Not quite as long as I'd been hoping, but hey, it's a chapter!

However, parts of this took even me by surprise as I was writing it! Hope you like it!

Enjoy!

Chapter 18: Ironman Inbound

Edwin Jarvis has faithfully served the Stark family since World War Two. He has stood by Master Stark in his hunt for his long lost friend with Miss Carter, and seen how it's weighed on the both of them with every failure the search produces. He's watched as Master Stark wooed the now Mistress Stark, back then just Miss Carbonell, and how it healed his battered heart if only a bit. He remembers the utter joy in both Master Stark and Mistress Stark's eyes when they first held their son. He's been delighted to watch Master Anthony grow up, to see his brilliant mind blossom and expand from a very young age.

He's, unfortunately, also had to watch as Master Stark floundered at how to properly connect with his young son. Master Stark knows machines, how they tick and how to make them better. Master Stark knows people, in the sense that he can charm a room to his advantage whether it be a board meeting or a gala or a fundraiser. Master Stark tries to use these skills when interacting with Master Anthony.

Understandably, it does not go well.

While Master Anthony might be able to work with machines just as well as his father, perhaps in some ways even better, he was just a child for all his frightfully amazing intelligence. He needed a proud father, not a stern and demanding boss. Thus a distance builds between the two of them, a barrier that neither is willing to breach and attempt to mend.

And now, with Master Anthony grown and considered an adult fully in the eyes of the law, Edwin wonders if there will ever be a reconciliation between father and son. Both are stubborn to the core, and he fears it will take an external influence to start them down the road to a better relationship. However, not many people can go toe to toe with a Stark man and not be intimidated. It's part of what he admires most about Mistress Stark, how she's stuck with both of her idiots through all of this nonsense, loving them as well she can. It's also why he stays, because Master Stark values that in him as well, to say nothing of the fact that he loves Master Anthony as if he were his own. It's never bothered him that he and Ana ended up unable to have children of their own, given how involved they were with Master Anthony as he grew.

With a sigh, Edwin considers the rest of his day.

Master Stark has taken Mistress Stark out for a spin, leaving Master Anthony at home with him and Ana. His wife, as far as he's aware, is putzing away in the kitchen, and Master Anthony holed up in his room, doing heavens knows what. Edwin has given up on trying to truly understand whatever that boy does nowadays, instead just supporting him whenever and however he's able to. Nothing more to the day besides making sure everyone eats, and that's more Ana's job than his.

Therefore, when the front door chimes unexpectedly, Edwin gives himself a moment to ponder if he actually heard it. They aren't expecting any visitors, as far as he's aware, and the ones that do come over regularly have a key, so the door chime isn't necessary. When the chime echoes through the house again, Edwin finally starts making his way over to answer the door. A quick glance outside shows a moderately fanciful convertible with the top down, and he wonders again who exactly is calling before opening the front door just enough to see who is on their doorstep.

It's a man and a woman.

The man has a head of windswept blond hair, wears blue jeans that hug his legs in a way that even a straight man like Edwin can appreciate and a crisp button up short sleeve shirt that clings. He has a bag slung over a shoulder, and he stands with the careful ease of a soldier for all that he wears no colors now. He looks familiar in an average sort of way for all that he is most definitely not average. It itches at something in the back of his mind, but he dismisses it for the time being.

The woman though. Oh the woman is a vision. Her hair Edwin would almost describe as semi-tamed fire, as it's only partially contained by a braid, with bright green eyes that seem to stare into his very soul. She's wearing well fitted blue jeans same as her companion with a light purple blouse that shows off her curves tastefully. She holds herself similarly to her companion, though more coiled and ready to spring rather than hinting at military connections. A rough childhood, then.

"May I help you?" he inquires, slipping outside and shutting the door behind him as he goes. The click of the lock is a comfort, as is the weight of the key in his pocket.

Both blink at him as if in surprise.

"You're British?"

Now it's Edwin's turn for surprise. He hadn't been expecting to hear the twang of his birth country from the woman's lips anymore than she'd obviously expected it from him. Of course, he doesn't let that deter him.

"I am indeed. However, you have obviously come here for a reason, Miss. Not just anyone comes to Stark Manor."

