It was lunch time, so DocProf had kicked her out of the infirmary to go eat something. Telling her when she had to go eat like she was some little girl who didn't know when she was hungry.

Though, Lee realized as she was walking through the hallways toward the kitchen, maybe she was a little hungry.

Stepping into the kitchen, Lee went about starting to make her sandwich. Sandwiches were quick, sandwiches were easy. Sandwiches didn't take much thought. They were what Lee had been subsisting on for most of her time there at the mansion.

Lee was just about finished making her sandwich when she felt someone over by the door. Fighting the automatic urge, Lee managed to not look up to see who it was. She'd been trying that out, recently; if she didn't look, she wouldn't know whether someone was there or not, so she wouldn't have proof whether she was imagining things or not.

Though, Lee reasoned with herself after she had fought off the initial urge to look up, chances were it was just someone else here to grab some lunch like she was. There really was no reason to be rude, was there? So Lee glanced up to see who it was that had come into the kitchen with her. She only hoped that it wasn't just that mystery energy again.

Gabe was hungry. Actually Gabe was very hungry. He couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten anything. He hadn't eaten since he'd gotten up that day. So he began to wander. Shin had shown him where the kitchen was, but there was a problem. The place was GIGANTIC. So, finally, after ending up in a gymnasium, a bathroom, and outside, he found the kitchen. He really needed to remember where everything in this place was. He'd been here a week already. Gabe immediately decided he needed a map. He wondered if Shin or Sam could get him one. He opened the door, and stopped. It couldn't be who he thought it was, half-heartedly making a sandwhich in the kitchen at the X-mansion. There was no way. She had given him the address, sure, but why would she be here when she had her own place to go to. But sure enough, Lee Brooks was standing there. Just as he stepped inside, she looked up at him. He walked up to her, standing next to her. She looked terrible. Not in a "ew she's gross" way, but like something had happened to a close relative. Gabe looked at her, and gave his half-smile.

"Hey Lee, what's up? Why are you here?"

Gabe then reached for the loaf of bread on the counter.

Eyes now on the door, Lee was a little surprised to see Gabe walk into the room. Gabe, their shop assistant Gabe. What was he....Oh, right. It took a couple moments for Lee's mind to catch up, to remember that she had been the one to give Gabe the address for the mansion when he had been needing a place to crash.

"Gabe?" Lee asked, then a moment later her hand slapped against her forehead. She'd thought to go to the shop and call to cancel appointments, but she hadn't even thought about telling Gabe that day the shop would be closed until further notice. Or to tell him why.

And here Lee thought that she had taken care of everything.

"Damn, sorry," Lee continued, moving her hand then from her forehead to run through her hair before dropping back to her side. "I guess I'm just so used to it just being me and Tarin in the shop I didn't think about letting you know. He's," Lee paused for a moment to swallow. "In a coma."

Gabe had been making his sandwhich, ham and turkey with swiss chesse and mayo. He had just finished and taken a bite when Lee apparently just realized who he was. And then she decided to tell him that Tarin was in a coma. He had the bite half swallowed and choked. He coughed a couple times, and choked it down.

"What? A coma? How? I mean..."

Gabe thought back to the last time he had seen Lee and Tarin together. Tarin had seemed fine then. So energetic and everything. But really? A coma?

"I guess he's in a hospital or something? I mean...."

Gabe stopped, and thought for a second.

"Is Tarin here? At the mansion? In the infirmary? Can DocProf really treat a coma patient?"

Shin had told him that Doc was a really great, well, doc. But isn't a coma something pretty highly advanced?

"If he is here, can I go to the infirmary with you and see him?"

Apparently Gabe was much faster at making sandwiches than she was. Maybe she was just distracted, or simply moving slower recently because her mind was elsewhere.

And then the questions started, and Lee kept her eyes down on the half made sandwich she was working on. "Yeah, he's here," Lee said slowly. "But we don't know why, so the Doc hasn't been able to do much."

