A/N: Still here? Cool. Sorry. This chapter is ehhh so I'm gonna post the next one as soon as it's done (I'm serious this time). Stay hella rad.

"Tony," Pepper sighed. "Staring at your work won't help getting me cured. Go back to bed."

"Shh!" Tony ordered. "I'm about to do something genius. And I'm not working on curing you, not yet at least. I'm working on the suit."

"Don't you have like…42 of them?"

"No, I made some more, but that's beside the point. I'm adding this software that is able to analyze foreign technology. And this guy's technology is very foreign. These rings, their unlike anything I've ever studied before…if I can figure it out and use it against him with some of my own tech, I can beat him. I just need more of his ice ring in a dummy suit to stabilize it and use it for you. The acidity is too much for human skin but I can neutralize it to make it safe, and give you small doses," Tony finally concluded.

"You're so cute when you get all techy," Pepper yawned at him in response.

Tony frowned. "Thanks. Just gotta show it to the others and that'll get that Parker boy to shut the hell up."

"Well that was rude," she commented. "What do you have against him?"

"Nothing, he's a great, smart guy. It's just…he questions my calculations. Like, he brings up the very low chance that I could be wrong. Does that make sense?"

"No. And I question your calculations. I did it the first time we met. And I always let you know when you're wrong and just being a dumbass, because I really care," Pepper assured him.

"I know and I appreciate that. I like it when you do that, it's hot when people are smart. But…I don't find Peter hot," he explained.

"Really? I doubt that. A lot of people find Peter hot."

"Peppperrrrrr," Tony started to whine and ungracefully slumped on the bed like a child,

She put her hands up as if in surrender. "Don't get me wrong, Tony. You're quite the handsome fella yourself," she said and kissed him on the cheek.

"Damn straight," he grumbled. "And who cares if he's amazing? I'm invincible."

"They also call him spectacular."

He abruptly got off the bed. "That's it! I am sleeping with Bruce!"

Pepper couldn't help but giggle. "I thought you guys were already intimate." Tony just muttered profanities. "Love you, babe!"

"Yeah, yeah I know. Love you too, you heartless meanie," he muttered. He walked in the hall way and knocked on guest room door that Bruce was staying in.

"Go away, Tony."

So much for sleeping with Bruce. "It's science related."

Bruce couldn't say no to that. He opened the door. He was still wearing his sweater and jeans. Tony raised an eyebrow. "I don't really sleep that often," he explained. "The Other Guy tends to bring bad juju into my dreams and well, I get angry. And—"

"I won't like you when you're angry, I know. Say no more, been there, done that. Anxiety is some bullshit. And I like you when you're angry, actually. You seem more…outgoing. I just don't like it when you smash me."

"I like it. So what science-related thing are you here for?"

Tony thought about why he was actually there. "Do you find me attractive?"

Bruce sighed and seemed to ponder this. "You're not my type," he concluded. Tony's shoulders slumped. "So what science thing were you talking about?"

"I need to figure out The Mandarin's technology. It's unlike anything I've ever seen before. I'm going to have to get a sample from a decoy suit. He teleported last fight, right? I have to figure that out as well. But there's no way we could ever get a sample from that…"

"Why don't you have Peter swing up close and get a look?" Bruce suggested.

Tony groaned. "Parker? If anything, I was gonna have Rhodes do it."

"Come on Tony," Bruce chided. "Grow up. We're the Avengers. Gotta save the world and junk."

Tony stopped. "Is Spider-Man an Avenger?"

"Yes," Bruce answered. "Yes he is. Well…not officially. We could always recruit him."

They could. Tony had to admit, Spider-Man would be a great addition to the team. "I'll think about it."

"You'll recruit him; he's the only chance we got against The Mandarin."

"Alright, I'll do it. But I have to tinker with that teleportation device. If I can control it…" Tony put his thinking cap on and gracefully rubbed his goatee. He came up with an absurd conclusion. "I have to do it."

"Do what? Go back to bed?"

"No. I have to challenge him."

"Tony, last time you challenged a bad guy, your house blew up," he pointed out.

"So? I have the money to get a new one," he said cockily. "A better one. With a better view. Damn that's impossible, it had the best view. But I still have to do it."

"And didn't you endanger Pepper's life?" Tony felt a knife twist his insides at his words.

"When do I not endanger her life?" Tony asked, suddenly feeling self-hatred replace his massive ego.

"Sorry, that was rude." Bruce immediately regretted his words. "I guess we all kinda endanger the lives of our loved ones doing this. I know I shouldn't be talking."

"You'd catch her," Tony muttered.

"I caught you and I bruised you internally and left an ugly mark. I don't think I would do that to Pepper. And well, Pepper isn't a damsel in distress. She kicks ass and runs a business."

"But I do the same."

"She kicks ass and runs a business efficiently," Bruce corrected. Ouch.

Tony shook his head. "No respect," he sighed. "I have a plan. Like, at least 12 percent of one."

"Lay it on me," Bruce said, leaning back against the wall.

"If I challenge the Mandarin, he'll know it's a trap. He knows I have backup, wherever I'm at. So I have to separate myself from you guys. He'll come after me because I'll piss him off. He'll have no choice. I'll draw him away from you guys, and we'll get an up close look at that little teleportation device of his."

"We?" Bruce asked.

Tony sighed. "It's only logical that I bring Parker with me. I'll complain the whole time though."

Bruce smiled. "Guess we'll have to tell Parker the plan."

Peter was excited to fight alongside Iron Man, to say the least. He practically jumped into his Spider-Man suit. He put on his mask triumphantly. "I'm ready!"

Tony sighed. "I need my coffee first."

After Tony got his necessary cup of caffeine, the somewhat dynamic duo was off to defeat the Mandarin.