Raina gulped loudly when Sara said she could hear her search for her clothes. "Yeah... you know clothes!" she said shakily still scanning and not seeing them. THis was just great. great. How was she suppose to explain this to Sara? She just happened to be at Luke's without any clothes? At 3 am? What was Sara doing here anyway? Was something wrong?

That lit a fire under Raina's butt. If she was off doing... well.. this while somone was hurt or needing her help that was a totally different matter. She pulled the towel tighter around her and followed Luke out. She stood in the doorway and peeked around him at Sara who was balancing a few of Luke's things.

"Luke you forgot the lights." she said flicking them on letting everything come wildly into blinding focus for a second.

"Hi Sara, is everything alright?" she asked trying to seem... well. Normal

(I hope my little bit of GMing here is alright. If I need to edit it for either of you, please tell me and I will.)

Sara stood up when she saw Luke enter the room wearing a shirt. Oh come on. Sara thought to herself as she rearranged the table that she had knocked things off of for the second time. Arranging things so that they were neat even if they weren’t in their original areas. Luke may be blind, but he’d manage if things weren’t right where he expected them to be.

"You could have called and I'd have been more than glad to have you over."

Sara turned from the table so that she could look over her shoulder at Luke. “I don’t have a phone.” Ok that sentence might of come out a little sarcastic. Especially after their last meeting, with Sara stealing Luke’s cell phone and the last breaking and entering bit. Just Sara was still taking in what she had walked in on. Or rather trying not to take in what she had walked in on.

Sara brought her hand up to her face, thumb and forfinger pinching her timples. She really didn’t want to know. Ok she was happy if Raina was happy but they were just in bed together…. That was the bed right?

Shut up mind. Stupid overactive imagination. Either way, Luke was doing…. That… with Raina. Sara’s heart rate increased the more she tried to not think about things and the more she failed.

"Um... is there anything you need?"

“No, no. I’m peachy. Just freaking peachy.” Yeah. Sara just broke into Luke’s apartment, to have a little talk with him, and wanted to give him a shock, and here she was working to slow down her own racing heart, and flaring temper. “I was hoping for a little chat with you, Luke, but my timing is bad.” Very bad. Bad couldn’t begin to describe the definition of bad in this bad timing.

Her hand dropped from her face and head tilted. Even though Luke couldn’t see it, her eyes were flashing the dim reflections in the light. Fully dilated. “But I guess now is as good of time for a talk, as any.” Sara said. She was trying to slow herself down, and make herself sound calm, but her voice was completely stressed, even with her word in her last sentence trying to be low, in hopes that Raina wouldn’t hear her.

Sara jerked into motion, swift and efficient movements, to grab Luke by the shirt, he obviously just put on. Her fist twisted in the fabric, and she lifted Luke up to pin him against the wall, right next to the security pad he had just used to deactivate the alarm. Ok. So Raina might of heard that little tap Sara made Luke’s back make against the wall. Still she didn’t want her entire conversation to be known. So she twisted her fist in the fabric and pressed her knuckles into Luke’s neck, under his chin.

Leaning forward so that her mouth was next to Luke’s ear, Sara began talking in a hurried hushed voice. “Look Luke. I don’t care what was going on here. You two want to do that fine, but know this.” Sara’s fingers wound around the fabric even more. “If I even think you’ve hurt Raina, I will hunt you down, and I will hurt you.”

"Luke you forgot the lights."

The lights flicked on, and Sara’s head jerked back from Luke’s face, though she still pinned him against the wall. “Hi Raina.”

"Hi Sara, is everything alright?"

Oh this was awkward. “No I mean yes. Everything is alright.”

From the floor Mickey was still smiling. It was amazing how absolutely nothing could dampen this mouse's spirits. Not the fact that he was being used by a cat for illegal purposes... not even the fact that said cat was now assaulting the owner of the home they had just entered illegally. As long as he didn't get stepped on and crushed, he would remain just the way he was... smiling rather mockingly at anyone who would take the time to notice.

***

The evening had gone from extremely good, to bad, to VERY bad in a matter of moments. All Luke had wanted was a quiet evening with Raina, away from all distractions. Was that really so much to ask? Just a private time when things could develop between two consenting adults that were finally beginning to show their true feelings? Was That Really To FREAKIN' Much To Ask?!

