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Echoes: Chapter 48 - Bail

Previous Chapter: 47 Blame Next Chapter: 49 Recovery Fandom: Iron Man/The Avengers Ship: Tony Stark x Scarlett Damien (oc) Note: Starts August 2012 (After The Avengers) Author's Note: I know this chapter is going to infuriate you, but XD they're human and there's SO much going on. Also, it's fun lol. Happy Halloween! Thanks so much for reading, I'm so grateful. Seeing your comments and kudos makes my day, <3 Chapter Summary: Tony isn't used to members of the police force treating him so kindly! But he's not there for the attention (sorta), he's there for Scarlett. And the cauldron is bubbling over for them both. There's too much tension- and even more secrets that will either unite or destroy them. Settle in folks, this rollercoaster is a wild one.

Unzipping his leather jacket, Tony shoved his hands into his pockets as he walked through the glass doors of the police station. Clearing his throat, he waited to be recognized then took off his sunglasses and hung them on his jacket pocket. Several folks whispered, others looked for police officers behind him, as though he’d been the one arrested.

It wouldn’t be the first time.

But no, Tony hadn’t been arrested. Not today at least.

“Mr. Stark? May I help you?” A detective walked up to Tony and held his hand out to shake. Tony took his hand, shook it, and then nodded in greeting.

“I’m looking for someone. Spoke to a friend of mine and they said she was here in lock up. Any chance you could help me out?” Tony smiled a charming smile but the gears were turning. He wanted these policemen to like him and very often people of authority did not. This particular detective, however, seemed curious. He glanced outside and saw Tony’s car parked out front.

“Is that a Maserati?”

“That old thing? Yeah.” Tony played it cool, as if everyone could afford the luxury car. He knew they weren’t often seen by the lay person but if he wanted to impress the man, he certainly would. It wasn’t the plan Tony formulated but if the detective was a car lover then he would run with it.

“You know your way around a car, Mr. Stark? Or is it all for show?”

“What? You think I let strangers touch my babies? Trust me, I get my hands dirty more than most.” Tony chuckled but then glanced behind the detective. A crowd had gathered to watch, hoping to be in on the joke. It was better than being glared at as if he had something to be ashamed of. Most police officers didn’t appreciate his sense of humor. They also very much did not like being flirted with. He discovered that the hard way.

Today, however, he’d broken no laws and the employees at the police building were excited to meet him. He went to talk but someone behind him asked a question.

“Excuse me, Mr. Stark? Some of us were hoping we could get a picture with you. For the office.”

“Yeah, of course. Just tag me in it.” Tony grinned and when the police officer excitedly handed his phone off to a coworker, more like shoved it, he stood next to Tony and posed. His friend took a picture and then gave a thumbs up. “Don’t be shy. Everyone’s welcome.” Tony laughed. One by one, the officers and detectives let their guard down, came to shake hands, talk, and take pictures. They asked ridiculous questions. How much did his sunglasses cost? Does he have the Iron Man armor under his clothes? If the arc reactor ran hot or was itchy.

But Tony wasn’t there for a social call. Hell no. Tony made it a habit to stay out of police stations without good reason. Today he was there for personal reasons. He’d seen several alarming and interesting news stories that afternoon while overseeing the renovation of his Malibu home.

Scarlett had shown up suddenly at a nearby hospital bloody, soaked, and dazed. Then she’d assaulted a reporter and was arrested. After making a few phone calls, Tony contacted a friend he’d helped get into the academy a few years back and found out where she’d been brought.

No, despite Tony’s demeanor and finesse, he was deeply worried. He’d known for some time that things with Scarlett had gone haywire but had no idea just how bad they were. Still, someone had to be there for her. Several times he’d tried to call but she hadn’t answered and now he knew it was because she didn’t have her phone what with her being in lockup.

“Could I have a word? Privately?” Tony whispered to the detective he’d first spoken to.

“It’s Detective Gutierrez.” The detective smiled, brown eyes curious of Tony and drifting to the red car parked out front.

“I heard you’ve got Scarlett Damien here in lockup.” Several officers turned their heads at the name.

“Asked her for an autograph but got the silent treatment…” One of them spoke but the detective interrupted him.

“Everyone deserves their privacy, Astin.” He was stern. “Besides, she was out of sorts. And handcuffed.”

“What exactly happened? I mean, with Scarlett, not with the autograph, I can pretty much picture how that played out.” Tony joked easily.

“You know her, right? Working together or something, I read. Not big on the gossip mags but sometimes you can’t help but overhear it or… see it while trying to buy groceries. And she kind of draws the eye.”

“Yeah, we’re friends. Colleagues.” Tony wanted to say more, but didn’t. This was not the right audience for discussing his intense relationship with Scarlett Damien. “I saw something about her assaulting a reporter? I didn’t have much time to sit and listen. Not my thing. Used to have an assistant who briefed me on all that. It was chance I saw it at all.”

“I can see that you’re not one to be in one place for very long. But yes sir, that’s exactly what happened. Though, can’t say I blame her considering.” Detective Gutierrez spoke under his breath.

“What do you mean?”

“There was a swarm of them. Grabbing at her. Like leeches. I went and got witness statements after she was brought in. Even the reporters admitted they were being way too overwhelming. She was clearly panicking and not herself. One of the reporters kept pushing until Miss Damien pushed back.”

“So, let’s say that I want to bail her out. How much is that going to cost me?” Tony knew that wasn’t how it worked, but he would pretend he didn’t understand the system to get on this man’s good side. Let him explain it to him. Tony peered behind the detective in hopes of finding a way to see her. “And when does she have to appear before a judge?”

“It won’t cost anything. And no judge.” Detective Gutierrez shrugged but there was concern on his face.

“That doesn’t sound like our government. No offense.”

“None taken. The reporter isn’t filing charges. Called about an hour ago on her behalf. She can go home. Turns out that they were never formally permitted to be on the property of the hospital. The big panicked crowd turned it into a fiasco.”

