A/N) Thank you for all the reviews so far! I hope everyone had a good Christmas!


PART ONE: THE DEATH OF TONY STARK

Chapter Three

The Legacy That Was Left Behind

Steve wasn't entirely sure what he could say about Tony Stark. He had never really known the man. The little time he had known him, he hadn't formed a very good opinion. Tony was everything Steve didn't want to be.

Yet he had made the ultimate sacrifice; a sacrifice he had never considered Stark would ever do. Tony Stark had befuddled Steve. He didn't know how to view the man anymore. Had everything Steve seen been a front for who Tony Stark really was? Had he seriously misjudged the man?

Guess I'll never know now. If Tony was hiding who he really was… I must have really hurt him... Steve did feel guilty. He realised he would feel like this for a long time to come. He could have made a different decision. He could have left the portal open a bit longer and given Tony more time to return… But we didn't know if he was coming back to us. I had to make the choice to close it otherwise the whole city could have been contaiminated… So many people would have died… Even though he thought of all the reasons why closing the portal when he had, had been a good idea, it would never erase the guilt of leaving Tony Stark behind.

Steve knew he would always be trying to make up for that. The public didn't know it had been his call to close it. He felt he owed it to them to tell the truth.

Steve stood to the side of the small stage and podium which had been erected in the main foyer of Stark Tower. It was a business day however, out of respect for Tony Stark, all the workers of the company had been told to take the day off work. Instead of a working day, it would be, as Pepper had said, a celebration of Tony Stark's life.

Most employees had travelled to New York to be here for Pepper's speech. The foyer was full of people, alongside media outlets. There were government people, the board of Directors had made the journey… Even members of SHIELD were there, though they were mainly there for protection purposes than to celebrate the life of Tony Stark.

Nick Fury was there too, standing beside Natasha, both of whom were there as part of SHIELD. Clint was somewhere in the ceiling, keeping an eye on the floor with his sight.

As everyone got comfortable on the seats provided, Pepper cleared her throat. She gripped the sides of the podium.

"Good morning. Thank you for all coming today at short notice. As you are all aware Stark Industries has closed on a trading day so we can honour the man which brought SIA to the forefront of the weapons business and began the race for clean energy. Anthony Edward Stark died saving this city from an extra-terrestrial attack which has caused the deaths of hundreds of people. SIA will be contributing to the rebuilding of this city and rehousing efforts for the families and businesses affected by the destruction wrought upon New York."

She glanced around the foyer, taking in the expressions of everyone there. "Tony was hard at work on many projects prior to his death. Stark Industries will endeavour to continue completing the work he started. I will personally recruit a new Department Head for Research and Development within the next few months. I will remain CEO for the foreseeable future. I would also like to announce a Relief Fund which will be made available to everyone who was affected by the catastrophic events in New York. The Maria Stark Foundation will also contribute to the rebuilding."

"Tony was due to turn forty-two on the twenty-ninth of May. He wasn't planning an elaborate celebration. We were just going to spend it with those closest to us." Pepper lowered her head. "However, it won't be happening now."

"Regardless," she said more softly, "the day of twenty-ninth May will always be the day of the birth of the man I loved so much. His birthday will always be a celebration of his life though he is no longer with us." She lowered her head, swallowed and then raised it again. "I would like to pass you over to Captain America, who has agreed to speak about Tony today."

Steve approached the stage. What was he going to say? He didn't know what. He had struggled to write out a proper speech the previous evening and the few hours he'd had this morning. Natasha had advised him to just speak from his heart in the moment. Steve hoped he didn't say anything bad about Tony. The last thing he needed was the press to jump on him for not getting along with the billionaire. Still… when it came to it, Tony had proved him wrong.

Steve glanced out at the crowd that had gathered. He caught the eyes of both Fury and Natasha. They nodded discreetly at him. Cameras flashed as the reports took shots of him to print when they wrote about his speech. He was sure he was likely to be on the front page of the next edition of The New York Post.

