A/N: And lastly number 5! This one is going to be shorter than the others simply because I spent all day writing and I'm tired. Hope you all enjoyed this ride! More to come soon, hopefully. Lord knows I have a lot of ideas floating around in my head. Happy reading!
By the time, Bucky and Steve arrived Scott, Pepper and Peter were gone. According to Tony, he had his friend Happy on stand by just in case. They saw a figure laying on the ground and quickly assumed it was the crazy lady Scott talked about over the comms.
Jumping out the car, the friends rushed over only for Bucky to stop. Steve turned to him and frowned in concern. "Are you okay?"
Casting a look at his friend, he rushed forward to the woman. Kneeling down, Steve watched as Bucky lifted the woman with such care that he only saw once before. With him. Steve stared curiously down at the bloody woman, trying to get a good look at her face. Her eyes opened and stared at Bucky.
"W...What are you doing here?" she asked.
Instead of responding, Bucky looked to his friend who stood frozen, waiting on his reaction. The woman turned her eyes on Steve as a look of recognition filled them. "Hey Stevey."
"Vanessa?"
Bucky looked between the two as he helped Vanessa on her feet. Waiting until she was firm on her own Bucky spoke. "What the hell are you doing?"
"I told you."
"Wait, you two know each other?" Steve asked as he pointed between the two. Bucky opened his mouth to explain but Vanessa held up her hand.
"That's a story for another time. Right now, we need to discuss how you never came back." Accusation was clear in her voice. Bucky looked at her but Clint's voice filled their ear pieces.
They're on their way back to the compound. We're right behind them.
I'm in the air above. Tony replied.
Stay low, Tony. We don't want any unwanted attention. Rhodes called out.
Steve looked back at the woman. "The better question is, how did you know we would be here and what did you think you were doing?"
Vanessa raised an eyebrow at him. "How about we discuss this back at the compound?"
Both men looked up at each other. Vanessa laughed. "You know the compound, right? Big place in the middle of an empty field."
"How-" Bucky started.
"How is not important. The fact remains. You have something or rather someone that I want. I know the location of your secret clubhouse. If you don't give me what I want, then I go telling the world and bring reporters to your doorstep. The other option is, you take me with you back to the compound and I keep my mouth shut. The choice is yours gentlemen."
Steve and Bucky looked at each other, both communicating their thoughts.
"Get in the car," Bucky ordered. Vanessa smiled as she walked carefully and dropped into the back seat. Steve and Bucky stood side by side.
"We're definitely in for it now," Steve said as Bucky nodded in agreement.
Tony landed on the grass and immediately shedded his suit and all but ran inside the building. He reached the door and practically threw it open, allowing for it to slam against the wall. The occupants of the room jumped in fright as he bulldozed his way through. Not wasting a second, he wrapped his arms around Peppers shoulders and squeezed her tight against his chest.
"Are you alright?"
He pulled back and started inspecting every inch of her for any hair out of place. "I'm fine, really."
"Are you sure? I think you see Helen just in case."
"Tony, I'm fine. I swear."
Happy took that moment to step up, hoping to relieve some of the stress in his boss and friend's body. "When I got there she was definitely winning. Nearly took me out in the process."
Tony looked to Happy who nodded as if he were confirming his statement. Placing his hands on the side of Peppers face, he looked her in the eyes.
"That's my girl." Leaning down, he sealed his praise with a kiss.
"I pity the fool who gets on the wrong side of Pepper Potts," Scott said from the side. Tony looked at him. From what he could tell, he seemed to be fine too.
"So everyone is fine then?"
Pepper nodded before pulling away. Releasing the man, she walked around to the sofa that he passed without looking. "Tony this is Peter Parker. Peter, this is my fiance Tony Stark."
Tony looked down at the kid. So this is the kid who is causing so much trouble. The boy stared up at him from his perch on the sofa. His face was hidden behind a thick wall of hair. The dirty clothes that hung off his shoulders left a smudge on the sofa when he shifted his weight.
Opening his mouth to say something about it, he caught the eye of Pepper who shook his head. He settled for a greeting instead. "Nice to meet you, Peter."
Peter ducked his head before lifting a hand for a small wave.
He looked around the room, ready to ask where Steve and Bucky were when Friday spoke.
Boss, Captain Rogers is requesting the room.
Frowning, Tony looked to the door only to find Pepper staring at it with wide eyes. She calmly rushed over. "Peter, why don't I show you where you'll be sleeping." The boy looked up at her with curious eyes but followed nonetheless. Scott got up to follow as well but a shake of the head from Pepper told him to stay.
Seconds later Steve entered the room with Bucky and the woman from the parking garage. All the avengers stood on their feet, ready to take aim but it was Tony who spoke.
"Vanessa?"
The woman looked at the billionaire and smiled gently. "Hello Tony."
Steve and Bucky shared a look.
"Someone better explain what's going on and I mean right now," Tony said. His voice no longer held confusion. Instead it held an abundance of anger.
"All in good time, but right now I would like to see my brother.," Vanessa announced.
"You're brother?" Clint echoed.
Tony set a glare on Bucky and Steve as Vanessa spoke her next words. "Yes, my brother. Frank. I do believe you have him locked away in here somewhere."
