Sheesh, I really write too much angst, lol. So, let's give atleast one of the boys some joy. Sort of.
Thanks for everything! 3
"Mr. Stark, you have a visitor."
Tony lifted his head from the pillow. A visitor?
It was dark in his room, so his eyes needed a second to adjust. A slender figure walked up from behind the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. The figure of a woman.
And she had red hair.
It was enough to make him sit straight up. Opening his mouth, but unable to speak.
Then, she smiled at him. That smile...it lit up his world.
"Pepper...?"
"Hey," she grinned.
Her eyes were reddening. He was sure his were as well.
"Pepper!"
He leaped into her arms like a kid, uncaring of the ache in his body. She laughed at his enthusiasm. He beamed at her laughter. Tony snuggled his face into her stomach. She gently stroked his hair.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming here today?" he asked.
"I wanted to surprise you. I was actually on the plane, last time we were on the phone."
"Sneaky. Get down here, so I can kiss you."
She sat next to him on the bed, letting him rewrap his arms around her waist. He pressed his lips against hers, hungry for her to return it. Which, she did. Then, shrieked in surprise, when Tony pulled her down to the bed, kissing her deeply with a sly grin on his face. Holding her tightly on top of him. Only breaking, when they started giggling like teenagers.
"I take it you missed me a lot?" Pepper said.
"Oh, I haven't even gotten around to showing you how much I missed you."
"There will be plenty of time for that, later."
She rolled off of him. Instead, laying at his side with her head on his chest. He kissed the top of her head.
"You scared me," she said. "Earlier."
"I'm sorry."
"I thought you weren't going to make it out of this one. Several times."
"Hey, I told you before that they can't kill me that easily."
"Which I'm glad for. But, well, how are you? Exactly?"
"What do you mean?"
"It's been a week and a half. They're still keeping you under observation."
"Just a precaution."
"Are you hurting?"
"Oh, just somewhat sore in the joints. Nothing serious."
She looked up at him.
"Are you sure? You've never been very honest about those sorts of things."
"Pep," he whined. "This is supposed to be a happy moment. Remember? Happy? Clap along if you feel that happiness is the truth?"
She would have put her hands on her hips, in a no nonsense way. If she wasn't in the position she was in. And trying not to laugh.
"If we leave today, we should be home tomorrow morning," Pepper said.
Home.
He was actually going home. What a wonderful, magnificent feeling that was.
"So, everyone is freed up?"
"Yes. The toxins are still in the air, but they've been able to contain the area. Even though it's potent, it seems to take a long time to spread, so that made things easier. They didn't tell you?"
"No. I think everyone's goal around here is to treat me like an invalid."
"Hey, stress is one of the worst things for the body."
"I'm more stressed out due to the not knowing."
She sympathetically stroked his cheek with her thumb. Tracing a left over scar from some seemingly long ago injury.
"Are the rumors true?" she quietly asked. "That...Innokenti's dead?"
He nodded.
"That's what they're saying."
And when I'm done with him, I'll take your lovely Miss Potts, as well.
He knew. He knew what would get to him.
Tony wasn't a killing machine.
But if he were to be honest with himself, he enjoyed slicing through that bastard.
Experiencing a gruesomely jovial anger.
The metallic taste of it on his tongue, while his adrenaline spiked.
And now that it was over, he wasn't sure whether that scared him or not.
However, the fact that he wasn't sure did.
Its one thing to protect. Another to enjoy killing someone.
"Something on your mind?"
"Huh? No. No, I just..."
Then, he sat up. Pepper's eyebrows furrowed.
"Let's get out of here."
oooooooooooooooooooooo
Today was a good day.
Today was a good day. It should be a very good day.
This was what she wanted.
Yet, as Natasha sat neatly dressed in her wheelchair, she was covered in a fog of unease.
Today, she was being released.
As soon as she got word of it, her clothes were packed and her laptop was folded. She'd maneuvered into the wheelchair (all by herself!) and rolled to the side of the bed. Her nurse laughed at her enthusiasm.
One of Fury's assistants would be sent to pick her up. She was going to be taken to the base for debriefing. Then, flown home for an extended medical leave.
But sitting there by herself was putting her into a state of 'what now?".
Really, what now?
