A/N: Hello~ I promised another chapter for tonight, so here it is. You are very welcome. Seriously, though, thanks for reading. Also, for those of you following my other story, 'Loki Returns,' I'm working on the next chapter tonight, and I'm hoping to post it tomorrow, so don't worry. Please enjoy and feel free to comment. -AirBrushed
"Tony Stark." The screen cuts from black to the view of a stage, a picture of Tony on both sides and banners hanging from the ceiling that say 'Apogee Award.' Words appear on the bottom of the screen now in white font, reading 'Las Vegas, 36 Hours Earlier.'
"Apogee Award, huh?" Bruce raises an eyebrow and gives a faint smile to the billionaire, who just shrugs in response, though he looks a little more relaxed than before.
"Visionary, genius." The pictures of Stark change into one of him on a magazine cover, arms folded across his chest. The camera focuses on one of them and the voice from the video continues talking, "American Patriot."
"Psh, yeah right." Steve snorts, earning a glare from Banner.
The picture is now black and white, and shows Tony as a child, "Even from an early age, son of the legendary weapons developer Howard Stark quickly stole the spotlight with his brilliant and unique mind."
The pictures switches to one of Howard, Steve leans a bit closer, shoulders tensing, "He made more than just weapons… right?"
His questions goes unanswered, the other's feeling it's not their place to respond, and Tony not wanting to discuss his father at the moment. Or ever, for that matter.
"At age four, he built his first circuit board."
"Four? What'd they do, get you hook on genius juice?" Clint does nothing to try and hide the amazement on his face, even through his shitty attempt at a joke.
"Possibly. Or maybe I'm just… I don't know… a genius?"
"At age six, his first engine. And at seventeen, he graduated summa cum laude from MIT."
"Seventeen?!" Steve and Clint question in unison.
"Yes! I get it, okay? You're all amazed at my brilliance." While that earns him a few eye rolls, no one comments.
"Then, the passing of a titan," The picture changes to one of Howard in a news paper article titled 'Howard and Maria Stark Die in Car Accident on Long Island.' Below it, the subtitle reads, 'Thousands to Attend Funeral in Manhattan for Founder and President of Stark Industries,' accompanied by a picture a casket draped in an American flag, being carried by a group of soldiers.
Steve bites his lip, his shoulders tensing again.
"Howard Starks lifelong friend and ally, Obadiah Stane, steps in to fill the gap left in by the legendary founder, until at age 21, the prodigal son returns, and is anointed the CEO of Stark Industries." A few more pictures pass by before the screen shows one of Tony with Stane behind him, looking over his shoulder.
"Stark without his beard- never thought I'd see the day." Clint snickers, but quickly shuts up when Natasha whacks him on the head, "Ow!"
"Watch."
The crowd applauds and the voice continues speaking, "With the keys to the kingdom, Tony ushers in a new era for his father's legacy, creating smarter weapons, advanced robotics, satellite targeting. Today, Tony Stark has changed the face of the weapons industry, by ensuring freedom and protecting America and her interests around the globe." The video ends and the podium on stage now has a spotlight shining on it, revealing a man in uniform.
"As liaison to Stark Industries," He begins, "I've had the unique privilege of serving with a real patriot. He is my friend, and he is my great mentor."
Tony chuckles as he watches his friend on screen, realizing he never got to hear the speech in person. "Ah, good old Rhodey."
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present this year's Apogee award to Mr. Tony Stark." There's another round of applause, and award music begins playing. When no one walks up, Rhodey speaks in to the mic, "Tony?"
"Let me guess; you didn't show up." Steve looks at the billionaire who is wearing his usual smirk.
"Nope."
The Colonel looks into the audience for his friend when he spots the man identified as Obadiah Stane, who shakes his (very bald) head. He stands from his seat and makes his way up to podium, accepting the award on the billionaire's behalf.
"Thank you, Colonel."
"Thanks for the save." He replies, and steps aside as the older, white bearded man begins to speak into the microphone.
"This is beautiful. Thank you. Thank you all very much. This is wonderful." He holds it up and stares at it for a moment before continuing, "Well, I'm not Tony Stark."
The crowd laughs a bit before he keeps talking, "But if I were Tony, I would tell you how honored I feel and what a joy it is to receive this very prestigious award. Tony, you know… the best thing about Tony is also the worst thing; He's always working."
