So it goes with saying that only things I own with any connection to MARVEL I bought on Ebay or Etsy. MARVEL COMICS & MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE are their own creatures and I have nothing to do with either of them aside from the fact I enjoy reading or watching them, and am grateful for the ability to play in their world. I claim nothing, and I receive nothing for this, expect the pleasure of putting something out into the world.
You can also find this story on ARCHIVE OF OUR OWN under the same title and pen name.
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
SATURDAY, JULY 7TH 2012
1212 HOURS
PEPPER POTTS CABIN, WOODSTOCK NY
2565 ROUTE 212
MADDIE
Out of the two of them, I don't like either of them on principal. They knowingly helped an organization hold a woman prisoner within a cage of lies and a sense of being beholden. Still, out of the two of them I have to admit I like the bald bespectacled one much better then the military thug.
He's polite and respectful, which isn't just in comparison to the other one. He has good manners and a gentle sense of humor, though its clearly tailored toward women. Given that he's a spy too though, that might just be situational. His flirtation, while still present is humble and more born out a sense of familiarity with the other women. Most importantly though, the only thing he looks at with hungry eyes is my cooking. That's the greatest improvement over the other one.
He made a small delighted sound at the first bite of one of those gingersnap crisps, and seemed to equally enjoy the mango citrus smoothie, also containing ginger. His taste buds keeping him from noticing the commonality of a certain ingredient, or wondering why.
SATURDAY, JULY 7TH 2012
1212 HOURS
PEPPER POTTS CABIN, WOODSTOCK NY
2565 ROUTE 212
ARNORA
The world ending, the world being reborn through irrepressible change, the loose of friends and partners, all of that happened, and yet Jasper is still the same man I remember. Smiles, charm, and the same love of good food. Out of respect for that more then anything, out of nostalgia, I let him finish his snack.
Washing down the last bite of gingersnap, I watch him eye the glass almost in mourning at its emptiness for a moment, the moment warming me minutely before it fades at the clearing of his throat is he finally prepares to begin.
"So before we really get started, Pierce asked me to extend his gratitude. I'm sure he will repeat the sentiment in person next time he see's you. He did want to come himself, but the Council was adamant we negotiate terms before he is allowed to visit again." Pierce is who he mentions, the Council is who he mentions, not Fury, or S.H.I.E.L.D, even though I know they're in there. Pierce, who I sent away last time with sour tones.
Old words, the voice and accent so foreign to my ears now, and so familiar to my heart echo in my mind. An enemy, however small, is to be feared. Those word were uttered in encouragement when they were first spoken, but now they feel like caution and concern. Fear, when it becomes a motivating force, can can make a monster of a mouse, and I learned long ago how dangerous 'mice' can be when they act in unity.
"How I make my executioners tremble." I murmur under my breath, continuing on before he can dispute that with hollow words. "How can I make them calm again?"
"Arnora" Even just my name makes the placating intentions clear before he continues. "I know the Councils held an extreme view on you in the past but..." Before I've had enough it, and silence him with a shake of my head.
"Don't." I'm erring on the side of pessimism, to prepare for the realism. "They see me is a piece of meat, an exotic breed if you want to sugar coat it. Either way I'm going to be butchered or protected, I'm not one of you, I'm not human. It's not hard to ignore that I'm not part of your 'tribe', and I've seen just how horrifically humans tend to treat other 'tribes'."
"We'd would never let that happen.' Natasha adds, resting her hand on mine in a comforting gesture, which might have had some success if the seemingly blind optimism I think I sense in those words wasn't so incredibly confusing.
"You say that like altruism means bullet proof now?" I cock my head a bit with those words, my eyebrows telling her just how perplexed I am by the shift of her views. Then I let the confusion turn into a bitter smirk. "Even I haven't learned how to achieve that."
It might be unwise to expose a weakness like that, but S.H.I.E.L.D has HYDRA's old files, so they already know my first encounter with the Red Skull ended with bullets and a bleeding stomach. I can't still my hand against the memory in time, it shielding my stomach is if there's another gun in the room, shielding my baby, my terrifying blessing, is if there is actually a physical threat instead of just the figurative one in the room.
