Chapter 11


For the next few days, Jubilee only ate and slept. She spoke to Jean and Hank only, or Storm when available. Every opportunity she got she would assist Hank in a scientific project, or ask him for textbooks and magazines to keep her occupied. Pleased at her desire to learn more, he would comply. A stack of journals grew by her bedside, and for the next week she was lost in them, or the novels Rogue brought her.

Gambit was not allowed to be near her, except for brief visits, and there were post cards from Wolverine from a post office box. Jubilee felt more and more nervous, and someone always waited by her bedside keeping watch.

Gambit and Rogue one day were busy keeping Jubilee company. All three of them were playing euchre, and laughing together for the first time in days. "You're becomin' a real card shark Sugah," Rogue drawled.

"I know it… man I wish I knew about this game sooner," said Jubilee as she lay down her hand. Gambit and Rogue sat on chairs pulled up to her bed. She had been moved to her private room, and the garish posters and sheets were far more positive than the sterile whiteness of the lab.

"Ah know ya miss Wolverine, sugah," Rogue said as Jubilee's eyes fell on the picture of Logan by her parent's picture on her bedside table.

"Yeah… for all the good it does me," Jubilee said miserably.

"Remy tried, petit, to get dem t' see dere wrong," said Gambit with a sigh.

"I know, you did your best… and it's cool," Jubilee sighed.

"Sugah, ah wanted t' be the one tuh take over your training…" said Rogue. "But they're sayin' that Jean's the one…"

"Thank god for that," sighed Jubilee.

"Ah swear Scott has rocks in his head sometimes…" Rogue muttered.

"Gambit agrees," he said, picking up the cards and slipping them back into their plastic box. He slipped them into the breast pocket of his trenchcoat.

"Wish I had one of you guys as a partner. Jean's okay… I mean she's friends with Wolvie and all, but…"

"Petit, Gambit tried his best t' become your partner, but Scot don't listen…" Gambit shook his head.

"Remy ah know yer not too fond of Logan," said Rogue.

"Dat's no longer true, Cherie," said Gambit. "Wolverine's all right. He and me have an understanding..."

"They cut up and carry on, but they're cool, Rogue…" said Jubilee. "They did some major male bonding on the trip…"

"Is that supposed t' make me reassured?" asked Rogue with a laugh.

"They both know how to play the same kind of poker," Jubilee smiled. "And they actually stopped fighting over the remote, and what radio station to play in the jeep…"

"Ah'm amazed," Rogue raised her eyebrow. "Just think of you two working together…"

"Stranger t'ings have happened, Cherie," Gambit winked. "Hello Jean… pleasant sight for Gambit's eyes…"

"Flattery will get you nowhere," Jean Grey sighed as she strode up to the bed. Unlike Rogue and Gambit she wore no uniform, but instead sported the green blouse and dress slacks that comprised street clothes.

"Hi Jean," said Jubilee. "Sorry I was such a grouch the other day…"

"That's all right," Jean smiled as she stood beside the bed. Gambit got up from his chair and indicated she should take it. "Mind if I joint he party?"

"Sure, go ahead," said Rogue.

"Could we speak alone?" asked Jean. "I want to catch up with Jubilee before we start training her…"

"You sure Petit?" Remy asked.

"Yep. I'll see you guys later, ok?' Thanks for hanging with me…" Jubilee said. Rogue hugged her gently, and Remy kissed her cheek before they left. Gently they closed the door behind them.

"I know this has been hard for you… not having Logan around," Jean said.

"Yeah, big deal, huh?" said Jubilee sadly. "Why won't he call… or visit? Is Scott got something to do with that…"

"Yes," Jean said. "To tell the truth…"

"Why? What is his deal?" Jubilee pouted as she turned on her side away from Jean.

"He's acting like a protective parent… even if it is foolish," Jean said quietly. "Jubilee I know you're upset…"

"Duh, whatever gave you that idea?" Jubilee grumbled. "What clued you in first?"

