Walking down the stairs that lead to Abrams office, John finally lets himself relax and his focus to lower. He slowly walks towards a collection of cars covered with tarps.
With his body relaxed he realizes how tired he is, not physically but mentally.
He's tired of the killing, tired of the fear that is dealt with his name, he just wants to mourn in peace, be able to fulfil his promise. As he walks toward the car that has given him so many treasured memories but is apart of what caused this, he thinks he can finally retire.
He walks along the car's length, sharply pulling the tarp off as he went. As the last of the tarp comes off, he greets himself to the sight of a 2151 Mustang. Casually examining it for damage, he is pleased to find that it's in mint condition. Unlocking the driver's side door and entering the vehicle, pulling down the sun visor as he does, knowing the keys would be kept there. Reaching over at the glovebox, he opens it. Finds exactly what he's looking for, an old and faded birthday card.
As he picks it up a voice appears unbidden into his mind ("What are you doing John?") Banishing the voice from his mind, He puts the card back and closes the glovebox. Sliding the keys into the ignition John beginning the journey home.
Pulling into his garage, he takes in the sight. Helen's SUV still left parked to his left, the front window with a hole through it. Another leftover from Iosef Tarasov. A slide of his hand pulls out his phone, not before long the sound of crashing waves fills the car.
"What are you doing John?" Helen's voice says as her boots crunch in the sand.
"Looking at you," Returns John's, his own voice filled with a warmth he doesn't believe anyone else will ever hear again.
"Come here," says Helen.
The video continues playing, highlighting one of the good days in John life. Him and Helen kissing as the waves crash onto a beach. He closes it, its torturing remembering she is gone. He will never hear her voice again, her breathless laugh after they danced. The twinkle in her eyes after he says something corny. He banishes the stray thoughts and gets out of his car and closes the garage door. As he walks out, a medium-sized black figure rushed towards him, hitting his right leg.
"Hey boy," John says as he bends over to pet the figure. His dogs, eyes stare at him, tail wagging in the background. John knows what he wants "Let's get you some kibble"
John walks towards the kitchen cupboard and grabs his dog's bowl on the way. Topping it off, he goes to change into some more comfortable clothes.
As a towtruck slowly pulls over the hill leading to his house, he tosses a ball toward the edge of the front yard for the dog to chase. John starts walking towards it, the truck pulling to a stop. A man exits the truck, the first feature to be seen was his slicked-back dark hair, accenting it was a black leather jacket and an orange polo shirt underneath it.
"Don't know why you called me up here, John" States the man. "She looks fine."
"She hasn't had a tune-up over the last year, Aurelio." He Rebuts. "I also want to make sure nothing's been damaged internally."
"Ok, I can probably have that done in a day or two." Answers Aurelio. "Anything else you need John?"
"No, that everything, thank you for finding her." He Responds.
"Not a problem man. Don't mention it, I just had to make a few calls." Replies Aurelio as he held out a hand for John to shake. "See you next week John"
Taking the hand, he gives Aurelio a firm shake "See you next week."
"Come on boy!" He calls, turning around to enter the house. He moves towards the kitchen, intent to make himself a sandwich.
He slowly walks into a dimly lit kitchen. Flicking the light on as he passes, and sets a fresh jug in the coffee machine. It's his routine, brew a fresh pot of coffee, make lunch for him and Helen. They would relax on the couch, watching the news or an old movie on art Helen would dig up. Once the pot starts to heat, he finds himself distracted by a whine.
"What is it, boy?" He asks, the dog gave a small whine, pushing an empty water dish forward.
"Oh" He murmurs, and with the barest hint of a smile, refills the bowl. Just in time for the pot to finish brewing.
With a cup of coffee in hand, he moves back towards the counter, grabbing the bread and makes himself a sandwich. He moves into the living room. Turning on the news from some background noise and starts to pet the dog lying at his feet.
Slowly drinking his coffee, He contemplates on the last few days. With peace made between himself and Abram Tarasov, he can be assured that he won't be bothered again. Lest his wrath be brought down against that family once more. But he made waves coming back, people will think he is back in the business. Perhaps some will drop by, expecting to find the boogyman. They'll offer him money but he made Helen a promise, and he won't break it.
