A/N: Thank you again to TheLateNightStoryTeller for betaing! Hope you enjoy!
In the Dark of the Night
Gideon Malick sat in the back of his car, the vehicle slowly rumbling down the Cobblestone streets of the Scottish capital. He hadn't set foot in the city since the night the Royal Family fell, and the night his Master disappeared into the night with the young prince. That night was supposed to be their greatest triumph. The culmination of years of work and careful plotting, getting all the pieces just in the right place. Taking the throne, the young prince's death the last piece of an ancient puzzle that would endow his Master with unimaginable power, and make them unstoppable.
His car arrived the stately manor he'd kept on the outskirts of the city as he'd prepared Hydra for the assault. He was only here now because Duke Coulson had offered a reward for the fate of the beloved little prince, renewing interest in the legend. Malick's spies seeing a spike of activity at the castle.
His men set to work unloading his luggage while he unlocked the door, hit with a powerful, putrid smell as soon as it opened. He fought the urge to vomit and made mental note to have the caretakers killed. Proceeding into the lounge, he found that job had already been done, the elderly man lying dead on the floor, or what was left of him. The body had clearly been there for ages.
"Took you long enough," a voice growled from the shadows.
Malick froze, not trusting his ears due to the long journey.
"You have kept me waiting," The voice growled again, this time the pale figure of Grand Ward coming into full view. His eyes were an inky black and skin had taken on a gray pallor.
"Master," Malick breathed falling to his knees immediately. "We thought, feared, you had been lost to us."
Ward stared down at him, his anger evident. He'd waited for years for his loyal followers to find him, help restore his power. "The boy," he hissed, motioning for Malick to fetch him a drink. Malick wordlessly complied, the head of the great Hydra knowing his place in his presence. "They boy, was getting away. I found him outside the castle, separated from his Uncle in the chaos, and threw him into the mote. Did you now the boy was a weak swimmer? My host did, after all head of the Royal Guard was privy to such details."
Malick sat in a chair across from his Master. He had chosen Grant Ward himself to be the host for the dark creature Hydra had summoned. The once brave knight falling into the depths of darkness and leading the strike against the family he had sworn to protect.
"However, the brat held onto my cloak, and I fell in as well, the current pulling me under and miles away. The excursion weakening me greatly." Ward purred. "I assumed he had drowned, yet there has been an awakening, I can feel the last drops of the Royal blood calling to me once more."
Malick had searched for his missing master for the better part of two years. "There has been much activity at the Castle Master, which is why I have returned. Duke Coulson has offered a reward for information as to the fate of the boy."
Ward cocked his head in thought. His host had never gotten along very well with the Duke, the man often distrusting of him, especially when it came to the Prince. "The boy is alive," Ward said, now closing his eyes, stretching his senses. "I want him found, have the men monitor all means out of the city. As for you and I, we're going to Paris should our men fail me once more."
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Fitz stared at the train open mouthed, eyes fixed on the massive steam engine. He had only read about them in books and never seen one in person. Despite desperately wanting too. His hands practically itched to get in and start pulling it apart and see how it worked.
"Your Grace," Jemma said, making him jump as she placed her hands on his shoulder. She followed his line of site, a smile forming on her lips. "They are quite remarkable aren't they? My interests lie in another field, but I still appreciate the marvel of them none the less. However, if we are to make it to Paris I can't have you tearing our ride to bits."
Fitz returned her smile, "It's beautiful, like you," He murmured. Jemma blushed, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear, he hadn't even realized what he had said. She did make note to see if the conductor would permit them up front at some point and allow him the up close look he craved.
"Got the tickets!" Hunter said, coming up with a reluctant Mack in tow. He led the way into one of the compartments, Jemma last to enter and found that Mack had taken her customary spot next to Hunter and the window. She was about to ask if he'd move, a single look ending that thought and she settled in next to Fitz. He had pulled a tattered notebook from his only piece of luggage and was settled down with what was barely left of a pencil.
Jemma strained to see what it was, but he had curled himself in a ball around the book so no one else could see. Jemma instead pulled out a book of her own, one of the biology texts she'd liberated from the castle's library.
The four sat in a comfortable silence, Fitz and Jemma with their books, Mack and Hunter sharing a newspaper they'd picked up before boarding.
After a few hours Hunter rose, "I'm going to get a drink, anyone care to join me?" He was merely being polite, he knew Jemma didn't really drink and was so immersed in her text he doubted she even heard the offer. A small smile crossing Hunter's face as he found Fitz to be the same way, completely engrossed in his notebook he didn't hear.
