Soooooo so sorry for the lack of updates in the past 10 days or so. I was distracted by getting ready for school, then by school, then by a breakup, then by more school. Also by videogames and fanfiction about said videogames. Time flies! When I realized exactly how much time had passed, I felt really guilty, so here's a nearly 2k word long chapter! I hope you enjoy!
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"So, what did you want to talk to me about?" The man in the car asked. He wore an eye patch, the scars peeking out from underneath proved that it wasn't just for show. My stomach knotted itself up again. And with how quickly he'd arrived… It didn't seem natural… Says the mermaid standing next to Captain America.
"Director!" Steve spoke, "That was fast, even for you." I felt relieved that he'd spoken first. I'd been stunned.
"I'd been visiting with Stark," The man said. His voice was not as deep as I'd imagined, especially for a man with the name "Fury". "I was on my way out when you called in. Figured I'd stop by. Rogers can you tell me why you think you can trust her enough to spill everything? I'd expected you to be better than that." Steve looked upset; he'd let down a superior because he'd felt wrong lying to me. I wasn't happy.
"I trusted him first!" I snapped, "It's not his fault you people made him lie to me! I'm a kid! I'm not a… I'm not a terrorist!" Fury's good eye was now staring me down. I started to loose heart and my voice shook. Steve was smiling nervously at my sudden show of courage, even though it had been short-lived. After what felt like an uncomfortable eternity, the Director spoke.
"You've got guts kid. Both of you, in the car. We'll talk at Stark's place." The door opened as Fury shifted his location in the car. Steve climbed in without question, but I didn't feel so sure.
"Why?" I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling like a silly child throwing a tantrum. I didn't doubt he knew the Tony Stark. I scowled at him, hoping he'd take me seriously. To my annoyance, the man laughed.
"If you want to show me what you're capable of in full view of the public eye, I suggest you get in the car." I grumbled, I couldn't walk out, not after I'd said I wanted to speak with him. I'm too stubborn for that, and anyway, he probably knew where I lived. Fuming silently, I climbed into the car.
The drive to Stark's house took a while, thanks to city traffic. It was awkward too. Steve was staring out the window, his jaw set, lost in thought. Fury was scrolling on some phone-sized device. Probably looking at spy stuff. I turned to look out the window on my side of the car. People passed by, not really aware of the world around them. They were staring at their phones, walking too fast to possibly know what lay beyond their feet, or they were looking at the world from the screen of their cameras.
"Miss Thompson." Fury's voice snapped me from my thoughts. Thank god, I was starting to get deep, "I was informed there were things you wished to talk to me about." Right, that.
"What do you know about me? You know I'm a mermaid, you know my name; I'm guessing you know my address. You probably also did a background check, so tell me. What pieces of the puzzle do you have?" Fury smirked, but it was a subtle one. I couldn't figure out what thoughts might have provoked his expression.
"I know that you change if you get wet. I know about your hometown, and that you used to work at a rec center. In the pool nonetheless. You quit suddenly without reason. Your mother used to be on a swim team. Did the mermaid gene come from your father's side?" It was my turn to smirk. I still had plenty of things to hang over his head, if he didn't interrogate Steve first.
"No. I never met my father, but I'm positive he wasn't a merman. I know exactly where my abilities come from." Fury frowned.
"More than one?"
"I'm still discovering them." At this, Steve looked over. "I'm not going to deny the forced transformation thing. You'd probably hit me with water if I tried. I don't know if you believe in magic or not, but if you don't, then you better get started. I got my powers thanks to a very rare phenomenon. The Moon Pool, an ordinary body of water that gains… unusual magical properties under the light of the full moon." Fury leaned forward, but I interrupted whatever it was he was starting to say.
"I'm not going to tell you where it is. You'll probably send someone to find it the moment my back is turned. I don't know what my purpose as a mermaid is, but I'm going to guess of them is to be a protector of the Moon Pool. I don't want your lackeys damaging such a sacred place." Steve made a soft noise that sounded to me like a successful attempt at muffling a laugh. I don't know what he was laughing about, but the Director smiled.
"I understand. That place must be important to you. If we ever need to collect information there, I will ask you to oversee the site."
"No, I will not stand for anyone at the Moon Pool." Fury's face went stern again, "I am a mermaid, changed by the Moon Pool and bound by the moon itself. It is a sacred place, it is to me what a church alter is to a holy man. Please understand my insistence that no one enter it." I wasn't sure my metaphor held as much weight as I hoped it would, I'm not a religious person. I do believe in the magic of the moon, however. Luckily for me, Fury seemed to catch my drift.
"So be it. I'll leave it be." Satisfied, I glanced at Steve. To my surprise, he didn't look convinced. My smug self-esteem boost swirled down the drain and was replaced quickly with suspicion. My friend knows the Director more than I do, and I trust his judgment.
