Who To Blame? (March 2015)

Isabella certainly wasn’t feeling like herself. She was still quite upset over everything that had happened that day. She felt sick about it. She kept hoping this was just a nightmare that was going to be over as soon as she woke up, but she never did.

She didn’t eat much at dinner and was unusually quiet. She made the excuse of a headache and she retired back to their bedroom early that night while Tony went back to the lab. She had just changed when she heard her phone signal a received text. She thought it might be the blackmailer, but instead it was Frank. She blinked as she read his text and suddenly she felt even more sick to her stomach. She didn’t respond to him. Instead, she put her phone away and got into bed.

Tony climbed into bed and he messed with her a little bit like he always did but sleep came and morning came soon after. There was a message left on her phone from the mysterious number.

‘I want 2 million dollars in small, unmarked bills. Bring it to the New York Aquarium at 3 o clock. Come alone and I’ll delete the recording. If you don’t come alone or with the money. You’re going to make the. Evening news’ the test said.

Isabella did not sleep well that night. She spent most of the night tossing and turning before finally falling asleep out of pure exhaustion. The next morning she woke up to find Tony already up and gone. She saw there was a message on her phone. She swallowed hard before opening up the text and reading it. She sighed but decided she needed to do it. She got dressed and then told Tony she was heading out for a while. She asked Happy to drive her to the bank. She spoke privately with the manager and he agreed to get her the two million dollars. It was withdrawn from one of their joint accounts. What Isabella did not know is that Tony had alerts set up on his phone for large withdrawals. He was notified of the amount and from which account it was taken.

With the money in a bag she told Happy to take her to the New York Aquarium. Happy seemed confused and unsure about what was happening, but he did as she asked. She was there a few minutes before 3.

Frank had a text from Isabella telling him to meet her at the Aquarium at 3. He smiled in excitement at the prospect of meeting Isabella again. He wondered what was happening on her life right then to draw her away from Tony. He saw Isabella looking at the large shark exhibit and was happy that not many people were there in that moment. He moved up behind her and covered her eyes.

“Guess who?” He said and when she turned around he kissed her. There was a man with a camera taking photos of them. Frank smiled. “I didn’t expect to get your text. He said. Isabella saw someone with their phone out. He was a nondescript looking man. Older and balding, a bit pudgy in the middle. Once the man saw her look at him he shifted away toward the exit.

Isabella was nervous about this meeting. She wanted to get this over with so she could relax. She was looking at a shark tank when suddenly someone put their hands over her eyes. She heard Frank's voice and she was surprised to find him there. Was he the one who was blackmailing her? She turned around to question him, but before she could he kissed her. Isabella pulled back and looked at Frank with genuine confusion in her eyes. However, out of the corner of her eye she spotted an older man with his phone out. She couldn't tell if he had filmed her or not. This was turning into a nightmare! What the hell was happening?!

"Frank, I didn't text you. I was told to meet someone here so that video wouldn't be released to the public."

She saw the older man begin to move towards the exit and she followed him. "Sir? Please stop," she said as she caught up with him.

---------------------------------------

Natalya was sitting with Logan, Steve, and Tony. They had been watching something on tv, but Tony had received a message on his phone and the look on his face made Natalya realize it wasn't good.

"Tony? What's going on?"

As she caught up to the older man she noticed that he stopped once she touched his shoulder. He slumped and then seemed to catch himself. He turned toward her and looked confused. Oddly, he no longer held anything in his hands. Whatever she saw him take the photos with was gone.

“What...who...uh...where am I?” He asked confused at his surroundings. Frank came up to them and put his hand on the mans shoulder. “Is this him?” He asked angrily and Isabella knew Frank was about to pummel the man.

—————-

Tony trusted Isabella implicitly. But 2 million dollars was a lot of money. He thought that perhaps she bought something for him and wanted it to be a surprise. This wouldn’t be the first time she had done this. He was about to text her and ask but decided to just let it go, for now. He did see where she was though. Their phones told one another where they were. ‘The Aquarium? Why would she go there?’ He wondered.

Isabella became concerned when the old man suddenly slumped. She wondered if she was going to have to call an ambulance. However, the man righted himself and then seemed confused about what had just happened. He also no longer had the phone in his hand.

“No, Frank! Don’t!” she told him as Frank came up to them and looked like he was going to pummel him. “Let him go.”

After Frank let the man go she told Frank about the text she had received. “I don’t know where this person is or what they want at this point.”

——————————-

Natalya saw Tony furrow his brow. “Is everything alright?”

Loki Pom on the guise of the man he had killed and taken his apartment. He was younger with short blonde hair and blue eyes. He stepped up to them.

“I assume that you have my money yes?” He asked. “So you’re the one that’s blackmailing her!” Frank said and took a step toward the man who held a phone in his hand. “Isabella, put your dog on a tighter leash. It would be a shame if I had to release these photos of you two,” he said and handed her his phone. There were photos of them kissing right here in the Aquarium.

“This with that video...I think your goose would be cooked well done yes?” He said.

—————

“Well, she just took out a very large sum of money,” Tony said concernedly. “Should I ask her about it? She might be trying to buy something and keep it a secret until she revealed it to me,” he said.

