"The ambulance is here!" Clint said rushing through the side doors over to the others.

"Maybe there's hope for us yet." Thor said cheerfully, having only known these mortals for less than a week was actually beginning to feel sympathetic towards them. He felt nervous about what was to become of the man of iron. But he held hope after growing up watching warriors from his land lay down their lives day after day. He'd found it more of a routine, you live and die for what you believe in. He watched friends of his fight and eventually slain in battle. But this, this was somehow different. They know each other for a pathetic amount of time, nowhere long enough to care what would happen to them.

They've drank together, joked together, and fought alongside each other for the sake of everyone on this defenseless little planet he's grown to love; to make matters worse the common enemy was his troublesome brother. They could have executed him right when they caught him but they were kind enough to let him go back where he belonged. They didn't have to do that and for their generosity he would be indebted to them. But even so he didn't want to see him die in such a pitiful state after celebrating such a glorious victory.

"Someone has to stay and guard the tower, if there is someone who sent the original missile then what to say they won't send a second one, we can't take any more chances. Thor you got the thunder power in case we someone to detonate another one from a distance."

"Clint you've got eyes in the sky. Keep a look out for anything suspicious and make sure Jarvis stays online, I have a feeling someone is planning something." Steve ordered the others. Making sure the situation stayed under control and didn't get any worst. However it was that sent the first threat took advantage of their defenses being lowered and well as their initially raise spirits.

They already had one in an extreme state they didn't need more. He held the dish towel over the entry wound but it was quickly soaking threw. He made sure to apply steady pressure but not to hurt the injured man with his extra super human strength, which would only cause more harm than good. He ripped a strip of fabric from the bottom of his shirt and bound the cloth tightly around his waist.

"Ste.. Steve.. " Tony was to the point where he could hardly choke out any words. "I'm scared.." He was losing blood fast. He continued to spit up mouthfuls of blood and some ran out of his nose. Steve narrowed his eyebrows and wiped away the liquid using the sleeve of the casual jacket he was wearing. He hated seeing the highly respected man in such a pitiful state. It killed him. He had known his father long before coming to know Tony and he's surpassed him in so many was. He admired the man and was not going let this be the end of him. So help him.

"Tony don't worry about a thing. The worst is over. It's up hill from here keep that in mind ok?" He smiled, trying his best to comfort him. From what he'd learned from experience on the battlefield the best thing you can do is to just keep up hope. He wasn't able to predict the future but nothing good can come from being pessimistic. That wouldn't help whatsoever; he just didn't want to lose Tony. He was the only tether to his past. He was his ally and friend, the son of Howard.

Steve's expression tightened when he knelt down to pick up the broken man. As he worked his hand behind his neck he felt how cold he had gotten. His skin was like ice and extremely pale compared to his usual tan complexion, he'd lost so much blood it was no wonder. He knew he had to hurry if there was any chance of saving him. He worked his other arm under his legs and gently hoisted him up. He leant his head up against his shoulder, him nuzzling just in the crook of Steve's neck. Tony seeming to swoon as Steve cradled him in his arms. Steve was so gentle every move he made was so subtle and well calculated. He could run all the way down the stairs right now and never disturb him, but he refused to take the chance.

He dashed for the elevator not taking a chance in waiting for the paramedics to come all the way up to the first floor with a stretcher. They were trained professionals he knew that, but time was of the essence and even if they knew whose life was at stake they still took too long. The only thing that truly mattered at the moment was that the ambulance was here waiting down stairs. The rest was irrelevant, just as long as he could get him medical help, all would be well... He could only hope.

Bruce followed behind them and pressed the bottom that would take them to the lobby floor, the doors automatically closing after them. He stayed by their side and tended to the one in the other's arms. Steve leaned up against the metallic wall of the elevator and patently waited as the floor passed slowly. Tony was slowly fading and he could tell he was starting to fight just to stay conscious. Fresh blood continued to flow from the wound and leaving a trail wherever it fell. Even though he bound him to the best of his abilities before they left, it continued to seep through. Bruce held his hand down on the makeshift bandages to cover it. Both their hands as well as their clothes were stained red. It looked like they just murdered somebody, but there was the regret and sadness on their faces to show otherwise.

