Walk Away - Chapter 4: They're Siblings Your Honor
Pairing: N/A
Series Summary: After living in the shadows of her older brothers Alexandra Walker decides to walk away from what everything people expect of her and chase after the dream of working at Stark Industries. She wasn’t expecting everything that would follow after being hired.
Chapter Warnings: mentions of un-a-living ones self
Word Count: 3572
Author’s Note: This chapter references characters from Grace.
Disclaimer: All gifs used were found using the tumblr gif tab. I do not own anything unless stated otherwise.
Walk Away Masterlist | Masterlist
Alexa sat there in the backseat of the chauffeured car, Tony next to her, as she processed what just happened in more depth. She turned in her seat and began to repeatedly slap the older man repeatedly in the arm. “Are. You. Stupid?!” Each word was punctuated by a slap, each stronger than the last.
It was at that moment that Tony knew he made a mistake giving his address out. Alexa began to lecture him on how stupid he was during their ride from the hospital to his home. He definitely was not expecting the southern girl to be so strong. Honestly he wouldn’t be surprised if there was a bruise left. She got out of the car not even waiting for the chauffeur to open the door as she made her way into the house. Pepper was waiting in the entry way already, her arms crossed in front of her as mad about it as Alexa. The two bickered like a married couple ending with Pepper storming upstairs to pack her bags to leave the now unsafe home. Tony made his way down to his work room. He stood there looking at the wall of suits.
"Jarvis, prepare mock 19 for flight." Tony instructs tapping on the table in front of him. "Compile all information you can on the Mandarin including a scene recreation from the explosion. While you’re at it, also tell Alexa to come down."
The golden and red mock 19 iron suit powered on, the eye slits glowing white, and stepped out of the cell it stood in. The suit opened and stood waiting while Jarvis projected the requested scene and told Alexa to meet Tony downstairs.
Alexa huffed at the request but stood from the couch she had settled into on arrival, moving down the stairs to the room. Her blue eyes were drawn right to the blue holographic scene recreation. Tony stepped into her line of sight, grabbing her shoulders and maneuvering her to turn towards the open, waiting suit. She looks over her shoulder towards him confused about what was going on.
"You said you wanted to try on the suit." The statement was simple and honest. She had mentioned a few times about how she wanted to try on the suit but it was always mainly a joke since she never thought it would actually happen. Yet here she was stepping into the suit. The metal closed around her and surprisingly the suit was able to adjust slightly to fit her shorter height. The biggest change was the white-blue holographic screen that appeared. In her peripheral vision was what looked like energy levels and various gages that she wasn’t familiar with. The main thing she could see was the viewpoint in front of her. She flexed her fingers feeling how the mechanics worked before lifting her legs and arms to test the weight.
"Jarvis, put mock 19 on autopilot and send Alexa to the Avengers Campus." Tony made the request as she was still getting the feel of the suit. The screen inside the suit cleared into nothing but a front visual. Alexa’s head turned, making the suit head turn with it as she looked at Stark with wide eyes.
"What? Tony, what are you doing? Jarvis, let me out." Alexa quickly began to panic but the suit moved and therefore she did. The window in front of her began to open to let the suit fly out. "I'm sorry Miss Walker," Jarvis apologized as the suit approached the window.
The last thing Alexa could hear before the suit took off flying was, "You'll be safer in New York, kid."
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Alexa learned quite a few things during her three hour flight from Malibu to upstate New York. One, she does not like tight places. Two, she did not like having limited mobility. Lastly, she never wanted to wear the iron suit ever again.
“Miss Walker, we will be landing soon. It appears that the suit is not ready for a normal landing. This might be a bit rough, apologies.” Jarvis informed her as the suit began lowering towards the large gated compound.
Rough was an understatement. The thrusters just cut off at the same time Alexa was once again allowed access to move. Her stiff limbs collapsed under the weight of the suit and the sudden foot drop. The girl tried to tuck and roll but the larger suit combined with the slightly icy surface just couldn’t handle the motion and ended up just face planted on the cement landing pad. “I have alerted Ms. Potts that you have arrived safely.” Jarvis states as the girl in the suit just groaned before rolling onto her back and looking up at the sky.
“Thank you Jarvis.” She huffed.
The vision of the blue sky was blocked by a man that made Alexa’s brain go brrrr for a moment as she looked up at the charming, amused smile that belonged to her childhood crush. Steve Rogers let out a chuckle as he looked down at the iron suit. He watched the fail of a landing from inside where he was making a cup of hot cocoa to fight off the chill of the December night.
“Well I could say you have had better landings.” He joked, hiding his hands under his arms to keep them warm.
The girl scoffed, rolling her eyes as she sat up. “I say that was a beautiful crash landing for a new flier, Captain.”
Steve’s blue eyes widened at the voice that came out of the suit. Clearly this wasn't the genius he thought it was. He quickly stepped back to give the person more room as the suit began to stand up. “You’re not, Stark.”
“Nope. Jarvis, can you please open the suit now and let me out of this thing before I freak out again.” Alexa wished she wasn’t about to meet Captain America face to face for the first time still looking like a mess. The suit opened and as soon as she was able to slip out the blonde rushed out even ducking around pieces that were still moving away. Her foot slid slightly but a firm hand grabbed onto the crook of her elbow to steady her.
“Thank you. Alexandra Walker but everyone usually calls me Alexa. Big fan Mr. Rogers, just maybe not as much as your ol’ comrade Amazing Grace.” She thanked him and quickly babbled on to introduce herself.
Steve was a bit taken back. Sure he had come across a few people who were fans of his but for someone to mention anyone from the commandos or even Grace was amazing. It brought a small smile to his face. “You know that wasn’t her real name right?” The blonde girl nods her head before a shiver convulsed through her body.
“Jarvis, uh, can you take the suit inside?” Alexa requests looking back at the suit that was reclosed.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Steve motioned for her to go to the building once they watched the suit walk the path towards the hanger. The two entered the silent building. The first thing that she smelt was the hot cocoa that Steve had been making. Steve walked around her to go back towards the kitchen where he pulled out another mug. “Would you like some hot cocoa, Alexa?”
“That would be lovely, thank you.” She followed him, taking a seat on a stool at the island counter. She looked around taking in the lack of holiday decorations. There was no other sign of someone else even being around. “Are you here alone?”
Steve hummed slightly looking up from what he was doing and gave a slight nod. “Uh, yeah. Clint’s at home with his family. I think Nat is off on a mission in another country and well Shield staff don’t normally visit on the weekend unless there is something going on. So what trouble did Stark get you into?”
Alexa groaned and let her head slump forward and she resisted the urge to cover it with her arms on the counter. “It didn’t start off as Stark’s doing. Simply a wrong place, wrong time type deal. I guess. I’m sure you’re aware of Mandarin by now?” She waited until she got a nod from Steve to continue speaking. “Well, Happy was a victim in the most recent bombing. Stark called out the Mandarin and gave out his home address.” Steve let out an exasperated sigh as he listened to the explanation.
A red mug filled with hot cocoa topped with mini marshmallows was pushed across the counter towards her. Steve leaned against the counter pulling the sleeves of the cream cable knit sweater up his arms slightly. “Are you staying with Stark?” Alexa lifts the mug, taking a small sip before shaking her head.
“I was staying with Happy.” Alexa knocked on the counter top, tilting her head up to look at Steve. “I’m sure you have heard about the Mandarin by now?” Steve gave her a nod as he took a sip from his own mug. “Happy was injured in his most recent attack. Then Tony, that freaking idiot of a genius, gave his address out in the press calling them out.”
Rogers shakes his head as he listens to her explanation. “So he sent you here because it’s safer.” He answered his own unasked question, which was confirmed by Alexa with a nod of her head. The super soldier let out a small sigh and looked at the young woman. “I suppose we should head out to pick you up some things.”
“That would be nice.” Alexa smiles at the plan as she looks down at the same outfit she has been in for over 24 hours now. Steve holds a finger up before he leaves the kitchen. Within the time he was gone she finished her hot cocoa. The man returns holding a pair of sweatpants and a Shield t-shirt. He sets them next to her.
