Chapter 18: Kurt Finds Out

August 18

District Three

For the last several days, Kurt and Logan had been chasing down literally every lead they could get their hands on. Every property that Skye could scrounge up that was in any way related to Wilson Fisk — they checked it.

They still weren't finding anything; every place they checked came up empty. And what's more, they were honestly starting to wear down — not that either one of them would admit it. Especially when this was the only lead they had on any of their missing friends.

But finally, it seemed the others back home had decided enough was enough. They'd run out of properties on Skye's list, they'd searched down every possible lead — there just wasn't anything left to do.

When they'd cleared the list, Logan started digging into Stark Industries and even went to Shingen to see if they'd heard anything at all about Fisk. And, although they got some new intel from the ninja warlords, none of it was relevant to the task at hand.

Finally, they got a message from May. "Come back in," she said. "You're not doing any good running ragged. When we get something new—"

Logan and Kurt shared a look and simply flipped off the comm, outright ignoring the call. They didn't say anything for a moment, both of them digging for anything else to run with. "Back to One?" Logan asked, "Or do you want to try that wild shot in Four?"

"Four," Kurt said with a small nod. "Even if we did go back to One, I'm sure Fisk knows he's on our radar. He won't have them there."

"I'm starting to wonder if he's not in cahoots with Norman," Logan said.

"Eight, then?" Kurt asked with one eyebrow raised.

"Your girl; your call. I'm just here to make bad guys bleed and stubborn people talk."

Kurt thought about it for a moment and then let out a breath. "Let's start in Four. This wasn't like the other kidnappings, after all."

"We'll have to go to Odin first," Logan said. "I don't think he hated me."

"I'm sure if we explain the situation — that we're looking for lost friends — we won't have any troubles," Kurt agreed.

District Seven

May glared at the comm before she let out a noise that was equal parts frustration and anger. "They're going to get themselves captured or killed at the rate they're going," she said. "If anyone sees those two run-down like they are…" She made another little noise at the back of her throat and shoved herself away from her desk

"I'm just glad he didn't try to fake static again," Skye said quietly to herself.

May looked Skye's way and shook her head. "Can't you get him to rein it in?" she asked.

"Have you met him?"

May just responded to that with another annoyed little grunt. "This is why we don't send couples on the same mission."

"Logan and Kurt aren't exactly a couple," she said with a sigh. "And … I kind of get it. I mean ... it's Kate. They're not going to give up on her. Especially after losing Peter. You know they feel like crap about that."

"I know. Don't you think I'm upset about Simmons?" May asked, leaning back in her seat. She pinched the bridge of her nose. "But what those two are doing isn't helping. It isn't even healthy."

"I know," Skye agreed. "And you can tell them when they get back. But if they don't at least get it out of their systems? Come on, May. You saw them after Peter."

At that, May just scrubbed a hand over her face and let out a sigh. "I did. And they're both lucky those darts weren't fatal. I don't want to see that again."

"Did you tell them that?" Skye asked. "Like AD Mom and not super cranky serious Special Agent 'Kick Your Ass'?"

"Special Agent 'Kick Your Ass' is trying to keep them alive, Skye," May said with a sharp look.

"And I'm telling you they respond better when you go the other way. I've seen it."

"Then you tell them to come in," May said, her tone clearly frustrated.

"And I would do that right now if someone didn't turn off the comms."

May shook her head. "You and I both know you can get in touch with them in other ways."

"Fine, I'll try. But I'm not making any promises."

August 19

District Four

When Kurt and Logan had arrived in District Four, Odin had insisted that they stay the night and had even provided them with a hearty dinner, the kind that his kin were used to having with him. But in exchange for giving them free rein in his district, he had required not only that they spend the night but that they join him at breakfast and tell him everything that led to them coming to his realm.

