A/N I think I am actually quite pleased with this chapter. Keep in mind I have set this to less than a year after the movie. So I am assuming that Pepper and Rhodey have not been properly introduced. Also I can't stand it that when our heroes go and get themselves hurt and they land in the hospital they always come back unscathed. Don't get me wrong I love those stories, but I think it is safe to assume that one of these days they are going to have some permanent damage. So here we go, still don't own. But I own Baqi! You can steal him.

It was early in the morning when Bruce woke up, or at least he thought it was early, he couldn't wait until they left this god forsaken place because he was really tired of being forced into places without windows. When the lights went out the darkness and gloom reminded him far too much about the cave, and reminding him of the cave reminded him of Tony's situation, which reminded him of how angry he was at Fury; he didn't like getting angry. There was no need to explain why.

So at the time he assumed was around 7:30 in the morning Bruce made his way from his quaint quarters and into the private kitchen. He blinked in surprise when everyone – save for Thor – was already there. Clint turned and beamed at him.

"'Bout time you woke up Doc! How's our sleepy-headed big, green rage-monster!" Clint chortled.

"You should really leave the 'Other Guy' jokes to Tony, Clint, he has a knack for them." Clint scowled. Bruce sat himself down next to Steve and watched as Clint flipped a pancake, "I know why I'm up this early, but why are all of you?" Bruce frowned when Steve chuckled.

"It's not early Bruce, it's almost noon." Bruce choked on a glass of orange juice Natasha had set in front of him, Steve thumped him on the back hard enough to bruise.

"Wha–, what!"

Clint nodded, "Yep, surprised us all. I blame it on the lack of windows. You would think with all of that money Tony gave Fury he would pitch in for some windows or alarm clocks." He reached out with his spatula and flipped a pancake in the air, followed by a second, third, and fourth, gave a twirl while snatching a plate then stuck his hand out as three pancakes landed in a near perfect stack and the fourth landed only partially on the stack of three. Bruce gave an impressed clap, but Clint frowned, "Damn." He placed the plate down in front of Bruce with a clack.

Steve laughed and turned to Bruce, "He and Natasha are having a competition of who can stake the most pancakes in the most impressive way. Natasha's winning."

"Sounds like something Thor and Tony would like. Where is Thor, he certainly isn't still sleeping." Steve shook his head.

"No, he was here earlier, but in sake of preserving enough food for you we sent him to go check on Tony. He should be back any moment." Steve reached out and snagged a piece of bacon from the tray to his right while also reaching over and passed the syrup and other essential toppings to Bruce who excepted them gratefully.

"So there weren't any midnight calls from Tony I wager." Bruce said before sticking a forkful of pancake into his mouth.

Natasha set down the plate with five pancakes perfectly stacked next to Clint, "No, he tripped while trying to go to the bathroom last night, don't ask, "she added after seeing Bruce's shocked face, "and I had the happy pleasure of being chosen to help him. I should say that that is twenty minutes I am never going to get back."

"I should hope not."

Four heads turned to a new voice. There was various reactions, surprise by Clint and Bruce; Steve was so shocked he almost fell off his stool; and Natasha was unsurprisingly emotionless.

Pepper Potts stood at the door, hands on hips and a fierce glare on her face. Her hair was immaculate as ever, and her traditional heels were on her feet; Natasha was the only one able to recognize the attempt to cover up the dark shadows under her eyes and the red around her eyelids. Behind her stood a man that was unfamiliar to the rest, his dark skin was a contrast against his Air Force dress blues, a hat clutched in his hand. His jaw was set in a determined line; however, he did show a hint of weariness at facing a room full of superheroes.

Natasha reacted first, she walked towards the two, "Miss Potts, Colonel Rhodes, good to see you made it." Pepper ignored Natasha's statement and instead turned towards Bruce.

"Where's Tony?"

Bruce opened his mouth and closed it again, he looked to Steve, "We didn't expect you to get here so soon." Steve said.

Pepper's nostrils flared, "Hold on Pepper," the man behind her said. He stepped past her and held out his hand, "Lt. Colonel James Rhodes, I'm a friend of Tony's."

Steve shook his hand, "Right, you're the ass who stole his suit." Rhodes opened his mouth to protest but stopped when he noticed Steve's smile.

"I see Tony's mentioned me." He said returning the smile.

