Beyond The Stars (UNDER REVISION)

Forward and Ahead

I wake up on the floor of my bathroom. Sweat sticking my brown hair to my face. I toss the towel I used as a pillow into the hamper. "You're safe now... I've got you." The comforting words from last night echo in my mind again. I sigh, knowing it was stupid of me to think he was here. "Must've just been my mind playing tricks on me." I turn the water on. Standing under the water, I cry again. Not a loud or messy cry, but a quiet one. Once I'm done in the shower, I wrap myself in a clean towel and stare at my face in the mirror. I spend 10 minutes practicing my smile. I let out a heavy sigh, knowing I have to get to work. It'll have to do.  As i walk to work, I write in my legal pad. Recounting the events of last night, make sure it's properly worded and not emotional. By pretending it's a story and not my own experience, I'm able to shut out those emotions. I soon reach the tower and enter the elevator. I didn't Tony waiting on me. 

"You're unusually late this morning." 

I press the notepad into my chest, hiding my writing. "I slept through my alarm. Spent the  night working out some algorithms." 

"And what are you working on?" 

"I was hoping, with your permission, to try to find a way to make your thrusters in your suit silent. They are quite loud." 

"Then let me see. We can work together." He reaches for the pad. 

I grab his wrist, making sure not to hold it too tight. "That isn't what this is." 

I saw his eyes go wide, but he pretends nothing happened. "Sorry." The elevator bell dings and the doors open. I step out. "If you want to work on that project together, remember," He leans forward and presses the button right above mine, "I'm right above you," He holds his finger up as the door closes. I let out a heavy sigh, lowering my guard. I replay Loki's voice in my head like I did last night. It calms me. I walk over to my desk and finish my writing. Once done, I fold up the three pages and reach into my desk for an envelope. I tuck the pages into the paper casing and seal it with a piece of tape. I tuck the envelope into my desk, hiding it under a few notebooks. Begin working on the thrusters. "Are you okay?"

I look up to see Tony watching me, propped against the wall. "Yeah, no. I'm fine." 

"I don't think so." 

"What?" 

"You've been staring at the wrench for fifteen minutes." 

I look down at the tool in my hand. I set it on the work bench. "You're spying on me now?" 

"Not spying. Observing." 

I look up at the security camera in the corner and point to it. "Observing equipment?" I ask, sass layered heavy in my tone. 

"You know you can talk to me, right?" He walks more into the room. 

"About what? There's nothing that needs to be talked about." I laugh. I look at the time and it's finally lunch time. "Now, if you'll excuse me, i have an errand to run." I grab the envelope and my purse, shoving it inside.

"I'll come with you," he stops me before I reach the elevator.

I shake my head. "No, I don't think you will. It's a female errand. See, I have to go pick up-"

He abruptly covers his ears. "No! No! I'm not coming! Don't try to persuade me!" I laugh and walk into the elevator. Walking, I make my way to the police department. I leave the envelope with one of the officers at the desk. I feel bad for blowing Tony off, so I pick up a hamburger for him and a salad for myself. Once back in the tower, I hit the button to go to the top floor. I see Tony working on something on his computer. He closes it out before I can see. I toss the burger to him. "Thank you."