It was amazing how freaking pretty New York was. Her New York had been but she had barely established herself there. Her new New York though? It was almost distracting how many attractive people passed her on the sidewalk or got close to her on the subways. As an appreciator of beauty, Steph was not complaining.

Still, she had priorities. Malia, work, and other work. Any romantic relationships would complicate all of those, but especially her criminal undertakings. How did you commit art theft with a girlfriend waiting for you at home? Yes, she was doing it with Malia waiting for her, but Malia was young. She would not remember these little trips. If Steph set herself up comfortably enough, she might be able to retire in a few years and act like a normal parent.

Maybe then she could date, but for now, she had to keep things casual with the pretty people of New York. Raine was absolutely among those people, but she was someone Steph would see constantly. She had to take care of Malia. If Steph made a bad choice with Raine, that could make things awkward for her daughter.

Still, being friendly was not inherently dangerous. If anything, that just benefited Malia, right? ”Of course sugar. You earned every penny of that time watching my little girl. Get paid, and all that.”

And Raine did earn her money. Steph saw it in her face and the way she spoke. She really did love the kids. She loved her job. Even if the kids glowed, she thought with a smirk. She did harshly judge Raine earlier, and she would learn to avoid that in the future.

Gathering Malia’s belongings and setting up her stroller, Steph raised an eyebrow at more surprising news about Raine. Small world—worlds? ”Shut up! You don’t say? I’m from the other side of the Rift, too. But I’m only now just getting settled in.” Steph held the age card, because not having that detail out there helped her with anonymity. So few people ever knew Stephanie Graves in earnest, but if they knew the adult she apparently was, it was best to act like she was just your typical eighteen-year-old with a similar name.

Unfortunately, Stephanie was still confused about the Rifter experience because she never had anyone to talk about this with. She missed the boom of support groups and now it would feel odd joining an established group of refugees. A thought came to mind. ”Hey, I know it was a joke before, but… well, are you hungry?” She quickly made an effort to justify the question, adding, ”I really don’t know many people from home here. You know, if that’s not breaking any rules.”

She didn't realize it would happen until she heard it, but some part of Raine melted when she was called 'sugar.' It was the accent. It had to be the accent. It helped that Stephanie wasn't making things awkward about the rules. Maybe that was why she felt comfortable enough complaining about being universally displaced. She in a thousand years would have expected that Stephanie might be too.

"What? No way! I mean, what are the odds? Actually, I don't even know how many of us there are..." Was it too much of a coincidence? But Stephanie looked genuinely excited and that was kindling an echo of amazement in Raine.

"It's weird. I mean, it's not like we've got a secret handshake or anything, but I guess if you know... you know. You know?" She laughed because that came out wrong. "I guess I mean, I'm really glad you're here. Back home... I mean, I guess this is home now, but back there... Malia..." If she knew, she knew. Raine knew Malia was infinitely safer over here where the law of the land seemed far more mutant-friendly.

"It's a whole new world."

And yet, there was someone who understood all that. Raine tossed her smock into the laundry chute for group laundering and dropped off her paperwork, signing and punching her time card at the front desk as they walked and talked. By the time Stephanie re-asked about dinner, they were taking their first breath of fresh night air just outside the daycare doors.

Freedom. And what did Raine have waiting for her back at her apartment? She'd let Becca get away from her as a roommate and that was one of her biggest regrets, even if Becca was happy and in a stable relationship now... Raine missed her friend.

"Wellllll, I was planning on eating a frozen dinner alone, and I just don't know if we can top that. You might have to sweeten the pot a bit." Raine smiled her winningest smile and internally freaked the fuck out. What was she doing!? She got the merest hint of a potential friend and she was going to blow it because she'd wanted to make some kind of joke?

What were the odds, honestly? Stephanie doubted anyone managed a comprehensive registry of all the dimensional stowaways left behind after the Rift closed. How did you start? Most people had a doppelganger much like themselves here, making it a mess. This was the kind of mess that allowed someone like Steph to slip through the system. Still, there had to be thousands, with how common commuting between world became.

And yet, here they were; the last two adults at the daycare center connecting over an unlikely shared history. Was that not just the most New York thing?

