CHAPTER EIGHTEEN:
❝I'll Never Forgive Myself❞︎

AFTER HAVING LUNCH WITH THE BARTON'S, ELOISE FINALYL DECIDED TO HEAD BACK TO TONY'S HOME. She walked inside, smiling softly at the sound of music playing from somewhere. Her eyes searched the place and she had to admit she was still not used to being able to see every little detail without having to be an inch in front of it. She made her way down the steps, smiling at the sight of Tony in his lab, working on his suit. He was bobbing his head to the music, focusing on the suit in front of him. Eloise walked in unnoticed, her footsteps so light not even a dog could hear her coming. She turned the music down, deciding that if she just went up to him she would probably terrify him and he would send a tool flying her way.

Tony glanced up at the sound of his music quieting. He turned around and stood up immediately when he saw Eloise standing there. She sent him a small smile and Tony didn't hesitate to return it. He walked over to her, immediately greeting her with a kiss. She'd missed him when she was gone and now the joy of being able to see him every day once again made her heart dance with joy. Tony stood there, his arms going to her waist as her hands went to his shoulders.

"How was the Barton family?" Tony asked.

"The same." Eloise admitted. "I missed Avery. She seems to be doing good. She and Peter seemed to have hit it off really well. She loves the boy." She pulled away from him and Tony ordered FRIDAY to shut everything down, grabbing Eloise's hand as they walked up the stairs and into the living room. They sat down on the couch. "She's always had trouble opening up with her parents being Clint and Theo. She's made some good friends, and Peter really cares about her."

"That's good." Tony nodded. "That kid deserves some happiness, especially after everything that she's went through."

Eloise hummed in agreement. "You know, I think about what I went through, and I kept help but think about what she went through. She was only six years old. She was a baby. She's had to live with this damage for ten years. She's so strong."

"You can't compare your traumas," Tony said. "While you were both taken by HYDRA, you both went through completely things."

"We can't compare, but we can relate. I don't know how HYDRA keeps getting a hold of us. First Avery and Theo, now me. I mean, who's next?"

"I don't want to think about that." Tony mumbled, the thought of HYDRA taking someone else he loved made him flinch. "I want to destroy them once and for all."

"I know. I do too, but it seems like no matter how hard they try, they just keep multiplying. Cut off one head, two grows back. It's just so frustrating." Eloise let out a deep sigh, closing her eyes as she felt her anger spike. She didn't say anything for a moment, sitting there and letting herself fight to gain control of her emotions. Her anger was still awful, she was really trying to work on it.

"I know it is." Tony leaned back into the couch and Eloise moved so her head was laying on his chest. His arm immediately wrapped around her, a sense of security falling on her. Tony made her feel so safe. She would forever appreciate him for being there for her and coming to save her. They never gave up on finding her, Eloise would forever be grateful for that. Tony was silent as he watched her, his eyes studying her face.

Eloise looked up at him. "What're you thinking about?"

Tony shook his head, a hand running over her hair. "I wish I could go back in time and just stop it."

"Tony. . ."

"I'll never forgive myself for letting that happen to you."

Eloise sat up and looked at him. Her striking blue eyes met his dark ones. "Tony, what happened to me wasn't your fault. You can't blame yourself for that."

"But I can." Tony disagreed. "I made a promise to you. I promised that I wouldn't let them take you and they did just that. I broke the one thing I vowed to keep."

"Tony, listen to me, what happened happened, we can't change the past." A sudden gasp fell from her lips as she sat up, a cry of pain left her mouth as a hand pressed to her temple.

Tony sat up in alert. "El, talk to me, what's happening."

"I don't know." She let out a silent cry. "My head feels like it's being split open."

"Alright. Hold on." He pulled her from the couch, quickly taking her to the car and speeding to the Avengers tower. He entered ,pulling her with him as she continued to let out groans of pain. He made it to the lab, Rosalynn and Bruce turning to look at the couple. They didn't hesitate to run over, bringing her to the table and strapping her down.

Steve came running in. "What's going on?"

"I-I don't know. Eloise, talk to me." Tony begged.

Eloise grit her teeth, pulling against the restraints. "I don't know what's happening to me." She cried out, pain shooting through her entire body before she passed out.

"Run some more tests." Steve ordered and the two scientists got to work.

Tony looked at Steve, not wanting her to go through even more than she's already been through. "She's been through hell and back, just let her rest."

"Tony, you know I would. But we have to know what's changed. She isn't herself, even you can see that." Steve let out a sigh. "We know that she's part vampire, but something else doesn't seem right. We need to figure out everything that we can, especially while she's out."

Tony didn't like it. He didn't like it one bit. Although he hated to admit that Steve was right, he knew that he was. He sighed and gave in, nodding his head. The two doctors began to run their tests and tony walked over to Eloise. He looked at her with sadness in his eyes. He placed a hand over hers. "We'll figure this out, El." He glanced over at Steve. "We won't stop until we do."