Pre-barbeque

[24d_245t_tcdd]

Even aggressively under-socialised heroes with virtually no external hobbies or entertainments have certain chores which they must do, regardless of inclination, time, or other pressing matters. Chores such as the utterly mundane need to go shopping. For food. Plain, ordinary, food.

So, of course, Agent Orange is not dressed as himself, but rather as his secret identity, which is rather more secret than most. He is wallpaper; about as ordinary as it is possible for a man to get with virtually no feature standing out sufficiently to be a starting point for a description should he be witness to or suspect in something.

He was standing in the vegetable section of the store, a Whole Foods because he found the price an equitable trade for the quality of foods, doing meal planning for the week as he judged the benefits of asparagus versus those of bok choy.

Comments

[futures_of_ash]

"Association with Rachel seems to do that." Hank admitted easily. "She complicated our lives immensely when she showed up, and she seems to be holding true with you. Naturally you could refuse to participate in anything she planned and turn down her offers of company, but your presence here implies that you have no intention of doing so."

[24d_245t_tcdd]

"Mmm." it was a non-committal sound, accompanied with a small shrug, "It seemed important to her."

[futures_of_ash]

"Less the event and more the people involved would be my guess." Hank chuckled softly and made a few more notes. "You, and the handful of us here that she seems to fret about. It must be comforting to have us all in one location for a time." Or so Hank would surmise!

"Regardless, I do believe you'll find yourself here more often if you do not have the urge to deny Rachel."

[24d_245t_tcdd]

"I do not understand people enough to guess." was the simple response, "I understand that likelihood. I will take what steps seem appropriate at the time."

[futures_of_ash]

"And my mind seems to enumerate theories at a frightening rate so I end up with far too many likely scenarios." Hank chuckled. "I'm sure you'll do your best." but it was Rachel.

He'd feel sorry for James, were he so inclined.

[24d_245t_tcdd]

James wouldn't mind the sympathy, but wouldn't ever admit it either. "I am able to come up with theories. I simply try to keep myself flexible enough to react to the one which actually occurs."

[futures_of_ash]

"You can automatically discard any that require a nefarious agenda on Rachel's behalf." Hank laughed cheerfully and and waved toward a set of stools. "They shouldn't be too long in coming to collect us now."

[24d_245t_tcdd]

"According to a team mate." was the quiet response, "My paranoia keeps me alive."

[futures_of_ash]

"Well, yes, according to a teammate." He agreed easily. "Who has observed her far longer. If files on her would be reassuring I could ask if she would be comfortable with that." Because Hank didn't want paranoia to ruin a burgeoning friendship!

[24d_245t_tcdd]

"I cannot trust you yet." it was simple. He'd take the pills to a chemist before taking them, even. That was his life.

[futures_of_ash]

"That is fair," Hank admitted. "The offer will remain open unless Rachel requests otherwise." Because some information everyone should know. It helped them watch for..d.anger signs in each other?

It was an odd life, super heroing.

"On an unrelated note, should you ever have ideas for upgrades or problems you wish help with, equipment and technology wise, I am always open to side projects." And it was always the 'See, I was wondering if...' things that proved the most entertaining!

[24d_245t_tcdd]

James nodded absently and then more firmly, "I will keep notes on what does, and what does not, work."

[futures_of_ash]

"That would be incredibly useful. Thank you." Far better than the 'bring broken things back to lab and saying it didn't work' routine. That one got tedious after a while.

"Kurt and Kitty won," Rachel announced, coming through the far door.

[24d_245t_tcdd]

He nodded at Hank's thanks, wondering what kind of foolishness it takes to not give your supplier feedback. Probably the foolishness of those with powers who do not have to depend on technology.

"Oh?" he asked Rachel, turning towards her when she spoke.

[futures_of_ash]

Feedback was wonderful, when people remembered and when circumstances permitted! Still, yes, the fallacy of the powered.

As for Rachel, well, she grinned and shook sand from her hair, undoing braids so she could get all the grains out. "They move well together, and Logan and I haven't trained together in weeks. He just got back from a mission elsewhere." With other people doing other things. "We managed to trip each other once or twice, so that gave them two points on us."

[24d_245t_tcdd]

He blinked at her and tilted his head, "It is hard to imagine you falling." he admitted after a moment. "You float so often."

[futures_of_ash]

"No powers," Rachel laughed and slung an arm over AO's shoulders. "I had to remember gravity under those rules."

Hank just chuckled leaned back on a counter. "We may need to establish a permanant dimensional door for your friend here, Rachel. I believe that is your purview, given what he has told me."

Rachel stiffened slightly and glanced between the men. "Oh." Damn. Oops. "Where James? And please don't tell the rest Hank."

Hank shook his head, "Of course not, nor a word to anyone on the Station Rachel. Should anything like this ever occur again please don't hesitate to talk to me."

[24d_245t_tcdd]

"My basement." he didn't want to let anyone in there. If he had to have someone, it would be Rachel. "And somewhere unobtrusive here."

[futures_of_ash]

"I have an idea for that Rachel, I'll show you both where when we leave here." Hank made shooing motions with his hands. "Go finish the barbecue activities and I'll procure transport to the city." Easier to drive to the garage where he thought the gate should go.

Rachel nodded and concentrated a moment so Kurt could come fetch them. She didn't want to walk James through the mansion above. Not yet. "Shoulda known better than to try to hide things from a genius." Rachel chuckled softly to James. "Anyway..."

[24d_245t_tcdd]

He nodded towards Rachel and made a note that he should ask her about that later. His eyes ranged over the lab again, taking everything in.

[futures_of_ash]

Kurt came to pop them back with a grin and Rachel tugged AO toward the tables again. "Not much left since the game ran long. Too cold to swim so we'll clean up and then we'll grab Hank again."

Kitty was occupied with helping Kurt brush sand out of his leg fur since he was back, and Logan was getting the last of the meat onto plates and setting the grill to burn itself clean.

[24d_245t_tcdd]

"How can I help?" he asked, turning towards the table to start packing up other foods even while he spoke. "Thank you for the outing. It was...nice."

[futures_of_ash]

"By doing just what you're doing," Rachel chuckled. "We'll pack up, they'll tote, and then we'll get you home." She smiled more at the thank though, she had...worried. "Thank you for coming."

[24d_245t_tcdd]

He nodded soberly at her and continued to pack up. He wasn't entirely certain how he felt about all of this, but he was polite. He was always polite.

[futures_of_ash]

Yes, well, if he continued to remain unsure about things they'd repeat the experiment until he knew exactly where he stood? Or, you know, Rachel would continue to fret until such time as it wasn't necessary anymore!

Once everything was packed she poked his shoulder and nodded toward a path through the woods. "Hank's on the road with a car, waiting for us."

"Come back sometime!" Kitty grinned and waved a brush at the pair. "Ja," Kurt echoed.