Fated Marks

After running around for the past week avoiding getting killed and making arrangements for Cal’s new life sleep was a good and much needed break from reality, at least it would have been if I hadn’t fallen asleep next to a teething eight month old baby.

“WAH!!! AHHH!! AH!” He cried making me jump awake and land on the floor with a hard thud.

“Ah!” I groaned. What’s black and blue all over? That’s right I was.

“Wah!!” Cal cried.

“Okay, okay. It’s okay. Aunt Hayley’s here.” I said picking him up and immediately getting the strong smell of a dirty diaper. “Oh wow that stinks.”

“Ah, AH.” Cal sniffles.

“Okay buddy, this is going to be a team effort. You just have to stay still while I get it off of you and hopefully not all over the duvet.” I said grabbing a diaper and the pack of baby wipes. “We can do this right?”

“Ehh.” Cal sniffled.

“Please don’t pee on me.” I said as I unbuttoned his onesie and then his diaper and got to work. “Is poop supposed to be that color?”

“Wah!” He yelled.

“Okay, okay I’m going sheesh.” I said wiping his tush and then putting on a new diaper. “That wasn’t so bad.” I said before realizing I had a bit of poop on my arm.

“Ew, gross.” I said grabbing Cal’s onesie and wiping it off of me before realizing I was supposed to put that back on him. I quickly looked through the diaper bag and found the last clean clothing Cal had. I was going to either have to do more laundry or go shopping. Then I realized something even more terrifying, Cal was wearing his last diaper.

“Whatever happens don’t poop again.” I said. “Jarvis, can you get more diapers and some more clothes delivered?”

“Yes Ma’am. May I remind you that the high chair from your time as a toddler is still in the common room utility closet?” Jarvis said.

“Oh you’re a lifesaver buddy.” I said picking up Cal. “Come on sweetie, let’s go make you some mashed up fruit.”

“Ah!” Cal said happily.

I got in the elevator and walked into the empty common room. I finally looked at the time and realized it was only four in the morning. Even Steve wasn’t up for his morning run yet.

I sighed before going to pull out the high chair from the utility closet. It was practically new considering I only used it for a day or so. I set it up at the edge of the counter so I could keep an eye on him as I started taking out some apples, strawberries and blueberries. I peeled the apple and chopped it up before throwing it in the blender along with the berries. A few minutes later I had fresh baby food.

“Okay kiddo, breakfast is up.” I said grabbing a small bowl and pouring the mash into it. I grabbed a spoon and stirred it a bit before trying to feed it to him. Cal just looked at me like I was crazy.

“It is way to early for this.” I said. “Come on, it’s yummy.”

He just looked at me with a pout.

“Open up.” I said waving the spoon around. “Here comes the tie fighter. Whoosh.”

He laughed and I took advantage of it to sneak food into his mouth. He chewed on it before laughing and smiling.

“Ah!” he exclaimed opening his mouth.

“Here we go, pew pew whoosh.” I said getting another spoonful into his mouth. I couldn’t help but laugh at how he was clapping and jumping up and down in his seat.

“You’re good with him.” I heard Steve say. I jumped up a bit surprised and not remember hearing him walk in.

“You wouldn’t have said that if you had seen him change his diaper.” I said. “Still don’t know how something so small could make a mess like that.”

Steve walked closer and moved a lock of my hair finally noticing the cut on my forehead and then running his fingers on the finger shaped bruises on my forearms.

“What happened?” he asked.

“Delilah got loose before Hadrian showed up and we went at it. Then later on when neither of us would tell him where the kid was he grabbed me.” I said.

“Damn it Hayley.” Steve said.

“Can we not do this right now? I kind of have my hands full at the moment.” I said giving Cal another spoonful of fruit.

“I’m going out for a run.” He said kissing my forehead before walking out.

“Okay bud, the millennium falcon’s about to go into light speed, if you don’t open it it’s going to crash. RRRR… whoosh.” I said dramatically as he opened his mouth. “Oh they made it yay!” I cheered. I looked at the time and figured it would be a good a time as any to check up on Rebekah.

I took my phone out and dialed her setting it up on speaker.

“Hello?” She said.

