The security of Haven, the new highest priority job of Blackforest Tactical, was still a new enough job that the Ranger was spending large amounts of time on location. While he lived at Haven now, instead of out of his office, he spent the time out on the floors. He knew the layout of the building but he needed a feel for where and how people tended to move in the space.

Blessedly most of the security work at Haven was indoors, that day it happened to be raining. While the Ranger had no problem with going out in the rain, it was nice when it could be avoided.

Having made several rounds around the building checking on his staff and looking for any holes in coverage, the Ranger made his way to the front desk. Once there he plopped down in a chair and put his feet up on top of the desk. No one was coming. He could see outside from where he was so if someone came in that looked like they would be offended by a grown man putting his feet up, he would have a moment to stash them away like those who felt themselves more civilized. Even though he was wearing cowboy boots, which are like walking on Heaven, there is only so long being on your feet is comfortable.

His feet up, the Ranger pulled out his phone and started to read emails. He’d fallen a bit behind that day as he worked his way around Haven. Nothing was urgent, and very little actually warranted a reply. He punched away at one that he needed to reply to occasionally looking up to keep some level of situational awareness. He was supposed to be supervising anyway, his men were good enough to keep watch while he plugged away at a cell phone.

Every morning Noel stretched in the gym, ran on the treadmill until she couldn't anymore, and then went back with a clearer head and a better idea of what to do with her day.

Only, today the gym door was shut. Closed for maintenance.

She listened at the door, stretched in the hall, ran in place for a little bit but it wasn't the same and there was no indication that any maintenance was actually happening. The handle was locked. Noel paced.

She remembered running for her life. She also remembered promising all that was holy that she would run more and run better if only someone would help her run away. Every day Noel ran so that someday when her life depended on it, she could live to run another day.

But it didn't look like today was going to happen...

She could go back to her room and call someone to escort her out, but they would have to be free of responsibilities and willing to run, an impossible task while most were supposed to be working.

Security, she decided, could possibly do something. Maybe they'd let her circle the building and still be able to make sure she didn't murder anyone. Without knowing where the security office was, exactly, Noel decided her best course of action was to go to the front desk and ask.

Exiting from the stairwell, the first thing she saw was a pair of boots. On Hadden's front desk, boots.

What if they wouldn't indulge her request? How was she going to guarantee that the security personnel would follow?

Her eyes drifted down to those boots and the seed of an idea was planted.

"Excuse me." She leaned against the counter and smiled to the nice man whose feet resided next to her arm. "I'm not supposed to leave the building unsupervised."

So, she put both hands on one boot and tugged it free.

"Catch me," she taunted, already halfway out the front door, "and then you can have this back!"

The rain surprised her, she hadn't noticed until she was already out from under the front awning. Ah well. A warm summer rain shouldn't be any hindrance to her run, considering that she had both shoes on.

Noel grinned and ran.

The Range sat, feet up, finishing up an email when a voice came from the counter. He glanced up at the woman for just a moment. Quickly sized up how much of a threat she was, and if he should put his feet down. Looked like she was ready to work out. Probably here to ask about the gym maintenance. After he had looked back to his phone she stated she wasn’t supposed to leave unsupervised. That was interesting.

”Not the person y’…”

He looked back up again just in time to get a good view of the woman stealing his boot. What kind of crazy klepto steals a boot off someone’s foot?

Then to add insult to injury she taunted him as she ran.

Quickly launching himself around the desk the Ranger pursued. Well, he would have. Instead he rounded the desk and his bootless sock slid on the floor and he went down and slid a few feet.”Son of a…” Scrambling back up he yanked off his other boot and socks then threw them behind the desk. The security guard stationed there laughed at his boss’s misfortune.

Running out into the rain, barefoot, the Ranger was less than pleased. It wasn’t long before he was wet and his feet were cold. The water was decently warm, but get enough water running past feet and they’ll get cold.. He had to press on though. The woman had one of his nicer rubber sole boots.

There were wasn’t a crowd by any mean outside, but there were a few people darting around in the rain under umbrellas. It took him a moment but he spotted umbrellas waving like their owners had quickly moved aside. He took off in that direction and caught a glimpse of the woman running off. He powered on, but had couldn’t run full tilt. Or let his power help him. Wet concrete when barefoot is slick.

Well. Now she could say that she did her best to find a chaperone. The memorymancer tucked the boot into the crook of her arm and continued on despite the splatters of rain that stuck her clothes to her skin and her hair to her face. Running outside was far more interesting. There were things to see and dodge as well as an overall feeling of accomplishment because she was actually going somewhere.

She'd have to do this again.

