Chapter 12
Morning came as mornings did. Jubilee blinked in the slats of sunlight, then shifted. Having the warm breathing form of Wolverine next to her and under her made her feel shy for a moment. How could he be so sound a sleeper with senses like his? Chuckling she settled down and enjoyed watching him sleep for a while. The chiseled features rugged with five o'clock shadow and wild hair were shaded and only partly highlighted by the beams of morning sun peaking through her curtains.
Jubilee remembered his teasing instructions from the morning before, and leaned over to kiss his nose and cheeks softly. Her mouth traced down to his, and then settled over the curve of his lips as she leaned up over him. Strangely his lips closed and she tried to wedge her tongue through them with a frustrated awkward chuckle. Slowly her hand stroked down his chest and then he mumbled and snorted as he turned his head to the side. She half lay across him and accidentally slipped as her chest and body landed on his with an awkward grunt.
She saw him still lying there, and scrambled awkwardly, her face close to his. Recovering some dignity she put her mouth to his and found his mouth yielding to her. Tasting his flavor she heard and felt his soft moan, and felt his arms clasp welcome around her. For a long time she simply kissed him, laying nestled against him in the safety of her own room and bed. Nothing more than the sounds of their kisses and soft sighs of pleasure, their hands sliding together and clasping hard. Logan steadied her against him, and cupped her face lightly, humming with pleasure.
"Yikes, that tickles!" she yelped as he traced a finger along her ribs.
"You remembered, darlin'," he murmured, reaching up to her. "Nicer way to wake up then a flamin' alarm clock, doncha think?"
"I agree… if I didn't so hate mornings, I'd leap outta this bed right now and drag you with me and go running… I feel so… happy…" she giggled, giddy with the heady rush his kiss promoted.
"Kinda early yet. As I remember, ya don't like to get up till eight," Logan murmured, pulling her back down in the bed. With a happy sigh of contentment she lay next to him and kissed him again.
The alarm jolted her out of a promising kiss, and she groaned, burying her head in his shoulder. She jolted at the rasping "SNICKT" resounding through his arm as Logan's claws shot out, from the hand wrapped around her and promptly killed her alarm clock.
"Stupidpieceajunk," Jubilee mumbled, rubbing her head. Had she fallen asleep again, or anything else?
"Talk about lousy timing," Logan mumbled. "Sorry about that, darlin'…"
"It's okay… I didn't care for that stupid piece of junk alarm clock anyway. Least now I'll have a good excuse for not waking up on time…" she giggled.
He sighed in relief at her ready acceptance of his claws slipping free so close to her. Jubilee was half laughing and shivering at how silly this entire thing was going. "Hope I didn't' startle you too badly…"
"Stop right there, dude. I'm not scared of your claws, okay? Like you'd NEVER intentionally skewer me… so don't go there… okay?" Jubilee interrupted him. Her fingers stroked along his forearm, massaging at the muscles there, and she raised a slight eyebrow. While normally she didn't know just HOW they popped out, this was the first chance she'd really felt for any differences in his muscles.
"They ARE in there," he mumbled, rubbing a hand through his hair as he leaned up on one arm. "An' ya probably gathered there are some lil' diffs between your muscles an' mine…"
"I figured that's how it worked. I'm studying chemistry and physics, not anatomy… but I always DID wonder…" said Jubilee, stroking his arm and then sliding her hand along to where the skin was slightly healing over three small piecing. "Awesome ya know…"
"Heh, first time anyone ever said THAT about 'em," he said awkwardly, not sure of what to say. She kissed the skin between his knuckles lightly and it made him melt inside. Symbolically showing her acceptance of something that he loathed for so many years. Yet she couldn't picture him without them.
"One thing I wondered though… I mean HOW do they stay IN there without… um… sheesh… cutting your arm apart?"
"Well they DO sorta every time they come out Jube. Never thought about it. They just do," he shrugged, chuckling awkwardly. Now blood flushed over his face, at such a personal question. Although they were starting down this path together, he never really THOUGHT about the entire mechanism that made his claws work. He readily accepted it was part of the whole-hated process that made him a living weapon.
"Must be a kinda channel for 'em. And they always come out clean," she mumbled. "Sorry, I'm babbling… Jeez…"
"Nah, it's okay," he reassured her. "You're one of the first people who's accepted 'em as part of me an' that's kinda nice in a way…"
"Duh, you ARE Wolverine, right? I mean it kinda MAKES sense that you have 'em, right?" Jubilee said as she playfully thumped his chest, lightly so she wouldn't bruise her hand as she had so many times before. Before he could snag her in a hug she catapulted herself out of the bed while he lay there scratching his scalp. She leaned down and performed a series of gymnastic style stretches that were part of her morning routine.