"Ms. Romanoff," the nurse came back. "Your ride is here."
"Are you ready to go?" he asked.
"Am I ever."
Natasha pushed the stubborn wheels, determination in the veins of her hands.
"I've got it," he immediately went to help. "Don't worry. Fury got an electric one for you in the van."
A van.
An electric wheelchair.
Natasha's shoulders slumped.
"Goodbye, Ms. Romanoff," the nurse bent down to hug her. "I'll miss you. Though, I hope to never see you here again."
Natasha half smiled.
"Thanks for everything. Though I hope the same."
She then went through the process of being checked out. Afterwards, being situated into the dark van. The ride was long and excruciatingly quiet. The numbness in her legs was more prominent. Unable to put it aside, the thoughts were making her stomach sour.
"So," the agent finally spoke. "Fury is putting you into the evaluation department?"
"He might be."
"I heard you were assigned to Loki."
"Yeah."
"That must have been tough. I wouldn't have been able to do that without atleast cursing him out."
"Don't think I didn't want to do that."
"He's really sick. But, I guess you already knew that. Serves him right."
He parked the van and stepped out to help her.
"Fury said he may be a few minutes. He won't have you waiting long."
She nodded in response.
"Are you okay?"
"Fine. Perfect."
She flexed her fingers. Stared at the pavement. The agent sighed and wheeled her into the building.
She was given many "hi"s and "how are you"s. Looks of surprise, relief, and pity from her coworkers. Natasha smiled back. She tried to make it convincing, but was too tired to give it her all.
The agent brought her to a corner room. He parked her at the desk and patted her shoulder.
"Do you want me to bring something while you wait? Maybe some water?"
"No thank you."
"Okay. If you need anything, just give me a call."
He left her alone. She seemed so sad. He was starting to feel sorry for her.
But, he couldn't focus on her, right now. He had a job to do.
"Progress report," he said into his earpiece.
"Are you there?"
"Yes, sir, I am."
"Good, good."
"What are my orders?"
"Keep being a good boy. Do what they ask. We should lay low, for a while."
"Yes sir."
"Did you bring the car or did someone drop you off?" he heard a voice down the hall.
He paused his conversation, putting his hand back by his side.
"Happy is out there, actually."
"What? And he didn't come in to say hi to me? That's not very nice."
"He was going to let us have some time alone, first."
"Ohhh, I get it. I'll be sure to thank him for that."
"Not that kind of alone, Tony. I'm not doing that around all of these S.H.I.E.L.D. agents."
"Pffft. Those cockblockers."
"Tony."
They rounded the corner, coming face to face with him.
"Mr. Stark."
"Oh, hi. I'm not going anywhere. Just...to the bathroom."
"Okay, um, I didn't realize you were up, yet."
"Yep. Up and running around. Listen, if Cap comes around, remember, I'm in the bathroom."
"Sure, I won't tell him you ran away."
"Finally, one of you understands my pain."
Pepper shook her head.
"Come on, Tony."
"Right behind you, my lady."
The agent took a few steps. Making sure he was out of hearing distance from the pair.
"So, Mr. Stark is feeling much better, I assume?"
"Yes," he said. "Should I keep an eye on them?"
"Mmm, no. Let him think he's in the clear. What I want you to do will be much more helpful in the long run."
"And what is that?"
"I want you to vouch for Loki. He's the reason Mr. Stark is standing today. Say he's a changed man. Let them believe he is good and could be helpful to them."
"Why is that?"
"Because, who else would take him in, but Stark himself? I want those two together as much as possible. Especially back home."
"Forgive me for asking again, but why?"
"Oh, you'll find out when we get what we need. Now, pretend you were talking to Fury, this entire time and turn this off."
"Yes, Director Fury."
"Good boy."
oooooooooooooooooooooooo
There was a nip in the air, despite the sun's rays being uninhibited and touching everything on the ground. Tony snuggled down in his black coat. One arm hooked in Pepper's. Happy walked along with them. Making small talk.
What a perfect day this turned out to be.
"Oh, look at the river," Pepper pointed. "Isn't it lovely?"
"Yes, it is."
"We should go by the Colosseum," Happy said. "I was hoping to see it, before we left."
