Allie

III

Gabie took me back to the mansion and decided to stay the night with us.

III

"Tony!" I call and rush down the steps into the workshop. Whenever he's stressed he goes to his workshop and tinkers.

"Allie, hey I'm sorry I abandoned you like that," he says and puts down the new Iron Man face mask.

"Apology accepted, but what happened back there?! Were you having a panic attack or something?" I exclaim and pull him into a hug. "Talk to me Tony."

"I just freaked a little, no big deal," Tony assures and cups my face. "I'm okay." I can tell he's lying, I can also tell he won't talk to me right now.

"Will you at least talk to a therapist or even a friend? Bruce and you are friends right? Talk to Bruce," I insist and he flinches. Tony never talks about Bruce around me, he thinks it'll hurt my feelings. "Tony you can't keep this all in, you have to talk with someone and if not me then Bruce."

"Allie I don't want to have him over when you're here."

"Tony I know you and Bruce are science bros and I will be okay. At least call him," I persist. Tony sighs and nods.

"I'll call him." Smiling I let myself breathe and relax.

"Thank you."

"Can we do something else now? Something fun? I'm thinking hot tub," Tony remarks casually making me giggle.

"Alright I'll get my suit on."

III

Gabie

III

The day after Tony's incident Allie woke me up with a guard's outfit and a Stark badge.

III

"Why am I doing this again?" I huff and cross my arms. Allie has me dressed like a security guard and she herself is wearing a pencil skirt and an obscene button up shirt. She's dragged me to a Stark Industries building near Malibu so we can work for the day.

"Because it'll be fun," Allie replies and flashes her badge to the front desk as we walk past the lobby. I pull out my badge as well and give a sardonic smile.

"What's fun about working as a security guard and a personal assistant for a day?" I counter.

"Because it's only for a day, we don't get grunt work, and I can play out my fantasies of being a sexy secretary who sleeps with the boss," she elaborates and winks obnoxiously.

"Why do I have to be a security guard?"

"You have an expression on your face that always says 'I take no bullshit and I won't hesitate to fuck up your shit' so I thought it'd be perfect," Allie explains. Her heels are clicking loudly on the tile floor and her high ponytail bounces with every step.

"Good point," I agree. "Where are we going right now?"

"To meet Pepper and Happy. Pepper is my boss for the day and Happy is yours." I frown and raise an eyebrow at her.

"Allie are you going to sleep with Pepper?" I ask and she stops short.

"No! Why would I-oh I did say that was my fantasy didn't I?"

"Yes."

"Oh well Pepper still answers to Tony for big decisions so he's the big boss and I'm sleeping with him so there," she responds casually. I raise another eyebrow and she sighs deeply. I know they aren't sleeping together not yet at least. "Technically we've slept together, like in the same bed."

"Whatever helps you fulfill this fantasy." Allie rolls her eyes and picks up the pace as Pepper and Happy come into view.

"Pepper! Happy! We are here and reporting for duty," Allie informs and stands up straight.

"We are glad to have you aren't we Happy?" Pepper prompts and Happy eyes us suspiciously.

"Badge?" In unison Allie and I present our badges and Happy nods. "Good."

"So bossman what do you want me to do?" I ask.

"And what should I do Miss Potts?" Allie inquires sweetly.

"You'll just be assisting me in a meeting and-" Pepper pauses and leans in to whisper to Allie. "Dealing with complaints about Happy." I can only hear because of the link Allie and I share. Pepper leans back and winks at Allie who suppresses a giggle.

"Bossman are we escorting Miss Potts and her secretary to the meeting?" I query professionally. Happy looks away from Pepper and nods at me.

"Yes we are, shall we Miss Potts?"

"We shall Happy."

Pepper takes the lead and with her clicking heels strolls down the large hall of SI. Allie follows on Peppers heels with a bounce in her step and a grin on her face. Happy walks next to Pepper and I walk behind with a frown on my face.

"Badge? Badge? Badge?" Happy prompts to each passing person and taps his badge. A few do but those that don't I give withering glares. "Badge, guys! I put a memo in the toilet, come on."

"Yeah guys come on! Don't you know how valuable Stark Industries is? Spies sneak in everyday!" I exclaim and Happy gives an approving nod.

"So how is Tony, Allie?" Pepper inquires. Allie opens her mouth to respond but frowns.

"He's okay," she lies. "He's still tinkering away with his suits and his robots."

"Tony has got them in his basement, they're wearing party hats. This is an asset that we can put to use," Happy interjects, referring to the robots. "They can work here."

"Uh-huh. So, you're suggesting that I replace the entire janitorial staff with robots?" Pepper concludes sarcastically.

"What I'm saying is that the human element of Human Resources is our biggest point of vulnerability. We should start phasing it out immediately," Happy declares purposefully. This guy really cares about security.

"What!?" Pepper and Allie gasp.

"I agree, people are unreliable," I chime in. I am really feeling this role as security guard. "Anyone could be bribed, threatened, or manipulated to infiltrate the company."

"Exactly-hey excuse me, Bambi," Happy snaps when another employee bumps him.

"I'm watching you mister," I threaten and the man shuffles away quickly.

"Did you just say that?" Pepper cries out indignantly.

"Unbelievable," Allie huffs.

"Security," Happy deadpans and points to his badge.

"Happy?" Pepper sighs.

"Yes."

"Okay, I am thrilled that you're now the Head of Security, okay? It is the perfect position for you," Pepper starts.

"Thank you."

"However-"

"I do appreciate it."

"We love the recognition," I pipe up.

"Since you've taken the post-"

"You don't have to thank me," Happy insists.

"We're just happy to serve," I add.

"We've had a rise in staff complaints of three hundred percent," Pepper reports.

"Three hundred percent," Allie emphasizes.

"Thank you."

"That's not a compliment," Pepper says flatly.

"It is a total insult," Allie reinforces.

"That's not a compli...? It is a compliment! Clearly somebody's trying to hide something," Happy blurts out.

"Obviously someone in this company has nefarious intentions," I hiss and eye the passing workers. Pepper rolls her eyes and elbows Allie who jumps and quickly looks over Pepper's itinerary for the day.

"I-"

"Excuse me," Allie interrupts politely.

"Yes?" Pepper says.

"Miss Potts, your four o'clock is here," Allie informs.

"Thank you," Pepper says and exhales deeply.

"Did you clear this four o'clock with me?" Happy questions.

"Or me Allison?" I demand and Allie scoffs.

"Happy, we'll talk about this later. But right now I have to go deal with this very annoying thing," Pepper mutters as we near her office.

"How so?" Happy asks.

"I used to work with him, and he used to ask me out all the time. So it's a little awkward," Pepper responds sheepishly while Happy pulls open her office glass door and we enter.

"I don't like the sound of that," Happy grumbles.

Stepping inside we come face to face with Aldrich Killian dressed dashingly in an expensive business suit.

"We know him," Allie whispers in my head.

"I remember, we met him at your gala."