Logan climbed out of bed and yawned. He immediately commenced his Tai chi as he often did, seeing Jubilee warming up and stretching it seemed natural. Together they moved silently, working off the awkwardness of emotional intimacy rather than physical intimacy that was building itself. Just as he hoped, the emotional bonds were forming well before the physical, laying a foundation for a lasting relationship.
"See ya downstairs," Logan said as he kissed her lips. "Gotta go get dressed…"
"Not if I see you before, dude," she said jokingly. Logan snagged her about the waist and she leaned across to kiss him. Their hands slid up and down one another's backs before he reluctantly let her go. Then he slipped through her door.
Jubilee whooped with happiness. Logan was with her all night, and nothing bad had happened. Giddy she tingled with the sensation of a schoolgirl in love. Mister old fashioned was right after all. How sweeter to explore that friendship turned romantic than this. How many guys would cuddle a girl all night, she wondered? Reaching down she pressed a kiss to her fingertips and touched it to Logan's picture on her bedside table.
She hit the shower next, and then quickly emerged in a fresh uniform. Wiping her hair she fizzed it with the hairdryer, and picked it out. Slowly she grabbed the makeup and added a few flourishes. The yellow and gold X man uniform fit her adult body well, and she giggled at the thought of how in the face of great tragedy SOMETHING was going so right.
Yet the feeling was slowly being drawn away with the sobering thought of the Professor's absence. Jubilee let slip a few tears before she swallowed hard, and walked out the door. She wandered downstairs in her X man uniform, walking down the main stairs to see Bobby Drake streaking down on the banister of the railing. Close behind him was Morph, already in a matching uniform to hers. No sign of Wolverine yet, but she was hopeful he would show up, his gentleman's honor demanding the pause to preserve her so called 'virtue' before the others.
Storm wandered down as she waited, stretching and yawning as she spanned her arms wide. The cape hung at her wrists and elbows, curling around. She exchanged a glance with Beast, who was walking two steps behind her. That strange look of contentment made Jubilee's face flush red. Yet she had something that she liked just as much, and her lips curled with a secret smile that she was in love.
She didn't even care when Iceman stole the last box of Lucky Charms. And the rest of the chocolate milk. Gambit slid in the seat next to Jubilee, and started rattling off in French, to Rogue who was on his other side. She gave Gambit a kiss on the cheek, and he blinked at her oddly. "Petit, you in a good mood…"
"Yep," she winked. "And I see I'm not the only one…"
"Got a good night's sleep, non?" Gambit winked. Jubilee blushed, and Rogue lightly bopped Gambit's head.
"Shhh you swamp rat," she hissed, pointing over her shoulder as she saw Wolverine striding in, wearing a clean uniform, slashmarks and all. He strode over and stood next to Bobby, who was sitting on Jube's other side. He got up and vacated his seat, moving over. Logan grunted and took the seat by Jubilee, who was blushing slightly. Psilocke and Warren were not yet down, and nobody paid her much mind because they were all preoccupied with their own business of grabbing what food they could.
"Mornin'," Logan grunted to Rogue and Gambit. Jubilee shyly passed the coffee over, and poured him a fresh cup. He nodded slowly, letting her help pass the food over and help himself. That level of shyness was not lost on Gambit, who was watching them out of the side of his glance. Wolverine seemed far less grouchy, and if anyone did glance in his or her direction, his slow glare made him or her glance away quickly.
Her thigh rubbed up alongside Wolverine's and she blushed. He winked at her slightly, and turned his attention to dumping a considerable amount of ketchup on his scrambled eggs that Gambit had whipped up with Rogue's help. It was their turn for kitchen duty, and thankfully Gambit had left most of the eggs spice free for a change. Jubilee nibbled on her bacon and eggs.
"Atkins now?" asked Rogue.
"Huh?" Jubilee asked.
"Where's the chocolate frosted you know what we love, sugah?" Rogue teased.
"I kinda got it outta my system," Jubilee shrugged, scarfing down several forkfuls of eggs. Wolverine didn't look up from his plate, rapidly devouring half a stack of pancakes with mechanical precision. While he didn't shovel the food in, it was fast vanishing.
