Alright, unless I became super rich within the last week or so I still don't own anything, except my television, I bought that.
"Tony?"
"No."
"Tony please."
"No Pepper. I don't want to talk about it."
Pepper sighed as she watched Tony pull out a bundle of wires from a leg piece of one of his suits. It was a distraction Pepper knew, she knew that Tony wasn't really seeing the complexity of the design, or the imagined problem. He definitely wasn't seeing the nonexistent solution.
Pepper sighed in resignation, "If you need to talk you know where to find me." Tony didn't watch her leave the workshop, only listening as the door hissed shut and the familiar hum of his sanctuary greeted him.
"Jarvis, music please." Tony said as he turned his head towards the holographic screen by his head. He sighed in relief as the music started to blast his speakers, for five minutes Tony let himself drift away with the bulging of the base.
It wasn't until Tony felt the skin of his hand catch on a loose piece of metal that his mind came back to reality. Blood welled up through the inch long gash across the back of his hand.
Cursing Tony stood and limped heavily towards his sink.
"Sir, might I remind you that you are still not healed enough to walk on that leg of yours."
"I'm fine Jarvis." Tony gasped, biting his lip so that his AI wouldn't realize the pain just walking caused him, which was a stupid idea because Tony had designed Jarvis to always be aware of Tony's health conditions.
"Doctor Banner gave explicit orders that you were not to move around without the aid of your crutches. The consequences of that…"
"…could cause irreparable harm. I know." Tony said as he ran his hand under the faucet.
He watched the blood run off his hand and swirl down the drain, following the circular motion Tony allowed his mind once again to drift. However, without the aid of the music to keep him somewhat distracted his thoughts took a more sinister turn.
Tony couldn't stop the flow of memories and feelings that had assaulted him over the past few weeks. Flashes of rocky walls and flying bullets, mixed together with images of a man wearing glasses standing over him as pain seared across his chest. Tony's ass hit the floor when his one leg holding him up gave out.
Dimly Tony could hear Jarvis in the background, but he was too mixed up in the rush of panic and flashes of water, disembodied Arc Reactors, and bound men and women. He pressed his head to the cold tiled floor, banging it softly, willing for the new and old images to fade.
He couldn't do this anymore. He had finally stopped having nightmares from his first three months in a cave, and now this shit happens. But this was worse, because he now he was reliving both times. The fear, desperation, and pain of each of his times spent in their hands were as clear to him as if they could have only happened yesterday. The memories were everywhere, he hadn't slept in three days, not since he woke up thrashing in bed, his wailing arms smacking Pepper and Bruce as he tried to fight off imagined enemies.
Tony hadn't been able to do anything, not since the day they had arrived at the Malibu home one week ago. He was exhausted.
Tony dimly reached into his grease stained pants pocket and pulled out the wrinkled photograph. He pushed himself up into a slumped sitting position, laying his back against the cupboards for support. Fingering the slit across his photographed image Tony contemplated the past several days.
He didn't remember much of what happened that day. He did remember turning to show the rest of the team their rooms and the rest of the house, he remembered making a jab at Rhodey; it had been something extremely clever but Tony could no longer remember what it had been about. Pepper's scream had distracted him.
Waking up had been disconcerting, the team had moved him to the closest bedroom they could find, needless to say Tony only ever woke up in that room unless a beautiful stranger had been lying nearly on top of him. Finding Bruce sitting at the edge of the bed quietly talking to a grim looking Captain had Tony believing that he had gotten seriously drunk and had done something extremely stupid.
They had tried talking to him about it, they had asked him what had been the message – apparently the photograph had fell underneath the couch and no had been able to find it until Tony had fished it out later – Tony had refused to answer them. Later when he had retrieved the forgotten photograph he had stuffed it into his pocket and had then taken an extremely terrifying elevator ride down to his workshop, cause now he was claustrophobic too, he didn't step foot into the elevator unless Pepper was with him and he was too tired to care.
For the first couple of days Tony had been in the wheelchair, but after three days he had ignored Bruce's protests and had abandoned the sling altogether, he had Happy go out a get him a pair of crutches instead. Even now though Tony usually ignored the crutches he kept by his desk down in his workshop, only using them when he was within ear- and eyeshot of anyone besides Jarvis.
Tony thunked his head against the cupboard door, closing his eyes and wishing for a drink. That was another thing he wouldn't touch, he had tried to stop the wave of emotions and memories with several bottles of alcohol several nights ago. All that had produced was an alcohol induced sleep with no possible escape of the nightmares; he hadn't had a drop since.
