Hey all!
Yes, I know...it has been a while but I had to get a new Laptop...as my last one died. It was very sad...
Anyhow, I hope you enjoy this! This chapter is longer than the others!
Chapter 13:
The Unbelievable Truth.
Toni knew the perfect time to break into Stark Industries, and it was during the Stark Expo, while her father was on stage showing off like he always did. While he was making a fool out of himself, she would be sneaking into his company and stealing back her device. Hopefully by the time he found out, she would be long gone… though she still had no idea of how to power it without another arc reactor.
Taking a deep breath, she walked out of Barnes' room and looked around the apartment for Steve, but he was nowhere to be found. He's probably trying to enlist again, she thought. She knew he would get in eventually, though she wasn't sure when that would be and how that would be. Her mind wandered a bit, as she thought about Captain America. How did the sweet little Steve turn into the asshole Captain Rogers? Was it the serum? It changed his body. Maybe, it changed his mind.
A part of her didn't want him to change. She wanted him to stay the same tiny Steve, but it wasn't her choice. What she wanted didn't matter. The world needed the Asshole, and no matter how attached (a fact that she hated and would deny) she was to the Shrimp, Toni Stark did not need him. She liked him but she did not need him. She could get along without him just she always did, because she did not need anyone.
Shaking her head, she grabbed a jacket and headed out to look for Steve, because he needed her. He needed her for support, as she seemed to be the only thing in his life at the moment, which annoyed her slightly. Why was it her job to cheer him up? She barely knew him, really. She didn't know him in the future and she didn't know the past him either. So why did she try? She knew she didn't have to, but she didn't like him depressed and it wasn't because she cared (she refused to care). It was because he was annoying to be around when he was that.
*O*O*
It had taken her quite a while to find him as Steve had gone to multiple recruitment centers under different names to enlist, and she didn't know which one he went to. When she finally found Steve, he was walking out of an army recruitment center. He was behind a few other men, who looked like they had been rejected as well. They looked tired and small as well, but compared to Steve, they were giants. Even with him right in front of her, it was hard to believe that there was someone as small as Steve in the world. How did he survive being that small? Even now, the other small men were making fun of him.
Trying to calm herself before she walked over there, she took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Steve didn't like it when she defended him, and though she really didn't care if he liked it or not, she didn't want to irritate him on their last day together. After the other men were gone, Toni crossed to him wearing a big smile. "Hey! No sad face!" she cheered. "Turn that frown upside down!"
Steve looked at her. "Why should I smile? I got rejected again."
Toni took a deep breath. "Maybe, it isn't right, yet? Maybe, God has a plan for you." That statement felt weird on her tongue. She didn't really believe in God, but she knew Steve was a firm believer in God. He found peace in God's name, while she found annoyance. If there was a God, how could he allow so much pain in the world? If there was a God, he must be a heartless God with no care to what happened, and he must really hate her… Not that she blamed him. So many deaths were on her head.
He looked at her. "A plan for me?"
"Yes," Toni responded as they started to walk. "Think about it!" She smiled, weakly. "And don't be so down on yourself." She took a deep breath but she didn't want to reveal too much.
"Do you believe in God, Toni?" Steve asked.
Toni stopped and exhaled slowly. "Does it matter?" She dug her hands into her pockets as she stared down at the ground. She didn't want to ask that question, even if she already knew the answer. It would be a no.
Steve looked at her. "Do you want to see a movie?" he asked as he pointed to a movie theater.
She looked at the Casablanca poster he was pointing too. She had seen that movie a hundred times; it had been one of her favorites growing up. "You want to see a romantic movie?" she asked. Most men would run from a lovely dovely movie. "It's a good movie. I had seen it quite a few times, but I'm not sure you will like it."
He looked at her strangely. "This movie just came out. How did you see it already?" he asked. "But we can always see another movie if you like."
Shit! She thought. She didn't know that the movie was just released. "I saw it a few nights ago." He was eyeing her again with a strange look that she didn't like it. It was clear he didn't believe her. "But, yea, let's go see a movie."
He was still looking at her. "Okay."
*O*O*
Toni stared at herself in the mirror of the lady's room as Steve went to find them seats for the movie. She couldn't believe that she had slipped up. Taking a deep breath, she tried to shaking the feelings of utter failure. How could she be that stupid? If she didn't wise up, she was going out herself, which she couldn't have. After splashing water on her face, she walked out of the lady room and toward the theatre auditorium.
The room was already dark and the film had already started, which made it hard to spot anyone in the crowd; however, she was able to make out faces in the dark. Toni scanned the crowd looking for Steve, but she couldn't spot him. To get a better view of the crowd, Toni moved down the aisle, but she still wasn't able to spot him. Ignoring all the looks that she was getting, she crossed down to the corner of the auditorium by the screen and scanned the whole crowd. She still could not locate Steve.
Giving up, she headed toward the back of the room, where she came in from. An usher, standing by the door, was staring at her. Though she knew she was a distraction to the whole auditorium, she did not him staring at her. However, she could ask him if he saw Steve. He would remember seeing someone like Steve.
