Dodging the two teen's clumsy strikes, Iron Fist laughed. "Come on Dagger, don't be afraid to hurt me, use your power. Cloak, you are holding back, come on guys, you can do better than this!"
Backflipping over Cloak, Iron Fist swept Daggers legs out from under her and she landed hard.
Panting, she stood back up. "Nice shot, can we try that again?"
Glancing at the clock on the wall, Iron Fist shook his head. "Sorry guys, but I have got to go. Spar with each other for a bit then go cool off. I'll see you tomorrow. Don't forget, all you New Warriors are starting school tomorrow, be ready."
Cloak and Dagger exchanged a strange look as Iron Fist ran out. Hey had been training with him for three now, and it was always the same. Intense, bruising workouts then he would leave suddenly with no explanation.
Unfortunately, the new recruits weren't the only ones who had noticed Danny's mysterious behavior. In fact, the whole team had noticed and this time they were waiting for him.
"What's up Danny?" Spiderman stepped out from the shadows, arms crossed.
"We thought we could all go catch a movie today, whatcha think?" Nova grinned, holding his helmet carelessly under one arm.
White Tiger watched as Danny grinned at his team in the laid-back way he had. She knew him better than anyone else on the team (except perhaps Luke) and she could tell by how tense he was that this time, his chill attitude was all charade.
"I'd love to guys," Danny rolled his eyes as if exasperated at himself, "But I have way too much to catch up on... Can I call a raincheck?"
"What's going on that has you so busy Danny?" Luke asked carefully, "There are no meetings at the company today, I checked."
Briefly losing his calm look, Danny's eyes roamed back and forth in panic, as if searching for an escape. "I just have a lot going on guys, I'm sorry, I just can't today." Glancing at another clock on the wall, he hissed quietly before exclaiming, "I've got to go!"
Pushing past the others, he raced down the hall of the helicarrier and was lost to sight.
"What was that all about?" Sam frowned. "He's acting even weirder than usual."
"This isn't fortune-cookie weirdness," Tiger frowned, "I don't know what this is."
Meanwhile:
Sighing, Danny stepped lightly into his apartment in New York. "Hey, you okay?" He grinned at Angel.
She stood next to the window, hand resting on her left shoulder. She was dressed in a thin nightgown, staring out at the snow-covered city. Her left wing was bound tightly to her back, the bandages wrapped around her chest and over the wing to hold it in place.
Without turning from the window, she nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Placing a gentle hand on her back, he turned her so that she was looking at him, "No, you're not." He brushed his hand through her hair.
Shivering, she collapsed and he caught her, holding her close to his chest. striding into the next room, Danny placed her on the bed and lay down next to her. "What's wrong?" he whispered his question again.
Snuggling up next to him, she shook her head, "I am truly thankful for all you have done for me Danny, but I miss my children, and I am worried about them."
"Well, of course you are. I understand."
"I love them, and I am worried about them, they must think I abandoned them."
"They wouldn't think that." Danny subconsciously placed his hand over the brand on her shoulder. She is a criminal, the thought came unbidden. Why am I really helping her? She must have done something truly horrible to receive the brand, yet I cannot abandon her, she saved me. Instead of voicing his thoughts, he said quietly,"As soon as you outlast the poison, I will take you back to them."
Looking down at her, he smiled when he realized that she had already fallen asleep.