Now, while she HAD said sandwiches, she had been thinking Torta. But what she had actually told Sam was “empanadas”... which were a bit more involved. Still, she had said empanadas. Lenna would not break her word.

The Mexican torta she had been thinking of was definitely more of a sandwich. They put it on a crusty sandwich roll, with garnishes like avocado, Chile pepper, and onions. She had learned to make them from one of her soldier friends. One who had actually grown up in Mexico. And they were good. Empanadas, on the other hand... were something else.

An empanada was a type of baked or fried turnover with pastry and filling. Eliana herself had shown her how to make them. And they were delicious. She did not know if Sam was a beef guy or a chicken man. Bulletproof Amelia had told her he was the type who would say whatever she made was the best thing in the world, even if it was terrible. She had decided that she was in a chicken mood. So she had made spicy chicken empanadas! She had also made a fancy salsa. When she did a thing, she did it right. Even lunch.

Fancy new cellular phones were amazing. She had learned how to search the internet for things from people around the mansion... actually, she had asked Amelia. That was where she got the salsa idea. The internet web. She recalled the recipes she knew, but... it is still worth it to double check all of your details. And inspiration had struck.

The mansion kitchen had contained many ingredients, but she had run to the store for several extras, such as rotisserie chicken. Green Chile’s, Jalapeño, salsa verse, pie dough, and... yeah. Many things. It was good that an older mansion student had agreed to drive her to the store if she taught them some Krav Maga. How that had come up in conversation was a story for another day. She had needed the car space for many bags of groceries.

She had sautéd the peppers and onions, mixed cilantro, lime juice, and chicken. Then mixed in the sautéd pepper, Chile, and onion mixture. In, went cheese. Salt and pepper.

The dough had been cut into circles, then filled. She had egg washed the dough’s circumference, then folded it over and sealed the edges with the tines of a fork. Then, she had hauled out a deep fryer and cooked them until they were all a golden brown. Drained t them on paper towels. then she had made the Salsa while the empanadas cooled.

The salsa was easy. One jar salsa verde, mixed with 1/4 cup orange juice and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper.

Shopping and cooking had taken a while. Long enough, Lenna was glad she hard started preparing shortly after her talk with Sam and Amelia that morning. Shopping, from 9-10. 11-12, cooking. She had just finished, in time for Sam to arrive. If he showed up on time.

The table was nicely set, and food was on a plate in the center. The orange salsa was in a bowl. Shakira played from her cellphone on the counter. A song she had not heard before. Try Everything.

Why had she tried so hard to make a nice meal? Was it simply because she wished to do things properly? No. She had an ulterior motive for striving to impress the man. And, she wanted to do things correctly.

Noon, he was told to meet in the kitchen by noon. Meaning after his burrito and morning coffee he had a few hours to do whatever he wanted, he could have done anything. Sleep, read, watch a movie so he could use more references in conversation, or even the danger room. It was Sam so he spent all of his time in the danger room training to be better than his older version. Serena and Mirror seemed to be further ahead than he was so that meant he to train any chance he got and so he did.

Sam was cutting it close, looking down to his phone he picked up the pace almost speed walking to the kitchen. The smell of meat and spices scented the hallway leading up to it. Patches of ice dotted his skin where burn holes littered his clothing. Luckily most of the shots from the beams of light were targeted on his torso more than anywhere else. Other than that he was wearing the same clothes he had when he met Lenna earlier. Hopefully he didn’t need to dress up for the lunch date.

12:01

Walking through the kitchen entrance Sam threw his hands up when he spotted the time. ”Sorry I’m late. Been trying this new thing where I show up later than I intend.” he tried to make a joke then smirked and looked at the spread Lenna had laid out for them. He suddenly wished he had at least showered. There was some soot on his arms.

”Holy $$$$” Sam remarked walking towards the table. ”This looks amazing.” he looked to her, ”You always cook for dates like this?” he smirked, ”If so I think I’m in love.”

Sam had not dressed up nicely. Neither had she. Lenna had put on blue jeans and a black Red Hot Chili Peppers t-shirt after her morning run (and shower). She had left the jacket in her room. Her shirt, though... it did not have holes in it as his did.

Lenna stared at the holes. He apologized, though not for the holes. Lenna nodded, slowly.

Holy s****.

He surveyed the table, and gave her praise.

”When I do something,” she answered him. ”I do it right. I promised you empanadas.” she waved her hand at the spread.

She had promised. She kept her word. Maybe she had gone a little overboard?

The comments about ‘dates’ and ‘love’ were conveniently lost in the conversation, with no reply.