Sara was ticked wasn't she... had to be ticked. Luke could hear her claws flexing through the fabric of his shirt as she held him pinned up against the wall. His feet dangled helplessly as instinctively he lifted his hands and gripped Sara's wrists in a vice grip. No way was he going to trust this shirt to not tear when his whole body weight was hanging from it.

“Look Luke. I don’t care what was going on here. You two want to do that fine, but know this. If I even think you’ve hurt Raina, I will hunt you down, and I will hurt you.” Sara's voice was cold... deadly was really the only way to full explain it and now she was actually accusing him of the possibility that he might hurt Raina in the future?

Right at that moment Raina showed... with a click Luke assumed she had shed some light on the situation, revealing his precarious position. This was perfect... just perfect. Why couldn't people just let a guy act manly when he was trying to romance a girl, but noooooo... some kitty woman had to come in and pin said guy against the wall to show just how weak and helpless he really was.

Women's Rights: 1
Luke's Manliness: 0

So now Luke was left to stay something... anything. Should he defend himself and speak about how his motives toward Raina were pure? Well as pure as they could be when things were moving into the bedroom at least. Perhaps he should ignore the situation and simply be a polite host by offering Sara a drink of water or something... of course it would be difficult to go get said water when his feet were dangling above the ground.

"I agree with you." Luke finally replied, murmuring quietly so that hopefully only Sara would hear. "If I hurt Raina then please... come hunt me down. She's a special woman that's been hurt to much already. I don't know if I love her but I do know that I care about her more than any woman I've ever known."

"Everything fine." Luke raised his voice a little, "Sara was just... passing by." It was probably the lamest excuse in history but it was all his very shocked brain could manage. Why couldn't life be a little more normal and a little less like a soap opera? What had he ever done to deserve this?!

Right then Luke's sonar noticed the magnet that was still smiling from its place down on the floor. "Damn Mickey."

It took Raina's eyes a moment to focus and at first she wasn't sure what she was seeing. Luke was dangling up against the wall held up by Sara "you're strong." she said dazed and dreamily. Then her eyes really took in the situation, "Ah!" she exclaimed rushing over trying to balance all her towels.

"uh it's not his f-fault!" she stammered trying to think of a viable excuse. "You know me and water..." her voice was almost pleading for her own sense of embaressment to not aknowledge the moment at hand for what it really was. That was Raina, Queen of denial. "Uh really Were." she said using Sara's alias for only the second time in her life. She gently placed her hands over Sara's "It's ok he didnt do anything to.. ah.. hurt me." she motioned for the cat woman to let go.

"Are you sure nothing's wrong?" she said spying them both suspiciously. "I'm sure I can at least borrow some of Luke's clothes if you need me." she was serious now. "I'm pretty awake now," she laughed. Her eyes darted back and forth between them both unsure of what to do.

Even with the lights flicked on, Sara’s eyes were still dilated. Her senses were normally very active, even when she was at rest but with her heart thumping the way it was, they were hyperactive. Any slight movement, that was out of the ordinary was drawing her attention.

As expected, Luke’s were around her wrist, and the fur that reacted to her muscle, fluffed and bristled under his fingers. Her fingers readjusted themselves, making her arm twitch a little.

"I agree with you. If I hurt Raina then please... come hunt me down. She's a special woman that's been hurt to much already. I don't know if I love her but I do know that I care about her more than any woman I've ever known."

Sara stared Luke right in the eye as he said it. Still she held him in the air, against the wall, to the spot. He was entirely too agreeable. Someone breaks into your home and disrupts that, even when they have you pinned against the wall, you’re supposed to get pissed. This was better than him saying anything else, but the way he reacted, he might as well of offered Sara some refreshments. Asked her to get comfortable. What was wrong with him!

"Everything fine. Sara was just... passing by."

Now Mickey had a really good reason to smile. Yeah. Cat woman standing in Luke’s door way holding him up by his shirt and his neck but go back to bed honey, Everything is fine and freakin’ dandy! “You’re a really bad liar.”

"you're strong."

Sara looked at Raina, then down at Luke’s feet. Mickey was having quite a show. She hadn’t realized that she’d shoved him that hard.

"Ah!"

