Tony's POV

It started with a party. With me, I think that's where most of my disasters start. That, or press conferences always don't come with good results. Well, not in the beginning at the least do things seem right. Yet, things tend to work out in a funny way.

I could barely remember that night, to be fairly honest. I truly outdid myself in the amount of alcohol intake. Okay, that was just too technical. That doesn't paint the right picture. Quite truly, the truth about my condition: I was drunk off my ass that night. I couldn't tell one person from the other half the time. In theory, that's probably what got me in trouble.

That is always what gets me in trouble. Getting drunk off my ass doesn't do well for me. All my friends know that. Honestly, I probably shouldn't get so carried away. But, it always seems like a good idea at the time.

I didn't think anything of the events of the party following that night. A victory party for us, that's all it was. I couldn't really remember anything that people didn't spell out for me the next day. And, well, when I say people I mean Pepper.

She was a heavily unreliable source, though, considering she hadn't been paying attention much to me during the party. Though, she did talk of one exception to that fact.

The party was at Stark tower. Everyone was enjoying themselves. Even Pepper and Bruce had loosened up for the occasion.

I walked over, already pretty hammered, with a big smile on my face. I leaned over Pepper's shoulder and laughed. "I thought you found it embarrassing to dance in public."

She gracefully smiled, and looked over her shoulder at me. "I said it was embarrassing to dance with you in public, Tony. You're my…boss that has no interest in that sort of thing."

"That's beside the point. Especially considering you got Bruce onto the dance floor. You must be something special." I said with a wink.

She laughed lightly. "You boys seem to think so, I just don't see it."

I walked around to face both of them, a huge grin spread on my face. "Well, in some ways more than others." I clapped a hand on each of their shoulders. "If it makes my two closest friends happy, I don't quite care what happens here."

That was the point that I walked away, and both of them lost track of me for the night. It honestly took weeks for me to find out exactly what went wrong that night. Knowing it was me, and knowing I was that drunk, I knew something had to have gone wrong. I just had to wait for somebody to come and yell at me for whatever I did. What I didn't expect was it to have been so extreme.

One day, a month after the party, I woke up to angry Pepper, Bruce, and Steve standing in my kitchen. I didn't even begin to understand.

Pepper spoke up first. "Why are you kicking us out?"

My eyes widened. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Honestly, Tony, we got the message this morning. Well, I had to help Steve open his. Did you really think you could get away with having Natasha text us to leave, with no further questions?" Bruce asked quickly, quirking up an eyebrow.

I ran my hand down my face. "I don't recall having anything to do with that message, but if Natasha wants to kick you out, I might want to chase down the reason why."

"She doesn't even want to be alone with you on mission, Tony. Why now?" Steve asked slowly.

I ran my hand through my hair, trying to fathom it myself. "I don't know. But, until I can get to the bottom of it, maybe you all should go." I looked over to Bruce carefully. "I know Pepper and Steve have other places for the time being, but if you don't, I will work something out."

Pepper scoffed. "Tony, don't worry about it. He can stay with me."

I smiled for the first time in what felt like awhile. "I am sure he can. Thank you Pepper, although I doubt you will feel highly burdened."

Pepper rolled her eyes at me, and yanked Bruce along to go get their things. Steve just stood, hesitant to so much as move.

"If it helps, I don't want you to leave." I said carefully, pacing closer. He just nods hesitantly, trying to hold back any emotion. I smile hesitantly, and poke at him. "It's okay to admit that you'll miss me."

Steve cracked a small smile at that, and looked up at me. His blue eyes pierced into me. "You're right, Tony. I think I will miss you. Who else will I have to take care of all of the time?" I roll my eyes, and he gently laughs. "You know, I am not going far away. If something goes wrong, and you need me, just…don't hesitate to come to me, alright?"

I nod, almost feeling like crying at this departure. Almost. I couldn't truly do that. This is not the right time to show Cap that side of me. "I will."

He smiles gently, and pulls me swiftly into a hug. I almost find it odd, because it's him. I mean, he is a fantastic guy, but he is very shy from displaying affection. I feel lucky even to get this much from him. He pulls away, a gentle grin on his face. He steps back slowly, with a smile on his face. "Until we meet again?"

I laugh, and nod. "Until we do, I must say farewell my friend."

He laughs gently, and goes to retrieve his things. I have less intricate goodbyes with the other two, before all three depart from the tower. It's not until then that Natasha finally shows her face. Well, as does Clint. The two are quite inseparable.