“Does she know that? Doesn’t seem like her to stick around if she’s free to go.”

“I…”

“What? What is it?” Tony interrupted quickly. Detective Gutierrez seemed like a nice guy but Tony knew the darker side of the law. The side that had it out for people like him and Scarlett.

“To be honest, sir, I haven’t said a thing to her since she was brought in. I know she’s free to go but the press will be all over her like sharks. She’s not with it. Not speaking. I was going to wait until after hours and contact the hospital to come take a look.”

“Isn’t that against the law or something?” Tony cocked a curious eyebrow, feigning disinterest.

“If you saw her, you’d understand my concern.”

“Can I see her?”

“Yeah, of course. Hey, Claire, can you bring Mr. Stark back to see Miss Damien?” Detective Gutierrez called over his shoulder.

“Of course, sir.” A woman in uniform stood alert and went to retrieve her keys, then typed on the computer.

“Hey, one more thing, Gutierrez.”

“What’s that?”

“The reporter. Do you know their name?”

“Let me check the report.” Detective Gutierrez walked to his desk, shuffled a few papers around, and flipped open a file folder. “Ah, yes. Small out of town reporter. Dianne Hendricks. She was upset the officers brought her in at all. She didn’t consider pressing charges. Said she tripped and fell, that Miss Damien didn’t do anything wrong. Was real shaken when I interviewed her. Threatened to have me arrested for an unlawful arrest.”

“Thanks, appreciate it.” Tony was more than familiar with Mrs. Dianne Hendricks, the same reporter who had published the articles about Scarlett that had alluded to truths about her secret life, her involvement with SHIELD, and her secret illness. Maybe she’d hit too close to the truth with Scarlett. Is that why Scarlett lashed out? He made a mental note to ask either Scarlett or the reporter herself.

“If you could follow me, Mr. Stark.” Claire approached and bowed her head respectively.

“Hey, Gutierrez?”

“Yes, sir?”

Tony tossed his car keys at the detective who caught them, startled.

“Go have some fun. I’ll need it back so, you know, don’t steal it or something. We’re in a police station and if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my history with you folks it’s that you shouldn’t commit a crime… here.”

“Thanks, Mr. Stark.” Detective Gutierrez had his mouth agape for a long time before being surrounded by his coworkers who all made their way with him to the red sports car outside.

“After you, ma’am.” Tony turned back toward the officer who then led him down the hall and through a few barred and locked doors. Tony didn’t pay much mind to anything else along the way though he did smile and shake hands with a few people who stopped him. He considered making a joke about roleplay with the police officer but resisted. Scarlett sat in a cell at the farthest end of the line, which was also the smallest. Her hands were clasped in front of her and she stared down at them. Even as they approached, she didn’t bother to look at him. “...is she alright?”

“Hasn’t said a word since we brought her in.” Claire whispered, though she looked sad. “Really do think we should bring her back to the hospital.” She opened the lock on the door and left the cell open as Tony walked inside.

“Could we have some privacy?” Tony asked. Claire nodded and left them alone.

Tony sat next to Scarlett on the small metal bench. She looked like hell. He waited and sighed. Scarlett glanced at him, then back down at her hands.

“Don’t ask.”

“Too late.” Tony scoffed and wiped his hand over the knees of his jeans and then leaned back and folded his legs. “What happened?”

“I happened.”

“Well, that’s not much of an answer.” Tony carefully reached for her hand and at first she stiffened up and winced. He didn’t back down, laced his fingers with hers and gave her hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. She hesitated but then squeezed it back. “Are you okay?”

“Not hurt. If that’s what you’re asking.”

“Yeah, okay, you’re covered in blood so I definitely believe you.” Tony smiled a little and Scarlett gave him a look as if to tell him how much she appreciated his sarcasm. “That wasn’t what I asked.”

Scarlett said nothing. The truth was that she wasn’t okay and for a wide number of reasons, none of which she was prepared to share with Tony. And oh, how desperately she wanted to. God, she was so tired of being alone. She was so tired in general. She’d thought, at first, that she’d handled the Scott and Mikhail situation with remarkable poise. That was until she’d gotten to the hospital.

Clint was alive at least, but for how long? Natasha would never forgive her for putting them in the crossfire. Scarlett wouldn’t forgive herself for it either. Yet there she was, considering telling Tony everything!

Selfish. She was selfish and rotten to the core.

Tony watched her curiously. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t seem like herself. In fact, Tony was certain the police were right. She needed medical attention. He wouldn’t force it on her but he wouldn’t leave her to deal with it alone either. She needed him, whether or not she would admit it. He wasn’t sure she was the type to ever admit it.

“You’re free to go.” Tony didn’t let go of her hand, smacking the other against his leg resolutely. Scarlett furrowed her brow and tilted her head to the side curiously, like a confused dog.

“What?” Scarlett muttered, but even that wasn’t convincing. How could that be? Then again, she wasn’t handcuffed, and the officers had been exceedingly kind to her. Some had even asked for an autograph but she didn’t think it was appropriate, considering. Scarlett could usually fake the persona that Tony oozed in every moment, but right now, Scarlett couldn’t fake anything, not even a smile.

She wanted to go home. But home was nowhere.

“The reporter didn’t want to press charges so they can’t hold you here.” Tony considered telling her that they only kept her there out of concern, because the media was acting like sharks and she was clearly not well. But he decided against it. It was just another thing left unsaid between them which seemed to be an overwhelming amount these days.

“I didn’t do anything.” Scarlett didn’t get up. She didn’t act like she deserved to leave. She felt like this was where she belonged. God, she had to get out of her head. She was trapped in there. Every time she tried to shake it off, Natasha’s accusations rattled her. She saw Clint’s insides on his outside. Her stomach turned.

