"Tony, calm down, please?" Steve spoke gently, trying to cool Tony down. He knew that getting him to agree to the appointment would only be half the challenge. As it now stood, Tony was less than unprepared to head to the doctor. "Pepper and I will both be there, as promised. Just try to get through this one time."

Tony was in such a state of anxiety that he literally could not even reply. He felt like his insides were shaking and like he was going to throw up-again. He currently inhabited the floor of the downstairs bathroom, Steve sitting on the edge of the tub next to him, running his fingers through his hair. He shook his head, trying to clear his mind. He wanted to cut SO BAD right now. So bad. He was digging into his wrists with his nails so hard that blood came out. Steve gripped his hand tightly, pulling it away, and Tony just shook on the floor, feeling hopeless and scared out of his mind.

What Steve had not expected was just how difficult getting him to the appointment would really be. After removing Tony's hands from his wrists, he slipped off the side of the tub and sat on the floor with him, hoping that sitting on the same level would somehow help with his convincing. "This is going to be good for you, Tony. I promise you, nothing bad will come of this. We won't let them do anything to hurt you. I won't let them do anything to hurt you." He frowned, watching as Tony shook before him. He wanted nothing more than to make all of this stop. More than anything, he just wanted Tony to be happy, but he couldn't give in and let him stay home. Tony needed this. "Here, how about this. Why don't you tell me why you don't want to go?"

Tony looked over to meet Steve's eyes, tears streaming down his face. He leaned into Steve's shoulder, hugging him tight, and just letting himself break. His sobs wracked his body as he held onto Steve for his life. When the tears subsided, he kept his face in the crook of Steve's neck and whispered, "I don't want them to think I'm crazy." He wiped his eyes, sniffing loudly. "And I'm scared...so fucking scared, they're going to say-there's nothing they can do. What if-what if I can't be fixed?" he asked Steve shakily. "I can't hear that Steve. I just-I can't. I cannot do it. I can't go Steve. Please, please don't make me," he whispered.

Steve hated seeing Tony this upset, but he was determined to push for the greater good. "Tony, when's the last time you remember being genuinely happy? No side thoughts, no second guessing, just purely, genuinely happy? If you can't think of a time like that in less than ten seconds, you'll understand why I want you do go through with this so badly. There is nothing wrong with seeking help, Tony. They won't say that they can't help you. Everyone can be helped." Steve tilted Tony's face up, looking at him seriously. "I just want you to be happy, Tony. I don't want you to have to be scared or nervous or upset anymore. And as much as I wish that we didn't need to do this, I feel like it's very important that we do. So please, give this a chance. Not for me, for you."

Tony looked right back at Steve, listening to everything he said intently. He knew Steve was right. He knew. But at the same time, he just wanted to crawl back into bed. He wanted to cut up his arm and roll in a ball and die at this point. "I-want to," he whispered into Steve's shirt. "I just don't' know if I physically can do it. I-it feels like my whole body is caving in on itself. Like I'm exploding inside. I can't do it Steve. I cannot go in there. Please. Please." Tony decided he would try begging first, but his mind was in shambles. He couldn't think straight. If Steve tried to make him go forcefully-and Tony wouldn't put it past him-he would not go down without a fight.

"I don't know what you're going through, Tony. I can imagine that this is extremely difficult for you. But I can't let you back out of this now. This is what's best for you, and if you know that as well, you'll forgive me for making you go. I'm sorry, Tony, but you're going. No buts."

Tony sighed, his plan wasn't working. Well-that's why he had another one. "Okay," he whispered, slumping against Steve. "Let's get this over with." He got up from the floor, not waiting for Steve. He opened the door slowly, checking the hall and seeing nobody there. And then he bolted. He ran towards the front door which was all the way down the hall and through the kitchen. He was rounding the corner into the kitchen when he felt Steve's strong arms wrap around him, picking him up off the floor. "LET GO OF ME-LET ME GO" Tony was kicking hard and landed a few good blows, but most were just against the air and the doorframe leading into the kitchen-which really hurt his foot. "LET ME DOWN. I DON'T WANT TO GO. STOP IT" Tony screamed, using all his strength to try and get out of Steve's vice grip.

