The Nine Tailed Foxx
Chapter 20
((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.))
On the Run
Middle of March…..
At a quarter to 6am on a Monday, Johnny was waiting in the Avengers private access area, staring out through the one way glass to the city streets beyond. While he was starting to get overly warm dressed as he was now, he knew once past the door it would all change. He wished he was up in his room still in his bed but that wouldn't help him in the long run. He sensed the elevator before it arrived and turned in its direction. He was expecting Clint by himself, but what he got was not only Clint, but the Captain and Sam. After a few moments he nodded a greeting. "Morning."
Clint was dressed in civies as well, with a heavy leather jacket over them. He nodded his approval of Johnny's choice of wardrobe. "Hands," he ordered, then nodded again upon seeing the gloves Johnny was wearing. "Here," he fished a tiny case containing an earbud out of his jacket pocket and handed it to Johnny. "In case you get lost," he said.
"I'll probably need it, knowing my luck. A lot of changes since I was here last time around," Johnny replied as he put the earbud in. As he did, he glanced at the other two, noting they were in winter running gear.
"Please nod if you are receiving audio Foxx," FRIDAY requested.
Johnny nodded as instructed. He glanced up to the digital display, watching as 5:59 rolled over to 6:00. He didn't say anything as he turned and exited the building. The cold had a dampness to it that promised it was going to be a miserable run.
Clint reached up and tapped the com. "9/11 Memorial via the Ground Zero Museum Workshop and stay the hell off the major thoroughfares." He tapped it again, turning it off.
"What's that about," Steve asked. He wanted to know what was going on so delayed his usual morning run time until he found out.
"Training," Clint replied, leaning against the wall.
"How?" Sam asked, curious.
Clint smiled, "He has to beat me there." He pulled a camera out of the opposite jacket pocket. "Without breaking cover," he said as he checked the camera to be sure it was working correctly.
"Huh," Steve said, looking thoughtful. "Let me know how it turns out," he said before gesturing to the door.
"Hey Cap," Clint called.
"Yeah?"
Clint changed his mind. "Nevermind," he said with a shake of his head. He still had another 2 minutes before he could leave.
Steve eyed Clint a moment then nodded, stepping out into the cold with Sam. Once the doors closed behind him, he glanced to the side at his friend. "Care for a detour?" he asked.
"Aww man… that's a long ass run," Sam replied.
Steve grinned as he set an easy pace. "Yeah, but we're not restricted."
Sam shrugged, matching Steve's pace. "Whatever you say man."
With a hand pressed to the stitch in his side, Johnny walked through the morning crowd as he kept an eye out for Clint. At one point, he had stopped to lean against a building, hand raised as if to shade his eyes from the morning sun, but in truth scanning the rooftops of the area. There was a world of difference between running on a treadmill and reality of running through city during morning rush hour without being seen. He did manage to spot the Captain and his friend without them spotting him in turn. His gift did him little good with all the milling tourists, but he was still able to thwart two pickpockets working the area. The first was an older man. He snagged the reaching hand by the thumb and twisted, dislocating the digit. The second was a young pre-teen. With a hand firmly wrapped around the girl's wrist, he dragged her over to one of the numerous food carts and bought her something to eat. All while mentally cursing himself for being a bleeding heart fool. He slipped her a twenty and sent her on her way without a backward glance. Another scan of the area resulted in spotting Clint, leaning against the edge of the viewing pool of the First Tower. "Why here?" he asked coming up beside him.
"As a reminder."
Neither one spoke as they moved with the crowd until they reached the edge where they broke away. Johnny nudged Clint's shoulder and nodded towards a cab parked not far away.
"Morning Seymour," Johnny said as he slid into the back seat of the vehicle. "The Tower please."
"Sure thing," Seymour replied, waiting till Clint slid in and closed the door before pulling out into traffic.
"Oh, can you see to it these things are returned?" Johnny asked, pulling out several wallets from within his coat.
Seymour nodded, "Will do."
"I returned the favor when the idiot tried to pickpocket me," he explained with a shrug at the pointed look from Clint. "And dislocated his thumb as a warning." He relaxed back into the seat, finger tapping to the music the cabby was playing. "...big wheel keep on turnin, proud Mary keep on burning…. What?"
