Summary: What if Tony escaped the cave a few days faster than the original timeline? Therefore, when he treads through the desert, Rhodey didn't find him first, Rose Potter did. Rose, who was taking a vacation from her dimension, stumbles upon a dying man. So what does she do? Save him. Curse her saving people motto. FEM Harry! (MOD)
Disclaimer: Ichigo0-0Rose does not and will never own Harry Potter or Marvel in any way.
Ichigo0-0Rose: Hey guys! Thank you so much for your reviews! I love reading them to see how far I've gone, and how many people follow and favor this story. It gets me super pumped to continue the story, knowing there are that many people waiting to read the next chapter. So, without further ado, on with the chapter! :)
Chapter 4- And Away We Go…Where?
A couple of days have gone by, and according to Tony, he couldn't have been any more bored. Sure the magic was amazing, truly it was. He just didn't like the fact that he could only fully experience it while stuck in bed with nasty potions. Rose and Hermione have come in every once in awhile to check on him or give him food, but otherwise were busy packing.
From what he heard from the small snippets of the conversation yesterday, today was the day he would be free from this burden of a bed. Oh how he missed his own bed; oh and JARVIS, can't forget about him. And he kind of missed being nagged at by Pepper and Rhodey, but they'll never hear him say that out loud.
Tony let out another sigh of boredom. Why couldn't he just have some type of metal and a tool to fiddle with? It would have given him something to do instead of watching shows he didn't care about or listening to weird wizard music. Although, he had to admit that one song from the Weird Sisters was pretty catchy. Maybe he'll ask Rose to bring a CD of theirs or something.
His thoughts were put on hold when Rose and Hermione came into the room.
"Well Tony," Hermione started, "It seems you are given the A- OK from your doctor." She winks at him.
"Thank the Gods Doc! I was wondering when I'll ever be free." Tony said as he threw his hands up in the air. Rose giggled.
"We packed up the necessities and extra, so we're ready for takeoff. Of course, since you haven't really been using your legs to walk around in days, it may feel a bit numb to get the feeling back. Even with all the strengthening potions we've been feeding you."
"Oh no." Tony said ghastly. "Don't tell me I need crutches!"
Hermione chuckled. "Afraid so, but don't you worry. Your lovely nurse here is going to be your crutches. So lean on her for support."
Rose threw Hermione a glare, while Hermione just smirked in her direction.
Tony clapped quiet giddily. "Yay!"
Rose rolled her eyes, "Alright Tony, I've got my suitcases in my pocket ready for transport. Let's get going." As Tony takes off the covers, and puts his feet on the cold hardwood floor, he held his arms up as if to universally, nonverbally say, help me up. Rose sighed and walked closer to Tony to prepare to be his crutch.
But before Tony grabbed on to Rose's awaiting hands, he said, "Wait!"
Rose stopped halfway to him, and both her and Hermione gave him a quizzing look. "I can't return to my world in pajamas. What would everyone I meet say?"
Hermione casted a quick nonverbal spell that changed his clothes and a refreshing spell just in case. Overall, Tony looked pleased with his new casual look. "Alright, now we are back in business. Come here angel, I need your heavenly assistance walking."
Rose just sighed and continued walking to Tony. She helped him up by putting on of his arms around her shoulder to keep his body straight up. However, she turned red when she realized where his hands were placed.
It wasn't really his fault that natural instinct let him place one hand on the girl's waist, and the other somewhere else.
"Pervert!" Rose said as she lets go of Tony. He collapsed to the floor, face first. "Ow! Why the hell did you drop me?!"
Hermione's hand was to her face, trying to cover her laughter, while Rose looked angry red at him. "Where do you think you're grabbing?!"
"I needed to hold something that would support me better." Tony said casually.
"And the right side of my chest was good? Couldn't you have just let it hang over my shoulder casually?" Rose said in exasperation.
"No way! How am I going to stand up straight and walk almost naturally if I don't have a good grip on my crutches?"
Rose glares at him. "I may just put you in a sticking charm to a dolly and drag you back to your world. Maybe that will teach you to keep your hands from wandering."
"Sorry doll face, what can I say, it's instinct?" He winks.
"Playboy." Rose shoots back. Hermione sighs. "Alright kids, chop chop. Times a wasting here." She says as she claps her hands. "Rose, help Tony back up. Tony, keep your hands to yourself. We are on a timely schedule. Don't want to be late."
"Late for what Hermione, we aren't going to be late for anything."
"We don't know the time difference between our two worlds. The faster you leave, the faster we can determine the distance. Now up and at 'em."
Rose sighed and bent down to pick up Tony. She gave him a warning look. "Don't do that again, or else I will follow up with my threat of the dolly."
Tony gives her a mock salute when he is back up on his two feet. "Aye, aye angel."
The three of them walked towards the living room, so they had enough space for Rose to open up a dimension portal.
"Hey quick question." Tony said. "Is the portal thingy going to be where you found me in the desert or back home? Because the sand in Malibu this time of year would be so much nicer."
