A/N: Hello!!!!

This is set in the evening after the "lunchtime gone awry", okay? Enjoy!

Oh, the Disclaimer: I do not own anything

Final notes, I suggest you listen to Yellowcard's "Only One". It's the inspiration for this story. No, I'm ordering you, to get the full affect, listen to that song along with this chapter! [Of course, please have access to the song, otherwise, this threat is not meant for you!!! But then I'm not actually threatening, only kidding!]

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Chapter Four: Sources Say That You're...

"Coming!" a deep, masculine voice called from within.

At once, Ray inwardly sank, yet, for the sake of first impressions, he kept up the façade. But inside, his head was screaming to just leave.

But he couldn't worry anymore, because the door opened.

Standing there was a muscular, tall, calm looking black man. His brown eyes looked at Ray oddly, then quickly turned into an uneasy glare as he looked him up and down.

"What do you want?" he finally asked, his deep voice now almost threatening.

Ray remained calm, and replied; "I'm looking for Samone."

"Why?" the other man nearly barked, stepping out into the hallway. Ray took a step back to give him space, unafraid. His mind was set on something now, he wasn't about to give in to anything.

"She might be able to help me," Ray said, "Look, is she here, or isn't she? I could come back—"

"Ty, who is it, hun?" came a feminine voice.

A skinny woman appeared at the door beside the man, her long black hair up in a messy bun, her clothing splattered with odd colors of paint, a small bulge at her stomach. /She's pregnant/ Ray thought almost instantly. The woman reminded him of Ororo Munroe, but the kind smile on her dark features quickly fell away.

"Can I help you?" the woman asked slowly, and Ray's blue eyes came to meet her brown ones.

"Are you Samone?" he asked, gaze softening.

"Yeah," the woman said, studying Ray just like the man before, Ty, had. Her eyes grew wide then as she looked at Ray's face again, and she held her breath; "You're that boy," she said quietly, holding a hand over her chest.

"What?" Ty asked, looking at her; "Samone, What's goin' on here?"

"Let 'im in, Ty!" Samone said hurriedly, turning around and running back, away from view.

Ray heard a door open, then another, and as he walked in, he gasped. The apartment was amazing, and finely decorated. There were marvelous paintings on the walls, and Ray saw, near the large bay windows on a small platform, there was an art easel with a half-done painting. The newspaper around it was the evidence that work was going on, and the paint brushes and small paint cans were also there around it.

Ty closed the door as he walked in, and crossed his arms. Ray turned, and stared at him. He could feel the apprehension; the tension-fueled fire seemed to burn off the other man. Ray could tell he was older, just by the gaze. It was a father's gaze, a stern, misgiving glare.

"What's your name?" Ty asked.

"Ray," Ray replied, "Crisp. Ray Crisp."

At this, even Ty's gaze softened, and he continued to stare at Ray.

Ray was about to say something, but Samone came back into view, rushing out of a doorway, something in her hands. She went over to Ray, and held a picture in front of him.

"Is this you?" she asked, her breaths heavy and strained. She put the photo into Ray's hands before moving to sit on the couch, leaning back against the armrest. Ty went over and began massaging her shoulders.

Ray looked at her, then the picture. He forgot how to breathe for a moment. It was Meg, and him, at the beach. They were both reclining back on their beach towels, but Meg was leaning against Ray's chest as he had an arm around her waist. They were both smiling. /She still had her white hair/ Ray thought. The picture had been taken about three weeks after Apocalypse. Xavier had taken Meg, Ray, Ororo, and a few others to the private beach he owned, and it had been one of the more relaxing days. It was the one day absolutely nothing went wrong, the days you dream about and savor whenever they happen. Ray noticed how the picture had been folded over and across and every other way so many times, and the fact that it was so old made him wonder why it had lasted this long.

Ray finally nodded, looking at the two; "Yea," he said, "This is me," he paused, his hands lowering; "Samone, where's Meg? I've been looking for her, and..."

Samone rose, her hand going to the small of her back as she walked up to Ray. She craned her head back a little, but with her look she made Ray feel like he was seven inches tall.

"Tell me somethin' first," she said, "What did you do to her?"

"I didn't do anything," Ray said; "It was Apocalypse, he took over her mind and she was still recoverying when she left. Me an' the guys at the Institute were worried sick, but after the years, everyone but a couple of us stopped looking... You gotta know that I love her, I still do. When she left the institute, she said she would be staying with you. I've been looking for a long time, Samone. Just tell me where she is. That's all I ask."

Samone nodded, biting her lower lip; "She came and broke down in tears," Samone said, walking over to the window and looking out of it.

