Chapter 7

Iris had spent almost 40 hours so far on a bus, and she still had some time to go. She was mentally exhausted from the long journey, and to top it all off, had to deal with her.

"You know, I still can't believe you actually left. Didn't think you had it in you Blue," other Iris said smirking at the girl smugly. Iris rolled her eyes, pulling the baseball cap further down over her eyes, pointedly ignoring her. Other Iris chuckled darkly.

"You'll have to give in to me eventually. Get rid of me, unlock your powers. The sooner you listen to me and go back, the sooner we can be reunited with lover boy," she sing-songed.

Iris did not appreciate the reminder of Loki in that moment, having seen him almost everywhere she looked. Every time the bus slowed or passed a shop when they had entered a new town or city, she swore she could have seen him standing. He looked angry, terrifyingly so, and it scared Iris. She was not frightened of him per se, but more scared of what that look meant. It had thrilled her in a way that no look he had given her had ever thrilled her before. That dark fury that Loki held within him, appealed to Iris in a way that she feared. She knew she had to face the inner most part of her soul at some point, but she just could not bring herself to do it. She knew that for her to recover fully, she would need to accept that fact that being a part of H.Y.D.R.A. was something she would never get away from. The death, the death she caused, the families she had destroyed, were something she would not get away from. Her demons, as other Iris had told her, did not need put to rest. The skeletons in her closet needed to be brought out, shown to the world. She needed to accept herself fully before she could move on.

Iris took out her headphones, plugging them into her phone, just on the off chance anyone thought she was crazy for talking to herself.

"Wasn't so long ago you thought leaving was a good idea," she said quietly. Other Iris stared at her, with an unreadable look.

"You need to work through the pain, not run from it. It is hard, mortal, truly the most difficult thing you will have to face. Forgiveness will not come from others, it begins with you," she said seriously, tapping Iris over her heart. Scowling, Iris turned away from her. She knew that she was right though. One way or another, she would have to face the truth.

Iris clambered off the bus, muscles aching in protest at the movement after a seriously long journey. She was pleased though, that she had made it almost the full way. One more stretch before she was at the cabin. She was nearly there, and she was mostly happy that no one had followed her or contacted her. Deep down though, she knew that was not the case, hoping that they would have stopped her. Anyone.

Pulling her bag tight across her shoulder, she headed out of the terminal. Looking around at the quaint town, she realised she was way in over her head. The busy streets of New York were nothing compared to what was before her. Iris had forgotten how different the small towns were to the big city. Mainly the fact that there were hardly any people lounging about or rushing to get somewhere. A measly bus stop and no signs for taxis in sight.

Iris raised her hand to open A.I.M.I. Flicking through the digital display quickly, she attempted to get location access, and information about transport options, until she realised something major. Something she had not considered.

"I have no internet. I created an A.I. and did not think about internet connections. I should have used the satellites. Why did I not think about the satellites?!" she whined to herself. Other Iris sniggered, running over to a stand that held maps.

"You did tell Barton to go back to basics. Solid Plan. I like it. Hope you enjoy walking." Iris huffed out a breath, walking over and lifting a map. In that moment she really regretted leaving the Avengers.

*At the compound*

Steve and Bucky walked in, slowly, desperately praying for a miracle that none of them were in. Much to their disappointment, Tony held the conference door open indicating them to come in. Bucky would not meet his gaze the look of disappointment on his face said it all.

When the two men entered the room, they were met with glares, and angry faces. Nat was the only one with a look of sympathy. Clint was pacing back and forth at the other end of the room, muttering angrily. Steve and Bucky both noted that Loki was not it in the room, but neither dwelled too much on it. They would both be grateful later that the God was not here to kick either of their asses.

As Bucky sat beside Nat, Steve on his other side, she turned to the brown-haired male.

"Ty oblazhalsya [You fucked up]," she said quietly. Bucky sighed, looking at the ground.

"Da [Yes]," he replied almost as quietly. She moved her head slightly in Clint's direction.

"On ub'yet tebya [He will kill you]," she said, seriously. Bucky shook his head, s mall dark chuckle leaving his lips.

"Takzhe da [Also yes]," he replied. Glancing at where Tony stood in front of the projected screen.

"Klint yeye zakonnyy opekun, my videli vse eto v lente bezopasnosti. Skazal mne posle togo, kak on nablyudal, kak ona zaprygnula v eto taksi. [Clint's her legal guardian. We saw it all on security feed. Told me after he watched her jump into that taxi]," she said with barely a whisper. Bucky turned his head to look back at Clint, who met his eyes. Rage and fear fluttered back and forth, before Clint swore at him, punching the wall.

"Please tell me you have a plan?" he asked exasperated, turning to face Tony. Tony leaned on his end of the table, his hands balled into fists, nodding slowly. He let out a long breath.

"J.A.R.V.I.S. was able to follow the taxi to the bus station. I know she went into the bus station, changed her clothes. She is heading to a safe house; the only question is which one. There are several one is we do not know about, several ones that are inactive. I don't think she would go to one we know about," he said, pointing to different places on a map. They all nodded slowly, exchanging worried glances with one another. They were all worried about her, but no one seemed to be more hurt than Clint, and Loki.

"We have to find her. We need a plan," Clint's voice broke, and Loki, hesitantly, came and stood beside him, a hand on his shoulder. They shared a moment, and Clint nodded.

"We will find her." Loki said it with such a ferocity. The other Avengers looking at the two.

"We need a plan," said Steve, looking to Tony. The determination was catching like wildfire.

"How do you look for someone who doesn't want to be found?" asked Peter. They all looked at him like he had ten heads.

"We don't look for her. We look for the perfect place to go undercover. Hide in plain sight. Then we bring her home. It's worked before," said Nat.