"For the brief time the Avengers were together, Tony was a core member of the team. He was an invaluable asset to us. He was able to keep the skies clear as possible, whilst being in the position to intercept the missile which ultimately cost him his life."

It was difficult to talk of Tony Stark without referring to him as just 'Stark'. He'd never really bothered to get to know the man. They'd never really had any time. He had to be truthful. He didn't want to speak lies to the people here. Was truth the way he should go?

"I'm not the best person to talk about Tony Stark. I didn't really know him. We knew each other for the better part of a day… And we didn't get along."

Muttering began among the press and camera's flashed, bringing light into Steve's eyes and he had to blink rapidly to be able to clear the spots dancing in front of his eyes.

"I was found in the ice a few months ago… When I woke from my slumber I wasn't prepared to find how much the world had changed in my absence." Steve knew SHIELD had released a press packet alongside the United States Government detailing his true identity and he really was Steve Rogers from the 1940's. The news had been mostly overlooked due to continued and extended coverage of the Battle of New York. "It was so different from the one I had left. I was given packages of information to peruse and learn about the new world I had found myself in."

Steve cast his gaze over the auditorium. "One of those files detailed the life and times of one Howard Stark. I knew Howard back in the 1940's for a brief time. It was his courage and daring that allowed me to sneak into enemy lines and infiltrate an enemy camp and rescue dozens of prisoners of war. It was also due to his scientific advancements which enabled me to receive an experimental serum giving me the abilities I have now. Howard was a good friend to me in the short time I knew him. When I learned he had died…" Steve swallowed. He didn't know why he was talking about Howard but he felt it was the correct thing to do in this situation. "I was devastated so many people I knew were gone. When I learned Howard had, had a family and a son I was eager to meet him, so I could learn more about Howard's life. Maybe help me come to terms with waking from ice and experiencing first-hand how much the world has changed."

"I never got the chance to speak to Tony about his father. I was advised against approaching him and I watched him from afar. I read up on his history and formed my conclusion of Tony on what I saw. He presented himself as an arrogant man who only cared for himself. I even told him when I eventually did meet him. I said to him he would never be able to make the sacrifice play… I knew from the research I had carried out that Tony Stark would never sacrifice himself."

Someone raised a hand in the crowd to ask him a question but Steve shook his head.

"I was wrong to judge him so harshly. I thought he was selfish and arrogant. Truth is… he was only one of those things. He was arrogant. And he showed it. But he was never selfish. Tony had the benefit of a privileged life, something the majority of people will never experience. And yet… when it came to a crisis he was always there to step up. He put others first despite the danger he was putting himself in. When it came to becoming a team in New York… Tony didn't try to take command. He listened to orders, followed them without question. When we found a way to close the portal, I ordered it to be closed. Tony said not to. The missile was coming in and there was only one place Tony could put it if he was to save everyone. The last words I said to him were 'Stark! You know that's a one way trip?' Tony never replied. He shut off his communicator. We could do nothing but watch as Tony grabbed the missile and manipulated it into the portal and then through it… From where I stood on the streets of New York I could see the portal above me… Through it a great ball of fire suddenly expanded. The missile had detonated… hitting something. We didn't close the portal straight away… I knew we didn't have much time to waste… The alien invaders around us fell, as if a command link had been severed. We waited for as long as we could before I ordered the portal to be closed. Myself and Thor watched from below as it closed, cutting us all off from Tony. I regret closing the portal but to leave it open, invited danger. The nuclear blast would have seeped through the portal, still killing many people with its noxious fumes. I did what I had to do to save the city. But Tony… he did more. He took a risk and paid for it with his life. He died a hero… He never deserved what I said to him… He was a different person when you got to know him. What you see in the papers is a front for the true man underneath."

"Tony Stark is a hero. And I will spend the rest of my life remembering him and what he did for us in our time of need." Steve swallowed, nodded his head and stepped away from the podium.

Pepper approached the podium again. Tears were shining in her eyes but she didn't wipe them away. "Thank you for your words Steve." She looked out at the crowd and Steve had to marvel at the strength she had, despite the fact she was breaking inside.

