4.25 Homecoming

"What was that?" Drew cried sitting up in bed shaking.

"Lightening" Caleb mumbled half asleep "must have hit something."

Getting out of bed she went to look out the window. Rain was coming down in sheets, lightening flashed as thunder rumbled across the night sky. Shivering Drew rubbed her hands up and down her arms. A feeling of unease enveloped her. "Caleb" she shouted "there's something out there."

At the sound of her strident voice Caleb jumped from the bed wide awake. He came up alongside her peering in the direction she was pointing. Squinting he tried to make out who or what was out there. "Wait here" he told her.

"Where are you going?" she demanded.

Retracing his steps he pulled her close "I need to check it out." He kissed her forehead lightly leaving the touch of his lips on her skin. "Stay here," he repeated walking towards the door.

"Caleb" she said following him "be careful" she entreated him.

"I'll be right back" he assured her. He turned closing the firmly behind him.

Caleb descended the stairs as rapidly as his feet would take him. He shoved his feet into some shoes before opening the front door. He was soaked the instant he stepped outside. He scanned the dark rain soaked yard made darker and more ominous with the street lights being out due to the storm. Wishing he had brought a flashlight he moved away from the house towards the spot he had last seen the group of people.

He tried to keep his hopes under tight control not wanting to be disappointed. This could be it. The night when the boys came home. He distinctly remembered the loud clap of thunder that announced Emmalines' arrival. He turned towards the house as a bright flash of lightening lit up the yard. The air sizzle with ozone as he turned back to his task almost blind from the sudden bright light.

"Dad" a familiar voice called.

"Andrew?" Caleb cried recognizing his son's beloved voice. Running in the direction he heard his son's voice Caleb collapsed in his son's arms. Pulling back enough to inspect his son's much loved face. His hair was down when he normally wore it tied back. It was his son. "We've got to get you inside before you all die of pneumonia."

A shrill cry from a baby had Caleb turning in surprise and shock "is that?" he swallowed taking a step towards the sound. Charlie came into view using his jacket to shield a crying newborn baby. Eyes glued to the infant Caleb was frozen to the spot staring at his grandchild.

"Don't just stand there" a voice said from behind them "get inside the house."

Turning Caleb found Drew had followed him outside into the pouring rain. Taking her hand he led the way into the house.

***

"Don't just stand there dripping" Drew urged "come in." She smiled at the young couple urging them forward. The man was carrying a dark haired little girl "Zayne is that you?" she asked upon him adjusting the girl in his arms so she was able to see his face clearly.

"Honey" Caleb gave her hand a squeeze "let's save the questions until after they've had a chance to get dry and have some rest."

Nodding she smiled over at the soaking we little family "I have some old clothes that my daughters grew out of that you can have for the little ones," she said to the pink haired young woman who she assumed was the girls mother. They had the same pink skin tone.

"Thank you" Millie murmured shivering from the cold wet clothes she had on.

"I'll see if I can find something you can were that's warm and dry" Drew said leading them upstairs so they could shower and go to bed.

"Boys" Caleb said turning towards his son "Emmie and your mother spent a lot of time decorating the baby's room."

"She's here" Andrew choked "I hoped. I wanted to believe. I thought oh god." He stumbled falling into his father's arms too tired to keep control of his emotions.

"We thought she was dead" Charlie explained "I'm so glad she's alright."

"So am I" Caleb agreed drawing the two boys into his arms hugging them tight "get cleaned up. Sleep. We can talk later." Caleb stepped back watching them nod and make their way towards their apartment "boys it's good to have you home," he called out to them before they left.

"It's good to be home" Andrew said with a weary smile "we um I...should see a doctor."

"Get some rest" Caleb urged "we'll deal with all the other stuff tomorrow."

***

hey trudged up the stairs to their apartment. Stopping in shock as they looked upon the changes that had been made. Gone was the old lady decor. "Wow" the gasped together wide eyed with wonder.

"It's the way I imagined it could look" Charlie eventually broke the silence.

"I'm going to take a bath," Andrew said trying to hide the exhaustion he felt.

"I'll feed and change Gabriel" Charlie offered knowing that Andrew hadn't fully recovered from giving birth yet. The sooner he saw a doctor the better Charlie thought.

