Search for the Soul Gem

Chapter Twenty-Seven

     Outside the bathroom, the jet was bright with natural light coming in from the windows at the front. It was almost painful how bright it suddenly was. I blinked a few times as I stumbled out of the bathroom. Steve chuckled lightly behind me as he stepped out right behind me and closed the door the bathroom. I wasn't really sure what to do, I'd never been on the jet when I was relatively healthy. I've either been shot or tortured. Steve shot me a quick glance before walking away from me. I stood there awkwardly, not sure what to do. Banner stood, leaning over the table, papers littering the entire surface. Steve walked up to James and Sam who were leaning back against the wall. Steve said something under his breath to them and they all looked over at me. Their gaze made me nervous so I shifted my eyes away. Thor stood behind Nat and Clint, staring out the window. When I looked around, Tony wasn't anywhere to be  seen. I looked around trying to find where he was hiding. I found him huddled up in the corner against the back hatch and the wall. His head was buried in his arms and his knees pulled up to his chest. He hadn't noticed me and Steve exit the bathroom. He seemed to be in his own little world. I took a few hesitant steps over too him. The whole jet was holding its breath as I neared Tony. I stood over Tony for a moment before dropping down beside him.

     "Look Banner, I don't wanna talk," Tony's voice was muffled from his arms, but it sounded strained and taunt like a wire pulled too tight.

     "Well then I guess I'll just go find someone else to talk to," I teased weakly, making no attempt to stand up. His head shot up and looked over at me, his eyes manic.

     "Lucy," Tony breathed, turning to face me slowly. He reached out to touch me but withdrew his hand in doubt, "sweetheart, I'm so sorry," he breathed. I reached out and gripped his hand in mine.

     "Tony, it's okay. Please calm down," I whispered into his hand, pressing my lips to his knuckles, "Steve and I talked about it. I'm still not thrilled that you stole a car, Anthony," I accused. He lowered his head and looked up at me through his lashes. I broke a small smirk over at him, leading him to break a smile, "but, I forgive you. You did what you felt that you needed to do," I said. Tony's eyes studied my face carefully before slipping his arms around my waist and burying his face in my shoulder. The whole movement was soft and careful. I cradled his head in my arms and breathed a laugh.

     "Thank you baby," he breathed into my shoulder.

     "But I need you to promise me something," I said into his hair. He leaned backed from me looked back into my eyes.

     "Anything, sweetheart you name it," he breathed, leaning his forehead against mine.

     "Please, don't do anything reckless for me. I need you to be safe. I will need all the genius that you keep locked inside that pretty head of yours," I said, knotting my fingers around his curls and pulling slightly. He smiled at me lightly, his eyes falling closed.

     "My middle name is reckless," Tony said with a smirk. I pushed his shoulder.

     "I'm being serious Tony!" I shot back. Tony broke a light laugh.

     "I can't promise that I won't do anything to save you. But I will promise that I won't do anything stupid unless it's necessary," Tony promised, running his nose along the planes of my cheek. I uncurled and re-curled my fingers around his hair. His breath fanned across my neck as he let out a content sigh, "I'm sorry I upset you. I promise I won't do it again," he breathed into my neck.

     "Now you're just making promises you can't keep Tony," I mumbled into his hair. He laughed again, a sense of normalcy creeping between us.

     "Well now you're just being unfair," Tony said leaning back against the wall. I looked up at him with a smile.

     "Well I don't wanna be holding you to something that's bound to fail! I would say that I am being very considerate!" I laughed, motioning at myself in a grand manor. He rolled his eyes at me and smirked.