Taking a breath, Lee finished up her sandwich and put the lid back on the jar of mayo as Gabe was asking if he'd be able to go with her to see Tarin. That was different, people didn't tend to ask like that. But then again, other than Sam, and that was a totally different situation, and DocProf, no one had really known Tarin too well before this had all started.

"Yeah, that would be nice," Lee said, finally looking up at Gabe again with a slight smile curving her lips. Then she rolled her eyes slightly. "But it'll have to wait a bit, DocProf won't let me back in if he doesn't think I've been gone long enough to have eaten."

Gabe was, in truth, kind of worried Lee was gonna tell him to buzz off. He didn't think Lee was mean, but it was her husband down in the infirmary, and it was kind of a personal matter. But she said it'd be nice and he could come, but that DocProf wanted to make sure she had eaten something before she went back. Gabe finished off his sandwhich, and put everything they'd used for sandwhiches away. He grabbed a couple of apples on the way back, and offered one to Lee. He stood there for a second, then looked up at her again.

"Say, um, Lee. I've got kind of a stupid question. See, I've kind of just been washing and wearing what little clothes I had left after I got robbed, and haven't really been out to buy anymore. So I was wondering if you wanted to tag along the next time Doc kicked you outta the infirmary."

He said it with a tone in his voice showing he wasn't trying to move in while Tarin was out, just sort of a 'hey, I wanna help make this as easy as possible, so come do a normal activity with me' kind of thing.

"Which I should also point out that I have no idea where to buy anything in my style around this city. I am so completely still lost it's not even funny. So whaddya say?"

Gabe wanted her to go shopping with him? That was...Lee didn't know what to think of that. She just looked at him for a few moments, her finally completed sandwich just being held in her hand. Other than to get her wedding dress, Lee couldn't remember the last time she had gone out specifically shopping for clothing. Yes, she had bought the odd thing here and there when she found something nice or cute when she just happened to be out, but she hadn't actually gone shopping in forever; her wardrobe was more than full enough at this point.

But Gabe was more right than he knew about DocProf kicking her out of the infirmary. She may as well do something with that time. At least if she did, the countdown to when she was allowed back in the infirmary might not be as bad. Plus, it had been days since she had actually left the mansion. She hated being that far away from Tarin right now, but she needed to get air sometimes.

"Yeah, I think I might be able to help you," Lee said, taking the apple that Gabe was handing her, then moving with it and her sandwich to go sit on one of the stools in the kitchen to eat. "Can't promise that I'll know stores you'll like, but I can try."

Gabe breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't know where jack was in this city, apart from the little shops around his old apartment, Tarin and Lee's shop, and Central Park. He hadn't done much exploring, and the mansion was getting a little boring. He'd met some of the other people here, but he only really condidered a couple of people in this city his friends. One being the woman sitting here in the kitchen, the other being the man laying in the infirmary somewhere beneath his feet. Which meant he either A.)Needed to get out more, or B) just wasn't a very personable person. He was pretty much counting on it being the latter.

"Well, I prefer comfortable jeans, t-shirts, and sweatshirts, to tell you the truth. I just don't know where to buy something around here that won't cost me seventy-five bucks for any of the above. I haven't even seen a Wally World since I've been here."

Gabe mustered a pathetically weak laugh, and sat next to Lee.

"Tarin is gonna be okay, Lee. I'm not pulling that pre-cog crap on you either. Tarin seems like a fighter to me, and I'm sure with you standing strong beside him, well, how could he not be okay?"

He warily put his hand on the shoulder closest to him, and gave her what he thought would be a comforting smile.

-I just hope she doesn't think I'm hitting on her.- Gabe thought to himself, privately.

By substituting long, punkish style shorts that nicely displayed the tattoos on his legs, the clothing choices sounded remarkably like Tarin's That would help, at least. Not that Lee had exactly gone clothes shopping with Tarin recently, either, but they had done a decent sized trip not long after they had started dating. His wardrobe hadn't been nearly as large as Tarin had thought, so it had been a necessity to avoid her seeing repeats in clothing too frequently.

