Legends Never Die

Chapter 23

Gamora looks at Mantis, "How could you tell just by her eyes?" 

Nebula nodded, "You didn't mention anything on Titan".

 Mantis shook her head, "I wasn't paying attention, but there has been more grief added since, causing her soul to overflow". 

In the living room, Stephen held onto Tony for dear life as tears ran down his face, tears for her. 

All the narsissist, the sarcasm, the press smiles, the flinches, the nightmares, it all made sense. 

Peter clutched at Tony's hands, making sure that she was still there and still breathing. 

The sound of her steady beating heart beat fills his ears, thanks to his enhanced hearing. 

Loki is on the floor, on his back. 

In his Jotun form no less, but he didn't give a damn if others saw him. 

He kept hearing Howard yelling and beating his son, and Stane's betrayal-and how it affected him throughout his life. 

Always trying to prove him, well, herself to others.

 Always trying to gain attention and praise.....only for it to crash and burn. 

Jarvis watched, sorrow dripping in his code, and a touch of humor as he saw Vision try to get drunk with James. 

But he keeps careful watch on Miss, she's been hurting for so long, and he didn't know how to help.

 Tony started to tremble and tense. 

Jarvis felt something in him sank, she was having nightmares.

 Stephen held onto her, trying to wake her up. 

The team burst through the door. 

"Dr. Strange, she needs to wake herself up, there's nothing we can do", Jarvis said quietly.

 The team sat and waited for ten minutes, as Tony continued to stir, but then she started to thrash. 

"No, no,no- PEPPER!" 

She shot up, screaming. 

It started Stephen, and she was able to stumble to the floor, she looked around frantically,

 " Pepper?! Pepper?!!"

 She yelled, about to run down the corridor. 

The team stood up and Rhodney grabbed her and held her close.

 "Jim! I have to find Pepper! Killian has her!" 

She tried to get out of his grasp, but he held on.

 "Tony, Pepper is safe, you saved her, remember? And you fixed Extremis, she is safe".

 She breathed deep, " She fell..she died...Killian killed her...Where's Pepper!" 

She turned in his grasp, and started to hyperventilate.

 "Mr. Stark?" Peter asked, being perceptive enough to tell that Tony was stuck in the past. 

She opened her eyes, looked a little dazed, but looked into Peter's eyes, 

"Underoos?" 

and looked into Stephen's eyes.

 "Gandalf?" 

She asked quietly, her breathing returned to normal. 

She tucked her loose hair out of her face and gave Peter a hug and looked at everyone else, they were staring at her.