Midnight in the 'Garden' of Grease and Axles

[Ironclad]

It didn't take them long to get to the garage, and after Aideen put in the code to open up the garage for them, Mason directed Dylan to park inside in some of the free parking spaces in there. He figured Cecil wouldn't mind and it was better than risk them parking in front of the garage in case they were somehow tracked down. Mason drove in slowly and motioned for Dylan to follow. After Dylan drove in, the loud noise of the clanking metal of the garage closing rang in their ears.

The dogs were barking at the newcomers, not calming down until Mason whistled to them and called them over. Not that they needed much urging, as just the scent of Tracy got them excited. He shook his head, muttering "I'm dating a god damn Disney princess," under his breath before looking at the others as they all gathered in the garage. "This is home sweet home while we're in Boston. Don't mind the dogs either, they're like overgrown puppies despite their barking," he said to help any apprehension that they might have about the dogs.

"C'mon, let's go upstairs, its warmer there than here." The garage was cooler than it was outside, and as nice as the days were in the city, the nights were much cooler. Mason looked around for Cecil, but didn't see him. He concluded that he must be out of the house or something. Since he got there, he found himself talking a good couple of times to the kind older man. Truth be told, Mason felt a bit bad for him. It was obvious all the guy had was his garage, and he missed his son very much.

"There this is a little better huh?" Mason said opening the door to the warm apartment, the dogs running in ahead of him the Doberman in the apartment was barking his head off at the strangers that came with the group. "Aw damn, down boy its okay, they're okay," Mason soothed through the loud barking. "I don't know about you guys but I am starving. I say we order in." He stopped and eyed the blood clothes on his girl, Lai and Mike. "Uh, getting cleaned up first would probably be a better idea."

[HeartString]

Tracy smiled at their guests, looking around she saw that Logan and Aideen hadn't come up yet from the Garage so she assumed the role of the good hostess. "Ummm, let's see," Tracy said as they all stood in the kitchen area just getting their bearings. "There's a shower in this room and one in this room here." She said pointing out the two bedrooms. "So why don't you two take the shower in our room," she glanced over at Mason to see if he was alright with her idea so far, "and I'll take a quick shower in Logan and Aideen's room here, OK?"

"Let's see.. trash bags, trash baaaags-" she looked under the sink, the most logical place for trash bags to be stashed, and found the box. Grabbing a couple she stood up with a grin. "Let me show you." She motioned for Mike and Lai to follow her and she led them off into the bedroom. "Uh, the bathrooms there," she said and held out one of the trash bags to Lai with a smile. "Here. For your clothes. I'll see what I can find to fit you in Wolverine's stuff Mike, and I know I have a cute outfit that'll fit you Lai... I'll lay them out on the bed."

She turned to leave them and stopped to say "There's plenty of hot water, but when it gets real steamy the door sticks, so just lift up a little when you open it. 'K? Shampoo and stuff is in there and there's plenty of towels in the closet, so relax and feel at home." Her smile shone again as she grabbed her bathrobe, and headed out, leaving the pair to get comfy and clean.

As she walked through the common area and into the other bedroom she saw Dylan, Ingrid and Mason sitting at the high counter that separated the room up a little, it was sort of a bar type area and she smiled at them. "I wont be but a minute, but I have some clothes..." she went over to one of the bags that were out there and picked it up "..here they are. Okay guys I'll see you in a - hey no Logan or Aideen yet? Well, I'm sure there's beer here somewh- oh you have..okay."

She grinned at them, blushing since she should have known Mason would take good care of them and then she rushed off to get herself clean. She didn't want to take too much time. The fact of the matter was she didn't really feel quite right invading Aideen and Logan's space, plus she had to get clothes for Lai and Mike, so she didn't dally.

[~ N.P.C. ~]

Ingrid walked upstairs with an almost vacant expression on her face, guilt eating her up on everything that happened. She had barely noticed anything on the drive over, the only thing she focused on was the throbbing from the bruises on her neck and arms and the image of the man looking at her and Mike jerking from the shots over and over again. She should have been more careful, and allowed her bodyguards to come with her on this date. Mike almost died, and she had never seen Lai in so much pain, even on those nights where she would call her crying about some stupid thing that Mike did. Now though, Ingrid couldn't even bring herself to look them in the eye. The guilt was twisting her insides and it was driving her crazy.

