Chapter 11
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(4m)abny
The sun was rising steadily in the sky, and Tony was marveling at the fact that he was barely tired at all. He’d been awake for, well he wasn’t sure how many days he been awake for. JARVIS would know, but he didn’t want to ask him, for reasons. But he did know he had been up for a while, first there had been his inventing binge, then tweaking Harriet Lola mark two, eating with Darcy, racing to Washington, helping the rescue effort and the clean up, finding Cap, staying with him all night… Basically he should be completely wiped, but instead he was totally wired though he did have a severe craving for liquid caffeine. The hospital coffee had been god-awful and he fully intended on cutting them a check to fix that, bad enough if you were stuck in a hospital in the first place, you shouldn’t then be subjected to black liquid funeral like that on top of everything else. Tony was currently speeding his way cross-country back to New York when a call popped up on his HUD. When he saw the ID his heart clenched at the sight but he glanced to the right to answer. “What’s up?”
“Tony why didn’t you tell me?” Pepper’s voice echoed angrily within his helmet. Thoughts of his recent activities passed through his head, had she caught a glimpse of him on TV, god he hoped not.
“Tell you what Pep?” He asked flippantly as he flew low over a lake, the surface rising around him in two walls as he shot past.
“Don’t play coy with me!” She shouted.
“I thought you liked me being coy.” He would have face palmed if he wasn’t flying. Awkward silence filled the line. Don’t flirt Tony, you lost the right to do that when you broke up with her. He tried to recover from his blunder. “Uh, can I get a hint here?” He asked desperately, raising an eyebrow she couldn’t see.
“You’ve been hiding Jane Foster from me.” She said, taking up her sharp tone again. Tony could picture her in his mind’s eye, fire kissed hair tied back professionally, eye’s piercing and glaring, and her lips quirked in a secret smile reserved just for him while she gave him a dressing down. God he missed her.
“Hiding is such an ugly word Pep, more like purposely misplacing.” Tony snarked.
“Are you saying you’ve purposely misplaced the astrophysicist who is revolutionizing everything we know about transdimensional wormholes?” She asked.
“Uh, maybe?” Tony replied.
“And you do know how beneficial it would be if she was employed by S.I.?” Pepper asked.
“We did ask her to join before.” He pointed out, reasonably.
“No, you asked her, and that was before her boyfriend became part of your superhero club and she started living with you. I’m already in New York, I’ll be at the Tower in 15 minutes, traffic permitting, and I expect an introduction, and breakfast.” Tony checked how far he was from the Tower, trying to figure out if he had enough time to pick them up some IHOP on the way and some proper coffee.
“And you’ll get it Pepper, I’m currently out, but I’ll be there soon, so let yourself in.” There was a crackle of static on the line as he sped through a small town. He was nothing more than a red and gold streak shooting through the sky. “Pep?” He asked.
“You haven’t been doing anything dangerous, have you?” Pepper asked haltingly.
“You know me Pep.” Tony said.
“That’s what worries me.” She said sadly before ending the call.
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Tony entered the Tower 24 minutes later, a large IHOP bag swinging from one arm. He flew through the open windows on the Avenger common floor and disengaged the suit, the replicating sand returning to its container as he landed and dropped the breakfast onto an end table. He turned and bowed when he saw he had an audience watching him. Happy clapped enthusiastically, Thor joined him after a moment, wondering if this was some Midgardian custom he was unaware of. Jane stared curiously at the flask that he tucked inside his jacket. Pepper just shook her head, smiling at his antics. He froze when he met Pepper’s eyes; he hadn’t seen her in person, (three months, one week, four days) since he’d broken off with her during the WSC incident. His eyes drank her in like a dying man in a desert, and he knew what that felt like, intimately. She looked much the same as he’d left her, sexy and sad, and very Pepper. If he didn’t love her so much he’d fall in love with her all over again. But he was too broken and far too dangerous. What puzzled him was her expression. She had a strange look on her face as she stared at him, as if she were looking at a stranger. “I’m afraid you just missed saying goodbye to Darcy.” Jane’s voice chimed in. Tony pulled himself away to look toward Jane.
“Awezz. Darcy’s cool beans, I’m gonna miss her.” Tony said, he noticed Happy looking at him oddly out of the corner of his eye. Pepper raised a hand to her head for a moment as if confused, before looking around at the present company.
“Who’s Darcy?” She asked, curious.
“My long time protégé who came to visit Avenger Tower with me.” Jane responded.
“Oh. She sounds nice. I’d have liked to meet her.” Pepper said her voice lilting. Tony shook his head.
“Its probably for the best you missed her Pep, she’s like a mini me, only with more you know…boobs.” Tony said gesturing towards himself.
“Well in that case I’ve just dodged a bullet, guy or gal, there should only be one Tony Stark.” Pepper joked. “So aren’t you going to introduce us?” Pepper asked tilting her head slightly towards Jane. Tony strode forward quickly and clapped his hands.