Something heavy dropped beside him, causing him to jump. Rhodey was sitting next to him, grabbing the photograph from Tony's hand. Tony was too drained to protest. Rhodey examined the photograph before he turned it over squinting at the faded writing.
He was silent for a moment, "I thought we lost this."
"It was under the couch."
Rhodey blinked, "And you found it. The great Tony Stark got on his hands and knees and reached under a possible germ contaminated couch? For a photograph."
Tony reached out with his still sore and stiff arm and grabbed the photograph back, he turned it over so that he could read the message.
Still a man with everything, and nothing Stark.
"What does it mean?" Rhodey asked after a minute of silence.
Tony didn't answer him, he just refolded the piece of paper and stuffed it back into his pocket. He grabbed the counter top with his right hand and painfully hauled himself up to his feet. When he made a move to start heading back to his workbench Rhodey stopped him, holding him in place by his arm. Tony froze, his jaw clenching as he willed his heartbeat to go back to normal.
This was stupid, it was Rhodey. Rhodey wasn't going to hurt him, he wasn't going to haul him away and dump his head a foot underwater, he wasn't going to shoot someone Tony cared about. But whatever rational thought that passed through Tony's thoughts, Tony's panic won out.
"Rhodey let go."
"No, not until you talk to me, and if not me you'll talk to Pepper, and if not Pepper than Bruce, or any other person in this house. And if you won't talk to anyone then you'll talk to Jarvis. But you are going to talk about his Tony!"
Tony squeezed his eyes shut, his face still turned away from Rhodey. He knew what Rhodey was saying was true, he needed to talk about this with someone. But he couldn't concentrate, his mind was zeroed in on the dark hand still clenching his wrists.
Just by that touch alone Tony was back in the cave, with hands holding him down to a table as something was placed in his chest, with hands holding him under a tub of water. With the dirty curious fingers inspecting his new reactor as the voice explained about Genghis Khan and Stark weapons. And then there were the hands that held him down as his Arc Reactor was forcibly removed from his body, and more hands that held him as his teammate was shot in front of him. That's what the touch did, and it happened every time someone brushed against him. He hadn't stood within arms distance to Pepper for nearly a week now.
Tony's heartbeat raced as he felt Rhodey turn him around to face him. He gasped and opened his eyes, his fear and desperation opened to the world, "Rhodey you really need to let go of me." Rhodey didn't, too shocked by the expression marring Tony's face, "Now!" Tony sharply yelled before yanking his hand from Rhodey's grip. He did it too sharply though and he ended up falling back to the ground, landing heavily on his injured leg. Tony hissed in pain, tears sprouting in his eyes.
He jerked back when Rhodey's hand entered his line of vision, Tony used his good leg to scoot himself away until his back hit the cupboards once again, he clenched his throbbing leg to him, willing the pain to go away. Hurt and fear flashed across Rhodey's face, Tony looked away as guilt coursed through him.
"Tony." Rhodey said softly, Tony flinched at the sympathy in Rhodey's voice. He didn't need that, not from Rhodey. Rhodey however misinterpreted Tony's reaction and took a step back. "I'll go then." Rhodey said softly.
Rhodey turned to leave but Tony's soft call stopped him. "Rhodey," Rhodey turned and saw Tony inspecting the floor beneath him, "I'm sorry." Rhodey sighed and stood there for a minute before carefully making his way towards Tony, he knelt down in front of Tony who kept his gaze locked on the opposite wall.
Rhodey reached out a hand, hesitating before placing it lightly on Tony's shoulder, Tony stiffened slightly but Rhodey felt relief when the shoulder relaxed. "Tony, I'm going to help you up and over to the couch alright."
Tony looked up at him with a hint of amusement, it was nearly lost by the layers of exhaustion and fear mapping Tony's face.
Together the two of them made their way slowly and painfully to the couch. Tony fell heavily to the soft leather, only giving a soft whimper when the movement jostled his legs. Rhodey half sat on the edge of the couch watching Tony carefully as he slowly messaged his aching shoulder and then his leg.
"When was the last time you slept?"
Tony looked up and squinted, "Uh, two days maybe."
"Mr. Stark last slept three days and twelve hours ago."
"Tony!"
Tony grumbled up at his ceiling, "Traitor."
"When was the last time you ate?"
Tony opened his mouth to reply but Jarvis beat him to it, "Two days and six hours ago."
"What! Tony, you need to eat, and sleep. You'll recover better if you have the proper amount of nutrition and proper amount of sleep."
"So I've been told." Tony grumbled.
