Briana walked into the mansion with Craig behind her, carrying her shopping bags. "You know, I don't think I've ever seen anyone shop quite that much," Craig said.
Briana giggled. "It's a talent."
"You want me to carry these upstairs for you?" Craig asked, trying to pretend that the bags weren't getting too heavy. The last thing he wanted was to appear weak in front of Briana.
"Yes. You can carry them to my room for me. I will be able to handle them from there," she said.
Craig started to follow Briana upstairs when Logan came into the room and stopped them. "Hey, just wanted to let you guys know that we're having some sort of barbecue thing, so we're eating outside," Logan said.
"Outside?" Briana repeated. "But won't there be insects?"
Logan rolled her eyes. "No, I asked all the bugs to leave just for you. Anyway, if either of you wants food, it's by the pool."
"Yeah, okay, thanks," Craig said, still trying not to strain under the weight of Briana's bags.
Logan gave them both an overly sweet—and obviously fake—grin and left the room.
Craig followed Briana upstairs.
*** *** ***
- "Are they going to come out here?" Rachel asked when Logan rejoined the others.
- Logan shrugged. "I'm not sure. Apparently Captain Bitchy has a problem with 'insects,' and my dear older brother is busy following her around like a sick puppy."
- Rachel gave a quick laugh. "I'd just as soon she stayed in. I can't stand that woman."
- "Why, Summers, I do believe that is the first time I've actually heard you come right out and admit to not liking someone. Must be Warren's negative influence," Logan said.
- Rachel glanced over to where Billy and Warren were currently engaged in a watergun fight. "Oh yes. Warren is such a bad boy. He is definitely corrupting me."
- Logan laughed. "You guys really do make a good couple." She caught a glimpse of Ric out of the corner of her eye. "It's nice that you've found someone you can be happy with."
- Rachel picked up on the telepathic signals Logan was emanating. "Logan, I know we haven't really been good friends since we were little kids, especially over the past few months, but if you ever need anything—even if it's just someone to listen to you—I'm here, okay?"
- "I know, Ray, thanks," Logan said, giving Rachel's hand a small pat. Rachel started to say something else, but before she had a chance, Kacie Drake, soaking wet and pouting, came over to them. "What happened to you?" Logan asked her.
- "Billy and Warren attacked me," Kacie said, sulking. Rachel and Logan exchanged a quick glance, and the three girls leaned in to plot their revenge...
*** *** ***
"Are you sure you can lift all that weight?" Kacie asked Rachel.
Rachel nodded. "Sure. You just do my job, and I'll do mine. Logan's plan should work great."
Kacie gave her a nod and ran over to the pool. She put her hand in and, using her powers, lowered the temperature of the water to just above freezing. Rachel sneaked up behind Billy and Warren who were relaxing in a couple of lounge chairs by the pool. She telekinetically lifted the chairs, dumping the two men into the icy-cold water. Logan, Rachel, and Kacie were waiting at the edge of the pool when Warren and Billy climbed out. "I hope you know this means war," Warren stated matter-of-factly.
"We're counting on it," Kacie replied.
The guys ran to their waterguns and prepared to shoot; however, they were stopped by an onslaught of water balloons. The girls turned to see where those had come from. Logan laughed. "Nice shot, Marie!" Marie gave a little bow.
The water fight came to an abrupt end, however, when Rebecca Munroe, current field commander of the X-Men approached. "I hate to interrupt," she said, "but I believe that there may be trouble."
"What's up?" Logan asked.
"It appears that something is coming towards the mansion," Rebecca said.
"What kind of 'something?'" Rachel asked.
"As far as we can tell, it is some sort of ball of light. It is approaching rather quickly."
Logan, Rachel, Kacie, Marie, Warren, and Billy followed Rebecca to where the other X-Men stood, watching the sky. The light was coming closer and closer to the mansion at an alarming rate.
"Um, you guys, if this turns out to be something bad, shouldn't we be doing a little more than just standing here?" Marie asked.
"By the time we prepare anything, it will have already arrived," Angela said. "Our only chance is to hope it's friendly."
