Tony And Pepper watched as Happy was lowered into the ground. Both stood in absolute silence as tears fell from their eyes, and the occasional sob fled Peppers lips. Both in black they accepted the condolences from the few people who showed up, Vision and Rhody having already left to head back to the compound.

Both were still reeling from the loss of their longtime friend And Tony had pulled out all the stops when it came to the people he was close to. Now everyone he had a relationship with had some form of protection, either on them or nearby, just in case. Harley Keener, a boy he met a few years ago when the Mandarin went after him, had a couple Iron legion bots around his house, following him and constantly monitoring what he did. Was it an invasion of privacy? Yes, yes it was and even Pepper had scolded him for it. But he would not budge.

Peter Parker and his Aunt May no longer lived in their apartment. He had insisted they move into the Tower that he had rebought and even gave May a special watch that had a direct link to Friday, should anything seem out of the ordinary. For Peter, he had added even more precautions to the suit than there was previously. He even gave the kid an actual internship that guaranteed the kid wouldn't be out on the streets more than a few hours a week. And while Pepper and May were both happy about that, Peter wasn't thrilled with the idea. Stating he had a responsibility to protect the people of New York and that his powers would protect him. Tony had ignored him and insisted on it.

Rhody had gotten a better set of armor for when he went missions and a watch with a built in repulsor, for when he was out of the suit. Vision, however didn't need anything as the android was made of vibranium and nothing on earth could break it. So, despite how he still felt about Rogers, he asked Vision to track down Steve and the others to let them know what was happening.

When Tony and Pepper got back to the compound Alarms were going off, sending both into a panic.

"Friday what's going on?" Tony asked as he ushered Pepper into the closest panic room.

The A.I. was frantic in her reply and what she said froze Tony's blood. "Boss, a video was sent to Miss Nora's email with a video. After she played the video, she went into the bathroom, broke the mirror and slit her throat. I had medical rush to her location right away. By my calculations they made it in time to save her life."

Tony and Pepper had frozen when they learned what the other woman had done to herself. The woman was clearly depressed and at the urging of Pepper had even agreed to see a phycologist. They had thought she was making progress, that she was almost ready to move forward with her life. Whatever this video was, it was bad, and Tony's stomach sank at what might be in it.

"Friday, I need you to send me that video and start tracing where it came from. I want to know everything as soon as you do."

"Right away boss."

Pepper grabbed his arm when he made to leave. "I'm going to head to the infirmary and make sure Nora will be alright." Tony nodded and rushed to his lab where the video already sat ready to be played on his tablet.

Picking up the tablet he made sure the volume was up and the lights around him Dim and settled in to watch what he thought would be a video showing Rob's dead body. What he saw and heard was much worse.

The video started pitch black, quiet, nothing at all before the screen moved and showed a blood-stained wall, with the word's failure, disgrace and murderer written in what Tony assumed was blood. That's when the screaming started and Tony felt like throwing up at the absolute terror and pain that was laced into them. Covering his mouth, he heard the voice scream.

"Ahhhhhhhhh! Let me out Ahhhhhh! Let me out please! AHhhhhh AHHHH"

The crying and screaming went on and on. Faintly Tony could hear a quiet chuckle and laughter in the background almost completely being covered up by the screaming. Tears fell once again as Rob's tortured voice rang out in the room.

"NO no no no! Ahhhh! Not again Please NO! Help! Somebody Help!"

The faint sound of electricity and the muffled laughing in the background left no doubt in Tony's mind that the person torturing him was enjoying this. And then a sound he hoped to never hear in this video. The loud sizzling of hot mettle meeting a colder surface. It was barely noticeable as the screaming got worse just as it happened but Tony's insane attention to detail refused to grant him the bliss of ignorance. This happened multiple time throughout the video and each time Tony barely kept his stomach from revolting until he heard the plea that would haunt his nightmares.

"AHHH! Mommy! Mommy please AHHHHH! Please Mommy Help me!"

Tony stopped the video and threw the tablet across the room. He fell out of his chair in a rush to get to the nearest trash can and threw up the contents of his stomach. He couldn't watch it anymore. Couldn't bear to hear the screams or the laughter or the sizzling of hot mettle.

