Innocent eyes

Tony can still vividly remember that night when the reality came crashing in his life. For months after Peter's death, he was stuck in a limbo of nightmares, hallucination and denial. Until that one faithful night when it suddenly sunk in--that Peter was truly gone.

It wasn't something dramatic--it was his birthday and Rhodey and Happy didn't let him be alone for the celebration. The two had thrown a party at his Malibu home--complete with banners, balloons and food. To be honest, Tony felt like it was a waste since it was only the three of them plus Mrs. Roberta who showed up that night.

They were having a dinner--Rhodey's mother has bought him a chocolate cake with candles and it was the center of the attention. There were also other food such as spaghetti, turkey, steak and mashed potatoes... fruits and all that stuff. The only thing missing was a bottle of bourbon, whisky, wine--anything alcoholic, really.

So he was sober as ever.

And in his sobriety, he found the reality.

After the happy birthday song--reality smacked Tony square in the face.

It reminded him that he still got a chance in life--to eat and drink, to work and invent, to straighten things and to live. A chance that his little child has missed on--Peter will never get to eat or drink, to play or run all day, his kid will never graduate high school or college. Peter was gone and there was no other chance.

That moment... Tony realized that even though his world has stopped ever since Peter went missing, the world outside his continued on. It turned and it turned, it orbits and continues--never missing a beat.

And though it was painful--it was reality... his reality.

So he asked, after that happy birthday song, "Peter's really gone?" 

The smile from his three guests slowly disappeared and it was Rhodey who answers, bowing his head and nodding, "I'm sorry man," he whispers, "Pete's gone."

Tony knew that, of course. Even though he drank half of his weight in alcohol, even though he was under the haze of his antidepressants, even though he was high on drugs... he knew.

He knew Peter was dead.

He was there at the funeral that Rhodey had asked him to go to. There was a white closed casket, a paper bag full of Peter's salvaged belongings from the airplane...

There was a picture right there--just above the casket.

But at that time, at the back of his head, he wasn't ready to accept--he refuses to accept it.

He lived in hell for the past months. There were lows and a still, a nightmares and hallucinations, there was falsity and the truth... there was Peter and then he was gone.

Tony had known Peter died the moment he received the news but somehow, his mind tricked him that Peter wasn't... dead. Well, probably, the over simplification of what happened was that Tony made his own self believe that Peter wasn't dead--that there's some sort of miracle that will happen. Tony refused to see the truth--from the things found in the crash site, from the body that Rhodey had identified and from the body that they buried.

It was grief that was blinding Tony to see.

And that night, Tony finally saw... accepted and surrendered to that grief and finally let himself grieve.

That night, Tony finally surrenders to his love as it perseveres the loss of his child.

"Peter Parker?" The name was enough to ring something in Tony's mind. "Are you playing with me right now, FRI?" he asks, "Because this isn't funny." he flat out says, the smile on his face disappearing. "You cannot put those two names together--not under my watch."

"It is not in my coding to play with you, boss--or anyone for that matter." the AI answers back, diligently as ever. "Spider-man seems to be Peter Benjamin Parker, fourteen years of age and a native here in New York." FRIDAY finishes as she projects Peter's high school ID photo on the screen.

Tony chokes as he came face to face to the kid that he was just following moments ago.

Brown, curly hair greeted him... and those eyes--innocent brown eyes.

"Peter..." Tony mouths, his heart beating fast in his chest.

He knows that it's absurd and he knows that his eyes are probably tricking him right now but he knows too--even after so many years... he knows his son's eyes.

That youthful smile... his brown hair... those doe like eyes. That's his son right there.

"That's--that's my kid..." Tony stutters, not knowing how to react as his heart constricts, his breath in staccato. And without missing a single second he says, "Get my s-suit. Get my suit ready, F-FRI." the man stammers, "I need it now!"

"Suit access denied," FRIDAY answers back, "You are experiencing an anxiety attack." the AI announces. "You are not allowed to take the suit under such circumstances."

