Fated Marks

All hell was breaking loose around me and I was helpless to stop it. Shortly after I arrived Marcel, Elijah and Nik showed up looking exhausted. Apparently I wasn’t the only one having a bad day. Rebekah got the baby to sleep and put him in the basinet she had at some point bought and had delivered.

We all sat down in the courtyard and I filled everyone in.

“Hadrian’s out of control.” Elijah said.

“That would mean he was ever in control.” Nik said.

“He’s unhinged and he can’t be reasoned with. It doesn’t matter what Delilah said or how much he cared about her he didn’t even flinch when he pulled the trigger.” I said.

“Was he the one who did this to you?” Marcel asked moving a lock of my hair to get a look at the cut on my forehead.

“No that was Delilah. She got out when she heard him coming and we went at it.” I said gently swatting his hand away. I didn’t miss the concerned look he gave me.

“Should I send a cleaner?” Elijah asked.

“Taken care off.” I said thinking back to the burning cottage.

“How did you get out?” Kol asked.

“No one outlives their usefulness.” I said. “He gave me to the original deadline to find the baby.”

“You have him I’m not seeing the problem.” Nik said.

“Hadrian thinks that the baby upstairs is the product of an affair Delilah had with a dead Czech arms dealer and wants to kill him.” I said.

“You’re brother’s gone mad.” Kol said.

“The baby is Hadrian’s clone. He’d have to be blind not to see the resemblance.” Rebekah said.

“I know.” I said. “He even has the family curses of having a horrible name.”

“How’d the meeting with the Russians go?” Kol asked.

“We’re at an impasse.” Elijah said.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

“The Bratva are trying to expand their drug trade into the French quarter. They’ve forged an alliance with the Guerrera cartel and have been using their casinos to slowly worm their into out territory. They’ve been causing some issues.” Nik said.

“What type of issues?” I asked.

“They brought in Oleg to negotiate.” Marcel said.

“I take it negotiations aren’t going well and he’s living up to his stone wall reputation?” I asked.

“That would be an accurate description of how things went.” Elijah said.

“Plus the dead bodies.” Nik said.

“What?!” I said.

“They were idiots.” Kol said.

“I don’t think that’s the issue here.” Elijah said.

“Again What?” I asked.

“He may have resorted to guerilla tactics and gave us a show of what they were capable of.” Nik said as the baby started crying. Rebekah took him out of the basinet and started shushing him. Everyone started bickering and the crying got louder. Suddenly it felt like I was underwater and all the sound was muffled. There was a ringing sound and I couldn’t focus on anything. I don’t know how long I just sat there stuck in my own head. I just felt someone gently shake my shoulder and I snapped out of it.

“Hayley you alright?” Marcel asked.

“Y-yeah uh.. I need some air.” I said getting up.

“I don’t think…” Kol started but he stopped when Elijah and Nik stopped him. I grabbed a coat on the way out and started walking down the street. Considering it was a popular tourist spot the French quarter was surprisingly empty. There were musicians playing and some street performers trying to get attention of the few tourists around but I didn’t really bother to try and enjoy it.

This time last year I was still dating Nate and recovering from appendicitis while looking after Tony. It was also around the time I realized I had not so platonic feelings for my soulmates. Now here I am a year later on the run and about to face the end of the line. Time really does fly I thought before my phone dinged. I opened it and saw that I had a voicemail.

‘Hey Hales, we’re on our way back. The ghost disappeared again. Tracked him down to Argentina before the trail went cold again. I know you called but the interference is kinda screwing up the comm’s signal around here and couldn’t get your message. Call us back when you can. Love you.” Tony said before the message ended.

At least something good did happen. I got to meet them. They make it all worth it. I’m just really sorry for what they’re probably going to have to go through pretty soon.

I eventually wandered into Jackson square and watched one of the painters work on a canvas. I think it was supposed to be an abstract of on of the landmarks close by but all I could see was red. I saw Delilah’s blood slowly stain the carpet in the cottage, her eyes just staring at me, and I could hear her choking on her own blood begging for her life… for her son’s life.

I always knew Hadrian was insane but I’d never thought he’d turn against the only person besides our mom he actually cared about. He was emotionless and indifferent. If anything were to happen to any of my soulmates… I’d rather not think about that.

“I like the off season, it’s peaceful and easier to enjoy the sights.” Marcel said.

“Carolers are a lot happier here than in Chicago.” I said.

“You want to tell me what’s on your mind?” Marcel said.

“Not really.” I said.

“Would it help if we stopped by for beignet’s on the way back?” Marcel bribed.

