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Post by Tony Stark on May 28, 2012 1:29:15 GMT -5
"Well, I don't see why I can't have her. That way, we could get rid of the boring old memorial to Captain America at her feet. Newsflash, he didn't die." At the very least, they could get rid of the 'In Memorial of', that way it didn't sound like Steve was a dead man. Hell, Steven Rogers was technically younger than Tony. Was there a tiny rivalry between the two? Maybe a little bit.
Tony thought about the places that Pepper had listed and said, "Yeah, the Millennium Center, the one with the big golden sign. I want it, or at least I want a part of it where I can keep some suits. It'd be a good idea, in case I get stranded. Which happens more often than you would things. Just saying." He held his hands out and made a smug look, "I don't want to have to wait for a suit to have to fly all the way from New York or California in case I run out of juice."
It hadn't happened yet, but it was entirely possible. The suit was powered by his Arc Reactor, but technology wasn't infallible. It was completely possible for him to end up stranded for one reason or another. Deciding to do so, he announced, "I'll have my secretary, um, somethingorother, set up a meeting with the owner of the building. Yeah, it'll be great."
Convinced this was the right way to go, he finished his drink and set the glass down, "Look at that, vacation hasn't even started yet, and I'm already having a good time. Great choice on Wales, Pepper."
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Post by Virginia Potts on May 28, 2012 6:23:25 GMT -5
* * *Pepper was already waving away his complaints, concerning herself with her lunch instead.
“Can’t have her, let it go, Tony.”
The comment about the Millenium Center made her pause. She’d assumed he just wanted to hold a frivolous event there, or possibly several – but the idea of him being overseas without his suit gave her pause.
“Don’t bother her,” she insisted, meaning his secretary. “It will be a lot less trouble if I handle that one myself.”
It wasn’t that she was jealous of the woman who had taken over her original position. Really, there was nowhere Pepper would rather be these days -- and she wasn’t just talking about her position at Stark Industries. But it had taken a little getting used to the fact that someone else would be seeing to his whims like she’d done for so many years, so it was a point of pride that there were still some things he preferred her to do.
This wasn’t one of them, of course – it could have been handled adequately by the new girl, but she knew it would be much less hassle if she just took care of it. She’d gathered a bit of a reputation in the past year, so when she rang the Cardiff City Council, she knew her name would be recognised. If it was at all possible to lease part of the building, she’d be the one to find out. Not to mention that she wanted him to have every possible advantage; the idea was personal now, and Pepper was a woman who liked to get her way.
”And don’t think I didn’t notice how you smoothly avoided the topic of your office bar, by the way. I –“
She looked down, aware that her water glass was trembling slightly. A quizzical look painted over her features, her first instinct was to think about an earthquake, completely forgetting the rampage Tony had gone on only hours earlier. * * *
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Post by Tony Stark on May 28, 2012 23:38:03 GMT -5
”And don’t think I didn’t notice how you smoothly avoided the topic of your office bar, by the way. I –“
"Well, obviously it wasn't smooth-"
"Sir, if you don't mind my interruption, there appears to be a flight carrier incoming. Origins are from the East."
Tony raised an eyebrow, "Really? Didn't they get enough earlier?" He looked to Pepper and said, "I figured they would have had enough earlier. Five bucks says it's AIM, Latveria wouldn't bother making a move on US soil, that'd be an act of war." He scooted out of his seat and stepped over to Pepper, leaning down and placing a playful kiss on her lips, "I'll take care of this, you can watch, then we'll come back and have lunch, sound good?"
He didn't wait for a response, just grinning as he fumbled to get his Mk VII bracelets on to call the suit into action.
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Post by Virginia Potts on May 29, 2012 2:53:45 GMT -5
* * *”Five bucks? Really?” she deadpanned, the colour gone from her cheeks. She knew he was much more frivolous than that; his multiple trips to Vegas were proof. She watched as he slipped his Mark VII bracelets on, trying not to visibly tense up for his sake.
