Heyyyyyyy, happy new years! Sorry about the... Long wait... Anyway! On with the next chapter..
Disclaimer: I only own my OCs and the plot, everything else is Marvel's.
Chapter 29 - Another Capture and a Visit
"Ainsworth!" a Russian voice rang out, "The Familia's hideout has been discovered. We are preparing to depart."
The Englishman turned. He'd been stationed on the farthest side of the island, as he was a terrible fighter and a good runner, in case he caught sight of Elliot and Elise or, more likely, the two led someone else here. Ainsworth had been sitting on a large, rather comfortable tree stump after his talk with the Dux Prioris. It had been an enlightening discussion.
"Who is 'we'?" he countered.
Two figures were sat, cross-legged, facing each other on a pair of dusty, flattened boxes. They were grinning at each other, each holding a pair of chopsticks. The man's smile faltered as the woman opposite took a bite from the Chinese-cooked duck she was holding.
"Hey, Annie, do you think we'll ever move on?" he asked tentatively. She glanced at him with narrowed eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"You know, move on from… Working with the Familia? Doing something different!" he explained hesitantly.
"No," Annie replied immediately, "That's our only purpose, Red. You know that. What would we do, anyway?"
He shrugged and fell silent.
"I haven't heard from the Familia in a while, actually. Albertelli has been sending the occasional update, but nothing from the Dux," she pondered, "Maybe we should-"
At that moment, the roof of the warehouse caved in. Anthuria was on her feet in a second, whereas Red Techno had let out a high-pitched squeal and scrambled to the wall. When the dust cleared, they weren't surprised to see the Avengers, lined up, weapons pointed solely at the duo.
"The more the merrier," Anthuria growled, green mist spewing from her mouth as she spoke.
However, before it could travel anywhere, a pool of water was dumped on the redhead. The gas turned the water a mild shade of green, but was soon splattered against the floor anyway. Lexy looked anxious, despite the feat. Red Techno glared and a bolt of electricity was sent in her direction. Thor began to swing his hammer, a tactic that they were unsure about using, seeing as it had about a 50/50 chance of working. Fortunately, it did exactly as they hoped, and Red Techno's bolt was pulled out of the air towards the circling weapon, giving it an extra boost of electrical energy. He then sent it flying at the soaking supervillain, who dodged.
Natasha and Clint, from the back, turned their attention to Red Techno, firing bullet and arrow after bullet and arrow. He was too busy avoiding their attacks to try one of his own. The Siren and Iron Man were hitting Anthuria with everything they had, and she was struggling to keep up. Apparently the mist couldn't penetrate Tony's armor and had little to no effect on Lexy as long as she had a thin layer of water shimmering around her head. Steve joined Nat and Clint.
It seemed for a good solid few minutes that the battle would be over quickly, with the Avengers as the obvious winners. And then the sound of a bullet, unlike any of Nat's, sounded, and Steve fell to the ground, clutching his thigh. Everyone stopped fighting momentarily as Lexy skidded to the man's side - though their allowing positions over their opponents lasted less than a few seconds. He was groaning in anguish, and she glanced down to see a wound oozing blood.
"He needs to get back to SHIELD right now," she announced.
Red Techno was already smashing through a window, but Iron Man caught his partner by the arm. Anthuria immediately began to struggle, but Hawkeye sent a dart into her shoulder and her strength quickly faded until she was sucked into unconsciousness.
"At least I'm not the bed-ridden one this time," Clint remarked as the stood around Steve's hospital bed.
"Shut up, Barton," Tony, Natasha and, despite his state, Steve.
"Did anyone see who it was?" Alexia questioned.
"Isn't it obvious? Maria did it," Tony answered, "She's the only one who would want to help those two."
"Not necessarily," Natasha argued, "There could be another of their kind that the Familia decided not to send at first. Or it could be the Brookes, they'd take any opportunity to attempt to kill one of us."
Fury marched in as the spy finished, hands behind his back and leather coat and eye patch looking as they had the first time Lexy had met the director.
"Anthuria's being held in one of our most secure cells. After the last time we tried holding an important criminal within the Helicarrier," he glanced momentarily at Thor, "We are now adding extra security to our borders, engines and turbines."
