Hello lovely readers! New chapter is out! This is perhaps the longest one in the story so far coming up to about a total of 14, 293 words and twenty five pages!
Phew! Glad that's all over.
I just wanted to do the usual thank you to all my reviewers and since it's sorta been awhile I'll just sorta skip the usual start chatter and let you get on with reading this new addition: Chapter 21!
Enjoy my lovelies~!
Chapter 21: Uncanny Negotiations
"Darcy, do you mind handing me a wrench?"
Loki's head snapped up. Green eyes piercing as he stared at the woman with mousy brown hair as she moved about her lab. Directing S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to and fro as they assembled the machine of her own design. Of course with the exception of Darcy Lewis who just provided the workforce with 'coffee' and food, sometimes her assistance would branch out to gathering tools to complete the project much to her dismay as she began her hunt for the requested item.
"Ugh…Jane there are thousands of them! I don't know which one you're talking about and I'm a Political Science major! Not an engineer!" Darcy whined, but she obliged when she went over to the tool set and dug around.
"I just need an adjustable one." Jane replied. "And be careful with that computer equipment! All the information stored in there would set us back months if it gets destroyed!" she snapped, turning around on some agents who were handling some 'computer parts'. The agents were quick to straighten their spine as the small woman's haughty glare pinned them in place.
"Ugh…y-yes, Dr. Foster." one of agents stuttered.
Pitiful. Loki's lips pulled back into a sneer as he watched these Humans at work. He had watched Foster and her fellow scientist alike fumble around for nearly two weeks straight, trying to understand and grasp at straws in achieving something Asgardians have accomplished a millennia ago even before his own birth. It would take a miracle for this to work, or in his case, a guiding invisible hand to lead them through step by step to insure their success as much as he loathed to do it. But their research was useful. And if the situation ever called for it he could always just wipe every single one of them out before the enquiry could ever reach anyone. Let alone S.H.I.E.L.D. whom he would not trust with such technology.
And even with his guidance. If this machine failed, he always had the Tesseract to fall back on for means of transportation. He didn't want to stay on this speck of dirt flying through space any longer.
The Norse God rose from his perch, finally having enough of spending too much time around these fools. They could last awhile without him there. Closing his eyes he felt himself slip away. The chaotic babble and shuffling of Jane Foster's lab soon melted from the background into silence and then to the lively sounds of a large, but highly familiar, metropolis.
Loki raised his hand as he blocked away the bright glare from the harsh sun above, eyes squinting open as he was greeted by the sights of Manhattan. The effects of the Astral Projection wore off as he gained his full bearings. The wind played at his hair from how high up he was, once again in favor for the rooftop of Stark Tower for solitude. He had remained for over the past two weeks, preferring to dedicate his time in either keeping Foster under observation or travelling over the expanse of this Midgardian city due to the fact that he did not wish to see the mortal girl a few feet below just yet. For the past two weeks he could shamefully admit he had been avoiding her. The thought of seeing her now only made him have slight difficulty to breathe and guilt lay like a rock in his heart; causing a lump to form in his throat.
He flexed his fingers slowly. Grimacing as he recalled the feel of her skin against his hands and how his nails had broken her fragile flesh. He could have killed her.
But you didn't. His mind reasoned.
Even if he tried to lie to himself Loki knew there was no excuse for what he's done. He swallowed, his throat suddenly a bit dry as he remembered that night. What he had saw.
Fear.
That was the emotion that flickered through her brown eyes and he had been the cause of it. He shivered, the remorse making his stomach roll with nausea. He left out a soft sigh as he got himself to his feet. Trudging over to the edges of the rooftop he rested his arms on the cement block ahead of him. Eyes trailing lazily over the expanse of the city. The view was the same as always. The Humans below always rushing somewhere and completely unaware of anything. Blissful ignorance. Oh how little they knew. All with the exception of one.
And to him, it was Irene.
Foolish, trusting, kind, forgiving Irene.
No matter how hard he tried he could not forget her smile.
That small simple smile that told him everything. That smile in which stated so loudly that she had forgiven him. In the past he would have been enlightened by such a thing. But never once had he laid a hand on a female of any kind with such force. Tricks and pranks were things he did. But he never intentionally wish to hurt anyone. He understood that she had forgiven him. So one may ask why he stayed away from the one person on this planet he found decent enough.
The answer was simple.
He hasn't forgiven himself.
In some way he knew that he would never find it within himself to absolve his transgressions against the girl a few floors below. Everyday his thoughts and feelings raged and warred among themselves. A part of which festered a growing fatal desire for the girl (something that he grudgingly admitted) and the side of him who was disgusted by this weakness he had developed, that made him go soft for a female of a species lesser than himself or anyone of Asgard. After a new thought would emerge into battle against them, stating that he himself was lesser than the both, a painful truth that acknowledged his true heritage. A Frost Giant.
Even now he still felt disgusted by himself.
A never ending nightmare that he was forced to endure with hardly any choice.
Someone like Irene Hawkins had been a welcoming break after all the months he had spent with her. A small escape for any sense of normalcy. Someone who was for once happy to see him, talk to him, treat him equally. She had never truly treated him as a Prince he had been raised to be but she had treated him as her friend. Something that he found himself treasuring more than he should. Because he had felt what she had felt in those moments in her chambers.
The fear.
Fear of different reasons than hers' of course. And that fear had triggered his growing anger. Loki ran his fingers through his hair, banishing those forbidden thoughts from his mind. He scowled angrily, baring his teeth at nothing. He knew those haunting thoughts would return for him later. They always do. He could foresee that he was he was what Midgardians would call a 'loose cannon' and there may be a point where Irene would no longer be safe near him much longer. It made his heart feel heavy despite him wanting to feel relieved and happy even that he could cut whatever bond he forged when he left.
Alas, Irene Hawkins refused to budge from his hardened heart and she remained deep under his skin much to his irritation.
He did not have much time to dwell on the issue when a loud sound reached Loki's ears and building beneath his feet shook. Eyes widening the Norse God leaned over the edge of the rooftop to look down, spotting a trail of dark smoke raising a few floors down from the laboratory floors of Stark Tower. A massive hole had been blown into the building's side as many of the Midgardians below on the streets scrambled away from the building. Some screams of horror from below reached his ears as a commotion began to start below.
Then came the loud shots of 'guns'.
Brows furrowed in confusion. Who would stage an attack right in the heart of the city? And here at Stark Tower? These people had deliberately forced entry in the upper level instead of starting from the ground floor and up. Why? He wondered, eyes scanning for any other looming possible threats.
"Why would they…?" He murmured to himself. He saw nothing in the sky or down below.
He focused once more, ears trained for the sound of anymore gunshots. But it had become oddly silent, which could mean Stark's men had either neutralized the enemy or the enemy was being clever and hiding. They could have broken in for the technology that Stark possesses, or even plans and blueprints. Or…they could be here for another reason. That last reason picked at his mind and he stubbornly refused to acknowledge it.
"She's safe. They are not here for her, S.H.I.E.L.D. assured her safety." He reasoned, trying to reassure himself. It was a possibility, yes, but there were many other things aside from the girl down stairs that were more valuable.
Despite the fact that she had become valuable to him. His friend.
Gunshots rang through the air, and closer than it was before. Dread settled in when he was forced to acknowledge that the intruder was travelling up towards the Penthouse level. He went rigid
"Irene." He breathed.
Without hesitation he launched himself over the barrier, allowing gravity to take hold of him as he plunged down to the Party deck a few floors below. He hadn't bothered to soften his landing this time around causing the cement below his feet shattered and cracked beneath his weight upon impact. Loki was swift, nearly sprinting back into the building as the popping sound from the guns came from above. Reaching the elevator, he pressed the up button repeatedly and the usual whirling sound of the elevator did not meet his ears.
"Come on, out of all the times not to work!" he spat.
He pushed himself away from the door angrily, pacing himself back and forth nearly seething. But the worry returned to him when once again there was silence. Desperately he sought his only connection. The little golden enchanted pendant that he had given her. He could feel it. Feel her.
And right now she was scared.
So unbelievably scared. And he wasn't able to help her because he was on the wrong damn floor. That fact hit him hard. Guilt swarmed angrily in his gut. He never should have left her alone! The floor above shook with another explosion causing some dust from the ceiling to fall to the floor. It nearly gave the god a heart attack.
