It was easier to accept the hand holding when Evelyn wasn't around to comment on it. Doc at least seemed to understand 'near death' allowed some room for PDA post healing. But Evelyn would be the first to remind them to get a room. Although, getting a room did seem to be the immediate problem. Her own home was somehow the target or ninjas now...

"I guess up north wouldn't have the same wildlife either..." she also eyed the guinea pig, that finally let out a bored squeak and waddled from the room. Evelyn returned with the coffee pot, miraculously without any spilled. Benefits of the echoes, Cora assumed. She took a cup with a awkward thank you as Evelyn plopped next to Doc.

"You're staying? Is she staying in your room? Is that allowed?" Evelyn asked. She knew most of what was or what wasn't allowed, but this fell into one of those 'grey areas' the echoes didn't seem to handle well. Magic, that was a grey area. Murder attempts, those were also grey areas. She squinted closer at Cora. "I mean, Becca and Mirror live together but they were more into the whole marria--"

"Bed." Doc cut Evelyn off and scooted her toward the door, sparing Cora and Sam what was about to be a jump into dangerous conversation territory. It was a good thing Sam had her hand or Cora would be inclined to cut threads in a panic if someone started talking about marriage and kids right after a ninja attack.

The cold controller eyed the coffee and took a cup after Eve gave Cora hers and he eyed the drink fro a second wishing it was something alcoholic. Near death experiences and the possibility of losing a loved one did that to him. Took him back to the same place every time. He knew Eve was watching so he took a sip trying to show her echoes everything was alright.

Leaning on the bed Cora was laying on Sam looked from one person to the next, stopping on Eve who was full of questions as usual but he was tired now still thinking about why Ninja were attacking his girlfriend in a crowded city. Why send so many? Was it to make it a show of force or was it something else? Sam sipped his coffee and let the flavor distract him. ”Good cup.” was all he offered at first while he still sorted his thoughts.

”Not a bad idea Doc.” he agreed looking to Eve, ”You and me can talk more in the morning.” he said to Eve. Sam was patient, remembering having two children and all of their questions. ”She’s staying with me. Bruno’s gonna guard her.” he raised a cup and forced a little smirk squeezing Cora’s hand.

”Night V. We can also talk about your new pet in the morning.” he said knowing she wouldn't like explaining that.

When she was gone Sam looked back to Cora, ”I think she likes you.” he squeezed her hand again then let go. Sam pulled up one of Doc’s stools and sat next to the bed. ”When Doc gives you the thumbs up we can take you to my room. You need more rest I’m sure. Don’t think I’ll be sleeping much tonight.” he said showing off his hands that were shaking a little from the excitement of the day. ”Sides, I got to alert security and the other X-men.” sipping his drink.

”You okay?”

Cora felt her brain buzzing and it wasn't from caffeine. The coffee had barely managed to keep her eyes open, despite all the adrenaline. Cora had one of those bodies that ran full steam then crashed hard at night. Early wake up calls made everything feel our of balance. She both envied and regretted that Sam seemed completely awake now.

Evelyn was gone, the giant rodent was gone. Doc gave Cora one more check then sent them off toward Sam's room, Cora yawning as she followed along that way. She knew where she was going, and even the kids and staff of the mansion seemed less threatening now.

"Well we know who orchestrated this, but I don't think 'the thread leads right to you' is a good defense in a court system... And given the X-Men and their adherence to laws, I take it we need another way of proving someone targeted me...is it frowned upon to ask a kid to help?" Cora could help but feel things were easier when she could just drive her bike to someone's house and punch them in the nose... She wondered if Sam could sense her danger of vigilante justice.

After another check up from Doc and the appropriate ‘thumbs up’ from said Doc it was time they left the infirmary. Sam still mulling over the days events wondering if there was anything that stood out as to why they were attacking her. ”Do we?” he asked wanting a name instead of just where the threads lead them. It was harder to back that up in court though Sam wasn’t really thinking about justice at the moment.

They sent Ninja to attack his girlfriend. This... this was more than personal. They would have been better off targeting him. A threat his life would have been forgotten pretty quickly this one... it wouldn’t. ”Yeah, the X-men don’t kill either...” he said slowing to make sure Cora was keeping up and good to walk on her own. She was stubborn, Sam doubted she would have been fine with him carrying her.

