Hey guys! Sorry for the bit of a wait! I don't have an excuse except that I am lazy and got distracted with reading other people's fanfics and on deviantart. I had this one half written already when I posted the first chapter, so that helped me to actually finish it up sooner. Anyway, thanks to the people who reviewed! You have no idea how much it means to me and it really helps me be more motivated to write faster. :) This chapter is a little bit longer because I couldn't find the right place to stop it, so I just had to keep going.
I hope you all enjoy!
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Sutton was not able to fully avoid Maggie and Avery the next day. She had succeeded in making it to lunch without running into them, but as she tried to leave Star Tower for a little cafe down the block, they caught up with her.
"Sutton! Hey! Wait up, girl!"
Obediently, Sutton's feet froze and she gave a silent groan to the heavens.
What had she done to deserve this?
She liked Maggie and Avery, she really did. She would like them more if they weren't so set on her dating someone. Like it was a necessity to secure her happiness or something. Avery actually wasn't as bad about it, the girl knew when to back off the topic, but Maggie saw it as her personal mission in life to play matchmaker.
"Hey guys. Didn't see you there," Sutton fibbed. "I was just heading to lunch."
Avery grinned, her brilliant white teeth shining out from dark skin.
"Perfect! So were we."
Maggie nodded in consensus and the hair on the side of her head that wasn't shaved brushed against her face.
"Were you heading to that little cafe," she asked. "You usually go there, don't you?"
There would be no getting rid of them. Sutton nodded and accepted the fact that lunch would not be as quiet as she'd hoped. Curse her for her habit for routines!
"Yeah, come on. You guys can join me."
All three of them settled into a table outside since the day was so nice and ordered a light lunch. Sutton didn't think that she could handle much more than that with the girls stressing her out compounded with her mystery symptoms. Surprisingly enough, they didn't mention Axel straight away. Sutton found herself relaxing into chatter about the local going-ons with Stark Tower and that new fashion line that had just been released by the Olsens. Sutton's stomach had hardly churned once. And then the subject casually turned to Maggie's boyfriend and she knew it would end up on the subject of her dating life eventually.
"How is Phillip," Avery asked. "Is he still working down near 101?"
Maggie shook her head and sipped at her ice tea.
"No, the firm was never really able to bounce back after the attack. He's had to find other work. He's just been freelancing a bit right now, but I know he'll get picked up for something stable soon."
Avery glanced at Sutton, her dark eyes knowing.
"You know Tony Stark personally, right? Maybe you could put in a good word for him."
Sutton blinked as the conversation was brought to her and gave an forced laugh.
"Uh, maybe? I mean, that's not really what I- Tony-Mr. Stark doesn't really take business advice from me. I'm just his interpreter."
Avery lifted an eyebrow and Maggie laughed.
"Right," Maggie said with a devilish grin.
Sutton's face flared red.
"Oh my gosh, no, it's not like-ew. I mean I don't-"
The two girls burst out laughing.
"We're teasing you," Avery said. "We know you've only got eyes for Axel."
"Yeah," Maggie agreed. "And I hear he's free tomorrow."
Sutton was suddenly grateful that she had a legitimate excuse.
"Sorry," but she wasn't, "I have an appointment that I can't miss. Darn."
"Sutton," Avery said in mock firmness. "Axel is a catch. You can't tell me you haven't stared at his dreamy cinnamon skin, dark hair combo. Plus, he works in IT, so he's not an idiot. Especially if it's with Stark Industries. So what is holding you back?"
"Is it another guy," Maggie asked sympathetically. "Was it someone you knew in foster care?"
Sutton bit harshly at the inside of her cheek. She hated it when people brought up her phoney past. Not that it was their fault. They didn't know. But she had a mother, darn it! She wasn't an orphan! She had a brother and a step-father and she couldn't even talk about them. Instead of blowing up and crying out to the world that she, Sutton Regan, had a family and a home that she desperately missed, she smiled stiffly.
"Something like that," she said. "I just don't think that I'm ready."
