The Nine Tailed Foxx
Chapter 3
((A/N: No, I haven't forgotten about my other stories. Just waiting on one muse to step back and let others have some time.
A wonderful thanks to my friend Lady Moonhawke, who is also my co-writer, co-conspirator, Idea tester, plot hole finder, monkey wrench thrower, and ghost editor.))
Going Places
Late December….
Between Christmas and New Year….
Things had calmed down some since Johnny got Alexei back. He worked his usual three days a week at the restaurant and enjoyed conversations with his usual customers. He was picked up after work and taken home where he took care of Alexei until he went back to the restaurant. The other four days he stayed at the main location. He was kept close, sent out only for minor jobs. He arranged for two evenings out, one for him and Mirela and the other for him and Alexei.
He took Mirela to the theater, then to dinner followed by a long carriage ride in Central Park. All of it was, of course, arranged by and paid for by the very man they were trying to escape from. They talked about nothing and everything, carefully avoiding saying anything of the plans to escape from the situation they were in. He had been asked to locate the young woman by her father and she was over seven months pregnant when he did finally located her. It didn't take long before he insinuated himself into the organization, becoming a favorite of the man who had acquired Mirela from the ones that kidnapped her. He asked what she would do when she was free. She said she wanted to return home to Latveria, to her family. When he asked if she would take Alexei with her, she hesitated.
"I don't know if I love him enough," Mirela admitted. "Is it wrong of me? Am I somehow broken because of it?" she asked. "He is a constant reminder of everything bad that has happened to me over the last two years. I don't know if he would even be welcomed back home."
"Do you know who the father is? It's not… him.. is it?" Johnny asked.
"No, thank the stars no, it wasn't him. Alexei's father...I don't know. It wasn't natural. I wasn't the only one he took for his plans. I was just the only one that became pregnant and gave birth to a living child. The other women… either it did not take or they miscarried along the way," she explained.
Johnny nodded in understanding. "Did they ever say who the father was or could be?" he asked, curious. If the father was alive there was always a chance whomever it was, would accept Alexei. If not, well…. he had experience raising a child on his own while on the move.
"The only thing mentioned by the doctors and scientist was that my child would be the successor of the greatest asset they ever owned," Mirela said. "The way they talk about Alexei, it frightens me," she admitted.
"As long as I can, I will protect him. You have my word," Johnny told her. He saw her to the door of the private quarters, gave her a kiss on the temple, wished her a good night then retired to his own quarters after retrieving Alexei from the other temporary caregiver.
The next day, Johnny had a driver drop him off in Central Park. He spent part of the early morning riding the snow covered trails on horseback, Alexei in the papoose strapped to his chest and well covered in the warm coat. He went to the zoo for the afternoon, during the warmest part of the winter's day. Not because Alexei would care about seeing the animals, but because it was a perfectly ordinary thing to do. He looked like an other young single father taking their child out to the Zoo on a clear winter's day.
The first people to realize something was going on was those at the front entrance to the Zoo. A group of armed men stormed through heading for the administrative building. Those (smart) civilians that could escape did so. The not so smart (gawkers and tourists) civilians did not get away. It didn't take long before the entire Zoo knew something was going on. The PA system crackled and hissed as the cheerful holiday music was replaced with someone making demands that a fox hand over a baby.
Way towards the back of the Zoo, Johnny face palmed with a groan. He knew he had made a few minor enemies in his line of work, but seriously? What idiot or group of idiots took a major zoo hostage for a single person of little importance? He pulled out his phone and placed a call.
When no one came forward, the person making the demands then threatened to start shooting random zoo goers as they searched the place for what or who, they were after. It was at that point that things really went chaotic.
Over at the Avengers Tower, the Avengers themselves were in a lull between 'saving the (insert location here) from major villains' and various missions that the FBI/CIA/Military would ask members to go on for this, that or other reasons. Clint was flipping through the news channels while Natasha lounged next to him reading a book. Steve was playing chess with Bruce. Tony was in the kitchen area tinkering with a pot of coffee. And Vision and Wanda were sitting together discussing existential topics.
