Terri's Peep Hut ~~ Fiction Archive

Eighteen Pieces of Dialogue and Nine Points of View

Title: Alter-Eighteen: Eighteen Pieces of Dialogue and Nine Points of View

Author: Terri

E-mail: xgrrl26@yahoo.com

Rating: NC-17, implied violence and adult topics

Disclaimer: I own the kids, but no one else.

Archive: WRFA, Mutual Admiration, and Peep Hut - anyone else, please ask and
I'll say yes!

Feedback: Please? I'd love it if you did! Good, bad, and ugly welcome..

Summary: Alternative version of events in the movie and the Eighteen Series. We drop in on a certain number of conversations, then take a turn at seeing life through eighteen eyes and nine different filters.

Comments: This is the last of the alter-eighteens, folks. I think we have arrived at 36, and if we haven't, there's a few guest-authored ones in the works that should round that number out and/or give you a bonus story or two ;) Thanks to all who have sent me feedback on these - I've loved doing them. I'll warn you that this story isn't at all light, and contains references to non-consensual sexual activity and a character death (no, not Logan or Rogue, but no one you'll be happy to see go.) plus makes reference to certain religious/spiritual beliefs that may not be your own.

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"I, uh, wanted to tell you somethin'."

"If it's about you and Jean, I already know. Scott told me last night."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Well, uh, look, I know you don't like her that much and all, but - "

"I thought you loved me."

"Not - not like that, Marie. I'm sorry, but I don't. I just don't."

"That's not what the part of you that's permanently stuck in my head says."

"Well, I dunno 'bout that, I can only tell ya what I'm thinkin' out here. Look, you don't hafta be upset about it. Plenty of guys are gonna love you. And we're still - we're always gonna be close, always. I'll always take care of you. I haven't forgotten my promise there. That's not gonna change. It's just that - well, things can't be like that between us."

"Why?"

"They just can't."

"Fine."

"Marie, come on, don't - "

"Leave me alone, Logan. And here - take these back."

"You don't hafta give the tags back. I'm not sayin' that you and me - "

"You're telling me that you don't love me and that we'll never be together that way. Take them back. I don't want them now."

"Look, I know you're mad and a little hurt, but - "

"Leave me alone, OK? I'm going to - I'm just going to start crying any minute now and I'd really like for you to take these and leave me alone."

"All right. All right, kid."

"How'd she take it?"

"Bad."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I know how attached she is to you, Logan, but - but she'll get over it. She will."

"I dunno, Jeannie. She looked real hurt."

"I'm sure you did the best you could. I'm sure you broke it to her gently."

"I didn't break it to her at all, Scooter talked to her last night."

"Oh."

"Yeah. I'm sure he wasn't calm about it. I should fuckin' go kick his ass for that."

"He's hurting enough, Logan. It's - it's even harder on him than it is Rogue. We were engaged, and he loved me very much."

"And you loved him."

"Not as much as I love you, you know that. Come on now, let's go to bed."

"How are you feeling, Rogue?"

"Crappy. What can I do for you, Professor?"

"I have a question for you. I realize that since Logan and Jean made their relationship public, it has been difficult for you, and the question I need to ask is not an easy one. I want you to know that I am not expecting any particular answer from you, and want only for you to do what is right, what you feel is right."

"You don't have to coddle me. It's been four months, and I am - I still feel pretty hideous, but I am getting over it."

"Very well, then. I have become aware in the past few days of an anti-mutant group called the Friends of Humanity. I have also become aware that they are building a lab of sorts, designed for experimentation on captured mutants."

"I thought the government did that."

"Well, it appears as though this group of bigots is showing some entrepreneurial spirit. As I understand it, it is their goal to figure out how to breed and develop 'slave mutants,' for sale to the highest bidder."

"What do you mean? Are you - are you talking about white slavery?"

"I'm talking about mutant slavery."

"Good Lord."

"Yes. It appears that they have the collaboration of some mutants, and more than a few scientists. They have developed a device that can short-circuit mutant powers, a collar of sorts. There are also rumors that telepaths have been used to control mutants and force breeding among them. Rogue, what I am proposing is that we send a group of the recent graduates to investigate and gather recognizance on these facilities."

"Why - why not the x-men?"

