Chapter 11


"But I don't NEED a vacation!" Scott started to protest, but Jean Grey had already given him a TK push towards one of the minijets. Several suitcases hovered in the air as she walked behind him. Scott groaned, knowing that he had no choice but to go along. Despite the fact most of him WANTED to go take off, the small soldier anal compulsive part screamed out 'duty first'. The part Jean Grey was mentally telling to shut up.

"It's for your own good," Beast insisted. "Doctor's orders…"

"Mutiny," Scott joked weakly.

"Must we drag you, kicking and screaming?" Storm asked, masking her amusement as she stood in the hanger, backed up by Beast and Warren. Although the other X men were supposed to be busy training in the Danger Room, here were a few ears pressed to the door. At least one and that was Wolverine. Next to him stood Morph, with his communicator open.

"Now Scott, this is your wife talking, remember?" Jean joked, and Scott finally exhaled as he stopped resisting his wife's TK push.

"You win dear. You're in charge Storm. Take care, and call me if…"

"Scott, we wish you well, and if the world should end when you're out, Jean will be the first to know," Storm joked. She hid her grin as Scott's eyes widened.

"Up you go, haste makes waste," Beast said quickly, clapping his hands.

"What, nothing more elaborate?" asked Scott, climbing into the cockpit, while Jean levitated the luggage into the cargo area. At least he was wearing a pair of shorts and a golf shirt, with horizontal stripes and a pair of nice Dockers. Jean's sundress swirled about her shapely legs, and she wore her long hair free and loose about her shoulders. She winked at Storm, who nodded, and a light wind swirled up to gently nudge Scott the rest of the way into the plane.

"See you later! Behave!" Jean called, levitating herself into the passenger seat, and pressing the control to close the canopy.

"I almost forgot Hank… the medical…"

"Enough Scott, I am in command," Storm called up, shaking her head. Still an amused grin twisted her lips into a smile. Warren groaned, shaking his head while Hank drew in a huge sigh.

"Time and tide wait for no man," he mumbled.

"Whoever said THAT was right," Warren nodded. "This is the FIRST vacation in YEARS he's taken, right?"

"Apart from his abortive honeymoon, yes," Storm mused. "A pity. Trying to compel him to take a vacation is like pulling TEETH…"

"A necessary indulgence, despite his present reluctance…" Beast agreed. "Now, shall we adjourn to the Danger Room, and engender to commingle with our erstwhile occupied colleagues?"

"Yes Hank, I have a few things to spell out to them," Storm nodded. "While I am in command. So that things will run smoothly in Scott's absence…"

"Shall we?" Hank asked, reaching out to take her hand. Storm placed her graceful fingers in his, and they strode out with Warren close behind them.


"Jeannie finally got him to budge, atta girl," Wolverine grunted with satisfaction.

"FINALLY," Morph whispered, and punched the comm badge on his chest. "Coast is clear… time to relax!"

"Not QUITE yet, pal. Storm's on the job, an she ain't no slouch…"

"What could be WORSE then Scott?"

"Just cause the cat's away don't' mean the mice can play… storm's got a DIFFERENT approach, but no less of a drill schedule…" said Wolverine as he walked past morph. "Better get our butts back to the Danger room…"

"Aww nuts," Morph groaned, and quickly followed Wolverine who had already started to outpace him. By the time they reached the entrance, they saw Hank and Storm already walking inside the observation area.

"X men, a moment of your time," Storm's voice echoed. Holograms ceased, and each member glanced up from the drill they were performing.

"Yeah, what's the word, boss lady?" Wolverine called up, stepping inside the large chamber, with Morph just behind him.

"As you know, Cyclops and Jean Grey are taking a much needed vacation. While recent events have led to this necessary step, I still want to inform you that I will expect discipline. Although I shall attempt a more harmonious and pleasant environment to allow us to continue the work the Professor has entrusted to us. I hope I can count on each and every one of you to do their part…"

"You got it, Stormy," Gambit called up.

