Hank drove through the streets of New York City, they'd had a late start this morning because Dylan had taken convincing that Cassie was indeed coming back, only now reaching New York City at almost 5:00 at night. Hank looked across the car at his traveling companion, she was asleep he'd covered her with his coat. But Hank doubted she was getting much rest, the car kept stopping, going, and turning Cassie's head bounced against the glass. Hank knew she was exhausted, both physically and mentally he doubted she had planned to deal with Susie's condition so soon. Hank watched as Cassie's head smacked against the window for the hundredth time when he stopped, waking her from her nap.

Cassie sighed and rubbed her head; she'd been trying to get some sleep, but could only succeed in falling into a light doze. Her skull vibrating with the window glass, she looked up and noticed they were in a hotel parking lot.

Hank parked and grabbed the umbrella; it was pouring rain outside which was a normal occurrence for New York, he stepped outside and ran around the other side of the car to get Cassie's door.

Cassie was immediately hit with the smell of rain, she stepped outside under the umbrella Hank held and shivered at the chilliness of the air.

Hank took the coat from the car and slipped it on her, it swallowed Cassie's much smaller frame.

"Thank you." Cassie said grateful for the warmth.

Hank smiled at her and placed a hand around her shoulders. "Come on let's get inside before you get sick."

"Me, what about you, you're not wearing a jacket of any kind." Cassie asked leaning closer into Hank's warm body trying to avoid the rain and stay warm. All Hank was wearing was a pair of dark pants, dress shoes, a white button down shirt, and suspenders instead of a belt, the coat that matched his outfit Cassie was wearing.

"I'll be fine what do you think all this fur is for?" Hank asked amusement evident in his voice. "Besides you were the one always getting colds if I remember right."

"I am not that delicate Hank." Cassie huffed while burying her face against him from the wind and the rain. Cassie liked rain she liked the way it sounded it was just so soothing, but she hated being in it because she always got a cold.

Hank just chuckled as he led her through the front entrance, Cassie sighed in relief when Hank stepped away to shake out the umbrella and close it. They walked up to the front desk, Cassie stood to the side while Hank checked on reservations he'd made. Cassie couldn't help look him over, he looked so professional, even without his tie and the top most button of his shirt unbuttoned Cassie still found him appealing. Cassie held the coat tighter to her; she couldn't resist taking a slow breath, taking in the lingering scent there. She'd been doing it on the sly since the moment Hank had covered her with it, she could smell Hank on it. Cassie sighed as she realized she was in over her head with him. Cassie took another breath, her eyes sliding shut when she opened them to find Hank smiling at her. Busted

Hank felt his chest puff up slightly when he caught Cassie, it pleased him to think that she liked the way he smelled. He watched as Cassie's face turned a brilliant shade of red, her eyes wide like a deer caught in the head lights.

"Now that I know our reservations are taken care of, would you like to go to your apartment now?" Hank asked still smiling.

Cassie nodded not saying a word her face still on fire; Hank led her back to the car once more holding the umbrella. This time hyperaware of the woman pressed so close to him, Hank took his time escorting her back to the car, trying to prolong this moment right here. His arm around Cassie's waist her safe from the rain and the emotional turmoil that was to come, Hank stopped her when she went to slide back into the car.

Cassie looked up in question her face still flushed; he had one strong arm around her waist holding her against him. Hank leaned down he didn't kiss her, he just nuzzled his face against hers, it was an affectionate gesture and made her heart skip around in her chest. The rain poured around them, but Cassie was warm and dry against him like this the umbrella over head. Cassie liked this he wasn't trying to rush her and she wasn't trying to push him away, it was just a nice center between the two. After what felt like forever Hank finally let her slip from him back into the car, before he hurried around to the other side to get in.

.

Cassie walked up the steps to her apartment on the third floor; her head was filled with cotton. It felt like the very air in the hallway was heavy. Cassie had to get a spare key from her landlord, when he'd seen her he'd looked at her like she was infected with a flesh eating virus. Some of the other people who lived in the same apartment building as her wouldn't look her in the face, or went right back in there apartments when they saw her coming. Cassie stood in front of her door, and realized it felt odd to think of this as her door. Cassie held the small key in her hand, the pads of her fingers tracing the sharp teeth, she suddenly felt reluctant to go in. Suddenly Cassie didn't want anything from this place, she almost jumped out of her skin when she felt a pair of hands fall on her shoulders.

Hank rubbed Cassie's shoulders slowly he'd watched her courage leave her in leaps and bounds. Hank knew this would be difficult, but it had to happen. Hank slid one hand down her arm and took the cool piece of metal from her hand and unlocked the door himself.

