Author's Note

It's been a while, forgive me. Work left me tired and full of procrastination, but fear not; I am now fully motivated to continue writing, however long it takes. Thank you for all your feedback and reviews, I hope the wait was worth an update, enjoy.

Chapter 5

The sound of loud footsteps clicking against tiled flooring woke Tony from his dazed slumber.

As he slowly awoke, groggy from his fitful sleep; it became clear that even the small task of waking he found to be pitifully exhausting. He frowned in confusion as his eyes opened sluggishly; he had to pries them open with some effort, it felt as if they were glued shut. Blinking wearily he focused on a blur of red that he saw out of the corner of his eye. It took a moment for his eyesight to adjust to the light and only then did he recognize the familiar figure of a red haired woman perched on a small plastic chair by his bedside.

'Good morning sleeping beauty,' Romanoff smiled teasingly.

Stark frowned at her words.

The philanthropist rarely slept longer than a few hours; to him sleep was a waste of precious time that could be spent doing things more worthwhile; like tinkering in the lab. Obviously what the billionaire had promised himself to be a short power nap had turned into more than a few long hours.

He cursed himself.

Damn he was slacking, judging by the stiffness in his limbs he had been out of it for quite some time; that or he was finally starting to feel like the aging man he was.

Stark snapped himself out of his thoughts and glanced around the room in confusion, what the hell was Romanoff doing in his room?

Surely Jarvis didn't let her in without his permission?

Speaking of Jarvis, the AI hadn't even greeted him when he awoke which was odd.

What the hell was going on?

He shifted in bed with the intention of sitting upright and rudely kicking the assassin out of his room when he was stopped by a bruising pain in his chest. He gritted his teeth at the throbbing sensation that came with each breath he took. He began to panic slightly at the thoughts that were running through his head.

Was the reactor failing? He'd only checked it last week, it couldn't possibly be malfunctioning.

Tony took another breath in an attempt to calm himself.

Calm down you idiot.

'Do you remember where you are?'

Stark could hear Widows voice but he couldn't summon the energy to answer.

He lifted a tired arm to rub an itch on his nose when his hand met something hard. His fingers pulled at something plastic sitting against his face. He pulled at it, squinting at the hissing object in his hand.

It was an oxygen mask.

The elastic tugged the mask back against his face and Stark lay still, breathing in the fresh air. It was only when he felt the cool air hissing against his face that he felt an ounce of recognition as he remembered where he was.

The Hospital.

The mechanic let out a loud groan of annoyance.

He had hoped it had been a bad dream.

'You've been out for two days you know,' Natasha commented, offhandedly.

He raised a brow in surprise.

Two days? Pretty impressive.

So that's why the mechanic felt like shit.

He glanced down at his clothes, wincing at the horrible thin gown he was now dressed in. What had happened to his favourite black shirt and loose fitting jeans? An image of a doctor cutting his clothes off with a pair of scissors entered his mind. Tony would have sighed if he could spare the breath, as if things weren't bad enough having his favourite shirt cut to pieces, Natasha of all people had to be the one sitting with him.

God he probably looked so embarrassingly helpless, lying there with an oxygen mask strapped to his face, wrapped in unfamiliar rough bed sheets that were chaffing against his skin uncomfortably; along with the ugly revealing paper thin gown Tony was pretty sure nothing could embarrass him more.

The whole situation seemed like some sort of bizarre nightmare.

There was no way things could possibly get any worse.

Tony slowly lifted an arm from beneath the bed sheets to scratch an itch by his elbow only to scowl when he realised it was wrapped securely by an inch of medical tape. He eyed the large needle imbedded into his skin with a glare before sighing in frustration and the bruise he noticed surrounding the area.

If he weren't feeling so drained he wouldn't hesitate to rip the offending object from his body, but right now he wasn't sure he would be able to without making himself bleed; he could feel his hands shaking unsteadily.

Apparently It seemed that things could definitely get worse, on top of everything else now he was a human pin cushion.

Unfortunately the sigh made his breath hitch uncomfortably in his lungs and he began coughing fitfully. His chest felt so heavy, it was like someone was straddling him tightly, and not in the sexy way that he would prefer.