She clears her throat before offering him her hand. "Right, of course. I'm Rosalie Evans and I'm here to see Tony Stark about something."

Edwin slowly raises an eyebrow at her even as he takes her hand and shakes once before letting go. One doesn't simply come to talk with any Stark about something, and especially not Master Anthony. The fact that she's female is a point against her, for all that she might end up being a delightful woman to get to know. "Are you now?"

Her face scrunches up. "I'm not a jittered girlfriend, if that's what you're worried about. I've been happily married for four years now, and have absolutely no intentions of ever looking elsewhere."

"Your husband is a bit possessive," the man drawls, lips quirking up into a smirk when the woman throws an exasperated expression at him. "He's getting better, though."

"Land a man on his arse enough times, and he finally starts to take a hint," she deadpans for all that her eyes twinkle with amusement. "In any event, you can rest assured that I am not here to try and lay claim to the Stark fortune in any way, shape, or form. I am a friend, for all that Tony probably won't remember me." She smiles ruefully, but Edwin can see a sadness in her. In both of them.

Unless they're master liars, both of them consider themselves Master Anthony's friends and they miss him. Unfortunately, the only friend that Master Anthony ever talks of is James Rhodes, whom Master Anthony affectionately calls Rhodey, and Edwin knows that both of Master Anthony's parents would've been thrilled had their son made more than just the one friend when he'd gone off to MIT. "You understand, of course, that I cannot simply take you at your word? That many people have claimed similarly as you only to try and trick us in some way."

Rosalie gifts him with a bitter and jagged smile. "I have a better understanding of that particular issue than you might imagine, but I do applaud your caution. Stars know that Tony needs someone like that in his corner." She huffs out a sigh. "However, I only need five minutes at most with Tony to see if what I'm looking for is there. Should I not find it, we will leave immediately if that will make you feel better."

He actually believes her.

About both things.

There is an understanding in her eyes, one that has been growing in Master Anthony's ever since he realized that people will come to him just to be able to use him. This woman knows what it means to be sought out simply as a means to an end. And it's because of that that Edwin believes her promise. She apparently knows the trials of fame, for all that he himself hasn't heard of her, and thus won't inflict herself on Master Anthony anymore than she must.

"Your word?" he requests, one last layer of protection by playing to her honor.

They both know what he's doing, but she dips her head and intones, "My word."

Something shivers down Edwin's spine, but he turns to unlock the front door and let them into the manor. "If you will follow me?" They both obediently fall into step behind him, and he leads them towards one of the closer sitting rooms. His wife meets them when they're halfway there, and she says nothing even as an eyebrow rises up. "Ana, darling, would you be so kind as to fetch some refreshments for our guests?" The eyebrow goes even higher. "They're here to see Master Anthony briefly."

Her gaze cuts to them, the steady steel of a mother whose child might be being threatened. "Indeed?"

"We are." Rosalie offers nothing more, and there's nothing more Edwin can offer either. He's a bit chagrin to realize that particular fact. However, there's not much he can do besides ushering them back out and he already gave his word that he'd let them see Master Anthony if only for a bit.

Ana huffs, but turns on her heel and goes back to the kitchen.

"Another protector, huh," Rosalie murmurs, sounding happy of all things. A quick glance in her direction sees a look of satisfaction on her face.

"My wife and I love Master Anthony as if he were our own," Edwin simply says. When they reach the sitting room, he gestures for them to precede him in. "Please make yourself comfortable. Ana will be out with drinks shortly and I will go fetch Master Anthony."

Rosalie settles herself on one of the couches while her companion remains standing behind her. "Thank you," she returns. "You cannot even begin to imagine how much this means to me."

Unable to come up with a reply to such heartfelt thanks, Edwin just nods before he leaves them there and heads upstairs. Master Anthony must be in the thick of things, given the volume of the music blasting from his room. Edwin sighs, already dreading having to interrupt, but he'd rather just get this visit over with. He knocks twice for all that he knows it won't be heard before opening the door.

Master Anthony is indeed fully engrossed in a project, parts strewn all over his room in an order that will only make sense to him. He's fiddling with whatever he has in his hand with a screwdriver clenched between his teeth. Rather than disturbing him by attempting to catch his attention, Edwin simply walks over to the boombox blaring music and turns it down. That's the agreement the two of them came up with after one too many close calls when Edwin startled him mid project.

