ALTHEA✓AVENGERS

Chapter 39

"Althea?" She heard someone calling her which made her pull away from him abruptly. Althea groaned internally in frustration before turning around to see who it was. "Hey Pepper." She greeted her with a fake smile. She was incredibly pissed off at her for interrupting them.

"Ma'am." Steve nodded at Pepper and smiled. "Captain Rogers." Pepper nodded her head and turned to Althea who was shooting her a glare. "Where were you?" Pepper asked which made her roll her eyes. "I went to the compound and you weren't there. I knocked at your apartment and you weren't there too. I was calling you and you didn't even pick up." Pepper started rambling in frustration which made her smile.

She walked towards Pepper and hugged her which surprised her but she returned the gesture. "You're lucky you're cute." She said to Pepper who shot her a confused look not knowing what she meant. "Why don't we have dinner today at our usual diner?" She asked Pepper who nodded her head and smiled.

"8 o clock?" Pepper asked Althea who nodded as response. Pepper smiled at her and Steve before walking away. "Come on old man! I'll drop you off." She  said to Steve who shot her an annoyed look. He tossed her the car keys which she caught and got in to the driver seat.

"Any update on banner?" Steve asked her as she drove. "No. Nothing." Althea replied keeping her eyes on the road. Everytime someone mentions Bruce she could feel her eyes glossing with tears. She took a deep breath keeping it all in, not wanting to cry Infront of him.

"I m sorry, Thea." He stated as he put his hand on hers which was on the steering wheel which made her smile at him. "I know how much he meant to you." He added which made her let out a sigh.

"You know I keep telling myself maybe hulk's the one in control and he's not that's why he hasn't tried to contact us." Althea started. She could feeling her eyes glistening. "But Natasha told me he was planning to disappear. Maybe he did. That's why it's hard to find him." She added as a drop of tear escaped from her eyes.

She glanced at Steve who was intently listening to her intently. Althea turned away immediately knowing she would start crying if she looks at him. "Thea after what happened. Maybe it's hard for him to return. Maybe he just needs some time. He'll be back soon." He assured  which made her croak out a smile for him.

Althea walked in to the usual diner She and Pepper used to go and found her sitting at her booth staring out the window. "Hey Pepper." She greeted Pepper who snapped out of her daze and smile at Althea.

"So how you've been?" Pepper asked Althea who was skimming through the menu. "I've been good. How about you?" She asked her. "I'm fine." She replied which made Althea smile at her.

"Why bother looking at the menu if you're going to order cheeseburger?" Pepper asked her which made her roll her eyes at her knowing she's right. "Fine!" Althea said and dropped the menu which made Pepper let out a chuckle.

"Thea someone called for you today." Pepper said which confused her not knowing who it could be. "Who was it?" She asked Pepper as she took a bite of her fries. "Someone named Bucky." Pepper responded which shocked Althea who looked at her with wide eyes.

"Bucky?" She asked again for confirmation. "Yeah, Bucky." Pepper responded talking a bite out of her pizza oblivious to the fact that her friend was freaking out. "Pepper I m sorry. But we have to cut this reunion short. I've to be somewhere." Althea said to her and got up abruptly which made confused Pepper.

Althea kissed Pepper's cheek and walked towards the exit. "Who's Bucky?" She could hear Pepper shout after her but she ignored her and walked out. She sprinted to her car and unlocked it. She got in to her driver seat and sped to the compound.

As soon as Althea parked her car she sprinted to her lab. "What are you doing here at this time?" She heard Rhodey asking her as she ran past him. "Kids!" She heard him grumble after not receiving any reply from her.