Fated Marks

The morning after my drunken day off, half of which I didn’t even remember I woke up to a message from pretty much everyone telling me to check in. Of course I just sent everyone the same generic I’m alive text and then tried to figure out my I was asleep on the kitchen floor and when Rebekah showed up. I found it really weird she was in a red floor length gown and also asleep on the kitchen floor.

The following days Rebekah was around a lot more. I think the only alone time I got was when I was either skyping someone or in the bathroom. When I asked her she just said her neighbors were remodeling and the noise wasn’t letting her sleep.

I didn’t mind having a roommate so I didn’t ask. After a few days Rebekah backed off a bit. She went to work on our assassin problem and started asking around, which led us to a Derby.

One Week Later-

“I got a lead.” Rebekah said.

“Is it an actual lead or is it another guy that knows a guy that knows the actual guy we need?” I asked.

“He’s a big fish, after Hadrian eliminated the entire Romani family the Czechs and the Russians split up the territory.” Rebekah said. “A Bratva Captain, one of the Czech’s cousins and the entire family of the Birmingham mob are going to be meeting at a Derby this weekend.”

“Derby? As in horse racing?” I ask.

“Well their main business is bookkeeping...” Rebekah started.

“You mean bets?” I asked.

“Same thing. Anyway I have to go secure a business deal and my invitation came with a plus one…” Rebekah said.

“I’m not going to be involved in any deals of any sort. I’m not even going as Hayley or Calliope.” I said.

“Of course that’s a given. It should be fairly civilized. Security will be tight considering one of the royal family is expected to show up briefly, maybe even the prime minister’s wife. It’s mostly just a good will gesture to show that everyone’s getting along and to present a united front.” Rebekah said.

“And you got invited because?” I asked.

“We need to maintain relations with our clients. Think of it as PR.” Rebekah said.

“Well as long as no one gets kidnapped or shot I’m okay with it.” I said.

“It’ll be fun, aren’t you supposed to be immersing yourself in culture and what not? What better way than a high society mixer at the derby.” Rebekah said.

“Fine, what time are we leaving?” I asked.

“In an hour, I already bought your outfit.” She said with a smile.

“What’s that smile for?” I asked.

“You’ll see.” She said with a huge grin.

I hopped in the shower and when I got out, my outfit was laid out on the bed. It was a simple white dress with nude heels. I didn’t thing much of it so I put it on and then put my hair into an intricate braided bun.

When I was ready I walked out of the bedroom and to the living room where Rebekah was looking through some boxes I had no idea where she pulled them from. Did she move in without me noticing?

“Oh nicely done.” She said looking at my hairstyle. “Good for a hat.”

“Hat? I don’t think it’ll go with the dress.” I said.

“Well, you’d be surprised.” Rebekah said putting on a huge gravity defying bow hat

“Wow.” I said.

“Pretty neat huh?” Rebekah said with a huge smile.

“That’s one word for it.” I said. “I thought we were trying to keep a low profile?”

“We are it’s a derby, hat’s are part of the norm around here.” Rebekah said.

“So that?” I said pointing at her hat. “Is part of blending in?”

“Of course, this thing cost a fortune. Kol got it for me as a birthday gift.” Rebekah said.

“For that?” I asked.

“Of course it’s identical one of the royals wore to the big wedding.” She said.

“Right.” I said.

“Wait until you see yours.” She said.

“Huh?” I asked.

“So your dress will match anything but I think I have just the perfect one.” She said.

“Rebekah I don’t really have the right head for a hat, they just look weird on me.” I said.

“Just trust me.” Rebekah said.

“I’m afraid to answer that question right now.” I said.

“Hat one.” Rebekah said opening a box and putting it on for me.

It was a feather hat that gave me an extra two feet in height.

“Bekah this looks like I killed a pheasant and put it on my head.” I said.

“Guess I should not show you this one.” She said moving another box.

“Next.” I said taking it off.

