37. Surprise

Rhodey thanked Adam once again when they landed. Before leaving, Tony gave him his personal number and told him call him if he ever needed his help. As long as money could buy it he would get it.

As for Yinsen, he decided to get a licence for medical practice here in U.S. He was preparing to open a small clinic.

Bidding goodbye Adam returned home. However when he walked through those familiar doors he saw an additional member seated beside his parents chomping down on food.

"Adam? When did you go out?"

His mother Georgia was surprised to see Adam walk in from outside.

Hearing her question Adam simply lied, "You were too busy feeding her to see me."

Georgia laughed, "Haha, that maybe so."

Confused about what was happening Adam undid his shadow clone upstairs. A lot of memory flooded into his mind, and he finally understood what was happening.

A day after he left his mother caught a little girl trying to steal some snacks. His mother was inherently kind, seeing the kid dirty and hungry, she first bathed her then gave her some food.

His parents were concerned that the kid was lost and was about to call the police. But the little kid panicked and started to cry. The situation got complicated.

Not knowing what to do William suggested to let her stay for the time being. Two days was plenty of time for Georgia to have a liking for the little girl.

Adam took a good look at this girl, from his shadow clone he knew her name was Wendy. She had shoulder length blonde hair, fair skin and bright blue eyes. She looked like a barbie doll from his previous life.

Wendy saw Adam and gave him a piece of cake she was eating. From his shadow clones memory he knew that the little girl was quite close to him.

Adam was amused, he rubbed her tiny little head and didn't refuse. Wendy had a silly smile on her face when he did so.

Georgia suddenly asked, "Adam, what do you think, should we adopt her?"

Surprised he looked at his mom for a second and then turned to his father, "What about you, dad?"

William rested his chin on his hand and smiled, "Same."

Adam shrugged, "I have no problem either but is it gonna be easy? I mean, she doesn't have any identification and...

Wendy fidgeted when she heard Adam.

Georgia pulled her arm and said to Adam, "Son, we were in the army, we have tons of friends owing us favours. As for her past... we will deal with it when the time comes."

Adam ate the cake and said to Wendy, "Little rascal, you are one of us now."

Wendy cheekily smiled, "Hehe."

Georgia poked her cheek and said, "Alright, you have had your fill, go wash your hands."

Wendy nodded and skipped away. Georgia sighed when Wendy was far away, "She doesn't speak that much."

William comforted her, "Be patient, we don't know what she went through so it will take some time for her to open up."

Adam also agreed with his father. The moment he met her he knew Wendy was a mutant. But he didn't pry into her memories to see what happened in her life.

That is a moral line Adam will never cross.

...

"Have you found her?"

Somewhere in New York, a man with scar across his face asked through the phone.

"No, sir. But we have narrowed down to where she disappeared."

A reply came from the other end.

The man with a scar spoke, "We need her for the next experiment. Her ability is quite astounding."

"I understand, sir."

The voice from the other end replied and ended the call.

The man with a scar lit up a cigar and took a whiff, "You can't escape, Wendy."

...

Adam's daily activities were quite simple nowadays, work, train and work.

As usual he ended his training with Elle and was about to drop her off when Wendy tagged along.

Adam didn't refuse. Wendy held his hands as she skipped happily.

A turn away from Elle's place Adam frowned. Elle noticed his change and asked, "What's wrong?"

Adam shook his head, "Nothing. Wendy, want some ice cream?"

Wendy nodded her head.

Adam pointed to an ice cream shop nearby, "You guys go in, buy me chocolate flavour. I will be right back."

Elle nodded and led Wendy to the store.

Adam's eyes narrowed. He took a step back and blended into the shadows.

A man was observing them from a building. He just saw his target separate, however the man she was with suddenly disappeared. A faint unease covered him.

Something's wrong!

He quickly made the decision to change location. However just as he turned around a pair of blood red pupils filled his vision. Slowly the light in his eyes faded and he stood there in a daze.

"Who are you?"

Adam asked coldly.

The man said robotically, "My name is Jackson Brown. I am here to capture subject 3052."

Subject 3052... Wendy?

His eyes became colder when he realised who this man's target was.

Adam voice got deeper and colder, "Who sent you?"

"Major. William Striker."

"What do you want with Wendy?"

"Subject 3052 possess the ability to create and control fire. She can fully turn herself into a flame incarnation."

Adam was startled when he learned about Wendy's ability. But the thought of someone using her to do experiments made him angry. His eyes were turning colder by the second.

An ancient and powerful presence started to ooze from him. When this happened his sharingan started to turn faster and faster. But he didn't notice this.

Extracting everything from the man he snapped his neck and burned him to ashes using a fireball jutsu.

When he returned his eyes and his aura returned to it's previous carefree attitude. Wendy was already waiting with a cone in her hands.

"Thanks Wendy."

He took his cone and rubbed her head.

Elle looked at him, he shook his head to indicate that it was no problem. She looked at him suspiciously and didn't ask anymore.

He dropped her off and was about walk back when Elle said, "I can also help you."

Adam was surprised, he then understood what she meant and replied with a smile, "I know."