Rose shook her head. "Sorry Tony, it'll have to be where I found you. If I had more knowledge and experience on your side of the universe, maybe. However, since the desert is the only place I saw and wandered, we'll have to go from there. But don't worry, I'll be sure to get us to civilization quickly."
Tony sighed in agreement. "Alright, let's get this show on the road."
Rose nodded and waved her hand to create the portal. They could see the desert sand hills in front of them. Rose turns to Hermione. "I'll contact you as soon as I can with the mirror."
Hermione nodded. "Have fun. I'll tell everyone your off saving people as usual, so they won't expect a timeframe of when you'll be back. However, we are going to be expecting calls and updates every so often; especially when we need to know the time difference."
"Got it. Well, see you later." Rose waves.
"Bye Doc." Tony waves as well before the two of them enter the portal. It closes quickly behind them when they make it across.
Already, Tony could feel the desert heat acting up on him. "Where to now angel?"
"A city would probably be our best bet."
"And that would be?"
Rose didn't answer as quickly. She twisted her head left and right, and even stuck her tongue out.
"Um, what are you doing?" Tony looked at her weirdly.
"I'm tasting the air."
"I can clearly see that. My question is why?"
"I'm tasting for death." Rose smacked her lips and her nose scrunched up in thinking mode, until she nodded in confirmation. "Right it is then."
"Whoa, whoa! Hold up a second. Taste death?!"
"I'm the Mistress of Death, so I can sense the dead around me. Where most spirits wander has to be in a well populated area. So right."
Tony shook his head and tried to fully grasp what was said to him. He sighed in acknowledgement. "Right it is then. I don't know why I'm not in shock right now."
"You've gotten use to magic and all that follows." Rose smiled at him.
"Not all of it, but it would seem so for now. I am sure when all this washes over and I'm lying back in my bed it will hit me full throttle. But that's not important now. What's important is getting me to technology, or to narrow it down, a phone. Okay, let's head towards the mass of people!" Tony tries to pump a fist into the air, but it was hard not to lose balance.
Rose chuckled at his attempt, and both of them slowly headed right. However, they didn't walk for as long as they thought they would have, give or take a few miles.
No, the city was still far away, but the sounds of a helicopter wasn't. They both looked up when it came in closer towards them rather than continue its journey high in the sky.
Rose saw a man open the door and screamed out, "Tony!"
Tony beamed in recognition. "Rhodey!" He tried to wave, but once again failed.
The helicopter landed, and Rhodey ran towards them to help Rose get Tony aboard. Once they were all seat belted in, they were now up high in the sky.
Rose marveled at the advancement in technology. Sure there were helicopters in her Muggle world, but she never rode in one. Her trusty Firebolt was all she needed, but this was still a nice experience. Her attention was brought back to reality when she heard Rhodey speak up.
"Man, it's good to see you alive Tony!" He claps his hands on Tony's shoulders before lightly punching it. "Don't do that again. You had Pepper and I worried sick."
"I try." Tony shrugs as if the life and death situation was an everyday occurrence. "How long was I gone?"
Rhodey somber up fast. "Days. Months." Rhodey whispers. "Three long months. The days, the stressful, worrying weeks we all hoped to find you. We almost believed we really lost you. This trip was actually the last one before we were told to call it quits. I am so glad we found you though."
Tony lost his playful mood and frowned. "That long huh?" His mind wandered back to Yinsen's sacrifice and the pain he endured in the cave.
"You know, for someone who was kidnapped by terrorists, you sure cleaned up nicely." Rhodey said as if to lighten the mood. It worked as Tony slowly gained back his playboy smile.
"That's right, after I escaped I met my lovely angel here." He puts his arm around Rose. "This beautiful lady here."
Rose smiles and holds out her hand to Rhodey. "Rose Potter, nice to meet you."
Rhodey shook it many times. "Lieutenant James Rhodes, but Tony calls me Rhodey. Nice to meet you as well. Thank you so much for saving my friend."
"Best friend." Tony injects.
Rhodey rolls his eyes. "My best friend." Tony gives him a thumbs up and a cheeky grin.
"So why were the both of you walking through the hot desert together even though you were already rescued?"
Tony looks at Rose who gives a small, unnoticeable shake of the head. He shrugs and says, "We were both taking a walk. We were just heading back to the city."
"A city that was ten miles away. Pretty far to walk when you are still injured; especially when I see you were using Rose as crutch support."
"Uh…we wanted to see the spot where I was founded by her to look for clues."
"Clues on what?" Rhodey pressed on. Rose was slightly getting uncomfortable and shifted in her seat.
"Hey, I want an American cheeseburger. Let's stop somewhere in America and get one on the way back." Tony suddenly says.
"We are taking you to a hospital." Rhodey replies back, but gives him a knowing glance that they'll talk later about it.
Tony nods and says, "Nope. Cheeseburger for the hungry man. That's an order lieutenant."
Rose softly giggles as Rhodey sighs. "Pilot, find the nearest American fast food place that serves cheeseburgers." The pilot nods his head. "Yes sir. Rerouting course. Estimated arrival time now is 1100 hours sir by tomorrow."
