PARADOX

The nurses stitched my limbs and cleaned my clothing. My wounds weren't serious but it did leave a huge bruise. When the nurses left, I promptly got out of bed and put on my clothes. I stuffed my pockets with a few 'tools' that were laying around and laced up my boots. I stood around looking for my mask, but I remembered that Tony had taken it off. Ignoring the mask, I still had my ear com. I spoke and no one responded. I tried again and Pietro spoke from the other end. I directed him to which room I was in and told him to not tell anyone else.

A few flashes later, Quicksilver entered my room and commenced to freak out a little. "How-- How can someone survive a fall that far?" he stammered as I peered outside.

"I don't break easily." I alternated my gaze to meet his. His eyes were packed with relief and happiness. Pietro quickly gave me a tight hug and patted my shoulder. "Do you know where they took the others?" He nodded in respond and I shattered the window.

"What are you doing?"

"Leaving?" I snickered at the obvious and leaped down to the near roof. He followed me and we climbed onto the higher roof. That's when I saw Tony's jet fly away as I gazed upon it. A few tears overflowed my eyes, I felt shameful not telling him I'm alive. But it was best for now until I freed my teammates.

I was a bit slow because of I injuries, but I managed to run like a normal person. When we reached a busy street, I lost track of Pietro. I searched through the heads if I could see his silver one. No sign of him. One of my stitches became loose and I had to search for an alley to bandage it. I hissed at the pain when I tried touching the wound. A strong breeze blew my hair onto my face and when I removed it, Pietro was standing there. "Thank goodness. Help me cover this up." He nodded and grabbed the roll of bandage away from my hand. His hands tossed the roll back and forth as he covered it up. I could smell my blood and it was uncomfortable, seeing the blood flood the wrappings as Pietro tied the bandage neatly. He offered to carry me on his back, but as stubborn as I was, I denied his offer. But he knew how hardheaded I was and carried me anyway.

About 10 minutes passed and we stood upon a well-guarded facility. Quicksilver quickly knocked the guards out and I hacked into the facilities security. Now all cameras were down and all doors were secured. We raced inside and discovered the chamber where my friends were. I unlocked the cell door and eyed upon the room. My eyes were filled with joy as I walked up to each of them giving them a wide smile. I entered the security code to all of their cells and each of the walked out unharmed.

"I thought you wouldn't make it for a sec!" Clint hugged me. I happily hugged him back and hugged the others as well.

"You know I'm too stubborn for death, Clint!"

"Where is my brother?" Wanda asked me.

"He's searching for everyone's belongings. He'll be back any second," I answered.

Eventually, everyone transferred into their damaged clothes and held their precious weapons. Everyone looked worn out, but it was better than wearing a prison jumpsuit! All of us together escaped the facility and a jet came our way. When it landed Steve, Bucky, and T'Challa came running towards us. They gave us a signal to run back to the jet and escape.

The jet wasn't normal sized but, we managed to cram all of us inside. We flew across waters and land before we landed. Prince T'Challa was kind enough to keep us far and safe from the cities. Bucky still had his arm and he insisted that he would be kept frozen to rid of the brainwashing. We all said our goodbyes and watched him be put in ice. Clint's family was safe and so was everyone else. The prince asked me if I was going to return to Stark. Which I considered, but at the same time it was for his own safety. I was on the side that was above the law and if I returned I would put him in danger too. But besides all that, I did promise Rhodey that I will return to New York.

I spent about 3 days at the asylum and thought it was time. As I was walking down the beautiful hallways of the building, I bumped into Steve.

"Are you going back?" he asked while gazing at the fog outside.

"Don't worry Cap, I'll return when I'm needed." I patted his shoulder and grasped my bags.

T'Challa gave me a safe flight back to new York and I was currently standing in front of the Avengers facility. I chose to surprise Tony instead of just walk in. I broke through the security and fell through the vent that led to Tony's lab. I threw my bags behind the nearby plant and stepped in one of his suits. I instructed FRIDAY to not alert Tony as I was not recognized as Tony in the suit. FRIDAY told me where Tony was and I walked there in his suit.

When I arrived, Tony and Rhodey stared at the suit like it wasn't supposed to do that. Well, of course, it wasn't supposed to.

"FRIDAY, who's in the suit?" Tony asked as he came closer. He observed the suit and waited for FRIDAY's response.

"I am told not to tell you Mr. Stark," she responded. Tony looked at Rhodey with confusion and walked behind the suit. FRIDAY lowered the volume of her voice so only I could hear and told me that Tony knows how to open the suit from the back. My eyes widened and when the front of the armor opened, I quickly stepped out and hid behind Rhodey. His expression was priceless but I was in the middle of messing with Tony to stop and laugh. Stark then stepped in front of the armor and found no one there.

"Something's wrong," Tony said as he still focused on analyzing. I stepped out from hiding behind Rhodey and stood behind Tony's crouched figure. When he stood up to speak to Rhodey, he found me instead. His eyes were clouded with shock and his lips formed a loving smirk. "You're alive! I knew it!" his strong arms wrapped around my waist and picked me up. He then peeked over to Rhodey who had a slightly guilty expression. "And you knew."

"Tony, I told him to not tell you." Tony gave him a harsh look then a smirk appeared on his face. he added Rhodey into the embrace and we all laughed.

"Thank you." Stark kissed my forehead and kissed my cheeks. I was being showered with kisses from him. I longed for this moment where I was to see him so happy. His hands cupped my cheeks and he looked into my (E/C) eyes and said the thing he hasn't said before. "I love you, (Y/N)." The embrace broke and I gave him a small guilty smirk.

"You might want to upgrade your security and fix some of your lab tables."

"You broke into my security AND damaged my stuff?" I pecked his lips and ran away like a child. He watched me as I ran off into the hallway and sighed, "She's back, alright."