The car stopped suddenly, and I almost pitched forward. I felt my skin start to burn with embarrassment as Steve opened the door. We made it to Stark Tower. I felt a sense of dread wash over me as I stepped out of the car. Fury wanted to know what I was capable of, and my stomach twisted itself like a pretzel. It was one of those many fears I'd developed since that night at the Moon Pool, being found out by a figure with authority and being put on some sort of display. Fury had found me out, and he wanted me to pretty much put myself on display. In the New York home of Tony Stark nonetheless. This was turning out to be a pretty weird day, even by my standards.
We were greeted by a man with a European accent, I didn't see his face but I could hear him through a speaker by the door.
"Greetings again, Director. Mr. Stark wasn't expecting to see you so soon after your departure."
"Let us in, Jarvis," Fury ordered the man, "Something came up."
"You brought visitors," Jarvis responded, "Mr. Stark is rather upset with you after what happened earlier, and he would not be happy with you bringing strangers in his home. I would advise you to tell me their names." Fury sighed. All this power and he was at the mercy of a man behind a microphone.
"I have brought Steve Rogers, a friend of mine. And Jacqueline Thompson, someone I want Stark to meet. We're here on Shield business."
"Very well, I'll inform him of your arrival immediately." And the intercom was silent.
"Stark is mad at you?" Steve asked, the first thing he said since we got in the car with Fury.
"That is none of your concern." Fury seemed agitated. Suddenly the door opened, and Jarvis' voice sounded again.
"You may proceed." Fury didn't thank the man as he stepped through the doors, and neither did Steve. Both wore serious expressions. Muttering a "thank you" I followed closely behind them. I didn't think I'd be fast enough to lose them if I bolted. We stepped into an elevator, one that took us nearly to the top level.
Exiting the lift, we were welcomed by a large open space; a black marble landing glittered under our feet. Several steps down, there was a large area, carpeted in an off-white shade. There was a mini bar off to one side, as well as some comfy looking furniture. The wall across from us was nothing but windows, curved into some wavy fashion along the floor. Outside, there was a balcony. That must be the balcony where the sign is located, the big light-up "STARK".
A man in black t-shirt with spiky black hair stood with his back to us, looking out over the city. The view was stunning. He turned around and I recognized his face from the TV and magazines. Tony Stark. He looked a little shorter than I thought he'd be. There was a glowing white circle of light on his chest, under his shirt. He frowned at Fury.
"Okay, eye patch, what could be so important that you needed to interrupt my 'me time' again?" His eyes wandered over to Steve, who stood next to me.
"Wait, you brought Captain America? The Captain America? I honestly thought you were kidding, Jarvis!" I glanced about curiously, looking for the man who we'd spoken to over the intercom.
"I never kid, Sir." Jarvis said, his voice seeming to come from everywhere at once. Was Jarvis some sort of ghost assistant? Looking at Steve, I saw he was just as startled as me.
"Right," Mr. Stark ignored the ghost, "So are you here for my help?"
"We are here because your tower is a secure location. I have a very sensitive project going on right now, and this is the safest location to Jacqueline to be." Mr. Stark turned to me. Ohmygod. Walking over, he looked me up and down.
"What do you know that's so dangerous then, huh?" He asked, studying me. I shifted uncomfortably under so many eyes.
"Stark." Steve interrupted, "Be nice." Mr. Stark grinned.
"I'm being nice, Jarvis am I being nice?"
"Very." I noticed the ghost's voice never seemed to stray from his disinterested tone.
"What I know is not dangerous to me," I spoke up, Stark's attention coming back to rest on me, "It's Fury who needs to know." Mr. Stark smiled.
"So what is it?"
"I'm a mermaid." Stark didn't seem phased. I looked him dead in the eyes, fighting the urge to look away. After several moments passed where I didn't say "Jk", the man's expression changed.
"Wait you're serious?"
"Deadly." Fury replied bluntly, walking towards the mini-bar. He found a small bottle of water, and walked over to me. My heart raced and panic set in when I realized what he was about to do.
"NO!" I shouted, backing up, "Nononononono!" A small hysterical giggle escaped my lips as I leapt behind the couch. Mr. Stark laughed, and Steve looked worried. I started laughing more, as though I were playing a game. Even Fury started smiling. He started to unscrew the cap on the bottle when I threw up my hand.
The entire bottle frosted over. Startled, the Director dropped the bottle onto the floor. The bottle hit the carpet with a dull thud, frozen through.
"Well, that's one of your powers. What else are you capable of?" Fury eyed me suspiciously. Steve frowned, while Mr. Stark just looked bewildered.
"As fun as that was, if you want to see me change, it needs to be on my own terms." I replied.
