Putting the box down, "well that seems to be the last of them." "Thank you for helping me, Scarlet." "It's fine. Don't worry about it. If things had been different, we would have been sisters." "Alexander was a douche. I don't get what you saw in him. But nonetheless, your son makes us family. How is Miles?" "I just put him down for a nap. But still, you never had to save us. I know how much the two of you couldn't get along."
"That had nothing to do with you though. And don't say it was because he showed a side we hadn't seen. Or he didn't show us, he had been vinegar for years." "So, then surely, there was a side of him that wasn't, that never left him?! That is the Alex I had fallen in love with and it still wasn't enough." Rachel turns, remaining silent. Before changing, the conversation, "it is nice The Powers were able to help."
"Yes. Along with Franklin, and maybe even Ahura and Luna, it will be nice for Miles to have kids his age that he can play with?!" "Well, we'll see. My relationship with Pietro is still shaky. And I am not a big fan of Crystal. She is barely tolerable on my best days." "But you care about Luna and Tuc, so that is something, right?!" "Scarlet MacKenzie, I'm shocked. You know I can't very well hold their parents' actions against them?!" Rachel says with mock horror.
Scarlet laughs. "You're right. I apologize. They are such sweet children. I do wonder how they wound up with parents like them?!" Before Rachel can answer, the foundation by the front door collapses as a man dressed in black, rolls to the side, barely avoiding the assault. "MILES!" "Go, I will handle this." "Nate should be here soon; he is supposed to pick us up. I am glad though, Charles sure bugged him in wanting to go to see a movie."
The man pulls out his guns as he starts firing as Rachel shields herself just in time. A corpulent man dressed in white comes through the decaying structure. "Oh, hell, NO! This is my house. And there is a child involved. GET OUT!" Creating another psychic barrier, the bullets don't reach their target. The man in black turns to look at her.
"Stay out of my way." "NO! You came crashing into my house. I am quite serious; I don't want any on you here." "Aunt Rchl?!" Seeing that Miles is in Scarlet's arms, rubbing his eyes. "It's okay, baby. I am handling this." Looking to the two men, she concentrates before pushing, the gigantic man tries to get his bearings as his feet move out from underneath him. But it is to no avail, as he is flying backward through the air the next moment.
A surge of energy envelops Rachel as the guns are yanked out of the other man's hands. Before he too is sent soaring through the air. Rachel taking off after them. The guns hit the middle of the street as she places the man in black not far from them. The heavy man in white left to struggle in the air. "Francis Castiglione, is it?!". "It's actually Frank Castle."
"They call you The Punisher. You really ought to keep in mind not to involve innocents in whatever game you are playing." "This isn't a game. If you know who I am, then you must know who that is?!" "Oh, him." The man is sent tumbling in the air, as he begins to pick up speed. Finally crying out at the displeasure. "What are you even doing here and concerning yourself with things that don't involve you, girl?"
Crossing her arms, "I hadn't thought you were one to be slow on the uptake. You brought this fight to me." "Now who is slow?! I meant shouldn't you be with the Xmen or something given how well your power is being manifested?!" "Not every mutant wishes to affiliate with a group, though and not that it really is your business, but we had a falling out of sorts." Two more interrupt her night as they touch down not far from them. Both wearing red as part of their costumes. Though, one has blue mixed in. "Punisher." "This is…" "Spider man, yes, I know. Johnny has told me a lot about you." The other man remaining silent. "And you are Matt Murdoc, the Daredevil." "It is just Daredevil."
"So, what is an Xman doing here?!" "An Xman is trying to live their life in peace." The group turn to see two males. Both with light brown hair and streaks of white, the child is holding the other's hand. "Nate, Charles. Everything is fine now. Go keep an eye on Scarlet and Miles. I will be back later." Turning back to the other men, "if we could take this elsewhere. Kid, help them."