"Gee, I feel all warm and safe now," Marie said. Logan elbowed her.
The light plummeted through the sky until it came to an abrupt stop right above the ground. The light began to take shape, revealing a tall man with wings made of what appeared to be flame. His hair was dark, his eyes cold blue. His wings grew dim and soon vanished entirely.
The X-Men stared at him in shock for a moment until Rebecca poised herself and stepped forward. "Who are you and why have you come here?" she asked.
The man looked Rebecca up and down then answered, "I am the Dark Angel. I have come seeking the heroes they call the X-Men."
Rebecca continued to stand tall and proud, making her look almost eerily like her mother. "We are the X-Men. What business do you have with us?"
"I have come to warn you of the impending arrival of the Dark One," the Dark Angel said, "as well as to request your help in defeating him."
Rebecca looked over at Rachel who gave a nod, indicating that she sensed no hostile intent. Angela did the same. "Come inside with us then, and there you may tell us more," Rebecca said.
"I will do that," the Dark Angel said.
Rebecca turned around and walked towards the mansion with the Dark Angel following closely behind. The other X-Men exchanged glances, then went after Rebecca and the Dark Angel. Marie ran up to walk beside Logan. "Damn, he's hot," Marie said.
"The Dark Angel?" Logan asked.
"Uh hu."
A small smile spread across Logan's face. "That he is. He seems to be a tad bit on the dangerous side, though."
"And that's a bad thing because...?" Marie asked.
Logan only response was a giggle.
*** *** ***
Rebecca led the Dark Angel into the War Room and motioned for him to sit. Cable stood to the side and a little behind of him, obviously ready to act at the first sign of trouble. Angie went over to him and whispered in his ear, "I don't sense any danger from him, Nate. A little hostility, yes, but no more than you usually radiate." Nathan gave her a stern frown.
The X-Men gathered around as Rebecca took her place at the head of the table, across from the Dark Angel. Paige stood near her, watching over and making sure things went smoothly. "So, Dark Angel," Rebecca began, "tell us your story."
"I come from the farthest reaches of the Shi'ar Empire," the Dark Angel said. "A being of the greatest evil, known as the Dark One, has for centuries been on a quest for universal domination, and he believes that by conquering Earth and enslaving the X-Men he will be closer to fulfilling that task. I have come here in order to prepare you for his arrival as well as to request your help in my fight against the Dark One. If you refuse, you are facing certain destruction."
"How long do we have until he arrives?" Rebecca asked.
"About seven of your standard days," the Dark Angel replied.
Silence fell over the room. Rebecca glanced around and saw that everyone wore the same expression of grim determination. She looked over at Paige, who gave her a nod of approval. "My team will be willing to help you in any ways necessary," Rebecca told the Dark Angel. "Are you prepared to discuss this matter further now?"
"If you don't mind, I would like to be able to rest. My journey was long and drained much of my energy," the Dark Angel said.
"But of course," Rebecca said with a smile. "Logan, would you please show our guest to one of the spare rooms?"
"I'd be glad to," Logan replied, standing up. She looked over at Marie who mouthed the word "lucky." Logan tried to hide a blush. "Uh, the spare rooms are upstairs," Logan said, leading the Dark Angel out the door.
Ric caught the way the Dark Angel and Logan looked at each other and felt a sudden rush of jealousy.
*** *** ***
"So, do you have a name other than, 'The Dark Angel?" Logan asked as she walked upstairs with him.
"I have never had the need for one," the Dark Angel replied. "Why?"
Logan shrugged. "Nothing. It's just that that's a lot to say."
"Oh." The Dark Angel thought for a moment. "You could come up with another name if you would like."
"I'll see what I can come up with," Logan said. She paused, then asked. "Why are you so bent on stopping the Dark One anyway?"
"Why would I not be?" the Dark Angel asked. "He is evil in its purest form."
"I just meant, you're alone on this. Why are you trying to stop such a powerful being on your own?"
"The others are gone," the Dark Angel replied, the sadness that tinged his voice the first sign Logan had seen of him having any emotion at all. "They are dead. I am the only one left. The Dark One killed them all."
