Ok, you all...I see you reading out there...how's about you review and tell me what you're thinking??
"That's my Brownstone right up there with the holiday flag out front." Daniel pointed, uselessly from the back seat. The neatly kept townhouse blended into the row of historic homes that stood side by side. Each one a mirror of the next. The last one on the block had a greeting flag blustering to and fro with red and green holly embroidered on a brilliant white background, suspended from it's pole by a shiny gold cord. Kurt glided into the parking space in front of the building. Rachel climbed out, and held the seat forward for the backseat passenger.
"Why don't the two of you come in for coffee?" he suddenly offered, bundling up his trench coat against the cold. He gave an appeasing look going from Kurt to Rachel. "It's the least I can do."
For a second, it looked like Rachel might actually agree. Then she caught a subtle mannerism from Kurt that she interpreted almost subconsciously that made her decline. "You know, bad weather is moving in and I know Kurt wants to get back home." She begged off.
Daniel looked a little disappointed, then nodded. "All right, then." He leaned into the car. "Thanks again, Kurt." Ironically, he was oblivious to the fact that he had been rescued and delivered safely home by the same species he had been bad mouthing not an hour earlier.
Kurt raised his hand to wave good night. "Anytime..." he smiled, unconvincingly. He watched as Daniel hopped up the steps, his glare turning his eyes into glowing slits beneath his image inducer as Rachel climbed back in. Kurt was grateful that, at least they'd not lip locked with each other in front him. He didn't think he could've handled that.
As Rachel settled back in, she couldn't help it, she had to know what was going on inside that head of his. As Kurt reached to put the car in gear, instead of reaching for her seat belt, she slapped his hand and grabbed hold of the gear stick. "Ok, What is it?? What's with the Gestapo routine?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Kurt lied darkly, trying to get control of the gears back. Rachel wouldn't budge.
"Lying is a sin, Kurt Wagner. I can read you like a dime store novel. We're not leaving this spot until you tell me what's got your tail up your ass." She got her fighting face on, the one she wore to board meetings. The one Daniel got to experience when he'd unknowingly slurred her husband and child.
Lying is a sin?...What about adultery? Kurt's mind cried out as he silently longed to lash out against her. But, he didn't say it. Enough hurtful things had been said between them already.
Instead, he gave her a scathing look. Inside, she wanted to fall apart at his angry stare. But she couldn't let herself. She couldn't afford to let herself be weak in front of him. She had seen enough of the X-Men's activities to know that Kurt had finally gotten his life back together. If he saw her break down, he might feel obligated to comfort her. If she let him put his arms around her, she'd make a fool of herself. She didn't have much pride left, but she had to cling to what little there was.
"You didn't have to come get us yourself, you know. I told you that you could've called a car serv-"
"You could have told me you were on a date!" Kurt interrupted, turning a hurt, angry snarl on her. God, had she really become that heartless? Did she really think it wouldn't hurt him...make him angry to see her with another man?? Couldn't she see, despite it all, he still loved her? That he wanted her back?? Why else would he have dropped everything and come running when she called? He gripped the steering wheel harder with his disguised hands. He was a fool.
Rachel's combative facade fell in confusion. "Wh.....Date?" She was honestly bewildered. Then it dawned on her. "Wait..." She thumbed towards the brownstone Daniel had disappeared into. "You thought that I was on a...with Daniel?" She didn't know whether to laugh or slap him. Did he really think she could ever be close to anyone other than him? Was he that damned clueless?? Of course, after everything she'd said. The things she accused him of...She pushed it away. That was water under the bridge now.
But, for Daniel's sake, she needed this settled. She opened her door back up. "Get out of the car." she ordered, stepping out herself.
Kurt started to protest. "Rachel, I don't want to fight with you..." He sighed. "And, if I don't get back soon I won't be-"
"Get. Out."
Kurt had learned a long time ago that sometimes it was easier to move the mountain than Mohamed. So, he followed her to the front steps, waiting for whatever evidence she had to prove to him that she wasn't breaking any of the commandments. Or, at least number six.
It didn't take long to vedicate herself.
Daniel wore a surprised look as he opened the door to the two standing in the cold. "Rachel...Kurt-"
"We changed our minds." Rachel nearly beamed. "If the offer is still open, we'd LOVE that cup of coffee."
"That's great!" Daniel laughed. "Come on in, get out of the cold!" He brought them in, taking their coats and putting them in the closet. Kurt couldn't help but stare at Rachel for a moment as he pulled off her long, black wool coat. He'd rarely seen her dressed in anything other than jeans and a t-shirt...usually a t-shirt she'd stolen out of his dresser. For Mass, she'd wear an appropriately modest dress or pants suit. But this was a look he'd not seen before. Her red skirt was revealingly short. Any shorter and it would have been in bad taste. Her blouse was white silk, clinging to her curves, leaving just enough to the imagination. But, he didn't need to use his imagination. He knew, very well, what was under that blouse and skirt. Feeling heat rise up in him, he forced his eyes look elsewhere.