Finally Warren and Betsy entered the dining area, shyly holding hands. They took the two empty seats next to Hank and Storm, and watched as everyone passed the food their way. Most of the X men were eating in silence, glancing up at the places left at the head and foot of the long table. Scott usually sat at the foot of the table, while Jean sat to Xavier's right. A sort of unofficial pecking order that showed that they were his bright children. Now, nobody dared sit at the head OR the foot, keeping them open out of respect. Storm occupied Jean Grey's place, with Hank next to her. The tranquil silence was soothing, among them all. Jubilee let herself drink it in lest it disappear all too soon.
After a time, Storm cleared her throat. Everyone turned to look at the Leader of the X men. "I have a few announcements today…"
"Go on leader lady," Wolverine said gruffly. "What's the order of the day?"
"It has come to my attention last night, that Magneto has made no offensive moves. This is rather distressing, and I have been thinking we should be more proactive, and determine why," Storm said.
"Yeah, see what Maggy's up to, right?" Bobby Drake asked.
"Why don't' we leave him alone. He said he wouldn't move against us, so take him at his word," said Angel.
"Scott wouldn't…" said Morph.
"Scott and Jean are not here. I think it's high time I took a team to investigate Genosha… what do you think?"
"It would not be prudent to invoke undue temptations of fate through the means of proactive detection of our potential nemesis motives… caution in our present circumstances dictates that we should not 'spread ourselves so thin…" Beast said.
"Wolverine?"
"WE gotta figure out what's what," said Wolverine slowly. "I say sending a small team ain't gonna hurt. But only for a look see…"
"I've used Cerebro to detect the position of most of the mutants, and most have departed Genosha," said Betsy. "And keep in mind, we are not the only mutant team. Excalibur and X Factor…"
"Indeed," nodded Beast. "I heartily recommend a collaboration betwixt our institution and…"
"Yes, and that is why I have taken the liberty of being in touch with Forge and Nightcrawler," said Storm. "Each has agreed to send a few members of their teams to Genosha and ascertain why most of the others have not left. Apparently Forge's team saw the mutant Sunfire leading the remaining factions… it's a potentially explosive situation…"
"So, yer gonna go yourself, is that it?" Wolverine asked.
"Storm… please don't go," Jubilee urged.
"Nightcrawler and Shadowcat from Excalibur will be with us. As will Polaris and Havok from X Force. I have promised to travel there with Beast and Psilocke from X men…"
"You might need some extra back up," Wolverine said quickly.
"No, you must remain here, Wolverine. As the most senior X man, and second to Psilocke, should any need arise, till Scott and Jean return, you are the best suited to continue our training…"
"You make it sound like you don't expect to come back, Stormy,' Gambit said. "Maybe you need Remy to…"
"No Gambit. You shall remain here with Rogue, Jubilee, Angel and Iceman. Morph, perhaps I can use your own experience at the hands of those mutants who were misguided as a testimony in our bargaining favor…"
"Have you contacted this Shiro?" asked Wolverine. "This some pow-wow you all arranged without telling us?"
"In the event that such occurrences happened, Xavier prudently initiated a back up plan… should Magneto refuse to take up his mission, or somehow cover his motives, and should other mutants remain a possible force to oppose those of us that wish to coexist peacefully… and since there has been no action as of late, we must take the first step to show others the way…" Storm said. "The way of peace. The world may see the leaders of the major X teams as a sign of mutant peace… and if Magneto DOES go back o his word, we shall be there to convince the mutants on Genosha his way is wrong…"
"Pretty risky playing Mutant UN…" Wolverine said gruffly.
"Jean and Scott are taking a leave of absence. They shall return well before the negotiations and observations reach any stage of danger. IF we go in peace, with those mutants most interested and level headed… no offense to you who are readily born warriors…" Storm started.
"None taken, 'Ro," Wolverine grunted. "But I don't like it… it could be a trap…"
"Why I need you here, Logan," said Storm.
"But this is NUTS… this is the WORST time to…" Jubilee protested. "If Psilocke goes that's…"
"Jean and Scott will return in two weeks. If there IS any emergency they will return to take charge. But if there is one chance in a thousand we can avert a mutant uprising from igniting should Magneto return, we must be proactive…" said Storm. "Can I count on you to manage things here, Logan?"
"Yeah Storm. But still…"
"Maybe I should remain," Psilocke said gently.