SATURDAY, JULY 7TH 2012
1214 HOURS
PEPPER POTTS CABIN, WOODSTOCK NY
2565 ROUTE 212
JASPER
"I understand" I offer, choosing practicality and realism instead of positivity since she doesn't seem very interest in optimism anymore. "I get your concerns. They're valid, but..." I let my eyes shift to Natasha too for a second, asking her backing on this, and confirming it at the same time. "is Pierce's proxy and a representative of the Council..." I slide the file with the hard copy of the agreement across the table to her is I continue. "I can tell you that possibility is incredibly slim at this point. If it makes you feel safer I'm sure Natasha can give you the same reassurance in regards to the Director, and S.H.I.E.L.D"
With that sentence spoken, she turns her gaze to Romanoff in question, and gets a nod in return. "It's true. Fury always advocated treating you well, before anyone else did. He's always viewed you is a potential candidate." The idea of me is an Avenger might almost be amusing, if I could decide how I felt about that. Given who they formed because of, I cant imagine what i would have done, what he would have done to me. "And is it stands now..." If she noticed the storm in my mind, which I'm sure she did, she ignored it on courtesy. "...no one wants to enter a inter-agency battle against the Avengers, and it would be a battle. Too many of them care too much about you. The loses far out way the nonexistent gain."
SATURDAY, JULY 7TH 2012
1215 HOURS
PEPPER POTTS CABIN, WOODSTOCK NY
2565 ROUTE 212
ARNORA
"I don't want them to fight anyone for me" I admit, adding Jasper to the list of everyone else who already knows that. "I don't want to fight anyone." I've never wanted to fight. I admit to myself is well, again. That honesty has to stay silent though, even if would benefit my quest for peace. That honest labels me weak, and that's more then I can give them.
"Well, I cant promise you never will again" That prickles against my a little, not quite a sting, but still a sensation. I'm not sure why, I knew that truth already, but my emotions for whatever reason, still felt the need to be disappointed and offended. "But I can promise if you have to, you won't be doing it alone anymore" I smile at that, the expression seeming to hide the heavy question of inevitability forming in my mind. And how long will 'anymore' last this time?
"Rumlow?" I ask instead, seeing in his eyes that he too finds it absurd how much subtext can fit in that mans last name.
"Yes, well..." He shrugs, pausing just long enough to also include a polite nod of thanks is Maddie sets out another glass. "Rumlow's definitely expressed his interest, and it's open to consideration. But STRIKE is part of our elite division, so there will have to a thorough evaluation of your combat skills, and extensive military training before you even qualify is a candidate, his sponsorship or not."
The words 'open to consideration' come with a silent implication of who, which he offers before I am forced to verbalize the question. "Fury is on board with it, this was always his goal after all, but he recommends we ease you in. Pierce however thinks we should fast track your recruitment, get all the technicalities out of the way before the Council can changes their minds again, and after you have the security the comes with being a 'real' agent, you can take is long is you need. Councilman Malick favors that approach too."
Hurry up and wait. This isn't my first encounter with that practice. I married soldier once, I was an 'agent' once, or so I let myself be deceived into believing. I was a friend of a soldier once, a civilian who didn't quite how to do that, who still learning. Steve's who I'm thinking about now, who I'm considering, because I've already made my decision.
SATURDAY, JULY 7TH 2012
1216 HOURS
PEPPER POTTS CABIN, WOODSTOCK NY
2565 ROUTE 212
JASPER
"And what do they recommend about the Captain?" If anyone knows the gravity of the question it's the Asgardian woman in front of me. We all knew, even with his current cooperation that Captain Rogers would be an obstacle, rather it was a speed bump or a road block was uncertain, but his protectiveness made any other possibility extremely unrealistic. That was even before the STRIKE Captain was added to the equation.
There were a few suggestions, but the one that garnered to most approval came from Fury, which makes sense given he had the most contact with the Captain. "You'll have to persuade him, but the best idea we've come up with is letting him train you first. The Council can't, and neither can I for that matter, think of a more effective way to reassure him of your ability to defend yourself. Its the best way to prove your skills, against his own."