((ooc: Thread continued for Luke and Rupert form Thanks for the help, and for Raina from A phone call.))

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow had come, with damn birds chirping outside of his window. They started up just before sunrise, and wouldn’t shut up. As if a man with insomnia needed any help tossing. Flipsy lifted one blearily annoyed eyelid at him, then hopped of the foot of his bed and went to sleep in the living room. Rupert growled something incoherent, and threw the sheets off.

He had breakfast early.

It was morning still. A more reasonable hour of it: 8:56AM, to be exact. Rupert pulled up outside of Jacobs & Jacobs Security, fifth cup of coffee resting on the holder in front of his radio. A companion cup steamed next to it. Did Luke Jacobs like coffee? Probably. He was a New Yorker, wasn’t he? Pretty damn helpful for a New Yorker, though.

Rupert drummed his fingers on the wheel, one leg hopping against the floor. His good leg. Because being a former and/or current zealot wasn’t enough: he was a cripple, too. What woman liked cripples?

The sooner Luke got his blind self down here, the sooner he could get this bad idea over with.

Luke had been at the office early, even though there really wasn't much he could do. Sure he could read braille and he could listen to some of his staff make their reports but he stil felt rather useless. For so long now he had been able to do things far better than any other blind man he had ever met. He had been able to surprise people and prove that he was something different and even though he knew that he was still different, it just wasn't the same without his sonar.

The report from a security officer that Rupert was outside the entrance waiting for him was a welcome break from everything. He had already told his secretary to cancel all appointments and now it was time to leave the building so that noone else could bother him. Maybe he could get through the day without anyone asking about his missing sonar. But that would be to much to ask since he was going to the mansion, a school for those with mutations. "This is going to be a really long day." He realized with a sinking feeling in his stomach as he grabbed his cane and headed out his door, "A really long day."

***

It was one of the most embarassing moments of Luke's life as he allowed a security guard to lead him out to Rupert's car and open the door for him. A murmured comment told him there was a cup of coffee waiting in the cup holder on his side, probably intended for his consumption.

"Thanks Greg. Have a good day." Luke said with a quick smile before the door closed and he found himself alone with the self proclaimed zealot.

"Did you sleep well?" Luke asked in a conversation manner as he turned his attention to the man in the driver's seat. Today his sunglasses were firmly in place so there would be no crazy blind man stares. No, instead Rupert would be dealing with the gaze of mystery. Emotion hidden by the glasses making Luke more mysterious than usual. Of course, without his sonar to help build on that mystery, it was probably gonna be pretty lame. "Deffinately a long day."

It was just a shame he wasn’t here to kill the man. It was as easy as that, was it? Just act repentant, then pick up your helpless blind mutant at the drive-through?

Damn. He and James should have tried a scam like this—lord knows there were plenty of mutants who racked up the body count, and then tried to play the ‘I’ve seen the error of my ways! (until the next kill)’ card. They could have gotten at least one of the Mansion’s killers by playing the part of reformed zealots.

>> "Did you sleep well?"

“Huh?” Rupert started back to the present, as Luke’s mirrored sunglasses reflected his own guilty expression back at him. “Oh, fine. Fine.” A small laugh escaped his throat. “Like crap, actually. You?” He put the car into gear.

All too soon, they were at the Mansion.

How had he slept? Luke hadn't particularly been expecting the question to be turned back around on him so he paused for a moment as his mind drifted back to the previous evening. The past couple of nights had not really been condusive to sleeping. After being able to "see" everything as you fell asleep for so many years, the normal night time sounds were suddenly much more suspicious and nerve racking than they had ever been. The slightest extra noise was suddenly snapping the blind man awake, making him tense up with ever muscle in his body on high alert.

"Difficult." Luke finally responded, "There's been a lot on my mind."

***

Maybe he was being to trusting. Here he was riding along with Rupert with really no way to know for sure where they were going. Were they really going to the mansion? Was he really repentant of his previous feelings? Did he really want to make ammends with this young woman at the mansion? All of those were very important questions that Luke really wished he had thought to ask before he had gotten in the car. He hadn't arranged for any security personnel to be following him and as far as he knew, no one at the mansion was even expecting their arrival.

