Flame

Chapter 30

"Tony what happened out there?" I ask as I sit beside him on the sofa

"He knew, the entire time" Tony says to me

"Who knew what the entire time?" I ask not getting at what he's saying

"Rogers" Tony replies and my head perks up at his name, i've heard nothing from him since Berlin

"What did he know?" I question

"Who killed Mum and dad" Tony says making my heart stop "It was Barnes. He killed them and Rogers knew" Tony says and my heart breaks into two, the only guy I ever loved lied to me for years.

"It's just the first pass." Tony says to Rhodey as we help him to walk using the bars

"Yeah." Rhodey mutters

"Give me some feedback. Anything you can think of. Shock absorption. Lateral movement. Cup holder?" Tony jokes trying to lighten the atmosphere

"You may wanna think about some AC down in..." Rhodey starts before he falls onto his hands and I rush over to him

"Let's go. I'll give you a hand." I say to him

"No, no, don't. Don't help me. Don't help me" Rhodey says as he rises to his hands and knees and turns to sit on the floor beside is "138. 138 combat missions. That's how many I've flown, Kat, Tony. Every one of them could've been my last, but I flew 'em. Because the fight needed to be fought. It's the same with these Accords. I signed because it was the right thing to do. And, yeah, this sucks. This is... This is a bad beat. But it hasn't change my mind. I don't think." Rhodey finishes as I help him up

"You okay?" Tony asks him

"Oh yeah." Rhodey replies as there is a Knock on the window and their is a man with a packet in his hand "Are you Tony "Stank"?" The man said asks making me laugh

"Yes, this is- this is Tony "Stank". You're in the right place. Thank you for that! I'm never dropping that, by the way. Table for one, Mr. "Stank". Please, by the bathroom." Rhodey says as he leaves the room

I sit beside Tony as he pulls out the parcel and in it a letter and a phone

'Tony, I'm glad you're back at the compound. I don't like the idea of you rattling around a mansion by yourself. We all need family. The Avengers are yours, maybe more so than mine. I've been on my own since I was 18. I never really fit in anywhere, even in the army. My faith's in people, I guess. Individuals. And I'm happy to say that, for the most part, they haven't let me down. Which is why I can't let them down either. Locks can be replaced, but maybe they shouldn't. I know I hurt you, Tony. I guess I thought by not telling you about your parents I was sparing you, but I can see now that I was really sparing myself, and I'm sorry. Hopefully one day you can understand. I wish we agreed on the Accords, I really do. I know you're doing what you believe in, and that's all any of us can do. That's all any of us should. Tell Kathleen I'm sorry for everything and maybe one day everything will work out.'

"Priority call from Secretary Ross. There's been a breach at the Raft prison" Friday says as we finish reading the letter.

"Yeah, put him through." Tony says

"Kathleen, Tony, we have a problem." Ross tells us

"Ah, please hold." I tell him

"No. Don't..." Ross says

'So, no matter what. I promise you, if you need us, if you need me, I'll be there.'