Not that Tony doesn't know yet but yes, he was clearly experiencing an anxiety attack or a panic one--he doesn't really know but what he does know is that destiny is probably pulling at his leg right now.

"Calling Honeybear..." FRIDAY added.

"No--" Tony stuttered, "I don't need him here." the man mumbles, falling on the floor, "I'm--I'm fine, FRI. Turn--turn that off!"

The line beeps, FRIDAY completely ignoring Tony's commands.

"What do you want from me Tony?" Rhodey asks, his voice completely done with whatever Tony was calling him for. "You don't need to call me. I told you I'll be back at 6 and I'm almost there now."

Tony didn't answer--he didn't want to. He can't--not with his heart hammering so loud in his chest.

Rhodey frowns from the other side of the call, "Hello?"

"Boss is currently experiencing an anxiety attack. What course of action would you want me to carry out?"

"W-what?!" Rhodey asks, completely surprised. Tony hadn't had any anxiety attacks in a while so it was truly a shock. His friend was doing better and he's so happy for him because finally, his best friend was getting the peace that he deserved... but now, they're back at it again. "I'm already pulling on the driveway. Wait for me, Tones." the colonel says, "Stay on the phone FRI."

"I don't need you here!" Tony exclaims, "FRIDAY, get me a suit!"

"Suit access denied."

"FRIDAY!" Tony seethed.

The door to the workshop all but opened quietly. Rhodey barges in the room still in his uniform as he ran towards his best friend.

"Tony what happened?" he asks as soon as he arrived beside Tony.

"He's--my kid--he's out there, Rhodes--" Tony hyperventilates, "My kid is out there. I got to take him back."

"Kid?" Rhodey asks, confused.

"Peter--"

"Peter?" Rhodey's heart fell.

It has been a while since Tony had this kind of episode. There's a thin line of Tony's reality and his dreams and this usually happens when the man had a sip of bourbon or whiskey.

"Did you have a drink?" Rhodey asks as he tries to maneuver Tony into a more comfortable position.

"No. Peter--" Tony gasps, "Peter is out there, Rhodes."

"Tony, can you tell me five things you can see?" Rhodey asks, completely ignoring what his friend just said. Dr. Reynolds had trained him for this exact moment and he's been a professional for quiet some time now. Besides, it was him and Happy who had helped Tony through it all and best believed that he will also help his best friend right the fuck now.

"No, I'm not--I'm fine!" Tony shouts as he looks into his best friend's eyes helplessly, "I'm not crazy, Rhodey." he begs.

"I know you're not, Tones." he answers back, "But can you please tell me five things that you can see, okay? Then we'll talk."

"No, you don't understand!" Tony exclaims, "Peter is--"

"PETER IS DEAD, TONY!" Rhodey shouts. "Peter is dead, Tones. I'm sorry."

And just like that, Rhodey wonders if they're back at the day before Tony's birthday.

--

It was a calm night, nevertheless, Peter decided to go on patrol and take a swing in the neighborhood. For the kid, it was something non-negotiable--he wanted--no, he needed to make sure that he's able to cover every corners, every nook and cranny of Queens to make sure that no one was in danger.

And tonight wasn't any different. Peter was sitting on...--he doesn't even remember where, trying to answer one of his assignments in history. He was researching on his phone and writing down things on his notebook.

He knew that he should be at home, doing his assignments there, but he couldn't help but to worry for his neighborhood--so he manages. He tries his best to answer his assignments diligently while still on patrol.

"Good thing May's doing a double shift today so I can come back home any time I like," he mumbles as he stares at the cat in front of him. "How about you, you got some family to go home to? Or... like, you live here, alone?" he asks the cat.

The cat meows back as Peter smiles, "You hungry?" he asks as he fumbles into his bag, searching for the sandwich that he got from Delmar's. It was supposed to be his dinner but he still was a little bit full from all the food that he ate at Ned's house so he was saving it for when he's actually hungry.

