Chapter Ten
Wish I owned Buffy, but Joss won't even do rent to own. Marvel owns the X-Men and its own universe. This insanity of a crossover is mine though.
While Alex drove through the streets of New York, he was daydreaming a bit when KATT suddenly applied the brakes.
"What the hell KATT," Alex asked as he stopped himself from flying forward .
"Well if you were actually paying attention," she said with a bit of humor, "You would have noticed the overgrown iguana standing in the intersection."
Alex looked ahead of them and sighed, the Lizard was trying to eviscerate Spider-Man, he then asked, "Think he is going to need help?"
"Running probabilities," KATT replied as she silently locked the doors, to prevent Alex from helping even if the numbers came up badly. "Doubtful, as long as it is just the Lizard, he will have this wrapped up in just a moment."
As she said this Spider-Man was able to coat the Lizard in several layers of webbing, then injected something into the creatures arm. A minute later the Lizard reverted back to a one armed naked man.
"Well that's interesting," Alex mused. "I always knew the Lizard was Doctor Conners, but it is still interesting to see that change happen."
If she could have she would have rolled her eyes, shifting into reverse and backing up a bit, KATT then shifted into drive and pulled into an alleyway and drove around the intersection toward the Bank of New York.
Alex snorted and asked, "I'm guessing we aren't going to stick around."
"Duh," KATT replied and drove on.
"Well since you are obviously driving," Alex said with quite some amusement. "Call Forge, let's see if he is free tomorrow instead of this afternoon."
"Hello Alexander," Forge said as he answered the phone.
"Hey Forge, how are you doing," Alex asked.
"I'm doing well, though I'm going to have to cancel this afternoon," Forge said with a sigh as an explosion was heard in the back ground. "As you can hear I'm in the middle of something and need to figure out what went wrong."
Alexander laughed, "I understand Forge. I'll call you in the morning."
"Whatever will you do Alex," KATT mocked, "Maybe stay out of trouble for a day."
Alex harrumphed and looked at the files for his meeting.
An hour later, Alex was just finishing up the meeting, "Well Mr. Rosenberg, I appreciate everything you have done while I've been out of commission."
"Of course Mr. Harris," he said with a smile. "The better you do, the better I do."
Alex nodded and asked, "Anything new on the horizon I should be aware of?"
Rosenberg looked at his notes then said, "The only issue I see is trying to start a business to compete with Damage Control. They have a near monopoly on repair and restoration in the five boroughs."
Alex nodded then said, "Exactly, one thing that is never good in construction is having a monopoly. Besides I have all this money time to put it to work, plus I know of a vast untapped work force that would help get this off the ground."
Rosenberg nodded and made a few notes and said, "The building to use as a head quarters is already owned, so that won't be a problem. The only issues I see is getting contracts and dealing with the various unions."
"Don't worry about it," he answered. "Once I have the work force lined up, our prices and word of mouth will ensure we start getting business." Checking his own list and smiling, "I think that covers everything."
Both men stood and they walked out of the manager's office straight into a heist. Alex looked at the manager and asked, "Do you schedule these things for when I'm around?"
Rosenberg shook his head and sighed, "No sir."
"You over there," one of the crooks said as he pointed the gun at them.
"Yes," Alex asked.
"You the manager," the crook asked.
"I am the manager," Rosenberg said nervously.
"Excellent, then you can open the vault for us," the crook said with a sneer.
"I'm sorry but I can't do that," Rosenberg began to say until he was cut off as he was hit in the head with the butt of the rifle.
"That's just a pity," the man said as he pointed the gun at Rosenberg.
As he was about to fire, Alex reached out and grabbed the gun, flipped it around, turned it on the crook and shook his head, "Nuh uh." Pointing the gun toward the lobby and saying with a growl, "Now turn around."
Alex followed the crook to the lobby and saw several guns pointing at him, then said, "Crap."
The crook turned around with a grin and said, "Now then, time for you to learn it isn't a good idea to play hero."
