Enter the Sorcerer Supreme
The sound of a young girl laughing caught her attention. Jen turned smiling trying to figure out where it was coming from. She followed the sound up a deep staircase to a landing. ‘odd this looks familiar to me’ Jen thought as she looked around.
“I can hear you” she called out to the girl.
The laugh continued as a blond girl poked her head out of the doorway “Come and find me” she called.
Jen smiled as she jogged toward the room.
RING
Jen shook her head as she walked in and glanced around the room. The girl was standing on the back of the couch walking across like a tight rope walker would. She jumped off and landing on the floor with her arms out triumphantly. Jen smiled and clapped and the girl bowed.
“Very good” Jen praised.
“Thank You” the girl replied. Then she smiled “Stephs going to like you” she decided.
Jen blinked “who is Steph?” she asked.
“Oh you’ll know soon” the girl replied.
RING RING RING
Jen groaned as she slapped at her bedside table trying to grab her phone that wouldn’t stop ringing.
“What” she croaked as she finally answered it. G chuckled
“Good morning to you too” he said.
“G” she said with a smile. “Hi” she said.
“Hi” G replied.
“I haven’t heard from you in a while. How was the super-secret mission” Jen replied as she groaned as she tried to sit up.
“Are you ok?” G asked in amusement.
“I can barely move. I feel like I double in size every night while I sleep” Jen moaned as she got situated against the headboard. “Well?” she added when he didn’t respond right away.
“It was ….interesting” G finally said.
“Interesting?” she parroted. “How so?”
There was another pause “I met him Jen” he said quietly.
Jen frowned as she tried to figure out who he meant. “You met him?” she asked slowly.
“My f-father” G stuttered uncharacteristically.
Jen gasped as she clutched her phone “Oh-OMG G I-that’s wonderful” she said as the tears filled her eyes.
G chuckled on the other end “Are you crying?” he teased.
“You are talking to a very emotional, very pregnant women here” Jen said smiling. “Did you get to speak to him?” she asked in excitement.
“Sort of” G began. “There was too much stuff going on for a real heart to heart. But at the end we got to-talk” he said.
Jen smiled “That’s great-right?” she asked.
G sighed “I don’t know” he replied.
“Didn’t change much did it?” Jen replied.
G laughed softly “yeah-I knew you’d understand” he said. “I thought I would feel different-better. But I feel-I don’t know what I feel. I just thought I’d be happy seeing him-knowing he is actually alive.” He said.
“Just led to more questions huh” Jen replied.
G snorted “Yep” he said.
Jen smiled as she wiped the tears from her face. Bruce walked in at that moment bringing her a breakfast tray frowning when he saw she was crying.
“What’s wrong are you ok?” he asked quietly.
She smiled “I am ok hon-G can I tell Bruce?” she asked. “Actually you tell Bruce” she replied as she hit her speaker on.
“Wait did he just bring you breakfast in bed?” G asked in amusement.
“Shut up and talk” Jen said as she ate her first bite.
Bruce chuckled “Callen you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to” he immediately said.
G laughed “It’s ok Bruce. I-um when I was in Russia I met my father” he admitted.
Bruce raised his eyebrow “Wow-that’s good right? You were-under the impression he was dead right?” he replied.
“That’s right” Callen said.
“So you can see why I was crying” Jen replied.
Bruce chuckled “yes” he replied with a smile and a kiss the top of her head. “I need to get back downstairs-eat” he instructed as he pointed to the tray.
“yes dear” Jen replied with an eye roll.
Bruce snorted “Jarvis did you record that?” he asked.
“Yes doctor Banner” the A.I replied.
“Good” Bruce said earning a laugh from both Jen and Callen.
“You’ve been around Tony too long” Jen called.
“I’ve been saying that for a while” Bruce called back as he walked out of the room.
Jen laughed as she situated herself so she could eat her breakfast.
“G what’s the real reason you called me?” she asked.
G laughed “The real reason is that I am coming there for a bit. I wasn’t sure if Hetty told you or not” he replied.
Jen stopped mid chew “No-but that doesn’t surprise me. I basically asked if I should be pulled” she admitted. “
And what was the consensus?” G replied.
“That I needed to be careful but even if she pulled me I was still involved and at least if I stay on I will have back up” Jen replied.
G sighed “You would have had back up regardless” he said.
“That’s what Bruce keeps saying” Jen agreed.
G laughed “And before I forget, I am supposed to tell you Sam and Michelle are going to stop by for a visit” he said.
“Oh really?” Jen replied excitedly.