Fuck, the kid had been branded. Multiple times if the video was to be believed and by God did Tony pray that it was all just some sick joke. That the kid didn't have to experience that. That he could go to the boy's mother and tell her that Her son didn't go through that. That the video was fake and he was still out there, missing, but perfectly ok.

Deep down though, he knew that wouldn't be the case. After taking a few moments to calm himself down, Tony got back into his chair and called Friday. "Girl, I need you to tell me that it was a fake. Please tell me that it was fake."

Friday didn't answer him right away and Tony flipped. Throwing his arms across the desk he scattered everything across the floor and flipped the table screaming as he did so. When he had calmed down Friday finally answered him.

"Boss, "Her voice was softer than he had ever heard it before. "The video was not faked. Everything was real and no voice modulators were used. The only discrepancy I could find was the screaming. It appears that the video is an amalgamation of videos recording the… dialogue."

Tony clenched his eyes shut and shook his head. The kid had apparently been tortured like that for days. "Did Nora watch the entire video?" He quietly asked, hoping the woman didn't torture herself more by watching the whole thing.

"No sir, she only got a few minutes in before she moved to the bathroom." Tony nodded in whatever slight relief he could feel. She hadn't heard him screaming for her. And He would bet money she hadn't picked up on the branding. She must never find out about that.

"Friday, I want you to make sure she never sees or hears that video ever again. In fact, any future videos she gets I want you to go through and make sure they aren't anything like that. If they are, I want them sent directly to me, Got it?"

"Yes boss." Friday paused for a bit as he slowly calmed down a bit. "I also couldn't trace the email sir. At least not to a specific location." Tony glanced up and a slight hope filled his chest.

"What do you have?"

"It appears the video was sent from somewhere in eastern Europe. Sir whoever sent this must be exceptionally good with coding and computers for me to not be able to trace them. There was also no finger prints or signs of fingers being used to write the words on the wall. Whoever, or whatever did that, had to be a smooth surface. NO brush or finger wrote those words."

Tony took that information in and stored it away for now. He had too much on his mind to focus on that right now. "Friday, does anything noteworthy happen in the rest of the video?"

"No sir, it just fades to black eventually."

"Thanks Friday, is Nora, ok?"

"Nora has received medical attention and from my scans, should make a full recovery. I have already contacted Dr. Cho so that Miss Nora won't have any scaring across her neck."

Tony gave a small smile to his A.I.'s thoughtfulness. "Thanks girl, you're the best."

"Thank you, sir. Ms. Boss and Rhody would like to know if you can fill them in on what caused Miss Nora to do that."

"Tell them I will be right up Friday."

Walking through the compound made tony realize how empty it all was now that everyone was gone. Walking into the common room, he saw Pepper and Rhody on the couch quietly chatting. In the background he saw Vision looking out a window, contemplating something. Walking to the loveseat next to the couch, he plopped down and braced himself for what he was about to tell them.

Glancing at them all, he noticed all their attention was on him. Leaning back, he started telling them about the video. About the screaming. About the blood on the wall and words that they spelled out. His pleas for it all to stop and for his mother to save him. And finally, he told them about the branding. About how this went on for days, maybe even weeks.

Both Pepper and Rhody were pale when he was done and Vision for the first time in his life looked like he had no idea how to process what he had been told. Tony didn't know how long they sat there for but it felt like a lifetime before anyone spoke.

"Do we have a lead on the kids location?" Rhody was the one to ask. The faint hope in his voice barely noticeable. Pepper's pale face glanced at him with a faint glimmer and Tony hated that he would crush it.

"The best Friday was able to get was that whoever sent it, was in eastern Europe." Tony rubbed his eyes, "She couldn't get anything else from the videos."

Vision left the room in a rush and Tony had a good idea where he was going. Despite how quiet Vision kept it, he knew he was in contact with Wanda. The girl was really bad at hiding. Honestly if it wasn't for Tony's interference, she would be back in the raft. The girl had tried to stealthily move across Europe, doing something Tony could only guess at but he owed it to Rob to keep her safe. He had seen the videos of him outside her cell, keeping her company, keeping her safe. Something he had failed miserably at when the team was together.