Bruce smirks, "Well he's not wrong."
The scene changes to Tony in the casino, surrounded by women. He rolls his dice and everyone cheers as he turns around giving a bow to Happy and chanting, "Work it! Come on!"
"Or maybe he is." Fury, who has been oddly silent for quite a while, speaks up.
"Ugh," Tony gives an annoyed grunt at the view of himself onscreen and face palms.
A woman has her hands all over him as Rhodey approaches from behind, just as Tony is saying something to her, his voice low and barely audible, "We should just stay till the morning."
"You are unbelievable," He cuts in, obviously annoyed.
Tony turns to his friend and the woman backs off. "Oh, no! Did they rope you into this?"
"Nobody roped me into anything!" Rhodey replies, shaking his head.
"I'm so sorry."
Rhodey just ignores him and continues, "But they told me that if I presented you with an award, you'd be deeply honored."
"Of course I'd be deeply honored! And it's you, that's great. So when do we do it?" Tony interjects.
"It's right here; here you go." He holds up the award and Tony takes it, obviously disinterested.
"There it is; that was easy." At the irritated look from Rhodey he adds, "I'm so sorry."
"Yeah, it's okay."
"No it's not," Natasha sneers, amusement in her tone.
"Wow, would you look at that," The genius turns away from his friend and hands the award off to woman from before, "That's something else. I don't have any of those floating around." He bends over and gathers the dice in his hand, "We're gonna let it ride!" He holds the dice up to the woman, "Give me a hand will you? Give me a little something-something." She blows on the dice before Tony brings it toward Rhodey next, "Okay, you too."
"I don't blow on a man's dice."
"Come on, Honey Bear!"
"I don't blow on a man's dice," Rhodey repeats, shaking his head and swatting Tony's hand away, causing the dice to fly out and roll on the table.
"There it is! Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes rolls! And…"
The roll is bad and Rhodey shrugs, to which Tony just says, "Two craps, line away."
"That's what happens."
"Worse things have happened; I think we're going to be fine. Color me up, William."
"You really are unbelievable, aren't you?" Steve scoffs just as the screen changes to Tony and Colonel Rhodes shaking hands.
"This is where I exit. Tomorrow, don't be late!" Rhodey says, pointing to his friend.
"Yeah, you can count on it."
"I'm serious!"
"I know I know!" Tony points back as Rhodey walks away, holding up his award, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's!" He hands the award to a man dressed in costume, "There you go."
"Really? You just hand out an award like that?" Natasha eyes him but he doesn't say anything.
The scene changes and Happy is opening a car door for Tony, who stops short when his name is yelled.
"Mr. Stark! Excuse me, Mr. Stark!" An attractive young blonde starts walking up to him but is stops by one of Tony's guards. "Christine Everheart, Vanity Fair Magazine. Can I ask you a couple of questions?"
"She's cute," Happy mumbles next to Tony.
"She's alright?" He spins to face her, "Hi."
"Hi. It's okay?"
"Yeah, okay, go." He steps closer and she holds a voice recorder up to him.
"You've been called the Da Vinci of our time. What do you say to that?"
"Absolutely ridiculous, I don't paint." He deadpans, and she immediately continues with a follow up question.
"And what do you say to your other nickname? The Merchant of Death." She raises an eyebrow, her jaw set.
Tony gives another groan and leans over, his face in his hands.
"That's not bad. Let me guess, Berkeley?"
"Brown, actually." She corrects him.
"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, I'll start making bricks and beams for baby hospitals."
"Rehearse that much?" She raises her eyebrow again, obviously not convinced.
"Every night in front of the mirror before bedtime."
"I can see that."
"I'd like to show you first-hand."
"All I want is a serious answer."
"Alright, here's serious. My old man had a philosophy, 'Peace means having a bigger stick than the other guy.'"
"Seriously?" Steve looks to Tony, who only replies with a nod.
"That's a great line coming from the guy selling the sticks." She retorts.
"My father helped defeat the Nazi's. He worked on the Manhattan project. A lot of people, including your professors at Brown, would call that being a hero."
"And a lot of people would also call that war profiteering."
"Tell me," He leans a little closer to the voice recorder, "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."
