Chapter 5
“I got him.” Delilah said walking over and taking her son as we were led to a private room.
“Okay.” I said putting him in his mom’s arms. “You okay?”
“Yeah, that wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.” She said. “They also didn’t go as hard on me as they did on you.”
“The guy’s just doing his job, If I was defending a murderer I knew was guilty I’d be freaking out too.” I said.
“You still do that.” She said.
“Do what?” I asked.
“Your hands, you pick at the skin around your nails when you’re nervous.” She said.
“And here I thought I didn’t have a tell.” I said.
“So that’s them.” She said looking into the room.
“Yeah.” I said.
“It’s good, that you’ll have them after this is over.” Delilah said.
“I doubt that.” I said.
“Oh please, they never took their eyes off of you the entire time I was up there. Even now I can bet you whatever you want that they are staring at the door waiting for you to walk back in there.” Delilah said.
“I thought you said they were the reason I’d always have a target on my back?” I said.
“It is true, doesn’t mean they don’t love you.” Delilah said. “They look ready to jump in front of you and take a bullet. They’ll keep you safe, maybe even Drogo if he stayed with you.”
“I found you months ago. At that diner you worked in.” I said. “I also saw him. That’s when I figured out why you left and as much as I wanted to get you to turn on Hadrian and fight back I couldn’t do that to him. My mom always said that one day she would retire and when that day came she chose to postpone it, you didn’t. Drogo’s our second chance to get it right. To make sure he doesn’t end up like Hadrian or you or me. So as much as I’d like to stay close and be a part of his life, you were right. He would never stand a chance with me in his life and he comes before everything.”
“You always were the best of all of us.” She said. “There’s something you need to know…”
“Recess is over, verdicts in.” Everett said.
“Be right in. Tell me later.” I told her and she nodded before we headed in.
I stood next to Aiden who kept asking if I was okay.
“All rise.” The bailiff said and everyone stood.
The judge walked in and then we all sat down.
“Has the jury reached a verdict?” He asked.
“We have your honor. On the charges of murder. We the jury unanimously find the defendant guilty. Actually since there are so many charges against the defendant we’ll just go ahead and say the defendant was found guilty on all charges” The speaker said and the courtroom erupted into cheers.
“You did it.” Aiden said.
“Yeah.” I said still processing it.
“We will set a date for the sentencing hearing. Meeting adjourned.” The judge said.
“That actually just happened.” I said.
“Yup.” Aiden said.
“I need a fucking drink.” I said.
“You’re going to have to hold off on that.” Delilah said.
I looked at her confused when I saw the two federal agents walking towards us.
“Delilah.” I said.
She kissed her son’s cheek and hugged him tight.
“Delilah Roman.” The officers said.
“Cal take him.” She said.
“Delilah what’s going on?” I said as she put him in my arms.
“You are under arrest on charges of murder, aiding and abetting, and treason.” The officer said.
“Remember your promise.” She said before leaning over and whispering into my ear. My eyes went wide and I stared at her in shock. “I’m sorry Cal.”
“You have the right to remain silent anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you. Do you understand these rights as they have been read to you?” They asked.
“I do.” She said before they took her away.
“Did that just happen?” Aiden said.
“Uhuh…” I said.
“Cal…” Aiden said.
“Aiden I need you to take the baby.” I said.
“What?” He said before I put him in his arms before walking out the back exit. “Cal seriously.” He said struggling to run after me.
I wasn’t listening I ran down the hall and into the restroom before running into the first stall and throwing up.
Didn’t think I could throw up. I hadn’t really eaten anything since yesterday.
Third Person’s POV-
Aiden followed after her and saw her run into the restroom before stopping in front and making sure no one went in.
“Wah!” Drogo cried.
“Sh sh sh.” Aiden shushed but the kid cried louder. “Shit. Cal, can you hurry it up in there.”
“Where is she?” Natasha said.
“In there, you may want to give her…” Aiden started but he walked right in followed by a guy he didn’t recognize. “Oh not you don’t.” He said stopping everyone else.
“Move.” Clint said.
“Ladies room. Give her a minutes.” Aiden said holing the baby out as the baby started crying even more. “Oh hell I think it needs a diaper change.”
