The Other Stark

Reunion

A year on the road with James wasn't too bad. It was very professional if anything. We tried not to get to know each other but every now and then we would have to say something. It was like no matter how much we tried not to get attached we would always end up growing on the other, even when all we did was sit in silence. I got to do what I wanted, create. I didn't have a iron suit but I did make gloves and boots, which often came in handy. We had finally found the one and only Wolfgang von Strucker, a leader of HYDRA. One of the last surviving heads. If I could kill him than the organization of HYDRA would have a great dispersal. I woke up to the smell of coffee on top of the covers in our hotel, but with a blanket on top of me. I wiped the drool from my mouth and realized that I fell asleep analyzing the file I had on Strucker. James must of placed the blanket on top of me. James came out of the bathroom and gave me a polite smile before pouring his own cup of coffee. He sat on his bed skimming the file and I sat across from him. I placed my hand on the file and lowered it. "It seems that my mission is almost done, have you thought about not running?" I could see how scared he is, "I'm a weapon Toni, after all what would happen if someone bad got their hands on me" I didn't want to push the conversation so I got on my knees and leaned over to hug him. It had been so long since I had intimate contact with someone, I enjoyed it but it seemed weird. Once my arms loosened around his neck his arms wrapped around my waist bringing me in closer. Neither of us said anything but I rested my head on his shoulder and his back leaned up on the wall behind him. We just stayed like that. We were not close, but we were the only people we regularly saw for a year. I was no longer a teenager, I felt more adult, after all I should hate this man, he took everything from me. I couldn't stop a few tears thinking about it. Would my mother be proud of me? Was this what she imagined for her daughter? 

James pulled back just slightly enough to wipe the few stray away tears with his finger before tucking some of my hair back. He whispered, "I will miss you too". Then his hand traveled up to my head and gently my head was pushed to his, his lips were pressed to mine. I felt my face go red and my breath get shallow. I then reconnected our lips together. We had a small make out session before I thought about Steve. God this was wrong. Even if we had broken up. I slowly crawled off of him and grabbed my duffle and walked to the door. Before opening the door I looked back at my partner for the past year. "If you ever need anything...I know you can find me" I slowly left and only when the door closed with each of us on the other side did I feel like I could breath again. Without looking back I headed to catch a cab. 

It took me months before I could even be close enough to kill Strucker. I had a cover story that I was one who undertook in the voluntary mutation...With their records destroyed thanks to me they had no authority telling them any different. My mutated blood only added to the authenticity of my story. I studied these "volunteer mutants" but had to hide the file as the overcome announced, "This is not a drill please report to your stations. We are under attack". Looking out the window I saw something that shocked me. The iron man suit. Shit. The avengers are here to run in and ruin everything I worked for. I was rushed with the twins, as the only mutants there, just in case the avengers beat all of the men. While Strucker was giving a speech, I followed the twins out. After all if needed mutants are better at fighting other mutants. Pietro ran so I stuck with following his sister as she creeps around the castle. I thought I lost her but when I found her casting a spell on my father I tackled her down to the ground and began punching her till she was out cold. I could hear my father whimper so I moved my attention to him, shaking him back into reality as I called, "Dad, please wake up". He looked at me in shock, "no you aren't real" I shook my head up and down, "Yes Tony I am please" He touched my cheek with his hand and then pulled me close. I cried, "I'm back daddy. I did it," He kissed the top of my head and smiled, "Then lets go home baby". With his iron hand he grabbed the staff and walked off with me under his arm. It didn't take long for Steve to find us. I watched the shock enter his eyes as a quiet, "Toni" left his lips. This was one of the few times that I welcomed my fathers dad jokes as he spinned the staff, "I know you missed me cap, but I am back" He walked ahead of us and I began to follow him until Steve took hold of my arm, "So you are back-back, like for good" For the first time in forever I rolled my eyes at him, "I don't know what the future holds, now please Steve I have not seen my father in a year" before following the cheerful whistles of my father.

Loading onto the plan was one of the most awkward things I have ever done. First, Jarvis was really the only one who welcomed me. At least until Thor came in and cheered, "Lady Stark is back! What a wonderful surprise!" as he held me in a bone crushingly tight hug. Everyone else just sorted of nodded at me but my father helped me feel welcomed as he tossed an arm around me and invited Thor and I to his little shindig to celebrate the fall of HYDRA and my return. I chuckled and asked, "Hey Tony think I can stay up in the tower again, kind of like last time?" He teased me by placing a finger to his chin like he was thinking until he exclaimed, "Sure, after all it is the avengers tower now" I looked over to Thor questioningly, "Avenger's tower?" and he proceeded to explain how my father converted the Stark tower to the Avengers tower, how Steve was their leader, and how my father financed everything. Once all of my questions where answered Steve walked in and I was lost staring at him, after all I would only be telling myself lies If i said I never thought about him or missed him while I was away. I bounced back to Thor when he asked me twice, "How was your leave Miss Stark, did you conquer many foes as well? We were all worried when you disappeared with the winter solider" Steve's head snapped back at me, "You know where Bucky is?" I kept my eyes to the ground, thinking about the kiss James and I shared, "Not anymore Steve, I had a mission and had to leave him to complete it" I couldn't tell if he was more hurt or angry as he stomped away from Thor and I.

I tried to keep to myself as the plane made its way back to New York. The charm bracelet from Happy reminded me of home every single time I looked at it, and now I am finally back.