There's 'grown up stuff' in this (nothing graphic) and something that I'm not sure can be classified as fluff (no pun intended) but I'm warning you for mush ahead anyway. I don't believe in romance or love...nope...not at all not one drop...

Chapter Fifteen

Isabelle woke slowly, the morning light filtering through the forest green curtains of Hanks room. She was facing him when she opened her eyes, his arm tight around her waist. Over the past few days he had – according to Bobby and Ororo – slept more than he had in a month. He looked better for it.She lifted her hand and gently traced the contours of his face, the thicker fur on his jaw and the scar that lay beneath the fur of his neck. A huge hand enveloped her own,

"Tickles" Hank rumbled softly, voice heavy and thick with left over sleep. She leant forward and kissed the end of his chin, earning a lazy smile before he tilted his head to capture her mouth with his, "good morning" He murmured when she pulled away, eyes opening a little, she smiled up at him before she felt it fading, her nightmare coming back to her, "what's wrong?" She shifted closer, as close as she possibly could,

"Don't go on this mission" She whispered against his pulse, feeling his fingers tighten around hers,

"It's my job, Isabelle" She felt rather than heard his reply and nodded silently, closing her eyes as he tilted her chin up so he could look at her. Hank sighed a little, his heart aching at the fear he saw on her face, "I'm sorry" Her eyes opened and she smiled up at him,

"So you should be, how dare you be a super hero who saves millions of people lives every day with no concern for your wellbeing" She said dryly, watching him smile ruefully, "you should be thoroughly ashamed" She giggled a little,

"Har har" He murmured against her throat, making her laugh even more as he pulled her on top of him, "let me find another use for that mouth of yours" Hank watched his lovers eyes go wide as the door to his room slid open,

"Yo Hank, Ororo say's to get your arse down to the conference roo – oh God!" Bobby spluttered, "I'm scarred for life! I'll give you five" Hank grabbed a pillow before roaring with laughter into it as Bobby made a hasty retreat from the room, closing the door behind him. Isabelle got out of bed, hunting around for her clothes, shaking her head as she heard the noted scientist giggling into her pillow. She threw a jacket at him,

"Come on" She giggled, unable to stop it as he sat up and grinned at her, the tears of laughter making tracks down his face,

"You should have seen the look on his face" Hank choked out before collapsing into giggles.


"- found traces of the mutant DNA in several concentrated spots over the city so we're going to break up into groups" Ororo was saying, already in full leader mode when they arrived in the conference room a few minutes later, "Glad you could join us" Ororo smiled as they took standing positions at the back, blushing and not quite meeting anyone's eyes, "Right so, me and Bobby will take the west sector. Kurt and Rogue, you two are the fastest of our group so you'll be taking the south and south east sectors, alright?"

"Ja"

"No problems"

"Good. No offence meant, Logan, but we don't know if you're still quite…you after the Sphinx attack" Ororo murmured softly, her expression apologetic. Looking angry Logan nodded curtly, "which is why we've paired you off with Hank, you'll be taking the-" Isabelle sat bolt upright as fear danced a merry jig up and down her spine, setting her heart hammering,

"No" She said, surprised at the firmness of her voice, "not a good idea" She sounded shrill. Hank frowned a little, taking her hand in his and squeezing it gently,

"Isabelle, I'm the only one strong enough to take Wolverine out if needs must" He murmured softly. She tore away from him, backing away, fear and anger warring for dominance inside her chest – couldn't they see how dangerous this was for him?

"And if he stabs you through the chest again? No one will be there to-" She cut herself off, not wanting to cause a scene.She bit her lower lip, hating that her eyes were filing, before turning and fleeing from the room, embarrassment mixing in with the anger and all consuming fear. She could loose him. She could end up sitting beside his bed again, holding his hand and wondering if he's breathing because he wants too or if he's breathing because the machine in his throat is forcing him too. An uncontrolled -all too controlled -Wolverine could do so much more damage. Hideous images flicked through her mind as she ran, blind as to where she was going. What if, what if, what if chanted over and over in her head, I can't loose him. She ran out into the grounds, pushing open the door and all but flung herself into the storm outside, lifting her face against the rain and closing her eyes, trying to gain some control, trying to draw some logic from somewhere that would let her know he'd be alright. She shivered at a crack and boom of thunder, already soaked to the skin, knowing he was stood right behind her even before she felt his hand on her arm, turning her round. She let her head drop, chin on her chest, her forehead pressed against his jacket, as his arms came around her. She clung to him for a long time, face buried in his chest, breathing in his scent, soaking up the warmth and love he offered. He lifted her without a word, pulling her up his chest so her feet dangled a good foot off the floor, arms wrapped around her shoulders and carried her like that back inside, his legs tangling with hers as they bumped his shins. She didn't care. Didn't care as long as he didn't let go. She felt tired and tearful and pathetic and embarrassed but he didn't seem to notice, just carried her along as if she weighed nothing, down to his room and sat on the sofa with her curled up tight in his lap. Maybe if I don't let go, he won't be able to go on the mission, she thought muzzily. She felt the tickle of fur on her ear, the ghost of his breath,

"I" He said softly, "am not going to die" She merely curled up tighter in Hanks lap, squeezing her eyes shut, wishing the ground would be obliging enough to open up and swallow her whole, "I've got too much to live for" She finally looked up at him and he smiled down at her lovingly. She opened her mouth and he scowled, "don't you dare apologise for your behaviour, Miss Caley" He growled. Her jaw clicked shut and she looked away, hating herself and her childish actions as she blushed – his knuckle lifted her chin, making her look back at him, "I love you" He murmured softly, seriously. Isabelle sighed, hugging rather than clinging. She knew now, how very foolish she'd been. Of course he'd go on the mission, of course he'd protect Wolverine and humanity and whoever else needed him, of course – she had no doubt, it was practically in the job description – he would be hurt but he would come back to her

"I love you too"