Chapter 14
Third Person’s POV-
After everyone had finally calmed down a bit they all went their separate ways Tony went down to the lab while Bruce had gone to his floor to try and relax or as everyone called it try to not go green.
He couldn’t get the look on Hayley’s face out of his head. She was terrified.
“Jarvis play the video again.” Tony said.
“Sir that may not be the best…” Jarvis started.
“Play it!” Tony demanded and the video started again. He watched that video over and over again trying to see if there was anything he missed the first time. Then he started going over her medical records. There was nothing besides her recent admission to the hospital. No family history on file. Nothing,
Before he knew it, it was morning and he was wide-awake. He had stayed awake the while night. He went up to his pent house and showered and got dressed before going out.
He drove to get some coffee and some flowers. He noticed Hayley’s hospital room was dull and depressing, it needed something to brighten it up.
He got there just as visiting hours were beginning. He knocked on the door.
“Come in.” He heard Hayley answer.
Hayley’s POV-
“Morning sunshine.” Tony greeted with a smirk.
“Uh fuck off, how are you so functional this early in the morning.” Will answered.
“Coffee?” Tony offered.
“You’re a god.” Will said.
“Don’t stroke his ego, it gets any bigger we’ll choke in here.” I said. “Aren’t you supposed to be in Malibu?”
“Aren’t you supposed to visit your doctor when a weird pain doesn’t go away after a while?” Tony retorted.
“I thought it was cramps.” I said.
“Sharp pain in your right side?” Tony said.
“Have either of you ever had cramps? Sometimes it’s hard to tell where exactly they’re at when they’re at their peak. You guys don’t understand what it’s like to have a uterus.” Hayley said.
“From now on, you feel pain you go see a doctor.” Will said.
“I pay for both of your insurances use it.” Tony said.
“We know Pepper called and yelled, then sent flowers to apologize for yelling.” I said looking over at the flowers Pepper had sent.
“I’ll just put these over here.” Tony said putting the flowers he brought next to the other flower arrangement.
“Will, Tony’s here why don’t you go home, shower, take a nap and maybe go grab a bite to eat.” I offered. He was in a horrible mood and who could blame him. Someone walked in every hour throughout the night to take my vitals, draw some blood and when that wasn’t it my IV started beeping. To say neither of us got any sleep would not be an exaggeration.
“Are you sure?” He said standing up and grabbing his coat and scarf. “I mean I can totally just go downstairs but if you insist I’ll be back later.” He said walking out the door.”
“You really had to beg him for it.” Tony said sarcastically.
“You look like shit.” I said. There were dark circles under his eyes and he was visibly tense. He hadn’t just pulled on all nighter this was a lot more than that. If I had to guess he was going on at least seventy two hours without sleep.
“It’s a little hard to get sleep when you’re on the other side of the country and one of your best friends collapses and lands in the hospital. You scared the crap out of me Hayley.” Tony said.
“That’s not it.” I said. “There’s something you’re not saying.” Tony has a tell. Whenever he deflects he rubs the side of his neck. It took me a while to notice it but after months of working with him almost constantly I learned to pick up the cues. In a meeting when he was uncomfortable because a client started talking Arabic or when a kid recognized him on the streets and asked him about what was on the other side of the portal during the invasion.
“That is everything.” Tony said. I gave him a look but didn’t say anything. I knew just what to do to get him to talk.
“Okay.” I said grabbing the remote and turning on Real News with Christine Everhart.
“In other news the Devil of Hells Kitchen has stuck again…”
“I keep having this dream…” Tony said, not even two minutes, I’m getting good at this. “It starts off with me flying through the portal the nuke flies up and the Chitauri ship blows up and then I start falling. I can’t breathe and then everything changes, I’m in this cemetery and feel this pain in my side. Then I fall into an empty grave and there’s someone standing over me I don’t see their face, I just feel… scared.”
I get the chill at that last part. It sounded just like the dream I’ve had almost every night for years.
“How long has this been going on for?” I asked.
“Since after the invasion.” Tony said.
“Anything else?” I asked.
He stared into my eyes and I could see that he was definitely not okay. I reached over and took his hand and gave him a reassuring squeeze.