"No arguments here," Wolverine nodded.

"As you know, Psilocke is Deputy Leader in this particular time, as I am Acting Leader. Nevertheless, I will trust that we can work together. Now, I have taken the liberty of organizing a schedule for Danger Room rotation… and we are keeping the same roster for Mansion duty…"

"Yeah… no boo," Drake hissed. Morph punched his arm and shot him a glare.

"Senior team members will be third in line command… Wolverine and Beast, you're second to Psilocke and myself… naturally. Partnering with new members will continue as planned. Also, any personal activities pursued outside of normal X men duty hours shall not be subject to question. In other words, you are ALL adults, and what you do in your private time is NOT my concern, provided it does NOT disrupt the working of the team…"

"Amen, sugah," Rogue nodded.

"Now, Gold team, we shall commence with an inter team exercise outside the mansion, while the Blue team has the danger room… just as before. This shall occupy the afternoon… and we shall reconvene for dinner in the Refectory… understood?"

A chorus resounded from the floor. "And Cerebro has been set for automatic Mutant detection, as before," she added. "In the event of the alarm, you know what we must do… that is all X men… thank you…"

"Smooth, isn't she?" Gambit nodded, as the danger room doors hissed open, and X men Gold commenced to exit while Blue entered.

"A welcome change of pace, all right, and too long in coming," Warren Worthington nodded. "But I just hope Scott STAYS on his vacation…"

"And I hope Mr. Sinister doesn't get any IDEAS this time," added Jubilee, shaking her head.

"Aww what could…" Drake started before Morph clapped a hand over his face.

"No way, you are NOT jinxing this," he chided. "Now let's all get on with the training…"


"Think fast," Wolverine barked as he flipped over the hale of spikes. They imbedded in a large ice wall Bobby erected.

Jubilee's blasts slagged a few missiles popping out of the wall, while she flipped over on her hands and legs. A shot grazed her, ripping through her coattails. She mumbled, relatively unharmed. Rogue swooped down and meandered through a causeway of obstacles, trying to cut her maneuvering to the finest degree. Psilocke called out a series of commands, while they struggled to complete the most basic exercise.

Making it to the other side of the room. Always the oldest drills were the most used. All holograms had been turned off, and only the mechanical settings had been engaged, perhaps for a sense of nostalgia. Nothing beat real obstacles instead of the holographic robots. A few battle droids were set up, but none that resembled any specific enemy.

"Storm's got a sense of old school, don't she?" Rogue called as she swooped by, and punched a spiked mace out of the way of Jubilee, who had the wind knocked out of her avoiding a series of battering rams. Wires sparked as Psilocke sliced her psychic daggers through them, and used TK to augment her strength. Iceman's ramps allowed her to slide and gain height when needed, while protecting other team members from the machine gun fire.

"This is nice guys, but I'm going NUTS here waiting for something to HAPPEN," Jubilee shivered.

"Stick around, and it WILL!" Drake shouted, throwing an ice dome over her. Something smashed its way into the top, and Jubilee easily somersaulted out of the way. Shaking ice particles out of her hair, she turned and directed a paff that knocked a missile out of commission, inches from busting Bobby's latest ice ramp.

"Heads up, snowball!" wolverine yelled, claws outstretched while Rogue tossed him from the air. He shot through the air, landing at the failsafe button moments before trap doors fully opened up in the floor. His fist hit the button, and they heard the roar and whine of the failsafe clicking to a halt.

"That was ALMOST too easy," Drake muttered. He evaporated his coating of ice, and saw the danger Room door slide open.

"When are we going to get a REAL challenge?" Rogue joked, shaking her hair out.

"Don't knock it darlin', this is just a warm-up," Wolverine joked.

Jubilee stood close to where she had been, only inches from a trap door that was sliding shut. Psilocke felt a wave of apprehension flooding the young girl, and strode over towards her. "Are you all right, Jubilee?"

"Um… what?" she asked, blinking up at the telepathic ninja. "Oh… I'm okay I guess…"

"You seem distracted… is it another… episode?"

