Cora waited a few moment to verify she would not fall over then grinned at him, ”I’m good. Just like a good hike. And I could remove him, but I felt it’s better to remember a dangerous face if needed. At least he didn’t have a good look at me. It will be harder to track me down if no one else remembers who I was.”

She watches Sam wander around her kitchen trying not to flush when he examined the lack of food items. Yes there was granola, a bottle of whisky, the fridge had some leftover food containers but generally, nothing useful for cooking. He found the Mac n cheese and she laughed, ”Just don’t ask me to cook it. My family did not inherit cooking abilities. I figure my mom had some but was not around long enough to teach. So I live on charity and take out mostly.” her answer was honest If nothing else.

”There are plenty of stores we can dash to, but I’m dead serious, I don’t own pans. I think last time I tried to microwave the hot water for the Mac....” she waited for the expected flinch of pity.

Sam strongly agreed. Not that he didn’t want people to know about Cora and him dating but if monsters like Private Dancer knew about her it would just mean she was constantly in danger and that was the last thing he wanted for Cora.

”Lucky we are dating then huh?” Sam flashed a grin and looked for two sizeable bowls and filled them with water then threw one in the microwave. ”I can make a meal out of anything, only tastes better with the more stuff I have.” he grinned and shook his head, ”Once had to eat acorns for a week before I managed to find a town.” he smirked, ”Best bacon I ever had.” Sam swapped bowls in the microwave and added some noodles.

”We can grab something else if we need to, looking like you are gonna fall over though, figure get something in you before you fall asleep it is date night. Don’t want you kicking me out early.”

Cora gave Sam a look: she couldn't quite resist. Making a meal out of anything was quite the boast. "You can make a meal out of anything, but the problem around here is making a meal out of nothing." She waved her hands in the air and laughed. "Hopefully we aren't eating acorns for dinner next time. We can do some actual shopping if you intend to come around more often." She sort of liked the sound of that. She glanced at her 'pantry'. Being single had not helped her eating habits.

He mentioned her falling asleep and she stuck her tongue out at him in a somewhat childish way. In her head, her brain took the comment a different direction, but she kept that from showing...for now. "Hey, I may be a little tired but I haven't tapped out on you yet. Besides, the whole point of helping catch the bad guy was so we could actually have the date night."

The look made him nod ”Oh yeah. Anything.” Sam said as a matter of fact. ”Give me a direction to go in and I’ll teach you what I know.” Sam said with a little laugh, ”Don’t knock the acorns, they don’t taste great but they are filling.”

”If you keep inviting me over I’ll keep coming. Who knows next time we decide to do dinner maybe it won’t be interrupted.” Sam said watching the microwave. Looking back over his shoulder with an over exaggerated wink seeing as he had one eye it was hard to make a wink look like one that way.

The microwave beeped and he removed the bowl and dropped the rest of the noodles in and stirred letting them soak. ”Just got to wait for a few minutes now.” Sam said raising his eyebrow, ”and helped you did.” Sam said cracking his neck still a little sore from being the puppet. He walked around the counter and kissed Cora on the cheek. ”My hero.”

Cora watched Sam add the noodles into the hot water and had to admit, it wasn't the dinner she had hoped to plan with him. But it was nice. Maybe that was part of dating someone in the 'super hero' profession. Interrupted plans, and rolling with the punches. Not that she had a problem with it, honestly.

"I think the only thing my dad was consistent at making was burgers. Grills were much easier for him to manage over a pan. Or anything you could cook over a campfire. Had some decent fish over the years."

She smirked at his exaggerated wink and then made a face at the term 'hero'. "Less 'hero', more 'sidekick'. Unless we're talking like rich brooding vigilante that uses money to buy cool gadgets to take out the bad guys. I mean, I'm not rich, but maybe one day." she mused. She managed to move and steal a real kiss, smirking at him.

”Never thought I needed a side kick.” The icemancer grinned during the kiss. ”I’ll take a partner though.” he said knowing it would be corny to say.

Tilting upright but still leaning towards her, ”Found gadgets useful, nothing can replace the can do attitude though or a rope.” he laughed leaned into to kiss her again before going to ‘eye’ the food. His thermal vision on did so much when it came telling if something was done cooking. Though he was getting good with steaks.

”Trout? Perch or maybe Salmon?” he grabbed the bowls and set one in front of her and one across. All were good choices of fish it was different for him because usually when he went into the woods he didn’t bring said meal he’d just work with what was in the area.

