(2) Bring Me Home (T. Stark)

Chapter Twelve

At an Afghanistan desert test site, Generals board their Humvees and depart to the East. Tony and Rhodey walk to their convoy of waiting Humvees, pointing West. Tony pulls out his phone and smiles scrolling through his contacts till he finds 'The Wifey', he presses dial and holds it up.

..............

Spencer wakes to her phone ringing on her bedside table. She shifts slightly and hears the twins waking across the room. She'd put the twins in the travel crib in the master bedroom, and allowed Trinity to crawl into her bed because she couldn't sleep alone. She couldn't sleep without Tony. She couldn't sleep alone. She needed the company. The last week has been terrible without Tony. She loves her kids, of course, she does, but three of them, all by herself whilst she's dealing with her own loneliness. Spencer grabs her phone and holds it up to see the caller id. She smiles instantly before sliding the accept. Tony's face, glowing in desert sun smiles down at her.

"Hey, beautiful" Tony's smile greets her. "What are you doing?" he asks.

"Hmm I was sleeping" she answers softly. "How's it going?"

"Good, I think we may even be able to take an early Christmas" he teases. "How's Hawaii sound?" she chuckles tiredly and smiles.

"With three kids? Exciting" Tony smiles warmly watching her.

"You look gorgeous" he comments.

"I'm in bed" she complains. "With the kids"

"Perfect" he whispers, she smiles back at him.

"Get your ass back here," she tells him warmly.

"I'm on my way" he assures her. "I'll be back before you know it. I love you"

"Hmmm love you too..." she then hangs up and sets her phone back on the bedside table, her fingers stroke Trinity's hair as she pulls back. Spencer smiles and kisses her head before settling back to sleep again.

................

Tony smiles tucking his phone away and turns to the Humvees putting on his Stark charm smile.

"All right, who wants to ride with me? Jimmy?" he asks. 'Jimmy' appears psyched.

"Me?" he asks. Jazzed, Jimmy and the others jump into the lead Humvee. Rhodey approaches.

"Sorry, Rhodey, no room for my conscience in here. Or that hangdog look" Tony raises a glass. "See you back at base"

"You better" Rhodey starts. "Promised your wife I'd get you home" Tony smiles and winks before closing the door. Rhodey shakes his head and heads for a different Humvee.

............

Trinity sits with her soft bunny doll watching a Disney film. Her brother and sister sleeping in their baskets next to her. She likes being around them. Especially with Tony away. She misses her dad. Spencer's phone rings on the table and Trinity picks it up and answers it.

"Spencer?" Pepper asks.

"Pepper" Trinity states into the phone with a smile.

"Hey, sweetheart, is your mommy there?" Pepper asks her softly.

"Give it here, baby" Spencer coos reaching for the phone from daughter. "Mommy's got it" Trinity hands over the phone and then walks away to play with her toys. Spencer checks the id before setting it to her ear. "Hey, Pepper" Spencer greets.

"Are you home?" Pepper asks.

"Yeah, I'm with the kids" Spencer answers picking up a couple of blocks and setting them in the basket. "What's wrong? You sound..."

"Just don't turn on the news" Pepper interrupts. "I'm on my way....just...." Spencer frowns a little.

"Pepper" she warns. "Pepper, what's he done now?"

"Just promise me, Spence" Pepper pleads with her.

"Okay," Spencer caves. "I promise I won't turn on the news."

"I won't be long" Pepper states and then hangs up, Spencer pulls the phone back and casts a confused expression at it.

"Weird" she sets the phone down and goes about clearing up the rest of the toys.

.............

Pepper's talking to her but Spencer couldn't hear anything after the words 'Tony's convoy was attacked'. It's like they hit her like bullets and struck her down. Pain. Real pain floods through her. Panic and fear. Tony'd only spoken to her a few hours ago. How is this possible? How is this fair? She drops back onto the couch and stares down at her wedding ring. This can't be happening to her. To her children. Oh Trinity, how is she supposed to explain this to her? Pepper turns to Happy stood behind her, trying to remain calm whilst watching Spencer's world crumble down around her. Happy adore this little family, the girls, Ryder, Spencer....Tony really lucked out and now it could all be over. 

"Happy" Pepper states, he nods knowing what she's asking of him.

"I got them, don't worry" he moves to gather up the children. "Come on, Princess" he tells Trinity who follows along behind him. Pepper moves closer to Spencer, taking a seat at her side. Spencer just stares ahead as she processes what she's been told. Because this can't be happening, this can't be right, this has to be a mistake.

"I don't understand" Spencer states. "He called. He said he was on his way back" she looks to Pepper. "What...what happened?"

"We don't know everything yet" Pepper answers. "Rhodey said there was an ambush...he lost sight of Tony"

"Is he dead?" Spencer's voice breaks with the question.

"No" Pepper states. "We don't think so" She corrects. "They're looking for him" Pepper assures her wrapping her arm around Spencer. "It's going to be okay"

"How?" Spencer asks. "It's Trinity's birthday in five days. How am I supposed to explain this to her? She's not going to understand. He promised her he'd be here. How is that okay?"

"We'll get him back before then" Pepper states firmly. "Okay, you won't have to explain anything" Pepper rubs Spencer's arm, Spencer sits there silently crying, tears streaming down her cheeks, Pepper closes her eyes and fights her own tears, because Spencer and Tony are her friends and Spencer's hurting. And not to mention those children. She doesn't even want to think about what would happen if he doesn't come back. "Do you need anything?" Pepper asks her.

"I need my brothers," Spencer tells Pepper who nods and brushes Spencer's tears from her cheek. "Please" Spencer begs. "I need my brothers,"

"I'll call them" Pepper assures her. "I can call them" Spencer nods and looks away. Pepper stands and pulls out her cell phone before walking away. She doesn't know Spencer enough to comfort her. Spencer hangs her head and covers her face with her hands to cry.