His Armored Heart

Chapter Twenty Seven

Bree walked up to the front door of the house and used her thumb to open the door. She turned and gently took Peter from May's arms, knowing his sleeping form was getting heavy. "I'll put him in your room," she said softly. "It will take a moment for Tony to warm stuff up in the lab for the scan."

"Thank you. Do you want me to get some coffee going or anything?" May offered.

"Sure," Bree answered. "It might be a late night."

"Do you think I should go ahead and make dinner as well?" May asked, trying to make things easier for Bree and Tony.

Bree shook her head. "We'll eat something small. If you want to fix for you and Peter, you can."

"Are you saying that because you aren't hungry or because you're too worried right now?" May asked Bree.

"Both," Bree admitted. "I'll put him to bed, you go on." After waiting for May's nod, Bree took Peter to bed and laid him down before leaving the door cracked and walking down to the lab.

Tony looked over at Bree when she walked in, from the table he was laying on. "About two minutes left. Everything so far is on the monitor."

Bree walked up to Tony and maneuvered things around on the monitor so she could see the progress better. "Anything catching your eye yet?"

"I haven't watched the progress. I'm waiting for the full report to be ready." Tony answered.

"I'd lean over and kiss you or hold your hand, but that would mess with the scan," Bree admitted. "Jarvis? How much longer?"

"One minute left." Jarvis answered, which led them into silence for the next minute before the AI spoke again. "The diagnosis is palladium poisoning."

"Palladium? What... what is that?" Bree asked, confused.

"It's from the arc reactor." Tony sighed, sitting up. "Jarvis, run some treatment options."

"The reactor?" Bree furrowed her brows. "So, what's saving you... is poisoning you."

"Pretty much." Tony sighed. "Jarvis will find a treatment, so no need to worry."

Bree waited until Tony stood before wrapping her arms tightly around him. "I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Nothing will happen to me, I promise. I'll start treatment by morning." Tony assured Bree, holding her close.

She huffed, burying against his neck as tears stung at her eyes. "I hope so."

"Please trust me." Tony said as he used one hand to lift her chin so he could kiss her.

Bree sniffled as she met his chocolate eyes. "With my life."

"Thank you, Mrs. Stark." Tony said, then kissed her again. "Let's go up to the house."

"Can... can I just hold you a little longer?" She asked softly. "My anxiety is through the roof."

"Of course darling, as long as you need." Tony said, holding her tight.

Bree clutched at Tony's shirt, inhaling the spicy scent that belonged to him. "Tony, I'm scared... I don't want to lose you."

"You aren't going to lose me, I promise." Tony assured Bree. "It isn't that bad yet, and we'll be well on our way to reversing it by morning."

"You need to get some sleep just as much as the rest of us," she murmured. "I don't want you staying down here all night. I know you want to."

"I won't. I'll come upstairs with you." Tony promised.