'Relax Stark, take it easy;' Natasha stood to her feet; the billionaire could feel the assassins concerned gaze resting on him.

Take it easy?

He had to fight back the urge to laugh, she made it sound so simple.

'You're in the hospital; the doctors said your medication might make you forgetful.'

That explained the strange feeling of déjà vu he had.

He vaguely remembered the last time he woke, feeling anxious and confused, surrounded by strangers in masks and gowns. His memory was hazy; he couldn't remember much more than that.

Maybe it wasn't the medication; maybe he was losing his marbles.

After another minute of panting and gasping deeply into the mask, he had finally somewhat gained control of his breathing. His winced as he lay back against the pillows, panting with exhaustion.

He hadn't felt this bad since he got drunk and trashed the tower at his last birthday party.

Tony lay still for a moment as he caught his breath, closing his eyes he fought off the drowsiness plaguing him while he rested his limbs. When his eyes fluttered open a moment later, the clinking of metal caught his attention as a bowl of something was placed on the table beside him.

He pulled the oxygen mask from his face clumsily, panting slightly.

'What; is that?' he mumbled, pausing for a breath between words.

'Food,' the redhead answered, pushing the table a little closer. 'You should eat something, you look awful.'

Stark took one look at the lumpy pale looking oatmeal in front of him before turning his nose up in disgust. Whatever was in the bowl certainly didn't look edible, besides he wasn't even hungry; he felt his stomach turn just looking at it. Even if he was starving to death there was no way he was touching that stuff; ever.

It was quite degrading really, the billionaire could order anything he wanted from any restaurant in the world and instead he was stuck in a hospital bed staring at a bowl of tasteless oats.

Life could be so unfair.

Stark knew that hospital food was just the beginning of worse things to come; like more needles imbedded in places they shouldn't be. It was a shame really; if he hadn't spent so much time sleeping perhaps he could have crawled halfway home by now.

Pity.

Natasha rolled her eyes at the childish expression on his face.

'You need to eat,' the redhead picked up a spoon and held it out to him.

'What; are you doing here?' Tony probed, batting the spoon away from him with one hand, breathing heavily.

'Do I need a reason to be here Stark?' she asked, smiling with her arms folded.

'Your baby sitting me, aren't you?' he groaned, rolling his eyes.

'Maybe,' she placed the bowl back on the table and pushed it to one side before facing him again. '- or maybe I'm just concerned about you,'

Tony snorted at her words, causing him to start coughing again.

'F-funny,' he rasped, wincing at the tightness around the arc reactor. He eyed some empty plastic drinks cups next to the chair Natasha had been seated in; it looked like she had been watching him for a while.

'De-defiantly babysitting,' he wheezed.

Natasha reached out for the water pitcher on the table and handed him a glass, he took it with a shaky hand, eyeing the water in suspicion; the assassin rolled her eyes.

'Just drink it Stark, if I wanted to kill you I would have done it more creatively,' she smiled playfully.

Despite her smile Tony didn't doubt it, when the pair had first crossed paths he had been a complete asshole, the assassin had probably thought of as least 20 different ways to kill him since they first met. Hopefully after the battle in New York he had redeemed himself just enough to not get murdered in his sleep.

The mechanic took a small sip of stale water before screwing up his face in distaste.

'I w-want coffee,' he whined, panting slightly.

'Sorry, Coffee's off the menu,' she smiled, 'Doctors orders.'

'Get some sleep Tony, doctors orders.'

De ja vu again.

Speaking of Doctors that reminded him, where was Bruce?

The last thing he remembered was the scientist hovering above him in a white lab coat, fussing over the many tubes and wires attached to his body.

'Where's Bruce?' he rasped, finishing the glass of water threw the empty polystyrene cup on the table weakly before attempting to sit up. He could feel his back aching with stiffness; he needed to move before his limbs seized up completely.

It took every ounce of energy left in his body to push himself upright, when he did his gown slipped down his chest, revealing the top of the arc reactor. He pulled the fabric back up hastily to cover its glow. He ignored Widow's eyes on him as he did so, the light was still visible through the thin material but he felt a little better for covering it, he hated the reactor being on show, especially around anyone other than Pepper.

It almost made him feel naked.

'He's in the canteen if he knows what's good for him.'

Stark looked at her in bewilderment.

