[IC] Trying to save the world (Xion and Caits)

[MarshiestMallow]

Kalinda swallowed, unable to come up with anything to say. She did however find her voice as Connor left, "I don't know if I'll be coming back. I left, without a good enough reason, without telling the truth. I don't know if I can face that, the guilt and the shame"

She sighed, having forgot the communications and not even sure if Connor had heard her. She watched the flames slowly die, as she contemplated what to do now. She thought of her little house, her puppy, her steadily growing tedious job, and then looked about her. She wasn't one to sit idly. This was what she craved. But could she go back to the team?

Swallowing, she started the way Connor had gone. It didn't take her long to find them all, and she stood a little bit away, "hi"

[Xion Demente]

Michael only looked up at the sky, as Zach helped him to his feet. Once that was done he heard Malinda's voice, his gaze went to her face. There was no disgust in his gaze, the only emotion sitting there was regret that he couldn't go with her and she had left the team four years ago. He shook his head, and that emotion in his eyes were gone.

"Hi kali nice to see you again." Michael shifted his weight slightly to get in a more comfortable position, because he hurt and the only place he could go to now was the stark mansion he hadn't been there in four years if the team wanted to go back down to the base underneath they could. Right now Michael would have to treat himself for the few gashes he had while flying to get out of stark tower.

He looked to furnaces prone form, then looked to fury. "No I'm not working for shield again what you did with me and the bomb that was uncalled for I nearly got killed when I was flying with the thing and it went off so no I'm not going back to shield you give us something to look into fine we'll look into it but hat doesn't mean have to do it." He sighed as fury didn't say anything.

[MarshiestMallow]

Kalinda glanced away, unable to find the words she wanted to say. She hung her head, looking at her hands, which were ash covered, blood stained and she didn't want to think about what else. She suddenly flonched as if going to block a blow, but stopped herself. This was why she had chosen a desk over the field. Some would say PTSD. Kalinda said it was her own body telling her she had been too cocky, and too ready to make the job go without a hitch. Twin pains bloomed on her neck and head, almost as vivid as the day she had almost died. She looked to Fury with a glare.

"I promised to come back after you gave me time to sort myself out after what happened. But you never did. You've had me watched. Before I do anything else, I have to go get my damned dog." There would be no time for the training she had wanted to put her pup through, but she could still have him. She would make sure of that. She was not giving up the thing she had always wanted as a kid. The one thing she had never asked for, because she had known her mother would refuse. Her voice was strained, tired and she couldn't hide the pain in it.

"I'm tired of trying to be normal. But I'm also tired of being treated like I'm disposible. You never tell us everything. Shield was once a beacon of hope, and perhaps it still is. But not to its agents. I'll go back to the field, but no more will i take orders from you, Fury. now o have to get my dog. I have to getting supplies and I have to deal with sensitive information on my computers and other devices. And I have to make it seem like Lily Johnson never existed" that would take her hours, most of the night. It would give her time to think, and time to figure things out.

She looked to the others "I have food. I have first aid supplies. I have clean, hot water, and comfortably furniture. I have computers, and I have room what you do with that information is up to you" she turned, starting down the street, a slight shake to her step. It was a long walk back to the little house she had lived in.

[Xion Demente]

Michael looked to kalinda before looking at fury, "you gone I told you I don't want to see your face." With that, he took his arm back from Connors shoulders, limping forward before stopping. "Kali wait come on please, I'm saying this now what happened to help people out. I know fury has been keeping tabs on you, I would hack into the files they had on you just to see how you were doing."

He sighed looking at the ground, "I can at least give you a ride back to your house. It's the least I can do for your help today." Another sigh escaped him, it just proved he wasn't cocky or confident in himself anymore. It had happened when kalinda left the team, he seemed a bit more deflated than he was when he was eighhteen and dating kalinda he knew he was just a man.

