By Trynia Merin

********

Jubilee felt herself picked up and set on someone's sturdy back. "Hold on, kid," Logan murmured. She nodded muzzily and let him hold her under the knees while she clasped just around his neck. Clad in a modified Vixen guard uniform, she shivered and mumbled with weariness. Logan's body was warm under her back, and the slight bobbing motion of him running rocked her into reassurance.

"Kitty, you know what to do next," Wolverine whispered. She nodded, and slid into the shadows. Moving towards one of the guards, she reached out and grabbed her.

Khaos drew his swords in two strokes, having them ready as another guard turned to fire. Apparently they had been expected. Wisdom's hotknives blazed forwards, sizzling just near the wall. Logan growled, and passed Jubilee over to Brian. Captain Britain watched as Meggan morphed into wolf shape and jumped to the attack. Vixen Guards fired point blank only to be stopped by Cerise's energy shield. She charged ahead, Logan and Khaos at her side.

With a SNICK, Logan's claws dropped and he flipped over, landing a kick on the leader before they could fire. Meggan's claws were out; slashing away guns while Khaos twin swords blazed. Cerise's solar battleaxe cut large swathes through the guards while Kitty phased through wraithlike and punched. Jubilee's firecrackers exploded from long range, while Captain Britain carried her, bulldozing through like a linebacker. Following them was Daytripper with Douglock, bringing up the rear. Jubilee turned and fired a few pulses of plasma to cover the guards running after them.

"Eat hotknives, soddin'..." Wisdom snarled under his breath as he sent a pattern of widening spikes. A firecracker whistled past him, and he saw Jubilee grinning smugly.

"Nice goin' kid," Logan called. His claws whistled out, cutting off the muzzled of the ANT rifles poised. Long wings extended and Khaos flew over the heads of the guards, swords blazing as he cut them down. Cerise wasn't far behind, her axe blazing and her kicks and punches flying. Kitty from the heart of the human wall cleared a path, while Logan and Pete fought hand to hand. Brian shot through, keeping up the rear behind Douglock and Amanda.

"We've gotten through the first wave," Shadowcat announced, and then through her raced another squad. She managed a punch before Pete's hotknife and Khaos' IBIC blasts felled the first. Wolverine's claws and Meggan's punches quickly took out others. Jubilee's long range shots disabled the cameras that swiveled, while Amanda fought the urge to cut loose with mystical blasts.

"Put me down, cap, I got my own legs," Jubilee yelled. He obliged, instead helping by grabbing Amanda and Douglock to draw them through the gap cleared by the others.

"We're by the spaceport!" yelled Kitty. "Douglock, quick..."

He rushed up through the front as Wisdom and Khaos moved through the back. Other guards poured on all sides. Jubilee moved behind Wolverine, her pyros blazing. Wisdom's hotknives flared on the other side. Cerise's shields protected them from the other shots while Khaos' twin blades kept the others at bay. Through the doors Shadowcat phased Douglock, then Brian with Amanda.

On the other side the two men rushed to a nearby spacecraft. "Can you modify it?" asked Kitty.

"Typical warp class III engine," Douglock nodded, as his tendrils snaked over the craft. Brian moved around, his hands and mind taking in the massive engines and other features while he took the panel off. Techno organic tendrils snaked over his face, and the lenses from Douglock's sensors showed him the proper circuits. Engineering knowledge dredged up from years of electronics and physics moved to the front of his brain, and all he needed to do was to tell Douglock what tool he needed. Captain Britain and Douglock worked as one while Shadowcat moved to open the doors.

Cerise shot through next, moving over to the craft and holding her crimson shield to keep the others while Wisdom, then Wolverine moved with Jubilee. Amanda climbed on board, and Cerise moved through. Meggan's blasts combined with Wisdom's hotknives and Jubilee's pyro bursts peppered the laser blasts. Khaos' swords cut down those that were unfortunate enough to work through.

"Get on the ship big C... you're the navigator..."

