Chapter 12: Finding Your Feet
"Hello Olivia"
The second Via Summers heard that that deep familiar voice in her ear, so many emotions began racing through her brain.
Relief, excitement, worry, anxiousness and even a small splash of anger as she breathed.
"Mordo?"
"Yes. It's me" Karl Mordo sighed. He sounded exhausted.
"Oh-my-god! Where-where are you? Are you okay?" Via hissed into her phone as she sat up straighter in bed.
"I'm fine Olivia" he assured her gently, but she could hear him heaving for breath. Something was wrong, she could feel it in her gut even as he made to say.
"But how I am, is not important. Are you alright? Are you safe?"
"Safe? What are you talking about- I'm in bed at the Sanctum?"
"Hydra kidnapped you" He cut across her firmly.
"Yeah but I'm fine-I'm okay they've-" Via stopped mid-sentence frowning.
She'd not had any contact with Mordo since Tony's party, and it didn't look like the Order had managed to establish any contact with him either since the battle with Kaesilius. So how on earth did he know about her kidnapping?
"Wait how did you hear about that? And how did you get my phone number?"
She couldn't see his face, but she did hear the small sharp intake of breath. She knew that sound all too well, it was the little quirk he had whenever he had to do some very fast thinking.
Eventually he sighed.
"That's not important right now. Are you alone?"
"…yeah...why?" Via stiffened where she sat as she glanced at the door of her bedroom.
Stephen's bedroom was just across the hall. If she could just quietly open the door on her end and sneak out to it and show him the message…
She cared for Mordo, even after both those times he'd left her behind. But there was something about his tone right now that set her on edge. That and he'd somehow managed to find out a way to contact her without anyone seemingly knowing how…
With careful, slow movements, she slid out of bed making a shushing motion to Buddy as he shifted in his sleep.
Meanwhile in her ear, Mordo had begun to speak again.
"I need you to listen very carefully. There is a lot going on now. Things that would take me a lifetime to explain."
"Really? You don't say." She muttered under her breath only to wince as he hissed in her ear.
"Olivia, this is important. There's a lot of dangerous things out there in the world. Far more than you can comprehend. You must promise me that you'll stay out of it all right. No matter what you hear, or see, you must stay out of it-"
"But how? And what is this danger? Mordo I'm already dragged into a whole lot of shit already-"
"There is a couple here in Sokovia. They have worked for my family for a long time. They're trustworthy, good, decent people. They've fostered many children, mostly boys but have always wanted a girl-"
"What? No- Stephen's already put the application for my adoption I can't just-"
"Stephen Strange is a part of the order of the Mystic Arts, the very order that was responsible for sending most of your family to their graves, including your mother." Mordo whispered, and though his voice was fierce, Via heard the almost tremulous waver underneath "You have been through enough pain and heartache, Olivia. You of all people deserve a normal life away from the Mystic Arts."
"Mordo, I can't just-" Via bit down on her lip pinching the bridge of her nose.
"I understand this is a lot to take in, but please think about it. I only want what's best for you. I will contact you again as soon as I am able. Till then, stay safe."
"Wait Mordo-" Via called out, but too late. He had already hung up.
She sighed heavily, a tear streaming down her cheek as she tried to catch her breath. She could feel the heavy weight of Buddy's head as the canine nuzzled the side of her face affectionately.
But it did little to assuage her heavy heart.
The phone call with Mordo… it's still not one of my best memories. Though now knowing what I do of his situation back then, I can kinda understand why he wanted to protect me…though that doesn't really make me feel any better about it.
Yeah…it was a pretty dark time in my life…
I was just glad I wasn't facing it alone.
Even if it had to get slightly worse before it could get better.
"You okay?"
"…I'm fine. Just tired" Via mumbled as she drowsily shovelled her spoonful cereal into her mouth.
Stephen however didn't look convinced as he sipped his morning cup of coffee.
"Do you want to talk about it?" he leaned forwards.
"Just thinking about what happened with Hydra, is all" Via shook her head to clear it of cobwebs. "I still can't believe…what happened with those kids…"
"Neither can I." Stephen muttered darkly, but quelled his anger down as he reached out and patted her on the shoulder. "But we'll sort it out, I promise."
"We?" Via snorted and Stephen shrugged.
"I talked it over with the Order, given them your account of what happened to you. They weren't so keen on it, but I managed to convince them to help in the search for the Hydra facilities on the condition that you and I act as liaisons between the order and the Avengers. They believe two sorcerers out in the open is more than enough, having any more involved would jeopardize our position."
Via nodded quietly, her stomach churning as she remembered the voice of Mordo in her head.
That danger he was talking about…it couldn't be Hydra could it?
"Doc I-" But she was interrupted by Wong barging into the room, computer tablet in hand.
