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minute for the infamous press conference. Alex awaited in her office, the television mounted on the wall blaring with the local news station.

"Today, marking more than five years since the vanishing of half the world's population, Stark Industries is issuing a press conference. The company has been quiet to the media since the attack, but this will be no more. Alexandra Clark, spokesperson of Stark Industries and infamous superhero, will be hosting. She has fought in many of the world's battles, and has mostly prevailed. In light of--"

"Superhero," Alex scoffed, switching the television off.

She stood, smoothing down her cream, ruffled dress. She had grown to be comfortable in business-casual outfits, whereas years ago if you had asked her to wear heels she'd simply laugh. However, she switched her leggings and spandex for pantsuits, assuming that they'd no longer fight on a regular basis.

She left her office, carefully closing the glass door. She made her way down a floor to Co-Ops, where most of Stark's more elusive business took place. There, she was briefed on the world's most recent activity, which was monitored via Stark equipment purchased by most countries. Tony had traded weapons for surveillance, which kept an eye on other countries while offering protection.

"Good afternoon, Miss Clark. Here is the file containing country activity."

"Thanks, Jonathan. See you at the conference."

With a nod, she left the room. She then walked to the lounge, which was a floor below. There, you could find employees that needed relaxation and stress relief. Part of Alex's reform of the company involved employee benefits, as Tony wasn't the most empathetic boss.

"There's our star," Tom spoke with a grin as she walked in.

"Tom, looking well put together as always."

"I'm a staircase away from ripping these pants. I'll never understand why you restricted the elevator for the top five floors."

"Cardio releases endorphins, which keep my employees happy. Aren't you happy?"

"Now that you're here, maybe."

She slightly blushed, shrugging him off. She was purely work driven these days, knowing full well when she mixed love with her job.

"The press conference starts in thirty. I'm assuming your department is prepped?"

"Yes, boss, P.R. is revved and ready. Can we talk about anything but work?"

"Sure, but I'm not sure what you do besides work. Hell, I don't think I've ever seen you leave this office. Or outside of work."

He grinned. "I guess I'm just a mystery like that."

"And how are you, a mysterious man, single? Us women live for men we can't figure out."

"You sound like you speak from experience."

Her eyes fell to the floor briefly. "You could say that."

"I'm sensing an ex-boyfriend? In the years I've known you, you've yet to reveal much about your personal life. On the contrary, I feel like I have extensive knowledge into the mind of Alexandra Clark."

"You okay, Tom? Those are some big words."

He laughed. "I guess I glitched for a second."

"I don't like to talk about myself. Call it the numerous near-death experiences, but they're not my favorite thing to discuss."

"Yeah, we've all got our dark days. You're a kick-ass boss, anyhow."

"Thanks for the Yelp review." She smiled. "See you at the PC?"

"Of course."

She gave him a small finger salute before leaving the lounge. She briefly ran by her office to pick up her notebook that held all of her talking points. After grabbing a couple things, she rode the elevator down to the first floor event space. She could hear the murmur of reporters and clicking of cameras on the other side, so she waited outside for a moment. She took a deep breath, and checked her phone for any last minute texts.

Go get em' Sparky. -Tony

She rolled her eyes and smiled, putting her phone away. She knew he'd be watching from the livestream, not so much supervising but more supporting her success.

After her moment, she stepped into the room. As soon as eyes were on her, questions were shouted. She gracefully made her way to the podium with the help of security keeping the reporters in line.

"Everyone, please take a seat."

The reporters obliged, quieting down and sitting with pens ready.

"Firstly, thank you for attending this paramount press conference. Stark Industries has taken its time to heal from the attack, and had chosen to finally speak out about the events that occurred five years ago. We appreciate your patience during this time, and are now ready to provide any answers you require."

She allowed time for hands to shoot up, before calling on a man in the front.

"Miss Clark, what would you say your role has been in the Avengers, and how do you feel about the press naming you the most powerful superhero yet?"

She politely nodded. "My role in the Avengers has never been more than a teammate. There is no hierarchy inside the team, we are all equals. In regards to what the press calls me, I am simply grateful to possess powers that allow me to help people."

Tony had taught her years ago how to answer press questions. Never be too specific, be poised and polite, and most importantly, never become emotional.

"What is your comment on the ongoing questions on what Tony Stark is going to do now to help the world get back on its feet?"

