Chapter Two

Once he selected the appropriate spell, Stephen was able to gather all the pieces of Mjolnir, which obediently followed him back to New York.

With the fragments of Mjolnir safely ensconced in the Sanctum, and concealed under a Veil Of Obfuscation, Stephen headed off to shower, and put out of his mind whatever was brewing in the multiverse with reference to Thor and Loki.

At least, for this moment.

He had a life to live, too, and it wasn't often enough that he could set aside the burdens he carried as Master of New York to pursue...other interests.

He was actually whistling as he came into his bedroom, drawing a curious swirl from his scarlet companion.

'We're going a for a drive with Christine, today, remember?' he reminded, pulling some street casual clothes from the wardrobe, laid out shirts in a couple different colors.

He gave a brief, annoyed scowl over the necessity of polo shirts versus his formerly preferred dress shirts, but the limited use of his fingers precluded all those buttons.

Cloak swished over, pointed toward the violet shirt, and Stephen laughed, dismissing his moment of gloom.

Clapped hands, obviously looking forward to the day.

'I haven't driven a car since...' Stephen began, pulling on the indicated shirt, and his brow collapsed into dismay, his voice cracking, as he realized,

'Since my wreck.'

Cloak laid its' hem consolingly on its' Chosens' shoulder, an empathetic ruffle.

After a few moments, Stephen straightened, squared his shoulders, determinedly, shaking it off,

'I love driving. Miss it.'

Sighed,

'I rented a sweet convertible. It's not my Lamborghini, but, its probably better I don't have something that fast until I get some practice driving, again.'

Cloak raised its' shoulders, confused by something Stephen had said, but he wasn't sure what it was.

He pulled on a suit jacket, headed to the kitchen.

Stephen was just finished packing a cooler with wine, and cheese, when the doorbell rang.

The rental car driver, a late twenties under-achiever, was rather nosey when Stephen answered the door, attempting to peek around, into the Sanctum,

'Rent-A-Coupe,' he said, flashing an ID badge, which identified him as 'Chad'.

'Doctor Stephen Strange?' he asked, extending a clipboard for Stephen to sign, and earning a scowl for his unprofessionalism.

'Of course,' Stephen verified as he took it, scrawled an illegible version of his signature, handed it back, while obviously blocking the doorway.

'Ah, I'll be back tomorrow, to pick it up,' the boy stalled, tinkling the keys, relentless in his curiosity.

'Yes, you will,' Stephen agreed, noticing the fellows' eyes suddenly widen as he took a step back.

Stephen flicked a quick glance over his shoulder, which revealed Cloak, who had rustled up, and hung, swaying, immediately at his back.

Stephen met the drivers' slack jawed gaze, offered, flatly,

'The breeze is so annoying. It really blows my drapes around,' extending his hand for the keys.

'The-that's not drapes, and there isn't any wind,' Chad managed, as he dropped the keys into Stephen's open palm.

'Exactly,' Stephen verified, with a brittle smile, brows tight,'That's why it's annoying,' and his narrowed eyes glittered, dangerously.

Chad did his best to back down the steps, without falling, and, resisting another glance, raced off toward the curb to hail a taxi.

Stephen watched him go, with a chuckle, chided,

'You really shouldn't do things like that,' as he looked back at his companion, an amused slant to his eyebrows. Gave the keys a little toss, caught them, easily.

Cloak shifted its' shoulders, then rippled, which Stephen had identified as its' version of a laugh. It knew he was kidding, and settled on his shoulders.

Stephen checked his watch, grabbed the cooler, stepped out, closing the door behind.

He realized he was grinning like an idiot as his eyes swept the sleek lines of the steel grey Jaguar.

He set the cooler in on the floor, then walked around, ran trembling fingers along the hood, and Cloak twitched a wrinkle of irritation along his back.

Then, it gave a subtle, but insistent pull, away from the car.

'What?' Stephen demanded, resisting Cloaks' urging to back away. He was mildly peeved with Cloaks' attitude as he continued to admire the car.

Cloak gave a disgruntled fluff, to which Stephen rolled his eyes, snorted,

'Don't be angry. This piece of metal certainly doesn't replace you. I don't prefer it over you. It's just for one day. All right?'

His tone was aggravated, and Cloak responded by going absolutely limp, in protest.

'Come on,' Stephen snapped, 'How can you not love a convertible?'

Cloak responded with an indeterminate ripple.

Then, suddenly, it struck him,

'You've never been in a car?'

To which he felt Cloak shake its' collar, NO.

It was rather bizarre to have to be placating a garment about riding in a car, for heavens' sake.

The odd looks they were receiving from passing pedestrians only confirmed it; they obviously believed he was deranged.

It was a good thing he didn't care what they thought.

'Well, don't worry. I'm a very good driver,' Stephen assured, settling in behind the wheel. Cloak gripped his shoulders extra tight, quivering slightly.

With a mock frown, Stephen added, in a concerned tone,

'Usually.'

Then, just to tease,

'Except, when I crashed my Lamborghini, and nearly died.'

Cloak tightened so rapidly, sides wrapping around his chest, that Stephen gave an involuntary 'huuuf' of surprise.

He shook his head, sighed,

'Relax.'

Adjusted his mirrors, fastened his seatbelt, and fired up the engine.

It came to life, a sweet purr, and lovely low rumble of power, and Stephens' smile returned.

Cloak tightened even more, ducked its' collar down so it was hiding behind Stephens' neck, giving every indication it was terrified.

'Don't be so silly,' Stephen said, reminding, as he shifted the car into drive, foot on the brake,

'You've faced some pretty awful things.

'This is far from awful.

'This...is amazing,' moved his foot from the brake, to the gas, and pulled out onto the street, into traffic.