"I'm trying to convince Scott he's wrong… he thinks that Wolverine needs some time to cool off…"

"And do you agree with him? Nobody's tried to kill me, and I haven't seen any sign of that Misty person…"

"He thinks being around a telepath is safest," Jean said.

"I miss him, Jean," said Jubilee. "Really badly…"

"I know… which is why I'm here. Hank thinks you're strong enough to get out for a little trip. I was figuring on going shopping in the city…"

"Sounds like a load of fun," Jubilee said sadly.

"And who knows who we might run into in the city," Jean smiled as she stroked Jubilee's back.

"Say what?" Jubilee asked.

I know what both of you suspect; Jean's telepathic voice chimed in her head. It's all part of Logan's plan to stay away. But he asked me to bring you to him for a visit as soon as you were well enough…

No foolin? Jubilee excitedly telepathed back.

He's going to meet us, Jean nodded with a smile. "Hurry up and get dressed. Because we've got to catch a train by noon if we'll be there in time…"

"Great," Jubilee nodded. "You're all right, Jean… but what will the others think…"

"Scott thinks you need some more time with me," Jean laughed lightly. "But we won't be going alone. Remy's agreed to come with us… for some extra protection. He's going to meet us in Central Park…"

"Awesome," Jubilee said as she turned over and sat up in bed. Her blue eyes sparkled for the first time in the entire week. She hugged Jean tightly.


In Central Park they walked along the asphalt through the trees. Jubilee could almost forget they were in the middle of the city. Gambit walked with Jean on one arm, and Jubilee on the other.

"So where does Wolvie have his apartment anyway?" she asked.

"Somewhere in upper Manhattan," Jean said. "Near Spanish Harlem actually… on 91st and third…"

"He never said much about that," Jubilee said.

"He don't talk about it much," Gambit said. "Dis da first Remy hear of it too…"

"How do you know about it, Jean?" Jubilee asked. Jeannie blushed.

"Ohh, wait a minute… Remy t'ink dis a personal t'ing between Jean an da…"

"Remy, don't say another word," Jean said with a warning glare from her green eyes as they reached the chess boards.

"Oh come on Jean, give," Jubilee grinned. "I know you have a jones on Wolverine… I mean he's only been carrying a torch for you since…"

"Jubilee!" Jean raised an eyebrow.

"She has been," Gambit laughed. "It written all over her face, petit."

"Ohh haven't you guys ever been on a date… I mean before you and Scott started going steady…"

"Well, back when he first joined the X men…" Jean started. "Look if I tell you, you have to SWEAR never to tell anyone else, or else I'm going to have to fluff and fold your…"

"Gambit swear never to tell… otherwise Wolverine will put 12 inches of his claws into Gambit's chest…" said Remy with a shudder.

"Ouch," Jubilee winced. "So Jean…"

"Well sometimes we'd meet here in Central Park, and go for a game of nineball, and a nice meal," Jeannie said with a mischievous smile.

"I never knew you played pool," said Jubilee.

"Well I don't around Scott," Jean winked. "He's not into that…"

"Did you do anything else together?" Jubilee asked. "I mean like other dating stuff. Not THAT stuff but…"

"We'd go to a few of the local western bars, and sometimes I'd drag him to the clubs," said Jean with a laugh. "He's not a bad dancer as you can tell… some of the places Scott wouldn't ever take me to…"

"Wow, you're a wild woman and he doesn't' know it!" Jubilee laughed. "So cool!"

"Well it was when I was younger," Jean smiled. "Logan always knew how to live. To have fun and cut loose. But he always protected me. I felt safe with him."

"So what happened?"

"I was in love with Scott. But Logan is my best friend," said Jean.

"Ugh," Jubilee laughed. "Nice guy syndrome… majorly."

"Remy agrees," Gambit said. "But da Wolverine is way too wild for you Cherie… Gambit t'inks…"

"Yes… there is an appeal, but Scott and I go back to the first days of the school. We know more about each other than many do… and we've always had a bond. Logan and I are also close, but I can't see him as a person I'd marry and settle down with…"

"Why not?" Jubilee asked. "I think if he met the right woman… he loves kids… and well…"

"Not him, petit," Remy laughed. "Wolverine's a free spirit. He goes wherever he wants."