”But when someone sends a message with an army of Ninja I don’t respond with a team of X’s you just get me and at that point I’m not really thinking about justice.” he said finally getting to his room and opening the door. Bruno greeted them with an excited tail wag. ”Bruno, Ninja.” Bruno’s tail went from excited to concerned and dropped down his hair starting to stand on end. A whine turned into a growl he walked over to the window concerned and sat by it. Almost waiting. ”Good boy.”

It wasn’t the first time his dog dealt with them. He was attacked once in the north on one of his weeks off. Bruno had a bad taste in his mouth for Ninja after that. ”What kid you thinking about asking?” he questioned having an idea as to who it was.

Cora felt her mouth open to say the name of the man who led the attacks, then she shut it again, wondering if this was the time to say it. She frowned and sighed, temporarily distracted by Bruno's distress. "Poor boy. Hate ruining his day like that. She face Bruno a comforting pat on the back then sat on the bed.

"I think if we are taking the fight to someone it needs more planning than that. Even if it's personal. He must know the attack failed and is probably planning accordingly. We need to decide what he would do next. Attack the gym? Set a trap? And Evelyn seems the most likely to get information on someone..."[/color,]

”It’s his time to shine.” Sam said forming an ice ball and rolling it across the room to Bruno who chewed it excitedly as he sat in front of the window. Even guards needed excitement, not too much though. Otherwise that meant Ninja’s were at the school.

”Best defense is a good offense.” he quipped back lifting the sheets of the bed and pulling them back for Cora to get in. Sam walked to the bathroom and started to wash his hands a few bits of blood still under his finger tips upon closer inspection.

”They know the attacked failed. Anyone that returned are either sent back out or killed to be made an example of.” he said with confidence. ”Ninja protocol, they have a code of honor that they are pretty strict about.” he said loudly. Sam ran into some before, it’s hard to forget a run in with Ninja, it almost seemed comical in a dark way when he stumbled into them.

”I feel like you forget what I used to do before coming to this school.” he pointed out at her willingness to use Eve to solve the problem. Sam could be persuasive when he needed to be. Though his methods were more direct than the use of Eve’s powers. ”I don’t want her to get involved unless she has to be. Younger me already brought some attention to her and I’d prefer not to do it unless necessary. I wanted her to have a childhood. A somewhat normal one.” Sam said knowing Eve would protest to having such a life.

Walking back into his bedroom he shook his hands once flicking some water at his cast by mistake. She responded with an annoyed yawn and made her way to one of the pillows as Sam looked back to Cora. ”If you know the name I can look into him while you sleep. I promise I won’t go kicking up the nest till morning. Good chance they relocated after their failed attempt anyways. And I’ll call in a favor. Station some police or X-men nearby the gym. Just in case. They learned a direct approach won’t work they will more than likely be a little more hesitant at a direct confrontation.” he said leaning on the door.

His body ached, he was tired, but he was also angry. Sam doubted he’d sleep much tonight.

Cora sat on the bed, glancing at her own hand which still had flecks of dried blood. She really should change, but she felt tired. She had been tired since this whole thing started, running like a car with a faulty battery. Her brain was trying to process it like it was still a dream. Guy came to buy the gym. Guy tried to kill her. Was her dad okay? Would they keep trying to get back at her? Offense... She was relieved and concerned that Sam wanted to go after the attackers. What if he got hurt again because of her? What if someone else did?

She hadn't forgotten what Sam used to do. Maybe that was the problem. She didn't want to be the one who pulled him away from all the progress he had made. Sighing, she found a pen and wrote down a name on a paper. It seemed weird how clear the name sounded now. Then she flopped back, letting her head hit the pillow. She wondered what happened to her phone. Would they have taken it? Where had she left it...

Her hands flinched slightly as flashes from the night replayed. Maybe she wouldn't be able to sleep. How could she sleep when she kept hearing bones breaking, seeing weapons...

There was a knock, and when the door opened Sam would find Evelyn waiting outside. Cora had been trying to rest for maybe half an hour, still tense and looking like she was ready to leap to the attack again.

Evelyn looked like she had been about to walk away, then covered the expression and tilted her chin up. "I know you said bed, but, I think I can help first..." She didn't wait for permission before she allowed herself to walk over to Cora. The echoes were sure that action would make Sam feel a little suspicious, or concerned, but also, he trusted her. Evelyn meant well, even when she could be a bit...intense.