"Me, but I am not a kid." Peter answers. "You don't seem really mature." Castle and Matt doing their best not to laugh. Which of course given their personalities, they manage (but just barely). Peter begins walking to the house, "ah, come on…" Fisk still struggling, as she takes to the air. "Let's go, tubby."
The bullets fly through the air as she presses herself against the column. "You know we really have to stop meeting like this." "Rachel?! Now isn't really the time." "I don't know. I think it is. I have to control the situation again, make sure people don't get hurt in the process." "Then they shouldn't associate with such people." "Castle, we happen to be in a mall. If anyone is being nefarious, it is only for wanting a moment to themselves and possibly a good sale?!"
Stepping out from the cover she has; she finds who Frank had been shooting at. Swiftly making her way to them. She sideswipes their legs before quickly making work of them. They attempt to move as she sits on their chest. "You be quiet." As Castle approaches, "you know for a man of many talents when it comes to fighting, do you really think guns are the answer?"
"They fulfill their purpose. I can get my targets without having to get close and personal. Why am I even justifying myself to you?!" "I don't know you tell me?!" She starts to get up, feeling the perp beneath her making to bolt. She puts her foot on his chest pressing down. "I didn't say you could move." "No, he'll kill me." "Oh, don't worry about him. Worry about what I can do!"
Scarlet, Charles, Nate and Miles are walking in front of her as she cradles Katherine in her arms. As the flaming man touches the ground, releasing his companion, "no, Miles, Charles, wait." The two boys running toward them just as the bomb goes off. "JOHNNY!" Storm looks at them. "Hey, what are you two doing here?!" "Really, Johnathon Storm, we do happen to be in a zoo. Castle. Who attacks such a place anyway?! I swear trying to get away from this life seems impossible."
"Well, it is rather difficult if you continue to associate with us. You do work with Reed after all." "That isn't the same and you know it. Nate, watch them and do what you can to help with the evacuation." She places Katherine in his arms. "Stay with him. Don't run off." She and Johnny take to the sky just as more heroes arrive. "And next time, Castle, I am expecting at least dinner." "Again, Rachel, not the time." "There is no other time to address this attraction. It isn't like we constantly cross paths otherwise." Frank remains silent.
Bumping his shoulder, putting a smile on his face. "It is something that some of us have actually managed to have families given what we do." "So, see there is still hope. Even for someone from Hell's Kitchen." The man with the trench coat walking away underneath them. "Go on." "You still have a chance with Elektra, so who knows, Matt?!" "Good luck, you are going to need it." He whispers in return, maintaining his silent vigilance.
"Frank, wait!" The man continues as if he isn't being addressed. "CASTLE!" He turns to her, waiting. Moving forward, taking the gesture for what it is meant to be, Rachel is by his side. "What do you want, Maximoff?" "Aren't you tired of always having to look over your shoulder?" "As much as you are, Red." "And yet, I manage to have a life."
Crossing his arms as he stares her down, "I do have a life. I thought you understood this and me?!" "I do. But I also have picked up on what you think of me, how you feel. And I haven't hidden that I would shut the possibility down." "Even if I had no problem chasing another man's woman, which I do. I can never forget I did have a family once and what it cost me losing them.
So, go home. For as much as I would wish otherwise, Maria, Lisa and Frank Jr. will always haunt me. I could never really give another woman my heart, not completely. Nor would I expect them to feel like they have to compete with the memory of a ghost. So, go home, Rachel Summers-Maximoff. Isn't it more than enough that you are already also pining over another man you could never have as well?! You definitely don't need me to further complicate your love life."
She is left alone with the sting of rejection as the heavens release, drenching her. As the guardian of Hell's Kitchen takes his leave after witnessing more than enough of the intimate meeting. The only indication such a crossing occurred are the footsteps that are barely heard becoming more and more distant. "You're wrong, Frank. Maria, your son and Lisa would never have wanted this life for you. And I am sorry my feelings seem to be such a hinderance to you."