"So do you," said Jubilee, nudging him. As they walked towards the depths of the park, Jubilee relaxed. She hoped they would bump into Logan soon.


"What's wrong?" Jean asked as Jubilee froze. They were at the edge of the park when she felt a shiver and could swear something was in the corner of her vision.

"It's… I don't feel so…"

"Wait," Jean said as she shivered. "I sense something… someone else… a presence…"

"It's her…" Jubilee said as she froze. "She's here…"

"How do you know?" Gambit asked.

"I just do, okay!" Jubilee said as she shrank against him.

"Remy, go get help," Jean said as her eyes flared blue, and her body crackled with telepathic energy. "I'll protect Jubilee…"

"Remy's staying right here," Gambit said as he twirled his staff. Jean touched her hand to her head and a blue glow enveloped them. They stood transformed into their X-men uniforms, including Jubilee.

"Who's there?" Jean telepathed. "I know you're here because I can sense you. Don't try to hide...we know..."

A blurring in the air made Jubilee's skin crawl. Remy stood on one side as Jean threw up a telekinetic shield around herself and Jubilee.

"You can't protect her all the time," came a voice in Jean's head.

"Oh god no," Jubilee gasped as she saw the mist coalesce around them. Jean held Jubilee close, her green eyes narrowing.

"Show yourself!" Remy shouted.

"She's not alone," said another voice, and he saw flames crackling around them. He pulled several cards out of his pocket as the mist increased.

"I have a score to settle with you, mate," said an Australian accent.

"Pyro!" gasped Jubilee.

"You can't hide from me with your friends," said the voice. The mist collected before them, and a gray cloaked figure materialized, standing before them. Beside her stood the gold and red uniformed Pyro.

"You've got something we want. Hand her over and we won't hurt you, much," Pyro said. "We don't have any argument with you, Marvel Girl. But we want the child… and as for YOU thief, you hurt my daughter for the last time…"

"Back off!" Jean snapped. "She's with me!"

"If it's a fight you want, Gambit will make sure you don't forget it!" Gambit shouted as he threw the cards into the mist. Pyro gestured as his daughter Misty dematerialized. Flames shot from his wrists and formed a large birdform that startled Jean. It swooped down and attacked Gambit. Levering with his staff he threw his cards towards it. Pyro separated and focused his attention on them.

Jean focussed her mind on the mist, trying to force it together. "Stay close Jubilee…"

"Where's Wolvie?" asked Jubilee. She hurled a paff of energy towards Misty.

"Three against one isn't' fair… how about another?" asked someone else, and they felt the ground shaking under their feet.

"Professor, we need help," Jean telepathed.

"Oh no you don't, Reds," laughed Avalanche. The ground erupted beneath them, raising above as it sent rocks cascading down on Marvel Girl. She forced them back with her mind, but Jubilee lost her footing and they were scattered.

"Now!" yelled Pyro. The cloud of mist surrounded them both. Jean coughed, trying to focus her telepathy on the mist and keep the rocks from crashing down on her and jubilee.

"Stop it!" Jubilee yelled as she hurled a series of green, pink and blue bursts towards them at the same time.

"Run!" Gambit yelled. "Get out of here Petit…"

"Jubilee…" Jean gasped.

Jubilee turned and ran as fast as she could as Jean and Gambit kept their captors occupied. She raced away, seeing that nobody was following her. Fear arose in her, and she paffed violently around her as she searched for a place to hide.


"I'll get you," said Misty's voice.

"Not likely," Jubilee bit her lip as she raised her hands to sizzle the mist. "I won't let you scare me again! I'm not a weenie…"

"You are," said Misty. "You're not so brave without your friends, are you?"

"Shut up," Jubilee snapped, chewing her gum hard. "You are so retarded…"

There came a loud cry from the woods. "Father!" Misty gasped as she heard Pyro screaming. Flashes exploded.

