Thanks to Marvel Comics for their wonderful characters. Psylocke, Juggernaut, Courier and Nitro are all pert of their universe.

Thank you also to donjo for making sure this didn't suck. Read his stories, too!

(And after a long break...)

Chapter 6

All of the characters were in place. I was sitting with Jackie and Cain in the back of the conference room. I was gothed out in a black leather bustier, low rise leather jeans, black lips and ridiculous amounts of eye shadow and pale foundation.

I wanted to make a statement that I was my own person, and not a faceless agent. The results turned heads. Mission accomplished. The Boss, a rather large, muscular man, quite handsome even with the eye patch gave me a scowl, though. I stuck my tongue out at him after he turned around, and being a good girl at heart, I didn’t read his mind.

The room was full of agents, with enough dark suits to make me want to look for Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith.

“Okay, people. Settle down, we have a situation” The room got quiet. The Boss was at the podium, and no one made a sound.

One of our agents has tracked a terrorist known as Nitro to the city. We have assets in place here to deal with the threat, but I cannot overestimate the threat this character poses to this city. Agent Jasper, continue the briefing, please.

“Here’s what we have. Nitro, AKA Robert Hunter, is a scientist with an axe to grind. Through a process unknown to us, he has gained the ability to detonate his entire body, with varying levels of power, with the known upper limit of a small nuke in the neighborhood of a kiloton”

“People, the threat is real. There is a clear and present danger to the population of the City of New York and indeed the world. Agent Jackie Gavin and her team will be point on this investigation. Our job is to provide support, tactical and logistical”

Agent Jasper took a sip of water and continued. “This threat is greater than anything we have faced to date folks, and I don’t have to tell you the importance of nailing this guy before we have another 9/11. Your individual team leaders will have your assignments”

The Boss met with us in Jackie’s temporary office. He came up to me and shook my hand. It was way bigger than mine and rough. “I’d like to introduce myself, I’m the Director. I’d like to thank you for your help on this case. You’ve been a real asset. The Secretary thinks you’re a bit of a…well…”

“Bitch?”

“Yes, but all I see is a very attractive, if style challenged young woman.”

I held out my arms. “Not a big fan of the goth look?”

“I’m a bit traditional when it comes to clothing, but considering your history, you’re doing quite well”

I blushed. “Uhh, thank you, I guess”

“Jackie, what do we have?”

“Aziz is trying to recruit this guy, and if we don’t head him off, we’ll have a hell of a time putting the genie back in the bottle”

The Boss rubbed his chin. “We’ll just have to see that he isn’t able to”

The Boss turned to me. “Betsy, can you narrow him down?”

“I’m trying, but it’s like trying to see a ghost. He’s in Manhattan, I know. Somewhere in Lower Manhattan. I’m really getting tired, though. I’ll need some sleep”

“I keep forgetting. You’re what, seventeen?”

“Yes”

“Damn shame we need you. You’re too young for this crap. You ought to be out with some boy”

“I have a girlfriend, Sir”

He raised an eyebrow. “Quite, errrr, interesting.”

“Well, keep working as you can. Your room is upstairs in the hotel; don’t worry about checking in, here’s your key. Get some rest, Agent Braddock. You’ll need it”

He looked to the very large man standing next to me “Cain. Glad to have you aboard. Nicer than having to fight you”

“Yeah, don’t get used to it, amigo. I’m here for her” he thumb pointed to me. “Piss her off, and I’m gone, along with her”

I squealed, jumped up and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re so sweet! You’re my big teddy bear! Carry me upstairs, daddy! I’m sleepy”

I did make him blush that time. “Knock it off! He growled as he wiped the black smear off of his cheek. I ain’t got time for this” I did see him stifle a smile.

The Boss raised his hand. “All right, let’s knock off for tonight. We’ll be back at it at 0800” He winked at me. “Daddy’s little girl needs her beauty sleep!”

Cain didn’t carry me upstairs, but I did continue concentrating on Nitro’s location as we ascended in the elevator. I was narrowing it down. “Cain, do you have a map of Manhattan?”

“Not with me, why?”

“I think I may be able to narrow down the location if I have a map”

“I’ll call down and we’ll get a map in the morning. You need some sleep. Your eyes look like two piss holes in the snow”

“I’m not that bad…am I?”

“Look in a mirror when you get to your room” the elevator opened to the thirtieth floor.