"What kinda episode?" Wolverine asked, walking over from the other side. "Hey, Jubes, you okay? You've been outta it all session…"

"I'm okay, no big deal," she said quickly. "I just need to have a break I guess…"

"SHE needs a break? Who's been generating ice ramps all day?" Bobby laughed. :

"Back off," Wolverine growled at him.

"Hey, temper temper…"

"Drake, go find a hobby," said Psilocke.

"Ouch, the lady's getting BETTER…" he teased, rushing out of the room. A snowball splattered her full in the face, and she wiped it away with a sardonic glare.

"Excuse me, I need to attend to some DISCIPLINE," she apologized. A psychic dagger formed on her gauntlet, and she rushed out of the Danger Room.

"Let's get outta here darlin' for starters," Wolverine suggested, laying an arm across Jubilee's shoulders. She relaxed under his touch, and he directed her out of the empty chamber.


"It's no big deal," Jubilee muttered, walking along with him down the long stretch of hallway towards the stairs leading up.

"No big deal when ya almost miss a level 3 obstacle comin' smack at ya? I don't think so, Jube," Wolverine grunted. She shivered, and pulled slightly away, but he kept his arm wrapped around her.

"I don't need everyone worrying about ME," she mumbled.

"Remember what I told ya…" he urged. "You got no control over that. Besides, it's my job t' make sure you're all right… an' that includes fessin' up when something's bothering ya…"

"I don't know WHAT to tell really, it's like a FEELING…" Jubilee mumbled.

"What kinda feeling?" Wolverine asked. Feeling her tense, he released her to complete the journey up the last five steps alone. He could sense that at times she needed her space to pace about and try and formulate what she was going to say. Although his sense of smell and instincts gave him a pretty good idea what this funk was about, he wanted her to be the one to put words to the abstract.

They reached the main floor of the Mansion, and Jubilee wandered aimlessly wit her hands thrusted into her pockets. At a close distance, Wolverine followed her, debating if he should leave her alone or try and distract her somehow. Wolverine grasped her hand insistently and tugged her into the living room area. Jubilee released the breath she'd been holding, and allowed him to urge her inside with him.

"I dunno… like a kinda… funk…" she shivered, back to him. Arms wrapped around herself and she hugged her body. Logan pulled off his hood and moved up to stand close, his hand not quite touching her shoulder.

"Anythin' is important, darlin… you know that… an' ya shouldn't be hidin' stuff, least of all from ME," he said gruffly.

"Gimmie a break! How can I hide anything that I don't know WHAT I'm hiding?" Jubilee asked. "And anyway, who says I am? It's just some dumb feeling…"

"Cause I can tell when anybody's holdin' back. Ain't no use in tryin' to cover it up… so try an' take the time and figure out HOW to describe it. Maybe it's that power that Psilocke…"

"Claivoyancy is images… not FEELINGS," Jubilee blurted out.

"What feelings? Like something BAD's gonna happen?" Wolverine suggested.

"Yeah, but it's so VAGUE. God Logan, I don't wanna have to figure out EACH time I get a bad gut feeling what's going to go terribly wrong…" she shivered.

"C'mere Jubilee… let's sit down an' figure out what the heck is goin' on here before ya drive me nuts," he mumbled.

Jubilee sighed, "Logan, just drop it okay? I'll be fine. It's just something I gotta face alone…"

"I don't think so, darlin'…" he answered, and she felt him dodge around with his superior reflexes. He couldn't stop himself from gliding up to her and seizing her in his arms. Clutching her small body against his sturdy one, he hugged her tightly. Jubilee did not push him away, to his delight and relief.

"It's just dumb… I feel like some whiny baby, but it's scaring me!"

"Hey, Jube, you know I wouldn't let anything hurt ya on my watch, right?" he murmured into her ear, kissing it softly.

"I know, Logan… that tickles…" she murmured, kissing his cheek. She rested the flats of her hands on his chest, rubbing it lightly through his uniform before clasping her hands around his neck. Grateful for the bond that was forming, she accepted the physical comfort of his proximity.