"Done," Cerise nodded. The warrior of the Grand Jhar helped Amanda Sefton to move onboard. The craft was the medium sized sort, with Vixen's markings, but she knew it to be several steps less advanced than a Shi'ar ship. To the front chamber she moved, sitting in the navigator's seat while punching the sequence for launch. Soon, Douglock disengaged from the exterior and moved into the piloting seat, his tendrils swarming over the front to link with the main computer.

"Warp mods are possible. Braddock has effected the modifications... beginning launch cycle..." said Douglock.

"Everyone else... are they onboard?" asked Amanda anxiously.

Meggan shot through, followed by Kitty. "Wait, where's Pete?"

"There..." pointed Brian, moving towards them.

"No, go back onboard they'll need you..." barked Kitty.

"Go, I'll hold them!" Khaos yelled.

"Over my dead body! You're not alone, bub!" Wolverine yelled.

"Count me in double!" cried Wisdom.

"Get your ass outta here, you're no good to us dead!" Wolverine yelled.

"I'm the warrior. GO!" Khaos yelled. Grabbing Jubilee around the waist, Wolverine rushed towards the ship with her. Wisdom fired shots back and forth, but a ball of energy shot out of the ship as Meggan returned to the fray.

"Kitty!" Wisdom yelled as she moved back out.

"Wolverine, don't leave!" Jubilee yelled when he rushed back.

Captain Britain seized her around the waist, yanking her onboard. "Kitty?" he cried.

"Go, I'll be all right! Pete, get OUT of here..."

"No soddin' way pride, you an' me fight these plonkers together or not at all..."

"That wasn't the plan!" Kitty cried.

A shot crackled out, hitting Wisdom. He crumpled as Khaos managed to send a volley towards them. Kitty moved angrily, and Wolverine jumped in the fray to join her.

"Wolverine, get OUT OF here! They need you to rescue the others..."

"And leave YOU?" he cried.

"Mr. Logan, go," said Meggan. "I'll handle this..."

"Meggan!" Captain Britain yelled, barreling out of the ship.

"Go!" Kitty yelled. "Get Wolvie outta here... I HAVE to stay with Pete..."

"That wasn't the plan Pun'kin!" Logan yelled.

"It is now. Go..."

"I'll take care of her!" Khaos cried. "Go!"

Brian punched into the section of elite guards, and yanked Wolverine about the waist. Cursing and swearing, he was hauled bodily back towards the ship. A quick punch to the side of his head and Wolverine was out cold. Jubilee flinched when she helped him into the ship, with Amanda's help.

"Go now!" Brian yelled. "I'm staying..."

"Khaos..." Cerise whispered. Meggan rushed in to try and help Wisdom, but Brian stopped her.

"You're more good to them there. Go with them Meggan..."

"Love, please come back," she urged. She kissed him hard as Khaos set a defensive starblast, and unfurled his wings. Swords blazed and IBIC blasts crackled all over the contingent of guards. Kitty moved from place to place, punching and kicking.

"Get Wisdom out of here," Kitty yelled. Meggan grabbed him up, and carried him towards the ship. She gave a last despairing look towards them. The ship doors began to close, and Brian had joined the fray.

"Let me go, ya ruddy..." he protested, and grabbed Meggan's arm. She wailed in pain as he kicked away, and shoved her into the door.

"No, that wasn't the plan!" she cried. Metal doors clanged shut, and Wisdom rushed towards Kitty, limping as he sprayed hotknives into the heart of the battle.

"You stupid GIT!" Kitty yelled. "I thought you were..."

"Pryde, we go down together. Promised Logan I'd look after ya..."

She phased him just as a gunburst blazed at point blank range. Brian's punches and kicks pushed back the lucky troopers, while Khaos turned to see the ship take off. It shot through the hangar doors, moving through the energy retention wall into open space.

"Time to retreat," Kitty said. Brian nodded, grabbing Wisdom and her. Khaos's swords swung like windmills, hacking and cutting as they barreled back through. Kitty phased the massive door to their immediate left that led to the armory, and phased them all through. Shots hammered on the blast door but did not give. IT was the one place they could hole up and be safe, and then wait to sabotage Saturnine from the inside while the other party went after the Shi'ar.