“Yeah they decided to go on a mini vacation after the invasion” G said.
“Invasion?” Jen asked.
“Adin’s school was invaded last week” G replied.
“Oh my god is he ok?” Jen asked.
G laughed “Yes everything is fine now” he said.
“good-I can’t believe I didn’t know about that” Jen complained.
“No one wants to give you any unwanted stress” G explained.
Jen sighed as she finished her breakfast and rubbed her stomach “yeah I get it” she said.
G sighed “I need to go. I will see you later today” he said.
Jen smiled “okay see you then” she replied and hung up.
“Jarvis is Tony in the lab?” she asked out loud.
“yes ma’am” the A.I replied.
“Good I probably need to ask him if it’s ok for G to stay here before I go inviting anyone else to come” Jen said with a chuckle.
“I don’t think sir would care but it might help” the A.I Jen laughed
“Thanks Jarvis” she said and got up to get dressed.
“knock knock” Jen said as she walked into the lab carrying 2 coffee mugs.
Bruce stared at her over his glasses with a raised eyebrow.
“what?” she replied innocently as she placed one by him with a kiss.
“Nothing” Bruce replied with a smirk.
“Tony I brought you coffee” Jen said as she walked up to him.
Silence-which generally meant Tony had been preoccupied and wasn’t paying attention.
“Coffeeee” Jen said waving the mug under the man’s nose trying to pull Tony back to the present.
Tony shook his head turning and looked at Jen “What was that honey?” he asked.
Jen raised an eyebrow for a moment before deciding to continue “I brought you coffee” she said simply.
“Oh thanks Jen-that’s great” Tony said with a genuine smile as he took it and kissed her on her cheek.
“Hey Tony would you mind if G stayed here for a bit? Hetty’s sending him here and I might have accidentally invited him. Then I realized it’s not my place and I thought I should ask” she said.
Tony shrugged “I am ok with it. There’s plenty of room here. You don’t need to ask permission” he said as he turned back to his work.
“And I might be getting visitors-just as a warning” Jen said.
Tony nodded “ok” he said.
Jen glanced over at Bruce, who shrugged his shoulders.
“Ok thanks Tony” she said to the man but he was back in science mode and had forgotten she was here.
She walked over to Bruce “See if he’ll come over for dinner” she said.
Bruce nodded “Yeah he has been down here a lot since we got back” he agreed.
“Dinner tonight” she said to Bruce and pecked him on the lips.
“I heard you the first time” Bruce said.
“I wasn’t talking to you I was talking to Jarvis” Jen called as she walked toward the door.
“I will remind both Sir and Dr. Banner Ma’am” Jarvis said in amusement.
“Going to go order dinner?” Bruce teased.
Jen stuck her tongue out and flicked him off as she walked.
Bruce chuckled as he watched Jen walk into the elevator and he couldn’t help the smile on his face.
Jen was waiting in the lobby when G walked in. He gave her a wave with his to go bag and duffel over his shoulder. She smiled and ran to him giving him huge hug. G’s eyes were huge when he came out of the hug.
“You look” G said trying to search for the right words.
“Watch it” Jen warned with a laugh.
“You looked great but I haven’t seen you in few weeks and you’re bigger” G admitted with an apologetic smile.
Jen laughed “I would hope so” she said as she rubbed her stomach.
G laughed “Can I-I feel?” he asked with uncertainty.
Jen smiled “Oh course-come on I’ll show you to your room” she said as she led him to the elevator.
Once the elevator door shut Jen hit the button for G’s floor and smiled at G.
“I am planning on making dinner tonight-us you and Tony-if that’s ok” she said.
G shrugged “Sure I guess” he said.
Jen said “Good”.
“I have to go check out this one tip once I drop my stuff off. Do you want to come with me?” G asked as they walked down the hallway to his room.
Jen nodded “sure” she said as she stopped in front of a room.
“Jarvis could you open the door please?” she asked.
“Of course Ma’am” Jarvis replied as the door opened.
“G this is Jarvis” Jen began. “Jarvis was programmed by tony to help him but basically he runs this entire Avengers floor as well as security” she added.
“Jarvis please say hello to Agent Callen” she finished.
“Hello Agent Callen. Welcome to Avengers Tower. I hope your stay is pleasant” the A.I said.
G raised an eyebrow “Umm Thank You” he said uncertainly.
“G I know how you are but please try to believe me-Nobody will get in here without Jarvis knowing and alerting you. AND Jarvis don’t mind if Callen tries to make his room more secure” she said as they walk into the suite.