When she got within a feet of the usher, he spoke to her. "Can I help you, Miss?"
Ignoring the annoyance of being called Miss, she answered, "I came with someone, but I can't seem to find him. He's like this high." She put her hand up at the approximate height of Steve. "He kind of looks like a child." She hated to refer to him as a child because he wasn't.
The usher, who didn't look much older than 20, stared at her with a puzzle looked. "You're with him? How the hell did he manage to get a dame like you?"
Toni narrowed her eyes at him. "Have you seen him?" She had no interest of correcting him, as she really didn't care what he thought.
"There was a man, making a lot of noise, and he wouldn't stop, so your boyfriend asked him to step outside."
"And you let them go outside?" She asked, annoyed. Not a second later, she bolted out of the room with no care if the usher said anything else. There wasn't anything that he could say that would interest her. Her mind was on Steve, who was really testing her willpower. He told her countless times that he didn't like her defending him as he wanted to defend himself. He didn't want her help, but right now, Toni didn't know if she could do that.
Knowing where Steve would have taken this man, Toni headed toward the alley. Again, she froze at the mouth of the alley. That damn night still haunted her day and night. How could she do anything if she was frozen with fear? She took a deep breath as she closed her eyes, trying to overcome her fear. "Not all alleys are bad," she told herself.
When she opened her eyes, she noticed someone run past her. She glanced at the guy before turning back to the alley. "Who's he running from? I know it isn't Steve," she said. It only took her a few steps before she came upon a beaten up Steve and a fit Barnes in a uniform. After getting over the shock of seeing him alive, she looked him over. Just like any other woman, Toni loved a man in a uniform, and she was not against admitting that; however, this was not the time for that. "Barnes."
"Hey, Toni," he stated with a smile. "How are you?"
Really that smile of his was not fair. He shouldn't have that kind of power over her. Fighting the urge to hug him, she narrowed her eyes at him. She remembered she should be angry at him, because she thought she had seen a dead man walking. "I see you're back."
"Yes, I am." He replied. He had a big smile on his face.
Shaking her head, she turned her attention to Steve, because she would 'jump' Barnes if he kept smiling at her like that. "Are you okay, Steve?" she asked as she crossed to him. "What's with you and picking fights?" she asked, annoyed at the Shrimp Captain. He had yelled at her for picking fights, but yet, he was doing it himself.
"I wasn't picking a fight. He was causing a disturbance," Steve answered, glancing at Barnes.
"And you also shouldn't leave a lady," she said, punching him in the shoulder. She cursed at herself when she saw him wink in pain. She really didn't mean to hit him that hard….granted, she didn't really hit him hard. She kept forgetting that he couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper bag. "You ditched me, Steve! Or should I just call you Rogers again."
"I'm-"
Barnes broke out laughing, causing them both to stare at him. "Were you two on a date? And here, I'm flirting with her." He paused. "…You're calling him Steve now?"
Toni raised her eyebrow at the sight of Steve and Barnes. Between a laughing Barnes, who looked ready to faint due to a lack of air, and a blood red Steve, who had never been on a date in his life (or even held hands with a woman), she didn't know which was funnier. "No, we weren't. We just went to see a movie together. Steve needed some cheering up." She glared. "But then he left me alone in the theater!"
Steve looked down. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have."
"Yea, you shouldn't have," Toni responded as she narrowed her eyes.
"And something tells me that she'll keep playing that card," Barnes stated with a wink.
Toni smiled at him. "Damn straight." Even when she was back in the future, she would still be playing that card on Captain Rogers. "Besides, I'm not mad. Just annoyed. You can't keep fighting guys who are bigger than you."
Steve looked at her, with those annoying puppy dog eyes (that he would deny). It was hard not to be mad at him looking at those puppy dog eyes. "You know-" He started but he was cut off by Barnes again.
"Let's talk about something cheery now," Barnes said as he offered his arm to Toni, who just stared at it. She wasn't one to take an offered arm, no matter how hot the guy was. "I was thinking we could go to the Stark Expo. I hear Howard Stark is unveiling something." He smiled and lowered his arm when Toni didn't take it.
Yea, a failure, Toni thought. She remembered her father complaining about his failed hover car. "Unfortunately, I have to work," she lied. She had quit that job the day before as she no longer needed it. Barnes gave her a look as if he didn't believe her, but he never seemed to believe her. "You two should still go. It will be fun." There was also the fact that her father would be there and she had no interest in seeing him. "You two can probably find some hot dames there for the both of you," she said with a wink.
"Oh, Toni, I only have eyes for you," Barnes teased.
"Bucky, you're unbelievable," Steve stated, as he glanced at Toni.
Toni eyed Barnes, wondering if he was this flirtatious with all women or just her. Well, she was pretty different from the women of this time. For one, there was no way in hell that she would ever back down and listen to a man (or anyone), and she refused to let culture roles of this time rule her. She knew that would attract some man to her (as well as turn some away). "I'm really out of your league, Barnes," she stated with a smile.