***

Later, Wolverine wondered if the droning he heard was coming from the ringing gong in his head, or all around him. Slowly he blinked, images swirling into place out of the black splotches. Concerned sapphire eyes gleamed into his, fighting back unshed tears. Soft dampness wiped sweat from his forehead, the touch gentle and soothing. While he wanted to simply lay there, and purr deeply in his throat, his pride resurfaced when he realized whom it was.

"Ohh my achin' head, what the hell happened?" Wolverine mumbled. He lay on the floor of a vibrating surface, and glanced up into a pair of sapphire blue eyes.

"Wolvie, you're okay," Jubilee said, sponging off his forehead. His mask had been pulled back, and she cradled his head and shoulders on her knees.

"Kitty... she get out okay?" he asked, voice rasping. Amanda Sefton crouched on his other side, passing what looked to be liquid swishing in a plastic container. His nose wrinkled at the sterile smell, but he was too flamin' thirsty to care if it was machine synthesized or not.

"Yes... they're signaling now," said Cerise. Logan blinked, sitting up to see the shi'ar woman in the navigation seat, while Douglock's body was fused into the pilot chair and controls in front of him.

"Preparing to ender Subspace now through the gate Amanda has generated..." said Douglock.

"Computing our conic section through Subspace Vortex..." Cerise entoned.

"Where's Wisdom?" asked Logan slowly. "I thought I was supposed to stay..."

"Kitty changed her mind," Jubilee murmured, unable to look him in the eyes.

"Brian stayed instead. So did Wisdom..." Amanda explained.

"But we said that Khaos, Kitty an' me were supposed to stay, with Meggan... not this..." he protested. A bloom of orange pain erupted behind one temple and he groaned, pressing a hand to his head. Just because he had a healing factor didn't mean he was immune to pain.

"Brian did what he had to do. And Wisdom wanted to stay with Kitty... I couldn't stop him," Meggan whispered. She perched on a chair, hugging her knees as her eyes were cast down at the floor.

"Kid," Logan mumbled. "Now's NOT the time for this..."

"It matters not what happened. What matters now is getting us caught up with D'marran's ship," said Cerise sharply. "And we must work with the materials at hand. Kurt must be freed..."

"I hate to admit it, but the Big C is right," said Amanda. "Look Meggan, I know this wasn't your idea, but Wisdom's better off with Pryde. Besides, we need Logan with us more. He's got experience that Wisdom doesn't..."

"But still... dammit, she coulda TOLD me she was gonna..." Wolverine winced.

"Wolvie, stay STILL, or I'll bust your ass," Jubilee yelled at him.

"Lemmie be, kid," he snarled.

"Don't' gimme that... stop the macho shithead and let your healing factor work!" she yelled, getting right into his face. "Kitty's grown up, sheesh! She's not a kid!"

"She's right," said Amanda softly, crouching beside her old friend. "Colossus and Kurt need you. And Kitty will be fine. After all, she learned from the best..."

"I know but damn..."

"Brian will protect them, as will Khaos," said Meggan.

"Khaos will not fail them, I assure you," Cerise nodded, her lips pressed together. Logan smelled the anger and disappointment thinly veiled.

"She's fallen for him bad," Jubilee whispered. Logan grunted. He let Jubilee alone help him to stand so he could sit in a nearby seat. The entire front cabin was about the size of a Winnebago, and there were other compartments aft, including a small mess area, and a few bunks.

"Kinda like the blackbird, in a way," Wolverine mumbled. Amanda got up and wandered into the back. Jubilee sat close to Logan, perching on the arm of his chair and smoothing back his hair. He mumbled and raised his hand to bat her away, then saw the scrunching in sadness of her pretty young face.

"Excuuse me," Jubilee muttered.

"Wait, Jubes," Logan said, grabbing hold of her wrist with quick reflexes.

She exhaled sharply, glaring at him. "Now what? I'm in your personal space?"

"I know yer tryin' to help, Jubes," Logan murmured, pulling her close. "Sorry for bein' a grouch, just go ahead an fuss... I can take it..."

