"Mr. Stark." A well mannered, artificial voice sounded from the corner of the room. The AI came across as a distorted mash of floating orange data that arranged itself on a large monitor hanging from the ceiling. It spoke calmly as always but for some reason this time there was a tinge of urgency in its words.

"Yes Jarvis." His creator replied calmly before taking a swig of fresh bitter alcohol. As it slid down his throat as an icy river yet still burning ever inch it traveled down into his system. It caused slight shivers to run up and down his spine, this was the feeling he loved from the burning to the tingling sensations. It was a plus to the real reason he drank and after a while he'd learned to love all of its effects. Well except for the morning after hangover.

"My radar's informing me the there is an incoming missile and it's headed straight for the tower Sir." Jarvis quickly informed the lot as he took the liberty of pulling up some of the current satellite feed. The Stark Company being one of the most technologically advanced in the world as well as one of the most profitable companies as well had loads of excess wealth. Not to mention the largest global guiding systems as well, over 20 satellites orbited the planet. It seemed like it could have been used for way more than just targeting for nukes. Being that the Avengers would be saving people more regularly now that they're were officially a team. The tech had a new purpose, crazy that the first alert would be a threat sent directly to their door.

"Wait what!? Tony which direction is it coming from!?" Steve said aloud as he stood from his seat. He walked over to the black haired genius who was punching numerous keys by the huge monitor. Jarvis minimized into nothing but a few voice bars in the corner of the screen the sky above Manhattan on full display.

"From the information that Jarvis collected it appears it'll hit the tower within 15 minutes or so. That is unless we can destroy it before it demolishes the tower. It's still pretty far away and it shouldn't take much to destroy it before it can get any closer. Lucky for us Jarvis spotted it before it got too close for comfort." Tony said, slurring his words just a tad but still adequately informing the all too eager super soldier.

"Thanks captain obvious." Clint said while walking over to join the others as he placed a hand to his side as he watched Tony configure to screen, beer still in hand. Even though he was trained to be calm in extreme situations, he still seemed a bit more lax than he should have been; this was after all an emergency. Probably because of all the critical missions he'd been involved in as well as being utterly out matched during the attack on Manhattan. Someone else could take care of it for once, they were qualified enough, plus it was his day off anyway.

"You're welcome little birdie." He retorted with a hint of sarcasm. "I'll just go out there real quick and blast it before it gets any closer." Tony said before activating a few switches, in seconds pieces of armor were being lowered from hidden places in the ceiling. The robotic arms very carefully set and locked every piece into place, which was extremely useful when you were to the point of intoxication where you couldn't even be able put on a pair of pants even if you wanted to. Bruce walked over his arms crossed until he placed one of his hands on the newly hyped mans shoulder, before it became covered in a thick shell of metal. Tony glanced back to the man, glassy eyed but way more serious and alert.

"Tony you really are drunk off your ass and shouldn't be operating your suit while you're this intoxicated. Ever heard of drunk driving I'm certain flying a tank suit is way worst. What if you crash or hit the wrong button and self destruct or something?" Bruce said sounding angrier than he was meaning to. Although he was nowhere near losing control of himself. He'd had enough of that to last for a week although his tone with more of a combination of seriousness and concern rather than anger.

"Yea and don't forget to wear your seat belt Tony. Remember click it or ticket." Clint interjected with a snobbish resonance in his laughter obviously attempting to be the funny man in this situation. No one was buying it. Everyone either looked nervous or near discussed, well the ones that acknowledged him did. Honestly Bruce and Steve were too caught up in the situation to be bothered by his unusual ignorance.

If anything the ones who remotely registered his words gave him a dirty look for not taking the situation at least half seriously, being a Shield agent and all. Natasha was especially disappointed but if anybody knew him it was her. It was never wise to give him too much to drink this is how he got after one too many. I mean it started out as a celebration after all. Unfortunately that didn't change the way Natasha thought about it."Really Clint.. You pick now to make a lame ass joke..." She said judging her friend and coworker.

"Oh I got an idea. How about you and your fancy arrows fly right up there and detonate the missile yourself without blowing your body apart. Or I have an even better idea I could throw you over there and you can magically ride it into oblivion utterly saving us all." Tony said not even giving the man the satisfaction of looking into his eyes as he retorted. He just continued to suit up. After all he was the best drunk and better with sarcasm.

Clint said nothing as he took another sip from his beer. "Shouldn't take too long it's not that big of a deal." With that last comment he turned on his heel and sat down on the couch in a huff like a child. Natasha went to join him only to exchange in professional conversation and to remind them just exactly who he was and what organization he was representing. Also most likely to tell him it'd be a good idea to let up a bit, at least until the threat had been dealt with.

"I figured as much. I may be slightly stooped but I'm not incapable of functioning." Tony said snidely in satisfaction as the remaining pieces of his suit were placed and locked together. His helmet being the last to be attached, he made it to were the face plate remained up so they could still look him in the eye when they talked. He shifted slightly under the metal shell before walking over and opened up the glass panels between the room and the balcony with a little remote. He rushed outside and took a quick look around to see if he could spot the missile in the direction Jarvis calculated, Steve and Bruce not far behind him.

