They took the elevator. Steve could see the dread on Ella's face.
"You ok? You don't seem thrilled to see Tony." said Steve.
"Is that directed at me or her." said Bucky smiling at Steve.
Ella grinned and said, "Well, for me, no I don't think he will overly joyed to see me."
Steve and Bucky looked at her. "Why?" asked Steve.
"Let's just say I counseled Pepper before their separation, I think I can say that without breaking confidentiality. " she said staring at the increasing numbers. "Tony blamed me. He threatened to have my license revoked. That being our last interaction I am not planning on a warm reception."
"You might be surprised. He had nothing but good to say about you." said Steve.
"Oh I can't wait." she said sarcastically.
The elevator door slid open.
"Welcome!" greeted Tony. Ella let Steve and Bucky lead.
"We really appreciate this, Tony." said Steve shaking his hand. Tony nodded then looked at Bucky and Ella. "Please come in and have a seat." he said in a less enthusiastic tone.
Bucky gestured for Ella to go first. She adamantly shook her head no and gestured to him. He just smiled as she turned him and gave a gently push. Steve and Tony took a seat in the couch. Bucky and Ella sat across from them.
"We need to lay low until we can figure out a plan. Rumkow is alive and tracking Ella." said Steve.
"So that's the thug's name. You now him?" asked Tony.
"Yeah. He was part of Hydra within S.H.E.I.L.D." said Steve.
"So he's not a friend." said Tony.
"Not anymore." he replied.
Tony looked over at Bucky. "I still have nothing to say to you."
"Understood." said Bucky.
He turned his attention to Ella. "Then there's you." said Tony.
She swallowed hard bracing herself.
"I may have not treated you in the most fair way." he said.
She couldn't help but hide her surprise. "Well, thank you for that."
"I mean, you did ruin my relationship." he began. Ella rolled her eyes.
"I think you handled that fine all by yourself." she said calmly.
He fell silent for a moment. "So, looks like you guys need some clothes to start. Unless pajamas and robes are the new day wear?" he asked looking at Ella.
"Only when running for one's life with no time to dress for sucess." she quipped.
"I didn't reaize you had a sense of humor, MaCoy." said Tony.
Ella hates to be called by her last name.
"Well, if you guys will follow me I can show you where you can crash." he said. They all followed him down the long hallway.
"Your room, Ms. MaCoy." he motioned to the the door on his right.
"And for you gents." he said motioning to the door on his left.
"I put some clothes in your rooms for you. I hope they fit." Tony gave Stev mischevious look, "I remember how you like your shirts five sizes too small." he said smiling. Steve ignored him. Tony turned his attention to Ella, "Security is on high alert so you can rest easy." said Tony.
Ella nodded and headed into her room. The men stood in the hall talking. Ella shut the door craving some space. She was struck by the view. The room was huge and the walls before her were pure glass overlooking New York. It was breathtaking. She walked around the huge room. A large fireplace took up most of the other wall with a large TV above it. The wall opposite the fireplace entered into the bedroom. She walked through the doorway. The bedroom was another large room with a large bed. The bathroom held a large tub with jets. She was looking forward to a nice hot bath. Her shower earlier was a distant memory. As far up as they were on this building she hoped roof hopping did not come into play. She opened the closet and saw it full. She pulled out a top and looked at the size. It was her size. She looked through all the clothes. They were all her size.
"I hope you like them." she jumped at Tony's voice. "Sorry, I should've knocked."
"Yeah, I'm a little jumpy so knocking would be good." she said. "Thanks for your help. You know I always wished the best for you and Pepper."
"Yeah," he chuckled. "Oh, you were serious?"
She looked at him annoyed. "Yes, I was." she said walking past him. He grabbed her arm to stop her.
"I was an ass, ok, that is not an easy thing for me to admit. This is my small way to make amends for what I did. I want to forgive you."
"Forgiveness is more for you than me." she said. She walked into the hall. She needed to get away from Tony. Just as she shut the door to her room Steve opened the door to his room stepping into the hallway.
"Hey." he said.
"Hey, mind if I come in and check out your place?" she asked.
"Sure." he said as she walked past him. Before he shut the door Steve saw Tony exit her apartment. Tony nodded to Steve. Steve shut the door.
"Was he civil?" asked Steve as she sat on the plush couch in front of their fireplace. The layout was a mirror image of her room.
