Laynie was shaken awake. It was odd, because she didn't remember falling asleep or even having any dreams. Just a void.
The silent bulky man from earlier was the one trying to wake her, and later stuffed her into a car. There were big blanks in her memory of getting to the car once she finally shook sleep on the way to the meeting place.
Hammer had set a place to meet Tony and any two people he wanted to bring.
With a start, Laynie realized it was the third day she'd been held captive. That meant a few things. She hadn't had anything to eat or drink in days, she probably had a concussion judging by how she felt and how long she slept, and this was where Hammer's sanity would be tested. Would he stay true to his deal, or would he keep her hostage?
Laynie was pulled out of the car, and she found she couldn't really walk. It was embarrassing, but Parks ended up having to half-carry her into yet another warehouse.
"Laynie!"
Her heart sped up when she heard those two voices. Carter and Tony. Why on earth would Tony have brought Carter? Because Carter is stubborn. She probably pitched a fit until Tony agreed to let her go.
"Tony!" Hammer grinned widely. "Did you bring the supplies I asked for?"
Carter frowned at the man, she returned her gaze to Laynie and smiled hopefully. Her hopes were dashed when Laynie could only give a dazed blink in return.
Tony scowled, "I brought everything I could."
"Oh, I don't like the sound of that."
"Well, you didn't exactly give me a whole lot of time, did you?" Tony glared. "If you give me Laynie now, I can get you the rest soon." He was obviously having a hard time keeping up his calm, witty front with his daughter on the line.
"That's not how this works. I get my supplies and then you get your daughter back." Hammer sneered.
Natasha, Tony's second person, stepped forward. "Hammer, Nice to see you again."
"Of course, Natasha."
"Don't make this harder than it has to be." Her voice was steady, as calm as ever.
He wrapped his arm around Laynie, squeezing until she cried out. "Don't you people understand? I have the upper hand."
Natasha shook her head and drew her gun faster than lightning. "I don't play by the rules." She had a shot lined up with Hammer's head.
Hammer pulled his own gun, much more casually, and pressed the barrel to Laynie's head. "How good of a shot are you, Agent Romanoff?"
"Don't shoot!" Tony shouted.
Natasha hesitated before lowering her gun.
Carter released a breath she didn't know she was holding. She looked back to Laynie with worried eyes.
Laynie's own eyes were squeezed shut. Her friend looked like a mess.
"Good girl," he purred. He still didn't move his gun away from Laynie. "Alright, now I have a proposal Stark. Either I kill her here, or you make me an offer worth her life. Make up for your tardiness."
"Tony don't do anything stupid!" Laynie yelled.
"How much money, Hammer?"
Hammer laughed. "I don't want your money, Stark!" "
I'll go with you!" Carter screamed. "Extra motivation," she muttered, glancing toward Natasha and Tony.
"Carter," Tony hissed.
"I accept!" Hammer shouted happily. "Come on over, girl."
Before Natasha or Tony could make a move to stop her, she was taking long strides over to join Hammer and Laynie.
She could hear Tony cussing up a storm behind her, but she didn't care, she knew that he would get the supplies in time to get both Laynie and herself back safely.
Hammer nodded to one of his minions, a large beefy man. He grabbed Carter's arms and pinned them behind her back.
"Carter, you idiot." Laynie hissed at her.
"It bought us more time." Carter replied simply.
"Quiet, you two." The beefy man said sharply.
Both girls grudgingly shut their mouths.
Hammer released Laynie, and she fell to a heap on the ground. She didn't seem to care, either.
Looking up to Tony, she saw his heart break. She caught his eye, and smiled. He knew she would take care of her friend.
"Well, we really must be going now. Make sure you have everything next time, Tony." Hammer said, walking back to the car.
Before Laynie or Carter could say anything to Tony or Natasha they were pushed toward the car. Unceremoniously, they were shoved inside.
"I thank you Carter, for your quick thinking, you're very clever." Hammer complimented her.
Carter scowled at him, "I didn't do it for you."
"Oh, of course not."
As the car began moving, Laynie scooted closer to Carter and whispered, "Carter, he's a maniac. Be careful."
"Yeah, I kinda guessed as much when he kidnapped you and held you for ransom." Carter replied.
"Now, now girls. Hasn't anybody ever told you whispering is rude?" Hammer grinned widely.
Carter huffed, "Didn't anybody ever tell you kidnapping people is illegal?"
Laynie cringed.
Hammer laughed and ended it with a scowl. "Now Carter dear, I know this must be hard, but your job is to shut up. That's all you have to do!"
Carter bit back at snarky response. "Whatever." She huffed.
The car ride back to the warehouse was silent, and dark. Bags were pulled over their heads halfway there, and weren't removed until both girls were secure.
"That was really dumb," Laynie whispered once Hammer was gone.
"Something had to be done. Hopefully this will give Tony enough time to get the rest of the stuff." Carter shrugged.
Laynie put her face in her hands. "Is everyone okay at home?" she quietly asked.
Carter nodded. "Yeah, I mean, they miss you and they're a little on edge, but other than that they're okay."
"I really hope Tony just blows Hammer up. He's the most vile person I've ever met. He's-he's worse than Walter!" Laynie kept her voice low, but Carter could still hear how angry she was.
"I know you're upset, but we have to stay calm. It's all going to be fine. Tony will get us out of here, Hammer will go back to jail or something, and everything will go back to normal. We just have to be patient." Carter smiled sympathetically. "And I can assure you, Tony along with everyone else has thought about blowing Hammer up more than once."
Laynie smiled a little. "It's the thought that counts, right?"