If only she hadn't stayed so long in the shower. Then, Alexandra Kettler wouldn't have been moving around her room with a desperate look on her face. Her room wouldn't have been a complete disaster. She contemplated her bed for a moment, a sigh escaping her lips at seeing various items of clothing being thrown in the middle of it. Then, her blue eyes slipped to the amount of shoes scattered across the floor. While she was still wearing a terrycloth towel wrapped around her petite frame, her hair still wet and her face had yet to see make up while the digits of her clock were cruelly changing.

She'd never make it in time.

***

Somehow, she had managed to dig in the pile of clothes and find something acceptable to wear. It had been difficult, indeed, for, unfortunately, Alexandra wasn't that much into fashion. Usually, she was wearing the first thing she was picking up from the closet. Now, she wanted to be a bit more special, hopefully without being ridiculous. But how could jeans and a simple black top ever go wrong, she wondered, as with rushed movements she put her heels on. Oh, she knew that by the end of the night these would turn out to be a pain in the neck, but with a sigh she got up from the chair and made a few steps around. Yeah, she needed to get out of the room before she could change her mind.

Alexandra threw another glance at the watch. Fifteen more minutes until her date with Sam. Was it enough to do her make up and hair? Once again, only time would tell her. Placing herself in front of the mirror, she picked up the bottle of foundation. The molecule manipulator wasn't sure just how long it had taken her, nor did she want to find out. What truly was important was that she was ready to go. Smiling at herself in the mirror, Alexandra picked up a bottle of perfume to add the final touch.

Starting up the engine in the garage of the mansion Sam could feel the vibration under his legs as his face turned into a grin. Placing the helmet on his head Sam zipped up his leather jacket, which covered up his dark blue shirt as he did a quick inventory through his pockets. Wallet, cell phone, keys, x-communicator, ipod, and gum… everything seemed to be there, which meant that all he needed for the date was Alex. Placing his helmet on his head Sam kicked the engine into gear and drove out of the garage onto the main drive and to the front door where Alex should be waiting for him.

The engine revved once then twice as he pulled the bike up to the front and leaned it on the kickstand. Pulling off his helmet and leaving it on the bike Sam unzipped his jacket slightly letting his chest air out slightly. Hoping that she was a fan of his new cologne Sam went to the front door to let her know he was ready. It was two minutes to eight and eighteen minutes till they had to get to the bar and then two hours later till the movie.

Eyeing his bike before he entered the mansion Sam grinned, why the grin? Simple it was cold, at least to cold for people to ride a bike but Sam was a rebel that and he knew that it would cause Alex to get close to him to stay warm, one of the many tricks he picked up in his younger dating days.

Opening the door and walking up to the second floor Sam’s hand twitched nervously as he approached Alex’s door. First dates in his opinion were always an awkward thing, which was why he was taking her to a bar, yes it lacked class but what it lacked in class it made up in atmosphere.

As soon as the small hand on his watch past the twelve marker Sam knocked on Alex’s door once then twice. Right on the nose eight just like he told her, hoping that she was ready Sam did his a small antsy jump to try and calm his nerves before he would take Alex out on their first date, at least their first date when they were more than friends.

<< Knock, knock. >>

A brown haired head turned away from the mirror, eyes looking at the door for a moment. Her legs moved, a soft clicking against the floor signaling her steps toward the door. A pause, then steps back. An almost inaudible sound of glass hitting a wooden surface. Again, steps, this time closing the distance to the door, only a few seconds pause near the bed. A small hand with blood red painted nails reaching for the door knob, then rotating it. Another click and the door opened, the brown haired head popping out from the cracking with a smile on her face.

The rest of the body sneaked out too in the next second, jacket in hand, carefully not letting her visitor to see inside the room. Alexandra smiled sheepishly as she closed the door of her room behind her and leaned for a moment against it, blue eyes scanning Sam appreciatively. An eyebrow was arched while she bit her lips slightly. "Hmmm, I think I'll have to pull out the baseball bat to make sure that you're all mine tonight." she joked as she pushed her body off the door, wrapping her arms around Sam's neck as she gave him a slight peck on the lips.

