Chapter 7
Toni is walking around her lab, holding an ice pack to her head.
She spots the box Pepper left her a few days ago. She takes the coffee cup off of it and looks at the box. There's a note that says 'from Pepper.' Toni opens it. Inside of a glass case is the arc reactor that he asked Pepper to get rid of, around it is an engraving that says 'Proof That Toni Stark has a Heart'. Toni smiles.
"Aw that's sweet." Lily says
Toni is sitting at her desk with an ice pack taped to her shoulder. Toni gives her notes, saying that the main transducer feels sluggish at plus 4o altitude, the hull pressurization is problematic and that ice is the probably factor.
"Definitely a factor." Bruce says
JARVIS says that its an astute observation, and says that they should improve the exoskeletons if Toni wants to visit other planets.
"Only you could create an AI as sarcastic as you." Rhodey says
Toni says to connect to the sys. co. and have it reconfigure the shell metals, she says to use the gold-titanium alloy from the seraphim satellite, because it should ensure a fuselage integrity while maintaining power-to-weight ratio.
JARVIS asks if he should render the proposed speculations.
Toni says to thrill her then she looks at the TV.
"And then suit is made," Peter says
The reporter says that the nights red-hot red carpet is at the Disney Concert Hall where Toni's annual firefighters family fund has become the place for LA's high society.
Toni asks JARVIS if they got an invite to it.
JARVIS says he has no record of an invitation.
"You're not invited to your own party?" Lily asks
"That's cold." James says
The reporter says that Toni hasn't been seen in public since the bizarre and controversial press conference, and says that some people claim that she's suffering from post- traumatic stress and is bedridden. Then she says that nobody expects an appearance from her.
"You just jinxed it." Harry says
JARVIS says that the render is complete and a gold painted suit appears on one of the screens.
Toni asks if JARVIS thinks its ostentatious.
JARVIS sarcastically says that Toni is usually so discrete and asks himself what he was thinking.
"You just got roasted by your AI." Alexander says
Toni looks over at her car and tells JARVIS to put some hot-rod red on the suit.
"Gryffindor Colors." James whispers in glee
JARVIS says that that should help her keep a low profile then tells her that the new render is complete.
Toni says she likes it and tells JARVIS to fabricate it and paint it.
JARVIS stars the automated assembly and says that it will take an estimated five hours to complete.
"That's not bad." Remus says
Toni stands up and holds out her watch and tells JARVIS not to wait up for them before yelling at her sons to get into their party clothes.
"You're crashing your own party aren't you?" Sirius asks
Toni is driving down the street. She pulls up outside the party and everyone gets out, she hands her keys to the valet. Obadiah talks to a reporter. He says that weapons manufacturing is only a small part of what Stark Industries does and starts to talk about their partnership with the fire and rescue community. Toni walks up to the door. A girl asks her if she remembers her.
Toni says she doesn't and keeps walking, her kids following after her.
"Typical."
She walks up to an old man (Stan Lee) and tells him that he looks great.
"I know that man!" several people yell
"He tried to move my hammer!" Thor yells
"That's the mail guy!" Rhodey yells
"That's the son of a bitch that gave me an F on my science project in 8th grade!" Henry yells in outrage
"I still haven't figured out why he kept showing up in the memories." Charles Xavier says to the future Avengers, who frown
Obadiah tells the reporter that they're gonna have a great quarter.
Toni asks what the world's coming to when a girl has to crash her own party.
"I know right?" Spider-Woman says
Obadiah comments about how its a surprise to see her.
Toni says she'll see Obadiah inside.
Obadiah says that he thinks he has the board right where he wants them.
"Right where you want them you mean." Toni says scowling
Toni says she's got cabin fever and she'll just be a minute. She walks up to the bar and says to get her a scotch because she's starving.
Coulson is also there, he greets Toni and introduces himself.
Toni tries to remember what organization Coulson's from.
Coulson reminds her, saying he's from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.
"Still a mouthful." Pepper says
Toni says that he needs a new name for that.
Coulson says that he hears that a lot
"I bet you do." Harry mutters
Coulson says that he needs to debrief her because there's a lot of unanswered questions and time can be a factor. He says to put something in the books and asks how the 24th at 7pm at Stark Industries works for her.
Toni isn't listening, she's looking at Pepper who is talking with some people Toni says that he's right and that she'll go talk to Pepper and they'll make a date.
"You didn't hear a word he said did you?" Rhodey asks in amusement
"Better luck next time." Henry tells the man before leading his brothers away
Toni walks up to Pepper and says that she looks fantastic and that she didn't recognize her.
Pepper asks what she's doing there.
Toni says she's avoiding government agents.
"You say that like it's a normal occurrence." Lily says
"It is to me right now." Henry says and Lily gives him a confused looks "Technically I'm one of the most wanted men in the world right now. Several of us are wanted by most of the World's governments." Henry says
"What?!" Lily yells in shock
"It'll be explained later." Henry says
"Oh my god Henry you can't just tell people you're a wanted criminal." Pepper says
"Yes I can." Henry says
Pepper asks if she came alone.
Toni says the boys are around here somewhere and asks where Pepper got her dress.
Pepper says it was a birthday gift.
"Ten dollars says it's the one she got herself from Toni." Clint whispers to Natasha
Toni says that its great.
Pepper says it was from her.
"I knew it." Clint whispers
Toni says she's got good taste.
Pepper agrees.
Toni asks her for a dance.
Pepper denies the request.
Toni tells her to come on.
Pepper thanks her, but says no again.
"She's clearly not interested." someone mutters
Toni leads them to where the other people are dancing and they start dancing, then asks if she's making her uncomfortable.
"Yes."
