Disclaimer: Marvel owns the X-Men, not me. I’m making no money off this. Don’t sue. The song at the beginning, "Jubilee," is written and performed by Mary Chapin Carpenter, and is from her album, Stones in the Road. I don’t own that either, so again, don’t sue.

Summary: Wolverine and Jubilee try to rebuild their friendship after years apart and discover that maybe things between them have changed more than they realize… (Part four in a series)

Rating: PG-13

Author’s Note: Like with part one, if you don’t like W/J romantic pairings, DO NOT read this! The only two X-Men in this story are Wolverine and Jubilee and there is definitely romance. You have been warned. Flamers will be teleported to Ancient Rome and fed to hungry lions. Also, if you like this or any of my stories PLEASE visit my homepage at https://www.angelfire.com/scifi/addielogan. It has all my stories as well as my fanart. Thanks a bunch! I’d also like to say thank you to all the people who gave me feedback on the first part of this story. Thanks for all the nice stuff y’all said! Also, I am refusing to acknowledge all recent deaths as a sign of protest. No comments on how so and so is dead, and therefore shouldn’t be in my story. Honestly, I don’t care.

Feedback and Archiving: Feedback please! If you’re reading this at fanfiction.net, please be nice and make use of that little review form at the bottom of the page and I’ll be eternally grateful. J Also, if you’d like to archive this anywhere, feel free, just let me know where you’re putting it. Send all email to addie_logan@yahoo.com or message me through AIM at Addie Logan218.

Jubilee reached out and took Logan’s hand as the couple walked towards the mansion. She gave his hand a light squeeze. "Don’t worry," she said. "It’s going to be fine. And if you’re still not happy here after the wedding, we can always go back."

"I don’t know, Jubes," Logan replied. "I have a bad feeling about this."

Jubilee stopped walking and lightly pulled on Logan’s arm so he’d stop, too. He turned around to face her. "Wolvie, they’re our friends," Jubilee said. "They aren’t going to make things difficult for us. And I know you have problems with Jean, but she’s only one out of however many people live here now. Besides, no matter what happens we’ll be together."

Logan pulled Jubilee to him and hugged her tightly. "You know I love ya, don’t ya, Darlin,?"

"Yeah, I know. Now come on, we don’t want to just stand out here all day," Jubilee said, kissing him on the cheek.

"Well, maybe you don’t, but I’d be perfectly happy to just stand out…"

"Logan…"

Wolverine sighed. "Fine, Darlin’. Let’s go."

*** *** ***

Jubilee and Logan walked into the mansion, hand in hand. Through all the excitement of their return, Jubilee’s happiness over discovering that Generation X had decided to move their base of operations to Westchester, and Logan’s obvious cold shoulder to both Jean and Scott, the fact that Wolverine and Jubilee were holding hands was something everyone noticed, but no one dared say anything about. Well, almost no one.

"What’s this?" Kitty Pryde-Rasputin asked, gesturing towards Jubilee and Logan’s entwined fingers. "Are you guys some sort of couple?"

Jubilee tensed, waiting for Logan to respond. He looked Kitty directly in the eyes. "Yeah, we are."

The room grew uncomfortable silent. "You can’t be!" Jean blurted out.

Logan whipped his head around to face her. "Why the hell not?"

"Because it isn’t right! She’s a child!"

"I am not a child," Jubilee said.

Jean caught Jubilee’s gaze. "Compared to him you are."

Jubilee didn’t look away. "Compared to him you are, too, and that certainly didn’t stop you."

A silence fell over the room again as everyone turned their focus on Jubilee and Jean, the two women glaring at each other in a standoff. Logan put his hand on the small of Jubilee’s back. "C’mon, Darlin’," he said. "Let’s go upstairs and unpack."

"You two aren’t planning to share the same room, are you?" Jean asked suddenly.

Logan moved his arm around Jubilee’s waist and pulled her closer to him with a territorial air. "As a matter of fact, we are," he said. He led Jubilee upstairs without saying another word.

Jean and Kitty both glared at the couple as they disappeared up the stairs.

*** *** ***

"We really shouldn’t have come back here," Logan said once he was alone with Jubilee in his room. "They aren’t going to let us be about this. Jeannie already made that comment about us sharin’ a room."

