Streets of Washington DC

[havok]

"Yeah, I'm fine," Alex said but was a bit nervous due to her questioning. He didn't want to lie to her but he didn't know how to tell her the truth. If he told her the truth, she might be completely turned away from him. Alex didn't want to lose her but she did deserve to know to who was in her company. It was only right. In lying to her, he might lose any chance at a lasting relationship with her but could still be with her for tonight. It was time to come to a decision to where he wanted to bring this chance meeting, with Terry, to and he had to make it quickly.

From across the table, he reached for Terry's hand and held it between both of his, gently caressing the back of her hand with his thumb. Her skin was soft, warm, and relaxing. Alex looked around to see their area to be relatively quiet and bare.

"I should tell you something, Terry," Alex started. He was lost for words but he knew the truth had to be told. Before he could continue, their appetizer arrived and the waitress asked to take their orders. It couldn't have been any worst of timing. "Can you give us a minute?" Alex asked politely. The waitress nodded her understanding and left them to be alone again. Now that he was interrupted, he didn't know how to resume explaining the truth.

"I'm a mutant," Alex said softly so only Terry could hear him. He paused to see if their was any negative reaction from her. "If I don't don't release energy regularly, I could explode and that would put a lot of people in danger, including you. I am different right now because I just went to go release some energy," Alex explained. Now was the tough part, Terry was going to get up and leave. He knew it but he had to tell her the truth. If there was any chance of Terry being remotely understanding about it then Alex would be a supremely happy and lucky person.

The waitress came back before Terry had a chance to react to his explaination. Once again, it was terrible timing, the waitress was really good at it. She again asked to take their orders. Alex didn't have any time to look over the menu. "Are you ready to order?" Alex asked, still nervous to know her reaction to his confession.

[Siryn]

Her question seemed to have made him nervous and Theresa watched as he seemed to struggle with something in his mind. The more he waited, the bigger the knot in her stomach grew. She was surprised when he picked up her hand and caressed it between his but it didn't dissolve the fear that was beginning to grow.

Once the waitress was shooed away, Alex looked around then said, "I'm a mutant. If I don't don't release energy regularly, I could explode and that would put a lot of people in danger, including you. I am different right now because I just went to go release some energy.”

It wasn't anything like she expected to hear and she looked at him in shock. He had to release energy? That explained his unusually warm body. Before she had a chance to reply, the obnoxious (as Theresa was starting to think of her) waitress came back over, wanting their order again. "Are you ready to order?" Alex asked, obviously still very nervous about her reaction.

Theresa pulled out a twenty dollar bill from her pocket, the only money she had kept from Tom, and put it on the table, hoping it was enough to cover the drink and appetizer. Giving the woman a dirty look, she said, “I don't think either of us are verra hungry anymore,” anger seeping through her accented voice. Picking up her cloak, she reached across the table for Alex's hand and practically pulled him out of the restaurant.

She knew he was going to be confused but she continued to pull him behind her and into the alley that he had been in. Seeing the former dead end wall, she looked back at him and started laughing. Stopping and turning to face him, she looked up in his eyes and said, “Is it that odd to admit to being a mutant here in the states? I know I was shunned from my village when they found out what I could do but that's a tiny town in Ireland and rumors and legends seem ta grow out of control.”

Stopping to catch her breath, she dropped the cloak she had been carrying and stepped closer to him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she continued, “If you can forgive me my extra powers, I can forgive you yours, okay?”

[havok]

Alex was disappointed. Terry pulled out some money and he knew it was over. That was the end to the perfect night. He didn't regret telling her though, it was something that he needed to do. If anything he kept his pride. He didn't lie and try to have a one night stand, he wanted to get to know Terry more extensively. A one night stand didn't interest him, not with Terry. Terry was a different kind of woman that he didn't want to use in that way. She was someone that he could have around with him at any time of the day. Her honesty and overall good nature is good enough to keep Alex hooked on her but add in her complete beauty and Alex was addicted.

What happened next was a complete surprise. After the money was slapped down on the table, the anger in her voice when she talked to the waitress was a side of her that he never seen before. In a way, he was glad, the waitress was annoying. When Terry grabbed his hand pulled him out of the restaurant, he wondered how long it would be until she turned around and hit him.

