Fated Marks

The Next Morning-

After spending most of the night shuttling Agent’s to the nearest Shield base while the more seriously injured agents were transferred to the local hospital after they were stabilized, the team was looking forward to a quiet morning. Of course things never went according to plan.

Everyone woke up and went through their normal routine of making breakfast for everyone before training.

“Sir, young Miss Adams is awake.” Jarvis said.

“Showtime.” Tony said getting out of his seat.

Downstairs in Hayley’s room, Hayley was starting to wake up. The first thing that went through her head was ‘Why is my bed so small and why are these pants so tight?’

Hayley got out of bed and walked to the mirror. ‘This isn’t my room and these aren’t my pajamas.’

Then there was a knock at the door before Tony and everyone else made their way in.

“Hey kiddo.” Tony said awkwardly. Everyone just stared at her noticing how much she changed over night. She looked to be at least eight years old.

“Hi.” She said slowly as she backed away.

“Are you okay?” Steve asked and Hayley slowly nodded.

“Who are you?” She said.

“I’m Tony,” Tony said.

“Steve.”

“Natasha.”

“Clint.”

“Thor son of Odin.”

“Bruce.”

“What’s your name?” Natasha asked.

“What do you think my name is?” Hayley said.

“Is your name Hayley?” Clint asked.

“Sure.” She said obviously lying.

“We’re making breakfast upstairs.” Steve said.

“Can I change first?” Hayley said.

“Sure just uh… Jarvis can you get some clothes for Hayley?” Tony said.

“I took the liberty of ordering clothing in a variety of sizes for a situation such as this. The drawer at the end of Miss Adam’s dresser should be the appropriate size.” Jarvis said.

“In there.” Hayley pointed.

“Yeah.” Clint said.

“Okay I’ll meet you…” Hayley said trying to get them out as soon as possible.

“We can just wait.” Steve said.

“It’s okay I wouldn’t want you to burn breakfast.” Hayley said.

“No I turned off… uh I’m gonna go check that.” Steve said running upstairs.

“We’ll meet you upstairs, Jarvis will show you the way up.” Bruce said ushering them all out.

“Shouldn’t one of us keep an eye on her?” Clint said.

“She woke up somewhere she has no idea where and there are six strangers staring at her, what she needs right now is some space, Jarvis will monitor her.” Bruce said.

“He’s right, it’s not like she’s a two year old she can dress herself.” Natasha said getting in the elevator.

“She does have a point.” Tony said. “I know I hated having a nanny breathing down my neck when I was her age.”

“She’ll be fine.” Bruce said.

Hayley waited until she couldn’t hear them anymore before running into the closet. She found the clothes the person in the over head speaker said and put on a white top with yellow stars printed on it, some khaki pants and a strange sweater with a knit sleeves and faux fur vest.

She slipped on some tan shoes that were her size before peeking out of the closet to make sure she was alone. She walked out of the closet and looked around the room. She found a strange rectangle that lit up and said the time. When she pressed the button on the middle it unlocked and it had all sorts of icons. She finally saw one she recognized, the phone.

“Miss Adams do you require assistance?” Jarvis asked.

“Uh… no thank you I just need a minute.” Hayley said. Hayley put the phone down and looked out the window. “How did I get to New York?” Hayley knew something was wrong. She opened more drawers and found a laptop. She turned it on and logged in. She saw that whoever’s computer she was using was working on some sort of coding. She kept looking through the other files and found that the Voice on the overhead speaker was actually an AI. She kept going through the coding to find a way out.

“Miss Adams your presence is being required upstairs.” Jarvis said.

“Jarvis user override Hayley Elizabeth Adams.” Hayley said reading the protocols of the computer.

“Override accepted what would you like to Miss Adams.” Jarvis said.

“Get me out of the Tower and make sure no one knows I’m gone.” Hayley said.

“Miss Adams I believe it would be ill advised to leave the tower in your condition.” Jarvis said.