Steve's heart sank as he saw Tony speed off down the hall. He'd really been hoping that it wouldn't come down to this. Pressing himself up quickly, he followed after Tony and scooped him into his arms, making sure to not hurt him. "Pepper!" he shouted, feeling guiltier with every punch and kick that Tony threw. "We're going to need plan B!"

After a second, Pepper made her way into the kitchen with a syringe in hand. "I'm sorry, Tony," she mumbled quickly. Steve held Tony steady as Pepper injected Tony, then backed away as tears began to fill her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Tony," she repeated quietly.

Tony fought hard against Steve's grip as he held his arm. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" he screamed, as he saw what was in Pepper's hand. He winced at the pinch of the needle and tried to shy away, but couldn't move from Steve's tight grip. He tried to fight the medicine, but was only able to for about 3 seconds before everything turned black and he went slack against Steve's hold.

Pepper's hand covered her mouth as she did her best to stop crying, but it was a useless effort. She felt horrible, but they had agreed that it was all in Tony's best interest to get to this appointment by whatever means necessary.

Steve carefully adjusted Tony so that he was carrying him bridal style. He knew that the two of them would have plenty of apologizing and making up to do later, but it was more important to make sure that Tony went through with this. He looked at Pepper sympathetically. "Come on, we'll be late." With that, he led them out of the house, got them into the car, and had them on their way.

Tony groaned and cracked an eye open, feeling a warm hand holding his own, and his head on someone's lap. "What-happened?" he asked quietly, rubbing his eyes. He felt so groggy and weird, like his brain was filled with molasses.

Feeling Tony shift, Steve squeezed his hand gently, casting his eyes down to his. "How're you feeling?" he asked calmly, giving Tony time to snap back into it.

"Ughh." Tony rubbed his eyes. "Wh-where are we? Wait. What the-OH MY GOD. YOU. OH." Tony sat up so fast his head spun, but he didn't care. He felt tears prick at his eyes. "How could you do that?" Tony whispered, remembering exactly what had happened.

"I told you, Tony, this is what's best for you. And you agreed with me, remember?" he returned softly, keeping his eyes on Tony's. "Right now, we're in the parking lot. Pepper's inside getting things ready. I'm sorry, Tony. We both are. But it's for the best. Please try to understand."

Tony's eyes went from sad to terrified. He honestly wished Steve would just inject him with more meds or that he would drop dead on the spot. "I-can't go in there," he whispered, backing himself up against the seat as far as he could go.

"Look at me," he said even more softly. Steve placed his hands on Tony's cheeks and looked him straight in the eyes, his expression caring and serious. "Do not view this as a test or a punishment of any kind. Look at this as something that is going to help you. Everything I said earlier about being happy? There's not a doubt in my mind that they can make that happen for you. And don't you try to tell me that you don't want to be happy. Everyone does. Please, Tony. I believe that you can do this. I really do. I believe in you enough for both of us."

Tony stared back, trying to be strong for him. He didn't want to let him down. "Okay," he whispered. "You're going to have to hold my hand. So I don't run," Tony warned. He knew himself enough to know that he needed Steve there to ground him on the way in. "Let's go."

Steve nodded and exited the car before walking to Tony's side and pulling his door open. He took his hand and helped him from the car, then placed a light kiss on his hand. "You're being very brave, right now. Thank you for letting us help you. I'm sorry that getting here was rough, but I promise that we never would have done anything that would harm you." Closing Tony's door, Steve looked at him for a moment before squeezing his hand gently and walking him into the building.

Tony gripped Steve's hand tight and tried to suppress the churning in his stomach. They went to the floor Pepper had indicated and sat themselves on the couch outside a row of doors. Pepper came and sat on Tony's other side, rubbing his back soothingly while he breathed deep breaths. Steve was murmuring sweet nothings into Tony's ear, and he just tried to relax, shutting his eyes and waiting.