“I can’t sleep so I tinker and I’ve kind of made almost forty suits give or take…”
“House Party Protocol? Whoa.” I said getting worried.
“The only thing I could think of when I’m working was how close it was all to ending and how I need to make sure that of something like that happens that you and everyone I care about are safe and I just can’t sleep.” Tony said.
“Come on.” I said scooting over with a groan.
“You’re not supposed to move.” Tony said.
“Please I need to move. Helps prevent blood clots. Come on.” I said patting the spot next to me.
“Isn’t this against the whole boss employee conduct code?” Tony said.
“I’m off the clock and you’re here as a friend not my boss. Hop on.” I said. He rolled his eyes while grinning but hopped on. He put an arm around my shoulders and I rested my head on his shoulder.
“Please tell me there’s something else on?” Tony said.
“Yeah I’m sure we can find something.” I said flipping through the channels until we landed on reruns of Doctor Who.
“This is a classic.” Tony said.
“Yeah,” I said and we watched a few episodes before I knew it I was out.
Third Person’s POV-
Will took a short nap and showered before returning to the hospital. He stopped by some for some food before heading back. He grabbed his guest pass before heading up to Hayley’s room.
He knocked on the door but didn’t get an answer. He opened the door and peeked in.
Both Hayley and Tony were knocked out. Tony had his arm around her and held her while she was resting her head on his shoulder and had an arm around his waist. Will couldn’t help but smile. Hayley was so damn oblivious when she was awake but asleep she definitely had feelings and they were a lot more than platonic.
He took his phone out and snapped a quick picture before sending one to Tony and another one to Natasha. Then he got another text from Nate saying he was on his way up. He couldn’t leave them like that. Even if they weren’t technically cheating it would still be hard to explain. He took the door and slammed it as hard as he could. Hayley didn’t wake up but Tony did. He looked panicked.
“Wha…” He said looking at Will.
“Nate’s on his way up.” Will said.
“Oh.” Tony said looking disappointed. “I should probably…”
“Might be a good idea.” He said.
Tony slowly moved Hayley’s arm off of him and slipped out of her grasp. He got off the bed and sat in a chair.
A few minutes later Nate walked in.
“Hey.” He greeted.
“Hey,” Will and Tony greeted.
“Didn’t know you were here?” Nate told Tony.
“Yeah, I have to leave pretty soon and I wanted to make sure Hayley understood that she had the next few weeks off and that next time if she’s feeling off she better go to a doctor.” Tony said.
“You’re a really good boss.” Nate said.
“She’s a really good friend.” Tony said. “I should get going, if anything changes or you need anything you have my number.” Tony told Will.
“Thanks Tony.” Will said.
“Thank you” Nate said.
He gave them a nod before leaving. He was so screwed.
Hayley’s POV- Two Days Later-
“Ma’am it’s hospital Policy.” The nurse said.
“But I feel fine, I’ve been in bed for days, I let you guys give me a sponge bath can I just please walk out of here.” I said. I was dressed in a black tank top and black leggings topped with a white knit cardigan.
“Hayley the quicker you get in this chair the quicker we can go home.” Will said.
“Uh, fine but we better stop by for tacos on our way home, I miss solid food.” I said.
“You’re supposed to be taking it easy.” Will said.
“I am, tacos are comfort food for me. Comfort equals relaxation.” I said.
“Come on where’s our car?” I asked.
“Over here.” Tony said.
“Tony?” I asked.
“I’m on my way to the airport I promise just want to make sure you get home you can lojack me to make sure I get on that plane.” He said.
“Thank you.” I said.
“Come on.” He said opening the door.
“Remember you have a Board meeting…” I started
“No.” Will and Tony said at the same time.
“You’re on vacation.” Will said.
“No Work until after New years. Doctor’s orders.” Tony said.
“Actually he said…” I started.
“Not your doctor, me, I have three Ph.D’s I’m using them now. Rest, relax, watch reality TV or go lie on a beach somewhere, hell you two want to crash at my place in Malibu I’ll send the jet but no work.” Tony said.
“That’s going to be kinda hard.” I said.
“I thought you’d say that so I called in reinforcements.” Tony said.
“Reinforcements?” I asked.
