I Gotcha Now
By Trynia Merin
Disclaimer: Jubilee, Wolverine and the X-men aren't my creations, they belong to Marvel. With the exception of Dmitri and Lori, who are mine for the fun of it all.
This is a Jubilee/Logan thing, but there is no gratuitous sex. Jubilee's legal at age 21, and I've read all sorts of shipper fic with them by various talented authors. I hadn't intended for this to be such a story, but it happened, and I found myself going "gasp, I have to make her OLD enough so it won't be offensive'. What you see is the result of that change. Just WHERE and how much they're going to get into remains to be seen, but I hope this story isn't TOO much like the others out there… so if you see some common elements don't yell at me too loud…
This takes place in the Animated Series concept to some extent, with elements of the recent magazines and my own insanity, so don't worry about nitpicking TOO much because this is all for fun and it's just FANFICTION! So sit back, relax and enjoy, review and read please!
Part 1
"I gotcha now, you little runt!" he snarled as he licked his fangs. Eyes gleamed an inhuman beastly white, and she backed away from the chair.
"But you promised…"
"Lesson one, don't believe a word ya hear a caged beast say," Creed laughed. She seemed tiny, insignificant in comparison to the muscled mountain with razor sharp claws. Jubilee raised her hands, collecting herself, but the fear pounded in her chest. A fizzle of sparks flew into his face, but he batted the balls of light easily aside.
"Sparklers are for the fourth a July, brat," he laughed.
Adrenaline pounded into her system. Jubilee froze, and struggled to will her body to move. Each long legged stride brought him closer, and she couldn't move away fast enough. Every time she broke into a run, her legs moved through Jell-O. His breath was on the back of her neck, foul, and steaming hot. Her neck snapped back and she was jerked backwards to collide with a solid unyielding mass of muscle and bones.
Arms the size of tree trunks wrapped her in a grip of iron. Across her throat slid the tips of his talons, and she kicked and struggled.
"Say goodbye to your innocent ass kid!" he roared in wicked glee. Her hands were useless, her power fizzling. There seemed no way to break his grip.
"Nnnooo!" she screamed. Her mind drifted up out of her body and glanced down at the teenager caught in Sabertooth's clutches. With detached amusement it saw as it turned the girl in his arms, and jerked her head back to expose her throat. Hunching over he stared into her eyes.
"I smell yer fear… and it's delicious… wonder if yer blood's just as tasty…"
"The professor helped you… he…"
"I was just fakin it kid! You really ARE stupider than ya look you dumb skirt! I aughta put ya out of yer misery… useless…"
"If I could get my hands loose you…" she gritted, though her heart pounded.
"Save it… you're MINE!"
"Drop the kid an pick on someone yer own size, slimeball!" someone roared from across the room. At the moment he glanced up, Jubilee saw the flash of several bright skewers followed by a yellow, blue and black streak. It connected with her captor's chest and at the same time tore her free. She dropped as the momentum of her rescuer's pounce knocked Sabertooth over.
Metal pierced cloth, and drew blood. Another swipe and kick pushed him off. Jubilee shook her head, backing away to see two forces of nature colliding. One brown and tan, slashing and ripping at the smaller figure ripping triple cuts wherever he could reach. Whatever they were, they were not human, not even mutant. Something closer to animal than anything she could fathom.
Sabertooth jerked his body around, and threw his opponent across the floor. However Wolverine twisted and compensated, landing on his feet with his claws out and ready. There was less than a second between his first and second swipes, which connected with the massive thigh. A scrape across yellow and her rescuer bled his first. And then another flurry of ripping and tearing till he disappeared under the larger creature's talons. Jubilee struggled to move her arms, her legs, but the air was jello, and she couldn't move quickly enough, push herself to her feet. The distance between where she ran in place and the fury increased till it slipped down a curved horizon.
When she leapt up, her feet pushed her nearly into orbit and she came to land a mere ten feet.
Yellow and blue were being lifted like crash tests dummy and hoisted over the head of her attacker. Sabertooth threw back his head, roaring in triumph as he shook his opponent's body. Then with a heave, Wolverine sailed over her head and landed at her feet.
"It's yer fault girlie," he laughed. "Finally I got him! Finally… and it's all cause of you…"
"No!" Jubilee yelled as she cupped her hands and struggled to generate the spark that could still make a difference. But white hot light exploded, and all she saw was the approaching gash of teeth and bright gleaming eyes fixing right into her scared mind.
