A/N: Sorry for such a horribly long wait for this chapter. I re-wrote it about five times and I finally found it to my liking. I've had some nasty writer's block for the past seven months or so, but now that I have it going in a way I enjoy, I'll be writing more. I hope to finish up this story in a few more chapters…but maybe not. We'll see how it goes, right? Please let me know what you think of this chapter!
PART 17: O Come, O Come Emmanuel
When Jubilee woke up, she was surprised to find herself in a soft, warm bed. The young woman was even more surprised when she realized she couldn't feel any pain. In fact, as she sat up, Jubilation realized that she could move quite freely and it didn't even tingle. It had to be a dream. But it felt so real, she kept telling herself. And if it wasn't a dream, where was Creed? Why would he put her in a bed?
Deciding it was, in fact, real, Jubilee realized she was in the medical lab at the school. She didn't remember getting there, but she felt like she was on cloud 9. Safe. She was finally safe.
Looking around, her heart sank as she focused on the bed next to her. Logan lay there, wrapped in numerous bandages, nearly lifeless. The gentle rise and fall of his chest was the only indication that he was alive. Jubilee was suddenly reminded of Psylocke and the injuries she had sustained in fighting Creed two years ago.
"Ah, my lovely patient is finally awake!"
Jubilee turned towards Hank as if she was still asleep. This couldn't be real. Please let this be a dream.
"Hank?" She asked, hoping she would wake up.
"Yes indeed, Jubilation." The blue doctor replied with a toothy grin. "How do you feel?"
"O-Ok." She stammered.
"You've been unconscious for a week now." He explained, scribbling a note on her medical chart. "I kept you sedated, so you might feel a little light-headed right now. It's just a side effect of the drugs, but it'll wear off in an hour or so."
"Logan?" Jubilee asked, looking back to the man who meant so much to her.
"Ah, don't worry about him right now." Hank said, pulling the curtain closed and blocking her view. "Let's concentrate on you for the moment."
Feeling numb, Jubilee simply nodded. She automatically responded to his questions as he checked her vitals. He seemed to be overly happy, she noted. That meant Logan was in a bad way. He always over-did it when things were serious.
"Alright, why don't I take you up to your room and get you some breakfast?" He suggested.
"What's with the small words and happy expression, Hank?" Jubilee asked, putting her hand up. "What's going on with Logan? What the hell happened?"
Henry paused and looked at Jubilee with his brow furrowed slightly.
"Wolverine and Storm were the first to find you." Hank began, pinching the bridge of his nose as he spoke. "Being hell-bent on finding you, Logan did not wait for back-up, which isn't all that unusual. Fortunately, Ororo only injured her leg while she freed you. Logan, on the other hand, sustained massive trauma."
"Massive…?" She whispered.
"He was literally dead for nearly thirty minutes." Ororo's voice said from behind a curtain. She stepped around the white barrier and limped towards Jubilee.
"Ororo, are you ok? I'm so stupid! I'm so sorry! Oh my God, I didn't mean for this to happen--"
Ororo held up her hand to stop the teenagers ranting and was surprised to see it worked. Jubilee took the chance to get a better look at her. The weather goddess looked ragged. Her eyes had dark circles beneath them and her hair was pulled back in a messy bun. Jubilee noted, with a grimace, that she was leaning on a cane rather heavily.
"Do not worry yourself about such matters, child. I will be perfectly fine in a few weeks time." She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Why don't you go get some breakfast? I'm sure you're hungry by now."
Jubilee didn't know what to say, so she simply nodded in response. Apparently satisfied with the wordless nod, Ororo limped away, the curtain swishing behind her. Hank began rattling off some orders, but Jubilee barely listened as she strained to get a glimpse of Logan.
After making sure Jean would look after Jubilee as she ate some food and got some proper rest, Henry returned to the medical lab an hour later with an empty wheelchair. Ororo was sitting next to Logan's prone form, holding his limp hand in hers. She nodded with a ghost of a smile to Hank as the doctor began checking Logan's wounds.
Hank replaced the bandage on Logan's stomach in silence as Ororo watched him work. The wound was healing well, but Hank was still concerned. It had been nearly seven days now and he still hadn't opened his eyes. This was the first time in all his years of knowing the man that Logan had remained unconscious for more than a day. The feral mutant had been clinically dead for twenty seven minutes, but Hank had finally managed to pull him back. Logan's vitals appeared normal, except for the fact he was still unconscious. He wasn't in a coma, just a deep healing sleep, as far as Henry could tell.
The lack of response unnerved the doctor. He didn't deal well with being unnerved.
It didn't help to have Ororo hovering constantly. But Hank knew better than to ask Storm to go and relax somewhere. She had kept a constant vigil over Logan ever since Hank had allowed her to get out of bed. It was all he could do to get her to sleep at night in the bed next to his.
"Any change?" Ororo asked.
"His wounds are healing nicely."
"So that's a no."
"Yes, that's a no."
Ororo let out a short sigh, seemed to catch herself and stopped, and then nodded. It had been the same exchange every day now. Hank was certain Logan would wake any day now. Jean had even checked on his mind and everything was normal, if not a little quiet. Since neither Hank nor Jean seemed overly worried, Ororo felt it ridiculous to keep worrying so much. But it couldn't be helped.