As much as she liked dogs, she couldn't even bring herself to play with them. Instead she placed her purse on the table and walked right over to Mason, grabbing an open beer and tossing her head back as she drank the cold and bitter drink. Ingrid wasn't a beer drinker, she was the wine and champagne kind of girl and was never a heavy drinker. It showed when she pulled away and grimaced from the drink. She flopped down on the couch and put the cool can against her head for a minute, just taking a deep breath. After a minute, she brought the can back to her lips and drained the rest of the beer, grimacing again at the taste. "Do you have anything stronger by chance?" she asked softly not looking at anyone, just twirling the beer can in her thin hand.

[Cortex]

"Thank you," Dylan said as he took a beer from Mason, looking at Ingrid sympathetically. She rarely drank, and when she did never just like this, though he didn't particularly blame her for needing to numb herself properly. He sighed and touched the soft skin of her face for a moment, concentrating on numbing the taste buds on her tongue so she could get the desired effect without the little shudders of disgust from her. "I'll check the cabinets, alright? Here." He handed her the beer he took after opening it for her and walked to the kitchen. "Is it alright if I search for something else?" he asked Mason, opening a cabinet only when he got the nod from his friend.

Dylan wanted to tell Ingrid that this wasn't her fault, that no one blamed her and that he wished he could have protected her from all this. That wasn't what she wanted to hear, at least not now. He knew her well enough to know that she'd talk when she was ready, and Dylan was never one to push. He could tell by her lack of eye contact with everyone that she was guilt ridden and felt that they would all blame her for the near death of their friend, and her lack of emotion that took over her told her that she was trying to block the images of the night from replaying in her mind.

"Oh look! Peach Schnapps and Johnny Walker!" he said after he opened a cabinet next to the fridge. He grabbed the two bottles and a clean glass. After filling the glass with a lot of ice, he brought it over to Ingrid and set it on the table next to her. "The peach would probably go down sweeter." Dylan sat next to her and didn't say anything else, just to let her know he was there for her and instead took the time to take off his tie and unbutton the top buttons of his dress shirt. "This is a really cozy place here, but what's with all the dogs?" He asked as one of the wolfhounds came over and sniffed his hand, wanting to be petted. Dylan wasn't really a dog person, he preferred cats or reptiles, but the dog was just too friendly to be ignored.

[Ironclad]

"Yea well you saw downstairs, theres some pricey car parts down there, though I'm betting a good deal of them are hot," Mason said opening another beer and handing it to Dylan before taking one of his own. "The dogs are here to guard the place. Smart little bastards, and damn it all to hell if they don't love Tracy and follow her around like shes a damn Disney princess." He took a seat at the loveseat adjacent to the couch where the couple sat, and yanked off his tie, glaring at it before he tossed it to the side carelessly. "I'll tell you this, I can't wait to get outta this monkey suit. Dylan you want a change of clothes too? I don't mind lending you some stuff. Ingrid you want to? Um... well your way taller than Trace is but I bet Aideen got something that can fit you. Well fit you better at least." He offered with a slight smile at the distressed girl.

Honestly, Mason could relate very well to how Dylan was probably feeling now; it was the same way he felt whenever he saw Rumble starting in on Aideen. It was a really helpless and unsure feeling, wanting to do something yet not knowing what to do that could help shooting Rumble in the head and getting rid of the problem permanently. At the same time, he knew that his best friend probably didn't want the help, and from the looks of it now, Ingrid didn't want to be comforted or helped at all. She just went right for the drinks, even if she didn't look like she led the taste all that much.

"I'll grab us some clothes once those two are finished showering, and Aideen will give you some when she comes up," Mason said trying to sound as normal as possible. He looked over at the old and scratched up end table and pulled out the drawer that was stuffed with take out and delivery menus for just about every kind of restaurant imaginable. "Damn, okay then. What are we having tonight then, uhh Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai? Or we could just get a pizza or something to. Wow I didn't know that there were so many places around here," he said looking through the menus. "Pretty much anything we could want they got. Around the world in only a couple of menus heh."