Maggie was about to protest, but Avery nudged her in the side with an elbow and shook her head 'no'. Sutton greatly appreciated it. Avery actually reminded Sutton of Vicki, in a way. Maybe that's why she kept the woman at arm's length. Not that they looked similar or anything, but they had the same firm dedication that they carried themselves in. Avery and Sutton could be good friends if Sutton let her.
"Well," Sutton said as she tossed some cash on the table. "I better get going. I still have one more meeting I have to be at. Thanks for joining me, this was nice." Mostly.
They said their good-byes and Sutton made her way back to Stark Tower. Her legs were starting to tingle as she walked back, as if they'd fallen asleep and the blood was just moving again, but she pressed on. Only a couple more hours and then she could go back to her lone apartment.
Maybe she should think about getting a cat or something. Were guinea pigs low maintenance?
It was a boring meeting; at least to her. But luckily it finished up quicker than she expected and she was released out to do whatever she wished. She stopped by the still-partially-under-construction library to drop off some borrowed books and picked up some milk from the grocery store before heading back to her apartment.
It still amazed her how much of the city had been demolished in the attack. Not that she hadn't known it was extensive. Heck, she was that person that pondered what reconstruction costs would look like in films. But living in the middle of it was a constant reminder. She couldn't just take out a DVD and move on from it. There were still huge construction cranes standing through the city like sentinels over charred remains. They still had a long way to go.
But she liked her apartment, it wasn't half of a crumbled heap. Her apartment was quiet and safe and didn't ask her why she didn't have any childhood photos. (In fact, she hardly had any photographs at all.) The few people who had visited her place, which could probably be counted on one hand, probably left thinking that she really was the poor, lost orphan her new background made her out to be.
It was sad enough that she literally had nothing besides work going on until her doctor's appointment the next day. What was wrong with her? She hadn't been this pathetic before. It frustrated her, but then it was like there wasn't anything she could do to force herself to break from the pattern of it. Sutton sighed and shook her head as she finally arrived at her apartment door.
What did it matter anyway?
Vicki dug through her belongings, packing away everything she wanted to keep. Her parents were insisting that she move back in with them until the whole terrorist debacle died down more. Vicki wasn't entirely looking forward to it. Her mother would insist that her room have the correct feng shui and they'd be more apt to pressure her into attending different formal events. It would be such a drag.
She folded another t-shirt and placed it delicately in her suitcase. There'd be others coming soon enough to help her, but she just needed some time to do a little of it on her own. Luckily her room was far enough from the detonation site to have escaped most of the damage. Vicki found that her eyes kept glancing to the hallway as she packed. Her suitcase was halfway full and she realized that she'd refolded the same skirt three times. With a frustrated scoff, she tossed the skirt down and marched down the short hall. She marched right up to Sutton's door, and then she froze. Her hand was poised over the doorknob.
She really didn't want to look inside. But, if that were true, why did the thought of walking away now send panic up her spine?
Sutton wasn't dead. It wasn't wrong to look in her room.
Vicki stood tall and smoothed her short hair. Then she pushed open the door.
It struck her first that it was oddly clean, save for a few articles of clothing on the floor. Vicki stepped inside cautiously, as if she'd set off some booby trap if not careful, and peered around. It didn't seem too unusual. There weren't schematics pinned to the wall or suspicious electronics on the tiny plastic desk. But there also seemed to be something missing. Sutton usually had little knick knacks she collected scattered around. The piles of paper on her desk would only grow if she wasn't reminded to clean it up. In all respects, it was Sutton's room. There just seemed to be an absence of Sutton in it.
Sitting on her friend's full sized bed, Vicki sighed.
"What happened?"
Her foot nudged one of the t-shirts on the floor and she blinked in confusion.
Wait. That looked like...
Vicki picked up the article of clothing and started in surprise. This was one of her boyfriend's shirts. Why did Sutton have it?
Vicki stood, eyes darting around the room at the other articles of clothing left on the floor. She took a short breath and raced back to her own room and pulled open the last drawer in her dresser. It was not how she'd left it. Half of her boyfriend's clothes were missing or mussed up. Vicki did not let clothes sit like that, unfolded and collecting wrinkles.