"In his own way." she said smiling. "I will try to make this work."
"I didn't know your background with him. He talked very highly of you." said Steve.
"It's not just Pepper. I was engaged to Tony's Godson. We were going to marry but that didn't work out." she said.
"Sorry." said Steve. "He blames you for that?"
"As they say, it's complicated." she said.
He could see an intense sadness fill her eyes.
"Ella, you don't have to tell me." he said sitting next to her on the couch.
"Good." she said standing up. "Did he leave my room?"
"Yes, but we need to talk." said Steve. "Let me get Bucky. " he said disappearing into a second bedroon area that she realized her room lacked. She sat back and laid her head back in the soft white couch. She soon drifted off.
《"Ella, I need you to meet me. Are you on your way?" asked Sam.
"Almost there." she said driving her car. She was hitting every red light.
"Well, my whole crew is here. Tony couldn't make it but sends his love." he said.
Ella rolled her eyes. "That's nice." she managed to get out. "I'm just turning the corner." she said as she saw the sea of cars. "Where should I park?"
"I left a space-" Sam's voice cut out as a loud explosion rocked the car. Ella saw the house before her engulfed in a large fireball. She stopped her car and got out. Debris fell all around her as a cloud of smoke chocked her lungs and blinded her vision. She felt an arm wrap around her mouth and another around her waist. She was thrown into a vehicle as she felt a sting in her arm. Her world went black.》
Ella jolted from her dream. Her nightmare. She was sweating and her breathing fast. As she caught her breath she became aware of Steve and Bucky standing in front of her.
"Ella, are you ok?" asked Steve. The two men took a seat on either side of her. She jumped up and backed away.
"I think I'm just exhausted. It's been a long, day, or whatever you would call this. I just need some air. From the hall. I'm not going outside of the building, I promise, I just need to ask Tony for some supplies. Those books." she said nervously as she tried to shake herself from the emotions of the dream. She hurried out their door to find Tony. She stopped halfway down the hall.
"Ella?" said Steve walking towards her. "I don't think you're ok." he said.
She just looked at him. "Safe to say this is not a time any of us are ok." she said hoping to derail to conversation.
"You know what I mean." he said. "We can't keep secrets. The three of us need to be on the same page."
"Steve." she caught herself and calmed her voice, "we can keep them if it is meant to help us." she said turning to leave. "I need to get the supplies if you want me helping James."
"Tony, I need to ask you for a few items." she said.
He looked at her surprised. "You need something from me?" he joked.
"Yes." she said forcing a smile she hoped he would see through.
"What?" he asked
"I need a list of books, paper, pens, a small laptop?" she asked.
"I can give you some tech to access any book needed." he said.
"I would really prefer a physical book." she said.
"They still sell those?" he smirked.
"If you look hard enough I think you might find a place." she said.
"Ok. I can do that, for you."he said motionig for her to habe a seat acroos from his chair. She found him in a room off of his living area. A study vacant except for a glass table and two chairs.
"Make me a list and I will look real hard." he said smiling at her. "Serious question now." he said leaning forward in his chair towards her. "How are you?"
She looked at him apprehensively. "I'm fine."
He gave her a look that said he wasn't buying it.
"You're safe here. You know that." he said.
She shook her head. "You know. You don't have to protect everyone. It's not your responsibility. I believe we went over this in your sessions." she said.
"Right, this coming from the person who just opts to not have any relationships so that the only casuality is herself." he said.
She glared at him, "Wow, Tony, why not tell me how you really feel."
"Sam would've wanted more for you." he said.
"Guess we'll never know." she said boiling on the inside. "I'm not discussing this because it's a moot point. Sam's dead. He doesn't get a say."
Tony looked at her in shock.
"I stay away from others because I don't need any other blood on my hands. I don't even know how this life will turn out because around ever corner is something or someone telling me it's not my own anymoe. I'll do my best for James and then I'm out. I can't live like this." she said nearing tears.
Tony moved to sit next her and took her hand. She abruptly pulled it from him. "No. Tony. I don't need you caring. Just get those supplies. I left a list over on your table when I came I ."
"Do they know how you feel?" he asked.
"No. I'll help James if I can and then you have to let me go." she said.
"No, I really don't have to." he said stubbornly as he stood before her.
She just shook her head and walked towards the hall.
"Still having those nightmares?" he called out. "You care. You can't shut a heart like your off."
She knew she should not have come here.