Chapter 9: Strong Shot of Honesty

Game night. The biggest night here at the Avengers Tower. Involving alcohol, random board games, and idiocy.

We were having our monthly game night, and Unc informed me of Maria coming over tonight for it as well. She was really nice, with brown hair that's nearly always pulled back, and she always holds herself high with her chin up and out, and her blue eyes were always kind but calculating.

It's been one week since Steve and I kissed for the first time, and he has already spoken to Unc, who, very generously, told him that if he wanted to stay out of another block of ice, he'd ensure he treats me right. The conversation with my dad went a little differently.

My dad is a fan of his. And when he called, I swear to god it sounded like he stopped breathing. When he asked if he could take me on a date, he sounded like a little girl squealing "yes, yes, of course!" I called him later and he told me he was happy for me...that I was adjusting well.

The threat of Victoria has been rampant in my mind this past few days though. I haven't heard word from Jake or anyone from the pack. The last I was told was that they are trying to locate the Cullens to at least request their assistance since this was their mess, but they have had no luck. I don't know how to feel about the possibility of having them back to even help me, but if it means keeping my family and friends safe, I will do whatever it takes and talk to whoever I need to in order to ensure that happens.

Until I hear word though, I've been trying to distract myself, and with Steve, that is not a hard task.

We have our first "official" date tomorrow night, and I couldn't be more excited. He told me a bit of what we are doing, knowing I hate surprises, but has been discreet about other parts, merely stating "you will love it, I promise."

I look around the room, a BudLight in my hand, and take notice of the people I have come to think of as my family as well. Nat and Wanda were on the couch talking with Maria, Bruce and Unc were in a heated and animated conversation by the bar, Thor and Clint were standing with Steve, talking about something I couldn't hear.

I watched Steve for a moment, unable to help the small smile on my face. His glanced at me, and when he caught my eye, he turned more to me and gave a beatific smile that made my heart flutter. He turned to Unc and said something before he strolled over to me.

"Milady," he came up and bowed slightly, and I giggled. "May I have this dance?"

"Why of course, kind sir," I exclaimed, fluttering my lashes at him, taking his hand as he pulled me close to him.

"You know," he said into my ear quietly. "I've-I've never danced with anyone before. Other than maybe my mom." I pulled back slightly to look him in the eyes.

"Then I'm honored you chose me to be your first dance, Steve," I said with a gentle smile. He returned it with one of his own, and pulled me closer to him, and I laid my head on his chest as his chin rested on the top of my head.

For this one night, everything was perfect.

The next morning? Not so much.

I woke up to my phone buzzing, and I looked at the caller ID. Jake flashed on the screen, and my heart stopped.

I quickly put the phone to my ear, and stood out of bed a little too quickly, losing my balance having just woken up.

"Jake?"

"Bella," his voice was panicked.

"Jake? What's going on? What's wrong?"

"She knows Bella. And she's gone. We can't get her scent anywhere. And we still can't find the Cullens. And-and Bella...it's Charlie."

With that sentence. My whole world stopped. I dropped the phone.

Charlie. Dad. I ran to my closet and grabbed my duffle. I threw my clothes in the bag as quickly as I could.

Dad. I need to get to dad. Now. Yesterday.

My brain was a foggy mess. I couldn't think straight. I could hear Jake trying to still talk to me, so I picked up my phone.

"Bella! He's okay! He's okay! We stopped her! He's banged up but he's 100% okay! Bella? Are you there?"

"I'm leaving now." My voice was monotone.

"No! Bella you can NOT come back. She will find you here. She will fucking kill you!"

"She's going to kill me either way Jacob! She's smart, she's fast, and she has a gift for escaping. And the Cullens...the Cullens left with her still there! I'm not letting anyone else suffer at her hands in my place. It's not happening."

"Bella, don't make me do it. Don't make me tell on you."

"What are we Jake? 5? Who are you going to tell? My dad? Oh wait I forgot. He got hurt by Victoria!" I yelled.

