The Knowing Touch
by Go_puppy_go! 



Part I
The lights went up.
"Hey, whad'ya do that for?" Jubilee heard the uneven, panting growl of 
Wolverine's voice from where she lay flattened under him. She stretched her head 
full-backward to where she could see the complete, if upside-down form of Remy 
LeBeau standing over them.
"Come on Gumbo, stick the program back on. Jubes and I're only just gettin' 
started." Jubilee closed her eyes, taking time to enjoy the sensation of feeling 
the big man's voice rumbling through her chest. These days she didn't get this 
close to him often.
"I'm sorry to spoil your fun but I t'ink if you try any more moves like that 
last one, you might just kill the petite!"
Wolverine's weight shifted slightly, suddenly aware that he may have been 
harming his former protegee. "Fun it is, my Cajan friend, and jus' when I'd got 
her in a compromisin' position as well!" A smirk played at the edge of his 
mouth. With her arms pinned above her head, Jubilee was in no mind to argue. 
This particualar position was very compromising but, as always, Jubilee knew 
that the only compromise she and Wolverine would be making that evening was know 
got to finish off the chocolate ice-cream. She sighed.
"Thanks for the guesture Remy, but I can handle him just fine myself."
"Handle my a...!" Logan began with a laugh.
The scent of cigars. Mmmm. "Your ass, you want me to handle your ass?! Your wish 
is my command." Jubilee manouvered one leg sideways and brought her heel sharp 
down onto the left buttock of her wrestling partner.
"Jeez!" Wolverine let go of the Jubilee's arms and rolled over, throwing a 
murderous glance at Remy, now doubled up with laughter. He pointed a finger in 
Jubilee's direction. "You'd better think yaself lucky that I don't have a metal 
bone in my butt too. And watch your mouth girl."
"You taught me everything I know" she quipped, heading out of the Danger Room 
towards her chamber and a well-deserved shower. Turning the corner into the 
corridor a shiver ran through her body as she felt the delicious coolness of the 
marble tiles on the soles of her feet. She was hot all over, not just from the 
strenuous exercise, more from spending half an hour in the company of a certain 
special someone. She hated to admit it to herself, but what else could she do. 
She ran her hands in a cleansing montion over her hips, feeling strangely 
defeated. God, he was all over her. She could sense him, smell him, the fresh 
raw smell of his sweat was mingled with her own. As her dark hair floated about 
her shoulders, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. It was okay to do just 
that, wasn't it? She wasn't so weak. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs and 
leant against the dark, polished bannister. Jean had the power to enter her head 
but no-one could ever intoxicate every part of her the way that Wolverine could. 
He was part of her.
She jumped as she heard his voice behind her.
"Seems to me you've been gettin' little stiff without practice darlin'. Can't 
have you lettin' the side down can we?" She turned around but a swish of air 
told her he'd turned into the kitchen, and smiling she continued up the stairs. 
Jubilee knew he was happy to see her back safe from Europe after five months, 
however bad he may be at showing it.
Jubilee laid a hand on the mahogany door of her chamber, knowing things were 
back to the way they were before. Then suddenly sad she shook her head, knowing 
that was half the problem- the Professor had allowed her to go to Europe in 
order to forget her feelings for Logan, the ones that had been growing inside 
her for the eight years she had known him. She pushed open the door and switched 
on the light. She scanned the familiar room for a moment, then stepped inside.
***************
Logan and Remy moved around at opposite ends of the kitchen, the Cajan preparing 
a snack in a bowl and the Canadian with his head in the freezer. A half drunk 
bottle of beer swung in his hand.
"It is nice to see our Jubilee back safe and well, no?" Remy revelled in 
approaching what he knew to be a sensitive issue with such bluntness. Logan, for 
once refused to rise to the bait and continued to shift frozen vegetables. "Sure 
is. Though I don't know how she could bear to visit the country that created the 
likes of you."
Remy laughed lightly, but loud enough that Logan heard.
"She seemed to like it well." 
"All a bunch o' damned museums if you ask me."
"I did not ask you."
"Jubilee did." A moment's silence.
"And..."
"I said I didn't see why she wanted to go runnin' 'round a foreign land when 
she's only just got out o' college here. Europe's no place for young 'uns."
"Logan, the chere is not a girl anymore.You see dat Jubilation has aquired a 
touch of culture and maturity from my homeland. To be expected my friend, to be 
expected." Wolverine mumbled a few words about Gambit aquiring something new 
before turning round.
