Disclaimer: Don't own Dark Angel.

A/N: In celebration of Pulse-Day, a little Logan snippet, pre-series…

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When he tells Jonas that he won't join Cale Industries, triumph and satisfaction nearly compromise his uncle's snooty indifference.

Outwardly he's all disdain and disapproval, not even looking at Logan as he gives Margo another of his off-handed "I told you he's not up to it." But there, in the corners of his smug mouth flutters wicked relief, freed from the prospect of sharing leadership again. Finally, after years of raising a bright, promising concurrent in his house, the company is his.

Logan listens to his reproachful sermon with unmoving stoicism. He has a triumph of his own, has been picked by the legendary Nathan Herrero to work for his new project. Only once, when Jonas tells him how disappointed his father would be, he can't quite keep himself from cringing.

His father… His dad had wanted him to take his place but he hadn't been stupid. He'd noticed early on that Logan only read the business news to be rewarded with his smile, wiggling to run back outside. He'd also seen the greed in his brother's eyes, only waiting for an opportunity.

With the same farsighted calculation that had had made Cale Companies so successful, he'd planned the future, taking precautions for every possible scenario … even the one where he wasn't around anymore. His arrangements made sure that his son never would have to worry about money, no matter his decision.

His father would be disappointed with Logan, but not in the way Jonas thinks. If he could see what his brother made of the company, Logan Cale senior would reprimand his son for shying away from making things right again. Logan couldn't care less about Jonas's opinion, but once more his uncle's patronizing little remarks managed to spoil the high of the last days

Now Logan wonders if it isn't his responsibility to keep Jonas from ruining his dad's work even more. Thinking of his new job, he tries to find that thrilling exhilaration again … but he can't. He disappointed his dead father and in the end that still outweighs all of his new mentor's encouragement and appreciation.

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Happy Pulse Day!