Chapter 10: A New Start
Just what the hell have I got myself into?
I had been asking myself that question a lot these days. Every time something happened that made me think this was the end of the line of weird shit, something new and more interesting took it's place. And while I could describe the place where I was now as "weird", it was certainly out of the ordinary.
The process went through faster than I thought. I had thought that there would be multiple legal issues that would impede my ability to get out of this place, but in a matter of days after I made the call, I was escorted down to processing for my belongings and clothes. My mind raced a mile a minute, but I kept my cool in front of the guards, never allowing myself to show an ounce of weakness. Not until I was clear of the sharks would I ever allow myself to bleed.
I dressed and was led out the door to the exit, and I stepped out into the freedom of the open air. And to my surprise, I found no one there. At least not initially. I looked around for a moment, wondering what gives, when a whistle sounded, and I looked directly to my right, seeing a rather nice looking black car there, with a red haired woman leaning against the trunk, legs crossed, sunglasses covering her eyes, looking in my direction.
I didn't make a move at first, unsure if she were whistling at me, when she gestured. I suppose that was my cue,and I began to walk over to her, realizing from her face and body that this was the same woman who I had glimpsed in the hallway after my talk with the Captain and Falcon, along with that strange younger woman who I felt something twinge when she looked at me.
I knew I recognized her from the footage. It must be that red head. Black Widow they called her. I didn't know much about her beside what the news reports gave out. And I did manage to pick up some info from the dump she gave out. And I knew one thing for sure. She was once a cold blooded murderer. And the potential of that happening again was high enough for alarm bells to start ringing the moment I recognized her. Once you had blood on your hands, it never washed off...
I know that because now my hands were forever stained as well...
Still, she was apparently my ride, so I really had no choice in the matter, but that didn't stop me from bracing myself for any possible attack, whether physical or of wills. I made my way over to her, making sure my face was emotionless, the same look I gave those I dealt justice to in the night. From what I could tell, she was staring at me as I approached, maybe gauging me somehow. To be honest, if she was a trained assassin as had been reported, she certainly would be trying to gauge me as if observing an animal she was hunting. But in this case, I would make sure I was not an easy kill by any means.
Finally, I was in front of her, and it was slightly awkward, since I certainly was not going to speak first. What she thought of it I don't know, but her lips curled into a smirk, though whether this was actual friendliness or just to get me to lower my guard I did not know. I wasn't taking any chances with this one. And so my face remained neutral, and she continued to smirk. That actually somewhat irritated me.
"Michael I presume?" she asked. I nodded, refusing to verbalize unless necessary. She gestured toward the car. "Go ahead and hop in."
I decided on the back seat. Stay out of striking range and give me more room to maneuver if something kicked off. Call me paranoid that I would not want to sit next to the, admittingly, stunningly hot Avenger but with her, I wasn't going to give an inch. She gave me a look from the front, as if she had expected me to sit in the passenger seat, but remained silent.
The drive went smoothly for a while. I gazed out the window at the buildings flying by, feeling relieved to finally be free of the cage of the jail. I wondered just what was awaiting me at the end of this drive. What did the future hold in store for me after everything I had been through?
"So I heard you have been doing a number on the local criminal activity in the area." she said. I glanced toward the front to see her looking at me in the front window. I making a comment, but simply shrugged. She may try to get some info out of me she has no business with. Don't budge. Deflect and redirect if needed, but keep the talk to a minimum if at all...
"I've seen your work. Not bad."
Flattery Maybe? I wasn't going to be lulled by flattery. But then again, just what did she mean by not bad? It was Gabriel who taught me what I knew and did. And that man wasn't even close to not bad.
"A bit sloppy though..."
Bitch. I felt a surge of anger rise in me, but still forced myself to keep my face neutral. But that did deserve a retort.
"I got the job done."
"Maybe. But you need some more training."
I was trained by the best you arrogant redhead. I'd have liked to have seen you do better...
"I am curious. Who taught you what you know?"
To me, her comment wasn't an attack on me as much as an attack on Gabriel. And that would not be tolerated. "Someone who would have beat your ass any day of the week."