“You don’t think it’d be more prudent to wear those all the time?”
She didn’t expect an answer, her was already moving close, kissing her even as the words fell from her lips. She sat there, napkin haphazardly unfolded in her lap, a little dazed and a lot worried but trying her best not to show it. Of all people, Pepper was probably most aware that he knew exactly what he was doing. Oh, he was clever. And he knew it, which was really the infuriating bit.
But cleverness was an advantage, and she vowed to put up with all the snark in the world if it just kept him safe.
Watching as the suit built itself around him, she flinched at a noise – the melee must be getting closer. A quick glance to the window made her realise it was the quickest exit, and without another moment’s hesitation, she moved smoothly out of the way – but not before tossing back the rest of the martini and pressing a hurried kiss to the ‘lips’ of Tony’s helmet.
“Go on, then. Save the world." Her gaze flared, though she couldn't see his eyes.
"I still want dessert.” * * *
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Post by Tony Stark on May 29, 2012 13:42:08 GMT -5
"You still complete me."
Tony called back as he left the table, leaving his suit jacket behind.
"The Mk VII will arrive in one minute thirty seconds sir."
"Perfect timing," Tony said, pulling someone's mimosa off a waiter's tray, downing it in a spin move and placing it on another tray as he exited, "That was horrible. Too much fruit juice." He called back toward the waiter that he had nicked the drink from and then went outside as his suit arrived and attached to him, "Oh boy, this is gonna tear the dress pants."
As he predicted, the Iron Man armor attached to him and ripped his poor expensive pants to shreds as the metal works began to cling to his body and power up. The desktop began to appear on Tony's screen and vision was allowed just as the AIM soldiers began to get off their ship, "Oh hey guys, you're just in time to help me get in a pre-lunch workout. Let's go."
The boosters in the feet of the suit fired up as Tony took a leap at the slider in the lead, who was firing some kind of plasma rifle that was bouncing off the metal of his suit. Iron Man met him with a fist and sent the lead flying back toward their ship. That's when they all began to fire on him. The shots seemed to bounce off against the protective casing before Iron Man held out his hands.
"Just built this, check out my sonic burst capabilities." He unleashed a wave of sonic energy, knocking down most of the soldiers, except on of the big guys, who fired a much bigger gun. The plasma shot sent Tony hurling back into the restaurant through a window.
Working his way back up to his feet, Tony looked around and spotted Pepper, "Put that on company expenses please!" Then he jumped back out to deal with his foe.
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Post by Virginia Potts on May 29, 2012 15:20:33 GMT -5
* * *Pepper couldn’t help a sunny grin as he strode off, the shock of the sudden intake of vodka barely touching her system through all her nerves.
The electronic noises that followed didn’t help. With the crashing and streaks of light, she knew that outside wasn’t exactly the safest place, and she tried to convince the people in the restaurant to sit tight for a while instead of scattering. Her instincts told her to stay low, avoid the windows and doors, and do what she could to help Tony. Which, unfortunately, didn’t seem to be much of anything at the moment; the best she could aim for was not getting kidnapped.
Just as she was having that mildly amusing though, a red and gold blur ratcheted through the glass to her right; it seemed she’d been right about the window, though it hadn’t been exactly what she pictured. Still, if there was glass to be broken, Tony would break it. The contractors for Stark Industries loved them -- they were constantly ordering replacements. Today was obviously going to be no exception.
“Only because you said please.” She tried not to look shaken, giving Tony a wry smile before he took back off through the window.
Despite the chaos of the moment – the panicked customers and wait staff, the wailing of sirens in the distance – she whipped out her PDA from her purse as soon as Tony was out of view, fingers tapping in practised motions. The glaziers were on speed dial by now, and she held the phone up to her ear, waiting with eerie patience despite the scene around her.
