Another night of sleeplessness. A few hours had gratefully slid by here and there, but not quite enough to feel refreshed. Certainly not enough to approach the subject Garrett was approaching. It was early but he had checked with Maya the day before to make sure she would be free. They had spent more quality time together, though not as often as they once did. They didn't need to constantly validate what they had with handholding. It was an assured feeling between the two of them. That's how Garrett felt about it.

Why the jitters outside her room? He stood in the hall quietly. Her ability gave a rather large area before the door to be wary of sound. He just tossed the handling of the topic around in his head. He had to leave, to be somewhere more peaceful. Mutant drama was just too much for the guy, especially in his current condition.

No time like the present. He knocked on her door and waited patiently. He went ahead and removed his shoes, as he was accustomed to do around her. It made them more intimate somehow when they were barefoot together. He remained optimistic about her reaction, considering the location of the apartment.

A light rapping at the door woke Ghost from her light sleep. A small groan followed by a good amount of ruffling and half-asleep slow-motion scrambling sounded behind the door. Ghost glanced at the clock. Usually she was awake by now, but she had a lot of end of the semester projects that had been keeping her up late this past week. She was mildly surprised that when Garrett had caught her in the hall yesterday and said that he wanted to stop by early... well, he'd apparently really meant it

Ghost pulled open the door fully with a sleepy smile. There was no one else she was expecting at her door and she was rewarded with a nervous smile from Garrett. "Good Morning." Ghost motioned for Garret to come in. He would know from previous visits that his shoes went over by the dresser near the door. While he was busy with that, Ghost pulled the comforter up and around her pajamas to ward off the chilly air as she sat at the edge of the bed. The right side of her snowy hair was matted to her head and the left side was sticking out to in half curls around her ear.

"What's up?"

"Good morning." She looked like she had just shuffled from bed, but it was always a good morning seeing her. She stepped away and wrapped herself in a comforter on her bed as Garrett closed the door behind him. He took his shoes over to the spot beside the dresser where shoes were kept. Not much had changed with her room, other than the various school projects she had going. She had been very industrious about college and Garrett was more than impressed at her fervor to stay so busy. He hoped his move would stimulate the same kind of positive activity.

He took a seat across from her, looking over at his bleary eyed girlfriend. " Maybe I should have waited a bit longer. I was just anxious to get here and talk with you. I see you are toiling away at school. I don't think I mentioned it, but I am proud of you for sticking with it and still working and training here as well. It's no wonder you are so busy." Fair enough opening. Now he wanted to just jump right into the main course, before his nerves ratlled loose like a house in a tornado.

" I wanted to tell you that I am going to move out of the Mansion. I am still going to continue as a trainee for the team and I still want to be a part of things here, but I really need my own space. Besides, with all of the attacks on the school, it just overwhelms me. I am sure you have seen a marked difference in me since the Haywire incident. I am still having some difficulties reconciling things, though some recent conversations have illuminated things for me a good deal. Whatever my problem is, staying here in my little room just isn't cutting it. However, the place that I have picked out is close to our jobs, so I hope we can still see each other often." There you go, boy, Out with it. It felt good to release it.

He took a seat across from her. Hmm. That fact alone made Ghost blink more awake. He was usually taking any and every opportunity to sit up close and personal. "Maybe I should have waited a bit longer..." Ghost smiled goofily and waved him off. And then he did something surprising... He complemented her dedication to school. Ghost's cheeks became a little bit pinker. She was pleased too and she would like to think that her mom would have been proud that she was getting her education.

"Sorry about being busy." She mumbled, but she knew that Garrett already knew. They'd talked some already about it and when he needed her, she always found a way to fit him in if it was at all possible.

"I wanted to tell you that I am going to move out of the Mansion." Her heart squeezed tight in her chest, stopping for a moment. Luckily, Garrett kept talking. "I am still going to continue as a trainee for the team and I still want to be a part of things here, but I really need my own space." Ghost let out the breath she hadn't realized she had been holding in since Garrett had started in on this topic. She was able to feel a lot more sympathetic and understanding once he'd stated that he wasn't abandoning the X-Men and everything they'd talked about this semester. At least now she understood a bit of his nervousness too.

...the place that I have picked out is close to our jobs, so I hope we can still see each other often." Ghost nodded along, white brows furrowed slightly. "So... nothing is going to change except... location?" She watched his face carefully. "I mean, if you really feel it's for the best and... since you've even been out looking at apartments, I guess you've really thought about this, huh?" She brushed an errant strand of white from near her eyes. She just... felt like she was missing something. "Does this mean we'll see even less of each other?" Ghost pulled the comforter in close and made sure to maintain her perfect posture.

