fiction | Part of the journey is the end

11. So this is christmas? - 1

Eleanor and Fisk greeted each other. "We've had a good relationship, haven't we, Wilson?"

Clint frowned. "Well, they seem familiar with each other. How long has Eleanor been working for Fisk?"

"I've never asked questions; I've always done what was told."

"Which is a bad thing," said Peter. He tried to do his best to keep New York safe, and now he was learning so much information he didn't know about. At least now, he'd be able to do something about it.

"What I'd expect when there's a debt, and your husband owed a small fortune," said Fisk.

Everyone made a sound of realization.

"So that's what Kate's dad was talking about in 2012," said Steve.

"That's how Eleanor got involved in this," Tony added.

"Which I have repaid tenfold by now." "All the while doing pretty well for yourself," said Fisk and was confused where Eleanor was going with this.

"Eleanor was able to keep the penthouse," said Rhodey. "That's how her financial troubles went away."

"I'm so glad I never let Eleanor handle SI's security," said Tony. "Fisk would basically have access to my company."

"I handled Armand like you asked. My fiancé is taking the fall for Sloan."

All of them let out a strangled noise at hearing Eleanor confess.

"So, Jack actually never had anything to do with all this," said Bucky. "He's just a weird rich man who likes swords."

Peter shivered. "Fisk asked Eleanor to murder Armand because Armand knew something."

"It was a sloppy murder," said Bucky.

"I know!" said Natasha. "It was messy and there was so much blood everywhere."

She said her daughter is home now, and she's getting too close and that's where she drew the line.

"At least Eleanor's aware of that," Clint grumbled. He shuddered at the thought of Kate getting anywhere near Fisk.

"Kate's not the only one getting too close," said Natasha. "Clint is too, and I bet Fisk won't like an Avenger paying attention to his operation."

"There are no lines in this business." "And that is why I have to leave this business."

"Too late," said Clint. "Kate's already in trouble because of the mess she created."

"I hate their business," said Peter. "It's everything I try to take down. Innocent people get hurt because of people like them."

Fisk told her not to be rash, but Eleanor said she had been keeping an insurance policy — copies of everything, in a safe place.

"It's a good habit, but why would she tell him that?" said Natasha, exasperated.

"Fisk didn't hesitate to give out the order to kill Armand because he knew too much, and I bet he'll just go after Eleanor now," said Bucky. "She fucked up and now Kate will get hurt."

Clint winced. He didn't see an outcome where Kate wouldn't get hurt.

Fisk gave her a minute to think about what she was starting, but Eleanor said she didn't need a minute and left.

"Well, I appreciate how bold she is," said Wanda.

Fisk took a deep breath, and his eye twitched.