Strange Things Done In The Midnight Sun: Part Three
The climate wasn't much better, but Iceland in general seemed a little more civilized than Greenland had been, Alex thought. The bar here at the Reykjavik airport served decent beer, at least. He'd had two already, and intended to have at least a couple more between now and the boarding call for his flight. It wasn't that he wanted to get drunk, he just wanted--needed to relax a little. Going home really shouldn't be this stressful.
"You going to tell me it's a little early for you?" he asked Cable, who had been nursing the same glass of water since they'd sat down. He suspected he knew why, though. Telepaths having control problems were probably well-advised to avoid alcohol and other mind-altering substances.
Once they had gotten out of Greenland safely, Cable had finally explained why his powers were so erratic. As good as it was to hear that he'd managed to cure himself of the T-O virus, it was still rather appalling to think that he had intended to attack that compound on his own, with all the problems he was having. Not that Alex was sure his presence had done any good, in the end, but he was still glad he hadn't left Nathan to do it alone.
Cable smiled faintly. "Safer for me not to get drunk, these days. For a lot of reasons," he said, shifting his arm in its sling. It was broken, the doctor they'd seen back in Greenland had confirmed. Amazingly, that was the worst injury either of them had suffered, although Alex still felt like one large bruise. He'd been tempted to stay here and soak in a hot spring for a few days.
"You could do to relax a little," Alex pointed out amiably. There had been no signs of pursuit even while they'd still been in Greenland, and they had been here for two days with no trouble.
"Can't. I have a reputation for paranoia to uphold."
Alex laughed and then winced, clutching at his ribs. "You sure you won't come back with me?" he asked. This wasn't the first time he'd asked that question in the last few days, but he kept trying, hoping for a different answer. For both selfish and altruistic reasons, if he was going to be honest with himself.
Cable nodded, something close to understanding in those mismatched eyes. "I would, but I think I'd better make myself scarce for a while. Let the heat die down."
"That might be a while," Alex cautioned. Although maybe that really was the best thing Cable could do. If he went underground, maybe the people who'd been after him, Weapon X and whoever else, would decide he wasn't as serious a threat as they'd thought.
"Well, I could use a vacation." Cable leaned back in his chair, regarding Alex intently. Too intently, really. Alex had always hated the way telepaths looked at you as if they could see right into your skull. Which they could, he supposed. Not that acknowledging that made it any less unsettling. "Don't worry," Nathan went on more quietly. "They'll be happy to see you."
Alex swallowed. "You know, you're missing a real chance to win some brownie points here," he said, clinging determinedly to a bantering tone. "If you came back with me, you could waltz in and say 'Hi, everyone. Look what I found freezing his ass off in Greenland. Aren't I clever?' And then whatever you've done that you think has gotten Scott and Jean pissed off at you will be forgiven."
Cable shifted in his chair, enough to tell Alex that his words had scored a palpable hit, but mustered another one of those tiny smiles. "The X-Men have enough problems these days," he said. "They don't need me landing back in their laps. Besides," he said, a mocking edge to his voice, "even if I did come back with you, you'd still be the one getting fussed over the most. You're back from the dead, remember? I'm just the prodigal son."
"It was worth a try," Alex said with a sigh and a helpless grin as he signaled the bartender to bring him another beer. "Anyhow. I figure that if I get drunk enough, I won't spend the whole flight worrying about what's waiting for me."
"I still think you should have let me call ahead."
"Nah, I'll make it a surprise."
"Coward."
Alex gave him a wry look. "Oh, and your decision not to come along was totally altruistic, right?"
Cable's lips twitched. "Maybe I will have a beer."
"That's the spirit."
fin
[FOOTER]