Avengers Generations

Chapter 10

Jake stood alone in the observation room waiting for Charity and Agent Coulson to get back from their 'bonding time'. As he looked out the window at the runway, his head pounded and his limbs ached - he was doing everything in his power not to just curl up in the corner. He wanted to go back to his quarters, but he had to figure out how to get out of this place - just long enough to get some dope, then he'd come back... maybe. He wasn't sure yet - he just needed a shot.

"There you are, Jake." Tori said, climbing the metal stairs to the upper room "I've been looking for you. These Avengers fanfics are hilarious, and these ships..." She waved a debriefing folder "Have you been looking through these?"

"Um," Jake said, trying to look cool "Not as much as Patch the Pirate thinks I should."

Tori laughed, imagining what Director Fury would have said if he had heard that. She looked up into Jake's eyes - they were sparkling and beautiful, but he looked troubled.

"Is something wrong?" She asked, putting a hand on his arm.

Jake tried not to show how much pain he was in and smiled a crooked smile.

"I'm fine." He said.

"Why are you up here anyway?" Tori said, looking around "Are you... waiting for Charity?" She asked it slowly and cautiously. She didn't want to sound disappointed, but she really liked Jake ... he was the only one on the 'team' who seemed to get her.

"Well..." Jake said, equally carefully "Yes... and no..."

"Care to explain, Riddler?"

"Riddler?"

"Batman reference." Tori explained, waving it off "Forget it. Just tell me what's up."

Jake started slowly, trying to figure out where she stood.

"Are you like... cool with things that aren't totally socially ok?" He asked.

"Like...?" Tori asked.

"Like tattoos and stuff?"

"Of course!" Tori said, looking almost offended "I wanted to get some, but my mom-"

Tori stopped and glanced out the window, interrupted by the sound of a jet. She watched it carefully touch the flight deck and stop quickly so it didn't roll off the other end of the helicarrier.

"I wonder how often the new guys don't stop it in time and do a nose-dive off the other end." She said the Jake, laughing. She glanced at him when he didn't respond, and saw that he was watching the plane closely, examining everything. She followed his gaze, and the two silently watched Coulson and Charity get out - they were followed by two agents carrying a body.

"What the...?" Tori said surprised "Who's that?"

Jake was still unresponsive, which really irked Tori - not even Anthony was this bad. She slowly craned her neck so her face was in front of Jake's.

"Jakey..." She said. And then "Earth to Jake - come in, Jake."

"Hm?" He said, still staring at the jet.

Tori punched him.

"Uh?!" Jake glared at her uncertainly "The heck?"

Tori smiled, very pleased with herself. She couldn't punch hard, but at least it got him to look at her.

"What was that for?!" Jake said, remembering to laugh.

"Dude, you totally just spaced out." She said "It was freaky."

"Oh, weird," Jake said "Sorry."

"Ok, tell me what's wrong." She said, crossing her arms. She was tired of beating around the bush "I won't judge."