"Frankly, because they are too valuable to risk capture. I hate to be that cold and calculating about it, but it's true. Gathering intelligence needs to be conducted in small teams, perhaps pairs, in order to avoid detection. That also makes the scouts selected for this mission very vulnerable to capture. If we send the x-men, there may well be none of us left with the battle experience and abilities to take down these labs."

"God.."

"What I am asking, Rogue, is whether you would consider volunteering for a mission of this nature. This will be kept extremely quiet. You will have to operate independently in a very dangerous situation. You will receive training in covert operations, conducted by me personally prior to assignment, however, none of the teams will be informed of the overall activities, or even of who the other participants are. You will work with your partner or team and will not share any information outside that group. Not even the x-men will know."

"You're anticipating that some of us - maybe a lot of us - will be captured, aren't you?"

"Yes. If you wish to know what may await you in that event, in more detail than I have offered, I can arrange for you to talk to the person who gave me this information."

"The big blue guy, right?"

"Ah.."

"Come on, Professor. He's a recent addition. He's an obvious mutant. He's some kind of scientist or doctor, right? And he walks around looking really sad all the time."

"You're quite perceptive, Rogue."

"A good skill to have on a mission like this."

"Does that mean you are considering volunteering?"

"Yeah. I'll do it."

"Don't agree now. Speak with Hank first. Take your time and give it some thought. This is not the sort of thing one should make a rash decision about."

"I'll do it, Professor. But I would like to speak to Hank. I'd like to know what I could be getting into."

"Of course. And thank you, Rogue. Thank you."

"Hi."

"Hello."

"I'm Rogue."

"Ah, yes, I am Doctor Henry McCoy. Pleased to make your acquaintance. The Professor said that you would be dropping by."

"And he let you know what I wanted to talk with you about, right?"

"Yes."

"Um, I know it's going to be hard to talk about this kind of thing, but - but whatever you'd like to share - or - or can share - 'like' is a bad word there - uh, what I mean is whatever you can share will be fine with me."

"Yes. Well, I, ah, appreciate that."

"Sure. And if I ask a question or say something that comes out the wrong way, please just know I don't mean to hurt you or offend you or anything."

"Of course."

"Great. Uh, wherever you'd like to start."

"I apologize."

"It's OK. Hey, it's been a long time since someone cried on my shoulder. I almost missed it."

"I - I - am sorry for - for - "

"Don't be. It's OK. Just let it out. I'll be careful of my skin - the skin on my neck and face. You're safe."

"I am not concerned about that."

"Well, you should be. It could kill you. But you do have the fur and after what you've been through.well, I can see how not a lot would scare you after that."

"Thank you."

"It's my pleasure. Honestly. I like - I like just being close to people sometimes, and I hardly ever get that, you know, because of my mutation. I'm sad and so, so sorry for what happened to you, but, you know, if you ever need a hug or something, I'd be happy to provide."

"Yes. Well, ah, thank you, Rogue. I, ah, shall try to gather myself. I apologize once again for - "

"Hush, sugar. It's all right."

"'Allo dere. Wot you doin' inside on a beautiful day like dis, hmm, chere?"

"Same thing you are. Studying for our mission. And I'd really like it if you called me Rogue or even 'partner' instead of 'chere', OK?"

"Aw, but dat's how Remy t'ink of you, non? Dear one."

"I'm not going out with you. We have to work together."

"Vraiment."

"So you - you just go find someone else to call 'chere,' OK?"

"Ah, non. Not OK."

"Look, romance and me - well we just don't mix, OK? There's a reason God gave me poison skin."

"Chere, dat not be true. You meant to be loved sure as anyone dis t'ief ever met."

"You're full of it, you know that?"

"Heh. You startin' to like Remy."

"No, I'm not."

"Whatever you say, chere."

"Hey, Logan."

"Hey, kid. How - how are ya? I haven't talked to you in ages. I kinda thought you were avoidin' me."

"I pretty much was."

"Oh."

"But I wanted to talk to you if you have a minute now."

"Yeah, sure. Yeah, yeah, let's talk."

"Um.."

"Look, don't cry, OK? If you're still mad, just go on and yell at me. I - I just don't like us not talkin'. I really don't like that, Marie."

".."

"Or - or cry if you wanna. Um, whatever you feel like."

"Sorry. Sorry. I didn't mean to do that. Sorry."

"It's OK. It's OK, kid."

"I just wanted to tell you a few things."

"Go on, go ahead."

"I, um, I'm happy for you. I want you to know that. I'm glad you found Jean and that you love her and she loves you back. I'm glad you have that in your life."

