A/N: I'm sorry for the wait. Here you are, and as always...
READ IT. ENJOY IT. REVIEW IT.
*I fixed my uh oh-thanx nightmareparade!*
Impending doom had a way of blowing through the air. You didn't know it was coming, but you could feel it like how your grandpa's sore knee can predict the rain. Clint stood staring out the window of Jane's apartment looking up to the sky knowing something was about to happen. He hadn't heard from Katie in days and it was getting to the point where he wanted to just scream or punch something until someone or something brought her back to him.
"Can't you call someone?" Darcy asked and Clint looked over to her. "At Shield, I mean they have more than enough resources to stop-" she looked over to Erik who still sat in front of his computer. "What did you call it, geographic-"
"Gravimetric anomalies" Erik corrected.
"Yeah that" Darcy said before turning back to Clint. "Can't you just make that call and the cavalry's coming in on their white horses to save the day so we don't have to"
"That's not going to happen" Clint said and they all looked over to him.
"Wait" Ian said. "Who is Shield?"
"I told you it's a secret" Darcy replied annoyed with her intern. "Hands over your ears and hum" he looked at her confused. "Now!" the intern quickly placed his hands over his ears and began humming the national anthem. Darcy turned back to Clint. "You mind sharing with the rest of the class why we can't call Shield"
"Because I'm no longer with Shield" Clint replied turning to her. "We ran"
"We, as in you and Katie?" Darcy asked and Clint nodded. "Why?" he simply quirked an eyebrow. "You're not going to tell me are you?" he shook his head. "Are you like a dangerous fugitive or something?"
"Dangerous, yes" Clint said turning back to look out the window. "Fugitive, depends on who you ask."
Tony and Bruce sat in a room filled with boxes. They showed up to the Denton Harold and of course the small town people swooned over Tony Stark aka Iron Man. Tony was able to use his celebrity status to get him access to the paper's records room which was nothing but a room filled with boxes that were labeled with dates.
Bruce sat a table going through one box while Tony was on the other side of the room, grabbing another box.
"For a small town they do record everything" Tony said sitting the box down. "This is the last box for 1996" he took a seat across from Bruce before opening the box. "So if it's not in here-"
"You'll give up this obsession?" Bruce asked looking over to him.
"I told you it's not an obsession" Tony replies pulling out a stack of files. "I'm just curious, I mean c'mon Shield sealing Katie's father's death records" he looks over to Bruce. "Why would they do that?"
"Maybe they have a good reason" Bruce said tossing down the papers in his hand. He takes off his glasses and rubs his tired eyes. "I mean they went through a lot of trouble to make sure what you're looking for isn't found, maybe there's a good reason"
"Like what?"
"Like maybe there's more to Katie's involvement then we know" Bruce said and Tony looked over to him with a look of disbelief. "It makes sense right, for them to bury this so there's nothing to tie her back to that fire"
"Katie didn't kill her father" Tony said with a shake of his head as he opened the first folder.
"When are you going to admit that you don't know as nearly enough about her?" Bruce asked and Tony glanced over to him. "Don't get me wrong, she is a good a person, kind, smart, funny" he shook his head. "And I care about her too, but the truth is she has up a wall that she's not letting anyone through and walls like that are only meant to hide things"
"Katie didn't kill her father" Tony repeated as he looked back down to the file.
"There's a reason this has been locked down tight" Bruce said. "And there's a chance opening all of this could show a side of Katie you didn't know existed"
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying there's a chance you may not like what you find"Bruce said before slipping on his glasses. "There's a chance you could lose her because of this"
As hard as it may be to believe Katie, Thor and Jane were hit with tiniest hint of luck. After their fight with Malekith's men and losing Loki, they continued their journey to find a way out of Svartelfheim. They stumbled upon a cave when Jane's cell phone rings. The fact that she's able to get service in a different realm tipped them off that something was definitely up. It wasn't until they found a pile of shoes and Jane noticed Darcy's keys did they realize where they were. They only walked a couple of feet further when they found themselves standing in the middle of a warehouse.
