WARNING: Character death in this chapter.

I had hoped to update last week but it wasn't to be. Apologies for that!

Fateful Choices

PART FIVE

THE REVENGE OF TONY STARK

Chapter Three

The Departure

When he next came to, Gamora was sitting beside his bed.

"Guess I survived then…" he managed, his throat sore from lack of fluids.

"You did," she smiled at him.

"Happy? Pepper?" he asked. Even in his foggy brain, he remembered Happy had been transferred to Wakanda as well for pioneering surgery which would hopefully save his life.

Gamora was hesitant to speak at first. "It's not looking good."

Tony closed his eyes. His head ached and it felt like his brain had been sliced open (it had). "He has to live…" he whispered quietly.

She squeezed his hand. "They are doing everything they can."

Unconsciousness claimed him once again.

Pepper was waiting with Shuri, anxiety present in her stomach. She couldn't eat or drink, despite Shiri continuing to pester her. Happy's surgery was a lot more complex than Tony's had been.

The chip in Tony's head hadn't been that deep in his brain. In fact, it hadn't even been put in his brain. It had been placed on top of it, making removal a lot easier than intended. The scans had given the impression it had been inserted into his frontal lobe but it hadn't. Tony was now drifting in and out of consciousness as his body fought to wake up from the anaesthetic. As they had anticipated the operation to be longer than it had been, they'd given him a lot of anaesthetic to knock him out for over half a day, and despite Tony's enhancements, his body was struggling to counteract against the powerful drug and bring him back to the waking world.

Happy had been in surgery for six hours already.

"He's not going to make it," whispered Pepper, tears welling in her eyes. She didn't want to have finally been reunited with Tony, only to lose Happy. It wouldn't be fair.

"Pepper…" calmed Shuri, "they haven't given up yet. Do not lose hope."

Pepper swallowed. She was finding it difficult to keep up faith. The longer Happy was in surgery and the less she knew… It only increased her fear she was about to lose him. "Tony may have survived, but he doesn't want to be a part of this world. I can't lose them both. I don't want to lose either."

"How long have you known Happy?" asked Shuri, quietly.

Pepper sniffed. "Years. Ever since I started working for Tony." She could still remember her first meeting with Tony and how she had inadvertently gained a promotion. "I pepper-sprayed him."

Shuri raised her eyebrows. "You did what?"

"I pepper-sprayed Happy. It's how I got my nickname," replied Pepper. She could still remember that day with clarity.

She'd been denied by her line manager to report the mathematical error to their superior. Apparently Tony Stark was never wrong.

Well, Pepper knew he was and if the error wasn't corrected, the company would stand to lose millions. Pretending to need to use the ladies, Pepper grabbed the aforementioned paperwork and marched out of the office, down the corridor, out into the foyer, crossed through it and up the broad stairs.

She then marched along the corridor, which looked out onto the various production factories which adjoined to the main building, heading towards the senior offices. She turned right at an intersection towards the CEO's office where she was met by a young girl with short blonde hair, a small nose and thin lips. Her eyes were bright blue. She stood up as Pepper approached, showing she wore a very short skirt and a thin, revealing shirt.

Pepper felt disgusted at the audacity of the CEO's personal assistant, but then, everyone knew Tony Stark's reputation. He had slept with every one of his PA's so far. Each time he did, it was a nightmare for human resources who always had to relocate the PA to another part of the company or let them go, whilst finding a suitable replacement. Any PA of Stark's barely lasted six months.

It was a job Pepper would never want.

"How may I help you?"

"I need to see Mr Stark," stated Pepper.

"Have you got an appointment?" the girl asked, checking the diary on her desk.

"No."

"Then you will need to make an appointment to see him. Mr Stark is a very busy man. His next availability is next Tuesday at three o clock."

Pepper rolled her eyes. This wouldn't take long. "By next Tuesday the company will have lost millions of dollars if Mr Stark doesn't see this today!"

