Sam enjoyed it probably a little more than he should have. The doors would have swung shut behind him if they were attached and the security guards would have escorted him out. If he hadn’t already froze them in place. They were alive and un-harmed. No the only person that was injured in this exchange of signatures was the man he was here to see.

The man was evil, had tried to kill at least one of his friends (which they could prove) and injured at leas one more (that he could prove) he also had numerous accounts that had ‘questionable’ withdrawals. The man also happened to be Eve’s biological father. “You’’ve no idea who you are messing with! This won’t be the last you hear from me!” the mad called out in between huffs of pain due to a broken arm and two broken ribs. Ice coated the man’s study paintings damaged, statues on the floor and several expensive bottles shattered over cigars now soaked in it’s contents.

”Counting on it!” Sam called back. ”Love to see you in court, man. You have so much stuff! Also medics should be up as soon as I’m gone. Called them in advance, also go anywhere near her or send anyone near her. You and me will have a different conversation. I’ll be less vocal I’m sure.” he said hearing a loud yell of anger behind him as he exited the building.

”All yours.” Sam said almost skipping down the stairs to his motorcycle he parked right next to an expensive vehicle. As he drove away a large ice spire could be seen protruding from the car. He’d get chewed out for some of this. It didn’t matter. No one got to do this. Not to someone he cared about.

The ride was a short one. Adrenaline seemed to make short work of the traffic and the drive up to the building. Sam found adequate parking and managed to take his time walking into the building admiring the windows and hoping he didn’t see Jude. Sam might not have ever gotten the chance to apologize for taking him on one of his survival trips. Only kid he had to flunk.

Entering the building Sam waved casually to Tedward, the man at the desk who knew where the paperwork was. Eve mentioned him once or twice and his name tag confirmed it. ”Afternoon. Looking for a Ranger, maybe lone. Maybe Texas? Is that really his name?” Sam asked trying not to laugh. Glad he got movies again thanks to both Shin and Cora.

”Don’t have an appointment. Figured me and him should talk at some point. In regards to a mutual friend, Eve. Sassy, bout he moved his hand to her height, ”this high.” Sam then added quickly, ”Nothing’s wrong, she’s fine.”

Ranger pressed a button on a detonator and a small explosion blew open the door to the building he was pressed up against. A foot of detonation cord had been placed around the lock and handle to a metal security door. A cover was placed atop the cord to direct the blast which left the door open.

Without waiting for the smoke to clear, Ranger stepped from the wall and through the door into the building. Once inside Range scanned the room. It was a mockup of a laboratory with equipment and chemicals everywhere. Everything was labeled with what it was supposed to be. In irregular spacing, there were manikins that were kitted out in tactical gear or in lab coats.

Hostiles and hostages.

In the roteway that you only gained through thousands of drills, Ranger cleared the room. Moving from quadrant to quadrant firing on the hostels, relying speed on violence of action to handle all hostiles before they could muster a response.

All hostiles eliminated, Ranger transitioned to the next room and repeated the process. He would continue until all rooms had been cleared.

The initial explosion had started a clock. Ranger would be able to know how quickly he had cleared the building as well as how long he spent in each room. A secondary run through the building would allow him to confirm he hit all hostile manikins, none of the hostages, and ensure he did not release anything toxic into the air that could have killed him.

That could be done after a break for lunch. The building cleared Ranger stepped out into the voluminous room that held the shoot house inside of it. He cleared the rifle and pulled on the straps of his sling to pull the suppressed, short-barrel rifle in close to his chest before stepping out into the office.

In the lobby of the office Tedward was having to handle a walk-in who was looking for Michael Hunter, the boss, by using his callsign. That plus the man name dropping Evelyn got Tedward to decide notifying Ranger was worth doing.

“If you’ll take a seat I’ll see if Mr. Hunter is available.” Tedward said, reaching for his phone without taking his eyes off the man. He hit a button that called Ranger’s office line directly. He didn’t answer. “He might not be in his office right… Oh, hey! Michael! Someone’s here to see you! It’s about Evelyn.”