She suddenly looked up, studying her room anew, as if looking for some clue or sign as to what this discovery meant.
Could Sutton and her boyfriend have...?
No.
Vicki shook her head and immediately dismissed the idea. Sutton wasn't like that. Not in a million years. Besides, she could always tell that Sutton had felt a bit uncomfortable when he came over to visit. And Sutton had made it clear that she wouldn't participate in the same relationship activities if she ever started dating someone.
So what, then?
Perhaps it was the federal team that came in and searched their house? It was possible, but why would they move around her boyfriend's clothes? Why had they tidied up Sutton's room when the living room was obviously an inconsiderate mess?
A closer look around the rest of her room made clear to Vicki that not everything was how she'd left it either. Someone had moved her snow globe she'd gotten from visiting Roswell, New Mexico to the opposite end of the shelf she'd placed it on. Her closet sliding doors had been closed wrong, with the handles inwards instead of on the outsides. And her mattress, she gave it a good jostle, it seemed a bit sunken in. It was if something heavy had been laying in one place too long.
A metallic 'thunk' sounded through her room as the bed she'd been shuffling settled and Vicki refocused in curiosity. Her headboard may be metal but there was no way that the mattress or bedsheets made that sort of noise when brushing against it.
Pulling back the top mattress, Vicki reached down and tried to feel for whatever foreign object was lodged below. It didn't take long for her fingers to brush against something smooth and cool. Vicki's breathing hitched and she felt around until she finally found the end of the object and was able to give it a tug. She really didn't know what she'd expected to find, but it hadn't been this. Not in a hundred years this.
Vicki staggered back against the weight of the object she'd found and stared dumbfounded. It was a shield. And not just any shield. It was Captain America's shield. She'd never been quite as obsessed- er, passionate, as Sutton about the Marvel movies or characters, but she knew what this was supposed to be unquestionably.
"What the-?"
Why was there a cosplay shield shoved under her mattress? Why did it feel like solid metal? What was going on! She stood with knees bent and both hands hefting the shield up in the middle of her room as she stared around in confusion. Nothing made sense anymore. Sutton wasn't even very good at crafting, let alone metal forming, or whatever it took to make this.
Vicki heard the door open and her head snapped to stare at the door in fear. She tossed the shield under her bed and heaved her suitcase back on top of her mattress.
Why was she freaking out? Why did this all of a sudden feel like some sort of a conspiracy?
"Victoria? Dear, the men are here to help you move your things back to our place."
Vicki sighed.
"Back here, mama."
Maybe she'd be talking to Sutton's mother again soon after all.
Loki sat in a hand carved wooden chair as he skimmed the pages of the latest book his mother had left him. His eyes lazily scanned the page as he reclined, eyes barely focusing, with an ankle resting atop his knee. It was not that he didn't enjoy reading, because he did, but he knew he was destined for so much more than wiling away his life in mere books.
From the corner of his eye he could see one of the royal guard bring a tray with his prepared meal.
Ah. They didn't forget the wine this time. Good.
Still, he did not show the young guard any acknowledgement as his meal was left. It was only as the boy dawdled next to his cell that he finally looked up.
"Was there something else you were waiting for? I don't believe I requested your presence."
The guard shifted on his feet, the helmet partially hiding his furrowed brow.
"I was just wondering, well, we all were, if what you were saying was true. About Malekith. Do you truly believe he's back?"
Loki's brow creased, his lips turning down.
"Why would you believe anything I told you?"
The guard's spine straightened and his eyes sharpened as if he were remembering just who the prisoner was.
"No one would," he said. "But Thor was the first to make such a claim. And he does not lie. You are the only other who would know about these threats since Thor is gone."
Loki lifted one delicate brow.
"Do you believe Odin would leave Asgard in such a state of danger?"
The guard said nothing. Loki gave him a knowing look.
"I would never wish to speak against the king. He is obviously as sharp and in as great of health as ever, is he not? I'm sure his word can be trusted."
"Of course, but Thor is next to the throne, and he believes Malekith a real threat."
Loki shrugged.
"Then let Thor take action."
The guard seemed to be instantly frustrated.