"Strange. You have to see this" he growled as he all but stomped over to shove the tablet into a bewildered Stephen's hands.
As soon as the Doctor looked down at the screen his face paled to the shade of parchment. So quickly in fact that Via was worried he might faint.
"What is it?" She stood up quickly, tiredness forgotten as she peered over his shoulder.
It was an online article from the New York Times.
Breaking news: Man found dead in Workshop downtown Manhattan.
At ten pm last night, the body of construction worker Jonathan Pangborn (Age 46) was found lying dead in his workshop with a single stab wound to the heart and a broken back. His body was discovered by his long-time friend and colleague Rupert Frink (age 38) who had come to check in on Jonathan when he had failed to turn up to work two-
"This week just keeps getting worse and worse" Stephen groaned as he shut the screen off.
"Huh? Who is this guy?" Via blinked but was ignored completely as Wong took the tablet back with a scowl.
"I've called the other masters for an emergency meeting. They'll be expecting you in half an hour at Kamar-Taj"
"Of course" Stephen stood up quickly, draining the last of his coffee in one gulp. "Olivia you stay here. Do not leave the sanctum, do not even step foot outside to throw out the trash. Wong-"
"I'll walk the dog" Wong nodded gruffly, as said dog came trotting into the kitchen tail wagging as Stephen passed him by with a short pat on his head.
"Wait Stephen!" Via grabbed his sleeve stopping him before he could get out the door. "What's going on? Who is this guy?"
Stephen opened his mouth to tell her to let go, but was stopped by the desperate pleading look on her face.
He usually hated it when she gave him that look but given the week she'd just had he wasn't sure he had the heart to fob it off.
Damn those puppy dog eyes.
"Come on" he steered her out of the doorway by the shoulder.
"Jonathan Pangborn was involved in a factory accident several years ago" He explained as she followed him to his bedroom where he promptly began changing from his sleepwear and into his sorcerer's garb. "When modern medicine proved unable to cure his condition he came to Kamar-Taj – hey do you mind getting me my-"
"Sure. So Pangborn was a sorcerer?" Via frowned as she handed Stephen his boots from the end of his large bed.
"Yes. But he never completed his training. All he wanted to do was get the use of his legs back, which he did before returning home-argh shit!" he cursed as his shaking fingers fumbled on one of the ties on his tunic.
"Here let me. So how do you know him?" Via frowned as she reached forwards to help him tie the small knot before moving to help him tie his arm bracers
"I found him when I was trying to cure my hands" Stephen murmured quietly as he watched her fingers dexterously work on the wrist before switching to the other side. "I had exhausted all my other options and no amount of surgery or medicine could undo the damage. Then my physical therapist told me that he once knew a guy paralysed from the waist down with no hope of ever recovering, who just walked past him in the street. He even brought me his X-rays and gave me his address. When I found Pangborn I couldn't believe what I was seeing. He should've been confined to a wheelchair and have a carer helping him, but there he was running, jumping, playing basketball. I asked him how he cured himself and he told me about Kamar-Taj-"
"So that's why you travelled to Tibet" Via sighed as understanding dawned on her.
"Yeah. I actually arrived the same day you did now that I think about it" Stephen snorted. "Though unlike you I had to literally beg on the doorstep to get in"
"Seriously?" Via raised her eyebrows.
"Seriously" Stephen rolled his eyes as he stood back and straightened his collar.
"Thanks" he muttered as he examined his cuffs.
"Don't mention it" Via nodded gently punching his shoulder, before walking over to the open bedroom doorway and leaning against it.
"So…Hydra kidnaps me. An ex-sorcerer is killed in New York...This can't be a coincidence" she murmured, more to herself than to anyone else.
"No it can't" Stephen grimly agreed as he combed his hair in his mirror. As he did he caught sight of her stricken, downcast expression.
"Olivia"
"Hmm?" she looked up, blinking in surprise as he turned back to look at her.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
"Stephen…" Via shut her mouth quickly.
No. He had enough on his plate to worry about without her adding to it.
"I'm okay. I just…need a bit of time to process all of it I guess."
Stephen looked like he wanted to object, but decided against it, instead choosing to nod at her.
"Alright. But if you do need to talk just-"
"I know. But thanks" the corners of her mouth twitched upwards as she left the room. As she did, Stephen could not help but notice the slight hunch in her back and the slowness of her steps.
It was alarming to see the bright and feisty girl he once knew so down and depressed. His scowl deepened as he thought back to the Hydra facility. He'd not seen much of it in his brief visit, but what he had seen from the security footage was enough to make his blood boil.
It didn't help when his thoughts went back to all those missing children. Though he wasn't the best with kids, his inner doctor practically seethed at the thought of those monsters purposefully hurting them, mutating them into something else.
