Saving Family

Tony could hear the press going crazy behind the thick door. It made him wonder what Extremis was doing to his body. He knew he had to talk to Dr. Cho about this soon. Right now he was worried about the sharks behind the door. Well, not worried because he was Tony Stark but just already over it. The press was always his least favorite part about who he was. The problem was that he was part of the public arena from the second he was born. It made his bitter and jaded about public opinion but it also proved to be powerful when he needed it. The amount of sales one good interview (good meaning ratings not positive press) was alarming at times but sales meant jobs. Jobs meant food and shelter for his employees and Tony didn’t mind being an entertainment monkey for them. (Hell, that is how Stane had gotten him to do so many interviews when he was in his twenties. It was always for the good of SI workers.)

Tony glanced back at Vision. The other man was still very quiet. Not that he was every very verbose but Tony had managed to get him out of his shell lately. “Yo big red, what’s going on in your head?”

Vision jerked a little from the comment. “I feel at a lose to explain what is happening.”

Tony relaxed into the wheelchair and hiked up the blanket. It was a nondescript navy color. “Emotions are hard to talk about and describe. Sometimes we feel many things in conflict with each other.”

Vision seemed to be listening but not up to speaking yet.

“Let’s use Barnes for example. I’ve never felt the rage that I felt when I watched that video. Rage, horror, sadness and grief.“ Tony looked up to the man behind his chair. “Now I still feel those things but it tempered with pity and empathy.” Tony took a deep breath. He didn’t like to think about his time in Afghanistan but this was for Vision who was probably as close to a child that he would ever get. “I know what it’s like to do things you don’t want to because someone else makes you. I know I almost broke after three months and that was with someone supporting me the whole time. I was able to get away but Barnes wasn’t that lucky. Also, they needed me to be functional enough to create. If I was too injured or damaged to work, that was going to work against their goals. I’m guessing that Hydra had tons of assassins. Barnes being overly hurt or killed wouldn’t have bothered them in the least.”

Vision looked at the genius with wonder. “Are you sympathizing with Barnes?”

Shrugging, Tony answered. “Each life has a value. That’s why we fight to save everyone.” There was a beat. “Except maybe Hammer. He the world would be better off without.”

The door opened before Vision could reply. Pepper closed the door behind her. “Well, they are ready for you. They were prepped that you are still not one hundred percent and need to get rest soon. You are going to say a few words and then answer some questions. Will that be all, Mr. Stark?”

Tony grabbed Pepper’s hand to squeeze it. These were the times where Pepper really shined even though she hated them. Tony looked at this woman who was the best of everything. She was his end and be all. The problem was his need to pay for his sins and Pepper became part of that price. “That will be all, Ms. Potts.”

She smiled at their joke and opened the door for Tony and Vision. As they went through the door, Tony saw a lot of familiar faces in the press along with Clint, Happy, and Nat in the back of the room. He nodded when each of his friends saw him. It gave him a warm fuzzy feeling knowing they were there for him. Rhodey was coming to the tower soon. Dr. Cho had been with Rhodey when she had found out about what happened in Siberia so Dr. Cho had left the Coronel in the capable hand of her assistants. The regeneration of the spinal tissue had already occurred but there would be some therapy still. Tony knew his friend was too stubborn to let the injury keep him down.

Tony was wheeled to the shorter podium that really was a desk with a microphone added to it. They wanted to showcase his injures at the moment and this would be a great photo op. Tony leaned forward to grab the mic with his good hand and let the blanket fall off his shoulder a little. Vision put the wheelchair into park and covered him up again. Tony gave the Android a sleepy smile. Tony knew the press was eating this whole thing up with a shovel.