"You ever lose an hour of sleep your whole life?"
He shrugs, "I'd be prepared to lose a few with you."
The scene immediately changes and the two are falling onto a bed together, Christine on top with much less clothes than before, until Tony rolls them over and they fall of the bed with a laugh.
"Okay, I really did not need to see that." Clint makes a gagging noise and Tony gives a laugh, not at all embarrassed.
"Sorry, Katniss. I'll explain when you're older."
The next thing we see is the reporter lying nude on the bed, asleep beneath the white sheets.
"Good morning," The familiar British voice can be heard and the woman snaps her eyes open with a startled gasp, "It's 7:00 AM; the weather in Malibu is 72 degrees with scattered clouds. The surf conditions are fair with waist to shoulder high lines." The windows light up as Christine stands from the bed, moving to look out the window. The view zooms out over the AI's voice to reveal Tony's Malibu home and the ocean around it. "High tide will be at 10:52 AM."
"That's your house?" Clint speaks for everyone as they stare in amazement at the screen, except Natasha and Fury who have been there before.
"Yup."
The interior of the house is shown, where Christine is wearing Tony's dress shirt from the night before, and her panties.
"Tony? Hey, Tony?"
"So uh, if you die or something, can we have your house?"
"It's left to Potts. Sorry bird brain."
The blonde wanders around a bit, taking in her surroundings before she comes to a blue panel on the wall. She hesitates for a minute, but curiosity wins and she reaches for it. Immediately there is a beeping noise, and the panel blinks red before the AI speaks up again, "You are not authorized to access this area."
"Jesus!" She recoils, reeling around when another voice is heard, though this one is familiar.
"That's JARVIS. He runs the house." A strawberry blonde appears, dressed in professional dress clothes and holding clothes on a hanger. "I've got your clothes here. They've been dry-cleaned and pressed, and there's a car waiting for you outside that will take you anywhere you'd like to go."
The blonde strides up to her with a grin, "You must be the famous Pepper Potts."
"Indeed I am."
"Oh boy, here we go." Natasha smirks and everyone leans a little closer to the screen.
"After all these years, Tony still has you picking up the dry-cleaning."
Pepper hesitates for a moment, and if she's taken aback by the rude comment she does a pretty good job at hiding it. "I do anything and everything that Mr. Stark requires," She gives a fake smile and a nod, "Including, occasionally, taking out the trash. Will that be all?"
The team doesn't even try to hide their laughter.
"Do not cross Pepper Potts. That woman is a force to reckoned with." Tony smirks, and they all turn their attention back to the screen.
The shot changes to Tony working in his shop, music blasting in the background.
"Give me an exploded view," He glances at a monitor off to the side showing the engine he is currently working on.
"The compression in cylinder three appears to be low."
"Log that."
In the background, Pepper is typing in the access code to his workshop. When she enters, the music lowers and she can be heard talking on the phone, "I'm gonna try again, right now."
"Please don't turn down my music," Tony doesn't even look up from his task as he says this.
"I'll keep you posted." She ignores him and hangs up the phone before addressing him, "You are supposed to be half way around the world right now."
"How'd she take it?"
"Like a champ."
He's studying a piece of the engine when he asks, "Why are you trying to hustle me out of here?"
The view widens to reveal Tony kneeling on the floor in front of the car he's working on when Pepper continues, "Your flight was scheduled to leave an hour and a half ago."
"That's funny, I though with it being my plane and all, that it would just wait for me to get there."
"Tony, I need to speak to you about a couple of things before I get you out of the door."
He ignores her and moves to sit on the wheel of the car, "Doesn't it kind of defeat the whole purpose of having your own plane if it departs before you arrive?"
"He's got a point." Clint shrugs, and Natasha flicks the back of his head.
"Larry called. He's got another buyer for the Jackson Pollock in the wings. Do you want it, yes or no?"
"Is it a good representation of his spring period?"
"No. The springs was actually the neighborhood in East Hampton where he lived and worked- not spring like the season."
"So?"
"I think it's a fair example. I think it's incredibly over-priced."
"I need it. Buy it. Store it." He stands and walks past her, where she quickly follows behind.
"Okay. The MIT commencement speech-"
"Is in June," He cuts her off, "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 back to me."
"I need you to sign this before you get on the plane," she shuffles through some papers and opens a folder, handing him a pen.
