Disclaimer: I do not own Iron Man
Summary: follow up to "Drink and Drive" and "Car Wash". Rhodey should've realised that he and Tony would never last forever. No matter how many times Tony said "I love you", he was never going to change. Tony/Rhodey slash – don't like, don't read! Warnings inside.
Rating: M – slash, smut, swearing and lots and lots of angst... all the good stuff :)
Changing Gears
Chapter 2: Collision
Pepper stepped back and threw her hands up in front of her face as Tony pulled up in the R8 front of her and Happy, with his brakes squealing. Happy didn't even flinch. He just stood there, and raised an eyebrow at the smoke coming from the tyres. A few seconds later, Rhodey's Dodge pick-up roared over to them and slowed to a halt.
Tony climbed out of his R8 as Rhodey jumped down from the pick-up, and they both walked towards Pepper and Happy, both of them grinning like idiots. Pepper sighed with relief and placed her hands on her hips, scowling, whilst Happy stood with his hands clasped in front of him.
"You two are going to kill somebody one day in one of your stupid races – it's not safe for you two and other people on the road." Pepper insisted. "You're both maniacs."
"Pepper, we're always careful." Tony insisted.
"I don't care!" Pepper snapped. "You won't be saying that when you're in a body bag!"
"Pepper... I'm sorry." Rhodey said, holding up his hands in front of him. "It won't happen again, okay. I won't let it. I'm sorry if we scared you."
"Thank you." Pepper relaxed slightly. "Anyway, it's half past five! We have to get ready to leave! Tony, your suit is upstairs in your room. Rhodey, I didn't know if you had anything so I picked something out for you."
"Pepper, it's fine." Rhodey said. "I brought my dress uniform with me."
"Oh. Good." Pepper said. "Now, both of you go and get changed. Make sure you're down in the lounge in fifteen minutes, okay? That means – Tony, go and get changed in your bedroom and Rhodey, you can go and get changed in the bathroom."
"Oh." Tony said. "Well, the bathroom is on the way to my bedroom..." Tony started to say.
"NO!" Pepper protested. "We'll never get to the gala if you two get changed together! As soon as I get changed I'll come to meet you both and check that you're in separate rooms. Now both of you get a move on!"
"Pepper, you should've been in the military." Rhodey grinned, grabbing his uniform out of the truck and disappearing into the house with Tony.
Tony and Rhodey stopped outside the bathroom.
"Wanna risk it?" Tony asked, raising his eyebrows.
"No. I think Pepper would kill us." Rhodey chuckled. "I'll see you downstairs."
"Fine." Tony sighed. "But if you don't want me in there, you should probably lock the door."
xXx
They were all in the limousine on the way to the gala. Happy was driving, shooting disgusted looks at Tony and Rhodey in the rear-view mirror. They were sat at the back of the limo, with their arms around each other and glasses of wine in their hands. Pepper was sat on the seat that went down one side of the limo, sipping her wine and glancing around nervously.
Tony was dressed in his usual tuxedo, and Rhodey was in his dress uniform. Pepper was wearing a blue dress similar to the one she had worn whilst dancing with Tony.
"I told you we should've left earlier." Pepper said in despair. "Because we left at quarter past six we're stuck in all the traffic. We're going to be late and that's not going to be good for our image."
"Pepper, calm down." Tony said. "Just relax and enjoy the drive." He nuzzled Rhodey's neck, pressing his lips against Rhodey's pulse. "I'm going to."
"Tony! What did I tell you about doing things like that?" Pepper exclaimed. "Leave Rhodey alone! You're going to give Happy a breakdown!"
"Pepper, you're no fun." Tony murmured against Rhodey's neck.
"Damned kids!" Happy cursed from the front of the car. Tony got out of his seat and walked up to Happy and patted him on the shoulder. "They shouldn't be out on roads this busy on their bikes with no lights and dark clothing! Where are the police? Where are the people who should be doing them in for this? Look at them! They're swerving all over the road!"
"Let me handle this." Tony said. He pressed the button to open the limo sunroof and stood out of the top. He took a gulp of wine, then handed his glass to Pepper. He spotted the kids mucking around on their bikes and started to yell. "YOU! HEY YOU – KIDS! DON'T IGNORE ME."
