Brain surfing

[Gifted]

Stephanie picked up on it immediately, of course. "What's the matter, Kailen? I'm sorry if I said something insensitive."

[Raven]

"That, I didn't miss. No, you didn't. I'm worried about what happens if people notice this."

[Gifted]

"Notice what? Us talking?" Stephanie asked, just for clarification.

[Raven]

"Us spending so much time together. You know better than I do how the media talks."

[Raven]

"Us spending so much time together. You know better than I do how the media talks."

[Gifted]

"Oh yes of course. Well, I'm allowed to have friends outside of work, at least media wise. Really for the time being, the only problem in that area would be the mockery I made out of you on national television, and also that from an image standpoint, you're far too low-class to be hanging out with me. And really..." She looked Kailen up and down. "Those could both be fixed with a major wardrobe upgrade. And if we planned a date sometime soon where you came dressed like you were when you came to my office the first time, and I'll dress down so we both look more casual, then I can take you shopping and then problem solved." She looked him over again. "Er, and a haircut."

[Raven]

Horror dawned across his face. "Shit. I forgot that was televized." He couldn't just up and leave her, but if Ben checked her out at all and found him... Then again, Kailen wasn't even sure his uncle was still looking. He rubbed his face. Even still, how could he have been so stupid? He shouldn't have been near her at all at the rally.

[Gifted]

"It was a massive political event, of course it was televised!" Stephanie fell silent then, something in his face making it click for her. "...You're in hiding, aren't you?"

[Raven]

Kailen sighed and looked at her. "Yeah, I am." That was when he started to realize it wasn't just strangers he'd locked out for the last nine years, really realize. There was a guarded look in his eyes that he didn't have the skill to hide. And he was watching her, waiting for her reaction.

[Gifted]

Stephanie didn't immediately respond. She was watching him, actually, and it was only when she realized he was waiting for her reaction that she spok again. "What is it?" She didn't sound scared. She sounded concerned, but it was worry for him, and sympathy for him, not fear for herself like when they spoke of her father. "What are you hiding from?"

[Raven]

"My uncle, Ben," Kailen said. He'd had time to grow used to that, as used to it as he could be, and he sounded mostly calm as well. He was confident he could avoid his uncle, he'd done it for a long time already. This just threw a wrench in it. He took Stephanie's hand. What must it be like, if she'd been caught every time she tried to hide?

[Gifted]

Stephanie nodded. He seemed calm enough. Ben must not have the abilities and connections that Cody had that made him scary. "If you need protection I have the resources to provide it. Even more so if I win, I can make sure he never becomes a problem."

[Raven]

"Someone is bound to find that suspicious, and I don't want him giving up quite yet, I have a few ideas I might be able to use." Besides, he was already living in hiding. He was well used to it now.

[Gifted]

"Alright, if you're sure. But talk to me if you need any help. I don't want you to have to live in hiding forever. Especially if we're going to be seeing more of each other, you are eventually going to need to get used to being on camera."

[Raven]

Kailen hesitated. "Steph, don't you think your parents will find that suspicious?"