"What are you trying to get rid of me for? What, you got plans?"
"As a matter of fact, I do."
"I don't like it when you have plans."
She shakes her head, "I'm allowed to have plans on my birthday."
"It's your birthday?"
'Of course you forgot." Clint snickers and Steve rolls his eyes.
"Yes."
"I knew that. Already?"
She gives him a genuine smile before she responds, "Yeah. Isn't that strange? It's the same day as last year."
"Get yourself something nice from me." His voice is gentle and he smiles back, taking the pen.
"I already did."
"And?"
"Oh, it was very nice."
"Yeah?"
"Very tasteful. Thank you, Mr. Stark."
"You're welcome, Miss. Potts." He gives her a genuine smile, and she returns it.
"Awe!"
"Shut up Bird Brain."
Pepper hands him a cup and he drinks its' contents before handing it back to her with an, "Okay."
The next shot is of a white sports car speeding down the road, a black car not far behind. They both pull into a parking lot, where Stark Industries is written on almost everything. There's a plane waiting and Rhodey is standing at the top of the stairs. Tony steps out of the white car and Happy out of the black one.
"You're good! I thought I lost you back there!" Tony shouts to Happy who is walking around to the back of his car.
"You did Sir. I had to cut across Mulholland." He replies as he grabs a few bags out the trunk.
"I got you. I got you."
"You were racing?" Steve questions, though he already knows the answer.
They're walking up to the plane and a very annoyed looking Rhodey.
"What's wrong with you?" He shouts as Tony makes his way up the steps.
"What?"
"Three hours."
"I got caught doing a piece for Vanity Fair." Tony replies, trying to sound innocent.
"For three hours. For three hours, you got me standing here."
"Waiting on you now." He says, stepping into the plane with Happy behind him, "Let's go. Come on." When Rhodey steps in, Tony can be heard from inside, "wheels up! Rock N Roll!"
"Three hours?" Steve gives a disapproving look to Tony.
"Oh don't act so surprised, Rogers. Even now I'm never on time."
There is a brief shot of the Stark Industries plane before it reveals the interior, where Rhodey and Tony are sitting across from one another. A flight attendant lays down a pair of forks before walking off. Tony gives her a quick glance then turns back to Rhodey.
"What you reading, Platypus?"
The Colonel doesn't even look up from his newspaper, "Nothing."
"Come on sour patch, don't be mad."
"I told you I'm not mad. I'm indifferent, okay?"
"I said I was sorry." The billionaire says, just as another flight attendant approaches.
"Good morning, Mr. Stark," She smiles at him.
"You don't need to apologize to me, I'm your man," Rhodey continues.
"Hi, I told him I was sorry, but he…" He looks up at the woman now, who seems to be ignoring the men's bickering.
"Hot towel?"
"I'm just indifferent right now. You don't respect yourself, so I know you don't respect me." The Colonel continues talking despite the woman's presence.
"I respect you-"
"I'm just your babysitter, so when you need your diaper changed… thank you," He glances at the flight attendant who handed him a towel, "Let me know, and I'll get you a bottle, okay?"
Tony doesn't even seem to acknowledge the statement. "Hey! Heat up a sake, will you? Thanks for reminding me."
"Sake? I do not understand…" Thor gives Natasha a puzzled look.
"A Japanese rice wine."
"No, I'm not talking… we're not drinking! We're working right now." Rhodey protests, but Tony isn't having it.
"You can't have sashimi without sake!"
"You are constitutionally incapable of being responsible."
"It would be irresponsible not to drink. I'm just talking about a nightcap." The genius explains as the woman reappears.
"Hot sake?"
"Yes, two, please." Tony answers before his friend can refuse.
"No, I'm not drinking. I don't want any."
The next second there's music playing and Tony and Rhodes can be seen sitting on the couch with their drinks. Rhodey has his arm on Tony's shoulder and starts rambling on about something the billionaire is showing no interest in.
"That's what I'm talking about. When I get up in the morning, and I put 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!"
"I have yet to meet another mortal who can hold his alcoholic beverages as well as you, friend Anthony!" The Asgardian gives him a beams at him, him voice bouncing off the walls of the conference room.
"What can I say? Runs in the family, big guy."