Once outside, Terry changed completely again. The wall that was once there, she laughed at. Her speech seemed to be much more toned down than when she was talking with the waitress. Her words weren't exactly what Alex expected. Her accpetance of Alex being a mutant came as a shock but he was grateful. She explained, in a way, that she was a mutant as well. There was a possibility that Alex didn't even think of. He was too involved with thinking that he wasn't in no way close to being her type of person that she would like to be around.

With Terry's arms around his neck, Alex stared down into her eyes, completely drowning in her gaze. He didn't say anything, he was just thankful that she was there with him. Leaning down a little bit, he became almost nose to nose with her.

"I don't think you can do anything that I couldn't forgive you for," Alex said to her before leaning in closer. His lips pressed against hers and he pulled Terry as close as he could. With his hands firmly placed on her back, he needed her support to keep his balance. Lost, once again, into her warm embrace, Alex would have done anything for her at that moment and however long she wanted him around.

[Siryn]

"I don't think you can do anything that I couldn't forgive you for," Alex told her as his arms encircled her waist and his lips claimed her again. He pulled her as close to him as possible and the kiss deepened even more. Theresa could have sworn he even pulled her off the ground a time or two with how tight he was holding her. Letting go of her inhibitions, she moved her fingers to his hair, holding him.

She didn't know if it was due to the kiss or his mutant power but Theresa wasn't cold at all. Even without the cloak on, she had a hard time remembering they were outside in the middle of winter. She had no idea how long they had been kissing but she eventually broke it off, practically gasping for air. Theresa stared at him in wonder for a long moment. She didn't even know it was possible to feel like this with someone she had just met and would likely have to say goodbye to. If she even had that much of a chance. Tom did warn her that they may have to leave abruptly.

Pushing thoughts of not seeing him again after tonight out of her mind, Theresa said, "You explained to me about your powers, want to see what I can do?" She was excited to have someone other then Tom to show her abilities off to and know that he wouldn't run away screaming, eliciting a new rumor.

Not waiting for an answer, she wiggled out of his arms and began searching for something that would work in her demonstration. Finding a whole brick that had come away from the side of the building, Theresa looked over at Alex and gave him a grin. Then she said, "Watch this."

Making sure she was standing a bit away from him, she held the brick in the palm of her hand with her arm stretched out. The brick was heavy and it was a challenge to keep it there but Theresa loved a challenge. Opening her mouth, she started with a soft, melodic tune that could have come from the opera. Gradually increasing the volume and intensity of her voice like a trained singer, she reached an incredibly high note when her voice went "silent" and the brick in her hand shattered to dust. Her own ability protected her from getting hurt with the debris and she turned her hand over, dumping the remaining dust on the ground.

Looking back at Alex, she said, "Uncle Tom tells me that my voice is lethal. There are verra few things I can't 'scream' at that won't shatter. Granted, I was showing off a bit there. I don't have ta gradually raise my voice like that, I can simply scream, either at human hearing range or above it."

Bringing her hands together, she rubbed the remaining dust off and then realized that it had gotten much colder since she had walked away from Alex. Walking back over to him, using the cold as an excuse to stand close, she tilted her head to the side and asked with a proud grin, "What do you think?"

[havok]

When Terry ran her hand through Alex's hair, it brought a huge sense of relaxation to him. It was comforting knowing she enjoyed their long embrace as much as he did. As they broke apart, he eased his hold on her not even realising that he was holding her that tightly. It was warmer outside in the cold winter air when Terry was that close to him. He didn't need a jacket as long as her arms were wrapped around him and his body was feeding off of her body warmth. It was a personal delight that he would keep in his memory, always.

"You explained to me about your powers, want to see what I can do?" Terry asked him. Alex was so happy she didn't run from him that he forgot to find out her abilities. Blaming his blood flowing to other places other than his brain, Alex tried to shake the trance he was in during their kiss. Goosebumps formed on his arms as Terry freed herself from his grasp. He was intrigued to see what she was up to. The brick in her hand was a solid, but after she sang to it, her vocals ranginging into higher pitches until she went completely silent. Alex was confused, she still looked like she was singing but he could hear nothing coming out of her mouth. The brick shattered in her hands causing Alex to jump a little.

