long story short, I lost motivation to finish the story simply because school has taken over my life plus I'm taking a comic drawing course every week, which basically cuts my time to write. But after a while I started toying with the idea to continue it, I went back to read the prequels and all the reviews and suddenly I felt really bad for not finishing this story.

so yeah, I hope I haven't lost any readers during my absence, I promise I'll try to finish the story at the end of the year!

A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL THE AWESOME PEOPLE WHO HAS STICKED UP WITH ME UNTIL NOT AND READ AND REVIEWED! Really guys, you are the best!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Jackie Walker and Bertie Spencer

Cameo appearances in this chapter :D


Chapter VI

In Which Tony and I Leave Rose Hill

From where we stood, we could still see some flames burning in the dark. People have gathered around the now burned down building, discussing wildly what just happened. It didn't take the fire service all too long to arrive and stop the fire.

"… Is that… What you had to went through with New York?" Harley panted out, trying to catch his breath from our run-for-your-life-work-out.

I'm gonna be honest here, this was the first time in five months I have exercised properly.

With a grim expression, I confirmed his question. Thinking back about what just happened, I guess that was the first time someone was this close to physically hurt me. Hate to say that, but for once I was thankful he couldn't really harm me in any way.

Tesseract you did your job well.

Alright, who or what the fuck was that guy? If I remember correctly, he kinds produced fire with his hands? They were glowing in abnormal orange color, and he could heal himself? I knew that normal humans couldn't do that.

Unless…

Unless he was a mutant.

Which would make things a lot more complicated, I guess. This is the MARVEL universe, and as far as I know the X-men were a part of it. So naturally sooner or later I'd actually meet one, right?

But wasn't that woman also creating fire with her arms? So was she a mutant too? Does Tony even know mutants exist? As I kept pondering about the existence of the evil guy and the red haired woman a person approached us in jogging steps. Automatically Harley and I went stiff, and prepared ourselves for the worst, which would be another work out of running away.

But God was kind enough to give us a break and we could make out the bruised face of Tony Stark in the dark.

"What happened to the other guy?" I asked.

"Lost his conscious." He replied and then held up a car key attached to a donut key chain "I hope he doesn't mind me borrowing his car."

After he tries to kill us, I think we had every right to steal his car.

"What are you going to do now?" Harley piped up.

"I'm continuing my investigation, you two just go home and pretend that nothing happened." Tony dismissed us easily, pressing the key button. Few meters away from us a black car's light went on, signaling it had just been unlocked.

I didn't like what he just said, so I stepped in front of Tony, preventing him from taking another step forward and crossed my arms. "Investigating what? The explosion site? What really happened? Or the Mandarin? Is that what those files are?" I nodded with my chin at the folder Iron Man had tucked under his arm.

"Maybe they are" He responded without even batting an eyelash, pushing me aside effortlessly and kept walking.

I immediately followed him. "Why don't you just ask SHIELD or the Avengers for he-"

Before I could even finish that suggestion, Tony spun around to face me, looking a tad bit angry. "Because this is not their goddamn business! Nor is this yours! Getting SHIELD involved would just make everything worse than it already is. I don't know why you would even come up with this idea, but fact is Jackie, sometimes you have to take matters with your own hand, and try to solve them by yourselves. Or just stay the hell out of trouble."

Outraged about what he just said, I yelled back: "You think I'm looking for trouble? Wanting to get into those dangerous situation? Please, if I could, I'd love to have my old life back!"

"Then how come every time when something happens, you are involved in it?"

I wanted to open my mouth and say that it because I got dropped into a movie universe, but since this would be a really bad idea, I said instead: "That was only twice…"

"One time more than it has to be." He waved off my excuse "You want to play the hero, but you always end up as the damsel in distress, and then expect some knight in shining armor to turn up and save you. Up until now, you were always lucky, but don't get used to it."

"I'm not getting us-"

Tony cut me off. "I'm not finished. Now, the thing about SHIELD is, you can't trust them. I don't know whether you came into contact with them for the past few months or nor, but fact is, I don't trust them completely. They are always up to something, always hiding important secrets, watching every single move that is happing in our lives. Maybe we are being watched right now, who knows. My advice for now: Go back to New York, be a good girl and work on your math problems. And you Harley, go home, be with your mom, keep your trap shit, guard the suit. And stay connected to the telephone, because if I call, you better pick up."

Tony got into the car and started its engine, while I still stood there, completely speechless. Did he just trust Harley with a task why he told me to go the hell back to New York?!

I was angry at Tony, and I was angry at Harley, but mostly I was angry at myself.

I was angry at myself for being so useless. Harley may be still a kid, but damn he knew how to build a frigging potato gun! And I was just, well, me.

Plain old Jackie, the girl who got sucked into the MARVEL universe. Did I have any special ability? Could fight? Math expert? No, no and no. I relied too much on other people. Before I met them I was totally fine on my own. Now I had Steve Rogers as my neighbor. Granted, he wasn't that often home due secret work and stuff like that, but he always made sure I was okay and checked on me regularly. No one asked him to do that, but he still did it anyway. I couldn't imagine what it would be like when suddenly everything went back to how it was before my life with the Avengers.

