Safe house
As she was packing her bags, a knock came at her door, stopping her mind from spiralling again. “Come in,” she exhaled once she zipped up her bag. She wasn’t bringing much, just the essentials. She didn’t know how long she would be there. What if her sister didn’t want her there? What if her mom was too sick to stay there and needed to go back to the city for better medical care? Plus, she couldn’t leave everything here, they still needed to find a good lead on Hydra’s new super soldiers, and they needed her. Steve needed her. James needed her. The mission was far from over.
“You ready?” Tony said, stopping at the doorstep. She just nodded, her mind again racing with a thousand thoughts.
“Listen, you tell me, but I think it’s best if none of the soldiers come with us,” he paused, looking for a response in her face, but she just nodded again, her expression distant. “I’ll be downstairs,” and he left, giving her the space she needed to gather herself.
As she entered the backyard, Steve stood up from the chair and grabbed her bag, accompanying her to the jet waiting for them. He placed the bag inside the aircraft with care and came out again, one arm wrapping around her back while the other gently embraced her head, resting it against his torso, offering her silent comfort.
“If you change your mind and want me there, just call, okay?” he said softly. She nodded, her face almost expressionless, a mask she had perfected over the years. His hand cupped her cheek, and she forced a slight smile to reassure him. “It’s going to be okay, Iris,” he whispered, planting a tender kiss on her soft, pale lips and hugging her once again as if trying to transfer some of his calm and reassurance to her.
Iris’s gaze shot up to the balcony of the kitchen on the first floor. Bucky was standing there, his hands gripping the railing, his unwavering gaze fixed on them. His icy blue eyes were unsettling her, making the earth beneath her feel unsteady, while Steve’s strong arms held her securely, grounding her in this moment of uncertainty.
“I set in the coordinates and checked the security panel. We’re ready to go,” Sam intervened from inside the jet, his voice breaking through her thoughts as Stark took a seat. Steve’s arms slowly freed Iris, and he gave her a gentle nod as she disappeared when the tailgate closed. She took a deep breath, realizing this was just the beginning of another journey, both physically and emotionally. As the jet prepared for takeoff, she hoped she would find the strength to face whatever awaited her.
Sam approached her, breaking her reverie. "Hey, Iris," he said softly, taking a seat beside her. "Mind if I ask you something?"
Iris turned to him, her eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and vulnerability, she nodded.
"Since how long haven't you seen your family?" he asked, his tone gentle.
Iris sighed, her gaze drifting back to the window. "It's been a while," she admitted. "Every once in a while, I would come to Chicago and watch them from a distance, but they didn't know I was there."
Sam nodded, listening "That must have been tough, not being able to be with them."
"It was," Iris replied, her voice tinged with sadness. "But it was the only way to keep them safe. I know my sister graduated in psychology almost two years ago and my mother continued working as a lawyer for the city. I kept tabs on them, made sure they were okay, but I couldn't risk getting too close."
Sam squeezed her shoulder gently, trying to offer some reassurance. "You did what you thought was best, Iris. And sometimes, that's all we can do."
"I know," Iris said, her voice firm. "I'll always make sure they're safe." She paused, her gaze distant. "But I’m scared. If I were Claire, I would be mad as hell," she chuckled, though the sound was tinged with nervousness.
"Well, I mean, you’re not exactly known for being the most understanding person," Sam teased, trying to lighten the mood with a chuckle.
“Oh c’mon, I am,” Iris protested, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
“You're less understanding than me, which is saying something,” Tony joined them, offering her a glass of whiskey. He had a smirk on his face, but his eyes were soft with empathy.
Iris took the glass, her fingers wrapping around the cool surface. She looked at Tony, then back at Sam. "Thanks, both of you. I really needed this."
Sam glanced at Tony with a playful glare. "Hey, where's my glass? Am I not part of this little therapy session?"
Tony chuckled, arching an eyebrow. "Oh, I thought you were more of a protein shake kind of guy, Sam. But if you insist, I guess I could fetch you something less... sophisticated."
Iris laughed softly, the tension easing slightly from her shoulders. Sam rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "You know, Stark, for a genius, you sure know how to make a guy feel appreciated."
Tony winked at Iris before turning back to Sam. "Well, what can I say? I have to keep my charm in top form for the company of beautiful ladies. Can't waste it all on you, Falcon."
