Avengers: Jedi Master (CWAC Book Two)

Chapter 19: Romance and Nanobots

Shea smiles at the teenager in front of her. Shuri has a smile that is wide and bright and instantly makes her feel better. And she seems genuinely excited about this new project. Shea supposes that that's a good thing, it means she's going to be invested. It's a good thing, but Shea is still nervous. This is an experimental treatment, never been done before, she knows the risks. Plus she's an alien, there is going to be risk using human procedures and equipment on her. Tony threads his fingers with hers at her side, she looks to him as he kisses the back of it before walking away with her, letting Shuri get settled in the lab.

"Tony?" Shea asks him, he kisses the back of her hand but doesn't answer her as he pulls her through the mansion.

..............

Tony pulls Shea into bedroom and closes the door. She shifts nervously where she stands

"How you feeling about this?" he asks her turning to brush her hair from her face.

"Scared" she admits looking at him. "But....I need to do this....Tony, I can't function with one hand..." he nods and kisses her forehead.

"You're going to be fine....we're going to be just fine" he promises her, she wraps her arm around him, clutching to the back of his shirt. "I love you" he assures her.

"I love you too" he holds her close to him. This is probably the most intimate they've been since she lost her arm, because she feels she can't do anything she could before, including make love with him. They sleep in the same bed. Eat breakfast, most mornings, together. But she won't let him touch her sexually. Because she's afraid of herself now. He pulls back a little, intending to pull all the way away but she holds to him, her head still hung low, he pauses waits for her to make the first move. She lifts her head and kisses him, his eyes closing as he sighs softly. Weeks of nothing but soft touches. This kiss holds more. It is more. He raises a hand and threads it through her hair. "Please" she whispers against his lips. He nods and wraps his free arm low on her back before he lifts her up, she holds on tightly, knowing she has to now. He carries her back towards the bed.

.......................

Shea wakes alone the next morning, her legs stretching slightly before she sits up. Her eyes instantly finding the note on the pillow beside her, she raises an eyebrow and takes it, unfolding it before she can't help but smile. 'Ran you a bath, soak, relax, then come down to the labs. T x'. She sets it down and then runs her fingers through her hair. Yes, she could do with a bath. She throws the bedding aside so she can stand and then pads to the bathroom door just away from the bed.

...........

Shea leans in the doorway and smiles, Tony had done more then just ran her a bath, there are bubbles, and candles, and breakfast.

"I love this man" she comments and pushes up heading into the bathroom. People don't really get to see the romantic side of Tony all that often, or not at all, but it's the small things that he does perfectly that she adores. Taking a deep breath she uses her hip to shut the door.

..................

Later, in the labs, Shea sits on a medical bed, her hair still a little damp, her skin soft and moisturised. Bruce and Shuri potter on around her as Tony moves to her side. Tony takes Shea's hand as Bruce holds out the cup of nanobots to her. She takes a deep breath staring at Tony, he nods and gives her a reassuring smile. He wouldn't do this unless he 100% sure she would be okay at the end. Tony releases her hand as she turns to Bruce so she can take the cup into her hand.

"They'll take about an hour to reach your brain" Shuri explains standing at the end of the bed. "Then you might feel a tingling...."

"Just a tingling?" Shea asks, Shuri nods and gives her a small smile. Tony touches her arm and then leans closer to kiss her cheek. "You'll stay, right?" she asks him when he pulls back, both knowing that she's been feeling self-conscious about their relationship since she lost her arm, this question isn't about right now, not just about right now. He cups her cheek and smiles.

"Not going any where, sweetheart" he promises her, brushing his thumb over her cheek bone. She nods and closes her eyes to stop her from crying. This is all so emotional. The last few weeks have taken their toll on her.

"Bottoms up" she whisper staring into the cup before pouring the contents into her mouth, swallowing them down. "That's it?" she asks looking to Tony who nods.

"You'll have to stay here till they do their thing, but....that's it" she nods settling back, Tony squeezes her knee in support, reassuring her. Bruce attaches a sticky probe to the side of her forehead.

"This will keep track of your brain waves, just so we know...." He explains.

"Whatever you need, doc" she offers with a smile. Tony pats the pillow behind her and Shea lays back to look up at the ceiling. Bruce touches her shoulder and then moves to his computer where Shuri types away at the keyboard. Tony keeps a hold of Shea's hand, brushing his thumb over the back of it, both of them silent, nothing needs to be said. He pulls her hand up and kisses the back of her hand before resting his head against it. Shea watches him, her eyes warm, she smiles softly. He smiles back at her. She is no doubt that this man loves her. The night before proved that. This morning proved that. This moment proves that.