Day: 126 - December 21, 2011
(two weeks after random feature part two, two weeks before the great pretender)
Bryn parked her bicycle on the parking pad, tugging off her helmet and hanging it on the wall. She made a face as she turned back to the bike to empty the bins. The sound of Alice Cooper belting out Santa Claws is Coming to Town, reverberated through the garage, the smell of engine grease stinging her nose as she hefted a pair of bags and headed back down the ramp.
"Hey Mr. Stark," she called out over the noise, she drew in a breath as the music softened and she sighed in relief as Stark looked up from the antique motorcycle he was currently toying with. "Jarvis asked me to restock you."
"Yeah, great," Tony nodded, grasping his screwdriver between his teeth and waving his free hand in the direction of the tiny kitchenette in the far corner of the tool racks. Bryn hid her smile, dumping the bags on the counter.
"Tricking out Steve's bike again?" she asked curiously as she loaded sodas into the door of the mini fridge.
"Yeah, well he and Jarvis won't let me trick out yours," Stark declared sourly. "Have to have something to do with my time."
"I thought you'd be packing," Bryn observed, looking surprised as she stowed energy bars and dried fruit in the cupboard.
"Packing?" Tony looked over his shoulder at her with a perplexed frown. His face screwed up in a thoughtful expression. "Packing?" he repeated.
"You know… how you sick your stuff in a suitcase for your trip tomorrow," Bryn supplied giving him a sidelong look.
"Oh god, is that how normal people travel?" he asked in horror. Bryn nodded looking confused.
"Jarvis?" he asked.
"Christmas presents for your team members and their guests arrived via FedEx at the lodge in Aspen, this morning" Jarvis related. "Housekeeping has stocked the customary toiletries and are scheduled to take delivery of appropriate clothing choices for the local climate this afternoon." Stark gave a nod of satisfaction.
"All packed," he announced returning his attention to the motorcycle. Bryn gave her head a shake as if to clear it.
"You buy all new clothes for a vacation?" Bryn asked, her eyes wide with disbelief. Stark gave a grunt of assent.
"If Colorado has to deal with a house full of neurotic superheroes at Christmas, seems the least I can do is compensate the local economy," he declared.
"Okay," Bryn allowed, nodding as she folded up the empty canvas shopping bags. "What happens to the clothes when you come home?"
"Charity," Stark answered with a shrug, then seemed to think about it, "Not sure. Jarvis?"
"Casual attire is scheduled for donation to a homeless shelter in Denver," Jarvis replied succinctly. "Formal wear for the Christmas eve party is to be donated to an organization that outfits underprivileged students for the prom. Skiing equipment and accessories are to go to a youth athletic program." Stark seemed to consider this a moment.
"Neat," he declared before returning his attention to the Captain's motorcycle, twisting down to fiddle with something under the gas tank.
"That's, that's really generous of you, Mr. Stark," Bryn stated, a bit awed. Tony let out a dismissive huff. She crossed the garage, holding out the last ice coffee and Stark took it from her without comment. "No, really it is. It's great that you're taking your team on vacation for Christmas too, I know Clint really appreciates it, it's been a bad year for him. But I'm really glad Steve's not spending Christmas in New York, so it's really good you're doing that for him."
"I.. what now?" Tony asked his eyes narrowing as he drew his head out from under the bike and opened the bottle.
"Well, this is his first Christmas… here," Bryn shrugged a bit helplessly "I mean, I've been spending some time with him, not a lot, but enough to notice he's, well he's kind of a little bit depressed. I mean, who wouldn't be? He wakes up and his friends are all gone, his neighborhood, even the place on the corner where he used to buy bread, they're not there any more. Guy saves the world and his is just completely wiped off the map, has to screw with your head a little." Stark stared at her, his brow knitted, the lines around his eyes creasing as he took a swig of his coffee.
"You know, Ms. Marshall, sometimes I really don't know what to make of you," he admitted.
"Sorry sir," she answered, her cheeks turning pink as she ducked her head, heading back toward her office.
"He's… Ms. Marshall?" She stopped and turned back as Tony's voice trailed off. His shoulders rose as he drew in a slow breath and he gave her a serious look. "Any chance he's a danger to himself?"
"I…" Bryn bit her lip, hesitating. "I'm not sure, I don't think so. When he has stuff to do, people to spend time with, he seems happier… well maybe not happy exactly, but not so sad." Stark nodded slowly.
"He drives me nuts," Tony admitted, wincing. Bryn's face broke in a grin that she tried to hide and his eyes narrowed at her.
"It's just…" she paused as if choosing her words carefully. "Well he was friends with your father, right?" Tony nodded stiffly.
"You're like the only connection he has to his old life," Bryn pointed out. "Every time he complains about you, he complains that you're going to get yourself killed. I think he's maybe a little scared of losing the only familiar thing he has left." Tony stared at her with a blank, bemused expression.
"Get back to work before Jarvis threatens me again, Marshall," he ordered curtly, jerking his head toward the storage doors before returning his attention to the motorcycle.
"Yes sir," she nodded, retreating across the garage.
