xp_logs | Doug and Angelo sometime today

Doug paused at the door to the Medlab and sighed. This was getting to be far too usual an occurrence. Plus, he was feeling some general nervousness over the fact that he hadn't talked to Angelo since the potion incident. He was feeling a little skittish around nearly everyone lately because of that. Shrugging, he walked through the door and into the Medlab.

Angelo glanced up on hearing the door open, and managed a slight smile - about the best he could do through the bruises. "Doug. Hey. Thought you might be down here at some point, when I saw the journals..."

Doug suppressed a wince at the bruises covering Angelo's face and upper body. "Yeah. Doc McCoy's going to have to start giving you rewards points for frequent stays or something, huh," he said, trying to keep his tone light.

Angelo nodded, amused but aware of what laughing would do to his ribs, so resisting. "You heard it was our friends from the mall, then?" he said bluntly. "Some of them, anyway."

Doug grimaced. "Mr. Summers told me. I don't think I've ever wanted to pound someone's face so hard in my life. Except That Bitch Doctor." He assumed Angelo knew who he meant from the emphasis. He wasn't really willing to spell out anything touching on Marie at the moment, and his face looked slightly sad and haunted just at the thought of her.

"Right there with you", Angelo said grimly. "On both counts. Don't go doin' anythin' stupid, though, Doug. Okay?"

Doug shook his head. "I won't. I know I'm not good enough at self-defense to hold my own against a group of those idiots. And E-Em..." He stumbled over the nickname. "...she reminded me that we shouldn't stoop to their level."

Angelo nodded. "She's right. Much as we might want to, it'd do no good in the end..."

Doug slumped his shoulders as he sighed. "Yeah." Raising his head, he asked "So, how are you..." he trailed off and laughed wryly. "I mean, aside from the obvious."

Angelo grinned ruefully. "Been better. Don't just mean the obvious, either... The whole thing kinda brought some stuff back."

Doug nodded. "I kinda guessed from the way Em looked bringing you back in. Is it..." He hesitated, not wanting to overstep himself. "Is it like that episode you had a while back?"

Angelo glanced down and nodded. "Exactly like, only worse, from what Em told me."

Doug, at a loss for what to say to reassure Angelo, carefully placed a hand on Angelo's shoulder in a spot that was relatively bruise-free.

Angelo looked up at that. "I could've killed her", he said flatly. "Nearly did, I think."

Doug squeezed. "You didn't, Angelo. That's all that matters."

"Only 'cause she stopped me", he muttered in response, head bowed.

Doug smiled sadly. "She's too good for all of us. Especially me," he added bitterly.

Angelo glanced up. "Hey. Think you should let her decide that, no? An' it seems to me she already has."

Doug looked haunted. "I don't get it, Angelo," he responded. "I was stupid, and I was weak. And she still forgives me. I just don't understand."

Angelo looked at him, eyes sympathetic but honest. "We've all been stupid. We've all been weak. She seems to've forgiven me, too, an' look what *I* did..."

Doug's fists clenched slightly. "There was a moment when I knew what was going on. And before I left, I asked her to kiss me goodbye, and I just tried to close my eyes and pretend it was real. I don't understand why she doesn't hate me, Angelo."

Angelo shrugged. "Don't think it's in her to hate us. The Bitch Doctor, maybe - but I'm not even sure of that."

Doug pulled up a chair and nodded tiredly. "It's definitely in Logan to hate me, though."

"Hate's a strong word, Doug. Sure, he maybe doesn't like you much right now, but hate?" He paused, then added wryly, "You're still alive and in one piece. What does that tell you?"

Doug chuckled wryly. "I'm not worth the effort?"

"An' if he really hated you, you would be. Marie's opinion matters to him, you must know that."

"I suppose." Doug ran a hand through his hair. "Can we talk about something else?"

Angelo nodded, only too willing to drop the subject of either of their shortcomings. "Sure. What d'you wanna talk about?"

Doug shrugged. "Dunno. I should really come up with a nickname for you," he added randomly. "Angelo's too formal. Besides, it gets confusing since I call Marie-Ange 'Angie'."

Angelo chuckled. "Well, Em calls me "Skin". S'pose you could use that..."

"If you're comfortable with it, sounds good to me. Just so long as you don't start calling me 'Dougie' in return." He grinned lightly.

"Promise", Angelo returned with a slight grin.

"So anyways, I think we've decided to classify Doctor Mactaggart's coffee as a mood-altering substance. Angie was telling me about how she had a half-cup this morning..." Doug smiled.