“I’m not really hungry.” I said.

“Come on Callie, don’t shut me out. Talk to me.” Marcel said.

“What’s there to say?” I said rubbing my tired eyes.

“What do you want to do?” Marcel said.

“There’s nothing to do.” I said.

“That’s not true and you know it.” Marcel said.

“You think I should hand the kid over?” I asked.

“Is that what you want to do?” He asked.

“I don’t know.” I said. “My mom screwed you over but you didn’t turn your back on me. Why?”

“You’re not your mom. You’re better.” Marcel said.

“Am I?” I said looking over at him. “Because from where I’m standing I think I’m actually worse. I led Hadrian directly to Delilah. If I had just left well enough alone she’d still be alive.”

“But you’d be dead.” Marcel said.

“Would that really be such a bad thing? There’s a eight month old baby who’s now motherless because of me. I caused a freaking turf war in Marrakesh cleaning up one of my messes. You can’t make a deal with the Russians because of what I did over ten years ago.” I said.

“Callie stop.” Marcel said putting his hands on my shoulders to make me face him. “None of this is your fault. The issues we’re having with the Russians were a long time coming from way before you were even in the picture. As for Marrakesh you didn’t know how things were going to turn out and if it wasn’t you it would have been someone else getting power hungry. As for the kid the way Rebekah tells it the only reason he’s still alive was because of your quick thinking. Hadrian would have eventually found Delilah. He was never going to give up on finding her and if it wasn’t Hadrian one of the other people on the long list of people Delilah screwed over would have taken the shot. What’s done is done the only thing we can do now is move forward.”

“I don’t think there’s anywhere to move forward to from this.” I said.

“You can’t think like that.” Marcel said.

“I kind of have to.” I said. “Hadrian wants the baby dead. He won’t stop and he doesn’t care about collateral damage as long as he gets what he wants. I can’t give him the kid. Delilah and Hadrian are horrible people but he’s just an innocent kid with shitty parents. Kids aren’t to blame for their parents mistakes. Of course even if I did hand the kid over there’s no way Hadrian would let me walk away which leaves me right back where I was eight months ago except I have nothing to bargain with. There’s only one way this ends, me dead.”

“You can’t give up.” Marcel said.

“It’s not giving up it’s facing facts.” I said.

“Then what are you going to do?” Marcel asked.

“What are you going to do about your Russian problem?” I asked.

“Fight back.” He said.

“Except you and I both know that if it comes to a turf war you’ll lose because you’re outnumbered. They sent Oleg and where he goes he brings his best guys. All former armed forces or black ops. He’s working with the Guerrera’s so they already have the docks under their control as well as the city council. He has you right where he wants you.” I said.

“I know.” Marcel said. “Financially we’re secure. We can all take an early retirement and never have to work again or we could just focus on the legitimate side of the business but we couldn’t do it here.”

“So go.” I said.

“The Russians don’t leave loose ends.” Marcel said.

“An even better reason to leave while you still can.” I said.

“The problem with running is once you start you don’t stop.” He said.

“How would this be any different than you leaving Chicago?” I said and he stayed quiet. “Exactly.” I said as my phone buzzed. I check and saw it was Natasha calling me. I sent it to voicemail before shutting my phone off.

“You can’t keep avoiding them.” He said.

“I’m not ready to face them.” I said. I’m not ready to say goodbye.

“What are you going to do about the kid?” Marcel asked.

“You never answered my question.” I said.

Marcel sighed. “I loved your mom. She was special and when she was around everything was just brighter but it wasn’t the same for her. I thought that with time she’d come around but that never happened. Alison could never love anyone the way she loved herself. It wasn’t until I met you that I knew what true unconditional love was. Cal you changed everything for me. You may not be my daughter by blood but you are in every way that counts and that’s why I know you’re nothing like your mother. You build up walls around yourself to stay safe but when it comes right down to it you will put everyone you love before yourself and even at your lowest and darkest points you don’t lose your way and you stayed true to yourself even if you don’t think you do. And because of that I know that whatever happens you’ll find a way. You always do.”

“Thank you.” I said hugging him. “I love you dad.”

“Love you too Cal.” He said hugging me back.

We got back to the Compound a bit before dinner. Tensions were still running high and security was increased around the perimeter. I washed up and started heading downstairs when I passed by the study, which was what was being used as a nursery at the moment.

I don’t know why but I decided to walk in there and check on the baby. I looked down at the bassinet and there he was just staring up at the wall sucking on his pacifier. His green eyes met mine and he smiled before sitting up and trying to reach for me.

The first time I saw him all I could see was Hadrian. Now all I see is myself.