"What is he doing?" Rhodey asked.
"Making a scene." Pepper sighed, rubbing her face with her hands. "Someone, try to make him stop. We don't need this... not today. Rhodey... just... do something!"
"Like what?" Rhodey asked. "You won't let us do anything like... that because it freaks Happy out!"
"GET SOME LIGHTS ON YOUR BIKE!" Tony yelled at the cyclists, shaking his fist. "AND GET SOME PROPER CLOTHING! YOU SHOULDN'T EVEN BE OUT ON THIS ROAD! GO HOME! AND LEARN TO RIDE A –" Tony was interrupted by Rhodey grabbing him by his belt and pulling him back to into the limo. Rhodey lost his balance and fell back down onto his seat, pulling Tony down on top of him.
"Tony – will you just sit down and shut up? Please?" Pepper asked. "We're already going to be really late because of the traffic. We don't need you yelling at a bunch of kids on their bikes. Just... calm down."
"I'm sitting down right now." Tony said, shifting on Rhodey's lap to make himself more comfortable.
"No! Sit down in a car seat!" Pepper insisted. "Rhodey, try and talk some sense into him. Please."
"Come on, Tony." Rhodey said, trying to shove the other man off his lap. "Behave. You're going to make Pepper have a breakdown. You're going to make Happy have a breakdown too. Just wait until we get home later and..."
"Stop talking!" Happy called from the front.
"Sorry Happy!" Rhodey called to him.
"Are we there yet?" Tony sighed, allowing Rhodey to push him onto the seat next to him.
xXx
Happy had managed to navigate all of the traffic successfully and pulled up outside the hotel the gala was being held at. He climbed out of the car and opened the passenger door at the back of the limo, so that the other's could get out. Tony was first to climb out, putting on his sunglasses to prevent himself being stunned by the flashing cameras, blowing kisses to screaming girls and waving to the crowds whilst Pepper and Rhodey climbed out behind him, neither of them getting as much attention as Tony.
Pepper and Rhodey walked over to him, whilst Happy climbed back into the limo and took it round the back of the hotel where the gala was being held – he didn't trust any of the concierges. Tony led the way into the hotel reception, and then into the hall where the gala was being held.
The room was adorned with colourful decorations and bright lights. There were several tables set out at the near end of the room, and there was a dance floor with a live band playing at the other. There were groups of people scattered all around the hall, and there was a large banner hanging on the wall at the far end saying in large letters: 'FROST FAMILY CHARITY GALA'.
"The Frost family?" Rhodey questioned, turning to look at Tony and Pepper.
"Yeah." Tony said, clicking his fingers at a waiter walking around with glasses of champagne and beckoning him over. "You say that like it's something you're not happy about."
"Don't worry about it..." Rhodey's eyes flicked to the waiter, and then back at Tony. "No thank you, I have to get up early tomorrow morning and drive. I've already had a glass on the way here."
"Ah. Well, I'll have a glass. And so will Pepper." Tony took a glass for himself, and one for Pepper. "Cheers." The waiter walked away and Tony handed a glass to Pepper. "Now he's gone – do you wanna tell me what's up?"
"Yeah..." Rhodey looked around and leant closer to Tony. "The Frost family are heavily connected with the Maggia." Rhodey muttered to Tony. Pepper spotted Happy when he arrived after parking the limo. She walked over to him and began to talk to him. Rhodey watched her go and then started talking to Tony again. "The problem is, they can't be implicated with anything because we have no concrete evidence. They're good at covering their tracks."
"Isn't that a job for the police, not the military?" Tony asked.
"The Maggia have been selling weapons and supplies to countries in the Middle East. This is a military matter." Rhodey explained. "We think they have a mole inside one of the factions of the military. Tony – some of the weapons they've been selling are from Stark Industries. We think Obadiah may have had a deal with them before he died in that... unfortunate accident."
"Oh yeah. That was a tragedy. Poor Obi." Rhodey frowned at Tony and shook his head. Tony realised that he was going a bit over the top. "Do the military really think that?" Tony asked. Rhodey nodded.
