Fated Marks

Third Person’s POV-

“What’s going on?” Clint said as he, Bruce and Thor walked over to Tony who was sitting in the waiting room.

“Not sure. Hayley started…” Tony started.

“Her heart stopped again?” Bruce said starting to panic.

“No! No she’s okay she just started coughing and choking.” Tony said.

“And that’s better?” Clint said confused.

“She’s breathing on her own so they had to take the breathing tube out. They’re running tests now.” Tony said.

“She’s waking up.” Thor said relieved.

“That’s what they’re trying to find out.” Tony said. “Any word from Romanoff and Rogers?”

“Barnes gave them a lead to one of the original bases. He said it was abandoned back in the fifties but it could still have intel on other bases. Or at the very least point us in the direction of someone who does.” Clint said.

“Where’s the base located?” Bruce asked.

“Jersey. Cap said he’d been there before for some reason.” Clint answered.

“Mister Stark.” Doctor Hunt said walking in to the waiting room.

“So? How’s she looking?” Tony asked.

“I’m going to be completely honest. I didn’t expect Miss Adams to make it through the night let alone the past three and a half weeks. It is a miracle she is still alive. She’s breathing on her own and the CT of her lungs show that there is no scaring or any loss of function. The swelling on her airway has gone down and is healing very well but other than that she still doesn’t show any signs of regaining consciousness.” Doctor hunt said.

“But the tube was removed.” Thor asked.

“She’s healing which is hopeful. With the tube taken out it also lowers the chance of Hospital acquired infections. It also means that Miss Adams is now stable enough to be transferred to another hospital.” Doctor Hunt said.

“We can take her home?” Bruce asked.

“Yeah we just need the authorization of Miss Adams power of attorney.” Doctor Hunt said looking at the chart. “A Mister William Alexander Adams? Do you have his contact information?”

“Uh yeah we know him.” Tony said.

“I’ll have someone bring by the forms so you can get them signed.” Doctor Hunt said before walking away.

“Anyone talk to Will lately?” Tony asked.

“I believe Natasha was going to call and update him?” Thor asked.

“I’ll check in with them.” Clint said walking outside.

Calliope’s POV-

I walked into the tall glass building and checked in at the reception before I was led upstairs to another waiting room. I walked in and all the other applicants immediately turned to look at me. They were all at least four or five years older than me. I could hear them whisper amongst themselves about my age and how I would be the first one picked off.

People can be way too competitive sometimes.

I immediately took a seat in the corner and sat there patiently.

It was another fifteen minutes before they started calling out everyone. Everyone that went in came out in under two minutes and they all had similar expressions. Some were annoyed, others were frustrated and one guy actually punched the wall.

What the hell were they doing in there?

“Cal… Callie Gerard?” Someone called out.

“Yes.” I said standing up.

“Follow me please.” They said.

I walked behind them and followed them down a hallway and into a room that looked like an interrogation room. There was a window that had a mirror in it. It was probably where they had focus groups.

“Have a seat please.” They said.

I sat down and looked at the tablet they had placed in front of me. It was new and nothing I had seen at any store. I’m guessing it was still a prototype or it hadn’t been released yet.

“We would like you to get into the virtual safe in under ninety seconds. If you are unable to complete the task you will be asked to leave. Do you have any questions?” She said.

“Does anything go?” I asked.

“Yes.” She said.

“Okay.” I said.

“Time starts when you begin you will be notified when your time is up. Good Luck.” She said.

I moved the tablet closer and pressed start. I started coding and sending every code I could think of but as soon as they were sent the system rejected it. I looked at the time and saw I only had forty five seconds left.

Anything goes right?

I started hacking the program and started overriding all defense protocols. I sent in a new code and got in. the timer stopped with thirty seconds to go and an applause sound effect started.

“Uh…” I said not knowing if it had worked or not.

The attendant looked surprised too but quickly pulled herself together. “If you would please follow me.” She said.

“O-okay.” I said standing up. Was she going to lead me out?

