Chapter Two
It was midnight, the rain had started again and the mansion had settled down for the night. Logan sat in the living room, staring at the fire before him. Jubilee's little traumatic moment had left her shaken and frightened again, even after all these weeks.
She sat in his lap now, with her arms tight around his chest and her head on his shoulder. She was asleep and comfortable, and he would not have moved her for the world. Her dark hair had been smoothed back so that it no longer tickled his nose when he breathed. She was so tiny, delicate, and so very vulnerable.
[Wolverine. How is she?]
Emma Frost had been checking up on Jubilee once every hour. Even Logan had to admit that the cold-blooded White Queen formerly of the Hellfire Club was showing an unbelievable amount of concern for the young girl.
[She's fine.] Years for thought-speaking with Jean Grey had him speaking easily through Emma's powers.
[Does she need anything?]
[Yeah, the last year of her life back.]
There was a long pause. [I realize that you blame me for not taking care of her better. For not protecting her. But I want you to know that there's not a day that goes by that I don't think about the way I failed her. I should have done better by her. I could have...]
[Don't.]
[What?]
[Don't blame yourself. There was nothing you could have done.]
[I could have up security. I should have watched her and the others better. I would've never have left her alone if I had thought for a moment that she was going to be in danger like that.]
[Should've, could've, would've. That's all there was. No one blames you for what happened. That madman wouldn't have backed off if you kept her under lock and key. There was nothing you could have done to stop it. Don't blame yourself.] There was something extremely ironic about him comforting Emma Frost, considering how many times she's tried to kill him in the past. [Listen, after the teaching session this week, I'm taking Jubilee away for a few days. I want to get her out of here for a while. A little fresh air might do her some good.]
[Where are you going?]
[Don't know yet. Tell you when we get there.]
[Has Jubilee agreed to go?]
[Hadn't asked her yet.] He turned his head enough to smiled arrogantly up at her. [But what do you think her answer would be?]
There was a long pause as Emma realized that Wolverine's right. Jubilee would gladly jump off a bridge with him if he but asked. [Keep me informed, will you? I want to know where she is at all times.] There was another pause. [Please?]
[Don't worry, I will.]
[I'm glad that you're here for her.] There was hesitation in her voice she considered her words. It was not easy for her. ]She's been like this for the last few weeks. It's been better lately but there are moments...when she's silent and remembering. I can't seem to block it from her mind and ...]
[You've been going through her head?] There was a sudden sharpness in his thoughts that had Emma wincing with guilt.
[Not exactly. When she first returned, there were nights when she would wake screaming like nothing you've heard before. For hours she would just sit there shaking and whimpering. I wouldn't stand it, watching her like that. Sean and I would take turns sitting with her so she won't have to be alone. I thought if I could block the memories, she'd be all right.]
[So what happened?]
[I'm not sure.] There was a moment of confusion as Emma thought back to that night. [The moment I touched her mind, she started to scream again. I haven't been able to touch her mind since she's been back. She blocks me every time I try.]
There was another moment of silence. [My Jubilee is not a telepath.]
[Don't you think I know that? Don't you think I've been trying to figure out exactly what's going on with her? It's not been a easy process. I've been afraid to go near her with my powers since then. It's not that she's aware of what she does. I'm not sure she means to block me; it's kind of become second nature to her.]
[Then let it go for now. She'll recover on her time. She's a lot stronger than she looks. She'll get through this.]
[I wish there was something I could...]
[She knows that. ] There was another pause as he thought it over. [I know that.] If nothing else, the White Queen and he had their concern for Jubilee in common. [I'll protect her.]
[Thank you, Wolverine. I know you would. If there's anything you need...]
[We'll give you a holler.]
[Please do.]
[Go get some sleep, Emma. There's nothing more you can do tonight for her. I'll stay with her so she doesn't wake up alone.]
[Good night, Logan. Keep her safe.]
