AS204 Glory Days Chapter Two, a dark angel fanfic

Glory Days by Star24

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Chapter Two

Fogle Towers

Logan came to himself with a start. His phone was shrilling insistently. He walked to the unit that sat in his dining room and picked it up.

"Oh hey, Max. Yeah we're all set for Saturday night. How's the dress coming?"

He smiled at the response, "Tomorrow huh? Knock 'em dead. You have the credit card right? One more thing, can you come for dinner tomorrow night? We'll have some company. An old friend is coming into town for the reunion." He laughed, "No he's male, but bring Original Cindy anyway if you want. The more the merrier."

He listened for a moment more, "Sure that's okay, I understand. I need to get the guest room cleared out tonight for Gavin anyway. It's full of files and stuff that he can't see. Tell Original Cindy I said Hi, and I'll catch her tomorrow. And Max…think about me tonight…'cause you know I'll be thinking about you."

He laughed at her response and when he put the phone back in its cradle, he was still smiling.

Fogle Towers, Next Day

"Nice job, today, Logan." Bling commented as he packed up his gear. "The muscle tone is still good in your legs."

Logan smiled as he toweled off the sweat that had gathered on his brow. "I'm thinking of looking into some new treatments. Some alternative stuff."

Bling looked at him questioningly, "Such as?"

"I've been doing some research. There are some experimental treatments out there that involve heavy stimulation of the muscles and nerves that remain after an injury like mine. The theory is that the spinal cord could possible be prompted to rejuvenate and re-grow."

"Yeah, I'm familiar with that line of research. It started late twentieth century and continued on until the Pulse hit. They were actually having some success with it but then it all fell apart. Just like almost everything else in this country."

"Turns out a few doctors have started working on it again in the past few years. It's worth looking into, if nothing else."

"So long as you approach it with the right attitude, man, I say go for it."

"I know it's a long shot but what the hell." Logan shrugged. "Soon as this reunion thing is over, I have an appointment set up with a local doctor who's been doing some work in the field."

"What does Sam Carr have to say about it?"

"He gave me this guy's name." Logan said. "I'm gonna hit the shower – help yourself to some lunch before you go. I'd join you but I have company coming, and I'd like to clean up before he gets here."

"Sure. If I finish before you get out, I'll let myself out."

* * * *

When Logan emerged from the shower, Bling was gone. He debated putting on the exo-skeleton, but then decided to go ahead. He already had mixed feelings about seeing Gavin again, and he didn't need the complications of his accident and the wheelchair added to them.

Logan had just finished off lunch when the intercom buzzed. He picked up the house phone and listened for a moment. "Yes, I'm expecting him. Send him on up. Thanks." He put his dirty dishes in the dishwasher and when the doorbell rang five minutes later, he was there to answer it.

The man standing outside of the door was almost, but not quite, as tall as Logan. The difference was that his build was stocky and muscular compared to Logan's lean build. He had thick dark hair and dark eyes. The two stood there, taking each other's measure for a few minutes, but then Gavin stuck out his hand.

"Logan, buddy. You're looking good."

Logan grasped Gavin's hand and the two shook. "So are you."

"I can't believe it's been so long. What is it, twelve years?"

"Just a little over that." Logan led the way into the apartment and Gavin followed with his bags. "Guestroom is this way. Did you have lunch?"

"The usual airline slop. But I'm good." Gavin looked around the penthouse curiously as he followed Logan to the guestroom. "Nice digs, buddy. Guess your family weathered the Pulse okay."

"Yeah, better than most. You can put your stuff in here. You want to shower or anything? There's a bathroom through there. A couple of friends of mine are coming over to join us for dinner around eight."

"I'll hit the showers before they get here. Right now, I'd just like to relax some. It was a long trip out from the East Coast. Travel still isn't what it used to be." Gavin dropped his bags carelessly on the floor in the guestroom, and followed Logan out to the living area. "You wouldn't happen to have something to drink?"

"Help yourself." Logan indicated the bar standing against the wall in his dining room.

"Don't mind if I do." Gavin pulled open the bar and busied himself pouring a shot of Scotch. "You?" He turned and indicated the bottle to Logan.

"No thanks. I'm more of a wine drinker these days."

"Logan Cale, a wine connoisseur. Who'd have thought it when we were having those frat parties way back when."

Logan shrugged, "Tastes change I guess. So what have you been up to? I presume you aren't married or you wouldn't be here alone."

A shadow crossed Gavin's face. "No I never got married. I had…family issues to deal with. What about you? I always thought you'd be the one to be tied up before any of the rest of us."

"I was. It didn't work out." Logan replied shortly as he turned away to look out the windows, unwilling to discuss his failed marriage to Valerie.

Gavin looked at him consideringly. "I'm sorry to hear that." Despite his words, there was almost a look of satisfaction in his eyes.

There was a silence as Gavin sipped his drink and Logan stared out the window. Gavin finally broke it. "Aren't you going to ask me?"

Logan turned and stared at him. "How's Carly?" he asked quietly.

Gavin returned his stare and didn't answer immediately. "I always wondered why you never contacted us after we moved away."

"I never had a number. Carly refused to give me one."

Gavin shrugged, "Whatever. It doesn't matter. You two were over."

Early June 2009

Logan stood looking down at Carly. "Carly, what do you want from me?" They were in a parking lot near a small drugstore. He had stopped to pick up some toiletries, and when he came out, she was standing next to his car waiting for him.

"I…I'm sorry. I wasn't fair to you. I want to try again." She looked up at him imploringly.

Logan sighed as he looked down into her pleading eyes. "Carly, I can't do this. I've been home for a month and you've kept me on an emotional rollercoaster the entire time. One day you hate me and never want to see me again, and the next day you want the opposite. This isn't working. I'll always care for you, but I can't be with you anymore. I'm sorry."

Tears welled in her eyes and she clutched at his sleeve. "Logan you don't understand…I'm…"

"You're what?" he looked at her sharply.

"I'm scared and nervous. That's all it is. Please Logan, give me another chance." Tears were streaming down her face and Logan felt a wrench as he looked at her.

"Carly, I can't. We don't work together. I wish we did. Take care of yourself."

He climbed into his car, pulling away from the hand she had placed on his arm. His last image of her was of her standing alone in the parking lot, looking small and forlorn, her arm raised in supplication as he pulled away.

* * * *

"Yes, we were over." Logan waited a moment then asked again, "So how is she?"

Gavin stared straight at Logan and slowly answered, "She's dead."

End of Chapter Two