She focused on happy memories. Playing in the snow, training with Sam. Coloring. Playing in the science lab. She stood next to the bed as she did, one hand on Cora's arm, dragging both of them into the playbacks. Cora couldn't battle her own thoughts when she was trapped in Evelyn's mind. Evelyn locked them into a happy place, and Cora instantly relaxed. It didn't taken long until the echoes interrupted letting them know Cora was asleep.

Evelyn removed a hand, feeling awkward. She had done this for Zaid once and somehow, it seemed right to help again. "It just...sometimes it helps showing happy thoughts..."

Sam’s lone eye shifted behind his eyelid as he tried to catch his breath from teh events of the day. Ninja’s in New York, Cora the target. She knew why but didn’t want Sam to know where the guy was. The paper now in his hand. He held it and breathed slowly trying to meditate. Clear his mind.

Bruno’s ears perked and a low whine echoed out from the dog as he shifted his head to the door. Sam saw the figure and slowly got up from his post by the window. His thermal imaging coating the body in reds and yellows and oranges. It was the form of his adopted daughter and former close friend. Eve.

Slowly and quietly he stood knowing Cora wasn’t sleeping, he didn’t want to disturb her rest though. She had one hell of a day and if he could minimize any other stress he’d do it so he gave her a little space to let her try and collect her thoughts. ”It’s just Eve.” he said quietly both to Bruno and Cora if she was curious.

The door opened, ”V. You alright? What’s wrong?” he asked watching her walk in. Bruno’s ears perked and he quickly abandoned his post by Cora’s side. His tail wagged and he inched closer to the edge of the bed excited to see her. He let out a big yawn and buried his face in his massive paws.

”Oh yeah?” Sam asked standing by the door watching curious to see what she was about to do. Cora’s movements slowed and he breathing started a pattern. Sam smiled, ”It does.” Sam said in a low whisper. ”Thank you Eve, that was very thoughtful of you. Proud of you kid.” grinning in the dim light from the hallway that was peaking in from the open door.

”Now got get some sleep, you need it too.” he said throwing a low coating of ice on his hand so Eve wouldn’t induce any playbacks from the physical touch as he placed a hand on her head and ruffled her hair a bit in a sign of affection. ”and I didn’t forget about you’re new pet. Still gonna have questions about that one.” he smirked.

Evelyn was used to the slight cold when Sam was around. Most people had to do something to prevent unwanted transfer of her echoes, and she preferred ice over adapteds any day. She did make a face regarding her pet, but decided she would deal with that in the morning. It was a long day, and she actually considered going to bed for once. Insomnia only held out so long when use of powers made her sleepy.

Happy memories.... she told herself as she wandered to bed. She had more of those lately, maybe it was worth a shot.

Cora slept quietly until it was light out. Evelyn's powers had managed to keep her from waking up in a panic, but there was still the occasional twitch that made Bruno's ears perk up. When she finally rolled over with a groggy stretch, her brain felt fuzzy more than anything. No fists this time, at least. She almost felt like she was struggling against her own amnesia, but it was just post adrenaline drag.

"Did either of us manage to save a cell phone?" was her first half-awake thought.

”Afraid not.” Sam said sitting by the window. His eyes half closed into his thermos of coffee. He poured a little into his cup and stood up walking over to Cora who just woke up and Bruno who was partially dozing himself. ”We were both a little preoccupied, I called it in and sent the police over to investigate your apartment. Apparently there was a fire in there as well. No doubt you’re friends covering their tracks. They found your phone, smashed. Mine didn’t make it either.” he said offering the cup to her.

”How you feeling?” he asked studying her expressions to see if it revealed any pain or anything. They saw Doc but it was still an intense night, even for him. Ninja’s in New York. Sounded like a bad sitcom.

”I called your dad...” he said pulling out a cell-phone. Sam was prepared and had a few phones ready on standby. All he had to do was activate it. Offering up there phone to Cora he sat down on the side of the bed with a slight yawn. ”Figured he’d want to know you were alright if he heard about the fire.... I might have neglected to mention the other thing...”

”So.... what do you want to do about.... them?” Sam said making sure not to use the word Ninja. Bruno seemed less on edge than he was earlier.