"Wow, it must really be a slow day if the national news channels are picking this up," Clint said as he stopped at one of the news channels.
"Agent Romanoff, perhaps you and Agent Barton would like to go assist the local authorities?" Vision asked as he glanced at the display.
Natasha looked up from her book to the display as well then over to Vision. "Why? It looks like it's being handled."
"Hmmm… it's just that a person of interest you've been following is there currently," the Sentient android commented in an off hand manner before turning back to his discussion with Wanda.
Natasha blinked then looked at Clint before pulling up her phone. A minute later she was heading to gear up.
"Need a hand?" Clint asked.
"No, but you're welcome to come along if you want," she answered back.
Clint tossed the remote down on the coffee table as he scrambled to follow his partner. "Oh hell yeah!"
Steve watched the pair leave. He looked at Tony, then Bruce before looking over at Vision and Wanda. He looked back at a now grinning Tony Stark.
"You know what? A trip to the Zoo sounds like fun! FRIDAY, sweetheart, get daddy's suit ready." He headed for the elevator.
"Tony? Wait!" Steve shot to his feet, throwing out a hand as he could stop Tony from way across the room. "Damnit…" he sighed, running a hand through his short blonde hair. "I better go as well, who knows what Tony will get up to otherwise. Anyone else care to go to the Zoo?" he asked.
Bruce just laughed as he sat back. "No.. oohh no. Not unless it is a dire need for me to be there, I am not going."
"Fair enough. Wanda? Vision?"
The other pair also declined.
"Great… why can't anyone enjoy the time off and the holidays like it use to be?" Steve grumbled as he also headed to the elevator. Just as he reached it the doors opened.
"What took you so long? Getting slow in your old age? The Geritol running out? Maybe you need to take a nap..." Tony said with a manic grin.
"You know what? Fuck you Tony," Steve shot back as he punched the button. The doors closed on whatever else was said between the two.
The battle.. wait, it couldn't even be called a battle… the fight turned out to be rather anticlimactic. Yes, they were HYDRA grunts which was on the plus side. But they were also rather poor quality HYDRA grunts which really didn't offer any challenge at all. Well, maybe a tiny challenge to the baby FBI Agents that got called in to deal with them.
When it was all over with and FBI was hauling away their cargo of prisoners, Tony decided to turn it into a public meet and greet, showing off in all his egotistical glory. Steve was a little irked but put on a good face, smiling, signing autographs, the whole nine yards. As for the Widow and Hawkeye, they vanished into the crowd as if they were never there.
"What do you think? Next time bring Laura and the kids here for a week? Bring them to the Zoo, let them see the sights. You know, play tourist," Clint said as he pointed out a few of the exhibits that either Coop or Lila might like.
"Isn't Nate a bit young still?" Nat asked.
"Yeah, but I'm sure Laura would enjoy a day spa trip if I took the kids." Clint was scanning the crowd automatically, when he spotted a familiar coat. He nudged Nat, nodding towards the figure standing near the Snow Leopard enclosure.
Natasha nodded, slipping away, making her way through the crowd like a fish cutting through water. She came up on Johnny's other side. "Hello Johnny," she said as she looped her arm around his waist.
"You know, I was having a nice peaceful day," Johnny commented with a sigh as he pushed his sunglasses up further before running a hand through his hair. He tipped his head down and murmured softly to Alexei, who had started fussing. "Maybe if the gift shop is still open, I'll get you one. Can't leave it in your crib, but when you're on the floor it'll be ok." He got a happy gurgle in reply as his finger was caught and promptly inserted into the baby's mouth to be gummed and slobbered on.
"Hi there," Nat said, waving her fingers at the baby. "Aren't you a cutie," she cooed softly. "Hi." She could tell the baby's eyes had already started shifting from new born blue to what would be their permanent color. She glanced up at Johnny who was looking at her over the top of his sunglasses. His eyes were a bright, almost pure emerald green. The baby's looked to be brown. "Takes after mama?" she inquired. She couldn't tell hair color since the baby had a cap on to protect against the cold.