“We should go. You don’t need to be here.” Tony stood, letting go of her hand at last. Scarlett simply stared up at him. It made his heart melt. Any frustration he felt by being kept in the dark washed away. Scarlett wasn’t being evasive or stand offish. No matter how bitchy she sounded right now. She was hurting and it was so obvious. It physically hurt him. He wanted to take that pain away.

Scarlett turned her gaze.

“Come here…” Tony gently tucked his hand beneath her forearms and helped her to her feet. She allowed him to do just that. “I’ll get you out of here.”

“You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to help me.” Scarlett stopped him from urging her out the door. He smiled and shook his head.

“I know that. Trust me, I don’t do anything I don’t want to do. Not anymore.”

“I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or not.” Scarlett finally joked and Tony laughed with relief.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“Not really. I like the mystery.”

“There you are.” Tony escorted her, hand on her back, through the police station. Everything from there was a blur for Scarlett. The officers were kind. She refused pictures and autographs but promised to return when she was less of a mess to make up for it. The only thing Scarlett would truly remember from that afternoon at the police station was that Tony was there for her. He guided her, helped her, spoke when she couldn’t, and made sure she wasn’t put into any situations that made her uncomfortable.

She was amazed by him.

By the time they got back to her loft by the shore, Scarlett was still out of it. Tony parked in front of the beautiful building which looked lonely without her car. He hadn’t asked where it wound up but now wasn’t the time either. Perhaps he’d have Jarvis take care of it. Scarlett was in no condition to drive. Part of him still wanted to bring her to the hospital but the press would still be looking for her there, waiting, like a fucking feeding frenzy. It disgusted him.

“Is this the Maserati?” Scarlett narrowed her eyes at the inside of the car before looking back to Tony.

“It is. Sexy, right?”

“Feels like you’re overcompensating.”

“Everyone likes a good Italian sports car.”

“You were buttering up the cops.” Scarlett sighed in understanding.

“What? You thought I’d actually try to compensate for my cock? Scarlett, come on now, that’s not something I have to compensate for. You should know that!”

Scarlett nearly snorted and shoved at his arm. She couldn’t ever thank him enough for reminding her that not everything in her life was bad. Tony wasn’t bad at all. In fact, he was probably the best thing in her life outside of Refuge but she wasn’t sure that would last either. It made her smile then made her very sad.

That would have to change too. This relationship with Tony.

“Can I drive it?”

“My dick or the car?”

“The car, dick.”

“It sounds to me like you’re feeling a bit better.”

“It’s all relative.” Scarlett found it easy to joke with Tony. She always had. It was part of why they got along so well. There were so few people she clicked with. She wondered if this had been how he’d felt that day when she walked in on him having a panic attack. Vulnerable, frightened, judged. Maybe this was also how he felt after she hadn’t taken advantage of his vulnerability and had instead comforted him. Scarlett had forgotten that people were mostly kind. Even after seeing everything Clint had gone through to help her, this was different.

Scarlett at last got out of the car and unlocked the door of the loft. It was lucky that her house keys were still in her pocket. Her car keys certainly weren’t. The hospital was all a blur. Tony followed her inside and Scarlett was in no shape to object.

“I’m guessing you have a first aid kit somewhere.” Tony gestured around the spacious living room. “And that we shouldn’t do this on the white couch.”

“Do what?”

“You’re bleeding, Scarlett. Again, mind you.”

“Oh…?” Scarlett was suddenly aware of her body and rested her hand on the bruise on her forehead. “Right. Right… I swear that I’m not as out of it as I probably seem. I…” She drifted off and then pointed behind her. “I’ll go grab the first aid kit. Make yourself at home.”

“I plan to.”

Scarlett returned quickly and Tony sat down at the bar in the kitchen and patted the seat next to him. She took it and placed the first aid kit in front of them, unlatched it, and opened it. Before she could begin taking care of her wounds, Tony slid the first aid kit across the counter and started emptying it himself. She wanted to tell him that he didn’t need to do it, that she was capable of it on her own, but Scarlett just wasn’t herself.

With care, he cleaned the scrapes on her arms, something she hadn’t noticed. It became soothing. A wet cloth wiping away the muck and mire that was left behind after helping Clint to the hospital. Scarlett would give anything to know he was okay. To make sure he was okay. She would easily give her own life in exchange for his if it were allowed. But it just wasn’t how things worked.

That would just about solve everything.

End her to save everyone else.

Tony watched the change wash over Scarlett as he cleaned up her wounds. Sadness drenched her until she was dragged physically down by it. Whatever she was going through, whatever trouble led her there, it was eating her alive. He’d noticed it many times before. There was a crippling fear hiding within her. But he’d never seen it destroy her so completely right before his eyes.

Gently, he tilted her chin up. He brushed the cloth over her cheeks, wiping the dirt from her skin. Even beaten, bruised, and exhausted, she was still the same woman who had comforted him, been there for him through thick and thin. Whatever lies she’d told and secrets she hid, none of it mattered. Tony had been angry about it at one point but the truth was that he knew her.

He knew Scarlett and nothing else mattered.

The time they spent together, the woman she was when she was with him was who she really was. Each touch, every word, all the glances they’d shared were sincere. That was suddenly all that mattered. Regardless of what happened next, Tony knew this was where he was supposed to be. Fate wasn’t something he thought of very often but this felt like just that. It was an epiphany of belonging. Not fate, so much, as he’d made the choice to be there and to give this importance and value.

With time, Tony understood he was always supposed to be Iron Man. It sounded silly at first, but the more he thought about it, the more he accepted it and the more comforting it became. The next time he’d known he was meant to be something it sounded less silly. Tony was meant to change the world with his gifts. And now he was meant to help Scarlett. Meant to love Scarlett and everything that went with her. He chose to be these things and to believe them.

It was a terrifying epiphany but thrilling all the same.