Ranger, who was in one of the hallways off the entrance turned to look at Tedward before shaking his head and walking over. He stepped into the lobby with his rifle slung across his chest, over a plate carrier with magazines with ranger plates affixed to them, and in all ways looking like he had just dropped on a clandestine counter terrorism operation.

”Howdy. I’m Michael Hunter.” Ranger introduced himself as he approached the man Tedward had indicated, one hand extended for a handshake, the other crossing his chest. It was an instinctual pose to maintain control of the rifle in case someone tried to take it while his dominant hand was occupied. ”What can I help you with…?” Ranger trailed off leaving the man an opening to introduce himself.

Arms behind his back he was looking at all the stuff in lobby and not sitting down, he didn’t feel like sitting yet. Sam’s lone eye landed on a painting and tried to recall if he had seen it before. He hadn’t, then again that wasn’t really one of his interests. ”Oh,” quickly became ”sweet.” as Tedward called the boss over in person.

‘Howdy’? Was he a Texas Ranger? The rifle and magazines indicated he was doing something more than just private security maybe he was the whole company? Sam smirked his eye shifting from the gun to the hand then to the man’s face. The guy was pretty young then again Sam was pretty young recently too. ”Sam Johnson.” Sam gave the guy a firm handshake nothing to crazy considering the gun strapped to the guy.

”Sam’s fine.” he didn’t bother looking around his sixth sense told him there wasn’t anyone really in ear shot other than Tedward. ”Welp, here is good a place as any. Bit of a touchy subject with me. Be a bit more for Eve though. Figured I’d do the leg work and notify everyone she is close to.” Sam said as he reached for one of the sheets of paper on his person. Normally he would give Eve the opportunity to do this herself but considering how fresh this situation was he decided she didn’t need to be bothered by it.

”Got a restraining order on Eve’s father.” he offered up the paper to the guy. ”Man’s not allowed anywhere near her.” Sam said flatly. ”Figured I’d mention it to her boss.” he shrugged. ”She doesn’t know yet but like I told him.” Sam said nodding to Tedward, ”Figured it was time we had a little talk.” Sam said forcing a smile.

Sam Johnson. The name rang a bell but Ranger couldn’t put his finger on it. He could figure it out later if it ended up mattering.

Following the handshake Ranger brought his hand back to lay it casually under his left hand on the rifle. Then, instead of moving to somewhere less in the open to talk, Sam got straight to business. Something to do with Evelyn. Sam then reached for some paper he was carrying. Ranger narrowed his eyes unsure of what to expect from Sam.

It was a restraining order against Evelyn’s father. Ranger took the offered document and gave it a quick glance. It looked official enough. Ranger had never seen a restraining order so it wasn’t like he could look it over to make sure it was official. It made sense too. From what Ranger had heard, Evelyn’s father was a man who treated Evelyn like he wanted to be pushed out of a buildinging into a pile of needles built atop a fire ant mound.

Ranger looked from the document back to Sam. Clearly if Sam had done this he was someone who was taking care of Evelyn. Like a replacement father or a brother. In which case, Ranger had to agree with Sam. It was time they spoke.

”Sounds like it.” Ranger said, nodding. ”Let’s go t’ my office. I don’t wanna scare off any more vanilla clients.” Ranger pulled his hands back off the rifle for a moment to indicate the rifle which was seriously overkill for run of the mill security work.

With a wave of his hand and, ”Follow me.” Ranger turned and made his way toward a hallway. It wasn’t a long walk to Ranger’s office. Ranger had it placed fairly close to the front. It allowed him to get to work faster if he lived off-site, people could reach it easier if they were there to see him, and it meant in the event of a situation Ranger would be physically closer to settle it. Manually.

Ranger opened the door to his office and stepped in. It was like a portal to another dimension. On one side the sleek look of a modern style business. The other side was rustic with the appearance of a ranch house or country cabin. Wood walls, wood desk, the head of a red deer with its enormous rack hung on the wall. ”Have a seat.” Ranger said as he walked behind the desk and removed the rifle and sling before resting it against the wall. ”So, y’r what, a friend ‘r relative of Evelyn?”

