Done with Trenton 4
Disclaimer: As usual the recognizable character are not mine I am just taking them out to play for a bit.
AN: I am sorry I disappeared off the earth our world was shaken when we lost my brother a few months ago and I just haven't been able to pull myself out of the dark from it. The loss was sudden and we were completely unprepared not that it is something you can ever truly prepare for.
** I want to send a special thank you to JB for checking on me. It meant a lot and though it took a bit it got me writing again.
Prompt: Skipping the prompt this time around to continue directly from the last chapter.
Steve was loathe to put the woman down for some reason he felt drawn to her in a way he hadn't felt since his time in the war with Peggy. He held her securely in his arms as they traveled in the jet back to the tower. Stephanie had passed out as soon as they were out of sight of the Rangeman building having insisted on moving under her own power to confront Manoso. He had barely caught her before she hit the ground to keep her from causing more damage to herself.
Julie sobbed holding Stephanies hand while Pepper who had come along but stayed with the jet rocked her murmuring soft comfort to the girl. "You are safe now we will get you home I promise."
"It's my fault if Steph hadn't been keeping him away from me she wouldn't have fought him she would have been able to lock herself in and wait for help. This is the second time she has put herself in danger for me." Julie sobbed.
"That is who Stephanie is honey she would have stood her ground no matter who was in that room with her. We don't know if that door would have even held a full grown man of his size back either so lets not borrow trouble. Stephanie is going to be just fine." Pepper soothed the hair back from Julies face.
"I want to stay with her until she is better. Can I call my parents when I get back they will be worried sick by now." Julie asked.
"Of course and you are also welcome with us as long as you like."
Upon landing Natasha and Clint led the way making sure the area was secure before Pepper and Julie were allowed off Steve followed carrying Stephanie who had not come to yet worrying the team. Natasha barked orders as they walked to ensure that there would be no delay in getting Stephanie the care she needed. Tony and Bruce were already in the medical bay with a physician and a couple nurses he had hired to keep the teams care as secure as possible by keeping it in house.
"Jesus tell me the son of a bitch is dead." Bruce muttered.
"He is in the custody of the Trenton PD. Tony do we have any contracts with Rangeman security?" Natasha asked.
"Actually yes they are one of the top rated security companies around. Why?"
"Dump them." Pepper snarled.
Tony looked over surprised at the venom in her voice. " I feel like there is a story here."
"Stephanie used to free lance for them along with her work as a bounty hunter. She also had a relationship with Manoso the owner. She basically told him to put up or shut up because she wanted a real relationship instead of just sharing a bed and friendship and he sent her packing. She pressed the panic button he gave her multiple times and he canceled it instead of answering it." Natasha growled.
"So he dies." Bruce said turning slightly green.
"Oh no dying is to good for him I am going to ruin him his work in security and with the government is done. By the time I am done he will be lucky to work at McDonald's." Tony snarled already beginning to give Jarvis orders.
"Stop. Leave Carlos alone I want nothing more to do with him, but I will not let you destroy him he served his country and paid in blood for our freedom. The fact that he is a complete ass does not mean that he deserves that besides there is Julie top consider." Stephanie said weakly from the hospital bed.
"She wouldn't let us kill him either." Natasha grumbled.
"Fine I won't go out of my way to ruin him, but that doesn't mean we are giving him our business and money." Tony muttered.
"That is your decision just don't make it based on me." Stephanie asked.
It was sometime later when all the tests were back and Tonys personal physician approached her. "Well based on your medical records Stephanie you continue to have more lives than a cat you have a concussion, and a few broken ribs. I do have some sad news it was probably too early for you to tell but you were pregnant about six weeks along and unfortunately the stress on your body was too much. I am not however seeing any reason you would not be able to carry to term in the future if you decide to try again however. I would like to keep you over night just to be safe."
Stephanie began to sob she had been carrying the child of the man she had believed to be the love of her life. She had only just begun to dream of those things because of him and now it seemed like the last piece of her world had fallen apart she would not even have that piece of him to carry with her. Pepper and Julie climbed up on either side of her holding her tight as she cried until eventually the doctor sedated her both of them stayed falling asleep in the stupid king sized hospital bed that Pepper was suddenly grateful for even after having made fun of Tony.
