Life Changes (ch7)

Life Changes (ch7)

Tony looks around, unsure where he was at first. He started to recognize his surroundings. Stephen's room? More specifically Stephen's bed. Then the panic set in. He didn't really remember anything from the previous night. What the hell happened? Did he- Did they-

Tony climbs out of the bed, noting with relief, that he was fully clothed.

"Stephen?" He calls, padding out into the living room and then the kitchen. It was empty. Then he noticed the time. Eleven thirty.

"Shit!" Tony scrambles around before trying to call Stephen and getting voice mail. That's when he noticed the sticky note on the door.

Tony, don't bother coming today. I told Rogers you're sick. No more drinking and don't bother looking as I have gotten rid of all of mine and stopped by your place. Go rest and shower. You smell terrible. I'll know if you don't. And don't bother calling, I'm busy all day. I'll see you later.

The note was written in Stephen's careful, neat handwriting. Though it was written, Tony could hear Stephen speaking in his head, cold and careful. He sighs and pulls on his shoes and jacket. He needed to find out exactly what happened.

-----.------

Peter looks up as a doctor he didn't recognize entered his room. He was big compared to Tony. He had a fake arm too, which Peter found pretty cool. The arm was decorated with swirls and music notes.

"Hi?" Peter asked, sitting up.

"Hello."

"Who are you?"

"My name is Bucky. I'm a peds surgeon."

"Peds?"

"I work with kids."

Peter tilts his head. "You do know I'm an adult right? Did Tony tell you I was-"

"No Tony didn't tell me you were a kid. I am aware of your age."

"So-not to be rude at all- why are you here?"

Bucky laughs, sitting down. "You see this here?" He gestures to his prosthetic arm.

'Um..yes?" Peter answers, confused.

Bucky looks at him thoughtfully.

"I was in the same predicament you're in years ago."

Peter blinks, not understanding at first. The he leans back, his eyes narrowed.

"You can still do what you love. I literally cannot."

Bucky stared at him, obviously choosing his next words very carefully.

"Peter, when I was younger, I never wanted to come anywhere near a hospital if I didn't want to. I was a cop right here in New York City. One of the best on the precinct. There was a bomber that took out an entire city block, about thirteen years ago."

Peter nods. "I remember that. I just started seventh grade when that happened." His voice was small, careful.

"I almost had the guy when part of the building collapsed and trapped me and a pregnant woman. She went into labor and I had to deliver her baby myself. At that point I had no training at all. But the little boy seemed healthy. We stayed there until the EMTs came to get us. We managed to get her out but part of the building collapsed. I was knocked back and pinned under a peice of the building. I couldn't feel my arm and I blacked out. Next thing i know, I'm in the hospital with a missing arm. That's the day I met Steve Rogers. He was just an intern at the time but he helped so much. Never put up with any of my bullshit and called me out on it every time. He helped me get back on my feet and made me realize that there was more to life than chasing down bad guys and paperwork."

Peter smiles a little. "Yeah but saving people is what you've always done. You're just doing it differently. I can't even do what I'm good at anymore. There is no way around it."

"Well feeling sorry for yourself won't make it any better." Bucky says, crossing his arms. "What are you going to do?"

"I don't know!" The words came out louder than he intended, and he winced a little. The silence settled heavily in the small room.

Bucky stands up. "You'll figure it out. Don't be stupid and give up here. You'll regret it."

-----.-----

Tony stared blankly at the wall of his living room. He needed to find out what happened with Stephen. It wasn't like him to not answer his phone. If he didn't, he always texted. But Tony had called twenty eight times and no response at all. Maybe Pepper knew? Sitting up straight, he called Pepper. She answered on the first ring.

"Tony? How are you feeling?"

"Like hell." He answers honestly.

"What happened?"

"I'm not actually sure-"

"You got drunk again." It wasn't a question.

"Can you do me a favor?" Tony asked. He hated asking for favors but it needed to be done.

"Depends on what that favor is."

"Can you find out what's wrong with Stephen? He won't talk to me. At all."

Pepper sucked in a breath.

"Tony what did you do?"

"That's the thing. I don't know?"

"My god Tony." She sighs. Tony could picture her rubbing her forehead in his mind, the way she always did when he did something stupid. "Yeah I'll see what I can find out."

"Thank you. You're the best."

