A/N Special shout out for The Darkness Of Your Fall! Thanks for the idea. Sorry for the wait, I would say writers block (which is true by the way) but that sounds like a lame excuse let's just say I got lazy. Oh, and hey, I realized that I have been spelling Natasha's last name wrong! Come on, we could avoid embarassing situations like this if someone would tell me these things. And also since I forgot to do this in earlier chapters - I do NOT own anything, seems kind of redundant to say that but I must.
Steve coughed, he couldn't see anything. The smoke was thick, debris was falling down around him. He coughed again.
Stumbling Steve made his way through the smoke filled room, one hand against the wall and an arm covering his mouth.
He couldn't see! The thick smoke was everywhere, obscuring Steve's eyesight. He took several shuddering steps forward, only to stumble over something and land on the ground on all fours.
Turning his head around Steve's heart dropped. There propped up against the wall in all of its Red and Gold glory was Tony.
The lights of the Ironman suit were out. The chest piece encasing Tony's torso was crushed, his legs and arms spread out away from his body.
Steve turned and made his way towards Tony, as he reached him he laid a shaking hand against the Arc Reactor, it was flickering.
Steve shook his head, he stopped when he noticed something to his left. The smoke seemed to be clearing, which was odd because it still felt as thick as ever, and he could see the rest of the team splayed out before him.
Thor had a chunk of metal through his chest, hammer inches from his outstretched fingers. Bruce was next to him, his head caked in blood, half the back of his skull was gone. Natasha was on the opposite wall, her neck turned at an unnatural angle, blood was seeping from the three inch hole in her chest above her heart. Steve almost threw up, Clint was missing both his arm and leg.
Each were dead, their eyes all turned toward Steve, all unseeing.
Steve swallowed and turned his head towards Tony in his Ironman suit,
Except there was no suit anymore, instead he was wearing dirty jeans, a filthy shirt, and jacket. His usual immaculate goatee was blurred, missing several days worth of care. And there was no Arc Reactor, instead it was wires and a car battery still clutched in Tony's hand.
Steve looked into his eyes, except they weren't Tony's eyes. They missed the usual warmth, arrogance, and friendliness his chocolate brown held. Instead they were glazed, unending, dead eyes.
They were looking right at Steve, just like all of the others, they held accusations, 'Why didn't you save me, you should have saved me.'
He looked away, only to look back when he heard his name.
'Steve.' Dead Tony said.
'Steve.' Dead Natasha said.
'Steve.' Dead Clint, Bruce, and Thor said.
And then they were all saying his name. Accusingly.
But then something changed, they continued to chant his name, but it was all one voice, and it wasn't accusing, it was desperate.
'STEVE.' Tony! That was Tony!
'STEVE!'
Steve jumped. Tony was standing over him, both hands on his shoulders. Concerned eyes watching him wearily.
Tony's not dead eyes were looking at him. Steve reached out and pushed aside the jacket Tony still wore, sighing in relief when he saw the blue light.
Tony remained still. Then when Steve was done making sure Tony truly was not dead, Tony stood fully.
"Up and at 'em Cap! Got a big day ahead of us!"
Steve pushed himself up, propping himself on his elbow. Looking down the line at all the still sleeping team, Steve smiled, and lowered himself back down with a sigh.
He laid there for several minutes, eyes closed, listening to Tony shuffling objects across the tables. After a while Steve opened and watched Tony curiously, noticing that without him attached to the battery Tony seemed to have more energy, he was picking up the heavier objects that he had been unable slide across the room the previous morning.
Clint stirred next to him. Both Tony and Steve looked over, Barton was staring at the ceiling, a scowl on his face.
"Shit." Clint said.
Steve cocked his head, "What?"
"Really was hoping it was all a dream." Tony laughed at that.
"Oh, you get used to that." He set something down and came back over, sitting down at the foot of Steve's bed, "But, luckily you won't have to because we are getting out of here!"
"Today?" Tony frowned slightly.
