The sun was starting to come up, and the sky was a dusty rose colour. Gabrielle was grateful the sunrise wasn't going to be bright. That way she could watch it from the window of her room, the room she rarely slept in. It was frequented only when she was having a disagreement with Edge. Of course they were on perfect terms now, but she was sure no one she didn’t want to see would bother her while she watched the sky slowly turn colour. The sun was barely visible at all as it continued to journey upwards. There was a quiet rustle at the door, barely heard, but Gabrielle knew someone was there. It was the insanely familiar presence of Christian in the doorway, slowly making his way over to the window where Gabrielle stood and joined her, gazing outside.

"You still miss it." He half asked, half told her. When she didn't respond, Christian moved closer, throwing an arm around her shoulder. "You're not okay." There was still no acknowledgement, and he sighed in slight desperation. "Its gonna be overcast…we could probably go out if you wanted." He saw a heavy sigh wrack her body as she finally turned around to face him.

"Why are you being all sweet to me now? It's your fault I'm all messed up." Christian shook his head in protest.

"I just thought it would do you good to know that you didn't kill someone so close to you…"

"But I'm over it!" She told him sharply, leaning against the window. "Sure, I felt the effects for years after, but that was before I let it go…you were there, Christian. When I made peace with myself, when I set everything right in my mind." He shuddered a little, remembering the oddly supernatural early November evening a few short years ago when Gabrielle insisted she be taken to place where it all happened. He was started out of his thoughts by her speaking again. "And forgive me for having my own opinion, but that is not Jeff…I can't believe I'm the only one who sees that!"

"How do you know its not? He looks like him, he talks like him…his spirit feels like Jeff's…"

"So? For all we know there could be another…another Kael out there in some alternate universe who lives in small-town California, sleeps in a crypt and fights for the good of mankind!" She noticed a small change in Christian's demeanour at the mention of Kael…and she wondered why she'd thought about him for the second time in as many hours. "All I mean is…I don't think that’s Jeff. Based on what I've seen…what I've heard from him…I sucked the life out of Jeff too many years ago to believe he'd just show up one day."

"Then maybe that’s your problem. You're thinking too much. Can't you just admit this?"

"Admit that you brought a total stranger who seems to know me into this house so he can fuck with our heads? That’s what's going on…" She trailed off, walking to the doorway. "I'm getting changed, then I'm going out. If you intend to come, then please leave what's at home at home. We rarely get to go out in the day…I think we should just enjoy it." He smiled apologetically, making his way over to her.

"Sorry…I really am. We're gonna go out, and have a hell of a time, without any thinking. Deal?" Christian asked gently, outstretching his arms. Gabrielle smiled almost timidly, stepping forward into his always natural embrace. Sometimes, his friendship was the most important thing on earth to her. Sometimes.