Universal Chaos

Chapter 13

Khan was disarmed but far from harmless even without a gun. They debated on how to properly restrain him before Sutton just shrugged.

"Whatever would hold Steve should work. They're both genetically enhanced superhumans, right?"

She sniffed, wiped at her nose, and noticed one small bead of blood. Quickly, she rubbed it off on her already bloody thigh.

Khan snarled.

"Do not make assumptions about me."
"Oops," Sutton said in the least apologetic voice possible. "Did I do that?"
"Ok, Urkel," Tony quipped, "we've got it from here. Your help is not needed."

He was being short with her. Snappier than usual. She wondered if it was because of the 'secret' or if the stress was just really getting to him.

Apparently Tony had some super-strong magnetic restraints that he used for storing his suits, and he had Steve run to fetch a couple while he stood guard, repulsor at the ready. Sutton felt the tension as Khan remained sitting stiffly on the floor, his eyes taking in everything.

A silent beat pulsed through the room as no one spoke or moved. She didn't inch any closer, afraid that movement would somehow stir him to try and attack again.

"I imagine you told him about our time together," Khan commented. Sutton flinched.

"You've got nothing over me," she said. "He knows everything."

He tilted his head to the side.

"Everything? You told him about the virus that didn't kill you like it should have, but kept you from fully breathing? About how you still managed to scream so loudly? Or how about when-"
There was a high, charging whine and Sutton threw out a hand.

"Tony, don't! He's trying to-to get to you."

Tony let out a sharp breath, but didn't power down his repulsor. Just held it at the ready. Sutton hoped Steve would be quick.

"Tony." Khan tested the name out for himself. "Did you tell Tony that you tried to kill me yourself? Or that you would have attempted to sacrifice your own life in setting off a bomb just to stop me if I'd given you the chance. Oh, how your gaze did linger."

"Stop it," snapped Sutton. One arm lifted, curled lightly around her ribs. "It's over now. I beat you. It doesn't matter anymore."

"Oh, but it does matter to him, doesn't it?"

Sutton glanced over to Tony, noted his ashen face and stony, blank expression. She held her ribs tighter.

"Tony," she tried to soothe. "It was a long time ago now. There's nothing- I'm fine."

"I think he's forgetting that he's not the biggest fish in the pond anymore." Tony bit out.

"It is funny," commented Khan, "that you were shot in the same leg that I kicked and kicked until your knee cap-"

"Steve," Tony yelled, cutting off Khan. "You better get back up here fast if you don't want me to kill him!"

Whatever Khan was trying to do, he wanted Tony to fire his repulsor. Or at least he wanted him distracted. But Tony had been in more emotionally charged fights before. Right? He'd fought Obadiah and won.

He had also killed Obadiah, now that she thought about it. But that had only been because there was no other choice.

Steve came bounding back up the stairs carrying two thick u-shaped metal pieces. Both she and Tony turned their heads to glance at Steve's approaching figure, and Sutton caught Khan's dark silhouette move.