"Thor is out fighting for the nine realms. There is no knowing when he will return."
Loki pierced the guard with shining green eyes.
"Then I suppose our only choice is to trust Odin. Or do you doubt the king?"
The guard looked startled and paled slightly under his helmet. He broke eye contact and stepped back away from the cell.
"Of course I trust our king," he said mechanically, stiltedly. "Which you would do well not to question." And then without further words, he departed. Loki went back to his book, his food going cold. The guard did not see the wide grin stretch across his face.
Sutton sat in the doctor's waiting room and was trying to ignore the magazines that touted the magnificence of the Avengers while also contrasting the praise with the public's condemnation of them. And all the Science Monthly issues were just explaining the brilliance of Tony's mind. She was currently perusing a Good Housekeeping. Even then, they still had an article about how to make your very own Thor cupcakes.
Eventually she was called back, eventually, and she stressed to the doctor the severity of her symptoms and tried to describe them as well she could. As it usually was, she couldn't tell if the doctor actually took her seriously or not. But he agreed to a series of tests. They were totally stupid and useless at first, from what she could tell. Not that she was a doctor. But, really? Looking in her ears and poking her stomach? Seriously?
Finally he did some tests of merit. He took some blood and did an x-ray and one other test that she didn't quite understand, but the machine seemed fancy. But he had only agreed to those after she casually mentioned that she really wanted to be her best for Tony Stark's conference meeting tomorrow. He was really counting on her to be there and be functioning on all cylinders.
When the tests were done, the doctor gathered up the supplies himself and asked her to wait here and that he'd be back with the results shortly. Sutton snorted. She was well aware of a doctor's version of shortly.
The doctor finally came back into the room and Sutton stopped playing with the tongue depressors that she'd snagged. She ignored the doctor's exasperated eye roll and sat at attention. These were actually results she was interested in. The doctor put back on his professional appearance and smiled at her.
"Well, good news, Miss Regan. Your results are normal. There is nothing medically wrong with you."
Sutton frowned and shifted on the stiff, paper-lined bench.
"Then why have I been feeling so terrible," she asked. "I've never had these sorts of symptoms before. It can't be nothing."
The doctor gave her a condescending smile.
"Have you recently had a major life change or other added stress? The body can do many things in reaction to situations that cause us discomfort."
Sutton sighed at his response and glanced at the door quickly.
"Maybe," she conceded. "But it's still an issue. And it's been getting worse."
"Well then, I would recommend on either getting rid of the stressor, or trying to get away for a little while."
Sutton's lips pressed together tightly and she nodded sharply.
"I see. Well thank you."
She quickly left after that, scoffing at doctors and medical practices in general.
'Just get rid of the stressor.' Oh! How lovely! What a great idea! Genius!
Her left leg and right arm suddenly went numb as she walked causing her to stumble. Sutton snarled to herself. Doctors were the worst! No wonder Tony hadn't bothered with them in Iron Man 2.
Tony!
Maybe Tony could help! She knew he wasn't a doctor or a neurologist or anything, but maybe a few brain scans would do her some good.
Sutton hailed a cab, gave her address, and then pulled out her phone as the taxi entered traffic. Her fingers were starting to tremble against her will as she attempted to send a text to Tony. As soon as she'd sent it she received an automated reply in return.
[My apologies, but Mr. Stark is currently not accepting calls or messages of any kind.]
[JARVIS, you know who this is. Where is he? It could be kinda important.]
JARVIS was quick again in response.
[Miss Regan, Mr. Stark is currently taking time off at his home in California. He has instructed me to tell you that if you are not in the tabloids by his return, he will be very disappointed in you.]
[He's a ridiculous person, JARVIS. I hardly know how you put up with him.]
[I take one day at a time, Miss Regan.]
Sutton snorted back laughter, trying not to draw attention from her cab driver. She was almost back to her apartment anyway; who cared if the cabbie thought she was crazy for laughing at an AI's jokes. She thought for an AI he was remarkably witty.
As she tucked her phone back into her bag she remembered why she'd been trying to reach Tony in the first place and sighed. They mystery symptoms could probably wait until he got back. She probably was just stressed and was making a big deal out of nothing anyway.