Johnny raised an eyebrow at her question then shifted his attention to the other side as the man who had accompanied her leaned back against the display's half-wall. Looking him up and down, studying the older man, judging him as only a father could judge the potential threat to his child.
Hazel locking with emerald green as Clint meet and held Johnny's eyes. Wordlessly letting the younger man know, he was no threat to the child. That he would step up and protect the child himself, if Johnny was unable to for any reason. His eyes barely widened in reaction when he saw first icey blue then silver bleed through emerald green. Muscles tensed, he went on instant high alert, ready to move at any moment. His first thought was Loki, but the blue wasn't the right shade to be the Asgardian's doing. He watched as pupils blew wide then shrank again.
He reached up and rubbed his temple as he slammed his eyes shut with a low hiss of pain. Blinking rapidly, clearing the tears away. He hated when that happened without warning, it always give a few seconds of disorientation as perspectives suddenly shifted on him. Taking a few steps back, out of arm's reach of the pair, he shook his head to clear it as he flipped the hood up. His other hand was spread protectively across the baby's back. Taking a deep breath he blew it out through his nose before smiling falsely. "Sorry, was snow blinded for a moment there."
Both Nat and Clint knew the excuse was total bullshit, but accepted it with nods anyway.
Glancing past Johnny, Clint nodded to the police officer that was approaching them. "We'll be on our way in a moment officer," he called.
Natasha held up her Avenger ID for the officer to see as well.
The officer waved then gave them a thumbs up as he turned around, speaking into his shoulder mic.
"Widow. Hawkeye. Report."
Nat reached up, activating her com. "All clear."
"Need a hand with anything?"
"No. Everything's fine," Nat replied, sending Clint a look. "We'd better start moving before the other's get impatient and come looking for us."
Clint crossed his arms over his chest as he pushed off the wall. "Knowing Tony, he'll say he was just doing a last check of the area and happened to find us."
Nat smirked, "Then he'll invite everyone to go have something to eat just so he can ask questions and get away with it."
"Shawarma," Clint said, nodding in agreement.
The trio walked in companionable silence, listening to the sounds of the animals as they slowly settle down from all the excitement. The early closing didn't bother them since the zoo keepers adhered to the strict schedules.
"No…." Johnny said suddenly. "To answer your question from earlier. No, he takes after his father in coloration. Lighter skin tone, brown eyes instead of silver-gray and his hair will be lighter as well. A dark brown instead of raven's wing black." He trailed a finger lightly down the now dozing infant's cheek.
Natasha nodded, then looked sideways at Johnny with a raised eyebrow.
Johnny let out a soft laugh. "He's almost eight years too late to be mine biologically," he admitted.
"But that doesn't mean he's not yours otherwise," Clint pointed out. Even though he was relaxed looking, he was still vigilant. Someone had to be.
"True."
"What's his name?" Nat asked. In the distance she could see Steve and Tony, the crowd of people around them was now greatly diminished. Most were in NYPD blues or FBI Black.
"Alexei…" Johnny replied. "Alexei Ivanovich Montrovnyah."
Clint let out a soft whistle, "Boy does the kid have a mouthful for a name."
"Actually that's a little on the short side for a Russian name," Nat pointed out.
"It's Latverian," Johnny corrected. "She was on a student visa when she became pregnant," he added at the looks he got. While strictly speaking, it was the partial truth. She had been on a student visa here in the United States when she was taken by traffickers.
Anything else was put on hold when one egocentric playboy billionaire came strolling up to the trio. "Well well, look who finally decided to come join the party. You two missed out on all my… our.. adoring fans." He shot a look at Johnny, trying to see who it was since he had the hood up still. "And who's your friend? Did you two find a new playmate but forget to tell us about him?"
Clint stepped in front of Johnny, effectively blocking Tony from getting any closer as he put a hand to the other man's chest. "Back off Stark," he said quietly, with the tone of a no-nonsense SHIELD Agent.
