Chapter Text
York normally didn’t mind having his back pressed against a wall, but lately the reasons for that happening have been less fun and more life threatening. The only similarities were there was an attractive woman involved. Usually the “fun” situations didn’t have guns.
Except that one time at the laser tag place.
His thoughts were interrupted again as a bullet bounced off the top of divider he was hiding behind, barely missing his head as he ducked down further. The plus side is he managed to wear her down earlier so now they had to settle this like normal people. But they were far from normal, or more specifically she was.
Agent Carolina, USA, Freelancer Unit. Top Agent, skilled in hand to hand combat in various martial arts, good with most weapons and improvisation, and ambidextrous. York has read the files over and over, memorizing each sentence. Additionally, the girl had two powers. One being speed. Its more of a sprint as she can only do it in short bursts, but she knows how to use it well. The second being changing her form. He noticed it when she disguised herself as one of the security guards to get in here.
“Hey D, how much longer until her recharge?” York was glad his coms were still working.
“You have two minutes and thirty-seven seconds until Agent Carolina can do another burst. I suggest you exit the area before that happens.”
“Don’t worry. I got a plan.”
“I doubt that.”
“Yeah yeah, see you at home.” He waited a moment before rolling to his left, firing his gun twice managing to force Carolina back behind cover then booked it for the fire exit. He could hear her chasing after him but at a normal foot fall.
The door burst open as he slams his shoulder into it, bringing in the sun and the gleaming fire escape. He didn’t pause for a second as he leaped off the ledge.
“3…2…1...” His feet hit the truck first before the rest of him does. His body slides against the metal before finally he catches himself on a ladder attached to the back. Looking over his shoulder he can see Carolina, and with a gently salute the truck takes him around a corner, into traffic, and out of sight.
---
“Good to be home!” York pushed into his apartment, throwing the flashdrive he commandeered onto his computer desk. The lights in the room turned on as the various screens and computers whirled to life.
“Welcome home, York. You are at 86.7% health.”
“Hey D. I’m fine. Mostly scratched up. Might have sprained an ankle.”
“And cracked a rib. Might I suggest not jumping onto moving vehicles next time.”
York winced as he sat down at his desk, popped the flashdrive into his computer. “Eh, sometimes you gotta improvise. But I’ll keep that in mind. Hey, get me access to these files, will ya? I don’t usually get my presents before Lina does and I’m really excited to see my prize.”
“Right away, York.”
York pulled the gold biker helmet off his head and slumped against the back of his chair. He was grateful for no bullet wounds this time, but that girl did a number on him. He was almost okay with it though. Carolina had a sort of charm about her and one could get lost in those green eyes if she didn’t knock you out first. It was the only thing that stayed the same when she changes. Honestly, he still didn’t know what she really looked like.
“Access granted.” York is pulled out of his thoughts as several windows popped up on his screens.
“So, looks like Hargrove has got an interesting project going on. I can see why Freelancer would be concerned. Not a lot of detail in here but plenty of emails about some sort of new military weapon. Could be worth a lot. Especially on the black market.”
Delta whirled in thought. “It is probable Hargrove would be doing exactly that.”
“Not if I do that first. Looks like the rich are holding a party that I got an easy invite to.” York typed into his computer, altering files in his favor. “What are the chances Freelancer will be there as well?”
“97% probability.”
“Great. Hope they send their best.” He grinned.
---
Carolina leaned against the wall. “How does one guy manage to be such a pain in the ass.”
The tall woman in black crossed her arms, her pixie cut blond hair nearly matching Carolina’s, that is until Carolina shifted to her normal red haired and shorter height. “Eh, most men are like that. You should meet mine.”
“No personal lives, remember Agent Texas?”
“When are you going to just call me Tex? Look Kid, you can be pissed about him getting away, but eventually you got to suck it up and move on.”
Her fist slammed against the wall behind her. “I never fuck up like this. The guy doesn’t even have powers and I still can’t bring him in? He’s not even decent at fighting!”
“Yeah but he’s got your number. You just got predictable to him.” Tex shook her head. “Look, that’s the past. Time to move on and carry on with the mission. Hargrove is hosting a charity ball. You’re all set for entry. Bad news, it was suggested you go in as yourself. You know, rich girl who inherited her daddy’s money?”
Carolina frowned. The last thing she needed was for people to figure out who she is, but it did seem like the most practical disguise would be no disguise. “I hate this. I really fucking hate this. But fine. Might as well expose old family friends as myself.”
“That’s the spirit. I’m going to go drink. You have fun trying to figure out how to walk in heels.” With that, Texas continued walking down the hall leaving Carolina to her thoughts.
Carolina didn’t spend much time standing there before retiring to her room. The cracked mirror on the wall greeting her as it did every day, with the freckled red head staring back at her. She looked bruised but nothing a bit of makeup couldn’t fix. Her hair was in knots and she generally looked exhausted. She pulled off her blue tank and slumped into her bed face down before rolling to stare at the ceiling.
Carolina Church was a disguise she rarely wore. The happy girl from the Midwest who was obedient and kept to herself. She was pretty sure at a time she was that girl, but as the years past and after passing of both her parents she wasn’t so sure she was that anymore. Now she felt like a bitter woman trying to please someone who wasn’t even alive to see her do any good.