“How’s your side?” Tony set down the cloth he’d used to clean her wounds and then picked up a small suture bandage and placed it over the wound on her forehead. It wasn’t that bad. It just looked like it bled for some time without being cared for. She was pale and looking worse by the minute. Tony couldn’t imagine anything else was hurt by the look of her.

Scarlett shook her head but said nothing. If he had known how truly bad that stupid wound was then he would have beaten himself up for not taking her to the hospital. Seeing that it was healing up nicely, she didn’t see the point. Maybe it would join the list of things she’d explain when she told him the truth of everything.

Scarlett didn’t want to deal with anything. Not right now. Her head was spinning, her chest was aching, and she was embarrassed. God, she’d made such a scene at the hospital. She’d nearly attacked Dianne Hendricks. Her cover had to be beyond fixing, right?

“You’re really pale. Are you sure you’re not bleeding elsewhere? Whatever caused the rest of this certainly could have pulled stitches.”

Scarlett agreed but lifted the bottom of her shirt to show him the dirty, but not bloody, bandages on her side. He nodded in understanding his gaze lingered for all but a moment before he finally asked her what he’d wanted to ask her since he saw her on the news that first day in the bar with Rhodey.

“What’s really happening with you and SHIELD?” Tony folded his hands in his lap and tapped his fingers nervously together. Scarlett said nothing. Tony was smart. She knew he’d figure it out on his own eventually but to what extent he knew already, she wasn’t sure. “Don’t tell me it’s not more. I saw Barton on television. I know he’s… well, he’s an archer which is slightly antiquated, but… I also know he’s part of the Avengers Initiative. Like me. Or we were before that got nixed. I’ve worked with him before, Scarlett. Don’t say it’s just about the ex.”

“Tony…” Scarlett felt her insides all knotted up. Now that the hour was seemingly at hand, it was more difficult than she thought. God, she wanted to desperately say it all out loud but admitting it was all true was terrifying. And Scarlett knew it was, she did, but she was afraid of saying it. She was afraid of falling apart and that fear was more real than it had ever been. She had likely lost Natasha and now she had no idea how to tell Tony just how unlikely it was that she’d survive. What if she told him and she lost him too?

As much as Scarlett joked about going through this alone, about being tough, and dealing with it with a smile and a laugh, she also knew it was impossible. She went to Natasha because she had been desperate to stop MedCo but also desperate to save her own life. Natasha was right.

“Please don’t shut me out just because it’s hard.” Tony hated being serious. He really did, but this was all way too serious to joke about. These were answers he needed. Questions they avoided.

“I can’t tell you.”

“You won’t tell me, you mean.”

“You can’t be involved.”

“Meaning you don’t want me involved.”

“Yes. I don’t want you to be involved.” Scarlett felt like her chest was on fire. This wasn’t a panic attack. It was so much more than that. She’d overdone it. She’d swam so far, climbed too much, carried Clint. Scarlett felt as sick as she knew she was, which was rare, but it was becoming more frequent. Reality check after reality check.

“Scarlett?” Tony picked up both her hands and looked to her seriously. “It’s too late for that.” She held her breath. “I’m already involved.”

“You’ve been through so much.” Scarlett held his hands in return and it was suddenly very hard to speak around the lump in her throat. Serious conversations weren’t as easy as the joking but Tony wanted this. She could tell. He wanted to help her and she could see it in his honey brown eyes. Eyes that she reveled in getting lost in.

“Me?”

“Everything with Pepper. With your trauma. It’s been such a roller coaster ride for you. The last thing you need is more to deal with. You deserve better.”

“It doesn’t matter what you think I deserve. That’s not what I’m asking.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt because of me. I don’t want you to get hurt, period.” Scarlett finally admitted that and now that she said it, she couldn’t stop. It didn’t matter what the truth was behind her reasoning. She didn’t want anyone to get hurt because of her! Not Nathan, not Clint, not Natasha, not anyone! But more than anyone, selfishly, she wanted Tony to be okay, to be safe. He was not incapable but he had been in need of saving when she first met him. And for once Scarlett had gotten to be a knight in shining armor rather than the grim reaper. It felt so good and Tony was better for it. Ever since she’d approached SHIELD, the only thing Scarlett truly wanted was to help people. To do some real good. And nothing else seemed to matter after she’d met Tony.

“Hey, I’m fine. I’m going to be fine.” Tony laughed, but the worry in Scarlett’s face was so real, he wondered just how deep the rabbit hole went.

“More than anything, I want you to be okay.” Scarlett leaned closer and looked up at him seriously and her blue eyes were so sad that Tony nearly choked up.

“What about you?” Tony furrowed his brow and leaned back in his seat. “I want you to be okay too. Not just me.” For a brief moment being so close had been too much, for a hundred reasons.

Scarlett stared at their hands for a long time then pulled hers away. If he knew the chaos she’d created, the hell that had unfolded because of her, he wouldn’t feel that way. Would he? Natasha certainly didn’t. She’d made that perfectly clear.

Wiping her hand over her lips she got up, walked to the other side of the counter, pulled the first aid kit toward her and began to pack it up. Scarlett shook her head and with trembling hands, dropped the antiseptic. She cursed as the bottle clattered and broke on the tile. Crouching, she picked up the broken pieces of glass, hands stinging as the antiseptic splattered on her skin. Tony walked around the counter and crouched next to her, helping her pick up the broken glass and dispose of it in the nearby trash can.

“You’re okay… right?” Tony moistened his lips nervously and wiped his hand over his goatee. Scarlett froze and clenched her jaw to the point where it felt like her head was about to explode. She didn’t look up from the mess of antiseptic on the ground. She wanted to tell him. What if he took it the wrong way? What if he was mad at her for lying to him? What if he didn’t want to bother with someone who was as sick as she was? What if he walked out? She couldn’t emotionally handle losing Tony, Clint, and Natasha all in the same day. She’d never known her heart could break so deeply. That she could feel a pain that deeply from her emotions that it could keep her from breathing, that it could incapacitate her.

