Marvel: A Tale of Shadows

Ethan walked into his apartment and stopped mid stride as he saw his living room furniture was moved and Felicia and Laura were set up with paper boards, markers and paint set around them. They both looked at him with some paint on his face and he sighed before walking into his room.

He had too much on his mind for the time being. So he would think about what they were doing later.

Walking into his room he went to one of the walls and pressed his hand up behind a hanging photo. Then there was a fizz noise as a door appeared and slid open, revealing a hidden area. Inside was a large number of servers and computers all stitched together to a single console. He usually used his phone as a remote station but he needed a bigger setup than a smartphone with custom apps for what he was going to do.

He plugged his phone in and set it to the side. The computer hummed as it started up and Ethan pulled off his motorcycle gear. Changing into his ESU sweatshirt and gray sweatpants. His plans ran through his head as he walked back to his desk and slid into his chair. He had to find Laura's mother, Ophelia. Decide what to do about Logan… or James Howlett. Then somehow help Steve find a Hydra base to keep them off his ass. Then there is tracking down the stolen information for First Line.

He tapped his fingers at his desk for a minute before he leaned forward and started typing quickly on his computer. Since he had to find a Hydra base he might as well find the one Ophelia is being kept at. But first he had to find the communication network for Hydra, it shouldn't be too hard.

Tapping into his network that he used to watch for alerts and warnings he quickly found that the group was using a set of soviet satellites as well as piggy backing off of the SHIELD communication network. No wonder he could always get an early warning on them. His 'Watchdog' program was using government organizations' networks to watch for danger, which included SHIELD's. It also explains the strange activity and behavior.

SHIELD has been infiltrated by Hydra, he feels like there is something funny about the situation. Regardless he had to be extra careful about them. Once he was in the network he had to find the method of transportation between bases. Because they could hide and disguise the bases but they couldn't erase their records. Or better yet, the communication logs.

He found a more recent set that had yet to be scrubbed. It was a notice for delivery of goods at a set of coordinates. It wasn't the only communication he found but it was the only one that had a lead on a base within the northeast.

Going back he found a list of similar scrubbed logs going back for over a year. Recently they went from transport from once a month to once a week. The next one should actually be tomorrow if they keep with their schedule.

He would have to tail them. He quickly set up a program to watch for another message. But even then he would need help, if it is heavily fortified he needs a distraction as well as competent assistants in order to multi-task.

He already had a line on two possible distractions, Steve Rogers or the X-Men. Actually… he could do both.

Then competent help… he could ask Paine. But the old guy is all but retired. He might as well ask 'them'...ugh.

That quickly solved two of his issues.

Finding the stolen data for First Line would be a matter of time. He knew Hydra had it and was not even attempting to decrypt it… or they couldn't. He could just point in the right direction for them to begin looking.

Then there was Logan. He thought he knew what had happened and had it all figured out. But he did not want to risk Laura's safety because of a possible oversight. So he would sit on it until he broke into the Hydra base.

Which brought him to his next line of thinking-

"Wow…" Ethan turned around to see Felicia and Laura all cleaned up. Laura was looking around the room in wonder, "that is a lot of wires…"

"Ethan… we came to see what you have found." Felicia sounds nervous.

Ethan smiled, "no problem. I have found that your mother is a criminal who is being controlled by Hydra. While your father is… missing his memories. But something is bothering me about his situation. So I am going to break into a Hydra facility first."

"Can I come!?"

""No!!"" Felicia and Ethan responded at the same time. Giving the young girl a glare.

"Anyways, I will tell you when I have an update. But it does look like Felicia wants to talk to me in private so go out and play games. I will join you in a moment." Ethan told her as he saw Felicia flinch out of the corner of his eye.

Once she left the room he turned his complete attention to Felicia. Who nervously grabbed his hands and started rubbing his palms while avoiding eye contact.

"I… I am nervous about what happened. About what revelations you might have had about me. About me being-" she suddenly yelped when Ethan pulled her onto his lap.

For the first time since she walked in she was looking him in the eyes… and he smiled his enchanting smile. "Felicia, I accept you for who you are. Even if that means you are bisexual and want to bring another woman into our relationship." Felicia's eyes widened in surprise. "But we do need to set some ground rules."

Felicia frowned; she felt like this was where the punishment would come in. Which was fair, she did initiate the initial interaction.

"You will never bring in or sleep with another man. I can understand women but there is no way I will share you with another man. Another thing… warn me. I have already told you I have bedded several women but I have no problem with more, but I don't want to be blindsided. The final thing I can think of for the moment is-" his hands moved from her hips to her ass, as he started groping it. "Set some ground rules with the third party. Make sure you clarify their position in this relationship."

Felicia gave him a cheeky smile as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Do you mean as a bottom?"

Ethan suppressed his chuckle as he stood up and walked toward the bedroom still holding Felicia who wrapped her legs around his waist. He could easily hold her due to his enhanced strength.