“Let’s try a neutral tone.” Rebekah said pulling out a grey one that covered most of my face.

“Yeah this is an accident waiting to happen.” I said bumping into the coffee table.

“Not with that dress. I know just the one.” She said opening the last one.

“Or I can just go without. Show off my amazing braiding skills.” I offered.

“You’re wearing a hat.” She said putting on a white hat with ribbon just curled around. It was pretty tall but I had to admit that it was the best one she had shown me.

“This one isn’t too bad.” I said.

“Finally a winner.” Rebekah cheered.

“Well it’s this or I constantly bump into people.” I said.

“Let’s go before we’re late.” She said. “The car I hired for the day is here.”

“You hired a car service?” I asked.

“Have to keep up appearance, low profile and what not.” She said and I couldn’t help but look at her hat and think of the irony in that statement.

“If you say so.” I said.

We got in the car and made our way to the horse track on the outskirts of town.

Third Person’s POV-

“How did we get roped into doing this again?” Clint asked.

He and Natasha along with the rest of their strike team had been out in the field for over six weeks tracking down an arms dealer that was dealing Stark weapons someone had stockpiled somewhere. The rest of their team went home but Clint and Natasha had been tasked with gathering intel at a mob gathering in England. Natasha was tasked with following a Czech arms dealer that had connections with a group plotting to overthrow the current prime minister and Clint was assigned as her back up while she was at the meeting so her cover was intact.

“Would you rather be doing paperwork back in DC?” Natasha deadpanned.

“Uh, I just want to go home and sleep on my bed… and shave.” He said rubbing the stubble that had grown out while he was away.

“At least you get leave after this is over and we’re in England, you can go see Hayley.” Natasha said secretly envious of her partner’s luck.

“Yeah, that’s something.” He said with a dopey smile.

“Lucky bastard.” Natasha muttered in Russian. She started getting ready for the event.

“So who are the big players?” Clint asked.

“Oleg Ivanov, Bratva Captain. Michal Dvorak, Czech arms dealer I’m tailing. Thomas, Arthur and James Shelby, Head of the British Mob. And lastly Seamus O’Farrell IRA.” Natasha said.

“So many big shots in one place, must be a big deal.” Clint said.

“Not really, they all just really like to brag and rub shoulders with high society members. They just want to brag.” Natasha said.

“Security’s going to be tight.” Clint said looking at the guest list.

“Shouldn’t be a problem, we have an invite.” Natasha said pulling it out. “Figure out where you’re going to watch from?”

“Yeah, perfect vantage point so I can keep an eye on you.” Clint said.

“Good, it’s only a few hours. They normally only stay long enough for the main race and to collect their bets.” Natasha said.

“Let’s hope it’s just a slow day at the tracks.” Clint said.

Hayley’s POV-

Rebekah was right; we would have stuck out more if we hadn’t worn these weird hats that as I started thinking about it weren’t really hats since they hardly covered our heads. Though we definitely won the unique hat category and I didn’t have to worry about losing Rebekah in a crowd.

“So what name are you using?” Rebekah asked.

“Uh Let’s go with Grace.” I said.

“Grace?” Rebekah asked.

“I’m changing it up a bit.” I said.

“You could always go by Calliope again.” Rebekah said.

“Hell no.” I said. “A lot of people that knew my mom will recognize that name. It’s not like everyone names their kid Calliope.”

“People name their kid after a direction on a compass so you’re not the only weird one now.” Rebekah said.

“So who do you have to mingle with?” I asked.

“Grace first rule of these things is don’t mingle until you get at least one drink in first.” She said.

“For the nerves?” I asked.

“No so my smile doesn’t look as forced as it really is.” She said.

“Is it horrible that I can’t stop looking at your hat? I just want to take a beer nut and see how many I can throw through the loop.” I said.

“Funny, Stay close and keep your ear open. Only speak when spoken to.” Rebekah said.

“Not my first rodeo.” I said.

“I know but you have been out of the game for quite a while. I’d rather not get yelled at by Elijah and Nik again.” Rebekah said.

