Eight months later.
Laura was in a therapist office.
It was small and she was laying on the leather couch.
The doctor herself was sitting on a chair on the other side of the room with a clipboard and pen in her hands.
The blinds were drawn so the sun shined through them.
She forced herself to go to one after avoiding it for years.
And well she had finally lost control, more than once after the recent events.
"Ms. Watson. I understand this is your first time attending one of these sessions but I promise you, nothing you say will leave this room. You have full doctor client confidentiality." the doctor reassured her in her kind voice after a few minutes of silence.
"Okay, okay… uh I'm not really sure how these things work but uh I guess what I should do is start from the end because it correlates to the beginning and what happened…" she rambled but sighed.
She pinched the bridge of her nose underneath her glasses and closed her eyes.
"Let me start from the beginning…"
One month earlier.
December 21, 2012.
The White House.
Laura was standing next to President Ellis in the Oval Office.
Behind the Resolute Desk with a bill on his desk.
She was dressed in her best black pant suit for the ceremony.
With an American flag pin pinned to her coat.
Her glasses covering the large bags under her eyes.
The room was filled with the press who were flashing their cameras and recording them.
"And now I would like to sign the landmark climate legislation, the "Clean Zero Act." With this pledge, the Ellis Administration will begin to transition the federal government to clean energy and Zero emissions. We will begin with the installation of the Stark Solar Roof on the White House and all federal buildings. As the Roxxon oil spill in the gulf as showed us our planet can not wait. I would personally like to thank Stark Industries for its partnership and Ms. Watson for forging the path for this landmark achievement." Ellis complimented.
"It's my honor, Mr. President." she smiled widely at the cameras.
He signed the bill with multiple pens while the photographers took their picture.
He gave her a ceremonial pen and got up.
"And lastly I would like to personally give Ms. Watson the Presidential Medal of Freedom." Ellis announced.
She gasped in surprise, being blinded by the flashes from the cameras.
He pulled out the black case and opened it. She watched him pull out the blue ribbon and got up from his seat.
He stepped behind her to clasp it on her neck and around her necklace.
The medal itself hanging on her chest.
"Ms. Watson, I would like to personally thank you for your endless and tireless service to our country. You have served and sacrificed for it and I am deeply honored to bestow this medal upon you." Ellis thanked her.
"I… thank you, Mr. President…" she managed to say.
Completely caught off guard and speechless by the act.
The two shook hands for the press but suddenly the joint chiefs marched into the room, getting everyone's attention.
Murmurings were heard while two generals whispered in the President's ear.
Laura and the press were begun to rush out but Ellis spoke up.
"No, Ms. Watson stays. She's apart of our security apparatus. I want her on top of this along with Colonel Rhodes." he ordered.
"Yes, sir." the grey haired general nodded.
"What's going on?" Laura asked confused.
The last of the press were rushed out by the secret service and the general turned on the TV.
"This ma'am." the general got her attention.
He and the others walked over and stood to the right of the President and she to his left.
The regular programming was interrupted with loud static and then a "Ten Rings" symbol appeared on the screen with the sound of static.
Laura clenched the corner of the desk while Ellis leaned towards the TV intently.
Her breathing became hitched and she used all of her strength to remain in control in front of the room full of powerful men.
Bad memories of her captivity were filling her mind which she failed to keep out.
She watched a grey haired bearded man in shades address his soldiers who were men in turbans.
There was also a row of men who were forced to their knees and blindfolded.
"Some people call me a terrorist, I consider myself a teacher. America, ready for another lesson. In 1864 in Sand Creek Colorado the U.S. military waited till the friendly Cheyenne braves all gone hunting, waited to attack and slaughter their families left behind, and claim their land. Thirty-nine hours ago the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait was attacked. I...I...I did that." Laura's breathing became hitched and she clenched the desk until her knuckles turned white at the large fiery explosion at the Air Base on the TV.
"A quaint military church filled with wives and children, of course. The soldiers were out on maneuvers, the braves were away. President Ellis, you continue to resist my attempts to educate you, sir. And now, you've missed me again. You know who I am, you don't know where I am, and you'll never see me coming." the transmission ended as abruptly as it began and MSNBC news appeared back on the TV.
"Now that we seem to be back…" she heard the voice of the anchor while she coughed and focused on her breathing.
Desperately trying to regain control of herself.
"Ms. Watson…?" she heard a voice.
"Ms. Watson, are you alright?" she heard Ellis' voice.
She snapped out of it quickly and nodded.
"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir." she nodded firmly.
"I was asking you if you wanted to join me in the press conference. I want to reassure the public and with your presence we'd look strong doing that?" he asked.
"Of course sir. I am a joiner after all."
The President nodded approvingly and led her out to the Press Briefing room.
The rows of chairs were filled with the same reporters from her earlier press conference as she watched Ellis address them from the Podium.
Flanked by the American flag.
Laura was standing to the side of it, next to the Vice President.
