Jubilee opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was a broad, rough face she knew almost as well as her own – Wolverine. He was leaning over her, head bowed, one of her hands dwarfed in both of his.
"Logan…" The word was little more than a whisper, but he heard. His head flew up and his grip on her hands tightened.
"Thought you were never gonna wake up, Jubes." His voice was hoarse.
"You know me." She couldn't remember Wolverine ever holding her hand like this. It felt good. "You can't keep me away from a party for long."
"Ah, you're awake." The soft, cultured tone was Beast, and as he stepped silently into her line of vision she noticed he was wearing a white lab coat. "You gave us an awful scare, my dear."
"What happened?" She was in bed, wearing a pale green hospital gown. So not her colour. "I remember putting away the groceries, then a crazy snake-lady showed up… and bit Logan… hey, are you OK?" she asked, turning dark, concerned eyes on the Canadian.
"Takes more'n a little poison to drop the Wolverine," he growled.
"When will you take this seriously?" Cyclops stepped into view at the end of the bed. "You nearly died, Logan!"
Jubilee eased herself into a sitting position, and now she could see the rest of the team gathered – Wolverine was beside her with Rogue and Gambit opposite him. Jean was working some equipment on the other side of the room while Storm had just entered, moving to stand beside Cyclops.
"Ah, can it," Wolverine rumbled. "Nearly's not good enough. I'm more concerned with what Slithers did to Jubes, here."
"I believe that is a question I can answer, my friend." Beast was at the corner of the bed, reviewing a clipboard of notes. He flicked over a page. "Young Jubilation will make a short and speedy recovery thanks to Wolverine. Our venomous interloper is undoubtedly a mutant. From Rogue and Gambit's testimony, I would hazard a guess her powers include hypnotism and poisoning."
"And becoming invisible," Jubilee added, remembering how the woman had disappeared.
"That might not have been true invisibility," Beast cautioned. "It could have been teleportation. Without further data speculation is fruitless."
"Data which we shall have very shortly," a new voice interrupted. Professor Xavier rolled forward in his hi-tech chair; Gambit and Rogue moved aside to allow his approach. "There were two mutants present in that attack. There is no sign of the first, but the second was injured in the struggle. She has been unconscious for some time now – a blow to the head, Hank, is that right?"
"You are correct, Professor," Beast replied. "Rogue reports that during the struggle, the woman hit her head against a cupboard. I can diagnose nothing other than mild concussion."
"She's from the future," Cyclops interjected. "She's wearing a temporal transceiver around her wrist."
"A time traveller!" Jubilee squeaked. "How cool is that? But what does she want with us?"
"That's one question I don't have the answer to. Not yet."
"Well, somebody better have some answers! That poison… it acted so quickly. Would it have been –?" She couldn't quite bring herself to say the word.
"Lethal?" the Professor finished for her. "Yes, I'm afraid so. You were saved by Wolverine's healing ability. We were able to synthesise an anti-venom from his blood."
Jubilee blinked. "Wow, Logan… you saved my life," she breathed. "Thank you."
To her surprise Wolverine looked away, letting her hand drop from his. "Don't thank me, kid." His tone was harsher than usual. "I shoulda stopped that freak from bitin' you in the first place."
"Hey, it's not your fault! You'd just been bitten yourself! How could you have stopped someone who appeared outta thin air?"
"Jubilee is right, Logan." Professor Xavier's voice was firm. "There is no sense recriminating yourself for something you could not have prevented."
"But still…" His jaw clenched.
Now it was Jubilee's turn to take one of his big hands in hers. "Logan, there's no blame. Stop beating yourself up – save that for me in the Danger Room, huh?"
As hoped she startled a laugh from him. "You, beat me? Ain't gonna happen in this lifetime, darlin'."
Darling. He'd called her darling. Had anyone else noticed? She let herself chuckle along with everyone else, but she was quick to notice that Rogue and Gambit were sharing a look. She suddenly remembered the odd conversation back in the kitchen before they'd been attacked – something about an old dog with a juicy bone. Could it mean…?
She didn't dare get her hopes up. Logan was over a century old, experienced with women. Why would he be interested in a girl like her?
"Professor!" Jean Grey hurried across to join the throng around the bed. "I've just run some tests… may I have a word with you in private?"
"Of course, Jean."
'In private' meant a mental conversation, Jubilee knew. There was silence in the room for a few moments. She watched the Professor's face. What were the two telepaths talking about?
His eyes widened and his mouth opened a fraction. When he turned back to the others his face was grim. "X-Men, I would like to speak with Jubilee and Wolverine. Alone."
The rest of the team traded worried, startled glances. Wolverine's hand was still cradled in both of Jubilee's. He didn't seem in any hurry to remove it. He watched as the other team members trooped out of the room, leaving them alone with the Professor.
"I have some rather…shocking news to impart," he began without preamble. "As you may already know, it is standard practice to take a DNA sample of any mutant with unknown powers – or unknown allegiance – who passes through the sick bay."
They both nodded.
"Jean began analysing the stranger's DNA, and was surprised to find she shares the DNA of two people present here today."
