Yay for being home from college all week =D Boo for being head-butted and losing my front tooth.

But hey…here's chapter two x33

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"Shit…ah, fucking hell…oh god…ahhh…P-Pepper…Pepper, help me o-out…ha fuck this inhumanely hurts!"

Coming to stand at the threshold of the bathroom, Pepper's face was marred with a deep frown; this episode now marked the 17th time in the last month alone where she'd arrive upon request of Jarvis, only to find her friend doubled over the sink gripping his lower abdomen; his face scrunched up in pure agony as he muttered curses under his breath...

But, what good would lecturing him do…so shaking her head and sighing loudly, she made her way towards her long-time friend, slowly placing an arm around his waist and coaxing him to lean on her;

"For the love of god Tony, will you just go to the doctors already…"

"N-no need Pep…it...it's getting better…trust me."

"Do you not see yourself Tony? This clearly isn't getting better on its own, now either you man up and make an appointment, or I'll have Jarvis do it for you. And believe me when I say this Tony Stark, I WILL make sure you go- even if I have to take you there myself."

Shrugging her arm off him, Tony let out a small scoff before staggering towards his bed and unceremoniously flopping onto it the moment the mattress hit his knee's; he really did not need nor want the woman's constant nagging in his ear when he felt this crap. He knew full well this wasn't right…but he'd be damned if he went to a total stranger about something as personal as this…

"I'm telling you Peps…I'll just be wasting their time…sleep is all I need…night peps…"

And just like that, he was out; so allowing her shoulders to sag slightly, Pepper let out a soft sigh before making her way to the bed; bending down, she began gently brushing Tony's fringe from his face- trying to keep a straight face as she felt the heat radiating from his forehead. This wasn't right…her womanly instincts where screaming at her to do something…but what? Tony was such a stubborn ass at times…all the time.

Sure, even she at first rolled her eyes; simply under the impression he'd done another one night stand and caught something…in fact, she recalled laughing at, what she'd, at the time, called; 'sweet irony' she'd thoroughly enjoyed the males discomfort as she poked at his inability to keep it in his pants.

But nearly three weeks on, he was still in pain, and from what she could gather from Jarvis; in a lot of discomfort every time he'd try to relieve himself. Pepper wasn't a doctor in any sense of the word, but neither was she stupid when it came to getting things checked out, and this, definitely needed looking at.

Especially if it was something as simple as a bladder infection…all the symptoms where certainly pointing at that, but at the same time- Pepper was also aware that Tony's mother had died of cancer many years prior…and though certain it wasn't as serious as that…she was still concerned and felt it best for him to get it checked out. But, for now, she'd honour his request for sleep, and have Jarvis make him an appointment…he may hate her for it, but hey.

He may thank her for it in the long run…

"Jarvis, could I have a word with you please?"

Startling at the voice, the elderly man's eyes where somewhat wide as his grip on the china teacup tightened; "Oh Ms Potts…I didn't hear you coming…please, have a seat."

"Sorry…but thank you" Peppers voice was soft and sincere as she took the offered seat; Jarvis had always been her favourite butler in the house/mansion. And he was obviously Tony's to, being the only one he'd ever listen to, or on the rare occasion, go to for advice. After all, the man was more a grandfather to Tony than his own…she knew he'd stand by her on this…even if it did mean going against his masters wishes…

"Jarvis…I need to ask you a favour."

"Ask away my dear, also would you care for a cup of tea?"

Shaking her head softly, Pepper softly bit her lower lip; "No…no thank you…I don't feel right leaving Tony any longer than necessary…"

"Is he still unwell?"

Nodding softly, Pepper let out a soft sigh as she leant forward; her elbows on the table as she propped her head with her hands; "I need you to make him a doctor's appointment…his…problem, isn't getting any better, if anything its getting worse, all he's doing is sleeping- and this isn't Tony…at all. I'm sorry to dump this on you Jarvis, but you're the only one he'll listen to."

She could plainly see the upset in the elderly man's face; he wanted to go behind Tony's back as little as she did, but it was at the stage now, where neither had a choice. They needed their Tony back…

"Very well…I shall go and arrange that for you. Do you have any specific time or date in mind Ms Potts?"

"Preferably tomorrow…Taking him today would be a recipe for disaster since I'd have to wake him up; and a tired Tony isn't a fun Tony…by any means."

"Indeed. Very well, consider it done Ms Potts, I will come and inform you of the time hopefully within the hour, if not sooner."

"Thank you Jarvis."

"Why did I let you and Jarvis talk me into this again?"

"Oh be quiet Tony. You only have another 4 and a-half minutes to wait, and I doubt we'll be in here very long anyway…after all, you've seemed to have made an amazing recovery overnight."

Hearing a small huff and mumble of words, Pepper peeled her gaze away from her book, just in time to see the male folding his arms behind his head as he leaned back in the chair; legs crossed and lip jutted out; and if she wasn't so annoyed about seemingly wasting her time, she'd have smiled; this was the most Tony like, Tony had been in a month…

It was a comforting sight…

She didn't even realise she was staring till she heard Tony's name called; at first she assumed they were simply early, but looking at the clock said otherwise as the large hand was dead on half past…how embarrassing…

"Well…be back soon, I hope."

Pretending to read her book, Pepper gave a brash nod; muttering out a small "please behave yourself." as he walked away and out of sight.

"Well Mr Stark, I can honestly say I'm not happy with what I've been told, nor am I convinced that you're 101 percent fine as you keep suggesting. So I'm going to refer you to the Presbyterian Hospital for further tests; now since it's your bladder that's causing the problems you have the choice of a cystoscopy, or an MRI."

The moment cystoscopy left the woman's lips, Tony instantly felt all colour drain from his face; no way in hell was anyone going near something that precious to him, with a freaking microscope!