"Ya don't know if it's a flash forward or just a general mood settin' you on edge, huh? Maybe ya just are pickin' up on everyone's vibes…" he asked, stroking her back. Those blue eyes gleamed with concern, free of their usual harshness.

"That's just it… I don't KNOW. And it's scary… I don't know if it's something that's GONNA happen, or just the weird vibes. I mean they stopped when Scott and Jean left, but in the middle of that Danger Room, I got the WIERDEST feeling, that something was being overlooked and then…"

"You had this feelin' before anytime you can remember?" wolverine asked, gently stroking her cheek with a gloved hand.

"Well… now that you mention it… yes…"

"When?" Wolverine asked, rubbing her shoulder, his fingers encouraging relaxing and talking.

"Just before… just before Scott blew his top at us," she whispered.

"Oh…" he trailed off.

"And sometime before… the Professor got…" Jubilee whispered, and squeezed her eyes shut.

"Aww Jubes," Wolverine exhaled. "Kid… sweetheart… no WONDER you're scared stiff… awww c'mere…"

Jubilee burst into tears, burying her head in his chest. Slowly he rocked her, his animal senses telling him of the depth of pain and sorrow she radiated. It was so much it almost hurt him as well. "If I'd told them I'd have…"

"Don't even think about it, Jubes. You had no idea this was some new power… an' how could ya know it was gonna come t' pass if you had no idea you HAD this ability…"

"At Gen X it came and went. I wouldn't ALWAYS get this horrible feeling of dread before something bad. It just randomly happened. Sometimes bad things happened and I had no 'flash forwards'."

"You see images at all?"

"No… just feelings. Like sick feelings… and before Scott and Jean left, I felt a sense of embarrassment and anger…"

"Jubes, we gotta speak to Betts about this. If this IS psychic, then she's the only one who can help ya handle it," Wolverine suggested, rubbing her legs gently. Goosepimples erupted under his hands and Jubilee sniffled with her head lain alongside his.

"But we don't know her… how can we…"

"Trust her darlin? We gotta. Besides I'll be RIGHIT next to ya when we see her…" Wolverine murmured. "Shh, settle down it's okay… ain't gonna let nothing happen to ya… easy…"

His nostrils wrinkled, and he saw the purple haired ninja standing there. OF course he'd sensed her before, but he did not want to upset jubilee further. Softly Betsy said, "I couldn't help but sense your anguish… can I somehow help…"

"Betts, can ya figure out what in hell's goin' on with Jubes? She's got these feelings…"

"Betsy, can you HELP me? I don't have a clue what…"

"Shh, poppet… that's a girl," Betsy whispered, sitting down next to Wolverine, who still had Jubilee cradled on his lap. "I know it's frightening but I CAN help you. Professor Xavier wasn't the only psychic expert…"

"Where DID ya learn your mind voodoo?" Wolverine asked.

"In Japan, in Britain, in Otherworld… look, if it will reassure you, I know what I'm doing. I've been a psychic most of my life. Not only am I a mutant, but I was once an operative of the British WHO, weird happenings organization. The best psychics in Britain have trained me…"

"If yer British, why do ya look Japanese?" Logan asked.

"Basically because of another strange thing that happened. Look, Jubilee, I can help you. I can scan your mind and soul, and see what sort of power this is. My senses tell me it's psychic, but tied to time and feeling. More like empathic precognition… an expanded gut instinct…"

"Whatever THAT means…" Jubilee mumbled. Logan shushed her, and she curled up in his lap, biting her lip as she looked pensively at Betsy.

"My dear, Logan will be here the whole time. I promise you this won't hurt…" Betsy said.

"You didn't help me before…"

"Your powers were hidden from me. But if you willingly let me scan you, I can determine their extent… sh… relax…"

"Relax Jubes. I can smell if she's onna level or not. An' so far she's jake to me," wolverine insisted. Sighing, Jubilee nodded.