It takes a bit, but Master Anthony does finally notice that his music is gone. He blinks rapidly and lifts his head to squint at Edwin. The screwdriver drops into a waiting hand. "Jarvis? Thought we didn't have anything planned for today."

"We have guests, sir," Edwin explains.

He blinks again. "Guests?"

Understandable. The Starks do not simply get guests off the streets.

"Guests who have specifically requested five minutes of your time. A Mrs Rosalie Evans." He's startled to realize that he never even thought to ask the man for his name. It just slipped his mind. Well, should they end up staying, he can get it then.

"Never heard of her," Master Anthony deadpans.

"Neither have I," Edwin agrees, "but she did have an honesty about her that led me to believe she's had similar experiences with money and fame as you. She promised only five minutes."

Master Anthony briefly pulls a disgusted face, grumbling something under his breath that Edwin doesn't catch but no doubt isn't polite. Then he gets a contemplative look on his face. "You trust her?"

"I do." Insofar as that she means Master Anthony no immediate harm and will stay true to her word.

Master Anthony sighs dramatically. "What the hell, then." He gets to his feet, nimbly stepping over the mess of his unfinished project to join Edwin at the door. "Let's go see what could possibly take just five minutes." The disdain in his voice makes Edwin despair for all that it's usually deserved. He just hopes this time it will be different.

Back down in the sitting room, Ana has brought out lemonade that only Rosalie has a glass of. His wife is sitting primly on another sofa, watching both of them with a wary eye. All three heads turn in their direction when he and Master Anthony step into the room.

As ever, Master Anthony struts forward as if he hasn't a care in the world. "So, Jarvis says you want to talk with me about something."

Edwin is surprised by both of their guests doing a mild double take, realizing that he never actually introduced himself to either of them, but he doesn't understand why the mentioning of his last name is so startling. However, they both recover fairly quickly.

Rosalie sets her untouched glass of lemonade down and stands up. "I do." She steps out around the coffee table and meets him halfway with an offered hand. "Rosalie Evans."

"Tony Stark, but you already—"

Master Anthony drops like a stone, only Rosalie's tight grip on his hand keeping him from bashing his head on the floor. She inelegantly follows him down, cradling him to her chest even as Edwin and Ana and her companion converge on her.

"Well shit, I didn't expect that," she mutters.

"What did you do?" Edwin demands, making to snatch Master Anthony away from her only for her companion to block both his and Ana's paths. "Sir, I insist that you move this instant."

"Eve?" the man inquires, not budging an inch.

"Like I'm supposed to have any idea what's happening two seconds later," she growls, shifting to be able to run a hand tenderly through Master Anthony's fringe. "I'd say it was because he was awake, but Sirius was too, and he didn't faint." She huffs out an aggravated sigh. "Can you help me get him to the couch? I don't want him to wake up sprawled all over the floor."

"He's woken up in odder places," her companion muses, but he turns on a dime to scoop Master Anthony up off the floor and out of Rosalie's arms as if he weighed nothing before gently laying him down on the couch Rosalie had just been sitting on.

"He's going to wake up thinking he just blew up the suit and that I stupidly saved his sorry arse," Rosalie snarls. "The floor is not where I want him to come to."

The man jerks back as if burned. "He blew up—"

"Steve, he just watched you die and we were losing already."

His expression is one of devastation.

"Who are you people?" Edwin demands, nerves shot and temper rising, "and what did you do to Master Anthony?"

"This would be so much easier if this idiot hadn't fainted on us," Rosalie grumbles before tossing her head back. Her bearing changes to one used to being in charge and being obeyed. It's subtle, but all it does is make Edwin even more worried because she obviously has no intention of releasing Master Anthony anytime soon. "I apologize. I do promise you that I mean Tony no harm."

"You still haven't answered my questions."

"You say your name is Evans," Ana interjects suddenly.

Something sparks in Rosalie's eyes as she shifts her gaze from Edwin to his wife. "I am an Evans," she replies with steel in her voice as if daring Ana to doubt her. "Why?"