Daniel's home was warm and inviting. The original oak woodwork gleamed with a new finish that was still apparent in the vague smell of lacquer and polyurethane. The hardwood floors were artfully littered with throw rugs and the brief hallway opened up into a spacious, yet cozy, living room. A real wood fire place added warmth and ambiance as the flames crackled and danced.
"Rory!" Daniel called over his back. "We've got company." At the call, another man appeared out the far side of the comfy den, drying his hands with a dish towel. A 'Kiss the Cook.' apron was slung over one shoulder. "Rory, you remember Rachel Donivan. This is her friend Kurt Wagner."
Rory stood the shortest of the four of them, his dark hair tussled slightly. He had a certain something about him that made Kurt feel like he was about to be terribly embarrassed for his outburst in the car. The three shook hands. "Rachel, It's good to see you again!" he offered in honest hospitality, leaning in to give her a hug. Daniel's boss-slash-best friend from college. He suspected she might just be the reason Daniel liked brunettes...
"You too, Rory." Rachel smiled, returning the hug. She seemed perfectly at home in this brownstone. Obviously, she had been a guest here before.
Rory turned an interested eye to the new guest. Rachel had never mentioned she was seeing someone... "And, you must be Kurt." He extended a hand, which Kurt accepted returning the handshake. "I understand I have you to thank for getting Daniel home safe." He continued, sliding an arm around his partner.
I'm going to kill her. Kurt thought, off balance and mentally reeling from his horribly bad intuition. But still he smiled. "It was no problem. I was glad to help." It was hard for him to know if he was smiling out of courtesy or relief.
Six months ago...
"I don't want her in town, Lumi." Rachel was insistent as she and her aunt and her uncle debated. Gracie fussed a little, sensing her mother's tension and she was nestled against her shoulder. Rachel was on the verge of refusing and canceling her appointment all together if that was what it took. She'd rather face Hank's fury that risk the possibility of her precious daughter being assaulted by a mutant hater. But, before she could act, Joe picked up his great niece out of her mother's arms and hefted her tiny weight in his strong arms. She grinned an adorable, toothless smile as she put her fingers in his beard.
"She's just going to wait in the car with me, Rachel. I swear, she'll be fine." he promised. "But, if you don't get moving, your going to be late for your appointment."
Rachel felt helpless. She wished Blue was still here. But, the Blackbird had left more than an hour ago. Kurt could tell them 'no.' But, she just couldn't seem to do it. Despite a horrible sense of dread, Rachel, hesitantly, gave up her fight. "Just be careful." She begged. Gracie had not left Xavier's estate since she'd been born. After experiencing first hand what some humans were capable of doing, she was terrified for her baby.
Lumi put a comforting arm around the younger woman and spoke reassuring words as they walked down the steps, through the garage and out into the courtyard where Joe had left his Escalade. She bit her lip as she watched Joe slip the infant into the car seat and buckled her in. Rachel thought she might hyperventilate as she leaned in and kissed her baby girl goodbye. Gracie grinned up at her and made adorable cooing sounds. For a moment, she stroked her soft cheek and held her tiny hand, while her tail wrapped around her mother's wrist. Finally, unable to draw it out any longer, she retreated from the interior of the SUV.
Joe wrapped his favorite niece - his only niece - in a great hug. "We'll be back before you will." He promised comfortingly, then held the door open for Lumi who almost hesitated before stepping inside. Then, shook her head and climbed inside with help from Joe and Rachel.
Rachel managed a weak smile, as she fought her fears back into her anxiety closet. This was her Uncle Joe and her Aunt Lumi. Gracie was as safer in that car, than anywhere else on Earth. The men who had hurt her, hurt Kurt, hurt untold numbers of mutants were all dead at the bottom of Lake Alkali. She couldn't live her life in fear. She wouldn't. She wouldn't let them make her and her family prisoners. With that thought firmly planted in her mind, Rachel pulled the keys out of her jeans pocket and walked stoically towards her BMW.
Everything is fine. Gracie will be fine. There's nothing to worry about. She's not even going to get out of the car. Everything is fi-
That was the last thought that went through Rachel's mind when she heard an odd click as Joe turned the ignition. Then, she was deafened by an explosion that literally threw her into the ground. Wrenching her head around, all cognitive thought, even the ability to scream, evaporated as she saw an enormous fireball envelope her entire family.