“Of course Ma’am” Jarvis replied.
G glanced around “Wow this is a lot” he said after a few minutes.
“Don’t worry all the residential suites in this floor have the same layout” Jen replied as she sat down on the couch in front of her.
G laughed “Well good I’d hate to think I’d get special treatment” he said.
“Family doesn’t get special treatment” Jen said.
G laughed as he kissed her head as he walked into the bedroom to deposit his bag and bedroll “Just remember that when you visit” he said.
“Having an actual bed isn’t considered special treatment” Jen called into the room.
“Says who?” G said as he walked back out.
“Everyone” Jen replied with a laugh. She gasped as one of the baby’s kicked hard.
G came over and put his hand next to hers on her stomach. His eyes widened as he felt the next kick. “Man they can kick” he murmured.
“Yeah I know” Jen laughed.
G laughed glancing at the clock. He sighed and rummaged in his pocket until he found an address. “This is where we need to go find 177B Bleecker Street” G said as he showed Jen the address.
Jen nodded “okay are you going to talk to someone or case the joint?” she asked.
G snorted “cased the joint?” he asked with a laugh.
Jen blushed “Yeah that sounded better in my head” she admitted.
G laughed “come on-lets go. And I don’t have an answer. Granger just handed me this address.” He said.
“Okay and why did he do that?” Jen asked.
“Is it for the case?” she added.
“Again I don’t know” G said as they walked to the elevator.
“You’ll taking orders from Granger now?” she asked teasingly.
“At the moment yes” Callen said.
Jen snorted “ok lead the way” she said.
Callen turned around and made another pass down Bleecker street scanning the brownstones. “I don’t see a 177b” he said out loud.
“Nope just 177A” Jen said as Callen slowed down and parked in front of the brownstone.
“Well let’s see what they can tell us” Jen said as she climbed out.
“Jen it looks like an abandoned building” G said.
Jen glanced at him in confusion “what are you talking about? Are we looking at the same building?” she asked as she climbed the stairs.
”Be careful” Callen warned as they neared the door.
Jen went to knock and stepped back when the door opened up before she could. She stepped cautiously to the door and through it, expecting to come face to face with whoever opened it-and seeing no one.
“Who opened the door?” Callen asked as he came up behind her in the front parlor.
“Don’t know” she said as she glanced up the grand staircase-where sounds of a fight seemed to be happening.
Suddenly in what seemed like a blink of an eye she was at the top of the stairs. She stumbled and noticed and all the men fighting seemed to pause in confusion when they noticed her.
“Genevieve” G screamed as he barreled up the stairs.
“I am ok” she yelled back.
Suddenly a man was in front of her “well-well and who are you?” he sneered.
“None of your business” she snapped at the man.
“Stephen you have back up?” he sneered at the man with a cape.
“Get off of me” Jen said as the man grabbed her shoulder.
“Well she has fire doesn’t she” he laughed glancing at the man who was racing toward her-in the air.
“You have no idea” she shot back smirked and threw her arm out shooting fire at him-sending him flying backward.
Everyone seemed to freeze-then all hell broke loose as his men raced to his aide-while a few ran to her. The man who was racing to her in the air landed next to her and with a few hand movements a gold lasso appeared-and he lassoed them sending them flying.
“Whoever you are-you need to leave” he snapped. “you shouldn’t be here” he added glancing at her stomach with a puzzled look.
“Gladly” Jen snapped back “I’ll just get my friend and –look out” she yelled seeing men trying to sneak up behind the man and sent them flying with another flick of her hand.
The man swung around seeing the men on the ground and then glanced at her again “Thank You” he said.
“You’re welcome” Jen said.
“Jen-a little help” Callen yelled as two men cornered him- one sending his gun flying and the other lifting him off the ground.
“Hey let him go” she yelled and sent the men flying as well, and sent them through the wall in the process. “damn” she cursed glancing at Strange. “Sorry” she said and went to see how Callen was. “Are you ok” she said as she neared him. “I’d have gotten here faster-but not as fast as I used to be” she added.
Callen blinked up at her “When did you learn to shoot fire?” he exclaimed.
“It’s-new” she said glancing down at her stomach.
Callen looked at where she was looking and gasped when he understood. Jen glanced back up and saw the man in the cape and an Asian man do a series of hand movements. One seemed to open a portal and the other summoned a lasso and threw the men through the portal before closing it.
“Wow” she whispered making both men turn to her simultaneously.
“Genevieve are you ok?” an Asian man in robes said approaching her.
“I am ok” Jen began then stopped, “wait do I know you?” she added glancing at the man.