[Network]

As the bedroom door shut Mike realized that he and Lai hadn't stopped holding hands since he helped her out of the backseat of Dylan's car. He looked down at their interlocked hands and smiled. Looking up into her face his smile turned into that grin of his and he pulled her into him kissing her again before the feel of the fabric between them got to him. "Why don't we get out of these clothes. Tracy's a man of her word, she'll have stuff for us to wear."

He kissed her again before nodding slightly as he excuse himself from the kiss to walk behind her and unzip her. "You got that bag? Good... right in there." He stepped back to undo his tie and unbutton his shirt. "Oh, come on now baby- can ya do it slow and sexy for me? Like this.." He started to do a strip for her, pumping his hips and rolling his shoulders in his sexiest baboonishly adorable way. "Yeah, uhh- oh yea, unngh."

Tossing his shirt and tie into the bag he grinned. "Like that, but you can do better, oh wait let me get the shower goin.." He rushed into the bathroom "..wow not bad.. OH cool a radio." He touched it and instantly 'networked it' to Lai's favorite station, he wasn't too fond of it but he knew she would dance to her music. "There, now.. shower?" He muttered and spun quickly, not wanting to miss her shrugging herself out of her dress. "Oh yea Baby, good hot water- you want it real hot?" He set it how she liked only a touch hotter to help get the blood off and hunted down some towels. "OK here I co-" Ooh- Mineral oil- that'll help get the blood offa us "-uum."

He set the towels down on the sink along with the mineral oil and kicked off his shoes. His socks were amazingly devoid of blood, so he rushed to the bathroom door, sliding to a stop by leaning himself against the door frame. "Hiii" he said grinning and wiggling his eyebrows "good song?" He walked forward slowly as he noticed her face, he didn't have a sense of emotion like Tracy, but it wasn't a happy face. He didn't even have a grasp of his own emotions, not unlike most men, let alone what his lady might be feeling but he stepped up to the plate to take a swing at it.

"Diamonds are forever? Kanye? No?" He started as he stepped forward, his bare chest showing not the slightest sign of trauma. "Good Bond flick," he shrugged not getting the whole digital sampling of music, he felt it was a cheap cheat to making albums, but it was a good song "so.. what's this face about? You look, oh I dunno, are ya sad?" He saw she was standing there with her back turned slightly to him, her dress unzipped just as he left her, and the small of her back was begging for his hand to stroke it. He stepped up to her sliding his hand into her dress as his lips kissed the nape of her neck.

[~ N.P.C. ~]

Lai jerked away from him and gave him a slight glare. "I'm not sad, I'm upset! I keep telling you there is a difference," she said and shrugged the now ruined and damp Gucci dress Ingrid had bought her and stepped out of it going into the bathroom so it wouldn't stain anything else. "You almost died! I thought you were dead for awhile! Do you know what that feels like, to think that someone you love is dying in front of you and you cannot do anything? It's not fun I'll tell you that." It had all hit her the moment he moved a little bit away from her and she had a chance to watch him for a minute and reality hit her like a bullet. "You did die for like a minute I think, or at least it felt like. God I was ready to strangle you for that!" Lai looked over at him again and shook her head again.

"I don't ever want to go through that again, it was just awful!" Her arms wound around his waist when he came closer and she rested her head on his chest. Without her heels, he was almost a foot taller than her 5'5 frame. They were both a bloody mess, but at that moment she didn't care. For a good while, she didn't move from that position, just enjoying the closeness and the fact that she had him in her arms and he was alive and living and breathing and being his usual idiotic self.

After a couple of minutes, the small bathroom steamy now from the shower, Lai moved her chin up so she could look up at him, smiling slightly. "Come on you big oaf, we better get clean and I heard them talking about ordering some food earlier. I'm starving." She leaned up and kissed his chin before pulling the shower door open, lifting it up a little just like Tracy said and stepping into the hot water. It was welcome after the cold garage and the beige shower tiles quickly were stained with red as the water washed the blood off her body. "Oh god it really got in my hair! At least they have the extra moisturizing conditioner, I won't look like I have a cat living in my hair!" Lai fussed and scrubbed the blood from her skin as hard as she could, and vigorously worked the blood out of her hair. She looked over her shoulder and rolled her eyes when she saw Mike just staring at her.

