Kendra already knew that she was a vegetarian, but she couldn't help but joke a little. "Awe come now honey, you know i'm from Georgia right? Southern cookin? You never tasted somethang so good til you tasted Lousianna frogt legs."  Kendra laughed a little and felt bad. She knew that she was probably making Xavia queasy.

Kendra pulled her along down the hall and down the front steps. It was nice to get out of the mansion for a bit and just explore the city. She hadn't in awhile and she felt a bit couped up. Kendra wasn't exactly sure where good vegetarian dining could be found, not in New York least of all places. She hailed a cab for them and climbed into the backseat. "You know any good resturantes Mr.?" She asked slipping him some money as she reached through the window. 

It wasn't long before they had arrived at their destination.  Kendra wasn't sure exactly what she was in for but she would try anything once.  If there was one thing that the southern belle was it was adventurous.  Kendra wasn't afraid to try new things and she would do just about anything for Xavia.  The two had become very close over a very short period of time.  They bonded over a few very traumatic experiences but that didn't make their friendship any less real, any less meaningful.  Kendra saw inside her friend a kind soul and she gravitated towards it. The way a flower grows towards the sun. 

She knew that Kendra was joking, but the comment about the frogs made her face turn a little gray. "I am lucky that I am a vegetarian, so I have a legit reason to say 'no' if I am ever asked if I want some damn frog legs. Be lucky I didn't make you come into class today. You probably wouldn't have made t'at joke." She grinned, nevertheless as she pointed that out.

She leaned into the cushion of the car as they made their way to food. By the time they made it to the restaurant, she had recovered from the frog joke as well as the nausea from the frogs themselves. Hopefully another joke about those would be kept silent, it would be a long time before she could even look at a dead frog. Thank god that she wouldn't have to for another semester.

After they were in the restaurant, she realized she was extremely hungry, and her belly gave a loud, opinionated growl as if to say, "Feed me." Soon, belly, soon. She was sure it was the baby causing this bi-polar mood of her stomach. Her mouth watered at all of the smells surrounding them.

The city wasn't so bad during the day. Kendra looked around and saw people moving from here or there as the cab made it's way to the restaurant. Everything was normal. Everything was... Calm. She didn't have the panic attack that she had a few nights ago when she ventured out on her own. It might've also been Xavai's calming presense, but Kendra felt ok being in the city.

A few nights ago she tried to come out at two in the morning and she nearly collapsed in the street from a panic attack. The sound of her attacker's gunshot still rang slightly in her ears as Kendra shook off the faded memory. She tucked her haunted past in her back pocket where it belonged and tried to smile at Xavia as her mind wandered to things that kept her up most nights. "Should be great!" She said trying to sound as cheerful as possible.

When they made it inside the restaurant Kendra quietly sat down.  Kendra didn't get out much. It took someone else dragging her away from the mansion to get her out at all lately. It used to be when she dream walked she loved to travel. She would spend her nights walking around and exploring EVERYTHING. But New York was different. New York was staggeringly frightening.  Especially since she had been shot.

Xavia said that she wanted to be there for her. To help her wade through the minefield of fragmented pain. She would take Xavia's hand and feel much better knowing that she was there beside her. Just knowing that she wasn't facing it alone was enough. She had told her that she was ok, but in her heart she knew that wasn't the truth. Part of her still struggled with it. She couldn't even go out into the city at night while invisible! Kendra was afraid. It was going to take time, and understanding.  Those were two things Kendra was not very good at. 

Kendra was a chameleon.  She hid in plain sight.  She took her pain and her anguish and she locked it away behind dazzling big brown eyes.  She kept it cloaked by a beautiful smile and long lashes.  Kendra was a tight rope walker.  She balanced between the chaos and the norm and she was doing her best not to slip.  The two shared idle chit chat about how they've been, what they have been up to.  That was fine, but it wasn't meaningful.  It wasn't deep.  Kendra bit her lip a little.  She was about to say something.  She was about to open up to her friend and pour her heart out, but before she could.... She heard Xavia's stomach growl. 

