Thank you to everyone who offered their condolences, too be honest I think it's better this way; I wouldn't have liked to see him suffer. Thanks especially to Lady Sally and Sharon Holmes for their lovely messages.
So… here's the next chapter! Sorry it's late and please R and R!!
Previously on 'Busy Day At The Office- The Tony Saga Part 6'
WebSwinger- Oh I missed this :)
IronMan - Lol.
Oh wait! I can hear the helicopter!!!
And now the conclusion…
Tony pulled his helmet off and leant back against the sand as the helicopter landed about 20 feet away.
Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes jumped out of the copter and ran over to his fallen friend.
'I am getting a strong feeling of déjà vu right now,' Tony said, smiling weakly.
Rhodey grinned. 'It's always been me that saves your arse Tony, let's face it.'
Tony grinned and blacked out, his head falling back on the sand.
Rhodey gently eased Tony up over his shoulder, trying to avoid his broken leg, and carried him into the copter.
'Start gathering up the armour,' he called to Private Marshall.
Rhodey laid his friend down on the floor of the copter and stepped back as the field medic examined him.
'Severe dehydration,' he said. 'Possible broken ribs, that leg is definitely broken, there's an infection there too but that should be able to be treated with antibiotics.'
Rhodey nodded and jumped back down into the sand to help Marshall with gathering up the armour.
'Is Mr Stark okay?' Marshall said anxiously.
Rhodey smiled, he knew that Marshall had a 4 year old boy who was obsessed with Iron Man.
'Broken ribs and a broken leg, which means he'll be impossible to live with for the next few weeks, other than that he's fine.'
Marshall sighed in relief. 'That's good, I wonder if he'd given Bobby his autograph?'
Rhodey chuckled, 'and make his ego bigger? Course he will.'
Pepper paced the length of Tony's floor in agitation.
Come on Rhodey, phone already…
'Miss Potts? I have Colonel Rhodes on the phone.'
Pepper grabbed the phone so quickly she heard her wrist click.
'Rhodey? Is he alright?'
'Nice to hear from you too Pepper, yes; it was a fine flight, thank you for asking.'
'Rhodey!'
'Fine. Yes, his lordship is okay, he just has a few broken ribs, severe dehydration and a broken leg.'
'JUST???'
'He's alive isn't he? We should be landing at Edwards in the next 3 hours. I don't care what Tony thinks, he is going to the hospital. I'll meet you there.'
'Can I speak to Tony?'
'Well… you can try but you won't get a response on account of him being unconscious and what not.'
'I want to talk to him anyway.'
There was a pause. 'Okay fine, just don't expect a response, k?'
There was a faint rustle while Rhodey placed the phone over Tony's ear and Pepper heard him say 'okay Pepper, he's all yours.'
Pepper wasn't sure how much Rhodey could hear so she decided that her best bet was to whisper.
'Tony? Honey? It's Pepper. Listen, I'm not mad at you for flying off and getting hit by… something. Actually, scratch that- I am mad, but only a little. And right now, all I want is for you to wake up and talk to me, okay? Please?'
Pepper heard movement from the other side of the phone and a faint groan echoed into her ear.
'Tony?'
'Hey, Peps.'
'Oh my God, it is so good to hear your voice!'
Pepper heard Tony chuckle, he sounded tired. 'The feeling's mutual, Peps.'
Pepper smiled. 'I'll be waiting for you at the airport, okay? Now get some rest, go back to sleep.'
'But you're the one that woke me up!' Tony said indignantly.
'And I am also the one who's telling you to get back to sleep! I love you, Tony.'
'Love you more,' Tony mumbled sleepily.