"Now I'm comin fer you!"
Her legs were tangled in his grasp, and she was snapped backwards and thrown on her side. She slammed hard and her breath gushed out as she lay trembling. Her voice filled an empty void and there was darkness as Jubilee jolted back. The sound of that cry was incredibly loud, her own scream, and she wondered how she could make such a noise in a logical corner of her mind.
"Omigod, omigod," Jubilee gasped, reality imposing itself. Her hands flailed out, touching soft cloth, tangled around her legs, and the flat surface of a mattress under her body. Sweat soaked her nightshirt and sweatpants, and she seized the side of the bed before she tumbled off.
The thump to her backside jolted her, and she lay with her back to the side of the bed, shivering. Her arms wouldn't move, and her heart wouldn't stop churning blood through the loud pounding in her temples. Silence was filled with shadow, and the sounds of the door opening and people's voices.
"Jubilee!" Jean Grey gasped as she stood just inside the door.
"What happin, that's what Remmy wanna know…"
"Easy kid, easy…" came another gruff voice, and she was surrounded by shadows and light that flickered on and stung her eyes. Jean Grey's hands held her, and she lay there panting, sweat dribbling down her. Kneeling on one knee in his sweatpants and oversize X-men shirt, Remy's red eyes blinked in confusion then concern.
Logan crouched over Jubilee, his one hand extended to just touch her shaking arm.
"Oh god… oh god, this just can't be happening now, not again after so long," Jubilee stammered.
"Another doozy, huh?" Wolverine asked.
"The absolute worst, Wolvie," she panted, fighting back tears. She gripped the front of his wifebeater shirt, loose and white and covering his chest.
"Shh, it's okay darlin… nothing's gonna get you," Wolverine whispered, and his hand tightened on hers. The simple clasping of short strong fingers around her small hand gave her a reality check she seriously needed.
"It's all right petit, Remy's here," Gambit said as he slid his arm around her shoulder.
Rogue poked her head in, and Jubilee closed her eyes, fear subsiding and replaced with embarrassment. The mask rose and set in place. "It's no big deal… I just fell out of bed…" she protested; though she couldn't stop the little quiver in her cracked throat.
"Kid… Jubilee ya sounded like someone was…" Logan started, and then snapped his mouth shut when he glanced at her face. "Anyway, you okay?"
"I'm fine… I just…" Jubilee panted. "Man, that was just… some nightmare, no big deal… okay?"
"If you want to talk about it…" Jean started.
"I'd rather not, okay?" Jubilee answered quickly.
"Jubilee, I know you've had these before, there's no shame in…"
"I'm okay, really," Jubilee cut her off. "Jeez wake the whole mansion… I'm awake; it's over, end of story… okay? Thanks guys for running to the rescue, but I totally just want to take my mind off it…"
"Doesn't sound like she wants ta share, Red," Logan said to Jean, as she opened her mouth to protest again.
"All right, but if you feel like it you know where I am," Jean said, confusion on her face as she reached out to Jubilee's mind, but found resistance. Something blocking her, something primal and thick and tangible. Base emotions a telepath had difficulty reading through.
Gambit and Wolverine gently helped her up, and she sat on the bed. Rogue walked in with a bottle of water, and passed it to Gambit as Jean backed away, blinking. "Here ya are, sweet pea."
"Gimmie a break, I'm not a baby," Jubilee muttered. "I'm not some little kid who needs mommy to pat me on the head and tuck me in cause the boogie man scared me!"
"We're only trying to help…" Jean said slowly. Wolverine and she exchanged a glance, and she turned her head away for a moment. Gambit raised an eyebrow, then glanced back to Jubilee.
"Maybe she don't want yer help," Wolverine muttered to Jean.
"I'm sorry Rogue… I'm just…" Jubilee trailed off.
"It's okay Sugah… ah understand…" Rogue said.
"Rogue, why don't you go back to sleep. Don't worry, Cherie, Gambit'll stay with her…" Remy offered. "She be fine…"
"Maybe you'd like someone to sit around here, and just help you take your mind off it…" Logan said as he sat down on the side of the bed opposite Gambit, on Jubilee's left side. "Will that be all right with you, kid? Just till ya go to sleep…"
"That'd be cool," she said. "If you really want to…"
"No worries," Wolverine said slowly, and watched in irritation as Gambit leapt off the bed, and started to lift the curtain on the window. He opened her sliding closet door, and leaned inside to knock on the doors.