Iris blushed slightly, shaking her head with a chuckle. "Tony, did you flirt even with the head of SHIELD in your last meeting?"
"Oh of course" Tony replied with a grin, raising his glass in a mock toast. "Anyway, let’s do a toast: to keeping everyone safe and maybe, just maybe, finding some moments of levity in all this chaos."
Sam sighed, but a smile tugged at his lips. "Alright, alright. But seriously, Tony, next time, don't leave me hanging. I need some of that top-shelf therapy too."
Tony laughed, nodding. "Noted, Sam."
The cabin was nestled in the middle of the countryside, at the edge of thick woods. It was a quaint, wooden structure that exuded a sense of tranquillity and seclusion. The surrounding area was peaceful, with the soft chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.
As they landed, Iris glanced out of the window and saw her sister standing by the cabin.
Claire was a tall, curvy girl with chocolate caramel hair that cascaded down her shoulders in soft waves. Her hair glistened in the sunlight, making her look even more striking. She wore loose blue pants that moved gracefully with the breeze and a white top that accentuated her curves, highlighting her well-proportioned figure. Despite the evident fatigue on her face, Claire still managed to appear put together, exuding an air of effortless elegance. Her presence immediately brought a sense of comfort and familiarity to Iris, making her feel at home even before she had stepped off the plane.
As the jet's tailgate lowered, Iris took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She stepped out, her eyes immediately locking onto Claire's. For a moment, neither of them moved, the weight of the past years hanging heavily in the air between them.
Claire was the first to break the silence, her lips curving into a small, tentative smile. "Iris," she called out, her voice soft yet filled with a mixture of relief and emotion.
Iris felt a lump form in her throat, her eyes welling up with unshed tears. She rushed towards Claire, her arms outstretched. The moment they embraced, all the years of separation and worry seemed to melt away.
Claire held her tightly, her own tears mingling with Iris's. "I missed you so much," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
"I missed you too” Iris replied, her words muffled against her sister's shoulder. "I'm so sorry I couldn't be there."
Claire pulled back slightly, her hands still resting on Iris's shoulders. "You're here now, and that's all that matters," she said, her smile more genuine this time.
Tony and Sam stepped out of the jet, giving the sisters a moment to reconnect. Tony cleared his throat gently, drawing their attention.
"Claire, it's nice to finally meet you," Tony said, extending his hand with a warm smile. Claire shook it, her grip firm.
"Thank you for bringing Iris here," Claire replied, her voice sincere.
Sam, standing slightly behind Tony, offered a friendly nod. "Hi, Claire. I'm Sam," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of nervousness. “I’m the one who contacted you”
Claire stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him in a warm, grateful hug. "Thank you, Sam," she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity.
Sam, taken aback by the unexpected hug, hesitated for a moment before returning the embrace. "You're welcome, Claire. I'm just glad we could help," he replied, his voice soft.
As they pulled away, Claire looked him in the eyes, her gratitude evident.
Sam nodded, offering her a reassuring smile.
Tony, ever the observant one, couldn't resist leaning in and whispering to Sam, "Smooth, buddy. Real smooth."
Sam shot Tony a quick, embarrassed glance but couldn't help the small smile that crept onto his face.
As they walked towards the cabin, Tony began explaining the security measures in place and the plans to ensure their safety. Claire listened intently, her expression a mix of curiosity and determination, something she had in common with her sister. Sam remained a step or two behind, his eyes scanning the surroundings as if to ensure there were no immediate threats.
"We've got a perimeter alarm system and surveillance cameras around the property," Tony explained, his tone serious but reassuring. "If anything suspicious happens, we'll know immediately."
Claire nodded, absorbing the information. "And what about our communication?”
Tony handed her a small, sleek device. "This is a secure comm unit. It has a direct line to me and the rest of the team. Use it if you need anything."
Claire gently squeezed Iris's hand and looked into her eyes. "Mom's upstairs," she said softly "She's been waiting for you."
Tony and Sam exchanged a glance and nodded. "We'll head to the kitchen and whip up something for dinner," Tony said, giving Iris a reassuring smile. "Take your time."
Iris nodded gratefully, her heart pounding as she made her way upstairs. Each step felt heavier than the last, the weight of anticipation and worry pressing down on her. She reached the door to her mother's room and took a deep breath before pushing it open.
