•Night Angel•

CHAPTER XCV - I'LL ALWAYS NEED MY BIG BROTHER

28th January 2011, 21:34. The Hamptons, East End Long Island, NY.

Tony's POV

I made my way upstairs to Star's room. It's been a month and 7 days since Michael passed away and we've been here secluded at our parents' summer house.

Some days have been better than others. Sometimes it looks like Star is recovering a little, day by day, but then sometimes, she just stays in bed and cries herself to sleep. Sometimes she is hungry, but some other times she doesn't even touch her food. If it wasn't the one who asks her to eat at least a little, I'm sure she wouldn't do it.

But I also know the only reason she's been doing it most of the time, is because of me. Because she doesn't want me to worry.

Today, I had no idea what she wanted to do or have for dinner, since she's been in her room all day.

There are just days (just hours, truly) where I know she wants some time on her own so I just let her be, just like there are some times when she wants me to be there with her and for her so we hang out together all day. We go outside to take some sun, or go to town and walk down to the stores and parks.

What hurts me the most when I see her, is seeing how much she has changed in the last month. Her skin is a little paler than normal, she has dark bags under her eyes, which by the way, have lost their spark. Her body, even though it still looks toned and strong, you can see her bones more clearly and prominent now. She's lost weight. Her hair, everyday she comes out of the shower, looks dull, and opaque. Her once bright brown/golden/copper curls look like ash brown now.

Even though she tries to muster a smile for me everyday, I know she's having a hard time.

Pepper has been here every week, checking on her as much as she can. Happy basically lives here, but he also tries to give her space when she needs it.

Agent Romanoff has been here as well, every Friday, stays almost all day and then leaves at midnight.

Uncle Pierre came for New Year's eve and stood for a couple of days and then went back to Paris, since his agency and Dumont Industries needed to be supervised by him.

No, a month after what happened, I see Star has been a little more like herself, but just a little. Like a 10% of her usual bubbly, sarcastic self.

Just as I arrived at her door, I knocked, but didn't really wait for a reply before opening the door. As I stepped inside the room, my eyebrows furrowed at the sight in front of me.

-Are you taking me on a surprise vacation or why are you packing a bag?.- I asked as I pointed to the object sitting on her bed.

It was a backpack, and she was stuffing it with a few clothes.

Star turned to look at me with a small smile and she shook her head. In all honesty, there was no need for her to tell me what was going on because I already had a small idea as to what this meant.

-No, we're not going on vacation.- She said as she folded the shirt in her hands and stuffed it inside the bag.

-So, what are you doing?.- I asked and saw how for a moment my sister froze in her place. I had a light idea, but I just needed a confirmation from her.

Star took a deep breath as she turned to look at me. Her eyes had something in them. It was like determination and something else I couldn't decipher, but it was something I hadn't seen before.

-I need answers, Tone.- Star says and I furrow my eyebrows.

-Answers as in...?.- I ask as I cross my arms.