Kendra looked down at the growling stomach.  She tried not to laugh a little.  Not even born yet and the kid was calling the shots.  He .... Or she was going to be a little hellion.  A major handful.  That actually did make Kendra smile, she knew that Xavia was going to be great at it.  She could handle so much, no way she was going to falter. Kendra reached across the table and pulled Xavia's hand into her own.  "Maybe we should order." She said softly.  After the food arrives.. She thought.  Then i'll tell her how I've been struggling.

To be honest, about two weeks ago, it would have done the same thing to Xavia... She had been trapped in the same panic bubble. Every time she was too close to a man, she had felt waves of panic sweeping at her... Well, with the exception of Derek, seeing as he was so fabulously gay that she was immediately comfortable around him. Yes, indeed. Hell, maybe he should be here too... But she had plans to take Uncle Derek to the ultrasound to find out how far along her peanut(s) was(were). Xavia knew the feeling so well that it didn't take her long to figure out Kendra's discomfort, just by the subtle shifts in her body language. Xavia squeezed her hand and gave her a look that told her she knew.

When the waitress came by to order, she said, "I will have diet lemon lime soda, whatever you have, wit' a cherry... And t'en... I will try your eggplant parm, and hummus wit' pita." There was meat on the menu, so Kendra did not have to feel obligated for vegetarian delights. "Oh, and can I please have some pickles to snack on while we wait?" She would pay for the tip if it meant having a bunch of spears. God, she drooled at the thought.

After Kendra had a chance to get her order in, Xavia watched her friend to make sure she really was okay, her eyes searching. "I know t'ings are sh*t right now, I get it. You don't even have to say it... But I am right here."

When Kendra reached for Xavia's hand she didn't expect to get a squeeze back. She cautiously moved her eyes to meet her gaze. Kendra saw into the bright orbs of her friend and knew that she knew. Of course she knew. She had gone through something similar. Her reaction when they hunted that guy down was beyond revenge it was something out of control. Kendra thought back to that night and sighed. The mind was a fragile thing.

She closed the menu with the other hand and handed it back to the waitress.  "I'll have'a burger and some onion rings." Kendra said avoiding eye contract with the girl. She wasn't going to partake in the vegetarian side of the menu. She was a meat eater. She felt a slight blush to her cheeks at the thought of Xavia knowing her secret. She squeezed her hand back and offered up the weakest of smiles. She felt tired. Not really sleepy just exhausted from the charade that she was just fine.

"The city kind of scares me a bit." She finally admitted. She looked around the resturante and saw that everyone for the most part had completely ignored the duo. Why shouldn't they? They were living their lives like everyone else. Had it been night time when they came out, Kendra might think that everyone was watching her. She might think they were waiting for her to be alone for a moment so they could attack. Kendra's mind was a confused mess of scary thoughts and misguided fear. It wasn't as scary with Xaiva here.

"I'm in the shallow end'o the pool. To afraid to take off ma'floaties." She said laughing a little. She knew she was taking baby steps in her recovery. She put on a smile for most people and pretended that she was ok. It was the quiet lucid moments of silence that freaked her out. It was the moments when she found herself staring down the cruelty of what people were capable of in her vivid imagination that she panicked. Kendra didn't let go of Xavia's hand. Not even when the waitress came back with the drinks.

If the waitress cared enough to notice, she might even thing they were a couple the way Kendra seemed to cling to her now. That was ok.  Kendra didn't care at all. She smiled a real smile this time. Leaning over she kissed Xavia lightly on her pale cheek. "Thanks for always bein ma'hero. You always seem to step in when I need'ya." She wasn't lying. Kendra found that Xavia was her life raft. Here she was feeling like she was floating in the atlantic rolling over a tidal wave; with nothing to cling to for safety but Xavia's slender hand.

After the waitress was gone, at least for a time, Kendra confessed what was going on and Xavia. It was her turn to try not to roll over and cry. She truly felt for her, she understood completely and utterly just how hard it was. "I know... And it is ok, Kendra, it really is. You will be okay because I am here and you have your friends, I know you probably met the fabulousness that is Derek and he will look over you too. And your girlfriend." She tried to reassure her friend.

Hell, if she was into girls, Kendra would probably be first on the list of girlfriend/sig other material. Okay, so maybe she had thought about swinging the other direction romantically speaking, given what had happened. But the thought of kissing a chick just didn't stir. But then, she had never been kissed by a chick and had nothing to base that off of. My goodness, but her cheeks went a little red at that. She felt Kendra kiss her cheek and didn't care what other people thought either, it wasn't like they knew what was really going on.