"Okay… just make it quick…" she urged.

"Look at me, Jubilee… listen to my voice. Relax…you're safe in the arms of one that cares for you. Completely safe. He won't let you be harmed. Think of me like an ocean… you're swimming in it… swimming… you aren't scared. Just focus on my voice and let my mind drift into yours… that's a girl…" Betsy soothed. Pink butterflies unfolded in Jubilee's mind, and she closed her eyes. Her body went limp on Logan's lap. He rubbed her temples, seeing the bright purple of Betsy's mind signature swirling around her face like a winged butterfly. The third eye opened, and wreathed Jubilee.


"All these things you'll learn to control in time," Psylocke whispered inside the bright radiant pulsation of Jubilee's mind.

"I'm scared, Britsy," she sent back.

"Emma Frost has been here hasn't she? Did she not tell you the nature of your powers?"

"Nope… wait… yes… but somehow I forgot…"

"She made you forget. She didn't think you were ready. You seem to have a limited precog ability… to sense or feel the future. Wrapped with that is a limited psy potential… it's tied to the nature of your plasma generation. Essentially human thought is energy. Your body transmutes that mental power that you absorb from those around you into those plasma fireworks. You can absorb the energies back into yourself because your body can change thought into plasma. Emotions into plasma."

"Is THAT why my powers go nutzoid when I'm angry?" Jubilee guessed.

"Yes luv. Your emotions fuel your powers. Intense emotion is something a telepath cannot read through. When you were with Wolverine that's why I couldn't sense you. Because your hunger and desire was blocking me. Your empathic abilities soak up any emotion including your own, and change it to the plasma you exhibit. That unique ability also allows you brief flashes of connection with things to come. It is rare, but I believe I can work with you to at least tap the power…"

"It's scary, Betsy…"

"I know, luv, but you're not alone. Let me work with you. For now I can at least dampen the power, so it won't disrupt you. But these things take time. Right now I can at least fix it so your powers merely augment your plasma generation, and don't make you upset…"

"Is that what Frost did?"

"Yes. But she left you with no memory of your powers. We'll work TOGETHER… now as I show you, build a wall around your mind. Lock those parts of your power within a bright cocoon, and save them for the time that you can master them… easy now…"

"It's so hard," Jubilee whispered. The bright butterfly flitted, showing her through the chambers of her neon thoughts, to pick up the bricks of color that had shattered. Together they cemented them with Jubilee's own will, till her fears were locked in the barrier.


All Wolverine saw during the whole time was Jubilee lying in his arms, breathing as Psilocke's hand lay on her temple. The telepath had her eyes closed, and inhaled at the same rate as Jubilee. Locked in a psychic embrace, the two women merged energies that Logan could smell. Till at last he sensed the complete restoration of peace to Jubilee. Sighing, he cradled Jubilee, and let Betsy's head slump on his shoulder.

At last Psylocke opened her violet eyes and blinked up at Logan. "She's all right," Betsy nodded, rubbing her forehead.

"Ya sure?" asked Wolverine. "Ya look kinda on the ropes yerself…"

"Jubilee, wake up," Betsy said gently, snapping her fingers. "It's Betsy… that's a girl…"

"Radical," Jubilee murmured, blinking up into Logan's face. He stroked her hair aside, and she turned her gaze to Betsy. Her blue eyes had cleared sparkling deep and crystalline brilliant. Then they returned to a normal human appearance as they focussed on both X men.

"You okay?" Logan asked, and Jubilee realized she was still in his arms. A blush spread over her face, seeing Betsy's smug smile.

"How do you feel?" Betsy asked.

"Tired, but I'm okay," Jubilee yawned, and squirmed in Wolverine's lap. He held her down, and shushed her.

"Good. I think you should get some rest before tomorrow… and we'll continue with some training exercises."

"What didja do?" asked Wolverine, glancing at Betsy.

"Tell him, dear," said Psylocke with a smile.