The cat walks closer to him so he laid out the sandwich in front of the animal and torn it apart into little pieces.

"Here you go, little one. Mr. Delmar's got the most delicious sandwich in town so you're in for a treat!" the kid exclaims, smiling, "You know what, you probably need a name, right?" he asks, cocking his head, "Or do you already have o--"

"Hands up, lady! And don't do anything stupid!"

It was a male's voice and Peter could clearly feel the uncertainty and panic that was lacing on that voice.

When Peter got bitten by the spider at their field trip to Oscorp, he endured massive sensory overloads for a week. He spent most of those days passed out in his hospital room--because yes, he was in such a bad shape when his body adjusted from the radiation of the spider. And he can still vividly remember the first time he got his bearings back--he could literally hear all things all at once and it almost made him crazy--the constant beeping of the monitor from the other room, the inhale and exhale of the nurse just on the hallway, the loud drip drop of the saline that was attached to him and even the May's fast heart beat. It was too much for his overbearing senses but now that he has more control over his powers, he's able to tune in and out of his enhanced senses. And when he decided to take on the mantle as Queen's teenage superhero, he uses those senses in his advantage... just like now.

When he's out and about as Spider-man, he trained himself to listen to everyone--to make sure he hears the people who needs him. And he's pretty sure that the voice came from two, three blocks away from where he's at.

Peter quickly turns his head towards the sound, focusing on it. "Come on lady, do as I say! Or I'll blow your insides off!"

Brutal. Peter thought.

Peter turned away from the voice as he looks back at the cat and smiles, "I guess, You'll be having your dinner alone. I'll come back later okay? Guard my bag," he winks as he quickly straighten up his mask that was covering half of his face and leapt out of the roof.

"It's showtime," he mutters, quickly swinging towards the voice.

"Hands up and give me your fucking money! I will not repeat what I just said." the man shouts.

Peter arrived in record time and saw a woman against the wall of the alley while a man was obviously pointing his gun at the woman's side.

"I don't have time for this," the woman mumbles, rolling her eyes.

"What did you say?!" the man shouted, clearly agitated. "I said raise your fucking hands, lady!"

"Or what?" the woman asks.

Or what? Peter parrots in his head. If he wasn't wearing his mask right now, everyone would've seen how his jaw dropped at the woman's quip. This woman seriously needs a lesson about not mouthing off in this kind of situation. Peter thought.

"Or, or--"

"Is this your first rodeo?" the woman asks calmly.

That made Peter's brow raise because seriously, does this woman wants a bullet in her kidneys right now?

"Hey!" Peter shouted, getting both of the people's attentions, "If you need somebody to shoot at, shoot at me!" he exclaims.

"Who the fuck are you?!" the man clumsily points his gun towards Peter, his hands shaking.

"Seriously?" Peter asks, "You know, friendly neighborhood Spider-man? Dude, I've been trending on twitter since forever, how come you don't know me?"

"Get the fuck away from here or I'll fucking shoot!"

Peter chuckles at that, "Chill dude, we don't want any of that. That's just rude," he mutters. The kid now turns towards the woman and wait, this woman looks familiar. Peter thought. I feel like I've seen her somewhere... Peter clears his throat as he refocuses on the situation, "Are you okay, ma'am?" Peter asks as he turns towards the woman.

The woman rolls her eyes as she looks away, "You people are wasting my time,"

"We are?" Peter asks, dumbfounded.

And before he could process what the woman just said, all hell broke loose. He can't remember how or when the man got onto his back on the pavement or how and when the woman got the gun on her hands.

"Woah, dude!" Peter exclaims, surprised, "That was awesome!" he almost whispers in admiration.

"Scram," the woman says, pointing the gun at the man.

And before Peter could react, a single bullet fires on the pavement just spaces away from where the man was sprawled out.

What the f--

The man didn't need to be told twice as he ran clumsily, not even looking back. Peter watches the man as he ran, still dumbfounded at what just happened.