“Morning.” I said.

“You’re up early, isn’t it about five in New York?” She asked.

“Got an early wake up call from someone in need of a diaper change.” I said.

“How’d that go?” Rebekah said laughing.

“Well we’re out of diapers and clean clothes so I’m hoping he doesn’t have to go again before they get delivered.” I said. “how are thing on your end?”

“Just got into London. I’m stuck in rush hour traffic.” She said before she honked her car horn really loudly. “Bloody wanker!” She shouted.

“Whoa, take it easy.” I said. “I want you to come back in one piece.”

“We’re on a bit of a deadline.” Rebekah reminded me.

“We have a bit of wiggle room.” I said.

“Ah!” Cal yelled slamming his little hand on the tray table so I’d feed him.

“Oh sorry buddy.” I said giving him another spoonful.

“Sounds like you have your hands full over there.” She said.

“No someone just really likes his breakfast.” I said.

“I have to go. I’m ditching the phone as a precaution so I’ll call you when I’m back in the states.” She said.

“Okay, good luck.” I said.

“You too.” She said before hanging up.

“Rebekah’s back in London?” Natasha said sneaking up on me.

“Ah, I really need to put a bell or something on you all.” I said. “She had some things to take care of.”

“That have anything to do with him.” Natasha said looking at Cal.

“No it’s personal stuff.” I said giving Cal another spoonful.

“Personal meaning you don’t want to tell us or personal as in actually personal private stuff?”

“Just personal loose ends.” I said.

“What happened to your elbow?” Natasha asked looking at the botchy purple bruise.

“I elbowed Delilah in the throat.” I said. She just raised an eyebrow and nodded.

“Miss Adam’s your delivery is being brought up.” Jarvis said.

“Thanks.” I said.

“Delivery?” She asked.

“Diapers and onesies, someone had an incident this morning.” I said giving Cal the last spoonful of mashed fruit.

“Why Cal?” Natasha asked me.

“Satan Junior sounded too mean.” I said. “Cal short for Calliope and sounded more boyish. Rebekah said he looked a lot like me so it stuck. Personally don’t think it’s much of an upgrade from Drogon but he won’t be here long enough for it to matter. His adoptive mom is going to change his name.”

“And you’re okay with that?” Natasha asked.

“It’s just a name, it doesn’t matter.” I said.

“I meant with giving him up for adoption.” Natasha asked.

“It is what it is. He’ll be well taken care of and he’ll be safe that’s all that matters.” I said.

“Right.” She said. “He has your eyes.”

“Those are actually his dad’s eyes.” I said standing up and going to load the dishes in the dishwasher.

“Did you sleep at all?” Natasha asked.

“I got a few hours.” I said rubbing my eyes.

“I can watch him.” Natasha offered.

“I’m fine. Not the first time I’ve gone without sleep. I just need coffee.” I said.

“You’re so stubborn sometimes.” Natasha said.

“Only when I’m right.” I said pouring myself a cup of coffee.

“And that’s the problem.” Natasha said.

“I’ve made mistakes.” I said. “I deal with it.”

“How?” She asked.

“I’ll let you know when I figure it out.” I said.

“Let us deal with him.” Natasha asked.

“I spent the past eight months tracking down his wife so he wouldn’t try to have you three killed. He’d send me live feeds of your missions and photos of you in action so I’d know how easily he could take you out if he wanted to. I don’t want any of you near him because nothing he can do to me would hurt me as much as loosing one of you would.” I said before looking at the sleepy baby in the high chair. “I’m going to try and put him down, see if I can grab a few extra hours of sleep.”

With that I went back downstairs and went through the process of getting Cal back to sleep. I few songs and the bouncing, rocking technique later he was out. I put him back own on the bed and I lied down next to him except now I was wide awake and couldn’t sleep even thought I felt exhausted.

I got up and went to the living room and turned on the news. I lied down on my side while I watched TV. At least the couch was comfy.

Twenty minutes later the elevator dinged and someone walked in. I was to tired and too comfortable to even move to see who it was. I heard them walk closer and I saw that it was Tony.

“Scoot.” He said. I sat up and moved over a bit. Tony sat down and I lied back down. “You know I’m pissed at you right?”

