disclaimer: All recognizable characters are owned by Marvel, except Jenny who is MINE! (though I have been known to share if you ask nicely.) I expect to make no money off this fic. Dammit.
Human and the Demon
by Dizi
Chapter 18
"Ah don't think Ah should." Rogue protested, taking a step back.
"Why not? You're covered from head to toe. Just keep your face out of his reach if he wakes up." Jenny advised, holding out the sleeping Zelig.
Rogue looked somewhat panicked. "What do yah mean 'if he wakes up'?"
"He doesn't sleep all the time and he gets curious. He usually grabs Kurt's nose and goes for Scott and Hank's glasses."
"Maybe someone else can do it. Where's Lacy?"
"She's taking a nap, I think. C'mon, hold him while I get his bottle ready. The more you wait the bigger the chance he'll wake up. We don't want him to wake up and not have a bottle ready. Believe you me, we really don't want that." Jenny warned and gently pushed Zelig against Rogue's chest.
Her arms came up instinctively and Rogue gave her a helpless look. "But-but..."
"I'll be back in a little while." Jenny promised.
In the kitchen where he'd been listening in, Remy twirled Jenny in a circle and kissed her forehead. "You good, chere. Didn't t'ink Roguey ever hold dat bebe."
Jenny smirked. "Just the way I am."
Coming in the backdoor, Kurt threw away a wad of cardboard. "Ze light is vorking. It needed a new bulb."
"I just put a new bulb in," Jenny protested. "That's why I thought it was broken."
He shrugged. "I do not know. It is vorking."
"How long you gon leave her wit' de bebe?" Remy interrupted worriedly.
"Oh, 'til he wakes up." she said off-handedly.
His eyes went wide. "How long dat be?"
She lifted Kurt's wrist, making a show of peering at his watch. "Thirty minutes, maybe?" she consulted Kurt.
He also exaggerated checking the time. "Perhaps more." They both gave Remy very innocent expressions.
"Dat not nice. Roguey, she scared." He chided them.
"He's a month old and this is the first time she's held him. She probably doesn't want to give him up." Jenny defended herself. "She didn't even ask why I didn't put him to bed in the nursery just down the hall. She wanted to hold him and now she has to. Besides, it was his idea," she added indicating Kurt.
"Do not vorry, mein freund. Rogue vill call for help if she becomes overvhelmed." Kurt reached into the pantry, pulled out a box of Moonpies, and handed a couple to Jenny. "But now it is snack time."
"T'ought dat you had to fix a bottle?" Remy enquired distractedly as he accepted an offering.
Her face was smug as she pulled the wrapper off. "Already done. We always keep a couple ready. Hopefully Lacy will wake up by the time Zelig does. She's still sleeping a lot."
The three of them finished their Moonpies and drained the glasses of milk. They talked and joked. Remy checked his watch often.
And then it happened.
"Jenny! Help! He won't let go!" They all jumped as Rogue called out.
"Oh no!" Jenny exclaimed, though she looked amused. "I told her to keep him away from her face but I don't think I said anything about her hair!"
"You rescue Rogue, and I vill check on Lacy." Kurt offered with a laugh.
"If you see Hank tell him there's some Twinkies in the pantry for him." Jenny called back already on her way out the door just as Rogue called out again.
"... to increase the dosage further would be more detrimental than of benefit. It will continue to alleviate the severe pain, however."
"I barely see Zelig anymore, I sleep so much, and he's growing so fast I feel like I'm missing it." Lacy said miserably.
Hank sympathized, but had no answer for her. "All is prepared exactly as requested. Jenny will have no difficulties as your wishes are quite clearly spelled out legally." He took a deep breath and brought up the subject he hadn't for a long time but felt he no longer had a choice. "I truly believe it is time to tell Jenny. It could be anytime now, and would be cruel for her to be surprised by your demise. She needs to be told."
"I- I know you're right." Lacy's fingers plucked at the blanket. She was ashamed she had waited so long, but it was so hard to find the right words. "I keep hoping she and Kurt will work things out."
"We are all flabbergasted by Jenny's continued resistance to marriage, but we must give them time to work it out for themselves. No matter how much we want to march her to a Justice of the Peace." She smiled slightly remembering Bobby jokingly suggesting Bishop force Jenny at the end of his gun. "But you, not to be indelicate, no longer have the luxury of waiting." he finished gently in a hushed tone.
His blue eyes held her gaze steadily and Lacy was again filled with shame. He had been very supportive of all she'd asked and he was right. It was time to tell Jenny. She opened her mouth to speak but shut it at the soft knock on the door.
Hank's shoulders slumped slightly. He went to open the door and as just as he touched the knob Lacy said in an undertone, "I'll tell her. I promise."
He nodded, and continued to open the door to Kurt who peered in cautiously then smiled at Lacy. "Gut, you are avake. It is feeding time for ze hungry baby."
Her return smile was genuine, if tinged with sadness. "I wouldn't want to miss that."
