Redemption

Chapter Six

Matt opened the door and smiled.

"I'm back," he practically sang. "I bring a friend!"

He led the way into the apartment. The people inside chorused "hello!" which I returned. I'm nervous since I've never met these people in my life. They seem nice enough though. I can't find myself not longing for the black out to be over so I can go back to my apartment or just go to work.

One of my neighbors checked her watch.

"Oh," she said, eyes widening. "It's 6:20! I have to get to work!"

"So do I," said someone else.

"I do too," I said, thankful someone who had a non-digital watch had checked the time.

I followed a couple people out and down the stairs. We had a hard time moving through the dark but finally, we reached the door leading outside. The whole street and beyond was dark. I said goodbye to the others and walked toward work. Thankfully it was close enough to leave at 6 and get there ten minutes before work started. But since it was past 6:20, I had to hurry. I turned my past from a walk to a jog, hoping not only to get to work on time but to warm up. Hopefully it got warmer.

"There you are," hissed one of my co-workers. "What took you so long?"

"My apartment had a black out and I don't have a watch," I said. "But I'm not late."

Just then, our boss walked out.

"Our bartender's out sick and we need some waiters," he said. "We won't be getting any deliveries today so you can fill in."

He led us inside and started pointing at my co-workers and telling them they'd be a waiter. Finally, he pointed to me.

"You, Daken," he said. "I hope you're a good bartender."

We opened up the bar and all went to our places. Thankfully, none of the cooks were gone because I don't think any of us could cook. Soon, people started trickling in for breakfast. In the mornings the bar became, to put it in my boss' words, a 'cafe'. I got a couple orders for coffee or other 'breakfast drinks'. I got some types and some people just came in to talk.

"You're not the usual bartender," someone said. "Did he quit or somethin'?"

"No," I told them. "He's just out sick."

After a couple hours I got orders for alcohol. I felt people's eyes on me as I made the drinks. I hope I was doing it all right.

"You really want to go to a bar? Now?" Scott asked.

"Yes!" said Logan.

"Even though all our enemies are trying to kill our children?" Scott demanded.

"Yes!" repeated Logan. "Just let me cool off for one night."

He stopped outside a bar.

"Hey," said Scott. "This is the bar where Magneto attacked me!"

"We can do some digging," Logan told him. "Since you saw my son here, and he's up there on Magneto's five most wanted list."

He opened the door to the full bar.

The door to the bar opened. I didn't register who they were, just that they were two men. I gave someone their drink and waited for the next order. Tonight was a busy night. Was this how it usually was in here? I 

started cleaning a nearby abandoned glass.

"Daken?"

"Daken?"

He stopped, midway through cleaning a glass, eyes fixed on the bar in front of him.

"Hi," said Logan. "How are you? I didn't know you were a bartender."

Daken didn't move.

"Daken," Logan said. "Talk to me, please."

He rested his hand on the bar.

"Daken." He said more firmly.

"Sorry," Daken said, eyes finally meeting Logan's. "I don't know who you are."

Logan stepped back, shocked. I don't know who you are.

"Now," said Daken. "If you don't want something, I suggest you get out."

"Logan, do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Come on, it's better to talk about these things then bottle them up."

"I'm not bottling it up."

"Logan. Please. Talk to me."

"Storm, I told you. I don't want to talk about it."

"Well, if you're going to be like that, I'll just as Scott,"

Logan jumped up.

"Don't you dare ask Scott," he hissed.

"Then why don't you tell me then," 

Storm stood straight, staring him down. Logan glared back at her.

"I'm not tellin' you nothin'." Logan growled. "There's nothin' you could do to change that."

"Then what if I told you that Rogue was captured by Magneto?"

"WHAT?!"

"She was taken while you were out, at night," Storm explained. "We don't know how Magneto got in or out. One moment she was asleep, the next, she was gone. We've tried everything to get her back. Everything. We can't defeat Magneto and his forces! He's got Sabertooth, Juggernaut, Mystique, Omega Red, Toad, and Apocalypse! And I have a feeling there are more on the way. We need help, Wolverine. What mutants do you know that haven't chosen sides?"

Wolverine looked at her thoughtfully and smiled.

"I think I have a pretty good idea. But I'm going to need a lot of help."

The waiters were back at the bar, but the bartender was still out sick. Thankfully, I kept getting the job. It gave me somewhere warm to work for the day. So, that was that. I cleaned glasses and mixed drinks and listened to people talk about their 'oh so horrible' lives.