"Would he now?" she asked. I forced the anger down. I wasn't going to give anything that didn't need to be given away at this time. Keep my hand hidden, whether it was my past or my abilities.
"Yes, he would."
"And what was his name? I'm curious to know who you think could 'beat my ass'?"
"A good man. That's all you need to know 'Black Widow'. A better man than you or me."
She was silent for a moment, before shrugging. "You may be right in that case. But I would honestly like to know who this man was. Do you think you could tell me anything about him?"
"That's all you need."
"I would like to know more. What about him makes you not want to talk about him?"
"And you think I would tell you that?"
"Maybe not. But clearly whoever he was, it makes me curious as to why you."
I felt my eyes narrow at the subtle question question.
"What do you mean?" I asked. I was mentally scolding myself, thinking I had already talked to much, and just given her the cold shoulder. What the hell are you doing? Stay quiet you moron!
"What is it about you that got his attention. I've seen your file. We made sure we knew what we were walking into when Rogers wanted to talk to you. So why?"
I had been asking myself that question before as well. And Gabriel told me that it was because he saw good in me, even as I was performing criminal acts to support my family. She could try and tarnish me all she wanted, but god help her is she tried to do anything to attack Gabriel's memory. I may have failed him, but I'll be damned if I let anyone try to drag him down with me.
"I guess you'll just have to find out."
"I intend to..."she replied.
The drive went on in silence. She didn't ask me anything further, yet I felt her studying me, even with her eyes on the road. So did what I could to keep everything about me calm. Maybe I overdid it, or maybe not. But I did see her smirk once before too long, for whatever reason I did not know, nor seek to know.
-0-
Soon our destination came into view, and I felt myself tense in surprise at the sight as we pulled on through the long road toward it. I had heard about this place, though not much footage or pictures had been taken. Security reasons I assumed, so what I was seeing was a complete surprise to me. I swallowed hard, and hoped that the ever watchful Widow wasn't seeing my reaction.
We pulled into a garage like area, and the place looked even bigger inside than I thought. Multiple vehicles lined the inside, and we pulled into an empty area, the Widow unbuckling and getting out, me following suit from the back.
The garage really was pretty damn big, and I made sure to stay behind the Widow, refusing to allow her a positional advantage. I was going to keep her in my sight as long as this whole thing was going on. She glanced back as if to see if I were still following her, smirking as she walked forward toward what looked like an elevator. She pushed a button and it slid open, revealing what seemed indeed to be a clean, fancy silver colored elevator. We stepped in, me keeping to the opposite side, and she pushed one of the floor buttons. I felt us steadily, and very smoothly going up.
As if taking note of my posture and positioning, she gave me a look.
"You act as if someone is about to attack you."
"And they aren't?" I asked. She shook her head.
"No one is going to hurt you here Micheal. Relax."
"I'll relax when I'm dead," I replied. She seemed to drop it at that point, and the ride went on for a few more seconds before opening to reveal a crisp hallway, lined with doors. She stepped out and began to stroll forward, me resuming my following at a distance. We went down to the end of the hall, where she stopped and gave several knocks. I heard a voice tell us to come in, and she opened the door, stepping inside and gesturing me in.
Inside was an impressive office for sure. Spacious with bookcases filled with both books. Several filing cabinets were in the corner, and a large mahogany desk was situated on the opposite side from the door, a computer and a globe situated on it. Behind it, seated in a chair, was Steve Rogers, the Captain America himself, who had given me the talk back at the jail. He gave a nod and gestured us in, Widow entering and me with the usual caution behind her. She closed the door and went to stand in the corner, as if she were intending to observe everything that was said and done. I was going to be nervous with her behind my back, out of view. Rogers gestured me toward a chair that sat on the other side of the desk.
"Go ahead and have a seat Micheal. Just wanted to talk and make some arrangements."
"What kind of arrangements?" I asked, maybe a little too harshly. Rogers didn't seem to register it, and simply gestured toward the chair again.
"Just have a seat. Routine stuff. Schedules, room-"
"I thought I was here to join your group," I said, though I began to make my way toward the chair. While I would always be on guard around them for a while at least, and maybe always with Widow, Captain America seemed to be a genuinely good man, and I was willing to allow some leeway with him. He nodded.