We walked out of the room and went down the hallway in the opposite direction we came in from. At the end of the hallway was an elevator. She swiped her badge and the doors opened. She ushered me in and headed up without her pressing any buttons.

A minute later we walked out to glass walls and marble floors. We went down another hallway and stopped at a glass door.

“You can go inside.” She said.

“Thank you.” I said walking towards the door and stopped before turning around. She gave me a smile and waved her hand in a shooing gesture.

This was by far the weirdest interview I’ve ever had.

I grabbed the door handle and pushed the door open. I walked in and closed the door.

The room had a TV mounted on the wall and in front of it was a very long wooden table and a lot of chairs set up around it. This was probably a conference room.     

I looked at everything and eyed the monitor to see if there was anything there for another weird test.

“You can sit.” Someone said making me jump in surprise. I looked at the end of the table and saw none other than Tony Stark sitting at the head of the table looking at something on his phone.

I didn’t say anything just slowly pulled out a chair and sat down.

I had to force myself to not tap my fingers against the table because of the deafening silence. I hate the quiet.

“You cheated.” Tony said breaking the silence after exactly three minutes. I know because I counted.

“Excuse me?” I said.

“The test. My test. Instead of inputting the code to open the black box you hacked the program to let anything you inputted unlock it. That’s how you passed.” He said.

“Your test was rigged. I inputted a few codes and the instant I sent them they were immediately stopped without any time for the program to actually process it. I reprogrammed the test and rigged it in my favor.” I said looking right at him. “And it wasn’t cheating. I was told that anything goes.”

He didn’t say anything he just stared at me. I stared back even though I really wanted to look away. I probably just pissed him off.

Then he just smiled and chuckled before looking down at his phone.

“Cal- Cal-e-oh-pee,” he started trying to pronounce my name. “Did I pronounce that right?”

“Just Callie is fine.” I said.

“Your middle name’s Chauncey?” he said looking at me trying not to laugh.

“I’m in the process of getting that legally removed.” I said.

“Wow, that’s…that’s a mouthful.” Tony said before looking down at his phone again. And people said my generation had a problem with cell phone addiction.

“You’re younger than I thought you’d be. Eighteen and a half.” He said looking at his phone before looking up. “It’s your second year at Columbia. Transferred from a junior college in Chicago. Majoring in Communications, Computer Science and Business? How do you have time for anything else besides school?”

“I’m a multitasker.” I said with a shrug.

“Perfect GPA, stellar recommendations from all your professors blah, blah blah…” he said before putting his phone down. “I have a huge pile of resumes just like yours on my desk I shred when I get bored.”

“Then why are you here?” I asked feeling bold.

Tony stood up and walked over to the end of the table I was sitting in and sat on the table not taking his eyes on me.

“I’ve been offering this internship for the past five years. Do you know the names of anyone that’s gotten it?” Tony asked.

“Uh no.” I said shaking my head.

“That’s because no one’s gotten It.,” he said. “SI hires legal, marketing, business and HR interns randomly. We get a lot of the same resumes from Ivy League post grads with perfect GPA’s. The design and engineering departments don’t have interns. We hire the best of the best. And the first year working here is essentially an internship. The internship you applied for was to work directly with me and Bruce who I’ll introduce you to later.”

“So, there isn’t an internship but at the same time there is?” I said confused.

“The internship exists but no one’s ever gotten it, until today.” He said. “In five years you’re the first person to figure out and pass the test. The test was rigged so that you’d have to hack and reprogram it. There are thousands of people who can code and program. I need someone that can think outside of the box and someone that isn’t intimidated by me. You’re both of those things. So come on, let’s go grab lunch we can talk logistics.”

“Uh Mister Stark…” I started.

“Kid just Tony.” He said standing up. “I could go for a burger, you?”

“Tony, logistics to what?” I asked.

“Your job what else.” He said.

“I got the internship?” I said.

“Kid, you’re the only person to ever pass my test. You were hired the minute you walked into this conference room. And it’s a job not an internship. Internship implies you’re not getting paid and you’re going to get paid.” Tony said. “Come on. I need a burger.”