“Hello, yes – this is Virginia Potts on behalf of Stark Industries. We’re going to need another window installation…” * * *
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Post by Tony Stark on May 29, 2012 21:04:52 GMT -5
Tony and the big AIM soldier duked it out a bit, until Toy finally landed a big haymaker on the man, knocking the big soldier out like a light. Having beat up all the opposition, Tony surveyed the damage, in his wake he'd broken three windows, and set off about twenty car alarms. The police were on their way, which meant that clean up was basically all done.
With the sound of a some metal gears moving, Tony removed his helmet and walked back into the restaurant where Pepper was still standing. Flashing his trademark grin, he spoke up, "Any chance the kitchen is still running? I built up my appetite again." He was serious. It's hard fighting crime with just a bagel and a few drinks to keep one going.
The voice of Jarvis rang inside his helmet, "Sir, incoming call from SHIELD Helicarrier."
Tony chuckled and said, "That'd be my good friend Agent Hill, calling to chew me out. Ignore."
"Very well sir."
Looking back up to Pepper, he grinned and said, "Your hair looks real nice now that you've let it go back to it's natural color." Tony was Iron Man one moment, back to Typical Stark the next. He looked around and said, "So yeah, I was thinking the lobster macaroni. Fish, good for the brain, macaroni, good for the soul."
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Post by Virginia Potts on May 31, 2012 21:29:29 GMT -5
* * *Pepper did as she always did in the wake of Tony’s Iron Man debris. That was: try not to gape, and steer clear of any fires; she couldn’t abide smudges on her footwear.
She ignored the comment about her hair. It’d been three weeks to the day since she’d had it restored to its natural ginger hue, and he hadn’t uttered a syllable about it til now. Remaining tight-lipped, she palmed her PDA before sliding it deftly back into her blazer pocket, secretly pleased he’d taken note of the new colour, albeit belatedly.
“The windows are already on order, from the Stark account. I’ll notify the owner as soon as he comes out of hiding.”
She quirked an eyebrow as he sat down, but quickly followed suit, sliding in next to him this time instead of across, her brain working on overload as she went simultaneously into secretary mode and checked him over for damage. He seemed fine enough, though she was certainly no doctor. Still, the worst casualty seemed to be his clothes, which was really par for the course when it came to Tony; he still really had no idea how to be careful with anything, though he surprised her on rare occasion.
“You realise the press will likely be here soon. Should you care – and I realise you don’t, I don’t know why I waste my breath – there is a fresh suit in the car.”
The tiniest hint of a smile crossed her face as he spoke over her: macaroni, yada, yada.
“You’re alright, then?” * * *
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Post by Tony Stark on Jun 1, 2012 17:00:25 GMT -5
"A couple bruises, torn up pants and a chance to stretch my legs a bit. Worked off the bagel. Never better Pep."
Tony chuckled before saying, "I'll go change, send the suit home before the big time paparazzi gets here. When they ask you, AIM is a group of terrorist super nerds, pretty much all you really need to know about them." He tucked the Iron Man helmet under his arm and stood up, nodding to Pepper briefly and heading off to change into something more proper.
They'd clean up the mess made, Tony was sure they wouldn't ask him to leave, he was Tony Stark after all, world famous. It'd be bad for business, especially since he'd be cleaning up the mess he made and paying for the replacement windows that he'd broken in the fight. This one was kind of his fault, as he'd been the one that attacked AIM initially today.
However, Tony wasn't backing down on destroying his old weapons. If Doom had gotten his hands on one missile, let alone a Jericho, that would have been a major problem. SHIELD would make up some kind of story, they seemed to love making things up to cover for him instead of just telling the truth. At that point, it was out of Tony's hands.
He returned to Pepper in a new suit and all smiles, "So, what did I miss?"
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Post by Virginia Potts on Jun 1, 2012 22:40:47 GMT -5
* * *Surprised he would do as she suggested without being prodded, she nodded wordlessly, standing to let him pass on his way out to the car. She watched him go, sparing only a passing glance at his backside; as much as she appreciated it, now was not the time to get distracted.
