Tony was practically skipping. Stark? Skipping? Perish the thought, but he did have energy to spare as pulled the car into his garage and now was heading toward the elevator which would take him to his private quarters in Stark Tower. He had just convinced one of the top biomedical labs in the country to sign on to work on the "Hulk problem". It probably had something to do with the copious amounts of cash he promised to throw their way but they had made great strides in heavy mood tranquilizers that didn't leave the person a drooling lump. It would be nice being able to give Bruce access to more scientists that had his best interest at heart. Tony would make damn sure of that best interest; he was certainly going to be paying them enough. He didn't want the big guy to go completely away, he was essential to the Avengers. But maybe if they could calm the rage down, Bruce could control, maybe even work with, his alter ego instead of just being taken along for the ride.

"And," Tony mused, "Maybe we can remove that giant stick out of his ass and he can cut loose." While Tony loved having someone around that could keep up with him scientifically, he thought the guy really needed to loosen up and have some fun. He understood why he couldn't, didn't mean he liked it.

Ascending to the living area, he thought this victory required a celebration. "Jarvis?"

"Yes, Mr. Stark."

"Is Ms. Potts in the building?"

"Yes."

"Patch me through…Pepper?"

"Great Tony, you're back. Br..."

"Yes Pepper, I have returned victorious. It's time to break out the champagne. Oh and can you pull Bruce out of Lab 2 and tell him I have good news?"

"I can't do that Tony, and I don't think you are going to want champagne."

"Of course you can, he likes you and he's too polite to refuse a woman, and when have I never liked champagne, okay I totally can't stand that pink crap they serve at tacky political functions, I mean does that even qualify as champagne I swear it's some kind of vintage bath tub gin, anyway I don't even stock that crap. So just…

"He's gone, Tony."

"Er, who's gone Pepper? And why are we changing the subject, I think I was distinctly talking about celebration and nothing gets in the way of a good…"

"Listen to me Tony. Bruce… is… gone. He apparently packed and left after lunch. If you bother to listen to messages you would know this. I have been calling you repeatedly."

Tony was decidedly not in a celebration mood once he exited the elevator. He looked across the room at Pepper "I was in meetings, I couldn't take calls." Then it hits him "… He's gone?"

"He left you a message... Jarvis?"

"Yes, Ms. Potts"

"Play Dr. Banner's message for Tony."

Tony was quiet and listened but he paced back and forth during the entire message. He wanted to "do something" to "fix something" to fix Bruce. Like in the lab whenever he felt Bruce was getting down on himself, he was always there to throw in a joke or a game or something to distract Bruce, to make him feel better for a while. But now all he could do was listen to the hurt, and hurt along with him.

Tony stopped pacing, "Jarvis, is there any other audio of Dr. Banner from today, before or after he left the message." He turns to Pepper, "Maybe he called a cab or someone to pick him up or…"

Pepper sighed, "Tony I already listened to …"

"There is additional audio of Dr. Banner."

Tony shushes Pepper, "Jarvis play additional audio." There is not much to hear, just Banner talking about something being appropriate and him remembering to leave a message for Tony.

"Jarvis was he talking to anyone else."

"To me, Mr. Stark"

"Add in your audio and replay." Tony begins to hum the tune the moment he hears it in the background of Jarvis and Bruce's brief conversation. "Yes Bruce, how very appropriate." Tony was more than familiar with the song. It usually made an appearance in the rotation when he was getting good and maudlin drunk. It didn't happen as much anymore but this seemed like a good time for a reunion. Tony started to head for the wet bar when Pepper met him halfway, pushing a drink into his hand.

"One drink and one playing of the song, then go do something useful," Pepper says as she gives him a quick kiss on the cheek and starts walking out of the room.

"Where are you going?"

"Out of range, I can't stand that song and I can't stand what it does to you. I'm not leaving the building, call when you are ready to be Tony again."

Tony moved out onto the terrace, with his drink in hand and collapsed into one of the chairs.

"Jarvis play Bittersweet Symphony, one time through, no interruptions." He started and finished the drink in one long sip, feeling the warmth spread down his throat and across his chest. Then he sat back, closed his eyes and let the dark settle in.