"Alright Gumbo, you seen the chocolate ice-cream?"
"All gone I's afraid. Prepared for the petite. And now, to her chamber to 
deliver it." Remy flashed Logan his most mischevious smile, before sauntering 
towards the doorway. Logan stood blocking his way in an instant.
"Listen Gumbo, you'd better not be plannin' to try anythin' on with the girl." 
The hostility in his voice seemed to reverberate though the empty kitchen. The 
other was not to be disuaded.
"My my, seems to me dat someone cannot stand a little...competition?"
The Cajan's red eyes sparked. 
"Competition for what, may I ask?" Wolverine wanted the implication out in the 
open.
"Well,it just seems to me that you are very happy now that the chere is back. 
And so protective. It is not like you, Logan."
"I can protect her all I want, bub. Jubilee means a lot to me, an' I don't see 
why you feel a sudden need to take notice."
"If dat is not clear, Wolvie, then maybe you need to look further dan past you 
stupid claws." Gambit tried to move round the hulk that stood in his way. 
Snickt! 
"Want to call them stupid to their face, Gumbo?"
"Another time, maybe. But now, I have more important matters to attend to." Remy 
swept out the kitchen door climbed the stairs, balancing a tray on one hand. In 
the kitchen doorway, Wolverine stood and lit a cigar, tring to dismiss what the 
Cajan had said, watching the winding stairway though the smokey haze that 
gathered around him.
***************
A watery yellow light played across the lawns of the mansion as Jubilee crossed 
the garden patio and pushed open the French windows. A towel was slung across 
her shoulders, and her dark, silky hair had been pulled up into a ponytail. A 
voice in her head alerted her.
*Jubilee, could I see you in my office please?*
*I'm on my way Professor* She normally would have enjoyed a shower straight 
after her morning run but if the Professor wanted to see her at this time of 
day, it probably couldn't wait. She walked through the winding corridors, making 
her way to the front of the house and paused to knock on the office door. A 
voice stopped her.
*Enter* Jubilee smiled to herself. She still often forgot the strength of the 
Professor's telepathic power's, much stronger than Jean's or Betsy's. She pushed 
the heavy door aside and saw Professor Xavier seated in his usual spot behind 
the big, mahogany desk. His smile, as ever, was warm without any hint of a 
threat. He questured to the nearby seat.
"Sit down my dear. You look quite exhausted." She took the chair and placed her 
towel over the back carefully. Turning around, she saw the Professor scanning 
her face with that deep understanding in his eyes that had first welcomed her 
upon coming to the mansion.
"Now tell me, Jubilation. How did we find Europe?" It wasn't just a courtesy 
question, he really wanted to know.
"Oh, it was beautiful. Paris, Rome, Florence, London. They were all wonderful, 
all so different. Italy in particular, I fell in love with." She was eager to 
show him that her trip had been enjoyed thoroughly. "Is that so?" The 
Professor's look was direct; Jubilee realised that her choice of words had given 
him just the link he needed.
"Well..." she hung her head. The Professor took her hand gently. "I know you 
still like him. You feel you've failed me Jubilee?" A sorrowful nod was all the 
answer he needed. "My dear, remember, it was your decision to go to Europe to 
forget about your feelings for Wolverine, not mine. I agreed it could be your 
twenty-first birthday present because it was what you wanted to do. It was not 
my suggestion." Jubilee raised her head. 
"I thought if I could just get away, I could clear my head. The distractions of 
Europe I thought would help me forget how I've felt about him all this time. But 
what is it they say, 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder'?" She gave a laugh 
without any mirth. "Professor, you know I'm not one to use cliches, but this, 
this was exactly how I felt. I walked inside the colluseum, I toured so many 
galleries," she began to cry, "I'd lie in the sun in a Florencian field, but 
everywhere I look I could see his face."
She felt so lame, so pitiful. Is this what the fierce X-men had taught her to 
be? She stood to go, but the Professor stopped her, his hand on her wrist.
"Child, don't give up hope. I know the strength you have inside. If you want to 
forget your feelings for him, then you shall, in time. Giving up will only make 
it worse. Be strong Jubilee, don't give up." It hurt her to hear these words 
coming from the Professor. He knew all their minds; if she and Wolverine had any 
chance he would have told her. With a resigned motion she nodded. She squeezed 
the Professor's hand and, with his watchful eye gazing after her, headed out the 
door determined to forget her feelings for Wolverine forever...