To his surprise, neither of them argued it in the least and were open with him for all of it — including all that had just happened in Three. It was clear that if it could get their friends back, they were open to share, SHIELD-approved or not, with Logan's sideways explanation of "Technically, we live in Seven. So... not even in the country or with SHIELD."

"That explains much about your ... current state." Odin frowned at the two of them. "Still, not much occurs here without my knowledge, and I'm sorry to say that I haven't heard any word of anyone new — and certainly not two former tributes."

"We had to try," Logan said, tipping his head toward Kurt. "They've only been married a few months."

Odin looked Kurt's way, and his expression softened. "I will ask, and I will look, and I will permit the two of you full access." He tipped his head to the side. "Perhaps you could ask Heimdall. Not much passes here without his knowledge."

"Thank you," Logan replied. "If we can return the favor, just say the word."

Odin nodded. "If you require anything else, you need only contact any of my kin."

August 20

Hidden Lab

For a little over a week now, Tony had been working on the same project. And he would probably still be working on it for another couple weeks at least. There were safeguards in place from the SHIELD agents in charge of overseeing the election to stop exactly this kind of tampering. So he had a lot to work around.

And he wasn't exactly motivated to be fast about it, either — even if it had been incredibly clear from the Neanderthals in charge that he had a deadline. The election was on the 14th, and he'd better be done by then.

Tony still wasn't entirely sure how Norman Osborn had managed to get this guy on his payroll — or what kind of arrangement the two of them had. But whatever it was, Osborn was going to get the presidency he wanted thanks to this program.

It was actually ingeniously simple. In every third machine tallying the votes, the voting numbers would get bumped to the next name down the list. Seeing as that wild-card candidate from Nine, Stryker, hadn't taken his name off the rolls, that meant his vote tally would go to Hill, and Hill's to Osborn. No one would blink at Stryker not getting any votes, since no one was going to vote for him anyway. Just a few crazies.

He pushed back from his desk and ran his hands through his hair for a moment before he glanced at the clock. Right about lunchtime anyway. Might as well break.

When he got to the room next door, he wasn't surprised to see that Kate was miserable. She had started throwing up a couple days after this whole thing started, and she hadn't stopped since. And being cooped up wasn't exactly doing wonders for her mood, either. But for all the crap Fisk had to answer for, at least he'd been true to his word — the pregnancy was the only thing Kate had to complain about, really.

She glanced up when he came in and looked pale — probably just tossed her cookies again — as she smirked his way. "Right on time. How else would I tell time around here without you?"

"I made you something," Tony said, handing her a little piece of elastic. "Hopefully, it'll help with all the …." He waved at her. "You know. The sick. It should work by pressure points? Skye was telling me about them. And they're on elastic, since I think I'd break my contract if I was holding your hand all day."

She smiled tiredly at that. "Yeah, thanks," she said. "I think you'd break your hand if I was holding it all day, to be honest. This ... is no fun."

"And I can't even get you your pickles and ice cream or whatever you're craving."

"Actually, it's mint chocolate chip, but the thought is appreciated."

"Seriously," Tony said, leaning very close so they weren't overheard. "I'm trying."

"I know you are," she said, and she reached over to give his arm a quick squeeze. "It's kind of adorably sweet. You should hurry up and get home and do this to Pepper."

"Make her sick? Pretty sure that's not on the to-do list," Tony countered quickly. "Or do you mean offer her ice cream and hold her hand?"

"That second one," Kate said with a smirk.

"Then I'm in favor."

"Great. It's all settled. You make sure to lavish Pepper with attention, and I'll get sick over my Elf, and all will be right with the world."

"Yes, I agree. And if anyone is opposed, you can hurl on their shoes."

"I already tried that, but the creeps learn fast and just leave the food on the doorstep."

"That's terrible room service," Tony said, looking offended as he reached over to help her adjust the elastic band. "Let me know if this does the trick for you. Please."

She smiled up at him. "Yeah, I'll let you know how it goes. The next time I get the urge to, you know, barf all over the creeps."