'I kicked him out, told him to get some food and rest; he hasn't left since you were brought in you know.'

Before he could say anything Natasha was on her feet and by the door.

'I'll be right back, don't go anywhere,' she joked, leaving Stark in his own company.

Don't go anywhere.

'Hilarious,' he muttered to himself.

Now he was alone Tony took a moment to look around the small room he was cooped up in.

No, not cooped in, more like imprisoned.

The room was unsurprisingly bare, there was a sink in corner and some cheap looking curtains around his bed, the room was plain but functional, he wouldn't expect anything more from a shield facility. Out of everything the locked door was what drew his attention. From what he could see there was an electronic lock on the outside, only someone with a security card could get in. Oh the perks of being at the top of the social ladder.

He eyed the inside of the door panel carefully, smiling when he noticed a simple door handle. You only needed a card to get in, not to get out.

Now that Romanoff was finally gone, now was as good time as any to bust himself out of this joint. He shuddered at the feeling of his bare legs against the mattress, he wasn't going anywhere without his clothes. He frowned and glanced around the room in search of his jeans and destroyed t-shirt, they couldn't be too far away right?

Unfortunately he'd barley swung his legs over the side of the bed before he heard the door click open.

God damn it.

'Don't even think about.'

He'd heard those words before.

Suddenly Bruce appeared in front of him, glaring in disapproval.

'This isn't w-what it looks like,' he wheezed, trying not to look like a dear caught in the headlights.

Bruce eyed him with amusement.

'Oh really, you mean you aren't trying to leave?'

'J-just ugh, stretching my legs you know?' he coughed lightly, waving his hand in dismissal when he saw Bruce watching him with concern.

'Nothing like a, r-run to start the day right?' he coughed again, this time giving in to pride and reaching for the oxygen mask he'd dumped on the bed behind him.

'You, are not running anywhere for quite some time,' Bruce sighed, pushing Tony gently by the shoulder until he was lying back down.

The pair were both silent for a moment, the only sound that could be heard was the hissing of an oxygen canister and the horrible wheezing of the billionaire trying to catch his breath, the doctor winced at the noise.

He sounded like a fish out of water.

'How are you feeling?' he asked, eyeing the man's pale complexion.

Stark rolled his eyes dramatically when he caught him staring.

'Don't pretend you care,' he smiled, breathing deeply; 'you didn't even bring me flowers you a-asshole' he teased, coughing.

'You're right, sorry; I didn't get you flowers,'

Banner shrugged, smiling slyly before reaching a hand into his jacket pocket.

'But, I got you something much better,' the scientist pulled something small from his pocket, and Tony almost cried with joy when he saw the device sitting in the palm of his hand.

To anyone one else it appeared to be a normal ear piece, but Tony knew better. It wasn't just any wireless ear piece; it was the one he built specially to connect with Jarvis.

'Banner, I could kiss you right now,' he wheezed, fingers twitching eagerly.

'I'd rather you didn't,' Banner rolled his eyes before taking on an edge of seriousness.

'I'm pretty sure your heart can't handle anything too strenuous right now, I'm not even sure I should be giving you this.'

'Gimmie!'

'Are you going to behave?'

Stark squinted at Banner like a petulant child.

'C'mon Bruce,' Tony wheezed, whining. Seeing his tech in the other man's hand was like waving a carrot in front of a donkey's nose.

'Have mercy.'

'If I even see one of your toes move from that bed, you're in trouble,' he warned, before dropping the tech into Stark's.

As soon as it landed in the palm of his hand, he hooked it over his ear lobe and flicked the switch, breathing a sigh of relief when the familiar voice of his AI greeted him.

'Good morning sir.'

'J, buddy; it is so good to h-hear your voice,' he grinned, speaking hoarsely.

'And you sir, as always.'

'Fill me in J, how are the kids?'

'I must warn you Sir, Dummy has become rather rebellious during your absence, I'm afraid he has decided to redecorate the guest lounge.'

'Probably better if I don't ask,' he rasped.

'Indeed sir.'

Tony hissed as Banner fiddled with the tape around his arm.

'I have not yet been able to successfully contact Miss Potts about your hospital admission, though I will keep trying.'

