Chapter 11
The next day Mia was packing a small suitcase with some clothes while Maria sat on her bed talking to her.
Tony had been insistent that Mia come back to Malibu with him the previous day but in a rare show of defiance, Mia had insisted that she absolutely could not drop everything and travel back to Malibu with Tony that very same day. The two had spoken back and forth rapidly while Pepper had tried her best to keep up and take notes of the quickfire conversation.
Pepper had managed to contact a moving company she'd used often and they'd come up to collect the Sulla sculpture within the hour. It was an unusual request from Tony Stark's assistant but the movers were well compensated and Pepper was confident the piece would arrive at its destination safely.
In the end, Mia had won the argument and Tony, with Pepper had gone back to the car sans Mia but Tony insisted they remain close by. Pepper had scrambled to book a hotel up to Tony's standards for the three of them not far from Mia's apartment.
*0*0*0*
"You're sure this is what you want? After what he did to you, you're going to give him another chance?" Maria paced the room while speaking with Mia who was busily packing a suitcase for her stay in Malibu.
Pausing but not looking up from her packing Mia thought about how to respond. She wasn't sure what she was doing or what she really wanted but she did want to see Yinsen again, make sure he was OK. She tried to convince herself that she wasn't going to visit Tony, she was going to see Yinsen. She moved back to her closet to grab more items.
"Honestly, I'm not sure what I want. When I was alone in the base hospital you were there for me. When I got back here everything was just so different. It was dark, painful, hard and lonely. You helped me start a new life but I can't move forward, I don't know where to go right now and it feels like there's a lot of unfinished business between myself and Tony. The way he just left…." She trailed off, silent for a moment before continuing. I'm so grateful for your friendship and support through all of this but please, try to understand." Her eyes started tearing up a bit but she wouldn't let the tears fall.
"I know I still have a long way to go both physically and mentally but….when I saw Tony yesterday I felt like a light had just been turned on inside me, like a sadness I didn't even realize I felt was suddenly gone. As much as he hurt me when he left me behind in Afghanistan I can't just ignore him. I don't think I can ignore anyone who needs my help and although I think he tries to hide it…I think Tony needs help too." Mia sighed and sat on the corner of her bed, Maria sat beside her.
"What do you mean he needs your help? Is he asking you to do something for him? That jerk has no right to ask anything of you Mia, you don't owe him anything!" Maria balled her hands into fists where they sat in her lap, her anger at Tony rolling though her like a wave.
Mia took a breath and looked Maria in the eyes while holding her left hand in both of hers. "No, that's not it at all Maria. It's not easy to explain….he didn't out right ask me for anything, but when he looked at me...his eyes…they were different. He looked different from when he's photographed for magazines or when he's on TV, like…he, he…." She tried to find the right words to describe the look she'd seen on the man's face. It was the same look she now saw in her own eyes when she chanced a look in a mirror.
"He looked like me." She let out a sigh of frustration at not having the right words to describe the look to Maria but, as she always knew what Mia meant, the other woman's eyes softened at the words from her friend and she didn't press the issue further. She'd not known Mia prior to their meeting in the dessert but she saw how shattered the other woman was and she wouldn't wish the feelings behind that look on anybody.
"I think that he was trying to share his feelings, be honest about what he felt, he really sucked at it, and in fact he almost looked sick to his stomach…" Mia chuckled quietly to herself as she recalled the look on Tony's face that day before continuing and Maria studied her friend's face as she spoke about the arrogant billionaire.
"…but, what he didn't manage to say in words I could see in his eyes. I could see that he was hurting inside and I know I haven't told you much about my time in captivity but I believe that Tony's still really shaken up about what happened in there no matter how hard he tries to hide it. I don't know if going to Malibu together will help him…or me, but I'm not getting much done here except for creating clutter." Mia motioned across the room at all the pieces littered around the apartment.
"You've put up with so much from me but I think that my going away for a while will be good for you too." Mia averted her eyes from Maria's questioning look. "I know I've been keeping you awake with my nightmares." She averted her eyes and continued before Maria could rebuke.
"You work long shifts at the hospital and then you come home to a place where you can't rest." Maria was about to say something but Mia cut her off. "Don't deny it, you've been patient with me but I can't be as patient with myself. You deserve a home where you can relax and sleep when you're tired. And what about Rick? You've been seeing each other for a couple months now but you can't bring him here because of me, because I freak out when I'm around guys. The therapist told me it could be months or years before I feel OK around the opposite sex again. You can't live here but spend all your time at his place; it's not fair to either of you."
"Mia, what am I going to do with you?" Maria placed her right hand over Mia's which were still clasping her left and gave a gentle squeeze until Mia looked up at her.
"I love you like a sister and after all you've been through, I understand you're going to need time to heal, it doesn't bother me. You're kind, caring and always giving so much of yourself to others. I know you aren't naïve about the darker side of life but you still seem so clueless and innocent sometimes and I worry about you. From what you've told me it sounds like you've been needlessly hard on yourself but if you want to try something different and go to Malibu I support you one hundred percent. I'll miss you but I don't want you to feel trapped here or like a burden, because you are anything but." Both of them now had tears in their eyes and once look at the other they burst into tears and hugged each other tightly.