"Well, no. Actually I don't know, depends on how far Bruce got on the wiring yesterday." Tony looked at the still sleeping Bruce, "It could either be later today, or tomorrow morning." Tony stopped and looked at the walls, "Or the approximation of those two."
He didn't look happy at not knowing what precise day it was.
"So you had Bruce start building the missile yesterday?" Steve asked.
"Well missiles, plural. And really they're bombs. We'll need four of them, one for each, minus two."
"And you're just going to be able to make four bombs in less than 24 hours." Clint said skeptically.
"Yes, and no." Tony replied.
Thor began to stir on his cot, his heavy body causing the worn metal legs to shriek, which, in turn, caused Bruce to crack an eye open.
"There's the Big Guy! Had a good sleep I assume, the mountain almost came down on top of us with your snores as loud as they were." Tony had a smirk on his face. Thor gave a sheepish smile.
"I apologize Stark, I did not mean to keep you from your rest." Tony gave a wave, dismissing the apology.
"It's all right. I was awake most of the time anyway." Tony moved to his cot, sitting cross legged, "Ok, now that we are all awake. Well mostly all. Seriously is she still asleep, I figured she would have been up before even me!"
Clint glanced at the supposedly sleeping women, he shook his head, "No, she's up."
"What?"
Clint rolled his eyes, "I've known her longer than you think Stark. I know when she is truly sleeping or if she is faking." Clint reached out next to him, gently tapping Natasha on the shoulder, "Come on Nat quit stalling."
Tony watched in awe as Natasha sat up, completely ignoring the fact that Clint had just put his hand on her. "How come whenever I give you just a simple pat on the back I wind up with my face becoming personal friends with my carpet, but when he," Tony gestured to Clint, "wakes you up you don't bat an eye?"
Clint snorted, "He didn't wake me up Stark, and you never just give a pat on the back to any one woman without an ulterior motive."
"That didn't answer my question." Tony pointed out "And I resent that."
"I believe it did actually." Natasha ignored his last statement.
"Speaking of not answering questions," Clint said, "Tony, how are you going to build four bombs in less than 24 hours?"
"I already answered that question. I said 'Yes, and no.'" Clint glared, " and really four bombs in 24 hours, please compared to the Arc Reactor this will be like baking a cake. But you have a point, I need these bombs to be powerful enough to do some damage, but not enough that it will bring the whole mountain down on top of us. That was why I had Banner start some wiring yesterday, just for the basic stuff. And the missiles Steve and Thor took apart yesterday, those parts we can use." Tony stretched his legs out, "They're going to be useful. But each of you need one and I need to know that you all can set these things without blowing yourselves up. That would be bad."
"Yes, I could see how that would be bad Stark." Clint grumbled.
Tony gave a wave, "Don't interrupt Barton." Clint clacked his jaw, "As I was saying. You will need to have a bomb each and then you will have to strategically place these along as we make your way towards the exit. Of course that requires that we know the exact route towards the exit, information I doubt they will give us," Tony cocked his head, "at least knowingly."
"We'll leap that hurdle when it's time Tony." Steve said.
Tony opened his mouth, only to be interrupted by Thor, "I do not understand why these preparations are necessary, we are far more than capable of taking out these irrelevant mortals. I, aided with Mjolnir, would be able to lay waste to these atrocious miscreants." He crossed his arms, glaring at Tony, daring him to argue.
Tony smiled, "Exactly!" Thor looked confused, "The bombs are just the distraction." Tony cocked his head, "Kinda."
Clint grinned, understanding exactly what Tony was getting at, "Yes!" he fist pumped.
"I do not understand, what does this mean?" Thor asked.
"It means we get to lay some whoop ass on these shitheads!" Clint said, looking gleeful.
Tony waved his hand, "Yes, yes, yes. We get to whoop some ass. Well, actually, you guys do." He gestured vaguely towards himself, "I'm not exactly dressed for the occasion, and I am not in the best health either." He shifted his gaze, anger clearly evident.
"But, that isn't the point. What needs to happen is three of those bombs are going to go with each one of you. The other is going to blow up that door, that should act as a viable distraction.