"Have you raided the Familia's hideout yet?" Paige added quietly from the corner.
"It's… Bigger than we expected. We're being tactful and forming a strategy. In other news, Dr Cho has arrived to help with the Javier kid."
Alexia had heard of Helen Cho, but only through scientific connections. They'd never met. Lexy was quite excited to meet the scientist and discuss her new technology.
"Good. I think I'd better greet her. I also really want out of this medical bay," Tony admitted, "Where is she?"
Fury smirked.
"Four doors down."
Tony cursed under his breath and Steve looked slightly disgruntled by it.
"I'll come with you," Lexy decided.
The two headed down the hall and into a room that had a lot more tech than theirs. In the middle of it were Elliot and Elise, looking as savage as ever, and a pretty Asian woman. She smiled at the sight of Tony.
"Tony Stark," she greeted, "Haven't seen you in a while."
Almost unconsciously, Lexy entangled her fingers between his. The woman noticed this and looked surprised, but not disappointed.
"And you must be Alexia Brookes," she continued, "It's nice to meet you. I'm Helen Cho."
Maybe it was the presence of one of her heroes, maybe it was how Helen seemed completely unbothered by their relationship, but all potential jealousy melted away as she squeaked slightly.
"Hi, Dr Cho, it really is a pleasure, I've been following your work on the creation, replication and reproduction of human tissue and-"
"Slow down there, Lexy," Tony laughed, "You two can compare notes later, but let's not forget the reason that the good doctor is here."
"Miss Javier has so far refused to take part in any kind of scan," Cho sent a pointed look at the girl, "But I'm sure Mr Javier and I can convince her - or at least find a suitable alternative. It would be very helpfully to also have a sample of the plant, if Stark Industries can oblige."
"I'm sure we can. If you call Pep - Miss Potts then she can, erm, settle that for you."
"Thanks Tony," Dr Cho grinned, pulling a high tech phone from her pocket and tapping quickly.
"If you wouldn't mind, Helen, while you're here," Tony smiled sheepishly, "There is another case that we'd be grateful for you to look at. Bruce is having a bit of a problem with his big green buddy thanks to drugs forced into his system. We plan to wait until it passes, but if you could just make sure it isn't anything too serious…"
"Of course, I think I owe Dr Banner a favour or two anyway," she agreed.
"We'd better be off then," Alexia smiled as a buzz sounded from her own phone, "It was really great meeting you, Dr Cho!"
"Please, call me Helen," the scientist grinned.
Alexia flushed slightly and quietly repeated the name, backing slowly out of the room until Tony tugged at her sleeve in an attempt to hurry her. He chuckled as the door closed.
"Shut up," she slapped his arm playfully, "I'm sure you've been like that with someone before."
"Nope," he replied, "I'm too awesome for that kind of behavior."
Lexy snorted.
"Let's grab some lunch," Tony suggested.
"Sure, but could we visit someone else first?"
Paige was still too weak to walk for too long, or even stand for more than a few minutes, but something gave her strength for her mission. It was a hot, burning pile of raw emotion that fueled her, and a solid determination that released her from the suspicion of passing agents as she roamed the halls, though if they had spared her more than a moment's glance, they may have noticed her shaking legs and pale form. Finally, Paige reached her destination, having overhead it from her friends as they shared news. Two agents - a man and a woman - stood at the door, and turned to her as she stopped before them.
"No unauthorized visitors," the woman said.
"I am authorized," Paige retorted, feeling a smooth confidence hide her weakness, "The Siren allowed me."
The man raised an eyebrow.
"Well then, I'm sure she wouldn't mind coming with you to tell us that herself."
"She's kind of busy at the moment," Paige scowled, "Saving the world and all."
"We can't let you in with no proof of your authorization," the first agent shrugged.
Paige sighed with heavy exaggeration.
"Fine," she decided boldly, "I think I saw Director Fury a few corridors down. I'm sure he'll be proof enough."
The man looked suddenly worried, but was silent as Paige wandered back down the hall. The woman held strong. Paige took her time to slowly turn the corner, praying that her plan would work. Sneaking a peak at the agents, the second seemed about to break.
