Chapter 10
"Damn, looks the same," Wolverine muttered as the door slid open, and he smelled familiar scents that had clung to Heather.
"I know, but I hope it isn't too uncomfortable…" Heather said as she turned on the lights, and Logan stared at the patchwork quilt draped on the bed, which was off to one side through an open door from the sitting area. Pictures lined one dresser, and he picked them up, slowly perusing them. On the wall hung various military decorations and other momentos from his commission on Department H. A whole chapter of his life he'd shut when he joined the X-men. For his room there was decorated with Japanese motifs and stuff he'd acquired studying under Master Oku.
His battered leather travel bag was sitting alongside his backpack on the luggage rack near his bed. He saw a fresh change of casual clothes had been laid out on the bed just as it had all those years ago each time he and Mac would come home from training. A pair of the steel-toed boots was even sitting next to the bed, and he looked at Heather with a strange weariness.
"Thanks," he muttered.
"Why don't you turn in? There's everything you need…"
"You always did make me feel welcome, Heather," he said. She gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"I'll let you get settled in. Tomorrow's another day. Briefing's…"
"At 0700 sharp," Wolverine answered automatically. "Yep, I remember THAT part of the drill…"
"Good night," Heather smiled as she walked towards the door, and he sat down on the side of the bed with a sigh. Darn healing factor did take care of most of his needs, but he still needed rest and sleep. It was far more active than it had been prior to losing his adamantium. Somehow the addition of it again was boosting his factor to almost its pre X-men levels.
Reaching for the phone, he punched the buttons for Jubilee's room. Enough with the formalities, he had to see if she was all right or not. "Hullo?" he asked.
"Hello, this is Aurora…"
"Aurora, what are you doing on this number?" Logan asked in slight irritation.
"Ohh, just helping your gal get settled in…"
Wolverine felt a flush of slight embarrassment followed by something else. He said, "enough with the commentary, Jeanne Marie… is she doin' okay? I got tied up with Heather an' Jubes an I were supposed to meet up after…"
"Oho well I can give her the message… she's in the shower right now… a hot shower…"
"I'm not askin' ya to flamin' go in there and disrupt her," he muttered.
"Well perhaps she could join you for a nightcap…" said Aurora. "Your room is more private…"
"So they got you and her as roommates? Figures," he muttered. "Anyway, fer yer information she doesn't drink… and secondly…"
"How do YOU know she doesn't drink? You ever actually backed off the chaperone mode?"
"Got somethin' to say, Jeanne Marie?" he asked in a low quiet tone that challenged her observation.
"Oh Logan, don't be ridiculous! I saw the dirty look you gave the poor girl when she was simply enjoying a glass of wine!"
"That's non o' yer business," he mumbled. "Besides, she's not used t' it… an I don't want her to have another problem t' deal with, considerin' she was a binge drinker in college…"
"Ohh so you DO know she drinks…"
"Yep, and I also know that it's best that she doesn't start up. She doesn't have my disposition… so I've got me an excuse… wait, why am I talking to you about this?" Logan grumbled as he paced back and forth. "Could ya just tell her to head on down here, or maybe put her on if she's decent?"
"Would you WANT her decent, considering your…"
"That's enough Jeanne Marie. Just send her on over… cause it's clear she's not gonna get any peace n' quiet when yer Walter traipses in…"
"Touché," said Aurora with a laugh. "Although he DOES have a room of his own…"
"Are you kiddin' me? He likes the view from yer place better…" Wolverine joked back.
"I'll let her know you want to see her," said Aurora with a chuckle.
"Yeah… that'd be good… just tell her to drop on by when she's done… I'd appreciate it Jeanne Marie…"
"You're being polite… that's a new one," she chuckled.
"Yep, tell it to yer brother," he laughed. "See ya tomorrow in the training room at 0700 sharp…"
"I'll be there… and have fun!"
"Uh huh, and I'll ask you about yer situation…" he shot back into the phone and hung it up.
