The Night We Met | Steve / Bucky

thirty-seven - coming home

It had been a long time since Tony had been in the Avengers Compound. His attention and time were spent helping Rhodey heal along with working his relationship through with Pepper. Tony felt as though he was in a good place. Katherine always took up a large portion of his mind. He always worried about her - especially since their last encounter. Fury would inform Tony on Katherine's recovery and the last that he had heard was that she was a new and better version of herself. Tony wanted to give her her space - let her grow as an individual. She didn't get much of that in recent years. 

Tony stood in the kitchen across the island from Pepper. Pepper stood over the cooker, stirring an Indian styled dish. Tony stood over a chopping board, chopping peppers and onions. The sharp blade clicking against the wooden board with each strike of force. Tony's phone began ringing in his pocket. He furrowed his brows, letting go of his utensil and reaching into his pocket and pulling his phone out. He held the device to his ear, not looking at the caller ID, "Hello."

"Mr. Stark." A voice spoke with a foreign accent to Tony. 

Tony looked to Pepper confused, "Who is it?" She mouthed continuing to stir around the boiling pot. 

"Who is this?" Tony asked bluntly. 

"This is Amal Hassan. A name you should make yourself quickly aware of." Tony rolled his eyes at the response of the man, "Mr. Stark, I have something of yours that is very valuable."

Tony's mind went instantly to tech that they could had gotten their hands on. Tony removed the phone from his ear, glancing at the screen to see the middle eastern phone number that had called him. Tony glanced to Pepper who looked on curiously. Tony placed the phone down on the countertop, placing it on speaker allowing Pepper to hear in on the conversation. Tony sighed, rolling his eyes, "Yeah, sure thing, buddy." Tony spoke in his familiar sarcastic tone, "Now what could you have possibly gotten your hands on?" 

"Let's just say you'll have to dig deep into your pockets to retrieve it." The man spoke in broken English but enough for Tony to understand him. Tony rolled his eyes again, not the first time he has received a call like this. Tony was just surprised that the call was allowed to be put through to him through Stark Industries or he wondered if the man got his phone number directly - but that would be nearly impossible. 

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Tony spoke, picking his knife back up, resuming to cook with Pepper - who listened in quite intently. "How much you talking?"

"One hundred million dollars."

Tony immediately stabbed the top of the blade into the chopping board, the knife standing up right. "What could you possibly have that is worth a hundred million dollars?" Tony choked on a laugh. "Not a big a fan of prank calls."

Pepper smiled to herself, trying to remain silent. Ruffled noises was heard through the phone. Tony could hear grunting and and heavy breathing. Tony shared a look with Pepper - a look of confusion and boredom. "Speak!" Tony heard Amal bellow on the other end of the line. Tony heard a faint squeak - the squeak of a female voice. "I said speak!" 

A large smack was heard followed by a quiet cry, "T - Tony." The faintest whisper echoed throughout Tony's ears. 

Tony felt his whole world around him collapse. He knew the voice all too well. Tony's eyes widened, he felt his knees buckle beneath him. Beads of sweat emerged from his temple, his heart rate increased and suddenly his clothes felt too tight. Pepper shared the same look of shock and sadness. "You have four hours to wire me the money, otherwise your sister gets sent to you in a body bag." The phone line cut out. 

Tony stood still, not sure if he had the physical capabilities to move. Pepper dropped the wooden spoon she had wielded, covering her mouth with her hands with shock. "Tony." Pepper spoke gently. Pepper slowly made her way around the kitchen island, placing a light hand on Tony's arm, "Tony."