"Are you sure?" Barnes responded, with a smirk.
"Damn sure."
With a small laugh, Barnes shook his head instead of responding back to that. "Well are we going to stay and talk in this alley all day along or are we going?" he asked.
"Yes, let's go," Steve replied back.
As soon as Barnes got some distance away, Toni grabbed Steve by his arm and pulled him back. This would be the last time that she saw any of them and she wanted to give Steve some words of advice. "Steve."
Steve glanced toward Barnes, who had stopped at the end of the alley. He eyed them but he didn't walk back to them. "Toni? Is this about me fighting again?" She had made it clear that she didn't like him fighting bigger, stronger man, who could easy kill him. "I can't just sit on the sidelines. You know this."
Toni stared at him, and she could see the Future Rogers in him. "I know that and I admire that about you," she said with a smile. He was clearly taken back from that. "I want you to keep trying. However, just be smart about it. Don't give up or I will have to beat you."
"And I have no doubt you can," he replied with a weak smile as he rubbed his shoulder.
She let out a small laugh. "It sounds corny, I know. Just don't give up, Steve."
"I won't."
"And don't forget to have some fun."
He laugh. "I will try."
"This include finding a nice girl, Steve."
Turning away from her, Steve let out a small groan. "What is it with you and trying to get me a dame?" he asked.
She didn't need to see his face to know it was deep red and that he was also annoyed at her. "Just have so fun."
He turned back to her. "I will try," he stated with a sigh.
Toni nodded and let him go. Barnes was still giving her a weird look, but she waved them off. "Go! Have fun. I'll be fine!" she yelled. She waited until they disappeared from her sight before she started back to the apartment for her supplies.
*O*O*
Toni stood outside of Stark Industries, wearing all black. She had a medium size black bag on her back, which held all of her tools. She watched from across the street as four black Chevrolet Carryall Suburbans pulled out of the compound. She knew her father, surrendered by his security team, was in one of those SUVs. There was no way she would be able to get the device if he kept it on him; however, it would be very stupid for him to have it on his person. The military considered the unnamed device a threat and Howard would not take a threat into the general public.
She waited a few minutes before crossing the street in the shadows. She ducked in a bush as she saw a guard come her away. She peaked her head out of the bushes once she couldn't hear the footstep. As she had seen one too many action movies, she rolled behind a tree in a ninja fashion and posed before the tree. She moved the leaves out of the way and looked out. When she thought the coast was clear, she crossed to the fence at the back of the facility that was rarely patrolled. Reaching into her bag, she grabbed a wire cutter.
Getting as close to the ground as she could, she cut out a small hole in the fence, just big enough for her to squeeze through. "Urgh," she uttered as she dragged herself through the sticky mud. She could feel the mud and leaves stick to her and feel the bugs crawling on her skin. Even though she wasn't a girly girl, she was never a fan of bugs, and right now, there was a spider on her face. She was fighting the urge to scream and freak out.
Once on the other side of the fence, Toni laid flat on the ground, trying to make herself as small as possible. A guard, that she was expecting, stepped a few feet from her. The guard, who was heavy armed, looked around, and after a few seconds, he walked away. Toni waited a few more seconds to make sure that he was gone before she pushed herself off the ground. It was then that she proceeded to quietly freak out.
After making sure that the spider was off her, she darted to the back door of the complex. She reached into her bag and pulled her homemade scanner. The lock wasn't fully computerized as it would require her to manually pick the lock. The lock, impressive for the time, was connected to the building security system, and any attempt to pick the lock would alert the guards and slam down an interior partition inside the lock, making it impossible to pick. However, she was the famous genius Toni Stark and there wasn't anything that she couldn't hack. Plus, she had the scanner, which could hack the system and create an interference so the system would not know it was being hacked.
She connected the scanner to the lock and allowed a few seconds to go by before she pulled put out her lock picking kit. She struggled at first to expose the inside of the lock, but once she was able to expose it, she was able to pick it with no trouble. Using all of her strength, she pushed open the heavy metal door. She plucked the scanner from the lock and allowed the door to shut behind her. It locked automatically, sealing her in. She glanced back realizing that she wouldn't be able to get out that way. It appeared to be a one way door that could only be unlooked by the outside. "Interesting," she muttered. It was a smart idea if she thought about it. It gave burglars a false hope.
She took a quick look around. There were a few doors along this hallway but each door was locked; however, there was nothing behind those doors that she wanted. Toni had seen the plans and had even been in this building before, which meant she knew her away round, even if she didn't know all of its secrets. She knew the most logical place that her father would be keeping her device and it would be farther in the building. However, the first thing that she needed to do was get to the control room.
*O*O*
It took her longer than expected to get to the control room. Even with her father gone, there was more security than she expected. She had to duck and drive every few seconds to avoid being caught. She thought she could 'blend in' if she found some kind of a uniform to change into, but she hadn't seen one single woman in this place, which was hard to believe. Yes, Toni understood that there wouldn't be female guards but there were other positions… Yes, like the secretary, she thought to herself annoyed.