"And by letting us take you here, I'm assuming it was a yes?" he asked. I looked at him for a moment before nodding. He grinned good in a good nature and nodded.
"Then I'm glad to have you. We just need to get some routines nailed down, and then I'll have someone show you around. So first question..."
He leaned forward.
"How much experience do you have?"
Experience? Considering I was making some leeway with the monsters running loose in the city, I would say I have a good base to work with...
Still, I was in my mode of concealing my true ability until needed. Even with the kindly Captain America, I wasn't going to put all my cards on the table until needed. So I decided to give an answer that might satisfy him.
"Some."
I swear I heard Black Widow make a snickering sound, but I didn't turn away, keeping my eyes firmly locked on Captain America's shining blue orbs. He seemed to mull over my answer for a moment before chuckling.
"I know what you've been doing for the last several months Micheal. No one with just basic martial arts could do what you had been doing, even if you have this ability we don't fully understand yet. So just be honest with us. I promise that you can be.
A promise from Captain America might go far with most people, considering his reputation and the fact that this guy was a boy scout on steroids. But I didn't seem to need to retry an answer since he leaned back and cocked his head.
"So we can establish that you are trained, and clearly very well. I honestly don't know many people who could do what you were doing. That takes skill Micheal. Real skill, in several things. Fighting being a top one. So I just have to know who taught you that. Can you tell me?"
If I wasn't going to tell the red head behind me who it was, then I certainly won't tell you, no matter how nice you are.
"Someone very good. At many things," I replied, keeping the same strategy of refusal to give anything like that away. He looked at me for a moment and then nodded.
"Alright then. You can tell us when you're ready. Micheal, no one here is your enemy. I know you've had bad patch lately. Well, that's an understatement. But I promise that you're safe here. You can drop the act and not pretend to have some kind of stone cold heart."
I narrowed my eyes at the statement.
"Who says I'm pretending?" I asked. He gave a small grin.
"Don't worry about it. How much shooting have you done?"
I was never much one for firearms to be honest, despite my use of them during a hit. I rarely ever needed to actually fire, and it was usually a warning shot in the air, to grab attention if needed. I had never actually pulled the trigger while pointing at anyone. I shrugged. That was something I felt I could be honest about. Mastering the art of shooting seemed like something to do, even if it wasn't really part of my methods.
"Not much," I said. He typed some stuff down on his computer and then turned back to me, asking me various questions about what I felt I was capable of. He mentioned an obstacle course that was set up inside one of the training areas, and it peaked my interest, though I kept my cool. Free running and parkour could certainly come in handy later, I decided.
Finally, he seemed satisfied, and turned the computer around to show me what he had written out. Looked like I was scheduled to start in a few days. I took note of the schedule but didn't comment. I saw physical training as I expected first thing, with shooting in there as well. I was internally pleased to find this obstacle course on there as well. Might as well just take this and learn as much as possible in any case.
"So I now need to find-"
"I am available Captain."
"SHIT!"
I yelped in surprise and flew up from the chair, knocking it down as I scrambled back, assuming a defensive posture by nature. Somehow, some strange red man had appeared right next to me. But I never heard him come in through the door, as I know I would have. So that meant that this guy had to have somehow just appeared right next to me. Such a split second realization, along with the fact that he had indeed seemed to have just materialized right next to me, sent me over the already teetering edge.
I heard a chuckle from behind me, identifying it as Romanoff, but kept my eyes and attention on the red metallic looking guy that had suddenly appeared before me. He glanced at me in confusion for a moment, before bowing his head slightly.
"My apologies. I should have thought my entrance out a little more. I'm not used to new people in the office. My name is Vision."
I opened my mouth to speak, but I was still shocked by his sudden appearance. I eventually pointed at him, forcing the words from my mouth.
"Did you...just...come in through the floor?"