"Well then you should listen." Rhodey laid his hand on Tony's shoulder, Tony hissed. "…where's your medication, you're in pain you should take that." Rhodey looked around as if expecting to see the orange pill bottle resting on one of the many counters in the workshop. When Tony didn't answer him Rhodey looked down, fear spiking through him when Tony wouldn't meet his eye. "Tony, where is your prescription?"
"…gone." Tony said in a despondent voice.
Rhodey's eyes widened, "Tony, those pills were supposed to last you three weeks. How are they gone within one?" Tony smirked at the slight level of hysteria in his friend's voice, but he still didn't look at Rhodey. A hand forced his chin up so that he was forced to take in the fear ridden eyes of his best friend. "Tony, answer me!"
"It's not what you think Rhodey." Tony felt his eyes float away from Rhodey's face, not wanting Rhodey to see the guilt floating across his face.
"What isn't what it looks like? Because if it looks like a bear came in and stole your proscription pills then yes, it is not what it looks like!"
Tony lifted his eyes for a moment, amusement dancing in them, "A bear, really, is that the best you can do?" Rhodey didn't fall for the attempted change of subject.
"What. Happened. To. Them." Rhodey said firmly.
Tony looked away again, "I dumped them down the garbage disposal."
Rhodey blinked, that had definitely not been the answer he was expecting. "Why?"
"Because I don't need them."
"…That's bullshit Tony and you know it." Rhodey huffed in frustration when Tony gave a sound of annoyance, "It is Tony! You're in pain, I can tell, you can tell, and Jarvis can tell. Why do you think I came down here in the first place? Jarvis called me."
Tony blinked, "Why you?"
Rhodey rolled his eyes, "Because no one else is here."
Tony was silent for a moment. "Really?"
"Yes really. And if you came out of your workshop – a place you were not supposed to enter for another week mind you – you would know that Pepper took everyone out for dinner. And that was only because I offered to stay behind and watch you."
"Everybody went?" Tony couldn't help but feel a little offended thinking they had just left him here, after all it was his house.
"Yes Tony, everybody. They almost didn't go because you wouldn't."
Tony looked up surprised, "What do you mean, I was never asked to go."
"Yes you were Tony, this afternoon, when Bruce and Steve came down to talk to you. They asked if you wanted to eat out tonight, remember now Tony?"
No, Tony most certainly did not remember. He remembered Bruce and Steve coming into his workshop and turning down his music, they had said something, Tony hadn't been listening. So he had said the first response that came to mind, No. It was what he responded to everything else these days. He had tuned them out after that, grunting occasionally to show that he was listening – which he hadn't been.
"Oh."
"Yeah, oh. It took Natasha thirty minutes to convince Pepper to go. She's almost as bad as you these days, doesn't sleep, doesn't eat. She's working herself to hard, she's stressing over you, the company, and the heard of destructors upstairs. Over half your furniture had to be replaced!"
"What! What the hell did they do!?"
Rhodey looked at him, "Unbelievable, I just told you your girlfriend is working herself to death and all you care about is your furniture!" Tony looked away guilty but he didn't respond, Rhodey made a noise of disbelief before he turned on his heal and started to stalk out of the lab.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Tony cried, suddenly surprised by Rhodey's abrupt departure, which was weird because five minutes ago all Tony wanted Rhodey to do was go away. But the thought of his being alone with his waking nightmares scared him more than his conversation with Rhodey.
Rhodey turned with his hand on the door handle, "I'm going out there to find my best friend, because he as sure as hell is not here." Tony scrunched his face in confusion.
"What are you talking about? I'm right here."
"NO! No you're not. The Tony Stark I know would never alienate himself from his friends and family, not when they were trying to help him. This isn't the Tony Stark who was held in a cave for three months only to come back bigger and better than ever, a changed man, a better man. You're distancing yourself Tony, and I am tired of watching you do it!" Rhodey turned back to the door and pushed it open, Tony panicked.
"Rhodey!" Tony stood and tried taking a step forward, unfortunately he put his full weight on his bad leg causing his leg to buckle. Tony gave a sharp cry as pain radiated up and down his leg, landing heavily on his thigh Tony quickly rolled over, his hands scrabbling for his fiery leg. His vision started to grow grey around the edges so he didn't notice that Rhodey had returned to his side and had hauled him back up onto the couch. Tony looked up as Rhodey pushed one final button on his phone and brought it to his ear.
"What are you doing?" Tony said through short gasps as he tried to catch his breath.
"Calling Happy, I'm going to have him refill your prescription."
Tony's eyes widened, "What, NO!" Tony made a move to take the phone from Rhodey but Rhodey caught his arm and held it away from him. Tony was too drained to even care about the skin contact.