[MarshiestMallow]

Kalinda stopped, but didn't turn back around. She didn't know if she could without falling apart. She swallowed Audible and said softly, "You don't know everything. You don't know that for eight weeks, I was practically dead. You don't know how hard it was to leave. You don't know that for the last three years, I've been seeing a psychologist. That even being here, in this action, I feel like fleeing. I fell shaky and sick. And you don't know how much I hate myself, how much I would give anything to change things. But I can't. And thus I live with the consequences"

She looked over her shoulder, eyes glistening with what might be tears. "I'm sorry" She swallowed again. "For hurting you. For not telling the truth. For being a coward and not facing everything. For being scared" She looked away, "it's not my house. I just lived there. That house belongs to a life that never should have existed"

[Xion Demente]

Michael looked at her, he sighed anyone could hear it. "We've all change kali even me from that confident cocky teen to this, I've suffered a lot of loss's and you I don't know what hurt more you leaving me or me getting almost killed by a bomb. You've probably seen the news for that one, fury took the credit for getting it out of the city fast well I did that I did The work. I even promised myself after that I wouldn't touch the suits again."

Another sigh escaped him, "you can leave here kali and come back when your ready to. I understand that, go ahead then it doesn't really matter anyway. Because after this fight was over I've got a big project and I'm not going to touch one of the suits till your ready to come back. Just be safe that's all I ask," with that he looked to the sky then took off heading for the now destroyed tower.

[MarshiestMallow]

Kalinda was frustrated, feeling back into a corner, and she didn't want to hear any of this. She didn't want to have to think about that. Didn't want to feel any more guilty. Didn't want
To remember.

"I know" she said softly, "just as I know it's my fault. I'm here, which means that for better or worse im back. But I cant...I can't..." And then she started to run. It was the only option she could see to not simply break down and fall into a puddle of self pity. She ran, pulling up her hood as if that could help put a wall between herself and what she was thinking, feeling.she ran, not stopping until she was walking down the street she had lived in the last few years.

As se stepped in the living room, that was when she broke down. She just about fell onto the couch, and curled into a ball. She didn't cry. She closed her eyes tight against tears. She began to reciete a fragment of poetry, something her psychologist had recommended whenever she started to remember, but it didn't work.

crouching, Kalinda looked around the corner, quick darting looks in case there were people there ready to shoot, until she was satisfied it was clear. She had a smoke bomb in one hand, and a gun in the other. Confident in the fact she had her back guarded and it was clear in any case, she strode out, continuing her search. Once more, she checked around a corner, and just as she was about to go around, she was taken from behind.

The familiar voice of the person assigned to be her partner in this job spoke. "You couldn't have turned back when I wanted to, could you?" Something hit her head, her neck, her back, and a blackness fell over her, and she was aware of everything around her, but couldn't react, couldn't move. It felt like there was a pressure on her chest, and her head felt like it would explode.

Things came in and out, voices, sounds, touch. And Kalinda couldn't respond to any of it.

She let out a scream as she jolted up, shaking, her head hurting. Of course. Of course they would want her to see a psychologist, so that if she remembered they would know. Of course they wanted to make sure know one knew. There were spies and traitors in S.h.i.e.l.d. Of course they wouldn't want that known.

Fury rose in her, and she began her destruction of the life she had here. It didn't take long, but Kalinda slowly lost that fury, and began to feel fear. Would any one know? If she went to fury what would he do? No. She wouldn't go to him. Then who?

As if she had to ask. Dumping the pup into a back pack, Kalinda threw a sheet off a motorbike. It was dull but well looked after, and as Kalinda started it, it burst into life. The pup yipped as she started off. She knew one place that Michael would go to after this. Stark mansion, even if he didn't want to go there, she was sure he would.

[Xion Demente]

Michael sighed, he shook off Connors hand, "I'll see you guys later just don't feel like chatting right now." With that he flew off, toward the now destroyed tower. He looked at the rubble, it had been his home since the team split up. Of course it was, there were to many memories at the mansion. He winced at the thought of going back there, though it was the only place he had left.

He picked up a now destroyed piece of metal and hurled it farther toward the now destroyed tower. He swallowed he couldn't have his rage consume him, of course furnace would get out and shield agents were watching over him and he got out. He shook his head, he was almost killed today and he didn't like that thought.

He looked down at what he was wearing, the suit the same suit he promised he wouldn't get into another one after the bomb incident. He only shook his head, it was one of the many promises he had broken over his lifetime. He didn't want to remember each promise he had broken, though they were burned into his head he remembered each perfectly.