“Whoa” Raina’s hand was on Sara’s, and her fur flexed under the sensation, again.

"uh it's not his f-fault! You know me and water... Uh really Were."

“Right Water.” Sara’s ears pinned back, and she slowly let Luke Slide back to the floor, though her hand wasn’t leaving the front of his shirt nearly so fast. Raina probably wouldn’t like this, but a Sara threat was better than big Daddy cleaning a gun at the door.

"It's ok he didn’t do anything to.. ah.. hurt me."

Sara’s gaze went between the two of them. Golly she was being stupid. Her hand dropped from Luke’s shirt and her head tilted down. “I know.” Her eyes shifted to Luke and she began straightening the collar of his shirt, witch was now a lost cause, even for an iron. Thanks to the way Sara’s fingers had wound around the fabric. “And he won’t.” or else.

"I'm sure I can at least borrow some of Luke's clothes if you need me. I'm pretty awake now,"

“Raina, it’s alright. I’m sorry I snuck in.” Mickey mouse had failed the feline.

Awkward didn't begin to describe the situation that Luke was now encountering. Awkward wasn't strong enough to even begin to touch what was now happening in his house. Who in their right mind would think that AWKWARD could describe a man and woman being unceremoniously yanked from a place, both physically and emotionally, where they were about to do more than just be friends?

“You’re a really bad liar.”

The words seemed to echo in Luke's ears, drowning out whatever it was that Raina was trying to say. Flashbacks were ensuing as he remembered Sara accusing him of lying previously. He had tried to help her and she had chosen to try and stab him in the back. "Et tu Brutus?"

“You’re a really bad liar.” The words continued to echo in his mind as Sara lowered him to the ground and then began to apparently try to... the mess she had made of his shirt.

"Isn't that what you said after our first meeting on the street?" Luke asked quietly, his hands coming up abruptly to push Sara's hands none to gently away from his shirt. He was angry but he wasn't going to let it show... the initial shock was washing away and instead he was being reminded of how Sara believed him to be a liar. A liar that tried to protect the people he cared about was some far better than a cat that stole from and attacked her supposed friends in their own homes. "Next time you want to tell me what a liar I am... use a pay phone or maybe steal a cell from someone else."

"You two ladies go ahead and chat... I don't think my company is wanted." He continued softly, his face turning to look at Raina for a brief moment. He didn't want to hurt her... he wasn't out to hurt her but if her friend's didn't like them together then what chance did they really have?

Forcing a smile for a brief moment but inwardly sighing Luke walked past the two women and made his way toward the kitchen. "This is one of the few times I wish I stocked something stronger than tea." He muttered to himself, "Wonder if any liquor stores stay open this late?"

Raina raised an eyebrow to Luke's reaction to Sara. She hadn't heard the near silent conversation between them but had to admit the motions put her off a bit. Sara was her friend... sure she showed up unannounced but she likely had a good reason. Maybe she knew about Luke's night time business and needed his help but shyed away when she akwardly found Raina here.

Raina looked perplexingly at the two. Exactly how was she supposed to fix this situation now? What was the propper ettiquite? At least Sara went for the 'water' thing. Thank God. Her own brain was only starting to catch up and process what almost happened.

She felt embaressed. I mean, she was an adult. She and Luke had planned this night. Mostly. But here she was re-thinking that decision. Scorning herself for getting carried away in the heat of the moment. She didn't have anything to feel regret over but Raina (as much as she wouldn't admit it) cared a lot about what other thought. Not in the vain way... in the she-didnt-want-anyone-hurt-way.

Maybe Sara had a thing for Luke? She shook her head as soon as that thought entered it. Ayesac. Remember that red scaley guy? Besides, She may not know Luke all that well yet... she knew Sara well enough to know she wouldn't betray Ayesac... or Raina had she'd known about the two.

Raina's back stiffened. Why was she getting so jealous and protective? She never felt that way over Rupert... or even Flloyd. This made it even harder to discern her true feelings for Luke.

"Well...' she began unsure of herself. "I could use some tea too." she announced not all that sure she was going to let Luke off the hook. There was something else going on here she knew enough to know at least that much. "and... some clothes." she said looking down. "And since I can't find mine Luke... I'm borrowing yours." at least that would go with the i turned into a mermaid story. Raina always shredded up her clothes.

