Chapter 17: The Reunion of A Lost Couple

The helicopter's rotors drummed steadily in the night air, the sound a persistent hum as Marcus and Butcher sat side by side, the recent revelation still hanging heavily between them.

Butcher was silent, his mind reeling from the storm of emotions. As the cityscape below began to blur into the distance.

They were nearing their destination when Marcus leaned forward and tapped the pilot on the shoulder. "Bring us down somewhere secluded," he instructed, his voice steady and firm. "I don't want to alert Vought to our movements just yet."

The pilot, a seasoned professional employed by Marcus's business empire, nodded without question. "Roger that, sir. There's a clearing about half a mile from the coordinates you provided. I'll set her down there."

As the helicopter began its descent, Marcus turned back to Butcher. "I know this is all a lot to take in," he began, his tone gentle, "but there's more you need to know—about why I'm here, and how I found out about Becca."

Butcher's eyes narrowed slightly, still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that the man sitting next to him—Superman, of all people—was his long-lost brother. "Go on then," Butcher said gruffly, though there was a hint of vulnerability in his voice that hadn't been there before.

Marcus sighed, his gaze distant as he recalled the events that had led him here. "I found out about Becca because of my abilities—my superhearing and supersight. As my powers developed, I started to hear things, see things that were happening far beyond what any normal person could perceive. One day, I picked up a conversation—voices I didn't recognize at first, but one of them was talking about a woman. A woman named Becca Butcher."

Butcher's breath hitched at the mention of her name, and Marcus continued. "I didn't think much of it at first, but the more I listened, the more I realized that this Becca was important. She was being kept hidden, watched over by Vought, and they were keeping her existence a secret from you. That's when I knew I had to find her—to bring her back to you."

Butcher's eyes were locked on Marcus, his expression a mixture of disbelief and gratitude. "You did all that… for me?"

"Yes," Marcus lies. "I had to. After everything we have been through even though you abandoned me."

Butcher's eyes glistened with unshed tears, though he quickly blinked them away. He wasn't the type to cry, not in front of anyone, but the weight of everything he'd just heard was pressing down on him like a ton of bricks.

"Jesus Christ," Butcher muttered, running a hand through his own hair.

The helicopter touched down softly in the clearing, the rotors slowing to a stop as the pilot turned back to Marcus. "We're here, sir. I'll wait here until you're ready to take off again."

"Thanks," Marcus replied, giving the pilot a nod. He then turned to Butcher. "Come on. We're almost there."

Butcher followed Marcus out of the helicopter, his mind still reeling from everything he'd just learned. As they stepped into the cool night air, Marcus wrapped an arm around Butcher, enveloping him in a invisible protective field. "Hold on," Marcus said, his voice calm and reassuring.

Before Butcher could respond, Marcus lifted off the ground, carrying Butcher with him as they soared into the sky. Within moments, they were descending again, landing softly in front of a small, modest house nestled at the edge of a quiet neighborhood with large trees and a big clearing around the house.

Butcher stumbled slightly as they touched down, still a bit dazed from the flight. He looked up at the house, his heart pounding in his chest. This was it. Becca was inside.

"She's here," Marcus said quietly, stepping back to give Butcher space. "Go to her."

Butcher's breath caught in his throat as he stared at the house, his emotions warring within him. He had dreamed of this moment for years—seeing Becca again, holding her in his arms, telling her everything he'd been through to find her. But now that he was here, standing on her doorstep, he found himself frozen, unable to move.

The sound of footsteps echoed from within the house, and Butcher's heart skipped a beat. The door creaked open, and there she was—Becca. She stepped out onto the porch, her eyes widening in shock as she saw the two figures standing before her. Her gaze locked onto Butcher, and for a moment, it was as if time itself had stopped.

Butcher couldn't breathe, couldn't think. All he could do was stare at her, taking in every detail—the way her hair fell around her face, the way her eyes sparkled with unshed tears, the way she looked at him as though she couldn't believe he was real.

"Becca…" Butcher finally managed, his voice barely more than a whisper.

Becca's eyes filled with tears as she took a step forward, her hand trembling as she reached out toward him. "Billy…"

And then, in an instant, they were in each other's arms. Butcher held her close, his grip almost desperate as he buried his face in her hair. Becca clung to him just as tightly, her tears soaking into his shirt as she sobbed against his chest.

"I thought I'd lost you," Butcher whispered, his voice breaking as he held her. "I thought I'd never see you again."

"I'm here," Becca replied, her voice trembling. "I'm here, Billy."

Marcus watched from a short distance away, giving them the space they needed while still keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings. He knew this moment was about the reuniting of lost a husband and wife.

After what felt like an eternity, Butcher pulled back slightly, his hands cupping Becca's face as he looked into her eyes. "I'm gonna get you outta here and make sure you never suffer again," he promised, his voice filled with determination. "We're gonna leave all this shit behind, and we're gonna be together again. I swear it."

Becca nodded, her eyes filled with trust and love.

Marcus cleared his throat softly, breaking the silence. "We should act fast before anything. Vought might not know you're here yet, but it won't be long before they become aware.