I reached down and pulled him up.

“Ah!” He cried out before laughing. I couldn’t help but smile at that. The baby reached over to tap his hand on my cheek and I saw the small sunflower on his wrist.

The kid already has so much going against him and he isn’t even a year old yet.

‘Cal swear to me on whatever it is in this world that you love more than anything my son will be safe.’

“P-Please… Cal…P-pl-lease… n-not… drogo…”

“Hales?” Kol said getting my attention.

“Yeah.” I said turning around.

“We’re waiting for you.” he said.

“Going.” I said taking the baby with me.

“I think this is the first time I see you even get close to the little bugger since you got here.” Kol said.

“I’ve been a little stuck in my head.” I said.

“You have a lot going on.” Kol said.

“Yeah we all do.” I said as we started going downstairs.

“Natasha’s been blowing up Rebekah’s phone all day.” Kol said.

“I shut my phone off.” I said. “Didn’t know what to say to them.”

“What about now?” He asked.

“No but I know what I have to do.” I said as we walked into the dining room.

“I was just about to head up and give him his bottle.” Rebekah said.

“Ah!” Drogon cheered when he saw Rebekah and reached for her.

“Someone really likes you.” I said.

“He’s such an angel.” Rebekah cooed blowing raspberries on his cheeks making him giggle.

“Yeah he really is.” I said. “I think I figured out what I’m going to do next but it kind of depends on you.”

“Me?” Rebekah asked.

The Next Day-

I finally understand how hard it is for parent to travel with small children. Little Drogon or Cal, as Kol, Rebekah and pretty much every one was calling him because no one wanted to call him by his embarrassing name, was fine at the beginning of the three hour flight to New York but as soon as we reached max altitude he started screaming.

“Sh, sh.” I said rocking him in the car seat. Rebekah had booked was a first class seat so I’d have more room and hopefully so the baby would be more comfortable but it didn’t work out that way.

“Come on kiddo, look at the cartoons.” I said playing a movie on the screen.

“Wah!” He wailed.

“Okay okay… You don’t like the Looney Toons.” I said standing up in the aisle and rocking him. “Da da da dadatum da datum…” I hummed the imperial march from Star Wars trying to calm myself down. Suddenly Cal started calming down and his eyes started getting droopy.

Well I’ll be damned, the kid’s a star wars fan.

Once his eyes were closed I sat back down but the instant my butt touched the seat cushion he woke up and started crying. Looks like I was going to be standing for most of the flight.

I think I hummed that verse at least a hundred times before He was finally to tired to wake up again and I finally got to sit down just in time for the landing.

“Finally got the little guy to settle down?” One of the flight attendants asked.

“Yeah, I think he might be teething.” I said remembering what Rebekah had mentioned earlier that morning.

“How old is he?” She asked.

“About eight months.” I said rubbing his back.

“He looks just like you.” She said with a smile.

“Trust me when I say he’s a mini copy of his dad. Hopefully just in looks.” I said sadly.

“We’ll be landing in New York shortly, and it’s snowing so be sure to bundle up.” She suggested.

“Thank you.” I said before looking at the sleeping infant in my arms.

‘Well kiddo, welcome to the first day of the rest of your life.’ I thought.

I didn’t have any bags checked so as soon as they brought up the car seat, I buckled Cal in and I pulled on my olive coat and scarf.

I had to wait in line twenty minutes to grab a cab. The airport was packed since it was so close to Christmas and traffic was hell. It took an hour just to reach the tower. If it wasn’t for the fact that I had Cal with me I would have taken the subway.

I walked into the lobby of the tower and was greeted by Happy.

“Morning.” I said not giving him a second look.

“Morning.” He said before he did a double take. “Hayley! Where the hell have you been? They’re going crazy upstairs looking for you.”

“Wah!” Cal cried. Uh why?

“What is that?” Happy said.

“A baby who I spent the last three hours trying to get him to get to sleep.” I said getting into the elevator. “Jarvis, common room please and if you could turn on the coffee maker I’d appreciate it.”

“Of course ma’am, I shall alert everyone to your arrival at once.” Jarvis said.

“Wah!” Cal cried.

“Sh, Sh, Sh. Just wait a minute kiddo.” I said lifting up the carrier as the doors opened.

I walked inside and went to the living room. I put the carrier down on the coffee table and rocked the seat trying to lull him back to sleep. Of course that wasn’t working and he just started screaming louder.

“Okay, okay bad idea.” I said unbuckling him and getting him out of the car seat.

“Wah! Wah! Ah AH..” He cried.

