Not Now
Chapter 4
Recap: “N..Nicklaus”, the voice on the other line finally responded, “… Ka… Kat.. Katie’s g..gone”, and just like that he froze. His whole world ending at the words of a little girl. All he heard as the phone slipped through his fingers were cries of his name. Cries from the reason his beloved wife was dead.
May 24, 1979 (four hours before deadline)
In the time that it took for Jamie to knock against the wall, another knock had resounded throughout the restroom. Everyone froze in anticipation for the speaker to reveal themselves. It turned out to be none other than Jacob Janes, who had grown tired of waiting for Maria and had come to check up on her.
While Maria had stepped away from her position next to the window and closer to the door, Katie took the opportunity to grab Tina. She got ready to lift her when Tina shook her head and grabbed Tony, making it clear he was to go first. Despite the seriousness of the situation she couldn’t help but smile, even when in danger Tina looked for Tony. And so Katie helped Tony over the window, and into the Jaime’s arm.
Then it was Tina’s turn to go through the window, and with help Katie’s help she grabbed onto the window ledge pulling herself up. Maria had grown tired of answering Jacob, so she turned around to make her way to the window. Only to find that Tony was gone and Tina was on the window ledge.
Seeing her chance to escape all but disappearing she ran to Tina and grabbed her leg to pull her down. “ NO!” Resounded from all of them in the restroom. No directed to Maria for grabbing onto Tina and keeping her from going over. No as her hand slipped, and all that was holding her from falling, was nails digging into her flesh. No at finding that she was the last to make her escape.
Jacob having heard an echoed, “NO!” started to fear the worst. Was his beloved escaping? No, she was his, she had given herself to him, promised they would marry and run away together. Enough was enough, he was going to discover the truth even if it meant breaking his way through the door. Taking two steps away from the door, then taking a step forward Jacob raised his left foot, and broke through the door.
Only to see the Tina regain her balance on the window ledge one leg on either side. Maria had turned to face him, and Katie went to stand between Tina and Maria. He couldn’t believe it, Maria was escaping there was no other explanation. She had betrayed him! He would show her how much her betrayal had hurt. Starting with that stupid child of hers.
Jacob reached into his pocket and pulled out a hand gun. Maria threw herself onto the floor leaving Katie wide open. His first shot got Katie on left shoulder spraying blood upward and onto Tina’s right face. Maria started screaming for mercy, while Katie turned and pushed Tina’s leg up. The last thing she saw as she fell into Jaime’s arms, was Katie tearful “I love you”
…………………………………..
Nicklaus couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, couldn’t think. Everything had stopped frozen with the death of his wife. How was he supposed to move forward without Katherine by his side. How could he live without her laughter resounding their home? How was he supposed to live life when hers had been taken from her b- by someone who was out their right now getting away.
And everything that had stopped started once more, to the people out on the street living their life, to the little girl calling his name, and like a man possessed Nick reached for the phone with a steady hand. There was no time to break apart when his wife’s pseudo kid sister needed his help. No time to feel when he could still save someone his wife considered hers.
Nick brought the phone to ear cutting off whatever Tina was saying to ask her where she was. She responded that they were in Brooklyn. How fitting was all he could think, that everything had ended where everything had started for him and Katherine. Not having a single moment to waste he raced out the apartment building.
By the time he reached Brooklyn Park Director Carter had called him. They had found the bodies of one Maria Stark wife to Howard Stark and Agent Katherine Rose his wife. Jaime Bennet and the twins were still missing. It was assumed that the kidnapper had taken them with him, to keep them from stopping his escape.Nick at some point had stepped out from the car and made his way passed the park tree line when he saw her.
Thinking now was a good time as any to interrupt Director Carter, he informed her that the children were safe from harm. He had gotten a call from Antonella Stark, who given him their location. He was going to bring them to S.H.E.I.L.D headquarters. Medical bay could take it from there. He ignored her when she asked him how Antonella had his number.
When Tina finally saw him she got Tony’s hand and ran towards him. Tony had tried resisting at first, but Tina’s grip was strong. As Nick got a better look at her alarm took over his senses. Why was there blood on her face? He knelt down to catch her as she threw herself at him the last few steps. Jaime approached from behind Tony and picked him up.
They nodded towards each other before making their way to Nick’s car. Jaime and Tony got in the back seat, when Tina refused to let go of Nick. Tina took the front seat and grabbed his shirt. The ride to S.H.E.I.L.D. was quiet, only breaking as they caught sight of Director Carter and the medical staff waiting for them. Tina and Tony were both taken in one gurney when they (Tony) refused to be separated from one another.
As Nick watched Tina be taken further and further from his line of sight, he turned to face Directer Carter. Now wasn’t the time to break. Not yet, he had to answer why Tina had called him over her Godmother. Why, she had his number. Now wasn’t the time.