"They will probably be expecting Thor or Hulk to be the first to attack, so we will send Barton and Romanoff out instead."
"What did you mean earlier when you said you guys will need a bomb each, you're not seriously suggesting we leave you behind?" Bruce asked
Tony shook his head. "No! Of course not!" Tony stood, "There are only two reasons why that man wouldn't give me back the Arc Reactor. One is that he destroyed it, which is very unlikely; the other is that he wants it for reasons I would assume we all know, to power these suits I am supposed to be building. I need to make sure that it is destroyed. There is no way that I am letting that sort of power source remain here."
"Why not just take it back?" Steve asked, "You could trade it for the one you have now, this one is by far inferior, nowhere near the same level of power as the ones you have back in your lab."
Tony made a face, "Nuh-uh, no way, there are several reasons why I am not going to put that Arc Reactor back into my body. Probably the most rational one is that I have no idea what they have done to it. For all I know they could have taken it apart and put it back together again. Something I would have actually thought impossible; but then there was Vanko, and then these idiots were able to capture six of the most powerful people in the world, and universe," Tony gestured toward Thor, "they're smarter than they look."
Thor looked thoughtful, "Yes, that thought has actually crossed my mind. It is not an easy task to strike me into forced slumber. And I do not see how they were able to injure Dr. Banner so without unleashing the power of the Hulk."
Bruce cocked his head, "Actually, I thought that too. Whenever I've been injured in the past the 'Other Guy' usually takes over and then I wake up surrounded by fallen buildings." Bruce looked around, "Obviously that did not happen."
Tony peered at Thor and Bruce, "Doesn't anyone remember what happened, I mean I can understand Bruce, but you guys, unbelievable."
"What makes you think I don't remember how we ended up in this hell hole?" Barton asked.
Tony raised an eyebrow, "Well do you?"
Clint opened his mouth, "Uh, well, no, not really." He scowled at Tony's smirk, "I remember more than you!"
"Are you sure about that Bird Brain, because I don't recall relying my storages of memories."
Clint glared, "Actually you did you Iron Ass!"
Tony opened his mouth, only to be interrupted by Natasha, "What are you two six?" Barton looked at her dumbfounded, "Get a grip. And unlike the rest of you I actually do remember what happened."
Everyone looked at her expectantly, except Clint who was still glaring at Tony.
"Well, spit it out Spider girl!" Tony said, before immediately back wheeling, "I mean, can you please tell us how we became under the guard of non-S.H.E.I.L.D. agents."
AVENGERS
"Holy Hell! I am never eating another cucumber again!" Tony pulled off his Ironman helmet, "I mean did those things even look remotely human?"
"They weren't human Stark." Clint grumbled.
Tony waved a hand, "Not the point. Normally the green, squishy monsters at least have recognizable heads, limbs, and bodies."Tony shuddered, "And they certainly don't have projectile vomiting as a defense mechanism." He quickly shucked the rest of his vomit covered armor, dumping it in the back corner of their quinjet.
Natasha wrinkled her nose, she hadn't actually been with them during the battle. She had opted to stay back and run surveillance and watch over the comm. system, though Tony suspected it was more along the lines of avoiding the puking monsters.
"Don't give me that look. You were the one who chickened out the moment you realized what their method of defense was." Tony said huffing as he flicked an extra speck off of his shirt.
Natasha glared but gave no comment. Steve shook his head, hiding a smile. Natasha had claimed that her talents were not in fact needed for this particular mission. Of course the moment they had left Tony had made the crack of her not wanting to get vomit on her precious guns and knives. Natasha had then blatantly reminded Tony – much to his horror – that she could hear every word he was saying.
"Come on Tony, you weren't happy when that one nailed you from twenty feet away. In fact I was rather impressed by the pitch of your scream; I thought that one had actually gotten to Nat." Tony glared at Clint.
"Yes, says the man who hid away in a tree as the rest of us ran around avoiding waves of monster vomit." Tony said.
