Grant

Chapter Eight-Mission

As I said, I make a quick pitstop at Peter's room. I'm happy to find he's fallen asleep with the two women standing guard by his side, although they look up at me with softness in their eyes. May pops up and wraps her arms around me again.

"Thank you." She breathes, then pulls back and runs a hand over my hair. "Thank you for bringing him back. Pepper told me everything." I glance over at Pep smiling gently before looking back at May. My hands raise and rub up and down the baggy arms of her sweater.

"You know I'd do anything for him, May. Sorry he got hurt on my watch." I swallow a lump in my throat when I see the tears welling in her eyes.

"We can't watch the people we love all the time, Grant, but I know he's safer with you." She pats my cheek sweetly. "Him being with you is the only thing that lets me sleep at night. With...with what he does there are no guarantees, but I know you'll always bring him back to me." God dammit, now I feel tears in my eyes. I pull her in for another hug. "And I don't know why you boys haven't figured things out yet-"

"May-"

"But I'm happy you look after each other."

"Thanks, Aunt May." I whisper and clear my throat. After extricating myself from her I snag the two sandwiches Pete saved for me. "I'll be back later to check on him."

Both women nod. "I'll keep you and Tony updated." Pepper tells me and I know she's aware where we'll both be. I nod once and duck out of the room, dabbing my eyes with the sleeve of my sweatshirt. Tony's on the far side of his lab already hard at work with at least six seventy-inch hologram screens in front of him.

"Anything yet?" I ask and he shakes his head, eyes not leaving the screen for a moment.

"Could use your eyes, bud." He says and I grab a chair, heading over and settling beside him. I note one of the screens is of Peter and relax further since I can see him. And so, we work. Obviously, the place Eli chose was thin on cameras so we're looking at what cameras were nearby. We've got Eli's identity down, but his listed address is empty. Tony's also started energy recognition to try and find the teleporter, but after he sets that up, I have an idea.

"You know, this is idiotic." I point out and Tony huffs at me. He lifts his head from the metal table and raises both eyebrows at me. "We've got two of his recruits right here in the tower." I point out and now T turns towards me completely, leaning on the table with an elbow.

"Sure, but do you really think either of them are feeling up to sharing any information with us?"

"With you? Nah." I stand and sigh, shooting Tony a mischevious grin. "But to the young, handsome guy who first vouched for them? Yeah, maybe."

* * * * *

It's one thing to show bravado in front of T and another for my little plan to work. My knuckles wrap on Destiny's door and after a moment, swing it open. "Grant?" Des asks first, surprised. Both young women are curled in different positions on the bed comfortably, although my presence seems to have raised some tension.

"Hey. Wanted to ask you both some questions about LoN if that's okay?" I start soft, wanting-no, needing information. They glance at one another.

"Why, Grant?" Des questions cautiously and I lean back against the doorway, leaving it open so I'm not trapping them in.

"I'm going after him, Des. I have to." Uncertainty enters those gold eyes that were once so captivating to me. "He can't keep manipulating these people. Like you. Like Ramona." The girl looks down at the comforter when I say her name. "If the people under him want refuge, the chance to get back on their feet, I'll supply it. I'll harbor them if I have to, but Eli's got to come down." I shrug. It's inevitable. I can't let an asshole like this go. Both girls glance at one another before Des nods.