"Irene!" he shouted.
Returning to the elevator he slammed his fingers into the crack that kept the doors sealed. And without much need for strength the doors caved away as he pried them to the side. Having a gap big enough to step through a singular shot was heard from above followed by more silence. Sticking his head through he looked up the elevator's shaft to determine the distance from his floor to the next, but he did not have much time to contemplate before his hearing caught onto the screeching of metal that was coming ever closer. Glancing downward, the dark hair Prince had barely anytime to react as he jerked his away from the oncoming elevator that just missed him by inches.
Reinforcements.
Blocked now by the elevator Loki leered as he heard the thudding of the guards' boots exiting the elevator. And if he strained his hearing enough he could make out the muffled sounds of voices. Having the shaft for the elevator blocked Loki made his way back out doors onto the balcony, head turning immediately skyward as he surveyed the floor above him. His mind worked vigorously for a plan that would get him up there. His eyes looking for anything that would give him any semblance of success.
CRASH!
Loki raised his arm up to quickly shield his eyes from falling glass, his mouth open in silent shock as a red figure hurled itself from the floor above.
It was a man. He was curled up, arms wrapped around something tightly that Loki could tell that the man would not dare let go. And then the sun's light had lit up flowing auburn locks like a flame, he could not see her face but he simply knew. There was without a doubt about just who that man had taken. He rushed towards the edge without thinking looking over the edge as the figure in red and his captive fell further down to the streets below.
"IRENE!" Exclaimed a voice from above.
The 'Scotsman'.
But Loki's eyes remained glued to the two falling figures before they had suddenly vanished before his eyes. The Norse God leaned over the edge his expression being one of panic, he felt suddenly nauseous when cold reality made itself known. She's gone…, his mind seemed to whisper …it's all YOUR fault! Coward, running away from a Midgardian girl! Now look at what's happened. All your fault, can never do anything right!
Norns. He was one. HE should have stayed with her that night, drew the line somewhere. He should have never allowed himself so close in the first place. He could have just taken the Tesseract and left while getting himself as far away from her as possible.
They say that if you pledge loyalty to a God, or make a promise, you shall always be protected.
He shuddered as his own words came back to haunt him. And within his thoughts he could see her there before him, her head tilted back so she could meet his gaze with unflinching certainty as she vowed herself to him. Amber eyes flickering with mischief, something he had always encouraged in others. He had given her a pendant baring his symbol. Something in which he had never done to any other. Yes, Midgardians of ages past had once worn symbols of Odin, Thor, or even sometimes himself but never once has he gifted it himself to anyone.
The look of alarm melted from his face. He continued to stare blankly at open air, suddenly no longer seeing. Despite his look of indifference his heart beat roared in his ears and his lithe form trembled. His chest felt like it was burning, his throat tightened almost as if it was holding back the raging scream that was threatening to spill from his lips at any moment. He clenched his jaw, his teeth grinding against each other with his effort. He had long ceased to hear Stark's men above him, now trapped within his own world.
The anger he felt deepened, burning him from the inside, never before has he felt such blind rage, his hands balled up so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Loki's once controlled breathing turned to ragged pants. The pain and fury was like a hot desert sand storm inside of him demanding to be released, screaming at him to lash out. But for what? He took a deep shuddering breath that he desperately needed, eventually realizing that he could not afford to jeopardize himself just yet, unable to do anything that would be beneficial himself and Irene the anger frizzled out barely remaining ever present under his skin, leaving an ache and throb in his head.
I need to get her back.
This man, whoever he was, had made a terrible mistake. No one took anything that was his no longer! Never again shall he be aggrieved. Thor may have taken his throne, but he'd be damned if he let anyone else take anything of his ever again. That girl wore his symbol! She sworn herself to him! She was his friend. He had freed her from her shackles that had bound her down to her home in the North, he had brought her to freedom, brought her to life with truth in an ever darkening world.
And she has seen things in me that no one ever could.
His mouth formed into a hard line, a small pinch forming between his brows as he stalked along the deck. His gait imitated a predator as he approached the ledge. The pull of magic called to him as the bond began to stretch. The young mortal's captor was on the move it seemed.
The wind tussled his hair as he stood at the edge of Stark's personal landing pad.
His choice has already been made.
Loki took a deep breath, shutting out the world as he closed his eyes. Lips parted as he exhaled. There inside him, a kindle of magic burst to life. Growing, twisting, and changing. Familiar magic. He pictured it in his mind, nearly hearing his mother's words in his ears. Words that were said to him so very long ago when she had first taught him magic. It was willpower that brought the almost near impossible spells to life. And he was the master.
He felt it, at least in a physical sense. His body radiated from the magic, a response to his will, sinking deeper into power and farther into the ethereal. His memory from long ago wavered for a moment, trying to recall numerous dusty spellbooks from which he retrieved from Asgard's largest library within the palace.
The magic started to bleed into the physical world- Loki paused to catch it, deciding that what was happening was indeed proper and with grim determination, casted his spell.
His form changed as he tipped off the ledge of the landing pad into open air. Gone was the man and in replacement was the raven. Feathers as black as night shimmered in the sunlight, the wind stopping his fall as it flowed effortlessly under his wings. It has been a long time since he had taken a form of an animal. He flapped his wings and soared between the skyscrapers and distanced himself from Stark Tower.
It was time to get her back and make some amends.
With that, Loki followed the trail. The enchantment of Irene's pendant calling to him like a siren's call, and thus, leading him to her. He can only hope that he could catch up to her in time before it was too late.
\oooo/
Boooooooored…
Tony shifted in his seat. Battling off a groan of annoyance as the conference he was attending continued on. And it was utterly useless, they were going nowhere, just in circles like they've always done. He has no idea why these people even bothered him at all. Of course the Secretary of Defense was there and worst of all…Senator Stern. He glowered at that man openly every time their eyes met from across the table that separated them.
The U.S. government was always so insistent that he allow them to have the technology of the Iron Man suit. Senator Stern was still the man who led this campaign against him.
"Stark. I could understand your concerns but imagine what the United States can accomplish with your technology. The wars we could stop, the innocent lives we can save! This is all within the interest of the American people!" Stern stated. Tony snorted, eyes narrowing at the snake in front of him. The same argument was being used against him once more, the same one that has been captured by all news stations and shared publicly around the world. This time they had no Rhodes to hide behind.
"I don't believe that for one second. You already have a suit, I won't be giving you anything more than that. James Rhodes has been doing a fine job as it is as 'The Iron Patriot' I don't really see why we are having this meeting in the first place."
Stern slammed his hand down on the table, his face red, and the frustration now evident. "Because this technology should be handed down to a proper authority! Not some reckless playboy billionaire!"
"Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist." Tony corrected absentmindedly. He looked down at the table, scratching at the surface at some stain that only he could see. His aloof attitude seemingly grinding on those seated across from him.
"We've already decided on what was best." Pepper interjected. God bless that woman. The strung up bureaucrats turned their beady hawk-eyed gazes to her. "Rhodes serves the U.S. Air Force, in a way you have your own suit. The agreement was that in order to have one you would not pursuit the technology on how to build them, that way Tony would not sue the U.S. Government for trying to seize his property. It would be a grueling battle that could possibly land us all in the Supreme Court."
"We are not interested in battling court. We are trying to introduce a sense of morality to Stark. He has a duty to the American people and his country, which includes the government!" Stern replied hotly.
"Pfft!" Tony snorted, covering up a laugh but failing miserably at it. His dark brows shot up, a grin forming on his face as he sent the Senator an incredulous gaze. "I can assure you that I do have loyalties for my country, for the government? Nah, not really because most of those at Capitol Hill are liars and money mongrels. Now the people I do have a sense of duty for. I go out there and I stop crime. I go out there and protect the innocent. My company supplies new and better ways of living, new technology and soon newer ways of alternative energy! I think I already do enough for my country! Now you, Senator. What is it you have done exactly aside from hounding the Iron Man technology? What have you done for your state? The people that you are responsible for? I think that between you and me, I have done more for this country than you have in a lifetime."