It became clear that the sidewalk was not ideal. There were people moving at all different paces and Noel wanted to really let loose in order to get some distance so that she could run longer.

It was good, then, that Central Park was pretty much spitting distance.

Noel veered into the park as soon as a crosswalk lined up with her timing so that she wouldn't have to stop in order to cross the road. She breezed down through a slippery grass meadow that was dotted with wildflowers until she found a proper trail.

Had she lost her friend? Noel hesitated long enough to glance around until she caught sight of him again. Yes. Adult supervision. Perfect. She wasn't breaking any rules. So she continued on.

The good thing is that people tend to make way for bulky guy running barefoot in the rain. They don’t want to be hit by the crazy. Those who are paying attention at least. The Ranger managed to keep after the woman and only knock a couple people flat on their rears. The amusing thing was one of them who had been texting under his umbrella had the audacity to tell Ranger to, “Watch where you're going!”

Cooper should have a level below white. Some people are not just unaware they are actively avoiding awareness.

No, no, no. Nononono. She diverted and headed to Central Park. And even better, she made it across the crosswalk and the Ranger arrived in time for cars to be passing. Time to play Frogger. Lane clear? Yes, go! Car, stop. Dart across before cars show up. Horns blaring the Ranger made it across without being tagged. The woman had picked up a significant lead in that time.

Tearing after her, and almost busting it a few times, the Ranger pursued. Through the meadow. Ouch, rocks. Eventually coming out the other side onto a trail. His feet now slightly green from pulverizing grass and wildflowers. The woman just kept on

”You’ve got to be kiddin’ me. He said to himself as he ran. ”Hold up!” He called to the woman. He didn’t expect her to stop, but maybe she would look back or try to hear him which would slow her down a little. ”Stop!” Hopefully anyone watching would be able to puzzle out by his barefeet and her carrying a boot he wasn’t chasing her for any malicious purpose.

If they could just get a short stretch of dry ground he could catch her. Short of that he’d just have to out endurance her.

Hold it up? Okay. Noel held up his boot as she ran to prove that she still had it. As much as she wanted to keep going, her stamina was not quite back to her expectations after spending half a year laying down. She hadn't paced herself properly with all the excitement of the theft and the chase that wasn't really a chase. Noel was starting to slow down.

So she tried to enjoy it. She enjoyed the big fat drops of rain and the smell of ozone. The sounds of the city were somewhat muffled between the trees. There was sunlight even if it was watery and choked out by clouds. But best of all, she was free. Free to be a jerk, and run, and steal a boot.

Hopefully the consequences of that theft would just trail her back to Haven at a nice and even pace. They never even had to meet, right? She could leave his boot on the front desk. No big deal.

By the time Noel circled the Balto statue she had lost the rhythm of breathing and had devolved into huffing and puffing. Nothing hurt, she was just woefully out of shape even after running the treadmill for a few weeks. Bad guys would catch her.

She gave herself one last burst of speed to finish out her run on a good note and then slowed to a walk in order to catch her breath.

She held the boot up. Over her head. So the boot thief had a sense of humor. "Not what I meant!" He called.

Of course she didn't stop.

After a while he could tell the woman was loosing steam. The Ranger on the other hand still had gas in his tank. And metaphors to use. He could see her circle the Balto statue ahead of him.

She was likely supposed to be at Haven, she was running around dressed like she was working out. But hadn't she said something about needing supervision? Was she not supposed to leave. He'd deal with this when he caught the boot thief.

Not trusting her to actually be stopped, the Ranger kept going at a constant pace. As fast as he could go barefoot on wet ground. After the woman came to a walk he approached and skid to a stop. Catching a wet rock one of his ankles decided today was a good day to go sideways.

He'd rolled his ankle before. This same one. It was never fun and he would not recommend.

The skid became a roll, and while he managed to come up on his feet, he would really rather not be standing. "Okay, y've had y're fun..." it took a moment, but he recognized the face. "Noel?" It had been three years since he'd seen her.

She likely wouldn't have been able to pick him out of a crowd except for the fact that he was barefoot. Hippies might run barefoot, but not in jeans. Noel's cheeks were pink from effort. She was pretty sure underneath all the rain that she was a sweaty mess. He looked just a little too fresh out of the box for her out of shape sensibilities. Even in jeans. Even in the rain.

Dang. She should have brought a water bottle. This outside business was taking some adjustment.

Noel sucked in air through a grimace of teeth when his foot went one way and his leg went another. He went down. He tumbled. He was back up. She would have clapped for the show if she didn't have his boot in the way... which technically made that her fault.

Oops.

Noel stopped. He may have been up, but his foot didn't seem to want to actually be down.

