If Sveta had to choose between another kidnapping and another budget meeting, she would have chosen the former. Sadly, no one gave her that choice. She had recently been kidnapped (again), and now she was in a budget meeting. Worst of both worlds.

Sveta smoothed down her blouse with gloved hands as she did her level best to follow the slides as they were presented. At least she had managed to keep Haven afloat in Devon's absence. It had been a team effort, but at least she managed to work with people she trusted, and educate herself (with lots of hard work) enough to see when things were not on the up and up. As the only active member of the IE, it was a whole lot of overtime. But they were actually helping people. Both on and off the books.

Sveta squared her shoulders, making herself focus on the numbers in front of her. One step at a time.

And then the door opened.

Heads turned and eyes focused upon one Devon Hadden, long absent from any budgetary, status, strategy, or planning meeting. His black shoes were polished. Charcoal gray pants were pressed. A black button down was hidden behind a low collar heather gray cardigan, but a black tie with lines of silver peaked out at the top. His dark hair was longer than it had
ever been seen, some eight or so inches but the curly waves hid that length and of course he’d styled it back with some form of pommade. But a fresh shower, fancy clothes, and good grooming products couldn’t hide everything from those who knew him well.

Tempest was tired, his cheeks slightly sunken with darker circles under his eyes nearly perfectly masked by a yellowed concealer. A few of the black locks had escaped the hold of Devon’s styling, falling over his brow and shadowing his eyes. He looked hungry, underfed and that was likely the reston for the cardigan to fill him out a bit. One hand held a bit of attention as it was on the door handle, but the other was squeezed into a tight, anxious fist. There was a clear scar along the back, now healed, but telling of a dangerous cut that would have ruptured tendons. The set of his jaw and cool focus were a practiced control of the storm that raged within Devon, but a sorrow and exhaustion sat in his azure eyes.

Heads turned and eyes focused upon one Devon Hadden, but those blue eyes of his only saw one person: Svetlana Sergeyeva.

“Good morning,” Devon spoke in a tone some might have called detached, but it was belabored by unspoken hours of a wakeful night. “Apologies for-” his eyes left Sveta and scanned the room. “Interrupting.”

Out of all the well-funded mutant rights joints in this town, Devon Hadden had to walk into... the one he owned.

For a long, endless moment, Sveta stared at him, frozen. At first, she only registered his presence. It was definitely him, but much different from what he had looked like the last time she'd seen him. Years ago. She suspected she probably looked different too. She had never been one for pencil skirts before.

After the first shock, she registered the small differences. Probably so did everybody else. Sveta became aware of the slight tick-tack motion of heads an eyes in the room, moving between her and him.

Well, wasn't this awkward. Who was supposed to give the orders here? Some of these people had not even been here back before Hadden left.

"Everyone please leave. We'll pick this up later."

Devon was still under the cold blue gaze of Sveta. Maybe many were staring but her focus was pointed; it mattered to him. He didn’t even know some of these people, though that realization only served to bother him further. As glances started to jump back and forth between him and Sveta, he started to chew his jaw.

Thankfully Svetlana spoke up though the implications of what was to come next was worrisome.

“I’ll find a time for us to reconvene,” Margaret, one of the vice presidents present, announced. “Mr. Hadden,” she gave a small nod.

“It’s good to see you Margaret,” Devon smiled weakly as the group began to filter out, Margaret last. He closed the door and took a slow, measured breath. “Svetlana, I’m sorry- I took one mission away, I grew worried that I was using you, then I allowed myself to stay away too long helping with some less public projects…” The mutant wanted to hang his head but he fought the desire to maintain eye contact.

Everyone left. They were probably taking bets on what was going to happen next, but Sveta didn't mind. They'd tell them later... whatever the public version of the story was. For now, as the door closed, she walked around the table to take a closer look at Hadden. He looked... worn. And also extremely apologetic.

"Were you kindapped?" It wasn't an accusation. It was a completely possibility, and no one knew it better than her. In the face of an awkward situation, Sveta resorted to practicalities. "Trapped in an alternate dimension? De-aged? Cursed?... Mortally ill? In witness protection?" Those were just the options off the top of her head. She wanted to make sure she had the moral footing before she'd punch him in the nose.