It was silent again as Logan stared into the fire again. It's been a while since he's had many given amount of time to sit in contemplation. It's been even longer since he's actually spent any time with Jubilee where they were not running for their lives or in pain. The past few months had been tough on everyone. He could remember that faithful day when Warren Worthington III, the highflying Angel, answered the X-Mansion's phone and the world around them came tumbling down.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
9 months ago: X-men Mansion
The ringing of the phone cut through the laugher of the X-men as they sat, played, lounged in the sun by the small pond behind the mansion. It was a bright sunny day, perfectly made for a picnic with those that has just spent the past week tracking and capturing Omega Red.
Rogue flew with the gentle breeze overhead and carried the large picnic basket with the ease of one that could lift boulders. "Come up you slow pokes, last one in the water sets out lunch." With a laugh, she dropped the basket under the large shady oak tree and shed the loose outer layer of her clothes before diving into the pond.
"Careful, my dear," the bouncing blue fur ball leaped out of the way as water splashed over the side. "Fur and water is not a very aromatically pleasant combination."
Bobby Drake laughed as he took a dive into the pool. "Hank's just jealous cause he looks like a wet rag when he swims." The Iceman did not concern himself when it came to water.
Jean Gray shook her head like a fond mother as she headed toward the basket full of food Rogue had dropped. Her red hair fluttering in the wind as she took a seat and begin to mentally set out the food for those that would enjoy it when they had enough sun and water. Scott Summer leaned against the tree and watched his wife with a softness in his usually expressionless face that touched the romantic side in everyone.
Logan stood at the edge of the pond watching the sky. Storm floated softly in the breeze that she had created. It's been a while since Ororo Munroe has had any free time for herself. The Goddess within her long for the freedom of the skies. Logan envy her for that, the freedom she could find at almost anytime by just taking to the air. He would have to travel long and far to find the lonely woods that were his sanctuary from the civilized world.
It was a peaceful time for all of them. They've earn this break from their duties to the world and Xavier's cause.
"What you be thinking of, mon ami?" Remy Lebeau's Cajun accent was thick and full of amusement as he watched Rogue beat Bobby in a water fight. It was no secret that the Cajun thief had a soft spot in his heart for the southern belle.
"It's a nice day. Wish it could last." The western drawl in Logan's voice belied his Canadian origins.
Remy looked up at the clear sky. "No reason why it can't, especially with Stormy up there." He frowned suddenly. "You expecting trouble?"
"Gambit, when was the last time we've had a picnic without an incident?"
The Frenchman scratched his head and thought about it seriously. "Never."
"Exactly." With a sigh, Logan sat down by the pond and dangled his feet in the cool water. "But I suppose we should take advantage of it while it lasts."
"That be the spirit, mon ami." With an easy grin, Remy sat down next to him and watched as Rogue flew out of the water before Bobby accidentally backed into her. Since her bathing suit did not cover too much of her skin, it was dangerous for her to be too close to anyone. One touch could render her opponents into a coma and transfer their powers as well as memories to her. Keeping away from people has become second nature to the usually passionate belle now.
"Carefully, Bobby." Rogue dove into a less crowded part of the pond as Bobby wiped water from his eyes and stuck his tongue out at Kitty, a.k.a. Shadowcat while Peter Rasputin, Colossus, looked on with laughter.
"Sorry, Rogue. Didn't see you there." Knowing very well how fearful Rogue was of ever touching her friends. The two had gotten pretty close when the two had been handling personal problems and giving each other support.
Rogue grinned and shook her head at him. The horse playing continued, making enough noise to cover the approach of Warren's approach.
Logan had caught the scent of Angel but ignored it as the winged millionaire flew overhead to land only a few feet away. Jean was the first to notice that Warren was not as lighthearted as his companions. Scott was next to catch on from the sudden concern he sensed from Jean through the psychic link they shared.
"Logan," the hesitation in Warren's voice caught Logan's attention faster than anything else could have.
He turned to see the sudden fear and anger in the clear blue eyes of the Angel. "What happened, Warren?"