Now that he thought about it, Wanda was probably searching for any hint of Rob. King T'challa had hinted at her interest in the young man when he had gone to collect Clint and Scott. Tony had dismissed the king at the time because he had other things on his mind. Now, he wished he had paid more attention because she clearly knew something he didn't. that or she had taken a guess and ended up being right.

Pepper went to speak but was interrupted by someone barging into the room.

"I got news stark." Tony groaned quietly as he watched Nick Fury stroll into the room and casually took a seat. He threw a folder onto the table in front of Tony and smirked. "I got the bastard who murdered our people." When Tony didn't immediately open the file, Fury leaned forward. "Your gonna want to see what is inside that folder. It may look familiar."

Tony cautiously took the folder and opened it. His breath was stolen as he beheld the familiar black and red armor, he had made for Rob. The rifle alone was almost an exact copy of what he created. The armor was defiantly bulkier than what he had made. The gauntlets were Definitely bigger indicating they now had some other purpose than a grapple and repulsor.

"How did you get these?" He asked as he looked through the pages before him. Different photos of a fight and flight passed before his eyes. Then he saw a familiar Barn and realized where this was taken.

"Barton was attacked the other day." He raised a hand to silence Tony and Rhody who both jumped up at the thought of those kids being hurt. "None of the Bartons were hurt thankfully, but it was a close thing. We lost quite a few agents trying to apprehend him. By all reports, he had a perfect shot on every member of the family. He had the pick of the litter and missed. He missed." Fury looked everyone in the eye. "That tells me this individual is human. That person in the pictures, isn't a robot but a human being. Especially since every shot he took as he made his escape was fatal. But the Targets he was gunning for, he missed."

Tony fell back into the love seat and sighed. "I need you to send me everything you have of that attack to me so I can have Friday analyze it."

Fury nodded. "Already sent. We're gonna get this guy Stark. We need to stop him before more people die. Regardless of who is under that suit. Now excuse me as I have letters of condolences to write to the dead's families." Tony waved him away as he pulled up the files Fury had sent over. Immediately setting Friday on it to get whatever info she can get out of it.

"Tony." Rhody began but Tony shook his head.

"Not now Sugar bear." Tony refused to have the conversation until it was confirmed. He silently thanked Rhody when the man just nodded and left him and Pepper alone.

*Wanda*

Two years was a long time to be searching. Natasha had told her, Steve had told her, even Vision had told her. SO many people had told her and it was starting to get annoying. But she knew that their words had merit. Her soul just wouldn't allow her to let go of the man who gave her hope and safety and love. And while she could see that her teammates were worried about her, they still supported her search.

Vision had really stepped up while she was on the run. He had proven to be a true friend, sending her money or any info about Ross's movements. He had even come to visit her a few times. Although, while she had been focused on finding out where Rob was, Vision seemed more focused on her. Something that Natasha had noticed right away.

A year ago, right before Nat went off on her own for a bit, she had made a passing comment about how Vision was trying to move in on Rob's turf. Wanda had blushed red and denied that Vision thought about her that way. Nat had only cocked an eyebrow and slyly said how she didn't refute how she was Rob's girl. Nat had laughed as she walked away from the blushing Wanda. Wanda had muddled over the widows' words while she was gone. She had thought of her feelings for the android and the young man she had only known for a short time. The realization that she cared for Rob more than any other wasn't as surprising at it probably should have been but she couldn't help how safe he made her feel over how safe Vision made her feel. Both had saved her life. Both had been with her through some of the hardest moments in her life. Still, she felt a connection to Rob that Vision would never have. She felt bad about it but he wasn't human. As human as he could act, he would still be an android. He knows what emotions were could look up anything in a blink of an eye to understand what you were going through, but he emulates human empathy. He tried, God he tried but it would never be the same as Rob. When Natasha had returned and continued teasing her, Wanda had admitted she cared deeply, maybe even loved Rob. Nat had taken her into her arms and proclaimed how happy she was that the younger woman had found him. Of course, in classic avenger fashion, Steve had walked in a ruined the moment.