The girl laughed. "I'm sorry, but are you questioning Mr Stark's mathematics? He doesn't make any mistakes. To question him, is to question the company itself."

Pepper resisted the urge to shout. "I work in the finance department. I know a mathematical error when I see one. It is urgent I rectify this."

"And I told you there is no appointment available," the girl retorted.

Pepper grounded her teeth together. "Then I won't leave until I see him." She was going to stand her ground, no matter what.

The girl sighed. Her hand moved underneath her desk and Pepper knew she had called for security. It barely took thirty seconds for two security men to arrive.

"Please step away from the desk, ma'am," the shorter of the two asked. He had brown hair and soft brown eyes. He was a bigger build then the other security guard who was tall and broad. The badge on the man's lapel introduced him as 'Happy Hogan – Personal Security'. The taller guard had a badge identifying himself as 'Neil Wallace – Head of Security'.

"I just need to see Mr Stark for a few minutes," explained Pepper. "It won't take long."

The girl stepped out from her desk. "I explained to Miss Potts," she eyed her name badge, "that Mr Stark has no availability today and to come back on Tuesday when she has an appointment. She refused and decided to stay here. She wasn't going to leave."

"If I do not see Mr Stark then the company will lose money. By the time I have my appointment, it will be too late!"

The taller of the security guards stepped forward. "Look, rules are rules. We cannot allow you in to see Mr Stark. He is a very busy man."

"Then I'll wait for him out here. I am not taking the blame for the company losing money. I'm not stupid! I know what happens if this type of loss was identified after it happens. It wouldn't be your job on the line," she pointed at the PA and the two security guards, "it would be mine! I'm not prepared to risk my job because Mr Stark does not make mistakes. He is human, like everyone else. He may be brilliant but he is not infallible to mistakes."

The one named Happy stepped forward, reaching for her. "Ma'am, we cannot allow you in or to see Mr Stark."

"Fine." Pepper gritted her teeth. If they wouldn't let her in, she'd have to force her way in. She was angry about this enough that she was willing to put her job on the line to ensure the huge amount of money they could lose did not happen. If it did, as one of the last people to rubber-stamp the document, she'd be the most likely to get fired.

As he reached out for her, Pepper pushed past him, making a move for the door, when one of the guards grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "Get off me!" She reached into her pocket, pulled out a spray bottle and pressed down on the top. A mist ejected from the top, spraying right into the eyes of Happy Hogan, who leapt back, coughing and spluttering.

She made her move and reached the door to the office, yanked it open –

Only to be pulled back by the other guard who immobilised her spraying hand and physically dragged her away from the door.

"Let go of me!" she shouted angrily.

"What is going on here?" a smooth, rather amused voice said.

Pepper stopped her struggles and saw Tony Stark standing in the doorway of his office, watching the commotion.

His PA ran forwards. "My apologies, Mr Stark, she wouldn't take no for an answer."

"I always have time for lovely ladies." His eyes ran up Pepper's body. "You should have let her in."

Oh, he really was a playboy.

"Let her go, Mr Wallace," said Tony. He turned his attention to Happy. "What she get you with?"

"Pepper spray." Happy's eyes were red.

"Now why would you be carrying that around with you?"

Pepper pursed her lips. "For protection."

"You're feisty. I like that," grinned Stark. "Now, why don't you enter my office and we'll see what this is all about."

"Sir, are you sure that is wise? She assaulted one of us," said Wallace.

Tony chuckled. "Very sure. This could have been avoided if you'd just let her in, in the first place." He glanced at his PA. "You know if it is something important to allow admittance to people. Not everyone has to have an appointment."

The girl blushed in embarrassment.

Feeling a bit unsure, Pepper followed Tony into the office. It was quite large with an alcohol bar on one side and filing cabinets in the other. His desk was situated close to the window, with his back to the outside world.

Tony sat on his chair. "So, Pepper, tell me what brings you here today."

"Virginia," she corrected.