His smell impregnated itself in her brain, her eyebrow arching more as she made her retreat and made a small step back. "Smelling good too. Did you change your cologne?" Alexandra asked, head tilting curiously to the side, while excitement sparkled into her eyes.

Glad that she didn’t seem to see his little jumping jitters Sam smiled as his eyes trailed up and down Alex as she snuck out of her room. ”Maybe she feels threatened” thought Sam curious all the more to see what was behind that door. Not letting it concern him much Sam returned the kiss his hand finding its way to the small of her back. ”Bat huh?” Sam asked as she pulled away, ”You haven’t been talking to Ghost have you?” Sam asked with a nervous laugh as his hand found it’s way to the spot where she cracked his skull. He didn’t care what anyone said, Ghost could bat like the pros.

”Maybe.” Sam said with a smile when she commented on his new smell. ”I don’t think you’ll have to worry about anyone else trying to get at me, I’m all yours promise! Besides I don’t think anyone ” to stress his promise he leaned in and kissed Alex and then smiled, ”Shall we?” extending his arm he waited for her to take it he smiled and escorted her down the stairs and to the front door where he opened the door and waited for her to exit the mansion before following her out and shutting the door behind them.

As he walked down to the bike waiting for him Sam smiled, ”I know it’s a little chilly but, I figured we could see the sites better this way,” about to zip up his jacket Sam looked to her and smiled, ”If you think your going to be too cold let me know, I have gloves in the compartment and you can use my jacket if you need to…” suddenly having second thoughts about the bike Sam gave another nervous laugh and handed Alex her helmet.

A questioning look appeared in her eyes, both eyebrows arching now with interest. "Ghost?" she asked, a hand traveling to her chin. "I haven't but apparently I need to." Alexandra continued, a small laugh leaving her lips, blue eyes traveling to the place on his head that Sam had touched. She narrowed her eyes in confusion... did Ghost hit Sam or what?

She would have to find out about it later, the molecule manipulator told to herself as her hand moved up to meet Sam's. Lacing her fingers trough his, she let herself to be leaded to the front doors of the mansion... where a bike waited. Alexandra blinked once... twice… Then smiled as she turned around to face Sam. His nervous laugh made her bite her lip with amusement. "Strange, but I wasn't aware you had one." Alexandra said her hand slightly gesturing toward the motorcycle. "Remind me to race you sometime in the future." With a wink, she put on the jacket she had been holding then took her helmet from Sam. "And gloves sounds good. I think I'll figure out something to keep the rest of myself warm." Another wink, this time followed by a grin.

A small laugh escaped his lips for a brief second, ”You’ll probably win, I saw your bike before, mines more of a cruiser…” said Sam trying to avoid mentioning the loss of his powers, he didn’t remember much about the King Pharmaceutical but he remembered bits and pieces of it what he did remember he didn’t really want to talk about.

”Even if we have different bikes, you, you're a speed demon.” said Sam with a grin as he lifted his seat revealing some leather driving gloves, ”Here...” as he handed her the gloves he placed his helmet on his head and then handed her the remaining helmet before he mounted the bike and kick started it. Sam waited for Alex to mount the bike behind him before he put it in gear and revved the engine once and took off on the way to the bar.

Leaning forward on his cruiser Sam sped up turning from the drive to the first main road and took it for a quarter mile before pulling up to his first light. Downshifting and then slowing to a stop Sam placed his leg on the ground to balance the bike as his head turned back slightly so he could see Alex out of the corner of his helmet. ”You look really good tonight!” even with the roar of the engine she should still be able to hear him, after all he did install a wireless radio in the helmet making it possible for them to converse normally.

The light turned green and the bike was in gear and away he went down another street and then another. A total of ten minutes in the cold night air and they were at the bar. Bikes parked out front as cars started to fill the parking spots further down the street. It wasn’t a biker bar despite all the bikers that hung around it was just good place to be.

Pulling into a parking spot Sam eased the bike in and kicked the engine. As he removed his helmet and hopped off his hand extended to help Alex off of his bike. The smell from the bar was intoxicating even from outside on the streets. ”Hope you like burgers and fries, they have the best in the city!” could it have been an exaggeration? Possibly but as far as Sam was concerned they knew how to grill.

