Her heart felt like it was frightened bird, trying to escape. Definitely too heavy for a first date. Silence settled on the room like a funeral shroud. He’d handled that badly. He didn’t think he could have handled it worse, actually. The truth wasn’t some magic cure for all situations—as a cop, he should know that lesson better than most.

”Well,” she began. Here it comes, he braced himself. “I certainly don't want this to be our last date...” She laughed, and something inside of him relaxed. "We need some practice to get this thing right."

Silence settled again. But it was almost a comfortable silence. At the least, it was a happy silence, at least on Rupert’s end—and a kiss from Raina was all the confirmation he needed that she was sharing his feelings. He leaned into it, feeling his natural heat being tempered by Raina’s inborn cool. Heavy for a first date? Definitely. What were they getting themselves into? Was it worth it?

Rupert’s mind stilled as their kiss lingered on. For the first time since the Sanctuary Massacre, he felt at peace, exactly where he was—with Raina. There was no need to throw himself into his work. There was no need to stare at the ceiling at four AM, tossing strategies to combat muties through his mind. There was nothing but this.

What were they getting themselves into? Something life-changing. Was it worth it? He had no doubts.

There was nothing that could change how he was feeling, right now, as he kissed Raina back.

Ooc: Ok. no worries people. Don't freak out when you start reading this, it's all PG I promise. LOL. We're gonna fast forward and skip all the juicy details, lol. You'll just have to use your imaginations.

ic:

Everything was whirrling around Raina as Rupert started to kiss her back passionatly. The moment sure as hell felt a lot heavier then it may have seemed looking from the outside in. If only she could tell Rupert the truth.

She found her hands pulling away at his shirt buttons but her mind was still wreaked with guilt. Was the right? it sure felt right, but... she was decieving him all along. She was a mutant. Rupert hated mutants. Mutants had hurt Rupert.

She wasn't like them though. She wasn't. She wouldn't hurt Rupert. She wouldn't hurt anyone. The way she was pulling at him- so desperatly- she would have agreed to leave the mansion if thats what it took.

She pulled her mouth back from Rupert's in a pant and without even realising it she said, "I'm so sorry... I think I'm falling in love with you." it was partially true- for at that moment... raina knew she was no longer falling, she had fell. She was in love.

As she pressed against him again and wound her fingers through his hair, all of her thoughts left her mind. There was no more worry. There was no more doubt. There was only now.

ooc:

Theres we go. I think that's suggestive enough and yet safe enough for ya'll to figure out what's going on. and if you don't, well ahahahah PM us and we'll try very politley without laughing to explain

((ooc: Or, you can ask your parents. Parents like to answer questions like "Mommy, why are they doing CPR without the chest compressions?" *innocent look*))

"I'm so sorry... I think I'm falling in love with you."

Rupert couldn't help but grin. Falling, was it? He'd always liked that visual--the careening, out-of-control, breathless feeling of falling—‘falling in love’ was a phrase coined by someone who’d been where they were now. "Good," he answered her, leaning back in, until his lips brushed hers with every word he spoke. "We can keep each other company on the way down.”

---

Rupert woke up the next morning, his arm curled under Raina’s head and around her shoulders. He couldn’t actually feel the arm in question anymore, but he could see it. And he didn’t mind a bit.

Flipsy wagged her tail up at him from the floor, scattering dried broccoli flecks over the carpeting. She looked like she approved of the situation. Though maybe those chewed muffin wrappers littering the place were what the little dog was really smiling about.

The sun was just starting to make its way over the skyscrapers and through the beige curtains of the window near the TV. Rupert watched it crossing the floor towards them. Against his chest, he could feel the even rhythm of Raina’s breathing, and the slight chill of her skin.

Falls always end with a hit to the ground—hard, painful, and unavoidable. ‘Falling in love’—Rupert had always liked that visual, but he always forgot how it ended. But for now, there were no regrets.

Ic:

Raina was dreaming. She dreampt she was some place warm on a beach. Sun was spilling over her and she was basking. She murmered a happy little noise as the real sun started to creep into Rupert's apartment and splash across her face.

She didn't open her eyes yet. She wasn't fully aware of things yet. She could feel Rupert's warm body next to hers, and she could smell him. She could hear his breathing but she was in a bliss, her legs intwined with his.

