Chapter 10
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(3.9m)abny
The sound of clanging echoed throughout the workshop, a sharp counterpoint to the loud rock music pounding through the shop speakers. Newfangled acid, holographic, and foam trapping arrows rested on a metal table, along with com units that would stay in someone’s ear no matter the thrashing that person underwent, and the half finished plans for the upgraded version of the Iron Man suit. The recently completed holoschematics for the newest supervillian prison floated over a black desk. Tony Stark had been designing the Vault, not the name he had come up with, in order to fulfill Stark Industries’ U.S. government contractual obligations. He had buried himself beneath his tools and processors for nearly a month, suffering from what Pepper would call one of his blue moods. Tony sometimes just had to create, create, create or he’d go completely insane. Dozens of empty coffee cups littered the various work surfaces.
DUM-E poked at a half finished Iron Man cup on a desk and then rolled around to the arc reactor car that Tony was currently working on, ostensibly for S.I. but really for Pep. Tony would do anything for Pepper; even tackle the same hover car idea that Howard had tried to patent. Although his version was going to work and run completely on green energy, his people were already working on the promos for it. He’d given SHIELD the job of putting the first prototype through its paces. DUM-E’s sensors whirled as the bot ‘accidently’ bumped into legs that stuck out from under the streamlined car. “Ow!” Tony rolled out from under the auto and prodded DUM-E’s wheel. “Oy! One of these days Dummy, one of these days, pow straight to the moon, and then to some third rate SUNY college!” Tony warned. DUM-E rolled back a step and then rolled forward and bent his head down dolefully nudging at Tony’s chest. Tony gave in with a sigh and patted the bot’s head. “Fine, fine, go and make me a smoothie.” DUM-E chirped happily and rolled over to his blender. “And hold the motor oil this time!” Tony called after him before returning to finish up the car.
“Sir?” JARVIS asked.
“Yeah?” Tony said, examining a loose coil on the undercarriage.
“There is a visitor requesting to see Dr. Banner.” JARVIS said. Tony reached for his modified screwdriver.
“And have you told Bruce?” He asked absently as he secured the coil.
“I have tried Sir, but he isn’t currently capable of hearing me at this time.” The A.I. sounded…frustrated. Tony backed out from under the car.
“What do you mean J? Is he alright?” Tony looked at an eyecam worriedly.
“I can’t rightly say Sir.” JARVIS replied, hesitantly. Tony shot to his feet.
“Where is he?” Tony asked, already heading toward the door.
“The laboratory on his floor.” JARVIS replied. Tony raced out the sliding glass door and sped for the open elevator waiting for him.
Tony arrived at Bruce’s floor and slid through the lab doors that JARVIS had just begun opening for him before stopping in his tracks. Bruce Banner, serious super scientist extraordinaire and part-time Rock Hulkster was twerking about his lab with large headphones fitted over his head and a soft, relaxed look on his face. He moved to fiddle with his equipment while humming to himself, before swaying his hips as he danced around to check the readings on his computer on the opposite end of the lab. Bruce hadn’t even noticed that Stark had entered. Tony gawked at the physicist. “JARVIS, tell me you are saving this.” Tony said loudly. Bruce didn’t hear him through the noise of the headphones. Tony could faintly hear tiny thumping music playing from where he stood.
“Already saved in triplicate on the Stark Cloud Sir.” The A.I. replied calmly.
“Fantasmic.” Tony commented, rubbing his hands together. He strolled over to Bruce and tapped the man’s shoulder from behind. Banner jumped about a foot in the air before turning to look at Tony. He quickly pulled the headphones off as he flushed with embarrassment.
“Um, Tony, uh, hi?” Bruce said, before fussing with his glasses. Tony held out a hand palm up and bowed over it.
“Hey Miley, mind if I take the next dance?” Bruce cheeks colored an even deeper red.
“Uh…” Bruce said intelligently. Tony put his hand down and straightened up, shrugging.
“S’alright, I’ve definitely been caught doing way more embarrassing things. Hell, you can see half of them on Youtube.” He said with a conspiratorial grin.
