Chapter 27

Mark

Mark arrived at S.H.I.E.L.D. He went straight to the person who would have answers for him, Fury. Mark walked into Fury's office. Fury was speaking with someone, but Mark did not care.

"When were you going to tell me you knew Red Skull's plan?" Mark shouted to Fury.

Fury looked up from his conversation, and just stared at Mark. "What the fuck are you talking about?" Fury said.

Mark walked over Fury's desk, He saw Thor standing there speaking to Fury.

"So Thor is back from Asgard? His pride is better?" Mark asked.

"What does the assassin speak of?" Thor asked Fury.

Fury closed his eye and let out a sigh, he opened his eye looking at Mark before he spoke, "So you didn't buy that lie huh?"

Mark crossed his arms, "Not at all. Thor may have great pride as a warrior, but he would rather train to be stronger than go off hiding." Mark looked over to Thor, "So what were you up to?"

Thor looked at Fury, "You said my pride kept me away, you insult me, Fury."

"I needed to say something that seemed believable not to worry the others," Fury said. "I needed to keep it a secret until we confirmed what you thought was happening. Now tell Mark what you found out."

Mark looked at Thor, "What was going on? What did you find?"

Thor took in a deep breath, "I discovered one of our strongest mages had been looking for an artifact. It is part of a legend where it can be used against a great beast. The beast in the legend is a mighty dragon with the power to manipulate metal. The dragon's power is wanted for making powerful weapons; this artifact can bind the beast, and take his powers. It is said the dragon ate a legendary stone which gave it its powers. Since then it was hunted for the power of the stone. The beast no longer exists, but the artifact does. The mage went to find the artifact, I went to stop him." Thor explained.

"And let me guess, the mage was Loki?" Mark said.

"Yes," Thor continued, "I heard rumors Loki was working with mortals to obtain the artifact. They paid Loki with knowledge and he agreed to get the artifact for them if he could get more knowledge about the artifact and who they were going to use it against."

"Well that solves the last of the puzzle," Mark said.

"What do you mean?" Thor said.

"I am curious as well. You stormed in here claiming I knew what Red Skull was planning. Say what you know Mark," Fury said.

Mark looked at Fury, "You don't know? Well, this is a first, I am one step ahead of Nick Fury," Mark smiled, but then his smile faded as he explained.

"When Winter Soldier returned from his mission, he came back with photos which looked like ritual practices. Red Skull was trying to create something but failed. He didn't know how to recreate what had been made over a hundred years ago," Mark explained.

"What was he trying to recreate?" Fury asked.

"Me," Mark answered. "Red Skull is trying to create another warrior like me, but he failed, and now with the information Thor found out, it is clear he is after me."

"All we know is Loki got an artifact for someone. What makes you think it is connected?" Fury asked.

"There was an assassination attempted on me tonight," Mark said.

"What?" Fury said stunned.

"Someone used arcane fire and Iron weapons in a bomb in my room. Both are old folklore weapons to use against a demon. I am not a demon, so it does nothing to me. But I guess Loki told them to try it and see what will happen if he seeks knowledge. Now Loki and Red Skull know I am not a demon," Mark said.

"I am still confused, what makes you think Red Skull would enlist Loki?" Fury said.

"Think of me as a weapon, that is what Red Skull sees me as. If you cannot recreate the weapon, what do you do?" Mark asked.

"You steal the original," Fury answered. Fury looked at Thor, "Can this artifact do what you say?"

"Based on legend it can," Thor answered. "Mark has to have something linked to the dragon of the legend which would make Loki believe it would work on him."

"My metal manipulating powers would be a key indication. The Stone part as well is interesting. Maybe it is whatever was fused into me years ago creating me," Mark said to Thor.

"I will be on high alert for Loki to find him and get answers," Thor said.

"Don't bother, Loki doesn't know the information. He is hoping to gain the knowledge. This will cause chaos which Loki loves. He will be on the sidelines watching, but he won't know what will happen. He just wants a show," Mark said.

"You might be right," Thor said. Thor turned to Fury, "What should we do. This artifact in the hands of Red Skull will be very dangerous. If Red Skull can get a hold of Mark's abilities, who knows what they will do?"

