If you recognise it… I don't own it.

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Clint tugged Phil out the room.

"Now do you see what I see?" Clint grinned.

"This is bad." Phil muttered, "Tony killed Steve?"

"No. It wasn't him. He said that. And I believe him."

"Good." Phil was breathing a little easier.

"Not good." Clint shook his head, "That means someone else has the Irondroids. And this is where things get bad."

"How bad?"

"Jimmy the Security Guard? He's the Winter Soldier."

"That's bad."

"It gets worse. His name is James Buchannan Barnes."

"Unfortunate name."

"Not really… He's the original."

"That's bad."

"It gets worse. He was Hydra's puppet."

"Puppet?"

"Like I was Loki's." And damn if that didn't say how rattled Clint was by this whole thing. He never talked about Loki.

"That's bad."

"It gets worse. Hydra infected SHIELD. Tony found out. He said most of the STRIKE teams are Hydra. Same with the Helicarrier crew."

"That's why he was attacking SHIELD." Phil's eyes widened, "Does he have proof?"

"Considering the Winter Soldier just pulled an Iron Man and did an info dump on the internet… I'd say yes."

"Then they'll be scrabbling to recover. No doubt launching an attack."

"I think the whole Iron Man attacking the Helicarrier was to take parts of Hydra out of commission for a while. Keep them distracted."

"That won't last for long. I doubt all of them were on the Helicarrier. They'll retaliate. Now they are exposed, they have to make a grab for power before people can recover fast enough."

"Crap." Clint muttered, "I didn't think about that."

"When did Tony find out?"

"Hydra or Avengers? Avengers… Day after Thor got him drunk. Hydra… Sometime between New York and Alaska… I think."

"Probably when he was hacking SHIELD looking for me." Phil muttered, "And then there was that convenient kidnapping… Maybe it wasn't AIM, but Hydra. After all, when AIM did get hold of him later they were more interested in making him fix Extremis than questioning him."

"Hydra framed AIM?" Clint blinked, "Okay, that's new. Believable. And that's even more worrying."

"Agreed." Phil muttered, "We'd best break up the reunion. We're going to need both of them."

"Knock, knock." Clint chirped as he pushed the door open, "I hope you're both still decent."

"I can't figure out how to take off his armour, or we wouldn't be." Steve fired back.

"Did not need to know that." Clint murmured, "Anyway, we need to figure out what we're going to do about Hydra."

"Hydra?" Steve blinked.

"I'm going to secure the Capital." Tony was firm, "Briar will meet me there. He's securing New York. Then moving to DC."

"Briar?" Steve stared at Tony, "What's Briar got to do with anything? That's Jimmy, right? The security guard? I've never met him."

"Oh, you have." Clint muttered, "He's also known as the Winter Soldier."

"Oh great." Steve sighed, "Suppose I should have guessed that. Given that Tony is Iron Man!"

"He also has another name." Tony whispered, "You know him."

"I'm sure I don't." Steve ran his hand over Tony's cheek, brushing away a few escaping tears.

"He's also known as Bucky." Tony finished.

Steve's hand froze.

"That's impossible." Steve pointed out, "Bucky's dead."

"Hydra experimented on him." Tony reminded, "They were working on recreating the Super Soldier Serum. I won't say they succeeded. But I wouldn't exactly call it a failure."

"Why didn't you come to me?"

"I didn't know you were the Captain. Briar never said. I think he was enjoying watching us. Laughing at us."

"When did he tell you?"

"He never did. I figured it out, after I got drunk."

"You got drunk?" Steve's face was partly disappointed, partly grieving, "You were doing so well."

"Blame Thor." Tony shrugged, "He figured it was a suitable memorial for you. Some Viking stroke Asgardian thing."

"I didn't find out until he was completely sloshed." Clint put in, "Jarvis decided I was the right person to intervene. It seems no one told our Asgardian about the potential dangers of alcohol."

"How are we doing this?" Steve asked, "New York and then DC?"

"No." Phil shook his head, "We need DC secure as quickly as possible."

"We can't leave the Avengers without direction in New York." Clint reminded.

"I've got a small flier." Tony offered, "It can only take one person. But it moves faster than my Suit does. No weapons. Less weight."

"What was it meant for?" Clint asked slightly nervously.

"My nefarious kidnapping of Captain America." Tony's voice was deadpan.

"What?" Steve stared, "You're serious?"

"Absolutely." Tony nodded, "The original plan was to gather the evidence, kidnap the Captain, present you with the evidence and then let you decide what happened next. We figured you would make the right choice."