An engine roar was heard from outside the bank, as a car crashed through the doors, getting the crooks attention. Alex took the gun and hit the closest robber in the face, running toward the others, throwing punches at heads, kicks into the sides of knees and smacking men upside the head with his makeshift club. KATT on the other hand was firing some type of dart from somewhere on her frame at the other members of the gang knocking them out.
When all the crooks were down, Alex looked around and heard an irritated growl coming from his car, he winced because he knew this was not going to be good. "Alexander," KATT growled out, "How am I supposed to keep you out of trouble if you keep inviting it to tag along?"
"Umm sorry," he said then sighed as he saw the first officer arrive on the scene.
"Robbing banks now," Stein said with a sneer as he reached out to cuff Alex, "You have the right to remain silent..."
"And he has the right to not be falsely accused of something Stein," a welcome voice said. "In fact this is the last straw. You are now suspended, give me your badge and sidearm, then get the hell out of here."
"This won't stick Giles," Stein said, "Fisk will make sure you pay for this."
"Yes and I will be looking forward to his attempts," he replied.
Alex leaned against KATT as they listened to the two men, as Stein stalked off he couldn't help it, but had to give a cheeky wave to the departing officer.
"And you," Giles said with a sigh, "Can you at least try to avoid being in banks being robbed?"
"I'll do my best," Alex said with a chagrinned expression.
"Do I even want to know how this car got in here," Giles asked.
"I drove," KATT said with a hint of smugness.
"Well drive yourself out of here then," Giles said with a smirk.
KATT purred a moment and started backing out of the bank, Giles called out to let the car pass. Alex gave Giles his card and statement about what happened, then went to check on Rosenberg.
When he arrived in the back he saw the man being tended to by a medic.
"That's going to leave you with one hell of a headache, but you'll live," the medic said with a smile.
"Thank you," Rosenberg said as he leaned back holding an ice pack on his head.
"You sure know how to make a guy feel welcome," Alex said as he squatted down by the man.
Rosenberg groaned and looked at Alex, "Please do me a favor, let's teleconference your appointments from now on."
Alex laughed softly, "I agree." He squeezed Rosenberg's shoulder then walked out of the bank.
KATT drove him to the hotel then parked herself after Alex got out and checked into the smaller suite he'd reserved.
As he entered the room and looked around he frowned seeing a note on the desk. Opening it up he laughed and tapped his communicator to talk to KATT.
"Apparently I have a date tonight," he said.
"Oh really," she replied, "With whom?"
"The Exalted Countess Natalya Romanova," Alex said with a grin.
KATT sighed and began running computations on the likelihood of Alexander surviving this evening.
Alex took his time getting ready for the date. He took a long shower, shaved and put on his suit. He had just grabbed his keys and was about to leave when an uneasy feeling came over him. He paused and removed his coat, he put on the holsters for both of his guns, then loaded both guns with tranquilizer rounds before holstering them. Putting back on the coat he walked out of the room and headed to the elevator.
Upon arriving downstairs he walked to the hotel's restaurant and asked if the Countess had arrived yet.
The maitre d looked at Alex as if he were something to be scraped off the bottom of a homeless man's shoe. "She has not and am I to assume you are her dining partner for the evening," he sneered.
Handing the man the invitation, Alex noticed a slight intake of breath as he said, "Of course, this way... Sir."
As they walked through the restaurant Alex kept his eyes constantly moving, looking for anyone out of place, a few couples enjoying their meals, a wedding party in one of the adjoining dining rooms, finally reaching a doorway the maitre d opened the door showing Alex into an intimate and private dining area.
"The Countess will be arriving soon, until then please be seated," the maitre d said. "A waiter will be along soon for your drink order."
Alex nodded and took the seat facing the door, a minute later he ordered a glass of water and would wait until his companion arrived to order anything else. Fifteen minutes had passed and Alex checked his watch. Interesting, she is late, either something has gone very wrong or this is a power play, at that moment the door opened and she had arrived.
