*cue piano* ‘Don’t let me out of this kiss. Don’t let me say what I say. Things that scare us today, what if they happen someday. Don’t let me out of your arms for now. What if the sword kills the pen. What if the god kills the man. “And if he does it with love, well then it’s death from above. And death from above is still a death.” I don.’

Kate placed the remote for her ipod alarm clock back onto the side table and resumed staring at the ceiling. She really didn’t want to move. She didn’t want to get up and get on a plane home. She wasn’t ready for this but it was happening anyway and there was nothing she could do about. They would be on a plane in a matter of hours and if she didn’t go downstairs Jensen would come up and get her.

She climbed out of the bed slowly and walked into her closet. Jensen had made her set out clothes the night before so she could just get dressed without needing to take the time to prepare for the weather. It was 5 now and they weren’t meeting downstairs for another half hour before heading off to the airport for their 7:30 departure time. Jensen ran everything on a very tight schedule and there was no being late with him. Though, right now she really didn’t care. She was going to take her time and he was going to live with it. She slowly took off her pajamas and picked up the sweater dress off of the ottoman. She liked this dress and knew that she would probably not wear it for the rest of the winter after this, if she ever wore it again. It would always remind her of this day forever.

She slipped the dress over her head and matched it with tights and a pair of boots, before taking some time to just look at herself in the mirror. She wasn’t doing it to admire or check herself for any imperfection, as she usually did. No, she was doing this because she still wasn’t ready to head down the stairs and out the door.

As she looked at her reflection, she was reminded that she wouldn’t be alone. She had Mirror and that was going to help.

She took a deep breath and walked out into her bedroom to finish the rituals involved with getting ready to go out.

"WAKE UP YOU LAZY SON OF A-" Smash!

". . . Awww man... another one?" Saph sat up in bed looking at a crushed alarm clock; the remains of an angry plastic kid making a lewd hand gesture. He needed a certain kind of motivation to get up in the morning. Not that it was morning in his mind... He glanced to the window. God, the freaking sun wasn't even up. He reached up a shaky hand to rub his eyes, and instantly winced. his knuckles were still beat up from fighting crime last... They were a little swollen.

The older mutant turned and placed his feet on the floor, looking through the darkness at his room mates bed... nope, the kid wasn't up... Sometimes that boy could sleep through anything, he swore... then again, a glance to the type of alarm clock he needed was proof that he was the same way. Saph gave a long sigh, and climbed out of bed, feeling tons of aches and sore areas about his body; Vigilantism really took a lot out of you... Then again, it did wonders for his physique, he had to admit. Saph let out a long sigh as he stared into the bathroom mirror that morning... He wasn't sure if he should be doing this... Andrea still hadn't shown up... But he'd made a commitment before hand, and... well... it looked as though Andrea didn't want to come back. Maybe he needed this. The money he was getting for it didn't hurt matters either.

The tired man had taken a shower, and gotten dressed in what seemed like minutes, and was on his way down stairs with his pre-packed case before he had even fully woken up.

He came to a stop at the bottom of the stair, greeting the butler with a short nod. "Mornin... " He glanced about slowly, and then dug for his phone, looking at the time. "Huh... Looks like I'm a little early. Damn. Coulda slept in more." He looked to the butler slowly. At least he assumed this was the butler; everything about him screamed it. Saph, on the other hand, looked more like a recently tamed homeless man; he hadn't thought to shave this morning.

"I'm Saphirus... They got me lookin after the kids for the trip-" He paused for a second, and then spoke apologetically; he'd forgotten the circumstances for a moment. "Eh... Sorry for your loss." Way to make a good impression... He felt like smacking himself.

Gawain rolled out of bed; it was too early to think straight, but fortunately enough he didn't have much packing to do. Angua was gone; he'd left her with her designated babysitted the day before so he didn't have to disturb anyone so early in the morning.
Gawain got dressed, closed his backpack, picked up the suit he'd borrowed the day before (if he counted correctly, the funeral was going to be a Gawain day, and he never owned a suit; fortunately enough, there were some guys in the Mansion about his size, who were better off in that department).
Walking into his mirror, he made his way across the Mansion to Kate's room.