“Oh right! Jane, this is my ex-PA/ex-girlfriend/currently awesome boss Pepper Potts.” Pepper smiled at the rambling introduction. “Pepper this is Jane Foster, astrophysicist and Thor’s sweetheart.” Pepper and Jane shook hands. Tony continued by introducing Thor and Happy. “Thor this is Happy Hogan, boxer and bodyguard extraordinaire.” Happy looked at the buff god suspiciously. “Happy, this is Thor Odinson, god of loud booming sounds and destroyer of all my coffee machines.” Thor grimaced apologetically at Tony and then clasped Happy’s forearm in greeting.
“You have an auspicious name.” Thor said.
“Thanks, uh, you too.” Happy said, the suspicion fading from his face as Thor grinned unrestrainedly at him.
“There I’ve introduced everyone, can we have breakfast now?” Tony asked impatiently motioning over to the IHOP bag. Thor approached the food and squinted at it.
“Why does this bag say it jumps, I detect no movement.” Thor wondered out loud before leaning down to address the food. “Food bag, are you sentient?” Thor asked while poking the bag on the table gingerly. Pepper giggled and Tony hid his suddenly shaking hands deep within his pockets.
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Tony Stark lay on his side on the couch in his workshop nursing a glass of scotch. The glass shook slightly in his hand, his other hand reached out to steady it as he pulled the glass to his mouth to take another swallow. The bots rested in their charging stations and Tony wondered how pathetic it would be to call for them to come and irritate him. “Sir?” JARVIS asked solemnly, interrupting his thoughts. Tony looked at he eyecam above him.
“What is it J?” Tony asked. The A.I. paused for a moment.
“…Perhaps it would be best if you informed the oth-“ JARVIS started cautiously.
“They can’t do anything for me JARVIS.” Tony snapped dismissively. JARVIS hesitated.
“Sir, Dr. Banner might-” JARVIS began. Tony slashed the hand not holding the glass in the air viciously.
“He’s busy enough with his own problems. Besides, you know I’ve sent scans and blood work to Pym, if he can’t find a solution, well then that’s that. It’s not as if I haven’t been through this before J.” Tony said.
“Then you ought to be aware from past experience that you should at least inform Ms. Potts of the issue.” JARVIS said. Tony’s face twisted sadly.
“I’m not her problem anymore JARVIS, she’s free of me, I can’t, I just can’t hurt her anymore.” He said wretchedly.
“I’m sorry Sir.” The A.I. said sadly. Tony sighed before rolling to his feet and moving to his desk, drink in hand. His shaking hands finally stilled.
“S’not your fault J.” Tony said. The doors to the workshop abruptly slid open as Pepper walked in, her Jimmy Choos clacking against the floor. Tony quickly put his glass down and waved at her with a grin. “Hey, Pep. Sorry, I know I left the meeting/merrymaking early but I’ve got like loads of work to do, as you know, what with you being my boss an’ all, not that I have a problem with that, cause I don’t, you’re a billion times better than me at CEOing, and the company couldn’t be in better hands or prettier ones.” Why brain to mouth filter, why can’t you work!? Tony thought agitatedly. “Um, right, so did you manage to get Jane to join the S.I. clubhouse?” Tony finished lamely. Pepper allowed the change of subject gracefully.
“She’ll take the job with us so long as we provide her with certain perks.” She said.
“Perks?” Tony asked. Pepper looked briefly toward the nearly empty glass of scotch sitting on the table.
“Freedom to research and invent whatever she wants, access to any materials she requires, you know, the usual.” Pepper said. Tony nodded.
“I see.” Tony paused. “And I know I didn’t ask, but how has Happy been doing?” He asked, his arms folded in front of him.
“He’s good Tony, though you should head down and ask him yourself. I know he would love to go a round with you in the ring, he misses you.” Tony stared off into the distance. “It wasn’t your fault he got hurt, he doesn’t blame you.” Pepper insisted. Tony unfolded his arms.
“I know.” He said unconvincingly.
“Tony you don’t need to-” Pepper Potts cut herself short with a wince. “You’ve never needed to lie to me.” She said fervently, her mouth a thin line. Tony bustled himself about the workshop fiddling with his holograms.
“I do have work to finish Pep, you can see that.” Tony said motioning to the completed and half completed projects on the worktables. Pepper moved further into the shop.
“You know what I mean, don’t pretend to be stupid, it doesn’t suit you.” She said.
“Annd ouch.” Tony said. She reached out a hand to him. He shifted away from her, leaving her hand hanging in the air as he moved behind his desk. Her shoulders sagged slightly as her hand sank beside her.
“You look different.” Pepper said. Tony looked up and slicked back his hair as he struck a pose.
“Good different, bad different, or just different different?” He asked comically, though beneath his snark he looked nervous. Pepper strode to the opposite side of the desk, leaned forward and pulled at the front of Tony’s shirt.
“Tony look at me.” She demanded seriously. Tony looked her in the eye as she studied his face, she could smell the liquor on his breath. “You look healthier, and younger, years younger.” She finally said, shocked, as her eyes widened. Tony shrugged, feeling the pull of her hand on the fabric of his shirt.