"I'm sorry," Logan said.
"I do not want your pity."
"Sympathy then?"
They reached the door to the spare room before the Dark Angel could reply. "Well, here it is," Logan said. "If you need anything, just let one of us know."
"I will. Thank you," the Dark Angel said as he entered the room.
Logan reached out a hand to stop him, placing her palm against his well-muscled arm. He looked down at her with his intense blue eyes and Logan felt her breath catch. She pulled away when she suddenly realized she was staring. "I think I might have a name for you," she said.
"Oh? What is it?"
"Tristan."
"What does it mean?"
"Sadness."
The Dark Angel gave her a solemn nod. "I like it."
"Then good-bye for now, Tristan," Logan said.
"Good-bye for now, Logan."
*** *** ***
"I take it you're a little wary of the Dark Angel," Angela said to Nathan as she sat behind him, massaging his back and shoulders.
"Well, shouldn't I be?" Nate replied. "I mean, the guy came down from the sky on wings of fire telling us we're going to be attacked by great evil, Angie! It's not that I doubt the sincerity of his story—I am a telepath myself, after all—it's just that I'm not sure about what he's getting us in to. Paige and Rebecca both seem perfectly fine with just jumping straight into this, but I'm not sure if it's what's best for the team."
Angie leaned around to kiss him on the cheek. "I worry about that, too, but what choice do we have? He told us that the X-Men are in danger. What can we do but fight?"
"We were lucky before, in our battles against the New Brotherhood," Cable said. "What assurance do we have that those kids will be able to handle themselves against something to this magnitude?"
"We don't, but we can't stop them from doing what needs to be done because it may prove to be too much for them. They made a vow to face any danger that comes their way when they agreed to be X-Men," Angie said. "You know that better than anyone, Nate. It isn't like you to think this way."
"No, it just isn't like me to voice these thoughts when I do have them," Nathan corrected her. "I can just be more open with you than I can be with other people."
"I'm glad you trust me."
Nathan met Angela's gaze. "I love you."
Angie looked down and Cable frowned. "You're not going to say it back, are you," he stated.
"I'm not sure I'm ready," Angie replied. "After Kerrigan…"
Nathan cut her off. "I'm not your ex-husband."
Angie sighed. "I know, but it's still difficult for me."
Cable wanted to be mad at her, angry at her inability to express her feelings her him, but the sad look in her eyes and her drooping wings made even his heart melt. Nate pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry, Baby," he said, although he wasn't sure what he was apologizing for.
*** *** ***
Rachel, Rebecca, Marie, and Kacie were sprawled out around what had become known as the "Girls' Den" in the X-Mansion, when Logan came in and sat down on the couch. "So what do you all think of the Dark Angel?" she asked, trying to make her question sound as nonchalant as possible.
Rebecca looked up from her book. "I am somewhat uncertain about him, as a leader should be, but if what he says about the Dark One coming for us is true, his help will be most beneficial."
Rachel flipped over a card in her solitaire game. "He sorta creeps me out," she said. "I mean the whole Dark-Angel-coming-to-warn-us-of-impending-doom thing is a tad bit scary."
Kacie snorted. "Oh yeah. That's too bad, too, because everything up to this point in our lives has been all warm and fuzzy. If you ask me, the guy just knows how to make an entrance."
Marie continued to paint Kacie's fingernails sky-blue. "I still say he's way hot," Marie said.
"I'm going to have to agree with you on that one, 'Rie," Logan said.
All the girls stopped what they were doing and looked at Logan. "What? I just said I think he's cute. Why are you all staring at me?"
"Because you have a crush on the Dark Angel," Kacie said.
"I do not!" Logan exclaimed. "I simply said I find him mildly attractive."
"You said 'cute,'" Rachel reminded her.
"And agreed with Marie's 'way hot,'" Kacie pointed out.
"Just because I think he's cute, or hot, or whatever, does not mean I have a crush on him," Logan said. "Besides, it's too soon after Ric to start another relationship."