"I'll join you," Mack said and Hunter's heart fell.
"Great," He said as politely as he could muster, leaving the cabin, Jemma finally giving a small wave to indicate she at least knew he was leaving.
Once they were gone, Jemma waited a few moments before turning to Fitz again. The curiosity of what he had been working on the last few hours gnawing at her. "What are you working on over there?" she asked trying to peer around his raised knees.
Blue eyes peered over the rim of the book, clearly questioning if he should trust her. "It's not much," He said uncurling himself. "Just ideas I have and well the notes I have on my watch."
Curiosity peaked she moved a little closer, "Ideas about what?"
Fitz moved away a little bit more, the wall behind him refusing to swallow him up so he could hide. He'd shown others his drawings years ago and it hadn't ended well. The other kids had laughed, the adults that such things weren't possible, to stop wasting his time. Jemma seemed to sense his trepidation, and pulled a notebook from the bag he'd yet to see her without. "I have some too, if you'd like to look. I mean a lot of it is biology and chemistry…Hunter is absolutely worthless to talk to about it."
She finally saw a spark in his eyes, and he relaxed slightly "Biology and Chemistry?"
"I know, I'm a girl" she said and he shook his head, he hadn't meant it like that. "My parents were teachers, actually tutored the Prince for a time, their passion rubbed off on me. Unfortunately I exhausted their personal texts and libraries, I moved onto the one at the castle a few years ago."
Fitz considered her, "Promise not to laugh?"
Jemma smiled and he felt his own lips tip up at the mere sight, "Only if you can promise the same". He nodded and they exchanged books. Within a few moments completely engrossed in each other's work.
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Mack and Hunter sat at the bar in the dining car, Hunter just wanting to enjoy his beer in peace. Mack holding a beer of his own and starting at him darkly. Hunter felt uneasy under the larger man's penetrating glare wondering, not for the first time, why they had agreed to bring him along as well.
"I don't like you," Mack announced, taking a long swig of his drink.
Hunter scoffed "Well Mate, the feeling is mutual on that."
"I don't trust you either," Mack continued. "You and the girl are up to something. So let me just say this right now. You hurt Turbo in ANY way I will make your life live a living Hell." Hunter had to resist the urge at that point to back away, fight to keep his face neutral. Their plan wouldn't hurt the kid, not physically. He did look an awful lot like the Prince, and once they made sure he knew what to say everyone would be happy. He'd have a family, the Duke would have a nephew back, Jemma could go to whatever school that big brain of hers desired, and he would have his money.
"I don't want to see the kid hurt either," Hunter finally said taking another drink. A group of men in black moving down the car, looking intently at each of the passengers catching his attention. Mack followed his gaze. As the men moved from table to table Hunter caught sight of gold pin on one of the lapels, the Squid like symbol glistening in the sunlight. The men moving on, heading back to the private cabins.
With a curse he casually pushed away from the bar, "Bloody Hell, Hydra."
Mack's eyes widened, Hydra? "I thought they were gone?"
Hunter moved quickly, leaving his drink and a far too large bill on the bar to cover it. "I did too but we are traveling with the possible Prince they tried to kill and a lovely young lady who tends to shoot her mouth off when she's in danger." They needed to get back to their cabin before someone else did.
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Both Fitz and Jemma were still engrossed in their reading when a thud from outside made them jump. To be more accurate, a lot of thuds. Someone was knocking on the door.
"What on earth?" Jemma said carefully setting Fitz's book down and moving to the door, picking up the massive bag at her feet. Hunter wouldn't have bothered with knocking and just barged in. Pausing to glance over at Fitz, "Stay back."
Fitz was about to argue, feeling in some small part it wasn't chivalrous to allow the Lady to investigate the strange noise outside. The door was thrown open and a bald man dressed all in black looked in. His eyes studied the pair intently. It was then Fitz caught sight of the gold pin on his chest, a sharp pain shooting through his head and causing him to gasp in pain.
"Can I help you?" Jemma asked, adjusting her hold on her bag.
The bald man focused on Fitz, who was pulling back under the penetrating gaze. "I'm just looking for my companions, I'm afraid I lost track of them. However, all the other cabins are full, would you mind if I sat with you until the next stop?" The way he said it, it didn't sounds like a request.
Without any warning Jemma brought her bag up, driving it into the strangers head where he fell to the ground in a heap. Seconds later Hunter and Mack arrived breathless. Jemma could see a few bloody cuts on Hunter's knuckles, he had been fighting. "Sorry, one got away from us."