"Come here you horn dog, you'll never get clean just standing there," She giggled and grabbed the mineral oil. Hands covered in mineral oil, she rubbed the dried blood off his body, soothing the tense muscles the same way she always spoiled him. Pretty soon, her hands had wandered and his regained a new vigor of their own as they made good use of the small sloped corner of the shower. A new need for closeness was sparked in Lai and though she normally wouldn't make a move with other people in the area, she didn't care at that moment that there were people in the next room, or that they owed Tracy a new bottle of shampoo as Lai's foot knocked the open bottle off the shelf and caused it to spill all over the shower.

Later, dressed in a soft pink Victoria's Secret sweatpants and a white tanktop with one of those built in bras that Tracy laid out for them, Lai was having a blast laughing at Mike struggling to put on Mason's sweats. "Baby, teeheehee, I think this is a mission that is bound to end in disaster," she said with a giggle, towel drying her curly hair and putting extra conditioner in it to have it dry soft. "Okay, seriously baby stop. We already owe them a new shampoo, we don't need to add a new set of clothes to the list," she said in between giggles as she got up. "I don't think they'll mind if I look carefully." She looked through some pants sticking out of the bag and knew her man's body enough to know they'd never fit.

Pushing her hair out of her face, Lai looked around and went over to a big dresser, opening a random drawer. "Mike I think you lucked out. Wow these will definitely fit you!" She pulled out a pair of tattered and worn jeans, ones that looked like a favorite pair to whoever owned them, that one pair that someone would wear all the time for everything. "Here baby, these are just your size! Oh and you get a shirt too!" She pulled out a light blue button up work shirt, with the words O'Grady and Son Garage on the back in faded green lettering. Upon closer inspection, she saw the name tag on the front with James in classic cursive stitched on. "Damn, this James musta been built like a football player, his clothes fit you easily!" Lai said, impressed slightly as she tossed him the shirt too. Mike had a very large and muscular build that would make him look very threatening if he wasn't such a goofball. "There!" she exclaimed when she saw that the clothes were a perfect fit. "Come on baby, I'm starving! I hope they didn't order yet though, I don't know what I want!" She grabbed his hand and came out to the living room.

The first thing she saw was Tracy sitting in comfy looking clothes, and both Dylan and Mason were dressed in sweats. Lai was still in the gorgeous Prada dress, sitting on the couch and holding a bottle of schnapps in her hands, occasionally sipping it. "Hey guys!" Lai said grinning at them. "We are clean of blood and in comfy clothes, thank you Tracy!" She took that moment to break away from Mike and go over to the pretty blonde. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around the girl in a tight hug, and it wasn't just to thank her for the clothes. Because of her, she still had that big dumb idiot that stole her heart, and she could never thank her enough. "Thank you," Lai whispered, hugging her tight and placed a grateful kiss on her cheek. She pulled away and smiled at her for a moment before dragging Mike to sit with her on the love seat, that with the way her man liked to spread himself out, it would just fit the two of them sitting their snuggly. "I hope you don't mind, but I found Mike some clothes in another drawer. I was afraid he may rip your clothes." She looked over at Mike with a giggle and brought his face in so she could kiss him teasingly on the lips. "What are we going to eat?"

[Wolverine]

"... so ya can stay down here if you want, I see Cecil's got his little black and white set on in the office there, but I know it's warmer upstairs." Logan turned from her, leaving Aideen standing there with her arms folded over one another hugging herself. He had known something was off with his Angel Eyes since they had arrived in her hometown. Her revelation earlier about her plot for revenge and then her cool aloofness at the restaurant just brought it slightly better into focus.

"I ain't got all the answers Angel Eyes, but what I always done in life is trust my gut an follow my heart." He said from the third step up, having paused to take a last look at her before continuing up and seeing the weight of something resting heavy on her. "Human body ain't made to carry the weight o'the world ... neither is the human heart. I heard it said that life is short, and I can tell ya I seen generations pass away. In the blink of an eye they're gone, everything left behind. Money, fame, agony and regret... and the world keeps right on turnin. You might think whatever it is you are dealin with inside is the end of the world, but kitten... it ain't."

Another step, then another he took slowly. "I don't make many requests ya know, I usually just deal with what life hands me- that, or take what I want- but you own a piece of me and I feel like it gives me a right to ask ya to come up here with me and try an have a good time. Hell I'm gonna need somebody to roll my eye with when Mike starts his shit. C'mon... be my wingman in this." He waited a moment for her, but sensing no movement he just shook his head and pressed on.