"He will use my abilities to change the standard weapons he has been acquiring into something more powerful," Mark said. "The materials I found in the warehouses were cheap materials. I found the same from the arms deal. It didn't make sense, but now it does. Use my abilities to change the metal into something stronger and more dangerous for weapons."

"And start a war," Fury finished.

"Exactly, with you down one powerful warrior to stop him," Mark said.

Fury and Thor said in silence with the information Mark provided them. Thor broke the silence. "We need to inform the others of this and plan and attack."

"We don't know where Red Skull is or when he will strike," Mark said.

"Telling the others would cause a panic and won't allow us to have a chance to get Red Skull," Fury said while thinking about the information.

"This stays between us," Mark said.

Thor looked at Mark surprised, "Are you sure? I know some of the others will be angry if we do not tell them, especially Captain."

"It says between is Thor," Mark repeated himself. "I will figure out how to tell them. We first need to find the best time for Red Skull to strike. He attacked the Avenger Mansion and knows I am not a push over. I have been attacking his warehouses and broke deals with arms dealers. He knows to plan carefully if he wants a chance to use the artifact against me."

"Will he use Captain America against you?" Fury asked.

Mark knew Fury would figure out what had been happening between him and Steve. Mark looked at Fury, "if Red Skull touches him then you will see a massacre of Hydra agents."

"He still can use him against you," Fury said. "We can't take that chance."

Mark sighed, "I will work on telling everyone. We need to figure out how this assassination attempt was set up in the mansion without anyone knowing. Maybe this will lead us down the right path. When I know Red Skull will strike, we will tell the team and let them know what he has planned."

Fury stood up, "Sounds like a plan," and walked over to Mark. "He won't get you old friend," Fury said putting a hand on Mark's shoulder.

Mark looked at Fury, "You know I don't go down without a fight."

"I have only seen you fall once, and that was to protect Rogers. Be careful," Fury said. Mark nodded to Fury.

"Thor, I need you to get any information on this artifact you can. We need to know what we are up against, even what it looks like will help," Fury ordered.

"I will question anyone I can and return ready for battle," Thor said.

"This is going to be one hell of a fight, Thor. We are going to need you especially if Red Skull succeeds," Mark said.

Fury glared at Mark, "Why are you talking like we are already on the losing side? We will take him down like we always do," Fury said.

Mark smiled in reassurance but felt unsure about the upcoming events. Mark left Fury and Thor in the office. He did not know what to do about all this, Red Skull was after him. Mark normally would be able to handle this on his own, now he had too many people to worry about whom Red Skull could use against him. Mark missed working alone.

Mark arrived at the mansion. It was very late; he figured everyone was asleep already. Mark walked up to his room and looked at the damage from the bomb. He walked over and saw most of the furniture had been burned by the fire. "Looks like I will be sleeping on the couch tonight," Mark said to himself.

"No, you won't," Mark heard. Mark already knew who it was. He heard Steve standing there for a while.

"Can't sleep?" Mark asked Steve.

"No, I couldn't," Steve said as he walked into Mark's room. "I was also waiting for you to come back from S.H.I.E.L.D."

"I told you I would be back," Mark said with a smile.

"Any news?" Steve asked.

"Thor is back from Asgard, he will give us an update later on what he was doing. He was talking to Fury about what he was doing. I updated Fury on the assassination attempt. He didn't know anything about it or what it means," Mark said. He didn't lie to Steve, he just didn't say everything.

"So what are you going to do now?" Steve asked.

Mark looked over at Steve and sighed, "Sleep. It has been a few days since I have gotten any sleep. I was looking forward to sleeping in a bed, but mine is a little well done for me."

Steve laughed and sat next to Mark. "I told you, you are not sleeping on the couch. You can take my bed," Steve said.

Mark smiled at Steve, "One day we are fighting horribly and the next you offer me your bed. Is this a way to say you want make-up sex?" Mark asked.

Steve turned red, Mark knew he would. "I didn't mean that. Oh gosh, it sounds that way, doesn't it? I meant you can sleep next to me in my bed, and be comfortable. I mean I am not saying no to the future but for tonight…" Steve was cut off.

Mark had put his lips to Steve's. Steve went quietly to the kiss. Mark pulled away and massaged the nape of Steve's neck. "I know what you meant; I am just having some fun is all. I am going to shower and change. I will knock on your door when I am ready for bed."