Part II
Jubilee stepped out the back-door and stretched, before beginning to jog slowly 
round the mansion's garden path towards the wooded area that served as much as a 
defence for the X-men's headquarters as a training area for the team's younger 
members. The pace she set was not out of inability on her part- her small frame 
allowed her to be speedy when required. It was more than it was in the early 
morning she could truly appreciate the tranquil sanctury that the mansion had 
become for so many mutants. She had missed that security while away in Europe.
She continued her run moving deep into the woods, enjoying the patterns of light 
that played over the ground and tall, almost branchless trees. She allowed her 
mind to replay her trip to Europe, seeing the beautiful buildings and 
countryside as though she were there again. As she slowed to walk for a little 
way, she heard a familiar sound to her left. The hissing, metallic sound of 
Wolverine's claws was enough of a sign to tell her he was nearby. After a brief 
hesitation, she made her way off the sandy path and moved into the undergrowth.
It wasn't hard to find him. She stood in the shadows for a little while, 
watching him practising moves on the trunk of a tree that was unfortunate enough 
to feel the full wrath of the wolf-man's blades. "Lookin' at something darlin'?" 
Damn. Note to self- never stand upwind of man with unnatural sense of smell.
"I'm feeling sorry for the tree." She stepped into the clearing as he turned 
round. He was streaked with sweat and mud, this had obviously been one of his 
more energetic practises. "Watch it, you'll take someone's eye out with those." 
Smiling, she pointed at his razor-sharp claws. He retracted them and sat down on 
the desecrated tree stump.
"Have a seat, ma'am?" She sat in front of him where he guestured. "What ya been 
doing with yerself at this time a morning?" She had her running shoes and 
jogging pants on; she was covered in sweat- what did he think she'd been doing? 
It wasn't like Wolvie to make small talk. She humoured him.
"Shopping." Ignoring his expression, she set her face in a mock-shocked 
expression and put her hands on her hips. "Oh honest to goodness Wolvie, you 
should see yourself. Your hair's all over the place, if Creed came along he'd 
probably run off just at the sight of you!"
She knelt up in front of him and ignoring his growling complaint and 
half-hearted (more eigth-hearted) attempt to push her aside, began to tease his 
wild mass of hair into the two points it normally grew in. It was actually quite 
soft. She ran her fingers in long strokes from his temples and despite himself, 
his eyes began to close. An approving rumble escaped from his chest as she 
worked her way down, moving onto smoothing his long side-burns. She took the 
opportunity to look at his face, recognising every crease and line that she had 
probably seen more times that her own reflection. A pang of yearning hit her 
hard in the throat; she swallowed in down as deep as she could. Her hand moved 
slowly across to a large smear of mud staining his cheek, her hovering fingers 
aching to stroke the warm flesh. She lowered them down.
"Son of a...!" Wolverine's eyes shot open as a bright spark of shearing light 
escape Jubilee's fingers. She pulled them away, embarrassed- did Wolverine know 
that she only did that when experiencing some deep emotion? She stood up and 
caught his eyes as he rubbed his cheek.
"Now what the flamin' hell made you wanna go and do that" he let his hand drop 
and he stared at her, angrily. She hung her head, then returned the look, sad, 
desperately hurt feeling showing all across her face. There was no explanation 
she could give. He saw her eyes travel across to the wound; her mouth became a 
round 'o' of amazement.
"Wolvie, you...your wound! It's bleeding...it's not healing!" He put his hand up 
to the burn mark and pulling it away, stared at the red liquid that was smeared 
across his fingers. He wasn't used to this, normally his healing ability took 
effect before proper bleeding began. He looked up again, as shocked as she was.
"What have you done to me girl?" His voice was not angry, but to Jubilee it did 
not matter. "Darlin', I'm sorry. It's not your fault, it's not your fault 
Jubilee." He stood, trying to catch and comfort her, but she slipped away from 
his arms. Her face wet with tears, she turned and ran across the clearing into 
the undergrowth with Wolverine's forgiving words lost after her.
***************
Two days later and Jubilee quietly entered the breakfast hall. Moving toward the 
food area, she chose some cereal and in doing so, quickly stole a glance over 
her shoulder. Yes, he was there, sitting with Jean and Rogue on a four-person 
table. Her eyes scanned the room. Scott or Remy were nowhere to be seen. If she 
didn't sit with the others, it would be obvious that she was trying to avoid 
Logan. She swallowed down a lump in her throat- is this what things had come to? 
