When Time Collides ★ [2] ✔

Girl Time

The plan ride back was...bumpy. The actual ride was rather peaceful. It was the people inside and the conversations ensuing that were bumpy.

Although I sat in the corner on the floor, minding my own business, I couldn't help but notice that Tony was watching me like a hawk once he'd left JARVIS to fly the rest of the way home. It wasn't a I'm checking your hot bod out stare; he had Pepper Potts to do that with. It was more like a move and you're dead glare. I'd never seen him look at me like that. Ever. And I'd known him a while. I didn't make me nervous, no, but it did make me suspicious.

Dealing with HYDRA before, I knew there would've been some suspicious items lying around in that workshop Tony had found the scepter in. But something had happened down there, and it had shaken him up good. I could see he was trying to hide it, but it was as clear as day to me.

The towering skyscrapers of Manhattan peaked through the clouds as the jet made its way to the building formally known as Stark Tower, now renamed Avengers Tower. Cute.

Upon landing, Clint was rolled out of the jet to meet Dr. Cho, the Avengers' top medical officer. Thor carried Loki's scepter closer than he did his hammer out after them in its protective case. I inclined my head at Maria Hill walking into the jet while I stretched stiffly.

"Lab's all set up, Boss," Hill stated.

"Uh, actually, he's the boss," Tony corrected, pointing to Steve. "I just pay for everything, and design everything, and make everyone look cooler."

"That's all you're good for, mate," I remarked with a snarky grin.

Tony hesitated before giving me a sarcastic smile. "Oh, you're adorable."

Okay. Something is definitely up with him.

"What's the word on Strucker?" Steve asked.

"NATO's got him."

"The two enhanced?"

Hill handed him the tablet. "Wanda and Pietro Maximoff. Twins. Natives of Sokovia. Orphaned at ten when a shell collapsed their apartment building. Sokovia's had a rough history. It's nowhere special but it's on the way to everywhere special." They walked out of the jet side by side.