The quiet hum of the elevator did little to calm Wanda's nerves. She clung to Lexi's arm like a lifeline, her fingers gripping tight enough that Lexi could feel the tension in her every movement. It was uncomfortable to walk with crutches while Wanda clung to her so hard, but she didn't say that. The closer they got to the common floor, the more Wanda's breaths grew shallow. Lexi placed her free hand over Wanda's, gently squeezing.

"Hey," she said softly, glancing over at her. "It's going to be fine. I'm here."

Wanda didn't respond. Her green eyes fixed on the elevator doors as they opened, but quickly jumped to the blue ocean of Lexi's eyes. The sound of hushed voices drifted in from the living area, and as Lexi smiled at Wanda, she spotted Natasha, standing stiffly with crossed arms. Steve and Clint were nearby, Steve's posture less hostile but still cautious.

Wanda pressed herself closer to Lexi as they stepped out, her trembling growing more pronounced. Lexi guided her forward, her own expression calm, though her stomach stirred. Natasha was the first to speak. "Why's she still here?" His tone wasn't outright hostile, but the skepticism in it was unmistakable.

"She has a name," Lexi said sharply. Natasha's eyes flickered to the Sokovian girl behind the brunette. "You're saying we're just supposed to forget what she did? That she tried to kill us? And you, Lexi."

"She didn't—" Lexi started, but Nat cut her off. "She manipulated us. She got into our heads. How do we know she's not going to do it again?" Wanda flinched at the words, her nails digging into Lexi's arm. Her head lowered as if she could shrink away from their scrutiny.

"Stop," Lexi said, her voice colder now. Wanda flinched, her fingers trembling against Lexi's sleeve. Lexi fully stepped in front of Wanda, shielding her from the heroes. "I know what she did. I know how it felt. She's not your enemy anymore. You're talking about her like she's some sort of monster."

"She nearly destroyed us, Lexi!" Nat countered. "You can't just expect us to trust her overnight." "And I don't," Lexi snapped, her patience breaking. "But don't stand there and talk about her like she's not a person. Like she hasn't been through enough already."

"She put us all at risk," She snapped back. "And she lost everything!" Lexi yelled, her voice cracking. Wanda's head dropped, pulling tighter on Lexi's sleeves. "You don't have to like her, but you don't get to treat her like this. Not while I'm here." The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of Lexi's words hanging in the air.

Wanda's breathing grew shaky behind her, and Lexi turned, cupping her shoulders. "You're okay," she murmured, her voice softening. "They'll come around. I promise." "Lex," Tony's voice cut through the tension as he entered the room. He was still in his workshop gear, but his gaze was sharp as it swept over the group. He took one look at Wanda, shaking and clutching Lexi like a lifeline, and his expression darkened.

He cleared his throat, stepping forward. His tone left room for no argument. "She stays.". "What?" Nat said, his disbelief evident. "You can't be serious.". "I'm dead serious," Tony said, stepping fully into the room. "If Lexi trusts her, then that's enough for me. You don't like it? Too bad. If anyone has a problem with that, they can take it up with me"

Steve nodded slowly—Clint's gaze flicking between Lexi and Wanda.

"Tony," Natasha began, but he held up a hand. "Not a word, Romanoff. She's staying." He pointed at Wanda, then at Lexi. "Because clearly, she's important to my kid. And that's all I need to know".

Wanda blinked, her grip on Lexi loosened slightly as she glanced up at Tony, her lips parting in surprise. "Thank you," Lexi said, her voice quiet but firm. "Now," he said, clapping his hands, "let's all play nice. Or pretend to, at least."

Wanda could feel the room closing in on her, the tension wrapping around her like chains. Every whispered judgment, every skeptical look from the others pierced through her like daggers, and her chest grew tighter with each passing second. She fought to keep herself together, to stay upright and composed, but her body betrayed her.

Her legs wavered, and she stumbled slightly, leaning heavily into Lexi's side.

"Wanda?" Lexi's voice was filled with concern, her arm immediately wrapping around Wanda's waist to steady her. Wanda shook her head, trying to speak, but no words came. Instead, a shaky gasp escaped her lips, and her hands clutched back at Lexi's arm.

"Hey, hey," Lexi murmured, turning to face her fully. "It's okay. I've got you." Wanda's breathing came in rapid, shallow bursts, her vision blurring as the edges of panic started to creep in. Lexi gently guided her to sit on a nearby bench just outside the main room, crouching in front of her and holding her hands firmly. "Wanda, listen to me," she said, her voice calm and steady. "You're having a panic attack. Look at me. Just focus on me, okay?"

Wanda's eyes darted up to meet Lexi's piercing blue gaze, the steadiness grounding her just enough to keep her from spiralling further. "Good," Lexi said softly. "Now breathe with me. Slow and deep." She exaggerated the motion, drawing in a deep breath and letting it out slowly.