Ororo Munroe was, after all, still in love with this man.
Six hours after Logan awoke on the ninth day, Hank finally cleared him and pronounced him as healthy as ever. He permitted the feral mutant to leave the infirmary on strict orders to "take it easy". Waving a hand behind him, Logan nearly sprinted from the medical lab. He truly hated the stench of sterile equipment and sick people and now the stink was all over his own body.
Making a bee-line for his bathroom, Logan managed to get there without any interruption for which he was grateful. A hot shower was needed, then food. A lot of food. Maybe he would ask Ororo to go to lunch. McCoy had mentioned that Ororo had been at his side almost every minute of each day. Jean had finally dragged her and Jubilee out to the mall that morning, so they were due home at any time. It was time for a serious talk, he decided.
After a shower. And lots of food.
Logan let the steaming hot water wash down his body for almost an hour. The stink of the med lab still lingered, but it was well hidden beneath the Japanese bathing oils he sometimes used in the shower. He leaned his head against the cool tile as the water beat down his back. Logan could feel his muscles relaxing, knowing his body would be sore for another day or two from lack of use.
His mind began to roll over the details of what Hank had told him earlier. Jubilee was well on her way to a full recovery. There would be scars, but nothing else. The same deal with Ororo, although the scarring would be less obvious as the wound had been on her upper thigh. Then Hank dropped the bomb – twenty seven minutes. He had been dead for so long. It hadn't felt that long in his mind, but he could vaguely remember seeing his life flash before his eyes. It had taken maybe thirty seconds, he had been sure of it. But maybe nothing happens after that? There was no light at the end of any tunnel, no red hot flames welcoming him to hell. Shaking the water from his eyes and the thoughts from his mind, Logan's hands slapped off the water and he stepped from the shower.
His brain was in automatic drive. Logan dried off his body and dressed without really thinking about it.
Dry body? Check. Jeans and a t-shirt? Check.
He ran a comb through his hair and slid on some socks.
Boots? Check.
Food?
His stomach rumbled in protest, seemingly upset that there was no check next to the food question. Amused at himself for even thinking in such terms and blaming Jubilee's influence, Logan took a last glance in his mirror before opening his door.
An intense smell of sandalwood and fresh rain hit his nose at the same time as the body it belonged to slammed into his own. Caught unawares, Logan almost fell back into his room with Ororo in his arms. No words were exchanged before her slick lips met his mouth in a passionate kiss.
Pleasantly surprised, Logan swept up Ororo in his arms as they continued to kiss, careful to be gentle with her leg, and he stepped back. Pushing the door shut with his foot, Logan returned the kiss with fervor and brought Ororo to the bed. Gently, he laid her down and he nearly fell on top of her as she pulled him down fiercely.
Her tongue darted into his mouth and he groaned as the warmth of her body pressed against his. Ororo's back arched up as his hand found her breast and Logan was quick to respond. Logan began unbuttoning her blouse and soon tore it off her, sending buttons to the floor. Still engaging his mouth, Ororo's hands began tugging at his t-shirt and he broke the kiss only to tear it over his head in disgust. Smiling with lust in her eyes, Ororo quickly laced a hand in his hair and pulled him back to her mouth.
His mouth began to trail kisses along her neck and soon he was pulling back the lace of her bra. Encouraged by her heavy breathing and small moans, Logan began to slowly suck on her breast while using his free hand to unbutton her shorts. She arched her hips as he slid the offensive clothing off. The shorts soon joined the other clothes thrown to the floor as Logan trailed kisses down her stomach.
The loud gasp, followed by a deep moan, told Logan he was on the right track and he smiled. Her nails raked through his hair and he saw goosebumps travel up her thighs as he kissed the inside of her leg.
Food could wait.
Slick with sweat, Logan propped himself up on an elbow and slowly traced circles around Ororo's stomach. She laughed and grabbed his hand.
"That tickles." She protested, kissing his finger.
"You didn't complain a little while ago."
Ororo flushed and chuckled. "That was under completely different circumstances."
Logan laughed and kissed her stomach, causing goosebumps to appear again. Ororo sighed and let him kiss his way up to her throat before she stopped him.
"You must be hungry." Ororo protested, rather weakly.
"Starved." He growled, nipping at her neck as she tried to push him back.
"Then let's take care of your stomach."
"I was trying to do that earlier, but something interrupted me. I can't recall what it was, though." Logan teased, his hand tracing circles on her stomach again. This time she didn't laugh. His mouth found its way back to her throat.
"Logan…"
"Hmm?"
"You'll need energy for tonight."
"Why? What's tonight?" He asked against her earlobe.
"Let's just that that this was an appetizer compared to what I have planned."
"I've always liked yer plans." Logan said, kissing her cheek softly. "Yer plans always work better than Cyke's."
Laughter greeted him as way of a response and Ororo slid from his loose embrace.
"Come along, love, and I'll take you to that horrid steakhouse you enjoy so much."
His stomach growled in response and they both laughed.
"Get dressed." Ororo said as she threw his jeans on his head.
"Yes, ma'am." He mock saluted her and quickly dressed.
What did you think? Please read and review!
Jubes