She felt after the spark incident that she couldn't even trust herself to be 
around him. But it was for the best, the Professor said she had to be strong and 
she would. Even if it meant ignoring Wolverine completely, even if it tore her 
apart.
She picked up her bowl and wound her way through the chattering students to the 
table. She slid into her seat.
"Mornin' sugah."
"Hey Rogue."
"Good morning Jubilee. Did you enjoy your run?"
"Yeah Jean, it's going to be a beautiful day today." There was a moment's 
silence.
"G'Morning darlin'." Logan's voice sounded unsure of what to expect as a 
response.
"Hey." Jean and Rogue exchanged looks; this was definately not like Jubilee. 
Normally she would have thrown her arms around him before even getting her food. 
Wolverine concentrated on his meal, stubborn not to make the next move with 
Jubilee. She picked at the soggy cornflakes in her bowl. Everyone sat without 
speech until Jean's voice entered Jubilee's head.
*Jubilee, has something happened between you and Wolverine?*
*Jean, there's nothing wrong, okay?*
*Nothing wrong? Logan is obviously very hurt, and so are you. I can feel it. 
Listen, I know you're both stubborn but I'm sure we can patch things up easily.*
*No Jean, we can't. Just believe me, we can't.*
*Does this have something to do with his wound?*
*I don't know anything about that. Just leave it will you.* Jubilee got up and 
left the dining area quickly, looking rather distressed. Knowing she was hurting 
him was killing her. All three followed her with their eyes.
Wolverine's fist smashed down on the table top. "Damn it! What's got into that 
girl?" The room fell silent, all eyes turning in his direction.
"Darlen, did y'all go an do somethin' to upset Jubilee?" Rogue spoke softly as 
the buzz of speech returned to the room.
"I...no, I haven't done a thing." He knew better than to tell them about the 
spark incident. He put his had up to the cut; Jean's eyes followed and felt the 
emotion that the guesture evoked.
"Don't y'all go worryin' yourself then. It's probably just ladies stuff. She'll 
be fine in a few days."
Logan's brows furrowed, and mumbling under his breath got up and left the room.
***************
Logan was disturbed as the mornings events popped into his head again. He didn't 
know what was wrong with Jubilee; more so he didn't know why he cared. A growl 
escaped his throat. He wasn't good at dealing with his feelings, all he knew was 
that the way Jubilee was acting was hurting him. He'd missed her more and more 
as the months she was away passed and for her to come back and be hostile...? He 
didn't know what his feelings meant, but he did know they were new to him. He 
pushed it once again to the back of his mind.
Now he was in the mood for a brawl, and where better to find one than with his 
old friend Hank in the lab. He pushed the door open quietly and smelt the air. 
Yes, the Beast was definately present. But where? In the silver lid of a heat 
closet, Wolverine's sharp eyes noted a blue reflection. He must be behind that 
work bench at the far end. He took a few silent steps into the centre of the 
room then leapt over the white counter, claws bared, knocking a test-tube rack 
over the end. A metal clang told him it was not the scientist but a pressurised 
gas cannister he had bitten into. Muttering a few obscenities, he saw the other 
emerge from a side room.
"Why Logan. What on..." He saw the Canadian embracing the gas cannister and 
chuckled. "Ah, my diversion fooled you, I see." Wolverine growled and stood up, 
annoyed to have been tricked so easily. He brushed himself off, shards of glass 
falling everywhere. Hank saw the mess lying nearby.
"Experiment GH-819! Logan, you are highly lucky I neutralised the contents this 
morning, otherwise we may have gotten to see for ourselves just how that metal 
is affixed to your bones. I am too relieved to repremand you." He swept the mess 
away quickly, then looked at Logan.
"Egad, some has touched you after all!" He stepped closer to inspect the burn 
mark on Logan's face. Logan pushed him away.
"This ain't nothin' to do with your experimentations Doc. I got this earlier, 
and it won't close up. I was wonderin' if you could tell me whart the problem 
is."
Hank placed some thick, rather absurd looking glasses on his nose, then, after 
studying the burn for a short while, turned to the laboratory computer.
"Open wound...clotting as normal...healing abilities..." He tapped away quickly, 
then stood up looking pleased yet confused.
"Got any idea, Doc?" Wolverine sat on the edge of a counter and lit a cigar.
