Silence (Kristof & Ziggy)

[Gummy]

Ziggy sat on something... she didn't really care what it was but she was tired. She hurt from head to foot and she was needing sleep. The people they had got to safety were there too but she had managed to get a little way away to just try and catch her breath. Leaning her head against the old subway wall she felt the cold and the damp against her skin. She needed to sleep but feared going to sleep. Since 'waking' back up sleep had been hard for her and most of the time she had spent it drinking coffee and tinkering until she had fallen to sleep where she sat. Each time she had woken up in her bed dripping with sweat wondering what nightmare had woken her up that time!

Now though, people were in fear, she didn't need to add her dreams to it. She knew she needed help and the only person or people she would want to help her were at the mansion. Kristof... he helped in his own way. She moved the modules in her hand and closed her eyes, just for a moment. No! She had to stay awake.

[Zeronone]

Kris walked through the subway, his gaze moving from person to person. The survivors of the attack that he and Ziggy had gotten away. The air smelled of smoke and blood, sobs and cries of pain filled the air from those who had suffered at the hands of the Purifiers. His hand clenched into a fist, wanting to go back and continue his onslaught and return the pain they bestowed on these people a hundred-fold. He stopped by a woman holding her kid and bent down, a portal opened, and he pulled out bottles of water and rags. Meeting her eyes he saw the pain and fear in them, and his anger burned.

He stood up and looked around, spotting Ziggy his chest squeezed. He took a deep breath and walked towards her, laying a hand on the shoulder of a kid who was holding his baby sister. Reaching out to squeeze the hand of a young girl whose eyes looked far away. As he moved, several hands reached out towards him, he nodded and kept walking. His cheeks a little red, he had never imagined himself as a hero that others would look to and yet just a couple days ago that was what he had become. It felt strange, being cheered and looked towards with admiration and not fear.

Kris sat down beside Ziggy, his head laying back as his eyes closed. Just being near her gave him strength, though he wasn't sure where he stood in her eyes.

His hand slid into a small portal and pulled out a water, a smile forming as his mind turned back to the night they said goodbye.

"Thirsty?"

[Gummy]

Ziggy opened her tired eyes and she nodded taking the drink. She struggled to open it but managed in the end and took a huge mouthful of water. She leaned onto him as she took another mouthful.

"Thanks."

She drank some more this time her arm moved to her lap and she let out a deep breath. She was partly ready to talk but she tried to find the right words.

"I owe you an apology. The way I was, I was confused and so many emotions and memories. Malik... he's my first boyfriend, first crush. I didn't think he noticed me. He's the type that all the girls like."

She sniffed trying to think of the next words. but was finding it hard. Then it came out.

"All the things I have gone through, the bullying, the magic, the torment, being kidnapped, seeing Mutant Town as it was being destroyed, to waking up on that ship with The Collector. Then seeing the helper's face as I was forced asleep. It's what's giving me more nightmares. I needed time to get through and get the memories in order. That took a lot and I am not there yet..... .... but ... but I do know that most is in the right order and the flashbacks have pretty much gone. I guess, I'm saying your spell worked."

[Zeronone]

Kriss tensed up as he felt Ziggy lean against him, he looked over at her, feeling the warmth of her body, and the familiar smell of her hair. She still looked beautiful, even with all the ash and dirt from the battle. As she took a deep breath he felt the change around her, it seemed she was ready to talk a little. Her words about Malik hurt, he felt his chest tighten and a small flicker of anger formed in his chest. Her first crush was him, he had left her, taken her memories to protect her and went to fight an intergalactic hoarder so she be safe. And while he was gone, she found someone else.

He pushed the anger away, it wasn't Ziggy's fault. He had specifically taken her memories of him so she would be safe. He couldn't expect her to have feelings for a person she didn't even remember.

"Anyone would notice you, Zigs. you are beautiful and amazing. Super smart and talented, he be a fool to let you go."