Garrett could see the tension in Maya's face as he began to speak. he didn't have any expectations, good or bad, about how she would take his announcement. He just wanted to be sure she was okay with things and she knew above all that he loved her. He could see her brows bunching. He was the one who worried too much, never her. Once he finshed speaking, he listened to her respond."So... nothing is going to change except... location?" He could already see the road she was taking. He stood and sat beside her, as he would have normally.

" Of course nothing else will change. Not between us, if that is what you mean. I just need to get somewhere where I can relax and wrap my mind around things." He put his arm around her back beneath the conforter, his hand pressed against her side to pull her close and reassure her of his love if she needed it."I mean, if you really feel it's for the best and... since you've even been out looking at apartments, I guess you've really thought about this, huh?" He nodded and smiled at her. " I really have. The place I spied is just a studio, but it is more than enough room for me and is maybe five minutes walk to your job or mine."

he could still see a look of worry or perhaps a lack of understanding. He really couldn't tell. The anciety he thought he had released merely rebounded on him with her look of concern. "Does this mean we'll see even less of each other?" Garrett shook his head and caressed her rigid back. Of course not. I think we will see more of each other thisway, if nothing else. Being so close to our jobs, you could come over and spend the night instead of making the trek all the way back to the Mansion. I originally had the idea of asking you to move in with me, but I can tell you probably want to stay here where you are sure to stick with your studies. The main thing I want to convey is that I love you and I don't expect this to do anything except improve our relationship."

His physical movement to come and sit near her helped his case somewhat. "Of course nothing else will change. Not between us, if that is what you mean. I just need to get somewhere where I can relax and wrap my mind around things." He somehow managed to penetrate the barrier of her comforter cocoon and put his arm around her back. She was scratching her mussed hair, still doubtful.

"... maybe five minutes walk to your job or mine." Ghost wondered if he could afford even a small studio in that area, but he had been thinking about things. She didn't want to insult him. Surely he'd thought about it. Bust she just didn't understand why...

"...you could come over and spend the night instead of making the trek all the way back to the Mansion. I originally had the idea of asking you to move in with me..."[/i] As close as he was and touching her, there was no way for Ghost to hide her reactive flinch. So that was why... "...but I can tell you probably want to stay here where you are sure to stick with your studies. The main thing I want to convey is that I love you and I don't expect this to do anything except improve our relationship."[/i]

Was he thinking more about the fringe benefits of living alone? Ghost searched his face and then shoved that thought aside, not even wanting to bring it up. In fact... she wasn't sure what to say to the man holding her, inches away and yet mentally so far. They'd reached a certain level of comfort in their relationship that was hard to forfeit. Was that what she was worried about?

"You always have the right words, but... I'm just worried about realizing that actuality, Garrett. I... You're right that I'm not ready to leave the Mansion, but... if you go..." She was having a hard time articulating what she actually wanted to say. She tried again, "I like living here, Garrett, I want to help Neena and Tricity and I mean.. I made friends with some of these kids and... I want to see Katrina grow up... and Travis... I know you're not asking me to go with you, but if you go it's asking me to split my time between loves." Or asking her to split her time between love and duty. He'd been the one to convince her that the team needed her, that the mansion needed her, and here he was tempting her away.

Ghost ran her fingers through her hair. Where she'd had all the time in the world when they both arrived at the mansion, the addition of college, a job, self-defense training and X-Men training... Now she wasn't entirely sure how much time would be left over for visiting Garrett. "I know you thought a lot about it and you wouldn't even be here if it weren't important to you."

She shrugged that everything and nothing shrug. What more did she say? He'd been so good about giving her space, letting her take time for school and work and all that. And now he was moving away. She had to respect that decision and allow him the space he'd allowed her. It's just that... more space meant more distance. No matter what flowery words he tagged onto it, that's what it was.

"You always have the right words, but... I'm just worried about realizing that actuality, Garrett. I... You're right that I'm not ready to leave the Mansion, but... if you go...I like living here, Garrett, I want to help Neena and Tricity and I mean.. I made friends with some of these kids and... I want to see Katrina grow up... and Travis... I know you're not asking me to go with you, but if you go it's asking me to split my time between loves." Honesty. It was clear and honest. It surprised Garrett more than anything. Not that Maya would be honest, but that rather than wish him well or relax, she decided to make it seem as if he wanted to take her away from things. H e could also tell that she wasn't ready for touching this morning, not that she ever was. He removed his arm from her and sat quietly, looking at his hands as she spoke.