"You better come with me. Sean needs to talk to you right away. I'm keeping him on the line." He looked back at the rest of the X-men that were quick respond to the sudden stillness. "You better all come. Betsy is getting more information now."
"Warren?" Jean's eyes reflected her fear and concern. [Is it Jubilee?]
[Jean, please.]
[Warren, you have to tell me. Is it little Jubilee? Is that why you went to Logan?]
There was a long pause. [Yeah, it's Jubilee. Something's happened to her. Logan is not going to take this well.]
[Oh lord.]
[Jean?] Scott's voice came through their link. [What's wrong? What's happened?]
[Scott, something's happened to Jubilee.]
[Oh no... Logan.] Scott Summer was one of the few people in the world that knew of Jubilee's importance to Wolverine's sanity. He could only imagine the dozens of horrible scenario that must be going through Logan's mind. Being a father himself, the terrors of fatherhood were not foreign to him.
Logan reached the main house first. The communications room was on the farthest end of the mansion. The pounding of his heart told Logan want he needed to know. Something's happened to the kid.
"Logan," Sean's voice came through clearly as his old buddy came into view. The Irishman opened his mouth to say something, anything, but nothing came out.
Betsy's tear streaked face told Logan and everyone else what had happened. There would be only one reason Sean would be contacting Logan at this time that would have cause Elizabeth Braddock, the ninja-trained psychic warrior, to cry as if someone had ripped her heart out.
"Jubilee?" the question came out softly as he held his breath, praying that he's instinct was wrong for once.
"I'm sorry, Logan." Sean turned just enough to look at someone off screen. Then he was shoved out of the way.
Emma Frost's terrorized face appeared on the screen. "I'm so sorry, Wolverine. We didn't get to her in time. She fought them but there was just nothing she could have done to..."
She broke off in order to compose herself. Sean appeared again and took Emma by the shoulders. "We found Jubilee's body this morning. We searched all night when she didn't return. It looked like a brutal fight. She didn't stand a chance." There was such sorrow and pain as Sean spoke. His students were important to him.
"Who?" Logan's face revealed nothing but his eyes were unusually bright and deadly. "Who was it?"
"We're not sure yet." Sean's face looked as if he'd age ten years in the past 24 hours. "Listen, I don't think that now is the time to ..."
"I want to come down there. I want to see the body." The stony coldness of Wolverine's voice startled the other X-Men. They were all in shock over this news. They had all at one point or another come to love and even respect the little mall rat that Logan had brought into their lives.
"Logan," Sean pleaded. "You don't want to be seeing the body, lad." His voice was full of sorrow and regret. "They did a number on the lassie. She's barely recognizable."
"I want to see the body." The words were said through tightly clinched teeth of a man so filled with anger that it was dangerous to deny him anything.
[Jean, look at his eyes.] Scott Summer's eyes went to his wife's only to discover that they were shedding the tears that he dare not show. He loved Jubilee as well. She had been a bright light in their lives.
[Oh Scott, she was so young. So beautiful. The pain swelled up in her throat. How could life be so unfair as to take one so innocent from us?]
[Jean...]
[She's never done anything to harm anyone. Why would this be happening?]
Scott's arm wrapped around his wife's shoulders tightly. Jean has suffered her loses as well and it hit her harder each time the young ones are taken from their lives. It hit them all harder when it was the young ones that suffered for their choices in life. [It's not fair but it's life. Jubilee's an X-Men, she knew the risks.]
[Did she, Scott? Did she really know what she would have to give up to become one of us? Did she even have a choice once she met one of us?]
[Don't do this to yourself, honey.]
[Scott...she's fourteen.]
[I know, Jean. I know.]
The other said nothing as they each remembered moments where they encountered the rambunctious teen. One by one, the X-men all turned the a picture on the mantle. There sitting neatly at the center was a photo of a happy, smiling Jubilee hanging off the shoulders of Wolverine with a rare open smile on his face. And another of the whole X-men family while she was still in residence.
The young ones, the good ones, the innocent ones, they always seem to be the first casualties of war.