"Absolutely preposterous!" Stern's face turned into a darker shade of red in his anger, almost nearly purple. "Now see here you little arrogant pr-!"
"Has he lost his mind?
Can he see or is he blind?
Can he walk at all,
Or if he moves will he fall?
Is he alive or dead?
Has he thoughts within his head?
We'll just pass him there
why should we even care?"
Tony stared blankly at Stern who stared back in return. Everyone's eyes staring over at the Billionaire as the song blared out for all to here.
"Ugh…is that Black Sabbath?" Secretary Carter asked rather stunned as the song continued on.
"Now the time is here
for Iron Man to spread fear
Vengeance from the grave
Kills the people he once saved"
"Really Tony? Iron Man?" Pepper deadpanned.
"I need to answer this. One moment, thanks." He plastered a fake smile on and stood from his seat, ignoring the protests of Stern and Carter as Pepper tried to placate them. Moving towards the corner of the room he fished in his jacket pocket and pulled out a sleek transparent phone. To most it would look like nothing but a piece of glass. But upon tapping the service it sprung to life. And there across the screen in bold letters screamed the identity of the caller: J.A.R.V.I.S.
Tapping and answer button he raised his phone to his ear.
"J.A.R.V.I.S.? What's up, because right now I'm in the middle of an important meeting." He greeted, laying down the sarcasm rather thickly. Important meeting my ass.
The news he was given was not what he expected. The smile remained plastered to his face, but his eyes suddenly dimmed as he stared at the wall before him. He listened to what J.A.R.V.I.S. had to say before promptly saying bye and ending the call. The room had gone rather suspiciously quiet. Slowly he turned to face those of the conference.
"I'm sorry, I'm afraid something urgent has come up. We will have to continue this on a later date ladies and gentlemen." Without further notice he started to make a hasty retreat through the door, the objecting shouts behind him fading away the further he got.
"Tony wait!" Pepper screeched. She had hastily followed him out, barley able to contain all the papers she had gathered into her hands as she chased after him. Her heels clicked loudly against the hard marble floor as they passed by curious bystanders. Tony slowed so that she could walk together side by side with him while keeping up a decently good pace. "What just happened, who called that was so important enough to stop a meeting with Stern?" she questioned, her breathing already picking up.
"J.A.R.V.I.S. did." Tony answered. His sudden scowl alone made people move out his way like the parting of the Red Sea.
They exited out the front doors, heading to the vehicle that was theirs during the duration of their stay in Washington.
"But you never answered my question!" Pepper exclaimed, she followed down the steps behind him carefully. At the bottom Tony turned to face her. His face passive as his brown eyes bore into her blue ones.
"There's been a breach. Irene is gone."
\oooo/
Darkness.
Hollowness.
She did not know where she was. Yet again who was she exactly? She couldn't seem to recall. She was content nevertheless to float in the vast emptiness. She wasn't exactly anything, she just simply…was. Yet the more she was, the more she suddenly felt aware. Slowly she started to feel. A heaviness that weighed her down. No longer being able to flow as freely in the darkness. Then the rest of her senses began to follow. She could hear the sound of a muffled voice, a tingling in her fingertips.
A name.
That's right. Irene is my name, she thought.
She tried to move, her fingers twitched in response at her attempts. But her eyes would not open, they felt so heavy. Like they were being weighed down.
"Watch where you're driving asshole!" A loud voice screeched beside her.
She winced and finally opened her eyes slowly. Blinking the grogginess away she took time to observe everything around her. Firstly she recognized that she was in some sort of vehicle. Secondly, she was no longer in a city. Instead she could see nothing but trees as they drove passed. Third and final, she did not know who the person was next to her.
Her heart clenched in fright, timidly she turned her head as a snail's pace not watching to catch the attention of the stranger she was currently with. And there at the wheel was a man clad in some sort of red and black costume, it was tight fitting with heavy boots. He had two black sleek weapons strapped to his back that caused him to lean forward towards the steering wheel. Irene gaped as she looked at his face. Erm…not his face…his face was masked in a red stocking mask; two black spots surrounded by the phosphorescent glow of his eyes, giving him the appearance of a deranged raccoon.
She remembered him.
Irene blanched. That's the guy who kidnapped me!
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, her breathing quickened, and her body trembled in terror. She was like a doe in the presence of a wolf, cornered as the beast snapped its jaws hungrily. Her hand reached to the door at her side, fumbling for the lock while keeping an eye on the stranger who continued to yell at other drivers.
"Fucking go you piece of shit! Who taught you how to drive!?"
The vehicle they were in jerked sharply to the right. A car behind them honking furiously as they skidded into the other lane to go around the slow driver ahead. Irene nearly flew out of her seat and into the man next to her. Her hands braced against his arm to stop herself from falling and in doing so, alerted him to her sudden consciousness.
"Oh! I see you're awake little Miss. Reenie!" he chirped.
Little Miss. Reenie?
She removed her hands from his person, as if he burned her. But he just laughed heartily at her retreat. He then proceeded to lean over to her side of the car and fumbled with something in front of her until finally it opened some sort of compartment. Then he unceremoniously dropped something on her lap. Irene's brows shot up as she stared down at the wrapped food in her lap.
"Hope you don't mind Chimichangas, got it for ya via drive thru a few miles back. Should still be warm, and I can tell you it's deeeeeliiiiiccciooooooous~."
He got her food…? Irene looked from the 'chimichanga' to the man next to her distrustfully.
His creepy white eyes of his mask stared right back at her. Quietly they sized the other for about a good minute. Irene broke contact with him, peering off in front of them and shrieked with no noise escaping her mouth as she noticed they were about to rear into the back end of another much larger automobile. She raised her hand and pointed at it with urgency. LOOK OUT! LOOK OUT! TURN! TURN! She flailed her eyes as wide as saucers.
"Wha?" the man questioned, tilting his head slightly like a confused puppy.
Thinking fast she reached across with her left hand, her fingers grasping his chin and forced his head to turn to face the road. "Hey! What are you do-HOLY FUCKING SHITBALLS!" he cried. He jerked the car back into the other lane, barely scratching the side as they maneuvered around the giant truck. Irene had pressed herself against her seat, chest rising and falling rapidly as she held onto anything she could with an iron grip.
"WHAT THE HELL YOU PIECE OF SHIT! I HOPE YOU CRASH AND BURN IN HELL!"
The man's head snapped towards her, as if suddenly realizing that she was still there. The white eyes of his mask seem to widen when he took note of her and cleared his throat "Ugh…gosh no. That's harsh" he amended. His fingers drummed in the steering wheel rapidly "Ummmm, I hope you…I hope you puncture a tire? Yeah! Puncture a tire MOTHERFOKKA!"
Seemingly pleased with himself he began to whistle a cheerful tune. Only stopping to make comments here and there and idle small talk. Irene listened, chimichanga in hand and nibbling at it as she listened trying to get the attention of a few drivers while passing by sending them pleading looks for help with no luck. Eventually she just gave up and sank into her seat, her thoughts drifting back to those at Stark Tower. She thought of Happy praying that he would be okay. She thought of Tony and Pepper, curious to know if they were told about her recent kidnapping. And of Loki, there would probably never be a time when she would not think of him. Her hand went idly up to the pendant, her fingers trailing lightly over the golden snakes while seeking comfort in their familiarity. It was warm under her touch.
They drove what seemed to be like two hours until he went off the freeway (much to her relief). They travelled along a country road, the trees were tall and thin. It was hard to peer into the woods with how close together they were. There seemed to have been no houses or farms in the distance. Just the road and the forests. Until eventually they turned off the road and onto a well-hidden path.
Irene's breath hitched when they finally came across a building that was just simply one story. A small base that no one would notice. But she did not miss the armed men with the Canadian emblem on their shoulders. She felt sick with dread.
Father. She thought frightfully.
The man pulled to a stop and turned off the car with the turn of his keys and stepped out. One of the armed men approached him cautiously, both of them talking in hushed voices while glancing at her every so often. Both of the men seemed to come to some sort of agreement before one of the armed men came to her side of the vehicle. At this point' Irene's poor heart was racing father than a hummingbird's as the man pulled the handle of the car door and opened it.
"Out." His gruff voice commanded.