“Uh sure.” I said standing up and following after him.

Third Person’s POV-

“What are you going to do?” Natasha asked Steve.

“What am I supposed to do?” Steve said.

“Tony deserves to know.” Natasha said.

“He knows Hydra was behind his parent’s deaths he doesn’t need to know Bucky was how they did it.” Steve said.

“Tony’s not stupid, he’s going to figure it out eventually if he hasn’t already.” Natasha said.

“Things are already bad with having Bucky in the Tower. It’s the safest place for him and with Hayley…” Steve started as Natasha’s phone started ringing. “Nat…”

“It’s Clint.” Natasha said before answering. “Clint.”

“Hey, so I’ve got news. They took the breathing tube out.” Clint said.

“She’s awake?” Natasha asked.

“Hayley?” Steve said perking up.

“No but she’s breathing on her own now. She’s still out but she’s stable enough to be transferred back to New York.” Clint said.

“When?” Natasha asked.

“That’s why I was calling you. Hayley named Will her power of attorney. They need his approval and for him to sign some forms so they can move her.” Clint said.

“Shit.” Natasha muttered.

“Nat?” Clint asked. “You didn’t?”

“I’ve been a bit distracted being kidnapped, taking down Hydra, and avoiding indictments.” Natasha retorted. “I’ll talk to him when I get back. I’ll call you later.”

With that she hung up and groaned.

“What’s going on?” Steve asked.

“Hayley’s stable enough to be transferred back to New York.” Natasha said.

“That’s great.” Steve said.

“They need Will’s approval since he has Hayley’s Power of Attorney and he still doesn’t know Hayley’s in a coma.” Natasha said.

“Oh.” Steve said frowning.

“Let’s head back.” Natasha said. “I need to talk to Will and I’m sure you want to get back to Barnes.”

“Don’t think he really wants me around. He hasn’t left his room in days.” Steve said.

“He spent the past seventy year as a prisoner. He’s adjusting.” Natasha said starting the car.

A Few Hours Later-

Natasha dropped off Steve at the tower and picked up the forms Will needed to sign before heading to Will’s apartment. She managed to grab parking in front of the building before heading inside.

She stood at the door and knocked.

Instead of Will answering the door it was Nate.

“Uh Hi.” Nate said.

“Hi. Is Will in?” Natasha asked.

“Uh… he indisposed.” Nate said. “He hasn’t been himself since Josh…”

“I figured.” Natasha said.

“How’s Hayley? I haven’t seen her around in a while.” Nate said.

Natasha sighed and struggled not to let her emotions show. “She’s in a hospital in Seattle.”

“What?!” Nate cried out.

“That’s why I’m here. I need to talk to Will.” Natasha said.

“Come on in.” Nate said opening the door. Natasha took one look around and noticed all the bottles scattered around the living room. “Trust me when I say this isn’t as bad as it’s gotten. He’s going to class and working he just misses him and Hayley even if he won’t admit it. What happened to her?”

“Nate, who is it?” Will said walking out of his room in sweats and an old T-shirt. “Natasha?”

“Hey.” Natasha said.

“I’ve been calling you for days.” Will said.

“Sorry we’ve just had our hands full.” Natasha said.

“I saw your statement on Capitol Hill.” Will said.

“That’s just part of it.” Natasha said with a grimace. “I didn’t answer the first few times you called because I was capture on a mission by Hayley’s brother.”

“Her brother?” Nate asked confused. “Hayley has a brother?”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about her.” Will said. “Did you guys get him?”

“No.” Natasha said and Will cursed. “But Hayley did.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Will asked.

“After she came here she made a deal with one of Adler’s co-workers. She found me and put a tracker so I could be found but she was taken away or I thought she was. She turned herself over to him so he’d let me go or that’s what she made him think. She made Adler’s men turn against him and kill him but one of them, the winter soldier he got to her like she wanted him to.” Natasha said.

“What do you mean she wanted him to get her?” Will said tearing up.