He swallowed before launching into the air, he took one last look at the rubble of stark industries. Before he made his way to the mansion, he landed walking to the front door. This was another promise broken never to return here, he sighed as he unlocked the door. He walked in, he went to one of the many rooms. Stripping free of his armor, he put the helmet on the bed. Before turning away.

He had his hand on the door knob about to close the door, he castes one last look at the armor before closing the door. He went down to the base under the mansion, it had been four years since he had been here. He needed a way to get the frustration out of him, with that he set up a punching bag and started to let his frustration out on it.

[MarshiestMallow]

Kalinda knew that there was no way of sneaking in the building-most likely there were cameras all over the place, but she wasn't thinking of that. She was barely riding the bike in a straight line, as her breathing hitched and she looked about her paranoid that she was being followed. She knew that was foolish, but she couldn't help but fell that way. Cooper occasionally barked from within the pack and moved about but otherwise didn't make a fuss.

She swallowed, slowing and stopping the bike when she arrived. Was she going crazy? Maybe. Did she care? Not one bit. Did she come here simply because it was familiar, because she wanted to? Well, she wanted to. And needed to. If there were spies in the agency...she needed to rule out the team. She didn't believe any of them could, but stranger things had happened.

She walked up to the door, shaking visibly now, as she once more looked about her. She knocked heavily on the door, one hand on a dagger, the kther ready with a gun you

[Xion Demente]

A few hours passed, he was sweaty his shirt was drenched from the training he did. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he got a shower down and over with. Wearing a dark red shirt with jeans and combat boots, if he needed the suit he would use it but if he didn't need it he would use the skills he still had from fade.

He heard the knock from the door, he set his book down with a sigh, getting up he opened it. "Kali?" His voice was laced with concern, seeing her shaking and hearing a bark from the bag. He took the bag and set it down on the floor to see a puppy come out. He smiled slightly to that, though he put Malinda's arm around his shoulders and helped her inside.

He set her down on the couch, before going to get a glass of water. He set it on the table next to the couch right next to kalinda, before he kneeled in front of her. "Are you alright?" Even after all these years he couldn't bring himself to be mad at her he still had feelings for her.

[MarshiestMallow]

Kalinda whistled, and surprisingly the little puppy followed, trotting along quickly, his whole body shaking with excitement. "Stay" she said, when at the couch, and again, surprisingly, Cooper obeyed, tail thumping, tongue lolling out happily, eyes wide, begging to be allowed to explore. She smiled slightly. She swallowed and looked to Michael when he asked if she was alright.

with you, I am she very nearly said, "I'm fine now" she said instead, then sighed looking down, "actually, I'm not. I remembered something. And I think it might just get me killed." She took a deep breath, watching as Cooper grew restless with waiting, and started to waddle around, sniffing things and generally looking like he might get himself in trouble. She began to speak, telling him about the mission, about what happened, and why she had chosen to leave. "I...I guess that some part of me thought if I stayed....the team would get hurt. You would get hurt, even if I didn't remember what had happened..." She swallowed, and scooped Cooper up when he came rambling over.

[Xion Demente]

MI chanel sighed, he had sat by her and listened. His father had always told him to listen, now he understood that 4 years later. He nodded to that, "you were scared I get that we'll I really do. Till today I haven't put one of those suits back on i promised I wouldn't and I did today to save my own ass."

He told her about the bomb fury had told him to go and disarm, he told her that he didn't have the time and that he only grabbed it and flew into the air, far away from anyone else when it went off. He told her that he had blacked out, and he woke up a few days later and that he had promised himself that day he wouldn't put on another suit.

[MarshiestMallow]

Kalinda kept her eyes on Cooper, watching as he slowly fell asleep, stroking him gently. "Fury had the grace then to tell me you were alive. I had a break down then. The department thought it was because of the case I was working on, but...they took me off active duty and put me on a desk. I suppose that was for the best, although I hated it. Maybe that was Fury's way of forcing me to think about returning. There's corruption in S.H.I.E.L.D. All the agents we know...who can we trust? The whole world is in danger. with this..."

She shifted Cooper, and rose, unable to sit still. she started to pace. Frustration was evident in her walk, as she ran a hand through her hair, shorter then it been before, just above her shoulders now. She messed it up as she ran her hand through it, but didn't care. "maybe it's time S.H.I.E.L.D was retired"

[Xion Demente]

Michael watched her as she paced, before he stood up catching her shoulders with his hands and turning her to face him. "I guess it is fury hasn't been all that honest anymore and it's hurting agents that he is not being truthful with." He looked at her, his hair was longer than it was. Now getting into his eyes he didn't care though.