As he threw in the door to the apartment and the dogs hearing the noise rushed him he just shot them a look and they stopped in their excited tracks, looking concerned for Logan and his state of mind, in that uncanny way that dogs did. "Hey, I - I'll be right out. Gonna change. Aideen's.. uh, she'll be up in a bit." He walked through the kitchen smelling the clean showered bodies and smells of new clothes and then a scent, old clothes, well worn and kept in a wooden dresser. It was only odd because it matched the smell of the place Logan realized as he grabbed a beer and kept on walking to the bedroom. Quick minutes later with empty beer in hand he emerged from the room, barefoot in jeans and a clean white T-shirt. "So, what're we orderin?"

[Ember]

A soft voice drifted from the doorway, a surprise to most as her footsteps had been as silent as a cat that no one save for one could have heard. "Thai would probably be your best bet at this time of night," Aideen said leaning against the door frame as the dogs came up to her to greet her. "Chili Duck has good food from what I remember, and they always give you a free dessert." She caught Logan's eye and a slight smile came on her face and left as quickly as it came. It surprised her sometimes how much he got her, though at this point she shouldn't be.

Coming back to her hometown was probably not the best idea, for it forced her to face the all the ghosts of her past in a way she couldn't avoid. Since they arrived just yesterday to the warehouse, everywhere she looked where memories of how it once was and how it would never be again. The garage, the place where Stones conveniently brought them to stay was soaked in memories and the only good times she remembered outside the school. She couldn't even take standing in the garage itself for too long, her mind forcing her to remember the second friend she ever had. Things had never been perfect and the friendship was an odd one, but it was all she had at the time and she would never trade it. Aideen would breathe in the air in this building, still smelling James cologne and swearing that she'd hear him try and sneak up on her again like he always did. He never succeeded and it became a running joke between them. It was gone now, and all that was left was ghosts she couldn't escape and tormented her more than anything else.

Then at the restaurant tonight, that had her on the edge more than ever. It was one she knew well, having attended there regularly with her Uncle as he entertained Vatican members, politicians, and occasionally military officers. All she could think of was the terrifying thought of running into him there or being recognized by one of his colleagues. Though she was fortunate enough that her Uncle wasn't there this particular night, her luck ended with the maître'd recognized her. He was a contact for her Uncle, the reason they were able to always have a table even at the last minute. Aideen wasn't naive enough to think that her Uncle was no longer unaware of her visit to her hometown, and the last thing she wanted was to see him again, especially after she was finding herself happy again.

Every part of their trip had left a mark on her, and the longer she was there the more alone she felt, her body and mind drifting back to how she was the last time she was home. Her life had been lonely, more alone than she would ever admit to herself. The focus for her then had been to do as her Uncle said and throw herself into his assignment and training, and nothing else. When she had been alone and had a rare moment that didn't involve schoolwork or training, a feeling of emptiness resided in her soul. At that point, after losing her Sergeant and her only other friend, there seemed to be nothing else left for her. She was kept in isolation from people her entire life, and the few that she got to know were taken from her as quickly as they came. The emptiness that she had felt whenever she allowed herself to think and reflect had been gradually creeping in her soul again. Doubts on everything about her new life leaked in, a little voice telling her that she was being foolish and that as happy as she was now was how miserable she would be later unless she took herself away from it. As much control as she wished she could have on her mind, it was impossible with the ghosts of the past that surrounded her, only making her think that one day, Logan would join those ghosts, as would Tracy, Mason, Niki, and even Cyclops. Irrational or not, it was a fear long ago ingrained in the depths of her heart and the fears manifested themselves more than ever the moment she came into the city.

No matter how much she tried to put it out of her mind, all the doubts and hurt of being home and the fears for the future, nothing could work. She thought maybe getting back at those who took away the best friend that held a place in her heart might settle it, but she couldn't, not after Logan asked her not to, and reminded her that it won't bring anything back. After that, Aideen had given up on trying to find peace, and with that surrender came a flooding of doubts that no matter how much she tried to hold back they just returned. When she had stood in the garage, darkness surrounding her and nothing but the ghosts from a time passed to keep her company, the emptiness and heartache returned in full force. For the first time, she couldn't handle being alone. The second she realized that, with the stealth of a cat she made her way up stairs and opened the door carefully, pushing as much of that awful feeling from the garage away.