Was he really helping the guy out? He wanted to pulverize Malik into the ground and beat him to a bloody pulp. But that was Victor speaking, not him. He had dealt with the collector so Ziggy could be free, he didn't have the right to come back and chain her to himself. She was free now and he was going to protect that freedom.

He looked away, leaning back against the wall as he stared at the people around them. Couples and families hugging, siblings talking, the fear still lacing their words.

"I am glad it worked; I am sorry you had to go through all that, but I promised you in the kitchen that night over hot chocolate I would return you to who you were. If nothing else, I will always keep my word."

[Gummy]

Ziggy felt the tension in his body and why was he looking away from her? She moved off of him and frowned deeply then laughed... it took her a while to stop.

"Sorry! Sorry! You're jealous! Wow! You miss understood me. He was my ex before I was taken into space! He didn't love me any more. At least not in that way."

She was beaming with a smile and turned him to face her.

"The hot chocolate and the things that happened after... it's a little muddled with memories. I know one thing though!"

She turned his head gently towards her and placed a tender kiss on his lips. It was only a moment.

"That tasted better with hot chocolate on your lips!"

A wave of exhaustion cam over her and she leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes for a moment. That was a mistake as the image of the helper appeared again.

[Zeronone]

Kris stared as she laughed, his cheeks burning as he looked away trying not to feel upset. He closed his eyes and waited for her to calm down. Was it really funny that he was jealous? He was, that wouldn't be denied. He felt her hand on his chin and turned to face her, his heart beating faster as he found himself gazing into her familiar eyes. He couldn't help the smile that grew as she said that Malik was her ex and she didn't feel that way anymore. He leaned into her kiss, it was brief and over way too soon.

He leaned into her as his arm went around her shoulders. "I mean, I am glad you and him don't feel that way anymore. I'm sorry for being so jealous, I fought for you to be free. And I come back and get all moody thinking you found someone else. But I knew it was a possibility, I mean... I did take your memories of me and everything."

He looked over as he felt her body tense, his hand taking hers and squeezing. "I removed everything, so you know. All the things they did is gone, I did a full body scan afterwards on your genetic coding as well. Nothing that deep had been tampered with."

He turned his gaze back to the people, his free hand clenching as he saw the victims of senseless slaughter and destruction all out of jealousy and fear. "Ziggy, if I did something bad for a good cause, would you still care for me?" He looked back over at her; he had been considering the idea for a long time. It was still in the planning phase, but he just needed one person beside him for him to carry that burden. And for him, it was her.

[Gummy]

Ziggy stroked his cheek, the stubble that was under her hand and then she nestled into him.

"It's ok to feel jealous, just, don't do it too often. I am me and you have nothing to worry about. Thank you... What did you find? I know all my scars have been removed, they told me that. I am glad my DNA is back because, I was missing some and that's why I got sick. The Collector allowed me to make something to extract the part of me that was missing. I had to let them finish it for me as I got too weak."

She caught one of the modules from the air and held it. She never needed to think when they were floating, they just did it. It hadn't always been like that. For most of her life she didn't have it but her intellegence had always been there. Then he said something that sent a shiver down her spine. Her whole body tensed more than last time and she moved away from him looking at him with slight fear on her face. Doing something bad!...Her brain suddenly sped through a few emotions and from what had been happening Kristof could tell from the odd shapes of her modules that she was having an influx of memories. She reached out for his hand and breathed through it. Every time it gave her a mild headache.

"It depends.. tell me..... if illeagal then .... oh god!..."

She went pale as she remembered why she was where she was when Kristof turned her memories back on. Wow! that was a big memory of a lady on a table. Her eyes were darting in all directions as she tried to make sense of it all. The image of the woman and her scream.... She covered her ears trying to block out the sound. The fear was still there. Then the big arms that felt so comforting... she looked up to Kristof not saying anything.

[Zeronone]

He leaned into her hand, closing his eyes as he enjoyed the sensation of her touch, his emotions right now were all over the place which wasn't like him at all. He took a deep breath, he needed to compartmentalize everything. His feeling for Ziggy, the situation they were in now, the people around them. Everything needed to be taken from a logical and detached viewpoint. Ziggy was the one exception, with her he let his emotions out, but everyone else needed to be separated. At her question he considered hiding the truth but decided it was better she knew, and he wanted to be honest with her about it all.

