xp_logs | Scott, Zanne - Late Saturday Afternoon

Scott and Zanne have a brief chat about her future with the X-Men.

"That was quite the meticulous report you left in the database," Scott said from where he was standing in the open doorway of Zanne's suite. There was a suspicious little smile tugging at his lips, and his hands were buried very firmly in his pockets. Several hours of sleep - and the fact that Nori was back and intact, of course - had done salutary things to his mood.

Not to mention, he really did like this part of the job. "Some interesting tactical choices, too," he went on. "I particularly liked the idea of using your projections as a distraction."

Zanne looked up from her book and grinned. "Hey Scott. I was hoping for a bit more mass panic, but I'll take what I can get."

"Sometimes these things work. Sometimes they really work. Keep it in your back pocket, for future use," Scott said, coming in the rest of the way. "You know," he said, gaze moving around the living room for a moment, "you've probably seen more direct combat experience that your average X-Men trainee. Sad commentary on our times, I suppose."

Zanne straightened up in her chair, turning to follow Scott. "It's been interesting, yes," she agreed carefully, wondering where this was going. "But that's what I signed on for."

"I suppose I just want to make sure," Scott said, almost absently as he stopped by the window. "You're a grown woman, I have faith that you know what you want..."

"Generally." Zanne's eyebrows climbed up her forehead in confusion." Although, to be honest, I'm not sure what you're asking. Are you expecting me to quit?"

"Just checking," Scott said again, and turned away from the window. There was a small black box in his hand, and he set it down on the arm of Zanne's chair. "I know that the chances of someone turning those down, one of these days, is pretty good - I just don't want it to be you." He grinned at her.

Zanne's heart skipped ahead a few beats as she picked up the box and opened it slowly. The light from the table lamp bounced off the the little gold Xs, and a broad smile unfurled across her lips as she chased it with a fingertip. "And I just figured out my trainee name, too," she groused lightheartedly. "Do you know how long that took? Now I have to think up another one."

"It might be fun," Scott offered. "New name, new life..." His expression was suddenly very serious as he sat down in the chair opposite hers. "We were lucky, when you walked through our door," he said after a moment.

Zanne blushed red. "Yes, well," she stumbled over the words, trying to think of something to say. He didn't seem to realize that she'd been the lucky one. If they hadn't found her and extended the invitation, she'd still be haunting Boston, narrowly barely making a dent in the crime there.

After a few more moments of inner struggle, she simply nodded and replied,"Thank you." It didn't really say everything, but possibly it said enough.

Scott rose, the smile growing. "You'll have to trade in the grays, too," he said. "But I think black is much more your color."

Zanne laughed and stood as well, spinning the small black box that held the symbols of her future in her hands. "You know, I think it really is."