“You’ll see.” He said with a smirk. “This is your stop.”
“I’m going to video call you everyday and you better answer. If I find out you weaseled your way out of any meetings or got Pepper to go instead I’m…”
“I’ll go to every meeting I promise but you have to relax. Take a breather, take a getaway with Nate just no work please. You’re too young to work yourself into an early grave.” Tony said.
“I’ll try.” I said.
“I’ll take what I can get now go upstairs and relax.” He said.
“Okay.” I said stepping out but realizing we weren’t at the apartment. “Wait we’re not…”
“Welcome to your home away from home.” Clint said.
“We knew you were going to try and work from home.” Steve said.
“So you’re spending your vacation here.” Natasha said.
“But I don’t have any…”
“Way ahead of you.” Will said pulling out a packed suitcase.
“The feast has arrived, Come Hayley let us enjoy the revels.” Thor said pulling me into his arms and carrying me to the elevator.
“Thor I can walk.” I said.
“I was told you were to relax and that means staying off your feet.” Thor said.
After Bruce finally managed to convince Thor I was okay to walk he put me down and we got up to the common floor.
“Tacos!” I cheered when I saw the spread.
“Figured you’d have an appetite.” Steve said.
“I’ve had nothing but broth since I got into the hospital.” I said.
“We also set up your apartment” Clint said.
“Apartment?” I asked.
“Yeah, we want you to feel at home so we set you up with an apartment here, that storage floor below this one, it’s not a storage room, it’s your apartment.” Tony’s voice played through the TV in the common room.
“How long have you been planning this?” I asked.
“Around the time you started pulling all nighters at the tower.” He said. “Enjoy.” He said before switching off the TV.
“So how’s this work?” I said.
“You know that schedule you started. Tony on Monday, Natasha on Tuesday, Bruce on Wednesday, Thor on Thursday, Steve on Friday and Clint on Saturday? Well you’re sticking to it and instead of Tony it’s me. Sunday is group day.” Will said.
“So I went from being the Nanny to being nannied?” I said.
“Essentially.” Natasha said with a smirk.
“Eh it could be worse.” I said with a shrug.
One Week Later-
I was in my gorgeous room with an amazing view of the city at night when I had a video call come in from Tony. I’ll admit it was kind of late and I probably should have been asleep but I had the dream again and of course I couldn’t go. I had my ruffled bed spread and fleece blanket keeping me warm.
I answered the call and he came up.
“Hales, miss me?” He said.
“Considering we talk almost everyday, I don’t really get a chance to.” I sassed back.
“Ow.” He said as he injected himself with something.
“What are you doing and why aren’t you in bed?” I asked.
“You already know the answer to the second one and these are microchips.” He said “ow.”
“Sir, please may I request just a few hours to calibrate...” Jarvis said.
“No. Forty-eight.” He said as he injected himself.
“Jarvis make sure Tony gets a tetanus shot first thing tomorrow.” I said.
“Already ordered Miss Adams.” Jarvis said.
“Ah! Micro-repeater implanting sequence complete.” Tony said.
“Why are you injecting yourself with microchips?” I asked.
“For the Mark 42.” He said.
“As you wish, sir. I've also prepared a safety briefing for you to entirely ignore.” Jarvis said.
“Which I will. Right, let's do this.” He said stepping out to the platform.
“Jarvis send me the cliff notes version of that briefing.” I said.
“Jarvis don’t do it she’s on vacation. Hales relax and enjoy the show.” Tony said.
“Dummy. Hi, Dummy. How did you get that cap on your head? You earned it. Butterfingers don’t drop that camera I need a critique after this is over.” Tony said. “Hey. Hey! What are you doing round in the corner? You know what you did. Blood on my mat, handle it.”
“Wow and I thought I was demanding.” I said.
“Sir, may I remind you that you've been awake for nearly seventy-two hours.” Jarvis said.
“Seriously Tony, do you want me to get on a plane over there.” I said.
“I’ll send the jet.” He said.
“Don’t.” I said.