Xavia let her grip her hand because she knew it made her feel better. "Maybe you should come stay at my house for a few days and meet my mot'er. She will make you feel better too. She cooks really great food and hugs and stuff... And Delilah kisses would make you feel better too." Kendra hadn't met the little one yet either. Delilah would love the stink out of Kendra, she knew that already.

"I understand t'at it is hard because I felt t'e same way... But I can't live like t'at, you know? I also can't tell you when to move on because t'at is your choice when to move on. You deserve so much better for yourself but you have to decide when enough is enough."

The words did help.  The subtle encouragement from a close friend helped pushed back the bad feelings.  Truth was she always felt a little safer with Xavia around.  She had always been her savior.  From the very first time she met and saved her in that alley to the time to now she had looked up to the girl as an example of strength, power, grace, poise.  So many things that described her and it didn't even scratch the surface of how greatful she was to call her friend.  

Kendra thought nothing of the kiss. It was a peck on the cheek and innocent really.  She did notice the way she flustered at it though.  That was cute.  Kendra didn't suppose she was really into women, not that she had a problem with her liking me.  She was happy.  That was what was important.  Kendra's mind fluttered back to the thought of Artair's lips meeting Xavias and her cheeks too flushed.  She just couldn't get over that.  Both of her saviors, the two people who she found comfort and safe feelins in, were dating?  It was just bizarre but she found it kind of cool honestly.

Kendra reached up and tucked a few strands of red hair behind her ear.  The waitress came back with their food and Kendra realized that she wasn't as hungry as she thought she was.  She picked at her onion rings and avoided the heavy burger.  She just wanted to get out of her head for  moment ot two.  She didn't know why she was battling so hard to stay in the here and now, but she kept slipping away into quiet daydreams sitting at the table.

Her mind began to wander to that night they first met.  She sat at the piano and played a hauntingly beautiful, yet sad song.  Kendra couldn't even remember the song she had played.  It had been so long ago.  She only remembered the eerie feeling it evoked.  That's what she felt now when she thought about being alone in the city.  She couldn't very well keep Xavia by her side 24/7.  She wasn't a night light or a security blanket.  She was her friend and she had her own issues to deal with.  Kendra wanted to lean on her for support, but she didn't want to crush her under the weight of her problems.  Kendra smiled at the invitation.  "I'd like that.  Stay a few nights."  

Quietly she wondered what she just agreed to.  She didn't really feel safe outside the mansion, but maybe this is what she needed.  Maybe this was the push she needed to start taking back her life.  She had to fight the control the violence had on her fraigle mind.  She had to fight it by showing that she wouldn't stand for being afraid of the city.  She would pack a bag when she got home.  She was going to pack enough for at least three nights, and she was going to be with Xavia so she knew that she would be ok.  Kendra pulled her hand back slowly across the table.  She picked up another onion ring.  Her appetite was slowly coming back.  Yeah, this could be good she thought.  

"So what's your ma think'about the baby thang?" She asked curiously.  Kendra had always been a very nosey person.  It just wan't in  her nature to not ask questions.  She steered the conversation away from less frightening topics.  She knew that getting out would be good for her, but baby steps were going to win the day here not giant leaps.  She didn't want the spotlight on her for to long, she would much rathe talk about the baby and what Xavia was doing to prepare for it.  "You got any names picked out?"  She asked cuiously.  Kendra loved children.  The thought of meeting Delilah was honestly pretty exciting, the thought of meeting the little one growing inside Xavia was even more exciting.  She wanted to know everything about everything.  At least everything she was willing to share.

"It might be just t'e t'ing... You don't have to worry about anyt'ing. Don't be surprised if Derek shows up unannounced... I might have given him a key." She chuckled and gave a bit of a hug and a pat to her friend. Then she caught a wiff of the food she ordered and she... frowned. The pickles were ok, so was the egg plant... But the hummus had her feeling a little green around the gills. Pressing her lips together, she started to munch on the pickles. Nope... Nopppe... The whole pickle thing became a myth to her. So she pushed that away and just nommed on eggplant, which was pretty good.

