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May|2016

     With a quick start in her breath,
Alex's eyes slowly opened.

Finding herself in an unknown room. It was the size of an interrogation room, metal walls surrounding her, creating a hazy green glow. Military boxes stacked on her right.

"Look who's finally awake." The sound of a gravelly sigh triggered her to be more alert.

He peaked over his shoulder before his back faced her as he dug inside a duffle bag. She tried to attempt an attack to her victim, until restraints in her arm caught her attention, Alex looked behind, finding her hands bound by a sturdy rope in a tight knot. Her feet failed to lunge forward as her left ankle was tied to the edge of the cot.

Marc turned around with a grin, staring at the black box he was holding before glancing up at her with a chuckle. "That was some fight you put up with on that roof, huh. You were close, but I'll give you points for trying." He stepped forwards waiting for a comeback.

Without a word, Alex only stared at him as if determined to win the contest shared between their gazes. Hoping in doing so would distract him as she reached for her knife in her back pocket. Shocked while feeling the absence of a handle, as confusion coated the panic inside Alex.

Where is it?

Realization hit her like a ton of bricks when she noticed her shoulder was bare. She wasn't wearing her suit. Finding herself only in her tank top and leather pants.

Surging a storm, Alex faced her enemy and clenched her jaw.

"Where is my suit you son of a-"

"Classified." Marc cut her off with a proud smirk and a tilted of his head, now standing in front of cot that she was tied to. "Besides, I'm not stupid to let you murder me with whatever gadgets are attached to that suit."

Alex rolled her eyes as she tried to loosen the bands, yet it became impossible for her to free herself as a burning against her skin allowed a hiss to escape her lips.

Marc rose an eyebrow with a judging smile and the shake of his head. "I wouldn't bother with that if I were you. It's a military rope so its pretty sturdy and tight." He said as he sat down beside her as Alex shifted away.

"Calm down, I'm just taking care of that nasty cut." He sighed in annoyance, referring to the scarlet line on her skin. He opened the box, revealing bandages and bottles filled with liquids. He pulled what seemed to be rubbing alcohol, pouring the substance on a rag.

Alex looked at his face, surprised to see no evidence of her mark on his cheek. Completely gone. It was as if it never existed.

"How long was I out for?" She wondered as she scanned his face.

His eyes focused on her upper arm while scooting closer Preparing to clean the bloody cut.

"Since last night." He replied without loosing focus, holding her arm to keep her from moving.

Frustrated that she couldn't escape, Alex found a spot on the ground. Thinking about how unrealistic that his injury had just randomly disappeared. It should've been days or maybe weeks before he healed. She looked at his cheek again, questioning the sudden absence of a gash.

Marc's eyes flicked over at her before they went back to his task. "You're curious to know where you're damage on my cheek went, right?"

Alex moved her eyes away, letting out a hiss as the cool rag touched her cut. "Maybe."

He nodded, licking his lips without responding. Keeping his eyes on the wound while his tongue popped at the corner of his mouth in concentration.

A deadly silence fell, magnifying how deeply annoyed she already was. Marc let out a sigh, setting the rag aside. Expecting a response, but instead a let down as he only grabbed a roll of bandages and began to wrap her cut.

"You going to tell me or what?" She asked bluntly.

Continuing his task, he raised his eyes. "Hmm?"

"Tell me what happened to you're damn cheek! Because I'm sure I cut it deep enough for it to last more than 24 hours." Alex shouted at him.

Unphased by her comment, Marc finished wrapping her wound. He cleared his throat, giving Alex false hope again, as he closed the box and walked back to his bag.

"Well, what's you're answer!?" She demanded.

"I'll answer on one condition." Marc said as he turned around, after placing the box in the duffle bag. He crossed his arms while putting his weight in his right leg. "Tell me who sent you to kill me. Who's your boss?"

Alex scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Uh-uh. I'm an assassin and I told you that information is classified."

"I'm an assassin too," Marc firmly reminded her. "And we both know neither of us are leaving until we get something. And at this point, I'm at an advantage."

Alex rose an eyebrow, challenging his offer as he mirrored her expression. Waiting for her to respond. "Give me one good reason I should trust you?" She asked.

"Because what if I'm not who you think I am." He suggested.

Alex scoffed. "I think I do. I know that you use to be in the US Marine Corps, but got kicked out for going AWOL. You're born and raised in Chicago Illinois. You're Father is Elias Spector and you're mother is Wendy Spector. You also had a brother who-"

"So what? You know my life story." Marc cleared his throat, keeping her from going further into that painful history. There was so much in that past he never wanted to resurface. Worst, get other people involved. Whether they were enemies or allies. He didn't want anything to do with that pain ever again. "You still don't know me."