Like she expected, the door to the control room was locked, but it couldn't keep her out. One, she was a fucken genius, and two, she knew all of the ins and outs of this place. She hooked the scanner up to the lock, which surprisingly was a keypad lock. It only took a few seconds before numbers appeared on the screen. She typed in the numbers and the door slid open.
Toni stepped in and closed the door behind her. In front of her was an empty room filled with 4 large monitors with images that changed every few seconds. From the floor to the ceiling, three walls were lined with large fat computer towers. She had forgotten how gigantic computers were in this time. Getting over her shook, she took a seat behind the monitors and eyed the keyboard, if she could call it that as it didn't even look like a keyboard. She plugged in her scanner, and she started to type away. She would need to be fast about this, because the guy who was supposed to be stationed here could be back at any second.
After running into a few setbacks, she had to give it to her father, but she didn't give up. She was going to best him, because she refused to be second to her father. She shifted through some more codes before finding the code that she wanted. Toni smiled evilly when she broke through the security wall and gained full access; however, the smile on her face did not last long. "Is that footsteps?" she asked herself, glancing back at the door. She could tell by the sound of the steps that they were getting closer. She needed to get this done now.
Using the radio frequency on her homemade scanner, she created a wireless link between the control system and her scanner, so she could tap the security feed while not in the room. As the footsteps were getting louder, she disguised the fact that the system was hacked, but she knew Howard would be able to figure it out in no time, however, that would be after she was gone.
Standing up, Toni unplugged her device and headed to the door. Just as she was to about to open the door, she heard someone typing in the code. Doing the only thing she could, she ran to the towers and tried to hide behind them. She didn't quite fit but it hid enough of her that no one would notice her in the shadows.
The Stark security guard cross to the monitors and sat. I hope he doesn't stay long, she thought as she watched him. Maybe, I can create an alarm somewhere. She clicked through her scanner/hack, while trying to figure out a way to distract the man in front of her; however, while doing that, she did found the exact location of her unnamed device.
Studying the system, she decided to set off an alarm that the guard would investigate but nothing too large that would send anyone running. A large alarm would cause too much suspicion, which she couldn't have. She would never get out of here if she did. She didn't want a building lock down. She set off a door alarm on the other side of the building.
It was taking Toni longer than she wanted to get out the control room, which infuriated her. The longer it took her to get out, the less likely she would be able to escape. At first, she didn't think the guard would leave, but he was radioed away when another guard couldn't turn the alarm off.
It had taken her about 15 minutes to get out of the control room.
*O*O*
Toni's back was pressed firmly against the wall, trying to make herself invisible as two guards passed her. She held her breath as they came within a few feet from her. She could hold her own in a fair one-on-one fight, but she couldn't take both of them on at the same time; plus, it would also alert them that she was here. She didn't breathe again until they turned into a room and closed the door behind them.
Taking out the phone-turned scanner, she flipped through different security feeds, trying to figure out the best way to go. That works, she thought as she noticed two empty corridors. She turned around and took off in that direction, knowing that she had to hurry while she kept an eye on the feed to make sure she stayed out of view of the cameras.
She smirked as she came across the room that held her device. She almost didn't believe it that she made it through the building without getting caught. She tried to open the door, but not to her surprise, the door was locked. There was nothing to hack and she would've to pick the lock the old fashion way. She got down on her knees and took out one of picks. Keeping an eye on video feed, she started to pick it. She twisted the metal shaft, but the lock didn't click. Instead, the tool slapped in her hand. "Fuck," she cursed.
Dropping the broken tool on the ground, she pulled a smaller instrument; however, she broke that one too. "Seriously?" she muttered. She couldn't believe she was having this much trouble picking the damn lock. She took out a half-diamond pick and tried again. "Shit," she cursed as she was hearing footsteps. She look down at the feed and swore. Someone was coming her away. She needed to pick this now.
Toni put her full attention on the lock as she needed to focus on it. "Calm down," she told herself, taking a deep breath. She shook her head fear that she might not pick it in time. However, a second later, she heard a click. Very quickly, she gathered her things and entered the room. Not even a moment later, a guard passed by the door. She could hear him stop outside the door, which freaked her out, but it wasn't long before she could breathe again. On the video feed, she watch him walk away.
Taking a deep breath, she took a single step away from the door and looked around the room. She looked down at the phone-turned-scanner and brought up the feed for the room. Without much effort, she put the video on a loop, so no one would know she was there. Putting the phone in her pocket, she crossed to a desk on the other side of the room. "There you are," she said, as she spotted her device. To her frustration and annoyance, her father had broken down her device, but she would be able to put it back together with no problem.
She took the bag from her back and set it on the table. After she packed up the unnamed device, she heard someone behind her. She internally cursed as she turned around; however, she cursed loudly when she saw a gun trained on her. After getting her annoyance and anger under control, she spoke, "Hello, Agent Carter. It has been a long time." She put on the biggest smile that she could muster.
