The coffee cup slid straight out of Tony's hand when he heard. Shattering on the tiled floor.
The others, who were settled around the living room watching the morning news turned their heads towards the noise, "You alright, Tony." Steve asked.
Tony's well-worn mask of easiness slipped quickly into place. "Yeah, I'm fine, Just a hot cup. Picked it up wrong."
The Avengers nodded and turned back to what they were doing. Tony made a bee line out the living room and to his lab.
Tony's thoughts were swimming as he made his way to the lab. Childhood memories, both good and bad. He was having a hard time believing it. Mr Spock had died. It may not be a big thing to Steve of Natasha. But it was a big deal for him.
The first time Tony had seen Star Trek he was six. He'd stumbled on a rerun one afternoon.
It was bright and fun and made Tony smile. Sadly, not enough things in Tony's young life made him smile.
It had a near magical quality that drew him in. Not surprisingly it was the computer genius Spock that appealed to him the most. It only took one episode to get him hooked. From then on he watched every week. His young inventors mind revelled in the tech, spaceships, robots, talking computers.
The day he saw Journey to Babel was one Tony would never forget. Jarvis had come in to find Tony blankly staring at the screen. When he asked what was wrong, Tony had said quietly, "Spock's dad doesn't like him either."
Jarvis had hugged him and said with a shaky voice, "But Spocks friends love him." Tony hugged him back and from that day on they'd watched Star Trek together, without fail.
In the lab, Tony slumped onto the couch inform of the big screen TV. "Jarvis," His voice was gravely. "You there buddy."
The clear English voice sounded somber today. "Always, Sir."
"Play Star Trek, please. Episode one."
As the classic show started, Tony felt better inside. He'd always have this show and Mr Spock. Just like he'd always have Jarvis. Technology was good like that.
In loving memory of Leonard Nimoy.
"I have been, and always shall be, your friend."