Trying to vent

[wild_child]

It had been, and continued to be, trying times for Rose Logan. At least the media circus had largely dissipated, but the underage Logan children were definitely under a fair amount of scrutiny from the DCFS people. Which made it a heck of a lot harder to sneak out for her beer and smokes.

And there was the added... whatever it was that was going on with her life right now. Whatever it meant that she didn't smell like her brothers and sister or Pops. She still hadn't figured out how to talk to Misha or Pops about it. Really needed to. Needed to talk to someone. And not any of the docs either, 'cause they'd just point her to Pops.

Dang it. Why'd life have to go and get all flippin' complicated?

So for now, she'd been working her way through a Danger Room exercise. Simulated Tokyo neighborhood, Hand ninjas. Perfect aggression therapy. So long as she kept just enough self-control not to max out on red hot rage.

The program terminated when the last ninja was down. Rose was healing from a variety of sword slices, sai stabs, and other cuts. Holographic blood faded from her claws. She was breathing hard, but that was slowing.

Deep breaths, in and out. Keep that icy calm cold center.

Comments

[brother_bear]

Dork Number One was getting some quality time in the garage with his car while Hana had the boys. Only his shins and shoes were visible from underneath the car.

[wild_child]

Big surprise there. Rose resisted the urge to kick him in the shins with her cowboy boots. Because that would be wrong when she was trying to have a serious conversation. Even if it would be funny.

"Ya got a minute, Dork?"

[brother_bear]

"Rosie? Sure, what's up? Got boy trouble? Do I need to warn somebody not to piss you off?" His voice was muffled but cheerful from under Darlene.

[wild_child]

That got a brief snicker out of her. "Please. I can do enough of that all on my own.'

She sucked in a breath. "You remember much about when Pops brought me home?"

[brother_bear]

"Wow, that was a long time ago." Misha slid himself out and sat up on the back board. He wiped his face with a shop towel. "You weren't walking yet, I remember that. I had to give you a lot of piggyback rides. Dad said you were my new sister and I needed to protect you."

[wild_child]

"So, you're sayin' there was a time when I actually liked ya?" Rose asked, forcing a little levity into her voice.

[brother_bear]

"Hard to believe, right?" He grinned at her. "What's up with the questions? Did somebody yank your chain?"

[wild_child]

Rose looked down, trying to figure out how best to put her doubts into words.

"Danielle--ya know, the wolf girl--said I don't really smell like you or David or Pops. And we started asking Moonstar--her suggestion--about whether or not that was a thing, on account of bein' a girl and all, and she got all weird about."

She let out a breath. "Thought you might remember somethin'."

[brother_bear]

He was about to tease her again and stopped before the words were out. She was really freaked out by whatever she thought was happening.

"I remember Dad telling me I had a little sister, and that's that. Who cares what Danielle said? You're one of us, and you ain't gettin' out of it. Hell, I'm surprised there aren't more of us."

[wild_child]

Rose managed just a little smile. "I did kinda figure we were due for a new Logan around here by the end of next year."

[brother_bear]

"Could be. We're about due for one." He nudged her with a surprisingly greasy elbow. The grease got /everywhere/ when he was working on the car. "I wouldn't take what Danielle says seriously. You're a Logan and nobody can tell me you aren't. The way Dad took the four of us in when he found out about us just shows us that he's committed to being a good father."

[wild_child]

Well, that was the end of that shirt.

"Pops is the best," she agreed.

She gave him a hug. "And you ain't bad either. But if you try and tell anyone I said that, I'll deny it."

[brother_bear]

Misha hugged her back. "I know, I know." She got a gentle noogie for extra points. "I'll tell everyone how awesome you are instead."

[wild_child]

She squirmed out of his grip. "Ya better. And maybe I'll say somethin' than ain't so bad about you."

[brother_bear]

He let her go. "Don't strain yourself, Rosie. Anything else you want to talk about? Like who's been into Dad's beer locker lately...?"

[wild_child]

She threw up both hands. "Hey, I don't know nothin' about that and you can't prove anything anyway."

[brother_bear]

"I don't need to prove anything, I just know you." Misha tossed his grease rag at her before getting ready to slide back under the car. "By the way, if you haven't realized it yet, Zach and Jeremy think you're the greatest."

[wild_child]

"Well, naturally," Rose said, catching the rag.

She grinned. "Though I'm guessin' you set the bar pretty high with those boys."

[brother_bear]

He grinned back. "Those boys are pretty smart all by themselves. Besides, something happens to me, I'm counting on you to step in and make sure they get their daily dose of Logan sense."

[wild_child]

"And in the meantime, I can be the cool aunt who helps get smokes and booze when they're older," Rose said.

[brother_bear]

"I don't know about the smokes." He paused a moment. "You gonna be okay?"

[wild_child]

Rose nodded and smiled. "Yeah, I will," she said. "...Thanks, Dork."

[brother_bear]

"Anytime, Rosie." He slid back under the car. "You can always talk to Dad, you know. He'll set it straight."

[wild_child]

"Yeah," she agreed. "Might have ta do that."

She headed toward the door. "Have fun playin' mechanic, dork."