alright, i've been gone for a while and i apologize DX so as an apology, here's the new chapter of lesson in love XD

Chapter 29

A week later…

Bella laid back on the chaise in the massive library and read. It had been a while that she got to relax. Except she had never done it being held captive, though it didn't feel like it. The Ten Rings catered to her every wish and want without complaints. The Mandarin was kind and courteous to her as was everyone else. After the incident with Gene after dinner, he had stayed a good distance away from her. She was free to wander around the mansion, but was accompanied by a guard. She had to admit that the guard, Imara(okay new character i made up), was her favorite. Her long dark blue hair framed her porcelain face and her slanted grey eyes always seemed to cheer Bella up just walked in.

"Hi Imara" Bella said sitting up

"Hello Bella. Are you enjoying your book" she asked

"Yes quite so" she answered. She watched as Imara walked over to the window and closed them, then the curtains "Imara, is something wrong"

"No everything is fine. I was just closing them"

"Oh, you didn't have to . They weren't bothering me" she smiled

"It was no problem" Imara said peeking out of the curtain partially. Bella stared at her confused.

"Are you sure there isn't a problem" Bella asked. Imara didn't usually act like this. She always let Bella know what was going on in the Ten Rings mansion. Even if it wasn't the best thing in the world.

"No. everything's fine" she answered in a rush. Bella got up and walked over to the window. Imara stepped in front of her and she stared at her frustrated.

"What's going on Imara" Bella demanded

"Nothing. Everything is fine" Imara said.

"Tell me" Bella demanded. She hated being lied to and Imara knew that. So why was she doing it anyways?

"Nothing. There is nothing to tell" Imara said

"Imara, I'm an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. I will find out what's happening" Bella said before turning away. She grabbed her arm and turned her around.

"Wait. They believe that Tony is coming. To make sure we haven't hurt you" Imara answered(TOOOOOOOONNNNNNYYYYYYYY)

"And the reason you didn't want to tell me" she demanded

"I didn't want to tell you just in case it wasn't him or they wouldn't let him see you"

"I'm pretty sure he'll find a way" Imara shook her head

"He's not coming in the armor. He's flying by aircraft, most likely his won to avoid a scene" she answered

"So is he coming or isn't he" Bella asked. Imara knew how much Bella loved and missed Tony. He was a crucial part of her life and was pretty much the center of it.

"I'm not sure. But I think so" Imara answered. Bella smiled widely and Imara smiled back. As Imara watched Bella over the time she was with the Ten Rings, she got to know her better. She knew her likes and dislikes, her preferences and how much she loved Tony. Before any of them could say anything, the whirring of a plane was heard in the distance. Imara opened the curtains and saw the Stark logo on a plane.

"Tony" Bella squealed. She ran out the library and Imara chased after her.

Tony ran up to the front door of the Ten Ring mansion with Rhodey, Bruce, and six S.H.I.E.L.D agents behind him. The front door opened and two guards stepped out before Bella ran to him.

"Bella" he screamed as he picked her up and span her in a circle. She giggled and buried her face in his shoulder. He put her down and rubbed her back. He kissed her forehead and smiled in her hair. "I missed you"

"I missed you too" she whispered. A throat cleared and they pulled away to see Howard.

"Dad" he asked. He let go of Bella and hugged his dad. "You wouldn't believe how much I've missed you"

"I know exactly how you feel" he answered. They pulled away smiling and Bella wrapped her arms around Tony's waist "Are you guys okay"

"I'm fine" Howard said

"SO am I"

"You sure" Bella smirked

"Definitely. No broken nails"

"We treated Bella like the angel she is" They turned slightly to see the Mandarin walk up to him. Tony moved Bella a little ways behind him and she didn't protest. The Mandarin smiled at them and raised his hands. "I'm not going to do anything. It's a pleasure to meet you finally Tony Stark face to face"

"Err… likewise" Tony said awkwardly. The Mandarin wasn't like other villains. He was civil, respectful and… kind. Really weird, he thought.

"Why don't we move inside into the living room" Mandarin asked and they nodded.

"Rhodey, you're in the Air Force now" Howard asked

"Yeah. Never a boring day at Edwards Air Base, but always an exciting day with Tony" Rhodey answered

"I can hear you, ya know" Tony said looking back at them. Howard smiled apologetically and Rhodey shrugged. Tony turned around back to Bella "You sure you okay"

"How many times do I have to say it? I. Am. Fine" she sighed

"Sorry. Just checking" he sighed. Bella smiled and kissed his cheek. He tightened his grip around her and kept her close. He missed her so much that it hurt him to think about leaving her. He had so much at stake when it came down to Bella. He needed her in every way possible. And that thought caused him some problems downstairs. Bella looked up at him longingly and he returned the same look.

"I've changed my mind. How about everyone go look around and get them situated for a few hours, yes" Mandarin asked. Everyone looked at him confused and nodded. He was pretty much giving Tony and Bella all the time they needed. Tony was starting to respect the Mandarin in ways the Mandarin would never know. The Mandarin smiled and slyly winked at Tony before walking away. (the Mandarin gives tony and bella some smutty time ;])Thank you God for this man, Tony thought. Bella was already dragging him upstairs to the room she had been occupying in the mansion, and before he knew it they were already making their way to the bed.

Howard, Rhodey and Bruce were walking down the hallway when they passed by Bella's guest room. They paused by the door when they started hearing noises. They pressed their ear to the door and moved away from it just as fast. Well they had been away from each other for a whole week, Rhodey thought shrugging. Bruce shook his head and sighed. They could be a little bit quieter with their… activities. Howard just stood there frozen. He couldn't believe that they were going at it that bad. It had only been a week since they were apart. Rhodey and Bruce looked at Howard then understood. It's not every day you see your son for God knows how long, then hear him and his girlfriend having sex. They grabbed his arms and dragged him down the rest of the hall continuing their tour. Imara passed by Bella's guest room reading then paused. She walked towards the door, but then as she realized what was happening. She took a few strides back from the door and dashed down the hall running into the guys.

"My apologies" she mumbled

"Let me guess? You heard Bella and Tony too" Rhodey asked

"I never thought someone could be so loud" she whispered. Bruce wrapped an arm around her lightly and smiled

"Join the club. As you can see, Howard's the president and by the look on your face, you can be the vice" he smirked. Imara shook her head.

"They were so loud" she said

"We know" Rhodey said

"But it was only a week"

"We know Howard" Bruce said

"How long did you just say" Imara asked

"A week" Howard repeated

"Uh… shouldn't she be pregnant by now" They opened their mouths to answer, but they truthfully had no idea how to answer the question.

"We aren't sure" Rhodey stuttered

"We'll ask later and hope that they're being safe. I'm too young to be a grandfather" Howard said and they laughed. Howard's eyebrows came together in frustration "NO. I'm serious" They looked at his dead serious face and that caused them to laugh harder as they dragged him further down the hall.

Gene walked down the hallway when he passed Bella's guest room. He paused when he heard the sounds coming from the room and swallowed the lump in his throat. That should have been him claiming her as his. That should have been him making her moan like that. That should have been him. Not Tony Stark. He tried to control his anger and find the will to move, but he couldn't. All he could do is stand there in front of the door listening. Realizing that the first person he had ever felt love for-besides his dead mother- was in that room making love to a man who didn't deserve her. He did and he was going to do everything in his power to make her realize that.