Iron Man [Book 2]

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We've been walking for three hours, without taking a break. The plant umbrellas did help in protecting us from the sun's scorching rays, but it was still dehydrating us. I saw Stark stumble a couple of times, and decided that we should drink some water. Luckily for us, I can do that.

"Let's take a break," I spoke up. "We both need water."

He nodded.

Picking two flower petals off my umbrella, I transformed them into cups. I'm glad I practiced my abilities in that cave, but a few guards had to be present if I did.

Next, I waved my hand over the ground, and a small hole appeared. I raised my hand, and waited. Since we're in the desert it takes a few minutes to get ground water.

Soon, water filled the hole. Still using my powers with my mind, the sand didn't mix with the water. Kneeling down, we both took a flower cup, and scooped up some water.

"Ah," Stark quietly exclaimed, scooping up another cup full.

After rehydrating, the water returned to the ground, and the hole filled up. The cups turned back into petals, so we can carry them in our pockets.

Then we carried on walking.

An hour before the sun would set, we were walking over a large sand dune, when I heard a thumping sound.

"Do you hear that?" I asked.

We stopped and listened. Soon, two helicopters flew over us.

We were saved.

Stark laughed in joy, dropping the umbrella and waving his arm, trying to get their attention. Dropping mine, I waved my arms, hoping they'll see us. Luckily, they did.

As a helicopter began to land, Stark fell to his knees, arm raised, doing a peace sign. I laughed.

When it landed, five men came out, and ran over to us. The man in the middle looked relieved.

"How was the 'fun-vee'?" He asked Stark.

Stark didn't answer.

"Next time," the man said, kneeling down, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You ride with me, okay?"

He then pulled Stark into a one armed hug. With that, we were escorted to the helicopter.

"Who's this?" The man asked Stark.

"Lily Barns," I answered, giving him my hand to shake. "And you?"

"James Rhodes, ma'am," he replied.

Getting on the helicopter, we strapped in, and left. After a few minutes of flying, I noticed that one of the men was staring at me. I tried to ignore it, but he was starting to annoy me.

"Is there a problem?" I asked the Sargent staring at me.

He was surprised that I caught him staring, but was still puzzled by something.

"No," he answered. "You just look familiar."

Rhodes and a couple others looked at me, including Stark.

"I've seen your picture somewhere," Rhodes agreed.

"You look like the nurse at the Smithsonian museum," a lieutenant spoke. "She was the nurse in the Howling Commandos."

Hearing this, a lump formed in my throat. The Howling Commandos was the group Steve led to defeat Hydra. Clearing my throat, I gave them an explanation they can believe.

"My grandmother," I answered. "I wanted to help the villages in Afghanistan, when I was captured. Stark helped me escape."

I looked at Stark, and he seemed to understand what I was doing.

"No way," a young Corporal spoke. "You grandmother worked with Mr. Stark's father."

No one noticed the snort Stark gave at that statement.

"Wait a minute," Rhodes spoke this time. "I don't remember it saying she was married."

Shoot.

"She was briefly married," I lied. "Before World War II began. Two days after their honeymoon, he was drafted. Twelve months later, she was told that he was killed in action."

They nodded their heads solemnly. I felt bad for lying, but they wouldn't believe that I'm immortal. They'll believe that I have powers, but not that.

I continued to say that my "grandmother" barely had money. Her father was in the war, and her mother had died in childbirth, and so she gave my "mother" to a close friend to take care of her and then became an army nurse.

After that, they didn't ask any more questions, and all was silent. Since they brought up the old unit I was in, I willed myself not to cry. It was difficult, but I managed it.

When we got back to the military base, we boarded a large military cargo plane and was taken back to Stark's hometown, Malibu, California. As the doors opened, Rhodes and Stark walked down the ramp together while I followed a foot behind them.

Once off the plane, an EMT and a military nurse wheeled a gurney towards Stark, before he told them he was fine. Ahead was Stark's limo, with a security guard, a woman close to my age, and a woman with light red hair. Stark walked up to the women.

"You're eyes are red," Stark pointed out, looking closely at the red head. "Few tears for your long-lost boss?"

"Tears of joy, actually," she replied, smiling. "I hate job hunting."

He turned to the other woman.

"I'm glad your back, boss," she spoke.

The redhead looked past him and saw me. Stark followed her gaze, and turned to me.

"This is Lily Barns," Stark introduced me. "She helped in our escape."

I walked closer, and offered my hand to shake.

"Pepper Potts," the redhead spoke, shaking my hand. "Mr. Stark's assistant."

I nodded.

"Rachel Paterson," the other spoke next. "I'm an intern."

I shook her hand.

"And this is Happy Hogan," Stark continued, gesturing to the man standing by the limo. "My chauffeur and security guard."

Happy nodded, and I nodded back.

Stark, Pepper, and Rachel were walking to the car, when I began to realize that I don't really know what to do now. I should probably go back home to Brooklyn. As I looked around, wondering if one of the soldiers would take me to Brooklyn, Stark turned to me.

"Are you coming?" He asked.

I looked at him. Why would I go with him?

"You should probably adjust before going off on your own."

The other three were confused, and I began to think. He was right, though. I haven't been in civilization in 62 years. Thinking it might be best, I nodded and followed them to the limo.

Stark and Pepper sat beside each other on one side, and Rachel and I on the other.

"Where to, sir?" Happy asked, looking in the review mirror.

"The hospital," Pepper spoke.

"No," Stark interrupted.

"The doctor has to look at you, sir," Rachel spoke, worry in her tone.

"Why?" He asked. "I don't have to do anything."

Pepper looked to me, silently asking for my help.

"He doesn't need a doctor," was my answer.

"Thank you," Stark nodded thanks to me. "I've been in captivity for three months, and there's two things I want to do. I want a cheeseburger, and the other-"

"That's enough of that," Pepper cut him off.

"That's not it. I want you to call for a press conference now."

That's when I decided to tune them out.