"I'm to used to depending on myself." Luke thought wearily as he leaned his head back against the seat. For so long his sonar had given him the edge that he needed to survive most any situation by himself. Sure, he loved working with Raina, Sam, or Sara on occasion but he was still used to be self-reliant. Suddenly all of that self-reliance was going out the window but some habits were still hard to break.

The car slowed and after a few words spoken at the gate the vehicle was allowed to drive up to the mansion itself. On a positive note, at least Luke now knew for sure where they were. It was rather doubtful Rupert would be trying anything in a house full of mutants that would protect each other with their lives if necessary. Apparently the man was serious about this apology business.

"A bit of advice Rupert... just be honest with her and make sure to include how you've felt in the past and how you feel now." Luke said quietly when they exited the vehicle, "Honestly goes a long way in healing old wounds."

Raina had been replaying the phone conversation in her head every few seconds for the past few hours. She'd woken up way earlier than she intended and having immersed herself in mansion duties, gotten herself dressed and washed and presentable. She was looking a bit like she was about go out- not that it was intentional. With so much on her mind her hands just seemed to do the work for her in regards to both the mansion work and her makeup this morning.

She'd found about a million seemingly rational reasons to keep standing up from her office chair, striding down the halls, and looking out the front door windows. Every car that came up the drive had her heart racing and one of the other mutants had started teasing her about looking like a dog waiting for it's owner to return. She wasn't too happy with that comment but honestly with her mind pre-occupied she was hard pressed to think of a witty retort.

She was going to be seeing Rupert today. Rupert Kelley. Of all people. He hadn't crossed her mind in so long until the dream- the dream that she was betting was the number one reason why she and Luke hadn't seen each other in a few days. Too many days. Only talking on the phone was starting to get to Raina. In fact after this whole mess with Rupert was over she was planning on calling Luke up and insisting they go to dinner.

But why exactly did Rupert want to see her? She knew he wanted to talk but she had to wonder if he was taking issue with another mutant at the mansion. Of course, her mind was alive with the possibilities of the dream but she was trying her damnest to not be a crazy woman today. Then again, if two such as Raina and Rupert could get together like old chums and talk she might just mention the dream, it could be her only chance. If she looked like a fool to Rupert then it really wasn't changing a whole lot. So it's not like she could regret it.

She fidgeted looking out the window again then stood erect and walked back to her office; her heels clicking in a stomping sound the whole way. "keep it together girl." she told herself "it's just Rupert, I mean... he only shot you." and she couldn't be afraid. Maybe he was coming to finish her off? but that seemed unlikely since they did meet about that jacket business.

She flipped open her cell phone. Maybe it was a bad idea to keep all of this from Luke. After all she needed support right now. She wasn't going to go rushing back into the arms of her ex-boyfriend the zealot but Luke would understand after all this dreaming of babies that she needed support... wouldn't he? She was already thinking it was a bad idea again to call Luke when his secretary informed her he was in a meeting or something. Probably for the best.

She took a seat in her chair again. She put her fingers to her temples and made circles. She still hadn't changed. She'd had a bath this morning and everything. First bath in over a year without changing. She didn't change in the dream.

After a few moments she sighed and stood up- again the idea of waiting by the door seemed completely sane so she headed back in that direction.

>> "A bit of advice Rupert... just be honest with her and make sure to include how you've felt in the past and how you feel now. Honestly goes a long way in healing old wounds."

“Healing old wounds,” Rupert repeated to himself. “Right.” That sounded like... good advice. Good, solid advice. Rupert took in a deep breath, and let it out slow; it wheezed past the scar on his lung. Okay. He could do this. What was the worst that would happen? He’d start screaming xenophobic slurs at Raina in the middle of a school full of mutants?

...Yeah. Probably. Another breath. In: out. Wheeze. He just... needed to think, before he spoke. That being a talent of his.

“I think I’m as ready as I’ll ever get,” Rupert said, looking over at Luke. “However this turns out... thank you, Luke.”

He looked up the Mansion’s long lawn, and hesitated awkwardly. “Do you need any help walking?”

Listening carefully to the direction various noises were coming from had given Luke a pretty good idea where the mansion door was and so he shook his head as Rupert made his offer. "I'll manage. I was born this way so no reason I should let a few years of cheating get the best of me. And you're welcome Rupert. I really hope everything works out for you."

