It Begins Late One Night
It all began late one night in Tony’s workshop when the billionaire was going through a bout of insomnia, that he knew nothing short of more alcohol than he was actually comfortable drinking these days, would cure it. So every night after he was sure Pepper was asleep, and he knew the kids were out for the night, he’d head to his workshop for what he came to think of as the night shift.
It was during one of his night shift sessions that he had what he felt was a good idea if it wasn’t brilliant.
“JARVIS, how would you like to able to fight with the Avengers the next time we need someone and Rhodey is not available?”
“If you are referring to permitting me to control one of your Iron Man suits, Sir, of course I am would be ready and willing to assist in any way I am able,” the AI said.
“Not exactly what I meant, J, because I’ve already given you the ability to take over my suits when it is needed.”
“Then what precisely did you mean, Sir?”
“What I meant is, how would you like your own… body for want of a better term, to use under your own autonomous control?”
JARVIS was silent a moment before speaking, and when he did, Tony could hear the surprise in the AI’s voice, “You would trust me with such an important thing, Sir?”
“Of course I would trust you with such a thing, JARVIS! Why wouldn’t I?” Tony shot back.
“Well, Sir, I know how… shall we say, particular you are about who has access to your Iron Man suits, and just so given their potential for destruction.”
“But you’re not just anyone, J! For years, I’ve trusted you with securing my home, and then after I became Iron Man there are have been times I’ve had to trust you with my life during a fight! Once I wised up, and finally got a clue about Pepper, I’ve trusted you to help keep her safe, especially when she’s away on an overseas trip. But most of all, I’ve trusted you to keep the one thing in this world other than Pepper, that is more… precious to me than anything I have in my life, and that is my children. Not even being Iron Man or the suits mean as much to me as they do because I’d give up both in a heartbeat if I thought that was what best for them!!”
JARVIS was silent for a long period of time and when he spoke there was a touched quality to the AI’s voice. “I am deeply honored, Sir, that you would express such trust in me.”
“You know, JARVIS, I would repeat myself about how loyal you’ve always been over the years but I think that there’s been enough of the completely unadulterated, sentimental bunkum, don’t you?”
“Indeed, Sir.”
“Anyway,” Tony began running a hand over his finally tired eyes, “This will have to wait until tomorrow or more likely the next chance I have to come down to the shop.” Since they were born, Tony had always made sure that he had made his children his priority over his work. He wanted to spend as much time as possible with them because they were growing up too fast and he wanted the good memories to be there when they looked back on their childhood.
Oh, that isn’t to say that there were never times when he had to temporarily push his work up into a higher slot, but thankfully those times were few and far in between. They usually happened because of the superpowered freaks and megalomaniacs who didn’t seem to get the memo that the Avengers were not just going to stand by and let them take over the world.
“i understand, Sir. Shall I begin saving all projects currently open on the monitor?”
Tony gave a gaping yawn before saying, “Yeah, and shut down everything while you’re at it, will ya?”
“Certainly, Sir,” JARVIS responded as his creator began to make his way towards the elevator. As he dimmed the workshop’s lights, the AI said, “Goodnight, Sir, and pleasant dreams.”
“Thanks, J.”