Finishing his coffee, he walks towards the sink. Setting the cup inside, he grabs the soap along with the sponge and starts to wash the dishes.
Turning off the tap to the sink, he grabs the rag off the stove to dry what few dishes there are. He grabs the bowl from yesterday's breakfast.
Finishing drying today's and yesterdays dishes, he moves toward the cupboards to put them away. Stacking them neatly in the cupboard. After doing so he steps out of the kitchen and goes up the stairs that lead to the second floor.
Making a left to enter the master bedroom, he grabs the clear garbage bag. It holds what remains of the suit from last night. Exiting the room, he shuts the door behind him and heads toward the basement. Once inside, he places the gun cases containing his pistols back inside the truck he had pulled them from not even two weeks ago. Next, go the cases containing his rifles, then the suit filled garbage bag. Finally, his gold coins but not before he takes a roll from them.
He closing the lid and starts to shovelling the broken concrete back on top of it. Reaching over he grabs the fresh concrete mix and proceeds to pour it onto the destroyed floor.
As the scent of concrete fills the air, he allows his mind to wander to when the promise was made to seal this crate away. Recalling with perfect clarity how her earrings glittered in the moonlight, how her face lit up in pure joy as he told her he was free. How her smile threatened to outshine the stars themselves as he made the promise to never go back. How he took her back to the same place for their first anniversary, how her eyes sparkled when he gave her that diamond necklace.
John, finally finished, snaps out of his memories and places everything in a pile. Then leans back against his basement wall with his dog at his feet, rubbing against his leg. Patting the dog on the head, he closes his eyes. Letting his mind drift to memories of a beach, a woman and a wonderful dinner.
*DING*
His eyes snap open, moving with but a flash to grab his pistol off the table. Checking its thermal clip as he does so. 10 rounds remaining, he notes to himself.
Moving up the stairs, he puts the pistol behind his back as he walks up the stairs.
*DING* the doorbell rings again as if to say "I am here and waiting.". He ignores that particular thought. Now is a time to focus, lest this threat goes unattended.
Walking towards the door, he sees two shadowy figures on the other side. Noting that one is smaller than the other, he reaches for the handle and...
Miranda immediately focused when the door started to crack open. The first thing she took notice of is how little the door opened, giving whoever is behind it light cover.
The second thing she notices is the man who came half into the doorway. Light white skin, long black hair that reaches his neck, dark brown eyes, a scruffy beard that dominates his lower face. With a scowl but not a frown that seems to be permanently etched onto his face.
"Evening." The man said, not coming fully into the doorway.
"Evening, I'm Commander Shepard and this is Miranda Lawson." Responds Shepard, gesturing toward her when he said her name.
"We are looking for John Wick" Continued Shepard.
"I'm him" Responds the ma... Mr Wick.
"Good to meet you, Mr Wick, we are hoping to discuss some busin..." Started Shepard.
"I'm retired," Cuts in Wick, looking ready to spring into action within the next few seconds.
"Can you please hear us out at least?" Pushes Shepard.
Wick paused for a moment, seeming to weigh his options.
"Come in," He answered, he pushed the door till fully open and holstered a model of pistol Miranda didn't recognize. He turned around and gestures for them to enter the house, shutting the door as they do so.
Wick proceeded to walk down the houses main hallway. As they followed, Wick called back and ask "Coffee or tea?"
"Coffee for me," Responded Shepard.
"Tea, please." She answered. "Steeped."
They find themselves led into an open room with a white and black wooden shelf. She took notice of the multiple pictures that contained Wick and an unknown woman, she noted to herself that the woman isn't anywhere to be seen. On business? Divorced? Or perhaps passed away?
*WOFF*
A low bark breaks her out of her inner musing. She turned to the right, where a dog is rested on the floor.
"Hey boy," Said Shepard, as he walks up to it and starts scratching it behind the ears. "Does he have a name?"
"No" Called back Wick, perplexed by this, Miranda turns back to investigating the shelf.
A few minutes pass and Wick walked in with 3 cups in-hand. He led them to an open room with a hard oak table that sat right by a large glass window, providing a view into the yard. He set two of the cup down on the one side of the table. Wick pulled out the chairs, for both of them and himself. As they sit, she notes how peculiar this situation was. Instead of a business meeting over a contract with an assassin. It felt like she was meeting with an old friend.
