IRON MAN #2

THE PHOENIX RISES FROM THE ASHES PART 2

By: Nathan Banks

In one of the waiting rooms in New York Hospital, Tony Stark was pacing, walking back and forth while both Pepper and Mark were sitting, with Pepper worried about Tony, who was also worried about Rhodey. James Rhodes took a bullet for Tony Stark out of nowhere, Tony did not see it coming and he was grateful to his friend for saving his life, but it didn't have to go down like this. Tony felt he should of been the one to take the bullet, due to the fact that someone wanted Stark dead in the first place, but who? As Tony continue to walk back and forth, Pepper just shakes her head and stands up. Walking over to Tony, she gets in his way and stops him, putting her hands on his shoulder, before speaking.

Pepper: Tony stop it right there. You've been like this since we got to the hospital?

Tony: I need to know if Rhodey is alright, what's taking the doctors so long?

Pepper: The doctor who is helping Rhodey alongside the nurses will help him get better, don't stress yourself out.

Tony: And what am I supposed to do Pepper? Just keep walking back and forth, sit, do nothing? Maybe just drown in my sorrows with some good old Captain Morgan.

Pepper: Don't say that Tony, you know drinking won't solve anything. It may numb the worry but it won't help you.

Pepper was right, drinking wouldn't solve this and stressing won't help either, as Mark stands up and walks up to the two of them.

Mark: Hey Tony, look, I know you and I have not known each other for a long time but Rhodey is one tough SOB. He's tougher than a two dollar steak, he'll make it through this and wouldn't let a bullet kill him anyway.

Pepper: He's right Tony, and Rhodey is a hero, an Air Force Veteran and even The War Machine for heaven sakes.

Tony: *Sighs* You both are right, i'll just sit down and wait.

Pepper: Good and I will get us all coffee, how does that sound?

Mark:: We can use it right about now

Just as Tony and Mark were going to sit down and Pepper was going to get them coffee, the doctor walked inside the waiting room.

Doctor: Mister Stark?

Tony: *Turns around* Yes? Is it about Rhodey? How's he holding up? Is he okay?

Doctor Rosales: Let's just slow down and stop Mister Stark, relax. First off i'm Doctor Rosales and I am Mister Rhodes doctor. Now as you know he was shot in the chest and we were able to take out the bullet, so Mister Rhodes is going to be fine.

Tony: *Sighs as Pepper puts his hand on his shoulder and she smiles* Thank god

Pepper: See Tony, Mark and I told you that Rhodey would get through this

Doctor Rosales: Let's not celebrate yet. Mister Rhodes is in good condition now but when the bullet was taken out I noticed that there was something covering it.

Mark: Well what do you mean by that Doctor Rosales?

Doctor Rosales: It was some kind of fluid which was very hot and warm.

Pepper: Could it affect Rhodey in some kind of way?

Doctor Rosales: We are not sure but we would like to keep Mister Rhodes for a couple of more days. Does he have family?

Tony: Yes he does, but Pepper has all of the information, she can tell you. I would like to see Rhodey please, so does Mark.

Mark: That's right

Doctor Rhodes: You can see him but not for long Mister Stark, visiting hours are starting to wind down.

Mark: You go on Tony...I need to make a phone call to someone.

Pepper: And once i'm done here I will see you at Rhodey's room.

Tony nodded his head as the doctor told him where Rhodey's room is at as Stark leaves the room, while Pepper gives Doctor Rosales the information on Rhodey's family and Mark takes out his cell phone to make a calls. Meanwhile, after finding Rhodey's room, Tony comes inside seeing one of his best friends, the man who was like a brother to him, laying in a hospital bed, as he smiles a bit

Tony: Take it this place is treating you like crap?

Rhodey: *Chuckles a bit* You can say that again. I hate hospitals and even the colors, it's mostly white so they really need to change some things around here.

Tony: *Shakes his head and chuckles* You can say that again. But hey, in all seriousness...thank you for saving my life

Rhodey: Don't sweat it Tony, you know that I would do anything for you. You're like family to me *The two of them shake hands*

Tony: Thanks, that means a lot Rhodey. Were you...able to see the guy who tried to kill me?

Rhodey: You mean before I took the bullet for you? No, I didn't, he was too far away I guess, and the bullet must of came from a building or something else.

Tony: *Sighs a bit* I know I have my enemies, but who would try and do something like this?

Voice: Maybe I can answer that for you...

Tony turns around and Rhodey looks behind Stark to see Phil Coulson, the Director of SHIELD after Maria died, dressed in his trademark suit, slacks, white button shirt and tie, coming into the room.

Tony: Coulson...what are you doing here?

Phil: I heard about the shooting at the restaurant. Are you two alright?

Rhodes: Does it look like I am alright? I just took a bullet for Tony *Suddenly Rhodey groans a bit in pain.

Tony: You alright Rhodey?

Rhodey: Yeah yeah i'm fine, it's just that that bullet feels like it's burning in me

Phil: No need to worry Rhodey. I just talked to the doctor once he was finished talking to Pepper and let's say I persuaded him so that SHIELD can take care of you.

Rhodey: That's not necessary Coulson...i'm fine

Tony: Yeah yeah, keep telling yourself that my friend. Let Coulson and SHIELD help, maybe they know what's really going on with you.

Rhodey: Fine...when do I leave?

Phil: Immediately and once we transport you to the Helicarrier, you'll be good to go.

Tony: Well that's good for Rhodes but what about me? Who wanted me dead actually?

Phil: Good question. From what I heard at the restaurant, one person saw a man on a rooftop up on a building across the street but no ID. Do you remember anything before it went down Tony?

Tony: The only thing I remember is Rhodey calling my name before he covered me and then the shot fired, that's all I remember. Everything just went too fast Coulson. *Turns to Rhodey* I already gave my statement to the police so i'm sure they will be asking for your statement too Rhodes

Phil: Well when Rhodey is ready he'll tell them what happened. For now we need to take you to our medical quarters in SHIELD.

Tony: What about the bastard that tried to kill me?

Phil: Simple...it was someone who he was working for.

Tony: But who?

Phil: The Mandarin...

The three of them continue talking while outside of the room, Mark, who is on his phone right now speaks.

Mark: Alright...i'll be on the first plan tomorrow to come home honey. I'll tell Rhodey you said hi...love you...bye

Just as Mark ends the phone call and puts his phone back in his pocket to see Rhodey, his phone rings again. He looks at the caller ID that says "Anonymous" as Mark presses the green button to accept and holds it up to his ear.

Mark: Hello?

Voice: I take it this Mark...

Mark: Yes...who's calling?

Voice: The man who will continue to make Tony Stark's life miserable. He will suffer for what he did to me...just like Rhodes paid for his

Mark:Who the hell is this?

But then and there the caller hangs up as Mark shrugs his shoulders before he goes into Rhodey's room. Meanwhile...in a base set up at Gobi Desert located in the fields of China, we see a man in a room, looking over the night sky outside. The sounds of doors open as a man dressed in black came inside.

Man: My master...

The man outside hears his voice as he slightly turns his head...

Did you get it done?

Man: Unfortunately not...one of Stark's friends got in the way and took the bullet so I immediately left. No one was able to see me

*Sighs* I understand, it always seem like one of Stark's buddies always have to save his ass. Oh well...I guess we must make our next move...

The man outside looks down at a piece of paper, more like blueprints of some kind of large figure as he smirks before turning around and facing the other man as he walks inside...revealing The Mandarin

The Mandarin: We have much more work to do...

TBC In Part 3