"Central to my Administration's response to this terrorist event, is a newly minted resource. I know him as Colonel James Rhodes, the American people will soon know him as the Iron Patriot." he announced.
Laura frowned as she watched Rhodey march in inside his War Machine suit that was painted in a patriotic red, white, and blue.
She hated it immediately.
Ellis concluded the press conference and gave her a nod before walking out.
She nodded back and walked over towards Rhodey.
"Wow Rhodey how the mighty have fallen." she joked.
"Yeah, yeah, get it all out of your system." he sighed, not looking forward to it.
"I feel very inspired and patriotic right now." she continued but yawned widely.
"Are you okay?" he asked with worry, seeing the bags under her eyes, ignoring her jabs at him.
"I'm fine, Rhodey. Just tired. I actually need to head back to Los Angeles. I've stayed here longer than I planned too." she said while checking her watch, seeing "6:45PM" on the analog interface.
"Okay Laura. I'll try to drag Tony out so we can go to lunch. Have a safe flight. And congratulations." Rhodey s complimented while nodding at her award and hugged her.
"Thanks, You too." she hugged him back.
After grabbing her bag from the Secret Service, she walked out of the White House to the driveway.
It was dark out but the large Christmas tree in the front yard illuminated the area.
She felt the breeze of the winter D.C. air as she headed towards the black Tahoe.
Her driver opened the door for her to let her step inside.
"Thanks." she nodded but her Stark phone 3 began to vibrate.
Her driver walked around to the driver seat and began to drive the SUV out the gate while she grabbed it.
"Hey Pepper." she greeted.
"Hi Laura. I was just checking in after your press conference. You looked good and congrats on your Medal of Freedom. You deserve it, truly." Pepper complimented.
She smiled and leaned back into her seat and smiled.
"Thanks Pepper. I'm still in shock about it…" she said while clenching the medal itself that was still around her neck.
"Shame about The Mandarin though." she frowned.
"Don't worry the Stark Foundation is on standby to assist the families but Laura you've made more inroads in Washington in the past few months than I have in years. Thank you!" Laura heard her relieved voice.
"I mean to be fair it does help being a famous Avenger. And lets be honest, President Ellis took the first opportunity to be next to me." she shrugged.
"That's true I suppose. So are you heading back to the airport?" Pepper asked her.
"Yeah, I'll be in the office first thing tomorrow." she nodded.
"Ok. Good night Laura."
"Night." Laura hanged up and placed her phone back in her bag.
She looked out the windshield to see herself stuck in traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Seeing brake lights ahead of her she leaned back into her seat and groaned.
She was tired.
More so these days but no matter how hard she tried or wanted to she couldn't sleep.
But she closed her eyes to at least try to get some rest even if sleep continued to evade her.
The next morning, Laura was back in her office.
Stacks of unorganized forms and reports were sprawled over her desk.
The usually neat and organized person had led her office become a mess.
It was late in the morning while she was going over a 10-k.
The company had issued another stock split and thanks to her share in the company that had made her a billionaire.
Although she didn't feel any different herself.
Stark was still growing and the current Christmas shopping season had turned record profits.
Although she suspected Iron man and herself being Avengers had something to do with it.
She sighed and took a sip of her coffee.
She once again hadn't gotten any sleep last night.
One of the beads on her bracelet began to glow blue and she smiled.
She lifted her wrist up to her face and T'Challa's head appeared from his shoulders upwards.
"Hi." she greeted with her fingers.
"Hi Laura. I see you discovered how the bracelets work now?" he joked and she grinned.
"Yeah these things are amazing! I'm still discovering many… useful applications for these beads. Like instant communication." she replied.
"So, Baba and I watched your press conference yesterday. I did not know you had a knack for politics." he joked and she groaned.
"Trust me I don't. But thank you. So, uh is my next visit still on?" she asked hopefully.
Yes. Although when will be up to you." T'Challa nodded.
"That will be If I can get away from this place. I'm trying to get everything done so I have Christmas cleared. No promises though. Sorry, T'Challa." she apologized.
"I understand but Shuri won't." he joked with a smile.
"Yeah… she reminds me of myself for better or worse for you." she joked with a point of her finger at him.
They smiled at each other but her phone vibrated once again.
"Sorry, T'Challa I gotta take this. I'll talk to you tomorrow okay?" she asked.
"I look forward to it Laura."
"Me too. Bye T'Challa."she ended the call and sank back into her chair. Her relationship seemed fine… on paper.
They were friends, yes.
They talked regular just like they had when she met him.
But her feelings for him were getting harder and harder to deny.
Which was strange because she had never felt those specific feelings towards a specific person.
And she wondered if he felt the same way.
Granted, she always thought about that week when she visited Wakanda.
How nice and sweet he was.
And how he made her laugh and smile.
Also him being handsome and strong didn't help either.
"Don't be ridiculous." she scoffed out loud.
He was a Prince of a secret utopia and while she may be an Avenger she was paralyzed, had severe trust issues, and was doing her best to keep her life from unraveling.
She nearly lost control yesterday in front of the President of all people!