"I don't want ya to look weak or less macho..." Jubilee said. She sat on the edge of the arm of his chair, and Logan returned her hand to his hair. The tension drained out of her body, and she resumed her idle motion of her fingers through his rough locks. After all, it did feel good, and she was rubbing right where Brian had nailed him with a goose egg. Already it was decreasing in size.

"How long till we catch up with 'em?" Logan asked Cerise.

"The current trajectory is given through subspace... this craft is not capable of matching the Scoutbug's speed for too long. But Brian's modifications will enable us to intersect Subspace and cut them off in 12 time periods," said Cerise.

"So do we like have enough fuel to do this?" Jubilee asked. "Are ya sayin' that we're burning way more fuel to catch up with them since they have a head start?"

"D'marran is overconfident. He is not aware that Saturnine would even DARE send a ship after an Imperial Scoutbug. Douglock, calculate our fuel reserves?"

"We have enough to last 18 hours of sustained warp flight through subspace. At maximum the engines will only stand the stress for 12. So it must be 12..."

"Our only hope is that we don't have him detect us... this ship is not equipped with a Shi'ar cloak," said Cerise.

"Maybe there's another way to get around that," Logan mumbled. "You got some way of makin' this tub look like some kinda natural phenomenon?"

"You mean like a gas cloud or ion trail? This isn't star Trek, Wolvie," Jubilee groaned.

"Captain Kirk would do it. And he'd eject trash around us to make us look like something that was ejected out of their waste," Meggan mumbled.

"Worth a shot. Unless you're gonna tell me that there ain't no natural phenomenon that travels this speed through subspace."

"Douglock, make the necessary modifications to make us appear as a cloud of subspace exhaust gasses..." Cerise said.

"Done," Douglock nodded. "Brian's suggestions were correct. Self can disguise the ship as directed. May self suggest sustained periods of recharging during transit?"

"I'd take him up on it," Amanda Sefton said, carrying a tray.

"Once a stewardess, always a stewardess," Logan joked. Hot coffee hit his nostrils, and he inhaled it deeply. To him it was the nectar of the gods.

"Hey, I'll let it slide, for now," Amanda chuckled. She handed a cup to Meggan, with what looked like a wrapped sandwich. The Faye reluctantly took it, and a dish of what looked like fresh fruit.

"I know ya can't stand synthetic stuff, but ya gotta eat somethin' darlin," Logan understood. He snagged two large roast beef ration sandwiches, while Jubilee took something for herself. Cerise glanced up and Amanda held out what appeared to be a typical Shi'ar food cube.

"This will suffice. Thank you, Amanda Sefton." Cerise said neutrally. Their eyes met in a silent understanding that each needed the other, and would forget temporarily their differences, united in a common goal.

"You're welcome," Amanda nodded. "Douglock?"

"Self does not require caloric intake at this time," Douglock answered. Amanda settled into the seat opposite Logan's, and set the tray on her lap. She unwrapped the sandwich, and nibbled it.

"Ugh, this is reconstituted ya said?" Jubilee asked. "Don't look too good..."

"Smells all right," Amanda said. "Saturnine's ships might not have the 'replicators' like Cerise's ship, but the food rehydrators have human stuff at least. You're holding a ham sandwich, and I believe Logan has roast beef and pastrami."

"Could smell it," he nodded. "Don't taste great, but it's REAL food. Not those synthetics junk... that Chuck had us all eating..."

"Wolverine, may I ask a question," said Cerise.

"Sure, shoot," he said.

"It's regarding your knowledge of Shi'ar technology. From the files I examined, Charles Xavier has intimate knowledge of our technologies. Does that extend to the X men as well?"

"Well, we know a good deal, if that's what you're talking about," said Jubilee, interrupting Wolverine who had a mouthful of sandwich he was washing down with a mouthful of coffee.

"Kid's right. Up till the time that Chuck and Lil' split..." Logan said, and Jubilee slid her arm over his shoulder to steady herself. He made no move to push her away, and her thigh pressed up against the outer surface of his brawny arm.

"Most unfortunate," said Cerise. "We must send a subspace message to her at once..."

