Ruth made her way up the walkway to the frankly imposing mansion. Her bags in each hand.
It wasn’t often that she got such an interesting job offer. She had worked for years as a caretaker for people with special needs. And had gone to college to get her nursing degree.
She knew enough about mutants from some of the people she had worked with. And had written a very good paper about mutations and those who had to live with them. She supposed that was why Charles had contacted her.
One of the kids got the door for her. “Here lemme help. Im Jubilee. You’re Logan’s new nurse right?”
“I am. My name is Ruth. Nice to meet you Jubilee.” She replies with a soft smile.
“Good luck. He was a grump before… well you know… Anyway I gotta get to class. Bye!” The girl chirps as the bell rings.
Ruth heads inside. Not super sure which way to go.
@muses-under-the-bed
“Excuse me, are you Nurse Barnes?” A muscular man covered in blue fur asked walking up to her. “I’m Dr. Hank McCoy, if you’ll follow me please.” He said quickly as he guided her down a hallway to a wall, the wall sliding away to reveal a high tech elevator. “You arrived just in time, your patient just woke up.”
“Nice to meet you Doctor. Should I leave my bags?” Ruth asks.
If she’s surprised by his appearance she does a fantastic job of hiding it. She focuses on his eyes as she speaks to him.
Her eyebrows do raise as she looks at the elevator though.
“Yes, they’ll be taken to the room we set aside for you.” Hank said stepping into the elevator.
“We’ve had to keep him restrained in the med bay, down in the subbasement. Ever since he got injured he’s been…quicker to anger than before. Even our telepaths are having a difficult time calming him down.” Hank explained somberly. “Logan usually heals quickly, but he keeps thrashing about in his rages, his body’s not healing as fast as it should.”
“Well if some jerk ripped your bones out I’m sure you would be pretty upset too doctor.” Ruth replies.
She nods though. “And I’m assuming sedatives aren’t working that well?”
“Fair, I’m just thankful that Logan pulled through. I’ve never seen his heart rate drop that low, at least, not without him growing a new heart.” Hank sighed as the elevator descended.
“No. What truly scare me is the foam.” Hank answered. “He’s foaming at the mouth, if he didn’t have immunity thanks to his mutation, I’d almost think he’s rabid.” He says as the doors open. Even through the soundproofed walls and doors, frenzied yelling and roaring can be heard.
Hank moves quickly down the corridor and opens a door. In the med bay, retrained to a bed, is Logan. Thrashing around, his eyes radiating a frenzied anger, bone-like claws extended from his retrained hands, and his body covered in bandages.
“Foam?!” Ruth explains.
She puts a hand over her heart as she hears the screaming.
“Something like this happened to him before. He’s trapped in those memories.” She remarks.
“I’ve seen something similar before. I’ve worked with a few soldiers… may I go in?”
“Yes please.” Hank said as he rushed to Logan’s bedside. “Logan, it’s me, it’s Hank, can you hear me?” He asked. A frenzied growl was the only response as Logan attempted to move his arms to slash and stab Hank.
Ruth enters the room. Takes one look at how Hank approaches him and gets irritated herself.
“Get out.” She says. Moving to the foot of the bed. Her voice is commanding. “He’s not a child Hank. Stop treating him like one…”
Instinct tells her he won’t hurt her. Not if she shocks him. An idea forms.
Hank looks offended, sees the look on her face, and sighs. “I’ll leave you to it, but I’ll be at my workstation if you need me.” He said going to a desk at the far side of the room, leaps up to the ceiling, and starts running some experiments while upside down.
Logan’s looking at her warily. Like an injured animal.
She watches Hank. And as soon as his back is turned she sighs. Putting her knee up on the bed in between Logan’s legs. She then locks eyes with Logan. Softening her eyes as she climbs up on top of him. Keeping her weight off his body.
With the way his arms are strapped down it’s really the only way to properly avoid the claws.
She moves till her face is above his. And then gently moves a hand through his hair.
“Hello Wolverine… I’m here to help.” She says softly.
He’s not Logan right now she can tell.
Wolverine looks at her, then snarls and growls at her. Like how an injured cat hisses, or a dog growls. Foam forms at the corners of his mouth.
She doesn’t move. Doesn’t show any sign of fear. Not even her scent changes. She watches him carefully.
She allows him to get used to her scent. Still playing softly with his hair. Her eyes are soft too. Holding no malice for him. No fear. Only understanding.
