It had been a week after that video from Siberia was broadcasted. Now it was everywhere. It was on the news when they were talking about the unstable situation of the world, on the internet where a complete version was posted.
Tony had spent two days after he saw that video on the news in his lab. He worked until he could not go on. He ignored all calls and what his body needed. He did not say a word when Rhodey and Vision talked to him. Tony kept working until he collapsed from exhaustion and another bout of panic attacks.
Rhodey was very worried. He, Bruce , and Vision had tried everything to help their friend. Yet the omega showed so little response. It was only until the third day after the video had been broadcasted that Tony started talking again. He asked Vision to make him scrambled eggs. Rhodey would be lying if he said he didn't feel relieved.
It was the sixth day after the video from Siberia went viral that Tony was back to himself. Vision and Rhodey had attended all the meetings while Tony recovered in his lab. They had granted Happy access to all places of their living area, in case something happened and they weren't there in time. Happy spent most of his day watching Tony tinkering in the lab.
However, on the seventh day, Secretary Ross decided to visit them at the base. And this visit made Rhodey wish he could punch the alpha in the face without any consequences.
"Good afternoon gentlemen, I've seen that you've been… busy."
Ross said as he stood in front of the table they were sitting at. Happy was in another room because he wasn't allowed in. Rhodey knew that Ross' second sentence was meant for Tony, but his friend still showed no sign that he acknowledged that.
"I'll get straight to the point then," Ross said, putting a picture on the table. Rhodey took a look at it and felt his heart drop when he saw that it was a picture of a package labelled 'Tony Stark'. He remembered this box, the deliverer had misread Tony's name from "Stark" to "Stank". But that was not the point here.
'How did Ross know about this? How did he get a picture of it?' Rhodey was slightly panicked. Tony didn't tell him any details about the package, but he had already guessed that it must be something from Steve Rogers.
"Took us some time to get the picture." Ross shrugged as he enlightened them of how he got the picture. "My men had noticed a FedEx car visiting this compound, but that day there was no record of what it delivered. So I guessed that they might have a picture of it from where it was loaded. Luckily, this box was on top of the pile when they loaded it into a truck."
Rhodey felt his heart drop. He stole a glance at Tony and Vision. The android kept his eyes on Ross with a blank expression while Tony was looking anywhere but at Ross. He friend was slightly fidgety and Rhodey knew Tony couldn't tolerate this situation for long.
"Stark." Ross seemed to know too, because he now stared at Tony. "I know you're hiding something. I don't want to say that the cells at the Raft are still empty, but I will take you there if you give me a reason to."
"What do you want?" Tony looked up. Exhaustion was written all over his face. Rhodey couldn't feel anything but frustration because Tony deserved better than to be wrecked by his hormones and people like Ross.
"What is inside the box?" Ross asked with a stern voice. Rhodey could see the triumph in the alpha's eyes.
He hoped Tony would come up to something to trick Ross, but he knew that his friend wouldn't. Tony was too tired and too stressed. That was why Rhodey wasn't very surprised when Tony didn't put up a fight. All the omega did was to get out of his chair and walk to the door that would lead him to a locked drawer. Rhodey was sure that it contained whatever was in that package. This was the first time Rhodey cursed that this place had half of the walls made out of glass.
The omega came back later with a piece of paper. He handed it to Ross without looking at it. Then he slumped down on his chair as Ross read its contents. Rhodey knew that it must be a letter from Steve Rogers, and his guess was confirmed by Ross after the alpha finished reading.
"Did he send you something else other than this letter?" Ross asked.
Tony looked up again and shook his head. The omega's voice was so hoarse and tired. "No, why?"
"Because I have a feeling that he might have given you something more than just this," Ross said. Rhodey knew this was a warning. "And I will not tolerate even the slightest deception." And this was a threat. Rhodey knew the Secretary meant every word he said.
"No," Tony shook his head. His eyes were on Ross. "Is this what made you come all the way here just to ask me about the package?"
"Not all," Ross smiled, a predatory smile, before he waved his hands for his bodyguards to leave the room. "I have one more thing to discuss with you."
"Go on." Tony shrugged, a careless smirk appeared on his face. Rhodey couldn't help but grin. At