Close Your Eyes

Dasha slowly lifted her chocolate colored orbs to see the disapproval etched on her mother's face. Hope Swan never took crap from anyone, not even from her own children.

"Dasha." Hope said in a warning tone. "You better not be lying to me, you know better than that." Her mother's dark green eyes pierced into the pre-teen with a knowing look. There was no sense of hiding anything from her mother after she discovered this weird connection that she had with her.

The connection pulled at her heart strings urging her to confess to what happened. Dasha licked her lips as she tried to ease her rapid heart from racing off. Fiddling with her fingers, she gazed down at the ground in shame as she muttered her explanation.

"I don't know what happened. Jerry was making fun of me one minute and when I got angry—I don't know, he fainted and I freaked out because…"

Hope gazed at her daughter, unfazed. "Because?" She pressed her daughter to continue despite the tears that were pooling in the young girl's eyes, Dasha needed to spill every single detail out to her.

A few tears rolled down her innocent cheeks as she muttered, "Because I was thinking he should die. But I didn't mean it! Honest! I didn't think my thoughts would actually come true! And then it happened again when my friend Claire betrayed me. W-What's wrong with m-me?" Dasha sobbed.

Dark green eyes softened at the display of despair her daughter was showing. Hope knew that Dasha's powers weren't strong enough to kill someone; not yet. Even though the two teenagers were fine, it still shook Dasha. It only took her a short time to calm down her daughter when a small wave of serenity shot through her. Dasha's eyes widened in shock as she stared at her mother, her jaw slackened at the revelation.

"M-Mom?"

"Yes sweetie."

Her mother sounded so calm, so sure of herself of what she was. Dasha had a hunch that they were connected in a different way than she expected. Swallowing the large lump in her throat, her short nails digging into the skin of her arm for reassurance that this was actually happening and the infamous question spilled out of the preteen's lips.

"What are we?"

Hope smiled as she wrapped an arm around her daughter as she explained, "What we are is nothing to be ashamed of. We are different than the normal human being, Dasha and I have to say that I'm not surprised that you have it and not your sister. I'm glad that your sister didn't. Usually the x-gene skips a generation, but I guess you are the exception. We have powers beyond our understanding, all of us have different powers and what we have is a blessing, not a curse. Don't let anyone tell you different."

"What do you mean us? Do you mean—there's more out there?"

A nod of confirmation sent Dasha's stomach into a tight knot. The hand of her mother was placed on her curly head, running through her dark curls, Hope responded, "Never be afraid of who you are, Dasha. Accept yourself and everything will fall into place."

The mother could see the fear running through Dasha as she tried to swallow all of the information that was given to her. Having her mother hold her in her arms, she always knew that she was different than everybody else. Nothing ever came easy to her during school, friends, class, and physical activities. Dasha always had to work hard for it and it looked like she had to work even harder to maintain her emotions.

Tears continued to spill down her cheeks as the battle of acceptance and fear took place in her inner thoughts.

Clyde's worst fears came to life as he listened to his wife and daughter talk. He thought he had Ivy-Rae to worry about since it was more than likely that she was going to obtain the x-gene. Ivy-Rae was always a special child even at birth, she always excelled at everything she did and it came naturally to her. So, Clyde kept an extra eye on her until today.

What did this mean?

Instead of Ivy-Rae, it was Dasha. Did this still mean that Ivy-Rae can still have the x-gene waiting to be activated when the time comes? Instead of one mutant child, will he have two? Hope's mother was not the most loving when she discovered the truth of Hope's abilities, so it is natural to see her be the opposite of her mother.

Worry coursed through his veins as he heard the sniffles coming from his oldest daughter. Dasha always has a hard life not really fitting in and working even harder than others to maintain what came so naturally to her younger sister. And to think that she has another thing added onto her plate. Dasha would have to hide a part of her for the rest of her life. No one would accept mutants into society and he feared that if the government discovered this, his wife and child would surely be taken away from him.

That was something he didn't want and he feared most.