“Here.” Another guy said taking the baby. “Sh sh sh…It’s okay.”
“Eh…” The baby said settling down. “He just needs a nap.”
“Who are you?” Aiden asked.
“I’m Josh. I’m a friend.” Josh said.
Hayley’s POV-
“Uh…” I groaned as I heard the door open.
“Hayley.” Natasha said.
“Use another stall.” I said.
“I’ve got napkins and water.” Will said offering them from under the stall wall. I didn’t say anything just slowly took them and rinsed my mouth a bit before sitting there for a minute.
“You coming out now?” He asked.
I didn’t say anything. I stood up and turned to the door.
“Or we could just wait out the reporters that’s good too.” Will said.
I slowly unlocked the stall and opened the door. I stood there just watching Will. No one said anything. But Will being Will wasn’t one to let there be awkward silence.
“You look like shit.” Will said. Natasha just glared at him and we just started laughing.
“Missed you too asshole.” I said before he hugged me. I didn’t even hesitate to hug him back.
“We should go.” Natasha said as I heard screaming.
“I’m almost afraid to ask if that’s Aiden or the baby.” I said. “Might even be both.”
I walked out and the baby was immediately handed to me. “Woah.”
“Ah!” He screamed.
“Okay, okay.” I said bouncing him. “Sh sh sh.” I said bouncing him a bit.
“Mh.” He said resting his head in the crook of my neck.
“He needs a nap and I need to make a few calls.” I said.
“Let’s head to the tower, It’s safer there.” Tony said.
“Not even getting a choice am I?” I asked.
“Take it from someone who deals with a press almost daily, it’s the best place to hide out.” He said.
“That means shut up and for once let someone help you.” Aiden said.
“Great. Lead the way.” I said.
One very awkward limo ride later…
“Are we going to…” Steve started.
“Sh!” I said signaling to the sleeping baby in my arms. “I’m going to put him down for a nap then we’ll talk.”
I went downstairs and put the baby down on the bed with pillows around him so he wouldn’t fall.
“Jarvis monitor him please.” I said.
“Of course Miss.” Jarvis answered.
I headed back upstairs and sat down on the couch.
“PR is dealing with the press.” Tony said.
“Thanks.” I said.
“So Calliope…” Clint said not sure of his pronunciation.
“Hayley’s fine or Cal.” I said.
“Hayley, what exactly was all of that.” Steve said.
“A trial.” I said.
“I think he means what… how…” Thor said confused.
“They want the whole story.” Aiden said.
“Wait he knows?” Will asked.
“We went through drug detox together and ran out of things to talk about.” I said. “Okay, the redacted version is my mom and brother pretty much committed every crime there possibly is and then some. I managed their money and later on when I learned to hack helped cover their tracks. Eventually I disagreed with the way things were done led to some other problems. Started renting out my services. That went on for a few years until the car accident. And you know the rest.”
“And you’ve been on the run since you were thirteen?” Natasha said.
“Nothing new.” I said. “We changed our names all the time when we moved.”
“And what exactly happened to you?” Steve asked looking at my wrist.
“Delilah and I had a small fight when I went to ask her to testify. She said no and that was the end of it until this morning when she showed up.” I said. “Now she and Hadrian are in jail and there’s a baby downstairs I’m now responsible for. Did not see that coming.”
“Drink.” Aiden said.
“Thanks.” I said downing the scotch in one go.
“Look Delilah testified against her husband I’m sure she had a plea deal worked out.” Natasha said.
“Plea deals work when you testify against your partners or spouse. Delilah confessed to being an assassin for hire and confirmed that she killed a lot of people. They may not be get her for anything she did with her husband but they can get her for everything else.” Will said.
“The ledger I turned over included a list of everyone she killed before I went on the run and there’s no statutes of limitation on murder considering the most recent murder she committed was her own uncle eight months ago.” I groaned.
“So she’s going to prison.” Aiden said.
“If they don’t kill her first.” Natasha said.
“She made you promise her something. That’s what she said before they took her away.” Clint said.
“That I’d make sure her son stays safe.” I said. “Which means she knew what was coming.”
“It was her choice Cal.” Aiden said.