She spun around walking briskly past Luke into his bedroom. Thankfully there were some sweats folded up waiting to be put away so she borrowed those.

She came back out wearing a t-shirt that went to her knees and baggy pants. Somehow she pulled it off.

"Isn't that what you said after our first meeting on the street?"

Sara’s ears flicked forward then back again. Oh so did she hit a nerve? Liar, liar, liar, liar, surprised your pants don’t burst into fire. That’s right. Mickey would be deprived of that scene of Luke’s pants on fire. Poor Mickey. “Funny. I don’t normally tell people at all when I catch them. Lucky you.”

Luke pushed Sara’s hands away from his shirt, and she turned to watch him try to walk away. He was doing his best to keep his temper down, but there were signs that Sara knew, that pointed to the fact that she had hit a cord. A bad cord. For one thing, that shove was rough. For another, his sonar’s pitch had changed. Making her ears flick back to try and muffle the sound more. Or maybe the sound was noticed more, because Sara’s senses were going crazy. Sort of like her emotions.

"Next time you want to tell me what a liar I am... use a pay phone or maybe steal a cell from someone else."

“Will do.” Sara said, and despite the flashing lights in her eyes, the corner of her mouth quirked upwards. Hey everyone! Guess who just told Sara to commit crime some more. No not the voices in her head, not the Count, on Sesame Street, and not Simon Cowell! Wraith did!

She wanted to be good. She wanted to not ruin things for Raina, and she didn’t want Raina mad at her, but the other side of her saw Luke walking away and that side wanted to do something. Say something, that would just piss him off more. Sara wasn’t done talking to him yet, so the conversation shouldn’t be ended. Especially not by him.

Luke went by her, saying something about his company not being wanted, and about the licker store, and Sara glared at the back of his head. “Raina, really sorry.” Sara’s shoulders dropped and she let her glare shift to the floor, before her eyes started to soften and her pupils began to shrink back to their normal sizes. So the amber color of her eyes slowly appeared around the black mirror like rims. “Really nothing is wrong. I…” The last word that Sara sort of trailed off on, was hardly audible. How was Sara supposed to explain her reasoning? Surely Raina could take care of herself. But still.

"Well... I could use some tea too. and... some clothes. And since I can't find mine Luke... I'm borrowing yours."

Sara’s nerves were still on the edge, but for Raina, she wasn’t saying everything that was running through her mind. She liked Raina, She didn’t want to ruin that. She didn’t want to ruin what she might be ruining, but she did still want to piss off Luke. Just because he was holding things in way too much. A strange cat woman comes into your home, and attacks you, you’re supposed ot get upset. Getting upset was ok. Whoever this crazy cat woman was.

Raina went to change, and Sara stalked after Luke. Sara started talking in a hushed voice. “For your information, there are three liquor stores still open within a quarter of a mile of here.” All night convenience stores actually, but they sold Liquor too. Being close to Luke was agitating to Sara. She actually wanted to trust him, because he was likeable and seemed trust worthy. So that’s what bothered her.

Her voice rose in it’s stressed level, so she had stopped for a second. Choosing to stare out the window. Then focusing on the lock. The window was a good exit. She should leave. Just leave now. “You’re too good.” She grumbled quietly at him.

Was it really that hard to figure out that Luke wanted a few minutes alone?! Or at the very least, away from Sara? Was he being unclear about his need for some space? He would have loved it if Raina had followed him into the kitchen but instead this... CAT... had followed him.

“For your information, there are three liquor stores still open within a quarter of a mile of here.”

There was that voice again... did she have any idea how annoying her voice was? Why couldn't she just shut up and let Luke enjoy his time with Raina. Obviously thing's wouldn't be going anywhere tonight, which just gave him one more thing to hold again Sara, but at least he could enjoy Raina's company if Sara would just leave!

"Wonderful... maybe you'll volunteer to make the trip to pick us up some Jack Daniels." Luke replied rather sarcastically as he filled the tea pot with water, "Or maybe that's not strong enough... does Vodka help you ignore cats?"

“You’re too good.” Sara muttered kind of under her breath as she turned away from him.