Dasha's vision was met with blurriness; a low moan escaped her lips as she felt her head being lolled back. A piercing white light made her wince throwing her head back down towards the ground as she tried to get her motor and cognitive skills operating again.

"Wha—what the hell…did you…do…to…me?" Dasha forced the words out of her mouth as she heard the muffled movements of someone around her. She couldn't tell if it was only one person or a group of them, but she did know that she was going to smash Jak's face in for the deceit he pulled.

She knew someone was replying to her answer, but her ears couldn't pick up on the words. Squeezing her eyes shut, she reopened them while her vision started to become clearer. Suddenly she felt something warm on her cheeks; her face was lifted towards a pair of blue eyes filled with concern.

"—lright?"

"J-Jak? You mother-" Dasha groaned at the pounding her head was enduring.

"Dasha? How are you feeling?" Jak's voice finally broke through. There was a slight echo in the room making Dasha scour the surrounding area. The concrete walls made her a bit uneasy when she realized she was sitting in a metal chair with Jak only feet away from her.

"Feel like bashing your face in, you fuckin' punk."

"Dash-"

"I don't want to hear it! Our friendship was built on a fuckin' lie, Jak. Hell, I don't even know if Jak is your real name. I don't want to see your face right now."

Jak pursed his lips, his face was stoic, but his eyes showed a hint of disappointment. Him kneeling in front of her, he sighed deeply before he looked upon her again. "You know I can't leave. I'm under strict orders to k-" He was interrupted once again when the door opened revealing the one person that Dasha definitely didn't want to see again.

"Good work Harrison. You can leave."

Jak glanced at Dasha's fuming body before stiffly nodding and left the room without another word. Dasha gritted her teeth when the door closed with a definite slam. Her focus was then on the leader of the whole fiasco, Director Fury.

"Heard you put up a fight." Fury clasped his hands behind his back as he walked in a semi-circle towards her. "You know what happens when you do that."

She knew, but she didn't care. The only thing that can hold her down was being sedated and her grogginess was slowly fading. Anger started to break through the surface, something that she was fighting since she came to. "You also know what happens when you sedate me." Dasha retorted.

Fury nodded, "I do, but it's easier to transport you when you aren't resisting. Don't you want to be protected?"

"I can take care of myself just fine. It's my family that I worry about." Dasha threw an icy glare at the one man that has always intervened in her life. Bad things always happened when he was around and she rather not be around someone like him.

"Your family is safe. I have a few agents looking after them as we speak." Fury only wanted to put her mind at ease seeing the tension built on her body and she could easily see that he was tense as well. Dasha could feel a line of agents at the outer walls of the confinement probably to restrain her if she ever got out of hand.

Dasha scoffed, "You say that to put me at ease yet you all are scared of me…of the things that I am capable of doing. Treating me like some kind of prisoner instead of an ally like you always insist that you want me to be."

"Only because you always decline. I don't know which side you are on and I can't afford you running off to Mr. Stark. That can only prove to be reckless."

There was no way she would run towards Tony, not at first anyways. She would make sure her family was safe before dealing with anything else. This was actually the first time she thought of Tony and what has happened with him. "Let me guess, you want Stark to be an ally too."

Director Fury replied, "Somewhat. If it gets you on our side then yes, we'll push pass the negatives and accept him fully."

Dasha sat up on her chair, free of restraints, but only as a test if she would be loyal to S.H.I.E.L.D. "And why would I do that? Join you, that is." There was no positive asset of her joining such a group, she would always be in danger, she would have to cut off most contact with her family and she would have to life a semi-rogue life.

All of things she didn't want to do. She wanted to keep in touch with her family and live a peaceful life. It's what she wants, but she remembered what her mother told her. As long as she was alive she wasn't safe. There would always be that lingering thought of someone finding out what she was and turning her in.

Director Fury watched the emotions play out before he responded, "You know why."

Dasha stayed silent as she pondered on what she should do next.

[1]

The talk with Pepper didn't go as planned. She blatantly attacked him for disappearing and not apologizing. There were reasons for him to apologize; it was just difficult for him to actually spew out a decent one. The one that he had prepared went straight in the gutter as he watched Pepper and Natalie walk out of his former office.

