Chapter 17

"Good morning," Pepper said cheerfully as she breezed into the room. She stooped over the bed and gave Tony a gentle kiss on the cheek as he roused himself from sleep. He raised a hand up to his face, wiped at his eyes and smiled tiredly. "Morning."

"I thought you would be up already," she said, settling down in the chair next to the bed.

"Yeah," he grumbled, before glancing at his watch. "I guess my body is enjoying all of this rest." He gingerly pushed himself up in the bed, mindful of jostling his leg. With the use of two arms, this was much easier, even if one was terribly week and sore. Ruttenberg had released the strapping, with a firm warning of what would happen if he attempted another walk about. Tony agreed, after the fall, and minor surgery to realign some of the screws on the fixator encasing his leg, it wasn't something he wanted to repeat.

She began to rummage through a duffel bag he hadn't noticed her carrying. "I bought you some new clothes - t-shirts, shorts and sweat pants."

Tony frowned. "Thanks," he said, voice lowering in tone.

"What? You want to wear an Armani three piece suit for your first physiotherapy session?"

Tony smirked. "It would probably make me feel better, you know, look good on the outside, feel better on the outside?"

Pepper began folding the items. "I'm not sure how practical that would be."

"Says the woman who wears 4 inch heels for 14 hour work days."

Pepper smirked, shaking her head at him. "I'm joking," he said, "Thanks, can't wait to get started."

"Just remember to follow the physiotherapist's instructions to the letter Tony," she warned. "We don't want another set-back."

"Sure," he said, sarcastic. "We don't, and I certainly don't, what with it being my arm and all."

"Right now," Pepper said, her voice a notch higher. "I really want to challenge you to an arm wrestle."

"Ha ha," he replied dryly, leaning over to pick up his tablet.

"And I hope you're not spending too much time on that," she nodded to the device in his hands. "You really do need to rest."

"Rest is for smuckhs" he said, before changing his tone at the warning look on her face. "I'm just working on some designs, that's all. It's handy, when I can't sleep. Not like I can wonder down to the workshop."

"I didn't know you were having trouble sleeping, sleeping beauty," she leant over to give him another kiss on the cheek before snatching the tablet from his good hand.

"Hey!" Tony yelped.

"And as I only get an hour with you a day, I want your attention on me, not some new designs." She sat down next to him now, smirking as she held the tablet out of his reach.

"You know," he grinned, "I kind of like you like this… feisty?"

A nurse entered room with breakfast for two, a habit they had settled into for the last week, and she left the room to the sound of their gentle banter and laughter behind her, and a warm smile on her own face.

The next two weeks passed quickly. Ruttenberg was keeping a close eye on Tony, trying to make sure his patient didn't overdo it, and was pleased to see he appeared to be taking this seriously and following instructions. Tony had settled into a new routine of sleep, pain medication and then either physiotherapy sessions for the slowly healing shoulder wound, or visits from his team mates. While the monotony was frustrating, Tony was pleased to see the results of his work. Whilst his shoulder still hurt and was greatly weakened, after two weeks of what at first seemed like ridiculous (if painful) exercises, he was beginning to see results.

His leg was another matter. He was still working on accepting that this was going to take a lot longer - months, possible years even. He had grown used to waking and feeling the heavy, tender contraption secured to his skin, holding his bones together as they healed. It still hurt, when the dressings were changed, but this was now a less frequent task, thankfully. A shower was still out of the question, unfortunately, but as his damaged shoulder began to heal he was already able to better take care of himself, and knowing he didn't need to rely on others for things as simple as washing or shaving himself, well, that made him feel good. Getting in and out of bed was still difficult, and a slow, painful act, and he quietly accepted the wheelchair required for any movement, without a fight. For now he ignored this, instead focusing instead on getting his arm and shoulder functionality back. When he was strong enough, he would be able to try to walk with crutches instead of the wheelchair, and that the goal he was currently focused on.

He was unsurprised when Natasha ambled into his room one morning, wheelchair in tow and a grin on her face. He had physiotherapy sessions every other day, one day on to work, the next to recover. His team mates visited him in the alternate days, he was too tired for visitors after a session, and Pepper came to see him every morning where they had breakfast together. They had vowed to continue this tradition even after he was fit and well again, and the thought warmed him, he was actually looking forward to this, what once happened on a rare occssion due to workloads and scheduling, they were now going to make a priority, regardless of work, and he couldn't wait.