The door opened with the slightest of creaks, Hank felt Cassie shudder.

"Its alright." He said quietly.

Cassie nodded before stepping inside, the air was still and had a stale feel to it, the coffee table was still on its side from the scuffle she'd had with Robert. Cassie stopped all together when she saw the splotch of color on her pristine white carpet floor; it was a dark shade of brown. Hank didn't let her stand there for too long before he physically forced her to move. Cassie allowed him to usher her into her bedroom, he used his large body to block the doorway and her view of the living room.

Hank watched her closely she wasn't crying at least not yet and that worried him. Cassie had never been one too hide her feelings from anyone, Hank could only imagine what she was thinking while she looked at the room her eyes had a dead quality to them.

"Take anything you or Dylan are in need of Cassie." Hank urged trying to break though whatever darkness had made her silent.

Cassie nodded and went to her closet for her suitcase, she started packing clothes at first, her eyes kept straying to the bed opposite her own. Finally Cassie straightened and debated with herself.

"Hank…"

"Yes!"

Cassie looked at him her eyes wide and pleading, before she finally pointed to the other bed. "Do we have time to maybe…"

Hank looked to the other single bed, he didn't need to hear the rest of the question to know what Cassie was asking, "Yes, we have time… but not tonight tomorrow perhaps."

Cassie nodded, turning quickly before she turned and pack with a renewed vigor feeling her eyes burning. I will not cry I will not cry I will not cry. Cassie told herself, knowing she was fighting a losing battle. Her chest was tight she wanted to scream, cry, puke, rage, and just destroy everything in this small two bedroom apartment. It had been a place of love for her, a place where she could feel proud of her accomplishments, and a place where she felt safe and at ease. Now it was too small, made her feel like she couldn't draw in a proper breath of air, the feel of death and despair lay everywhere. Cassie didn't know how she could have ever considered living here, every where she looked pieces of Nico, Dylan, Sasha, Cara, and happier times were there.

.

Cassie stared out the window of the car not seeing anything, after she'd stuffed what she could into her suitcase and bags they left. Cassie didn't look back when they pulled away just stared out the window, she didn't care when Hank stopped the car it wasn't until she got out of the car that she realized this wasn't the hotel. Cassie looked around and felt her heart start to race, Hank walked around the side of the car and offered her his arm. Cassie took it unsure if she was able to remain standing; he led her up the stairs and rang the doorbell. Cassie waited with held breath before finally a man opened the door, he had dark chocolate skin and a close shaved head. He wore dress slacks and loose tie, clearly he'd just gotten back from court, defending who knows who from who knows what. His eyes were dark brown and shaped like almonds, Cassie' had never understood why Cara hadn't realized the jackpot she'd hit with him.

"Hey Marcus."

"I was wondering when I'd see you again." Marcus said.

"AUNT CASSIE!" Sasha squealed as she ran and tackled into her aunt.

Cassie held onto the girl and felt her chest tighten once more, Cassie held onto Sasha as if her life depended on it.

"I was wondering when you two would get here." Marcus told Hank offering his hand in greeting. The man was dark skinned and a very accomplished lawyer, the bone structure of a god and stood at 5'11 and a half and yet Hank still towered over him.

"We had a late start this morning, I'm just glad we got here when we did." Hank said with a shrug.

Cassie looked up at the blue furred mutant, and was having troubles breathing. "You?"

Hank shrugged once more. "I thought it would be a good idea while we are here."

Cassie made a promise to herself right there, when they got back to the hotel she was going to kiss this man and she swore she wouldn't stop.

.

For three hours Sasha refused to let Cassie's hand go and Cassie didn't want her too. It wasn't until bedtime that Sasha did. Then finally after tucking Sasha into bed that Cassie joined the men in the living room. She sat on the love seat with Hank; his large bulk took up most of it and required her to sit close to him. She didn't mind right now Cassie just wanted to hold onto this man with everything she had, she wasn't sure if she was brave enough to call the feelings she had for him love, but they were damn close.

"Are you going somewhere?" Cassie asked she'd noticed the boxed up things throughout the townhouse.

Marcus nodded. "Yes, Robert has been harassing me and Sasha."

"The police haven't caught him?" Cassie asked stunned. Her sister was in jail and the man responsible for Nico's death was still on the streets.

"No, that bastard has done a good job of staying low." Marcus growled.

"How could they not catch him, and where are you going?" Cassie asked.

Marcus gave Cassie a look that told her she wasn't going to like this. "I'm going back to New Orleans, my mother has been badgering me to bring Sasha for years now. I have a chance to make myself a law firm down there, and I can't afford it if Robert does something to harm Sasha."

