Fated Marks

“Hayley?” I heard someone say. I turned around and saw Will and Bruce.

“Oh my gosh you’re blonde.” Will said coming over to pet my hair.

“What happened?” Bruce said looking at my wrist and then my leg.

“Rough few weeks. By the way, phone.” I said taking away Tony’s phone. “You get this back when you learn what a real emergency is.”

“But…” Tony whined.

“An entire night on a stinky pooping camel Tony.” I said. “Now can one of you please tell me where I’m staying I really need a shower and a nap.”

“Come on, you’re going to love the villa.” Will said leading me out. “And you can tell me all about London.”

Third Person’s POV-

Tony and Bruce watched Hayley follow Will out of the lobby.

“What happened to her?” Bruce asked.

“No idea, I was a little busy trying to talk her into not killing me. All she said was that it’s been a rough few weeks but I know who can fill in the blanks.” Tony said walking over to the bar with Bruce following after him.

“Can I get another one please? And don’t forget the lemon wedge.” Kol said.

“Just the guy we were looking for.” Tony said.

“Tony, Hayley didn’t strangle you.” Kol said.

“What can I say she loves me.” Tony said. “So anything we should know?”

“You should be asking Hayley that.” Kol said as his drink was brought over.

“What’s wrong with her leg and wrist?” Bruce asked.

“Three broken toes, sprained ankle and a hairline fracture to… some other bone. As for the wrist another hairline fracture with some swelling that probably would have been healed by now if she’d actually rest it.” Kol said taking a sip of his drink.

“What the hell happened?” Tony asked.

“Again, that’s something you should be asking Hayley.” Kol said.

“Will she tell us?” Bruce asked.

“Have you tried asking her?” Kol asked.

“Why won’t you tell us?” Tony asked. “Actually why are you here? I thought Rebekah was the one helping Hayley?”

“She was, they’re not currently on speaking terms.” Kol said finishing his drink. “I need to go remind Hayley to ice her wrist, then I’m off to visit friends in the area.”

With that Kol put some money to cover his tab and walked out.

“Why do I have a bad feeling about this?” Bruce said.

“Because when it comes to Hayley it usual is.” Tony said. “Let’s go ask.”

“Wait.” Bruce said.

“What?” Tony asked.

“I think we should wait. Let her come to us.” Bruce said. “Trust goes both ways I think we should give her a chance to come clean.”

“You think she’ll actually tell us?” Tony asked.

“She has before.” Bruce said. “Besides do you really think it’s a good time for you to confront her about this when she’s still mad about your ‘emergency’?”

“She’s not going to get over this any time soon is she?” Tony said. Bruce just shrugged.

Hayley’s POV-

After a very much-needed shower, which was cut short by yet another flash hallucination, I changed into some plaid shorts and a grey tee.

Will had tried talking me into going on a tour of Florence with him but I was exhausted so he went on his own. I brushed my hair and went to grab a glass of water. I sat out on the balcony and took in the amazing view. Will wasn’t exaggerating it was a great view.

I took out the cloned phone and looked through the files. I finally found the perfect opening, a clandestine meeting in Casablanca with a buyer. It was the perfect in. I took my phone and typed out the message to send Hadrian but I couldn’t hit send.

“Feeling better?” Kol asked out of nowhere making me jump.

“Loads.” I said. “What’s up?”

“I’m heading out. Going to use that flat we hardly visit. Just wanted to remind you to ice that wrist and to talk to your soulmates. They’re asking questions.” Kol said.

“I will.” I said looking down at the phone.

“You finally look through it?” Kol asked noticing the cloned phone.

“I did, found the opening location and time. Four days from now in Casablanca. The message is ready to go.” I said.

“What’s stopping you?” Kol asked.

“I don’t know. Guilt?” I asked. “My mom wouldn’t have bat an eye at having someone take the fall for her if she got away.”

“But you’re not your mom.” Kol said. “You’re better.”

