(Five)

The next morning's light brought no good news. Overnight and one by one other infected X-men had fallen into Gambit's limbo and the Med Bay fell gradually silent. The only exception was the Professor who was hanging on by sheer will. He was too weak to speak, but sent out gentle messages of comfort telepathically to the ones left behind to work in the lab.

The only sound now came from a television set up in Henry's office. Wolverine was eating a light breakfast of scrambled eggs and coffee while watching the news. He said nothing to Henry, but was feeling a little queasy himself. It was a sure sign his healing factor was in hyperdrive, fighting this thing off. He was hoping a little protein would settle his belly and he would escape this bug. Watching the others suffering had done little for his spirits.

The news from New York City was not good. It seems the X-men were not the only ones affected by this mysterious outbreak. A large number of people in Manhattan had also become sick and died. Raul and Vanessa were mentioned in a list of fatalities. Logan remembered Vanessa well. He had been with her only once, but she was a trip and a half, full of fun and life, something he had always found attractive in people. Now she was gone. What a fucking waste.

The CDC was aware that this was a manufactured virus, but no one had yet claimed responsibility. They were floundering, unsure of what to do. They were trying to be hush hush about the fact this virus had been manufactured, but the rumors were already starting to spread. The CDC had more holes in it than a sieve.

Logan put his head down and cursed. Remy had unwittingly spread this sickness over a wide area. Damn Kimble and his stupid lack of control! If he hadn't been such a baby about not getting laid, Remy wouldn't have taken him out against orders. Who knew how far this thing would spread?

Henry came to his office door and leaned on the door frame. He was tired and weak, still on his feet even though he had started with the vomiting just an hour or so ago. He hadn't eaten much and so had very little to offer the porcelain. He rubbed his aching belly and asked, "Not good, is it? The news, I mean."

"Not really. What are we gonna do, Blue? I know we had an agreement with the folks workin' in this house that if needs be, they get buried out in the field. But this...we hafta tell someone."

"The CDC is already working on it as fast as we are. Truthfully, I'm not sure I could have anything to offer them. Just do me a favor, Logan. I don't want to Kimble to know about this. About just how bad it is. He'll blame himself."

"What does Kimble have ta do with this?"

"Jael made Gambit sick. Gambit took Kimble out. Kimble will believe it's his fault the people at the Club are dead. Kimble had has enough trouble trying to find his feet around here, he doesn't need this. Not now."

Logan sighed, remembering the look of contentment on Kimble's face when he and Remy had returned from their little adventure. Kimble had really needed the trip out, Remy had as well. "And Gambit?"

Henry sighed. "Hopefully, he'll be strong enough to know where the blame should be placed."

"If he survives," Logan said, soft and low.

"Well, thanks for that show of faith," Beast complained good naturedly, rubbing his aching belly.

They both startled when the buzzer for the upstairs door was rung. Henry had reactivated it, knowing there was no one left upstairs to answer the door. He looked at Logan suspiciously. Even though Henry had reset the downstairs buzzer, the front gates of the Mansion had been locked. No one should have been able to come up to the house.

Henry clicked the intercom. "Yes?"

"Special delivery for a Mr. LeBeau."

"He's indisposed."

"Sick, is he?"

Logan jumped to his feet and went off, running.

"Someone's on the way up."

The voice on the other end just laughed and clicked off.

Logan flew up through the house at top speed, cursing the slowness of the elevator and his inability to phase or fly. By the time he got to the front door, their anonymous visitor was gone. A quick scan of the area showed whoever had been there did not come in by car or truck. They must have flown in telekinetically or teleported. Teleportation was more likely since the house security alarms hadn't gone off right away.

A large package labeled "Medical Supplies" lay waiting on the welcome mat. Logan crouched down and sniffed at it. There were the smells of many people, but no explosives, it wasn't ticking. He popped a claw and carefully opened up the box, sometimes having built in package openers was a plus. It contained carefully packaged vials of medicine and a note from Jael.

Hey, my precious little Morlock tunnel rat, did you enjoy my little surprise? I know I did. Perhaps now you'll learn not to go looking for that which doesn't want to be found. I've taken pity on you and decided to send you this little care package. You'll find here the cure for whatever might be ailing you and your friends. A pity about the norms, though. They won't make it. I never could abide by them and I won't start now. Oh, by the way. The bug I gave you was only infectious for the first three days you were walking around, no more people will die. That can easily be changed. Don't fuck with me again. Jael

"You sick mutherfucker!" Logan snapped and grabbed the box. He brought it down to Henry and the big blue doctor disappeared into the lab with it.

Henry pawed through the box, uncertain. He should probably check this, but he was concerned about time. Gambit's condition was critical. Henry didn't know how much longer he would last. Professor, what should I do? he sent out as a silent message to his mentor. They had a psychic bond forged long ago. Henry was one of his first students.

You are a good doctor, Henry. We all have faith in your good judgement.

I should check this.

Then check it my friend. I know you'll do us proud.

Thanks for the ego boost, Charles. I really needed that right now.

Yes, I know, Charles replied with a laugh. Now do what you do best. Heal us.

"Whatcha gonna do, Blue?" Logan asked. Henry had been staring off into space.

"I'm going to look this over. Jael infected us, it seems too good to be true that he would cure us as well, not for free."

Logan nodded. "Then I'll leave you to it."

Beast took the box filled with vials and headed off to the Lab. He was exhausted and worried about time, he just hoped he would have the ability to look this over thoroughly before he dropped.

Henry dumped himself into a chair and prepared one of Jael's vials for spectral analysis to determine its contents. His hands were shaking badly now and his head fuzzy with fever. Unwilling to quit but needing assistance, he used the intercom to ask Kimble to come and help him. The Siskan responded immediately and Henry was soon grateful that Kimble learned his way around a Lab as fast as he could learn to drive a standard shift. As quickly as he had scanned Henry's medical files, so now he was excelling at his crash course on lab equipment. He would never be as proficient as Henry in so short a time, but he was good enough to assist. Kimble was swift and sure as he carried out Beast's every order.

Henry's caution paid off. It didn't take him long to discover that what Jael had sent them was just another trap. The serum, while indeed based on the actual virus, was itself tainted and a certain killer. Henry couldn't help but have the last laugh though, his brilliant mind quickly saw that what Jael had unwittingly provided was actually the missing link in his own recent research. Both of their work combined yielded the actual cure. If Henry ever believed in miracles or gifts from above, that coincidence surely qualified. He set Kimble to the task of using the machines in the Lab to replicate as much of the revised serum as he could and went to tell the others the good news.

Henry emerged from his Lab, barely having the strength to move his feet. Logan saw him and immediately rushed over, an arm out to steady the larger man. "You okay, Blue?"

"Yes, yes. Just tired. I think I might have the cure we're looking for. Not the one Jael provided for us, but one that will hopefully work."

"What?" Logan asked in confusion. He had no idea what Beast was mumbling about.

Henry smiled, knowing this. He explained what he had discovered and that Kimble was busy helping him produce the serum they needed. In his hand, Henry held the first vial for use.

Wolverine was happy to see it. "Whatever ya say, Henry. Just tell me whatcha want me to do."

"Break out the syringes, my friend."