A/N: I own nothing pertaining to MARVEL except my DVD's

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"Knowing a person is like music, what attracts us to them is their melody, and as we get to know who they are, we learn their lyrics. – Anonymous

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James Rhodes had always been a quiet child. If you go to the old neighborhood and find people that remember him growing up, they all remember him being studious and calm, no matter what was going on in his home. James kept to himself most of the time, until one day in middle school. His school had an assembly one day to discuss their futures. He already knew that several, if not half of his current class wouldn't make it to graduation and he was determined to do better then them. People from various careers came and spoke to them, a couple intrigued him but his attention was caught by an Air Force Lieutenant. From that day forward he knew he wanted to serve his country. He took up running and started doing pushups and pull ups when he could. He played sports in high school and graduated at the top of his class, going straight into the service. They paid for him to go to college where he studied his way through classes during the week and did drills as required.

His sophomore year he was given a roommate, one Anthony Stark. The school hoped that with Anthony being younger and James being in the Air Force, that James could keep an eye on the prodigy.

Looking back on that, James can't help but laugh. Sure James helped Anthony out of a couple of tight spots, when his running sarcasm would get him into trouble with other older students, but (not that he would admit to Tony except when very drunk) Anthony taught him so much more.

They ended up becoming Tony and Rodey by the end of the first semester the were put together. Tony's brash attitude and loud personality complimented James quieter more reserved nature. They went most places together except their individual classes.

"Whatever it is you're planning, don't."

"You aren't even here, Rhodey, how do you know I'm planning anything?"

"Because I know you Tony, now cancel whatever it is."

"Sure thing."

"Tony, I mean it. I'm not going to be able to help you out of trouble this time. You remember what the dean said last time."

"Yeah, yeah. No wild parties in his office this time. Got it."

"Tony…"

"Can't hear you, going through tunnel, talk later." Tony hung up on his friend.

"I swear that boy will be the death of me yet." Rhodes said to the airman stepping up to take his place at the phone bank.

Receiving just a blank stare, he sighed and relinquished the phone to the next guy in line.

Four hours later, there was a knock on the door.

Tony opened it, expecting to find an older classmate with the keg Tony had ordered, since he was too young to get it himself; luckily, he had plenty of money that got him what he needed.

"You are not what I ordered."

"No sir, my name is Happy Hogan, I was sent here by James Rhodes. He tasked me with keeping an eye on you, and I quote, "Do NOT let him throw or go to any parties until I get back in town," end quote.

"He's just jealous he won't be here to enjoy the awesomeness."

"I believe his thoughts were that he couldn't be here to help bail you out of trouble again."

"Well I already laid the plans for a little get together tonight, so I'm afraid your trip over here was all for naught."

"And those plans have been taken care of."

"Excuse me."

"James said to tell you that he called your supplier and told him the party was off and then I believe he started a phone tree to let the campus know of the change of plans."

At that moment Tony's phone rang.

"I have to get that, you go away." Tony shut the door on Happy.

"What have you done?" he said without preamble.

"I took measures to ensure a quiet night for you." Rhodes said.

"You had no reason to do that."

"I care about you, that's reason enough. Just study, watch a movie, read a book, build something. Get to know Happy, I bet you will hit it off."

"Ah yes, the big guy in the hall, where ever did you find him?"

"He is actually the brother of a guy I know here, we were talking about it and he mentioned his brother was looking at getting into the bodyguard business."

"So, you hired me a bodyguard?"

"Yes, he knows a lot about boxing apparently, maybe he can show you some moves."

"My moves are just fine thank you."

"Just relax, I'll be back in a few days and then you can throw your party."

"Whatever you say man."

"Let Happy into the apartment Tony."

"Goodbye Rhodes."

"Tony."

Click

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The next day found Tony and Happy in a boxing ring trading hits. After Happy landed a particularly hard hit, he called for a break.

"I guess this is Rhodey's way of making sure I won't get the girls once he gets back." Tony said kneading the area around his eye, where a bruise was already formed from an earlier hit.

"I think he just wants you to learn to defend yourself, sir."

"That's what I have him for."

Happy tilted his head at the younger kid. "You know if he gets that promotion he's going after, he'll be deployed."

Tony stared blankly for a moment before turning to get a bottle of water.

"I apologize for stepping over bounds, I wasn't aware you didn't know his plans."

"I wasn't aware you were close enough to him to know his plans."

"I'm not, my brother mentioned it when he called me about this job."

"I see." Tony climbed out of the ring.

"Where you going?" Happy called out.

All he got was a raised hand then Tony was disappearing through the doors.

When James got home, he found Happy in his room but Tony was no where to be found.

"So how long after you got here did he disappear?" Rhodes asked dropping his bags.

"Yesterday, he left my in the boxing ring and by the time I got outside, he was gone."

"When doesn't want to be found, it can be near impossible. What happened?"

"It was my fault, I mentioned something I shouldn't have and it upset him."

"What?"

"I said brought up your promotion and deployment as a possibility for the near future."

Rhodes sighed deeply, "I see."

"I shouldn't have assumed he knew, and I definitely shouldn't have said anything about it."

"No you shouldn't have, but it's okay. I'm back now, so you're good to leave. I'll go get Tony."

"I can help."

"I think its best if it's just the two of us for this."

"Yes sir."

Happy closed the door behind him.

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"Hey Tones." James said softly.

He was met with silence.

"I'm back."

"Obviously."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

Tony shrugged, "It's your life."

"And you're my best friend."

Tony glanced up from the car he was working on.

"Look, nothing is being determined until I finish school. Even then, I'll still be around. Someone has to make sure you eat, bathe, drink something nonalcoholic."

Tony grunted and leaned back over the hood of his car.

"Whatever happens in our life, Tones, I will never abandon you."

"Hand me that wrench would ya?" Tony finally spoke.

Rhodes grinned while handing over the tool, they were going to be just fine. He knew they would perform this dance again and again through the years, but they would remain friends, brothers, through it all. They knew each other inside and out, and nothing could interrupt that.

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A/N: I'm sorry to disappear from this work for so long, but I'm trying to get back into writing.

A/N 2: Reviews are still life.