"Only nice things, we promise." Bruce replied while taking his hand. "Bruce Banner, I've been looking forward to meeting you. It is good to see you again Miss Potts."

"This is all fine and heart-warming but I would really love to know about Tony." Pepper said stepping up beside Rhodes. "More specifically where is he?."

"He's in the med bay, Thor went to go check on him." Natasha said, Pepper turned towards her, Steve noticed an unidentifiable emotion flash through the strawberry-blondes eyes. Steve had only met Miss Potts through passing – never getting a former introduction – Tony had given strict instructions that Pepper was off limits, and Steve didn't feel that she approved of the team or their association with Tony; she was only supportive of it because Tony was tolerable of them.

"Swell, you sent the God of Thunder to go check on an injured man surrounded by delicate instruments. I've replaced too many phones and remotes to not know what he can do to items more breakable than his thumbnail. Where's the med bay?"

Rhodes put a hand on her shoulder, she shrugged him off, "I assure you Miss Potts that I did not touch anything that I saw as overtly breakable." Thor's voice caused Pepper to whirl around, but to Steve's surprise she did not shirk from the sight of the blonde God in his full armor. Thor looked passed her to Steve, "Stark is asleep Captain Rogers and the doctors say that he may be for the rest of the day." Steve nodded.

Rhodes stared at Thor, Thor turned to him, "I do not believe we have met, I am Thor Odinson, heir to the Asgard throne. I am always pleased to meet new people of this realm." Thor took Rhodes hand and shook it. Rhodes looked rather startled at the hand engulfing his own.

"Uh, James Rhodes, friend of Tony's." He repeated lamely.

Thor smiled, "Ah! You are the man that pulled our comrade from those sands the first time. I have heard many stories, tell me, is it normal for a woman to be named Ivan?" Rhodes's eyes bulged.

"Did he tell you that?" He looked around, his eyes widened when he saw Clint grin and nod, "I assure you there was no woman named Ivan. I doubt Tony even remembers the majority of that spring break."

Pepper cleared her throat, Steve stepped forward, "I'll take you to Tony Miss Potts." Pepper gave a nod and stormed out the door, shoving past Thor. Steve turned to Rhodes, who shrugged and gave a "she does that" as an excuse. Steve lengthened his stride to catch up with her already halfway down the hall.

Bruce walked by the Colonel, he glanced at the military man. Bruce wasn't very comfortable around those in uniform, he has had bad experience with one particular military man and it did not leave a good impression, and few military men ever trusted him. So he was surprised when Rhodes cleared his throat and started a conversation.

"So, are you the Jolly Green Giant man Tony always talks about?" Rhodes asked.

Bruce blinked, "Yes, I guess you could say that."

"Tony never shuts up about you, whenever I see him that is, he says you're the only one he can ever have an intelligent conversation with, besides Jarvis of course." He said as they rounded another corner. "But then again Jarvis isn't actually alive is he."

"Yeah, that was his argument to get me to stay in New York. After the Citauri I was all for going back to Peru or India, Tony all but put me in restraints to get me to stay." Bruce smiled at Rhodes laugh, "So, what about you, I've only heard a few things about you." He looked somewhat apologetically at Rhodes who waved away the concern.

"I've known Tony since MIT. If what he's done in the past hasn't gotten rid of me than not mentioning me to his genius buddy isn't. Actually I should be thanking you." Rhodes laughed again at Bruce's face, "With you keeping him occupied he's gotten off my back about his suit." Rhodes looked like a child in a candy store.

"He let you have a suit?" Rhodes blinked in surprise.

"He didn't tell you." Bruce shook his head, "He got unseemly drunk last year at his birthday, I took the suit to get him to calm down. Later I found out he was about to die so I kept the suit to make him mad." Rhodes glanced at Bruce, "I'm paraphrasing."

"Thought so."

They walked in silence for the last couple minutes of their walk. When they made it to Tony's room Pepper and Steve were already there. Steve stood in the doorway, arms crossed watching as Pepper held Tony's hand and murmured reassuringly in Tony's ear, she dabbed at the slight sheen on his forehead. Steve glanced up as they came up to him, "Nightmare." Steve said.

"Was it bad?"

"Not like last time." Steve said with a sigh. He didn't miss Rhodes tightening jaw.

