Eight

Out Of The Shadows

Chapter One

Doctor Hank Pym made his way toward his office, scowling at the paperwork in his hands.

Scotts' disappearance with his suit had caused a multitude of problems, on several fronts. He was beyond annoyed with Tony Stark and his group of so-called Avengers, as well as their interference with both Scott, and his work,

He entered his office, closing the door behind, and, a quick glance toward his desk made him stop in his tracks.

A dark haired man, with keen blue eyes, was sitting there, wearing a red cloak.

As Hank stared, the man came to his feet, announced,

'Doctor Pym, I'm Doctor Stephen Strange.'

Hank slammed the papers he was carrying down on the desk, replied, angrily,

'I know who you are. How did you get in here? This is the twelfth floor!'

Stephen offered an apologetic smile, stepped out from behind the desk.

Said, matter-of-factly,

'I let myself in. Your secretary was being difficult.'

'That happens to be my daughter, Hope,' Hank corrected, using his earpiece to silently call an army of ants to the attack.

Immediately, a swarm of black seethed out of every conceivable corner, headed toward Stephen.

Stephen scowled, and, with a brief flick of his fingers, dropped a Ring Of Protection spell to the floor, cordoning off the area where he stood. The red circle fried ants as they attempted to cross it.

To Hanks' surprised reaction he explained, with an annoyed quirk of his brow,

'Sorry. I don't care for insects.'

Cloak curled its' hem edges up and away from the floor, giving every indication that it shared its' Chosens' feeling about insects.

Realizing he had no choice but to hear what Stephen had to say, Hank recalled his armies, asked, irritably,

'What do the Avengers want from me, now?'

Stephen snapped his fingers, dissipating the spell.

Then, shook his head, corrected,

'I'm not here on their behalf. I have a personal request, something I'd appreciate your assistance with.'

He laid his hand to the stack of paperwork he'd brought with him, informed,

'I need help understanding quantum realms, and alternate dimensions.'

Hank eyed the pile of papers, sniping,

'I deal with science, not sorcery.'

Stephen offered an icy grin, remarked,

'Tell me, Doctor, is shrinking a man to the size of an ant, science, or sorcery?'

Hank glared, without comment, conceding Stephen the point.

Stephen, his expression much more contrite, explained,

'I am attempting to assist a very brave woman, who I fear is trapped in an alternate dimension, fighting a battle she can neither win, nor abandon.'

'What do you want from me? Neither my suit, nor my research, has any relevance to that.'

'I know,' Stephen admitted, 'But, I've read your research. You understand more about alternate realms than any man alive. It's not my area of expertise. I feel like I have pieces of the puzzle, but I can't see the picture.'

He came to stand before Hank Pym, gestured back toward the paper pile,

'I have some additional information, which you may not have had access to, previously.'

Hank Pym met Stephens eyes, unflinchingly, jaw stubbornly set.

Stephen sighed, recognizing Hanks' reluctance, and realizing the reasons behind it.

Offering one final plea, Stephen said,

'I'm simply attempting to find her,' then waited, quietly, for his response.

After a moment, Hank moved past him, picked up a few pieces of the research Stephen had brought with him.

Adjusted his glasses, skimming the pages.

Stephen gave a small grin; he'd deliberately laid some exceptionally unique documents, right on top.

Hoping that Pym would be unable to resist getting ahold of the information.

He wasn't wrong.

Hank turned toward Stephen, unable to keep the amazement from his features.

'Where did you get this?' he demanded.

'The Masters' Library at Kamar-Taj. I had to get special permission to allow you access.'

Cloak gave a ripple along his shoulders, almost like a chuckle of amusement, and Stephen was fairly certain it was because it was remembering the huge argument he'd had with Wong over allowing an outsider to read any of their books.

Then, Stephen threw out his last piece of bait,

'I understand you are looking for someone lost in an alternate realm.'

Hank shot him an evil glare, and Stephen continued,

'I hope that, in addition to assisting me, something in the information I've provided may help you find your wife.'

Hank tossed the papers back into the pile, obviously miffed, and dying of curiosity at the same time,

'Alright. I'll look it over. I can't promise anything.'

Stephen offered a genuinely grateful smile, and a nod,

'That's all I ask. Thank you.'

He headed toward the door, said,

'I'll show myself out.'

Hank followed him into the outer office, and as he walked past her desk, Hope came to her feet, a fiercely confused scowl on her face.

Stephen merely offered a smile, and a nod, and continued on his way out of the building.

'How did he get in here?' she asked, and Hank just shook his head, hands in pockets, admitted,

'Honestly, I've just given up attempting to understand these people.'