Stark's Shadow

Chapter 34 - Tony Was Here

Tony POV

Pepper walked into the room, looking annoyed then I put a finger to my lips and mouthed "She's sleeping," As I pointed to Olive.

"Just move her over. You need to sleep too, Tony,"

"She needs it more. I don't think she's been sleeping well. She looks like she's in pain, Pepper," My voice cracks a little. I clear my throat, "She doesn't normally look like that."

I look down at my sister, who has rudely fallen asleep on a pillow she decided to rest against my leg. Now I'm stuck here. Sure, I could move if I wanted, but I'm her big brother and I know she needs me. She won't say it, but hey, it's part of the job to just know. Though, I will have to tell an embarrassing story next time there's a big gathering. It's part of the job.

Pepper walks around the couch to get a closer look at Olive. "Yeah, she doesn't look good at all,"

"I also noticed she's not been moving well," I shake my head, annoyed at my obvious statement, "She should be getting better. I'm not sure she isn't getting worse. She can hardly move her legs."

Pepper's worried look gets more intense. "Take her to the med bay, Tony,"

I stroke Olive's hair, tempted to poke her face. I think it's funny when she swats away non-existent flies when I do that. I don't, only because Pepper is there. I look at Pepper, "She might kill me, but I think you're right,"

Pepper smiles, "Perfect, we can do that after breakfast,"

I nod my head, "No, now. I'll wake her up. Then she won't have to deal with the whole team being worried right away," I grab another pillow, trying to replace it with my leg as I slowly slide off the couch. I fall on the floor, but she doesn't wake up.

"Why can't they know?"

"I don't think she likes the attention. She doesn't like to feel weak,"

Pepper cups my face in her hands as I sit on the floor, carefully adjusting Olive's pillows. She turns my head to face her and kisses my forehead, "She'll be okay,"

"I can't let it happen again, Pep," My voice shakes and I blink back tears.

She nods, "I know. But what happened to Rhodey wasn't your fault,"

"You know I don't believe that, I don't think I ever will, I'm sorry."

~

I gently shake Olive awake. "What, airhead?"

"How's your back been? Any improvement?"

"Yeah, I feel great," She lies. I can always tell. She won't make eye contact.

"What's wrong? I can tell you're lying, dumbass,"

"I'm not sure I'm getting better physically. My legs and lower back hurt," She slowly says. She won't even look at me as she admits the truth.

"Let's get you to the med bay," I tell her, helping her up. Pepper had left before I woke up Olive, worried she'd be upset having Pepper there.

Olive gets her mobility aid, the Emo Iron Man, on and stands up slowly. She doesn't say anything.

Once we're in the elevator I let out a sigh, "Olive? Why didn't you say anything sooner? What if this is something serious and you can't be cured because you took too long to get help?"

Anger flashes across her face and she shoves a finger into my chest, right onto the arc reactor softly glowing through my shirt, "Says the one who almost died from having shrapnel in his chest!" She yells, "Don't act like you're any better than me! We're both self-destructive. Though, for once, you might actually be worse!"