He hadn't seen a Wally World since he had gotten to New York, whatever that was. "Don't worry," Lee told Gabe regarding his worry about those expensive $75 shirts. "There are places, you just have to look for them, and not rule out any of the little shops until you've gone in and see what they have."

But then the conversation turned back to Tarin, turned to assurances that he would be alright, and Lee dropped her eyes to her sandwich, focusing as she started to eat. It was helpful, and yet difficult, anytime people told her that Tarin was going to be ok; helpful because at times she almost needed their hope to help keep hers alive, hard because how could they know Tarin was going to be ok when no one really knew what was wrong with him?

This time was different, though. Not by much, but different enough. Gave thought that it'd be because of her that Tarin would end up being alright.

Finishing her most recent bite of her sandwich, Lee swallowed and looked up at Gabe. "Thanks Gabe. Really," she said as she felt his hand gently touching her shoulder. Even through her light sweatshirt, the jump in energy seemed drastic to Lee, and that thought caused her to frown. With Tarin, Lee had started getting used to these kind of casual contacts; the energy had still been the same, but she had gotten used to it so she had stopped noticing it as much. Apparently, that familiarity was now gone.

"And I really hope you're right about that," Lee continued as she turned back to finish her sandwich.

Gabe nodded when she said something about not ruling out small shops until he had seen what was inside. He had found some pretty cool old band t-shirts in this shop back home that looked like it was run by people who thought the '60's and '70's were still alive and strong. He removed his hand, and his shoulders sagged a little. He was a little tired, actually. He reached into the fridge, and grabbed a soda. He opened it, catching a little of the carbonation in the face. He took a drink, and smiled at Lee.

"So, when is DocProf gonna let you in to see Tarin? I could try to see if he'll get better anytime soon, if you want."

Gabe shrugged, not really knowing how she'd feel about that.

((OOC: If you do want me to see something, just let me know. If not, we'll just roll with it.))

Gabe seemed to understand what she was saying about the shops. Or at least he didn't argue against her on it.

And then Gabe asked how much longer until DocProf would let her back in. Lee glanced over her shoulder toward the clock that was on the stove. Not that that would really help, since she didn't know what time it was when she had left the infirmary.

"Ah, a couple more minutes I guess?" Lee said with a slight shrug. "He just kicked me out for lunch."

It was only then that his offer clicked in, and Lee blinked at Gabe. "You could do that? I mean, you could really try and see that?" Yes, Sam and Shin had also been saying that things would be alright, and yes Slate seemed very bound and determined to be able to heal Tarin, but if Gabe was actually able to see that he'd be better soon, when he'd be waking up...

Gabe nodded. He hadn't ever done anything like that before, but he'd try anything for a friend. That whole fierce loyalty for his friends thing.

"I'm not gonna guarantee anything, Lee. The only reason I'm suggesting it is because it works better with people I'm either close to or getting closer to. Basically what I'm saying is I consider you two my best friends right now. I know it isn't saying much because I haven't known you guys that long, and I haven't met a whole lot of people, but that's why I'm offering."

Gabe flushed a little, and looked at the floor.

"I hope it works, I do. But I can't guarantee anything. What's more is I'm worried what I see might not be what you want me to see. Or what you want to happen. But I'm reminding you right now, so that you know whatever I see could be wrong. What I see is the future in it's current state. Things could change for the better, or for worse. So don't lose hope if I see something bad. But in the same state, don't get overly excited if I see him up and walking in a couple of days. The future isn't set in stone."

Gabe turned to walk out of the kitchen. He stopped and looked behind him.

"Are you coming, or what?"

He'd try, but wasn't going to guarantee anything? What was it with people saying that to her lately, first Slate now Gabe?

Lee couldn't hide the surprise when Gabe commented that he was willing to try this, that it might work, because she and Tarin were probably his best friends at that point in time. They barely knew each other. Sure, they had gotten along alright at work, but that was about it, and as Gabe said, they hadn't known each other for very long.

