Fated Marks

Chapter 116-

Calliope’s POV-

Brunch ended up being an all day thing that turned into a night thing. We don’t remember getting home. All I know was that I woke up in the bathroom next to Will and we were both leaning over the toilet.

“Wakey wakey!!!” Josh came in tapping his wooden spoon against a pot.

“AHHH!” I groaned.

“Stooop!” Will whined.

“You evil evil man.” I whined.

“I made coffee and breakfast.” Josh said.

“You’re a god.” I said.

“And you’re hungover the morning of your first day at your new job.” Josh deadpanned. “Speaking of your fancy new phone hasn’t stopped going off since this morning.”

“Oh crap, it’s probably Tony’s itinerary and to do list.” I said standing up and trying to hold back anything that was trying to make its way up.

“Tony? You’re on a first name basis with your boss?” Josh asked.

“Yeah is that weird?” I said taking the phone from him and walking out of the kitchen where Clint was drinking straight out of the pot. I gave him an annoyed look before he reached behind him and handed me my favorite mug with my coffee made just the way I like it.

“No just most people aren’t on a first name basis with their boss.” Josh said.

“I wouldn’t really say we’re on a first name basis. More like he really hates formalities. And he doesn’t really call anyone by their names he gives everyone nicknames.” I said.

“What’s your nickname?” Clint asked.

“Sunshine.” I said taking sip of my coffee and checking the phone. “I’m gonna go pick out my clothes. You may want to check on your… fiancé…” I said pinching my eyebrows together. Wow he was not kidding about me having to go buy him underwear sometimes.

“Will has the day off so he can at least sleep off the hangover.” Josh said.

“And you don’t have to be at the restaurant until noon so you get to play nurse.” I said in a sing song voice.

“Well if you can be ready before eight I can give you a ride, I’m heading that way anyway.” Clint said.

“You’re the best.” I said hugging him before getting up and heading to my room.

I grabbed a black and white striped shirt and a pair of comfy distressed jeans. I finished off the look with an olive utility jacket and tan booties. The look wasn’t formal at all but considering the list of errands I had to run today comfort took priority over appearance. By the time I headed to the bathroom Josh had gotten Will out of there and onto the couch.

I gently ruffled his hair as I passed by before jumping in the shower.

“Okay I’m good to go.” I said.

“That’s what you’re wearing?” Will said from his spot on the couch.

“I was told the dress code was casual. Besides I’m going to spend most of the day out of the office running errands.” I said grabbing my bag. “Drink plenty of fluids and call if you need anything.”

“How are you so functional this morning?” Will groaned.

“Oh I feel like death but I’m used to hiding how I really feel. Besides I did this to myself so now I have to deal with it.” I said. “Ready when you are.”

“Okay.” Clint said. “See you guys later.”

“Bye.” I said grabbing a coffee to go cup.

“Need more coffee?” Clint asked as we walked out of the building.

“Not for me.” I said as Thor walked out of the bar. “Morning.”

“Good morrow my fair lady.” Thor said with a grin. “How are you feeling?”

“Like the walking dead.” I responded. “Coffee.”

“Thank you.” He said before handing me a brown pastry bag. “And here is something to brighten your day.”

I took the bag and peeked in it. There was a guava cheese strudel. I had mentioned a few days ago there was a small café bakery in Chicago that made the best pastries and that I would always order the same guava cheese pastries every time I stopped by and that I was craving them.

“It’s from a small bakery they just opened across the street from my building. I saw them and thought of you.” Thor said making me smile.

“That’s so sweet. Thank you.” I said hugging him. I took him by surprise making him chuckle a bit before he gently returned the hug.

“I should get back to work. I hope you have a wonderful first day at work.” Thor said.

“Thank you. I’ll see you later.” I said before walking with Clint towards his car. He had this smug smile on his face.

“Wow.” He said.

“Hm?” I asked.

“He is so into you.” Clint said.

“What? No he’s not. Thor has a girlfriend.” I said.

“Cal the guy bought you a pastry because you mentioned it once in passing and he remembered.” Clint said.

“He’s a thoughtful guy. Jane is one lucky girl. They don’t make them like that anymore.” I said opening the passenger door.