As he approached the entrance Sam opened the door to allow Alex to head in first, as she walked in front of him he placed his hand on the small of her backside and followed in after her.

It was a bar so it was a little smoky but not terrible, in the corner a group of bikers camped out by there tables and the pool tables closest to them playing laughing and having a good time. The bar itself sat in front of the kitchen as flames could be seen from the small window that the chefs used to pick up orders. Turning his head slightly and pointing to a booth near an empty section Sam tapped Alex on the shoulder and pointed her to it, ”Look we get a section all to ourselves!”

Alexandra grinned back at hearing this new title. Speed demon. It did sound good and on a second thought it fitted her well. Not many were the times when she was driving, car or motorcycle, to enjoy the sites. “I just might agree with you.” she commented as she took the gloves and helmet from Sam. After placing the helmet on her head, she slid her fingers into the gloves provided and got herself onto the bike. Gloved hands found their way around Sam’s waist, wrapping themselves around it tightly and yet gently. “Let’s go.”

The ride was pretty much silent, but, to her surprise, that was comforting rather than awkward. Her head leaned against Sam’s back as they passed various buildings of the city. Her arms were somehow cold but Alexandra failed to notice. Under the helmet, her eyes closed as she just enjoyed having Sam next to her. Corny, yes, but how could she help herself? Not even when he slowed down to a stop she didn’t open her eyes.

”You look really good tonight!”

Blue eyes opened lazily, her body moved slightly so she wasn’t resting her head on Sam anymore now. Under the helmet, Alexandra smiled. “Thank you Sam.” A hand also moved, untangling itself from the other and was placed on his hip. “So do you.” She let out a laugh, as her eyes turned to the light. “Like I said, I need that bat.”

The color changed to green just as the molecule manipulator was placing her hand back to its original position then, as the motorcycle started to move again, she placed her head on Sam’s back.

She didn’t know how much time had passed from the moment they have left the mansion… it could have been a minute, or ten, or hours, she would have failed to notice anyway. Alexandra realized they were there only when she’d felt Sam’s body shifting as he was getting off the bike. Silently unclasping her fingers, she let them slide back to her, then, when a hand was offered to her she placed them on top of it and got off the bike.

She looked for a moment at the place, it looked just like a place where people went to have fun. Probably a variety of people she noticed as her eyes trailed over the bikes and cars in the parking lot. Some looked cheap, some looked more extravagant, they had nothing in common and that meant one thing. This looked like a cool place to be in.

Taking off her helmet, she smiled at Sam as her eyes traveled to him. “Not the biggest fan ever but from time to time I let myself enjoy burgers and fries.” she replied. Yeah, well, that training program of hers also included healthy eating.

With that being said, she started to walk toward the entrance, her pace slow as she waited for Sam to join her. After passing trough the door Sam kept open for her, she stopped in front of the bar, trying her best to ignore the usual stares people gave you once you had entered some room. She looked around for a moment, enough to prove herself that her opinion was right, there were so many different types of people here, and also enough to see that many had already began to turn their heads away and mind their own business. A light tap on her shoulder made her turn her head to the side and look at Sam with curiosity. At his remark she glanced at the booth and gave him a small nod accompanied by a smile. “It seems so!” Good. That meant that no one would bother. How could that not make her happy?

As he walked over to the booth he smiled, she seemed despite not being the biggest fan of burgers and fries, happy or at least content with how things were going so far, the ride to the bar in his opinion was way more enjoyable than before, it was almost expected seeing as Alex came along for the ride. He could have tried a bit with the conversation but he didn’t feel like forcing anything he was during the ride just glad to have her company.

