She'd guessed correctly and Jacen praised her for it. That made Kealey happy with herself, apparently her powers of observation weren't completely useless. It was also amazing to feel that pride and know it was hers, to know that she was feeling happy, she was feeling relaxed, she was proud of herself for guessing something about the man in front of her.

They were talking easily now and Kealey couldn't seem to keep the grin off her face. What had started out as the most discomforting experience of her adult life had turned into the most pleasant one. Something Kealey was sure that she'd never forget. Then Jacen was praising her again, telling her that she was very well adjusted, that from what he'd seen she was handling things very well. And then he reached out and placed his hand over hers.

Kealey's first instinct was to pull away, just out of reflex, but she was so good at sorting her feelings out after so long she waited because there was something else there. It felt nice, it was comfortable, there were no lascivious feelings coming form Jacen...or anyone else, and he'd just said such nice things to her. This was okay. Better than okay and Kealey was glad the man didn't know just how much thought she was giving to it. That's what a person got for being socially inept.

"Thank you." Kealey said, probably more sincerely than she'd said the words to anyone in years, because she really knew just how grateful she really was. "For everything Jacen...really. You honestly don't have any idea how much this means to me. When it gets really rough from now on, I can think about this."

And he was answering her questions, answering them with no brooding, no pouting, and no anger. This really was a red-letter day. The answers, however, were less than enlightening. Mostly because Jacen didn't know the answers. Apparently there was a little more secrecy to his powers than Kealey had thought, but he was being so open with her. He also moved his hand and Kealey was slightly surprised to realize that made her a little sad. He'd said he didn't know if he could shut it on or off, or even what he could really do. This was it! This was how Kealey could repay Jacen.

"Try it." she said, propping an elbow on the table and resting her chin on it. "Try shutting it off. Or turning it down. I'd be more than happy to help you answer some of your questions...it's the least I can do, right?"

Kealey's offer came out of the blue and for a moment Jacen could only sit there stunned. This woman that he'd never met before was offering him a chance to try and learn to control whatever this ablity he had was? Lily hadn't even offered to do that yet. Of course, for Lily, Jacen's power gave her an opportunity to do so many things she didn't usually do that she probably had never even considered the idea of Jacen being able to control his ability.

"I, uh, I don't even know what I would be controlling." Jacen said slowly even though his eyes were already closing in concentration, "I don't feel anything different about you compared to anyone else here and I don't even realize I'm doing anything. It's like... it's like this thing is totally subconscious. It's even more subconscious than my heart beating. I mean, I can feel my heart beat even though I can't control it but this aura or field I have is something I don't even know about."

Falling silent Jacen did his best to feel something... anything that would give him a chance to gain some semblance of control but it just wasn't there. He could hear the noises all around the room and he could even heard Kealey's light breathing but he couldn't feel anything. There were smells in the air but nothing that triggered any special spark deep on the inside that he knew was just different.

"It's just not there. It's like it doesn't even exist." He finally spoke up, his eyes opening to look at Kealey once again. He didn't say it in a defeated manner but more matter-of-factly like that was just the way life was. Maybe some day he'd be able to sense something else but for now he knew that his ability was something he just couldn't control. "Thanks for offering though. I appreciate the thought."

OOC - I'm going to start color coding out my dialogue. I just realized how hard it is to figure out when Kealey's talking. Hopefully it stands out better.

He did want to try. Kealey couldn't help but grin, she had been able to give something back. Even if it was something small compared to what she'd been given. It was a start, and a start was better than nothing.

Jacen didn't know what to do, but even as he voiced that his eyes were slipping shut and the concentration was evident on his face. Kealey watched him, tilting her head slightly as she propped it in her hand. Was he like her? Did he have absolutely no control over whether or not his powers worked? Or was this something that he'd just never had the opportunity to practice. Then there was the question of the late manifestation of his powers. By no means did the man in front of her look old, but he'd said his powers just manifested recently. That was far older than any other mutant Kealey had met. Most people had manifestations when they hit puberty.

He was still talking as he tried to concentrate and Kealey laughed softly, debating with herself on whether or not she should tell him that was a horrible way to meditate. She didn't though, because he quieted a moment later. What he said, stuck with her though. More subconscious than his heartbeat. Blond brows furrowed in thought at that as Jacen continued to try and control his powers, her power had always been a demanding presence. Why were things so hard for her and so easy for others? It didn't make sense.