He snarls, then gradually, his breathing evens out, and the animalistic fury in his eyes slowly changes to intelligence. The claws slowly retract.
“There you are. I’m not going to hurt you.” She says softly.
“Hank could you dim the lights a bit. These fluorescents are hellish.” Ruth comments.
“Also a blanket from his room. The smells here are too medical. Not safe.”
She stays there hovering over top of Logan.
“You’re safe now. I won’t be letting anyone hurt you. Alright?” She asks.
Hank turns around to do that, and sees her lying on top of Logan. “I swear he must give off some kind of pheromone.” Hank muttered under his breath as he left, the lights dimming as he does so.
“Who…who are you?” Logan croaks out after a minute. “What…happened? Hurts…”
“My name is Ruth. I’m your nurse. The professor hired me.” She replies. “I’m gunna get off you now.”
“You angered an asshole who controls metal and he ripped the metal from off your bones.” She says softly as she carefully moves off of him.
“Can I get you anything? Water? Food?” She asks. “Your healing factor should kick in now that you’re more still…”
“…Magneto…stabbed him.” He growled, looking proud of himself. “Asshat…deserved it.”
“Starved. And thirsty.” He admits, it sounds like his throat is healing up from both the injuries, and the yelling.
“Alright. I’ll see if I can find you some water… and I’ll send Hank out for food as soon as he gets back.” She remarks as she moves to take off her jacket.
The energy in the room gets more soothing.
“So I hear you’re also imported. The professor is very proud of his Canadian teammate.” Ruth says as she heads towards the water cooler.
As she moves away the comfort lessens slightly. But when she returns it’s back in full force.
“Here. I’ll undo your restraints so you can get a drink.” She sets the cup down and moves to his arm to unbelt the cuff.
The claws were out again when she walked away, and they were still slowly retracting when she moved to undo his restraints. “Thanks darlin’.” He said gratefully. “Don’t think I got your name.”
Her heartbeat picks up as he calls her Darlin’ she’s glad for the dimmed lights hoping he can’t see her blush.
“Ruth. Ruth Barnes.” She replies. “And you are?”
She knew of course but she wanted to be polite.
She releases his arms and then hands him the cup of water.
Logan chuckles to himself as he takes a drink. Oh yeah, he’s calling her that more. “Logan.” He introduced himself once he was done.
“Can I ask you for a favor?” He started after a moment. “I can’t feel my legs yet, but I want some fresh air, there a spare wheelchair I can use, and can you help me get in it?”
“Nice to meet you Logan.” She replies taking the empty cup when he was finished.
“Uh you know what I have no idea. I can snoop around though. I quite literally just got here…” she says setting the cup down on a nearby counter and scanning the room.
“Can you wait till Hank returns? He would be the guy to ask and he’s coming with a blanket from your room. Which would be good because the kids might be a little upset by your bandages.”
“Yeah, fair enough.” Logan says somberly.
A minute later the door whooshes open and Hank walks in. “Oh my star and garters.” He says seeing Logan sitting up, unrestrained, and not attacking anyone.
“Hey fur face.” Logan says giving a slight wave. The wind is immediately knocked out of him as Hank pulls him into a bone crushing hug.
“You scared us old friend.” Hank said, tears rolling down the fur on his face.
“Can’t…breathe…bones…very…breakable…” Logan groaned out.
“Oh, sorry.” Hank apologized setting Logan down. “And thank you Nurse Barnes. Whatever you did, seems to have worked.”
“You wear garters? That’s not a mental image I needed.” Ruth retorts.
Her eyes widen in horror as Hank hugs him. And she hears the bones crack.
“Damn Hank. Respectfully. Never hug me.” She mutters.
“You’re welcome. We were wondering about a spare wheelchair. Logan would like some air.”
“Yeah Hank, don’t talk about your garters.” Logan teased.
“You know fully well that I’m referencing a play, and the highest rank of English knighthood!” Hank said defensively to Logan.
Hank then sighs, goes over to a locker, and pulls out a folding wheelchair. “Just be careful Logan.” He said picking Logan up, and setting him down in the chair, and tucking his legs in with the blanket he brought down. Also handing Logan a sweatshirt.
“I’ll be fine.” Logan said putting the shirt on. “I got Ruth here to help.”
“Okay well I’m gunna look that up later.” Ruth comments.
“We’ll manage. And if I need help I’ll call for it.” She replies seriously.
“Also. Nobody told me where my room or the kitchen is. So maybe Logan can give me the tour.”