"That's real nice of you to say."

"I'm not just saying it, I mean it. And she's been - she's been very considerate of me. I appreciate that. Could you - would you tell her I said that?"

"Sure, but you could tell her yourself, she'll be back from that conference tomorrow, you know, and I know she'd like to hear - "

"Could you just tell her?"

"Sure."

"I, uh, also wanted to say that I'm not mad, not about anything. I'm very grateful to you for what you've done for me. I want you to know that."

"You know I'd do anythin' for ya, kid. Anythin' at all."

"I know. Logan, if I ever - if I ever made you feel like I didn't love you - really, really love you - just forget those times, OK?

"Marie?"

"Just promise me you'll forget those times."

"Sure, but - "

"Good. Good. That's all I really wanted to say. I, uh, I should go now."

"Hey, wait - is somethin' wrong? 'Cause - "

"No. No. I'm just a little emotional, that's all. You know me, emotional Rogue. Don't worry about it."

"Marie, somethin' is wrong - you smell off. What's - "

"You know what? I've really got to go. See you - see you later, OK?"

"Marie - "

"Goodbye, Logan."

"You havin' second t'oughts, chere?"

"No."

"Remy gonna look out for you. Remy gonna take care of you good. Not'in to worry 'bout dere."

"We're a team. We'll get the job done. This isn't the Look-Out-For-Rogue mission."

"You right, chere. Dat's wot we gotta be focusin' on now. We get de job done and come back here safe. No worries."

"Right."

"Den you fall in love wit' Remy."

"Remy"

"Den we have a big ol' weddin' and den some babies."

"I told you, I don't want to date you."

"Ah, but you never tell Remy you don' care for him."

"Remy, don't do this now, OK? Let's just - I just have to get through this before anything else."

"So you sayin' dat maybe dere is some love in your heart for dis t'ief?"

"Maybe."

"Ah, dat bring a song to my soul, chere."

"But it doesn't necessarily mean I want to do anything about it and we have to get through the mission first."

"Right."

"Whaddya mean, on vacation? What'd she do, go to Alaska or somethin'?"

"I don't know. I just asked the Professor if he'd seen her around, and he mentioned that she said she was going on vacation. He said that was all he knew."

"But she didn't pack nothin' - I went to her room and mosta her clothes and all are still there. She woulda said somethin' to me if - "

"What?"

"She came to talk to me last night. Was cryin' up a storm too. Maybe - maybe she moved out, maybe it's not just a vacation. Maybe that was her way of tryin' to say goodbye."

"Oh. Well, ah, I'm sure she's fine."

"I gotta find her."

"Logan - "

"No. No, Jeannie, I don't wanna hear it. It ain't bein' overprotective of her. I gotta know for sure where she is and that she's OK."

"I'm just saying that you're not helping her move on with her life by following her around all the time."

"I toldya that she's never caught on that I've been followin' her. She didn't say nothin' about it last night."

"Logan, have you considered the possibility that she knows but doesn't want to discuss it with you. It's - it's not fair to her to send signals that you might be interested in her. It's not fair to her to play with her emotions that way. Not to mention that I hate it when you get up and go all of a sudden, it's just - "

"Look, I gotta know she's OK. Maybe - maybe Chuck can find her with cerebro or somethin'. I gotta know for sure that she's OK. I couldn't stand it if somethin' happened to her."

"All right. All right. I'll go with you to talk to the Professor."

"Honestly, 'Ro, I don't know what to do anymore. He doesn't sleep, he doesn't eat. He goes out for days at a time, and when he comes back"

"I am sorry, Jean."

"I knew he was attached to her, and God knows I've bent over backwards to try to be nice to her, to try to get her to accept our relationship, but I'm starting to think that maybe she's not the one who needed to let go. I swear, it's almost to the level of obsession with him. And now that I think about it, it was that way even before she disappeared. You know, part of me thinks that he's jealous, actually jealous. He's made so much of the fact that Remy decided to go to New Orleans to visit his family at around the same time. I could almost swear that he's jealous."

"But he has told you that he is in love with you, has he not?"

"Yes. Well - well, no. He doesn't - Logan isn't the kind of man who would say those words, but I think he does. He acts like he does."

"And you haven't - "

"Looked into his mind? Of course not! I've even tried to ignore it when he's projecting. That's not how I am, you know that."

