Thank you, to all who have reviewed, faved, and followed this story. Another chapter for you!
Note: Chapter 3 follows the same type of format as chapters 1 and 2, where we start in the present, then flash back to where the previous chapter left us.
Complexity
Chapter 3
Steve quietly rounds around another corner, gaining more distance between himself and his pursuers, who are somewhere far behind him. He doesn't think they know his exact location, not since he managed to get away from their radar a little while back, however you can never be too careful.
As he stops a moment to catch his breath, and find his bearings, he notices something a short distance down the hall in front of him.
Steve squints into the darkness, trying to get a better look without needing to leave his relatively concealed spot.
And sucks in a deep breath.
Because no. No! That cannot be what he thinks it is. There is no way. Because if it is, what does that mean?
Tony is a smart man, the smartest and strongest and bravest man Steve knows, has ever known. But even then, he is still just a man. A man in an iron suit. The suit is what keeps him safe. The suit is what eases Steve's mind that Tony is safe.
So there is no way Tony's faceplate is laying on the ground just a few yards away.
He has to get to it; he has to see for sure. He has to confirm that is not what it appears to be.
Steve heads the short distance down the hall, and as he nears closer and gets a better look at the item on the ground, his heart sinks.
Tony is without an important part of his armor, and is now vulnerable. He has to find Tony and get him out of here. Now.
This mission's objective just became a whole lot simpler for Steve.
x
As Tony and Steve head towards the living room where Bruce is on the line with Fury, Tony decides a quick detour is in order along the way. Fury can wait. The wannabes can wait. Especially since they're making Tony wait on his date with Steve.
So he heads to the kitchen to grab a fresh cup of coffee. Steve gives his a look that says 'hurry up', but doesn't try to stop him, instead continuing to the other room.
Probably because he knows Tony can still hear the conversation from the kitchen. And it's because of that he takes his sweet time. Even though he ignores said conversation until after a fresh cup is brewed.
"Captain, you are to wait until tonight before giving your orders to proceed. That way you will have the cover of darkness on your side," Tony hears Fury's voice, as he picks up his cup and saunters into the room towards the couch.
"If this group is a threat to us, should we not wait and gather the full team before approaching this base of theirs?" Bruce asks.
Tony snorts as he plops down on the sofa, "Oh, come on, have you seen what I can do? I'm Iron Man! But, I do have a suggestion for you, Nicky! How about you have your secret agents shadow them a while longer, or whatever the hell they do, and we'll see how long it takes for these people become a real threat to us?"
"How nice of you to join us, Stark," Tony can practically hear the one-eyed-roll.
"I'm considerate like that! And speaking of consideration, thank you so much for ruining my plans tonight, much appreciated," he smirks, while glancing at Steve across the room. Steve returns the look with a slightly regretful one of his own. "But back to my earlier point; why exactly are we even bothering to consider going in on these wanabes? They aren't anywhere near an issue."
"Which is exactly why we are taking care of this tonight. They will not be suspecting or expecting us, let's take them by surprise," Fury responds, "As I was saying, Captain, after dark you will give your orders-"
"This is ridiculous, a complete waste of a perfectly good night."
"Stark!" It seems Fury is mad at him now. At least that's nothing new, "Who the hell is in charge here!"
And just because Tony likes the thought of Fury being furious (or should I call him Fury-ous?, Tony wonders with a slight quirk of his lips), he replies with, "Well I know the correct answer to that question, but it's doubtful you'll agree with me."
Steve gives Tony a look, and before a bigger argument has a chance to escalate says, "I understand the mission, sir, and we will be prepared for action tonight after dark."
"Good," Fury says, "You and Iron Man will enter the warehouse where they are hiding out. Because there are so few of them, and it is a low risk threat in an enclosed space of a highly populated area, it will be best for Dr. Banner to stay behind and monitor progress while keeping communication from the Tower."
"I agree. No reason to drag the Other Guy into this for a low risk threat," Bruce nods.
"Ok then, since we are all in agreement," Tony coughs exaggeratedly, but Fury continues, "be prepared to have a briefing at SHIELD after you have eliminated the threat. You are to begin your advance on the warehouse in approximately three hours. Good luck tonight."
