Ummmm…..I ….really sorry about not updating. These past three months haven't been great for me, but I hope you enjoy this sorry excuse for a chapter.

Also: Pepper won, so I'm gonna be writing her this week! YEA! Anyways, enjoy.

Disclaimer: seriously still only own my pet Watson

She had been running, for who knows how long ,and had somehow ended up in a group with Thor and Banner. It was brought up that they should try and find the rest of the group, but the idea was quickly pushed down as they agreed that they could take care of themselves, and time was more important. They had something like only a few hours left, which really wasn't a lot of time to find seven notes in a tower with over fifty floors. (No idea actually, but it's my story, so deal with it. :P)

Breathing heavily she came to stop, motioning for the others to as well. "Hold on," she breathed, "I can't go running around like this forever."

Thor nodded, but was bouncing from foot to foot, obviously anxious to get moving again.

Banner just shook his head, waiting patiently while observing every detail of the floor they were on. "Wait a minute," he said, turning in a circle to take more in, "Isn't this yours and Tony's floor?"

Pepper nodded absentmindedly still keeping up a brisk pace, determined to find the notes that would bring her boyfriend home. Since all cellular connection had been lost she was unable to ask SHIELD for help but trusted the capabilities of the others to make up for it. Two of them were agents anyways, so it's not like shield wasn't helping them much.

Keeping up the pace she didn't notice that the lights had begun to flicker, dimming as she made her way to their bedroom, hoping the killer would be mad enough to put a note there. Most were, and others complete idiots. Those were the worst. They only found joy in torturing, not caring about ransom or being found. She shuddered as the thoughts were pushed aside as she gingerly pulled the door open.

By the time she had some to stand by their bed all the lights were out except for those in the bedroom. She began searching for note when the door slammed shut behind her, and the lights in the room went out.

Worried, she tried to pull the door open with no success. She shouted the others names but no answers came, except a low haunting voice.

"Miss Potts, you should keep better track of your family."

Turning she got a full view of the man that must have been the one who had had Clint panicked in the elevator. Then the workshop…

She grabbed the lamp, unplugging it as the lights had come on, and holding it to her body as a weapon. Immediately she regretted not letting Natasha giving her those self-defense lessons they had talked about at breakfast one morning.

The man cocked his head but said nothing. She took the silence as a moment to come forward, "Who are you?" She asked bluntly.

A deep growl escaped him though he had no face, "I am the lost and forgotten. Created over many years from the nightmares of those frozen in fear, and I am your guardian."

She laughed bitterly, "Guardian?"

"Yes."

"What do I need guarding from?"

Then she could see a smile form on his smooth face. A dark smile that was pulled from his lips like taffy, he reached a hand for her, as she reached for the wall before throwing the lamp at him.

The thing screamed as she reached the bathroom locking herself in. She looked around, hopeful for a way out before noticing a single leaf of paper sitting on the edge of the bathtub. She picked it up, reading the contents. Before looking up and seeing the figure in the doorway of the bathroom.

Panicking she backed up before she let out a terrified scream as the floor below them collapsed giving way to floors below.

Oh, what is this? A line break you say?

Clint was getting really tired of finding the notes when he heard the scream and in only a few seconds the ceiling above them gave way.

Steve, who had been standing near Natasha, pushed down as Clint dove out of the way, careful to shield his face with his hands. Not that it did any good, as more debris and dust started to fall on top of their heads, crushing them. Clint barely made out a mess of red hair in front of him as the lights flickered, and he watched as the world faded away.

*singing* line break….line break….

Thor trumped after Banner, a new note clenched tightly between the fingers of his left hand. They both had found it on an entry table when the lights flickered, and they had lost sight of Lady Pepper. They searched in vain for they were un able to use any means of electronics to contact her. All he could do is pray to Valhalla that she was safe, and that they found the strange man before it found her.

He paused to check a doorway but was brought back to where Bruce was when heard a strangled yelp. Running over, where the air smelled burnt, he came upon a large gaping hole in the floor, and Bruce teetering just over the edge.

"Bruce!" He called out; running forward to assist him, but it was too late. As soon as Thor shouted his name, he lost balance and fell through with a strangled yelp.

Thor ran over but stopped when he heard a long guttural roar. Knowing all too well what it meant, he only quickened his speed.

LINE BREAK

Tony shivered as he watched helplessly as the tall man came in; carrying what looked to be a bucket of water.

"Mr. Stark," it seethed, "I am going to have so much fun with you."

So so sorry. Promise better next time. Like I said, been busy, and updates could be like this.

On another note: For those that read 'A Thousand years' I am working on a sort of second chapter that will hopefully be up before November (fingers crossed) that won't be based off the same song, but still a song fic thingy. Whatever you wanna call it.

Also: I am working on a one shot but also have almost an alternate universe thing that will be based roughly off of Iron Man 3, so if you would prefer a one-shot over another story, after this one is finished, let me know, I would love to hear what you think.

Anyone else get what's up with Bruce? *squeals* can't wait for the next chapter.

As always, review, and God bless.