Airplanes #5 and #6

Erian didn't shower the next night. It was getting cold outside, and she wasn't about to stand on the roof in the middle of the night with wet hair. Erian couldn't afford to get sick now – opening night was only a few days away.

She wrapped herself up in a dark grey coat, and climbed out her window onto the fire escape. Undaunted by the darkness, Erian climbed unerringly up the ladder to the roof. Once there, she sat down on the very edge, letting her feet dangle off the roof.

Erian only had to wait a few minutes before a small paper airplane sailed gracefully out of the night and landed in her lap. She unfolded it with a small smile. It said simply, Hello.

"You're repeating yourself," she replied, and heard a footstep behind her. Erian stared unblinking out at the city lights that burned in the night, and continued, "And who I am is no great secret."

"Actually, it is." The voice was decidedly male, and full of confidence.

Erian sighed softly, and clasped her hands in her lap, swinging her feet in the air. "Not really. Everyone knows my name."

"Erian Ross, yes. The Ghostmaker. But I know who you really are." Erian tilted her head to one side as the voice continued, "I know that you drink tea and like raspberry truffles. Your favorite color is blue, you read spy thrillers and love the movie Casablanca, and you killed your best friend when you were fifteen. And I know your secret."

Erian felt him walk across the roof until he was within arm's reach of her. She let out a long breath, and relaxed, waiting for the inevitable.

"You don't care anymore if you live or die."

Erian froze. That was not what she'd been expecting. Erian slowly stood, turning to face the man behind her. He was taller than her, with brown hair and storm-colored eyes. She recognized him.

"You know nothing about me," Erian said softly.

He shook his head. "I know everything about you. You don't care anymore. You used to be the Ghostmaker – but now you're only a Ghost."

She closed her eyes and lowered her head. "Then kill me," Erian whispered. "I know that's why you're here."

He reached out and gently lifted her chin with one hand. "No. I was sent to kill you. But I'm here to save you."

Fury flashed in Erian's eyes, and she moved, seizing his hand and spinning him. In a moment, she had him pinned, with his back to her and his arm twisted backwards, obviously causing him pain. Erian didn't bother to worry about his other hand. She knew he wouldn't try anything. Not now.

Leaning forward so that her lips were close to his hear, she hissed, "You know nothing, Agent Barton. Go back to SHIELD and leave me alone, before I make a Ghost out of you."

With a flick of her wrist, Erian released him while shoving him away from her at the same time. Barton backed away from her, eyes on hers. Erian glared at him, feeling something inside her tremble, even as her hands shook with anger.

Barton asked in curious tone, "What did she do? Your best friend – why did you kill her?"

Erian made a sort of hissing noise, and said warningly, "Barton, if you're still here in fifteen seconds, I'm going to give you the Ghostmaker's Kiss."

He nodded respectfully, turned, and jumped off the edge of the roof.

Erian didn't bother to see if he'd landed all right. It was none of her concern, and she didn't care. All she had to do was get her job done, and then Erian could take a long vacation and pretend she was still a normal young woman.

She made her way back down the fire escape and through the window, changing into her nightgown and crawling into bed. Erian lay on her back and stared at the ceiling, not wanting to turn off the light.

A paper airplane sailed through her open window and landed on the bed. Erian stared at it for a long moment before sighing and unfolding it.

Sorry.

"Bastard," Erian muttered, and turned off the light.