“I had a feeling it’s going around.” I said.

“We fought aliens. Thor’s a freaking god…” Tony started.

“Technically he’s just an alien with a long life span and powers.” I corrected.

“Not the point.” Tony said. “What was going through your head that you thought you couldn’t tell us?”

“I screwed up.” I said.

“That’s an understatement.” Tony said. “You’re on the run with a kid.”

“I know.” I said.

“He killed his own soulmate.” Tony said.

“I know.” I said flashing back to the dead body in that cottage.

“He could have killed you.” Tony said.

“I know okay! I freaking know. Do you have any idea how shitty I feel that I’m the reason Delilah’s dead or that my nephew’s life is now in danger, that I probably just condemned him to the same hell I grew up with? I was there when she begged Hadrian to let him go. Every time I close my eyes or it gets quiet I’m back in that cottage and all I see is Delilah choking on her own blood as she begs Hadrian for mercy and begging me to keep my promise to keep that kid safe with her dying breath. I’m scared shitless and I have no idea what I’m doing. All I know is that I have to make sure that kid is safe. That’s the only thing keeping me from breaking down right now because I’m losing all of you and there’s nothing I can do about it.” I cried.

“Hales.” Tony started. “You’re not losing us."

“It feels like everything’s falling apart.” I said suddenly feeling my hands go numb and the room started spinning.

“Hey, hey… it’s okay, just focus on me.” Tony said pulling me onto his lap.

“You’re okay, we’re okay.” He said kissing my temple and rubbing my back.

“I can’t do this anymore.” I cried.

“Yes you can. You’re stronger than you think Hales. It’s just a rough patch, you’ll get through this.” Tony said.

“I really screwed up.” I said.

“We’ll figure it out, just get some sleep.” He said holding me as I leaned on him.

“Wah!” Cal cried from the other room.

“Uh, I gotta go deal with that.” I said standing up with a groan.

“You know we can help.” Tony offered.

“I got it.” I said walked to the room.

“Hales you’re exhausted.” Tony said.

“He’s my responsibility I’ll deal with him.” I said walking into my room and checking up on Cal. He was still in his pillow fort but he was sitting up and crying. Once he saw me he stopped. “Hey buddy.” I said sitting at the edge of the bed.

“Mh!” He whimpered before sticking a hand in his mouth.

“Oh, your gums are bugging you.” I said before grabbing the diaper bag Rebekah packed and pulling out the small tube of teething gel. “Okay. Open wide.” I said putting some of the gel on his fingers.

“Mh!” He whined.

“Come on, ah!” I said.

“Ah!” He said imitating me and I went for it. He made a disgusted face and stuck his tongue out.

“I really hope that works.” I said lying down on the bed next to him. Cal imitated me but started playing with my hand and before biting my finger. “Ew.”

“Hehe.” Cal giggled.

“I really hope you never change and stay this sweet and adorable forever.” I said before I gently rubbed his stomach and I started drifting off to sleep.

When I opened my eyes again the sun was starting to set and I was alone in bed. Normally that just meant someone was getting started on breakfast but when I fell asleep with a baby next to me that not a good thing.

“Shit!” I said looking over the edge to make sure he hadn’t fallen off the bed. “Oh Fuck!”

“Miss Adams, you appear to be in distress.” Jarvis said.

“No shit where’s the baby?” I asked.

“He is currently in the common room.” Jarvis said and I ran out of the room and got in the elevator. As soon as the door opened I ran in.

“Hayley?” Steve said.

“An!” Cal cheered from his high chair.

“Oh buddy.” I said taking him out of the chair and hugging him. “Scared the crap out of me.” I said kissing the top of his head.

“You kinda knocked out and the kid was wide awake.” Tony said.

“You babysat him?” I asked.

“Well I was going to drop him off at daycare…” he started and I glared at him “But I knew you were going to give me that look so I had some stuff delivered to keep the little guy busy and we took turns watching him.”

“You did?” I asked.

“Made him applesauce for lunch.” Steve said.

“He fell asleep during empire strikes back, woke up just in time for Han to get frozen in carbonite, The family resemblance is uncanny.” Tony said.

