The Ties That Bind.
Chapter 7.
Disclaimer: Pfft, Kay there.
A.N. Hello All! So, in case you haven't noticed I don't know the meaning of the word update. I actually got inspired to write this because I recently got a review! I would thank them personally but I'm on the highway and I can't look up who it was. Nevertheless, thank you for renewing my faith in this story.
Rhodey POV:
"Hey Rhodey, gonna call her? I think you should. Like right now. Seriously, what if she gave you the number of some nun in Wyoming? Tried that, doesn't work out well."
I rolled my eyes at Tony's insistent voice in my ear. I would probably be doing America a favour if I killed him, it's not like anyone would blame me.
"Tony! Leave him alone. He's just gotten out of the hospital! For goodness sake…" Pepper's voice could be heard from behind me and I sent her a silent thank you; the medication they'd given me for the pain was making my head foggy and Tony wasn't helping.
"Pepper, he didn't even hurt himself! He'd be fine if he hadn't carried her out of the elevator like a glorified Superman."
"Well I think it was very sweet of him."
"You would, wouldn't you?"
"What does that even mean?"
"Why are you on his side?"
I grinned as I leaned back in my seat and listen to Tony and Pepper's bickering. God, they were like an old married couple.
"Police are on site after being called to the home of Madeline and Allison Brooke after what was reported as the sound of multiple gunshots. So far the police have made no contact with anyone inside the house. It is unclear as to what the suspected gunman wants at this time."
I shot forward in my seat to turn up the radio, my skull doing the slow-down-there-buddy routine as I did so. I was vaguely aware that Tony and Pepper had stopped their bickering but the radio is what I really wanted. That must have been a mistake, I'd just seen Madeline and Allison, and they were fine a few hours ago!
I pulled out my phone and dialled the number, praying for Madeline's voice to come on the other and end and tell me this had all been some giant mistake. Because it had to be, but as my phone kept running my hope began to dwindle. She would have answered her phone. I know she would have, because it was Madeline, and a girl who carried a tensor bandage in her purse would sure as hell answer her phone. I hung up when I realized I wasn't going to get an answer.
"Tony."
His reply was instant, "On it buddy. Pepper, where am I going?"
As Tony and Pepper – God bless that woman – figured out where to go I focused on calling everyone I knew who could get me some answers. With every phone call, I wished we could just be there already. From what I could gather, there had been three shots fired, all presumably from inside the house. No one knew how many people were inside but the listed residents of the house were just Allison and Madeline.
I knew when we got there, as soon as we turned the corner police cars and some other vehicles covered the street. I was out of the car before it has even stopped and I thanked God for my military training. Before I could get to the house though I was stopped by two cops.
"Sir, we're going to have to ask you to step back this is a crime scene."
I glared at them, God sometimes I hated having to deal with beat cops. Most of them didn't know their ass from their elbow.
"I am a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps. Get. Out. Of. My. Way." I growled the words at them. Normally I would be more lenient with the regular police force but I was not in the mood.
When the two doorknobs finally let me through it was all I could do not to run up and knock the door down. It was frustrating not being able to do anything. In the next second my heart stopped as another bullet rang out. Suddenly everyone on the street around me was moving, a blur of uniforms and voices. I glanced around for the Sergeant, someone needed to get a handle on what was happening.
When my phone rang in my pocket I jumped at the chance to answer it. I didn't even look at the caller ID when I answerd.
"Madeline?" I could hear the desperation in my voice as it echoed through the line.
"…No. Rhodey listen to me. I can get in there." Tony's voice came over the other end. It sounded like he was driving with the top down and I knew he was in the suit. I glanced around; I hadn't even known they'd left.
I sighed, "Tony no. Please we don't know what's in there. I can't have you going in there, guns blazing – "
"No that's your thing."
"– Tony! I need to get everyone in that house out safe."
"Then let me help. I can do this Rhodey."
I sighed; there was so much at stake here. If I let Tony in so much could go wrong, especially if we had a hostage situation going on. I looked up at the house, it had been two minutes since the last gun shot and we still had no communication with those inside the house.