"I knew you were trouble," was Peggy response.
"Well, I'm always trouble."
Peggy stepped closer. "You're not going to talk your away out of this."
Toni narrowed her eyes. "Honey, I can talk my way out of anything." She didn't know what it was, but her ego wouldn't let her shut up.
"You have broken into Stark Industries for a weapon."
"It isn't a weapon," Toni replied, bitterly. She would protest that until she was blue in the face. "And it's mine. How is it a crime to steal my own shit?"
Peggy kept the gun trained on Toni, but one of her hands dropped to her pocket and pulled out a pair of handcuffs. "You can explain it to Colonel Phillips." She took a few steps toward Toni. "Hold out your arms. I'm placing you under arrest."
Toni, who had no interest of making this easy, stuck her arm outs and took a few steps toward Peggy as if to allow her to handcuff her. Peggy eyed her, clearly not buying how easy Toni stuck her arms out, but she still proceeded to handcuff her. Toni winked as Peggy slapped the handcuff down on her left hand, but when she tried to do the same with the right, Toni yanked back her left arm startling Peggy, who stumbled forward. Using this for her advantage, she swung at Peggy's face.
To Toni's joy (she really didn't want to hurt Peggy), Peggy was able to dodge; however, Toni kept focused. Using this opening, Toni lifted her leg in the attempt to kick the gun out of Peggy's hand, and though she missed and hit Peggy's wrist, the gun still dropped from her hand. As soon as she heard the gun hit the floor, Toni launched herself at Peggy knowing damn sure that she wasn't a match for Agent Carter, but she had to try.
Peggy and Toni struggled on the floor as they were trying to overpower the other. The gun was a good foot away from them and no matter how hard Toni reached for the gun, she couldn't grasp it. "I just need the device! That's it," Toni protested as she tried to knock out the Agent.
"You have broken and entered into a highly classified division of a company, contracted by the US Government and you are assaulting a Military officer," Peggy hissed in her command voice. "You will be arrested."
After struggling for a few minutes, Toni was able to touch the tip of the gun and work it toward her, which was a good thing as Peggy had been able to roll on top of her. She was about to knock Toni out when she noticed the gun pointed at her. "Now, get off," Toni ordered, knowing damn well that she couldn't shot this woman. There was also the fact that Toni wasn't really a good shot. She needed J.A.R.V.I.S. for that.
Peggy got off Toni slowly and backed away with her arms in the air. "You don't want to do that," Peggy pleased, looking straight into Toni's eyes as if she was ting to read her.
"Don't tell me what to do," Toni snapped annoyed. She hated when people told her what to do.
"Why don't you listen to Agent Carter?"
Fuck, Toni cursed as it wasn't Peggy who had spoken. Turning around, Toni swore loudly. "Colonel Salty! How are you?" she asked with a fake smile.
"Drop the gun," Colonel Phillips ordered as he pointed his gun at Toni's head. He was not playing games.
Toni knew when she was trapped in a corner. Setting the gun on the floor, she turned to face Salty fully.
"Are you okay, Agent Carter?" the Colonel asked as he glanced back at Peggy. Toni did feel bad for Peggy's state, because she looked like shit. Her hair was out of place and her clothes were disheveled.
Peggy wiped the sweet from her forehead. Even though she was a mess, she was still composed. "I'm fine."
Phillips looked at Toni. "Then handcuff her and let's go."
Toni could do nothing but stand there as Peggy put the handcuff on her tightly and harshly pushed her forward.
*O*O*
Toni found herself in a familiar room, sitting in a familiar chair, as she was handcuffed to a familiar table. Besides her, Colonel Salt, who was sitting across from her, was the only one in the room. She had no doubt that Peggy and her annoying father were standing behind the glass watching her.
"You are in some serious trouble," Salty explained as he stared at her. There was a file in front of him and it contained everything about Toni, including the new charges against her.
"I was in serious trouble the day I was born," Toni stated, remembering the story that her mother had told her. A nurse had tried to steal her from the hospital the day she was born; her father's security had stopped her before the nurse could step out of the building. That wasn't the only kidnapping attempt Toni faced when she was a child. "This is nothing new for me."
"Do you not understand the trouble you're in?" Salt asked.
Salty had no clue to how much trouble she was in. "I do. It's you who don't know the trouble that I'm in." He didn't what she was talking about and it was written on his face. Taking a deep breath, she changed the subject. "You knew I would come for it tonight," she stated.
"You did make it clear that you wanted your device back," Phillips replied. "And I had you followed. Did you really think we wouldn't?" He looked down at the papers in front of him. "So tell me what this device does?" he asked as he stared down at a picture of it.
His statement about someone following her hit her like a ton of bricks. "That was your guy?" she asked shocked. She never expected his man to attack her. He could have killed her; he would've killed her if that mystery hero didn't jump in. "You had your man attack me?" she asked as she slammed her fists down on the table.
