li·ar

ˈlīər/

noun

a person who tells lies.

Harley hadn't waited in the elevator, she found him hovering in the door looking for all the world like a kicked puppy. She wasn't sure how much he heard but it was enough for the damage to be done. She didn't say anything as she guided him back to the elevator and pressed the buttons as he tucked himself into the corner looking heartbroken and miserable.

The boy looked up at her keeping his chin tucked into his chest, "He doesn't want to see me, does he?" The question hung in the air with all of the weight of too many broken promises.

She lowered herself next to him, awkwardly leveraging herself down in her heels and pencil skirt, and gave a heavy sigh, unsure of where to start. "Tony has been under a lot of stress." She wasn't sure why she was trying to explain when a large part of her was just as hurt and just as disappointed.

"I know about the New York thing." He replied, cutting off any explanations she might have offered.

Pepper worried her lip between her teeth, "How much do you know about the arc reactor?"

He canted his head to one side, "It's an electromagnet that powers the ironman suit."

"Yes, and no. It wasn't just powering the suit."

It didn't take him long to entertain this scrap of information before he started talking again, "It's powering him too right? Like a car battery?" At her half bemused smile he elaborated, "He used it to jump start EJ's heart, and then he…well… but it's okay, I put it back in and he was fine." Her heart clenched at the odd trail off, she hadn't heard about that.

"Tony had it removed." He gave her an alarmed look and it was her turn to backpedal, "He's fine, he's all better now, but he was used to having that as part of him."

He nodded seriously though she was uncertain if he actually understood what she was saying or not, and if she were honest, what she wasn't saying was far more important. The doors slid open, and she stood offering the boy an unneeded hand.

"Hello Mr. Keener, a great pleasure to see you again." A very familiar British voice said.

"JARVIS!" The smile was back.