“Take this from a guy. No guy at that age does anything that thoughtful for anyone he doesn’t have a thing for. The guy looks at you like you hung the moon.” Clint said.

“I always bring him breakfast and he helps me carry my groceries and things up the stairs. He’s a good guy.” I said.

“uhuh.” Clint said giving me a look and smiling before shaking his head and starting the car. “Guess Nate has a pretty high bar to live up to.”

“Nate?” I asked confused.

“Nate, Will’s friend, you don’t remember do you?” Clint asked.

“Remember what?” I asked.

“Last night you and Will got to talking while you were both taking turns holding each other’s hair back or rubbing each other’s backs while you hurled you guys started talking and you agreed to maybe tagging along to one of Will’s group study sessions and so you could get to know Nate in a more casual non date like setting.” Clint said.

“Uh.” I groaned. “That sounds like something drunk me would agree to do.”

“You did say it in those exact words.” Clint said.

“If I’m lucky Will might not even remember I agreed to it.” I said getting in the car.

“Why are you so against this?” Clint asked.

“I don’t need a relationship right now.” I said.

“No one needs a relationship it’s just nice to be in one.” Clint said.

“I’m good. Besides I’m sure Nate isn’t interested in me and this is all Will trying to play matchmaker.” I retorted.

“For a genius you can be so dumb sometimes.” Clint said making me arch an eyebrow. “Nate came over during brunch and said hi to Will but the entire time he couldn’t take his eyes off of you. I know that look that’s the look of someone that’s crushing hard. I should know that’s how I look at… point is just because you don’t want to see it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.”

“Why are you rooting so hard for him? I thought with everything going on with you and Bobbi…” I started.

“I’m going to stop you right there, things don’t always work out the way we want them to and despite how things turned out Bobbi and I had some good times. As for why I’m rooting for him, I’m not. I’m rooting for you. I’m on your side no matter what and I want you to be happy.” Clint said.

“I am happy.” I said.

“Cal you think you’re happy but you close yourself off and stay in your comfort zone. You’re young and if there was ever a time to take a chance on someone it’s now. You don’t want to look back years from now and regret everything you’re missing out on.” Clint said.

“Does that mean you’re going to let Will set you up with someone?” I retorted.

“I don’t think I’m there yet.” Clint said.

“I don’t want to turn into my mom.” I admitted.

“Cal, I’ve never met the woman but if she raised you to be the awesome person that is my best friend she can’t be that bad.” Clint said as he parked.

“You’re only saying that because you’ve never met her.” I said picking up my bag and reaching for the door.

“Hey.” Clint said putting a hand gently on my shoulder and stopping me. “Who your parents are doesn’t determine who you’ll turn out to be because if it did I’d be a raging alcoholic.”

“That doesn’t count. Especially when we’re both hungover on a Monday.” I said.

“Cal…” Clint started. I leaned over and hugged him before kissing his cheek.

“I love you and thank you for looking out for me.” I said before getting out of the car.

“And if you do give him a chance and it still doesn’t work out him or anyone after him, we still have our deal.” Clint said.

“Well lucky for me it wouldn’t be settling. My best friend’s a catch.” I said.

“Same here.” Clint said with a smirk.

“See you tonight.” I said.

“Yeah.” He said before I walked away and he drove off.

Classes went by as they usually did with the exception of one of them that was cancelled at the last minute. I took that as my chance to get another coffee to fight off the crash that was hitting me hard. I grabbed my usual order before sitting down outside in the courtyard. I looked through Tony’s itinerary and started planning out which stops to make first.

“Hi.” Someone said. I looked up and saw Nate standing there with his book bag and gym bag.

“Hey.” I said smiling.

“Do you mind if I…” He said gesturing towards the empty seat in front of me.

“Oh no go ahead.” I said.

“Thanks.” Nate said. “How’s Will? He was hitting those mimosas pretty hard. You all were.”

“He’s at home with Josh nursing his hangover.” I said. “Brunch ended up being an all day thing.”

“I guess that explains the voicemail.” Nate said.

“Voicemail?” I asked taking a sip of my coffee.

“Yeah it was Will and uh, I think you were serenading someone.” Nate said. “You sang ‘You’re the one that I want’ at least that’s what I think it was.”