Cora felt like she should have been more upset in regards to her apartment, but it had been a rather empty place to begin with. She didn't cook, there were rock climbing supplies, but most of those stayed at the gym anyway. Her dad was the only one who seemed to keep Momentos and trinkets and he thankfully lived far enough away.

She did give a little sigh as she imagined the one thing lost in the fire, "That limited edition Cold Steel action figure is probably gone then. Shame." she looked down at the threads on her hand. The important things survived and that's what mattered.

She nodded when her dad was mentioned then a little crease appeared on her brow at the other question, "I'm inclined to say we have a talk with the man who started all this. If someone thinks they can bully me to get their way they would have another thing coming...I never did take it well when people told me what to do."

”Still didn’t see any royalties from that.” he smirked slightly despite the seriousness of the situation. He found it endearing she could make light of getting attacked by a small army of Ninja. One of the many reasons he was glad his younger self introduced them. ”I wouldn’t worry too much about it, I know the guy it’s based off of and I can ask him to autograph it after he finds you a knew one.” he said half joking.

A likeness of Sam in the form of a small frozen figure appeared to match the one she lost in the attack and fire. ”Not plastic but I’m sure it’s cool enough.” he joked again nodding and placing it on the nightstand closest to her. Bruno was more interested in chewing the ice so his eyes didn’t part from it.

”Want me to handle it?” he asked nodding his head agreeing with her. These people sent a battalion of Ninja to attack Cora. They weren’t something she should deal with. While Cora was capable of handling herself in fights (he had seen her in action a few times) he didn’t think she was equipped to deal with them all by herself.

”I got a few favors to call in, I don’t think the police are equipped to handle them.” which meant he’d not involve the X-Men.... okay not all of them. Some of the stuff Sam wanted to do he was sure a few of the members would frown upon it.

She was stubborn though, so Sam doubted he’d get his wish.

It felt nice Sam could joke with her about the lost action figures She wondered if it was part of her powers that kept her from feeling attached to things. There was a strange sense of detachment from situations like this. Things meant little. Heck, most people meant little. But the important things were all in this room. Well, most of them. She poked the action figure and gave it a suspicious look.

"It is cool enough. It might be a new start to a collection." she pretended to decide.

Then she grew more serious at his suggestion, "I'm not sure you handling it makes the point that I'm not keen on being messed with. I mean, your help like ...helped, but the last thing we need is to feel like you always have to be around to save the day. I have my own ego that dislikes being rescued." she complained.

”Say the word, I’ll make more.” he said pointing to behind him. A few smaller figures of ice started to appear behind him. Apparently it was what Bruno needed to distract himself from defend mode. The large dog hopped of the bed and scooped up the figure of ice and let out a loud crunch as it split the figure in two. Sam watched Bruno’s tail go crazy.

”Alright so you might have to share them.” he smirked. Still trying to lighten the mood a little bit. It was important to remember what was important after a situation that Cora just underwent.

”.....” Sam waited a moment trying to choose the words carefully. Did Cora suddenly have the ability to confront a small army of ninja? Was she okay with killing them to stop them from coming? Sure she could distract them long enough to get away but eventually they’d figure out a way around her powers. Sam didn’t want her to find that out the hard way. He was too attached to her.

”Let me help at least. I’ve dealt with their kind before. Kinda how I was raised.” he said knowing she had some understanding of what he went through growing up. ”They lost a lot last night. Meaning they will come at you harder next time. I’m more worried about you than your ego.” he said honestly. He was being selfish.

The difficulty with having two stubborn people in a relationship was when their ideas went different directions. Cora wanted to prove she was 'just as tough as a guy's. Honestly, she spent much of her life challenging that idea. But maybe this was a time it needed to be less about ego and more about safety. Did it matter more to her that she felt tough, or that they made it through this situation?

Slowly the muscle in her jaw relaxed that had her ready to argue, and she sighed. "Fine, you can help. But it doesn't change the fact that they need to know I mean business. We take the fight to them...." She said fight while understanding the less they actually fought the better. There needed to be a strategy... Go for the leader, follow the thread and shut it down from the top. "The question is, what's the best way to convince them this isn't a fight they want to continue with? I don't think we want it to escalate into a just putting their strength against ours..." that had obviously gone poorly.