“You’re in room 3028. I’m two doors down. Get some sleep”

“How will you sleep? You’re too big for the bed”

“Don’t need it. I’ll just watch ESPN all night”

I stopped at my door. “This is going to get dangerous, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. Nothin’ we can’t handle though. You stick close to me; I ain’t dealin’ with your crazy girlfriend if you get hurt. She scares me”

I giggled. “I don’t care what people say. You’re the sweetest man I know”

“Yeah, don’t let I get around. I got a rep to maintain”

I unlocked the door to my room. I had never been alone in a hotel room before. It had that familiar new hotel room smell that only the good places have. My bags were already in the room, so I went into the bathroom to get cleaned up for bed. I looked in the mirror. My eyes were puffy and gross looking. And really red. I guess I was tired. I cleaned off the makeup, which wasn’t fun. The goth look takes a lot of makeup and while it may look good, it’s a bitch to remove”

After ten minutes of cleaning, I was back to being the fresh faced ingénue with purple hair that everyone knew and loved. I looked like I was fourteen. After going potty (So much nicer to say). I turned down the bed. I was naked, and debating whether or not to wear anything to bed or not.

Turning, I saw myself in the mirror. I was one smoking hot babe, and I did nothing for myself. It was just me. The old me would have had a little boner seeing a naked chick like me. I got nothing sexual, but I did turn and thought my butt was getting a little big. Now that bothered me. I got my sleepshirt out, an old Detroit Lions tee that I had loved as a boy, and felt comfortable in as a girl. It came to mid thigh, which was just right for me.

I was just getting comfortable when I heard a rustle and looked to the chair by the window. Sitting there was a man I had never seen before. I stifled a scream.

He was in a red and black outfit and his face was covered. “Howdy, Princess”

My psychic daggers came out on their own I covered my chest protectively. “W-w-who are you? What are you doing in my room! All I have to do is scream and you’re in real trouble”

I couldn’t get a good read on his mind. He was very chaotic in his thinking. “Easy, Ariel, it’s me, Prince Charming”

“Okay Prince. You have three seconds to tell me why you’re in my room. Then I scream”

“No need for that little lady. The name’s Deadpool, and I’ll be helping you out on this little adventure” He paused, looked up to the ceiling. “Is that the best line you could write for me? I’m supposed to be way funnier than that!”

Okay, now I was confused. “What I the heck are you talking about? More to the point, WHO are you talking to”

“The chick writing this thing. Not too bright sometimes”

My daggers went away, and I pulled my cover up over my boobs. “You’re nuts. What do you mean…never mind”

“Look Lucy. I’m helping you, Fred and Ethel get to the bottom of your Mr. Boom Boom problem. I know where he is, and we can move anytime. He’s not due to meet Ahab the Arab for another twenty four hours”

“Why are you telling me?”

“I wanted to meet the new kid. I heard you were hot. Not disappointing, by the way. Courier is too, I don’t know…frigid for me. I liked her better before she did the he/she thing.”

I smiled. “I’m seventeen, you perv. I used to be a boy, and I have a girlfriend”

“Dammit! Not you too! He looked at the ceiling again. “I’ll get you for this! Why can’t that guy who writes Green Arrow write my lines?”

I looked up too. “What *are* you doing?”

“Complaining to the boss”

“Uh, this has been nice and all, but I really do need some sleep I’m really tired, so…”

“I don’t scare you?”

“No. Not at all. I see your, for lack of a better word, mind”

He let out a theatrical gasp that sounded like one of the body snatchers. “You can? Well, I never! Of all the noive? Well, princess, nice girls like you really should wear panties to bed, and your butt really isn’t too big…giggity”

It was my turn to gasp as I pulled my covers closer. “You didn’t!”

“I diiiiid!”

“I think I will scream! I can’t believe you saw me naked! Oooooooooohhhh!”

“And you’re magnificent! She’s a lucky girl, that girlfriend of yours” he stood up and bowed.

“With that, Miss Godiva, I take my leave. He ran to the window and jumped. I expected there to be an explosion of glass but he just disappeared. I rushed over to the window, to see where he landed. I couldn’t see anything.

“Is he dead?” a voice from behind me said. He then spanked my bottom. TWICE!

“EEEEEEEEEEKK” I screamed.

“Never gets old!!” And he was gone.

I heard the rumbling of big feet coming down the hall. The lock clicked and Cain was in the room. My eyes must have been as big as saucers, and I was holding my stinging bottom.

“What the hell happened? Are you okay?”

I was blushing furiously. I didn’t know what to say. “Somebody was here!”

“Who?”

“His name was Deadpool. Do you know him?”

He rolled his eyes. “Shit! Yes, I know him. Nutty as a pet coon. What did he want?”

“He says he is working with us on the case, and he knows where Nitro is. He’s supposed to meet Aziz in twenty four hours. He’ll be back tomorrow to tell us where, I think”

“Just great. If this turns out like Berlin I’ll make a grease spot outta him!” he looked at me strangely “Why are you holding you rear end?”

