Bruce arrived just when it had started snowing.

He seemed a lot healthier; more relaxed which to Steve was a very good thing.

He seemed to have been briefed on everything, but was still in high spirits.

Maybe Bruce believed in Tony more than anyone else.

When he arrived, he'd taken his time to meet and greet everyone. It had been a while and he was determined not to let whatever had gone down in Tony's head be a dampener. That wasn't to say he wasn't eager to help, he constantly asked where Tony was when he'd arrived.

But when he saw the billionaire, Steve didn't think anything could prepare him for it. Bruce greeted him, and Tony said hello. But there was no excitement, not thrill of seeing an old friend.

Nothing.

The snow was light outside, the stretches of winter starting to run deep. Bruce said he wasn't used to the cold anymore, which meant he was somewhere warm and nice. Natasha said that all information on Bruce's whereabouts – even when Tony inquired – was under wraps.

Give him some space.

It was nice to see him again.

Sail

VII

The Box

Tony sat watching some early Christmas movie they'd put on. It wasn't for a while yet, but it involved Santa losing an elf in a workshop and the elf being used by a corrupt toy maker back in New York. It was a light-hearted film, despite the underlying tone of someone being used.

Tony had gained some weight back, nothing substantial but he looked healthy enough physically. He sat and slowly ate some pancakes Steve had learned to do. He wasn't that great of a cook until recently.

"I've finally caught up," Bruce's voice came from behind Steve who was busy working the dishwasher. (He felt proud that he'd gotten to grips with the damned things. Machines could do anything nowadays).

Bruce held a small PDA in his hand – probably Tony's or one he gave to him, cycling through all the information and processing it all.

"You guys found him just wondering around?" Bruce perked a brow, the screen reflecting off his glasses. Steve could see words, like papers having been scanned into the machine.

"Yeah. He was walking along Central Park when we found him." Steve wasn't present when some SHIELD agents noted it. "Despite his injuries, he was just walking around."

"Yeah, typical Tony, huh?" Bruce issued a small smile, taking a seat next to the billionaire and cycling through more of the documents. It was like he was re-reading things, as if a clue was there. Steve was convinced it was the cat thing.

"Thought of anything?" Steve questioned rather impatiently. Banner had been here for two days, processing things after the small meet and greet. It was clear he was heart-broken over seeing Tony for the first time, Steve was glad he didn't see him before he started talking in that case.

"The theory with the cat is a reoccurring issue." He stated, not really looking up. "Tony wouldn't repeat that because he's crazy. He made an Iron suit in a cave – that's crazy." It was finally did his eyes lift, turning to the billionaire who just ate silently, watching the film. "What Tony's done, is retreat into himself, to save himself. I think."

"That's what the psychiatrist thought. But he won't speak to her." He gave a smug feeling at that. Each time Steve took Tony to see her, Tony just sat still and said nothing. Pretty soon they took that option off the list and they didn't see her anymore. Progress was being made at home.

"Yeah, this is what interests me. Tony speaks to us, and only us." Bruce lifted his eyes to Steve, of whom had pressed his palms against the kitchen counter in interest. "You, Natasha and Clint have all seen him regularly and he talks to you. He see's the psychiatrist who he's seen a lot, and says nothing."

Steve frowned, Banner was repeating things –and although this was probably for his own sake, he just wanted to hear how Tony got better.

"Tony," Bruce smiled. The Billionaire turned his head, eyes still and always distant. "How where the pancakes?"

"Good."

Bruce turned his head back to Steve with a small shrug. "Tony is in there. Because he recognizes us. He answers to us. His team, the people who he trusts." He watched as Tony just looked at Banner, as if he was actually listening. "So, the cat message was meant for us."

Steve was still frowning. It made sense what Bruce had said, and even though he hadn't exactly thought about that – he was sure that he could have concluded the same. "Okay," Steve nodded in agreement. "So what do you get about the cat?"

"It's a way of telling us he's still in there."

"Yes." Tony responded.

Bruce found his smile almost become warmer. He turned himself fully to Tony, and took his hands in his.

"Because they let you go, didn't they Tony?"

"Yes."

"Because you gave them the theory that you broke."

It was hesitant, a lot of space between the end of Bruce's sentence and Tony's words. "Yes."

"You let them think they broke you, and they let you go."

"Yes."

"But you let us know you're not."

"Yes."

Steve found himself getting it, but not at the same time. He was astounded that Tony was answering this, and if he could hear Bruce talking, making sense with his own theory, why wasn't he fully there yet?

Steve felt a surge of panic, like the old Tony was actually dead somewhere. But then that didn't make sense with what Bruce had just said.

"I don't get it," Steve frowned. "Tony's there but not?"

"No. It's impossible to be dead or alive at the same time. But what Schrödinger did was a paradox." Bruce was happy his hunch had been correct, sighing and letting his shoulders sag as if he'd been tense for a while. "Tony created a paradox to get out. He locked himself up, shut himself off and gave an illusion of what his captor's wanted."

Then Bruce stopped, staring into the distant eyes before moving a tentative finger underneath Tony's chin and lifting his head.

"What did they want, Tony?"

"Me."

Steve found as if they get a few steps ahead, they took a hundred back. Bruce had figured out why Tony was the way he was – it was self-inflicted to save himself. But now what? Did they get him? Why would they want him and let him go? How do they get Tony out?

Frustration was starting to peak and it was like one winding corridor after another.

"Bruce." Steve said, trying to sound calm. "How do we get Tony out of the box?"

"I…" Bruce looked at Tony, brows lifting upward. "Can you tell us the trigger, Tony?"

But Tony went quiet. His eyes dropped down and Bruce let out a heavy sigh.

"I need more time." He stated. "But this is where it gets dangerous."

"Dangerous?" Steve questioned.

"Tony locked himself in there to avoid being cracked into." Banner moved his eyes completely to Steve, staring straight at him. "It's a last resort, I think. What he could and only do when he was there. He was tortured, but I think it was something completely messed up that drove him to the edge."

"Pepper?" Steve muttered quietly. He honestly believed that she had nothing to do with it. She could have liquidated the company with Tony of sane mind already if she wanted. There was just no motive.

"Possibly. " Bruce shrugged. "But think about it. Tony doesn't give off any emotions, does he? When we open that box, it's gonna all come pouring out." Bruce gave a moment, sighing smoothly to himself.

"Can of worms."