Irene placed the chimichanga on the dash slowly. Her eyes scaled his form and the distance they were from the others. If she could just stun him and make a mad dash for the trees…
She bowed her head submissively as she slowly got out of the car. The man scrutinized her with his unwavering gaze but said nothing as he started to shut the door behind her. Tall as he was, when he leaned forward Irene stopped the heel of her foot as hard as possible into the poor man's toes making him howl. As expected he hunched over, his face turning red with anger. "You bitch!" he sputtered nastily. Irene squealed and reacted upon instinct.
She poked him in the eyes.
Hard.
His massive hand slapped over his face, a string of curses leaving him.
Irene took that as her sign to go and took off as if she were being chased by the Devil himself. She hustled her way to the treeline with wide eyes like a frightened animal.
"Freeze or I'll shoot!"
Like hell she was going to stop. She was almost there when a loud 'BANG' cracked through the air. The grass in front of her, nearly inches away, went airborne. She screamed, but no sound escaped. She stumbled back, landing on her backside as she openly gaped at the destroyed patch of grass.
She dared to look over her shoulder to see the man in the red and black suit holding the arm of the man who had threaten to 'shoot' her. His wrist was forcibly bent away from his intended target. All was eerily still in the clearing they inhabited. She understood then that her captor had just also became her savior.
"You are under clear orders not to harm Irene." The iciness of his voice made her shudder. It was like she was seeing someone else entirely than the carefree man from before. The man's masked face was inches from the terrified soldier's, his voice laced with thick venom. "Try that stunt again and I'll fucking blow your brains out." Soldiers who had been standing nearby, their guns half raised took a large step back. Each other them lowered their guns immediately and looked amongst themselves with uncertainty. Irene flinched at the graphic image that formed in her mind, she doubted the masked man was joking. The unfortunate soldier who was caught in the wake of the masked man's anger had turned just a few shades paler, his skin paper white even in the afternoon sun. Cold sweat stained his brow and he was quick to agree.
"Yes, sir." He stuttered. "Sorry, sir."
The white eyes of the masked man crinkled at the corners, almost appearing mirthful once more. The mask seemed to have a life of its own as it became almost happy looking. "Good, now clean the shit out of your pants and get me a taco." With that the masked man released the soldier and patted him on the back. "Next time you should wear some brown pants." He pointed back to one of the soldiers to the far left with his thumb. "That guy had the right idea, he's got the brown pants." The soldier with the brown pants flushed but wisely said nothing back as the masked man headed straight over to where Irene was sitting.
She lowered her gaze, lower lip trembling as he got close. It was not long until the sight of his red boots greeted her. She hunched forward to make herself as small as possible, wishing that she could just disappear into the ground. "Come on Miss. Reenie." His hand touched her lightly, clasping her elbow. He hauled her to her feet and brushed some of the grass off her. She didn't understand why he did so. She peeked up at the treeline, so close and so far. Her face fell. She had to come to terms that she was not escaping.
Her head hung in defeat when she was being led to the building. The masked man's grip was still gentle but firm as he led her away. The gravel crunched under their feet as they walked.
"Oh! My apologies, I didn't get the chance to introduce myself properly with all the gunfire and screaming back at Stark Tower." Irene's brown eyes shot up to look at the masked face. "I'm Deadpool but you can call me whatever you like." He winked at her.
Deadpool? She repeated in her own head.
She remained silent as she was led further into the base. The soldiers wisely kept their distance from the pair. Some of them sending nervous glances towards Deadpool. For someone who acted as trivial and untroubled as him, he seemed to rouse fear regardless in others. Irene also felt a bit intimidated. He was certainly not what he seemed. When they were deeper into the hideout they stopped at a door. Deadpool reached for the doorknob and jerked the door open. Inside was a simple cemented room with no furnishing beside a lone armchair and just one light that hung from the ceiling. It was almost like a less fancy interrogation room, it reminded her of S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. But it lacked a table or an extra chair and a glass mirror.
"Here we are! This is where we are going to wait. That nice comfy chair that's in the middle of the room in the most cliché manner is yours' until Daddy-o arrives." He skipped over to the armchair and patted the seat, running his gloved hand along its surface. "Come hither and place your rather lovely bottom on this cushion like a good girl."
She flushed, sending him a narrowed eyed glare. Lovely bottom!?
Deadpool whistled, rocking on his heels. "Seems like kitty has some claws hidden after all. Just look at that adorable glare."
Irene huffed, exasperated. She walked to the chair and sat down with all the grace and dignity she could muster. Fear coiling under the surface with the inevitable meeting with her father once more. She didn't wish to think of the punishment he would bring upon her. Absently she ran her fingers on the gold pendant around her neck. She thought of her friend.
Loki.
She wished he was here. He'd know what to do. He'd know what to say to make everything better. Irene stared at the door longingly. Out there beyond that door was freedom. Open skies, fields, forests, villages, cities, and even oceans. She would have never have gotten a taste of independence if it wasn't for him. She owed him everything. And Tony, she owed him so much for taking her in and teaching her. And Pepper who had so readily given her friendship.
She missed them.
"This pendant will serve as a beacon. Where ever you are in Midgard, I will be able to find you."
She remembered. A glimmer of hope filled her as she held the pendant before her, her eyes staring back into their jeweled emerald eyes.
\ooo/
The sun was down now. But that did not hinder him at the least as he soared through the skies. The tug of magic guided him, the pulling was going less insistent the closer he drew near. Perhaps giving the young girl the pendant had been a rather good idea.
Spreading his wings he glided down past the treetops and through the forest, swaying side to side to avoid the branches of the trees. The air ruffled his feathers gently. Loki could hardly remember a time he had taken form of a raven. It seemed like ages past. Sometimes a form he would take to spy or create some mischief on some poor traveler.
And in these dark woods, his eyes could see perfectly. Another useful advantage in this form. It wasn't long until his sharp eyes spotted it.
A light.
He had not seen anyone for the past few miles away from the road where the Midgardians drove in their metal carriages. Cars, he reminded himself. Nearing a clearing Loki flapped his wings and landed on a branch. His talons dug into the bark as he took the sight before him.
A hideout.
Trails of a conversation reached his ears, staring down he spotted two Midgardians standing close to each other talking in low voices. Hopping down onto a lower branch he listened. Hearing the words of the guards as two of them idly chatted without any knowledge that they were being listened too while smoking some cigarettes.
"Boss man, will be here pretty soon." One muttered, he tapped his cigarette on a nearby windowsill leaving a pile of accumulating ash. He raised the cigarette back to his mouth and inhaled.
"Never thought I'd see the day he'd ever leave the country. This girl must really be rather something. Don't you find it odd that she kinda looks like...what's her face again?" The other guard asked. He flicked his finished cigarette butt carelessly.
"The composer?"
"Yes! Forget the name but they seem eerily similar. Don't you think.?"
"David, we are paid to simply stand guard. Not talk about the personal affairs of our contractor and make conspiracies."
David huffed, adjusting the strap on his shoulder that was attached to his weapon. "Whatever man. Best get back to work, can't be caught slacking."
The other guard flicked his unfinished cigarette away and followed David back towards the inside of the building. Loki's feathers ruffled angrily, he could only imagine just who they were talking about and he was not pleased. He had to work quick if he wanted to free Irene and get her out of here before that man's arrival. Turning his head to the side he counted how many armed men stalked the premises, he noted the large guns in their hands as they guarded the small building. He had found the right place. Loki cocked his head to the side. He counted about five men. More had to be on the inside, including the two he just saw walk in. Leaving his perch the Aesir Prince flew around the building, all the windows were shut leaving him no easy way to simply fly in. And by each window he flew by he did not see the familiar auburn hair girl anywhere. He felt her presence nearby. He just simply needed to get into the building.
He landed on a soft patch of grass. A guard who had been patrolling spotted him and just simply stared before ignored him completely. Fatal mistake.
When the guard turned his back. Loki was swift to return to his true self. His long legs covered much ground, his hand slipping into his black leather trench coat and produced a silver dagger. Reaching out for the guard Loki grasped his blonde hair, yanking him back to the point he was pressed against his chest with unrelenting force. His face was grim as he yanked the man's head back and exposed the tender throat of the human before him. And like any predator he went for the kill. His dagger sunk deep into the man's skin to the hilt, the blade was sharp enough to cut flesh as if it posed no resistance. At once a fountain of red came from the wound, the ebb and flow in time with a terrified heart, killing the man all the faster. He stared forward into the darkness, not really needing to see his handy work as he severed the major arteries. Adjusting his grip on the handle he punched forward and down, severing the vocal cords and his blade broke free of the skin. The guard gargled, dropping down to the ground as his limbs spasm uncontrollably from shock.