"They deliver pretty fast too," Aideen added and walked in the warm apartment, closing the door behind them as her long elegant fingers reached out to pet the dogs' heads. "I'm going to get changed, please excuse me." She moved to the room and stopped when Mason called her and asked to give Ingrid a change of clothes. Looking at the vacant expression on the starlet's face, Aideen felt a gleam of empathy rise. "I have something I can lend you," she held the door open for her, eyes moving up to Logan for a moment. "Order Pad Thai for me please? Extra spicy." Her eyes softened the guarded look, her mind pushing away her fears at that last moment before the door of her room closed.

[~ N.P.C. ~]

The bottle of peach schnapps in her hand, Ingrid plopped on the bed and threw her head back again to take another long swallow from the bottle. Even as everyone sat on the couch talking and seeming to be in good spirits, all the young actress could do was replay the night in her head over and over, making her drink all the more. Leaning back on the bed, she watched the pretty exotic girl rummage through her clothes carefully, pulling out some things and setting things aside for herself and a set for Ingrid too.

In her mind numbing state, she never forgot the understanding that passed in between the two girls that moment in the restaurant. It was a different kind of understanding than those she saw in Dylan's hypnotic green eyes, it was one of truth and empathy, like she knew exactly what was going through Ingrid's head. That alone was probably why after Aideen came back from the bathroom changed in plain black leotard and soft dark grey sweatpants did the Swedish model confess a heavily weighed fear, in hope for understanding and the hope for sense. "They all hate me do they not?" she said in a small voice, looking up at the lovely exotic girl. "Because of me, Mike nearly died. My boyfriend's best friend and the love of my best friend's life nearly died because some crazed fan of mine."

Tears pricked in her eyes and she just couldn't seem to stop now that she started, her eyes falling to the bottle in her hands. "I am like a curse, I bring harm to everyone I come near. I hate that I cannot do anything to stop these people," Ingrid angrily wiped the tears from her eyes and stared hard at the bottle before taking another sip of the burning liquid. "I would give anything to be able to walk down the street with Dylan, and not have to look over my shoulder. At this point I would give my whole career for that." Her voice was small and fragile, cracking despite her efforts. "How can I look them in the eye again, knowing what almost happened because of me?"

[Ember]

Tying the strings of the soft dark grey lounge pants, Aideen watched Ingrid very carefully as she spoke. At first the last thing she wanted was someone to open up to her now of all times, but the tone of the starlet's voice, the vacant look of guilt, she could relate. It was not unlike what she went through whenever Rumble did something back at home. She moved the chair so she could sit across from Ingrid and look her right in the face."This," Aideen took the bottle of schnapps from her hand and set it down on a nearby table. "Is not going to help you. Wallowing in something that you can't control isn't going to help you." She sighed and swallowed, the fears that had been edging in her mind were coming back again, thinking of Rumble and how he could be the cause of future ghosts. "By doing this, by focusing on it, you are letting them win. Why let them have more control of your life than they already do?" She watched her carefully, letting out another sigh when she saw this sort of advice wasn't getting through to her, or Aideen's people skills were worse than she thought.

Her hand moved to her forehead and fingers kept moving back as she pushed her now loose hair away from her face, trying to figure out something to say. "Look, trust me when I say that I know what you are going through. Its that awful kind of guilt because this one you have no control over, and yet it is all directly involves you. Its a guilty and helpless feeling all rolled into one.I hate it too." She sat back in the chair and hugged her arms again, now covered by her long sleeved black leotard. "I had that same guilty feeling all the time, whenever people I care about got hurt or in trouble because of something that involves me. Remember what Tracy and Logan mentioned at the restaurant? That guy Rum- Brock. He has his sights fixed on me, and all I could do the past couple of months is watch as all my friends got in trouble because they stood in the way of him getting to me."

