The Hospital Part II / Pepper
“What do you mean we can’t see him?!” Steve shouts at the nurse. “We’re his team. We’re basically family! I demand you give us access!”
“I’m sorry.” The nurse says not even phased. “Mr. Stark has specifically asked you not be in his room. According to this the only people allowed to see Mr. Stark. Is Colonel James Rhodes, Ms. Pepper Potts, Mr. Happy Hogan and Dr. Helen Cho.”
“Helen?” Clint ask stepping forward “What kind of damage was there that Helen has access?”
“I’m sorry, you no longer have access to Mr. Stark’s medical record.”
“What?” Steve asks “Who authorized that?”
“Mr. Stark along with Colonel Rhodes.”
“I demand to speak to James.” Steve says and Natasha puts a hand on his arm.
“Steve. Relax. It’s not her fault tony denied us access.” Natasha turns to the nurse “Could you please see if James would have a minute to explain what’s going on? Calm things down a bit.”
“I will. I’ll be back in a moment.” The nurse turns into the room.
“Steve.” Natasha turns to him.
“I know. I know. You don’t have to say it.”
“Don’t I?” Natasha asks “You’ve been like this the past 3 and half months.”
“We all have, Natasha.” Steve gives her a look.
“Some more than others.”
“Okay, everybody just a take breath.” Clint says looking down the hall. “Peppers coming.”
They all turn to see Pepper practically jogging down the hallway.
“Ms. Potts.” Steve says in greeting
“Where is he?”
“In there.” Pepper turns to the door but pauses
“Is there anything I should be made aware of before I go in?” Pepper asks softly
“He won’t talk to us and that’s about it. His other injuries have been healing while he was in the coma.” Natasha say softly “Go he’ll be glad you’re here.” Pepper straightens her hair and wipes her face before opening the door and walks in as James and the Nurse walks out.
“So. I assume you want to know why Tony denied you access.”
“Yeah. And is he talking?” Steve asks
“No. He’s not talking. And he wrote that he didn’t want to see any of you until he goes home.”
“Why is Helen Cho on the visitor list?” Bruce asks “From what we had heard his injuries we’re practically healed.”
“That’; is information I am not allowed to tell you.”
“God damn it Rhodes!” Clint shouts “We deserve to know! We rescued him! We’re his family. We should-“
“No.” James says firmly “You are not his ‘family’.” He uses air quotes “I am his family. Pepper is his family. JARVIS is his family. You are his team. Maybe you all live together and have for the past 9 months, 6 for tony, but you don’t care for him. You’re the reason he got kidnapped!” James shouts pushing at Steve. Rhodes pauses to take a deep breath at the Avengers shock and hurt “Maybe you weren’t the reason he got kidnapped. I’m not even sure what happened that day, and I don’t think you guys do either."
“We don’t.”
“But when he went on work binges or nearly drank himself to death, where were you?” Rhodey asks as if he didn’t speak “When he had his PTSD Panic attacks, did you help him calm down?”
“He has PTSD?” Clint whispers.
“Yes. He does. And it’s going to be worse now. So if you think you’re ‘family’ then you need to step it up and prove it!”
“To him or to you?” Natasha asks
“To all of us.” Rhodey shakes his head “I can’t be around all the time like you guys can. So you’re gonna have to help him.”
“But he won’t talk to us.” Clint whispers
“Yes he will. Just not through his mouth.”
“Why won’t he talk?”’
“Either he’ll tell you or you’ll figure it out. Now, he can hear you through the walls shouting at people. Go home, prepare his room and his lab and such because he’s been discharged tomorrow morning.”
“can we at least know why Helen has access?” Steve asks softly “What damage does he have that she needs to be there.”
“That is up to tony to tell you, but what I can say is she won’t be visiting here, they’re going to work on whatever it is when he gets home. And Bruce.” Rhodey says who looks up “He might want your help on it too, but don’t push. Whatever he tells you he tells you don’t go asking for more detail and do NOT tell the others if he does ask you to help. Understood?” Rhodey asks and Bruce nods quickly. “Good. Now, I have to go get coffee and get back in there. When we get back I want the tower completely ready for him. Okay?” The Avengers nod and slowly head back
Meanwhile.
“Excuse me colonel?” A nurse asks while Tony is on his StarkPad and Rhodey watching him work.