“It would have been a lot easier if she would have said yes the first time around.” I said.
“Well, It’s getting late and we should start heading out.” Will said. “You and me are having breakfast tomorrow.”
“Might want to hold off on the outings for a while.” I said.
“I’ll pick something up on the way.” Will said.
“Also you may want to call Rebekah, she hasn’t stopped texting.” Josh said.
“Kol too.” Aiden said. “I have to get going. I have a skype call with my realtor.”
“I’ll go get the kid.” I said.
“Wait. Just… why don’t you stay here? Your room’s set up and it’s safer than your hotel.” Tony said.
“You sure that’s a good idea?” I asked.
“The kid is asleep, you don’t want him to throw a tantrum.” Natasha said.
“He’s had a big day.” Clint seconded.
“Looks like I’m staying. Might need a crib.” I said.
“I’ll have someone bring one up a spare from the day care downstairs.” Tony said.
“Thanks.” I said. “I need another drink.”
“Maybe you should slow down.” Bruce said.
“It’s just one…” I said about to take a shot.
“Miss adams, your nephew is awake and crying.” Jarvis said.
“Nevermind.” I said. “I really hope he doesn’t need a diaper change.”
“Jarvis order some diapers too.” Tony said.
I walked into the room and there he was screaming his lungs out.
“It’s okay sweetie. Sh sh... ew.” I said “Dirty diaper. Please have one… yes.” I said finding one in his diaper bag. “Okay buddy, let’s get you cleaned up.”
One quick change later he was a bit more calm but I guess he was hungry. I got him and took him upstairs.
“Ow.” I shouted as he yanked on my hair as he laughed.
“Can one of you…” I started.
“Got him.” Natasha said.
“Thanks. Kid has a death grip.” I said as I quickly found some soft snacks he would be able to eat.
“So what happens now?” Steve asked.
“I have a few loose ends to tie up, but first I have to handle this little guy.” I said. “made his mom a promise and I owe her.”
Later that night I put the baby down for the night and went upstairs for a bit. Everyone else had called it a night but I was wide awake. I walked over to the bar and poured myself some wine.
“Can’t sleep?” Clint asked making me jump a bit.
“You have to make more noise when you walk.” I said. “And no I have way too much on my mind.”
“Want to talk about it?” He asked.
“Not really.” I answered.
“I was about to put on a movie upstairs.” Clint said.
“Something with a lot of explosions?” I asked.
“That’s the only thing I watch.” He said.
“I’m in, let’s grab snacks.” I said.
“Way ahead of you.” Clint said pointing to all the snacks on the counter.
We headed upstairs and got settled on the couch. Lucky jumped on the couch and cuddled up to me.
About halfway through the movie there was a love scene where the lead actor and the love interest started fighting before starting to make out.
“Oh please, that would never happen in real life. In real life she would have thrown something at him.” I said.
“You’d be surprised.” Clint said. “My ex wife and I…”
“You were married?” I asked.
“A few years ago.” He clarified. “We’d start fighting and we’d end up in bed. Helped us avoid what was really wrong.”
“Running away from the problem never works.” I said.
“You didn’t have a choice Hales.” He said.
“Not what I was talking about. Leaving New York.” I said. “Running just became a reflex at one point but then I couldn’t get you all out of my head so then I tried drowning it out with booze, weed and drugs and at that point I was just lying to myself.”
“Lying about what?” Clint asked.
“That I love you.” I said. Clint gently cupped my cheek before leaning his forehead against mine before gently kissing me. Slowly the kiss started to deepen up until I moved so I was straddling his lap and we were making out. Clint slowly started kissing down my neck making me moan. Then he started sucking on just the right spot. “Ah!”
“Hales, we should…” Clint started until I rolled my hips. “uh… we should stop.”
“What if I don’t want to stop?” I said.
“Are you sure?” He asked.
“Never been more sure of anything.” I said. Clint pulled me close against him and kissed me before standing up. He walked us up to his bed and tripped a bit making him drop me on the bed and him on top of me.
“Wah!” I yelped a bit.
