Of Bullet Proof and Hollow Points
Summary:
Two years I had spent with my fellow comrades. Two full years of adapting to life in desert terrain. Two years of dodging bullets, missiles and guerilla tactics. Two years of becoming a strong unit, a family.
All of that, gone. In a flash-bang.
It's been three years since that fateful day, and being the only surviving member of an entire Special Ops. Task Force apparently makes me quite the focal point in various agencies.
Now, if only this...SHIELD agency would stop pestering me
Author's Note:
I just need a small break from 'Sparky' and I wanted to get rid of some random plot bunnies. This is more of an Iron Man fic, but it will soon lead into Avengers. This is a bit more serious than my other story, and in the beginning comes off as a bit depressing. In the beginning, my OC, Kori, will come off as a bit stand-off-ish and quite...uh...cynical in nature, but has a hard time opening up to people. This story is a bit more personal to me, and it isn't about losing people to the hardship of war, but also when I was growing up, I always had a difficult time opening up on an emotional level.
These chapters will probably be longer than the chapters of 'Sparky', but do take in the knowledge that Kori is very observant. She's gone through specialized training that causes her to notice the smallest details, or the slightest difference. Kori is not special by any means, except she's an impressive marksmen, trained by experts and has been conditioned to be a 'perfect' soldier, not to be confused with Captain America, who is a super soldier, and had really no deep conditioning in the way Kori has.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avengers, Iron Man, and the Title of this story is inspired by My Chemical Romance's 'Bulletproof Heart'. Note that the title also refers to Kori's 'bullet proof' persona and Tony Starks can be referenced as the 'hollow point'. His personality would best help Kori develop on a social level, and she would be able to tone down his 'arrogance' by often calling him out on it.
One more note:
I have not decided if Kori and Tony's friendship in this story will develop into more, so we will see as the story progresses and you readers/reviewers are welcome to point me in which direction to go.
Chapter Six
Farewell to the Past
I knew, before I caught a plane to cross the continental U.S., that I had a few things to do before leaving. I'm not even quite sure why I am standing before the dilapidated house, the front lawn overgrown and showed a great lack of maintenance. Despite my prowess as a soldier, I can't find the urge to step through the small gated entrance. The sight of everything, so much like I remember, and yet...so different. My thoughts freeze as the porch light flickers on and the front door opens, an older gentlemen stumbling through the door.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
Feeling the personality of the soldier solidify and take point in my mind, my stance straightens and I level my gaze with familiar hazel-flecked green, "I came to inform you that you will never see me again. I had hoped, you would have grown up in the past eight years, but I see that there is no real hope for it."
"I've grown up? You are the one that took away our son!"
"You son is a pathetic example of what happens to those that over-step their boundaries. He is unworthy to be referred to as a soldier of this country. He lacks loyalty, lack honor and lacks any form of humanity," my monotonous voice seems to cause him to shiver, and I feel mildly-pleased by the case, "I only came here to inform you of my permanent leave and that I hope, some day, in the future, you will see the truth life has to offer, or that you continue on your path and die a morally corrupt example of a human being."
I ignore the crude shouts as I turn on point and walk back to the all-black Ducati awaiting me at the edge of the sidewalk. Straddling the motorcycle, I gun the engine and speed down the streets, never once looking back.
"Kori!"
I smile sadly at the sight of Jake rushing from behind the bar to embrace me. Ever since I left the hospital, he had allowed me to take up the room above the pub while I wrapped up everything here. Ushered into one of the bar stools, I sit down, smoothing out the all-black military-styled jacket (Special Ops. provided), and my gloved fingers carefully clench an offered drink.
"So, tonight is your last night?" I nod as I swallow the sip in my mouth, watching closely as the older gentlemen slides an envelope across the bar table, "These came in the mail. I know, you may not want to think about it, but I would like to see you there."
Realizing these must be the tickets to Carmen's Nutcracker performance, I grace him with a soft smile, "Despite everything going on, I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"So, what do you have left to do before you board your flight?"
"I have one more person to visit and then my flight takes off at two-hundred hours," I respond gently.
"I know it isn't much in that jaded mind of your's, but you will always be like a daughter to me."
Knocking back the rest of my drink, I place the glass on the table, moving my flesh hand over one of his resting on the bar, "You have no idea what that means. For my benefit, and for your own safety, will you please never speak my name again after I leave here?"
"You have my word."
Patting the man's hand, I flash him a small grin before standing up, "I only have about two hours. I will see you in December."
"Take care of yourself, soldier."