“Yeah?”
“The uh rest of the Avengers are demanding to speak with you on-“
“No longer having access. Yeah, sorry about that. I’ll go speak with them.” The door opens and the three of them turn to see who enter. Pepper.
Tony Smiles quickly and waves to her.
“Hi Tony.” Tony waves again. She walks over and sits next to him.
“I’ll be right back Pep.”
“Take your time.” Pepper says with a smile “I would like a few minutes with Tones.”
“Sure. I’ll grab a cup of coffee. You want one?” Tony nods enthusiastically. “I figured you’d want one. Pep?”
“No Thanks.”
“Alright, I’ll be back.” They exit the room.
“Tony.” Pepper smiles softly “I’m so glad you’re safe.” Tony nods. “I hear you’re not talking.” Tony nods again. “What happened?” Pepper asks quietly. “I know you would be talking a mile a minute about anything expect of course the serious stuff, but you’re not. So what happened?” Tony grabs the pad he wrote to Rhodey off the bed and writes
‘I can’t talk anymore.’
“Why? What did they do?” Pepper pushes
‘I wouldn’t stop talking. At first they thought it was funny. Then it wasn’t. So… they took it.’
“Took… your tongue?” Pepper asks horrified Tony nods slowly Pepper covers her mouth holding back a sob.
‘it’s okay, Pep. I’m okay.’ He writes quickly and nudges her till she reads it. She takes a dep breath
“Who knows?” Pepper asks after a moment.
‘Rhodey and you. Dr. Cho will soon, we’re working on an idea. The Avengers can’t know.’
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Tony’s already nodding.
‘They can eventually, but not now. Please Pep.’
“Okay, I won’t tell them.” Pepper says and Tony smiles and nods “What are you and Dr. Cho working on?”
‘I haven’t asked her yet but look’ Tony shows her the Tablet he’s been working on the model for a prosthetic tongue. ‘it’s nothing concrete, which is why I need Dr. Cho and possibly Bruce, but it’s just an idea.’
“You’ll get it to work. I know you.”
‘I’m also learning sign language.’ Tony writes and then signs ‘my name is Tony Stark’
“My Name is Tony stark?” Tony nods enthusiastically “I will make an effort to learn it, should I let the team know to learn it too?” Tony nods. He signs thank you. “You’re welcome.”
‘How long has it been?’ Tony asks
“You were gone 3 months. In a coma for 3 weeks.” Tony takes a deep breath but nods
‘it felt like longer’
“How long did you think it was?” Tony looks down and shrugs “You can tell me.”
‘I can’t really tell you because I don’t really know. It felt like it could have been years, but I thought it could have been a month. Sleep was… weird. I didn’t… I barely slept. And when I did, it was in a dark room so I couldn’t tell how long I slept or when I slept or what day it was.’ Pepper nods.
“What happened that day? The team said you were there one minute and the next you were gone.”
‘Pep… I don’t want to talk about it. I will explain everything, but I want to do it in one go because the team is going to want to know too since they were there. Let me get home a situated and I can explain it.’
“Okay.” Pepper says softly “that’s okay.” Tony smiles
Theres a knock on the door.
“Tones, Pep?” Rhodey opens the door.
“Hey.” Pepper says and Tony waves.
“I brought you your coffee.” Tony reaches for it and Rhodey smiles handing it to him. He takes a long sip. After he swallows he frowns and puts it on the counter next to him sighing.
“You can’t taste it.” Rhodey says realizing. Tony nods sadly
“The prosthetic your making… will you be able to taste with it?” pepper asks
‘possibly, but probably not. Helen might be able to get that, but I don’t think so. I’ll probably never taste coffee again.’ Tony sighs ‘or food.’
“Well just think, you can eat really healthy stuff that tastes gross and not even know!” Pepper tries to spin. “You’ll be so healthy you’ll feel better.” Tony gives her an exchasperated look.
“I think he’d rather have coffee and pop tarts.” Rhodey says with a slight laugh
“Well of course, but you do what you can.”
‘I think I’m never going to eat again.’ Tony shakes his head ‘when am going home?’
“tomrow morning.” Pepper says smiling.
‘good.’ Tony nods ‘I’m tired. I’m gonna get some sleep okay?’
They nod. “night Tony.” They whispers as Tony closes his eyes.