Though as usual Lacy slept a great deal, while awake all that evening and the next morning she tried and tried to figure out how to tell Jenny. She kept thinking of scenarios but none seemed to work out in her head. There was no easy way to do it, no way that wouldn't tear out Jenny's heart - one of the reasons she'd avoided telling her sooner. Knowing it was inevitable, she wanted it to be as painless as possible, but she just couldn't think of how.
By afternoon, she was ready to just say it. The suspense was horrible and she couldn't take it anymore. As Hank had said, it was time, and it was one of the rare occasions when no one was visiting. Kurt being there would be a help for Jenny but his presence would make it harder to get it out. Telling Jenny was hard enough without telling him too.
"I still can't believe Hank gave a month old baby creme-filling," Jenny grumbled.
"You'd probably prefer he like Moonpies," Lacy responded distractedly, hoping for an opening.
"It's not what he was given but that he was given anything at all. Zelig isn't even on babyfood yet. The website Hank himself recommended said he's too young for stuff like that."
"Well, like Kurt said yesterday, there's no harm done." Lacy took a deep breath and folded her hands together under the table. "I really need to talk to you, Jenny."
"We are talking." Jenny went on excitedly. "Oh, and I was checking out the park and there's some swings that look like they're made for babies. I can't wait 'til you're well enough for us to go. I bet Zelig'll love it. He's growing so fast."
"Yes, really fast." Lacy agreed sadly. "Jenny, I... I'm not going to be able to go to the park."
"Of course you are." Jenny studied her face. "You need more rest though, you've got shadows under your eyes."
"I'll go to bed in a little while after I take my pills." She closed her eyes and again took a deep breath, and said trying to be subtle, "Jenny, the shadows aren't going to go away. A nap isn't going to make it better."
"Well, not while you're on that medicine." Jenny responded reasonably. "When is Hank taking you off it, anyway?"
"He's..." Lacy hesitated, then sighed. "He's not."
Jenny turned around slowly to face her, finally understanding something wasn't quite right. "He's not?"
"I... he's increased it as much as he can." She watched Jenny sit down beside her, moving very slowly.
"Increased it?" she whispered. "But..."
"I'm not going to the park. I'm not going anywhere." Lacy met her eyes intently, hoping she would understand.
"Not going anywhere?" Jenny repeated, staring at her.
Lacey didn't know if she was deliberately not understanding or couldn't, but realized the actual words would have to be said. "I'm going to die."
"No... Hank..." Jenny denied her words unable to take them in. Hank was taking care of her so Lacey couldn't die. He had fixed her twice, he should be able to fix anything wrong with Lacey.
"I'm sorry. I-I just didn't know how to tell you. I guess I didn't want to ruin what time I had. I'm so sorry." Tears running down her face, Lacy went on to explain she'd been sick for a long time, before Danny had died. She was scheduled for treatment and he'd been on the way home to take her when he'd had the fatal car accident, another reason for his family to hate her. His family threw her out and took possession of their home, but she hadn't cared at that point since he was gone. She was again scheduled for treatment a couple weeks after his death when she found out she was pregnant. The treatments would have killed the baby and she hadn't been able to bring herself to do it, she explained, she'd wanted Danny to live on through his child.
Not fully comprehending Lacy's words, Jenny continued staring at her, her eyes filling with tears. She couldn't take it in. Lacy had been dying the whole time she'd known her? Dying...
It echoed through her soul. She had no clear thoughts. She couldn't think at all, and she had to, needed to. There had to be something she could do. All this time...
She just sat there, seeing nothing through her tears of grief, her mind numb.
Zelig started crying and for the first time since his birth Jenny didn't hear him, didn't run to his side.
Getting more tired by the minute, Lacy got him up herself. She changed his diaper, fed him, cuddled him. Skipped her medicine so she wouldn't get groggier.
Lacy didn't know what to do for Jenny. She had tried to talk to her, to explain further, but she didn't seem to hear her. She hadn't taken her pills and she was hurting and sleepy. She didn't think she could take care of Zelig on her own like this, much less Jenny.
Finally, in desperation, she called for backup.
"Yeah, whadda ya want?" Logan said grumpily, irritated no one else was close enough to answer the phone.
"I-I-I..." Lacy stuttered, as she always seemed to do around him. For some reason he just scared her, she couldn't help it.
Logan bit back a frustrated sigh. He had tried to be nice to Lacy, but he just affected some people that way. Knowing she was sick, he deliberately softened his tone. "Is there somethin' I can do fer ya?"
"I-is Kurt there?" she asked sounding a little calmer.
"He went fer a walk. Said somethin' 'bout clearin' his head. Somethin' I can do?" he repeated.
"Jenny... she got some bad news and... she isn't taking it well." She explained hesitantly. Jenny had always told her Logan would help if there was a problem, but... "Maybe Hank...?"
"He's out, don't know where." Having a good idea what the 'news' was, he promised, "I'll be there in a bit ta bring her here fer when Kurt comes in. Do ya wanna come too?"
