Chapter 11
It was Logan's suggestion that he sneak down to the guestroom while she ventured down for some food to bring up. Jubilee modified that plan by mentioning that a. she was on probation and probably Frost would stick her with KP and b. that she would eventually figure out if Jubilee holed up in her room that she was 'hiding something'. Wolverine retorted that Jubilee had every right to hole up in her room if she was expected to be on probation, and that it wouldn't take him too long to put in an appearance in 'his' room and insist on the hired help bringing something up. Something he could then sneak up to Jubilee's room.
"Good point," she mumbled. "For someone who wants to sneak around like some Chuck Norris wannabe…"
"Ouch," he grunted, and stretched as he got up off the bed. "So, what IS your suggestion, darlin? I know ya don't' have any milk stashed up here… an' sneakin' around's MY bag…"
"You just wanna get up and snoop around to get your kicks outta beating the system. Well you go ahead and GET your butt caught then!" she huffed, folding her arms across her chest as she threw off the covers and stomped overdramatically across to the bathroom.
"Later, sweetheart," he grinned, sneaking to the door of her room and vanishing while she stuck her tongue out at him.
She grumbled, "Ooh, you big jerk, if I wasn't such a weenie who just let you drop yer butt back in here I'd let Frosty catch you!"
He heard her last parting shot and chuckled. Stealthily wolverine crept down to the kitchen in bare feet to rustle up some more substantial grub. Immediately he smelled the pheromones of several young 'bucks' accompanied by their voices recently deepened from puberty. A slight smirk creased his cheeks covered in five-o'clock shadow when he rounded the corner and hid just out of sight. From 50 yards away he could hear them clearly, and not even be seen if he kept his mind under the telepath's psy probes.
"Can ya believe it?" Everett asked. "She kissed me… she kissed me."
"C'mon, hombre, how could you take advantage of her like that!" Angelo's accent accosted him. "You know how vulnerable Jubicita is. If you hurt her man…"
"It's a bad idea," answered a fleshless voice, indicative of Jonathan Starsmore. "Paige would agree with you there…"
"Why's that?" Everett asked, swallowing a big draught of coffee. "I told her my feelings…"
"Kiss of death… according to what you mates told me was normal for dating. Not a bright idea, mate," Jono reproved. "If you want to get anywhere with her. Isn't that right, Ange?"
"You shouldn't be getting anywhere with her, man!" Angelo snorted. "This is not cool, Ev, an you know it!"
"Did she say yes?" Jono asked with amused detachment tempered with concern for their teammate.
"Well, she kissed me… I mean I kissed…"
"You saying she kissed you or you kissed her. Make up your mind, mate, yer thoughts are makin' my head spin…" Jono complained. "Sort it out and spit it out already or I'll reach for it myself… since you insisted on dragging me down here to listen."
"Kiss don't mean a thing," Angelo interrupted, banging something heavy down with a clang and a slosh of liquid. Coffee mugs no doubt. "What ya said before an' up to it was probably what made her kiss you to shut ya up!"
"Wait, don't you also have a so called 'Jones' on Monet? That's a nasty bit of a loose end… no wonder relationships are messy things," Jono cautioned. "If you're interested in both, can't you choose, unless you're interested in 'playing the field'…"
"No!" Everett protested. "I mean I was…"
"Waiting to see if Jubes said yes. If she said no, then you'd choose Monet… am I correct?" Starsmore said analytically."
"Call it off now, Ev. Before I bust your face or smother it!" Angelo warned him.
"What's it to you? You're not telling me You're interested in her…" Everett turned on him.
"Jubicita's my friend. An' if you were hers you'd cut it out before you push her inta making a decision like that. 'Specially yesterday just when she got back from NYC. If you were SO inta getting into a thing with her why wait till now? Unless you're wearin' her down so's you can…"
"Shut up, it's NOT like that!" Everett barked. "I care about her! Sue me!"
"If you cared, then you'd back off an' wait till she's got her head straight. Sucky time t' move in for the kill when you got a chica all busted up inside."
"You should know about helping girls when they're…"
"Gimme a break, hombre. You think I pick up wounded rabbits? I like a girl to be all laughin' and enjoying what I got to offer, not cryin' on my shoulder all the time. Unless you dig that stuff…"
"Nursing potted birds is a guaranteed way t' make them dependant on you mate, if that's what you want out of this. Jubilee depending on you for pulling her out of a dark time. Is that what you want out of this? Her to need you… so you can feel more like a man?"