Sarah lay in bed, her once-strong frame now appearing pale and fragile. Her skin was almost translucent, and dark circles underlined her eyes, a testament to the battle she was fighting. Despite her weakened state, the moment she saw Iris, a spark of life seemed to ignite within her.
"Iris," Sarah whispered, her voice trembling with emotion as she struggled to sit up.
Iris rushed to her side, wrapping her arms around her mother in a tight embrace. Tears streamed down both their faces as they held each other, the pent-up emotions of years apart flowing freely.
"I missed you so much, Mom," Iris choked out between sobs.
"I missed you too, sweetheart," Sarah replied, her voice breaking. "I'm so sorry for everything."
They stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, the warmth of their reunion providing a brief respite from the harsh reality of their situation. Finally, Iris pulled back slightly, her eyes searching her mother's face.
"Mom, we're going to get through this," she said firmly, her voice filled with determination. "We're together now, and we'll fight this. All of it."
Sarah nodded, her eyes glistening with hope. “My babies” she cried as the three of them hugged.
Iris left her mother's room with a heavy heart and as she made her way downstairs, she could hear the faint sounds of conversation and clinking dishes coming from the kitchen.
Entering the kitchen, she found Tony setting the table. Sam was standing by the counter, carefully arranging food on plates. The warm, inviting aroma of home-cooked food filled the air, momentarily easing the tension that had settled in her chest.
"Hey," Tony greeted her with a soft smile. "How's your mom?"
"She's... she's hanging in there," Iris replied, her voice tinged with emotion.
Sam approached her with a plate in his hand "Here, this is for your mom," he said gently, handing it to her. "Make sure she eats something. Then come back down with Claire and join us for dinner."
Iris took the plate, her eyes welling up with gratitude. "Thank you, Sam. Thank you, Tony," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Tony nodded, his expression serious but kind “Go take care of your mom. We'll be here when you're ready."
With a nod, Iris turned and made her way back upstairs, carefully balancing the plate of food. She re-entered her mother's room.
"Mom, I brought you some dinner," Iris said softly, placing the plate on the bedside table. "You need to eat to keep your strength up."
Sarah smiled weakly, her eyes filled with warmth. "Thank you, sweetheart," she said, reaching out to squeeze Iris's hand. "But we have so much to talk about. Where have you been, what have you done..."
“Mom, that is for tomorrow,” she said checking her mom’s monitor, “Today was already a lot”
Iris helped her mother take a few bites, ensuring she ate enough to regain some strength. Once Sarah seemed more settled, Iris gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead. "I'll be back soon, Mom. Claire and I are going to have dinner downstairs."
Sarah nodded, her eyes closing as she leaned back against the pillows. "Go ahead, Iris. I'll be fine."
As they finished their meal, Tony and Sam exchanged knowing glances. Tony leaned back in his chair, his expression turning serious. "Iris, Claire, there's something we need to discuss."
Iris's heart skipped a beat. "What is it?"
Sam cleared his throat. "We've been monitoring some unusual activity. It seems like the people who were after you haven't given up."
Claire's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
Tony pulled out a tablet, showing them a map with several red dots. "These are the locations where we've detected suspicious activity”
"We need to stay vigilant," Tony replied. "They will never find us, but to be sure we've already increased the security around the cabin. If anyone gets closer than 6 miles we’ll know, this will give us the time to flee. Sam and I will take turns keeping watch. But we need you both to be prepared for anything."
Claire nodded, her face determined. "But how did they find out she was coming back?”
Tony and Sam exchanged a look “We don’t think they were following us”
“They were watching me and Mum”
Tony nodded.
After dinner Claire showed Sam his room, the space modest but comfortable. As she opened the door, their eyes met for a brief moment "Here you go, Sam” Claire said with a soft smile.
Sam nodded appreciatively “Thank you," he replied, his gaze lingering on hers for a second longer before he stepped inside.
After ensuring Sam was settled, Claire joined Iris in their shared bedroom. They sat on the bed, the familiarity of the moment bringing a sense of nostalgia. Iris began to braid Claire's hair, just as she had done a million times when they were younger.
Claire took a deep breath, her voice quiet. "Two years after you disappeared, I knew you were watching me. Every three days, you were there, on the bridge where I took the bus to school. But then you stopped coming. What happened?"
Iris paused for a moment, her hands stilling in Claire's hair. "I was taken by Hydra," she confessed, her voice barely audible "They found me, and I didn't want to lead them to you or Mom. I had to disappear completely."
