Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men,
although I am looking in to buying Hugh Jackman off e-Bay… "Please Come
Home for Christmas" is preformed by the Eagles (at least the version I'm
using is), and "Blame it on the Mistletoe" is preformed by Toby
Keith. "Merry Christmas, Darling" is the Carpenters.
Rating: R
Summary: Wolverine
discovers love under the mistletoe… (Movie 'verse Wolverine/Jubilee)
Author's
Note: I'd been thinking about writing a movie-based Wolverine and Jubilee
fic for a while, and after a friend suggested I write a Christmas story with
Wolverine putting lights on a Christmas tree, I came up with the plot for this
little piece of holiday romantic sap. Hope you enjoy!
Feedback
and Archiving: Please! Send all feedback and archiving requests to addie_logan@yahoo.com. And if you're
bored and want someone to talk to, turn on AIM and send an IM to ChereRogueMarie.
I'm lonely!
Shameless
Website Plug: Go to my website: https://www.angelfire.com/scifi/addielogan
What
a Christmas to Have the Blues
By:
Addie Logan
Bells will be ringing this sad sad news
Oh what a Christmas to have the blues
My baby's gone I have no friends
To wish me greetings once again
Choirs will be singing Silent Night
Christmas carols by candle light
Please come home for Christmas
Please come home for Christmas
If not for Christmas by New Years night
Friends and relations
Send salutations
Sure as the stars shine above
But this is Christmas
Yeah, it's Christmas my dear
It's the time of year to be with the one you love
So won't you tell me
You'll never more roam
Christmas and New Year
Will find you home
There be no more sorrow
No grief and pain
And I'll be happy, happy, once again
Ooo, there be no more sorrow
No grief and pain
And I'll be happy, Christmas, once again
*** *** ***
Jubilation
Lee had, like most of the students her age, left Xavier's to go to college. And
also like most of the other students, she had nowhere to go from Christmas,
save the mansion. Jubilee noticed that being a mutant didn't seem to be a
condition conducive to having parents—at least not parents who wanted you
around.
Jubilee
shook the snow off before walking into the mansion. It was times like this that
she missed the warmth of Southern California. She and cold had never mixed
well. The first thing Jubilee came in contact with when she came inside was a
half-lit Christmas tree. A cursing half-lit Christmas tree. She cleared
her throat, and a man stepped out from behind it.
"You
want somethin'?" he asked gruffly.
"Wolverine,
right?" Jubilee asked. Sure, she'd never really talked to him, but
she'd heard enough about him in the time she'd roomed with Rogue.
"Yeah.
You're one of Rogue's friends."
"Jubilee."
Wolverine
cocked an eyebrow. "Right. The loud one."
"Logan!"
Wolverine and Jubilee both turned at the sound of Jean's voice. "Logan,
how's the tree coming along?"
"Dammit,"
Logan muttered. "It's fine, Jeannie!" he called back.
Jean
came into the room, scrutinizing the tree the way she would an x-ray.
"Those top two strings are too close together."
Logan
sighed. "Jean, I've done this three times again."
Jean
pouted. "But it still isn't right!"
Jubilee
took their bickering as an opportunity to sneak out of the room. She'd heard
about Wolverine's claws, and she wasn't particularly in the mood to see them in
action on the tree—or Dr. Grey-Summers.
Rogue
was sitting on her bed reading a magazine when Jubilee came into the room.
"Hey, girl, miss me?" Jubilee asked from the doorway.
Rogue
looked up, grinned, and ran to Jubilee. The two girls hugged, squealing loudly.
"I thought you weren't supposed to be back for another three days!" Rogue
said happily.
"I
took my last exam with another class so I could get out of there quicker,"
Jubilee said. "For some reason I couldn't wait to get back to this
place."
"You
probably missed Scott's early morning mandatory Danger Room
sessions."
Jubilee
snorted. "Hardly. So where is everybody?"
"Um,
Kitty went home, but she said to tell you she'll be here for New Years. Bobby's
out in the snow. It's been next to impossible to get him in. I'm surprised he
hasn't started sleeping out there. As for the rest, I have no idea."
Jubilee
shrugged. "Guess you'll have to entertain me then." She went over to
her side of the room, put her books down, and flopped back on the bed.
"How long has Logan been doing those lights?"
Rogue
sniggered. "Hours. Apparently Jean develops obsessive-compulsive disorder
around Christmas time. She blames her mother."
