The idea of being able to connect a prosthetic using the drift was one that Tony had had almost since the beginning of the program. He had long worked in weapons and technology and seen a lot of damage that was done to the soldiers in combat, and so he had, though casually, observed the development of prosthetics through time. But it wasn't until they had had the first big accident where a pilot had lost their legs that he had started thinking about it in the context of the drift. But it made sense. Why shouldn't it work? And why not give the pilots and chance to take back their life, whether it be returning as a pilot, or just having the ability to continue their lives as close to normal as they good in that day and age.

James Barnes, Bucky, had been the first one to receive a fully operational neurologically connected arm. Tony had seen to that himself, taking charge of first and foremost building the arm, making sure that it was in perfect working order, but also in financing it. That had been the biggest reason as to why every injured pilot wasn't receiving the same opportunity was that the cost of the arm was massive, and currently the cost wasn't covered in full, because they could still technically get along with the normal type of prosthetics. It was unfortunate, but that was how it was. The kaiju were still such an enormous threat that any extra funds were always poured back into repairs and restoration.

But then why had Tony taken on the burden? Well Because it had been one of his Jaegers. And so there was guilt associated with it. He had gone over the scenario almost daily since the accident had happened. While he hadn't been the one who had done the error, it had been one of his underlings, he still saw it as his own fault. He should have checked it one more time. Should have seen it. Should have somehow caught it even though he hadn't been in the country when the Jaeger had been sent out so there really wasn't anything he could have done. But he still blamed himself.

He had reamed the one who had been responsible, blowing a gasket, figuratively speaking. He had, later, apologised, but in the heat of the moment he had really let him have it, because the accident was a scandal, and had caused a massive headache for not only himself but for the whole Jaeger program. Everything was questioned and scrutinised, but since there hadn't been an accident, and things had calmed down. Luckily Steve Rogers, America's darling, had come out relatively unscathed, and though not published anywhere, the fact that Bucky was receiving the arm free of any financial burden for himself had taken part in smoothing things over.

Oddly enough, Tony had never actually met Bucky, not before or after the accident. After the accident it had to do with not being sure he wanted to face him, and before it had just been timing. He had met Steve a few times, mostly by chance. Of course, part of him had thought he should go and see him. Technically he had. It was just that Bucky had never been awake when he had, so they hadn't spoken. He had come by to make sure everything looked okay with the arm, and he had helped originally install it onto the socket, but he had left before the other had been roused of the anaesthetic. There were others to help him work through the therapy part of his recovery, and since there hadn't been any problems, Tony hadn't needed to be called.

He hadn't been expecting any visitors, and so there was a slight look of surprise on his face when he heard the knock. He looked up, eyes blocked by goggles, though they were quickly lifted upon realisation of who it was.

"Mr. Barnes." He moved rather quickly forward, hand outstretched. "What brings you hear? Is something wrong?"