Once the crying was done Maria helped Mia finish packing her things. Tony had wanted to take off with Mia immediately, telling her that he'd buy her whatever she needed once they got to Malibu but she had insisted on packing up her own things and waiting a day to make sure she really wanted to go.
Since returning and being faced with the reality that her family was truly gone, Mia hadn't done well adjusting to her new life. She'd purchased her new apartment with the help of a real estate firm, gone to bed that night and then had stayed in bed.
She'd stayed in the bed the entire day, not eating or drinking and only getting up to relieve herself when she absolutely had to. After a few days, even the trips to the bathroom were less frequent due to a lack of nourishment. One day had turned into two and then a whole week.
Her phone had been ringing but she hadn't cared to answer it. She couldn't bring herself to care about anything and had just kept sleeping. Her sleep had been plagued by memories of her captivity but when she'd woken up and remembered she was alone she'd cried not knowing which reality was worse, the one her mind created or what she found around her.
By the second week, she not only hadn't cared to leave the bed, the energy to do so had fled her weary body and she'd lain spent, alone and depressed in the new apartment. She was a mess of skinny limbs and tangled bedsheets in a darkened bedroom littered with boxes packed with things from another life, a happier life. Her phone had run out of batteries the previous week, calls unanswered, messages not returned.
She had just started dozing off some day during the second week when she'd heard a thumping sound but hadn't cared enough to investigate. There'd been more noises and the thumping had increased in volume and urgency until finally there was a crash and Mia had heard Maria calling to her in the distance.
That was the real beginning of Mia's new life. Maria had knocked her door in with the help of her neighbor Charlie who'd come out of his apartment next door to investigate when Maria had started pounding loudly on the door. They had found Mia wasting away in the bed and Charlie had called for an ambulance once he'd seen the situation for himself.
He'd seen a lot of victims as a cop on the streets, often the first to arrive onto the scene of a crime, but seeing a victim afterwards was not something he knew much about. He hadn't even been told anything about Mia but he'd seen enough when he'd walked into the bedroom with Maria. The tough woman had run to her friend in the bed, untangled and removed the covers and tried to check her over for injuries. He'd seen glimpses of heavy scar tissue, stitches, fading bruises and known that something terrible had happened to his new neighbor.
At the hospital, Mia had been diagnosed with depression, severe malnutrition, acute renal failure, PTSD and androphobia among other things.
After recovering physically she'd stayed in the hospital psyche ward for a few days and then been transferred to a nicer place to stay and recover. She'd signed forms without reading them not caring what was happening around her but she remembered that Maria had been there for her every step of the way.
The rehabilitation center was plush and comfortable with people of many ages scattered around. There was a pool, tennis court, theatre and even a game room. The place was like a resort more than a hospital but when she'd checked in, she hardly cared.
Maria and her father had brought her to the center after the hospital had informed Maria that Mia was expected there. Maria was confused and suspicious about why such arrangements had been made but her father who had friends on the force was able to confirm that the place was nice and everything seemed legitimate. When they arrived at the center, they were greeted not by a representative who worked there but by a sharply dressed elderly woman dressed in a pant suit. She had introduced herself as Linda and handed those present her business card. Maria's father's eyebrows had shot into his hairline after recognizing the exclusive law firm's name splashed on the card.
Linda had explained that a trust account had been anonymously created for Mia years ago and that her firm was charged with ensuring its recipient was well taken care of as needed. Maria's father was suspicious about how Linda knew about Mia's current condition but he knew well that money could buy all sorts of things. In this case, the money was helping a friend of his daughter's who'd suffered more than any young woman should and he kept his questions to himself for the sake of his daughter and her friend.
Mia had done well at the center with regular therapy meetings and some group sessions. A month after checking into the 'wellness center' as it was called, Mia had been picked up by not only Maria but Maria's entire family. After being checked into the center, Mia had seen Maria almost daily and sometimes she'd have a brother, or sister with her but often Maria's mother had accompanied her. A few times, Linda had dropped by and spoken kindly with her about how she was feeling and he'd asked if she was happy. She hadn't cared enough to ask about why the lawyer was there until the day of her release back into the world.
Maria and her family had come to drive Mia back to her apartment but before they left, the lawyer had spoken with everyone a final time. Mia's hospital bills as well as the bills for the center had been taken care of through the account that had been set up for Mia exclusively. The origins of the account and its creator remained a mystery as the client had wanted everything to remain anonymous. The lawyer couldn't even confirm if the person who set the account up was dead or alive, which created quite a bit of confusion but in the end, Mia had returned home debt free and for that she was grateful.
Done reminiscing about what was past, Mia glanced at the time. Tony would be there to pick her up any minute and she still wasn't done packing. Just as she and Maria managed to finish with her suitcase there was a knock on the door. Maria helped carry the suitcase to the entrance way before Mia opened the door to find Tony and Happy standing there. She'd briefly seen Happy the previous day when he'd come up with Pepper to collect the sculpture but standing in close proximity to the man she found her chest constricting with the onset of a panic attack.