"We will," Tony said. "Don't worry, I didn't forget you can't go to Rome without seeing it. How could I, when you always remind me?"
"Just jogging your memory."
"We should do lunch, first. What do you think? Lunch?"
"Sure, I could go for some. Being around all this food is making me hungry."
"This place looks nice," Pepper said of a spot right on the water.
"Smells even better," Happy said.
When they were inside, they sparked a lot of attention. Tony had cleaned up, so wasn't a scruffy, unrecognizable mess, anymore. That, along with being coupled with the now famed CEO of Stark Industries. And Happy, who had gotten recognition by association, over the years.
They'd gotten used to the stares and the smart phones pointed in their direction. Tony didn't really mind. He was feeling better about himself, now that he was surrounded by these two. So, of course he was going to be on his best behavior. And not going to end up naked on someone's Instagram (okay, he'd had a few relapses into his party boy life style, but it was just a few. He promised. And there was no sex involved, he promised Pepper.)
"This is nice," Tony said, before sipping a glass of wine. "And this is really nice."
"I think I'm getting this thing with the pesto," Happy said. "You should get a double serving, Tony. Put some meat on those bones."
"Heh, I plan too."
"Should you really be getting this, Tony?" Pepper asked. "After being so sick? Soup or something might be better."
"No, no, no, no, no. I want real food and I want it now."
"I know that's right."
"Please don't encourage him, Happy."
"Come on, the guy's been stuck in captivity. Let him splurge."
"Okay. And when he starts throwing up everywhere..."
"I'm not going to. My stomach is made of iron, too."
"I know for a fact that its not."
He saw someone approaching them out of the corner of his eye. His hands clenched into fists, before he could even see who it was. Thankfully, just a woman and her kid. Not any leftover Ghosts or copycats.
Atleast, he hoped not.
All they wanted was an autograph.
That's all.
Though, he couldn't shake the tension building in his shoulders.
"Thank you," the kid smiled.
"No problem."
"Isn't he cute," Pepper said, when they boy bounded back to his dad.
"Yeah," Tony crossed his arms.
He scanned the entire area. No one seemed to be a threat. But, wasn't that the point of a good undercover?
"Wouldn't be surprised if a news crew will be out here soon," Happy said. "You know, since you're free and all. They'll want to catch your first public appearance."
Ho boy. The media. Great. Wonderful. Peachy.
Happy must have noticed Tony's look of displeasure.
"Want me to chase them off, when they get here?"
"Eh...might as well."
"Are you cold?" Pepper asked.
"No. Why?"
"You keep rubbing your arms."
Oh. Yeah, he was.
He put his hands on the table. Then, tried to act natural, by taking another sip of wine. The warmth went down his throat and was absorbed by his blood, but wasn't enough to settle him.
"You know, I was thinking, we should spend a weekend somewhere," he said, trying to distract himself. "I don't know where, exactly, though I prefer someplace warm."
"I have no arguments against that," Pepper said. "The Bahamas are always nice."
Tony nodded. He looked over at the counter, wondering where the waiter had gone. When he saw a man, maybe a cook or something, with big arms and no hair.
His breath was caught in his throat.
Tony immediately stood. His chair screeching loudly against the floor, alerting the attention of those surrounding them.
"Tony, what are you doing?"
"Nothing. Nothing. I'm going outside for a minute."
"What? Why?"
"I just need some air."
And in only a few quick strides, he was gone. Desperate to be out of the crowded restaurant.
Only now, he felt kind of stupid.
How could he let that man get to him so badly that anyone who held any resemblance to him set him off?
He felt ashamed of himself.
"Tony?"
"Yeah?"
Pepper wrapped her arms around his.
"If you want, we could just take the food back."
"Nah. I need to be out. I've been at S.H.I.E.L.D. too long."
She rubbed her hand up and down his back. It felt nice.
"I just needed to, you know, have one good memory, here. It's too nice of a place to avoid, for the rest of my life."
"Yeah. That's true."
He turned to her.
"It's funny, because sometimes I feel like this isn't real."
He gripped onto the railing. Listening to the water lapping at its borders. Everything was too peaceful. It made him nervous. Like evil creatures were waiting behind an invisible curtain.
"I kind of feel the same way," Pepper said.