Clint opened his mouth to respond, but it was at that moment that Bruce came stumbling into the area, freshly clothed, if not a little disoriented from waking.
"Ah, he is alive!" Tony exclaimed delighted. "Is Mr. Green having a nice nap? Because he could join our conversation if he so wanted too, he was not happy with our puking friends either."
Bruce looked confused, "Is that why there was vomit over the remains of those shorts? I thought Tony had gotten sick again." Tony scowled as Clint laughed.
"I wasn't sick, I had a concussion. There is a difference." Tony said, pouting only slightly.
Steve chuckled, "Come on Tony, they're just messing with you. But I'm sure Pepper will be pleased to hear you were able to hold back your stomach contents this time." Steve grinned at Tony's glare.
"What is this, pick on Tony Stark day?"
"Is there such a day? It does not seem very wise to have a day devoted to making fun of one of the world's most powerful men."Thor said.
Tony looked at Thor with new found admiration, "Thor, you are my new best friend." He sidled up towards Thor, hooking an arm around his arm.
Thor looked uneasy at Tony's proximity, "While I do take comfort in your compliment Stark, I would prefer to receive it from afar." Thor peeled Tony's hand and arm off of his own and stepped to the side. Clint laughed.
Tony grumbled, but a faint smile was stretching at his lips. It was at that moment the quinjet jerked, causing those standing to stumble into the nearest wall.
"What the hell was that?" Clint exclaimed, picking himself off the floor.
"I don't know, I'll go check it out." Natasha stood and made her way towards the door that led to the cockpit.
At that moment the entire aircraft shook, twisting violently in the air. Everyone ended on the floor this time – except Steve who had been the only one sensible enough to put on his seatbelt – Tony picked himself up, going after Natasha towards the cockpit.
They both arrived at the same time and both grabbed at the handle. Tony noticed Natasha's glare at his hand covering hers. He quickly let go, letting her open the door for herself, and then followed her in.
"What's happening?" She demanded.
The pilot knuckles were white, gripping so hard. The copilot turned from his work at the controls. "We don't know. We think the second left engine was damaged somehow, we can't tell from here because of the visual."
Rain was pounding the front window, dark clouds rolling outside the plane. Tony saw a fork of lightning off in the distance. "Why in the hell did you fly us into a storm?" Tony yelled.
The pilot gave a tense answer, "It came out of nowhere sir. We flew south to avoid the worst of it; the coordinates said it was to be further north. Instead it is one hundred miles south."
"I suggest you go buckle yourselves in sir!" The copilot yelled, "It won't be a soft landing."
Tony turned to Natasha, "I'll tell the others, you stay here and help the pilot land this flying deathtrap!" Natasha nodded and stepped forward, prodding the copilot out of his seat.
Tony turned and headed back towards the others. "Time to strap your asses in!" Tony took a step in as everyone sat in the nearest seat with a seat belt. It was at that moment that the quinjet gave a third jerk, sending those too slow to buckle to the floor.
Tony cursed as he felt a spark of pain shoot through his wrist. The copilot appeared at the doorway, "She says to brace yourselves." And he was gone again, Tony scrambled to get to his feet, his shoes sliding across the metal floor as he tried to gain purchase. Cradling his injured wrist to his chest Tony dove for a seat. It was then that he saw Thor on the ground with a bleeding head wound.
"Shit!" Bruce was already by his side, checking his pupils. How he could do that with the quaking ship twisting and plunging was beyond him. Tony stood and made his way towards the downed demi-god, only to stop when he noticed Steve clutching at his head.
"Hey, Cap! Care to join the party." Tony shouted over the now apparent rumble of rain and thunder.
"S-tark?" Tony quirked an eye at Steve's slurred tone.
"Oh come on you didn't hit your head that hard. What happened Star-Spangle Blunder, did the big mean storm hit your poor little head?" Steve glared, his clouded eyes clearing instantly. Tony smiled, "There's our fearless leader! Come on buddy, let's strap you in….again, weren't you just strapped in?"Using his good arm Tony lugged the somewhat dizzy Captain into his seat. Leaving to buckle himself in.
