Intro:

Isabella looked at the photo album that was on her tablet. "Mama! Come here please?"

A woman wiped her hands on her apron and walked in the room. "Isa? What's the matter? I have the tortillas on the stove…"

"Who's this kid?" Isabella swiped the screen and showed an older quality photo. A young boy with light brown hair and glasses dressed in an orange vest with tan pants. He looked no older than possible 13.

Her mother smiled and looked at the photo. "That's your grandfather when he was young!"

Isa eyes lit up. "That's grandpa Rafael?! But he's younger than me!"

Her mother chuckled. "well yes. That's obvious."

Isa swiped again and saw another picture with her grandfather with two other people. "Who are they?"

"Why that's Jack and Miko! Well I knew them as Tia and Tio. You met them once when you were a were around 6. Perhaps you don't remember…" Her mother raised her hand to her mouth in a thinking posture.

Isa thought and vaguely remembered a man and woman who argued over she could jump from her bunk bed.

"Oh, let her…She's 6 she can take it"

"Miko that's not safe! "

"Ahh yes because we lived safe all the time right Jack?"

"Both of you don't make me regret leaving my grandchild in your care."

Isa smiled at the memory. "Can we go visit them?"

Her mother sighed. "We live in Texas now, and Grandpa lives in Virginia… it'll be quite a drive. But I suppose it wouldn't hurt. Perhaps Tia and Tio will be there too. Last time I heard Tia was in Japan and Tio was visiting Nevada. If I give a call perhaps, they can meet up."

Isa smiled. "Please? I want to visit grandpa Raf! And seeing Miko and Jack will be fun too!" Isa sniffed the air. "Um. Mama. Something's burning...?"

"The tortillas!" Her mother ran out leaving Isa laughing a bit and looking at her tablet. She zoomed in and studied the faces, until something caught her eye. "What?" She zoomed even closer and had the quality raised.

"is that. a. walking ambulance?"

Ch. 1: Passed down hints

Isabella looked out of her passenger window. "I could've driven mama"

Her mother smiled. "Not past state lines mi Nina. You only have a permit, and even then, you don't know how to parallel park."

"Maybe grandpa could teach me?"

"I don't think so… He always said that the only car he got in had a mind of its own. He was just a passenger."

"That's slightly odd statement but guess anyone who works for the government has to have some quirks."

"Don't be rude! Respect your grandfather."

"Sorry."

Her mother smiled and turned on the radio down a bit. "Your grandfather was always telling me stories about how cars are special. A person should respect it because you never know what the cars has lived through."

"Wait grandpa believes cars are. Alive?"

"No. But to be honest I used to ask that same question. His response was always a wink and how nothing is as it seems. There's more than meets the eyes."

Isa fell silent. "More than meets the eye. Sounds kind of cheesy like from some 80s tv show. But I guess there's a point in it. Like, how you can't judge a book by its cover?"

"That's a good way of thinking about it."

"Mama, why did grandpa work for the government?"

"He was picked for it. Grandpa is a genius, went to high school at the age of 12. That's how he met Miko and Jack. So, when he was of legal age he went straight to work for the pentagon. Jack and Miko did the same."

"Whoa. So Miko and Jack were super smart too?"

Her mother giggled a bit. "Well, I may be jaded but no ones as smart as my dad, except maybe you my love. Jack and Miko had other qualities that the government liked. Jack was a natural leader and good at keeping peace. Miko was a spirited fighter and was great at staying hidden and standing her ground. Tio Jack became a coordinator and Miko worked with intel. To put it bluntly they were basically spying for the government. Dad was too, although he stayed at the base mostly and handled the computers and linguistics."

Isa's mouth dropped. "Whoa wait! Hold up and back up! Grandpa and his friends were spies?! Grandpa…my grandpa? The same man who told me to always have two hands on my bike and to wear a seat belt and to never run with scissors…Was a crime fighting, bad guy busting, super smart, touch action spy?!"

Her mother laughed a bit. "Yes. He possibly still is. I never asked if he retired."

"Does that explain the walking ambulance?"

"What?"

"In one of the photos on my laptop, it showed a walking ambulance. I swear it's there! "

"Don't swear…Sweetie that's just not possible. A walking ambulance? That would be like a robot…and that's science fiction. How about you ask him to look and see what he says."

"I will, when we get there."

"We are." Her mother pulled into a military base check point. She showed her spouse ID and her daughters ID. The guard checked it and let them pass.

"Here we are! Smell that? It's called cool air."

Isa rolled down her window and smelled the air. "It is cold. Do you think dad gets cold where he is?"

"Hardly, he's stationed somewhere nice and warm." Her mother smiled thinking of her husband, before turning on a familiar street. "I grew up here, you know. Then your father took me to Texas and I honestly like it better. However, it's nice to visit the places I used to run around in"

"Mama! Look! I see grandpa!"

Sure, enough there was a man standing with a cane waving them down. His brown eyes shining with happiness seeing his daughter and granddaughter drive in. His home was a bit larger than the rest, since he had more security access and more generous checks from his job, he was able to be a little more comfortable than others. Not to mention his work was responsible for a causing him to rely on a cane to get around now.

"Flora! Isabella!" Rafael exclaimed. He adjusted his glasses and held out his arms. Isabella ran straight towards him, capturing him in a tight hug.

"Grandpa!"

"How are you my dearest? Did you make it safe? Flora. Thank the car for getting you here safe." Rafael smirked at her and winked, taking Isa's hand.

"Yes papa." Flora turned around with a playful smile. "Thank you, car, for traveling so well"

She carried their bags, and all went inside the house.

Raf looked at his daughter. "How have you been?"

Flora looked at him and smiled, pouring him coffee. "I'm fine. I had sometimes off work, and I planned on spending it in my garden, but Isa wanted a trip. So, we agreed to come see you. How have you been?"

"I see, well you have been on my mind. You see there's been an update at work and- "

"oh papa! You still work? Even after all these years?"

"I'm only 65 Flora. My minds sharp and that's all I need to do my job. Anyway…I need to tell you something important. There's been a development, I was going to call you. I need you to stay here for a while."

"Why papa? What's wrong?"

"Some…old enemies are been sighted. The government wants me to come back to work to help track them down. I will only be inside the base. However, I need you and Isabella, as my only closest civilian connections, to stay here where its safe."

Flora blinked a bit and looked at him. "Papa. How could you have any connection to these people? You are well into retirement age and so should they be. Let the new generation handle such threats."

Raf took her hands into his. "Oh, mi Nina, these enemies. They don't age. I wish I could tell you everything, but I promised agent Fowler that id never speak of it. I took an oath to him and to the country." Raf was silent for a minute remembering fowler. The kind man who was always ready to cover his back when they were in danger. How he dedicated his life to protecting the ultimate secret.

"Papa?"

Raf opened his eyes to the concerned face of his daughter.

"Papa…I won't make you tell me anything. You don't have to. I just worry as all. Isabella and I will be here. For as long you want." She let a moment pass before speaking. "Does that mean Tia Miko and Tio Jack will be here?"

"We already are."

Flora turned around to see a grey-haired woman, still sporting bright pink highlights, and dressing as if she was 20 years younger-slender dark pants a loose-fitting shirt and biker jacket, two unique emblems embroidered on it. Next to her was a salt and pepper haired man- dressed informally in greys and a jacket.

Isabella came around the corner. "Okay dinners ready!" Her eyes widened as she saw the other two adults in the room. "Oh. I'll go put out extra plates."