"No. I need your powers at my side. You as a telepath can determine the mood of the others. And as a ninja, your skills of fighting will be of use. Beast's reason and calm serenity will be also welcome, for most mutants know him to be one of the supporters of human/mutant coexistence… of all, they are the best suited."
"When do you leave?" asked Wolverine.
"Before lunch…"
"Please Storm, don't go," Jubilee pleaded.
Within the hanger two hours later, Hank loaded pieces of equipment on one of the middle-sized jets. The blackbird was still birthed, left for the missions that might warrant it. Jubilee had slipped into a funk, avoiding the others as she tried to get storm to listen to her.
"Please, you can't go… I have a bad feeling that something terribly wrong will..." Jubilee trailed off as she rushed to keep up with Hank.
"Jubilee, I am aware of your powers, but you must know that since we've spoken, Cerebro has detected the presence of a powerful congregation of mutants gathering on Genosha. Although most of the mutants gathered there have departed, the concentration is still sufficiently high enough to warrant our attention," Hank explained.
"We've got to send a team to investigate, and see if Magneto has changed his mind," said Storm. "Please Jubilation, Wolverine needs you here. We have to have each and every x man behind us…"
"But we can't afford to lose you!" Jubilee protested.
"'Ro, this ain't good," Wolverine protested, standing there as he folded his arms and walked into the hanger area to stand near Jubilee. "Ya know I ain't gonna just up an' let ya…"
"I'm sorry Logan, but we must not overlook this. Excalibur will be accompanying us, so we won't be alone…"
"Still, this stinks," Bobby protested, rushing in as well. "I just knew Magneto wouldn't…"
"We will soon see. If it is Magneto, then I shall be the one to appeal on his behalf. My abilities will enable the team to slip in without…" said Storm firmly.
"I could still…" Wolverine started.
"No Logan, my decision is final. If anything SHOULD go wrong…"
"We need Scott and Jean," Warren interrupted. The other X Men gathered one by one to stand close to the jet, its gangplank down.
"No, they must be kept out of this. Should anything be wrong… we cannot lose them…" said Storm gently.
"But Storm… I don't think…" Jubilee started.
"I'm sorry, but you're best off here. Take care of things here Wolverine. You're in charge…"
"Roro… be damn sure you know what you're doing," Wolverine said as he frowned up at her. "Even with the Big Blue…"
"Storm… don't go," Jubilee urged.
"It is just a scouting mission. Nothing SHOULD go amiss, but I cannot afford to be remiss. Take care, and we shall be in communication soon as we're close," said Storm. "We're leaving the blackbird here…"
They watched soberly as Storm gathered her team of Angel, Psilocke, Morph and Beast. Bobby hugged his lover goodbye, as the others bid their farewells. Gently Gambit walked up and urged Jubilee to step aside as they watched the smaller jet rise and slip away. A terrible feeling of icy dread washed over jubilee, and she put her hands over her face. Engines fired up, and she buried her head in her hands at the icy dread washing over her. Rogue shielded her face with her hand at the blast of the air shooting through the hanger.
"Bon voyage, Stormy," Gambit mumbled, sliding his arm around Rogue.
"Dammit," Bobby mumbled, clenching his fists. Jubilee felt tears rolling down her face, while Logan twisted his wrists and his claws shot out. A low growl escaped his mouth, and he angrily watched the jet shot out of the hanger and shrink to the size of a dot in the western sky.
"This is just great," mumbled Jubilee. "It's a trap…"
"Jubilee, we don't know that," said Angel gently. "We can't…"
"You don't understand I felt it," she cried. "Dammit…"
"Wings, you an' the Popsicle better check the defenses," Wolverine said quietly as he faced away. "That's an order…"
"Sure thing, boss," Bobby mumbled.
"What you want Remy to do?" asked Gambit as Jubilee turned away, her head in her hands. He rubbed Jubilee's shoulder and she buried her face in his coat for a hug.
"Easy Sugah," Rogue urged. "It's gonna be all right…"
"How can you be so sure… it's just not right…" Jubilee mumbled.
"Cajun, you an' Rogue fire up the Danger room, an see what drills you can find that we haven't run. I'll make sure I check over the birds in this hanger an' get 'em in shape… I ain't Big Blue, but I've done my share a' tinkerin' with electronics…"
"All right, Wolverine…" Rogue urged. "Why doncha come with us, sweet pea…" she urged Jubilee.
"I'm okay," she said. "You go on…"
"Petit, be brave. Wolverine, what you wan' the Petit to do?"
