Unexpected // An MCU Story (Book One)

xiv

With JARVIS guarding the doors to keep Tony away, Pepper got me checked out in the lab for any injuries. Thankfully it was nothing too bad except for a lot of scrapes and bruises.

We spent over half an hour picking pieces of glass out of my cuts, which she quickly and carefully bandaged up.

Afterwards she took me upstairs to pack and brought me right home with her, ignoring Tony entirely.

I didn't sleep at all that night, waiting for Tony to show up or at least call, but he never did. He didn't even care enough to text, and that was the last straw.

It was because of this that the next morning Pepper had announced that I would be going home to get the rest of my things because I'd be staying with her for more than just a night, and that was completely fine with me.

"I really am sorry to do this, Alex." She apologized as we got into the back of the car. "I wish I could go with you, but I'm already running a bit late for a last minute meeting regarding last night."

"I'll be okay, Pepper." I insisted with a tight smile. "If he didn't care to text it won't be a problem if I run into him. Besides, he'll probably have a killer hangover, anyway."

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"If anything happens, anything at all, you tell JARVIS right away and I'll be here no matter what, okay?"

"Thank you, Pepper." I smiled, looking out the window for the rest of the drive.

When we got there, I had to bury my emotions deep down at the sight of the house in the daylight, which was honestly difficult to do.

"Alright, you're sure you'll be okay?" Pepper asked again as I got out of the car.

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Happy will be here in half an hour or less to pick you back up. Tell JARVIS if you need anything."

"I will. Thank you."

"Of course."

I shut the car door and took a deep breath as I starting walking up to the house, but was stopped by someone in a uniform.

"I'm sorry, Miss Stark, but unfortunately I'm not going to be able to allow you to enter."

My initial panic subsided when I recognized them as a SHIELD agent and not CPS. I was still beyond confused but didn't show it, just rolling with it.

"Oh, I'll just be a second." I insisted. "Trust me, I don't want to be here anymore than you want me to be here. I'm getting my stuff and leaving."

"I cannot-"

"She's with me." A familiar voice said, making me look up.

"Natalie?" I asked, puzzled. 

She was dressed in the coolest fighting outfit I'd ever seen, looking completely different than usual. 

It finally clicked in my brain what was going on.

"Ha!" I laughed, holding my arms up. "I knew it! I knew it!"

"Did you now?" She smiled back.

"Well, I mean, not exactly, but I knew something was up." I admitted. "Out of all the possible outcomes I've come up with, this is by far the coolest."

"Come on, let's go inside." She said, leading me into the house which was covered in agents. "And it's Natasha."

"Cool. Pretty name." I nodded with a small smile.