"Whoa! Hey now, Merida…" Tony threw his hands up taking several steps back. He had a thing about being touched as well as being handed stuff. "No need to go all mama bear on me…"
"Problems Hawkeye?" Captain America questioned (as opposed to the more friendly tone of voice Steve Rogers used).
"No, no problems Cap," came the immediate reply.
With all of Johnny's training and experience, he could see the difference between the active, on duty public persona and the private, more personal persona of the Avengers. Or at least two of them, but considering one was the Black Widow it could still be a mask. He nodded his thanks to Hawkeye and continued on towards the exit, Nat walking between him and her teammates still.
Tony looked almost put out. Almost. "What? Am I chopped liver now? Just one of the masses? Come on, I'm me. I'm Tony Stark, billionaire genius. I'm Iron Man for god's sake!"
Steve turned away, hiding a smirk with his hand. It wasn't often that Tony was unable to make himself the center of attention. And when it did happen, it was always amusing to watch.
Tony turned to Nat as she returned from escorting Johnny out of the Zoo. "Come on, give me a hint here. Who was that? I'm dying to know who that was," he said as he pulled out his phone to hack into the Zoo's security feed and find out. "Wha? Hey! Give that back. It's my phone. You have your own phone now give it back," he demanded with a pout.
"Nope," said with a pop of the 'p'.
"Cap… Captain my Captain.. back me up here. Make her give me back my phone."
"Sorry Tony, you're on your own here," Steve said with a laugh as he held up a hand to stop any further chatter. "I'd say we're done here, wouldn't you agree?" he asked both Clint and Nat. "See you back at the Tower," he added as he turned away for one final round of handshakes with the police and Zoo security before heading to his motorcycle.
"Bye, Tony," Nat said with a wave as she hooked an arm through Clint's and led him off to where her car was parked.
Tony threw his hands in the air in a huff. "Fine, see if I invite you out for shawarma with me." He stalked off to where his Iron Man suit was on standby.
"Where to?" Seymour asked before pulling out into traffic.
"Hell's Kitchen. Find us a quiet diner please," Johnny said as he settled back in the seat, dropping his head tiredly against the back of it.
"Sure thing," the cabby said as he flipped through the radio stations to find one playing oldies. Pulling out into traffic, he drummed his fingers on the wheel in time with the music, occasionally singing along with the songs. When they finally arrived in Hell's Kitchen, he took Johnny to a small Mom & Pop diner that had good food and even better service. Parking the cab, he got out and opened the door for the young man. "Even under our protection, be careful. This is still Hell's Kitchen. Ya know what I mean?" Seymour admonished as he slid back into the driver's seat. "Call when you're ready to head home."
Johnny gave a wave to the departing cab before turning and looking up at the name of the diner. Even though the door was closed, the smell of baked bread and fresh coffee drifted by. He stepped through the door and was welcomed.
It was just past sunset when Johnny left the diner. Alexei had been fed and changed as well so was dozing snugly against his chest. He kept one arm wrapped protectively around the baby, his other was tucked into his pocket, fingers playing with the items to be found there. A few of the braver, or more desperate working girls who were out in the weather made their play for a little bit of fun. He turned them down of course, but wasn't heartless about it. He sweet talked them for a few minutes, gave em a twenty then told them to go get something hot to drink. Of course that brought him to the attention of some dubious individuals, but it wasn't hard to dissuade them from doing anything stupid. Like attempting to mug him. This of course, caught the attention of the person he was really here to see.
Stopping on the street corner, he looked up to the spires of the Catholic church first, letting his eyes travel to the stained glass windows which decorated the side he was facing. A warm glow lit the windows from the inside, giving the looming building a feeling of open arms, welcoming the weary. Barely there movement touched the edge of his gift, then another and another. All as light as a butterfly's kiss. Looking up, he inhaled softly. Hand reaching up, palm skyward and fingers spread, he waited for the first few snowflakes to land. Another brush of movement, more solid feeling and counter to the gently falling snow broke the spell. Dropping his hand, he wiped it off on the side of his coat as he crossed the street, heading to the church. Slipping inside, Johnny waited a few moments before making his way to the side where the votives were. He wasn't a religious person per se. He knew there were higher powers in the universe and left it at that. He hesitated a moment, before picking up a taper and lighting a candle. Movement again touched his gift, this time coming from the front near the altar area.