She sighed around a bite and then leaned back against her seat, wondering why in the hell she wanted the other two things if her kid(s) weren't having it. Color her irritated at her bipolar stomach. "I will pay for t'e t'ings I ended up not eating, don't even t'ink about it." And she meant it.

And then she went to answer her about the kid thing. "I don't know. I am still kind of overwhelmed by two pregnancy tests being positive and me having to go to an actual doctor to make sure baby is fine. To be honest, I do not know how far along I am yet... I may have... Slept wit' someone a few weeks after what happened..." She winced and then quickly explained, "I wasn't in my right mind at t'e time and I just wanted to feel nice again, I don't even know t'e man. Ugh, I am horrible. But Karrl instigated it. I just.. went wit' it." She sounded like she hated herself a little for that bit, but she didn't know where he was. "I was lonely and... I hadn't slept since t'at... happened..."

Kendra watched as she just couldn't seem to make up her mind.  Kendra leaned her head on her hand, her arm propped up on the table as she watched in fascination. Everything that touched her lips seemed to be violently rejected almost at once.  Being pregnant must suuuuck. Kendra loved to eat. When she dream walked she actually ate a lot out of boredom. She didn't really gain any weight from it. She wasn't sure why, but the way she ate she should be around 300lbs!!!!

Kendra smiled a bit at the will she or won't she nature of Xavia's lunch. "You want one of my onion rings hun?" She offered. Southern hospitality at work. She couldn't help but giggle a bit at the delima. She watched and felt bad, but at the same time it was light hearted and kinda endearing. It took Kendra's mind off her own problems at least.

Kendra picked up her burger and took a big bite of it. she had mayo and ketchup splattered on the corners of her mouth as she had taken a rather big bite.  Her appetite was coming back. Xavia's appetite was out the door. Kendra ate as she listened to her friend say that she would pay for the food. Kendra didn't argue, she just took another bite of her burger.

When she talked about the doctor, and the house visit, and the health of the baby. Kendra got quiet. She listned mostly. Dipping her onion ring in some ketchup that has splattered to the plate falling out of the burger. Kendra was a bit of a messy eater. At least she was where burgers were concerned. Kendra listened and ate. She felt much better, she didn't want to dive to deep into her problems over lunch. She figured she'd have to go back and pack a bag for a few nights after lunch and from there they could head to Xavia's.

Xavia had offered her a place to stay before, but Kendra turned it down. She was still new to the city then and she didn't want to spend a night away from the mansion. It was her comfort zone and she had to ease out of her comfort zone before she could be comfortable. Now she was in the same situation. The mansion was the one place she felt safe, and she was easing out of her comfort zone. She was honestly excited to stay with Xavia though.  Xavia was amazing! "Well.... Kendra's not a bad name." She said jokingly. She didn't want Xavia worried about the babies health. She steered the conversation away from anything upsetting.  She just wanted to enjoy lunch with her friend at this point.

"You know... I might." She took up one of the deep fried rings of goodness, never having had one, and gave it a try. She flagged down the waitress, told her to box two of the three things, then bring her a huge order of the onion rings instead. She was going to give the food she didn't eat to the homeless, rather than throw it out. "And some french fries please..." The waitress nodded and was about to go away when Xavia said, "Oh, and can I get some vegan cheese on those and some vegan mayo on the side and green onions?" She was probably driving the waitress nuts, but the girl had the good grace to laugh and say, "Sure thing."

She helped herself to another onion ring because they were so freakin delicious, and it made her tummy happy. She, herself, was a dainty eater, but there were crumbs at the corners of her lips that she kept licking at every time they would appear. She dug back into the eggplant and finished that off in several bites. "T'is was good idea," she murmured around her last bite. The other food came out in short order, and she gingerly picked up a freshly fried onion ring and nibbled.

"Kendra IS a lovely name," she agreed around the huge bite she took, which was a first for her. "I t'ought about naming a boy after my late papa's nickname, Gus. But I t'ink maybe it is better to call him Andrew after t'e boy who got killed because of me. I can still call him Gus." She was totally at peace with bringing up her dead, high school sweetheart. It wasn't sad anymore.

Kendra watched as the waitress came back and placed a few to go boxes on the table. She had brought extra boxes in case Kendra wanted a few. Kendra had long finished her hamburger and she slid the rest of her onion rings into Xavai's box with an honest smile. She looked at Xavia with an uneasy pull of her lips spreading across her pale face. "Thank we can get going? I'd like to pack a few thangs If'n Ima stay wit'chu."