”Did you enjoy it at least?” Sam asked sitting across from her handing the instant cheese that could be added. ”Helping me today.” he asked curiously.

Partner. Cora resisted rolling her eyes but she did nudge him slightly, as of acknowledging that the statement was corny but she accepted it. She let a hand sneak up and run through his hair, then leaned back so he could see the look of mischief in her eyes. ”You’re in luck. I happen to be very good with rope. But don’t go telling everyone. Some talents are best kept a secret.” 

The commentary felt a bit bolder given their current location. They had taken things slow since the reage, but now that he was at her apartment, there was more of a possibility of things taking another step. New York was not known for large living spaces, after all. You could throw the empty box of Mac and cheese and probably hit her bedroom door. 

”Trout and salmon were both pretty good. He tried cooking some crawdads once and those were....questionable,” she laughed, remembering the burnt looking little lake creatures. She was glad he went back to fish after that. After adding the cheese and stirring it, she smiled, more genuine and less smirk than before. ”I did, actually. It was a bit of a rush actually being in that type of a situation. And it felt good to help. Is it bad if I say it was kinda fun hitting the guy too?” he had messed with Sam so she got a sick vengeance from sticking up for her boyfriend.

Sam shook his head, ”Not a very good secret.” Sam laughed, ”You’re a rock climber who owns a gym. I hoped you were good with rope.” the icemancer over exaggerated into another wink before stirring his meal in front of him. It had been a few dates and they had agreed to take things slow. Sam wasn’t sure if that was her way of giving him the thumbs up or not. Even before he deaged he felt he was slowly becoming oblivious to the green light of making a move. Sam managed just a smirk before adding, ”I’ll keep my mouth shut don’t want to advertise and possibly welcome any competition.”

”No. HE deserves more than just getting hit. Last time I ran into him I broke one of his legs. Thought that might slow him down from his” Sam lifted his fingers up and air quoted, ”Music numbers.” Sam shook his head, ”As many times as he gets arrested he always seems to get out.” but that wasn’t Sam’s call. He had made numerous promises to not kill anymore and while he broke everyone of those he still tried not to. It might have helped that the only time Sam runs into Private Dancer there is an audience. The X-Men didn’t need any more bad publicity due to him.

”and it is a rush, only issue with that is you start looking for it before you realize you don’t need to go looking for it.” Sam said speaking from experience. Just like today there was always someone out there who needed help even if Sam didn’t want to. ”We can train more if you’d like.” Sam offered biting into his noodles. ”I mean, other than cooking.” he smirked, ”You were good at it.”

Cora smirked at him, "Is it bad that the idea of seeing you deal with competition is amusing? It could be a nice change since I'm the one who always seems to have to chase people away from you," she mused.

She was glad CS filled in on the villain, she would have to make a note to break more bones on the guy next time. If he caused Sam problems this often, she didn't want to let him go free to just do what he wanted. She could handle a target on her. Heck, she may be cocky enough to even welcome that sort of challenge. Her spirit was powered by competition more than she wanted to let on.

"Training would be good. Now that I've had my second taste of battle I don't see it going away. And I mean, since I don't see you keeping me away from danger, may as well make sure I know what I'm doing? I see this sort of like a video game. You can get far enough just smashing buttons, but eventually you should learn the actual combo moves," she decided. She wondered if that reference was too nerdy, and took a bite of the food. She focused on getting food in her but caught herself stealing glances at him still.

The icemancer laughed, ”Guess not when you put it like that way.” he mentally cursed his younger self for getting around so much just made trouble for him now. ”Yet.” Sam said smirking, ”I’m sure they just don’t remember to come chase you down. Otherwise I have my hands more than full.” he gave a smirk and took another bite.

”That’s about where it ends,” Sam said taking one a little more serious tone as he finished his bowl. ”Sure we have a healer and I know others but it’s not a game.” he set his fork down in the bowl and rubbed his hands tighter before setting them down in front of him. ”I don’t want to train you if you aren’t going to look after yourself.”

Sam gave it a second then smirked, ”Happen to like you a lot Cora. Don’t want you going anywhere or getting hurt. I can try to keep you away from danger.” his smirk widened into a grin. ”Then again, pretty sure I wouldn’t get anywhere with that.” he reached across the counter for one of her hands and gave a quick squeeze.

Cora had to take a moment to control her facial expressions as Sam commented on the possibility potential suitors would just have amnesia keeping them away. Not that it wasn't a possibility, honestly, given her powers. But Sam had also taken a lot of effort to make sure he couldn't be forgotten. She was growing comfortable with that idea. "Well I'm flattered you think someone would fight over me, even with my complete lack of cooking abilities. Maybe it wasn't amnesia that scared them away. Maybe they just starved," she teased.