"Happy? Hey it's Rhodes. Yeah, I'm up here with Tony, I need you to get a refill of Tony's meds. No, no, says he dumped them down the garbage disposal. Your guess is as good as mine. Thanks, bye." Rhodey hung up the phone, he looked down at Tony's hand, which to his surprise was pawing at his arm like a small child, when he looked into Tony's eyes he was taken aback to see the child like fear in the dark brown eyes.
"Rhodey please, I don't need them, I don't want them. Please." Rhodey was silent for a moment, he had never seen Tony beg. Well he had, but he had never seen Tony beg while sober, he took a subtle sniff of the air to make sure that Tony was indeed alcohol free; Tony didn't notice.
"Tony," Rhodey said reassuringly, "Tony its okay, the pills will help. They'll help with the pain and they'll help you sleep. I promise." Tony's eyes widened further.
"No! I don't want to sleep, I don't want the nightmares Rhodey. I can't take them anymore."
Rhodey shook his head confused, "I don't get it Tony. I know you had nightmares at the hospital at S.H.E.I.L.D., and you had a couple on the plane but you weren't this afraid of sleeping, or of the pills. Hell on the plane you wanted the pills. What changed?" Rhodey's eyes drifted down to Tony's one hand resting in his lap, at some point Tony had taken the photograph back out; although, Rhodey suspected that Tony hadn't known he had. "In fact," Rhodey began slowly, realization slowly coming to light, "You were almost completely normal. Until you got home. Tony!" Tony jumped at his name, "What does that message mean?"
Tony looked down at his hand, slightly surprised to see the photograph – still folded – in his hand. "Nothing." Tony said quietly.
"Bullshit nothing. Come on." Rhodey reached down and helped Tony stand carefully to his feet.
"Where are we going?"
"Upstairs, where you're going to shower, eat, and then sleep. And you are not going to argue." Tony opened his mouth to protest, but he snapped it shut again when he noticed the direction they were going.
"No, no, let's take the stairs." Rhodey looked at him as if he were crazy.
"Are you crazy? I am all but dragging you across a flat floor, how am I going to get you up thirty-two stairs." Rhodey continued to walk, but Tony dropped his arm from around Rhodey's shoulder, he grabbed hold of Butterfingers who had just happened to be rolling by. "Tony, come on, you're acting like a child…" Rhodey trailed off when he saw Tony's fear, an emotion that Rhodey was beginning to become very familiar with that night. He followed Tony's eyes towards the elevator, their destination. "Oh."
Tony shook his head, "I can't Rhodey, I… I don't… I just… can't Rhodey." Tony looked to the floor not wanting to see Rhodey's expression.
Rhodey stood there for several minutes, trying to contemplate Tony Stark being afraid of the elevator, Rhodey sighed. "It's okay Tony. We'll take the stairs." Tony turned towards the door, looking weary of the stairs on the other side. "We'll take it slow. Come on." Rhodey held out a hand as Butterfingers gently nudged Tony forward.
Tony looked at the robot he still clutched, Butterfingers nudged Tony gently not unlike a dog would. Tony smiled slightly before patting the robot, "Now go do something useful." Rhodey rolled his eyes as the robot rolled away chirping happily.
"Okay, one at a time got it." Tony nodded, his face already pale.
When they reached the bottom stair Tony placed his good leg on top of the first step, his full weight against Rhodey he then let Rhodey step up on top of the step, allowing his injured leg to land gently on top. Their pattern continued up the next five steps until Tony let out a strangled gasp. Rhodey paused.
"Let's take a break Tony." Tony shook his head, his chin resting against his chest just above the Arc Reactor. "I need a break Tony. Your ass is heavy, no matter how little you've eaten these past two days." Tony let out a small chuckle but allowed the excuse. Rhodey moved to help Tony sit down but Tony protested.
"No, if you do that you'll have to drag me up the stairs." Rhodey made a face, "That's what I thought." Tony leaned against Rhodey who held onto the banister so they wouldn't fall.
"So now that I've got you here you mind telling me what spooked you enough that you can't even use the elevator."
Tony snorted, "Typical."
"What? You're making me haul your ass up thirty-two stairs, I think I have a right to know why." Rhodey tried to sound innocent, but Tony could still hear the underlying meaning underneath. "Tony." Rhodey said gently.
Tony clenched his jaw, his throat jumping. He leaned his weight against Rhodey and put his foot on top of the next step, Rhodey followed the rhythm they had started.
Rhodey resigned to the idea that Tony wasn't going to answer him, that is until they were ten steps from the top.