“Those should fit and be warmer.” He commented as I looked at the clothes.
“Ms. Walker, Ms. Potts requests you use the company card to purchase anything you need.” Jarvis spoke in the room.
“Thank you Jarvis.” Alexa responds as she gets off the stool taking her cup to the sink to rinse it out. “Well Mr. Rogers, can you point me in the direction of the room I will stay in?” Steve shows her to the room she would be staying in. They would meet in a few moments after she had time to clean up and change.
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Steve was quite the gentleman, accompanying Alexa shopping and even offering to carry some of the store bags. Steve was loading her purchased bags into his car while Alexa’s eyes drifted across the street into the park where the ice rink was open and locals were sliding across the slick surface. The loud clunk of the trunk closing caused her to jump to face the taller male. His deep chuckle caused her to flush from embarrassment.
“Come on Lex.” He began to cross the street making the young woman follow quickly behind to keep up with his long strides. “Where are we going?”
Rogers turned walking backwards with a bright smile, “Skating of course!”
Steve paid for the skate rental and was the first to make it out on the ice. He used to skate every winter with Bucky and his sisters, sure he felt more balanced now and wasn’t afraid of catching the plague or something. Yet here he was gliding across the ice waiting for the other blonde to get onto the ice. Alexa however had only been ice skating a few times. She looked like a baby deer on new legs as she got on the ice.
A warm laugh drew her attention over to the super hero who was standing a few feet away hand to his chest as he laughed at her struggle not to fall. Alexa scowled as she wobbled over to the man who was a bit too personal with ice. “Don’t laugh at me. Last time I went ice skating my brother held my hand the whole time.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to you just remind me of a baby deer right now. It’s adorable.” As he spoke he held his hands out for her to take. He moved to her side and helped keep her steady enough for them to begin to skate around the rink.
As soon as Alexa seemed to have a good handle on it he let go and moved to skate backwards in front of her. Or at least he attempted to. A yell from a scared child as they fell distracted the man enough that he himself slipped to the icey floor. Alexa giggled as she stopped moving so she didn’t trip over him. “Didn’t you spend enough time on ice?” She teased earning a playful glare.
“You know what..” He started to get up, “I think there is something better we could be doing right now.”
“I don’t know watching the great Captain America slip on ice is a pretty fun way to spend my time.” Alexa began to skate away but Steve kept up with her.
“Let’s head out. I want to stop at one more place before we head back to the compound.”
Getting off the ice was a lot easier than getting on but Steve was right there to help her over to a bench so they could change out of the skates and into their boots. Steve returned their skates before the duo made their way to his car and off onto the last stop before heading home.
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A tree. Steven Rogers bought a tree, lights, and everything else they needed to decorate the green tree for the holiday. They put the tree in the corner of the main room, between a window and the fireplace. Decorating the tree with Steve gave Alexa a weird sense of homesickness. More specifically it made her miss John. Sure they fought but the way Steve kept treating her like a little sister just made her miss her older brother.
While wrapping the lights he purposely wrapped the string around her. She was too busy attaching the needed hooks to the ornaments to even notice the lights being wrapped around her until she looked up and saw the lights around her back and the tree. Steve stood off to the side with a grin on his face. She laughed and threw one of the ornaments at him which he ducked to avoid. It didn’t take long to get her out of the lights and properly apply the the string of lights before they both began to hang the decorations. Steve focused on the top, since he was taller. After they ran out of decorations Alexa stepped back and tilted her head.
“Would you like to add the star?” Steve’s question took her by surprise.
Placing the star was always something her brother did. If it wasn’t John it was Mike and before them it was her father. She never understood why she was never allowed to add the star but she remembered the one time her father let her do it as a child that ended with John throwing a tantrum because he didn’t get to do it. Her small steps forward to grab the silver star from the super soldier’s hands she was hesitant. She didn’t have long to linger on the thoughts as Steve lifted her from the ground so she could reach the top of the tree.
Star placed, lights shining, and a tree perfectly dressed the two blondes moved towards the kitchen to make some hot chocolate. As Steve poured the beverage into the two mugs he glanced up at the woman. “You mentioned being a fan of Amazing Grace right?”
Alexa glanced up before adding whipped cream and marshmallows. “I did. Why?”
He was silent for a moment, trying to find the correct way to ask what was on his mind. "I've been checking in on what happened to the Commandos since I've been back but.." When he trailed off, Alexa was able to figure out pretty quickly what he was thinking and finished his thought, "You can't find anything that makes sense on Grace?"
Each picked up their mug and moved to sit near the fire and the tree. As Alexa curled up on the couch she looked at the man in front of her. "That's because no one really knows. She kind of just disappeared one day. Theories spiraled through the media and gossip, the most common answer given is suicide but that never sat well with me." By the nod of his head Alexa knew he agreed with her.
"What are the other theories?"
She picked a marshmallow off her mug and ate it before answering, "The first to come out was; she moved back to the Midwest. That theory became a bust six months later when she never showed up to Charlotte and her brother Robbie's wedding. When she didn't show up to the wedding Howard Stark went to her New York apartment and that is where the letter was found that gave people the theory of suicide. On the other side of that theory people also began to think she was taken by Hydra again."
It was quiet as he took in what she had said. "You sound skeptical of all of those, what do you think happened?" Steve set his mug down next to a copy of The Hobbit that he had been reading before the unexplained arrival of the woman in an iron suit.
Alexa bites her lip as she looks into the dancing flames of the fire. "Being an assistant to Pepper, and Tony on occasion, gives me access to certain documents and information that isn't public knowledge. Half of which Tony doesn't always want me to see because it was his father's."
Blue eyes narrowed in on the woman. "What did you read that you weren't supposed to Alexandra?"
The woman winced hearing more of her brother's scolding tone than the man actually scolding her. "Ew you sounded like my brother." She muttered with a pout. Steve was still watching with a disappointed look. "It was a leather bound journal. Her journal,” There was a look of acknowledgement in his eyes at the mention of the item, “the one with the letter. It wasn't a suicide note it was a confession and research. Grace confessed that she couldn't marry Howard Stark because she fell for Sergeant Barnes. She explained what happened when she was taken by Hydra. Oh sweet honey iced tea, she recreated the serum from trial and error while using herself as a test subject. I think she was starting to lose her mind or maybe she was onto something. Her handwriting got messy and she talked about cryogenics and the ability a body could survive in a frozen state. The last part, maybe the key to what happened to her, was ruined by what I would assume was coffee."
It became so quiet, just the crackling of the fire as Steve took in what he heard. It stayed silent between them as they finished their mugs of hot chocolate before parting ways to go to sleep.
Waking up the following morning, seeing the snow outside and the perfect hill triggered one thought in Alexa’s head. Sledding. She changed out of pajamas and into her warm clothes and jacket before running to Steve’s room that he pointed out the day before while showing her to her room. His room was empty but there leaned against the door of the closet was the shield. Or maybe the perfect saucer. She grinned, grabbing the metal disk before rushing outside and up the hill. Sitting in the center of the disc she held onto the arm straps before sliding down the slope. As she tipped out of the makeshift sled at the bottom she broke out into a fit of laughter before hurrying up the hill to go down again.
She was on her fifth trek back up the hill when she stopped mid step. Cold flakes slipping between stands of her hair and sneaking its way down the nape of her neck from the bursted snowball that hit her upper shoulder. She turned around to see Steve Rogers in a gray army sweatshirt and black sweatpants, looking like he was just running a marathon.
“What do you think you’re doing with that kid?” He called over to her.
“Nooothin’.” She sang out in a mock innocent tone which did nothing but gain an eye roll.
Steve scooped up more snow to throw at her which she easily avoided by tucking behind the shield. As soon as she heard the snow hit the shield she scooped up her own handful to form into a ball and throw back at Steve. From then on a full mini war broke out.
“Stop using the shield, it's cheating!”
“Oh come on Rogers, your aim is worse than my ma’s!”