"Starsmore's right, Ev. She needs a friend, not a boyfriend, estupido!" Angelo poked a finger in his face. Cigarette smoke curled up and twitched Wolverine's nose. Camels, full flavor. Cheap but potent.
"Why don't we leave her be?" Jono suggested. "Let her settle it. We've done more than enough to rile her up. If we left her alone on spring break none of this would have happened."
"Shut up, Starsmore," Everett grumbled. "Some of us believe in CARING."
"Maybe YOUR way's to lock yourself in a room and wail on that guitar of yours," Angelo mumbled. "But our way's not' runnin' away an' hiding from the world. It isn't Jubicita's way neither."
"Least we agree on that," Everett said. "Jubilee needs me… us… to lean on. Gotta make it up to her somehow…"
"Yeah, and don't try getting' into her pants. You two aren't even right for each other, hombre. Jubicita's not for you, so just drop it, Ev."
"You want her for yourself, don't you. Admit it, Ange," Everett turned to him.
"It isn't always about you, get off it!" Angelo snorted in disgust. "Whole world don't spin around you, Everett. Or whether you an' Jubicita hook up or not."
"Aren't you more agitated about something else?" asked Jonothan. "While on the subject, how did Jubilee get here? I heard that…"
"Huh, you can't believe THAT. That ol' man brought her back," Everett complained.
"You kiddin' me?" Angelo asked. "Thought she was stayin' at Xavier's school."
"The hoser himself, from the great white north on his bike," Everett sneered.
"Why are you bitchin then?" Angelo asked.
"He's jealous, that's why," said Jono.
"You're nuts man. He's like her dad or older brother or somethin'," Angelo laughed. "No freakin' way they'd hook up. He's too damn noble or whatever. An' if he heard you sayin' stuff 'bout that your ass is gonna be grass."
"He made her cry, like he always does. You seen the way she reacts when she gets letters from him… when her room burned to a crisp… you'd think she was stuck on him! I'm not stupid!"
"All girls fall in love with father figures… or have a crush on their older best friend, don't they?" Starsmore chuckled mentally. "I'm not that off beam when it comes to things like that, like you mates might think."
"Says the rock star," Angelo laughed. "Listen to him, Ev. He's right on this one. Even if he DID have a thing for her, isn't any of OUR business…"
"Because of the claws? Please… he's not THAT tough. I could take him," Everett snorted.
"You an' WHAT army, Ev?" asked Angelo. "Playin' with fire there. He could be listening to us now… so if I was you, I'd shut your hole an' mind my own damn business."
"He's probably only visiting. Making sure that we don't' get Jubilee into more trouble than we have," Starsmore suggested. "That's what he does normally."
"Where's he been for the last few years, huh? Jube said he'd cut an' run…"
"Will you shut up already?" Angelo hissed. "It ain't our beeswax so drop it!"
"He was there for her apparently last night, when we weren't," Jono said. "If it wasn't for him, she'd have been arrested like we were…"
"If she hadn't run off with that guy an' got caught…"
"If you're so smart, why didn't YOU stop her?" asked Angelo.
"Where were YOU? Pushing your nose down a girls…"
"We were talking about Jubilee here, weren't we? And I'm sure that Miss Frost and Mr. Cassidy won't be too happy seeing us arguing here. Seeing as they'd think we'd have nothing better to do than bleedin' moan, and put us to work…" Starsmore reminded them.
"Why couldn't YOU have sensed her bein' in trouble?" Everett challenged him.
"In a nightclub with dozens of minds? Just like a non-psy to jump to a conclusion like that… even if he DOES synch to my powers," Jono laughed ironically.
"You don't get it," Everett mumbled.
"You think that one kiss is makin' her yours, you got another thing comin'," said Angelo. "Leave her alone man, I mean it."
"I asked her… and she said she'd give it a chance…"
"When are you going to take her out while we're all on probation anyway?" Jono asked. "I've had enough of this discussion mates. Going to do something else now before Frost discovers us sitting here and gives us something more unpleasant to divert our attention…"
"Later man. Go whine an' moan on your own," Angelo mumbled. "I'm outta here…"
"Stupid pain in the butt," Everett mumbled.
"She's not yours or anyone's. She's not somebody's thing to own. Not Jubilee. Don't whine when she turns you down and changes her mind, please," Jono requested as his parting shot.
"Go write a song an' shove it in your… ampeg," Everett mumbled, stomping out past where Logan was concealed. The Canadian shook his head and snorted at the testosterone crackling in the air. He would definitely have to keep Jubilee away from these clowns if Everett continued to be so stupid.
