Fated Marks

The first rule of going on the lamb is to ditch anything that could make it easy for someone to track you. This includes cell phones, credit cards, or any IDs with your real identity.

Of course Hadrian knew this and probably went through quite a few phones a month especially working with someone like the Winter Soldier. Which made the cloned phone I was currently staring at stranger. The number was still active but it wasn’t being used. Even stranger the firewall I couldn’t get through was still up.

If you have something so important you install an AI like firewall as a precaution to keep people out shouldn’t that be the first thing you erase before disappearing?

Of course now that I think about it he’s a double agent and isn’t working alone. He had an actual base in Russia. He probably wasn’t the one that put up the firewall so he’d have no idea how to take it out.

Which brings me to where I was three days after I finally decided to get off my ass and help find Hadrian, Sitting in my lab, that apparently Tony had set up for me months ago without telling me. I had walked in here closed the glass door and started blasting music as I got to work.

I started running algorithms to try and get through it but nothing was working.

The phones last recorded call was to me and that was weeks ago in Romania... I thought as I picked up my coffee and took a sip. I spun the chair around and looked at the serial killer virtual collage I had spent the first two days on. I had Jarvis map out every contact on the ledger and then I cross-referenced them with everything I could dig up from Shield, CIA, MI6, and Interpol.

Of course intel from five years ago was about as helpful now as it was when I was looking for Delilah.

Romania was Bratva territory and no one in their right mind would risk getting on Oleg’s bad side and it wasn’t like before where I could just ask Kol or Rebekah to ask around for me… I teared up at the thought of them.

I shook it off and started rewriting the algorithm and overcomplicating it just to see how the firewall adapted to it. And in less than a minute…

“Access denied.” Jarvis said. “The algorithm was not enough to bypass the firewall Miss.”

“Uh!” I groaned. “Even you weren’t this hard to hack.”

“Is something wrong?” Thor said coming in with a tray of food.

“This firewall’s impossible. It’s like every time I start getting through the superficial layers it builds up more walls.” I said.

“There’s a wall of fire?” Thor asked confused.

“No firewall, it’s like a computer shield to try and keep people from accessing information you don’t want them to see.” I said.

“Then there must be a way to go around it.” Thor said.

“I’ve tried all the usual means to get through it but it’s like it adapts to it and counteracts any algorithms I come up for it.” I said.

“Maybe you should take some time away from the wall of fire. You’ve been in here for three days love.” Thor said.

“No I just have to keep working.” I said going back to typing out a new algorithm.

“Hayley…” Thor sighed. “Try to eat please.”

“Uhuh.” I said not really paying attention.

Third Person’s POV-

Thor walked back up to the common room to join everyone else for breakfast. Everyone was chatting away and immediately looked to him when he walked in.

“Hayley still in the lab?” Steve asked.

“Aye she is very focused.” Thor said.

“How long’s it been since she’s moved down there now?” Tony asked.

“Approximately seventy two hours sir.” Jarvis said. “The same amount of time Miss Adams has gone without sleeping.”

“You know when we agreed we needed Hayley’s help this wasn’t what I had in mind.” Clint said.

“Would you prefer she go back to never leaving the tower for the rest of her life?” Tony retorted.

“The entire tower versus her living in front of a computer screen and not sleeping. We’ve made great progress.” Natasha said sarcastically.

“Hayley’s focused and determined.” Tony said. “This is good and she’s not going off on her own to try and take care of this behind our backs.”

“She’s not eating or sleeping.” Thor said and that made them stop arguing.

“Maybe we need back up.” Tony said pulling out his phone.

Hayley’s POV-

“Access denied.” Jarvis said.

“Ah!! You stupid annoying piece of…” I started.

“Wow. What’d the computer ever do to you?” Will asked.

“Stupid firewall won’t let me through.” I grumbled.

“Have you tried hacking it?” Will said and I gave him a glare.

“No Will I’ve just been sitting here pressing buttons because I love the sound of keyboard clacking.” I retorted.

“Oh damn you’re cranky.” Will said. “So you need head upstairs to Tony’s penthouse, Pepper’s waiting for you.”

“She is? I thought we had everything covered or the gala.” I said.

“You do except what you’re going to wear tonight.” Will said.

“Tonight?” I said confused. “The gala isn’t for another three days.”

“It was three days from now, three days ago.” Will said.

“Oh shit I zoned out again didn’t I?” I asked.

“You did and by the looks of it you even forgot to eat.” Will said looking at the breakfast sandwich someone, probably Thor had dropped off for me.

“Haven’t really been hungry.” I said typing away.

“Uhuh, yeah let’s go.” Will said putting an arm around my shoulders and pulling me away from the computer.

“Will I have things to do.” I said.

“Just go up there and try on a few dresses then you can come right back here.” Will said.

