Avengers - Time Rift: Iron Maiden

Chapter 14 - The Wire: Part 2 - Devastation

Page picture manipulation by SouthernLolita

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Iron Maiden's funeral was held a few days later and the Avengers rallied around Darcy in attempt to support her and keep the press at arms length due to the stress and her reaction to the loss of Tonya making it obvious there was something more than a professional relationship between Lewis and the pilot of the Iron Maiden armor. Military and Civil Service honors and medals were awarded for her heroism and speeches were made, all of them lost in a blur of incomprehensible babble to Lewis. The ceremony ended with Tony and Pepper shuffling Darcy out to a limousine and taking her back to her apartment.

Darcy fell heavily onto the couch staring out the window as Tony went through her mail and pulled out the bills "We'll take care of all this." he said as he sat down next to her and Pepper looked through the refrigerator and cabinets "If you need anything you just call one of us, we'll make sure you get it. And feel free to call anytime, for anything" he concluded. Pepper spoke up "Why don't I bring some groceries over later? See if you thought of anything you might need". Darcy looked up for a moment "The only thing I need you can't give me back" she whimpered as the tears streamed down her face. Tony looked at her his face worn from lack of sleep "If we can do anything just call. I'm sorry I can't do more ... couldn't do more ... I just ..." Tony stood up and headed to the door "I'll be in the car" he said as he left. Pepper kissed Darcy's forehead as she curled up on the couch still staring blankly out the window "I'll be back later tonight, I'll bring a pizza, OK?" she said as she followed Tony out "Call if you need anything at all". The elevator doors closed and Tony took a deep breath trying to regain his composure "J, I want full surveillance on the apartment. Head off anything she charges on her credit card and pay for it out of the Avenger's account. And I don't want any reporters anywhere near her ... block any news coverage involving Tonya from all her electronic toys too". "Right away Sir" Jarvis responded as Pepper took his hand, her voice soft and reassuring "Darcy will be fine, we'll take care of her" she said kissing his cheek. Tony smiled reassuringly at Pepper as he thought "Problem is I don't know who's going to take care of me".

Jane showed up the next morning to check on Darcy and let herself in to find her still curled up on the couch. "Darcy, honey. Let's go get something to eat. Grab a shower and we'll pick something up." she said as she sat down next to Lewis lightly running her fingers through her hair. "I don't want to go out. I feel sick." Darcy responded as she rolled over. Jane went into the kitchen and poured a glass of orange juice bringing it to the couch "Darcy, I know how you feel, when Thor disappeared ...". Darcy jumped up her eyes burning with anger as she slapped the glass of juice out of Jane's hand "Don't tell me you know I feel and throw Thor in my face. He went home. Tonya's not coming back ... EVER!" she screamed "Shes gone! Dead! Not waiting outside in your car for me to come down! She died! Now get the hell out!". Jane looked at the floor as she left "I'm sorry. I know it's not the same. I just wanted to help, we all love you". Darcy slammed the door as she left "Bitch." she muttered as she made her way to the bedroom and fell down on the bed staring at the picture on the wall of them at Comic Con as the tears filled her eyes again.

No one had seen Tony for days after the funeral and Pepper finally invaded his lab to check on him. "Tony, are you ok dear?" she said causing him to jump up and fall off his desk knocking several empty scotch bottles onto the floor. Stark climbed up to his feet trying to steady himself by leaning on the desk "Yeah, I just have a lot of work to do." he said as he fell back into his chair. Pepper looked at him sadly "I understand you don't cope like a normal human being but you really need to get yourself together. This isn't what Tonya would want for you." she said as she left the lab. Tony grabbed a half full bottle and emptied it in one drink "And that's my fault too." he muttered as he fell out of the chair and passed out on the floor. Upstairs Pepper went over paperwork and got ready to go for work when the doorbell rang. She opened the front door to find Steve Rogers standing outside "How's Tony holding up?" he asked as she motioned him inside. "He's coping in his own way" Pepper said as she slid the files into her briefcase. "Lost in the bottom of a bottle as usual I assume?" Rogers said, his tone was a bit condescending causing Pepper to spin around "I suppose you don't have any regrets? She was on YOUR team Steve, you're going to tell me you don't feel any responsibility for any of this? At least Tony's accepting his role in this whole thing even if he is dealing with it in the worst way possible, as usual". Steve shook his head "She made a decision. What she did ... not many people would be able to make that call, to be that selfless". Pepper's tone was hateful "Oh yes. I know all about you and your 'wire'. It's brave, it's noble, it's honorable. IT'S BULLSHIT!! She was like a daughter to us, even more so to Tony and you justify it with 'it was selfless'? I guess your heart never thawed once they broke you out of the ice. I'm late for work and then I have to check in on the rest of her friends ... you know, the ones that feel a sense of loss because she died" she said as she shoved Steve out the door and slammed it in his face "God I hate Mondays".