Chapter 3: Iron Man
Tony was getting extremely bored, and his companions weren't helping. Steve wasn't talking and Bruce wasn't even paying attention, just reading his book. Several times, Tony tried to start up a conversation, but with no luck.
1:10 PM: "So how do you think the lovebirds are doing?"
1:15 PM: "Have either of you ever heard about Budapest?"
1:19 PM: "Do you think they'll contact us anytime soon?"
1:23 PM: "They've probably forgotten all about the mission, don't you think?"
1:25 PM: "We really need to get those two together, but it's never going to happen if we don't see them. What could be taking so long?"
"Stark!" Steve finally exclaimed. "Give it a rest, won't you? They'll contact us if they discover anything important. We just have to wait."
"Yes, but I don't like waiting," Tony complained
"I noticed."
"Dr. Banner, what are your thoughts?" Tony asked, giving up on Steve for a moment. Banner glanced up from the book he was reading.
"I actually think that Steve is right, Tony."
"You too? What is wrong with you guys?"
"Go find something else to entertain yourself with, Stark. Come back later if they contact us," Steve sighed. He took an iPhone out of his pocket and started frowning down at it. Steve inability to use modern technology was one of the few things that could drive Tony from a room, so he stood up from the table and walked out. As he headed down the hallway, planning to get in his Iron Man suit, a brilliant idea (even for him) crossed Tony's mind, and it excited him so much that he sped up till he was nearly running down the hall.
"Jarvis, get a message to Nick Fury."
"What would you like me to tell him, sir?"
"Ask him for the files on Romanoff and Barton, particularly any accounts of what happened in Budapest."
"Of course, sir."
Tony was already in the suit and flying over the city when he received a call from Nick Fury.
"Mr. Stark, might I ask why you have such a sudden curiosity about my agents?"
"Nick, they are clearly in love, and I intend to make them realize it. Don't you agree that that is clearly important and meriting of information about what happened in Budapest?"
"Mr. Stark, I don't particularly care what you do in your spare time, but I will not be providing you with information to do it, nor can I condone your messing with my agents. I'm going to ask you to leave it be for the time being."
"Aww, but Nick…"
"No buts. Sorry, Mr. Stark."
Still flying over the city, Tony decided to try another plan. If Nick Fury wouldn't give him the information, then he would have to get it himself, meaning hack the SHIELD database again, which he was quite capable of doing. It was the perfect time to do it too, since Romanoff and Barton weren't there. He headed back.H
…
"And…I'm in." For an expert hacker like Tony, getting into the database was no problem, and he happily began to go through it. "Romanoff…Barton…Budapest…aha! Here we are!"
"Sir? Steve Rogers is calling. Should I put him on?"
"I suppose," Toy said reluctantly.
"Hey, Stark? We're receiving an important message from Romanoff and Barton. I thought you might like to come join us."
Stark all but sprinted back to the conference room where Steve and Bruce were.
Found teenage group of followers. Leader called Tara; claims to have training from SHIELD. Associates Harris &Nina. Trapped in cellar. Will contact you soon. NR
"It's not much, but we've got a general location," Bruce told him.
"They were trapped by teenagers?" Tony asked incredulously.
"Director Fury is looking into the Tara person," Steve added.
"They were trapped by teenagers?" Tony repeated.
"Not just any teenagers," Nick Fury announced, entering. "Tara Dorian. Harris Ashton. Nina Gomez. They're the only ones that fit, and all received training from SHIELD. Tara Dorian, 19, was discharged after an incident, and the other two, both 16, left shortly afterwards."
"What incident?" Stark asked curiously.
"All three, along with a Francis Carlton, also 19, were involved in several small skirmishes, a series of thefts, and finally a rather violent confrontation in front of their entire training class. Aston and Gomez were determined to be victims of these events, rather than culprits, but left anyway."
"So how much training did they receive?" Steve asked worriedly.
"Enough to cause problems," Fury said grimly.
"So, should we send in reinforcements?" Steve questioned.
"I'm trusting for now that they can handle it," Fury said finally.
…
"Right, Budapest," Tony said, back in work area.
Barton, Romanoff; Budapest (2007)
Tony eagerly began to read, but grew disappointed when he realized how little information seemed to be in the file.
" 'Agents Barton and Romanoff were sent to infiltrate a group of suspected terrorists…teamed up with Zander Blaine, now an agent of SHIELD…fought in a large battle against unlikely odds…' There has to be more to it than that," he complained. Then a horrible thought occurred to him. What if Fury had expected him to try hacking the SHIELD database and deleted the file or something along those lines?
"I must know what happened," he groaned.
"Tony, why don't you give it a rest?"
Tony looked up as Pepper entered the room. "Why can't they just tell me? We're supposed to be a team."
"You've got work to do," Pepper reminded him.
"I don't want to work. And have I told you how absolutely beautiful you look today?"
Pepper smiled. "Nice try, but no distractions right now. You've got a tower to design, required reading for Nick Fury…"
"You should try talking to Agent Romanoff. You're both women; maybe you can understand each other and she can tell you all about her romantic adventures in Budapest." Pepper didn't even dignify Tony's desperate suggestion with a response, and he sighed and slumped down as she left the room.
Author's Note: Thoughts? Suggestions? Let me know. Next chapter is back to Natasha and Clint, and I promise I'll post it soon. Thanks for reading!