As soon as he noticed she entered the door way, Alex stood as was polite upon seeing her. Long, wavy, red hair framed her face, there was a touch of makeup to enhance her look not detract from it. The simple strapless black dress, was supported by her generous chest. As his gaze moved down he noticed the material seemed to hug her hips and show the slightest hint of thigh. As she moved toward the table, it was quite apparent she was a predator and he was the prey.
Moving to her chair and holding it out, "Countess, I was pleasantly surprised to receive your invitation."
The woman was examining him just as he had her. She took her seat and nodded to him and replied with a sultry voice, "I was saddened to miss you the last time you were here. I try to take time to meet with other people of interest in a place I call home."
Alex had sat back down and was about to respond when the waiter returned, bringing a drink to the countess, setting before her then asking, "Would you like to order?"
Alex looked at her and she nodded and said, "My usual please."
"I would like the kobe steak with new potatoes please," he said. "I will leave the drink up to your sommelier."
The waiter nodded and slipped out of the room closing the door behind him. Alex sipped his water as a comfortable silence settled around them. He was wondering how long it would take for her ask. Deciding to be kind, he asked, "I am curious Countess," switching to Russian, "Is there a particular reason you are here, or does Fury think I will fall for a pretty face?"
It showed just how good she truly was that she didn't even react to his statement or his easy transition to Russian to ask her that question. Taking a drink of the wine before her she smiled a very dangerous smile at him, "He did, but from everything I have seen or read about you I knew it would not work..." then switching seamlessly to English once more, "besides it isn't often I get to meet someone who aggravates him, at least someone that isn't an enemy or Stark. The added benefit is I get a wonderful meal."
Alex snorted and knew beyond the shadow of a doubt there was more to it than this and replied, "Of course that's the reason." He then sipped the water and sighed, "Ok cards on the table, what does he want?"
"You are causing waves, you have had meetings with known terrorists, you live at Xavier's mansion," she said. "He wants to know what your agenda is."
"I'm guessing if I said world peace he'd flip his eye patch," he asked. The mere twitch of her lips was a victory Alex considered.
"That would be an accurate assessment Alexander," she said with a slight smile. The waiter then entered with their meals and Alex was pleasantly surprised to see she had ordered the same as he had. She noticed his look and shrugged, "My usual is whatever you were going to order, I was lucky tonight as I enjoy a good steak."
They ate for the next five to ten minutes simply enjoying their meal in silence.
"Seriously Natasha," Alex said and noticed a slight flinch from the name, "I have no agenda, my only goal is to keep my friends safe and try and prevent the world from going to hell. Those are two goals I know for a fact Fury should endorse."
Natasha paused her eating a moment and nodded at him then said, "You seem quite well informed about him and me. If I were a more suspicious person..." Alex chuckled and motioned to her to continue. She raised an eyebrow and acknowledged the point then continued, "I'd say you were a spy, but I think you are merely what you appear to be."
"And what is that," he asked.
She replied as she finished her meal then rose from her seat, "A good man."
Alex stood and moved next to her taking her hand in his, he leaned forward and kissed her knuckles, as he was looking up sighed as he heard shouts from outside their door.
"You know," he said, "I would like to have a boring trip to this city once." Pulling out one of his guns he moved toward the door. "I was surprised you didn't have a bunch of agents in place as guests."
She pulled a gun from somewhere he really didn't want to think about, though he had a really good idea as she said, "We did, but they were staff tonight, not the patrons."
"Shall we," he asked as he opened the door.
She nodded and smiled at him as they both moved out ready for anything, they both quickly holstered their weapons when they saw what the shouting was about.
"Are you kidding me," he asked her.
She looked equally as surprised as she replied, "I wish I were."
In front of them was a bride, groom and wedding party in what could be described as an all out bar room brawl.
"You bastard," the bride screamed at the groom as she threw a potted plant at him, "You slept with my mother!"
Alex looked at Natasha, she looked at him as they both said, "I need a stiff drink."
After the countess and he split up Alex returned to his room and collapsed in his bed, it had been a very long day and tomorrow promised to be just as long or longer.