Slamming the tea pot down on the stove Luke viciously turned the dial to crank up the temperature before spinning to face the feline fiend that was turning his dream night into a nightmare. Normally he would have kept his sonar directed away from Sara out of politeness but he was to ticked and so instead he focused it on the cat's face and gave her all the power he could muster. Spiteful? Yes... but it did seem to help him feel a little bit better.

"Wrong... I'm to nice. If I were good I would have reported you for theft instead of trying to convince you to just give me the phone back. If I were good I would have reported you for breaking and entering when you went into that old ladies house instead of trying to keep you out of trouble." The blind man's voice was rising as his temper rose and as much as he struggled to keep in under control he knew that his sonar was way past the safety range... he definitely needed to make sure he didn't let it fall on Raina or she might start seeing all kinds of weird things.

"I don't get you Sara... not in the slightest! I'm trying to be nice and be your friend and all you do is steal from me, try to make my business look bad, and then break into my home. I an excuse the threatening because you're out to protect Raina... cool. But what in the world prompts you to be such a..."

Luke's voice trailed off... he wasn't going to call her names... he wouldn't stoop that low. Spinning back toward the stove in frustration the blind man pulled in his sonar so that he could only see the cupboards and tea pot in front of him. "Never mind." He muttered, obviously frustrated as he opened up a cabinet. "You want some tea too?" He said just a little bit louder, his voice sounding a little more tired than it had a few moments ago but still not all that welcoming. As he waited for Sara to respond, Luke really had no clue that Raina had walked back out or what she may have heard.

Raina hadn't heard much of the conversation between Luke and Sara but she thought she was seeing strange shadows around the house. Her head hurt a bit- probably from being up so late. She could tell when she re-appeared that the atmosphere was tense. She chewed on her lower lip. There was totally something going on that she was missing, like a whole telepathic conversation or something! For once she wished Navi was around to command them to chill out. She took a big breath.

"Why don't you let me do this." she said crossing over into the kitchen and taking the pot from the obvious distressed Luke. Sure, Sara had just shown up, and sure they didn't get as far as they expected to tonight... but it wasn't really that bad. Raina knew guys had a harder time switching into off mode than girls but she still couldn't imagine this upsetting him that much.

Despite Sara repeatly saying nothing was wrong, Raina didn't believe it either. "I liked my gift." she said to Sara as she fiddled with the boxes of tea in Luke's pantry. For a moment she wondered if he picked these out by smells as the aroma filled the room. "It really brightened up my dorm. I was surprised by how many gifts I recieved last night... and just how many of them were artistic." she was relaxing now. Sometimes just being chatty would calm Raina down even if she didn't speak about anything of importance.

"If there's nothing wrong..." began Raina. "You should maybe stay here tonight Sara. It's supposed to drop down really cold." she turned her face to Luke, oh little miss ignorant. "I mean, I think we're just going to bed anyway right Luke? If Sara came all the way to this side of town she'd freeze going back to her usual hang out... fur or no fur."

As if on que little flakes of snow began to fall outside. "Besides... there's lots of room. The couch is comfy I know from experieince!" she instantly blushed and laughed at her obviousness.

"Wrong... I'm to nice. If I were good I would have reported you for theft instead of trying to convince you to just give me the phone back.

Sara was staring at the window, but the shadows were creeping around her vision now, from Luke’s sonar, and she was starting to feel dizzy as it invaded her pinned ears. Stubbornly she refused to clap her hands over the sides of her head, half because showing Luke that he was actually sort of hurting her, would be giving him power. Half because he was actually showing a backbone now and if he had something to say, Sara would listen to him. Maybe take his words and use them against him. That was fun. Her head turned to face him, and she smirked. No she wasn’t completely proud of the cell phone theft, but he had been a fun toy. She sort of missed it. “and if you reported me, I’d still have all those numbers.” She practically hissed back. Sure the phone wouldn’t of worked as a phone then but it would have worked for her not so chosen profession that he was now harping on her about. Oh like he was so high a mighty.

If I were good I would have reported you for breaking and entering when you went into that old ladies house instead of trying to keep you out of trouble."

“You could have, and you should have. I actually saved your butt there. I could have just left. I had a meal ticket.” And what Sara had taken were things that could have easily just been lost or misplaced. When she stole, she tried to be choosey. At least lately. Admiring the expensive gems, and jewelry, and trying to take things that wouldn’t be missed.

