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 19

There was a movie playing they all liked. They had chosen it because it was one of Kurt and Jenny's favorites, but nobody seemed to be getting their usual enjoyment from 'Pirates of the Carribbean' and neither Kurt nor Jenny had had the heart to tell them the last time they had watched it was with Lacy. Few were really watching it anyway.

Sprawled against Kurt, half on top of him in a recliner, Jenny squirmed, unable to get comfortable. Her eyes were red-rimmed and shiny from tears. She didn't seem able to cry anymore, but the urge was still there. Finally, she sat up completely. "It's no good. You have to take off the shirt."

From the couch beside Rogue, Remy teased without his usual degree of amusement, "Gon' put on a show, chere? Remy watch."

"This is the rec-room, remember? No hanky-panky allowed." Bobby added, his head lifting from its propped position on his elbow where he lay on the floor.

"Shut up." came from several directions, and neither man took the teasing further.

Knowing what she wanted, Kurt silently removed the offending clothing. Jenny immediately snuggled against him, rubbing her cheek against the downy softness of his velvety skin, one hand resting over his heart. Kurt allowed his tail to wrap around her leg and they settled back to ignore the movie. It was an excuse to take comfort in each other while still having their friends around them. Both felt the need to have their friends close.

When the credits rolled around, he kissed her forehead before whispering in her ear, "Are you ready to call her?"

Jenny hesitated and shook her head slightly in the negative.

"Vould you like for me to call again? Check on Zelig perhaps?" he asked further, knowing she was worried about them both.

Hesitating again, she nodded assent, slowly disentangling herself from him. Looking around, she wiped her eyes, then asked the room in general, "Is Hank still hiding in the lab?"

"Where else?" Bobby shrugged, sitting up.

Across the room by Scott, in a position similar to Jenny's, Jean spoke up, "He's dealing with it in his own way, Jenny. Sometimes he needs to be alone."

Shifting so Kurt could get up, she disagreed, "And sometimes he just avoids what he thinks will be a difficult situation. I'll get him."

"Meet me in ze kitchen after." Kurt ordered gently. When she started to protest, he put a finger to her lips. "Nein, you must eat. Not much but somezhing."

"Hanging around Logan too much," she grumbled as she stood.

Placing his hands on her shoulders, Kurt said firmly, "I vill not have you become ill. If zat is like Logan, it is gut."

Tears threatened to fall. She hated being so emotional, but he was so good to her, good for her. "Okay, I'll see what I can do. After I flush out Hank."

Staring at his computer screen, Hank was ostensibly doing research, but that was just a cover. In actuality, he was thinking. Contemplating his failures.

This seemed to be the day for it because he was sure others were thinking the same. He knew there had been nothing he could have done differently. Lacy had known that as well. She had made her choice long before they had rescued her from the FOH. The only choice she felt she could. She had told him everything early on. As her doctor, he would have quickly found out, so she had made him her confidant.

Under those circumstances, he hadn't been able to help getting to know her. Unlike Jenny, he had known all along about her impending demise. In the beginning he had begged her to tell Jenny. She just explained each time that she wanted to spare her grief for as long as she could, wanted their time to be happy instead of clouded, didn't want it to affect Zelig any more than it had to. He hadn't liked it but had understood.

He didn't think Jenny would understand though. Other than Bobby, she was his best friend and--

"You're not really working, are you?"

He jumped at Jenny's voice coming so close beside him. With a bit of panic, he wondered how long she had been there. "Of course, I am. I am currently researching a new project based on a molecular theory proposed by a physicist from Ohio State University. It is quite fascinating. Allow me to elaborate-"

"Uh-huh." Jenny crossed her arms, looking pointedly at the screen. "I've been standing here a good three minutes, Henry McCoy. You haven't scrolled once, I know you read faster than that. You also don't have a notepad. When you're researching you always have a notepad."

Surreptitiously, he looked at the desk with his peripheral vision. Sure enough, no pad. How could he have forgotten such an important prop? "It's only preliminary," he muttered.

"Hank," she said softly. "Did you do all you could?"

Swallowing tightly, he adjusted his glasses. "Upon my initial examination of the patient, I found-"

"No, Hank," Jenny interrupted. "It doesn't matter right now, I don't want to know. Did you do all you could?"

"Yes, but..." His voice trailed off, not really wanting to explain.

"Then come be with us," she said simply, holding out a hand. "Please? I-I really need my friend right now, not Lacy's doctor."

"Miss Green," Hank took her hand and pulled her over for a quick hug, "you are a special woman, and a good friend."

"Friends have to be together at times like this, Hank. You taught me that when you became my first friend in a long time. Not counting Jubilee, it wasn't her fault she wasn't here then." She shook her head. "Did you think I'd forget about you just because I love Kurt?"

He noticed how red her eyes were for the first time when he met them. Saw how her tears had ravaged her face. He hadn't thought she had forgotten him, but that it wasn't his place to comfort her anymore. "Never, however as our lives change frequently our relationships change as well. We will always be friends but the boundaries of said friendship may adjust."

