Facing your own legacy

My little mystery bird (unedited)

Natasha wiped off the rest of her make-up, letting the color's bleed into the white wash-cloth. She had already hung her dress back up in her closet, it was clear she wouldn't need it today, maybe not even for a while. She could've kicked herself for letting her guard down, for thinking this might actually be her day. Just one day that she could spend with someone she really loved. A day where she could throw her cares aside and just be genuinely...Happy.

Natasha left the bathroom and walked back into her and Steve's suite inside Tony's Malibu mansion. Natasha realized her and Steve's things were still packed up and near the doorway. They were suppose to be halfway to London by now, maybe they still would go. Natasha inwardly frowned at all of this. When did she start believing in fairy tales?

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"Is there anything we can tell for certain?" Asked Clint, aiming the question at a somewhat skittish Stark more than the other occupant's in the room.

"Could the attack simply be because of our rivalry and past disputes?" Thor added. He himself count count many battles the Avengers had fought against Hydra. It seemed to almost be becoming a regular thing with them.

"Hydra's definitely a party pooper, but I don't really know about a wedding crasher," Clint continued, still sending suspicious, questioning looks Tony's way. It wasn't like the guy to disappear during the prime heat of a battle and it was even stranger when he acted skittish and overly defensive. It was clear that he was hiding something.

"I agree," Banner cut in. He had joined them not too long ago after he had woken up. "It's not really Hydra's M.O. There has to be a motive here. Something were missing."

"Something more than just taking us down," Thor concluded. The Physicist nodded. It was then that Clint decided to put Tony on the spot.

"What about you, Stark? You flew off through half the battle. Anything you saw we might have missed?" Tony snapped, clapped and fidgeted with his hands.

"Nothing more than some damned Hydra agent's in my house," Tony huffed irritated. Bruce's brows furrowed. That's it? That's why he had left? Doubtfully.

"Stark, is it possible that our enemies may have been seeking something in your possession?" Thor inquired. Clint gave Tony a nearly demanding look.

Damn it! Tony mentally cursed, They've all gotten to it much to fast. Tony tried to keep his cool, suave demeanor.

"Well, I am Tony Stark. I have pretty much every good piece of everything ever. What's not to want?" Clint narrowed his eyes a little.

"Why don't you try really answering the question," Clint tried not to snap. Then it hit him. It was so obvious. "This is about whatever Fury came here to see you for, isn't it?" Bruce stiffened a little.

"Fury?" He questioned. "What did he want?" All eyes were on Tony and it was pointless to try and avoid the subject any further.

"He- He told me to hold onto somethin' for him. I'm not exactly sure what it was. I locked it up tight and had Jarvis run scans. But.. It was gone before he reached a full prognosis."

"Gone?" Questioned Bruce. "So whatever Fury gave you must have been what Hydra was after."

"It was likely that he was followed. Fury's good, but the man really need's to learn how to watch his six," Clint thought out loud. Of course, Clint was sure the lack of peripheral vision didn't help any.

"Stark, why did you not inform us of this as soon as it was brought to your attention?" Asked Thor. Tony shrugged marginally.

"I dunno. It's been a while since everyone was together and it was suppose to be a party and, well, I didn't want to ruin it with work," Tony practically sneered the last word.