As he set her lightly on her feet they remained in their hug. After a moment Bobby joined in, hugging her from behind. The others soon joined in as well enveloping Jubilee in the largest group hug she'd ever participated in.
'We missed you' and 'we're glad your home' seemed to be on everyone's lips as her and Logan were gently parted and everyone took turns in getting a hug. She greeted everyone excitedly and warmly, but was always keeping her eyes on Logan. She hadn't seen him in over two years. She had missed him desperately and the sight of him was slightly overwhelming. He stood silently against the wall observing her greeting her teammates. His eyes never left hers.
After everyone had settled down Jubilee headed down to the infirmary for a physical. Hank had told her they could wait till morning, but she insisted she wanted it done and over with. Logan stayed with her as the others of the team parted to give Jubilee some space.
After he ran some quick tests Hank informed her, "Other then malnutrition and a little dehydration you seem to be within an acceptable level of health."
"Did you want to get something to eat Darlin?"
"No," she paused a moment before calling him, " Logan. I'm tired. I'd really just like to take a shower and get to bed. Oh! I didn't ask where I'd be sleeping."
"In your old room. It's exactly as you left it."
She sat silently in shock for a moment before asking, "Really?"
"Yes," Hank answered her, "Logan made sure of it. I'm going to give you these vitamins, take one a day. Now that we're finished here I'm sure Logan will be good enough to show you to your room."
Still shocked she numbly took the vitamins from Hank and followed Logan to her old room.
"I can't believe you kept it exactly the same. Logan, I can't believe you did this. It's immaculate," Jubilee said awed by the sight of her own room unchanged after two years away and barely any correspondence with the mansion.
Studying her he sat on her bed before asking, "Then you won't leave again?"
Confused by his question she regarded him a moment before saying, "I don't plan on it."
He nodded.
They regarded each other uncertainly for a moment neither sure what to say next.
"Well, I'm tired," Jubilee stated exhaustion creeping into her voice, "I think I'll take shower then get to bed."
Another uncertain silence settled over them only to be broken once again by Jubilee, "You're not going, are you?"
"Nope, not letting you out of my sight."
"Not once?"
"No."
"I need to take a shower, Logan."
"I'll deal."
She frowned, "I don't mind you spending the night here. I think its a good idea actually, but you're not taking a shower with me."
"I'm not letting you out of my sight," he answered stubbornly.
She sank down beside him on the bed silently regarding him a moment before softly asking, "What's all this about?"
"You left. I got a call from Scott, he told me you needed me, but by the time I got here you were gone. No goodbye, no explanation."
"Logan, I..." her voice faltered, "There were circumstances."
He watched her a moment, "You still can't say it, can you?"
"No," she admitted as she stood up, " I can barely even think about it."
They lapsed into silence again: Jubilee caught up in the pain of her past and Logan trying to find the right words to comfort her. Not that there would be much comfort, the death on her hands would stay with her forever. Still that didn't mean she should run away, shut out her friends. It didn't mean she couldn't heal enough to go on living. Thinking these things Logan struggled for the right words, "Jeannie would have died if you hadn't stopped him."
"I know."
"Lee wouldn't be here."
"I know, Logan. I tell myself that, but it still doesn't make what I did right."
"Hank managed to look into him right after you left. The guy was wanted in several states. He killed several mutants and non-mutants."
"How?" Jubilee choked.
Logan looked at her confused, "How what?"
"How did Hank look into him, all that was left was ash or didn't they tell you that?"
"Jubilee," Logan told her in a comforting voice, "Jeannie identified him."
"Logan, it doesn't matter if he was the ideal citizen or if he killed a hundred people! What does matter is I killed him! Me! I killed him! Oh God, Logan, I killed a man."
One would think that finally putting into words the deed that haunted her would strengthen her instead her last reserve of energy seemed to leave her. She looked ready to crumble to the floor at any moment.
Logan gathered her into his arms, sat with her on his lap.
"It'll be okay Darlin, we're going to help you heal."
"I'm not sure I can," her voice cracked.
Tears began to slide paths down her face. Logan wrapped his arms around her tighter and she clung to him. Her tears became heavy. Sobs racked her body and he only held her tighter hoping he at least made her feel safe.
After a long time her sobs ebbed away. Softly against his shoulder she whispered, "I don't know what to do."
"Promise me you'll never leave like that again."
She pulled up to look him in the face, "Only if you promise me the same."
His indignation at the way she'd left faltered. "I," he started, "Jubilee, I know in the past I, It... I... I'll always be here for you from now on."
She hugged him close, "And I couldn't bare to leave you again."
They hugged then, comforted by the thought that their friendship remained intact.
After a moment Logan sighed and kissed her tenderly on the cheek, "Why don't you go take your shower and I'll go change into something I can sleep in. Then I'll meet you here in your bed and we'll get some rest."
"All right," she whispered as she got up and began to gather the things she would need for her shower.
She left her bathroom feeling refreshed and comfortable in her pajama set. She smiled when she notice Logan already curled up in her bed. From the position of the blankets she could just barely tell he was wearing a white T-shirt and dozing. Knowing Logan he probably had some plaid boxers on as well and would be up and wide awake immediately if an emergency presented itself.
Content with this she crawled into bed and curled up next to him. He put his arms around her and they both fell into a peaceful sleep.