Riding her bike was usually a freeing experience for Cora, but tonight, it had been one of the coldest, emptiest nights she could remember. Her hands felt icy despite her gloves, her helmet uncomfortable against her bruised face. She stopped at the store and picked up a few bottles of liquor before driving the rest of the way home, and then she made her way into her loft, trying to pull herself together.

She had a call earlier in the evening for help. After dropping everything, Cora had found herself in the middle of a rescue mission, and the person she was rescuing was Mae. Her x-girlfriend had been taken based on some grudge or another. It was awkward as hell teaming with the stranger to save someone she had once been dumped by. The adrenaline helped her fight, using her limited rock climbing experience and a few street scuffles to get things done. Then, she took Mae back home, had Seven deck her in the face, and was left by herself.

Really, she deserved the punch though. Seven didn’t cross a line, and Cora had pretty much invited it. She was glad her nose wasn’t broken, even if her jaw was already growing dark with a bruise.

Cora opened the first bottle of whisky and took a swing, then let her head rest on her knees.

Mae was a mistake. No, cheating on Mae was a mistake. Running from her feelings was a mistake. Running when she saw someone cared and she cared back was the biggest problem keeping her from happiness. Being able to see relationships caused pain like she couldn’t imagine. There was no lying or doubting the colors on the threads, and she watched them connect, sometimes just hoping they would go away.

Some relationships were easy to cut. Her fingers effortlessly released her from what she didn’t want to feel. She didn’t remember one of her x’s. Oh, there was the vague feeling of there being someone she spent time around, and she knew she had been hurt. She knew the idea of that person still left the faint echo of unhappiness in her mind. But it was numb, a closed door she had found peace from.

There was no peace from Mae. There was no escaping how it felt watching them enter an apartment, while she stood outside. She didn’t wish they were still together, but rather, she wished she wasn’t alone.

Cora was generally a responsible drinker, but the more she stared at her hand, the emptier the bottle became. She wasn’t sure when she crossed from tipsy, to plastered, but the string just kept looking more solid, more real, more unyielding.

She tottered into the kitchen, fishing into the drawer and pulling out a pocket knife. She tried unsteadily to catch the thread with the blade, but it kept passing through, as if the thread wasn’t even there. She cursed, and tried again, wanting and wishing to get rid of the damn thread. Something had to work. Anything had to work.

Maybe she just kept missing it. Maybe she just needed help. With a thought, she set the blade down, fished for her phone, and texted the first person she could think of. “Hey, can you come over?”

Yeah, she just needed an extra pair of hands. Oh, and maybe some scissors. She started rummaging for something better to cut with, still toting her beverage with one hand, wondering when her apartment floors got quite so tilted. Yeah, she’d have to fix that next. Maybe she could find a hammer while she was at it…

Nothing happened on the hike. He held her hand for a moment but all they did was drink, talk and then she fell asleep on him, while they were both fully clothed which was new to him. Was she avoiding him? He had talked to her but every time he asked when was good she kept getting called into work. Should he had kissed her? There wasn’t a good time during their conversations and technically she did try to sneak off. Both him and Bruno noticed her leaving.

Debating on going to the danger room to get his head straight Sam was about to toss phone on the bed and leave it with Bruno. Before his phone shook in his hand. He stopped and scrolled over the message from Cora. Sam let out a happy, ‘Hell yeah” fist pump. ”Wish me luck!” he said to Bruno and Cammie before getting ready.

Shortly after texting her he was on his way to her place he wasn’t riding or driving no, he was going ice slide. Faster than both due to less traffic. Sam didn’t know why she needed scissors but he brought his arsenal of ice with him. His hands and feet iced over he sped into the city prepared to dazzle Cora with his powers.

”Yo! It’s Sam.” Sam said knocking on her door, hoping what the first text meant was what he thought it meant.

Cora jumped when someone knocked on the door. She was in the middle of digging through her rock-climbing bag, various supplies strewn out across the loft. She was holding a small clip, trying to remember how to open it. Then the name announced itself. Sam? Sam. It took much more effort to process why she had brought him here than she had been ready for.

Scissors. She asked him for some scissors. She stood, or tried to, and caught herself against the wall as the world tilted. She somehow managed to get to the door and open it without falling over. This was fine, everything was fine. She just needed to get rid of this thread. This stupid, horrible, awful string that would not leave her hand.

"Sorry, it's a mess. I was looking for scissors..." She tried to explain when he stepped inside. The whisky bottle was still sitting on the counter next to the knife, and she shut the door behind him, holding up her right hand.

"You're like, a super hero, right? Just, help me cut this damn thread. I know, not your normal heroics but I can't get it to go away!" She held the thread with her left hand, tugging at the purple thread in frustration. She moved to hand him the string, but it passed right through his grasp. She stared at it with an almost comical amount of confusion.