"Won't it be detected?" asked Meggan.

"Right. Gotta catch 'em by surprise. My guess is that Kurt already's working on some plan," Amanda nodded. "And we're gonna hope that he's taken the first steps..."

"If I know him, he's got something fun planned," wolverine grinned. "Elf always DID have a sense of humor. And Peter's gonna help him out just like old times..."

"You X men have a different set of protocols, it seems," Cerise said. "Despite your similarities, the X men seem much more tightly knit of a set of emotional bonds, and your devotion to Xavier's commands are without question..."

"Hardy har, that ain't QUITE the way it is. I just take what I wanna hear, and he knows better than t' micromanage," Logan laughed. "Nightcrawler's a pussycat compared to him when it comes to discipline..."

"Is that why Wisdom manages far better in Excalibur than in the X men..."

"That kid wouldn't last a DAY under Chuck's finger. Without havin' to clean the lavatories. Ol' Cyke would have a conniption fit dealing with him..."

"That would be funny to see," chuckled Amanda.

"Especially since he has no desires to put on a costume," Meggan chimed in. "He dislikes uniforms and convention. He makes his own..."

"Wishes to live like a normal person huh?" Jubilee asked. "As IF that were possible!"

"To him it is," Amanda shrugged. "I did."

"You're not a mutant," said Jubilee. "No offense..."

"It's just as difficult for magic users to fit in, kid. Remember what I told ya about the Alpha Bits..."

"How could I forget... sheesh," Jubilee rolled her eyes.

***

"We'd better get some rest," said Amanda. "I know I'm going to need every ounce of it to rescue Kurt..."

"I shall remain on navigation..."

"Nix that Cerise. Ya need sleep as much as the rest of us. This don't look too hard to fly... I'll take over from ya," Logan offered.

"He IS a pilot," said Jubilee. "Or I could..."

"Very well," Cerise said as she rose from the navigation seat. "But Douglock IS piloting the ship..."

"Self can operate the ship, and inform all that we have arrived in proximity. Suggestion is that all non-techno organics rest..."

"Any beds on this ship?" asked Amanda.

"Two bunks in back..."

"I'll sit here a while, and keep Douglock company," said Meggan. She perched in the navigation seat.

"Better have a nap, Jubes. And that goes for you too, Megs. I'll stay with the others," Wolverine suggested. He slid behind the navigator's seat, and glanced over the controls to familiarize himself. Piloting a star cruiser or a biplane had some commonalties, and he had seen his share of crazy craft over the years and decades he had been alive.

She nodded slowly, walking back into the rear compartment where four bunks were set up. Cerise took the bottom, folding her long legs so she could lie on her side. Amanda leapt up top, and lay down, while Jubilee curled up opposite. She hugged her knees and lay there thinking about thousands of things before she ultimately settled down. Meggan lay in the bottom bunk, tossing and turning.

"You want the top instead?" Jubilee asked.

"It would be preferable. I don't know why," Meggan murmured. "But I do not like the closeness down here..."

"I'll deal with it," said Jubilee, climbing down. She slid into the bottom bunk, and wrapped the silver space blanket around her while Meggan sat uptop and folded her legs Indian style. Amanda tossed her red cape around her body, and curled up with her back facing the wall.

***

Logan could hear Jubes turning over, and frowned. Kid had slept a lot, but she was still probably having issues after what had happened. Excusing himself he walked towards the sleeping compartment, and slid open the door. Meggan was meditating, her eyes shut as she sat with her hands on her knees. Reminded him of storm. Amanda Sefton still faced the wall, while Cerise was curled up on the bottom bunk with her long legs coiled up so she could fit on the narrow bed.

"Can't sleep, huh?"

"That obvious?" she whispered, as he sat on the side of the bunk, and tried not to bump his head.

"Yeah, I could hear ya tossing an turning all the way up front..."

"I only JUST had a long nap after that whole stuff with the pain devices," Jubilee shrugged. "Why do I need a nap like some kid..."

"I know you're probably confused as hell about what happened... if ya don't wanna discuss it again, we won't..." he muttered.