It was easier to just smile and appreciate this twist of fate than it was to talk, but Raine did try. Sure, it was… round about, but it did make sense. Raine was right; she knew. She also knew where Raine’s concern for Malia stemmed from. ”I am lucky. It’s still something I’m growing used to—being in a place where people aren’t as scared of my daughter and mutants like her. It’s not perfect, but… I just want her to be safe, ya know?” Hate was a universal constant, but mutant rights were more respected here. Heck, even with SUPER in this universe, Steph was not hearing about rampant government-inflicted disappearances. She was keeping her ears trained for trouble, though.

Out into the world, Stephanie shivered as the crisp evening air of New York in Winter hit her. While Raine considered her offer, Stephanie fussed with Malia’s blankets, making sure to keep her daughter protected from the cold. She was listening though. Stephanie valued details, even when she was running near empty.

Frozen dinner alone. Alone? Well, that was interesting. In the kind of way where she had information she was going to do nothing with, like a smart woman. The cold air reddened her cheeks but she was in control, even when Raine decided to playfully challenge her offer.

”You don’t say? Well, when looking up spots near here, I found a hole-in-the-wall pizza place with amazing reviews. My treat, if you’re interested.” Her voice then dropped lower as she added, ”But if the pot’s not sweet enough yet, I’ll have to think of something else to spice up the deal.”

Stephanie Irene Graves, what the everloving fuck do you think you’re doing?

Leaving that comment hanging, she led the way and guessed Raine would follow.

Pizza? Yeah pizza. Totally not a bribe if it was pizza. That was, what, $3 a slice? Not even a jerk would call pizza a bribe. Her frozen dinner at home was supposed to be healthy and pizza was so very not, but it was pizza and Stephanie was worth looking at getting to know for at least a while longer.

Stephanie’s voice lowered and Raine was sure she was being teased or tricked somehow, and yet she wanted more anyway. But her poor bumbling brain just wasn’t ready for witty, sultry repartee. Stephanie turned and started off. Raine had no choice but to follow if she wanted that pizza friendship.

Because of course this was about the pizza, right?

”You mentioned clients? ” It was safest to stay well away from sweet promises of more. Well, well away. ”Are you, like, a lawyer or something?” She certainly dressed smart and talked well. Gooder than Raine brain today, anyway.

They were lucky that it wasn't a long walk. The gusting wind whistled between buildings reminding them that it was very much still winter. Some things did not change at all between worlds.

Like that first whiff when entering a pizza place.

It occurred to Raine that this was a very important moment for a test. "What's your go-to topping?" Please, please don't let her be a psychopath who liked pineapple.

Steph had been debating what to eat once she picked up Malia, but she knew she was starving and nothing at the apartment sounded good enough. Pizza, meanwhile, always sounded good. In fact, it sounded perfect now that she had company. Pizza was casual. You could go to get a slice with someone and it was clearly a meal between friends. This was the safe choice with Raine.

With their path set, Raine shifted topics to get to know Steph. Historically, Stephanie was careful with details about her life, but Raine would be seeing her often and her job was actually legit. It was the whole point right? A job to tout in public.

The initial guess was hilarious, though. ”I doubt anyone would trust me for legal advice. Not many eighteen-year-old lawyers running around.” Because, you know, that was her big disqualifying factor. ”I’m a photographer. Little freelance, some work by appointment. Lucked into a small little studio I can barely afford. Thankfully this New York is not short on professionals, doting moms, an wannabe actresses, so there’s some demand.”

The pizza place was modest with just three small tables for indoor seating. Steph imagined deliveries were there bread and butter, but at least she spotted one free table for their little party. Raine asked an important question that interrupted their ongoing conversation, but it was fine. This was a dealbreaker question. (Not that there was a deal here. Deal-less, they were.) ”Pepperoni and olives—spicy and salty. Not too picky though. And you? You’re a woman of taste, so I hope you’re not part of the pineapple cult.”