Tony leaned his head on her shoulder. He heard the fake camera sound effect of a phone behind them. Interrupting their intimate moment. He glared at the culprit, who acted like he was just passing by.
"Should we go back inside?"
"Yeah," Tony answered.
Because, there was a glass of wine waiting to be finished.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
When Loki first woke up, he felt like he was drowning.
His surroundings were milky around the edges. Monsters walked the floor. When he dared to close his eyes, they leaped from the darkness, ready to devour him. Bloodied jaws and all, each taking a piece of his mind and soul. Tearing them apart and sharing the meat amongst themselves.
Loki groaned and reopened his eyes, letting the light flow in.
The dark figures crowded him. The room reeked of the metallic scent of Chitauri. Their bug-like faces hovering over him. Poking and prodding at him, then finding humor in his discomfort.
I'm sorry.
He bit his lip, hard. He wouldn't close his eyes. Refused to even do so little as blink.
Please don't...I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to, I know I'm a failure, I know, I know, I know.
They spoke in their language. He couldn't grasp on, he was so, so tired.
Please.
He gripped the sheets, hoping they would leave.
Please.
There was darkness beyond him. Something waited. Ready to take him away.
Please, don't give me to him, don't let him have me.
Above him was the one in purple robes. It's teeth red, perhaps with blood, maybe his own.
Loki thought he wanted death.
But not like this.
Not like this.
"This is your pain, Asgardian," the Chitauri snarled. "And it will be with you until your final breath."
Loki jerked up in a panic, gripping his bare chest, frantically taking in his surroundings. The Chitauri faces had faded away.
He swallowed, hard. His throat tight. The taste of sleep at the back of his tongue. His head spun. Whether from still being tired or from waking up so violently, he wasn't sure. And now that he was fully awake, he began to notice that familiar ache in his belly. Not wanting to push it, he eased back down to the bed.
No one was with him. He was thankful Thor was not outside his see through prison. He half way expected to hear a sarcastic remark from Natasha. As he laid there, all that greeted him was silence. Tony wasn't there. He wondered how he was. Barely remembering how he'd even gotten to this point.
He heard a door open outside of his cell. Immediately, his eyes closed, pretending to still be comatose. The cold echo of footsteps grew closer to him. Then, they stopped. It took a lot of will power not to look.
"They already told me you were awake, so you can stop with the act."
Right, the cameras. Loki cracked one eye open. Then, the other. He tried to glower at Tony, but it turned into a smile, instead.
"Happy to see me?"
"Yes," his voice strained. "I would hate...to see all of my good work go to waste."
Tony scoffed.
"Yeah, well, you, on the other hand, look terrible."
"No one looks good after a nap...Stark."
"Speak for yourself."
"Trust me, you...looked much worse than I, earlier."
"I was under the weather. That's not the same as taking a 'nap', as you call it. More of a hibernation."
Loki rubbed his eye. It was still watery and terribly sore.
"How long was I out?"
"Over a week."
Both eyebrows popped up. Over a week?
"I'm surprised they didn't just...put me down."
"Yeah, well."
They paused. Loki stared at the ceiling, Tony, at the floor.
"How are you feeling?" Tony asked.
"Miserable."
"Sorry."
"Why?"
"Why not? You...thanks for saving me, for the millionth time."
Loki shrugged.
Tony wanted to ask him...wanted to see if he'd made it there at any point. To get some validation. To get something.
"Loki."
"What?"
"I...um."
He didn't know what was stopping him.
"I'm leaving today."
Loki's fingers flinched, for a brief second. Other than that, he pretended he didn't hear him.
"My girlfriend is here and...well, I think the S.H.I.E.L.D. folks kind of want me out of their hair."
Loki shifted his jaw. Oh. So that's how it was going to be.
"I..." Tony lowered his voice. "I can't take you with me. Yet."
"Forget it."
"Huh?"
"Just forget it," Loki snapped. "Go with your girlfriend and...and get married and have babies and enjoy your life. Just forget about me."
"Loki..."
"I'm going to die anyway. So spare me...the false promises, don't pretend to be my friend."
"Who's pretending? And what do you mean, you're dying?"
"I mean exactly what I said, Stark."
