AN: I'm hoping Tony comes across as a good guy here. Hes not trying to hurt anyone, just get back to his life.

Would love some feedback, the good, the bad and the ugly if you' like to leave some.

Chapter 6

"You should tell him," Roger mused, tossing Jeannie a quick glance.

They had been at Tony's bedside nearly an hour, both talking mindlessly. Hoping something they said would cause Tony to react.

Jeannie sighed and shook her head. "This is not how I wish to tell him."

"It's not how he would want to find out either, but maybe, if he can hear us, it'll give him a push. Wake him up."

"We did not plan to a child so soon. What if he is unhappy with the news?"

She shook her head, eyes still focused on her husband. His hand was warm in hers, and she squeezed it softly.

Their experience with Mrs. Djinn Djinn had led to a very awkward and uncomfortable, albeit educational conversation about the birds, the bees, and the making of human babies.

They wanted children. A house full. But their experience with the Bellows nephew had convinced them what a big step starting a family was, and it was one they weren't quite ready to take.

A child just over a year into their marriage was certainly not what they had intended.

"Are you kidding? Tony is going to be over the moon. He wants to be a father and even if he doesn't think he's ready, he is. You two are going to be great parents," Roger told her, confidently.

Tony had been ready for this for years. Especially now that he knew they would be his children with Jeannie.

"He didn't plan on finding you, you know," He reminded her, offering her a knowing smile. "And look how that worked out."

Her smile was soft as she looked over her shoulder at him. "He will be happy?" She questioned again, still unsure what Anthony's response would truly be.

"Deliriously. Tell him. And when he wakes up, you tell him again."

He didn't know if this would work.

He didn't even know for sure that Tony could hear them.

But she had to try. Had to say the words out loud, tell him that it wasn't just the two of them he was fighting to get back to.

She squeezed their joined hands, eyes sliding from his face. She closed her eyes, trying to picture his face as he processed the news.

He would be a wonderful father.

Roger watched her stand up slowly, step toward Tony.

Maybe he should leave? Maybe he should let her do this in private?

"I did not wish to tell you this way," Her voice shook and the words crept slowly up her throat. "But…well…we" She moved quickly and lifted their joined hands to her stomach. She rest his palm against the soft blue fabric that separated them from their child. "We are having a baby."

Roger blinked quickly, forcing back unexpected tears, and hoping he would open them again to see Tony stirring.

There was no change and he heard the air leave her lungs.

He was on his feet quickly, catching her as she sank back into her chair.

Sobs shook her body, and she rambled incoherently.

She would never make it through this without him. They would never make it through without him.

"Why does he not wake?" She asked of Roger as she pushed through a sob. "He does not wish to wake. He does not want this child."

Roger shook his head, but no words came.

If there was no medical reason why he should still be unconscious, why was he?

What could possibly be keeping him from Jeannie? From their child? From the life he had worked so hard to build?

"You look nervous," Roger teased suddenly at Tony side.

"Where have you been?" Tony asked, hand on Roger's forearm as he lead them away from the crowd.

"What's going on, Ton? You've been looking forward to this for weeks. Why a deer in the highlights look?"

Weeks? Roger knew about this for weeks and hadn't said anything?

"Where's Jeannie?" Tony asked quickly, cutting through the small talk.

Roger raised a curious eyebrow at him. "Jeannie? Who's Jeannie?" He wondered, lowering his voice should anyone be in earshot.

Tony shook his head. "What is this, Rog? Jeannie. Where is she?"

"Have you been drinking?" Roger wondered shaking his head. "I don't know what or who you're talking about."

How could this be possible? Where was he? What was this?

Had he dreamed her? Created her as some sort of alternate reality to escape a life he was unhappy in?

Or was this some kind of dream? Some kind of hallucination?

"Roger, six years ago, did I get blown off course on a mission, end up on a deserted island?"

"You're definitely been drinking," Roger teased, but shook his head to answer the question. "What's going on? You seem like you're somewhere else."

He had never been on the island. Never found her bottle. Never opened it.

Never fell in love with her.

Roger was right, he wanted to be somewhere else.

"I want to find her. I need to, Roger."

"Jeannie?" Roger asked. "Are you messing around?" He wondered leaning in close, not wanting to risk being heard.

On which woman?

"I love her, Rog," His voice was low, soft, confident and sure. "I have only ever loved her. I need to get back to her."

"How long…you and Melissa, I thought you were solid? Where did you meet her? How long? I didn't think you were the messing around type."

He could see the confusion on Roger's face, see it in his eyes.

None of this made any sense.

"She's carrying my child," Tony told him with quiet desperation. "I have to get back to her."

Roger's eyes went wide, "Oh you're really in it."

Tony shook his head and ran a hand over his face, frustrated. "I'm not in anything. She was here this morning. She was my wife. She was having my baby. And when I came home, she was gone. She just doesn't exist. Why? What is happening?"

He was speaking louder than he wanted. Drawing attention to them and the conversation.

He didn't care. He sounded crazy. But he couldn't make sense of anything.

He didn't want to make sense of this life.

He wanted his life.

He wanted her.

"Tony," Melissa said, as she made her way toward him. She sounded worried. She looked worried. "What's happened? Are you alright?"

Roger shook his head and moved so he would be between them. "Don't do this here."

"Do what?" Melissa asked, voice and face filled with confusion. "You've been out of sorts since you got home, what's happened?"

Roger motioned them away, so they could follow him a few feet and do this in the hallway. Away from the entirety of NASA and the press.

"Tony what is going on? Please. Tell me," Melissa asked as soon as they were in the hall.

Tony shook his head, eyes darting between her and Roger.

He didn't want to hurt her.

She didn't deserve for him to hurt her a second time.

But he couldn't live this life. He didn't want to live this life.

"I'm sorry, Lis, you don't deserve this," He started softly, eyes meeting hers. "There's someone else."

TBC