Night Captain

Chapter One Suicide

Tony Stark and Pepper Pots broke off their engagement a year after the "Mandarin" incident. Pepper still felt a weight that she could not shake. It wasn't Tony's anxiety attacks or even the fact that Tony refused medication. It was three months after he asked her to marry him. She found bits and pieces of a broken promise. A new Mark suit. It wasn't the whole suit. Pepper saw the hand. It sparked a nasty argument. She tried to be understanding. Even when Tony started the distractions back up. Pepper realized she wasn't enough so she left, heartbroken but still strong enough to run the company that Tony mostly ignored. He couldn't live without Pepper, so she was still around. That was all that mattered.

Tony wished someone stayed, anyone...Nat, Clint. Hell, even Thor or Capsicle. Bruce would have been a welcomed steady presence. He did stay for a few weeks but India stole him back.

The cold metal clanked gently against his temple. Tony's loaded .45 Colt felt good and heavy in his hand, his eyes stung from the lack of sleep and tears. Sleeping was chaotic at best and wakefulness was an eyes wide nightmare, or was it daymare? Tony didn't care anymore. He wondered how everyone handled the Chitauri aftermath. Out of everyone Steve Rogers seemed the calmest. Why wouldn't he be? He was born to be a soldier.

Tony's eyes flitted to rest on his Stark Phone. He had their numbers. His free hand set the Tumbler full of scotch onto the table. He gingerly reached for the phone. Taking a few deep breaths he hit the number he wanted. His breathing settled into shallow hitched breaths.

"Steve Rogers speaking?"

The other males voice was like a howling wind in Tony's ear. Full bodied and encoded with innocent confidence. Experience and masculinity expected from America's sweetheart.

"Stark? Are you there?"

Tony cleared his throat and forced his voice. He reddened at his own question.

"Yeah! ...Capsicle, hey um...how do you cope?"

Steve's features morphed into annoyance at his coined nickname until he heard the question. The shaky breath that Tony was trying to hide. Steve's expression of annoyance dissipated into a soft look of concern. He stood placing his drawing pad aside and paced a little.

"Uhh to be honest Tony I am used to it. I get nightmares though, Bucky's death. People dying. Seeing Red Skull again. Say, are you okay?"

Steve expected a snarky reply. A quick Stark thank you and a hang up. None of those came. Just that shaky breath. After what seemed like years Tony finally answered.

"If uhhh, I uhh. Can you come over?"

Steve's eyes widened a little at the invite.

"Golly Tony. Yeah um yes I mean. I can head over now?"

Tony let out a deep sigh. He was unsure if he could call it relief.

"Yeah. That would be great Capsicle. JARVIS will let you in. I'm gonna snag a quick shower."

Steve took in a deep breath.

"See you soon. Goodbye"

Steve worried his bottom lip. He knew Stark and him practically hated one another, well... Tony hated him. Hate was too strong of a word and very un-Christian like. Steve had already bathed and was wearing his favorite jeans and a soft white v-neck undershirt. He threw on socks and shoes and his jacket and headed out. Steve could feel the emergency of the simple request. He could hear Tony's desperation.

Tony took in an even deeper breath lowering his Colt and placing it in a random lab drawer. Hoping DUMM-E wouldn't find it and sprinted to his bathroom. He felt his insides knot

/Big man in a suit of armor. Take that off. What are you?/

Tony's eyes was shut. He was rinsing conditioner from his hair He saw that scene replay in his head. He opened his eyes to turn off the shower and get out. The world was spinning. Tony slammed his back into the shower tile wall and slid down. He knew from before. Other attacks that this could prove fatal last thing he needed was a cracked skull. The water beat down mostly on his left side. His world went black.

"Good evening Captain Rogers. Mr. Stark is still in the shower sir. He requires your assistance."

Good ole JARVIS...and WHAT!!??!! Steve blanched. He should of known that pervert was setting up something. His fists clenched at his sides as his jaw squared in anger.

"JARVIS could you please tell Mr. Stark to stop playing on my compassion."

Steve turned to leave.

"Mr.Stark blacked out Sir."

This caused Steve to stop dead in his angry gait. He turned back around looking up at the ceiling.

"Where is he JARVIS?"

"Level nine sir. His main bathroom"

"Thanks JARVIS."

"Very good Captain"

Steve practically ran. All he knew at the moment was man down. With soldier precision and an air of professionalism Steve easily found Tony and hoisted the naked wet man in a fireman's carry out of the shower and into Tony's bed covering him immediately. Steve will pink over it later. Right now a human being was in distress.

Steve sat with Tony on the edge of the bed. Quietly watching him. His brows furrowed on the edge of concern and possible anger if this was one of Starks uncouth jokes. Tony awoke in another twenty minutes. His eyes opened in a half squint.

"This is awkward. Did you see uhh. Was I ummm"

Tony stuttered a little pinking on the tips of his ears.

Steve took up the rest of the blush in his own face and neck.

"Tony. It's okay. I was completely professional"

Steve cleared his throat. Tony's grin creeped past his embarrassment.

"You didn't even check me out Cap?"

Steve looked at Tony half shocked, half disgusted and 100% angry.

"Stark I do not know what your playing at but i am NOT that type of guy. You could have been seriously injured. Dang it why did I come here. Steve had stood up by now. He had it. He turned to leave.

"Because I was holding my Colt to my temple when I called you."

Came Tony's simple reply. It sounded hollow with a sharp edge of fear. Steve's heart dropped into his gut. He swallowed thickly turning to face Tony whose eyes pleaded for Steve to stay.