"Don't you walk away from this Tony! Fury was deadly serious on the matter and YOU are causing a lot of commotion at S.H.E.I.L.D. They have done you a big favour, even if it was wasting their time" Pepper lectured me, her hands on her hips and eyes locked rightously on me.

I carefully swirled the red wine in my glass. She waited an answer, one that would put her mind at rest and show her I was a responsible and sensible person. I didn't have an answer. I could give her my opinion. It was an excuse at best. I swallowed noticeably, here goes nothing:

"Well I mean there have been many cases like this! You know that Pep. It'll blow over and we can forget about it. Eh might even be Steve playing a trick! Guy had it in for me the day I joined" I defended myself while palming it off with the shrug of my muscled shoulders. I put out a wry smirk and a casually walked over to her, pulling her close. "so stop worrying and you'll make yourself tense" I whispered closing the space between us.

She flicked her face away stubbornly and I rolled my deep brown eyes.

"Tony...I just don't know. This isn't like the others" she voiced in a deep sigh "and you know yourself that it is very possible..." I felt my stomach sink and settle and there was a apparent deflated sensation to.

Letting out an exhausted sigh I rubbing my petrol scented hands over my stubbled jaw. I guess it was probable. Infact it was VERY probable all those years on the party scene, how much alcohol there was and well...the shameful amount of women.

I glanced up at Pepper. Did she feel betrayed? Hurt?

It was clear to see on her face. Any other woman I couldn't have cared less, I would have laughed it off and went to bed. However with Pepper this might have been my longest and most stable relationship to date! I'd do just about anything for her.

"Alright; I'll listen. What did he say?" I inquired further trying to put out a serious and mature front while suppressing the nervous laughter that threaten to burst out. What that an inkling of doubt? Was it affecting the great Tony Stark? Surely not.

Her red lips pulled into a fine smile. "That the ten rings have gone very quiet an-" interrupting like an impatient child I retorted

"And?! Isn't that good? They're bothering someone else besides me and the rest of America?" I protested and took another sip of my wine. It was smooth and bought especially for date night with Pepper.

Clearly she had other things on her mind apart from what I was thinking. Maybe later... Her voice retrieved me from my own head. She gave the that stern look.

The one with the raised arched eyebrow and tight mouth, yeah that one. I nodded my apologies. "Sorry Pep" I mumbled down the clear wine glass.

Pepper shook her shoulders lightly "As I was saying" she shifted her eyes to my face "Fury said it was clear they were working on something. Something big enough to take time out from terrorising local areas and governments. He mentioned something about new designs, highly advanced, even more so than yours!" she sounded impressed.

Better than mine?! I scoffed loudly in utter disbelief. No one could challenge me, not even geeky midgets like Justine Hammer. He tried, failed and clearly hadn't tested.

"So S.H.E.I.L.D discovered documents in a confiscated database, they weren't from an industry or company or organisation. They contained just one name - Mila. Fury may even be proposing that whoever Mila is, might be related to you or even studied under you! These designs are far too similar to be a coincidence!" she finished as confused as I was.

Like mine? I felt reprimanded as no one had come close to my level of work. I was the best mechanic engineer there was, apart from my father who was limited by his time.

"Might be a secret organisation" I suggested which was abruptly followed by an anxious laugh.

Yeah...that would be the doubt kicking in.

Nno one is related to me and Fury is just paranoid, always needing to fight the next battle before a war has even been declared" I lied my way out of this. The one rare thing I feared was ending up with a child! I didn't know anything about then and my experience of childhood was dorm rooms and overcrowded dinning halls.

I'd make a terrible father with all the crying, and the under developed understanding, and continuous reassuring and encouragement. I began to break into a cold sweat just thinking about it. Pepper sighed and strutted over to the modern couch in the centre of the glass based main living room.

Her slender figure set beautifully against the seating and gentle snow back ground with the dim lights of the Christmas tree. Her smile stood out through everything.

"Just call him Tony, if you don't then I'll have him come down and pay a visit" she warned me resting on her hand that propped up her head. I rolled my eyes and neck in immature reluctance.

Taking the last drops of my drink I said "Fine fine! I'll leave him a voice mail" knowing that wouldn't be enough to appease her I'd have to do as she said, like I often did. Walking over and leaning above her I gave Pepper a confident and carefree smile. She reached up and touched the side of my face.