It wouldn't take long before it would hit so he'd have to deal with it while it was a safe distance away from them or any other buildings. His radar quickly picked up the location and distance of it. It was less than a mile out from the tower. He figured he had enough of wasting time and the quicker he dealt with this the quicker he could get back and relax. He put his arms parallel to his side and boosted his thrusters, taking off into the air.

Steve and Bruce figured it'd better to observe from the roof where they could see just about everything, just in case something was to go wrong. They walked over to the side of the balcony where there was a ladder that led to the very top of the building. Steve was first to climb which took mere seconds compared to Bruce who steadily followed him. The others stayed inside not having much interest in watching. It wasn't too exciting since Tony pretty much blew up something on a daily basis.

The duo walked over to the center of the gravel roof top and sat down next to each other to watch and wait. The beams of light from his thrusters slowly began to blend with the sky as Tony went out to greet the smoke exhausting missile sent by an unknown alias. He seemed like more of a streak of blinding color with a red speck tip. If you didn't know what you were looking for you would simply think of it as a passing jet or something rather than a one person suit. Although after the crazy things that have been happening around here lately, people would begin to think otherwise.

"Hey Bruce are you really ok. You've just seemed really off today. I mean I haven't known you for very long but you always seemed pretty upbeat even if you are you know." Steve blatantly mentioned, I guess in attempts at making small talk. That or it was high time he got to know the real Bruce and not just what he's heard in the briefing he got not that long ago when he first met him. From what he's heard and what he's learned from working with the man, they were two totally different given aspects. He was very impressed by what he was capable of but in another sense deep down he could understand what it's like to be different also not fitting in as well as you would initially like.

"Yea I'm ok now. It's just now and then I get so overwhelmed with what I am and this is a totally different environment. It's just so weird that you guys don't resent me for what I can become. Over the years it's caused me nothing but pain and suffering to me and others. I hated myself for a long time now. I've found myself with nothing to look forward too, nothing to live for. I've gone on like that for such a long time so I started helping people those that didn't have the means to help themselves. I'm just not used to all this you know? Everything happened so fast."

"I went from constant depression and attempted suicide to helping to heal the sick. It was a simple pleasure but it kept me from hating myself more than I already did. Then all of a sudden Natasha was sent to find me of all people to recruit into the Avengers. But not for the muscle but for the brain, for the person I was and not the thing I became, she wanted the scientist but not the monster. I'd have to admit however the other guy really came in handy toward the end."

Bruce liked the idea of working with others that put their faith in him. Who trusted him even though they hardly knew him; they knew more about what he'd done rather then what he was capable of. But since they've seen him that way and actually take control they could care less about what he's done in the past and more of what he was capable of doing in the future. For the first time in a long time he had hope.

Steve absorbed ever word he spoke as though it were scripture. The tone he used was intense and near shattering. He had been threw a lot, way more than Steve could ever imagine. In truth he hadn't been around for the time of the Hulk to know the harm he's caused. But he had an act of reading people and to him it was the man who was worth knowing. Not the history or rumors, most of what he has heard was all one sided and destructive. But with one simple chat with the person who carried the monster within him he could tell there was a deep sorrow that he also carried with him.

"I know it's odd but I kind of have the feeling of being an outcast most of the time. I really don't belong in this day and age, like I'm just some old timer from the past that has no idea what's going on. Everything here is so confusing and I'm friends with someone how confuses me on a daily basis just by trying to explain something to me. What's even crazier is he's the son of my friend back in the day and we look the same age. But the point is even if I feel like I don't belong, there always seems to be people who need me, need someone to depend on."

"Not just to be the muscle but also the influence and the guide that gets good people back on the track to being the best they can be as well as doing what is right. I've always been like that, even when I didn't have the strength to protect people that never stopped me from trying. Believe it or not but I used to be just shy of 5 feet when I entered the service and now I guess you could say they kind of made me into a monster. I may not have the technical know-how like the rest of you guys. But I'm glad to be of use to such an outstanding group of wonderful people."

Steve smiled when he finished speaking. His words truly came from the bottom of his heart and even though the people he once knew were either dead or senile he felt as though he had a purpose. As well as people who cared about him. Bruce looked sincerely towards the other who was almost moved to tears. Whether it was because of being where he was now in time or rather the people he'd never be able to see again.

He wasn't so used to being accepted the way he was here or having people who actually understand where he was coming from. Everyone was here for a reason; they all had their own experiences that set them apart. So it was nice to have a place where he could actually fit in. Now that his consciousness was somewhat clearer than it had been he was able to feel that he actual held a place in this world.

All that was left now was for Tony to destroy the missile then they could go back to truly enjoying each other's company this time. Now that the elephant was out of the room the two of them felt as though they could actually relax this time. Even if that meant dealing with the ultimate joker drunk, sir Iron Man himself. He chuckled at his untold remark then redirecting his sights up in the sky to watch his friend.