"I'll get you later, Jubilee. As soon as I take care of your friends," Misty hissed as she left. "You can run, but I'll find you…"

"Like hell you will," Jubilee said as she dove into the crowd of five o'clock rush hour. Soon she was gone. She felt sick when she heard Jean's telepathic voice echoing in her head.

You have to go to Logan's apartment. He'll protect you said Jean. Jubilee raced down the stairs to the subway on 57th street.

But what about the other X men? Jubilee asked as she threw a token into the turnstile and brushed past a crowd of people. She leapt onto the subway train that screeched to a halt.

They're on their way… but it looks like the whole Brotherhood is acting. We have to get you someplace safe... Jean's voice returned. "You know the address... Logan knows you're coming… you have to go to him… they can't suspect he's anywhere near…

I hear you, Jean… be careful! Jubilee said.

We'll keep them busy long enough… Jean's telepathic prompt came. Jubilee clung to the steel bar and gritted her teeth. This really wasn't her day.


Jubilee raced up five flights of stairs, worrying that she would feel Misty's ominous presence any moment. Even worse, she could swear that where they were, Mystique wasn't far away. How could she tell who was friend or foe? She prayed that it would be Wolvie there at the apartment at the top of the stairs.

The narrow staircase opened onto a landing. There were four apartments on each floor, and this was the address Jean had telepathed to her. She'd scribbled it on the back of her hand like she often wrote a lot of things down. Glancing warily around she pounded on the door.

"C'mon, be the right one…" she prayed silently. After a moment she heard a click from inside, followed by three more. There were more bolts on this door than she saw at the Mansion. Yet typical for the City. She tapped her foot nervously as she heard sirens and the loud noises of televisions from the apartment across the hall, and a bass beat from downstairs.

The drawchain opened, and she saw a familiar shape only a few inches taller than her. The smell of cigars faintly wafted out, and she heard a voice she hadn't in a week say, "Jubes, kid, is that you?"

"What do you think? You can smell me right?" Jubilee cried anxiously. The door opened quickly and she saw Wolverine standing there, in his jeans and black T-shirt. She felt his hand close on her wrist and tug her inside the apartment.

The door slammed behind her and he locked it carefully. Jubilee threw herself at him, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. He hugged her in return, rubbing her back soothingly. "Damn kid, you're a sight for sore eyes," his deep voice said.

"I missed you so much Wolvie… Jean and Gambit… they were attacked…" she sniffled as she buried her face in his chest. "They told me to…"

"I know kid… I know… but Jean's telling me they'll be all right. As far as they think, you ran away an' disappeared," Logan said. "But yer safe kid… I promise nobody's gonna get ya here… not while I've got any say…"

"You left without saying goodbye, I'm mad at you," she muttered as she squeezed away her tears.

"Not my main choice, kid," Wolverine said as he hugged her tighter and he felt the moisture of her tears soaking into his shirt. "I'm sorry kid…"

"You'd better be," she sniffled.

"C'mon, let's get you something to drink… and you need t' sit down it looks like… c'mon in here…" he urged, releasing her. With his arm still around her shoulders he guided her into the small space. It was about the size of one of the suites at the mansion, but things were more or less neatly arranged. She saw a leather recliner and a sofa that was a bit battered but still reasonably sturdy, in plaid with a knitted throw over the back. A wooden coffee table had books and papers piled neatly on it and a large green glass ashtray besides a few bottles here and there.

Jubilee sat down on the sofa, hugging herself as he released her. "Wait right there kid, I'll be back…" he urged. She saw the television was turned on to AMC, with a few old John Wayne war movies. The noise of the television was faint, and she could hear the honking of horns and the wind rushing by on the streets below.

He soon returned with a can of diet soda, and she opened it and swigged it down, her hand still shaking. "This is majorly weird… I never knew you had a place here…"

"Sometimes I come here to get away from the loony bin," he joked as he sat down, and saw how spooked she was. He moved to sit next to her, and she almost dropped the can.