"Don't be silly. You'll always be my best bud." Lightly she bopped him on the head, making him smile. "C'mon, Kurt says I have to eat.'

"His attentions are a great benefit to your well-being, I am sure you are aware."

"Yeah, he's great." Understanding hit her and Jenny shook her head. "Hank? This is really not the best time to push me about marriage."

When Kurt had spoken about food to Jenny,everyone else realized how hungry they were, so most everyone went to the kitchen. Bobby, Remy, and Rogue fought over leftovers and Jean began making sandwiches, stating it would take too long to cook something.

There were some missing but it was to be expected. Charles had gone to his study and they knew it was to be alone rather than to work. Ever solitary, Bishop had disappeared after being informed about Lacy, making some wonder if he had still felt a responsibility toward her or if he had been hiding something more, but all knowing he would never say. Betsy and Warren had simply left without giving an explanation, but none was really needed. Betsy would not want to be immersed in the strain of the grief that was so strong in the mansion as well as her own, and Warren would, of course, support her.

Having spoken briefly to Ororo and reassured himself - and Jenny when she was ready to hear it - that all was fine at the house, Kurt filled a plate for Jenny, quietly thanking Jean for her efforts. After placing it on the table for her, he began to pace with the ever present ring box in his hand, his fingers busy with it. Once again he found himself waiting for Jenny.

When Hank opened the door, gesturing for Jenny to precede him, she froze at the sight of Kurt. More importantly, at the object in his hand, her eyes locked on it.

Perhaps it was the grief, or the constant pressure exerted by everyone she knew, or maybe she just needed an outlet for all the feelings conflicting inside her. But on top of everything else, the sight of that ring box caused those feelings to burst to the surface in a totally unexpected manner.

"I can't take it anymore!" she shouted. Filled with rage, she was in front of a stunned Kurt before he realized she'd entered the room. In a swift move, she knocked the box from his hand, sending it flying. "Why won't you just STOP! I can't stand it! I'm not marrying you!"

His tail whipped around and his eyes narrowed in an anger to match hers. He had been more patient than could be believed, supportive and understanding. If his emotions had not been in turmoil, he might have been able to keep that understanding as he knew how she felt. But he also was strained to the breaking point and if Jenny or anyone else thought he did not have a temper, they were wrong.

"You cannot take it?" he yelled back. "I cannot take it! Ve vill be married if you must be dragged to ze church!"

"Hah! There's no way you're getting me in a damn church! You should know me better than that, Kurt Wagner!"

The other occupants of the room watched in fascination. Neither Jenny or Kurt ever lost their temper, except in battle in Kurt's case and someone else's behalf in Jenny's. They all pretended to ignore the argument, going on with whatever they were doing, but in actuality they couldn't take their eyes off the couple.

"Vhere is not ze point! It does not haf to be a church!" Kurt shouted impatiently.

"Good! 'Cause it sure as hell isn't going to be!" Jenny's voice seemed to be getting louder and more shrill.

"Ve can go to city hall." Kurt on the other hand, though still angry, was beginning to calm. This wasn't the way he had planned for things to come about but whether she realized it or not they were finally discussing their future. "But ve vill be married."

Gasping in horror, Jenny closed the slight distance between them and poked him in the chest with a long green and purple nail. "City Hall! You think I deserve that! Johnny's a priest and can do it anywhere! Let him marry us!"

Abruptly the entire room went still.

Stunned by her words, the two stared at each a moment. Then a huge smile of utter joy broke over Kurt's face. He took hold of the hand still drilling into his chest and kissing her knuckles he said in satisfaction, "Zat vill vork."

"Oh my God," Jenny whispered, overwhelmed by what she'd done "Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God..." Her eyes widened and her knees went weak as she repeated the words in a litany, until her breathing started going much too fast and she couldn't speak anymore.

Kurt guided her to a chair while she went into a panic attack.

Remembering how it had all started, Bobby crawled under the table to retrieve the forgotten ring box. Tapping Kurt on the shoulder, he opened it and gave a thumbs-up as he handed it over.

With a sense of fulfillment, Kurt slid the ring onto the third finger of Jenny's limp left hand, murmuring, "I haf vitnesses. You cannot back out now. Is not so bad, ja?"

Lifting her head weakly, Jenny gazed in wonder at her hand. She had told herself she didn't want this, hadn't believed it would ever happen. Perhaps she hadn't let herself, even though deep inside there was nothing she wanted more, but she hadn't let herself realize that either.

Now the ring was on her finger it felt... right. Perfect. Like it belonged, wasn't something new but something she had been missing.

Unable to speak, she threw her arms around him, half falling out of the chair. Still somewhat hyperventilating, she buried her face in his neck and Kurt rubbed her shoulders.

"Zis is vhere you belong." he whispered in her ear, as everyone rushed forward to congratulate them.

After he had conveyed his own congratulations, slapping Kurt on the back and teasing Jenny, and after the excitement had died down some, Logan went in search of Bishop.

