Note: So sorry this update is so late in the day! RL stuff had me occupied. Grr. Well, here it is on Saturday though, as promised! Hope you like! :D

Chapter Seven

Ororo tried to breathe slowly and evenly as she settled on the bed in the med lab, Jean and Professor Xavier hovering on either side of her. Scott had been there a moment ago as well, but she'd been overcome with emotion and banished him from the room, still upset that he'd mistakenly blasted Logan into the wall.

She was still focusing on her breathing and trying to think positive thoughts when Hank entered the room pushing an instrument cart with an IV bag and a bunch of other things on it. Ororo's mind had gone to another place entirely, however, and seeing the blue-furred doctor walk in alone unnerved her. "Where's Logan?"

"He's sedated in the operating theater," Hank assured her calmly, moving to the side of her bed with his cart as Jean moved out of the way. "I'm more concerned about you at the moment, Ororo." He took her left arm and prepared the underside of her elbow for an IV needle after hooking her up to a few machines to monitor vitals.

"Henry, you can't leave him in there!" Ororo cried out in alarm. "You know what'll happen when he wakes up and I'm not—"

"Ororo, I think you may be going into early labor," Hank cut in swiftly.

"What?" she gasped, her right hand going to her belly protectively.

"I'm going to give you some drugs to try and stop the contractions, but you need to rest and relax. It's very important to keep you calm right now. Physical and emotional stress can be a factor in causing early labor," the doctor explained steadily, already preparing to inject the drugs into her IV after setting up a bag of saline.

"I can't lose this baby," Ororo breathed out, her voice cracking as she felt tears gather in her eyes.

"Try and remain calm, Ororo. Hank and I are going to do all we can to make sure that doesn't happen," Charles assured her. "Jean, would you go and keep an eye on Logan for the time being?"

The redheaded teen nodded, then glanced worriedly at Ororo with pursed lips before retreating from the room.

.

Scott was already leaning against the wall outside the operating theater as Jean made her way down the hall. She frowned at him as he pushed away from the wall and turned toward her, a scowl still firmly on his face from earlier.

"Scott, what are you doing out here?"

"Did the Professor send you here to keep an eye on Wolverine?" he asked without answering her question, arms crossed over his chest.

Jean narrowed her eyes at him briefly, not liking his tone that was filled with disdain. She nodded. "He did."

"I'm staying with you, then. He can't be trusted."

"No, Scott," Jean argued firmly. "If Logan sees you or even smells you nearby when he wakes up he's probably going to go nuts after what you did."

Scott's shoulders dropped. "Fine, but…you shouldn't be alone with him."

Huffing indignantly, Jean knew there was no way Scott would leave unless she agreed to have someone stay to keep an eye on Logan with her. "Fine. Send Rogue or Kitty," she relented, knowing that out of all the students, Logan was most comfortable around those two if Ororo wasn't with him.

Nodding in agreement, Scott swiftly headed down the hall toward the elevator.

Jean pushed open the operating theater doors once Scott was out of sight, cautiously approaching the table where an unconscious Wolverine lay. She moved slowly and deliberately, reaching out with a faint sweep of her telekinesis to make sure Logan was really out and not feigning sleep.

Confirming that the feral was still indeed under sedation, Jean moved right to the edge of the table and listened to Logan's slightly-uneven breaths as his massive chest rose and fell. Her eyes dropped to his hands, limp against his sides and coated with dried blood, but otherwise unmarked. She'd heard bones breaking when Scott blasted him into the wall, and the bloody spittle combined with his uneven breathing led Jean to believe he'd punctured a lung.

Absently wondering if the sedative had slowed down Logan's healing, Jean reached out with tentative hands to lightly probe at his bare chest and sides, seeking out any obvious signs of injury that had yet to mend. Unable to detect any broken bones, Jean moved around the table and did the same on his other side. Getting identical results, she then went to get a warm washcloth to clean the dried blood off his hands and chin.

"Jean?"

Rogue's voice startled her, so focused was she on her task, and she looked up with a tight smile as the other girl entered the room. "Hey, Rogue."

"What's goin' on? Scott just told me tah get down here an' keep an eye on Logan with you, but he seemed real pissed and didn't tell me why or what happened." Rogue moved up alongside the bed and glanced down at Wolverine, brows furrowed slightly in concern. "So what happened to 'im?"

Jean swiftly explained what had happened with Ororo, and Scott's mistaken attack on Logan.

"Are Ororo an' the baby gonna be okay?" Rogue asked with sincere worry, her voice trembling faintly.

"I'm sure they'll be alright. Professor Xavier and Dr. McCoy are treating her right now."