Taking a look at what was available today, her go-to was not fresh and ready, but she did spot a beautiful, big slice of pepperoni and mushrooms. She could accept that as a valid Plan B. After placing her order, she turned back to Raine. Fair was fair. ”So I can’t ask what you do since we literally just left your work. Still, is childcare the long term plan, or do you have a goal beyond it?”

Raine was clearly good at what she did from how she handled Malia, but that did not mean this was her dream job. Steph was curious what motivated this woman. What aspirations were behind those stunning blue eyes?

Raine flushed. 18! Stephanie was younger than she was! It wasn’t that Stephanie looked old, it was that she looked so put together and coordinated and in control. With a job she liked and a kid, she was leaps and bounds ahead of Raine who felt like her life was stuck in neutral.

And of course, of course her pizza answer was perfect. Spicy and salty just about summed up Stephanie. She passed the pizza test with flying colors.

”I’m so glad we can be friends. Is pineapple on pizza a this-verse thing? I swear that was a crime in the other-verse.” Down with the cult of pineapple! It was good, but needed to keep far away from her pizza pies. ”I’m a fan of any specialty stuff that’s not sweet, really. No BBQ. No pineapple.” She pointed out a slice that looked good from the offering when prompted. Supreme buffalo. It was more toppings than pizza. ”Pile on the peppers, please?”

> "...is childcare the long term plan, or do you have a goal beyond it?”

”I-err. I guess you could count me in on wanna be actresses.” How was she so readily confessing all her secrets already? Next she was gonna blurt out that she was a wanna be x-team vigilante wash out. Raine really needed to get a grip.

”I started college in the other-verse, but they got snotty about credits transferring and I guess I’m kind of at a loss now. I used to work at a hospital on the other side so swapping to childcare, after all the identity stuff got sorted, just means the patients are more truthful about what’s bugging them.”

There was a noticeable reaction to the news of Stephanie's age, which was not uncommon. She carried herself with a sense of professionalism and confidence, and many people didn't associate that disposition with a teenager. Maybe part of it came from being out of her own generation’s timeline. Maybe being responsible for herself for so many years just aged her, and that only grew more noticeable with Malia. Stephanie would only smile and let the flushed cheeks go unaddressed. For now.

It was good to know Stephanie passed the pizza test, which was a very important metric of friendship compatibility. To tell you the truth, she had no clue if the Abomination pizza was just some kind of mro universe specialty or if there were Heretics on their side of the fence, too. ”Well, so far you have yet to disappoint. If there's some dirty secret about you, I have yet to find it. Til then, top marks.”

Taking their seats with plated pizzas in hand, Raine confessed to her dream profession and it was Stephanie’s turn to flush. She had absolutely said wannabe actresses, didn’t she? Oof, that was a bad move in hindsight.

It sounded like the universal transfer left Raine hanging high and dry, which made Stephanie annoyed for her. How dare universities and universes get in this sweet young woman’s way? ”Well, you’re just a swiss army knife of secret talents, aren’t ya? I can tell your patients must be fans, because Malia already seems to adore you.” Malia’s judgments of people she met mattered to Stephanie; if Malia disliked someone, her mother would raise her guard. If the baby was excited to be around someone, like she clearly was with Raine, they got more leeway.

Folding her pizza for stability, Stephanie took a bite and reveled in the hot, greasy, savory collection of flavors. ”Though if you want to be an actress, I’m rooting for you. Camera or stage? Oh, please tell me you sing and dance?” Stephanie knew the professional questions to ask a prospective actress, but when asking Raine questions, she was just genuinely interested in understanding the kind blonde.

> If there's some dirty secret about you, I have yet to find it.

Was being a vigilante a dirty secret? Raine buried that thought because it surprisingly came with pictures. Naughty mental images she had never ever associated with her uniform. Bad, Raine. That wasn't what her catsuit was for!

> "...you’re just a swiss army knife of secret talents, aren’t ya?"

"First aide was a definite bonus when hiring for childcare, I think. Plus,n Epi pens don't scare me." Thankfully she had yet to have to use one on a child. Raine squnched her nose at Malia and got a squeal and a return nose scrunch. The darling reached for Raine's pizza, but the blonde was quick. Peppers and babies did not mix. "I kinda like the kids better than the adults. Less whining, if you believe that. Easier to get them to nap."

