Rebirth/Renew

[CPaulLandri]

*

She barely looked at him. She couldn’t. Even though he looked like he had gotten over it, she knew inside he was dying. He had gone out on a limb and taken a chance and, in his mind, had blown it completely. He locked the door and turned to put up the chairs so she could sweep, her belly showing. She knew what he was thinking (this being because she was a woman, not a psychic,) she’ll have my baby, but God forbid her to spend the rest of her life with me.

She swept an area of the floor that clearly didn’t need sweeping.

Over the past couple of years she had gotten to know him better than anyone. He was the nicest guy she had ever known and showed it in a lot of ways. The best part about him was how kind he was, and it wasn’t because he found her attractive. Paul was nice to everyone, even those customers who were rude to him for no reason (usually tourists,) It was his kindness that had attracted her to him in the first place. His easygoing way, as if the bar was more his personal hangout than a place of business where he could make conversation with some of the old timers just so he could hear their stories from their youth while pouring them cold beer and listening intently, a smile from ear to ear.

He had a good heart, and she could tell it was near-to-breaking.

For some reason the juke was silent tonight, which only added to the awkwardness of the moment. She wanted to put something on, but didn’t think Paul was in the mood.

Suddenly he was next to her, and her heart skipped a beat.

“It’s funny, but I can hear every word you’re thinking right now.” He looked surprised, but was at the same time, a certain gratefulness washed over his face.

“You can?” She asked.

“I was trying to lift the chairs with my mind, all at once, you know? And I heard what you were thinking.” He went over to the nearest table and sat down, rubbing the back of his head. “You’re really broken up about last night, huh?”

She shook her head yes.

“I’m not as sad as you think.” He said, “in fact, and this is going to sound crazy, but I’m glad I heard what you were thinking because now I know what you meant when you said you weren’t ready.”

She was relieved, and smiled in relief, “You know I would be able to come around to your way of thinking if we took it slow.”

He rasied an eyebrow at her, “I didn’t catch that thought.”

“I just thought it a second before I verbalized it.” She said, she went over to him and sat on his lap, “After all, I think out of all the guys I know, you’d be the best father.”

“Not for anything, Freebird, but I’m the only guy you know.” Paul said.
“And you know what the best part is? I like it that way.” She said, she kissed him.

“I think the baby is kicking.” Paul said, placing his hand gently on her stomach, “he’s really wailing in there.”

“She’s really wailing.” Freebird said.

*
Lichstein saw the mutant twitch and moan as if lost in some dream, he brushed his initial fear that the beast might be waking up aside, noting in his mind that he had been pumped with enough sedative to put a rhino to sleep. As they landed on top of Doom’s castle Lichstein noticed several men in lab coats waiting for them. Doom was also present. He could see the doctors looking awed and utterly terrified of Dr. Doom. Many of them were being held against their will (their families were taken hostage by the Doombots and the scientists were told to perform any experiments and operations Doom deemed necessary or their families would be slowly executed,) and despite this terrible fact, looked impatient as well as scared. They wanted to finish the job Percival started so they could see their wives and children again.

The plane’s small hangar opened and Lichstein slowly wheeled the mutant off. He was met by some of the scientists, telling him in his native tongue to hurry up with the damned beast. Doom approached Lichstein. He bowed deeply to the ruler of Latveria.

“Everything went according to plan, Lord.” Lichstein said.

“I know. You have done well, Lichstein. Your services are no longer needed.” Doom’s voice, usually gruff and ominous like an impending storm, had a note of pleasure in it. This pleased Lichstein, who smiled slightly.

“Thank you, Lord.” Lichstein said.

“I have decided, in my infinite wisdom to give you a reward for your service.”

“Doom is generous.” Lichstein said.

“Yes, I believe I shall give you a large piece of land.”

Lichstein felt his heart beat faster. His own land? In Latveria that meant cultivation, and that meant the potential for great wealth.

“In what area does Doom wish to give me such a generous gift?” Lichstein asked.