"What are you doing?" Jubilee asked. "You big goof!"
"Gambit'll find the boogie man," he joked as he moved away from the bed and lifted the sheets. He leaned down to peer under the bed.
"Hah hah, so funny I forgot to laugh," Jubilee muttered, rolling her eyes.
"Stop foolin around gumbo," Wolverine muttered as he pulled up a chair. "Get some rest Jeannie… we'll handle this…"
"Thanks Remy, Logan," said Jean. "I'll see you in the morning Jubilee…"
Jubilee glanced up at Jean, and sighed, "Jean I'm sorry that I just don't wanna talk about it… I appreciate you doing all this… but I just wanna do anything BUT think about it… I guess it's okay if Remy and Wolvie stick around… I'll behave…"
"It's all right, you know where to find me just in case…" Jean said softly as she retreated. Gathering the long pink robe around her, she tiptoed out of the room. She kept the door partly open. Getting up from the bed, Wolverine grabbed the desk chair from in front of Jubilee's messy computer workstation and planted it right next to the bed. He rested his arms on the chair back and hooked his legs on either side. Gambit settled down next to Jubilee and slid his arm around her shoulder.
"One hell of a scream you got there," Logan said conversationally. "Considering you said it's no big deal…"
"Well, I guess it is sort of," Jubilee said. "But I really don't want to talk about it… sorry…"
"She's just makin' sense," Gambit said. "The petit' don' have t' tell us her nightmares… Gambit'll just stay here an' keep her company. Make some popcorn, watch TV…"
"That is so much like what I'd do if I were still in sixth grade," Jubilee giggled, relaxing. "But seriously it's sweet of you guys to stay here… but I don't think I'm EVER gonna get back to sleep…"
"You could use a little rest, Jubester," Wolverine urged.
"Gambit t'inks maybe th' petit wants him to watch over her… maybe keep close?" Gambit teased as he leaned over and gave her cheek a kiss as he draped his arm around her.
"Beat it bub, this ain't no slumber party,' Wolverine growled, glowering at Gambit.
"Gambit won't try anything… and the petit be a lady of age…"
"That's NOT the point, and you know it," Logan said softly.
"Get outta here you guys," Jubilee groaned. "I'm so totally embarrassed enough…"
"Sleep tight Cherie," Gambit said as he hugged her goodnight. Wolverine got up from his chair and leaned over to give her an embrace as well. Exchanging looks, the two men got up and crossed over to her door. Gambit opened it and glanced back. He waited to blow a kiss before leaving.
Wolverine turned his head slightly as he saw Jubilee slipping under the covers. She switched off the light, and saw him silhouetted in the doorway. He walked back towards her, and sat back in the chair. "You sure you're gonna be okay, Jubester?" he asked neutrally as possible.
"How am I gonna get back to sleep, Wolvie…" she sighed. "I don't want to have to sleep with the stupid light on… I just HATE this…"
"Hey, I know," he said. "It doesn't go away does it? Same as last time?"
Jubilee nodded, knowing that there was no use in trying to hide it from him. Whatever senses he possessed he could tell if she told truth or lies. Maybe it was body language, maybe scent. Whatever the method, she figured he came back because he wanted to know one way or another. It was always this way. Sneaking up on her and startling her was the beginning. Or showing up inexplicably when she was in some awkward situation, and simply stand there watching her till she asked for help.
"It… it's been a year… and I thought I was over it," Jubilee whispered, scrubbing at her eyes to hide whatever glistened there. "You'd think I'd be by now…"
"Why, darlin?" Wolverine asked sharply. "Cause Red and Betts did some head fixing?"
"Look at me, I'm a crybaby," she sniffled. "Here I go again… damn…"
"I won't tell if you won't kid, why'd you think I chased the Cajun outta here?" Wolverine asked. "You got a rep to keep…"
"I won't let him hurt you again, Wolvie," Jubilee sniffled.
"It was him, wasn't it?" Wolverine guessed as he turned his gaze toward the window.
"Been going on way long before you were born, Jubester, and it'll continue long after you're my age," Wolverine reassured her. "Ain't nothing you can do or did that'd make any difference one way or the other. He hates me long before you were in the picture…"
"That's just it, Wolvie! I saw him kill you," Jubilee said softly, looking away from him. "And there was nothing I could do to help you… nothing… useless…"
"Now that ain't true," Wolverine interrupted her as he got off the chair and sat down on the edge of the bed again. Resting both hands on her shoulders he felt them trembling. Piece by piece her wall was crumbling, and letting him see what was going on.