"Can I be of help son?" came an elderly man's voice.
Johnny turned, looking at the elderly man a moment before shaking his head. "No sir, I'm just here to meet someone." At the man's raised eyebrow, he chuckled. "A meeting not of the religious nature," he amended. "I promised someone I would show them the reason behind my request." He parted his coat, turning some to reveal the baby.
"Ah," the priest murmured. "I see. I am Father Lantom, if you need anything I will be close by."
"Thank you Father," Johnny murmured before turning towards the section of pews somewhere in the middle. He unstrapped the papoose to set it to the side as he cradled Alexei in his arm. He quietly pointed out the different scenes pictured in the stain glass windows, even though the baby was nowhere near enough to understand yet. He watched the slow gathering of the congregation for the evening service, the variety of people from all walks of life.
"Excuse me son," Father Lantom softly from the isle. "There is…. someone… who wishes to see you. I asked him to wait in the rectory where there will be less...notice or disturbances during Evening Services." There was a slight disapproving note in the elderly man's voice.
"Of course Father Lantom," Johnny said, rising from the pew smoothly. He shifted Alexei so he could gather the papoose up along with the messenger bag-slash-diaper bag. At the door, he thanked the priest for his time and patience, accepting the small blessing he bestowed on Alexei in parting. A taking a calming breath, he opened the door and stepped through.
"Good evening Foxx."
Johnny managed to stop his reaction of reaching for one of the items he had in his coat pocket as he turned away to shield Alexei. The man had been standing so still, his gift completely missed him. Looking up, he inhaled deeply before letting it out slowly. "Please, don't do that again," he said. "A tiny bit of movement is all I ask for." He moved to a chair and sat, dropping his stuff to the floor before shifting Alexei. "After last week and today…"
Daredevil had heard the hammering of Foxx's heart, the shift of breath, the telltale creak of leather and cloth as he started to reach for a weapon, the minute shift in an infant's heartbeat as it was jostled in its sleep. He was hard pressed to hide the smile. There was something satisfying in catching someone unaware. He held up his hands in a gesture of peace. "Bad day?" he asked, noting the barest hint of the scent of animals. "You were at the Zoo during the situation." A statement, not a question.
"During the idiocy you mean," Johnny shot back.
Moving to stand closer but not exactly looming over the other, Daredevil shifted his head, mentally blocking out the beginnings of the Evening Service. He'll make up for it later he promised his guilty conscious. "The men were after you."
"Yes," Johnny admitted after several minutes had passed. "Or rather, they were after Alexei."
"Why?"
"That's rather complicated."
"We have about thirty to forty minutes till Evening Services are over," Daredevil replied, pulling out a chair to sit catty corner to Foxx.
"Hmm.. It'll take longer than that, to explain everything. Or at least most of it," Johnny said, slowly stroking the baby's back. "But… I did promise to give you the reason why I was there last week. Well, not give, but to show." He placed feather light kisses to Alexei's temples and head before turning the baby around to face Daredevil. "He's the reason I was there," he murmured, lips brushing the dark crown of peach fuzz that passed for hair.
The mask hid raised eyebrows. "May I?" he asked, lifting his hands slightly.
Studying the masked guardian of Hell's Kitchen for a few moments, he finally nodded.
Stripping his gloves off, he held out his hands to carefully take the infant. The drum of a faster heartbeat thrummed under his fingers along with the feel of good quality material of clothing. As he brought the baby to his chest, the scents of lavender and talcum powder floated up along with the natural untainted smell all babies seemed to have. Tilting his head down, he listened to the soft breathing, noting a very slight congestion to the sound. The small grunts as Alexei shifted in, the rumble of gas being expelled then a sigh as he settled further into sleep. He couldn't help the sudden grin that came to his lips. "He's beautiful," he said. "He also has a touch of congestion," he added.