“I was thinking somewhere in Mephisto’s Realm.” Doom answered sinisterly, and, before Lichstein could completely grasp the situation, grabbed his subordinate by the throat and flung him off the roof of the castle to the stone cobbles below. Lichstein died on impact, and Doom felt satisfied with the sickening thud he made as his body burst open upon impact.

One more loose end tied up.

*
Freebird awoke from the dream which was more a memory and saw they were still traveling over the Atlantic Ocean. Peter looked at her.

“I don’t think I could sleep knowing what we are about to face, dvotchka.” His Russian accent thick, but completely understandable.

Suddenly it dawned on her, “I don’t think I was dreaming Pete.”

“No?” Peter asked.

A tiny smile spanned her face, “no, Peter. I wasn’t dreaming at all.”

“I’m afraid I do not understand.”

Freebird told Peter what she thought, no, knew was happening, and Peter understood right away.

 

[CPaulLandri]

finishing it up this week. promise.

 

[CPaulLandri]

*

They had landed thirty minutes ago and were waiting for Mister Fantastic and the Thing to show up. Iron Man insisted they land about five miles away from the capital. Freebird was given a map and was surprised to find that despite the large area of pinewood forest they inhabited, Latveria was about the same size as Vatican City. Really, the entire country was the one capital city surrounded by pinewoods.

“Doomstadt?” A voice said from behind her. She turned and saw Spider-Man scratching his head. “I’m half expecting Bella Lugosi to show up.”

Freebird smiled.

”It’s going to be difficult for us to get to Doom’s Castle undetected, you know.” Iron Man said, “I mean, I could try to seduce the women, but I don’t have enough scotch.”

“Even the ugly ones?” Spider-Man asked.

“No, I’d need about a gallon of Southern Comfort and a blindfold for the ugly ones.” He replied.

Freebird smiled and for a second, wondered if the Avengers were recruiting.
“X-Men, over here!” Scott called. Freebird walked over to where Scott was standing. He and Captain America were looking over a map.

“I think it would be best for you all to take the right flank.” Cap said, “Stealth will be key here. We don’t know how many of those Doombots we’ll come up against. Nor do we know how many human guards he’ll have either.”

“We can handle it.” Scott said.

“There is one problem.” Cap said, “And this is where you come in, miss.” He looked at Freebird, “based on what I’ve read about you and your abilities, you’re going to be our best bet for getting in and out quickly. My main concern here is if Doom finished what his scientists back home started. If that’s the case, we’ve got trouble.”

“What do you mean, sir?” She asked. She had not intended to add ‘sir’, but it seemed very appropriate.

“That young man will be able to figure out all of our weaknesses and exploit them, now we don’t want to hurt him, and we especially don’t want to kill him, but it might happen. Do you understand?”

She hadn’t thought that far ahead, that was for sure. To come all this way, only to lose him again was something she had pushed way down deep in her mind (and heart.)

“Are you saying that if the opportunity comes and he’s too far gone, I should take it and kill him?” Why beat around the bush?

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Will you do it?”

Deep down she knew there wasn’t a chance in hell.

“No.”

Captain America sighed. It wasn’t a frustrated sigh, but one of understanding. He put his hand on her shoulder, “sometimes in war, we have to do things we don’t want to do. I know you love this boy, but if Doom has changed him completely, he’ll never be the same and what kind of life will that be?”

To her, and maybe it was her own bitterness at the entire situation, it sounded like he was comparing Paul to a dog with arthritis. He still had some years left on him, but he was suffering so he had to be put down. For a second she hated the good Captain, but knew, deep down, despite everything, he was right.

“I’ll do it, Cap.” A gruff voice said from behind her. Logan shot a glance at Freebird.
“Someone shoulda offed me when they turned me into this. Be damned if I let that happen again. Paul was a good kid.”

“He’s still in there, Logan.” Freebird said, “Why don’t any of you understand that? And why the hell are we still waiting around? Every second they have him is a second closer to finishing what they started.”

She heard the sound of heavy footsteps from behind them. They turned around and saw Thing and Reed approaching.