"Damn Tony." Rhodes said under his breath, "What did you do this time?" He stepped into the room, Pepper gave him a small glance before she turned back to Tony. Sitting down on the couch that was still in the room Rhodes asked, "What happened?"

Steve moved further in the room, "Fury didn't tell you?"

He shook his head, "No, I happened to be in New York when you're plane went down. All we were told is that they weren't sure of your location and they were doing everything in their power to find you. It wasn't until yesterday afternoon that Fury informed us that you had been found and that Tony had been injured in the process."

"Did Fury tell you that we were above Afghanistan when the quinjet went down?" Bruce asked.

Rhodes jerked in surprise, "Shit, no. Damn it." Pepper glanced up at Steve.

"Who was it?" She asked shakily.

"The Ten Rings." Natasha said from her spot in the doorway. Pepper gave a sob and Rhodes put his head in his hands. The group sat in silence for a bit.

"What did they want?" Rhodes asked looking up, "Surely they didn't want the same thing as last time. If Tony wasn't going to build them missiles before what in the hell made them think he would this time!"

Natasha shook her head, "No they didn't want missiles, they wanted suits."

"Why?" Pepper asked, her voice shaking, "If he doesn't make missiles then why suits?"

"They were hoping that the rest of us would have been enough motivation, and it was, but it was motivation to get out rather than to build." Clint said. He walked into the room and took the open space by Steve, elbows on his knees. "Fury believes that someone hired them."

Pepper gave a harsh laugh, "Wouldn't be the first time." She mumbled.

"The first time?" Thor asked, clearly confused.

Pepper nodded but did not make any move to convey the story. Rhodes hesitated but figured the other's had a right to know, "The first time they took Tony, Tony's business partner Obadiah Stane hired them to kill him. They saw it as an opportunity to get free weapons, which was their mistake."

Steve looked up, "Wait, I know that name. I read it somewhere."
Rhodes nodded, "He was a friend of Howard's. They started the company together, he helped raise Tony."

Steve clenched his jaw, "Obviously Howard made a poor choice in friends."

"Yeah, it would seem so." Rhodes trailed off.

"He was after your time Cap." Everyone jumped when Tony's voice trailed faintly out. His eyes were on Pepper, "Hey Pep."

Pepper smiled, "Hey Tony." She held his gaze until her smile faded, she reached out and flicked him across the forehead.

Tony looked disgruntled, "What was that for?"

"If you ever get yourself kidnapped and hauled to Afghanistan ever again I will make sure that Jarvis locks you out of your labs for a month." Pepper glared at him, Tony opened his mouth to protest, "And I'll also lock up your suit until you learn how to keep your ass out of a hospital!"

Tony's eyes widened, Rhodes chuckled, "This is why I enjoy not being you Tony, far too dangerous for one's health." Tony's eyes shifted to his friend on the couch, his eyes widened.

"Platypus!" Tony exclaimed, "Did you schedule finally allow you to come and see me, too bad I had to end up in a hospital bed for that to happen!"

Rhodes shook his head and hid a smile, "Can you try that again Tony, I can't hear you over that wheezing rasp you call a voice."

Tony frowned, Bruce spoke up, "Speaking of which Tony where's your oxygen mask."
Tony made a face, "Doctor said I didn't need it." He mumbled.

"Bullshit Stark." Clint said.

Tony glared at him, "No commentary from you Bird Brain."

Thor spoke up, "I can confirm that the doctor did not relieve you of that false mask, he said it was still needed for your continued recovery."

Tony scowled at him, "Yeah well no one asked you."

Pepper glared at him, "Tony." She said in a warning tone, he let out a sigh and pointed towards the side table where stuffed in the tiny plastic drawer was the mask. "I take it you are slightly more injured this time around." Tony gave a stiff nod.

She turned to Bruce for confirmation, "Yes, he has a gunshot wound to the shoulder and his leg, a concussion, a few broken ribs, and a punctured lung. Surgery was able to repair the damage to his lung and shoulder. His leg proved more difficult, he'll have to go to Physical Therapy." Tony made a noise of protest, Bruce shook his head, "You better go Tony. The doctor says that due to the damage from the bullet you may never walk properly again. You may have to rely on a cane in later years." Tony's eyes widened.

Rhodes shook his head, "I think we'll be the judge of that."