"It's all right here. It's what they call a 'Willing Suspension'. You have 
purposefully restrained your usual metamorphic properties... " Hank paused to 
look at the other man. Wolverine returned his look. "You can use whatever fancy 
language you choose, Doc. You're sayin' that I don't want ta get better, 
correct."
"Correct."
"No, incorrect. Why would I not want to heal up. You think I like this, you 
think I think it makes me look pretty?"
"Well, to tell you the truth Logan, I'm as baffled as you. I cannot see any 
reason why you would choose not to allow yourself to heal. How did you say you 
obtained the injury?"
"It was a...cigar burn. Smokin' on the Harley." Wolverine waved the half smoked 
stogie in the air.
"Well really Logan. I can hardly believe you could be so irresponsible."
*Me neither Logan*
*Now you stay outta this Missy. I know you love pokin' round inside my head, but 
you ain't gonna find anything but bike grease in there*
*Then why did you lie to him Logan. I know that wasn't true.*
*You can think what like, but I'm not makin' it that easy for you. You wanna 
know, you try and find out*
*You're on*
"Logan...Logan! Listen to me. As to the wound, you had better work out what the 
problem is fast. Only you can allow yourself to begin to reheal. In addition, 
I've not any idea whether it's only this that will refuse to heal. Until then, 
protect yourself against larger wounds. Try and stay out of trouble, please. " 
Wolverine jumped down and strode to the door.
"Oh, and Logan." He turned. "Lay off of the cigars. They'll kill you."
Snickt! "Wrong Doc. These'll kill ya."
***************
Rogue entered the large front room. The lights were off and the late hour meant 
that no sun came in through the front picture window. She slid her gloved hand 
along the wall, feeling for the switch. The lights went up- Rogue saw Jubilee's 
form curled up in one of the leather armchairs. Her face was stained with tears.
Rogue moved and sat on the chair's arm, stroking Jubilee's hair softly. The 
younger girl sat up and threw her arms around the other's waist, sobbing into 
her soft blue sweater.
"You've gotta talk to someone sugah," Rogue said softly, "Else whatever's goin' 
on's gonna tear y'all to pieces." She looked into the other girl's face. "Now 
you gonna tell Rogue what's goin' on?"
"I..." Jubilee began, as Remy entered the room, closely followed by Bobby. She 
looked to them, then back to Rogue.
"Come on, y'all can talk in my room." Rogue placed a tender arm around Jubilee's 
shoulder's and lead her out of the room. The two men looked at them for a moment 
before turning to fight over the best seat. Five minutes later and Jubilee and 
Rogue sat on the older woman's bed, a soft blanket that was normally slung over 
it's head now round Jubilee's shoulder's. 
"Now come on Jubilee. You an' ah've been pals for a long time now. Whatever's 
goin' on, you can tell me. Now this is about Wolverine, isn't it?" Rogue's voice 
was gentle but persistant, Jubilee couldn't lie to her. She nodded sadly and 
sniffed.
"Ah seen that you an' Wolvie ain't been such good pals this last week. Has he 
done somethin' to hurt you?" She tucked Jubilee's long, soft hair behind her ear 
as though she were a child.
"No, no, it's nothing like that." Jubilee was eager to show Rogue that it wasn't 
Logan's fault. "It's just...I...I don't think I can be friends with him 
anymore." 
Rogue couldn't believe what she was hearing. Jubilee and Wolverine had been 
inseperable since the girl had arrived at the mansion aged thirteen. The longer 
Jubilee had been away at college, the more low Wolverine had got and now she was 
home to not be speaking? "Now come on Jubilee, we all have our li'l arguements. 
Whatever's happened, you two can fix it up in a couple o' days..."
"No Rogue, no! We can't- things have changed now. I can't explain to you...I 
need some time to think."
Rogue was confused by Jubilee's strange behaviour, but decided that compassion 
was the best approach. She would probaly be over it in a day or two. She hugged 
the other girl.
"Alright sugah, y'all stay right here while ah have a shower. If y'all wanna 
talk som'more later, I'll be here." She released Jubilee and went into the 
bathroom, locking the door behind her. As Jubilee heard the moan of the shower 
pump begin, she pulled her knees up to her chin and closed her eyes. She 
desperately wanted to tell her friend what was going on but to admit her 
feelings would be, to her, like a defeat. Once she overcame her feelings, things 
could get back to normal. The sooner the better.