"Yes, you can say that. I have the ability to phase through solid objects and surfaces. I do apologize, both to you and Captain Rogers. I should have used the door but I wanted to ensure I was given the opportunity to see our new guest. I'm still learning-"
"Yes yes Vision, you can show him around," the Captain said, waving his arm at him. He turned to me, and seemed that even he couldn't hold back a small smile of amusement at my stance, my back to the wall by instinct. "You don't need to be afraid of Vision. He's quite civil. He'll show you around and then take you to your room. We'll send a call down when dinner is ready to go."
I looked from the Captain to this "Vision" character, and slowly relaxed. So far, the strange being hadn't shown hostile intent, and the Captain seemed to vouch for him. I nodded slowly, and allowed Vision to lead me out of the office, closing the door behind himself.
"If you will please follow me, I will show you the most important areas and then will guide you to your assigned room."
I nodded and began to follow this strange being. He had the voice and physique of a male human, English sounding if I had to guess. But he clearly wasn't human, as if his look didn't give it away, the fact he just appeared inside the Captain's office right next to me did. A twinge of curiosity clicked, and I decided that I was comfortable enough to ask a question.
"If it doesn't offend you too much, Mr. Vision, may I ask what are you exactly?"
I know it sounded rude, but I worded it as carefully as possible, and he didn't seem to flinch or show a moment of anger. Instead he made a slight gesture with his hands and continued walking.
"A fair question, no offense taken my friend. I was created by Tony Stark some months ago, being an embodiment of his old program, Jarvis. You may have heard of it."
I nodded.
"As to how I was created, well, I am afraid that is something of a rather long and bizarre tale that may be best suited for another time. Ah, here we are."
He opened a door and we entered into a huge gymnasium like area. I could see various workout equipment filling up one side, and an array of aerobic equipment of various types on the other. A ring was centered in the middle, and beyond that was indeed an interesting array of various obstacles set in a long line, filling up the remained of the area. Clearly, they had the ability to stay training rain or shine, and I myself fully intended to make use of it when available.
"This is our training and conditioning gymnasium as you can most likely tell," Vision explained. "We tend to congregate here most mornings or evenings when not on a mission, and you may also use them whenever you wish on your own time. If you would..." he indicated we may move on and I followed.
We entered through some double doors down a hallway, Vision pointing out the locker and showers as we passed. We reached an elevator and he pushed a button. We waited for a moment, me being silently glad we didn't have any cheap elevator music to ruin my surprisingly curious mood, and exited onto blue carpeted area. We walked down a short hallway and Vision opened the door to what seemed like a rather lavish lounge area.
"This is our common area. We often hold meetings or just gather to relax here when not in the Gymnasium or our rooms. Captain Rogers believes that the occasional get together is good for morale, and I for one enjoy the companionship. Humans are increasingly fascinating, if I may say so myself."
"Thanks," I replied.
There was a large television with several pieces of furniture before it. A small kitchen area was to our right, and we moved through the area, Vision pointing the stairs out, and various objects he said were fascinating to him. I didn't say anything, even if I found his tour slightly more detailed than I would have cared. I was actually talking to the strangest Avenger, and maybe the strangest being on this planet as far as I knew. Vision, with his intelligent voice and mannerisms, yet almost could like curiosity about the things he spoke of, made me think of an adult Pinocchio.
We went back to the elevator, and he punched in a key, telling me that we were now going to the living quarters. We waited a moment, and the doors opened to reveal a long hallway that angled off a ways down, and we walked down it, the doors to what I assumed were private rooms being spaced evenly and rather spaciously apart. We arrived at a door maybe halfway down the hall, and he gestured at the door.
"This is the room I have been told you were assigned to. If you would, just enter your four digit code on the door. It is already prepared for you. You can arrange to change it afterward if you wish."
I nodded and looked at the door's keypad a red light indicating what I assumed was the "locked" mode. I entered a four digit code that entered my head, mentally deciding not to make it anything obvious like a birth year, and the door light became green. Vision nodded and I turned the handle, the door sliding open to reveal a rather spacious room, as the door spacing implied. It was about the size of a good sized hotel room, with a bed against the wall on the room's right side.
A large television was placed on a waist high stand, and dresser was against the opposite wall, with a bathroom next to it. A door to what I guessed was a closet was in the corner to the left of the bed, completing the room. Obviously simple and unfurnished, which was fine with me.