"Poor
Scott. They say women turn into their mothers as they get older, and if that's
what Jean's mother's like…"
"Maybe
Logan'll start being glad he never got her," Rogue said, laughing.
"I
doubt Wolverine would've stuck around long enough for the whole 'till death do
us part thing anyway,'" Jubilee said.
Rogue
frowned. "You don't know him, Jubilee."
"Well,
no, but he doesn't look like Mr. Stability."
"Logan
isn't as bad as most people around here think," Rogue said defensively.
"And the only reason he keeps leaving is to find his past. You can't blame
a guy for that!"
Jubilee
rolled over, propping herself on her elbow. "You don't still have a crush
on him, do you?"
"What!
No, how could you say that?"
"I
don't know. You just seem awfully quick to stick up for the guy."
"He's
my friend, Jubes. I'd do the same for you. And I'm happy with Bobby."
"So
you wouldn't be insanely jealous if he showed up here with some girl and
professed undying love for her?"
Rogue
rolled her eyes. "As if that would happen."
"I
thought you said he was capable of having a stable relationship."
"I…!"
Rogue gave Jubilee a dirty look. "That wasn't fair."
Jubilee
flopped back on the bed, putting her hands behind her head. "You should
know by now I'm not into playing fair."
Rogue
threw a pillow at Jubilee and it hit her in the stomach. Jubilee picked it up
and smiled, ready to throw it back.
She
liked being home.
*** *** ***
Jubilee
was surprised to see the tree not only still in one piece, but decorated when
she got back downstairs. Logan was in the living room, lounging back on the
couch, drinking a Molson and watching hockey.
"Geez,
he's even wearing flannel," Jubilee thought. "Is he trying to see if
he can win the award for the world's most stereotypical Canadian?" She said, "You finally got the lights
on the tree?"
Wolverine
looked around at her. "Yeah," he grunted before turning back to the
television.
Jubilee
wasn't sure what Rogue had ever seen in him. He was too hairy and had all the
personality of a rug. "You always this talkative?"
Logan
didn't stop watching the game. "You want somethin' kid, or are you just
tryin' to irritate me?" Logan smiled as his worlds had the desired effect,
and Jubilee walked away in disgust. He grinned. He was getting good at making
those irritating kids leave him alone.
*** *** ***
Jubilee
had to refrain from groaning out loud when she walked into the rec room and saw
Wolverine was the only other person in there. Most of the other people in the
mansion had gone to do some last minute Christmas shopping, and she knew she
should've gone with them. Since when did she turn down shopping?
Logan
was at the pool table, playing a game by himself. He looked up, meeting
Jubilee's eyes. "You aren't shoppin' with the rest of the kids?" he
asked. "Marie said you were the Queen of the Mallrats."
Jubilee
wasn't sure why that offended her. She was usually proud of her mallrat status.
"I didn't feel like it. I'm done with my shopping."
Logan
shrugged. "You play pool?"
"Sometimes."
"Grab
a cue. I'm sick of beating myself. Rather beat you for a while."
Jubilee
wasn't anywhere near in the mood for playing pool—especially not with him—but
she wasn't about to walk away from the challenge he threw down either.
"We'll see about that, wolfman."
Wolverine
smirked, and Jubilee went to see if maybe she could do something about that.
*** *** ***
Jubilee
wasn't sure how in the world this game had evolved from regular pool into that
of the strip variety. All she knew was she was barefoot and without a shirt,
while Wolverine had only lost his horrid flannel overshirt. She knew she should
walk away, but now her pride was at stake.
Besides,
she was just about to sink this shot. And if she did, the game was over, and
she'd have her second win.
Jubilee
grinned as the ball rolled into the pocket. She wagged her eyebrows at
Wolverine. "Take it off big guy."
Logan
frowned as his tank top hit the floor. Jubilee's eyes grew a little wide when
she saw his chest. She would've thought the hairiness would've been a turn off,
but she noted it most certainly wasn't. Rogue had said he was shirtless the
first time she'd seen him. Maybe this explained it. It was the most magnificent
chest she'd ever seen.
"Like
what you see, kid?"
Jubilee
blinked, then blushed when she realized she was staring. "You want to play
again?" she asked, trying to break the sudden silence.
"Sure.
I wanna see if I can get you completely bare-chested, too." Logan winked.
Jubilee
forced herself not to turn bright red. "As if you're gonna beat me
again."