"I'm sorry?"

"Virginia, that's my name," she clarified.

"Nope, it's Pepper. You look like a Pepper, therefore you shall be Pepper."

She didn't feel like arguing with him on this. At least she was able to present his mistake to him in person, though it was likely since she had attacked one of his guards, that she would lose her job anyway.

"You've made a mathematical error," she explained. "The numbers do not work out. The company could lose millions." She passed him the folder.

It didn't take long for Tony to spot his mistake. "I will edit this and get a new copy sent out. I think you're the first to question me."

Pepper blushed. "I knew if I let the mistake pass, as a lot of other people wanted me to do, then I would have been the one to take the fall for it. I could have lost my job over this. In fact…" She moved her eyes to the door. She'd just assaulted someone.

"Happy won't press charges."

"How do you know?" she questioned.

"I'm his boss. This whole thing could have been averted if Miss –" He couldn't seem to remember his PA's name. "- Richardson hadn't decided you couldn't enter without an appointment."

Pepper nodded, feeling stunned at her good fortune. "Thank you, Mr Stark."

"You're welcome, Miss Potts," he replied, almost sounding genuine but she detected the flirty tone in his voice.

She walked out of his office, spotting Happy on the way out. She moved over to him. "Sorry about that."

He was still dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief. "No, that's fine. Don't worry about it."

"Are you sure?" She was surprised.

"Look, you've done something for Mr Stark. He won't want me pressing charges. And if it is something urgent you need to speak to Mr Stark about, Miss Ritch should have let you pass," he explained.

She was taken back.

"You won't be fired. Trust me." Happy smiled.

Pepper nodded her thanks and left.

"And then the very next day I got a call from human resources," continued Pepper. "I was informed they needed to see me. I went to the meeting and I was offered the position of Tony Stark's PA. He'd asked for me personally. Turns out, his current PA had made quite a few misjudgements in her time there and he let her go, or had her moved to another department."

"And it was a job you didn't want to do?" queried Shuri.

"Knowing Tony's reputation, becoming his PA would be a daily battle. But, oddly, Tony never made any advances towards me. Well, he did try once or twice but he soon stopped when I made sure I wouldn't be a pushover. Happy and I's friendship grew. We were a good team together, all three of us, and Rhodey when he was around, he slotted in nicely. Then when Tony went missing after New York, he became a constant companion for me. Without Happy, I don't think I would have ever recovered from that." Pepper smiled sadly. "Happy always had a little crush on me but kept it quiet. He knew Tony liked me and was very supportive of us when we got together. A lesser man would have walked away but Happy stuck around."

Shuri nodded slowly. "He really cared for you then."

"He did. Happy was just as upset as I was about Tony… He always seemed the stronger of us two… He helped me keep the company running, helped steer me in the right direction. I could easily have fallen into depression." She had never told anyone this before. "I nearly did." She paused, glancing at Shuri. "I could fight this Thanos too, if I really wanted to."

"How?"

"Extremis," replied Pepper. She knew the chemical was banned and the knowledge of it was classified but Wakanda was extremely advanced. It was likely they knew of its existence.

"I've heard of it," admitted Shuri. "It made people into bombs."

"In a way. That only happened if the host body didn't accept it," clarified Pepper. "I had it forced on me… I survived. I'm not going to explode… but… I had Extremis deactivated. It's still in me but I cannot benefit from the advantages it gave me. I could have it activated again and use it to fight alongside the Avengers."

Shuri raised her eyebrows. "Do you want to?"

"I'm not sure. I think I'll know once I know about Happy. If he can't survive and Tony does not want to live, why shouldn't I go out fighting too?" It wasn't a serious thought but it was something worth considering. Her whole life had been torn apart in the space of a few days. She didn't know what to do. She had Extremis. It would be easy to reactivate it, ensure she could still access the powers she had.

The biggest question of all was: could she really sit back and wait, knowing she had the capacity and the abilities to help out?