"And you wouldn't?" Steve challenged.

"Well, I wasn't exactly in the mood to talk Briar down. His original plans involved a lot of guns and explosions." Tony shrugged, "He calmed down eventually. We decided you were the best person to make the decision. And you'd know who to get involved. And they'd trust you. They'd trust the evidence you gave them. And Briar said you'd trust him. So that was all golden. Anyway, it'll get someone to New York faster than this bird will. No matter how Jarvis pushes the engines. Ain't that right, Jay?"

"Of course, Sir. May I also inform you that operating the engines at one hundred and ten percent for this period of time, will mean it will require a complete overhaul in the near future."

"Put it on my schedule." Tony waved his hands negligently.

"A pleasure to do so, Sir." Jarvis responded immediately, "I will place it in the next available slot. Which is tomorrow. All day."

"All day?" Steve frowned, "You rarely manage to clear a full day… What happened? How'd you manage that? Pepper help?"

"Sir managed to entirely clear his schedule." Jarvis supplied, "He has nothing booked in at all."

"What?" Steve stared at Tony, "Why would you do that? There's always something. Why would you completely clear your schedule?"

"I…" Tony looked away.

"It's not important." Clint cut in, "Jarvis, this isn't the time. Tony, your head in the game?"

"I'm… I'm alright." Tony nodded, "I think Steve goes to New York to keep things secure there."

"No." Phil shook his head, "Clint goes to New York. We need Captain America in DC. The Captain protecting the Capital? That's a powerful image. It'll help turn things in our favour. Help people stand up and fight."

"I cannot abandon New York." Steve protested, "It's my home!"

"The others are there." Clint reminded, "I can get them to protect New York."

"No." Tony interrupted, "Move them to DC. Get Reed and Xavier to protect New York. It's their home too. Captain America protecting DC is a powerful image. But Hydra have managed to get people into powerful positions. We could end up facing the Armed Forces."

"But I'll have you beside me." Steve pointed out, "Iron Man."

"That'll turn people against you." Tony countered, "I'm a terrorist, remember? Besides, I have to make a detour. There's something I need to destroy. Or rather, three somethings."

"Project Insight." Phil breathed, "You found out about that?"

"Of course." Tony nodded, "And I know about Hydra's intended perversion of it."

"Perversion?" Phil leaned forward, "How?"

"How I found out or what Hydra will do?" Tony shrugged, "One, I'm good at what I do. Two, Hydra plan to use the weapons linked to an algorithm designed by Zola. It'll allow them to target anyone who would oppose Hydra or could be a threat to Hydra… Before they become a problem."

"Director Fury would never allow…" Phil began.

"No," Tony cut across, "He wouldn't. But others would. You don't realize how far Hydra have gotten. They are extremely dangerous. They are sneaky and cunning and deadly. You don't know how many people they have gotten rid of, simply because it was easier than working around them. You don't know how many people they have silenced. You don't know how many deaths they have orchestrated to lead the world to a place where they would willingly accept a watchdog. Not realizing that the watchdog would be their ruler, not their servant… I have pieced together their history. From the fall of the Red Skull through the rise of Zola to now. I know more about them than anyone else alive. Even themselves. I know secrets and lies and the death toll I can directly lay at their feet. Trust me Agent, Fury is no part of Hydra; but that doesn't mean they didn't twist his ideas or even present them to him in the first place. Diplomacy is the art of letting other people have your way. And some Hydra agents are very, very skilled at making an idea seem to come from someone else. I suspect that even you have been previously manipulated by Hydra."

"I would have noticed." Phil countered, "Director Fury would have noticed."

"Sitwell." Tony's gaze was locked with Phil's, "Senator Stern. Alexander Pierce."

"Manipulated by Hydra?" Phil asked.

"No." Tony's eyes hardened, "They are Hydra. Pierce is in charge at the moment. He took over from Zola. But Zola acted as his advisor for a good while."

"Who else?" Phil demanded.

"Too many to name." Tony returned, "The evidence and the names are online. You can't stop the signal, Phil. Everything goes somewhere, and Jarvis goes everywhere."

"You aim to misbehave." Steve grinned.

"Oh, do I." Tony's eyes glittered with amusement for a moment, "You deal with Congress. I'll be there as quickly as I can."

"Project Insight is under extreme protection." Phil warned.

"I just took down the Helicarrier." Tony pointed out, "Don't worry. I'll bring the walls crumbling down on Insight as well."

Phil stared at Tony for a long moment. Apparently assessing Tony's words and his ability.