Looking to the bar to see if the owner was in for the night Sam spotted him and gave him a small nod as they approached their seats for the night. Removing his jacket and placing it on a hook right outside the booth Sam slid into his side and picked up a menu, he knew what he was eating the drinks however, he still wasn’t entirely sure. Seeing as the morning he had with her was full of stomach protests and his splitting headache he didn’t think alcohol was a good choice. Handing Alex a menu Sam smiled, and said, ”Just a heads up, the owner is a little over the top but…”

”Sammy!” Sam was cut off from what he was saying as a big burly looking man approached their table and slammed his large hands onto the table. He was by anyone’s standard a giant, standing at 6’8 and weighing somewhere around three hundred pounds. How did Sam know the weight, simple, a few months back a grease fire broke out in this very restaurant and seeing as Sam was already there, he figured he would help out?

Giving Alex a look when the burly man called him out as Sammy, he grinned slightly and extended his hand to the burly man. ”Hey Mike how is Mary and the kids?” small talk something that was for the most part only a distraction from his evening, he gave Alex a quick apologetic look before Mike could notice that his presence was a disturbance.

”Mary’s fine, she is at home with the two while I bring home the bacon… literally!” hand already free from Sam’s grip the man placed his large hands on his large stomach. Throwing hi head back and laughing loud as his blonde beard swayed back and forth Sam couldn’t help of think of a younger Santa Claus. Looking to Alex and grinning slightly hoping she made the connection as well Sam cleared his throat, ”Mike this is Alexandra, my girlfriend…”

”You don’t say…” Mike ran a hand threw his beard and grinned as his tone changed to a more docile one. ”Pleasure to meet you Alexandra, I’ll extend my hospitality to you as well, you need anything don’t hesitate to ask!” Mike’s large head turned to the bar as someone called out his name. ”Alright, your waitress will be by in a minute or two, anyways enjoy!”

Once Mike was out of earshot he looked to Alex and said, ”Does he remind you of Christmas?” grinning slightly as he set the menu down and to the side, ”Also I hope you won’t start calling me Sammy, Al” winking slightly Sam turned his head as their waitress arrived ”What can I get you guys tonight” looking to Alex and nodding slightly he decided to let her order first.

Jeans clad legs moved, heels clicking against the bar's floor as Alexandra walked toward the booth Sam had pointed out to her earlier. As she did so, she was also taking off her jacket, and, once she reached the booth she just copied Sam’s movements and hung it on the hook. The molecule manipulator slipped on her seat, her eyes glancing around the room for a few moments before her attention was focused on the gloves. With lazy movements, she began to get them off, finger by finger. A menu was placed in front of her, but it needed to wait for a little longer, the molecule manipulator decided.

”Just a heads up, the owner is a little over the top but…”

Alexandra stopped blue eyes traveling to her favorite icemancer, a quizzical look on her face. Lips parted slightly, words reaching the tip of her tongue when –

”Sammy!”

Brown haired head turned to the side slightly, eyes searching for the man that apparently had called Sam. Oh well, Sammy. It was probably the shortest search ever for she could hardly miss the gargantuan figure of the bar’s owner. Sky blue eyes traveled to Sam when she had heard him speaking, just in time to catch the apologetic look on his face, then, back to the man named Mike.

Until her name was called, she stood silent, just listening on their short conversation. Once Mike’s attention was on her, she smiled, waving her ungloved hand at him. “Nice to meet you too. I’ll certainly keep that in mind.” she replied, as a friendly and yet politely smile lingered on her face. Before anything else could be discussed, the owner heard his name being called, and with one last comment about the waitress coming shortly to them, he left.

”Does he remind you of Christmas?”

Alexandra turned her head, letting out a small laugh. “He’d make a perfect Santa.” she replied, as she returned to taking off her other glove, this time, half-paying attention to her actions, the rest of it concerning Sam.

”Also I hope you won’t start calling me Sammy, Al”

She grinned, as she pulled the glove off her hand and placed it on top of the other. A moment later she was picking up the menu, eyes on Sam as she did so. “Would you mind it much?” she asked with honey coated voice, as she opened the menu. It didn’t last more than two or three seconds for her to memorize what it said, after all she had spent the last few years of her life reading on a daily basis. Although already knowing the contents, she didn’t place the menu down just yet, only her eyes traveled back to Sam, a sparkle of amusement in them.

