Buzz Kill
“What are you two doing here?” Pepper sputtered out.
“We’re avoiding government agents.” Peter answered.
Tony looked down at his son with pride. “I honestly don’t think I could have said it better myself.” He ruffled Peter’s hair before looking back at Pepper and Rhodey. “So how long has this been going on?”
Rhodey and Pepper looked nervously at one another. “It's only been going on since you came back.” Rhodey told his friend.
“Don’t look so glum, sugar plum. I’m happy for you two.” Tony said, patting his friend on his shoulder.
“So does this mean Pepper is going to be aunt Pepper?” Peter asked again, causing Pepper and Rhodey to blush and Tony to throw his head back in laughter.
“Why don’t we talk about something else sweetie.” Pepper said, her face still red. It was then she noticed Coulson over by the bar. “Tony. Are you aware that the agent from Shield is here?”
“Well the kid wasn’t joking when he said we were avoiding government agents.” Tony responded.
Rhodey looked over Tony’s shoulder and spotted Coulson. “Jesus man, he’s really starring you down.”
“Pepper said it's not polite to stare.” Peter piped up. Pepper smiled down at him, Rhodey laughed, and Tony rolled his eyes.
“Kid really just picks and chooses when to chime into a conversation.” Tony mumbled before speaking to Pepper and Rhodey. “How about we get a little air.”
“That sounds wonderful right now.” Pepper spoke up.
Soon enough the four of them were outside talking. Well the three adults were talking while Peter was walking around looking at everything, frequently being called back by either his father or godfather.
Peter walked up to his father and tugged on his fathers jacket. “Can I have another soda?” He asked.
Tony looked down at his son. “No, it’s too late for more soda but I’ll go and see if they have juice or water for you.” He looked up at his assistant. “Pepper, can you keep an eye on him for a minute?”
“Of course.” She responded as Tony walked back towards the bar.
“Can I get two waters?” He told the bartender.
“Wow. Tony Stark.” A woman's voice sounded from behind him, causing him to spin around.
“Oh, hey.” Tony vaguely recognized her but wasn’t sure from where.
“Fancy seeing you here.” She said to him.
Tony started running through names in his head but nothing was jumping out at him so he decided to just go with one and hope for the best. “Carrie.”
“Christine.” She corrected him.
“That's right.” He said as he took the waters from the bartender.
“You have a lot of nerve showing up here tonight. Can I at least get a reaction from you?” She asked him.
“Confusion. I would say confusion is my reaction.” Tony said before he slowly turned around so he could make his way back outside.
“Cause I was referring to your company's involvement in this latest atrocity.” She said accusingly.
Now Tony really was confused. “Yeah. They just put my name on the invitation. I don't know what to tell you.”
Keeping her same tone as before. “I actually almost bought it, hook, line and sinker.”
Tony was beginning to remember how aggravating it was to talk to this woman. “I was out of town for a couple months, in case you didn't hear.”
“Is this what you call accountability?” She asked him as she handed him a stack of photos. “It's a town called Gulmira. Heard of it?”
Tony looked at the photos and his mind flashed back to Yinsen in the cave. “When were these taken?”
“Yesterday.”
“I didn't approve any shipment.” He was so engrossed in the pictures that he did not notice Peter run up to him.
“Well, your company did.” She snapped at him before she looked down at Peter. “Or should I say you and your son's company considering that you so conveniently brought him into this during that staged press conference. Do you think your dad…”
Tony had enough and cut her off as she pushed Peter behind. “Okay, first off I’m not my company. Second, if you ever think about talking to or about my son again, I will end you.” Tony said menacingly as he turned and went to find answers.
“Have you seen these pictures?” Tony asked Obidiah who was standing in front of a group of photographers on the steps leading into the building. “What's going on in Gulmira?”
“Tony, Tony.” Obidiah began placently. “You can't afford to be this naive.”
Tony was really starting to get angry. “You know what? I was naive before, when they said, ‘Here's the line. We don't cross it. This is how we do business.’” He paused for a second before continuing on. “If we're double-dealing under the table… Are we?”
Obidiah patted Tony on his shoulder. “Let's take a picture. Come on. Picture time!” The pair turned to face the camera’s. “Tony. Who do you think locked you out? I was the one who filed
the injunction against you. It was the only way I could protect you. You have become too soft since your son was born. I told you men like us were not meant to have children.” Obidiah turned and made his way toward his car, leaving Tony standing on the steps by himself with Pepper and his son standing in the distance behind him.
“Peter. Come on, we’re leaving,” Tony called angrily over his shoulder.
Peter looked up at Pepper in confusion. Pepper simply nudged him forward toward Tony. While he and his father waited for the car to be brought around, Tony was making a phone call that Peter couldn’t hear. Once the car was finally brought around, Tony motioned for to get in the car while he finished his call. Once he hung up and he drove off, back towards the house.
“Dad? What's going on?” Peter asked hesitantly.
“You are going to spend a couple of days with aunt May and uncle Ben.” Tony said, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
Peter was really confused now. “What? Why? What about school?”
Tony still didn’t look over at his son. “I have things that I need to take care of that you can’t be around for.” Tony glanced down at his son and saw an upset look on his face. “Hey.” He said gently. “This isn’t a punishment Pete. I can’t have you around while I fix some thing’s with the company. As soon as I am done, you are coming right back.”
“Promise?” Peter asked quietly.
“Promise.” Tony said.
The two continued the drive in silence. When they pulled into the driveway of the mansion, Happy could be seen waiting with the Rolls.
Father and son went inside where Tony packed some of Peter’s things while Peter changed into pajama pants and a sweatshirt. Tony led an exhausted Peter back outside towards the car.
Tony crouched down to Peter’s level. “Hey. You be good for Aunt May.”
Peter scrunched up his face in confusion. “What about Uncle Ben?”
Tony let out a small laugh. “I’m sure any trouble that you cause, Ben will be right there with you.”
Tony opened the door for Peter to get in the car and closed the door behind him before turning to Happy. “You take whoever you trust and look after him. No one gets near him. May and Ben know what’s going on.”
“You got it boss.” Happy said as he got into the car.