Tony looked over at Bruce and Thor, Clint had joined the party, assisting Banner in raising the body that was three times their sized up into a seat; they were not succeeding. Every time the jet gave a jerk the god slithered back down to the floor. Tony gritted his teeth and headed towards the struggling duo; Thor was having trouble focusing his eyes, let alone get his feet under him, which didn't surprise Tony one bit, blood was already drenching the side of his face.
Tony reached down and grabbed the back of Thor's cape, helping Clint and Bruce haul the half-conscious god into his seat; holding him there as the other two strapped him in.
Natasha gave a shout, Tony could barely hear her, but he got the gist. Making sure that both Bruce and Clint had found a seat Tony plopped himself beside the now coherent Steve.
"Brace yourself!" Tony yelled, Steve gave a quick nod, his jaw set; Tony was willing to give him a firm hand to grip – considering the last time Steve was in a crashing plane he hadn't woken up for another 70 years – too bad it was his injured one.
The jet bounced, causing Tony's head to jerk. Grinding his teeth together Tony braced his head against the head rest as the quinjet bounced three more times.
As the plane shuddered to a stop Tony let out a breath prying his hands out of a now unconious Captains', 'Well shit' Tony thought.
Bruce unbuckled himself, turning to look over Thor. Clint was watching wearily from the opposite side. "How is he?" Tony asked over the groaning of the jet.
"He looks okay. I doubt he will be out for long, knocks like this don't usually keep a man like Thor down."
Tony nodded his head and turned to look at Steve, there was a decent sized bump on his forehead, looking at the floor Tony grabbed the metal bock marked 'First Aid'.
"Irony does not have a sense of humor." Tony grumbled. "You know I think Natasha just puddle jumped us." He reached to open the box, and that was when the world exploded.
Tony jerked back as a fireball devoured a hole in the side of the quinjet. Not registering Banner's cry of pain Tony reached for his suit-suitcase, only to curse when he realized that his armor had been lying in a heap in the now absent corner.
Tony heard the hiss and clank of a metal canister, it was quickly followed by a billow of white smoke. Tony's eyes widened as he saw a second canister fly out of the cloud of smoke 'Stark Industries' was printed on the side.
Quickly pulling his shirt over his nose Tony unbuckled the Captain – ignoring the sharp bite of pain racing through his limb – and lugged him over to where both Thor and Bruce were unconscious. Shit, Tony had hoped Hulk would put some whoop ass on these assholes. As the first tendrils of smoke started spreading over the Caps legs Clint was suddenly beside Tony, handing him what looked like a gas mask, it took him a moment to recognize it as Stark Tech.
Tony nodded his thanks, dropping Steve – much to his injured hand's delight – and moved to strap the mask on. He stopped when he heard Clint give a bark of pain. Tony looked at him, Clint was now on the ground, eyes closed. Fuck, was it too much to ask for at least one of them to stay awake with him.
And because timing had been everything these past five minutes – had it really been only five minutes – Natasha's fiery hair glowed through the thick haze. Which Tony only just realized was surrounding him and he was breathing it in! He raised his hands to pull on the mask, since when did his hands shake. And these shaking hands were no use, his trembling fingers couldn't snap the straps into place. Damn it! He had designed these so they couldn't be ripped off one's face, not for drunken fingers to secure the complicated clip. Once he got home he was going to work on a new design because this was a gross oversight on his part.
And now he was on the floor, when did that happen, and there was someone above him. Hands were taking the mask away allowing Tony the ability to see two chocolate brown eyes surrounded by dark olive skin, an ancient gas mask over the remainder of his face obscuring his features. Fear briefly shot through Tony, he knew what was happening, how could he not. He felt himself be rolled over, his arms being pulled behind him, he couldn't feel his injured wrist anymore. He was losing his fight to stay conscious, 'No! He was not going to go without a fight! Not this time!' His ankles were next, he kicked out instinctively, only to receive a kick to the gut in return.