He sighed, "if we need to I know the others are still in the city somewhere. I can call them up, if you want me to or do you think we can handle this on our own?" It was her decision not his, she had brought it up anyway not him in the first place.

[MarshiestMallow]

Kalinda wanted to keep on pacing, wanted to keep on moving, but she let Michael turn her towards him. She waited for moment or two, and then couldn't stand it, reaching up and brushing the hair out of his eyes.

"Call them" She said softly, stepping back, "I'm going to go clean up. I'm sure I look half crazed" She said, smiled, grabbing a few things out of her pack, she started to a bathroom, then looked over her shoulder at him. "I missed you. If Coop wakes, there's dog food in my bag"

She proceeded to clean up, when she reached the bathroom, washing her face, and brushing her hair. She studied her reflection. She was still pale, and she hated that. Still, she couldn't do anything about that. She changed into shorts and a T-shirt, shaking her suit to rid it of any dust, dirt and other particles, before folding it up gently, then set the daggers and knives she had had on with it, keeping two daggers, which she put on a holder in the small of her back, slipping some of the smoke and poison bombs she had into her short pockets, and then heading back out

[Xion Demente]

Michael blinked a couple of times at that, she missed him. Missing her didn't even start with what he had gone through, but it still was a start. He watched her head to the bathroom, he pulled his phone out and dialed Connors number.

"Hey Connor we need help, I'll give you the details once your here and get the others to come here also." Once that was done, he sighed setting down his phone and going to the room he had put his suit in. He opened the door, and just looked at the armor for a few seconds. Before sighing and shaking his head.

He needed the suit, his promise was already broken, so it really didn't matter anymore. He started putting the suit back together he got Jarvis to take it down to the base under the mansion.

[MarshiestMallow]

Kalinda headed back out, going to collect Cooper. The little pup stirred, opening his eyes and licking her hands happily enough. She just hadn't been able to leave him behind, and she had never been able to refuse taking him in. The little pup had stolen her heart in the pound, when she had just gone through it to see the animals. He'd just sat there and stared at her, as if saying well come on, I've been waiting.

"You're a cheeky thing, aren't you, Coop?" She cradled him, feeling better then she had in a long, long time. She then sighed, and starting to walk, grabbing her pack and putting her suit and weapons in it, shoving it all in to zip the pack up, and slinging it over one shoulder, looking about her

[Xion Demente]

He went back to down stairs, to see Kalinda looking about. He stopped for a millisecond then kept going. "The others should be here soon enough if I can i rather avoid using the suit I just had a very bad experiance with it fade can come out once again. Though this time, I plan on keeping to the same person."

He was leaning against the railing, of the staircase he sighed. It was nice to have company again for what it was worth. He had been lonely for the past four years, and he couldn't stand being alone again. Not with everything's he's been through. He spotted te locket around Kalinda's neck, "I see you kept it even after all these years," a small smile played at his lips.

[MarshiestMallow]

Kalinda looked over, Listening as Michael spoke, then looked down, her free hand going towards the necklace, and she nodded. "Of course I did. You gave it to me." She said softly, she looked up, smiling almost sadly. "I could no more take it off then I could remove my own heart" She sighed heavily.

She set Cooper down, finding it easier to watch him bound around, then to watch Michael. She was silent for a few seconds, as she tried to think of anything to say, of anything to do, rather then just standing there looking like a fool, most like.

[Xion Demente]

Michael sighed, "you know I forgave you for what you did four years ago right I think you've kept tabs on me for the most part, and when I said that I forgave the team but especially one of them is forgiven for everything. I meant you that day kalinda, if I said your name you would've been swarmed with the paparazzi so I didn't know the condition you were in I kept your name a secret."

He leaned against the staircase, all of them had changed. They weren't the carefree teens anymore, though he could've swore him and kalinda were he ones that had taken the hardest hits. Though he didn't know, he had been out of the hero part of his life for four years. He would become fade, again but he knew the name was outdated he needed something better archangel that would do since he avenged people who were wrongly done.