"I... it would probably be best if I didn't." she answered quietly.
"Then I'll find someone ta stay with ya." he said before hanging up.
When asked, Ororo readily agreed to stay with Lacy and spend time with the baby. She still thought Jenny was being stubborn in not agreeing to marry Kurt. Logan only told her Jenny needed to see Kurt, and she didn't really hold any hope it was because she had changed her mind. But they were both her friends and if such a small thing would help either of them, she was willing.
For his part, Logan sincerely hoped Kurt would be back by the time he got Jenny to the mansion. He couldn't stand to see her cry and didn't want to be the one to have to hold her hand. He wasn't any good at it and wanted to pass her off as quickly as possible.
They arrived to find Zelig crying and Lacy exhausted, almost in tears herself. Ororo immediately took the baby, crooning to him, and sent Lacy to bed. Then she watched wide-eyed while Logan lead a dazed Jenny to his jeep, murmuring reassurances to her when she asked in a small voice, "Logan? Where's Kurt? I need him, where is he?"
He kept a close eye on Jenny the whole way to the mansion. She was pale and not responding properly, probably in shock. She sat quietly with her hands folded in her lap, which he was grateful for but it was unlike her. Every once in a while, she asked again in a lost voice, "Where's Kurt?"
After pulling up in the drive, he ran around the hood to open the door for her. He had to take her by the hand and lead her inside. He released a relieved breath when he heard from the stairs, "Liebchen? I zought zat you vere spending ze day vith Lacy?"
With a strangled cry, she ran to him, throwing herself in his arms. She buried her face in the crook of his neck, sobbing and speaking incoherently.
"Ssshhhh, liebling, I cannot understand you." Kurt held her tightly and looked to Logan but he wouldn't meet his eyes.
Walking past the couple, he muttered, "I need a drink."
Rummaging through the fridge for his beer, he could still hear them because the place was unusually quiet for this time of day. Everyone was out but would trickle in as evening came. Soon they would all know and he wasn't looking forward to it.
"Vhat about Lacy?" he heard Kurt ask. Logan couldn't make out Jenny's response but Kurt must have because he said in a thick accent, "Nein, zat cannot be. She ist taking medicine."
Straddling a chair, he took a long pull on his beer. He hadn't gotten as close to Lacy as everyone else because she was afraid of him, but in his own way he would mourn her. She'd been brave and hadn't taken the easy way out. She loved her husband and child enough to die for them. When she had finally listened to Hank, deciding to tell Jenny, she had done it herself instead of leaving it to someone else. She didn't shirk her responsibilities like some would, letting someone else be the bearer of bad news.
Thinking about it, he realized he knew her better than he'd thought. The mansion wasn't going to be a happy place tonight. He seriously wanted to leave but he might be one of the few able to think clearly. Lacy had touched many lives while she'd been here. He shook his head and told himself not to think that way, she wasn't dead yet.
He hung his head when he heard footsteps in the hall.
"Kurt?" Rogue asked. "What's wrong with Jenny? What's going on?"
It had started.
to be continued.
note:
Elizabeth Robbins- Actually I see him as keeping lots of stuff to himself. Many things basically wouldn't be everyone's business and others he would understand is private. But sometimes the question is when its best to tell and when to respect other peoples choices. I feel he respects other people's choices a lot.
Jinxeh- Sorry, I had forgotten my threat there, but take heart. I didn't do it to get back at you. I had decided Lacy's fate before I started writing the story. I didn't think you'd get so attached.
S- Maybe not so sneaky, but sometimes the obvious thing is obvious for a reason. If things like this didn't happen in other stories or even in real life everyone would be totally shocked. But it does happen and people do die. Mutants don't die just in fights and by man-made super viruses. They get neumonia, have car crashes and yes get cancer or other diseases. The normal things happening in the X-Men world, I try so hard to have normal stuff happen, especially when I kill someone off.
Captain Tish- STOP LOOKING AT MY COMPUTER! Man, that's so rude! Just kidding, you seems to have a gift for guessing exactly how my characters are going to react or where I'm going next.
B Oots- I'm getting there, honest! It's coming. We'll just all assume it's cancer. Because Lacy just didn't give me all the exact details like what kind, but some obscure cancer.
GothikStrawberry- LOL, yes he is, and all ten fingers and toes. Thank you very much, and she's cute too. Looks at you (or me that is) very seriously, but I got a smile!
Afrieal- Oh, no. I would never do that. Lacy was already sick and shouldn't be exposed to that sort of stress and pain. 12 hours? My sister beat that, she was in labor for 5days before her c-section. It wasn't hard labor but it was still labor and should not have been allowed to go that long.
I had a great time everyone and am putting my nose to the grindstone to finish the story and a couple more shorts now that I'm home. I brought everything I would have needed to write while I was there and for some reason I didn't think to write a single word. Go figure. But I'm home and now suffering withdrawal and simply feel the need to write and get it done. Hopefully I'll post the next chapter either Sunday or Monday.
Thanks for reading and the support,
Dizi