Having enough of the back and forth Steve ran over to the girl. Swiping her off her feet he tossed her into a pile of snow. Both laughing, cheeks and nose red from the cold, and in much better spirits compared to their last conversation the night before.
Series Summary: After living in the shadows of her older brothers Alexandra Walker decides to walk away from what everything people expect of her and chase after the dream of working at Stark Industries. She wasn’t expecting everything that would follow after being hired.
Chapter Warnings: Bad parenting, John Walker
Word Count: 2445
Author's Note: So this fic started as a series of dreams. I finally decided to break down and write it. Not to mention my mutuals seemed so intrigued with the idea. So here is the first chapter y'all. **Edit** Big thank you to @captainpikeachu for informing me of the incorrect information I was using. I have now properly edited this chapter.
Disclaimer: All gifs used were found using the tumblr gif tab. I do not own anything unless stated otherwise.
Walk Away Masterlist | Masterlist
Custer Grove, Georgia 2010
Graduation was weeks away and I had just been told that I would be valedictorian. Something neither of my older brothers had been. Sure Mike and John were captains of the football team during their time at Custer Grove High School but I would be graduating with honors and as valedictorian. Finally I was starting to step out of the shadows casted by my older brothers.
I raced home on my bike that night after school. The excitement added a bounce to my step. Mom was in the kitchen when I arrived. I skipped into the room with a grin on my face. My mom looked up from the pot on the stove, she was already cooking dinner. “What’s the grin for, peach?”
“Guess who was made valedictorian of Custer Grove’s class of 2010?” I hopped in place. Before she realized what I meant or I could firmly announce the news the front door opened. My head turned and I leaned back to see my dad entering with a large grin. Mom lowered the temp on the stove and hurried towards the door.
“Here he is, the Walker’s newest West Point graduate, Johnny boy!” Dad announced stepping out of the way to let my older brother in the house. John looked just like a blonde version of Mike, Mike having darker hair than both John and I. He was dressed in the military camouflage uniform, Formal outfit on a hanger in a dress bag slung over his shoulder. It had actually already been a month since he graduated from West Point but was just now making it home.
“Oh Johnny!” Mom squealed in delight while pulling him down to kiss his cheek proudly.
“I missed you too Ma. Hey peaches.” John nodded his head at me and I waved awkwardly. “Hi, John. Congrats on the graduation. I take it Lemar has finished his training too?” John grinned, nodding his head quickly to confirm that his childhood best friend had finished his basic training with the army.
I would never admit it aloud but I definitely had a favorite brother and it wasn't John. Heck I would even take Lemar over John as a brother. Maybe it was me or maybe it was the age gap but John and I just didn't really connect. Or maybe it was the whole shadow thing for him too but it just made it worse for me. John was impulsive and the only time he followed a plan was if it was given to him. Not to mention the hidden temper he had. Yet that was a side no one got to see so no one believed it. No, instead they saw the young small town boy, ex captain of his high school football team and now an American soldier.
My mom never did ask me more about the valedictorian mention. I tried to bring it up again that night at dinner but I kept getting talked over. Like usual I helped clear the table and put the leftovers away. My earlier excitement completely diminished. I glanced at the time before going to grab my jacket, it was Friday, meaning movie night at the park. Given the weather was nice the nearby park would show movies on a projector against the side of a grocery store.
“Ma, Pa. I’m going to head to the park for the movie.” I called to my parents as I zipped my jacket. “Hold on, peach. John can take you. He’s going with Lemar and Oliva in the truck.” Dad called back and I let out a silent groan dropping my head back. Yet I patiently waited for my brother.
John and I climbed into dad’s truck after he threw some blankets into the bed. We picked up Lemar first before going to get John’s girlfriend, Olivia. Olivia and I got along well, she was the sister I never had and I really liked that. The girl got in and smiled at me. “Peaches!” She gave me an awkward hug given we were in the back of the truck and I laughed.
“So I missed the details. How did it go? Where did he take you for dinner? Was he a good dancer? Did you kiss?” Olivia’s burst of questions made the two men in front look back at us. “Wait, Alex went to prom?” John wondered aloud. “Went?” Olivia scoffed at her boyfriend as he started to drive. “She was nominated for prom queen! Oh my gosh, Lemar, your mom got her the prettiest dress.” Olivia leaned forward to tell him while I sat back blushing.
“Did you have a date?” Lemar winked at me and I buried my face in my jacket to hide my blush. “Yes she did. She went with Benny Braden.” Olivia answered for me, my brother looked in the mirror skeptically. “How do you know?” Olivia wrapped her arm around me. “I was there when he picked her up. Someone had to help the peach get ready.”
“Where were mom and dad?” John asked as he stopped at a red light. “Visiting Mike for the weekend. They forgot it was prom weekend. I called Olivia after I accidentally burned my neck with mom’s curling iron.” Olivia nodded in confirmation. “So, details.” She poked my side and I sighed. “It was awful. We didn’t get dinner and no he didn’t do something cute like a picnic either. He kept stepping on my feet. By the end of the night he ditched me for his ex. I got a ride home from Amanda Lawrence and her date. So clearly no kiss.”
Olivia looked downcast at the news. “So nothing good is happening?” I shrugged my shoulders as John parked the truck. “I’m valedictorian.” I comment like it wasn’t a big deal. Lamar ran over to me after I got out and he lifted me over his shoulder. “That’s our peach!”
I laughed until he put me down but as we turned to the couple I gasped. There was John on one knee and a ring in his hand, proposing to his childhood sweetheart.
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Mom and Dad threw a party to celebrate John's graduation from the academy. It was there that John and Olivia made their big announcement about being engaged. After two hours I was done with hearing about how proud I must be to have two brave brothers in the military. Eventually I just grabbed the book I was reading for class, found a semi quiet spot outside and began to read.
A throat was cleared drawing my attention away from the book pages up to my father’s face. He gestured for me to stand so I let out a small huff as I closed my book after inserting my book mark. Standing, I made sure to smooth out the skirt my mother picked out for the family pictures we took this morning before the party. Ma grinned as she held a hand out to me as if presenting something magnificent. “George, this is our youngest.” I forced myself to smile as I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. George Ford was the recruiter who had worked with both of my older brothers.
“So, Alexandra, your parents tell me you graduate this year. Have you thought about what part of the army you’ll be joining?” The recruiter questioned as my parents waited to hear that their daughter was joining the nurse corps after her admiration for the Howling Commandos’ ‘Amazing Grace’ growing up.
“Well, I was planning to join the nurse corps. However, I am no longer planning to join the military.” I politely informed George. My eyes glanced over to see my mom’s horrified expression. My dad’s shoulders had even slumped at the news.
“Oh? Why the change of career path?” George inquired thinking I was probably misinformed on something and he could change my mind.
“Honestly, I don’t want to be in my brothers’ shadows anymore. Now if you excuse me, I need to grab some more peach tea from the house.” I walked around my parents to the house leaving them speechless with George.
I hadn't told anyone but the school guidance counselor about my decision. Mainly because I needed help applying for colleges. Sure if I was a sophomore I might still want to join the nurse corps but after Christmas my junior year I had made up my mind, I was going to be an engineer at Stark Industries. Which became even more obtainable when I received my acceptance letter to Columbia University in New York, New York.
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My parents didn’t talk to me for the next few days. Dinner Wednesday night was when John finally spoke up about it. I was pushing some corn around my plate not really feeling hungry after eating part of my meal. Mom and Dad hadn’t made their usual small talk and John had enough as he dropped his fork to the plate. The metal clattered against the ceramic plate drawing my mom’s eyes to him.
“Okay, what’s going on with you three? None of you have been talking to each other since my party.” John looked between our parents and me. I gently put down my fork and looked at John. “Mom and dad are upset that I’m no longer joining the nurse corps or any branch of the military.” I informed my brother, glancing at our parents.
My dad huffed as he sat down the glass of water he just took a sip from. “It’s not that, peaches. It’s more the fact that you never told us.” He tried to defend their actions and I scoffed leaning back so I could cross my arms.