He kicked the door closed and tossed her on the bed. Causing her to giggle as she quickly pulled off her top and kicked off her jeans. Ethan stripped as well.

Once they were naked he was on top of her. Or rather he was diving in between her legs and licking her cunt. His tongue darted in and out of her sacred cave.

—--------------------------

Barton walked into the ramshackle warehouse. He was confused why they were meeting here. But now that he saw Fury and Nat talking quietly, he understood. Fury was not comfortable giving orders in his own office.

He walked up to the table and they stopped talking while Nat took one last look at Fury, "it will be a few months before I come back. Are certain you don't need me for your Avengers Initiative? I just started training Spider-Woman, who will be taking over her training?"

"I am certain. This takes precedence over a plan that will take at least another year to get off the ground. I will have Maria Hill and Melinda May take over her training. As well as taking point in finding members for the group I am building." Fury explained before Natasha nodded and walked away.

"Barton, I have an assignment for you as well."

"How long term is it?" Barton wondered if he would be on another long assignment again.

"A month at most. SHIELD is sending a team to Symkaria to take down a mercenary that is uniting the country and rebelling against the local warlord." Fury handed him a file.

"That seems backwards, I would think we would help the mercenary." Barton frowned.

"I agree, but it is an order from a member of the World Security council with a specifically selected group. I am sending you with them to officially assist, but I want you to investigate the SHIELD team. I suspect they are infiltrators, their track record for causing chaos and violence has gone unnoticed for far too long." Fury explained. "If you can try to prevent SHIELD's success without giving away whose side you are on."

"Okay, I will try. Anyways, who is this mercenary that has managed to run afoul of a World Security council member?"

"Her name is Silver Sable of the Sable International Military Group."

—---------------------------

His phone rang as he sat on the couch watching television with Felicia on his lap and Laura sitting nearby. He answered it while Felicia moved off his lap.

He answered his phone as he stood up and walked toward the window, "this is Ethan Hilt."

"Ethan, this is the Dean of Empire State University, I have an offer for you."

"Dean Anders, how can I help you today?"

"Well I want to ask you to take on an internship. It will count for all required internships for the courses you are going through. As well, we will provide a full ride scholarship as long as you don't apply for any public scholarships." The Dean quickly explained.

"Hmmm… what do you want in exchange?"

"Actually, I just want to ask you to guest lecture on various subjects for the time you stay as a student."

"Okay, get the deal on paper. I will drop by in a few days to check it out." Ethan then hung up.

He stood thinking for a few minutes before he dialed another number. "Gado's Bar and-" The voice on the other end was interrupted by Ethan.

"Yeah, it's little Licorice. I need to get in contact with them. Can you arrange something?" He quickly spoke.

There was a moment of silence before the bartender got his footing, "that is not possible. But I can pass on a message if that will suffice."

Ethan thought for a few minutes before he nodded. "That will work. Tell them I need their assistance. I'll pay in whatever tech or knowledge they need. The work will take a few days at most in a week's time."

"Understood." Then the line went dead and Ethan walked back and sat on the couch.

"Are you sure about that?" Felicia asked as laid her head on his lap.

"What do you mean?" Ethan asked as he relaxed while scrolling through his phone. He needed a project to work on while he waited. Maybe a weapon?

"I mean the payment. From what I understand about your father he will be fine, but your mother has always driven you nuts. She might take the chance to do it again." Felicia explained while she changed the channel from the news which was broadcasting anti-mutant gatherings to the broadcast about the uneasy political shifts around Russia as Sokovia is going through a civil war.

"Actually I am worried as well. But I need their help. I am going to be breaking into a Hydra facility. I can't retrieve both the digital files and find Laura's mother. Aren't you feeling a bit too attached?" Ethan asked as he ran his hand through her hair.

"Mmm… "

"Why do you need to do both?" Laura asked from the side.

"Because I believe your mother is under a form of mind control. I want to know everything they did to her as well as what they have done to you. All so I know what exactly I can do to help without causing irreversible harm." Ethan explained briefly as he looked over at Laura. "Essentially, I want to make sure that there will be no unexpected growing pains for you."

"Growing pains? She will-"

"I said 'unexpected'!" Ethan cut Felicia off as she was clearly about to make a remark about growing pains.

"So while it is not needed. I would much prefer it so I can help you and your mother more quickly. Of course it will also be assistance with something else that has been bothering me about your father." Ethan explained.

"Oh… Ethan. Can you teach me things as well?" Laura suddenly asked as curled up with her homework.

"This is new." Ethan looked over at Laura. "What types of things? I know many things that could be of interest."

"I mean hacking."

"Hmm… I will teach you the basics of programming and hacking but it would be best if you explored your own avenue afterward." Ethan explained as he began drawing up a lesson plan in his mind.

"Okay, that should work." Laura then went quiet for a moment. "Ethan, Felicia. Thank you for everything you have done for me and will do for my family."

Ethan and Felicia smiled as they exchanged a look.