“Ah…” Bruce said, trying to smile back, while moving slyly to block the screen of his computer. Tony ducked around him for a look. “Wait!” Bruce yelled, trying to pull Tony away. Tony stared determinedly at the screen, searching the numbers.
“So what’s this? Hmm this is…you’re working on a cure again aren’t you?” Tony said sadly.
“So what if I am?” Bruce challenged.
“What happened to accepting Hulk and moving on with your life?” Tony retorted.
“What life?!” Bruce scoffed; he threw up his hands and stalked around the lab as if it were a cell. “I live a half life, less, I can’t even go out for a walk in the park without worrying that I’ll change and take out half the city!” Banner exploded, his glasses sliding down his nose.
“Hulk’s not like that, you’re not like that.” Tony insisted leaning one hand on the desk behind him. Bruce pushed his glasses up.
“How would you know?” Bruce asked, and then he gestured to himself. “You think this is a joke, that I’m a freakshow, a captive to your needs for the Other Guy, and a plaything for you to show off. You’ve never seen the real me, or the Other Guy when he’s really angry. Humph, maybe you’re about to.” Bruce threatened as his eyes began to bleed green. Tony stood momentarily dumbfounded. Is that really what you think of me? After all this time? He thought. He snarked out loud.
“Is this because of what happened with the mutants? That was like forever ago man, and Clint doesn’t mean to give you the cold shoulder you know, its not like you made the mean toad hit him, repeatedly, in the face.” Tony said. Bruce’s shoulders shrunk in on themselves as his eyes softened back to their usual hue.
“You guys needed me and I wouldn’t help because the danger the Other Guy presented meant more to me than the threat to your own lives.” Bruce said softly. Tony shook his head violently.
“That’s…it turned out alright, bad guys defeated and all, you didn’t have to fight.” Tony said. Bruce turned to his computer.
“Maybe not, we were lucky, but what about next time, I can’t be pressured into endangering everyone because the Avenger’s need me to be something else.” Bruce said.
“It isn’t like that.” Tony denied.
“Isn’t it? You want me to change into him more than anyone.” Bruce accused.
“Because he isn’t a threat, or a disease to be cured, you only see him that way because you’ve never met.” Tony said seriously. Bruce’s shoulders tightened.
“I’ve met his victims. With this lab and equipment, I’ll finally be able to find a cure, and for that I’m thankful Tony, I’m thankful for everything you’ve given me, but don’t expect me to be thankful for the Other Guy, he didn’t save my life, he stole it and I’m going to get it back.” Bruce shook with the emotions coursing through him, fighting to not let it change him. Tony sighed and took pity on the scientist; he reached out and hesitantly put a hand on his back.
“Then I’ll back you.”
“You will?” Bruce said looking up, surprised.
“Always man, you’re my science bro, that comes with some major perks. If this is what you really want, then it’s your choice.” Tony said.
“I don’t know what to say Tony.” Bruce said wonderingly. Tony threw up a dismissive hand.
“Don’t say anything, I find that’s usually the best policy. Annnyways, I had originally come down to tell you that you’ve got a visitor.” Tony said, trying to leave the tension behind. Bruce’s head snapped up so fast that Tony feared the man would get whiplash.
“Who?!” Fear and hope warred for dominance on Banner’s stressed face. There weren’t all that many people that could want to visit him, and just about all of them would want to hurt him. And Betty, she could hurt him worse than any of them.
“Jarv?” Tony questioned.
“A Mrs. Richards is requesting admittance.” JARVIS said. Bruce blinked.
“Oh.” Bruce said. Tony clapped the man on the back.
“You sure like to live dangerously buddy, hitting on not just a married woman, but on Reed’s squeeze, wow, just wow, you’ve got some big cajones.” Tony said with admiration in his voice. Bruce startled, blushing as he shook Tony off.
“What? I have no idea why she’s here!” Bruce said earnestly.
