ISSUE # 64

Ian and Logan landed in San Francisco, near the fisherman's wharf and Logan let Ian off the plane.

" Alright, kid. Remember, I'm trusting you on this." Logan told the boy.

" Don't worry, Logan. I got it. I just need to talk to her right? I can handle that." Ian told the man. He then turned and started walking to where Logan had told him Laura would be waiting.

Logan cringed though as he knew it probably wouldn't be as easy of a thing as Ian thought. But decided to keep that bit of information to himself.

Ian walked down the Wharf, feeling the cool breeze brushing past his face. He looked up at the grey and cloudy sky and started thinking that at this moment, he felt at ease. He took a deep breath and exhaled, for just a moment there was peace within his mind.

" Wish every moment was like this." Ian muttered. " Gotta keep going." Ian stated. He continued walking down the Wharf, until he saw a girl sitting at the edge of the pier.

" I told, Logan no." The girl said to Ian, surprising him. He wasn't trying to be stealthy or anything, but the fact that she not only identified who sent him but why he was there without even looking back was a surprise to the boy.

" You must be Laura, am I right?" Ian asked the girl.

Laura didn't reply and Ian realized how dumb that was.

" You're right, that was a stupid question, sorry." Ian told the girl. " I'm not good with speaking to new people. I'm still.... Learning that." Ian told the girl. " How did you know I was with Logan. If you don't mind me asking." Ian asked the girl.

" His scent is all over you. I could smell it before you even set foot on the pier." Laura told the boy.

" Is that right? That's quite impressive. I only two men with senses like that and they're both animals. One literally and the other well... You know Logan." Ian told the girl. " Do you mind if I join you?" Ian asked as he stood behind the girl.

Laura didn't reply, so Ian sat down beside her anyways.

Laura looked over her shoulder at Ian and Ian's eyes widened.

There were two things Ian immediately noticed. The first was how similar she looked to a certain hairy man. And the other were the intensity of her eyes. They stared right into Ian's own eyes, like a predator glaring at a potential prey.

Ian's gaze straightened and he stared right back at Laura. If he was right and she was anything like Logan, then she was testing him right now. Ian gazed back at the girl, his vision not faltering even for a moment, and after a little while, Laura relaxed a little.

" You know, the world's a scary place right now. There's so much going on right now. That everything seems confusing. What do you say we go somewhere a little less depressing?" Ian asked.

Laura was silent for a moment before nodding.

" Okay." Laura spoke.

Ian was impressed. Those words were a good step in the right direction. And right now, Ian would take any bit of progress.

Ian and Laura walked back up the empty wharf.

" What led you here?" Ian asked the girl as they walked.

" I... lost a friend." Laura told the boy.

" I see. I know how that feels." Ian told the girl. He looked over at her and noticed how she seemed to be slouching a little and knew that the subject was a sore one for the girl, so he steered the conversation away from that. " Tell me, Laura... What do you think about seeing a movie, huh? I mean on a grey day like this, I think a movie would feel right."

Laura hesitated for a moment, she was still unsure about whether or not she should continue further. But when she looked into Ian's eyes, she saw how motivated he seemed compared to a few minutes ago.

" Okay."

" Alright, that's what I wanted to hear. And guess what? It's all on Logan." Ian told the girl. He reached into his pocket and pulled out Logan's card and sneered at the girl.

...

A short walk to the shopping center later and Ian and Laura were sitting in an empty movie theater watching some kind of second-rate action film.

" Hey, you know... This isn't bad." Ian stated. He popped a handful of popcorn into his mouth and continued eating, while Laura stared at him.

" Why are you doing this?" Laura suddenly spoke up and asked.

" Hm?" Ian hummed.

" Why are you doing this?" Laura asked again.

" Because I wanted to." Ian told the girl. " I'm not too good making new friends, or even speaking to new people really. Most of the people I know I went to school with an entire year before I spoke to any of them. So, I know what it's like to be alone, without anyone to talk to." Ian explained.

" It is... Difficult." Laura stated. " I'm.... I'm not like you though. You wouldn't understand."

" You'd be surprised what I understand, Laura. I've been through a lot at that school and almost all of it was bad. But there were good things too. Things that meant a lot to me. And... I wouldn't give those things up for the world. Logan didn't really tell me much about you, but from what I can see, I can tell that we're alike in few ways. Your eyes paint a story to me that is difficult to understand. The eyes of a hunter. And.... I can't imagine what must have happened for you to have gotten where you are... But I do know Logan does. He knows a lot more than I do. He's been there for me for a long time, and he's shown more faith in me than anyone else. I trust him and... while I won't tell you to do the same and I won't even ask you to come to the school. I will however, ask you to at least talk to him. He really cares for you Laura." Ian explained to the girl.

" I..." Laura mumbled. She looked down at her hands and started rubbing the space in-between her knuckles. " I will talk to him."

Ian smiled and nodded.

" Now, what do you say we finish this first?" Ian asked.

Laura nodded and then turned her attention back to the screen.

Ian laughed internally; the girl seemed to be more intrigued with the film than even he was.

....

After the movie finished, Ian and Laura walked back to the X-jet where Logan was waiting for them.

" I'm sure you two will want some time alone together. I'll be standing outside the jet if you need anything okay?" Ian told the girl.

Laura nodded her head up and down.

" Yes. Thank you." Laura replied. She seemed to relax a little bit around Ian, but the boy could tell that her guard was still raised significantly. But that was fine. Ian wanted Laura to take her time. He didn't want to rush her and end up scaring her off.

" Don't worry about it. Oh, and Laura, my name's Ian." Ian told the girl. He gave Laura a small smile and walked off, allowing Laura and Logan to have a moment alone.

" Hey darlin." Logan said to the girl.

" Hey, Logan." Laura replied.

Logan walked up to the girl and hugged her.

...

After a long talk, Logan finally came out to get Ian.

" Hey, Runt." Logan called out to the boy.

" Hey, Logan." Ian replied.

" Thank you for this. I mean it." Logan told the boy.

" Heh! You don't need to thank me, Logan. You were there for me at the beginning. You treated me like a little brother and that means a lot to me. And no matter what it is, I'll always have your back. If you need me for anything, or if anything happens.... Just know that I'll have your back. I'll be there. I've still got a lot... To work out for myself. And I know it's gonna be difficult. But the same applies to Laura. If she needs me, I'll be there for her. I'll keep her safe, Logan. I promise." Ian told the man.

" Thanks, kid. Thank you." Logan replied. In a moment which is uncharacteristic for him, he pulled Ian towards him and hugged the boy and Ian returned the gesture.

After a few moments, Logan shoved Ian away gently and grunted.

" You tell anyone about that, and I'll gut ya." Logan told the boy.

Ian laughed at the man as loud as he could, tears practically falling down his face.

" Okay, grumpy. Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me. Come on, let's go home. And let's ope the world hasn't ended while we were gone." Ian joked.

" Heh! Yeah." Logan replied. He and Ian boarded the X-Jet together and prepared to leave, when Ian looked over at Laura.

" Hey Laura, welcome to the family." Ian told the girl.

Laura nodded and then looked out the Jet's window.

And while he wouldn't say it out loud, at this very moment, Ian was many things. He was at peace, he was at ease, but more importantly, he was happy.