Claire's eyes welled up with tears as she turned to face Iris. "Why didn't you tell us? Why didn't you let us help?"
Iris's mind started to spiral. How much was worth telling her little sister? How much could she understand? How much did she need to know?
"I couldn't risk it," Iris replied, her voice trembling. "Hydra was always watching, always waiting for a chance. I had to keep you safe, no matter what."
Claire turned to face her, a mixture of pain and anger emerging in her eyes “Iris I’m not a baby anymore. I stopped being one when you left. I want to know, I deserve to know what happened to you!”
Iris nodded "I know. And I promise, I'll tell you. Just not tonight please."
Claire, frustrated by the weight of the conversation, eventually decided to go to sleep. "I'm done for tonight," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of resignation and exhaustion. "Goodnight, Iris."
"Goodnight, Claire," Iris replied softly.
Iris lay in bed, her mind racing, unable to close her eyes. The events of the day replayed in her mind, mingling with memories of the past. Hours passed, and sleep remained elusive. Finally, she decided she couldn't stay in bed any longer, the pain in her chest growing and making it hard to breathe.
She quietly slipped out of the bedroom and made her way to the deck. There, she found Tony, sitting with a glass of whiskey in hand and his laptop on his lap. The soft glow of the screen illuminated his face in the dark, highlighting the lines of fatigue and the shadows under his eyes. His usually sharp and confident demeanour seemed softer, more vulnerable in this quiet moment. Iris paused for a moment, watching him as he stared intently at the screen, his brow furrowed in concentration. She couldn't help but notice the weight of the world resting on his shoulders, the burden of being Tony Stark.
Tony looked up as she approached, concern etched on his features. His eyes searched hers for answers. "What's going on, Iris?" he asked, his voice gentle yet filled with an unspoken urgency to understand.
As soon as their eyes met, Iris felt the dam inside her break. She crumbled to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. The weight of everything she had been holding in finally overwhelmed her, each tear a release of the pain she had bottled up for so long.
Tony immediately set his laptop aside and knelt down beside her, wrapping his arms around her in a strong embrace. "It's okay, Iris," he murmured, his voice soothing and calm. "Let it out. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."
Iris clung to him, her tears soaking his shirt as she cried in pain. Her sobs were raw and unfiltered, the kind that left her gasping for breath. Tony held her tightly, not asking any questions, just offering his silent support. He knew she needed this moment to release the pent-up emotions that had been eating away at her, and he was determined to be her rock in this storm.
They stayed like that for what felt like hours, the world around them fading away as Iris's sobs gradually subsided. Everything was silent except for the sound of her breathing slowly returning to normal and the sounds of an owl on a tree not far away.
Finally, she pulled back slightly, her eyes red and swollen. She looked at Tony, gratitude and exhaustion etched on her face, and managed a small, weary smile.
"Thank you, Tony," she whispered, her voice hoarse from crying.
Tony gave her a small, reassuring smile. "Anytime honey”
Tony placed a hand on her cheek, gently wiping away the remaining tears. Their gazes locked, and for a long, silent moment, they simply looked at each other. The air around them seemed to thicken.
Their faces inched closer, the world and the sounds outside fading away. Tony's eyes softened, and Iris felt her heartbeat quicken, her breath catching in her throat. The proximity between them was electric, after so much pain, it felt like her mind was still alive.
But suddenly, the realization of how close they were hit Iris. She stood up abruptly, breaking the moment. "I... I should go to bed now," she stammered, avoiding Tony's gaze.
Tony's hand dropped to his side, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face before he masked it with a small, understanding smile. "Of course," he said softly. "Oh and Iris, I was looking into it, I think that whoever was after you is now in bed with Hydra. I need a lead on who’s pissed off with you here”
Iris stood there for a moment, thankful for the change in the subject “I have someone who can help us”
Tony eyes questioning her words “Can we trust him?”
“With my life”
Iris excused herself, she reached her bedroom and walked over to her bag, which was resting on the floor.
She unzipped a small, hidden compartment at the bottom of her bag and pulled out a burner phone. The device was old and unassuming, but it was secure and untraceable. She powered it on and waited for the screen to light up.
"I need to see you"
She hit send and watched as the message was delivered. Satisfied, she turned off the phone and tucked it back into the secret pouch in her bag, making sure it was well hidden.
Taking a deep breath, Iris tried to calm her racing thoughts.