"A memorial will be held for Tony on the twenty-ninth May. Tony has lived his life in the public eye therefore those that wish to hold their respects to him are welcome at the event. There will be a smaller service for family and friends earlier in the day. When full arrangements have been made Stark Industries will release a statement," said Pepper. She spread her arms and grasped the podium. "Thank you all for coming today."


A few hours later Steve found Pepper sitting alone inside the apartment. There was a glass of wine beside her and a bottle sitting next to it. Her eyes were red and she was still dressed in the suit she had been wearing earlier in the day. She looked up at him as he approached. "Captain Rogers."

Steve inclined his head. "Do you mind?" He indicated the chair.

"No, not at all," answered Pepper shaking her head. "By all means." She lifted the glass to her lips and took a long sip. "Do you want a drink?"

"No thank you." Steve declined.

"Why have you come here?" she asked, placing the glass back down, watching him carefully.

"I wanted to apologise again to you for what happened… Tony should be here with you." Steve knew he would always feel guilty about not finding a way to ensure Tony's safe return, even if he had returned dead.

"Tony did what he had to do. I'm sad I never got to say goodbye to him." Pepper breathed slowly. "I will always live with the regret of not hearing my phone. For having it on silent… I don't know what he wanted to say to me…" Tears began to fall down Pepper's cheeks, smearing her make-up even more. "I know he loved me… I never told him enough… But I loved him too. He was part of my life for so long…"

"How long?" Steve didn't know but he was certain Pepper had been a big part of Tony's life for a very long while. "You don't have to say…"

Pepper shook her head, wiping the tears away with the palm of her hand. "I started working for Tony in 1998. I was twenty-two. I had been a part of Stark Industries for a year before I got promoted to be his personal assistant. It wasn't a job I was particularly after."

"How did you get it?" Steve was genuinely intrigued. He wouldn't accept a job he wasn't interested in.

"I noticed a mathematical error in one of the financial spreadsheets. I took it to my manager who dismissed it claiming Mr Stark does not make any mistakes. I didn't like the dismissal so I took the paperwork and marched right up to Mr Stark's office. As I didn't have an appointment his security guards tried to stop me from entering as they thought I could pose a security risk. When one of them grabbed me, I pepper-sprayed them. I'd been the subject of an attack before. Pepper spray comes in handy and I always carried it with me. I had already managed to get the door open before I defended myself and Tony saw everything. He was quite amused. He agreed to see me. I thought my career was over but part of my job was to ensure all financial calculations were correct. I pointed out his error. Tony told me to return to my department and then the next thing I knew he was promoting me for pointing out a mistake he had made which others had overlooked because 'no one can argue with Tony Stark's maths'. I saved the company from a potential loss. He said he needed a PA who was willing to call him out on his mistakes. He needed someone to rely on and to trust. I was reluctant to at first but I agreed to take on the job as it would give me experience to add to my CV. I didn't intend to stay as his PA for long but I enjoyed it. It was a good job." Pepper smiled lightly. "Tony had a habit of sleeping with his PA's but I wouldn't let him near me. He grew to respect me and like me as a friend. And I think he started to fall in love with me because I wasn't trying to use him for his money or fame. I genuinely wanted to be his friend. And because I spent so much time with him. I saw who he really was and I fell in love with him."

"I think he needed someone like you," said Steve. "The Tony that I thought I knew wasn't someone I'd want to know…" He bit his lower lip. "He showed me I misjudged him."

"Tony never let many people into his life. In total there were only four people he could really rely on – no – not four, seven. Only seven people in the whole world knew the real Tony. You just got a glimpse of him at the end of his life. No matter what you said to him, do not blame yourself. Tony always put himself out there. He was always a kind and generous person. He was a billionaire with a heart, if you were let into his trust circle," explained Pepper, taking another sip of wine.