"I found a tracking device, a collar inside your neck, and two inserted keys that would give you access to the lab. I removed all of them and double checked for anything we might have missed. I went down to your very genetic coding but found no tampering."

After his question, he noticed the sudden change in Ziggy. Her pulling away, the concern and fear, the shaking of her body. Was his question really that potent? She knew he wasn't a paragon; in fact he had told her that he walked a line between good and evil. She knew who he was and how he got through life, the only difference now was he cared for another's opinion. As he looked at her globules he realized that his words had triggered a new set of memories, possibly the ones pushed away while her old ones had returned. He leaned in, hugging her to him.

"Ziggy, same process. Don't fight it, lean into it and grasp them as they come in order." He waited for her shaking to subside, her body slowing and finding her eyes meeting his. "you okay?"

[Gummy]

Eventually it subsided. Things slotted into place like a ghost stuck in time. She breathed through it and his body helped her to cope with it. She just hoped that it would all stop soon. Memories were hard work. She was still looking pale and grabbed hold of her bottle and downed the rest of it before she looked at him then down at the floor. What had she done?

"I don't know. I might be in the middle of doing something and why wasn't there a BAMF with me when you woke me up? They must have got me muddled up with the person impersonating me. That means they took her to his hospital. I know where these people can get some safety. Although, it seems I have met some really nice vampires and currently working for Mr Fisk and... the poor woman. What is it you think would cause issues? It can't be as bad as bringing someone back to life? The moral or immorality of it all is just mind boggling. I don't know what I was thinking but she is still there. Her essence is still there and it's been days since I was last there and the part that I need I think is in your lab and I don't know what it is that you could have done to make me angry but I hope it is good. People have arguments and couples have differences its all about learning to work together and he picked me up like I was a child cause what I saw really wasn't pretty but at the time I thought that I could fix it but didn't know where the part was but then there is another part which could be really dangerous if used wrongly which is like the nuclear bomb is it a blessing or a curse because I am trying to think what it could be that you could have done? Unless you imprisoned The Collector, which is really not a good idea and wow I think I feel something strong and am I talking to fast cause I know that sometimes I do talk fast when I just can't say everything that I am thinking. The part I need is on your desk by the big whiteboard you were using to determine if all of this is worth it....

Ziggy would carry on talking if allowed.

[Zeronone]

Kris sat and watched and listened as Ziggy rambled off her worries and fears. He was glad she was getting the hang of catching and controlling her memories. Another sign of her amazing intellect and natural instincts. He waited for her to catch her breath before he stopped her talking. He had learned from the first time it was easier to just let her get it out and then stop her before she started up again rather than break her stream. It seemed to be a coping mechanism and he admitted, she was so cute when she did that.

As her energy ran out, he took her hand and pulled her forward. Giving her a quick kiss before she could start up again.

"That was a lot of information there, Zigs. Let's see if we can break it down, shall we?"

He mentally went through her fast speech and decided to focus on separating them as they came.

"You mentioned a bamf not being with you, that they must have gotten mixed up and taken your Skrull version to the Hospital. That in itself is great, if we get there and find her, we can put her down once and for all or capture her. I rather just end the copy cause the original is cuter and better."

Next, she mentioned possible a safe place for the people which was good. He had a few ideas himself but would require prep time to get it done.

"Well, a safe place for them is great. We can't keep them down here much longer; it isn't very sanitary. We just need to get them somewhere so they can get home."

Okay, next she mentioned vampires which was fun, always good to know there are vampires in the city. The next thing made his stomach clench a little. Fisk! Wilson Fisk AKA the Kingpin had been mentioned by his father a few times, the man was incredibly intelligent and very business Savvy. The only reason Doom hadn't put him down was because he wasn't a personal threat. She mentioned a woman she was helping, that sounded a lot like the Ziggy he knew, she had a good heart.