"Hey Priness, are ya decent?" he asked quietly, peeking in through the mirror "Ready to go?"

He was hoping Kate managed to pull herself together a little; if she was crying again, he'd have to spend some time comforting her, and the butler would get annoyed if they were late. Gawain did not want to annoy that guy.

Already today Jensen had gotten himself ready and fed, as well as making breakfast, coffee and tea for his charges. It was his philosophy that in order to be an effective butler you needed to be able to think on your feet and be prepared for any need to be met within seconds of it being asked. This is why he was one of the perfect butler for the unusual situation that was the Finch-Hatton family. He was always four steps ahead to meet their unusual needs. Like today, he had the entire day mapped out. They would be on their way to the airport by 6AM and on the plane by 7:30 at the latest. They would arrive in England around 9AM local time and would be out of customs and on their way to Kirby Hall by 10:30. After that the day was theirs. He could have planed out how long it would have taken them to get home and everything else but there really was no need. The only time sensitive thing was Kate’s meal times and he had been taking care of that for years and was more than prepared.

Jensen pulled out his pocket watch from his jacket pocket, he had chosen to wear his uniform seeing as he was on duty. ‘Only 5 minutes more.’ Jensen looked up to find a rather messy looking man coming down the stairs.

>>Mornin... Huh... Looks like I'm a little early. Damn. Coulda slept in more. I'm Saphirus... They got me lookin after the kids for the trip- Eh... Sorry for your loss.

“That is quite alright. You are not really early enough to be considered early per say. You are more on time than you think.” Jensen put away the watch and picked up one of the cups of coffee, they were in to-go mugs, “I’m Jensen McBride, the Finch-Hatton’s butler. Cream and sugar?”

MEANWHILE UPSTAIRS

>>Hey Priness, are ya decent? Ready to go?

“I’m in here.” Kate looked at her reflection in the vanity mirror and sighed. She still had to do her hair and put on makeup, she just hadn't gotten up the energy to do it. She sighed and picked up the hairbrush running it through her hair until it was fully brushed out and ready to be styled.

"Hey Kate" Gawain smiled a bit, walking in through the mirror. She was dressed, and almost ready. Incredible. He was still blinking sleep out of the corner of his eyes. "Did ya sleep at all?"

Probably not. He didn't, back when Mom went missing; he went several days without sleep before he fainted.

"So, umm" he sat down to wait for her "I got a suit and everything. Because, y'know... the funeral will be a Gawain day" he cleared his throat "If I counted correctly."

He really was not sure, and the idea of wearing a suit was still creeping him out. It was just... not his style. More than that, he'd never done it... for a very long time.

Saphirus blinked a few times as he was immediately offered coffee, and told he was just on time... Jees, this guy didn't mess around, did he? Heck, it wasn't even six yet and he was already in a suit. Saph didn't own a suit. The older mutant wasn't the kinda guy that would have a suit in his closet, but he figured he could always get one over there when he had time.

"Nice to meet you, buddy. So, eh... If i'm on time, where are the others?" He took a sip of his coffee, and had a brief doubletake. It was still piping hot. Not only had this guy made coffee, but he'd made it just in time for him to coem down... He eyed the man for a moment... Was he psychic?

...Nah... He was probably just very good at what he did. Saph could appreciate that. He scratched his stubbs absentmindedly as we looked about... man... he would have to shave when he got there as well. Maybe he could go to one of them old fashioned barbers, have them try to shave his right side. There was a trick to it; you had to shave the hair without touching the skin. He'd gotten it down through the years, but it would be a laugh watching someone else try to do it.

>>Hey Kate. Did ya sleep at all?

