Lost in the Mirror (Avengers Fan Fiction)

[ 10 ]

"I had that dream again." Delaney sighed out, staring blankly at the ceiling with her hands resting on her stomach. "The one about the burning building and the people who were stuck inside of it."

"You said last time that you thought you recognized one of the people in your dream." Dr. Manning took a few notes before she continued to speak. "Do you think you could name that person?"

Delaney shook her head for a few moments and then rubbed her eyes.

"All of the faces were blurry this time.... But I think I figured out who it was."

"What do you mean by that?"

Delaney paused, her eyes flickering over to Dr. Manning.

"I had the dream last week and the face of the man was how it usually is. I.... I think it's a man I work with."

Dr. Manning nodded her head as she watched Delaney, the end of her bright green pen was between her white teeth.

"Have you told anyone else about it?"

"About my dream?" Delaney turned her head so that she could see her therapist.

"Yes."

"I've.... spoken to a good friend of mine about it, two of them actually. But I only told them about it just last week when I had the dream. Oh and I told another friend...." She didn't know if she should tell Dr. Manning that she told something so personal to her boss. Dr. Manning often advised her that her near-dependent relationship with her boss was probably not healthy for their work environment.

Ever since S.H.I.E.L.D. fell, HYDRA  erupted from its ashes, and Nick Fury died, Delaney became more attached to Maria Hill and her desire to stay close to the woman grew stronger. She needed someone to guide her, to be there for her constantly. She needed Hill like a mother-figure almost. However, Delaney was a grown woman. She needed to be treated as such.

"How did you feel after you woke up from this dream, Delaney?"

"I was.... I don't know." She sat up and ran her hands over her face. "I wasn't able to go back to sleep. I just.... I felt sick."

"And this man who's been in the dream, what is your relationship like with him?"

"We're really good friends, Doctor. I mean, I've known him for as long as I can remember. Our relationship was a little rough at first.... I think he just had trouble getting used to me, but he's a great guy and he's funny."

"Why do you think he has been in your dreams, Delaney?" Doctor Manning put the end of her pen between her lips as she watched Delaney. "Do you think it means something?"

"I don't know." Delaney answered honestly. "I just.... I don't know."

•*•*•

Delaney had just arrived back at the Compound from her session with Doctor Manning. The intern was currently preparing a conference room for the Avengers. She placed the box of doughnuts on the counter and started coffee.

"Okay, Jupiter." She whispered to herself as she picked her purple corn snake up off of the conference table. "They are ready—,"

"Oh good! You're in here!"

Delaney turned upon hearing someone enter the room. Tony was dressed in his Iron Man suit, looking as though he was ready to fight. His helmet opened.

"Mr. Stark, what in the world are—,"

"No time to talk. Keep this for me." He shoved a thumb drive into Delaney's hand before running out of the room, his metal-covered feet clanking against the floor. Delaney looked down at the drive with crinkled brows. What was this for? She tucked the drive into her pocket and continued on with putting Jupiter around her shoulders. Moments after the Iron Man had left, Steve came running into the room, nearly taking Delaney out in the process.