Chapter Ten: Do You Hear What I Hear?

Tony Stark

I find Romanov in one of the common areas, standing at a tall table instead of using one of the bar stools around it, her laptop flipped up. She closes it as I enter, but not before I catch sight of the detailed map, the small photo of Bruce Banner in the corner.

"You busy?" I ask, hands in my pockets.

"Not anymore," she replies with a small smile. "Steve call you?"

I give her a look. "He called you, too?"

"We keep in touch," she says with a little shrug. "Don't worry, Stark. You're still his favorite."

I ignore that part.

"Up for a scenic drive around the countryside? Take your mind off of things?" I offer.

Natasha tilts her head to the side, giving me a flat look. "You just want me to go with you to see Clint, so that he doesn't murder you the minute he opens the door, don't you?"

I place a hand over my heart. "Wow. I'm actually-you know what? I am actually hurt. Here I am, just trying to cheer up a friend, and you go accusing me of ulterior motives."

"I'll go with you."

"Oh, thank god. Really didn't feel like getting blood on my new jeans."

"Just because I'm there doesn't mean that he won't pummel you to death or put an arrow through your eye."

"Yeah, but you'll protect me, right?"

She is already striding for the garage, not saying another word.

"Natasha?" I rush to follow her. "Romanov. You'll protect me, right?"

No answer.

She will. I think.

Shit.

Peter Parker

By the time I open the door to my apartment, turn on every single light we have, and collapse on the couch, I have eight missed calls from Ned and a crap ton of texts. I take a deep breath as I scroll through them.

N: DUDE

ARE U OK

WHER DID U GO

?

Coach Wilson is totally freaking

I'M freaking

Did you leave the school?

MJ won't stop asking me questions

I told her u slipped on ice, hit your head this morning. I don't think she's buying it.

She's def not buying it.

Peter

DUDE PLZ TXT ME BACK

I'm super worried

What happened?

?

?

I have to take a moment to press my hands over my face, that swirling knot of emotion and anxiety in my chest pressing against my rib cage like it's going to implode.

Scrubbing my face, I pick my phone up off my lap and text back.

"Srry. I'm ok. At home."

I watch the ellipses appear and disappear as Ned types. I think hard for a moment, then text, "I think I fell asleep. Had a nightmare. Like a night terror sort of thing."

There's a pause, then he responds. "A night terror...during the day? U looked pretty awake to me, dude."

I notice my hands haven't stopped trembling since earlier. It's making it hard to type on the phone's small keyboard. "...yeah. I srsly havn't slept in ages. I think it's messing with me. Increased metabolism doesn't help."

Please, Ned, please just accept that answer. I don't have the energy or the brain capacity to come up with something better.

Ned finally texts back, "R u sure?"

"Yeah. I'm ok. Lying down at home."

"Ok… is it still cool if I come over later?"

I want to say no. I really don't want to make up more excuses, to throw all these half assed lies at my best friend.

But, if I'm honest with myself, I'm also terrified of being alone right now.

"Yeah."

"K cool," Ned types back. "See u around 6. Maybe take a nap. Zzzz"

I let the phone fall onto the couch beside me. Leaning forward, I clasp my hands around the back of my neck, forcing myself to take deep, calming breaths.

It feels pretty impossible to even remotely chill out.

That video…

My stomach lurches again at the thought of it. The black suit...the way I took out those men...I don't remember it. Not at all. Not even a snippet of a memory, or the vague flutterings of a forgotten dream.

I strain my mind with the force of just trying to remember.

But there's nothing.

Which means that things are even worse than I could have imagined.

My hallucinations, for that's what they have to be, are getting worse, getting more intense and more frequent. I can picture what my freak out in the gym must have looked like through MJ's eyes, through Ned's, can imagine what they must have thought as I started tweaking out.

I squeeze my eyes tightly shut. God, I can't believe I ripped the sketchbook out of her hands like that and ruined her drawings. The look on her face...on Ned's…

This is spiralling out of control. I can't stop seeing things, can't figure out what is real and what isn't, and that makes me dangerous.

And worse...I now know why I've been so completely exhausted, not just because I have nightmares and wake up in the early hours of the morning, unable to return to sleep, but because...Venom's been controlling me, waiting until I am asleep to make its move.

My shoulders shudder from the force of the chill running down my body. I get to my feet, unable to keep still any longer, and begin pacing the floor.

What do I do?