Turning, her fingertip slipped up to tap the metal piece curved over her ear.
“Jarvis, collect a folder on AIM and leave it on my personal drive, please.”
“I regret to inform you that collected data on the organisation known as A.I.M is, unfortunately, scarce. Mr. Stark has a number of files on his protected drive, however.”
“Let me guess – protected from me as well, right?”
“That is correct, Miss Potts.”
If she just mentioned it, there was a chance he’d let her see them, but she knew he liked to try to keep her from worrying, so maybe not. She also knew that if SHIELD was involved, some of the information was likely to be classified – which, in fairness, had never really stopped him before. He’d always managed to leave the information up on the screen when he buzzed her down to the workshop for some menial question. She frowned, wondering which way Tony would lean on this issue.
“Right. Well, get me what you can, please.”
“As you wish.”
Cars had begun to fill in the spots in the parking lot, and she discretely tapped off her earpiece again, letting her hair fall forward to cover its metallic shell just in time to see Tony trotting back up to the scene, news coverage and law officials not 10 meters behind him.
"So, what did I miss?"
“Nothing yet.” She straightened his tie out of habit. “Try not to look too pleased with yourself, here comes Channel Two.” * * *
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Post by Tony Stark on Jun 2, 2012 20:47:57 GMT -5
As Pepper warned him, Tony began to joke around a bit, "Oh god, channel two? As in Worldwide Daily News? The one that's an offshoot of New York's Daily Bugle, Pepper, I'm not ready for the big leaguers like that, hide me." He stepped behind the woman as if he was using her as a human shield between him and the press, before chuckling and saying, "Don't worry, if there's one thing I'm great at, it's spontaneous press meetings."
Such as the time he'd shut down Stark Industries weapons division, or the time that he revealed he was Iron Man, or the time that he hijacked his own court hearing on live TV in front of a panel of the top names in the military of the United States. To say that he was well behaved for reporters would be a lie, to say he wasn't an entertaining interview though, would be an even bigger lie.
"Mr. Stark! Mr. Stark, Caroline Bach, channel two news. Can I get a word?"
Tony made a face like he'd rather be somewhere else, "Well, I guess, you were the first one on the spot. Alright, but make it quick, I have a big meeting that I need to get to." He looked to Pepper and winked, as if he was saying, 'I'll totally be at the meeting, promise.' Smiling still, he looked to the woman and let her ask a question.
"Well, obviously Mr. Stark, what happened here today?"
Tony smiled and asked, "That's all? Obviously a terrorist cell came after me for being a true American and taking back my property. They shot first, I shot harder. That's how we do it here in America, y'know?"
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Post by Virginia Potts on Jun 5, 2012 18:06:57 GMT -5
* * *“They shot first, I shot harder. That's how we do it here in America, y'know?"
Pepper fought to keep from rolling her eyes at Tony’s swagger. She knew he had a heart of gold under all that steel, but the media couldn’t be counted to pick up on it though all his snark. Straightening her blazer, she hopped neatly over a glass that had been knocked to the floor and stepped into frame alongside him.
“I think what Mr. Stark means is that the American public shouldn’t worry about the AIM threat, as it has been handled.”
Directing a look involving just the right amount of adoration and respect at Tony, she subtly conveyed to the cameras that once again Iron Man was responsible for the safety of a number of civilians. PR wasn’t what she’d studied, though she figured all her years with Tony were the best crash course offered; she was more than confident she knew how to spin his antics by now. And if there was one angle Tony loved to work, it was the “I’ve privatised world peace” angle.
She touched his hand in lieu of a kiss, hating the number of cameras being waved around. The pads of her fingertips grazed the inside of his wrist before she let go, and she briefly caught his gaze, one corner of her mouth quirking in the tiniest of smiles meant only for him.
“Don’t forget: board meeting, 6 pm. And don’t be late.”
It was a lie of course; the meeting didn’t start til 7, but Pepper Potts was a woman who knew better. * * *
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