Universal Chaos

Chapter 23

The airport shimmered on the horizon. Lines of planes were stacked up on the runway, as if they'd all tried to leave at once but were stopped. It was unnaturally quiet. Besides the cars parked on the side of the road in the drop-off zones, no one was coming in or out. Beyond the large glass window groups of people could be seen huddled together, perched on airport seating and all craning to look at the televisions.

Steve sped passed the designated driving areas and out onto the tarmac. A few security guards shouted at him, but he continued on undeterred and aimed for the private jet still waiting.

Everything was making her want to weep. It was like she'd only managed to plug a faucet with a bit of tissue and any moment she was in danger of breaking through the flimsy barrier.

It was just a plane.

But it was Tony's plane.

And she knew she didn't have a moment to let any part of her control falter. There was too much going on. Between that awful explosion back in the city and Steve almost losing himself, she had to focus her energy. There were still jobs to do and people to protect.

Death could fight her tooth and nail if it wanted any more of her friends.

The thought solidified her will and set her mind on their current goal.

Get to the Tardis. Repair the dimensional walls.

As long as they kept the steps small and simple, they could manage it. One problem at a time.

They all threw their doors open when the car came to a stop in front of the plane, and Sutton tried to round the back to help the Doctor, who moved slowly and looked like more color had been drained from him. Steve waved her away and signaled her to follow Nat. Sutton relented, leaning against her as they climbed the stairs into the plane.

"You can fly this thing?"

Sutton sat in one of the seats she'd been in just the previous day. Back when they were all unified and hopeful. She wished she could go back and undo everything. Tell Tony not to save her. Warn him about the blast that knocked them out of the sky. She wished she knew more about the movies and comics before she'd been brought here.

For a moment she could see everyone's faces around her, staring at her. Sutton swallowed thickly and they faded away.

"We won't be doing any acrobatic tricks," Nat said. "But yes. I can take off and land."

Steve followed after them with the Doctor and sat him down before turning back to Nat.

"Let's get this thing in the air." Nat patted him on the chest and smiled tightly.

"I'll do the flying. This is one area I'd feel safer you sitting out."

Steve's lips twitched, but he didn't quite smile or grimace.

"Call if you need anything."

The Doctor wheezed out what might've been an attempt at a sigh as he sank into his own seat. Steve's hand brushed Sutton's shoulder as he moved towards the back of the plane.

"I'll get us some waters."

She watched him from the corner of her eye as he paused in the back kitchenette and dropped one hand on the counter with a shuddering breath. He actually shook. Her chest tightened yet again.

The plane revved to life and lurched forward as Nat maneuvered them down the runway and various airport personnel screamed at them. There was a slim, clear strip of open runway and they brazenly took advantage of it.