The Benefits of Hindsight

Tony had been 10 the first time his Dad had dragged him to a Senate hearing. Looking back on the experience, Tony wondered if his appearance that day wasn’t as much a learning experience for him but a chance for his father to show off that he did in fact have an heir. 

He remembered walking down the halls, seeing the House and Senate chambers for the first time. Personally, he thought they looked bigger on television. But he’d sat in the Visitor’s Gallery while his father talked on the stage. 

Over the years, he’d grown almost apathetic to walking through these halls. He’d been in them so many times. As the CEO of Stark Industries, alone at the beginning of his Iron Man days, and then again with the Avengers. 

The mental image of Natasha at the hearing after the whole mess at the Triskelion still made him cringe. Sure, he had a laissez-faire mask he wore often in public but at least he was more subtle about it. He cared while hiding that fact from the world. At that moment, he had wondered if she’d cared at all. 

That and why hadn’t they called him. He made a lot of that technology and could have stopped it before it reached the point it did. His name was on that list. Instead, they did what they did and he got stuck with the cleanup. 

Shaking those thoughts from his head, he walked down the hallway of the United States Capitol. On one side, Rhodey walked alongside him. They’d been in the past for almost a year and he still couldn’t shake the disbelief (and relief) when he saw his best friend walking on his own. 

On the other, Happy walked. He continued to look out for potential threats, or even minor annoyances. He couldn’t believe all the crap that Happy had stood by him for. And now, he was back in time with him and hadn’t stopped once. 

Too bad he couldn’t prevent this entire day. Tony had thought by establishing a better rapport with the military that he’d avoid these hearings. He’d thought that by showing a level of transparency that he hadn’t before that he’d be left alone. 

But he should have known that greed would overpower even the loudest of public supporters. There was a group gathered outside protesting him being dragged in for these hearings. It wasn’t a good look for the new Congress. But Stern had a lot of power. Maybe this time, Tony would play with his downfall more than he had last time. 

He and Ross. Who was also expected to be at this hearing. Tony had already gotten a stern lecture from Pepper about not punching the man in the face the first time he saw him. 

It would be hard. But getting arrested for assault really wouldn’t be a good look for a man who’d worked hard to establish a new identity as a family man and a dedicated innovator. 

As they approached the chamber, Tony could hear the buzz of people inside. Around him, senators, congressmen, aides, and interns bustled around. 

To the world, he may currently appear as the Tony Stark they’re getting to know. Larger than life, confident, and ready to do whatever he wants. 

Okay, those things may still be true. 

But, he also knew what was on the line if things went rock here. And it was too important. 

They stopped before the closed door and Tony slid on his signature shades. He was dressed in yet another Tom Ford suit that projected the image he wanted to give off. 

It was time. 

Tony burst into the room, slightly dramatic. It wasn’t like he needed to announce his presence, but it didn’t hurt to let the room (and the world watching on various outlets), but it didn’t hurt. 

The room hushed and a smirk crossed his face. While he wasn’t the cocky arrogant bastard the world tended to think he was, he wasn’t completely against them thinking some of it was still there. 

“Mr. Stark.”

“It’s Dr. actually.” He spoke up, making his way down the center aisle.

Senator Stern looked as if he’d swallowed a lemon as he cleared his throat. “Dr. Stark, thank you for joining us.” 

“Let the record show that I have cooperated with the US military every step of the way since I returned to Afghanistan.” He opened the partition and took a seat. 

He refused to look at the man who sat near the end of the table. Even with almost 15 years between him and the original incident, he was still appalled at the lengths the man went to in order to make himself to appear better than Tony. 

The fact that he teamed up with a terrorist… 

“The fact still remains that you are operating completely solo and without oversight.” 

“Correction, I consult with the military about the missions I take. I provided them with how I received my information, my targets, and what I was targeting. In turn, they provided any intelligence they had to supplement mine.”

That and he had memories of doing this before and knew how to do it. But he wasn’t about to say that. 

“But you refuse to hand over your armor or make it the property of the US Military.”

Tony raised an eyebrow and stared at Stern. “Because it’s mine. Are you complaining about how I privatized world peace? Or just cranky because you can’t take credit for anything I do.”

Stern glared at him. “We’ve had a report prepared…”

On that Rhodey did not contribute to knowing what he knew. 

“with our findings regarding Iron Man and his missions.” 

Tony leaned back in his seat. “I look forward to hearing all about it.” 

What followed was a couple of hours of mindless chatter as the report was picked over. Except for the absence of Rhodey’s work, it was the same as it was the previous time. On either side of him, his friends sat. In front of Rodey was a notepad that he took furious notes on. 

“We also brought in a weapons expert. The committee recognizes Justin Hammer.”

Tony stood up. “I’d like to review Mr.-” He emphasized the lack of a doctorate Hammer had. “Hammer’s credentials and why he was called as an expert to technology I created.” 

“As Stark Industries no long manufacturers weapons we were forced to seek other suppliers.” 

“And I gladly stepped up to serve my country and the hole Stark Industries left.” Justin stood. “While Hammer Industries does not have as long and as storied a past as Stark Industries, we have spent over a decade working to make weapons that match yours.” 