"Bella, you need to stay there, you are safer there than here. You know Charlie would want that."

I sank to the floor and a sob ripped from my chest.

"Jake...please...I need to come see him. I can't-"

"I know, Bella," he cut me off. "I'll make sure to bring Charlie to you soon. But please promise me...you need to stay there. The pack is already stretched thin. If you're here...I can't guarantee we can protect you and Charlie and she'd get through."

That was what crumbled my resolve. I couldn't take focus off of protecting Charlie. But- there was one more parent I needed to check in on, and I realized it quickly.

"Florida," I whispered.

"What?"

"Jake. My mom. She's going to Renee. She's not protected. I need to tell Tony. I can't leave her unprotected. I have to tell the secret about vampires."

"Bella-"

"Do not try talking me out of this. My parents are not her key to punishment. And I'll be damned if a fucking vampire causes them death or grievous harm."

I snapped the phone shut and slammed my door open and ran to my uncles office. I didn't bother knocking, I charged in and froze when I saw Thor, Steve, Banner, and Unc talking at the desk.

"Everyone get out. Now. I need to talk to my uncle. Family matters."

Steve stared at me, a slight hurt look on his face, but I couldn't linger. Tony look one look at my face and shoved everyone out.

He shut the door, and locked it.

"JARVIS, turn on privacy mode." He waited until he heard the confirmation from JARVIS before he turned to me.

"What is it Bella?"

"Mom."

He froze and stared at me.

"And dad."

"What's happening?"

"Dad was attacked. Mom is next. And it's my fault uncle. I'm so fucking sorry, it's all my fault," and I broke. I completely fell apart into his arms and he just held me, his face bewildered, concerned, and a tint of rage.

"You need to explain Bella. I don't understand."

"Victoria. She's coming for me. But she's making stops everywhere she goes and hurting the people I love. And I just know she's going after mom next. She got dad already, and Jake told me they lost her, and Charlie's okay but he-"

"Stop." He held his hand up. "Who is Victoria?" I looked at my feet.

"She's a vampire, Uncle Tony." His hand fell, and he released me. He took a step back, and just stared at me.

"What happened to you in Phoenix-"

"I didn't fall down any stairs. I didn't fall through a window. Victoria's mate, James, was hunting me. The Cullens protected me and killed him. She's out for revenge by trying to get to me. Because in her mind, it's my fault James is dead."

He hit the wall and just stood there for a moment, looking at me but not seeing me.

"You know, I read about vampires in SHIELDS files, and I had seen the Cullens file. But, I don't know. A part of me hoped it was fake." His eyes finally snapped to mine. "She's going after Renee."

"Yes."

"My sister, your mother, Renee?"

"Yes."

"How much time do we have?"

"Not a lot. Jake called me this morning to tell me they lost her. They couldn't catch her scent. It was gone by the time they were able to try to track her."

"Let's go." He turned to the door. "JARVIS, turn off privacy mode." He swung the door open, and I saw Steve perched at the end of the hall, waiting for us. I looked at him and felt myself crumple again. He noticed and strode up to me and engulfed me in his arms, holding me close to him.

"Rogers. Get the team. Now."

"Right away," he ran down the corridor and disappeared. Tony stared after him.

"You're staying here while I deal with this."

"No."

"That was not a request."

"I'm your niece not your employee, and I make decisions for myself. I'm a legal adult, you can't keep me from going to my mom. This is my fault, not hers." He swirled around to face me, and for once, his face was all anger and no humor.

"This is not your fault. It's hers, and theirs. And I'm trying to protect you, so let me kid."

"I'm the one who got involved with the Cullens. This is my mess Uncle, you can't stop me."

He stared at me a moment before sighing.

"You stay away from the fight if there is one. You focus purely on your mom, and getting her to the jet. Let us take care of this, and just tell us how to kill the sons of bitches."