"Damn. What type of frickin' thread is this made of?" She could not remember why it was so important to remove the string, but was starting to feel like witchcraft was the answer.

He had no idea the exact details of her power he couldn’t see the numerous threads people had unless Cora made them visible so when she showed him he reached out for it humoring her. She was drunk. Whisky on her breath, bottle on the counter next to a knife. She wanted a thread gone. Someone obviously important. He decided against making her scissors for now.

Moving towards the counter he determined he was not called here for the reason he first thought. He grabbed the knife and the bottle walking past some of her climbing gear and other things on the floor. ”You alright Cora?” he asked putting the knife in a random drawer hoping it was the right one. He had no idea but froze the drawer shut when he closed it. It wasn’t showy but it would be hard to open. The bottle he just took a swig of.

He turned back to her then got a good look at her face. ”You’re hurt.” it wasn’t a question. Sam formed a small block of ice in his hand that would fit between a hand and a cheek. ”Looks like you had a rough night.” he said calmly trying not to excite her more. Now he was just concerned and glad she asked him to come over. He didn’t want anything to happen to her.

Was she alright? Cora tried to process the question. ”Fine, just, fine, everything is totally fine. Spent the night rescuing my x from a batch of thugs and dropped her off home so she’s great!” She wandered back over toward her climbing gear, wondering what happened to the rope it was missing. She lacked balance and sort of flopped back onto the floor. The couch seemed like a considerable distance away.

Hurt? She looked at her shoulder, pulling on the torn sleeve, not noticing he meant her face. The gash had dried, the dark blood almost hidden by the leather. ”Damn badger. I liked this jacket. Oh! I got to be all heroic, Sam! You should have seen it, it was great! We tracked her with my threads, and then her....I don’t know if it was her girlfriend or boyfriend honestly, it was hard to tell. I’m thinking girl? Anyway, she teleported and we found this big guy, then I took out this badger mutant with my rope! My rope! That’s where it went! Oh, and that’s where the shoulder got hit. Seven was worse.”

She didn’t seem to realize how little sense she was making, trying and failing to wrap her rope and put it away. Now that she remembered her shoulder she shrugged out of the jacket and grumbled, picking at the damaged fabric. The gash wasn’t cleaned, but it had stopped bleeding. Other than her face she seemed fairly unharmed.

”We got her back safe, and Seven decked me, but I deserved it. I...I was a horrible girlfriend, when I dated my x... and I just... did you bring scissors?” She looked up, suddenly remembering what had drawn her to this point. She looked at the purple thread, and touched her bruised face. She shut her eyes unhappily and struggled to pull on the thread that couldn’t go away.

”For once, I just... I want to look down and not see a reminder what a failure I am. Damn it. There has to be a way...” she looked over, reaching for her bag and knocking another liquor bottle free. She started to reach for it, then somethingnon her left hand stopped her. It was a different thread, leading toward Sam. Sam who had just showed up and found her sitting her like this. Sam who she had tried so hard to impress. She grabbed the bad and shoved it to him, then pulled her knees up to press her forehead against them.

”Just, take that. Put it somewhere. You don’t have to stay. It’s fine.”

Everything was clearly not fine. In fact when women said that Sam learned that it meant they weren’t especially when they added words like ‘definitely’ or ‘totally’. The ice mutant shifted his weight and leaned against the closest thing he could lean on eyeing Cora. His body leaned forward towards her when she fell back to the floor. It seemed that was where she wanted to go but her eyes shifted to the couch.

Sam waited for a moment then asked, ”You went on a rescue and didn’t call me?” he tried to smile but the overall concern for her was clear on his face. ”Should I be offended?” he tried to joke. ”I’m glad everyone is totally fine.” he added hoping everyone indeed was. He didn’t think Cora was though.

Badger and Seven and he Ex. Those were three things he would ask about later. If he had to he’d track them all down and find out who had attacked her though from what sense she was making some had gotten worse than her. ”We can get you a new jacket.” Sam said, trying to smile. ”A better one.”

Seven, he didn’t know who that was but he’d experience an ice age or an @@@ beating. He wasn’t sure but seeing Cora’s face made it hard to control his powers. They were tied with his emotions. Sam took a deep breath. And formed some safety scissors out of ice and then offered them up to her. She could hurt herself let alone cut anything with them. He waved them for her to see and put them on the nearest counter or table. Then he took the bag and walked it over to the kitchen. Sam took another swig of the bottle in his hand then walked everything over to the kitchen and left them in there.

Walking back into the room with her he sat down next to her putting his arm around her awkwardly. He wasn’t exactly sure how to comfort people. Smile and joke that was how he handled it seeing someone like Cora like this. He needed to clean her wound but kept his mouth shut for a minute and pulled her in to a one armed hug.

