I sank in my chair, I couldn't believe how sick I felt the whole time Pepper was out of contact, those two minutes were the hardest I've been faced with.

'Everything set?' Fury walked in to the lab and stood behind me.

I nodded, 'our equipment is in place, at least we've got visual now.'

'Good, what's our next move?'

I brought up the feed of the server room and the two rooms in which the devices had been planted, 'I need to get in there, I'm the only one who can run the virus to shut it down.' I pointed to the server room.

'Not going to happen Stark.' Fury said coolly.

He pulled up a chair and sat beside me.

'No choice, if I don't the whole system remains compromised.' I said unflinchingly.

'If you do, your head is on his silver platter.' Fury retorted.

'I prefer gold.' I said calmly.

I looked at Fury, he looked down at his hands, 'your brain can't take another hit like that, you know that right?'

'I know, but there is no other choice.' I looked back at the screens before me.

'Have you told the others?' Fury clued in straight away, 'do they know that this was your plan all along?'

I shook my head, not turning to look at him, 'they wouldn't have done it if I had.'

'You're becoming a lot like a true leader Stark, it's a little worrying.' He said quietly.

I laughed sarcastically, 'yeah.'

'I know this is eating at you, I can see it, you need to let us help you.' Fury leaned forward to catch my attention.

I looked at him weakly, 'believe me, if I saw another way I would ask.'

He nodded, 'would you?'

'Yes,' I said turning to him, I examined his reaction, he looked dissatisfied with my answer, 'I wouldn't intentionally risk my life, especially not now.' I added finally.

He narrowed his gaze at me, 'you've taken a pretty big step in your life.' He said quietly.

I nodded, 'and I'm not prepared to skip out on that now, so yes, if I saw another way I would ask for help, and if there is another way, I will find it .'

'Then we need to work out a plan which will maximise your ability to succeed.' Fury stood up.

'I have a plan but I don't think you'll like it.' I said honestly.

'Show me.' He said simply.

I brought up the external structure of my building, 'I've got several access points to the building from the underground tunnels leading up to the fortified room,' I pointed to the room Bruce planted my beacon in, I swiped the image away and brought up the schematics for the internal view and floor plan.

'If I can get in there through this access point I can activate the beacon, and remotely shut down the power to the building, it'll probably shut down the whole block, so the hospital will need to be warned and prepped with extra generators.' I swiped that screen away and brought up the feeds Natasha had uploaded.

Fury sighed, but he let me continue.

'Everything I've analysed so far indicates that the bomb he's planted is only there to affect electrical signals, so the integrity of the building itself won't be compromised.' I looked to him.

He looked at me intently, 'I'll get someone on to the hospitals, get them prepared.'

I nodded, 'I will need Romanov and Banner.'

'You can debrief them when they get here, I'm assigning Rogers to watch Pepper, Thor will float around.' He explained.

'Good, Clint will be of use too, keep him on standby if possible.' I added.

'No problems.' Fury stood up and clapped my shoulder.

I nodded weakly, and remained seated; I looked over and over the files. I went over every possible angle of doing this without the possibility of killing myself. I could honestly find nothing. I pinched the bridge of my nose, 'come on Stark, think.'

'Jarvis, bring up the feeds for the building again.' The screen came to life with several windows showing the live stream of security cameras.

I watched the employees rushing about their daily lives, I watched the people running board meetings and standing around casually chatting. I leaned back in my chair, everything was so normal for everyone, I could imagine how little things would change should I die tomorrow. No one would notice, the company would continue on as always, Pepper would make sure of that. But she would notice, I shuddered to think what she would do. I couldn't do that to her, as far as I was concerned, she was the only thing worth saving, but me dying would completely destroy her, so that wasn't an option.

There had to be another way, and I was determined to find it, I turned back to the original building plans and formulas of the Extremis; I even looked through the Mark forty seven, my buildings schematics and Rick's involvement in the Futurepharm incident which released the Extremis in the first place. The answer lay in here somewhere and I wouldn't leave here until I found it.

Happy drove us home, we walked to the door in silence, Steve nodded to acknowledge us.

There was nothing I wanted more than to walk in the door and see Tony playing the piano, or working on his cars. I sighed as I walked into the empty, silent house. Steve walked in first, I don't know what they were expecting to happen, Rick had already made it clear he was after Tony and he was going after him, Steve was only making me more anxious. I tried to be as polite as I could when I asked him to leave me alone, he understood, at least he didn't take it to heart.

Happy stayed downstairs with Steve.

'I'll be down here if you need anything.' He said with a smile.

I nodded, I offered him a weak smile in return before making my way upstairs.

I had no energy to talk or even work on anything. I slumped onto the bed face first. I lay there, in silence, just enjoying the peace. I finally forced myself up, I kneeled on the bed, I looked around the room, 'Jarvis, how's Tony?' I asked quietly.

'Mr Stark is sleeping, his vital signs are steady.' Jarvis answered.

'Is he slumped over a desk?' I asked curiously.

'Yes Miss Potts, he's been there for seven hours.' He replied.

I shook my head, 'working for seven hours?'

'Yes, he fell asleep about twenty minutes ago.'

I sighed, I knew how hard this was on him, he would work until he completely wore himself out to the point of passing out, I climbed under the covers and pulled the sheet over my head. If I couldn't see the warm blue glow of the reactor, I didn't want to see anything.

'Lights off, dim the windows please Jarvis.' I said quietly.

The room was plunged into darkness and I closed my eyes. I ran over the events of the day, I smiled as I ran my fingers over the ring which felt so natural on my hand.

I couldn't believe it, every little girls dream was my reality. I laughed out loud, prince charming, my knight in shining armour. 'Oh Tony.' I whispered.

I felt hot tears threatening to escape again, I swallowed hard, all the emotion which ran through me were a constant struggle, I knew how hard he was fighting, I knew how much this was hurting him, I needed to be here and stay strong for him. So despite the stress and worry it caused me, it was my job to be there when he needed me.