Cassie was having troubles breathing, she was losing Sasha too. "When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow evening."

Cassie' heart stopped. "So soon?"

"You have been gone for a while Cassie, and I won't let anything happen to my daughter." Marcus said firmly.

Cassie nodded. "I know and that makes me happy."

Cassie as happy, she was happy Sasha was alive and had a father who loved her and would take care of her, but she hated that her niece after all this was being snatched away from her. I will not cry I will not cry I will not cry. Cassie chanted in her head.

They talked for a while longer finally at ten Hank and Cassie took their leave of Marcus, Cassie kissed Sasha goodbye while the little girl slept. Marcus promised to send Cassie letters and keep her updated on Sasha's well fare.

The car ride to the hotel was both short and forever, Hank walked Cassie in, stopping only to pick a package up from the front desk. He opened the door to their room and ushered Cassie in.

It was only one room but huge and two queen sized beds in it. "I'm sorry I was unable to book two rooms , reservations for this hotel need to made in advance and its only because I'm a frequent customer that the hotel was able to make these arrangements on such short notice." Hank apologized.

Cassie placed her same bag from Xavier's on a bed, she wasn't able to touch her suitcase from the apartment. "It's alright Hank, and thank you so much." She said gratitude evident in her voice.

Then she stepped to him, fully intending to keep the promise she'd made herself, when she got close Hank stepped away from her and placed a hand between them. She was confused, he was denying her?"

Hank held the small brown package in his hands like it was the beyond precious. "Don't thank me just yet Cassie, I'm not sure if giving you this now is right. But then again I don't know when the right time would be, but I just know it is right to do this."

Cassie was confused beyond belief when Hank handed her the package from the front desk, it was the size of a shoe box the word fragile stamped across it a billion times. Cassie opened it curious, inside was another box this one smaller and black, and packed with Styrofoam peanuts to prevent damage. Cassie set the box down and dug the smaller box out, she heard Hank speaking behind her.

"When you told me what happened I simply had to know what happened, it just wouldn't settle until I knew what had happened to him. I need you to understand Cassie, I left you in at a very bad time but I did love you and still have strong feelings for you. I also came to care for all of them as much as you did when we were together, every single one and I couldn't leave him alone." Hank said quietly.

Cassie inspected the box it was heavy and the size of a container for sugar, the front had a template on it.

The Remains of Nico Hall

Cassie felt her eyes water and any and all attempt she'd made to be strong was smashed like crystal on the floor, Hank had checked out to find out what had happened to Nico after he'd died.

"My parents didn't bury him?" Cassie asked her voice high.

"No."

"Cara?"

"Couldn't do anything from jail."

"He was alone?"

"Yes, he was cremated because no one came forth to claim the body and make arrangements." Hank answered quietly.

If there had been one thing Hank had learned fast when he'd started to date Cassie, was that the kids were part of the package, and it was only natural that while he had grown to love her he'd come to love each of those kids. He'd debated with himself for a long time before he'd made this decision, he wasn't sure if Cassie was ready to deal with this, he had gone back and forth on whether or not to do this now and here. Before finally deciding it was better to just get all this turmoil out of the way and hope to god it didn't break Cassie into a million pieces. Hank saw Cassie place a trembling hand on the top of the box and lunged forward.

Cassie jerked when she felt a hand on hers preventing her from opening the box, and an arm around her waist holding her tightly. Cassie looked up into Hank brilliant eyes, it just wouldn't compute in her head that Nico was in this box, and for some reason she'd wanted to open it and peer inside.

"Don't." Hank said gently but firmly, he knew without a doubt that opening that box was not help Cassie in any way shape or form. Then he felt his heart drop when Cassie finally started to cry.

"I'm sorry." She sobbed.

Hank just turned her and held her, knowing this was going to last a while, Cassie wasn't meant for bottling her emotions up. He held her while she cried and sobbed brokenly, the box of Nico's remains clutched tightly between them, it dug uncomfortable in his chest but he ignored it.

"Don't apologize, you are not at fault." Hank soothed.

"But I feel like it!"

Hank felt twisted inside, maybe he shouldn't have given it to her, at least not yet. But then again when was it a good time to give a woman you cared for a box with the remains of her six year old nephew in them..

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Sad chapter but I promise they won't always be thunderstorms and death but it just felt right to get these chapters out of the way first after all Hank and Cassie still have some hurdles and bumps to go through before its all sunshine and pillow for them. Reviews would be nice please and Happy Fourth of July my readers.