Saving Her Sanity (Tony Stark x OC!Stephanie Richards)

Chapter 1: Closure

It's been a couple of years since the New York attack by Loki and since Stephanie had come back from the Army. S.H.I.E.L.D. has fallen and Nick Fury went into hiding as well as some of the officers. Stephanie is still living in Stark Tower or now known as the Avengers Tower. The female was in the gym, taking a couple of rounds against the punching bag. Dark circles held themselves underneath her eyes as she wasn't sleeping once again. Fury had sent her an email about the wives of her fallen comrades, saying they wanted to meet her and she was absolutely terrified. The door to the gym opens and a scent of pomergrante hits her nose as jumbled, angry thoughts flooded her own. The brunette blocks it out as Pepper Potts comes into the room, with a tray of tea for two. Stephanie raises an eyebrow at the blonde as she sets the tray on the bench and sits next to it. Pepper was still dating her best friend, Tony Stark. The psychic settles the punching bag before walking over and sitting next to Pepper as she unwraps her hands.

"I know I ask this every time but how did you grow up with him?" Pepper looks to Stephanie as the latter chuckles.

"I knew him long before Howard and Maria passed. He was a different person before the accident. Losing his parents snapped something in him and he changed. I still see the old him but after everything he's been through, he's damaged goods, Pepper. It'll take time to heal. It doesn't happen over night." Stephanie shoves her wraps into her bag as she looks at her.

"I see nightmares are plaguing you again." Pepper looks at Stephanie with sympathy as the brunette sighs and nods. "Therapy sessions not helping?"

"They... They have been but I just got word the wives of my comrades want to see me and gave me a date. I... I don't know if I can face them tomorrow. I made the incorrect choice and cost them their husbands. What do you even say to them? 'Hi, I'm the woman who got your husband killed. How are you doing?'. I just don't know what to do."

"It'll come to you." Pepper pats her left shoulder with comfort before standing up and walking back towards the gym doors. "Steve's on his way up to come visit. Maybe he can help. Tony said he will be by later to talk to you as well. JARVIS has been keeping him updated on your condition."

"Of course he is." Stephanie sighs as she waves at Pepper as she exits the gym. Stephanie starts pouring tea into cups as she hears the elevators ding, getting a smell of oak and happy thoughts. She smiles as she knows exactly who it was. "How's Peggy doing?"

"She's doing alright. She won't have long though. Her daughter says she can pass at any time." Steve sits down next to her and grabs one of the cups as he takes a sip. "How's the nightmares since...?"

"Been worse. Feels like I'm right back there again. Been having to have an inhaler next to me to catch my breath or JARVIS alerts Tony from his sleep. I'd rather not have him losing sleep too than what he already does." Stephanie grabs her own cup and takes a sip, feeling her entire body relax.

"Steph, you know I told you it's better for someone to be there with you." Steve looks at her with baby blue eyes as she sighs.

"And Pepper gets her panties twisted after Tony is in my bedroom. I told you this." Her tone becomes aggravated as Steve grabs her cup and sets it back on the tray causing the female to furrow her eyebrows at him.

"How about you and I go out? Get you out of this tower and get fresh air. When was the last time you've been out? And I swear to God, Steph, if you say when you went to the movies with Sam..." Steve groans as Stephanie gives him a sheepish smile. "Take a shower and get dressed. I'm taking you out."