"Yes, of course. Forgive me."

"What should I do? I mean, it's been three weeks. He can't go on like this forever, right?"

"There's still no sign of her on cerebro?"

"None. And God knows that Logan pesters the Professor to look day and night. I don't think he'll stop until he finds her. 'Ro, you don't think - you don't think Rogue did this on purpose, do you? As some kind of stunt to get attention? She could've drawn on Magneto to help her block detection by cerebro and - "

"I would find it very hard to believe that she would do such a thing."

"You're right. You're right. She's accepted my relationship with Logan, I think. I don't think she'd try to break us up. But if it's not that, then what the heck is going on with her?"

"Chere? Say someti'ng, oui? Remy knows dat - dat t'ings be bad, real bad, but, please, please say somet'ing."

"Don't! Don't touch me!"

"Please, chere, Remy's - Remy's so sorry. Remy never wanna hurt you, never. But, chere, de telepath jus' keeps makin' Remy - "

"Don't come near me, and don't ever call me 'chere' again!"

"Sorry. Sorry. Tell Remy - tell Remy wot to do."

"Just stay away. And - and hand me some of my clothes back."

"You bleedin', ch - Rogue."

"I know that."

"Maybe Remy can pick de lock on the de collar an' - "

"We tried that and I don't want you anywhere near me."

"You hurt, Rogue. Lemme help you, non? Remy's in control now, I promise, an' de second anyone goes pokin' in Remy's brain, den I - "

"Then you'll rape me all over again. No thanks. Just stay over there. At least I'll have a second or two to - to brace myself. Just stay over there."

"Rogue, you gonna bleed to deat' if we don' - "

"Right now, that doesn't seem like such a bad option."

"Sorry. So sorry. Please, Remy never mean to - "

"I know. Look, I know, OK? I know it's not really your fault, but - but I can't - "

"It's all right. Let - let Remy come over dere and look at you, hmm? You hurtin'. Please, jus' lemme do dat, 'cause you gonna be in bad shape in a minute. Remy knows - Remy knows you afraid, but please, please lemme help you."

"O-OK."

"Sorry, so sorry, chere."

"I am too. I didn't mean to yell like that at you. I didn't. I'm just so - I'm really scared and that was - what they made you do was really unpleasant. Even if you don't remember it, I'll - I'm just scared."

"Dat's all right. You gonna be all right. Remy gonna - we gotta find a way outta dis. We will."

"The Professor and the x-men - I don't think our telepathic messages got out."

"De Professor will know somet'ing's wrong when we don't report in. Dey will come."

"That won't be for - for almost another whole day."

"Oui."

"Cyclops and Storm will enter the building here. Jean, you will wait in the blackbird to provide any needed medical assistance. Logan, you - you will remain here, at the mansion."

"I still don't get that one, Chuck. If you're lookin' to take down a whole lab, you could use me in action."

"I'm afraid you will simply have to trust my judgment on this one. Are we ready, then?"

"Yes, sir. Let's go, people."

"Rogue? Chere? Please open your eyes. Please come back to Remy."

"S-sabretooth."

"I know. I know. Remy so sorry, chere. But you gonna be OK now, you wit' me again, chere, and you gonna be OK."

"He - he - "

"I know. Don' try talkin'. Jus' rest."

"I think I killed him. The collar - it shorted out. And I'm - I'm healing."

"Oui. But he not dead. He right across de way, in dat cell, and it looks like he still be breathin'."

"Oh, God.."

"Don' worry, I don' t'ink dey try dat again. Dey don' want us dead, chere, an' dey definitely wanna keep you alive long enough to carry a baby. Don' worry."

"I tried not to - I tried not to take all of him in. I tried to push some of his powers back out to him. My skin - I tried to push out."

"Mighta worked. But you shouldn't worry 'bout him, chere. He not be wort' dat."

"No one deserves to die here. Not even him."

"You jus' rest."

"Logan."

"Hey, you're back. Listen, I've been thinkin'. What if she didn't go to Alaska like we've all been thinkin'? What if she headed south, back home to Mississippi? Coupla weeks lookin' around down there, and - "

"Logan, sit - sit down."

"What? Ya know, you smell kinda funny - did - did everythin' go OK on the mission?"

"No."

"What happened?"

"Sit down, please, and try to stay calm while I tell you this."

"Did somethin' happen to 'Ro or Scooter?"