“We’re stickin out like sore thumbs around here.” Thing said, “Good thing Stretch-oh bought this doohickey that’ll make us look like Latverians.”

“Goody, I’ve always wanted to be European.” Spider-Man said.

“I’ve been with many European women,” Iron Man said, “Let’s just say be thankful you’re a full blooded American who enjoys deodorant and hot showers.”

 

[CPaulLandri]

*
“Wow. It’s like we walked right into a renaissance fair.” Spider-Man said. “If anyone finds the mutton vendor, let me know.”

“Wise guy.” Thing muttered under his breath. The device Reed had used was an image inducer he had invented back in the early nineties. Freebird was glad they were going unnoticed. Many of the people they passed looked malnourished and miserable.

“They look so sad.” She said.

“You would be too if you had to live under a tyrant’s thumb.” Hank said. “Unfortunately, we are breaking international law by invading a sovereign nation, even if it’s for the right reason.”

“You honestly think we’ll get in trouble for it?” Bobby asked, “I mean, Doom did kidnap one of our guys.”

“Well, I’d fancy to say we’d be fine, but since there is no appointed representative of the mutant community in congress, I’d say no one really gives a damn.” Hank sighed, “I’m sorry to sound like a cynic, but it’s the truth for now.”

”I wouldn’t worry too much about it, Beast.” Iron Man said, “You forget that I have friends in high places.” He paused, “very high places.”

As they walked through the village undetected, Freebird saw the outline of what appeared to be a castle. “Is that it? Is that where Paul is?” She asked.

“Castle Doom.” Reed Richards said, “hopefully we aren’t too late.”

*

Doom paced the floor of the reception chamber, waiting for his scientists to finish the job. He urged them to move quickly, as intruders had ascended upon his nation. Richards had used an image inducer to cloak them. Predictable, as always.

He called for a legion of Doombots to intercept them when they got near the castle. He knew they’d cut through them easily, but why give up his best soldiers when he didn’t have to? Besides, his scientists were working quickly and, with any luck, his weapon will be operational. Maybe he wouldn’t even have to waste his Doombots on them.

Doom walked over to a bookcase, which housed many ancient tomes and pushed one of the bigger books into the wall. The case slid open, revealing a monitor which showed the mutant’s would-be rescuers approaching his castle. He had to admit (reluctantly, of course,) that he was impressed by the cadre of super-humans who had come to rescue this one.

The X-Men, a few Avengers, that interminable Spider-Man (Doom was already irritated by his mere presence, he’s be murderous when he actually had to listen to that infernal wall crawler speak his sarcastic little quips,) Reed and his big, orange, bodyguard, Thing. However, it was the presence of the one he did not recognize that set off an alarm in his head.

She was tiny, maybe ninety pounds, but Doom had never seen her before, and as such, had no information about her or her abilities. She walked with the other X-Men, so it was obvious she was a mutant, but what were her powers? Doom was not pleased that a wild card had breached his gates, but would have to live with the insult for the time being.

The sound of footsteps broke Doom’s concentration, and, irritated, turned around swiftly to find his head geneticist standing before him.

“We have done it, sir. He is yours.”

Under his mask, Doom smiled.

“Good. Let us try it out, shall we?”

“Yes, my lord.” The scientist bowed and quickly left the room.

“Let them tremble before the might of Doom!”

*
As they made their approach to the castle, Logan stopped.

“What is it?” Scott asked.

“We got company.” He sniffed the air, “Bad company.”

Freebird’s heart sank. They were too late. “It’s him, isn’t it?”

“Sorry darlin’.” Logan said, “Reed, I think the costume party’s over. We’re about to get hit.”

Freebird watched as Wolverine’s claws slowly ceded out of his hands. Paul might be different now, but she didn’t want to see him get hurt. She knew what she had to do.

“Logan, stand down.” She said, “Same goes for everyone else.”

“What?” Logan said, “Darlin, that kid ain’t yours no more. He belongs to Doom.”

“No Logan. He’s mine, and I’m going to take him back or die trying.