Pepper put her hand on Tony's shoulder reassuringly, "Don't worry Tony, it will be fine." She murmured softly. Something flashed across Tony's eyes, Pepper caught it. "No Tony! Absolutely not! I know that look, you are not making a Jarvis powered walking stick."

Tony looked at her with wide excited eyes, "But think about it, I could have the smartest stick in the world, Jarvis will love it! It will get him out of the house!"

"He gets out all the time." Steve said.

Tony shook his head, "No in the suit, that doesn't count."

Pepper narrowed her eyes, "And what would be the point of this smart stick."

"Hey, that's a good name, but it needs something else. Jarstick, no Jarvis-the-stick, Jarvis-the-smartest-stick-in-the-world. What would that be J.T.S.S.I.T.W., Jtssitw? I'll work on that later, but why must there be a point Pepper. It'll be cool!"

"No Tony! You don't need to build it because you won't need it! I'll make sure of it." Tony gave a pout, which turned into a hardy lung full of air, his rather prolonged talk literally taking his breath away.

The seven of them sat there as Tony caught his breath and coughed into the mask. Pepper stroked his hand as he struggled. Tony took one final breath and then fumbled for the controls on the bed. When he was upright enough that he could look everyone in the eye with dignity he turned his head towards Rhodes.

"So, Rhodey, enjoying your time with the super-secret boy band, plus one girl." He added with a flick of his wrist towards Natasha.

"I would be enjoying it more if it didn't take you getting hauled back to Afghanistan for you to introduce us." Rhodes – no, Rhodey – stood up and walked over to Tony's bedside.

"Ah, yes, I can see how my situation would put a damper on these proceedings." Tony stopped again to catch his breath, but then he waved his hand towards the scattered people around the room. "Sour Patch meet the team, the team meet Sour Patch." Tony grinned at Rhodey who just rolled his eyes.

"Well I will take that as my cue." Clint walked up to Rhodey and slapped him on the back, "Clint Barton, any friend of Tony's is alright in my book. Welcome to the family Sour Patch!"

Rhodey rubbed his newly bruised shoulder, "Rhodey's fine."

"Whatever you say Cupcake!"

Rhodey groaned and turned to Pepper, "Is it possible to have two Tony Stark's?" Pepper smiled.

Tony turned to Pepper, "I don't think you've met Rogers, Barton, and Thor properly have you?" Tony's voice was devoid of any mirth, Pepper shook her head. So the next five minutes were filled with "Hello's" and "How do you do's". Bruce and Natasha being the only ones who had actually received a former introduction to Pepper; although, Natasha hadn't really been introduced as Natasha Romanoff, so the other three got the pleasure of finally meeting not only the women who could control and order around the great Tony Stark but also the women who was able to make their lives run smoothly and peacefully while living in Stark Tower.

Pepper smiled and shook each of the three men's hands and she was able to extricate herself from one of Thor's hugs. Pepper blushed when Steve addressed her in the overly gentlemanly way – in Tony's opinion – that Steve was accustomed to in his youth. Pepper took her seat back next to Tony, but she turned herself around so that she could face outward towards the rest of the occupants in the room; her hand found Tony's and she interlocked her fingers in his.

She looked towards Natasha and addressed her in her usual business like tone, "So," she paused, "What happened?"

Rhodey looked up, "There's a lot to tell Miss Potts." Steve said.

Pepper held up her hand, "Alright two things, I don't care how long it's going to take because I have no intention of letting anyone leave this room before I hear the full story."

Steve paused, "What's the second thing?"

"It's not Miss Potts, its Pepper."

"Alright. Well, Pepper, it's rather a long story."

Pepper shifted so she had a comfortable position on the chair, her hand tightening only slightly in Tony's hand. She nodded, and Steve delved into the story that had landed her best friend in the situation he was in. Natasha and the other's filled in when Steve's memories failed him, and then took over entirely when it came to the time they had been separated.

By the time they turned to Steve to give his side of the story Tony had fallen asleep, his hand still curled in Pepper's.

"I don't really remember much, just that Tony must have been leaving behind that trail of figures," Steve nodded towards Natasha, "that they had been following and they had caught him at it. I can't remember much after that, next thing I knew I was out in the desert with Natasha and Hulk."

