"A know ye two aren't on speakin' terms right now," Rahne started as Sam drove in the downtown traffic towards the cafe where they planned to eat lunch with Celeste. "But she's ma friend too."

Rahne had noticed that Sam was somewhat distant and distracted lately and felt that it had something to do with what Paige was going though. Hoping for a hint, she had called Celeste, only to discover that Sam and her friend were no longer on speaking terms, and that Celeste agreed with Sam that it might be for the best. After hearing the story, Rahne could agree with both sides. Life wasn't always black and white, and this was one of those situations that proved it.

Sam shook his head, "Rahney, gal, it's just that Ah don't know if I can trust her. She and Emma are too much alike." It was funny, the other day the Daily Bugle ran an article on the Frost Enterprises' fantastic growth and mislabeled the picture of Emma. The only way he had known it was wrong was Celeste had worn a dark suit. "She's more loyal ta her boss, Emma, than ta me, her friend."

Rahne turned on the radio, trying to find Sam's favorite country station when she came across a talk radio program. "And in local news, Sebastian Shaw was found dead in his apartment. Neighbors believe that it was suicide. Police will hold a press conference later today to announce the results of their investigation." She turned the radio off.

"Ah'm surprised-" Sam started. "After what he did to Cordelia, Ah'd expect it ta be a murder."

Rahne shook her head. "Might be easier tae record it as a suicide. After all, the man lost his company, his fortune, and his life in the space of a month. Less questions this way."

Sam pulled into a parking spot. "Just if someone hurt me or mah sister like he did ta Cordelia, Ah'd be out for blood." Paige had begged him to keep quiet about Timmy, and he had reluctantly agreed. Timmy was dead, Paige was in therapy, and he kept his worries to himself. It hurt him to keep a secret from Rahne but, until Paige said he could tell her, he was bound by his word.

He got out and opened the car door for Rahne, who smiled at him. "How is Cordelia doin'?"

"Fine, as far as Ah can tell. Very skittish around most people, but she and Emma are gettin' close from what Bobby says." Emma had taken a six-week leave of absence from the academy to get to know her daughter. "Bobby took them both out ta lunch today."

"He and Emma datin'? Thanks." Rahne smiled as he opened the cafe door for her.

"Naw, but one day they will." It was funny thinking of the two of them together. Bobby had been Emma's rock in the past few weeks.

***

Celeste sat in a corner booth, wearing jeans and a t-shirt. It was far more casual than what she normally wore, but she was making an effort to be relaxed around Sam and Rahne. She looked up and smiled at them. Rahne guided Sam over to the booth and they sat down.

"Matt's not goin' ta be joinin' us?" Sam asked politely.

Celeste shook her head. "We broke up three weeks ago. For good. But, he's got joint custody of any mutual friends." It was her way of letting the couple know that they could still be friends with Matt.

Rahne shook her head. "A'm sorry tae hear that." She and her boyfriend were still new enough to feel pity for anyone not in a relationship.

Celeste waved her hand. "It was for the best." Sam sat in the corner, and said nothing. A few minutes passed where the two women talked about the weather, fashion, and mutant-human relations until Rahne decided to buy herself a strawberry smoothie. She got up and left the two alone.

"Well..." Celeste started and stopped.

"That's a deep subject." Sam responded with his father's favorite line. "How's work?"

It was a fairly neutral subject. She had spent two weeks in Seattle, laying down the groundwork for an upcoming project. "Decent. I work too hard. Ariel cut her hair a month ago and I just noticed last night. How's Paige?" She had taken Paige to her first counseling session before she left.

"Dr. Tolan is workin' wonders. Thanks for gettin' her ta go." Celeste smiled at his thanks. It was too soon for wonders, but it was nice to know Paige was still going.

"First time since I've left Texas I'd thought I'd have to use my horse tie. I got her in the car, and to the place, and made her get out and go. Not exactly something her big brother could do." Sam laughed. He was trying to be extra nice to his sister, and she was right. He couldn't have done that.

"If things had been different..." Sam started but then trailed off.

"Then Ariel and I wouldn't be living at the school, Cordelia wouldn't have been raped, and we still could be friends." Celeste started.

"Knowin' whatcha know now, would ya still not told have me?" Sam leaned forward, waiting for the answer.

Celeste took a sip of her coke and thought about it. Would she have allowed the X-Men to handle the problem, or did she think Emma's way was still the best? "I don't know, Sam, I don't know." Then after a second, she admitted, "If Cordelia hadn't been raped, then yes, I would have kept silent. But if I had know what lengths Shaw would go, I would have warned you."

"And what's this about us not being friends?" Sam asked. He had lost trust in her because her agenda was different than his and could have hurt Paige, but she had shown that her first priority was helping the students. That, coupled with her ability to be honest to herself, told him that they could remain friends. However, he had lost a lot of trust in her and it would take a long time to earn it back.

Celeste smiled. Her parents weren't very forgiving people, and she could not afford second chances in her job, so she had forgotten how nice it was to have someone willing to forgive. "Silly misunderstanding, I guess." Hopefully, her job wouldn't cause her to hurt what was left of Sam's trust.

Rahne was taking her time at the counter, giving the two plenty of time to talk. Sam sat back and told Celeste honestly, "Ah can forgive ya because you were honest. Emma lied ta me, made me think Paige was safe when she wasn't." Celeste nodded, she could see how Sam could feel that way. "Ah can't forgive that too easily. Ah can't trust her." He had begun to think about taking Paige away from Emma's care to protect his sister from the headmistress.

Rahne made her way back over to where they were sitting, and brought them some smoothies. Since that morning that Cordelia was raped, it felt like one relationship after another had changed. Cordelia had lost more than anybody, but she had found her mother. Emma gained Cordelia and Bobby, Celeste had stopped seeing Matt, but earned back Sam and Rahne's friendship. Maybe for once, life was going to be good.

They all could hope.