"Uh" Katie says looking around. "Where are we?" Jane smiles widely before turning to Katie.
"We're home" Jane says before turning and walking. Katie and Thor share a look before following after her. They soon walk out a door which leads out side. Katie looks up to the sky and really can't believe that they're actually back.
"Out of all the wormholes in all the world we stumble through the one that sends us home" Katie says letting out a sigh of relief. "I don't even care how it happened"
"Oh my God, it's still here!" Jane says and Katie looks over to see Jane and Thor heading for a parked car. She lets out another deep breath before following after them and getting into the backseat.
"Where are we going?" Katie asks.
"We have to get to my lab" Jane says starting the car. "We have to figure out where Malekith is going to strike first" At that point Katie wanted to object, to argue, to just say screw the world so she could find Clint. She was back and he was the only person she wanted to see.
Jane is driving when Thor glances into the backseat to see Katie staring out of the window. The look in her eyes suggests that there is something very heavy on her mind.
"You seem troubled" Thor says and Katie turns to him. "I thought you would be happy to be home"
"I am" Katie says with a small smile. "But being here, being back only brings back the reality of my life" Thor looks over to her unsure of what she means. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine" she turns back to look out the window.
Clint hadn't moved from his spot by the window. He didn't know what he was looking for, but it would seem looking up to the sky was actually keeping him calm. He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and he pulled it out. He glanced down to the familiar number before bringing the phone to his ear.
"Hank, what's up?" Clint answered. If Hank was calling him something had to be wrong.
"Look down" Hank said.
"What?" Clint said looking over to the building to see Hank standing there looking over to him.
"Down, look now" Hank replied and Clint dropped his eyes to see a car stopped on the street and out steps Jane and Thor. He stares longer, but he doesn't see Katie. Without another word needed Clint ends the call before turning and heading for the door.
"What's going on?" Darcy asks seeing the man almost running toward the door. Clint doesn't answer as he leaves the apartment, bypassing the elevator and running down the stairs. He arrives on the first floor breathing heavily just as Jane and Thor finally step inside. They stop when they see him.
"You're-" Janes says pointing a finger to Clint. "You're with Shield"
"No, I'm with Katie" Clint says. "Where is she?"
"She's in the car, I think-" Jane says glancing over to Thor before turning back to Clint. "I think she's trying to call you"
"Ah!" Thor says. "Your are the boyfriend she was speaking of" Clint simply nodded before moving past them out the door. He could see her sitting in the back seat of the car, but she didn't notice him. He was exhausted from his run down the stairs, but in this moment with her just inches away he finds his feet moving faster, until he pulls open the door.
"Son of a-" Katie jumps at the sudden action and turns to see Clint standing there. A smile finds it's way to her lips as she slides closer to him. Clint climbs into the seat next her bringing his arms around her in a tight hug. "I just realized that I don't know your number off the top of my head" She laid her head on his chest and just basked in this moment. This moment seemed like it would never happen, but here she was. "For a second there I thought I wouldn't see you"
"I didn't" Clint said and Katie lifted her eyes to meet his. "I don't know how or when but I was going to get you back" he places his hand on the side of her cheek before bringing his lips over hers as they sat there wrapped up in one another, neither daring to pull apart. If only they didn't need to breathe, they could stay like this forever, but the the burning need to breathe was too strong and against the needs of their bodies they separated. But not too far. Clint's hand remained in it's place on his cheek as their eyes gaze into each other. Their eyes were saying what both were too afraid to say with their mouth's. Clint's hand slide down Katie's back, and she lets out a hiss in pain. The look on his face darkens as he breaks the contact to look her over. He eyes immediately see the bruises on her knuckles. He goes to lift up her shirt, but she stops his hand. "What happened?"
"I'm fine" she says and she can see it in his eyes that he doesn't believe her.