Her dark eyes looked up and she saw the curious look Ingrid was giving her. "No I had made myself abundantly clear on how I felt about him, and gave him a few scars in the process to remember, but he is relentless. My point that I am making to you, is that your friends are still by your side of their own free will. They care enough about you to put themselves on the line to keep you safe, just as you would for any of them. No matter how guilty you feel, never forget that, because those people that stick by you are the ones that will always matter." It was a rare moment for her to share anything like that with anybody, but Aideen needed to get her mind off those ghosts that followed her. She handed the clothes to Ingrid, using her head to indicate the bathroom. Maybe she saved the girl those agonizing moments of wondering why everything was this way.

Aideen grabbed a pair of thick socks and slipped them on, reflecting on her own words to Ingrid. Niki, Ian, Mason, Tracy and Logan stuck with her, all getting in trouble because they did the same for her as she would have done for them. A new feeling of guilt settled on her then, realizing how upset Logan must be with her for all she had been keeping inside and away from him. He had shown her time and time again that he wasn't leaving, and despite all that she still kept him at arms length. Once Ingrid had gone to the bathroom to change, Aideen walked out into the living room, with everyone pouring over the menu, occasionally laughing about something or other. Her eyes went right to Logan, sitting in the big chair with a dog on each side. Had it not been for the guilt, she would have smiled at the sight. Instead she walked up to him, ignoring the others for the time being. Without a word, she slid into his lap carefully and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in the side of his neck with a soft sigh escaping from her. "I'm sorry," she whispered softly, moving her legs across his thighs in effort to pull herself closer. The whole relationship thing was still very new to her, something she was still learning. Without meaning to she had been pushing him away without much of an explanation. Her mind still hadn't learned to trust her heart on things, but it was a process that she'd overcome, especially for him and the emptiness in her heart that he filled with a simple look. That alone made the struggle worth it.

[Ironclad]

"Blacken Chicken? Why the hell would I want burned chicken? If I wanted that I'd just ask Reyes to cook," Mason said flicking the menu him and Tracy had been looking at, there were like three copies of the takeout menu from that Thai place. Being the ever cultured one, this was Mason's first time ever even looking at a Thai food menu and he was just as baffled by it as he was by the French food at the restaurant. "You know what, I just want that Bamboo Beef stuff. That looks safe. Oh and I am down for some of those Thai Chicken Wings too. And the Rocket Shrimp, that looks good. And the Beef Skewers stuff."

He saw Tracy giving him that 'do you really need all that' kinda look and he shrugged. "I'm hungry and I want it. Those appetizers at that place were tiny. I woulda been better off with a box of Triscuits." Mason nodded his head stubbornly. "That's right I said Triscuits. And for dessert, I'll run out to that deli down the street and get like a bunch of pints of ice cream. And beer." He looked over at Mike and smirked. Years ago, Mike taught him the glory of beer floats, and Mason hadn't had one since the guy left at school. "For old times sake huh Mike? Besides it always made for good comfort food, and we could probably use it." He knew what he wanted, and punched the number on his phone so he could be ready to call the place.

"C'mon people pick something quick I wanna be able to eat tonight," he said urging them to pick something quick, though he didn't look at Logan as he said it. The guy hadn't looked happy from the moment he came up, and anyone who had been at the school knew better than to bug him when he was in one of those moods. "I got dinner tonight anyways. Hey dollface what are you getting?" Mason asked looking over at Tracy, who looked so damn adorable studying the menu carefully.

[Network]

"Oh man I deserve an ice-cream brew-float, I gotta agree we could use it." Mike sat back knowing what he wanted and left the menu in Lai's hands. "Yeah I want some of that Green Curry Beef, extra extra spicy, ohh that's some good stuff. Oh and Thai iced tea is great too if anybody's not drinkin'.." He looked over at Lai and smiled"..but after tonight's events well hey I can't imagine any of us not having a nip of somethin."

He couldn't hold back anymore and he reached over to pull A'Nalia into a hug. "You look so incredible babe. What do you feel like havin?" He whispered as he kissed her forehead and held on tight. He wasn't about leaving this world just yet, he had too many things he had to do. Looking over at the girl that brough him back from the brink he smiled at her and nodded his head. He knew she already knew what he was feeling but he was not the type of guy to hold back when he had something to say.

