In a matter of half an hour, the news that he was back had spread like wildfire. In no time at all, there was a congregation outside the medical ward hoping for a glimpse of him. He paid the excited chatter no mind as he continued his one-sided conversation.
"If ya like, we can go ta Japan when yer better Jubes," he smiled faintly. "On my dime o' course."
Logan looked up when he heard Hank's booming voice telling those that congregated outside to get lost. He entered the room wheeling a tray laden with food. There was fruit, ham, bacon, scrambled eggs, buttered toast, croissants, and a gallon of orange juice. Logan greeted him before he could say anything. "Mornin' Hank."
"Good morning! I brought you breakfast, my friend," he began cheerfully. "No matter your healing factor, I know that you must be famished. Now eat!"
Logan grinned when his stomach rumbled furiously. "Doc's orders?"
"Friend's orders," Hank replied seriously. "Despite what you may think Wolverine, I have always counted you as a friend."
Not knowing how to respond to that, Logan simply nodded. "Thanks Blue."
"You're welcome." Hank went over to check on Jubilee. He gently peeled back the bandage from around her neck. "Hmm..." he muttered.
The fork full of eggs paused on its way to Logan's mouth. "What?"
"It seems that the burns are healing quite a bit more." Logan stood and went to see what he was talking about. "Right here," Hank pointed to her neck, "was seriously burned and showed no signs of healing, even with the addition of my healing gauze. They healed a little with the plasma we added before. With the addition of more, she appears to be healing rapidly. Your plasma is working, just as I suspect it would." He turned to Logan excitedly. "Would you be averse to giving more?"
"Hell no, Furball. I told ya whatever ya need from me, just do it."
"Thank you. Please finish your meal while I make the preparations." After a few moments, he said lightheartedly, "It would appear that your return is the hot topic of the day."
Logan snorted. "I knew it was only a matter 'o time that happened, once Jeannie left."
Hank laughed. "How do you feel about that?"
Logan shrugged, muttering around a bite of bacon, "Don't care one way or the other. I'm here fer Jubes. Nothin' or no one else."
Hank elected to keep his thoughts on that statement to himself. He too was a feral and he knew that once the inner beast chose someone as its mate, there was no going back. He turned to Logan and took notice of the empty plates on the tray. He grinned knowingly. "Alright, my friend. Same process as last night."
The furry doctor didn't take as much plasma as he did last night, knowing that despite the Wolverine's objections, his healing factor needed time to replenish. He clapped his hands together once he repeated the drip process on Jubilee.
"Now what?" Logan asked.
"Now, we wait."
"I ain't ever been good at waitin'."
Hank laughed. "That's an understatement. But this process takes time my good fellow."
After a few minutes of silence, Logan queried, "Is there another way ta help her other than givin' her my plasma?" Logan clarified when he saw the doctor's confusion. "I mean is there somethin' else that can be used tagether with my plasma?"
Hank glanced at Logan. For a man who came off as brutish, the Wolverine was quite intelligent. Hank guessed it was due to all those long years of life and experience. The wheels began to turn in his brilliant mind. Then it hit him after about thirty seconds. "My stars and garters! I should have thought of this sooner!"
"What the hell ya babblin' 'bout, Blue?"
Hank paid him no mind, muttering his medical spiel to himself.
Logan's growl and hand on his shoulder got his attention. "The regeneration chamber! It was one of Forge's inventions when he took up residence here. It helps tremendously with tissue and organ regeneration."
"Ya think it'll help Jubes?"
"It may help her. We've never tested it on burn victims."
"Well, if it can help her, then do it," the Wolverine stated empathically.
"I do not want to get our hopes up, but I do believe it will help, especially with the addition of your plasma while she is in the chamber." Hank's excitement fell. "We cannot do it with her on life support. She needs to be conscious and breathing on her own."
Logan's expletive echoed.
"It would be easier and more productive if she's conscious." Hank walked over to his desk and picked up a tablet. He tapped it and began scrolling through his files furiously. "We'll give her another day or so. But she has to wake up."
Logan went back to his position by Jubilee's side. He clutched her hand. "Ya gotta wake up, Jubes. Come on darlin'."
Hank smiled slightly at the sight. "Let us keep the faith. She will get through this."
"I'm glad yer here takin' care o' her, Hank. Ya drive me nuts with all yer mumbo jumbo, but I know yer the best."
Logan's unexpected compliment rendered Hank totally speechless. The Wolverine hardly gave credit where it was due, but one better take notice when he does. "I am most appreciative of your gratitude and confidence in me."
"Soak it up. Ain't no more where that came from," Logan joked.
They both chuckled and the mood in the room lightened a bit. "It is a beautiful day outside. Why don't you head out and get some fresh air? I know you hate medical wards and being in this room is probably driving you insane."
"Heh." He could use some fresh air and maybe a run or a workout in the danger room. He stood and stretched, some of his joints popping back into place. "I'll only be gone fer a few."
"I will be here." When Logan was about to wheel the cart with the remnants of his breakfast out, Hank stopped him. "You can leave that. I'll see to it that it's taken care of."
Logan nodded before moving towards the door. With his hand on the knob, he turned to Hank. "Ya will send fer me if there's any change."
"Of course. Go on."
"Thanks Blue," he muttered before slipping out the room.
Hank looked at the door and cocked his head slightly. Was it him or did the Wolverine's time away from here change him? The fact that he was still here and not off searching for and destroying Jubilee's attackers was proof of that. Add to that he was encouraging and gracious and even offering ideas. It was obvious that he had gone through something, and Hank was pretty sure the man was still suffering from his Thanksgiving breakdown. He had always known that there was something powerful between Logan and Ororo. But fear, pride, stubbornness, and plain stupidity had hindered it from manifesting. Great Jehoshaphat! He can only hope that a silver lining in this trying time was those two stubborn mutants getting their act together.
Logan spent a little over an hour in the danger room, familiarizing himself with the room by running through one of his old programs. He was surprised that his passcodes to the room were still intact. He raged, roared, clawed, kicked and punched his way through the program. When he felt he was away from Jubilee's side long enough, he made his way to his room where he showered quickly. After his shower, he rummaged through his closet for clothes that he had left, only to find a pair of threadbare jeans and a box messily wrapped in Christmas giftwrap in the furthest corner of the closet. Curious, he picked up the box and moved to sit on the bed. He saw the tag that said, "To Wolvie, always Jubilee". His heart twisted painfully. Guilt washed over him as he realized that he had essentially left the only person that gave an iota about him to fend for herself while he went off feeling sorry for himself. He cursed, the meaning of what this all meant hitting him full force. He had a lot to make up for with her and he hope that she will be able to forgive him. He had to prove to her that he was worth her love. He unwrapped the box and laughed when a T-shirt proclaiming a picture of his claws his best friends glared at him. Without thinking, he slipped the shirt over his head and into the jeans. He slipped into some old sneakers and made his way down to the medical bay, his mission to bring her back to her usual annoying but lovable self.