"Mr. Stark has released his Protection Program, which includes his surveillance equipment to help every country watch its own back. You can read the program on our website."

She took more questions, each one more mundane than the one before. She zoned out, glancing to Tom who stood in the back of the room. He gave her a thumbs up, his lopsided grin evident even from where she was standing.

"Last question," She spoke, picking a hand out carefully.

"Miss Clark, how do you respond to the notion that the attacks were your fault?"

All eyes were on her, and she subtly froze. The voices came ringing back in her ear. You could've saved us, Alex! She tapped her finger nervously on the podium, scrambling for the right thing to say. Nothing came to mind.

"That's enough questions for today." She muttered, turning away from the podium but freezing when the reporter spoke louder.

"--Sources say you were right there when it happened, and did nothing about it."

"I said enough." She spoke, not on the mic anymore.

"----The people don't see you as a superhero, they see you as a failure. How do you respond?"

Anger boiled up inside her, and she stormed back to the podium. The intensity of her emotions almost cost the room its lights.

"Whoever says those things doesn't have a clue what it was like. To stand there, helpless, as all your family turns to ash. When winning was a finger's length away, and it slips right out of your grasp. To see his triumphant eyes and know it's over. To see the man you l--it doesn't matter. You don't know a thing about what happened, so write that in your damn article." She snapped, before leaving the podium and the room.

Once she stepped outside, she leaned against the wall. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself as she felt the surges of energy flow within her. Everyone on live television had just witnessed an Alex breakdown.

Fuck.

Tony would be calling any minute now. She took the elevator to her office to grab her things, anxious to leave the office. She ignored Tom's incessant calls until he nearly ran into her as she tried to leave.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. The reporter just triggered me."

"Do you need to talk? I can--"

"No, Tom, I don't want to talk. You wouldn't understand,"

He shrugged. "I might."

"I'll see you tomorrow morning."

She hastily left the building, the driver at the curb waiting. He escorted her back to the house, where she knew Tony was fuming. She was apprehensive to walk through the door, but quickly shook it off to go inside.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Tony's loud voice could be heard from the living room.

"Tony, calm down." There was Pepper.

"Tony, I'm sorry, the reporter just--"

"You don't think reporters are going to come at your throat? You need to be stronger than that. You defeated a robot madman on a floating city and you can't answer a question? My god, Alex---"

"--It took me back, okay? It took me back to that moment, where I fucked everything up. I lost. It was in my hands, and I lost. I should be over it by now, but how can I? Half our team is gone because I lost focus due too...Every night I'm reminded of my failure. So, when he said that's all people think of me, I just..."

"Hey, hey," Tony engulfed her in a hug. "It wasn't your fault."

"It was though," She sobbed. "It's all my fault."

"Shhh, kid, none of this could've been prevented. Thanos said so himself. He's fucking inevitable. It's time to move on."

"I'm sorry I screwed up the press conference."

"Nah, you just gave people something to talk about. And if the words 'Stark Industries' is included, then we win."

She chuckled, pulling back from their embrace. "So, I'm not fired?"

"Fire you? You're my most valuable employee."

"Thanks, Tony."

"Go calm down, and take a shower. You'll feel better."

"Alright."

She trudged up the stairs to her bedroom, setting her bag down on her bed. In the bathroom, she changed out of her clothes and into her robe. She turned the water on, making it scalding hot. Alex let it run, walking to the mirror to let down her hair. She stared back at her reflection as she brushed her hair, lost in a trance.

Suddenly, she saw a figure behind her in the reflection. It stared back at her, the horrifyingly familiar face granting her a smirk as he gave his signature wink.

Alex abruptly turned around only to see no one there.

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𝚘𝚘𝚘𝚘𝚘 𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚡 𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜? 𝚠𝚎𝚒𝚛𝚍

𝙸 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝚈'𝙰𝙻𝙻𝚂 𝙲𝙾𝙼𝙼𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚂 𝙺𝙴𝙴𝙿 𝙴𝙼 𝙲𝙾𝙼𝙸𝙽

𝚒 𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚘 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚐𝚒𝚏 𝚝𝚘 𝚙𝚞𝚝 𝚜𝚘 𝚓 𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚞𝚙 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚊𝚝 𝚞 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚖𝚒𝚛𝚛𝚘𝚛 ;)))