DISCLAIMER:
Iron Man is the property of Marvel Studios and Stan Lee, no infringement is intended by this fan fiction and no money is being made, I'm just doing this for fun.
To clarify, when I say "gender bent" I mean a cis-swap. If you do not know what that means, I suggest you use the Urban Dictionary.
CHAPTER ONE
"I feel like you're driving me to a court-martial... This is crazy. What did I do? I feel like you're going to pull over and snuff me," Toni Stark said, drink in hand and ankles crossed. The thirty-eight year old billionaire was one of the most attractive women alive, as Vanity Fair had proclaimed several times. Her short dark-brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She had arched eyebrows and intense dark brown eyes, which observed the inside of the Humvee with a calculating, stare. Her lips were covered in red lipstick and her nose was long with a thin nostril flare. Her blouse revealed the flesh of her neck, collarbone, arms, and hands. Her pencil skirt and pair of boots bore her lower legs "What, you're not allowed to talk? Hey Forrest?"
Lt. Forrest replied, "We can talk, ma'am."
"Oh I see," Toni said, leaning back and uncrossing her legs, "So is it personal?"
"No, you intimidate them," The driver said. Toni did a double take.
"You're a woman. I'm impressed. I really couldn't have called for that, but it's nice to see a woman as a soldier," Toni said.
"I'm an airman," The Driver replied.
"That doesn't make your hard work any less impressive," The billionaire said.
"Ma'am I have a question," The front passenger said.
"Yes?" Toni asked.
"Is it true that you used to date Colonel Rhodes?" The man questioned.
"Well… yes and no. To the media we dated for four years. It was really just a cover so I could actually date people, or at least sleep with them, and not have the media's ridiculous double standard on women, heavily influenced by misogyny. But I'm actually engaged now and it's quite a lovely experience. Anything else?"
Lt. Forrest raised his hand.
"Raising your hand?" Toni asked. "Are we in kindergarten? Because, I am not qualified to teach you the alphabet."
"Is it cool if I take a picture with you?" Forrest asked.
"It's very cool," Toni said. The pair leaned in for a picture. "I don't want to see this on your MySpace… who uses MySpace anymore, anyway? Please no gang signs. I was kidding, throw it up! I love peace, be out of a job with peace, though."
"Don't change any settings, just click it," Forrest told his friend in the front seat. The shutter snapped just as there was an explosion.
"What's going on?" Toni asked, spilling her drink.
"Contact left!" The driver shouted.
"What have we got?" Toni asked again, almost fearful. The driver exited the Humvee and was shot almost instantly in the stomach.
"Jimmy, stay with Stark!" The Passenger in the front exclaimed.
"Stay down!" James Forrest yelled.
The Front passenger climbed out, getting shot immediately in the chest.
"Son of a bitch!" Forrest yelled.
"Wait- wait- g-give me a gun!" Toni begged.
"Stay here!" Forrest commanded, getting shot in the head as soon as he exited the vehicle.
Toni lowered herself to the floor of the car, her legs wedged under a seat, and grappled Forrest's body for a gun, grabbing one and tucking it against her chest as she was curled up in the car. Bullets ricocheted around the bulletproof Humvee. Soldiers around Toni were dropping like flies. She grabbed her cell-phone and tried to make a call, but she noticed there was no signal. Silently cursing, she aimed the gun out of the open door where Forrest exited. She saw a missile land next to the car, STARK INDUSTIES was written on the side of the missile, it went off, blowing her and the car into the distance. Toni lost consciousness, but before she did, her last conscious thought was that she couldn't feel her legs.
36 HOURS AGO
"Antoinette Edith Stark. Visionary. Genius. American patriot. Even from an early age, the daughter of legendary weapons developer Howard Stark quickly stole the spotlight with her brilliant and unique mind. At age four, she built her first circuit board. At age six, her first engine. And at 17, she graduated summa cum laude from MIT. Then, the passing of a titan. Howard Stark's lifelong friend and ally, Obadiah Stane steps in to help fill the gap left by the legendary founder, until, at age 21, the prodigal daughter returns and is anointed the new CEO of Stark industries. As the queen on the throne, Toni ushers in a new era for her father's legacy. Creating smarter weapons, advanced robotics, satellite targeting. Today, Toni Stark has changed the face of the weapons industry by ensuring freedom and protecting America and her interests around the globe." Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes stood proudly on the podium. "As liaison with Stark Industries, I have had the pleasure to know Ms. Stark for many years, and she has become my lifelong friend, despite our prior relationship. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to present tonight's Apogee Award to Ms. Antoinette Stark."
