Inescapable

Ch. 38

Stepping into the compound felt right and wrong at the same time. Greeted by Rhodey, who was currently on a holo call with Ross, was just the cherry on the cake. "Mr. Secretary." Steve's voice rang out, the smile of Rhodey's face was a clear indication that he was on their side, sick of having to follow the rules he was bound to because of the government.

"You got some nerve. I'll give you that." Ross answered back, Steve could see a vein throbbing on his neck, a clear sign of stress.

"Says the man whose been exposed to the world. I'm surprised you still haven't been stripped of your rank." Natasha chimes in, the rest of the Avengers filling in the room behind them.

"The world has bigger fish to fry right now. The uncertainty of recent events; the world is on fire. And you think you can just waltz on back, like all is forgiven?" Ross quipped.

Steve stood tall, his anger burning deep within him. "I'm not looking for forgiveness. And I'm way past asking for permission. Earth just lost her best defenders. So, we're here to fight. And if you want to stand in our way... we'll fight you too."

Ross stares at Steve, sizing him up for a beat before turning back to Rhodey. "Arrest them."

Rhodey scoffs. "All over it." Then he dismisses the holo call, effectively shutting Ross up. Rhodey smiles at the group. "That' s a court martial. It's good to see you guys. Now please tell me you have a plan."

Steve sighs, "not yet."

Natasha is the one to quickly add, "but we will."

The rest of the team is quiet, somber and upset. What happened affected everyone, but Steve could see it affecting some more than others. "Wash up. Regroup in the conference room in 15." Everyone nodded and dispersed. Steve just stood there, praying everything would work out and that Tony and Y/N were safe.

-.-

You could feel someone calling your name, warm hands shaking you from the darkness. "Come on baby. Wake up."

Blinking, your vision starts to clear, and you can see Tony at your side, propping you up from the floor. "Tones?"

"There you are princess. That's my girl. Come on." He helps you get up on your feet and you're able to take in your surroundings. You are both on the ship. No. No. NO! You quickly snap your head back to look at Tony. "What did you do Tones? Why are you on this ship?" Your voice comes out in an angry whisper and his eyes squint back at you angrily.

"Well forgive me for trying to rescue you sweetheart. But if you think I was just going to sit around and watch you quite literally snatched up by an alien; your poorly mistaken hun." You could hear his anger simmering underneath, although he was trying his hardest to keep it contained. You deflate a little, knowing you would have done the same thing had the tables been turned. "You're right. I'm sorry Tones. I just -" you made sure to look at him in the eyes, conveying your honesty. "I just wanted to keep you safe."

You could see him soften, the fight leaving him too. "Well, that's not how this relationship works sweety. It's together or nothing okay? Where you go, I go." He reaches for your hands and squeezes them as he continues. "We are far better together, than we can ever be apart Y/N."

You nod, knowing he's right. Then scan and look at your surroundings, finding two key figures missing from the vicinity. "Where's Strange?"

"Squidward has him downstairs, currently exacting some weird brand of torture on him." Tony said, you could see the wheels in his head turning; trying to find a solution to the next problem. "Did this happen in what you know?"

"Something similar. Yes."

"How'd we free the wizard?"

You sighed. "You had someone else here with you then, and he came up with a great idea. We could recreate it to some degree, I guess. Kinda wish he was here, but also so glad he doesn't have to go through all this."