"God, Gambit and Jean… they just…"

"It's okay… they're safe," Logan said as he closed his eyes for a moment. "You just relax here… nobody's gonna get you here… trust me…"

"I do, but how does she know where I am?" Jubilee asked. "This sucks!"

"I know kid…" he muttered. "Damn… doesn't make sense. She's got a mad on against you, but that isn't the main reason she keeps coming after you…"

"No… but it sure is a major one…" said Jubilee. "And she's not giving up…"

"Well she's gonna have a huge disappointment…"

"How do you fight someone… who's a mutant who can turn into gas or thin air? It's not like we have some major suck-o-matic vacuum cleaner…" Jubilee joked as she curled her feet under her and sat huddled on the sofa.

"Good question, Jubes. Main thing is I can smell her coming a mile away, and I think she knows that. But also there's a point where she has to materialize. She can't just go generating those paralyzing chemicals any old time. Sooner or later she has to rest… and recharge."

"Like a skunk running out of stink?" Jubilee pressed her lips together.

"Yeah, sort of," Logan said as he reached for a wooden box. Jubilee snapped her fingers under the cigar to light it.

"So what's the plan? Hide out here till they give up?"

"For the time being yeah," Wolverine said. "And till we figure out how to stop this girl from getting to you..."

"How do I know she won't just up and come in here when I'm asleep?"

"She won't," Wolverine said. "Not with me in the next room…"

"Oh yeah duh," Jubilee laughed, although she still felt cold from shock. "You're like the next best thing to a watch dog, no offense…"

"None taken, kid, although if you make another wet dog comment after I get hit with water…" he trailed off. She started to chuckle and the band of tension across her middle eased a bit. Logan opened the beer he'd taken out of the fridge and took a sip of it as he looked at her with a slight smile crinkling his features.

"This is one small place… and you got lots of junk," Jubilee commented as she glanced around. She got off the sofa and began to pace about the room. There were pictures here and there, piles of magazines, some of them adult and others Newsweek and time. She saw fishing equipment stored along one wall, and other man related stuff that reminded her of that channel for hunting. Posters of a few rock groups that she figured were prehistoric were on one wall, whereas framed pictures that were black and white and aged were on the others. All in all a typical bachelor type place. There were several bamboo screens and Japanese characters written on them here and there. Not to mention a small Shinto shrine up on a bookcase. Two doors led to what must be a bathroom and the bedroom off the main area. There was a small kitchenette occupying one wall, and two windows letting in some light, although they gave a nice view of a brick wall peeking through the curtains and blinds.

"Probably should get something to eat before long, and get some rest if we're gonna have an action plan," he said. She noticed the cases tucked under the coffee table, and heard the click as he checked various items that she could swear were part army surplus, part something else.

"Howcome Jean's the only one who knows this place exists?" Jubilee asked, and then realized it was probably a dumb question.

"Because," Wolverine answered.

"Because you don't wanna tell me, or something else."

"Cause I don't wanna tell ya," he answered simply.

"Okay, sorry I asked," Jubilee said as she lifted her hands and knew it was forbidden territory.

"S'ok," he grunted, as he walked over to the kitchen. "You got the bed, and I'll take the sofa out here. I hear anything unusual, and it's a nice warm welcome to whatever dummy comes through that door…"

"That's why there are the guns?" she asked, kicking one of the cases.

"If I don't nail 'em first. Besides, they're mainly for scaring people anyway. Anyone stupid enough to bother me in here…" he joked. "I don't really use 'em… haven't for years… but you never know…"

"More WWII stuff?"

"Korean and Vietnam," he said. "Don't remember much about WWII…"

"You said you fought with Captain America," Jubilee said as Wolverine's head disappeared into the fridge and she heard bottles and cans rustling. He brought out several boxes of Chinese food and set them on the counter near the microwave.

"Yeah," he called. "Wanna eat now or later?"

