Wade pulled himself up from the ashes and stared down at his scarred, bloodied body.

His mind seemed to race at a hundred miles an hour. Well, round the clock torture will tend to do that to a guy.

He had been a coward and in the end had destroyed his own life. Turned himself into a monster.

And yet throughout it all, all he was able to think of was one shining light in the darkness.

One person who, it seemed, didn't even want him back…

He gave a shuddering breath, hanging his head, and closing his dark brown eyes….


The months had drifted by…

Missy had just finished work and she strutted down the cold darkening street, his hands shoved into the pockets of her chic beige trench.

After their confrontation, David had moved out almost instantly, packing a few bags the next morning while she was at work, leaving barely a trace of him.

The apartment was leased under her name and so she had remained there, alone but free...

For the first time in a long long time she almost felt complete again. As if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders….but there was something missing.

She had not heard from Wade since that fateful night where he had told her he had cancer. And since then each second of each day, worry consumed her.

And as the days dragged by any hope that she would ever see him again seemed to fade…

She knew she needed a new start, but she couldn't help but miss the merc terribly. Her mistake, her foolishness, had cost her everything she truly cared about.

Two weeks ago she had started a new job doing admin at the SHEILD offices in Stark towers. It was a fresh start. A chance to prove herself.

She didn't need David putting her in her place, telling her she wasn't good enough. Wade had taught her that there was more to life than listening to other people's opinions of you.

She strutted down the dingy street, carefully avoiding a puddle in her black patent heels, before arriving at a familiar door.

It was still early, so only a couple of regulars could be seen dotted around at Sister Margaret's School for Wayward Girls.

But sat at a small table in the corner, reading a magazine, was Vanessa.

She had almost been the only one there for Missy after Wade had gone and David had exited her life.

"Hey," said Missy, setting her bag down and pulling out a chair opposite the dark-haired woman.

Vanessa immediately glanced up at her smiling and tossing her magazine down onto the table.

"Hey, how was work?" she asked kindly.

Missy gave a sigh, taking a seat. "Fine," she uttered. "I would ask how your work day went, but-"

Vanessa gave a groan. "Ugh, yeah," she said grimacing. "You should have seen the guy I had this morning…"

Missy wrinkled her nose. "Early-bird, huh?" she uttered giving a shudder, as Vanessa laughed.

"Anyway," said the dark-haired woman, grinning. "Enough about me. Are you excited for you date tomorrow night?"

After months of moping Missy had finally given in, and agreed for Vanessa to set her up on a blind date.

"As long as you promise me again that he was never one of your clients," said Missy pursing her lips together.

Vanessa gave a snort.

"I promise," she said brightly. "Listen I think you'll really like him. And it'll be good for you get out there again."

Missy glanced down at the sticky table sadly. "Yeah I guess," she uttered quietly.

She really didn't want to go, but like Vanessa said, this would be good for her.

"So," said Vanessa, her elfin face brightening into a smile. "Shall we get a drink and we can discuss what you're going to wear?"

Missy sighed.

"Definitely," she said with a nod as the pair of them got to their feet and headed over to the bar.


It was a Friday evening and Missy was stood i her bedroom staring at her reflection.

Tonight was the night. Date night.

She had on a tight-fitting red dress that fell to her knees, black peep-toe heels and a black jacket.

Apparently her date would be meeting her at seven outside a nice restaurant across town.

But Missy was nervous.

All she wanted to do was cancel. Part of her just couldn't face making small talk with a guy she had never even met.

But this was probably the nerves talking, she told herself…

Taking a deep breath, she picked up her black clutch, and headed out the door.

She could do this.


Wade Wilson stood in Weasel's bar, pacing. This was the first person he had come to. As much as he desperately wanted to go to Missy he knew he couldn't. Not like this.

The merc had a black hooded jacket thrown over his head, hiding his scarred features behind a shadow, as Weasel stared up at him, pouring them both a large whisky.

The bar was empty apart from them, luckily for Wade.

He hated himself. Despised what he looked like.

But maybe there was hope that if he found Francis, he could get his looks back…and his life too.

So that was his mission.

"So it's really you?" asked Weasel, shaking his head in disbelief. "Where have you fucking been all this time man? I though El Cancer had well and truly done away with you."

"Oh, no El Cancer is most certainly here to stay, but luckily, or should I say un-luckily, for me, I've been gifted with an ability to heal this fucking bag of bones and never die," said Wade a little snappily. "Which is fucking brilliant for a guy who looks like roadkill."