"So Tony must have been shot again after you two were separated." Rhodey said from his seat also at Tony's side, his hand was resting on the bed rail closest to Tony's head. Clint nodded and filled the two on what had happened from there.

"He really has come far in recovery these several days." Bruce said, "The doctor says that he wants Tony to begin Physical Therapy in a few days, he keeps boasting that they have some of the best PT program in the world."

"No." Everyone turned towards Pepper's voice, "No, I'm taking Tony back home, and not to New York, Malibu. His personal doctors are there and his cars. Jarvis will make sure Tony does whatever the doctors say if no one is around. I don't want the people who left him to die watching over him."

"Pepper, I know what Fury did was wrong, and believe me I was ready to kick his ass from here to Timbuktu, but the doctor's S.H.E.I.L.D. has are the best, I can personally vouch for them."

Pepper shook her head, "No, it's Malibu or – if we have to – New York, but Tony is not going to stay here. Besides, in Malibu Rhodey will be close by if I can't be there."

"And us." Pepper blinked at Steve's announcement, "We can help any way we can Pepper, the more of us taking care of Tony the faster his recovery. If you'll have us of course."

Pepper closed her mouth, then gave a smile and nodded. "Of course Captain Rogers, I can hardly deny Tony the pleasure of showing off his home."

Clint pumped his fist, "Alright! Malibu beach house, sweet! I've wanted a vacation for some time now."

"You do not believe Stark will be against housing us in his private home. I have not forgotten the tantrum after the living area's spirit box was broken." Thor said from the small chair his bulk was occupying.

Rhodey looked confused, "What?"

Bruce waved his hand, "He means the TV. He threw the remote at it after Penny and Leonard broke up." Rhodey looked confused, "The Big Bang Theory." Bruce exclaimed.

"I still proclaim that they are meant for each other and she should not have fallen for that trickster's words." Thor glowered as he crossed his arms.

"He hasn't seen any recent episodes." Bruce said after a pause.

"Tony will be fine. He'll deal." Pepper said.

"Tony will deal with what?" The occupants of the room turned to the disembodied voice. Fury stood in the doorway, his arms crossed and his one eye studying each of them.

Pepper's eyes flashed with rage but she quickly settled back into her usual business emotions. Rhodey didn't have that same skill, his eyes blazed at the sight of the man in front of him, he opened his mouth to speak but was quickly shushed by Steve. "Yes Director Fury."

Fury flicked his eye towards Steve but then returned his gaze towards Pepper, "Glad to see you made it safely Miss Potts, you as well Colonel Rhodes." Rhodey glared at him and Fury ignored him.

Pepper let go of Tony's slack fingers and stood, she took her time at straightening her skirt and jacket before speaking, "I will be moving Tony home. To Malibu, I will also be bringing everyone with me. They have agreed to assist Tony during his recovery. I will be contacting Tony's personal doctors so they will be expecting us." She ended with the same tone she used to convince Tony to go to various board meetings, something that was not lost on Fury.

His lips thinned slightly, "I am afraid I cannot allow that Miss Potts. There is still a possible endangerment to his and his teammate's lives. I will personally make sure that Mr. Stark gets the best care you can find here."

"No!" Pepper said too forcibly, Tony jerked in his sleep beside her, his head rolling to the side facing away from her. His brow furrowed and he frowned as he mumbled something to some unseen person. Pepper took a calming breath, "No, I am not leaving Tony with the people who sat idly by as he was shot and nearly killed."

Fury held her gaze, "We had no way of knowing that Mr. Stark was injured, there was no indication of trouble until after we received intelligence that a bomb had detonated. I assure you that if we had known about Mr. Stark's condition our first priority would have been to get him and the rest of the team out."

Pepper shook her head, "It's not about what you could have done Mr. Fury, it's about what you should have done. And I am going to do what I should do. I am taking Mr. Stark home, and any members of your team are welcome to come with me."

"I will not support this Miss Potts. Here they are protected, we have no idea who is behind this and we must assume that their goal was to kill this team and that they will try again."

"You do not have to support it Mr. Fury, but it is going to happen none the less. And if it is there safety you worry about then I assure you Mr. Stark's home has the finest security system on this planet, designed by Mr. Stark himself. They will be safe enough there." Pepper lifted her head just enough so it would appear she was looking down on the taller man.

Fury glared, "Enough might not be good enough Miss Potts."