She was not making a big deal out of nothing! Sutton shrieked louder than she ever had before and fell sideways off her couch in a mad flailing of limbs. Her dinner plate spilled onto the floor, forgotten in the sudden scramble. Sutton pulled herself up onto her knees and thrust her left hand in front of her face. And then she screamed a bloodcurdling scream that was sure to give the neighbors nightmares for the next six months.
Her left hand was gone.
Gone.
Her mind was on fire as she blinked stupidly at where her hand should be.
The heck, the heck, THE HECK?
In a fleet, blipping moment of clarity, Sutton struggled to pull herself up fully and dove for her phone. She hit the speed dial with her right hand.
[I am sorry, Mr. Stark-]
Sutton seethed in a wild panic.
"JARVIS, you tell Tony right now that if he doesn't answer this phone I will personally destroy each and every one of his beloved Iron Man suits after I dress Dummy up as Wall-E and-"
The phone suddenly clicked.
"Small Fry?" Sutton could have cried. Oh, wait. No. She already was. "What's up, kid? JARVIS said he was detecting odd fluctuations in speech pattern and-"
"TONY. Tony, Tony, Tony."
"Yes, me. Now wha-"
"MY HAND IS GONE, TONY. I am l-looking at where my left hand should be and-and i-it's gone!"
"Excuse me?"
Sutton let out an enraged shriek and used the one had she still had to turn on the video capabilities on her phone. She shoved her left arm, stubbed at the wrist, in front of the camera and glowered fiercely. Her pupils were blown wide and her nostrils flared.
"WHERE IS IT, TONY? WHERE IS MY HAND, HOW COULD IT JUST DISAPPEAR?"
Tony let out a surprised curse and leaned in as if for a closer look.
"Ok," he finally said. "Ok, just calm down. At least you're not bleeding out, right?"
"WELL YES AT LEAST THERE'S THAT."
A tingling sensation shot through her arm, and Sutton flinched back away from the camera, her eyes drilling in on her wrist. There was a flickering and then she watched as her hand phased back into existence. Tony's eyes were wide and Sutton was gasping, sucking in much needed air. She flexed her newly found fingers and twisted her wrist around, fearful that it'd disappear once again at a moments notice.
"Tony."
"Yeah. Ok, I'm sending a jet over. Be ready, Small Fry."
"No problem."
By the time Sutton got to California she was a mess of frayed nerves and jet lag. Every twitch, shudder, and tingle set off in her body had her frantic. She was staggering into the baggage claim when she felt someone grip her at the elbow and tug her along. Sutton stumbled, still uncoordinated, and looked up to see Tony's concerned face.
"But my bag-"
"Don't worry about it."
Sutton huffed just because she was supposed to, but was too tired and terrified to argue. She hadn't seen Tony's face so stern since before they'd gone through the portal and her stomach was sent into a seizure of quivers.
Tony behind the wheel was still as life-threatening as ever, but for once Sutton didn't care. The sooner they got to the lab the better.
"Do you know what's wrong with me?"
Tony shot a look over at her from the corner of his eye.
"Of course not; you just got here."
Sutton frowned. His fingers were drumming against the steering wheel and his voice had a bit of unnecessary bite.
"But you have a theory?"
He glared at her briefly and then sighed.
"Let's just hope I'm wrong, kid."
Tony wouldn't say more than that and it only seemed to cause her heart to beat faster and more erratically. Once they were in viewing distance of Tony's California home, Sutton felt a bit more hopeful; she sighed.
"Sorry for ruining your and Pepper's vacation."
He looked at her as if she'd just told him that Steve had been frequenting strip clubs.
"Are you serious?"
"Well I-"
"Shut up, Small Fry. I didn't rescue you from prison and give you a job just to watch you disappear piece by piece."
"Technically you didn't-"
"Before you finish that, I'd just like to remind you that I am your boss."
Somehow it was just what she needed to hear. Which made absolutely no sense, but it let her laugh a bit and she knew if anyone were able to help her it'd be Tony.
"Thank you."