"You should leave too kid. The show's over." the woman says, tucking the gun into her hip as if it was hers.

"I uh--" Peter stutters, "What the f-heck just happened?" he asks, still surprised, "I was supposed to save you."

"Well, you didn't." the woman answers back as she takes off her black cap in an attempt to fix her hair, "I don't need saving," she finishes, finally looking directly at the teenage hero.

Peter's brows furrowed as he finally stares at the woman before her--and finally, the kid remembers where he had seen this lady from.

The television.

"NO WAY!" he exclaims, finally seeing the woman under the light of the street lamps. "You're... you're Black Widow."

"That's my name," the woman coolly says as she nods, completely composed as ever.

"What are you... what are you doing here?" Peter asks, "I mean, why were you being mugged or like... jumped, you know?" he asks, clumsily flailing his arms around, clearly not knowing how to act.

It is not everyday that you see your hero--Black Widow at that!

"I was not mugged, kid,"

"You clearly were," Peter argues, "And also, 'kid'?" Peter parrots, frowning under his mask. "I'm not a kid. I'm Spider-man, Ms. Black Widow, ma'am."

Natasha smiles at that as she nods at him, "You always out and about?" she asks, completely ignoring what Peter had just said.

"Uh, yeah," Peter answers back, scratching the back of his head. He doesn't even know why he was feeling embarrassed or shy--he just was. Because this is literally Black Widow--she's literally an Avenger! "You know, looking out for my neighborhood and all that stuff."

"You got heart, kid," Natasha praises, "But, this world is not yours to save." she mutters and if the silence isn't deafening, Peter would've heard his heart shattering in pieces, or probably his morale.

"Sorry?" he asks, completely surprised.

"This world will never treat you right--there's no point in saving it."

"But there kind of is," he argues, "I mean, you know, a point."

Natasha just nods at that, "Maybe," she mumbles as she started walking away, leaving the kid alone. But of course, Peter was stubborn so he follows the woman in a distance, "It's time to leave now, kid. I got tons of things to do tonight."

"I'm not a kid,"

The assassin rolls her eyes at that. "You are, you're eleven."

The heroine was on a simple assignment that she got from Fury. It was something about following a specific someone who has strong ties with the Accords and now, it seems like the simple assignment isn't so simple anymore since she got his target lost.

If it wasn't for that man she would've been back at the base right now.  And now, she got a duckling waddling behind her.

"Fifteen," the kid says absentmindedly.

Natasha grins at that.

It wasn't hard to break the kid's exterior--she knows that all she needs is time and she'll know who's behind the mask in no time. But she didn't want to--tonight was nothing but a coincidence and she wishes she never sees the kid again--not like this, not in a fight.

"I mean, twenty two," Peter corrects, "Or whatever age I am, it's not your business."

"You're right it's not." she says, "Just like how it's not your business to save me or anyone else for that matter."

"But I heard that you were in danger. I just can't ignore that."

"You should have."

Peter frowns further. The kid had always dreamt of meeting his heroes--he dreams of them praising him, even asking him to be one of them. But this? Getting discouraged from doing the very thing he knows that's right? Definitely not the dream come true that he was anticipating.

Meeting Black Widow is not in his agenda tonight and so is getting his heart and morale crushed by his own hero.

"Should I turn a blind eye from people who needs me?" Peter asks.

"You're too young to be saving people." the woman simply says, "Trust me kid, I know that burden." The only difference is, I was playing for the other side.

"It's not your call to make."

Natasha smiles at that, seemingly satisfied with the kid's response.

"Probably not," she mumbles as she walks, Peter finally stopped following her like a baby duck.

"Ms. Black Widow, ma'am?" he asks, "It was a pleasure... saving you, kind of."

"You didn't save me, kid." she answers back, "Save those words when you actually do."

--

"His name is Peter Benjamin Parker, born September 1st, 2001 at Forest Hills, Queens. Peter Parker is born to Thomas Parker and Anna Swift."