“Am I? I’m sending a guy to his death. Yes he’s a bad guy but he’s still someone’s son or husband or whatever.” I said.

“So you don’t want to do this?” Kol said.

“What I want doesn’t matter here. It’s just… hard.” I said. “Do the ends really justify the means?”

“I don’t know.” Kol said taking the phone out of my hand. “But it’s not just on you. We’re family and we’re in this together.” With that he pressed send and put the phone down. “I’m going to go to my place and get some rest before going to check in on some people in the area who might know something about our missing person. If you need anything I’m a phone call away.”

I just nodded. I went back inside and laid down on the bed staring up at the ceiling. I’m a horrible person. With that I drifted off into fitful sleep.

Of course it was almost as if I didn’t already feel bad enough that I started having nightmares again.

“Hales?” I head someone say. “Hayley?”

I opened my eyes and I was gasping for air.

“Hey it’s okay.” Tony said.

“What happened?” I said panting.

“You were having a nightmare.” Tony said.

“Oh.” I said should have known.

He looked like he wanted to ask but decided not to. “We were just about to go into town and have lunch. Figured you were probably hungry.”

“Uh yeah sounds good just give me a minute.” I said.

“I’ll be outside.” He said. “Your things got here an hour ago.” I looked past him and saw the luggage I had left in the hotel in Marrakesh.

“Still need to go buy a dress for the wedding and rehearsal dinner.” I said.

“We can do that. Make a day out of it.” Tony offered.

“You really want to spend the day taking me shopping?” I asked.

“I do have good taste.” Tony said. “And we’d be together.”

“We could do that… or we could go find Will tell him to buy whatever he thinks would look good on me and then we can go look around.” I counter offered.

“You trust Will to pick out a good dress?” Tony asked.

“He basically picked out my entire wardrobe. Besides it’s not like I need to be there to try on shoes with this thing.” I said.

“Right.” Tony said with a grimace. “I’ll call him so we can meet up but I’m going to need my phone.”

“Bedside table, top drawer. You know I’m still mad about the fake emergency right?” I asked.

“You weren’t answering your phone and don’t think I haven’t noticed you set up Jarvis to run interference.” Tony said.

Busted. “I… I haven’t been in London for almost three weeks and my cell reception’s been spotty. I didn’t want you worry or pulling stunts like this.” I said. That was part of it anyway.

“How’s the missing person case going?” Tony asked.

“It’s not. I’ve been working on something else.” I said going into the bathroom to change into a white knit top and a printed skirt. I slipped on a sandal on my good leg before quickly brushing my hair.

“What have you been working on?” Tony asked.

“That’s a bit more complicated to explain.” I said.

“How much more complicated?” Tony asked.

“What are we having for lunch?” I asked changing the subject abruptly.

“We’re not done talking about this.” Tony said.

“I never said we were I’m just not ready to talk about it.” I said.

“Does it have anything to do with why Kol is here instead of Rebekah?” Tony said.

“It’s been…” I said but he stopped me by kissing me.

“Handled.” He finished. “Yeah, got that. In case I didn’t mention it before I like the new look.”

“Don’t get used to it, I’m going back to being a brunette as soon as I get back to London.” I said.

“Why’d you go blonde in the first place?” He asked as we walked out.

“Needed to not look like myself while I handled this new thing. Basically I was undercover. Kol’s idea. Pretty dumb one too, I look way too much like my mom now attracted the wrong type of attention.” I said.

“This have anything to do with the bullets you were dodging on the way here?” Tony said.

“Partially.” I said.

“You dodged bullets?” Bruce said.

“Hey.” I said hugging Bruce. “Sorry about before. Had a bad couple of days.”

“I figured. How are you feeling?” Bruce asked.

“Better. That shower and nap helped.” I said. “How are classes going professor Banner?”

Bruce smiled and blushed a bit. “Good, really good actually. I forgot how much I liked teaching. They want me to teach a class during the school year.”

“That’s great.” I said.