Ty took a seat on the couch, and he sighed. Ray looked at him; "Did she... say anything?" he asked quietly, looking from one to the other; "I mean, how bad was she? We thought she was okay!" he said, "I thought everything was going to be fine, that with time, she'd be able to...!" he sat down with a low moan at one of the barstools by the kitchen, rubbing his forehead as he bowed his head.

Ty studied him; "She didn't talk much," he said, "Monie, I met you about a year after she came?" Samone nodded, and Ty looked at Ray; "She was sweet, doe. Fit right in with our group;" he chuckled as he looked at the floor, memories claiming him; "She's a good kid..."

Ray looked through his fingers at the man, snorting; "You sound like her dad," he mumbled.

"You know Meg's folks?" Samone asked, turning and looking at him.

"Yeah," Ray replied, straightening up and standing; "Since that Christmas about eleven years back. I visit down there every now and then, hopin' I'll catch Meg there," he sighed; "All I want to do is see her, make sure she's still... alive."

Samone's eyes filled with sympathy as she looked at Ray. He was beginning to lose the steely persona, he was starting to look a little dejected and worn.

"Ain't she roomin' with that fag?" Ty mused nonchalantly, shattering the silence.

"Ty!" Samone exclaimed, and Ray glared at him.

"Well, that's what the guy is, Monie!" Ty said apprehensively.

"Yeah, but that's a harsh word!" Samone said, "And yeah, she is! Where have you been?"

"Here, taking care of you," Ty muttered, so quietly Ray barely caught it and Samone didn't at all

Samone sighed, and looked at Ray; "I'll show ya where she lives," she said, and at that Ty's gaze fixed on her.

"Are you kidding?" he asked, rising, "Who knows what this guy wants to do when he finds her!" he protested.

"I just want to see her!" Ray shouted; "I just want to make sure she hasn't died, that I'm not hoping for nothing!" his voice was straining a yell, and he could feel the hair on the back of his neck bristling; "Look, I don't think you know what hell I've been through, excuse my language, but you really don't. Samone, you know what Meg is. Well, I'm one too. I've got to know she's all right, for the sake of the team if anything else!"

Ty was silent, and he slowly sat back down; "Never mind," he said quietly. Ray's hair was bristling now, and his hands were clenching and unclenching. The vein running over his left temple was showing slightly, as well. He wasn't fooling around, he was serious as hell.

"Calm down and let me change," Samone said.

"Could I have an address?" Ray asked, demeanor changing completely to a soft calmness as he directed his attention to her; "I... want to go alone... if it's alright..." he looked at Ty briefly again.

Samone nodded; "Sure, lemme right it down."

She moved over to a table, taking a piece f paper by the phone and jotting down the address with a pen. She then handed the paper to Ray. He took it, smiling.

"I've waited so long for this," Ray said, smiling. He looked at Samone, who was smiling; "Thank you."

"No problem, Ray," she said, "Now, Ty, you escort him down, will you?" she added pleadingly.

"Why should I?" Ty asked.

"I can take care of myself, Samone, though your worry's appreciated," Ray said, "you don't know how much this means to me," he said, looking at the paper again.

Ty snorted, and Samone turned on him instantly; "What was that for?" she asked, crossing her arms and eyeing him with a dangerous glint in her eye.

"Nothin', honey!" Ty said, holding up his hands in surrender.

Samone nodded, and then turned to Ray, who had inched over towards the door at the outburst. But she was smiling sweetly to him, and he relaxed.

"Suppose ya wanna get going," Samone said, walking over and taking Ray to the door; "Tell Meg I said hi, okay?" she asked as she opened the door.

"I will," Ray said, smiling as he exited.

---

Ray all but flew down the stairs, out the door, and he nearly ripped the car door off in his haste. Paper clutched in his hand firmly, Ray sped off, glancing at the clock and seeing it was only nine thirty. /I've got plenty of time/ Ray thought, smirking.

Then his phone rang.

Ray thought about not answering it, but old habits never die.

He answered.

"Yeah?" Ray asked, narrowly avoiding the curb as he made a sharp turn.

"Ray, where are you, man?" it was Roberto.

"I got her address, Roberto!" Ray said, "I found Samone and got Meg's address!"

"You're KIDDING."

"Nah man, my name's Ray and you know that!" Ray said, laughing as he rounded another corner. "I gotta get goin', Sunspot, almost there!" he said.

"Good luck man! Hey, tell her I said hi!"

"I'll add ya to the list!" Ray said, then he hung up, tossing the phone into the passenger seat.