"Oh you'll call and get though" she ordered more so than suggested. I'd never admit it but Pepper was always really in the driver's seat when it came to matters like this, sometimes ignoring and hoping they went away just wasn't enough. Unfortunately.

Later that night:

"And who is this again?" the call centre agent's voice asked for what seemed to be the 20th question. I rested my hand behind my head. Why didn't everyone think like me? Well then again, apparently there was. Someone or something called Mila.

"Tony Stark, playboy millionaire etc. Look Fury wanted me and I'm getting very impatient" I said casually, it wasn't my fault it was an assault course just to get to S.H.E.I.L.D "yes sir, what is your I.D number?" she requested as I internally groaned. "1-2-3-Put-me-through-to-Fury-or-I'll-have-you-fired-0-9-0-9" I smirked as there was a momentary silence.

"Putting you through to Director Fury right now Mr Stark!" a flustered voice replied as I was quickly transferred. Working on with my project I had to endure the irritating Christmas tune playing from the phone speaker.

Finally, when he actually decided to acknowledge my rare call, I was met with a very abrupt and demanding tone. Fury was certainly no welcome wagon.

"Hello, director fury, stark? Is that you? What is it?!" he ordered answers with authority. Might as well play him a little... "Just seeing how my favourite Director is, how's it going hold-for-11-minutes-and-48-seconds?" I chirped down the line with a patronising hum. There was a repeated tense moment of silence as I leant back in my chair, crossed my arms and smirked.

"Very funny Stark! But I don't think you'll be so inconsiderate and light hearted when I show you the compelling evidence we have found!" fury rambles with prevalent annoyance and strong authority.

Typical of him, ordering me around.

"Look if it's about this Mila thing, organisation or crime gang stealing my designs then calm down, and pencil me in for, let's say...March or June" I said with a dismissive wave of my hand.

It wasn't well received.

"Oh...*laughing*...no no Tony, these designs are superior to yours" he smiled down the phone, I could feel him throwing the gauntlet down on my inventions!

My skills and my industry that was advanced by 10 years upon any other. How dare he!

"well I'll be the judge of that when I see the designs! When can u come over- infact! You know wha-" I was interrupted suddenly.

"9:30 am, tomorrow, sharp!" the phone hung dead, a dull dial time calling out through my garage.

Had I just been told what to do?!

Next Morning:

"Pepper It's fine! Stop fussing!" I told her as I gently swiped her hands away from my chest "it's been a long time since I was 6 and some one had to do up my tie for me, besides it's not that big of a deal! I don't even dress like this for the office" I whined and complained. Of course Pepper was barely listening.

"Just a few more tou-"

"Can I at least take out the top most button, I mean are you trying to suffocate me?" I asked raising my eyebrow as I stopped her nimble hands by catching her wrists. Horror struck her face, her pink lips hanging a little and her eyes widened. Pepper had always been a stickler for prim and proper, everything neatly in it's rightful place.

"No! It'll look messy" she retorted in disgust.

I shrugged half hearted "So? What if I like it that way?"

"Maybe you should take this more seriously! Because I know you're stalling" Pepper could read me like a book, sometimes it was a useful trait, other times it was surprising to me just how well she knew me. Less to say no one had ever come close before.

Seeing the determination in her face and how deadly stern she was I decided it was best if I got on with things. "Alright, I'll go and see what it's about, but really this is stupid! I mean how advanced could they be?! I scoffed rolling my eyes and childishly clicking my tongue. If anything else it did, it made her smile.

"Maybe it is, we'll see. If nothing comes out of it then we go back to our normal lives, and your tech" she added gloomily.

I knew it was false because I told her every day how much she meant to me. "Pepper you know you are the only thing in the universe I couldn't live without" I reminded her pulling her close again. I was always a little taller.

She wore a smirk that I had rarely seen. "Well then you better get going, Happy is waiting outside" she whispered, turning in my arms and walking off.

I watched her go and realised that there really was no one like her. I had other meetings and other projects that needed my time, I would get this arrangement of Fury's over and done with, then I could leave and forget it even happened. It wouldn't change my life in the least.