His wife inhales shakily. He can't ever remember her being so frightened before. "When Edwin saved me from Nazis in Hungary, he saved me from more than just them. He also saved me from Grindelwald sympathizers."

Rosalie inhales sharply for all that name means nothing to Edwin. "Squib?"

The word again means nothing to Edwin, but Ana dips her head in agreement. "I have kept tabs on that world as much as I've been capable, wanting to be able to warn my family should the need ever arise. However, England has been in an uproar this last month. About a missing little girl whose mother was the former Lily Evans." Her hands are fists at her side even as they tremble. "Tell me, Evans, how did my Tony get mixed up in that world?"

Something like respect flickers across Rosalie's face, and she opens her mouth like she's going to reply. However, Tony suddenly gasping and jolting upright derails that particular conversation.

Tony Stark comes to with fire in his veins and an ache in his heart.

This isn't supposed to happen.

This is very much not supposed to happen.

He'd just been forced to see Steve get cut down without being able to get him.

He'd just had to listen to Steve's last gasping, gurgling breath.

He'd just had to watch Steve die.

So he'd made the calculations. He'd considered the odds. And he'd chosen to sacrifice himself to save the others (save the ones he still could and finally join the ones he hadn't). Using the power of the arc reactor in his chest and his suit, he'd be able to take out most of the forces on Nidavelir with him.

He'd warned them.

And then.

And then there was only fire and heat and oblivion.

He was supposed to've died, but apparently he can't even do that right.

He jerks upright, gasping for air when all he really wants to do is sob.

"Tony!"

The world, which had been a blur before, comes into focus around Evelyn's face.

She immediately slips into the litany that usually FRIDAY (he wonders why it isn't her and worries that he's lost another child for some unknown reason) performs whenever he wakes from a coma or any extended period of unintentional sleep (which is almost always) to ground him in the here and now. "It's 11:26 am. We are in Stark Manor just outside of New York City. It's sunny outside and windy."

He presses the heels of his palms to his eyes, not wanting to see a world without Steve (stupid fucking self-sacrificing Steve who Tony hadn't gotten up the courage to talk to because the entire situation had been fucked ten ways to Sunday and he's always been a coward when it comes to relationships of any kind) in it. "Why the fuck did you save me?" he snarls, not bothering to get into why they're at the manor instead of the tower when all he cares about is the fact that he's fucking alive. "Why, Eve, why?"

"I didn't," she states flatly.

"You didn't what?"

"I didn't save you, Tony. I couldn't have even I'd wanted to."

"Well, I'm obviously alive when I—"

"Soul Magic."

Well shit.

Only once did they ever talk of what could be done should they truly fail. Only once did Loki ever mention Soul Magic and the price he'd have to pay to use it (and though neither of them said it, Tony had gotten the impression that they weren't sure any of this could ever be fixed).

So Soul Magic had happened.

Fucking hell.

He lowers his hands glare blearily at her.

"How long?" he asks.

"Two years after we lost you," she states solemnly, belaying the haunted look in her eyes. She's been pushed to the brink, shattering over and over and over again only to continue to live. Sometimes, that's the hardest thing to live with. "I was hit with a death spell and lasted all of a week despite Loki's best attempts to keep me alive. We were all that was left, having lost Nat and Clint a year prior."

"Rhodey?" He can't bear to ask after the others just yet, but Rhodey's been at his back for more years than he hasn't.

Evelyn bows her head. "We didn't having anything to fucking bury, Tony. Nidavelir collapsed shortly after you died, and even if it hadn't, you blew yourself up. You leveled the mountains we were fighting on, by the way, so at least you went out with a bang." She drags a hand down her face. "Rhodey drank himself into a stupor for about a month with Sam not far behind him before Nat finally had enough. Anything more that you want to know will have to wait, because I am not going over all the gory details by myself."

"By yourself?" Tony repeats, not understanding that but understanding not wanting to talk about what happened (who's he kidding, he ran from what happened to him for all that he embraced what it brought him).

The smile she gives him, for all that her eyes are wet with tears, is achingly joyful. "Loki remembers, as does Thor and—"

"Tony."

He nearly falls off the couch twisting towards that voice. His breath catches harshly in the back of his throat at the sight of the man stumbling towards him, healthy, whole, and blessedly alive.

"Steve?"

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