Concentrating and focusing as best he could, Luke walked slowly across the lawn over toward where he knew the steps had to be. As his can hit the steps he lifted it, mentally mapping out the situation in front of him so that he wouldn't do something stupid... like slip and fall on his face. Yeah, now that would look really bad.

There was no question that Rupert was going to make it to the main door before him but Luke really didn't care. This was a matter of pride and he was going to prove to himself all over again that he could survive without his sonar. Sure he had gotten used to having it around but he had been born blind for crying out loud! He knew how to use a cane and he knew how to make his way around a building.

"It's actually been a few days since I was last at the mansion. Maybe I'll check in with a couple of friends or something once you get your conversation started." Luke said conversationally. He had offered to come with Rupert, yes, but once he knew that Rupert and his ex were on friendly terms, there wouldn't really be any reason for him to stick around would there? There were people that Luke really should talk to. Especially Raina... he still hadn't been able to bring himself to tell her about his blindness but she deserved to know. There was no reason he should be trying to hide the fact that she was currently dating a mutant without a mutation. Nope, she needed to hear the truth.

>> "I'll manage. I was born this way so no reason I should let a few years of cheating get the best of me. And you're welcome Rupert. I really hope everything works out for you."

“Thanks,” the Italian man replied, quietly. And with that, there was no more stalling. He didn’t even have a blind man on his arm to slow him down. Another breath in, and he started up the path to the doors.

It was actually the first time he’d seen them. Whole, that is. Seen them whole. The night of the raid, they’d been burst inwards none too kindly by the time he’d rushed through the storm to make their passage. The second time, they hadn’t even been there. They’d probably been buried in rubble, like a lot of the main floor.

>> "It's actually been a few days since I was last at the mansion. Maybe I'll check in with a couple of friends or something once you get your conversation started."

“Thanks,” he replied again, wheezing slightly. He cut back his pace, both so that he didn’t leave Luke behind and so he didn’t wind himself too badly. Thanks, because privacy would be appreciated. Luke was a decent guy, but it wasn’t like this was really any of his business, when it got down to it. This was between Raina and Rupert. This was about them.

The ex-cop reached the Mansion doors first. His hand knocked solidly on the wood, and it sounded like any other knock at any other place. The mowed grass, the sounds of kids laughing—it was all so normal. You couldn’t even tell it was a house of freaks.

ooc: great timing.. forgive me.. but I have great Lyrics for this!

IC:

Heartless, heartless, heartless
Where’d you hide your heart?
In the dark, the darkest darkness
I’m coming apart
In the dark
This is how it feels
To be under your thumb
To be under your wheels

Raina stood at attention the moment she heard the knock at the door. Her head swam for a moment- she'd stood up too quickly. Had that actually even been a knock or her hopeful imagination again? She'd recently resumed her post at the other end of the hall in the chairs and couldn't be certain the way the sound carried if what she had heard had indeed been a knock. She shook her head a moment and pushed her hair back.

It had taken her months to grow back after the camps. Wasn't that Rupert's last memory of her? A skinny malnourished mutant with barely any hair and new found ability to speak again? And of course after spending so long growing it out again to be the Raina he'd remembered, in her new found confidence in herself and her identity she'd cut it off again. Would he recognize her? So much had changed. She started her stride down the hall each footstep feeling heavier than the next and the walls seeming just a little bit brighter.

Lover, lover, lover
Where’d you leave your love?
In the bed, beneath the covers?
Where push will come to shove
I will leave
And will not return
I will make my mistakes
And from them I’ll learn

She hovered at the door. Yes. It had been a knock. There were other residences looking at her curiously until one of them perked up and shooed the others off following in suit. Her hands felt shaky now, her heart fluttered, and her skin was hot. She gripped the door knob and pulled. It didn't give. She looked up to see the bolt lock still in place and had to laugh at her own stupidity and nervousness. This was Rupert after all. All he ever did was try to kill her. She sighed, told herself to man up; he wouldn't walk all over her, and unbolted the door.

Snickers from the peanut gallery trying to stay out of sight around the corner.

She took a breath and opened the door.