"Jubilee, I need you here. Gotta talk to ya…" said Wolverine slowly. She turned to Gambit and Rogue, who exited the hanger with their hands clasped. Both hugged her and then exited the door.
Jubilee turned to Wolverine, standing there alone watching the skies through the hanger door. It slid shut and she drew in a sigh. Slowly she walked towards the door, only to hear him say, "Jubes, where ya goin?"
"Dammit Wolverine, how could you just LET her go! It's a trap!" Jubilee yelled at him. He whirled on her, a frown on his face.
"Doncha think I KNOW that, kid?" he snapped back. "I can't stop her! I ain't the Professor! Hell I ain't even supposed to be leadin' this fool outfit!"
"No duh," Jubilee snorted back. "You know it's stupid! How could you just…"
"You think I WANTED her to go?" Wolverine growled. "She KNOWS the risks, Jubes. But I can't stop her… an' neither could you or the rest… so do me a favor an STOP busting on yourself!"
"Back off, dude!" she grumbled. "You don't know WHAT I saw, or WHAT I'm thinking! Just leave me alone!"
"Where do ya think yer goin… I ain't through talkin' to ya," he snapped, his hand reaching out to grasp her.
"Just cause you're in charge doesn't make you OWN me," she shot back. "Dammit, Wolvie… stop the macho craphead thing… an' think! Storm might DIE and we didn't do ANYTHING to stop her!"
"Jubilee, knock it off," he snapped. "You getting angry at me ain't gonna help Storm or the X men!"
"Oh please… just… don't go there!" she yelled.
Wolverine felt her twist her arm out of his grasp. While he hadn't hurt her, she was so furious she felt like she wanted to paff him. Fear, disappointment and anger flooded her, and she felt her fingers tingling with the buildup of her power. Angrily she aimed a paff at the wall, leaving a huge smoking crater as she channeled blazes of purple, pink, gold and every color of the rainbow. Wolverine hid his face and stepped back, letting her vent her frustration on the wall.
"Jubes, I'm sorry… if I could have I would have…" he said when she stood there, tears dribbling down her cheeks. "Dammit, please speak to me… what did I do…"
"Its not you, it's me," Jubilee whispered. "I have this stupid power and I can't even…"
She trembled just beyond his reach. Grabbing his mask he removed it and dodged around her, resting his hands on her shoulders. Jubilee's lip quivered as she glanced up at him, tears pouring down her cheeks. Unable to hold in her sobs she clung to him weeping. Wolverine rocked her gently, growling angrily at the twists of fate that shoved such responsibility on him.
"I'm sorry Wolvie… I didn't mean to yell at you… but I was so angry…"
"It's okay kid… you got every right to yell at the ol' Canucklehead. I shoulda stopped her…" he babbled, hugging her tightly. Her tears wet the shoulder of his uniform, and she clutched his shoulders tightly.
"Logan what are we going to do if we loose HER!" she whimpered, drawing back to glance up at Wolverine's frowning face. His eyes had that lost wild look, and for the first time she saw a hint of fear.
"I don't know kid… Jubes… darlin'…" he mumbled, glancing down at the floor in shame. "Dammit… some flamin' leader… some flamin' Wolverine. I ain't cut out for this leader garbola… she knows that…"
"You're the only one of us who can," she said softly, stroking his cheeks. "You need me, I'm here… I won't leave you when you need me, Logan…"
"Thanks kid… Jubilee…" he whispered.
"Did we just have our first blow up?" she asked as she kissed his cheek, and he returned with a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Yeah, I think we did," he mumbled, and then chuckled sadly. "Cripes… what a pair we make…"
"Pretty lame pair if ya ask me," Jubilee snorted, touching her forehead to his chin. "Jeez, if Drake saw us tearing into each other…"
"C'mon, let's get this place shipshape, an' make Storm proud of us. We gotta job to do… an' the X men don't take no breaks if the bad guys don't… damn listen to ME… I sound like flamin' BEAST…"
"You're not THAT bad a leader, dude," she joked as he slid his arm around her, and slowly walked her out of the hanger.
"Time will tell," he said back to her. Sliding his arms around her waist, he pulled her in front of him. Jubilee leaned over and gave him an encouraging kiss. Logan sighed and accepted it, and the safety of her arms. Both filled with the sudden misery and reality that they were just as needed and just as fated to be caught up with the same responsibility as Jean and Scott. With all his age and experience, and her youth and insight, they would need one another for whatever lay ahead.