Maybe I was getting too attached to them. I was accepting this all too easily. I should be looking for clues why I was here in the first place.

But what could a girl like me even do to begin with?

Not much I guess.

oOoOoOo

"Mister President, only two lessons remain. And I intend to finish this before Christmas morning. Meet Thomas Richards. Good strong name, good strong job. Thomas here is an accountant for the Roxxon Oil Corporation. And I'm sure he's a really good guy. I'm gonna shoot him in the head, live on your television, in thirty seconds. The number for this telephone is in your cell phone. Exciting, isn't it? Imaging how it got there. America, if your president calls me in the next half-minute, Tom lives. Go… There's just one lesson let, President Ellis. So run away, hide, kiss your children goodbye. Because nothing, not your army, not your red, white and attack dog can save you! I'll see you soon."

oOoOoOo

You know those moments in movies when it's really dark, late and there were absolutely no one outside except lonely you walking down the street? And then suddenly behind you there's that really creepy looking black van pulling up the street, driving slower and slower?

In my opinion this was just an overused and stereotypical movie scene. And no matter how overly cliché it was, the victim always starts look over its shoulder, and then breaks into a maddening fast sprint like Satan was after you or there was actually a chocolate spring well in front of you. Either way, you were running for your life.

Basically that over clichéd scene is happening right now. A black van pulled down the street, slowed down, until it was right next to me. All I did was stop walking and stare at the can suspiciously, instead of running away like a smart person would do.

Maybe things like this were meant to happen to me because technically I am in a movie, more or less? Who knows who knows?

So let me recap few things: I was walking around by myself because after Tony left I was feeling pretty down and I didn't want to deal with other things (AKA Bertie and his family). Harley did what he was told to do, and I went for a midnight stroll. Letting out some air, calming down, I don't know.

Anyway, van pulled up, stopped next to me. The glasses where tinted black, I couldn't see who was inside. The door opened, and a man in his early thirties stepped out, wearing a suit.

A really familiar black suit with white chemise and black tie.

It was a MIB uniform.

No wait, wrong movie. What I meant was SHIELD. It was a SHIELD agent uniform. If you don't count the spandex, I think this was a part of the standard uniform.

At first he just stood there with crossed arms, staring down at me with a calculating look, while I stated back, not willing to back down.

Finally, he asked: "Are you Miss Jackie Walker?"

"Who wants to know that?" I asked back, also crossing my arms.

"I'm Agent Grant Ward with SHIELD." To prove he wasn't lying he hold up his SHIELD member ID car "And I have been given the order to take you with us."

Hesitantly I took a step back from him, looking at him with wary eyes. "… Why?"

"You will know once you come with us."

"What if I don't want to go with you?"

He let out a frustrated sigh. "Look, we can either do this the easy way, or the hard way."

I tilted my head to my side and inquired innocently: "What's the easy way?"

"You come with us."

"And what's the hard way?"

"We make you come with us."

I pretended to be thinking hard about this, while Agent Ward started to tap his food impatiently, shivering slightly in the cold night. Your fault for stepping out of the van only wearing a suit.

After a while, I finally said: "… What was the easy way again?"

oOo

The van was small on the inside, mainly because it was cramped with computers and other piece of technology I recognized but couldn't name because I lack the scientific knowledge for that.

Or I was simply too stupid to memorize them all.

Pros of being in the van: The heating. It's warm and I can finally feel and move my toes again.

Con: Well, I'm on my way to the SHIELD HQ (I think), which pretty much sucks because it basically means that shit will be going down.

But what even sucked more was that not even an hour ago Tony was telling me SHIELD could not be trusted.

Way to ignore Tony's advie, Jackie.

Right now I was seated on a bench in the back of the van, but since the shot gun seat in the front was unoccupied I decided to switch seat. I unbuckled the seat belt and climbed over.

Agent Ward gave me a side lance, but didn't comment on it. There wasn't any music playing, nor was the radio turned on.

"So," I tried to strike up a conversation "where are we heading?"

"New York."

At that short reply I threw my head back and groaned, thinking about that trip from New York to Tennessee. I cannot believe I have to travel the same distance back, in the short time span of only two days.

Seeing my miserable state, the SHIELD agent commented with a hint of sympathy : "Don't worry, unlike Roberto Spencer I don't do Taylor Swift marathon."

I smirked slightly at that statements and thought how true that was. I honestly don't know why Bertie even listens to that kind of mu-

"… How did you know we did a Taylor Swift music marathon?" I asked rather surprised, an uncomfortable feeling began to settle down in my stomach.

Instead of replying, Agent Ward returned the surprised look, but didn't answer. He kept his eyes on the road, and didn't say anything anymore.

I would understand if SHIELD knows I was travelling with Bertie, but small details like this? That was just making me paranoid. Speaking of Bertie, I recalled his sudden departure without a proper explanation today. Of course afterwards I didn't hear anything from him, so I have no idea whether he knew what happened in town or not.