Steve fidgeted. "I didn't know he couldn't trust easily…"

"Tony had… issues growing up," Pepper hesitated. "He was close to his mother… I never met her but I know he adored her. His father, Howard, he never got along with. The little I know of Howard Stark told me he didn't know how to be a father. He was never there for Tony, he was always busy, looking for you. Tony looked for his admiration, hoped his father would praise him for once instead of criticising him and letting him down. I suspect the Howard you knew was different?"

Steve nodded. "I did. Howard was very carefree and kind. Smart and enthusiastic about the future… What changed?"

"The war changed him. Howard withdraw, kept things close to his chest. He built up Stark Industries after the war becoming a millionaire within a decade. He went from humble, poor beginnings to one of high society. He met Maria when he was forty-nine. He'd spent the majority of his life as a playboy, sleeping with anyone he could, working hard for his fortune. When he met Maria, he fell hard for her. They were married when he was fifty. Maria was in her early thirties. They tried so long for a child…" Pepper shook her head. "I don't know why I'm telling you this…"

"You do not need to," said Steve gently. It was feeding what he wanted to know but he wasn't going to ask Pepper to continue if she felt she shouldn't be.

"No, it's okay. I think I need to speak. And it might help the both of us." Pepper shrugged. "Tony was born after two miscarriages; he was a much, longed for child. His birth was front page news across the world. But as Tony grew it was clear he had inherited his father's intelligence, perhaps more than him. Tony was inventing things at the age of three and first made news when he was four with a circuit board. He continued to progress quicker than his classmates. He didn't have many friends and Howard soon sent him off to boarding school. Tony was a difficult child due to his intelligence. He always wanted to be learning or doing something. Howard never had the time to be the father Tony wished for him to be. Tony was close to his mother. He loved her very much and when she died he was heartbroken."

Steve swallowed. He could understand. He'd lost his own mother and had found the weeks and months difficult to bear with. Even now the thought of his mother still hurt but it was more of a dull ache rather than one which hurt him.

"He met Rhodey at MIT. Rhodey is a few years older than Tony but they got on like a house on fire. Tony always found it hard to make friends. Rhodey has been there for Tony through the most difficult parts of his life. It took a while for Rhodey to be trusted by Tony… but he helped him at MIT when he used to be bullied for being so young. Tony appreciated what Rhodey did for him and he slowly let him in. Then, myself. It took a while for Tony to let me in but he did. He trusted me enough to hand his company over to me. And he trusted me enough to show his real heart to me. He put so much trust in me that he fell in love and wanted to have more than just a one-night stand with me. He once told me it was during Afghanistan he realised he loved me… But he didn't know how to tell me. We danced around one another for so long…" She smiled lightly. "When we finally got together it was worth it." She stopped and took another sip of wine.

"His mother, Rhodey and you…" Steve counted on his fingers. "Three out of seven. Who were the rest?"

Pepper smiled wistfully. "Tony had a butler growing up. He was called Edwin Jarvis. Tony honoured him by calling his first Artificial Intelligence JARVIS. Jarvis was the father to Tony, Howard could never be. Jarvis died from a heart attack a year after Howard and Maria were killed. There was also Peggy Carter. I know you knew her before you were frozen in ice. She was good friends with Howard and Tony knew her very well growing up. She was one of the few people Tony trusted but after Howard and Maria's death she didn't see Tony as much as she used to. I know she is still alive now but in a retirement home… Tony visits her when he can…" Pepper smiled sadly. "She doesn't remember Tony… She always calls him Howard."

"Shit." Steve swore, which wasn't something he usually did.

"Tony last saw her six months ago. Sometimes she seems to know him… but the majority of the time she doesn't." Pepper sighed. "And then there was Happy Hogan. Tony's bodyguard. Tony hired him after Happy saved his life when he was attacked. Tony was twenty-five. Happy has remained a constant in Tony's life. Always there and ready to protect him at any given moment, though his security role did become more redundant as Tony became Iron Man. But Happy has always been loyal to Tony and as a result he will remain loyal to Stark Industries too, even with Tony gone. There was only one person out of the seven who betrayed Tony. He doesn't really count as someone Tony trusted anymore…"

"What happened?" Steve asked. He had read Tony's SHIELD file but there wasn't much on it. He supposed Tony had gone in and edited it.