He did.
Jubilee opted for her jeans as opposed to her bra, which she knew Logan wanted
her to take off. Sure, she wasn't wearing much, but at least all the important
things were covered. Her brain told her to quit there, to gather her discarded
clothes and run from the room. The way he was looking at her made Jubilee
realize what it felt like to be a deer being sized up by a predator.
But she
didn't quit. Logan couldn't really make her strip anymore, right? If she lost
again, couldn't she just call it a game and not lose another article of
clothing?
Jubilee
shook as she tried to line up a shot. Logan was watching her intently, and she
suddenly felt warm despite her state of undress. She froze when he came up
behind her, wrapping his arms around her.
"Here,
let me help you."
She
could feel him pressing into her, and her mouth went completely dry. She looked
over her shoulder to tell him that she didn't need his help, but the words died
on her lips. She wasn't sure who made the first move, but before she knew it,
they were kissing. Wolverine held on to her fiercely. Jubilee's legs went out
from under her, and she slumped against his chest.
Any
rational thought she may have had left her head as soon as Wolverine lifted her
on to the pool table.
Thinking
could come later.
*** *** ***
The
first thing that Jubilee thought when she woke up that morning was that her
pillow had grown considerably firmer than she remember.
And
louder. The sound of Wolverine's snoring pulled her completely into
consciousness. She was in his bed! "Shit, shit, shit," Jubilee
thought, scrambling to get away from him. She pulled the sheet over her,
staring down at him in shock. How had that happened?
The loss
of warmth from her next to him brought Logan out of sleep. He frowned when he
noticed the look on her face. He hated it when he woke to a regretful woman. It
made him feel like such an ass. "Mornin'," he said.
"Um,
good morning," Jubilee said back.
Logan
reached out his hand for her. He didn't want her to run, and he didn't take the
time to analyze that thought. She was a pretty woman, and he wanted her to stay
there, in his bed. "Are you okay?"
"Um,
sure? Why?"
"You
don't look it."
"I'm
just not used to waking up with a guy I barely know, okay?"
Logan
reached out and brushed her hair out of her face. He thought he remembered it
being shorter before, but she must've grown it out since the last time he spent
more than five seconds around Rogue when she was with her friends. "I
thought you got to know me pretty well last night," he said with a wink.
Jubilee blushed, and Logan thought she was rather pretty when she did. "C'mere."
Jubilee
couldn't help but move into his outstretched arms. She'd worry about any
repercussions later.
*** *** ***
"Where
were you?!" Rogue exclaimed as soon as Jubilee walked in the room.
"You had me worried when you never came back to the room last night!"
Jubilee
almost blurted out "having the most incredible sex of my life," but
stopped short when she remembered Rogue's old crush on Wolverine. Besides, she
doubted Logan would want her running around telling people what had happened
between the two of them the night before. "I was, um…" She searched
her brain for an answer, and couldn't come up with anything.
"Did
you meet a guy or something?" Rogue's eyes grew wide when she saw Jubilee
turn red. "You did! Omigod, what happened? Who is it? Do I know him?"
"I'd
rather not talk about it."
Rogue
frowned. "Huh? Are you all right, Jubes? You didn't get hurt did
you?"
"No!
I'm fine. Really." She smiled. "It's just…well, I don't think it was
more than a one night thing."
Rogue
raised an eyebrow. "Oh." She got an impish grin on her face. "So
was it worth it?"
Jubilee's
smile grew. "Oh yeah. He was…amazing."
*** *** ***
"Hey."
Jubilee
jumped a little at Logan's voice. "Um, hey."
"I'm
goin' out. Wanna come?"
Jubilee
looked a little startled. "You want me to go somewhere with you?"
"Yeah."
"Where?"
"This
bar I hang out at."
"I'm
not twenty-one…"
"They
won't care."
"Why
do you want me to come?"
"Just
do. Come on."
Jubilee
wrapped her arms around him tightly as they road his motorcycle to a place he'd
said was called the Auger Inn. She felt a sort of thrill deep in the pit of her
stomach, and a warmth in spite of the snow-covered landscape. She'd thought
Wolverine wouldn't pay her any attention after the previous night, but here she
was, with him again.
Seedy
didn't even begin to describe the Auger Inn, but Jubilee felt safe. The look in
Wolverine's eyes and the possessive arm he kept around her warned away anyone
who could've threatened her. She took a sip of her beer. "Why did you want
me here tonight?" she asked.