Scarlett just continued with the mess. In her mind she kept trying to find a way to phrase it. To maybe start by telling him that the wound from the other day had impacted it. How she’d nearly died and if he hadn’t removed that blade, she would have died on his couch.

Then she could tell him it didn’t matter because she was going to die anyway. The thought weighed her down. She kept clinging to hope, to a sliver of it, but there she was, pinned by reality.

She tried to clean up the mess that was beyond her control. It wasn’t about the antiseptic on the floor anymore.

Tony watched the panic take her, watched as she struggled with whatever kept her from sharing with him.

And in that moment, Tony knew. His worst fears were realized.

Scarlett wasn’t okay. She didn’t have to say it. He knew she wasn’t by her silence and her fear. Finally, she opened her mouth to talk and sat up, still crouched. But she saw his realization and instead choked on her words.

“I can help.” He reassured her quietly and he saw Scarlett immediately reject the notion without speaking. “If you just let me help you then I can help.” Tony smiled, that confident ridiculous smile that won people over but even so, Scarlett saw the fear in his eyes. “I’m Iron Man. Let me help!”

“Tony…” Scarlett began.

“You said it yourself! When you told Pepper off that morning. I have all these suits, a whole army of suits of armor, and they’re not for me. They were never for me.” Tony shook his head. Scarlett pulled back and stood, her heart racing. Tony followed her as she went to the sink and washed her hands. She was doing everything and anything to avoid dealing with what was right in front of her. Tony was tired of dancing around the truth. He wanted it and he wanted it now. Hell, he wanted more than the truth. He wanted her. He wanted everything that came with her. Tony was never really known for his patience and he’d already been plenty patient.

“They’re to protect the people I care about, Scarlett. The people who are important to me.” Tony followed her, hoping she’d listen. “Let me help you. I have all this power and money, let me do something with it. You’ve done more for me than I could ever have asked for. Let me repay you!”

Scarlett turned away from the sink and looked to him seriously. He was beaming with pride but there was so much worry behind it. And something more, something she didn’t understand. Cursing mentally, she pointed at him.

“I cannot watch another person I care about die.” Scarlett was little by little letting the truth slip. More and more with each word. She expected Tony to be angry but instead, he beamed. “What?”

“You care about me, then?” He batted his eyelashes and Scarlett laughed and wiped her hand over her face. She made her way back to the bar to clean up the first aid kit. This time she was far more careful with each piece so she didn’t break anything else or make a bigger mess. “You’re avoiding the question, Scarlett.” It didn’t seem to matter to Tony if she told the truth. He’d gotten very caught up in those few words. His smile was a mile wide.

“Of course I care about you, Tony.” Scarlett turned, her stomach dropping. She hadn’t meant to say it like that and she certainly hadn’t meant for him to read between the lines so clearly. “How could I possibly not care about you?”

“Exactly how long have you cared about me then, hmm?” Tony walked around the island counter again and back to where she stood.

“Seriously? All of this and that’s what stuck with you? Really?” Scarlett leaned back against the counter as Tony stepped closer, still wearing that dopey smile on his face.

“Honestly, that’s all that matters to me in all of this.” Tony placed his hand next to her on the counter of the bar.

“You’re unbelievable.” Scarlett slipped narrowly away from Tony and carried the first aid kit back to the table as an excuse to get away from the intoxicating tension they created when they were that close together. There were no more real excuses not to. Other than the truth. And even when faced with some of that truth, Tony didn’t back down. She was torn. Did she want him to back down? To save him? Or not to so he would stay? Her brain was a disaster.

Tony followed her.

“I am unbelievable, that’s true, but not what we were talking about.” Tony grabbed her elbow carefully and tried to turn her but much to his surprise, Scarlett didn’t budge. Not even a little. “Aren’t you going to ask?”

“No.”

“I wasn’t finished.”

“I know what you’re going to say.”

“How are you even doing that? That’s ridiculous. God, you’re so strong.” Tony looked down at her feet, amused that she’d fixed herself to the floor. Instead, he slipped between her and the table and walked in front of her, placing his hands on her arms gently. He purposely left very little space between them.

Scarlett took a step back and Tony took it with her, shaking his head no, as if to say she wouldn’t get out of it like that.

He didn’t even smell nice today. Why was it all so intoxicating? Usually Tony smelled of expensive cologne that had grown on her. This was different than those moments where they locked eyes and crept close to crossing a line, a line they both knew they wanted to cross. Because they were finally allowed to cross it. At least Tony was.

Scarlett had used Pepper as an excuse not to get any closer, not to feel anything, but the only person she’d fooled was herself. Scarlett shuffled backwards and Tony took her hand and tugged her closer. She nearly fell against him and placed her hand to his chest, to catch herself.

Tony placed his hand on her cheek, his large hand dwarfing her. His thumb caressed her pale skin, barely grazing the corner of her lips. Any doubts about what he wanted faded away. No matter what obstacles lay ahead of them, Tony was ready to face them head on. He always loved a challenge and Scarlett proved to consistently be just that.

Closing her eyes, Scarlett leaned into the soft touch, a touch that always comforted her and sent a flood of warmth through her from head to toe. Very few people could do that to her with just a touch. Only one other ever had and even so, there were no feelings attached to that like this. She got the chills and shivered. Tony stepped closer, hand moving gingerly over her forearm, her elbow, and then around her shoulder and back, pulling her so close that she was pressed against him. Scarlett felt the shape of the arc reactor tucked beneath his shirt hidden away, pressed against her chest, and swore it was warm.

It was just him.

He was warm.

Tony watched her lips part, her lower lip scraped and bloodied from whatever she’d been through that morning. Not a turn off either. A busted lip was sexy, at least on Scarlett. Her fingers were bruised and scraped, not soft at all like they once were as she placed her hands on his cheeks. Even though he knew very well what strength and skill those hands were capable of, they felt delicate as they brushed intimately over his meticulously manicured goatee.

