Back Before the Start of Us (on hold)

Time, wondrous time

It was incredibly late. He knew that. But he also knew that there was no way any of them had gone up to bed.

His shoes skidded on the slippery floor as he raced down the corridors.

Almost there.

He couldn't believe it. Finally, they could get the kids back. Finally, he had figured it out.
Finally.

Tony reached the doors to the common room and stopped. This is where Pepper had said they all were. He just hoped they were still there.
He wiped his hands on his trousers and tried to smooth his hair down. He hadn't looked but Tony was confident that he looked like a complete mess. He had long since discarded his jacket and tie, his shirt sleeves were rolled up unevenly and he had been running his hand through his hair constantly for the last few hours.

Tony took a breath.
He pushed open the doors.
And took a step into the room.

Eight heads popped up to stare at him.
All of them looked as if they had been up the whole time. Pepper rushed towards him as he kept walking until he was stood in front of the coffee table.
Everyone had stood up and were waiting with wide eyes.

Nobody was breathing.

His voice came out as a whisper, "I did it."
Then louder, "I did it. I know how to bring them home."

Happy sighs bounced off the walls and tears seeped into the floor.

Bucky and Wanda were in each others arms and both of them were crying out of sheer relief.
Steve and Nat were hugging and both had huge smiles and huge tears on their faces.
Pepper was hugging Tony and Clint was hugging Laura.
Bruce looked overjoyed and came over to congratulate Tony with a pat on the back. Tony pulled him into the hug too.

"Well," Tony said, "let's go get our kids back."

They all made their way out of the room.
He had done it. Tony had finally done it. Hours of panic. Hours of hard work. Hours of hating himself both for the kids getting lost in time and for being so unorganised with his notes.

They were racing down the halls. Excited fear rippled through the group. They couldn't get there quick enough.

Now, Tony just hoped they hadn't run out of time.