Hank McCoy sat at the table he'd reserved for himself and Anna, watching the other diners and checking his watch every few minutes. Eight minutes to seven. There was still almost twenty minutes until she was supposed to be here. He checked his watch again. Seven minutes to seven.

He sat back impatiently and sighed. He really wasn't looking forward to this meeting tonight. The attacks on the families of the X-team had been traumatic for everyone, and luckily, no one had been hurt badly, though his own mother was still in the hospital. Everyone else had been quietly moved and they all were now living alternate lives in relative safety among friendly mutants all around the country. Some had even been moved to other continents.

However, the threat remained. He was a very visible public figure, and had played a big role in the battle to save Jimmy at Worthington Labs. Attempts on his life were to be expected; he could handle those on his own. However the thought of putting Anna's life on the line was unacceptable.

But would he be able to go through with ending their friendship? He wilted a little at the thought.

"Right this way, madam."

His head snapped up and his heart swelled when he saw her.

Her hair was pulled up in a French twist, with two spiraling locks falling along either side of her face. Her eyes seemed to stand out sharply, catching one's attention, though it did not appear that she was wearing heavy makeup. Her lips looked full and sparkled, yet it looked as if she wore only a glittery lip gloss. He chuckled inwardly. By her own admission, she knew little about the more "girly" skills in regard to hair and makeup. She had obviously been practicing.

She wore a dark green, knee-length, A-line gown with spaghetti straps and a slightly paler green silken wrap. Her shoes were delicate little pumps with web-like straps and open toes. He noted in passing that she'd had a pedicure as well. He was flattered that she would take such pains for a dinner with him.

When she smiled at him he couldn't help but smile back. She was always so happy to see him, and it showed in every part of her. It warmed and humbled him, and made him feel all the more an ass for what he was about to do.

He rose to his feet and held his arms out to her. She stepped into him comfortably and hugged him hard.

"Ohhh, I've missed you, Hank," she breathed. "It's so good to see you!"

Unable to resist, he squeezed her back, enjoying the moment of genuine affection between them. Lord knew that it would probably be the last. Forever, if not just for a long time.

She pulled back and kissed his cheek. They stood wordlessly for a moment before Hank pulled himself together and gestured to her seat. The Maitre d' held her chair for her as they sat, and inquired after her choice of drink. She declined in favor of water and leaned over the table excitedly. The waiters brought their meal, fussing with the place settings, and Anna wriggled impatiently.

"So tell me all about it."

They talked as they ate, Hank filling in the somber details of his trip, Anna listening raptly. Her emotions flickered openly across her features. When he spoke of the attack on his family, her eyes grew stricken and she seized his hand, demanding to know if they were alright. The expression of empathy that crossed her features brought a lump to his throat and rendered him speechless for a moment. She sat patiently, holding his hand and smiling encouragingly for him. When he spoke of the team's decision to cut off all ties to their non-mutant friends and families, her eyes welled up with tears.

"Oh, Hank, that's horrible! As if the team hasn't already been through enough!"

As he finished his tale, they sat back from their plates and sighed.

"This brings me to my reason for asking you out tonight, Anna."

She picked up her water goblet and took a sip. "That sounds ominous," She said with a frown.

"Indeed it is," He murmured. He took a deep breath, paused to clear his throat, and tried again with his eyes downcast. "This trip has brought into focus the dangers implicit in being close to me or any of the other X-men. I find that I can't allow myself to put you in that kind of danger."

He glanced up at her. She sat, frozen, with her eyes wide and her glass halfway to her lips. Her face was blank and she sat very still.

"Anna," He said softly, barely able to speak the words. "For your sake, we have to stop seeing one another."

She blinked several times, her expression still blank, and lowered her eyes. Hank looked away, feeling like a prick. This was the right thing to do, but it hurt like nothing he'd experienced before.

"The people behind these attacks are mutant." He tried to explain further. "Without any means to protect yourself…Perhaps if you had some extraordinary abilities…"

At that moment, the wait staff came to clear away their plates and the Maitre d' offered them dessert. Hank almost gratefully turned his attention to him, glad for the distraction. Throughout the bustle around the table, Anna remained silent.

As the Maitre d' finished taking their dessert order from Hank, Anna quietly asked to be directed to the ladies' room. She rose from her seat with her eyes lowered and listened mutely. Hank stood politely until she had passed by him on her way to the restroom.

He sat again, and fiddled nervously with the stem of his glass. If this was the right thing to do, then why did he feel like such an ass? He sat musing sourly, waiting for her to return.

Over the soft music of the quartet and the quiet tinkle of crystal and flatware, he could hear the subdued tones of Anna's all-too-familiar voice. That was fast, he thought. He turned in his seat, readying himself to stand when she got back to the table.

Across the room, she was speaking to the Maitre d'. Something exchanged hands and he offered her his arm. Frowning, Hank slowly stood. He started forward as the two left the restaurant. Through the windows, he could see the Maitre d' waving down a cab. He moved faster as one pulled immediately up to the curb. He burst through the doors just as the cab was pulling away with Anna in the back seat.

He stared helplessly at the receding tail lights, surprised and a lot more hurt than he'd thought he would be. He swallowed hard and ran his hands through his hair. Of course she'd be upset. What had he expected? But this…This was not how he'd wanted their friendship to end.

Bravo, Henry. What do you do for an encore?