CHAPTER 4
The next week passed in a blur, but I often got the same feeling, the prickling at the back of my neck, that someone was... Watching me... Following me... I tried to ignore it; to tell myself in was just being paranoid or at the very least, being over-dramatic. And I was doing just fine with that, managing to keep myself calm... All until Natasha burst into my room...
"You're a week early" I commented, glancing up from the paper. "You got to go. NOW" she shouted panting, pushing me out of the kitchen. "Wait, what?" I asked confused. "SHIELD. They're here. Fury still thinks you're with Loki and he's got about 20 armed men outside waiting to take you down. I think he followed me. I don't know. I'm sorry. I had to come in the back door when he wasn't looking. You have to go" she rushed, tossing me a backpack out of the press. I didn't have to be told twice. Grabbing the backpack, I ran to my room, throwing in jackets and shirts and everything I could find while Natasha rushed about closing curtains and blinds to minimise the risk of being seen. Zipping up my bag and throwing it on over my left shoulder, I ran into the bathroom, pulling open the window. The cold night breeze blew in around me and I shivered reluctantly. "16 are on the ground. 4 are coming up the stairs" Nat said, rushing after me. I turned to her, making the split second probably best and worst decision of my life, and pulling her in, kissing her. A second later there was banging on the door and I pulled back grinning, "I've always wanted to do that". She grabbed my shirt, pulling me in and kissing me again before letting go, "you should have done it sooner. Now GO". Grinning I jumped up on the windowsill, disappearing through the window and gripping onto the ivy covering the building before starting to climb. Then the SHIELD guards burst through the door, and I just had enough time to hear Natasha say "Agent Romanoff. Avengers. Target has escaped" before I dropped down onto the roof of the building below. Now I just had to escape.
Running along the building, and trying to stay low, I made it to the fire stairs. Thank god for the Italians thinking of everything. Smirking to myself, I climbed down, landing below with a soft thud as a searchlight went over my head. Ducking down quickly, I tried to ignore the feeling of utter terror, and began to run along staying close to the wall. Unforcently, Italy didn't seem to want me to get out scots free and as I ran, my foot collided with a trash can. A metal trash can. It fell with a huge bang and immediately the search light came my way. Cursing loudly, I ran to the edge of the building, hiding behind a corner. "Come out with your hands up Stark and no one gets hurt". Fury's voice echoed through the deserted streets. "Is that what they told Banner before they tried to kill him?" I asked loudly, looking around for a way out of the current ally I was stuck in. "I'm done playing games Stark. Get your fucking ass out here RIGHT now before I blow it out" he yelled. "I'm not working with him Fury. Not now. Not before. Not ever" I replied. "Stark. We just want to talk". That was... OH MY FUCKING GOD. "Rogers? You're with him too?" I asked, looking around the corner, being rewarded by bullets smashing into the concrete millimetres from my face. "I'm sorry Stark. Its orders" Steve replied and I sighed, "what on earth has the world come to? I'm not with FUCKING LOKI... My apologises to his brother if he's there". "Apology accepted Man Of Iron" came Thor's smooth reply. "No one says you are Stark. You went against SHIELD orders, Avenger orders, and dishonoured your country. I've been chasing your sorry ass for almost 3 FUCKING YEARS. I'm getting you this time" Fury replied and I grinned, spotting my favourite spy in the second story window. She was smiling. And she had a gun. And I knew instantly what her plan was. "Fine" I said, raising my hands and stepping out into clear view of everyone, "I give up".
It was silent for a few minutes, the same thought going through every man's head. Tony Stark, the world's most stubborn jerk, giving up without a fight? "Stay where you are. Two agents are approaching your position. You move, they shoot" Fury said. "Can I have your word on that director?" I asked, trying to spot him through the blinding lights trained on me. "You have my word Stark". "You can promise me that if I don't move and your men magically get cancer and die right next to me, that I won't be blamed?" I asked again. "...on the very off chance that happens. Then yes. You will not be blamed" Fury replied a few seconds later as the two agents walked up next to me, both armed. "You sure you don't want to rephrase that director?" I asked grinning. "...why?" He asked, almost scared, and I smirked, finally finding Fury's face and locking eyes with him, "cause i plan going out with a bang".