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CHAPTER NINE: 36 HOURS
"I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU HAVE any idea where they are." Secretary Ross spoke as he looked between Tony, Victoria, and Natasha.
"We will. GSG-9's got the borders covered. Recon's flying 24/7. They'll get a hit. We'll handle it." Tony assured the man, glancing at Victoria before looking back towards Ross.
"What happens when the shooting starts? What, do you kill Steve Rogers?" Natasha asked, a frown on her face. Victoria had to refrain herself at wincing from the thought of killing her best friend. Or, at least the man who used to be her best friend.
"If we're provoked." Ross nodded his head. "Barnes would've been eliminated in Romania if it wasn't for Rogers. There are dead people who would be alive now. Feel free to check my math."
Victoria sat down beside of Natasha, crossing her arms over her chest as she bit the inside of her cheek. Tony walked around Ross, taking a seat beside of Victoria as he looked up at the man before he spoke, "All due respect, you're not going to solve this with boys in bullets, Ross. You gotta let us bring them in."
"How would that end any differently from the last time?" Ross questioned, looking at the man.
"Because this time, I won't be wearing loafers and a silk shirt. 72 hours, guaranteed." Tony promised, making Victoria looked at him with raised eyebrows and slightly widened eyes.
"36 hours. Barnes. Rogers. Wilson." Ross ordered, making Victoria cock an eyebrow at the man before she shook her head. Biting the inside of her cheek again as she closed her eyes and refrained herself from letting out a sigh.
"Thank you, sir." Tony spoke before Ross walked out of the room.
"36 hours?" Victoria questioned. "How the hell are we supposed to get all three of them in such a short amount of time?" She rubbed a hand through her hair before letting out a soft sigh.
"My left arm is numb, is that normal?" Tony questioned, glancing between the two women. Natasha stood up, walking over to the man before placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You alright?" Natasha asked, glancing over towards Victoria, asking her as well. Victoria didn't answer.
"Always." Tony nodded his head. He then glanced over at Victoria who was avoiding eye contact with both of them, her hands clasped with one another as they were pressed against her lips, her eyes staring blankly in front of her. He let out a sigh before saying, "36 hours? Geez."
"We're seriously understaffed." Natasha nodded her head in agreement.
"Oh, yeah. It'd be great if we had a Hulk right about now. Any shot?"
"No." Natasha shook her head. "You really think he'd be on our side?"
"No." Tony mumbled.
"I have an idea." Natasha informed, making Victoria snap from her thoughts, turning her head towards the woman with a raised eyebrow.
"Me too. Where's yours?" Tony questioned, glancing up towards the redhead.
"Downstairs. Where's yours?"
After Natasha left the room, Victoria continued to sit there with Tony looking at her with curious eyes. The male knew that there was a lot going through Victoria's mind, and that she didn't want to know the outcome that was bound to take place. But, it was already set in motion, and there was nothing that either of them could do about it. He sighed before moving his chair closer to her, making the woman finally turn her attention towards him.
"What's going on in that head of yours?" He questioned, cocking his head slightly as he looked at her. Victoria looked at him for a moment before a soft sigh fell from her lips. She dropped her hands from her mouth before taking one of them and placing it into Tony's hand, their fingers interlacing.
"Is this really a good idea, Tony?" She softly asked, her eyes focused on their hands. "He's just a kid."
"I know. But, I'm running out of options, Tori." He told the woman, making her glance up at him. He looked at her, searching her eyes for a quick moment before he gave the nod of his head. "I like this just as much as you do, T. But, he knew what he was signing up for, just like we did." He tucked a strand of hair behind the woman's ear, offering her a soft smile. "Are you coming with?"
Victoria shook her head. "No, I think I'm going to go lay down. My head is spinning after all this."
"You might actually have a concussion." Tony pointed out, earning a small laugh from the woman. He smiled at this, glad that he could get the woman he loved to laugh during such a tough situation. He stood up, giving her a kiss on the top of the head. "I'll be back soon." He started to walk away before calling out, "Get your concussion checked out!"
Victoria couldn't help but smile at this, shaking her head slightly before watching him leave. She stood up, brushing her hair from her shoulder before she gave herself a slight nod, quickly closing her eyes as she did that and placing a hand to her head. She opened her eyes, blinking a couple of times before furrowing her eyebrows.
"Maybe I should get my head checked out." She mumbled to herself before walking out of the room.
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