Isabella was startled by the sudden appearance of the blonde haired man. She was relieved that she was going to get this over with. Her eyes widened when he handed her the phone and she saw the photos of them kissing.

“Please just take the money,” she said as she handed the bag over to him. She was visibly upset by everything.

————————————-

Logan began to laugh at what Tony said. “Or maybe she finally decided she was fed up with you and is leaving you.”

Natalya shot Logan a nasty look. “She’s not leaving you Tony. I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation.”

The blonde man smiled. “Actually, You’re going to give me access to you and Tony’s largest account. And that money in that bag there. I’ll just hand that out to strangers,” He said as he relieved her of her bag. “You are simple primates. Prone to debase yourselves for a moment of pleasure. How basic you are Isabella. And you think that money can change a person. Tony Stark deserves much better than you. His equal indeed,” He said insultingly. Frank would hear no more of it and threw a punch at the blonde man. The man deftly avoided his blow and Isabella might begin to think the man’s way of talking somewhat familiar but may not be able to place it right then. Loki dodged Frank again then pushed him inhumanly hard. He smashed up against a concrete pillar and fell to the ground. The few people in there gasped and began to flee with their children. Frank didn’t move and Loki came up and touched Isabella with his staff.

“You will give me access to your largest account,” he said. What Isabella didn’t know was that there was a maximum withdrawal on that without a duel signature. She had never taken much money out of that without Tony before.

--------------------------

Tony received another odd text. Now the bank told him another large sum, 3 million, the maximum amount without a dual signature, was also removed. He showed this to the others. “Isabella’s phone says she’s moving. She’s downtown somewhere,” he said. When Isabella finally regained cognisance Her and someone else she never saw before were in a cab. THe man was kissing her and touching her breasts over her blouse inside her coat. The man was very young , maybe in his 20s and he had long, dark hair and brown eyes. He was attractive but she had never seen him before.

The last thing Isabella remembered was seeing Loki's staff. The next moment she was in a cab with a man she didn't know and he was kissing her and touching her inappropriately. She gasped in horror and pushed the man away. "Who the hell are you?"

-----------------------------------------

Natalya looked at Tony when he said that three million dollars had just been removed and Isabella was on the move. "Do you want us to go with you?" she asked. Something fishy was going on here. This wasn't like Isabella. Not at all.

“I’m Dave,” the man said and twerked his eyebrows. “Older women are hot!” He said and then put his hand between her legs and leaned in for another kiss. She felt her cell phone buzz.

------------------------------

Tony called Isabella. “I’m just going to talk to her. Her 'find my phone' is not where she said she was going.," He wasn’t really concerned about the money as he was concerned about her. She wasn’t where she said she’d be and that wasn’t like her at all.

Isabella was mortified and extremely upset at what was happening. She pushed Dave away again and then felt her cell phone buzz. She saw Tony's name on the caller ID and she immediately answered. He would be able to hear just how upset Isabella was on the other line.

"Tony, I need your help," she pleaded. She told the cab driver to stop and pull over. He did and she stepped out of the cab and onto the sidewalk. She told him where she was so he could find her. She tried not to start crying, but it was difficult not to.

“Ok, I’m on my way,” Tony said and hung up the phone. “I’ll handle this guys, thank you,” He said and called Happy to bring the car around.

------------------------

As Isabella waited for Tony, Loki appeared. “Hello again. Did you think it was going to be this easy? My plan is to destroy you and Tony. I think if Tony saw the video and the photos and you told him that I was involved, he’d understand. What we need to do here is remove that understanding. And torturing you after what you’ve done to me is just so...satisfying,” he said. “Compared to me you’re little more than an insect. Easily crushed beneath my shoe. When I’m done with you Isabella, if you don’t kill yourself, Tony likely will,” he said with a very dark smile.

Isabella's head was still reeling when Loki appeared again. She had finally figured out who was doing this to her when she saw his staff earlier. She felt her anger grow as she listened to Loki. She felt hatred towards him for what he was doing to her family. Without warning she lined up a punch and hit him squarely in the nose and with quite a bit more force than one would think for her. Most people didn't realize just how hard she trained as well. She had the suit, yes, but she needed to remain prepared to defend herself if the suit was unavailable...like it was now.

"Tony and I have a love that someone like you will never understand. We're a team and he knows that I would never do anything to hurt him. If your plan is to tear us apart then you will fail!"

Loki smiled and wiped the blood off of his mouth. “Oh Isabella, I did miss you. But...I won’t be tearing you apart. You’re going to kill him yourself!” He said and gave her a moment to think about that before he touched her again with his staff. He gave her a knife and instructions about what she needed to do.

Tony arrived with Happy a few minutes after Loki disappeared. Loki told Isabella to forget that he was involved in any way and to stab Tony with the knife. Tony stepped out of the limo.

“Isabella, are you alright?” he asked as he came up to her. When she nodded he hugged and kissed her.