Though Salty didn't jump at her outburst, he was clearly startled at it. "What are you talking about?"
"Your guy attacked me in an alley. He slammed me against a wall," Toni yelled. She tried to stand but both of her arms were handcuffed to the table and she fall straight back. "I thought he was going to kill me."
He narrowed his eyes. "My soldier wouldn't have attacked you," Phillips retorted.
"Maybe, you don't know your 'soldier' all too well," Toni hissed, turning away from Phillips. She still had the mental scars from that attack.
Phillips glanced back at the darken glass as if to communicate to the person on the other side. "Are you sure this person was following you?" he asked, turning back to Toni. "It could've been a random mugging."
Toni snorted. "I know what it looks like when someone is following me and he was following me." Shaking her head, she took a deep breath. "He wanted to take me to his master," she stated, unsure if she should tell him that, but she decided that since it didn't have anything to do with the future, it was fine.
Phillips was eyeing her strangely. "He said his Master?"
She blew out slowly, as she thought of what she would do if she was in his situation. "It doesn't matter." She was beginning to believe that it wasn't his tail who had attacked her. But then who was Salty's tail? She didn't notice anyone else following her besides the creepy stalker. There was another question: who did the creepy stalker worked for? Who was this Master?
"It does matter," he said.
"I don't know anything about that," Toni said, smiling faintly. "It would do no good to talk about it." She didn't want to talk about it as she didn't want to relive it. "I have nothing to talk about." She stared off into space.
"We do have things to talk about. Now, will you talk or are you going to sit there in silence?"
Toni had thought about telling him the truth and she was going to tell him if she was caught, but now, she wasn't sure. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath.
"Sark, look at me," Phillips ordered.
Her eyes flew open and she glared at him. "What did you call me?" she hissed.
"It's your name, isn't?"
Toni had given that name as a cover up originally, and she had only given that name to one person: Barnes. She shook her head, because that wasn't possible. How could Barnes betray her to the Colonel? Did they even know each other? "Who told you that was my surname?"
"I think you're smart enough to know who?" he stated.
It seemed like it was Colonel's mission in life to piss her the hell off. "Why would Barnes tell you shit?" Granted he was really just a stranger to her, she couldn't take it if he was one of Salty's man.
"He's a soldier."
Yes, that was true, but it struck her to hear it from him. However, it made sense. She had wondered why he was nice so unexpectedly, and as she thought about it, she started to get pissed. If she ever saw him again, she was going to punch his lights out. He didn't care about her. All that flirting and comfort was a fucken lie. All of those hugs and smiles were a way to trick her. Damn him. This was why she never opened up to anyone, because no matter what, everyone was going to turn on her. You shouldn't have let him in. Trying not to think about it but failing, her mind went to Steve. Though not at this moment, Steve was a soldier as well, and he would follow any order to the end, including betraying her. That ate at her.
"He told me that you weren't go going with him and that Rogers Kid to the Stark Expo. He didn't believe you would try to steal back the device, but I knew you would." He shifted through the papers. "You are predictable."
Toni glared at the Colonel. "You don't know me."
He smiled, as they both knew he was getting to her. "But I do. I knew what you were going to do."
Taking a deep breath, Toni tried to calm herself down. She needed to think rationally and getting pissed wouldn't help her. "What do you want from me?" she asked.
Phillips looked at her. "I want to know why you were in that field and how these devices works." He placed two photos in front of her. One was of her unnamed device and the other was her reactor, which made her glance down at her chest. It wasn't visible through the black shirt she was wearing. "And I want to know who you are." He eyed her. "I don't believe Sark is your name."
He would be correct about that. "And you would just let me go after that?" she asked.
"No."
"Then why would I tell you anything?" she asked.
"Well, you can keep quiet and rot in a cell, or you can come clean."
"Either way, I'll rot in jail, so what is the point?"
"If you agree to help and work alongside Stark, you can work off your sentence." He paused. "You have a bright mind. Now imagine what you can do if you and Stark put your minds together."
Toni snorted, because she couldn't see herself working alongside her father; however, she couldn't rot in a cell. "I'll tell you everything in private."
He looked out at her, trying to see if she was telling the truth or not. "We are alone."
She let out a chuckle. "I am no fool. I know they are watching. I won't say anything until I know for sure we're alone," Toni said as she leaned forward on the table.
Salty stood and uncuffed her from the table; however, her hands were still cuffed together. He then pulled her up by her arm and dragged her out of the room roughly. She was winked in pain as he pulled her to the door a few feet down from the room they exited. He pulled the door open and pushed her in. He didn't close it. "Everyone out, now," he ordered.
Toni looked up and narrowed her eyes, as she knew they weren't alone. She watched as Peggy, Erskine, and to her annoyance, Howard, walked pass the Colonel to the door. They each gave him a look as they walked out of the room. Not even a second later, Phillips closed the door. "There. Now we're alone." Though she was not looking at him, she could feel his stare on her. "Speak."
