Stealing Hearts

Chapter 3 - Coming Home

November 23rd, 2008

Veronica Stark's POV

It's been nine months. Nine months since I last saw my brother. Nine months since I was shot. Nine months since Tony was kidnapped by terrorists. I don't even know if Tony is alive anymore. The Ten Rings, the organization behind my brother's kidnapping, asked for a ransom in a video. That was the last I saw my brother alive. I was told not to pay. The terrorists will just ask for more and more. But the more time that passes the more I realize that I may have killed my brother by not paying the ransom. I am pulled out of my thoughts by a knock on my office door. "Come in!" I shout without looking up from the paperwork I have been trying to focus on for the last three hours.

"You know Little Stark, you are going to give yourself a headache if all you do is stare at paperwork and computers every day." I look up with a smile at Obie who is now standing in front of me with a disappointed dad look on his face. I promptly get up from my desk and round it to pull Obie into a hug. He's been in Afghanistan with Rhodey for the last month looking for Tony. All while I have been stuck in Malibu still "recovering". However, I haven't relaxed like the doctors have told me, instead putting all my energy into running the largest weapons manufacturing company in the world.

"Obie I've missed you," I whisper as I rest my head on his chest.

"How have you been Little Stark?" For some reason that one stupid question breaks the emotional dam I have been carefully maintaining for the last nine months. I start fully sobbing, crying for the first time in over nine months as reality comes crashing down on me. I've killed my brother. I'm the one who convinced him to come with me to Afghanistan. All because I hate public speaking. All of this has happened because I was too weak to talk in front of a handful of military dudes. Now the last of my family, my big brother, is dead and I am the last of the Stark Family.

"It's my fault Tony's dead. I should have paid that stupid ransom like I was told and maybe Tony would be here right now. Tony died all alone and it's all my fault. I killed my big brother," I sob, barely able to breathe as my entire body shakes in Obie's arms.

"Everything will be alright Little Stark. I will always be here for you," Obie coos as he softly strokes my hair with one hand. The moment is interrupted by my phone ringing which is weird. No one calls me on my personal phone anymore. Not since....not since Tony.

I reluctantly let go of Obie to go answer my phone wiping my tears as I sit at my desk again. "This is Veronica Stark."

"Veronica it's me!" I hear what sounds like Rhodey, but there is a lot of background noise like he's in a helicopter.

"Rhodey?"

"We found him! Veronica, we found him! We've found Tony!" Nine months. Nine months without my brother. Three months of thinking he is dead. One sentence and I feel my heart soar. For the first time in nine months, I feel happy.

"What? What do you mean you've found Tony? Is he okay? Where are you? I will be there as soon as possible!" Instantly I am on my feet, hastily logging off my computer, putting papers away, and making sure I have everything.

"We are flying back now. We found Tony about an hour ago wandering the desert. Other than some minor flesh wounds and dehydration he is fine. Now I've gotta go. Meet at the Nevada base." With that, Rhodey hangs up and I shove my phone into my purse.

"What? Veronica, what is it? What's happened?" Fuck. I completely forgot Obie is still here.

"Tony. They've found him. They've found Tony," I explain giddily, my hands shaking from the nervousness and panic I feel.

"What?" I ignore Obie as I quickly slip on the heels I took off earlier.

"J. Tell Happy to meet me out front with the car and tell him Tony is alive." I waste no time rushing through my office, throwing the door open before pausing to look at Obie. "I'm sorry Obie. I gotta go." With that I dash down the hallway, forgoing the elevator as I sprint down 20 flights of stairs in heels and out the door to where Happy is already waiting with the car.