”So. They call you... Cold Steel. I can see the ice. In the holes in your holey shirt. That works for Cold. But what of the Steel?” She quirked an eyebrow.

Her hand lowered to the table, and closed around a table knife. She flipped it in the air in front of her, then caught it. She looked at him quizzically. ”Just a nick name, or did you train with blades?”

Part of her had wanted to hold the knife with both hands, and pose like a Jedi. Complete with lightsaber sounds. Just to mess with him, and see how he responded. But she had wanted answers, not the peal of laughter such ridiculous actions would have elicited. She had held back.

”Be still my heart.” Sam said mocking a heart break. ”I can see that.” Sam said giving her more praise, impressed she managed to make something like this so quick. Clearly she had practice before.

The icemancer raised an eyebrow and looked to Lenna instead of the food. He watched her hand on the blade. She wanted to know about his name. Usually when women asked about his name they tried to kill him. The knife in he hand made him nervous now.

”Starting to think there is another reason for the date.” he said rolling his eyes and raising his own hand. A sword handle formed and he caught it. A blade if ice formed in the shape of a katana. Sam eyed the woman. ”Powers are cold and the skill is steel.” he agreed. The blade dissipated as quickly as it had formed. He folded his arms.

”Now I was here under the pretense of a meal.” he said waiting for her next move. ”Are we eating or are you going to attack me.” he asked assuming she had been sent here to either seduce him and kill him or just kill him. Again not a lot of people wanted to know how he got his name. Usually they attacked after.

Her action had caused him to be wary. Good. Anyone foolish enough not to be cautious when a person had a knife in their hands, they would not be very good to train with. Yes? Too naive. Too trusting.

His summoned blade was impressive. A man who can bring their own weapon from the air itself can never be caught defenseless for very long. Although the formation itself gave way to its own weaknesses.

The sword came, the sword went. Personally, Lenna had liked his little quip. Powers are cold and the steel is cold. Now the alias made sense.

She inclined her chin towards him, in respect.

He asked if she was going to attack, and Lenna almost smiled.

”Now, why ever would I do that?” She asked. After a moment, she added. ”Again.”

”The point of this meal was to make up for doing so earlier, with words. I want friends, not enemies. No. I was contemplating people at this mansion who would be worth my time to train with. I did not know you had any skill until after I had already invited you. Relax.”

She placed the knife on the table. Then, she seated herself. ”Have some lunch. Try the orange salsa. It is actually good.”

She dished you and began eating, herself. To prove it was harmless. she hoped he would join her. He would need the energy. One way or another, they were going to train.

Sam shrugged, ”Bounty I’d imagine.” he shrugged already splurging more information than he intended, ”T.A.T. already wasted so many agents on me. I’m sure they’ve been looking for outside help.” Sam said making it sound like he was bragging about it. He was.

She didn’t need to make up for anything. If it was any other day and he was going to any other room he’d deserve it. He had a reputation for a reason. The icemancer didn’t fully relax till the knife was on the table. Slowly he sat down and looked forward to the spread again then back to Lenna. There were healers in the mansion and as far as he was concerned an empanada wasn’t the worst way to go. He’d always thought his downfall was a pretty smile at least he’d have a full stomach.

Waiting till she took a bite he gave his food a once over she didn’t seem the type to poison but then again nothing should surprise him anymore. Sam took a bite waiting to respond till after he swallowed. Spicy was an understatement. He wasn’t mentality prepared for the heat.

Sam let out a small cough then raised an eyebrow. ”Don’t think you’d be the type to poison.” he finally decided. ”I’m good with friends.” he added taking another bite. ”I have a long list of people I train with.” he took another bite his mouth feeling like he could spew fire.

A long sip from his glass he continued, ”Think highly of your skill I take it?” Sam said pointing to the empanada ”Awesome, by the way. Very hot.” Sam said switching to Spanish. ”Thanks again for the meal.” he reached for some salsa.

Bounty? Of all the replies she could have expected, that had not been one of them. And he had mentioned it so casually, too. But then, maybe X-men people were often the targets of knives in the dark.

Lenna nodded and kept silent, as he spoke of this supposed bounty... and some thing called TAT. Some thing called TAT, which had “wasted agents” on him. Was this thing like the government agency, with the SUPER men? She compartmentalized that, as some thing to ask of later. Then, focused on explaining herself. And the situation. He had not relaxed yet. She had to put his mind at ease.

He did not relax, in fact, until she had placed the knife back on the table and seated herself. Only then, did he sit down and eye her. Maybe grand gestures were bad when people are paranoid folks? Oops.