”Maybe I want to stay.” he finally said in a calm voice. ”Sides someone needs to clean you up, looks like you gave them a hell of a fight though.” Sam said smirking trying to comfort her.

Cora was a little sheepish when he commented on a rescue without him. ”Wasn’t much time for phone calls. Next time, I will for sure!”

It would be fun going on a mission with him. She couldn’t help realizing that his powers would have been way more useful than hers this time.

Cora seemed appeased by the offer for a new jacket. She also seemed momentarily pacified by the ice scissors. She forgot she was supposed to be cutting things with them, and ran a finger across the handle with a somewhat mesmerized look before he came back. He hugged her. Cora laughed, grinning at the comment. ”I’m not sure it counted as a hell of a fight, but it was a success. I can also hog tie a badger mutant in under five seconds, in case anyone was counting.” that idea delighted her.

She relaxed against him, but managed to sulk a little when the injury was mentioned. ”Don’t ask me where a first aid kit is. I can’t even remember if I have one right now. I know I have a lot of booze. Or, I did. You missed the fight and another drink...” she seemed to have a temporary moment of clarity and sighed. ”It was fun with you. Can’t say it’s worth it like this.”

Deciding not to make a joke about her experience with rope Sam filed that one away for future use. Keeping his arm around her he nodded his head. Then laughed, ”Yeah, I saw a bit of booze, might have helped myself. That’s also all I need to clean it. I’m sure you got some tape somewhere.” Sam looked around the room seeing things all over the place from her earlier exploits. ”Nah, I’m sure we will be fine with out it.”

Sam decide not to pretend to he heard that. ”I am fun.” he stood and offered a hand down to Cora and gestured to pull her up. ”Can you let me decide that?” Sam asked walking around some stuff on the floor.

”Never been to your place before.” he smirked, looking and gesturing the room. ”Got some nice stuff.” he turned on his feet to face her, ”How about you get that jacket off and find me washcloth you get to experience field medic Sam.” he said with a smirk turning and walking back to the kitchen where he put the bottle.

”I’ll pour drinks.” Cora got water.

Cora struggled to stay on her feet once he helped her up, the heaviness of the whisky settling in on her. She watches as he looked around, commenting on her apartment, and she laughed, albeit somewhat more than his comments warranted. ”I clearly have amazing housekeeping skills. I pull out all the stops for visitors. Does it feel like a bachelor pad? Rock climbing gear and booze. Must seem like home.”

Free of the jacket, she tried and failed to look closer at the cut. Trying made her tip a little and she leaned on the counter, taking her water and taking a swing. She grinned again, holding the cup with mock delight. ”You pour a damn good cup of water! I am impressed! And I look forward to seeing medic Sam in action! Oh, washcloth...” she looked around, resembling an owl as she tried to process where she kept the linens.

”Drawer, second drawer down. Oh, didn’t you find scissors? No... you gave me scissors... hell, what did I need those for...” she sounded like a broken record. She put her head against the counter, sloshing water everywhere. ”Ugh, I’m such a disaster! Whhhhhy did you have to come....”

Sipping from a clean glass he found next to hers he filled his with whiskey. Sam sipped it as he tried not to laugh at Cora who was all over the place with her water. He didn’t say anything but instead took the washcloth and ran it under the sink mixing hot water and a little of his drink.

”I better know how to pour. I own a bar.” he said with a smirk revealing a bit more information about himself. If she didn’t remember it would be a fun date night for drinks. Was this a date? No this was just friends hanging out. She needed him there as a friend. Right?

Sam also decided not to say anything as to why she needed those scissors. Clearly she wanted someone cut out from her life but couldn’t do it. Most likely the ex that was kidnapped. He’d ask more about it when she was in the right state of mind. She seemed better than she was when he arrived and didn’t want to ruin the progress she had already made.

Walking closer to Cora and putting his hand on her back he smirked, ”You needed a medic obviously you know I was skilled like that.” Sam joked as he waited for her to lift her face for him. ”Naw, sounded like you needed me. Granted totally thought it was for something else but I’m glad I came anyways.” he paused, ”Alright, champ.” Sam said doing his best to imitate a ring side coach. ”Let me get a good look at ya? Gonna hurt like hell.” he said holding up the cloth.

Cora almost dropped her glass when he commented about owning a bar. She made a face at him and swatted st his arm (almost missing entirely), and laughed a little. ”You own a bar and you let me drag you out for a drink? I feel a little embarrassed. Okay, I feel a lot embarrassed but mostly just having you here. I usually hold my liquor much better than you seem to be seeing. Shit.” She almost dropped her glass, and set it awkwardly on the counter. She paused, staring at her hands again.

Threads. There were so many, She felt distracted by all the colors staring back at her. Her drink brain couldn’t remember all the colors but they seemed significant. It was like having hundreds of tiny strings tied everywhere on her hands and wrist. It was trippy, especially when she was this drunk. She shook one hand as if she could shake them off, then he distracted her again and caught her attention.