“Is that why you’ve been so… clingy?” I asked.

“I have not been clingy.” Rebekah said.

“Beks the only time I’ve been alone in the past week has been when I’m in the bathroom. Don’t get me wrong I love having you around but I feel like I’m missing something.” I said.

“You weren’t the only one that got shaken up by Barcelona. I’m used to being on my own or with my brothers and they know how to take care of themselves. It was the first time I was actually responsible for someone else and I was reckless. I practically threw you over a cliff.” Rebekah said.

“You didn’t throw me over a cliff. I was rusty and I thought I could just jump right back in where I left off five years ago. I was way over my head.” I said.

“You actually did very well. None of us expected for Jack to get his brains blown to mush.” Rebekah said.

“You know this is probably not the place to talk about this.” I said.

“Drinks after?” Rebekah said.

“We’re at a derby with an open bar.” I reminded her.

“Right.” She said. “Alright then see anyone you recognize?”

“Probably still early.” I said subtly looking around. “Shit.”

“What?” Rebekah asked.

“Ginger with the beard and the huge ring smoking a cigar.” I said looking away.

“What about him?” Rebekah asked.

“He’s on the ledger, Seamus O’Farrell one of the four heads of the IRA. He’s supposed to be in jail.” I muttered.

“You met him before?” She asked.

“Not personally but he’s the reason we left Boston. Back when we were still dealing weapons, the Bratva ran into some trouble and had to cancel a shipment last minute and our supplier was going to send us some new models. We didn’t have any place to store it and mom needed to move it fast. Hadrian put the word out and he answered.” I said.

“What happened?” Rebekah asked.

“He blew up a car with a judge inside it and set up a bomb in the lobby of a hotel where an enclosed jury was staying. Everyone wanted to know where the weapons came from and at the time that tenacious pain in the ass marshal was already closing in. Hadrian couldn’t sweep this under the rug like he normally did so he changed tactics. He found new witnesses and handed over a cut and dry case to said marshal landing O’Farrell in prison. By the time he got sentenced we were gone.” I said.

“Did he ever figure out what happened?” Rebekah said.

“Considering we disappeared right when things got bad it isn’t that hard to put together.” I said.

“Staying away from him then.” Rebekah said. “Anyone else?”

“No one else I’ve noticed yet.” I said.

“Keep your com on, I’m going to go place a bet and say hello to our very gracious host.” Rebekah said.

“Shouldn’t I go with you?” I asked.

“Czech at your five, heading over here.” Rebekah said.

“Got it.” I said before she walked away.

Third Person’s POV-

“Next time I get to schmooze with the rich guys.” Clint muttered as he watched Natasha work her way through the crowd from his perch.

“I can’t see anything with all these hats in the way.” Natasha said annoyed. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“What’s wrong?” Clint asked.

“Mister Shelby thank you for your invitation.” Clint heard a familiar accented voice say close to Natasha.

“Is that who I think it is?” Clint ask before the coms buzzed and it sounded like the lines crossed before they switched back.

“What was that?” Natasha asked.

“Coms picked up some interference. It’s gone now.” Clint said looking back at the crowd. He looked at the bar and spotted the target and the last person he was expecting to see there.

“Nat, Target’s three o’clock, White dress and white hat with white curled ribbon.” Clint said.

“Shit.” Natasha said. “What is she doing here?”

“I don’t know, give me a minute.” Clint said grabbing his phone and dialing Hayley. He looked through the binoculars and saw Hayley take her phone out of her clutch and check who it was. “Pick up Hales.”

Clint watched as Hayley turned down the call and put her phone away before going back to listening in on to Natasha’s target.

“Damn it.” Clint muttered.

“Well?” Natasha asked.

“She sent me to voicemail. Stay on mission.” Clint said.

“Well the target is currently oogling our girlfriend.” Natasha said.

“He is?” Clint said looking through his binoculars and noticing what Natasha was saying.