"Think I'll go with the MRI…anything but the other option…"

"Very well, but do keep in mind that should the MRI not return the results as required, or the doctors feel they need to have a proper check, you will have to have it done."

"Heh, yeah…I'd rather cut it off."

Placing her pen down on the table, the nurse let out a frustrated sigh before sending him an incredulous look;

"Mr Stark, do you not understand the severity of your situation? Going with the information provided by those who have cared for you this past month, you're far from well. And to put it to you bluntly, having you tell me ten minutes prior that you've only been able to partially empty your bladder due to pain these last four weeks pushes me to have you hospitalised today."

"Whoa, wait…what?"

"I believe you heard me. And the more I think about it, the better the idea sounds. And before you give me all you've got verbally; remember this. Should this turn out to be something nasty, you will thank me for this in the long run. Now, while I sort out a referral, I suggest you have someone sort some clean clothes and PJ's out for you since neither of us know how long the hospital will choose to keep you."

And just like that, she was off her chair and Tony was alone, alone and seething; he knew this was a bad idea from the word go. Now here he was being practically forced to stay in a sodding hospital for god only knows how long!

"Well crap."

"You'll see… it'll be okay. Don't you worry…you…you heard the doctor…the survival rate is good…we'll get you through this…and it'll be better than last time...five years from now, we'll all be laughing… together…around a barbeque at the seaside…doesn't that sound nice? And…as soon as you get the all clear…we'll go on a nice holiday so you can recover…you've always wanted to see Hawaii…we can go there. A nice family trip, and I'll make your father leave his work at home…that way he'll join in."

He'd stopped listening ages ago, taking to simply looking out the window at the bustling life around him. This was all that had left his mother's lips since they'd left the hospital- and though he tried to retain some composure, her constant ramble of how everything would be fine…like this wasn't cancer…this was just a broken leg, was beginning to grate on his already shot nerves…

He wanted so desperately to swear and shout…wanted her to wake up to the reality of the situation, but how could he? She was more of a mess right now than he was- After all…she was there, they both knew the real odds here.

They both knew that in five years' time…or even three for that matter, there was a 50 percent chance he wouldn't be there…

No.

No that was the wrong frame of mind; dammit…this was his body…and he'd be damned if he let it win this time. Not now, not after everything he went through…he'd be fucked if he gave up now.

"I beat it the first time…and if the odds for survival that time were slimmer than they are this time…then it should be a piece of cake."

Turning her gaze towards him, a fresh stream of tears started to flow down Frigga's face as she placed a trembling hand on her youngest son's cheek; and though it pained him to admit, this was what Loki craved for; a single slither of proof that his mother knew the truth as the traffic lights before them gleamed red.

And who'd have thought something as simple as a set of traffic lights could mean so much to two people? But here it was, laid out before them…at the moment, they were on stop, but within the next ten seconds, they'd be getting ready…then as soon as the green light shone…they'd be off. And much like this road before them; his was going to be long with many a stop on the way…but they would only last so long, then before he'd know it he'd be off again…

After all…Loki was no quitter; even if it meant returning to the same hospital for an indefinite period of time…he'd do it if it meant beating this. The memories he left there, though painful, would be nothing compared to the guilt he'd feel if he left his mother…

Both of them were the family's black sheep…but so long as they had each other, it didn't matter…and that was why, he couldn't bear to leave her alone…he'd do anything to stay with her.

After that; the rest of their journey home remained in silence, minus the radio, and during this silence, Loki was finally, for the first time since the doctor had given his diagnosis, been able to think; he didn't remember much from the last time…it was a far more aggressive stage that left him either sleeping or being sick 90 percent of the time, and irritable the other 10…

And due to him feeling so agitated, he ended up saying some truly awful things to his mother; things that in his mind, nothing would warrant a substantial apology for…yet, all this wonderful, amazing, kind and loving woman did, was smile and hug him whenever he apologised…like a simple sorry could cover for the tears she'd shed…

So as they pulled into the driveway of their house, Loki reached out, and gently took his mother's hand in his own; his head slightly bowed as he thought of what he wanted to say to her…

"Loki…are you okay baby? If you're tired, I can have Thor help you in-"

"I…I love you. So please, no matter how moody I get during this…or whatever awful things I may say too you…I need you to know now that I love you more than anything- and nothing will change that…I…I can still remember what I said to you last time, and I can't bear to see that expression of pain on your face again…I never meant any of it- I just felt so angry, and I stupidly used you as a vent…I'm so sorry…"

By this point, a small stream of tears were already making their way down his face, but he paid no heed to them; this was his mother…he could always cry in front of her; she was his rock…his everything, and like all times before; she leaned over and wrapped him in her arms; a hand on the back of his head as the other rubbed soothing circles on his back- softly hushing him as he finally let everything from that day out.

And that was how Odin found them almost two hours later as he returned home from work…and as tender a moment as it should have been, he couldn't escape the feeling of someone dumping a bucket of freezing cold water on his head…

Annnnnd here is Chapter 2 x3 I do apologize, but halfway through this…I seemed to lose the "who the character is" vibe and I think they're both OOC in a lot of parts…though I do recall hearing that Loki has a very strong bond with Frigga…so hey…I'm not changing the end bit x3

And knowing a couple of people who have been diagnosed with cancer, I'm going with their reactions…since both of them have said that they were fine until they got home and started looking at things, then after realising that they may not be there to do that anymore/again they had a huge breakdown.

Oh and yes, both of them are still here and getting better =3 I'm incredibly proud of them both and love them more as friends every day that passes and they're still with me x3 (even if one of you is an online friend ;3 ) You're both so amazing and precious to me T.T My inspirations in life x3