When Tony woke again, Gamora was still there, sitting by his bedside, waiting for him to wake.

"Hi," she said, as he fought through the pull.

"Is it… gone?" he asked.

"Yes. The chip is gone. Destroyed. Thanos cannot use you against us now," she replied quietly.

Mild disappointment flooded through him. He wouldn't have been disappointed if he had died. But he was still here.

His head wasn't hurting as much as it had been. It wasn't fogged over either. Carefully he raised his head as Gamora brought a glass of water over to him. Taking the glass, he sipped carefully, enjoying the soothe sensation of water coursing down his throat.

"Better?" she asked.

He shrugged. "A bit." Moving his hand up to his forehead he felt for the scar tissue. He seemed surprised when he didn't feel any new incision there.

"They opened the original scar. Wakanda has a lot of marvellous technology. They were able to avoid scarring you more."

"It wouldn't have mattered," he answered. "I have too many scars… What does one more mean?"

Gamora's mouth twitched. The fact his body was littered with scars was her fault.

"Happy?" he asked suddenly.

Gamora bit her lip.

Tony knew the answer just by the expression on her face and her hesitation to answer.

"I'm sorry."

Anger coursed through him like never before. Wrenching the sheets off of him, he leapt out of bed, ignoring the sudden stabbing pains in his head. "I want to see him. I need to see his body." He didn't want to believe he was dead.

"Tony… Happy is still alive."

He turned towards her, mouth opening in protest, to demand why she had sought to deceive him. "Then why did you insinuate he was dead?"

"I was going to continue," she replied quietly. "The surgeons tried their best to repair the damage in his chest… But the work is too complicated. Even their advanced technology cannot save his life. He's on life support. Pepper is with him."

Tony swallowed, his throat dry.

"She's waiting for you."

Tony followed her.

Pepper's eyes were red. She'd been crying. She sat beside her lover.

Tony paused in the doorway to Happy's room. His friend lay on the bed, unconscious and kept alive by life support.

Pepper turned her head slowly. "Tony…"

He moved forward, unsure of how to proceed. "Pepper…" He reached out but drew back, feeling uncomfortable with the physical touch. "I'm sorry."

She sniffed. "Not your fault."

It was. Pepper just didn't know how it could be.

"Is there anything…?"

She shook her head, "No. I've tried everything. Not even Wakandan technology can help him. The damage in his chest is too extensive. He was shot in the stomach. The acid spilled out and started to eat away his insides… And the other shot ricocheted up close to his heart. Because of where he was struck, the heart is now compressed as he has bleeding around his heart and it is restricting his beats, slowly killing him. The damage is too severe to heal."

Tony felt sick. What a horrible way to die.

"Happy hasn't woken since the injury. At least he doesn't know, it's the only consolation I have," sniffed Pepper. "But… now I have to make a choice. He can either stay on life support until we can find something to help him, or switch it off…" Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I don't know what to do! I can't lose both of you!"

Stunned, Tony felt shame coursing through him. Pepper was going to lose both him and Happy in a short space of time. He couldn't feel guilty about that, not after what he had been through.

"Pepper…" he said slowly.

"What should I do?"

He bit his lip. "Sometimes we have to learn how to live without the ones we love. It's hard. And, god, these last six years has been so difficult. Not just for me, but for you too. I spent years with Happy as my driver and bodyguard, but you know him better than I ever could. You've shared something with him that I can never understand. What would he want?"

There was silence between them.

Tony watched the rise and fall of Happy's chest. It wasn't as deep as breaths should be; his injuries were too significant for him to be able to breathe properly, even with life support on. The machines were effectively breathing for him.

Pepper closed her eyes, bowing her head, clutching Happy's hand tighter. "He would want me to live my life. He wouldn't want to live like this. But I'm not sure I can say turn it off… I love him."

"Pepper…" Tony didn't know what to say, standing there, seeing the life of a friend drain away.