> ”Though if you want to be an actress, I’m rooting for you. Camera or stage? Oh, please tell me you sing and dance?”

"Camera, though I did some stuff in high school plays and stuff? I dunno, I like giving different takes better. They're surprisingly different." Her experience was limited to a medicine commercial, but at least she had some experience. "I dance, but I think I'm too stiff. Some girls make it look easy, you know? It's probably overthinking." If Raine did one thing it was perpetual habitual everlasting and never escaping overthinking. "And I love to sing. I think that goes over better with the kids than it did with the adults, but kids are brutal. One moment they'll clap along, and the next they might try to cover my mouth and just shake their heads no like "just stop, Ms. Raine. Just stop."

Her pride was on the line as far as pizza went. Raine was determined to not need a fork and a knife despite the overflow. It was almost a pizza taco with how much there was on top.

It was hard not to respect a girl who could work in the medical field in any extent. A hospital was a stressful place where you had to be constantly present and ready to help at a moment's notice. Compared to that, Stephanie bet working with a room full of children might be a comparably easier task. then again, she struggled with the one child so maybe this was still its own impressive feat.

”I deal with adults most of the day, so I get it. Even when the parents come in, half the time they are fussier the kid they bring with them.” Stephanie chuckled as Malia made a grab for the pepper pizza, but she was also glad Raine was aware enough to keep it out of those pudgy little fingers. ”Though in hindsight, I hope I wasn’t the fussy parent all along.” Was she fussy that morning? She was certainly focused on getting Malia situated and put in the right hands.

Evidently, Little Miss Raine wanted to be on camera, and it was not hard to see a face like hers on a screen. Heck, Stephanie could absolutely work with her. But she was not just beautiful, she was talented-- modest, but talented. ”I’m sure the kids are just learning how to heckle. Don’t mind them; some of them might come from pineapple pizza families and lack taste.”

Watching Raine masterfully manage a loaded pizza, Stephanie mused aloud. ”Overthinking is the enemy of dancing, or so they say. Maybe we should try it out one night and test the theory.” The suggestion left her lips before Stephanie caught herself. You did not just ask your daughter’s caretaker out dancing.

Change of topic, change of topic. Malia was still making whiny, fruitless attempts at Raine’s pizza like she was not recently fed. ”Heh, at least my daughter knows what’s up. That slice does look delicious. I’m almost tempted to steal a bite myself.”

Had Stephanie been a fussy parent? "You walked away on your first day without making a scene. You are not a fussy parent. I can tell you love and want what's best for your daughter because you didn't make any of that drop off about you." And that was a personal peeve. Dramatic self-centered narcissists, every one of them.

The first bite had been fine, but by the third, Raine's eyes started to water. She'd said to pile the peppers on and the peppers had finally caught up to her. She would like to attribute her near choke on the peppers as well, rather than the invitation to a night out.

Raine glanced at Malia, but babysitters did exist. And Stephanie was 18 for chrissakes. Of course she went out. Raine was 22 going on 40 by comparison. "Club-? I haven't- ehrghm. I'm sorry. These- these peppers." She was a nice girl with nice spinsterly habits. Becca'd tried to take her once and Raine had basically bailed in a blind panic as soon as she'd been challenged to hit on a girl.

She set the slice down and offered the plate to Stephanie with a 'by all means' hand gesture. If she wanted a bite, she was more than welcome. She'd paid for it, afterall.

"I wanna go." Raine blurted the words before she thought better of them. "I haven't really been that much. But I'd go. For- for the dancing." This was about dancing. Definitely about dancing.

It was reassuring to have Raine speak up in defense of Stephanie. Honestly, it warmed her heart because most of her insecurities were built around how she was doing as a parent. ”Oh, I can't even imagine. How could someone focus on anything besides their child when saying goodbye for the day?” I'm just so constantly worried I'm doing the wrong thing when it comes to Malia. But I don't think I worry for selfish reasons, I just want to be a parent she deserves to have. She only has one oh, so I need to do this right.”[/color]

Despite a change of topics and an attempt to focus on the pizza, a struggling Raine did consider the offer to dance. To head out to a club, even. God, how long since Stephanie had had a good night of clubbing? It felt like too long.

