What Are the Odds? (Stony Au)

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One:

"Captain, we've circled four times," Mack sighed, sympathizing for the man, "I'm sorry, but there's been no sign of him."

"Just one more time, please," Steve ran his hands over his face and took a deep breath, "Has Bruce gotten the comms back online yet?"

"Yeah, just now," Yolanda handed Steve his comm back, "Here."

"Thanks," Steve mumbled, taking the comm and putting it in his ear, "Abner Sallows?"

"Yes, sir," Abner stood, waiting on his every word.

"You said you would do anything to show your gratitude?" Steve walked over to the emergency exit.

"Yes, anything," Abner nodded before pausing, "Within reason, of course."

"And you can see everything in a twenty-mile radius?"

"Yeah, I think. Maybe not exactly twenty-,"

"Prove it," Steve stated simply, "Where's Tony?"

"Uhm, like actually? I thought I wasn't supposed to-,"

"A man's life is in danger, and you're willing to risk it because someone you've just met has told you that you can't control your power?" Steve asked.

"Okay, okay, just gimme a sec," Abner sucked in a deep breath and closed his eyes, "Where should I be looking?"

"He was on the second floor," Steve recalled, "He's got dark hair and eyes, and he's wearing a red and gold suit."

"Nothing."

"Check the perimeter, and dorms nearby," Steve suggested, "Maybe he's on foot."

"I don't see any-," Abner paused, "Wait, does he have a brown box? Maybe a package?"

"I don't know, maybe," Steve racked just brain, "Is it him or not?"

"I can't tell," Abner admitted honestly, "But he's scared and hiding. Plus, I don't know that many people who wear metal suits."

"Thank you so much," Steve opened the exit, grabbing the attention of everyone.

"Holy- oh my god!"

"Tell me when to go," Steve readied himself to jump despite Abner's panicked state.

"Without a parachute?! You'll-,"

"I don't need a parachute."

"But I- fuck- now!" Abner yelled, gasping when Steve jumped out, "Oh my god! He's going to die. Holy shit!"

"Stupid," Thor muttered, looking out the door, "How does he plan to get back here?"

"How does he plan to land?!"

"With his feet," Thor replied as though Abner were stupid.

"Right, and then he'll just Uber home!"

"Really? Who's Uber?"

~~~~~

Tony spotted a bench that faced an empty parking lot, and he limped over to take a seat.

He felt himself starting to get bad, but his options were just so limited. The comms were down; Bruce was in a different state; and there was no one to be seen for miles, just an empty campus.

He felt tension grew in his face and limbs, his mind replaying the last time he felt like this. His breathing became more rapid, more shallow. It was times like these when Tony remembered why the bottle was so comforting.