Steve smiled and leaned over for another kiss from Mark. "I will see you soon," Steve said, and he got up going to his room. Mark got up and went into the bathroom. He got to see how he looked after days in the wilderness. He laughed at himself at how messy he looked. "This is what Steve wanted to kiss?" Mark said to himself. He started to get cleaned. Mark showered and changed into his sleepwear. He only wore shorts and a tee-shirt for sleep. Mark looked in the mirror at his hair. "No point in managing this now, it will only get messier," Mark said running his hand through his hair. "I need a haircut," He said to himself. Mark left his room and walked the three steps to Steve's door. Mark knocked. Steve opened the door.

Steve looked at Mark and just began to laugh. Mark smiled. "I did not think to do anything with my hair so it will look like a puff ball for now," Mark said.

Steve just ran his hand through Mark's hair, "I like it," Steve said. Steve looked at Mark and how he was dressed, "I think this is the plainest I have ever seen you dress," Steve said. Steve looked at Mark and made a note of their height, "I was hoping you were lying about my height, it seems you are taller than me."

"That you are little warrior," Mark said as he walked into Steve's room. Steve closed the door, but Mark still stood near the door. Mark felt strange, days ago he couldn't be near Steve because of his anger, and now he was in his room getting ready to sleep. Mark just looked up to Steve, Steve was smiling at Mark.

"What? Are you not tired? I thought you have been up for days?" Steve asked Mark.

Mark just stood there lost in his thoughts, not sure how to respond to Steve. Mark felt Steve running his hand through his messy hair. "You seem like a lot is on your mind," Steve said. Steve was right, Mark was thinking of everything going on here at the mansion. He was struggling with his relationship with Steve, and now Red Skull was after him. Mark had too much he was worried about. Mark's eyes went distant.

Mark felt Steve grab his hand and walk him to the bed. Mark sat down but still lost in his thoughts.

"Anything you want to talk about?" Steve asked.

"I am not sure," Mark said. "There is too much for me to focus on. I don't even know where to begin."

"Why not begin with the one thing bothering you the most," Steve suggested as he held Mark's hand. Mark asked the only question he was thinking, "Should I be here? In your room I mean. I am not sure if this is alright. It has been a hell of a few weeks for me."

Steve moved closer to Mark. "I want you here. If you want to be here, then you should stay. I don't want to scare you off with too much. I just don't want you on the couch, and I have not been able to really sleep since we were at S.H.I.E.L.D." Steve confessed.

Mark looked at Steve, "Really?" He asked.

Steve nodded. "I always have had trouble sleeping. I only really slept when I was next to you at S.H.I.E.L.D., and since then my sleep has been worse. I miss you being next to me."

Mark just leaned back and lied on the bed, Mark let out a sigh. "This is a big mess which seems to be simple but feels much more complicated to me," Mark said. Steve leaned over Mark just looking at him, "Then why don't we just make it simple?" Steve asked Mark.

"And how will we do that?" Mark asked.

"Figure it out," Steve said. Mark looked into Steve's eyes like he was waiting for something. Then Mark just grabbed Steve and put him to the bed, Mark still looked into Steve's eyes. Steve smiled back at Mark, and they kissed. Mark ran his hand through Steve's hair while his other hand went to the lower part of Steve's back to pull him closer to him. Steve just let Mark kiss him, and then Mark lied next to Steve when he pulled from the kiss. Steve just looked at Mark. "I made you feel confused about us," Steve put his hand through Mark's messy hair, "But it will be better. I will fix it. I know what you mean to me now, and what I mean to you. Nothing will make me question it again."

"Let's hope nothing else makes you question it," Mark said wrapping his arms around Steve to get ready to sleep.

"Nothing will," Steve said as he turned to get more comfortable facing Mark. Steve rested his head on Mark's chest. "Nothing can," Steve continued, "Not now that I know what I do."

Mark looked at Steve in confusion. "What?" Mark said.

Steve just hugged Mark with his arm; there was a long silence as Mark waited for Steve to answer his question. Steve leaned up and looked at Mark. "I love you, Mark. It took a while to realize it, but I do and have for some time."

Mark grabbed Steve and kissed him until they fell asleep.