“Oh my gosh I am so sorry.” I said blushing out of embarrassment. “Normally Clint or Josh take away our cell phones when we start drinking but considering they weren’t doing much better than us…”

“Don’t sweat it. Back in high school my friend Chuck and I had a yearly tradition of a lost weekend. We got into all sorts of messes. One time we sunk a golf cart in the country club lake.” Nate said.

“My brother Kol did that but it was a go-kart and the neighbor’s pool.” I said smiling at the memory.

“How many siblings do you have?” Nate asked. 

“Four brothers including Will and a sister.” I answered. “You?”

“I’m an only child.” Nate said as my phone started going off again. “What phone is that?”

“Uh…” I said looking through the messages to see why it kept going on. Turns out it wasn’t just Tony’s to do list he was sending me audio notes on whatever he was working on in the lab. “It’s a Starkphone. It’s a job requirement.”

“Is it a new version of it? Because it doesn’t look like mine.” Nate said. I looked at his and then looked at mine. Not only was mine thinner and sleeker but the lack of home button set it apart.

“I think this is a prototype. The sent me a new one after I got hired.” I said.

“The only reason you’d get a stark phone prototype would be if you work for Stark Industries.” Nate said.

“As of last Thursday I do.” I said proudly.

“Oh congrats. That’s awesome Hayley.” Nate said.

“Hayley?” I asked.

“Callie?” Nate asked confused.

“No sorry I thought I heard you say something else. Must be the hangover.” I said laughing it off.

“So was this the internship Will was telling me you were up for?” Nate asked.

“Will told you about that?” I asked.

“More like he was bragging. He’s very proud of you.” Nate said.

“Of course he is.” I said smiling. “Today’s actually my first day and this thing has not stopped going off since this morning.”

“Looks like you’re going to be busy then.” Nate said.

“That’s nothing new.” I said looking at the time. “Crap I have to get going. It’s my last lecture before heading into work and it also happens to be my hardest class.”

“I should get going to. Where’s your class?” Nate asked.

“Social sciences.” I answered.

“Oh I’m heading there too. Mind if I walk with you?” Nate asked.

“Not at all.” I said.

After class I had to stop by to pick up Tony’s dry cleaning, buy him some new underwear and then it said I had to stop by and get him and Doctor Banner their usual coffee orders along with some bagels from this one coffee shop across town. I decided to save myself some time and order the coffee and bagels via postmates and have them meet me in the tower. I went into Barneys and picked out the underwear Jarvis specified Tony preferred. My jaw dropped when I saw that it was a hundred a piece. I quickly paid for it with the company card and headed to the dry cleaners. I made sure they gave me the right clothes before heading to the tower. The postmates delivery boy was already waiting for me. I strategically managed to hold everything while at the same time holding out my ID badge to scan it as I went in.

“Good afternoon Miss Adams.” Jarvis greeted making me jump a bit.

“It’s Gerard actually.’ I corrected.

“I believe that is what I said.” Jarvis said.

“Can you take me to where I’m supposed to go. I can’t really press any buttons with my hands full.” I said.

“Of course Miss Gerard.” Jarvis answered before the elevator started moving.

I waited until the elevator stopped and the doors opened to get off. I immediately recognized it as the lab floor. I walked in and looked around but didn’t see Tony.

“Hello?” Someone said.

“Oh uh hi.” I said recognizing Doctor Banner from photos of articles he had published.

“Can I help you?” He asked.

“Oh no, I’m Callie.” I said and he still didn’t say anything. “The new intern slash personal assistant.”

“Callie. Right Tony mentioned you’d be starting today. Oh here let me help you with that.” He said taking the coffee and bagels out of my hands.

“Thanks. And that’s actually your Chai tea and plain bagel.” I said as the elevator dinged and Tony walked in.

“Sunshine! I wasn’t expecting you for at least another hour. How’d you get to the coffee shop and back so soon?” He said walking over and taking his coffee. “Most of the assistants didn’t get back here until around two. You beat that record by almost three hours.”

“Postmates.” I answered. “Your dry cleaning and underwear?”

“Wow you are good.” Tony said. “Suits go in my closet upstairs, same goes with the underwear.”