Logan
shrugged. "I guess I like your company." Jubilee picked at the
bottle's label, and Wolverine frowned. "You bored?"
"No."
He could
tell she was lying. He took her hand. "Come on. I'll dance with you."
"You
dance?"
He gave
her a lopsided grin. "I've been known to once or twice. Come on." He
took Jubilee's hand, and she let him lead her out to the dance floor.
The middle of December ain't the time to be alone
It's just too close to Christmas
And too far to go home
I ran in to a friend of a friend
Standing in checkout line
She said, I've spent too much already
And there's gifts I just can't find
I walked her home and when she opened up her door
I'm not sure what happened then
Guess magic took it's course
Being in Logan's arms made Jubilee remember the night
before all too vividly. She rested her head against his chest and sighed
happily.
Blame it on the
mistletoe
'Cause what happened here nobody knows
How could something simple as a kiss
Change my holiday like this
And we held each other all night long
And we fell asleep to a Christmas song
Playin' on the radio
Blame it on the mistletoe
Logan
smiled at the sound of Jubilee's contented sigh. He hadn't planned the previous
night by any stretch of the imagination. He'd never even thought about Jubilee
in that light until he'd watched her trying to shoot pool in her lacy bikini panties.
Then he'd thought about in terms of just sex. So why had he wanted her to stay
when they woke up that morning? Why was he dancing with her now? Logan frowned and
pulled her a little closer.
I woke up, she
was wrappin' gifts beneath the tree
She said, I know it's early, so I thought I'd let you sleep
Then she insisted I get up and take a look outside
Hey sleepyhead, it must have snowed at least a foot last night
That's when I saw it hangin' up above my head
She threw her arms around my neck
Laughin' as she said
Jubilee
glanced up, and Logan looked into her eyes. He felt as if something had hit
him. They were blue… He hadn't noticed that the night before. He told himself
he shouldn't even care. He kissed her hard, wanting to concentrate on the
physical.
Blame it on the
mistletoe
'Cause what happened here nobody knows
How could something simple as a kiss
Change my holiday like this
And we held each other all night long
And we fell asleep to a Christmas song
Playin' on the radio
Blame it on the mistletoe
The song
ended, and Logan walked off the dance floor and back to the table. Being that
close to her was too much. Jubilee followed him and went back to picking the
label off her beer.
*** *** ***
Jubilee
didn't panic when she woke up in Logan's arms this time. She smiled lazily,
running her hands through his chest hair. How could she have ever thought he
was too hairy? Logan caught her hand and Jubilee jumped a little.
He opened
one eye to look at her and smiled. "Stop that. It's tickles."
Jubilee
smiled. "Oh?" she reached down and tickled his side. "How about
this?"
"Hey!"
Logan wrestled her until he had her pinned beneath him, her arms held above her
head. "Little imp."
Jubilee
gave him a look that made him shiver. "I thought you liked it when I'm
bad…"
Logan
shook his head and chuckled. "I do." He kissed her quickly before
letting her hands go. She immediately wrapped her arms around him. Logan did his best to focus for a moment,
though with her moving under him it was difficult. "Hey, can you do me a
favor later?"
"What?"
"I
need to do some Christmas shopping. Rogue said you're good at that."
Jubilee
raised an eyebrow. "You want me to do your shopping for you?"
Logan
shook his head. "No. I want you to come with me."
Jubilee
found herself incapable of turning down a chance to spend more time with Logan.
"All right."
"Good."
He leaned down and started kissing her down her neck. "Going to the mall
alone tends to send me into a berserker rage. Especially this time of
year."
Jubilee
laughed, and Logan decided he really liked the sound. He leaned down to kiss
her on the lips. Their shopping excursion could wait.
*** *** ***
"So
what does Rogue want for Christmas?" Logan asked once they got to the
mall. "If I don't buy her something 'thoughtful' she'll whine at me."
Jubilee
sniggered. "What's your price range?"
Logan
shrugged. "I have money. Cage fighting pays amazingly well. Especially if
you never lose."
"Come
with me then. I'll show what she's been whining about wanting for months."
Jubilee reached out and took his hand, and Logan didn't protest. He liked the
feel of his large hand around her much smaller one.
Jubilee
led Logan though the mall, helping him pick things out for everyone on his list.