“Can’t you just pick something out for me?” I said.

“I would but these are all designer samples and you need to try them on so you get the right fit.” Will said.

“Designer samples?” I asked.

“Pepper and Tony had some sent over for them along with the rest of the team including us. Natasha’s already up there.” Will said.

“You’re not letting me say no are you?” I said.

“I have Thor on standby to throw you over his shoulder and carry you up there if you say no.” Will deadpanned.

“I really don’t have time for this.” I said.

“Yeah you do, you can even take a nap before you have to start getting ready. That firewall isn’t going anywhere. Come on.” Will said pulling me away.

“Let’s get this over with.” I said grabbing my phone before following Will upstairs.

“You could try to be a little more excited about this.” Will said.

“My psychopath older brother is waiting for any opportunity he has to kill me and went as far as to try and kill one of my soulmates to send me a message and the one thing holding all of his secrets and probably the way to trach him down is…” I started.

“Access denied.” Jarvis said.

“Uh!!!!!” I groaned.

“Time for a break.” Will said trying to take my phone away.

“No!” I said moving it away.

“Hayley gimme.” Will said.

“I’m working.” I said.

“Not right now.” Will said trying to wrestle it from me and getting it out of my hands.

“Will.” I said jumping on his back.

“Wah!’ Will yelped falling out of the elevator just as the doors opened.

“Give it back.” I said as we started rolling on the ground.

“No!” he shouted before the phone slid across the floor in front of Natasha and Pepper.

“What is going on here?!” Pepper shouted.

“Uh…” I stood there frozen not knowing what to say. Will took advantage of that to grab the phone and run into Tony’s kitchen.

“Will!” I shouted running after him.

“I’m doing this for your own good.” Will said before throwing my phone into the food disposal and turning it on.

“AH!” I gasped in shock. Pepper and Natasha just stood there in shock.

“Did he just…” Pepper asked Natasha and she answered with a nod.

“What is wrong with you!?” I shouted.

“You know the rule.” Will said. “You go longer than two days without sleeping and start skipping meals I can do whatever I feel is needed to snap you out of it.”

“You smashed my phone into tiny pieces using the food disposal. I was running a decryption program.” I shouted.

“Decryption failed.” Jarvis notified us.

“UH!” I groaned.

“Hayley take a minute. Deep breath.” Pepper said.

“But…” I started.

“Deep breath.” She said sternly and I did as I was told. “and out. Again… good now pick a rack and start trying on dresses.”

“Pepper this is really nice but I can just use one of the dresses in my closet. I haven’t even worn most of them.” I said.

“Hayley it’s a gala. People paid what most people earn in a year for a seat. We all have to look the part.” Pepper said.

“I know that I just mean since I’m working the event I need something a bit more business like and some of these aren’t really something you’d wear for a work event.” I said showing her a really sheer dress that didn’t really leave anything to the imagination.

“You’re not working tonight.” Pepper said.

“Uh yeah part of my job is making sure Tony doesn’t call anyone by the wrong name.” I said.

“You haven’t told her?” Pepper asked Natasha.

“Tell me what?” I said looking at her.

“We figured since we were all going and we haven’t really done anything date like in a while we’d use tonight for a group date.” Natasha said.

“Oh… what about…” I said.

“The six of us will be with you keeping an eye on you constantly.” Natasha said.

“What about keeping a low profile?” I asked.

“You’re coming as a friend of the team. Will and Josh are also coming.” Pepper said.

“I don’t get a say do I?” I asked.

“Of course you do, mermaid or A-line.” Will said holding up two dresses.

“Neither Ew pink.” I said pulling out a long black dress before putting it back on the rack.

“Oh no you don’t.” Will said pulling it out and making me hold it as he pulled out a bunch more. “Go try these on.”

“Yeah yeah,” I said going to the makeshift dressing room. I grabbed the first dress and pulled it on. It was a trumpet style lace long sleeved dress with an open back.

“Is it just me or does this dress have a train?” I said coming out.

“Wow.” Pepper said.

“It’s the style. It looks good but… it’s time you wore something that isn’t black.” Will said. “You need more color, it’s a gala not a funeral.”

“I thought you said black was chic?” I asked.

“It is but you need to show more skin.” Will said.

“Next dress it is.” I said going back in. I grabbed the next one that also happened to be black but did show a lot more skin than the other one. It had a tasteful plunging neckline and a strappy back. When I saw it on the hanger I immediately thought it would be something Natasha would wear.

“Mh… it’s sexy but I don’t know…” Will said.

“I want something like that.” Natasha said.

“So do I but it probably wouldn’t look as good on me as much as it does on you.” Pepper said coming out in a pale blue fitted vintage looking dress with fabric flowers sewed on.

“That style suits you.” I said.

“Just not that dress.” Will said and Natasha nodded in agreement.