Meanwhile, Jubilee had turned on the water for the shower, and was in the process of rinsing conditioner out of her long mass of wet hair. She grumbled for over half the time she stood under the showerhead and let torrents of hot water pour over her body. Emotional extremes were taking their toll, and she was not altogether sure that she was still awake.
She caught the battered bits of metal in one hand, drawing them just before bleary eyes to read the letters impressed on their surface. "N.F.N. Logan… religion: None… Blood type: AB-… Height: 5'4"…" she recited aloud till her thumb smoothed at the Ss number that was scratched out. He had been here, and left them all right. No, she was not suffering from a Mastermind induced hallucination, danger room scenario, or fever-induced nightmare from OZT.
She felt the fresh scab of a rather large discolored mark on her shoulder that she glimpsed in the mirror on the way in. As she turned off the water and let the soapsuds spiral down the drain, she wrapped her hair in a neon pink towel. Grabbing her toothbrush she rubbed steam off the mirror with a robe sleeve to peer at her reflection. There it was, clear as day, a very large purple bruise that resembled a classic teenaged hickey that Paige would envy.
Someone was pounding on her door, and she wrapped her body in a fluffy purple robe, with little stars all over it.
"Keep your shirt on… Jeez… whoevertheheckitisthey'redead…" Jubilee mumbled. She tugged the robe so the neck hid the bitemark, and shoved her feet into her flip-flops.
Jubilee exhaled deeply, and wandered over to sit on her bed. Sighing she unwrapped the towel, then rubbed at it with her head inclined. When she heard the click of the latch, she momentarily froze. Then she tilted her head up to see Wolverine balancing a tray of various items while nudging the door with his bare foot open.
"I dunno about you, but I'm starving. Found some decent food in this dump," he said cheerfully, setting the tray down on her desk. He kicked the door shut behind him, and turned to lock it. Clad in jeans and the undershirt he'd worn to bed, he turned slightly away from her and poured two mugs of coffee from the plastic thermal carafe. Jubilee wondered why he was doing this, then it registered that she wore only a bathrobe and towel. Old fashioned modesty.
"I'll just…. Go get dressed…"
"Nah, I'll hop inta the shower if ya don't mind. Gets pretty scummy when ya drive 100 miles round trip without one…" he chuckled, grabbing a towel from his bag and the leather shaving kit out of the top. "Fixed ya a plate… go ahead an' dig in…"
"Okay…" she nodded, dumbfounded at a full breakfast being delivered by the man who had said he'd have to disappear and think. Wolverine never ceased to surprise her, just when she thought she had figured him out.
He had even bothered to cover two plates with those metal lids used by the staff when bringing meals up to the rooms of students who were sick, or under probation. She lifted one lid, and then set it down, snagging a single piece of bacon to nibble slowly. Something inside her desired to wait for him to finish so they could eat together.
Ten minutes after the shower stopped she heard something clinking, and a muffled swear. "You okay in there, Wolvie?"
"Fine, you just go on ahead an' start without me," he called. Jubilee finished dressing in a comfortable pair of shorts and a tank top when she realized she hated her hair dripping wet.
"You mind if I get my hairdryer? Having it like this sucks an…"
"Think it's right here," he murmured, as she opened the door. Relief and surprise hit her at once, because she saw he was wearing one of her robes. The fuzzy purple one with the little stars all over it, and shaving with an old fashioned Wilkenson double sided razor instead of the electric one that Jean had bought him five years ago.
"Sorry," she apologized. He grunted in affirmation, then continued the process of smearing that old spice instant lather to the rest of the areas he wanted shaved.
Jubilee grabbed her hairbrush and turned her back to him, dragging it through her long dark hair with a grunt of effort. Any reply he would have given her was drowned in the wheezing whine of the dryer plugged in near the bathroom mirror over the sink. He narrowly avoided snagging his elbow on the twisted cord while he finished the last bit of shaving, and dabbed his face with a wet washcloth. Most of the wildness he'd shaved away, leaving considerably less muttonchops and more subdued sideburns in keeping with what seemed less feral.
"Aren't ya gonna eat anything, darlin? Or did I waste a trip goin' down there?" he asked, startling her with a hand on her shoulder.
"Oh uh, nope, I was just waiting for you… to finish so we could like… eat together… ya know…"
"Didn't haveta but it's awfully nice of ya t' think of that," he said with a rare smile, sitting down on the sofa. She perched next to him, and picked up her mug of coffee between her hands. Narrowing her eyes she stared at the liquid starting to steam. A faint blue aura surrounded the cup poised just before her fingers to heat it to the right temperature.
