but thankfully hasn’t seen him hypoglycemic.
“I just woke up,” he tells her.
Jeanne-Marie starts to step out of the room.
“You don’t have to go,” Jean-Paul protests.
“I’m just going to find more chairs,” she informs him.
Jean-Paul relaxes against the bed. They’ll need to talk more, but he’s hopeful it’ll go well. He smiles at Kyle, then turns his attention to Joanne. “Are you going to help me eat the ridiculous amount of food they’re about to give me?”
Currently Joanne loves the word ridiculous.
“I will try things,” she tells him seriously, “but Daddy you have to eat.”
“I know,” he agrees. “You’re so smart. What should we do when I get out of here?”
He smiles as she starts to make plans.