Pepper says that she isn't, and that she always forgets to wear deodorant and dance with her boss in a backless dress.
Toni says that she looks great and smells great but she could fire her if it'd take the edge off.
Pepper says that she doesn't think Toni could tie her shoes without her.
Toni says she'd make it a week.
"See for Henry I give him two days, Peter and Harley six days." Natasha says
"You know what Natashalie." Henry says
"Natashalie?" Remus asks
"You'll find out later." Natasha tells him
Pepper asks her for her social security number.
Toni thinks for a moment and answers with 'five.'
"You don't know your security number?" Hermione asks
"What about you three?" Lily asks her grandsons
"I remember my phone number." Henry says and Wanda raises an eyebrow "What's the first number?" she asks
"7"
"No."
Pepper says she's missing a few digits.
Toni says she's got her for the other 8, then asks if they could get some air.
Pepper says she needs some air and they go outside. They walk outside. Coulson is watching them.
"That's a little creepy." Harry says
Pepper says that their dance was weird.
Toni says it was harmless.
"No it wasn't." Lily says
Pepper says it wasn't harmless.
Toni says that they were dancing and nobody was watching.
"A lot of people were watching." Henry says
Pepper says that everyone she works with saw.
Toni says she thinks she lost objectivity, and that they just danced.
Pepper says it wasn't just a dance but she wouldn't understand because of who she is and how she is with both men and women, which she says is fine, but she's her boss and she's dancing with her.
Tony says she doesn't think it was taken that way.
"It was."
Pepper say it makes her look like the one who's trying to-Toni says she thinks she's overstating it.
Pepper says that they're there and she's wearing a ridiculous dress and they were dancing-. Pepper and Toni move closer and almost kiss.
"Oh?"
Pepper says she wants a vodka martini, dry with at least 3 olives.
"Oh."
Toni walks back over to the bar. Tony orders their drinks saying that she wants 2 vodka martinis, extra dry, extra olives and asks to make one of them dirty. She sits down and Christine comes into view.
"Oh god not her." Henry groans
"She was a pain in the ass, thank God she retired after the Blip." Spider-Man mutters
Christine greets her.
Toni greets her back.
She says that it's fancy seeing her here.
"It's her party." James says
Toni struggles to place her name, then calls her Carrie.
"Christine." several people yell
Christine corrects her and says that she has a lot of nerve showing up there and asks for a reaction from her.
Toni says panic is her reaction.
Christine says she was referring to her company's involvement in the latest atrocity.
Toni says she doesn't know what to tell her and that they just put her name on the invite.
"You just kind of showed up." Rhodey says
Christine says that she almost bought it.
Toni says that she was out of town for a few months.
"That's one way to put it." Henry mutters
Christine asks if this is what she called accountability and shows her pictures of Gulmira and asks if she's heard of it.
Toni asks when the pictures were taken.
Christine says they were taken yesterday.
Toni says she never approved any shipment.
Christine says that her company did.
Toni says that she isn't her company and walks out of the building to find Obadiah.
"She likes making you angry." Lily says
"She's not our favorite reporter." the Stark Brothers admit
"Who's your favorite reporter?" Harry asks
"Clark Kent or Lois Lane. Though we haven't see them in a while as they're following that Superman guy last I heard." Harley says
"I forgot that the original Superman was running around before the Blip."
Tarantula frowns "There's been more than one Superman?"
She asks Obadiah if he's seen the pictures and what's happening in Gulmira.
Obadiah says she can't afford to be so naïve.
"You were the one keeping me that way." Toni mutters
Toni says that she was naïve before when they said that there's the line, don't cross it this is how we do business. She then asks if they're double dealing under the table.
"You already know the answer to that, man." Clint said.
Obadiah tells her that they should take a picture. Obadiah said and pulls Toni to his side.
He asks Toni who she thought locked her out, he says that he was the one who filed the injunction because it was the only way to protect her. Then walks away. Christine is still lingering behind Toni.
"What a bastard!" James yells
Toni is sitting on a couch in her lab watching the news. She is fiddling with one of her gauntlets. The news reporter says that the 15 mile hike to the outskirts of Gulmira can only be described as a descent into hell in a modern day heart of darkness.s
She says that farmers and herders from peaceful villages have been driven from their homes, displaced from their lands by warlords emboldened by a new-found power.
Toni looks down, not wanting to watch
She reports that villagers have been forced to take shelter in whatever dwellings they can find and that recent violence has been attributed to The 10 rings and that they're heavily armed and on a mission.
"To rule over the middle east." Bruce mutters
Toni gives his screwdriver a violent twist. She says the mission could be fatal to anyone in their way.
"It already is." Wanda says
Toni gets up off the couch. She says with no political or international pressure there isn't much hope for the refugees. Toni looks to the side and raises the hand holding the gauntlet. The reporter talks about a woman begging for news of her husband who's been kidnapped.
"Oh god." Lily whispers
Toni shoots at something in the lab and her arm is knocked back from the force. A light fixture falls from the ceiling. The reporter continues talking about those who are missing.
Toni straightens her posture and walks forward.
"I don't like that look in her eyes." Harry mutters to Ginny
The reporter talks about a child asking where their parents are.
Pietro and Wanda look away, being reminded of their own childhood
Toni stops in front of three panels of reflective glass, she turns and looks at it.
The reporter says that there is little hope for the refugees who can only wonder if someone would help them.
Tony looks at her reflection with a grimace, she shoots at the center panel, then the left panel then turns and shoots at the right panel and walks away.
"Mom." Henry whispers, him and his brothers leaning in and giving her a hug
"Toni-" Rhodey begins
"Don't. This was a long time ago and I was in a very dark place at the time." Toni says
The scene switches to Toni getting suited up. Then it cuts to her flying.