Chapter 26

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Cassie brushed the hair from her face, eyes focused on the mirror. She felt different. Somehow, with everything that had happened, Cassie knew that she was stronger.

There was a knock, and Wanda stuck her head inside the doorframe. "Cassie? There's someone at the door for you."

Cassie gave a last, determined look into the mirror and followed Wanda from the room. Her tall black boots clicked across the floor, and her eyes surveyed the room.

"Jonathon."

A young man, early thirties, stood in the doorway. His eyes were desperate, and he had his hands shoved deeply into his pockets. "Cassie."

She didn't need to ask what he was doing there.

"May I please ask you to reconsider?" he implored.

"No, Jonathon. I cannot explain this, but I need you to understand."

The man sighed deeply and gazed around the room.

"Jonathon, I'm sorry. I know this isn't fair to you."

"No, it's not," he suddenly spat angrily.

"But please-"

"Cassie, these children are counting on you."

"Jonathon, please-"

"You could cost me my job, dealing with things like this. Now, with all that's been happening with the school board, to lose my-"

"Jonathon, stop. You'll be fine. I promise. You're good at what you do."

He sighed and then extended his hand forward. "Well, then good luck. I'm sorry that your time with us could not last longer," he smiled weakly.

"Thank you."

As he turned to go, Steve entered the doorway, blocking the man's path out.

"Oh...um...excuse me," Jonathon mumbled with wide eyes.

Cassie bit her lip to stop her muffled laughter at the surprised look on both of their faces. "Bye, Jonathon!" she called as Steve shut the door.

At first, he wouldn't meet her eyes. "Who was that? The date you canceled on?"

"No, Steve. He's the principal of my school."

Steve looked up and smiled, then paused. "You look beautiful..."

A rose colored blush filled her cheeks, and she smiled. "Thank you, Steve."

Wanda glanced at the two of them with a raised eyebrow before excusing herself from the room.

Cassie wore a floral-printed black dress that fell above her knees and tall black boots.

"Where are you off to?" he asked, moving toward the couch to drop his jacket and bag.

"I have a few appointments today..."

"I see. Date tonight?" he asked, back to her.

"Steve?"

He rounded to face her curiously.

"I didn't have a date... I-I made that up."

His brow creased, and he rubbed the back of his neck momentarily. "Why?"

"I was...with Tony Stark."

Steve straightened defensively, and his jaw set. "Why?"

"He's offered to help me."

"I don't know that you should trust him, Cassie."

"I know...I know that."

He glanced around the room for a moment before nodding stiffly.

"I understand that the two of you don't always see eye to eye... He made that clear," she coughed uncomfortably.

"How often do you see him?" Steve murmured, crossing his arms over his chest.

"There are no set times... It's just-"

"Regular."

"Fairly."

The silence lingered for slightly too long.

"Steve, I-I'm going to cancel on him today though."

"I see."

"Don't be angry. You've done a lot for me..." she murmured.

His gaze softened, and he moved forward, stopping in front of her. "Cassie, I only want you to know...that if you needed me...I'll be there to help you. Okay?"

A blush was rising in her cheeks-he was standing close. He let his fingers brush her own, and a stone dropped into her stomach, her lips parting.

"Th-thanks."

He leaned a little closer, curling his fingers around hers.

"Steve?"

Wanda's voice could be heard from down the hall, and he started suddenly.

"Yeah?"

"Could you come look at this for a second?"

His jaw tensed as he stared reluctantly into Cassie's eyes before turning away. "Coming."

He left the room, and Cassie released the breath she'd been holding in. Turning, she grabbed her purse and quickly left the apartment.

**********

"Tony."

"Cassie?"

"Yes, I'd like to speak to you. Would it be possible to do that today?"

"I suppose so. I can pick you up in an hour."

"Okay. I'll meet you wherever is most convenient."

"That coffee shop."

"Sounds good. Thanks, Stark."