> “Noel?”

”You got me.” She raised her hands, guilty. ”What, do they have my mugshot inside?” That seemed a tad excessive.

”Uh. Look, I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting you to go foot commando.” Had he been wearing socks before? She was pretty sure he had been wearing socks. ”Let’s get you back,” she eyed his foot and then the way they came. Yeah. It wasn't that far running...

Did they have her mugshot? "Mugshot... No, we don't." He watched Noel's face. No sign of recognition. "I worked with y' three years ago. The Korean weddin'. There were ninja. Hell, y' stitched up my side." Maybe erased memories if he remembered right. Did she erase her own?

”Let’s get you back,”

This could be sorted out later. Not in the rain. With an ice pack. That or on the way, Noel the boot bandit seemed ready to go back. "I like that idea." He shifted his weight to the point he was all but standing on one leg. "I busted it roundin' the counter. Damn sock slid across the floor. I ain't about t' run with one boot on an' one off." Not that it could have ended any worse.

He wasn't looking forward to the walk back to Haven. even if he could keep the injured ankle off the ground it would not be fun.

"Mind helpin'?" Normally not one to ask for help, but Noel had stitched him up once. This was nothing. He raised an arm some so she could help his injured side.

Was he going to get hurt and get her help every time he saw her? If she stayed at Haven he certainly hoped not.

"Three years?" Noel was momentarily lost for words. "That's lifetimes ago." Actual, literal life-altering events had shaken things up for her in that span of time. She tried to think it through as best she could. He was private security now, she had been too for a while. He knew her name so they might have been on the same rotation… at a wedding? He's said?

And ninja weren't even Korean last she checked. He believed it, though. Every word. Maybe the ninja were decorative. She couldn't even begin to guess what the stitching was about unless that was some quaint saying Texans used about being funny.

Did she mind helping? Noel shook her head and tried her best to slick some of the rain from her skin before she went to go help support him, not that they weren't both already soaked. He wasn't crazy tall. Her shoulder fit pretty well beneath his arm and she wrapped an arm back around him.

“Why didn't you just run with one boot?” It was unfathomable that he had made it all this way barefoot.

They hobbled a few paces, unable to find a rhythm or cadence for their side-by-side three legged race. She very nearly stepped on him.

“This is silly.” The rain was less inviting now that she wasn't jogging through it. Now she just felt as if she was getting pelted for no good reason. How long had it been? Noel looked back the 20 or so feet they'd made it away from Balto.

Uh. Yeah. This was going to take all day. “I'm just going to carry you. Hold this.” She pressed the boot into his hands and ducked down enough to get her shoulder against his hip before she raised him up in a fireman's carry.

There. Noel trudged back toward Haven at a much better pace.

Lifetimes ago? Now that was a bit hyperbolic. Though if she had erased her own memories it was likely the best way to describe it. He’d let that drop for now. If she had forgotten this would get nowhere fast.

Noel moved to help support the Ranger. It was good they only had a few inches of height difference or it would have been an awkward hobble.

“Why didn’t you just run with one boot?”

”Y’ ever run with one flat foot an’ one with a two inch block of wood under the heel? Only one givin’ good traction. I figured I’d be more likely t’ hurt myself that way. Looks like I chose poorly.”

They hobbled, awkwardly.

It was clear Noel was not having any of this awkward three-legged disaster that was them walking together. She announced it was silly before looking back and declaring she would carry the Ranger.

The Ranger opened his mouth to protest, but she had returned the boot and was throwing him over her in a fireman’s carry before he could get more than a couple words out. ”I don’t…” Once he was up there was no point in protesting. This would definitely be the best way to get back to Haven. ”Well, this is happenin'g.”

Off they went. Noel carrying the Ranger. The Ranger carrying a lone boot. In the rain. What a sight they must be. Thankfully she hadn’t tried to carry him in front. That would have been a strange sight indeed. He didn’t need his staff seeing that, he’d never live it down.

”Why take my boot? Just t' get someone t’ chase y’? Somethin’ about bein’ unsupervised?”

"No. I suppose I haven't run in heels before." Yes. She knew boots weren't heels in the traditional sense, but couldn't help but work the jibe in after he'd mentioned the difference.

And yes. This was happening. "It'll be better for you in the long run." She asserted as they trekked past a young man and a horde of dogs who were all so happy to be there.

> ”Somethin’ about bein’ unsupervised?”

He was fishing. Noel edged carefully over one last dog leash and continued them on their way. For a few paces she was silent, chewing over how much to say. In the end, she decided honesty was best. Especially if she ever wanted out again.

