well, last chapter was a doozy

fury: you can say that again

me: well, last chapter was a doozy XD

fury: you know what

Jarvis: anyways, let's start the next chapter before something else happens

Chapter 26

Bella got dressed in the evening gown that was delivered to her room for dinner. Truthfully she didn't want to do this, but Howard convinced her to do it since it would most likely help them get through easily. She sighed reluctantly but smiled when she saw the dress. It was simple and elegant at the same time.(pic link on profile) It was a red floor length dress that had a small white floral design that went on a slant turning the dress from red to white. It had a small silver necklace and she decided to wear it as well. She looked in the mirror and smiled seeing as the dress worked for her perfectly. She proceeded to look around her room while she waited.

It was large, beige room that matched the house. She had a large bed, closet, vanity, and dresser that were a mahogany color with black. It was rather beautiful, but she missed the one she shared at home with Tony. She sighed and let her thoughts drift to him. She missed him and she couldn't even focus without him. He was just to perfect for her own good and it didn't even make sense! No one should be that loving or caring, but then again no one was like Tony Stark. She smiled at the thought and didn't realize that Howard walked in.

"You look great" he said breaking her train of thought.

"Huh? Oh, thanks" she smiled they walked downstairs in silence when Howard sighed.

"Listen Bella, I don't want to do this either but we have to cooperate" he said

"And if we don't" she asked

"I don't want what happened to Maria to happen to you" He said quietly. She stared at him confused before realizing that Maria was Tony's mother.

"What happened to her" she asked quietly

"I refused to build them anymore weapons and they killed her in front of my eyes" Bella froze in her stride and stared at him. He walked over to her and grabbed her hand then rubbed circles on the back of it.

"Don't worry, Bella. I won't let that happen to you" he promised. She nodded her head meekly and he wrapped his arm around her then kissed her forehead lovingly. Bella sighed somewhat content. He wasn't Tony, but he was his father and in so many ways they were alike. They both knew how to calm her down and make her relax. She couldn't help but wonder what Maria would be like if she was here with her as well. She shook her head as they finally reached the dining room. She had to admit that despite the fact that they were completely evil and threatened to kill her if Tony didn't comply with their orders, they had a great taste in home décor.

"There you are" they turned to find the Mandarin smiling at them with Gene shifting nervously behind him. "Bella, you look simply amazing. Truly beautiful" It bothered her how easily he spoke to her, after he had proceeded to knock her out earlier. But he was courteous and kind. He complemented her just as much as Tony did and truthfully it disturbed her. Not that she wasn't flattered by his complements, it's just that she had no idea whether she was going to live and if her death would be by him.

"Thank you"

"Oh don't thank me" he smiled "The dress was Gene's idea"

"I-well… um, thought it would look nice" he asked. She narrowed her eyes at him then looked away.

"Thank you" she said curtly. Gene ducked his head and blushed slightly.

"Well, let's eat"

They ate dinner in silence and the usual question would come and go. Bella answered their questions, some rather curtly than others. Once they were finished Bella and Howard were free to wander around the mansion, but were not to stray too far. Howard wandered off to the library and Bella went into the backyard. Gene watched her from a distance hoping she didn't realize that he was there.

"I know you're out there" she said. He noticed her voice was laced venom and hate, but he shook his head. He did deserve it after all since his step-father had kidnapped her and was holding her boyfriend's father captive ever since Tony was a child. Plus the fact that his step-father was the reason of her boyfriend's mother's death. He did betray her trust as well. How could she not hate him.

"Uh… hi" she turned to him and stared at him blankly.

"Hello" she said "Thank you for the dress"

"You're welcome" he said walking towards her. He stopped when he was right beside her and looked at her. She didn't look at him, but instead the ocean in front of her. He looked out at it and he then back at her. "You really do look lovely"

"Thank you" she repeated. Gene looked at her curiously before turning to her, only to receive the most horrifying pain in his life shoot through his balls.(haha! this isn't revenge, but hey! it works for me and fury) "I can't believe you! I trusted you! Or do you even know what that means"

"Of course I do" he groaned

"Oh really? So why the hell did you let your step-father kidnap me" she hissed

"I… I didn't know" he choked out

"How did you not know? You're his step-son! You live with him and you didn't know" she demanded. Did he really believe that she was just a pretty face? Or did he believe that she was going to fall for it?

"Listen Bella. As ludicrous as it sounds it's true" he sighed

"I can't believe you. You disgust me Gene Kahn" she spat before turning around and walking away back inside. He watched her was she stormed off and groaned in pain. He reminded himself that he deserved this and he was going to suck it up. If he could live through it was a different story though.

fury: what do you mean, if he could live through it? there is no way that little prick is gonna stay alive after i kill him

me: fury think about it. he thinks he won't live through it cuz of bella. the same bella who works for you and is the kick-ass SHIELD agent

fury: what are you-...okay i get it!

me: bout time

fury: what was that?

Jarvis: while i try and keep them in check-

me an fury: HEY

Jarvis: nothing personal. but while I do that, please review