Thank you SO much for the wonderful reviews! Here's another chapter for you my lovelies :)

'Jarvis, I have an idea, can you bring the hospital logs up?' I spun my chair around to face the screens in my workshop.

Jarvis lit them up with endless reports and files from the requested hospital logs.

'What is it that you're looking for sir?' Jarvis asked as I set up search filters.

'I'm looking for something which may be able to supress the effects of the extremis.' I sat leaning forward, looking eagerly at the screens waiting for the results to come up, 'supress them long enough to set everything else in place at least.' The filters were in place, ready to show me what I needed to see.

'What are you planning on using?' Jarvis asked.

I shook my head; the results were not what I was hoping for. 'This is going to be a lot more difficult than I had anticipated.' I flicked through a few more articles, 'I was planning on using this mainframe as a backup, but I'm going to have to find some kind of suppressant to hold the symptoms off long enough so that I can work out how to sync myself with this system.' I leaned back in my chair.

'I need to work out how to stop this, I need more time.' I couldn't think. I had already started losing my mind; it was literally slipping away from me. I stood up and paced back and forth, this was a practice my father often demonstrated. I remembered my mother always laughing at him, telling me that one day I would be the same. I remember laughing it off; I told her I would never live a stressful life like he did. I laughed now. The last few years of my life were up and down, if my father were here what would he think? Would he be watching me pace back and forth now, thinking what a mess I'd made of everything? I was looking at myself thinking what a mess I'd made of things. First with the palladium, and then with Ivan Vanko. And now with the Extremis. Mistake after mistake. I rubbed my face.

'Have you thought of contacting Dr Banner?' Jarvis offered.

I stopped pacing, and found myself laughing out loud, the thought of actually asking for his help was a joke. 'I can just see how that will work out.' Sarcasm was my forte. 'Dr Banner's field of study isn't going to be of use to me in this endeavour.'

'On the contrary sir, can he not be of assistance with the suppressant you wish to create?' Jarvis offered.

I looked back at the screens and the data which consumed them, 'I suppose it can't hurt asking.'

'Shall I contact Dr Banner?' Jarvis asked.

'Might as well.' I walked over to the display of suits against the back wall. I found no better way to pass the time than to work on something I loved. I opened the case of the Mark I armour; I ran my fingers over the rough surface. It had been more than four years since I had created "Iron Man", an act of desperation turned into the best thing I had ever done, thanks to an amazing man who saved my life. I smiled to myself; the wall of armour highlighted the creativity and genius which I so desperately wished to hold on to.

'Tony?' Bruce answered the call.

'How have you been, green man?' I asked teasingly.

I heard a soft chuckle on the other end. 'Still green, how about you?'

'Ah you know, rich, brilliant, the usual.' I said with a grin.

Bruce laughed, 'I suspect this isn't a social call, Tony?'

If anyone was as clued in to me as Pepper was, it was Bruce. I cleared my throat, 'no, I was hoping you would be able to come to New York, I was hoping to get your assistance on a matter which has been weighing on my mind.'

'Of course, when should I come?' Bruce said at once.

'Come whenever suits you, although it would be preferable if you would come sooner rather than later.' I said casually, 'I'll have a plane waiting for you at the airport in two hours, is that enough time?'

Bruce's silence made me laugh out loud, 'as if you don't know by now that I know everything.'

'How could I forget?' Came Bruce's amused reply. 'I'll be there.'

I laughed in return, 'good, I'll see you soon.'

I pulled back the main screens and looked around at the suits, 'Jarvis bring up any and all information on gamma radiation, also anything which may be related, I need everything.'

Within seconds, the screens were populated with hundreds if not thousands of articles relating to gamma radiation. Captain America, the Hulk, Hydra, anyone and everyone who ever attempted to meddle with this dangerous product. I looked through the endless articles, I read as many as I could, most were scholarly articles, opinion pieces and some were downright ridiculous hypotheses. I read and read until I felt my eyes burning.

I stood up and ran my hands through my hair, 'Switch it off Jarvis, I'm done for tonight.'

I was plunged into darkness as the lights in the workshop shut down, I made my way up to the top floor of the tower. Tiredness crept up on me faster and faster as the days progressed. As much as I hated admitting weakness, I needed Pepper, I needed her here, with me. I pushed down the feelings of fatigue and forced myself to sprint up the stairs instead of the elevator.

Pepper was seated by the window, looking out over the city. She sat silently reading a book, I smiled to myself. A first edition copy of Sherlock Holmes, I had bought that for her a few years back, a present to make up for missing a really important conference she had set up.

'Tony.' She got up and made her way to me, I took her in my arms, and she leaned her face against my chest.

'Let's go to bed.' I whispered in her ear, I felt her nod.

Together we walked to our room, words had no meaning here, they had no place in this intimate moment. We lay side by side, looking into each other's eyes. I could see the longing to speak in her eyes, and I guess she saw the pleading to leave it be, just for tonight. Tomorrow we would talk, tomorrow she may ask her questions, and I may answer. But for tonight, words would not be welcome.

I pulled her closer against my body; I closed my eyes and kissed the top of her head. This, right now was the reason I had called Bruce, I needed to find something which would work. I had hopes that tomorrow would bring a new day and new hope. Because this moment right here is worth everything in the world.

This chapter was slightly more sappy than what I would usually write, but fear not, more angst/feely moments are on the way! I'm looking forward to hearing from you, and any feedback/ideas are always appreaciated. If there's anything anyone would like to see specifically written into this fic, i'm very open to suggestions :D