Finally, Tony turned to the circus and it was a circus. There were journalists from every major network in the US, quite a few from other countries (mostly those effected by the Avengers) and a few of the bigger internet networks. It was packed tighter than sardines in a tin box. Tony nodded to some of the familiar reporters before clearing his throat. “Hello everyone. I guess I should apologize for the short notice but it looks like everyone made it. Honestly, I am a little worked about how quickly you all came together. Maybe we should get some assemble notes from you guys for fights.” Tony grimaced as his joke fell flat. “Sorry, I am still medicated and I’m not up to my regular sprinkling wit. Though some of you might think that is an improvement. First, I want to talk about War Machine. Colonel Rhodes is on the mend due to the fabulous work of Dr. Cho and her team. Some of her recent break throughs with wound healing have been tested and incorparoated into equipment that Stark Enterprises has created. Though I am not happy about what happened, I think that the Colonel’s recovery shows my belief in this cutting edge technology because we all know that I wouldn’t allow anything but the best for Colonel Rhodes. In this light, the Stark Foundation will be donating equipment with this new tech to those harmed by Mr. Rogers and his associates as well as to Walter Reeds V.A. through thr Maria Stark Foundation.”

A reporter called out. “Is there a reason that you aren’t calling them the Avengers?”

Toy sighed and wiggled in his wheelchair. A comfortable wheelchair is going to be his next invention. “Now all questions are going to be answered at the end like Pepper said but just for clarity, the Avengers are legally only those people who signed the Accords including but not only me, Rhodey and Vision. There are others but we aren’t here about them.” Tony looked around the room as the reporter took notes.

“Okay since we are talking about the Maria Stark Foundation, there will be personal on the grounds in Budapest, Vienna and Berlin. As a group, Avengers try to minimize those who are harmed but we are not the only ones who are looking out for the public’s best interests. As such I am personally donating one hundred million dollars to help the officers who are injured and their families on top of the money that others have already donated. I was blown away by the amount of money that has already been donated by people around the world when I woke up. That feeling of togetherness and commonality with those injured is exactly the amazing values that I think the Avengers are around to protect. We are here to help the people of the world feel safe based on their wants and not our own. That’s what the Avengers under the Accords will be working toward. We will be the will of the many nations not just a weapon of one. We will lead by the peoples’ example but we are still human. We have autonomy so the Avengers have the ability as individuals and as a whole to say no to ay mission that we have moral issues with.” Tony glanced around the room. He had given press releases before about the Accords but now he had a captive audience. He knew the twenty four hour news stations had this live. This was the best way to get his message across.

“The Avengers are a powerful group and as such we need balance. We need to work with those forces on the ground. We need to be better and worthy of the praise we get. I think that the Accords can be that check.” There were a few blank faces who seemed to not understand exactly what he was saying. Tony knew he was rambling but his brain was firing so quickly as it always did and he did not know how to slow it down for everyone to be on the same page.

Vision stepped up to the other podium. “If I may, maybe an analogy can help.”

Tony nodded at the other man and relaxed into his chair.

“Take a doctor. They are able to heal people due to their education. They have to sign an agreement to due no harm and are in check by their license as well as the AMA in the United States. If there is a question about their practice, they are not only liable to be sued but they are also judged by heir peers to see if their treatment was truly to help their patients. Lawyers have a similar group keeping them in check. Many jobs such as nurses, engineers, and technologists need licenses to work and are keep track of to make sure they keep up with certain standards. The Accords and the UN panel will be just like any of these governing bodies.” Vision moved away from the podium and nodded to Tony.

Tony smiled brightly at the other man. Vision disliked being the center of attention and felt pride that his friend was able to put himself out there so confidently. “I really couldn’t have said it better myself.” Tony turned back to their audience.  “Clearly after hearing my babbling,” Tony took a deep breath in and tired to relax. This was going to be uncomfortable. “Lastly, my injuries. I know that everyone has watched what happened and I want to say that for once what the internet has posted about me is true. My parents were murdered by Winter Soldier who was working for Hydra. I found out and under extreme trauma attacked him. I’m not proud of it but that is what happened. Winter Soldier is also known as James ‘Bucky’ Barnes’ aka Captain America’s side kick. We can only assume that Hydra has had him since his fall off the train and has brainwashed him to be their perfect assassin. Even in the forties, Barnes was a great sharp shooter so it’s not unreasonable that they knew that and it was part of this charm.” Tony winced as he moved his arm as he squirmed. “Normally, I would love to give you more details but that is all I have about Barnes. Okay, so I have time for a few questions before my arm is going to need some of the good stuff.” Tony pointed to an internet reporter who made it to the front row. “You who elbowed his way to the front.”