Tony stepped closer to the glass. The movement caused Loki to take his eyes off of the ceiling.
"This is a very touchy situation. One of the places I live is in New York. I can't just parade you around, we have to do this carefully."
Loki took in a choppy deep breath. Ouch, that hurt.
"I'm not going to abandon you. I promise. But Loki, you've been sick for a long time. You hinted in the woods that you had a disease. Why won't you tell me exactly what it is? I know you know. I could maybe help you."
"You can't. No one can."
"You don't know that, Rudolph."
"You think I don't know?!"
He put his hand over his midsection. Sleep had weighed his body down and he felt like he'd been someone's punching bag. His voice was going in and out. Tony was looking at him like he was crazy. What a wonderful way to wake up.
"I'm over one thousand years old, Stark. I know more, much more, than you ever could. I was a prince, but I went to that school to be a healer. I know..."
He gripped the sheets for dear life.
"Is it because saying it would make it feel more real?"
"Feeling it makes...it real enough, Stark."
He sighed.
Why was he even opening up this much? Especially knowing that those fools were listening in.
He supposed the answer was plain and simple. He just didn't care, anymore.
"Innokenti has ruined me."
He picked at the tape holding an IV to his skin. Tony was quiet. Watching the man slowly deteriorate in front of him.
"This is usually something that only happens to the children or the elderly. Even then, it is rare."
He gritted his teeth, tasting the words on his tongue. It was bitter.
"The body will produce less and less amounts of magic. That entire area just slowly shuts down. I saw this happen once, to a newborn. He was born with it. Nothing we did helped him. Eventually, the rest of his body began to shut down as well."
He still heard nothing from Tony's side of the glass. It both relieved and worried him.
"He cried a lot. We did as much as we could for the pain. But, well, soon there was nothing we really could do."
A fluorescent light flickered. Loki rubbed his eye, again.
"Maybe you don't have that."
Loki had to give him a look, that time.
"I mean...a lot of things share symptoms. Maybe what Innokenti did irritated your...whatever it is that actually produces the magic. That's possible, right? You haven't gotten any real rest from that. If you get that, which you will now, you might start feeling better."
Loki shook his head.
"So, you're telling me that isn't possible? At all?"
"I...I suppose it could be possible."
"See? You'll be okay."
Loki didn't seem so sure of that.
"When will I see you again?" he asked.
"I'm not sure. Soon, though."
"Promise?"
"Yeah, I promise."
"Stark."
Tony turned around. Fury was motioning for him to come here.
"Have to obey orders, right?" Loki said.
"I'm Tony Stark. I give the orders, I don't follow them"
Even so, he went over to the eye patched man.
And ignored Loki snickering behind him.
"I'm going to need you to finish your paperwork, before you leave," Fury lead him down the hall.
"Isn't this something I can do on the plane?"
"No, because you'll end up 'forgetting it' and I'll have to ask for it over and over again."
"Ugh, okay, okay. I'll do the stupid paperwork."
"Seems you know how to keep him settled down."
"He did just wake up from a coma."
"You're not taking him out of here. Not now, not ever."
Tony bit his lip.
"So, what, you want him to think he's going to stay in prison the rest of his life? Sounds like the beginning of another alien attack."
"Of course not. I just want to be sure that you know that."
"I figured that out a long time ago. Hey, Natasha!"
He caught a glance of her sitting in one of the offices. She waved to him.
"Didn't know you were discharged," he went inside.
She gave him a hug. He kissed her on the cheek.
"Didn't know you were up and running around," she said.
"Yeah, well, you know me. Can't stay still very long. Are you going home today, too?"
"Probably not."
"Oh, come on. Pepper, Happy, and I are taking the jet home today. You can hitch a ride with us."
"Agent Romanoff is still assigned to Loki."
"You just don't take a break, do you?"
"I had a break. I don't want to be stuck in bed for the rest of my life."
Tony shrugged.
"Well, if that's how you feel. When you're ready to come back, give me a call. The invitation to stay in the Tower is still extended. More so, now. You might need some help."
"I'll be fine. But, I might need some help if Loki gets restless."
Tony arched his eyebrows and looked between her and Fury. Fury waved his hand and shook his head.
"Sure. Sure, I'll help."