"How did she know we were planning on that anyway?" Jubilee asked. "I mean, we both have separate rooms up here."

"She’s a telepath. And she doesn’t always use the best discretion. Guess she figures that things that ain’t her business actually are."

"Oh."

Logan sat down on the edge of the bed. "Maybe we should be in separate rooms."

Jubilee looked over at him in shock. "What? Why? Just because of what she said? Just because of Jean?"

"No," Logan replied, "it’s just that they aren’t used ta us bein’ together. Maybe we should give ‘em a little time ta get used ta the idea."

"Most of the people down there seemed okay with it, Logan. Jean and Kitty were the only ones who said anything."

"Everett didn’t look too happy,"

"I don’t care if he’s happy about this or not." Jubilee sat down next to Logan. "Look, I love you, and I’ve grown fairly used to sleeping with your arms around me and having your face be the first thing I see in the morning. I don’t want to lose that just because a few people can’t understand what we mean to each other."

"Jubes, I promise ya, ya ain’t gonna lose that. It’ll only be for a few days, while things settle a little."

"But why, Logan?"

"I already told ya why."

"But that doesn’t make any sense!" Jubilee exclaimed. "The only time anyone will see us is when we’re downstairs anyway, and we’ve always been a pretty obvious couple." Logan took a deep breath and Jubilee frowned. "Dammit, Logan, what are you thinking now?"

"Just that maybe we shouldn’t be such an obvious couple."

Jubilee stood up. "Okay, fine, you’re right. We shouldn’t let anyone see what’s really going on between us. As a matter if fact, we should avoid each other completely! That should make Jeannie real happy. Wouldn’t want you to have to see her cry or anything."

"Jubilee, don’t…" Logan said, reaching out for her.

Jubilee snatched herself away from him. "No. Either you’re with me, or you’re not. Pick one and find me when you do." She stormed out, slamming the door behind her with a force strong enough to shake the room.

Logan stared at the shut door wishing for what must’ve been the millionth time since they’d gotten there that they’d just stayed put in Canada.

*** *** ***

Jubilee came downstairs to find Rogue sitting alone in one of the dens. Jubilee stood in the doorway. "How are the wedding plans coming?" she asked.

Rogue smiled and patted the space on the couch beside her for Jubilee to sit. "Great. Remy thinks I’m crazy, though."

"Hasn’t he always?"

Rogue giggles. "Well, yeah. Of course, I think the same thing about him."

Jubilee patted Rogue on the leg. "It’s so great that you two are finally doing this. Took you guys long enough to realize you’re meant to be."

Rogue blushed. "Yeah, well, at least we came to our senses." She frowned a little. "Where’s Logan?" she asked.

"In his room."

"Somethin’ wrong?"

"No, of course not."

"Don’t lie to me, Girl."

Jubilee took a deep breath. "He’s just being an ass."

"When is Logan not bein’ an ass? I always figured that was a given."

"You’d be surprised. He can be very sweet when he wants to be."

"He must not want to be very often."

"He doesn’t."

Rogue gave Jubilee and understanding smile. "Wanna talk about it?"

"It’s nothing really," Jubilee said. "It’s just he thinks we should sleep in separate rooms and not be obvious about the fact we’re together until everyone has the chance to get used to us as a couple."

"Everyone bein’ Jean and Kitty?"

"My thoughts exactly. Am I overreacting?" Jubilee asked.

"I don’t think so, Sugah. You’re worried about bein’ here with Logan, too, and instead of him worrin’ about how you feel he’s thinkin’ about himself. But you’ve got to realize Logan’s a little dense about these things sometimes. You’ve got to tell him what you’re feelin’."

"He won’t listen."

"Not when you have that attitude he won’t."

"You sure I should talk to him about this?"

"Jubilee, I went through all kinds of stuff with Remy. We finally realized our main problem was we always suffered our problems alone, you know, never really lettin’ the other person in. You can’t have a relationship like that. Talkin’ to Logan is the only way you’re gonna get him to understand."

"I guess you’re right," Jubilee said. "But I don’t think I could talk to him right now. I’m still mad."

Rogue laughed. "Understandable. Hey, some of us are goin’ down to Harry’s in a bit. Wanna come and give yourself a chance to cool off?"

