His Armored Heart

Chapter Twenty Nine

Tony woke up the next morning to find a chlorophyll shake waiting on the nightstand for him. Ignoring the drink for the moment, he got out of bed to use the bathroom, also ignoring the pounding in his head.

Meanwhile Bree had woken an hour earlier, so when Tony got up, she looked up from her place on the balcony reading her book, to see him go into the bathroom looking a little green. "Tony?"

Tony came out a few minutes later and made it as far as the bed, sitting on the end of it. "Bree?" He called out, having not seen her on the balcony.

"I'm right here sweetheart," Bree called. She bookmarked her book and walked into the bedroom. "Talk to me, what's wrong?"

Tony held his arms out, wanting to hold Bree. "I feel so much worse today. I think the effects are spreading faster. I need to get that element synthesized."

Bree rushed to Tony and wrapped her arms around him, dropping to her knees. "Jarvis? Update on the element please?" She felt his forehead, feeling it was hot. Then noticed black markings on the side of Tony's neck. "I'm here baby."

"The simulations look positive, but I am not sure Mr. Stark is well enough to finish the process." Jarvis replied.

"Would a smoothie help, Jarvis?" Bree questioned.

"I'm not so sure at this point, but it might help." Jarvis answered.

"Get the kid to finish it. He knows what he's doing." Tony told Bree.

Bree leaned back and looked at Tony. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. I need to lay back down." Tony mumbled.

She pulled the blanket back and helped Tony lay back down before caressing his cheek. "What do you need me to do?"

"Just make sure the kid has anything he needs." Tony said, curling up in bed.

"Drink that smoothie, I'll get Peter to work, then I'll be back," she told him as she stood. "I mean it. Drink that."

"Yes ma'am." Tony said with a little smile.

Bree smiled then turned and left the bedroom. When she got to the living room, May and Peter were watching tv. "Tony is worse this morning. He won't be able to finish what he needs to in the lab. Peter... Do you think you can?"

"I... I think I can." Peter said nervously.

"I know it's a lot of pressure, but Jarvis can help you, and I can too wherever you need me. Tony is pretty sick this morning."

"Is he going to be alright?" Peter asked, clearly worried. He scooted off the couch to walk with Bree, with May not far behind them.

"He will be. We just need to get this element finished so we can give him a better arc reactor. The current one is what's causing the sickness," Bree explained.

"I will do my best." Peter promised. "What happens if we can't fix it?"

Bree took a deep breath as they walked downstairs. "Let's just stay positive okay?" She asked. "We can do this."

Peter nodded. "I'm only five but I have to save the superhero." He whispered to himself.

"He could come down if his smoothie helps enough," Bree said, hoping to make Peter feel better.

"Not if he needs to rest. It won't help to make himself worse." Peter said quietly. When the door opened, he walked into the room, switching back into genius mode.

Bree smiled as she watched Peter maneuver around the lab as if he'd been there all his life. "Tony will be very grateful for this."

"Do you think he can do it?" May asked as she watched Peter. "I've never seen him like this before."