"Want anything? I'm paying." Tony looks to Rose and Rhodey. Rose shakes her head. "I'm good for now. Thanks for asking Tony." He nods at her and looks to his best friend.
Rhodey sighs. "Well, since you actually have no money on you, I'll be paying. Might as well get a cheeseburger too."
"Oh and some shakes! Angel, you'll have to eat something other than the snacks provided here. Want to share fries? Or what you call them-chips." Rose sighs as well. "Alright Tony." She knew she wasn't going to win that fight. Besides, it was a long flight, maybe she'll be able to change his mind. For now, they were going to enjoy each other's company, eat snacks, and sleep. They had all of tomorrow to really discuss what went down in the desert.
The landing wasn't so bad, but she preferred her broomstick. It had softer landing mechanisms. Right after they exited the helicopter, a ginger hair woman came rushing out of a black car and hugged Tony with all her might.
"Watch the arms, watch the arms!" Tony said in a loud voice.
The woman backed away. "Are they hurt? Oh my God Tony, did I injure them more?" She looked at him with guilt and worry building up, while checking his arms for evidence of her crime.
"I'm fine Pepper. As right as rain than I really should be." Tony waves his arms around to prove his point. "But seriously, be more careful, I'm holding my lunch in my hands. Can't drop that."
The now named woman, Pepper, gave him a stern look before sighing. "Even after going through that whole kidnapping ordeal you haven't really changed a bit."
"Mhmm." Tony says as he takes a bite out of his cheeseburger.
"And who is this?" Pepper looks to his right to see a red headed lady.
"Ah, this is Rose, the angel who saved me. Say hello Rose." Tony said while chewing his food. Rose holds out her hand to greet Pepper. "Hello Pepper, my name is Rose Potter. Pleasure to meet you."
Pepper shakes her hand with enthusiasm and gratefulness. "Pepper Potts. It is a pleasure to meet you as well! Thank you so much for saving Tony." She then turns her attention back to Tony.
"We'll need to get you to a hospital for check up. I have Happy ready to drive you there."
Tony holds up his hand to interrupt. "Uh, nope. No hospital."
"Yes Tony, hospital now." Pepper argued.
Tony shook his head. "Nope, get me a press conference stat. I got a few words I need to say to them."
"But your health is more important!"
"Look, I've been captured and rescued all in three months. I've seen a lot of things I wouldn't have believed three months ago, but it happened. Now, I am going to finish eating this delicious cheeseburger or two while we are on our way to a press conference." With that said, he slowly moves towards the car; only he looked like a penguin waddling for the first time. "Come along Rose, I got your burger and chips in my hands as well." He waves his left arm as if to prove the bag he is holding had her lunch; although it looked more of him trying to hold his balance upright. Rose sighed and walked to help him.
Pepper turns her head to Rhodey as if he would talk some sense into Tony, but caught him in mid bite of his cheeseburger. He puts his hands up in surrender mode. "Don't look at me, I already tried. Let the man have this; it looks like he really needs this." Then he too walked towards the car and taking a bite of his lunch. Pepper sighed and followed all of them.
Short Interlude:
A man in a black trench coat and an eye patch on his left eye, banged his fists against the table. "Again! What and where is this signal coming from?!" He looks up and glares at the agents before him. They all turn their heads to either the data or anywhere other than his gaze.
The man huffed and pressed the intercom button on his desk. "Agent Coulson! Get yourself in here front and center!" As quickly as he said it, another man appeared before his eye.
"What's the matter Director Fury, sir?" Agent Coulson asked.
Director Fury points to a blinking dot somewhere in the desert of Afghanistan. "What do you see here Coulson?"
"I see a bright white dot, sir." He replies.
Fury glare turned colder. "I can see that Coulson. What I mean is, what do you believe this is?"
"According to the scans at the moment, just particles of pure energy."
"And who do we know that was last seen in Afghanistan at this moment of time?"
"Tony Stark sir." Coulson responded.
"Yes, Tony fuckin' Stark! Howard's boy. Now something is going on here, and we need to know what. I just heard he was rescued not too long ago; let alone, not that far from the energy source that has popped up not once, but twice. I have sent a team not too long ago to go investigate it further before it disappears off our radar." Fury strides around his desk. "You on the other hand, are to find Tony and ask him what happened. This mission has been booted up to a code red in our books. Go to Agent Hills to request for more info and be on your way."
"Yes sir!" Coulson said before leaving.
Fury turns and walks towards his glass wall that showed the city landscape of New York. He looked down to see the normal, mundane people walk around, going about their daily lives. No clue of what is really going on behind the scenes. "We need answers."
Author's Note: Awesome, another chapter done with an extra lickety split. I'm on a roll! Haha. However, don't get your hopes up too much. I apparently had a lot more free time these past few days, and I'm quite shocked. But I'm sure you're all happy either way. Anyways, please comment below on how you think this story is progressing so far. I love to hear input. Otherwise, stay tune for the next installment! See you guys in the next chapter! :)