"Nothing Kid," Clint said as he turned away to hide the amused grin.
Exiting the elevator, Johnny walked with a slight limp while Clint moved at an easy stroll. Pausing a moment before opening the door, he glanced at the other man. "Anything in particular or something specific in mind?" he asked, turning the doorknob and pushing it open.
Clint shrugged. "Edible food."
"Morning boys," Natasha said in greeting as she spooned baby food into Alexei's waiting mouth. Smeared food all around his mouth indicated it was a work in progress.
As Johnny passed by, he leaned over and planted a kiss on Alexei's crown. "Good morning little man," he murmured then glanced at Nat. "Stay for breakfast?"
Shrugging, Nat spooned more food into the waiting mouth. "Sure," she said, deftly catching what was spit back out with the spoon. "That was delivered this morning," she said nodding to a box on the countertop. She then nodded to Clint, sliding his laptop over to him as he sat down.
Twenty minutes later, Johnny was standing at the stove cooking as Clint and Nat discussed something on the laptop. "Breakfast in five," he called out as he started pulling large bowls out of the cupboard. After dishing up the food, he transferred the bowls to the table, refilled the coffee mugs and took his own place at the table. It was a hearty southern breakfast of grits, bacon, eggs and cheesy hashbrowns.
Nat poked her spoon at the grits, eyebrow raised in question. It's a food she hasn't really encountered before, at least that she can remember. Not many of her missions were located in the Southern US. When she took a small bite, she found it had an odd consistency and was, by itself, rather bland.
Clint was more practical about it and dug in without a second thought. Grits was a food item that was either loved unconditionally or loathed with a passion. And like most people not from the South, he found it wasn't to his taste. But he was practical about it. Food was food, fuel for the workout ahead.
Finding Nat's reactions amusing, Johnny dug in as well after he mixed everything together in a hodgepodge. Even though he was born in the South, he only lived there for a short period of time before he was moved elsewhere. "Blame Clint if you don't like the grits. He failed to specify what I had to cook."
Once breakfast was finished and dishes deposited in the sink, the trio gathered in the living room area where Clint had the laptop connected with the TV screen. A map of the city with GPS markers, each accompanied by a series of photos of Johnny at that location, was displayed on the screen. The distance between markers varied. A couple were fairly close together, a couple were wide spaced while the rest was about even. In total Johnny traveled closer to 7 miles rather than the 4.5 miles if he had taken a direct route. They spent through lunch discussing where Johnny broke cover and how it could have been avoided. A late lunch was taken on the common floor before they headed back to the gym level for the afternoon portion of the workout and training.
Dinner that night was a hodgepodge, catch as catch can, leftover night with a first come first served attitude, and unless a name was on it, it was fair game. It was considered dangerous to be in the path to the fridge when there were several very hungry Avengers headed in that direction. Tony and Pepper escaped the insanity by going out for the evening and those who were willing to wait, they were treated with a hot meal of sweet and spicy chicken stir fry with rice. Suddenly those leftovers didn't look to great. Wanda, Natasha, and Clint were the envy of the night.
"How the hell do you three warrant a cooked meal every time?" Sam asked, eyeing his day old chinese takeout box then their food.
"Because they are harsh taskmasters, and I bow willingly to them," Johnny said, joining the three with his own plateful of food. "Besides, traditionally anyone who has been apprenticed to a master, is also their servant. They cook, clean, run errands and anything else demanded of the Master in addition to their training."
"Aye, tis how it is done on Asgard," Thor commented. "A master must take time to teach the apprentice. Time that once was taken up with normal chores of the household. So as payment, an apprentice now does those chores."
"That can't be right," James commented. "Sounds more like indentured servitude than anything else. Didn't that go out with the dark ages?" he asked to the room at large.
Once most of his food had been consumed, Johnny turned his attention to Clint. "So what's the plan? A run every day or…?" he asked, trailing off.
Clint had discussed it earlier with Nat and both came to the same agreement. "No. Every other day this week. Nat will join us one day. The rest of the training stays the same. Next week we'll try every day."
"Wait. Wait! So if we join this training you're doing, does that mean he has to cook for us too?" Sam asked.
"Sam…" Steve started to say more but was cut off.