Finally they made it up into the drive and Tony rushed her out of the car and to the door. Pepper was waiting for them in the entryway looking concerned but composed.
"Sutton."
"Hey, Pepper. Sorry about rui-"
Pepper rolled her eyes and interrupted her.
"Come on, let's get you to the lab. Tony."
Sutton was not surprised that Pepper already knew about the situation. Pepper knew everything.
Sutton had never been to Tony's California home, more like mansion, and so was attempting to soak it all in. It was a bit hard to really appreciate it what with the threat of losing limbs still looming in large in the back of her mind. But she tried anyway. Her worries were forgotten completely for a split second as something across the room moved. Her face split into a grin.
"Dummy!"
The robotic arm sprung up as if surprised at such an enthusiastic greeting on his behalf. Tony rolled his eyes.
"Focus, kid."
He sat her down on one of the lab counter tops and began puttering around grabbing supplies and equipment. In the meantime he began asking her questions about her symptoms, as if he were a doctor, and if anymore of her limbs had gone missing. It may or may not have been a joke but either way she was not amused. Sutton's right leg began to tingle painfully and she gasped as the shock ran all the way up her spine. Tony's sharp eyes locked on to her and he rushed to take readings.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!"
He must have not liked whatever results he was getting because his gaze flashed up to meet hers and he was scowling.
"How long has this been going on?"
Sutton shrugged, and then winced as her whole body was met with a shock.
"Ugh, I don't know. Over a month, at least."
At that answer the fire in Tony's eyes flared and he grit his teeth briefly.
"And you didn't mention this before?" He let out a curse and tried to move faster. "Geez, Small Fry."
"I'm sorry," Sutton snapped. Nausea rolled through her as the humming under her skin increased. She let out a painful moan as she squeezed her eyes shut, but pressed on. "I forgot to bother you with every little thing that goes on in my life. Tony, I have a cold. Tony, I think I got a hangnail. Tony, they killed off my favorite TV character!" She sighed once again. "What is it, Tony? Tell it to me straight. I-ow!"
Tony was still scrambling. Sutton could see a sheen of sweat forming on his brow and it only made her all the more anxious. Pepper stood in the background, a hand over her mouth and eyes wide; it made Sutton feel like she was about to keel over at any moment. It took a few seconds, but Tony finally decided to give her a response.
"Do you remember what I said about our universes being on different frequencies? Or something like that?" Sutton nodded that she did remember. "Well, kid, it's taken awhile to manifest, but your molecular structure doesn't match this one's. Your body, as far as I can tell, is trying to find it's way back home."
Sutton paled considerably more than she had already and swayed on the counter top. Her right foot was suddenly mauled by needles and she looked down to find it gone.
"Tony!"
"I see it."
Her eyes were heating up and threatening to spill over as she looked up to Pepper.
"I can't- I can't go home. Not now."
Pepper's face was white, making her freckles stand out even more sharply.
"Darn right you can't," said Tony. "Your body has no way of directing it's energy and even finding the right universe in the first place. The odds of you finding your way home is about one in-"
"Don't tell me the odds," Sutton shouted. "Fix it!"
"Yeah well, maybe if I'd had a bit more warning!"
The next tidal wave of pain was the harshest she'd experienced yet and she fought back a cry of distress as it washed over her. She was too afraid to look down and see what damage was done. Tony's intense cursing and Pepper's gasps were enough to give her a decent clue.
She met Tony's eyes and couldn't stop herself from letting the tears fall.
"I don't have enough time, Small Fry," he said quietly. "I can't-"
But she didn't get to hear the rest of it. The world was suddenly black and silent and she was being torn in a thousand different directions at once. There was no falling or flying or movement. She just was. Never had she felt more alone as she did while being pulled through the nothingness of everything. She screamed out loud, and no one heard her.
/
Ok, guys! That's it for this chapter! Hope you all liked it! Let me know what you think! Please? *puppy face* I am posting this from my friends house actually because we're hanging out for her birthday, so you should really appreciate this. I mean, really. I think they're a bit suspicious of what I'm doing. I'm in dangerous territory right now.