She took a look around the room, trying to see if there was anything that could record their conversion. She didn't want to anyone to know what she was going to say. Seeing nothing, she turned to him. "My last name is not Sark."
"I figured."
"My name is Toni Stark." She didn't give her full first name as she hated her full name, and Salty really didn't need to know what Toni was short for. And if he wasn't stupid, he should have an idea of what it was.
Phillips narrowed his eyes as he looked her over. "Are you telling me you are related to Howard Stark?"
"He's my father."
He let out a loud laugh. "Your father? Can't come up with a better cover? Yes, you look a lot like Stark. I give you credit, but he's a little too young to be your father, don't you think? You could've said sister. That would've been more believable." He stepped toward her. "If you aren't going to truthful, I can just take you to your cell." He grabbed her arm again.
Toni tried to pull away but she couldn't break his grip. "I'm not from this time. I'm from the future. The year I'm from is 2013." She looked him in the eye, trying to show him that she wasn't lying.
"Really? Time travel? That's your story?" He started to drag her to the door.
"I can prove it!" She did her best to fight him but she was failing. She could only slow him.
"I think you're crazy."
"Erskine's going to pick Steve Rogers for the Super Soldier Project," she revealed, not knowing what else she could do. She knew she was risking everything, but she needed him to believe her.
Phillips stopped and looked at her. "How do you know about the Super Soldier Project?" he asked. He looked at her. "I didn't think you were a spy but now I do."
That wasn't what she wanted. "I'm Howard Stark's daughter and he's a part of the project. I know because he knows. He had told me about it."
"He wouldn't tell you anything" He looked her over. "And there's no way that Erskine would choose the asthmatic Rogers."
"He will, and he will be the only Super Soldier that Erskine will produce." Toni stared at him, knowing that she was saying too much already. She could already be risking the future.
The Colonel looked at her as if trying to read her. "Why should I believe you?"
"If I was lying, I would come up with a better lie. No one in their right mind would believe a time traveling story."
"This is true… but again, you could be saying this to make me believe you."
Toni tiled her heard, trying to make herself look cute and innocent. Pepper had accused her of using her cuteness to win fights, and Toni had always denied it; however, she would admit it here and use it. She needed to win this battle. "You know how smart Stark is. Do you think Stark Industries wouldn't be able to create a time machine?" She said, wording that carefully. She didn't want to give too many details away like the fact that her father was dead in her time.
"You say 2013?"
"Yes."
"Interesting."
"Does that mean you believe me?" she asked hopeful.
"No," Salty answered as he grabbed her and pulled her toward the door.
Toni started to freak out, because she couldn't stay in a cell for the rest of her life. She would go crazy. "You will kill the Super Soldier project." She had to find a way out of this.
He turned to her. "First, I don't believe anything that you are saying, and two, why would I kill the project? I fully support this program and as you say, it will produce."
She couldn't admit the reason why. "You will see," she said through her teeth.
"And you will sit in a cell until I do."
*O*O*
Toni wasn't sleeping, even though her eyes were closed. She was fully alert in her small cell, which she had been in for what seemed like weeks, but without any windows, she couldn't keep track of the days and the nights. Everything started to blend together. Every so often (Toni wasn't able to keep track of how often), an officer would bring water to her. She was feed twice a day, or what she thought was twice a day.
There were only two lights sources: her dim arc reactor and a light bulb on a wall outside of her cell, which looked like it was going to die. It was so unbearable hot that Toni thought she had sweated off a few pounds in the heat. A rock would have been more comfortable than the bed that she was sitting on.
Taking a deep breath, Toni opened her eyes as if she had heard something. She scanned the dark room, trying to see if anything was out there, but she couldn't make anything out in the darkness. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back, thinking about a new Iron Man Design. It was the suit that kept her sane. She thought about all the ways she could improve it. And if she wanted a break from the Iron Man armor, her mind would wander to the unnamed device and ways that she could power it.
However, would there a point? She was stuck in this cell, and there was no way she could get out unless someone let her out. Was it worth it to try to escape? The colonel had already proven that she was predictable and he knew what she would do. If she did get pass Salty, how would she get back to the future? She had no idea of how her device even sent her to the past.
To be honest, it would be safer for the future if she stayed in the cell. She would do less damage in here than anywhere else.
"You look so defeated."
Toni's eyes flew open and she glanced around the cell. "Who's there?" she asked, annoyed at the sound of her own voice. It sounded as if there was a frog in her throat. In the corner, she would see a shape take form. "Come out!"
Out of the shadows came Loki, who looked like crap. His hair was a mess and his holey clothes weren't fancy as she remembered. She was having a hard time believing that he would wear rags. "Long time no see, Stark?" he teased.
She narrowed her eyes at him before jumping to her feet. "Why the hell are you here?" she asked as she stepped toward him. He was the last person she wanted to see. "Why aren't you in a cell?" Her body hurt.
Chuckling, Loki looked around. "I am in a cell," he stated with a smile.
