Disclaimer: I do not own Iron Man or Marvel in any way or form, including characters, comics, scripts, movies, etc. This is a work of fiction and I own only my OC/OCs and certain plot points.

The painkillers wore off about halfway through the flight. In a very Stark-like fashion, Tony refused to be drugged again, and opted for some paracetamol instead.

Lila watched him dry swallow the pills from across the seat. They were in the cabin area by the window, facing one another in the far comfier recliners. Sun bathed the inside of the cabin, bringing with it a good vibe, but also shedding light on any injuries which had been kept hidden.

The doctor stood up with a huff, and Lila watched his back as he rose. He'd been examining Tony's arm, leaving it in a rich blue sling once more. Tony had insisted it was unnecessary, but couldn't be bothered fighting the stubborn doctor off.

Moving out of the way, the doctor revealed the billionaire. Tony smiled up him, though it wasn't all real. He never liked the people that sedated him, even if it was for his own good. Plus, the doctor and Lila weren't on the best of terms ever since she tried to orchestrate his surgery.

"Thanks, Doc." He said around a piece of gum that he was chewing.

He was looking better. He'd washed his face and tidied up his goatee. He still wore plain track pants and a t-shirt, however. He wasn't about to get dressed up with eight more hours of flying to do.

The doctor said little, and packed up his bag instead, already marching down the back of the plane.

Still smiling, Tony sighed as he watched the doctor's retreating figure, "Ah, what a prick."

Lila smirked in agreement.

Seated opposite one another, they both basked in mid-morning light.

Tony settled, his eyes once again on the horizon. He looked different, and not just because he'd been held hostage by terrorists. It was as thought something in him had changed; he didn't sit with quite the amount of arrogance as he had before. Great, Lila thought. Now I'm going to look like the cocky one. Not that it was a lie, of course.

Movement caught Lila's eye and she smiled tiredly at the door behind Tony. "Rhodes."

The colonel nodded.

"Rhodey." Tony started, spinning in his seat with a poorly concealed wince. He pretended to ignore the disapproving glances sent his way.

"Thought you were on pain meds." Rhodes observed as he took a seat beside the man.

"I am." He returned to a more comfortable position. "Paracetamol." He grinned.

All Rhodey could do with breathe a sigh. He'd quickly learned that it was all he could do in regards to Tony.

"Tell him what you tried to down them with, Stark." Lila rested her chin on her knuckles.

Reminded, Tony turned to Rhodes with renewed vigor. "Would you believe they don't keep whiskey on this plane? Nothing. Not even celebratory bubbles." He said with a level of personal offence.

"Tony, this is a military issued craft. They don't keep alcohol on board." Rhodes told him wearily, though with obvious amusement. It was good to have his friend back.

"My point exactly!" Tony muttered.

With a fond smile, Rhodey resumed, "How you feeling, anyway?"

"Chipper." Was Tony's instant reply, despite the pain visible in his face.

Another disapproving glare was shot his way, but Rhodey went on, "You're gonna heal up fine. Just take it easy."

"Always do." That was a lie. He was quick to move on. "So, how'd you find me, anyway?" He addressed his two college friends. "It was pretty remote."

Rhodey simply gestured to the woman opposite him. Tony ever so slowly arched a brow and swiveled his attention to her. "You?"

Ignoring his disbelieving tone, Lila re-positioned herself, crossing her legs beneath her. "Tracker. It was very effective, very precise. Worked first time." She wasn't going to mention that it had taken her three months to find an idea that worked. Tony would rub that in her face for sure.

"The Finder A-X?" Tony guessed.

The Finder A-X had been a mid-college project that worked but never evolved. It had gotten her a good grade but that was about it.

Shaking her head, she replied, "I call it the FMFS Tracker. You can take a look later if you want."

"FMFS?" Tony restated, trenches between his brows.

"'Find Mother Fucking Stark'." She grinned coyly. She'd have to come up with something else for the press, though.

A large grin split across Tony's face and he chuckled. "So," he calmed. "How does it work?"

"You enter DNA samples, turn it on and it leads you straight to the source. In this case it was you."

"Well," Tony drew a breath and leaned back. "Good." 'Thank you'.

Lila simply nodded. "JARVIS helped, of course. We gave birth to a very smart AI, you know."

Tony frowned. "Wait, JARVIS?" What are you doing with my AI? He was probably thinking.

"I stayed with Pepper in Malibu while you were gone." She elaborated.

While you were gone. As though he'd been on vacation. Tony wasn't sure whether he was pissed or grateful for the blasé term.

"Yeah? Put my bed to good use, I hope." He winked at her flirtingly.

Lila, however, was immune. "Tony."

"For sleeping! God, obviously for sleeping." Tony exclaimed cheekily, cackling along the way.

She shook her head at him minutely. "Regardless of your meaning, no. I did not use your bed." Lila crossed her arms fluidly.

Propping his good arm on the side rest, Tony stifled a yawn. "Where the hell'd you sleep, then?"

Lila glanced up from picking at her chipped nails and simply smiled.

He seemed to understand.


They touched down just after lunchtime.

"Alright, time to put the wailing damsels to rest."

Tony was wearing a simply suit with the jacket undone and slung over his shoulders. His arm was in its sling and his hair was in complete disarray.

"Alright Tony, you good to go?" the colonel walked toward the pair.

"Yep." Tony told him over his shoulder.

Rhodey halted, taking in his messy tie and spiked, matted hair. He blew a breath out his pursed lips. He almost decided to just let him go out there, but as Rhodes peered down the open ramp of the plane, he spotted the already flashing cameras. Turning back to the pair, he said, "Lila, tidy him up, will you? Just because he was held captive for three months doesn't mean he's allowed to look it." He said jokingly before continuing down the aisle. "Fix yourself up, too! You're lookin' a mess!"

