Setting Out & A Talk With Willow

"Make sure you eat properly." "You have a slight tendancy not too."

Walt smiled and nodded kissing Senko's and then Kali's cheeks one after the other as he accepted the packed lunch. "Yes, dears. Are you quite certain you ladies won't come along?"

Senko kissed him wagging her tail. "Quite. Some of us will stay, attend classes and look after home as well as make preparations for our guests. Everyone is excited to meet them!"

Kali nodded and kissed him back after Senko saying, "We'll visit later or another day. You and the others have fun but most Importantly stay safe."

Walt chuckled. "Well "Safe" is a bit of a tall order considering we've got a fight ahead of us but we'll do our best- no, we'll do even better!"

Willow kissed him next. "See that you do."

Walt nodded smiling at her. "Actually, Willow do you have a moment?"

She blinked but nodded. "Of course. Is there something you need?"

Walt took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "Just something I wanted to talk to you about for a moment." He lead her out to the porch saying goodbye to the others, one after another, who were staying behind for one reason or another as they went.

On the porch Willow smiled. "They all care about you and the others so much."

Walt chuckled and nodded. "It's nice. It's things like that, that make me feel like our little family will work out." He smiled watching Anastasia and Mystique joining the others for the Marvel operation. "We had some twists and turns getting here but we are all growing that way by leaps, bounds and small steps too."

Willow nodded and smiled too but- "You can say whatever you want to, Walter."

Walt blinked then chuckled. "Transparent am I?"

She covered her mouth and laughed a little. "Oh goodness! You haven't realized yet? You have already developed a bit of a habit of talking about important matters "on the porch"."

Walt smiled and looked diwn at his boots shuffling his toes. "Yep. Now that you mention it I guess I have. It's how my grandfather liked to do things. Guess I really am turning into the old man after all." He shook his head chuckling. "Well that's not good to be predictable... care for a stroll?"

She smiled and squeezed his hand. "I think that sounds nice! Let's and you can try working up your courage to say what you need to."

Walt squeezed her hand back as he laughed. "Yep. You got me!" They walked past the vehicles and others loading them heading down towards the corral. "I got some news from Friday-"

"About my daughters," she nodded patting their held hands with her free one. "I guessed. You're a sweet man to show such concern but you need not trouble yourself so."

Walt shrugged. "You're good. We should play poker sometime! Yes. Friday found a hit. She and others are working on corroborating and investigating it but the long and short of it is Weiss was reported as "stolen property" to an insurance company and a claim was opened and from there the information went out to law enforcement authorities."

Willow swallowed but nodded. "I see. Is she..."

Walt shook his head. "We're still confirming things. I have some of my very best operatives already infiltrating and investigating to gather any information but there are several things we have already learned and can extrapolate likely outcomes and information from what we have. There's actually a very good chance she's well. She was stolen by one of the major "liberation" groups for characters so she's likely being treated well and cared for unlike most criminal organizations."

Willow breathed a sigh of some relief... but not full relief. "That's some comfort in a way... but she's in more trouble and danger now isn't she?"

Walt nodded and stopped putting his boot up on a fence rail. "In a manner of speaking, yes. Law enforcement as well as others will be looking for her. Independents too. If her owners get their claim processed then she's a "rogue" character and "free"."

Willow nodded and leaned against the fence. "And by "free" you don't just mean she has "freedom"."

Walt nodded. "Yes ma'am. She'd be "free" for claiming by anyone who captures her. Legally. I'm using my contacts at Rein Corp to flag any characters from your instance including Schnee's that come in as a personal favor. Friday and 3S will keep monitoring the pounds and various other Character control agencies that pick up strays." He sighed shaking his head. "The real issue is she's a fighter with a strong "code" and personal sense of "justice". Speaking as a strategist and a bit of a reader, I'm guessing from her personality and experiences both here and in her past and with her friends she'll want to "join up" with her "rescuers". Can't say as I'd blame her but that'd make her a party to criminal activity if not a willing participant. It's not a good position for her or the others to be in. We need to find her before she gets herself into too much trouble."

Willow sighed and nodded. "That's what I thought. Thank you. I can tell that wasn't easy for you to tell me... Walt-" her voice hitched and he hugged her.

"I promised you. I'm going to find them somehow and then yall will be together. No matter what that takes Willow. I swear it to you and not because you asked but because I want to give that to you."

She smiled and lay her head against his chest nodding. "I know. I believe you. You're a good man."

He took his thumb and forefinger and tilted her head up so he could look into her eyes. "I hope so... but good or bad don't figure into it. I will make it happen no matter what I have to do. I may own you, but I'm your man. No matter what you can count on me."

She smiled as he brushed away a solitary tear. She believed him. He was that kind of man. If it meant making her wish come true he'd find away... and anyone in his way, God, devil or the whole world watch out. He'd fight them all for her without a second thought about it. For all of them. For her girls too. Without having to be asked.