"Uncle Tom tells me that my voice is lethal. There are verra few things I can't 'scream' at that won't shatter. Granted, I was showing off a bit there. I don't have ta gradually raise my voice like that, I can simply scream, either at human hearing range or above it." Terry explained to him. Alex had never seen anything like it. Of coarse, he's met very few mutants but the fact that her silent voice can damage just about anything was amazing. No wonder her village in Ireland was afraid of her. Her control was impressive and so was the ability. For those who don't see that, Alex would understand how someone would be afraid of her. He saw it though. Terry had learned to use her powers in a way Alex was jealous of. No wonder he had these feelings for her. Normally, he had a very good judge of character and who wouldn't fall for an honest, powerful, controlled, beautiful woman who's touch gave a deep passion and warmth in Alex's chest?

"What do you think?" Terry asked with grin after clearing off what was left of the brick from her hands and rejoining Alex where he stood and watched. At the sight of smile, he couldn't help but form an admiring smile back. She was glowing with pride from her abilities and she deserved to.

"Impressive," Alex replied. He was truly impressed with her abilities and her control. "Remind me to never make you mad," he continued, turning his admiring grin into a more playful grin. Remembering her anger towards the waitress, Terry had a spark. A spark that, Alex hoped, she would never lose. From what he had seen of her, there was nobody more perfect. "Too bad you didn't get to see what I did to that poor wall," Alex said jokingly. He wouldn't mind showing her his abilities but if both of them continued to damage public property, they would get caught if they stayed in the same place. "I'll show you but not here. We should get going before someone catches us destroying the place."

[Siryn]

Theresa laughed and picked up her cloak as he said, "Impressive. Remind me to never make you mad. Too bad you didn't get to see what I did to that poor wall. I'll show you but not here. We should get going before someone catches us destroying the place."

"Yes, I don't need my first trip to the States ta end up with a police report," she laughed. Not putting on the cloak, she selfishly decided to take full advantage of Alex's extra body heat and she wrapped one arm around his waist as they walked out of the alley.

Looking up at him, she said, "Ya reminded me of when I discovered my powers. I was eleven and in tha middle of an argument with Tom about something. In complete frustration, I looked away from him and screamed. That wall in tha Keep was never tha same again," she laughed, remembering the look of shocked fascination on Tom's face. "I was terrified and ran out of tha room. After he found me, he explained what it was I had done and he immediately began showing me what I could do with my voice. How he knew what ta teach me, I'll probably never know but he did know what he was doing."

Realizing she had completely taken over the whole conversation, she blushed a bit and said, "I'm sorry. Tom's not much of a conversationalist and it's been a while since I've had anyone ta really open up to. If I talk too much, just let me know."

Wanting to be as close to him as she could while walking, she wrapped her other arm around the front of his waist and clasped her hands together. Resting her head on his shoulder, she felt a sigh of contentment escape her. Suddenly, she had to know something. Although it wouldn't make much difference if Tom pulled them away from there without warning, she looked up at Alex and asked, "How long are ya staying here for? When ya leave, where will ya go back to?"

[havok]

Alex couldn't help but laugh at her explaination of when she first discovered her abilities. It sounded just like what a terrified teen would do. Scared that they weild such a powerful ability, what else is there to do but be scared. It was funny since he basically did the same. Actually, he was still scared about it. Alex's worst fear was to lose what little control he has. That would be catastrophic to the area and many people.

"I'm sorry. Tom's not much of a conversationalist and it's been a while since I've had anyone ta really open up to. If I talk too much, just let me know," Terry said after her story. Alex didn't even realise he didn't answer her back. He was so involved in her story he wanted to know more.

"I enjoy hearing about your life. It's interesting and and really fascinating," Alex reassured her. He draped his arm around her back held her closely. Terry hugged his waist and leaned onto him. It was comforting and sent tingles of joy throughout him. It was amazing how he was so close to her after such a short time. Normally, Alex was very guarded but Terry managed to break through all of his shields and she did it with such grace that Alex couldn't say no to her. Anything Terry wanted, Alex would be sure to deliver as best he could.