Then reality started to sink in and she knew it would be getting close to 8am at least. Micheal would come looking with torches if she wasn't back soon, and she knew Rupert must need to get to work. But she stole a few more moments of bliss before opening her eyes.

When she finally did open them- reality sunk in pretty fast. Her eyes widened and focused at the beautiful man lying next to her. It took her a moment to drink in her surroundings and realizing she was wearing no clothes but Rupert and the blanket they were wrapped up in- she mentally freaked out. All the images of the previous night came flooding back to her. She pulled the blanket right up to underneath her eyes, blushing underneath it feeling very vulnerable. She couldn't believe how impulsive she'd been caught up in the moment. Rupert may have done something like this before, but it was pretty new territory for her.

In her tribe, things like this were held with huge regard. It was the sharing of your soul with another person and recieving a piece of theirs. Raina smiled to herself, maybe in that way Rupert had a little X gene too.

She stared across the couch at him and smiled. She reached over and pushed a few strands of lose hair from his face.

Rupert watched her out of the corner of his eye--the blushing, the ducking under the covers, and the reemergence with that smile on her lips. He tried not to grin at her. As she reached over and pushed the hair out of his face, he simply smiled softly. "Mornin--"

beep beep beep

Rupert was off the couch so fast he sent the blanket flying. It fell, parachute style, onto Flipsy. It was about then that his instinctive reaction to his pager's sounding wore off. He turned to Raina, trying to look sheepish. "Sorry--I've got to get that. Work." He headed down the hall to his bedroom, making a conscious effort not to run to check the number.

When he came back out, he was wearing dress pants, and holding a cellphone between his shoulder and his ear as he struggled to get his arm through the long sleeve of a gray button-up shirt. "--I didn't hear it going off. Honest to God. I was sleeping on the couch. None of your business, Cynthia--with all due respect." He blushed, his eyes straying to Raina in response to something said on the other line. "Captain Myers. Sexual harassment goes both ways--remember the work shop? I am feeling very sexually harassed. Might even file a report," he was grinning, now. The guffaws from the other end were loud enough that even Raina would have been able to hear them. She might have been able to hear what was said next, as well:

"Just don't sexually harass her on my time, Rup. Your ass belongs in my office; fifteen minutes--" the woman on the other end of the phone got control of her laughter enough to lower her volume.

Rupert grinned for a moment as he listened further. Slowly, the expression faded, replaced by something that was all business. "In the park again? Great. Just great. Remind me to phone the Senator--we need that bill to pass, sooner rather than later. Hell, what I wouldn't give to see them all registered. Yeah. I'm comin'. Do you think Cassandra can keep the witness talkin' long enough for me to get there? Yeah, okay. Got it." He switched the phone to his other ear, and went to work worming his other arm into its designated sleeve. "I'll be there." He flipped the phone closed, dropped it into a pant's pocket, and set to work buttoning up the front of his shirt. For a moment, the scar on his chest that a pretty little ribboned mutie had given him was highlighted clearly in the sunlight. Then it was hidden again. He tucked his shirt into his pants. "I'm sorry, Raina; we had a double homicide last night. Mutants, again. I've got to go to the station. Listen, can I give you a ride back to the group home?" He felt bad about this. Really bad. But while he was willing to overlook an expired visa... there was no way he was going to skirt his duties as an officer of the law when it came to mutants. Not even for Raina. This was bigger than her, and bigger than him.

ooc: sorry it's been taking me so long to reply! Lol. everytime I sit down, university stuff comes up. *yawn*

ic:

Raina stirred as Rupert got up, their serene moment was desrupted by his pager and then the telephone. She felt the abcense of his body instantly and felt colder. She hugged the blankets tighter.

She stayed nuzzled in the warmth listening to Rupert's conversation and couldn't help but overhear a few things. She smiled to herself feeling embaressed.

As he buzzled around getting ready she decided clothes would be a good thing. So picking up the blanket and draping it around her like a dress she made a bee line to the bathroom. She found that her clothes were now clean after having let them soak and dry over night and she put them on. She couldn't go back to the mansion in Rupert's clothes that was for sure.

Having gotten dressed, and pulling her hair back she re-appeared as Rupert finished his conversation. She bent over to pet Flipsy and stood back up smiling at Rupert. She felt a little vulnerable and embaressed.

"I can get back home." she said with a grin- she couldn't help but overhear about central park. To be honest she wanted to check it out, but knew it was best to head home.