Mack shoved his way into the cabin, kneeling in front of Fitz, whose eyes were wide and staring at the pin. "You okay Turbo?" Fitz just nodded, not sure what was phasing him more. The pain in his head or the fact Jemma had just knocked a guy twice her size out with her bag.
"What do you have in that thing?" Fitz asked pointing at it. Jemma looked affronted, "I excel at preparation, so in short anything we could possibly need on our journey. First aid kit, emergency flares, anti-venom kit, my research, reading materials, food," she said "but what on earth was that all about, who did you hit on this time?" Directing her ire at Hunter.
It was Hunter's turn to look upset, grabbing their suitcases from the storage above them. "No one!" he said "Mack can vouch for me! We saw tall, bald, and scary looking shifty and decided to come check on you since your people skills leave a lot to be desired."
"Who is it?" Fitz asked now more confused than ever, why would anyone be paying any attention to them after all.
Mack pointed to the pin taking the last of the bags and nudging Fitz out the door "That's the symbol for Hydra, guess you have a better shot than you think at being this Prince if they are poking around".
Fitz wanted to argue but Hunter pushed by. "Right, so in that light we're going to retire to the baggage car for the remainder of the journey should he have more friends?"
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While Fitz had been nothing but thrilled about riding the train, he had decidedly other feelings about a boat. A boat was on water. And for reason's he never could explain the dark abyss terrified him to no end. He jumped when a gentle hand fell on his shoulder, Jemma's concerned eyes peering at him under the cap they'd put on him. Since the encounter with Hydra they'd felt the need to guard him a little better. "You okay?" she asked.
He wasn't sure how to answer, his eyes still fixed on the water. She seemed to understand "Once we're on board you won't even notice it," she said. She took his hand, gasping at the jolt that ran through her, leading him up the gangplank where Mack and Hunter waited. "I have a bit of a project for you anyway," she said trying to brighten his mood. "Just a few points of your possible family history that might come up in the interview."
"Interview?" Fitz snapped his gaze leaving the water for the first time to look at her. "What interview? No one said anything about an interview, you said I looked like the Prince and we were just going to meet to the Duke." At that point they had caught up with Hunter and Mack.
"Well he is a Duke," Jemma said "it's not like we can just waltz in and talk with him. There are safeguards in place. His Lady at Arms-"
"Demonic Hell Beast," Hunter grumbled.
"Lady Morse," Jemma corrected forcefully. "Just a few questions Fitz and we'll be right as rain, really its nothing." Hunter opened the door to their stateroom for the journey across the Channel, groaning when he realized there were only 3 beds…someone was going to be sleeping on the floor. And that someone was liable to be him as there was no way he was going to tell Mack he had to sleep on there.
Mack didn't even leave room for argument placing his bag on one of the beds. "What kind of question are we talking about? Kid doesn't remember anything from the first part of his life, won't that be enough for Lady Morse?"
"Bobbi," Hunter said "Don't call her Lady Morse unless you want to lose a limb."
Jemma pulled an enormous book from her bag before sitting down next to Fitz. "This is the most comprehensive record of the Royal Family and Court. Most of the questions pertain to this, where you were born, where you spent summers, that kind of stuff."
"I don't know any of that!" Fitz said looking at the pictures dotting the pages. She merely huffed, randomly pointing to a name on the page. "Lord Blake, served with the King in the invasion-"she started.
"Took a nasty shot to the Netherlands if you know what I mean," Hunter chimed in.
"Lady Weaver, head of scientific research-"
"Sir Grant Ward, head of the royal guard-"
"Lord Garrett, served with the king in the invasion, trainer of the Royal Guard-"
"Lord Fury handled-"
"He had an eye patch, over saw the Kingdom's security," Fitz said absently, fingers running over the portrait. Pulling the book away from Jemma and settling back on the bed to study it himself. Mack was already napping so Hunter was able share a significant look with Jemma. Lord Fury had lost his eye just months before the fall, the record had yet to be changed to reflect it, and in fact no one outside of those in the castle had seem him with the patch.
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Two decks below Gideon Malick settled into his own more opulent cabin, though he had to wipe the perspiration from his brow with his hanker chief. The men he had sent onto the train to look for the group that had been spotted leaving the castle had returned empty handed. Saying they saw them, even confirming the young man that traveled with them bore a startling resemblance to the Prince, but had failed to acquire him due to his traveling companions. Those were the last words they ever uttered, Ward dispatching them with a few easy swipes of his sword.
It now fell to Malick and should he fail, he would meet the same fate.