She was staring as she was lost in thought, more at nothing than at the man in front of her, but when his eyes opened she realized it and quickly looked away. Jacen commented again on how latent his power felt and Kealey shook her head, "I have to admit that I envy you there...I've called my talents many different things over the years...latent is not one of them. Maybe you just need some more practice...sometimes meditation helps with control.

Kealey paused for a moment in thought, then spoke again, "Though as dangerous as it sounds to be NYPD with some of the crazies running around right now...your immunity to others like us might be helpful." Kealey might be out of the social loop, but she read papers and followed the news. Life expectancy in the NYPD had dropped dramatically since mutants became more and more prevalent.

Jacen thanked her for the thought and Kealey smiled brightly again, "Anything." she said, sincerity simply dripping from the words, "I still feel like it's nothing compared to what you did by simply not telling me to scram earlier...but it's something."

Beep beep beep beep beep...the watch on her left wrist was beeping and it took Kealey a moment to remember what it was. Oh, work. She'd set the alarm on her digital wrist watch so she didn't get caught up in people watching and show up late. It was going off now. She didn't want to leave.

Kealey frowned at the watch, then shut the alarm off, "Work." She said, turning her eyes back to . "I...I guess I need to go. Otherwise I'm going to be late." Her purse and her jacket were still at the table she'd left however long ago...back at the table where she'd been able to feel the emotions of everyone in the room. Kealey looked at them, stared at them for a moment, not even realizing how lucky she was that they were still there, then looked back at Jacen and shook her head, looking down at her hands, a little embarrassed.

"I'm almost scared to walk away." she admitted, then she took a deep breath and stood. "But the books aren't going to shelve themselves...and we wouldn't want the city to dissolve in chaos."

"Meditation? Deffinately not something I would have thought of but I'll give it a try." Jacen said with a slight grin, although the expression in his eyes was obviously doubtful. Even though he had received combat training while in the military they had never spent any time focusing on meditation side of the martial arts. Sure they had talked some about a person's mental state when in battle but in military training there was no way they were going to take thirty minutes or an hour a day in order to allow the men a chance to meditate. They were in the freakin' army for cryin' out loud!

Taking his coffee cup, Jacen drained the last of it and then set his empty cup back down on the table. "Thankfully I haven't actually gotten into a situation where I've had to face down another mutant but I'm sure it'll happen at some point. There are crazy mutants out there just like there are crazy people." He knew that it would happen eventually, especially since he was a part of S.W.A.T. Honestly, the only reason he hadn't faced down any of the mutants quite yes was the fact that his team had never been able to make it to the right location in time. His team had ben en-route to the incident where a giant and the bone girl that had slaughtered cops and reporters alike but by the time they had arrived all that had been left were blood, guts, and a burning building. Since his incident with a 'giant' back at the Hole In the Wall, Jacen felt that he had a pretty good idea where to find that particular cop killer but he couldn't be completely sure. There just wasn't enough evidence quite yet.

Right then Kealey's watch alarm went off and even as she looked at it, Jacen could see the hesitation in her eyes. In a crowded coffee shop like this stepping away from his field would have to be like getting punched in the face. Maybe if the environment wasn't so thick with people it wouldn't be such a shock to her system.

"How about I walk you to work?" Jacen offered, automatically reaching to the back of his chair and retrieving his leather jacket, "Or I can give you a lift in my truck. Your choice. That'll hopefully give you a chance to ease back into this emotion sensing thing when there aren't quite as many people around."

"Why do I get the idea that you're laughing at me a little bit Mr. King?" Kealey said when Jacen pointed out that meditation was something that he'd never considered doing, but she smiled with the mild admonishment. "Maybe if you try it you'll be able to figure something out. I know it at least helps me a little. Maybe not as much as I'd thought before meeting you. But it does help."

Kealey couldn't help but think about the vampire type mutant she'd ran down with her stillettos and a coffee shop delivery boy when Jacen pointed out the fact that despite his talents he'd never found himself in a situation where he was facing down another mutant. Shuddering at the memory of the dead nun in teh church she pushed it off, "Well, I'll keep you in my prayers that you don't run into any of the crazies. If they're crazy enough to try and hurt people simply because they can...not being able to use their powers might not make much of a difference." It was actually kind of amazing to Kealey how people were so willing to put their lives in danger on a daily basis, just to help people.