He had to admit, she was good at this. He frowned, realizing he had no idea
what her mutant power was. Maybe it was the uncanny ability to find a sale
anywhere.
"Jubes?"
"Hmm?"
she was examining a rack of shirts in order to pick something out for Storm.
He looked
around, making sure they were alone. "What do you, um, do?"
"Do?"
"Yeah,
you know…"
Jubilee
got his meaning. "Oh." She leaned up and whispered in his ear.
"Plasma blasts from my hands. They sort of look like fireworks." She
moved away from him and said louder, "Why'd you ask?"
He
shrugged. "Just curious." Truth be told, Logan didn't know why he'd
asked. He'd just felt like he should know. He had the sudden desire to know
everything he could about her. "Where'd you grow up?"
"So
Cal."
Logan
chuckled. "That explains a lot."
Jubilee
playfully slapped her arm. "Jerk."
Logan
held his hands up in defensive. "Hey, I didn't say there was anything
wrong with it. I like ya the way you are." He gave her a quick kiss.
Jubilee
felt herself melt a little. What was it about this man that affected her so?
"Well, if you say so."
"I
do. So you come up with anything yet?"
"You
know, seeing as the presents are from you, you could have some input in picking
them out," Jubilee teased.
Logan
shrugged. "I trust your judgment. Besides, if it were up to me, I'd
probably just give everyone beer or something."
Jubilee
rolled her eyes. "Your terrible."
Logan
gave her his most devilish grin.
"I
try."
*** *** ***
"Anyone
left?" Jubilee asked.
"Jean,"
Logan said.
Jubilee
was surprised to feel a flash of jealousy at the mention of Dr. Grey. The fact
that Logan had kept her on a pedestal since day one was common knowledge around
Xavier's, and it had never bothered Jubilee—until now. "Where do you want
to go for that?" she asked.
She
wasn't the least bit happy when he went to Zales. Or when he asked her advice
on what piece of jewelry to buy the good doctor. It was then that Jubilee
realized that she had been wishing for more than just sex with Logan. And that
she wasn't going to get that from him. Apparently, he still carried a torch for
Jean, even though the last summer she'd married Scott.
Logan
noticed the change in Jubilee's demeanor. She'd been cheerful their entire
trip, but suddenly she was quiet and withdrawn.
It
bothered him, so he wracked his brain, trying to think of what could've caused
the change. He looked over at her in the passenger seat of his jeep, staring
out the window as if she was purposely trying to not look at him. He tried
thinking backwards, to the last time she'd been in a good mood. Then he had it.
Zales.
She was
jealous. Logan couldn't help but smile a little at that. She liked him enough
to be jealous, and he was good with that. "I didn't buy Jean those
earrings because I still want her."
Jubilee
looked at him quickly. "Huh?"
"The
earrings. I bought 'em cause…well, it's a stupid reason, but it's not because
I'm in love with her."
"Why
did you buy them then?"
Logan
sighed. "To annoy Scott."
"What?"
Another
sigh. "Scott hates it when I buy Jean expensive gifts."
"Well,
duh. She's his wife."
Logan
gave her a dirty look. "I know. But, well, I get a kick out of annoying
him, all right?"
"So
you buy Jean four hundred dollar pairs of earrings?"
"Yeah."
"Isn't
that a little ridiculous?"
"See,
this is why I didn't want to tell you."
"Why
did you?"
Yet
another sigh from Logan. "Because I didn't want you to be mad at me."
"You
actually care if I'm mad at you?"
Logan
gripped the wheel tighter. "Yeah. Can we talk about something else?"
"Sure
thing, Wolverine."
Jubilee
couldn't help but smile to herself. He did care…
*** *** ***
Jubilee
stood by the tree, watching the snow fall outside the window. She found herself
remembering her childhood Christmases, in the days before she was an orphan.
She wiped at the cold tear on her cheek. It was the past. She didn't have a
family anymore. She could move on.
"Eggnog?"
Jubilee
was surprised how easy it was to smile when she saw Logan. She took the mug
from him and drank it. She smirked at the taste. "Trying to get me
drunk?"
"Do
I need to?"
Jubilee
laughed. "No. Just looking at you is enough to make me tipsy."
Logan
smiled, then frowned. "You been cryin' darlin'?"
"No,"
Jubilee lied.
Logan
ran is hand down her cheek and felt that it was damp. "Yes you have.
What's wrong?"