“The flowers…” Pepper said looking at herself in the mirror.

“Next dress.” Will said.

“Aren’t you going to try on a dress Nat?” I asked.

“I already picked out my dress.” She said.

“Do I get to see it?” I asked.

“You will tonight.” She purred.

“I don’t get a sneak peak?” I asked.

“It’s red.” Natasha said.

“The dress?” I asked.

“What I’m wearing under.” She whispered in my ear. I could feel my cheeks heating up.

“Uh..I..Uh…I’m gonna go try on the next one.” I said stuttering and tripping on my own feet.

“Try on the sparkly one!” Will called out.

So after I struggled against the wall to try and reach the back zipper and finally managed to get it down I got out of it and then went over to the sparkly one. I cringed at all the sparkles and had a minor panic attack when I saw the really plunging neckline. Like almost down to my underwear plunging.

I walked out of the dressing room ready for Will trying to talk me into wearing this one and ready to fight against it.

“No.” I said.

“Whoa.” Will said.

“Damn.” Clint said.

“Krasivaya.” Natasha said her jaw dropping.

“You look beautiful…” Thor said.

“…” Tony just stood there speechless with his mouth opening and closing.

“What are you guys doing here?” I asked starting to look for something to cover myself with and I had no idea why I was trying to cover myself considering they’d all seen me naked before… well except Bruce and Pepper.

“Sorry I’m late… wow.” Steve said gaping before blushing and avoiding eye contact. "Uh got caught up with a debriefing.”

“I’m not wearing this.” I said.

“Why not, you have a rocking body and amazing boobs.” Will whined.

“No.” I said.

“ Give me one good reason.” Will said.

“I’ll give you six.” I said gesturing to my soulmates. Tony was snapping pictures and had a dopey look on his face. Clint, Thor and Natasha were practically drooling. Bruce and Steve were blushing to the point their cheeks looked like tomatoes and they couldn’t even look at me.

“I don’t see how this is a problem.” Will said. “It’s dramatic sexy and flashy. Everyone likes it. Right guys?”

“Uhuh.” They all nodded. They didn’t even snap out of it when the elevator dinged.

“Hi, sorry…” One of the interns said. “There was a package for Hayley.”

“Oh thanks Dan.” I said but Dan the intern wasn’t looking at me so much as he was looking at my boobs. “Hey! Eyes up here.”

“Sorry! Sorry!” He said scurrying away.

I looked at the box and there wasn’t a return address.

“Is that a last minute Christmas present?” Will said suddenly getting the urge to grab the box but before he could I moved it out of the way.

“You know I’m just going to drop this off downstairs and then we can continue this fun game of say yes to the dress.” I said.

“It doesn’t have a return address.” Natasha said and I gave her a look. “Actually I wanted to ask if I could those black suede pumps.”

“The ones from Thanksgiving? They’re downstairs in my closet.” I said.

“I’ll go grab them, I want to see that dress with those sparkly Louboutins you’ve never worn.” Will said running out as Pepper’s phone started ringing.

“I have to take this.” She said going to the other room.

I quickly grabbing the scissors and started opening the box.

“What’s going on?” Clint asked.

“There’s only one person who sends me packages with no return address and I seriously doubt it’s that new DS I put on my amazon wish list.” I said taking a deep breath before lifting up the top. As soon as I did a disgusting smell of rotting meat filled the room.

“Uh.” Tony gagged.

I was the only one that actually got a look inside. I quickly closed it before holding it closed as I leaned over to the trashcan and threw up. Thor quickly moved to my side to hold my hair back and rub soothing circles on my back as I emptied out the contents of my stomach. I hadn’t eaten a lot over the past couple of days so I was mostly dry heaving.

“What was that?” Steve asked.

“Dead animal?” Bruce asked.

“Nope.” I said trying to catch my breath. “We need to get that out of here.”

“What is it?” Tony said reaching it but I slammed my hand on it stopping him.

“You don’t want to do that.” I said.

“Hales…” he argued.

“It’s a severed hand.” I said.

“A… What?!” Steve said.

Natasha opened it and the smell stunk up the room again making me gag. She reached in and pulled the note out before closing it. She read it before handing the note to Clint.

“We need to get the…package to Shield see if they can identify who’s it is.” He said.

“Let’s go.” Steve said giving me one last glance before following after Nat and Clint.

“Hayley are you okay?” Thor asked.

“Yeah just uh… I’m going to get out of this freakishly expensive dress before I puke on it.” I said going to the other room. I quickly pulled on my sweats. Before heading straight for the elevator.

“Hales I got… hey where are you going?” Will asked.

“I have stuff to do. Pick out whatever dress you want and leave it in my room please.” I said getting in the elevator and closing the doors before anyone could get in or he could ask for an explanation.