"Back at you, Old Man," I deadpan as I stalk back out of the pub.
Here Lies:
David Orion Jerome
With a love so strong,
a heart without wrong,
We bask in the glow left behind,
A warmth never again will we find,
In your memory, do we sing,
For your life, let it ring.
I kneel before the scripture etched in marble as memories flow through my mind and even worse, my heart.
A boy of seven, standing defiant to many. Protecting, as always.
A boy of nine, with a grin so wide, an arm thrown over a shoulder.
A boy of ten, tearful and sad, body beaten and ragged.
A boy of fourteen, flushed cheeks, boy's first kiss.
A boy of sixteen, excited and ready to go.
A young man of eighteen, proud and accomplished.
A young man of eighteen, sorrowful and determined.
A young man of twenty-one, helpful and welcoming.
My body shakes in the wake of the memories. Remembering the day we met, as he stood before three, much larger and much older kids, in order to protect me. The day we won a pathetic relay race. The day he learned of my physical and mental abuse. The day he learned how to love. The day he first drove. The day he graduated. The night we said good-bye. The morning of my return.
"I-I'm not sure, what I'm supposed to say. I can't even begin to express how much I miss you already. Davvy, you were my first and greatest friend, really my only friend. You never doubted me and you always stood by my side. You took care of so many, without ever asking for anything in return. You...You meant so much to me," An odd prickling sensation starts along the corners of my eyes, "You have no idea how...messed up I am. What am I going to do without you? Who is going to fight with me over the fucking stereo? Who is going to have a coffee ready for when I wake up? Who is going to argue whether or not Chinese is better than Japanese, though I still say it's Japanese," My breath catches in my throat, and I lean forward, resting my forehead against the cold grass, "Who is going to remind me what humanity means? God, Davvy...why did this have to happen? Davvy...I'm soo sorry. I am so very sorry," Something wet and salty trails down my cheeks, my fingers curling into the grass, clenching it tightly, "This is all my fault. I-I can't even begin to express how truly sorry I am. I never meant for you to get hurt. Never you." Choking on my words, I push myself upright, wiping the mess from my face, "I swear, I will fix this. I promise you, David Jerome, that I will do everything I can to fix this."
Pushing myself to my feet, I sniff, a slightly hysterical laugh bubbling, as I motion toward the marble headstone, "Only you, Davvy. Only you can cause the Perfect Soldier to become a complete basket case. I love you, David, in ways that no words can ever express, but the connotation seems fitting for it. I sincerely hope, you of all people find peace in your eternity."
Knowing that I can't stay any longer, I kiss the pads of my fingers before softly running them over the top of the headstone, "Good-bye, Davvy."
Turning on heel, I force each step I take toward the inevitable. Climbing on my bike once more, I slowly drive away from the cemetery.
'Good-bye, my brother, my friend, my light.'
Finding my seat on the plane, I plop down and instantly pull out the ear-bud headphones. Popping them in place, I lay my head back against the seat and close my eyes.
We've waited far to long to, watch it all crash and fall through, There's forces working in our heads but we don't understand them, The more I think the more I wish I could push stop then hit rewind, It's haunting me, I'm so alone,
So when you feel like shit you gotta keep on pushing,
If you saw the world through my eyes, then you wouldn't feel so high rise,
Its time to take our chance you gotta sit back and hold tight.
I need a map to find my way out all the time,
Theres curses lurking in our heads but we don't want to find them,
We need to come back down and face what we've become.
What I would give to have a day back then when no one really cares,
I remember when we all used to kick back take days off school,
So many times I've smiled so many times I cried but never did we try,
Never did we try, because.
I'm just trying to find my way back home,
I'm so alone, alone.
Wiping away the lone tear from my cheek, I inwardly damn the sick, twisted irony life seems to deal me.
A bit of a sad one, but this is the turning point in which Kori makes a promise that she intends to keep, and no one, not even Tony, will be able to stop her. I wanted to give you guys an insight on the bond David and Kori had. This was particularly difficult for me to write, as it is based off of a very dear friend of mine that died a few years ago. He truly was the one that helped me open up more socially, and it was difficult trying to continue on as though he had never died.
Thanks again for reading. I may, or may not, be updating tomorrow, so please leave a review. Should I bring Alex Carson in physically, maybe start up a romance between Alex and Pepper...Alex's personality differs from Tony's, but he is just as forward and charming as Tony, without coming off as arrogant (unless someone is challenging him to hacking).
Song: 'Curses' by Bullet For My Valentine