Fighting for You 🔞

Fifty-Three

Lexi had spent the next few days avoiding everyone. She hated that they all now knew, it was not their business to know and the pitying looks, the sympathetic tones when they would speak to her. She would spend as much time as she could out of the tower, with Nicholas and the others, over at her safe house. She had replanted the rose bush, at the base of the blossom tree where her son was buried, with Hannahs ashes. Ryan's heart was at the other side if the tree, and she had planted another rose bush.

She was thankful Reyah made sure Hannah was with her brother. She may not of been Lexis biological daughter, but in every other way, she was. She hated that she had lost another child, knowing that as a vamp, she would never get that chance to carry, or have another. It was too painful to even think about.

She sat at her desk, looking out the window to her left at the tree, sighing. She needed to finish up her new laws for the factions, before the meeting that night, she just didn't know what else to add in.

She also had a list of those she would chose for her grand council, who would act on her behalf while she was away on missions. The grand council would over see the others, and only bring to her attention the most important cases.

She dropped her head into her hands. She knew avoiding her family was wrong, and she should talk to them, but she was already feeling overwhelmed with everything that had happened, since the downfall of SHIELD. Sometimes she wished she could've had the normal life back in Abbot, she actually enjoyed living there and missed Catherine.

'I brought you food love, and a few drinks..'.. Lexi looked up, seeing Nicholas in the doorway with a tray in his hands. He walked over, setting it on her desk, and sat down in one of her chairs... 'You need to eat..'.. He nods to the burger and fries, and both glasses. One held a large amount of gin, the other was blood.

She pulled the tray closer to her, and began to eat the food... 'Why are you really here Nic?..'.. She picked up her gin and took a sip, watching him intently... 'They want you to talk to me, as they're worried about me, right?..'.. She took another bite of her burger.

Nicholas smirked at her, shaking his head... 'Nothing gets past you, does it..'.. He sat back, cossing his ankle across his knee... 'They are worried love. You have barely been there. I know you did not want them to know, but they are your family..'

'As are you, yet you are not pestering or pitying me. I can't stand how they look at me Nic..'.. She dropped her burger on the plate, grabbing her gin and draining it in one. She stared at the glass... 'I told you how bad I was, when I lost him. It took me time to get through it, thanks to Romanoff, but..'.. She sighs, looking at him... 'I've lost Hannah too. I need to grieve in my own way. I'm not going to go off the deep end, if that's what they're worried about..'

She flicked her hand, and the bottle of vodka off to the side floated over, with a glass. She took them both and poured him a generous amount as well as herself... 'Drink, drugs, they don't touch me. I won't go on a blood bender either or a killing spree. I'm just..'.. She sat back, putting her feet up on the corner of her desk... 'I want to focus on getting our world straightened out, and then I deal with them. I just need time..'

He gave her a small smile, and drank from his glass... 'How are the new laws coming along?..'

Lexi picked up the paper, and floated it across to him... 'Take a look. If you have any other ideas, please share. I want to make sure I've covered everything..'... She watched him as he read them over, a grin slowly growing on his face.

'Honestly love, I think you've covered all bases with these, I'm impressed...'.. He leaned forward, placing the paper back on her desk... 'Dare I ask about the council?..'

Lexi smirked at him, finishing her drink and dropping her feet... 'You can wait until tonight. I've invited a few extra along with the state councils. I've already chosen who I want. Now, take this tray and go. I've still got a few things to iron out here, and you're distracting...'

He chuckled at her and stood, taking the tray. As he reached the door, he turned back to her... 'Go see them, please. Explain it to them, and they'll understand. As a favour to me Alexandria..'

She sighed, staring at the page in front of her as he left her office. He called it a favour, damn him. He knew how much she hated that, she didn't do favours, she would do as he would ask anyway, but to call it a favour grinds her to the bone.

Letting out an irritated breath, she stood up, and headed out to grab her jacket... 'I hate you Nicholas!..'.. She called out, and she heard his chuckle from the kitchen. Yanking the door open, she puts on her jacket and flits off, the door slamming behind her.

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Bucky had been in a sullen mood the last few days without her. He knew it was because they all now knew about her son, and she was pissed about it. Nat was right to tell Tony to drop it, but he didn't listen. He could see pity looks from others, and they would whisper about her, thinking she couldn't hear.

Nat was constantly shushing them, getting pissed off herself. Bucky hated that Steve had joined in on the gossip, the guys were worse than women. Even Pepper had reprimanded them, telling them they had no idea what Lexi had been through and how dare they talk about her, behind her back.

He was thankful for these two women standing up for Lexi, he didn't know if they had ever experienced something like that, but they had the empathy to know.

He was sat at the dining table, not even bothering to eat his lunch. Since she had gone, he didn't really feel like eating any more. He barely got out of their bed. He was only in kitchen now, because Steve physically dragged him out of the bedroom.

Pushing the plate away, he reached for his bourbon when he felt a slap around the head... 'What have I said about taking care of yourself? Are you seriously not eating?..'.. He whipped his head round, seeing her stand at his side, giving him a scolding look.

Not bothering to speak, because his emotions wouldn't let him, he dragged the plate back and began to eat... 'Good, but if I find out that any of you are skipping meals these last few days, you're in trouble..'

He watched her sit down across from him, as he took slow bites. She looked tired, and her eyes had lost their sparkle... 'I miss you Lex. Please come home..'.. He reached his other hand out, and she took it, giving him a small smile.

'Jarvis, send the others here please, all of them. We need to talk..'.. She gave his hand a squeeze and stood, heading into the kitchen to whip up a quick lunch for them all. She set about making grilled cheese, and salad. She didn't have much time, but it would do.

Not 5 minutes later, they began to trickle out onto the floor. She didn't turn to look... 'Rogers, Stark, set the table. Barton, Wilson, on drinks. Romanoff, Potts, come grab what's already made and take it to the table please..'

They all did as she asked, no one really speaking as they didn't know what to say. Once all food was ready, she took the remainder over to the table, and sat at the other end, facing Tony... 'Dig in..'.. She gestured to them.

'Now..'.. She leaned her elbows on the table, intertwining her fingers in front of her... 'We need to talk..'

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