Deciding that it was a long day, I leaned back onto the seat and closed my eyes, attempting to get some sleep.

Bertie Spencer, just what the hell are you up to?

oOoOoOo

"Hello."

"Did you ever have a chick straddling you and you look up and suddenly she's glowing from the inside out, kind of a bright orange?"

"Yeah, I've had that. Who is this?"

"It's me, pal. Now last time I went missing, if I remember correctly, you came looking for me. What are you doing?"

"A little knockin' talking, making friends in Pakistan. What are you doing?"

"Your re-design, your big re-brand, that was AIM, right?"

"Yeah."

"I'm gonna find a heavy-duty comsat right now, I need your login."

"It's the same as it's always been, War Machine 68."

"And password please?"

"Well, look, I gotta change it every time you hack in, Tony."

"It's not the eighties, nobody says 'hack' anymore. Give me your login."

"WAR MACHINE ROX with an X, all caps."

"That is so much better than Iron Patriot."

oOo

"So you want to tell me why you were at Stark's mansion last night?"

"I'm trying to fix this thing. I didn't know you and the Master were gonna blow the place up."

"Oh, I see. So you were trying to save Stark, when he threatened us."

"I told you, Killian, we can use him. Look, if we wanna launch product next year, I need Stark. He just lacked a decent incentive. Now he has one."

oOoOoOo

The SHIELD HQ in New York City looked exactly like how I remembered it.

Actually no, it's my first time being here. Most of the time when I had to go for check ups and stuff like that it was on the Helicarrier, which I guess was their flying HQ?

The building was a tall glass skyscraper, rising from the ground just like other skyscrapers in New York City. Of course the mist eye catching one was the STARK tower, but yeah, that's not the point here.

Agent Ward and I arrived in New York somewhat around 1 PM the next day. My body was stiff from sitting for such a long time, and my stomach felt like someone had blown a hole into it. That asshole didn't even bother to stop at McDonald's for a breakfast or small snack.

Right after the can was parked I opened the door, jumped out and stretched my whole body. Agent Ward also stepped out of the van and walked toward me, holding something in his hand that looked like handcuffs.

"… No." I said immediately and backed away.

"Do you always have to make everything harder than it has to be?" He snarled and took a step forward.

I put both of my hands into my pocket and prepared myself to run away should he try to use some karate stunts just to put me into handcuffs. Really assuring o see how SHIELD trusted me, after all the things we went through together. I already came along with him without making a big fuss, why are handcuffs necessary now?

"Thanks for bringing her here safely; I will take the responsibility to escort her now." Someone behind me said.

Recognizing the voice I turned around rather surprised and saw Natasha standing there. She walked toward us, and greeted me in her strict business tone: "It's good to see you again, Jackie."

"Same here." I responded and stepped away from Agent Ward to stand next to Natasha. Obviously if I had the choice between Natasha and someone I didn't know I'd pick her.

Warden sighed and said: "Then I guess my job here is done." Warden said and left without even saying goodbye.

I watched him disappear into the building thinking what a stuck up asshole he was. Oh well, it's not like I'm going to see him again. Turning my head back to Natasha, I waited for her to say something.

"Agent Grant Ward, one of your best agents." Natasha explained "As far as I know he's been put together with some other agents into a small team, but he doesn't play well in teamwork." The she indicated toward the big entrance to the SHIELD HQ. "Shall we go? There's breakfast waiting for you."

Hearing the word breakfast my stomach immediately grumbled loudly like it was satisfied with that it just heard, but then I had to think about my past experience with the food SHIELD offered their agents.

Eh, whatever, as long as I get something to eat I'm happy.

I prepared myself to walk in as I noticed the somewhat sympathetic look Natasha was giving me, making me think something really really really bad was awaiting me.

"… Eye Patch wants to talk to me?" I dared to ask.

"Worse." She deadpanned.

Okay?

What could be worse than Fury bombing you with questions?

"Your neighbor didn't look happy at all."

And Suddenly I wasn't that hungry anymore.

oOoOoOo

"Boss, we've acquired the Patriot armor."

"Good, Savin. I have Pepper Potts in my custody, there is no way Stark will not help us."

"Stark killed Brandt in Rose Hills."

"Pity. She was a good Extremis soldier. But we all have to make sacrifices."

"… Extremis is supposed to be able to give us the power to destroy everything, right?"

"Why yes Savin, you know this. What makes you doubt its power?"

"In Rose Hill, there was a girl. I tried to burn her face, but somehow I burned myself instead. And she was completely unharmed."

"What? Impossible. There's nothing that can surpass the power of Extremis."

"When I touched her face, there was a blue-ish glow, before I burned myself."

"… I see."

"What do we do now?"

"I want you to find that girl and bring her to me."

"Will do, boss."


THOR THE DARK WORLD SPOILERS:

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love what the happened to Jane in the movie cuz it kinda reminds me of Jackie's situation in 'One Step Ahead' and up until now xD