Fated Marks

The Next Morning-

I don’t know how long I was out for but for the first time in weeks I didn’t wake up screaming. I was so exhausted I didn’t even dream. When the sun hit my eyes and I opened my eyes I realized I was back in my bedroom in the penthouse. I was still wearing the same clothes from Berlin so I knew last night wasn’t a dream.

“Fuck.” I groaned.

I got up and went into the bathroom and took a quick shower, which of course I didn’t get to enjoy without a flashback to getting water boarded. I dried off and slipped on some navy shorts with red stars on them and an oversized knit grey sweater before going to look for something to eat.

I walked into the kitchen and saw everyone sitting down at the counter in the kitchen.

“Morning.” Steve said.

“Morning.” I said grabbing a bowl and pouring myself some cereal before going to the fridge and grabbing the milk. I poured it out and it came out chunky. “Right I’ve been gone three weeks.’ I quickly threw it all away.

“Coffee” Clint said putting a mug in front of me.

“Thanks.” I said and things got quiet. Decided I may as well bite the bullet and get it over with. “Where’s Kol?”

“Dropped him off at his place last night when we got back last night he was pretty freaked out.” Tony said.

“It’s been a rough month.” I said rubbing my eyes.

“Yeah… we should talk about last night.” Bruce said gently trying to ease me into it.

“Which part? The dead body, the bloody message or the deactivated landmines?” I said.

“Hayley…” Steve started.

“I’m in way over head.” I said.

“You don’t have this handled.” Tony said.

“I know.” I said.

“You could have been killed.” Tony insisted.

“I know.” I said.

“Hayley, you got kidnapped!” Tony shouted.

“Tony I know!!!” I yelled.

“Oh… I thought you were going to put up fight.” Tony said.

“Delilah set up a booby trap, left a bloody message, and set up landmines to send a message. I don’t got this.” I said.

“Oh then that makes this easy. Pack up we’re going home.” Clint said.

“Yeah… no.” I said.

“What do you mean no? You just said…” Steve started.

“I’m in way over my head and yes I am but I can’t go back.” I said.

“What aren’t you telling us?” Natasha said.

“I got taken in broad daylight, the first time I was completely alone in weeks.” I said.

“You’re being watched.” Bruce said.

“He also made it really clear that if I crew up again not only does he finish what he started but everyone around me starts dropping like flies so I’m staying right where I am for now.” I said as my phone dinged. I picked it up and groaned. “Great.”

“What is it?” Tony said taking the phone out of my hand.

“I have a check up in an hour.” I said going to my room.

“We’re not done talking about this.” Steve called out.

“I know.” I said going to get changed. I picked out a white maxi sundress with a textured skirt and topped it with leather jacket.

“Need a ride?” Tony said.

“I’ll just take a cab.” I said taking a few step toward the elevator before stopping. “You know on second thought I have one psychopath after me and his wife knows I’m after her now so I probably shouldn’t be alone.”

“Good call.” Tony said catching up to me and getting in the elevator.

We got down to the garage and the first thing Tony did was check on the Aston Martin.

“I told you nothing happened to it.” I said.

“I know I trust you.” He said avoiding looking at me. Well I deserved that. “So the hospital?”

“No Baker Street I’ll set the GPS up.” I said.

“Small practice?” Tony asked.

“Yeah, Rebekah met a guy at a bar…” I said and Tony slammed the breaks.

“Can you repeat that?” Tony said.

“The guy Rebekah met at a bar is an actual doctor I checked, he was in the army and the night he got back they hooked up. They stayed in touch and he looked after me the four days I was comatose. John’s a good guy.” I said.

“You’re on a first name basis?” Tony said.

“Why is that weird?” I asked.

“No…” he said glancing away.

“Just say it.” I said.

“Say what?” Tony said.

“What’s on your mind because it’s obvious you’re holding back,” I said.

“Why is it so hard for you to ask for help?” Tony asked.

“Because it’s not your problem. This is on me.” I answered. That and the whole Nat Steve and Clint have a gun pointed to their heads thing Hadrian is holding over me.

“It’s our problem because you’re our problem.” Tony said and I turned to give him a look. I’m a problem. “That came out wrong.”