Work. Alarm...it had gone off. Now Jacen was offering to walk her to work...or drive her? It still never ceased to amaze Kealey when people owned a personal vehicle, especially in a city the size of New York. That in and of itself was enough to make her want to accept the ride, besides a cab now and then and the public transport vehicles, Kealey's vehicular experience was as limited as her worldly experience. (And folks...that's hella limited.)

"I wouldn't want to make you walk in this...though driving might not be much better. I'd really rather you picked...and are you sure it wouldn't be too much trouble?" He'd already been so nice to her, and now he was grabbing his jacket and putting it on.

Emboldened by the fact that he'd offered to help her...transition back into the noise, Kealey stepped quickly away to grab her purse and coat and gasped at the wave of emotion that washed over her as she stepped out of the field Jacen was emitting. She grabbed the jacket and coat, and trotted quickly back to the table where Jacen was, eyes wide. "I think I'd really appreciate that in fact...the library is usually very quiet...there aren't a lot of people around. It'll be...easier than here or the street." she frowned slightly, "I'm sorry Jacen...now I'm making you go out of your way...I'll bet you wished you picked the corporate place down the street "

"You're not making me go out of my way." Jacen said with a smile as he stood up and slipped on his jacket quickly. "I'm the one that offered so there are no problem." Grabbing up his book Jacen left both the ceramic plate and mug there on the table for the staff to clear away. He could have gotten another coffee in one of those cardboard to go cups but he had really already had plenty and there was no reason to have any more quite yet. If he actually got called to go out and work in this weather then he'd want a whole thermos of coffee but unless that call came he'd be just fine.

"And while I might have had a rude thought like that go through my brain when you first came over and sat down," He continued as he ushered the young woman toward the door and the inclement weather outside, "I really did enjoy our conversation. I'm actually kind of glad you walked over like that."

As soon as they stepped out into the cold Jacen began to rethink his decision about not grabbing a coffee to go. Just the time that it took for the two of them to walk over to his truck was long enough for the cold to begin seeping through his clothing again. "The engine should still be warm so at least I can get the heater going pretty quick." Jacen though as he unlocked the front passenger door on his royal blue Chevy Colorado and held it open so Kealey's could climb in. It might have seemed strange to have a crew cab truck like this in the city but as soon as someone realized that Jacen enjoyed the outdoors and the occasional hunting trip it would make plenty of sense. There was a gun rack in the back window of the truck but there wasn't a single gun in sight. Instead a recurve bow and a quiver of arrows hung there. From the dull sheen of the finish on the bow it was obvious that the equipment was well maintained.

As soon as the young woman was inside Jacen shut the door and then jogged around his vehicle to climb into the driver's seat. "It is miserable out today." He complained somewhat good naturedly as he stared the engine and turned on the heater, "I'd be willing to bet the library will be almost deserted. Now... which branch do you work at?"

Well...if he was so sure the ride wouldn't take him out of his way, the weather was really awful outside. Kealey decided not to take too much delight in the fact that she was getting into a car, or that she was going to get to go a little bit longer without feeling all the emotions. Kealey wondered if this was how addiction worked. She'd always been told that people were addicted to the feelings, not the drug itself.

Jacen had his jacket on by now and Kealey pulled hers on quickly, nimble fingers working the buttons up the front and turning up the collar. Next came the messenger hat she'd stuck in her purse, had to protect her hair. It was one of Kealey's favorite hats and she smiled at her reflection in the shop window before they left the shop, the smile didn't last long though.

Kealey decided that it had been a really good idea to wear flat shoes on this particular day. "It's so cold still. Isn't it supposed to be getting warm?" she squealed slightly as a blast of cold wind blew against the backs of her legs. The tights had seemed like a good idea, and in the library they'd be fine, but suddenly Kealey was even more grateful for the ride. Jacen even unlocked her door first. As she climbed up into the cab of the truck, Kealey realized that this was a huge vehicle for the streets of New York. Then she saw the bow in the back and her eyes widened slightly. Well, he'd said he was military and Police...

Seat belt quickly went on and Kealey tried to hide what she was sure was childish delight at the prospect of not having to walk through the sleet and cold. Then Jacen was in the car and they were pulling off, Jacen commenting that with as miserable as it was the library would probably be empty.

"Mmmm. Sometimes...sometimes we're even busier than usual on the abysmal days. It all kind of depends. I spend most of my days on the top of a ladder though, hidden back in the stacks. So I don't run into a ton of people on an average day. It helps. A lot. I just kind of feel the shadows of their emotions when they're not close...but walls and floors aren't much of a barrier."