“Not even for a moment.” Kate put her hair up into a clip and moved on to apply the small amount of makeup. Most people may have thought it wrong of her to put it on on such an occasion but in a way it was a feeling of normalcy on a day so far from the norm.

>>So, umm, I got a suit and everything. Because, y'know... the funeral will be a Gawain day. If I counted correctly.

“That’s nice,” Kate sighed in the mirror and looked at herself. Her eyes turned to Mirror’s reflection from behind her, “Thank you for this. I know this can’t be an easy thing for you, bad memories and all that” She turned in her chair to look at him, “But out of everyone that could have found me in that closet and offered to come… I’m glad it’s you.”

MEANWHILE DOWNSTAIRS

>>Nice to meet you, buddy. So, eh... If I’m on time, where are the others?

“I would expect that Katherine is moving slowly under the circumstances but will be down momentarily, and as for our second companion, I don’t know much of her but I am sure she will be down shortly. They were both informed of meeting and flight times. I also informed the other young lady, I believe her name was Maya, that lateness will not be tolerated. We are on a very tight schedule and I would like to keep to it the best we can.” Jensen moved to grab a bag with a freshly made breakfast pastie and handed it to Saphirus, “Here is something to eat while we are in the car,” Jensen peeked at his watch once more and looked out the window, “Which is right on time.”

In walked a tall blond man who assuredly looked American, “Hello. I’m David and you must be Mr. McBride.” He had a New York accent and shook Jensen’s waiting hand.

“Lady Finch-Hatton’s bags are over there if you were like to start with those.” Jensen motioned to small tan plaid bag and a black leather bag.

David grabbed the two and was out the door without another word only to return seconds later, “Can I take that?” He pointed at Saphirus’ bag.

>>“That’s nice. Thank you for this. I know this can’t be an easy thing for you, bad memories and all that. But out of everyone that could have found me in that closet and offered to come… I’m glad it’s you.”

"Don't worry about it." he muttered, watching her as she put on her make-up. He waitd patiently; they were in no hurry. The butler with the stick up his *ss could wait a few more minutes.
He really had nothing else to say, but a glance at Kate told him he didn't need to say anything. Just being there right now was all that was expected from him.

"C'mon Princess" he sighed finally, and stood, offering a hand to her "Let's go."

UPSTAIRS

>>Don't worry about it. C'mon Princess, Let's go.

Kate took Gawain’s hand and stood, picking up the large purse she had packed with her book and MP3player for the trip. She had decided to get up around 2, after not going to sleep, to get food and pack a bag to entertain herself with. She knew the trip would be long and that Gawain and Jensen couldn’t be expected to entertain her the entire time.

“Shall we?”

"Yup."

Gawain walked downstairs with Kate, only taking the stairs because he couldn't take her into the mirrors, and he wouldn't leave her alone. Seeing Saphirus and the butler at the bottom of the stairs, he grinned at them, then caught himself; the situation was really not one for grinning. It was just funny, Saphirus the most badass guy in the Mansion staff, and the English gentleman, standing next to each other. Apparently, Saph was their chaperone for the England trip. Oh boy.

"Good morning" he greeted both of them, clearing his throat "We are ready to go."

>>Yup.

Kate took Gawain by the arm as they walked silently down to the entrance hall.

Jensen looked up at the sound of footsteps and saw Katherine walked down with a boy he didn’t recognize. He looked similar enough to be the girl he had met briefly’s brother and maybe he was, but assuredly he wasn’t coming. Whether Katherine was an adult or not, bringing a boy to her mother’s funeral would be more then inappropriate. She hadn’t been away long enough to make a relationship that could be close enough.

He eyed their closeness and watched with suspicion, making sure to still carry himself with an air of professionalism that would hide any inner feelings.

>>Good morning. We are ready to go.

“I’m sorry to be rude young man, but who are you?” Jensen waited for an answer before continuing with getting ready to leave.