There was silence for a moment, a silence Wolverine was the first to break. "Bub, you have got to be kiddin' me…"
"Huh? I don't understand." Jubilee was puzzled.
"Kid, it's so simple even you should get it," Wolverine growled. Jubilee flinched as if she'd been burned, dropping his hand as she recoiled from his words. "The dame in the other room is from the future. Her DNA is shared with two other people here. The Prof wanted to speak t'us. It ain't hard to work out!"
Realisation washed through Jubilee in a cold wave even as Wolverine pushed himself away from his seat.
"I don't believe it," she breathed, feeling such a writhing mess of emotions she almost felt sick. "That woman… she's our daughter. From the future. Yours and mine, Logan."
Wolverine let out a wordless snarl and headed for the door. "I gotta get outta here," he barked. "I gotta think."
"Wolverine!" the Professor exclaimed, reaching a hand to the man. He could have stopped him – could have used his telekinetic powers to hold him in place – but he didn't. He let him go.
"Logan!" Jubilee cried, desperate to stop him, to keep him beside her even though he'd rejected the whole idea of their having a daughter in the future. Rejected her, before he even knew how she felt about him. She slid her legs out of bed and put her feet on the floor, but she was still weak – she couldn't support her own weight, insubstantial as it was. She fell. Now the Professor did act, using his power to ease her back into bed.
"Professor, this is Gambit." A voice crackled over the intercom. "Wolverine taking off like he being chased by something. Want me to follow him?"
Xavier sighed. "Let him go, Gambit. I believe he needs time to think. I believe – I hope – he will return."
Jubilee burst into tears.
The Professor stayed with her, offering wordless support until she cried herself out.
"How long have you been in love with him?" he asked when the young woman was able to speak again.
Jubilee offered him a crooked smile. "Am I that easy to read?"
"Not at all. But I can tell when someone is in pain."
She heaved a watery sigh. "Feels like I've been in love with him forever," she told the Professor. "But in reality… I'd say maybe only around four, five years."
"That long? And you've never acted on your feelings?"
"Me an' Logan have always been close. He's always tried to look out for me, when he can. Then I started looking at him as a man rather than just a friend." She dabbed her eyes on a tissue. "But I know it's only a pipe dream. Logan just made it pretty clear he finds the idea of having a baby with me revolting."
"I believe that was just shock, Jubilee." The Professor's voice was low, soothing. "And the evidence speaks for itself, does it not? She is here. And incontrovertibly a part of you both."
"But we both know the future can be changed! What if Logan never comes back? He doesn't like me that way, I just know he doesn't! So no relationship. No baby. That woman won't have come back from the future…" Her voice was choked off as another sob shook her.
"Time is a slippery thing," the Professor advised her, patting her knee over the blanket. "There can be many changes between now and then. Nothing is set in stone. Keep your hope, Jubilee."
Half an hour later Jean summoned the remaining X-Men to another part of the sick bay. Rogue helped Jubilee dress and walked beside her. She was weak, hardly able to move her arms and legs, but was determined not to stay in bed another moment longer. Not when Wolverine was still out there. First chance she got, she would slip away and try to find him. She wasn't a skilled tracker – didn't have a good sense of smell, keen eyesight, or even sharp hearing – but she knew Logan. She knew the wild places he went when he wanted to think.
"Stop worrying, sweetheart," Rogue murmured as they entered the high-security section of the sick bay. "That old dog'll be back before ya know it."
"You don't know," Jubilee said through numb lips, "you don't know what Jean found out about us. He won't be back." A child meant commitment. A commitment to her. He'd never make that move.
"Oh, sugar, we know." She stopped and put her hand on Jubilee's shoulder. "Gambit never did shake that habit of listenin' at doors. We know you're this gal's Mamma, and Wolverine's her Daddy."
"But how can it happen now?" Jubilee wailed. "Logan won't come back! I know he won't!"
Rogue shook her head. "He'll be back when he's cooled his britches. You know what he's like – the guy's got a habit of actin' before he thinks."
The door swished open and admitted them both. Jubilee felt her cheeks flame. They all knew her secret! How was she supposed to act around them?
The answer came quickly – act as normal. Their expressions ranged from mild concern to worry but nothing else; there was no outrage, no incredulity, not even any surprise. Though Cyclops didn't look too thrilled. Had everyone guessed she was sweet on Logan?
Had Logan guessed…?
The X-Men were gathered around another bed. At her approach they parted to reveal the mysterious woman from the future.
She was sitting up on the blanket, propped against a stack of cushions. Jubilee took a moment to study her before she said anything.
She seemed to be in her early twenties, and she guessed they were a similar height. But where Jubilee bordered on the skinny, this woman was all curves and lean muscle. She looked to be in the peak of physical fitness.
Her hair was glossy black and, Jubilee had to admit, worn in a pretty cool style – long in the back with a tousled mullet fringe and shaved sides. She'd never seen anyone with hair like that. Her skin had the merest hint of brown, her piercing blue eyes tilted just enough to be exotic. She wore a pale yellow bandana around her forehead.