"Cripes, this is just as bad as the mansion…"
Or was it? He recalled that the personal business between team members stayed personal. He had his own share of encounters when he would bring women back to his quarters, but everyone knew better than to ask. The only reason Jeanne Marie was being so gossipy was because she was in favor of whatever was developing between him and Jubilee. Logan smiled ruefully, and shook his head with a laugh. Something WAS developing, and he did like what it could blossom into. However he still wanted to tread carefully, because she was one of his closest friends and confidants. The worst thing she needed was someone breaking her heart when she'd already left a fiancée.
"No rebounds," he agreed as he glimpsed himself in the mirror. Logan pulled off his uniform, and reached for the towels nearby. A hot shower would help him relax. Yet he wondered if Jubilee was up to a visit. He was anxious to talk to her more about what had happened, and see if he'd made a tragic mistake or not in that kiss he'd given her. They'd kissed before a few times at the inn, but they were on their own, private and out of the public eye.
Here he was surrounded with former teammates and friends who didn't know his history with Jubilee. All they saw was a young attractive woman traveling in his company and automatically assumed she was his girlfriend. He laughed ironically as he stepped into the shower and felt the water hit him full blast. He reached out to turn the knob to cold because he wasn't sure if he should continue thinking about the implications.
When he emerged, he realized he didn't have his red silk robe. Trust them to forget to bring it, he muttered to himself as he wrapped one towel around his waist, and rubbed violently at his mop of wet hair with the other. Scents of clean soap and dust mingled with the faint traces of Heather. He could inhale her distinct aroma on the bedsheets and other places, and it made him feel that strange crawling feeling he'd first felt around Jean. However it wasn't nearly as much torture as it had been so long ago.
Selecting a fresh change of clothes, he lay them out on the bed and began to get dressed. No sense in making her uncomfortable. Just best to keep going as casually and gently as possible to get them both used to the idea that things were deepening.
He heard the footsteps in the hall long before the door chimed, and knew who it was. Walking over he slid open the panel and stuck his head out to see Jubilee standing there, in his red silk robe. Granted she was wearing something under it, to his relief. But he was glad to see both her and it simultaneously, albeit rather surprised when she had been walking down the corridor in her nightclothes of all things.
He grinned and realized it was one of the most Jubilee things he had seen lately. That was part of the casual relaxed spitfire he knew all those years. She always slipped into sweatpants and a T-shirt, favoring them over the frilly nightgowns that Jean and Storm wore. He was glad she wasn't trying to impress him in any way, for he thought she'd look attractive in anything. The more comfortable, the more relaxed she'd be.
"Hi Logan… hope I'm not interrupting something…" she chuckled.
"No Jubes, why do ya ask?" he said.
"I got the go call to drop by… my roomie told me you were checking up on me…" she teased.
"C'mon in," he said, glancing into the hall, although his nose told him there was just the routine patrol. He urged her inside, and slid the door shut, locking it. Jubilee whistled as she took in the sight of his quarters. The comfortable leather sofa and armchair faced the generous sized plasma TV. He'd turned it on for the masking noise, primarily because he didn't care to hear anyone else but her in the next few hours. He resumed buttoning his favorite red flannel shirt as he saw her glancing around the place at his keepsakes.
"I was hoping to see you before ya turned in," he said as he rested his hand on her shoulder.
Jubilee's gaze dropped on a picture on his mantelpiece. She examined the shot of Alpha Flight, recognizing all the members she'd seen except for two. Vindicator must be the tall man to the left, while the guy hunched over with his claws unsheathed must be Wolverine. However he wore a form fitting black leather costume, covered by a black jacket identical in design to the one she wore that afternoon. Except it had yellow piping that matched the gloves and yellow utility belt girding his waist? His hair was shorter, more severe, and there was a bright keenness to his eyes that seemed much wilder. Quickly she looked away.
"I brought your robe back. Those buttheads brought it in my room… you think they'd know it was yours… cause it was Japanese!" Jubilee chuckled.
