Search for the Soul Gem

Chapter Twenty-Four

     I stood behind the door for what seemed like forever. The heroes continued to discuss the plan for getting to Greenland and for every possible problem. I pushed myself off the door and made my way toward the bed. I crawled toward the pillows suddenly overwhelmingly tired. I buried my face in the pillow and closed my eyes against everything that was happening to me. I pulled my knees to my chest and slid my hands down my legs and wrapped my arms around my legs. My fingers brushed against the laces of my shoes as they traveled across my leg. I pulled my boots off slowly and dropped them over the side of the bed. They thumped to the ground and echoed through the room. I let out a deep breath. I lay there for a long time in silence, trying to forget everything that had happened in the past few weeks. I wanted nothing to do with this stone or more fighting. Everytime we did something like this, I managed to end up getting hurt or in the way. Maybe if I did nothing or left the stone where it was, everyone would be safe. Maybe it could remain hidden forever and no one would ever find it in some cave in Greenland. I was so lost in my thought that I didn't hear when the door opened. It wasn't until the bed dipped down that I realized someone else was in the room with me. A warm hand passed down on my lower back. I jumped slightly at the sudden touch.

     "Sorry babe," Tony appologized. I shifted slightly so I could turn my head to face him. The pressure from his hand was a comfort on my lower back.

     "That's okay. I didn't hear the door open," I said settling back into the bed. He moved his hand from my back and cupped my cheek in his hand.

     "Are you okay?" he asked, running his fingers through my hair lightly. I let out a deep sigh.

     "I can't help but think, what if what we're doing isn't helpful. What if it's better to keep the stone where it is. I mean, it hasn't been found for over 8000 years, maybe it's safe where it is," I said, glancing up at Tony. His fingers continued to work through my hair but his eyes seemed suddenly cautious.

     "We have to get the stone. We've got to make sure that it is safe," Tony said quietly.

     "But why are we in charge of its safety? It's not even from our planet. Shouldn't Thor be in charge of things from his world?" I huffed. Tony smiled down at me affectionately.

     "It would seem that that would make sense but unfortunately darling, you seem to be the only person around who can actually find and hold the stone," Tony said.

     "That brings me back to my original point! Why, if I'm the only one who can find this stone, can't we just leave it where it is?" I asked.

     "Just because you're the only one who can find it, doesn't mean that someone else won't stumble upon it by accident. We have to make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands," Tony explained. There was a long pause where neither of us said anything; he just sat there running his fingers through my hair.

     "Fury was right about me," I said quietly. Tony's hand stilled in my hair. His brows knit together in confusion.

     "What do you mean?" Tony asked. I averted my eyes away from Tony.

     "He said I always managed to find myself in the center of a battle. This is no different than the Battle of New York," I breathed. Tony's face fell, his eyes softening as he looked down at me. He bought his hands up and cupped my face carefully in both of them.

     "Sweetheart, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Nothing bad is going to happen to you. I promise you that. I would die before I let something happen to you again. Do you believe me?" Tony asked me, his eyes had the same manic anxiety in them that I saw in them earlier. His hands were shaking slightly as he held my face in them. I brought my hands up from around my legs and covered his hands with mine. He took a long, shaky breath, casting his eyes down at the bed under me, "Lucy, you do believe me don't you? You don't think I blame you for Fury sending you to the Raft because I don't. Not at all," Tony rambled. He rambled off on tangents when he got nervous. I smiled slightly and reached my hands up to grip his face in them. I brought his face down to mine and pressed my mouth to his to quiet his rambling. He took a deep breath through his nose and leaned over me to gain as much contact as he could get with me. His thumbs ran across my cheeks as he brought me closer to him still. He leaned over me, throwing his leg one me and straddling my waist. I pulled away from the kiss but not without a whine from Tony. He pressed his forehead against mine and leaned his face toward mine to try and reconnect our mouths. I let out a breathy laugh and rubbed circles into his cheeks.