It was midnight, the rain had started again and the mansion had settled down for the night. Logan sat in the living room, staring at the fire before him. Jubilee's little traumatic moment had left her shaken and frightened again, even after all these weeks.
She sat in his lap now, with her arms tight around his chest and her head on his shoulder. She was asleep and comfortable, and he would not have moved her for the world. Her dark hair had been smoothed back so that it no longer tickled his nose when he breathed. She was so tiny, delicate, and so very vulnerable.
[Wolverine. How is she?]
Emma Frost had been checking up on Jubilee once every hour. Even Logan had to admit that the cold-blooded White Queen formerly of the Hellfire Club was showing an unbelievable amount of concern for the young girl.
[She's fine.] Years for thought-speaking with Jean Grey had him speaking easily through Emma's powers.
[Does she need anything?]
[Yeah, the last year of her life back.]
There was a long pause. [I realize that you blame me for not taking care of her better. For not protecting her. But I want you to know that there's not a day that goes by that I don't think about the way I failed her. I should have done better by her. I could have...]
[Don't.]
[What?]
[Don't blame yourself. There was nothing you could have done.]
[I could have up security. I should have watched her and the others better. I would've never have left her alone if I had thought for a moment that she was going to be in danger like that.]
[Should've, could've, would've. That's all there was. No one blames you for what happened. That madman wouldn't have backed off if you kept her under lock and key. There was nothing you could have done to stop it. Don't blame yourself.] There was something extremely ironic about him comforting Emma Frost, considering how many times she's tried to kill him in the past. [Listen, after the teaching session this week, I'm taking Jubilee away for a few days. I want to get her out of here for a while. A little fresh air might do her some good.]
[Where are you going?]
[Don't know yet. Tell you when we get there.]
[Has Jubilee agreed to go?]
[Hadn't asked her yet.] He turned his head enough to smiled arrogantly up at her. [But what do you think her answer would be?]
There was a long pause as Emma realized that Wolverine's right. Jubilee would gladly jump off a bridge with him if he but asked. [Keep me informed, will you? I want to know where she is at all times.] There was another pause. [Please?]
[Don't worry, I will.]
[I'm glad that you're here for her.] There was hesitation in her voice she considered her words. It was not easy for her. ]She's been like this for the last few weeks. It's been better lately but there are moments...when she's silent and remembering. I can't seem to block it from her mind and ...]
[You've been going through her head?] There was a sudden sharpness in his thoughts that had Emma wincing with guilt.
[Not exactly. When she first returned, there were nights when she would wake screaming like nothing you've heard before. For hours she would just sit there shaking and whimpering. I wouldn't stand it, watching her like that. Sean and I would take turns sitting with her so she won't have to be alone. I thought if I could block the memories, she'd be all right.]
[So what happened?]
[I'm not sure.] There was a moment of confusion as Emma thought back to that night. [The moment I touched her mind, she started to scream again. I haven't been able to touch her mind since she's been back. She blocks me every time I try.]
There was another moment of silence. [My Jubilee is not a telepath.]
[Don't you think I know that? Don't you think I've been trying to figure out exactly what's going on with her? It's not been a easy process. I've been afraid to go near her with my powers since then. It's not that she's aware of what she does. I'm not sure she means to block me; it's kind of become second nature to her.]
[Then let it go for now. She'll recover on her time. She's a lot stronger than she looks. She'll get through this.]
[I wish there was something I could...]
[She knows that. ] There was another pause as he thought it over. [I know that.] If nothing else, the White Queen and he had their concern for Jubilee in common. [I'll protect her.]
[Thank you, Wolverine. I know you would. If there's anything you need...]
[We'll give you a holler.]
[Please do.]
[Go get some sleep, Emma. There's nothing more you can do tonight for her. I'll stay with her so she doesn't wake up alone.]
[Good night, Logan. Keep her safe.]