"No you're not" he says before scanning the area. "But you will be. Let's go" Clint turns and slides out of the car.
"Go where?" Katie asks as he helps her from the car.
"I don't know, but far away from London" Clint says trying to pull her away but she jerks from his grasp. "What are you doing?"
"We can't leave, not now" Katie says. "Something's coming, this thing call Malekith is coming and he's not coming to shower the world in candy"
"I don't care" Clint says bringing an arm around her pulling her against his chest. "I care about you and your well-being and this-" nudged his head toward the apartment. "Is not good for you, you need to rest and get better, not fly off to other planets and get yourself even more beat up than you were before"
"I'm fine" Katie replied at this point she wasn't even convincing herself. "I'm-" she bringing her eyes back to his. "I made a promise. I'm going to help, plus this is the world. Me getting some R&R isn't worth the world"
"To you maybe" Clint said and Katie smiled up to him. "Fine, we stay and we help, but there will be no more fighting, no more violence, you're only contributing your brain"
"Do you really believe that can happen?" Katie asks placing her hands above Clint's chest. "Do you remember New York?" she looked up to the sky. "Think of that, even worse"
"What's worse?" Clint asked following her eyes to the sky just as a flock of birds disappeared in the sky. "That kind of worse"
"Yeah, that kind of worse" Katie says bringing her eyes back to his. "But I promise to avoid some of the more physical crazy that's headed our way"
"That's all I'm asking" Clint replied grabbing Katie's hand and pulling her toward the building.
Tony tossed the last file on the table. After what felt like dozens of boxes filled will useless information, it would seem they were walking out the same way they were coming in. Empty handed.
"There's nothing here" Tony said looking down to the files. "Not even a copy of the original article or a mention of Katie or Martin anywhere" he looks over to Bruce. "You still think I'm crazy"
"Yeah" Bruce replied sifting through the files with hope that something would pop out at him. "But I have to admit that finding nothing is a little suspicious. I mean this town probably has a crime rate of what like two percent, and a fire that kills one of their residents should make headlines"
"And who has the ability to just erase something so big?" Tony asked rhetorically. "I'm telling you Bruce, I think Shield's involvement in this runs deeper than we could ever imagine"
"Shield's not the only one who has the ability to erase something so big" Bruce said and Tony furrowed his brow in confusion. "I know you don't want to believe it, but if you really want to figure out the truth behind all of this then you have be open to all theories" Tony let out an annoyed sigh as he sat back in his seat folding his arms over his chest. "Katie could-"
"No" Tony interrupted knowing where Bruce was going. Tony stood to his feet grabbing his jacket from behind his chair and sliding it on. "C'mon"
"C'mon?" Bruce asked standing to his feet as well. "Where are we going?"
"The next logical place to search for answers" Tony replied turning and heading toward the door. "Let's just hopes this goes as smoothly as possible"
"Is there a reason it won't?" Bruce asked grabbing his jacket and speeding his step to catch up to Tony.
"Yeah, me and law enforcement don't really get along" Tony replied as they left the room of boxes.
Katie stood her back leaning against the door of Jane's apartment. She was glad that the woman had spared her clothes allowing her to change from the clothes that were practically destroyed from her journey through Asgard. Her eyes were trained on the wooden floor as she listened to Thor and Jane catch everyone up on what was happening and what potentially could happen.
"Malekith is going to fire the aether where all nine worlds are connected" Jane said and Katie lifted her head.
"Amplifying the weapon's impact" Erik added. "Reach additional worlds, the power will increase exponentially" Katie closed her eyes those words echoing in her mind. There was an evil being just waiting to unleash a power that could in turn be their end. "The effect would be irreversible"
"The alignment is only temporary" Thor countered. "He must be at the right place at the right time"
"Well how would we know where that is?" Darcy asked. Katie quirked an eyebrow when a sudden thought popped in to her head.