"I don't get you Sara... not in the slightest!

“Good!”

not in the slightest! I'm trying to be nice and be your friend and all you do is steal from me, try to make my business look bad, and then break into my home.

“Sure you forget that I paid for your sushi.” With stolen funds. Ha! Have your conscience deal with that Luke!

I an excuse the threatening because you're out to protect Raina... cool. But what in the world prompts you to be such a..."

Sara’s arms crossed and her chin lifted in a silent Dare. “Go a head and say it.” Sara hissed. Her head ached from Luke’s sonar. She really wanted to cover her ears, and duck out the window because wave after wave of the sonar, was wearing down on the nerves she mentally had left. As nice as her healing ability. It kept repairing what ever was being done to the insides of her ears. So there wasn’t really a ring like a normal person had after loud noises, but ever strike from the sonar hit like Sara’s ear drums were fresh meat.

Even though she had only dared him to finish his sentence, Sara actually had many answers for why she could be so… B****y. She should be a killer, she wasn’t.

Raina reentered the room, and Sara let her eyes drop back down in front of her. Choosing to lean her elbows against the counter. The sonar was pulled away and Sara felt her entire body relax with the relief. Only then, when Luke was focusing on the kettle, did she let her hands rub her ears. Gritting her teeth till the buzzing in her head slowly disappeared.

"Never mind. You want some tea too?"

“Sure.” She wanted a hole lot of tea, but not really here.

"I liked my gift. It really brightened up my dorm.

Sara lifted her head slightly when Raina walked closer, and took over the tea making. “I’m glad to hear it Raina. I hope the party went well. Sorry I couldn’t stay.” There was some odd satisfaction as Sara thought back to her gift. She hadn’t done it intentionally but she liked the fact she had done something that Luke could appreciate as much as Raina could. Perhaps that was the little vindictive side coming out, after Luke practically tore at her ear drums with his sonar.

"If there's nothing wrong... You should maybe stay here tonight Sara. It's supposed to drop down really cold."

“Scuse’mah’Huhh?” did Sara just hear that right. She looked between Luke and Raina not really sure what to make of that. And not really sure if she wanted to stay. Her attention turned to the window, to check the streets.

"I mean, I think we're just going to bed anyway right Luke? If Sara came all the way to this side of town she'd freeze going back to her usual hang out... fur or no fur."

Sara was biting her lower lip as she looked out the window. Wow she could really pick the nights. “Umm… Uhhh.”

Luke was frozen as Raina took the tea pot and than proceeded to invited Sara to stay here for the night. Their relationship was far enough along that she now had the right to ask someone to stay in his apartment?

"That's fine... if you need someplace to stay." The blind man replied quietly, fighting to push both the sexual frustration and anger back down where it wouldn't show on the surface. Stepping away from the two women Luke leaned up against the opposite wall as he allowed his sonar to go deeper into the kitchen but not to touch the two women. "Make that one woman and a stray cat." He thought to himself, still somewhat spiteful.

"But I'll take the couch. Raina why don't you take my room and Sara, you can have the guest room." Luke wanted to be a good host but there was no way that he was going to suggest Sara stay in his room. She's probably walk off with most of his possessions while he was either sleeping or having breakfast. He could be nice to Sara since she was a friend of Raina's but trust was not part of the deal.

For a brief moment Luke wished that Sara had actually offered to go pick up some type of alcohol but there was no reason for that. With Raina present maybe they could pull off pleasant conversation... and maybe it would all descend into backbiting again but he would do his best for the mermaid.

"You deserve someone your friends like..." He thought rather wearily as his body began to remind him just how late it was. Normally his patrols would be about done and it would be time to be heading for bed right now. "And it's not like I have a lot to offer. She can protect herself more than capably and even if she can't she's got strong friends that can take care of her."

Luke knew his mind was going in the wrong direction but at the moment he really didn't have the energy to fight it off. Outwardly he did his best to maintain a strong front but inside he could feel his shoulder's wanting to slump in defeat. Why couldn't life just be more simple?

"There are some butter cookies in the cabinet just to the right of where the tea is if either of you want something to munch on." Luke spoke up again before pushing off the wall and moving toward the living room, "Why don't you ladies chat while I go... out here."