Lila narrowed her eyes at his back. "Fuck you, James!"

Tony clicked his tongue at her. "Ooh, language."

Lila looked toward the hypocrite pointedly. "Shut up."

She then raised her hand to rake her fingers through his hair, attempting to smooth out the monstrosity. Tony's shoulder seemed to take a breath and relax at the touch.

Lila supposed it had been a while since affection had visited Tony; not that it usually did anyway. But to think that it was the first time in months that he received any form of warm touch was mind-boggling. Even Lila had to come to terms with it.

Then, after a long moment, Tony's eyes caught sight of Lila's own unkempt hair, squished and tangled from the last few days' ordeals.

"Nice bed head." Bringing his hand up, he ran his fingers through the knots and grinned cheekily. "Always did love a symbiotic relationship." He chortled, eyes trained on the mess he was tending to. He was almost certain his was worse, though, judging from all the knots Lila's fingers were snagging on.

A good thirty seconds of mutual grooming passed before Tony's fingers stilled on the crown of her head.

Lila looked up at him to find a glazed look in his eye.

Tony couldn't help it. He was marvelling at the soft strands between his fingers, wrapped around his knuckles and caught under the edge of his nails.

Lila had always been observant, something Tony hated but had undoubtedly saved him more than once. Because she was so observant, she knew what was happening. And, because she knew Tony, she knew he'd be as close to embarrassed as he could get by this. Sleazing around, getting drunk at galas, being late to annual SI meetings…he was fine. But anything real? He was out.

So, Lila played it as cool as she could. "I use this really great shampoo. It's organic, too. I'll let you use it when we get back."

Tony blinked hurriedly, clearing his throat and pulling himself from his reverie. His eyes met hers and he scrambled for words before seamlessly saying, "Organic? Let me guess, they don't test on animals either, huh?" His hand fell from his hair to his side, picking at his thumbnail.

"Of course they don't." she sounded offended at the very idea.

Tony scoffed, rolling his bloodshot eyes. "Fucking hippie."

Lila, with her hand still tangled in his locks, gave him a sharp tug before smoothing it out once more. Tusking at him, she lowered her arm. "Ooh, language."

Tony rolled his eyes at the reiteration.

"Okay, we good here?" he looked past her, down the open ramp.

"Just about." She quickly straightened his tie and collar, and then tapped his shoulder. "Right behind you."

"Alright, let's go." Rhodey said, coming up to Tony's side. He didn't hesitate in grasping the man's hand firmly for support.

Exiting the plane, the sun was blindingly bright.

As they reached the tarmac, Tony scoffed indignantly at the med team as they wheeled out a chair and stretcher. Good luck with that.

"Are you kidding me with this? Get rid of them." Tony waved them off.

Lila spotted Pepper up ahead, dressed sensibly as always. They exchanged a beaming smile. As they neared, Lila could see the gloss coating her eyes.

"Your eyes are red." Tony observed, coming to a halt. "A few tears for your long-lost boss?"

Lila turned to Rhodey, then. "Back to normal?" she asked.

Rhodes, with arms crossed, glanced over at Tony and his PA. "Just about." He then met her gaze. "You did good, Lil."

Lila wasn't seeking praise, not yet. "Thanks." She said. "I'll see you later, Rhodes." She gave him a quick, tight hug before sliding into the passenger side of the waiting car.

Happy sat in the front, dressed in his usual suit. "Clancy." He regarded.

"Happy. How's it rockin'?" Despite only having met him a few times, she was fond of the driver.

"Rockin' like it always does. I see you found him." He gestured to Tony outside the car.

Lila nodded. "That I did."

"Good work. How's he doing?"

Lila had little to say to that. "He'll pull through."

However, if the last 24 hours was anything to go by, it would be a long road ahead.

The side door opened and both Pepper and Tony shuffled into the back.

"Where to, sir?" Happy asked over his shoulder.

Pepper beat him to it. "Take us to the hospital, please, Happy."

"No."

Lila craned a brow and looked over her shoulder. "Excuse me?"

"No?" Pepper repeated. "Tony, you have to go to the hospital."

"No is a complete answer." He said over the top of her voice.

Pepper, flustered as usual, reasoned, "The doctor has to look at you."

But Lila could see the stubbornness in Tony's face, the way his jaw was set and his eyes were locked. If she hadn't seen the med team work on him in the jet, Lila would have insisted he go to the hospital, too. But she knew he'd be fine for now. "Pepper." Lila gave the redhead a soft look that was shrugged off quickly.

Addressing Pepper, or maybe everybody in the car, Tony exclaimed, "I don't have to do anything. I've been in captivity for three months." Pepper glanced down at the words. "There are two things I want to do."

Lila knew that tone. Swallowing down a groan, she relaxed back in her seat. Here we go…

"I want an American cheeseburger," There it was. But Lila couldn't blame him, though. For all she knew he could've been eating sand for all that time. "…and the other…"

"That's enough of that." Pepper sighed.

"…is not what you think." Tony carried on. "I want you to call for a press conference now."

"Call for a press conference!" Pepper cried, looking at her boss as though he was mad. He probably was.

Lila swung around in her seat to stare at Tony. "Why the hell do you want that?" She knew he hated those things.

Tony, however, pointedly ignored them both, instead turning his attention to Happy. "Hogan, drive. Cheeseburger first."

Okey dokey, chapter 7! Feel free to leave a comment, I love receiving them! Next chapter should be up in a few days time.