What am I supposed to do?

I'm not even in control of my own body, my own brain. The thought is so terrifying, so violating, I have to clamp a hand over my mouth to keep from gagging.

I have to call Mr. Stark...or Happy...or somebody.

They have to know how bad it's getting, have to know how urgent the situation has become. I'll sit through whatever painful experiment I have to.

God, at this point, I'd let them strap me to a table, shove a gag in my mouth and electrocute me to get this thing out.

I could activate the emergency beacon in my watch, and someone would be here in minutes to take me to the compound. This definitely counts as an emergency in my book. But what would I tell May? Ned? If I suddenly vanished again… especially right before Christmas… It would kill May. Or she'd kill me.

Either way, it wouldn't be good.

But staying here while this gets worse?

Not good either.

I lift my wrist to look at my watch and freeze where I am standing in the middle of my living room.

Oh my god.

It's gone.

Both my wrists are completely bare.

Shit. Shit! Where the hell is it?

I drop to my knees next to my backpack, hurriedly unzipping it and dumping the contents all over the floor. I rifle through the mess of clothes, papers, books, and pencils, but the watch isn't there. I check the pockets of my jeans, my jacket, even the sweatshirt I am still wearing over my blue and yellow P.E. uniform.

My hands pull at my hair as I stand, my mind racing in a complete panic.

When was the last time I had it on? I don't even remember taking it off. I never take it off, except for when I shower.

I race for the bathroom, flinging open the door and rushing to the sink, lifting up the discarded, damp towels and piles of clothes on the floor and shaking them out before tossing them carelessly back down.

It's not here either.

I let out a groan of frustrated dismay.

My room. It has to be in my room.

I practically fly there, tearing through the knot of blankets at the foot of my bed, rummaging through the junk in and on top of my side table, through the drawers and mountains of books and computer parts on my desk. I kick laundry around the floor, shaking them and feeling through the material of their pockets for any sign of it, my movements becoming less coordinated and more frantic by the second.

Where is it-where is it-where is it?

Mr. Stark is going to kill me.

What could I have done with it? I always keep it on, even in my Spiderman suit! There's no way I would have left it anywhere.

I tear through the entire apartment in a whirlwind of panic; the living room, the kitchen, even May's room...I check every surface, every drawer, every spot it could have fallen.

But it's gone.

I stand once again in the living room, my breathing shallow and ragged, sweat rolling down my neck, my back.

Then a terrifying thought hits me.

What if...what if Venom had gotten rid of it? What if...when it was controlling me...it had hidden it, destroyed it, abandoned it? I didn't even know how many times it had taken over in my sleep. Once? Twice? Every night since I'd returned from being kidnapped?

I press my hands on either side of my head, feeling dizzy and sick.

I have to call Mr. Stark. I have to-

Creeeak.

My body locks up. The sound came from the end of the hallway around the corner, not the strange crackling, icy noises I've been hearing, but the sound of a door slowly opening.

I stare at the opening of the hallway, where the only bedroom I can see is my own, my door wide open. The apartment is utterly silent.

Thud...thud...thud.

There are footsteps, heavy and slow and dragging, making their way through the hall, towards the living room.

Towards me.

I am holding my breath, my heartbeat tripling its pace as I slowly, silently ease backwards towards the front door of my apartment.

Thud...thud...thud.

Crack.

I'm ten steps from the door, then six, then four as I reach a shaking hand behind me for the doorknob, my eyes fixed on the empty archway.

Thud...thud...

Slick, black claws creep slowly around the corner of the hallway, the monstrous hand wrapping around the wall's edge, the claws sinking deep into the wood.

Heart in my throat, I whirl, lunging for the door.

It swings open, and I rear back defensively-

-It's May, her purse in one hand, a plastic bag full of take out in the other. "Hey, hon, I brought home thai to celebr-what the hell's going on?!"

I twist back to look at the hallway.

There's nothing there. The wall is completely smooth, untouched.

Aunt May moves into the apartment, her eyes wide, her face slack with shock as she deposits her keys, purse, and the food onto the kitchen counter. She does a slow circle, taking in the open drawers and cupboards, the upended sofa cushions, the clothes and blankets, and all manner of junk strewn across the apartment left in the wake of my panicked hunt for my watch.

I can't swallow past the swollen lump in my throat, can't unclench the muscles of my stomach, can't fight the burning of my eyes.

