xp_logs | After Angelo gets out of the medlab...

Angelo, having finally persuaded Hank that he was fine and should be allowed out of the medlab, headed upstairs, limping slightly. Reaching his dorm, he opened the door and made straight for his bed, flopping down exhausted.

Alex looked up from where he was reading a Physics book on his bed, his back leaning against the head board. His eyes were immediately drawn to Angelo's various injuries, especially the nice black eye. "Dude, what happened to you?" he asked, concern in his voice.

Angelo raised his head wearily, nodding a greeting to Alex before letting it drop back onto the bed. "Had a little trouble at the mall", he answered. "Some meatheads decided it'd make them feel *so* much better if they beat up on Doug."

He winced in sympathy. "Good grief, how many of them were there?"

Angelo paused for a moment, counting silently. "Nine? Ten? Not sure..."

Alex's eyes went wide. "And it looks like you fought every one of them at once." He put his book down and crossed his arms over his knees, which he pulled up to his chest. "Why were they beating up Doug? If anything, he's the least obvious mutant there is..."

"I think it had something to do with Artie", Angelo answered, too tired to lift his head but tipping it sideways to look at Alex. "Kid seemed to think it was his fault..."

Alex nodded. "Poor squib. Why is it, when something bad happens, little kids think it's their fault?" He sighed. "How's Doug?"

"Not good", Angelo answered grimly. "He passed out at the mall, and he hadn't woken up when I left the medlab. I didn't get to him in time..."

"He was lucky you were there at all and don't you forget that. There's no use beating yourself up over something that's past." Alex said firmly, as if to stress his point.

Angelo sighed. "Yeah, I guess. I tried to get them to leave him alone, you know? I tried..."

"You tried everything that you could. And Doug will be okay to translate another day, so obviously it was enough." Alex smiled. "Ya did good."

Angelo returned the smile without conviction, and it quickly vanished. He turned his face away. "Not good enough", he muttered.

Alex sighed. "If that's what you insist on thinking, fine. But I'd suggest asking Doug about it when he wakes up. I'm sure he and I would agree." Alex sat back again and picked up his Physics, though he still looked at Angelo over the top. "You were there and that's all that matters." Alex chuckled softly to himself. "Just like Manny...

"The day I blew up on the beach, I blacked out right there on the sand after it was over. If Manny, one of my surfing buddies, hadn't been there to get my sorry ass out of there during the confusion, I'd be in Hawaiian jail on charges of setting off an explosive device in a public place instead of here with you. Though he himself was a mutant, there was nothing he could have done to stopped what happened that day, but he saved my ass just by being there...

"I think Doug will say the same about you."

During Alex's speech, Angelo had rolled over to look at him, wincing at the pressure on his bruises. Now, he managed a real smile, if still slightly troubled. "Yeah, you're probably right."

Alex grinned when Angelo finally smiled for real. "Good, glad that's settled. So what were you guys doing at the mall before the big bad and uglies came on the scene?"

"Doug and Artie were at the bookstore", Angelo answered. "I was just looking round."

"Find anything interesting?"

"Nah, not really. I was just looking for possible Christmas presents."

"Thinking about Christmas already...it seems to come earlier every year don't it?" He shook his head. "Down right unnatural, thinking about Christmas before Thanksgiving..."

Angelo nodded, then winced again. "You had any thoughts about what you're getting people? Lorna, for instance?"

"Not really. I'm still trying to think of what to do for her birthday in two days." Alex noticed the wince. "You sure you're alright?"

"It's her birthday soon?" Angelo asked. "Didn't even know that. And I'm OK. Few bruises, that's all. I've had worse."

"Yeah it's lucky I remembered to look or I would have totally missed it and then what kind of a boyfriend would I be?" Alex eyed the injuries again but said nothing. It was obvious Angelo didn't want to talk about them. "What are you thinking of getting Paige for Christmas?"

"I don't really know..." Angelo answered pensively. "A textbook, maybe. Or something for Nemesis."

Alex smiled softly. "Sounds like things she'd love...but don't you want it to be a bit more special?"

Angelo looked over at him, suddenly uncertain. "I would... but I don't... you think I should?"

Alex laughed softly. "Most definitely."

Angelo still seemed unsure, but nodded. "I'll think of something."

"I'm sure you will." He smiled again at Angelo and then looked down at his book. "You want me to shut up now? You look like you could use some rest."

"If you don't mind", Angelo answered. "Paige threatened to set you and Shiro on me if I didn't get some sleep."

"Then I guess I should be doing my job huh? Get some sleep man." Alex threw one of the pillows from his bed at Angelo then went back to his Physics reading.