I stood up and started bouncing and rocking like I did on the plane.

“Hm..” He sniffled as he cuddled into the crook of my neck.

“Hayley! Where the hell have you been?!” Tony yelled making Cal cry again.

“Wah!!!!” he screamed.

“Oh come on. I just got him to quiet down.” I said.

“Ah… Hales whose baby is that?” Clint asked.

“It’s been a weird couple of days but for right now can one of you get the kid’s pacifier out of the diaper bag?” I said rocking the baby.

“Uh… sure.” Steve said opening all the pockets until he found the dreaded thing. I popped it into Cal’s mouth and he fussed for a bit before quieting down.

“So much better.” I said rubbing his back. “thanks.”

“Hayley, the baby?” Bruce asked.

“Yeah, he’s my nephew.” I said.

“What?!” the all shouted.

“SH!!” I shushed giving them a pointed look before looking at the sleeping baby in my arms.

“You’re nephew? In Asgard that would be the child of one’s sibling, is that the same here?” Thor asked.

“Yup.” I said.

“Please tell me that’s a kid Kol had with a one night stand or something.” Tony said.

“Nope, Guys meet Satan’s spawn Drogon or as we’re calling him Cal.” I said. “Delilah and my brother’s son.”

“You found her.” Natasha said.

“I found her.” I said. “and more.”

“So it’s over?” Tony asked.

“Not exactly.” I said.

“What happened?” Clint asked.

“I got a hit on the facial recognition software about a week ago. A small community hospital in Tihany, Hungary. Small town about a hundred kilometers from Budapest. Rebekah and I went to go check it out and after a bit of asking around and recon we found the cottage where she was staying. I took a few pictures and texted them to him but Delilah was getting ready to leave and I couldn’t let that happen so I knocked on her door.” I said.

“You confronted an assassin who tried having you killed.” Natasha said.

“What were you thinking?” Steve said frustrated.

“I was just distracting her while Rebekah went around back and snuck up on her.” I said.

“Rebekah was in on this?” Clint asked.

“I did say I wasn’t going to do anything alone.” I said. “She shot her with a tranquilizer dart and knocked her out but when we went to look for something to tie her up with we found this little guy. Turns out Delilah ran away because she found out she was pregnant and you know who thought this little guy was the result of an affair he thought Delilah had with a Czech arms dealer.”

“Are you sure he isn’t?” Tony asked.

“The kid is essentially Hadrian’s clone there’s no denying he’s the father.” I said without realizing what I had just said.

“Hadrian? As in Hadrian Adler?” Clint said. Natasha walked closer to me and took a look at me and then at Cal.

“What’s your name?” Steve said.

“Guys…” I started needing them to calm down.

“What’s your real name?” Steve said shaking in anger.

“Calliope.” Tony said.

“He’s a dead man.” Clint said about to march out of the common room.

“Wait… If you have his son, where’s Delilah?” Steve asked.

“He killed her.” I answered. “Rebekah took Cal before Hadrian got there and once he was there Delilah and I lied to him. I told him the baby was never there and she told him that he was still born. Of course one look around the house and he could tell she was lying. He didn’t appreciate her lying to him and shot her.”

“What? Why?” Tony asked.

“He doesn’t believe Cal is his son and he wants to kill him.” I said. “Delilah despite everything was actually a good mom and put her son before Hadrian. He gave me to the original deadline to find him and turn Cal over to him. Which I’m obviously not going to do.”

“Why the hell didn’t you say anything?!” Clint shouted.

“He had a gun to yours, Nat’s and Steve’s heads.” I said before bending down and putting the baby back in his carrier.

“He’s a dead man.” Clint said marching out of the common room with Natasha right behind him.

“Wait for us.” Tony said following after him.

“This is probably a good time to mention I sent him on a wild goose chase in Romania?” I said and they all stopped.

“Hayley…” Steve said clenching his jaw.

“He has a lot of enemies in the area and he doesn’t care because he’s obsessed with finding Cal. That’s going to keep him busy while I make arrangements for the little guy.” I said.

“Arrangements?” Bruce asked.

“The kid can’t stay here. It’s the first place he’ll look once he realizes I pulled one over on him. I’m keeping him for a few days until his adoptive mom picks him up until then we wait.” I said.

“You’re giving the kid up for adoption?” Tony said.

“Keeping the two people he wants dead in the same place is reckless. The kid’s young and he still has a chance. It’s been five years and no matter how far I went or how well I hid he never gave up and he’s not going to. The safest place for Cal is away from me.” I said.

“He’s your family. You can’t just send him away.” Thor said.