"Obadiah Stane. He was Howard's business partner and Tony's godfather. Though Tony was the public head of Stark Industries, Obadiah was the real driving force behind it. Unbeknownst to Tony, Obadiah was selling their weapons on the black market for a tidy profit. He also wanted to be CEO… Tony trusted Obadiah completely. There was no hesitation in not taking his advice. It was Obadiah who suggested Tony should go to Afghanistan for a weapon's demonstration…" Her eyes hardened as she continued to speak. "Obadiah betrayed Tony in the worst possible way. Obadiah had been dealing SI weapons to terrorists operating in the region. He paid them to kill Tony."

That wasn't in the file… Steve thought.

"But the terrorists recognised who Tony was. They didn't know it was Tony Stark Obadiah wanted killed. Instead of killing him, they kidnapped him and bade Obadiah to pay them more money to kill Tony. Obadiah didn't which resulted in Tony being able to survive long enough to build the first Iron Man suit and escape," said Pepper quietly. "Obadiah then tried to kill Tony himself… first by taking the arc reactor out of his chest and secondly kill him when Tony fought him on the roof of the factory. Obadiah was killed in that fight. The public do not know the truth regarding the circumstances of his death either. Tony did mourn for him but after Obadiah's betrayal, Tony's circle tightened and he has never really let anyone else in."

Pepper wiped a hand over her face, pulling back a few strings of hair. "I think, in time, Tony would have grown to trust all of you, but now it won't happen…" She took a large mouthful of wine and swallowed.

Horror engulfed Steve. He couldn't believe Tony had been betrayed by someone who his parents had trusted enough to name him godfather. He shook his head. The amount of people Tony Stark trusted was relatively small. Steve regretted not being able to be added to the small rank of people which had the trust of Tony Stark.

Steve bowed his head. "The more I learn of him, the more I realise how wrong I was…"

A hand patted his arm. "People assume things about Tony when they shouldn't. He had a public and private personae for a reason: to protect himself. It was the only way he could survive in a world he was born too soon for. Tony was a futurist. He was making the world a better place… He was a pioneer of new technology. He has a legacy which has been left behind for others to build upon. Years from now he will always be remembered as the man who changed everything."

And Steve, knowing what he did now, couldn't agree more.


In the days and weeks following the Battle of New York, the US Government confirmed they would be rewarding Tony Stark posthumously with two awards: Presidential Citizens Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. There had been long discussion in the senate where a debate had raged over what awards Tony Stark should be lauded with. In the end they had agreed on two medals, one of which was awarded on the basis of his actions in New York.

He had performed an exemplary deed by sacrificing his life for his country earning him the Presidential Citizens Medal, whereas his contribution to the security and the nation interests of the United States, first by creating new and better weapons and then discovering a new element enabling cleaner energy to be used earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

As the clean-up continued in Manhattan, Steve aided when he could, all the while wishing he could have changed the outcome of the battle.

Yet, he knew if he had the chance to go back in time and reverse what had happened, Steve had realised Tony would never have been dissuaded from taking the missile through the portal. His chat with Pepper had made it very clear Tony would have always intercepted the missile and sacrificed himself.

And that was something Steve understood fully. He wondered often, if Tony had survived, if they would have been friends in the aftermath, or just held a grudging appreciation of one another.

It was something Steve would never know.

Tony Stark was dead and there was nothing Steve could do to change it.

To be continued...

Please let me know what you think!

I wanted this chapter to focus on Steve and Pepper. I specifically wanted Pepper and Steve to talk to one another and considering Steve's guilt over Tony, I think it is only natural he would seek Pepper out.

It may feel I am retreading old ground that was shown in the previous chapter but I do believe it is important to show how the people left behind are coping.

Also, the two American medals given to Tony post-death are real medals presented in the US. As I'm not from America, I made sure to do my research.

Until next time,

the-writer1988