He stopped stared at her then bowed “My apologies-yes we have met-but it was many years ago. I am Wong-one of the masters here” he said.
The man with the cape came over to them “May I ask how the two of you know each other?” he asked with a hint of a smirk.
Wong rolled his eyes “It’s not like that Stephen get your mind out of the gutter” he said. “The ancient one was watching her for her abilities-almost as long as she watched you” he said as an afterthought. Stephen’s face fell when his mentor was mentioned. Jen glanced at both men then glanced around.
“I am sorry-there’s gaps in my memory I don’t remember- long story, so let’s start over” Jen said glancing at G then at the two men. “Genevieve Gibbs” she said holding out her hand.
The man looked at her hand then at her face “I am Dr. Stephen Strange, sorcerer supreme” he said as he shook her hand.
“Stephen Strange” Jen said with a look of recognition.
Both Strange and Wong raised an eyebrow “You’ve heard of me?” Stephen asked wracking his brain to see if he remembered her.
“In a manner of speaking” Jen replied.
“And what manner would that be?” Stephen asked.
Jen glanced at the two men “I dreamed of an alternative universe and you were in it” she said matter of fact.
“A what?” G asked.
“An alternative universe where there was an alien who killed half the population and it took-them-years to fix things” Jen said.
Wong cleared his throat “Perhaps we need to go sit for a discussion like this” he said motioning the group to another room, then leaving to get tea.
Jen glanced and realized it’s the room from her dream, with the little girl. She must be related to Stephen she thought. Wong walked in with the tea and she shook her head-trying to focus. She realized as she reached for the tea-Strange had been staring at her. She stared right back at him and raised her brow.
Stephen blinked at her and smiled. “Let me introduce myself again. I am Dr. Stephen Strange-I now am the Sorcerer Supreme. This is my friend and colleague Wong.
The cape-no Jen realized at closer look it was a cloak, smacked the man on the cheek. Stephen sighed “This is the cloak of levitation” he said.
Jen laughed “I am Genevieve Gibbs-and this is G Callen. We work for NCIS” she said. “
Are you both Federal Agents?” Wong asked.
“Yes” Callen replied.
“What brings you to New York?” Wong asked.
“I am staying at Stark Towers at the moment” Jen replied honestly.
Stephen looked surprised at that but recovered easily. “May I asked a question?” he asked.
“Sure” Jen replied.
“So you dream me in alternative universes often?” he asked.
Jen sighed “No only one time” she said.
“Have you always had powers or are those…newly developed?” Strange asked.
Jen unconsciously rubbed her stomach “I was born with powers-we think. I’ve had prolific dreams-usually talking to dead people, and moving things with my fingers since I was a child. There have new ones developing in the last few months” she said.
“Interesting” Stephen and Wong said almost at the same time.
“Were you trained in your abilities?” Stephen asked after a few minutes.
Jen looked a little uncomfortable for a moment “I was one of the first indirect students Charles Xavier took on” she began. “But things have changed and I am not sure he has the time or the ability to help me with these new-developments” she added.
“What are these new developments” Wong asked. “At the moment Empath and well, shooting fire out of my hands” Jen replied.
“Are they all the time?” Stephen asked.
“No-more in high stress situations I guess” She admitted. “Oh” she said, “I can also stop Thor’s hammer” she added.
Stephen stared at her in shock, then got up and started to pace. “I am trying to decide to ask this next question” he admitted out loud.
Wong chuckled “What a year has done to you” he said.
Stephen chuckled “Yes” then he glanced at Jen on the couch.
“Are these your new powers or are they theirs do you think?” he finally asked.
Jen glanced at her stomach “Thor made a comment that their powers are growing, both Bruce and I are worried it’s their powers-I am just a carrier until they are born” she admitted.
“Damn” G said. “I didn’t think about it being their powers” he admitted.
Suddenly Jarvis voice came through Jen’s phone “I am sorry to interrupt Ms. Gibbs, but it’s getting very close to our proposed dinner time and I am afraid you won’t have time to prepare anything at this rate” he warned.
“Shit, what time is it?” Jen swore glancing at her watch “Jarvis please order the usual-G and I are leaving now” she added and got up as fast as she could.
G laughed “Guess we’re leaving?” he asked.
“Sorry-we need to go-I promised everyone dinner tonight and now Bruce is going to gloat because I ordered instead of making something” Jen said. “it was a pleasure meeting you-both” she added.
“Yes-the same” Stephen said.
