Whisper

Family

Niobe woke to a distracted Helen laying across her. The Jedi smiled and moved her hand to Helen's hair. 

"This is a nice surprise," Niobe said.

Helen inhaled and sat up.

"Anakin told me," Helen said.

"I know," Niobe said. "Your mind is quite loud."

Helen placed a hand on Niobe's cheek. Memories of the past month dancing through Niobe's mind. While they had not spent much time together, this was more than Niobe had ever believed she would get.

"I love you," Niobe said. 

Tears welled in Helen's eyes.

"I love you too," Helen said.

Helen dropped her hand. Niobe readied herself.

"Which is why you cannot go with me," Niobe said.

"What?"

"I will not ask you to make this decision," Niobe said. "I will decide for the both of us."

"Obe," Helen said.

"I need to protect you," Niobe said. "If you come with me, you will be killed. I know this."

"How?" Helen asked. "You're not God. You can't know that. Why give us up?"

"I know that my life is filled with violence and loss. I know that something dark looms over my future. I need you to be here."

"You're scaring me," Helen said.

"I cannot say what I mean, not here," Niobe said. "Trust that I will return to you."


OOOO

Niobe finished adjusting her top when Anakin returned. He stared at her for a moment before realization overtook him.

"She said no," he said.

Niobe nodded as she stood from the bed.

"She needs to stay here," Niobe said.

"Why?"

"She is needed here," Niobe said. "The people on Earth need her."

Awaking shook his head.

"Okay," he said.

"Perhap...perhaps we can come back sometime?" Niobe asked.

"What?"

"I can visit her," Niobe said. "I won't stay, but..."

"Don't be stupid," he said. 

Anakin moved closer to her.

"I'm not being stupid," she said.

"Yes, you are," Anakin said.

"I love her!"

"We can't just come back every time you miss her!" Anakin said. "No, she either comes with us or she remains here."

"She cannot leave her people!" Niobe said. "Earth has not made its way passed the moon. The idea of space travel is bewildering to them."

"That is not my concern," Anakin said. "I won't waste fuel for a romantic vacation. We have a galaxy to think of."

"Anakin-," Niobe said.

"No!" He said.

Niobe jumped back. She was soaked in a cold chill. The look in his eyes. Niobe let the topic go. They were leaving soon. She should be with Helen.

"I understand," Niobe said.

Anakin gave a nod and watched Niobe leave the room.

OOOO

Niobe stood in Tony's lab. She watched the man avoid eye contact with her as he stumbled around their reality. Her leaving was affecting him, more so because Bruce was gone as well.

Niobe walked over to him. She turned him around to face her and brought him into a hug. Tony released a sound from his chest. He was holding back tears.

"He will be back," Niobe said. "I will be back."

His grip on her tightened. He held onto her for dear life. Perhaps, he could hold on so tight that she would change her mind.

"You are so loved, Tony," Niobe said. "So, so loved. Do not forget that. Do not be afraid to show you love them back."

His body shook. Niobe bit back her own tears. She pressed her fingers into the thin shirt. 

"Peter needs someone, someone strong, someone who cares," Niobe said. "Be that someone until I can return."

Niobe pulled away from Tony. She grabbed his hand and placed a device into his grasp.

"This is a comm-link," she said. "I believe I may be able to communicate with you through this. Do not lose this device. I may need you."

Tony frowned. His gaze searched Niobe's face. There was fear behind her eyes. Tony nodded and turned to his workbench. Niobe watched as Tony grabbed a thin chain and secured the device on the metal.

"I would never lose my only connection to you," Tony said.

He placed the chain over his head and tucked the necklace under his shirt.

"Can't get rid of me so easily," he said.

Niobe grabbed onto his hand.

"Tony..." she said. "I love you, you are my family."

"Oh, baby doll," he said.

He tucked her back into his arms.

"I love you too," he said.

OOOO

Niobe looked at Peter and Steve sitting across from one another

"Hey," Niobe said.

They looked up. Peter jumped to his feet.

"Obe!" Peter said.

Steve slowly got up. He seemed to know what was coming.

"Hey, Pete," she said.

"I'm so sorry about what happened with Harry," he said. "I swear that'll never happen again." 

Niobe gave a weak smile. She brought him into a hug.

"I know, Peter," she said.

He squeezed her.

"Peter..." she said.

His gripped tightened.

"Peter," she said.

She felt his body shake. He was crying. She looked at Steve for help. The soldier pulled Peter back, letting her breathe.

"I have to leave," she said.

"No, no you don't," he said. "Anakin can leave without you. You-you have us now."

Niobe glanced behind to make sure Anakin was not around. She worried Peter would push Anakin to far on a mistake. She hated herself for having to consider such a thing. This was not the same Anakin.

"I am not leaving forever," she said.

"Really?" Steve asked. "You're coming back?"

"Of course she is."

Niobe turned to see Clint walk in. Clint draped his arm over her shoulders.

"But for now," clint said.

"For now," Niobe said. "I have to go back. I left a communicator with Tony. I will reach out to you once I get back. Just have patience."


OOOO

Helen and Niobe embraced for the fifth time that day. Niobe stood in front of Anakin's ship. The women struggled with the idea of leaving one another, but Anakin would not let Niobe stay.

"I will find a way," Niobe said.

The Jedi kept her voice low. She did not want Anakin overhearing. As much as Niobe wished to able to let her feelings go, there was a pain building in her chest at the thought of never seeing Helen again.

They pulled apart. Niobe looked over to the group standing near the building. She had said her goodbyes already, but that did not stop the ache.