Tapping the communicator and asking, "KATT, I'm going to sleep. Anything interesting from your perspective on my date?"
"Nothing really," KATT replied, "Though I did notice a slight hitch in her breath when you used the name Natasha as well as when you first spoke Russian."
"Good to know," he said, "Sleep well KATT, we'll visit Forge tomorrow and see if he has toys for you as well as me."
"Good night Alexander," she said and closed the channel.
The next day Alex and KATT arrived at Forge's lab, an explosion out of one of the windows greeted them.
"KATT," Alex asked.
"No one there except for Forge," she replied with a bit of exasperation, "I would guess another of Forge's experiments went up in smoke."
"Yeah me too," Alex said as he got out, "Meet me at the garage entrance, while I make sure Forge is in one piece."
As KATT drove off Alex entered the main lab and laughed as he saw Forge covered in soot.
"Yes, yes," Forge said with a sigh, "Laugh it up."
Alex smiled at him, "Do I want to know what you were working on?"
"Oh just testing that theory about traveling through time," Forge replied with a grin. "But you aren't here for that, you want to see what items I've cooked up for you." Alex opened the garage door as KATT drove in and parked near a work bench. "Oh and I have something special for you as well KATT, seeing how you seem to get into trouble because of Alexander here," Forge added.
KATT's engine purred in appreciation at the idea of something special and Alex looked at Forge with a bit of outrage. "It isn't my fault," Alex said trying to justify himself to Forge.
"Anyway, KATT please pull into that chamber," Forge said. KATT drove into the area and Forge hit a couple of buttons sealing that room. "Don't worry KATT, you are going to get a special paint job and a few additions." The sound of sprays going off, wrenches and drills being used and what Alex swore was a small explosion. A mist filled the room so they couldn't see the car any more.
"That should do it," Forge said as he activated a vacuum and then opened the door.
KATT drove out looking the same as before and Alex raised an eyebrow at Forge. "Ok I don't get it," Alex said. "What is different?"
Forge chuckled and said, "Oh ye of little faith. What I have done is apply a special clear coat that not only prevents any damage to KATT it also will allow her to control her own color scheme. At least once I add the software for her to do it."
Forge got inside the car and inserted a CD then told her, "Have fun." He then got out and smiled as he saw her quickly changing the colors and walked over to Alexander. "Now then, for you. The axe I made you was lost when you went up against the sentinels and honestly was a bit unwieldy."
Alex looked a bit chagrinned at that but agreed, "So what do you have in mind?"
Forge took out what looked like a cylinder and grinned at Alexander, he tossed it to him.
Alex caught the cylinder and looked at Forge in awe, "Please tell me this is what I think it is."
Forge nodded, "That Lucas fellow you told me about had some interesting ideas and I saw it as a challenge."
Alex stepped back, flipped the switch on the side and saw a thin blade extend and was immediately surrounded by a tight green flame. After taking a few practice swings with it, he looked around for an area to practice. Forge pointed to an area with manikins, Alex walked over and took a swing at one of them, he blinked when it was sliced in two without feeling any resistance.
"Wow," he said, "that's impressive."
"Yes it is, now block," Forge said as he fired an energy weapon at Alex.
Alex reflexively blocked the blast with the sword and was shocked to see the beam reflect back toward Forge.
"Oh Forge, you are forever on my Christmas card list," Alexander gushed.
"I also have armor for you to try out since your last set didn't seem to protect you well enough," Forge said with a frown.
"Hey not your fault man," Alex said as he patted the mutant on the back. "I went beyond the manufacturers specifications."
Forge rolled his eyes and said, "Yes, well this set is designed to absorb energy strikes and use that energy to repair itself, though even it has an upper limit." Alex nodded and watched as Forge pushed a button causing a wall panel to slide out of the way and a new set of armor to appear. The uniform was still black but it seemed as if there was a deep red almost black X across the chest, the tops starting at the shoulder and ending near mid thigh. Not quite as blatant as the X-Men but there as a show of support.