Blushing even harder, I cried “He spanked me!”

“On the butt?”

“Where else, you big dork!”

Cain tried. He really did try not to laugh. “Did you have it coming?” Then he bellowed. “The guy is nuts, but he sure knows how to make an entrance”

I stamped my foot in an ineffectual feminine protest “Get…out…now…you…big…JERK!”

Cain was still laughing as he closed the door. My face was as red as his Juggy suit. I was mortified. I touched my still sore bottom, and was surprised to find I was a little aroused, wondering what it would be like for Tracy to spank me. I shook my head to get the thought out. “No! I am NOT going there! God, I am such a perv. I never had these thoughts as a boy!” I thought to myself. And I went to my bag and got the pair of panties (Detroit Lions, of course) that matched the shirt and put them on. No, I don’t know why I needed them to match and why I needed to put them on. I am a good girl, after all. Darn that Deadpool!

I dreamed about being back home with Tracy. We were sitting on a park bench, watching the geese. My head was on Tracy’s shoulder, and we were just enjoying the water, the warmth and the sun, when an explosion detonated nearby. My mother’s head landed on my lap.

I was awake immediately, I tried to scream, but I was too terrified. All that came out were wheezes. It took a little time to realize that it was a dream. Then I burst into tears. I just realized I was in way over my head. This guy, whatever he was, could blow up like a nuke. I was worried I’d break a nail. Juggernaut, I knew could handle himself. Jackie was really smart and experienced. I was a little girl trying to play with the big guys.

Looking at the clock, I saw it was only two thirty. I got up, used the facilities and got a drink of water. I had to get some sleep. I got some Benadryl from my bag. It always worked better than any sleeping pill. Two of them, and in fifteen minutes, I was back in dreamland.

~o~O~o~

Nitro was walking the streets of Lower Manhattan. He was looking for some action, and didn’t care what it was. He found he didn’t need as much sleep since the change.

Stepping into The Chain, a dive that catered to those with little or no interest in the legal side of business, Nitro sat at the bar. There were a couple of tired topless dancers going through the motions on a makeshift stage. Most of the clientele was engaged in other business. He threw a hundred dollar bill on the bar. “Whiskey”

The bartender, a large man with long hair tied into a ponytail asked. “Any preference, big spender?”

Nitro looked at him like he was an insect. “The kind with alcohol, smartass, and keep ‘em coming”

The bartender thought he saw something flash in the Nitro’s eyes. This guy was nuts. He would keep an eye on him. He gave the bouncers a signal to be ready to give this guy and introduction to the street.

“You gonna pour some whiskey, or stand there giving signals?”

“Look, pal. I don’t much like you, and I don’t care how much money you throw on the bar, you ain’t givin’ the orders. One word from me and out ya go”

Nitro smiled. He was a lean man, but well muscled. His eyes flashed. “The either pour the whiskey, or sic your dogs, but do me a favor. Shut the fuck up, will you?”

The bartender gave the signal. Two men, large by any standard moved menacingly to the smaller man. “All right, loser. You’re outta here”

One of them reached for Nitro’s shoulder. Nitro spun in the stool and gave the man an open palm to the sternum that sent him flying ten feet back to the wall. He slumped and sank down; dead from a bone sliver to the heart fro his smashed breastbone.

The other bouncer was able to connect with a shot to Nitro’s jaw. He sagged into the bar, and started laughing. The bouncer grabbed him and Nitro quickly broke the hold. He then threw the hapless man across the bar after breaking his neck.

Nitro’s eyes were pure white light. He had an evil smile and turned to the bartender. All he said was “boom boom…”, then exploded.

The front of the bar blew out into the street. Body parts were everywhere. The only survivors were the two dancers, who were cowering and screaming, holding tightly to their poles. There wasn’t a scratch on them. On the bar, was a single bottle of whiskey, undamaged, not having moved from the place it was set.

A figure began to coalesce from the smoke. “…Out go the lights!” He laughed, a humorless laugh that kind of sounded mechanical to the girls.

“Come on girls! Let’s go. You owe me for saving your lives. Hurry up! Chop chop!”

“B-but we’re naked!” whined one of the girls.

“Didn’t bother you before, shouldn’t bother you now. Come on, before I finish the job”

The girls struggled over the rubble in their six inch platforms. “O-okay! We’re coming! P-please don’t hurt us!”

He threw a smoky jacket at them that he pulled off a headless torso. “Share this. I’m staying just around the corner” He grabbed the bottle. “Get ready to party, girls. And you’d better make it good, or it will be your last”