Logan woke up early, knowing today was rather important, and hurried around her apartment in order to meet Drew outside her building just in time to leave. There was a meeting with Obadiah Stane and a few Stark Industries board members about an hour away from the city, and they were assigned to cover it. Logan checked her camera and made sure everything was ready before she nodded to Drew and he began driving away.
They remained silent for the most of the trip, listening to the radio and sometimes singing along to the songs. This was what Logan liked about working with Drew, the fact that there was no tension or awkwardness, they were actually friends and it didn't feel like work when they went on these assignments. Collins liked their work ethic when they were together, and assigning them to cover all Stark Industries press was a major honor for Drew, but for Logan, she hated the amount of reporters that were at these things, but it was something she was going to have to get used to.
''Looks like that's it.'' Drew pointed toward the group of reporters all filing orderly into the building.
Logan sighed. ''Great, they're already here.''
''I think we all had to same idea.''
They had organized to go extra early to beat the other reporters, but it seems they were just as smart and now they were all here at the same time anyway. It was going to be another long day.
Drew found a park and Logan organize her camera gear before attaching her press pass around her neck. They began hurrying to the door, hoping nothing had started, but luckily there weren't too many people inside after all.
''You know the drill.'' Drew told her with a grin.
Logan nodded. ''Just don't leave without me this time.''
Tony Stark woke up early that morning as well, at around ten in the morning. He was hungover, as usual, and in dire need of hydration. As he moved, he noticed something beside him, and he turned to see a woman laying in bed sleeping peacefully. Then Tony remembered the events of the previous night, running his hands through his hair and tip-toeing out of the room.
He made it downstairs without any noise, but that was until Pepper Potts rounded the corner, an electronic tablet in her hand, looking over what he had to do for that day.
''Good morning Mr. Stark.'' she looked down at the tablet, moving things around. ''There's a few things-''
''Shh,'' he motioned, waving his hands around before pointing toward the stairs. Out of routine, Pepper knew what that meant and only rolled her eyes before continuing.
Tony didn't feel good, and immediately began chugging the carton of juice, one of the few things that was actually in his refrigerator. Pepper told him all of the things he had to do today, and he pretended to listen, until something Pepper said caught his attention.
''What was that last one?'' he asked.
Pepper looked back down. ''Obadiah is at a board meeting today...'' she told him, confused as to why he picked up on that specifically.
''Why didn't anyone tell me that?'' he asked.
''You usually don't show up.'' she told him. ''They got sick of waiting for you to arrive, so they stopped asking you.''
''But it's my company.'' he shrugged. ''I don't trust the board, imagine what they're talking about without me there.''
''Well, I can organize for you to attend the next one.'' Pepper suggested.
''I want to go to this one.'' he told her. ''I don't know why Obadiah didn't tell me.''
''This one? Right now? Mr. Stark, it's beginning in an hour.'' Pepper checked her watch.
''Well then we better get going.'' he smiled.
Pepper had learnt that arguing with him did no good, and she just gritted her teeth and began rushing around to organize things, including showing the strange woman upstairs out, having Happy escort them to the meeting and cancel all of Tony's tasks for the day.
There were people everywhere in the room now, almost an hour later, and still nothing was happening. Stark Industries was like this though, they never began a meeting a minute before they had to, in fact they were often late. Logan stood with Drew the whole time, waiting for an indication that the board were about to begin, and then she flew into action, taking a spot at the front and preparing her camera.
Obadiah Stane walked out first, waving to the crowd who applauded him, and then the board members followed him out. The whole thing was scripted, they never ran these board meetings without going over them first, but everyone in the room could have guessed that something that happened next wasn't scripted at all. Tony Stark walked through the door that they had, cameras flashing and the crowd cheering, and from the look on Obadiah's face, he was unexpected.
Logan took a few photos of him, taking the opportunity she knew Collins would love, and then she watched the scene play out in front of everyone.
