Start at the Beginning Pt 8

"There!"

Gwen had never seen "magic" being performed before and while it wasn't quite what she had expected it was impressive. Dr Strange had canted out weird words and glowing mystic runes and it had done... something. She wasn't sure what the glowing lines and dots represented exactly but she guessed-

"I see it," Walt said and looked at Stephen who nodded. It was safe for them to approach. "Right here?" Walt said pointing at a small "blip" on the line. "When is this?"

Dr Strange made a motion and the "blip" expanded outward. It was a cluster of events. "Spring of 2014."

Walt frowned. "That's not good... looks like it was right before the whole Shield/Hydra debacle... hmm..."

"What happened?" Gwen asked.

Dr Strange looked at her and then nodded. "Right, different multiverse... Captain America discovered Hydra sleeper agents and cells within Shield and other areas. There was an... incident and afterwards Shield was disbanded for awhile. It looks like your interlopers visited shortly beforehand and left."

Walt started pacing. "There's several important things that happened but I'm not sure what... can you get a more accurate fix on where and not when, Stephen? Were they in the DC area or...?"

Stephen made a series of mystical gestures concentrating. "New Jersey... Wheaton-"

"Camp Lehigh," Walt said and seeing Dr Strange nod he did as well. "Thank you, Stephen. That was most helpful. I appreciate your help in the matter. I'll uphold my end of the deal."

Strange dispelled the magic. "That's most gracious. Thank you. I'll have them readied for you if you'll wait a moment longer?"

Walt nodded smiling and Dr Strange did as well. Walt offered Gwen his arm and they left the crypt heading back up stairs.

"Ok, What's a Camp Lehigh?" Gwen asked.

Walt sighed. "Several things actually. It was originally a military installation where Captain America was created from Project Rebirth and one of the Strategic Scientific Reserve's training facilities during World War II. After the war, it also became S.H.I.E.L.D.'s first base of operations, and housed the Tesseract and Arnim Zola's mind amongst other things. The base was eventually abandoned by both the U.S. Army and S.H.I.E.L.D., although HYDRA continued to use the facility as Zola's mind was still hidden there. In 2014, HYDRA attacked Camp Lehigh with a missile strike in an attempt to kill Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff, who were investigating the facility."

Gwen's eyes went wide. "So...?"

Walt nodded. "Pretty damn important. I don't think the tesseract was what they were after. Pretty sure Shield didn't have it again and if Shield had it again they wouldn't have stored it there. It wouldn't have done them much good outside of the instance anyway... it would have been handy though and might be why they were after 616 Tony. He had the Space stone..."

Gwen watched him think. "You don't think it was the main reason though, do you?"

Walt looked at Gwen and he smiled a bit. "That's the other reason I wanted your help... there's a reason some of the other Gwen's go on to become damn good detectives. You've got the right instincts." Gwen smiled too and he nodded. "That's right... I think Tony was a target because he and I worked together to build my F.R.I.D.A.Y. who's a sister of sorts to his... but it doesn't make sense... Tony's F.R.I.D.A.Y. is long gone... I think we need to hurry up with our investigation and go see Howard..."

Gwen nodded and said, "I been meaning to ask about that... how is a Duck a detective?"

Walt opened his mouth but Dr Strange was coming back. "Gentleman, Lady. I apologize for the wait."

Walt smiled and Gwen did too. Strange was still being much more pleasant and even nice. "Dr Strange it's barely been a few minutes, Sir" she said.

"Stephen," he said. "Please call me me Stephen, Ms Stacy." He held out a small bag of some kind to Walt.

Walt smiled and took it attaching it to his belt. Then he offered his hand. "Thank you, Stephen."

Strange smiled and took it. "No. Thank you. This truly was a pleasure. Both of you." He shook Gwen's hand as well.

They left 177a Bleaker Street. "Do you mind if we visit the park?"

Gwen looked at him. "Why? What's there? A secret base or-"

Walt shook his head smiling. "No. I just need to think a bit and thought I'd take you to the park. We can go somewhere else-"

"No!" Gwen said loudly then cleared her throat. "I mean... the park sounds nice."