”If I called you here for the other reason, whose to say you’d hang out with me after.” She remarked out loud. She looked back at her left hand and she string he couldn’t see. She sighed unhappily. ”Your talents and skills must be quite fought over.” She grinned, then held still as he moved to clean her shoulder.

She flinched, but didn’t pull away from the pain. The cut was shallow, but the skin was already irritated and red. It looked like the worlds biggest cat scratch, fresh blood pooling as it was cleaned. She was glad she was drunk for this, leaning against the counter and clenching her jaw until he was done. It reminded her how much her face hurt. That reminded her of the strings. Her brain was a mess of whisky and bad choices.

When he was done she slumped forward and put her forehead against his chest. ”Bruno should hang out again sometime. Or I should get a dog. This place is too empty.” She felt tired. He smelt nice. He made a good pillow.

”Bar didn’t have your company.” Sam shrugged, he also wasn’t at the bar. He was at home doing nothing but wondering when he was going to see her next. However he didn’t say that he was trying to play it cool. ”I believe ya.” he said with a smirk. ”You had a busy day from the sound of it.”

”Madam you offend me.” Sam laughed as he was eying the scratch. He wasn’t offended, he heard similar things to what she just implied. It was also a fair assessment. He did normally like to keep things casual. ”You’d be surprised.” his smile faded as he reached out and started to clean the scratch. ”I pick and choose who gets them.” he said as he grabbed a little more whiskey and poured some on the rag.

Patting her back Sam laughed into his glass. ”He’s been asking about you.” Sam said donning a deep dopy voice. ”Cora’s great when we walking again?” he lowered his glass satisfied that her wound was clean.

”I can bring him next time you invite me. Or he can bring me when you invite him.” Sam said with a smirk, ”If you decide you still want me around.” he laughed, ”I learned your secret after all. Your place is a mess.”

If Cora had been sober she may have caught some of the hidden meanings in his phrasing. As it was she only got the mild impression he enjoyed her company. But that was good enough. He liked hanging out with her and she reciprocated. It wasn't complicated, no messy feelings to get in the way. They were just hanging out together. Sometimes that was best.

"We will have to go for another hike sometime. He doesn't seem like he would have as much fun just walking around the city. Need some trails, some things to see." She winced as he finished cleaning her arm, but couldn't get herself to lift her head.

"Your shirt smells nice," she remarked sleepily. Drunk sleepy was hitting hard, but she tilted her head just enough she could look up at him. His face was close, and he didn't look bad from that angle. But drunk, and she had at least enough sense not to start trouble she would regret. She tried to turn, navigate herself toward bed, remembering he was there, forgetting he was there. Her brain was a thousand strings and threads that kept knotting and tangling over each other. "I am always willing to hang out with you. You have your own sort of charm. Just don't expect me to be one of those girl's who is easy to sway with that heartbreaker smile."

It was hard to maintain a confident walk-away moment when the world kept tilting.

Honestly any time Bruno left the grounds he was a happy boy. City walking that included a stop to all the dog parks or a hike in the nature far from the city. Sam figured she would see it eventually. However he loved the fact that she wanted to plan trips around his dog. To him that was awesome.

”Thank you, yesterday was laundry day.” was all he could think of that sounded somewhat clever. The icemancer’s eyes locked with hers for a moment and he was tempted to lean in. She was drunk. Yup. His nostrils flared and he did the responsible thing and too another drink.

”The smile is nothing.” he smirked as he walked up behind her seeing that gravity was eventually going to win in the fight with her. She was swaying a bit too much. Sam set his drink, walked up behind her and scooped her up in a quick motion. ”It’s the upper body strength that does the swaying, which one is your room.”

After a few sleepy points Sam found her room and brought her to her bed. ”Alright, easy does it.” he said as he set her down and helped her get under the covers. ”I’m leaving you an ice pack for tomorrow.” he said as he tapped the closest surface other than her bed and made a small ice block. It seemed he had been making a lot of these lately. People needed to stop getting hurt.

Cora felt the ground swept out from under her, momentarily disoriented. She had been on a trajectory for the floor, so she wasn't complaining, but it did make her head spin a little. They managed to get to her room without problems (not that there were many options. He clearly couldn't leave her in the bathroom or a closet, or so her drunk mind thought), and she curled catlike on her side, pulling her pillow into a hug.

She grumbled at the ice pack, one eye lazily viewing it before sticking her tongue out at him. "You make a much better ice pack. Don't tempt me to get hurt again just to see you come visit."

Within seconds of finishing her comment, she fell asleep, curled around the pillow like it was a giant teddy bear. Her face was still bruised, but there was at least a bit of a smile on her face that hadn't been there before he stopped by.