“Uh… thanks.” I said.

“You want to sit down?” Clint asked.

“Sure.” I said.

“I’ll take him.” Natasha said taking Cal. I was half expecting him to make a fuss but he practically leaped into Nat’s arms.

“We have matters to discuss.” Thor said.

“What do you want to know?” I asked.

“The truth, all of it this time.” Bruce said.

“Where do you want me to start?” I asked.

“How’d he find you?” Tony asked.

“Thanksgiving last year. Apparently they run your prints before throwing you in the drunk tank. Once they did that it was pretty easy for him to track. All the times before that Delilah was the one pointing him in the right direction just to give him something to focus on.” I said.

“Where is he right now?” Steve asked.

“My guess would be somewhere in Romania. He hasn’t called to threaten bodily harm so he probably hasn’t figured out it was all a ruse to keep him busy.” I said.

“Ruse? What did you do?” Natasha asked.

“I led a false trail to a maternity home in Bucharest, planted a fake abandonment certificate and then a fake receipt that he was taken into the Romanian foster care system, bounced him around for a bit and then to an abandoned Romani safe house that’s been taken over by the Bratva. Also set it up so he’ll gradually get all this info to buy some extra time.” I said.

“O-kay… Tell us everything you know about him.” Clint said.

“You guys recruited him to your Strike team, everything you want to know about him should be there.” I said.

“Hayley, he managed to get close to us without raising any flags and you both lied to us for months. For all we know everything there is a lie.” Natasha said.

“Hadrian Commodus Adler, Born July thirteenth 1979, age thirty four, married to Delilah before he killed her. Father of Drogon ‘Cal’ Adler, Joined the army in 2001 and was directly sent to ranger school. Climbed through the ranks pretty fast. That’s where he met his best friends and lackeys Jesse Taylor and Gerald Hanson. He did two years with the rangers before getting an honorable discharge and returning to the family business. He brought those two morons on a few months later as Extra muscle and back up. They were kept on retainer for you know money laundering purposes. Weapon of choice knives. Close combat specialist, ambidextrous but favors his right. He’s wanted dead by at least three different Mexican cartels, the IRA, the bratva and pretty much anyone he’s ever worked with.” I said.

“Where have you been the past few days? You said you found Delilah days ago but We could not find you. Where were you?” Thor asked.

“New Orleans. I went to go meet with Rebekah and we were hiding out while I figured out what to do next.” I said.

“And what did you decide to do?” Bruce asked.

“Got Hadrian away for a while. Give the kid up for adoption and come here.” I said.

“And?” Tony asked.

“That’s all I got, I’m kind of making this up as I go.” I said “I wasn’t expecting…him.” I said looking at Cal.

“And now?” Steve said.

“Now what?” I said confused.

“You’re still going to give him up?” Bruce asked.

“I’m not giving him up, I’m giving him his best chance, it just so happens that that isn’t with me.” I said smiling at Cal who was biting into some squeaking blocks.

“He needs to be stopped.” Clint said.

“I know.” I said.

“I don’t think you do.” Clint said giving me a stern look. His eyes were cold and there was none of the warmth or spark I normally saw in him.

“Hayley he needs to be taken out.” Steve said.

“I’m sorry can you repeat that?” I asked.

“Hales, he’s a lost cause.” Tony said.

“No I know that you guys remember that giant fight we had when I framed Nassar…” I started.

“This is not the same thing.” Clint said.

“Isn’t it?” I asked before sighing. “I’m out of ideas and times running out. The original deadline is in a week, after that its open season on me. Until then I’m going to take things one step at a time. Step one is get Cal away from here and as far away as possible.”

“When’s his adoptive mom getting here?” Natasha asked.

“She’s still setting things up and getting some paperwork straightened out.” I said. “Last time I called she was rushing through it all.”

“Are you going to be okay?” Bruce asked.

“I will be… eventually.” I said getting Cal out of his high chair. “I’m calling it a night.”

“We still haven’t solved anything.” Steve asked.

“You’re mind’s already made up, it has been since you found out who he was. Just do me a favor and don’t tell me about it.” I said walking out of the room.