Hayley’s POV-

“How’s she looking?” I heard the arms dealer ask his lackey.

“Strong, she’s a champ alright.” He answered. Great they’re talking about horses. “Ate the pills like candy.” He said. So much for fair racing.

“Did anyone see you?” he asked as my phone started ringing. I took it out of my clutch and noticed it was Clint. Last I heard he was on an extended mission

“Our gracious host is quite the looker.” Rebekah said.

“Is he now?” I said.

“A perfect gentleman too.” Rebekah said.

“Any actual intel?” I asked.

“No, but he did say if I wanted to place a bet I should do it soon. What do you say Grace, want to try out your luck?” Rebekah asked.

“No but there is someone you might what to go say hi to.” I said looking at the betting table.

“Oleg Ivanov. Should I be hiding you?” Rebekah asked.

“He used to send me gifts every Christmas and he hates Hadrian so Grace is good.” I said walking away from the bar.

“Finally.” Rebekah said. “And let’s wait a bit” she said moving me.

“O’Farrell?” I asked.

“One night stand that ended up being engaged and his girlfriend walked in on me leaving.” Rebekah said.

“I’ll buffer?” I offered.

“I keyed his car.” Rebekah said.

“No amount of buffer can fix that.” I said as my phone started ringing. I opened it and sent it to voice mail. Now was not a good time to talk to Clint.

“Soulmate?” Rebekah asked.

“Yeah, I’ll call him after we’re done here.” I said.

“Rebekah.” Someone asked.

“Demitri, you look well.” Rebekah said hugging and giving him a kiss on each cheek.

“Not as well as you,” He said. “You look like royalty.”

“Oh you’re such a charmer.” Rebekah said.

“Where are my manners? Demitri Mikhailov.” He said offering his hand.

“Grace Miller, pleasure to meet you.” I said taking his hand, which he raised and kissed. Ew I’m getting drooled on.

“The pleasure is all mine.” He said. “I didn’t know you were in the area Rebekah.”

“Well I had business matters to take care of and I needed a change of scenery.” She said.

“Don’t we all.” He said. “I was free and I needed to get away from Moscow for a few days so I tagged along. The weather’s nicer.”

“For now.” Rebekah said.

“Demitri, I’ve been looking for you.” Oleg said.

“I was just greeting an old friend.” Demitri said. “And making new ones.”

“Miss Mikaelson, lovely to see you again. I didn’t see your brothers here, How are they?” Oleg asked.

“They’re back in the states, handling the business as always.” Rebekah said.

“I don’t believe we’ve met.” Oleg said giving me a skeptical look.

“No we haven’t.” I said. “Grace Miller.” I said offering my hand and taking Oleg’s in a firm and steady handshake. He nodded respectfully but didn’t loose his skepticism.

“Oleg Ivanov.” He said.

“Grace is an old friend.” Rebekah said.

“Ladies and gentlemen if you would please take your seats the main race will begin shortly. Betting will end in five minutes, this is the last chance to bet on your lucky champion.” The announcer said.

“We should go find a good seat.” Rebekah said. “It was good seeing you both.”

“Da, we should go out for drinks while I’m in town.” Demitri said.

“You have my card.” Rebekah said.

“Da, Good luck.” Demitri said with a smile before we walked away.

“Whatever you do don’t look back.” Rebekah said.

“He watching us isn’t he?” I said.

“You do look a lot like your mum.” She said.

“Might be time for a change of look.” I said.

“I’m going to place a bet.” Rebekah said.

“I wouldn’t if I were you.” I said.

“Why do you say that?” She asked.

“You’ll see.” I said.

“I’ll just go used the toilet then.” Rebekah said.

“Might want to hurry up.” I said.

Third Person’s POV-

“What the hell are you doing Hayley?” Clint muttered.

“She got checked out by the target, drooled on by the ‘bone doctor’ and made small talk with a bratva captain. She’s being an idiot.” Natasha said annoyed but Clint could tell that under that annoyance was actual worry.