"We follow the connections" Katie muttered and all eyes turned to her attentive. She didn't expect that. She didn't expect all eyes to be on her awaiting for answers she wasn't sure she had. She scratched the back of her neck. "I mean history has told of stories of different ancient civilizations and their connection the convergence" She turned to Erik trying to ignore the fact that he was still only clad in a button up and his tighty whities.
"Right" Erik said the realization clear in his voice. He grabbed a map and spread it across the table. Katie along with the other surround him to see what he was doing. "Mayans, Egyptians, Chinese-" he looked over to Katie with a smile as he grabbed a pencil and a ruler. "You're right, they made use of the gravitational effects of the convergence and they left us a map" Erik placed the ruler on the map and began sketching random lines that soon actually made sense "All the great structures, The Stonehenge, Snowdon, The Great Orme" Katie tilted her head as she looked down to the mad.
"They're directions" Katie said looking over to Erik who simply nodded in agreement. Katie looked back down to the man to see where the lines seem to intersect. "Greenwich?"
"What does this mean?" Clint asked.
"The walls between worlds will be almost non-existent." Jane said looking over to the former agent. " Physics is gonna go ballistic. Increases and decreases in gravity, spatial extrusion. The very fabric of reality is gonna be torn apart."
"In other words, a lot of fuck up shit" Katie said looking over to Clint. Thor's hand shot up and the Mjolnir flew to his hand.
"I better get my pants" Erik said before turning and going in search of his trousers.
"Hey" Clint said grabbing Katie's arm. "What are we doing? How do we stop this?"
"Malekith has the aether giving him the upper hand" Katie replied. "We need to take his control" she looked over Clint's shoulder to spear like device that lined the table behind him. "Which I believe Dr. Selvig may have planned for" she walked over inspecting the devices. Jane walked over beside Katie. "These are gravimetric devices used to detect anomalies" she looked over to Jane and smirked. "What if they could do more" she turned back to the devices. "I mean we place these in the correct spot-"
"And we focus on the spot where the gravitational fields react with the weak spot between worlds and-"
"Hey!" Darcy interrupted Jane's theory and both women turned to her. "Before you two totally geek out on us, could you dumb it down for us simpletons"
"Ok" Katie said. "We place these in the right spot at the right time and we can throw Malekith off his shit"
"See that's how I like things explained" Darcy said with a wide smile over to Katie. "Thank you"
"You're welcome" Katie replied turning to Clint who didn't seem as happy as the others. "What?" he turned to her. "Clint-"
"This plan" Clint said nudging his head toward the devices. "Can it be done without you?" Katie looked at him confused looking over her shoulder to see the others looking just as confused by the question. "Kat-"
"Clint I'm not leaving" Katie interrupted.
"Leave?" Darcy asked frowning. "Why would you leave right when we need as much help as we can get"
"Darcy's right" Jane added looking between Clint and Katie. "If there's a glitch in this plan then we're going to need all the brain power we can get to come up with a new one. We need you guys" Clint's eyes trailed back over to Katie.
"My friend" Thor said and Clint look over to him. "I know I have no right to make any requests of you especially after what my brother did to you, but this fight is one we can't fight alone" Thor's eye's moved to Katie and smile. "The maiden you have been graced with has become a much needed ally that I don't believe we can dare be without"
"But that's just it" Clint said turning back to Katie. "I can't be without her either." he turned back to Thor. "While you had your ally, I had nothing. She was just gone and I-" Clint's words stopped before the trained agent forgot what he was taught. He was showing his weakness, her, and that was the one thing he decided just wasn't an option.
"I understand more than you know" Thor said looking over to Jane remembering the moment Heimdall told him that she had escaped his all seeing eye and just disappeared. He turned back to Katie and Clint. "But it is your decision, one I will understand either way you choose" Clint turned to Katie and she met his expectant eyes. She wanted to be the person he needed her to be. To just let him whisk her away to places unknown where he could protect her. That was the problem. Katie didn't think she needed to be protected. Her father didn't raise someone who needed to be protected.
