Season 2

Two; Broken Things

Chapter One

Late morning sun sparkled thru the giant windows into Stephen's bedroom, gilding all it touched. Stephen stood in front of them, comfy in a tee shirt and sweatpants, sipping a cup of tea, meditating on how great it felt to finally be back on his feet.

Even Cloak, hovering close at a his elbow, seemed a more glorious crimson, bathed in the comforting gold aura.

Everything seemed brighter, felt more hopeful, in sunlight.

So, when Christine arrived for her morning check in on his health, Stephen offered a warm smile.

She gave a brisk nod, but no answering smile.

She was wearing her neutral professional expression, which hurt more than the injuries did.

Her beautiful eyes were hard as she indicated he remove his tee shirt.

Apparently, he really had ruined everything, with her.

Briskly, she took his pulse, his temperature, gave his nearly healed wounds a brief inspection, while Cloak supervised closely.

Surveying his pale features, she ordered,

'You need to eat,' without meeting his gaze.

'I will prepare something,' Wongs voice broke in, from the doorway, as he strode over, hands clasped behind his back,

'Would you care to join us, for breakfast? Master Jade should be arriving, shortly.'

Christine gave a nod, a kind smile,

'Thank you, Wong, but I'm late for work, as it is,' and Wong actually smiled back.

Stephens brow crinkled into a twist of annoyed amusement. Apparently, Wong actually could smile when he felt like it.

'I appreciate your assistance, Doctor Palmer.'

'Absolutely,' she assured, as she gathered her bag, coat draped over her forearm.

Wong gave a small bow, then headed for the kitchen, leaving Stephen alone with her.

'You're recovering faster than I expected,' she admitted, finally meeting his eyes.

Stephen twitched a smile, shrugged,

'I'm told its one of the perks of my job,' as he winced, slightly.

Christine scowled, angrily, admonished,

'You've got to stop doing this, Stephen. I can't keep putting you back together.'

Stephen smiled, gently, lowered his gaze, but didn't answer.

After a moment, he queried,

'How's Nick?'

'He won't be able to get back to work for a few weeks, but, otherwise, good.'

She shifted feet, awkwardly, shrugged,

'Thank you, for that.'

Stephen nodded,

'Give him my best.'

Christine opened her mouth, as if she were going to say something, but apparently changed her mind. She gave him a small, forced smile, and headed out of the room.

Stephen pulled his tee shirt back on, sighed, as he watched Christine leave, without a backwards glance.

Cloak had followed her, briefly, but stopped short of leaving the room.

'Well, I guess I really messed that up,' he commented, with a grimace.

Cloak swung back to face him, its collar curled into a melancholy curve.

Stephen couldn't help but smile,

'You like her, don't you?'

Cloak nodded, sadly.

Stephen lamented,

'Well, so do I. But, I'm pretty sure I slammed that door shut.'

Cloak gave a swish, like a sigh, followed by a shrug, bringing a smile back to Stephens face,

'Maybe you're right. She might give me one more chance.'

Cloak gave a happy nod, with its collar, and swirled onto his shoulders.

'I'm thinking I need to visit the Relic Room,' Stephen decided, 'I haven't checked on Mjolnir since before all this happened, and I want to see where they stashed Sables' urn.

'We should have time, before breakfast.'

Cloak gave an energetic fluff of agreement, and the pair headed off toward the Relic Room.

Wong was humming quietly as he whisked pancake batter, but gave a quick glance up as Master Jade came in to the kitchen..

It never ceased to amaze him just how well, and how silently, she negotiated her surroundings.

He was convinced the Staff had something to do with that.

She carried half a dozen books, as well as some parchment scrolls, which she moved to lay on a nearby countertop.

'Master Jade,' he acknowledged, and she gave a nod of greeting.

Whatever she was about to say was cut short by a resounding blast of sound, like thunder, from the Relic Room, and the walls shook.

Wong nearly dropped the bowl, and she gasped,

'You let Stephen go to the Relic Room?'

'Not intentionally,' Wong shot back, as he set down the bowl, then offered his arm to guide her, and they bolted toward the Relic Room.

The two Masters skidded to a halt at the entrance to the Relic Room.

Master Jade dropped to her knees, pulled away from her body, into her astral form, to stand alongside Wong.

Stephen stood in the far corner of the room, facing a glass case, a shield in one hand, a fiery eldritch sword in the other. Cloak clung to his shoulders, its edges curled to defend Stephens sides from any assault.

The Curtain Of Night spell shrouding the case had been severely damaged, and the glass behind it was cracked, but still intact.

Stephen smashed the case with his sword, over and over, rocking it on its base.

Inside the case, Sables black cloak had backed into a corner, giving every indication it was terrified.

Wong and Jade made their way thru the room, quickly, but cautiously, to be certain Stephen noted their approach.

As they came into his peripheral vision, Stephen tossed them a glare, lowered the sword.

'Who brought this, here?' he demanded, furiously, pointing toward the smokey cloak with his sword blade.

Jade snapped back,

'I did.'

'You knew this was here?' Stephen accused Wong, who growled,

'Knew, but did not agree with. It was only out of respect to her, as Master Of London, that I deferred to her request.'

Jade slanted him a nasty frown, which Wong ignored.

'You said Sable was dead.'

'He is. This being is not part of Sable.'

'It worked with him. Participated in his evil. It deserves to be destroyed,' Stephen snarled.

'You are wrong, Master Strange,' Jade corrected, sharply, taking a step closer, 'and, I think you should get your facts straight before you make such a sudden, harsh judgement.'

Stephen glowered at her, and Cloak swirled on his shoulders like a storm.

Wong scowled, but kept silent, and all four of them focused their attention on the being in the case.

Trapped in its glass prison, the smokey black cloak now hung, quietly, clearly awaiting a decision as to its fate.

After a few moments silence, Jade suggested, firmly,

'So,' with a tap of her Staff against the floor,

'Maybe we can discuss this, calmly, over breakfast?' as she reformed the Curtain Of Night spell.

After a second, Stephen quenched his sword and shield, but his scowl lingered on the case.

Wong shook is head, irritably, hands clasped behind his back, and left for the kitchen.

Stephen turned his attention to Jade, his expression black, but Jade merely squared her shoulders, lifted her chin, unintimidated, and returned his glare.

Finally, Stephen relented, and turned away from the silver shimmer of the case, to head off to breakfast.

Cloak gave a subtle twitch, then pulled away, to hang facing the case, like a sentinel.

'I agree,' Stephen said, an angry edge to his tone, 'Someone should watch it.'

Jade tossed him a snarky look, then left, ahead of him, to reclaim her physical form.

As she came to her feet, Stephen, his anger somewhat subsided, stopped to offer her his arm. After a pause, she slipped her hand, stiffly, into the crook of his elbow, and allowed him to lead her from the Relic Room.

Cloak rustled closer to the case, collar at attention, prepared to do whatever was needed to protect, not only the Sanctum, but its beloved Chosen.

Apologies to all for the delay in posting Chapter Two, but I've been busy creating art to support these stories. If you haven't yet had a chance to see any of it, head over to my instagram account, Ladystephaniestrange. I look forward to comments and reviews on both story and art!