Walt raised an eyebrow but slowly smiled. "Alright, then. The park it is."

He offered her his arm and taking it they made their way there.

Gwen quietly walked along with Walt but kept sneaking glances. Her curiosity was piqued... but she didn't want to be obvious or break his train of thought-

Gwen sensed something and was about to alert Walt but he had stopped and using his right hand had grabbed a mans arm and twisted it. The man howled and dropped several wallets before Walt with an easy shove bounced his head off a wall, knocking him out and started walking away. Gwen quickly shot him with a web as they walked away. Hopefully the police would think the friendly local Spider-person, who ever they were, was responsible.

She looked at Walt. He was still deep in thought! The encounter was of little to no importance. She laughed quietly and instead of being covert about it she started to be overt in watching him.

He was tall and broad shouldered with a barrel chest. Grayish-blue eye's and a short neat beard. His hair was brown where it wasn't touched with grey and short but... he rubbed the back of his neck. New haircut she decided. Possibly for some event or social function?

He'd mentioned being a "soldier" and a "warrior" before and he moved like one. The way he walked, planted his feet, carried himself all had purpose... and yet his movements were considered. She didn't have to hurry to keep up with him. He matched her pace. Moved at her speed. Thoughtful... his movements were thoughtful and considerate. Outside of the interactions with some of the others he wasn't intentionally intimidating. He'd been very kind and friendly with Uncle Ben and most people they meet. He tried to put them at ease.

She smiled. *I guess when you're that big and built like that people are naturally wary,* she thought. *They probably assume he's "big, dumb and slow" like the pickpocket back there. But he's fast, smart and always watching. Always thinking-*

Walt slowed down to a stop and looked at her smiling. She worried he was going to say something about her staring but he pursed his lips and pointed them at a pretzel stand. "Want one?" He asked. She smiled. *Always hungry!* "No, I'm good. Too many carbs."

He nodded and slowly let go of her hand and got in line. She looked at him and chuckled. Just an ordinary mountain of a man dressed as a cowboy in NYC. Even in this city he stood out. He had that odd habit too... lip pointing. She looked down at her hand he'd been holding... it felt empty. Alone. Had she enjoyed holding hands with him? And when exactly had that started? It had been so comfortable she'd hardly noticed it before but now...

She watched as his shadow approached and his hand took hers again. No hesitancy. No hurried or rough grab though either. They were huge hands and a bit rough but they were warm and gentle. His grip wasn't crushing but just tight enough like holding something precious while still loose enough that she could take it back.

He'd stopped again and she looked up surprised. They were in the park already! He let go of her hand and took off his coat. She watched as he shook it a little then spread it out on the bench. He sat next to it and patted it looking at her. He'd spread it out for her to sit upon she realized. It was... so old fashioned! Nobody did things like that anymore. He'd been doing it the whole time too. Getting the door for her, walking on the roadside of the sidewalk to shield her from traffic, letting elderly people and children go first, etc... and yet he didn't make a show or production of it either. It was just naturally how he was. Like breathing. She sat down and he started to eat his pretzel still thinking. *He was raised this way,* she decided. *Parents... no, grandparents maybe. Not just courtesy and rough manners but someone who knew how life was for big, intimidating looking people. Taught him how to show people they didn't have to be afraid of him and put them at ease... and a little old-fashioned. Definitely a grandfather or similar older person.*

She smiled though and nearly laughed. He'd gotten mustard on his nose! It was the same earlier with the hotdogs! She saw him nod as he finished eating. "I think... I'm starting to get an idea of what they were after and up too," he said as she watched him wipe his mouth very carefully and deliberately... completely missing the mustard on his nose. She watched as he didn't crumple the trash but like earlier had a habit of collecting and folding it down small before disposal. Probably thinking about whoever it was that collected the trash and trying to make their job easier. "We should check on a few other things and then get back to Howard and see how his investigations are going and-"

Walt paused as Gwen took the napkin from him. He turned her way and she was biting her lip. "First, lean this way," she said. He felt himself flush as he realized he must be a mess... again. But he did as she instructed leaning in closer to her lovely face, beautiful eyes and those lucious lips she was biting that he wanted to- he swallowed and closed his eyes. *Safer that way,* he decided. "Sorry. Thank you, Gwen."

