Author's Note and Disclaimer: "The Birthday Wish" is the beginning of an
extended story known simply as 'The Venus Factor'. Events within this part
of the tale take place in a niche that I have carved out between 'X-Men
Unlimited' #34 and 'Uncanny X-Men' #402, about 3.5 years after the
disbanding of the Generation X team. Cut me a little slack and just run
with the time line. As always, these characters are not mine, nor is any
profit made off of using their likenesses. If anyone from Marvel ever reads
this, this true believer would love to write for you. And stop dismissing
Jubilee; she's a great character. Until that day, MMM!
***
Logan walked around the building, his skin on edge. He couldn't place anything out of place, at least not more than the scent of a lie, but it was the best lead he'd had to go on all day.
The only thought in his mind was finding Jubilee. Once again he had endangered someone he loved. His curse. He shook his shaggy head, frustrated. It wasn't fair. He thought of Jubilee, her smile, her sweet air of never-ending support… As long as he was being honest with himself, she was the girl –no, he corrected- the woman that had stood by him through everything. Sabertooth, Deathstrike, Mariko, Silver Fox… She had never abandoned him, despite his ornery disposition. She had always stood by him, accepting him, never afraid of his inner beast, always waiting for him to come around.
Until she stopped.
And that's when he realized how much he needed her.
Or was he just realizing this? He didn't know anymore. He only knew he had to find her, had to make everything all right. He still wasn't sure what he wanted from her. He didn't feel safe calling this feeling love. Not like that, anyway. After all, this was Jubilee. He couldn't love her. Could he?
***
Jubilee awoke in a cold, dark room. She awoke alone and more clear-headed than she had been in –days? She shook her head, shaking away the confusion that ensued when she considered her captivity.
'Drugged… I've been drugged.'
She took measure of the locked door in front of her and fingered her collar, trying to build a paf. Nothing doing. 'No doubt, Jubes, you've hopped into the frying pan this time…'
So she'd been drugged. Someone was trying to disorient her. She struggled, trying to see through the lifting fog in her mind. She must be building a tolerance faster than her captors anticipated. Her captors… Who were they? She remembered her reunion with Wolverine, the other Wolverine, the Wolvie who had visited her, the incongruities… She shook her head again. Could the real Wolvie please stand up? One of them must have been real. She'd been on the farm roster too long to see this much action solo. But who knew enough about her to know to use Wolvie against her? Who would target her? Or was she being used against him?
This thought hit her like a semi. Was someone using her against her Wolvster? How could she know who the real Wolverine was? Surely one of them must be… Even though it hurt her to think it had taken this to get his attention, a little voice in her head couldn't help but rejoice: 'He came!'
***
The side door of the building opened slowly. Logan snapped out of his reverie, instantly alert. Auburn hair and blue skin wrapped itself around the doorway.
"Funny meeting you here."
SNICKT.
***
Logan walked around the building, his skin on edge. He couldn't place anything out of place, at least not more than the scent of a lie, but it was the best lead he'd had to go on all day.
The only thought in his mind was finding Jubilee. Once again he had endangered someone he loved. His curse. He shook his shaggy head, frustrated. It wasn't fair. He thought of Jubilee, her smile, her sweet air of never-ending support… As long as he was being honest with himself, she was the girl –no, he corrected- the woman that had stood by him through everything. Sabertooth, Deathstrike, Mariko, Silver Fox… She had never abandoned him, despite his ornery disposition. She had always stood by him, accepting him, never afraid of his inner beast, always waiting for him to come around.
Until she stopped.
And that's when he realized how much he needed her.
Or was he just realizing this? He didn't know anymore. He only knew he had to find her, had to make everything all right. He still wasn't sure what he wanted from her. He didn't feel safe calling this feeling love. Not like that, anyway. After all, this was Jubilee. He couldn't love her. Could he?
***
Jubilee awoke in a cold, dark room. She awoke alone and more clear-headed than she had been in –days? She shook her head, shaking away the confusion that ensued when she considered her captivity.
'Drugged… I've been drugged.'
She took measure of the locked door in front of her and fingered her collar, trying to build a paf. Nothing doing. 'No doubt, Jubes, you've hopped into the frying pan this time…'
So she'd been drugged. Someone was trying to disorient her. She struggled, trying to see through the lifting fog in her mind. She must be building a tolerance faster than her captors anticipated. Her captors… Who were they? She remembered her reunion with Wolverine, the other Wolverine, the Wolvie who had visited her, the incongruities… She shook her head again. Could the real Wolvie please stand up? One of them must have been real. She'd been on the farm roster too long to see this much action solo. But who knew enough about her to know to use Wolvie against her? Who would target her? Or was she being used against him?
This thought hit her like a semi. Was someone using her against her Wolvster? How could she know who the real Wolverine was? Surely one of them must be… Even though it hurt her to think it had taken this to get his attention, a little voice in her head couldn't help but rejoice: 'He came!'
***
The side door of the building opened slowly. Logan snapped out of his reverie, instantly alert. Auburn hair and blue skin wrapped itself around the doorway.
"Funny meeting you here."
SNICKT.