The moan of the pump stopped and Rogue's muffled voice called through from the 
bathroom.
"Ah, damn it sugah, I've gone an' left ma towel on tha bed. Could y'all be so 
good as to bring it here?" Rogue's moist arm appeared from the doorway.
"Sure thing." Jubilee picked up the towel and brought it over to Rogue's groping 
hand. "You know what Rogue, I thought that going to Europe would solve all my 
problems, but I just feel as though I'm coming back to them times ten..."
Before she knew it, her bare arm connected with the woman's palm and she felt an 
extreme rush of power surging towards the point. Her skin felt puckered and 
pinched, stung as though tender and burnt. Every emotion she'd ever felt flowed 
as to a burst dam and her blood sizzled. Colours exploded before her eyes 
brighter than any that'd every issued from her fingertips and these melted 
together, forming a deep red colour before turning to black as she fell to the 
floor.
Part III
"How is she?" Jean walked briskly up to Rogue where she stood outside the 
medi-lab, looking through the small glass panel in the door. The flourescent 
light from inside showed how pale and worried her face was- Jean knew that Rogue 
was always so hard on herself when she accidently touched people. 
"Still asleep, but she's just fine- she's got the best carer y'all could want 
for in there."
Jean stepped behind Rogue to look in the window. Logan was perched on a stool 
next to her, watching her face for any sign of conciousness. The picture was a 
long way from the hostile mood at breakfast that morning. Both women smiled at 
the rare display of Logan's tender side.
"He's been in there for almost three hours now, I think I'll give him a break." 
Jean softly opened the door and Logan looked up.
*Time's up, Logan*
*We're doin' just fine Jeannie. You run along now until she wakes up*
*No, it's time you had some rest. I'll alert you if she stirs. No buts.*
Wolverine was tired. He stood up and with one last look at Jubilee, headed out 
the door. He smiled at Rogue, his face showing how exhausted he really was.
"You're a good carer to her, Logan." She felt strange talking to him about 
Jubilee, knowing what she did.
He ran a ran over his face. "Jeez, Rogue. When I think about how she's been 
actin' toward me, I just don't know what I've done. And then I could have lost 
her today. I've been so stubborn. I want to be there when she wakes up, I want 
to say I'm sorry."
"No, ah don't think that's a good idea Logan. You might go'n upset her more."
He looked hard at her. "Whad'ya talkin' about girl. Do you know something about 
all this?" 
Rogue looked down guiltily. She couldn't keep anything from him now, not with 
Jubilee so ill. She looked up at his face.
"Can we move up the corridor ah bit. We might be disturbin' the patient." They 
moved to a big window overlooking the grounds and took a deep breath.
"Darlen, what ah saw when ah touched Jubilee, well, ah don't really know what to 
say. Ah think it's best ah tell you but, this...this you need to prepare youself 
for. What ah saw...pictures, some real, some ah hope and believe to be false...
"Rogue, you know I'm not one for criptic clues. Whad'ya tryin' to tell me here?"
Rogue lightly touched his arm. "Ah think she loves you, sugah."
She felt his muscles tense to pained, angry, hurt knots. Wolverine gripped the 
side of the window. "Then why has she been acting the way she has."
"Logan, you hurt her for so many years. She's scared you're going to hurt her 
again."
"What are you saying? How long as she felt this way about me? All this time?" A 
realisation showed in the lines of his face. Rogue was scared by the look in his 
eyes. 
"Logan..." she said softly. 
"NO!" He threw up his arms, knocking hers away and looked down for a moment, she 
heard the 'Snickt' of his claws unsheathing. Then he turned and walked, gaining 
speed as he moved up the corridor and was engulfed by shadows. Rogue took a few 
steps after him, then let him go. She leant against the windowsill, looking at 
the light cast down onto the lawn by the lab window, and the shadow of Jean 
moving round the sleeping patient inside. 
"Ah may have my gloves on Logan, but there ah some thengs ah can feel all the 
same."
***************
Wolverine strode across the lawn to the garage, scoring deep lines into the 
trunk of each tree as he went. He had no idea how to deal with the pain he felt. 
He needed to get away from it. He threw the doors open and ripped the taupaline 
of the bulk inside.
The Harley glinted in the light from the one bulb swinging at the ceiling. 
Wolverine's claws slid back between his knuckles and he stroked the motorcycle's 
body. Here was one creature he understood.
*Logan, you'd better not be doing what I think you are*
He turned to where he could see her silhouette against the medi-lab window.