"There ya go, should be just the way you like it," she said.
"Thanks," he nodded, uncovering plates and picking up silverware. He looked expectantly at her, and she recognized that insistent look in his hazel eyes.
"Okay, I'll be good… sheesh," she rolled her eyes dramatically. Shyly she nibbled at a few mouthfuls, watching him as he ate instead. With each passing bite of egg and pancakes she realized just how hungry she had been the past forty eight hours and it wasn't long before her plate was mostly empty. Snatching a pop tart she toasted it between her fingers and broke it in two. Wolverine lifted a brow in interest when she tossed it on his emptied plate.
"Share an' share alike, huh?" he asked.
"Only fair since you made me scarf down that cholesterol clogging stuff," she winked.
"Hah hah, if it was that lousy it sure disappeared in an awfully big hurry," he winked back. "Still, since I'm in a good mood… I'll bite…"
"Every last crumb, Wolvie. And there's two in the package," she teased, heating up the other.
"You're enjoying this, watching me eat these empty calories, right?" he teased.
"Just be thankful it's not chocolate frosted sugar bombs," she challenged with a twinkle in her eyes. "Although… it might make you less of an ol' grouch…"
"An' have me bouncin' on the ceiling in five seconds? No thanks darlin'," Wolverine snickered.
"Don't knock it till ya try it? Isn't that what you're always tellin' me to do?" she asked, nudging his ribs with her elbow. A more yielding surface met the tip, and it hit home that he no longer possessed the adamantium grafted there.
"Uh huh," he nodded. "By the way ya got some kinda somethin' on yer chin there…"
"Says mister pop tart crumbs all over his whiskers," she countered. Wolverine extended his hand not holding the mug of coffee to brush something off her cheek. Simultaneously Jubilee leaned forwards, and leaned her hand on his lap to catch herself from falling off the sofa in her own attempt to brush the crumbs off his. She knew it was one of those patented Wolvie moves she'd seen him make on occasion so many years ago, but it was so sweet because it showed he was truly thinking of her as a woman, not a 'kid'.
Instead he brushed his finger across and removed the ketchup, catching her against his chest with an amused smile before licking his fingers clean of ketchup. Jubilee's cheeks grew hot with embarrassment at being caught in the act of stealing a kiss even though that was what he was doing. "Oh jeez…"
"It's okay, sweetheart," he whispered, lifting her up to a more steady position and cupping her face in his hand. She closed her eyes and savored the brief pop tart crumbly kiss he gave her, tasting coffee and ketchup on her lips when he pulled back. Somewhere between a chaste kiss and the sort a mom gave a dad after 20 years of marriage, she chuckled inwardly.
Her heart pounded nonstop at the mere lip touch, seeing so much more in his darkening eyes. How could a simple peck on the lips say a hundred more words than a sloppy, half-intoxicated kiss? Or the twinkle in his eyes and enigmatic smile on his rough featured face mean more than the half animalistic frenzied kisses of the night before? Shy realization crept over her in that moment, reminding her that this was the exact way in which Scott and Jean looked at one another at the breakfast table. Comfortable love, not passionate want.
She lay her head on his shoulder, and rubbed her finger lightly over the cloth of his robe. He slid his arm around her shoulder, burying his nose in her soft hair to inhale her scent, then sipped his coffee. She curled up on the sofa next to him, and closed her eyes momentarily. A warm glow of something she had not felt in years passed over her and she realized it was the unfamiliar emotion of contentment.
"This is so cool," she mumbled.
"No arguments here," he agreed.
"So… um… are you like thinking about some kinda plan t' get back at 'em for letting me down?"
"Actually I was thinkin' I'd really like a smoke right now… but I don't wanna get ya into trouble," he mumbled.
"You an' your ratty cigars… wait here I got a solution," Jubilee commented, getting up and hurrying over to her desk. He watched in amusement as she dug out an incense burner and several sticks of what smelled of jasmine and myrrh.
"Yer beautiful, babe," he chuckled, getting up and fishing a cigar out of his leather jacket pocket. Jubilee opened her window, and set a glass ashtray on the ledge, then touched her finger to the incense to ignite it. Gathering his robe under him he sat on the ledge, and leaned out slightly. A quick snap of the cigar cutter on his keychain and he thrust the cigar in the corner of his lips, then fished out his zippo.
"Forgetting something?" Jubilee asked.
