Ok, this is the last installment. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I've decided I like song fics. Hope everyone enjoyed these as much as I enjoyed writing them.
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He lay on the bed, his arms around his little girl, thinking back on the day. She had come back; after all that had happened, she had come back. She'd sobbed into his shirt, apologizing for everything. The flights and travel had exhausted her, and they had laid down in the bed. She had fallen asleep immediately, and he had stayed awake, thinking. He listened to the radio, playing softly in the background, as a light orchestra started. His sensitive hearing perked up at the notes changed into a soft piano, then to lyrics.
I talked to my sister in Memphis and I told her you were movin' to town. Here's her number; she said she'd be glad to show you around
Jubilee shifted a little, and he moved to accommodate her, never taking his ears off the music.
I left a map on your front seat just in case you lose your way. But don't worry, once you reach Sallisaw, it's all interstate
Wolverine thought back to the day she'd left. She'd packed everything she owned in her truck and taken off, without so much as a word. He'd stood in this very room, at the window, and watched her go.
I know you need to go. But before you do, I want you to know that I wish you the best; and I wish you nothing less than every thing you've ever dreamed of.
He knew he couldn't, wouldn't, stop her. She needed to find her own place. She couldn't always be Wolverine's sidekick. But it had hurt just the same.
And I hope that you find love along the way. But most of all I, wish you'd stay
If it hadn't been for his damned pride, he would have begged her to stay for him, to stay closer to home. But he hadn't, and she'd moved to the other side of the country.
I figure right about sundown, you'll be in West Tennessee; and by then, maybe I'll understand why you had to leave
He'd never understand what had compelled her to go. Then again, he knew perfectly well. He had taught her to be independent, and she was doing just that.
I know that you've done some changin' and I know there's no changin' your mind. Yes, I know, we've been through this a thousand times
All he could think about was the damned argument. Her words kept playing over and over in his head. "What does it matter?! You're never here anyway!" Those words alone were the cutting knife to his heart. True, he hadn't been around, especially when she needed it most. He had always made some lousy excuse for himself, but in the end, none of it was good enough.
I'm sorry for still holdin' on. I'll try to let go and I'll try to be strong
He had tried, and failed. He simply could not let this girl walk out of his life forever. She was too much a part of him now.
I wish you the best, and I wish you nothing less than every thing you've ever dreamed of
She deserved it all, everything she ever wanted. He looked down on her sleeping form, at the girl he'd come to think of as his own.
And I hope that you find love along the way. But most of all, I wish you'd stay
Even now, he knew she wasn't going to be here long. She had a life, friends, at Berkeley. She couldn't just drop all that and come back. No, she needed to make her own life, with the support, but not the interference, of her friends. And family, he amended, and family. Once again, he felt her shift, but paid no heed. The song ended, and he sighed.
"Whatcha thinking about, Wolvie?" her voice cut through the silence, and he turned his head.
"Just thinking. When ya going back to Cali?"
"Couple of days. I talked to my professors, told them there was a family emergency. So they gave me a few days." She sat up and stretched. "I am famished." He raised an eyebrow and she swatted his stomach. "What are you smirking at?"
"You just used the word 'famished' Jubes." He sat up, then stood, pulling her to her feet. "Let's get downstairs. I think Jean and Rogue are cooking a celebratory dinner." Jubilee stopped.
"You just used the word 'celebratory' Wolvie." He ruffled her hair and picked her up, slinging her over his shoulder. She shrieked and squirmed, but realized she was no match for Wolverine's strength. Everyone watched him walk through the den, and Beast turned to Cyclops.
"How long before she fights back?" Cyclops shrugged and turned back to the television, smiling. A paff was heard, and then giggling, then shrieking. A blur streaked past them, followed by a merrily disgruntled Wolverine. The team could only smile; the partnership had finally been restored.