The Longest Night: Part Four

by Kerri

The outside world was cold and dark when Logan awoke, feeling the pull of the previous night's drunk. His body felt stiff, tired. He stretched irritably, glancing over at the clock. Not surprising, it lay on the bedside table in pieces. Didn't remember doing that. He couldn't even tell what time it was, but he was pretty sure it was mid-morning.

He showered and dressed, letting the hot water wash away traces of the previous night. What in the world possessed him to take a three for one bet with Gumbo? Not one of the brightest things he'd done lately. He thought he won, but had an idea winning was in the eye of the last man standing. Couldn't remember which one of them that had been. No wonder he slept alone last night. Charlotte wouldn't have let him in her room in that condition, much less sleep in her bed.

The only smart thing he could claim as his own lately was the small velvet box in his bureau drawer. Waiting for Christmas. He was almost eager for the holidays this year. This year he hoped to have something to celebrate.

He stopped next door to see if by chance Charlotte was still in bed. The door was ajar. He frowned and pushed it back slowly. Charlotte was rabid on the subject of her privacy, she wouldn't have left it open. The room was empty, her bed unmade, pajamas on the floor. Those were his pajamas. He didn't know she had them. Made him feel warm and fuzzy inside, as warm and fuzzy as someone like him would ever get. He looked around inside, then closed the door firmly behind him.

Downstairs, the kitchen was deserted. There didn't seem to be anyone around at all. Pouring himself coffee, he leaned against the counter.

Scott entered. "Bishop said you finally woke up." His face was tired and drawn. He'd waited up for Jean and Hank to return, only for her to tell him she was going to Charlotte's house with her and Nate when she called to let him know how things were. With Domino showing up damn irritated, then Jubilee's arrival, he'd never made it back to bed.

He'd managed to simmered down until he saw Logan, then his anger shot up again.

"Where's everybody?"

"In the Med Lab." He stood staring down at Logan. "There was an emergency last night."

"How come no one told me?"

"They tried," Scott gritted out between his teeth, "you were too drunk to notice."

Logan moved away, heading for the lab. Scott's voice stopped him.

"Jubilee was in an accident. Hit and run."

That stopped him. "What? She okay?"

"You care?"

"What's that s'posed to mean?" he growled.

"What that means is you were told there was an accident, that Jubilee and Charlotte's son were both injured, and you were in no condition to help anyone."

The light flashed in the gate room, Charlotte stepped through, Jean and Nathan with her, Nate holding Thomas against him, supporting the other man through the transfer. Almost immediately hands reached out to take his still body from them.

She nearly growled, her lip curled in warning, until she saw Bear and the others, then the relief washed over her. Coyote and Fox carried Thomas out while Bear held her back from following them, catching her easily with strength that belied his many years.

~He is ours now, Grandmother~

She turned eyes filled with mute pleas on him.

He shook his head at her unspoken questions. ~We will do what we can for him. You wait here for our return.~ With a last embrace, he followed the others from the room.

Charlotte stood rooted to the spot. Already her heart was emptying out the further Thomas was taken from her. Breathe. Don't panic.

Nathan put his hand on her shoulder, startling her out of her trance.

"Please make yourselves at home," she said in a low voice. "Help yourselves to anything in the house." She shook him off and made her way up the stairs and out the back door.

"Let's make some coffee," Jean said. "It's going to be a long day."

Logan looked into the Med Lab to find Jubilee resting quietly. Her eyes were closed, she looked like a tiny doll in the bed, her olive complexion pale against the pillow, dark splotches coloring one side of her face.

Hank sat in a corner in quiet conversation with a young woman. Logan didn't spare either of them a glance, his attention focused on the girl that meant so much to him.

Conversation stopped, Hank rose up to make his way to the opposite side of the bed.

"How..." Logan started, then cleared his throat. "How is she?"

"She will make a full recovery and will certainly protest the amount of rest I am prescribing for her."

Logan nodded. "Good, that's...." his voice trailed off. He covered her small hand with his own, squeezing it gently.

Jubilee stirred, opening her eyes a bit. "Hi, Wolvie," she murmured.

"Hey, darlin'. I hear ya had more excitement than ya planned on."

"Yeah. Beastie Boy says I'm fine. I just hurt a lot."

"Anythin' ya need?"

She moved her head slightly, mindful of the thudding in her temples. "Frosty's got me covered." She cracked a small grin. "No homework for awhile."

"There's gotta be somethin' ya want." She had to be hurting bad if she couldn't immediately give him a detailed wish list, especially so close to Christmas.

"Nothin'," she whispered, closing her eyes again. "Tired."

Logan squeezed her hand again and left her to rest. Hank motioned him over to the corner where the young woman watched him. He hadn't notice Matthew with them before, the Immortal Dane hovering protectively over her.

"She'll be okay?" he asked Hank again.

"Yes," Hank spoke firmly.

"What about Raven?"

Hank shook his head at him, then nodded at the young woman. "We have no additional information about Thomas. Today is Winter Solstice, Charlotte took him back for the rites. She is hoping he will be restored."

"What does that mean exactly, Hank?" Logan ignored his silent warning. "Is he dyin'?"

The young woman sucked in a breath.

"No. What that means is he was still unconscious when I saw him last. I do not know if his condition has changed. Charlotte has chosen to rely on what she believes and has relinquished her son to the shamen in the hopes they will be able to heal him." A part of him, the scientist, deplored her instincts to lean on folk legends and magic to help her son. Another part of him, the part that had seen and experienced so many inexplicable things, still hated but understood her intentions.

He directed Logan's attention to the young woman. "This is Del Bennett. She came to the hospital as a representative of the Mutant Advocate Coalition."

Logan nodded in her direction, still not looking at her.

"She is also Thomas's daughter."

That didn't register with him, he still focused on Jubilee's sleeping form.

Hank tried again. "Charlotte's granddaughter."

"Gran'daughter?"

"Yes, and I have the blood to prove it."

[next part]

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