With the help of Doctor Strange, along with Dr. Helen Cho who had been asked to do the procedure, the metal plate was successfully removed in under four hours. Tony had been under anesthesia for the entire operation, and it didn't wear off for another hour.
This time when Tony awoke, he did recognise the room he was in, and not just because he had been there earlier. The room was one of many in the Avengers compound. As he began to gain full awareness, Tony groaned and pulled a pillow over his face, minding the many injuries he had. He was currently surrounded by some of the people he disliked the most in the world, he couldn't even say that he hated them as that would be too big of an reaction towards the people he felt complete apathy for. Fucking fantastic. He shifted uncomfortable and sighed as the arc reactor shifted to. He would have to sort that out when he got back to the tower. If he got back. Hearing foot steps coming down that hall, Tony pulled the pillow of his face and tried to sit up, unfortunately he was still groggy from the anesthesia which made himslip and hid broken arm hit the bed. Tony winced at the pain and pulled his cast to his chest, below the arc and sat up slowly until he was up right. This was a lot harder then last time had been.
He was only just in time, as the door opened to reveal...Steve Fucking Rodgers. Of all the people in his building, they had to send in him? Rodgers moved into the room followed by Coulson and Strange surprisingly. Tony assumed he would have gone home the moment he could.
"How are you feeling Tony," Tony stared at Steve, completely done with his shit. He can't just suddenly pretend that he cares about Tony. Not after all the shit that had gone done between them during the 'Civil War'. Not that Tony was completly blameless either. Tony rubbed the bridge of his nose, not sure if the on coming headache was because the morphine was wearing off or because Rodgers idiocy was palpable,
"Just peachy, Rodgers," clearly that's as far forward the good Captain had been thinking and the room descended into an awkward silence that Tony had no intention off breaking. Strange was the one who spoke next,
"I take it the procedure was successful," Tony tipped his head slightly, not wanting to aggravate his headache any further.
"Thank you," he said with sincerity. He meant it. Even if he now had many more terrible memories, he now also had a sense of self, something Hydra had stolen from him. Strange nodded, excepting Tony's thanks. Tony turned his eyes back towards Rodgers,
"Is there anything else you want?" Steve shook his head, "then please get out. I would also appreciate it if someone would get me a tablet. I have a lot to catch up on."
Tony could have sworn that he had only closed his eyes a second ago. Yet, judging from his dry mouth and heavy eyes, he had slept for a good couple hours. Moving slowly, he carefully poured himself a glass of water from a jug someone had thoughtfully put on the desk. He was still in a semi up right postion so he didn't have to move around too much.
Tony was about to lie back down and stare aimlessly at the white ceiling until he went insane, when a flash of silver caught his eye. A tablet was sitting on the end of his bed, looking like someone had carelessly thrown it there. A flash of irritation shot through Tony at that thought but it was quickly forgotten as he realised he had a fucking tablet now. Thank the Gods that they weren't all complete assholes. Quickly he logged into his own private server and a familiar, female voice came from the speakers,
"Good to have you back, Boss," Tony laughed to himself, almost wanting to cry at the sound of his baby girls voice.
"It's good to be back, Fri. I've missed you,"
"We all have missed you to, Boss." Tony leaned back into his pillows, smiling to himself about being able to see the robots again.
"I still own Stark Tower, right?" He refused to call it the Avengers tower. To him, the Avengers no longer existed.
"Of course, Boss. It's just how you left it." Tony went quiet. Mulling over the possibilities of returning home, when a clattering sound from the hall broke him from his thoughts. The door slammed open and familiar, yet older kid stood in the door frame. The kid beamed,
"Mr Stark! I'm so glad you're okay!"
"Pete? What are you doing here?"
"I heard you were back! I had to make sure they weren't lying!" Tony had to smile then. He didn't know the kid to well, but he was a good one. He was glad Pete hadn't lost faith in him either. Peter came sat down at the bottom of the bed and began ranting about something he and his friend Ned had done the week prior. Tony listened intently, a smile on his face. 'Maybe this won't be so bad' he thought to himself.