"I have heard of Wilson Fisk, he is a complicated man, but my father said he was a man of great intelligence and business savvy. It bothers me though that he has taken an interest in you, from what Victor told me he sounds like a lesser version of the Collector. He doesn't like to let good resources go."

Kris wondered if he would need to pay Fisk a visit like he had done the Collector, he had sworn no one would ever shackle Ziggy again and he needed to know the man's intentions.

Her next question brought it around back to what he was going to tell her, but was now the right time for it? She had so much going on that he wasn't sure if he had the right to burden her even more. He considered it but decided to work on fixing her problem first.

Okay, she was working on apparently bringing a woman back to life, and it seemed she was doing it for Fisk. Her essence still hanging around meant that she herself was not ready to move on and was fighting to stay. That was something that could be worked with, the part being in his lab made him curious. He had a lot of stuff in his lab from technology to magical to Magitech itself. He mentally went over his lab items and thought there were at least a couple of things that could help restore a body or maybe she meant his astral projector. That was still a prototype though.

He smiled a little as he remembered waking up to Ziggy standing over him, a cup of hot chocolate in her hand. His heart double tapped as he realized he liked her living with him.

"Hmm, bringing someone back to life who doesn't want to be here is wrong. It shouldn't be done as it is forcing the soul that no longer belongs here to return. But you said her essence is still hanging around after all this time then it is most likely she wants to return. Therefore, it is not immoral to save a life regardless of how long they been dead."

Once more back to him and he pushed it aside, he needed to focus on Ziggy's worries right now. Later he would talk about it, when they weren't fighting for their lives and responsible for other people. The idea that Fisk hugged her sent a pulse of red through his body, almost a tangible flash of red sparking in his eyes but held back by his iron will. Fisk hadn't hurt her, she said it was comfortable which brought up a different feeling. However, she said he had no reason to worry and he wouldn't.

Back to him and he decided she wasn't going to drop it now that he brought it up. He took her hand, stroking it with his thumb as he looked at the girl who stole his heart only a few weeks ago.

"I been working on a plan to take over a small country, one rife with political corruption, they keep the people poor and afraid, feed them false information, and while they get rich the people suffer. I had an idea of taking it over, removing those in power and setting myself up as its leader. Opening it to mutants and powered individuals. Like Genosha but for all powered beings that want a safe place to live. Protected by me and those who wish to help so that something like this never happens again, that people like us can get married, have kids, work and walk down the street without being afraid. I have a few different places in mind that would be perfect, but it requires me to not be good Kris."

She mentioned talking fast and he laughed softly, reaching up to brush her hair back, the red strand that worked so well with her.

"Never stop doing that Zigs, never change who you are for anyone. I... I love who you are and you. If you need to talk fast when you need to get it all out then talk fast, I will always be there to listen."

Once more she mentioned the part and this time by the whiteboard. Well, there was that part, but it could be dangerous to put in the hands of someone like Wilson Fisk. If she was going to use it, he would need to be there to make sure it wasn't stolen and that nothing went wrong. it was a prototype after all.

"If you need it then you can use it, I do ask that you let me be there with you when you do, however. It could work or it could rip open a black hole, it is fragile and I rather it not be stolen and used for a weapon."

[Gummy]

She took a breath and said.

"Thenmumpmsny....mmmmm!"

As he kissed her on the lips. Was too quick but it stalled her thinking and she nodded happily to him. She listened fully before answering and commentating his words. She blushed a few times at the comments but she also wanted her beanie back on. It had been lost somewhere during the fight. Oh well!

"In effect... there is one place that ties all this together and I believe that it is the same place as a haven for these people. Even if only so they can get injuries seen to and then get them home. The hospital where Fisk, vampires and the woman I'm trying to do something to is the same building. We take them there, it is as simple as portalling them there or we can get there via other means.. I believe one of the subway should lead us almost directly to it. If the Skrull of me is still there then we can deal with her in my own way."

She took a module out of her pocket and placed it into Kristof's hand.

