xp_logs | Angelo and Alejandra, Friday night

Angelo goes to the shelter to talk to Alejandra, and something (mostly) new starts.

Angelo hadn't found the time to visit the outreach centre in quite a while, though he was impressed by how quickly Alejandra had got back to working there.

Tonight, though, a grey form detached itself from the shadows by the wall as she locked the building. "Hey, Alejita."

She started, spinning around and bringing her hands up instinctively to blast him, before realising who it was. She dropped her hands, but with the weight she'd lost recovering, he could almost see the pulse hammering in her neck. "Angelito," she replied with a shaky smile. "You scared the crap outta me."

"Sorry", he said sheepishly. "Should've knocked, I guess, 'stead of just waitin'. Can I make it up to you, walk you home?"

"Sure," she replied. "Just let me finish this." She had to use both hands to insert the key in the lock, the damage to her wrists from the cruxifiction nearly two years ago having weakened the tendons and made fine motor control difficult. The set of her jaw and shoulders, however, warned Angelo off helping her - Alejandra was as stubborn as ever.

It took a little longer than usual, but at last she was done, putting the keys away in the purse slung over her shoulder. "It's been a while, Angelito," she said, slipping her arm through his companionably. "We were starting to think something had happened to you."

"Ah, things happen to me all the time", he said, wilfully cheerful. "But I survive them, an' sometimes they're just the office gettin' crazy busy like this time. How've you been?"

"Busy," she replied, with a shrug. "Christmas sucks for bein' a mutant kid - some decide to come out to their families 'round that time since it's all family feelin' and good will, and the next thing they know, they're on their asses in the snow. It's been worse since Day Zero, too. But we're doin' okay. You?"

"Day Zero changed a lot", he said quietly, then shrugged. "Work's busy, final year of school's been gettin' heavier, but I'm dealin'. Amanda and I, though... we called it a day. Better for both of us."

She glanced up at him, face unreadable. "You doin' okay, Angelito?" she asked quietly. "Truth now, not your usual 'I'm fine' mierda."

"What if that is the truth?" He wrapped his hand around hers, squeezing gently. "Seriously, it wasn't workin' out. I know it sounds like a cliche, but we were goin' different ways. More like we were together 'cause we were used to it than anythin'."

"Like an old pair of shoes," she commented, shaking her head. "So you're doin' all right. Any particular reason why you show up now?"

"Had a bit of time an' like you said, it's been a while", he said simply. "An' I wanted to see you. Kind of missed you", he finished with a wry quirk.

"Wantin' to talk about old times, are you?" she asked, an odd note to her voice. "Pick up where we left off now you're single again?"

"I'm not expectin' anythin'." That was delivered honestly. "It's been a long time, but you said once you were still here if anythin' changed. It's okay if that doesn't still stand, it's been two years an' a lot's happened since... but maybe I came here, instead of to your place, t'find out one way or the other."

Alejandra was quiet as they continued to walk along in the falling snow. Her hand, in his, was thin and bony, trembling slightly with weakness. "You're right, Angelito, a lot's happened since," she said at last. "The Kick, the Purifiers, Miguel... I'm not the same chica from the barrio who thought she'd marry her brother's best friend. If you're expecting that, you won't find it."

"I'm not exactly the kid I was back then either", he told her quietly. "Seems like another life, most days, more'n anythin' I could expect now. None of us three're who we were. But if you think maybe you now could work it out with me now, 'cause I think you now is a pretty good person... maybe it's worth a shot."

"I won't be a rebound, Angelito," she warned him. "I'm not her." Then she squeezed his hand a little. "And I'm a stubborn mule, Miguel says. I won't make things easy for you."

"If I wanted a rebound, Alejita", he said with a grin, "I'd have picked up every willin' girl in New York before I thought of you. You know you mean more than that." Sobering, "I didn't come straight to you out of the break-up, it's been months. Maybe it won't work, in the end. Doesn't mean I don't want to try."

"Hmm." She paused, bringing them both to a halt, and looked him up and down assessingly. "Well, aren't you going to ask me?"

He laughed out loud at that, warm and affectionate, and nodded. "If we're done talkin' around it... Alejandra, will you go for dinner with me?"

"You know me - I like action more than talkin'." She gave him a slow smile. "And sure. Pick me up after work tomorrow and it's a date."

"I'll be here." Angelo shot her a wicked grin in return. "Dress up nice, I've got somewhere in mind."