She hung up and stared at her cell phone. She'd never told Stephen that she'd agreed to help him, but she figured that he knew now. Cassie didn't want to disappoint Tony, but after what had happened, she didn't believe that she would be able to work with him again.

**********

"Get in."

He pushed open her door, and she climbed in beside him. There was a driver this time, a man she didn't recognize. Cassie's throat constricted at the sight of Tony. His face was black and blue with a swollen nose and a cut under his eye.

"I'm fine." He waved a hand at her, knowing what she was thinking, "You don't look so great either."

Self-consciously, she raised a hand to her ear.

"You wanted to talk?" he asked, clasping his hands together.

"Yes...well, you see...I needed to tell you that..." She looked up uncertainly. Something felt off.

"Yes?" he prompted.

"That-that um...I can't work with you anymore."

"I believe that we had a deal, did we not?" he asked calmly.

"Yes, but I-"

"And you knew that there were repercussions to not following this deal?"

"Tony, I-"

"And you agreed, correct?"

Her skin paled as she looked into his calm, cold eyes. "I'd like to get out."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible." He smiled slightly.

"Stark, I'll-"

"You'll what?" he prompted again.

She pulled her cellphone from her pocket and dialed Stephen's number.

"You don't want to call Stephen."

"Of course I do. You won't let me out of the car." Her voice shook with fear at the calculated look he gave her.

"I'm afraid Stephen can't help you. You see...we have orders against you, Miss Powell."

"O-orders against me?"

"Well, you've killed a number of people now."

"I didn't think anyone was killed at the last-"

"It was close."

Her lip trembled at the realization of what was happening. "I-I can make the car stop."

"Will you though?" he sneered.

"I-I will!"

"Sit back, Cassie. Stephen can't come to your rescue. In fact, by calling him, by having him become involved, you'll put him in danger with the government."

Cassie stared down at her phone and realized that she'd gotten his voicemail anyway. Meekly, she raised it to her ear. "Sorry to bother you, Stephen. Everything's fine...just wanted to talk."

As she hung up the call, Tony held out his hand. "Let me see that."

"No," she replied firmly.

"Let me see it."

Their eyes were locked, and Cassie felt panic overcoming her. Her breathing quickened, and she felt everything coming to a peak. Her heart was beating out of her chest, and as Tony reached forward to grab her cellphone, she bit her lip, afraid of hurting him. As he pried it from her clenched fingers, he placed a hand on her cheek.

"Now calm down."

The car swerved to the left as Cassie screamed, the windows bursting. Tony covered his head as the driver slumped forward against the steering wheel. The car slammed into a concrete barrier, and Cassie blinked a daze from her eyes.

Something was different. She was in control. Power surged through her fingertips, and a smile rose to her lips. She pried open her door and stepped out into the street, where cars had slammed to a halt and passengers filled the road. No one was hurt this time.

Turning around to look at Tony, she saw him, dazed and bleeding and speaking into his phone. Suddenly, she felt her body hit the concrete with a sickening crack. Crying out in pain, she crumpled to the ground. Everything sounded like a faint buzzing in her ears as she heard sirens and screams.

"All right. Time to get up," she heard Tony's voice say behind her.

She was sure that something was broken. Gently, she was rolled onto her back, and Cassie realized that he was looking up into the mask of Spider-Man.

"Oh geez..." he muttered.

She was gasping for air, which came in scattered breaths. Spider-Man gently tried to lift her in his arms, and she grimaced, clenching her teeth.

"I'm really sorry," he muttered. "I didn't mean to hit you so hard..."

"It's all right, kid," she heard Tony's voice say. "She had to be subdued."

"What's happening now, Tony?" she hissed angrily.

"You're going to come back to the complex. You're going to do as we say," he whispered, keeping his voice soft because of the onlookers.

Spider-Man let her rest her feet on the concrete. Cassie knew in that moment that she could stop this. She could feel the control. But still, fear held her in check. Fear for the innocent people around her.

"Fine."

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