"Kat, come with me" Clint said before pulling Katie out into the hall outside of Jane's apartment. "Look I know what you're going to say and I know how unfair it is for me to ask you to do this-"
"It's not unfair" Katie said. "It's totally and completely fair for you to ask your girlfriend to stop with the crazy for a little while" Clint brought his arms around her pulling her closer to him. "You know back when you and I weren't Shield fugitives and you were the agent and I was the lab tech I would worry about you" Clint looked surprised by that bit of information. "I would've never told you that, but when you would leave on missions and I wouldn't hear from you for weeks I-" She closed her eyes as he leaned in placing his forehead against hers. "I just wanted you with me and safe" she flick her eyes open meeting his beautiful green eyes. "But I knew that you had to do it, that there was no Clint Barton if he wasn't helping in some way. I was raised with the belief that I would have to fight, so when a fight comes along me running away never seems like an option. I probably should, I mean I probably almost die in the majority of these fights or end up so severely injured that I pray that I was dead" she furrowed her brow as she really thought about it. "I'm actually kind of an idiot" she looked back to Clint's eyes. "You should probably run while you still can and-" Clint chuckled before smashing his lips in her in a heated kiss. The door to Jane's apartment opened everyone inside stopping the moment they see the couple making out.
"Hey!" Darcy called and both Katie and Clint pulled apart and turned to see the eyes on them. "Possible end of the world does not have time for you to make out. So are you coming or are you going to abandon us when we need you the most" Both Clint and Katie give the woman a look at her blatant use of guilt. Katie and Clint share a look and they both simply sigh before turning back to the other. "Ah, the look of defeat" Darcy says gaining glares from the couple.
"We don't have much time" Erik says already moving down to hall. "We have to place the devices before the convergence starts!" And so they all followed.
"You should probably get your bow" Katie said looking over to Clint. "This seems like one of those times we're going to need shoot pointing objects at aliens"
Tony Stark's usual million dollar smile had transformed into a deep frown as he stood at the front desk of the small police station. There was only four of five officers, and it would seem the most annoying one was talking to him.
"What did you say your name was again?" the deputy asked and Tony's frown shifted to slight anger. That was something Tony Stark wasn't asked every day. He looked over his shoulder to see Bruce restraining himself from laughing.
"This isn't funny" Tony said and Bruce let out a snort.
"Yeah it is" Bruce replied. Tony shook his head before turning back to Deputy Carroll
"Tony Stark" The billionaire repeated. "And I just want to see any records you have on a fire that killed a man by the name of Martin Chambers"
"And like I said Mr. Stork-"
"Stark" corrected the man.
"Whatever" Carroll replied. "Look like I said this may be a small town and all but we still follow the law and lettin' strangers walk in and read open case files isn't something we do round here"
"I get that I really do" Tony said leaning a little closer over the counter. "But I promise you I'm not some nut off the street, I mean I'm sure we can make some sort of arrangement, right" Tony gave the man a wink. "I'm sure there's something you need" The deputy gave Tony a smile that Tony thought meant he was actually getting somewhere with the guy. His hopes were officially tarnished as he watched bars slide in front of him locking him inside a small jail cell.
"We taking bribing a law official very seriously around here" Deputy Carroll said looking over to Tony through the bars. "And after the Sheriff's gambling fiasco last month we can't afford any more scandals" And with that the deputy turned and walked off. "And don't poke the bear and you'll survive longer!" A belch sounded from behind Tony and he turned to see a very large man asleep on the cot the bottom of his belly poking from under his shirt. Tony turned closing his eyes and dropped his head on the bars.
The plan was simple, or at least on paper it was. They planted the devices in the exact spots needed during the convergence. Everyone had hope that it would work, but then a giant space ship appeared out of nowhere and everyone had their own doubts. And then they all looked to the sky to see a large gaping hole appearing.
