Misunderstood

Three

A few days later, and Sophie was out, exploring New York. She had been out, finding all the bookstores she could. She loved finding secondhand bookstores. She would spend hours, getting lost in them. Her room, was actually, half a floor, which she thought was a bit much, but she didn't mind, she was with family.

Tony knew her addiction to books, so he had made sure that the entire back wall, was floor to ceiling shelves for her in the living room part of her place.

Her half floor consisted of a small kitchenette in the corner, open living space, that led to her bedroom and bathroom. Her bedroom was deep forest green, her furniture was all dark wood. Tony knew her so well.

Sophie decided, the 3 bags full of books that she carried, and her backpack were enough to tide her over until her next day off. Strolling through the streets, heading back to the tower, she frowned, seeing it in pitch black. She pulled her comm out of her pocket, putting it in her ear.

'Jarvis, why is the tower dark?'... She asks, as she gets closer.

'Mr Stark is bringing the reactor online right now'..

Sophie sighed in relief, knowing it wasn't something bad. She smiled up at it, knowing she had helped Tony to get it going... 'How's he doing?'

Just as the words left her mouth, the tower began to light up, like a Christmas tree. Sophie stopped in wonder, it had worked. She heard the woosh of Tony flying above. She spots him, as he lands on the pad up top.

Sophie grinned, stiding forward. She was excited to see him. Rushing ahead, she makes it into the tower, and to the elevator. Just as the doors begin to close, a hand stops them.

A man smiles at her and steps in next to her... 'Sorry Dr Connors, I didn't mean to startle you'

Sophie frowned at the man... 'Have we met?'

'No, sorry. I'm Agent Coulson, of SHIELD'... He holds out a hand for her to shake, which she does. She notices a file in his other hand.

'Yeah, I know SHIELD. You've tried recruiting me in the past..'.. She chuckles, remembering her last interaction with a SHIELD agent.

'Thats true, we have. We could really use someone with your expertise on a matter'... He says, smiling. They hit the floor of her living quarters.

'This is me. I appreciate the offer Agent Couslon, but no. My work and family is here. Where Tony goes, I go'... She have him a nod, and walked out of the elevator.

When she got in her apartment, she dropped her bags on the couch and made her way to the kitchenette for a coffee. One of the things she made sure to get, was a great coffee machine.

Once she had made a cup, she stands by the windows, drinking it, as she looked out onto the city. She had felt at home here.

'Miss Sweets, Mr Stark needs to see you urgently'... She hears Jarvis.

Sighing to herself, she strides from her place, still holding her cup, and enters the elevator... 'Take me to him please Jarvis'

The elevator moves up, towards the main floor. Not a minute later, the doors open, and she strides out, seeing him stood at the holo table to the right... 'What's so urgent you need me on my day off?'

She looks at what he's working it, and frowns. It looks like files on people. She recognised a woman with red hair. She had come before to recruit Sophie to SHIELD. Another she saw, was Dr Bruce Banner.

Sophie tried to hide her blush, seeing him as Hulk on the display... 'I need you to go with Pepper. Something is going on and I need you both safe'... He says, not looking at her.

She puts her cup down, staring at him... 'No'

Tony turns, hearing her tell him no...'What do you mean, no? I can't have you in the middle of this Soph. Please, can you go with Pepper'

'No..'.. She punches him in the arm... 'This is my home, my labs. I'm not leaving. And if you try to make me, I'll kick your ass, with or without your suit'... She gives him a hard stare.

Tony sighs in defeat... 'Ok, fine. Could you at least look these over please, and give me a rundown on thermonuclear astrophysics too?'.... She looks at him, bewildered.

'Wow, the great Tony Stark doesn't know everything? The world really is ending..'.. She mocks him with a smile.

Sophie sits down, looking over the files of the people that he had. She was more interested in Dr Banner, than the others. She gave her view of the tesseract, and on Selvigs work. She had met Selvig a few times, both talking about their respective fields.

'I'm staying here, but I will clear the tower of all personnel. I'll be on comm with Jarvis. I'll keep you updated, and you do the same for me, understood?'... She peers over at him, making sure he heard her.

'I got you. And I promise I will let you know. So, anyone here you think is going to be an issue?'... He gestures to the files, on the holo display.

'So, Barton is under Lokis' control. Bartons partner, is an ex assassin, and is such a babe..'.. Tony shook his head at her... 'What? Just because I'm a woman, I can't find another woman attractive? If I was gay, I'd steal Pepper from you. Her legs go on for days'

'Ok, ok. Enough, I just... don't want to hear it from you. To me, youre still that innocent little kid. Not the horny adult you are now'... Tony rolls his eyes.

Sophie sticks her tongue out at him, turning back to the files... 'This Captain America, Steve Rogers. I don't think he's adapted enough to this time. Everything about him screams lost. You two will butt heads. He will still think of every battle as a war to win, so he'll try to take charge'

'What about Banner?'... He gestures to the Hulk video.

'Thats not him, and you know it. He's like me, lost and alone, except for the other side. From what I know of him, he's a really good, nice guy. You'd get along well'... Sophie watched as Hulk destroyed a tank... 'I know what it's like, to have a side that others fear. Maybe if he learns to accept Hulk, then others will too'

She smiles over at Tony, who thinks on what she's said.... 'Ok. Send out a company email for the tower. Everyone to have the next week off paid. No one to return to the tower, unless stated otherwise'

Sophie spots his laptop on the other side of him, and goes round to do the email. If anything was to happen, she didn't want anyone here, just in case.

The two work together, Sophie locking down the the Stark servers, including their personal ones too. She then does her own research into Selvigs notes of the tesseract. It was an unusual piece. Maybe there was something about it, that could help her.

Sophie spent most of the night, bringing Tony up to speed on Selvigs work, and about thermonuclear astrophysics, like he asked.

😘