Devon swallowed then sighed, and while there was nervousness there it was hard to miss the relief that was in that breath as if allowed to breathe again after so long…

“I-” he started, then stopped. “I was at one point taken prisoner. I was hiding for a bit. There were a few…” he paused, glancing away for a moment before looking back, “Projects I was on that had to be kept very private. The young twenties kid running away to find himself was an easy story. But no, I was- I was trying, and I-”

“It’s still no excuse. I could’ve reached out, but I was afraid,” he gave a slow nod. Her questions made it clear there was a quest to find understanding, but honestly he wasn’t sure he deserved any of it. “I’m sorry.”

So... he didn't have an explanation. Not a coherent one, really. Prisoner, private projects, finding himself... Sveta didn't doubt that he was telling the truth. The truth was just... not what she'd imagined in the past years. In the end he jus... decided not to check in?

Sveta let out a frustrated huff.

"God, I really wanted to punch you if you ever showed up again" she muttered. "But it would probably be bad for the city..." she glanced outside the window at the snow-covered buildings. "Wait... that was you?"

Devon’s brow furrowed at Sveta’s comment, but he couldn’t fault her for it. He chewed at his jaw, a guilty but acknowledging drop of his head almost bowing to the idea. His focus went sideways as her’s did and he sighed.

“Well, I stopped it if that’s what you mean,” he spoke gently. “I’d been talking to a therapist again, who helped me. Helped me get some adjustments too. I declined another foreign trip and my plane had just landed in Boston when I saw the news about the weather.” Another slow, steady breath left him as he walked toward the window, gazing out.

“I thought of you, the blizzard you helped me stopped. This one was bad, but not like that one,” he shook his head and slowly pivoted to turn back to her, the snowy landscape now framing the dark founder of Haven. “You helped me so much. I didn’t want to use you. I didn’t want to be using Haven. There’s a lot- And maybe I really was just being immature,” he shook his head. “I should’ve said something once I realized it, but I was spiralling and Haven needed things done…”

“Anyway,” Devon inclined his chin. “I heard about the storm and flew here to help. The environment, various weather systems… all have been getting worse. The things I’ve seen now worldwide… It’s not just a mutant crisis anymore. It’s all so much more. I’m so sorry I put you in this position. I heard you were helping tremendously.”

Drawing close again, Devon frowned. “I left you alone in this. I know, Inner Echelon supports one another, but still. I’m afraid I abused our friendship and I’m truly sorry.” A single nod was given, and then a small smile. “You can still punch me though. The city will be okay.”

"I'm gonna keep that option open for later." she returned his smirk, then sighed again. It was... a lot. All of this. And he looked very guilty about leaving her along. "... It's good to see you, Devon. Welcome back."

Maybe things would be different now. Although, given their track record, she doubted it. "We've got a lot to catch up on. Come on. My office has drinks."

“It’s good to be seen,” Devon smiled weakly, but with a hope that rose the corners. “Thank you.”

He gave a nod, heading toward the door to open it for her. “I’d appreciate that catch up. I’m going to need it, especially with some of the things I’d heard but clearly been left out of the loop on. I should’ve pushed for more or-” a quick sigh, “Too late now, so time to step up. A drink sounds good, but I should probably get some food brought up too.”

Now Devon’s lips turned into a broad, apologetic smile. “They had me get rid of my phone, and even the last burner I had fell out of my coat last night… Mind calling up an early lunch for us please?” He winced. “On me of course.”

Careful footsteps carried him out of the conference room after Muse.

Sveta walked down the hallway, a short walk from the conference room to the elevator and then up to her office, aware of the glances they got from workers they passed. No doubt the news of Hadden's return were all over the building now. Once they entered her office she walked to her desk and called down to order two meals. They had the routine down; with the amount of work she did, she often ate in her office. With that one, she moved to a side table that had various bottles on it. "Drink?" God knew she needed one. She poured some whiskey for herself, and whatever he asked for, before leaning back against her desk. "So... you want the cliffnotes version of what you missed?"