Shepard, after he took a moment to get situated, is the first to speak. "As I mentioned at the door, we are looking for your help."
She jumped in after him. "We are looking for highly skilled operatives for a high-risk operation, you fit the bill perfectly."
"I'm retired," Wick repeated.
She ignored that and continued unheaded, "The foe is completely unknown. We don't have any information on how they operated, what their battle tactics are. We need you to make sure this mission succeeds."
"I'm not that guy anymore," Snapped back Wick. "I'm done."
She opened her mouth to speak but Shepard does first. "We aren't looking for that man. Nor are we looking for you to engage in the same type of work you once did."
"Whole colonies of humans in the Terminus systems are disappearing off the map. Every man, woman and child gone without a trace," Continued Shepard, growing more passionate as he spoke. "Even if you can do a tenth of what that guy could, you can help stop it."
Wick goes silent, his eyes lock with her's, as he seemed to glance into her very soul. After what feels like an eternity, Wick opened his mouth and asked "What are we looking at? Pirates, slavers, Batarian SIU?"
"None of them. An advanced race known as the Collectors are responsible. We believe they are located behind the Omega 4 relay and as we speak, a team is working on a way to get past the relay." She replied.
Wick once again goes silent before giving his answer. "I'll do it."
She smiled widely and pushed something toward Wick "Excellent, this credit chip has 2 million of the 6 million credit you will be given for this job."
Wick stared at the chip before leaning forward and slid it back across the table, "Commander, Miss Lawson, enjoy your drinks."
He pushed out his chair, before departing the room. She notes he left his drink untouched.
She turned to Shepard and stated with a frown, "He isn't what I expected."
"He isn't what I expected either, I've never known a mercenary or assassin to refuse a paycheck." Stated Shepard.
Wick walked back into the room, grabbing a leather jacket off a coat hook and sliding something into an inner pocket. He turned to Shepard and Miranda, he started to talk "I have to prepare some things before heading to-?"
"The Normandy, she's located at J.F.K." Supplied Shepard.
"The Normandy. Is there anything else you require?" Asked Wick.
"Yes, when can we expect you?" She responded.
"Tomorrow afternoon." Replied Wick "Have a good night."
Taking that as a cue to leave, Shepard and her quickly finished their drinks and leave the house, Wick shutting the door behind them.
After closing the door, John proceeds to move towards the garage, his dog following close behind him. Grabbing the keys to the Camaro Aurelio had left for use. Realizing he needs more information on this Commander Shepard and Miss Lawson. He decides the first stop will be to an old friend.
"Come on, boy," He says as he enters the car.
The dog takes the hint and jumps into the passenger seat. Locking the seat belt into place and shutting the door. He orders the garage door to open. Sliding the car out of the garage and closing the door, he speeds off towards the Continental.
Pulling up to the Continental, John exits the car, with his dog right on his heels. Handing off the keys to the valet, he walks up the stairs and into a building he was hoping never to see again.
Moving through the front lobby and towards Charon's desk, He notices how all conversations have stopped, and all eyes are on him. By the end of today, more rumours will say he has come out of retirement. A cost he will have to pay by accepting this job. Helen would have wanted him to. To use his skills for good, at least once before he dies.
"Mr Wick, while it is a pleasure to have you back I didn't expect to see you again for quite some time." Draws Charon as he peers at John over the rims of his glasses. He cuts an impressing figure while dressed in a black suit, complementing it is a white dress shirt and blue tie.
He ignores the familiarity and cuts right to the point "Is the Manager in?"
"Manager is always in. Shall I announce you?" Questions Charon. They both know what will happen once Charon does. It will broadcast to those at the top that John Wick is operating again.
"Yes please, stay boy." He answers Charon, giving an order to his dog.
Walking to the elevator and hitting the button for the roof, He waits.
*DING*
The elevator sounds and he is already moving. Walking towards two men seated at a table. He is only focusing on one of them, the one that is important to what he needs. He doesn't let that stop him from giving the other man a once over. No hidden weapons, not even a knife. Which is bold, even for one on Continental grounds.