"Peter," she breathes, staring at me with complete confusion, with shocked outrage. "What the hell happened here?"

"I-I-I lost the watch Mr. Stark gave me," I say in a small voice.

May's voice rises incredulously. "So you had to tear apart the entire apartment? Jesus, Peter! Look at this place! You-wait, why are you still in your P.E. clothes?"

I glance down at my Midtown Tech sweatshirt and my sweatpants. "Uh...I-"

"Peter," she moves closer to me, her worried brown eyes boring into my face, reading the emotions I am trying to suppress as hard as I can. May takes my face in her hands, her skin a thousand times warmer than mine, nearly making me flinch away. "Honey, you're kind of starting to scare me. No-scratch that, I've been scared for awhile now. What's the matter? What's going on? This can't all be about some watch."

I stare up at her, trying to will the tears away from my wide eyes, clenching my jaw as I do so. What can I say? What could I possibly say right now? I've exhausted my supply of lies, of excuses, and my head is so heavy...somehow overly full and utterly blank at the same time.

May's voice cracks with emotion. "Please talk to me. What is going on with you? I can't help you if you won't talk to me about it."

"I'm-"

"Goddamn it, Peter, I swear, if you say the words 'I'm fine' to me again, I am taking away your Spiderman suit for the rest of your life," May threatens, her hands moving to rest on my shoulders, giving me a gentle shake. "You're not fine. You haven't been fine since you got back from that- that mission. What the hell happened over there? What happened to you?"

My mouth clamps shut, and I shake my head slightly as I step out of her touch. I can't do this. I can't tell her, and I can't lie to her. I can't-I can't-

Aunt May's face falls for a moment, and then the lines of her mouth tighten. "Fine."

She strides for her purse, pulling out her phone.

"What are you doing?" I croak.

"I'm calling that no-good Tony Stark," May says shortly. "Something happened to you over there, and I am finding out what it is. I'll march myself right up to that compound of his and tie him to a freaking chair if I have to."

"May, don't-"

"Zip it!" she snaps with a glare, pressing the phone to her ear, and I notice with horror how wet her eyes are as she points at me. "You had your chance. I am finding out what happened, and then we are going to talk about it and-and get you some therapy or-I don't know, something, get myself therapy at least, and get this figured out."

My ears pick up the dial tone from her phone, the sound filling me with sudden alarm, and I find myself moving forward. "May, give me the phone."

"Peter, this is happening whether you like it, or not. I'm tired of not knowing what happened to my boy, of not knowing how to help you."

I make a small noise as my insides constrict violently, my pulse starting to race again. "Give me the phone."

"Don't you take that tone with me, mister."

"Give it to me!" Anger and panic swell in equal measure, gripping me in their icy clutches. My hand strikes out, yanking the phone from her. It cracks and shatters beneath my grip, the pieces clattering to the floor.

May stares at me, her mouth falling open in shock. "Peter Benjamin Parker!"

I'm trembling with the force of emotions writhing in a tangled snarl in my chest, making me feel sick, lightheaded. I spin, heading for my bedroom.

"Uh-uh! I don't think so!" May's hand grips my shoulder, whirling me around, and I yank away from her harshly.

"Will you just stop already?"

"Excuse me?"

"Stop harassing me. Stop smothering me. Just stop!" I breathe heavily, my blood freezing over. "Leave me alone."

"What the hell is the matter with you?" May exclaims. "You don't get to take that tone of voice with me. You don't get to tear apart the apartment and take my phone out of my effing hands! You don't get to do all this and expect me to sit by and do nothing! I don't know why you're struggling, or why you won't let me help you, but this? This is unacceptable, do you hear m-"

"You're not my mom!" I snap finally, the room spinning slightly. "So quit acting like it and leave me the hell alone!"

She stares at me, her mouth parted, something like devastation on her stunned face.

Someone clears their throat awkwardly, and I look past my aunt to see Ned standing in the open doorway of the apartment, his eyes huge. "Uh...I can...I can just...should I go?"

I put a clammy hand to my head, the floor swaying, lurching beneath my feet. I stagger back, hitting the wall.

"Peter?" May's voice cracks with worry, both her and Ned moving towards me.

Her hands reach for me, but my skin is tingling, prickling with raw nerves. "Don't touch me!" I nearly growl.

"Dude!" Ned's face has never looked so aghast.

They're crowding me, trapping me, smothering me with their concern, their worry. I don't want it, don't need it, don't want anything to do with it. I can't stand it, can't breathe-

I shove past them.