She was nervous, damn it. That pheromone scent was clouded with an acrid tinge of insecurity. He could also hear her heart beating through the rumble of the TV even. Her muscles seemed tight under his hand, and he slid that hand down to the small of her back. With a small push he urged her towards the sitting area. She had to relax if they were going to have any sort of a conversation.
"You don't have to. Looks fine on you," he said, and then caught himself.
"This is your place… Aurora told me how to find it…" she trailed off as she saw the relative dimensions and nicer furnishings. "Sweet pad… I guess rank has its privileges…"
"Don't start with me darlin'," he rolled his eyes.
The look of surprise in her blue eyes worried and fascinated him at the same time. However that limp she walked with worried him, and he caught her as she stumbled over the edge of the carpet.
"Watch it…" he said.
"Whoops, sorry," she chuckled as his arm steadied her.
"Sit down over here… I'll get ya something to drink if ya want…" he said as he guided her towards the sofa where a coffee table sat opposite, with a sizable television. She took the remote from him and switched the channels. Good because at least now her hand stopped shaking.
"Hoser vision," she joked. "Hope it has cable…"
"No reason why it shouldn't," he winced, chuckling at her dig at his nationality. "What do you think this is? A log cabin in the middle o' nowhere?"
"Well we ARE up pretty far north," she teased. "Where's your next door neighbors? All I saw were penguins and polar bears…"
"They live the next glacier over," Wolverine joked as he sat next to her on the sofa, and handed her a caffeine free soda. He opened the beer he'd picked up, and Jubilee glanced at the drink as she turned it over in her hands.
"Thanks," she said, cracking it open, and taking a sip.
"You're welcome. So, did Aurora get ya squared away?"
"Yeah. Nice place sorta like the one I burned up in the Mansion," she teased. "Except this one has another roommate… which is kinda nice for a change…"
"Not something to joke about, darlin'," he commented, watching her as he swigged his beer. He propped his feet up on the coffee table, and set down his beer. Scooting the large green glass ashtray over, he reached for the box of cigars.
"They let you smoke in here? Now I know this is the woods," Jubilee joked.
"Got a light, darlin?" he asked. She obliged and soon the tendrils of familiar smoke curled around the room. IT smelled far better than the Marlboroughs he smoked did. Jubilee drew the bathrobe around her and shivered a bit.
"Not quite used to the great north, although you did take me here often enough," she chuckled. For some reason it was hard to talk to him, and she felt the wall of awkwardness that settled in. He slid his arm around her shoulders as he held the beer in his other hand. Jubilee lay her head against him, and pulled one leg in front of her while the other rested next to his on the coffee table.
"You okay, Jubes?" he asked slowly as he always had. "I mean considering…"
"Yeah… I'm fine," she said.
"Now I know you're putting me on," Wolverine said as he shifted closer so his thigh touched hers, and Jubilee shot him an innocent look.
"What makes you say that? I passed the test with flying colors… or by the skin of my teeth right? So I'm in… no big deal…"
"Heather seemed satisfied. I know I am as well. Still, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm wondering if you're happy here or not, or if it was a royal mistake dragging you here when…"
"Are we gonna start THAT again?" she asked with a sigh. "Jeez Logan your head IS as hard as a rock! I wouldn't have signed up with this circus if I didn't' want to be here… wasn't it part of your big plan to get away and get my head screwed on right?"
"Not if it's making things worse darlin'…" he said sternly.
"Have you changed your mind about…" Jubilee trailed off, her stomach plunging into a pool of ice.
