Running Scared (Avengers Fanfiction)

Chapter 16

Tony Stark had a very big mouth. He had something to say pretty much about anything, which is why most found him annoying sometimes. So the fact that the elevator ride down to the lab was spent in a brutal silence, only confirmed Katie's suspicions that he was really upset with her. Once the door slid open, Tony exited quickly, not sparing a glance or word to either her or Bruce.

"So I'm kind of lost," Bruce whispered over to Katie as they walked down the hall toward the lab. "How do you know Tony Stark?"

"I work for him." Katie replied. "I was just appointed the creative director of SI." she shook her head. "He didn't know about me and SHIELD." They stepped into the lab to see Tony headed toward a briefcase, that he flipped open to reveal his own holograph computer.

"Well I guess I should probably start analyzing the scepter." Bruce said. Katie nodded as the man walked away. Katie walked over to stand across from Tony, who seemed to be refusing to acknowledge her presence.

"I know how this looks, but trust me it isn't." Katie said and Tony scoffed finally looking over to her.

"Trust you, you want me to trust you?" Tony bit out. "Why should I, you've done nothing but lie since I've met you." he looked back down to his holograph. "But I'll have words with Fury about sending agents to worm their way into my life."

"I'm not an agent!" Katie snapped, but Tony didn't even flinch. He was being very reserved about the whole thing which was beginning to annoy her since she knew he was more upset about all of this then he was letting on.

"You sure look like one of Nicky's pets to me." Tony muttered and Katie looked down to her clothes and sighed.

"These aren't my clothes," Katie said slightly pulling at the collar of the jacket. "These are Natasha's clothes, I didn't pack anything, well I didn't know I needed to pack anything." she closed her eyes and let out a long sigh. "I was not planning to be on this helicarrier." Tony didn't say anything. "I'm not an agent and SHIELD did not send me to worm my way into your life."

"Sure they didn't." Tony said as began swiping files on his monitor. "It doesn't matter, because this—whatever this is, it's over." Katie quirked an eyebrow at the man's declaration. She stood there for a moment more, but there was nothing. She let her eyes close and she dropped her head. He didn't hesitate, or stutter. He was able to just let those words pass through his lips without a second thought. It was more than just her duties with the company he was ending. And the fact that he could simply end it, just like that, she figured that maybe their friendship wasn't as special as she thought.

"Maybe that's for the best." Katie finally replied opening her eyes to look over to the man. "I mean you obviously know what you think you know, so why drag this out with things like the truth?" Katie looked over to Bruce who tried his best not to eavesdrop, but it was impossible not to. She shook her head before walking over and grabbing her tablet and a comlink. "I'm going to work elsewhere, I'm on the wave if you need me."

Katie walked out of the lab, ignoring the twinge in her gut that was telling her to turn around and make him understand. But she didn't. She stepped onto the elevator, immediately pressing the button for the floor beneath her. She took a couple of steps back and let her back rest against the wall. It was inevitable. She always ended up alone. There had to be a reason, right? Maybe it was better that way. She should've known relationships, friends, they wouldn't last. If her past had taught her anything, it's that connections to people could be dangerous. Katie was torn from her thoughts as the doors opened and in walked Steve. He seemed to look at her for a moment as if noticing something he hadn't noticed before.

"Are you alright?" he asked with concern in his voice. "You don't look too good." Katie chuckled. Of course she didn't look to too good, she was on the brink of death only hours earlier. But she wouldn't let her sarcasm out in this moment. Not when it looked like he was really concerned.