He opened a small case he'd brought. Looking at the vials. A powerful drug his contacts had given him, supposed to induce the victims worst nightmare, trapping them within their own minds. He just needed a chance to slip it to the boy without his guard dogs watching.
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"First I have to memorize names and now you're telling me I have to learn to dance?" Fitz shouted from the other side of the door. Jemma had her arms folded on the other side, crossly scowling at the wood. Hunter and Mack waiting for them up on the main deck.
"You're a Prince, Prince's know how to dance," She shot back.
"This one doesn't!" Fitz argued again.
"Fitz!"
"Do I have to wear this?" Fitz asked next.
Jemma had to bite her lip to keep from shouting at him. "Fitz, I am wearing a dress and heels. Stop complaining and get out here so I can take a good look at you." She could hear grumbling from the other side but the door finally opened.
Fitz was wringing his hands together, looking unsure of himself in the light blue shirt and Navy Jacket she had brought for him. Her breath hitched in her throat, focused on his striking blue eyes, the colors of his outfit making them even brighter. Just as she'd intended.
His own jaw was open, the complaint dying on his lips as he caught site of her. For the first time since he'd met her, her hair was down, even in soft curls that framed her face. Gone were the Trousers and tunic, in its place a simple yet elegant white dress. Delicate blue flowers embroidered into the fabric. She caught his look suddenly feeling self-conscious under his gaze.
"You look lovely," He finally said.
She rewarded him with a small smile of her own. "You don't look so bad yourself." He offered a regal bow, the same one she'd shown him earlier that afternoon, before taking her arm in his and escorting her up the stairs into the cool night air.
They emerged, Mack raising an eyebrow at the sight, Hunter oblivious as he set up the record player. "Right Mate, just put your hands-" He instructed.
"I've seen people dance before Hunter," Fitz said flashing a real smile at Jemma, one that caused her to blush and tuck a small piece of hair behind her ear. One hand was gently placed on her shoulder, the other on her waist, his touch light but she could feel the small tremor that seemed to be ever present. She mirrored his pose, savoring how good it felt to be in his arms at that moment.
Fitz counted quietly before stepping off.
It took a matter of moments for them to fall into the rhythm of the music, the tune echoing over the waters, the stars twinkling above them. Once he'd set a comfortable pattern Fitz grew bolder, beginning to use grander movements and spins. Jemma giggling with delight as he swept her off her feet with one of the more intricate spins, lifting her in the air and gazing into her eyes. It was as if they'd been dancing like this their entire life.
Off to the side Mack watched them with a smile "Way to go Turbo," He said. Hunter coming up to his side. While part of him was thrilled to see this, how incredibly sweet it was, how adoringly they looked at each other forgetting there was anyone else there. The other felt his stomach clench, falling in love was not part of the plan. "I never should have let them dance." He muttered to himself.
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It was late into the night, Malick huddled in the corner of the dining area waiting for his prey to show up. He'd thought he see at least one of the group for dinner, yet none appeared. And learning from Kebo's mistake he knew not to go looking for them. Not wanting to arouse suspicion.
At nearly midnight his patience was finally rewarded, three figures coming into the hall. It was the first time Malick himself had laid eyes on them and he had to admit, the kid definitely bore a resemblance to the royal family, his eyes the glittering blue the young Prince had been famous for.
They quickly got food, Malick noting they made a fourth plate, the boy setting it off to the side "Jemma will be hungry after her bath." The other two merely nodded digging into their food. They paid him no heed as he nursed the scotch he'd had for the last few hours. Steeling himself he downed the drink and made his way over to the trio, making sure to put a few drunken stumbles in his steps.
As soon as he approached both of the men rose up higher, regarding him suspiciously. Mack shifting in front of Fitz and very nearly shielding him from view. Malick stumbled into the table, nearly knocking the plates of food off. Forcing Mack and Hunter to catch him so he didn't hit the wood face first. "Oy, easy there," Hunter admonished heaving Malick back up.
"Oh thank you," Malick slurred, resuming his coarse out the door. Malick could hear them grumbling before settling back into their food. As soon as he was clear he dropped the act, looking at the empty vial in his hands, its content now in the boy's soup. Now, for the protectors. Right on cue the crewman who was attending the area appeared, eyes glittering and greedy. Malick handed him a stack of bills, "See that those two take a nice long nap."
The man just smiled an oily smile, "I have just the thing."