''Tony Stark, everybody.'' Obadiah smiled, clapping. ''An expected pleasure.''
Tony walked over to Obadiah's side. ''Thanks for the invite.''
''You're not supposed to be here.'' Obadiah told him through smiling teeth. ''You're meant to be working on the prototypes for what I'm showing.''
''Uh huh,'' Tony nodded, taking a seat. ''But these people are so lovely and kind, I wanted to see what they had to say on the matter, personally.''
Obadiah knew there was nothing he could do about Tony's appearance now, and so they sat down and began the meeting, Tony looking rather proud of himself for making it there on time and not missing a thing. He leaned back in his chair, arms behind his head as one of the men began the meeting by welcoming the media, and as Tony looked over to the growing crowd of reporters and cameras, he could have sworn he knew the woman in the front row holding a camera, and it wasn't long before his memory refreshed and he remembered she was the woman from the other day. She was a photographer, not a reporter, just like she had said. She didn't look at him, instead her attention was focused on taking the right photos of the meeting, but Tony continued glancing over to her, desperately trying to get on her nerves. She seemed like the stubborn, angry type that would easily become frustrated with Tony's behavior, and he loved teasing people.
The meeting went on for an hour and a half, and the crowd had died down during the middle of it, listening in instead of shouting questions and taking photos. Logan did notice Tony looking at her throughout the meeting, but she just ignored his childish behavior and looked over the photos she had taken on her camera, her mind on the job assigned.
''Did you get some good shots?'' Drew asked, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
Logan nodded. ''Yeah, I think Collins will be happy with them.''
People began filing out of the building, and Logan and Drew stood back to allow some room when he spotted Tony Stark over by the opposite door. He pulled out his notepad and began moving away from the exit, causing Logan to look at him with confusion.
''What are you doing?'' she asked as he moved away.
''That's Tony Stark!'' Drew told her. ''He's alone, maybe I can get a word from him.''
''About what? You just listened to the whole meeting.''
''Are you kidding? I'm not missing an opportunity like this.'' he told her, rushing over to Tony.
Logan groaned, knowing she would have to wait on him. Then again, she wasn't a reporter, she wasn't obliged to go rushing over and snap photos of them, that wasn't her job. She was here to take photos of the meeting, and that's it. She walked over to the exit door and leaned on the door frame, waiting for Drew who had now caught the attention of Tony.
''Mr. Stark? Can I ask you a few questions?'' Drew asked politely, although he was bursting with excitement.
Tony looked up at the man. ''I don't do interviews this early in the morning.''
Drew checked his watch and noticed it was 2.00pm, far from early. ''This won't take long.''
Tony looked around for Pepper, hoping she would come along and save him from this situation, but she didn't show up. Instead, he noticed Logan standing by the door looking over at them, hand on her hip and a bored expression on her face. Tony put the pieces together and realized that she worked for this man, and that made the situation quite interesting.
Tony had been with a few journalists in his time, his charm getting the better of them no matter how much they resisted, and Logan managed to get his attention and he was adamant about getting hers as well. Being the playboy he was, he knew women, he had been with plenty enough to know that sooner or later they succumbed to his charm, although usually they would jump at the chance of being with him. He loved a challenge, and she was very attractive, therefore the pursuit began.
''Tell you what,'' Tony looked at the man again. ''I have some time tomorrow, how about we do this then?''
Drew's eyes widened with surprise. ''O-of course, Mr. Stark.'' he nodded. ''That'd be great.''
Tony gave him a polite smile. ''I'll have my assistant work something out.''
''Here, that's my card. Any time will suit me.'' Drew assured.
''Better bring your photographer.'' Tony pointed out. ''If I'm gonna do an interview, better go all out.''
Drew couldn't believe his luck. ''Of course, Mr. Stark. Thank you.''
