Tony Stark's daughter

Chapter 20: Open Wounds

A.N: There aren't that many chapters left for this story until it's finished completely and so I'd like to say thank to everyone whose enjoying this story and are putting up with my sloppy updating of it. I'll admit I'm not sure I even like the story anymore but I'll be damn if I don't finish it. It's not fair on you guys.

Word Count: 1085

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Third Person

Everything happened so fast that the team didn't know what was happening until it was too late.

"No." Tony muttered in disbelief as he continued to watch the monitors of his daughter and Thompson. "No, this can't be happening."

"Tony it'll be fine. We'll get her back." Steve commented resting his hand on his friend's shoulder. Tony ignored it. All he could think about was his little girl. How could he let this happen.

"But in the meantime we are going to have to stop them." Sam admitted stepping closer to the pair. Steve nodded as Tony glanced at him for a moment not likeing the idea.

"Somehow I don't think it's going to be that easy." Bucky added thinking back to the times the team had to stop him.

"Regardless, suit up." With that they all left to go grab their gear.

As if predicted, Bucky was right. The moment the Avengers went to stop the pair, Brook turned and attacked them without a second thought. Even when Tony stepped up, the girl didn't hesitate to knock him down. Tony couldn't help but stare, the way she acted wasn't humane at all but like some kind of puppet. Hydra's puppet.

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The aftermath of the fight was anything but pretty. Thompson and Brook were long gone and the compound was wrecked. The Avengers were shocked to the core with what they witnessed. Did it really happen? Scattered about the place they were either knocked out or hit hard enough to make them stay down. Thankfully none of them were seriously injured.

Cap was one of the ones who were hit pretty hard as Brook had kicked him through a wall before taking his shield and knocking him out with it. "Everyone okay?" He mumbled into comms, still coming around. His body aching like he'd gone 10 rounds. Thankfully nothing was broken.

"Yeah." Sam replied.

Moments later Clint answered. "Urgh... my head." The Archer groaned, grabbing his head. "Yeah I'm okay."

Soon enough Steve got replies from all of the team, one after another. All except one.

"Tony you okay?" Steve asked but no response. "Tony?"

Moments later Nat's voice came through. "I've got him." She answered. "He's shaken up but okay." Cap gave a relieved sigh before leaning back down on the floor.

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It's been a couple of months since the incident and the atmosphere in the compound has changed. It was cold, more darker. The Avengers weren't their usual happy and enthusiastic selves. They were far from it. Tony was the one who's attitude and behaviour changed the most.

He barely left his lab and when he did it was only ever because Pepper made him. Either it was for food or to take a shower. It use to also be to get some sleep but that went out the window when Tony got around it by making a makeshift bed in the corner of the lab.

But even with that you could tell he wasn't sleeping that much. You could tell by the way he zoned out every time someone spoke to him or when he'd doze off during team meetings. But the main concerning giveaway were his eyes, they were constantly bloodshot and had permanent bags beneath them.

"Hey Tony I made some dinner if you want any?" Wanda commented hopefully.

His eyes flicked in her direction but didn't meet hers fully. Grunting in response, he refilled his coffee mug before leaving again. Going straight back to the lab.

"Well it was worth a try." The witch sighed.

Dinner that night was slightly more lively then all the previous nights as Wanda relayed the information of seeing Tony. "How was he?" Nat asked leaning forward in her seat.

Wanda sighed. "He was the same."

"How much longer do you reckon he'll stay in there?" Sam questioned before taking a fork full of food.

"Not sure." Clint shrugged.

"I'm guessing until he runs out of things to fix or make." Bruce says, speaking his mind. The table fell silent again after that.

Finishing the meal the team continued to sit at the table thinking. "We need to find a way of locating Brook."

"And Thompson." Pietro adds gaining a side glance from his sister.

"How?" Bruce replies confused. "We've been trying since the moment the pair left. Nothing has worked."

"Then we'll just have to keep trying." Steve suggested. "They can't hide forever." Bruce however, was doubtful.

"Have faith Dr. Banner." Thor smiled. "I'm sure Stark will find a way."

Bucky couldn't help but sit back and watch as the team moved on to talking about Brook. He just didn't have it in him to contribute to the conversation. Not when he knows what Brook's most likely going through. Having gone through the same thing. He could relate to her. Sure the twins could probably relate to some level as well but not to the extent Bucky could.

Before he knew it dinner was over, the table was cleared and everyone had left. Or at least that's what he thought. The Solider was so zoned out that he flinched when someone tapped his shoulder. After all as far as Barnes was concerned he was the only one left in the room. Turning to where he had been tapped he looked up at the person who was now staring at him with concern. "Bucky are you okay?" Pietro asked.

He too had spent most of the conversation after dinner zoned out, worried sick for Brook. "Yeah I'm good." Bucky nodded, his face softening at the sight of Pietro's worried one.

Without a word Pietro nodded and turned to leave. Watching the young Maximoff Bucky thought for a moment. Just as Pietro got to the door Bucky leaped out of the chair to catch up with him. Placing his metal hand on the boy's shoulder he smiled gently when Pietro glanced at him.

"We'll get her back, I promise." He spoke.

"I know." He replied not that he fully agreed with his words. It was just a hard concept for the boy to wrap his head around.