"I know I have to let him go," she sniffed. "But could you make that choice? To end someone's life?"

Pepper really didn't know or understand what Tony had been doing the last few years. He had made the conscious choice to end people's lives. He was an Enforcer of Thanos, tasked with bringing peace to the universe. He just hadn't been able to carry out the orders on people he knew. But he couldn't tell her that either.

He stayed silent, unable to comment.

"He wouldn't want to suffer," she said quietly. "He'd want me to make the right choice for him. The longer he is left like this, the more damage there will be. Even if there was a chance to heal him later on… It would be more difficult just by leaving him in this state. They drained the fluid around his heart but without something to heal it…"

"It will keep on returning," finished Tony. He knew the stakes, knew what was happening to Happy's body.

"I have to give them permission, don't I?" Pepper asked, looking at him with tear-stained eyes.

Tony bowed his head and very reluctantly, nodded.

There wasn't anything they could do for Happy, unless they had a miracle which was unlikely to happen.

Pepper had run out of options.

All she had was the most difficult choice facing her.

And Tony didn't envy her one bit.

Pepper asked him to stay.

So he did.

The doctors switched off the life support machine at 15:46.

Happy breathed his last, struggling breath at 15:49.

They returned to the United States a day later, with Happy's body so he could receive a proper burial. Happy hadn't had any other family to notify, having lost his parents years ago. Only Pepper's parents had been notified of his death. They had wanted to come to the burial Pepper had planned to pay their respects to the man who had made their daughter happy after losing Tony, but she had asked them not to, well aware of the threat against her and not wishing to put her parents in harm's way.

It still wasn't common knowledge Tony was alive though rumours persisted on the news and the press. The Avengers were not sure how to handle the situation. Rhodey was still with the United States Government, organising a press release on what to release to the public. It was only top government officials that knew of Tony's survival and the fact he had been obtained by the Avengers.

There was also the problem of the Guardian's spaceship, sitting on the helipad of the Avenger's facility, which had been photographed and videoed on the news. So far, the speculation was this was a new form of aircraft invented by the scientists of Stark Industries but the deception wouldn't hold for long, especially with two alien attacks in the space of a few days.

Something had to give.

Eventually it did.

WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCEMENT

RE: The Avengers Statement

in conjunction with the CIA and World Security Council

There have been multiple attacks in recent days, the foremost being the attack on Stark Industries, in which multiple employees were murdered. The attack was carried out by an extra-terrestrial alien force, which is currently sitting up above the Earth's orbit.

The Avengers have responded to both attacks, thereby preventing further injuries to the population. A third attack on the Asgardian refugees was also halted before it had begun.

The Avengers will continue to counteract the threat this force holds.

Rumours persist of a new spacecraft, created by Stark Industries technicians, sitting on the landing pad of the Avengers Facility. They wish to confirm Thor Odinson has brought allies with him to aid the Earth. They are not hostile life-forms and will work with the Avengers to counteract this threat.

We would also like to respond to the rumours within the media regarding Anthony Edward Stark, formally CEO of Stark Industries, prior to missing in action during the Battle of New York in May 2012. He is currently detained in a secure location, having become a prisoner of war, following his loss after the battle. He was captured by the Avengers when the Asgardian Encampment was attacked a few days ago.

Mr Stark has spent the last six years under duress with the advancing force. The Avengers wish to make it known Mr Stark is not responsible for his actions during the attack on Stark Industries and will work with the relevant authorities once this crisis has passed, to ensure Mr Stark is granted access to the medical treatment and help he deserves.

Tony would have preferred his name to have been left out of the statement.

Unfortunately, his appearance at Stark Industries prevented him from being protected. He wouldn't need the Avengers or Governments help either. He was going to die after all. But no one really needed to know that.

As a result of the press release, the outskirts of the Avengers Compound were now subject to a group of paparazzi, desperate for a sight of Tony or any of the off-world visitors. Thankfully the Avengers were not in a giving mood, not with everything else going on.