"Sure. Sounds like it could be fun," Jubilee said

"Great," Rogue replied. "And Sugah, most of us are just fine with you and Logan bein’ together. Don’t worry about the people don’t understand just yet. They’ll come around."

"Thanks, Rogue," Jubilee said. "You’ve really made me feel better."

Rogue smiled. "It was my pleasure."

*** *** ***

Later that evening, Logan finally came downstairs. He found Gambit. "Hey, Gumbo, where’s Jubilee?" he asked.

"She went down to Harry’s wit’ some of de ot’er femmes," Gambit said.

"And you just let them leave?"

"You try sayin’ no t’Rogue."

"They say when they’d be back?"

"Non."

"Dammit."

"Somet’ing wrong, Homme?"

"I just wanted ta talk t’Jubilee, that’s all."

"What’s goin’ on wit’ you and de petite anyway?" Gambit asked.

"None of yer business, Cajun," Wolverine snapped.

Remy shrugged. "Fine. Gambit was just askin’. But in my opinion, you two make a good couple."

"Thanks for your blessin’," Wolverine said sarcastically.

Gambit chuckled. "Let me guess, it was your way wit’ people dat won de girl’s heart, non?"

"Don’t push it, Cajun."

Gambit decided to take Logan’s advice and leave while he still could. "See you around, Mon Ami."

Wolverine sat down on the couch facing the door, resolved to wait for Jubilee. "Yeah, see ya around."

*** *** ***

Sometime after midnight, the door finally opened and Rogue, Paige Guthrie, Betsy Braddock-Worthington, Jubilee, and Ororo Munroe came in. Paige was supporting the less than sober Jubilee. Paige blushed when she saw Wolverine stand up and tried to hand Jubilee over to him. "Sorry," she muttered.

"I don’t wanna go t’him," Jubilee slurred. "He’s mean."

"Darlin’, this ain’t the place for this," Wolverine said, trying to get her off Paige.

Jubilee clung to her friend for dear life. "I don’t like ‘im anymore," she said.

"What did you do to her, Logan?" Storm asked. "I have never seen Jubilation drunk before, and now she will not even go to you."

"I just said somethin’ stupid," Logan grumbled. "Now could you gals kindly go away and let me talk ta her."

"Don’t leave me with him!" Jubilee yelled, making Paige wince since Jubilee was right by her ear. Jubilee pouted. "He’ll make me cry."

Logan sighed. "No I won’t. Just come here and let me take ya to bed."

Jubilee leered at him suggestively. "Your bed?" she asked.

Wolverine shot Rogue and Betsy a dirty look as they started trying to suppress giggles. "Sure, Jubes, whatever ya want, let’s just get ya upstairs so ya can sleep this off."

Jubilee lurched forward as she changed her support from Paige to Logan. "I’m gonna feel awful in th’ mornin’," she mumbled.

"Probably." Logan turned back to the other women, who were looking at him with sheepish expressions. "What happened ta her?" he asked.

"We did not realize just how much she was drinking," Storm said.

"Or how poorly she could hold her liquor," Betsy added.

"Well, what the hell did ya expect from someone as small as her?" Logan asked.

Jubilee looked up at him. "Don’t you dare blame them. This is your fault."

"My fault?"

"Yeah. If you hadn’t’ve been so mean, this would not’ve happened. Your fault."

Logan sighed. "C’mon, Kiddo, upstairs."

"How many damn times do I have’ta tell ya not t’call me Kiddo!" Jubilee yelled.

"Sorry, Jubes. Let’s go."

The remaining X-Women broke into laughter as Logan helped Jubilee up the stairs.

*** *** ***

Logan carried Jubilee into his room and set her down on the bed. He took off her shoes and socks, then moved up to remove her blouse. She crossed her arms over her chest. "Uh uh," she said.

"I’m just changin’ ya into somethin’ more comfortable t’sleep in," Logan explained.

Jubilee relaxed and let him finish removing her clothes, helping him as best she could in her inebriated state. "Am I sleepin’ in here t’night?" she asked.

"Yeah," Logan said, getting a T-shirt from one of his drawers and slipping it on her.

"I thought your bed was off-limits t’me," Jubilee said.

