"Mind if I sit here," Alex turned as petite brunette woman smiled and gestured to the bar stool next to him. Alex had finished dinner with his friends, but was still wired. He felt so much more comfortable and relaxed now that he was living his old life again. Surfing during the day, hanging out with old friends; his phone calls with Kitty had been the only part of his day that he hadn't enjoyed. He felt a pang of guilt at the thought, which he decided to try to soothe it with a drink. He felt guiltier as his gaze raked over the woman who spoke to him. She was small, her green halter dress hugging her slight curves. He noticed the green of her dress was so similar to that of her eyes, which sparkled as she smiled.
"Not at all," Alex smiled back as she joined him. "Vacationing?"
"Not really," she frowned as the bartender came over. She ordered a glass of wine and Alex motioned for another drink, both to be put on his tab. When the bartender walked away to fix their drinks, she continued to explain. "I guess you could say I'm hiding, or running away, or… something."
"Oh," Alex found himself compelled to comfort this strange woman. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, it's just my… father," she laughed. "It sounds strange to call him that."
"Step-father?" Alex guessed.
"No, just… new. My mom raised me by herself, and now he comes in telling us he has to protect us," she sighed. "Whatever. So, I decided to find a place to hang out until he's done playing Dad. Hawaii sounded good."
"Yeah, it's nice here," Alex agreed. "Hard to have problems when the waves are as good as they are."
"You surf?" she asked, her smile returning. Alex found himself wanting to keep that smile on her face, which scared him.
"Yeah," he finally answered, taking a large gulp.
"Could you teach me?" she put her hand on his arm. He knew he should pull away, but he liked the feeling of it.
"Sure," he nodded.
"So, what about you?" she took her hand away to Alex's confused regret. "What's your story?"
"I… uh… just needed to get away. Clear my head and get back to old roots," he took a long gulp of his drink. "I used to be on the circuit. Surfing for sponsorships and money, but mostly for me. But lately… well I've been a little preoccupied."
"With what?" she prodded.
"I guess… trying to be like my brother," he shook his head. "He convinced me to come stay with him several years ago. Next thing I knew… it was like I was his doppelganger. It's crazy, because… I love my brother, I do, but… I am nothing like him."
"So your brother is ugly and rude?" she laughed. He found himself unable to stop smiling as she laughed. It sounded so beautiful to him.
"He's… very … conventional," Alex shrugged.
"Sounds boring," she smiled and lifted her glass to him. "Here's to not being anything like family."
"Cheers," Alex clinked his glass to hers and laughed. "So, I should have asked this earlier, but… what's your name?"
"Lorna," she answered after a minute. "Lorna Dane. And you are?"
"Alex Summers," he offered her his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Alex," she took his hand and a jolt of electricity seemed to shoot through him.
"Nice to meet you, Lorna," he replied, his eyes locking with hers. As he stared into the depths of her emerald eyes, he realized he was in big trouble.
"I'd like to speak to Kitty, please," Lance stood by the gates of the Institute. He knew someone was listening, as he stood there. He had waited as long as he could, barely getting any sleep, and then he had driven here. He told himself he just wanted to see Al, but something told him that wasn't the only reason he'd come.
"What is it with these nice girls and you creeps?" Logan grunted as he came up to the gate.
"Nice to see you too," Lance joked. "I just want to see Al."
"You'll have to take that up with Kitty. She's in the Danger Room," Logan opened the gate and led Lance inside.
"You know, Kitty told me you look out for him," Lance cut through the silence.
"Yeah, he's a good kid," Logan grunted. Lance had a feeling he wanted to add something to that, but Wolverine was quiet.
"Can I ask you something?" Lance wasn't sure what was compelling him to try to talk to Logan, especially since the guy was often threatening him.
"Doesn't mean I'll answer," Logan laughed. "But it's a free country. For now."
"Fury offered me a job, and I'm thinking of taking it," Lance almost ran into Logan as he stopped rather quickly.
"Why would you want to do that?" Logan growled.
"If it were up to me, I'd be living with Kitty and Al in suburbia. But Magneto's out there, so someone has to stop him," Lance argued.
"You think that's what Fury's all about, huh?" Logan narrowed his eyes.
"I'm not stupid. I know he's got his own agenda. But as long as it happens to coincide with mine, I'm okay with that," Lance shrugged.
"And what is your agenda?" Logan crossed his arms.
"To keep Al… and Kitty… safe," Lance nodded.
"You ever think they'd be better off if you were around instead of off doing who knows what Fury'll have you do?" Logan countered.
"That's why I'm asking you," Lance paused. "Do you think I should work for him?"
"I'm not about to tell anybody to go work for that son of a bitch," Logan answered after he had studied Lance silently. "But I think you're smart enough to handle yourself. Just make sure you push him, ask him everything about anything. He'll respect you for it."
"Thanks," Lance smiled weakly as he was torn between the compliment he'd just been given and the decision that Logan had just confirmed for him. "I think."
"Wait here. I'll get her," Logan left down a corridor and Lance leaned back against the wall. He recognized the Danger Room door, the one Kitty would come through any second.
"I'm going to be in trouble with her, aren't I?" Lance asked himself as he looked impatiently at the door that would soon open.