"Another hole in the sky" Clint said gripping his bow in his hand. "And here I was thinking New York was a once in a life time kind of thing" He turned to Katie a bit of hesitation in his eyes. "You should come with me"
"Thor's going to need some help" Katie said looking up to the man. "And you work better up high Mr. Hawkeye" she lifted herself on the tips of her toes to place a kiss to his lips. "Don't worry, we're getting out of this alive and then I'm going to let you whisk me away"
"I'm going to hold you to that" Clint said before pecking her on the lips. "You have enough ammo?" Katie had two guns strapped to her hips because when on the run from a powerful government agency packing weapons comes before tooth paste.
"Not as much as I would like" Katie said. "But I'll make each shot count"
"Right" Clint says his hand on her hip gripping her waist a little tighter. "I lo-"
"No" Katie interrupts him before the words could pass his lips. "You do not say that because there's a chance you could die, that doesn't make it real"
"It is real" Clint said with a smile as he brings his hand to rest on the side of her face. "But I'll wait if that's what you like"
"I would" Katie said staring up into his eyes. "We gotta move" He nodded finally letting his grasp around falter. She turned and walked away but stopped turning to see him still standing there.
"I'm just waiting for you to say it" Clint said with a smirk.
"Don't die you smug bastard" Katie said before turning and walking off. "And stop looking at my ass and get to work!" she called. Clint chuckled to himself before going to find his post.
Katie ran until she spotted Thor just as he tossed his hammer sending Malekith flying. She whistled impressed at the distance the creature had flown. Thor began stalking toward the creature as Malekith's men headed in his direction. Katie grabbed one of her guns, pointing and aiming. She let out a couple of shots hitting the creatures, one by one. Thor stopped looking over his shoulder and giving her nod before going after Malekith. Katie shot a couple of more rounds and soon the eyes on the creatures were on her. "Oh, shit" she muttered before turning and running. Running. Katie was a pro at running. She looked over her shoulder pointing her gun at the swarm of creatures following her. She took a shot, but it seemed the more she shot the more seemed to appear. Katie ran until suddenly they just disappeared. She turned only to realize maybe they weren't the ones who disappeared. She looked around at the hall that she wasn't in a few moments ago. She looked up to see Jane and Erik running in her direction followed by more of Malekith's men. "Jane!" the two scientists look in her direction. "Run!" they glance behind them just as one of the creatures lifts a weapon. They're eyes widen before they quickly turn jumping from the hall barely missing the the shot. They had no time to acknowledge the pain as they all jumped to their feet and began running. "What's wrong, why isn't it stopping!"
"It's not connecting!" Jane called over to her as she looked down to the screen.
"That's because the aether is too strong!" Katie called over to her before turned behind an abandoned car. The knelt down out of sight from the creatures. "Jane I think we've been coming at this all wrong. I mean the aether can't be destroyed, but the man carrying it can" Jane looked at her confused for a moment when she suddenly understood Katie's line of thought. "Get the devices and get-" her words were cut off as everything around them began to get even darker. They looked up to see the aether spreading. "Closer to that I guess"
"What are you going to do?" Jane asked.
"I'm going to cover you" Katie said retrieving her second gun from her holster. Jane nodded as they all stood to their feet. "Now go!" Jane and Erik ran and Katie scanned for any of Malekith's men. She spotted some just about to run after Jane and Erik and she shot off a couple of rounds in their direction. The creatures turned toward her. "That right bitches, come and get it!"
And soon Katie was once again being chased. Katie was running until the the road ahead of only showed more of Malekith's creatures, she turned about to head in the opposite direction on to see more of the creatures. She held up her guns letting the empty clips fall to the ground before she reloaded them and gripped the guns tightly in her hand. Katie stood there her guns pointed in both directions. This was one of those moments. When she chewed more than she could handle. She let out a shaky breath when she began to realize that the end for her really was near. She didn't expect her hands to slightly shake the way they did.
