Picture Perfect

He never was one for surprises, and he certainly didn't expect one to happen that day. All he wanted was a cool brew, along with a hot bowl of chili; something to keep him going on his long journey.

He wasn't sure where exactly he was going. Maybe a large town, or maybe another small village. Anywhere where he could make money to keep his journey going.

But the moment he entered the small restaurant he felt indifferent. Something in the pit of his gut was swirling to get out, and it bothered him. He didn't like feeling uncomfortable, it just wasn't the way he preferred. But then again, who did? This feeling was overwhelming, and he tried hard to delete it. Beer after beer, bowl after bowl- this feeling just wouldn't leave.

"Hey, are you alright?"

Logan tore his gaze away from the cheap granite countertop bar to look towards the soft-spoken voice. A woman, two seats away, was leaning towards him. Her face was beautiful, if she brushed her wild mane of hair away from her eyes. Her eyes, large with question, were a deep green, with a hue of yellow tinge within. Bags formed under her eyes, leaving Logan to wonder if she had any sleep within the last couple of days. Her face was complimented with slim eyebrows, pointing at the right arch; almost cat like.

Her clothes were baggy on her small frame. She wore a long sleeved blue shirt, with a pair of torn jeans, not exactly meant for this type of the weather. He could still hear the winter's harsh wind blow against the restaurant's cheap doors. The heat was blazing from the vents on all sides of the building.

She was… eccentric. Her nails painted a deep black, chipping, showed an almost yellow rust tint to them, and they were long; fairly long. Her hair, reaching past her breasts, was a dark brown, with streaks of an… almost blue hue to it. A large belt buckle rested on her hip, and it was of a spider. The woman was young. Maybe 23. Or 21.

Logan brought his eyes back up to her face, and all concern was gone. Instead a serious look rested on her face. He noticed her small nose, and couldn't help but realize just how beautiful the woman could be.

"Did I stutter?" She asked, her voice a deep question. "Look, mister, I'm genuinely worried, and believe me, that rarely happens. What's up? Looks like you're about to lose your bowels you're so uncomfortable."

Her mouth certainly lost all of her beauty. Sure, her lips were large and plump, but the words flowing out lost any, if not all, presence of her beauty.

Logan grunted and shook his head, bringing his bottle of beer up to his lips. The cool liquid was refreshing, and the taste was soothing. He brought the bottle down back to the bar, and kept his eyes straight forward, ignoring the woman beside him.

He heard her mumble a couple words that no woman should really know, and turn her back towards him. He could smell the scrambled eggs she was tossing around with her fork, and the sweet aroma of her coffee. Logan took another whiff… the coffee was spiked with whiskey.

Logan turned to look at her and raised an eyebrow. "A little early don't 'cha think?"

The woman looked back towards him with a raised eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Logan looked at the large clock behind her and smirked. "It's not even eleven yet."

The woman turned around her to the clock then back to her mug. A smile graced her face, and she shook her head. "I didn't think it was that strong to smell." She allowed her long fingers to dance along the mug. "It calms me down." She whispered.

"From what?" Logan asked, genuinely interested. Although his voice, harsh, didn't let it on.

"Oh…" She laughed. "My cars down, and I have no fucking idea where to even start with it."

He didn't respond, turning away from her. He didn't want to become more involved than he already was.

But, apparently, the woman wouldn't have any of that. She slid over to the seat next to him and stuck out her hand. "My names Tegan."

His dark eyes stared at her hand, and he thought about it for a moment. Logan then brought his large hand to meet with her petite one. Once they clasped, Tegan smiled and laughed. "Figures though, I'm not much of a car person." She brought her hand away from him.

Logan turned to look over his should and asked, "Which one?"

"Uhm," Tegan looked over as well. "The one that looks like it's going to break apart."

Logan noticed it right away and let out a small 'Oh.' The car, indeed, did look like it was going to break apart. It was a small blue car, a sprint, and it vibrated against the heavyset wind. That thing wouldn't allow her to even leave the parking lot—alive.

Tegan let out a nervous laugh, full of embarrassment. "Heh, that's good ole' Betsy."

Logan turned back to look at her with an eyebrow arched high.

Tegan shrugged and with smile on her face she turned back down to her food, which was quickly becoming cold. The silence that drifted upon them was becoming, drastically, awkward.

"Hey- uh, listen. Would you mind taking a peek at my car? I mean, you can say no, but it'd be really cool if you did."

Logan scoffed.

"Please? Listen, I'll even buy you a beer!"

He looked over to her and gave a faint hint of a smile... or was it a smirk? "Canadian." Logan stood up and walked out of the restaurant towards her vehicle.

Tegan ordered his brew then turned to watch the man saunter his way outside. The wind howled when the door was pushed open, allowing a cold breeze to cause shivers to run up and down her arms. Once the waitress brought the beer down, she put down two dollars, grabbed the beers, and stood up. Tegan walked outside, bracing herself for the cold weather.

Tegan laughed at the sight of Logan bent over the car. "See? That's how damaged it is!" She yelled over the winter's harsh wind. Logan looked up, and she handed him his beer before going back around to the trunk to grab a jacket. "I could just open the trunk and hood without pulling the knob!"

Logan didn't hear her, for his head was stuck in the car's hood. It was a moment before he stood up straight, took a swig of the beer, and then closed the hood.

"Well?" Tegan asked, eyebrows crocked high with anticipation when silence drifted upon them.

The man took another drink of his beer and gave a shrug. "How far you plan on going?"

The question caught Tegan by surprise and she brought a hand up behind her neck and gave a scratch. "Well, uh…" She shook her head. "Uhm… I'm not too sure. I don't really have a said plan. I'm just-"

"Look, kid, just gimme a destination…"

"I don't know! Somewhere west." Tegan smiled. "Why you plan on helping me out?"

Logan shook his head. "No, I just wanted to let you know; you're not going to make it 20 minutes out of this place." He brought his hands up and slammed the hood down.

Her eyes squinted with anger and she shook her head. "Thanks for nothing you prick-" She reached around him to grab the beer that she bought for him, snatching it out of his hands.

Tegan walked around him towards the front door, opened it, and slamming it closed. Logan shook his head and took a step back. What was he suppose to do? He shouldn't have even opened his damn mouth in the first place! What was he thinking? He almost asked her if she needed a ride! … She was crying.

Something tugged at Logan and he sighed. He ran a hand through his coarse hair before taking a step towards the car. The woman was leaning her head against the steering wheel, her hair falling around her face, and her shoulders shaking with tears.

Logan grunted before tapping on the window. The woman looked up to him with slanted eyes, rage still coursing through them. She unrolled the window and asked; "Can I help you?"

He felt on the spot, and it definitely something he did not like. He was silent for a second before he asked, voice thick, "I can take you as far as Golden. You're on your own after that."

With that he turned away back towards his truck, forgetting about paying for his meal. Logan hopped into the truck, slamming the door and waiting for what he knew was going to happen. And within moments, Tegan, with a duffle bag, tore the door open and hopped in.

They were silent as Logan turned the truck to life and tore into the gear. He backed out of the parking lot and keep the silence treading before Tegan whisper, barely loud enough for a normal human to hear;

"Thank you."