"What do you look so pleased about?" He asked curiously.

Natasha raised an eyebrow. "Want to break out of this place for a while?"

Now Tony raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"

"I thought you could do with a break, and I have the day off. Thought it might be nice to swing by the tower for a few hours? I've got a car out waiting in the lot, if you're up for it?"

Tony couldn't deny how good the prospect of visiting the tower was. Even if it was just for a couple of hours, it was better than nothing, and he hadn't been home in weeks.

"Sure," he said, trying to sound casual and hide his eagerness, "sign me up."

Natasha grinned.

As the elevator took them up to the Avenger's floor, Tony tried not to look at his reflection in the mirror. His hair was too long, he had two days' worth of stubble (he had been too tired to shave the last two mornings) and he was wearing grey sweat pants and a matching hoodie. He looked, in all honestly, like crap. He was too thin and despite the fact that he was well rested, he looked washed out and tired. He had wanted to do his return to the tower on too feet, albeit with crutches, but he knew not to argue when Natasha had rolled out the wheelchair, he knew he wasn't up for walking just yet, despite the leaps and gains made with the work on his arm. He had negotiated with Natasha that he push himself, but it was hard work, his arm not quite as strong as he had imagined, and he had given in and nodded his head when she had looked questioningly at him as they reached the lift. How she had known he was ready for a break he did not know, he was just grateful he didn't have to ask. His leg was held out straight in front of him, covered in an Iron Man blanket Natasha had brought along which made him smile. He was worried about bashing it on a wall or in the door, as so often happens on slap stick TV channels, but thankfully Natasha navigated the chair with care.

"Will anyone be in?" Tony asked. If Natasha had busted him out it made sense that the tower would be empty. And Pepper had a business planning meeting, she had to hurry off for it earlier that morning. Still, it would be nice just to get back into his home for a while.

Natasha just smirked at him as the lift reached there floor. The elevator pinged and then the doors opened. Jarvis was the first to speak. "Welcome home Sir."

"Thanks J-Jesus!" Tony nearly shot out of his chair as he was pushed into the room. A huge "welcome home" banner hung from the ceiling, and many more were pasted on the walls in the huge open living space. Balloons were scattered everywhere. The Avengers were all stood around wearing party hats and simultaneously pulling on party poppers, the initial bangs making him jump as he took in the scene with surprise. Tony's scanned the room, his mouth open in shock.

"I do believe that's the first time I've seen you speechless."

"Rhodes!" Tony was shocked.

"Hey Tony!"

Tony was even more surprised. "Harley," he smiled.

"Here you go Boss," Happy handed him a glass of juice.

"Happy, thanks," Tony said, still in a state of shock and surprise.

He tilted his head up to face Natasha, mouth half open. "Was this you?"

Natasha shook her head, smiling, surprised herself at how well they had managed to shock him. She nodded with her head and Tony faced forwards again, a new smile on his face, different, more content.

"Pepper," he said, awe struck as she moved over to greet him. She leaned forwards, gave him a lingering kiss on his cheek and smile.

"Welcome home Tony," she whispered softly in his ear.

"Thank you," he muttered, grasping her hand in his and squeezing it. "Home, as in?"

"As in home. I've hired medical carers who will make daily visits, and SI now also house a team of the world's top physiotherapists. Dr Ruttenberg has also agreed to make house calls when required to check on your progress on your leg. You will have to go back in for the surgeries on your leg in the future, but the time spent there should be minimal."

"In short," Clint laughed, still impressed with Tony's surprise, "You're stuck with us."

"Thanks guys, this is great."

Natasha wheeled him further in and he could see tables piled high with food and cake and what looked to be a drinks table. He tried to get closer but Natasha put the brakes on. "This is an alcohol free party," she said sternly.

Tony smiled lightly. "I'd expect nothing less."

House later, the party had fizzled out. Clint had fallen asleep and was dozing in the corner. Natasha was concentrating hard on a tablet, seated alone in the kitchen, her posture demanding privacy. Happy was with Harley on a games console, winning; but using cheating tactics, if anyone would believe Harley.

Tony had wheeled his chair up to a gap in the room and the others had positioned there chairs around him so they formed a loose circle. Pepper sat to his left, a hand on his knee. Bruce was to his right, the two had been talking about the possibilities of using science to speed up healing time. Pepper had warned them both that under no circumstances were the experiments to be conducted on Tony. Rhodey and Steve formed the last of the circle, they had been talking military earlier, but now they were both focused on Tony.

