HEROES ─ fallen warriors series one shots

22| Deleted Scenes: Lost Time

NOT CANON

(Takes place during "Tales From Another Timeline" from "Tales From Fallen Warriors")

Alex

This is fucking weird. I'm staring at myself, my younger self. He's sitting in a chair, his expression a little groggy because of the drugs still coursing through his system. He's looking at me with skepticism, like he doesn't trust what he's seeing. If I hadn't seen such weird shit in my life already I wouldn't trust this was real either.

"What the hell happens to me in the future? You look like a grunge Emporer Palpatine."

Wow, I really was a prick back then. It takes all my willpower not to give him a retort back. Instead I give him the honest answer: "During the Kree war a tank set off a blast that would have killed my husband. I pushed him out of the way. I got hit instead of him."

Other me doesn't show any regret for his comments, just nods. "Where is your husband now?"

"Outside with our parents. I'm sure he'll come in shortly, he wants to make sure you're alright."

He crosses his arms over his chest, his expression growing a little annoyed. "Is that why you're here? To check on me?"

I take a step closer to him. "That and I wanted to give you advice. Advice I ignored for a long time."

"I am waiting with baited breath." He says flatly. I ignore him.

"Stop doing that."

"Doing what?"

"This whole act," I take another step forward, making other me grow a little tense. "You're cold and harsh and angry. You don't trust anyone, you push everyone away, everyone who could possibly make you happy. You treat everyone like they're the enemy and give them no choice but to hate you. It's all a stupid act and you know it. Behind it all you're just a scared kid. You're too afraid to get hurt so you don't give anyone the chance to. And don't tell me I'm wrong, I'm literally you."

Other me doesn't say anything, just stares me down, his mask of indifference and annoyance slipping ever so slightly. I take this as my cue to continue.

"Getting hurt is apart of life. If you try to block it out, you'll block out all the good in life too. You'll never be happy. You'll always be alone."

"I don't mind being alone."

"Bullshit."

"Are you done yet? I'm getting a little tired of getting lectured by an ugly old man who talks about life and happiness like a naive toddler."

I don't hold back my retort this time. "Yeah? Well I'm tired of lecturing a petulant man child with anger issues. You could have everything, you could have a happy life despite what HYDRA did to you, but you sabotage any chance you get to claim that happy life. You're a coward."

The other me is getting angry, really angry. So angry he might shift, but I don't really care right now. His voice comes out at a growl as he says: "You have no idea—"

"I'm you, asshole, I have every idea of what I'm talking about. And don't even think about attacking me right now. You can't even control your shifting. Compared to me, you're a runt."

He lets out another growl, but suddenly stiffens, his eyes gravitating towards the door behind me. I glance over my shoulder and see Khari standing there. I have no idea how long he's been there, I didn't even sense him come in. The other me watches him the entire time he approaches us, his anger fading as curiosity sets in.