When he grew serious she made a face again. "Okay, poor choice of words. I mean, I know it's not a game. I may be an adrenaline junkie but I take it serious too. Even at work, safety is the first priority. I mean, you know what happened to my dad. I know how easy it is for a mistake to take away a lot from you," she answered. The more serious nature was something they had to adjust to with his reage. The younger Sam was a bit more laid back with things, although they never exactly took on a villain back then.

He commented on not being able to keep her out of danger and she grinned again, "Hey, like it or not I may be the one dragging you out of danger from time to time. I happen to like you too, and you will have to get used to the idea that I don't just plan on sitting on the sidelines all the time while you're out being all heroic." she leaned forward, a somewhat flirtatious smirk on her face. "I'm a lot to handle. Think you have what it takes still?"

”Maybe.” Sam said laughing, ”Well either way less competition for me. Just gives me more time to teach you how to cook.” Sam thought about it for a second, ”Then again, if I taught you how to cook one less reason to keep me around.” he winked again.

”Sorry, bad habit of mine. Due to my childhood I think I can do everything on my own and everyone else needs someone to keep an eye out for them.“ the one-eyed X-man apologized scratching the back of his head when she leaned forward. ”Teammates get pretty mad sometimes, feel free to remind me. Pretty dense sometimes.”

Leaning forward towards her and mirroring her smirk, ”Proof today.” Sam agreed that she was capable of rescuing him. In fact he was pretty sure by the end of the day he would have had blisters all over his feet thanks to Cora he was also in a way better mood. It was kind of cool seeing Cora lay down the law. ”I’ve noticed,” Sam laughed, ” I think I got what it takes, if not you would have kicked me to the curb.” he grinned and teased, ”But you like me.”

Cora waited until he apologized then the stubborn set of her jaw relaxed. She knew it wasn't a closed case, really. Sam was the heroic type and she knew he would keep trying to protect things he cared about. And, somehow, she had fallen into that category. But hopefully he would realize she didn't need protection. Well, not yet at least. There may be a villain that was not as easy to amnesia her way away from.

She tried to ignore the tiny rush of anxiety being in a relationship gave her and focused on the face in front of her. All the craziness aside, and the fact she had to do the first date things with him more than once, she was rather fond of him. "Yes, I like you. Don't hold it against me." She made a face then laughed. "And plus, if I let you waste all your energy dancing then you would be too tired for the rest of the evening. I mean, you're staying tonight, right?"

She kissed him, then pulled away, trying to read if he got the hint or not. If not, she could drag him toward the bedroom later anyway. She was sure he wouldn't object. Heck, he might prefer that anyway.

Sam might knew but he still liked to hear her admit it. Brought him some comfort knowing someone cared about him like this. ”Never.” the next set of words didn’t register till she kissed him and then back away. ”Be a bad excuse to ruin date night…” his raised eyebrow gave his thoughts away when it all clicked.

”Uhhh… if you want me to.” Sam said trying to deafen the grin that was walking up his face. ”I mean… if you are cool with it.” he shook his head and scratched the back of his head trying not to laugh at himself. ”Yeah… I’m just gonna shut up.” he said grabbing both bowls and walking them over to the kitchen sink where he gave them a quick rinse not sure what to say.

Normally he would have been way cooler about the situation but he was a bit nervous, normally he wouldn’t wait this long into a relationship but he had agreed to take it slower. Meaning in his mind there was way more on the line. Sam frowned slightly debating to voice his concerns. However, he didn’t want to kill the mood if there was one.

”Are we talking board games?” he asked trying to lighten his thoughts a bit. Sam moved from the sink over to where he was sitting and Cora. ”Cause I will never be too tired for board games.” he said with a laugh.

Cora was more than amused at Sam's reaction to her comment. That was the difference between the older Sam and the younger version who may have just run to the bedroom without a second thought. Or, would he have? He had been here before, actually. Sometimes it was hard to separate what was one Sam and the other. She couldn't isolate the feelings entirely, but they were there, and that would never really disappear. It was just being replaced with new emotions.

She watched Sam try to rinse the bowls and then smiled at his comment. Never too tired for board games... "Clearly you've never played a game of Risk with me then," she quipped. She was being bratty, but it was fun. She pretended to think about it and tapped her fingers against her chin. "Although Monopoly could be a good choice too."