The icemancer was glad The Lone Ranger wanted to move else where. It meant he too wanted to talk about it and how it effected Eve. It also showed that he cared about her. Which was good because she was spending so much time around here. While she didn’t give all the details on what they did here Sam did his own research and the jacket Ranger was sporting made it clear it wasn’t just a security company. Most security companies stuck with side arms. Not a rifle it also helped tip Sam off when he acknowledged it himself. ”Excellent.”

Sam played follow the leader as requested but did it a tad more casually waving to Tedward on his way back. The man didn’t have to notify his boss, it also meant that he too cared about Eve’s well being as well. Which meant he was good people in his book.

When he entered the room he let out a small chuckle. ”Looks like my dream house.” Sam said admiring the wood walls and the desk. The grain of the wood was always aesthetically pleasing to Sam no matter if he had one eye or two. The large deer on the other hand was something he wasn’t familiar with granted most of his interactions with deer were from more local interactions in the states and even Canada. The size caught his attention right away and it reminded him more of elk. Something he was more familiar with.

His blind eye turned from the deer to Ranger as he removed his gun. The icemancer gave him a thumbs up before he sat as well. Still not sure how to discuss the subject, then again he had to get used to it ”As of a few hours ago…” he looked to Ranger from eyeing a clock”both”. Sam pulled another packet of paper and double-checked it after removing it from his side making sure it was the right one. They were adoption papers all signed by the needed parties. It was official Sam adopted Eve after what had transpired on the day he promised he wouldn’t leave her alone in the world. He meant it.

”We were friends before she de-aged. Actually counted her among some of the best of them. We both got younger. Became friends again I changed back she didn’t.” Sam said his smile fading. ”I knew here father was a real piece of work.” Sam shook his head, ”Didn’t know the extent till I saw.” he raised a hand preemptively assuming Ranger was going to go for his gun. ”We had a nice long talk. He agreed it would be best if he never contacted her again.” Sam gave a little smirk remembering how upset her father was when Sam froze some of his ‘priceless’ art.

Ranger let out a small chuckle. It seemed Sam was also a man of fine taste.”It’s what my home growin’ up looked like.” It was a little much for what he would want in a home were he given the choice. For an office though, it was amazing. A glorious retreat to the simple and warm from the overengineering and coldness of the rest of modernity. Especially the rest of the office.

After they had both seated, Sam wasted no time in surprising Ranger. It wasn’t a surprise that Sam was a friend and relative of Evelyn. Her having a first or second cousin looking after her made sense. No, what was surprising was Sam produced adoption papers. ”Oh, well I’ll be. Y’ are both.” Ranger looked over the papers a moment before setting them down. It seemed like it might complicate things with Evelyn working at BlacTac. Though, maybe not. On paper Evelyn was still an adult. That was a conundrum… Evelyn would likely get to sort out. She was the paperwork wizard. A lifesaver for Ranger, and likely Jude too. Ranger having been deaged left him woefully unprepared for the task of handling BlacTacs paperwork. Especially with the buildup that had occurred during Ranger’s trip to Texas.

It was also interesting that Sam had been a victim of deaging… He had happened to reage though. Did that mean Ranger or Noel might one day reage? Would they remember anything that had happened while deaged? That… Was something he would have to ask Sam about.

As for Evelyn’s father… Ranger had heard about that particular oxygen thief. And… Sam had seen him do something? Ranger’s hand’s pressed down on the desk. It creaked in protest. If the man had laid a finger on Evelyn Ranger was prepared to unleash Texas sized fury upon him.

Sam raised a placating hand and Ranger reigned himself back in. Sam said that he had a talk with Evelyn’s dad. His tone indicated it was much more than just a talk. Ranger relaxed. His muscles that had tightened in preparation were visibly relaxing.

”Sounds like yall had a good talk. Shame I missed it.” Ranger said, ”So where does that leave everythin’ now? Daddy’s been convinced t’ keep his distance under pain of—I’mma guess, pain—an’ y’r now the guardian. Is part of this visit t’ check in’ on where Evelyn works, who she works for?”