Scarlett’s mind went blank. Hadn’t they been arguing? About what? Tony was so warm. Taller than her too. She liked that. As she leaned closer she found that cologne she associated with him. It was there, she just had to be pressed against him to get the full effect. That damn cologne became an aphrodisiac after all the times they’d come close and had to pull back. It made her curl her toes in her boots.

There was a reason for pulling back, right? It was difficult to think about anything other than how badly she wanted to tuck her fingers under his shirt and push it slowly up and off of him, to push him against the nearby table and have her way with him. She bit her lower lip and watched as her fingers brushed over his jaw and down the side of his neck and onto his strong shoulders.

Her knuckles were bloody.

“Nope.” Scarlett suddenly snapped to her senses, pulling her hands away from Tony’s shoulders, and slipping out of his arms before returning to the kitchen. She shook a finger at him knowingly. “Bad idea. It’s such a bad idea.”

“If you mean a very hot, sexy, amazing idea, the best idea that Tony’s had all year? Then yes, okay, it’s a very bad, naughty idea.” Tony followed her into the kitchen and she practically ran around the island to get away from him.

“You just got out of a long term relationship.” Scarlett stuttered over her words, mostly because her heart wasn’t in it. She knew what she wanted. She wanted this. But she didn’t deserve it. Not after everything. A man was in the hospital on his death bed, for god’s sake! She’d been arrested. Natasha made it very clear that she deserved very little of any kind of happiness or life, particularly the kind of mindless fun she knew Tony would offer. But she still very much wanted it. So badly. More than she’d wanted anything in a long time.

“Yeah, okay, that’s what was stopping me but now it seems like you were using it as an excuse and grasping at straws.” Tony knew it was true. He’d known it for a while. Scarlett didn’t want to be the other woman. He got that. He understood it and he didn’t want it either. They’d made that perfectly clear and still somehow kept winding up in each other’s arms.

Scarlett was still scared. Tony wasn’t.

Hell, he was excited! And not just in the obvious way.

“Don’t say that.”

“Someone had to say it.” Tony followed her around the island and then stopped. “This is ridiculous. You are literally running from me.”

“I’m not running. I am just avoiding…”

“Fun? Something we both want? Really? We’re both adults, Scarlett. Both single adults, I might add.”

“I can’t believe we’re having this conversation. You were just grilling me about SHIELD and…”

“And I plan on grilling you in a completely different way before getting back to that.” Tony joked and Scarlett stopped to laugh.

“Can you be serious? For like… more than ten seconds?” Scarlett pulled away from the island and Tony grabbed her wrist and tugged her far harder than necessary back to him.

“I am extremely serious.” Tony didn’t give her another chance to pull away. They were both dancing around the inevitable. He’d waited desperately for this moment, longer than he had ever waited for anyone before in his life.

She tried to twist her wrist away but Tony grabbed her shoulder, placed his other hand on the side of her neck and pressed her right against the cabinets. She gasped and her eyes fell on his lips. She could feel his hot breath so close and her own ragged breath struggling while she fought the conflict in her heart.

But it was no longer up for debate, not for Tony. Her lips were soft as he pressed his against hers, just barely, in a mindful, tender kiss, despite the rest of the force he’d used. Even with the wound on her lip, they were soft, full, warm, and it was just about the most amazing sensation he’d ever felt.

She didn’t kiss him back at first, but it didn’t stop Tony from moving closer, tilting his head to deepen the kiss- a kiss he’d earned. He’d dreamt about what it was like to kiss her, to slowly undress her and take her. To make her his. But nothing about those dreams would stand up to the real thing. He was more sure than he ever was that this was where he was supposed to be. That this was where he wanted to be.

Scarlett pulled back just enough to part their lips, resting the back of her head against the cabinets but Tony didn’t budge, didn’t open his eyes. She couldn’t believe he’d just broken the floodgates. For the times he’d hesitated, she was sure he wasn’t ready to take the plunge but there he was. And it didn’t lessen the tension like she suspected it might, oh no. Part of her had thought they’d kiss and realize it was all in their heads. But no. That was not the case at all.

In fact, it made the tension so much worse. All Scarlett wanted to do was kiss him again, kiss him and forget everything else. When he kissed her, in fact every time he held her, her mind was blank and quiet. A rare phenomenon for Scarlett whose mind was always going a mile a minute.

So she did what she wanted for the first time in a long time. Scarlett closed the very small gap between them and kissed Tony without thinking. At once, he groaned at the feel of her lips.

It felt wonderful to kiss her, but to be kissed back made all the difference. His chest practically exploded with how damn hard his heart was beating. It was slow at first, like someone hit the pause button while they savored the kiss, a kiss that had taken them months to have. But the slowness lasted only for a short moment.

Leaning away from the cabinets, Scarlett stood on her toes and slipped her arms around Tony’s shoulders, kissing those sexy, full lips with more resolve, more determination. She’d waited so long for this. They both had. And now that they had given in, there was no stopping it. The water rushed through the floodgates and they were powerlessly lost within its current.

Running her fingers through his short hair, Scarlett greedily pulled him closer. Every pent up bit of tension pouring from her lips into his and back again. His hair was soft, surprisingly so, and the way it brushed just against her palms sent shivers running through her. Tony pulled her away from the cabinets, urging her body to press against his.

For a brief second he leaned into her hand in his hair, savoring the slight tug. It felt like a dream. Their lips crashed together time and again. He bit her lower lip, giving it a soft tug and she made a delectable sound of pleasure, much to his delight. Scarlett was pressed against him so firmly, he had to take a step back to keep his balance, and instead bumped into the kitchen island. His heart was beating so hard that it was all he could hear outside of the sounds he elicited from the woman of his desire.

It was more than a kiss. It was a landslide. A landslide of every ounce of tension, of need that they’d pent up over the months past. Each touch they’d resisted, every kiss they’d longed for, drowned them in passion.