I have to get out. I have to-

Ned's hand touches my forearm. "Peter-!"

"I said don't touch me!" I whirl, shoving him away from me. Ned flies back from the force of my push, his back slamming against the wall so hard, the plaster splinters and cracks, dust falling onto the floor.

May lets out a small yell of surprise, rushing for him. Ned's face is blank with shock as he slides down the wall to sit on the floor.

The sight hits me like a slap across the face, like I just leapt from a cliff and plunged myself into the Arctic ocean. My jaw drops. Oh my god.

What did I just do?

May looks up at me from where she kneels beside Ned, her face reflecting the complete horror I feel inside. Her expression snaps me from my terrified trance.

I turn, and race from the apartment.

The door of the train slides open with a loud hiss, and I stumble out onto the slick sidewalk, my shoes slipping on the slush. I careen right into the eight foot tall chain link fence, my fingers coming up to grip the thin, icy metal, stabilizing myself as I look out across the snow covered football field at my school.

I hadn't even meant to come here.

I'd just fled in a panicked rush, my mind whirling and spinning. My body must have just instinctively followed one of my usual routes.

I move more carefully, keeping my hand on the railing as I walk down the icy stairs, the train clattering loudly on the tracks above as it heads for the next stop. Hands deep in my pockets, I start to trudge across the white, blanketed football field, following the worn down path at the end of it where everyone's footsteps had packed down the snow into a muddy slush. The water soaks through my shoes, my socks, but I can't find the energy to care.

My vision blurs as tears fill my eyes and begin rolling down my cheeks.

What had I done?

If I had anything at all in my stomach, I would hurl it up right here in the snow.

The entire scene plays on repeat in my head, each time another knife stabbing into my chest.

I'd told May...I'd told her that-

I stop, doubling over, my stomach heaving for a moment as I gag.

Why had I said that? Why had I done any of it?

I make my way across the field and cross over to the side entrance of the school, a set of long stairs descending towards the street. My footsteps crunch along the packed snow as I walk halfway up the steps and collapse onto them, huddling over myself.

I need to...I need to call someone…

Panic cinches at my chest at the thought.

No, I don't want to do that. I definitely don't want to do that. I start to shove the thought away, my heart pounding.

Wait-

I squeeze my eyes shut, the wet snow starting to seep through my sweatpants.

That isn't me. That fear, that anger. It's not mine.

I have to call Happy. I have to get to the compound before I lose control again, before...before I hurt someone else. I slip my phone out of my pocket, ignoring the thirty nine missed calls I have from Ned's phone, my fingers trembling as they hover over the green icon next to Happy's name.

I hesitate, my gut tightening with dread.

Maybe I shouldn't. Maybe I should just-

I push the green icon.

I wipe my face with the sleeve of my sweatshirt, my chest and throat tight as I press the phone hard against my ear. The dial tone begins ringing.

"Kid? Are you alright?"

"…No."

"What's wrong? Why didn't you activate your emergency beacon?" Happy's voice is sharp, tense.

"I-it's not an emergency…I mean, it is, it's just… can you come pick me up?"

There's muffled voices in the background, then a moment of quiet as I wait for his response.

"I'm on my way."

My shoulders slump with relief, even as I curl in on myself even tighter from the unbearable cold coming from within me. The only warmth to be found is in the wetness from my eyes, but even that chills to icy temperatures the moment it hits my cheeks.

I scrub the tears away impatiently.

"Th-thanks, Happy."

"Of course, kid. Are you somewhere safe?"

I glance around me, but the schoolyard is utterly empty, and I sit alone on the snow covered stairs.

"Yeah."

"Good. I'll be there in ten minutes, ok? Just stay put."

Ten minutes? That's much faster than I had expected. He must not have been at the compound like I thought.

"'K."

"How come I'm tracing your phone and not your tracker, huh? What happened to your watch?"

"I…I think I ditched it," I admit. "I'm sorry."

"What happened?" his voice softens slightly, and I have to clamp my free hand over my eyes, as if that will keep my tears from falling. I have to take a few shuddering breaths, and when I am certain I won't sob the moment I speak, I tell him.

"…I…I yelled at May," my insides writhe and constrict with a fresh onslaught of guilt, of horror. "I yelled at her, Happy. I said such terrible things. I-I don't even know why I said them. And I…I-I hurt Ned."