The icemancer was a little jealous of Ranger’s home growing up now. Sam just had concrete walls and the occasional approved reading to look forward to before he decided to leave that life. He wasn’t fortunate enough to have wooden walls but Drywall was a far sight better than what he was used to.

Sam raised an eyebrow when the desk creaked. The questions that were asked were all good ones and that was why he was there and to check out things here. Sam didn’t plan on hiding anything today. Sam wanted to be direct to make sure there was an understanding between the two of them. Sam smirked.

”Didn’t need anyone else there. He’ll think twice before doing anything. Though that is one of the reasons why I’m talking to you today. He’s hired hitmen before, rather in the case I’m familiar with hit-woman.” Sam leaned back in his seat a bit his eye focusing on Ranger. Sam was more interested in his reactions to what the icemancer was telling him. ”Issue was resolved however, I was clear with him there would be more court room interactions if any one made an attempt on Eve or anyone close to her. The old man responds more to his money being threatened than anything else. So I think he will keep his word.” Sam paused for a second. ”I just want to make sure you know what you are potentially dealing with Eve around.”

He scratched the back of his head, ”Yep.” he summed up, ”I’m stepping in as guardian. She’s got a chance to be a kid again, harder for someone like her and she deserved better than what she had.”

Sam laughed, ”Other part of the visit is to meet you and check on where she works.” Sam smirked, ”Just want to make sure she’s safe is all.” he nodded to the assault rifle, ”Way you handled it showed some experience. Hard to imagine you’d need something like that as a private security company, but if you got her best interest in mind that makes me a happy camper and boy do I love camping.”

The man was known for hiring hitmen. Common tactic of the powerful and vengeful. Hell, Ranger had spent time being a quasi hitman in his time. Just because you were doing it for and with the blessing of a government didn’t mean you weren’t a glorified hitman. It just meant you were paid less and didn’t go to jail.

Ranger narrowed his eyes. His mind was assessing BlacTac in relation to how someone could circumvent its security to murder someone inside. It wouldn’t be easy, but a sufficiently motivated person could find a way if security wasn’t ever evolving. Sam’s mention of the man being more motivated by his pocket book didn’t stop Ranger from thinking about it.

Those motivated by money who had it sometimes felt their money could protect them. Sam’s threat might work up until the day the man met and retained a lawyer that he felt could protect him from anything. Money buying protection.

”This is likely the most secure structure in New York after One Police Plaza.” The only worrying thing about that was that Ranger had once snuck in and raided their Fusion Center for intel. ”It idn’t perfect, but we’re always testin’ our security an’ lookin’ t’ improve it. On the odd chance someone is sent. They’ll have a hell of a time.”

The structure was built to Ranger’s specification and then improved on as things happened. The old Ranger had seen more places where security could fail than the deaged Ranger had. Many things Ranger would not have known to do or considered had been done by the old Ranger. Hell, the windows had been replaced with ALON—transparent aluminum—after someone had made their way through Haven security, likely through the windows, and deposited Reveille and Dammit in Noel’s apartment. The upgrade had required the company to take on debt but a few jobs for the DoD and Ranger had paid for the upgrade out of his own pocket.

It was good that someone else was stepping in as Evelyn’s guardian. The man who should have been it was certainly not qualified. Ranger didn’t feel that he was the right person for the job. He was young—and was reckless enough to prove it— and knew he was not ready for that kind of responsibility. Sam though, maybe he was. The man had taken the initiative in handling everything. Hell, him showing up at BlacTac as he had to have that conversation was proof that he was at least minimally ready to manage the job.

”Don’t let the word security confuse y’. It idn’t all standin’ around a bank while nothin’s goin’ on and y’ eat donuts. Sometimes y’ go overseas an’ provide security t’ embassies ‘r dignitaries in transit. Some jobs are pistols only, some need a long gun. Longer than that one. Accordion’ t’ the DoD we’re a PMC.” Ranger pulled off the gloves he had been wearing and worked to unstrap his plate carrier. ”We can keep Evelyn safe. Not just ‘cause I owe her, rather, it's because she’s family here now. I know most of the guys would do whatever was necessary t’ keep her safe.”