He was momentarily startled when the end paffed into life, and he glanced at her standing there from halfway across the room. The familiar sound of gum being drawn from a wrapper, followed by a smell of artificial strawberries and red dye 40 told him she had just popped a square of hubba bubba into her mouth. She sat there, watching him inhale and let the smoke curl lazily out the window into the garden atmosphere. That popping snap of gum was a welcome friend that he'd not heard for years. Although he knew she hadn't chewed gum obnoxiously for years, he was thankful for the reminder of something he hadn't known he had missed all those five years.
As much as she missed that combined leather, tobacco and beer scent that was Wolverine, he had yearned for the bubblegum scent mingled with plastic and cleaned cotton that was Jubilee. The underlying scent was the same, but the bubblegum was the missing 'note' that brought it all into place.
Down in Emma Frost's office, a conference between the headmistress and headmaster was in progress. Sean Cassidy thumbed his pipe while he walked out of the French doors onto the veranda. Although he rarely smoked he felt the occasion warranted the use of rose tobacco. Smoke curled up from the clay bowl of his long slender pipe. From behind, Emma Frost regarded him with arms folded across her chest clad in bustier top under a bolero jacket. Sewn from crème colored silk, it combined sensuality with business savoir- that reflected her use of sexuality to achieve dominance instead of submission. Tall stiletto heeled boots put her almost equal to Cassidy's height.
"Well, it's been over twenty four hours, and Mr. Logan still has remained," said Frost. "Don't you have anything to say?"
"What do ye expect? Tis been ages since they've seen one another…"
"Doesn't it make you the LEAST bit suspicious that he's spent so much time in her room?"
"Ye've got the dirty mind lass, not me," Sean responded. He turned to her and aimed the trail of smoke wreathing his head out the window. She waved away the scent of tobacco, grimacing.
"Well aren't you the least bit curious about them?" she asked.
He removed the pipe momentarily and said, "Depends upon what 'them' yer referring to, Emma," Sean said.
"I'm a telepath, Sean. I have sensed the undercurrent of desire that moves between them. Despite her attempts to shield it, and his attempts to keep his thoughts at the animal level, I can discern the reason he's sticking around," said Emma.
"And that would be…"
"He and she are lovers," said Emma.
"Oh come now," Sean shook his head. "Short of telepathically eavesdropping which ye said ye wouldn't do, how do ye know?"
"Sean, I'm not stupid. I don't have to read minds to see the undercurrent of attraction. Jubilee has always harbored a secret crush on him. Now that she is of legal age, and he's spending the night in her room, sharing the same bed as she instead of sleeping in the guest room, wouldn't that make you suspect that they are intimately involved?"
"Maybe, but you yourself know that sexual fraternization isn't discouraged as long as it isn't during school hours. And what proof DO ye have that the WERE sexually active."
"They aren't actually. I've only discerned desire, not anything such as sexual release… rather the pent-up unrequited vibes typical of two people entering into such a relationship."
"Ye seem disappointed, Emma," Sean said.
"It would make it mildly entertaining before I cracked down, you must admit. The only amusing thing about this entire situation…"
"Even if they ARE 'lovers' it hardly strikes me as something Logan would do. He's an honorable man."
"Oh please Sean… you don't honestly expect me to believe that…"
"Why not ask them?" said Sean Cassidy. "If yer so convinced this is the case, just ask him. And ask Jubilee."
"Really, what would THAT accomplish?" Emma rolled her eyes. "She would only deny it."
"So… ye assume THAT based on the recent behaviors of ALL the Gen X team? Which leads me to point out that anything that isn't or is happening between Logan and Jubilee pails in comparison to what her teammates pulled off…" Sean pointed out. "Doesn't it bother you far more that almost all the team was caught drinking underage using fake id's…"
"Of COURSE I'm furious about that, Sean! What do you THINK?" she sighed, throwing up her hands. "Which is why an example must be made…"
"Then use Jonothan and Paige as an example. What are ye tryin' to prove here, Emma? What ye should do is punish those who were fool enough t' pull the wool over yer eyes an' mine for the last few semesters. Not worry about Jubilee's love life," Sean argued.
"That's exactly the point. Jubilee has already shown examples of poor judgement. This is just the latest… we have to stop this."
"She showed better judgement by coming clean and admitting her mistakes. If anything Logan was responsible for that. And if that sort of fraternization is harmful… then all reason has flown out the window," Sean sighed, rising from his chair.
"So, are you just going to sit there and let them continue to sneak around, or are we going to…"
"I say we talk to the both of them, an' get the story straight. Jubilee will then prove if she's learned anything by comin' clean. An' Wolverine will stand behind her if this is the case or not. Either way, it's far better than presumin' what may not be there," Sean said.