"Paige, what are you doing down here?"
The woman jumped, whipping her head around a little too quickly to find Natasha standing in front of her. Her vision blurred slightly.
"Nat!" she squeaked, clutching her head in one hand, "I was just - er -"
"Are you alright?" Worry laced the redhead's voice, but Paige was already recovering.
"I'm fine. I was just down here to… Um… Find Lexy," she lied quickly.
Natasha raised a perfect brow. They were in one of the more guarded sections of the Helicarrier. It was a surprise that the assistant was even down there at all, let alone looking for a woman who was probably still in the hospital wing. The spy thought what Paige could want from the area, and suddenly realized whose cell stood behind the corner.
"You're here to see Dylan, aren't you?" she assumed softly.
Paige's confidence was draining. Without a word, she gave a small nod. Natasha frowned. The woman before her had put in a lot of effort and strength to make it down there, and she had a right to see her former kidnapper, but Alexia wouldn't have allowed it, for Paige's own protection.
"You haven't spoken to Alexia about this," she assumed, to which Paige nodded again, "She wouldn't want you down here…"
But Natasha could understand what Paige was going through. She had a right to talk to him, and it might even provide some closure.
"But I'm not Alexia," she decided, "I'll let you in."
Together they turned the corner, and Paige approached the agents yet again. They seemed astonished that she had actually brought back a high level agent, instead of giving up on her plan.
"Agent Romanoff," the first agent greeted, "We didn't think that-"
"I've authorized Miss Seath's visit," Natasha replied shortly, "And as long as he is restrained, then she may go in alone."
Paige looked so thankful and relieved that it brightened up her faded features. The agents nodded, and the second unlocked the door with shaking hands. Paige entered slowly, adjusting to the dimmer light. The room was perfectly square, with a table and chair on one side, a bed on the other, and a single bulb hanging from the centre of the ceiling. On the floor beside the bed was an empty plate and cup. On the bed was a man that Paige easily recognized, his ankles chained to one of the legs of his seat, and his wrists separately strapped with a strong yet soft material to the wall.
Dylan looked horrible. His skin was pale and flakey in places, but his nose and eyes were red. He wore the grey jumpsuit of a prisoner of SHIELD, but his feet were bare. Paige couldn't imagine why, seeing as the floor was smooth metal, but didn't otherwise question the ideas of a maniac. His hair was unkempt and had grown slightly longer, almost reaching his shoulders. His eyes were quick and jumpy, and their bloodshot corners had grown, now nearing his irises.
"Hello Paige," he greeted pleasantly.
She tried to speak, but the words became lodged in her throat as tears welled beneath her eyelids. She gulped, and breathed deeply, before looking him straight in the eye.
"What is wrong with you?" she said in a hoarse whisper.
"Well, I'm a little bit hungry but-"
"I've known you since I was 13, you were one of my friends for years! I trusted you," her voice grew louder and stronger with fury, "And you turn around and -and lock me up like some kind of animal!"
His expression sobered slightly.
"We weren't planning to kill you," he muttered indignantly.
"I wish you had!" Paige almost shrieked, "I would have welcomed death if I'd known that the alternative was becoming a half-starved prisoner who could barely even sleep because of her neighbor, who could've died or lost control and murdered me at any second! Do you know what that does to a person? Do you have any idea what you did to me?"
"It was for the best. You were a witness… And…. And the Avengers would come to save you. We just weren't as prepared as we thought…" he whispered, "It had to be done…"
"I don't know what the fuck your parents did to you, but there is nothing you can say or do anymore that could possibly make me forgive you," she hissed, clenching a fist, "I hope you rot in hell, or at least wherever SHIELD decides to send you."
Dylan looked suddenly lost, and stared with wide eyes as she walked out. Natasha was at her side as soon as the door was open. She noticed the spare tears that had rolled down her cheeks.
"Are you alright?" she questioned carefully.
"I'm better than I've been in a while, actually," she smiled, "Let's go back to my room."
Hope you enjoyed! I'll try and get another chapter out ASAP - kinda want to wrap it all up before 35. Have a great 2017 everyone!