Steve busied himself with Tony's hands, stroking and massaging them as he tried to calm him. "After this," he mumbled, face close to Tony's cheek, "we can do anything you want. Absolutely anything. So if you're worrying, just start thinking about what we can do after, okay?" After a few minutes passed, one of the doors swung open. "Anthony Stark?"

Tony visibly tensed, but didn't look up. He heard Pepper get up from one side of him, and Steve started tugging on his arm. Pepper had explained that the plan was for everyone to sit together for half the time, then for Tony to talk with him alone for the second half of the time. Tony just nodded his head, trying to stop himself from dry heaving. Steve pulled Tony up and he stopped fighting, looking up with frantic eyes at the tall doctor who couldn't be more than 30 years old. "Hi," he said quietly, but making no move to shake the man's hand.

Steve noted that the doctor didn't seem phased by Tony's timid response. He assumed that he'd received worse in the past. Steve was relieved that the man appeared just as friendly in person as he had over the phone. He watched Tony carefully, hoping that this wouldn't end badly.

Pepper squeezed Tony's shoulder gently and smiled at him. "Right, then. Shall we?" She followed the doctor into one of the rooms with Steve and Tony following close behind.

Tony dragged his feet as he walked, the only thing stopping him from bolting being Steve's strong grip on his hand. He took the loveseat, pulling Steve down on one side of him while Pepper took the lounge chair-the therapist sitting across from both of them in his own chair.

"So-Tony," the therapist started, "Is that what you'd like me to call you?" Tony nodded, not meeting the man's eyes. "Hi. I'm Nathan. No need for formalities here." He smiled at Tony as he cowered into the couch, trying to make himself small. "Do you want to tell me why you're here?" he asked gently, not making any more to force Tony to talk if he didn't want to. Tony stayed silent, glancing up to meet his eyes before burying his face in Steve's shoulder. This was nothing new, at least Tony wasn't stomping around the room breaking things. This was very tame. "It's okay, you don't have to talk if you don't want to. This is your time, and I want you to know that you are safe here, no matter what you say. I am legally bound to not tell anyone what you say to me unless I feel that you or others are in danger. So for now, your friends can stay. I know this first time is a scary thing. But I'd like to spend the second half of the hour talking with just you, if that's okay?" Tony nodded, but didn't look up. "Okay. Sounds like a plan," Nathan said cheerily, looking to Steve and Pepper. "So what's been going on?"

Pepper cast a worried look at Tony when he buried his face, but was relieved when the doctor continued on without missing a beat. She and Steve had definitely picked the right guy. "From what Tony's told Steve and I, self harm has become a problem," she began, gazing to Tony once more before continuing. "Apparently it's been a problem for a while, really. I think he might also have an anxiety problem? We had one heck of a time getting him here, today." She frowned, turning to Tony once more. "I'm sorry, Tony, but he needs to know."

Steve loosened his hand from Tony's and curled his arm around him for support. He didn't feel the need to add anything more, so he simply nodded as Pepper spoke.

Tony's breath hitched when he heard Pepper explaining what was going on. He didn't make a move to contribute. He just leaned into Steve, trying to stop himself from bursting into tears. He bit his lip until he could taste blood, and gripped his wrist with an iron fist [harharhar].

The doctor nodded, eyeing Tony's body language before speaking. "Okay. Is there anything else you would like me to know before I speak with Tony exclusively?" Nathan asked Pepper and Steve. "I also need to know if you feel that Tony is safe. With himself, and with others."

"We're worried," Steve said quietly, upset that he couldn't console Tony. "He willingly gave me the items he was using to...you know. He just seems so unhappy." He frowned, watching Tony and trying to choose his words carefully to avoid upsetting him further.

Pepper watched the two and sighed softly, willingly pushing herself under the bus, since she was already the one telling most of the information. "He said he thinks he'd be better off dead." She looked to the doctor, tears brimming her eyes, but her voice remained steady. "We just want him to be okay."

Tony hissed when he heard Pepper's admission to the doctor, shooting her a death glare. He then looked up at the doctor, finally meeting his eyes. "I'm not crazy," he whispered, voice wavering.