"I believe you," she said and kissed him. "And that is why we all love you and what makes you a great man. Good or not, though I personally believe you're a good one!" She smiled. "Though a bit reckless at times. Will you be going charging into Marvel or-"

He laughed and shook his head. "Generaly I'm only reckless with myself. Most of the time in all other situations I tend to get accused of being overly cautious or stacking the deck too far... and that's a bit the case here as well. Our people have been setting up nonstop for awhile. I'm afraid our foes won't be finding anything close to resembling a "fair fight"... though it's important not to overkill too much." He sighed. "Infact it's probably going to be a bit disappointing at this rate unless something completely unexpected happens. And honestly I'm going to be busy handling so much business before, during and after it doesn't seem likely that I'll get to have any fun at all." He sighed and shrugged. "Which is perhaps a good thing. I won't "find" any trouble. Trouble will have to find me instead and I'm always looking for the Son of a Bi-er, Gun. Trouble will find me waiting for it if it does."

Willow shook her head smiling. "Heavy is the head that wears the crown."

Walt chuckled and tipped his hat to a rakish angle and winked. "Don't I know it!"

They both laughed for a bit. "Seriously though... have you thought about what you'd like to do after I bring them home?"

Willow smiled but sighed. "A bit. I know my girls. They have fine qualities, more so than their parents, but they're both stubborn and headstrong. They will cause you a bit of trouble I'm sure." She smiled at him. "And I know you now. You will be your wonderful self and accepting and tolerant where they will not... but I don't want them to cause you or the others too much trouble either."

Walt hugged her and kissed the top of her head. "You have many fine qualities, my dear. Please don't belittle yourself... and I'll glad take any trouble they give me as long as it makes you happy."

She sighed happily and leaned against him. "And that's just it. I doubt they'll be accepting of my and their friends new found happiness... and honestly a part of me doesn't care if they accept it or not! I can't- won't give this up! Nor do I want them disruptive... so as hard as it will be for me, I was wondering... when the time comes..."

Walt gave her a reassuring squeeze. "Yes. I don't know what you want but the answer is "yes", Willow, so relax. Just tell me."

Willow nodded. "I knew it. You're such a generous man. I don't want this for myself... but I think it might be necessary to give them some space for a time. Like you did for Blake and Kali?"

Walt nodded. "Done. You can have your pick of any of the cabins or homes not in use! I'll even try to hide or be covert in our relationship if you think they'll disapprove-"

"No!" Willow said loudly and firmly squeezing him to her and shaking her head before more softly saying, "No. Absolutely not. They disapprove of me on many levels as it is. Perhaps rightly so... but not this! I care about them so much in many ways... but their opinion of us? Of being happy? Together?" She shook her head again. "That is something that they have no say in nor do I care what their opinion of our and everyone else's happiness is. They can approve or disapprove as they like but they'll both have to learn to deal with it just like they'll have to learn to deal with Prime and living here."

Walt smiled. It made him happy not just to hear that but also the fire and firm resolution in her Willow. *This is who she was before being trapped in a marriage to that bastard,* he thought. *This is who Willow Schnee still is!* "Beautiful," he whispered tilting her chin so he could see the sparkle in her eyes. "You're so strong and beautiful, my love. It shall be as you say."

Willow blushed and smiled like a girl half her age. More she felt it! *He makes me feel young again!* she thought. *No... our love makes us both feel young!* she smiled at his boyish grin. "Yes. Thank you... my handsome and sweet prince!" She laughed and hopped up on her toes to kiss his lips.

Walt chuckled. "Prince? Fresh out of those I'm afraid! I'll do my best but I hope you don't mind settling for just me."

Willow shook her head. "No. That's not settling. That's exactly what I want! The finest man. The man of my dreams!"

Walt kissed her passionately and she melted from the fire in it. Their kisses grew hungrier until-

"Walter... your mission... you have... "work" to do..." she panted reminding him.

Walt sighed. "Right... of course. To be continued?"

She kissed his cheek and whispered in his ear. "Definitely to be continued! And..."

Walt nodded. "I'll come home safe. We all will. And I promise..." he kissed her once more. "Eventually, when all this done... you'll get your "happily ecer after" no matter what. I will give that to you!"

She smiled and stroked his face tenderly. "You already have... I love you."

"I love you," he told her slowly stepping back and away reluctantly letting go to turn around and head to work.

And leaving he kept looking back seeing all the people gathered there, including Willow, waving to them wishing them well and happy returns. He smiled.

Penny saw it and smiled too. "I believe the expression is "Home is where the heart is!"

Walt nodded smiling. "Then my home is anywhere and everywhere that you all are!"

She nodded smiling. "I feel the same! Let us hurry home to Marvel so we can hurry home to "Home" then!"

Walt nodded. "My dear, you make the plans! Let's do that!"

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Nora Valkyrie Yang Xiao Long Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Rachel "Raven" Roth Manami "La Brava" Aiba Tsuyu "Froppy" Asui Haruhime Sanjouno Anastasia "The Baroness" Cisarovna/DeCobray Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O Merida Gwen "Gwenom" Stacy Jubilation "Jubilee" Lee and Jennifer "She-Hulk" Walters

Will Return In

TBD

Coming Soon]