"She basically scanned me, an' figured out what was going on upstairs I guess," Jubilee mumbled. "You know ho w my powers get stronger when I'm upset, Logan?"

"Yeah…"

"Well that's what makes my paffs stronger. Emotions. An' lots of 'em. I even pick up on other people's vibes, and can turn THAT energy into paffs…"

"Wait, yer sayin' our emotions are the juice that makes your powers go? So that's why you can pick up on moods… but how in HECK does that make her able to sense things…"

"Your animal instincts, Logan. She's picking up on THEM," Betsy laughed. Jubilee blushed.

"Whenever you smell trouble, I sense it too," Jubilee blushed, and tried to get off his lap. He released her, and then stood up as she paced.

"Sorry Jubes… I had no idea… I had a bad feeling that…"

"Your feelings are particularly intense, Wolverine, because you are so in tune with your instinctive side. That gives you a precognitive ability unlike most psychics. It's what Jubilee's picking up on… and his raw emotions are fueling your powers sometimes. What I did was simply allow her to build a stronger shield, that she can use to better control what emotions she taps into…"

"That still don't explain all the precog senses… cause I don't always get…"

"There are always weaknesses in the space time continuum. She has that empathy, and sometimes empaths pick up on the weaknesses that herald great shifts in space-time. Those flashes I can help her interpret. She cannot see images as I could, but she can feel the fear and emotions of those that would be affected by such future events…"

"It's really freaky… but… oho man…"

"Yes… you're sensing it too. Relax and try and rest…"

"What's goin on?" Wolverine demanded. "Ya said ya helped her…"

"There are strange goings on. I recommend rest, and relaxation. Take her to get some rest, Wolverine… I shall inform Storm and the others that I have determined the nature of her new powers… and vouch for you… both of you need to rest now…"

"Okay…" said Wolverine. "But this is still screwy in my book…"


Psylocke stood up, and smiled at both of them. No sooner had she left, then Jubilee started to walk towards the stairs. Her legs were wobbly, and her mind sapped. Jubilee groaned, and slowly collapsed against Wolverine. "Whoa, easy there…"

"This STINKS," Jubilee scrunched her face up. "I feel so… darn helpless its LAME!"

"Betsy said it was some side affect of the mental whammy. That you'd be needing some rest, Jubes…" Wolverine said. "Lemmie help ya… I promise I won't tell…"

"Good, cause you'll be majorly dead, Logan," she shot back. Nevertheless he picked her up and started towards the stairs. Betsy had slipped away, leaving them essentially alone.

"Hope those clowns fixed your door," Logan mumbled as he started up the stairs. Jubilee hung onto his neck, allowing him to carry her carefully to the second floor of the sleeping area. He avoided smacking her head or feet on any doorways or walls, and she marveled at his strength.

"Not that I'm THAT heavy," she thought while he approached her room. Sure enough the door was fixed, with no sign of the destruction wrought by her powers. She dug out her key as Logan stood there, and then she unlocked it. He kicked it open with his foot and carried her inside.

"Don't trip on the garbage on the floor," she joked. Some of the posters had been taken down, and the sheets had been changed to a more muted color scheme. Stuffed animals had been packed into a large net in the corner of the room, hanging in a mesh hammock out of the way. Her boom box sat on top of a CD player, while her TV was opposite her bed. Pictures of her foster family and others sat on her bureau, while he noticed his picture had a place of honor by her bedside table.

Logan sat her on the bed, and she looked up at him. "You gonna be okay?" he asked, sensing her awkwardness.

"Yeah… just throw me a set of those sweats and I'll deal…" Jubilee joked. She shrugged off her coat, and started to unzip her uniform. Blushing, she noticed Wolverine had turned away, and was facing the wall.

"Sorry… I'll get outta here…" he urged.

"It's okay… you can look…"

"Not yet I can't," he murmured back. He kept his eyes closed as he turned and threw a large T-shirt and cutoff sweats at her. Smiling she caught them. Touched by his preservation of her privacy, she saw him again turn away and walk over to close her door. Quickly she pulled off her boots, and struggled out of her costume to dump it on the floor.