“Yeah, thank you for talking me into taking the job.” Bruce said. I leaned forward and kissed him.

“I’m happy you’re happy.” I said.

“We should get going.” Tony said. “Car’s waiting. Oh and Will said Pepper already got your dress for the wedding ceremony but he’ll get you something for the reception and rehearsal dinner.”

“One less thing to worry about.” I said.

We drove into town and got dropped off in front of Terrazza Rossini. I guessed Tony had been here before since they all but brought out the red carpet when they saw him. We got the best table in the house with a view.

“I guess being me has its perks.” Tony said with a shrug.

“You do realize this means the paparazzi are going to find out you’re here now.” I said.

“Eh, let them. I’ll spin a story about how I was here for a friend’s wedding.” Tony said.

“You are here for a friend’s wedding.” Bruce reminded him.

“Except said friend didn’t want a media frenzy.” Tony said.

“Probably for a good reason. How is Pepper doing anyway?” I asked.

“Stressed.” Bruce said.

“Are you sure it’s not wedding jitters?” I asked. “Cuz I’d probably be freaking out right about now if I were her.”

“You would?” Tony asked.

“Uh yeah. She had this entire thing planned and then just decided to move everything up months ahead of time? Makes it easy for things to slip through the cracks.” I said.

“Changing the subject a bit, how’d you break your leg and arm?” Bruce asked.

“They’re just sprains. Story for another time.” I said. “I think I’m going to get the gnocchi, what do you think?”

We ate and Tony filled me in on his stunts from the past month or so with Bruce correcting him when left out an important detail. Bruce was telling me about a new protein inhibitor with applications for a potential cancer treatment he was working on.

After lunch Tony got a call from a frantic Pepper and he had to go so Bruce and I were left to wander the city on our own.

“What should we see first?” I asked.

“I heard the Da Vinci Museum is good.” Bruce said.

“Sounds fun and according to the map we’re here.” I said pointing to the spot close to the river where we were. “And the museum’s all the way over here.” I said pointing to a spot across town.

“We should grab a taxi.” Bruce said.

“We could or we could walk and see some other sites on the way.” I said.

“You sure that’s a good idea?” Bruce asked looking down.

“Doctor did say walking was good to prevent muscle atrophy. Besides after the past few days walking around will probably be the least strenuous thing I’ve done.” I said before how that sounded. “I didn’t mean it like…”

Bruce chuckled and blushed a bit. “Uh which way?” Bruce asked.

“That way.” I said pointing down the street.

We walked side by side and at some point started holding hands. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Bruce smile so much. We talked about everything and anything. At one point we actually started a mini contest to see who knew more facts about Florence and its buildings.

“Florence was the first city in Europe to have paved streets.” I said.

“The Duomo took a hundred and forty years to complete.” Bruce said.

“The story of Pinocchio came from Florence not Walt Disney.” I said.

“Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge in the city not to be destroyed in World War II.” He said.

“We should pass by there even though its in the opposite direction. Uh let’s see… Florence Nightingale was born here.” I said.

“I didn’t use that one?” Bruce said.

“Fairly sure you didn’t.” I said.

“Well here it is.” Bruce said.

“Wow, the dome is nice but the details on the outside are beautiful.” I said.

“They are,” Bruce said looking at me.

I couldn’t help but smile at that. I leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

“You want to go in and look?” Bruce asked.

“Not really. I’m not religious and churches always seemed a bit morbid to me for some reason.” I said. Might be because the only reason I ever went to church was for funerals.

“Which way?” Bruce asked.

“Opposite of where we came in.” I said.

More walking and a quick stop at a gelateria we somehow ended up at the Plaza De Michelangelo.

“I think we went the wrong way.” I said.

“Yeah, I figured that out when we passed by Neptune’s fountain.” Bruce said.

“Bruce.” I said. “I thought you wanted to go to the Da Vinci Museum?”

“I do but there’s time and I was having fun just walking around.” He said blushing a bit.