With that said, Fury disconnects the line.
x
Two hours later, Tony is back in his lab cursing up a storm. Steve and Bruce were in the 'com room', where Bruce would monitor their progress and communication, spending the last while putting together a more detailed plan. Normally Tony would be in there with them, tossing out his own two cents every few moments, however he was too irritated having his plan for the night ruined, he couldn't be bothered to join them.
And the fact that neither man has come to get him in all this time tells Tony they too know how irritated he is, and would rather not interrupt.
But that's not what had him cursing. Well, not the only thing that had him cursing.
After the call with Fury, he was hoping to get at least some alone time with Steve. They did have three hours after all. But Steve has yet to come out of the 'com room'. And irrational as it may be for Tony to be upset that his not-yet-but-hopefully-one-day-soon-boyfriend isn't making any time for him, even though said not-boyfriend is planning a mission and preparing to go into battle, Tony is pissed.
This was supposed to be the night of their first date! And, alright, to be fair, three hours ago Steve didn't even know tonight was to be their first date, but he knows it now! It was to be an important night. And though Steve didn't technically bail on Tony, it still kind of felt that way, especially since Steve is the one who agreed to Fury's mission. That man needs to learn how to say no when important events like this are going to be affected!
The least he could do is spend a little time with Tony.
And yes, maybe Tony was moping a bit along with the cursing, but really, it's just not fair! Finally having worked up the courage to progress things, coming up with a plan, and asking Steve on a date, only to have it all ruined because his Captain is a super soldier, and he himself decided iron looks good on him, and they have to go off and catch the bad guys and save people a shit.
Ugh. His life sucks.
"Sir, are you sure you wish to fly Mark VII tonight? Repairs are still not completed after your joy ride from two evenings ago," Jarvis interrupts his musings, "perhaps you should consider taking a different Mark."
"It'll be fine, Jarvis," Tony answers, as he fiddles with the suit in question, "Things seem to be in proper working condition, we just haven't completed extensive testing of my repairs, and the rest of the suit."
"Which is why you should consider another option, sir."
"In case you haven't heard, Jarvis, I'm a bit of a genius. I've even created my own talking A.I., if you can believe it! I know how to properly repair my suit. And the rest of it was running perfectly the other night. No testing required."
"Sir, I must suggest you reconsider using Mark VII until we know for certain it is in perfect condition."
"I know for certain it is. Plus, it's my favorite suit, Jarvis! And it has the most upgrades. I'm not going to ignore that because it hasn't had extensive, yet unneeded, testing since I took it out for a spin a couple of nights ago."
"Is something wrong with your suit?" Tony spins around to see Steve heading towards him.
"No. And how is it possible for you to sneak up on me in my own lab?" Tony huffs, as he leans back against his desk, "Especially when my A.I. should be informing me of all visitors," He directs toward Jarvis.
"Perhaps you need to clarify 'should' and 'must' with the A.I. you, as a genius, were able to create, sir."
Steve hides his laugh behind a cough. Tony glares at him.
"Can I help you with something?" Sure, maybe that was a little rude, but Tony was still pissed at him.
Steve clears his throat, "Bruce and I just finished getting everything ready and prepared for the mission, and I personally don't have a whole lot of additional preparation to do myself. So, since everything it set, and now we just need to wait, I wanted to see you. And wait with you. I hope you don't mind."
And just like that, Tony's mood flips around.
"Of course I don't mind. If I didn't want to see you, spend time with you, I wouldn't have asked you out to dinner tonight."
Steve sits down on the desk next to Tony, "I really am sorry about tonight. I have been wanting to spend time alone with you too. We will make this up another night. Soon. That is, of course, if you still want to," He ducks his head at the last part.
A soft smile falls on Tony's mouth, as he reaches the short distance to touch Steve's arm. "Obviously I do. You should know me well enough by now. Once I put my mind on something, I don't stop until it's mine," and there is that blush Tony enjoys seeing so much.
"We need to leave soon."
"Soon, yes," Tony says, "but not yet."
The two men sit side by side in the lab, Tony's hand on Steve's arm reaching down to rest on Steve's hand. And they remained that way, silent and content, enjoying the presence of the other until the time came to venture out on their mission.
Tell me what you think. Review!
