Library Conversations (rp for cyke_out)

[a_sloane]

The library was quickly becoming a favorite place, which disconcerted Arvin Sloane to some degree. He hated being predictable. Still. It reminded him of Zurich, not of Los Angeles, which he found preferable, and yet had an atmosphere of its own. The mysterious Charles Xavier, who had come and gone before Sloane moved into the mansion, must have

Comments

[cyke_out]

Scott listened, nodded, was silent for a moment, then repeated, "Should never be sent. I'm kind of flattered, actually, that you think, just because I'm supposed to be in charge, I can stop him from doing whatever he wants to do."

This was partly a joke, but only partly, and it occurred to him that Sloane might not think much of self- deprecation, coming from a leader. In any case, he suspected Sloane of underestimating Logan -- and he also figured, if that were the case, it would be because Logan wanted him to.

"You're right about field work, though. For all his lone-wolf schtick, Logan's had a lot of success working with partners. You've met one of his favorites already. Miss Pryde," he added, glancing at Sloane to see what kind of reaction that got. A guy who could underestimate Wolverine probably hadn't thought twice about Kitty. "Logan and I have worked together a time or two, of course --"

Scott turned his back and walked to the window, not wanting to betray any unease. Still, Sloane might suspect the subject was making him nervous. Scott weighed the pros and cons, and decided to tell him what he would eventually hear repeated as gossip, if he hadn't all ready.

"Logan and I have always had a complicated relationship --" Looking back now, Scott continued. "He was in love with my wife."

[a_sloane]

Sloane had actually been impressed by Kitty during their brief encounter; he would have hired her in a heartbeat. But then, Sloane is slightly biased towards female agents, especially if they are brunettes with anger inside; not that he would admit this. On a more conscious basis, he thinks that Kitty Pryde's ability could be extremely useful for dealing with the Sentinel outside, but that's something to bring up at a later point.

"I can see why they'd make an amazing team," is all he says out loud, regarding the Kitty and Logan matter, and then learns more about the emotional complications chez Xavier's. Which induces another memory he pushes away. Jack reviving him after putting him through that execution; punishment for a 25 years old affair. And the irony was that it hadn't been Irina he had been in love with.

Present, now: focus. Scott tells him this rather personal information why? It probably isn't the world's best kept secret, but still. Well. It certainly makes Logan look more complicated, not just the relationship, which is worth considering. Hm.

He doesn't ask "and did your wife love him?" or "how did that make you feel?". These kind of questions strike him as too intrusive and reminiscent of Judy Barnett, and despite having been fond of Judy beyond playing a game, Sloane has no intention to ever give in to anything that sounds like therapy, no matter whether as the patient or the therapist. What he does say is, sounding completely matter-of-fact:

"There are worse complications."

Which says something about the complications in Sloane's own emotional life, but he wouldn't care for that comment, either, and point out he was merely being factual. Presumably Logan did not kill the late Mrs. Grey-Summers, either because of a directive of the organization he works for or because he thinks she is planning on killing her daughter.