Logan

108. She's... Something Special

"He seems so sad," I said to Wren.

"Who?"

"Captain Ripley, there's just something about him. He tries to cover it up with this stoic face and upbeat attitude, but there's something..."

"What if he was trying to hit on you?" Wren scoffed.

I shook my head, "No, it wasn't like that. It was like... something is bothering him."

Wren rubbed my shoulder, "You're so considerate of other people's feelings. Listen, Natalie, I'm sorry I lost my cool earlier. It's just, you mean more to me than you can ever possibly understand."

"I know." I mumbled, biting my lip, willing myself not to start crying. I'd done too much of that lately.

"Look at me," He asked, his voice soft, and I turned to face him.

"I love you, Romanoff, you get that?"

"I love you too, Banner."

When pulled me into his embrace, I stiffened at the initial hardness of his physique, but he was gentle, and he planted a kiss on my forehead. "Don't forget it."

"I promise, I won't."

We sat in silence for a moment, until he pulled away. He cleared his throat to maintain his cool attitude, "So, the old dude. What's his deal?"

I shook my head, "I don't know, but he seems really familiar. More than an appearance at the local bake sale or the legion auxiliary. I'll find out the truth."

-

-

-

*Desmond's POV*

I was laying down when Babs nudged me, and I bolted off of the couch. "What's wrong, did something happen?"

She shook her head, holding a spatula, "No, nothing happened, but I just got a call from Captain Ripley."

I sat down, and ran my fingers through my hair, "Shit, did I do something wrong?"

"No. Natalie went there looking for you, he thought you would want to know."

I looked up, "She went there, to the station?"

"I just said that, didn't I?" Babs shook her head and headed back for the steps, "You like this girl, you run around to try to talk to her, it's too much."

"Babs, you don't get it. She's... something special."

"I've heard you say that, but you're running after her and apologizing, it's a little dramatic, Desi."

"Don't tell me you don't like her."

She turned around to face me, "Honey, I don't even know this girl, and you've only known her a couple weeks."

I frustratingly got dressed, "I'm going out. I have to go talk to her."

I put on my boots and coat and warmed my hands as I began to walk out in the cold winter snow.

I managed to barely make it into town when I checked the gas, it was on E, how did I miss that? I couldn't make it to the gas station, there was no way. As soon as I turned onto Natalie's street, I could hear it coughing to a halt. I parked in front of the cul-de-sac and hoped none of her neighbors were assholes. I recognized this house, she'd pointed it out before. Logan's house.

It almost looked like an 80s mansion, high ceilings, big windows. Wish I had it this good. One day I would be able to get a house like this for me and my future partner... whoever they would be.