It was one thing to take an enemy hostage, but a complete other to endanger the lives of the innocent.
Like Via. She wasn't her mother.
Oh yes, sure, she looked almost exactly like her (a fact that sometimes disturbed Stephen greatly) but they weren't the same person.
Via herself didn't even know about the secret organization, at least not until they'd kidnapped her. Now he was sure she'd do whatever it took to take them down once she'd gotten her fight back, again something that troubled him.
He was glad Wong came into the room at that moment because he was very close to using his magic to break something.
Apparently, Wong guessed his thoughts because he said carefully.
"Strange, its time"
"I'm coming" Stephen grunted as he gestured to the Cloak of Levitation, which flew off his desk chair to settle around his shoulders. Its weight was comforting even as he stormed out the room leaving a sighing Wong in his wake.
After everything that had happened, I was frightened as all hell. First getting kidnapped, then finding out about the other kids from my orphanage had also been taken by the same people and to top it off Mordo's disturbing call…
For the first time since coming to stay at the Sanctum, I was more than willing to be cooped up inside it, cut off from the outside world in a safe little bubble.
Too bad the outside world had other plans for me
Via smiled wide as she stirred through a large wok filled with hot steaming chicken and vegetable rice stir-fry. At her legs, Buddy was pacing up and down, sniffing up hopefully towards the smell of the cooking meat that wafted through the air.
Via gave a small smile as she pushed the dogs nose down humming softly under her breath.
"Salagadoola mechicka boola. Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo. Put them together and what have you got? Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo-"
Normally she would've abhorred the idea of singing Disney out loud, but the age-old tune was stuck in her head and just wouldn't get out. So, she had resigned herself to following the advice of her best friend Meeta, and just "sang the darn tune out loud" before it drove her insane.
Hey it wasn't her fault the tune was so catchy.
"Yes, salagadoola means, Mechicka booleroo. But the thingmabob that does the job Is bibbidi-bobbidi-"
"BOO!"
Via squeaked, nearly sending the wok flying as she spun around to face the source of the noise, which had just started chuckling heartily.
"Tony? What the hell are you doing here?" Via sighed, clutching a hand to her heart as Tony Stark sauntered into the kitchen in a T-shirt and suit, his broken arm still in a sling.
"Collecting for charity" the Billionaire smirked. "You really should've seen your face."
"Yeah. Maybe." Via scowled as she turned back to check her wok. Thankfully nothing was spilled or else the Avengers would receive the ashes of their man of iron in a shoe box.
"So Old Man what brings you to my neck of the woods? And who let you in?" she clipped as she sucked in a deep soothing breath to steady her nerves.
"Firstly I had to talk -wow that really smells nice" Tony muttered distractedly brow furrowing as he pointed to the wok. "Did you just-"
"Yeah, it's my lunch. Now who did you have to talk to?" she put her hands on her hips as she finished shutting off the stove.
"Oh yeah right of course. Sorry it's just-that really smells good-" Tony stopped short as his stomach gurgled loudly much to his own embarrassment.
Despite herself, Via couldn't help but smirk.
"Would you like a bowl?" She asked.
"Yeah, I would-if it's alright with you?" Tony added quickly, glancing around nervously as if expecting to be caught out.
"Don't worry. There's more than enough. I made extra just in case Wong or Stephen wanted seconds" Via chuckled as she served him a bowl with a spoon "Anything to drink?"
"Just water, thanks"
There was a brief silence as she poured him a glass from the fridge filter, before serving herself her own food and drink.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" she frowned as she sat up on the kitchen counter to eat.
"Well" Tony sighed after a sip of water "I wanted to talk to Strange but your buddy Wong said he's out for the day"
"Emergency meeting with the Order" Via mumbled, eyes falling to her rice.
"Emergency? What happened?" Tony frowned.
Via pursed her lips. Should she tell him? Would Stephen mind her telling him? It was the order's business after all, but still…what if it was linked to Hydra?
"I don't know if you heard about Jonathan Pangborn?" she started slowly and Tony nodded.
"Uh-huh, it was all over the morning news. A pretty gruesome attack huh?"
"Yeah…well…apparently he used to be a sorcerer"
Tony's spoon holding hand stilled mid air as he stared at her.
"Come again?"
"He was a sorcerer. He came to Kamar-taj to learn magic to heal his back and legs, which he did. But instead of continuing his training, he left and returned to a normal life. And now…"
"He's dead-" Tony finished quietly "Shit…well…that…explains a lot"
"What do you mean?" Via narrowed her eyes suspiciously and Tony bristled uncomfortably.