"It's a risk I am willing to take."

Fury shifted his gaze a moment towards the still sleeping man and then back on Pepper. With a flip of his long coat he turned on his heel and stalked out of the room.

Silence followed his departure. Clint's mouth was open in shock, he had never seen anyone talk to Fury in that manner without there being severe consequences. He glanced at Natasha who seemed unsurprised – big shock – at the result of the conversation. Clint assumed that she would have stepped into the conversation if it had started to go south, a situation she probably hadn't expected to happen. Bruce looked rather impressed and Clint watched him stand up and walk over to Pepper and murmur something in her ear, she nodded and Bruce left.

Pepper took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, her shoulders rising and falling in time. She turned back to face the room, utterly ignoring the still astonished faces, and gave a nod to Rhodey before sitting back down next to Tony and again grabbing his hand. She smiled inwardly as the silence still continued. Only Natasha seemed unimpressed by her 'show-down' with Fury, but then again Pepper was sure that Natasha was the only who had seen her in action as CEO. She didn't get to where she was today by being timid and bashful. Rhodey also seemed unimpressed but then again he had seen her talk Tony down from his more drunken choices.

She sat there and lightly caressed Tony's knuckles with her thumb. His wrists were red, rubbed raw by what she assumed were restraints, the bruises on his arms a stark – Tony would like that description – contrast against his pale skin. The limited amount of time he had spent in the sun this past week very evident with the lack of tan to his skin.

Pepper looked up at his face, the oxygen mask made it difficult to see his full profile, but she could make out the paleness of his skin. Steve had told her on the way that his color was better than it had been while they were in the cave, and that it should give her hope that he will recover from this, both mentally and physically. But looking at his face now she wasn't sure how she was able to believe that. He had been lucky to come back last time so unscathed – except for the new addition to his body.

She remembered the times she had come over to his home to find him asleep on the couch mid-day, waking him proved to be both disorienting and confusing so she usually ended up leaving him there in the future. It became clear to her that he wasn't used to following the sun for regular sleep patterns when she found him curled on his side down in his shop, his back pressed up against the hot rod wheel. She had draped an extra blanket over him and then had left to go call Obadiah – something she had deeply regretted later – and had then gone to his own doctor he had known since he was a child and gotten him prescribed sleeping pills. Pepper hadn't believed that he would take them but several days later she found the bottle beside his bed with several pills missing. A couple days after that he started acting more like himself – smiling and bickering with her – and the bags underneath his eyes slowly disappeared. Somehow Pepper didn't believe that pills and smiles were going to be enough this time.

Pepper felt Rhodey's gaze on her and she looked up to meet his eyes. He gave her a reassuring smile and reached up to lay his own hand over hers and Tony's, keeping it there for a bit before giving it a squeeze and leaning back into his chair. Pepper smiled, Rhodey would know what to do, he was there when Tony's parents had died and would know how to handle Tony when Pepper was unable. And when Tony became too much for the both of them Pepper would sick Natasha on him. Pepper nodded at Rhodey letting him know that she understood.

Steve coughed and stood, "Well I am going to go pack what little things I have. I assume we are leaving as soon as possible."

Pepper nodded, "I'll call Happy and have him send the jet to where ever the hell we are. I'm sure that Fury won't let a private plane land anywhere near a S.H.E.I.L.D. base, so we will have to find the next closest airport."

"Johannesburg." Natasha said.

Steve blinked, "Are we in South Africa?"

"I will neither confirm nor deny that." She gave a sideways glance at Steve and gave a wink.

"Alright, I'll make sure Happy fills up on gas." Pepper said.

Clint stepped forward, "I hope you know that Fury has no intention of just letting us go. He will find a way to keep us from leaving, and we can't really get off this base without his say-so."

"I'll sick Hulk on him." Pepper said with a growl.

"I'm sure, but I just want you to know that he will try everything he can. I wouldn't put it past him to lock us in our rooms." Clint pushed himself off the wall and stretched his arms. "Well I am going to follow Banner's lead and head out." He left the room and was quickly followed by Natasha who gave nothing but a quick nod.

Steve hesitated, he wasn't sure if they had rooms anywhere, he'll have to make sure they get one just in case they would want some sleep. Though Steve doubted they would leave Tony alone and would either lie down on the couch or just sleep sitting up, but still it was the thought that counts. "I'll see you in the morning then. Do you remember where the kitchen is if you get hungry?" Rhodey nodded, "Good, have a good night." With one final glance at Tony Steve left them to keep vigil over their sleeping friend.