"I know you thought a lot about it and you wouldn't even be here if it weren't important to you." More nodding from Garrett. " I don't think it will make too much of a difference. Rain and Luke don't live on campus, but seem to participate as well as anyone else. As far as your loves, I think if our relationship is strong, it will survive this small thing. If not, as sad as that would be, I would still care for you and wish the best for you. I have no desire to take you away from things you love. I just can't get along here anymore at the Mansion."

Why did everything have to be so difficult? Did Maya want an easy way out? Was their relationship just something comfortable which gave her a barrier from the other boys? Who knew. Garrett certainly didn't. Perhaps he had really taken the wrong course that fateful day on the street so long ago. Time would tell.

Ghost looked at Garrett when he pulled his arm away from her. It wasn't her intention to drive him away so she nabbed his hand before he could get too far. The last thing she wanted to do was drive him away. She supposed her mutilated explanation of her thoughts was a plea for him not to leave the mansion. Which was entirely unfair for her to ask outright since it seemed so important for him to leave. Ghost smiled nervously at Garrett. Somehow, in trying to say what she didn't want to say she'd apparently said something even worse.

"I don't think it will make too much of a difference. Rain and Luke don't live on campus, but seem to participate as well as anyone else."[/color] Ghost nodded. That was his strongest argument yet, though Raina wasn't around the mansion as much anymore, she was still a participant in important events. Luke too. It was too selfish to want to be here for every moment.

"I think if our relationship is strong, it will survive this small thing. If not, as sad as that would be, I would still care for you and wish the best for you. I have no desire to take you away from things you love. I just can't get along here anymore at the Mansion."

"If that is what you think is best." Her throat was tight. It just felt too much like saying goodbye. "Can I... uhm... maybe have a key?" That was a carte blanche for visiting, right? Technically, she didn't need a key, but in the act of giving her a key it would be an invitation. An open invitation, the best kind.

Garrett felt the tug of Maya's hand, pulling his own back to her. He eased the tension in his body and tried to relax. He knew this might be hard for her, but his desire to leave the Mansion was too strong to ignore. If she wanted to stay here, that was more than fine. She had to choose her path as he did his."If that is what you think is best." He smiled at her. " I am glad you are as okay with it as you are. I would have just gone on about my business, but you mean too much to me. I couldn't just leave like that."

He didn't want her to be upset. She seemed to be doing her usual best to maintain a serene and formal presence, keeping the bulk of her true feelings neat and tidy. This was Maya. The woman he loved."Can I... uhm... maybe have a key?"Garrett made a quick double take at her. he chuckled a bit. The idea was too funny." What do you need a key for? You are always welcome wherever I call home. You would just slip under the door anyway." He ran his fingers through her white locks and kissed her on the cheek. " Of course you can have a key, as soon as I can get you one made. I don't even have the place squared away, but I wanted to talk to you prior about it, so you didn't catch me with boxes."

He slid his arm from her again, taking her hand instead. He rubbed her fingers with his own." There really isn't much to worry over, Maya. After all we have shared, you don't have to worry about us. We are always going to be close. I think you know that. So try not to worry so much. If anyone should worry, it will be me, hoping you aren't getting attacked here at the Mansion, since it seems to be more dangerous than the alleys of the city at night." He chuckled again, hoping to lighten the mood. he felt better having her know about things. Not everything, but enough for now.

"I would have just gone on about my business, but you mean too much to me. I couldn't just leave like that."[/color]

"Yeah, you'd be in trouble!" Ghost poked at Garrett's ribs.

Garrett looked at Ghost a bit incredulously when she asked for a key. It was enough to make her cheeks blossom pink and then pinker when he inspected her face again. "What do you need a key for? You are always welcome wherever I call home. You would just slip under the door anyway."[/color]

"It's not like I have nefarious intentions! Sheesh." She would have folded her arms, but Garrett decided to give her a nice peck on the cheek instead. Even after he agreed to give her a key, Ghost felt the need to stick out her tongue at Garrett for all his teasing.

"... After all we have shared, you don't have to worry about us. We are always going to be close. I think you know that." Ghost smiled. She knew. But it was always good to hear it. "If anyone should worry, it will be me, hoping you aren't getting attacked here at the Mansion, since it seems to be more dangerous than the alleys of the city at night."

"Ha. You know you're a whole lot more hurt-able. Plus, living in the city, there's a real chance you'll get mugged once or twice. Did you know I got mugged? It was kind of fun -- like I'm a real resident of New York now, but it wouldn't be nearly as fun for you... Not that you can't take care of yourself." Ghost closed her mouth to keep herself from babbling more. She'd probably already told him about the mugging when shed shared the dinner she'd bought with Garrett, but it was still pretty exciting in her mind. No one got hurt in the end so it made for a pretty good story.

"Besides... someone has to stick around and defend the Mansion, right?"