Steady, steady, steady
Slipping through the night
Are you red or are you ready?
Don’t you think you might
Be afraid of where this could go?
Things that you can
And cannot control

Rupert. It was Rupert. Every inch of him. Her nostrils flared as the warm summer breeze sent his scent to her. It wasn't that she was a particularly strong smeller, or that Rupert had a strong smell.. it was just that lingering scent of a first lover. The kind that never fades over time.

Her gray eyes searched his for a moment. yep. It was Rupert alright. She couldn't help but let a warm smile flood her face. It was just the way she was. She was silent for a moment looking him over. It seemed like minutes but it was only a second or two. He looked different; not the Rupert from her dreams. He didn't look peaceful as much as he looked tormented. His body seemed heavy and even though he was still she knew there'd be a limp when he moved.

"Rupert." she said in a normal speaking voice with as much of a welcoming tone as she could muster. It wouldn't be easy to walk into the mansion of all places as a mutant hating zealot. "It's been a while." she started.

Her eyes drifted past him, he'd brought someone else. Surely he wasn't that scared to see her that he felt he needed protection? For goodness sake she wasn't about to spit acid. But there was something her body realized far faster than her brain as it tensed and panicked. Her feet wanted to run, her legs urged her to leave but her mind hadn't quite caught up at the person standing right behind Rupert. Was this some coincidence? A cruel joke? Bad timing?

"Luke?"

Running, running, running
Chasing down the light
I know the dawn is coming
Does it have to take all night?
In the dark
We face ourselves alone
Asleep or awake
Abroad or at home

"One at a time." Luke kept reminding himself over and over as he tapped step after step with his cane. He was still out of practice and anyone experienced knew that climbing steps was far more difficult for a blind man than simply walking over flat ground. "Why can't they make one standardized size? Why do all these things have to be custom?"

Rupert was already at the top of the steps and Luke heard the knock as Rupert alerted the mansion to his arrival. Luke could hear movement inside the mansion, laughing and giggling that fit perfect with the many children he had met over his time here. Were they enjoying time off from class or were the just between classes? Would Sam be busy in the danger room or was he out in the city? Was Raina here teaching a music class or was she at the aquarium?

"I wonder... who is Rupert coming to meet?" The obvious question that Luke should have thought of some time ago finally popped into his head. He had never asked. What if it was someone that he didn't really know? What sort of introduction could he provide if he didn't even know the person Rupert was coming to see? Maybe his job as an X-Man would be enough to take care of the situation on the off chance he didn't know the person.

The door opened and for a brief moment there was silence and then the most beautiful voice in the world spoke just a few simple words.

"Rupert. It's been a while."

He couldn't have been frozen in place any more if Sam had put him into a solid block of ice. Raina and Rupert knew each other? Surely it had to be a coincidence. Raina couldn't be the person Rupert was coming to talk to, could she? Mabye they had met while Rupert was talking to his other friend or something along those lines. There had to be a reasonable explanation!

"Luke?"

The tone of her voice was more than enough to let Luke know that the sinking feeling inside wouldn't be going away anytime soon. Raina had seen Rupert and greeting him in a friendly manner but then she was surprised, no, that didn't quite convey the emotion. It was a combination of surprise and perhaps just a tinge of worry? She almost had that sound of a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

"Hi Raina." Luke replied with a forced smile as his mind began to race over all of the possibilities. He was putting connections together faster than he would have believed possible. Raina had talked about the boyfriend that had put her in the camps and rejected her as a mutant. Rupert had been a cop. Why the hell hadn't he made the connection earlier? Why hadn't he realized the truth?

He was just about to open his mouth to say something else when suddenly a thought popped into his mind that actually made him feel like ice was flowing through his veins. "Rupert... he's the guy she dreamed about."

((ooc: Sorry for the delay in reply! Good song choice, Raina. <3 I see your Joel Plaskett, and raise you Pink Floyd. ))

Hello.
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone home?

Rupert’s hand hung in front of the door for another useless second before dropping back to his side. He could hear people on the other side of the door: quiet snickering laughter, somewhere in the background. Much closer, the sound of a dead bolt sliding. So that was it, was it? For one moment, Rupert heard that sound in reverse: a dead bolt locking, not being drawn free. What an end that would make.

The door was pulled open, before he had time to process how he’d feel about that.

Relax.
I need some information first.
Just the basic facts:
Can you show me where it hurts?