August 22

District Four

The search for any info on Kate and Tony still hadn't turned up anything, and they were all set to try and look for more in District Eight when Kurt heard the distinct chime of Logan's tablet.

"What… was is los?" Kurt asked, as much to Logan as to himself as he looked over the message there - Come on. It's not fun being miserable in the big bed by myself.

"It's something Skye came up with … a while ago," Logan said gruffly, sure not to meet Kurt's gaze.

"How long has this been going on?" Kurt asked, intrigued despite himself.

"Well it's not … ongoing. More situational than anything."

"Ah, so it must be a way for her to tell you when she needs more raspberries," Kurt said with a growing smile as he pushed the tablet Logan's way to show him the message.

"Pretty much," Logan replied before he took the tablet and frowned at the message. "She figured out how to get it under everyone's nose when I was in the Capitol." He hesitated before he replied. Just want to pop in on Eight. Stab someone with bad hair.

That's not fair; everyone else wants to stab him too. Let the rest of us play, huh?

"So it's been a way for you to communicate under the noses of the higher-ups," Kurt said. "It must have been going on long before we got out then."

"That's how it started, yeah," Logan answered. "She had it worked into the device I had to talk people out of their money."

"She did not," Kurt said, surprised into a breath like a laugh.

"She did," Logan said with a little smirk. "No one knew about it in SHIELD or the palace. Little terrorist."

"That must be why you love her," Kurt laughed.

"Sure doesn't hurt," he agreed, trying to answer her little message. We can't wait that long to stab idiots.

Look, at least come home and get a good night's sleep with me first. If you go now, then I'm just going to find out later you two got snatched too and then I won't even have tablet communication to turn to when I'm miserable.

We won't get snatched, and you are playing dirty.

I thought you liked that about me.

Logan pinched the bridge of his nose as he sat back in the chair. He was stuck. There was no good way to turn down either of them.

"Is she alright?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah, just ... she ain't playin' fair at all." He shook his head and finally replied. Terrorist.

"Sounds like situation normal then," Kurt said.

Please, just come home for a night or something.

It's the 'or something' that makes this a terrorist message.

That's the whole point.

Logan just stared at it for a long while, trying to even reply.

"Perhaps," Kurt said slowly, "we can stop to refuel."

"I swear to God, I'm gonna have to get you and Kate set up with these dumb things so no one has to listen to stuff like this out loud again. Terrorist."

"Oh, is that the kind of thing you've been sending her?" Kurt asked.

"Calling her a terrorist? Yes. That's exactly what's going on."

Kurt shook his head. "You should really tell her that in person," he said, though his shoulders slumped a bit.

"I don't want to quit on Kate," Logan told him honestly. "I won't."

"I won't either," Kurt said. He leaned back. "But …" He sighed. "Maybe we can pick up more backup while we're there."

"That's the other part of her terrorist demand. That we should 'share' in stabbing bad guys. Whatever that means."

Kurt shook his head. "She sounds like Kate when she says things like that."

"I'm telling you: it's nonsense," Logan said, shaking his head. "Complete gibberish."

"That's just the way they are sometimes," Kurt said, shaking his head once more. "Come on. The sooner we get back to her, the sooner we can leave for Eight."

Logan had to agree with his logic before he offered him the tablet. "Want to tell her you forced me into it?"

Kurt raised an eyebrow at his friend before he just nodded. I'll bring him home. -Kurt

Thanks, Kurt.

The two of them were silent on the way back to District Seven, and Logan didn't miss that Kurt's shoulders were slumped more and more the closer they got to Seven.

"If we have to tear the whole country apart piece by piece, we'll find her," Logan promised.

"We will," Kurt agreed almost automatically as the jet set down. He put a hand on Logan's shoulder as he got up and headed inside, intent on giving Logan the time with Skye as he just headed to his room.