"I had Jarvis hack into the police reports. Childs play really. But according to forensics, the body had been preserved by being frozen in ice which only melted an hour before the body was found. Which is weird because all security footage of the building shows is that Pangborn went into the building two weeks ago, but never came out. No one even went into that workshop until his friend decided to pop in."
"The footage could've been tampered with?" Via suggested.
"Yeah but there were people living in that complex above the workshop as well, and they also said they saw nothing." Tony shrugged.
"They could be trying to keep quiet for their own safety." Via countered quickly "after all he was murdered. The last thing anyone wants is to be caught out by his killer"
"Maybe. But that still doesn't explain how no one saw his murderer bringing in buckets of ice to dunk him with. Let alone how so much ice that was frozen solid, just melted at the drop of a hat when it had remained frozen for nearly two weeks. Heck the room didn't even have a refrigerator"
"I guess" Via murmured softly but unsurely. "But even if it was magic that was used to freeze him, the murderer would have to be a pretty powerful sorcerer to pull it off. Elemental magic is incredibly dangerous, not to mention extremely advanced stuff. It would take a master to-"
She stopped abruptly, her voice catching in her throat as her gaze briefly caught sight of the kitchen door.
Stephen was standing there, arms folded, face set in a small frown.
He looked tired, worn out, but worst still was how worried he looked as he stared at Via.
"Stephen…hey. Welcome back." Via smiled nervously jerking her thumb at the wok behind her "Uh…I made lunch"
"I know, I could smell it all the way down the hall" Stephen forced a small smile onto his face, one that did not quite reach his eyes. "Stark. What a pleasant surprise. I was just coming to see you"
"Well you did call and ask me to come here" Tony shrugged "We were just talking about Pangborn, apparently he was one of your wizard buddies"
"You told him?" Stephen frowned at Via who blushed embarrassed.
"Yeah, I figured the attack might be linked to Hydra's recent activity-"
"It's not" Stephen murmured, his voice somehow graver than normal "or at least we don't think the attacker is part of Hydra, though the timing is somewhat suspicious"
"You think it's a rogue or something targeting you guys?" Stark grunted through a mouthful of rice.
"Something along those lines" Stephen muttered not quite meeting Via's eyes as he said.
"I know you're still eating, but I need to have a private word with Stark-"
"I'll eat in the living room" Via nodded in understanding, picking up her half full bowl and water.
Tony watched interestedly as she quietly brushed Stephen with her shoulder as she passed. It wasn't a hard hit, just a gentle affectionate nudge as she passed him by. When he saw the gigantic dog follow her out of the room however, he nearly jumped from his seat.
"Whoa…that's one big beast"
"That's Buddy. Olivia named him" Stephen snorted as he served himself his own lunch, his ward and pet both padding out the door which they shut gently behind them.
"She's a good kid. A bit rough around the edges but good. And a damn good cook too." Tony snorted through another mouthful of food. "You're a lucky guy, Strange"
"Oh believe me I know" Stephen nodded quietly, though his face was still very grim and worn.
"So what did you want to talk about?" Tony sipped his water.
Stephen sucked in a deep breath.
Karl Mordo stared down at the man that lay at his feet. He was a tall man, or at least he'd once been tall and proud and stout. Now he was spluttering for breath as he clutched at the stab wound to his stomach made by the strange crystalline shard Mordo held in his bloodied hands.
Another one dead. Another blight cleansed from this world…
He thought grimly. Though he was sad for the loss of life, he had to admit he was the slightest bit relieved. The world still had far too many people like this man. So many who were arrogant and flaunted their powers or abused them…
A bit like Strange
He thought bitterly, though he quickly shook that thought out of the way.
No…he shouldn't think about the doctor. Not now.
Despite his disappointment in the Doctor for taking up his position of Master of the Mystic arts, Mordo had to admit he was still rather fond of the man. Despite his arrogance there was, deep down a definite kindness and compassion that was rare in most people.
And there was no one who brought it out better than his new ward Via Summers.
Mordo felt his heart sting a little as he thought back to the young girl's anxious voice in his ear from the night before.
When he'd heard she had been kidnapped by Hydra from one of his contacts he'd nearly threw a heart attack. It took all his willpower NOT to intervene when his contact also told him of the Avenger's plans to rescue her.
So much for worlds greatest heroes if they let a young girl get kidnapped right under their very noses!
He scoffed as he kicked hard at the struggling man at his feet, turning him over so that he could see the pallid fearful face. To any normal person, he would've just appeared to be merely a man in his late forties, with a squarish jaw and small eyes like a gorilla.
But to Mordo the face was one he loathed deeply, even though he hadn't seen it fully till this day.
"You" he snarled down to the terrified man "This is for all the suffering you've caused to all those children."
He pressed his booted foot against the throat of the dying man, relishing in his splutters.