"How long are ya staying here for? When ya leave, where will ya go back to?" Terry asked him with a little bit of concern through her accent. Alex was starting to get used to the accent but it was still beautiful. Every word that came out of her mouth was like a song that he didn't want to get out of his mind. He just wanted to run through his head constantly, so he would never forget it, ever. But her question stung. Alex hadn't thought of the fact that after this small vacation, he might not ever see her again. The thought hurt him.

"I'm not entirely sure really," Alex confessed. "I was looking into going back to college but I'm not entirely sure yet. I'm only going to be here tomorrow then I'm leaving," Alex said with obvious disappointment in his voice. There has to be a way for us to stay together longer, Alex thought trying to come up with a solution to the problem. It was a tough situation and Alex wasn't thinking straight enough to find an answer. His thoughts were jumbled. The denial of having to actually say goodbye was a pain he didn't want to go through but he had to.

Alex stopped their walk by stepping in front of her. He held both of her hands and in his and looked straight into her blue eyes. They were piercing and Alex loved every second of it.

"If your not doing anything tomorrow," Alex started to say. It wasn't too difficult for him to ask but he was afraid to hear the answer. "Would you like to spend the day with me?" he asked then patiently waited for her answer. Alex took the moment to study the eyes that he was so fond of looking into. Everytime he looked into them, he thought of every second that he had known her and suddenly, the tingle returned to body starting with his hands that were holding hers.

[Siryn]

Although she already knew it would have been impossible, Theresa realized that she would never know what happened to him once she left. There would be no way to search for him, to contact him, anything. Not that she would have had the chance anyway.....

Her heart falling when he looked deep into her eyes and asked, "If your not doing anything tomorrow, would you like to spend the day with me?" Theresa knew she couldn't promise him that. She honestly had no idea what tomorrow held for her but she was already promised to Magneto and she couldn't break that promise. Besides, if she had been free, she would have had to tell Tom about Alex and she wasn't ready to share him with anyone else yet.

His hands were so warm, his eyes so gentle as they looked at hers. She didn't want to answer him, she only wanted to kiss him, to touch his face, his hands, his hair. She wanted to feel the heat of his body as he held her close enough to lift her off the ground. She wanted him to.....

Theresa stopped the direction of her thoughts and sighed vocally. He had been honest with her, it was only fair that she was honest with him. Taking a deep breath yet not breaking eye contact, she answered, "I can't. I don't know what Tom has planned and I don't know when I will be back, if I'll be back. I'm sorry." She broke off eye contact then and stared down at her feet.

She was still holding his hands and as she looked from her feet to his hands, she thought about how they had felt touching her throughout their adventure into the city. An idea forming in her innocent mind, she looked back up into his eyes and said a bit hesitantly, "I can't promise tomorrow but will ya stay with me tonight?"

[havok]

Alex patiently waited for the answer. She was thinking about it, which made him sad. If she really wanted to then she would have answered right away. He knew what the answer was right away. It was going to hurt when she finally spoke the words but he would rather hear it than just assume.

"I can't. I don't know what Tom has planned and I don't know when I will be back, if I'll be back. I'm sorry." Terry informed him. Alex was hugely disappointed. He didn't want this to be the only time he ever saw her. Tonight had been the one of the best he has ever had and there was no way he wanted it to end. Her cousin Tom was really starting be a nuisance to him but it wasn't his place, he hasn't even met the guy yet. Terry's eyes dropped from their hold on his own blue eyes. This hurt him even more. She was upset, hopefully not at him. Alex had no idea where to go from there. Their short relationship was only meant for one day and it couldn't last any longer. That was a depressing thought. The only silver lining was when she looked back into his eyes, capturing his full attention and the same sensations swept through his body as did before.

"I can't promise tomorrow but will ya stay with me tonight?" She asked him to his surprise. He didn't want to misunderstand what she intended with that question again. He didn't want to make himself to look like a jerk like he did earlier but by just looking into her eyes, he couldn't stop himself. Alex let go of her hands and placed them along her waist as he drew closer to her.