“What condition I feel fine.” Hayley said pulling out a wallet from a purse. She opened it up and pulled out a couple hundred-dollar bills. “Thank you Hayley. Jarvis?”

“If you’d follow the lights.” Jarvis said.

“Thank you.” She said getting into the elevator and going downstairs.

“Would you prefer to be dropped off in the garage or the lobby?” Jarvis asked.

“Wherever I’m least likely to be noticed.” Hayley said.

“The garage is currently empty.” Jarvis said.

“Garage it is.” Hayley said as the elevator doors closed.

Meanwhile upstairs in the common room Steve was finishing up the French toast while everyone was making their way back in.

“How’s Hayley?” Steve asked.

“She’s not locked in the bathroom so that’s progress.” Clint said.

“Where is she?” Steve asked not seeing her come in.

“She’s getting dressed, Jarvis will show her the way up when she’s done.” Tony said.

“Foods almost done.” Steve said pulling out some bacon from a pan.

A Few Minutes Later-

“Should Hayley be taking this long?” Thor asked.

“Jarvis can you check up on her.” Tony asked.

“Yes sir.” Jarvis said. It was quiet for a minute before the AI answered. “Miss Adams said she required a moment she should be up shortly.”

“Is she freaking out?” Tony asked.

“Should we go down there?” Steve asked.

“Guys we need to give her some space.” Bruce said. “Crowding her is probably the worst thing we can do.”

“Any chance you have cameras down there?” Natasha said.

“No, Hayley wouldn’t let me put them on my floors. I can see the entrance but nothing inside private areas.” Tony said. “Jarvis does monitor the outer elevators he’ll tell us once she gets in.”

Ten minutes later-

“We need to check on her.” Clint said.

“It’s been too long.” Natasha said getting up.

“How much trouble can an eight year old get into?” Tony said following them.

“I don’t think I want to find out.” Steve said.

They all piled into the elevator and made their way into Hayley’s apartment.

“Hayley.” Natasha called out.

“Jarvis where’s Hayley?” Tony asked.

“Protocol forbids me from revealing that information to you sir.” Jarvis said.

“Protocol?” Tony asked.

“The User Override Protocol.” Jarvis answered.

“Who used it?” Tony asked.

“Miss Adams.” Jarvis said.

“Crap.” Tony said.

“She’s not in her room or the bathroom.” Clint said.

“Jarvis where’s Hayley?” Steve asked.

“He can’t tell you,” Tony said. “Jarvis what did Hayley specifically tell you to do?”

“Miss Adams requested I show her the way out of the tower and to ensure no one notices her absence.” Jarvis said.

“How long ago was this?” Thor asked.

“Approximately twenty minutes ago.” Jarvis said.

“Shit.” Natasha said.

“She couldn’t have gotten far.” Clint said.

“I’ll start looking through video feeds.” Tony said pulling his phone out.

“We’ll start looking outside the tower.” Steve said.

Outside the Tower-

Hayley got out of the garage and made her way to the streets. She had never been to New York. Her mom always said it was over crowded and dirty. As she walked away from the Tower the city didn’t seem any dirtier than any other city they had been to but it was definitely crowded. Lucky for her that was exactly what she needed.

She had no idea who those people were, why she was in a skyscraper in New York or why they kept calling her Hayley. Her mom always said that if she was ever got taken by strangers to get away if she could. Hayley knew what she had to do. She needed a phone but first she needed to get as far away from those people as she could.

After a few blocks Hayley saw a sign for a subway station. She walked down the stairs and put in some of the money from the wallet in the machine and took her pass. She hopped on the subway and waited until she got tired of being on the train to get off.

She walked out of the subway station slightly surprised no one noticed an unsupervised eight year old. She looked around trying to find something to tell her where she was. It wasn’t until she walked outside and saw the iconic Brooklyn Bridge that she knew where she was. She walked for a couple of blocks until she found a diner. Hayley walked in and looked for a phone.

