In The ice (July 1998)

After what happened that day Isabella was anxious to hold her baby. Serena was fed and was dozing in her arms when her wrist communicator went off. She was relieved to hear Tony's voice. She heard what he said and she moved over to a more private area. "Logan, Colleen, and Sarah are here, but they're playing cards. Is everything alright?"

"The sensors are placed but its too late to set out tonight. Quietly tell Hark that he needs to prepare his men. Don't tell Logan or Colleen anything. Not yet ok?" He asked as he flew back. "I hear the baby, are you two doing alright?" he asked.

Isabella was relieved to know that all the sensors were in place, but she was still concerned about the SSB. She listened to what Tony instructed her to do and nodded. "I'm still a little shaken up, but alright. I'm holding Serena right now. She's nearly asleep. She keeps trying to fight it though...like she wants to wait to see her daddy first," she said with a little smile.

"Daddy will be home soon," Tony said. He now felt horrible for bringing Serena here. For her and Isabella. He had a long time to think on the flight back. Later that night he lay with Isabella in their bed. Serena was asleep between them swaddled up tight. Her hands kept getting cold but them all being in bed like this had nothing to do with that. He just wanted them close right then.

"I didn't like you almost being hurt Isabella. I know its likely no different for you when I'm away but we need to think about Serena. I'm not certain I want you to come with me tomorrow," he said softly. Isabella was very close to him. Close enough to kiss him.

Isabella did as Tony instructed and by the time he got back Logan and Colleen had left and Sarah was in her part of the bungalow getting ready for bed. She was relieved to see Tony and as they got into bed they situated Serena between them. She was fast asleep and Isabella couldn't help but reach out and gently caress her chubby cheek. She and Tony lay on their sides facing each other. She looked deeply into his eyes and thought about what he said. She leaned forward and kissed him and she felt him kiss her back. As their lips parted she looked back into his eyes. "We've come this far together. I want to see this through. No matter what we do in life there will always be risks. You and I have survived far worse."

"But is that risk worth leaving Serena without a parent? Without a connection to who she is? That's my concern. The big one anyway. I do not want to do that to her Isabella. And that is something we can control," he said softly but it was clear what he meant. Her giving up the suit. Not today, but soon.

Isabella sighed as she thought about what Tony said. Damn it...why did the man have to have such logical concerns. "Alright...I will stay behind tomorrow. But if you find him, let it be known that this whole thing was my idea. You may have done all the hard work...but it started with me," she said with a playful smile.

Tony smiled and then kissed her once more. A gentle, soft kiss he knew would make her want more but with the baby there, that was all there was tonight.

The next morning the temperature dropped drastically. Tony had no choice but to have Isabella come with them. He would need the extra beam cutters from another suit and she had the medical suite incase someone got injured.

It wasn't snowing much but Logan thought his feet were going to free off. If he weren't a mutant they just might. The soldiers that went with them were used to this weather so they actually got around better than anyone. Tony and Isabella were trying to triangulate using the sensors. That was one more reason he needed her. Not long after they reached altitude. Isabella got a digitized image from their satellite of what looked like the tip of a black wing of an airplane

Isabella gave Serena a big kiss before she left. Even in her suit, it was freezing! It had been cold before, but she was shivering a little bit in her suit. She would need to talk to Tony about adding some heating elements to the suits in the future. Despite the cold, Isabella focused on what she was doing. She and tony were trying to triangulate using the sensors they had placed. They reached altitude and not long after Isabella suddenly received a digitized image from their satellite. Her heart nearly stopped when she saw what it was.

"Tony! I just got a digitized image. It looks like the tip of a wing of an airplane. I don't want to get our hopes up...but we may have just found Steve Rogers."