“Sorry, shoe.” He said before kissing me. I put my arms around his shoulders, threading my fingers through his hair. He moved a hand up my thigh. I slowly started pulling up his shirt. He sat up and pulled it off. I got a good look at his abs and buff arms. That’s when I saw my mark on his ribs. I gently started tracing it. I looked up at him and saw him smiling down at me. He bent down and kissed me before slipping his hand under my shirt as he started kissing my neck.
I pulled off my shirt and he started kissing lower and lower until he got to my breasts. I slipped my skirt off and started on his belt when he stopped me.
“If you want to stop you just say the word…” Clint said and I pulled him down for a kiss.
“Clint, take your pants.” I said.
“Yes ma’am.” He said quickly kicking them off before getting back on the bed on top of me. I rolled us over so I was on top and slipped off my bra. He reached behind me and unclasped my bra. I slipped it off and threw it. Clint just stared at me, I started feeling self conscious and moved to cover myself but he stopped me and cupped and kneaded my breasts as he rocked his hip against mine.
“Clint,” I moaned. He moved lower and lower until he got to my stomach and started playing with the hem of my underwear. I lifted my hips and slipped them off. He started kissing my thighs, slowly moving up until he started licking on just the right spot making cry out in pleasure. Then slowly me moved lower and gently prodded my entrance and I jumped a bit.
“Hales…” He said checking on me.
“I’m okay just never…” I started.
“Oh…oh!” He said “Should we…”
“No just… go slow.” I said. He nodded and started again making me moan over and over again. He slowly moved a finger inside of me and while it felt strange it wasn’t bad. Then he curled it on just the right spot and I saw stars.
When I finally came down from that epic high Clint was just smiling down at me.
“Hey.” He said.
“hi.” I said kissing him.
“You okay?” He asked.
“Great.” I said and he shifted a bit. I reached down…
“Hales we don’t have to.” He said.
“I know. I want to.” I said.
“You sure?” Clint asked watching for any hesitation.
“I want you Clint.” I said. That was enough for him to wiggle off his boxers before moving onto me. He held himself up with one arm while he moved into position.
“If you want me to stop…” he started and I Kissed him.
“I love you.” I said.
Clint kissed me as he slowly started to move into me. It was slow and I felt a bit of pressure but no pain. Clint pulled me closer before her pushed the rest of the way in.
“Ah!” I gasped.
“Sorry sorry just give it a minute.” Clint soothed.
“It’s okay move.” I said. Clint slowly moved out before rocking back in bit by bit. It felt okay. Slowly he started speeding up before it started feeling good.
I moaned when he hit just the right spot and Clint smirked before aiming and hitting the same spot.
“Clint.” I moaned
“You’re so good baby.” He moaned against my neck as he picked up the pace.
“Ah!” I cried out digging my fingers into his back. Clint moved my leg up around his hip as he started moving faster and harder. “Yes!”
“Fuck Hayley.” Clint groaned into my neck as he kept pounding into me. I could feel something in my stomach tightening. I dug my heels into Clint’s butt and he kept going.
“Clint!” I moaned.
“Just a little bit more.” He pleaded. My blood started heating up as I got closer and closer until something snapped I was shouting.
“AH.” I screamed in pleasure.
“Fuck.” Clint groaned as he came. We were both panting. Clint pulled out and collapsed next to me.
I curled up next to him and he turned on his side to look at me.
“You okay?” He asked.
“Yeah.” I said smiling.
“Need anything? Water? Pizza?” Clint asked and I laughed.
“Just, hold me?” I asked. He smiled and pulled up the blankets before pulling me close. We eventually dozed off like that.
I woke up a few hours later. Clint was sound asleep and snoring softly. I quietly got up and got dressed before heading downstairs to check on my nephew. That felt so weird to say.
I walked into the room and he was sitting up just looking around. My guess was he had just woken up.
“Hey buddy.” I said picking him up. I grabbed his sweater and little coat and dressed him. When he was ready I picked up a note pad and wrote a quick note before heading out.
Delilah had everything figured out. She had somehow gotten a photo of me from a few years ago and got a new identity with the same last name as the one she got for her son.
It didn’t take long to get to the airport and head to London.
I knocked on the door and heard footsteps before the door opened.
“Cal?” John said.
“Hey, I need to talk to my sister.” I said.