Rhodey gives a knowing look to Tony who was looking at everything but his eyes.

"The teenager is currently living in Forest Hills under the guardianship of his Aunt, Maybelle Parker."

"Aunt?" Rhodey asks.

"Peter Parker was left orphaned when his parents died in a car crash in Pennsylvania on the 17th of September 2006. The young Parker was left in the care of his aunt and uncle when it happened."

"Do you need Friday to keep going?"

Tony shakes his head as a lone tear fell from his eyes.

Rhodey sighs as he crouches in front of Tony, "You okay?" he asks, "Do I need to call Dr. Reynolds?" 

"No... I..." Tony breathes from under his chest as he finally looks at Rhodey's eyes, "Sorry Rhodes, I didn't know what I was thinking."

Rhodey nods as he bows his head. He couldn't blame his best friend--he knows that Tony had accepted Peter's death long ago but he also knows that deep down, Tony is still hoping that Peter is still out there...

And now...

Rhodey looks at the kid smiling back at them and he couldn't help but see what Tony had seen. The kid looked exactly like Peter--the brown curly hair, that mischievous and youthful smile... and those innocent doe like eyes. If not for the body that they had buried years ago, Rhodey would've been sold that this kid is really their Peter.

No. Rhodey thought.

He can't do that to his friend--he can't lead Tony to the thought of Peter being alive because they both know. Rhodey was even the one to identify Peter's body because he couldn't subject Tony to more suffering. He had seen Peter dead.

So he's sure. He's sure that that Peter is not theirs.

"No need to be sorry." Rhodey smiles tightly, "I get it. The kid..." he mumbles as he looks at Peter's picture again, "The kid does look like Pete." he says. 

"I... yeah," Tony says, "I don't know why I thought that... but I'm fine, promise."

"Yeah," Rhodey nods, "Don't worry, I won't tell Dr. Reynolds about this." he says, "But promise me that whatever happens, you call me, okay?" he asks, "I'll always come running."

Tony finally smiles at that as he nods.

"Are you okay now?"

Tony just nods at that as he shakily stands up, "FRI, take the picture away." he says as FRIDAY removes Peter's smiling face from the screen.

Rhodey hums as he finally take in everything that was on the workshop.

"So, the kid's Spider-man?" Rhodey asks as he eyes the red and blue spandex that was sprawled on the mechanic's table.

Tony nods, as he clumsily waves at the uniform, "Apparently," he says. "The kid's been trending on Twitter for the past months and I've seen some of his videos... that's why he fell under my radar."

"You on twitter now?" Rhodey jokes as he walks to the table and feels the fabric of the spandex, "Planning on recruiting him?"

"Not anymore," the billionaire shrugs, "Not after knowing that he's literally a kid." he says, "And well, you know the second reason."

Rhodey just nods at that, "And this?" he asks, "What will you do with this?"

"Probably mail it to the kid or whatnot." he says, "As much as I hate seeing a literal kid crime-fighting, I can't just continue watching him fighting without an armor on."

--

It was a very interesting week for Tony to say the least--with everything that's been going on with the Accords and well, about the Spiderling... Tony was left exhausted for the past few days. So now, the usual midnight work at his workshop has long been forgotten and the billionaire decided to call it at night at exactly 11:30 and resigned to his bed.

It has only been hours since he closed his eyes but now, it seems like FRIDAY was playing with him because he's hearing ACDC in his dreams tonight.

Tony groans as he buries himself into the covers, "Turn that off FRI, isn't it too early to be doing this?" he asks, "I only ask this for a number of times so please give me a break." he mumbles half asleep.

"Morning, boss. It is currently 4:06AM and I have an incoming alert from Austria."

And even in his sleepy state, Tony frowns at that, "Austria?" he asks.