He pointed up at his half-obscured face.

"Yeah, what you really could have done with is invisibility or the being able to fly or something…" said Weasel with an apologetic look. "One of those cool superpowers."

Wade nodded, and placed his hands to the back of the small chair in front of him, hanging his head.

"Y'know Missy was pretty distraught after you left," said Weasel after long moment or two, causing Wade to immediately glance up. "She came here to find you."

"Missy did?" asked Wade with a frown, his insides churning as he thought of her. "Was she mad? I beat the shit out of her boyfriend pretty badly."

But Weasel leaned back in his chair. "No, man," he muttered shaking his head. "She ditched him. She wanted to see you, she tried calling but you never answered."

Wade stared up at his bespectacled friend, unable to speak.

"You should go see her," said Weasel encouragingly. "I'm sure shed be super stroked to see you again."

But Wade frowned. "No she wouldn't… not with me looking like this," he uttered darkly.

Weasel gave a sip of his whisky.

"Come on, it can't be that bad," he said lightly.

Wade gave a sigh, tugging down his hood.

"Yes it fucking can," he reiterated, shooting Weasel a dark scowl.

"Jeez!" said Weasel his mouth agape. "Fuck me, you look terrible!"

Wade gave a nod.

But before either man could utter another word, two female voices were suddenly heard, as the door to the bar swung open.

Wade lifted his hood once more, quickly moving around the corner and into the doorway of the back room, keeping out of sight.

"So… you need to tell me everything…" said a familiar voice as Wade peered around the corner his breath catching in his throat as he did so. "How did it go?"

For walking into the bar was Missy, in a gorgeous red dress and high heels, her caramel hair slightly curled. Clutching her arm was the dark-haired Vanessa.

Wade's heart pounded, even after all this time, Missy still managed to do this to him.

She looked beautiful. So happy and content.

She looked different from the last time he had seen her. Healthier, that spark was certainly back...

"Hi Ladies…" said Weasel in an awkward tone, shooting furtive glance at Wade's darkened corner.

Vanessa looked up at the barman.

"Missy here, has just finished her date…" said the dark-haired woman smiling.

Wade's breath caught in his throat as she watched her. It had been months since he had seen her and it wasn't until now, did all those memories, those feeling, come flooding back to him...

He was crazy about her...

Fucking crazy...

"Oh…right...your, err, date..." uttered Weasel, moving around the bar to get both women a drink. "How was it?"

Missy shrugged her shoulder giving a small sigh. "Fine…." She said gently. "He was…...nice."

"See, I told you so!" said Vanessa punching at Missy's upper arm lightly. "So? Are you going to see him again?"

Missy who placed her clutch down onto the bar, glanced down at the floor.

"Um, well he asked me to the movies next weekend," she said a little tentatively. "But I'm not sure… It's just…"

She trailed off, her voice quiet.

From the shadows Wade gave a gulp.

She looked so despondent, so unhappy….but he knew that if she saw him like this…it would only make matters worse.

He didn't want her life upset by his ugly presence.

"Listen," said Vanessa, rubbing at Missy's shoulders comfortingly. "I know that you miss Wade, but at some point you need to move on. There are plenty of lovely guys out there, just waiting to snap you up."

The merc could do nothing but look on sadly.

Missy bit her lip, taking a moment.

"I suppose it would just be a trip to the movies…" she said chewing at her lip.

"Exactly," said Vanessa grinning. "And you never know. He could turn out to be the love of your life."

Wade's stomach knotted at this thought.

He saw Weasel look in his direction sympathetically, before glancing swiftly away.


After what felt like an age, Vanessa announced that she need to head over to work, at the strip-joint down the street. So Missy giving a sigh, said her goodbyes and disappeared off home.

The bar had filled slightly and it took a moment for Wade to appear from the shadows once more.

Weasel glanced up at him as he approached the bar.

"I'm sorry, man," said the scruffy barman, shaking his head, as Wade flopped down onto a bar stool. "If I'd have known….you should have just come out and spoken to her y'know. She wouldn't have been mad at you."

"Oh she would," said Wade angrily. "And besides shes going on dates now. With guys who probably look ten thousand times better than I ever could."

Weasel gave a sigh, pouring Wade a drink.