"I
was just thinking about my parents," she said.
"Where
are they?"
"Dead."
"Oh."
"It
was six years ago. They were murdered. I came home…I came home and found
them." Jubilee wasn't even sure why she was telling Logan. But she hadn't
talk to anyone about it in so long…
Logan took
her hand. "Come on. Let's go somewhere where we can talk."
Jubilee
nodded and followed him upstairs. Logan sat down with her on the bed, taking
her into his arms. "I miss them," she said softly, falling over on
his shoulder.
"I
know, darlin'," Logan said, holding her tightly.
"It
wasn't even supposed to be them. They got the wrong family. It was a hit…on the
Lees down the street."
Wolverine
felt a sudden swell of anger against whoever had hurt his Jubilee. He pulled
her so she was resting in his lap and stroked her back gently. He wanted to
protect her.
He held
her until the tears were gone.
*** *** ***
Jubilee
was surprised to find herself fully clothed when she woke up in Wolverine's
arms the next morning. "Logan?" she asked sleepily.
He was
already awake, watching her fondly. He kissed her on the forehead.
"Hey."
"Were
you watching me sleep?" she asked.
"Couldn't
help it," Logan admitted. "You looked so pretty lyin' there."
"I
like you, Logan," Jubilee said.
He
smiled. "I like you, too."
He held her
close to him, and for then, it was enough.
*** *** ***
Only
five days until Christmas, and Jubilee could definitely feel the holiday spirit
filling the mansion. Xavier was even wearing a tie with a light-up Rudolph on
it. Jubilee was happier than she remember being in quite some time. She'd spent
every possible moment with Logan. She definitely knew what Rogue had seen in
him now.
Jubilee
was walking downstairs with Logan when he stopped in the doorway of the living
room. "C'mere," he said to Jubilee, pulling on her hand.
She
stopped and then went to him. "What?" He silently pointed up, and she
grinned. Mistletoe. She stood on her tiptoes, pressing her lips to his. Logan
wrapped his arms around her, kissing her hard.
The
moment was broken by the sound of shattering glass. Both Logan and Jubilee
turned around to see Rogue run from the room, a smashed coffee mug where she
had been.
Logan
took a deep breath. "Well, shit."
"I'll
go talk to her," Jubilee said.
Logan
nodded and let her go. Jubilee found Rogue upstairs in their room.
"Hey."
"I really
don't want to talk to you right now," Rogue said, laying on her bed with
her back to Jubilee.
"Why
are you so upset?" Jubilee asked.
Rogue
did turn around then, wiping her tears away angrily. "Why am I upset? Why am
I upset?! I just walked in to see my best friend kissing the man I spent
forever pining over! Why do you think I'm upset?!"
"But
you're with Bobby!" Jubilee replied.
"That
doesn't mean Logan's free for you! You knew how much it hurt me that I couldn't
have him! Now you have to rub it in my face by throwing yourself at
him—touching him!"
Jubilee
raised an eyebrow. So that was what this was about—her being able to touch
Logan. "Rogue, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to happen. It just sort of
did."
"So
he's who you've been with these past few nights?"
"Yeah."
"Well,
congratulations." Jubilee didn't think she'd ever heard anyone mean
anything less in her life.
"Rogue,
I didn't do this to hurt you. I never wanted to do that. I just…well, I really
like him."
Rogue
started at that. "You do?"
"Yeah.
He's great."
"Are
you…are you falling in love with him?"
Jubilee
couldn't manage a lie. "Yeah, I think I am."
Rogue
wanted to be angry, but Jubilee was her best friend. Who was she to begrudge
her love? She got up and hugged her. "Best of luck to you girl."
Jubilee
chuckled as she hugged her back. "Thanks. So does this mean you're okay
with it?"
Rogue
forced a smile. "I'll try to be. Give me time, okay?"
Jubilee
nodded. She could accept that.
*** *** ***
Logan leaned
up against the wall, wishing he could forget what he has just heard. He'd gone
upstairs to make sure Rogue wasn't giving Jubilee too much trouble, and he'd
found out something he didn't want to have to deal with.
Jubilee
was falling in love with him. Logan didn't think he was anywhere near prepared
to handle that.
He
walked off quickly before Jubilee could leave the room and find him standing
there.
*** *** ***
"Logan,
did…" Jubilee stopped in mid-sentence when she saw Wolverine throwing his
things into a bag. "What are you doing?"