"Very well, but I expect you to be present," Emma said. "And I will ask Mr. Logan first."
"Now, who's going t' summon them, you or me?"
"You would be the logical choice since it was YOUR suggestion, Mr. Cassidy. So if you would be so kind…" Emma said in a mock saccharine tone.
"My pleasure, lass," said Sean, mock saluting her as he strode out of her office. He knew he could get away with such defiance mainly because it was part of their chemistry that kept Generation X running. She secretly enjoyed their daily banter, for it provided the perfect environment for her to work best. With a constant challenge.
After Wolverine had finished his cigar, he turned to see Jubilee standing there with her arms folded across her chest. "Whatcha broodin' about, darlin?" he wondered. "Been awful quiet…"
"Just wondering if you're thinkin' what I think you are…"
"Depends on if I'm thinking what you think I'm thinking…"
"Oh, I know you're thinking what I think you think I'm thinking… so there," she snorted.
"Riled up, aren't ya, Jujube?"
"You stink! Don't call me that!" she made a face.
"Don't call me dude an' I'll think about it," he grinned.
"Jerk," she stuck her tongue out.
"Know ya are, but what am I?"
"You're so gonna get it!" she snorted, rushing over towards him.
"Awfully talkative all of a sudden, aren't ya?" he smirked.
"You are something else," she shook her head, then sighed. "But you're trying to avoid the question…"
"Which would be?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Some macho poophead plan to make my friends pay for letting me down. Admit it…"
"Would be lyin' if I said I wasn't," he said thoughtfully.
"Get over it, Wolvie. They messed up. It isn't your place to punish them… so just don't…"
"Not yer say so either, darlin'. Can't change the habits of a lifetime. They've gotta be taught a lesson, an' I aim t' talk to Irish an' Frosty about cracking the whip."
"Oh just STOP it already!" Jubilee snorted, stomping over and leaning her face right into his, while her hands rested on his bent knees.
"You honestly think I'm gonna let 'em get away with…"
"Yeah, because you're better than that," Jubilee huffed.
"Ya don't get it," he mumbled.
"What don't I get, Wolvie? Explain it to me!"
"Gotta nip that bullcrap in the bud. Fake ids; drug using, underage drinking! They gotta be taught a lesson. Consequences…"
"I'm NOT gonna let you lynch 'em…"
"Darlin' that's NOT what I had in mind. I was thinkin' more along the lines a boot camp or something," he said, looking hurt.
"Sorry," Jubilee mumbled, releasing his knees and backing away.
"Do me a favor an' knock that off, will ya?" he grunted, standing up.
"Stop what?"
"Stuffin' yer feelin's down. Ya learned the wrong way t' handle yer emotions from the ol' canucklehead. Ain't healthy, and got us inta this mess to begin with…"
"Our… thing… that we have isn't a mess…"
"You said that, I didn't," he interrupted. "The mess I was talkin' about was all the hurt we've been causin' one another that coulda been avoided if we weren't so damn stubborn."
"How do I know that this time you won't just up and vanish when things get tough… like you almost did last night? What kind of guarantee do I have?" she asked, sniffling as she sat with her back to him.
"I don't have a good track record," he exhaled. "But seein' ya hurting so badly is one incentive t' knock some sense inta me. Ya mean a lot t' me, Jubilee… an' that's no lie… an' thinkin' that those clowns almost… it makes me ticked…"
"That's the sweetest thing you've said yet, even if it IS more of that macho craphead…" she trailed off. "But it's not just cause you're protecting your little 'firecracker' is it?"
"More than that. They're messin' with my girl, an' I don't like it. An' just thinkin' of them getting' off with a 5 mile hike an' a juvenile hearing isn't enough in my book," Wolverine growled.
"Aww shut up," she sniffled. "Please tell me you aren't gonna up and run away to the great white north or something… if things get too deep…"
"Next time I do run away, yer not gonna be left behind," he mumbled. "Seen what happens when I ain't there."
He shivered, and turned to the window again. Jubilee swallowed hard, then slowly walked over and coughed to alert him she was standing behind him. "Isn't there anything I can do… to um… talk you out of this?"
"Nope, mind's made up. Just gotta talk to Sean an' Emma about it first…" he grunted.
"Please, Wolvie, for me?" she said as she moved over and hugged him from behind. "Just let it go…"
"Nice try, sweetie, but this matter's a done deal," he grumbled back.
"Can't blame me for trying, can you?" she asked, as he turned around in her arms. Exactly the same height they locked gazes, and she felt his hands squeezing her waist firmly, but not with enough force to bruise.