After putting Gabriel down for the night in his crib Charlie knocked softly on the bathroom door. "Andrew can I come in?" he called. Receiving no response he tried the door. Locked. Not wanting to disturb the baby Charlie sat on the floor leaning his head back he waited. It wasn't like Andrew to lock him out. They hadn't had much of a chance to talk privately since the baby was born or coming home. He could tell something had been eating away at Andrew. He could see the fear in Andrew's eyes whenever their eyes would lock. Always Andrew would look away first.

Something had happened during the weeks Andrew had been on his own. Something that scared him. Something he was afraid Charlie wouldn't understand. Exhaustion was taking it's toll on him as his eyes grew heavy. Soon he was asleep propped up in the door snoring softly waiting for Andrew to come out.

***

Andrew ignored the soft insistent knocking as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. He could hear Charlie calling his name. It sounded so remote and far away from him. He was home. No mutants to worry about. No one to hurt him. He was safe. For the first time in months he was safe.

The steam from the bath water misted the mirror obscuring his reflection. Shivering he crawled into the tub. Closing his eyes as images of the behemoth invaded his mind. Jerking awake he muffled a terrified scream. He could still feel the monsters hands as the explored his body. The rough intent. The persistent kisses.

Nausea had him crawling from the tub dripping water on the floor. Hugging the toilet he release what little he had in his stomach. What was he going to tell Charlie? Would he look at him differently? Would he understand that he couldn't do anything about the situation? That he was trapped, scared and miserable. Seeking the warmth of the tub he eased his body into the water. He was filthy. Grabbing a clean cloth he began to scrub the filth away. No matter how much he scrubbed he was never going to be clean again. He'd never rid his skin from that creatures touch. He was stained for life.

***

Waking with a jerk Charlie looked around confused as to where he was. Home. He was home. Andy? Where was he? He tried the door again. Still locked. How long had he been in there? Knocking again he called out "honey what's wrong? You've been in there a long time." He pressed his ear against the door straining to hear anything. What he heard was muffled sobs that made his heart feel as if someone had squeezed it till it burst in two.

Remorse stabbed at him. He should have realized Andrew was in there crying alone. Desperate to get to him, to hold him, to assure him that he was loved and safe Charlie threw himself against the door.He could hear the wood begin to splinter under his attack. He called out "baby let me in" silence and sobs was the only response he received.

With determination born of desperation Charlie renewed his effort on the door. "Andrew honey let me in" he called heedless of the noise he was making. He had to get to Andrew. He fell to the floor when the door gave way to his onslaught. Looking up from the floor he found Andrew curled up tight in a ball face buried in his hands. Sobbing. Deep gut wrenching sobs that convulsed his entire body.

"Aw honey" Charlie gasped crawling into the still steaming water causing him to wonder water the temperature had been before. He pulled Andrew close wrapping his arms around him. He could feel Andrew curl his hands into his shirt. The material tearing under the added strain. He sat in the slowly cooling water fully dressed holding Andrew until he cried himself out. He didn't ask any questions. He simply held him close. Sometimes it felt like Andrew wanted to melt into him as if he were afraid. Through it all Charlie just held him. His arms strong and sure. He placed soft kisses along Andrew's cheek and forehead letting him know he was there.

Calming a little Andrew sniffed "you're still wearing your clothes."

"Yeah they needed a good washing" Charlie said with a smile "are you alright?" he asked trying to keep his tone light despite his concern.

Andrew shook his head letting it come to rest on Charlies shoulder like he lacked the strength to hold it up. "I'm sorry" he whispered his body shuddering in Charlie's arms.

"For what?" he asked.

"I didn't want him to" Andrew continued as if he hadn't heard him "I couldn't make him stop." Fresh tears erupted as he tried to pull away "you'll hate me..."

Charlie locked his arms around Andrew refusing to let go "there's nothing you can say or do to make me hate you." He tried to sound confidant despite the numbness that was sapping the strength from his body.What happened while they had been apart? He'd hunt down and kill whoever hurt him he'd...."

"I was captured by a group of mutants" Andrew explained his voice hesitant, afraid.

Charlie held him until he finished his story about his time with the mutants. Helpless anger rose up within as Charlie listened to how the behemoth had fondled him. He wanted to go back for no other reason than to track down and kill that creature who had done this to someone he loved.