"Now, you need to get that paperwork done so you can go rest. Okay?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Go on, Stark," Fury said. "You know where to go. I have to talk to Agent Romanoff about a thing or two."
"Yeah, yeah. Just kick me out. I don't care."
He went out, waving at Natasha. She waved back.
"Now," Fury said. "Let's talk about Loki."
ooooooooooooooooooooooooo
It was nearly dusk, when they boarded the plane. It was almost unbelievable, the knowledge that he was going home. He anticipated it the entire day, yet...
He was going home.
Tony didn't stop to look back. He hurriedly climbed in after Pepper, as if something would crawl from behind to drag him back.
But inside, they were safe. The door sealed behind them, no one slipping past them to do harm.
Tony took a deep breath. He looked around, taking in the familiarity.
Pepper noticed. How he appeared to be so happy, yet so...unnerved.
"Nothing's changed," he said.
"Did you expect it to?" Pepper asked.
Tony just shrugged. He wasn't sure he could explain to her how he felt, so didn't bother with it.
Instead, he sat on the plush seat, looking at it as if it were a foreign object.
"Tony, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm more than fine," he smiled at her. "I'm perfect."
"Oh, really?" she took the seat next to him. "Then why have you been so mopey? Hmm?"
She pushed a lock of stray hair behind his ear.
"Maybe because I need a haircut," he said.
Pepper chuckled.
"I guess everything is going to go back to normal, now," he said, though not believing a word of it.
That Asgardian was still loose.
Loki was apparently stuck on earth for a while and was horribly ill (possibly, possibly).
A Jotun or Asgardian or whatever hybrid was going to grace their planet with her presence sometime soon...
"Looks that way," Pepper said.
Happy sat across the aisle from them, fidgeting with the TV, until he got a rerun of Downton Abbey going.
"Do you really have to watch that, now?" Tony groaned.
"Absolutely I do. No new episodes? I'm going through withdrawals."
"I swear, I'm going to have to put you into some sort of support group."
"I guarantee you, that's never going to happen."
"Did I grab those leftovers? I'm so hungry."
"You just ate," Pepper said.
"You see how skinny I am. I'm kind of funny looking with my bones jutting out every which way."
"I put mine in the kitchen," Happy said. "I think your's was in the same bag."
Tony immediately got up to grab it.
"Is the Scotch back here, too? Oh wait, here it is."
"Tony, no more."
He peeked behind the door with a devastated expression.
"No more? But, I need my Scotch!"
"You already had a glass of wine, today."
"A glass? One little glass is nothing!"
"Okay."
"Yeah, 'okay'. Steve's not my mom and neither are you."
Pepper's eyebrow twitched in irritation.
"I guess you're not getting your alone time."
He stopped, reconsidering the situation.
"Guy, I'd go with the 'alone time,'" Happy said.
Tony pitifully sighed, looking at the brown bottle, then at Pepper.
"Why are you being so mean to me?" he pouted.
"Looking out for your health isn't 'being mean', Tony."
"In this case, it is."
He sat back down, rather roughly, putting the bag of food on Pepper's lap.
"Tony," she growled. "Stop being such a child."
"Come on, Mom and Dad. Don't fight already."
"Yeah, Pepper. Stop fighting already."
She playfully punched him in the arm. He kissed her temple.
"Want some?"
"No thanks. I'm full, still."
"That's not what I meant," he said.
Pepper looked up at him.
He wore a sneaky smile.
"Oh, wow. That's quite romantic," she rolled her eyes.
"I'm sorry. Ahem. Oh dear, sweet Virginia Potts, I don't think I could bear to make this trip without making sweet love to you."
She laughed, shaking her head. Tony kissed her again, this time on the shoulder. Then again, on the neck.
"Happy," Tony said. "Can you do me a favor and, um...kind of go away for maybe an hour or so?"
"An hour? I think you're over estimating."
"Well, half a damn hour. It's been months, Happy. Months! Months!"
"Actually," Pepper said. "It's been five months and a week."
Tony's eyes widened.
"See? She wants me, Happy. She wants me real bad!"
"Okay! Sheesh. Can't even make it five minutes after the opening credits."
"Thank you."
"Yeah, yeah. Just stay away from my seat, please."