"Natasha, I mean, I don't mean to sound like an ass…but what the fuck are you up to?" I asked quickly, too frustrated with her behavior to dance around the point.

"Tony," Clint warned softly, "this is not the time to be an ass." Clint grasped Natasha's arm, and she yanked it away. She really did look out of sorts.

"Natasha, are you hurt? I mean, because if it's medical help you need, I should bring back Bruce. I might not be the right man for the job…"

"Tony…" Natasha began, warning in her tone.

"I mean, I am spectacular at most things, but medicine is not my forte…" I continued absent-mindedly, not even seeing her expression change, or feel her hand yanking my arm to turn me to face her.

"Tony, it's not that I'm hurt. Well, not hurt per say, but…" She paused, hesitating in a way that wasn't her own.

"You know, Natasha, you're starting to scare me. This isn't like you. I mean, the being scary part maybe. But, you are never flustered. Especially towards me, truly you are known to be brutally honest. Just come out with what you want to say, in the way you would." I say with a smirk, that even makes her crack a small amused smile.

"You want me to be blunt and brutally honest?" She asked hesitantly, and I watched Clint start pacing.

"Yes, Natasha, I would love that." I say softly. All I can think of is the possibility of this, whatever it is, being said meaning that my friends can come back sooner than later.

"Well, Tony, I'm pregnant." Natasha snaps at me.

I smile idiotically, totally oblivious to her point. I bring up her hand, and kiss the engagement ring that Clint gave her. "Congratulations you guys. Why aren't you happy about it? Do you need someone to watch the kid while you two super spy?"

Clint ran his hand through his hair, frustratingly moving to speak up. "It's not mine, Tony."

"Oh," I said quickly, still not catching the point, "That's…unfortunate…"

"Jesus, Tony, don't you get why I came to you yet?" Natasha asked quickly, her eyes starting to cloud over with anger and hurt.

"Actually, I really don't, but…"

Then, my mind finally clicked the pieces together. I looked between them, horror in my eyes. "I couldn't, I mean, I wouldn't. Natasha, no offence, but you aren't my type. That couldn't be true…"

Clint laughed, pausing to roll his eyes. "Tony, that's ridiculous. Any guy that's into women would be into her. I'm not stupid." I looked down, and Natasha raised her eyebrow. Clint's eyes went wide, and suddenly he wasn't as coherent. "Oh."

"When you're drunk off your ass Tony, you weren't quite able to tell the difference," Natasha said. Hurt was more than evident in her eyes.

"I really don't think so…even I am not that bad." I said firmly.

"If it helps, you didn't think it was me." Natasha said curtly, now looking at me more confidently. "Actually, if I recollect correctly, I may have heard a certain super-soldier's name be muttered more than once."

Clint let loose, and started laughing hysterically. "So, you're telling me that Iron Man is not only gay, but has the hots for Captain America? This is rich."

"I will have you know, I am Tony Stark. And, I happen to have feelings for a certain Steve Rogers. Undoubtedly, if you mention this fact again, I may just put on the suit to blast your ass into the ground."

I turn away, overwhelmed by it all. Natasha ran around to face me, a weak smile on your face. "I know you can't really believe it, but what I told you is true. And, quite honestly, I can't do this without you."

"Raise a child? I certainly think neither of us is up to the task alone." I say with a small smirk on my face.

Natasha smiles gently. "That's why it won't be a solo task. Well, if you agree."

I paused, watching her carefully. As much as she will never be mine and that is something I am content with greatly. But, not taking care of the child is my own…is even too immature for me to ponder.

"I never planned for something like this, you know. But, I don't think I could miss it for the world. That's my little person you're going to have, and I want to be a part of its life." I said quickly, smiling.

"Okay. So, you understand the reason that the others can't come back right?" She asked with a concerned look on her face.

"Never come back?" I asked with an eyebrow quirked up.

"Don't panic, Tony. You won't be isolated forever. I just, couldn't handle all the attention at once, you know?" She said with a more delicate look to her than I had ever seen.

"I don't mean to sound rude, but you know when we step into a hospital, the lack of attention would be impossible?" I said quickly.

"What do you suggest?" Clint asked carefully.

"I suggest that maybe Bruce come back. He is a doctor, and with the right equipment, can look after you properly." I said with watching Natasha carefully. "Plus, he's my friend, and he won't freak out as much as you think."

Natasha nodded. "But that's it, okay? While I am here, we need to keep this quiet. Only Banner, okay?"

I nod solemnly, thinking about how I won't be alone in this, but I will have to be isolated from the one person I would wish to go to most.