"I didn't want him to" Andrew choked "I tried to push him away but he kissed me anyway." He took a harsh ragged breath "I didn't know what to do. I'm so so sorry."

Taking Andrew's face gently but firmly between his hands Charlie forced him to look at him. "It's not your fault. You were caged like an animal. You had no idea what that creature would do if you had been able to defend yourself. He could have killed you and the baby."

"I can still feel his  hands touching me" Andrew muttered "no matter how much I scrubbed I couldn't get the feeling of his hands off me."

That simple plaintive statement tore at Charlie's heart. It explained so much. Why he had locked himself in the bathroom. Why he had refused to let him in. "I love you" Charlie said not knowing what else to say or do "it doesn't matter what that thing did to you. I will always love you. I'll spend every day to eternity showing you how much I love you."

"Just hold me" Andrew sighed relaxing into Charlie's arms "let me feel your arms around me. Help me to forget how that thing felt pawing at me."

***

Drew walked into the bedroom to find Caleb waiting for her. "You should change" he suggested "you look like a drowned rat."

"Very funny" she smiled sidling up close to him.

"Not so close" he protested "you're still wet."

"I'm cold" she pouted pulling her nightie over her head before wrapping her arms around her husband "better?"

"Much" he said pulling her tight "I know the perfect way to warm you up."

"I thought you might" she smirked up at him before his mouth smashed down upon hers with an urgent need. She groaned as their mouths parted so she could pull his shirt over his head.

Several minutes later they lay drowsily in each other's arms "it's good to have everyone home again." Drew said as she drifted off to sleep. Caleb gently smiled down at her sleeping peaceful face. There had been a time he never thought he could love again. He had given his heart and soul to Star. To have lost her once was bad enough but to lose her a second time in another dimension almost destroyed him. This woman in lying in his arms taught him how to love again. To take the chance of letting someone else in despite any possible loss and pain. If it weren't for her he wouldn't have the beautiful children he had. He had learned to stop wishing he could share his happiness with his family They were lost to him here. Long gone in the passage of time. At moments like this he couldn't help wishing again he could let his family know that he was finally irrevocably happy.

***

Unaware of the events taking place at home Indira spent a restless night alone. Her professor's words haunting her dreams. How dare he imply she was a heartless ruthless money hungry person. He had no right. No proof. No reason to fail her because of her ethics or lack there of. It had been a well written paper. She had spent weeks researching the points she had made within it's many pages.

Groaning she tossed the blankets aside and dragged herself from the bed and into the bathroom. She avoided looking into the mirror. She didn't need it telling her she looked like crap warmed over. She stripped before stepping into the shower. The hot water cascaded down her her back and shoulders.

Sheree's smiling happy face invaded her thoughts. Almost as if she were gloating over her misery. Why did it bother her that Sheree had found someone to make her happy? It's not like she cared what the girl thought of her. She turned her face into the steady stream of water.

Ugh! Get out of my head stupid girl Indira thought. She only liked Sheree when she thought her brother might be into her. She thought if she kept pushing them into each others paths that Andrew would give up his obsession with Charlie. She squeezed her eyes tight. it had been months since she had last seen or talked to her twin. How difficult could the future be? Things had to be better there than here. Emmaline's angry face popped to mind making her think that maybe she might be wrong. Should she call home to see how things were? Would her parents want to here from her? Turning the water off she wrapped a towel around her slim body.

She found her phone. Pulled up her dad's number. Her finger hovered over the send button. Sighing she tossed her phone aside. They wouldn't want to hear from her. She had let her opinions be known loud and clear. She had seen the sadness in their eyes as she refused to be the girl they wanted her to be. The girl she knew existed if she wasn't so busy ruthlessly trying to change her into a self imposed mold not even her professor thought was a good person. Perfect bitch was what came to mind.

She had to be ruthless to be in business. Nice guys finish last. She could hear Randy's voice in the back of her head telling her off. Laughing at her. Telling her nothing was more important than family. That might be true she grudgingly admitted to herself. But what if she had pushed her family so far away that they didn't want her back? She had only one course of action left to her. Follow the path she was on even if it wasn't the path she wanted anymore. She curled her legs into her chest as she lay quietly crying as her foundations crumbled around her.