A grin came to Saph's face as the butler talked about Maya. Maybe he wasn't psychic after all. He was in for a big surprise, that was for sure. Saph'd been pretty surprised himself when she'd popped in on the pink robot battle.

Saph's eyes widened as the butler handed him some food just in time for his stomach to growl... Okay, maybe he was too quick to knock the possibility of him being able to read minds; It was haunting. The former hobo stared at the man for a moment, and then forced himself back to reality. "Eh...thanks."

And just as the butler had said, the couple was on their way down the stairs within moments. Maybe his timing was just really good. Saph gave a split second grin back to Gawain, but did the same reconsideration. It was good to see the young knight, though. He was afraid that everyone here would be complete strangers.

Now he might have someone to drag with him if he decided to go off and fight crime while he was there! It was a good thing he'd packed plenty of spandex!

The man walked in and took the luggage, asking Saph if he cared to hand his over. His hand shot down to the bag. "No-eh... no, that's alright. I got it." His crow bar was in there, and he liked having it close by... His bag would ride with him. Call him paranoid, but it made him feel better.

>>“I’m sorry to be rude young man, but who are you?”

"Gawain Morris" the young knight introduced himself, letting go of Kate to offer a hand to the butler "I'm Kate's friend. I promised to accompany her."

He found the situation amusing. Sure, the guy will have to find out sooner that later that he was also a girl, and then, he imagined he'll be very relieved Gawain was just a friend.
Glancing at Saphirus, he bit back a smirk. The chaperone didn't give his secret away. He was too busy clinging to his luggage. Gawain wonderd whatever on earth he had in that bag.

"I live in the Mansion, just like Kate." he said, as he turned back to the butler, and cleared his throat.

>>Gawain Morris. I'm Kate's friend. I promised to accompany her. I live in the Mansion, just like Kate.

“So are we to have two guests now. I was under the impression that the girl I had met briefly yesterday was the only one joining us. If we have a second guest I will have to call ahead and tell Marie to prepare another room.” Jensen looked at Kate expectantly and then pulled out his watch to check it once again. They really didn’t ave time to wait for another person, especially a late one. It was already 5:40 and they needed to be getting on their way.

“No Jensen. Gawain is Maya. It’s part of his mutation. He is a…” Kate looked at Gawain hoping that she would get it right, "a gender shifter?”

“Ah…Well…that makes things much easier,” Jensen turned back to the small breakfast he had prepared and started putting together Kate’s tea just the way she liked it. He was only the butler and it wasn’t his place to question. He may have to just investigate the kid throughout the day. He knew that mutations could be all sorts of things and apparently gender shifting was one of them. It really didn’t matter that it was a little on the ridiculous side.

“English Breakfast with milk and 3 sugars,” Jensen handed Kate the cup and she sipped it gratefully. Jensen made tea was exactly what she needed right now.

Jensen turned to Gawain, “Master Morris how would you like your coffee?”

>>“So are we to have two guests now. I was under the impression that the girl I had met briefly yesterday was the only one joining us. If we have a second guest I will have to call ahead and tell Marie to prepare another room.”

>>“No Jensen. Gawain is Maya. It’s part of his mutation. He is a... a gender shifter?”

"Yup, that's correct." Gawain nodded cheerfully, waiting to see the butler's reaction.

>>“Ah…Well…that makes things much easier... Master Morris how would you like your coffee?”

The young knight blinked. That... was not quite the reaction he was used to. Then again, he'd never met many people quite like this guy. He was... he looked like someone who cannot be surprised by anything. Experienced people and parents had that look about them.

"Did he really just call me 'Master'?" he muttered, glancing at Kate. It was... well, it was. Kinda funny.

"I, umm." he looked at the coffee. Focus, Gawain. "Black. Thank you."

And that was that. He was ready to go, Kate was... as ready as she'd ever be, and Saph was still half asleep, so. The way Gawain saw it: they were all set for the journey to England. They already had the butler, after all.