AN: English is not my native language, sorry for the mistakes.

I own nothing but the rambling

Oh boy he was mad.

I mean, it is quite normal. After all, when we were let on the big secret, Rhodey and I practically signed up to be ready twenty-four/seven for Team Iron Man. Although, I don't remember having signed a real contract, as in, a big stack of paper where would be written black on white our dedication to helping our metallic-armored friend in saving the city from crime. And that we probably would have made read by Rhodey's mom as she is, well, a lawyer. But at the same time, that would have kinda let out the big secret, wouldn't it? OK, moving on.

They never needed me that much before. Tony is the one wearing the armor, making upgrades on it and building up softwares, Rhodey assists him, is the voice in the mask when they're in mission, is occasionally wearing and armor too and all. Me? I'm the annoying girl who clings to them to be sure I belong somewhere. Well, it's not entirely true: I can sometimes be helpful in hacking my dad's computer (who hasn't suspected a thing yet). So little. Hence the feeling of uselessness. Heck, even Whitney helps, being this Madame Masque and all, while she's supposed to be the bad guy. Or girl. Whatever.

The thing is, I'm feeling more and more like the third wheel there, that's probably why I accepted that date with Happy. No Iron Man involved, just a boy and a girl going to the movies. And apparently, not the thing to do, considering Tony's reaction. I mean, to a stranger, it would have meant just normal bantering, but Tony (just like Rhodey to say the truth), are not used to throwing that kind of jab, like, ever. Seriously, first the facial expression, then the disbelief, and finally 'prepare to pay for yourself!'. Where the heck did that come from? He was definitely mad. Because I bailed on them.

And what's not worse, they actually needed someone else for once, while I was blissfully (or not) on a date to watch a movie I didn't like in the first place. I bailed on them while they needed me ASAP, they almost died because of it (drama queen much?). Weirdly enough, they didn't seem to mind much (apart from the fifty dollars I borrowed from Tony, but I swear it was only after his comment!). Unbelievable.

Why did I go to a date in the first place? Ah, yes, to show Tony that, if he can have a date, well so could I. The second? To be with someone who doesn't mind whether or not I'm able to handle things on my own. Truth, I do know that neither Rhodey nor Tony mind it much, but I'm tired to be the one that they have to save, like some sort of damsel in distress. Hello! We're in the twenty-first century! Things have to change! But not matter how many times I tell myself that, I always end up being the one who needs rescuing. I have taken (loooong ago) some lessons in self-defense, but I need more of them obviously. I already called a dojo and signed up for a ten-week training. I'm also working on refining my hacking skills, that could come in handy. Last but not least, I'm trying to (read: work in progress) babble less and synthesize the intel I have in order to deliver it efficiently and quickly. Oh boy, that's gonna take long.

Let it be known I'm not deluding myself: being a kick-ass computer wizard is a dream, yeah, but it's not like I'm gonna get there anytime soon. But here she comes: a sobered up version of Patricia, no babbling, no clinging, one hundred efficient. Almost. I mean, it's easy to say that now, since I'm alone thinking all of this, but I have soon to meet with Tony and Rhodey (they've left me, like twenty messages between the both of them). Steeling myself not to ramble now.

Who am I kidding? I'm never gonna hold out…