Search for the Soul Gem

Chapter Twenty-Two

     Tony strode over and lay me on the table similar to the one I'd first woke up on when they'd taken me out of Africa. Tony stepped back from me and let his Iron Man suit released him. The suit folded up itself and lay on the floor where he left it. He strode back up to me, taking my face in his hands. He didn't say anything, just leaned his forehead against mine and closed his eyes. I reached my hands up and gripped his arms, not really believing he was in front of me.

     "Tony," Banner broke quietly from behind us. Tony didn't bother moving, like he hadn't heard his friend. Banner pursed his lips and swallowed hard, a mix of anxious and uncomfortable emotions on his face, "Tony, I've got to check her. I need to make sure she'll be alright," Banner said lightly, trying to be cautious. Tony hesitated for a moment then drew himself away from me, drawing in a deep breath.

     "Yeah, you're right," Tony muttered. He released my face and stepped away.

     "Wait! Tony!" I reached out and grasped his hand. He looked back at me, "Please don't leave me," I begged. He stepped around and stood at my head, looking down at me.

     "Never," he promised, squeezing my hand lightly.

     "Alright Lucy," Banner said, stepping up to me, "Please excuse me, this might hurt," he warned. I nodded and swallowed hard. He began checking my legs for breaks and found none, but my ankles were circled in different layers of blackish-blue bruises. Tony's jaw clenched again, his eyes studying the bruises. Banner moved up to my abdomen. When he raised my shirt, him and Tony both gasped. My stomach was a deep purple with imprints of Kalahan's shoe scarred just above my belly button. My ribs were prominent form lack of food.

     "Oh my god, what did they do to you," Tony breathed, brushing the hair from my face. I looked up at him, tears running down the sides of my face. I closed my eyes to force out the memories. I felt Banner's hands cold against my ribs. I jumped and gasped at the pain and shock. I squeezed Tony's hand in mine.

     "Sorry," Banner apologized. He was quiet for a moment, "It seems you have three healing, fractured ribs," he observed.

     "Are they healing correctly?" Tony asked anxiously.

     "It's hard to tell without an x-ray but she hasn't bled out so I'd say it's pretty optimistic," Banner said. Tony didn't say anything. Banner moved up to my arms which had nothing but defensive wounds and bruises on my wrists.

     "Give it to me straight doc., will I live?" I asked once he'd stepped back from the table. I gained a small smile.

     "I would say you've got a meager 60 years left, at least," he said. I broke a smile for the first time in forever. It felt foreign on my mouth, "Although a decent meal and a solid night sleep are in order," he said. I saluted.

     "Yes sir," I said. He smiled and squeezed my shoulder affectionately.

     "I'm happy you're safe," he said. I smiled as he walked away. Tony's face appeared in my line of vision.

     "How about a meal then bed?" he offered. I smiled back at him.

     "Sounds perfect," I said. I sat up carefully and swung my legs over the table and planted my feet on the ground carefully. I stood up from the table carefully, trying not to put too much pressure on my sore legs. I made my way slowly over to the corner were there was a sort of pad laid out in the fashion of a bed. I knelt down and pressed down on the pad. It was so soft under my fingers it was almost unreal. I sat down on the bed and let the heaven of the mattress overwhelm me for a moment.

     "Hey sweetheart, you moved," Tony said lightly. I looked up at the sound of his voice. He was walking up to me with a bowl carefully held in his hands. I smiled up at him lightly.