"Packing."
"I
can see that. Why?"
"I'm
leaving."
Jubilee
felt as if the whole world was suddenly spinning too quickly, but she forced
herself to keep her balance. "For
how long?"
"I
don't know. I probably won't be back before you go back to school."
Jubilee
had to lean against the wall, not wanting Logan to see how badly this was
affecting her. "Logan, I…"
"You
what? You thought this was something? It was just sex, kid. Get used to
it."
"That's
it?"
Logan
zipped up his bag and slung it over his shoulder. "Yeah, that's it."
"But
earlier…" Jubilee couldn't even finish the sentence. Less than an hour ago
he was being so warm to her. What caused the sudden shift?
"Yeah,
that was earlier."
When he
was gone, Jubilee stayed, wishing she could find out it was all a dream and
wake up safe in Logan's arms.
She knew
then she was past the "falling" stage for love, and hated herself for
allowing it to happen so quickly with a man she'd known would never stick
around.
*** *** ***
Jubilee
forced her best face for the others at the mansion. After all, they hadn't even
known she and Logan had anymore than a passing acquaintance. Why would she care
if he left again?
But
inside, she felt cold, lonely. Against her better judgment, she'd fallen for
the Wolverine. She hadn't thought he was going to buy her a ring soon or
anything like that, but she thought he'd at least have the decency to stick
around for a while, maybe give her an explanation before he took off. But
apparently she'd just been fooling herself.
She
wanted Christmas to be over. Too many happy people. Why did the world have to
full of cheer and good will when she was miserable?
Jubilee
sat on the far end of the couch, surrounded by her friends as they watch a
Christmas movie marathon. She wanted the kid with the BB gun to shot his eye
out, Tiny Tim to have a relapse, and Jimmy Stewart to decide the world was
better off without him. It didn't get any better when she realized Logan had
only been gone a day and she was already reduced to this state. She sighed
inwardly. Maybe it was a good sign. Maybe it meant that it was just because the
wound was fresh, and she'd be over it by Christmas morning.
She
doubted it.
By the
time How the Grinch Stole Christmas was on, and Jubilee was
contemplating ways the Grinch could've driven the Whos to give up even their
singing, Professor Xavier had taken notice of her lowered spirits. Well,
probably him and any telepath within a hundred mile radius. She was giving off
negative signals like crazy.
Xavier wheeled
into the room. "Jubilation, can I speak with in you in my office for a
moment?"
Jubilee
was happy to get away from the holiday torture. "Sure," she said with
a shrug, following Xavier out of the room.
"I've
sensed a darkness in your mood," Xavier said, looking at her very
intently. Jubilee found it rather hard to have a serious conversation with him,
seeing as he was wearing the Rudolph tie again. The blinking red nose was
almost hypnotic.
"I
don't like Christmas."
Xavier
raised an eyebrow. Jubilee realized he did that a lot. "You never seemed
to show a dislike for the holiday before."
"It's
a new development."
"Does
Wolverine have anything to do with it?'
Jubilee
looked at him sharply. "Did you…read my mind?"
Xavier
laughed a little. "I didn't have to. It was obvious to anyone who isn't
blind."
"No
one said anything."
"We
didn't feel it was our right to interfere. You're an adult now, after all."
Jubilee
blushed a deep red. "We?" People had known about her being
with Logan? What had they been saying about them?
"I
don't think any of the students noticed," Xavier said. "But most of
the teachers did."
"Jean?"
"Yes."
That
bothered Jubilee most of all. She tried to quickly push down her jealousy, lest
the professor notice. "Oh."
"Logan
doesn't always do what his heart tells him to do, Jubilation. He tends to
behave much the way an animal in the wild would. If something scares him, he
runs."
Jubilee
looked confused. "But what is there here to scare him?"
"I
think you already know the answer to that."
"I
do?" Jubilee asked with a frown.
The
professor nodded. "Have a merry Christmas, Jubilee."
"But,
Professor…"
He
didn't answer her, just smiled at her before rolling out of the room.
*** *** ***
Earlier,
Logan had been cursing his healing factor, since it prevented him from getting
adequately drunk. Now, as he pounded his poor opponent into oblivion, the
Wolverine welcomed it.