“Keep working, Hammer.” Tony glared at the man, not softening it from the sheer rage he felt. People actually called him a selfish bastard. Maybe he had been once upon a time. But he’d never stooped to the level that Hammer did. 

Or Stane, but he wasn’t opening that can of worms. The man was rotting in federal prison for the rest of his life and Tony was doing his best to put it behind him for a second time. 

“As members of the military and Hammer Industries noted, we are concerned that Tony has created a new form of an arms race.”

Okay, Tony had been a lot less cocky this time around, but now he couldn’t resist repeating a familiar trick. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to shut this line of interrogation down before you start.” 

He took over their system and showed the same bits of footage he’d shown before. He knew that Vanko was lurking with old blueprints, but he wondered if he could intercept him. Jarvis was keeping an eye out because Tony had no intention of driving that car. But maybe he should go to the race just in case. 

As before, people were still ages from his technology. Even in the future, people weren’t close to his technology. And this time he had more experience to launch himself forward. 

“Dr. Stark, that’s classified information.” 

“But it’s the basis of your theory. You’re going against the arrangement I have made with the United States Armed Forces and want to take my technology. I will warn you if you try and enact Imminent Domain, my lawyers will have a field day. And I can promise you, I pay mine better.”

Tony leaned back in his chair, the picture of confidence. 

They were taking a break and Tony was led to a side room where there was coffee. Tony took a sip of the awful cheap coffee and held in his excited anticipation. Rhodey was due to speak when they got back and he was excited to see his Honey Bear tear that committee apart. All while staying polite, professional, and every inch the decorated military man he was. 

The public would eat it up. They’d always loved War Machine (Iron Patriot still sucked as a name).

Justin Hammer walked in, hands in his pockets and a cocky bouncy gait. “Tony! Nice to see you again.” 

“I can’t say the same. What are you doing here?” 

The man looked puzzled. “I was asked to appear and give my report.” 

“On my technology? What, are you hoping they let you pick a suit apart if they get it?”

Justin shrugged, but Tony could see the eagerness in his eyes, the greed. It set off Tony’s senses and his nerves. This was the worst part of this second chance, having to face people again before they did what they did and wondering if they could stop it.

But if he stopped Hammer before he could do something to get arrested, what if he did something worse in the future. What if by stopping him before he started, Tony set up something worse down the road. 

“Come on, Tony. A chance to work together? It would be a blast.” 

“There are few things I’d like to do less, Hammer.” Tony glared at the man, turning around to refill his cup of coffee. “Besides the fact that you are not remotely qualified to speak on that suit. Not only does it hold dozens of components that I am the only person to manufacture, I also hold patents and copyrights. While it is weaponized, an engineer would have been a better choice. But instead, we’re stuck with your thoughts. What did you do, study footage of my missions?” 

“I did.”

“We both know that the only reason you’re here is so that the military remembers your name when they claim the suit. But let me tell you this, they will not take the Iron Man suit from me. And no other country will get to where I am because they’re missing a key component I’ve told no one about. Without that, the suit will be useless.” 

He took a sip of his coffee. “Now, if someone wants to attempt to manufacture Starkanium and take a run against me in the Clean Energy business, it would be better for the planet. But at the Iron Man game? It’s one I won’t lose.”

“We’ll see about that, Tony. You’re not the only player in the game anymore. It’s time for someone else to rise up and be a big player.” 

“That may be so, but it will be someone that is actually capable of doing so. You, are not.” 

Tony stormed off, nodding to Happy as he passed. Checking his watch, he saw he had about five more minutes. “I only moderately lost my cool in there. I think all things considered, I was restrained.”

“Personally, I want to deck the guy. I remember being at the Expo that night.” Happy nonchalantly shrugged.

“Pepper said something about being the bigger person.” 

“Not your strong suit.” Happy grinned.

“Don’t I know it.” 

After sitting through the hearing all day and not once punching Justin Hammer in the face, Tony was relieved to be finally done. Happy and Rhodey flanked him as he made his exit. 

“Dr. Stark.” 

Tony stopped cold at the sound of the familiar voice. He knew he would be seeing her around, but had hoped he had a few more months to sort through his feelings before he ran into her. 

He was torn. They’d reconciled to an extent during the Snaps. And in the end, she’d died to make sure they succeeded in their mission. 

After taking a moment to gather his already frayed nerves, he turned to face Natasha Romanoff. The Black Widow herself. She stood in a business suit, a file to make her blend in with the people bustling all around them. She walked up and held out her hand. “Natalie Rushman.” 

He held up a hand when Happy took a step forward. “Tony Stark.” 

Shaking hands with his once-upon-a-time backstabbing teammate, Tony wondered what her reasoning behind approaching him today was. 

“How can I help you, Ms. Rushman?” 

“I work for a security agency that agrees with your stance on the Iron Man armor.”

Tony stared at her for a moment. Since he’d taken care of the heavy metal poisoning, SHIELD would need a new angle. “Interesting. But I already have an arrangement with the military I’m quite content with.” 

She held out a business card and he took it. “If you change your mind.” 

“I’m fairly certain I won’t. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get on my way.” He walked past her and headed for the waiting car.