's'not a bad thing,' he muttered, he couldn't imagine how Pepper would react to him being sick. Juggling a big work load along with the press conference in Japan, worrying about him being was the last thing she needed right now.

He attention altered from the AI and back to Bruce when he noticed he stopped fiddling.

The billionaire interrupted Bruce's intense gazing at one of the monitors behind him.

'Give it to me straight doc,' he croaked, 'will I live?'

He expected to be met with the usual shake of the head and a small smile, but Bruce's expression remained stern.

'That's not funny Tony,'

Before he could come up with an answer Stark's breath caught in his throat as he was plagued with another shaking cough.

Just as his eyes stopped watering he was met with Bruce's worried gaze again.

'Why didn't you tell me you were feeling sick?'

'I feel like shit all the time, didn't really notice,' he answered honestly, coughing into the crook of his arm.

It wasn't a lie.

Having an arc rector sitting permanently in your chest was definitely not one of the most comfortable feelings in the world. The muscles around the metal always ached and throbbed, leaving the billionaire feeling permanently grouchy and sluggish, after all the years he'd had the damn thing he still couldn't differentiate sickness from the normal aches and pains.

Bruce let out a sigh, pulling his glasses from his face he pocketed them before pulling up a chair next to Tony's bed.

'We're still running a few more tests but we're pretty sure you have the early stages of bronchitis,' Bruce slouched in his chair 'but you probably already guessed that.'

The scientist stilled for a moment, he eyes lingered on the arc reactor for a moment before turning back to his friend.

'Hopefully we've caught it early enough to treat, but with the arc reactor; and your weakened immune system…'

Bruce paused, choosing his words carefully.

'There's a high chance it could develop into pneumonia.'

Tony didn't speak, his expression remained vacant and he continued wheezing.

'Tony I know how important the reactor is, but if you catch pneumonia-'

'It'll kill me right?' he finished Bruce's words.

He glanced at the scientist as he nodded in conformation.

'It wouldn't be the first time this things tried to take me down,' his breath hitched as he gestured coolly towards the beam of light radiating from his chest.

'Tony, this is serious.'

'The thing that's-,' the billionaire paused to wheeze, 'k-keeping me alive, s'tryin to finish me off?' he smiled bitterly, 'just my luck huh?'

Bruce rubbed the bridge of his nose tiredly, deep in thought.

'Have you ever considered surgery to remove the shrapnel?' he asked tentatively, though he suspected he already knew the answer.

'Not gonna happen,' Tony rasped.

'Tony I know the risk of removing it is huge, but if we remove the reactor, it'll take all the strain off your heart and your lungs.'

'Not gonna happen B-bruce.'

Tony was too tired to argue with his lab partner, if he was in peak condition he would have rambled on and on until Bruce gave in and left the room, instead he was forced to lay there and take in his words. He knew he was in denial, for years he'd known that removing the shrapnel and the reactor would be the only way he was guaranteed to live a long life, but somehow he couldn't bring himself to care.

After the terror of Afganistan and New York, he just wanted a break.

Some peace and quiet.

Maybe this was finally his chance to get it, to leave behind the stress and disappointment his footprint had left on the world and just drift away.

No more wars, no more nightmares; just bliss.

Bruce stood to his feet; Tony could see his fists shaking by his sides with repressed emotion.

'Tony you can't, that- that's suicide!'

There was a short paused before Tony pulled the oxygen mask from his face, looking Bruce straight in the eyes.

'So is taking it out,' he slurred.

'Tony what would Pepper say if she heard you like this?'

'Don't try and guilt trip me,' the mechanic hissed angrily, chest rattling painfully with every word he spoke. He was vaguely aware of the heart monitor to his left spiking briefly before settling down as he calmed his breaths.

'You should get some rest.'

Gone was the anger is Bruce's eye's, now they were filled with gloom and dejection. He turned away from the bed and bee lined for the doorway.

If Tony wasn't so exhausted he probably would have tried to stop him, he stared up at the ceiling drowsily, willing for the drugs and painkillers to send him back into a drowsy sleep.

Banner paused in the doorway, looking back at the billionaire over his shoulder; concern etched onto his face.

'You know I'm not going to let you give up like this.'

He didn't wait for a reply before he closed the door behind him.