FALLEN ─ marvel

VII. Second Chances

Chapter Seven
Soroya

I carry the box of Analiese's things that have been approved by the FBI as we both walk into the New York penitentiary. They are allowing her to keep all the pictures, the books, and a raggedy stuffed bear from when she was young. Other things like her and Julian's old science kits, their mother's jewelry, and three pairs of their father's watches, aren't allowed in the prison, so I'm taking those back with me to Wakanda.

Ana is silent the entire time I walk her back to her cell. It isn't until I place the box down on the table and she sits down on top of her bed that she speaks to me. Her voice is firm yet soft, sincere with every word as she says: "Thank you, Soroya. For everything."

I smile at her and nod. "It was no problem. I promise I'll look after your other stuff."

She nods once before looking down at the ground and falling silent again. Thinking she won't speak again, I begin heading towards the door, but just as I place my fingers on the handle, I hear Analiese say my name.

I turn around to face her again, finding her expression unreadable as she simply says: "See you in a couple months."

I smile again, this time a little wider. "Until then, Ana."

I slip out of her cell and shut the door, nodding to the two guards waiting to lock it behind me. I'm really glad that she and I have taken a step away from hatred and towards civility. Despite all she's done I want us to be on good terms. She's all I have left of Julian, and she's one of the only people out there who understands not only the pain of losing him, but the pain of being a shapeshifter, of being a HYDRA experiment. I think that's why Jade was so comfortable around Ana, because she recognized the same trauma haunting her eyes that haunts hers. People like us have to rely on one another, it's the only way any of us will ever heal.

And speaking of healing, I begin mentally preparing myself as I exit the prison, finding John waiting for me where I instructed. The others agreed to wait on the ship as I drop Ana off, but I asked John if he could come with me. I figured it was time he and I talked. This whole thing is getting ridiculous.

"Is Remington alright?" He asks once I make it to him.

I nod, the smallest of smiles creeping onto my lips. "I think she is, or starting to be."

He and I are silent for a moment, and as I'm about to open my mouth up to speak, John cuts me off. It's like a volcano has erupted inside him, like he's finally unleashing words he's been holding back for so long.

"I'm so sorry, Soroya. This is all my fault. I swear I didn't mean for any of this to happen, it just came out of nowhere and by the time I realized what was happening it was too late. Just when I finally opened myself up to people and started to be happy, I go and completely wreck everything. I hope I haven't ruined our friendship forever, because it means the absolute world to me, and I hope you can forgive me for being such an unbelievable jackass."

I feel my eyebrows knit together in confusion, shock and disbelief filling my voice as I ask: "What are you apologizing for? It's me who should be apologizing. I'm the one who kept pushing you and forced you to bring your walls down, so of course it's me you would attach onto. I feel like I led you on and messed with your emotions. I'm the one who wrecked our friendship, I'm the one whose sorry."

John lets out a laugh, like I just told the greatest joke ever told. He brings his hands up to his face and rubs the bridge of his nose, trying to comprehend what I just said, still finding it amusing. "I should have known you would blame yourself. Soroya, you have absolutely nothing to be sorry for. Tearing down my walls was the greatest thing you ever did for me. I was a cruel, singleminded asshole before I met you. You've made me a better man, you've shown me the kind of person I can be. You didn't do anything wrong. You were the first person to believe in me, you were the first to want better for me, the first to love me for me. That's why I fell for you."

Feeling tears sting my eyes, I shake my head and look down at my feet, trying to hide my face from him. "It's agonizing knowing that I'm causing you pain. Maybe you should take another assignment from Ross, something away from me. I want you to be happy and being around me will just make you miserable."

John's reaches forward and lifts my chin up, giving me a sad smile. "I'll stay away if that's what you want. I know I've been making you uncomfortable."

"That's not what I want, I'm only suggesting that because I want you to find happiness. And of course you haven't made me uncomfortable, not at all." I say with an adamant shake of my head.

"Soroya I don't want to go away from you, I'd be more miserable if I did."

"I would be miserable, too."

John lets out a relieved sigh, and hope quickly rises in his features. "Does this mean we can move past this?"

I nod, smiling up at him, sharing in his relief. Without another word, I jump up and wrap my arms around his neck, clutching onto him tightly. John picks me up off the ground and clutches onto me too, burying his face in my neck.

I ignore his increasing heartbeat and the chemicals going through his body, instead I focus on the fact that I have my friend back, that no matter what happens, I will have him in my life. That's all that matters to me. I agree wholeheartedly with what he said earlier: our friendship is too important to lose.

"I do love you, John," I whisper against his shoulder.

I feel his chest rise and fall against mine as he sighs, squeezing me a little tighter. "I know you do," He whispers back, setting me down on the ground and pulling away, brushing a lose strand of hair away from my face. "We should get going. The others are waiting and we got more HYDRA to hunt."

And with that, John and I both make it back to the ship. When we climb onboard, I find Jade leaning against Sam's shoulder, the two of them dozed off against the seats. Alex is laying down across three seats, Madonna blasting loudly through his earbuds. John takes a seat next to Alex's head and thwacks him on the forehead, earning a nasty glare from my brother. I walk past my friends towards the co-pilot seat, but before I sit down I place a kiss on Bucky's cheek, smirking at him as he preps for takeoff.

"Are you doing alright?" He asks, many layers to that question.

I glance through the window and back towards the prison, my smirk growing into a smile. "Yes," I say, my answer surprising me. "I feel like I have closure now. Not just with Julian, but with Analiese as well. Things are changing, Buck, and I think it's for the better."

"All because you refuse to give up on people." He says with a smile.

I slip my hand into my husband's, brushing my thumb over his. "All people are worthy of second chances."

"I agree," He says softly. "I was given a second chance at happiness and look what I got." His eyes dart down to my wedding ring, making his smile grow.

"I hope Analiese can find that same happiness."

He squeezes my hand before letting go of it, forcing his attention back onto the controls. "Only time will tell." He says, gesturing for me to strap myself in as he pulls us off the ground and flies us into the air, leaving the prison, and Ana, behind.