Wong nodded “Allow me to show you and Mr. Callen to the door.” Wong said as he motioned them out of the room, glancing back giving Stephen a look.
Later in Bruce and Jen’s floor During Dinner
“So what did you do today?” Bruce asked as he passed the food around.
Jen glanced at G “I went with Callen to follow a lead” she said.
“Did it work out?” Bruce asked.
G shook his head “No we never found 177b” he admitted.
Suddenly a ring of fire appeared in the door way, Jen threw her arms out in defense when a body walked through.
“Don’t worry, I am not an enemy” Stephen Strange said.
Jen sighed and sat back down “Do you know how to knock?” she demanded.
Stephen smirked “I am sorry to interrupt your dinner” he said. “May I come in?” he added.
“What’s going on?” Bruce demanded, looking between Jen and this new man.
Jen sighed again “Dr. Stephan Strange meet Dr. Bruce Banner and Tony Stark” Jen said making the introductions.
Bruce looked at her “Dr. Stephen Strange-Jen” he admonished.
Jen looked at him “In my defense I wasn’t looking for him” she said.
“And how did you meet?” Tony asked.
“We-I-knocked on his door and then I was inside” Jen said.
"So he opened the door and then what? Bruce asked.
"No I knocked, the door opened, I stepped in the foyer and suddenly I was at the top of the stairs" Jen clarified. "I didn't meet him til after the fight" she added.
"A fight?" Bruce said.
Jen sighed "I didn't want to worry you" she said.
Stephen looked apologetic "I am sorry, I didn't mean to cause problems" he said.
"Did you have a reason for showing up in the middle of our dinner?" Jen asked.
“Wong and I were talking” Stephen said as he walked into the dining room. “We would like you to come and train with us” he said.
“Train with you how?” Jen asked. “We would like to help you hone your developing powers” Stephen replied.
“Why do you want to help her?” Tony asked suspiciously. “What’s in it for you?” he added.
Stephen glared at Tony for a moment before he spoke “Atonement” he admitted.
“You don’t owe me anything” Jen said.
“Not to you-the ancient one-my mentor, saw something in you. I would like to help you learn about your power. She doesn’t-didn’t just keep an eye on anyone” Stephen said.
Jen looked at Bruce “From what I saw today, they might be able to help with these new powers better then Charles could” she admitted.
Bruce sighed “If you’re sure” he said.
Jen stood up and walked over to Stephen and extended her hand “You have a deal Dr. Stephen Strange” she said.
Stephen smiled and took her hand “Wong and I will be expecting you on the brownstone on Mon-day” he said as he noticed a vapor go around the two of them.
Jen noticed it at the same time and let go of his hand immediately. “What the hell was that” she demanded, looking around.
“I don’t know” Stephen said. “Can I try something” he asked and gently took her hand again-watching as it happened again.
Jen jerked her hand away “That didn’t happen when we shook hands-“she stopped as she stared at Stephen’s hands. “You had your gloves on” she said.
“That’s why it didn’t happen at the sanctum” Stephen realized. He suddenly stepped back and turned with a flourish of the cloak. “I need to go back and tell all of this to Wong, see if he’s seen anything like this” he added.
The cloak tapped him on the shoulder-seemingly to remind him of everyone in the room. Stephen cleared his throat “I have some research to do but I will see you Monday then” he said turning again and with a hand gesture the ring of fire appeared again and he walked through without saying goodbye-except for a wave from the cloak.
The four adult all looked at each other before Callen started to laugh.
“What is wrong with you?” Jen asked.
“You can’t help it can you. You just attract problems” he said continuing to laugh.
Jen started to snicker “Shut up” she said.
“I dreamed of a little girl-in that room we were in this morning” she admitted.
“So you are saying-you were what supposed to meet him?” Bruce asked sounding more upset then he had intended.
“You saw him-he does magic. He and Wong could help me with these new powers or help me-us- to teach it to them” she said putting her hands on her stomach.
Bruce sighed and felt himself slowly calm down. “If you think they can help” he said.
“Maybe he’ll teach you that hand gesture to open-whatever that was he walked through” G said, trying to lighten the mood.
“Who yeah that would come in handy” Tony agreed.
“Says the man who flies around in a metal suite” Bruce deadpanned.
Tony faked a shocked look “Brucie I am hurt” he said.
Jen rolled her eyes “I guess we will see huh?” she said, faking a smile to Bruce and the others.
She was slightly worried about the fog –whatever that was. She didn’t need any more drama in her life. She knew Bruce was more worried then he let on. But she had to trust it was going to be ok. She smiled again-it will be ok she promised herself.