Butterfly and Flame - Alina and Evan

"Grand?"

Christian made the call that he knew Evan wanted him to make and then he called Alinas brother Leo and Mirandas brother as well. He told them that he would be bringing Miranda back home in the next few days and he believed that all was going well with the manhunt. He didn't elaborate as he suspected their phones might have been compromised. He next spoke to Miranda and explained what he intended to do. He wanted nothing left to chance but when she stopped him and asked to go with him he was surprised but hesitant not knowing if it was for Alina's sake or for him. He immediately felt guilty and told her that it was best she remain with her family and that they would have all the security they would need. His next call went to Michale but it went straight to voice mail. He let Michale know that due to the most recent developments and the fact that they knew Kyle had gone overseas he no longer wanted to keep his security detail at Alinas parents home. He gave no other explanation. His earlier call had already begun the process in insuring that her family would be safe.

Christian left Miranda to pack and entered his own room with the same intentions. It had been a very long time since he had needed to do anything like this but, their family had very tight connections thanks to their grandparents and because of Evan and well he wasn't going to apologize for it now. They needed to go on the offensive now, and the best place to do that would be on their very own turf where the only way in or out was through their own people. Evan had made it clear what he meant by "them" and he cemented it when he said "Teddy". That was their code word since they were children. It had always served them well, but it had only been used in this type of capacity once before and that was as adults. The last time Evan used that name was when he had been nearly killed in action and he had wanted his brother to know that he would fight but he needed help. They had come up with their word shortly after their parents died. Evan was having trouble adjusting at school and had gotten into numerous fights, one of them had been in the defense of Christian. The bully who tried to take away Christians backpack was named Teddy, and since that one incident, where Evan pummeled the boy until the teachers had to take him off him; it had been their code word. They would use it when they wanted a midnight snack to avoid the staff, to alert each other when Grand was on the warpath about something, soon it was used to leave or come back at odd hours so that she wouldn't find out and finally it was the word that Evan or Christian would say if they needed help, wherever they might be. Before Evan left with Alina he gave Christian the numbers of some very secretive and dangerous men who luckily for them worked in the shadows to protect some of the wealthiest celebrities, politicians, heirs and heiresses or heads of state. Christian didnt know much about this business but he knew that his brother had been a part of the CIA. His knowledge of languages and his ability to cross boarders with his photography credentials leant him a great cover. In fact not even Ashley knew of her grandsons secret job. His brother was a war hero, a decorated veteran, and an agent. Honestly with his good looks he was better than any James Bond movie ever made. More importantly Evan was a good and honest man and these men owed him a great deal and would do a great deal for him. He knew he had his back up crew that would join him where ever he went. Aside from his inheritance which he had yet to touch a cent of, Evan was independently wealthy. Christian had seen to his growing portfolio of his own investments with his own earnings and it had grown with Christian's wise and astute management. He had been well paid for the jobs he had done for the agency but that wasn't why he had done it. It was for a well loved and well deserved friendship that he gave into them when they came calling. He had refused at first but in the end the need to clear his friend and mentors name overcame his desire to be alone in the wilds across the world from his only family. Christian had missed him greatly for those years but he knew Evan had to do it. Teddy was their word when Evan needed Christian or vice versa. Christian didn't need more than the mention of the word to know he needed to get in touch with Samuel Jacobson. It wasn't his real name, just a cover; but he had his number and he knew exactly what Evan needed right now. He placed the call and informed the man what Evans intentions were and that he and few others would be traveling their to meet him. He also requested additional services at the home. His grand would not be able to leave but he wanted her well protected. They would lock the place down tight. As he left his office he knew he needed to speak with Ashley before he spoke with Miranda and although a suspicion rose up in his mind he wanted his grandmother to be the one to tell him so he went to the small music room that he had been in earlier in the day and picked up the small antique frame with the photo of the four young adults and walked to his grandmothers room. He stood outside for a moment and took a sobering breath. Whatever she had to say he would respect her and listen without judgment. He had learned a long time ago that unless one walked in the shoes of another, their could be little understanding  much less empathy. He knocked and when she answered he stepped in.