Destruction (Retaliation Book 1) [Avengers Fan-fic] [COMPLETED]

Chapter 7

Lexi

Johnny pulled up outside STARK Towers and parked. We both climbed out and made our way inside, to the elevator. We quickly climbed, and before we knew it, were at the top floor. I all but ran out, and straight over to Tony, who was standing in the kitchen, talking to Pepper.

‘Where is he? Is he alright? Please tell me he didn’t get at your liquor store. Where is he?’ I spurted worriedly, as Tony turned to face me, holding his hands out slightly before him.

‘Calm down. He’s fine. He’s sober, but he’s still in a bad place, so we’re being careful.’ He told me as I made my way to him, noticing Scarlett in Pepper’s arms.

‘How’d she take the flight?’ I asked them, smiling softly at her. Pepper shrugged with a soft smile, as she looked down at the sleeping child in her arms.

‘Like an angel.’ I smiled at them both, before sighing as Johnny stepped up behind me, and I remembered why we came. I looked to Tony.

‘Where is he?’ I asked him quietly, twirling my hair in my fingers; a nervous habit. Tony’s eyes flicked to my hand, and back to my eyes, where they softened.

‘You don’t have to…’ he began, and I sighed, nodding as I saw the look in his eyes, telling me what I needed to know.

‘The gym. Just like I thought. Thanks.’ I interrupted, dropping my hand to my side, as I made my way back to the elevator.

‘Do you want me to come with you?’ Johnny asked, and I looked over my shoulder, shaking my head at him with a soft smile.

‘I’ll be fine. I’ll sort him out, don’t worry.’ I called out, as the elevator doors opened before me, and Clint, Nat and Bruce stepped out, all of us jumping as we nearly ran into each other.

‘Oh!’ I squeaked, stepping back with a surprised smile, before glancing back over my shoulder at Tony, who shrugged.

‘I wanted backup in case he broke into my stash. I didn’t want Scar to be near that without having backup.’ He explained. I sighed disappointedly at him. I could understand his reasoning, but I didn’t approve. We should never have to face each other. Especially not after what had happened with Sam.

I gulped at the thought as Clint spoke from behind me. ‘Where is he, I’ll go talk to him.’ He suggested, but I shook my head, sliding past them, into the elevator.

‘No, I will. Trust me, I’ll get him to snap out of it.’ I told them. Johnny took a step forward, his eyes worried as he took a breath to argue, but I shook my head as I pressed the button to go down.

‘I’ll be fine. Just wait here.’ I told him as the doors closed and the elevator began to move. I sighed as I stepped out of the elevator, and into the short hallway leading into the training room. I could hear the thuds and the soft grunts as Steve pounded the punching bag, rattling its chains. I sighed, closing my eyes as I leaned against the wall, and reached out with my mind. I broke through the thin membrane holding Steve’s thoughts locked away, and was overcome instantly by feelings on pain, longing and sorrow.

Images flashed before my eyes faster than I thought anyone’s mind could process. War and love, tangled together in a cataclysmic concoction which was chipping away at both his sanity and his soul. My heart clenched, and tears sprung to my eyes as Sam repeatedly dashed through his mind, with Peggy softly ebbing and flowing to and fro. I took a deep breath and reached out, trying to calm the storm that raged within him, to have him freeze, just as his fist hit the punching bag.

‘Get out of my head, Lex.’ He all but growled, before resuming his assault on the punching bag. I sighed, retreating into my own mind, and walking out, from my hiding place. I watched him carefully, as I walked around, and up to the punching bag. I sighed, watching as his eyes focussed on the punching bag, not seeing what was in front of him. I stepped up, and gently put my weight against the punching bag, stilling it marginally.