“I have clearance to go into your apartment?” I asked. I vaguely remember in my very brief orientation that while I did have a high security clearance there were still a few places I wouldn’t be allowed until after my probation.

“Kid you just bought me underwear we’re way past me letting you up. Go drop that off and head back down here.” Tony said shooing me away.

“Sure.” I said before walking towards the elevator and stopping. “Your coffee and bagel are on the table.”

With that I got into the elevator and Jarvis took me straight upstairs. I walked into Tony’s apartment and was in awe of the amazing view his living room had.

“Wow.” I said walking towards the window. I saw the sleek modern decor and a few photos scattered around. I walked straight down the hall. I didn’t have to ask Jarvis for directions because I just knew that it was the door at the end of the hall. The room was pretty big and also had a pretty great view but there were some sort of blinds to block out the sunlight without blocking the view.

The door to the bathroom was already open so I knew that it had to be one of the other two doors. I walked to the one on the right side of the bed and got it on the first try. I opened the door and the lights turned on to reveal the biggest walk in closet I had ever seen.

“Wow.” I said. If Will were here he would jumping off the walls.

“Miss Gerard sir’s under garment drawer would be the bottom two drawers on the dresser to your left.” Jarvis said.

“Uh which if the two bottom drawers?” I asked.

“Either is fine though the left drawer are of the same brand and material.” Jarvis said.

“Left it is.” I said bending down to open the drawer. There were neatly folded underwear sorted by color. I quickly placed the new packet in and closed it before standing up. “Okay, dry cleaning.”

“That would be hanged ma’am.” Jarvis said as the hangers started moving on their own until the suits moved to where there was a missing suit. Everything was sorted by color and the suit I had in my hand was the one that was missing. I quickly placed it on the hanger and everything moved back to the way it was before.

“He really does have all the cool toys.” I said as the hangers stopped moving. I turned around and walked out closing the door behind me.

I headed back downstairs where ACDC was blasting. I winced a bit at the sound but pulled myself together and walked in.

“You really do have all the cool toys.” I said.

“Huh?” Tony said.

“Your closet?” I said.

“Oh if you think that’s cool get a look at this…” he said waving his hand over the table and suddenly there was a holographic projection floating in the air.

“This is something straight out of Star Wars.” I said.

“Oh please tell me you’re not a fan of the prequels.” Tony said.

“Eww no.” I said wrinkling my nose in disgust. “Original trilogy all the way.”

“Favorite movie of the three?” Tony asked.

“Empire Strikes back.” I said.

“You pass.” Tony said.

“Is this the prosthetic you mentioned?” I asked getting a look at what was being projected in the hologram.

“Yes it’s something we’ve been working on for a while.” Doctor Banner said.

“It started off as a joke. As you probably know I used to be in the weapons business and after being held hostage for three months in Afghanistan. I was done. I had the arc reactor and I perfected it but then came the problem of what to do next.” Tony said.

“He didn’t want to blow stuff up anymore which made a lot of people mad, my father in law included.” Doctor Banner said.

“So you started making cell phones and tablets.” I said putting together the timetable and remembering when the first starkphone was released.

“That was mostly to keep the board of my back and keep investors happy. For years I got rich of the death and misery of I have no idea how many people. I wanted to do better, build a legacy that was something other than death and destruction.” Tony said.

“So you expanded SI’s biomedical research department.” I said eyeing the blue prints.

“No, we got drunk.” Tony said.

“What?” I said turning to look at them to see if they were joking.

“We went out and got drunk.” Tony said and I turned to look at Doctor Banner.

“We did.” Doctor Banner said nodding. Okay not feeling so guilty about showing up to my first day with a killer hangover.

“He may look serious Sunshine but get a few shots in him and this guy is the life of the party, just wait until the company Christmas party.” Tony said. “We started talking and spit balling ideas until I said something about body armor.”

“No you actually said you wanted to build a suit of armor around the world which wouldn’t have worked out since that’s impossible and most of our problems were on the ground.” Doctor Banner said.

“So I had to start small, I thought a suit of armor but of course the energy needed to actually power the suit, and then there was the whole potential weaponization issue plus it wouldn’t be cost effective so I went smaller and ta da, a high tech prosthetic.” Tony said.