---

The East Village was a quiet section of New York city, a place where people went for a little "down time". There were houses that could be rented, apartments, condos, hotels, and there was always a steady flow. The houses were packed together like sardines, but each street had its own flare or style. The street Ray finally pulled over on was Montcresent Boulevard, and the small two-story attic he was looking for was brick with a dark green roof. The stairs were white/cream brick and decorated with odd plants, and the glittering silver numbers of 4-5-8 shown in the street light. Ray straightened his shirt, checking the paper again. Suddenly, his stomach had taken a nose-dive down to his toes.

/Come on, Crisp, suck it up/ Ray told himself as he walked up the steps, turning and locking his car when he remembered to. Ray reached out, and knocked on the door.

There was no reply. Ray saw there were lights on, and a window was open in the top floor. He knocked again, but still no reply.

"Meg?" Ray shouted, looking up at the open window; "Meg DeBonte! You there? Meg!!!" he jumped back off the steps and onto the sidewalk, craning his head back.

A feminine-looking man stuck his head out of a window, looking at Ray, who stared back. The man's eyes were a light brown, almost hazel, and his black hair was short and spiked. He had an earring in his left ear, and had a little chain necklace around his neck. He wore small oval glasses, and his brow furrowed as he eyed Ray.

This had to be Sam.

"What do you want?" he asked, tilting his head to the left as his gaze softened, a little.

Ray watched him, not going to look away. His face was set in a calm, but firm expression, and he was determined more now than he had ever been.

"Where's Meg?" Ray shouted.

The man winced and waved his hand; "Don't shout!" He chided, clicking his tongue; "Gods, Why would you be looking for her?"

"She's an old Friend!" Ray shouted, getting annoyed already.

The man above smirked, leaning against the windowsill; "Oh, that's all?" he asked slowly; "Well, I need to know your name so I can leave her a message."

"Listen, Sam," Ray said, walking up the steps; "Don't make me come up there. I want to know if Meg's around. I can tell you're lying."

The young man was surprised at this, and straightened up; "You know my name?" he asked, his hand going out of sight as it reached for something.

"Yeah, Samone gave me directions," Ray said, "And don't bother with a gun, it wouldn't help ya."

Sam's hand shot back into view, and he was staring at Ray as if the blonde was a ghost; "You... you..." he began; "I'm calling the cops if you don't get going right now!" he suddenly shouted.

Ray sighed, bowing his head to massage his brow. He looked back up, and sighed; "Listen," he said, "I gotta feelin' I might see you later on, and I don't want to be on the wrong step when I see ya again. Please, do you know when Meg will be back?"

Sam was silent. He stared Ray up and down; "Hmph," he snorted smugly, crossing his arms; "Why should I tell you?" he asked.

"Because I'm an old friend from her old home, who was hoping we could see each other;" Ray said; "it's been almost ten years, Sam, I miss her a lot."

That worked. Sam automatically looked sympathetic, and looked at Ray as if he were in a pathetic state. Ray raised and eyebrow. Sam finally cleared his throat; "Meg's out working. But she'll be home before midnight, after her classes."

Ray nodded; "Could you tell her Ray came by?" he asked, stepping down off the steps and walking towards his car.

"I will," Sam said.

Ray got into the car, crestfallen and a little more broken than when he had started. As he drove off, he practically burned the image of the house into his memory. At least Meg was doing okay, and if she was living with a gay man then chances were she was still single. /That's a blessing/ Ray thought sarcastically.

As Ray began to sort things out in his mind, his phone rang again. Ray reached over and grabbed it, then answered.

"Yeah?" he asked, a little too brusquely than he had wanted.

"Ray? I was hoping you were in a good mood."

"Valerio, sir!" Ray said, automatically coming to order; "Sorry, I'm having a bad night."

"Hmm, so sorry to hear that," Valerio said; "Listen, Ray, I need you to come to the meetin' room off Thirtieth and Fourth. Can you make it there in about five minutes?"

"Sure, of course, boss," Ray said, inwardly groaning; "Up top of Brigand's, right?"

"The very place," Valerio replied; "Now, I have to go. See you in five minutes."

"Of course, boss," Ray said, and he hung up when the familiar click of Valerio's disconnection sounded. Ray grumbled as he hooked the power-needy phone into its charger, then turned up his music as loud as he possibly could as he sped up and raced off. /I'm getting soft/ Ray thought as he drove. /Everyone's givin' me that Sympathetic look. I hate that look./

A/N: la la la la la la la.... oh, the end!!! no, it's TBC!!! Review please!!1