Nothing else mattered.

Scarlett’s nimble fingers gripped his hair while her other hand slipped beneath his jacket and pushed it just off of his shoulders. His arm slipped around her, pulling her against him until he could feel every contour of her body pressed to his. Gripping her shirt, he pulled her chest against his, feeling her hands slipping further beneath his jacket. Then he urged his hand lower, and the other joined it, right onto her cute, round ass, a thing he’d admired for so long. He gave it a loving squeeze before pulling her hips square against his. She had to know just what she did to him when he looked at her the wrong way.

Scarlett groaned, making a soft sound of surprise at the feeling of him pressed against her. She grasped his shirt. For a moment they sat kissing, holding each other close, lips tangled, tongues exploring, greedily taking in all they’d resisted for so long.

Grabbing the collar of Tony’s leather jacket, Scarlett tugged it and pulled it away from one shoulder, then the other, forcing his hands away from her backside. He chuckled against her lips, giving another love bite on her lower lip and the sound melted into a groan. Tony readjusted and then with Scarlett’s assistance, pulled off his jacket. He followed Scarlett’s movements so she wouldn’t have to pull away from his lips.

He threw the jacket to the ground and there was a surprising crash that forced them both to stop and look for the source. Scarlett made to go check but he pulled her by her arm back to him and slipped his arms back around her and kissed her once again.

“But…” Scarlett muttered between kisses and Tony shook his head and bit her lip harder this time. Moaning softly, Scarlett returned the bite, just as hard and his grip faltered. She pulled from his lips and kissed down his chin, his scruff scraping against her lips and sending shivers down her spine. Then she bit his chin, not too hard, but not too soft either. Tony felt the slight sting run through his jaw, and into shivers down his spine, one hand reaching behind him to grip against the counter.

One by one, she pressed her fingers against his chest and slid her entire palm down his stomach, kissing his chin, beneath it, and over his neck. Her teeth hashed against his scruff. When he moaned, she could feel it reverberate through her lips and she shivered.

“Goddamn…” Tony leaned his head back, breath short, heart beating faster. His every nerve was on fire with passion and excitement. Scarlett kissed down his neck, as far as the collar of his shirt would allow. Then she tugged on the bottom of his shirt, her fingers brushing the bare skin beneath. Every part of him was warm. He tensed up and flexed so she could feel his muscles. She smiled against the skin of his neck before kissing back up his jaw and starting to tug his shirt up higher.

As much as he enjoyed being treated with such excitement and care, he couldn’t sit idly by and let Scarlett have all the fun. So he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up with ease. Scarlett wrapped her legs around his middle and he took a few steps forward, leaning her against the fridge. It was cold on her back so she gasped and arched away from it, her chest pressing against Tony and he admired the way her body moved.

Leaning her weight against the fridge, Tony pulled up her shirt, careful of the wound on her side, and practically buckled at the knees at the feel of her soft skin. Scarlett placed her hand beneath his chin and tilted him back to her, forcing him to focus on her lips. They kissed again deeply, feverishly. Tony gripped at her shirt, holding it up at her side, his other hand caressing slowly over her skin and up over the contour of her breasts, urging his hips to once again press against hers, adjusting her in his arms to do so.

Scarlett started again at his shirt and when finding it would not come off of him so easily, she began to sloppily tug at the buttons on the top. With his hips pressed square against hers, she could feel just how desperately he’d longed for this moment and goddamn, she wasn’t sure how he survived in those jeans. It only made her want him more. Her heart was beating a mile a minute, her lungs were on fire, but who needed to breathe when something as simple as a touch could make her feel this damn good?

Tilting her head to the side, Scarlett’s kisses were sloppier as she tried to focus on the task of unbuttoning his shirt. Every miss caught a bit of scruff that gave her shivers which delighted Tony to no end. He’d pushed the sleeve of her tank top off of her shoulder, hand fully on her breast, giving it a playful squeeze as he pushed her harder against the fridge. He dared to rock his hips against hers.

He needed it.

Gasping again against his lips, Scarlett gripped his shirt and rocked against him in return, then started to push the shirt that was stuck between him down his arms, but that didn’t work. For a brief second, the arc reactor lit up the space between them with its brilliance. She was left in awe of it. She pulled at the shirt with more fervor but it was stuck between her legs and his body.

Tony, hand right under her backside, pulled her away from the fridge, turned, set her down on the island counter, then pulled his shirt off from the back collar and dropped it to the floor. Arms back around Scarlett, he pulled her close, allowing his bare stomach to rest against hers where her shirt was still hiked up. Tony’s lips left a trail of sloppy, wet kisses down her neck, greedily memorizing her. He wanted to know all of her, to know every nook, every cranny, before he could rest.

Then he wanted to know them all over again.

It was like fasting before a feast and he was starving. Scarlett scooted closer to him on the edge of the counter. Tony urged her to continue until her hips were right at the edge.

She swore she saw stars with Tony pressed so tightly against her. Her breathing was ragged. She could hear the crackle of her lungs in her ears amidst the groans that shook her to her very core as Tony kissed down her chest. Scarlett gripped at his hair, fingertips tingling and numb. His hands caressed over her thighs greedily, down to her knees, and back up between her legs.

Gasping for breath, she moved her hands down his bare back, feeling the way his impressive physique moved as he held her, pulled at her, hungrily. Her fingernails barely scratched at his back, pulling him closer, tighter. The air was so thick between them that Scarlett couldn’t breathe.

It wasn’t Tony.

And she realized it in a sudden panic.

Scarlett couldn’t breathe.

Her stomach lurched and she turned away. Tony pulled her back, thinking nothing of it. He kissed over her neck and pushed the sleeve off of her shoulder along with her bra strap.

But then she started coughing. And she couldn’t stop. Every time Scarlett inhaled, she couldn’t exhale, and then she couldn’t do either. Her body shook and trembled. She lost feeling in her fingers completely.