Tony came back in to check on Pepper and Stephanie finding the women asleep he asked Jarvis to take a picture and send it to the teams phones. He laughed when Natasha sent a text back saying "Mines better" Tony had to admit that the picture of Steve holding Stephanie in the jet cuddling her tightly against his chest was adorable.
"We have to get them together." He answered back quickly
"Pepper and I are way ahead of you."
"Why am I not surprised?" Tony chuckled
"Because you are always the last one to know. I think Pepper had plans the moment she heard what happened."
Stephanie woke slowly to find Pepper in a chair beside her bed and Julie still cuddled into her asleep. "Did she contact her parents I know they have to be worried."
"Yes Tony and I talked to them we will be taking her home in a couple days since they are on break anyway. I know she won't go until you take her anyway. Tony already has a college fund set up for her and has bought more stuff for her than the jet can carry." Pepper rolled her eyes.
"Oh I had already started one for her and my nieces he didn't have to do that."
"I know he added more money than they will ever need so that they won't have to work until they complete their degrees or live in a dorm. Tony equates that idea with the seventh circle of hell."
"That sounds about right." Stephanie held her side as she laughed swatting at Pepper. "Don't make me laugh it hurts! Seriously though he didn't have to but I can't tell you how much I appreciate it."
"He meant it when he said this is a family Steph. Tony may be a large child but he get so much joy out of taking care of this family that we all tend to let more than we should slide." Pepper was startled by the tears in Stephanies eyes. "Whats wrong did I say something to hurt you? I'm sorry!"
"No it's just that I finally felt like I had found a family that loved me with Carlos and his men. They treated me like a little sister Pepp I just feel so betrayed."
"We will never treat you like that and anyone who hurts you here answers to me. You matter Steph and we already love you for who you are you have nothing to prove. The fact that that man set you aside says more about him than you."
"I would like to go to my suite if you don't mind Pepp I feel a need for ice cream and Ghost Busters."
"How about we all go to your suite for a movie night."
Less than an hour later Steph found herself cuddled on the couch with Steve while the others used theater style recliners throughout the room. Pizza had been delivered and less than half way through the movie Stephanie had fallen asleep sliding without realizing it to cuddle into Steve who to his credit just covered her to ensure her comfort and continued to watch the movie with a small smile. He never noticed the phones come out to take pictures of them or the telling glances that passed between the others.
Carlos was fit to be tied after Steph left with his daughter and guard dogs. "When did she meet and gain a relationship with the damn Avengers?! This is seriously going to fuck me over they are pissed and their contracts make up a third of our business"
His men looked at him incredulously "Carlos the woman who loved you was injured saving your runaway daughter after you essentially tossed her out like yesterdays garbage and you are worried about fucking contracts?!" Tank snarled.
"Stephanie getting into situations is nothing new Tank. I am grateful she saved Julie but this is hardly news worthy." Carlos sighed
"The panic button Primo? Did you really cancel calls for help instead of routing them? I understand not wanting to see her after ending your relationship but to completely ignore it? She has helped us more times than I can count and still saved your child despite everything." Lester shook his head.
"How was I supposed to know Julie was even involved?" Carlos punched the wall leaving a whole in the drywall.
"When has little girl ever abused her panic button? Hell if anything she ended up injured more times not using it because she didn't want us hurt in the process of helping her. If this is the loyalty you show to the people you claim to care about count me out." Tank said turning to leave.
"Great anyone else abandoning ship? I put this company together to give us a place to go and one bed buddy puts off the rails when she wants more than I am willing to give her."
Lester, Hector, Manny, Hal, and Cal also turned to leave. "I am not staying somewhere family is left to die. Never leave a man behind the army should be ashamed of the man it put into the world I pray to god that your mother does not hear of this. She prayed for Stephanie to fall for you and marry you."
"Where will you all go? You live here and finding work without going back to government contracts will be nearly impossible for you." Carlos sighed seeing his dream begin to crumble and the saddest part it was all his damn fault. He had been a coward and run when his babe needed more expecting her to come back for the crumbs of his life he was willing to give as she always did. Stephanie had found herself and he had lost her. In the process not only had she been injured saving his child but upon lashing out in shock and anger he had lost the respect of his men as well.