“Hi sweetie, where’s your mom?” the waitress asked.

“I don’t know. We were walking around and stopped to look at the toys in the window and she was gone.” Hayley said tearing up a bit.

“Hey it’s okay, do you know her phone number you can try calling her?” The waitress said.

“I know it.” Hayley said.

“Here’s my phone, go ahead and call her tell her you’re at the bridge diner on elm street.” The waitress who’s name card read Susan said.

“Okay thank you.” Hayley said before the waitress left. Hayley took the phone and dialed the number her mom had forced her to write hundreds of time so that she’d never forget.

“Hello.” The voice o the other end said.

“Marcel?” Hayley said.

“Who’s this?” The voice on the other end said.

“Aly’s daughter.” Hayley said giving the response her mom had told her to say.

“That’s not possible.” The voice on the other end said.

“Your name’s Marcel Gerard and your adoptive Family are the Mikaelsons. My Best friends are Bekah and Kol. For Christmas you took the three of us to Disney World. You met my mom during a business trip in London and she calls me her sunshine.” Hayley said.

“Fuck. Stay where you are, Elijah get Rebekah and Kol on the phone.” Marcel said. “Sweetie where are you?”

“The Bridge Diner on Elm Street in Brooklyn.” Hayley said.

“Okay, I’m sending someone to get you just stay put okay?” Marcel said.

“Okay.” Hayley said before he hung up.

“Did your mom answer?” Susan asked.

“Yeah she’s sending someone to pick me up.” Hayley said.

“Okay, can I get you something while you wait?” Susan asked.

“Can I get water please?” Hayley asked.

“Sure sweetie.” Susan said.

Back at the Tower-

“We can’t find her.” Steve said panicking.

“Stark what do you got?” Clint asked.

“I see her leaving the garage and walking into a crowd but then nothing.” Tony said.

“How is it possible to lose a child?” Thor asked.

“Hayley’s not a normal child.” Natasha said as her phone started ringing. “Romanoff.”

“Lose something.” An accented voice said.

“Rebekah it’s not a good time.” Natasha said.

“We know, we need you to let us up we’re in the lobby.” Rebekah said.

“Be right there.” Natasha said. “Back ups here.”

“Back up?” Clint asked.

“Hayley’s old friends.” Natasha said going into the elevator. She walked into the lobby and standing sitting in the waiting area were Rebekah and Kol.

“Anything you may want to fill us in on?” Kol said with his arms crossed.

“Nothing you probably don’t already know.” Natasha said.

“Why is Hayley calling our emergency line?” Rebekah said.

“Thor’s ex girlfriend came to earth and turned Hayley into a kid. She started off as a two year old, yesterday she was a four year old today she’s eight.” Natasha said.

“She doesn’t remember you does she?” Rebekah said.

“No which is why she ran away.” Natasha said.

“And ended up in Brooklyn.” Kol said.

“She’s in Brooklyn?” Natasha said as they walked into the elevator.

“Yeah called us from a diner. We’ll go pick her up but we need her necklace.” Kol said.

“Her necklace? Why?” Natasha said as they walked into Hayley’s apartment.

“It’s a long story, just leave it at it’s how she knows we’re on her side and not going to kidnap her and hold her for ransom.” Kol said.

“Found it.” Rebekah said taking the necklace from the nightstand. “We’ll bring her back later.”

“We’ll go with you.” Natasha said.

“No, she doesn’t trust you. She needs some time to come around to the idea. We’ll bring her back before lunch.” Rebekah said. “And next time something like this happens call us.” With that they both got into the elevator and headed out.

Natasha sighed before taking the stairs.

“Where’s back up?” Tony asked.

“They went to go pick up Hayley, she’s in Brooklyn.” Natasha said.

“What? How did she even get there?” Steve asked.

“Same as everyone else, subway.” Clint said.

“Let’s go get her.” Tony said.

“Don’t, they said they’ll be back by lunch.” Natasha said.