"Only if it means that if it doesn't… well you know… that we end up damaging something that means a world of good to us both… and that's what scares me, Darlin…"
"So you're asking if I become one of those psycho bitches that are trying to kill you, if we break up?" she blurted out. "I'm not LIKE them, Logan… and if you're gonna start that kick about being too old for me…"
"Jubilee," he raised a hand as he stubbed out the cigar. "You've made your point… I've got my answer…"
"Could you be any less clear than you are now?" she snorted. "I mean who the hell IS old enough for ya? C'mon give me a break you never said how old you were anyway and even…"
"Darlin'," he interrupted her. "You're right… to some degree I'll take it. But that's not what I'm talking about here… even though those ARE issues…"
"Then what are you bitching about?" Jubilee muttered, folding her arms across her chest.
"Whether or not ya can put up with my crap as well as my good points," he said as he raised an eyebrow. "Seeing as how you're still working things out, and so am I… and that if we end up hatin' one another, that's not worth some exploration of…"
"You butthead, how could I ever hate ya?" she said as she elbowed him in the ribs, and then winced. "Ouch! I forgot…"
"Sorry, Jubes," he said with a chuckle as he rubbed her elbow, and her hand in his. He slid his other hand to rub the muscles, which had tightened, and she relaxed under his even touch.
"Figures I get a roommate here, and the only thing I can think of is how glad I am to kick her out, or sneak out," Jubilee chuckled, changing the subject to Wolverine's relief. She lay her head against his chest and he rested his arm around her shoulders again. Her body relaxed against his, and he allowed the lowest bit of purring in his throat to vibrate through his body to keep her calm.
Jubilee felt the noise, and snuggled closer with the warmth increasing through his flannel shirt. He was comfortable and familiar, despite the crazy surroundings, and she loved just sitting here with him. No words, just being. Her thoughts wandered to Dmitry, and she frowned slightly. "You know it's funny, I betcha she's going to have Walter over the second I left…"
"You know it darlin'," Wolverine chuckled, and Jubilee grinned as she allowed her hand to stroke over his shirt. He reigned in the shiver at the change in touch, knowing that it was far more than a platonic one. The pheromones sweetened, and he heard a small humming in her throat that was inadvertent. Especially since his fingers had slid into her hair and was running the silky strands through one by one. Twisting a lock between his fingers he fingered her scalp.
"I know why you love this robe," she murmured.
"You can borrow it for as long as ya want," he said as he continued to stroke her scalp with even touches.
"Hey, it was available, and since it was getting kinda late… and I figured that…"
"You were already on your way to bed before I called, not necessarily in the shower?" Wolverine said.
Jubilee sat bold upright. "How did you know…"
"I figured the way you look all bleary eyed…. You'd just dozed off when I called. An yer roomie was playin' with me when she picked up the phone. Didn't hear any shower goin'… an you smell nice…"
"Can't put anything past ya, dammit," Jubilee exhaled sharply, and then smiled a bit. "Do I even want to ask how else you knew? You smelled the bed lint?"
"Well, you smell like that soap Jean gave ya for Christmas, that lavender kiwi, and yer wearing your favorite pj's… and you usually don't do that till you're laying in bed watching TV or reading a good book… and yer hair's all mussed up like you've been laying down," he said, as he tousled her hair that was wispy.
"Okay, I confess already," she yelped as she felt his hands tickling her scalp. "So sue me. I guess I just wanted to make sure you were okay… and I guess I was a bit miffed ya didn't drop on by…"
"I was about to do the same thing, but you beat me to it," he confessed. "Heather talked my ear off about Alpha Flight business…"
"Oh…" Jubilee said, stiffening.
"Comes with the territory, darlin'," Wolverine said as he slid his finger down her arm, the one that had been playing with her hair till a few minutes ago. Jubilee shivered and chuckled. Her breathing increased, her chest rising and falling against his hip more rapidly now.
"I'm not jealous…"
"It's okay if you are," he chuckled. "Considering' how I acted when ya told me about Dmitry…"
"I'm not going back to him, so you can get over that," she said quickly.
"Ya don't have to tell me anymore. I get the message. He's history, end of story, no more questions asked," Wolverine said reassuringly, indicating the matter was closed.
"Absolutely," Jubilee nodded. He picked up his beer and tipped it back as she reached for her soda, and her hand was shaking slightly.