After being offered a bite of the slice, Stephanie took a bite and immediately understood where the struggle was coming from. ”Whoo!” She glanced up, realizing what Raine had blurted out. The red on her cheeks? Pepper related. ”Sorry. Those peppers really are no joke. But… yeah, okay. That does sound like a fun idea! I think I might have settled on a go-to babysitter as long as I don’t overwork her.”

Going out for a night with Raine would be a far cry from the other reason Stephanie needed a sitter some nights. Was it selfish to take nights off when she could afford to just stay in? Her smile faltered. ”Sorry, I guess I worry i sound too excited for a night away. Is that selfish?” The young mother sighed. ”I'm just so constantly worried I'm doing the wrong thing when it comes to Malia. I don't think I worry for selfish reasons, like those narcissist parents; I just want to be a parent she deserves to have. She only has one, so I need to do this right, you know?”

Was that an exclamation point in Stephanie's voice? Like, actual excitement? But, that was for the night out. There was no way it was for Raine accompanying her.

They were becoming fast friends and that was luring Raine into a false sense of security, surely. She was putting her feelings in a cart and then the cart was going ahead of the horse. Raine tempered her expectations like whoa and then took a monster bite so that she could just keep on blaming this perpetual flush on the peppers. She was hungry somewhere under all those butterflies.

> ”Sorry, I guess I worry i sound too excited for a night away."

Right, right. Definitely. Raine nodded along until Stephanie kept talking.

> "Is that selfish? ...I just want to be a parent she deserves to have. She only has one, so I need to do this right, you know?”

Raine had to shake her head no until she was done chewing. A thrill went up her spine. Malia only had one parent. They were both dancing around the fact that they were two single ladies. No- actually Raine was sure Stephanie had just been having a normal conversation like a normal human being and Raine was the only one dying of thirst... from the peppers.

"Not selfish. As a solo parent you've got no backup, no reprieve. It's good for your mental health to get away every once in a while. And work—" She shook her head— "work doesn't count. That's a whole different set of stress." She would defend Stephanie from Stephanie if she had to in order to get to go dancing.

Stephanie needed to be careful. Initially, that centered around Raine’s role in Malia’s life. Sleeping with someone who took care of Malia was bound to blow up in her face. Now, I'm starting to feel like she was developing a real friendship with Raine. This was an interesting, easy to connect with woman, and Stephanie was short on friends in this new universe. Did she really want to risk the potential friendship for an amazing night with a cute blonde?

Then again, surely one night of dancing would be something to responsible young women could handle. Going out dancing you could be entirely platonic. Straight female friends did it all the time, and for all Stephanie new, Raine might be straight. Had she said or done anything yet to the contrary? It was 2020, but there were still plenty of straight women out there. Seriously, they needed pins or special shoelaces or something the flag each other down.

Thankfully, instead of doubts surrounding her blossoming friendship with Raine, Stephanie could nibble at her pizza and focus on doubts regarding her parenting. It was easy to assume she was failing constantly, but it was a relief when Raine let her know this was okay. She could not devote every available hour to her daughter. She needed to be a person and recharge.

Stephanie smiled, feeling the warmth in her stomach she could only partially blame on pizza. ”Okaaay, I suppose dealing with clients is not a proper mental health break. Though if my new favorite actress ever comes around for headshots, I’m still going to make time and offer a slew of friendly discounts.” She had thrown her support behind Raine after all, right?

”For real though, a night out with a friend sounds perfect. Thanks, Raine.” Stephanie visibly relaxed, finishing up her large slce. ”I think I’ve had like one evening to myself in recent memory, and even then I felt kinda guilty. Like I shouldn’t be bothering my babysitter so I could take a cute girl out for the night.”

Yeah, dating as a parent was its own challenge. One Raine did not have to worry about, unless she was hiding a secret family. ”I certainly hope you’re out there living it up in the nightlife for those of us tending to baby monitors. Or were you the ‘settle down after high school’ type?” Okay, maybe this constituted digging, but it was not crazy. Yes, Raine had mentioned going home to eat alone, but maybe there was some boyfriend working late. She was good-natured and responsible for her age, not to mention beautiful; it would be crazy to assume someone would not try wifing her up ASAP.