"Okay Tony. Just…please be careful."
He snorted, "See you in a bit." And the line went dead.
I hung up the phone and no sooner had I done so I looked up to see Tony flying above in the Iron Man suit.
"Colonel Rhodes, I'm Sergeant Martinez. What's Stark doing?"
I turned to see a man older than me by quite a few years approaching. So this was the guy who was in charge of the situation. Good, maybe I could finally get some answers.
"Sergeant Martinez, Mr. Stark is currently trying to gain information about the situation to help end this thing. What do we know so far?"
Sergeant Martinez gave me what little information he could offer, which wasn't much more than what I knew already.
"A witness said they saw three people come home, presumably Allison and Madeline Brooke and an unknown male. 6'1, Brown hair, athletic build; that's all we have to go on so far. Sorry, I know it's not much."
I nodded, taking in the information. Clarke was with them then, the description fit him perfectly.
"Clarke Howell, it has to be him. He's Allison Brooke's fiancé."
Martinez nodded and walked off to go inform some of the other cops standing around and I turned my attention back to the house. What was going on? Tony was usually so quick it gave me an uneasy feeling. When my phone vibrated I answer it immediately.
"Tony! What's going on?" My voice had gone from sounding desperate to sounding frantic.
"There's no one here Rhodey. You guys can come in." Tony's voice sounded tired and I could hear the murmur of other voices in the background.
I broke into a run ignoring the voices calling to me from behind, when I got to the door it opened before I could knock, and it took me a moment to realize it was Allison who answered. Not caring who saw I swept her up into a hug and I could tell she was crying.
Pulling back I wiped away some of her tears, "Allison? Are you okay? Are you hurt? What's wrong?"
God she was a mess, she looked terrible too but I couldn't see any serious injuries, just minor cuts, some would need stitches but nothing dangerous. I put my arm around her and walked her down to the paramedics before going back to the house.
On my way back in I saw them take Clarke out on a stretcher. He was bleeding heavily from his temple, probably from the butt of a gun. I frowned as I continued in, the further and further I got the more damage I could see. Broken vases and tables, papers everywhere, as I got to the living room it got worse. There was blood splattered on the walls and the floor and it made his skin crawl.
"Rhodey…" I could hear Tony calling my name softly and I turned to face him and felt my blood run cold.
I must have started to drop because next thing I knew Tony was at my side with his arm around his shoulder.
"Clear!" Zap!
I tried to push Tony off but he was holding on tight. His tight grip having nothing to do with the tightness in my chest. I felt like I was gasping for air but no matter how hard my lungs tried they couldn't pull in any air.
"Tony. Let me go."
"I can't Rhodey, they need space."
"Tony! Let me go!"
"Clear!" Zap!
"Nothing! Let's go one more time!"
There was so much blood. Jesus, could someone even survive losing that much blood?
"They had to take the bullet out so they could defibrillate, but she's going to be okay… you listening Rhodey?"
I mused that I must have been talking out loud and that's why Tony was able to answer my question. A bullet! Was she shot? She must have been.
"Clear!" Zap!
"I should have been here." My voice sounded empty.
"No, Rhodey – "
"I should have protected her. I could have stopped this." My fists were trembling at my sides, shaking with anger and regret.
"We got her! Alright on my count, 1…2…3!"
I watched as they loaded her onto a stretcher, Tony was still latched onto me preventing me from going to her. God she was so pale. She had to live, she had to be okay because if she wasn't… I shook the thought away and when Tony finally let go I was able to follow the paramedics out. My legs still felt weak and I was numb as they loaded her into the ambulance. Without asking, I got into the ambulance taking a seat. I reached out for her hand; it was so cold under mine. The difference made me shiver.
I brought her hand to my lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckle, "Just hang in there baby. Just hang in there."
A.N. Finished! I was wondering about something though, I forgot this story was first POV and I find it awkward because I got used to third person. Does it comes across as awkward? Let me know in review form! :D