”What can I get you guys tonight”

Folding the menu back, Alexandra turned her head to the waitress, smiling politely. “I’ll have a hamburger, a salad and a water.” Head turned back as her hand placed the menu in the middle of the table. She guessed that if Sam was so familiar with the owner he might already know what he wanted but one can never be too sure. Placing her hands on her thighs, she leaned back on her seat waiting for Sam to order as well.

Glad she decided to go with his suggestion Sam smiled when the waitress turned his attention to him, ”I’ll take your all American burger with a side of your seasoned fries and… a water.” Sam gave Alex a sly grin assuming that she would approve of his choice with water opposed to alcohol. Watching out of the corner of his eye as the waitress left with a smile and a few scribbles in her note pad.

His attention focusing on Alex his hands finding themselves clasped together on the table, ”It might,” Sam said about his nickname, even if he was rarely called it as a kid only a few people addressed him with that and of those people only one or two people had few good memories attached to them, even a smaller number of those people were alive today.

”Like I said, he can be over the top but, he is a good person, extremely open minded which means he is mutant friendly, and by extension most of the people here are mutant friendly, if not Mike is more than willing to toss them out without so much as a second thought,” as he said this he looked over to where Mike was, it was hard to miss his bulkish figure conversing and laughing with the bikers that were now enjoying a story told by the giant himself.

Nodding his head over to the pool table a few feet from them Sam smiled, ”One of the reasons I love coming here, other than the burgers, the customers play here for free, you care to play while we wait on our food? It will probably be a half hour anyways.” getting up from the table and his booth he extended a hand to Alex to help her up.

”I’ll take your all American burger with a side of your seasoned fries and… a water.”

Alexandra replied with a smile, quietly agreeing with Sam’s choice of drinks. She wasn’t mad at him for drinking, nor did she want him never to drink again, but she never wanted to see him so out of control again. Besides, today he was doing the driving… so, no alcohol for him.

”It might,”

“I wouldn’t do anything to harm you, Sam. In any way possible.” She replied, leaning forward as she talked. Once she had finished speaking, she leaned back in the chair, a comforting smile on her lips.

”One of the reasons I love coming here, other than the burgers, the customers play here for free, you care to play while we wait on our food? It will probably be a half hour anyways.”

Alexandra glanced at the pool tables, letting out a nervous laugh. “He he. Pool. Never played that before.” she confessed as she accepted his hand. Getting up, she followed Sam, hoping she wouldn’t embarrass herself… too much.

Grinning slightly as he walked to the table he looked down to make sure all the balls were there before walking over to the mounted wall rack and removed two pool cues, one for himself and one for Alex, ”Guess a date is a good as place as any,” said Sam as he handed her the stick, ”Sides, I don’t think there are that many people who could teach you as well as I, I am a teacher after all.” giving her a quick as he walked to the other side of the table to retrieve the cue ball.

”Now the object of the game is to use this stick to hit this ball,” Sam lifted the cue and the stick then walked over to the end of the table setting the cue ball on the table facing the triangle of balls. Stick in hand he walked to the other side of the table and removed the triangle holding the balls together setting the triangle to the side Sam walked back to where the cue ball was and motioned for Alex to come closer to him. ”Now the object is to use the cue ball the white ball there, to knock the other balls into the pockets around the table.”

Smiling Sam raised the stick and leaned over the table, his fingers from one hand guiding the pool stick while the other hand was gripped firmly at the end of the stick. Pulling back Sam pushed the stick forward into the cue ball. A loud crack sounded as the cue ball flew into the formation of colored balls, each flying in it’s own direction. A stripped ball flew into the pocket as the rest scattered about the table.

Looking up to Alex as he pointed her and then walked over to the location with the cue ball. ”Now seeing as I got a ball in it determines what balls I need to hit in, the solids, which are the full color or stripes which are the one that are well… stripped.” motioning Alex to step where he was Sam stepped aside so she could have the room she needed. ”Your turn, just keep your eye on the ball and tap the ball, technique before speed and power.” smiled Sam after repeating his most basic self-defense lessons.