Tony pulled back in horror, mouth hanging open as he watched her nearly turn blue. She gripped weakly at his shoulder, other hand over her mouth to try and contain the cough, but she was losing color rapidly. Tony’s brain was in a fog of sex and desire but it also screamed that he had to do something.

His heart was racing for ten different reasons. He gently laid her back on the counter, urging her arms over her head. He placed his hand over her chest.

“Scarlett?” He cleared his throat of the huskiness in his voice. Tony gently brushed his hand over her chest, unsure of what else to do to help her other than console her. “Scarlett, talk to me.” But she didn’t say anything, she didn’t even look at him. Scarlett stared ahead of her, into space, like she didn’t see anything. Tony waved his hand in front of her face and when she didn’t acknowledge him and just coughed, her breathing short and laborious, he gently turned her to face him. He needed her to focus on something, anything.

The haze of lust disappeared in a cold rush of panic.

“Scarlett? Please! Please… please talk to me.” Tony pled, searching for his phone. It was in his coat. He’d have to leave her to call for help.

Then, just like that, Scarlett coughed, blinked, and stared back at him. Tony’s bottom lip trembled, and he was awestruck. What happened to her? She’d disappeared! She’d had a few coughing fits when they were working together but nothing like that.

“Sorry.” Scarlett managed, her voice hoarse and tired. Tony pulled her upright and wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in the crook of her neck. She was shaking and her heart beat unsteadily, lungs still sore and aching. She could barely breathe.

“You were gone.”

“I’m sorry.” Scarlett didn’t know how to tell him. She wanted to but she was also disoriented. She felt like she was fading quickly. She needed help. Desperately.

“What happened, Scarlett? What aren’t you telling? What’s wrong? Please.”

“I can’t. I have to… you have to go.” She whispered but it wasn’t what she meant so much as that she needed help. Scarlett had to call someone but who? Jemma Simmons? She was still angry with Simmons without a real reason. Mickey? Mickey would help her or send her to help at least. She couldn’t call Natasha even though that was all she wanted to do.

“Scarlett…” Tony scolded. She was upset, but she kept disappearing into her head. Into panic. What a roller coaster ride. He was still sitting there with an erection, trying to calm down and process what the hell just happened. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Just for now.” Scarlett placed her hand over his lips to silence his objections. He furrowed his brow in frustration. “I need to get some help or call someone or…” She stuttered on her words and moistened her lips. God, they tasted like him. This was so unfair. She’d been so close to him and now she was back, trapped in reality.

“I cannot leave you like this.”

“Please, Tony. I’m okay. This isn’t the first time this has happened. I need to call for help.” Scarlett wheezed. She didn’t want him to leave. She didn’t. But if she was this sick then she had to do something about it fast. Maybe a week ago she would have ignored it. She would have taken a few deep breaths, said fuck it, and did whatever the hell she wanted to do. Which was Tony. Something she wanted to do so badly.

But if getting some help would buy her some more time with Tony, more time to set things right, then she needed to call someone. Anyone. She needed to get help now before it was too late. Tony tilted her chin up and pulled her close again, brushing his lips just against hers before kissing her deeply.

Scarlett’s chest ached and she returned the soft sentiment, a far different kiss than the fevered ones they’d shared only moments ago. A chill ran down her spine and she shivered before gently pulling back from his lips. Tony kept his eyes closed and shook his head.

He couldn’t believe he was doing this.

“I’ll go.” He whispered, staring down at her lips longingly. “But we’re not done here. Not by a long shot. You got that?”

“I don’t want to be done here, Tony.” Her heart was in her throat. “I promise we’re not done here.”

“Promise me that you’re getting help.” Tony rested his hand on her cheek, sighed, and then pulled back with a deep exhale.

“I promise. No more secrets. Not from you.” Scarlett reassured him. And she meant it. No more lies, no more secrets. She’d tell him everything. Every awful detail.

Tony exhaled but felt no relief. He retrieved his shirt and his coat and then smiled at her. “You know, you’re experiencing a rare thing.”

“What’s that?” She sounded sad.

“I think this is the first time I’ve ever been this hard up and didn’t get what I want.”

She laughed and he rested his hand on her cheek and placed a kiss on the other.

“Trust me, I couldn’t be less happy about this.”

“Good to know. Should probably change your panties before you call anyone.”

“Tony. Don’t be crude.”

“Just being honest.” He was still panicked inside, but felt better after making her laugh. He pulled on his shirt and started out the door without looking back at Scarlett. If he did, he’d change his mind. He wouldn’t leave. He’d pick her up and make love to her. And if she really did need help it would be doing her a disservice. He would never forgive himself.

If she needed him to leave to get help then he would. He knew exactly what he’d do instead. He pulled on his jacket. He needed answers.

Scarlett watched him leave, chest sore, stomach sick. Carefully, she got off the counter and limped over to the bar. She found her phone and fumbled with the screen.

That was right.

The ocean broke it.

Cursing, she threw the stupid thing aside and went to her computer. It was the only way she knew how to contact anyone who could help. She waited for the screen to load, head spinning. She’d contact Mickey and find out a status from SHIELD on Clint and see what they could do for her.

But the memory of Tony so close wouldn’t fade so quickly. Every time she closed her eyes she could feel his lips, his touch, and now that she had a little taste of it, she wanted more. So much more. She would trade every bit of freedom she had left for just one more kiss.

That was it.

Once she’d assessed the damage done, she would go to Tony and tell him everything. Every ounce of the truth. She should have done it then and there but the panic was too crippling. She would ask him to be patient with her and she knew he would be. And she should have let him stay. He could see part of it for himself. But she wasn’t thinking. That and she wanted Tony to hear the truth from her. Not from Simmons or Mickey. Scarlett had to be the one to do it for it to mean as much as she felt it did.

To give him a chance to run without SHIELD breathing down his neck. It was only fair.

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