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Fitz could feel his eyes growing heavy even before he finished his dinner, the warm embrace of sleep rapidly pulling him under. "Mack, Hunter let's get back to the cabin, I'm just knackered." He said turning his blurry eyes to his companions. The looked in a daze, as if they'd had one too many beers, yet each man had only taken a few sips of the one the waiter had brought them.
A warm feeling was rapidly spreading through his body, as if someone was wrapping him in a blanket. "Oh, Fitz" a gentle voice said, soft hands threading through his hair. He turned to see Jemma, still in the dress from their dance standing behind him, a soft smile on her face. "Come along, let's get you into bed."
Fitz didn't resist and forgot all together about his other two companions. Her arm wrapping around his tightly and leading him out the door. Everything was a blur, as she led him down the unfamiliar corridors, murmuring affirmations that they were almost there as they walked.
"Jem, were are we going?" he asked, realizing through the fog they were going up the stairs, their cabin was down. She just shushed him pulling him tighter to her. "Almost there, little Prince" she whispered.
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Jemma finished braiding her hair before looking around the empty cabin with a frown. The boys had gone to fetch some food before her bath and still hadn't returned. She had indulged herself. Savoring the warm waters, her mind replaying her dance from just hours before. The way he held her, his scent, the way her stomach fluttered when he offered a smile meant just for her. She shook herself from the memory and turned to the problem at hand, her wayward traveling companions. They should have been back by now, even with as much as those three could eat.
Deciding she better make sure Hunter wasn't showing Fitz the finer points of drinking, she headed out the door. The halls were empty the other passengers long since gone to bed.
She entered the dining hall, and wasn't too surprised to find Hunter slumped over on a table, he'd knocked over a beer when he'd passed out on the table. What did surprise her was to find Mack in the same state. "Hunter, Mack!" She snapped, realizing seconds later there was no sign of Fitz, merely a half-eaten bowl of soup. "Fitz?" She called, hoping he'd gotten up to get a napkin or visit the loo.
Forgetting propriety she threw open the door to the men's loo, finding it empty. Panic clutched at her heart and she ran out the room. Mack and Hunter had clearly been drugged and Fitz was missing. She skidded down the hall, hearing the distant sound of thunder. A storm had come in shortly after their dance, the crew had secured all the doors and sent all passengers below deck as a safety precaution. "Fitz!" she cried again, running up the stairwell.
With every deck she cleared the thunder and lightning crew louder, the motion of the storm becoming more apparent. After what seemed like an eternity, she made it onto the deck the pouring rain instantly soaking her to the bone, the wind howling in her ears. "Fitz!" she tried again, again getting no response. But in a flash of lightening she saw him. An older heavy set man leading him, towards the railing.
"No!" Jemma screamed, slipping on the deck in her rush to get to him.
Malick caught sight of her, a cruel smile forming on his lips. "Too late little girl," he said with a great crack of thunder so loud Jemma could feel it in her teeth. It seem to be enough to final pull Fitz out of the fog he'd been in, blinking rapidly and looking around, the waves threatening to swell up and pull him right from the deck.
Fitz suddenly became frantic as the ship rolled, this time the wave making it over the side and catching him and the man that held him, the force pushing them towards the edge. Jemma dove her hands grabbing him while her foot connected with Malick's face, forcing him to relinquish his grip on Fitz's arm. She hauled Fitz back into her arms, wrapping him up best she could, watching as Malick pulled himself up, and pulling a gun from his jacket, a flash of lightning illuminating the metal.
Jemma curled around Fitz's sobbing form, incoherent words spilling from his mouth, ready to protect him with her last breath.
"My master will be so pleased! Hail Hydra!" Malick cried with a maniacal laugh, cocking the gun, just as the biggest wave yet swept over the side. Jemma saw it coming, using one arm and her legs to hold onto Fitz the other the mast of the ship. Malick had nothing to grasp, the wall of water catching him full force and throwing him into the churning waters.
Jemma didn't' have time to process, the storm growing worse with every passing second. "Come on Fitz," She pleaded pulling him across the deck and into the safety of the stairwell leading below deck. She quickly bolted the doors and turned her attention to the sobbing soaked form before her.
She wrapped him back up in her arms, stroking his head, finally able to hear what he was saying.
"I'm cursed, I'm cursed, Maveth's curse," He uttered over and over.
Jemma felt her heart break, this was her fault, she had pulled him into this in her own desperation and greed. "Fitz," she cried shaking him forcefully "Fitz, come back to me!" She ordered, his eyes finally seeming to find focus in her eyes. More tears welled as he looked at her "He killed them, Hydra killed them all." He said collapsing back into her arms.
To Be Continued….