"Tracy, babygirl you are- man, what can I say? You are, well a lifesaver, girly.. and I'm- well shit, you know how grateful I am, but let me say it without any jokes or swagger..Thank You..." His eyes had such gratitude in them. "I knew I could count on you. It was like the good old days, and I wouldn't a been so steady if I didn't have that peace of mind, but I gotta say that in those seconds as I felt myself goin out all I could think of was how stupid I was for throwin my life away like that. That and what the hell was keepin you, but I mean I had to do what I did to keep the bomb from goin off, but man I shoulda given that punk a headbut or somethin on the bridge of his nose when I first got to 'im. Ahh it just happened quick and I was sloppy."

He was shaking his head at the memory of the evening and trying to replay it in his mind. Did I have enough time? Nahh I dunno, maybe not... I did what I did and thats all there is to think about. It's over, no second guessing yourself now. "Mason old boy, you better take good care of her cause, well you know, I'ma kick your ass if you don't." he smiled at the younger mutant, proud of him and his maturity. Mike could be a lug, but he knew when somebody had their shit together. "Nah, but I am proud of you. You really have grown up, and speakin of proud of somebody- Ingrid, wow I am impressed! You were really brave! I seen how he had you, shakin you all around. Did you get Tracy to take a look at you?"

[HeartString]

"Oh! No I didn't get a chance to look at her yet." Tracy said feeling suddenly like she had missed a triple twisting back dismount in the big meet. "Mm- let me see. I wont hurt you." she motioned her hand toward Ingrid. The emotions filling the room were wonderful for the most part, some relief and some smatterings of apprehension. Aideen had worked wonderes on Ingrid's emotional state, but she was far from better. She knew that Lai didn't want to think about Mike doing what he did and of course Ingrid didn't want to remember, but they were more relaxed at least than when they had first arrived.

"And, Michael.. you are very welcome. I wouldn't be able to deal with it if I lost another. I had to put you back together, but I didn't do it alone." She looked at Lai and grinned. "If it wasn't for Lai and how you two feel for each other I don't think I would have been successful at all. There was a point when you were gone, and she did this amazing thing.. she yelled at you. I asked her to talk to you to tell you she loved you and she started scolding you. I have to laugh now but it wasn't what I had in mind to help when it happened."

Leaning back she giggled. "But we all know little Mikey and his need for some tough love. I prefer something more like that," she grinned at Aideen and Logan as they were almost purring together for the first time in some time "and sooo, I'll have one of those.." she giggled as she pointed to Ember and Wolverine, 'ordering' a snuggle with a wink to Mason, and then off the Thai menu she chose "..and some Mango Shrimp. Oh, and I'm sticking with the wine thanks." she played a tune tapping her nail to the side of her wineglass.

[~ N.P.C. ~]

Ingrid sat down next to Tracy almost shyly as she felt the throbbing bruises go away. She was dressed in a plain navy shirt and basic black pants that were extremely comfortable, even though they were not new. They seemed to just fit her too even though Aideen was a good several inches shorter than her. "Oh my this feels... different. Dylan already tried to describe it," she said as she felt her skin knitting back together. Her body was feeling better now along with her mind. Ingrid had left the schnapps back in the room after Aideen spoke to her. She had been right on the money when it came to the feelings that surfaced in her since the incident. It actually felt really good to hear her talk about her own experiences. Not that Ingrid was glad that something like that happened to her, but only because with the pretty exotic girl spoke, she didn't show her sympathy or tried to tell her it was all alright, only told of how things were and to accept them as is without added stress.

Because of that, Ingrid got the courage to even come out of the bedroom. She felt much better, enough not to wallow in her guilt. "Oh my thank you Tracy you are truly amazing!" she said touching her now healed neck. "I feel much better. And very hungry too! Thai sounds amazing!" She said with a small smile at the group. She looked over at Mike and her shoulders sagged slightly just in the relief that he was really okay. "Oh Mike you... you are... oh just please do not stop me when I tell you how sorry I am." Ingrid got up and walked over to him, leaning over to hug him tightly. "This should not have happened to you, and you got shot trying to help me! You were the brave one!" She hugged him tight and kissed him gently on the cheek.

"I have two brave men always at my side!" She walked back over to Dylan on the loveseat and sat next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder and hugging her arms around his lean waist. "I am the luckiest ever, and I, well I really am sorry that this evening was ruined. I promise I will make it up to all of you the next time we are together," Ingrid said with a smile at everyone. "For now though, I would love some Exotic noodles with chicken. And a Thai Iced tea," she added with an almost shy smile.