No-One But You (The Mystic Consultant) - Part 1

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Did I Let You Know (Part 8)

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"Oh wow. You're screwed. Nice knowing ya."

Tony Stark spoke the loudest in that moment. Stephen Strange finally revealed what Christine Palmer's image was doing amongst all of the wizard drama that he had on display. Everyone in the room had a chance to hear the explanation, and wow..

...

"Christine isn't actually pregnant."

It was an illusion. Get it straight. Stephen seemed exhausted with the subject. Well, tough shit. Bucky, Steve, and Tony were all very involved in the conversation. Some of them were being quiet about it, but they all felt affected and they all felt like they had a connection to Clea Strange.

"But... her body believes that she is, correct? I'm not understanding the actual issue."

Steve and Stephen were talking it out more than the rest. If it was an illusion, then who cares? Steve was a bit confused, but he understood why the issue was both delicate and dangerous.

Everyone in that apartment watched Clea suffer tremendously whenever Sofia came into the mix. Clea was devastated for a long time, and now it seemed as if she was being put to the test, yet again.

"Steve, the actual issue has to do with these petty Dark Dimension creatures banding together to destroy Clea."

Destroying her from within was their ultimate plan. Stephen was equally upset, and he remembered the first attempt as they all deliberated. His wife felt violated, and they both were stripped of their fancy titles.

Luckily, Tony and Steve helped them survive it. He reflected on the issue a bit more as Tony glanced up toward the other men in the room. He was listening in a lot more carefully than everyone thought, and he briefly studied Stephen's face.

"Plus, I don't think she wants me around right now."

That was the hardest pill for Stephen to swallow. His wife and daughter were by his side constantly. Having Christine Palmer in the picture was the perfect card for their enemies to play, because it affected Clea more than anything.

Obviously, they could sense it. It seemed like they could feel the resentment that she felt, and they were winning.

"You should be with her anyway."

Bucky finally spoke. He could recognize torment when he saw it, and it was all over Stephen's face. The sorcerer gave him a silent nod, but then he looked out toward one of the windows of the apartment.

He didn't want to hear about what he should and shouldn't be doing. Stephen was very aware that he was fucking up. He did have a plan, however, and it was just a matter of timing.

"I have to talk to Victor first. Victor is the key to ending everything, but unfortunately he doesn't want me around either."

The Sorcerer Supreme injured his own soul with his choice of words, but he meant what he said. Stephen had many plans in mind when it came to his wife and daughter, but none of it worked out in his favor without his baby brother.

Stephen hated waiting, but he couldn't rush the conversation. He already knew when it would occur, so he continued looking out at the busy city.

Bucky went inward with his contemplation. He was concerned more for Christine Palmer in that moment, because he imagined Clea doing something terrible down the road. Clea Strange could destroy someone like Christine with just one gesture. Toast. That notion bothered Bucky Barnes more than anything, so he slowly glanced over at his best friend Steve.

Steve was on the same page, so he returned Bucky's focus.

"We'll start the show now. Sound good?"

They really needed to get things rolling. Tony took in a deep breath. He quickly looked over at Steve Rogers as well, because Stephen's attention became lost somewhere toward the wall.

Chapter: END

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