"No please-"
"You can beg all you want, but you don't deserve mercy" Mordo spat, letting his rage fuel him as he pressed down harder on the man's neck, blocking off his airways "How many times did she beg you to stop when you beat her hmm? And don't bother trying to deny it, I've seen the marks myself."
He took derisive pleasure in watching his prey reach up with both his trembling hands in a feeble attempt to push him off.
"She must've been so scared" He pressed down harder. Now the man's face was turning blue. "But still you beat her. Why? Did you enjoy it? Did it make you feel powerful knowing you were hurting an innocent child?"
"S-Stop" the man rasped his eyes rolling back into his head.
There was a knock on the door.
"HEY! What's going on in there?!" a loud rough voice called.
Mordo glared down at the man below him.
"It looks like I'll be merciful after all…"
His leg struck out.
There was a sickening crack and then silence.
Then the door opened and the prison guard from outside gawked in shock and horror as he fumbled for his walkie talkie.
"Oh my god-Hawthorn here! Requesting emergency medical now for Billy Hope!"
As soon as they were out in the corridor, Via sighed heavily.
"I guess it's just you and me huh, Bud?" she glanced down at Buddy who huffed as he trotted in her wake.
She reached the lounge, her curiosity peaked despite her determination.
NO!
She savagely bit down into her food as she settled herself on the couch.
No, if Doc wants to have a quiet talk with Stark that's his business.
But what is he hiding from you? He said you're one of his closest friends. What can't he trust YOU with?
A nasty little voice hissed in the corner of her mind, but flew quickly from her mind as her phone buzzed in her pocket.
She picked it up quickly, her heart sinking as she saw the text message flashing over her screen.
"Up on the couch again?"
Via jumped, quickly relaxing as she caught sight of Wong staring down a sheepish looking Buddy, who quietly slunk off the couch and onto the floor.
"Oh come on he wasn't doing anything wrong" she quickly hid her phone in her pocket with a forced smirk.
"You say that, but wait till you have to clean all his fur out of the furniture." Wong grunted as he took one of the armchairs.
"What are you watching?"
"Don't know yet. I just sat down" Via shrugged reaching for the remote but Wong snatched it up quickly, and turned the television on, only to quickly switch as a news report on Jonathan Pangborn's murder flashed on the screen.
"I think that's enough horrors for one week." He grunted at her disappointed pout.
"Yeah but, don't you want to know what happened?"
"We already have a contact inside the police force. They'll give us more solid intel then what the media provides."
"Oh…okay. So was it just a regular murderer or another sorcerer?" she asked quickly much to the librarian's irritation.
"Don't know yet. We're still waiting for a full forensic report." He grunted as he finally picked the Animal Planet channel which was showcasing a Big Cat's documentary. "Here, this should be educational"
Via rolled her eyes.
"Wong, I'm fourteen not-whoa holy shit!" she cried out in surprise as she saw a lioness pounce upon a gazelle it's claws ripping straight through its hindquarters while anther one of its pride leapt for the prey's jugular in slow motion.
"Wow…they really aren't kidding about those teeth being deadly were they?" she gasped in amazement as they replayed the kill shot in slow motion. It was brutal and deadly, but Via had to admit there was a certain beauty to it.
While it was violent, it was not malicious, it was just nature. True survival of the fittest. Also it did help that the next shot showed the lionesses showing their litters of cute spotted cubs how to eat their kill.
"It's a shame isn't it?" she mused aloud.
"What is?" Wong snorted, glancing at her sidelong.
"That we kill these creatures for sport. I mean, look at them they're beautiful" She grumbled grumpily.
"Indeed they are" Wong nodded sombrely. And with that he turned back to watching the television, not noticing Via's worried expression as she glanced down at the text still blaring on the small screen of her phone.
It was a phone number, followed by a short sentence of text.
If ever you change your mind. – Mordo
I don't know what the hell Tony and Stephen were talking about that day, but whatever it was it sure sobered both of them up.
At least until Tony told me (barely hiding his own zeal) that he'd invited me, to come to stay at the Tower for the weekend, or rather, that Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. His excuse was that the Avengers needed to improve on their abilities to work together as a team. Apparently the team wasn't that happy about him having me spy on Oscorp without consulting them. And so Tony did as he always did whenever he's put in a corner, he drags everyone down with him.
I was surprised that I was being included in such a thing. However, Tony just waved me off like he usually does, and said that since I was going to be working with them for a while I might as well join in the fun.
Truth be told I was amazed that Stephen agreed to the whole deal, but he just told me that in light of Pangborn's murder he'd have a busy weekend helping the Order in their investigations, even though he seemed rather reluctant to do so.
"Are you sure you'll be alright on your own with them?" Stephen asked as he watched his ward shoulder her overnight bag.