"No. Logan, just - just let me get this out, OK? We, ah, found Rogue. She was at the lab we raided and not in the best shape."

"What?!"

"But she's OK, she'll be fine. She got some healing powers somewhere along the way. She's - "

"Where is she?"

"In the medlab, but -"

"I gotta go. Move."

"You can't see her right now, Logan. Hank - Hank is with her. She didn't want me and I get the feeling that there's more going on than we know. The Professor - he's been very secretive about everything, and - "

"Move!"

"Oooof! Logan!"

"The effects of your skin on the fetus could be unpredictable, as could the new healing mutation. Not to mention the level of stress you've been under. It's still very early in the pregnancy, and I believe it is an option you should consider."

"I don't think I can do it, Hank. I just - it's a baby, you know? I can't do that."

"I understand."

"What - what should I do now?"

"I will prescribe some special vitamins for you. You must decide what - what to share with Remy. I could perform a DNA test when the child is born to determine parentage, but from what you've shared with me, there is a strong chance that either man could be - "

"I don't think I'll want to know. Is that - is that awful? I don't think I'll want to know."

"Of course it's not awful. I am so, so deeply sorry for what you have been through, Rogue. If there is any way in which I can be of comfort or assistance, please allow me to do so."

"I need your help on a few things, Hank. I don't want - I'll talk with Remy, but I don't want anyone else, not even the Professor to know I'm pregnant, all right? And I don't want anyone but the Professor to know what happened. I just - I'm not ashamed or anything, I know it wasn't my fault that things were done to me, but it's private, and not for anyone else to know, OK?"

"Of course. And as far as the pregnancy - Doctor/patient confidentiality rules would prohibit me from sharing that information, even with the Professor."

"And Jean. I know she's another doctor, but I don't want her to know."

"You have my word."

"Thank you. Thanks, Hank. And thanks for - for taking care of me and cleaning me up and all. I really - I don't know if I could've handled it if it was anyone else."

"You are quite welcome. Remy is - he is waiting outside to see you."

"Give me a few minutes, OK? I need to get myself together a little."

"Of course, I will be - "

"And I said get the hell outta my way, dammit! Marie? God, what the hell happened? Are you hurt? What happened, kid?"

"Sir, I must implore you to - "

"It's all right, Hank. Could you just - just stay here while I talk to Logan a second? It's all right. Everybody - Scott - just - just let us have a second, OK?"

"Are you OK, kid?"

"I'm just fine. Hank's just giving me the once-over to be sure. I picked up some healing powers a little while ago, and I'm - I'm fine."

"What the hell happened? Where didya go? I've been lookin' for ya and worried sick, goddammit!"

"We can talk later, OK? I need to rest now, right, Hank?"

"That is correct. Rogue very much needs to rest now."

"See? So we'll - we'll talk later."

"I ain't goin' nowhere. You rest or whatever, but there's no way you're gettin' outta my sight."

"Please, Logan? I'm asking you - please? I just need some time alone and some time to rest."

"No fuckin' way. Where the hell have you been, anyway? Vacation - there's no - "

"Look, I don't want to be harsh, but I need you to leave. Now. I want to be alone."

"Marie - "

"Now, Logan."

"Kid, I - I was worried, and you're hurt and - "

"And I'm not yours to look after any more. You're off the hook for that obligation. Now, I want you to go."

"Marie - "

"Look, I can't cater to your emotional needs right now. I'm sure you'd love to yell and break things and ask me all kinds of questions and I'm sure you'd feel a lot better if you did, but *I'm* the one who's hurt, and *I* need some time alone, got it?"

"Yeah. I - I got it."

"Then leave. We'll talk later, but go now."

"But I - OK. OK, Marie."

"Whew."

"Ah, Rogue? I believe he is right outside the door. Do you wish me to have him removed?"

"God, I just want some privacy, can't I even get that? That's not much to ask, is it? I'm not asking for anyone to take care of me or love me or say that it's all going to be all right - I just want to be left the hell alone for a little while. Christ!"

"He's - he's moving. He most probably heard that."

"I think you should go back to New Orleans. You're - you need the support of your family and friends right now. If you have to look at me every day and watch my stomach get bigger and bigger - well, that'll just be a reminder. I'm fine here, and I have a good support system. Hank's going to help me with the baby, and if - if it turns out to be yours, I'll let you know and we'll go from there."

"Remy don' wanna leave you."