"He… said that… to me, while we were playing a game." Tony said gasping. Rhodey looked down at Tony and noticed the sheen of sweat across his brow.
"Maybe we should stop to rest again."
"No, if we stop I won't have the strength to start again."
"Alright." They went up two more steps, Tony gasping in pain as they went. "Almost there Tony. So, who said what?"
"The first time… the first night with… this." Tony gave a weak gesture towards the Arc Reactor that Rhodey could just make out beneath his dark shirt, Rhodey nodded. They climbed the last few steps to the top, Tony sagged when they reached the main floor.
Rhodey looked towards the small set of stairs that led towards Tony's bedroom. "Maybe we should take a rest on the couch." Tony didn't have the energy to disagree, just merely nodded his head.
Tony fell into the couch, his shoulder catching him as he fell to his side. Rhodey gently brought up Tony's legs so that he could lie flat. Tony's eyes were closed. "I'm going to go get you a glass of water Tony, you're probably dehydrated." Tony didn't answer.
Going to the kitchen Rhodey grabbed a glass and filled it with ice and water, he paused when he thought about getting something for Tony to eat, but he wasn't sure what Tony would be able to stomach at the moment, that was more Bruce's area of expertise. Rhodey opened the giant fridge and looked inside, he was pleased to see that Clint or Pepper had left a tub of what looked to Rhodey as chicken soup. Popping the lid Rhodey stuck it in the microwave for a quick heat.
Returning to the living room Rhodey was surprised to see Tony sitting somewhat upright, his eyes wide and unblinking, he sagged a little in relief when he saw Rhodey enter. He gratefully excepted the glass of water, guzzling half the cup before Rhodey could stop him.
"Slow down Tony, you don't want to get sick."
Tony nodded before he pressed the cool glass against his forehead and closed his eyes.
Rhodey opened his mouth to speak but the sound of the beeping microwave stopped him, Rhodey looked back towards Tony who was gazing in the direction of the kitchen.
"Are you cooking something in the microwave?"
"Yeah, dinner, for you." Tony made a face and Rhodey shook his head, "It isn't an option Tony." Tony watched him leave the room, and when he returned with a warm bowl of soup with a spoon Tony was still intently watching him as if he was afraid he would disappear.
"Here Tony, take it slow alright." Tony reached for the spoon, hesitating just before grabbing it. He carefully set the bowl in his lap, he raised his eyes to watch Rhodey who just gave him a pointed look before pointing at the bowl, "Eat!"
Tony spooned some soup into his mouth, carefully chewing a hunk of chicken. When he swallowed he took another bite and another, each one becoming more hurried as Tony slowly realized how hungry he truly was. After a soft "slow Tony," from Rhodey Tony soon finished off the bowl. He reached out and grabbed the glass of water and drained it.
Rhodey reached out and took the cup from Tony, "I'll go get you some more water." He also grabbed the bowl and took it to the sink. Refilling the cup with water Rhodey looked into Tony's medicine cabinet, he chewed his lip.
He knew from his short, disjointed conversation with Tony downstairs that Tony would not go to sleep willingly, and he sure as hell wasn't going to take any pills to make him sleep. Making a decision Rhodey reached into the cupboard grabbed the bottle of sleeping pills Pepper kept on hand.
When he returned to the living room Tony had twisted himself around so that he could look outside the window.
Rhodey gently nudged Tony, "Tony." Tony said something but Rhodey didn't here, "What?"
"High tide," Tony said, "I didn't know it was high tide."
Rhodey looked out the window towards the distant beach. "Yeah, you need to invest in some more windows in that workshop of yours." Rhodey nudged him again.
"Hmm?" Tony turned towards Rhodey, taking in the glass of water and the two small white pills resting in his hand. Tony's eyes widened when he realized what they were, he looked up at Rhodey with wide eyes. "No, no Rhodey I can't, I can't sleep. I can't take those dreams anymore. Please." Rhodey closed his hand around the two pills guiltily.
"Thought I would give it a try." Rhodey held out the glass of water again, Tony took it hesitantly, avoiding looking into Rhodey's eyes. "You don't have anything to be ashamed of Tony. I would be surprised if you didn't have any nightmares after all you've been through." Tony still didn't look at him as he drained the glass of water in three gulps.
Rhodey let out a breath when Tony finished his last swallow, he didn't miss the grimace from Tony when he tasted the bitter taste of the water. Tony looked at the glass in his hand, and then at Rhodey's hand that still held the two pills.
"No." Tony gasped and looked up at Rhodey who confirmed Tony's fear by avoiding his eyes. "What did you do?" The glass slipped from Tony's hand a shattered as his hands scrabbled against the couch so he could haul himself up.
