"Perfect timing."
Wade drew both swords, pointing their tips at the window of Number 33.
"Help me take Hal out."
Yang Ming looked at him.
"Did you forget that I'm a doctor?"
"Doctors can help too," Wade said earnestly. "You issue the death certificate, I turn the patient into a corpse. Clear division of labor, harmonious doctor-patient relations."
"My job is to save people."
"Even easier." Wade rested a sword on his shoulder. "You revive him first, then I'll kill him again."
Yang Ming fell silent for two seconds.
"Wade."
"Yeah?"
"Put the swords down."
"No."
"Hal is useful to me alive."
Wade tilted his head.
"How useful?"
"When a cosmic-level crisis hits, he can take a bullet for me."
"Just for that?" Wade's white lenses narrowed into two thin slits. "Yang, you've changed. Back in Hell's Kitchen, you at least asked whether the patient had money first."
"He'll have money someday."
"..."
Wade raised a hand and pointed at the green glow spilling from Yang Ming's pocket.
"And you're even planning to hand him a cosmic-level cheat."
"Yes."
"He's got looks, a company, a childhood sweetheart, he can fly fighter jets, and now he's about to get a ring." Wade's voice grew louder.
"What do I have? A ruined face, two unreliable friends, and a bunch of Time Variance Authority employees itching to slice me up for research!"
Yang Ming straightened his glasses.
"You also have cancer."
"Thanks for reminding me."
"That one's free. No charge."
Wade took a deep breath.
"So you're sure you want to protect that discount Ryan Reynolds?"
"I'm sure."
"Then I'll have to deal with you first."
The words had barely left his mouth.
Wade reached up and drew a gun.
Bang!
The shot had barely sounded before Yang Ming turned sideways.
The bullet