“Focus up, ladies.” He said avoiding answering me. “Good evening, and welcome to the birthing suite. I'm pleased to announce the imminent arrival of your bouncing, bad-ass, baby brother. Keep your eyes on the screen. Start tight and go wide, stamp in time. Mark 42 autonomous prehensile propulsion suit test. Initialize sequence.”
He raised his hands and points them towards the Mark 42. “Jarvis, drop my needle.”
Music started playing and starts moving around but nothing happens. “Crap.” He hits his arm making me wince at how that probably hurt but it finally triggers something and the suit moves. He keeps moving and the suit moves to attach itself. “Alright, I think we got this. Send 'em all.”
“Slow and steady wins the race.” I said.
“Then what’s the point of sports cars.” Tony said. The leg flies over and attaches to him then another flies to fast so he deflects it. “Probably a little fast, slow it down. Slow it down just a...” But it was too late and another part shot over and Tony ducks making it barely miss him. “...little bit.” Then more pieces flew over and one hit him right in the gnads.
“Ouch.” I said.
“Cool it, will you, Jarvis?” Tony said. Everything attaches him except for the face plate.
“Come on. I ain't scared of you.” He taunts.
“Don’t think that’s a good idea.” I said.
“I'm the best.” Tony brags as the suit is completely assembled.
“I have to admit that was pretty awesome.” I said. Then one piece shoots over and knocks him down making the entire suit fall apart making me laugh.
“As always, sir, a great pleasure watching you work.” Jarvis said.
“That was quite the show. I think you do have a few kinks you need to work on… Tomorrow. Go to bed.” I said.
“But science.” He said.
“Bed and I’ll help you work out the kinks in the coding. The speed needs to be adjusted and the latching is obviously not working.” I said.
“Can’t wait. Night Hales.” Tony said.
“Oh no, I’m not hanging up until I know you’re in bed so get to it.” I said.
“But I need to change.” He said.
“Like you once said I’ve pulled your underwear out of the dryer it doesn’t get more personal than that.” I said. “Chop Chop.”
“So desperate to get me out of my clothes.” Tony said. “If I didn’t know any better…”
“Don’t finish that sentence. Ass bed now.” I said.
“I’m in my room, My pants are off.” He narrated and lifted the covers. “I’m in bed.”
“Good, want me to read you a bedtime story?” I asked sarcastically.
“Sure, tell me about Colorado, that’s where you lived before New York right?” Tony asked.
“That’s a pretty short story. I moved there, went to high school worked at a grocery store then moved to New York.” I said.
“Why New York?” Tony asked as I put the tablet on the pillow facing me and turned to lie on my side.
“Don’t laugh, but I was a huge Sex and the City fan and I wanted to live in an apartment on my own like Carrie Bradshaw.” I said repeating the lie I had given people many times before.
“Really, so hopeless romantic?” He said laughing.
“More like clueless when it comes to love.” I said.
“I wouldn’t say that, you and Nate are going strong.” Tony said and I got a really sad feeling from the mark on hip.
“I’m not really sure about that. Nate’s my first relationship so I wouldn’t know how it’s going. Like I know I like Nate he’s a great guy and I’m not blind he’s hot but I don’t know maybe it’s just too new and I need to give it more time.” I said.
“Have you talked to him about all of this?” Tony asked.
“We talked about taking things slow. We haven’t really seen each other recently since he’s out of town. Apparently his entire family is taking a vacation to the Alps, New York wasn’t white enough for their Christmas.” I said laughing a bit.
“Have you met the family yet?” Tony asked.
“We’ve only been going out for almost two months that’s way too soon and I don’t think I’m ready for that. My experience with parents hasn’t been so great, mine included.” I said.
“Whenever that happens just be yourself, no sane person could ever hate you.” He said.
“I’ll stay away from mental asylums then.” I said. “You haven’t done laundry have you” I said noticing he was wearing his emergency briefs.
“No I buy spares,” he said obviously lying.
“Good Night Tony.” I said.
“You have me at a disadvantage, you know everything about me even what color of underwear I’m wearing.” Tony complained. “You have to give me something."
”Black and lacy, good night,” I said ending the call. I couldn’t help but chuckle at his antics. Can’t believe I ever considered not taking this job, I love this job, it doesn’t even feel like a job anymore.” I plugged in my Stark pad and shut off the lights.