It was silent again as Logan stared into the fire again. It's been a while since he's had many given amount of time to sit in contemplation. It's been even longer since he's actually spent any time with Jubilee where they were not running for their lives or in pain. The past few months had been tough on everyone. He could remember that faithful day when Warren Worthington III, the highflying Angel, answered the X-Mansion's phone and the world around them came tumbling down.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
9 months ago: X-men Mansion
The ringing of the phone cut through the laugher of the X-men as they sat, played, lounged in the sun by the small pond behind the mansion. It was a bright sunny day, perfectly made for a picnic with those that has just spent the past week tracking and capturing Omega Red.
Rogue flew with the gentle breeze overhead and carried the large picnic basket with the ease of one that could lift boulders. "Come up you slow pokes, last one in the water sets out lunch." With a laugh, she dropped the basket under the large shady oak tree and shed the loose outer layer of her clothes before diving into the pond.
"Careful, my dear," the bouncing blue fur ball leaped out of the way as water splashed over the side. "Fur and water is not a very aromatically pleasant combination."
Bobby Drake laughed as he took a dive into the pool. "Hank's just jealous cause he looks like a wet rag when he swims." The Iceman did not concern himself when it came to water.
Jean Gray shook her head like a fond mother as she headed toward the basket full of food Rogue had dropped. Her red hair fluttering in the wind as she took a seat and begin to mentally set out the food for those that would enjoy it when they had enough sun and water. Scott Summer leaned against the tree and watched his wife with a softness in his usually expressionless face that touched the romantic side in everyone.
Logan stood at the edge of the pond watching the sky. Storm floated softly in the breeze that she had created. It's been a while since Ororo Munroe has had any free time for herself. The Goddess within her long for the freedom of the skies. Logan envy her for that, the freedom she could find at almost anytime by just taking to the air. He would have to travel long and far to find the lonely woods that were his sanctuary from the civilized world.
It was a peaceful time for all of them. They've earn this break from their duties to the world and Xavier's cause.
"What you be thinking of, mon ami?" Remy Lebeau's Cajun accent was thick and full of amusement as he watched Rogue beat Bobby in a water fight. It was no secret that the Cajun thief had a soft spot in his heart for the southern belle.
"It's a nice day. Wish it could last." The western drawl in Logan's voice belied his Canadian origins.
Remy looked up at the clear sky. "No reason why it can't, especially with Stormy up there." He frowned suddenly. "You expecting trouble?"
"Gambit, when was the last time we've had a picnic without an incident?"
The Frenchman scratched his head and thought about it seriously. "Never."
"Exactly." With a sigh, Logan sat down by the pond and dangled his feet in the cool water. "But I suppose we should take advantage of it while it lasts."
"That be the spirit, mon ami." With an easy grin, Remy sat down next to him and watched as Rogue flew out of the water before Bobby accidentally backed into her. Since her bathing suit did not cover too much of her skin, it was dangerous for her to be too close to anyone. One touch could render her opponents into a coma and transfer their powers as well as memories to her. Keeping away from people has become second nature to the usually passionate belle now.
"Carefully, Bobby." Rogue dove into a less crowded part of the pond as Bobby wiped water from his eyes and stuck his tongue out at Kitty, a.k.a. Shadowcat while Peter Rasputin, Colossus, looked on with laughter.
"Sorry, Rogue. Didn't see you there." Knowing very well how fearful Rogue was of ever touching her friends. The two had gotten pretty close when the two had been handling personal problems and giving each other support.
Rogue grinned and shook her head at him. The horse playing continued, making enough noise to cover the approach of Warren's approach.
Logan had caught the scent of Angel but ignored it as the winged millionaire flew overhead to land only a few feet away. Jean was the first to notice that Warren was not as lighthearted as his companions. Scott was next to catch on from the sudden concern he sensed from Jean through the psychic link they shared.
"Logan," the hesitation in Warren's voice caught Logan's attention faster than anything else could have.
He turned to see the sudden fear and anger in the clear blue eyes of the Angel. "What happened, Warren?"