Wolverine took the can of soda from her hand after putting down his beer. "I guess yer still getting' used to the Great White north?" he teased.
"Don't start with me," she shivered. "Even in the warmest room it's cold!"
"New uniform was a surprise," he said quietly, taking her hand in his large one and stroking the back lightly. Warmth exuded from every part of him, and she drank it in.
"Oh that thing? Do I have to look like Madame Maple leaf?" Jubilee joked.
"Actually as long as you wear the jacket…" he started.
"I thought you were going to tell me it was too tight…"
"Doesn't matter, just as long as whoever looks at ya in it remembers to keep their hands to themselves," he joked, with the undertone of a growl in his voice. This provoked a shiver, and she intertwined her fingers with his. A slight smile twitched her lips, and she closed her eyes partway when she rubbed her cheek against his flannel shirt.
"I just wanted to say how sorry I was for losing it…"
"No need to apologize," he said quietly, reaching with the hand that was attached to the arm across her shoulders to stroke her cheek lightly.
"I'm scared… I just… and if you ever tell anyone…" she trailed off.
"Familiar story, Jubes. Different cast. No less dangerous, no less of a problem. But this time ya got someone who's been there on yer side…"
"You know what I like about here the most?" she asked. "Other than the obvious…"
"Shoot darlin," he said.
"No telepaths poking around our heads…" Jubilee sighed, drawing both legs up and folding them against her body. She shifted so she was lying against him, and he turned so he drew one knee to slide behind her while his leg was propped up on the table. This brought her back resting against his chest, and her hair full in his nose. He raised an eyebrow, wondering if that was deliberate or an instinctive response to how things were progressing.
"Amen to that," he nodded, finishing off his beer before tossing the empty across the room. It landed in the trash with a clink that startled Jubilee.
"Two points," she joked. She downed her soda and tossed the can after it. Unfortunately it missed, and clattered to the floor.
"Leave it fr tomorrow darlin, nobody'll care if ya don't pick it up…" he chuckled. She peered up at his face as he leaned back more against the arm of the sofa, and brought his other leg to rest alongside her hip. Jubilee stretched both her legs out in front of her. He grabbed the blanket off the back of the sofa and threw it over her legs.
"Anyone ever tell you how annoying it is that you're warm all the time?" she asked.
"You're the first in a while," he said, voice lowering. A shiver jostled her body ever so slightly against his. An ordinary person wouldn't have noticed it, but he did and knew its implications. Wolverine couldn't resist wrapping either arm around her to cross both over her stomach, just missing her chest. Jubilee's hands clasped on her belly, and his hands moved over them gently, taking the cold flesh and transmitting his warmth to hers.
Jubilee sighed in pleasure, drinking in the warmth and sensation of his skin moving over the backs of her hands. She let out a small gasp when she felt his nose brush the sensitive back of her neck, and then trace through her hair with a slight purring growl. It seemed like some strange dream that things were sliding into comfort, and yet she knew it felt right just going this slowly. There were few men she knew that actually were into cuddling, and it was odd that someone so masculine as Logan would even consider this as a come on. Upon further thought, Jubilee realized that her was experiencing her with all five of his senses. Inhaling her smell and touching her skin, drinking in the sight of her there just before him while listening to the low soft moan that crept out of her throat.
Considering she was already melting with just this contact, she shivered again at the thought of what anything else would entail. Those kisses in the inn after Professor Xavier had caught them were just simple touches of his lips to the corners of her mouth. The only openmouthed kiss he'd given her was the one that was meant for his dream subject. Even the kisses on the battlefield had been with closed lips, but what he could do with just those was staggering.
Impatient, she turned over in his arms so her chest pressed to his, and she scooted up so her face was right in front of his. He didn't push her away; rather he kept his hands where they were, his eyes challenging her with their constant blue gaze. An eyebrow was arched and she chickened out from giving him a full kiss to pressing one to the corner of his lips, and then to his cheek where the long sideburns started, and then down the edge of his jaw, as if it were a sin to kiss him on the lips.