“None of you listen to me.” I shook my head and looked away. “What do you plan on doing now Alex?” John asked curiously. “Engineering. I got into Columbia University in New York. I was planning to start my studies and then apply at Stark Industries.” I explained my plan that I had talked about with my school counselor.
“Where did this come from?” Ma questioned pouring herself more peach tea.
“You know I looked up to Amazing Grace for more than her medical skills. Howard Stark even admitted that she had been a huge help on all his big first inventions. She might have been a nurse but she could take apart and rebuild all of Stark’s gear. She was the real one behind the Captain America signature round shield. So maybe I don’t want to be out in the field helping the world but I can help it in other ways.” I stood up and grabbed the rest of my plate. “Now if I may be excused. I have to finish studying for my exams.”
I went to the kitchen to clear my plate before heading up to my room. Closing the door I leaned back on it. Taking a deep breath I steeled myself. I never really spoke out like that. It was a strange feeling but I felt confident. If this is what it would be like stepping out from my brothers’ shadow I would continue to follow my own path.
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Graduation day was finally here. I paced around my room repeating my speech over and over again as I waited for it to be time to go. My blue graduation gown flowing slightly in the breeze caused by my repetitive steps. The matching cap anchored on my head with bobby pins so it wouldn’t blow away in the football field where the ceremony was held. My hands kept fiddling with the cords and stole that adorned my neck. I wasn’t the best public speaker, that was more Mike or John’s thing, but I was proud to be able to give a speech.
A knock at my bedroom door stopped me in my tracks. Lemar poked his head in with a smile. “Hey graduate. How are you feelin?” He asked, walking into the room and over to me where he fixed the tassel on my cap to be on the right side. “Nervous but you said the speech sounded good so I got this.” I nodded my head more confidently then how I felt.
“You’ll be fine. Besides, a special big brother is going to be here but I didn’t tell you.” Lemar whispered, wrapping his arm around my shoulder ushering me to the door. “Mike’s coming?! I thought he was on deployment?” I gasped. “He got in yesterday and arranged to get home for your big day. Meaning John and I are taking you to the ceremony.”
I smiled and gave Lemar a hug before we headed out to the car to head to the high school. We went our separate ways at the school and I went to get in line for the possessional. Being valedictorian I was one of the first to enter the stadium to sit down. I patiently sat waiting in my seat till I was called to the stage, “Now Custer Grove’s class of 2010’s valedictorian, Alexandra Walker.”
With a wide smile across my face I walked up onto the metal stage and over to the podium. I looked out at the crowd of fellow students, parents, siblings, teachers, and other people who were all staring at me now. My eyes landed on my oldest brother, dressed in the same formal attire as John but with a few metals. Mike gave me a supportive thumbs up.
“Afternoon Custer Grove, on behalf of the graduating class of 2010 I want to thank everyone for being here to share this moment with us. Without you we would not be here. Today we feel like Avengers accomplishing a four year long battle that we call high school. But as we have witnessed just in the last four years proves how unpredictable the world can be. We know now that we live amongst heroes. We know we are not alone in the universe. Now it is our turn to step into the world and make a difference. A wise woman that the world knows as Amazing Grace once said ‘Wars happen every day. It's our choice to fight or not.’ Let’s step into the world and make our choice Custer Grove. Just don’t be like Captain America and take 70 years to visit home.”
I left the stage after a round of applause, returning to my seat. The ceremony continued with a speech from the principal before diplomas were handed out. Tassels were crossed and one chapter of my life was now over. A world of possibilities were out there and I was going to take advantage of obtaining what I could. But first I had to deal with a graduation party. Then it was off to New York in no time.
Series Summary: After living in the shadows of her older brothers Alexandra Walker decides to walk away from what everything people expect of her and chase after the dream of working at Stark Industries. She wasn’t expecting everything that would follow after being hired.
Chapter Warnings: n/a
Word Count: 3873
Author’s Note: I feel like this chapter is a bit rough. Maybe too jumpy? Its more of a bit of a filler and background. The real fun begins with the next chapter.
Disclaimer: All gifs used were found using the tumblr gif tab. I do not own anything unless stated otherwise.
Walk Away Masterlist | Masterlist
November 2011, New York, New York.
It had been a year now since the move to New York. Lamar was the one to take me to New York, mom and dad were still holding a grudge over my change of career. Olivia was the one to help me with my interview for Stark Industries that I was panicking over. Which I got. I started in the mail room and moved up to a personal assistant to the main engineer. Today is my first time meeting with Pepper Potts. She was visiting from the California location and my boss, Richard Moore was currently running late.
I was in the small meeting room setting up the display that I had put together for Mr. Moore when the door opened. Pepper walked in her blonde hair pulled up into a sleek high ponytail, dressed in a burgundy pant suit. I walked over to her and held my hand out. “Afternoon, Ms. Potts. I’m Alexandra Walker, Mr. Moore’s assistant.” I introduced myself with a pleasant smile.”
“Pleasure to meet you Ms. Walker. Am I early?” Pepper took her seat at the table as I walked over to my bag. “No, Mr. Moore went out for lunch and is just running late.” I pulled a red folder from my bag that held a written summary of the topics that would be covered during the meeting along with the reports for the last six months. “He should be here soon. This is a copy of the reports and a written summary of the topics he will be covering.” Pepper looked slightly surprised as she took the folder and started to go through the contents.
“This is the most prepared I have ever seen Richard in the last few years.” She jokes and I just laughed softly and took a seat across from her with my laptop open ready to take notes. “Well he did say this was the first time he had an assistant.” I mentioned slightly closing the screen so I could see her properly.
A knock on the door drew both of our attention to the door. The receptionist popped her head in, “Mr. Moore is on line two.” I smiled and thanked her before moving over to the phone in the corner. “Hello Mr. Moore, you are on speaker, Ms. Potts is here.” I say after answering the phone. Mr. Moore’s voice was gruff and irritated as he began speaking. “I got rear ended on my way back so I won’t be able to make it to the meeting, Pepper. However, Alexa is more than able to give the presentation and walk you around.”
Pepper had a short conversation that was nothing more than murmur in the background as I mentally panicked over now being the one to host the meeting with the head of the company. The phone call ended and I took a sip of my water before turning towards Pepper. “Would you like to walk and talk at the same time?” I asked but the smile I received in return was so gentle I knew I must have seemed nervous. “That sounds great.”
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The meeting was over but I was still sitting with Pepper in the meeting room chatting. We talked about the company and she asked about my schooling. We had probably spent and additional hour after the meeting officially ended just chatting. Pepper glanced at her watch before finally standing, cuing me to stand as well, ready to walk her out.
“Do you ever plan to visit our California location?” Pepper asked as we took the elevator down to the lobby. I nodded my head and smiled widely. “Of course. I would love to, I chose the New York location because I’m attending Columbia University for engineering.” Pepper led the way out of the building to where her car was waiting for her.
“Well if you are ever interested University of California at Berkeley has a great engineering department and I would love an additional set of hands helping me there. If you decide to transfer I’ll handle everything alright?” I nod my head in agreement and we finished our goodbyes.
I returned to the meeting room to collect my things, type up a report to email Mr. Moore on how the meeting went and what Pepper had to say. Once the email was sent I was able to leave and head back to my small apartment. The tiny studio apartment was just enough space for me but definitely not what I was used to. Setting my laptop on the small two seater table I have near the kitchenette, my cell rang from my bag.
With a single glance at my phone I let out a deep sigh and answered the call, “Hi ma.” I was expecting this call. After all, it was the week before Thanksgiving. “Alexandra, dear, when is your flight getting in?” Holding the phone to my ear with my shoulder I moved to the kitchen to pour myself a cup of peach tea. “Mama I told pa last week Thursday that I won’t be able to make it home this Thanksgiving. I have a big test and am scheduled to work.”