The thirty year old man in a cheap suit and surprised look got up as he asked his question. “How long will the Avengers be out of operation since two of its major hitters are injured and half of the group are now terrorist in most countries?”

“The Avengers are still active. While I love the idea that little old me could make such a difference, there are other people who are enhanced who can step up in emergencies and some nonenhanced who are waitng for the next baddie to come. Rhodes whould be up for another fight in three months or less knowing how he hates being on the sidelines and I’ll be up and about in about two according to the good doctor.” Tony put on his biggest, flashiest smile. “I have always been ahead of the curve so we will see.” Pointing to a tall blonde with a mic with a Russian news network on it. Tony knew that they were still mad about what Rogers did by, in their words, invading their country. They were trying to figure out a way to blame the United States government for that action especially in the light that Tony had asked for permission when he flew into the country. “You, Ma’am.”

“Yes.” She said with a thick accent. “I am Lana Ivanov. We want to know will Captain America be allowed to invade any more countries in the name of the Avengers?”

Sighing, Tony tried to pull his injured arm to his head to run it through his hair forgetting about his cast. “Magically finger sticks.” Tony exclaimed as his body reminded him of his injuries. For a second, the room was quiet. Tony looked at the reporters’ dropped jaws. Who knew his not swearing would cause such a reaction. “Sorry, I have little monsters with big ears invading my house at the moment and getting hit on the back of the head with a concussion is not fun. You learn quickly not to say a ‘no no’  word mostly because little mouths are snitches. To answer your question Rogers was not acting on the behest of the Avengers anymore than Ultron did in Sokovia.”

The reporter had a follow up question. “So the U.S. is disavowing Captain America as a villain now?”

Tony shook his head. “No, I’m just saying as a member of the Avengers, Rogers was not acting like one of us. He was working from a place of fear for his friend and not in the best interest of anyone else.” Tony let the blanket fall off his shoulders as he massaged his shoulder. “There is a reason why I have asked for psychological clearance for every member of the Avengers. Rogers was taken out of the ice where he was in the middle of a war and pushed into a fight with aliens. Since then, he has had no help getting used to this new world that he is in. I’m not saying that forgives him but it shows that he is a man trying to hold onto the one part of the past he has left.” Tony let his hand fall away from his shoulder as he nodded to Christine Everhart. He liked the pieces she was posting even though at times they were harsher than he wanted. “Ms. Everhart, you get the honor of the last question.”

She stood, looking directly at Tony as if she was measuring him. “Mr. Stark, you have been the major patron for the Avengers since SHIELD fell. You not only gave them housing but food and clothing. Other than you and Colonel Rhodes, none of the other current Avengers have jobs. Not even at a fast food establishment or café and you and the Colonel are the only ones who not only have finished high school but college.”

Tony winced at the tone that the reporter was using even though it wasn’t towards him for once. “Your question?”

“Knowing all of that and adding Mr. Rogers using his ties to you to find your parents killer no to bring him to justice but to hide him,” She paused for a second as if even she was wondering if she was going a little too far, “Can you forgive him?”

Tony flinched at his relationship with the former leader of the Avengers being pushed into the light. “Honestly, I don’t know.”

Vision had wheeled Tony out of the door they had come from into the arms of a very eager toddler. Nate giggled as he grabbed onto Tony’s neck tightly. Tony turned his had and breathed in the sweet smell of a clean, happy baby. “Oh, little Barton. Just what I needed.” He said to Laura who patted Tony’s head.

“I know. Clint and I thought it would be a good way to reward you.” She teased Tony softly.

Before Tony could reply, a deep, friendly voice interrupted. “Who would have thought that was the answer? I’ve tried alcohol, food, clubs and toys but the answer was kids.”

Tony leaned around Laura to see Rhodey wheeling himself quickly towards them. “Platypus! They let you out early.”

