Double Trouble//T. Stark

2.6

//NEW TOYS AND SECRETS\\

Lydia and Lucas come down the stairs just as Rhodey walks in as well.

He looks between Pepper and Natalie, who are on the phone, to Lucas and Lydia who are carrying folders.

"Where is he?" He asks as Pepper leans over to Natalie, telling her to fax something.

Lucas places a few folders in front of Natalie who sends him a thankful smile.

"He doesn't want to be disturbed." Natalie says at the same time that Pepper turns to face Rhodey. "He's downstairs."

Lydia sets some folders in front of Pepper and then smiles at her uncle. "We'll take you."

He nods his head and allows the two to follow him down the stairs. When they reach the bottom Lydia peers in to the room while Rhodey inputs the code.

She can spot Tony's head in one of his cars while different articles and pictures sit in the air in front of him.

Lucas pushes the door open first.

"Uncle Rhodey's here." He says, to which Tony doesn't answer.

Lydia is the last one in and closes the door before joining Lucas and Rhodey.

"Tony, you gotta get upstairs and get on top of this situation right now." When Tony doesn't answer, Rhodey takes a few steps closer.

"Listen, i've been on the phone with the National Guard all day, trying to talk them out of rolling tanks up the PCH, knocking down your front door, and taking these." He points to the multitude of suits standing against the wall. "They're gonna take your suits, Tony, okay?" He takes a few steps closer to the suits but the twins stay standing by the door, unsure of why Tony hasn't even looked at them yet. "They're sick of your games. You said nobody else would possess this technology for 20 years. Well guess what? Somebody else had it yesterday. It's not theoretical anymore."

Rhodey sighs at the lack of response and moves towards Tony, who still hasn't moved.

He puts a hand on the billionaires shoulder. "Are you listening to me?"

The moment Tony looks up at him, Rhodey grows concerned. "You okay?"

Upon hearing this, the twins move to Rhodye's side just as Tony pats his arm.

They notice the tired look in his eyes but stay silent and step back from the car when he says "Let's go."

Tony pushes himself out of the passenger side of the car and Rhodey walks around to him. Just before Rhodey reaches him, Tony collapses to the ground and uses the car to keep himself up.

"Dad!" Lydia yells as her and Lucas rush over to help Rhodey.

"Hey J.A.R.V.I.S., get m-"

"No." Tony interrupts Lucas. "My desk, I need to get to my desk."

Lucas and Lydia step out of the way and let Rhodey help Tony over to his desk. They trail a few feet behind.

"See that cigar box?" Tony asks as they get closer to his desk.

"Yeah." Lucas answers upon notices the box laying at the edge of his desk.

"It's palladium." Tony gasps when Rhodey lets him sit down.

"Palladium?" Lucas questions as Lydia stands beside her dad. "Dad, what's going on?"

Rhodey opens the box to reveal a row of rectangular-looking discs.

Tony removes the arc reactor from his chest as Lucas begins to piece things together in his mind.

Tony's arc reactor releases the palladium from the middle of it and smoke comes out along with it.