“No you’re right I’m a problem.” I said as we pulled up to the clinic. I unbuckled myself and got out. I walked in and checked in at the nurses’ desk.

“Hales I didn’t mean it like that.” Tony started.

“Tony, not the time or the place.” I said taking my phone out and starting to look through Berlin city records. Delilah may have gotten away but she was there meaning I could back track to see how she got to Javi’s apartment. Maybe she talked to someone or I could backtrack up to where she came from.

“So it’s not the time or place to talk about what happened in the car but it is the time and place to hack and look through German security footage tracking your sister in law?” Tony said.

“What would you rather I do? Hack and continue looking for her or have a panic attack over the fact that I almost got blown to bits last night?” I asked.

“I want you to talk about what’s going on with you because you promised you were done keeping secrets and it’s pretty obvious you’re keeping something pretty big from us.” Tony said.

“What part of gun to the head did you miss? I love you guys more than I care about me dying. I have less than four months to find the bride of Chucky and so far I’ve got squat so me dying is looking more and more like that’s where this is heading so I’m kinda freaking out right now.” I said panting.

“Are you having a panic attack?” Tony whispered.

“I don’t know this has become a pretty normal thing over the past month.” I said as my hands started shaking and may face started going numb. I closed my eyes and tried to slow down my breathing.

“Hales look at me. Hayley come on, let me see those dazzling green eyes of yours.” Tony said softly. I slowly opened my eyes and saw that he was kneeled down in front of me. “There they are. Take a deep breath and hold it in. Let it out. There we go. Hales it’s going to be okay, we’ll figure something out but you have to let us help you, it’s killing you to keep this all bottled in. I’ve been where you are and you know how bad it got, I don’t want that to happen to you. I love you.”

I wrapped my arms around Tony and hugged him. He hugged me back and held onto me. It wasn’t until one of the nurses called out my name that we broke apart. I stood up and wiped off some of the tears I hadn’t noticed had fallen out before going into the exam room.

They took a few x-rays and then I went to sit down in John’s office. I waited for a few minutes before he finally walked in.

“Sorry to keep you waiting Hayley, had to take a call and then go talk to the radiologist. How was the vacation?” John asked.

“Not really a vacation. More like work. Did get to go to a wedding though and I got a tan.” I said.

“I can see that, so I have some good news your wrist is completely healed and you’re legs well enough we can take the cast off.” John said.

“That is the best news I’ve gotten in weeks. Also my leg has been itching like crazy, I think I got sand stuck in there while we were in Marrakesh.” I said.

“Yeah, most people with casts on their legs tend to avoid sand.” John said. “Follow me and we can go saw that thing off.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” I said following after him.

“I wanted to ask, do you know why Tony Stark is currently sitting in my waiting room?” John asked.

“Uh we work together.” I said. “He’s in town told him I had an appointment and he offered to drive me.”

We had agreed to keep our relationship on the down low while we figured things out. Not to mention having my face plastered on every magazine in the world would make gathering Intel harder than it already was.

“Oh,” he said believing the answer I gave him. “Have you heard from Rebekah?”

“No. She’s been out of town on business.” I said.

“Is she coming back?” John asked.

“Why? You going to ask her out?” I asked.

“What? No I just… If I were to ask her would she say yes?” John asked.

“Not sure what goes on in Rebekah’s head sometimes but you won’t lose anything if you try.” I said.

“She loves you, you know that right?” John said.

“I know we just had a slight disagreement over something before she left.” I said.

“Sometimes it’s better to forgive and forget, especially if it’s family.” John said. If only dealing with Hadrian was that simple.

“I’ll remember that, now I’m going to stop distracting you so you don’t cut into something that isn’t plaster.” I said. I walked out of that clinic skipping, literally. I missed being able to walk freely.

“So how bad is it?” Tony said.

“Well if finding Delilah was on the Doomsday Clock we’d be about a minute or two to midnight.” I said.

“I meant your leg.” Tony said “But good to know.”

“Oh… it’s fine cleaned it a bit and am really going to need a shave but good, got to ease into my workout routine but should be fine.” I said.

“You up for breakfast?” Tony said.

“Always, I know a place with a good steak pie.” I said.

“You mean a pot pie?” He asked.