...

Tony flew as fast as his arc reactor could power. Knowing full well it wouldn't take much long before the missile would reach its destination. He had at least a couple minutes left to destroy it. He had much practice in blowing these sort of things up. Since he'd pretty much showed up on the front doorstep of multiple terrorist organizations and ruin their day. He hated the use of bombs on the public. Given he used to manufacture and sell them to who ever had the means to buy them. That's how he made his fortune, with blood money.

He swore on that day he would never sell another weapon used to hurt people ever again. The light installed in his ribcage was a constant reminder of that one fact, as well as the shrapnel from his own weaponry. Weapons that were designed to help protect the people of his country, and yet their pieces will be forever imbedded in his body as a punishment for his eagerness. What made matters worse was that fact that his company sold to whoever was willing to buy. Especially those who threatened the vary security of the nation. Terrorists who kidnapped and held him at ransom just to ensure they got exactly what they wanted. It was hard being held up in a cave with only a car battery and his whit's to liberate himself. Never again. Not now not ever.

He made a promise to himself and Yinsen that that would never happen ever again. So long as there was breathe in his body not another weapon manufactured under his name will be used in the name of false justice. He was better than that after all, he was better than his father who built an inexhaustible addition to modern war from the ground up. He could use his mind for the greater good, something over violence. The Iron man was an exception, just a tool to help clean up the mess he made.

Tony hovered directly in front of the incoming projectile; a thick dark gray trail of toxic concentrated smoke leading behind it. The missile itself however wasn't anything out of ordinarily just a typical run of the mill version of the cheapest thing Tony himself could manufacture back in high school. Nothing to get overly carried away with, especially not something he would unleash his entire arsenal out on. I mean sure even if it was as small and pathetic as it may be, it could definitely cause some tedious damage to his beautiful tower.

He must have been about 100 yard away from the missile by this point although it was coming in pretty fast it was still far from the city. Maybe less than five minutes or so before it would actually hit anything. Tony glanced around the area for a second and figured this would be the best place if any to detonate the projectile. It was nowhere near anything that would take on damage; it was being far enough away. Right outside the city just before it could be met with any sort of skyscraper.

He just happened to be right above one of the many highways that were not so highly traveled. Lucky for him the falling debris wouldn't cause that much of trouble in this location. At least it wasn't above any of the major schools or coffee shops or God forbid anything else of the sort. In fact he couldn't have picked been a better spot even if he'd tried.

One well placed, concentrated blast should be all he would need to explode the insignificant threat. He held out his right arm, keeping the other down at his side in order to maintain his stability. Jarvis targeted the missile through the suits system and locked onto its exact coordinates. He held his position and charged of up a fair amount of energy in his palm to blast a hole straight threw a cinder block building with little resistance. He waited until it was nearly in front of his face before he finally shot a bright blue ray in its direction.

In an instant it exploded into a stunning display of smoke and fiery red inferno that seemed to burn as hot as the pits of Hell itself. He liked to wait until the very last second for dramatic effect, that and the explosion would be spectacular. It indeed was but the light it brought with it momentarily blinded him and as a reaction he squeezed his eyelids shut and instinctively threw his arm up to shield his eyes. Light sensitivity was a natural symptom of being for lack of a better word shit faced.

The shock wave was much greater than he's originally expected that as well as the blinding flash of light. 'Somebody must have been playing prank on us or something. That was hardly a threat, more of a nuisance really.' Tony thought to himself as bits and pieces of debris lightly pelted his armor. Nowhere near able to a dent in his suit, after all it was meant to deflect bullets and all other attacks.

One large piece did hit him rather hard however; way more than he'd anticipated. It just about knocked the wind out of him; making him fly back several feet before he caught himself. The hit made him momentarily lose focus and unable to breathe for a moment. He quickly shook off the shortness of breath he was feeling in his chest as he watched whatever was left of the missile rain down from the sky. Streaks of black smoke plummeted to the face of the Earth.

He chuckled to himself in satisfaction, quickly spinning a complete 180 in the sky before he flew in the direction of the new Avengers headquarters. With an unsatisfied hankering for vodka on the rocks as his post victory drink. Feeling as though there was one more reason to continue the celebration, since he had 'saved the day' once more. Though he was working more towards lowering his ego it would surely take a while. This was Tony Stark after all.

It wouldn't take him no more than 2 minutes reached his destination but for some reason it seems farther than it was. I guess you could say was more impatient than he had realized. Being as anxious as he was he'd at least figured it wouldn't of been a complete waste of his time. It should have been more of a threat than it was. Oh well beggars can't be choosers.

In some ways he felt disappointed; at least he thought it would have been mildly exciting, definitely not nearly as exciting as a few days ago. He thought about it for a second and then shook the thought out of his head. He never wanted to be put in the situation ever again. It hated doing anything death deifying, that last time was way too close for comfort. He flew at mock speed until he was directly above the tower and slowly lowered himself down until he could see Bruce and Steve who were patiently waiting for him.