"It's because of me… that you got hurt so badly that one time…"
"Now darlin' I thought we'd hashed that out," Wolverine said. "I heard about the 'paff' ya hit him with. We've been over that more times then you can count. You're busted up about enough stuff on account of me n' my screwed up past. Like it or not yer involved, an' I ain't gonna stand by when I can show ya a few things that come handy in a fracas…"
"I won't let him hurt you like that again… no way. I promised then and my promise is still good" Jubilee promised. "He isn't gonna leave you alone is he?"
"Nope, he ain't. I'll level with ya… now that yer mixed up with me he'll come after both of us. Ain't no easy answer. Like it or not you're involved with the runt… He's never gonna leave either one of us alone… even after nine years… almost…" Wolverine said, deadly serious. He heard the bravado in her words, and saw the anger, the self-recrimination. False assurances were not what she needed, rather reality.
"I'll do whatever it takes… I DID whatever it took. Why should I be dreaming of this now… it's been ages…"
"Course you will. Like I told ya back then, we're a team… Stick with me an' you won't haveta let him getcha up here again," Wolverine said as he tapped his forehead. "Teaching ya to fight dirty, to survive and come out alive… remember what you learned from all those times…"
"Cyke won't like it," Jubilee chuckled. "He never did…"
"So?" Wolverine shrugged. "It ain't HIS say."
"Well, I just got back on the team again. Wouldn't he give me grief about picking a partner to work with already when he hasn't had a hand in it?" Jubilee folded her arms across her chest. "What if someone else says something… like the brit lady, or wings?"
"Like I said, none of their flamin business. They only just came back not one year before you showed up…" he reiterated. "Now, try n' get some sleep. Ye'll need it after a night like tonight… what about a turn in the Danger Room for old time's sake?"
"Including the polar bear swim?" Jubilee made a face.
"Including an especially that," he returned. He kissed her forehead, and rose from the bed. She saw him lower himself into the chair and prop his feet up on the side of the bed. Jubilee lay on her side facing him, and saw the moon tracing his outline in the shadows. Sleep came slowly as she heard the silence of her own breathing.
He felt like he wanted to skewer the bird twittering right in his ear. If he wasn't so comfortable curled up in the moss he'd pop his claws and finish it off in one swipe. Granted that'd be overkill, but he could sleep five more minutes. Muttering a string of obscenities, he turned over and curled up again so he lay on his side with his knees tucked up. There wasn't much room and he realized the ledge he was sleeping on wouldn't allow. So it was on his side.
Roses, honeysuckle, and shampoo bottles surrounded him. Footsteps vibrated through the floor, and their minute vibration jarred him to alertness. Not to mention a southern belle singing, "Wakeup y'all! Rise n' shine!"
"Shut up Rogue," Logan growled as he opened his eyes, and blinked in the sunlight streaming through lace curtains. Feminine scents bombarded him, and he froze still. The ledge he'd been laying on was in fact the edge of half of a twin bed, and against the wall on her side, facing away from him was a slender shoulder and cloud of black hair on the pillow next to his. The quilt that he lay on was wild with geometric flowers and posters of hair bands and unicorns formed a pastiche on the wall of the bed. Including Jim Morisson, The Ramones, Twisted Sister, and No doubt.
"Every teenager discovers ol' Jim," he mumbled. Great. Just terrific. Why was this an issue? The posters were left over from just when she left for Generation X, and the resulting college. Just how he'd gotten from the chair beside her bed to laying on it was beyond him. But he knew that a lot of questions would be raised if the southern belle suddenly decided to throw the door open and crow. Why was she so damn cheerful anyway? Could it be that Remy found a way to ring her chimes? He'd been whispering and conspiring all along with those bags from various lingerie shops and mail order adult catalogues that Logan happened to pick up and throw out if they were within eyeshot of Jubilee.
The other half of him told him it was no different than a mom or dad lying alongside their child to help them fall asleep. Or a kid climbing into mommy and daddy's bed for comfort. The fact there was no biological blood link between him and Jubilee was the kicker. It would be easier if it was. And if she wasn't approaching the age of legal legitimacy, which to him was the twentieth year.