“Oh no? Then lets go find out shall we Brucie dear?” Tony had JARVIS invite Mrs. Reed to meet them on the Avenger common floor, while they both traveled down. Darcy sat on a couch in the great room, flipping through channels on the wall screen, while sipping a cold frappuccino. She turned around as Bruce and Tony entered. She raised her drink in greeting.
“Hey boys, how’s tricks?” Darcy Lewis asked playfully.
“Good morning Darcy.” Bruce said.
“Who’s up for coffee?” Tony said, heading to the machine he kept in the common kitchen.
“The machine’s broken.” Darcy said offhandedly.
“Again?” Tony growled coffee deprived. Darcy nodded.
“Thor had an argument with it, ‘Oh, spirit powering this device, I, Thor god of thunder and muscles demand you make liquid energy for my lady fair!’ Darcy said in a deep and booming voice while pantomiming wielding Mjolnir, “-or something like that, oh and he offers his apologies once again Tony.”
“When doesn’t he? And does the guy have to kill every technological device on every single floor?” Tony asked the heavens.
“I’m pretty sure he does.” Darcy said seriously.
“And he wonders why I don’t invite him up to the workshop.” Tony said.
“Or my lab.” Bruce added. Darcy got up from the couch and sauntered over to the pair.
“So how about getting some lunch and coffee out?” Darcy asked setting her drink down in the kitchen.
“We’re expecting a visitor.” Bruce said regretfully.
“Oh poo, and I though you two had finally left your boring man caves to visit little ol me.” Darcy said, trying to clap her hands on both their shoulders, both men moved away quickly. Tony moved over to her drink and looked at it suspiciously.
“This is from my secret stash isn’t it?” Tony asked.
“Not so secret anymore, and yeah probably, Clint found it.” Darcy said.
“In my pantry, on my floor...” Stark said slowly. Darcy backed away with her hands upraised.
“Which is sooo not my fault by the way, if you’re angry, and you kind of look angry, what with that whole red pinched face you’ve got going there, so to reiterate not my fault, Clint’s fault.” Darcy said, before ducking behind the kitchen’s island.
“That it, I’m sealing the air vents. You hear me Clint? Air? Who needs air, you don’t steal my Starkbuck fraps without incurring my wrath!” Tony yelled to the room at large, expecting the spy to hear him. Darcy looked at him curiously.
“Note to self, do not mess with Stark’s caffeine.” She said, eyes wide.
“You should have seen what happened to Reed when he used his abilities to steal Tony’s Jumbo Voodoo Coffee from behind his back. It was hilarious, and scary, very, very scary.” Susan said as she appeared from thin air and was kneeling beside Darcy behind the island. Tony ceased ranting and bent over the counter to look down at them.
“Oh, hey Susan, how you been, and what’s this about you coming to see my Brucie behind Richard’s back?” He asked. Susan smiled and stood. She had a wrapped package tucked beneath her arm.
“Hardly behind his back, and your Brucie? I didn’t know.” Susan smiled at Bruce charmingly.
“It’s not like that.” Bruce said shrugging a shoulder.
“He’s in denial.” Tony said wrapping an arm around Bruce’s waist, which Bruce allowed with a sigh. Darcy pulled them apart.
“They are both soaked in it.” Darcy said.
“So is this a private visit or are we all invited, because I already invited myself, and oh yeah, this is Darcy, I suppose you two haven’t met. Darcy Lewis this is Susan Reed the Invisible Woman, in case you hadn’t guessed, and Susan this is Darcy.” Tony rambled while gesturing to both women. Darcy held out her hand.
“Nice to meet cha.” She said. Susan returned the shake.
“And you as well.” Susan said smiling pleasantly. “And I am here, Dr. Banner, to give you this. Reed and I thought you could use them.” Susan said handing over the brown package. Bruce opened it cautiously, and revealed purple pants that were the same material as the Fantastic Four’s outfits. Susan smiled warmly, waiting for his reaction. Bruce just held the cloth in his hands.
“Bad timing.” Tony murmured. Mrs. Reed’s smile faltered for a moment before resurfacing.
