Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring you the official rewrite of Truth and Mischief! The original was rather sloppy and I didn't have a clear idea of where I wanted to take things. This is my chance to flesh out the story and improve my writing. While some of the key story points will remain, I think it will be written better and with more depth. As usual, please let me know if you have any questions or see any mistakes. I'm more than happy to reply to any comments offered. I hope you enjoy the story!
Cinderfire
They were celebrating. He'd allowed his employees to leave a few hours earlier than usual because he was going to be busy with the final preparations for Stark Tower. He personally didn't see the need for another building with his name on it. He had too many already. (Then again. not all of them were available to the public.) There was also the fact that Pepper had put a lot into the building. It had been her masterpiece and he wasn't going to begrudge her that. There was also the fact that he didn't have a place in the city (that anyone knew of) and hey, why not? He could always use more business. It's not like he'd have anything to lose from it.
"Sir, Agent Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D is on the line." JARVIS had to go and put a damper on the fact that he was cutting loose and enjoying a quiet night with his CEO/newly-christened girlfriend, Pepper Potts.
He shot her a panicked glance and she gave him a reluctant nod. She knew it was important, but did this really have to happen now?
"Leave a message." Tony groused. He didn't like when Fury went back on his word. Spy or not, he'd specifically told the one-eyed menace of a Director that he was not to be disturbed unless it was of the utmost importance. And to send this particular Agent when he knew, he knew-!
"He insists that it's urgent."
"Then leave it urgently!" Tony rolled his eyes.
"Sir-!"
The elevator pinged and out stepped Agent Phil Coulson.
Tony?" Cap's worried face was a few inches too close to his own and were it not for the man's natural reflexes then one of them would have a nasty bump when he jerked into awareness.
"What the hell?!" He rasped.
The Hulk's hangover-worthy roar did no help for his weary state.
"What just happened?" He demanded. "Please tell me nobody kissed me!"
Captain America rose to his feet and nodded.
"We won." He confirmed. Iron Man sighed and closed his eyes, allowing the relief to wash over him.
"Alright, guys. We did it! Hey, let's just not come in tomorrow, yeah? Let's just take a day. Anyone ever heard of shawarma? There's a shawarma joint a few blocks from here. I don't know what it is but I wanna try it." Cap snorted and Thor chuckled. Their comrade had the strangest tastes.
"We're not finished yet." His ex-assistant's partner muttered darkly, jerking his head up to the battle-worn Tower. They literally got done building the thing not even a week ago. Pepper was going to be furious when she got back.
"And then shawarma after." He amended. There were some questions he needed answered.
The others were shocked at his sudden movements because they gaped openly as he took off for what used to be the living room. They would have to make their own way.