"You may freely accessorize as you wish," Vision explained, and I nodded, my eyes still scanning the room, as if part of my mind expected a trap or something to attack me, even as the rest of me realized that was silly at the moment. I walked in and smelled the freshness of the room, in contrast with the familiar scent of my room at Gabriel's home, which I still felt is home. That thought rushed me and I turned to Vision.
"My house in the city...you know anything about what's going to happen to it?"
"I believe it is still in your name, and it has been protected from any legal actions by the city. You will need to consult Captain Rogers if you need more information I'm afraid."
I nodded, somewhat relieved, but making a mental note to get the story on my home. I might need somewhere to go if I needed to get away from here for whatever reason, though I obviously wouldn't go there to hide. Too easy. But enough of that for now.
"We'll be having dinner soon. If you wish to stay here for now, I'll tell captain Rogers and he can send someone down to inform you."
I nodded, and Vision bowed his head slightly and left, closing the door behind him. I breathed in deeply again, and played back the tour in my head. Part of me was still in denial. Was I actually in the Avenger compound? Did I actually accept an invitation to join these people? These people that had been seen saving New York and beating a metal man who wanted to destroy the world by dropping a city sized rock on it?
Apparently yes. Well, that just happened.
I sat on the bed and turned the TV on. It was set to the local news and people were going on about the election that was being held. I saw a young woman with thick glasses, her hair dyed purple, screaming at the top of her lungs.
"If you don't vote for her, then you're a sexist bastard!" she screamed, the censors kicking in to block what I assumed was the finger. I growled in my throat. If you seriously voted for someone just because she was a woman, then you're just as sexist if you voted against her simply for the same reason. I was tempted to stop watching but something about the world I was seeing kept me focused on it. It was as if I were seeing a different kind of madness that I saw when that woman killed her kids because her man had cheated on her.
Then I saw protestors block the road, slamming their fists and signs against the car doors and windows, until the driver presumably had had enough, and drove right on through them. To be honest, I didn't blame him or her one bit.
"If you're gonna stand there in the road like that, you're gonna get splattered. Suck it up buttercup," I uttered to myself. I watched the wild student rallies against speeches by an opposing party, wondering why our institutions of higher learning were so against learning a different viewpoint then their own, when I heard a knock on the door. I turned the television off, and walked over, opening the door, a part of my mind only allowing me to open it partway, as if it were still following some security protocol.
On the other side was a young, brown haired woman. She was about four or so inches smaller in height, with brown hair that reached to her upper back. Green eyes gazed at me, a curious glint in them, and her facial structure reminded me of someone of an Eastern European country. I felt my breathe hitch for a moment.
It was that same girl I saw in the hallway after the Captain and the Falcon had given me the offer. The one that gave me a small smile as I passed. I don't know why that simple gesture touched me but I think after all the shit I had just gone through, a smile from a beautiful woman felt like a diamond in the shitter.
I opened my mouth to speak, but for some reason, nothing came. Oh come on! I thought. This suddenly felt like some awkward drama about seeing a hot girl and losing your words. And those things always bored me to death. But luckily, the girl saved me from such awkwardness.
"Hi. Steve sent me to get you for dinner," she said, and I could definitely tell she was Eastern European, that accent said it right there. I nodded, and stepped out, closing the door behind me. I heard the lock kick in and she gestured for me to follow her. I did so, noticing the nice sway in her hair as she moved.
If I get smitten with a girl right off the bat, then there is something wrong, I thought to myself. I had been through too much recently to suddenly be some kind of love struck puppy. My recent losses were far too much to let anything else in right now. Nothing that I couldn't use that is.
Still I couldn't resist the fact that there was indeed a very beautiful woman leading me to dinner. I felt my stomach growl, realizing that I hadn't eaten much recently. Grief can do that to you. So I continued to let her lead me until we reached the elevator. We entered and she punched in a key. I remained silent, looking straight ahead, trying to catch glimpses out of my peripheral vision.