"Yes, I know."

"Hey if you see him, can you have him check on Aaron for me?"

"He's in there now."

"Alright. Good."

"Peter talked to Bucky today."

"Oh? How did that go?"

"Bucky told Peter the story of how he lost his arm."

All the attendings at the hospital knew the story. It still chilled them when it was brought up. Tony is quiet for a few minutes. He had no idea what to say.

"He is starting PT day after next."

Grateful for the subject change, Tony winces a little.

"Oh that's gonna be fun." He says sarcastically.

"Tasha won't take any crap from him."

"I think it'll do him good to get up and walk about a little."

"Yeah-"

Tony her a conversation in the background he couldn't quite make out then Pepper was back.

"I gotta go. There's been a crash."

"Go kick ass."

-----.-----

Stephen turns into Aaron's room after updating himself by reading the chart. As he enters the room, the tall boy next to the bed visibly tenses. The blonde girl on the other side stands and holds out her hand.

"Come on Spence. Let's go get some food."

Silently, the boy nods and stands. As they past, the girl whispers

"He doesn't like new people."

Once they left the room, Aarn finally spoke.

"Where's Dr. Stark?"

Stephen bites the inside of his cheek.

"He's sick. He'll be back tomorrow."

"Is he okay?"

It was sweet that this kid is concerned. Stephen found himself almost smiling.

"Yeah. It's just a head cold is all."

"Oh. That's good. So what's your name?"

It was then that Stephen realized that he hadn't introduced himself.

"I'm Dr. Strange. I'm filling in for Dr. Stark today."

"Dr. Strange?" Aaron smiles a little. "I bet you get a lot of crap with a name like that."

Stephen laughs. He liked this kid.

"Yeah, to-Dr. Stark likes to tease me about it. I've probably heard every joke there is about it."

"Well at least it's not as weird as Hotchner."

"I think Hotchner is kinda badass. You could be called Hotch and be like an FBI assassin."

"You know, that's not a bad idea."

"So how are you feeling Agent Hotchner?" Stephen asked with a grin and a wink.

"Better. I can feel my arm now."

"That's good. If all keeps up, you should be able to leave tomorrow."

"Really?" Aaron grins.

"Really."

He looks towards the window. "And it looks like your people are back. If you need anything just let me know, okay?"

"Okay. Thank you."

With a nod, Stephen leaves the room. He puts the chart back on the nurse's station and turns to see Pepper.

"Ah hello."

"Hey are you busy?" She asked.

"No. What's up?"

"I know Tony was at your place last night." She starts.

"Pepper-"

"I need to know what happened." She says gently.

Stephen looks around an takes a breath. He trusted her. She was the only one who knew his secret. That he was in love with Tony.

"Not here." He said, turning and going to the nearest supply closet. Pepper follows him in.

"Stephen?"

Stephen turns to face her.

"He showed up to my place, drunk off his ass. Probably due to this Peter situation. He said he wanted attention but I know how he is when he's drunk. I sent him to a guest room and finished the chapter I was reading before going to bed myself. Instead of going to a guest room, he went to my bed." He pauses and stares at the floor.

"Did something happen? Did you two-"

"He kissed me." Stephen says and Pepper's words trail off.

"He kissed you?"

Stephen nods silently, running a hand through his hair.

"Did you kiss him back?"

Stephen shakes his head. "I couldn't. Not when I wasn't the one he wanted. Did he tell you?"

Pepper sighs and shakes her head. "He doesn't remember."

"Of course not." Stephen lets out a dry laugh. "He's not going to. I'm not- I can't tell him. I can't face that."

"You should tell him eventually Stephen."

"Well it doesn't matter now, does it?"

-----.------

Peter looks up as a nurse came in the room. It wasn't Wanda this time, but a tall black man with nice hair.

"Hi."

"Hello."

"Where is Miss Wanda?"

"She's at home today." He smiles a little. "I am T'challa."

"Oh. Well T'challa, my name is Peter."

"Yes I know. Tony is very worried about you. It's making him crazy in the head."

Peter stared at him in disbelief.

"How about, let him know how are feeling."

Peter is silent, watching T'challa check his vitals and offer him a smile. A knowing smile full of warmth. Taking a deep breath, Peter pulls out his phone and dials.

"Tony?" He says, barely a whisper.