“I thought the purple suited you, and you’re alter ego as well. It will shrink back to your size when you do and does not need to be sent to the dry cleaners which would be a hassle.” Susan chuckled. Bruce looked up and forced a smile on his face.
“Thank you for this, you can’t know what this means to me.” Bruce said. Darcy stared at Bruce perceptively.
“You’re welcome! I’ll send Reed your compliments shall I?” Susan said obliviously. Bruce nodded silently. Susan turned to Tony. “Oh and Reed has sent over the readings he got from that wormhole, he seemed pretty excited about it, overly excited actually. He’d like to get your opinion as soon as you could look it over.” Susan said.
“Sure, I’ll give it a gander, and Dr. Banner can give it a look over too, can’t ya, Bruce?” Tony asked.
“Yeah, Tony.” Bruce said. Darcy hopped up onto the counter.
“And wormholes are Jane’s specialty, you should give her a lookieloo too.” She said. Susan arched an eyebrow.
“Jane? How many women are living with you Mr. Stark?” She asked. Tony winked.
“Never enough Susan. Jane Foster is Thor’s astrophysicist girlfriend.” Tony said.
“Oh, the god of Thunder, I’d love to meet him!” Susan enthused.
“He’s currently with Jane, enjoying the god size bed that Tony’s given them.” Darcy said meaningfully. Susan blushed.
“Oh, well another time then.” Susan said awkwardly before heading towards the elevator.
“Thanks for coming, you’re always welcome here ya know.” Tony said.
“Thank you. You really should come visit us sometime, and not just when we are being attacked by gigantic aliens cephalopods, okay?” Susan asked.
“Fine, but tell Reed no taking my special impossible to find coffee, or there will be war.” Tony said.
“I will, and I’m sure he’s learned his lesson from last time. I’ll be seeing you Tony, bye Dr. Banner, and nice meeting you Darcy.” Susan said, waving as she entered the elevator.
“You too!” Darcy yelled. Before letting the elevator take her down, Susan raised a hand calling Stark’s attention.
“Oh and Tony?” Tony looked up.
“Yeah?” He asked. Susan smiled at him.
“You’re looking good.” She said simply.
“Good?” Tony asked, confused. Her smile widened.
“I’m just glad you’re taking care of yourself.” Susan said.
“Right.” Tony said, his brow furrowing as the elevator closed.
“So now we can have coffee and food, right?” Darcy asked jumping down from the island counter. Tony shrugged off his thoughts before turning to the young woman.
“Why not? I know an awesome burger joint not far from here. You coming Brucie?” Tony asked looking at Banner. Bruce stared at the fabric still resting in his hands.
“Bruce?” Tony said waving a hand in front of his face. Bruce startled.
“Um, what?” He asked.
“Are you coming with us for life giving coffee and the best burgers in town?” Tony said slowly. Bruce gripped the fabric in a fist as his arm dropped down to his side.
“Um, actually I left something on in the lab, I think I’ll sit this one out, I’m really not all that hungry.” Bruce said.
“You sure?” Tony asked.
“Yeah, I’ll make something later.” Bruce said. Tony nodded reluctantly.
“Your loss.” Darcy said as she and Tony left the common floor for the best burger joint in town, leaving Bruce to wander up to his lab. He threw the pants against a far wall and began to obsessively immerse himself once more into the calculations that he knew would cure him.
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Darcy Lewis and Tony Stark sat in a corner booth of a diner. Tony wore shades and an Iron Man baseball cap pulled low over his head. Darcy fiddled with a ring on her finger as they nursed their second cups of coffee and waited for their food to arrive. A small TV showing a baseball game played on the wall in the corner. She glanced at the flat iron grill behind the counter.
“So have they ever cleaned that thing?” Darcy asked. Tony glanced over at the filth-covered grill that their juicy burgers were currently sitting on.
“Not since ’79.” He said. Darcy snorted.
“And they say English food is bad.” She said. Tony tapped on the table.
“Hey, that grill has decades of flavor imbued in it, how do you think they get such a banging burger, don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.” Tony said.
“The burger or the flesh eating disease I’m sure to get from it?” Darcy asked.
