The Lost Stark

~Reconcile~

~Tony~

It felt like forever as the hot sun burned the inventor's back.

Caked in sweat, sand, and the will to go on, Tony Stark trudged through the sands of the Middle East, desperately looking for civilization or someone.

"I'm not coming with, my family is dead."

"Damnit Yinsen, you were supposed to stick to the damn plan." Tony frowned as the death of Yinsen, though still fresh had haunted him. He wanted to save him, do some good besides raising his forgotten daughter.

"I'm such an idiot, my entire life has been an utter fucking joke, playboy? Fucking idiot more like it." He scolded himself.

All those weapons and all he had to show for it was dead soldiers and inventors.

Before he could wallow more in self pity, three Blackhawk helicopters zoomed over a dune, spotting the stranded Inventor.

Relief flourished through Tony as he raised his hand and screamed in joy, maybe Yinsen was watching over him.

Falling to his knees, he watched as the copters land and Rhodey ran from one helicopter to embrace him.

"How was the Funvee?" He joked as Tony grinned brightly and leaned on him.

"Let's go home, you've got children to reconcile with." Rhodey smiles as he leads him towards the Blackhawk.

~Airbase~

After the news reached Pepper that Tony had been found, she made Happy swear to keep it a secret from the girls, to see their smiles and her boss's was something to witness.

After dressing quickly, she left with an MP as Obadiah Stane sat in the Humvee.

Standing behind the C-17, the ramp lowered as Tony and Rhodey walked down, Tony using his friend as a crutch before taking his seat in a wheelchair.

He smiled at his two guests as Obadiah patted his shoulder and Pepper wiping stray tears away.

"Tears for your long lost boss?" Tony joked as Pepper shook her head.

"I didn't have to go job hunting." She replied as Tony nods.

Entering their car, Stane turned to Stark as he held stoic look.

"My only question was when where you going to tell me about Ruby and Yang?" He demanded as Tony's eyes turned to Potts.

"I swear I was going to tell you after the weapons test, I promise." Tony replied.

"You know I hate being left out, but I understand why you did what you did. You didnt want them to have the same exposure as you did and I respect that." Stane softens.

"But no more secrets Tony, be honest with me next time." Stane hardened as Tony nods.

"Next time."

"Now then, where to Tony?" Stane asked.

"I want to see my girls, then set a press conference but we'll stop at Burger King." Tony said as Stane chuckles lightly.

"Shouldnt you go back home and rest?" Potts offered.

"I've spent God knows how long in a cave, all I want is to see my girls and an American cheeseburger. Happy drive, girls first!"

~Beacon~

Ruby awoke to empty beds and Zwei curled on the floor.

Feeling paper stuck to her, he grabbed a stick note off her arm to see a message from Yang.