"No, if this training was anything like this morning, it should be easy enough to do right? All we got to do is beat him to whatever location Barton there decides on. Right?" Sam asked.
"There's a bit more to it than that," Clint hedged. As a kid growing up on the homestead, there were many a day he'd spent roaming the woods and playing in the streams. He learned how to hunt and fish, and one of the tricks for both was knowing how to lure in the prey. "How many times did you spot them?" he asked Johnny. Hook.
"At least once," Johnny replied. "At the memorial."
"How many times did you two spot him?"
"We didn't," Steve said as Sam shook his head.
Clint shrugged, "Eh, not sure if you two are up for it to be honest." Line.
"So you're saying that we," Steve motioned in a circular fashion to indicate everyone, "are not capable of locating, tailing and capturing.. tagging.. a single person with fair to moderate skills."
"Some of you are, the rest.. not so much," Clint replied. Just wiggle the line a little to entice the prey.
"That sounds like a challenge Barton," Steve said pointing a finger at the archer.
Once again Clint shrugged, lifting his hand palm up as if to say 'take it anyway you want'.
"Alright, if you want to see it as a challenge why don't we sweeten the pot," Natasha chimed in.
"How so?"
"Make a game of it. If he wins, you have to include him on any team practice as if he was an Avenger."
"And if we win?" Steve asks.
"He cooks."
Sam and James did a high-five. The thought of meal (or meals) that wasn't takeout or left overs and they didn't have to do the cooking for was worth chasing after someone for.
Steve shot the two men a look before rolling his eyes. Strategically speaking, Nat and Clint were the aces up his sleeve. With plenty to take the eyes in the sky positions, they should have no problem tracking Johnny.
"Hold up, I want some ground rules laid for this since I'm the one being hunted," Johnny put in.
"What do you have in mind?" Thor asked.
"Rule 1 - on foot and in civies. Rule 2 - at minimum a five minute head start. Rule 3 - You cannot use FRIDAY or any other means to track me. You have to do it all on your own," Johnny said as he ticked the points off on his fingers. "Rule 4 - No civilians involved, as help, or collateral damage, and Rule 5 - no getting physical. I KNOW I can't win a fist fight against Captain America."
"Sounds fair, does it not my friends?" Thor asked, entirely too jovial about it.
"Indeed," Steve agreed. OK so he lost his aerial advantage, but he still had Clint and Nat. "Agreed. When do you want to start?"
"6am the day after tomorrow," Clint said with a smug smile.
"What happens if he does not make it to the location but is not found within an allotted time either?" Wanda asked.
A sideways glance at Clint, Nat thinks about it for a few moments. "He loses, but you don't win either."
Steve caught the phrasing of Nat's reply. "Wait? What? What do you mean 'us'? You're going to be on our side, right?"
"You're side Cap?" Clint asked, amused. "Oh no. Me and Nat are on neither side. The 'win' is entirely up to your team." And sinker. He enjoyed that look on Steve's face when he realized he'd just been outfoxed.
Wednesday morning was another cold one, but at least it promised to be nice and clear. No one was very surprised when Tony bowed out, claiming he would rather watch via FRIDAY than participate in 'running around like idiots in the cold and coming into contact with who knows how many germs'. Neither were they surprised when Bruce also bowed out, stating that the morning rush hour crowds wouldn't be very calming for him. Everyone else paired up for the first run. Steve and Sam, Wanda and Vision, Thor and Rhodes.
Johnny nodded, indicating he could hear FRIDAY in his earpiece as Clint did a once over. This time around though, to make it more fair, only he heard the destination. He was informed by the AI that everyone else would be told once the 5 minute head start had expired. Once again, he was not allowed to use the main thoroughfares to reach his destination.
Johnny took off in a direction that was almost 120 degrees in another direction from the location given. Only after he was sure he was out of the private access's line of sight did he turn in the correct direction. It did cut into his head start, but it also didn't give any indication of where he was headed. The only problem was that they would know soon enough and it would be all for naught if they set up an ambush at the final destination. It was a problem he would deal with once he came to it and not until.