“I’m the reason his mom’s dead.” I said. “I have consistently screwed up. The kid doesn’t stand a chance with me around. My mind’s made up. It’s too late for me but I can still do right by him.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Clint said.

“Nature vs. Nurture. Hadrian and I grew up in the life and we became what we had to be to survive. Cal still has a chance at a normal and happy life. He can grow up safe and loved without having to look over his shoulder constantly or being afraid.” I said.

“And you’re okay with just letting him go and Never seeing him again?” Natasha said.

“Up until three days ago I didn’t know he existed. It won’t make a difference to me.” I said making them all exchange concerned looks. I stood up and grabbed the carrier. “I’m heading downstairs. I could use a shower and a nap before he wakes up again.”

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

“We never are.” I said getting in the elevator and heading downstairs. I walked into my room and took Cal out of the carrier and placed him on the bed. I put pillows around him to prevent him from falling off the bed. It wasn’t the best makeshift crib but it would do for now.

I pulled out some pajamas from one of my drawers and hopped in the shower. The warm water helped ease some of the soreness from the past couple of days but didn’t do anything for the tenderness around my bruises. Delilah knew how to throw a punch. I couldn’t help but remember the way her dead eyes just stared at me.

I never thought this was how things would turn out. Me crying in the shower over the woman partly responsible for the hell I went through the past five years and her son soundly asleep in the other room. I was so screwed.

I stood in the shower until the warm water turned cold. I slipped on some flannel pants and a tank top before going to lie down on the edge of the bed. I moved to my side so I was facing Cal. He moved a bit and put his tiny hand on top of mine.

I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep for the first time in days.

Third Person’s POV-

“He was hiding in plain sight this entire time.” Clint said furious.

“Least now we know where Hayley gets it from.” Steve said.

“Should have noticed it sooner. They look alike. The same eyes, cheekbones, hair color.” Natasha said.

Tony took out his phone and started typing away. “Whoa.” He said looking at Hadrian’s Shield personnel file. “They do look alike.” Tony said before passing the phone to Bruce.

“Hayley was right, Cal is a clone of his Dad.” Bruce said. “You don’t need a paternity test to know that.”

“That vile creature has been in our midst this entire time.” Thor growled.

“Jarvis call Hill and Fury.” Tony said.

“What are you doing?” Steve asked.

“Don’t you think it might be a good idea to cut off his access to confidential records and Shield resources?” Tony retorted.

“I doubt that’ll stop him.” Natasha said.

“No but it could slow him down until we think of what to do.” Steve said.

“What’s there to think about?” Clint said. “We find him and take him out.”

“I’m with Barton. The guy killed his own soulmate and wants to not just kill Hayley but his own kid too.” Tony said.

“He must be stopped.” Thor said.

“It won’t be easy. Doubt he’s working alone.” Natasha said.

“Hanson and Taylor?” Clint asked.

“They’ve been friends for years.” Steve asked.

“They’re on leave for the holidays along with the rest of STRIKE.” Natasha said.

“Perfect cover to leave on a personal mission to help your buddy track down his wife and sister.” Tony said.

“We need Hayley.” Steve said.

“No.” Natasha said,

“Nat.” Clint started arguing.

“There’s not a single thing Hayley wouldn’t do to keep us safe including lie to us.” Natasha said.

“We can’t trust her judgment right now. She’s too close and she’s scared.” Steve said.

“She looked exhausted.” Bruce said.

“Probably hasn’t slept in a couple of days.” Tony said rubbing his own tired eyes.

“We need to sit her down and talk all of this out.” Steve said.

“Despite what Hayley says it is obvious she cares for the child.” Thor said.

“No, she just saved him and is doing everything she can to protect him because she felt like it.” Clint said sarcastically.

“You really think she’s going to go through with giving the kid up?” Tony asked.

“Hayley is stupidly and recklessly selfless. She’ll do the right thing even if it kills her.” Natasha said.

“Don’t you mean Calliope?” Tony said.

“I can’t believe her name was really Calliope Chauncey Adler. Who names their kid that?” Steve asked.

“The same type of people who think it’s a good idea to name their kid Drogon.” Clint said.

“Let’s just stick to Hayley and Cal.” Bruce said.

“Aye.” Thor said in agreement.

“Let’s call it a night. We should get some sleep while we still can. I have a feeling this is far from over.” Steve said.

“I really hate it when you’re right.” Tony said walking towards the elevator.

“I need to go punch something.” Clint said.

“Don’t break anything.” Tony said.

“Not like you can’t afford it.” Clint called out.

“I meant body parts.” Tony said.