Starks Pheonix {2}

Thirteen

Tony followed her up to the lab, wanting to talk with her, before she ran off. She had only just woken up, and he knew she wasn't at full strength yet. He wanted her safe, and as much as he didn't want to admit it, he agreed with Steve, it could be a trap just for her. Walking in, he sees her at the holo table, flicking through the files.

'Iz, can you just stop for a moment..'.. He grabbed her arm, turning her. He hated seeing her emotions off, and in Shadow mode... 'Look, I get that you want to kill him, and I won't stop you, but please, you've only just woken up. I want you to take a day, please. You can go tomorrow, first thing, I'll even help you, but just wait, for me..'

He watched her, searching her eyes and she closed them. He felt her body shudder slightly and he sighed in relief, when she opened them again, and he saw she was back. She reached up and removed her mask, putting it on the table behind her.

'Im sorry, I didn't think about how this affected you..'.. She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him... 'I just saw red at his name..'

'I know you did, I do. And like I said, if you still want to go, I won't stop you, but I will help you. We're a team..'.. Held her waist, hearing the elevator open out in the hallway... 'We can all stop him, but you can be the one to put a bullet in him..'

Izzy chuckled, resting her head against his chest... 'This your way of saying, I'm not allowed anywhere on my own again?..'

'Maybe..'.. Steve and all the others walk in, seeing the two of them.

'Iz? You ok?..'.. Bucky asks, watching her carefully. She pulled back to give him a small smile, and he could see she was back to herself.

'Im fine Buck..'.. She took a deep breath... 'But I think me and Nat need to have a conversation..'... She saw the woman give her a confused look, but nodded at her. Izzy gestured for her to follow, and they went into Tony's office, shutting the door.

'How did you snap her out of it?..'.. Steve asked, looking at the closed door.

'I've snapped her out of it before, when she's in Shadow mode, but I think deep down..'.. Tony looks at him... 'I think Shadow is the Hydra in her. The way she turns off her emotions, and becomes cold, calculated, focused..'.. He ran a hand through his hair... 'I don't think she knows it either, but nothing or no one else, can pull her out of it. Like you and Barnes..'.. He gestures to the two of them.

Bucky thought it over, and looked across to Steve... 'Have you seen her as Shadow?..'

'Yeah, I have. I've seen when she's in the zone and as she switches back. It's..'.. He took a breath... 'It can be terrifying. Is there any way to remove Hydra from her completely?..'.. He asks Tony.

'Shadow is the world's best assassin for a reason..'.. Clint steps forward... 'Not that you'd want to know, but I've seen her literally cut through people without flinching. She's been shot and it didn't stop her or make her hesitate. She has no emotions, no remorse, no care, except the mission..'

'She's been focusing on how to help Barnes..'.. Tony nods to him... 'To remove the trigger words completely. If she's successful, then maybe we can try it with her..'

'What if they already know about her, and are coming for her? She's the only one who knows my trigger words. If they activate her, she could bring the soldier back with me..'.. Bucky tried not to panic, as he looks over at the office door.

'We won't let it happen to either of you..'.. Steve says, putting a hand to Buckys shoulder... 'I've got you both now, and I don't plan on losing either one of you..'