Caged Fury

Chapter 5: Epilogue

xXx

"Lewis!" Tony exclaimed as he barged into her office. She closed down her browser as he stopped in front of her desk. "Get your coat, we're going out."

Darcy watched Tony confused as he circled her desk and pulled her coat off the coat rack, and then held it out for her to slip into. When she didn't move from her seat Tony gave her an impatient look. "Chop chop Lewis, we got shit to do."

"Not until you tell me what's going on."

"It's a surprise." Tony replied gleefully.

They stared each other down, until Darcy sighed and stood up. She let him help her into her jacket and then followed Tony out into the elevator, and down to the garage where they climbed into one of Tony's cars and drove out of the city.

"So you're not going to tell me anything about where we're going?"

"Nope, you'll see."

They were quiet after that and Tony drove them all the way out of the city to a small Stark Industries owned storage facility.

"You know, Pepper and I consider you family." Tony began as he parked the car.

"You know I feel the same way." She replied. Tony climbed out of the car and walked around to open her side for her. When she was out of the car as well, Darcy took Tony's offered arm and allowed him to lead her into one of the buildings.

"I'll be honest with you, I never liked that Darrell guy, but at first you seemed happy and I guess I had hoped to avoid being anything like my father and intruding on your life. Looking back I kind of wish I had, no matter what you would have thought of me after that."

"Honestly, I wish you had too." She replied. "I would have gotten over it."

"That's good to know, although with this new guy, who I still have yet to meet, I don't think I'll have to do that."

She laughed. "I will make sure you meet Jack soon."

"Good, in the meantime, we need to do something about your so called "grown up" apartment."

And with that Tony stopped in front of one of the storage lockers. He released her and handed over the key to her. Confused she took the key and turned to the door. "This isn't some elaborate prank where I get sprayed with glitter is it?"

"Would I be standing next to you?"

He was right, so Darcy unlocked the door and Tony rolled it up revealing stacks of plastic boxes with no labels.

"What is this?"

"Take a look." Tony gestured to the boxes. Hesitantly, Darcy walked up to one of the boxes closest to her and pulled off the lid. She froze, eye welling up with tears as she took in the colorful crocheted blanket folded neatly inside. Slowly she pulled it out hugging it to her and burying her face in the soft fabric.

She stayed like that for a few minutes trying to hold herself together. When she was sure she wasn't about to start sobbing all over her boss, she took a deep breath and looked up at all the other boxes. All of her stuff, everything she'd gotten rid of because Darrell said it was for the best; it was all here. Everything.

"Tony," she began turning to the older man. He held up his hand to stop her.

"You don't have to say anything."

"How?"

"You can thank Jarvis for most of it. When he found out you were selling off your stuff he took a few liberties and made sure he was the highest bidder."

"Well, I'll be sure to thank him when we get back."

Tony smiled. "You do that. Meanwhile, I'll have some guys take all this to your apartment." He gestured for her to come along and she sealed up the box she opened, but kept the blanket.

xXx

Jack stepped into Darcy apartment a few days later and stopped short through the door, taking in the dramatic change in the room. Colorful throws and pillows littered the furniture, books filled the shelves and knick knacks were spread around the apartment. Her Blu ray collection seemed to have grown exponentially on the shelves and soft music was playing from a set of iPod speakers. There were plastic storage tubs spread all around; the contents spilling out of a few of them, revealing more color.

Jack smiled as he caught sight of Darcy across the room her back to him as she lifted

some books onto the top shelf. "Much better." He muttered to himself before crossing the room and lifting the books up for her.