[color=00a651]1. [b][i]Somethings never change[/i][/b]

Other than Highway I-5 nothing seemed to live in that God forsaken stretch of land called the Badlands, with exception of two vehicles stopped on the side of road.The veteran highway patrolman handed back the expired military ID card to the driver of the Blue Ranger and shook the young man's hand, "Thanks for yer service kid, be Safe in New Haven." Kushluk Von Raynor firmly took the hand with a smile, "Thanks for doing what you do Officer Harrison, Have a good night." 


As the California trooper went back to his patrol car the passenger of the truck breathed a sigh of relief, "Nice guy, it's a wonder he let you go once as soon as he knew you were a mutant." He gave Rebecca Ann Stillwater, his former lieutenant a smile as he shifted the car into Drive, “Maybe for once the commercials weren’t lying.” When Rebecca merely looked out her window to the afternoon sky while she fiddled with her hair, “Maybe. I guess there is only one way to find out.” Her former subordinate grunted in agreement and focused on the city lights that drew closer.


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As they pulled into the Backwash of the City Kush murmured aloud as they came to a spotlight, “Something’s never change huh?” Rebecca took out some change and handed it to a man with his arm around two young children she assumed where his children. The black man bowed his head deeply as the Five dollars came into his hands, “Thank you, God bless you lady.” 


She smiled and nodded her head but rolled up the window and sighed, “He’ll maybe get drunk and beat the kids … but I’m trying to hope he won’t.” Kush rolled his eyes but said, “Glad to see yer trying to be optimistic at least Stillwater.” She then went quiet as they made their way through the rest of the Backwash, ignoring the shanty houses, the old rundown houses, and tents that littered all but the road ahead of them.


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When they finally pulled up in front of the courthouse for them to meet with Kushluk’s father Rebecca stopped him before they got out. “I never thanked you for getting me out of that situation back in Utah Raynor.” She said her hazel eyes looking at him in sincere gratitude. 


Kush merely nodded, “You would have done the same for me I’m sure Stillwater. Besides you needed help out of there, still surprised you didn’t have me drive you back to Baltimore though.” The former officer then broke eye contact and looked out the window for a moment before going on in a soft tone, “I can’t go home, not now anyways. Thank you for allowing me to tag along, it was … not expected.” 


He nodded back at his former comrade, “As I said nefore, the offer still stands for you to stay with me until you get back on your feet.” Rebecca merely shrugged, “Lets see what your father gives you as a place before I say anything permanent.” With that the two left the Ford Ranger and passed through the double doors of the typical Roman styled courthouse. Once inside a security, upon seeing Kushluk military ID nodded and directed them to wait until the trial was over.


As both of them sat in the lobby it became apparent to both of them that there was a lot of media attention in the building, with hordes of reporters waiting outside the double doors to the courtroom. Upon watching the news they both learned a famous figure by the name Damien Fairview was on trial, but for what the news did not say. 


Soon enough the double doors opened causing the media to go practically nuts, thus drawing Kushluk’s and Rebecca’s attention. Upon seeing Damien Rebecca muttered out loud, “Well he’s a cute one, broad shoulders, dark hair and handsome. Easy on the eyes too.” She said resting her right hand on her chin, which Kush chuckled at, “Honestly I think if you looked into his eyes instead of his ass you might see he is also dressed like a punk rapper.” 


Rebecca scoffed and smacked his arm in mock rage, “Hey, I’m allowed to look at who I want to Kush.” To which he merely laughed, “Fair enough, I wonder where my dad is though? The trial ended so he should be … ahhh there he is.” He said seeing a familiar well-dressed man talking to the guard that told them to wait. As Rebecca got up and closed her laptop she sighed, “Hope yer father doesn’t think we are married or anything, I’d hate to have to kick his ass.” She wondered as she made her way to the pair as they finished a firm hug.


She introduced herself to his father, a guy named Gerald Von Raynor, apparently some bigwig for the city who explained that the trail for Damien was about him holding a rally for Mutants in the city. Thanks to him being one of the jury it was allowed for Damien to hold his rally by one vote. 


Now that the media had filtered out of the courthouse following the famous man she could hear mostly what was being said but did not really pay any attention until Kushluk said the following words, “You missed Mom’s funeral.” She about did a double take looking at her comrade in complete shock, as she was never told. Kush’s father sighed and handed him a airplane ticket, “I have a flight that departs in an hour, she’s outside time I assume?” 


Kushluk merely nodded but did not say a word to which his father sighed, “This trail was important son, I hope one day you’ll understand.” Gerald gruffly patted his son’s shoulder but Kush never said a word. Instead he eyed his father with a gaze that made Rebecca realize that things were not all sugar and spice in the Raynor household.


With that Gerald gave his son a set of keys and some papers along with a debit card, “That map should get you to your new condo son, and when I get back from Abilene we will talk about your new job.” The older Raynor then turned to Rebecca and shook her hand again, “Pleasure meeting you Ms. Stillwater, son you take care alright. I’ll be back soon.” The elderly gentleman then turned and with some uniformed men made for the exit of the courthouse.


No one but Rebecca heard Kush mutter under his breath, “That’s what you told Mother too.”[/color]