Back at the tower, Tony settled into his favorite chair in the private theater with one of his green smoothies. On the screen, FRIDAY displayed a map of the city, line-framed and from the top down, in SI UltraMax. When combined with the slight curve of the screen, it put even the best IMAX and UHD capable screens to shame. He watched as the target location lite up, followed by a fox icon that was on the move. Shifting in the seat, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a micro-headset. "FRIDAY, patch all comms through to the headset. Give Swiper full audio reception but limit outbound to just the three of us. And don't let him know I can hear him."
"Got it boss," the AI replied. Not a moment too soon as the rest of the icons lite up on the map and FRIDAY announced the target location to everyone else.
"Alright everyone, listen up. Thor, James, you two head to the location and set up for an ambush. Wanda, Vision, flank the right side while Sam and myself will flank to the left," Steve ordered. "Remember, no civilians are to be involved and no collateral damage. If you spot him, alert the rest of the team then follow until I give the order to intercept."
On the screen, three pairs of icons split up and started moving. Clint and Nat's icons were moving but in way that indicated they already knew where Johnny was. Johnny's stopped moving, Tony noted, the moment Steve started talking but started again a few seconds later. A small arrow icon next to each indicated distance from ground level of each one. It looked like Clint had already taken to the rooftops while Nat stuck to ground level.
When Johnny heard Steve's voice over the comm, he almost tripped but caught himself in time. "Shit," he muttered, taking off again. "FRIDAY?" he asked, unsure of the other's could hear him.
"Yes Foxx?"
"Can they hear me?" he asked, glancing left then right as he darted across a road, taking to another back alley.
"No. I am the only one that can hear you at the moment."
"Thank the gods," Johnny muttered as he slowed down and joined the flow of humanity in its rush to get to work. He was lucky there were enough people of similar height mixed into the crowds that he didn't stand out. He stopped long enough to purchase a messenger bag off of what looked to be a university student. When the crowd reached a major intersection, he crossed with it then turned, walking down one of the lesser side streets with a filched newspaper in hand as if he had walked this route a million times already.
Nearly half an hour had passed and no one had any luck so far in locating Johnny. Stopping at an intersection, Steve scanned the crowds, looking for either the distinctive white hair of Johnny's or the hooded coat he wore. as he continued to scan, it came to him. "Wanda, can you pick up thoughts or images without actively scanning for them?" Steve asked.
Wanda stepped to the side, out of the path of foot traffic, as she looked at Vision. "Isn't that cheating Captain?"
Steve chuckled, "Rule #3, we can't use FRIDAY or any implied technological means to track him, we have to do so under our own power. Can't help that you happen to have a power that will let you track him."
"Fuck," Johnny muttered. "Figures something would come back to bite me on the ass."
Tony leaned forward, elbows on knees, hands clasp in front of his mouth. "Sneaky, underhanded but not breaking the rules of the game. Not very nice Capsicle," Tony said.
Wanda bit her lip, hesitating before answering. "Alright Captain, I'll try." she said. Taking a deep breath then letting it out, she started passively scanning the people around her, looking for anything that might be related to Johnny. She felt Vision slid an arm about her waist, protecting and guiding her as they started moving again.
Back at the tower, Bruce wandered about, searching for Tony. There were a few things he wanted to discuss with the man about various projects they were working on together, but he wasn't in his lab. "FRIDAY? Where's Tony?"
"Sir is in the private theater Dr. Banner. Shall I let him know you are looking for him?"
"No thank you, I'll join him there instead," Bruce replied, heading in the general direction of the elevators. "How long have we had a private theater?" he asked himself softly. Once on the right floor, he headed down a corridor to a set of double doors. Opening one, he slipped inside to the small reception area that housed a popcorn cart, a tiered shelf filled with all sorts of candies and an ice filled cooler loaded down with an assortment of drinks. Shaking his head, he followed the only other exit from the room. Stepping past the thick, blackout curtains, he found himself in a moderate sized room filled with comfortable recliners, small side tables and a screen that dominated one entire wall. He located both Tony sitting in the middle, splitting his attention between the screen and his phone.
Crossing the floor to stand behind Tony, Bruce watched over Tony's shoulder for several minutes. "Are you cheating, Tony?"
Glancing up from his phone, he checked the screen then turned to Bruce and smiled. "Au contraire, mon Frere. I am not playing, so I cannot be cheating." He looked at the screen again then touched his headset. " Swiper, turn right at the next alley, then get high. Team Spangles and Team Hogwarts are flanking you and about to get visual." He muted the headset. "6 against 1 is kinda long odds, and I like the kid. Hey, how do you feel about fondue for dinner? I'm cooking."