"I so wanted to do that for so long, Wolvie... I mean Logan... it was like some awesome dream. I know you're thinking I'm crazy or psycho, but I know you'd never like go an' hurt me... an' I totally liked it..."

"I know, that's the problem. Don't excuse that you weren't..."

"Don't say it," she whispered. "I told you it was fine. And you should believe me, okay? I know you've like got this whole deal about making sure you're honorable an' stuff, and I dig it. But what you don't get is that I'm old enough to handle it..."

"You're only 16..."

"Yeah, so what's your point? Kitty's only 17, almost 18 and she's bangin' a guy who's 10 years older... what's up with that? You weirded out cause I'm like your daughter or something, right?" Jubilee interrupted, cutting off his stream of words.

"Yeah, I guess that's it... an that's why I'm pissed at the situation..." he turned away.

"I know that, but I also know that you weren't the ONLY one who I thought of like that paternal way. Professor X was every bit like the dad from heck. I mean you STARTED out like that in Australia an' all, but when you put me with the team, well it was like Cyke an' the others took that over. I mean all those side trips ya took me on..."

"Still don't make it that easy." Logan said tersely. Jubilee turned her back to him, facing the wall.

"Well hello, life isn't easy... DUH..." she mumbled, curled up with her knees tightly wrapped to her chest. "And didn't Kitty like... wasn't she like with Colossus when she was 14..."

"She didn't do anything..." Logan trailed off.

"Plueezz shows what YOU know," Jubilee mumbled.

"I'm afraid t' ask." Logan shook his head, folding one leg under the other.

"Kitty told me. She knew you'd kill him if you knew..."

"You sayin' she told you she an' Peter Rasputin were... together... I knew that already, darlin'..."

"Not just that. But they were together together... an' kitty was 14... big newsflash dude. He was her first. Not Wisdom..."

"Now just a damn minute kid... that ain't NONE Of your business." Logan sputtered

"You think she'd tell you? She said that after she an' him broke up, she had some procedure or somethin' done to make it look like she never was... an' oh shit she'll KILL me for telling you this," Jubilee shivered.

"I already knew, Jubes," Logan chuckled looking so smug that she wanted to smack him. However she decided against that, knowing it was futile to slap a man with bones made of adamantium.

"You jerk," Jubilee growled.

"Still they were only 4 years apart. Makes a difference..."

"So you tryin' to tell me that if you didn't remember you were like all those years old, it wouldn't. I mean you ain't sure what's real an what isn't... so what DIFF does it make?"

"All the difference Jubes..."

"Well like ya coulda let Douglock borg boy take the things off of us then, instead of doing the big deed with me... but you didn't go running to find him..."

"There was a reason. We weren't sure if you'd be..."

"You wanted it as much as I did, an' you don't want to admit it..." she trailed off. "If you wanna, we'll just forget it never happened or somethin' lame-oid like that. If you really want me to..."

"Problem is I can't. And that's why I'm pissed at myself, Jubes," he mumbled.

"You liked Jean, right? And she was 21..."

"Kid, let it go..."

"C'mon, she's younger than you are. Hell, Prof. X had the hots for her, and he's old enough to be her DAD... and he practically IS..."

"He never acted on it, that's the difference..."

"Don't you dare try making ME feel guilty..." Jubilee snarled at him as she turned over. Her finger poked at his chest with each word.

"Kid that ain't the issue..."

"An' don't you DARE try an' commit hara-kiri, or I'll..." Jubilee yelled. Angrily she curled up, hugging her knees, and Logan got up to pace the room. Although she muffled her sobs, he smelled the chemicals released in her tears.

Finally he sat down, and she pushed his touch away. "Kid... it ain't just you... I... um... had the same feelings for... oh hell..."

"For Kitty, huh?" Jubilee asked. "Is THAT what you're all guilty like for? Cause you think of her like your daughter an' you felt like you wanted to be together, together with her... and the fact you went and... is THAT why you're all freaked out?"

"Yeah," he mumbled.

"More screwed up stuff then that, dude," she mumbled. "I mean she kinda had the same feelings for you maybe... like someone else..."