Raina let out a sight of relief when Luke oblidged to Sara staying over. She'd asked him without really thinking much of it- that was just the sort of person she was: a bleeding heart. It could be downright annoying... but it tended to be the reason why most people liked her to begin with. She cared. A lot. "Thanks." she said feeling herself relax. She reached over and gave his hand a squeeze. "I'll make it up to you." she whisperd and gave him a light peck on the cheek in front of Sara.

"Id feel awful if you went out." said Raina going back to the tea. "I'm not too bad in the snow because I can manipulate it... it doesn't usually get me wet. But cats. cats do not like to get wet." she said as if quoting a text book.

She held her hand over the tea pot's lid as she poured the warm liquid into three glasses. "Peppermint." she commented. "it was the first thing I reached for." she handed Luke a cup first and then one to Sara. "I must be getting tired, my head's not feeling too great." she admitted.

"But I'll take the couch. Raina why don't you take my room and Sara, you can have the guest room."

Raina looked up. Ouch. Well, ok, granted... if they didn't want Sara knowing everything that was going on Raina couldn't exactly climb into the same bed with Luke. With all that pent up energy it probably wasn't a good idea either. But, well... that still sort of hurt. She told herself he was just trying to be a gentlemen.

Luke was a sincerely nice person, and that's one of the reason Raina felt so comfortable around him. She could count on so many to take advantage of her- but not Luke. Luke had the same intentions she had: to be good.

"Alright" she replied.

"There are some butter cookies in the cabinet just to the right of where the tea is if either of you want something to munch on."

"I think I just want to sleep." she answered back rubbing her head. It hurt. A lot. She never thought to think it was because she was spending so much time with Luke. "This blanket is great." she said not waiting for any more of a responce from Sara and walking across to her, taking her by the arm and leading her to the couch. She pulled the blanket up and draped it around herself"After being in the camps I have a whole new appreciation for where I lay my head." she laughed. Maybe if she chatted with Sara a bit she could figure out what was going on- besides Luke leaving the room was practically an invitation to do so.

Sara and Raina had been through the camps togeather, and Raina had gone back after getting out to be sure her new friend had made it out alive. That sort of thing created a bond between people. She hadn't spoken to Luke much about the camps, or anyone for that matter, but as he walked away the conversation might have peaked his interest.

"I think I met you there." she admitted. "I may have seen you before... but believe it or not I might have forgotten." she laughed embaressingly patting the space on the couch next to her. "And I never saw a giant cat scale a wall of a burning building before that was a hoot."

She smiled sincerely. "I know you don't like charity, and I know you don't like crashing with people... but I really think it would be best for you to stay." her eyes were warm and kind and she meant every word.

Of course, she had no idea of the turmoil going on between Sara and Luke, and unfourtunantly had no idea how invading to Luke it might seem for her to ask if Sara could stay. Raina just assumed Sara was in trouble with something- knowing Luke he may very well had extended the invitation for her to crash if she needed, he had done it for Raina, and Luke seemed like that kind of nice guy. Then when Sara showed up and unexpectidly smelled Raina she probably tried to leave without being noticed.

As she chatted with Sara she dangled her feet from the couch. Her toe bumped something and she looked down. A mickey mouse magnet. She raised an eyebrow. "For a blind guy Luke likes weird things." she commented picking it up off the floor and putting it on the table.

Wow. That had to be a first. Sara had gone from breaking in, to becoming a threat to Luke, to being invited to stay. The more time she spent with Luke the more things like this sort of happened. Last time, he bought her a hotdog… after interrupting her heist…

Sara took her tea bag from the box Raina had gotten out, and started preparing her tea. She was still glancing out the window trying to gage, exactly how fact the weather was turning. She didn’t want to stay, when she knew Luke was still ill tempered with her. Not that, that really bothered her for herself. She dealt with people not liking her all the time. She liked to think she grew a thicker skin than others. Mind over matter, and reality.

"That's fine... if you need someplace to stay. But I'll take the couch. Raina why don't you take my room and Sara, you can have the guest room."