"Agreed."

The team met at the large table, and Tony cleared his throat.

"This is a personal mission. And you are going to hear some things that will be difficult to believe. But remember who is telling you this information, and keep an open mind. Lives depend on it," he gestures to me. "Bella, debrief the mission."

I stood up. "My father was attacked." I heard the intake of breathe from Steve as he clutched my hand. "And the woman who attacked him...she is on her way to my mothers. And she is on her way there...trying to find me."

I paused for a moment to let that sink in, and it was quiet. Until hell broke loose.

"What do you mean she's trying to find you?"

"Bella, what are you talking about?"

"Why would someone be trying to hunt you down?"

"I don't understand."

"Bella?" Steve's voice was soft, and filled with confusion, and fear. I looked him in the eyes and tears welled up.

"I wasn't completely honest about my past. The guy who left me in the woods...he's a vampire. And the reason he left was because he felt like he was constantly putting me in danger. The woman that's hunting me, Edward killed her mate, because he was hunting me. And she chose to enact her revenge on him...through me. And since she hasn't found me, she has decided to go after the ones I love in return. Whether it be as an indirect punishment, or to lure me out, we don't know. But what I do know, is Jacob lost her. He can't find her. And Charlie was attacked. And I know in my gut Renee is where she is headed, and it's most likely because she is hoping I am there with her."

There was no noise. It was so silent a pin could drop and we'd hear it. I felt Steve's hand drop from mine and I looked at him. He sat there, his face an array of emotions. I tried not to be hurt by the releasing of my hand, and instead looked at the rest of the team.

Nat was sitting there with a bewildered look, Wanda had a horrified expression prevalent on her face, Bruce looked intrigued but disgusted, Clint looked murderous, and Thor...Thor looked like...he knew this. I studied him, and he noticed, so he opened his mouth to speak.

"Your realms vampires are quite extraordinary. I've met some in passing. They are very difficult to kill, but we could have the lightning on our side. Tony, if you have fire blasts, those will be effective as well. But none of you are strong enough to take on a Midguardian vampire without fire and faster reflexes. I say Tony, Steve and I take care of this-"

"I'm going." I interrupted. That's when ALL fucking hell broke loose.

"Are you fucking insane Bella?!"

"Tony you can't have agreed to this."

"You can't go TO the bitch trying to kill you Bella for godsake!"

"No." Steve's voice rang out. He stood up, and his chair slammed back against the floor. He whirled me to look at him, and forced me to look into his eyes. He stopped and stared at me, and I looked right back at him, showing my resolve. He shook his head and his face crumpled.

"You are in danger. I can't stand by, but if you go, I'll be too distracted Bella. I won't be able to focus on the mission, and it's imperative that I do, because you ARE the mission."

"Steve, I'm not going as bait. I'm helping get my mom out. She's by herself, as long as you three keep her occupied, I can get my mom to safety. I wasn't asking anyone for permission. I either go with you guys, or I figure out a way to go alone. I was actually planning on going alone-" I was cut off.

"Are you fucking insane?" Tony's voice was deep with rage. "You were going to just what? Up and leave and face a vengeful, murderous vampire without even telling us? We're your family Bella. Family doesn't do that." I bristled.

"Uncle, with all due respect, those are my PARENTS. Put yourself in my shoes. What would you do if you had just found out the vampire that's been hunting you attacked your father, and was on her way to your mother?" I silenced him with that question, and he sighed.

"Just in case," he rubbed his face with his hand. "I have a suit for you. That happens to have fire blasters. You take it with you. It's activated through bracelets and nano tech. I will show you how to use it before we leave."

"You can't be serious about her going, Tony." Nat said.

"You heard her. She either goes with us where we can protect her, or she will find a way to go alone, and she will for sure be dead. Which do you prefer Romanoff?"

And with that question, there was little said afterwards.

"Well," I said. "Let's get to training on the suit really quick, then go save my mom."