"A bomb hidden in a news van ripped through the UN building in Vienna. More than 70 people have been injured, at least 12 are dead, including Wakanda's King T'Chaka. Officials have released a video of a suspect who they have identified as James Buchanan Barnes, the Winter Soldier--the infamous HYDRA agent linked to numerous acts of terrorism and political assassinations,"

The news was playing at the background as Tony paces back and forth in his bedroom.

"Have you contacted Nat yet?" Tony asks as he tries to phone Rhodey and the others but not even one was answering back.

"Yes boss but Ms. Romanoff has declined the call." FRIDAY answers back, "But she did left a message and reads, 'I'm fine Tony, not one of our people had been seriously injured but I guess this is your time to fly here. I got a situation with the prince of Wakanda. I don't know how this will play out. Need you and Rhodey here.'"

Tony grits his teeth at that as he tries to stave his migraine so early in the morning--so much for getting a good night's sleep.

"FRI, call Rhodey ASAP. We'll be leaving for Austria now." the man says as he quickly rush down the bathroom to start the day early.

"Romania was not Accords sanctioned." Tony says, as he breathes rather loudly as he finally sees the clowns who was responsible for his relentless migraine these days, "Colonel Rhodes is supervising cleanup." the billionaire was barely listening to the other side of the call as he eyes both Steve and Sam through the glass. "Consequences?" he asks, "You bet there'll be consequences. Obviously, you can quote me on that, because I just said it. Anything else?" Tony doesn't know who he's saying it to--the person on the call or to these two dummy's infront of him. "Thank you, sir," he finished as he finally approaches the two.

"Consequences?" Steve asks as he eyes Tony.

Tony almost rolled his eyes at that, "Secretary Ross wants you both prosecuted... had to give him something."

"I'm not getting that shield back, am I?"

And thank God for Natasha as she smiles sarcastically at Steve, "Technically, it's the government's property... Wings too."

"That's cold."

Tony smirks at that, "Warmer than jail." he quips.

Tony spent his small amount of time making phone calls, redirecting them to Natasha for her to answer and then some.

And now, he finally got to breathe a little easier as he looses his tie and walks towards Steve.

"Hey, you wanna see something cool?" he asks as Steve turns to look at him. "I pulled something from dad's archives... felt timely."

Steve sits in front of the table as Tony places a pen on the table. "FDR signed the Lend-Lease bill with these in 1941. Provided support to the Allies when they needed it most."

Steve cocks his head, eyeing the pen, "Some would say it brought our country closer to war."

Tony was tired and he's surely tired of Steve, "See?" he asks, almost rolling his eyes, "If not for these, you wouldn't be here." he mutters, "I'm trying to... What do you call it?" Tony asks nobody as he sits in front of the captain, "That's an olive branch. Is that what you call it?"

Steve ignores that as he eyes the perimeter, "Is Pepper here?" he asks, "I didn't see her."

Tony almost recoil at that. It was too soon, too fresh--he didn't want to talk about it but here they are.

"We're kinda... well, not kinda..."

"Pregnant?"

Tony almost chokes at that, "No, definitely not." he answers back almost immediately, "We're taking a break." he says fastly--too fast... like he's avoiding answering the question, which he is. "It's nobody's fault." but it is probably his, he thought.

Steve shakes his head at that, offering sympathy, "I'm so sorry, Tony. I didn't know."

"A few years ago, I almost lost her, so I trashed all my suits... then, we had to mop up HYDRA... and then Ultron. My fault," he says, breathing, "And then, and then, and then, I never stopped because the truth is I don't want to stop. I don't wanna lose her. I thought maybe the Accords could split the difference." Tony stands up, feeling vulnerable and he didn't want Steve to see, "In her defense, I'm a handful... yet, dad was pain in the ass, but he and mom always made it work."

"You know, I'm glad Howard got married." Steve smiles as Tony fixes his tie--in an attempt to look... less vulnerable, "I only knew him when he was young and single."

Tony internally groans, "Oh really?" he asks, "You two knew each other? He never mentioned that... maybe only a thousand times." sarcasm. "God, I hated you." he confesses.