Maria quickly noticing her roommate's tense stance as she stood behind her in the entrance way, made her way to the door and slowly guided Mia back to the perceived safety of the apartment, taking her place at the door.
Without looking at the two men at the door, she was ready to blast Tony for frightening Mia but upon turning her eyes to Tony was surprised to see a quick flash of concern on the man's face and her anger quickly dissolved into annoyance. Maybe the egotistical Tony Stark really did have a heart somewhere.
Maria took a deep breath and without a word, reached beside her and passed Mia's suitcase to Happy and he accepted it with a curt nod and looked at her with understanding and an apologetic look in his eyes before leaving to place it into the car where he would wait with Pepper. He hadn't taken offense to Mia's reaction, nor had he been annoyed or startled having heard beforehand from Pepper and Tony that she'd been through a lot. He'd tried to look non-threatening as possible but at almost six feet he had towered over the petite woman and Tony both. No amount of placidity could make Mia comfortable around his large frame so soon after seeing him.
Mia and Maria shared their final goodbyes but Mia had run back to her room quickly to retrieve something that had been forgotten, leaving Maria alone with Tony.
Mia returned a minute later and saw Tony looking ghastly. She chuckled knowing that Maria had probably scared the poor man with what was no doubt a very creative threat. Being a soldier and then a nurse Maria had seen her share of nastiness and if anyone dared to get on her bad side she never hesitated to let them know exactly what she would do to them if they didn't rectify their mistake.
With a burst of spontaneity Mia reached out to Tony and grabbed his arm, dragging him away from Maria and to the elevator with a small grin plastered on her face. She would miss Maria while she was in Malibu but she felt good about going away for a while and was looking forward to seeing Yinsen again. The elevator opened to reveal Charlie. The older man stepped out, holding the door for Mia and Tony. His eyes widened at the smile on the younger woman's face and they shared a few quick words before the pair got into the elevator.
The elevator got down to the lobby uninterrupted but upon their arrival both were shocked to find reporters and paparazzi outside the front doors being held back by local police who had set up some barriers. Tony cursed about the lack of a lobby security guard but mentally thanked Pepper for her quick thinking in getting the police to keep the media hoard outside. "Alright Mia, welcome to my world." He waved at the crowd while smiling and posing for a few photos, keeping Mia hidden behind his frame and away from the cameras.
Mia looked at him, eyes wide and amazed at the fuss that was being made outside. "All those reporters are here because of you?" She spoke facing his back as he waved to the cameras.
"Well, I am pretty famous, but don't worry. I'm sure Pepper has a plan to get us out of here. Look, she's already called the cops to keep everyone out of the building." Tony pointed at the police trying to contain the crowd outside the modest building.
No sooner had he finished speaking that his cell phone rang, the call display showing Pepper's name. He hung up after only saying a quick OK and turned to Mia who was transfixed by the crowd outside. He ushered her to the fire escape door motioning for her to go through.
"Tony, these doors only open during a fire alarm, they're always locked from this side."
"Not today they aren't." Tony reached around Mia and pushed open the fire door. He smirked at the look on her face and together the two of them went through the building's machine room and emerged on the other side of the building where Happy and Pepper were waiting in the car.
Once situated in the limo and on the way to Malibu, Tony helped himself to a scotch and Pepper handed Mia a bottle of water.
"Thanks Pepper. Is it always a circus where Tony's involved?"
"No, more like a circus run by wild monkeys and Tony's the ring master." She smiled knowingly and ignored Tony's protest of 'Hey!'.
"Well, thanks for getting us out of there. I have no idea how you managed to get everything under control so quickly but thanks, really."
Pepper blushed at the praise, not used to being thanked for doing her job.
"Tony, don't you think Pepper did a great job of getting us out of the building?" Mia was sitting beside Pepper on the opposite side of the seat and across from Tony in the car, giving him a look that conveyed her annoyance at his cool attitude towards his PA.
"Wha…? Pepper? Yeah she was great, she always is." Tony agreed with Mia in his usual dismissive manner when it came to his PA.
Pepper blushed again, having never heard praise from her boss before, even if it wasn't one hundred percent sincere. Trying to stop blushing at the praise she tried to wave it off, motioning with her hand. "It was nothing; I do this kind of thing all the time."
"Well, thanks Pepper. I really don't know anything about Tony's life but if the crowd back there was any indication it seems like you have your hands full 24/7 and you deserve to be told you're doing a great job." Mia gave one last look to Tony and spent the remainder of the commute conversing with Pepper and getting to know the woman she'd heard so much about.
Pepper was surprised at Mia's openness but she chatted with the other woman, eager to know the person who'd caught her boss' attention. The haunted look was still in Mia's eyes but Pepper saw that she kept glancing in Tony's direction during breaks in their conversation and Tony would catch her eyes with his own. They seemed to have a silent understanding between themselves that spoke volumes about the bond they shared. If Pepper noticed the same haunted look as Mia's in her boss' eyes she tactfully kept it to herself and conversed casually while Happy drove them home.