Toni appeared on the stage, stepping out. For her awards ceremony, she wore a dark blue sleeveless dress with a full-length skirt, her hair was loose around her shoulders, "Thanks Platypus," She said, taking the award. "To tell you the truth I was almost late. Money just burns your pocket when you have to walk past a bunch of Craps tables. Regardless, I am deeply honored to be accepted with this prestigious award. Most people, when they get awards, they honor the people that helped them. While I did do a lot of it on my own, there are a few people I guess deserve recognition. My fiancé Piper, or Virgil Potts, as you may know him, really helps me run an entire company. James Rhodes, without him Stark Industries wouldn't get such a large amount military funding, and he's a real laugh at parties, note my sarcasm. My mom and dad certainly raised me and paid for me to go to esteemed schools without worrying about crippling debt and student loans. Obadiah Stane, also, has been a father to me. And I guess it's only proper I thank you all for making sure I don't go insane or anything because I own a giant weapons company and could destroy everyone," Toni exited stage left, smiling the entire time.
30 MINUTES LATER
"I own a giant weapons company and could destroy everyone?" Rhodey asked. "And, you called me Platypus."
"It's worked before, get an article by FOX News written that you are a little girl playing out of your league, remind everyone on live TV you could cook them for breakfast with bombs. And for Platypus… sorry, I may have had one too many drinks for good luck… don't give me that look- I am working on it!"
"Well, this is where I exit, good night," Rhodey said. "Don't forget- I need to see you tomorrow morning!"
"You can count on it," Toni said.
"I'm serious!" Rhodey exclaimed.
"I know! I know!" Toni waved back. She walked one direction, passing a man dressed as Caesar.
"Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's." She chimed, handing the award to him.
Toni strutted to her Rolls Royce, her security and bodyguard waiting. Her security personnel held back a reporter, "Ms. Stark! Excuse me, Ms. Stark! Christine Everhart, Vanity Fair magazine. Can I ask you a couple of questions?"
"She's cute," Happy Hogan whispered.
"Why would I care if she's cute, Happy? Toni asked. "You may think she's cute, but keep it to yourself. Hi," She turned around and waved away security.
"Hi," Christine Everhart said.
"Okay, well, go," Toni crossed her arms.
"You've been called the Da Vinci of our time, what do you say to that?" Christine Everhart asked.
"Ridiculous, I don't paint, I'm right-handed, and I'm a woman," Toni said.
"Well, what about your other name, the duchess of death?" Christine asked, eyes narrowing.
"That's not bad... Let me guess. Berkeley?" Toni asked.
"Brown, actually," Christine said.
"Well, Ms Brown. It's an imperfect world, but it's the only one we've got. I guarantee you, the day weapons are no longer needed to keep the peace, and I'll start making bricks and beams for baby hospitals," Toni said.
"Rehearse that much?" Christine asked.
"Every night in front of the mirror, you can ask my fiancé if you want," Toni replied.
"I want a serious answer," Christine requested.
"That was serious, obviously you aren't easily impressed. My old man had a philosophy, 'Peace means having a bigger stick than the other guy.'" Toni stated.
"A great line from the girl selling the sticks," Christine countered.
"I'm a woman, not a girl, I don't gossip, unlike you. My father helped defeat the Nazis. He worked on the Manhattan Project. A lot of people, including your professors at Brown, would call that being a hero," Toni reminded the reporter.
"And a lot of people would also call that war profiteering," Christine responded sharply.
"Tell me, do you plan to report on the millions we've saved by advancing medical technology or kept from starvation with our intelli-crops? All those breakthroughs, military funding, honey. And that is how it works, you want to complain about the military industrial complex, try the legislative branch, not the corporations."
"Do you ever lose an hour of sleep your whole life?" Christine asked.
"I lose plenty, as I am in a lovely relationship," Toni said. "I think we're done here, good luck."
Toni slipped into her car and drove off.
THE NEXT MORNING
Toni's hair was tied back by a bandana, she wore a grease stained tank-top, and faded denim jeans. "Give me an exploded view," She said, setting down a wrench.
"The compression in cylinder three appears to be low," JARVIS said.
"Log that," Toni said.