"And Logan?"

"He's just sedated. His injuries have healed, and I think he had a punctured lung, but his breathing sounds fine now." Jean went to toss the washcloth she'd been using to wipe the blood off Logan's hands and around his mouth. "Ororo was worried about him panicking about waking up in here, so we just need to—"

"Uh, Jean?" Rogue called out, her voice cracking somewhat nervously. "Ah think he's wakin' up," she murmured as Jean turned around.

A low growl rumbled from deep within Logan's chest, his nostrils flaring to take in the scents around him.

Jean swiftly motioned for Rogue to back away carefully.

Wolverine suddenly rolled himself off the table, dropping into a crouch, dark eyes darting around dangerously, fully alert and on edge. His nostrils flared as he released a deep growl and bared his teeth, sharp upper and lower canines made more menacing by the protruding under bite he'd developed in his regressed feral form.

Rogue, try not to be afraid, and whatever you do, no sudden movements, Jean projected, trying to stay as still as possible herself. She had to think calm, relaxing thoughts, knowing that Wolverine would be able to scent their fear.

Right, no problem, Rogue thought back sarcastically.

Logan straightened to his full height, arching his shoulders back as he stretched his neck out, sniffing loudly and taking in the entire room. Jean guessed that he was searching for Ororo, but not finding her, his attention was suddenly drawn to Jean. He sniffed at her, lumbering forward and giving an accusing, angry snarl.

Uh…Jean? Should Ah…do somethin'?

No, Rogue. Just… Just let me try and see what's going through his mind right now and what I can do about it. Jean gently tapped into Wolverine's surface thoughts for a brief moment, trying to find out what had set him off. When she discovered what it was, she frowned sadly and tentatively gave him a little more space.

Jean? He seems pretty angry…

It's me, she projected back, averting her eyes from Logan in a gesture of submission and lowering her head. I was with Scott when he hit Logan with an optic blast and he's associating me with that pain. It doesn't matter that I had nothing to do with it, this is how his feral mind is processing the information from his memory of the incident.

What should we do? Rogue thought at her worriedly as Logan's hands fisted at his sides as though he were about to unsheathe his claws. He let out an angry roar that made both Rogue and Jean jump. Rogue was closest to Logan, but he wasn't focused on her at all. Maybe they needed to change that.

I need to leave. But first you need to get his attention on you.

Me?! Y'all are jus' gonna leave me in here with an angry Wolverine?!

He doesn't see you as a threat, Rogue. I think… Jean's brows furrowed as she tried to tap into Logan's mind again. I think he sees you more like part of his pack. Me, on the other hand, I've apparently got Scott's scent heavily on me, and he's very angry with Scott right now. You know what to do if he comes at you, Rogue.

Rogue blew out a soft breath and sighed audibly. Ah know. Ah don't like it, but ah know.

You sure?

Yeah, Ah'm sure. Ah still got part of 'im in my head an Ah think Ah know howta try an' calm 'im down. Rogue carefully stepped closer to Logan. Back outtah here slowly, Jean, Ah got this.

.

"Logan?" Rogue called for his attention as Jean slowly backed toward the doors. He turned to face her, as though only just realizing she was there. She held her hands out in a non-threatening gesture. Before Jean could slip out the door, Rogue projected a last thought to her. He's gonna need tah see Ororo. Do yah think you can check with the Prof tah make sure it's okay?

Sure Rogue, I can do that. Jean nodded at her, still avoiding eye contact with Wolverine.

Having some of Logan's feral psyche in her head gave her a bit of thoughtful insight, and Rogue quickly added, An' you'd better make sure Mr. McCoy ain't around. Jus' tah be safe.

Good idea.

Ah'll stall 'im as long as I can. "Logan? Hey, keep cool, okay? It's gonna be ahlright." Rogue smiled warmly at Logan as he tilted his head at her. She knew he was focusing intently on her tone and posture, and it was important for her to lower her shoulders and keep a relaxed stance and calm, steady voice. Rogue sighed softly in relief as Jean made it safely out the door without drawing the Wolverine's wrath. "We're gonna get'cha outtah this cramped room so you can go see Ororo. How's that sound?"

Logan's chin jerked up and he moved toward her at the mention of his wife's name. "Rrrr…Rrrruh…rrr…"

Rogue knew he wasn't growling at her, just trying to articulate Ororo's name. "That's right, Logan. We'll go check up on 'Roro, okay?"

Instead of calming down completely, Logan started to display a different kind of agitation and began to whine, frantically seeking the door.

