xp_logs | Alex and Scott, Monday Night in Hawaii

Alex drags Scott to a luau for 'real' food and they talk. It gets serious and it's established that Scott is tired, in more ways then the obvious.

Alex sat back in his chair, the smells coming from the food on the table still making him smile. He had decided Scott needed a taste of real Hawaiian food and took him to a local luau. Now they had a wonderful sampling in front of them. Kalua pig, fresh from the smoke pit, next to Lomi Salmon and Mahi Mahi wrapped in Taro leaves. To go with the surf and turf was fried rice, sweet potatoes, poi and a large variety of native fruit. Alex was in food heaven. He looks across the table at Scott, raising an eyebrow. "Dig in big bro, I assure you, it's some of the best food you will ever taste."

"It's... pretty damned impressive-looking," Scott said with a smile, starting to transfer some of the food to his plate. "Love the setting, too," he said, his eyes straying back out to the beach.

Alex already had a plate full and was munching happily on the Mahi Mahi. "Can't beat it, that's for sure." Their table was out on the sand, with the crashing waves providing background noise so that even though they were surrounded by other tables, they could talk in private.

"So you seemed pretty happy with the campus tour," Scott said, trying some of the salmon. He stopped, blinking at it. "Damn, that's good," he said lightly.

That made Alex laugh after he gulped down what he was chewing. "Glad you can appreciate fine dinning bro." And he nodded as he moved some sweet potatoes onto his fork. "And yeah I loved it. It's like that place was made for me."

"It's certainly got everything you wanted," Scott said. "In the place you most want to be..." He paused, smiling, then tried some of the pig. Just as good as the salmon. Maybe even better. "Maybe I should come along with you and Lorna, huh? Think I could find a job as a flight instructor or something out here?" Oh, very bad joke, Summers. Don't tempt yourself.

Now that comment made Alex look up fast, his fork half way to his mouth. Slowly, he returned the fish to his plate and raised an eyebrow. "You are kidding right? Your needed back at the mansion... Don't get me wrong, I'd love for you to come here with me but...everyone there needs you."

Scott raised a defensive hand. "Definitely kidding," he said quietly. "Not to worry, Alex. I'm not going to be packing up and leaving the mansion anytime soon."

Alex nodded and picked up his fork again. After he swallowed the bit of fish he asked, "You sure it was just a joke?" Frankly, it wouldn't surprise him if Scott felt like the mansion was better of without him, what with what happened Saturday...

"Maybe a tiny bit of wishful thing," Scott said with a very faint smile. "I'm just imagining flying over those mountains on a regular basis... it's so beautiful here."

That put Alex more at ease and he smiled. "Yeah...but that's why your going to come visit me." He played with the rice on his plate with his fork. "How're you doing Scott...seriously?"

Scott sighed, spearing a bit of fruit. "I'm tired, Alex," he said simply, falling silent for a long moment. "I'm really, really tired. I'm not even sure I'm angry at myself anymore. There doesn't seem to be much point to it."

"Much point to what? Being angry with yourself? May I ask why you were angry at yourself in the first place?" He had to admit, he was slightly confused thought he'd know Scott was tired. It's why he'd made him promise to come with him to Hawaii. He needed the break.

"Not being able to do enough. Not foreseeing so much of the stuff that's been happening lately." Scott smiled, and this time the smile was oddly heartbroken. "Not being able to keep you all safe."

Alex rolled his eyes and sighed. "Please don't tell me you blame yourself for what happened Saturday to Doug...or anything else for that matter. You are only human, you can't foresee everything..."

"I don't really know, Alex," Scott confessed, trying another bite of the salmon. "I can't say I don't blame myself, even though I know I shouldn't. I'm supposed to be--" He paused, remembering Remy's words. "--the stiff and logical one, but I'm reacting as much on emotion as any of you, in some ways."

Alex frowned. "You may be the stiff logical one, but no one can survive like that forever. Emotion isn't a bad thing Scott...it's natural, not a weakness."

"I've got a lot of thinking to do when we get back," Scott said quietly. "A lot of thinking, and a lot of talking to Charles and the team..."

And Lorna and Shiro wondered why Alex had no desire to be an X-Man. Seeing his brother like this was killing him. "I'm sure you do, but just remember to let us help you this time... But you are still a great leader, remember that too. They need you, emotions, weaknesses and all." He smiled slightly.

"Right," Scott said with a rather false-sounding little laugh, taking some more of the salmon. The indispensable man. "Like I said. Lots of talking when I get back. I... uh, I've been thinking about not teaching anymore, after the end of the term."

Now that struck an odd chord in Alex as he swallowed some pork. "But you like teaching...or at least I thought you did. Why would you stop?"

"I don't think the two combine very well," Scott said quietly. "At least, not with what I have to do, team-wise... and I'm not really good at connecting with your fellow students, Alex." He smiled wryly. "You may have noticed that."

Alex shook his head while swallowing some pineapple. "Some of my 'fellow students' have trouble connecting with anyone. Trust me, that's not all your fault." Then he shrugged. "But if it helps reduce your stress, maybe you should try cutting down on your classes, rather then stop all together."

"We'll see," Scott said. "I promise, no dramatic decisions on my part. I've just... got a lot to think about."

"Good dramatic decisions are bad. Thinking though...that can be down right dangerous too." Alex smirked, meaning that comment kiddingly rather then serious. The mood had darkened and frankly, Alex didn't like it.

"Eat your... whatever that is," Scott said with a soft chuckle. "Let's change the subject. We should go looking for some variety of nightlife tonight, don't you think? Make the day as full as possible..."

Alex laughed. "My whatever is called poi and it's good try it." Alex took a large bite as if to demonstrate. Once he swallowed he nodded. "Nightlife sounds like a total blast. I want to make sure you get the most of the place I called home."