"You do what you ned to do mr. police officer. I'm no stranger to duty! I've urked mine a little, but I know a shortcut back to the center from here. You should just head to the park and I'll head home." she walked over and on her tip toes gave him a little kiss on the cheek. Just a quick cool one.

"Just promise me you'll be safe ok?" she asked stretching. "I'm feeling back to normal today, I don't want to have to 'bust a cap' in someone for messing you up." she said jokingly trying to take the most intimidating gangsta stance she could possibly muster. "I'll mess them up, yo"

((ooc: Totally understood. I’m in my senior year, meself. Please, by all means—prioritize university stuff! )

Rupert laughed. He laughed so hard that he had to clutch at his stomach. Even the scar through his lung started to hurt. But it was all the sort of pain that a guy didn’t mind. The image of Raina trying to fight off mutants... No: of Raina trying to ‘bust a cap’ on a mutant... Ohhh, that was a good one. He might love her, but he strongly doubted that this beautiful singer from up North had the first clue about the world he lived in, or the people he dealt with. Not people—mutants. People, he could handle. It was mutants that were going to end up killing him. That thought sobered him up. What had he gotten Raina into? Police were nothing but targets. It wasn’t safe for her to be standing next to a target, with those freaks around.

...It was too early to think about things like that. Later, after he had a cup of black coffee in him, he’d take time to think this all through. It was probably something he should have done before last night. Heh. Well, too late now. Rupert grinned, wrapped Raina in a hug, and kissed her—a slightly less modest kiss than the one she’d just given him.

He eased back, keeping his hands on her shoulders. “You take care. Don’t take the roads that run past the Park, and stick to public places, okay?” Not that the freaks seemed to know the different between ‘public’ and ‘desolate’, but at least if she got caught up in something in a public place, it wouldn’t be long until the police got called in. Had the double homicide a few blocks from his apartment put him on edge, just a little? Of course it had. He wasn’t an idiot, and mutants who murdered weren’t likely to stop at two. He went back into his bedroom for a moment, reemerging with his holster on and his gun tucked safely under his arm. He was tugging on a black suit jacket as he came out; he rummaged in the inner pocket, and grabbed out a little notepad and a pen. “Here,” he scribbled for a second, then tore out a page, and handed it to Raina. “That’s my apartment phone, and my cell.” He smiled softly at Raina. “When can I see you again?”

ooc: yeah, its my 4th year of my undergrad, course load is intense!

Raina smiled gingerly as Rupert scooped her up into a kiss. She let in linger- feeling warmer than she ever had in her life. With her arms still around his waist she looked up at him from under those feathered eyelashes and pale skin. She thought to herself about how thoughtful he looked, and wondered what he was thinking. She brused a little hair from his eyes as he scribbled down numbers and she took them.

"As soon as you can." she smiled also scribbling down her numbers and putting them in his front pocket. "Just call me, it's my cell. " she gave him a squeeze and headed for the door. In the last second she spun on her heels and struck a pose like she was holding a gun. She giggled and blew him a kiss closing the door behind her.

Once outside on the street she stopped for a moment and leaned against the outside wall and just sighed. Then after a moment of taking in everything that happened, she headed home.

ooc: Cal, you can feel free to jump in any of Raina's post with a cell phone call etc. Or PM me and we'll start a thread I'd like to have them meet a few more times or something before the new plot if possible

((ooc: Agreed! *grins* *certainly is not going to be keepin' an eye out for the worst possible moment in that danger room thread of yours, to call...* You've got permission to call him, too--I'll probably send him to the police station to do a li'l chara building. Errhm... and detectin', of course. That's what them detectives do best. ))

ooc: yeah, Im pretty much trying to do some character building too before the big plot comes in

((ooc: Continued from “Little puppy lost”.))

Flipsy was waiting for That Tolerable Guy Who Feed Her at the door, like she always did. Tail wagging, like it always was. Pink “Princess” food bowl gripped daintily between her teeth, because he was late. The door was opening opening opening so her tail was wagging wagging wagging (enthusiasm was the trick to getting prompt food service)—

—her tail stopped wagging. What. Was. He. Carrying.