Wanda tried to mimic her, but her breaths were initially shaky and uneven. Lexi squeezed her hands reassuringly. "That's it. You're doing great. Keep going." Gradually, Wanda's breathing began to even out, the crushing weight in her chest easing just enough for her to regain a semblance of control. But she still leaned heavily on Lexi, her head resting against her shoulder as her body trembled with the aftershocks of panic.

"Can you stand?" Lexi asked gently, brushing a loose strand of hair from Wanda's face. Wanda nodded weakly, though her legs felt like jelly beneath her. Lexi looped an arm around her waist, ditching the crutches to support her as they made their way to Wanda's room. The walk was slow and quiet, Wanda leaning all her weight on Lexi, who never wavered for a moment regarding the pain in her ankle.

Once they were inside, Lexi guided Wanda to sit on the edge of her bed. Kneeling in front of her, Lexi brushed her thumb across Wanda's hand in soothing circles. "Feeling a little better?" Wanda nodded again, though her voice was still shaky. "Yes... thank you."

Lexi gave her a small smile, then stood and reached for the blanket. "Lie back, okay? You need to rest." Wanda hesitated but obeyed, letting Lexi ease her back against the pillows. Lexi tucked the blanket around her snugly, the gesture so tender it brought a lump to Wanda's throat.

"Stay," Wanda whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'm not going anywhere," Lexi assured her, settling on the edge of the bed. She hesitated for a moment, then leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to Wanda's forehead.

Wanda's breath hitched at the gesture, her heart fluttering unexpectedly.

Lexi didn't seem to notice, her hand moving to Wanda's back. She ran her fingers gently along Wanda's spine, her touch featherlight and rhythmic. "Does this help?" Lexi asked softly. Wanda nodded, her eyes fluttering closed as the gentle motion sent shivers down her back. The soft tickling sensation was oddly soothing, lulling her into a state of calm she hadn't felt in days.

"Good," Lexi murmured, continuing the gentle strokes.

Wanda's breathing slowed, her body relaxing completely under Lexi's touch. Just before sleep claimed her, she mumbled a quiet, "Thank you, Lexi." Lexi smiled, her hand stilling for a moment as she whispered, "Always."

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Wanda fell into a peaceful sleep, the faint warmth of Lexi's presence lingering in her dreams. As her breathing steadied, the soft rhythm of sleep overtaking her, Lexi let herself relax for the first time all day. Her fingers brushed through Wanda's hair one last time before she heard the faint sound of her phone buzzing from the side table.

"Friday?" Lexi's voice was low, still weary from the emotional rollercoaster of the day.

"Miss Stark," Friday's voice came through clearly. "Mr. Stark is requesting your presence". Lexi frowned slightly, looking at Wanda one last time, making sure she was still resting peacefully. "Okay, but if Wanda moves even a little, you tell me immediately."

"Understood, Miss Stark." Lexi sighed, rubbing her eyes for a second before standing slowly. She still hadn't fully recovered from the crutches earlier, but helping Wanda had taken priority. Now, the pain in her leg was a distant second compared to the mess of emotions and tension swirling around her. She made her way to the door, trying to move quietly so as not to disturb Wanda.

Walking through the hallway, Lexi felt the familiar ache of the crutches in her hands, but she refused to grab them. She was determined to get to Tony on her own. She didn't want to depend on anything right now, especially not with Wanda still vulnerable in the other room.

She found Tony's workshop, the door slightly ajar, a faint hum of machinery in the air. Taking a deep breath, Lexi entered the room, and her eyes immediately locked onto Tony. He was hunched over a desk, papers scattered around, but the moment he saw her, his face softened, a relief flooding through his eyes.

He was on his feet in an instant, crossing the room to pull her into a tight hug before she could even say anything. The way he held her, with such intensity, made her heart skip a beat."I'm so glad you're okay," Tony muttered, burying his face in her hair for a moment. His voice was thick with emotion, the worry in his tone evident. "You've been through so much... and now... with Wanda..."

"I'm fine," Lexi replied softly, her own hands finding their place around his waist, her chin resting against his shoulder. "Wanda's the one who needs the most care right now." Tony pulled back slightly, still holding onto her arms with a tight grip, looking her over carefully. "You're not fine, kid. I can see it in your eyes."

"I'll be okay." Lexi smiled gently, trying to reassure him. "But Wanda... I don't know. She's not herself. I don't know how to help her through this." Tony's face softened even more, his concern deepening. "You already are, Lex. You're the one she trusts."

Lexi opened her mouth to respond, but Tony suddenly raised an eyebrow. A mischievous glint flickered in his eye, and before she could stop it, he teased, "So, does that mean she's your girlfriend now? I mean, you two act like it."

Lexi froze. "What? No! No, she's just... she's my friend. She's grieving."

Tony blinked, looking momentarily confused. "Oh... I mean, I've seen the way you two look at each other. It's kind of obvious, Lex." He smirked slightly as if amused by the whole situation. Lexi blushed, running a hand through her hair nervously. "We're not like that, Dad. I'm just trying to be there for her. She's going through a lot. That's all."