Clint had to admit that while he had initially been thrown by the strangeness of seeing Tony in Iron Man armour he had not failed to notice some worrying signs. Tony's complexion was pale and wan. His eyes were sunken and his cheeks hollow. He had clearly not been eating properly. Nor sleeping enough.

It was only determination and adrenaline that had kept Tony going this long. Who knew how much longer he could go?

But Clint could also tell that Tony would not agree to being left behind.

Steve, on the other hand, had virtually recovered from his enforced slumber. He was clearly well rested and ready to fight. An intense anger burning inside his heart… Burning in his soul.

Steve would not stop until the fight was over.

Tony… Would keep going as long as he could. And would not be persuaded to stay behind.

"Fine." Phil nodded, "Clint moves the Avengers to DC. Steve and I will start with the White House. Then we move to Capitol Hill. Tony does Insight and then joins us. But you're not to push yourself beyond your limits, Tony. You're barely standing. This hasn't been an easy time for you."

"I'll do what I need to." Tony countered.

"You have to look after yourself." Steve's hands returned to Tony's face, "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."

Tony turned his face away. A slight blush of shame dusting his cheeks.

"Come on, Robin Hood." Tony instructed, rising to his feet, "I'd best get you back to New York, asap."

Clint tagged along behind Tony. Strangely despite the armour, Tony's movements were virtually silent.

"You're going to have to tell him at some point." Clint pointed out.

"I can deal with that after we've beaten Hydra." Tony countered.

"And how long will that take?"

"Okay." Tony fired back, "After we've dealt with this battle. After we've stopped them from taking America. Then I'll tell him."

"Or I will." Clint nodded, "How fast is this ship of yours?"

"Extremely." Tony stated, "And it's not a ship."

"Then what is it?" Clint asked.

"This."

Tony pointed at a bright gold suit of armour. There was some blue in the design, forming wings on both the chest-plate and helmet. But it was subtle.

"Little ostentatious." Clint blinked.

"Gold-Titanium Alloy." Tony retorted, "I'm not actually made of Iron. It was the first thing I found that dealt with the icing problem of going too high. I found a different method for Rhodey's Suit, when I was upgrading it from the original base design. It's slightly heavier. But works just as well. And is cheaper. The problem is that you need a thicker layer to get the same level of defensive protection. So it's significantly heavier overall. Thus War Machine is slower. I needed this fast and light. But with enough protection. Gold-Titanium was the best way to go."

"And the blue?"

"Because I felt like it." Tony admitted, "There's no weapons on this thing. Well, beyond the Repulsors. I certainly wouldn't advise fighting in it. But it's fast. Faster than even my Suit. Jarvis is linked in. He'll help you fly. Can override you if necessary. Once you're back in New York, it'll fold back up. Make sure it gets left someplace safe."

"Of course." Clint agreed, "Don't worry, Tony. I'll get the Avengers and we'll watch each other's backs."

"Go to my hidden lair." Tony instructed. "There's a hidden ship. Small and fast. But large enough to take all of you. It'll be quicker."

"How do I find it?"

"Ask Jarvis or Briar. Or Rhodey. He knows about it too."

"How many people knew about Iron Man?" Clint asked softly.

"Jarvis and Briar." Tony shrugged, "Oh, and Dummy and Butterfingers and U. Rhodey knows my hidden lair as a Tony thing. Not an Iron Man thing."

"One real person and four of your own creations." Clint breathed, "Oh, you must have been so lonely."

"It was alright." Tony smiled, "I had you guys. And I'm used to being alone. Orien open."

The suit opened up from the front. Clint stepped forward, turning around as he did so. The Suit quickly closed around him. It was somewhat uncomfortable, with his quiver pressing slightly into his back, but he'd been in more uncomfortable positions before. It would pass.

Besides, he wasn't leaving his quiver and bow behind.

"Stay safe." Clint instructed, only moments before Jarvis started to fly him out of the aircraft and away.

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Please Review.

Thanks to my reviewers:

Saphrae – Each to their own, but glad you liked.

DaemonWolfe – You're welcome.

LiulfrLokison – Hope this meets expectations.

Minecraft Guardiansaiyan – Well, Jimmy's been looking forward to insulting Hydra for a while.

Ventusleone – Hope your friend has caught up.

Love toshiro dragon – With you on the Marvel characters. I usually end up deferring to one of the Robins instead of Batman in DC.

Howling2themoon – Thank you.

Lydia – Hope this satisfied you.

Once again thank you.