A/N) Thank you for the comments everyone! Here is the next missing scenes segments... dealing with how the people in Tony's life dealt with his kidnapping in the three months he was missing.

Two: Reactions

They succeeded in keeping Tony Stark's kidnapping from the media for a week before the press caught on to Tony not attending the relevant functions he usually did. Nor was he out partying and picking up any girl he could. Not even the shareholders had been informed. The only person in Stark Industries, other than Pepper Potts, who was aware of Tony's true situation, was Obadiah Stane, his business partner.

Despite the news of the CEO's kidnapping, Stane kept a public face the very next day, keeping the company running whilst the search for Tony continued. He gave Pepper Potts leave, though she swiftly returned three days later, unable to cope on her own and knowing that working would be good for her. It didn't prevent Pepper from contacting Rhodey every day to get an update on the search.

In the week following Tony's disappearance the business carried on turning.

And then the news broke.

Pepper always checked her phone first thing in the morning. She had specifically instructed Rhodey to phone her, whatever the time, as soon as they had news of her boss. She didn't want to be the last to know. However there was nothing on her phone. She would phone Rhodey later for an update.

Pepper rose from her bed. She wasn't staying in her apartment, no, she was sleeping in Tony's house. Stane had suggested she stay there, at least that way she would be closer to the business side of things and she could be on hand if any ransom notice came through. It surprised and worried her no such demand had come yet.

She rarely spoke to JARVIS though he always said good morning to her. She sighed as she slowly ate breakfast, not really feeling hungry but she had to keep up her strength. She switched the TV on and the first thing that appeared was Tony's face. She gasped in surprise.

Then the newsreaders voice echoed over the picture.

"BREAKING NEWS: Tony Stark, CEO of Stark industries, kidnapped during a weapon's demonstration in Afghanistan."

She listened to the report, forgetting her breakfast.

"Statements from both the US Foreign Office and Stark Industries confirm the kidnapping of Tony Stark from the military convoy he was travelling in after a weapon's demonstration last week. There were a number of casualties during the attack. Relatives of those killed have since been informed. It is understood that Mr Stark was on his way back to base when his convoy was set upon by insurgents. A number of military vehicles arrived five minutes later, in which during that time, Tony Stark had already been taken. There have not been any demands released from his kidnappers. There are numerous terrorist organisations operating within Afghanistan. It is unknown at present which group is responsible. More on this breaking news story will follow…"

Pepper switched off the screen, not wanting to watch anymore. She picked up her phone and immediately dialled straight through to Obadiah. He picked up immediately and Pepper didn't wait for him to speak before barrelling straight forth with what she wished to say.

"When did you confirm Tony's kidnapping? How is the board taking it?" She wanted to ask more but stopped herself.

Stane sighed over the phone. "It was leaked late last night. The media agreed not to report it until statements had been written and released. I have not had an update on the search. I believe they are searching for the group that took Tony. Quite a few operate out there and they need to determine which one was responsible. The board are concerned. I briefed them last night when I knew the news would be released globally today. Already our shares have dropped by ten percent since the news broke twenty minutes ago. But the company will recover. We will keep trading. Tony isn't dead, Pepper. We would know if he was."

Pepper nodded. She knew that.

"All we can do is wait."

One of the worst things that occurred due to Tony's kidnapping was the media reaction to it.

The papers tore Tony to pieces but they also celebrated his life and his contribution to the American Defence.

Pepper kept an up-to-date inventory of all the articles issued in the coming days and weeks. It didn't surprise Pepper that Christine Everhart, the Vanity Fair reporter that Tony had slept with the eve before his journey to Afghanistan, was the one behind the majority of negative reports regarding Tony. She seemed to imply his kidnapping was karma for his role in the death of civilians in the war zones in which they were deployed. Pepper made a mental note to keep an eye on the reporter. If she kept this tirade up she would be setting herself up for a law-suit when Tony returned. Pepper would not allow herself to believe otherwise.

Flowers began to appear at the front gates of Stark Industries Headquarters over the coming weeks as even the Ministry of Defence lost hope in ever finding Tony Stark alive. The lack of communication from the terrorists caused the belief that he was dead. Why hold a multi-billionaire captive if they were not going to ransom him? But Tony wasn't just rich. He was a genius. And a world-renowned weapons developer.

The silence didn't deter Pepper from believing her boss still lived.

As the weeks turned into months, Pepper continued keeping Tony's affairs in order whilst Obadiah kept the company afloat. It was the least both could do whilst they waited for Tony to be found.

When Rhodey had phoned him to break the news of Tony's kidnapping, Obadiah had feigned being upset, had said the right words and hoped that Tony would be found. Inwardly he had been pleased with the development as it had been he who had ordered the hit on Stark. Unfortunately it seemed the terrorists had not killed Stark as they were supposed to, instead choosing to kidnap him instead.

When negotiating with Raza, Obadiah had not named the business partner he had wanted them to kill. It seemed likely that the Ten Rings had realised who his business partner was and had decided to capture rather than kill. He was sure they would be in contact.

For now he would take-over the company and keep it running whilst Rhodey ran about Afghanistan looking for his lost friend. He would keep Pepper on as Tony's PA for another few months while Tony's affairs were set in order before offering her a position in his own office.

Obadiah doubted they would ever find Tony Stark. He may yet still live, but he wouldn't survive to leave Afghanistan. Whatever the terrorists wanted Stark for they wouldn't get it from him. Stark would rather die.

He did have some regret about setting Tony up. He was the reason Stark Industries was able to remain on top of the field in Research and Development. A brilliant mind like Tony Stark's shouldn't be wasted however he was reaping all the rewards for designing new ideas whilst Obadiah did the work for him. If Howard hadn't written it into his Will that Tony was to inherit the position of CEO then Stane may have been able to hold onto the company himself. Tony had been the thorn in his side for years.

But Tony had come to claim the throne of Stark Industries once he had turned twenty-one. Obadiah had hated him for it, and had taken him under his wing, hoping to steer him in the direction Obadiah wished the company to go. But Stark had been a one cannon missile. He was reckless and a self-obsessed party boy who didn't deserve to inherit the company that Stane had helped Howard Stark develop from the ground up.

He knew he had to wait until Stark Industries was at the top of the game and far ahead in weapons development than any other business before trying to dispose of Tony. It may have taken twenty years but he was finally there. He wasn't about to let Tony's survival change that. If, by some miracle, he did return, then Obediah would be ready for him.

Ordering the hit on Tony Stark had just been one way of going about it.

He would get his company back.

-End-

A/N) I'm not too sure on Obadiah here. He certainly wanted the business and sacrificed Tony to get it. I think he may have cared for Tony at one point but it turned to resentment over the years.

The next missing scenes segment will deal with Tony being found and lead up to his return to US soil. Tony wasn't flown home straight away so I want to cover that portion after Tony's rescue and during his recovery. After that I intend to move onto the end of the film and bridge the gap between IM1 and IM2.

I hope to post the next part soon.

the-writer1988