This one is really short.

~TH~

"Stark." The voice was hard and cold. He looked up from his position on his hands and knees.

"Na-Natasha?"

She took a step forward. "I want you to tell me exactly what happened. I'll know if you're lying."

"Natasha..." He pleaded.

"Tony," Her voice stayed firm, but there might have been a slight softening of her eyes. "Sam said Steve called you. I want to know exactly what he said."

"I don- I don't know. Jus-just apologize a lot."

"What else." Tony had only ever heard that clipped tone when she was interrogating prisoners. Never towards him.

"I don't remember!"

"Stark."

"I have the recording, Boss."

"Play it." The assassin said without hesitation.

"No," Tony found himself whispering.

She didn't even spare him a glance.

"Hello."

"H-hey Tony."

"Rogers. What do you think you're doing? I could call Ross right now with your coordinates."

Natasha sent him a scathing glare.

A soft laugh sounded from the phone, "That's true. And if you did..." There was a pause. "I'm sorry Tony. I-I was wrong. Should have, should have told you. My fault. I-I'm sorry."

"You know, uh, I could talk to Ross. I bet he'd pardon you, or whatever political thing needs to be done if you'd just sign."

"I think it's too late for that."

"Aw come on! It'd be fine! You may not agree with it, but it's better than being a fugitive, right?"

"Tony..."

"Is this about Barnes? Because you know-!"

"He's gone."

"What do you mean?"

"He went under cyro. He didn't... He didn't want to be a danger to anyone."

"Cap...."

"I'm sorry Tony."

"Steve, what-?"

"Goodbye,"

"What? Steve? What's happening. What do you mean its too late? Steve?!"

"I'm sorry." A gun discharged.

"Steve!"

Tony was having another panic attack.

"Tony, you need to breathe." Natasha's hands were soft on his face.

People kept saying that. Saying he needed to breathe. They didn't understand. They didn't understand anything.

"Rhodey will be back soon, but I need to go."

"It's all my fault, isn't it?" Tony mumbled.

Natasha glanced at him but didn't answer.

The silence was answer enough.

~A~
Final instalment tomorrow.

Please review!

But please don't flame. I've had people get really upset on how "easy" I'm being on Tony.

For those that think that, feel free to read any of my other stories. Most of them deal more with Steve than Tony.

Just don't accuse me of being a deluded Tony Stan.

If you don't like, don't read 🙃

God bless,
Jamie