“Not much we can do now.” Clint said.

“The tracker’s in place, I’m going to have a talk with a certain blonde.” Natasha said. “Keep an eye on Hayley.”

“I got eyes on sparrow.” He said.

Natasha kept her eyes on Rebekah while staying in the shadows. She saw Rebekah and Hayley talk for a bit before they split up. Rebekah headed towards the restrooms. Natasha cut her off and pulled her into a broom closet.

“What the bloody hell you wanker?” Rebekah cried out.

“What are you doing here and more importantly what is my soulmate doing here?” Natasha asked.

“Where the fuck did you come from?” Rebekah said surprised to see her.

“Answer the question.” Natasha said growing impatient.

“Intel gathering. I got an invite and needed to come to maintain business relations. I saw an opportunity to help my sister so I decided to bring her along.” Rebekah said.

“You brought Hayley to a mob meeting? What were you thinking?” Natasha said.

“I was thinking she needed a refresher course on intel gathering and on how to socialize with these types of people. This was the safest way to ease her back into the life.” Rebekah said.

“You’re training her?!” Natasha said annoyed.

“Would you rather I just throw her to the wolves without warning?” Rebekah said.

“You have any idea what those people could do to her?” Natasha said.

“Yes and so does she. You’re scared to lose her because you love her and that’s clouding your judgment. She’s handled herself very well up until now, she’s got this under control.” Rebekah said.

“If anything happens to her…” Natasha said.

“I know.” Rebekah said. “I have to go, I left Hayley alone out there.”

“Don’t tell her I’m here, I’m on a mission.” Natasha said.

“Figured.” She said. “She misses you.”

“I know.” Natasha said.

A Few Hours Later- Hayley’s POV

After the fixed race was over, Rebekah and I went to the after party to try and gather more intel but no major players stuck around longer than for one drink. We headed back into the city exhausted from the days events.

“Beks, You know what I could really go for right now?” I asked.

“A foot massage?” She asked.

“A bacon cheeseburger.” I said making her moan.

“Damn that does sound good, Driver take us to the closest Eddie Rockets.” Rebekah said.

“We are way too overdressed for a burger place.” I said.

“We’re getting it to go. Demitri sent a text.” Rebekah said.

“So you two have a thing?” I asked.

“More like a if we’re single and in the same city we sleep over.” She said.

“Ah,” I said.

“Don’t worry, I think it’s time I go back to my house.” Rebekah said. “You did really well today.”

“Did I? I didn’t get any closer to finding Delilah.” I said.

“No but you managed blend in and gather Intel. You figured out that the race was fixed. You starting to see who the new major players are and you know who you have to get to.” Rebekah said.

“That was your plan the entire time, you’re trying to ease me back into things.” I said realizing what she had been up to the whole day.

“I didn’t prepare you last time, I won’t make the same mistake twice.” She said.

“Thank you.” I said.

“Thank me when we find Delilah and you’re brother’s no longer an issue.”

“That might be a while.” I said.

“Not as long as you think.”

We went to grab our burgers and ate them on the car ride home. I walked into the building and greeted Arthur before getting into the elevator. The instant I was in the penthouse I kicked off my heels and marched straight into my room without turning on any of the lights. I sat down on the bed and realized it wasn’t the bed when someone groaned.

“AH!” I shouted as I jumped off the bed and landed on the floor. The lights turned on and Clint and Natasha sat up.

“Hayley?” They said looking at me with sleepy gazes.

“What the hell guys? You scared the crap out of me.” I said.

“Surprise.” Clint muttered before lying back down and going to sleep.

“Lights off.” Natasha said before rolling over.

I sighed and calmed down before taking off my hat and stripping down to just my slip. I crawled into the space between Clint and Natasha. Clint immediately put his arms around me and pulled me closer.

He nuzzled his face into the crook of my neck and I felt stubble.

“Did you grow a beard?” I asked.

“Sh, talk later.” He mumbled.