"I was put into Devon Hadden's care after the courts found me unfit to take care of myself." Not exactly the most fun thing to admit. "Could probably take a test or something, but for now I'm not allowed out of the building without someone to make sure I'm not spreading mayhem and disaster on the streets." She doubted that even after getting herself declared right in the head again that she would get her concealed carry license reinstated.

"You're doing a bangup job, by the way. Top notch." Was it really all uphill from here? It hadn't seemed downhill on the way down...

"Don't recommend doin' it." Something the Ranger also had experience with. "But when wearing a pair of boots it isn't a problem, as long as they're rubber sole. Jus' the movin' in one that's a problem."

"It'll be better for you in the long run."

"That's why I'm not complainin'." If nothing else he could be practical. Trying to walk on his ankle would only injure it further and the longer it took him and Noel to coordinate to run a three legged race the longer it was before he got ice on it. "Though, the rest of security will never let me live this down." Oh well.

Unfit to take car of herself? She'd been found incompetent? Lifetime really might not have been so much of an exaggeration. She'd been fine three years ago and aside from not recognizing him and stealing his boot she seemed alright. Something major must have happened in between.

She was in Devon's care and wasn't allowed out of the building without someone with her. That may just explain why she stole the boot. If someone was following her she was being supervised. Aggressively supervised. "Seems t' be workin'. The only mayhem was minimal, an' it wasn't on the street." Very localized mayhem. Ankle sized mayhem. "I see why y' had t' be supervised, but why my boot? Could've jus' asked." Oh, right. She didn't remember him. Still, grand theft footwear was an odd way to get someone to follow you.

"You're doing a bangup job, by the way. Top notch."

"Supervisin' y'? Yeah, I'm on top of it." Literally.

For someone who was not complaining, he sure was... vocal. It was probably just as weird for him as it was for her. But for all his silly toothpick ankle problems, he hadn't seemed out of breath. Even now he was just sorta hanging out. No big deal. Meanwhile Noel was working hard after already sprinting. By the time they made it back she was going to devolve into a pile of jelly legs. So much jelly legs.

> "Could've jus' asked."

"If I asked, you could have said no." In her experience, most people said no. She was an inconvenience all around. What reason did he have to say yes?

Noel slowed as they approached the road and turned her shoulder-captive so that he could hit the crosswalk button for them. "I need to get back into shape if I'm going to be useful to anyone. Gym is closed. I'm really sick of being inside. I mean, it's nice. I'm entirely grateful to not be in prison, but it's not a fulfilling life to stare at the walls all day." As evidenced by her willingness to run through the rain.

>"Yeah, I'm on top of it."

She was tempted, oooooh so tempted, to dump him out on his butt, however, they were crossing the street. She didn't want to be responsible for hurting him any more than he already was. Instead, she shifted her shoulders underneath him, hoping the bones would poke him some.

"Typical supervisor. Laying down on the job." She turned him so that he could grab the front door to Haven and hold it for both of them. "Where am I putting you? Is there an ice machine down here?"

"So becoming the boot bandit was the thing t' do? Can't argue with results though." While not an exact thing he would do, the mentality there was something he could get behind.

Coming to a stop, Noel turned and the Ranger saw she was pointing him toward the little crosswalk button. He reached over and pressed it. They were like a crappy version of those things the Power Rangers fought stuff with. "Once I get this ankle straightened out, I can help with y'r supervised release. Haden took y' in knowin' y' had t' be supervised. I run his security. Bein' stuck in there all day every day might as well be prison an Lord knows that doesn't help anybody. Y' can ride with me."

Sure he didn't have to help Noel, but aside from helping lead to a rolled ankle she had also stitched his side up and entertained his desire to dance. And it had been a great time. Even if she didn't remember it he would help her out.

His joke must not have been so amusing to Noel. She shifted her shoulders so they would dig into him. Worth it.

"Typical supervisor. Laying down on the job."

The Ranger laughed at that.  "Yeah, I got y' t' do the heavy liftin'. Who needs a gym?"

They stopped at the door and the Ranger opened it. Always the gentleman, even when the lady was hauling him around on her back.

"Where am I putting you? Is there an ice machine down here?"

There were a few places, including Inferno. While that wasn't a bad option, it would not have much more to help than ice. Bar stools were not bad to sit on, but he'd rather be able to kick his leg up.

"The residences. There's ice an' somewhere t keep my foot off the ground." While he assumed she lived in Haven too, but he provided the location of where he lived. He knew he had wraps to put on his ankle. Medical supplies, never leave home with all of them.

As they entered he gave a look to the security guard at the front. The man, who ahd just opened his mouth to say something, shut it quick and looked away.