Logan gave her a little smile as he used his fingers to gently comb out her hair. "My bed’s never ‘off-limits’ to you, Darlin’."

"I love you," Jubilee said. "I really, really do. And I’m sorry I got all drunk on you like this."

Logan smiled. "That’s okay. Like you said, it was my fault. I love you, too. And I’m sorry about what I said earlier. I wasn’t thinkin’ right."

"It’s okay," Jubilee said, her eyelids heavy.

Logan helped Jubilee under the covers. "You go to sleep now, okay?"

"Okay, Wolvie," Jubilee said as she closed her eyes. "Night."

"Night," Wolverine said, kissing her forehead. He then shed his jeans and shirt and climbed in beside her, holding her close.

*** *** ***

Logan woke up the next morning when Jubilee darted out of the bed and ran in to the bathroom to get sick. That was one thing he’d always been grateful for—the ability of his healing factor to fight off potential hangovers. Jubilee slumped back to bed looking as pale as death. She rolled over and glared at him. "I hate you," she said.

Logan pushed her hair away from her eyes. "Why’s that?" he asked.

"Somehow, this is all your fault."

"You don’t remember how?" Logan asked with a grin. "You had your reasoning all worked out last night."

"Yeah, I remember something about you being mean. But everything else in my head is just buzzing."

Logan kissed the top of her head. "I’m sorry."

Jubilee looked up at him as the events of yesterday started slowly coming back. "Do you still want to sleep apart for a little while?" she asked. "Because if you really want that, I guess I could…"

"Don’t worry about that, Darlin’," Logan said. "We belong together, and it doesn’t matter who agrees or disagrees."

Jubilee smiled, wanting to throw her arms around him and hold him as close as she could, but lacking the strength. "I love you," she said.

"I love you, too," Logan said. "Now, do ya want me ta go downstairs and get ya some coffee?"

"Would you? And some sort of painkiller would be nice, too."

Logan chuckled. "All right. I’ll be back." He kissed her head again, quickly got dressed, then left the room.

Jubilee smiled as he left, feeling that even with her headache, nausea, cottonmouth, etc., that all was right with the world.

*** *** ***

Logan could smell Jean even before he entered the kitchen, but he chose not to acknowledge her presence as he went to work on fixing Jubilee a cup of coffee. Jean sat at the table, watching Logan’s every move. After a moment, she said, "I heard Jubilee had a little too much to drink last night."

"Yeah, what of it?" Logan refused to turn around and look at her.

"I don’t think she’s ever done that before," Jean said. "I’m not sure how good of an influence you are on her, Logan."

Logan started slightly in shock at Jean’s comment. "I’m not influencin’ her to become an alcoholic, if that’s what you’re getting’ at," he said, still paying more attention to the coffee than Jean. "For one thing, I seriously doubt this is the first time she’s ever been drunk."

"But this behavior isn’t normal for her, Wolverine. We both know that."

"Everyone makes mistakes at some point, Red. Doesn’t mean they’re goin’ through some sort of personality change."

"Maybe you’re the mistake Jubilee’s making."

Logan whipped around with the intention of yelling at Jean, but one look at her face made that impossible. "You don’t know about us. You don’t know what she means to me," he said, his words accented with both pain and his desire to make Jean understand.

"Do you know for certain that you mean the same to her that you claim she means to you?" Jean asked. "When she came back to the mansion after college—only a few months ago—she’d just had her heart broken by the young man she’d planned to marry. That’s not something a woman gets over easily. Now, Jubilee’s always cared for you, Logan. She respects and admires you, and she’s always looked to you for guidance during difficult times. Have you ever stopped to think that maybe she’s turning to you this time for help through her loss of Brian?"

"And let me guess, she’s helpin’ me get over my own loss, too," Wolverine growled, inferring where Jean was going in her newest argument against his relationship with Jubilee.

"It’s something you should consider," Jean said.

"There’s no reason for me to consider that or anythin’ else you’ve said concernin’ me an’ Jubilee," Logan told her. "Somethin’ happened between us up there in Canada, and I’m not pretendin’ to understand it, but I do know it’s real."

"Logan, I’m not saying that it doesn’t feel very real to both of you, but look at the situation rationally. Jubilee is young, and probably not in the sort of mindset that lends itself to dedication to one man, especially seeing as she was only recently jilted. And you’re not easy to love, Logan. It takes a lot out of a woman to be with you, and I’m not sure that Jubilee is mature enough to handle that."