"You can look now. I'm decent, okay?" Jubilee called. Logan turned around and opened his eyes to see her sitting on the bed, wearing her bedclothes as she slid between the covers.

"Don't mind me, sweetheart. Just can't bring myself to gawk at ya till yer ready to show me yourself. Lady should have her privacy and her say so before letting her man take a peek. An' you're not that comfy yet with this whole ting. Neither am I. Don't wanna look till you're good and ready to…"

"You could, you know," Jubilee said softly as he came and sat on the chair. "I wont' bite… hard… and um you can sit on the bed…"

Wolverine abandoned the chair and sat next to her on the bed, smiling awkwardly. She pulled him by his shoulder and he moved closer to slid a hand behind her shoulders. Leaning up, she gave him a quick kiss on the lips that he returned. "You gotta work with me here. I don't wanna mess this up… cause it means a lot to me…"

"And it'll be okay," she urged. "Jeez, wish you could be less of a Boy Scout and just cuddle up here with me in bed like we did last night. I promise cross my heart and like hope to die that I won't do ANYTHING… unless you think it's mean of me to drive you nutzoid…"

"If you want me to stay, I will. Just wait here an' Ill get somethin' decent t' sleep in…" he murmured.

"I know you can control yourself big guy. But couples DO sleep together without sleeping together. If we did last night, we can keep our hands to ourselves here. And I REALLY need you to protect me, okay?"

"Anything for you, Jubes… wait here…" Wolverine urged, kissing her forehead. He slipped out of the room, and Jubilee lay down in her bed. She waited tensely, hoping that he wouldn't lose his nerve, and that people would mind their own business.


Finally she had just about dozed off when she heard a soft knock, and his whisper. "It's me… you still wanna have me stick around?"

"Get a clue, what do you think?" she asked as the door opened, and she saw him standing there in tank top and shorts. He had his bathrobe on as well, and she chuckled at the sense of old fashioned concern. He closed the door behind him, and locked it.

"You sure you don't mind?" he asked, slipping off the robe and sitting next to her on the bed. "Ain't exactly the biggest bed here…"

"If I lay on my side, you can kinda spoon up next to me, and just hold into me," she suggested, blushing that she was even spelling it out to him. Yet he turned off the light and carefully pulled the sheets aside to slide in behind her. Jubilee lay on her side, and felt his warmth behind her. Wolverine slid his arms under her, and avoided her chest, simply wrapping one arm around her belly while keeping the other alongside his head.

His greater weight dented the mattress such that she was slightly pressed into his body anyway. He had his legs folded so any awkward pressures of his body were missed, and she chuckled to herself again at his old fashioned modesty. While he might not be so careful with women he met at Austers, he was doing this because he respected her, and wanted to treat her right. Building a lasting relationship on the basis of mutual comfort, instead of fast hot lust.

"Turn over an' face me, Jubes. More comfortable for you that way," Wolverine suggested. He lay on his back, and tugged her so she could rest her head on his chest. With a grunt of satisfaction he was able to lay flat with his head pillowed on her pillow, and tug her so she lay on her side. Much like they had in the truck they lay. Jubilee rested her head on his shirt, and readjusted herself so she had his other arm wrapped around her.

Jubilee giggled, and leaned down to kiss his lips. His arms tangled her, and he returned it gently. Mumbling in his ear, she willed her excited body to settle down for his sake. "Good night, Wolvie… I mean Logan… sheesh…"

"G'nite sweetheart," he murmured, kissing her gently before relaxing his body. Jubilee pressed her ear to his chest, listening to his heartbeat and the rasp of his breathing. Sure he wasn't the softest of things to lay or lean against, but his warmth was delicious, and his restraint endearing.

"I can trust him," she murmured. Although she was hungry for far more, she knew this was far better. Of all the dreams she had, he was here, and she was safe. Reassured with his gentle snoring, she drifted off.