“They?” Bruce asked.

“Rebekah and Kol. They knew Hayley at this age they know how to handle her.” Natasha said.

“How did they even know?” Thor asked.

“Hayley called them.” Natasha said.

“So an eight year old out smarted Jarvis, got away from us without being spotted, took the subway to Brooklyn and then called her childhood friends.” Tony said.

“I don’t know whether to be impressed or a bit concerned over how easy it was for her to do that.” Thor said.

“The feeling’s going around.” Clint said.

“Let’s go eat breakfast, it’ll be a while before they’re back.” Steve said.

“I should probably up the security restrictions until Hayley gets back to normal.” Tony said.

“That might be a good idea.” Bruce said.

Bridge Diner, Brooklyn-

“How do you like that pie Hayley?” Susan asked.

“It’s delicious thank you.” Hayley said.

“Your mom’s friends are taking forever huh?” Susan said.

“Must be traffic, New York is crowded.” Hayley said making Susan chuckle. Just then the bell on the door rang, as it swung open and Rebekah and Kol walked in.

“Hello we’re looking for… there you are.” Rebekah said.

“Hi…” Hayley said suspiciously.

“Hayley we’ve been worried about you. We turned around and the only thing we saw was this necklace you left behind.” Kol said putting the necklace on the counter so Hayley could take a look at it.

“I’m sorry I got distracted.” Hayley said.

“Thank you so much for looking after her.” Rebekah said.

“IT was no trouble she was an angel.” Susan said. “Be good for your mom Hayley.”

“Thanks Susan good luck on your audition.” Hayley said. Susan left to go take another order.

“You made friends?” Kol said.

“She was nice, she gave me pie.” Hayley said jumping off her seat. “Oh before I forget.” Hayley went back to the counter and folded a hundred dollar bill and left it so it peaked out from under her cup. “Now we can go.” Rebekah and Kol couldn’t help but smile at their friend’s adorable gesture.

As soon as they were outside Hayley finally asked.

“Where my mom?” Hayley asked.

“She’s away on business love, she left you with some friends of hers while you were asleep and forgot to tell you.” Kol said.

“They didn’t say that.” Hayley said.

“You didn’t really give them a chance.” Rebekah said.

“Sorry.” Hayley said.

“It’s okay, it was really smart of you to call Marcel.” Rebekah said.

“He was really surprised.” Hayley said.

“He thought you were with your mom.” Kol said “She must have forgotten to tell him where you were.”

“She always forgets, I have to set her alarm for her.” Hayley said.

“Really, you’re so responsible.” Kol said.

“You hungry?” Rebekah said.

“I ate some pancakes and pie with Susan.” Hayley said.

“How about we go to the Zoo in Central Park and grab some ice cream before we head back?” Kol suggested.

“Zoo and ice cream?!” Hayley said excited.

“Yeah how about it?” Rebekah said.

“Yes please.” Hayley said.

“Okay come on then.” Kol said. The siblings piled into the car and made their way to Central Park and walked around the zoo. They listened to Hayley spout out facts of every animal they saw. It wasn’t until they got to the red panda that they realized that it was almost time for them to drop Hayley off.

“Hayley we need to talk.” Rebekah said.

“Uh oh.” Hayley said

“You’re not in trouble we just need to tell you what’s going to happen.” Kol said. “Bekah and I have to go to a meeting and then we have to head home.”

“We’re going to have to drop you off at the tower where you woke up this morning.” Rebekah said. “And this time you have to stay there. That means no running away.”

“And you have to listen to the people taking care of you.” Kol said. “Even if they are idiots that got outsmarted by an eight year old.”

“You may not know them but they love you Hayley and maybe for now it’s better if you don’t tell them your actual name but you should give them a chance. They were really worried about you.” Rebekah said.

“I’m sorry.” Hayley said.

“It’s okay you didn’t know but next time try talking to them before you run away.” Kol said.

“I promise.” Hayley said.