Rhodey raised his hands, "I'm sorry Tony. But you need to sleep. I'll be with you, I won't leave your side. I promise." Tony's eyes were wide with horror.
"No, I can't Rhodey. He quoted him, he quoted what Yinsen said. I never told anyone what he told me, he shouldn't know."
Rhodey looked confused. "What, Tony what are you talking about?"
Tony grabbed Rhodey's shirt, his panic taking over his rational mind, "Yinsen, he said I was a man with everything, and nothing. I never told anyone that. No one should know."
Rhodey thought back to the quick glance of the back of the photograph, "Is that what's got you so freaked out Tony? Tony, that doesn't mean anything. If this guy was trying to threaten you he's doing a very poor job." Rhodey gently took hold of Tony's clenched hands.
Tony shook his head, his eyes wide and crazed, "You don't understand James, he said I was still a man with everything, and nothing. It's not just a threat against me, it's against you, Pepper, Happy, Bruce and everyone else." Rhodey paused momentarily at Tony's use of his first name, but he shook his head.
"Tony, we're fine, you're fine. We are okay."
"You don't know that. They aren't here right now, they could have been hurt tonight, we don't know." Tony's voice was rising in pitch, the hysteria level rising as well.
"Jarvis?" Rhodey called.
"Miss Potts and the rest of the Avenger team are currently traveling at forty miles per hour down the East Coast Highway. They should be arriving back here in approximately forty-five minutes."
"See Tony? If someone was after them tonight would have been a perfect time to do so."
Tony wasn't listening, his eyes drooping as the sleeping pills Rhodey had ground into his drink took effect, "If I don't have anyone, no one will get hurt." His grip on Rhodey's shirt loosened, and Rhodey helped lay him back down on the couch.
Rhodey thought of Tony's last words as his eyes finally fell all the way and he gave one final shudder. Finally Rhodey realized the reason for the growing distance between Tony and the rest of the household. He was scared, scared that if he let the world know that he cared about anyone else that he would lose them. Losing the people closest to him wasn't an option for Tony, so he solved the problem the only way he knew how. Bottled up his emotions and started shutting everyone else out.
Rhodey sighed as he watched Tony frown and twitch in his sleep. He laid a blanket across Tony's still form and gently lifted his head so he could place a pillow there. Rhodey would let Steve or Thor carry Tony up to his room later, but for now he was going to make him as comfortable as possible.
Tony mumbled something in his sleep, his frown deepening. Rhodey hesitated, but then he reached out and gently started stroking Tony's forehead at his hairline, speaking softly Rhodey tried calming him, "It's going to be alright Tony, we're all here for you. Never forget that." Rhodey continued to stroke Tony's head as he kneeled down in front of him, mindful of the shattered glass on the floor, "You're my friend Tony Stark, and I care about you. We all do. We'll find whoever is responsible and we'll fix this." Rhodey gave a small smile as Tony's face calmed, "Everything is going to be alright."
AVENGERS
Pepper walked alongside the rest of the group with a small smile on her face. It had been a good evening. After the rest of the group had convinced her to go Pepper was sure all she would do would worry over Tony, but surprisingly knowing that Rhodey and Jarvis were watching over him allowed Pepper to relax and enjoy the evening.
After a wonderful dinner at one of Tony's favorite restaurants the team and Pepper had gone down to the small park nearby to watch a short comedy production performed in the park's pavilion. They chatted through the whole night, and by the end of the evening Pepper felt she had a whole new understanding and level of respect for the people Tony had allowed to fall into his life. Pepper was laughing at everyone of Clint's jokes, being far to reminded of Tony's dry sense of humor for her to remain calm, she was entranced by everyone of Steve's old war stories, and she was appalled at the war tales told by Thor.
"So you really thought that fondue was some kind of euphemism for sex?" Pepper hid a smile at Steve's embarrassed face.
"Yes, but you have to realize, Howard already proved himself to be quite the lady's man. I once saw him at a convention kissing a barely covered girl right on stage." Steve grimaced at the amused faces around him, "He was presenting some sort of hover car."
Clint looked impressed, "Really? Did it work?"
"Only for like thirty seconds." Pepper laughed.
"That must have gone well with Mr. Stark." She said
Steve shrugged, "He didn't look too happy about it but he played it off."
"Hmm, sounds like Tony." Pepper's smile momentarily faltered, it was the first time Tony had been mentioned all night. But she shook off her rising worry and smiled again.
Steve looked at her with his head cocked, "Did you ever meet Howard Pepper? Being Tony's Personal Assistant I mean." Pepper didn't miss Steve's slight hint of excitement.