The slow ride down the numerous amounts of floors felt like it was killing them more than the one in critical condition. He watched his chest slowly rise and fall to pass the time and ease the tension in his body. The anxious feeling he had was torturous, he could stand it. There was a hard lump in him throat he wasn't able to swallow. The choking feeling of not knowing what might happen. Not knowing how this would play out. He could only reassure himself that the other was still holding on. He was still breathing. The light in his chest showed that, no matter how much cloth covered it, the light continued to shine. He always meant to ask him what it was for or where it came from but he had a funny feeling it would be total awkward, so he avoided bringing it up.

Bruce kept applying steady pressure to the wound the entire ride down. Tony looking worse and worse every second, ghostly and hardly able to hold his eyes open. After several minutes they finally reached the base floor. They were met with the paramedics who seemed to be scrambling to the elevator door with the stretcher in hand. They were shocked to be met with a bloody Captain America and an even bloodier Tony Stark. They had known them as their saviors, but now one of them was in need of saving. They loaded up in the ambulance fast as humanly possible.

The vehicle was backed up to the door making it easily accessible. The two paramedics slide out the padded stretcher and Steve carefully laid Tony on his back while Bruce elevated the head side. One of the paramedics gathered an oxygen tank and mask, placing it over his face. Tony had been gasping for air ever since Steve pulled the shard from his body. He was in need of precious oxygen, with only one of his lungs working to full capacity and the other with a gaping hole.

His face seeming to tension less when met with the aid of an oxygen mask, that as well as the shot of morphine the other paramedic administered. The headache he'd been dealing with this whole time was finally melting away. He felt he could finally relax his body without fear of wincing at every slight movement.

They loaded up the stretcher in the back of the ambulance. Steve along with the other two paramedics climbed in and closed the doors. With a total of 3 people in the back of the small vehicle there was no room for Bruce. One of the paramedics suggesting it would have been okay if he wanted to ride up front with the driver. With no other choice other than huffing it behind them, he figured it wouldn't have been much of a big deal. He just didn't care for interaction with other people. He didn't have anything against them he's just never been much a fan of interacting with strangers in small places that's all. He took a deep shallow and opened the door, hopped into the passenger's seat. The driver had no idea just exacted who was sitting to his right. He paid little to no attention to him which relived Bruce.

The sirens went off along with flashing lights as they sped off. Tony's body had calmed so much after receiving the initial shot. One of the paramedics held the mask on his face while the unraveled the makeshift bandage and cut off one of Tony's favorite but now ruined shirts. Steve watched them work for a second then looked back over to Tony. It wasn't a surprise to see the other staring back at him. Hopefully his nerves had calmed quite a deal since being skewered. He managed a weak smile as his chestnut eyes looked back into Steve's bright blue ones. He smiled back even bigger than he anticipated, not regretting a single uplifted facial muscle.

Steve was glad and felt like he could relax a little knowing now that Tony was in good hands. His expression calmed and he exhaled a breath that he seemed to be holding all the way on top floor. Along with the morphine the paramedics also injected him with something that would slow the bleeding just enough to effectively wrap his wound. The two trained medics worked to disinfect the area around the gash; Steve didn't realize just how gruesome it looked until he got a good look at it. He could almost hurl at the sight of it which he couldn't understand. He watched people die in front of him, seen others have a limb blown off, but he couldn't watch as modern medicine worked its miracles. Steve couldn't help his face from scrunching at the thought of his comrades from way back when.

Tony broke eye contact with the blond and slowly drifted off, sinking back into the pillow, unable to keep his eyelids open any longer let alone maintain consciousness. They gently closed shut as every muscle relaxed and his body went limp. Steve's eyes widened to a panic, immediately looking over to one of the paramedics for any sort of reassurance. To his surprise there was no reaction, just one of them analyzing his wounds and the other gingerly pumping oxygen.

"What's happening?!" Steve exclaimed hysterically. The one holding a face mask explained that there was nothing wrong, that this was the desired effect. He stated that the sedative would relieve most of the stress and help him relax. It made everything a lot easier on him to be sedated and not awake, that way he was able to get some well deserved rest. Being he's been through quite a hefty amount of trauma and blood loss, it's a wonder why he hasn't keeled over by now, let alone you know. The worst was over but there was still a long period before he would be out of danger. He had sustained quite a severe injury, as well as lucky enough to even stay alive and in such high spirits.