Gwen reached out and carefully wiped the mustard off. He didn't budge at all. His face was... not bad. Handsome for an older man. Strong jaw and cheek bones. With his eyes closed it wasn't as intense. She thought about what he must have looked like when he was younger as she griped his chin to inspect for more.

She tried to picture him as a young man. Erase the small scars, crowsfeet and worrylines... no, not just worry lines. He'd smiled a lot when he was younger but... *just as warmly but more cocky like,* she thought. *devil may care attitude and a rogueish smile! Strapping, fresh faced young soldier. Probably had girls throwing themselves at him... no he was the only slightly shy, thoughtful and gentlemanly type. They hunted him down! The kind of young man who would catch any daughters eye and when she brought him out or home her friend's, sister's and mother's eyes too!*

She wiped nonexistent crumbs out of his beard and then his mustache and thought they were softer then she thought. His hair was a bit fine. She wiped at his lips. They were surprisingly full and soft. Must be a great kiss- she cleared her throat and swallowed. She felt warm and she noticed he was blushing. It was almost cu- "There... much better," she said giving him a few quick brushes and letting go.

Walt opened his eyes and smiled. "Thanks again, Gwen."

"No problem," she said handing back the napkin she played with the zipper on her sweatshirt, lowering it. "Bit warm and sunny today."

Walt tried not to stare as she revealed more skin. She had on a black bra-exercise-top thing. He didn't know what it was but damn what he saw, he liked! "Yup. Sure is! It was cool earlier but when the city heats up, it really heats up!" *Oh!* he thought. *She's too warm with her hood up but she's got nothing to shade her eyes!* "Hang on a sec, Gwen."

Walt slowly reached out and drew the hood back, gently brushing her hair behind her ears. Gwen felt her heart pounding suddenly as he touched her so tenderly and she thought *Maybe he was thinking about (*KiSsInG*) too!* she closed her eyes and-

Walt took off his hat and placed it on her head. "There," he said trying not to think about how that really made her look like his dead wife and was a damn good look on her. He fished out his glasses and put them on. "That'll shade yer eyes and be a bit cooler than the hood- ow!"

"Sorry," Gwen said after kicking him. "My foot slipped." She adjusted the hat. It was big... just right for hiding her face from the big, thoughtful, sweet dummy! "Thanks for the hat."

Walt nodded. That wasn't a slip... he'd messed something up but the way she swung her feet was happy. *Women,* he thought. *Even being a reader and ages around them I'm still mystified sometimes... good thing I like mysteries, I guess.* he smirked to himself. *My favorite mysteries!* "You're welcome. Shall we go?" He stood and offered her his hand.

Gwen nodded, smiling still hiding her face with the brim of the hat. She took his hand and let him help her up. "Alright," she said. "But before we go... can we walk down by the pond for just a bit? It... might be cooler there."

Walt nodded and picked up his coat slinging it over his shoulder. "That sounds good to me," he said offering her his arm. "I'd like that."

Gwen smiled as she took it. "I hoped you might."

TW-Deadpool leaned his head against TW-Stans arm. "Awwww!"

Stan sighed and passed him another tissue. "Geez, Red... emotional much?"

Deadpool cried. "I got feelings you know? I'm not a heartless monster!"

Stan rolled his eyes but nodded. "Apparently so... they are kind of a cute couple. I like that sort of thing."

"See!" Deadpool said.

Stan leaned in close to Deadpool and said, "You know what I really would like after watching something like that?"

Deadpool sighed and nodded. "I can guess... Pretzels?"

Stan nodded and slapped his shoulder. "Pretzels! Be a pal-"

"And go get some?" Deadpool said along with Stan and nodded. "I'm on it...mustard?"

Stan grinned. "Mustard!"

[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 Raven Manami Aiba also with Tsuyu Asui Haruhime Sanjouno The Baroness Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O Merida and Gwenom

Will Return In

Start at the beginning Pt 9

Coming Soon]