Isabella blinked and found herself standing on the street holding a knife. She couldn't remember how she got the knife or what was happening. She saw the limo appear and remembered calling Tony. She saw Tony and Happy get out of the car and as Tony approached her she felt an urge to kill Tony with the knife. But why? Why would she want to do that? He did things that drove her crazy, that was true, but she loved him in spite of that. They had a beautiful daughter together. She looked down at the knife, but the urge was almost unbearable. She felt her grip on the knife tighten and she began to raise it towards Tony. As she did she saw his eyes widen and a look of fear come into his eyes. She felt her entire body start to tremble. She fought hard against the urge. She knew in that moment that magic was involved. She felt like her body and mind were tearing themselves apart, but she wouldn't kill the man she loved...she wouldn't. She would rather kill herself than do that. Tony would be able to see that she was struggling against herself. Something was going on here beyond just what he could see. Tears of anger came to her eyes. She wouldn't do this. Somehow she knew Loki was behind her. She suddenly turned and threw the knife at him.

Loki suddenly appeared as his hand lashed out as quick as lightning and caught the knife. He sighed. Upon see Loki Tony tapped his wrist comm. The trunk of the limo popped open and Tony’s suit began to fly out. Piece by piece it attached to him until he was completely covered. He also hit a button on his wrist and Isabella’s suit began to fly out and attach to her as well.

“Well this is awkward. Tony, do you have any idea what you’re wife’s been up to lately?” He said and gave him a fake abashed look. “Her and Frank...you remember Frank? Were bumpin uglies,” he said and gestured with forming his fingers into a ring and then plunging a finger into it. “Who knows who else she’s been with,” Loki said. Tony looked at Isabella then back at Loki.

“I think everyone knows how you manipulate people Loki!” Tony said.

“Really? Me?” He said and pulled out Happy’s phone.

“Hey, that’s my phone! I thought I lost it!” Happy said and pointed.

“Have a look,” Loki said and tossed Tony the phone. The video of her and Frank was playing when he caught it. It was the part where she climbed up on top of him and began to ride him.

“What the hell!” Tony exclaimed and watched for a few more seconds then crushed the phone in his hand. “God damn you Loki!” Tony said angrily but he looked at Isabella again and he was thankful she couldn’t see the hurt in his eyes just then. Even knowing Loki was playing with them it didnt remove the sting of it all.

Isabella didn't have to see Tony's face to know he was upset. She was likely never going to be able to get over this herself. She truly hated Loki in that moment. Even though Loki had manipulated her and Frank she still felt horribly guilty about it. She knew she should feel guilt, but she did and knowing Tony was upset only made her feel even worse.

Isabella raised her arm and fired a repulsor beam at Loki out of pure anger.

Loki was about to open up his mouth and say more but Isabella blasted him. Before he was able to get up Tony blasted him into the sidewalk. And then Isabella blasted him again and then they alternated blasting him into the concrete. As Loki sat up something round and large came down and crashed down over him. And then a yellow forcefield appeared around it. He was tossed up into it and he came down atop another forcefield at the bottom. Tony held up his arm and pushed another button on his wrist. The containment unit suddenly launched up into the air and quickly disappeared into the sky. Tony retracted his facemask.

“I really hate that guy,” he said and then looked at Isabella. “You...home...now,” He said as he pointed his finger at her.

Isabella was tired and extremely upset. Hearing the way Tony spoke to her did little to help how she was feeling. She didn't say anything to Tony, but flew home. She went back to their room and changed. She sat down on the bed and for the first time since this whole thing began to started to cry.

Tony arrived soon after Isabella did. He removed his suit and saw several somber faces as they watched him move through the main living area toward his and Isabella’s room. He knew this wasn’t Isabella’s faut. He knew that it was Loki’s. Seeing her fucking Frank though was a tough blow. He moved toward their door. ‘Not her fault, not her fault, not her fault’ He said to himself. He shut the door behind him and saw Isabella crying. He hesitated for a moment and then hurried to her and sat down next to her on the bed. He sighed and brought her into his arms.

“I love you Isabella,” Tony said.

Isabella leaned against Tony and cried. "I didn't want to do any of those things. I didn't know what I was doing. I love you so much Tony. I would never do anything to hurt you. I know Loki was controlling me, but I still hate myself. If you want me to leave or sleep somewhere else I will."

Tony pulled back and tilted her face up so he could look into her eyes. “Isabella...I won’t say I’m not hurt. It was Frank after all...but I know it wasn’t ‘you’ that hurt me. I’m upset that it happened,” He said. “I can’t imagine how you must feel right now Isabella,” he said as he stroked her hair. “People like Loki are always going to try to tear us apart,” he said as he gently touched her face and wiped away some of her tears. “Its up to us not to let them,” he said. “You are my wife, my partner, my colleague and you’ve saved my life at least as many times as I’ve saved yours. Well, maybe not quite as many times…” he amended trying to make her smile. He laid down with her on the bed and let her cuddle onto his chest.

Isabella tried to smile, but she couldn't. She let Tony hold her though. It would take time, but she would heal from this, like she had healed from everything else. The one thing though that this did prove was that the love that she and Tony shared was stronger than anyone truly knew. They had been through a lot together, and everything they survived only made their love stronger. Isabella held on to this thought as she slowly drifted off to sleep.