Place was secure. That’s what Sam wanted to hear. It also helped they considered her part of the family now. Sam shifted, in his chair. Any place could be infiltrated with the right knowledge and skill sets. Or the right amount of money. Her father wasn’t that dumb… right?

”You don’t really look like the standing around type.” Sam offered a smile and then eyed the gun in the corner again. ”I had a feeling it was something a little more than that.” he smirked, ”Been involved with some similar outfits before.” he said not mentioning more of his past than just the X-men. Ranger didn’t need to hear that far back. ”The X’s don’t always end up in the right place at the right time.” Romania was a prime example of that.

It wasn’t that Sam didn’t trust Ranger, if the texan did what he said he did Sam didn’t really want anyone to kick up any T.A.T. hornet nests… then again, maybe he should tell him. His younger version did take Eve on a mission. Thankfully there was no damage other than Sam having Eve there and people knowing Sam was working with someone. No, he’d bring that up if he had to. Right now he didn’t have to there was enough going on.

”Welp.” Sam said as he stood and removed his wallet this time pulling out his card. It wasn’t much other than his mansion title “Mansion Greeter” and “Teacher of Self Defense“ but his name and number were on it. ”I believe I took enough of your time today. Got another two stops myself before going to tell the kid. Gonna be an awkward conversation.” Sam smirked offered the card to Ranger. Followed by an offered handshake.

”Feel free to call me if anything seems off.” he said seriously again, ”and if you ever want some outside insight on the security of this place. I have been known to get into places I didn’t belong.” Sam said offering a smirk.

It was clear that Sam understood Ranger. Having a frame of reference for the type of work Ranger and BlacTac did likely helped. Ranger wasn’t sure of what all the X-Men did. He did smirk at Sam saying he had a feeling they did more than just vanilla security work at BlacTac.

”The kit tipped y’ off did it?” Ranger laughed

And as abruptly as the meeting had started it was ending. Sam stood and pulled a card from his wallet. For a man who had been involved in “similar outfits” before it was a rather tame card as far as titles were concerned, what with words like “Greeter” and “Teacher” on it. It did however have Sam’s contact information. Ranger took the card and lay it on his desk before taking the offered hand. ”It was a pleasure, Sam. An’, good luck.”

”I’ll do that. An’ if y’ need any of my very specialized assistance, give me a call.” Ranger took a card out of his desk. It was the most boring of all cards. It had his name and number in raised letters with the Blackforest Tactical logo and nothing else. ”Very few people have that card.That’s my personal number.”

Ranger walked around the desk, ”Let me show y’ out.” He gestured for Sam to walk out before following and stepping ahead of him. They left walking past Jude’s desk, where someone had stuck an action figure on a shelf that overlooked his desk. It was one of the action figures that was made of Jude when he was an X Trainee. It was naked. It was Jude in the nude. Alpha Team’s new favorite pastime.

His card was taken and hand was shook. ”Something like that, it was nice meeting you as well.” the icemancer said with a grin ”and thanks. I’ll need it. Gonna be an awkward conversation that’s for sure.” he said still having no idea how to bring it up. ‘Hey, you knew how we were friends before you became a kid? Well I adopted you.’ That was not how it was going to go down at least he hoped.

”I think I will. Not too often we got use for rifles but I got a feeling you have you’ve got some different talents as well.” he smirked, ”They make it hard to be good guys sometimes you know?” he let out another chuckle and took the offered card and suddenly felt like he needed waaaaaaaayyyyy better ones.

The card stood out in his hand and his lone eye studied it for a second, ”Whoa… way better than mine.” he eyed the card and flipped it then gave a thumbs up ”I appreciate it.” he said locking his gaze on Ranger one last time before he was escorted out of the room. Card was now in wallet.

Sam spotted the action figure, it looked like Jude, been a few years since Sam saw him but him and Jude didn’t have the best interactions. Jude did however make Sam work on being more understanding, with the help of his direct supervisors and Gemma. Boy did he get a talking to. He was about to ask why there was a naked action figure of Jude but he decided it wasn’t any of his business, they kept an eye on Eve while she was here and that was all he asked.