Most of the car ride back to the office was spent with Drew explaining how the conversation went with Tony. He wouldn't shut up about it and how lucky he was to be able to get an interview with Tony Stark tomorrow. No one ever got an interview with him when they asked for it, especially when it was so direct, but Tony loved confusing people.
''Oh, come on!'' Drew whined.
''No, I don't want to go.'' Logan shook her head. ''That's it.''
''You have to go! You're my photographer, I can't cover any Stark Industries press without you.''
''This isn't Stark Industries press, this is Tony Stark press, I don't have to do anything.'' she pointed out.
''You've got to be joking. This is Tony Stark.'' Drew told her. ''The Tony Stark, and he agreed to let me interview him tomorrow. These things don't just happen everyday Logan, you've gotta come with me.''
Logan groaned. ''I just don't like him. He's so arrogant, I can't stand it. And sitting in a room with him while you interview doesn't sound like a day of fun.''
Drew whined. ''Please, I'm asking you as a friend.'' he looked over at her.
''Don't look at me like that-''
''Please Logan. This could be my big break into journalism, you gotta help me out.'' he pleaded.
Logan threw herself back into the chair with a thud, closing her eyes and balling her fists. ''Fine, fine I'll go.'' she gritted through her teeth. ''I can't believe you used the friendship card, that was low.''
Drew smirked. ''I had to use it sometime. I owe you one.''
''No, you owe me lots.'' she corrected. ''Starting tomorrow, you're my personal butler.''
''Personal butler?'' Drew exclaimed.
''That's right.'' she nodded. ''And if you whine about it, I won't come with you.''
Drew stopped talking then, looking ahead to the road. It would be worth it.
Logan could hear an annoying tap on her door when she walked out of the kitchen, and she realized someone was at the door. She sighed, knowing who it was, and walked over to answer it. Drew was standing on the other side with a huge grin on his face, dressed in a very professional suit, complete with a tie. He had a notepad in his hand and three extra pens in his pocket, as well as a tape recorder. His hair was brushed neatly and he looked refreshed. Logan, on the other hand, was dressed in her jeans and a long black tank top. Her dark brown hair was out and flowed down her back, completely straight. The look on her face suggested she had only just woke up.
''You're not ready.'' Drew commented.
''Sure I am.'' she shrugged.
''Logan, I told you you-''
''Oh, relax!" she threw her hands up, opening the door more for him to come in. ''I'll get changed now.''
Drew let out a relieved sigh. ''Thank you.''
After getting the camera she needed and all the extras she was taking along, put them into her carry bag and got the approval on her clothing from Drew, they walked out of her apartment building and down the the car. Logan could tell that Drew was nervous, and he hands were sweating on the steering wheel. They swapped positions after Logan offered to drive, and Drew worked on calming himself down. He wasn't a major reporter, and they both knew that Tony only dealt with the most experiences and well-known journalists, which made them both wonder why he had made the exception for Drew, but Logan didn't dare bring that up now, not when he was inches from a panic attack.
They were meeting Tony at a private location not far from his Malibu mansion. It was a quite beachfront, and he had booked out the nearby cafe so they would have privacy from everyone else. There was no one else around, and it made Drew even more nervous, but Logan did her best to assure him he would be fine. This was his big break, and she was going to help him through the whole thing.
''Mr. Stark.'' Drew extending his hand, and Tony accepted when they met up in the cafe. Tony had their table out on the deck in the shade, overlooking the beach. ''Thank you again for this opportunity.''
Tony smiled. ''No problem.''
''Oh, this is my photographer, Logan Walker.'' Drew introduced.
Logan internally groaned, hating that Tony now knew her full name. Something about him didn't sit well with her, like she didn't trust him at all, and he extended his hand out to hers. He was expecting her to place her hand in his and he would give her a gentlemanly kiss on the hand, but instead she gripped his hand tight and shook it like Drew had.
''Nice to meet you.'' she told him.
Tony smirked. ''Likewise.''
