Search for the Soul Gem

Chapter Thirty-Nine

     "You always look beautiful," he said. I blushed and looked down at my feet. Tony laughed lightly and leaned over to kiss my cheek. We continued walking down the hallway toward Tony's office. Agents buzzed around from office to office, papers stacked up in their hands and hushed conversations being talked over the rush. Agents parted around us like a river around a stone. We turned down the long hall where Tony's office was. As we neared, I could see a man standing in front of Tony's desk through the glass. This stranger looked vaguely familiar.  He was dressed in a well-tailored suit with his arms crossed over his chest. As we neared the door to the office, the man turned to face us and the realization of who he was hit me. I stopped dead in my tracks and pulled Tony to stop after me. Tony looked back at me confused, his arm coming around me.

     "Tony!" I gasped. 

     "Sweetheart, what is it?" he asked. 

     "Th-that man. He," I stuttered. 

     "Lucy, what's wrong?" he asked, bringing his hand up to my cheek.  I swallowed hard and looked over at Tony, my grip on his arms tightening. 

     "He's the man that was following me," I whispered. Tony's thumb caressed my cheek lightly. 

     "Hey, hey, Lucy, please calm down. Take it easy sweetheart. Nothing is going to happen to you, I promise," Tony muttered to me quietly. My hands shook and I forced myself to look up at him. "Do you trust me?" he asked. I stared up at him for a long moment, still shaking. After a moment, I forced myself to nod at him. He leaned his forehead against him and took a deep breath. "I would never lead you into anything to hurt you. And I won't let anyone hurt you," he assured me. I clenched my jaw and swallowed hard. He slid his hand down from my face and to my hand. "Trust me, sweetheart. This man will not hurt you. Just come with me, okay," he asked lightly. I crushed his fingers in mine and nodded at him again. He pulled me along with him toward the door to his office. The man inside his office shifted his glance to look at me and Tony as we entered. The glass door was silent as we Tony dropped it behind him. I curled my free hand in the back of his jacket and looked over his shoulder at the man. They looked at each other for a moment. 

     "Sir," the man said nodding his head at Tony. I looked up at Tony confused and then back at the man. 

     "Happy," Tony said with a smile. There was a charged pause that went through the office for a moment before Tony spoke again. "Lucy, this is Happy. He's the head of security for Stark Industries. And one of my oldest friends," Tony introduced. I looked over at Tony in shock. 

     "Head of security?" I breathed. Tony smiled at me and nodded slightly. 

     "Yes ma'am," Happy said. I looked over at the man from behind Tony, swallowing hard and moving out from behind Tony. 

     "Your name is, Happy?" I asked. 

     "My name is Harold Hogan," the man said. 

     "Then why do you call him Happy?" I asked up to Tony. 

     "Cause he's glowing, can't you see it! That beautiful smile!" Tony teased. I broke a laugh finally and completely came out from behind Tony. 

     "Why were you following me?" I asked quietly. Happy pursed his lips and let out a breath. 

     "I am sorry that I scared you, I just wanted to make sure that nothing happened to you. I knew that everyone was busy in the Tower and that you were all alone and I wanted to make sure that nothing happened to you while Mr. Stark was away," Happy said. 

     "Why didn't you just come out and say that, instead of stalking around corners? I would have made you lunch or something," I asked with a huff. Tony broke a laughed and leaned into me lightly. Happy broke a slight smile, softening his face slightly.