"I don't mean to make things difficult."

The billionaire shrugs at that, "I know," he says, of course he did, "Because you're a very polite person."

"If I see a situation pointed south... I can't ignore it." Steve says, staring at Tony's eyes, wanting to take his point across, "Sometimes I wish I could."

"No you don't."

Steve smiles at that as he nods, "No, I don't." he says, "Sometimes..."

"Sometimes I wanna punch you in your perfect teeth." Tony almost smiles as he shrugs, "But I don't want to see you gone. We need you, Cap."

Steve just stares at Tony and Tony reciprocates, wanting to appeal to the super soldier.

"So far, nothing's happened that can't be undone, if you sign." he says, motioning to the pen, "We can make the last 24 hours legit. Barnes gets transferred to an American psych-center instead of Wakandan prison."

Finally, Steve takes one of the pen as he surveys it.

"I'm not saying it's impossible... but there would have to be safeguards."

"Sure," Tony quickly says, before Steve changes his mind, "Once we put out the PR fire, those documents can be amended. I'd file a motion to have you and Wanda reinstated..."

"Wanda?" Steve asks, frowning, "What about Wanda?"

"She's fine," Tony says, "She's confined to the compound, currently. Vision's keeping her company."

And that blows the popsicle stand.

"Oh, God, Tony," Steve whines, "Everytime I think you see things the right way..."

"It's a 100 acres with a lap pool. It's got a screening room... there's worse ways to protect people."

"Protection?" Steve scoffs, "Is that how you see this? This is protection?" the man asks, "It's internment, Tony."

"She's not a US citizen and they don't grant visas to weapons of mass destruction."

"Oh, come on, Tony!" Steve exclaims, "She's a kid--"

"Give me a break!" and there goes Tony's cool as he yells, "I'm doing what has to be done... to stave off something worse."

"You keep telling yourself that."

Well, everything has just gone into shit.

"Well, I don't suppose you know where they are."

Ross' voice seriously irks Tony's ears, looking away from the sore, Tony answers, "We will. GSG 9's got the borders covered. Recon's flying 24/7, they'll get a hit--we'll handle it."

"You don't get it Stark," Ross says, "It's not yours to handle. It's clear you can't be objective. I'm putting Special Ops on this."

That earned a frown from Natasha as she stares at the Secretary, "What happens when the shooting starts?" she asks, "What, do you kill Steve Rogers?"

"If we're provoked." Ross answers with finality, "Barnes would've been eliminated in Romania if it wasn't for Rogers." And Tony knew that it was the truth so he kept silent as he listens to the man, "There are dead people who would be alive now. Feel free to check my math."

"All due respect," Tony breathes, "You're not gonna solve this with boys and bullets, Ross." he says, "You gotta let us bring them in."

"How would that end any differently than last time?"

"Because this time  I won't be wearing loafers and a silk shirt." the billionaire says, "72 hours, guaranteed."

"36 hours." Ross says as he finally leaves.

"Thank you sir."

And when the secretary was out of sight, Tony exhales deeply as he clutches his chest, "My left arm is numb. Is that normal?" he asks as he eyes Natasha.

Nat smiles timidly as she places her hand on Tony's shoulder for comfort, "You all right?" she asks.

"Always," Tony shrugs. Silence permeates the two as they sat there, "36 hours, jeez," Tony sighs, breaking the ice.

"We're seriously understaffed," Natasha says as she looks in a distance, completely lost in her own thoughts.

"Oh yeah," the man agrees, "It'd be great if we had a Hulk right about now. Any shot?"

Natasha knows where Tony was going with this so she smiles, shrugging, "You really think he'd be on our side?"

"No," Tony chuckles as he sighs, "I have an idea," he mumbles as he looks at the woman.

"Me too. Where's yours?" she asks, smirking.

That earns a frown from the billionaire, "Downstairs?" he answers back, almost asking, "Where's yours?" he asks.

Natasha smiles.