Logan’s anger flared, and he had to fight for restraint, reminding himself that this was Jean after all. "You don’t know her like I know her, Jean," he said, his every word sounding strained. "She’s not the same person she was at thirteen. Somewhere along the line she grew up—a lot. Maybe you can’t see it, but I can. She gives me somethin’ that no one has in a long time, and I’ll be damned before I give her up."

"Still, it’s got to be hard for someone to get over the fact that her lover was having an affair. Especially if she found out while standing at the altar, the way Jubilee did," Jean said.

Logan’s eyes grew wide. "What? That’s what happened with Brian? It can’t be. She told me that they’d only talked about marriage," he said. "And that she broke up with him right after graduation…"

"It was right after graduation, but they did a little more than talk about marriage," Jean said. "Trust me Logan, I was there at the wedding. Or at least what was supposed to be a wedding."

"What happened?" Logan asked.

"When the preacher asked Brian if he took Jubilee to be his wife, he said he couldn’t because he was in love with someone else—Christine was her name. He said later that he’d thought he’d be able to put Christine out of his mind and marry Jubilee, but that he just couldn’t do it," Jean explained.

"Why didn’t she tell me that?"

Jean shrugged. "I don’t know. I guess she figured you didn’t need to know."

Logan picked the coffee cup up off the counter, hoping it hadn’t grown too cold. He didn’t say another word to Jean as he left the room.

*** *** ***

"Hey, Darlin’," Logan said as he helped Jubilee sit up so he could give her an aspirin. "How ya feelin’?"

"Been better," Jubilee said. She looked up at Wolverine and frowned. "Is something wrong?"

"No, why?"

"Are you sure? You have that look you get when you’re upset about something."

"It’s nothin’. Here, drink some coffee. Might make ya feel better."

"Logan, it really doesn’t look like nothing," she said, taking the coffee from him and trying to keep it steady in her hands.

"I just had an unpleasant conversation with Jean, that’s all," Logan said.

Jubilee frowned. "What did she say? Is she still against us being together?"

"Yeah. She was tryin’ ta talk some sense into me, I think. She’d say somethin’, and when that didn’t work, she’d change her angle."

"What all did she say?"

"Oh, mainly just stuff about me bein’ bad for ya, and how I was a mistake. Somethin’ about you turnin’ t’me for comfort after ya got left at the altar, too."

Jubilee stared down into the coffee cup. "She told you Brian left me at the altar."

"Yeah. Is it true?"

"Yes."

"Why didn’t you tell me that, Darlin’?"

Jubilee shrugged slightly. "I don’t know. I guess it didn’t seem important."

"How is the fact ya almost got married not important?"

"I don’t know. I just want to forget about Brian, okay?"

"You sure I ain’t a rebound?"

"I already told you you aren’t."

"Do ya still have feelin’s for him?"

"No."

"Ya sure?"

"Yes! Dammit, Logan, I’m not in the mood for this right now."

"Jubilee…"

"What?"

"If ya don’t still care about Brian, why couldn’t ya have been honest with me about him?"

Jubilee put the coffee cup down on the bedside table, then lay down again, turning her back to Wolverine. "I don’t know. I guess I just didn’t want you to know how close I was to getting married. I’m sorry."

"Anythin’ else ya haven’t told me?"

"You’re one to ask a question like that."

"What’s that supposed ta mean?"

"Just that you’re asking me that and you have more dark secrets than the freaking CIA."

"Don’t say stuff like that."

"Why not? It’s true! How come you can ask me whatever you want and I have to tell you every little thing about my past, but you can have all the secrets you want?"

"’Cause I can’t even remember most of my past!"

Jubilee rolled over and looked up at him. "If you could, would you tell me? Better yet, have you told me all the stuff you can remember?"

"That’s different. My past is too painful to talk about."

"Well maybe getting dumped at the altar in front of everyone I know by someone who I thought loved me more than anyone I ever knew was pretty painful for me. Especially when I found out afterwards that almost all my friends knew about Brian and Christine and that they had talked frequently about what a fool I was for not noticing what was really going on."