“Uh sure.” He said opening the door.
I walked in and rocked the fussy baby trying to get him to settle.
“Hayley what are you… Is that a baby?” She said.
“Yeah, my nephew. Hadrian and Delilah’s kid.” I said.
“And you have him because…” She started.
“Hadrian got convicted and Delilah got arrested for everything she did and left me her kid.” I said.
“Okay.” She said. “And you’re here because…”
“She made me promise that I’d get him somewhere safe. Away from the life. So he can have a normal life.” I said.
“His father’s in prison. You’re safe and so is he.” Rebekah said.
“I’m not so sure that’s true.” I said. “Beks, you got out and I know it’s asking a lot but you’re the only person I can trust with him.”
“You want me to take him?” She said.
“Will you?” I asked.
“John?” Rebekah asked.
“Is this temporary?” He asked.
“If you take him he’s your son. No one will ever come to take him away.” I said. “We both know there’s no way Delilah will ever make it out of there, no with everyone against her.”
“We said we’d get there someday Bekah, my as well be today.” John said. “What’s his name?”
“Uh, don’t think it really matters. He’s going to need a new one anyway.” I said.
“It’s something horrible isn’t it?” Rebekah said.
“It might actually be worse than Chauncey.” I said.
“Whose name is Chauncey?” John asked before it clicked. “Oh.”
“Yeah.” I looked at my nephew one last time before kissing his forehead. “He likes mangos and doesn’t do well with bananas so you may want to avoid those.”
“No bananas. Got it.” John said.
“You want to…” I asked.
“Oh sure.” He said taking him. “Hi there.”
“You sure about this?” Rebekah asked.
“Yeah. He’s safer with you than he’ll ever be with me.” I said. “Just, raise him right.”
“I don’t think that’ll be a problem. I have a feeling he’ll be more like his aunt Cal than his father.” Rebekah said. “What are you going to do?”
“I have a loose end I need to tie up before heading back.” I said.
“Someone waiting for you?” Rebekah said with a smirk. I looked at her confused and then she gestured to her neck and raised my hand up to cover the hickey.
“Yeah.” I said. “I’ve kept them waiting long enough.”
“Be careful.” She said.
“Always.” I said hugging her and waving as John and his son before leaving.
I stopped by the apartment and grabbed a change of clothes and some cash before heading out.
The one place I never thought I’d be again. I really hate Seattle.
It took a while but I managed to hack the county system and ordered the body to be exhumed on the grounds that they needed to know if there was some pathological cause of death or something. Which brings me to where I was now. Standing a few feet away from my mother’s supposed grave watching as a machine excavated the grave. It didn’t take long. I heard a thud and went closer.
“Ma’am you may want to take a step back, it won’t be pretty.” The coroner said.
“I’ll be fine I just want this done right.” I said. They went in and cracked open the casket.
“What the hell?” The coroner said.
“What?” I said.
“It’s empty.” He said.
“Fuck.” I said before getting in the car and driving to the one place that may have any clues as to where she may be hiding. The house had been abandoned years ago but it was still in decent shape. It was isolated so most people didn’t even know where it was.
I had to break a window to get in but I doubt anyone would care.
I practically tore apart the library trying to find any clue. I was frustrated and angry. Started throwing stuff and when one heavy book fell and there was an echo. I walked over and tapped the same spot to head the same sound.
I felt around until I lifted up a loose floorboard and found another ledger except this one was foreign bank accounts and safety deposit boxes.
“Got you.” I said.
Benefits of looking like my mom, a blonde wig and some sunglasses and no one could tell the difference. Not even bankers.
I closed a few account in Bermuda, the Cayman islands and Panama, donating all the money to charities.
It took a few weeks before I finally landed in Moscow. If anyone had heard anything it’d be Oleg.
I walked into the bar and was patted down before allowed to sit down.
“You look like your mother.” He said.
“You’d know, considering you’ve seen her more recently than I have.” I said.
“Your mother is dead.” He said.
“Actually she’s not.” I said. “And before you try and lie about it I had her grave exhumed and there was no body so can you save us both the time and tell me where she is?”
“You were always too smart for your own good.” Oleg said taking a shot.