Rachel continued playing her card game. "Who said anything about a relationship?" she asked. "You could always just have a fling with the guy." The sudden silence in the room caused her to look up and see everyone staring at her, their mouths hanging open. "What?"
"That just wasn't exactly what anyone expected to come out of your mouth, Rachel," Logan said.
Rachel shrugged. "I'm not as much of a prude as you guys swear I am," she said. "Just ask Warren."
Her friends continued to stare, their eyes growing wider. Kacie and Marie broke out into a fit of giggles. Rachel turned crimson. "That isn't what I meant!" she yelled.
"Sure…" Logan teased. Rachel blushed even harder and tried to turn her concentration back to her game, staring at the cards as if she were the only one in the room. Rebecca smiled slightly as she continued reading her book. Logan grinned as she thought about Tristan. Maybe she would be able to get over Ric after all…
*** *** ***
Down the hall in the "Guys' Den," the male half of the X-Men were also discussing the Dark Angel. Ric crossed his arms in front of him. "I don't trust him a bit," he said.
Billy's hands moved deftly across the game controller, causing his on-screen persona to kick Warren's in the head. "You're just saying that 'cause of the way Logan was looking at him," he said.
Warren did his best to counteract Billy's attack. "And the way that he was looking right back."
"They weren't looking at each other," Ric declared.
"Yes they were. And I'd have to say there were definite sparks," Twister commented.
"There weren't any damn sparks," Ric said.
"Sparks? What do I have to do with this?" Billy asked, making a reference to his codename.
Ric threw a pillow at Billy. "C'mon, Man, this is serious!"
"Hey!" Billy yelled, the momentary distraction allowing Warren to get the upper hand. "I seriously doubt that's why they call them throw pillows." Billy tried to rebuild his advantage over Warren, but it was too late. The game ended, proclaiming Warren as the winner. Billy pouted. "Thanks, Ric. Now Warren's actually beaten me. He's gonna gloat forever."
"Yeah, well, at least the woman you love isn't making eyes at someone else," Ric mumbled.
Twister frowned. "Ric, if you're in love with Logan still, you really should tell her. She loves you, too, that much is obvious. Y'all could work it out."
"Twister's right," Billy said. "I mean, I know it's hard for you, what with your powers and all, but isn't the fact that you love each other what really counts?"
"Easy for you to say," Ric answered. "You can touch Kacie."
"Look, we're just trying to say that your feelings for Logan are obviously still strong if you're acting this way about the Dark Angel. If the idea of her being with another guy bothers you this much, then just tell her," Warren said.
Ric stood up. "I hear enough of this from Marie. I don't need it from you guys, too. It seems so simple to all of you: I love Logan, so I tell her and everything's fine again. Well, it won't work that way. You all know what happened to Wolverine when Magneto took his adamantium, and you know what happened to Addie when I hit her with that magnetic pulse. I shouldn't even be in the same room with her, let alone in a relationship!" Ric paused, his next words coming out choked. "I could kill her with just one kiss."
"Ric…" Twister began.
"Look, I don't want to talk about this anymore," Ric said. "I'm going to bed." He left the room before the others could say anything else.
*** *** ***
The Dark Angel stared out the window of his room in the X-Mansion. He shook his head. No, he wasn't just the Dark Angel anymore. He was Tristan. He had a name. Logan had given him a name.
Logan. Tristan frowned as he thought about her. He could feel something stirring inside him, something he had thought had gone along with Maritheza when she died in his arms. Tristan set his face in grim determination. He was going to stop this now, before these feelings had a chance to grow. He'd sworn to stay emotionally dead forever, and one woman was not going to change that.
Tristan reminded himself that he barely even knew Logan; therefore, there was no point to him being afraid of falling for her. She was just another beautiful woman, and he'd sure seen plenty of them before. Logan was just another girl, nothing special. It would take no effort on his part to push her out of his mind.
The Dark Angel had already begun to think of himself as Tristan.
*** *** ***
To be continued soon…
Feedback, please! Leave a review or email me at addie_logan@yahoo.com. This is a work in progress, so I'd like to know what you guys think about it so far.