"You look tired Tony," Pepper fussed, "I don't think tonight should be a late one."

Tony nodded tiredly, surprising everyone when he simply responded "Agreed. Rhodey, how long are you home for?"

"Two more nights before I have to leave. Plenty of time for us to catch up."

Steve didn't miss the way Tony's face lit up at that, it made him think of the friendship he had had with Bucky, and he smiled to himself gently.

"What are we doing tomorrow?"

Pepper cleared her throat. "I know you aren't going to like this, but I've drawn up a schedule. I worked it out with the doctors, to ensure you aren't over taxing yourself, and to make sure you get the same amount of physiotherapy done here as you would have in hospital."

"Does it have any workshop time scheduled in?"

Pepper smirked. She had known this would come up. "It does. Brief time slots. But you have a chaperone who will ensure that 1. You stick to those time slots 2. You don't do anything that could hamper your recover during those time slots. Bruce has agreed to take over the role of chaperone."

Tony glared at Bruce, "traitor." Bruce laughed and held his hands out in a defensive position. "It was the best I could do."

"What about you, didn't you have a big business meeting today?"

Pepper blushed lightly. "I actually made that up. A cover, if you will. Natasha coached me."

"I bet she did." He was cut off by a loud shriek of laugher from Harley across the room.

"How long is the kid here for?"

"His mum agreed to another week, but she wanted him back ready for when school starts again."

"Fair enough, I owe him some suit time."

"I know you do, he hasn't stopped going on about it."

Tony smiled. "He's a good kid," he said. Rhodey and Bruce left for more coffee, Steve looked around the room awkwardly for an escape.

"What about you Cap?"

"What about me?"

"You got any cover in place while I'm out?"

"The Falcon's stepped in. He's no Iron Man, but he can provide some air support, and it's better than nothing."

Tony nodded, pleased the team had some support, but more relieved that he hadn't been replaced.

"We need you back Tony, but not until you're better, as strong as you were. It may take a while, but we can wait."

"Thanks. Any news on finding the guys that did this?"

Steve shook his head. "No ,I'm sorry. They were smart. I've got a few more leads to chase down. I'm not saying we're close, but I'm confident we'll get them."

Tony nodded. "Good enough for me."

"I thought you'd be more impatient than that."

Tony tapped against the blanket covering the fixator holding his leg together. "The longer it takes, the better I'll be. I want to be in on the take down. So take your time, there's no rush."

"Tony…" Steve warned.

"I'm not saying I'm going to kill the guys, I just… wouldn't mind popping off a few extra repulsor blasts."

Steve just smirked, saying nothing, knowing anything he did say in agreement or disagreement, would only serve to encourage him.

Later, when the guests had left or retired to their rooms, Pepper and Tony made their way to bed. It was difficult, getting out of the chair and into the bed, and it hurt, but it felt so good when he was laid beneath his own covers, Pepper at his side.

"Was this okay?" Pepper asked. She knew Tony didn't like to be out of control and she was worried the surprise party and early release could irritate him, but she was sure he had enjoyed himself.

"This was great. Thank you," he whispered, pulling her closer. He winced slightly as he did so, and she pulled away gently, sensing it. He quickly pulled her back, holding her tighter.

"You okay?" she whispered.

He shook his head, he wasn't okay. He felt physically weak and his leg was throbbing. He had months and months of pain, surgery and rehabilitation ahead of him. But he thought about his team, waiting here for him, wanting to welcome him home. Steve had promised him they would go jogging together when his leg had healed. Natasha had made him agree to trying at least one self-defence lesson when he was well enough to help rebuild his muscle mass. Clint had agreed to sharing any take out food he fancied, any time. Bruce and he were already dreaming up their next science project. He thought or Happy and Rhodey, two of his oldest friends, being there for him yet again. He looked over at Pepper, he couldn't see her face in the darkness but he smiled at her anyway, feeling his stomach flutter at the thought of his love for her.

"Yea," he whispered back, "I'm fine."

Hey folks! Sorry for the delay on this one! I had more plans for this but just no time to write, so I've tied it up sooner than expected. I hope the final chapter was okay and not too rushed!

Merry Christmas everyone xxx