*Stay outta this Red, it's what I gotta do.* He pulled the bike out of the shed.
*Logan, you can't run away from your feelings*
*Just watch me.*
The deep revs rumbled like thunder around the lawns and walls of the mansion.
"If it hurts to be near me darlin', I'd reckon I'd better get as far away as 
possible." The growl of his voice was tainted with anger, bitterness and sorrow.
Wolverine gained speed as he exited the large iron gates and sped along the open 
road. To leave the way he felt behind, ot clear his head for one moment was all 
he wanted. The bike ate up the road at lightning speed, but still Wolverine 
pushed it to go faster, faster.
He took a corner more quickly than the bike could handle, an on-coming vehicle 
swerving to avoid him. In a craze of lights, sound and the metallic tang of 
blood in the air and his mouth, Wolverine hit the far wall of the ditch hard and 
lay still. With his healing powers useless, he felt himself slipping away.
***************
When he opened his eyes, all was silent. How long had he been there? It was 
still pitch black- not long then. He put his hand to his mouth, feeling for the 
gash that had been there before he fell unconcious. Nothing. The rest of him was 
the same, though there were large tears in his clothing there was no wound 
there. He climbed out of the ditch, using his large, strong hands to lift him 
up.
The Harley lay on it's side in the dust, the road deserted. He went over and 
uprighted it. Not a scratch in sight. He chuckled. This bike seemed to have 
healing properties of it's own. Then suddenly seriously he switched the 
head-light on and moved himself to look into the mirror. He was the same as 
before, just his lined, side-burned face. He turned his head to the side. The 
burn scar still marked his cheek-bone. He raised a hand to touch it.
"Jubilee, darlin'."
He whispered the words as he suddenly understood why this alone refused to heal. 
He had tryed to fool himself that this mark was just a mistake, one of Jubilee's 
jokes, but now he saw that he'd know all along. Emotion for Jubilee escaped as a 
spark. This burnt mark was a sign of Jubilee's passion for him. She couldn't 
help giving it to him; he couldn't bear to let it heal when it was all he had of 
her.
Wolverine mounted the bike, seeing clearly for the first time since Jubilee had 
returned home from Europe, she was beautiful. Mature and beautiful. Mature and 
beautiful, and his if he'd had enough sense to see it. He started the engine, 
and began up the road back towards the mansion.
***************
The roar of an engine was that of a beast, stalking her in the pitch black 
night. The forest Jubilee ran through with bleeding feet had no limits, her 
powers had gone and she had no chance of escape.
Jubilee broke from her dreams as one drowning under ice finding the air. She 
struggled to breathe, he face contorted and she grabbed at anything near her for 
support, sending medical instruments flying across the floor. Jean looked round 
from where she had been dozing by the window and ran to her patient.
"Jubilee, Jubilee it's me, Jean." She wrapped her arms around the girl tight to 
stop her from hurting herself. "Jubilee, you were having a nightmare." She held 
her as her struggling slowed. Finally she lay back on the bed, eyes closed. She 
covered them with her hand.
"Jean?"
"Yes my dear, it's me."
"Jean, where is he?"
"No-one's here but you and me. You were having a bad dream."
Jubilee's arm dropped. "I mean Logan, you know I mean Logan."
"Oh." Jean didn't know what to say. Jubilee looked at her face, then turned her 
head away.
"He knows, doesn't he?" She swallowed. "He's gone. Tell me the truth Jean. He's 
gone hasn't he?"
Jean looked into Jubilee's eyes. She wished she could say something to comfort 
the other.
"I'm right here, darlin'" Jean and Jubilee looked up- Wolverine stood at the 
door. His clothes were slashed across the front and he looked as if he'd been to 
war. 
*I'll leave you two alone* 
*You do that, Jeannie* Logan moved to the bed as Jean slipped quietly out the 
door.
***************
Rogue entered the kitchen to find Jean making an early morning snack. The 
red-head was standing, arms folded, a milk-carton suspended in front of her. As 
Rogue watched the milk-carton tilted and poured it's contents into a bowl of 
cereal below before floating back towards the fridge.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Rogue leant forward over the kitchen counter. She 
knew Jean had something on her mind. Watching the normally composed woman 
smiling secretively alone in the kitchen was enough of a signal.
"Rogue, I can't believe what I just did. You'll think I'm absolutely awful."