Taking a bite out of one of the strawberries that he bought for Pepper, he threw the rest in the trash before he halted by the door. His eyes gazed at the large board that he has seen in the video his father made for him.

His gut twisted at the final words of his father. Tony didn't think Howard Stark even knew how to be sentimental and yet the old man surprised him. Taking the board with him, his thoughts wandered to a certain doctor that hasn't been around him for quite some time. He knew that he needed to make a quick stop to make sure that Dasha was alright.

Tony was aware that she was beyond pissed off at him for reasons he didn't want to understand. Women were always so touchy and even though Dasha as refused to confess her undying love to him, there was a part of him that already knew that her feelings were there.

Somewhere in the dark endless pit there was a flicker of something that made her care about him and he has seen these glimpses a few times. As he rolled into her driveway he saw that her car indeed was still in place. So she was home.

Sliding out of the car, he thought of a million things to say to her. All that he knew he wouldn't be saying because he just loves to make her blood boil. Taking those steps towards the front door, he rang the doorbell and waited for an answer. When he was met with silence, he banged on the door, rang the doorbell incessantly to get on her nerves and still was met with nothing.

"That's weird." he muttered.

Pressing his lips firmly together, he jimmied the lock open with a handy tool and slowly entered the household. "Hello? Sunshine?" As he went further into the home he noticed a few things out of place. Something that he wouldn't count as unusual unless he didn't know Dasha and from the décor he was a bit surprised that her home was splashed with color.

From the colorful pillows nestled on the couch to the pictures decorated around the wall. To think that she had time to do this despite her profession or maybe her chirpy sidekick, Jake or that is what he thinks his name is decorated the space.

Then he was met with the hallway of her home, a few pictures were aligned on the wall. There was something eerie about how peaceful her place was. Checking the small space of her home, he has come to find that her bed was neatly made. Tony glared at the bed, from what he knew she didn't make the bed. It was a small quirk of hers that he noticed when she stayed at his place. The blankets would be pooled by the edge of the bed and a few pillows would be on the floor from her movements in her sleep.

Yet he was met with the bed spread perfectly tucked in and pillows placed on the bed. He assumed that S.H.I.E.L.D. has taken her into their custody, but he didn't think they would do it. Tony thought they would just keep doing what they initially were doing in the first place not take her in.

"Great. Just fuckin' great." He rubbed his eyes harshly before he wandered into the kitchen and made himself a sandwich before heading out. All this drama was making him hungry.

Once he arrived home, he had JARVIS locate Dasha to see where she was. He frowned when her cell wasn't picked up and her location was unknown. They made sure she disappeared alright. There was a small yearning for him to talk to her.

After what he has discovered, he wanted to see for himself if it was actually real. He never thought that Dasha of all people would be a mutant. It makes perfect sense now that he knew. He could see why she is so disclosed when around others and always snippy and it wasn't because of lack of sex, well he thinks it's a small part of it, but the larger part was this side of her.

He did become uneasy when he found out what she could possibly do and quite frankly there was a small fear bubble in the pit of his stomach. Tony still wanted to find her. Even though she was under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s protection he still wanted to see for himself that she was okay.

[2]

Dasha listened from afar as the scenes of Tony battling War Machine and the others while she was in a glare battle with Agent Harrison.

"Dasha." He was stopped again when he felt a slight pressure on his cranium. He pursed his lips as he settled into his chair again as Dasha continued to murder him through her eyes. Jak didn't want to continue this. Not now, not when things are getting this critical.

"Answer me this." Jak perked up when Dasha finally stopped the silent treatment after several days of refusing to say a word to him. "How is everyone?"

Staying cooped up in one place has proven to be restless for Dasha, but she has come to terms to actually agree with Fury on an alliance if it meant safety for the ones she loved. It was only temporary, but she granted a bit of freedom as long as she was in the base.

Jak saw the undertone of her statement he answered, "Your father is doing well, he's taking care of Willow as per usual and Ivy-Rae is still the same." Dasha nodded, she was notified that her family was informed that she was going to be away for a while. It was a small lie that she was going to be out of town for a convention just to put them at ease.

