Fated Marks

There have so many times where I’ve had to choose between fighting or ‘flying’. I know the actual fight or flight response mostly has to do with hormones being released from the adrenal glands in response to stress but fighting has never really been an option in my case. Running away was second nature to me. I always knew where the exit was and what to do after. I always had three spare identities and go bags set to go.

I never had to worry about not having an escape plan. The escape plan was always plan a through z.

That was until today.

The day Maxwell Thorne’s escape plan killed all of mine.

I stood in the shower with the scalding water pouring down on me, every drop of water feeling like it weighed a ton slowly crushing me until finally I collapsed. I dropped to the floor of the shower and I screamed.

“AHHHHHHHH!” I yelled as loud as I could until my throat was raw and I couldn’t anymore. I didn’t even realize I had started crying or that the water was starting to get cold.

“Are you going to stay in there all day?” I heard Natasha say.

“I’m not ready to come out.” I said taking a deep breath.

“Scoot over.” Natasha said opening the shower door and slipping inside. She grimaced when she felt the freezing water but didn’t say anything. She turned off the water before sitting down next to me. “How’d you meet Max?”

“There was this bar in Harlem. A lot of people who work outside the law tend to hang out there. Drunks talk mentioned a guy who made perfect ID’s that could pass any detection machine. Tracked him down on the dark web. Helped me get settled and get enrolled in school.” I said.

“Did you know him well?” Natasha asked.

“We weren’t friends. I paid him to do a job and he did it that’s all.” I said.

“His body hasn’t been found.” Natasha said.

“It’s probably at the bottom of the Hudson by now if not some garbage dump in Jersey.” I said. “The next person he goes after won’t be someone like Max… he’ll hit closer to home.”

“He lost the element of surprise, we know he’s in New York.” Natasha said.

“Which is exactly what he wanted. He stabbed Clint but didn’t kill him to send a message, to scare me. He killed Max so I couldn’t run anymore.” I said.

“So what would he do next?” Natasha asked.

“Normally, he’d go after the mistress or kids.” I said and Natasha just gave me a look. “Take out what keeps people together, destroy from within.”

“You’re what keeps us together.” Natasha said.

“Not true, I wasn’t around when Loki invaded Earth and despite your differences you all banded together to save the world. You’ll all be together long after I’m gone.” I said.

“Hey, you’re not going anywhere.” Natasha said holding my hand.

“It may not be up to me.” I said with a sad smile. “No matter what… I need you to know that meeting you and everyone else has been the best…”

“No.” Natasha said giving me a deadly glare. “You don’t get to do that.”

“Nat you need to listen…” I started.

“No, you are not giving up.” Natasha said.

“That’s not what…” I said but she interrupted me again.

“Do you have any idea what losing you would do to us? Stark will drink himself to death. Clint will become a hermit, Bruce will hulk out, Steve will tear the world apart looking for Hadrian…” Natasha said starting to ramble. I’ve never seen her ramble.

“Nat!” I yelled trying to get her to stop talking. “I’m trying to say, ya lyublyu tebya.”

“What?” She said surprised.

“It was supposed to be this long and heartfelt speech about how awesome you are and what you mean to me but you kept interrupting me and the only Russian Kol taught me was I love you and pass the fucking vodka you commie bastard.” I said and Natasha just stared at me. “Did I say it right?... I just wanted you to know… been planning this for a while… the timings probably not the best… you know just forget I said anything I’ll redo this later the right way.” I said starting to get up but Natasha grabbed my hand and pulled me into a kiss.

Everything kinda gets fuzzy from there. I slipped in the shower and now had a nasty bruise on my leg but once we got to bed … Actions speak louder than words.

Way louder.

By the end of it I was knocked out. It was the best nights sleep I had gotten in weeks. It was also the only sleep I had gotten in days.

I probably would have slept until tomorrow morning if it wasn’t for the fact will barged in and woke us up.