Bruce raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, I'm ordering. But I will make the call myself, if it's that important."
"Swiper, turn right at the next alley, then get high. Team Spangles and Team Hogwarts are flanking you and about to get visual." It was Tony's voice in his ear, not FRIDAY's.
Johnny wasn't going to question the assistance. As instructed he turned right down the next alleyway then stretched his legs in a sprint. Reaching inside his coat, he pulled a short collapsed carbon-composite climbing staff from the small of his back. A flick of the wrist had it extended and ready to be put to use. He spotted a delivery truck parked close enough that he could reach the building's fire escape from the its roof without having to pull the ladder down. Thirty seconds later, he made the leap from the truck to the fire escape and pulling himself up and over the railing. Up he went, as fast as he could, proud of the fact he was balanced enough on his feet he barely made the metal rattle as he passed. Once he reached the rooftop, he scanned the area both visually and with his gift. It was all clear for the moment. He dashed across the roof, putting his improved (thanks to Natasha) skills to use as he made a diving leap across the alley to the rooftop of the next building.
Keeping up his pace, Johnny crossed the rooftop, making another crazy leap across to the next one. At the third rooftop, he ran into a problem. He'd run out of rooftops to cross with ease. He'd made it to 9th Avenue and was forced to descend to street level again.
"Swiper, I never heard anyone say you HAD to stay outdoors. Or above ground, for that matter."
"Fucking hell.. I'm an idiot," Johnny muttered as he rubbed his forehead. "Thanks." He turned north for a moment and ducked into a shop Liberty Bicycles. He comes back out a few moments later and takes off down 9th until he reaches a small store. Fifteen minutes later, he's exiting the store on rollerblades. "The rule was, I had to be 'on foot', rollerblades count as being 'on foot', don't they?" With the messenger bag slung across his back, wearing a bright red and gold beanie and matching scarf, he looked like any one of the hundreds of messengers that roamed the city at any given time.
"Whatever you say, Swiper. I'm just an innocent bystander in all this. Cross at the next intersection. You're getting too close to Team Spangles."
With a rogue's grin, Johnny darted across the street before the intersection. He spun, slapping the hood of a taxi, making a rather rude gesture to the driver before he was on the move again. A pretty decent imitation of the recklessness of most messengers in their pursuit of the best times and the most deliveries in a day. Between his agility and his gift, he was able to weave in and out of traffic, avoiding some potentially hazardous collisions with moving vehicles. "What's the status of Thor and Rhodes?" he asked, the blare of horns fading in the distance.
Tony gestured, moving the map and zooming in on the intrepid Air and Space Museum. The markers representing Thor and Rhodes were stopped on the plaza outside the museum ticket booth, stationed about 50 feet apart, and not moving. "Hold and cover, Swiper. Something's fishy here, and it's not just the docks."
He pulled up the map in real time and zoomed in yet again. A crowd was milling 5 or 6 deep around a golden head to one side, and across the way, Rhodey stood next to the information kiosk, scrutinizing everyone who came near. Tony had seen it in person more than enough times to recognized the failed 'casual' stance his strictly military friend was trying to adopt.
"Iron Hammer has your objective staked out. Rhodey is watching the pamphlet stand and it looks like Thor is playing 'Selfie & Signature.'" They all took turns being the 'accessible' one, but Thor, who was himself 24/7, was often mobbed in public no matter what he wore. No amount of denim and plaid could keep his dedicated fans from trying to check out his 'hammer.'
"What happened to no civilian involvement?" Johnny muttered.
"Actually, I think that's what he's trying to do," Tony explained. "He's got them way out of the way in case something were to happen. Thor doesn't disguise easily."
"So if I go out there, they have me," Johnny concluded.
Tony stared at the screen. "Can you see it?"
"If I stick my head out, yeah. It's an aircraft carrier. You can see it from space."
"I am seeing it from space," Tony muttered. "Okay, look, you are as good as there. Look around on the ground. People throw away those brochures everywhere. Pick one up and go. The clock will reset for Rhodey and Point Break right away, and the others as they get there."
