Brenna was stuck alone in the tower, as everyone else was either spending some down time, or on a mission. She tried to find things to keep busy, but still she worried. Nat, Tony and Clint were on the mission, to God knows where, fighting God only knew. Tony kept her out of the loop on those things.

She had, at first, fought him on this, but again he made the perfect argument. If she knew what he was doing, she would only worry more. As much as she hated to let him be right, he was.

Cooking or baking was her favorite thing to take her mind off her woes, but today was Brittney's turn to create culinary masterpieces. She was a highly sought after chef, all over New York, and Tony, being who he was, managed to snag her as his personal chef.

Brenna wasn't above begging her to make her famous curry. The woman was a master at creating a mouthwatering dish out of anything. She proved that the day Tony had forgotten to get the grocery order out on time.

"Hey Brit! Need a hand with tonight's dinner?" Brenna called out down the hallway. A faint sure could be heard so she rushed toward the kitchen.

"Good, cause I'm worried sick and need something to do."

Brittney gave her a warm, encouraging smile. "I know. That's why I've brought all my extra baking utensils along. I have some ideas I'd like to try for new desserts."

The woman was a saint. "Thanks, Brit."

Four hours later, and the table was covered in multiple desserts. From cakes, to cookies, and pies. There was enough to feed an army. They had also made several choices for dinner. A veritable banquet prepared as a thank you to the hero's they both cared about.

Brenna was just setting the last dish on the extra table they had set out, when her cell went off. It was Tony's ringtone, and she nearly fumbled the phone, as she rushed to answer it. "Tony?" His name came out breathlessly. "Hey Briar Rose. How's my favorite, girl?"

She couldn't help but smile widely. He had started calling her that name regularly, after that night she fell asleep on him. He said it was because he liked it, as it was a play on her real name, Brenna Rose.

"Where are you?"

She heard a familiar laugh behind her, and nearly fell over as she spun around. He stood behind her, his phone in one hand, the other gripping his side.

He grunted when she collided with him, her arms wrapping around his neck, hugging him to her. "Careful, Bren."

She pulled away, apologizing profusely, even as she checked him over for injuries. Tony shook his head, pulling her to him again. After what he had been through, he needed her close. "What did I tell you about apologizing for caring?" He asked.

She tried to pull away again, but he only held her tighter. "You don't have to answer that. Just, please let me hold you a bit longer."

T.S._

Not long after Tony had returned, Natasha and Clint walked in. They too had a few injuries, and had a look of sadness in their eyes. Whatever mission they had been on, it had not went well at all. No one would, of course, tell her what had happened, and she wasn't about to ask. She made sure their injuries were taken care of. Tony's injury was the worst, being that he had a few cracked ribs. She was so angry with him for not getting that looked at before coming to see her.

"I needed to make sure you knew I was okay first. I know how much you worry, okay." She couldn't argue with that. "I know, but I also don't like seeing you in that much pain."

Once they were doctored up, she made sure they all got something to eat. They loved having all the different things to choose from. Once they all had a plate, and were settled down to watch a movie, the others returned from their day in the city. Before long, almost all the food was consumed. While everyone else relaxed, Brenna cleaned up the kitchen.

Tony wandered in to keep her company. She wouldn't let him help, being injured as he was. "So, did Steve tell you he found his soul mate?" She asked him as she rinsed the dishes. "Of course, he did. He's been over the moon for days. Keeps asking me why I don't want one. 'Come on, Tony. You know you want one. They're great. I've never been happier.' How much clearer can I be that I don't buy into the whole soul mate thing?"

Brenna couldn't answer him. She knew she'd give herself away if she did. "It's just a good thing he was the last one. Everyone else has found their match. Now hopefully I won't have to hear about it anymore."

It was hard to keep her face neutral as he spoke. Inside, her heart was shattering with every word he uttered. She was tired of having to pretend. Especially when he hugged her like he did tonight. She would get her hopes up that just maybe… and then he would say things like he was now.

He made it clear every day that he loved her, but only because she was his best friend. He wanted a cuddle buddy. Someone he could be affectionate with, and not have to worry about keeping a mate happy.

There were times she wanted to ask him to stop, but she couldn't. She would take what he would give her. It was that or be without him at all, and there was no way she was doing that. She loved him way too much for that.

T.S._

The next day, Tony had to leave to go to California for business. He was going to take her with him, but she woke up with a horrible cold.

After he had left, she decided to spend the day on the couch watching movies. She grabbed the new DVD's she had bought, and the fluffy, Harry Potter throw Tony had bought her.

As she made her way down the hallway, she heard Natasha talking, followed by Thor's booming voice. "Why doesn't Lady Brenna just tell him? She would be much happier."

Oh God, no. She rushed into the lounge to see all the Avengers in the room. They all looked at her with smirks on their faces.

She felt her face heat up in embarrassment. "Tasha! How could you?"

Natasha shrugged her shoulders. "I said I wouldn't tell, Tony. He's not here so…"

Clint stood up and came over to her, his arm going around her shoulders. He gave a a squeeze before he spoke. "We just all want you happy, Brenna. We know what it's like to want our soul mates, and then the happiness of finding them. We want that for you."

She sniffled. Both because of her cold, and because she started to cry. "I can't have that, Clint. You know how he feels about it."

"For being such a genius, Tony is a complete moron." Bruce said, making them all laugh, even Brenna.

"I appreciate that you all care so much, but I just can't tell him. Just please respect my wishes on this."

Everyone agreed they wouldn't utter a word to him. Just like Natasha though, they planned on giving both her and Tony a push every now and again. They all loved her too much not to want to see her happy, and no longer alone.