"Late week…," Johnny started then stopped. The rage was still there, though greatly diminished. "Last week I was subcontracted out for a job that was located here in Hell's Kitchen. To ensure the job was done, Alexei was held as insurance against me." Leaning forward, hands clasped together and pressed to his lips with elbows on his knees. Taking a breath, he sat back again. "The man that holds my contract has leverage on Alexei's mother as well. What it is I've yet to discover. While I did the job, she was at my place, away from that man. After I left Hell's Kitchen, I picked her up and went to the meeting place. She took the payment for my services and returned to that man. I handed the goods the one that paid for my services and Alexei was returned to my care."
Daredevil listened to what wasn't said. The tone of voice, the neurosciences there in. "There's more to it than that, isn't there?" he asked. There was so much there that could be used in court both for and against Foxx, the lawyer in him pointed out.
"Yes," Johnny admitted. "I had left him in their care, feed, clean and happy. When he was returned…." the rage flared again forcing him up, to move about, to expel the anger. "He was crying. He hadn't been fed or changed all night. Left in the carseat and probably put somewhere out of sight and hearing." He turned to Daredevil, baring his teeth in a tight feral grin. "The one boon I was given by that man, was being allowed the right of retribution in Alexei's name."
Leaning back, hands holding the baby a little closer. "What did you do?" Daredevil asked.
"I didn't kill them," Johnny assured the other man as he ran his hands through his hair. "As much as part of me screamed for their blood, I didn't kill them. Death isn't the answer, it teaches nothing. No… I admit to beating the man's goons to the ground, unconscious." A soft humorless laugh escaped him. "No, I tied that man to the hood of his limo, staked a knife into the hood right against his balls then put it in gear and let fate decide…" He returned to the chair and sat heavily with a tired sigh. "I haven't had to, but… yes, I will kill to protect him. If there are no other alternatives...then I will do my damned to take out anyone who means him harm."
"Even yourself?"
"In a heartbeat."
Humming softly under his breath in thought, Daredevil leaned back, fingers gently stroking the slumbering infant's back. "Well, either he lived or it was covered up." A wet sputter and the wafting stench of a freshly loaded diaper hit his sensitive nose. "Ugh…I think….he needs a change."
A groan of breathless laughter. "Yeah...I don't like him sitting in a messy diaper longer than he needs to be." Johnny reached down, snagging the bag and rummaging through it. With experienced ease, he had Alexei clean and changed again. "If I ever have another job in Hell's Kitchen, I'll try and let you know about it. Sometimes I have little choice in saying no."
Gloves donned once more, Daredevil nodded in understanding. "I'll try not to be too hard on you then." He tilted his head as he listened. "The Evening Service is over a few minutes early it seems."
"Time and past for him to be taken home, out of the weather and into his bed," Johnny said in way of agreement.
Daredevil paused in thought a moment before speaking. "Listen, if you ever need a lawyer… Nelson & Murdock. I've heard they're pretty good at what they do. And they are honest as well."
Johnny nodded absently as he strapped Alexei into the papoose. "Nelson & Murdock… where.. oh, yes. They are regulars at the other place I work," he replied, ignoring the growing headache behind his eyes. "If I get a chance next time I see them, I'll ask." He held out a hand, "Thank you again, for your assistance last week."
Daredevil hesitated just a moment before accepting the hand and shaking it. "You're welcome, but try not to make it a repeat occurrence."
Johnny nodded as he cross to the door and slipped out into the sanctuary. As he was leaving, he paused by the donation box, slipping a handful of bills into it before leaving the church.
Seymour was leaning against the side of the cab which was parked at the curb. Without a word, he opened the door for Johnny then closed it after he was in. "Home?" he asked when he got behind the wheel.
"Yes please."
"You got it," he replied.
Back at the church, Father Lantom stood at the top of the steps watching the cab leave. Glancing up, he called out, "I expect you to be at Sunday Services." Giving a nod, he turned and reentered the church.