"Since you seem to be hanging around with the X-Men I thought a bit of a costume change was in order," Forge said with a smile.
Alex chuckled and nodded as he looked it over, there was still a belt with various pouches on it. He opened one and was pleased with what he saw inside. Taking it down and heading toward the back room he changed into it and tested it out. Looking in the mirror he was pleased with the look, though it needed something.
"Forge," Alex called out, "Can you add a cape?"
Forge quickly shouted back, "NO CAPES!"
"But," Alex started.
"I SAID NO CAPES," Forge shouted.
He pouted and nodded, "Fine." He then grabbed a long coat to wear over the armor. "It isn't a cape, but it adds to the look," he said.
KATT called over to Alex, "I like your look Alexander." She then changed her paint job to match.
Alex smiled at her then said, "At least we won't ever clash KATT." Turning to Forge and shaking his hand, "Thanks again Forge. Give me call if you need help or want more ideas."
"You have given me quite a few, oh and while you are here," Forge said as he grabbed a small box from a counter and tossed it to Alex.
"What is this," he asked as he caught the box.
"An upgrade for Rogue," he replied. "This one can't be triggered by anyone except her. It is coded specifically to her DNA and will only work for her."
"Thank you again Forge," Alex said.
Forge nodded and Alex quickly got in the car as KATT peeled out and they drove back toward the hotel.
When they arrived, Alex told KATT, "Just wait here, I'm going to grab my bags and we're heading back to the mansion.
"Why," KATT questioned.
"Oh just a feeling that something interesting has happened and I think we'll need to deal with the fallout," he replied.
Alex quickly went upstairs, getting a few odd looks from the uniform under his coat as he passed through the lobby both heading there and coming back. When he arrived at the front desk, the manager was upset that he was checking out early.
"Was there a problem sir," he asked.
Alex smiled at the man and shook his head, "No, no problems with you or your lovely hotel. In fact I would like to have that suite reserved permanently if at all possible."
The manager's expression quickly changed from a frown to a smile and said, "I believe we can do that for you Sir. Could we contact you to see if it can be used for short periods?"
Alex nodded and quickly signed the agreement, then headed out the door. Seeing that KATT had lowered the roof, turning herself into a convertible Alex tossed the bags in the back seat and jumped into the driver's seat.
"Back to the mansion," he said.
As KATT pulled out onto the street, she said, "A message coming in from JARVIS Alex."
"Put it through," he replied. "JARVIS, what's going on?"
"Sir," the AI said, "Mr. Stark is in trouble and could use your assistance. He is currently trapped in a warehouse and his armor's ability to use power has been short circuited. Right now he is sealed inside of it, but Whiplash, the Grey Gargoyle and Blizzard are attempting to tear it apart to get to him. I am sending the coordinates now."
"None of his usual allies can help him," Alex asked.
"For reasons that I cannot comprehend, Mr. Stark has evicted them," JARVIS said with a sigh.
"Looks like the new toys get a field test," Alex said, "Tell Tony we are on the way." Closing the connection then asking KATT, "How fast can we get there?"
"If we take the streets it will take 20 minutes, however, Forge gave me more than a paint job Alex," KATT said smugly.
Alex gulped, because he was almost afraid to ask but had to, "What did he do?"
A red button lit up on the center console and he hear KATT say, "Push the red button."
"Why do I feel like J from Men in Black all of the sudden," Alex said as he pushed the red button.
"I have no idea who that is Alex," KATT replied as the car started to hover and the wheels shifted to point down. "Estimated Time of Arrival, 3 minutes," KATT said as they took off through the canyons of New York City toward the warehouse where Iron Man was.
"I am definitely getting Forge something special for Christmas," Alex said as he grinned.
They arrived at the warehouse and Alex jumped out onto the roof of the building to get a look at the trouble below. "KATT, when I jump in give me a minute then come in hard through the wall to protect Iron Man. Just in case they decide to use him as a hostage," he said.
"Acknowledged," KATT replied and shifted her color scheme to a black that seemed to absorb light.