Kendra was eager to get packed. She was also getting a little nervous being out for so long. Kendra was a dream walking teleporter. When she was asleep she could go anywhere her little heart desired.  The only place she desired was some place safe with big walls.

Kendra got quiet when she brought up Andrew the kid who got killed. She didn't know how to respond to it. She didn't know him, she didn't even know how long it had been. When Xavia mentioned it Kendra's hand did slide across the table. Kendra placed her hand on Xavia's wrist to let her know she was here for her if she did want to talk about it, when it wasn't brought up again she let it go. Kendra realized that Xavia was a deep ocean of complication. She was complicated too. Maybe that's why this got along so well. She helped Xavia finish boxing the foot and thought about the after a meal rituatl. A nice soothing cigarette. It would honestly be welcomed right now. She held off though. She didn't want to smoke around Xavia in her condition.

"Sure..." Things were packed up... She gave the hummus and the pickles and the pita bread to someone who looked like they could eat a good meal. They took the taxi all the way back to the mansion, Xavia gave the cabby some money and went to get her van, which was cheaper than taking a cab again, though she probably needed to put gas in. But whatever.

The drive back into town kind of took a toll on Xavia, she was so friggen tired by the time they got to her house that she was kind of swaying on her feet. She led the way into her house, and the dark haired whirlwind that was her daughter came a runnin. Of course, the tired momma scooped the tiny thing up and immediately sniffed at her hair because she was sure her mom had given the kid a bath, and she always loved that fresh smell of baby shampoo. She hoisted Lilah up onto her hip, and the shy girl with those eyes that gave her condition away, peered toward Kendra with her finger in her mouth as she always did, then she hid her face against her mom and giggled.

"She is kind of shy, but she will be your best friend for an animal cookie." She nodded and her own mother came out, and there was much fussing over Kendra, and speaking rapidly in her native tongue. She introduced folks to each other, passed the kid to her mother, and then stopped and drooled as she noticed that her favorite thing ever was being cooked. "Mama, is that Balushka? Mmmmm." Mama, who told Kendra to call her that, grinned and nodded.

There was a feast... Balushka(Cabbage, onions, and noodles), Goulash (Beef, tomatoes, green pepper, paprika, dumplings, and seasonings), Hungarian Cucumber Salad (Cucumbers, dill, onions, vinegar), and Hunza bread. All stuff that could be grazed upon, for the most part. The house was filled with delicious smells.

Xavia knew dinner would be awesome, but wasn't worried about food for that moment. She wanted to get Kendra to the first room... It was pretty cozy, the room she led her up to... Tastefully decorated, mostly in neutrals to allow for the boarder to decorate whenever one came. "Bat'room is right down t'e hall, t'ere is a clawfoot tub. Help yourself. You relax for a while, okay?"

Kendra set her bag on the bed and looked around the room. It was quaint, cozy. It was a room that reminded her a lot of her own room back in the mansion. Just the bare essentials nothing fancy. Kendra's eyes landed on the alarm clock on the desk. That was important. She had packed her own alarm clock, but she was glad this room had one. When falling asleep meant you instantly dream walked around the world, you got pretty reliant on alarm clocks to keep you from dream walking longer than you had to.

It was Kendra's dream state where she got into most of her trouble. During her waking hours she wasn't much of a trouble maker, but with invisibility, boredom and nothing but free time.... Kendra rather wake up at an ungodly hour than stay asleep. "Thanks honey." Kendra said in her southern tone. She smiled at Xavia as the door closed behind her.

Kendra walked over to the bed and allowed her fingertips to glide over the covers as she inspected the room further. She could smell the smell of flowers all around the house. It was nice. It made the home seem more beautiful, even though it was rustic and unique all in itself. Kendra plopped on the bed.

The old springs moaned under her weight.  Her hair jostled around her shoulders as she bounced a bit.  Kendra looked down at the carpet and found herself lost in her head.  Daydream the daydreamer allowed her mind to wander for but a second.  She thought about her father.......

3 hours later. 