They laid Happy to rest in the gardens of the compound, holding a small service for him which all the Avengers attended.

Afterward, Pepper retreated to her room, asking to be left alone so she could process her grief in peace.

Tony and the others banded together, sitting at a large oval table in the communal area, where they could discuss their next course of action. Now that Tony was recovered from his surgery, it was becoming imperative that they act against Thanos sooner rather than later.

The problem was reaching the Titan.

"He will be coming here," said Gamora. "He prefers for his children to do his bidding, to bring him the stones. He will only enter the fray if he believes he needs to."

Tony dreaded the day he would face Thanos on the battlefield. He knew what he was capable of. "He sent me to retrieve the Mind Stone from the Asgardian Encampment. He expected me to fail…"

Thor, who had sent Loki back to his people to help protect the stone, spoke up. "There are two stones on Earth. He'll go for one or the other first."

"Time is too well protected here," said Gamora, glancing at Strange, who was reluctantly remaining with the Avengers. "Thanos knows he could easily defeat us but he will be far more prepared if he has possession of the Mind Stone."

"We need to fortify the compound. Unless we decide to meet Thanos in a place that is more secure," said Steve.

"There is nowhere on Earth which is safe," said Tony. "He'll come and cause maximum destruction he can, just to get that stone. No matter where we go he will chase us. We could draw him away and take the Time Stone away from here. We have the means and the facility to do so."

"I cannot leave this planet," interrupted Dr Strange. "I have other duties here."

"Then give us the stone," said Tony. "You can stay and we can take it from here."

"I will be breaking my oath if I allowed the Time Stone to be taken from this planet. We have protected the stone for years. I will not part with it." The Doctor's tone was clear. Clearly, he had already made up his mind.

"Then you are subjecting this planet to war and destruction," stated Gamora harshly, standing from her chair and leaning across the table towards the wizard. "It could be avoided if you left, even for a short time, or surrendered the Time Stone. You'd get it back as soon as we've dealt with this."

Strange stood slowly from his chair. "I said 'no'. I'm only here because it is too risky for me to return home. I have vowed to help you, but not leave this planet undefended."

"Despite the fact you are putting it in danger by remaining here. Not a very good defender, are you?" snapped Tony angrily.

Strange's lips thinned.

"Enough!" shouted Steve. "This is not helping things! We need to form a cohesive plan of attack and we cannot do that if we argue about semantics all the time!"

"And I thought we were bad at discussing plans," piped up Rocket, sitting beside Quill, watching the argument unfold, a smirk crossing his feline features.

"Neither of us can agree with one another," added Natasha. "How are we supposed to save the world if we are not allowed to do it?"

Strange looked ready to argue but then there was a flash of light and Loki appeared, falling right onto the table, coughing and spluttering up blood.

"BROTHER!" Thor shouted.

Tony stared at the god's battered form. A horrible feeling rose in his stomach.

Loki sat up on the table, shaking the long locks of hair out of his face. His face was black and blue. He'd clearly taken a beating.

"Brother? What are you -? Is everyone safe?" Thor pulled Loki into an awkward hug.

Loki grasped Thor's arms. "They came. Thanos came, brother."

Silence echoed around the room.

Tony swallowed. He knew what was coming.

"He took it…" Loki said. "Brother… Heimdell is dead. Thanos has the Mind Stone."

To be continued...

Please let me know what you think!

Yeah, Happy died. I'm sorry? (As did Heimdell but that was off-screen.)

There had to be some consequences in this story. Not everyone can make it out alive. I'm going to warn you in advance that there are more deaths to come.

Happy's death will have a lasting effect on both Tony and Pepper and it will be further explored in following chapters.

Pepper and Extremis - this was explained in an earlier chapter of the fic. Part 1: Chapter 4 - The Years Between. Pepper still has Extremis, if she wants to use it...

I plan to update again in two weeks! :)

Until then,

the-writer1988