Team Stark- Rhodey
James Rhodes was livid. He wasn’t an overly emotional man or given to open fits of temper even when he was riled but this situation had pushed him to his limits.
His service in the Middle East was always tense as he walked a fine line between friend and foe in the many villages they patrolled. Every soldier carried the burden of representing their nation to the best of their ability.
He had understood that even before he officially enrolled in the armed forces.
But now, with the armor, as WAR MACHINE. The pressure was immense. But worth it in every way. The armor was a thing of genius, a truly beautiful technological marvel. It was also a massive target on his back. Any terrorist group or government in the area (possibly the world) would be thrilled to have their hands on the one of a kind Stark Tech.
The last weapon Tony Stark had ever made.
But he was good with carrying that burden too. He was out and about. He was far more easily accessible than the US based, unpredictable Iron Man. And with him out in the armor, Tony wasn’t as in demand. The US government turned to Rhodes as a first option, and he preferred it that way.
Especially since Tony was now in therapy for Afghanistan, Stane, and now, Vanko and Hammer. He and Pepper had sorted their issues, at least the majority of them, and were doing very well. Tony hadn’t been so stable since Maria died. It was nice to see. Nice to have his brother back on top, or at least headed there.
Rhodes wasn’t a particularly religious man but he would always thank God that he had been assigned to work the Stark Expo. That he had been there yet again when Tony needed him most.
He’d had literal nightmares about being deployed during the expo, about losing Tony to the drones or to the blood poisoning. Pepper dying in the final explosion, her loss driving Tony completely off the rails for good. His worst nightmares had come so close to being reality, but thankfully they hadn’t.
Until now.
Until SHIELD decided to play god with literal gods and put his best friend's life in danger. Again as it turns out. JARVIS had given him an earful of information at Pepper’s request and Rhodes was on the warpath.
Jay and Pepper had assured him that Tony was resting, that the city was fine, that they had a plan. He didn’t know all the details...yet, but he would. And as soon as he was done in Washington he was heading straight to New York to give Tony the worlds longest hug. They didn’t hug often, but this definitely called for one.
Meanwhile he had several meetings to attend about classified research of alien technology, theft, blackmail, and an attempt to nuke America's most populated city. SHIELD was on everyone's shit list already.
Except the public of course, who had never heard of them. Who thought the damn president had sent the bomb. Ellis was not willing to take the fall for that. It would have been career suicide and possibly charges of treason.
Which he was happy to offer up this mysterious ‘World Council’ for. Once they finally got some names of course. But that was only a matter of time.
He straightened the sleeves on his dress uniform and waited to be announced.
Show Time.
~~
“Dr. Banner, thank you so much for coming on such short notice.”
“No, no, Thank you Ms. Potts for getting me out of SHIELD custody.”
“They had you in custody?” she asked, voice sharp with irritation.
He huffed an awkward laugh and shook his head, “Not in so many words but...well. They aren’t the kind of people who take ‘no’ for an answer.”
She pursed her lips and nodded her agreement, “Yes, so I’ve noticed.”
A slightly awkward silence fell as the scientist looked around her well appointed office. Thankfully it was far enough down in the building that it had taken minimal damage.
“I-is it alright if I ask after Tony? Is he alright? I saw the footage from...the Other Guy catching him and..it looked bad. I-I’m sorry for-”
Pepper cut him off with a small gesture of her hand. “Tony is fine, thank you for asking and thank you for catching him. He was injured but far less than he would have been had he hit the ground,” she said smoothly.
Bruce flinched at her matter of fact words. “Uh yeah, no problem I guess. I mean is that why you brought me here? To thank me? Because you didn’t need to do that, really. I’m just happy the Other Guy could help at all.”
Pepper gave him a small smile. “That is one of the reasons I asked you here today. The other is to offer you asylum.”
Bruce frowned in confusion. “What do you mean asylum?”
“I mean a safe place to live and work away from those hunting you and your...alter ego.”
“Wow, okay, but why? I mean I’m nothing to you. I only just met Tony this week.”
“You’re a lot to us actually.” Pepper cut in looking genuinely amused. “We rarely find people who can keep up with Tony in science or engineering. Company policy is to make a suitable offer to anyone who does. Stark Industries is always on the lookout for new talent.”
He looked surprised at her words. “You want me here for science?”
“And to keep you safe from those seeking you out, yes.”
“But why stick your neck out for me?”
Pepper sighed and wrinkled her nose thoughtfully. “JARVIS?”
“Privacy mode activated ma’am.”
“Thank you.” She gave a now concerned Bruce an appraising look. “What if I told you that the alien attack was simply a vanguard. One that was intentionally sabotaged from within, that being the only reason we won the day.”
Bruce sat and thought for a moment, “I would say that makes sense. You think they’re coming back?”
“I know they are, and we are going to prepare.”
“You want my help with that? With… defenses and preparations. Not… the Other Guy?” he asked hesitantly.”
“Only in the direst circumstances would you be asked to...transform.” she agreed delicately.
He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “I’d like to, I’d love to...to stop running. To be able to help. Especially if this is going to happen again. I-” he huffed another disbelieving laugh. “Yes, I’d like that very much, Thank you, Ms. Potts.”
Pepper smiled like the cat that got the cream. “Excellent. I’m so glad to be able to bring you on board.” She slid a Stark Tablet across her desk so he could read over the employment offer and decide on any changes he’d want to negotiate. He took and began skimming the rather long document.
Now this next part was tricky but Pepper had a good feeling about it and always trusted her instincts.
She waited a few moments before speaking again. “Now, for the past few days I’ve been researching the best people to bring on board for this project and your name came up immediately. But so did a former colleague of yours.”
Bruce stilled, looking up from the contract in his hands.
“What can you tell me about Dr. Elizabeth Ross?”