Stop it, I chided myself. the doors slid open and she led me down a short hall that opened into an impressive dining area. It felt somewhat utilitarian, but it was carpeted with some nice oak-looking long tables. Steve already was sitting, chatting with Sam Wilson, the Falcon, and he nodded at me. I gave a single nod back and Wanda gestured.
"Just sit where you like. Nothing assigned or anything."
I did. I picked a spot on the opposite side of the gathering group. If either Captain or Falcon had any thoughts about it, they didn't let it show. I suppose they might have guessed it any way. I seemed to naturally pick a vantage point, and there was no door behind me. No one could come at me from behind. The part of me that was still fighting on the streets in the night was still in control in these new environments.
Natasha entered, and looked at me for a second before making her way toward Rogers and Wilson, sitting down next to Steve, and began to talk with them. I didn't bother to try and listen to what they were speaking about, preferring to keep my attention on any surprises that may be heading my way.
Even if I wanted to, part of me would be always on guard. It was true that nothing had threatened or attacked me, but that little part of me that had fought and bled for months would not let me stay calm. I may have been forcing myself to remain still, but every fiber in my body was primed for action, especially around this new crowd I was in, with all it's strangeness and abilities.
I ate my food quietly, quickly, not taking my eyes off of everything around me. Wanda spoke with Vision, who gave me a friendly nod, which I gave a gesture of acknowledgment to. He didn't seem the type to pry, and had showed enough courtesy that I didn't feel like he would be a threat anytime soon. Though his walk through walls act did put me on a slight edge. Hopefully he knew to knock.
Rogers, well he seemed to be decent. I knew his history, what he had done to save the world before the Avengers were even a thought in the head of some higher up in an office. But I still wasn't going to let him in just yet. Or ever. I'm not sure that I was capable of that right now.
Falcon was in a similar boat. He had found me during a vulnerable moment, and so he had seen a weakness that I couldn't take back. But I could damn well be sure that he never saw that again. The world was like a devouring wolf, and weakness was the distress call of the rabbit. As for a threat, I had no doubt that he could become one if he desired, but as of now, he wouldn't be high on the list.
Wanda? Wasn't sure what to make of her. I had heard and seen the reports and video of her powers, but she seemed...well...at least as young as me. I didn't know her exact age actually, but it had to be around the same. She had showed a rather warmer personality than most I had encountered, so I allowed her some leeway as well. But with the powers she had, that could become a very different story very quickly.
Romanoff. Now there was a big threat. Her past with SHIELD, all that info leaked, painted a rather intense picture. Sure, she was hot as hell, but one of the best tactics is to lure the prey in with a smile and a pretty face. Her past, and her training, made her set off alarm bells and red flags flying in every sense in my body. If there was a threat in this room, it was going to be her, despite the fact that she didn't have any powers. At least that was known in anything revealed.
I had finished and stood up to leave. I knew the way back. I got some looks, but no one stopped me. I returned to the elevator, entering the floor of my quarters. I reached my door and entered the code. I closed the door behind me and took a deep breathe.
Okay. This has actually happened. I am in the Avengers compound. I have just been given a room. I have been told that I am going to start training.
Son of a bitch. This was all actually happening. I stripped off my shirt and entered the bathroom. I splashed water on my face, taking time to look myself in the mirror. I gazed into my own eyes.
You're not an Avenger...
No, I'm not. I'm just a kid who has seriously messed up. I've broken a promise that I am not sure I can ever come back from. And the whole world has seen it live on the news. Just how does one come back from that?
One step at a time...
Yeah. As if it were that easy.
It is simple, not easy. A task may be simple and arduous at the same time. Doesn't mean it is not worth it...
I needed to get some sleep. The demons and angel in my head were at it again, and maybe they would let me sleep without dreams tonight. Maybe I might see my family again behind my eyelids.
You don't deserve to...
I closed my eyes, and let the darkness wash over me. Tomorrow is a new day...
I'm back...
I have found my motivation again. And so the story continues. The next chapter will be written piece by piece. How long until then, don't know for sure, but it will be done.
This is a NON-BETA chapter. I went over it, but if there are some mistakes, please excuse for now. There will be an update to this chapter when my beta is done with it. Just wanted to get this out.