"Ah know you're worried 'bout her, but she's bein' takin' care of, Logan. We're gonna see her in a minute. Jus' calm down. It ain't gonna do her any good tah see yah all worked up."

It's alright, Rogue. You may take Logan in to see Ororo now. She's being treated and is doing fine.

Rogue resisted the urge to physically jump at the sudden intrusion in her mind. Jeeze, Prof! Don't do that!

I apologize.

She sighed. Okay. Ah'm gonna take 'im now. "C'mon," Rogue moved beside Logan and pushed open the door. Before she could guide him out, however, the feral bolted, chin up, seeking out Ororo's scent. "Hey! Logan!" She ran after him, even knowing there was no way she could keep up. Prof, he's on the move! Comin' your way quick! Ah couldn't stop 'im.

That's fine. We're anticipating his arriv—he's here.

Already?! Damn, he's fast. Rogue projected accidently before cutting her thoughts off to Professor Xavier.

.

"Logan," Ororo murmured tiredly from the hospital bed as her feral husband frantically burst through the sliding doors. The bed was reclined slightly and she was sitting up, propped up by fluffy pillows. The IV in the crook of her left elbow was feeding medication and fluids into her system, and although she was a little tired and groggy, she was no longer suffering any discomfort.

Logan bounded over to her, casting a very brief glance at Professor Xavier sitting passively in his wheelchair on Ororo's right side, away from the door. Not threatened by Charles, he swiftly leaned over Ororo, sticking his face in the crook of her neck and sniffing at her, nuzzling her cheek and growling affectionately with intermittent little whines.

Sniff. Sniff. "Hrrn…"

"It's alright, I'm alright," Ororo murmured softly in a tranquilizing tone, petting him soothingly. "We're alright," she added, putting one hand over her belly.

Logan ignored Rogue's sudden loud entrance into the room, then grunted and moved down the bed slightly, placing both of his large, callused hands on Ororo's stomach with surprising tenderness. Leaning close, he sniffed at her belly through the thin hospital gown, then turned his head to one side, leaning an ear against her bump.

Ororo smiled as she heard the gentle rumble of his loving growls, his hands stroking her belly reverently. She sighed softly, fighting the tears gathering in her eyes. She'd been so scared about losing the baby, as soon as Henry told her the medicine he'd administered was successfully stopping her early labor, she'd begun sobbing in relief. Her face still felt tight with dried tear tracks.

"Nnn…" Logan moved back toward the head of the bed and nuzzled Ororo's face with his own again, his stubble and overgrown sideburns tickling her. He sniffed at her cheek again, and then his warm, wet tongue was dragging across the side of her face.

Ororo flinched and pulled her head away with a tired laugh. "Logan," she chided softly, feeling bad when he gave her a kicked puppy look and pulled away. She smiled adoringly. "It's alright, come here." Planting her hands on either side of his face, Ororo dragged him back toward her until he'd crawled up on the bed and cuddled against her while she scooted over to make room.

"Ororo," the Professor began in a gentle, warning tone. "You need to rest."

"Please, Charles," she pleaded, holding Logan's head against her chest. "He won't bother me. Please, let him stay. I promise I'll rest, and I know he'll keep calm if he can just stay with me." Ororo had to admit to herself that she was even a little surprised that Logan wasn't freaking out about being in the med lab at the moment, but she supposed he'd been too worried about her to really think of it.

Xavier sighed, folding his hands in his lap. "Alright, but remember, you need to relax. No stress. Emotional or physical. If you start going into labor again we may not be able to stop it next time."

Pursing her lips, Ororo nodded in understanding.

"Once that IV bag runs out I'll come unhook you and you'll be able to go to your own room. But you will still need to rest," Charles informed her seriously.

"I will," she assured him, still stroking Logan's head.

"I know it won't be easy Ororo, but Hank has informed me that for the remainder of your pregnancy, you will need to reduce all stress and get plenty of bed rest. You certainly don't want to be going into early labor again," Charles said softly as he moved toward the foot of her bed, making his way around it.

She sighed softly, trying not to let her emotions get the best of her. "I understand, Charles." Ororo leaned down and pressed a kiss to Logan's head, feeling his tense body relax against her as he uttered soft growls of contentedness into her collarbone, one hand resting protectively over her belly.

"I'll be around if you need anything," the professor assured her, gesturing with a tap to his temple as Rogue activated the sliding doors, prepared to follow him out.

Smiling with a nod, Ororo closed her eyes briefly as Xavier dimmed the lights on his way out. Logan's soft growls and close, warm body had a greatly calming effect on her, and she let the drowsiness of sleep take over.

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