The Ties That Bind.

Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

A.N. I'm not sure how many times I should apologize for being the epitome of laziness. Nevertheless I am really really sorry! With Christmas and New Years and then exams and what not I've been insanely busy. At the moment I have no internet so I'm going to type up two chapters and then post them when my internet comes back up. However I've kind of run out of inspiration for this story but I'll see where it goes. I also have some Stargate Atlantis fanfiction up my sleeve.

Rhodey POV:

I stepped into the lobby of the Double Brooke Hydraulic INC. I had to admit, I was impressed, it was a very elegant and polished place. Tony, however, was less impressed than I was. "I want to go home!" his constant whining was going to drive me crazy very quickly. I sighed and put a hand on his shoulder and leaned in to whisper against his ear, "Behave, Tony. I'll buy you an ice cream on the way home kay?" His comeback was interrupted by the Brook Twins' entrance. They were indeed identical, but there were subtle difference that told them apart. You just needed to know which one had what mole and where.

One approached and shook my hand, Alison I decided. Madeline wouldn't do anything like that to my best knowledge. "Colonel Rhodes, it's nice to see you again. If you'll just come this way we can begin." She led us down a hallway to a moderate sized room that was decorated contemporarily. I was again impressed by the technology and suave that this building possessed and it made me wonder whose idea it was to start this business. Madeline had been silent thus far, I glanced up at caught her gaze briefly. I was rewarded with a soft smile from her beautiful lips before she went back to organizing her papers.

Damn.

For ten minutes I was okay, I had no idea what was going on but I was still alert and focused on the task at hand. Seven minutes later is when my mind started to drift into other subjects. Five minutes after that and I was so gone I was ready to see if anyone would be able to hear my screams. It was slightly ironic that throughout my haze of boredom Tony had really gotten into the discussion. I was also glad that he was smart enough not to hit on a woman with an engagement ring on her finger. There's a first time for everything I guess. I was surprised that I hadn't noticed Alison's engagement rind at the party, it was very nice and a good size. Apparently very nice because I'm not sure how many times my name was called before I noticed. Which was a pretty big feat seeing as Tony was almost licking my ear. "Rhodey! Earth to Platypus, come in Sergeant Sour Path!"

I jumped and winced, rubbing the inside of my ear, "Tony I'm right here man calm down." I glared at him for another moment before turning my attention to Alison, "Sorry Ms. Brooke, you were saying?" Alison smiled sympathetically before brushing her hair back, "I wasn't calling you Colonel Rhodes, try again." Her voice was laced music and it made me want to blush. I glanced at Madeline, the only other person in the room with a questioning glace and she smiled lightly. "Sorry Colonel Rhodes, you just looked a little bored. I was wondering if you would be interested in looking at our Aerial section." I blinked, stunned by her voice before I realized that I would get to spend some alone time with Madeline. At which point I stood up and all but ran to her tripping over a chair.

Landing promptly on my ass.

Smooth.

Taking a moment to regain my composure, I got up, ignoring Tony's boisterous laugh and looked towards Madeline, "Yes thanks you, I would love that." We walked in almost complete silence down the hallway to wherever we were going. I glanced sideways at Madeline, she was still guarded but her posture suggested that she was more relaxed than she was before. I pushed the button to call the elevator and smiled looking at Madeline. I was confused when I noticed that her body had gone tense again. I wanted to ask her about it but I highly doubted she would tell me; then again it could have been that she was afraid of getting into an elevator with a stranger. I stepped into the elevator when the door opened and glanced at Madeline and frowned as she trembled faintly.

I watched as Madeline pushed a button on the wall causing the elevator doors to close and begin to descend. As the elevator began to descend three things proceeded to happen in quick succession. One, the elevator stopped. Two, the lights turned off and I heard Madeline scream. After all this had happened and the initial shock had worn off I realized what had happened. The elevator had stopped quite abruptly and Madeline and I were on the floor. I groaned lightly and put my hand to my head and pulled it away when I felt a warm liquid there. I frowned at the realization it was blood. I blinked and sat up a little too quickly causing the world to spin and turn black.

A.N. ^.^ please read and review!