"You better come with me. Sean needs to talk to you right away. I'm keeping him on the line." He looked back at the rest of the X-men that were quick respond to the sudden stillness. "You better all come. Betsy is getting more information now."
"Warren?" Jean's eyes reflected her fear and concern. [Is it Jubilee?]
[Jean, please.]
[Warren, you have to tell me. Is it little Jubilee? Is that why you went to Logan?]
There was a long pause. [Yeah, it's Jubilee. Something's happened to her. Logan is not going to take this well.]
[Oh lord.]
[Jean?] Scott's voice came through their link. [What's wrong? What's happened?]
[Scott, something's happened to Jubilee.]
[Oh no... Logan.] Scott Summer was one of the few people in the world that knew of Jubilee's importance to Wolverine's sanity. He could only imagine the dozens of horrible scenario that must be going through Logan's mind. Being a father himself, the terrors of fatherhood were not foreign to him.
Logan reached the main house first. The communications room was on the farthest end of the mansion. The pounding of his heart told Logan want he needed to know. Something's happened to the kid.
"Logan," Sean's voice came through clearly as his old buddy came into view. The Irishman opened his mouth to say something, anything, but nothing came out.
Betsy's tear streaked face told Logan and everyone else what had happened. There would be only one reason Sean would be contacting Logan at this time that would have cause Elizabeth Braddock, the ninja-trained psychic warrior, to cry as if someone had ripped her heart out.
"Jubilee?" the question came out softly as he held his breath, praying that he's instinct was wrong for once.
"I'm sorry, Logan." Sean turned just enough to look at someone off screen. Then he was shoved out of the way.
Emma Frost's terrorized face appeared on the screen. "I'm so sorry, Wolverine. We didn't get to her in time. She fought them but there was just nothing she could have done to..."
She broke off in order to compose herself. Sean appeared again and took Emma by the shoulders. "We found Jubilee's body this morning. We searched all night when she didn't return. It looked like a brutal fight. She didn't stand a chance." There was such sorrow and pain as Sean spoke. His students were important to him.
"Who?" Logan's face revealed nothing but his eyes were unusually bright and deadly. "Who was it?"
"We're not sure yet." Sean's face looked as if he'd age ten years in the past 24 hours. "Listen, I don't think that now is the time to ..."
"I want to come down there. I want to see the body." The stony coldness of Wolverine's voice startled the other X-Men. They were all in shock over this news. They had all at one point or another come to love and even respect the little mall rat that Logan had brought into their lives.
"Logan," Sean pleaded. "You don't want to be seeing the body, lad." His voice was full of sorrow and regret. "They did a number on the lassie. She's barely recognizable."
"I want to see the body." The words were said through tightly clinched teeth of a man so filled with anger that it was dangerous to deny him anything.
[Jean, look at his eyes.] Scott Summer's eyes went to his wife's only to discover that they were shedding the tears that he dare not show. He loved Jubilee as well. She had been a bright light in their lives.
[Oh Scott, she was so young. So beautiful. The pain swelled up in her throat. How could life be so unfair as to take one so innocent from us?]
[Jean...]
[She's never done anything to harm anyone. Why would this be happening?]
Scott's arm wrapped around his wife's shoulders tightly. Jean has suffered her loses as well and it hit her harder each time the young ones are taken from their lives. It hit them all harder when it was the young ones that suffered for their choices in life. [It's not fair but it's life. Jubilee's an X-Men, she knew the risks.]
[Did she, Scott? Did she really know what she would have to give up to become one of us? Did she even have a choice once she met one of us?]
[Don't do this to yourself, honey.]
[Scott...she's fourteen.]
[I know, Jean. I know.]
The other said nothing as they each remembered moments where they encountered the rambunctious teen. One by one, the X-men all turned the a picture on the mantle. There sitting neatly at the center was a photo of a happy, smiling Jubilee hanging off the shoulders of Wolverine with a rare open smile on his face. And another of the whole X-men family while she was still in residence.
The young ones, the good ones, the innocent ones, they always seem to be the first casualties of war.