"Sugah, ah have done things that would turn your hair white. Where do you think 
I got this." She pointed to fringe.
"Well, you'll have to keep a secret."
Rogue giggled. "Ah just love secrets."
*When you told Wolverine about Jubilee, he just drove off on his bike.*
*Ah know. Ah was watching.* 
*And were you watching when he came back?*
*Yeah, an' he was shedded to pieces. Looked like he'd had a bad run in with 
Creed.*
*I made him crash his bike.* 
"You what?!" Rogue shouted. *Sorry 'bout that. You what?!*
*Well, he was going to just leave her like that Rogue. You know how hot headed 
he gets. I couldn't let him.*
*What did you do?*
*Well, there was an abandoned car a little down the road. I used my telekenesis 
to move it, but I was aiming to miss, really. I wouldn't have let it hit him. I 
just wanted to give him a short, sharp shock.*
"Jeannie, you are a real devil!" Rogue laughed as she said it. "You did tha 
right theng but whoa, we might need to be keeping our eye on you! Is this a new, 
naughty side we' ll be seein' of Jean Grey?"
Jean laughed and threw Rogue a michevious glance, before leaning forward to 
devour her cornflakes.
***************
In the medi-lab, Jubilee sat up a little, and ran her hand across Logan's chest.
"Wolvie, what happened to you?" She spoke gently and looked into his face 
concernedly.
He put his hand on hers, moving it from the ripped clothing to rest on his knee. 
"It's nothin' you gotta worry about, Jubes. Just got a little sense knocked into 
me, that's all."
"Wolvie, I'm sorry..." Her voice was quilty, worried, ashamed.
"Darlin', there's nothin' you gotta worry yourself for. It's me should be 
apologisin'." He brought his hand up to stroke her face. "You've been here all 
this time, an' I've been to stubborn to notice you, let alone do a thing about 
it. I thought you'd come back from college and Europe to good for your old 
Wolvie..."
She put a hand to his mouth, "No, Wolvie I..."
He took it, laughing, "Jubilee, Rogue's told me everything. It's okay, but jus' 
let me finish. Right, it hurt me. I thought that's what's been goin' on all 
these last few days. Then it's only when I nearly lose you, twice, that I see 
sense."
She looked at him questioningly. "Twice?"
He smiled. "I'll explain later." He leaned slowly forward, taking her head in 
his hand as one arm slid around her back. He kissed her on the lips, a kiss so 
soft yet so full of passion that when they finally pulled apart she let her eyes 
remain closed. She opened them, and smiled, her hand moving up to play with his 
hair. Then her breath sucked in with surprise. 
"Wolvie, your scar's gone!" She stroked the smooth, unmarked area on his skin. 
He smiled.
"I'm not surprised Darlin', I'm not surprised at all."
Epilogue
Jubilee sat in the Professor's office. The summer evening was warm and a breeze 
flowed in the open window, stirring her black hair. She turned to the man 
opposite.
"Yes, thank you Professor. Wolverine and I are getting along just fine. No wars 
yet." They both laughed.
"Just one thing though." This had been puzzling her for some time now. "Why did 
you tell me to forget about him. You must have know that we were going to get 
together. Why didn't you just tell me? Why all the heartache."
Professor Xavier smiled. "My dear, you know Wolverine so much better than me, 
and I think you'll agree that the man is as stubborn as a mule with toothache." 
A chuckle showed her agreement. He continued.
"I knew he'd never open his eyes to you unless you acted in a way that confused 
him. He wouldn't want you until he couldn't have you." He put a hand on her 
shoulder. "You had to let him think he'd won." He patted her warmly.
"Now run along Jubilee. He's looking for you."
She got up, a little confused but pleased. " I don't know what to say 
Professor..."
"Then, my dear, don't say anything at all. Goodday."
"Bye." She left, closing the door behind her.
He wheeled his chair over to the window, looking out over the ranging from lawns 
of the school, his finger's pressed together as he leaned back in the evening 
sunshine. He laughed softly to himself, then sighed. "Couldn't let Jean take all 
the credit. Ah well, an old man's allowed to make a few mistakes in matters such 
as these." He closed his eyes, holding that thought and drifted slowly off to 
sleep.
The End
-Oh God, this is my first story. What did you think? Please give me a few words 
of feedback on Go_puppy_go@wolverineandjubilee.com. I listened to 'November 
Rain' by Guns and Roses a lot when writing. Inspiration? Maybe. Thanks for 
reading!-