“Well that’s good isn’t it?” He said flippantly. Pepper let go of him and pulled back. Her eyes looked toward the ground and then back up at him.
“It’s strange Tony. What are you doing to yourself?” She asked while rubbing her arms, shaken.
“It’s nothing you need to stress over, I’ve got everything well in hand.” Tony said avoiding her searching gaze.
“Won’t you tell me what’s going on? I care about you Tony, I want to help and you’re worrying me.” She said.
“I don’t mean to Pep.” Tony said, his eyes hangdog. Pepper waited for an explanation she knew would never come. She shook her head sadly.
“I know you don’t. You never do.” She said. Tony moved around the desk to lean against it beside her. They shared the silence for a long minute before Tony broke it.
“You would have grown to hate me, you know.” He said matter-of-factly.
“And before long you would have hated me too.” Pepper said. Tony’s head whipped around.
“Never!” He stated in fervent denial. Pepper rested a hand on his.
“Don’t say never Tony, its too long and too dishonest for either of us. I couldn’t be what you needed, and you couldn’t be what I wanted. I’m actually glad you made the decision to break it off.” She admitted. Tony’s wounded heart broke a little further.
“You are?” He asked softly. Pepper looked deeply into his eyes.
“I would never have been strong enough to make that choice, to hurt you like that, giant bunny aside.” She said with a gentle smile.
“You said you liked it.” Tony muttered back.
“I said a lot of things when I was with you.” Pepper said.
“And did you mean any of them?” Tony asked, before turning away in embarrassment at the emotional line. Pepper suddenly reached out and wrapped her arms around Tony, holding him tightly against her.
“Oh Tony, only the important ones.” She said into his neck.
“I love you Peps, and I’ll miss the awesome sex.” Tony whispered back.
“And I’ll always love you Tony, and the sex was fantastic. But thanks to you I do have a company to run.” Pepper said as she reluctantly unwrapped her arms around him so that she could leave.
“Don’t work too hard.” Tony said. Pepper turned before leaving.
“Please take care of yourself Tony, and if you can’t share your troubles with me, please just…share them with someone.” Tony smiled at her brokenly.
“Will that be all Ms. Potts?” He asked reversing their age-old joke.
“That will be all Mr. Stark.” Pepper said tenderly.
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Pepper Potts left Tony in his workshop and took the elevator down to pick up Happy on the Avengers’ floor. While in the elevator she took a tissue from her purse and used it to dry her tearing eyes. She’d been able to hold out till she had left the workshop. She never wanted Tony to see her cry again, especially if he was the cause. When she got off at the floor she stopped when she saw that Thor, Jane, and Happy were all watching Downton Abbey together. They sat next to each other on the sofa and watched the show on a screen that took up the entirety of the wall. She stared in amazement as Thor the Norse God of Thunder asked, “Why would this servant go to such painful lengths to fix his weakness when all accept him as he is, including his Lord?”
“Men do strange things when they are in love, particularly when they love someone they believe they are unworthy of.” Happy explained.
“Very true, you are a wise man Happy Hogan.” Thor boomed.
“Shhh.” Jane shushed, slapping one of Thor’s sturdy arms as she avidly watched the program. Thor quieted and returned to watching the TV.
“We’ve got to go, Happy.” Pepper broke in quietly, tapping him on the shoulder. Happy jumped up and rushed over to her.
“Oh. Right, Ms. Potts. I’ve already seen this one fifty times anyway.” He said before he and Pepper said their goodbyes to the couple. Happy followed Pepper into the elevator; leaving the pair behind to enjoy the show he’d put them onto.
“I’ve told you a million times Happy, its Pepper.” She said exasperated.
“Yes, Ms. Potts.” Happy said doggedly as they left the Tower. They picked up their limo from the valet, Happy driving them as per usual. As they pulled onto the road and began to head for the airstrip the limo’s locks all clicked ominously.
“Happy did you just lock all the doors?” Pepper asked.
“No Ms. Potts.” Happy said as he tried to unlock them, pressing the buttons repeatedly. “The automatic locks don’t seem to be working. They’ll probably reset themselves when I turn the car off.” Pepper was shifting through texts on her phone when it abruptly turned off. She tried to turn it back on again when she heard Happy curse. “Shit!” Happy exclaimed.
“What?!” Pepper asked. She was starting to get a very bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. Happy was trying to wrench the wheel in front of him and was also slamming all his weight onto the breaks. He lifted his hands and she saw that the wheel was steering itself as they made a sudden turn down a side road.
“I can’t move the wheel or the pedals, I’m not driving the car!” Happy tried moving the gear shift and even pulled the keys out of the ignition but the car still sped along the road.
“Then who is?” Pepper asked fearfully. The TV screen embedded in the seat in front of her switched on and showed a face that was very familiar to her.
“Hello Pepper.” Said the woman she knew to be dead.
“Maya!?” Pepper cried.