Which branch. That's right, he'd asked which branch. "The main branch, you know, the one that looks like a giant manor house. I figured if I was going to work in a library, I might as well go for the gold."

She was still tickled over being in the truck. Jacen was the first person Kealey had met in New York that had their own car. "I forget how nice it is to ride in a vehicle. Though I can't imagine trying to maneuver this thing in rush hour traffic."

Jacen raised one eyebrow ever so slightly when Kealey made her comment about spending all day on top of a ladder. Obviously she was an attractive woman and though he had managed to keep from thinking anything more intimate about her thus far some thoughts still sprang unbidden to his mind. In the outfit she was wearing right then beingo n the ladder wouldn't provide much of a peep show but during the summer in a skirt or dress...

"Main branch it is then." Jacen said, her next comment quickly bringing him back to reality. Within a matter of moment he had pulled out of his parking place and merged in with the rest of traffic. Even though he'd been in the city for a few years now it still amazed him just how much traffic remained on the streets when the weather was this crappy.

"I actually don't drive in the main part of the city with this thing to often." He was glad of the subject change that would keep him of thinking about the attractive young woman that was now sitting beside him. Why was it that he had only just realized how much Kealey looked like Lily? Why did it have to happen now that they were alone instead of back in the crowded coffee shop?

"Convent... just remember she's from a convent." Jacen reminded himself mentally before returning to the subject of his truck. "I like to go out in the woods for hunting or just nature hikes so a truck like this is really a necessity. In weather like this it's handy too but during nice weather, I normally take the subway to work just like most everyone."

Even with the bad weather and somewhat heavy traffic Jacen knew that the drive to the library couldn't take more than ten or fifteen minutes and since they had left shortly after Kealey's alarm went off that should give her plenty of time to arrive, as long as she wasn't trying to cut time to close. "So what do you have to shelve the most often?" Jacen asked, knowing that it was a lame question but unable to come up with anything better right at the moment. Or at least, it was a lame question until, in a spark of brilliance, he changed it into just a touch of teasing. "The historical studies, mysteries, or those spicy romances that so many women seem to like?"

Thankfully Jacen knew where they were going. Kealey could have told him walking, but they were moving so much faster in the truck and so much higher above the ground that things looked way different.

Jacen pointed out that he didn't drive his truck in the main part of the city too often and all Kealey could do is nod. It was kind of like an elephant in a china shop, asking to get ran into. Kealey couldn't really imagine Jacen in anything else though. She hadn't known him long, but from what he'd said he was the kind of guy that a vehicle dripping masculinity would appeal to.

Jacen commented that he liked hunting and nature hikes and Kealey nodded her head again. That would describe the bow in the back of the truck. She was not a fan of hunting, but to each their own and it would be impolite to comment. The nature hikes though, were a completely different story.

"I used to spend my life outdoors." Kealey said, a whimsy smile crossing her features, "Being out somewhere really secluded is almost like being near you." A memory popped into Kealey's mind and she laughed a little out loud, a fierce blush crossing her features at the same time, "That is, until you stumble upon a couple in a tent...well...I didn't stumble on them...I could feel what was happening from far enough away...oh dear..." she ran out of words, and blushed more, realizing just how awkward that story had gotten.

Thankfully Jacen asked her what exactly she did in the library, then went on to tease about romance novels, something Kealey had absolutely no experience with. "Religion and Philosophy." Kealey replied, "My background gives me a unique perspective to help people find what they need...people seem surprised by that based on my age and other things...but you should see the woman that actually works in the romance section."

As Kealey related her outdoor memory it was all Jacen could do to not laugh or make some comment. It didn't take a genius to figure out that this particular woman had never personally felt the sort of emotions that she might have been leaching that day out in the woods. What must it have been like for her? Instead of just feeling one set of emotions like the actual participants were feeling she had been able to feel both sets of emotion.

"Religion and Philosophy." Jacen said, bouncing the subjects around in his head to try and get at least a basic feel for them, "I guess that would fit you pretty well with your background."

"But you should see the woman that actually works in the romance section."

"Oh?" Jacen responded with an obvious laugh this time, "Are you inferring that she doesn't look like she fits in with that section or are you saying that she looks like she should be on one of the covers?"