“Would you like to return to the lab miss?” Jarvis asked.

“Ye…” I started but then felt a bit nauseous. “Actually I need some fresh air, roof please.”

“Of course.” He said before the elevator moved up. As soon as the doors opened I started feeling light headed. I leaned against the wall as I started moving out of the elevator. I sat down against the wall and took some deep breaths trying and failing not to panic.

The next package I send to the tower will have your head in it.

Those words sent chills down my spine. He was close… to close. It wasn’t an empty threat, he wasn’t playing around anymore. He was going to end it this time.

No.

He wasn’t going to end it. I was.

I got up and headed down to the lab. I looked through the footage of the tower security camera’s from the instant the package made it to the penthouse and retraced it’s steps all the way to the instant the bike messenger walked into the lobby.

It was a small delivery company that delivered all over Manhattan and Brooklyn. I ran facial recognition on the messenger and he came up clean. Chances are he had no idea what the package had inside. I just had to retrace his steps to find out who had hired him.

It wasn’t until a few hours later that I finally got something.

I hacked into traffic camera’s to see what route he had taken to get to the tower. I saw him go through the park down a few streets. Stopped by for coffee…

“Hales?” Tony asked.

“Hm.” I said not looking his way.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Eh.” I shrugged not taking my eyes off the screen.

“Can I get something more than a grunt or at least words that are in the dictionary to make sure you’re not in shock or going catatonic?” Tony asked.

“Just a…” I said watching as he went inside a building with the package but he had gone inside the building empty handed. “Bingo.”

“What are you looking at?” Tony said looking over my shoulder to see the feed I was watching.

“I retraced the package’s route to where it was picked up.” I said.

“It’s a bike messenger company, wouldn’t it have just been dropped off at the company’s office?” Tony asked.

“Apparently not because the messenger walked in empty handed and came out holding it meaning that’s where he picked it up.” I said getting the building address. Once I had that I hacked into all the nearby cameras I started looking back at everyone who had gone in and out of the building. I didn’t see anything so I started going forward after the package was picked up. I didn’t have to wait long because about thirty minutes afterwards Hadrian walked out the front of the building.

“Is that.” Tony started.

“I… Think so.” I said trying to get clear up the image.

The camera only captured a frame every ten seconds to save memory space so Hadrian appeared to come out walk out to the street and then look straight into the camera smiling.

“Shit.” I said. “He’s in New York.”

I moved on to the next captured frame and he held something up, a box of some kind before he completely vanished in the next one.

“What? Where’d he go?” Tony asked.

“I don’t know. He just doesn’t show up on the next one. “ I said.

“Maybe one of the other camera’s caught him.” Tony said moving to the other computer.

“Good idea.” I said looking to the other camera from down the street.

“I got nothing.” Tony said.

“Same here.” I said.

“How the hell did he manage that? I thought you said he wasn’t into tech?” Tony asked.

“He’s not, but he’s also not working alone so it probably wasn’t him.” I groaned frustrated. At that moment Clint, Natasha, and Steve walked into the lab with Bruce and Thor behind them.

“What happened?” Steve asked.

“Hayley found Adler.” Tony said.

“Where is he?” Thor asked.

“Here in New York.” I said. “But I lost him.”

“What?” Clint asked. I pulled up the security footage on the hologram so they could see him show up and disappear.

“He doesn’t show up on any of the other cameras.” I said.

“Can you replay that?” Natasha asked. I played it in slow motion from the beginning. “He looked straight into the camera and held out the box. He isn’t hiding. First thing you learn in training, stay off security feeds, always know where they are, and never look direct at the camera.”

“But he didn’t. He looked right at it like he was taunting someone.” Bruce said.

“He knew this was going to happen.” I said.

“Did Shield find anything on the package?” Tony asked.

“They guys in the lab managed to get prints off the hand.” Clint said.

“Do you recognize this guy?” Natasha said handing me her phone. I looked at gasped.

“Hayley?” Thor asked.

“Maxwell Thorne.” I said.

“You knew this guy?” Steve asked.

“He’s my fake ID guy or was.” I said before looking back at the footage. “Oh shit. That fucking idiot.”

“What?” Tony asked.

“I know what he’s holding up.” I said. “It’s not a box, it’s an external drive.”

“Do you know what’s on it?” Clint asked.

“Probably the reason Hadrian killed Max. The drive was his insurance, in case any of his clients ever decided to turn on him or report him. It was his bargaining chip.” I said.

“So Hadrian killed him for information?” Steve asked.

“No, He killed him so I can’t get away anymore. That drive has every alias I ever asked Max to make for me, Will, Josh and Nate.” I said. “It’s strategy. He’s closing off any exits before going in for the kill.”

“It won’t come to that.” Steve said.

“It already did.” I said before walking out of the lab.