Rhodey moved so he was next to Laura. “Actually, the treatment that Dr. Cho used on you cut down my swelling. It went down to almost nothing in a matter of a few hours. She still wants me to have some physical therapy for the next few weeks to let my body heal some kinks out but I should be back on my feet by the end of the month.” He turned to Laura.  “Knowing you, your family and Nat were here at the Tower for once, I knew I wanted to join the party as soon as possible”

Tony was excited to see his brother from another mother but he also knew there was no way of getting around a feeling conversation now since all the healthy adults would be trying to talk about what happened with Cap and Soldier. He wanted more time.

There was a knock on the door to the press room. They all looked at each other before Vision opened the door. Christine Everhart was standing there looking impeccable except those predator’s eyes she always had. “I’m sorry to interrupt but I was wondering if you had a comment about the stories I’ve been running on the Avengers.” She paused for a second. “I’m putting out a segment about you next and would love quote.” She had an air of innocence around her that if one didn’t know who she was probably would work too back Tony had gone up against her too many times.

Laura muttered under her breathe. “I’m sure you would.” It was loud enough for Tony to hear and cause Rhodey to snort.

Tony wheeled himself closer to the reporter.  “How about I do one better If you can get it done by tomorrow at seven pm, I’m willing to do a live interview here.”

Christine looked shocked for a microsecond but quickly recovered. “I could have it ready by tonight if you wanted.” She was clearly trying to wiggle out why he chose tomorrow.

Vision spoke up before Tony could make a dry retort back at Christine. “Mr. Stark needs to get some rest. He is already pushing the schedule Dr. Cho gave him. If you will excuse us, we will be taking Mr. Stark back to his room. Good day, Ms. Everhart.” Vision said as he took control of Tony’s wheelchair and pushed him down the hall.

Tony tried to suppress his smile as he was taken away from the brunette. “You know I just like calling her the dragon lady. She won’t really turn into a dragon.”

“I understand that but I also believe that Ms. Potts will not be happy about your interview tomorrow.”

Nate had his hand flung out to both sides with Tony hold him. The toddler loved zooming backward giggling. Tony was sure that some of Clint’s daredevil ways were past to the mini thrill seeker. “I was going to get an interview with someone soon. Why not her?”

“Tony,” Rhodey said as he caught up with the trio. “There are other reporters.”

“Yes, but everyone know that she is going a series on the Avenegers and she won’t go easy on me. If I go with a reporter who loves me, it’ll just turn into a puff piece. What I did out there was just the beginning. You know that they won’t stop until they bleed this story dry and Christine is the shark with the most teeth and the sharpest nose. By taking on the biggest, we might lessen the damage by taking on bite rather than a pack coming at us.”

There was a beat before Jarvis spoke. “Actually sir, most sharks and piranhas do not attack humans.”

Tony turned Nate around on his lap as they reached his room. “So reporters are worse than sharks. Now actually the oceans feel safer.”

Pepper entered the room looking down at her phone. “The conference went well. The stock had gone up and you are trending positively on twitter.” She looked and rushed to Rhodey. As she pulled him into a hug, she smiled brightly. “It’s good to see you getting around.”

Rhodes hugged her back tightly. They had been friends for years and mostly had to deal with Tony’s crazy life. Rhodey and Pepper realized how important they were to each other while Rhodey went through his first few days at the hospital. They knew that it wasn’t only Tony that they cared about.

Tony cleared his throat. “Um, never do that again. It was like seeing your parents have sex.” He waited for a beat. “Actually, it’s like your ex and your brother. Still vomit inducing but without the Electra complex.”

Pepper got an evil look on her face. She sat on Rhodey’s lap much to the chagrin of Tony. The darker man laughed and pulled Pepper closer. “Actually Tony, Pepper and I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

Tony covered Nates ears and started shouting Lalala at the top of his lungs. Nate started to grab Tony’s hands and pull them down to clap with his. He also started to babble loudly seeming to sing with Tony. Tony smiled widely as he stopped to listen to the little man.