“Ridiculous it’s a holiday. Now, John and Olivia have settled on a date for the wedding and are announcing it at dinner.” “Ma.” “The Hoskins are joining and bringing a pie with their amazing potatoes and collard greens.” “Ma!” “I was hoping you could make your peach pie. We’re hoping to eat at five. Then Olivia and I were going to go over some wedding–.”
“MOM!” I set my cup down next to my laptop, yelling through the phone to get my ma to stop talking. “Don’t raise your voice at me Alexandra.” She scolded me, making me groan. “Ma, I really don’t think I can make it. I’ll try to see if I can get a plane but I can’t promise you anything. I got to go. I have a report to type up that’s due in the morning and I still have to eat dinner. I’ll text you later. Bye!” I barely caught her starting to complain about the chance of not being home as I hung up.
I focused on my report and school work for the rest of the night only pausing to eat some of the leftover chinese from my fridge. I didn’t even think about checking out flights home until I was laying in bed for the night. I sighed checking my bank account after purchasing the round trip ticket. It would be a bit tight until my next check but shouldn’t be too bad. Setting my phone down and plugging it into the charger I rolled over to go to sleep.
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John picked me up from the airport Thanksgiving day. The whole ride was talking about the chances he would be deployed soon so they were hoping to have the wedding soon. He mentioned how Lemar was his best man and they had it easy by just wearing their formal military suits. I sat in the passenger seat nodding along as I listened to him talk the whole ride home.
Entering the house I was instantly welcomed by the smell of dad’s turkey and Mrs. Hoskin’s collard greens. I moved into the kitchen and said my hellos. Lemar, who thankfully had started my peach pie for me, stepped away from the mixing bowl and hugged me. “Hey peaches, how’s New York treating you?”
“Great! I got to meet Ms. Potts herself who by the way offered me the chance to work for her in California.” I grinned as I took over making the pie. “That’s great to hear, peach.” Mrs. Hoskins kissed my cheek in greeting as she moved to help Olivia set the table. “So you’re going to go to California now?” Ma asked from where she was stirring the gravy. “Maybe next year. She said she would cover the move and setting up my school transfer.” Ma hummed at that and it was pretty much the end of the conversation after that.
It didn’t matter too much because it wasn’t long before we were all seated at the table. The peach pie was barely done before we sat down, I was literally pulling it from the oven as everyone began to sit down. The light conversations began while we ate, mainly my parents asking John and Olivia what was left to plan for the wedding. “So there was a mention of a chosen date?” Mr. Hoskins mentioned taking a sip of his sweet tea.
“We did. John and I settled for June 20th.” Olvia grinned as John took a hold of her hand.”We’re sure John might have to do a tour before then but..” I stopped moving her voice became a buzz in the background. The fork full of potatoes held halfway to my mouth as I mulled over the wedding date in shock. June 20th was the day after my birthday. The fork fell from my hand clattering against my plate drawing attention towards me. I licked my lips, why were they dry all of a sudden? An awkward laugh fell from my mouth. “I uh.. My golden birthday is the day before.”
“Oh! I didn’t even think of that, peaches.” John, my older brother, forgot my birthday. Sure it shouldn’t be a big deal but I still wasn’t expecting him to plan anything practically on my birthday. Now I can’t even celebrate it because I will have wedding duties since I am a bridesmaid. I forced a smile and shook my head. “Don’t worry about it. At least I will already be in town.. I can..ya know celebrate it another time.”
“Oh this is just so wonderful!” Ma clapped excitedly. She pushed her plate aside to she could lean forward and talk about the wedding with Olivia and Mrs. Hoskins. I sat back looking down at my plate. I wasn’t really hungry anymore as I listened to them going over color pallets and flower types. Silently I got up and cleaned up. I still had a few hours left before I had to head back to the airport but I really wasn’t in the mood to stay here. I went to my old bedroom, which was now a guest room, so I could privately see if I could get a sooner flight and get out early. Which I was successful at finding.
I gathered my things quickly before heading to the dining room. “Whoa, peaches, where are you going?” Pa asked as he watched me putting on my coat. “They bumped me to a different flight. Ya know, buying tickets last minute and all. My flight leaves in an hour.” I explained as I hugged Lemar from behind and kissed his mom’s cheek. “We’re still eating,” Ma frowned, looking around at everyone’s plates still with food on them. “Don’t worry I’ll hail a cab. I have to make this flight. I can’t be late for work in the morning.” I went around saying my goodbyes with a sour taste in my mouth as I hugged John.
The silence that overtook me held me hostage for the whole cab ride to the airport. Was it just me being irrational? Wouldn't John want his special day to be less closely tied to his baby sister? No, no. It was a fine date. I was just being over dramatic. Just because I already had plans nearly 6 months in advance didn’t matter. What if I was moving to California by then?
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June 2012
When Pepper said she would handle everything I wasn’t expecting that to mean this. She had paid for the tuition of my next semester of school. She found me an apartment with a roommate so I wouldn’t be alone. Now I was flying to California in a private plane. I was floored at all of it but I couldn’t stop the smile that was on my face. The plane was just about to land and I would be meeting my roommate for the first time.
Exiting the plane with my personal bag and one carry-on (that contained what little I didn’t have sent over the week before) I spotted Pepper next to a black car and a heavyset man who reminded me of my dad stood next to her. I walked over to them with a smile on my face.
“Welcome to California, Alexa. This is Happy, he’s a close friend-”
“And future Head of Security.” Happy cut in making me hide a small laugh.
“Yes, and future head of security for Stark Industries. You will be staying with him while you are here.” Pepper explained as Happy took my bags and put them into the trunk of the car. I turned to him and held my hand out. “Nice to meet you, Happy. I’m Alexandra Walker but most people just call me Alexa.”
“Nice to meet you, kid. I don’t plan on there being any issues, just don’t interrupt my Abbey time or throw any parties and we’ll be good.” I laugh at his laid back nature and nod my head. “I don’t like parties so I think we’ll be good.”
The three of us headed towards the place that Happy calls home. Or maybe it was a condo? He gave me the tour before showing me to my room. He left me to settle in while he went to drop Pepper off at home. The bedroom I was given was right across from the bathroom, Happy mentioned having his own bathroom attached to the main bedroom. By the time Happy returned I had unpacked all my bathroom supplies and put them away.
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Today was the first day at Stark Industries in California. Pepper gave me a tour around the building. Pepper nor I were expecting the impromptu lunch visit from a man in a metal suit. Tony brought us Italian and while he was there introduced me to his A.I. Jarvis. I was added into the system so if ever needed Jarvis would allow me to enter their home. Tony, while amazing to be in the room with, seemed to be hyped up on coffee.
After work Happy drove Pepper home and then took me to the airport. The bridal side of the bridal court was getting their nails done in the morning, a dry run of their hair and makeup would be done after a quick lunch break, before the wedding rehearsal that night. With the late arrival of my plane and the timezones I’ll be changing I knew that at some point the jet lag would kick in.
The jet lag didn’t kick in until we were beginning the rehearsal. My center of balance was a bit off as I swayed slightly next to Lemar. My eyes were locked onto the stained glass window of Jesus. With the ever increasing drooping of my eyelids I started dozing off yet again. “Alright lets run it from the top!” Ma called the clapping of her hands and jerked my head into attention.
Walking to the hallway I stood next to one of Olivia’s cousin’s who I was paired with. Lemar made a funny face with his tongue sticking out as he passed to stand with the maid of honor, she had snapped at me several times for dragging my feet since the rehearsal began. The music began, an arm looped through mine, and the procession practice began. My limbs were starting to feel heavy as I resisted the urge to yawn. I clung onto my partner’s arm as I felt my body suddenly lurch forward mid aisle as I tripped.
“Ugh! Come on Alexandra, do we need to teach you how to walk again?” John comments from the alter. I shot him a glare as I stood up straighter. “I’m sorry, the jet lag is hitting and I’m exhausted!” I sneered, crossing my arms. My brother held his hands up, “Easy, peaches I’m just joking it’s okay. I’ve tripped a few times myself.”