“The Winter soldier, his real name is James Barnes. He’s her seventh.” Natasha said. “She helped us find him so we could rescue him.”

“Where is she?” Will said and Natasha blinked away tears that were threatening to come out.

“She’s in a hospital in Seattle. In a coma.” Natasha said.

“No, no that’s not possible.” Will said.

“How did you guys let that happen!?” Nate shouted.

“We didn’t even know until it was too late.” Natasha said.

“That was weeks ago.” Will said. “How am I just finding out now?!”

“Hayley found more intel about who Adler was working on and we’re still trying to sort through it all and take down what didn’t go down in DC.” Natasha said. “She’s stable and breathing on her own. We want to bring her home but we need you.”

“Me?” Will said choking back a sob.

“Hayley gave you her Power of Attorney in her will. You’re the only one authorized to make any decisions regarding her care so you have to authorize the transfer.” Natasha said passing him the forms.

“She’s in a coma?” Will cried.

“Yeah.” Natasha said. “Tony, Bruce, Clint and Thor are with her.”

“This shouldn’t have happened.” Nate said.

“H-how soon can she be here?” Will asked.

“Knowing Tony, He’ll buy a jet just to get her here.” Natasha said.

Will let out a sad chuckle and wiped the tears off his face. He got up and grabbed a pen from his desk. He flipped through the pages and started signing and initialing where needed. When he finished he walked over to Natasha. She reached for them but Will pulled them away.

“I want to be kept up to date and I want to be there when she gets here.” Will said.

“I’ll call you when I know when she’ll be here and where they’re putting her.” Natasha said before walking out of the apartment.

Once she was in the car she dialed Clint.

“Nat?” Clint answered.

“Will signed the forms where do they need to go?” Natasha said.

Calliope’s POV-

“Jarvis get us a booth at the usual place.” Tony said as we got in the elevator.

“Right away sir.” The elevator answered.

“Your elevator talks?” I asked.

“No, that’s Jarvis. He’s an AI I made that runs the place.” Tony said.

“So he’s your personal Siri.” I said.

“No he’s not like that cheap imitation. He’s essentially my butler. The Alfred to my Batman.” Tony said.

“Cool.” I said.

“It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Adams.” Jarvis said.

“That’s not my name.” I said.

“Uh yeah it is.” Tony said. “Callie Gerard, it’s on your resume and file.”

“Yeah that’s my name but Jarvis said…” I said.

“Miss Gerard.” Jarvis said.

“Oh, must’ve misheard.” I said.

“Right.” Tony said as the elevator doors opened to a garage.

“Wow.” I said. “You have a lot of cars.”

“We all have our vices.” Tony said typing something into his phone and one of the cars turned on and moved towards us. “Jarvis is connected to all of them and all of my buildings and homes.”

“The amount of storage space he probably need to run must be insane.” I said.

“Not really just a moderately sized server farm.” Tony said.

“The only way that’s possible would be if you found a way to compress all the coding with compromising processing capabilities…” I started and Tony smirked. “Which you did, oh please tell me I get to take a peek at that coding?”

“Even better, I’m going to show you how to do it.” Tony said.

“I feel like a kid trapped overnight at Disney World.” I cheered.

“You haven’t even seen the lab yet or gotten your tablet yet.” He said.

“I’m getting one of those super cool tablets?” I asked.

“Yeah, you’re going to need it.” Tony said.

“I love this job.” I said.

“Just wait until you actually get started. We’re about to start trials on our new robotic prosthetics. They’d actually be connected to the nerve endings at the amputation site so the response and control would be nearly identical to a flesh limb.” Tony said.

“If it works then with a few minor adjustments you can add tactile sensors so it would actually…” I started.

“Enable the user to feel with the prosthetic. That’s the goal.” He finished before turning on the radio. “Oh just a heads up I play my music really loud in the lab.”

“I don’t mind, I hate silence. Makes me anxious.” I said as ACDC’s Thunderstruck started playing. “Oh turn it up. This song is awesome.”

“Are you serious? Where have you been this whole time!” Tony said turning up the radio.