Second Chances

F O U R

I look at the broken man, I go to walk closer to him but he freezes. I frown as I step closer, I put my hands on his shoulders as I lean on him. I lightly kiss the back of his neck, he slowly starts to turn around. I touch his cheek as he just watches me.

"What's been going on with you."

"I've been having them for awhile."

"What happens."

He doesn't say anything, I lean closer to him.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. Let's just sit down and try to relax."

He lightly nods as I sit down, he soon follows. We sit down and look over to yellow field, I smile at this. We don't say anything, just sit there taking in the air. I'm glad that he's relaxed, I can't help but feel like I should have been here for him. I lay my head on his shoulder as he wraps an arm around my waist.

"Where's Pepper."

"She's been at the Company. Taking care of everything needing to be done."

"I'm here for you..."

I look up at him and smile, he looks down at me.

"You know that right."

"Yea I know, and I'm thankful."

Nothing needs to be said, I just look out to the grass. I get up and hold out my hand to him. He look at them before back at me.

"It's time to go home, unless you want to stay here all day."

He lightly grabs my hands and I pull him up. As he stands up, we're centimeters apart. We just sit there for a few minutes looking at each other, I smile and step away.

"Come on"

His suit attaches to him as my wings open. I grin at him as he's waiting on me.

"Race you there"

I quickly change into a peregrine falcon as he leaves. I smirk, I know of a shortcut. I've been here a few times when I was younger. I go through the trees and down the mountain as I get a view of the ocean. I see the mansion in the distance, Tony is faster but I'm closer. I get inside and jump onto the couch. I hear a small noise and sit up. I see him smirking as I look at him, he hasn't noticed me.

"You're pretty slow to be Ironman."

He quickly turns to face me, I smile as he drops his glass of alcohol. It doesn't shatter, just makes a mess.

"How'd you get here so fast."

"I don't know, but it doesn't matter. I beat you far and square."

He lightly laughs as I walk over to him. I help him clean up the mess he made. After the drink is cleaned up, I throw the napkins into the trash and look at him. He smiles as he watches me, I step closer to him.

"What happen..."

"Alicia....I can't."

I lean up and wrap my arms around his neck, he seems scared and broken. I haven't known him for long but I've seen him. The attacks and being kidnapped, his parents deaths. Not dealing with it is his coping mechanism, I want to be able to help him.

"I'm here, I will always be here for you."

I slowly pull away but keep my arms around his neck. I sadly smile as he looks at me, I lightly touch his cheek.

"You are incredible Mr. Stark."

"I know I am."

He quietly laughs as I roll my eyes, I take a few steps back from him.

"Why don't we get you cleaned up, and let JARVIS check your vitals."

He looks at me and goes to move past me.

"I'm fine, I don't want to be checked."

I grab his wrist and make him look at me. I watch him and frown.

"I don't really care what you WANT, your getting checked for my nerves."

He smirks and leans closer to me.

"So you care about me."

"Of course I care."

"Let me take you to dinner."

"No, I can't."

"Why, if it's Pepper then you don't have to worry. We broke up, we decided we were better off as friends."

"It's not Pepper...it's complicated."

"What is, we both obviously feel something for each other. Why don't we act on it, see where it goes."

"I could, but I can't hurt you like that. You mean a lot to me."

I go to walk away, I get to the stairs as he yells out to me.

"Why would you let go, stop being the brat of a Princess."

That hurt, I grab onto the railing and start to slowly walk up. I try not to cry as I do it, at least I know what he really thinks about me. I hear a noise and feel his hand on my wrist.

"Alicia I'm sorry"

I quickly pull my arm from his grip, I quickly turn around and look down at him.

"IM LEAVING, I'll be gone in a few months. I was suppose to train the Avengers, after a few months I would return home."

"You could just stay with me."

"Don't you get it, you guys were just a mission. I wasn't going to ever stay, I have a family."

By now I'm crying, I just did the one thing I said I wasn't going to do. I hurt the person I love, I didn't want to but it's for the better.

"Don't go."

I look down at him, I step closer to him. I go to touch his face but he moves back. I frown and look down at my hand.

"I'll be leaving in a couple weeks, I can pack my things and head to my apartment tonight if you want."

He doesn't look at me, he turns towards the large windows.

"It's fine, it's alright to stay here until you have to leave."

"Goodnight Stark."

"Night Princess"

I start to walk up the stairs and think about what I just did.