I huffed but the scoff of the maid of honor behind me wasn’t helping the increased tension I was feeling build up inside me. John walked over and excused the guy walking with me and linked his arm with mine. He leaned over as the music began and we finished walking. “We only have five minutes left then you can go home to bed. Be up at ten tomorrow though. Okay?” My eyebrows scrunched together as I looked over at him as we parted ways at the end of the aisle. What was happening tomorrow?
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“Peaches!” John hollered as he jumped onto the soft bed waking me from my peaceful slumber. Groaning, I shoved my brother away from me, unintentionally off the bed. The thump made me crawl over to peek at the man on the floor. “That was mean, Peach.” I laughed and pushed back my hair.
“That’s what you get for waking me up.” I rolled over and stretched out like a starfish on the bed. John sat up leaning onto the bed next to my head. “I told you to be up at ten. It is now 10:45. Get. Up. Lazy. Bum.” John pokes my forehead in punctuation. Swatting his hand away I grabbed the pillow from under my head and whacked him with it. “Ey! That’s no way to treat someone taking you out for your birthday.”
“You’re taking me out for my birthday? Where?” John grabbed the pillow from me as he stood from the floor. Once he was at the door he tossed the pillow back. “That is for me to know and you to find out, once you get out of bed.” My brother left the room for me to get ready. I had no idea what to expect, it wasn’t often John did something overly special like this, at least not for me.
No more than twenty minutes later I was in the passenger side of the truck with my brother driving to some unknown location. The radio was on some staticy country station. Wind was blowing in the window as John seemed to be taking more turns than necessary. “Do you remember your tenth birthday?” He asked, suddenly breaking the silence.
“That was, that was the time you shoved my head into the cake.” The confusion on my face as I answered his question made him laugh. “Uh huh and do you remember how Mike got me back on my birthday with the water guns?” I simply nodded trying to understand where he was going with this. “Well I never got you back for that.” I gasped looking over at him. “Johnny..” I looked out the window as the truck came to a stop. We were at the park and I could see Lemar, Olivia, our parents, and a few of the other wedding court members. “John, I can't get my hair wet. The stylist took forever on my hair.”
“Oh there isn’t any water for you.” He smiles before getting out. I followed suit and hurried after my older brother the closer we got to the others the more it became clear that there was a dunk tank awaiting. John slipped off his shoes, handed his phones and the keys to Olivia before moving to sit in the dunk tank.
“So I know having my wedding the same weekend as your birthday is a little crappy. I also know I’m not your favorite brother most of the time, but maybe if you weren’t such a pain.” Lemar handed me one of the softballs which didn’t stay in my hand long before it was launched at the target, dropping my brother into the water on the first try. John resurfaced sputtering water out of his face. “Oh it’s cold.” I laughed while picking up another ball. “That was fun, can we do it again?” A wide smile spread over my face as the tank was reset and John took a seat again. I tossed the ball in my hand a few times before throwing it at the target.
Lemar laughed next to me, slapping his knee. “Who knew our lil peach had such good aim?” John gave a fake laugh as he climbed out of the water. “Why don’t you get in the tank Hoskins?” Lemar slipped his shoes off and tossed his phone to me. I put the phone in my pocket and waited for the two to switch places. I looked over at Olivia who was smiling from her spot next to my parents. I looked over a moment too late as wet arms wrapped securely around me. John hugged me to his chest shaking his head to get me as wet as he could. “Johnny!” I squealed, pushing him away as he laughed.
After I had dunked John, Lemar, and my dad each a dozen times, my brother went to change. When the blonde man returned he pulled me away from everyone and drove me back home. Pulling into the driveway he dragged me around the house and over towards the backyard. Set up in the backyard, under the tree that used to hold our treehouse as kids, was a picnic and projector pointing at the house. I laughed and looked at my brother. “You recreated my freshman homecoming?”
John shrugged, his hands halfway into his pockets. “Not really. If the treehouse was still there I would have moved all this in there and tried recreating our weekend campouts away from Mike.” My jaw dropped as I remembered the days when we would sleep for a night or two in the treehouse when Mike was being mean to his annoying younger siblings. We would eat cookies and lunchables as we read stories about Captain America and Amazing Grace. John walked over to the blanket laid out but before he could sit I ran over and hugged him tightly. “Thank you, Johnny.”
John hugged me back. He pulled away and kneeled to pull a single cupcake out of the basket holding out food and drinks. “Happy Birthday, peach.”
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The wonderful birthday night transitioned to a busy and beautiful day that ended with me gaining a sister-in-law. The service made me tear up, the reception left me exhausted, and I can happily report that Lemar did not once step on my foot unlike the guy who I was paired with for the service. Mike called in during the dinner to congratulate the happy couple, and sneaked in a congratulations to me for the move to California. The night ended all too early as I had to prepare for an early flight back to California.
It surprised me when John was the one awake in the morning to drive me to the airport. He hugged me tightly after unloading my bag from the truck. “Please be careful, peach. I know you are working closely with Pepper Potts now and that means Tony Stark. You could get hurt for that so just be safe, please.”
“Johnny, you are the one that needs to be safe. When you get deployed.. Be careful. Watch out for Lemar. Come home.”
Summary: Alexa goes to a haunted attraction with Lemar, John, and Olivia.
Word Count: 910
Characters: Alexa Walker, John Walker, Olivia, Lemar Hoskins.
Authors Note: This little blurb litterally just came to me with in the last 6 hours. So it might be a bit of a mess but I thought it was a cute little side back story for Alexa and John Walker.
Kippy’s Spoopy Saturdays Masterlist
Going to a haunted house with John, Olivia, and Lemar wasn’t exactly what I expected to be doing a week before Halloween but I wanted to go and the only way my parents would let me go was if John took me. So that was how I ended up in line between Lemar and John waiting to enter the haunted house. Olivia was huddled close to John already spooked by the actors wandering around outside. Lemar laughed as a vampire looking woman ran past cackling, making me jump.
I elbowed Lemar and he gently pushed me into John who huffed but made sure that I didn’t fall. “I swear if you have a heart attack in there and I have to tell mom you died..” John looked down at me and he had that annoyed older brother voice going on which made me roll my eyes.
“She won’t have a heart attack, right Alexa?” Olivia smiled at me which made me smile back at her with a nod of my head.
It was only a few moments later that the four of us entered the haunted house. The darkened hall was only illuminated by a dull orange ambient light. Lemar was leading the pack followed by Olivia and John. Olivia quickly took a hold of my hand so as not to lose me in the darkened building. Right off the bat a black hand and arm reach out of the wall grabbing towards Olivia and myself. Olivia jumped back into me knocking me over onto the ground. John laughed as he helped me up off the ground and moved me to be in front of him yet behind Lemar.
We entered the first room that was styled to look like an abandoned bedroom with two beds. Looking around I couldn’t see much through the haze of the smoke machine running and the darkened room. A person popped out of the wall, making me grab onto the back of Lemar’s shirt and try to duck away only to be face to face with an identical person leaning around a corner with a wide grin.
Lemar reached around himself to try and offer me comfort as we entered the next room, a bloody bathroom. As we walked past the covered bathtub all I kept thinking was “Something is going to pop out of that curtain. It’s going to scare us.” Sure enough just as Lemar and I passed the curtain flung up and an actor wearing a pig mask swung a meat cleaver down in between John and I causing Olivia to cower against my brother who had gone pale at the scare.
We moved through a darkened hall that opened up into a circus themed area. Before we entered the circus tent entrance an actor dressed as a cymbal monkey moved, crashing together the metal disks in front of Lemar’s face. Hoskins ducked around putting me in front now. We walked through the circus themed area with the older male using me as a human shield to block the jumpscares from the actors from getting to him. Byt the time we left the circus area I pulled myself from Hoskins’ hold on me and moved away to be at the end once again, where I might be targeted for scares but at least I wouldnt be used as a shield.