"Is this even legal?" Johnny asked.
"I'm pretty sure unauthorized war-gaming in downtown New York is fairly far up the illegal list. You're there. Take a paper and go. Spangles and Hogwarts are still moving in. It's time to move out."
Reaching up, Johnny yanked the beanie and the scarf off, stuffing both into the messenger bag then pulled that off as well and hid it under his coat. Flipping his hood up over his too distinctive hair, he scanned the ground. Spotting a brochure that wasn't in too bad of a shape, he darted out and snagged it off the ground. Stuffing it into a thigh pocket, he took off back the way he came, weaving through the crowds in a slouch. Natural height plus extra the rollerblades gave him put him a head above the people around him. "Alright, I've got the brochure. What do I do now to confirm it? I'm coming up to 12th and 46th."
"Hold the brochure in hand as if you are reading it when you reach the intersection," FRIDAY instructed. The AI accessed the traffic cameras for visual confirmation. "First Objective has been completed," FRIDAY announced. "Your next objective is the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. You must acquire a free brochure to proceed to the next objective. 5 minute head start begins now," the AI instructed to Johnny only.
"Son of a bitch... War Machine, Thor. Report!" Steve barked. He nodded to Sam as he speed up his pace to a jog.
"How the hell?" Rhodes said in disbelief. "I was standing here the entire time. I didn't see anyone that even came close to matching him."
"Aye Captain, I kept the civilians at a safe distance and not once did I see anyone who matched young Foxx's description within the crowds." Thor sounded almost proud of the young man. "He will make a fine addition one day."
"He's-" -not going to be an Avenger, Steve was about to say but stopped before the words were out in the open. What made someone exceptional enough to be considered for place with the team? Skills? Abilities? Or was it something else completely. If he tried to deny Johnny a place due to having worked with HYDRA then Wanda would never have made the team. He couldn't claim that it was the lack of respect or the ability to work with others either. Tony was a prime example right there of not playing with others nicely. He shook his head, trying to rid his mind of those thoughts for the moment and focus on the mission at hand. "Nevermind, we'll find out once we catch him and return to the Tower. You two are on point again. Thor, keep the civilians away and War Machine-"
"I know, keep an eye on the kiosks as I look for Foxx," Rhodes said.
"Wanda, Vision. Report," Steve ordered but with less of a bark this time.
"I'm sorry Captain, I cannot keep the passive scanning up long enough to be of any use. And he hides himself well enough that no one notices," Wanda offered.
"Indeed, I find that I am guiding and protecting Wanda more than I am searching for Foxx amongst the people around us," Vision added.
A breath blown out in annoyance, Steve kept the pace steady as he and Sam jogged the most direct route to the first location. "Alright. Don't worry about the scanning for now. Just check periodically on the chance he reveals himself. Vision, keep her protected when she does. Once you arrive at the museum and are given the go, head north by north east direction. Sam and I will cover the more north eastern direction," Steve said.
"This kid's good when he's not playing around," Sam admitted.
Steve just grunted in reply for the moment.
Johnny thought that it was good to know that he had at least managed to earn the respect of both Thor and Sam. Both tended to act as counsel to the Captain which might help mitigate their differences. "Which route shaves the most time off and gives me the best advantages? The Flushing Local over to Time Square then switch to the #1 Broadway-7th Ave line? Or hit the 42nd/Port Authority bus terminal to the #1 line?" Johnny asked as he 'bladed his way between vehicles, coming to a stop with the morning crowd at the intersection of 46th and 11th. He needed to find either a thrift store/second hand shop or find someone willing to trade so he could pick up a new disguise. This close to the Intrepid meant there was a chance to score some Naval items, like a pea coat. "Maybe I should wander around asking about a 'nuclear whessel'," he muttered in a Romani accent.
Johnny crossed with the traffic, bringing a hand up to pull his coat closer about his neck. Definitely needed another scarf, he'd gotten use to the warmth it provided. Half way down 46th he cut left into an alley, avoiding potholes and too rough pavement as he exited out on 47th, almost directly across from a bakery. The lack of anything resembling food this morning was a matter his stomach was taking serious offense to now. Darting between vehicles, ignoring the typical response it caused, he cut to the west until he reached the bakery as the staff was putting out fresh from the oven goods. A few minutes later, with an over-priced bottle of OJ and a paper bag loaded with savory goods, he turned east once more until he came to another alley. He got lucky and found someone to trade the messenger bag to in exchange for an equally battered backpack. He gave the man the OJ and the other pastry as well and in return the man gave him directions to a nearby thrift store.