"I'll spend every second that I can with you," Alex informed her, not sounding to eager but just content and happy in her presense. He stepped in closer to her and brought his head down towards hers but never took his eyes away from her. His lips touched hers gently, then he pressed it harder. This time, he didn't squeeze her. His hands roamed on her waist to just inside her shirt where he could gently caress her soft skin on her stomach with his thumb. He fell into her spell as he deepened the kiss. There was nothing he wanted to do more than pick her up and carry her to his room back at the hotel a block away but he didn't know what she intended with her question. The last time he assumed she meant something else he was completely wrong. He hoped he was right this time. Waking up next to her tomorrow morning would be the best ending to their short relationship.

[Siryn]

"I'll spend every second that I can with you," was Alex's reply.

Theresa smiled. She honestly thought he was going to tell her no and she almost changed her mind, a bit surprised at her own request. However, when he let go of her hands and moved them to her waist, then kissed her, she knew she was doing the right thing. The feel of his demanding mouth and the gentle caress of his fingers on her stomach sent the most amazing sensations through her entire body.

Theresa's hands moved forward, up his chest and around his neck. The movement was just natural and she wanted to hold him. Right then, nothing else that was happening in her life mattered. Tomorrow was completely forgotten about as was her fight with Tom. There was just the two of them and Theresa wanted to love every moment they had together.

Someone walking past them bumped into her and pushed her against Alex. Breaking the kiss, she looked around and saw a group of kids walking away from them, snickering. Looking back at Alex, she said, "Maybe this isn't the best place. Shall we go back ta the hotel?" Theresa didn't want to let him go, still half afraid he would change his mind about her and she held him close as they walked.

[havok]

Every touch from Terry sent a crazy sensation throughout his body that he had enjoyed throughout the night it was a wonderful feeling that never wanted to end. Her hands across his chest while she reached up to his neck was was exhilerating and he wanted to hold her closer and feel her close. That exact thing happened but not in the way he wanted. A group of kids were walking away. Alex started to yell something in their direction but was cut off before he started by Terry.

"Maybe this isn't the best place. Shall we go back ta the hotel?" Terry asked him making him forget all about the kids. Alex's focus returned to Terry and only Terry. There was no way to mistake her question this time, so he hoped. Alex kept both arms around her, keeping herclose to him. He kissed her temple quickly and got close to her ear.

"Okay, let's go," Alex agreed whispering into her ear softly. He wrapped one arm around her and started walking back to the hotel. Which of our room's would be best to not get any interruptions? Alex thought to himself. It didn't matter, he finally decided. As long as Terry was there with him tonight, it didn't matter where they were. All he wanted was to hold her throughout the night.

((Continued in Havok's Hotel Room))

[havok]

Alex held Theresa's hand as he led them around the hotel. There had to be a private area where he can just cut loose, just once, then they can get out of there without any seeing them. What he found was a back alley to the hotel. There was a worker from the restaurant tossing bags of garbage into a dumpster. The alley only contained the dumpster and a few parked cars.

Alex hid behind the building until the employee left to go back inside. It took a little while as the employee smoked a cigarette first before getting back to work. With the alley now empty, Alex walked out into the open. He knew Theresa has never seen his powers at work and he hoped that he didn't scare her with them. It was nice that she showed so much care for his inability to hold in the energy that his body absorbed. She was understanding and Alex appreciated it more than he could ever possibly show her.

Focusing on the dumpster, Alex positioned his legs to hold his balance. The plasma wave that was produced by his hands shot out and struck the dumpster from a distance. If he didn't keep his balance, the force of shooting the plasma wave would have knocked him back but Alex has been used to his abilities. He knew how it worked. For some reason, his containment suit didn't block out all the energy his body absorbed. There was something else that his body was absorbing energy from and Alex needed to know from where. After the dumpster was decimated, he felt bad. Alex didn't like destroying public prperty but if he didn't do it then even more will be destroyed. Better to destroy a dumpster than the whole hotel.

"There, much better," Alex said after turning his attention back to Theresa. A smile now on his face from the much needed release of pressure his body was building up. "Now we can go get some breakfast," Alex said and took her hand in his again. Together they walked back inside and into the restaurant.

((Continued on the First Floor))