That reassured him as returning to a light genuine smile. He combed some of the jet black hair out of his face using his fingertips. 'I don't think I've ever seen him look this happy before, so peaceful. It's a lot nicer than his constant diarrhea of the mouth. It's sad that he has to get sedated to be like this.' He thought to himself as he hummed lightly to himself. He could watch his chest steadily rise and fall all night if it meant he was alright, even if it was with an aided breath. Seeming utterly content and remaining hopeful, he knew Tony was strong that he was going to get through this like it was just one really bad hang over.

Bruce didn't say a single word the entire car ride. The driver even more quiet, which he didn't think was possible. The man must have been in his mid-forty's. He had a thick mustache and glasses as well as the stern expression he held. It there was a text book definition for led foot then this would have been the perfect example. This man wasted no time getting where he needed to be, that was good. Bruce watched the road mostly, having occasional spasms as if to be hitting the imaginary brake on the passenger's side. Especially when it came time to run the red lights, that was the scariest part mainly because the traffic in New York was already terrible.

"So have you had this job for a long time?" Bruce said timidly wonder whether or not small talk would make him feel better or not. It was bad enough to be worrying over something you didn't have much control over, but worse to be stuck with just your thoughts about it. It was starting to drive him crazier than he already was. At first the driver didn't even acknowledge his question, being preoccupied

"Oh sorry, don't get mad or anything I'm not trying to be mean by ignoring you. I just need to concentrate so I make sure I don't miss a turn or hit some idiot who's not paying attention. When you're speeding through traffic you got to have good judgment." The driver said with a slight smile as he turned the corner, his eyes never leaving the road. His voice was deeper than expected, he was pretty skinny and his voice didn't really match his physic. At least he gave Bruce the courtesy of being polite and actually answering him.

"It's no problem; I thank you for taking your job seriously. That's my friend back there so it means a lot." He smiled at his honesty, then paused for a second to let what the driver said fully register in his head. After a moment he finally realized just exactly what he said which made him hang his head low out of shame. "Wait, you said don't get mad… That means you know who I am don't you.." He sighed out of shame, he hated who he was and after so long of trying to hide just exactly what he was, all those year of secrecy melted away within a few days.

The driver glanced over for a split second after noticing the sudden change in atmosphere and the tone of the others voice as he spoke those words. "Hey honestly it'd be pretty sad if I didn't know who you were. After all if it wasn't for you, none of us would be here, right? You pummeled that lizard thing into the ground before it could reach the apartment complex live in. I'd have to say I owe you my life Mr. Hulk."

"Bruce is fine thanks," he replied with a chuckle. It was nice to be thanked for once rather than blamed. It made him feel good about himself. Saving lives and being able to have a conversation with one of the survivors. Made him feel a kind of warmth deep down, a way better feeling than the fiery burning sensation of anger, he liked praise. "If you want to thank anyone for that feat you'd have to talk with him," he said throwing his thumb up behind him. "He's a true Hero. He distracted that abomination long enough for me to; as you say pummel it into the ground."

He tensed up again; he hated not knowing what was going to happen next. Stressed him out beyond belief, that was way worse than his anger, he could at least control that now. He didn't even have a clue on how to even begin to tackle the uneasiness of anxiety. Whatever elevated feeling that filled the small space, disappeared once more and was replaced with a gloomy once again. The driver glanced back at him again but this time increasing his speed.

"We'll be there in less than two minutes. The best doctors in the nation practice there. He's in good hands." He wished he good say something definite but he didn't even know what Tony Starks condition was. The world would be a grim place without him that was for certain. Not just because he was a celebrity or one of the biggest philanthropist, but because he was a hero. Although no one could ever see that an egotistic billionaire could be that kind of person, he was one in a million. A big self conceded but a treasure in the twisted world.

"I've had this job for over 25 years believe it or not." Bruce was shocked that he ended up answering his stupid question from earlier. It made him happy to be heard, whether it was Steve, any other one of his team mate or just some random stranger. It was nice to be able to vent to someone who's willing to listen. "The name's Denis by the way, nice to meet you Bruce." He said sticking one of his hands out to the other, who in turn grasped it firmly. "We're finally here."