[backdated]

Garrison takes a trip out to the airport to pick up Marie; a somewhat confusing situation for a pair of friends and ex-lovers who have been separated for years.



Garrison sat in the Arrivals section of Kennedy, switching alternately between the newspaper, the arrivals board, and the three small children fighting over the iPad beside him. It was turning into a close race between Marie's flight coming in before he was forced to hurl all three kids into Jamaica Bay for a moment of quiet.

In truth, as happy as he was that she was coming home, he'd hadn't spoken much to Marie since she went into deep cover. It hadn't been long after their relationship had ended, and now there were years and a relationship with Adrienne complicating their prior friendship.

Why did you call him, she questioned herself over and over again. Out of everyone she could've called -- Logan, Charles, Kurt -- she called Garrison. Was it force of habit? Was it because he was one of the last she kept in contact with? Or was it blind panic? She had no idea. All she knew was that once he answered, she didn't hang up, and now she was flying home and he was picking her up.

Wonderful.

She tried not to worry about it. After all, the fact that he didn't hang up on her was important, right? That had to mean something. They had promised to stay friends; although, friends didn't disappear for years on end. Eventually, she tired of her circular thoughts, and decided to just go with it. Whatever he displayed, she'd mimic it.

At least, that's what she promised herself. Reality has a funny way of changing the best laid plans.

After numerous delays, customs problems (since when were Kinder Eggs illegal?), and general clumsiness (shoelaces weren't supposed to be so flimsy), she finally reached the arrivals section. Amid the constant movement of people weaving in and out of the baggage claim, she didn't see him at first, but when she did, she had to laugh. He looked more than mildly annoyed at the children fighting around him. Good to see that some things don't change, she giggled to herself.

She waited until he looked up before smiling and giving a little wave. It wasn't too much longer before her luggage arrived, and pulling her oversized suitcase behind her, she headed to where he was sitting. "Well hey there, stranger," she said, a confident smile belying her inner turmoil. "Thanks again for braving rush hour traffic to come and get me. I don't even think I know how to call a cab anymore, been so long." She was thankful for the fact that her hands were full -- she had no idea if she should hug him or shake his hand.


"Yes, you've been seduced by foreign ways. I suspected as much." He joked, bending to take her bag easily. After all, Garrison could bench press a Buick, so no sense making her carry her own luggage. "I've got the Beast in the parking lot. It's not too far from here."

She raised an eyebrow and tried ‎to stifle a laugh. "The Beast? You still have that thing?" She shook her head and smiled, happily giving him her bag. "I guess it's true what they say: the more things change, the more they remain the same."

She didn't say much more, content to follow him through the crowds. She'd forgotten what it was like to be surrounded by people at all times. Vancouver was busy, but it couldn't even begin to compare to New York. It was a struggle not to flinch every time a person brushed past her. No such thing as a privacy bubble here.

"Did you tell anyone you were coming to get me?," she blurted out suddenly. "I mean, it's okay if you did and all, I'm just curious."

"Technically. Different car, but same model and shitty paint job." Kane's broad-shouldered stride tended to make its own pathway through the crowd and they were quickly out into the parking area. "I don't think I announced it, to be honest. The Professor mentioned you were coming in today and I was in town at the office. Seemed like I was the best option to pick you up. Does that bother you?"

Ah. Convenience. She didn't know what she was expecting, but it seemed like a safe answer. She gave a quick shake of her head. "No, I was just curious. I wasn't really sure what would happen once I arrived. The Professor said he'd make arrangements and that's really it." A pause. "For the record, I'm glad to see you.‎ And I do appreciate the ride. Sorry for not keeping in touch.

"You know Xavier. Play everything close to the vest." He got close enough to pop the truck of his old Crown Vic. It only took a moment to sling the bags in. Well, it was a little awkward but he was expecting it. After all, their relationship had wound up quickly, between Kane's near death and her need to go underground to work on the Alpha Flight murders, it was almost more like it had just been interrupted as opposed to ended. Which made it seem like they were a couple meeting at the airport after a long separation, as opposed to former lovers who were now just friends.

Adrienne would just love this, he thought.

"It's good to see you too, Beulah. Been a busy few years here. I got beaten up by a god. Not many people can say that..."

She snorted, unable to help herself. "Beulah...," she trailed off, giggling loudly. "Now that takes me back. I should punch you‎, but that won't do anything. A god? Really?"

And here the worst thing she'd dealt with in the last few years was a canvas done entirely in poop. "Tell me about it. I want to know everything."