“Both.” Tony said. Darcy laughed.
“It’s almost too bad that I have a loving fiancé I have to get back to in London.” Darcy said wistfully, folding her arms on the red tabletop.
“Poor guy.” Tony muttered loudly.
“Lucky guy, you mean?” Darcy snapped.
“Isn’t that what I said?” Tony asked innocently. Darcy smiled.
“I’m leaving tomorrow, I’ve been away from Ian long enough.” She said taking a deep drink of blissful coffee.
“We’ll miss you.” Tony said seriously.
“I don’t know how you guys will carry on without me, but you’ll have to try somehow.” Darcy said. Tony nodded solemnly.
“We’ll do our best.” He said.
“You know it was a real hoot meeting you. And if I didn’t have a fantastic fiancé and you were more you and I was less me…” She said, trailing off meaningfully.
“You’d run from my bedroom screaming.” Tony completed with a grin.
“Faster than a speedster, hero.” Darcy said, returning his grin. The waitress arrived with their plates and put them in front of them. Darcy looked down at her plate worryingly. “You did say this wasn’t going to kill me, right?” She asked. Tony took a big bite of his.
“Only by clogging your arteries.” He mumbled through the burger in his mouth.
“Kay, here it goes.” Darcy said reaching down for the gooey burger and taking a small bite. “Oh my God, that’s it I’m taking this diner with me to London.” Darcy said, devouring the meal. Tony mock glared at her.
“Don’t you dare-” He began as the TV in the corner began playing an emergency newsbreak. Three helicarriers were battling above the skies of Washington, DC. Darcy gaped in horror as she saw a falling figure fall off one of the carriers. Tony watched the broadcast for a moment before lifting a finger to his ear and turning on his shades.
“Shit. JARVIS?” Tony asked. “Uploading a flight plan immediately, Sir.” JARVIS stated in his ear as stats showed up on his glasses.
“You’ve got to go.” Darcy said calmly. Tony threw his wallet on the table, and then took out a flask from his inner pocket.
“Sorry, put the doggy bag in the fridge for me.” Tony said as he left the dinner, emptying out his suit to surround him in engulfing metallic sand.
“Will do, hero.” Darcy said to the empty air as Iron Man flew away towards DC.
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Darcy called me a hero, sometimes I wish I were. Tony thought as he reached the capital 35 minutes later, far too late to do anything. The least he could do was to help with some of the rescue effort. After helping a woman out of some rubble he heard on SHIELD’s coms that Captain America was missing. Tony scanned the river and its banks, searching for some sign that the Captain had survived the horrible crash. The guy had made it through seventy years on ice; a little swim should be a cakewalk. He had to be all right. After searching for almost an hour, he finally found him, lying face up on the bank. His armor could tell that the man’s heart was beating and that he was breathing steadily, but he was out cold. Tony gently bent down to pick Steve up and fly him to the nearest hospital cradled in his metal arms, letting his leg and shoulder repulsors do the flying for him.
He reluctantly let the doctors take Steve’s body from him and place him on a gurney. Tony then made sure that he would have a private room of his own with an armed guard on at all times before going to the parking lot outside and making the call to Fury. After notifying the man of Cap’s survival, and getting a few clues as to what had been going on with SHIELD, Tony headed back inside to sit with Captain America. The doctors had stated that Steve had suffered a bad knock on his head, but should recover fully.
Tony sat beside him, wondering why everything he did stank of failure. Why Captain America the legend his da- Howard went on and on about actually did live up to the legend; who was in fact better than the legend. To uncover a plot to kill millions and save the world was all in a day’s work for Captain bloody America. The guy could barely use a cell phone, and yet here he was one-upping, him, the futurist, Howard would say it was only to be expected. Tony stared down at the perfect sleeping face before him. This was what a hero really was, and Tony, he just couldn’t compare. He left before the sun came up and headed back home.
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Steve woke up when he heard low jazz music playing, saw he was in a hospital with Sam Wilson by his side and wondered why in his dreams, Bucky pulled him from water and Iron Man held him gently.