"You know what I mean!" she stated as she reached for the collar of his shirt. She was going to punch him, which he so deserved. He killed so many in his attack on New York City. "What the hell!" she yelled as her hand went through him.
He looked into her eyes. "I am still in Asgard with Thor." He said it with such a distaste that she thought the room would catch fire.
"So how are you here?" she asked, eyeing the god who was only a shadow of his former self. He wasn't the one to help without a reason, and she doubted it was to help her. Sure, she was sexy as hell and could get any man to drool at her feet, but she doubted Loki really wanted to drool at her feet and woo her. Seriously, what was his reason?
"The Avengers are worried about their missing member. They seem to want you back."
"Well, how could they live without me?" she said with a wink. "I'm brilliant."
He chuckled at her. "Such an ego on you, human."
"But still, they sent you to find me?" She snorted, ignoring his insult.
"Well, I am the only one who could." He took a step toward her. If he was whole, their chests would be touching. "And I wouldn't miss an opportunity to see such a beauty." His smile weirded her out. "You know, once we get out of our respected cells, we should make the beast with two backs."
Toni's eye started to twitch. "Did you just bring Shakespeare into this?"
His smile took up half of his face. "So you agree?"
She shuddered just thinking about it. "First of all, there's no way in hell that Thor will ever let you out of that cell. Two, I'm stuck in the past, and three, there's no way in hell that I would even consider sleeping with you, asshole. You are not worthy of this body."
"I think Thor fell for the wrong human."
Toni took a step back and turned to face the wall because she didn't want to talk about this subject with Loki. Granted having sex with a god (not that Loki could really be called a god) would be quite an experience, she would not to sleep with a mass murderer. "I doubt Thor sent you back to talk to me about your sex life and his choice in a girlfriend."
"I know how to get you back."
She turned back to him. "I know how to get back."
"Yes, yes, your device. I know how to power it. I know how to make it go forward." Loki stepped closer to her. He reached out a hand to touch her.
Without thinking, Toni went to hit his hand away but her hand went through. She glared at her inability to hit him. "Then tell me and go."
With a disgusting look in his eyes, he responded, "You must give me something in return."
"I thought Thor sent you back to help me. Why must I promise anything to you?" she snapped. She wouldn't give this murderer anything besides a bullet to the head.
"I didn't do this out of the goodness of my heart."
Toni snorted. "There is no goodness in your heart."
Being annoying as ever, he pretended that she shot him in the heart. "You hurt me, Stark." He smiled at her. "I thought we could be friends." Her eye twitched. "But Thor can't give me what I want," he revealed.
"I would assume that you would want out of that cell sooner, which is something that Thor can give you." Loki stepped closer to her, which forced her to take a step back. She wasn't sure why she even bothered to take a step back as he couldn't even touch her. He wasn't really here.
"This is true but it was only enough to get me here, but to get you home, you need to sweeten the deal."
"I don't have anything that you want," Toni said, pissed and annoyed.
"You can't give it to me now, but when you get back to the future, you can give me what I want."
"Which is?" she asked. "I won't help you breakout or help you commit any crimes."
Loki took another step toward her. "What I want isn't a crime."
Glaring at him, Toni cursed as her back collided with the cell wall. She wasn't able to move any farther from him. "Then what is it?"
"I will not tell you yet. Swear to me that you will give it to me and I will get you home."
She really didn't like how he said the word home. He had no idea of what home was. "Why would I promise you anything? And why would I especially promise you something when I'm not sure what it is that I am promising?" He wasn't being forthcoming and she wasn't stupid. He knew if she knew what he wanted, she wouldn't give him shit.
"You want out?"
"Not with the way you're promising. Now get out!" She was done talking to him.
He turned away but Toni could tell that he was still smiling. "I'll be back and then you'll be promising me anything that I want, just to get out of here."
"No chance in hell!"
"I think-"
"What the hell is going on?" A guard asked, drawing Toni's focus. He was down the hall. She knew Loki and she had been talking loudly; it must've attracted some unwanted attention.
"Nothing," she hoarsely answered back. As she didn't hear anything else from the guard, Toni turned back to the shadows that Loki had been standing in, but he was no longer there, leaving her alone again. Though she would never admit it, she was sad that he was gone, solely for the fact that she had been alone in this cell for far too long. She was forgetting what it was like to have a conversion with someone.
She turned back to the bed and took her normal spot; however, it wasn't long before she was disturbed again. This time it was by the Colonel, who looked like he was hit by a bus. If he hadn't had thrown her in a cell, she would've been worried about him.
"Can I help you, Salty?" she asked, looking over at him.
His eye twitched at the nickname. "Dr. Erskine is dead," he stated as he stepped to the bars of her cell. A key dangled in his hand.
Small Author Note:
I wanted to reached a certain point in the story and this I hope this chapter didn't feel rush, like I was moving too fast. :) However, the fun can start now. Haha.
I also hope that Loki doesn't seem too OOC. This is why I avoided Thor so far in the story.
Anyhow, Hoped you enjoyed this chapter!
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