Piper Potts, dressed in a light brown three-piece suit with a black and gray pinstripe collared undershirt walked in, "I'm gonna try again, right now." The strawberry-blonde man said. His eyes were blue and framed by pale eyelashes. He was taller than Toni by several inches, his hair was combed back. He had a clean shave, a pronounced jaw, and the slightest silhouette of muscle under his suit.
"Please don't turn down my music," Toni said as Piper lowered the radio's blaring AC/DC.
"You should be halfway around the world right now," Piper said, picking up a drill and setting it aside so he could approach his fiancée.
"Why are you trying to hustle me out of here?" Toni asked, standing to her full height and tilting her head upwards to make eye contact.
"Your flight was scheduled to leave an hour and a half ago," Piper told her.
"That's funny, I thought with it being my plane and all that it would just wait for me to get there," Toni said, walking past Piper to clean up her project.
"Toni, we need to talk about a couple things before you leave," Piper said, following the woman, glancing at his clipboard.
"Doesn't it kind of defeat the whole purpose of having your own plane if it departs before you arrive?" Toni asked, shutting a few drawers.
"Larry called. He's got another buyer for the Jackson Pollock in the wings. Do you want it? Yes or no," Piper asked.
"Is it a good representation of his spring period?" Toni asked, picking up a toolbox and setting it on a table.
"Ah, no. The Springs was actually the neighborhood in East Hampton where he lived and worked, not 'spring' like the season," Piper said, ducking under a low-hanging beam.
"East Hamptons, that's in New York, right? Your point?" Toni asked, bending over and picking up screws that she dropped on the floor.
"Well, I-I think it's a fair example. But… uh-um- I think it's incredibly overpriced," Piper said, getting uncomfortable at Toni's position.
"Piper," Toni said. "We're getting married; stop getting flustered over my ass. I mean, we have sex, most recently last night. As for the painting, I need it. Buy it; put it in the art gallery."
"Okay. The MIT commencement speech-"
"-Is in June. Please, don't harangue me about stuff that's way, way, down-"
"-They're haranguing me, so I'm gonna say yes."
"Deflect it and absorb it, don't transmit it onto me," Toni advised, washing her hands in a sink.
"I need you to sign this before you get on the plane," Piper motioned a clipboard and pen towards the woman.
"Are you trying to get rid of me? Do you have plans? I don't like it when you have plans, I should be the only plan of yours, especially on your birthday," Toni said.
"You remembered?"
"Funny, it's the same time as last year," Toni added starkly.
"I'm just surprised you didn't forget," Piper replied.
"That was one time," Toni reminded him. "Anyway, go to your office, I got you something nice."
"Really?" Piper asked.
"Well, I thought so," Toni said.
"Be safe in Afghanistan," Piper whispered.
"You worry too much," Toni notified him.
"I love you," Piper told her.
"I love you too," Toni said. The pair shared a brief kiss. "Will that be all Mr. Potts?"
"That will be all, Ms. Stark."
AN HOUR OR SO LATER
"You're good!" Happy Hogan said, putting Toni's luggage in the plane's cargo-hold.
"I thought I lost you back there," Toni called.
"You did, Ma'am, I had to cut across Mulholland," Happy informed her.
"Ah, I got you. I got you," Toni nodded, walking up to Happy.
"What's wrong with you?" Rhodey asked, standing at the plane door. "Three hours."
"I got busy last night and then I had an engine with a collapsed cylinder and time went thwoop-" Toni said.
"You had me standing here for three hours," Rhodey repeated.
"And now we're waiting on you," Toni called, walking into the private jet.
A while later, Toni sat in a chair next to Rhodey, "What you reading, Platypus?"
"Nothing," Rhodey brushed her off.
"Come on, sour patch. Don't be mad," Toni begged teasingly.
"I told you, I'm not mad. I'm indifferent, okay?" Rhodey said.
"I said I was sorry," Toni said.
A flight attended came over, "Good Morning, Ms. Stark."
"Hi. I told him I was sorry, but he-"
"I'm just indifferent right now," Rhodey repeated.
"Hot towel?" The flight attendant suggested.
"No thank you, Hilda," Toni said.
"You don't respect yourself, so I know you don't respect me," Rhodey told Toni.
"I respect you, and I respect me," Toni. "Just… not the way society tells me I am supposed to."
"I'm just your babysitter. So, when you need your diaper changed, let me know and I'll get you a bottle, okay?" Rhodey told her.
"If you're using bottles to change a diaper, you are a terrible babysitter," Toni replied mockingly. "Reagan, can you heat up some Sake for me?"