"I should be good. Besides I'll probably spend most, if not all of my time in the tower. What? Afraid someone's gonna snatch me from the roof and make off with me" She shrugged playfully, only to sigh as he narrowed his eyes warningly at her.
"It's not a laughing matter" he admonished her sternly folding his arms "The fact those men were willing to ram Stark's car in broad daylight is proof enough they are willing to do anything to get their hands on you-"
"Stephen. I'll be fine. And if anything does happen, I'll call you at once. I promise."
"You better. And if you do have to escape, try not to scale the building. That web of yours may help you stick to walls but god forbid if you were to fall…" Stephen shuddered, remembering all to clearly the footage he'd seen of her scaling the Hydra base's walls.
It brought goosebumps to him now just thinking what might have happened had she even missed one step-
Via put a gentle hand on his own scarred one. It wasn't much of a touch, but it seemed to ease the doctor somewhat as he clumsily patted her hand before reaching out and ruffling her hair in a playful but affectionate way.
"Hey I just brushed that!" she whined and Stephen finally smirked.
A few meters away from them both, Wong stood replacing some books onto the study's shelves. He paused in his organising to marvel at the sight before him.
It wasn't often the doctor and his ward ever let anyone see their softer moments. Usually in public they bickered, or sassed one another in jest, to the point where many often wondered how they ever managed to get along.
Occasionally Wong himself often wondered how two such beings could ever hope to not exhaust words with one another in their duel of wits.
He watched as Stephen opened a portal for Via to use that would teleport her to the balcony of Tony's floor on the Avengers Tower, as had previously been arranged.
"Alright…I guess I'll see you guys on Tuesday. Bye Wong! And you too Buddy. Oh don't give me that face" She felt her heartstrings tug slightly as the dog whined from Stephen's side, his large face mournful and eyes round.
"He'll be fine. You go now, you don't want to be late" Wong urged her with a quirked brow.
"Okay, okay I'm going! Oh by the way Wong, love the 'stache. Does this mean you and Stephen are officially facial hair bros now?" She winked cheekily as she stepped through the portal laughing loudly as Wong barked waspishly.
"Out!"
Despite himself Stephen smirked as the portal shut, eyeing Wong as he prudishly stroked the faint black fuzz above his top lip.
"Oh relax Wong she was only kidding. Though seriously what's with the uh…" he faltered as Wong sent him a very dangerous glower.
"Alright never mind" Stephen gulped, sighing heavily. Boy, he really seemed to be sighing a lot nowadays didn't he.
"Are you sure this is the right thing?" he groaned up to the ceiling. "Sending her away like this while we…"
"You said so yourself, her safety and happiness was the most important thing." Wong's frown softened as he turned back to organizing the shelf in front of him.
"Yes, but at what expense?" Stephen shook his head as he reached into his pockets and pulled out a few sheets of paper. "All this stuff-if she knew how much we were keeping from her-"
He sighed again, as he unfolded the papers and scanned their contents. It was the front page for an adoption application form signed only four months ago. One NOT written in his own hand. One written, in fact, two months before Stephen himself had sent in his own application…well before the Ancient One's death.
"I know, it troubles me too" Wong agreed as he came to stand beside him. "But if it keeps her safe from him and his actions what then -"
"He won't hurt her" Stephen said, so sharply that Wong himself almost winced "He might have killed Pangborn, and perhaps Bill Hope but he'd never hurt Olivia. If anything, he'd do anything to keep her safe."
"I know. But how far would he be willing to go? That's what worries me" Wong's jaw tensed as he looked down at the name printed neatly on the top of the form in blue ink, only to be distracted by Stephen's sudden cry of alarm.
"Hey! Where'd the dog go?"
"Well look who finally decided to show up"
"Thus speaks the old man who's notoriously late for most of his own parties" Via rolled her eyes as Jarvis opened the glass balcony doors for her.
There inside the large living space was Tony, Thor, Steve, Bruce, Natasha, Clint and a very worried Pepper, who strode up to Via fast and swooped in on her in a tight warm hug.
"Thank goodness you're alright." She sighed in relief as she let go and held her at the elbows to scan her up and down "When Tony said you were kidnapped I rushed back as soon as I could."
"You weren't in New York?" Via blinked, still slightly stunned by Peppers' surprising show of affection much to everyone else's amusement.
"She was in Germany representing the company" Tony grunted standing back as he allowed everyone else in the team to greet her, he had after all seen her just yesterday.
"You're definitely looking better" Clint smiled from where he stood.
Thor meanwhile held nothing back as he patted, or rather thudded, his hand against the girl's shoulder.
"Indeed, perhaps you might return to the training rooms before long. I have to say; friend Steve and I have sorely missed your company in the sparring ring."
