Dark Arrow

Chapter Twenty Three

Steve wanted nothing more than to make things right with Rain. He knew he'd overreacted when it came to her getting hurt, but he couldn't help wanting to protect her. It was just who he was. Yet he knew if someone had asked him to stop, he would've had the same reaction she did.

It had been two days since the party, two days since he'd even seen a glimpse of her. The way she looked so miserable at the bar was ingrained in his mind. He'd done that. He'd made her feel like he didn't respect her, didn't value her worth. While it wasn't his intention, he knew that was what he had done. He didn't blame her for snapping, he could've dealt with things in so many different ways.

He'd searched the compound high and low for her. JARVIS refused to tell him where she was, Tony's orders apparently. It was exactly that which led him to storm into the lab.
"Where is she Tony?"

"Why? So you can yell at her some more?" Tony spat back, the disdain obvious in his voice. Rain was the closest thing he had to a sister and he'd do whatever he had to to protect her. Even from one of his friends.

Steve stood slightly in shock. "Why would she tell you?" Rain had made it clear she didn't want the others to know, so why would Tony know about their argument?

"Because I'm the one she trusts right now."

"Just tell me where she is. I need to see her." Steve didn't care if he upset Tony, all he could think about was making Rain see how perfect they could be together. He knew it would be hard, but nothing worthwhile is easy.

While Tony knew he owed Rain his loyalty, he knew she needed to confront Steve. To at least hear whatever had him so angry that morning.
"She's at the place she feels safest. Work it out for yourself." He wouldn't give Steve more than that.

As it turned out, he didn't need to. Steve instantly knew where she was. A conversation they'd had at three in the morning flashing through his mind.

"When I'm scared or angry I disappear, there's this lake at the edge of Clint's farm. It's so beautiful, I can get lost in the quiet for hours."

Without saying another word he stormed out of the compound. He knew this was going to be one of his hardest battles, but if he pulled it off it would be one of the sweetest rewards.

***

I heard the bike pulling up to the house. I knew who it was and I made a mental note to give Tony a piece of my mind when I got back. The last couple of days had been beyond difficult, after my talk with Tony I realised that my walls were back up. I wasn't sure if I had it in me anymore to let them down. I thought me and Steve maybe had a chance, but we were just too different.

"Go away Steve." I called out, not looking up from the lake. I sat with my knees pulled up to my chest, resting my chin on my knees.

"Please just talk to me."

"No. Whatever this was, it's over." I wiped away a stray tear before standing up, brushing the dirt off my ass before turning to face him. I couldn't look at him, his sad eyes were killing me. I tried to walk around him, wanting to be anywhere other than there.

He stepped in front of me, not letting me past. "Wait, why? Why?"

"Why?" I laughed throwing my hands up in the air. "Look at us Steve! We can't go on one mission without it blowing up in our faces! All we do is fight and scream at each other."

He shrugged his shoulders, giving me that smile that lights up his eyes. "That's what we do! We fight."

"Steve..." I tried to get him to stop, but it didn't work. I was going to listen to what he had to say whether I liked it or not.