He found him in the Danger Room doing simulations. He knew Bishop was upset about Lacy as he had in some way felt responsible for her since taking her from the FOH warehouse. He hadn't made a big deal about it, but had quietly made sure she had everything she needed and made himself available if she needed assistance such as a ride somewhere when Kurt was involved with something else. He hadn't been intrusive but in the background as he usually was.

Logan knew in many ways he and Bishop were very alike in that they didn't put their feelings out for all to see. He didn't think Bishop had developed especially strong feelings for Lacy but the potential had been there and was just another thing for the man to grieve for. They both knew sometimes the loss of possibilities was as hard as losing the real thing.

Watching for a few minutes, Logan went ahead and ended the program. Then he bravely stood in the face of the man's ire as he asked, "Ya still got that copy a Kurt proposin' ta Jenny?"

Bishop huffed but answered, "Yes."

"Good. C'mon, got somethin' fer ya ta see." He gestured in the general direction of the security room and started leading the way. "Ya missed a good show, definitely a keeper. If ya got it all on the cameras, we can put 'em together fer a weddin' present." Logan paused, considering. "Or the entertainment."

"She finally agreed?" Bishop asked in surprise.

"Yep, they're discussin' details right now."

"About time."

Indeed, Kurt and Jenny took over the formal dining and sat holding hands while making wedding plans for the rest of the evening. Not that there was much to plan as the first thing they decided was to have the ceremony as soon as possible so Lacy could be there. The rest was secondary.

Despite her previous doubts, Jenny made decisions quickly. It was as though now she had agreed, she was eager to get it done. Some of it was the urgency necessary because of Lacy, and some to keep herself occupied so she didn't think about Lacy. Which didn't really work.

Fully aware of this and having similar feelings himself, Kurt didn't bring up the other woman who was in both of their thoughts. He did make frequent calls to Ororo to check on her though so Lacy would not feel abandoned. But like Jenny, he couldn't yet talk about her and he couldn't bring himself to speak to her directly.

He had come to think of Lacy as part of his extended family and expected that when he and Jenny married she would live with them as a sister might. Whether his sister or Jenny's, as she held such a role for them both, was not clear in his mind. Either way, he had thought of her as part of their future and found it hard to accept that she wouldn't be there.

Jenny's house - their future home as he knew how much she loved it - would not be the same. It was filled with memories of Lacy. He realized gratefully they were good memories, and he understood why she had waited to tell them. But understanding didn't make it any easier at the moment.

Staring at his and Jenny's joined hands while all these thought went through his head, Kurt looked up to see her watching him. He realized neither had spoken for some time.

"I'm ready." Jenny said quietly, and he understood what she was really saying.

She was saying she was ready to see Lacy, ready to talk to her, ready to forgive her, ready to face what was to come. Simply ready.

She was also asking if he was.

He wasn't sure but nodded anyway. Jenny was strong and closer to Lacy than he was. If she was ready then he would be too. Somehow.

So he took her home.

He stood by her side as she quietly thanked Ororo for her time, the other woman not meeting her eyes as she had been informed over the phone of the situation.

He waited in the doorway and watched in silence as she spoke to Lacy. They forgave each other with only a few words and both were again comfortable together. He watched both women's faces as they laughed and cried, spoke excitedly about the wedding, chattered about everything and nothing for a time. But he was unable to speak himself.

He took care of Zelig when he woke unexpectedly in the night, the baby having started sleeping all night by the time he was two weeks old.

He made breakfast the next morning, mixed the day's formula, and fed Zelig, letting the two women sleep in since they had stayed up talking.

And he was there when Jenny went to check on Lacy and found she had died peacefully in her sleep.

to be continued.

note:
CaptainTish- I understand and forgive you, lol. I actually am not that hard to guess at, and I'm pretty sure you're not the only one to guess.
Elizabeth Robbins- Actually, I was afraid it would go the other way. Make her more resistant, but she either got worn down or gave in to her heart's desire. Not quite sure which it was, but there you go.
GothikStrawberry- I knew you would like the part with Rogue. I almost made it a short story instead but couldn't resist putting it in this one.
S- Actually I would be more likely to have someone get hit by a bus or something like that. I like to show them vulnerable to the everyday events of life instead of just the exotic. I'm sure I could have them get hit by a bus with flair. I could make it dramatic and heartbreaking. I don't intent to at this point but I could and if the idea takes hold and I do, I'll give you credit for the idea.
B Oots- You hit the questions right on and I hope I covered them well.

Next! We're going to skip forward some months for the next chapter. Time passes and life moves on kind of thing. The next chapter is the event of the century, or would be if any but a select few were invited. Select as in a certain type of people not select as in only a few.

But before then we have at least two short stories for "Demon's Kind" that have to be posted before the last chapter. "Rest in Peace" is Lacy's pov and takes place during this chapter. Then is a story that spans from when Kurt proposed until the big event and it's titled "Yes, Dear". I feel these two must be posted before the last chapter. Sorry for the wait, but I don't think chapter 20 is quite ready yet anyway. I keep thinking of more to add. May be a long one but it kinda deserves to be.

Thanks for reading and the support,
Dizi