"They really have" Tony muttered, shaking Steve's shoulder "Capsicle here especially felt lonesome hammering away on his own at the punching bags without a pupil to teach"
Steve rolled his eyes as he stepped forward, his gaze sympathetic as he put a hand on her shoulder.
"Welcome back kid."
"It's good to be back" she smirked.
"Uh guys?" Natasha was frowning at the glass wall behind their backs.
Via turned and promptly snorted with laughter.
There outside the window, wagging his tail frantically, tongue lolling out the side of his panting mouth, was a massive shaggy deerhound.
"Holy crap, that's one huge…" Bruce started staring dumbfoundedly at the animal.
"Beast" Clint finished. "How on Earth-"
"Buddy?! What the hell are you doing here?" Via grinned gleefully as she quickly opened the glass balcony door and let the animal in.
"Is this creature yours, lady Via?" Thor chuckled as the animal trotted into the room, its intelligent eyes roving over each person in turn.
"He must've snuck in through the portal before it shut" Via giggled, scratching the canine's tall head. "Guys, this is Buddy the Sanctum's dog. Buddy, these are the Avengers"
"That's your pet?" Steve blinked incredulously at the animal. It's head was about the girl's chest height, which was saying something as she was slightly tall for her age.
"We found him cold and shivering on the Sanctum porch with a broken leg a couple of weeks ago. We couldn't just leave him there. Could we boy? No we couldn't" she gave an affectionate peck on the dog's big wet nose.
"Kid stop you don't know where that pointer's been" Tony wrinkled his nose a little at the sight.
"I could say the same thing about you" Via smirked, pleased to see the billionaire's ears turn the brightest shade of red she'd ever seen as Clint guffawed.
"Man kid, you are on fire today" he high-fived her as Natasha reached forwards to pet the animal who lapped up the attention.
He was particularly fond of Pepper who he almost jumped up on until Tony gently pulled him down.
"Hey-hey. Back off buster, that's my girlfriend you're getting friendly with"
"Sounds like someone's jealous" Bruce smirked as he came up to the dog and let him sniff his outstretched hand "have you taught him any tricks yet?"
"Oh yeah he's pretty smart. Watch this."
Via stood back and cleared her throat.
"Buddy. Sit"
Buddy sat at once, plonking his behind on Tony's foot in the process.
"You did that on purpose" he pouted grumpily as everyone laughed at him. "Alright, since you insist. Buddy, would you mind getting your big hairy ass off-Woah!"
Tony jumped a little as the dog briefly raised his hackles up at him.
"You and your master are just peas in a pod aren't you?" the billionaire put his hands on his hips as he glowered down at the animal, who huffed before getting up off and trotting over to greet Thor, who ruffled the top of his head.
"Can he hunt?" the Thunder God asked interestedly. "He is after all a hound"
"Don't know, haven't asked him yet" Via pulled out her phone, huffing sadly "But I should tell Stephen to pick you up. You weren't supposed to come here with me after all and I don't have my sling ring to send you back-"
"Why don't you just keep him here with you?" Clint smirked "I mean, Tony said Strange was going to be busy for the weekend, and he obviously is attached at the hip to you"
"That's true. Plus it might be nice having another new face around" Steve patted the dogs back affectionately. Via was right, he might look huge but he was truly a friendly animal.
Via blushed, but they all could see the gleam of nervous excitement in her blue eyes.
"Are you sure? I mean yeah, he's house trained but-"
"Yeah sure why not?" Bruce shrugged "he seems friendly enough."
"And none of us here have any allergies to dog fur" Natasha added helpfully, giving a pointed glance towards Tony who was still looking slightly miffed.
"I suppose…" he started, glancing sidelong at Pepper who raised her eyebrows at him, before turning to face Via, whose eyes were wide and hopeful.
"Damn you and your puppy eyes" He muttered under his breath before groaning loudly "Fine, fine the beast can stay! But I'm not picking up his crap from the floor"
"Thanks old man" Via grinned.
"Don't mention it kiddo. Now come on, get upstairs to your room and get prepped, we got a lot of work to do today"
"Sure thing. Come on Buddy" Via whistled sharply and at once the dog bounded after her, yapping once with happiness as they turned a corner.
"Something tells me this is going to be a long weekend" Clint muttered as they watched the pair vanish from sight.
"but a good one, nonetheless" Thor smiled heartily. "I must say it's good to see Lady Via back in high spirits"
"lets hope it stays that way" Tony muttered under his breath.
"Hmm?" Pepper frowned at him but he waved her off.
"Nothing. Nothing. Now come on, we've got five minutes to get this team building activity set up"
"Team building? What fun" Clint drawled sarcastically, and the rest of his friends laughed.