Stephanie smiled and Raine echoed that smile without thought. She had it bad. Coming here was a terrible idea. Or... or maybe she could frame it like a acting challenge. Raine would just have to pretend she wasn't so totally into the hot mom so that she could have a friend. Stephanie, by all accounts deserved a friend. Raine, also, deserved friends. She needed to cool her jets.

"Your favorite actress, huh?" Not free headshots? Damn. Well, she could still tease about how bad she had it as an actress. "So far your favorite actress is known for nausea, upset stomach, dizziness, or an erection that lasts for more than 4 hours." Okay, so the last one was for laughs, but the point stood. Raine didn't have enough experience to be called a real actress.

> ”For real though, a night out with a friend sounds perfect. Thanks, Raine.”

A friend. A friend. With a friend. Raine smiled as Stephanie relaxed. She was a good actress. She didn't show at all that she was dying on the inside. Of course, Stephanie wasn't done dropping bombs.

> "...I felt kinda guilty. Like I shouldn’t be bothering my babysitter so I could take a cute girl out for the night.”

... she had a girlfriend. On one hand, elation. Stephanie had a girlfriend not a boyfriend, not that she couldn't have a boyfriend, she totally could. But she'd chosen to say girl. And Raine was a girl. But, also... Stephanie had said she already went out with a cute girl. Was Raine thinking too hard? Yes. Yes she was. The blonde tried to make herself relax as well.

> ”I certainly hope you’re out there living it up in the nightlife for those of us tending to baby monitors. Or were you the ‘settle down after high school’ type?”

"Oh, I'm practically a nun." Okay, even pretending to be self-confident and friendly, Raine cringed at that. She tried to laugh it off, but continued to die on the inside. "I mean, I don't go out much. I like to hit the gym, go for a late night walk—" be gay, fight crime, "—you know... that kind of stuff. I- I haven't really connected with anybody here long term. My dopple seems like she might not have been the nicest person, and there's not even a family to contact. Did... did you ever look into that? Your universe twin?"

Apparently, Raine had a credit to herself as an actress, though the commercial role made Stephanie giggle. How often did she literally giggle? She put on a professional face so often, it was nice to appreciate silliness.

Stephanie had offered the subtlest, very not obvious hint that she liked women, but Raine wasn't biting just yet. Not that she should, because they were just going to be friends. Still, Stephanie couldn't help but watch for a sign of recognition. Even better would have been some response of solidarity. Was it too much to ask for a, “Ah yes, I also date and kiss the womenfolk?”

So there was no conclusive evidence, but she did know that there was no one in Raine’s life romantically. She kept busy but lived a tame, responsible life. Apparently, her counterpart from this universe left her with a fair bit of baggage to contend with. Stephanie furrowed her brow, because it was not like Raine was the same person as… well, whoever this version of her was that sucked.

”I don’t know who it mighta been, honestly. I haven’t dug around much, but I haven’t located a Stephanie Graves who strikes me as my mirror-match.” Probably for the best; she would have hated to know she was the Stephanie who did not have her shit together.

Stephanie wiped any remnants of pizza grease from her lips with a napkin. ”Honestly? Whoever our doppels were, they aren’t us and we should get to be happy. If you can’t make long term connections? Focus on the short term and work from there.”

From the corner of her eye, Steph noticed Malia beginning to fuss because attention had not been on her for far too long. Her dutiful mother found a toy filled with little beans to make it rattle and captivated the infant’s attention. ”Honestly, with Malia, I don’t think I’m worrying about the long term for a while. One-off dates are fun, but bringing a woman into Malia’s life like that? It’ll be a while before I’m ready.” At least until she had gotten enough thieving out of her system to keep Malia comfortable for the next eighteen to twenty-five years.

”So yeah. You’re going to shake off the habit, Sister Raine, and we’ll go out dancing. A night out could do us both good.” A safe night between friends. With her pretty friend whose eyes she kept getting caught in every time she met them.