Her bite placated him, at least a little. Yes, he was paranoid. Cautious ice man from this mysterious TAT. What was his story? Was he as interesting as her?

He took a bite, and— Lenna did not smile. Not one bit. The face he made... no. She did not smile outwardly at the humor of his face as he bit off more than he could handle. But inwardly, she was greatly amused.

She listened as he stammered and rambled through the pain of good spice. It was good he did not believe her the type to poison. She personally thought poison was weak. Any fool could poison. Long range assassinations took real skill. And close range was so much more personal. In theory. Eliana has always done that. Lenna had been told much, but her actual experience with murder was... lacking. Limited... to the kitchen, really. To spicy foods. And she had never had a fatality yet.

Amelia was correct about one thing. Despite being overcome by the heat, Sam attempted to act as if the heat did not touch him... and all for one cute girl.

Lenna allowed him to finish constructing his cool facade. Gathering himself to compliment her, even as he cursed her. He even... spoke Spanish. That earned him an eyebrow raise of his very own. He could cherish. He had momentarily broken her own facade. She would have to return the favor.

In Spanish, Lenna replied. ”Thank you. The extra spice. I added this just for you.”

She batted her eyes. Smiled a serene smile.

Really, she should have been thanking him for thinking her incapable of poisoning him. What a sweet thing to say! He had basically called her strong! That he had thought her capable of attempting to kill him had been yet another glowing endorsement! Those two things counted more to her than his attempt to compliment her food.

“You are very welcome,” she added. Still in Spanish.

To her, the orange salsa looked very orange. She had gotten the spiciest of salsas for its base. He reached out for it. Wordlessly, she stretched out her hand and placed it over his before he could reach the bowl.

Her eyes met his eyes. She shook her head.

“You cannot take this heat.” She said, continuing the all-Spanish, all-the-time trend. “Please.”

She released his hand, and rose to walk past him to the kitchen fridge. There was the sound of a door opening, then closing. A cupboard. Clack. The pouring of something... and then Lenna stepped up behind him and set a tall glass of milk by his plate.

Lenna leaned forward, to speak by his ear. It was English again, finally. Hooray!

“They should call you Cool Steel,” she said. The smirk in her voice was obvious. “Because I melted your face. Just a leetle.” Just a little. He was no longer as ‘cold’. She chuckled to herself, then strode back to her side of the table and sat down.

“The milk will help you. I probably just saved your life.” She said. “Repay me by telling me, what is TAT?” Her eyes were lowered, to her plate. She cut herself another bite, and dipped it in her own orange salsa pool. Ate it. It was good. Unlike him, She could take the heat. Tasted like orange.

Eyes welling up he gladly took a sip from the milk allowing his taste buds to regain their senses. His tongue still on fire while his mutation was doing it’s best to remedy his pain. His breath was visible every time he exhaled almost making it look like his mouth was literally on fire. Another sip of milk and the heat listened for him to talk more, ”Lucky me.” he smirked. It was tasty just for the first couple seconds till he chewed into the spices.

Sam shifted his eyes from the milk back to the Salsa and he felt the challenge in her voice. When she leaned behind him and spoke his hair stood on end, he assumed it was because of her cooking. Not because she was brandishing a knife a few moments ago. The icemancer smirked though not revealing any fear, ”You could have just asked.” he said a spoon reaching for the salsa. He globbed some on his plate next to the Empanada and he just stared at it hoping a few more seconds and the spices would cool down.

”You can call me cool.” he agreed, smirked and then made the mistake of snatching up a little salsa and throwing it in his mouth setting his silverware down he gave it a moment before he eyed the milk again as if it would was his salvation.

He took a drink again then added, ”T.A.T.M.A.H. is the full name, acronym. Supposed to be tactical anti terrorist unit or some $$$$ like that. If anything we did more terrorizing than anything else.” he said with a shrug. The X-men members already knew this meaning Lenna could get some information just by asking around and she gave him milk so he did owe her one.

”The specialize in kidnapping mutant children and turning them into disposable weapons.” he said flatly, ”First one out alive.” he pointed a finger to the sky and then took another bite of the Empanada. ”Why I’m sure there is a bounty on my head.” he nodded. ”They changed names a few times over the years though so I don’t know what they are called, but that was the name while I was being trained.” he said again eating a bit more salsa making sure not to let it hit his tongue.

The ice breath, it was very interesting. Yes? Like his mouth was up in flames. Her food had been spicy, but it had not been that spicy!