He ignored the man and raised his hand wielding the dagger. The moonlight glinted off the silver, reflecting its beautiful haunting light at him regardless of being stained with human blood. It covered his fingers, his hands. He stared with silent fascination. Blood coated Loki's fingers like caramel over an apple that Midgardians enjoyed eating, only this time it was a brilliant red instead of soft golden browns. His eyes watched each finger move, entranced by the new colour of his skin. It felt no different from wet mud but it wasn't. He felt nothing, perhaps anyone would have been repulsed by killing another. But not him. He was a seasoned warrior. Killing came from fighting and war. It was perhaps a Asgardian pastime when going on adventures.
Loki was brought back to reality when the gurgling of his victim stopped.
"What the fuck!?"
Loki peered over his shoulder. There behind him was another guard. The human man was staring at his dead comrade in bewilderment, eyes wide and face pale. The soldier returned his attention to the Norse God and snapped his gun up.
"Don't move or I swear to God I'll shoot you where you stand!" he shouted. He had definitely alerted the other guards for sure.
"Ah." Was Loki's only response.
Turning to face his opponent he held his dagger at the ready. His normally calm green eyes turned to that of a storm. The light green suddenly darkening by the second, the dangerous glint never leaving as his lips curled up into a sneer. He will show them the true meaning of a God's wrath.
"I assume that I am unwelcomed here. Unfortunately you have made the mistake of taking something from me…" He took a menacing step forward. His tall frame giving him an intimidating advantage in height over the smaller Midgardian. His intimidation worked when the man's right foot shifted slightly back.
"Taken what from you?" The man questioned under the mere guise of bravery.
Loki's brows shot up. Looking contemptuously surprised, his head cocked to the side "Oh? I think you already know what I'm looking for. Who I am looking for." His words sounded friendly, but it was laced with poison as he put the emphasis on the word 'who'.
The man gulped.
All the lightness from his voice dropped in that instant. His words as biting as the cold winds of Jotunheim.
"I want her back."
\oooo/
The ringing of gunshots and screams rang through the hideout. Wade's (Deadpool's) head shot up at the sounds but he did not move from his position next to Irene. It was his job to keep her safe for now. As for the safety of the men outside…weeeeeeeeell you can say they weren't necessarily his problem and he didn't care about their welfare. Besides, less of them the merrier cause their pay could just go into his and bam. Win Win for the merc with the mouth.
He kept his eyes on the girl. She looked pale, rather scared even from the noises that were penetrating the walls. The door did little to muffle what sounded like pure carnage from outside.
'Well someone's had a bad day.'
'Who is that someone anyways?'
He wasn't too eager to find out just yet as the screams ended and silence had fallen. He had already drawn his gun. He tapped his thigh waiting. It had taken a few heartbeats to hear the sounds of echoing footsteps. Whoever it was, he or she was definitely making their way to this room.
Irene was sitting forward in her seat now. Brown eyes locked on the door in front of her. She was hardly breathing when the doorknob turned and in came a tall, slender man. He was not really fooled by the lean appearance, clearly the guy was muscular under all that leather. His skin was extremely pale, it made him look like a ghost as it clashed with his hair, as black as printer's ink that was stylishly slicked back, small tufts visible just below his ears. The intruder's eyes were piercing emerald. His looks were probably considered undeniably attractive to teenage girls on Tumblr, with his high cheekbones, stately nose, and defined jawline with an angst-y undertones.
"So this is where you've taken her." The man's voice was almost velvety, and Wade could hear the undertone of iciness within his words as the man studied the room around them. "Rather dull don't you think?"
Wade smiled behind his mask, finally someone who agreed with him.
"I know right!? I really wanted to have a bouncy castle and some fireworks but they wouldn't let me set it up!" 'Bouncy castles are so much fun!' 'I don't think that's what he meant when he said dull.'
The man sneered as he glared at him. "Silence. Your meager Midgardian small talk is pointless. Now, let's get down to why I am here…" The man clad in leather paced around the room, looking thoughtful until his face brightened up like he had remembered his reasoning for being there. "Ah, yes. I believe you have something of mine that I want back."
Wade blinked. "Midwhat now? Foo you talkin crazy!" he replied hastily. 'Is that racist?' the playful voice inside his head wondered. 'I don't think so." Responded the logical one. He quickly hushed those two voices before staring down his new enemy. He assessed him, eyes trailing up and down the dark haired man's form and placed his hands on his hips haughtily. "So how do you plan to take her back Scrawny? I don't suppose you have iron man hidden up your ass do you? Because that would be CRAZY if you did." Seriously, he'd be freaking impressed. 'We have a pouch for that kind of stuff!' 'I don't think he's very interested in that.'
The stranger scoffed, his eyes flickering to the girl in the chair before going back to him. His voice eerily composed "I'm afraid my patience is wearing thin, you know not to whom you speak. You would meet a fast end if you cross me. But before we take our separate paths, just who sent you? You haven't yet harm the girl, you have something that motivates you. A sword for hire perhaps? Your people say the term mercenary."
Wade giggled "A sword for hire?" He asked, erupting into some more chuckles. He holstered his gun and unsheathed his two pride and joy katanas. "Buddy, I am two swords for hire and some guns…and some other things. So to answer your question." He popped out of existence before appearing next to the frightened girl who nearly jumped out of her skin from his sudden close proximity. He sheathed both katanas so he could affectionately pat Irene and maybe sooth some of the girl's anxiety. Not that it really helped much as he continued to speak. "I haven't hurt her, maybe got a little touchy feely but it's not like I stabbed her like those other dudes." He teleported again, standing closer to the intruder now. "As for who hired me…" He broke off. Everyone in the room watched him. The man waiting for his answer and after a minute rolled by, a slim black eyebrow rose. "Ugh….good question, who did hire me?" He scratched his masked cheek in puzzlement. 'We did forget to ask that didn't we?' 'He sounded very angry when he gave us the job.'
The man gracefully brushed off his confusion and continued as if Wade's confusion didn't happen. But he looked highly intrigued by what he had just witnessed. "Oh? A mortal that can disappear and reappear in a different locations at a short distance? That is interesting." Then all interest left the man as he waved his pale hand towards Irene who had yet to take her eyes off the stranger. "As for the girl, I care not for what has happened between the time of her abduction and now. All that I wish is that she is returned to me. If you walk from here I shall graciously spare your pathetic life. There is no quarrel between you and me. As to who had so graciously set you upon this path...I can imagine who the fool can possibly be. I won't ask you again..." Any features of a gentleman melted away, leaving a purely menacing demeanor in its wake. His eyes were pure ice that promised malicious intent as he stepped forward. "Give. Me. The. Girl." He hissed.
Wade held up his hands in a 'whoa cowboy' kind of way. "If I give you the girl then I won't get paid, and I could buy a shit load of tacos with this money." He explained in the most logical way possible. Well, in Wade logic. 'Or more pancake mix, since we used the last of it on those thousand pancakes we made last Tuesday.' That too. Breakfast was the most essential meal of the day after all! "Besides I'm not scared of you, you look like you got lost on the way to LARP!" he insulted. 'LARP?' 'Live action roleplaying, very nerdy shit."
Wade strutted around the room, the man's eyes never leaving him. Of course now he was just being cocky but really he just couldn't help it. When you had a healing factor like his, kicking people's asses was just a piece of cake. He couldn't help but taunt once he made full circle. "So how do you plan to take her tall, dark, and brooding? Because you are no match for my-" Wade was wicked fast in procuring his guns from their holster. "-gunfu waaaaa!" 'Maybe we shouldn't take on the man that got this far into the hideout? 'Shhhhhhh, he's about to go BANG BANG!'