“had to stay alive somehow.” I said taking one myself.
“What do you want with her?” He asked.
“Answers.” I said. “I closed her bank accounts, emptied them out so she’s running out of places to hide.”
“You should have just left things as they were. Your brother was locked away. Delilah’s dead we could have each gone our own way without further bloodshed.” He said.
“We both know that where she goes trouble follows.” I said.
“And you think turning her in will be better? You take out everyone in charge there will be a power vacuum. Doesn’t matter where you are the streets will be war zones. Is that what you want?” he asked.
“It won’t come to that.” I said.
“You really think she won’t go down fighting? Drag us all down with her if it came to that?” He asked.
“It’s a chance I’m willing to take.” I said.
“But we’re not.” He said before someone stabbed something into my neck. “Better the devil you know than the one you don’t.”
“What…” I said as I started getting dizzy.
“You should have left it alone Calliope.” He said before everything went dark.
It was dark and suddenly it was really bright.
“Mhm.” I groaned. I lifted my hand but it didn’t move. “What the…” I said looking at the table I was cuffed to.
“You really should have left things as they were Calliope.” I looked to my right and saw the one person I thought I would never see again.
“I thought you were dead.” I said.
“That’s what I wanted you to believe. You interfered in things that did not concern you. You turned your brother in.” She snarled.
“What did you expect me to do the asshole tried to kill me.” I said.
“But he never did, he was meant to keep you in your place.” She said.
“You put him up to it?” I said.
“Of course I did. I thought that with time you would lose that obnoxious idealism and you’d come to see things our way but you never did. Instead you betrayed us time and time again.” She said. “Such a petulant child. More trouble than you were worth. Not even the money I made selling you made up for it.”
“Then you should have left me in an orphanage or something.” I said.
“You were an investment. You gave us good dividends but it’s time to cash out.” She said.
“What the hell does that mean?” I said as the door opened and someone walked in.
“Ah, Doctor List.” She said. “Come and meet your new test subject.”
“No way in…” I started but she pressed a button and I was shocked. “AHHH!!”
“The temper on this one.” She said. “Are you prepared?”
“Yes we are ready to start preliminary testing.” He said.
“You’re going to regret this.” I said.
“No I’m not.” She said with a smirk before she walked away.
“Shall we get started fraulein?” List said.
“Oh hell.” I cursed.
Months Later-
“Start again.” List ordered.
“Da.” Wanda said.
“Mhm…” I groaned before the room started shaking.
“Doctor List we need you in command now!” One of the soldiers said.
“What now?” Doctor List commanded.
“Herr Strucker is asking for you.” The soldier said.
“Wanda get started, focus on making it longer this time.” List said.
“You know as soon as they’re done with me you’re next right?” I said.
“Shut up!” The speedster said.
“You know it’s true. You’re only as valuable as you are useful.” I said.
“Shut up!” The Witch said before she let out her red mist and I was back to nightmare world.
“We have enhanced in the field, I repeat we have enhanced in the field.” Steve’s voice echoed.
There was fire everywhere and I heard screaming but I didn’t know where it was coming from.
“Guys I found something.” Steve’s voice got closer.
The fire was getting closer to me slowly surrounding me and it had his face.
“No, no no.” I said trying to run but there was nowhere to go.
“Hayley!” Steve called out.
Get away… get away…
I felt something grab my arms and suddenly I was back in the lab and Steve was in front of me.
“This isn’t real.” I said trying to back away.
“Hayley.” Steve said.
“No.” I said trying to back away but falling.
“Hayley, it’s me.” Steve said.
“It’s not you… it’s just that stupid witch playing mind games again.” I said moving against the wall.
“Hayley, I promise you I’m real.” He said slowly putting down his Shield and taking off his helmet while slowly getting closer. “It’s me. It’s Steve. You took me Christmas shopping for the first time when I got out of the ice. You made me watch the original three Star Wars movies before watching the newer ones because Jar Jar is the worst thing that ever happened to sci-fi.” He said slowly reaching for me. He softly put a hand on my shoulder and that’s when I realized this was real.
“You’re real.” I said.
“Yeah.” He said tearing up. I pulled him into a hug and he quickly wrapped his arms around me. I started feeling really light headed and then everything went dark.