The words choke in my throat, and I am clenching my teeth so hard, I think they might shatter. My best friend, and the only family I had left…I had hurt them. I'd shoved Ned so hard the wall had cracked. That horrible moment plays over and over in my head, and I can still hear the loud crunch as his back hit the plaster, can still see his wide, shocked eyes.

"Happy, I don't…I don't think I'm safe, anymore."

"What do you mean?" he asks sharply. "Is there someone there with you? Are you in danger?"

"No, no, I mean… I mean I'm not safe. The o-others aren't safe from, from me, anymore," I press my palm tighter against my closed eyelids as my tears manage to squeeze out from beneath my hand. "God, I-I can't live like this. What's wrong with me?"

"Just hang tight, buddy," Happy's voice is gentle, sympathetic. I don't deserve his sympathy. "I'm almost there, and then we'll get you to the compound, get you looked over, alright? Sound good?"

It does. Maybe they can lock me up in one of the holding cells beneath the facility. Put me somewhere I can't hurt anybody until they can figure this out. If they can figure this out.

Maybe…

Maybe that's just it. Maybe they can't figure it out because there isn't anything to figure out.

Maybe there isn't any alien monster to take out of me.

Because maybe, I am the one who is the monster.

"Kid?"

"What? Y-yeah, yeah, sounds good," I say. "See you in a minute."

I hang up the phone before he can protest, placing it in the pocket of my sweatshirt. I huddle in on myself, trembling and shivering in the cold as I hurriedly wipe the tears from my face. I don't want to be a blubbering mess when Happy gets here.

I shiver and stare at the steps below me, covered in several inches of blindingly white snow, my footprints leaving dark, ugly marks in the pale, glistening mounds.

Minutes later, I hear the slosh of the tires rolling through the icy puddles by the curb, and the squeaky whine of the brakes as Happy pulls up at the bottom of the steps.

I lift my head, blinking blearily at him as he exits the driver's seat and looks up at me, one hand still on the door, his eyes widening.

"What the hell, kid? I thought you told me you were someplace safe!"

My brows furrow as I stand, hugging my arms close to my body as I head down the stairs, my shoes crunching against the snow. "I was, I mean, I am," I say, confused.

Happy scowls as he rounds the front of the car to cross over to my side. "Sitting in the snow in front of your closed school does not qualify as safe, kid. Jesus, you're freezing! You'll be lucky if you don't get hypothermia!"

"I'm always freezing," I remind him wearily as he ushers me into the vehicle.

I tremble, my teeth beginning to chatter as Happy rushes back to the driver's seat and puts the heater on full blast. He curses as he pulls too quickly back onto the road, the car swerving slightly on the ice.

Happy begins pulling off his jacket. It gets stuck on his right wrist, prompting more cursing as he tries to keep the car going straight while pulling at the sleeve with his teeth.

It's a ridiculous sight. I might have laughed or made some kind of joke if I wasn't feeling so out of it. A tired sort of numbness is settling over me, making it hard to keep my eyes open.

"Here," he says finally, tossing the now freed jacket onto my lap.

"Thanks, Happy," I mumble, pulling it over me and leaning against the window.

He's talking again, but I am just so tired, I can't make out his words. I sigh heavily, shuddering beneath the weight of his large, warm jacket, and let sleep take me.

A/N: Seriously, this chapter actually physically hurt me to write. I was so tense, so invested, and my heart was breaking a little even though I am the one in control of this ride. Lol.

So I have continued my trek of writing like an utter maniac. Last night I blinked and realized I had a pounding headache and had been writing for six hours. Whoops! lol! My beta had to tell me to quit acting like a crazy person, go to bed, and take care of myself. She's so good to me. XD The good news is, I think I will be able to finish this story before I leave for my vacation to Mexico on the twentieth! I'm hoping so anyways! Looks like it will be in total about eighteen or nineteen chapters. And I am almost at the point where I am writing the finale while the next few chapters are being edited.

Major thanks to my beta, keeping me sane, keeping me healthy, and keeping me in check! lol! Also keeping me inspired. Guys, PippinStrange posted a one-shot of Spiderman meets Deadpool, and it is a RIOT. It was my go to when I was getting too stressed and on edge from my dark, suspenseful writing. Then I'd go reread that and laugh and feel so much better. She seriously NAILED Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool. Like, it is so good I can hear both their voices in my head and it is hilarious. Also read her amazing, heart wrenching story, Down Came the Rain. You won't regret it.

