Search for the Soul Gem

Chapter Thirty

"How are you feeling?" Banner asked quietly, leaning over to me. I looked over at him with my fork already halway to my mouth.

"I'm okay," I assured. He leveled a concerned stare at me.

"Are you really though," he asked. I hesitated for a moment. Part of me wanted to vent to him but I didn't want to make him feel bad. From next to me, Tony's hand slid from my hip to rest on the chair next to me and he leaned forward to be further into the conversation around the table. I looked over at Banner and leaned closer so I didn't have to talk so loud.

"I was uh, feeling trapped earlier but I feel better now," I admitted. Banner's eyes softened slightly at my confession.

"You know, when I was first brought in I felt the same way," Banner whispered. I looked back at him shocked.

"Really," I said shocked. He nodded with a small smile

"It's completely normal to feel that way. But they're not doing these things because they want to keep you away from your family or friends. They are doing these things because they want to make sure nothing happens to you. If something happened to you, they would never be able to forgive themselves," Banner explained. I was taken aback. I'd never thought of it that way and instantly I'd felt guilty for ever doubting them. While I was lost in my thought, a hand appeared on the back of my chair. Tony pulled my chair up next to his and wrapped his arm fully around my waist, his hand pressing against my hip on the opposite side. I looked up at him with a soft smile. He kissed my temple, his mouth lingering against my skin for a moment.

"Do you like it?" I asked quietly up to Tony.

"It's incredible. I have so much left to learn about you sweetheart," Tony breathed into my hair. I blushed slightly and leaned into him further.

"Why aren't you eating doll?" James asked quietly while everyone else was distracted.

"My stomach is starting to hurt and I don't wanna cause any trouble," I said. He shot me a sympathetic look before finishing off his plate. By now, most of the heroes were finished and their plates were pushed to the center of the table. Tony's fingers hitched under the hem of my shirt and was tickling my side slightly.

"So how are we going to find this cave, does anyone have any idea?" Sam asked, cutting through the chatter around the table. I turned my attention toward him; pulling my focus from Tony's fingers pressing against my hip.

"What do you mean?" Steve asked, leaning his elbows on the table.

"I mean, are we just expected to hike around till we find it? In case you haven't noticed, there are a ton of mountains," Sam said.

"Banner, do you have any idea?" Natasha asked, turning to look at him. He looked up at Natasha.

"There's not much literature about anything in the mountains that I could find," Banner said.

"Well Thor, do you have any idea?" Steve asked. Thor shifted nervously in his seat.

"There are no mentions of Midgardian caves anywhere in Asgard," Thor said. Steve continued asking Thor questions. Tony's cold fingers appeared under the hem of my shirt, against the delicate skin of my stomach. I gasped and jumped from the shock of his sudden touch. Tony's breathy laugh sent a shiver down my spine. I pressed myself back against him and leaned my head on his shoulder. He pressed his mouth to my temple.

"So this brings us back to my original question," Sam said. There was a long pause where no one said anything.

"Why don't we just ask someone," I said quietly. Everyone's eyes turned to land on me.