Authors Notes:
Couple of quick thoughts here:
My goal is not to make it seem as though Tony has any regrets or second thoughts, but rather to give him a glimpse of what might have been to reinforce that what is, was truly meant to be.
Giving Roger and Jeannie some attention (nothing romantic) here because he called them his "two best friends" and I want to play with this a bit.
This isn't going to be a long fic, just a few chapters, so more of a short piece than a long story.
"These automatic capsules get easier and easier to babysit everyday," Roger mused, leaning back in his seat.
This particular capsule was only a test model, one that wouldn't leave the ground at NASA. One that they had the privilege of putting through the toughest simulated conditions they could manage to ensure it was mission ready.
Tony nodded but paid him little attention as he made some last notes.
"You're still worrying about Jeannie," Roger noted, eyes on Tony's profile. "You said yourself that the best place for her to go was back to Baghdad to see Haji."
Tony sighed and shook his head. She'd been unwell for far to long. Nearly two weeks. She wad unable to keep most food down, and he was concerned she wasn't getting enough fluids.
She was uncharacteristically tired and struggled to wake up in the mornings.
Of course she protested that she was fine, and was likely just having a hard time getting rid of the flu.
He'd finally convinced her to return home, at least speak to Haji or someone there who could look at her, when she'd nearly fainted in the kitchen that morning.
"She's never been this unwell. I'm really worried about her."
Roger nodded but didn't speak. He wondered why Tony hadn't thought of what he was about to suggest.
"It almost sounds like…" He got the first part out but the rest sat in the back of this throat. "well…you know…like maybe this time I really am going to be Uncle Roger."
Tony looked over at him, eyes wide. "You think…"
Roger shrugged. "It would make sense."
He watched the confusion leave Tony's face, a proud smile taking it's place.
"It never occurred to me that she might be pregnant," He pushed the words out in a excited breath. "It would make sense and…"
The last of the words echoed through the blast that took place in front of them.
The capsule shook back and forth with violent force. The lights went out and smoke rose from below.
Sirens blared as NASA personnel scrambled to get to Tony and Roger before the capsule caught on fire.
"Stay still Major Healey," The doctor reminded him, his tone harsh and warning.
If he moved and the shoulder set incorrectly, the damage could be far worse than anyone wanted.
"Where's Tony?" Roget asked again, wincing through the pain.
Resetting a dislocated shoulder hurt more than it had when he'd dislocated it in the first place.
"They're tending to him. I'll get you an update as soon as we're finished here."
"What happened?" He wondered, trying to understand how he'd up in triage at the base hospital.
The last thing he could remember was talking to Tony about whether or not Jeannie might be pregnant, before a loud blast range out.
"A small explosion of some kind that sent you and Mayor Nelson in to the side walls of the capsule," The doctor pulled at the top of his sling, "You dislocated your shoulder and Mayor Nelson hit his head."
Roger winced resisting every part of his body screaming at him to flinch from the pressure of the tightened sling. "Is he awake? Did anyone call Jeannie?"
He wondered what this doctor wasn't telling him. Why he seemed nervous and worried, and refused to make any kind of real eye contact.
"He's alright isn't he?"
The doctor nodded, but kept his eyes on Roger's shoulder. "We're finished Major. I'll go get Dr. Bellows. He can give you an update on Major Nelson."
Roger watched him go, his face filled with confusion.
In the movies and on television, it was never a good sign when doctors dodged questions and only told half of the story.
He sighed and shook his head. He hoped that didn't translate to real life.
He was on his feet quickly, headed the same direction his doctor had gone.
He had to know what happened to Tony, that he was alright, before Jeannie arrived and had to worry more than needed.
And if his hunch was right, and he was only months from being Uncle Roger, it was his duty to look after Tony's family when he couldn't.
To be continued