Tony studied her for a moment, his expression softening with a mix of affection and concern. "If you say so... but it's clear to me that you mean the world to each other. Just don't be too hard on her. She's not the only one hurting right now."

Lexi met his gaze, biting her lip for a moment before she replied, her voice quieter now, "I know. I just... I don't want to lose her, not after everything." Tony pulled her into another hug, holding her tightly against him. "You won't. Not if I can help it."

Lexi squeezed him back, then pulled away just enough to look him in the eyes. "Thanks, Dad." Tony's eyes softened with a sudden, quiet resolve. He stepped back from Lexi, his usual confident, witty demeanour replaced by something far more serious.

"I actually have something for you," Tony said, his voice gentle.

Lexi blinked, confused, but before she could ask what it was, Tony reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small, gold-embellished box. Her breath caught in her throat as she recognized the design immediately.

"Dad, no..." she whispered, her heart thudding in her chest.

Tony opened the box, revealing the star-shaped necklace that she hadn't seen in years. The gold outline shimmered with a delicate purple stone in the center, the same stone that connected to Jarvis when she was in need of help. The necklace had been specially designed by Tony for her—his way of keeping her safe, always connected to him, even when she wasn't close.

But she had lost it. After Hydra had kidnapped her, the necklace had disappeared along with everything else. She'd never thought she'd see it again.

"I—I didn't think I'd get it back, but here it is," Tony said softly, his eyes full of emotion. "I've held onto it for so long, thinking that was the last thing I had from you... but now, it should go back to its owner."

Lexi took a shaky breath, her hand trembling slightly as she reached out for the necklace. It felt like the missing piece of herself that she hadn't even realized she was missing. Tony carefully put the chain around her neck, his hands lingering a moment longer than necessary, ensuring it was secure.

"Dad..." Lexi whispered, her voice breaking slightly, the tears she'd been holding back finally threatening to spill over. Tony stepped back, his hand brushing against her cheek with the softest touch. "You're my kid. I'd never let you go without this."

Before Lexi could say anything more, the door to the workshop opened with a creak, and Rhodey stepped inside. His face was a mixture of disbelief and surprise as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Wait, hold on," Rhodey started, his voice faltering for a moment. "Is this real? Are you... really here?" Lexi turned around, her smile widening as her eyes unleashed the tears. "Yes, Uncle Rhodey," she said softly, walking toward him.

Before she could finish her sentence, Rhodey was already across the room, his arms enveloping her in a tight hug. He didn't say a word at first, just holding her as if trying to convince himself she was real, that she wasn't a figment of his imagination.

"You have no idea how much I've missed you, kid," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. Lexi could feel the warmth of his embrace, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, and it made her realize just how much she had missed him too. She closed her eyes for a second, letting the moment wash over her.

As Rhodey pulled away just enough to look her over, Tony stood there, shaking his head with a smirk. " if it isn't the prodigal daughter returning home". "Rhodey, just admit it—she's clearly your favourite." Rhodey scowled playfully at Tony. "I'm just trying to make sure she's alright. You know, after everything. I'm her uncle, it's my job to protect her."

Lexi laughed softly, finding the banter between the two old friends more comforting than she could have imagined. The way Tony and Rhodey argued, so effortlessly, was like hearing an old married couple fighting over their kid. It was absurdly funny, but also a bit heartwarming to witness.

"You two are ridiculous," Lexi said, chuckling through her tears. "I'm not a kid anymore, you know." Rhodey raised an eyebrow, still teasing. "You'll always be a kid to me, no matter how old you get. And Tony?" He looked at him pointedly. "He's never going to stop being the overprotective dad. You know that, right?"

Tony shot back, pretending to be offended. "I'm just doing what any good father would do. But Rhodey? He's the emotional one. Always was, always will be." Lexi rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up from her chest. It felt good. It felt right.

But just as she was about to reply, Rhodey's face softened, and his eyes suddenly welled up with tears. "Uncle Rhodey, don't cry," Lexi said, surprised by his sudden emotion.

"Don't," Rhodey choked out, his voice breaking slightly. He wiped his eyes quickly, but it was clear how overwhelmed he was. "I remember you when you were just a little thing, running around the workshop with your tiny hands trying to get into everything. It feels like just yesterday, and now... you've grown up so much."

Lexi's eyes softened, her heart aching with the depth of his love for her. "I'm still that same kid, Rhodey. I'll always be that kid."

Rhodey chuckled, wiping away the last of his tears. "You're too much like your dad. Always scaring the hell out of me." Tony smirked. "She gets it from me." As they shared this moment, Tony stood back, watching them both with a quiet, fond smile on his face. He hadn't realized just how much Rhodey needed this. Seeing Lexi so happy, so surrounded by love—it was exactly what she deserved.