“You guys are awesome.” I said toying with the hologram.

“Glad you think so because you’re going to be helping us with all the boring paperwork.” Tony said as my phone dinged. “That would be all the files on every one of the applicants for the trial. We need you to go through them all and pick out ten. Those ten get to be fitted for the neurosensors and we get to see who’s actually compatible with them and the lucky winner gets the arm.”

“Only one person gets the arm?” I asked.

“Depending on how the amputation was done, how viable the nerves are and how atrophied the nerves, will determine whether or not the neurosensors will actually take.” Doctor banner explained.

“And we only have the one arm.” Tony said.

“The prototype.” I said.

“We need to see if it’ll work and then improve it before even considering mass production.” Tony said.

“How many applicants?” I asked.

“About two hundred from around the country.” Doctor Banner said.

“Guess I better get started.” I said.

Third Person’s POV-

“Hey beautiful, sorry I haven’t been by as much lately, and that I’m here so late…” Steve said looking at his soulmate who was sleeping as peacefully as she had been for the past two and a half months.

“Then again you do have a tendency to go days without sleep or stay up really late so I hope you don’t mind the company.” Steve said tearing up. “Haven’t really been sleeping much lately. Bucky… he’s uh… he started therapy a few weeks ago with Sam. Of course that didn’t really work out since Sam couldn’t help with the amnesia. It also didn’t help that they couldn’t stop bickering so I had to ask Tony for help. He wasn’t happy about it but Tony has a good heart, even if he doesn’t like Bucky he’s still helping him.”

“Buck isn’t really talking much. He spends most of his days in his room brooding. When he does come out he avoids everyone, including me most of the time. He kind of reminds me of you when you were a kid and scared the hell out of us when we found you on the roof.” Steve said chuckling a bit. “He’s been going to his appointments with the specialist Tony hired but each session takes a lot out of him. I can hear him through the walls, how he screams in pain when he dreams or how he paces when he tries to stay awake because he doesn’t want to remember. I always run into the room to wake him up but he lashes out and he shuts me out. I can’t blame him, I let him fall from that train, didn’t find him until seventy years later, and I didn’t… I didn’t keep you safe. I feel… I feel like if I can’t save the people I love then how am I supposed to save anyone. Peggy says I’m being dramatic and I’m sure you’re probably thinking the same thing too.”

“I’d give anything to have one of our talks again. You always know just what to say. And you’d probably know what to do about Bucky and Tony. If I tell him he’ll be hurt. He didn’t have the best relationship with Howard but he was still his dad. He’ knows Hydra caused the accident but he doesn’t know Bucky… the winter soldier, was who they sent. He already has enough on his plate and he’s drinking more, doesn’t sleep, hardly comes out of the lab unless Pepper drags him out. Telling him would do more harm than good. Natasha agreed though probably because she has her hands full with Clint and Will. She finally got Will to come back to work.” Steve said. “Clint’s working on some leads. At least that’s what Natasha says he’s doing. He left in the middle of the night three weeks ago and no one’s talked to him except her since. He’s been visiting though, his name’s on the visiting logs”

“I’m not sure if you can hear me but if you can please wake up Hayley. Please.” Steve said kissing her temple. “I love you and I miss you.”

Steve brushed a few strand of hair off of Hayley’s forehead before standing up and turning to walk out but stopped when he saw who was standing in the doorway.

“Bucky.” Steve said.

“That’s her.” Bucky said. “That’s the girl from the cliff.”

“Y-yeah.” Steve said.

“You said she was alive.” Bucky said. “That she was okay.”

“She is alive.” Steve said.

“Then why is she here?” Bucky said. Steve stayed quiet. “Why is she here Steve?!” 

“Buck…” Steve started.

“Tell me!” Bucky shouted.

“Because she hasn’t woken up.” Steve answered. “She’s in a coma.”

“How long?” Bucky asked.

Steve sighed. “Two and a half months.”

“Since I…” Bucky started.

“We should go, it’s late and the nurses aren’t happy with the noise we’re making.” Steve said ushering Bucky out.

“Did I know her?” Bucky asked.

“No.” Steve said.

“Then why did she do it?” Bucky asked.

“Because… it’s Hayley, it’s what she does.” Steve said.