He found a wandering agent in the hallway and asked him if he could get two rooms just in case. The man gave a nod and walked off to whence he came. Steve made it to his room which was devoid of anything personal. His uniform hanging in a protective sleeve, it had been taken to be cleaned and repaired when he was unconscious, and a suitcase of clothes from his room in Stark Tower were the only things he could call his own here. He grabbed a book he had stolen from the kitchen and sat down on the one chair in the room, opening the book to where he had left off he began to read, waiting for the morning.

AVENGERS

It was early in the morning when Pepper finally started to drift only to start awake, Rhodey had long ago moved to the couch to catch an hour of sleep, he had made Pepper promise that when he woke up she would get some sleep – a promise she was not going to keep.

Rhodey stirred on the couch, she looked over at him and then returned her gaze towards Tony. His head was tilted in her direction, a reaction to her soft caress of his face to calm him from another nightmare, he had given a sigh as he calmed down again allowing Pepper to lean back and continue her silent vigil. Rhodey dropped a hand on her shoulder causing her to jump.

"Sorry." He said softly, his voice heavy with sleep, "I take it you're not going to keep your promise to get some sleep." She shook her head, "Well then I am going to go and make you some coffee, or would you prefer tea."

Pepper gave a small smile, "Tea please, I don't think Tony will think it fair that I got coffee and he didn't."

"Tony can bite my ass for all I care." But Rhodey smiled, "I'll be back in a bit." Pepper nodded and he left. She shifted so that she could take some weight off of her numb bottom, she had been sitting for far too long she needed to stand. But she didn't, she just gripped Tony's hand harder not wanting to let it go. But finally she decided that it was no use, she could not get comfortable.

Standing and stretching Pepper walked around a bit to get the blood flowing back to her lower extremities. She caught the couch in the corner of her eye, it was too good to resist, she sat down, laid her head back, and gave a sigh. It was a comfortable couch. She almost started to drift off when there was a knock causing her to jump.

Standing in the doorway was a man dressed in the standard uniform for the nurses here, he held a cup of steaming liquid in one hand and a tray in the other. Her eyes were for the beverage, the man must have noticed her stare because he smiled.

"Your friend Colonel Rhodes gave me this to give to you. He said to tell you he went to talk to Captain Rogers about tomorrow and he will be back as soon as he can." He held out the cup, Pepper leapt to her feat and snatched it, took a gulp, and burnt her tongue, "Careful, it's still warm. My name is Charlie by the way." He set the metal tray down on the bedside table next to Tony.

"What is that?" Pepper asked as she took a cautious sip of her tea and grimaced, it was Green Tea, she only ever drank Chamomile, but in the prospect of staying awake she was willing to make the sacrifice.

"It's just some pain meds. Mr. Stark is still pretty sore so we want to make his rest as painless as possible." The man grabbed the syringe and poked at Tony's arm then depressed the plunger. "There, that should be able to hold him off until morning."

Pepper took another sip of tea when her eyes began to droop, "You look tired Miss Potts, maybe you should lie down." Pepper shook her head, but the nurse was taking the cup from her hand and helping her to lie down on the couch. "It's alright Miss Potts, the effects shouldn't last long, but you will have a headache when you wake."

Pepper struggled to keep her eyes open, but it was hopeless. Whatever had been in her tea was working and she didn't have the energy to fight it. A blanket was draped over her, a hand patted her head, and then there was darkness.

AVENGERS

Rhodey held the hot Styrofoam mug in his hand, taking care not to spill the hot liquid in his hand. It had taken him longer than he thought to relocate the kitchen, and even longer to find and make the tea. But now he was heading back to an exhausted Pepper with her favorite Chamomile tea.

He didn't notice the pain as the scalding liquid spilt across his hand when he dropped the cup. Rhodey ran into the hospital room as his friend shook uncontrollably. Tony's jaw was clenched tightly, his legs and arms were hitting the railings around his bed and his neck was twisted in a painful direction.