Alex squinted her eyes in analysis. "Fair enough. I'm still not going to tell you anything." She said as she shrugged with a matter of fact way.

Marc's shifted in his stance, placing his hands on his hips as if he were a Dad ready discipline his child for getting into trouble. "The longer you say nothing, the longer you stay tied up." He sighed, clearing his throat.

His condescending gaze, slightly intimidated Alex. Making her feel small under those intense eyes. Her tongue twisted and breathed out her nose.

"Out of all the people on my hit list, you're by far the worst." Alex sneered at him, stabbing his throat with her eyes.

Marc shrugged as pride lifted his thick brow. "I'm honored."

She sneered at his clever response with the tension increasing as Marc cocked an eyebrow in response. "If you're done with your starring contest and are going to cooperate, then maybe I can give you some details on my end."

Running out of patience, Alex released loud exaggerated sigh in frustration. "Fine, I can't tell you who, but I just know you pissed them off. So from what I gathered, eliminating you is a sign of revenge."

He stood there, processing the information. "You sure you can't give me a hint of a name?" Marc asked as he furrowed his brows.

"The person who hired me is male." A proud smirk played on her lips. "Happy?"

His face scrunched in disappointment. Her smart and stubborn mouth chiseled at his nerves. He pulled out the gun from his pocket, pointing it at her.

"Enough of you're stalling." He said, pointing the gun at her. "I'll shoot you if you don't start talking."

Almost because a part of her wanted to tell him. Alex thought about it as she continued to feel intimidation, but not fear not from Marc. To intimidate was an action, but fear felt alive. As if it were a monster breathing down her neck, refusing to leave. He fear stemmed from another source as she could sense a surge of pain in her head, reminding her who was in control.

The man who sent her.

No tears fell as it was a sign of weakness, leading to consequences she couldn't fathom. The thought of him, that man, caused her heart to increase. Being grateful for being tied up, as fear taunted her of what she would be capable of with him in control.

She sighed. "Go ahead and shoot me then."

Marc noticed the change of demeanor as she looked down at her lap. He knew hiding behind the mind controlled weapon in front of him, there was a human being. He slowly moved his gun down and put it back in his belt, crouching to be directly in front of her.

"I get it." Marc said, causing Alex to look up, finding his eyes that had softened. "Whoever sent you will kill you if you say anything, right?"

Alex didn't respond, only nodded, still refusing shed a tear. She bit her lip as her eyes began wandering the storage unit. Remorse snuck inside Marc with a sense of sympathy that made him curious.

Marc,

He turned his head to find the God of the Moon standing inside the storage unit. Holding his staff with a crescent moon on the tip. Loose mummified wrapped clothing drapping over his shoulder. The dark absence of where eyes would be always stalking Marc's every move. Constantly grilling him to obey his command. If he failed, Marc would have to be reminded of that dreadful night in the desert. Wishing he would have declined the God's offer.

If you don't kill her now, she's going to manipulate you. Use you to her advantage.

I think I'm used to manipulation by now. Marc mentally scoffed at the hypocrisy of the dead bird. He purposefully turned his back at his God and looked at Alex.

"I'm going to be right back." He told her as he continued to find Khonshu staring him down. "Stay here."

"Pretty much my only option here." She replied as he pretended to ponder with a snarky smile on her face.

"Just don't get any ideas." Marc instructed as he got up, rolling his eyes before stepping into the hallway of the storage warehouse. Finding his Egyptian Deity waiting for him in the dim light that flickered.

"What?" Marc shot an annoyed glare at the tall humanoid bird in front of him.

You're wasting your time Marc.

"She doesn't need you're 'vengeance' Khonshu. She needs to be set free." Marc argued as he looked up at the Moon God.

It's not the same as the others Marc. She is under mind control and won't stop until she finishes her deed. Even if you have my healing armor, she is programmed to do anything and everything to kill you.

"Then she shouldn't be the one I kill if she's being controlled. There's someone behind the scenes and killing that person will establish more of your justice than with just one deadly Widow." Marc stated, hoping for Khonshu to consider this option.

That is not our priority Marc-

"It could be. Those Widows are just like every other person you want to protect." Marc interrupted the god with a mocking tone.

Khonshu stood there in shock as his Avatar had never been bold enough to stand up to him with mortal ideals.

The old god sighed. If you can find out who is behind all of this, then her life can be spared. I will give you one chance Marc, but if she escapes and strikes again, you must put an end to her harmful doing.