She shook her head, "No, Tony's parents died when he was seventeen. Right after he graduated MIT I believe. That was long before I knew him. You could ask Rhodey though, he might, might, have met Mr. Stark." Pepper looked down the road as they waited for Happy to come pick them up, "Tony doesn't talk about his father very much. I think they left things bad between him when they died."
Steve stayed silent, contemplating. "You know I can't picture Howard as a father. When I first met Tony when we were fishing Loki out of Germany he was so much like him, yet he was so different."
Pepper nodded, "I think he has a lot of his mother in him. Although, there is a lot of his father in him too so I'm not so sure how much we see of his mother." Steve chuckled, Pepper noticed that the other members of the group had turned their attention away from their conversation, instead choosing to listen to Thor as he weaved a story about his adventures on Asgard. Pepper turned to Steve, "I know you're curious about Howard Steve. But if you want my advice, don't ask Tony. From what I've gathered over the years he and his father weren't very close, he doesn't like living in his father's shadow."
Steve looked off towards the horizon, noticing the last fading light of the setting sun, "You know, if it is any consolation Pepper, I think Tony stepped out of his father's shadow the day he got back from Afghanistan, the first time." Pepper smiled. Steve nudged her and they both turned to listen to Thor's story, laughing and gasping whenever appropriate.
It was that scene that Happy found them five minutes later when he pulled up and rolled down the passenger window. "Had a good evening I see." He was smiling, and Pepper smiled back.
"Yes we did. You could have joined us you know."
Happy waved her statement off, "That's okay Pepper. I ended up having to run an errand for Rhodey tonight anyway."
Pepper scrunched her face, "What did he want?"
Happy sighed and turned off the car before stepping out of the car and coming round to stand next to her. "Rhodey called about thirty minutes ago and wanted me to pick something up for Tony."
The group of people fell silent at Happy's statement. "What was it?" Pepper asked again.
"He wanted me to get a refill of Tony's pain meds prescription." That got Bruce's attention.
"Why would he need a refill? That bottle was supposed to last three weeks."
"Well," Happy said slowly crossing his arms and leaning his back against the car, "According to Rhodey, Tony dumped his pills down the garbage disposal."
Bruce looked astonished, "Why?"
Happy shrugged, "You would have to ask Tony, Rhodey didn't know."
Pepper bit her lip, the relaxed atmosphere from the evening had crashed faster than Pepper thought it would have. Pepper sighed, "Alright, I guess that concludes tonight's entertainment."
She stepped into the open door that Happy had opened for her. After her stepped in everyone else save for Steve who, for the sake of saving space sat up front with Happy instead. Pepper sat in the seat in one of the three seats facing away from the driver, she laid her head on Bruce's shoulder who sat next to her.
She felt tired. The night had been one of the most relaxing she had had in a long time, but with the thought of Tony and what he was going through had drained her off all remaining energy.
"Happy, about how long until we get back to the house?"
"About thirty minutes Pepper." She nodded allowing her thoughts to drift. Pepper dozed for the drive home, the conversations in the car hushed as they sped down the highway.
It wasn't until Bruce gently nudged her that Pepper realized when they were home. She nodded and slowly followed everyone out of the car. Happy was beside her when she got out, a small white bag held in his hand. She reached out and grabbed it from him, "I'll keep an eye on them from now on." Pepper said to Bruce who nodded.
Everyone followed Pepper into the house, opening the door Pepper made her way towards the stairs fully intending to go down to the workshop and give Tony a piece of her mind.
"Pepper." Rhodey's voice stopped her as she placed her right foot on the first step. Pepper turned and a look of astonishment crossed her face as she realized that Rhodey sat on the couch with a sleeping Tony's head on his lap.
The rest of the new arrivals stood shoulder to shoulder as they took in the scene in front of them. Tony lay out on his side, his shoulders rising and falling as he breathed calmly in his sleep, his lips moving every now and then. A pillow lay discarded on the floor, Rhodey's leg clearly having taken its place.
"He's calmer like this." Rhodey said sheepishly at Pepper's pointed gaze.
There was silence for a moment before Clint spoke up, "We should leave you to babysit more often Rhodes."
AVENGERS
"He thinks we're in danger?"
Rhodey, Pepper and the rest of the Avengers team were sitting around the island in Tony's kitchen. All but Bruce were there listening to Rhodey replay his evening with Tony. "I promised that I would stay with him." Rhodey had said when Steve and lain the sleeping man on top of his bed, Bruce had volunteered to stay with him so that Rhodey could speak with the others in the kitchen. Talking with a sleeping Tony in the room had proven to be the wrong decision in the past.