They went about the usual interview content, Drew asking questions he had stayed up until early hours of the morning to prepare, and Tony answered them as professionally as he could. Logan took photos of them both, and the setting there were at. Collins insisted she take as many as she could without getting in their face, so occasionally she would move to another table and take photos from afar. Either way, it seemed like neither Drew or Tony had a problem with the camera clicking since they were both so used to it.
''And you're leaving within a week to conduct a weapons demonstration in Afghanistan. Are you nervous at all? The troops have a high level of respect for you.'' Drew asked, very professionally.
''I'm not nervous, no, I do a ton of these things. As for the troops, no one has a higher respect for them and what they do more than me, and I'll be letting them know that.'' Tony told him.
The interview went on, and they ordered a few drinks to have during a break they took. It was during this break that Logan realized just how bad her luck was, when Drew excused himself to go to the bathroom and left her and Tony alone. He looked over to her with a smile, and she smiled politely before turning away quickly, looking out to the water.
''Do you like it here?'' Tony asked her.
She nodded. ''It's very relaxing.''
''The view's not too bad either.''
Logan was about to agree until she looked over to him smirking at her, a smile playing at him lips as he saw her realize that he was referring to her. She didn't say anything, holding back her words for Drew's sake, and then she took a sip of her mocha latte, ignoring his comment.
''So, how long will you be in Afghanistan for?'' Logan asked, playing nice.
''Not long.'' he shrugged. ''Why, you gonna miss me?'' Tony grinned.
Logan shook her head. ''Can we just talk like normal adults here?''
''Sure.'' he agreed. ''You know, you should really stop by my place before you leave, the interior design is very interesting.''
''Maybe you should ask Drew, he's in charge here.''
''He's not really invited. Three's a crowd.'' Tony smirked.
Logan sighed. ''Just stop it, okay? I'm not interested, and whatever you're doing here isn't appealing to me at all.''
''Really? It's going perfectly if you ask me.''
''Listen, you might be able to seduce all the other women in California but I am not interested, got it? I'm here to do my job.'' Logan told him, finally speaking up.
Tony just smirked again, enjoying how angry she got. ''Uh huh.'' he nodded. ''Tonight, seven o'clock.'' Logan looked over to him, baffled that he kept going with his approach. ''Stark Industries private benefit.''
''Hmm, no.'' she shook her head.
''Well maybe Drew would like to come. It is a private function, which means there's no reporters, and I'll bet that would give him big opportunities back at the office.'' Tony gestured.
''Hey, he's hoping to get something big out of this, alright? I'm not going to let you ruin that for him.'' she defended.
''I don't see how offering him the opportunity to see Stark Industries from the inside is ruining anything for him.'' Tony defended.
Drew walked back onto the deck, silencing Tony and Logan as he took his seat again. He looked so happy with himself, so proud that he was interviewing Tony Stark himself.
''Okay, so-''
''Hold on a minute Drew,'' Tony interrupted, and Logan glared at him with a warning. ''I really respect what you're trying to do here, rising through the ranks, and I'd like to invite you to the Stark Industries benefit tonight.''
Drew seemed taken aback. ''I-I wasn't aware there was a benefit tonight.''
''It's a private function, no media allowed. But I've taken a liking to you, so I hope to see you there.''
Logan balled her hands into fists and looked away in case Drew saw her frustration, but Tony noticed, and he chuckled lightly at his triumph. One way or another, she had to give in to him. He was Tony Stark, he always got what he wanted.
I just wanted to say that I have a lot of ideas for this story, and it might seem a little boring and overdone right now, but after the next chapter things will get a lot different. As you know, Tony goes missing for three months, and I'm having Drew and Logan be the ones covering the story since they were the ones who done the private interview with him just now and Drew's going to be the main journalist of the story. So with that, they both go over to Afghanistan and Logan films all of Drew's reports, but that's all I'll say for now. I just wanted to tell you guys that so you know what's coming and hopefully you'll stick with me on this one. Thanks.