Tony's heart monitor was calm, he had been disconnected from it. Rhodey, in his panic, managed to follow the wire connected to the machine over towards the couch were Pepper laid unconscious. Rhodey slammed his hand into the call button, a nurse was there within seconds. Her hands flew to her face when she saw Tony.

"We need a doctor! Now!" As soon as the command left his lips another nurse came running in followed by, much to Rhodey's relief, a doctor. They immediately went to work.

They forced Tony's jaw open and stuck in a plastic tongue to keep him from biting his own, too late for that Rhodey thought, and they started swarming around him yelling orders and blocking him from Rhodey's view. Rhodey turned towards Pepper, he ripped off the heart monitor on her finger, and the blanket was quick to follow.

Rhodey gently held her head, turning her face towards his before slapping her in quick session. It had the desired effect, Pepper gave a groan and forced her eyes open. She looked confused to see Rhodey above her and struggled to lift her head. Rhodey stopped her, her eyes were clouded with whatever drug she had been given, but she seemed lucid enough to realize that something was wrong.

"Rhod–" she began, but stopped when she tried to think of what she was going to say.

"It's alright Pepper," Rhodey tried to say reassuringly. It wasn't helping, the doctor and nurses were still yelling orders causing anxiety to run through his veins. The only reason they hadn't been kicked out of the room was because they were far too busy to force them out.

"He, he said you made the tea. But it wasn't Chamomile," Pepper's words were sluring and her eyes were starting to droop again, "I don't like Green Tea," she said.

"I know Pepper, that's why I always make you Chamomile." Rhodey said, and Pepper nodded. "Can you tell me anything? No! Pepper I need you to stay awake, I don't know what he gave you." Rhodey felt slightly panicked when Pepper didn't respond.

"He, sa'd it w'uldn't last l'ng." Pepper looked up at him, her eyes wide, "He g've s'mthing to T'ny."

Rhodey nodded, "Yes I know Pepper, but the doctor is helping him, can you tell me anything about this man."

"N'rse, sa'd 'is n'me 'as Ch'rlie." Rhodey nodded.

"Good Pepper that's good." He stroked her hair, she mumbled something. "Sorry Pep, I didn't catch that."

"We're leaving tomorrow." She said the clearest since she woken up.

Rhodey nodded, "No doubt about it Pepper."

AVENGERS

He smiled when he witnessed the Colonel walk into the room, several moments later the nurse's and doctor followed. He turned on his heel. His employer hadn't wanted him to harm Stark, but the man deserved some grief. Besides, it served as a great distraction.

He made his way towards the cell blocks, shedding his nursing uniform as he went. He didn't worry about the cameras, the security system was far too easy for him. It made him laugh, this was supposed to be the securest American military base in the world, and yet he had broken in as easily as walking into a toy store. Pathetic.

He went down a flight of stairs and immediately turned to the right, nodding to the security guard he passed he made his way to the last door on the right. The door opened into another hallway, at the end was another security guard, but again he wasn't worried. He presented his badge for the man to inspect. The uniformed man gave a nod and waved him through. A bell rang and the door in front of him opened.

Stepping through he waited for the door to close before he made his way to the right instead of the left as that fool assumed he would go. A discreet change of badges allowed him to fool the next guard at the next check point. Repeating the process he walked through the last door. Beyond here there were no more guards, the fools, he made a straight shot towards the cell at the end of the hall.

Inside was the man that was known to S.H.E.I.L.D. only as Baqi. He looked haggard, he was clean and looked well fed but he looked haunted, his face gaunt. Baqi looked up at his visitor who swiped his badge in front of a scanner and stepped back as the clear plexiglas slid to the side. The Man stepped inside.

Baqi watched him, "I trust you know why I am here." The Man said. Baqi gave a nod. "Good." The Man untucked his shirt and unzipped the fake padded stomach that he had used to fatten up his appearance. Inside he took out a thick rope, it was already knotted. He threw it at Baqi's feet, "You know what to do." With that the Man turned and left the small white cell.

Fifteen minutes later an alarm sounded, when agents and guards reached the only occupied cell it was already too late. Baqi's feet swung a foot from the ground, the rope was looped up through the beam that crossed across the cell's ceiling.

By the time the guards remembered the strange man who came through the checkpoints with ease it was useless. The Man was already gone, getting onto a private plane in Johannesburg, its destination Malibu.

A/N So whach you think? Yes, no,...maybe so? Until next time gents!