Chapter 26

Tony wasn't a patient man, never had been. So he wasn't going to sit there and have an argument with someone as stubborn as Bella.

He did feel a little bad when his scans showed how high her heart rate was. But he had just rescued her form a group of psychos that tortured, killed and burned people. He was getting her to the safety of the Avenger's compound immediately. His beautiful compound with his security system that could make sure that she stayed put.

Safe and sound. Then he could stop worrying about her every second of the day.

When he landed on the ceiling of the compound, the girl jumped from his grasp, hitting the floor on her hands and knees, breathing hard and shaking.

" Are you okay? " He asked.

" NEVER, do that again! " She exclaimed, pulling her hoodie back up and covering her mouth with her hand.

" If you're gonna hurl- " He didn't have the chance to finish as she stood up and ran to the edge, throwing up. He hoped there wasn't anyone down there. Bad thing to come down from the sky.

She wiped her mouth, standing up and going towards the door.

" Asshole. " She muttered.

Okay, maybe he shouldn't have flew her in like that. But no way he was regretting having her there as fast as he could have brought her.

" Where are you going? " He asked, stepping out of his suit, having FRIDAY fly it to where it was stored, then following her.

" Away from you. " She retorted.

" You're not leaving. " He said.

" Yeah, I am! " She said.

" No, you're not. "

" Yeah, I am! "

" NO, you're not! "

This fascinating battle of the two stubborn genius minds continued until they finished climbing down the stairs, and they met Maria.

" Ah! Super fan! I should have known you were going to be here. " Said Bella. " Sorry, no autographs. "

" Wow, my heart is broken. " Said Maria, with a straight face and a deadpan tone.

" I know. Disappointment is a part of life. " Said Bella, moving around the woman.

" You're bleeding Bella, the doctor is waiting to have a look at you. " Said Maria, not turning to look at the girl.

" What have I told you before? No medical check ups before the third date. " Said the girl.

" But you already know this one. " Said Maria. " Dr Cho would like to have a word with you too, not just bandaging you up. "

To Tony's surprise, Bella stopped at that. He thought that she was going to keep walking until he had no choice but to lock the doors.

Maria didn't seem to be surprised as she turned around.

" This way. " Said the woman.

Bella tried to calm down, she really did. But somethings couldn't be helped. She blamed the emotional toll of having being kidnapped, failing to save Spots from it and the torture, learning that those guys would have tortured them both and burned the remains. Like they were nothing more than trash. Like they did to all those people. Then Stark showed up and all the emotions that he brought with him, came along too.

The last drop was the flight. The metal arms reminded her of Ultron. And it freaked her out. She remembered falling to her death, the moment she realized she was going to die. To die along with the entire world. To die knowing that she could have done something, anything, but didn't.

It was a surprise she made it to the compound before throwing up.

Landing didn't stop the memories, Stark following her and being so damn infuriating was not helping. She just wanted to get out of there. She needed to make sure that those monsters would be brought to justice in Chicago. That Spots was okay. And Tiny, the man was probably completely lost without Spots.

But knowing that Cho was there made her stop. She opened her hands, that had been in tight fists, then closed them again, feeling the motion in both. Dr Cho, who was responsible for her arm and leg, while being mind controlled.

She wanted to run away from there, but she wanted to see the doctor's reaction to her. To see her own reaction to her. When she entered the medical room, she was glad to see that Hill and Stark didn't go in.

" Miss Allan. " Greeted Cho, looking at her with an unsure smile. " Got yourself in a little trouble? "

" Helen. " Said the girl. " You got here fast. "

" I was already in the country. " Said the woman, with a small shrug. " Go on, sit down, let's have a look at you. "

" You and your need to get your hands on me. " Said Bella, trying to keep it cool, sitting down at the medical bed. She really did have a huge headache. She kept her hands in her pockets to hide how she was still shaking from the terrifying flight over there. " We need to talk about getting yourself some action. First thing: What are you into? Men, women, sock puppets? "

Cho laughed a little, it was awkward. ' Good, so it's not just me.' Thought Bella.

" I'm good. " Said Cho.

" Suit yourself. " Said the girl.

Cho approached, looking at the wound in her forehead.

" Let's get started. This looks like it's hurting a bit. " Said Cho.

Helen worked as fast as she could without risking overlooking something. From the little time they spent together, she had already learned the girl hated being fussed over. The doctor could only imagine how tense it would have been her relationship with the doctors and physiotherapists when the girl was recovering from the two times she had been hurt bad enough to be hospitalized.

" Okay, all bandaged up. " She said, she had already given up in not sounding awkward.

The girl was calmer now, when she had entered the room, she was shaking and her heart rate elevated, Cho didn't mention anything about it, best not to make her angry.

" I also wanted to talk to you. " Said Helen. " It's about what happened in Seoul. "

Bella's right hand gripped her forearm, looked involuntary.

" Figured that much. " Said the girl.

" I... am sorry. " Said Cho. " This decision shouldn't have been made for you. "

" You were under mind control. " Said Bella. " Not exactly a position to be making decisions either. "

" I know, but I feel guilty, and I am apologizing. " Said Cho.

" Right. " Said Bella, standing up and moving backwards to the door. " So I'm going. Bye Helen. "

" I'm also asking how they're... doing? " Said Cho, taking the chance now, that Bella was still here.

Bella stopped, looking at her with a raised eyebrow.

" They're functional. " Said the girl. " A little heavy. A little showy with the color. "

" But you're feeling fine? " Asked Cho.

" Always. " Said Bella. " Sooo... is your guilt trip over now? 'Cause this is uncomfortable. "

Cho smiled a little.

" It was nice seeing you again. " Said the doctor. " I'm glad you're okay. "

" Yeah, yeah. Bye. " Said the girl, turning to leave the medical room, but stopping. " Look, since we're on this guilt sharing moment. " The girl took a deep breath, but didn't turn around. " I am sorry about your coworkers. They shouldn't have died. And I am sorry about ULTRON mind controlling you. "

" Thank you, Bella. " Said Cho, surprised at the honesty in the girl's voice.

" Yeah, yeah, whatever. " Said the girl, leaving the room.

Cho still felt guilty, but it was good to see that the girl didn't seem to be angry at her. It was also somehow amazing to see how similar the girl was to Stark. Not that she believed either of them would ever believe that.