Jacen wasn't sure exactly how or why the conversation had taken this particular turn but he sure wasn't going to complain. Most women were either so shy about this kind of thing that all they could do was blush or they were so blatant about it that they almost made men blush. Kealey's innocence was refreshing and it made for a relaxed conversation without either of them feeling to uncomfortable.

Jacen had the good grace not to comment on her story about the woods. It was one of those things that had been so funny in her head, but then had turned to rubbish when it came out of her mouth. Trying to describe it was even more impossible.

He did, however, agree that her background was appropriate for the religion and philosophy section. "Yep." Kealey said with a slight roll of the eyes at herself, "I could rock your socks right off talking about CS Lewis or any of the great religious writers of the fifteenth or sixteenth century...Ask me about modern literature or romance though, I'm as lost as a needle in a haystack." The blond sat thoughtfully for a moment, then caught her reflection in the passenger window, "Fashion, I could probably find my way around...but only through virtue of my personal vanity. Otherwise, my skill set is pretty limited."

Then they were back to the girl that worked in the romance section, Kealey couldn't help but laugh after Jacen did, then shake her head at his curiosity, "She's absolutely stunning." Kealey said, You'll never see more men in a romance section in your life than at the main branch of the New York public library. She's one of those 'raven haired beauties with a heart shaped face and eyes of molten gold.'" She may not have read the books, but the backs were interesting sometimes and Kealey had picked up her fair share from the general circulation desk to drop off on her way back to the religion section.

She thought for a moment, then laughed again, "It's funny, the combination of people who work in the library with me. People from all kinds of different walks of life. Rich parents get their children jobs there to keep them from 'getting in trouble'. College students working on all manners of careers that will change the world, help get people interested in their respective courses of study. Nobody is just a librarian...well..nobody besides me anyway."

It was amazing how easy it was to be comfortable with someone when you weren't constantly feeling the way they were reacting to the things you were saying, the things you were doing. Kealey couldn't tell what Jacen felt about her revelations, so it was easy to ignore the fact that he might be feeling anything at all. She was relaxed, but she knew it wasn't going to last, they were getting ever nearer to the library. Jacen was probably right though, the library was going to be empty...the transition would be easy.

"And here I thought you didn't pay much attention to those romance novels." Jacen teased good naturedly as Kealey launched into her description of the woman that worked in the romance section, "And I would probably be shocked by how many guys think they can impress her by acting as if they read those books."

As Kealey began to talk about the different kinds of employees that worked at the library, Jacen was making the turn into the library parking lot. Pulling into the closest space he could find to the large stairs that lead up to the main entrance Jacen parked the vehicle and then left it idling while he turned in his seat slightly so he could better face his blond companion.

"You'd probably be just as impressed by the combination of people that make up the NYPD. Some are ex-military, some are former gang bangers that never really committed any serious crimes, some are from rich families, and others are from the dirt poor. Nobody's just a police officer either, just like nobody is just a librarian." Jacen said with a slight twinkle in his eye, "And that included you Miss Kealey so don't go selling yourself short. I'm sure any number of your friends would be glad to tell you the same thing."

"You'd be amazed Jacen. Most of them don't mince any words about it. They don't even pretend to be interested in the books." Kealey's eyes were slightly wide and she shook her head at how forward men were sometimes. Another downside of knowing what everyone was feeling, there were no mixed signals for Kealey Quinn.

They were at the library now, and Jacen put the truck in park and turned to talk to her. Kealey didn't want to get out. Jacen was still talking to her though, and thanks to the relative speed of the truck compared to walking she had time to spare. No need to rush the getting out of the car.

Jacen kept talking too, telling her how the police force was very similar to the library in that the people who worked there came from an incredibly variety of places. Kealey couldn't help but laugh at the comparison. "Who would have thought that a library and a police station would have so much in common." She thought for a moment and laughed again, "Both places also keep extensive public records on hand! And have holding rooms!" Too funny.

Jacen's next comment made Kealey blush and she turned her eyes forward, giving Jacen a skeptical look out of the corner of her eye. Nobody was just a librarian. She was just a librarian, and friends. "My friends might say that Mr. King, but I don't have any. I'm as open with everyone as I am with you and I have a tendency to make people very uncomfortable."

They were still sitting there, idling in the parking lot of the library while the sleet ping'ed on the roof of the truck and bounced to the blacktop. Kealey knew she needed to stop wasting Jacen's time. He'd been the kindest of gentlemen in the time since they'd met and she didn't want to repay him by taking up his time on his day off.