Meanwhile in the corridor above their heads, Via steeled herself with a strong breath as she entered her assigned room.
It was still the same as she'd left it. Mostly bare, with minimum decoration, seeing as she hadn't even stayed in it that often.
But her eyes didn't see the decorations. They only saw the skyline outside the massive window.
She looked out over it, realizing she had a great view of the New York Harbour and the statue of Liberty in the distance.
She felt something warm brush by her leg and looked down to see Buddy sitting beside her, looking up worriedly at her.
"I'm okay bud" she scratched his ear with a small frown as she turned back to look down at the buildings and streets below.
Barely less than a year ago she'd been down there on those streets, begging, stealing and fighting to escape the doom that had been set before her. And now she was standing up here, in one of the tallest buildings in the world, looking down upon the world which lay open to her.
She would've felt proud of herself, but deep down she knew that it was only thanks to a bit of luck that she'd ever made it that far.
Not a bit of luck. But a lot of it! More than those other kids ever had.
She sucked in a deep breath, a warm beam of sunlight washing over her as she looked back up at the tops of the gleaming city.
The dog stared up at her for a moment, so intently that Via almost thought he was searching her face. It was bizarre, she mused, how such a canine face could somehow appear so human.
"You okay kid?"
A voice spoke, and Via turned around to see Steve standing in the doorway.
Via opened her mouth, ready to give him sass, and tease him mercilessly about the whole "kid" thing, but the sincerity in his blue gaze simply stopped her dead in his tracks. He really did look genuinely worried about her.
"Yeah…yeah I'm okay. Thanks"
"No, you aren't." The Super Soldier said quietly as he stepped up to stand beside her "But you will be"
Via nodded, her smile vanishing as she turned to look back out the window.
"I'm going to find those missing kids" she said softly, her eyes a blaze with bright light. "I'm going to find them, and I'm going to take Hydra down. But this time, I'm gonna do it right"
"I know you will. But you won't do it alone. Whether you like it or not, you're a part of this team, and Team's stick together no matter what." Steve smirked as she quirked an eyebrow up at him.
"Even if a teammate runs away in the middle of the night to infiltrate a dangerous Hydra base on her own, despite being rescued from it just a few hours ago."
"Are you kidding, that's the best time to have a team around." Steve ruffled her curls. "And speaking of which, we should head back down. Tony's got some team building exercises he wants to try out."
"And you want to drag me down with the rest of you?" Via and was pleased when the super soldier chuckled.
"Something like that yes. Now let's get moving" he steered her back to her room door.
"Well I suppose we shouldn't keep him waiting. After all a captain always should go down with the rest of his ship"
"Wow, Clint was right, you really are on a roll today."
"Gramps you have no idea"
And that was how my first weekend of Teambuilding with the Avengers Started. Yes I said the first weekend, as in it was the first of many hilarious times spent trying to figure out how to escape Tony's ridiculous teambuilding exercise schedule.
Seriously when the guy sets his mind to doing something he'll give it his all into dragging all of us down with him.
I complain about it now, but truth be told, I'm actually quite fond of those weekends, which have served to be some of my brightest memories in darkest of times.
Even if they could be ridiculously hectic.
The blonde woman in the black veil scowled as she hung up on her call.
NO.
This wasn't how it was supposed to be.
How could this have happened?
She looked down at the photographs sent to her over private messaging and scowled vehemently.
While she was pleased that the drone had managed to snap a shot without being spotted by one of Tony Stark's machines, she was infuriated by what had been captured in its video camera.
It was a girl walking on a balcony, followed by a massive black dog.
A dog she was sure she had dumped to die bruised in an alley way.
"You pesky little beast" she snarled, her silvery eyes glowing red from under the veil, along with her finger tips. "How on earth did you find her so quickly?"
She zoomed in on the video, focusing on the girl's happy laugh as she let the animal inside the tower after her.
She looks so much like her.
The woman's fingers now glowed red as well, red with a hint of black, that snaked its way down her fingers until it took the form of a tiny serpent made from shadow.
"So…You think you can outsmart me. We'll just see about that"
She dialled a number on the phone, her sneer widening as it was picked up on the other end.
"Hello, Craven speaking"
"My darling Cornelius" the woman hissed "We need to talk…"
And that is where i leave you.
Mordo is heading down a darker path while Via starts to come to terms with the reality of her situation, while the Craven Brother's unknown benefactor continues her plotting. it all looks pretty dark now doesn't it? but don't worry, the next few chapters should be a lot lighter as Via gets opportunities for team bonding with the rest of the Avengers. I already have a couple of ideas for how i want it to go but if you have any ideas for any team bonding moments just post it in the review and i'll see what i can do.
Hope you enjoyed and keep reading and reviewing for more
Cheers,
FuzzyBeta