She chewed another bite. Nope. Not that spicy. Drank some water.

He was right, she could have just asked. But had she not... just asked? Maybe her wording had made it sound more mercenary than it needed to have been... and he was just going to try the salsa anyways, was he? Some do not listen to helpful advice.

She suppressed a small smile as she continued eating.

>> ”You can call me cool.” Sam smirked.

”Cool,” she commented. Her voice had a teasing quality to it when she said the word.

Cool Steel was as good a nick name as any, she supposed. She could probably do better. But it would be ok for now. She liked giving people nicknames. Like Cowboy and Swiss Miss snd Mama Sky.

He tried the salsa, and... had to quench the heat with more milk. She had told him. His face as he had eyes the milk, though... Amelia would likely laugh when she told her about the whole thing.

As he began speaking of this TAT, Lenna placed her silverware down in order to better listen.

TAT was short for TATMAH. That was a mouth full. Tactical anti terrorist... she was intrigued. What did all the other letters mean? Tactical anti terrorist... management assembly hierarchy? A few different possibilities ran through the back of her mind as she focuses on Sam.

Was this group connected to SUPER? She had no idea. They sure sounded like they were in the same ballpark.

Kidnapping kids. Turning them into weapons. For a moment, she felt a sudden connection to Sam. Had he... been one of the kids? He did say ‘we’. His comment about being the first one out alive solidified that thought. Yes. He had.

”Wow...” She said. Was there actual sympathy in her tone? ”They sound like ass***es. I have known... people like that.”

Lenna looked at him, actual concern on her face. ”Are you okay? Do you... wish to talk about it... I... I do not know this group, but — I know a thing or two about being raised and honed, like a weapon. About how it messes... changes...” She grimaced, struggling for the right word. Then she found it, and her face hardened. ”Fsssks with you.” she said.

How had this suddenly become a meaningful conversation? He had actually gotten her to open up, slightly. Which put him in a very small pool of people.

On her phone, the track had changed from Shakiras ‘try everything’ to ‘hips don’t lie.’

Inhaling some of the salsa and nodding his head he agreed with her that those people were @@@@@@@ all of them. The only good T.A.T. agent was a dead one. Sam could say this now that he was no longer affiliated with them. Sam drank some more milk then bit into his empanada his tongue now icing over parts of the tongue where the heat was the worse. He could still taste everything, just made it easier. He was not going to admit there was too much heat.

She looked concerned and then Sam grinned and shook his head, ”I don’t really like to do the talking thing. I found it doesn’t solve anything, just makes me more upset.” he set his glass of milk down then smiled something he did to reassure everyone everything was fiiiiiiiine.

”Found training keeps my head right.” he gestured towards his clothes. ”might ruin my clothes but it makes me feel better.” he said then raising an eyebrow to Lenna, ”Take it you had a similar up bringing?” he asked curiously wondering if talking was easier for her than him.

He did not want to talk. Well! This suited Lenna just fine. Talking, about feelings. It was... not what she did very often, yes? Shooting the, how did they say it in America? Sh**? That was far more comforting. Talking about nothing. Avoiding emotions. Hitting things, with your fists. Much more healthy for handling problems. Unless there actually actually was reason to share...

He had grinned and shaken his head. He wanted to keep things to himself. Lenna looked at him skeptically. There was relief, plenty. But yet—

”This is fine.” Lenna said mildly. It was preferable, even. Still— ”And yes. Where I grew up, if you had problems you focused on your training. Eventually, you forget the problem.” Or it festered, and grew worse.

She could drop it. Dropping the topic cost her nothing and made things far easier. Yet she felt like there was something there. Some common ground.

Lenna was trying to be more open to people. It had worked with Cowboy, worked with Sky. Usually, she would have let this drop. And felt good about it. But this time...

”I do not really wish to talk about myself. If you ever do want to talk, however... imagine we probably have similar stories. For today, lunch and training are more than enough. A pin, will be stuck in it. As they say.” Lenna shrugged one shoulder.

She cut another bite and ate it. Looked across the table at him. ”So after you finish being nice and struggling through food too spicy for you, we can train. Yes? You know I can make you the peanut butter and jelly, if you need something mild. Do not want you to burn apart.” She smiled at him, as if the thought was not mortifying, but rather funny.

She still wanted to talk about it. This was like when the mansion counselor came and tried to get him to open up before her husband de-aged as well. He didn’t see her much after that. Poor lady. Sam squirmed a little in his seat at the thought of talking about feelings. Stories of past missions however, they had a way of getting his adrenaline going like his body still remembered the feeling of being on a mission.