"No Tony, you aren't, and nobody thinks you are. These are very normal emotions. I see people everyday who feel the same things. So you aren't alone in this. I need to know these things so that I can help you in the best way I can. And I will help you, I promise." Nathan looked up and Pepper and Steve. "Thank you, for coming in. I'm just going to speak to Tony for a while, if you don't mind," he said, gesturing to the door. "Feel free to some coffee in the hall if you like!"

"Thank you," Pepper said, rising from the chair. She looked at Tony for a moment before smiling softly. "Good luck, sweetie. We'll be in the hall."

Steve looked to Tony and spoke quietly enough that only he could hear him. "See? He can help you. There's nothing to be afraid of, alright? Don't be mad at Pepper. He needed to know. We'll be waiting for you, okay? I hope you have a plan made for afterward. Looking forward to it." He smiled and squeezed Tony's hand encouragingly before getting up and following Pepper out into the hall and shutting the door behind them.

Tony smiled a bit at Steve's comment, not daring to meet Pepper's eyes. When the door was shut, he felt like his stomach had dropped through the floor and down the elevator. He looked up at Nathan, trying to be brave. It would be over soon, he just had to get through it. "S-so, what now?" he asked quietly, trying to keep his voice even. "I don't really know how to do this," he admitted, putting his head in his hands.

"Well Tony, it's simple really. Just tell me whatever you like. I will listen, help you, do whatever you need. I think we really need to start with the cutting though. When did it start?"

Tony shied away from the question, he was not good at talking about this stuff. "After Afghanistan," he whispered, picking at his shirt hem. "And it just got worse and worse, and I couldn't stop myself. It became everything." Tony stopped, realizing how simple it really was to spill your guts out here. He didn't want to do that though, not yet at least. "It's really bad," he whispered.

Nathan nodded, hearing much of the same he'd heard his entire career. "Okay. I just want you to know Tony that all of those symptoms are completely normal. Now Pepper also said you have a bit of an anxiety problem, which I've been observing throughout our session. How do you feel about working on some brain exercises and tricks you can use when you feel stuck?" Tony looked up, eyes completely vulnerable, and Nathan knew he had gotten through to him. Tony nodded a bit, feeling hope blossom in his stomach. "Yeah? Okay. Let's get started then."

Too soon though, the hour was over and Nathan got up, shaking Tony's hand. "Thank you," Tony whispered before turning to leave.

"You were very brave today, Tony. I look forward to seeing you again soon. Don't forget to work on those tricks I showed you. They really will help." Nathan smiled at Tony. "Goodbye. You can call me anytime if you need me."

Tony nodded, feeling like an enormous boulder had been lifted from his chest. "Okay. I will. Thanks". Tony turned around, and headed out the door to his anxiously awaiting friends. He scooted into the empty space next to Steve, giving him a huge hug from the side, sniffing back his tears. "It went great," he whispered into Steve's ear.

"Oh, Tony," he grinned, returning the hug. "I'm so glad." He placed a quick kiss on his cheek and smiled, pulling back a bit. "So what do you think? Do you like him?"

Pepper was sniffing every few seconds, but she was smiling wide.

"Yeah," Tony whispered, "I really do." Tony looked around a bit, then looked sheepishly up at Steve. "Sorry about, uh, earlier..."

"Don't worry about it," he said, smiling wider. "You were nervous. With plenty of reason to be. You didn't really know what to expect, coming in. Maybe, if you'd like to try this again, it'll be a little less chaotic?" He chuckled, arching a brow. "So, have you thought of anything?"

Tony smiled. "Maybe just-a dinner in? I haven't really slept in a few days. Maybe pizza. And ice cream. And movies."

"That sounds wonderful. Especially the ice cream. I'm a big fan of ice cream. Come on," he said, standing, "we should head home." He held out his hand and helped Tony up, then led them back to the car with Pepper following close behind.

Tony leaned against Steve as they walked, bumping hips with him. "Things really are going to be okay," he said almost to himself, more than to Steve.

Steve looked to Tony and smiled again, then opened the doors for both him and Pepper, then entered the car himself. "I'm really glad that you like him," he said quietly.

"Me, too," Tony admitted, settling himself in the car, feeling so much lighter.

CUT.