((wow this is my longest multi-part one yet omg))

((are u guys even enjoying this idk))

((creds to the artist above btw i did not draw that))

An hour later, you got a SHIELD message from Agent Manning. "They want us to put in our earpieces." You announced to your friend, taking them out of your clutch.

After you stuffed in the small, malleable plastic piece, a voice came ringing through in your ear. "Neurofreeze? Can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear, Manning." You winced at the volume. "For once you're louder than Jack."

"Oh sorry," he turned down the volume. "Is this better?"

"Much. Thank you."

"Alright, so its time for you guys to go."

"Yeah, I know, Jack's waving me out the door." You quickly walked over to where Jack was, leading the way to the elevator.

"Crap, I need to get my mic set up to both hold on."

A few seconds later, the agent spoke again. "Are you both hearing me?"

"Yep." You and your friend responded.

"Awesome!"

Down in the parking lot, Jack made a beeline for the drivers seat, hopping in just like Mark did. "Nuh-uh." You shook your head. "Scoot over, I'm driving."

"Fine." He rolled his eyes, moving to the passenger seat.

Driving the car was a nearly euphoric experience for you. It drove well, it was fast, smooth, and also not yours. You get paid to drive it. Best. Job. Ever. At the venue deep in urban Seattle, you stopped at the valet stand. "Thank you." You said politely to the gentleman that took your keys.

"Shall we?" Jack offered you his elbow.

"Yes." You smiled, grabbing a hold of his arm.

Several people eyed Sean's bright green hair, but his suit screamed money, so they left him alone. You spotted a big wig of Hydra down at the bar. "Come on honey, let's get a drink." You pulled him towards the end of the bar where he was.

While Jack ordered for you and him, you saw Mark out of the corner of your eye. He was looking over at you and Jack already, so you shot him a little wink to which he smiled just a little bit. Turning back to the task at hand you decided to make small talk with the Hydra man.

"Isn't this a great party?" You faked a cheery, high-pitched voice.

"It'd be greater if every woman looked like you." He looked you up and down.

Forcing your lips to remain in a smile, you pulled Jack into the conversation. Literally and figuratively. "This is my husband Jack, Jack meet Mr..."

"Call me Kevin." He shook your friend's hand, then turned it over, thus getting a good look at his ring finger. "No ring. Didn't you say this was your husband?"

You immediately realized your mistake, but Jack swept in with a great save. "I'm getting it resized at the jewelers, all these great meals she cooks have even made my fingers fat!"

You laughed at the joked, sliding your own ring finger under your other hand to hide your own bare finger. Thankfully, the bartender handed you your martini and Jack his Scotch at that moment. "Well, we best be getting back to the dance floor then, come on sweetcheeks." Your friend grabbed his drink and your arm. "It was great meeting you, Kevin."

"And you as well."

You just about speed walked away from that guy. "We've been made." You whispered, panicked.

"What do you mean? I saved that."

"He wasn't born yesterday, Jack! That was the Head of Hydra's personnel sector! He was not fooled."

Agent Manning's voice crackled in your ear. "Stay calm, blend in for a little while longer, we're just looking for where they're going to meet, which should be soon. Keep eyes on Mr. Kevin. Mark, you have anything?"

As Mark reported the nothing he saw, you took a sip of your martini, smiling at a passing group of people. "One more thing, Y/N, don't drink your martini, Kevin put something in it."

"Would've been helpful before." You informed him, alarmed. "I just drank a fourth of it."

"Stay upright! We'll extract you soon. We have sights on the meeting room, agents are going to bug it as we speak." Agent Manning hissed through your earpiece.

You felt your knees getting weak, and you excused yourself to the bathroom. Hugging the wall like it was your lifeline, you had managed to get over to where Mark was before nearly collapsing into him. You were oh-so-dizzy. "Shit, Y/N? Are you okay?" He quietly asked you.

Your stumbling had drawn the attention of a few people as they watched you curiously. "No need for extraction, Manning. I have a plan."

"Y/N, Director Fury warned me about your plans-"

Agent Manning's warning was cut short by you taking Mark's face in your hands and firmly planting your lips on his. He was caught off guard, unsure of whether to reciprocate or not. Thankfully, Jack caught your drift and stormed over.

"How dare you, Mark!" He yelled, his voice echoing through the gala, quieting the crowd. "That's my wife!"

Mark broke your impromptu kiss. "She was my wife first! I've loved her longer and better than you have! Besides, she chose to kiss me!"

"You know she just can't hold her liquor!"

"You stole her from me! Do you appreciate the way she smiles brighter than the sun? Or the way she makes calling you a hothead sound like a compliment? Do you love her with every fiber of your being? Well I do!"

Even Jack looked stunned at this speech. Before he could respond, several security men came over to escort the three of you out. Back at the parking lot, you desperately clung onto Mark for physical and emotional support. The slight discomfort in your stomach had grown to intense pain that nearly had you blacking out.

"Sh, Y/N." He whispered, stroking your hair soothingly. "We're going to get you better."

You're not sure when you passed out, but you woke up multiple times throughout the car ride to feel Mark's strong arms holding you and him muttering reassuringly to you.

The next thing you woke up to was many tubes attached to your being and a stark white hospital room. This jolted you up, and you scrambled trying to get out of your bed.

"Woah! Y/N, calm down. You're okay." Someone's voice ushered you back into your bed. It was Mark.

You grabbed his arms for comfort, looking around the room warily. "I don't like hospitals." You shook your head fervently.

"Why?" He kindly asked.

Instinctively, your hand went up to your neck, where the scar was. "Hydra. T-they took me when I was young. Used me in their experiments, trying to put different powers into one human. I was their only success. The others died."

"Oh, Y/N..." Mark reached a hand up to stroke your jaw. "What did they do to you?"

"I-I already had the water abilities, from birth it seemed. And then they-they tried to cram mind-reading into me, that's where this scar came from." You gestured to your neck, tears forming in your eyes. "I'm just an experiment gone wrong..."

"No, no you're not, Y/N." He said firmly, looking you dead in the eye. "You are a beautiful, spectacular, powerful, unbelievable woman."

You smiled through the falling tears. "What you said at the gala, about loving me. Was that true?"

He paused for a brief moment. "Did the experiments work? Can you read minds?"

"Yes, but I don't like to do it."

"Please," he begged, taking your hands in his and looking at you with those lovely brown eyes. "Read mine right now."

Sniffling, you did so, focusing on penetrating Mark's train of thought. Amidst all the other panicked thoughts about your well-being and health, one stood out. It was clearly the one he wanted you to hear.

Yes, Y/N. I do love you, with every fiber of my being.

You removed yourself from Mark's thoughts, a hand clasped over your mouth. The tears falling now were ones of much happier origin. The boy in front of you looked at you expectantly. "I love you too, Mark." You leaned forward, giving him a short, but ever-so-sweet kiss.

"How about we get you out of here as soon as possible so we can go do that movie night you promised me when we started this mission."

"Absolutely."