Steve had stuck by her side since they left Wakanda. Despite his clear dislike of Rob, he had made sure she was well taken care of a looked after. He had been a rock for her, offering guidance in her search while the group struggled to land on their feet with Ross's constant hunt. He had really stepped into the role of the groups dad while Natasha had become the mom. Leaving her and Sam as the children, despite his constant complaints about it.

Sam had left to do his own thing when they left Wakanda. Apparently, he was setting up a safe house that they all could use when everything settled down. Nat had offered plenty of her old ones and Sam had been more than happy to accept help. During one of their many nights on the run, Wanda had asked Nat what she had done while she was away. She had quite the story to tell. A story of Widows, and red rooms. Of power-hungry men grasping for control of the world and lost family finding each other once more. Wanda had been so very happy for her. Had been ecstatic when she met Yelena and Mileena. Even when the drunk Alexei stumbled into her at his introduction, she had laughed and embraced him. In the back of her mind though she thought of her own family, how it had been torn apart over and over again. Now her newest member was missing.

When the others had started for their chosen safe house, she had reached out to King T'challa once again and asked if he had any information about her missing savior. While the man had been unable to tell her much, he had summarized that if he was alive, he would have been on the closest continent to the Raft. With that knowledge, Wanda had set out for Europe, determined to find him. Starting from one side of the country she worked her way to the other. From Portugal to Denmark. Iceland to Greece. She scoured the continent, from cities to towns to even abandoned homes in the middle of nowhere, for any trace of him. All had turned up empty and it was frustrating because she knew he was alive.

Taking a moment to calm herself down she looked at her surroundings. The familiar streets of what was left of Sokovia Surrounded her as people went about their daily life. She had returned to where her story began to visit Pietro's grave and to check up on her home. See if Stark was still helping with the rebuilding of her home. A small monument now stood behind Pietro's grave, proclaiming him the cities hero. Wanda was touched by this and very nearly burst into tears. Only barely holding it together. Now she wandered the streets looking to see if Stark had any of his legion here moving debris. Yes, even after all these years there was still debris to sift through. Especially in the crater left in Ultron's wake. She didn't know what to expect but she hadn't seen any. Stark had abandoned her home. Anger flared through her once again and she forced it down. She couldn't let it escape her here. Her home had been through enough.

Her phone ringing knocked her out of her mind. Looking at it a small smile lit up her face. Answering, Visions worried tone immediately wiped the smile from her face.

"What happened Vision?" She demanded when he asked how she was. His tone betraying the bad news he was no doubt about to give her.

The line was silent for a moment. "We received a video today." Wanda's face scrunched up in confusion. "Well, Rob's mother received a video. The contents were, disturbing." Wanda's throat constricted.

Wanda waited with baited breath for vision to continue. When he described what was on the video, she grew numb. Her face drained of all color. Her eyes lost focus unable to take in her surroundings. Even as she started walking all she could hear was Vision as he told her everything that he had learned about Rob.

She barely registered it when she ended the call. Putting her phone away she realized she was in the middle of the crater left by Ultron's meteor. Her breaths came in more ragged the longer she stood there. Tears filled and left her eyes as her hands clenched in pain and fury. Clenching her jaw shut she tried hard to keep control. It was all for naught as she released a scream. Her power surging out of her in all directions as the pain became too much. Falling to her knees she screamed again and another pulse shot out. She kept screaming until her throat was raw and her voice failed her. She kept crying as her shockwaves reverberated in the surrounding area. She stayed on the ground for an unknown amount of time before she felt it. A slight ping at the edge of her reach. There was something familiar about it. And it was deep underground.

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Sorry about the long time between updates but life is busy. And while I enjoy this. It doesn't pay bills. I have thought abou n. But with how long it takes me to write these and that they really aren't the best quality I won't bother. SO, I am sorry but I do hope you enjoy it. Please let me know what you think about this chapter and the story overall. Thank you for reading this story!