Vision pushed Tony’s chair next to the bed and helped him as Pepper took Nate for a few seconds away from his favorite cuddle buddy. The toddler was not amused. Tony laughed after Vision tucked him in and then handed him Nate. Pepper rolled her eyes as Tony babbled at the baby. “Most people can’t tell when you are talking tech and now he’s introducing you to baby lingo. I’m sure that will pop up during an interview.”

Tony winced slightly. “Yeah, about an interview… I have one set up for tomorrow night with Everhart.”

Pepper looked down at her phone and seemed to see a confirmation of Tony’s statement. “Of course you do. You didn’t think to run this by me first.”

Tony rolled his eyes at the statement. “Pep, I’m not a child. I am able to get through an interview without embarrassing myself.”

Pepper shook her head. “It’s not the embarrassment that I’m worried about.” She sat down next to Tony. “You are still recovering. I know you now have Extremis in you as well but that doesn’t mean that you don’t need time to heal. Hell, you haven’t talked to your therapist or worked with BARF since you got back. I don’t want you to push yourself too quickly and end up hurting yourself.”

Rhodey chimed in. “None of us do and Everhart is hard to deal with when you are at your best.”

Tony was about to reply when Nat, Clint, Coulson and Laura walked into the room. After a beat, Clint spoke. “So any reason why we are so depressed other than the obvious?”

“Tony is doing an interview with Everhart tomorrow night.” Pepper replied.

Rhodey continued. “The best part is it's going to be live.”

Clint looked at his friend who seemed to be getting annoyed at everyone in the room. Clint felt the same way as Pepper and Rhodey and wanted Tony to lay off the stress for a while but he knew Tony wouldn’t appreciate the coddling. “So, you were telling him how this chick has nothing on Iron Man right?” He looked around the room. “I mean Tony’s going to be in the room but I see a soldier, a CEO, a SHEILD director, an AI merged man, a spy, a retired agent and a soon to be retired marksman not to mention the cutest baby in world all behind him. He’s not only going to hit this out of the park, it going to go out of the galaxy.”

Nat nodded. “She is probably going to ask questions about what I sent her. I can go over information she still has with you.”

“It would be a strong statement after the press conference especially since the census is on Tony’s side right now. We should use that momentum.” Coulson said as he sat on the bed. “I’ll get Daisy hack into her computer and see if there will be any surprises.”

Rhodey looked at Tony for a second and saw the surprise on his friends face as half of the room was trying to help Tony with his last crazy idea. “If there was anyone who could pull this off, it would be you Tones.”

Tony smiled widely as his oldest friend. “Thanks.”

Laura folded her arms over her chest and tried to look stern though her eyes were smiling. “Yes, we all know that Tony will do amazing tomorrow but today and especially right now, he needs to get some rest so everyone who is not his napping buddy out of the room.” She caught her husband walking towards the bed. “That was not an invite to take a nap Clint. I want you to scope out rooms for the interview.”

Clint leered at his wife. “I love it when you take control.”

She smiled back. “I know you do.”

“Okay, that is too much information. You two get a room and not this one. Me and my buddy Nat have some serious napping to do.” Tony said as he grabbed the medication that he had at his bedside. It was pretty strong but Extremis seemed to metabolize it quickly. He only had a small window where he would be able to get some good rest before the nightmares start. “Everyone out.”

Pepper stayed after everyone left. “You know I believe in you, right?”

“I know, Pep, and I know I scare you the most when I’m hurt.” Tony said as he grabbed her hand to give it a quick squeeze.

There were tears that would never fall welling in her eyes. “Give me just one year where something crazy doesn’t happen to you.”

Sadness thick in his voice, Tony replied. “I wish I could… I would give you the world if I could.”

Pepper leaned over a kissed Tony’s forehead. “And all I want is you to be safe.” Pepper brush a hand through his hair. “No matter what happens remember that I love you.”

Tony yawned. “Only if you do the same.”

Pepper watched Tony as he fell asleep wondering that if some crazy world they could have make it work. Yes, she loved him but even with Extremis, she was just not strong enough for the man in the bed. Most days she was just happy that he was still in her life but some days she missed the days when they were more