If Alex, couldn’t manage to pull of a decent hit Sam was more than willing to help her out, and if that meant getting close to her then that was just an added bonus to his teachings.

So. Hit the ball with a stick.

Alexandra nodded slightly to signal Sam that she understood what he was trying to explain. Well, it didn’t seem to be so difficult, the molecule manipulator decided as she glanced at the pool tables around her where people seemed to get the balls in without much of a trouble.

Folding her arms in front of her, stick in hand, Alexandra shifted her eyes to Sam just as he was leaning forward to hit the ball. Head tilted to the side as her eyes trailed up his legs, stopped for a few moments on his behind then moved on to his arms and finally locked on the stick. She bit her lower lip slightly as a smile appeared on her lips.

Sam turned to her and stepped aside, motioning her to take his place. Unfolding her arms, Alexandra stepped forward, transferring the stick in her right hand. “Let’s see what I can do.” Alexandra said as she eyed the balls on the table. Narrowing her eyes slightly, she leaned forward, trying to imitate Sam’s hold on the stick. Eyes traveled from the tip of the stick to the cue ball and to a green colored solid ball. “Tap the ball.” she muttered. The stick moved slightly back and forward before she hit the cue ball. The white colored sphere moved forward under the force of the impact, and hit the targeted ball, but, unfortunately it missed the pocket with about to inches. Grinning, Alexandra turned her head to Sam. “Darn. I think I need more teaching, professor.” she said as she straightened herself. The end of the stick hit the floor with a small thud as she rotated her body to face Sam.

Grinning when she addressed him as professor Sam let out a small laugh, ”You did fine for your first try but, I think I can give you a few pointers.” she really did do a good job for her first time trying, remembering back to when he was a kid the first time he had ever used the pool stick to hit the cue, he ended up tearing the felt and launching the ball across the room into the lap of his professor at the time, needless to say when you mess up that bad… well you just don’t want to repeat the mistake twice.

As he walked over to the location where the pool cue was he motioned for Alex to step towards him a bit. Stepping behind her Sam pushed her forward one step then two. His hands on her hips as he smiled as his face came close to hers, ”Just remember keep your eye on the ball and then exhale before you shoot the stick.” guiding Alex into the position Sam’s hands trailed from her hip over the top of her shoulder and to her hand. His mouth a few inches from Alex’s ear he said calmly, ”Got all the time in the world, all you really need to do is focus on where you want the ball to go and then aim the stick and cue accordingly.”

Eyeing the cue ball and his hand tightening on the stick next to hers Sam spotted his target and then said, ”look there to the ball with six on it all you need to do is tap it on the right side and then it will go right into the pocket…” out of the corner of his eye he spotted the bar and couldn’t help but grin as the big burly figure of Mike was grinning and giving him the thumbs up, ”Atta Boy Sammy!” trying to ignore the comment he focused on the shot and then said, ”Ready when you are.”

Apparently, she was doing well. Or Sam was just being nice with her. Alexandra let herself to be guided around the table by Sam to the location of the cue ball, his hands finding the way to her hips once she stopped. Breathe in.

Alexandra leaned forward again, the same hands traveling to her shoulders. Did he have to – Breathe out. Focus, he said. Right, focus, when he was whispering in her ear, his breath touching her skin like hundreds of microscopic hands. She closed her eyes for a moment, her head turning to the side as she reopened them. Rising one corner of her lip, she trailed her eyes from his chin up to his eyes. “Not sure I can focus anymore.” she said, eyes traveling back and forth between his lips and his eyes a few times before she turned her head back. Focus, yes.

”Atta Boy Sammy!”

Mike’s voice rang trough the whole bar and made the molecule manipulator smile and shake her head slightly. Yeah, she didn’t need to turn around to see that they were giving quite the show. With the corner of her eye she was spotting a few guys from an another pool table grinning at them while they were elbowing each other.

Turning her attention to the game, she licked her lips slightly, as eyes narrowed again. “Ready.” Her hand moved, the stick kicked the cue ball with moderate force. Blue eyes watched with satisfaction how once it hit the ball with the 6 on it, it send it right into the pocket. The smile on the molecule manipulator’s face widened.