"And as for Tony…his health isn't improving all that much." Dasha frowned. It was here that she found out that Tony has been hiding his deadly illness from everyone. The one reason why he was so hung up on building her a clinic and giving his position to Pepper at his company.

She was furious when she heard. Dasha demolished a few punching bags as a result of her rage.

"He's going to get better. You'll see." The concern was written all over Dasha's face when she heard the news. Jak knew that her feelings for Tony are slowly starting to grow and it was only a matter of time before she displayed her affection.

"Stop lying to me, Agent Harrison. It's fuckin' annoying."

Jak glared for once as his patience is running thin, "And it's fuckin' annoying to have you give me attitude each time I'm here. Listen, I don't give a damn that I hurt your feelings because I was only doing my job. My job was to protect you, to make sure that you were in one peace. I admit that I only gotten close to you so it would be easier to keep an eye on you, but then I started to get to know you. You started to become a real friend, Dasha. Be mad all you want. I was only looking out for you."

When he ranted, he took steps forward towards Dasha. Firm and confident steps that were then planted in front of his friend as he told the truth; there is no reason for him to hide it. His mission was simple and he did deceive her, he will admit to it.

Jak didn't care about the girl at first until he started to see what kind of person she really is. That was when his feelings started to compromise his mission and his personality came shining through. He was real for the most part and was too concerned for her wellbeing more than he should have.

Dasha was still his best friend even if she didn't think so.

"You'll be released in a matter of days. Once this blows over." Jak repositioned himself as he put distance between them.

Dasha pulled the sleeve of the jacket that was brought to her the first day she was held here. The clothes that they left for her isn't something that she would actually buy for herself. She was cooperating with them didn't mean that she felt like she belonged there. She didn't belong anywhere or so that is what she thought.

She pushed the thoughts of a certain billionaire out of her mind. She shouldn't be so worried about him. With news being brought to her about him only brought her more concern for his wellbeing; she might want to strangle him most of the time she was around him, but she would never wish death upon him. Worried lines were etched on her face as she thought about the possibilities of him dying; this isn't like Afghanistan where she barely knew the man and could care less.

This situation was different. Dasha actually knew Tony, she knew a lot more about him than she wanted to know and him not being around actually bothered her.

When she was brought news that she was free to go; she glared at Director Fury when he blocked the exit from her. "Not so fast. There is one more thing I want you to do."

"Oh? And what is that?" Dasha crossed her arms expectedly. She obediently followed the Director into a car where they were transported to a warehouse in a desolate area. Stepping out of the car, she noticed the few agents that were guarding outside and with Jak in tow the three walked inside to see Tony looking around.

Dasha's throat instantly tightened as she caught sight of Tony. Just seeing that he was alright made her feel at ease until she remembered the stunt that he pulled during his birthday bash; every emotion from that night came rushing back.

"Dasha!" Tony instantly stood up as they caught each other's gaze. He immediately sat down when he saw the glare being thrown his way. "I see that you aren't happy to see me. Love you too, Dash."

Director Fury took initiative and grabbed the folder that was in Tony's grasp, "I don't think this will pertain to you anymore. Now this on the other hand, does." Dasha took a seat at the edge of the table while Jak stood off to the side quietly.

Her eyes flickered towards Jak for a quick second thinking how his personality changed so much after revealing his identity. He wasn't as cheery or hyperactive as he used to be; he was serious and pushy, the pushy part was something he always had. Dasha actually missed the old Jak.

While Tony read the assessment that Romanoff had of him, she mumbled, "Got that right." She was received with a glare from Tony himself before he spewed his confusion of him being rejected from the Avengers initiative and accepted at the same time.

"We would only want you as a consultant. Dasha on the other hand, the offer still stands." His dark stern eye flickered down at the disapproved woman.

Fury's attention went back to Tony when he clasped his hand in his stating, "Wait a minute. You would want her and only me as a consultant?" He frowned. "You can't afford me or get sunshine over there to actually agree on your terms, so we should get going, Dasha?"