"You really don't. However, I was beaten to death by Thor. Who is now working for SHIELD. I think. It is really complicated." He pulled open her door for her with an exaggerated bow. "I'm dating someone."

That just slipped out.

"Of course you are," she replied, smiling at him as she sat down in the car. "Why wouldn't you be?‎" She'd be lying to herself if she didn't admit a part of her was disappointed, but the reality was they'd been broken up for years. Ages, really. And why would she think that would still be an option?

A million thoughts were racing in her head, but her calm expression showed a different story. She waited until he got in to speak again. "Since you won't tell me about Thor, tell me about your girlfriend."

That way she could listen and not have to say a word. This whole day had already been very overwhelming. ‎Just a few more hours. Then they'd get to the Mansion, and this strange facade of an extended vacation could end.

"Adrienne Frost. Emma's younger sister. She's... well, crazy. But the good sort of crazy." He got in and gunned the engine. The stereo clicked on with the familiar sounds of the Hip. Kane's obsessive music patriotism made it no surprise. "What about you? How have you been filling the time?"

And there it was. The million dollar question. She'd wondered how she was going to answer it and yet even after pondering it forever,she was no closer to answer.

So she decided to go with the truth. "Finished school. Y'all are looking at a fully certified art therapist. Been wandering around, painting, helping folks." Being normal, she added to herself. Or at least her version of normal. "It was definitely a nice break from things."

"I didn't expect that." Kane said, quietly. "How is the therapy going?"

It was a lame response, but it was also true. Art therapy wasn't the girl he knew. The girl he knew once headbutted Judd in the groin and stole his shot of Crown. This woman was more self-possessed. Sure. And not the woman he'd dated. And yet, he knew that it was the same woman he'd been willing to die for.

Rogue had to laugh. "You make it sound like I'm the one who was in therapy," she teased, surprised a little at his somber mood. "But honestly, I really enjoy it. There's something calming and yet illuminating about painting. It's amazing how much truth there is to that ol' saying 'A picture is worth a thousand words'. I've seen kids just open up once you give them a bucket of paint and a paintbrush." She smiled and shook her head lightly.

"Course, the opposite can be true too, y'know. I had this one kid, she just refused to do anything, and then when she finally drew something, it looked like a frickin' penis and then she shut up again. Wouldn't say nothing at all. Had to call her parents and Social Services...anyways, finally got her to open up. Turned out she just always wanted to draw one, and felt that was her opportunity. Saw it in a book or something. I dunno. Kids, right?"

"In my experience, adults are just as quick to draw a penis when given the opportunity. Or post photos of their own." He pulled out of the parking lot and eased into the New York traffic. It was different to see her with such a personal focus on the kids, but it made sense. Marie had been forced apart from people by her mutation for so long that her trying to make other people able to make connections were obvious.

"You haven't been posting photos of your penis, have you?"

"Every opportunity I get," she responded cheerfully. "I'm the Georgia O'Keefe of penises. I instagram like you wouldn't believe. Hashtag ohnoyoudidn't."

Rogue hadn't felt this relaxed in a long time. ‎It was easy to convince herself she didn't need anyone when there was noone around, but just being with someone who knew her, really knew her, was something else.

"I really wanna thank you again for coming and getting me. I hope you won't get in trouble with Adrienne 'bout this. Don't wanna cause problems." Emma wasn't the most forgiving of people. Rogue had no idea if Emma Jr was the same.

"Fortunately, Adrienne isn't in high school, so I doubt she'll be jealous I'm picking you up." At least he was reasonably sure. "I hear that they cleared out your old room and everything. I think it was being used to store biological specimens and Moira's pot plants, so you might want to give it an airing out before you unpack."

Rogue nodded. "Sounds good. Sure will be nice to have my old space again. Are there lots of new people? I still can't believe it's been almost 6 years since I was last there. Or in the States even. I feel so much more Canadian these days... or maybe that's the residual Logan in me, acting out."

"If you ever reference any kind of Logan in you, I'm going to vomit." Kane said, mostly joking. "It is a different place but you'll do fine."She scrunched her nose and smirked."So I guess now isn't the time to bring out a big ol' cigar and start cussing away?" Rogue gave her head a little shake. "And you're right -- it'll be fine. There's no place like home, or so they say."

"I should point out that it was said after a massively destructive tornado put the protagonist into a coma."

"All the more reason for her to be grateful that she had a home to go to," Rogue retorted, a smirk on her face. "Now enough of this, Toto. Just follow that yellow brick road, so I can see the Professor and get me a heart or something. I'm not picky."