"You're awful," he muttered.
"But ya love me anyway, huh?" she said teasingly, giving him halfway between a platonic hug and a desire filled one. "C'mon… pretty please… just short sheet their beds an' call it even…"
"Ya drive a hard bargain, babe," he grumbled, standing with his arms at his side, so she leaned up to kiss his cheeks, and then his lips. Teasingly or not he stubbornly did not respond, so she increased her persuasion with a neckrub.
"C'mon, you horrible ol' man, can't you just go a BIT easy on them… I mean you can put 'em through an obstacle course or throw rotten eggs at 'em... or use 'em for dodgeball... but don't do anything… that's gonna give 'em nightmares…"
"Hadn't thought of dodgeball, darlin'," he snickered, trying to keep a straight face. He trapped her in his arms, so hers were locked against his chest, which heaved up and down with labored breaths next to hers. Pupils dilated, glazing his eyes with that predatory stare. She forced her momentary nervousness down, realizing it was desire instead, and lay a series of quick butterfly kisses anywhere but on his lips.
Wolverine snorted in frustration, releasing her. Immediately Jubilee demanded, "What… did I… is this more of that stuff about keeping my distance…"
"Nah, somebody's not mindin' their own flamin' business…" he grumbled. "One of yer girlie friends…"
"Oh crap," Jubilee groaned. "Here, I'll handle it… why don't you hide in the bathroom… um… uh… like get dressed or something…"
"Right," he grunted, moving noiselessly to grab his duffel bag and disappear into her powder room. Jubilee stopped before the door, hearing the knock a minute later.
"Jubilee! Are you in there?" Paige asked. "I need to talk to you… we didn't realize you were back so soon!"
"I'm busy," Jubilee said. "Couldn't it wait?"
"Jubilee… c'mon… we need to talk…" she urged. "I know you're angry at us… but…"
"You're right I'm angry at you guys. After what you pulled, you're lucky I'm even listening to you now."
"What the f…" Paige demanded. "What's your problem?"
"Duh, what do you think? Thanks to you guys I almost got raped!"
"That's so not fair, Jubilee! You…"
"Don't even start with me, Paige. You weren't there when he slipped me E, and put the date rape drug in my soda! You were too busy sucking face with Jono… to even CARE!"
"Excuse the hell me! I wasn't the one who ran off without…"
"Shut up Paige… don't make me say any more. You guys really let me down! And I'm not gonna forget it!"
"You came along with us, remember?" came Monet's voice. "Jubilee, you're being unfair…"
"If that's who I think it is, get her the hell away before I paff her into next WEEK!" Jubilee yelled. "Don't EVEN think of talking to me after the stuff you pulled, M."
"Monet, you're not helping!" Paige hissed.
"You think you're the only one who got into trouble?" Monet demanded. "What about hanging with your friends? We put ourselves out for you to have a good time, and you go and squeal and run off when we were looking for you! We're teammates…"
Wolverine stormed out of the bathroom, but Jubilee stopped him with the flat of her hand on his chest, shaking her head violently. His breath surged in hot angry pants, while his hands formed fists at his sides. For her sake he kept a lid on his temper which was escalating to the boiling point.
"Teammates don't put each other in trouble like that!" Jubilee yelled. "Just go away!"
"Jubes, please… look, we're sorry… we were wrong… but you can't just shut us out!" Paige pleaded. "You've got every right to be ticked…"
"Paige, I don't know why you bother with her…" mumbled Monet under her breath.
"Get out of here…" Paige hissed. An annoyed grunt was followed by the swoosh of air as Monet flew off down the stairwell.
"Go away Paige. Leave me alone, will you?" Jubilee snapped.
"Can't I at least come in and see you face to face… this is stupid!"
"I agree, Paige. Just… leave me alone. I don't wanna say anything else that I can't take back…"
"Jubilee… please… just… crap…"
"Paige, I mean it. Go away before I…" Jubilee panted, tears forming in her eyes. "Leave me alone. You've done ENOUGH for the next five years… just leave me alone before you make it worse…"
"That's… what can I say to make it up…"
"You can't. It's not that easy," Jubilee sniffed. "Not this time. I gotta stop it now. For your own good. You screwed up badly. I'm paying for it already… and you haveto also…"
"Don't… look…" Paige pleaded. "Jubilee… you can't just… not after all we've done for…"
"Don't say it. Just don't go there," Jubilee yelled. "Just LEAVE!"
"If that's the way you want it, fine," Paige snorted.