Tony then looked at Dasha hoping that she would follow him out of there. He smirked when he watched Dasha lift herself from the seat and walk towards his side of the table. Now with Dasha by his side, he turned asking for a small favor of wanting a presenter for his medal of honor.

"I'll see what I can do."

Tony nodded as he walked out of the warehouse with his girlfriend beside him. He could just feel the woman fuming beside him. As they were escorted out of the lot, Tony turned in his seat to see Dasha tightly clasping her hands together as if she was restraining herself.

This was the moment that he needed with her; it was perfect. Dasha had nowhere to run, she was cornered and had to listen to him and he will make her listen if he had to. "Sunshine?" Tony was met with the usual silence. He didn't feel up to fighting with her, his walls instantly breaking down. "Dasha-"

"Can you not talk for the remainder of the ride? I am trying my best not to beat you to a pulp right now."

"Ok—ow! Alright, I deserved that." He nursed his arm from the well-received punch; he was sure that he was going to bruise later on. "But I need to talk about what happened at the party and some other things I want to discuss with you."

"We don't need to."

"Yes we do."

"No we don't."

"Yes we do."

"No we don't."

"I'm trying to apologize, woman! Stop being so fuckin' frustrating!"

"Now you know how I feel daily." Dasha retorted.

Tony felt flustered, bickering was the last thing he wanted to do and yet Dasha had enough strength to mouth him off. He groaned banging his head on the seat before he quickly found a resolve to shut her up.

When his fingers wrapped around the nape of her neck bringing her close to him, his lips molded with hers for more than a brief second. It was a lot longer than the kisses they shared previously and with more force added to this one. At the moment he felt all the anger disappear from her. For a brief moment he felt her hand tightly grip onto his blazer as if he would vanish.

The feeling was gone too soon as she used the same hand to push him away from her. Falling back into his seat his eyes landed on her flustered face. Her jaw locked tightly in frustration and her head was turned away from him.

He still felt the tingling sensation dancing on his lips; he craved more. He wanted to kiss her more; Tony tapped on his knee as he glanced at the driver before looking back at Dasha. "Fuck it." He muttered. He didn't want to skip out on something out of fear; he had a near death experience and with that event he surely was going to take action to what he wanted.

Dasha gasped when she was attacked again. This time she was pinned at the corner of her seat, her hands were restrained with one of his hands while the other cupped the side of her face. She felt the desperation of his kisses, all the fear that was built up inside of him came crashing down on her.

He was scared for her and when he saw that she was already; Tony was elated. He was so fucking happy that not a hair was out of place. His tongue grazed her closed lips wanting to taste more of her; pressing his body closer to her.

Moving her head away from him, his lips were still close enough to envelope her into a kiss again. "What do you think you are doing?" Dasha panted. Her chest rose and fell deeply, feeling the hunk of metal placed in the middle of his chest digging into her skin.

There was a small glint in his eye, the familiar glint that always caused trouble. "Getting what I always wanted. Now stop being so stubborn and let me kiss you."

Dasha knew that words were never Tony's strong suit and always wanted to express his emotions physically. Whether tapping her ass when she did things correctly to dubbing her the apple of his fuckin' eye he always made her feel 'special'.

"I'm still mad at you."

"Yeah, yeah. I know." His hand tilted her head up intending to kiss her again, but quickly felt the air leave him. Wheezing, he leaned back holding his stomach to see the balled fist that was punched into his stomach. "Now that wasn't nice."

"Who said you can fuckin' kiss me? Who do you think you are? Cornering me like that—like I'm some kind of play thing. There is no reason for you to touch me like that and if you eve-"

Tony sighed as he tuned out the raging woman of crossing boundaries. There was a part of him that already knew that she enjoyed those kisses and her fighting back only proved that she didn't want him to think he was off the hook. Dasha was still mad about the incident…she'll get over it. Every woman gets over petty things. He'll just have to stand by her good graces. Tony scoffed at the stupid idea. There is no way he could pull that off. Maybe if he kissed her enough times she will forgive him.

It was all in due time.