Sara looked up from her window, and her tea, to Luke, then Raina. “Woa. Wait. I didn’t say I was staying. Not all cats are Aquaphobics, or what ever that is called.” It’s more the sensation in the fur. If anything. Fur lays light and in place when it’s dry. When a cat is in the water, fur turns and pulls in the water currents, then when a cat climes out, their fur sticks in all the wrong ways. It doesn’t want to move with their muscles and skin, and it just feels wrong. Very wrong because it isn’t normal, and it looked terrible. Plus some water carried bad smells with it. Sara remembered the water she smelled back the day she, and Raina met Luke. Sara liked water, but she was picky about what water she liked. Besides, Snow wasn’t wet, it was just cold.

The more Sara stood in Luke’s apartment, the more she had the sense that she really didn’t belong. The same sense that she got when she stood in the x-mansion, living room, for Raina’s party. She was still eyeing the weather outside, sizing it up, even with raina’s words ringing through Sara’s head, when Raina took her by the arm.

"Id feel awful if you went out."

“Alright.” Sara sighed. Despite the sensation from her instincts to leave there were two plusses to staying. Another chance to visit with Raina, and A chance to either piss Luke off or talk to him.

"After being in the camps I have a whole new appreciation for where I lay my head."

“I know what you mean there. they were a very bad reminder.” The camps may have given Sara a bed every night, but her having her freedom, again, allowed Sara to choose where she laid. Bed or no bed.

"I think I met you there. I may have seen you before... but believe it or not I might have forgotten. And I never saw a giant cat scale a wall of a burning building before that was a hoot."

Sara sat on the couch, sure to rub the side of her tail on the cushion. Was Luke allergic to cats? Rub, rub, rub. He did say he was taking the couch… Rub, rub… Most friends of girl friends don’t have the luxury of being able to shed on the boy friend’s furniture. Rub. “You probably didn’t see me. I had just made it to New York before the camps, and the first night that I was going to stay at Sanctuary, with the Order, the stalker bots came, and the church was raided.” Sara explained. Raina had moved on to their adventure during the community service for the camps, and Sara had a small smile, sipping her tea. “well the day I scaled that burning building, I saw ice forming on hot coals for the first time. Those ladies we got out, did do a lot of fur pulling though.”

"I know you don't like charity, and I know you don't like crashing with people... but I really think it would be best for you to stay."

“I know.” Sara sighed. "I'll stay until the weather gets travelable." She turned to look at see if Luke had chosen to stay in the room, but her attention was pulled back.

"For a blind guy Luke likes weird things."

“Oh.” Sara’s nose darkened with her blush. “That’s mine. Call it a bit of a lucky charm.”

Accepting his peppermint tea from Raina, Luke made his way over to one of the recliners and sat down. Closing his eyes and shutting down his sonar in one smooth motion, the blind man focused on the scent and flavors of the tea while listening to the two women chat. It was obvious that the two of them had a history that he had no part of so it was probably best to just stay out of it.

"For a blind guy Luke likes weird things." Raina said as she suddenly noticed the mickey mouse magnet and picked it up, placing it on the table.

Choking back a laugh, Luke focused on sipping at his tea without saying a word. He wasn't going to say a word... not a word...

“Oh. That’s mine. Call it a bit of a lucky charm.” Sara spoke up, her voice holding a tinge of something... embarrassment maybe?

"So... since you've started being a security tester for Jacobs and Jacobs how did mine rate?" Luke spoke up, finally unable to hold back. The slightest touch of a sly grin was on his features as he lowered his mug of tea and swiveled his head to 'look' at Sara. "Any suggestions on how I can improve things to keep out the occasional cat burglar?"

He wasn't being mean... no... Luke did his best to never be mean and he was trying to maintain things right now but he couldn't help himself from at least poking a little fun at Sara. And even as he did that, another part of his mind began to wonder if there was any way he could salvage the rest of the night with Raina.

"I volunteered to sleep on the couch because I'm a gentleman but... I wonder if she'd like company to help her stay warm tonight... maybe... maybe she'd like that. I just have to catch her without Sara around in order to make the offer."

There was a slim chance that Luke might be able to salvage at least a little bit of it but it was no guarantee. If Raina went to bed before Sara then it was all a lost cause and he would have even one more thing to hold again the feline.

"Why can't life be more simple?" He thought for at least the third time that night.