Gray looked out, searchingly. Gray—he remembered that color, even if the face had changed so much. Her hair had grown back, he noticed. It looked... good. Healthy. Her cheeks had filled back in, though not in quite the same way—there was something more mature to them, now. A change in angles, a definition in cheekbones. Or maybe it was just the eyes that knew more, now. Those gray eyes. A question from months ago came back to his mind: is gray a human color? They had been alone together in the break room of the Camps guard house. On their hands and knees, side by side, cleaning up a pot of coffee. Hot liquid and glass shards; a collar around her neck. She’d said she still loved him, but that was all he could think; is gray a human color?

>> "Rupert. It's been a while."

“Raina. You’re looking well.” His smile was small, but genuine. Something in his stomach twisted at the sight of her: she was right there, in front of him. Gray was Raina’s color. What did the rest matter?

“Can I come--?” The question died in his mouth out of some instinct, perhaps. Something that told him she wasn’t seeing him, anymore. Not just him. Gray eyes looked over his shoulder.

>> "Luke?"

There is no pain, you are receding.
A distant ship’s smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I can’t hear what you’re saying.

Rupert felt his breathing still down. Her voice—God, her voice. How could you put that much into one voice?

When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse,
Out of the corner of my eye.
I turned to look but it was gone.

>> "Hi Raina."

He looked back over his shoulder at the blind man behind him, then back to Raina. Odd. He’d thought he heard the dead bolt again, but the door was still standing open.

I cannot put my finger on it now.
The child is grown, the dream is gone.

His lips moved. Because he was here, and that’s all there was that he could do. “There’s a lot—a lot I’d like to tell you. A lot of things you should know. If you’ll listen.”

Gray eyes weren’t looking at him. But muddy hazel were still looking at her, for what it was worth. For what it had ever been worth—any of it. The coffee was long cold, the glass shards forgotten. Muddy hazel: it was a human color. That’s all Rupert was—just human.

I have become
Comfortably numb.

Raina was frozen in her tracks. Rupert was speaking to her but all she could register was that Luke had his sonar turned off for some reason. She couldn't feel it. It had become an integral part of her connection with Luke. Right now, she needed to feel it, needed him to understand, needed his support. But she couldn't feel the sense of electricity running through her body as his sonar hugged her every curve.

He said Hello back just as Rupert said she was looking well.

Everything felt like it was spinning. What was she supposed to do now? How did Luke and Rupert know each other? Did Luke just happen to show up now? Did Luke put the pieces together and figure out Rupert was the guy from her dreams and bring him to her so she could finally settle the past?

Her knees felt shaky and her head light. Even when Luke wasn't using his sonar it was still there, just not extended. Why was the idea of his sonar being 'off' bothering her more than the man who shot her standing in front of her?

"yeah." Raina said quickly without even thinking it through. "You can come in. I think... I think we have a lot to talk about."

Her eyes searched Luke praying for some understanding but knowing that he couldn't see the shocked look on her face. She prayed with every inch of her that he'd forgive her for what she was about to do. But she had to know. She had to know if Rupert had the dream. Everything depended on it. "Please just trust me." she thought to herself wishing she was a telepath.

"Luke, you should come in too." she added trying to sound casual and hoping he'd pick up on it. It wouldn't be fair to Rupert to drop the bomb this second that she was with someone else and that someone else was Luke. She hoped to God Luke thought the same thing.

She motioned for both men to follow her and turned her back for a moment. No sonar. No sonar. What did that mean?

As she spun around to face the door the world swam for a moment. She got a grip on the handle. Pushing it open she made eye contact with the peanut gallery and shot such a medusa look that the kids took off running- not laughing at all this time.

"I think maybe... my office would be the best place." she said rather dazed as she walked down the hall knowing that Rupert and Luke were following her.

She felt guilty for the twinge of emotions Rupert brought out in her, even moreso that Luke was around. But she was determined to see this through in the most civil way. After all if Rupert had the same dream then that was why he was here, right? It wasn't like he was still in love with her...

ooc: Please stick around Luke if you so wish! And feel free to play oblivious for a little bit Rupe

This was not how Luke had pictured the situation going. He had expected to introduce Rupert to some mutant that he probably didn't know very well, escort them to an office or something, and then leave the two alone to discuss their issues. The very idea that Raina was the woman that Rupert had come to see was baffling. He was beginning to feel numb. Not only was he truly blind and unable to see their expressions but the whole situation had blindsided him. Why had he agreed to help Rupert with this situation?!

