Thanks for all the kind and encouraging reviews, I really do appreciate them! Here's another chapter:)

Bruce finally got Tony to fall asleep on the couch. He decided to camp out in the chair next to it, so he could keep an eye on Tony's fever. Though try as he might, Bruce could not seem to fall asleep as easily as his fellow scientist. He sat, observing the rise and fall of the arc reactor as Tony peacefully slumbered on. He decided that when Tony was well, he would complete an extensive scan of the reactor to see if he could find a way to stop it from shorting out the way it had. It was obviously taking a toll on Tony for him to be willing to admit it was hurting. After about two hours, his fever had not risen any, and Bruce started to nod off, still sitting in the chair. However, just as his eyes began to close, his phone, which had been sitting quietly in his pocket all this time began to ring loudly.

"Shit." Bruce muttered, struggling to pull the annoying piece of technology from its hiding spot before Tony could wake. He finally got a good grip on it and in the process of bringing it up to accept the call, dropped it on the ground. He jumped down to grab it and frantically pushed the 'accept' button, silencing the racket. He took a deep breath, crouched on the floor as still as a statue and whispered, "hello?" while keeping his eyes on Tony who was stirring slightly.

"Bruce? Why are you whispering?" It was Fury.

"Hold on just a moment." Bruce slowly stood up and when it was apparent Tony was not waking up, he walked into the hallway out of earshot.

"Sorry about that, Fury." Bruce said.

"What's going on?"

Bruce could just imagine the expression on the man's face.

"It's nothing; I just didn't want to wake Tony."

"What's he doing asleep this time of night? I've never seen him asleep before two in the morning."

For a split second, Bruce contemplated not telling Fury to protect Tony's pride. But then he decided, what the hell, Fury would probably find out sooner or later as it seemed Tony wouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon.

"Bruce?"

"He came down with a fever and chest pains a few hours ago. I made him go to bed early."

"Chest pains and a fever, eh? Earlier, in the blueprint room, I found him leaning on a shelf looking at the arc reactor. Figured something was up."

"Yeah, it was like pulling teeth getting him to admit he was sick. JARVIS was the one who gave him away."

Bruce imagined Fury shaking his head.

"Stark is one stubborn man."

"There's no doubt about that. Anyway, what did you call me for?" Bruce asked.

"Natasha and Pepper are having a difficult time deciding what designs Tony created are more efficient. We had originally agreed on the first two, but now Pepper is leaning towards the others. And Thor won't shut up about Asgard. I had wanted to speak with Tony about it, but considering the current situation, I can see that will not happen."

"Alright, when he wakes up I will have him call you. What time can I expect you all back here?"

There was a pause and an aggravated sigh.

"I had originally wanted to get there before dawn, but now I'm not so sure. Although I guess that's better for Tony because he probably doesn't want anyone to see him in his current state."

Bruce chuckled and then was interrupted by JARVIS.

"Sir's temperature is spiking."

"Hey, look, I've got to go, Tony's temperature is rising. Don't tell any of the others about him, but Pepper may need to know. Tell her it's not urgent as of right now, but I do want her to be aware."

"Will do."

With that Fury hung up. Bruce made sure to put his phone on silent, and went back to the couch where Tony lay. He could see sweat beading on Tony's forehead, and his previously restful sleep had become fitful.

"What's his temperature now?" Bruce asked JARVIS.

"One hundred and four."

Bruce shook his head while biting his lower lip in thought. This fever was getting too high. He decided he should give Tony some ibuprofen, as he remembered Tony never took the aspirin he had gotten earlier, and he might need something stronger. So Bruce quietly went to the bathroom and fetched two pills and a glass of water. When he came back, Tony was conveniently starting to wake up. This was a relief, as the man was notoriously cranky when someone was to wake him.

"Good morning sleepyhead." Bruce said. "Your fever isn't getting any better so I brought you some ibuprofen." He held out the pills and water. Tony hesitated for a moment and then reached out to take them. He swallowed them both with an awful grimace.

"God, did you have to get the biggest pills in the cabinet?"

"Of course." Bruce said.

"Where's Pepper?" Tony asked, and then he quickly remembered. "Oh, wait, never mind. Helicarrier." He went to lie back down, closing his eyes.

"Do you want me to call her?"

"Oh no, don't bother her I'm sure she's busy."

"Well, she actually is kind of busy. Fury called."

Tony promptly sat back up.

"What for?" he asked suspiciously.

"Pepper and Natasha were disagreeing on which plans to use for the design. Fury wanted your input."

Tony grabbed at his chest, gripping his shirt tightly, his face twisting in pain.

"You okay?" Bruce asked. Tony nodded.

"Did you tell Fury about…well you know?"

"Yeah."

"Shit." Tony put his face in his hands and took a deep breath, then swung his legs over the side of the couch to get up, shoving past Bruce.

"Where are you going?" Bruce asked.

"Out." Tony headed towards the elevator where he grabbed his coat and started putting it on.

"Are you stupid?" Bruce said incredulously.

Tony paused for a moment, raising his eyebrows.

"Maybe."

Bruce huffed and strode over to Tony covering the button for the elevator he was about to push.

"Come on. Stop being such a party pooper." Tony tried swatting away Bruce's hand but quickly gave up when he came up unsuccessful.

"JARVIS, I want to use the elevator."

"Don't go crying to your computer just because you can't get your way."

Tony squinted at Bruce. The elevator started whirring.

"JARVIS, Tony isn't going anywhere. Don't bring him the elevator."

The whirring stopped.

"What, am I grounded or something? Seriously, move out of the way."

Tony pushed at Bruce's hand again.

"You're pushing it, Tony. I can only remain calm for so long."

This time, Tony stopped. He seriously didn't want the Hulk to make an appearance.

"Bruce, I've got to go. I can't have Fury thinking that a stupid fever is enough hold me down. I'm Iron man, for God's sake." He pleaded. Bruce was actually a little taken aback. Tony was opening up.

"I know how you feel, but for now it's one in the morning. You're burning up and I know you're still hurting. Come on, be realistic. If you really want to, call Fury. I'm sure he isn't going to hold it against you that you're sick for the first time in who knows how long. Just stay."

Tony sighed and took his coat off.

"Okay. I'll call him."

Bruce breathed a sigh of relief and followed Tony back to the couch.