"I understand." Marc nodded as he accepted this new deal with the Egyptian God.

"I have everything under control."

-|-

Returning inside the storage unit, with Alex still tied up, Marc moved a box to be right in front of her. Then he sat on it, leaning back and crossing his arms. "So, this is how it's going to go from now on. I know someone is behind all of this Widow organization, and I don't want to kill you. The boss I work for wants whoever is running behind the scenes."

Alex listened as she held the knife. The she swiped from Marc's pocket while he treated her wound. Killing Marc came to the forefront of her mind again as she began to seesaw the blade on the rope.

"You understand?" Marc asked, as the last strand of the rope cut.

"Yeah," Alex said as a bashful smile made it's debut. "Thanks. It's been nice doing business with you."

Breaking free from the rope, Alex threw the knife at Marc who dodged just in time. He immediately pulled out his gun and aimed it at her. She knocked it out of his hands and pushed him with her right foot, sending him to crash next to the duffle bag as she saw the familiar material of her jumpsuit. Taking this opportunity to quickly untie the rope below as he pulled himself to his knees.

Alex made eye contact with Marc before dashing to snatch the bag before he could. Two hands grabbed her leg, sending her straight to the floor. With no hesitation, Alex kicked his arm and she did it with full force. He let go as he hissed in pain, soon to have a bruise, watching her disappear into the corridor.

She needed to find somewhere to put the suit back on. She continued to run as the sound of a door slamming against the metal wall drawed her attention behind her. Marc now hot on her trail.

Busting out of the building, finding daylight. Spotting a red double decker bus gave her a clue of her location. She wasn't in Florence anymore.

"Hey!"

She didn't even check behind her as she continued to sprint away. She rushed inside into the nearest restaurant. The public providing the benefit of seperate bathrooms. Briefly requesting the host for access for the loo and passing the fancy tables towards the back. She glanced over her shoulder to see Marc walking in, glaring at Alex. She smirked at him with a wiggle of her fingers to mock him.

Inside the bathroom stall. She set the duffle on the tiled floor, opening it, sighing in relief to find her suit. Putting her suit on, retrieving her batons and her widows bite, Alex grew suspicious.

The opened the bag lead her dig around for any more information about her victim. She found a few stacks of Egyptian money first. Then she pushed a loaded pistol out of the way. Her eyes landed on his passport.

Curious, she began stalking as she flipped through it until something dropped to the bathroom floor. She picked it up to discover a small worn out photo. In the picture was of two young boys, one shorter and pudgy than the other.

Brushing it off, she picked it up and put it back in the passort. She tossed the object back in the bag and zipped up the duffle.

Becoming cautious as she left the stall, Marc had to waiting for her out towards the front of the restaurant. She was thinking of a plan in her mind right as she opened the door, finding him standing in the hallway instead.

"You better return that." He growled gesturing towards the bag.

Alex stared at him as she slowly stepped closer. About a few feet from Marc, holding her stare on him as she planted her feet in front of him. Leaving a fair, but short distance between them. His intimidating eyes not leaving hers allowed the tension from the storage unit to come back. The deathly silence took its place between them again, anticipating what the other would do.

In a quick second, she turned and ran towards the back door.

"Hey!" He called after her.

Alex crashed on the ground outside, hitting the streets of London. Racing down a block or two until she used her grabbling hook to lift her up on top of the building before Marc could find her.

Aiming her gun at the door, to shoot his head the moment he stepped out. Then she found it odd he wasn't right behind her like he was before.

3 minutes, then 5 minutes and finally almost 10 minutes passed and there was still nothing.

Not even a sneak attack like the day prior. It was as if he disappeared and didn't exist.

She lost Marc Spector.

_________________________________________

I finally have another chapter for this story! Hopefully I can update more often! Also please comment as you read, it motivates me to keep going and come up with more ideas!

I wasn't so sure about a MK x OC story because I think the romantic plot line with Layla is  PERFECT person to love Marc and Steven. (Maybe Jake too one day.)

But I was thinking, since Marc is an assassins' for Khonshu, what if he met a Black Widow spy? How would that work out? And bada boom! Alexandra Balandin was born!! I am already excited to explore her character as I write this story.

And for those who are confused...

This takes place right before the Red Room was destroyed and about a year after Marc became Khonshu's Avatar. (I'm using dates based on Marvel Wiki and a few YouTube so it may not be 100% accurate, but I'm sticking to what I have.)
So ACT 1 is WAAYYY before the Moonknight show, but don't worry we are heading in that direction!

-marie | xoxo 😘