“It’s time to go, but let’s take a picture first.” Rebekah said. “Smile.”

Another quick drive to the tower and it was time to say good bye. The three of them piled into the elevator and made their way up. Hayley grasped Rebekah’s hand and held on tight.

“It’s going to be okay Hayley.” Rebekah said.

“They’re not mad I ran away?” Hayley said.

“More embarrassed and worried than mad.” Kol said as the elevator dinged. “Ready?”

“Mhm.” Hayley said taking Kol’s hand and walking out.

“Look who’s back?” Tony said

“You gave us a scare sweetheart.” Steve said making Hayley hid behind Rebekah.

“You hungry, I made Macaroni and cheese?” Clint offered.

“That’s your favorite isn’t it?” Rebekah said.

“Mhm.” Hayley said peeking over to look at them.

“We have to get going.” Kol said. “Hayley, we’ll see you around.”

“Bye.” Hayley said hugging him before hugging Rebekah. With that she was left on her own.

“Hayley you have returned.” Thor said pulling her into a hug.

“umph tight, really tight.” Hayley said.

“Thor let her go she can’t breathe.” Natasha said.

“Oh sorry, I was very worried.” Thor said.

“Sorry, I thought you guys were… yeah sorry.” Hayley said.

“It’s okay just next time you want to leave just ask one of us.” Bruce said.

“Okay.” Hayley said.

“Come on kid, let’s get some lunch in you.” Clint said offering Hayley his hand. She froze for a minute before slowly taking his hand and following him to the kitchen.

“You did update the security protocols right?” Natasha asked.

“Course, until she’s back to normal she won’t be able to override any existing protocols.” Tony said. “Whoever’s on bed time duty make sure to get that necklace.”

“Don’t think bed time duty’s required anymore.” Bruce said.

“It’s so cheesy!” Hayley said.

“Well that’s how you know you’re making it right.” Clint said. “You want salad?”

“Yes please. Is there any ranch?” Hayley asked.

“Yeah.” Steve said grabbing it and putting it in front of her. Everyone just sat around and stared at Hayley. She took a few bites before she notices and just stared back awkwardly.

“So Hales… How’d you get into Jarvis’ protocols?” Tony finally asked.

“Why do you keep calling me Hayley?” She retorted.

“What am I supposed to call you?” Tony retorted.

“Why does it bug you so much that I got into your system?” Hayley said.

“Don’t answer a question with a question.” Tony said.

“That’s what you’re doing,” Hayley said. With that Tony and Hayley started a staring contest.

“I spent years updating Jarvis making him the first line of defense for the tower and my company and you cracked him in a few minutes without batting an eyelash.” Tony said.

“It was easy.” Hayley said “I found a loophole in the protocols, inserted a bug to block the fail safes and then just asked Jarvis to do what I wanted it to.”

“Who taught you how to do that?” Bruce asked.

“I checked out a book from the library and figured out the rest from there.” Hayley said.

“You figured that out from a book?” Steve asked.

“Yeah, this is really good.” Hayley said.

“There’s more if you want some.” Clint said.

“No thank you.” Hayley said.

“Hayley how did you get to Brooklyn?” Steve asked.

“Don’t know.” Hayley said.

“You don’t know?” Steve asked.

“I just bought a subway pass and got and the first train I saw. I waited until I got tired of sitting down and got off the train.” Hayley said.

“Oh.” Steve said not expecting that answer.

“How’d you guys meet my mom?” Hayley asked and everyone froze.

“Work.” Natasha said.

“Oh.” Hayley said. “Is it okay if I go watch TV?”

“Sure.” Tony said and she got up and went to wash her dishes.

“Thank you Clint.” Hayley said before going to sit in front of the couch.

“She’s not afraid of us.” Clint said.

“This is good, right?” Thor asked.

“Big jump from this morning, what did Rebekah and Kol tell her?” Steve asked.

