Spider-Man: Duty and Loss Chapter 83: Talk between Friends

Turning back Tony flicked over to the TV stations and started to surf a few channels for something to watch. If Pepper was in the tower he might have blow off his friend and gone to her, but she was in an important meeting down in Hong Kong.

Though he was curious about a few things, he hadn't been out of his lab in the last few days so he didn't know where everyone was. But once Tony was curious about something he rarely left it alone. "What about Robin Hood?" Steve grabbed another chair in the room before sitting down and began to look at the channels as they passed by, there were quite a few to pick from, seeing as Tony was a billionaire and had the best tech in the world.

"He's at the practice range, we sparred for a little, but he gave up after a few rounds." Tony raised an eye brow as he deadpanned at him. "I wonder why that is? Did you pummel him into the ground too hard?" Steve snorted before looking embarrassed for a second, he might have hit him a bit too hard in the third round.

'Hey it's hard to control my strength sometimes.' He kept that thought to himself, but Tony had already caught the small redness in his cheeks and was laughing. "What about Thor?" Steve gave him a questioning look for a second. "He had to go to Asgard for something. He left yesterday. Don't you remember?"

Tony gave a shrug, he might just have remembered that he heard something like that the day before. "What about our green friend." This time Steve frowned as he thought of something. Tony stopped his smirking for a second as he saw the serious look in his eyes.

"Bruce had to leave early last night. I saw him just before he left. Something about a cousin needing a blood infusion and him being the only match…" He stopped or another second with the same frown. "He also mentioned that Ross might have something to do with the situation."

This truly got Tony's attention as he thought of the white haired military man. "Not that asshole again." "Language" "Oh come on, you know I'm right about that one." Steve looked like he was about to say something but decided against it.

There was a small amount of prolonged silence between them before Tony spoke once again. "I'll have Jarvis keep an eye on the situation, if he needs help the avengers will be there for him…." Tony gave another chuckle. "…We don't want the green guy showing up."

Steve finally showed an appreciative smile towards him. "Thanks Tony, Banners been through enough already." Tony just gave a nod to the words as the channel settled in on a news broadcast of the city. Neither was really paying attention as they retreated to their thoughts for a few minutes.

Thinking that it had gone on long enough Tony started once again. "How bout Tash?" Steve frowned one again as he raised his hand to his chin entering a thinking pose. "Well she's been weird lately. She hasn't been focusing as much in our spars recently." *Sigh* "I think finding out that Shield was Hydra all along really affected her."

He lowered his hand as he blankly looked at the TV. "I've caught her more and more often sitting by herself on the balcony starring out at the city. Not just that she's been going out more often to where ever she goes when she leaves…" *Sigh* He released one more sigh. "…And every time she returns she looks less happy."

Though Tony was listening pretty actively as it concerned one of his teammates, his ears really picked up when Steve mentioned Natasha going out. 'Could she be going to the Park to meet the man or woman of mystery?' "Has she mentioned what she does when she goes out?"

Steve shook his head. "I did ask her once but she avoided the subject, its personal, and she doesn't want us to know right now. She'll tell us when she's ready." Tony shook his head. 'Why was Steve such a boy scout sometimes? Does he not have any curiosity?'

Tony was about to voice his thoughts when Jarvis spoke up, surprising both. "Sorry to interrupt Sir, But Miss Romanoff is at the back door and requesting entry. She seems to be carrying someone." Both of the Avengers were snapped out of their stupor at the words and turned to the big screen. "Jarvis bring up security cameras." "Gladly Sir"

The screen in front of them changed quickly to show the back door to the massive building. Along with the video it also carried along with it audio. "I know you can hear me Stark. Open the door." Both of them did nothing for a second as they took in the form of Natasha with some girl slung over her back.

A few questions went through their minds but they both drew blanks on what could be happening. "You heard her Jarvis." The door Natasha was standing at clicked open on the screen as she stood there. Looking at the open door she turned back to the camera as she pried it open.

"Tony gather the rest of the avengers we might have a situation. I'll meet you guys in the infirmary." Tony looked on for a few more seconds before the scrapping of the chair next to him forced him into action.

Captain America stood up in full soldier mode as he turned from the screen, already barking off orders as leader of the avengers. "Tony prep infirmary for whoever that was on Natasha's back. I want a full scans on who she is, her background, everything. I'll go and get Clint from the shooting range. We'll meet you and Nat there."

Just before he left the room he turned back to look at Tony. "I'll also try and contact Thor with that thing he gave us. I know Bruce won't be able to help us, but we should be fine with just us 4." Saying that he left the room, off to the practice range.

Tony gave a nod as he also got to his feet and made to leave the room. Thinking about the situation, his genius mind connected a few dots and he couldn't help but get excited. "Maybe I will figure out the mystery!" He mumbled it to himself as he quickly made his way to the infirmary.

Chapter end