Disclaimer, etc. in first part…
8.
Scott's parting words to her.
Ten minutes later, things were definitely not okay.
Very not okay, Jean thought dazedly as she tried to drag air into her lungs. The muscular arm wrapped around her throat wasn't helping any.
A whisper of movement had been her only warning, and even that had come too late. He'd attacked, clamping an arm around her neck and pressing a fist to the side of her face. Jean knew that if she made a sound, a movement–hell if she even breathed wrong, she'd be dead. But then again, breathing was becoming less of an option at that point.
She'd already sent a mental call to the others, warning them that the Wolverine was conscious and to approach with extreme caution. There really wasn't much else she could do but wait. So she did. It had only been a matter of seconds, but time seemed to have slowed down just for her.
Jean held herself still, feeling his warm breath as it wafted past her ear–she could have sworn he'd sniffed at her–and the heat of his torso pressed against her back. She could feel the rapid rise and fall of his chest. He was holding her so close, she could practically feel his heart pounding. Or was that her own heart?
The Wolverine growled low in his throat, and Jean shuddered. It wasn't entirely from fear.
Jean balked at her body's reaction and forced herself instead to concentrate on trying to interpret the flood of emotions coming from her patient's mind.
God, he's little more than an animal, Jean thought. Running on pure instinct.
Suddenly, he released her, flinging her away from him. Jean went sprawling across the floor. Coughing, she sat up and dragged much-needed air into her lungs. Wary, she watched as the Wolverine began prowling around the infirmary. Apparently he didn't like what he saw, because those foot-long claws made an abrupt appearance. He growled, and this time Jean's shudder was all fear. Cornered animals could be very vicious. Wolverines especially so.
Careful, not to make any sudden movements, Jean slowly began to shift her way backwards across the floor. She kept one eye trained on her patient and the other scanned the room for anything she could use to either knock him out or help her escape. Things weren't looking good, considering she was pretty sure those sharp eyes would notice anything floating across the room. And the Wolverine himself blocked the large steel doors. It didn't take Professor Xavier to figure out she was in deep trouble.
Scott, where are you?
Ororo and I are on our way, Jean, came the reply. But someone's in the elevator. And we left the Professor in his office.
How the hell can someone be in the elevator? The students aren't even supposed to know about it! Jean slid back another foot as the Wolverine began clawing at the loose cotton top and pants he'd been dressed in. He was clawing himself in the process. Scott, get your asses down here now!
We're coming now. We're taking the emergency stairs and should be down there in less than a minute. Just hold on, Jean!
Jean didn't bother to reply. She was too busy keeping a watchful eye on the wild man across the room. As his violent slashing opened more and more lacerations, the more frenzied he'd become. The pain and the scent of his own blood was making him absolutely feral. It wouldn't be long before he remembered he wasn't alone and took his frustration out on her.
Think, Jean! You're a teacher for christsake! Cornered animal…Doesn't like being here…He feels trapped…Trapped like you…The solution popped into her mind almost immediately. Give him a way out. The only way out. The doors.
I'm letting him out.
You're doing what?!
I have to!
Jean, don't! We'll be there–Jean severed the mental connection and concentrated on employing her other talent.
Using her telekinesis, Jean punched the manual override for the steel doors of the infirmary. Slowly, the metal semi-circles began to open with a soft hum. Dropping to a low crouch, bloodied claws at the ready, the Wolverine growled at the moving doors. When the movement had stopped, Jean watched as the wild man stood stock-still and sniffed the air.
He slid warily out into the bright corridor, pausing again to sniff the air and to look around. Apparently satisfied that there wasn't anyone nearby, he took off in a loping run, leaving a bloody trail behind him. Jean let out the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She immediately nudged the manual controls to reseal the infirmary.
Scott, he's out wandering the corridors. When you run into him, tell Ororo to zap him again.
Are you okay?
Jean sighed and rubbed at her sore neck. I'm fine. I just think we'll need to use restraints next time. Wouldn't want one of the students getting hurt.
No sooner had the words left her mind, than Jean heard a scream that had the hair at her nape standing on end.
Oh dear God. The elevator.
The infirmary doors sealed with a soft thud.