He was then hoisted up and thrown over someone's shoulder. His eyes briefly found those of Natasha, her glazed eyes reflecting his own fears. Tony's head bounced off the man's back, he gave a feeble sound of protest, unheard by the man holding him.
Suddenly he was in sunlight, he only had a brief sense of relief to be free of the choking smoke when he was dumped into the back of a vehicle.
"I want him kept separate for the time being." It took Tony longer than it should have to realize that that command had not been spoken in English, but rather a language that Tony was unfortunately all too familiar with. His heart rate quickened.
"You are sure that you want all of them."
"Yes, for the time being." Tony moaned, trying to rollover so he could get enough leverage to make it to his feet. He gave a cry when something slammed into the back of his neck, causing him to fall back down to the floor. He made a noise of protest.
Something was said, he didn't hear, but he understood the meaning when someone grabbed a handful of hair and yanked his head back, his neck extending as far as it could, exposing his throat. A rag was stuffed into his mouth, much to his protest, and a strip of cloth tied around his head to hold it in place. His head slammed back into the floor.
"Let's get going." Once again, not in English. Tony moaned as the vehicle – a truck he realized – started up, moving across uneven ground. He once again gave a half-assed attempt at kicking out, he felt a leathered foot kick him in the leg. He didn't get a chance to return the favor when something slammed into the back of his head. Darkness took him.
*/*
Clint was down! Clint was down! Natasha didn't even think as she lunged at the man who had pistol whipped him. The man didn't have a chance to turn around before he was on the floor with a broken neck. She turned, only to see Tony also down, except he was concious his eyes were open, glazed and looking right at her. She felt relief, if only for a moment.
Then the exposure to the smog hit her, dizziness causing her to overlook the two men making their way towards her, and then she was suddenly on the floor too.
She caught sight of Stark, he had been thrown over someone's shoulder, their eyes met, allowing Natasha to see the uncertainty, apprehension, and distress in Tony's eyes. Her heart skipped a beat.
She didn't normally let fear get to her, but with her dazed and confused mind fear was all she felt.
Natasha and the other's were quickly restrained, gagged, and bundled out of the remains of the quinjet, only to be dumped into the back of a military style truck. She grew even more concerned when Tony appeared to not be in the same vehicle as them.
She felt the vehicle start after they threw Banner into the back with the others. With a jerk they began to move.
*/*
She came too again when they dumped her onto a hard, rocky surface. She was still gagged, and bound. But she only struggled briefly.
Concern flashed through her as she saw Tony being carried into the room, unconscious. They laid him down on a cold table, arranging his limbs so that they were in the appropriate positions to be secured by the leather bands. When they were done tightening the bonds one man grabbed a pair of scissors and cut through Tony's t-shirt, completely removing it and allowing full access to the Arc Reactor underneath.
Soft murmuring came from the trio of men standing around Tony, one reached out and touched the reactor, pressing down and giving it a twist. Natasha yelled through her gag when they began to pull out the reactor. She twisted so that she could get to her knees.
Concern flashed through her, which was odd because she had only felt that sort of emotion towards Clint, she had never imagined that Tony would ever be the receiver of her rare change in emotion.
As she rose – or attempted to rise – a wave of nausea and dizziness assaulted her, causing her to fall back to the ground, passing out.
*/*
Next time was different. Clint was looking down at her with concern, his hands untied and relieving her of her gag.
"Wake up Natasha!" He was whispering, glancing over his shoulder, "Something's happening, Tony's in trouble." Natasha sat upright, her hand restraints mysteriously sliding off of her wrists.
Someone was struggling, it took two seconds for Natasha to realize who. Tony was thrashing against two men holding him down as another reached out and took removed the Arc Reactor.
Something akin to an animal's cry of terror escaped Tony's lips. His eyes were huge, mouth wide as he watched his Arc Reactor move further and further away from its rightful place. Clint and Natasha immediately sprang into action, Clint grabbed the man holding the arc, and Natasha went for the men surrounding them, easily taking them down with a single jab each.