“They’ve known her the longest, they probably knew how to get through to her.” Bruce said.

“I fear what could have happened if they hadn’t been called.” Thor said. That made everyone freeze.

“Let’s not go there.” Clint said.

The rest of the day everyone was tiptoeing around Hayley. They didn’t want to scare her but at the same time there were so many questions they were dying to ask her.

“Thor?” Hayley said.

“Hm.” Thor said snapping out of his inner thoughts.

“Can you braid my hair back, it keeps getting in the way?” Hayley asked.

“Of course.” Thor said giving her a smile. He carefully ran his fingers through Hayley’s light brown hair. He started braiding her hair back. As he lifted a lock of her hair he noticed a mark on the back of her neck. It was the same mark she had shown them before except it was red and freshly healed. Thor didn’t realize he was touching it until he felt Hayley tense. “Forgive me it reminded me of something.”

“It’s fine, just itches a bit.” Hayley said.

“I’m almost done just need the other side and I’ll tie these together.” Thor said.

“Okay, how do you know how to braid hair?” Hayley asked.

“It is a right of passage on Asgard, my father did not have the patience to teach me so my mother taught my brother and I.” Thor said.

“My mom just puts my hair up in a ponytail or puts a headband on.” Hayley said.

“It’s not that hard, would you like to learn how?” Thor asked.

“Sure.” Hayley said brightening up. That’s how Thor ended up with wavy hair by he time dinner started.

“What’d you two do all day?” Steve asked.

“Thor showed me how to braid hair.” Hayley said.

“Hayley is a quick learner.” Thor said.

“We watched gladiator, best movie ever.” Hayley said.

“Even better than star wars?” Clint said.

“That’s blasphemy.” Hayley said making everyone laugh.

“Hey Hales, you up for a round of Mario Kart?” Clint asked.

“Do I get to pick the track?” Hayley said.

“Sure.” Clint said.

“Okay.” Hayley said.

“I call winner.” Tony said.

“Can I call my mom?” Hayley said.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, your mom’s in a whole new time zone, she’s probably asleep right now.” Natasha said.

“But she always calls.” Hayley said.

“How about you record a message and we have Jarvis send it to her.” Bruce said.

“I guess that’s okay.” Hayley said disappointed.

“You can make the message after dinner.” Steve said.

“Okay.” Hayley said. They all ate and quickly cleaned up before Hayley went downstairs with Bruce and Tony so she could record the message for her mom.

“Whenever you’re ready just click there.” Tony said.

“Okay thanks.” Hayley said. She waited until Tony and Bruce gave her some space before starting the recording.

“Hey mom I know you’re probably busy or asleep depending on what time zone you’re in but I just wanted to wish you luck. Your friends are really nice. Thor taught me how to braid my hair and Clint played Mario kart with me. I also hacked into Tony’s robot butler and now he’s freaking out because it was supposed to be impossible to hack. Thanks for not sending me with Haddie again this was a lot more fun. See you when you get back, love you.” With that Hayley ended the message.

“I’m done.” Hayley said.

“Alrighty then I just need to send this off and she should have it in her inbox.” Tony said.

“Thank you Tony.” Hayley said hugging him.

“Don’t mention it kiddo.” Tony said hugging her back.

“I think I’m going to bed, night.” She said.

“Night.” Tony said watching her walk out. He saw the message on the screen and decided to play it. If he didn’t feel guilty for lying to her before he definitely did now.

“You shouldn’t be watching that.” Bruce said.

“Someone should.” Tony said.

“Yeah, She hasn’t had it easy” Bruce said.

“I’m kind of afraid of what we’re going to wake up to tomorrow.” Tony said.

“I’m going to take Hayley on a date when she gets back to normal, she deserves more than me keeping her at arms length.” Bruce said.

“I’m going to tell her I love her, she needs to hear it.” Tony said swallowing his drink in one go.

“She deserved a lot more than she got.” Bruce said.

“She does.” Tony said pouring himself another drink.