Xander, it seemed, had no words for Tony's pleading. Tom didn't either and settled for just hugging Tony instead.

"But I mean," Tony rubbed his eyes. "If I do end up dying then, well... I'm forty years old. I've had a good life." Tony sighed and released his grip on Tom.

"So, you're saying that it didn't work and you've just... given up?" Xander asked, their eyes narrowing.

Tony shrugged half-heartedly. "I-I guess. But if what you're saying is true, Chris making a full recovery, then I might have a chance."

Xander gave a small smile. "That's more like it.

Tony hummed. "There's a chance I might die trying to get to it, but it's worth a shot." He looked up at the couple and smiled. "Thank you. Both of you for giving me a reason to live."

Tom shook his head. "We didn't do anything. You had it in you the entire time, you just needed something to show you it was there."

Laughing, Tony stood up and put a hand on Tom's shoulder. "Wise words coming from such a young mouth. You got a bright future, kid."

Tom smiled brightly. "Thanks, Mr. Stark!"

"Call me Tony." Tony sighed, rolling his eyes. Tom giggled and Xander just smiled. Suddenly, the mood changed from happy to something more sentimental as Tony's smile faded. "I came here to say goodbye and make sure everything was in order, but now I guess I won't have to."

Xander's brows furrowed. "I don't understand-"

"Goodbyes hurt the most." Tony explained, bowing his head as he scribbled a note on a piece of paper and handed it to Tom. "Stay here for a bit until I'm gone, then get in the elevator. JARVIS will take you up to the penthouse. Got that, J?"

"I understand."

"Good. Once in the penthouse, J will lead you to Captain America. Give this to him- he'll understand. Got it?"

Tom nodded slowly, confusion written on his face. "Why me?" He asked. "You have thousands of employees, most of them have a higher level then me. And what about Miss. Potts?"

Tony smiled. "Because I trust you."

Tom nodded, swallowing thickly, and Tony could've sworn he saw tears glisten in the corner of the interns' eyes. Acting on impulse, Tony pulled the shorter brunette into a hug. Smiling up at Xander, Tony pulled them into the hug as well.

The three stood there for a good few moments until Tony let go. Patting Tom's shoulder and thanking Xander one last time, he turned and walked towards the elevator.

When the elevator doors began to close, Tony started and held the door open. "Thanks, kids. See you later. If not, see ya in the next life."

He let the doors close and thanked whatever god was above for giving him a second chance.

Steve Rodgers stared at the slip of paper that had been given to him by an intern he didn't recognize. He recognized Tony's hand writing and was immediately choked up.

It wasn't even a long note-barely three sentences long- but it was enough to bring the captain to tears.

'Cap,

I'm sorry for how I treated you after the accident. It wasn't your fault. I hope you can forgive me. Someday.

-TS'

Grunting, Tony reached for the backpack near the top of his closet, standing on his tip-toes and clutching the doorframe floor support. Somedays, he really hated being short.

He let out a shout of joy when he finally snagged the bag with a hanger he had found. It fell to the ground with a muffled 'thump'. Silently congratulating himself, he picked the bag up and peered into his closet once more, picking out a weeks worth of clothing and shoving it into his dark blue bag.

Humming his favorite song to himself, Tony spent the next half hour wandering around his house, grateful that Mary had taken Peter to the park an hour ago, leaving Tony to secretly pack a few necessities for his imminent trip. Computer, charger, washcloth, razor, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, soap, shampoo, and anything else he might need. In addition to basic necessities, Tony collected the last few pills bottles he had refilled after his visit to Stark Industries, a picture of him, Mary, and Peter, and a small stuffed pig Peter had given him for his birthday.

Eight hours later, it was pitch black outside and Tony was ready to leave. He had already said goodnight to his sister and nephew, but now it was time to say goodbye. Without their knowledge, of course.

The last thing he did was write his last note on an app on his phone. Making sure all notifications were turned off, he turned his phone off and left it on his neatly made bed.

Taking a deep breath and sweeping his gaze over the room one more time, he shut off the lights and closed his door.

Fully dressed and backpack slung over his shoulder, he silently entered Peter's room and kissed his nephew's forehead as he slept. "I love you, Peter. Dormi bene." He whispered, closing Peter's door.

His next stop was Mary's room. When he opened the door, a sliver of light fell on her face, revealing her to be fast asleep, her brow furrowed slightly.

With a barely audible sigh, Tony gently pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Mary, I'm so, so sorry. I have to leave and I don't know if I'll be able to come back." He whispered. "I really hope you'll be able to forgive me someday. Ti amo così tanto, mia cara sorella." (I love you so much, my dear sister.)

He gave Mary a watery smile he knew she couldn't see and stood up quietly, slipping out of her room and closing the door behind him.

Goodbyes really were the hardest and it was the one thing he truly regretted in his life, not saying goodbye to his mother and father before they had died in a car crash all those years ago. Hit with a sudden realization, Tony chuckled emotionlessly. His parents died in a car crash and it was the aftermath of a car crash that was slowly killing him. Tony huffed and shook his head to clear his head.

Completely ready to leave after saying his one-sided goodbyes, Tony started up his least expensive car and drive away from his small house and towards the airport, forcing himself not to look back and praying it wouldn't rain.

The time displayed on his glowing dashboard informed Tony that it was two fifty-three am.

Meanwhile, Mary awoke in a panic.

Something was wrong, she could feel it. She wasn't sure what it was, but something was off.

Throwing off her covers, she raced to Peter's room. Everything was fine there so she ran to Tony's room, her nerves worsening when she found the door closed. He usually preferred the door to be slightly ajar when he slept. Knocking received no response. Breathing out a sigh, she knew she was probably just over reacting and Tony had only reached a new point in his recovery.

Something told her otherwise, however, and she countered her reasoning with wanting to just make sure.

Pushing the door open, Mary stepped inside. "Tony?"

No response. No noise whatsoever.

Frowning, Mary pushed the door open further. A faint moonbeam filtered through the window, illuminating a neatly made bed and the smooth surface of a darkened phone. Tony's phone.

Tears welled in her eyes as Mary began to panic. Her brothers computer was gone, his pills were gone, and Tony's picture of her, Peter, and him was missing as well. He was gone.

Covering her mouth to stiffle a sob, Mary sat on Tony's bed and picked up his phone, unlocking it quickly, hoping against hope that Tony had left a not telling her where he was going.

The bright electronic light lit up her face as she found the note, tears rolling down her face.

Mary

I had to leave and I'm so sorry you had to find out like this. You of all people don't deserve this, but I promise it's for the best. You and me both know goodbyes suck, which is why I'm writing this and why you're reading this right now.

I'm sure you're worried sick, but please know that I'm okay.

I should probably tell you what's happening. I had to leave for a bit. I ran out of time and I learned of a place that could help me get better because I realized this morning that I don't want to die. The only downside I don't know how long I'll be gone or if I'll even be able to return at all.

That's all I have to tell you, and again, I'm so sorry. Tell Peter that I had to go on a trip. He won't understand much more than that, but tell him that I doesn't know how long I'll be gone but his zio loves him very much. To the moon and back.

I love you both so much, more than you could ever imagine. Again, I'm so, so, sorry.

I'll miss you greatly, but I promise, this is for the best.

I sincerely hope you can forgive me, someday.

I'll come home eventually, whether it's in this life or the next, I can't know. I do know, however, that I love you. So much.

Goodbye for now, my dear sister.

-Anthony Edward Stark

A broken sob pierced the night, Tony's abandoned phone held close to Mary's chest. He was gone.