"Ahh my next visitor has arrived, very admirable work my good man," says one of the men as he gestures for the other to leave. Gets a good look at the man, He notes that he is wearing a blue long coat, with pulled-back grey hair salted with the black from his youth and a pair of small glasses sitting on his nose. Of course, Winston only wears the finest clothes, in business like this or in private.
"Jonathan, it's good to see you!" Warmly states Winston, a smile working its way onto his face at the sight of John.
"Winston," He acknowledges. "I need information."
"You know the rules, Johnathan. No business can be conducted on these grounds," Replies Winston, his smile turning into a smirk as he finishes.
"Its information on my current employers" He replies. They have played this game many a time. Winston always had a soft spot for him. He would come with a problem, Winston would quote that exact phrase at him and miraculously whatever he needed he would find given the next day.
"Employers? I thought you were retired." Quips Winston, he must be enjoying the ability to needly him this way.
"I am." He answers.
"Oh then why did you take the job, perhaps you believe it will give you some atonement for your sins" Questions Winston. "Or maybe you believe that Helen would want you to do this."
He flexes his jaw in response, a non-answer but enough for Winston to know he is right. Judging by the flash of victory that goes through the other man's eyes.
"Enough of my musings, what is the job, Johnathan?"
"Whole colonies in the Terminus are going dark, every man, woman and child gone. I have been hired by a Commander Shepard and a Miranda Lawson to help stop it." He answers. They both know the job isn't one he would have taken in the past. Too messy, too emotional for the Boogyman to be able to do what he did best.
"Commander Shepard, I suppose in your retirement, you wouldn't have heard of him. He single-handedly closed the gap in Elysium's defences during the Skyllian Blitz. He was made humanity's first and only SPECTRE to date." Says Winston. "He hunted down Saren Arerius after it was proven he was responsible for the attack on Eden Prime, in the process saved both the Council and the Citadel from a Geth attack."
"Reports say he was killed in action two years ago, but it seems rumours of his demise have been greatly exaggerated." Continues Winston. "Shepard is a dangerous man, not as dangerous as you but still one most are hesitant to cross.
"Onto Miss Lawson, she's a high ranking member of the human supremacy organisation Cerberus. Cerberus has been indicated in assassination, theft, terrorism, illegal research and other crimes." Begins Winston. The listed crimes were nothing that he or Winston couldn't be charged with if the High Table ever felt the need. Which meant Cerberus is like any other group he has taken jobs with.
"Miss Lawson herself was responsible for stopping a chemical attack on the Citadel a few years ago. She has a large number of warrants and bounties on her head in both Citadel and System Alliance space, but two years ago she disappeared off the radar." Finishes Winston. "A woman that has survived this long Johnathan is one I would worry about."
"While I highly doubt Commander Shepard will betray you, Jonathan, be careful around Cerberus. Even the High Table worries about them." Warns Winston.
Understanding the warning Winston is giving, he gets up and replies "Winston."
"Jonathan," Returns Winston.
Walking back into the elevator, He presses the button for the lobby with plans in mind for his next move.
(Rewrite published 24th of December 2020)
Disclaimer, I do not own Mass Effect or John Wick.
First off, I want to thank you all for the response to this story, at the time of me posting this we have 18 favourites, 37 follows and over 400 people who have read the story. I'm blown away I never expected this kind of response to this, thank you all.
Next review responses MythianTechCorp "He has got to have more than just guns and knives for weapons, right?"
Well, I would suggest watching through all 3 John Wick movies to learn exactly what John is capable off. But yes he will have more than guns and knives.
The Real Hell Fire "I was never able to get into Mass Effect for some reason, I don't know why, so all of the characters from that side's feats mean nothing to me. But I sure as hell know Mr Wick's feats. He is not someone to cross, and anyone who knows who he is, should be rightfully scared if he doesn't train his gun on you."
"You had just gained a follower. Be seeing you."
I can respect that while the focus of this story is John and his world and how changes Mass Effects story the ME character will have some large screen time. Be seeing you.
Onto discussing the chapter, this chapter was all dialogue but don't worry the next chapter will have some very entertaining things. For those that know John Wick Chapter 2, you will have noticed that I have mostly rewritten how the Abram scene went when it came to action and bits of Aurelio's conversation with John when. You can probably expect the next chapter sometime next week.
And finally, I would like to thank my Beta AdmiralWhiteFang for helping with all the small mistakes I make.