He'd had
a blonde in his lap an hour ago, whispering all the things she wanted to do to
him that were sure to get her on Santa's naughty list. But he hadn't wanted
her. She was too tall, and her hair was too light. Her eyes were brown, not
blue. For the first time in his life, he hadn't been able to do anything but
walk away from cheap, meaningless sex, and that angered him.
So the
idiot who'd dared to enter a cage with him was going to be in traction for the
holidays.
Such was
life.
Wolverine
stepped over the man's battered body, growling deeply in his chest as a small,
smelly man announced him the winner. He waited for his next prey to enter the ring.
He'd fight until all he could see was red, until those blue eyes that were
haunting him faded away completely.
He'd
made so many women go away before. He could do it with her.
Some
blood, beer, maybe a broad—the Wolverine would be sated, and Jubilee would be
forgotten.
*** *** ***
Greeting
cards have all been sent
The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one wish to make
A special one for you
Christmas
Eve. Jubilee sat, curled up alone on the couch, staring into the glowing
fireplace. The rest of the mansion was off, celebrating with parties and gift
giving. She, on the other hand, has found herself a spot that was more or less
secluded to wallow in her misery. She knew she should just put it past her. It
was only a little over a week, and it mainly consisted of incredible sex. He'd
never given her any hint at a further commitment. Why wasn't she happy?
Merry
Christmas, darling
We're apart, that's true
But I can dream
And in my dreams
I'm Christmasing with you
Logan has long since given up on
drinking. It wasn't helping. He couldn't get drunk enough to forget her. It was
cold in his hotel room, and he longed for her warm body next to his. Would have
been so bad to have stayed, to have let her in? Logan shook his head. She was
falling for him. He had to leave before she got in to deep. Spare her the pain
loving him would cause. He was not the kind of man to become a young woman's
Prince Charming. He'd lived too long, known too much.
Holidays
are joyful
There's always something new
But every day's a holiday
When I'm near to you
The lights on my tree
I wish you could see
I wish it every day
Jubilee
took a throw pillow off the couch and hugged it tightly to her body. Why had
she ever gone down to the rec room that night? Why had she let him talk her
into the pool game? Why had she ever let herself know the feel of his hands on
her skin? Logan wasn't an easy man to forget. It had taken him so little time
to work his way into her heart and destroy the tough demeanor she'd worked so
hard to cultivate in relationships. How was it that he had that power?
The
logs on the fire
Fill me with desire
To see you and to say
That I wish you Merry Christmas
Happy New Year too
I've just one wish
On this Christmas Eve
Logan got off the bed and started pacing the room. He stopped, and
his claws shot out, shattering the television set. The other hand, and the
mirror was shattered. He reduced a chair to kindling in seconds before moving
on to the bedside table. He felt feral energy pumping through his veins. He was
the Wolverine. No girl that barely reached his shoulder was going to take him
down. Logan looked around the room and sighed heavily. He needed her.
But he couldn't go back…
I wish I were with you
I wish I were with you
Merry Christmas, darling
Jubilee
couldn't hold the flood of tears at bay any longer. She clung to the pillow
desperately, wishing it was Logan and cursing herself for being young enough to
fall in love with a man like that. She stared at the fireplace through her
tears and the decorative stockings Jean had placed out weeks earlier. She
wondered why Santa Claus couldn't be more than a myth, and why he couldn't put
the Wolverine under her tree that year. Instead, she was doomed to a cold, cold
Christmas Eve night.
Merry
Christmas, darling…
*** *** ***
Logan had told himself he wasn't going to go to the mansion. He
told himself he was going to drive right by it. He was going to run, go back to
Canada. Wait until he knew Jubilee was back in college, and he was safe.
He found himself pulling into the driveway, parking his
motorcycle, walking into the mansion.
He was drawn to her, drawn to her scent. He knew she was close,
and he couldn't stop himself from moving towards her. He found her curled up on
a couch in front of a fire. She was sleeping, but her face was still red from
crying. Logan's heart ached. He couldn't run from this one. He didn't know
where it would go, but he wanted to see. For the first time in what he could
remember, Logan actually wanted to be with one woman, and one woman alone.
He went over to her, gently scooping her into his arms. Her eyes
fluttered open, and a small, sleepy smile crossed her face when she saw him.
"Logan?" she asked softly.
"Merry Christmas, darlin'."
"You came home?"
"I came home to you."
Logan carried her upstairs, and Jubilee sighed happily against his
chest. She knew that no matter how cold it was outside, she'd be warm Christmas
morning.