Slowly, swallowing down the nerves that came along with the thought of walking out of the little aura of silence that surrounded the man in the truck with her, Kealey slowly reached for the door handle. I really should be going though..." she said, "I've wasted enough of your time today." She turned back to look at Jacen and smiled brightly again, "I know I've said it a hundred times already...but thank you so much for not telling me to get lost when I started raving at you in the coffee shop."

I can do this...I can do this...I can do this... the itnernal mantra began as she opened the door and made to step out of the truck...only to be stopped by the seat belt she had not unhooked. "Oh saint's be praised..." she muttered as she was jerked back against the seat and started fumbling for the release, looking apologetically over at Jacen, "I'll be out of here in a second...promise....

Jacen felt one of his eyebrow raise slightly in surprise when Kealey said she didn't have any friends but he chose not to make a comment. It was hard to believe that a person couldn't have any friends. Maybe she didn't think she had any but somewhere in her group of acquaintances that had to be someone that could look past her forwardness to see the girl that was beneath it.

"I'm glad I didn't tell you to leave the table." He said with a nod and smile as Kealey reached over to her door handle, "I enjoyed our conversation."

It looked like their chat was going to be over when suddenly and rather comically, Kealey was jerked back into her seat by the seat belt she had forgotten to release.

"It's OK Kealey... really." He said with a slight chuckle before something suddenly occurred to him. "Wait a sec." He said as one hand reached over to gently grip her hand to keep her from leaving the truck. Turning his attention away from the young woman and up to his sun visor, Jacen pulled out a business card and then offered it to the young woman. It was an official police officer's card with his personal number as well as his cell number printed on it. "Sometime when you're beginning to feel overwhelmed by all of those emotions, give me a call. We can probably arrange to bump into each other at one of those coffee shops again."

The bloody seat belt was going to hold her hostage, it seemed for a few moments as Kealey struggled to get her hand to push the release button. Finally though with a satisfying click the latch released and and the seat belt retracted to its original position.

Jacen laughed, but Kealey couldn't blame him. Besides, he'd said he enjoyed their conversation. High praise for Kealey, and she smiled at it. "I've enjoyed it too. Probably the longest non-work related conversation I've had for weeks. It's much appreciated." For someone as unintentionally anti-social as Kealey, a person telling her that they'd actually enjoyed interaction with her made her fell all warm and fuzzy inside. Warm and fuzzy! She felt warm and fuzzy all on her own!

The seat belt had let her go, the door was open and there was nothing keeping her from stepping outside, until Jacen's hand grabbed hers.

Kealey didn't even want to jerk away this time, she just looked at his hand, a thoughtful look on her face while he rummaged around in his sun visor for something. Then he turned back to her and Kealey pulled her eyes away from their hands and back to Jacen's face.

Then he handed her a card, a card that apparently had his phone number on it. With the card came an offer and Kealey couldn't keep the beaming smile that spread across her face, "Really?!" she said, cheeks coloring again, "That would be so amazing...yeah! Sometime. I definitely owe you a coffee for this!" she added, taking the card and taking the final step out of the truck. "Thanks again, Jacen! I'll be seeing you then! I won't use it injudiciously though.".

Then the door was shut and Kealey was walking away, turning once to wave before walking on, staring at the card Jacen had handed her. She was so giddy, she wasn't ready for the shock when she walked out of the field that Jacen was emitting, even from the cab of his truck.

There weren't many people around, Jacen had been right when he'd said that the library would be slow, but as she approached the library Kealey felt the wave of emotion wash over her and she shuddered. So many emotions all at once, lord had the silence been beautiful. Tears came to her eyes as she mounted the stairs to the side entrance she usually entered through when she came to work and Kealey paused by the door for a few moments to collect herself.

Her fist clenched slightly as a fresh wave of emotion, probably a group of students just inside the door, washed over her and Kealey felt the edges of the card Jacen had handed her poke into her palm. She took a deep breath and released it slowly, she wouldn't bother him soon. In fact, she'd put it off as long as she possibly could, but it still helped to know that there was help out there. Besides, Kealey thought with a smile that she had to force in spite of her happiness because of someone incredibly morose in the library, she had a friend now. Reaching out with her free hand, Kealey grabbed the door and opened it, passing inside and getting to work. Work, it seemed odd to just be getting there after everything that had already happened that day.