"We do not show fear in the face of danger"
It would seem her father's lessons would never leave her even in moments when she felt so alone. The creatures were getting closer and Katie was about to fire when suddenly one by one the creatures fall to the ground. Katie looks confused when she suddenly spots the arrows protruding from their heads. She lifts her head to see if she can spot her savior, but she can't. She smiles anyway because she's knows he's there and she's knows she's not really alone. Katie drops her head, her hands once again growing still before firing.
It was long and tiring and Katie found her back pinned against a wall surrounded. In moments the creatures would attacking. She dropped the two now empty guns to the ground. Despite the shots she fired and the arrows Clint shot, there were still too many. She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket and she quickly pulled it out bringing it to her ear.
"Get out of there!" Clint yelled out of breath.
"There's no where to go" Katie replied as she watched the creatures ease closer. They didn't run, but simply sauntered over to her knowing that there was no where for her to run. "I'm sorry, I should've let you take me away"
"Kat, stop talking, I'm coming to get you" Clint said.
"Don't Clint, just let me go" Katie said.
"That's never happening" Clint replied and Katie sighed.
"Say it" Katie said. "I think now I want you to say it" she closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the wall. "Clint, please just-" there was a clicking sound and Katie's eyes snapped open to find all the creatures gone.
"Kat!" Clint yelled. "What's happening?"
"I think-" Katie said pulling herself from the wall and scanning the area, but Malekith's men were nowhere in sight. "I think we won"
Bruce walked into the Sheriff's office after almost pleading with the deputy for the meet. After Tony got himself arrested it would happen that the only one to grant his release was the sheriff.
"Have a seat" the gray haired Sheriff said walking around his desk and taking a seat as well.
"Thanks for seeing me Sheriff Dangle" Bruce said. "And about my friend-"
"Your friend who attempted to bribe one of my deputies?" Sheriff Dangle asked and Bruce smiled nervously before nodding. "We're not simple minded folks Mr. Banner"
"And we would never assume you were" Bruce said. "It's just we really need some information"
"About the Martin Fire?" The Sheriff asked.
"Yeah, you know about it?" Bruce asked.
"I was the one in charge of the investigation" The Sheriff replied with a shake of his head. "Out of all my years that case will continue to haunt me"
"Why is that?" Bruce asked.
"Because nothing about it made sense" Dangle replied. "I had an uncooperative witness and the remains of two people and no leads as how, what, or why"
"Uncooperative witness?" Bruce asked. "You mean Katie, I mean Katherine Chambers"
"Yes" the man sighed. "She claimed she didn't remember what happened, but I always had the feeling she was lying, but I had nothing that could prove it. Any evidence I could've had burned away in the fire"
"Do you think she killed her father?" Bruce asked and the sheriff shook his head.
"Honestly I don't know" the man said. "But I do know is that you and your friend being here asking question about this could get you into some trouble"
"What kind of trouble?"
"A couple of days after the fire some people showed up here, suits, the government type. They tossed a sheet of paper in my face that gave them the authority to take every sliver of evidence we had on fire" Bruce turned away. He was starting to realize that maybe Shield's involvement ran deeper than he thought. "Look I'm going to let your friend go, but I would suggest you to get the hell out of here before you get caught poking a body that's suppose to stay dead" Bruce nodded before standing to his feet and heading for the door. He stopped just as he spotted a familiar face walk into the station. "Maybe you're too late" Bruce simply nodded before walking over to the woman.
"Natasha" Bruce greeted. "What are you doing here?"
"That's funny doctor" Natasha replied. "I was just about to ask you the same thing" she looked around him. "Now where's your idiot friend?"
A/N: And there you have it. Tony and Bruce are getting closer and closer to the truth and I think Shield's getting worried or maybe even annoyed. I wonder what they're going to do about it?-Oh and next Chapter we see someone we haven't seen in a while. Someone whose supposed to be six feet under. Can you guess who it is?... And when you do don't forget...
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