"When this whole caper's over, we're gonna have to have a long talk, Jubes," he murmured.

"Then why are you back here?" she asked.

"Can't stay away... worry about ya too much," Logan murmured.

"Then stay. I'll behave if you'll behave," Jubilee promised. He sighed and lay down, as she moved over, and she curled up next to him. Keeping his hands to himself, he felt her pull the blanket around both of them, and soon settled down. Nevertheless, since the bunk was narrow, he shifted so she was partly on top of him, so she could lie more comfortably and not be squeezed between him and that wall. That left his nose buried in the top of her hair, and his arms had noplace to go except to wrap around her. She mumbled, and rested the flat of one hand against his chest.

**

Jubilee murmured, turning over in her sleep again. Underneath the mattress rose and fell, like something alive. A hard firm core was covered in a less firm surface that she enjoyed. IN the bed she was comfortable and cozy, surrounded in organic warmth and the thud of someone's heartbeat. Slowly she pressed her hands against the slightly yielding surface to lift her head off, then shivered in mingled fear and delight. Brawny solid muscled arms clutched her possessively close, and she did not want to wake him.

He turned his head to one side, then the other, mumbling under her. A flash of fear shot through her when she remembered what Jean had said about Logan's tendency towards nightmares. Judging from the frown, he must be having a doozy, for she heard a low growl vibrating through her body, and felt the twitch of his muscles. Jubilee turned so her chest pressed to his, and she flattened herself completely against his chest, so if his claws reflexively popped out she wouldn't be skewered. Legs flailed, and she pressed herself close, squeezing her eyes shut and praying he wouldn't throw her off and stab her.

"Wolvie, wake up!" Jubilee gasped, shivering on his chest. "C'mon, please!"

Hands released her, and she heard the familiar rasp of claws shooting out. They were just shy of the space above, and she prayed Meggan wouldn't be shish kabob. However he let the one hand drop with claws extended into the aisle, while the other landed flat on her back, pressing her into him. She gasped as his fingers wrapped around her ribs, and she knew she really didn't dare move because he still had both sets extended.

"Oh shit," she whispered, inching gingerly up his body so her face was level with his. "C'mon please wake up..."

He growled again, his hand clutching her close while he waved his other arm up and down. Jubilee worried that someone would see and wonder what in hell was going on. What else would he do next? Her first inclination was to beat his chest, but any aggressive move would be rebuffed. Last thing she needed was for him to be thinking she was an enemy. Carefully she dragged herself up and slid one hand along his face. He murmured and sniffed, then lay still. Another low snarl shook her, and she thought of any ways she could wake him without.

Nervously she slid her hands around his neck, and lifted her head so she could softly kiss his jaw. Maybe he'd wake up enough and recover his presence of mind then. His lips were slightly open, and she lightly brushed her young mouth over his. Instantly his grip squeezed her tightly, and both sets of claws retracted to her relief. A loud purr vibrated her lips, and his kiss immediately increased in hunger and possession. She gasped as his tongue slid into her mouth and his other arm wrapped around to rub up and down her shoulderblades.

"I shouldn't be doing this," Jubilee thought guilty. "Yet it feels so damn good, and why in HECK won't he wake up?"

Under her mouth he grew slack, and she gasped there. Still he weighed her down with both arms, and she realized there was no escape. Even if she wanted to, the metal bones and his firm grip imprisoning her trapped her. She lay her head in his shoulder, and settled down with her front pressed to his, both arms wrapped alongside his head, and the other hanging off the bed. Feeling stiff, she slid down with one leg and then wrapped the other partly around his waist to avoid any misunderstandings.

"Crap, I hope he doesn't' kill me, but I can't freakin' move..." she lamented.

From the bunk above, Meggan leaned her head and shoulders down. A small smile came over her face. While she had almost leapt off the bunk hearing his claws unsheathe, her empathic senses knew the source of his actions. A rather involved nightmare, which turned into something more pleasant.

