Tony was working on his next suit design. The nano machines may have been effective, but they were still lacking in many ways. He couldn't quite figure out how to integrate them with vibranium and adamantium as neither were complimentary metals. He contemplated interlacing them like microfiber, but then they would interlock too well and it would significantly slow down their reaction time. He couldn't help but feel he was missing something.

"Tony, why are you still working on that?" Pepper asks.

Tony turns toward his wife. She is wearing a silky magenta nightgown. Normally it would arouse him, but he was already too tired. "Just a little more he tells her, trying to smile."

"Tony," She calls out to him. "The Universe is safe now, you don't need to worry about it anymore.

"I know." Tony says, turning back toward the schematics. "But I thought everyone was safe before, and something still came along." He tries to say his words calmly, so she won't sense his anxiety.

"Tony, it's ok." Pepper responds. "I won't let anything happen to you..." She tries to catch eye contact. "I love you Tony." Pepper says as she places her hand on his.

***Tony wakes up***

"Tony, are you alright?" Steve Rogers asks.

Tony isn't so sure if he is still dreaming or not. He looks up into the Captain's bright blue concerned eyes, highlighted by her golden curls. Because she is in a wheelchair, she is at perfect eye level. Tony feels completely lost and tries desperately to cling back to reality. Looking down, he sees Steve's hand resting on his. He tries to concentrate on that.

'Her hand is so warm.' Tony's eyes linger long enough for Steve Rogers to notice. She contemplates pulling away, but decides Tony's needs outweigh her own worries. She grips his hand tightly. Tony's attention darts back up toward Steve and they both lock eyes again for a long moment. Steve smiles lightly, despite trying to display a concerned look. She can't help but wonder why.

"Did you want to go lay down?" Steve asks Tony.

Tony remembers his dream of Pepper and it causes him to blush. "No, it's fine." Tony responds.

"Are you sure?" Steve asks.

The Captain's voice seems to be the anchor to reality that Tony needed. He lightly pulls his hand away from Steve's and glances momentarily at his work. The thought of it gives him a headache and he has to look away. "Yeah, I just have to take my mind off things for a moment. Maybe refresh my perspective."

"How about..." Captain America starts to say, but hesitates before continuing on. "The others are going down to the beach. Why don't you come join us?"

"The beach?" Tony asks, a little surprised. "They have a beach here?"

"Well... yeah." Steve says. "It is an actual planet after all."

Steve waits a long moment for Tony's response, which doesn't come. "Come on, Tony." She places a hand on Tony's shoulder this time.

Tony feels much more awake now, and the thought of visiting an alien beach does sound a little intriguing. It suddenly occurs to him that he's been on an alien planet for over a week and has hardly looked at anything. 'Maybe there's something here I can use." He wonders, glancing back at his project. He turns toward Steve to say he'll go, but catches himself lost in her eyes again. His gaze darts from left to right for a brief moment.

"Yeah, I think I will join you guys." Tony turns away, mistaking his feelings for guilt.

"That's great Tony!" The Captain says, feeling a little relieved. "I'm going to go get changed and I'll meet you out there." Steve starts to wheel away, while Tony gathers his project and tools. He stops momentarily to watch Rogers leave the room. Just before she exits, she stops herself and turns to look back. Once again, they both lock eyes and can't help but smile at being caught. Steve gives Tony an awkward wave, which he can't help but return. Steve leaves the room.

"That was embarrassing." Tony whispers to himself, turning back to his work.

"There was definitely an awkward tension in the air." F.R.I.D.A.Y. responds.

"Hey!" Tony responds to the AI in his suit. "How long have you been listening?"

"You asked me to make a document on your current project, sir." F.R.I.D.A.Y. answers.

"Yeah, the project." Tony reprimands. "Not on my personal affairs."

"Understood sir." The AI responds. Tony breathes out with light frustration. "Should I also delete your snoring sir?" F.R.I.D.A.Y. asks.

Tony smiles as he shakes his head. He hasn't felt this rested in some time. "No, you know what? Save it. We can use it the next time I need to sneak out at night." He jokes.

"Very well, sir." The AI responds as Tony continues to pack up.

***At the Beach***

"Wow! Look who made it!" Natasha says with a light grin. He is wearing a tight diving type suit. His hair was recently cut, and looked a little like something James Dean would have.

"How did you manage to peel him away from the lab?" He asks, turning toward Captain Rogers.

"It wasn't that hard." Steve tells him. "It turns out, he was ready for a break as well."

"Is that so?" Natasha asks, giving Tony a skeptical look.

"What is that thing on your face?" Tony asks Natasha, trying to change the subject. "Are you growing a mustache?"

Natasha blushes and reaches up to cover it, but chooses not to. He lowers his hand again. "I've always used my feminine wiles to do my job, I thought I'd experiment with the other side for once." He smiles a little. "That is, while I still can."

Tony wants to reassure Natasha that they'll change back some day, but he's not feeling so confident at the moment.