The man broke up into a smile, giving a glimpse of his row of perfectly white teeth. He looked almost gleeful. "Alright. But don't tell me I haven't warned you" he conceded. Wade was fast but this guy was impossibly fast. Either that or he simply just underestimated his slightly feminine looking opponent. He gagged when his throat was caught in a constricted grip. As quick as it came he was suddenly flying, bursting through a few walls rather painfully. Covered in rubble he stared up at the ceiling rather blankly for a moment.
Well then…
Sitting up slowly he rubbed his already feeling sore back with his gun. "My chiropractor is going to kill me." 'We have a chiropractor?' 'No.'
Using his teleportation belt for leverage to turn the tide of the fight he positioned himself behind his challenger with guns raised. He pulled the triggers "BANG! BANG! BANG!" he shouted each time the pistols went off. These sick puppies were really powerful guns, and it was enjoyable to see the utter shock on this guy's face when the bullets tore through. But…why wasn't he bleeding?
"You missed." A familiar voice purred.
"Wha…?"
A pale hand struck from his blindside, grasping the nearest gun and wrenching it from his grasp onto to watch it be discarded to the other side of the room. The dark haired man was suddenly close to his side within melee range. In his hand a silver dagger glinting maliciously.
"Stabby time." Wade grimaced.
His blade was quick, sinking deep into flesh. It somewhat brought some sense of satisfaction and triumph, it was clear on the expression on his face that he chose himself to be the winner of this fight. A wolfish grin was quick to form.
Wade hunched over, grunting at the pain. "Ow, my pancreas." 'I think that's your spleen.' 'Owie…'
The smug victorious look disappeared instantly and as fast as lightning Wade snapped his fist out, hitting the stunned man right in the jaw and disarmed him of the silver dagger that remained stuck in his side as he staggered from the unexpected punch. Raising his only remaining gun left he raised it and pulled the trigger.
Click.
"Aw, you gotta be fucking kidding me." He grumbled, discarding the gun away to join its twin, he popped the knuckles of each hand. He was going to give this guy a good fashion ass whooping for ruining his suit even more after the damage it gained at Stark Tower. This guy had good tastes in weapons at least in terms of daggers though, he couldn't deny that.
Wade lunged. The man raised his left hand and blocked. Wade stabbed at him again. The man ducks and aims for the left. Wade moved to counter but was too late to fix his mistake as the man then grabbed his arm and hurled him with all his might into the floor.
"You're shockingly resilient, most mortals would have fallen from the wound and that kind of impact." The man spoke rather grudgingly.
Wade prompted himself up on his elbow to see the dark hair man rubbing his jaw, looking mildly impressed. "What is with this mortal crap? What are you, some kind of non-mortal?" he demanded. 'I think the term is immortal.' 'You mean that movie?'
The man gives off a somewhat secretive smile, mischief shining in his eyes that somewhat hid the malice behind them. "Something like that."
Wade picked himself off the ground and dusted himself off. "Well for you information, you Katy Perry look like, I am non-mortal as well. Behold!" Wade ripped the dagger form his side dramatically and threw it on the ground. 'This might not be the best idea.'
The man tilts his head to the side, his eyes narrowing warily at the blade. All while muttering under his breath "Katy who?"
The tingling effect of the healing factor kicked in. The wound healed up on its own like it has always done. "See I have this heal power factor, it makes all those pesky stab wounds disappear." 'Too bad it doesn't help with the cancer.' 'We'll need to thank Wolvey again."
"Fascinating..." The dark haired man murmured. Though his defenses didn't drop he started to circle around the man clad in red and black like a predator circling its prey. Keen eyes observing his form, then to the spot where the dagger once sat. "A healing factor you said? Is if some type of magic? An enchantment to heal lesser wounds?" Clearly this guy was some kind of nerd or something, a book worm perhaps. He hated that inquisitive science-y experiment look he was receiving.
Wade scoffed in slight disbelief. "Magic? Who are you, David Blaine?" he asked. 'OH! OH! Do that trick with the levitate thing!' 'I don't think he means that kind of magic.'
"I do not know of this Blaine. You may have something to heal your lesser wounds. That just means I have to try harder." The man marched forward, sudden copies of himself joining his side as they encase Wade in a tight circle. All of them reached out for another hidden dagger at the same time. He couldn't tell which on was real.
He couldn't believe his eyes. "O. M. G! YOU ARE DAVID BLAINE! Man I can't wait to get your blood on my sword, so I can sell it on eBay to creepy fans!" He gushed. 'I don't think you can sell that on eBay.' 'I'll buy it!'
Wade rushed forward, picking up the dagger he discarded and teleported to each one. His strikes were fatally fast but neither one of them were the real one. He just kept on hacking and slashing. Eyes focused on the current target ahead a hand grasped the back of his hood and pulled him back.
"Holy Shi-!"
He gargled when the blade sunk deep into his neck, making quick work of the flesh as the dagger made quick work of muscle and bone. Christ that fucking hurt! And soon his head was tossed literally unceremoniously off his shoulders. Irene was watching from her chair in muted horror as Wade's head rolled across the floor.
"Well, that was tedious" The man spoke lightly.
"My neck! My back! My pus-!" he rolled to the point he was face down on the cement making his words muffled. 'Thank god.' 'Aww…I like that song.' Struggling for a moment Wade managed wiggle into a different position, his cheek resting against the pavement now "See, I told you I was non-mortal!" he shouted. The man came closer before suddenly a pair of hands plucked him for the floor. He was staring face to face to the man now, eye to eye, head to man.
Ugh…disregard that last one. Sounded a bit too sensual.
He was being studied as the man turned his head over in his hands like a child would with a ball. "How did this come to be so? Not even the greatest warriors of Asgard could survive such great fatality." He sounded genuinely curious. Wow, first sincere emotion yet.
Wade spoke in a slight dreamy voice, almost as if he were telling a bedtime story. "Well this is a story all about of how my life got flipped turn upside down, and I would like to take a minute just stand right there while I tell you the story of how I became Deadpoo-l" 'I told you we shouldn't have watched all those reruns.' 'I love that show.'
The man's curious gaze turned into a deadpan one. "Can you not just simply answer the question and not spew nonsensical babble?"
"You clearly don't know who you're talking to, Bub." Wade responded sassily.
The man's, ah fuck it lets just call him Katy, brows shot up looking rather disinterested. "Clearly a deranged immortal 'human', nothing certainly special. I do commend you for abilities at least."
He felt oddly flattered by the insult/compliment. "And I must commend you and your incredibly soft hands." 'We should ask him what lotion he uses.'
'Katy' rudely dropped him then and there.
"Ow! You could have at least put me down gently!" He whined, pouting a little before brightening up once more. "Oh! And what lotion do you use for your hands? Or is it a 'secret' because the lotion you use is when choke your chicken?" 'Is this really the conversation we need to be having with the man that decapitated us?' 'But our hands need to be that soft!'
"You are revolting!" 'Katy' spat before turning on his heels to walk to the girl. Irene was still frozen as a statue as 'Katy' approached.
"Irene…" He murmured.
Wade watched as he eyes left his decapitated head to slowly look at her rescuer. So he continued to ramble. "What are you a dry man? Nothing wrong with that" 'Focus he is about to cost us or taco money.' "Hey you can't take her, how will I get paid if you take her?"
'Katy' was careful not to touch Irene with his bloody hands. He coaxed her to stand, treating her like one would a skittish animal. "Oh, that is rather simple." He grinned at the head for a split moment, though there was no warmth in his eyes. "You won't."
Wade gasp, feeling a bit offended. ""That's cold man, and here I though we understood each other. I thought we had something special, a connection." 'I don't think him stabbing you quantifies as a connection.' 'But he did hold our head with his soft hands.'
'Katy' checked her over to make sure she wasn't harmed at all. "Will you come after Irene again?" His voice held bit back the slight rage. A simple question with dark hidden meaning that could make an ordinary man's skin crawl. Well, good thing he was anything but ordinary. Once 'Katy' was satisfied about the state of the girl they both walked over to him, both of them towering.
Wade pretended to ponder a little about an answer. "Will you pay me not to? Cause that would work." 'I don't think we are in a position to negotiate.' Wade didn't mentally respond to the voice in his head as his gaze zoomed in on a rather pleasing view from this angle. "I see London! I see France! I see sexy underpants!" He sang.