"Ah. Mr Stark." A man said, approaching Tony and Rhodey with a woman wearing a glittering white ankle-length dress on his arm. The woman was tall and slim with long dark hair that fell down her back in waves. Her hair was parted to the side, allowing a fringe to cover half of her face. "This is Miss Whitney Frost, the organiser of this event and current head of the Frost family business. I am –"
"You can go now." Whitney said bluntly to the man, without taking her eyes off Tony.
"But, Whitney –" The man started to protest.
"Go." She snapped.
Her companion sulkily walked away, shooting a dirty look over his shoulder at Tony. Tony winked at him.
"That was rude, don't you think?" Tony asked, smiling lopsidedly. "He didn't even get a chance to introduce himself."
"He didn't need one." Whitney replied. "He's just a moron my father hired whilst he was dying to help me out with the company – I suppose he could be considered as my assistant. As anyone can see from our profits, I do not need any help, Mr Stark."
"I love a woman who can stand on her own two feet." Tony said. "Miss Frost – may I call you Whitney?"
"You may," She smiled as Tony took her hand and kissed it. "Tony."
"You know my name?" Tony asked in mock surprise.
"Tony, everyone knows your name. Stop trying to turn the conversation around to yourself to get a compliment." Rhodey mumbled in his ear. He smiled at Whitney and spoke up. "Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes."
"Air force?" Whitney asked.
"Yes."
"Nice uniform." Whitney observed.
"Thanks." Rhodey said. "That's a beautiful dress."
"So, Tony. Do you dance?" Whitney asked, completely ignoring Rhodey's compliment.
"Of course I can." Tony flashed her a charming smile – the smile that could make anyone fall in love with him there and then. "What kind of a man would I be if I couldn't dance?"
"A clumsy one." Whitney laughed, holding out her hand. "Shall we?"
"It would be my pleasure." Tony said, taking Whitney's hand. He turned to look at Rhodey. "Do you mind if I disappear off for a while?"
"No, I don't mind." Rhodey said, through gritted teeth. "Why would you need to ask my permission anyway, Tony? You're a fully grown man." YOU'RE ALSO MY GUY! Rhodey was screaming in his head. "Go ahead and have fun." Rhodey walked over to where Pepper and Happy were standing.
"Rhodey, what's wrong?" Pepper asked. "You look... mad."
"You see that girl Tony's dancing with?" Rhodey asked.
"Yes..." Happy replied. "She's an attractive woman. No wonder he wants to dance with her." Rhodey glared at him. Happy's face fell. "I'll go to the bar and get you a whisky."
"She's Whitney Frost, isn't she?"Pepper asked.
"Yes. She's Whitney Frost." Rhodey said, fuming. "She's just stolen Tony away from me for a 'dance' and completely ignored me, even when I compliment her and try to start a conversation. Look at them! That isn't dancing! That's molestation!" Rhodey pointed to where Tony and Whitney were 'dancing' together. Both of them were all over each other.
"Rhodey, just... calm down." Pepper said, handing him a whisky Happy brought back from the bar. "You know how Tony is... it's just a dance. And he's just trying to keep up his image, seeing as you two are trying to keep your relationship private. It would be a bit strange if he suddenly wouldn't go near anyone of the opposite sex."
"I guess." Rhodey sighed. He looked down at the glass of whisky and handed it back to Happy. "I have to drive tomorrow morning. I'd rather stay sober."
"... I have to drive tonight... and all the rest of the time." Happy frowned, staring down at the whisky. He shrugged and gave the glass to Pepper.
"Why do I have this?" Pepper asked.
"You're the only one who can drink." Rhodey shrugged. "Down the hatch."
"Down the hatch." Pepper rolled her eyes and downed the whisky. She handed the empty glass back to Happy. "Can we move away from the dance floor now?" She asked Happy. "Rhodey looks like he's going to... what?"
"Did you really just down that glass of whisky?" Happy asked, blinking in surprise.
"Yes. Now get over it."
"Whoa."
Ah, another chapter done.
There is a story about where the yelling at the kids on bikes came from.
Me, Kimmieh-chan and my older sister were coming back from the cinema. My older sister was driving, and there were kids mucking around in the middle of the road on their bikes. She started yelling at them with the windows closed, so Kimmieh-chan and me decided that she should stand up through the car sunroof and yell at them. Would've been much more fun.
ANYWAY!
I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and I look forward to reading any reviews that anyone leaves.
I Caught Myself :D