"That will show you which is the real me. It is keyed to me and will be like a compass for you. Don't let it fly away otherwise it will just start orbiting with all the others! Fisk ... just wants his wife back and when we get through this we will need to check in on Mr Wagner as I don't think he's doing well. As for the woman it is Fisk's wife.. the part that is needed is only a bit between circuits. I need to use is to correct the disease that killed her. It won't cause a black hole as the bit you are working on is only a part that is close enough to what I used up in space. The only thing which will retrieve the part that will heal her. Without it... she has no hope. I know how to make it work. Yes, you can come with me. With your help it will mean I'll be able to get it working quicker and I have no intention of making it so that it can be used ever again!"

She took a big breath and let out a little sigh.

"As for your plan... it could work but you don't have to be nasty about it. We can work on it the proper way rather than barging in. At least try it before you try anything else. It will also paint a huge target on the people who chose to move there. Genosha has been attacked because of the number of mutants and mutant lovers on it. So be warned that the good can lead to bad too. I was offered a whole planet, I couldn't say yes because I knew it would mean uprooting every mutant on the planet. I wanted to say yes, I really did but I knew it wouldn't work as it would be too far and more mutants would be born. So maybe your country could work BUT we need to think smart before acting."

She smiled.

"Now.... about what you said... ....."

She leaned closer and this time kissed him passionately.

"I love you too."

Then continued to kiss him.

[Zeronone]

He pulled back, his eyes gazing into her beautiful ones. He had been wanting to do that since she came back but wasn't sure if he should. Now, he was very glad he did. His fingers slid through her hair and down to her cheek., leaning back and dropping his hand. A place where they could be safe and seen too, she was talking about the hospital with the vampires. Okay, well since Ziggy trusted them to be good people than he would as well. Besides, if they turned out to be enemies, Kris had ways of dealing with them.

"The hospital is a great place to take them, they need to be seen too anyway. If the staff are vamps, then it will be harder for the purifiers to attack them their as normal bullets don't really work on vampires. We can teleport there; I can open a portal, but I will need a bit. The battle and getting everyone here has taxed me pretty good. Another hour and I can get them there and make sure everyone is safe."

Not the entire truth, he wanted to give Ziggy time to rest as she didn't have the training he had gone through. He also wanted to make sure his reserves were full if he had to fight the vampires. He hoped Ziggy was right and they weren't blood thirsty types. He took the module, looking down on it. He reached into his pocket, stroking the box and pulled it out, opening it to reveal a bracelet.

"I got this for you, I was planning on it being a surprise at dinner tonight but then all this happened and wasn't sure when would be a good time. Now however feels right, since the Skrull you won't have it."

It was a simple silver bracelet with two intertwining hearts in the middle and a Z and K in the middle of each heart.

So, the woman Ziggy was saving was Fisk's wife, that would make the man very dangerous. He was fighting to get back someone he loved, and Ziggy was key to that, he wasn't going to like someone else butting in and possibly getting in his way. Kris had learned the hard way how fast rage can take over when the one you love is in danger. He nodded, accepting that Ziggy had given her word to help, and Kris wouldn't stop her.

Onto his plan, he gave a nod. He had every desire to make the transition peaceful. He was considering trying to just buy the politicians off and sending them on their way. But there would always be someone greedy, someone who expected more while still retaining their power. And that would have to be dealt with by bad Kris. A small smirk formed as he realized he was giving himself two personalities on purpose. Good Kris who would be the man Ziggy would be proud of, and bad Kris who would do what Good Kris couldn't. Wow, that was a complex waiting to happen.

"I agree that it will be dangerous at first, but Genosha had many flaws. The people in charge weren't ready to do what needed to be done to protect their people, and they had too many voices speaking different ideas. The council or whatever had conflicting personalities and opinions, different end goals. Mine won't, it has one end goal. The protection of those inside the borders, and like my father, I plan to build an arsenal that will keep every other nation in line. That is for the countries, for terrorist groups and organizations like these purifiers, I have counter measures in store just waiting to be activated. I will also have the Doom Bots acting as patrol men, protectors and defenders, ready to leap in at a moment's notice. Incorruptible, unhackable, guardians."