The man that emerged from the thrift store was bent at the shoulders, as if weary with the world. A dark navy pea coat was wrapped about his body, an old trapper's hat with the ear flaps down and a lovingly knitted scarf coiled around his neck completed the picture. He carried an old backpack, stuffed with his possessions, slung over one shoulder. If white hair peeked out from around the hat, no one thought twice about it. Crossing 48th with shuffled steps, he continued across 10th then up to 49th. His goal was 50th and 8th where he could board the C line for the trip to 59th-Columbus Circle then a transfer to the #1. He'd occasionally mutter to himself, as if holding a conversation with an invisible companion. "FRIDAY? Did he get in trouble already?" Johnny asked. It'd been awhile since he heard anything. Not even the chatter from the Avengers in the field. "FRIDAY?" he asked again. When he didn't get a reply, he huffed. "Well fuck. On my own again it seems."
At first Johnny wasn't sure, but by the time he reached 50th and 9th, he was positive. He was being followed. Now the question was: who was following him. Once the person was close enough, he spoke up. "So, has the game been lost?" he asked turning his head to the side to glance at the person.
The person was a twenty-something year old woman, too busy texting away on her phone to notice she was being spoken to. She gave the odd, old looking man standing next to her a confused yet annoyed look before returning to her phone, not even bothering to notice what was going on around her. She stepped off the curb only to find herself roughly yanked back to land on her ass as her phone went clattering off into the gutter. "What the fuck!?" she yelled before a car zooms dangerously close as it passes right through the spot she would have been occupying. The sound of screeching tires, blaring horns and yells of incensed drivers filled the intersection for the moment.
"Your life or your phone? Which is easier to replace, hmm?" Johnny asked in a heavy accent before crossing the intersection, blending in with the morning foot traffic.
Johnny reached the metro stop at 50th and 8th. The wait wasn't too bad now that it a little later in the morning. He purposely hung back some so that when he did board the subway car, his only option was to stand. When it came time, he planned to point out that he was still 'on foot', even if the rule was bent a little. When he disembarked at 59th & Columbus Circle, the Transit Police stationed there paid him more attention than the rest. Because no one was complaining about him and he hadn't done anything disruptive, he was given the standard warning about panhandling before being advised to move on. He transferred to the #1 line, again waiting till he had little choice but to stand. When he disembarked at 66th-Lincoln center, no one paid him any notice. Once he arrived at the performance center, the brochure was easy to acquire. Before leaving, he turned towards the NYC Ballet. He wished it was open so he could look around more, but it wasn't. He'd have to come back at later. For the moment, it was time to check in with FRIDAY and get his next destination. As instructed, at the first intersection that had a traffic camera, he held the brochure as if reading it.
"Your next destination is the Metropolitan Museum of Art," FRIDAY said. "Agent Barton has firmly instructed that Sir no longer assist you in this endeavor. He has also ordered that I no longer include you in the communications loop."
"Thank you FRIDAY for the assistance I did receive though. I figured as much when I didn't get a reply back," Johnny replied, ignoring the odd looks he was getting. "Could you pass a request on to Dr. Banner for me? After I either make it to the next location or if I am 'caught', could you ask him to put the diced sweet potatoes in the oven, on 325 degrees, 30 minutes or until they are done, for me? Just have him do the entire bag. I figure I'll be cooking breakfast for everyone," he said in amusement.
"Of course. Request has been passed to Dr. Banner and he has affirmed that he will do so. You are welcome Foxx, I did enjoy working with you. Good luck," FRIDAY said.
"Listen up everyone, the Foxx just got the Lincoln Center brochure. Score's 2-0 in his favor. As of now I'm rescinding the 5 min wait time. Everyone head to Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art," Clint instructed then cut the connection. He switched channels to the private one he shared with Nat. "You gotta admit, the kid hasn't done too bad so far."
"With some extra help though," Nat answered back, phone to her ear as if she was speaking on it instead of the earpiece.