Kendra's eyes snapped to the door as a knock shook it in it's frame.  She took a sharp gasp as she looked around.  The alarm clock that once said 2:45 now screamed 5:47 in bold loud numbers.  "Yes?"  Kendra called out.  She didn't remember falling asleep.  She had only slipped into her thoughts for a moment she thought.  How did she loose such a big chunk of time?  "Dinner will be done soon."  Xavia's mother called through the door.  "Oh okay.  Thank you." Kendra called back. 

Kendra couldn't believe that she had allowed herself to daydream so long.  She just shut off for awhile.  Her mind checked out and she found herself caught in well, a daydream.  She got up and moved to the bathroom.  Peeling off her shirt and tossing it casually to the floor she slide down her pants and started the water.  'I need some coffee.'  She thought.  She always got a little spacey when she hadn't had some coffee in awhile.  Kendra filled the tub with water and bubbles and slipped into it. The water felt nice against her skin.  She wondered what Xavia was up to as she fell closed her tired eyes.  Kendra fell asleep.

Xavia, not used to the fried food, spent the next few hours getting pretty sick... But with her room up on the third floor meant that she wasn't going to disturb anyone. She ended up laying down and spending time just... deep in thought. She'd know in a few days who's baby she was carrying and that kinda hung over her like a lead balloon. So she eventually lay down, having told her mom just to wait to make the noodles to go with her cabbage. She really felt ill. Hell, it worried her mom.

She sent a text to Artair Hawke ... Glad I don't need to kiss frogs right now... Then she sent a picture she took of a frog in a jar that she put a paper crown on just to be a smart ass... This one reminds me of someone... Hmmm... And it was meant as a joke.

At some point, wanting to comfort her momma, Delilah climbed into bed with her and she took a snuggle selfie... She dozed off without realizing she hit the airplane button and sent that to him as well.

It was the warmth of her kiddo, combined with the strain of the day that caused her to fall asleep. She phone was dropped on her pillow, and mother and daughter lay there curled up with one another.

Kendra supposed there was no real harm in it. She couldn't really be seen. She stood there outside of her body and looked down at herself. She reached down and brushed a few strands of red hairs away from her eyes and moved her bodie's head to the side. She moved back into the other room and decided that she should at least put on some clothes so she wouldn't get cold. She reached into her bag and pulled on a tank top and some short shorts. She slipped a pair of boots on her feet and pulled a hat down over her head. She was the invisible woman. She was outlined by the floating visible articles of clothing that she now wore. 

Kendra wondered if Xaivia's mother knew she was a mutant.  If she didn't seeing an invisible girl might freak her out when she hsowed up for dinner as a floating t-shirt and hat.  Kendra quietly slipped out of the room and began to wander the halls a bit.  The fabric of her clothes moved and changed the way it would normally fit over her body.  It wore, just as if she were really there, only the body beneath the clothes was invisible.  Kendra's eyes fell on a door at the end o the hall.  This might be her room.  SHe thought.  She didn't rightly know this place was so big. 

Kendra pushed the door open to find Xavia sleeping on the bed.  Her daughter was lying with her.  Kendra wasn't sure if the girl was asleep.  Sometimes children pretended to be asleep when they thought they'd get in trouble for not being asleep, but as far as she could tell she was.  Kendra reached down and pulled the covers over Xavia lightly when she found the phone lying there.  The screen was lit up and for the longest time Kendra battled with her conscience.  She wanted to snoop on what she was texting about.  Maybe she had opened up to someone else more about the baby and what was going on than what she had told her.  Maybe.... No,  Kendra had picked up the phone and thought about it for several minutes, but in the end she put the phone on the nightstand without reading it.  Xavaia didn't have to worry about her privacy being invaded, not from Kendra.  It was hard to do considering Kendra was very nosey by nature.  Kendra set down the phone and sighed.  Had she looked, she would have simply seen some harmless flirting with Xavia and Artair, but she didn't look. 

Kendra had wanted to ask her if her mom was ok with mutants, but she was asleep.  Kendra turned to leave the room.  She was being quiet as to not wake the two in the bed.  Moving across the floor in her heavy boots she did cause the floorboards to creak as she made her way to the door.  Kendra grabbed the doorhandle and was about to open it when she heard a cough from behind her.  She turned around to see that the little girl was awake and she was staring right at her....