Third Person’s POV-
Steve held onto Hayley when she suddenly passed out.
“Hayley.” Steve said. “Thor we’re going to need another med evac now.”
“Heading in now.” Thor said.
Steve picked her up and held her, trying to keep her way.
“Captain…” Thor started. “Hayley!”
“I found her strapped to the table. Get her back to the jet.” Steve said.
“Aye” Thor said taking Hayley before leaving in a hurry. Thor carefully held onto Hayley as he flew her back to the jet.
“That’s…” Bruce started.
“She needs medical attention.” Thor said.
“Put her down over here.” Bruce said.
“I’ll get an IV.” Natasha said.
“Hayley.” Clint said trying to sit up.
“Clint stay down.” Natasha ordered at him.
“Is she okay?” He asked.
“She’s dehydrated.” Bruce said taking her arm and noticing all the needle marks. “Put it in through her hand.”
“Yeah.” Natasha said noticing what Bruce saw.
Clint moved over a bit and took Hayley’s hand.
“Mhm.” She groaned before opening her eyes a bit, then turning. “Clint?” She mumbled before knocking out again.
“Is she okay?” Clint asked.
“I think she’s just exhausted.” Bruce said. “Tony we should really get going.”
“Everything’s clear. How’s the patient?” Tony asked.
“She woke up then passed out again.” Natasha said.
“What was she doing here in the first place?” Thor asked.
“Guess we’re going to have to wait until she wakes up.” Steve said. “I have a feeling we’re not going to like it.”
A Few Hours Later-
There was fire everywhere but just as it was about to touch me I jumped up gasping for air. I was in a white room.
“Not again.” I groaned.
“Hayley?” Bruce said walking in.
“Bruce?” I said surprised, that’s when I noticed everything was different, not as run down.
“Yeah, are you okay?” He asked.
“Think so. We’re in…” I started.
“New York.” Bruce answered.
“Oh.” I said lying back. “I’m never leaving again.”
“Hayley How did you end up at a Hydra base?” Bruce said.
“I have the worst mother ever.” I answered.
“How is she doing.” Tony asked.
“Ask her yourself.” Bruce said.
“Hi.” I said.
“Hey. How’re you feeling?” Tony asked.
“Been better.” I said.
“What the hell happened to you? And where’s the kid?” Tony asked.
“Kid’s safe. He wasn’t with me when I got taken in Moscow.” I said.
“Moscow?” Bruce and Tony said.
“My mom’s alive. Apparently she’s working for Hydra. And she thought my sperm donor passed on something special and had her mad scientist poke and prod me until something happened. Even gave that stupid red witch a turn.” I said. “You did get her and her brother right?”
“They got away.” Tony said obviously not happy about it.
“You should stay away from them.” I told him.
“Why?” Tony asked.
“They hate your guts.” I said lying on my side facing them. “Can I get some water, I’m really thirsty.”
“How about I get you a juice instead, bring your blood sugar up?” Tony said.
“Sure.” I said.
A little while later…
I was in bed picking at my IV wishing it could be taken out already.
“You should stop messing with that.” Clint said.
“Have I mentioned how much I hate needles?” I said.
“I can tell.” He said walking in.
“You okay? Bruce mentioned you got hit.” I said.
“I’m all patched up. I’m made out of plastic now.” Clint said and I looked at him confused. He pulled up his shirt a bit so I could see. “Doctor Cho has this machine that makes plastic skin.”
“Neat.” I said.
“So your mom’s alive.” Clint said.
“Hadrian had to get his crazy from somewhere.” I said.
“You okay?” He asked.
“I’m better now.” I said. “And I’m done for good this time.”
“You sure?” He asked. “No more leaving in the middle of the night?”
“Pinky promise.” I said holding out my pinky making him laugh but he linked his pinky with mine.
“I’m holding you to it.” He said before he yawned.
“Tired?” I asked.
“Long day.” He answered.
“Hop in.” I said scooting over a bit. It was a snug fit but we managed to fit. I was half lying on Clint and on the bed and I was pretty sure he wasn’t very comfortable but he didn’t complain just held me.
It took me longer than I thought it would but I was finally home.