He didn't know that he could sleep though, not in that room. So instead, he headed to the coffeepot to make something up. He glanced around as he realized that he needed a coffee filter. Kate usually made the coffee, but since she was gone—

He let out a breath as he pulled open the drawer that he knew Kate had put the filters in and stopped when he saw the little purple bag there. It was wrapped; she'd clearly meant to give it as a present to someone and had hidden it there since she was usually the only one to use that drawer.

There wasn't anything coming up that he could think of. His birthday wasn't for some time, and they hadn't been married long enough for an anniversary.

Finally, curiosity won out, and Kurt peeked inside the bag — only to very nearly knock over the coffeepot when he saw what was inside.

Logan had of course, gone to see Skye, but after a quick banter, picking, and a very involved kiss, he swore to be back as soon as he'd made sure that Kurt was alright. It was something he just had to do.

So when he found Kurt just … crumpled, he forgot to do much of anything else. "Kurt?" Logan said from the doorway. "What's wrong?"

"Logan…" Kurt looked up at his friend with an expression Logan had simply never seen on his face before. "Kate ... she..."

Logan had kicked himself out of the door frame and headed closer — only to stop dead when he saw what Kurt had dropped.

The very smallest pair of purple shoes he'd ever seen.

"Oh, shit."

He watched Kurt for a moment and looked toward the hallway. "I'll be right back." He took a few steps out of the door and listened for a moment for voices — very glad to have heard Kitty and Kamala laughing in Kamala's room. He rushed down their way and knocked on their door. "I need you — either of you — to go get Hank and bring him to Kurt's room. Right now."

The two girls seemed to sit up straighter and stopped their teasing and talking when they saw the look on Logan's face. "I got it," Kamala said quickly, all but running down the hall, while Kitty frowned at Logan.

"What's wrong?"

"You can come with me," he told her.

Kitty nodded quickly. "Whoever it is, I'll help flatten them."

"If I knew the answer to that, they'd already be flat," Logan said. "Right now, we got an Elf in need."

Kitty looked suddenly even more serious than before. "What's wrong with Kurt?" she asked, then paused. "I mean. Besides the obvious, temporary Kate situation."

"A slightly more upsetting Kate situation," Logan told her quietly.

"Oh no," Kitty said, picking up the pace as they got to Kurt and Kate's room — and she didn't hesitate to rush over to her friend and simply throw her arms around him to hug him. And while Kitty had Kurt wrapped up, Logan simply sat down on their opposite side to wait fo Hank.

"O-okay. I ... I brought Hank," Kamala said haltingly from the doorway as, in fact, the good doctor arrived with her, frowning at the scene.

"Thanks, Kamala," Logan said, though he didn't move until Hank got closer — and even then, Hank didn't rush in until Logan got to him and leaned in to explain what had happened at a whisper.

"Of course. Thus the need to find her," Hank said with a nod.

"No, Hank," Logan said, shaking his head. "We were just looking for her because it was her. And we screwed up with Pete."

Hank blinked at Logan for a moment before he uttered a soft, "Oh my stars and garters" before he went to Kurt to assess the young man more closely and a little more urgently.

"We slept in Four. I think Odin doped us a little," Logan admitted.

"Seeing the state the two of you find yourselves in, I wouldn't be surprised," Hank said quietly before he straightened up and hung his glasses on the pocket of his shirt for just a moment as he nodded to himself, going to his bag to pull out something that neither Kurt nor Kitty saw until he had jabbed Kurt with it and then nodded to Logan. "I think the prescription here is the same," he said gently.

Logan moved to help Kitty get Kurt upright and moved before the drug took full effect. But by the time they had him laid out, Hank was already giving directions. "Someone should stay with him for when he does wake up — but not you. You need to be elsewhere," he said to Logan.

"Yeah, caught the memo. Not that I needed it," Logan replied as Kitty fussed over Kurt's sleeping form.

"I'll make sure he's not alone," Kitty promised

"Thanks, Kitten," Logan said before he handed her a blanket. "Let me know if you need anything."