<>A/N<>

I just realized that Tony was 41 when Steve went in the ice, but that doesn't make sense to me, as he died 53, so I'm having so that Tony was 16 when Steve went in the ice.

<>Rhodey's POV<>

I got a phone call from Natasha. Something's wrong with Tony. He wants to see me. I scheduled a plane to leave with me on it as soon as possible, and fortunately, that means in a half hour. I don't know how long I'm gonna be in New York, so I packed enough for two weeks. I was tapping my foot for the entire plane ride. I'm happy there was no pilot, or I would've driven him insane.

The plane finally landed and Pepper was at the airstrip to pick me up. I ran up to her, wanting to see Tony as quick as possible. "Pepper? Is he okay? What happened?" I asked while we got into the car. She sighed and hit the gas, knowing that I get impatient when I'm nervous. "Rhodey... he's different. He doesn't remember anyone in the gang, except for Steve. But he thinks Steve is dead. Rhodey, we don't know what happened. Loki hit him with something and... and he thinks his parents are alive." I swiveled my head to look at her. "How does he remember me then? If he asked for me, then he remembers who I am. Right?"

"According to Nat, when she asked if he was talking about Colonel James Rhodes, he said yes, but that you aren't a Colonel." Pepper replied, not taking her eyes off the road. I just sat and thought, not saying anything. When we finally arrived at the Tower, it looked completely normal. Pepper brought me up to the Medical Facility, and I barged in. She was right. He is different. He looks... younger.

<>Tony's POV<>

I waited for hours for my best friend to come rescue me from this confusion. After an eternity of waiting, Rhodey barged in the door. He seemed stressed, but as soon as he saw me, the creases on his forehead softened. He seemed older, much older then I remember. He doesn't look like he would climb a school with me anymore, he seemed more serious. 

I couldn't help it anymore. "We're still friends?" I blurted out. He seemed different, but I needed a friend. I needed MY friend. He smiled and nodded. "Tones. You're my best friend." I was really skinny and a runt, but I still almost managed to knock him over when I sprinted over to him and gave him the biggest hug in eternity. "What's wrong with me?" I whispered in his ear. He sighed. "I don't know Tones. I don't know." 

We both sat down on the table that I woke up on and he asked me everything I remembered. "Steve died and Miss Carter cried. Dad was always with her or at festivals. Mom was at the festivals with dad and I was just home. I just finished making a motorcycle without dads help! And then I was here. I-I don't know what happened." "It's okay Tones, it's okay. We'll figure it out okay?" I just nodded. "Can I talk to mom?' I asked him.

Rhodey looked up at Natasha questioningly. She nodded. He turned back to me and said, "Tony... when you made your first motorcycle... it was- it was years and years ago. Tony... your parents were killed a long time ago." My head snapped up. "No. No no no no no. NO! They can't be dead! Dad was at a festival! Mom was talking to Mister Jarvis!" I was interrupted by a robotic voice. "Yes sir? Do you need something?"

I looked around, looking for the strange voice. It sounded kind of like Jarvis's voice, but I didn't see him. "Mr. Jarvis? Where are you?" "Sir, I am all around you. And since when have you addressed me as Mister?" Rhodey let out an exasperated breath. "Tony... the voice you are hearing is Artificial Intelligence. Edwin Jarvis isn't here. He also died years ago...." He trailed off. I couldn't help it anymore. As much as I hated crying in front of people, this was all too much. 

I started crying and couldn't stop. The other people left to leave me with Rhodey. I just sat there, crying on his shoulder, for what must've been hours. There's no way that almost everyone that I know is dead. There's just no way. I saw mom, dad, and Mr. Jarvis just yesterday... didn't I? I heard the door swivel open, and I looked up to see a strawberry blonde haired woman in the doorframe. Her eyes widened before saying hastily, "Oh I'm sorry. I'll leave you be." Rhodes shook his head. "Tony, this is Pepper. She is here to help you." So he got me a therapist?! He KNOWS that I don't work well with therapists. Does that mean she's taking me somewhere? Does he think I'm insane? I thought he was my friend. I scooted away from him and wiped the tears away from my face. "I'm not going with you! James how could you do this?! I thought we were friends! Why are you having me taken away? The James I know wouldn't do that!" I screamed in his face. He flinched and took a deep breath. "Tony. Pepper is not a therapist. She is not here to take you anywhere. She's here to help you understand where you are and what's going on. Trust me. I wouldn't do that to you."

<>A/N<>

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