"Now… I hope you didn't get that disgusting egg fu young, I hate that," Jubilee puled a face. She glanced up at some of the weaponry hanging on the wall. Including a katana similar to the ones he had hanging in his room. Below it was a pair of strap on claws that looked suspiciously old enough to have seen better days. Medals in a small felt case caught her eye, as well as a picture of him assembled with a redheaded woman and a guy in a Canadian mountee's uniform.

She picked it up, and wondered who it was. A hand on her shoulder made her yelp and she saw Logan standing over her. "Sorry…"

"Those were some of my old friends in Canada," he explained. "Mac and Heather…"

"The two who found you?" she asked.

"Yep," he nodded. "Dinner's warming up… got you the sweet and sour pork…"

"No pork fried rice I hope, it makes me gag," Jubilee said as he nudged her in the direction of the sofa. He set two plates down with some silverware and she heard the buzz of the microwave.

Soon they were eating out of the cartons and she felt much better. A can of soda and two orders of takeout and an egg roll did wonders. Especially with a friend who made Bruce lee look like a pansy when he was angry. Jubilee couldn't stop asking him questions about WWII and how they were going to stop Misty from getting in through a crack. Wolverine did his best to keep her reassured.

It was late when she felt a T-shirt hit her in the chest and she saw him standing over her. The cartons and plates were long cleared away and she yawned as she held the T-shirt out. It was an extra large, and she saw it was a New York Mets one. He wasn't a huge baseball fan, but it was a good nightshirt.

"You've got the bed to yourself, and I'll take the sofa," he said.

"I'm small it won't be a problem," she said.

"Don't be silly kid, it's more private in there," he said as he finished his cigar and extinguished it. She knew better than to question him, and wandered into the bedroom to change. It was a full bed, set with ordinary blue sheets and a few warm blankets and a patchwork quilt that she wondered the source of. All perfectly masculine and ordinary things. Including the dresser and closet filled with boxes and clothes like flannel shirts and other things. A battered clock radio was on the nightstand, along with other pictures. She saw an old record player and crates filled with vinyl. Chuckling she got up and looked at them. Flipping through she saw anything from Roy Orbison to Glen Miller, Gerry Rafferty, Rolling Stones, and Elvis even. There was a strange looking thing by Jimi Hendrix, and Jubilee slowly slid the record out. She set it down on the turntable, and hoped she wouldn't ruin the thing as she turned it on. A scratchy sound ensued when she lowered the needle, and heard a guitar line twanging through.

"Purple Haze running through my brain…" came a bluesy voice, and Jubilee sat on the bed.

"Not too bad," she shook her head. "For prehistoric music…"

A knock on the door alerted her. She got off the bed and opened it to see Wolverine standing there with an amused smirk. "You found the vinyl, huh,"

"Um yeah… I hope you don't…"

"It's okay Jubes," he said. "Make yourself at home… figured you'd discover Hendrix sooner or later… every kid does… and they either hate him or love him…"

"He's pretty cool… for an old guy," Jubilee said as she walked over and sat on the bed. The t-shirt came to her knees, with the pair of shorts that she wore along as a pair of bottoms.

"Better get some rest. Got a long day tomorrow," he recommended. Already she saw the orange glow of sodium lamps and felt herself yawn.

"Jean and the others… are you sure…"

"It'll be okay," he said as he pulled back the covers and she slid under. Looking up at him she felt a strange pang of familiarity. How long had it been since someone had tucked her in like he was gently pulling the covers around her and adjusting the bedspread. She lay back, and the light switched off. He was there, standing by the bed and she could see his imposing shape and feel his hand giving hers a squeeze.

"I'll be right out there, if ya need anything," he answered. "Sleep tight kiddo…"

She felt his kiss on her forehead, and his arms hugging her reassuringly. Inside her throat she choked because nobody had put her to bed like this since she was 10. In So cal, when her parents were still…

She buried her cheek in his shoulder and he sat on the bed, knowing she wasn't going to sleep right away. All he did was sit there and hug her till she lay back and could fall asleep. Even then he pulled up a chair and sat down by the bed, watching her till she dropped off. The smell of cigars and the shape of him there watching over her made it easier…