We moved onwards this time through a tunnel where three actors would slide by on their knees making sparks against the concrete as they laughed. It was a brief moment of calm before we were thrown into a woods setting. Olivia moved farther back to be closer to me as John and Lemar now walked next to each other. Suddenly from behind a man dressed as leather face ran from behind a prop tree wielding a chainsaw. We were chased further into the ‘woods’. Just as we slowed down another actor popped out wielding a prop axe. Lemar and Olivia ran one direction while John reached for me before running further through the maze of prop trees. However the hand he grabbed wasn’t mine. Not but some magical luck was it his girlfriend’s or best friend’s.
The three stood there in the now lull in the haunted woods looking at each other. “Did John just..?” Olivia started pointing from the youngest Walker towards where John sprinted off to.
“Run off with the scare actor? Uh huh.” I laughed softly and nodded my head. A second later John’s screaming yell was approaching us. He spotted us still standing there and quickly grabbed my shoulders and ducked behind me as the axe wielding lumberjack actor chased him back. The actor lowered his axe seeing how my brother was now cowering behind his teen sister. The actor looked at his prop then over at me before handing it over.
I laughed, grabbing the axe and turning towards my older brother. John quickly ran towards the other three in our group as I chased him out of the area. I stopped a few feet out before turning to hand the prop back to the actor, “Thanks!” I laughed softly before running to catch up with the older three. They had raced out of the exit by the guidance of John who was panting and looking around spooked as I calmly walked over to my brother.
“Awe, does Johnny boy have a fear of axe men?” I teased.
“Shut up Alexa.” John grumbled, crossing his arms.
Series Summary: After living in the shadows of her older brothers Alexandra Walker decides to walk away from what everything people expect of her and chase after the dream of working at Stark Industries. She wasn’t expecting everything that would follow after being hired.
Chapter Warnings: n/a
Word Count: 3027
Author’s Note: I feel like this chapter is a bit rough. Maybe too jumpy? Its more of a bit of a filler and background. The real fun begins with the next chapter.
Disclaimer: All gifs used were found using the tumblr gif tab. I do not own anything unless stated otherwise.
Walk Away Masterlist | Masterlist
Entering Pepper and Tony’s house without the usual greeting from Jarvis instantly was a red flag. Pepper was on a short trip for work and asked for me to check in on Tony in her absence. Heading down the staircase to Tony’s in home workspace I wasn’t quite ready for what I saw. Laying on the floor with a pile of what appeared to be Ironman suit pieces scattered around him with nothing but the helmet on groaning was Tony Stark. I entered through the clear glass door and walked over to him, looking down at the grown man.
“As always, sir, a great pleasure watching you work.” Jarvis’ voice spoke out in the room followed by my own. “Whatever happened, blame it on Dum-E.” I clicked my tongue in amusement as Tony rolled to his side groaning.
Tony removed his mask and pushed himself up off the ground. “I guess 72 hours is a long time between siestas.” Tony comments in a hushed whisper, probably thinking it and not realizing he even said it out loud. I assume it was a fact that Jarvis earlier pointed out to him because Tony himself hardly remembered how long it was between bodily functions these days.
“Anthony!” I scolded using the same tone my mother used when punishing my brothers.
“Ah, Polly Pocket, what do I owe this visit to?” Tony pulled the rest of the helmet off looking over at me like he had been caught doing something illegal. I rolled my eyes, raising my arm to show him the takeout bags in my hand. “Happy is still out of town with Pepper so I thought we could have dinner together. After all, you probably haven’t had anything but coffee today.”
Tony nodded his head before the two of us made our way upstairs. Tony left an instruction for one of the robots to clean up his mess as he left. We took the food into the living room where Tony flicked on the tv the last channel that was on was the news, probably from before Pepper left. Tony stuffed a few bites into his mouth before he stopped eating, eyes stuck on the broadcast. The Mandarin had hijacked the American airwaves to broadcast a message to the public. The news was talking about it on every channel that Tony had quickly flipped through. His breathing was getting heavy so I stepped in snatching the remote away and turning the electronic off.
I quickly started up a conversation about the uses of his arc reactors, the best part about being so close with Tony is I got the inside scoop that guaranteed an A for most if not all of my assignments regarding Stark Industries and their engineering involvement. Tony also enjoyed talking about his inventions, even if he pretended to hate all my questions.
Later as I waited for my ride I looked over at Tony who was standing with me by the door. “Call Rhodes. See if he can give you the inside scoop on that, “I gestured to the tv. “ It might help. And get some sleep Tony.” Tony rolled his eyes at me as he ruffled my hair. “Yeah, get home safely Barbie.” He pulled the door open and gently pushed me out of the house but I knew he would stand in the open doorway until I was in the car.
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“Where’s your badge? You have to have a visible employee ID badge.” Happy asked as he approached me at the front of the building where we were waiting for Pepper. I rolled my eyes and opened my sweater enough to unclip my badge from my blouse and move it to my sweater where it could be more visible, dramatically moving my hand around the now visible badge.
“Ey! Don’t be smart with me, kid. It’s my job.” Happy pointed his finger at me before his attention changed direction to focus on Pepper who had now appeared.
Happy began to talk to Pepper about the robots that Tony had in the basement and how beneficial they would be to have at Stark Industries, instead of people. I rubbed my temple as I smiled at one of the secretaries bringing over a clipboard with papers for Pepper to sign then hand me a copy for our records.
“So you’re suggesting that I replace the entire janitorial staff with robots?” Pep was clearly unamused by the thought. “Dum-E can’t even move without knocking over things.” I muttered, getting a small glance from the strawberry blonde out of the corner of her eye.
“What I’m saying is that the human element of human resources is our biggest point of vulnerability.” Happy then moved then moved to Bambie as Pepper looked at him dumbfounded. “The power has gone to his head.” I told her as she gave the faintest nod before moving towards the man.
“Happy, I am thrilled to have you as head of security, okay? It’s a perfect position for you.” Pepper spoke in a very professional tone.
“Thank you.”
“However since you’ve taken the post we have had a rise in staff complaints of 300%.”
Happy’s proud face didn’t falter as he glanced from Pepper to me. “That’s not a compliment.” I tried to tell him gently. “That is a compliment. Clearly somebody’s trying to hide something.” I sigh, turning my head down to check my tablet, seeing a new notification.
“Oh! Ms. Potts, your four o’clock should be here.” I informed her having both of the older two look at me.
“Thank you, Alexa.”
“Did you clear this 4:00 with me?”
Happy, we’ll talk about this later, but right now I have to go deal with this very annoying thing. You are definitely joining me.” She looked over at me and I could almost see the plea in Pepper’s eyes.
“How so?”
We walked to the glass door of the conference room as Pepper whispered her response. “I used to work with him and he used to ask me out all the time, and it was awkward.”
Happy held the door open for us as he muttered how he didn’t like that. Pepper turned her attention to the man in a gray pressed suit with black button up and dark colored tie. He gave me creep vibes but I could tell he had gone through some kind of ugly duckling phase to get to where he was now standing, confidently in front of us with his eyes focused on one person only, Pepper.
“Pepper.” His greeting was simple.
“Killian?” Pepper herself seemed taken back by his appearance.
The man nodded his head. “You look great. You look really great.”
“God, you look great.” This man had gotten Pepper Pots to stumble over her words, something I never saw her do not even when Tony surprised her with lunch and flowers. I shared a private glance with Happy behind Pepper’s back and it was if we were on the same level of unease. “What on earth have you been doing?”
Killian shrugs as he saunters over. “Nothing fancy. Just five years in the hands of physical therapists. “Please, call me Aldrich.”
“Uh, you were supposed to be issued a security badge.” Happy mentions not noticing the man wearing one of the badges. Pepper turned to him, “Happy, it’s okay. We’re good. In fact I think I can manage this one on my own.”
“Are you sure?” I questioned just to be certain. “Yes. Stand down.” Pepper looks at both of us with smiles.
“We’ll be right here.” Happy says before we both step outside of the room.
Happy and I took a seat on the gray couch right outside of the conference room where we could watch everything happening inside. While he looks across the hall at some shifty looking guy reading a magazine pointing for a badge I used the tablet to work on some of my homework. Happy was still obviously looking at the man which by curious nature I would, subtly glance over to when I wasn’t glancing up at the odd holographic brain in the meeting room.