"Yes, yes you do, sugar. You just don't think that it's the right thing to do. You feel guilty. But you listen to me now, what happened - it wasn't your fault. They made you do those things to me. I know you never would've done those things. They made you. It's not your fault."

"You a strong woman, you know dat?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm going to go throw myself on my bed and cry for the next week in a minute here."

"Chere - "

"Go. I mean it. You need that. And I'll be OK here. I promise, Remy - I'll call you if I need you."

"Remy's heart is broken, chere. We lost - we lost any chance dat we ever mighta had for you and me, non?"

"I'm sorry."

"Remy too."

"Hank?"

"I am so very, very sorry. I - I - "

"Hank, just tell me - was it - was it my skin that made me miscarry?"

"I do not know. I, ah, it is possible, yes, but many other factors may - "

"Oh, God."

"I am so sorry. But you - you are doing well. Your, ah, uterus is responding well after the D&C. The bleeding has already stopped, thanks to your healing factor."

"Could you tell what it was?"

"The factors causing the miscarriage could be any of a number of things."

"No - could you tell if it was a boy or a girl?"

"No. No. At this early stage it is too small to - to determine. You were only seven weeks along, and the miscarriage. I cannot determine that, no."

"I think it was a little girl."

"Oh, Rogue"

"Is there anything - anything to bury?"

"Yes, yes we could - there is some tissue - we could bury her if you like."

"I'd like that. Could you do it? Would you take care of that for me, please? And maybe - maybe bury her on the grounds, under that tree that my window looks out over. That way I could keep an eye on her, you know? I could watch over her."

"Of course. I will - I will see to it."

"Thank you, Hank. You're a good friend. I appreciate that."

"Of course. I am just so very sorry, Rogue."

"Hey."

"Hey. Uh, hey. How're you doin'?"

"I'm fine. Do you have a minute to talk?"

"Yeah. I, uh, you were in the medlab last week and Hank wouldn't say anythin' except that you were gonna be fine. You're OK, right?"

"Yeah. There's not a single thing physically wrong with me."

"Good. Look, I've been doin' some thinkin' 'bout what you said when they brought you in and I wanted to say I'm sorry for bargin' in and yellin' like that."

"Well, I'm sorry for yelling back. I know you were probably a little worried."

"Worried? Hell yeah, I was pretty much scared shitless. Didn't know where ya were. Didn't know what happened. Chuck - he explained that he sent ya on a mission, one he kept quiet. I don't wantcha doin' that anymore, Marie, I don't. You - maybe you got lucky this time and weren't hurt too bad, but you shoulda seen some of the other muties they brought in - had all kindsa bad things done to them. I don't wantcha to do that anymore."

"Logan, I came to tell you that I'm joining the main team, at least for a little while."

"What? No, no, you can't do that, Marie. It's dangerous."

"I know that."

"Is this - this is somehow all about Jeannie and me, right? You're still mad about that, ain'tcha, and this is a way to get back at me, or to make me understand how much I hurt ya, or to make me feel bad about - "

"OK. I can see that there's not going to be the rational conversation with a civilized person I'd hoped for here. Logan, listen to me, and really try to hear what I'm about to say, all right? Not everything is all about you. My life doesn't revolve entirely around what you do. Things - things happen that have nothing to do with you, don't you understand that?"

"I know I hurt ya, but - "

"Yes, you did. But I don't run my life around that. I understand that you don't love me, not like that, and that you love Jean, and I have been running my life accordingly, OK? It's disappointing, and it hurt, but it's not something that is the basis of every action in my life. I wish you could just understand that, Logan, I really do. Look, I've got to go."

"Marie, wait. Wait. I said the wrong things there. Just - just talk to me, OK?"

"And say what, Logan? I don't have anything to say to you anymore. I honestly can't think of a single thing."

"You usedta talk to me all the time, just - just about stuff, nothin'. I miss that."

"I'm not that way anymore. That Marie - she's just - she's gone."

"Because I hurt you?"

"God! No! Would you get that through your thick, metal-enhanced skull? Not everything is about you!"

"Right. Right."

"Sorry. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled. I just - my emotions are running a little high these days, that's all, OK? I apologize. And I really should go. I'll see you later, Logan."

"Yeah, later, OK? Whenever. Come - come talk to me again."

Gotta watch Marie. Gotta watch Marie. She's reckless, dammit, and she's gonna get into trouble if I'm not watchin' her.