His purring increased in volume, and she realized he wasn't stopping her. His arms with muscles like steel cables wrapped around her, securing her body towards his. However he made no move to deepen her kiss, rather letting her take the initiative. Her lips trembled on his, unsure, waiting as she then diverted to his cheeks, and then nibbled on his ear. The growl vibrated in his throat, choked back but she shivered all the same.
He smelled nervousness, fear, and arousal all bundled together, and smiled to himself. She was trying so hard, and although he might have been insulted if it were anyone else acting so antsy around him, he didn't mind. He knew what she was thinking from each tension of her muscles, she was afraid that he might grab her and throw her to the floor with some savagery.
"Actually I couldn't sleep," Jubilee said, looking away as her voice quieted. "Imagine that, huh?"
"More nightmares?" he raised an eyebrow.
"I dunno, I guess I got used to ya sleeping and snoring next to me… sawing logs n' all…" she teased.
"I do NOT snore," he protested.
"You do so! I bet they think the lumber mill's going full blast when you're asleep…" she teased.
"You talk in your sleep," he commented with a serious face. But his eyes were twinkling.
"I do not," she protested, as she grabbed his ribs and started trying to tickle him back. "No fair… this NEVER works…"
She fell over his thigh and looked up at him, surrounded by the soft smell of fabric softener, cigars and other things Logan. Far less than he must have smelled with her, because he had his eyes partly closed as his hand slid up and down her back. Her heart pounded and before she lost her nerve, she reached up and grabbed his sideburned face and kissed him quickly on the lips. His arm curved around her back, holding her in place before she could pull away. Sensitive lips returned her kiss with the same delicacy, and she froze there in the moment.
Time to reassure her that she was approaching him just fine, and that she did not have to prove anything, Logan thought to himself. As she lay the next soft-teasing kiss to his lips, he turned his head to the side, and returned it. Jubilee stiffened in shock at the increasing firmness of his lips on hers, while one hand slid up to grasp the back of her neck. Her immediate moan excited him all the more, and he took it a step further, teasing her lips apart and taking the first consensual taste of her.
The smell and taste of youth invaded Wolverine's mouth, and he felt her teasing at his lips. He allowed her access and she went slack in his arms from the deepening of it alone. He caressed up and down her spine, eliciting a small moan through their merged mouths. Jubilee felt like she was going to pass out with the realization that this was no platonic peck, but a real kiss. The sort that lovers exchange. Lying across him she didn't' know what to do with her hands as she tasted beer, tobacco, and an overwhelming taste all distinctive that she couldn't describe. Except that he tasted like Logan and nobody else she'd kissed before. Funny how she'd not stopped to think about that before, how a guy tasted. She hoped he didn't mind that she'd had a shot of schnapps before coming.
Wolverine chuckled to himself, tasting the liquor on her tongue in addition to her own sweet flavor. A hint of wintergreen toothpaste, and her own buried beneath it. She swooned as he kissed her in the way that she'd wanted Dmitry to for all the times they dated, and this was the first of many real ones. Those two on the battlefield paled in comparison.
Her fingers tightened on his shirt, and tugged, and he slid his own hand around them, stroking the back as he moved her hands so one was around his neck, and the other was on his back. She felt a pang of disappointment, but then realized how inviting exploring those muscles along his spine were. Strong, rock hard and gliding under the fabric of his flannel shirt. Her lips parted and she blinked with half shut eyes.
"I want to wait darlin', till the right time. There's no rush… want to enjoy this…"
She nodded, unable to speak, and leaned up for another mind-blowing kiss. Who needed her clothes ripped off and a tumble in bed when the making out was so intense? It was as if wolverine put his entire concentration into the kiss, and it made all the difference.