“Wakey wakey. Whoa.” Will said looking at us. The only thing keeping Nat and I covered were the bedsheets.

“Dude, read the room.” I said.

“I did you both need to start getting ready. It’s party time.” Will said hanging up a garment bag. “You said to pick whatever so don’t complain.”

“Fuck off, I want to sleep.” I said curling up into Nat’s side.

“Hayley,” Natasha said.

“Let’s stay here. It’s warm and comfy.” I said nuzzling into the back of Nat’s neck.

“You haven’t left the tower in over a week. You need to get out for a bit. Think of something other than hacking firewalls.” She said making me groan.

“I am thinking of something than that unhackable firewall.” I said kissing behind her ear.

“Hales I’m right here.” Will said.

“Shoo.” I said.

“I have to go get my dress.” Natasha said sitting up.

“No.” I whined.

“If you go get ready, I’ll make it up to you later.” She bribed kissing my cheek before sauntering off.

“Wow.” Will said.

“Cockblocker.” I said sitting up.

“I don’t think that’s the right term.” He said with a smirk. I just grinned. “So try to tame your sex hair and put it in an updo and put on these.” Will said pulling out a pair of gold Jimmy Choos with a matching clutch from my closet.

“Please tell me it’s not the boob dress?” I said.

“No it’s not though it would have been a good choice.” Will said.

“Yeah no, I’d rather not draw that type of attention to myself.” I said getting up and slipping on a robe.

“I’d get used to the attention because this dress is a show stopper.” Will said proudly.

“Help me tame all of this and then we’ll talk about your showstopper.” I said heading into the bathroom.

“You’re going to love it.” Will said.

After a half hour of tugging and curling, my hair finally resembled something of a purposely-messy hairdo.

“Dress time.” Will said with a giddy smile.

“That smile scares me.” I said.

“Stop dreading and close your eyes.” Will said.

“How am I supposed to put it on without being able to see?” I said.

“Don’t make me bring out the eyelash curler.” Will said.

“Uh.” I said closing my eyes.

“Lift your leg.” Will said. “Down… next one. Good.” I felt him lift up the dress before zipping it up. “Open.”

I did as he said and took in the dress I was wearing. It was a gold a line gown that accentuated my waist very well. it had small floral applique on the skirt and strapless sweetheart neckline tastefully showed off my assets.

“You can say it.” Will said.

“How am I supposed to go pee in this thing?” I asked and Will gave me a death stare. “You were right, I love this dress and you did an awesome job. Thank you.” I said kissing his cheek.

“You’re welcome. Next time though you’re wearing the boob dress.” He said.

“Never going to happen.” I said.

“Never say never.” Will said.

“Not ever.” I reiterated as we walked out.

“Maybe for new years.” Will said.

“I don’t really think of new years as a holiday. You can get drunk any other day of the year.” I said as we got into the elevator.

“When did you get so cranky?” Will said.

“Hey you love my cranky ass I balance you out.” I said as the elevator doors opened. “Besides you love it when I give you shit.”

“I oddly do. Love you bitch.” Will said.

“Love you too dick.” I said.

“Whoa.” Tony said as he saw us walk in.

“I know, it’s a Cinderella dress.” I said.

“You look amazing.” Steve said.

“Thanks.” I said.

“My stars, Hayley…” Thor said staring at me.

“Wow I’m not even wearing the boob dress and you guys are all drooling.” I said as the elevator doors opened. “Wow” I said staring at Nat who sauntered out in an off shoulder form fitting black gown.

“You were saying?” Will teased.

“Will.” Josh said stepping off behind Natasha.

“H-hi.” Will said.

“Pot meet kettle.” I said.

“Can someone please give me a hand with this thing?” Clint said coming in messing with his bow tie.

“Remind me to get you a clip on.” I said taking his tie and fixing it.

“Maybe I just like you fixing my tie for me.” Clint said. “Makes it easy for me to do this.” He said putting his arms around me and pulling me in for a kiss.