She tuned into her surroundings after the fifth man went down. Clint was shouting, gesturing; Tony was trying to take in breaths, realization clear in his eyes.
Natasha jabbed at a man who came running at her, she turned to assist Clint, only to notice Tony give one last shudder, his eyes rolling back moments before something was slammed into the back of her head, sending her into oblivion.
AVENGERS
Silence followed the end of Natasha's tale; Tony looked slightly disturbed at the thought of those men handling him while unconscious.
"Do we know how they knew we would be one hundred miles south?" Steve asked.
Natasha shook her head, "I would assume that they knew the information the pilots were given was bad. It doesn't sound plausible but for right now that is all I can give."
"I am wondering why we have not been rescued already by our fellow S.H.E.I.L.D. agents." Thor said, "I do not think a downed aircraft will escape unnoticed."
"They destroyed the remainder of the quinjet after we left. It would not get past S.H.E.I.L.D. that one of their multimillion dollar flying machines is missing; along with Fury's team of pets." Clint said
"Wait, how do you know that they destroyed the rest of the jet?" Bruce asked.
"I heard them talking when I woke up, it was right before they took out Tony's reactor." Tony shifted at the uncomfortable memory.
"What about before the plane went down, didn't the pilot send out a distress call?" Steve asked.
Natasha gave a nod, "No, communication was down. I tried sending one myself after I sent Tony back. I wasn't able to pick up any outgoing or incoming signals."
"That still doesn't answer the question of how they were able to get away with taking six of S.H.E.I.L.D's top operatives right out from under Director Fury's nose." Steve said.
Tony flapped his hand, "Let's worry about that later. For now I think we should focus on getting out of here."
"Yes, for once Stark makes perfect sense," Tony glared at Natasha, "However, I would assume things would go a lot smoother with these off." She dangled her handcuffs off of her finger. Clint was quick to follow.
Steve eagerly held out his hands sitting anxiously as Clint took off the metal bracelets. Rubbing his wrists Steve stood up as Bruce and Thor both had their cuffs removed, Tony was already at a table, a bundle of wires that Steve couldn't tell the differences between twisting between his fingers.
Plucking, snipping, and twisting the wires Tony worked. Once again Steve was amazed at the concentration marring Tony's face. Usually the man couldn't stay on a single topic for more than five minutes, much to the annoyance to all except Bruce.
"You're watching this right Cap, because I don't like to repeat myself." Steve jumped, he hadn't thought Tony had been aware of his observations.
"Uh, no." Steve uttered, "Why, is there going to be a quiz?"
Tony chuckled, "Only if you don't pay attention. I had a professor at MIT who would give quizzes to anyone who talked in his class, which was me the majority of the time. I of course aced every one, much to his dismay."
Steve opened his mouth to reply, only to be interrupted by the sound of the metal panel being slid open. Something was yelled, Tony instantly dropped what he was doing and stood with his hands behind his head again. Steve quickly copied him after noticing Tony's pointed look. The others did so also, except for Thor who raised his chin in defiance. The men ignored him parting ways so Baqi could make his way into the room. He made a quick glance at Thor, but choosing to ignore him, instead he turned to Tony as per usual whenever he was in the room.
A small smile graced his face, "I did not expect them to remain in their restraints. Frankly, I am surprised they stayed in them as long as they did."
"Yes, well, they're a team of superheroes. They don't like taking orders unless it's from the good guys." Tony said with a hint of pride.
"Hmm." He turned towards the table, looking over Tony's wiring, "As much as I enjoy our visits Mr. Stark I can assure you that this is not a social call. I would like to know what your plans are now that you have solved your health issues." He gestured towards Tony's frail reactor.
"Yes well, it took me three months to make the suit last time. I wasn't using state of the art equipment, nor am I this time, I guess it is a good thing that I became quite the blacksmith."
"Yes, but I was referring to the number of explosives you are currently beginning to create." Tony started.
"What?"
"It is not that difficult to realize what you are building Mr. Stark. How does that saying go, 'Fool us once, shame on you; fool us twice, face the consequences.'"