Devon fell easily into the practiced soft smiles and casual nods of greeting he’d perfected over the last few years, visiting various embassies or corporations internationally as they opened other Haven branches. He hadn’t even gotten a tan in Bermuda. It was nice to see his personal business succeeding there on Perot Island but now Haven had a proper spot on the main island where he’d spent the whole trip. He needed to allow himself more personal time, and to connect with people he trusted. Friends were important.

Not that he’d made them feel that way.

A slight frown came to his face as Sveta ordered the meals and Devon’s thoughts ran through him. He blinked the darker thoughts away and gave a nod about the drink. He took a finger of whiskey as well, but rather than sit he propped himself against the wall.

“The cliffnotes would be great. I’ll ask politely for more information if I need it, but let me know whatever you feel I should,” Devon gave a nod and lifted his glass to her. “And thank you.” He lifted the drink to his lips and took a slow, savoring sip. He couldn’t help but close his blue eyes and take a relaxed, long breath. It had been a while.

Sveta raised her glass too; hers had more in it than his. She was more than used to it. And this was going to be a long conversation, even the cliffnotes version. It felt like she was about to confess to a whole lot of things.

"Alright, here it goes" she said, taking a drink. "Um... we lost Ranger and Noel to SUPER, and most of the IE have dispersed. On the plus side, I have a working relationship with SUPER... more or less. Sang is trying to keep in on the straight an narrow, and I have someone on the inside making sure she does." So far, so good. Sveta had a frenemy thing going with Sabine. "What else... um. We have the CLASS facility open for mutants, and emergency first responders. I did a whole press conference about it. It's part of a community outreach project you'll hear more about. But. Cliffnotes." Sveta kicked off her heels and took a seat in her chair, trying to keep the timeline in her head straight. "Uh. There was a mafia turf war in the neighborhood, and we were in the middle of it. Quite a few fights... I had to venture on the vigilante side to bash some heads, but it seems like they have accepted our presence now. They crashed some charity auctions and galery openings, but learned that we can hit back harder. Or at least I can." She had not been doing most of that in Haven colors. Sveta took another sip. "Talking about that... turns out, magic is real. Now we have goddamn wizards running around. Some are nicer than others, and some of them are in a straight up damn anti-mutant cult. Upside... there is a guy, calls himself Hercules, that I'm on good terms with. Downside... there is also a wizard detective that caught me doing the vigilante thing, so now we have an arrangement to exchange some information. I'm keeping him at bay, for now." Hopefully. Sveta closed her eyes. What else? "Oh. Also got an arrangement with Senator Lányi. She's a Haven asset angling to be on the IE. She helps us, we help her. She's a mutant, and she is trustworthy. And clever. And actually wants to do the right thing which is rare for a politician." She added with a smirk. "I... guess that's it? I'm sure there's more that I forgot."

Devon listened carefully, quietly. It was impossible to miss the widening of his eyes as she mentioned losing Ranger and Noel to SUPER. His head came back slightly; it clearly hurt him. Even hearing there was a working relationship with SUPER didn’t ease that look on his face, but a nod bid her continue. When she took off her shoes and took a seat, so did he in a chair across from the desk like any employee coming in to report to their C-level executive.

“You’re amazing, thank you,” Devon gave a nod once she had finished. “I’m sorry you had to go through all that and I wasn’t here,” he nodded slowly. “It’s nice to hear a Senator is very clearly on the up and up and working with us. I don’t like currying favor with politicians who are doing it more for image than actual care, but that’s what we have to do sometimes. I- I’d heard about the magic.”

There was a slight frown. “I’d like to learn more about that. Maybe this Hercules fellow if the detective is more an information broker,” another nod.

“Can I- do you know why Ranger and Noel left for SUPER? I had wanted to check in on them next but I had no idea…” his frown remained. He hoped they wouldn’t be hostile toward him. Haven needed some help. Leadership was helping oneself to ensure you could help others. Devon knew he was in that spot right now, but he needed to help Svetlana and the group overall.

"Well, Noel technically worked there before us, so she decided to go back... they had some adventures with being de-aged, if that means anything to you. And both are missing some memories. Very conveniently. I asked Jude about it - he runs BlacTac now - but he didn't have anything more enlightening to share." Sveta shrugged. Her - not well advertised - ex running security, that was just insult to injury. "We do need some updates to the IE. But I didn't want to make that decision without you."