“Hey no hogging the soulmate.” Tony said.

“We should probably start heading down.” Natasha said.

“Right.” Tony said putting his arm around my waist. “Come on sunshine, show time.”

“You’re still my boss in public.” I reminded him.

“You’re not working tonight.” Tony retorted.

“But you are.” I said kissing him. “Strictly friends in public. Love you.”

“Mh… love you too.” He said.

“So what cause did you end up picking?” Bruce asked.

“Supporting the families of fallen soldiers.” Tony said.

“Good cause.” Steve said.

We all headed downstairs and piled into the limo. It felt weird to be at one of these events without actually working the event. There was a seat with my name on it. That seat probably cost three months of my salary.

“So stay close…” Tony started.

“Yeah I’m going to stick to Nat and Clint and avoid the press.” I said.

“Probably a really good idea.” Bruce said. “I’m going with you, don’t want to risk a code green.”

“Seriously, whats the fun in that?” Tony said.

“We’re spies.” Natasha deadpanned.

“I’m keeping a low profile.” I said. “See you inside.” I said following Clint, Natasha, and Bruce out of the limo.

After going around and taking advantage of the distraction Tony, Steve and Thor caused we went inside and found our table.

“You did a great job.” Bruce said taking in the décor.

“Those arrangements are on the wrong table. And they’re not supposed to be sitting there.” I said looking at a neighboring table.

“Hales, night off. Loosen the reigns.” Clint said.

“You’re right.” I said grabbing a flute of champagne off one of the waiter’s plates. “This is me relaxing. Oh bacon wrapped jalepano poppers.”

“Way ahead of you.” Clint said offering me some from his plate.

“Oh wow that’s spicy.” I said coughing before trying to washing it down with Champagne. “That just made it worst.”

“Can we get some water?” Bruce asked.

“Right away sir.” The waiter said.

“Okay I’m going to avoid those.” I said.

“They’re spicy so people will drink more and loosen their check books.” Tony said.

“These are delicious.” Thor said shoving a handful into his mouth.

“I’m going to grab a drink.” I said going towards the bar.

“Grab me a scotch please.” Tony said.

“Still too early.” I called over my shoulder. I got to the bar and waved down a bartender. “Hi vodka soda please.”

“Coming right up.” He said.

“You should take it easy on those, it’s still early.” Someone familiar said.

“It’s been one of those days.” I answered.

“Then I doubt this is going to help.” Marcel said taking away the drink the instant it was placed in front of me.

“I thought you’d be half way around the world by now.” I said.

“Needed to make sure everyone got off okay and to finish tying up loose ends.” Marcel said.

“Which one am I?” I asked.

“Neither, this is more for my piece of mind. Needed to make sure you were okay.” Marcel said.

“I’m…” I started but Dad could always tell when I was lying. “I don’t know. I finally got off my ass and decided to do something about it. I found him by retracing the path of a severed hand. Turns out he brought the fight to me.”

“Severed hand?” Marcel asked.

“My fake id guy.” I answered.

“Were you two friends?” He asked.

“I hired him to do a job.” I said.

“Then why is it bothering you so much?” Marcel asked.

“Because I’m exactly where he wants me to be.” I said.

“Then put him exactly where you want him to be. If you can’t go after him, then go after the people around him.” He said.

“Hadrian killed the only person he seemingly cared about.” I retorted.

“I never said the people he loved.” Marcel said.

“Hales, everything okay?” Clint asked putting a protective arm around me.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I said forcing a smile.

“Cal, I have to get going. Remember what we talked about.” Marcel said eyeing the exit.

“Will do.” I said hugging him.

“Love you kid.” He said.

“Love you too dad.” I said.

“Take care of her.” Marcel told Clint before walking away.

“I’m sorry who was that?” Clint said watching Marcel walk away.

“Don’t worry about it.” I said.