“I had fun too.” I said. “And we get to see the best view in Florence. Pretty empty up here.” There was only one other couple here and they were on the far side of the Plaza.

“Might be because it’s almost time for dinner.” Bruce said.

“Time flies when you’re having fun.” I said as my phone rang. “That’s probably Tony. I better answer before he gets in a suit and flies here. Hello.”

“Karim Nassar? Really?” Hadrian said making me freeze.

“If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it’s probably a duck.” I said.

“Well then, looks like I better start packing. Been meaning to take him out anyways.” Hadrian said before hanging up abruptly.

“Tony found a duck?” Bruce asked with a chuckle before his smile faltered. “What’s wrong?”

“Remember when I said the past few weeks have been rough? I may have left out a few things.” I said before my phone started ringing again. “Hello?”

“Hey sunshine it’s almost time for dinner you and Bruce on your way back yet?” Tony asked.

“Uh… took a slight detour we’ll be there in…” I started.

“No rush just thought you’d want to know everyone’s here and they’re asking about you.” Tony said.

“Yeah we’ll start heading back.” I said.

“See you when you get here.” Tony said before hanging up.

“It’s time for dinner.” I said.

“Hey.” Bruce said putting a hand on my arm and pulling me into a hug. “You know you can tell us anything right?”

“Yeah I know.” I said having a hard time keeping it together. “We should go. Everyone’s at the Villa.”

“Right… where can we get a taxi?” Bruce asked.

Forty-five minutes later we finally made it back and we could here everyone chatting away from the driveway.

“Never noticed how loud we are.” I said.

“Neither have I.” Bruce said.

“Take it in for another minute before we have to go get in the middle of it all.” I said. “Moment over.”

We walked in and I was immediately tackled into a hug.

“Hales!” Clint said spinning me around.

“AH Clint!” I shouted giggling.

“Ah I missed you.” He said.

“You saw her four weeks ago give someone else a turn” Natasha said nudging him away. “Krasivaya.” She said hugging me before letting go and taking a step back to look me over. “What happened?” Natasha said taking my injured wrist and looking it over.

“It looks worse than it actually is.” I said.

“Hayley.” Steve said gently hugging me.

“Hey sweetie.” I said hugging him.

“What happened?” Clint said.

“Tell you later I’m starving.” I said making everyone usher me to the patio where we were all eating. That’s when I noticed someone was missing. “Where’s Will?”

“I flew Josh in to surprise him and they went out. The kid deserves it.” Tony said.

“Thank you.” I said kissing Tony’s cheek.

“Don’t mention it, Will’s been dropping off our lunches and making sure we take breaks.” Tony said. “He’s a good guy.”

“So how was Budapest?” Natasha asked me.

“You were right, it sucks.” I said.

“What happened to you?” Clint asked.

I could have lied, hell I probably should have lied but I promised I wouldn’t do that anymore so I told them the truth.

“Went after a Serbian Drug trafficker and ended up getting chased out by the CIA.” I said taking a sip of water.

“Can you repeat that?” Steve asked.

“You heard right.” I said. “I’m not going back there, ever.”

“Can we know why you were after a Serbian drug trafficker?” Tony asked.

“It doesn’t really matter, that was a dead end.” I said.

“Where have you been since?” Clint asked.

“Let’s see, started off in Bucharest. Then came Budapest, Prague, Istanbul, spent a day in Athens before going to Marrakesh. Then things got bad again and had to go on the lamb until I got to Nador got smuggled over to Melilla and took a plane here. What about you guys?” I asked.

“When you say things got bad…” Steve asked.

“Let’s leave it at going blonde was a bad idea.” I said.

“And the arm and the leg?” Natasha asked.

“That happened before.” I said.

“Is that why you’re not talking to Rebekah?” She insisted.

“Part of it.” I said.

“You’re not talking to your sister?” Steve said.

“It’s complicated.” I said. “Kol’s been helping out.”

With that the subject was dropped even though from the looks they kept exchanging this wasn’t going to be the last I was hearing about it.