Car Journey:

"Imagine, another month's time and you may be off on an epic adventure, like the time you had in Afganista-" I raised my hand sharply and snapped my head to the side in protest. "Happy! Can we not retell those horrific memories loaded with emotional scarring trauma, yeah can we not do that." I requested sarcastically.

The expensive engine hummed continuously in the background along with the roll and grind of the tires. As we approached the tall and typical office sky scraper of S.H.E.I.L.D Happy's face become stern and solom, like he was trying to imitate one of the agents that roamed about the grounds. Some of them stood awaiting at the door. Usually they gathered in groups of 3-5. Happy smoothly pulled up to the gleaming glass entrance. I was glad to see Coulson's face for once. Wearing his uniform smile he opened the car door. "Hello Mr Stark, good of you to come on such a short notice" he greeted pleasantly with a firm handshake. however I was not so polite, Coulson had already been warmed to my personality and moods.

"Yeah short notice of the director!" I exclaimed shifting and fixing my tightly trimmed suit. Damn it was uncomfortable.

Once through the sliding doors the cooled air hit me. "Well it must be a serious matter Mr Stark" God Coulson had a very upbeat voice. Maybe the whole Mil thing was a scam and it was really a ceremony on how I had been such a vital member of the team. Not some side line 'consultant' which they had me recorded as.

"Hmm... I'm not a serious guy, isn't that why Fury loves me?" I asked rhetoric ally but the truth was I brought a smile to his one eyed face, if he could smile. I waltzed through the conference room doors, they invited me right? Maria Hill jumped in her black leather chair and swivelled around in a wild reaction. Fury however was more controlled, subtly glancing over his shoulder and running his eye up and down my neat person. Approving of what he saw, his posture relaxed and he strode down from his podium.

"Stark, you actually made it, I was expecting to have to send Coulson after you"

I couldn't contain the scoff and low and defiant chuckle that came from my throat. I heard him laughing as well. That made me drop my amusement and a furrow dug into my brow. Reading the air in the room I could feel the delicate balance of power wasn't on my side, It was in fury's hands. I didn't like the look of this one bit.

"always the jokester, well I got something that will wipe the smirk of your face" he said flicking his hand over the blue holographic screens that I installed for him. Mechanical designs for numerous weapons of maybe the wildest of dreams I've had, whoever this was had thought of endless possibilities, resources, every possible flaws and dimension. I was dumbstruck with awe, wouldn't show it though. "All these and they look like they date back to 4 years ago Tony, you better not be double dealing me because I am not a man you want to mess with". Fury warned sternly, arms folded. He was right, I wasn't laughing now.

Walking up to one of the holographic designs I touched it, it flickered just a moment. It was like looking in one of those carnival mirrors, but...almost better."That was Obidiah, not me" I said in a trance.

"Oh...and there is one other thing" Fury added as I turned around, my mouth a little agar and already I could feel my stomach twisting and knotting "We found your DNA on them" Fury narrowed his eyes at me, like I was to blame for all this! Might as well have founded the ten rings from the expression on his bulldog face.

"Well almost" Maria added, hesitant to interrupt the face off between the Director and I.

"What do you mean almost my DNA?! Either it is or it isn't" I snapped defensively at her, my teeth gritting. Now I was maybe more uneasy than I ever remembered before, I needed to locate a bathroom to throw up in if the tension levels were going to rise.

"Its half your DNA, as in an X chromosome..." she explained tapping her touch sensitive screen and swiping it upwards so a blue ghost like image of a coiling strand of DNA appeared before me. A faint light lit my face from the hologram as the room dimmed. "As in one side is maternal DNA...and the others is yours" she said glancing between my draining face and Fury's.

"So either you've got in front of you someone with the impossible minute combination of exactly the same DNA as you, or you better get a window sticker calling yourself daddy...by the way it's a girl, congrates" Fury cut through the silence, only the alternating hum of the holographs were present in those few eternity long moments. Numbness didn't even cover any or all emotions I was feeling, I just stood dumbfounded and probably looking like a blank idiot. It was very probable, but I guess...I just was in denial. It couldn't happen to me.

Please comment, follow, vote. This is my first story, going well so far. Thanks again and hope you enjoy and read on ;) More to come...