Thirty Nine
I returned to the newly appointed Avengers Tower to start overseeing repairs. The uppermost penthouse didn't seem to have suffered as much damage as the rest and I took up residence there. Repairs commenced quickly, soon I would be able to have the rest of the Avengers join me. As the contractors worked, I found time to make upgrades to my suit. About a week in I thought I was seeing things again. I quit drinking all together, but kept seeing a black shadow out of the corner of my eyes.
Until one morning, I felt a familiar warmth against my side. I woke to Kitty asleep next to me.
"How did you get here, Kitty? Well, if you've come this far, I guess you can stay. It's better than me talking to inanimate objects all day." I reached down to pull him closer. Kitty starting purring loudly.
We spent our days together, I working, Kitty watching with large green eyes. The day came to call Steve and let him know they could abandon the silo.
"Sir, a Grant Ward would like to speak to you." Jarvis's voice filled the room. It was so glad to hear him.
"Who is he and what does he want?" I looked up from my welding, taking the mask off.
"He says he's the general contractor and he needs your approval on the blueprints."
"Let him up." I turned off the welder and brushed the metal flake from my shirt.
"Mr. Stark. A pleasure to meet you. I just need you to sign these, so we may move forward with your designs." Mr. Ward shook my hand.
"This is why I miss Pepper, she always double checked these things, just set them down. I don't like being handed things."
"Ok, I just need you to look these over and sign them."
"Alright," I flipped through the designs. They seemed okay. "Pen? Pen? I need a pen." I started searching drawers.
"Don't worry, Mr. Stark. I have one." Ward reached into his jacket for a pen. He produced a handgun, firing in a swift motion into my chest. I felt it pierce my flesh and shatter. I collapsed to the floor, trying to voice activate Jarvis's defenses. I spit blood trying to speak. He didn't come in for a second shot, but I felt my world going black. No one knew I was up here working, and by time anyone realized I hadn't checked in, I'd be long gone. Here lies Tony Stark, genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.