The bandana matched her vest, cropped just above her belly button. Close-fitting leggings clung to her legs. She wore tough-looking fingerless black gloves.
A leather jacket hung from the back of the chair beside her. Black ballet pumps had been placed neatly underneath the chair.
The woman lifted her nose and sniffed. "They got all the venom out. You should be back to normal in a day or two if you take it easy."
"You can smell that?" Jubilee asked, astonished.
"I can smell what kind of gel you put in your hair. I can smell the last gum you chewed – strawberry. And I can smell that at least one of you ladies is menstruating."
Four expressions wrinkled as one.
"Eww, that's gross!" Jubilee exclaimed.
The Professor eased his chair forward. The others parted to give him room.
"My name is Professor Charles Xavier," he began. "I can see from your temporal transceiver that you are a visitor from the future. Tell us who you are and the reason for your visit."
"We not have much luck wit' people from da future," Gambit rumbled. "Dey have a nasty habit of tryin' to get us hurt or killed."
"I'm trying to stop people getting hurt or killed," the young woman sighed, "but I was too late. Call me Vixen."
"Vixen." Jubilee rolled the name around on her tongue. She liked it. "Do you know who we are?"
Vixen smiled. "Oh, yes. The legendary X-Men. You're all here – but where's Wolverine?"
Jubilee felt a hard lump in her throat. "He's – not here right now."
Vixen rolled her eyes. "He took off again, right? Such a drama queen. Don't worry, he'll be back."
"How do you know that?"
Vixen hesitated then fell silent.
The Professor took over the conversation. "Vixen, we've tested your DNA. We know you're the daughter of Jubilee and Wolverine, hard though that may for some of us to get our heads around." His gaze lingered on Cyclops for just a second. "Why have you come back from the future? And who was that venomous mutant?"
Vixen's smile was bleak. "She's the reason I came back," she explained. "In my time, we're fighting the ascension of a new big bad, a mutant calling himself the Shining Man. You don't wanna know what he can do," she swallowed hard, "but so far we've managed to throw a spanner in the works, every time."
"We?"
"Secret team of mutants working for the Government. We call ourselves Shadow Strike. Sort of like the X-Men, but with official permission to work. And a budget."
"Sheesh," Jubilee interrupted, "Working for the Government? How did future-Wolverine react when he heard that?" She was thinking about the problems he'd had with Alpha Flight, the Canadian Governmental force.
Vixen grinned. "How'd you think?"
The Professor coughed, calling them both to order. He gave Vixen a pointed look.
"My official position within Shadow Strike is that of a spy," she continued. "It's my job to find out what the Shining Man's up to, and pass on the information."
"D'you fight?" Jubilee interrupted again, eager.
"When I have to. I don't have an adamantium skeleton but what I do have is speed, strength, and mutant healing powers. As the boxer Muhammed Ali once quoted, I can float like a butterfly and sting like a bee."
"That is so cool!"
"So you spy on this Shining Man," the Professor took charge again, "and together with Shadow Strike foil his plans. Where does our venomous attacker come into the equation?"
Vixen's face fell. "That's White Mamba, a real nasty piece of work. She's part of the Shining Man's Enforcement Team. Her bite's lethal to most folks and she can hypnotise people, get them to perform simple tasks."
This time it was Beast who interrupted. "What is her other power? Is it teleportation or…?"
"Invisibility," Vixen supplied. "She's caused us all kindsa problems. But me and a few others, we've got a natural advantage against her – we can smell her, hear her, when she's invisible. And she drops just like most people if you whack her hard enough." The satisfaction in her voice told them all that punching White Mamba was something she enjoyed doing.
"Why did she attack Wolverine and Jubilee?"
"Cause a' me. I ticked off the Shining Man once too often. He wants to kill me – wants to kill all of Shadow Strike – but we've always stayed one step ahead of him. Till now."
"He wants to kill you, so he sends this White Mamba back in time to kill Logan and me?" Jubilee asked.
"Mostly to kill you," Vixen corrected. "Wolverine's pretty much immune to her poison, though it'll make him wish he was dead for a few hours. You don't have any natural healing powers. You're an easy target."
Things fell into place in Jubilee's mind. "If she kills me… then you're never born…?"
"And I never bother the Shining Man. I gotta stop her. She'll just keep coming."
"I'll help you," Jubilee vowed, "however I can!"
"Jubilee, you're in no condition to fight." Cyclops's arms were crossed, his expression forbidding. "But the rest of us are. We'll stop White Mamba."
Jubilee's expression was sad. "It's not me I'm worried about. What happens if she goes after Logan? He's out there, by himself…"
The Professor looked at Vixen. "Will she go after him?"
"If she finds him and he's alone… sure. She can't kill him but she can put him out of action for another few hours. Maybe longer."
"Then we must find him and convince him to come home. X-Men, you will split into two teams – Cyclops, you will lead the first team with Rogue and Jean. We will tighten security and you will remain here, to guard Jubilee. Storm, I would like you to lead the second team with Gambit and Beast. Find Wolverine. Tell him… tell him Jubilee is in danger."