At that, Steve is clearly taken aback a bit, but decides against adding his two cents.
Tony sits up a bit before replying to his intoxicated friend, "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!" Rhodey cuts him off.
The genius gets comfortable and gestures to the flight attendants who are now visible and dancing, their shirts rolled up and drinks in their hands, "Can you excuse me if I'm a bit distracted here?"
"No! You can't be distracted right now, listen to me!"
"Hey Stark, wanna take a trip to Japan, or something? You know, somewhere with a long flig- OW!" The archer snaps his head around to give the assassin the stink eye. "Could you stop hitting me?!"
"Sure. Just stop giving me reasons to hit you." She grins and flicks his forehead.
The words 'Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan' appear on the screen, showing a brief view of the base and the soldiers there. The Stark Industries plane has landed and Tony is coming down the steps, buttoning his suit before walking up to the line of men in uniform.
"General," He holds out his hand and they shake.
"Welcome, Mr. Stark. We look forward to your weapons presentation." He clasps his hands behind his back and gives the genius a nod.
"Thanks," He turns to the man next to the general and shakes his hand as well, saying something in what must be his native language.
Tony is standing in his suit and sunglasses, a view of mountains in the background, "Is it better to be feared or respected? I say, is it too much to ask for both?"
Tony groans and slumps back in his seat, eyeing the man he once was on the screen with disgust.
"With that in mind, I humbly present the crown jewel of Stark Industries ' Freedom Line," He puts his hands in his pockets and continues, "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 respectfully disagree. I prefer the weapon you only have to fire once. That's how dad did it. That's how America does it. And it's worked out pretty well so far." The view is further out now, revealing a wider shot of the mountains, the soldiers present, and the missile in question. The billionaire gestures to the weapon, "Find an excuse to let one of these off the chain, and I personally guarantee you the bad guys won't even want to come out of their caves."
He makes a motion with his hand and there's a close up on the weapon. The soldiers turn their attention towards it once it angles upwards, one of the missiles firing up and shooting into the air. The camera follows it and it breaks off into a number of smaller missiles, which begin flying towards the mountain in the background.
Suddenly the shot is back on Tony, just as the missiles make contact with the landscape, "For your consideration," He raises his arms as a huge explosion sends clouds of dust into the air, "The Jericho." The blast pushes forward, almost causing the billionaire to lose his balance, and blows the hats off of the soldiers.
There's a low whistle and everyone turns to look at Fury.
"I guess we should be glad you're on our side, Stark." The Director glares at the billionaire with uneasy eyes.
"I'm done making weapons, Nick. You know that." He snaps back, causing the other man to loosen his glare and turn his attention back to the screen.
"So… you made that missile? That's… horrible." Steve's voice is hesitant, knowing that's the exact reason the billionaire no longer makes the weapons.
"Yeah." The reply is quiet, barely audible, unless you're a super soldier with enhanced hearing. Steve risks a glance at Tony's face; heavyhearted and full of grief.
A crate is opening now, cool air escaping as a shelf of alcoholic beverages rises up. Tony takes what appears to be scotch, "I'll be throwing one of these in with every purchase of 500 million or more; to peace!" He raises his glass and takes a sip just as his phone begins to buzz. He takes it out of his pocket and flips it open, revealing the bald man from the award ceremony.
"Tony!"
"Obie, what are you doing up?"
"I couldn't sleep until I found out how it went. How'd it go?" The man on the screen replies.
"It went great. Looks like it's going to be an early Christmas."
"Hey! Way to go, my boy! I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"
"Why aren't you wearing those pajamas I got you?"
"Goodnight, Tony."
"…That son of a bitch!" Tony looks shocked if not slightly pissed off, obviously having realized something no one else did.
"What?" Bruce raises an eyebrow, but the genius just shakes his head.
"Nothing. It… I think you'll find out."
The billionaire climbs into the vehicle from before, a soldier shutting the door for him just as Colonel Rhodes walks up.
"Hey, Tony."
"I'm sorry; this is the Fun-Vee." He leans his head out the window and looks behind him, "The Hum-Drum-Vee is back there."
"Nice job." He ignores the comment and taps the door of the vehicle.
"See you back at base."
'Back in Black' can be heard again, and the view of the cars driving down the road is back on the screen before the lead vehicle blows up.
