Out Of Time

sixty-six

Once Y/N had disappeared into the elevator, Steve and Nat immediately went looking for Tony. They found him dancing with a bunch of women in the middle of the room. Steve quickly grabbed his arm and harshly dragged him out of the crowd.

"Ouch, Cap!" Tony complained. "What's with the harsh grab? I was having fun."

"Have you even talked to Y/N at all tonight?" Steve asked as they came to a halt at the bar.

"No, she said that she'd be late. I figured that she'd find me once she got here."

"Well, she just rushed out," Nat said.

"What?"

"She's was here for a little more than an hour," Steve began. "Her and I were making the rounds, talking to everyone when she went over to talk to Pepper. The next time I saw her, she was rushing out of here, trying not to cry."

"Pepper? What could have happ-"

"Oh Tony!" Pepper rushed over. "I'm so glad I found you! You have to believe me, I didn't know that she was behind us."

"What happened, Pepper?"

"The women I was with were talking about her, bad things. And I didn't stop them. I promise, I had no idea she was right there."

"What things?" Tony's anger was showing.

"Tony, I'm so sor-"

"What things, Pepper?!"

"That she's only with you because of the money, that she doesn't love you as much as you love her, and that she isn't pretty or smart enough for you."

Tony closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Where did she go?" He asked.

"We don't know," Nat answered. "We just know that she ran into the elevator."

"Party's over. I want everyone cleared out by the time I get back," Tony demanded as he headed towards the elevator. Once the doors closed, he leaned against the wall, ran his hand down his face, and sighed. "JARVIS, where is she?"

"Agent Rogers is on her floor," JARVIS replied. "She's completely locked it down."

"Okay," Tony breathed. "Okay. Take me to my room. I'm going to grab a few things before I head to her there."

"I've been instructed to not let you into your room without Agent Rogers present."

"What? Why? And by whom?"

"Agent Rogers instructed me not to. She said that it had something to do with your birthday present."

"Take me to her floor then. I'm going to check on my girl. Can you make sure that everyone that everyone leaves by taking the stairs?"

"Of course, sir. It does seem that Captain Rogers and Agent Romanoff are already on it though."

"Great."

The elevator came to a stop at Y/N's floor, but didn't open. He knocked on it, hoping that she would answer. The longer he waited though, the more worried he became that she had done something drastic. Tony had JARVIS connect him to the intercom system.

"Y/N, please, let me in baby!" Tony's voice rang out on her floor. She sat up on her bed, grabbing a hold of her pillow, and holding it tight against her chest. "I know you're in there, Y/N," Tony continued. "Come on, honey, let me in."

As he waited for her response, Tony could hear Y/N crying. It broke his heart knowing that she had been hurt.

"Just go back to your party, Tony..." She sniffled. "I'm sorry that I pulled you away."