Irene, who was realizing what he was looking at, turned a marvelous shade of red. And with surprisingly skilled accuracy she kicked his head like a professional football athlete making him soar across the room before 'Katy' could even reply.
"WHY?!" He cried in dismay. 'This is why we can never get laid.' 'Noooo it was such a nice view!'
'Katy' seemed to vanish the blood from his hands, almost as if he never gotten in a fight at all and ran his fingers through the girl's hair in a soothing fashion. He nearly rolled his eyes. "That is what you get for doing something unseemly. Now...you are talking business, one in which I might listen to. Even if I decide to do nothing then you'd force my hand and I will beat you into submission." His voice became like a low and dangerous purr "I am a clever man. I can find a more permanent way to end you."
Sporting a large bump on his head Wade responded weakly. "How about you pay me, and I help you get out of here?" 'Is that really a wise deal to make?' 'But we really want those tacos.'
'Katy' seemed to think it over. His eyes darting over to the still slightly frightened girl. Clasping his hands behind his back his stood straighter, making himself look taller with more authority than before. He held the power. "Let us negotiate shall we?" He looked almost bored now, his tone nearly almost dulled out. "Tell me, how much is the reward for returning the girl?"
"A lot more than usual when it comes to kidnapping pretty girlies, not like I do that a lot" Wade replied. 'That doesn't make it sound better.'
"And your employer? I am sure a swift kick to the head just moments ago may have jogged a memory or two." 'Katy' pressed as he began picking at his nails casually. Irene's brows furrowed not really sure where he was going with this.
Ugh. He hated repeating himself. "Like I said, I don't know who hired me, funny story actually." 'I love funny stories!'
"Do tell." 'Katy' drawled.
FLASHBACK DEADPOOL STYLE
Wade hidden himself around the corner. He tracked a rival mercenary group who had been stealing all the business in the area lately. Something he wasn't exactly very happy about. And doing what merc's do he chosen to eliminate his rivals. He paused when he was listening to the leader of the group. He was huddled in a small cabin, window was wide open for him to sneak in without being noticed. Not that it really mattered since he just assassinated most of the goons anyways.
"Hawkins you say?" The leader spoke. Gruff voice reaching his ears.
He peered around the wall to see the man's suit clad back turned to him. The smell of a burning cigar wafted in the air.
"Why would the Governor General of Canada want to do a bounty for?" He fell silent for a moment then he stood up from his seat quickly, almost nearly knocking his chair over. "YOU'RE KIDDING! ALL THAT MONEY FOR A FREAKING KID!"
Jackpot.
Unsheathing his blades he tip-toed silently. Almost nearly gliding across the room until he stood directly behind the man. Positioning his blades, he quickly slashed. It took a few moments but the head of his latest victim slowly slid off his shoulders, the neck completely severed. The dead leader's hand dropped the phone making it clatter on top of the desk.
"Hello? Hello!" the speaker sounded.
Plucking the phone from the table surface Wade held it casually up to his ear as he sat upon the desk, crossing his legs. "Sorry the people you are trying to reach are decapi-… I mean incapacitated hahaha yeah, that's what I mean!" 'Nice save there.' 'He doesn't suspect a thing.'
There was a pause on the other end until the person on the other side replied. "Alright. I got a job for you, I don't care who you are. The reward would be worth your while." The voice was rough sounding and stern. Yeesh. He'd hate for that guy to be his father.
The talk of money instantly got his interest. "Sweet! What's the job, and how many tacos can I buy with this money?" 'I still vote on pancake mix.' 'We can vote?!'
The man on the other lined seemed stumped by his eagerness. "Erm...enough for a lifetime."
Wade's eyes widen in pure delight. "HOLY SHIT! That is a lot of tacos. You had my curiosity but now you have my attention."
"This job is of the upmost importance. It must be done quickly and efficiently. No one must know who was involved." The man, basically his new boss, said seriously.
Wade waved his hand at nothing, like he was brushing something off without any care. "Pfft! Easy peasy lemon sqeezy. Efficiently is my middle name!" 'Or our middle name is Winston…'
The man on the other side of the line sounded please. "Excellent. I am glad that we have reached an understanding. I shall send your phone a location from a burner phone. It cannot be traced back to me, be at the coordinates with all due haste. There will be an operative there that would debrief you on your mission. If you pull this off, you'll get more than just tacos but the Government's gratitude as well as mine."
Wade nearly groaned out loud. "Yeah, yeah, patriotism all that crap. Now give me the digits so I can get out of here, this place stinks." 'That's because we killed everyone.' 'It smell like poo.'
The man seemed a bit put off but confirmed it was already sent.
With that over Wade ended the call. He glanced over at the girl sitting in the corner of the room at a smaller desk typing away. "What an ass! Yo, author! You could have written this guy to be a little less of a major dick hole?" 'He was pretty boring.' 'Yeah he was a dick hole.'
I glanced up in shock, turning away from my laptop to stare at the man in surprise. Not just any man really…Wade 'Fucking' Wilson. "What!?" I blinked again to see if this was really happening. I wasn't back in my room just yet. "What!?" I shouted again. And I couldn't really help but do one more "WHAT!?" like David Tennant as the 10th doctor. Really…I was such a nerd. Nevertheless that wasn't really the important issue at the moment. "Wade!? Why the hell am I in your flashback!?"
He stood from his perch, swaggering over to where I sat and leaned up against the wall near me. Tsk'ing with some disapproval. "Don't question it, now make things more interesting." He commanded. 'This story could do with more.' 'Lots more.'
I peered down at my laptop, rather astonished to see that it was still typing everything that seemed to be going on. Even the conversation we were having even though it was rather odd, granted I was able to see his inner voices thoughts and felt overly offended by their comments "Hey! It's not that boring! Why don't YOU wright a fanfiction and please your fans if you think it's that easy! As for your boss, that's how he's supposed to be, an asshole" I growled, cheeks flushed pink as I pushed my glasses further up the bridge of my nose since they tend to slide down after a while.
Wade held his hands up placidly. "Hey I have written plenty of fanfiction-!" He defended. 'Just not the kind you can post on this site.' '4chan fanfiction.' Wade once again dismissed the multiple voices and continued on."-and you story is super boring! I mean where are the big breasted babes-" He brought his hands to his chest mimicking a female grasping her own chest, except for much more exaggerating of the breast size. "-the explosions, and the hot steamy character's boing!" 'What kinda of fanfic is this?' 'A lame one.'
I gasped, rested my hand over my heart. "It's a friendship romance! As for the things you listed that's so typical of YOU to write! This is MY story the last time I checked and it seems to do just fine so sod off you wanker! Be happy that I even included you as a guest star!" I shook my fist angrily.
Wade's brows shot up, staring me down. "Don't start this fight Girlfriend, because I have read ahead! I could spoil your entire story, now put in some big breasted women or else!" He threatened. The gall of that man I swear! 'That would be appreciated.' 'Oh! Oh! Put in a dinosaur too!'
My scowl melting away, leaving a peaceful serene smile in its. Though there was nothing really friendly about it at all. "Orrrrrrrrrrr I can simply wipe out your entire existence, come up with a way to kill you and walk over your cold corpse to complete this damn story." I sing-song to him.
Now it was his turn to gasp. "Damn that's cold, like iceman's love life cold." He pouted.
I smiled innocently. "Now, seeing that we understand each other. Let's continue on with the present story shall we?"
Wade nodded his head in defeat. "Can I at least get one big breasted babe?" 'Pretty please?' he begged.
I paused to consider. Then I shrugged my shoulders "Maybe in another chapter." I turned back around to continue typing my story. Grumbling about idiots in red and black costumes that break the fourth walls constantly.
"Fine!" He relented. "Now back to the fanfiction!" 'I don't think we transition like batman.' 'Is he in this story too?'
END OF FLASHBACK.
"…and that, is how I met your mother!" 'wrong story.' 'That was good right until the ending.'
'Katy' blinked slowly. Registering the information he was told before replying. "I doubt that my mother would ever step foot into the same room as you. But she is of no importance at this moment. Let's talk business. Now that you are nothing but a head without a body I don't see what use you'd be." He pointed out. The rest of Wade's body was a foot away still twitching on the ground.