A quiet ringing came from Happy’s tablet, it was still pretty humorous watching as he fumbled to use it. He finally answered the call and I grinned hearing Tony on the other end. “Is this forehead of security?” I hid my giggle as best as I could with a hand. “What?”
“You know, look..”
“I got a real job. What do you want?” Happy questions as he looks over at the conference room.
“I’m working. Is that Polly I hear?” Tony responds.
“Hi Tony.” I say followed by Happy, “I’ve got something going on here.”
“What, harassing interns?” Happy lowered the tablet and I was able to lean over and wave at Tony now.
Happy gently pushed me away with a hand on my forehead. “Let me tell you something. Do you know what happened when I told peopleI was Iron Man’s bodyguard? They would laugh in my face.” Tony and I both let out an amused chuckle. “I had to leave while I still had a shred of dignity. Now I got a real job. I’m watching Pepper.”
“What’s going on? Fill me in.”
“Really, Tony?” I sighed.
“Yeah.”
“All right. So, she’s meeting up with this scientist.” Happy begins to explain and I cut in with a comment. “He gives me creep vibes.” Happy ignores me and continues. “Rich guy. Handsome.”
“Right.”
“I couldn’t make his face, at first. You know how good I am with faces.”
“Oh yeah, you;re the best.” I honestly couldn’t tell if Tony was being serious or sarcastic in that response.
“Yeah. So I run his credentials. I make him. Aldrich Killian. We actually met the guy back in.. where were we in 99? The science conference?”
“Um.. Switzerland.” Tony answered.
“Right, right, exactly.”
“Killian, no I don’t remember that guy.” I scoffed and smiled at Happy’s response. “Of course you don’t remember. He’s not a blond with a big rack. At first, it was fine. They were talking business. But now it's, like, getting weird. He’s showing her his big brain.”
“His what?” Tony was clearly confused.
“Big brain. And she likes it. Here, let me show you.” Happy raised his arms and turned as if to show Tony into the conference room but all he did was successfully add me into the frame and allow me to see Tony by the wine bottles in the basement. “Hold on, see?
“Look at what? You, watching them? Flip the screen then we can get started.” Tony points out. “Polly, help him.”
I reached over Happy’s shoulder to rotated the camera but Happy just batted my hand away. “I’m not a tech genius like you two okay? Just trust me. Get down here. Alexa, agrees that it’s weird.”
“Flip the screen I can see what they’re doing, she can help you.” Once again I reached over to help Happy flip the screen but he pulled the tablet away.
“I can do it! I don’t know how but I can! Besides, you can’t talk to me like that anymore, you're not my boss.”
“Look Tony, I’m with Happy on this one. It’s pretty sketchy. Not to mention there is a guy with him and he seems pretty shifty.”
“You two need to relax. I’m just asking you to secure the perimeter.”
“You know what? You should take more of an interest in what’s going on here. This woman’s the best thing that ever happened to you and you’re just ignoring her.” Happy was looking into the conference room where Killian was helping Pepper off the table and out of the holograph of his brain.
“A giant brain?”
“Yep.” I confirmed
“There’s a giant brain. There’s a shifty character. I’m going to follow this guy. I’m going to run his plates and I’m gonna.. If it gets rough, so be it.”
“I miss you, Happy.”
“Yeah I miss you too. But the way it used to be. Now you’re off with the super-friends. I don’t know what’s going on with you anymore.”
Tony made an excuse and quickly ended the call. I’m also quite convinced he might have put his phone into one of the wine refrigerators while doing so but I wasn’t quite sure. Happy looks over at me as he puts down the tablet. “Are you up to riding with me tonight?” I stood up and looked over at him. “Only if you buy me food I’ll join you on this stakeout.” Happy followed and we head out to bring Pepper’s car around so she could head home.
Happy made his way to greet Pepper and inform her that her car was ready while I sat in his car snapping a photo of the license plate to the vehicle Killian and his shifty associate got in for Happy to run it later.
☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰
Chinese Theater. That is where Happy and I had tailed Sir Creeps-a-lot to. Happy had yet to pick us up food, too busy on his task but I didn’t mind. I was reading through a chapter for school. The car parked and he looked over at me. “Wait here. Call Tony if anything goes wrong.”
It was calm for a while, maybe 30 minutes. I was beginning to grow nervous that something had happened especially at the faint sounds of screams. I got out of the car that Happy parked down the block and began walking towards the Theater where I watched Happy walk to earlier. I was probably halfway there when I fell to my feet and fell from under me as the ground shook, an eruption of fire billowed out into the street. An explosion. My ears rang, I couldn’t tell if it was the after effect of the bomb or the blaring car horns but my head wasn’t clear. My heart rate picked up as adrenalin began to pulse through my body but instead of running away I ran towards the site. My hand clutching the phone in my pocket. I don’t remember calling anyone. I remember the burning embers, the crunch of glass, the awful sickening smell of burned flesh, and I remember screaming for Happy.
I rode in the ambulance with Happy, refusing to leave his side. I don’t think I had left his side until I was pulled into someone’s arms. My mind didn’t fully register it. Doctors just kept saying I was in shock. I looked up away from Happy’s body in the hospital bed. My eyes landed on Tony, he just gave me a small nod and moved over to my side, letting me lean against him. I don’t think I fell asleep until the two of us had somehow curled up on the chair together, his hold on me reminded me so much of a protective father that I couldn’t stop my eyes from falling closed.
☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰☰
A nurse came in to check on Happy moving right by the two occupants in the chair. It wasn’t until she raised the remote to turn off the TV that Tony spoke up.
“Hi.”
“Oh!” The startled nurse turned around to look at the person who spoke.
Tony let out a soft chuckle to try and clear the air and nonverbally apologize for scaring her. “Do you mind leaving that on?”
“Sure.” She responded but was confused since no one was actually watching the television.
Tony stood up carefully moving Alexa off of him onto the chair where she curled up even farther into a ball than what she was before. Tony took a few stiff steps with his arms crossed as he looked at the television. “Sunday nights. PBS. Downtown Abbey. That’s his show. He thinks it’s elegant. One more thing. Make sure everyone wears their badges. He’s a stickler for that sort of thing.”
Tony moved back over towards the chair where he gently shook awake the sleeping girl. It was time for them to leave and after what had happened Tony wasn’t about to let Alexa go home alone. They reached the main lobby where a car would be picking them up. Outside there were already dozens of reporters and camera men waiting.
“Keep your head down. Don’t say anything, just get into the car okay?” Tony instructs in a serious but soft tone as he wraps an arm protectively around her shoulders. On his cue they began to exit the hospital being greeted by people calling his name. A female reporter stuffed her microphone into Stark’s face.
“Mr. Stark, our sources are telling us that all signs are pointing to another Mandarin attack.” Alexa is pushed into and bumped causing her to grip onto the dark shirt that Tony was wearing as a way to anchor herself to him as he pushed through the reporters.
“Anything else you can tell us?
As soon as they arrived at the car Tony made sure Alexa got in ignoring the press around him until one thing managed to catch his attention, “Hey Mr. Stark. When is somebody gonna kill this guy? Just saying.”
Tony turned to the man and Alexa watched nervously from inside of the car. “Here’s a little holiday greeting I’ve been wanting to send to the Mandarin. I just didn’t know how to phrase it until now. My name is Tony Stark and I’m not afraid of you. I know you’re a coward. So I’ve decided,” Tony removes his glasses looking right into a camera, “that you just died, pal. I’m gonna come get the body. There’s no politics here. It’s just good old-fashioned revenge. There’s no Pentagon, it’s just you and me. And on the off chance you’re a man, here’s my home address. 10880 Malibu Point. 90265. I’ll leave the door unlocked.”
Alexa’s jaw dropped open. What the hell had she gotten herself into? Maybe John was right about being careful being so close to Tony Stark. He had just publicly addressed a terrorist, giving up his address, the same address as the place she was about to go stay at. Oh god, was this how she dies?