Which was why she hated the yawn that split her head in two at the next moment. Her head was buzzing and her body felt exhausted. Logan glanced at her with a slight smile on his lined face; his eyes liquid blue and staring right into her mind. It was as eerie and thrilling to know that he could tell truth from lies, without the cumbersome talent of mindreading. There was no b.s. with him. Everything was straight and above board.
When she released from the kiss, she looked half asleep, her eyes partly closed but looking up at him with increasing desire. Which spoiled the moment when she yawned loudly. "Sorry…"
"You can crash here if you want to darlin'," he said. "Providing ya follow a few rules…"
"Let me guess, it's way past my bedtime," she winced.
"More like I don't want ya incinerating another room on account of those nightmares, and it's probably safer if ya stayed where I could keep an eye on ya…"
"Good, because I can't get to sleep without you," she said. "Can't believe I just…"
He nudged her off his lap, and she got up shakily. However he was at her side, helping her along as she stumbled, and half carried her towards the bedroom. Peeling back the covers, he picked her up and set her on the left side of the bed. He pulled the quilt and sheets overtop, tucking them in around her.
"Comfy Jubes?" he asked.
"Yeah," she yawned. "I think… I might just… drop off here… I just don't wanna have that damn nightmare Logan… don't be too far away…"
"I won't be," he said. "Gimmie a minute darlin…"
He switched off the light, and then she felt his weight shifting as he sat on the edge of the bed. The thump of steel-toed boots hit the floor, followed by the jingling of him tossing his watch and wallet on the nightstand. She saw him momentarily stand up, and walk away from the bed towards the dresser. When he returned, he lay down on the other side of the bed, so he was facing her. To her surprise he slid between the covers so all that separated them was their nightclothes. Hell of a turn-on, but he was easing into this and it made it all the more maddening that she was too tired to appreciate it.
"Thanks for staying here," she whispered as he leaned over and kissed her lips softly, followed by her forehead and the tip of her nose.
"Not a problem darlin," he mumbled as he tucked his knee to one side, and lay on his belly partway. His hand closed around hers, and she hung on tightly. He heard her soft breathing wafting in his face, and relaxed his body when she at last began to snore gently.
A soft cry snapped Logan out of a deep sleep, and he saw her writhing on the bed. A blue misting from her fingertips illuminated the bed from underneath the covers. Quickly he yanked the covers off her body, and pulled her hands so they were tucked into his stomach. "No… no… Creed you bastard… let Dmitry alone… no… please don't hurt me…"
"Jubilee," he whispered, shaking her. "It's a dream…"
"No, please don't… please don't do it… I promise I'll… oh God no…" Jubilee whimpered and Logan shivered in anger as he pieced together whatever possible scenarios were going through her head.
"Jubilee, it's Logan… you're safe…" he said quickly, and then his words fell off with a growl added to them. "Nobody's gonna hurt you…"
"Logan… you came… back…" she whispered as her body went limp.
"Darlin I never left," he said, then stopped himself.
It was cold, and Wolverine sighed with relief as he pulled the covers around them both. He wrapped his arms around her, and settled her so her head rested on his chest. Lying on his back, he got as comfortable as he could. His hands closed over hers to stop any possible plasma discharges before they incinerated everything around them. From deep in his chest the rumbling started, passing from his body to hers. Letting her know that in some way he was there with her in sleep as well as waking moments.
He was aware of her body shifting next to his after a long silent interval. She was turning over so she leaned partly on his stomach, and her hands pressed against his chest. Wolverine opened one eye and saw that she was still fast asleep. However the soft touches of her lips on his were driving him insane.
Lightly he returned the kiss by touching the corner of her mouth with his, and then to the other corner and along the cheek. He rumbled in his throat, as Jubilee murmured in her sleep. Then her lips captured his, and he felt the resulting bolt of desire shoot through him. Terrific.
When he returned the kiss, her body went limp in his arms. With regret and relief he positioned her so she'd be against his hip, and her cheek rested on his chest. Her dark hair tickled his nose, and he inhaled her mature scent as he dozed off to the time of her breathing.
