Legends Never Die

Chapter Three

Over the course of six months, Tony's body got stronger and more fit. 

Quinn had been active all her life, but there is a level of top fitness that is needed when you're Ironman. 

Tony is running outside, in a black tank top and black biking shorts.

 Quinn had a thing about modesty, which Tony was actually enjoying. 

She ran about four miles before stopping to take a breath, and she discreetly checked her chest. 

The gauze and tape were holding even with her sweat, but she'll need to change it when she gets back. 

She takes out her grey bluetooth earbud to listen to the city. 

As much as she loves New York, she will miss Helena. 

There was a busy city and small town feel to it, and it was amazing. 

She walked to a nearby park to meet Quinn's friend Mac, who had reached out the night before. 

Mac was one of the vanished, so her friend was alone the entire five years. 

Mac was hesitant to talk to Quinn, but John, her dad thought it would do both of them good. 

"She hasn't been the same, Mac. She looks haunted". 

The whole five years she was alone, it would make sense that she was different, but it still concerned Mac-so she waited in the park to see the green-eyed, long brown haired gir-woman. 

Tony walked behind her and watched the young vietnamses teen look throughout the park for her. 

Tony placed her hands on her shoulders in a ghost touch, a touch so light you have to see it in order to know there's contact. 

"Hey firecracker, how are you doing?" Tony asked with a concern that had become her own, not Quinn's. 

Mac looked up, her brown eyes shocked to see that haunted look, trying to understand the nickname. 

"I'm fine", Mac said, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. 

Tony smiles, and ruffles her hair affectionately. 

"Oi! Rude!" Mac said with fake anger, trying to fix it. 

Tony sits down next to the young teen. 

They sit in silence, watching the bustling of the streets when Mac finally says something.

 "They finally got the legislation to get a school program for the kids that disappeared". 

Tony nodded, "About time, I know New York got their act together about two months ago". 

Tony looks at Mac, "You nervous?", she finally asks. 

Mac swallows lightly, "yeah, it doesn't feel like I've been gone, but one look at you makes me realize how much things have changed". 

Tony nodded her head slightly

 "You'll do good, and you'll get back into the swing of things before you know it".

 Mac smiled at that, moving her glasses further up her nose.

 They sat in silence for another ten-ish minutes before their phones started to go off. 

Tony glazed around, noticing others were too, she opened her phone. 

Jarvis and her had created a word program on the phone so she could still talk to him when she was around people. 

It's about the kid. 

Her heart started to speed up, was Peter hurt? Did something happen to him? 

She opened the notification that led to a video. 

Some guy named 'Mysterio' was killed by Spiderman?? 

But the the video cut to Mysterio talking, and the world around her stills as he yells, "Spiderman's name is Peter Parker!" 

Tony nearly drops her phone in shock, horror and despair. 

She stood up, not looking at Mac, "I-I gotta go, I'll see you later". 

Tony starts to run back to the apartment, calming her panic with the sound of her breathing and her logical brain starts to process what she saw. 

Mac is still sitting on the bench, concerned at her friends' behaviors, and a few red flags that it rose. 

Quinn was very touch starved as a kid, just in general, so it was never surprising when she would hug Mac or quietly ask for cuddles after a long day at school.

 And the only contact that she got from her were ghost touches to the shoulders when she got here, and the slight ruffle of her hair.

 A feeling of protectiveness and an inkling that something did indeed happen during those five years bloomed in Mac's heart. 

Tony ran and ran until reaching her apartment, and she opened the door to hear laughter. 

Her two siblings ran to greet her at the door, and Tony felt Quinn's heart soften at the sight of them.

 She grabs a ghost arm around the shoulders of the 9 and 12 year old boys and gave them each a light kiss on the head. 

This surprised Carson and Silas a lot, because ever since she had pointed that gun at them when she thought they were intruders, she's been very withdrawn.

 She would sidestep hugs, tensed at simple gestures like high fives and shoulder claps. 

So they hugged her waist, not wanting to stop with the little contact that they have.

 "Alright, you gotta let me go now, I need to take a shower", she tried to release their vice like grips. 

Then her Father swooped in and bear hugged the three of them. 

John was a very perceptive man, ever since Silas was born, his youngest. 

He was very proud of Quinn being so strong during the three years without him, and being all alone. 

But his concern for her would heighten every time she flinched near him. 

He wanted to ask, but decided that she would explain in her own time. 

But that didn't stop him from worrying about his sunshine. 

Tony felt a spike of fear being so close to someone he never had, but she didn't react, she actually leaned in miniscule into his hug. 

John releases them and grabs the boys by their shirts, "Come on, time to make dinner. Quinn, go enjoy your shower, I'll handle these two". 

Tony's face cracks a small smile at their antics, but leaves to bathe, feeling frantic to get a plan in place with Jarivs.

Got some family drama, some for Tony and some for Quinn....should be fine.