As Raina stepped away from the doorway and invited them in, Luke followed behind Rupert. A part of him wanted to separate right nwo but another piece was curious. Did Raina still have feelings for this man? Had he just been a rebound to help her feel better until Rupert came back to his senses?

"I'll follow you up to the office and then leave you alone." Luke murmured quietly, momentarily quickening his pace to gently bump up against Rupert before they reached the stairs, "I... I hope it goes well."

Slowing his pace, Luke felt his cane touch the first of the stairs. Suddenly he felt his mind go into a panic. How many stairs were there? This was something that he as a blind man should know! Why hadn't he ever bothered to count the stairs? Why had he stopped so many of the things that had helped him to survive as a kid until his sonar appeared?

Gritting his teeth, Luke's eyebrows knit together in concentration as he began to ever so slowly mount the stairs. Mentally he was mapping the staircase as he tapped each step, counting and recording this as information he would never forget. Never again would he be caught so off guard. If he were to lose his sonar again or if he were to never regain it, he would at least be able to function!

((ooc: Rup’s jealousguydar is kind of picking up on the awkwardness between you two. Tell me if that’s a problem! His obliviousness applies mostly to mutants freezing his apartment. ))

>> "yeah. You can come in. I think... I think we have a lot to talk about."

An understatement. Rupert could recognize one, when he heard it.

>> "Luke, you should come in too."

Why did Luke have to—why ‘should’ Luke—come too?

>> “I'll follow you up to the office and then leave you alone. I... I hope it goes well."

Why the hesitation? Why the sudden change from the man’s previous upbeat support?

Rupert shoved those questions down. Swallowed them, hard. There was no reason to be asking those. Luke had agreed to bring him here. Raina had agreed to see him. The two knew each other, obviously, but it couldn’t be— After all, Luke would have said something. Been a hell of a lot less enthusiastic, at the mere mention of who Rupert was going to see. Raina.

Except he hadn’t told Luke her name, had he?

...Rupert stepped into Raina’s office, a hard shrapnel lump grinding somewhere in his gut. This wasn’t what he thought it was. It wasn’t. He and Raina—they were meant to be together, right? That’s what the dream had been all about. Right?

“Raina,” Rupert started. “Have you... had any dreams lately?”

Raina prayed to God above that Luke heard exactly what Rupert had just said. He couldn't blame her now. He really couldn't. He knew she needed to know about the dream. He knew she needed to know. Needed to know that she wasn't crazy, that somewhere, somehow... there had been a baby. He'd have to forgive her. He had to trust her. Didn't he? Didn't he? After everything they've been through?

"Very well Luke." said Raina in a neutral tone. She wanted him to know she knew something was wrong with his sonar. Wanted him to know she was worried "Doc Prof is in today..." she started "You..." she hesitated "Might want to pay him a visit maybe?" she walked past Rupert for a moment and put her hand on Luke's shoulder and looked into his eyes searching for whatever consciousness in them that she could see.

It was clear by the way he walked up the steps there was something wrong. She knew she wasn't imagining it. "You'll be able to make it down the hall?" she asked peering at him. Please know I love you. She thought. please just understand.

After her exchange with Luke Raina came back into the office and motioned for Rupert to take a seat at the chair across from her desk. "Poor guy." she said absentmindedly thinking of Luke. She closed the door but went to the blinds and opened them just enough to let a little sun splash against the desk. Her head was hurting so the last thing she wanted was the hum of those neon lights above her.

Instead of taking the seat behind the desk she pulled another one up across from Rupert. She propped her elbow on her desk and propped her head up and stared across at Rupert for a moment just taking things in. "Rupert Kelley..." she said. "You looked less worn in the dream." she started "Relaxed, peaceful, well... except when it came to Alice or the baby." she smiled.

At this point on the mere fact alone that Rupert had mentioned dreams Raina was going out on a limb to hope and assume he had the same one. After talking to Sara and the others she wanted so badly to believe. And here she was laying it out on the table searching Rupert with her gray eyes. Praying to God again that the words she just said didn't make her a lunatic in his eyes.

She just had to know.