Allie
III
The woman has wavy brown hair, kind eyes, and a guarded expression. She's been knocking on the glass door.
Tony steps out with me behind him and the doors slide open.
She enters and takes three steps before Tony holds up his armored hand.
"Right there's fine," he says and his face mask lifts up. "You're not the Mandarin, are you?" He pauses before asking again, more pointed this time. "Are you?"
"You don't remember. Why am I not surprised?" she muses with a smirk. Oh, this must be an old fling.
"Don't take it personally, I don't remember what I had for breakfast," Tony counters and I snort.
"Gluten-free waffles, sir."
"That's right."
"Okay, look, I need to be alone with you. Someplace not here, it's urgent," she hisses intently and the fear on her face says it all.
"Normally, I'd go for that sort of thing, but now I'm in a committed relationship," Tony explains and steps aside to reveal me.
"It's...with her." Maya frowns and looks me up and down.
"Hi, I'm Allie," I greet and she hastily smiles politely at me. "Come in to our living room."
Maya takes a step forward and Tony a step back.
Just as I make a move for the couch two bags are thrown down from the above balcony. I let out a squeal of surprise and leap back.
"Those are her bags," Tony mutters.
"Shiny pants, is somebody there?" Gabie calls.
"Yeah, it's Maya Hansen. Old botanist pal that I used to know, barely," Tony responds and steps out of the suit.
As Gabie starts walking downstairs, Tony moves towards Maya and speaks quietly. I can still hear of course, he doesn't keep secrets from me.
"Please don't tell me that there is a twelve year-old kid waiting in the car that I've never met," Tony begs.
"He's thirteen." Tony and I both seize in panic before Maya finishes. "And no, I need your help."
"What...what for? Why now?" Tony stammers, still recovering from the close call.
"Because I read the papers, and, frankly, I don't think you'll last the week," she deadpans.
"I'll be fine," Tony huffs.
"Well quite frankly I hope you die in this coffin you've made," Gabie spits out and pulls me away from him roughly. "Who's this an unexpected old girlfriend?"
"She's not really-"
"No, not really. It...it was just one night," Maya states firmly and shrugs.
"Yep," Tony agrees.
"That's how you did it, isn't it?" Gabie remarks callously and pushes me back.
"Stop throwing me around like a rag doll," I huff.
"It was a great night," Tony comments and Gabie glowers.
"You take care speaking like that in front of your poor virgin soulmate," she scolds and my face burns up. Oh if only she knew what we got up to the other night. Gabie lurches forward so I grab her to hold her back from Tony.
"Gabie what the hell?" I whine and she shoves me off.
"Allie this man has had more one night stands that you've had therapy appointments," Gabie points out and I gape. What a cold thing to say!
"I wasn't even alive most of the time he was having those flings so they don't count!" I argue pointlessly and Gabie gives me an incredulous stare. "Yeah that was a dumb remark."
"Well, you know...you have saved yourself a world of pain Maya Hansen. I mean look at this mess," Gabie rants and redirects to her.
"I'm sure," Maya agrees and Tony frowns.
"What?" he grumbles.
"Gabie this is not a world of pain! I'm perfectly happy with him," I interject but Gabie ignores me. When she gets on a warpath there is no stopping her.
Gabie turns to Tony and smiles prettily before speaking in a cold tone.
"Tony, Allie is going out of town."
"Okay, yeah nope. I have two more days with her before we go to the tower together."
"Yep she's going."
"The man says no," Tony dictates and I furrow my eyebrows. Tony notices and fixes his statement. "The person in charge says no."
"Immediately and indefinitely!" Gabie adds defiantly. "If it was up to me Stank you would never see her again."
"Gabie!" Tony and I snap.
"That's a great idea. Let's go. I'll-"
"I'm sorry. That's a terrible idea. Please don't touch her bags," Tony growls, cutting Maya off sharply. She stops going for the bags and crosses her arms.
"Tony, once you start acting normal and the threat is gone she can come back," Gabie bargains and I scoff. I hate being talked about as if I'm not right here.
"I can't protect you out there. I challenged a terrorist," Tony points out.
"So you brought the threat here?" Gabie retorts.
"Is...is that normal?" Maya inquires and points at the giant stuffed rabbit. She seems unfazed by the loud argument.
"Yes, this is normal!" Tony shouts.
"Amazingly, that is very normal," I exclaim. "Doesn't it look so cuddly!?"
"Yeah...and huge," Maya says.
"It's a big bunny, relax about it!" Tony shouts, he seems to be getting mad.
"A huge bunny I love!" I chime in.
"Why does everyone keep talking about the rabbit?! Pepper even called me about it!"
"Calm down Stark!" Gabie admonishes. "Look Natasha and Steve are-"
"You told Natasha and Steve! They're never gonna trust me again!"
"Good! That's the fucking point! You put Allie in danger!"
Tuning out Tony and Gabie, I slide over to Maya and smile invitingly.
"Hi," she says awkwardly.
"Sorry about all this racket, usually it's a bit more peaceful. Gabie is my best friend so she's just worried about me," I explain. "So what do you do now? Or are you still into botany?"
Maya doesn't answer, her eyes are fixed on the security screen on the wall.
Outside helicopters are heading towards us.
"Here come the news copters," I mutter in annoyance.
"Tony, Allie is leaving the house; that's not even up for discussion," Gabie proclaims sternly.
"I said no!" Tony fires back and Gabie rolls her eyes.
"Guys, can we um-"
"What?" Tony and Gabie snarl.
"Do we need to worry about that?" Maya points in the screen and my eyes widen.
A missile is coming right towards us.
"Yeah we do need to worry about that," Tony and Gabie breathe out.
"Everyone get do-"
The missile hits the house before Gabie can finish.