"Well if its any consolation the guy she's dating is a complete asshole. He used to come in here from time to time. Would always end up betting all his rent money and then try to hustle drinks out of people. Massive gambling problem, said Weasel.

Wade cocked an eye.

"And that's supposed to make me feel better?" he asked grumpily.

Weasel shrugged. "No, I suppose not," he said defeated. "But hey, look on the bright side, there's always reconstructive surgery…...or you could wear a mask…"

Wade stared up suddenly at Weasel… his scarred lips curving up into a grin.


The days seemed to flit by and before Missy knew it, it was Saturday. The day of her next date.

The guy in question had asked her out to the movies and in the brief text conversation they had had, Missy was supposed to be meeting him outside the movie-theater at 8.30.

His name was Tom. And he seemed nice...fine...

And a trip to the movies couldn't hurt. Despite the fact that Tom had already chosen a romantic comedy for them to see.

If he'd have known her a little better he'd have realised that terrible creature-features were more her thing.

Wade would have known...

She shook this thought from her mind as she strutted down the sidewalk, jacket thrown over a simple white tshirt, black skinny jeans and heels.

She looked good. Healthy and happy.

The dark circles under her eyes were gone, she had quit the gym and managed to get back to her old, healthy size in the last couple of months. Her caramel hair was tonight, smooth and straightened and her make up subtle.

She was proud of how good she looked, after what she had been through.

Missy glanced at the time on her cell. 8.20, if she didn't hurry she was going to be late.

Late for a crappy movie...with a sort of, nice guy.

It was dark and Missy had only gone a couple of blocks when a sudden sound from behind her, made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

She glanced around over her shoulder.

But there was no one there.

Quickening her pace, she clutched her purse tightly to her, crossing the street.

She only had a three more streets to go, but she the strangest feeling.

As though she was being followed...

She could hear light footsteps behind her and out of the corner of her eyes, a black shadow seemed to move around the darkened buildings.

But Missy gritted her teeth, here eyes darkening

Fuck this.

She was so so tired of shit like this happening to her.

Quickly she darted down a small side street, keeping her head bowed low... rooting around in her small bag.

Half way down, she heard the footsteps creep closer and closer...and closer...

Suddenly Missy swung around, pepper spray held aloft.

"Why the FUCK are you following me?" she said loudly, hair flying wildly behind her as she turned.

But there, standing before her, was the strangest sight...

A man, dressed in a red hooded jacket, black jeans and a hastily sewn-together mask, thrown over his head, was stood just a few feet from her, his hands raised aloft.

Missy scowled.

"I-I have pepper spray you know?" she said confidently.

The figure stared at her through holes cut through the eyes of his mask. He was quiet for a long moment before finally speaking.

"I'm just here to give you some advice..." he said, but his voice was low and gruff and odd sounding.

Missy made a face.

"Why do you sound like Batman with allergies?" she asked cutting across him.

The figure shifted from foot to foot, uneasily.

"T-This is just how I speak..." he said in the same gravelly tone.

Right..." said Missy a little unconvinced, lowering the weapon in her hands slightly.

"Look, do you want the advice or don't you?" said the man in his 'put on' voice, irritably.

Missy raised her eyebrows, folding her arms over her chest.

"Are you sure you don't want a cough sweet or something?" she said in a sarcastic tone, narrowing her eyes.

The figure gave a growl before speaking once again.

"The guy you're seeing tonight," he began. "He's got a gambling habit. Might wanna steer clear."

Missy frowned once again. What the fuck was happening?

"And you're telling me this...why exactly?" she said shaking her head.

The figure stared at her slowly before turning away and making to head off back down the alleyway.

"Wait a minute. You're not even going to tell me who you are?" shouted Missy after him, as she watched him go.

"Just call me your guardian angel," he said in the same gruff voice.

Missy faltered for second or two.

"You know guardian angels are supposed to have halos and wings and not look like they just stepped out in a crappy Spider-Man cosplay," she yelled after him.

But it was too late and the man had already disappeared off into the night, leaving the faintest scent of candy apples on the air behind him...


Thanks to FreyaCabanas, alylynn12, dancindonna, Faye, BellaFantasia, cherrishish, EynLasgalen3791, katiesgotagun, EliseWatson, kaayrakoi, ImmaSlytherout, Sesshomaru' .Mate, YaoiLovinKitsune and McFlyGoonieFaxFan for reviewing the last chapter.

I hope some of you are still interested in reading... what do you think? Should I carry on?

Please review!