*I don't own any of the characters!
Summary: After Tony saves Captain Americas life, his own life hangs in the balance. While Steve waits for Tony to recover he must realize some things about Tony and the Avengers.
Realizations
Captain America walked up to Stark Industries. He was here to talk to Tony about the Avengers. They needed a leader and Captain America thought it should be Tony…the rest of the Avengers thought it should be him. So it was with a conflicted mind that he walked into the building and up to Pepper Potts. Pepper turned and smiled at him.
"Hi Steve, Are you here for tony," she asked.
"Yes, I'd like to talk to him about the Avengers," he answered. Pepper almost looked relieved.
"Well follow me Captain America," she beckoned him. On the way to Tony's office Pepper told Steve about her concerns.
"Tony needs a distraction Steve. He's been immersed in paperwork and meetings non-stop for three weeks now. I feel like he's going to work himself to death," Pepper confessed her fears.
"I'm sure he's just wanted to take a break from everything for a little bit…after the Skrull invasion and all," Steve explained. Underneath he was worried though. He had heard from both Pepper and Rhodey that Tony would work on projects without rest or sustenance for however long he thought was necessary. Approaching the office, Pepper knocked on the door.
"Come in," the Tony invited them in. Steve noticed that Tony sounded sick. Pepper walked in, followed by Steve. The sight before his eyes scared him. Tony looked both paler and skinnier than the last time they had seen him.
"Tony Steve is here to talk to you," Pepper said.
"Sorry…can't talk. There's a meeting at 'Tech Corps' with Janus," Tony said, practically ushering them out the door.
"Tony I just want to talk about the Avengers and…," Steve was cut off by Tony.
"There's nothing to talk about Steve," he said, cutting off the rest of his sentence. They arrived at the lobby with Steve still trying to talk to Tony. Steve's attempts to talk to Tony were cut off as a man came near them. He stopped and immediately Steve noticed something wasn't right.
"Can I help you," he asked carefully.
"Why would I want help from you traitor…you tried to sell our planets to aliens! You need to pay," the man shouted. He pulled out a gun and fired it twice. Steve was ready for the impact…but not for someone pushing him out of the way.
He landed on the floor and jumped up to tackle the gunman to the ground. He heard Pepper scream in anguish and fear. Looking over, his heart dropped. Lying in a growing pool of his own blood, Tony had two bullets holes in his chest.
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