“Steak pie.” I answered like it explained it.

We walked into the usual diner and Adam’s jaw dropped when he saw me walk in with Tony.

“Hayley!” He cheered.

“Hey Adam.” I greeted.

“I missed… I mean we missed you. Haven’t seen much of you the past few weeks.” He said making Tony arch an eyebrow.

“Went away to visit some friends.” I said. “Can we get two coffees and two of the usual?”

“Uh sure… and can I just say Mr. Stark I am a huge fan.” Adam said.

“Thanks so am I.” Tony said making me smile.

“Can I get a picture with you?” Adam said.

“Sure.” Tony said with a shrug.

“Hayley can you…” Adam asked taking his phone out.

“Sure.” I said pointing the phone and taking a photo. “Here you go.”

“Thank you so much, I’ll go bring your orders out in a bit.” Adam said before scurrying off giving me a huge smile.

“So Adam is it…” Tony started.

“Yeah he’s in a few of my classes. Friendly guy.” I said. “Should we get something to go while we’re here?”

“They’re fine I had breakfast delivered. You two hang out?” Tony asked.

“No I’ve been a bit too busy to make friends. Mostly just show up here when I need some air.” I said. “Mostly just focus on work.”

“Hales come on, you had to have noticed…” Tony started.

“Noticed what?” I asked.

“The guy obviously has a crush on you.” Tony said.

“Why do you and Clint think he has a crush on me? He’s just a nice guy.” I answered.

“Was he nice to Clint when he came with you?” Tony asked.

“I guess so.” I said thinking back and he was uncharacteristically indifferent to Clint.

“Wow you can’t seriously tell me you didn’t notice.” Tony said.

“Again, I come for the food and steak pie don’t really pay attention to anything else.” I said. “Besides it’s not like I’d care if he did.”

“Why not?” Tony said.

“I have six reasons not to and I’m currently looking at one right now.” I deadpanned.

“Your coffees” Adam said placing them in front of us. He froze when he saw Tony and I holding hands. I didn’t even notice when we started holding hands. “Uh… I’ll bring out your pies in a sec…” Adam said.

“I think he knows you’re not interested.” Tony said after Adam had left.

“Well I introduced Clint as my boyfriend so he probably thinks I’m cheating on him with you now…” I started.

“Oh…” Tony said disappointed.

“Hey.” I said tapping my foot against him. “I don’t care what anyone thinks, you’re my freaking world no matter what. Also I may need to find a new diner to study at because I don’t think Adam got the message.” I said as Adam came back with not only our orders but a carrot cake muffin with cream cheese icing that I loved.

“Well in that case…” Tony said leaning over the table and kissing me. “I think he gets it now.”

“Jealous much?” I asked.

“pssh no just… letting the kid down gently.” Tony said.

“Uhuh.” I said not believing a word he said.

After grabbing some pastries for everyone we finally headed back to the penthouse. Everyone was sitting around doing their own thing but stood up as soon as we walked in.

“How’d it go?” Bruce asked.

“Fully recovered and cast free.” I said.

“That’s great.” Steve said.

“We brought pastries.” Tony said.

“And there’s coffee, Time to talk.” Clint said.

“Right.” I said dreading what was about to happen.

“No matter what we’re on your side and we love you.” Steve said.

“I know.” I said before hugging him.

“I’m sorry.” Steve whispered.

“Me too.” I said before kissing him and pulling away. “Where do we start?”

“His name?” Clint suggested and I bit my lip.

“Which you’re not going to tell us.” Natasha said.

“I can’t.” I said.

“Hayley you can’t do this on your own, you said it yourself.” Bruce said.

“I know I can’t but there’s a lot at risk.” I said.

“Like your life?” Tony said.

“Fine then don’t tell us his name, what do you have on Delilah?” Natasha asked.

“As of yesterday nothing. The building she was in used to be an old Romani Storage warehouse and in the cold war was used to smuggle thing to the east from the west of the city. That’s how she got out. Tracking her from there get’s tricky since it leads to the sewers and even drainage out of the city and there aren’t any security cameras down there so I decided to retrace her steps. Chances are she talked to someone or I can figure out where she came in from.” I said.

“Let’s get to work.” Tony said grabbing his Starkpad.