Tony blinked, "No, actually that is definitely not how that saying goes."
Baqi smiled, "Funny how it works in this situation though.
"I warned you Mr. Stark that we would be more vigilant and we would not make the same mistakes twice. Therefore, since I was so gracious as to give you one warning I have no choice but to follow up on the threat. There are consequences Mr. Stark, and you must face that now."
Tony's eyes widened, "No!" he started forward, only to be stopped by the butt of a gun to his gut. He doubled over, gasping for air eyes wide as he took in the four men converging in the direction of Steve.
Steve saw what was coming and quickly struck out at the man closest to him, quickly following with a right hook to the one coming up to his right; his hits landing hard enough to render unconsciousness with a single blow. He didn't anticipate the blow to the back of his head, allowing the third man to come up to his front and deliver another powerful blow. Steve was then assaulted once again from behind, several hands becoming the replacement for the restraints he had only just gotten rid of. Steve was forced to his knees a new set of handcuffs securing his arms behind his back. He gave them a tug, smiling when the weakened mettle gave just an inch.
There was silence, Tony's shoulder was being gripped by a young man in his twenties, gun pressed into his back; Natasha and Clint both had impressively big guns trained on their heads, each had their hands raised behind their heads; Thor and Bruce were the only two who seemed to be unguarded, a poor division on their part. Thor was enraged, his eyes gleaming with hidden intent; Bruce appeared the opposite, he calmly beheld the sight in front him with seemingly disinterested eyes. Only those who knew him would realize that he was taking in every detail, much like Tony did, and devising the safest way for him to give his assistance.
"I warned you Mr. Stark of the consequences should you stray from your assigned task. I warned you that I have several lives that are expendable, let's see how you live with your leaders blood on your hands." Baqi moved behind Steve, raising his gun. Thor moved forward, Bruce stopped him.
Steve looked up and met Tony's eyes, Tony gave a small unnoticeable nod. Grunting Steve shifted his weight and gave a mighty jerk, completely snapping the fragile chain connecting the metal bracelets in half. Steve gave a half twist and snapped his arms out, redirecting the aim of the gun. The gun went off, Steve hissed as the bullet carved slightly into his right shoulder. He almost didn't hear the cry of pain leave Tony's mouth.
When he turned he realized with horror that Tony was clutching at his leg, blood was running from the gunshot wound in his thigh. Steve turned back towards the man responsible, growling in anger.
Baqi was ready, he swung his arm down hitting Steve across the head before he had time to react. Dragged to his feet Steve was thrust into another pair of arms, a gun immediately pressed against the back of his neck stilling him instantly.
Tony was jerked up after slumping halfway to the floor. Baqi made his way towards the door, Steve and Tony being forcibly paraded after him. No one was coming to their aid; however, in their defense the others were rather busy.
Thor was taking on three men, easily knocking them down and turning to take on three more; Natasha and Clint were busy with another set of men; and Bruce was actually holding out well against one man, greed jade flashing through his eyes his control rapidly dwindling.
At last glimpse of the room Steve gave a half shout of warning to Clint who wasn't aware of the man coming up behind him, gun cocked and ready. He was quickly jerked down the rocky hallway.
As Tony stumbled ahead of him – he was using the man holding him as a crutch – Steve, with much relief, heard the beginning roars of Hulk.
A/N Just a quick one. This was meant to be confusing, I got halfway through Tony's 'plan' and decided that I suck at making plans, which is why I would be a very bad superhero, so I kind of changed my mind. Helpful hint, that mplan wasn't the one he was going to use, my High School English teacher used to say that if something has been repeated that means that the author wanted you to remember that for the future.
One more thing, promise, if I offend anyone please tell me. I don't care if you come from Seattle or Japan, you have a right to feel offended and you have a right to be angry. Just so you know I feel like spraying holy water across my keyboard for all the cursing I have in here, I am a good girl, and I pride myself on that. Ok done, and here I said it would be short. Toodles!