He watched the slight shift in Ziggy's posture as she leaned in and kissed him, his eyes widened but his arms went around her. Returning her kiss, it ended too fast. Her words however hit him like a sledgehammer, he found himself staring into her eyes and met her halfway, their kiss passionate and hot. It was a couple of moments before throat clears of people awkwarding viewing the display rang out.

[Gummy]

So they had a plan.... get the people to the hospital and get them sorted. At the same time sort out the Fisk issue and then go from there. then he showed her the bracelet and she beamed with delight. It was beautiful! She shifted again slightly as she slipped it onto her wrist and then examined it closer. She smiled at the initials and then flung her arms around him.

"We can talk later about your plans. For now... rest sounds good."

She leaned back in but her heart was still pounding fast as she stroked the hearts on the bracelet. She needed rest, but she also needed this. For that moment she felt safe and as she shifted his arm to get comfier she snuggled into him.

"I don't think many people know that the hospital is ran with vampire staff so please keep it quiet. It's just their technology intregued me and well... yeah. When we get chance... do you think we could go on holiday? I need a break... with all my memories intact!"

Her green eyes looked up to his cheek and she leaned up and pecked it.

"Then... then we can just... be us without pressures of others... without stress... just the..... *yawn*.... two of us having fun... as teens!"

She couldn't help it, she was comfortable and snug.. Her eyes closed and she dozed off whilst stroking Kristof's hand. She hadn't realised how tired she had been feeling until that moment happened and she started heavy breathing on his shoulder.

[Zeronone]

Kris held Ziggy, feeling her warmth and the scent of her hair in his face. He smiled, feeling that the wall that had built between them was breaking down. She mentioned being tired and he nodded, looking around at the people who, like Ziggy, looked exhausted after the day's events. As she shifted, his arms went around her, her weight against him made his heartbeat faster.

"Rest Zigs, we will worry about everything after you get some sleep."

He smiled down at her, his eyes gazing into her beautiful green ones, his hand lifting to stroke her cheek and wipe away the dirt that had clung to her.

"I think that can be arranged, just you and me away from all this for a little while. Though, you can't get upset if I bring a few inventions along to work on." He teased gently, as he leaned down, kissing her head after she kissed his cheek.

"Fear not, as long as they don't do anything I will keep the vampire's secret. If you trust them then that is all I need, but I will be on guard."

Just teens, he looked around and then back, watching Ziggy doze off while stroking his hand. Calloused and strong from years of honing. Regular teenagers, was that even a possibility for two people like them? They were both born under cursed stars, it was the only conclusion he could come too for their awful luck. The one thing that he had been blessed with was this beautiful girl.

"We can certainly try Zigs, now sleep without worry. I will be here to protect you, always my love."

[Gummy]

Sometime later Ziggy woke and nudged Kristof awake.

"We need to get moving... It's been an hour I think. You up for moving these people the last bit?"

She stood up and looked around, at least the people here were able to move still. They were not the worse off. Just a bunch of people stuck where she had remember a place was. She leaned forward and reached into her pocket taking out several different bits and quickly brought up a hologram of the city. Clicking in one last piece she made thing turn and spin before attaching a small metal piece to one of her own temples.

"Right... we are here.... and where we are going to is here... Mercy General Hospital. Far enough away that it should be ok but not too far that people couldn't go back home when it's all clear."

She tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. Then zoomed into the hospital showing a basic plan of the hospital. She knew where the data came from and that was the main thing.

"This is where we need to get the people to. It's a whole wing blocked off, that is where I am working. If you can get us to just outside this area then I would be able to get help. If you just go through security will block you. If the other me is working anywhere it will be in this room."

She indicated to a large room.

"It has a few technicians and no doubt Fisk will be around somewhere... hopefully we can deal with me together but she will be as smart as me and technologically inclined... the only problem is the machine could be adapted to knock a lot of people out and or teleport them to another location... meaning... we don't know who will be Skrull and who wont!"