Iron Wolf

Chapter 14~ Worried

Steve's POV

I sat on the couch, watching the news. My thoughts kept wandering to the beautiful redhead in California. I couldn't help but wonder what she may be building in the lab, or how her body may be moving as she trained. How would her long legs look flying through the air right before she kicked something, or how would she look when she landed after begin tossed through the air like a ragdoll?

More than anything, I wished she were here with me. So I could run my fingers through her flame-like hair, and look into her galaxies for eyes while holding her curvy body with soft milky skin. So I could protect her from everything, so I could comfort her when things became too much. But she had gone back to California to clean up another one of Tony's messes. Just as she always would. Because she was loyal like that.

My eyes flicked to the screen when the news anchor revealed there was breaking news. What could possibly have happened? And then I saw it. The Stark house, in shambles and Melody and Tony were missing and possibly presumed dead. No. There was no way that spunky girl and her old man were dead. They were far too smart to be taken out so easily. No, they must have gotten out somehow. But I couldn't shake the feeling that ran chills down my spine or that made my heart hurt. What if she was dead?

I couldn't take it anymore. I packed a bag and got on the quinjet, heading for California. I had to know everything. No matter what the cost.

Time seemed to drag as I flew across the country. All I wanted, now more than ever, was to have Melody safe in my arms. To know that she was safe and sound and alive.

When I finally landed, I made a beeline for the rubbled remains of the Stark residence. I found Pepper sobbing at the edge of the cliff, looking out across the ocean. I watched as she picked up one of Tony's old helmets and pressed it against her forehead. The inside of the helmet was flashing red. Confused, Pepper put the helmet on.

"Stark Secure Server. Retinal scan: Verified," A computer's automated voice said from inside the helmet.

"Pepper, it's me. I've got a lot of apologies to make and not a lot of time. So first off, I'm so sorry I put you in harm's way. That was selfish and stupid and it won't happen again. Also, it's Christmas time, the rabbit's too big. Done. Sorry. And I'm sorry in advance because...I can't come home yet. I need to find this guy. You gotta stay safe. That's all I know. I just stole a poncho from a wooden Indian..." Pepper took the helmet off and saw me.

"They're ok, Steve," She smiled.

"Tony's ok, and that's wonderful news, but Melody..."

"Melody's is fine. She's half Transmonian, and Transmonian's can't die until they are 17 and have a biological child. Melody's still 16, and as far as I know, she's still a virgin. She's just fine. She's probably with Tony now," Pepper told me.

"They're both ok?" I asked, processing the fact that despite the fact that she had Stark blood running through her veins, Melody was still pure. No one had ever touched her the way I wanted too. For some perverted reason, the thought calmed me. As long as I could find a way to get her interested in me for the next two years, I could be her one and only. I just had to figure out how to get her interested in me.

"They're ok, Steve," Pepper confirmed.

"Do you know where they are? They might need some help-"

"Tony didn't say. He just said he couldn't come home yet. But, I have faith that they'll be back soon."

"Do you have any idea what they're doing?" I asked.

"Probably something to do with the Mandarin. Tony has been pretty focused on him lately, and Melody's a Daddy's Girl. Wherever Tony goes or does, she's right there with him. She's probably the reason he hasn't died yet," Pepper said. "Why are you so invested in this? You and Tony don't get along very well."

"We may not see eye to eye, but Tony is apart of the team, whether he likes it or not. And so is Melody. What kind of Captain would I be if I didn't keep tabs on my teammates?" I covered and she seemed to buy it.

"I appreciate that Steve. But there really isn't anything either of us can do except wait for them to come back." That didn't sit well with me. After parting ways with Pepper, I got back on the quinjet and started flying. Even though I now knew that Melody was immortal, at least for the time being, I was still worried about her. She was a gorgeous girl and obviously Tony couldn't protect her from everything. And there were some things worse than death. And despite being happy he was alive, I was furious with Tony. This never would have happened if he had just grown up and ignored the press, instead of giving out his home address. He endangered Melody and Pepper by doing that and now he and Melody were missing. He had failed to do his job as a parent and I was beyond angry with him for it. Melody deserved a father who would put her safety and other best interests first, not his own. And if I was being honest with myself, Tony hadn't put his own safety or best interests first. He had put his temper tantrum first, and it had almost cost him his life. How can one man be so incredibly smart and so stupid at the same time? And when was he going to realize the amount of stress he put Melody through by acting like a child? He was only fueling her mental illnesses, and he probably didn't realize it, he was so far up his own ass. And wherever they were, I knew it was Melody who was acting like an adult, despite only being 16. I just hoped she was ok. And that she'd come back to me.