Avengers - Time Rift: Iron Maiden

Chapter 7 - A Road to Reconciliation

Darcy checked Tonya's labs and apartment every day waiting for her to return, hoping for the opportunity to explain things in person. "She said her reports would only take two or three days at most" Darcy thought as she sat on her couch finishing the pizza she had ordered the night before "It's been over a week now". She scrolled through the new data Jane Foster had sent her on the convergence and reset the format to match the operating system she was using in the lab at the Avenger's tower. She managed to drag herself though her daily routine but only because it took her to the places she was most likely to find the woman she longed to make things right with. He days were dull, lacking the laughter and random bits of craziness Tonya would drag her into. Darcy got dressed and stepped out to the street her eyes drawn to the spot she had found the bouquet of flowers that night and she wiped away a tear as she got into her car and left for work.

Darcy plugged the new data into the convergence model, it was Saturday morning but she had to keep herself busy and this was best time work since the tower was usually vacant. "An energy signature matching the Iron Maiden portal has been detected in Miss Romanov's lab" Jarvis announced shattering the silence and Darcy felt her heart begin to pound as she ran to the elevator. Tonya turned away from the lab door and headed to the elevator carrying her guitar case as Darcy stepped into the hall. "What's up Lewis?" Tonya asked giving her a nod. Darcy felt her heart sink "Lewis?" she thought as she moved toward Tonya and looked into her eyes, eyes that seemed cold and empty compared to last time she gazed into them. Darcy felt the lump in there throat grow to the size of a softball as she spoke "Tonya, I'm so sorry. I was just scared, it's not what I expected". The redhead patted her shoulder as she moved past and pushed the button for the elevator "Don't worry about it, I just thought I saw something but I was wrong. I'll try not to scare you like that again, but it's what monsters do. You're not into girls, its cool. I'm guessing you have your hopes set on marrying that guy, family, nice apartment, the American dream, right? Can't blame you there". Darcy grabbed her arm as Tonya tried to step into the elevator "It's not that I didn't want to be with you and I never meant to hurt you..." she started, her hopes rising the situation would be resolved here and now until Tonya cut her off "But you didn't really want to me with me till you did" Tonya said jerking her arm away "Don't come and say you care about me out of guilt or because you feel bad because you think you hurt me. I'm not a charity case and if I want to be shown off as some kind of trophy hook up or used as an outlet for rebellion I can get that back home, I don't need the hassle here. I got a gig so need to go. Be back Monday, maybe I'll see you around. Don't work too late" the door to the elevator started to close as she finished "and I'll drive myself into work from now on, no need for you to waste more of your time". With that she was gone and Darcy was left in the hall, the building somehow feeling even emptier than before. In the garage Tonya strapped the guitar case onto the back of her motorcycle and wiped away a tear before she started the engine and left the garage to stop by her apartment and change before meeting the band. Latex and Whiskey closed their set with a cover of Imagine Dragons 'Monster' featuring Tonya on vocals. Her voice was strong and full of conviction as she sang and the crowd responded to her outpouring of emotion. Cheers filled the bar at the end of the song and Chris announced they would be taking a short break but would be back in thirty minutes. "So that's the problem." Coulson said quietly shaking his head as he paid for T-shirt and left unnoticed by Tonya.

Darcy pulled up to Tonya's apartment building Monday morning and pressed the button for the buzzer only to be informed by Juliet that Tonya had already left much to the researchers dismay. Pulling into the garage at Stark Industries she headed directly to Tonya's lab. "Hey hey hey, where's your I.D.?" Happy said as she stepped in front of her blocking her way. Darcy glared at him as she shoved him out of the way and continued on undaunted "Outta my way Dorky, I don't have time for this". Arriving at Romanov's lab she beat on the door until it opened a crack and Tonya stuck her head out "Hey Lewis. Look, I'm swamped right now. They have a compatibility issue with the conduits and the couplers, tricky stuff. Why don't you get a hold of Juliet and maybe we can set up a lunch next week or something, OK? Great. I have to get back to this, you know your way out" she said not giving Darcy time to say a word before closing the door again. Darcy trudged back to the lobby of Stark Industries and headed toward the front door "Next time have your I.D. showing Miss Lewis and the names Happy not Dorky ... just thought I'd mention that". "Bite me" Darcy mumbled as she left the building and entered the parking lot where Coulson was leaning against the passenger door of her camaro. Darcy pushed him away from the car "Don't touch Pandora" she said moving to the driver's side and getting in. Phil peeked into the window, knocking on the glass and Darcy lowered it as he smiled "I have something you might want to hear". Darcy rolled her eyes "I doubt it. I'm not really interested in Avengers business right now. I just want to go home, put on some fat pants and eat about three gallons of ice cream, OK?". Phil leaned further into the window "Did I mention I've been doing surveillance for Team Darcy regarding the Iron Maiden Initiative?" he said flashing the 'I got you now' smile he often had when he knew the upper hand was his. Darcy raised an eyebrow inquisitively "Get in" she said unlocking the door and letting him take the passenger seat. Phil buckled the seat belt as Darcy looked at him "And you're buying my ice cream. Now what is it I need to know?" she said as they pulled off. Phil nodded and looked around the inside of the car running his fingers over the interior "We'll get to that. Is this real leather?" he asked as they drove away from the Stark Industries complex.