Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. Stacy left me completely alone in the middle of freaking nowhere. Okay well, after going back into the hotel I went to the front desk and asked where I was, the attendant telling me I was in California. So, as I didn't feel like hotwiring an automobile with the potential (and most definite) possibility of being caught and taken to jail, I called Tony, only to realize he was probably back home still unconscious. And if not, freaking out as to not seeing me anywhere in the tower.

Well, least I'd gotten more freedom than I'd thought.

I sighed, going to the hotels Wi-Fi area and booting up a computer. My eyes widened, realizing it was Wednesday. Wow, I'd been missing four whole days. But there was an upside: I didn't miss Zin's funeral.

Hacking into SHIELD's top-secret and supposedly cryptic as well as highly guarded files (Really? All of that and yet I still hacked in as easy as it was to open a can of soda?), I got Coulson's cell number and wrote it down, calling him on the phone after turning off the computer.

He came right away. Or, rather, a few hours later. I happily fled to him, colliding into his waist as I held onto him tight. Out of all the Avengers, he did seem more understanding—and slightly friendlier. He smiled back, telling me I was safe and sound.

"Yeah, for now." I told him as he escorted me to a parked and beautiful bright red 1962 Chevrolet Corvette with a California license plate reading 381 PCE; ironic with it being a Califonia plate and we were in the state itself. "Thanks for picking me up." I said after we got in and I buckled up.

He smiled. "No problem." He then put the car and drive, and pulled away from the curb. "Lola's glad to have another friend besides me."

I eyed him. "You named the car Lola?"

"Yup. Problem?"

"No, not at all." I said quickly. "It's a pretty name." After a moment of silence I said, "I'm sorry for breaking from SHIELD."

"Understandable. But you might want to apologize to Fury for calling him a derogatory name."

I gave him a look.

Phil nodded. "Right, not going to happen."

Phil drove down the numerous highways and even more highways before we actually got to New York. I grimaced at the loud honks, beeps, voices, ambulances and police sirens that never stopped even for a second. Back at the mansion, we may have been in New York, but it was more of a country silence that I came to adore. Phil slowed to a stoplight.

I faced him. "You know if Tony is up?"

"Yes, and he's searching the globe like crazy. But we couldn't find you."

"We?"

"All of SHIELD. Actually, Fury's the one who wanted the search party to go, especially when he felt bad about acting the way he did toward you."

"Did he really? Are you just saying that?"

Phil smiled softly. "Fury is a somewhat solitude man but he does care. And he'll only get into a person's business when he feels it's necessary. He normally doesn't mean any harm, but he doesn't play around either."

I crossed my arms as the light turned green, Phil driving again. "You're point?"

"Love is something a SHIELD agent has to cast away."

"Is it so bad to love when it doesn't do harm?"

"No. But it does if you end up distracted by it and neglect your duties."

"I'm not an agent. I'm a mutant who was recruited after her best friend died and who is so done with this "you're a disgrace to our agency" shit."

Phil swiftly glanced at me, looking forward again and making a left. "No one said you were a disgrace."

"The way Fury blatantly stating John was my ex-boyfriend when he knew that was false? He might as well have said I was a disgrace." I frowned, frustrated. "What does he want with me anyway?"

"He said you'd be the one to keep Loki in check."

I snorted. "I really want to be near a crazy God. That's totally number one on my Wish List."

Phil merely kept a small smile on until we finally reached Stark Tower. Where Tony stood, pacing back and forth. "I called him before we left that you'd called me and I was brining you back." said Phil getting out the car as I did. He escorted me to the worried man. "Here's your princess back."

Tony hugged me and then looked at me, eyes examining me for any scrapes or anything evidence of damage. Whatever Stacy had done, it surly did work as when I'd showered, I was completely unscathed. I watched Tony looked as if he'd been crying but he was forcing it down by the flashing smile he gave me again. He nodded at Phil, thanking him before taking me inside.

"So where'd you go?" he asked, still a worried tone in his voice.

"I went to go shopping." I lied. "Sorry I didn't tell you."

He nodded. "Well, what happened to your friends?" he asked. "I thought they were staying for the whole night?"

I blinked. "You don't remember?"

He eyed me. "Remember what? Veronica having beer? Yeah, I scolded her before leaving to go work in the lab."

And Stark is fine. He'll just wake with a major headache. Stacy's words played in my mind. She must have given something to Tony to make him forget seeing the three dead girls and Veronica knocking him out. All he remembered now was me inviting them to the slumber party.

I smiled. "Um, yeah, Veronica. She pulled out the beer again. I told her to leave. The others thought I was being too uptight so they left with her. I don't mind though. Rather hang out with you anyway."

Tony nodded. "Well, I have a few minutes. Wanna spar?"

"Do you even have to ask?" I laughed, racing him to the training room.