"Man what is wrong with you, did you loss you memory like poor little wolvie?" Wade grumbled bitterly. 'Not that we are any better.' Yeah, I get the point now shut up logical me, Wade chided. "Anyways, I will show you how I can help. Headless Agnew body come!" He demanded. 'I don't think is going to work like you have planned.' 'We have the best plans.' The headless body jerked into motion, clumsily making its way back onto its feet. Irene jumped, grasping 'Katy's' arm as the body stepped a few paces before simply falling over. "Well shit, can someone please put my head back on my body? I don't bite, not like Headpool" 'well he is a zombie.' 'I miss Headpool.'
Irene timidly walks over her hands forming weird motions to which 'Katy' understood before picking up his head, her hands gentle as she lifted him from the ground. 'Katy' made his over to the fallen body to and hauled it up to its feet effortlessly. Holding Wade's head delicately between her hands she walks closer to the body that 'Katy' was still supporting. Brown eyes were intensely focused as she carefully lined his head up with his body, she looked curious to see how he can heal. She head his head in place for a few minutes as the healing factor started to reattach his head to the rest of his severed neck.
"I've been wondering… what's with all the jazz hands, lady? Plotting something behind my back!?" 'Well they are plotting right in front of your face actually.' 'How nice of them.'
'Katy' dropped him as soon as it seemed like his head was attached. "No." He drawled, he stepped to the young girl's side and placed a pale hand on her shoulder. "Irene lacks the ability to speak. She is a mute. She signs in order to speak, she normally has a device that speaks for her but I assume during the struggle she didn't really have time to snatch it." Irene nodded her head and her hands made more of those odd signs. She must have said something funny to cause 'Katy' to crack a bit of a smile.
Wade stood, dusting himself off before reaching up and cracking his neck. He rolled his shoulders, feeling much better now that he was whole again. He hummed. "That would explain a lot, and here I thought she had ovaries of steel or was slow in the head" He had tried engaging her in conversation, but it does answer why she never responded. He just thought she was really, really, really mad with him. 'I don't think we are one to criticize.' 'We aren't slow, we are special!'
"She's rather intelligent. For a mortal." 'Katy' said. His thumb was rubbing soothing circles on the girl's arm. A sign of affection? Before he could tell the man was straight back to business. Green eyes narrowed into slights as he gazed at Wade once more. "Now, since you have your body back in one piece I wish to ensure that you will NOT come after her again."
Wade shrugged. "As long as I get paid emo boy, I will get paid right?"
"You'll be rewarded in all due time." 'Katy' smiled charmingly, pleased with his answer. "If you don't mind doing a little something for me?"
Wade turned to start retrieving his discarded guns. He picked them up off the ground, turning them over to see if there was any damage done to them. He was happy to see that they were both alright and placed them back in their assigned holsters. "What do you have in mind there pretty boy?" 'He is easy on the eyes. ''If you are into brooding.'
'Katy' wrapped a protective arm around the smaller girl's shoulders suddenly grim, his tone serious. "On my way in here, I overheard some men saying that your contact would be here shortly. I am not sure if he would personally see his dirty work be done or if he's sending someone, a team, to do it in his stead. They might almost be here. Irene and I need a distraction. IF you let us escape I will grant you a boon. And you shall get your reward in due time."
Sounds of engines reached their ears followed by startled shouts. Looks like ex-boss and reinforcements had appeared. Wade never saw someone look as terrified as Irene did at that moment. She had become paler than her friend. Her hands shook uncontrollably as she pressed herself into the side of the only safety she knew. 'Katy's' arm pulled her more firmly against him. A promise of protection. Even though he really didn't usually care. He felt a small bit of pity for the girl. Clapping his hands together he caught both of their attention. "As long as this boon and reward can be used for tacos I'm in. So here's the plan, I go in there make some people un-alive, and you to go through the back door." 'That's surprisingly not stupid' 'HA! Backdoor!'
'Katy' nodded his head in appreciation and already started to steer the girl in the opposite direction of the approaching voices. "See to it." He called back as he helped Irene walk through the rubble of the broken wall from the fight.
"Time to earn some tacos~!" Wade sang. Taking out his pistols he took out the clips and replaced them with full ones. His guns gave a satisfying 'click' to suggest they were ready to go. As soon as 'Katy' and Irene were out of sight he shouted loudly. "And don't do anything while I'm gone you'll make baby Jesus cry!"
He smirked when he heard the distant response of: "Don't know who he is, don't particularly care!"
He liked this 'Katy' already.
Raising up his guns he pointed it towards the direction of the open door. "Alright, let's kill some assholes."
\oooo/
Her lungs were screaming for air as she ran. Barely could she keep up with Loki's longer strides as they ran through the pitch black forest. Branches snagged at her dress and cut her skin as they left behind the ensuing chaos behind them. The only thing that guided her was the hand that held hers' in a terrifying grip that threatened to crush her hand at any moment.
She did not know how long they've been running. It almost felt like an eternity within the darkness and she was losing strength. Irene didn't know how much longer she could keep up with the Asgardian as she stumbled forwards blindly.
"Come on, Irene! Make haste!" He had shouted.
She ran. Encouraged. Unseeingly. Almost to the borderline of reckless.
She didn't even see the tree root sticking up from the ground.
Her foot made contact, knocking her off balance. Her screams soundless as Loki's hold on her hand disappeared causing her to roughly collide with the forest floor but with their relentless momentum she was rolling down the slight incline and deeper into the woods.
"Irene!"
She rolled to a stop, laying on her back. Vision blurred as she tried to make sense of what was around her. Things are happening to fast. She was scared.
Loki!
Shakily she raised her hands, trying to find anything to hold onto. Her heart hammered against her ribs painfully. She was gasping. Why couldn't she breathe? The dried leaves and dead branches crunched as something approached her. And soon she felt cool hands on her face. Cool fingers trailed from her forehead to her cheeks, they ran along her jaw and down her neck to her shoulders and arms.
"Irene, are you alright?" a voice asked with concern. "You need to breathe. Even breaths now." The voice encouraged softly.
Air finally entered her lungs at his command. Her quivering died away when she made out the dark familiar silhouette of her friend. Tears stung her eyes. She was so happy to see him even though their reunion was not an ideal one. Her outstretched hands cupped his face, she wanted to make sure that this was real and not a nightmare. He did not say anything nor did he move. His shadowed form remained still, tensed under her touch. He did not remove her hands either.
Irene sighed shakily.
Loki's hands encased her wrists. He was hardly applying any pressure. Like a ghost's touch.
"Irene…" He murmured. "Now is not the time. We must continue on, it isn't safe to remain."
Releasing her, Irene felt his arms going around her shoulders and under her knees. Without much struggle he lifted her off the ground. "Put your arms around my neck." He instructed. So she did. She rested her head on his shoulder, her face almost buried into the side of his neck despite the high collar he usually wore. "It'll be over soon. I've probably pushed you too far. Rest." He soothed.
His voice was soft and comforting. She felt the rumble from his chest and she felt safe. She felt tired. Irene struggled to keep her eyes open. It was a losing battle as each second passed by. Even with being once again on the move the rocking motion did little to help as she gave into a dreamless sleep.
So what did you guys think!? :D
I really enjoyed writing it, regardless of how challenging it was and I really hope. Like...really, really, REALLY hope you enjoyed it as much as I have. I wanted to give a shout out to my best friend though. His name is Eric and he helped me write this chapter, helped me add and fix things but most importantly the ideas for Deadpool. The dialog ideas were utterly genius when we would talk about him and so if it wasn't for him perhaps my version of Wade Wilson wouldn't have been as good as his. If he ever writes a Deadpool story, I'm totally freaking reading it so thank you very much Eric for your help on my story!
Also I should probably explain my absence. Thing is, is that I was travelling for the past few months. Cuba and the United States, attended a comic con (Met Tom Felton, lovely guy among a few others I got the pleasure of meeting. I love being a film student it's just too epic) and I only had time really to type out my chapter here and there so I apologize greatly for those of you who had to wait. Things are just starting to not work in my favor when it comes to time. School will start soon, looking for work, juggling the family.
Life is just oh-so-complicated.
But I'm pleased that I finally got this chapter out.
So review, tell me your thoughts! And I'll see you in the next chapter~ BYE BYE!