Creeping over to a skylight he frowned, Gargoyle was attempting to turn the armor to stone, Blizzard was trying to freeze it while Whiplash was leaving gashes in it.
Pulling the cylinder and holding it, grinning once again at his new toy, he jumped onto the glass causing it to shatter, his coat fluttering as he fell down toward the floor and landed between Iron Man and the three villains.
"Hello boys," he said with a snarl. "Three on one with a man who can't even fight back. That just isn't right."
Whiplash struck first and attacked with his energy whip in an effort to squeeze Alex, as it was about to strike a green blade sliced through it.
"Was that supposed to do something," he mockingly asked as Whiplash backed away.
"Oh mon ami I think you will make a lovely art project," the Grey Gargoyle said as attacked. Alex spun to the side his coat covering the French crook's face as he pulled a pellet out of the pouch and tossing it at the crook's feet. The glue from within spread over his feet and quickly hardened on contact trapping him in place. Unfortunately for the Grey Gargoyle his momentum caused him to fall forward onto his face.
Just as Blizzard was going to freeze Alex the roar of an engine was heard and KATT rammed through the wall, distracting Blizzard for a moment so he could be knocked out with a quick hit to the back of the skull.
"Nice work KATT," Alex said and turned toward the downed Iron Man. "You know, I'm kind of surprised that your armor shorted out like that. Isn't it supposed to prevent stuff like that from happening?"
Tony kept quiet a moment until he remembered JARVIS saying help was on the way. "While I appreciate your help, who are you?"
Alex grinned and said, "I'm the cavalry JARVIS called in, since you chased your normal crew away. Call me Knight."
Tony grumbled and said as he realized, "You are the one that JARVIS talked to and knows too much!"
"Yep," Alex replied with an unrepentant grin.
Realizing he wouldn't get any more information at this time he said, "Well apparently they used a specifically configured EMP blast that shorted something in the armor out. If you could give me a lift, JARVIS can help me get out of it and I can figure out what the weakness was."
KATT sighed and said, "Put him in the back seat." She then pulled over to near where the armor with Tony inside was on the ground.
Alex chuckled as he helped Tony to stand and shoved him into the back seat. His head on the seat while his feet were sticking out over the door.
"HEY," Tony cried out as Alex got in the driver's seat.
"KATT," Alex said as he ignored Tony's cries of protest, "Please contact the police and let's get him to his home, so we can get to ours."
KATT rose up into the sky and flew out the hole in the wall and said, "The police will be here shortly. ETA to Stark Tower, 5 minutes."
When they arrived and got Tony out of the armor, Alex was amused to see him being treated like a child by Pepper.
"Tony," she berated, "That armor wasn't ready, JARVIS had told you it was still missing pieces."
Tony winced and took the reprimands as Alex said, "Well as fun as this is to watch we need to go. Tony, listen to these people and you might actually stay out of trouble for a change."
KATT stage whispered, "Pot meet Kettle."
Alex lightly smacked the hood of the car as he got into it and they flew back toward Xavier's. No one was around when he arrived, so he went to his room to change and unpack.
As he came back down stairs he saw the various X-Men getting back from a shopping trip.
"Alexander," Storm said with a smile, "It is good to see you."
"How was your business in the city," Rogue asked.
"Oh you know, it had its ups and downs," he said. "But what I'd like to do right now is curl up on the couch and watch some TV. Either of you want to join me."
At the mention of the words watch TV, all of the X-Men seemed to get a bit green and quickly made excuses and departed.
"Was it something I said," Alex asked the now empty room.
AN: Yes I'm skipping Mojo, it really was a filler episode and I think Alex on TV might get him the wrong kind of attention.
Yes I had him get a light saber.. Xander and the author are both geeks who would love to own one and if you have a man who can literally make anything he sets his mind to why not ask? FYI: Dr. Michio Kaku came up with a possible way of designing one using plasma and magnetic fields which is what this is based upon, he figured it was 20-30 years away.
Sorry for the delay in posting, wrenched back and Christmas stuffs.