"Hey Cap', Hey Tony!" Hawkeye says as he comes approaching from the water. He does not have a shirt on and water glistens off his hair in the sunlight. He seems to be sporting a type of mohawk now, with a streak of purple running along both sides.

"What's with the hair?" Tony asks.

"It's an alien haircut." Clint answers. "I thought it'd be fun."

"They call it, the Thanos." Natasha says, as he reaches up and ruffles Clint's hair. They both chuckle then look at each other happily. It somehow makes Tony feel better.

"So, how about you, Tony?" Clint asks, turning back toward Ironman. "Any luck tracking down the stones?"

Tony looks at the device he is holding in his hands and shakes his head. "No, no luck." He responds. "It seems Dr. Steven Strange was not kidding when he said they were well hidden..." He tosses the device in the sand. "Vision has been trying to replicate the energy, but without even a single stone, we can't determine if it's exactly the same. Hank and Scott don't know enough about the stones to contribute much. And the Guardians promised to help, but they seem to have gone completely AWOL."

"The Guardians?" Clint asks. "Why don't you ask them now? They're right over there." Clint points up the beach, and sure enough the GOTG are hanging out, laughing and seemingly having a good time.

Tony frowns toward the Guardians, but decides not to ruin what seems like a good day. He makes a mental note to chase them down later. He turns back toward Clint and Natasha.

"Have you guys seen Happy anywhere?"

"Happy?" Natasha asks. "Last I saw, he was following Bruce around here somewhere."

"He's completely smitten with her." Clint adds with a chuckle.

"Don't make fun." Natasha lightly elbows Clint in the abdomen.

"What?" Clint asks playfully. "It's funny... And Bruce is pretty hot." Natasha looks at him and they both smirk.

"It is a little embarrassing." Natasha agrees.

Tony can't help but chuckle a bit. "So, who else is here?"

Natasha has to think about it for a moment. "I think Wanda, Vision, Rhodes, the King and some of his guards..." He looks at Clint and asks for assistance. "Help me out here."

"I know I saw Antman and Sam. Also Thor and his friend... Uhm... Steve's friend is also around here somewhere."

"Bucky?" Captain America asks, somewhat surprised.

"Yeah," Natasha answers. "Commander Fury kicked him off the ship. Said if he had see his brooding glare any more, he'd rip off his other arm."

Steve laughs and can't help but glance around for Bucky, whom he couldn't see. The beach was actually a little crowded.

"Mr. Stark!" Someone shouts out.

"Oh yeah!" Clint says, snapping his finger with fake sarcasm. "And the kid is still here." Natasha gives Clint an accusing grin, and he smiles back.

Tony wants to reprimand Clint and Natasha, but remembers that Peter Parker is not really their responsibility. He glances at them momentarily but they've turned their attention toward Captain America now.

"I thought they gave you one of those floaty chairs?" Clint asks Steve.

"Yeah, but I want to keep a little exercise in my daily life, until we decide on a more permanent solution."

"More permanent solution?" Clint asks. Tony is now being distracted by Peter Parker.

"Mr. Stark!" Peter calls out as she gets closer. She is wearing tight swim trunks and a tight top that looks somewhat like a sports bra. For the first time since the changes, it is apparently obvious that she is a girl. "It's so good to see you sir! Everyone has been worried about you... and the Captain."

"Yeah well, you don't have to worry about me." Tony responds. "What are you still doing here? Shouldn't you be back in school?"

Peter gives Tony Stark a sad guilty look and prepares to use one of her many excuses to stay.

"It's ok, kid." Tony answers before Peter can respond. "You have every right to be here." He pats her on the shoulder. "as much as any of us. But promise me you'll go home soon. We have no idea how much longer we'll be out here."

"I thought you wanted me to help find the stones?" Peter Parker asks.

"It's fine, Kid. You've done enough." Tony tells her.

"I'll help, if you want." Peter offers. "Dr. Banner and I have been using my suit to track gamma radiation spikes."

"Dr. Banner?" Tony asks "She's been helping?"

"Yes, Mr. Stark. She said she felt bad about what she said." Peter tells Tony. "I think she doesn't want you to hate her."

"Hate her?" Tony asks, a little surprised. "I wouldn't hate her. Why would I?"

"That's what I tried to tell her sir, but..." Peter Parker thinks for a moment. "I think MJ... My girlfriend, that is..."

"Girlfriend?" Tony asks, a little surprised while looking her up and down.

"Yeah." Peter says, feeling a little embarrassed. "I think she would insist you tell Bruce yourself."

"Tell Bruce?" Tony asks, a little confused.

"That you're not mad at her." Peter clarifies. "That you don't hate her. It would mean a lot coming from you."

"Do you really think so?" Tony asks. He feels a little guilty for looking toward his device in the sand and thinking how much he could use Bruce's help. His gaze shifts up toward Steve Rogers, who despite looking happy for the moment, still had a sad aura about her. He glanced over Steve's shoulder and spotted Bucky approaching her. He finally turns back toward Peter Parker, who was actually still talking.