Her phone vibrated again, snapping her out of it.
She saw a text from Rhodey on the screen and pressed her fingerprint against it to unlock the biometric security.
"I was able to drag Tony out of the shop for lunch. Usual place on the beach in Malibu?" he asked via text.
She smiled and texted back "Yes! Be there in an hour."
Tony was another problem she should deal with.
Ever since New York he had retreated to his workshop.
She hardly saw him.
Not that she blamed him for wanting to hide but she didn't have that luxury, she thought bitterly.
She pushed her chair back and grabbed her bag that was by her feet.
Perhaps some lunch and a brief escape from the office would do some good for her state of mind.
An hour later, she, Rhodey and Tony were at their usual restaurant up in Malibu.
She was still in her pant suit for work while the two were dressed more casual.
The bar and restaurant was crowded, thanks to the three friends being there.
Laura couldn't remember how the conversation turned to Rhodey's Iron Patriot machine but she and Tony had turned it to mocking the suit and him.
"I am Iron Patriot." Tony joked in a mock voice.
"Reporting for duty, sir." Laura said while giving Rhodey a mock salute with a smile.
"Oh yeah sorry." Tony joked while giving one as well.
The two smiled at each other while Rhodey groaned.
"Listen, War Machine was a little too aggressive, alright? This sends a better message." he argued.
"And I feel like I should be saluting you President Watson." Tony joked while saluting her instead.
"I thought we were making fun of James, Iron Patriot Rhodes." she deflected with a joke.
Rhodey just sighed and pinched his nose with annoyance.
"So what's really goin' on? With Mandarin. Seriously, can we talk about this guy?" Tony asked with a whisper.
"Yeah, seriously his whole terror campaign is actually becoming an issue?" Laura asked as well while the two leaned across the table towards him.
"It's classified information, you guys. Okay, there have been nine bombings." he whispered.
"Nine. But I thought there were only three?" Laura asked surprised.
"The public only knows about three. Here's the thing, nobody can ID a device. There's no bomb casings." Rhodey explained.
"You know I can help, just ask. I got a ton of new tech, I got a prehensile, I got a...I got a new bomb disposal. Catches explosions mid-air." Tony said while making a "catch" gesture with his arm.
Laura frowned, just realizing he was just as exhausted as she was.
"Tony are you okay?" she asked with a fine.
"I'm fine Watson." he dismissed.
She frowned and drank from her glass of bourbon.
"Look, you guys. People are concerned about you. I am concerned about you." Rhodey said while looking between his friends, seeing how similarly tired they were looking.
"Einstein slept three hours a year. Look what he did?" Tony dismissed.
"Yeah and I have a company to run." Laura crossed her arms.
"No. No, look, I'm not trying to be a dic…" he tried again but suddenly a young boy and girl came up to their table, getting their attention.
"...Tator" he finished awkwardly.
"Do you mind signing my drawing?" the girl asked Laura sweetly and she smiled at her.
"I'd love to. What's your name?" she asked while looking down at her from her stool.
"Erin! You are my favorite Avenger! Thank you! Thank you!" the girl grinned while giving her a crayon.
"Aw thank you." Laura smiled back.
She always had a soft spot for kids.
She took it and looked down at the picture that was done in crayon.
She looked up to see Tony and Rhodey signing the boy's picture.
She looked back down at the picture to see it was with her, Rhodey and Tony fighting.
She saw the buildings which she assumed was New York and the Chituari chariots flying overhead.
Her breathing became hitched and she struggled to press the crayon in the corner of the drawing.
She took her shaking hand to the corner of the drawing and heard the distant voices of Tony and Rhodey.
She didn't see or hear Tony abruptly leave the table. Or Rhodey chasing after him.
She forced herself to sign the drawing while sweat poured down her forehead.
"Ms. Watson? Are you all right?" a woman asked her.
She looked up to see Erin's mom protective wrapping her arms around her daughter.
"Oh yeah. I'm so sorry. Uh here Erin…" she gave her the drawing and stumbled upwards.
Knocking the stool over she rushed out of the crowded bar and onto the patio.
She saw a crowd of people looking back to the street but Tony took off in his new Mark XLVII suit high into the sky.
She pushed herself through the crowd of people and towards her McLaren parrel parked on the side of the street.
A pair of hands grabbed her shoulders to stop her.
"Laura, Laura are you alright?" Rhodey asked with worry while turning her back to him.
"I'm fine Rhodey! Get off me!" she shrieked while yanking herself free from his grip.
She ran towards her car and swung open the scissor door.
She slammed it shut and sped off, burning rubber.
Gripping the steering wheel tightly as she sped back towards the office she took deep calming breaths.
She couldn't even have lunch without almost having a breakdown.
So she would do what she always did. Distract herself with her work.
Author's notes: to SailorSedna052: I'm not sure how this story will incorporate into Wakanda Forever. We'll have to wait and see when the movie comes out.
Also thanks to all of those who recently Favorited and Followed this story has gotten the past two week!