Under him she felt his excitement and groaned further. Embarrassment flooded and she prayed silently he wouldn't wake up. Jubilee remained as still as she possibly could, and tried to fall asleep. Then his hands wrapped around her shoulders, and she felt his mouth come over hers. A hard kiss claimed her lips, and she was breathless at its force. Then she felt the world shift sideways when he flipped over and pressed her under him, kissing her as he lay on top of her.

"Ugh... ummm..." she groaned, slowly crushed under his weight. His tongue thrust into her mouth, and she sighed with pleasure of a very experienced kiss, then wrapped her arms around his neck to return it. One leg was trapped between his, while the other was to the side. His body shifted and then he was straddling her, with the weight partly off her pelvis thank god, but still feeling incredibly good.

Kiss after kiss followed, and she simply played along, enjoying it far too much to want to risk waking him. The pressure of one knee against her groin made her shiver and his weight again shifting made her quiver with a bolt of pleasure. Her mouth opened wide as he started to move against one thigh, his arms slipped under to raise her chest so he could continue his hard deep French kisses.

Then unexpectedly he stopped, and lay there, his arms under her while his chest, his head alongside hers, trapped her. "Great," she thought. Another long night. Before she could stop herself she pushed up gently with her hands, trying to shift him over. He murmured again and then she was rolled over so she was flat against the wall, his legs tangled in hers. Not a considerable improvement but at least she could breath. Sighing she turned over so her back was to his, and his arms draped around her front. Less awkward, although she didn't MIND how he was pressed to her front to front.

Logan awoke with a start, and then mumbled. "Cripes... what the flamin hell..." he blurted out.

"Now you wake up," Jubilee muttered sleepily.

"Shit, what... did I..."

"Nothin, Wolvie, just go back to sleep," she murmured, curling up against him.

He mumbled and rolled over onto his back, taking her partly with him. Images flowed through his head, and he didn't smell any blood. Yet he smelled the uncomfortable arousal because she turned away from him with her knees tightly pressed together. It was driving him insane, and he despeirately had his own predicament. "You want me to leave?" Jubilee murmured.

"Damn, kid I'm sorry... crap," he stammred. "I didn't do anything I shouldn't have..."

"No it's okay," she reassured him. "I'm okay... nothing broken..."

"I'd better get outta here before..."

"Please don't leave... you can do it if you want... I..." she blurted out. "I know you said what you did... but I wouldn't mind... so really wouldn't mind..."

"That don't make it right..."

"So? I don't mind, and you're in the middle of the freakin' subspace... so who's gonna care?"

"The others..."

"Then shut 'em up and tell 'em to mind their own business," Jubilee murmured. Before he could stop her she turned over and kissed him hard.

"Dammit kid," he grumbled. "Don't do this... cause I can't control..."

"Who says I want ya to?" she asked. "Look, I'm fine... an we don't' have to do it again... if you don't want... just please let me take care of you..."

"You sure about this?"

"I want it, and you. Don't care if it's the last time..." she pleaded.

Growling he lost his last shred as she kised him again. Clothing was moved, and she murmured with relief at the touch and expertise of his hands sliding between her legs. To muffle her sounds he kissed her hard. When she tried to move down, he shook his head no. "Don't want ya to haveta do that..."

She gasped with relief when he unfastened clothes and shifted so she was on top of him. The fingerings inside her made her ready, and he grabbed her hips to slid her into position. Jubilee bit her lip, and wrapped her arms around his neck, while he gritted his teeth. Then she sighed as she settled there, and he remained perfectly still.

Tortuosly slow he moved under her, and she followed his pattern. He sized her face, kissing her hard to muffle his growls. Jubilee whimpered against his lips, moving instinctively and hoping nobody would interrupt. Once, twice three times she writhed, unable to stop the delight and natural high spasming her young body.

She was getting lightheaded from the heavy kisses so he released her lips and buried his head in her neck. Against her skin she felt his growl, and the sharp puncture of teeth through her skin. His hot flood of release came soon, and he shuddered spasmodically under her. Jubilee sighed in pleasure, not daring to move because she felt so good. He repeated the sigh, holding her in place. Gratitude and a strange longing, despite the risks and reasons why he shouldn't have done it.

***