"Not like Steve having Wanda use her power wasn't extra help," Clint countered. "The rules weren't broken, but they sure as hell were bent."
Nat just laughed. "I've had fun tailing Johnny. He's working with what he's got and not doing too bad, could use more training though. I shall add method acting to his training regime. Managed to prevent someone from getting hit by a car. By the way, when is the shocksuit going to be ready?"
"Tony said it was mostly done, just needed the final fine tuning," Clint said. "Instead of weapons work, want to do that today?"
"Sure, why not."
"Alright Avengers, take the most direct route to Central Park that you can without drawing too much attention to yourself. Spread out and canvas in a northeast direction starting from the entrance you arrive at. There's too much open space for Foxx to hide effectively or lose us around corners. Wanda, I want you scanning again, take center just in case he's already crossed the left flank position. Thor, be yourself and draw the crowds. More people gathered in one spot means less people roaming, thus higher probability of spotting him," Steve said as he and Sam jogged up 11th avenue to 58th then east towards 8th avenue. Up ahead he could see Thor striding along with Rhodes keeping pace. "Vision, what's yours and Wanda's location?"
"At this time we are on 52nd street, approaching 9th Avenue," Vision responded.
"Who gets the honors once we find him?" Rhodes asked. Every so often he would have to quicken his steps into a jog to keep pace with the Asgardian.
"Whosoever catches him I would think," Thor replied. "Though, the true honors should go to our leader."
"Well gotta find him first before we can catch em," Steve grumbled. Keeping himself to Sam's pace, they passed Thor and Rhodes and made it to Central Park in about 12 minutes. "Me and Sam are in the park now, we'll take the western side headed north. Thor, Rhodes, go east then head north towards the zoo. Vision, ETA?"
"10-15 minutes," Vision replied.
"OK let me know when you arrive," Steve ordered as he scanned the faces around him.
Johnny continued north on Columbus instead of east to Central Park. Along the way he slipped into different stores ranging from costume to special effects to normal beauty supply stores. He even stopped into a smoke shop. The transformation was a subtle one. Nearly white eyes were replaced by watery blue of aged eyes, skin of his face and neck darkened a little and his white hair now had silvery grey highlights and was slicked back. The pea coat and hat was gone as well as the backpack. The scarf he kept, but instead of coiled about his neck it now draped, covering the back of his neck and hanging to his waist. He had removed the inner lining of his great coat and split the hood open via the hidden zipper. The shuffling walk became a gliding, confidant step. His hooked climbing staff was brought out and extended fully to imitate a walking cane.
The man that walked into the American Museum of Natural History, was a distinguished looking elderly gentleman in a faded but well cared for coat. He exited through the western entrance, a store bag hanging from his arm. He neither hurried nor did he take his time crossing Central Park along the 79th Street Transverse. He was about three quarters of the way when a young woman threaded her arm through his and smiled up at him.
"I've caught you," Wanda said, her lips curling in a smug smile.
"So you have my dear, so you have. But let me have my fun? Don't tell the Captain just yet," Johnny said with an amused smile of his own as he reached over to pat her arm where it looped through his.
"You make a very handsome elderly man," Wanda said after looking Johnny over again. "Very distinguished looking."
"Thank you, that was what I was aiming for. I'm pleased it worked," Johnny replied as he lead her to a very familiar cab that had just stopped for them. "Since the game is over, may as well catch a cab home. Good morning Seymour," he greeted after opening the door and allowing Wanda in first. He followed, closing the door behind him. "Stark Tower please."
"'Morning. You got it," Seymour replied as he put the cab in gear again.
Thirty minutes later, Johnny was showered and dressed in his usual workout clothes, standing by the stove cooking breakfast. Pepper and Bruce was setting the table as Wanda played with Alexei with Tony looking on. The rest of the Avengers were making their way to the common floor after getting cleaned up from the morning's training. After everyone was settled at the table, breakfast was served up and demolished. Once the dishes were cleared away, everyone except Pepper headed to the largest conference room for Clint and Nat's assessment and critiques of the morning session. No one was left untouched by the pair in their evaluations, not even Bruce, though his was minor compared to the rest.
All in all, it had turned out to be an informative and enlightening morning.