Also, if you haven't read kotonohaku's Venom inspired one shot on Archive of Our Own, go check it out! All too quickly, everything is gone is the title, and it is as eerie as it is well written. It will give you chills! So good!

Now onto review replies, you amazing people, you!

DarylDixon'sLover: I love how you always manage to be the first reviewer! lol!

Kotonohaku: Thank you so much! Writing these intense chapters always have me on the edge of my seat when I'm writing them, so I love hearing that I was successful in putting you on edge with me! THANK YOU! :)

Nathissica: I love that you always get my references/ nods to media! That scene with Venom over MJ's shoulder was totally driven from Insidious! That scene scared the CRAP out of me when I saw that in theaters. lol! Glad you liked it!

Dimensional Phaser: lol, indeed! Poor kid, Im not done with him yet!

GinaBoo: Thank you! I really missed Steve in this fic, so I had to throw him back in for a brief phone call with Tony. I'm glad you're looking forward to their conversation! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am honored that this is your favorite. Omg thank you :)

Bunyx: Omg thanks! Yay chills! That's a good sign for me as a writer. lol! Glad you are enjoying!

Monkeybaby: Thanks!

Detective Rysposito: *cries* WOW. Thank you. Thank you so very much for that incredible review! Seriously warmed my heart and made me feel all giddy and inspired to write! Your kind words are BEYOND appreciated.

10-lanterns-and-a-dream-catcher: Thanks! Happy to hear that it is inspiring! If you have ideas, you should definitely give writing a shot and start posting! :)

TeamCaptain2016: I am SOO happy to hear that I was able to make your day better! Also sorry to hear that it was a frustrating first day back. Hope it's improving!

StarStepper: EEEEEE thank you! Omg that was so nice!

WolfsHonor: Oh my word, your review though! First of all, thank you for taking the time to leave it, with your tendencies to be a silent reader, I am seriously honored and very, very appreciative. It was very intimidating to try and write all these Avengers in first person when I wasn't sure I was even comfortable with Peter yet when I first started Paint it Black, but it has been an excellent writing practice and learning process. So thank you! SO thrilled to hear that I helped respark your interest! As for your Steve/Nat question... I feel like they could work very well together as a couple. Their dynamic in Winter Soldier was really, really good, and as much as I loved Age of Ultron, I didn't absolutely adore the Bruce/Natasha heavy focus. It felt like too much too fast, and I didn't love how they would just abandon everyone and everything for each other when they'd had sort of no relationship up to that point. I do think Steve and Nat could be great together, so I tried to keep everything sort of canon, with their flirty/close friend sort of dynamic, as well as her feelings for Bruce in this story. Wow, that was a lengthy reply to your review! lol. THANK YOU SO MUCH again for taking the time to do that. It made me so happy.

Guest: Omg thank you so much!

Evelris: Thanks! I really loved Scott and Natasha working together as well. So fun to write! There's SO much dramatic tension in this story! lol. I can't stay away from it! Glad you are enjoying it all! Thanks for your review!

MewWinx96: Hi! Thanks again! And yes, you have, and yes, I do too as well! lol!

Gandalf537: I LOVE how expressive your reviews are! Thank you so much!

Smartgirl13579: Thank YOU for your reviews! :)

MerJedi: OMG THANK YOU! Whenever I hear someone has created an account JUST to leave a review, it makes my heart so so full. Truly honored and appreciative of you! Thank you very, very much for your kind words! I used to be intimidated by action scenes, even though they are some of my favorite. Practice definitely helps, and a HUGE help is watching youtube videos. If I am writing a Natasha fight scene, I'll watch a youtube video of a compilation of her fight moves throughout the movies to get a feel for her style, and as practice, I will write out one of those scenes, trying to describe it the best I can as I watch in slow motion.. HUGE HUGE help. Give it a shot! Yes my beta is a massive help also! I adore her. Your comments seriously made my day, and I really, really appreciate it. Much love!

Guys, I can't even handle how wonderful and kind and supportive you all are. It is why I write. Seriously, huge thanks to all of you who take the time to leave me a note. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter as well!

Coming up:

Chapter Eleven: Sleigh Ride

What? There's not enough action for you guys? Not enough suspense, you say? ;) I will summarize the next chapter in TWO words:

HYDRA RETALIATES

...

Too ominous? :)