”Stories are fine. The pin is better.” he agreed and then eyed his food. She was challenging him both in training and with the PB and J. Sam squinted at her and made a mocking face mouthing ‘peanut butter and jelly’ he sipped his milk because he wanted to not needed to.

Sam smirked then shook his head, ”Naw. I’ll be just fine with this.” he said taking another bite of his empanada his tongue still iced over as to not light his taste buds on fire when it passed. ”and you are supposed to want to talk about yourself on a date.”

Sam grinned, ”What kind of training did you have in mind?”

Stories were fine, the pin was better. Lenna mimed sticking a needle into an invisible pillow. Tossed the pillow over one shoulder. Nodded. Moved on.

He eyed at her, and she thought he was trying to mouth something. Looked like... peanut butter and jelly? Lenna continued smiling, innocently.

He said he’d be fine with what he had, and she kept on smiling. Whatever he wished! She even kept the smile up, when he mentioned date.

Oh, the poor man. He thought this was a date. Was it? She personally had considered it lunch. Had she not told him this was the best she could do?

To let him down hard, let him down easy, or simply... sidestep the whole scenario?

Lenna shrugged one shoulder again, and finished her food. The awkward topic went sliding by, to miss her completely. How lucky for them!

What kind of training did she wish? ”What kind of training does one normally do, in this... what do you call your training room again? I like conventional weapons and martial arts, but if you do something interesting... to get holes in your shirt... might be interesting.”

She was curious.

Another bite of the empanada and now a clear plate Sam’s eyes continued to water as he finished the task before him, now all that was left was the salsa. Sam’s eyes locked with the mixture of vegetables. He could not be bested by them not while he still had some milk left.

Sam’s eyes shifted to Lenna. ”What ever you want.” he said summing up. While he shouldn’t have access to the danger room he still did. He had access to all his old training simulations as well. It was probably meant to keep him interested in staying at the mansion. A training facility so close was a good way to keep himself honed and ready for anything.

”Normally it is meant for training to control abilities.” he raised his hand and it lit up in blue ice. He scooped some more salsa onto his plate and started to work on it. Only talking in between bites. ”However, I found it’s useful for hand to hand and tactical training.” he pointed to the burn holes. ”Energy beams from robots.”

Sam finished the rest of the salsa on his plate and managed to wash it down with the rest of the milk. ”I’m ready whenever you are. I can show you I’m cool I am when my mouth isn’t on fire.”

The training room could do... whatever she wanted. Well, if that was true... interesting, for sure.

It was built to help teach power control. It sounded like some powers were involved in its operation, if it could do whatever one wanted. Mutants.... whatever she fskkking wanted, huh?

Was he... eating the salsa on its own? With a spoon or something? She had not out our chips, had she? Hrm...

If he ate salsa on its own, when salsa was a condiment... then perhaps the energy blasts were his own fault and he needed to work on his sense of tactics. You do not just eat salsa. It needs a vehicle. He could have just asked. Maybe he was making ice chips, and scooping it up onto them to crunch crunch crunch? But then that would be bad for his teeth...

Lenna nodded. Mhm. Energy beams from robots. Yes. Why was she focused on his salsa eating habits, and not his talk of energy beams and robots? Probably for the same reason she had focused on the holes in his shirt. He had perplexed her. He was perplexing.

He told her he would be ready when ever she was. Because he could be cool when he wasn’t too hot. Cool, she noted, but not cold. Like a mildly chilly afternoon in February.

”You can only improve,” She agreed graciously. Chugging salsa and walking around in ruined clothing was a low point, from which he could only go up, after all.

”One moment. Please allow me to wrap all these leftovers up. I will place a note on them in the refrigerator that says spicy! Eat if you wish. To let people know they are up for grabs. At their own peril.”

She smiled to herself as she put plastic wrap over the Pyrex glass dish full of food, as well as the bowl of salsa. Once they were all sorted, she found a package of yellow post it notes and wrote a hasty note for the two things. It said: “Spicy! Cool Steel says they are too much for him. Eat, if you wish!” Lenna did not allow Sam to witness the contents of the notification. Hastily, she slipped the foodstuffs away. Then, she rinsed the plates and placed them in the dishwasher for later.

Once all of the things were handled, she turned to Sam and nodded. ”Lead the way, Mr. “Powers are cold and the skill is steel.” Maybe I will learn something of blades. Could be... cool.” Her face was impassive, but there was a teasing twinkle in her eyes. Apparently, she just loved giving people sh**.