"Fine…" Jubilee mumbled, sinking to the floor before Wolverine's hands caught her and steadied her. He smelled the start of anger and frustration leaking through her tears, and squeezed her from behind. Paige's steps vibrated the floor with unnecessary violence as she stormed off.
"Now ya see why I can't let it go, Jubilee?" he whispered.
"Just… don't…"
"Hey… shh… c'mere…" he urged, turning her around to hug him tightly. "I can't just let them get away with not realizin' how they're hurtin' you… an' themselves… can't ya see?"
"I know… but it hurts so bad, Wolvie… they're supposed to be my friends…"
"Hey… I know, sweetheart," he whispered, urging her towards the sofa. She felt denim under her fingers, smelling fabric softener from the white T shirt he'd put on, and let him lead her to sit down. Eyes squeezed tightly shut she let his hands guide her onto something firm that was suspiciously not the sofa cushion.
"I hate it when you're right," she mumbled.
"Take no pleasure in it this time, darlin'," he mumbled, kissing her temple as his arms held her to his muscular chest. "I'm sorry…"
"So am I," she sniffled. "Here I go again… Niagara Falls…"
"That's why I gotta stay, sweetheart," Wolverine whispered. "Ya don't need this grief. It's a whole lot worse than I ever thought it would be… I never wanted you t' haveta put up with this crap… I needed t' see what you were facin'…"
"I can't just run away from it…" Jubilee sobbed against his chest.
"Maybe you'd be safer with the X men again, darlin'," he mumbled. "I don't like this at all."
"Well at least if you run off again and leave me at Xavier's you know who's around," she teased. "Sorry…"
"I guess I deserved that," said Wolverine sadly. "Don't have a great track record do I? But this is why I gotta do something so they'll stop screwin' themselves up. That's what Chuck would do. Which makes me wonder why Frosty's got her head up where the sun doesn't shine about all this…"
"She isn't stupid, Wolvie…"
"Well, she isn't doin' her job if…" Wolverine mumbled. "Damn."
"What's gonna happen? Are you gonna stay, or go?" she asked.
"Well, ya got a few choices I figure. You're old enough t' transfer to a real college away from here…" he said.
"Will you stay or not?"
"That's what I'm tryin' to work out, Jubes," he said. "If ya enroll in a college in West Chester, you can live at the Mansion, where we can keep an eye on ya… and chuck an' Jean can work with ya on whatever's goin'… an we can be together…"
"You mean that?" she asked. "But what about… Frosty's not just gonna let me go. Without a good reason."
"If Chuck wants ya on the team, she will," Wolverine said. "An' I want ya on the team. I know Rogue an' Gambit do. An I'm sure Jeannie can convince Scooter it's a good thing."
"But you an' Jean in the same house… not to be rude… but um…"
"Yeah, I knew you'd ask that," he chuckled nervously. "But if yer there, I don't have a reason t' chase a stupid crush…"
"OH that's convenient…"
"Didn't mean it like that. Stop jumpin' ahead, will ya?" he snorted. "Or I'm gonna haveta take some drastic action…"
"Like I'm SOO scared," she snorted.
"Well, we gotta do somethin' or these clowns are gonna force me t' do something stupid. Or you. Someone's gonna seriously tick me off, an' it won't be pretty. That's one reason I thought I'd haveta get away… but damn…"
"You could always teach here or something," she said. "But wait, I don't' think you're gonna leave the X men anytime soon."
"Scott's already bitching that I'm gone. So I'll just havta take ya back with me," he mumbled. "An' sort out the rest later…"
"Frosty's gonna LOVE that."
"Well, maybe if they see that this ain't a good place for ya to be, they'll let ya go. Besides you ARE an adult… an' Professor X can work with ya better… I know Frosty taught ya all sorts a neat tricks, but… well…"
"Do they want me there?"
"I do," he mumbled. "What kinda question is that?"
"Never felt like I was a real member of the team. Like I counted."
"Kitty felt the same way, remember…" he said. "But she was every bit as much an X man as you'll be. She felt the exact same way you did when you went here…"
"Figures," she mumbled. "Makes me wonder why you and she…"
"Kurt would kill me," he joked. "Besides, she's with Wisdom. An' well… she ain't you."
"Kurt?" she blinked.
"He likes her," Wolverine chuckled. "But don't tell anyone or he'd bamf me inta a wall."
"Why doesn't' he say anything then?" Jubilee wondered. "Oh right, he's going to the priesthood… duh…"
"Yep…" Wolverine mumbled. "Go figure."