He was carrying competition for food. That’s what he was carrying. A puppy. Competition for attention then, too. A black Labrador puppy. It was her size right now, but it was going to grow fast. Flipsy knew all about puppies. Back in the doggie lock up, the puppies had come with “get out off the slammer free” cards attached to their wiggling butts and over-sized paws. Dogs past their puppyhood—even ones only a year and a half old, like herself—got to sit on their barking haunches and watch puppy after puppy leave while they rotted in their wire-fenced cells. Flipsy didn’t much like puppies.

“Hey, girl. I’ve got a friend for you. Meet LG.” Her human barked. ((ooc: That’s right, Wallace! Renamed, yo! “LG” = “Little Guy”. )) He set the intruder on the floor in front of her, being careful of its bandaged smells-like-That-Man-With-The-Needles hind leg. Flipsy started her tail wagging again. Her human was watching how she’d react. Attacking puppies didn’t get her food.

So she set down her bowl—rather pointedly, at his feet—and sniffed the invader over while radiating as much all-around poodle-c0ocker spaniel cuteness as was physically possible.

...There would be time to deal with the intruder, when her human’s back was turned. Flipsy could bide her time. She was an ex-convict, after all. This pup wasn’t nothin’, compared to the big dogs she’d dealt with in the slammer.

OOC: We'll assume Wallace didn't have his label on, and just have him and ted recognise each other on sight And is flipsy threatening ma dog?

IC:
Well, at least they were away from the thing-with-pointy-objects. And they were now somewhere else. Somewhere that smelled strange. It wasn't as nice as his old home. But he had no idea where that was. Thing opened the door, and revealed an attention-seeking small pink dog. Someone to play with! He was set down next to his new friend, who proceeded to sniff him.

Wallace happily leapt onto his pink friend, and barked happily. the only other dogs he'd met were the other puppies before his mother found him, and he couldn't really remember them. But this sort of playing was something he remembered vividly, and he continued to pounce on his new friend.

((ooc: That seems a fair plan. And is LG callin’ ma dog pink, boy? ))

There were indignities in this world which one suffered through, and indignities which one did not.

Getting jumped on belonged, sadly, to the first category. Each leap that the puppy made—and each answering frolic that she responded with—was another bucket of water splashed into her growing pool of resentment.

The puppy must die.

Or, to be less melodramatic, the puppy must be made to be gone from her sight. The Tolerable Human Who Feed Her noisily barked at their play in his happy, nonsensical manner. (Humans were largely unable to stop themselves from barking like idiots for no reason. A dog simply had to be benevolent about the issue, and pay them no mind.) He picked up her food bowl, and went into the kitchen. She waited until she heard the distinct click-patter-clump of dry food hitting bowl bottom, and the prophetic ca-lump of the bowl being set onto the title floor.

Then she made the opening move in her War against the invader. With a cheerful nonsensical bark of her own, Flipsy none too lightly frolicked on top of the Lab pup’s injured leg. Whoops. Tongue lolling happily, she immediately pranced off to her dinner, the perfect picture of poodle-mutt innocence.

(OOC: no! my leg! and yes, 'LG' is callin yo dawg pink )

Thing began barking at them, so Wallace barked right back. Thing wondered off somewhere, and Friend seemed to like the noises coming from Somewhere. Wallace couldn't work out why, so he barked. It seemed the only sensible thing to do. After all, Thing had done it for no reason as well. Then Friend started to make her way toward Somewhere, but on the way she accidentally trod on Wallace's injured leg. which hurt. A lot. Wallace barked out in pain, and then cottoned on to the fact that that wasn't entirely 'accidental'. So Friend was reduced to Thing 2. Wallace continued making painful noises, in the hopes that Thing 1 would do something about it. Well, something other than taking Wallace to the man with the pointy object.

Rupert had forgotten how much puppies barked. It amused him, but he wasn’t quite sure how amused his neighbors would be. ...Something to deal with if and when the complaints came. For now, he set Flipsy’s food dish on the ground with its newly acquired payload, and took out a plastic bowl from his cupboards to fill for the puppy.

That’s about when the Lab started making horrible whimpering noises. Rupert turned around in time to see Flipsy happily trot in from the living room. He set the puppy’s bowl down on the counter, and went to see what was wrong.

Nothing that he could tell. “Did you two play too rough, LG?” He scratched behind the puppy’s ears, hoping that would distract the dog from its injury. “Hey, want to know something? It’s your dinner time.” He grabbed the plastic bowl off of the counter, and set it in front of the puppy.

...Yes, Rupert was the kid of man who talked to his dogs.