Logan looked down at Jubilee. Tears were forming in her eyes. "I’m…I’m sorry."

Jubilee rolled back over. "Can I be alone for a little bit?" she asked. "I’m tired."

"Yeah, sure," Logan said, walking towards the door. "Sleep tight, Kid."

As soon as he was gone, Jubilee cried herself to sleep.

*** *** ***

Wolverine sat alone outside the mansion, trying to sort through his thoughts. Could what was going on between Jubilee and himself be considered "having problems" or was it simply the difficulty of adjusting to life back at the mansion? He hoped it wasn’t the former. He just couldn’t lose Jubilee, too.

"Hey, Logan."

Wolverine turned around to see Kitty standing behind him. "Hey, Pun’kin."

"Can I sit out here with you."

"Sure." Kitty sat down beside him. "How ya been?" Logan asked. "I haven’t talked to ya much since you married Petey. How’s that workin’ for ya?"

"Good, I guess."

"You guess?"

"Marriage is difficult, Logan."

"Tell me about it. Try being married ta Viper."

Kitty giggled a little. "Yeah, I can see where that would be difficult." She paused, then asked, "So what’s the deal with you and the little firecracker?"

"We’re together," Logan said, not wanting to get into that particular subject with Kitty.

"Aren’t you a little old for her?"

Logan shrugged. "Probably."

"That doesn’t bother you?"

"I’m not in danger of dyin’ any time soon."

Kitty sighed. "I think you’re making a terrible mistake."

"It ain’t your call."

"I know, but you really should listen to your friends on this one, Logan. None of us want to see you getting involved in another painful relationship."

"My friends, huh? Like who, Jean? She seemed real concerned about me bein’ in a non-painful relationship when she ran back into Scott’s arms without even havin’ the decency ta tell me first."

"Jean never wanted to hurt you, Logan."

"Look, Kitty," Wolverine began, "Relationships always end with one person leavin’ the other. It’s inevitable. If one person doesn’t walk out willin’ly, then death takes care of it for ‘em."

"That’s a grim outlook, Logan."

"Look me in the eye and tell me ya don’t agree."

"What I feel isn’t what we’re talking about here," Kitty said. "I’m worried about you."

"What about Jubilee?" Logan asked. "You’re not worried about her? In case you haven’t noticed, it usually the woman who ends up hurt in my relationships, not the other way around."

"I’m worried about both of you."

"No you’re not."

"Logan, really, be practical about this. Sure, you’re having fun now, but what about later, when things get really serious? Will she stick around? We both know Jubilee can be somewhat of a loose canon."

"Which is bad, because I’m so stable." Logan smirked. "Listen, Kitty, Jubilee and I are already serious, and we’re happy. As a matter of fact, we were both happier than we’ve ever been before. That is, until we came back here and our so-called friends started pokin’ around in business that ain’t theirs."

Kitty stood up angrily. "Fine, Logan, you just be that way. I’m sorry if I’m not allowed to care about you." She started to leave, but stopped to look at him once more. "Well, it looks like Jubilee’s maneuvered herself into getting exactly what she’s always wanted. I didn’t think she’d be able to, but it looks like you weren’t as hard to get as she always thought."

"It’s gonna take more than hits below the belt to change my mind, Pun’kin," Logan muttered as Kitty walked away.

*** *** ***

Logan went back up to his room where Jubilee was asleep. He walked over to her and noticed her eyes were still red from crying. He sat down on the edge of the bed and watched her sleeping for a moment, aching at the thought that he’d made her cry. "We shoulda just stayed away from here," he said, stroking her cheek. "We shoulda stayed where no one tried to keep us apart."

But Wolverine knew that they never would’ve been able to stay away from the mansion forever. No matter what sort of life they built for themselves elsewhere, this would always be their home and it would always call them back. He’d just have to hope that the love they shared was strong enough to survive the supposed-concern of their friends.

Logan slipped off his boots and climbed in bed next to Jubilee. He held her tightly to him, relishing the feel of her close, and telling himself that he could hold on to her forever. He kissed the top of her head, breathing in the scent of her, and for the time-being the feeling of dread that had been building inside of him ever since they had left their cabin back in Canada went away.

*** *** ***

Part Five coming soon! Let me know what you thought of Part Four!