He shifted to sit up, and swing his legs off the bed and plan his next move when he heard her moaning and turning over. "Wolvie, what the heck are you doin' here?" Jubilee muttered as she blinked at him in the morning light.
"Flowers ain't my thing," Wolverine muttered back as he got up off the bed. "Sorry kid… didn't mean to fall asleep in here…"
"Why should they worry? I'm not sixteen…" she joked. "Unless someone MAKES it an issue…"
"It's not okay," he said slowly. "Considering…"
"It's okay, really," Jubilee said as she caught hold of his wrist.
"Damn it's just that…" he trailed off.
"It was sweet of you to sit with me. You used to do it all the time when I was a kid," she started, and then realization dawned.
Their eyes met and a silent understanding happened. Eventualities and a sobriety settled in, and they didn't want to cross some boundaries. Even with almost ten years between them. Jubilee knew the answer, and felt the tension increase in the room. How easier it would be if she were genetically related. But even cousins were known to marry, at least according to Gambit in the south.
"Unless you say it's not… Wolvie…It's my fault, I didn't wake up. I saw you here on the bed, and didn't think anything of it…" She said softly. "I won't tell anyone if you don't… and nothing happened…"
"Bunch of nosy people around here. That's what I'm worried about. Scuttlebutt. We know the lines, but THEY won't butt out," he muttered.
"Well… if that's the case, I guess we'd better figure out a way to sneak you outta here before somebody…"
"Aw cripes," he said, and then froze. "Rogue… right ahead…"
"I'll distract whoever it is," Jubilee said urgently as she let go of his wrist.
"Rise n' shine everybody! Last call for grub!" came her voice and the thumping on doors up and down the hall. Wolverine suspected she must have had an extremely good night with the Cajun. Another good reason for chasing him out. There were enough problems without Jubilee getting mixed up in them.
"You get outta here… don't worry… I got it covered, Wolvie! The window…" Jubilee spoke in a hushed whisper.
Wolverine was halfway across the floor and working at the window latch by the time the last word was out of Jubilee's mouth. A bathrobe hit her in the shoulder and she quickly threw it on, leaping out of bed as she stumbled towards the door. She landed with an inelegant thump, while the window shot open with a loud creak.
"Jubes?" Wolverine hissed in alarm. "You ok?"
"I'm okay, just get outta here…" she hissed back.
"Thanks Jubester, I'll remember this," he answered. Wolverine leapt on the windowsill, and then dropped out of sight with a snort and crackle of branches. Jubilee pushed herself off the floor and stumbled over to the window. Quickly she pushed it down, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Rogue, I'm awake already!" she shouted.
"All right sweet pea. Just reminding ya that even though you're new here, doesn't hurt to keep a schedule. Ya know how the professor is… and Scott's on the warpath…"
"Lucky me," Jubilee said. "Who's cooking?"
"Bishop n' Gambit. Better hurry if ya want any pancakes or omelets… though I warn ya he's experimenting in honor of yuh and Warren n' Betsy showing up…"
"Omigod, that did not happen," she panted. Her cheeks were flushing red, and hot with embarrassment, thrill and a dozen other things. Nothing happened. It was all safe. She knew it, but the last thing either of them needed was some busybody jumping to conclusions. The one thing that did occur to her was that if she'd been three or four years older, it would be an extremely nice development.
But the rest of her was shocked she'd even think it was remotely possible. He was a surrogate parent. The teenage fantasies she held for him were akin to a 12 year old falling for her teacher. A psychological fantasy that would never become reality, and never should. But were parts of a healthy teenaged girl's development. At least according to Hank. Yet there was a difference. The numbers were the other way around. Why did she feel as if she were still worried about that sort of thing? One more day and it wouldn't be an issue.
She also thought about Gambit, and that tingle and flush crept over her. He was a big brother, but also like the boy next door who the girl next door would desire. Wishing he'd be the one to give her a first kiss. Jubilee cleared her head and flopped down on the bed, pressing her hands to her ears and moaning, "Omigod, omigod, omigod… I did NOT just have those thoughts… get a GRIP Jubilee!"
Like it or not, she was growing up, and there was NOTHING she could do to stop it. Things were going to get way more complicated sooner than she would have liked. All daughters were said to at one point fall in love with their fathers or brothers. It was another Freudian thing. But not something you wanted to have happen in real life. Even with father figures that weren't related to you by blood.