When the Stars Go Blue

The tux lies on the bed taunting him. Bling had brought it in earlier from the cleaners. It's a reminder of a time that is no more...of a man who no longer exists.

He doesn't even know if it fits anymore. His body has changed. Some days he isn't sure he recognizes who he is any more.

What was she thinking, "buying" this dress? It's everything she isn't...feminine, beautiful, elegant. She's a genetic mutant escaped from a government facility, not the girlfriend of a member of Seattle society.

He isn't her boyfriend. They aren't like that.

Going to the wedding seemed like a bad idea from the beginning. There was facing his family for the first time since the accident. Being in a group of people...he still wasn't completely comfortable with it. Everyone was going to stare. It was inevitable and he still wasn't used to the weight of everyone's eyes on the back of his head.

He had considered asking Bling to come with him, but that would have felt like he brought his nurse along. Asking Max made sense on a number of levels...if the elevator broke, she could carry him down from the penthouse...but it also felt wrong.

She wasn't his girlfriend. They weren't like that.

He had been so cute when he asked her...so uncertain and so unlike Logan's usual smooth manner. He had been nervous.

She liked making him nervous. And she liked a free meal.

He transferred out of the Aztek and into his chair. He worried for a half- second that she might come out in one of her fabulous black cat burglar outfits. Part of him worried she would...part of him couldn't wait to see the look on his aunt Margo's face if she did.

He looked down at the shiny shoes he had customarily worn with his tux. They had always given him blisters. Tonight they wouldn't, although when he mentioned it to Bling, the therapist had warned him to look for sore spots when he took them off. The body continued to have a mind of its own...

He turned his chair and wheeled toward the entrance into Jam Pony. What would she be wearing?

She had forgotten jewelry. A designer strapless gown and nothing for her ears or around her neck. She could grab something off the bride later...but Logan might notice.

Her hands flittered for a moment around her bare neck. It would be fine. Thanks to Original Cindy, her nails were fabulous and she had a great upswept hairdo that wasn't moving anywhere in the next millennium.

He stopped in front of the desk and asked for Max.

"Yeah, she's in the, uh..."

Logan turned as Normal's voice trailed off.

Red. She was wearing red. He smiled as she crossed the floor toward him. She was amazing. He had no idea she could look like this. His eyes rose to meet hers.

She was amazing.

One last fidget with the lining under her shoulder and it was time to go. She pulled the bathroom door open and walked out.

"Damn," she heard Original Cindy whistle. She turned and walked out of the locker room; her shoes changing her stride into something unlike she'd ever felt.

Sexy.

She stopped, unable to move forward. She hadn't known what to expect, but the sight of Logan, in his tux, with his hair...

She couldn't move.

Sexy.

And her eyes met his and she dropped her gaze to his smile.

It was going to be quite a night.

FIN

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