"Yes, he said that Yinsen had told him that," Rhodey gestured to the message he had written out on a piece of paper, "the first night with the Arc Reactor."
"A man with everything, and nothing." Pepper made a face, "Why would he say something like that?"
Rhodey shrugged, "We're probably hearing it out of context Pepper."
"I still don't understand how he thinks we are in danger. Sounds more like a threat towards him than us." Steve said as he reread the short sentence.
"He something about if he didn't have anyone he couldn't lose them or no one would get hurt, it was something along those lines. He was half asleep at the time, I had just drugged him with the sleeping pills Pepper keeps handy."
Clint snapped his fingers, "So that's how you got him to sleep. Nat you owe me my ten dollars back. I told you Pepper would be the only one to get Tony to sleep."
Natasha shook her head, "You never specified how they would get him to sleep." Clint thought for a moment before cursing and setting his face into a scowl.
Steve ignored the two at his side, "Alright, so from now on Tony is never to be alone." The people around the table looked at him, "We can't let him fall into this sort of depression again. If he sees that at least one of us is alright then maybe he will calm down enough to sleep and eat regularly again. Well regularly for Tony at least."
"And if that fails we can just follow Rhodes example and drug him." Clint laughed at Rhodey's scowl.
"I still don't understand why Tony dumped his pills down the garbage disposal." Pepper said ignoring Clint's previous comment.
"Tony kept saying that he couldn't take the nightmares and the dreams anymore. The pills made him drowsy, it was a side effect. I think he was just too afraid to sleep. That's all."
"So Tony should never be alone, even while sleeping." Steve said.
"I so do not call the night shift," Clint said, "At least in the workshop he has some awesome cars."
Pepper smiled softly, Happy cleared his throat, gaining Pepper's attention. "I'm going to head home Pepper, call me if anything happens." Pepper nodded and followed him out of the kitchen to see him off.
Steve turned to Rhodey, "Is there anything else we should know, maybe something you didn't want to tell Pepper?"
Rhodey thought for a moment before shaking his head, "No, not really. Except that apparently Tony can't stand being in an elevator now."
"What?" Steve asked confused.
"I tried bringing him on the elevator and he insisted we take the stairs."
"Claustrophobia?" Natasha said.
"I guess. I don't know if this is a permanent or temporary thing either." Rhodey said, he paused, "Oh, and I guess he doesn't like being touched now." Rhodey took in the blank faces around him, "Yeah, I tried grabbing his wrist to keep him from walking away – well hopping away actually – and he completely flipped out. I've only ever seen him that afraid once before."
There was silence for a moment, "This is going to be harder than I thought." The group turned around to see Pepper standing there, her eyes filling with tears.
Rhodey walked up to her and put a hand on her shoulder, "Hey, it's going to be alright. He is going to be fine."
Pepper sniffed and rubbed quickly at her watery eyes, "I know that. It's just, last time he came back, he came back and he was a better man. The suit took up so much of his time, it was something he could look forward to doing. But now, he has a possible future as a cripple Rhodey. Do you honestly think you can imagine a world with a Tony Stark relying on a cane to move around?"
Rhodey shook his head, he reached out and pulled Pepper into a hug, "That doesn't mean a thing Pepper. At least he still has a leg, I've seen men come back from deployments with half the limbs they left with. And they bounce back bigger and better, they're strong, they all are, they're soldiers."
"But Tony isn't a soldier Rhodey, what if he doesn't come back."
"That doesn't mean he isn't strong Pepper."
"We're all in this together Pepper." Steve said, "We'll get through this."
Pepper smiled, burying her face into Rhodey's shoulder and allowing herself to believe for just one moment that everything would return to normal, but somewhere deep down inside she knew that things would never be the same again.
I wanted a Rhodey/Tony scene, so I wrote one. I like it.
By the way that soldier comment. I totally support those men and women 100 percent. I think these men and women deserve every ounce of respect we can give them. My father served in the United States Air Force for over thrity years, he was on his way home from Germany, flying over the Atlantic, when I was born. And before my father my grandfather also served in the Air Force, he is a Vietnam Veteran. Oh, and guess who recruited my father into the Air Force, my Grandpa, that's right my father's father was his Recruitment Officer. So if you have any ideas about responding and saying something negative towards these men and women, it better be a private message to me, because I will delete your review, and don't expect me to respond. Because if you don't believe these men and women deserve your respect, you sure as h-e-double hockystick don't deserve mine.
Other than that you all have a very wonderful day!