"No, I'm not talking... We're not drinking. We're working right now," Rhodey reminded her.
"You're right- Reagan- change that to a Capri Sun," Toni said.
"Capri Sun?" Rhodey questioned.
"It's the only thing I have that isn't alcoholic," Toni told him.
"You are constitutionally incapable of being responsible," Rhodey sighed.
"I am responsible look, no High Fructose Corn Syrup! Can you get two Capri Sun in the crystal vodka glasses?" Toni asked.
Of course, that was code word for add vodka.
LATER IN THE FLIGHT
"That's what I'm talking about. When I get up in the morning and I'm putting on my uniform, you know what I recognize? I see in that mirror that every person that's got this uniform on got my back!" Rhodey slurred.
"Hey, you know what? I'm not like you. I'm not cut out-"
"No, no. You don't have to be like me! But you're more than what you are."
"You really get deep at high altitude," Toni smiled.
"This Capri-Sun is the best!" Rhodey exclaimed
"Maybe you should slow down a bit, don't want to have a sugar crash in Afghanistan," Toni advised her friend.
"Sugar can't crash an airplane!" Rhodey laughed. Toni laughed too.
Then she leaned over and whispered to Reagan, "Just cut the vodka next round."
MANY HOURS LATER
They landed at the Begram Air Base in Afghanistan. Toni exited the plane with her hair tied back and her body adorned in a dark blue pencil skirt, red and white ruffled blouse and black boots. She had expensive sunglasses guarding her eyes from the desert sun. She stepped towards the General "General Gabriel," She said, smiling and shaking his hand.
"Welcome, Ms. Stark. We look forward to your weapons presentation," The General said.
"Thank you," She said, smiling.
Moments later, she stood before the group, prepared to give her demonstration.
"Gentlemen, is it better to be feared or respected? Here is another question, is it too much to ask for both? With that in mind, I humbly present the crown jewel of Stark Industries Freedom Line. It's the first missile system to incorporate our proprietary repulsor technology. They say the best weapon is one you never have to fire. I, however, respectfully disagree. The best weapon is the one that you only have to fire once. That's how my father did it. That's how America does it. And it's worked out pretty well so far. Gentlemen, if you find an excuse to let one of these off the chain, and I personally guarantee you that those you are trying so hard to keep at bay, won't even want to come out of their caves." She waved her hand and the missiles aimed at the mountain region behind Toni. They shot off one missile, the missile had compartments which opened; a dozen smaller missiles flew out, aiming at all different sections of the mountain. Just as they were about to hit, Toni spoke up, raising her arms to either side of her, "For your consideration, the Jericho."
The missiles blasted rock and dust and smoke many stories into the air, as a giant wave slammed at the group, making Toni stumble forward and the hats fly off of all the men observing. By the time the dust had settled, Toni was at a Stark Industries cooler. She opened it up to reveal a cocktail cabinet, she grabbed a pre-made one. "I'll be throwing one of these in with every purchase of 500 million or more. To peace!" She raised her glass.
A while later, Toni was on her phone video-calling Obadiah.
"Toni," Obadiah said.
"Obie, what are you doing up?" Toni asked.
"I couldn't sleep till I found out how it went. How'd it go?" Obadiah questioned eagerly.
"It went great. It looks like it's gonna be an early Christmas," Toni smiled.
"Hey! Way to go, sweetheart, I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?" Obadiah asked.
"Why aren't you wearing those pajamas I got you?" Toni asked.
"Good night, Toni," Obadiah hung up.
Toni pocketed her phone and climbed into a Humvee.
"Hey Toni," Rhodey said
"I'm sorry; this is the ''fun-vee.'' The ''hum-drum-vee'' is back there," Toni pointed.
"Nice Job," Rhodey complimented.
"See you back at base."
45 minutes later, the Humvee blew up, and Toni was knocked unconscious in the wreckage.
AN
Multiple studies have shown in stressful situations, women have become more strategic thinkers, which is why Toni acted differently then Tony when being bombed.
Also, the media likely would have a double standard if a woman did the exact same things that a man did. This is why Toni is better at showing up for Award Ceremonies and pretended to date Rhodey.
Also, if you didn't know, Toni (and Tony) was born in 1970, meaning that she is 38 years old.
In my mind, Piper is David Wenham and Toni is Sandra Bullock
SOURCES:
intheirsandbox .co .uk /transcripts /transcript_ iron_ man .htm
marvel- movies. wikia wiki/ Tony_ Stark