The bar was crowded with off duty soldiers. They stank of stale beer and talked too loudly about things better left private. Drunken laughter filled the air. As Logan stared around, he wished he could drown out his sorrows with alcohol, like these men could. He had to live with his.

Sighing, he sat down at a secluded table with his friend, Steve Rogers. Even an outsider could see the tension between the two. While other men celebrated that the war looked like it was finally coming to an end, Logan and Rogers sat, gazing at nothing; one sitting up straight and tense, the other leaning forward with his head in his hands. The barman, a kind hearted fellow, came over and quietly placed two glasses of beer on the table in front of them, muttering "on the house". This seemed to wake Logan from his reverie. He sat up and tried to look Rogers in the eye. Rogers avoided his gaze.

"Steve." No answer. "Cap'." Logan tried again. "Steve, I heard a rumour you were leaving. Is it true?"

Finally, Rogers answered. "I'm going this evening. With a friend of mine." Logan waved a hand dismissively "I read the file Rogers. The odds don't look good."

The blond man smiled, thinly "The odds never look good."

"But even for you Cap'!" Logan leaned forward "Let me come with you, I can help-"

He was cut off "Logan. You've got to stay here. I need someone to watch the end of the war for me." Again, he smiled, but his eyes were sad. Rogers would miss his friend's bluntness, his loyalty and also his understanding. There were not many people who could truly comprehend what it was like to be... different. Most people just saw the advantages. Logan saw, no, Logan knew and experienced the disadvantages.

Logan started again "Steve, you're ill. I saw you the other day. Are you really up to doing a big mission like this?"

"Yes." Rogers' face had closed in now. Logan sat back, realising it was no use. He swilled his drink around in the chipped glass.

They sat in silence for a while. Then Rogers glanced at the dilapidated clock on the wall. "I should go. There's a briefing." Logan nodded dumbly. Pushing his chair back, Rogers stood up, his friend following suit. Awkwardly, they shook hands. Logan looked up at his companion.

"Stay safe." Rogers nodded once and turned to go. Logan stood for a while, watching Captain America's departure, then sat back down at the table. "Stay safe."