"You know what, kid?" Tony tells Peter. "I think I'll try that."

"Try what?" Peter asks in confusion, because she had already changed the subject and Tony didn't notice.

"Talk to Bruce." Tony says.

"You will?"

"Sure, where is she?" He asks Peter.

"Last I saw," Peter thinks for a moment. "She was at the tiki hut with Happy."

"Tiki Hut? They have tiki huts in space?" Tony asks.

"That's what it looks like." Peter points at a crowded grass style hut, further up the beach. Aside from being vibrant blue, it looks every bit like a tiki hut.

"Yeah, that's a tiki hut." Tony cannot deny it. "I'll see you later, kid. And thanks." Tony starts walking away, but stops to pick up his device. The others look toward him.

"I'll be right back, guys. I'm gonna go talk to Happy." He lies.

The group either nods or answers in understanding, as Tony walks away. Steve waves lightly.

Natasha and Clint look at each other with a silent understanding. "Bruce?" Clint asks.

"Bruce." Natasha answers.

"Did I miss something?" Steve Rogers asks.

*** Further up the beach ***

Tony approaches the hut, and as he gets closer, it becomes glaringly obvious that it's some type of bar. "A tiki hut bar in space..." Tony says to himself aloud. "I would say, it's a small world, but..."

As he gets closer he can definitely hear a familiar voice. 'Happy must be drunk.' Tony thinks. It doesn't take him long to catch sight of him, but he actually spots Bruce first. Bruce is in her Hulk form, and she is so tall her head is nearly concealed by the roof of the hut. Her hair is a mess of deep thick luscious brown curls extending far past her waist. It is actually longer than Happy. She is wearing extremely tight shorts and a tight top that looks like a sports bra. Despite being muscular, her appearance does not seem as excessive as the Hulk's usual image. There is almost a soft natural look to her body now.

Bruce is talking to the strange alien bartender. Happy's face is red, and he is drunkenly leaning against Bruce's waist. Bruce turns to Happy and pats him on the head with a smile. Tony is able to look at her features and can't help but admire the androgynous beauty. It is very clearly Bruce, but with a mixture of both his and her best features. Her soft green eyes seem to rest patiently on Happy, before turning upward and locking onto Tony.

There is a strange tension in the air as they both freeze in place, contemplating their next move. No one else seems to notice. Tony has to shake his feelings for the moment and forces himself to wave at Bruce.

Bruce does not immediately respond, but the message is clearly received. Her vibrant green eyes begin to gleam as she fights back happy tears. She raises her hand hesitantly and waves back toward Tony, smiling slightly, but still worried that she is making assumptions. Tony grips his device tightly and takes a step forward when he is interrupted.

"Hey asshole, where the hell have you been?" A familiar voice calls out.

Tony looks around and doesn't spot anyone immediately.

"Down here." A little furry hand waves. Tony looks downward toward Rocket. She has a mischievous grin on her face. "I never get tired of that." She tells Tony. "I could have robbed you blind by now."

"I'm sorry, did you need something?" Tony asks Rocket, a little annoyed at the interruption.

"Yeah!" Rocket responds. "We've been busting our asses off, out here hunting for those stones, and you haven't lifted a finger!"

"Excuse me? You guys are the ones who haven't been around." Tony snaps back in annoyance. "My guys have been doing everything we can to find these stones, and your team has been off who knows where!"

"We're researching!" Rocket snaps back in defense. "Asking around! Gathering clues!"

"Gathering clues?" Tony asks in annoyance. "This isn't some scavenger hunt. You can't just run around playing detective and trick people into coughing up confessions. It's an entire planet! How would you even know where to start?"

Rocket looks downward, a little embarrassed. "Yeah, well... At least we found two!"

Tony's eyes widen in shock. He is finding it hard to believe the Guardian's antics are proving more successful than his own. "You found two?" He stutters as he asks this.

"Yeah." Rocket responds, not noticing Tony's surprise. "The power stone and possibly the reality stone. "The Idiot's distant cousins aren't very good at keeping secrets when they're drunk."

"Idiots?" Tony asks. "Cousins?"

"Thor's friends." Rocket responds while pointing toward Thor and Valkyrie who seem to be happily wrestling with Nebula.

"How many stones have you found?" Rocket asks. "Are they the same ones?"

Tony has to take a moment to process what he is hearing. He honestly didn't think going out and asking around would be an effective strategy. "Yeah, uhh... The same two." Tony lies about the stones. "Do you think you can tell me what you've learned so far?"

"Sure," Rocket responds, "The Captain knows more, we can go talk to her."

Rocket and Tony turn toward Star-Lord and begin to walk away from the tiki hut. Tony turns back toward Bruce and tries to gesture that he would return. Bruce nods, but as soon as Tony looks away, she looks down in sadness.

"I miss May." Happy says, while trying to snuggle one of Bruce's massive legs.