Then again, Lee thought, her mind briefly going back to a time when she had been in Gabe's shoes. Back when she'd been living in Toronto and Windsor, where she'd barely known anyone never mind had friends, had often been with very little money and no where to go. If she'd had someone like her and Tarin to help her out...

"Because I ever wanted to see any of this?" Lee asked softly, then swallowed the lump forming in her throat as her eyes dropped. "I've already had nightmares about what might happen. I doubt you'll see something I haven't already seen."

Was she coming? Lee blinked in surprise as she looked up to see Gabe suddenly by the door. How had he gotten over there, without her noticing? "Yeah, I'm coming," Lee said, grabbing the apple Gabe had given her to munch on while she walked.

It didn't take long as Lee lead Gabe down to the infirmary. It never really did. The mansion may be big, but it wasn't that big, wasn't as if it was the size of a hospital or something that would actually take a real chunk of time to go from the cafeteria back to Tarin's room.

It may still be a hospital room, but at least the area around Tarin's bed was looking more comfortable, what with the wedding pictures of them she had set up on the tables, a couple books she had here and there, as well as the fact that Tarin was actually wearing pyjamas rather than that horrible hospital garb.

"So, what do you need to do?" Lee asked after a couple moments, looking up at Gabe.

Gabe walked into the room, and almost had to turn back around and walk out. Sure, Lee had spruced it up with pictures, and Tarin was in pajamas, but it didn't change the fact that one of the two people who had kept him from becoming homeless was lying in a coma in a hosptial bed.

>>"So, what do you need to do?"<<

Lee was asking him that now. Of all times. Gabe shrugged, and turned to her, then DocProf.

"Basically what I'm gonna do is put my hand on his chest, and concentrate. No loud noises or anything like that. In fact, if the creepy Doc would leave me and you in here with Tarin alone for 5-10 minutes, that'd be great. He's making me nervous."

Now Gabe wasn't being paranoid about a man in a lab coat who knew his way with the tools assigned to him. No, Gabe was being paranoid because the dude was a doctor who was staring at him in a hospital room. Gabe was not a big fan of hosptials, especially ones that just happened to have a friend or two in them. He eyed the Doc, than walked over to the side of Tarin's bed. He looked at his friend, who almost looked peaceful, if he would have been sleeping with normal brain activity as opposed to being in a coma. He had intended to put his hand on Tarin's chest, but he opted for his forehead. For some reason, Gabe had the feeling that bare contact would be better than trying through clothing. Gabe closed his eyes, and concentrated on Tarin with everything he had.

"Well, here goes."

And apparently that was the wrong thing to say. Gabe did not look overly happy, or eager, after she asked her question. Though, by what he said to DocProf a moment later, Lee guessed it had more to do with where they were, and how he felt about that, than what she had said.

Lee, well Lee had more or less gotten used to doctors and hospitals while she was growing up. She didn't exactly like them, but as long as nothing major was being done to her, she could be at least somewhat relaxed. Yes, it was harder at that time, with the situation she and Tarin were in, with Tarin's condition, but she wasn't exactly antsy or uncomfortable simply because she was in the infirmary.

So Lee walked over to DocProf as she watched Gabe walking to Tarin's side. After a few hushed words, DocProf was on his way to his office; well, Lee didn't really like the doctor hovering much when he wasn't able to do anything either, so the man had already gotten used to her trying to shoo him away.

And then Lee simply stood there, watching as Gabe placed his hand on Tarin's forehead. And Lee was hoping that the younger man would see something, discover something that would help, if help nothing else than her hope. Tarin had already been there so long, DocProf had been no help other than hooking her husband up to machines to keep him alive, Slate had had no ideas yet...

The problem was, Lee had no idea how long this would take Gabe, and now that she was waiting for him to say something, waiting to see if it had worked, even three seconds felt like a long time.