"I'm a bit worried about Captain Rogers myself," Jarvis admitted hesitantly as the storage doors slid shut, effectively muffling the sounds of heavy metal Christmas in the garage. "I'd rather hoped he might have grown more comfortable by now."
"He doesn't smile much," Bryn observed, folding up on the couch with a sigh. "I mean, he has a great smile when he's out in public, I just don't see it much otherwise. I was really worried about Clint there at first, but he doesn't seem as bad now. He's not okay but he's getting there. I'm not so sure about Steve, I don't think he's alright."
"I wish I could see people the way you do," Jarvis lamented, the faintest hint of longing in his tone. "My job is to anticipate and provide. I've always managed to anticipate Mr. Stark, but I look at the others and sometimes I'm overwhelmed. Most of the time I'm not even sure about their emotional states, not the way you are."
"I don't do anything special," Bryn protested.
"Perhaps you just don't see it that way," Jarvis chided gently. "You're very good with people and you make it seem effortless. For those of us who struggle with social interaction it's very remarkable indeed." Bryn's cheeks flushed and she ducked her head, drawing one knee to her chest.
"Most of it's mom," She related with a fond smile. "She was great with people, really great. She always told me to look at people when they talk, really look, not just listen."
"I'm not always certain how to interpret what I see," Jarvis admitted. "I suppose I'm still clinging to the notion that it will become easier as I grow older." Bryn's brow wrinkled in a thoughtful frown.
"Jarvis, how old are you?" she blanched almost immediately. "You know what? That was really rude, don't answer that."
"I don't mind telling you, Bryn," he replied, his tone tinged with amusement. "I'm twenty-four."
"Hell no!" she declared in surprise. She blushed instantly, grinning. "Wow, it's just, you come off as a lot older than that. Did you come to work for Mr. Stark right out of Super British Butler School or something?"
"You're not too far off the mark," Jarvis replied drily. "But I never attended Butler School." Bryn gave the security camera in the corner a knowing look even though she had no way of knowing if Jarvis was actually watching.
"You're an easy guy to like, Jarvis," Bryn offered gently. "you're considerate and that's really rare these days. Maybe if you're not so good at reading people you should just offer to listen. A lot of times people will tell you what they need if they feel it's safe to let their guard down."
"I'll consider it," he replied seriously. "I believe that was the last of the errands, you're more than welcome to take off early to prepare for the Stark Industries Christmas party tonight if you'd like."
"Jarvis, am I going to see you the party?" she asked.
"No, you won't," he replied softly.
"The whole socializing thing is really a problem for you, isn't it?" Bryn asked, her brow furrowed in concern.
"If it's any consolation, I've never felt lonely," Jarvis declared. "I can understand why others enjoy these sorts of gatherings, I simply don't share in that enjoyment."
"That's fair," Bryn nodded, standing to her feet and opening her locker to remove a garment bag. "I'm kind of looking forward to it, Tasha helped me pick out a really good dress. Can you believe she does almost all her clothes shopping online?"
"She values efficiency," Jarvis remarked. "One more thing." the dumbwaiter opened and Bryn hooked the garment bag over the locker door, shifting to see a flat square box, neatly wrapped in red and gold paper with a large red bow.
"Aww, Jarvis!" she protested. "I didn't get you anything."
"I would really prefer that you not, Bryn," Jarvis insisted. "This is a small token of thanks from myself and the Avengers for everything you've done. Reciprocation would hardly be warranted." Bryn lifted the box out of the dumbwaiter, giving the end of the bow a gentle tug as she grinned.
"I don't know what to say," she admitted.
"Please open it," Jarvis encouraged. Bryn set the box on the table, tugging the wrapping free.
"You can not tell Agent Barton until after Christmas," he cautioned as an afterthought. "Mr. Stark's gift to him came from the same source."
"Avengers Monopoly?" Bryn gaped, her fingers caressing the sides of the box. "Jarvis this is amazing! I didn't even know these existed."
"They technically do not, yet," Jarvis admitted. "This is a prototype from the toy line for next Christmas. They will be on the market in September."
"This is…" Bryn's face broke in a wide grin. "Mr. Stark must have really pulled in some favors for this."
"It was actually quite easy to acquire in light of Mr. Stark's most recent subsidiary purchase,"
"Purchase?" Bryn's eyes were wide like saucers. "Mr. Stark bought Hasbro?"
"Originally he only wanted to purchase the Nerf division," Jarvis admitted. "But they were unwilling to part with the property so he was forced to buy everything. In hindsight it was a very strategic move, there are now several additional Avenger's themed toy lines due for release next year. I'm sure PR will be most pleased."
"Would a Hawkeye purple Nerf bow be one of them?" She asked as she tugged the lid off of the box.
"Not a word," Jarvis warned severely. Bryn laughed, folding out the board carefully.
"Everyone signed it!" Bryn fairly glowed as her eyes skittered over each signature, finally falling on the "Hawkeye" complete with a cartoon bow and arrow. "How did Clint sign it if he doesn't know it exists?"
"Subterfuge," Jarvis answered readily. Bryn let out a delighted laugh as she pulled the tiny pewter Iron Man figure from the box.
"Jarvis this is absolutely fantastic," she stated placing the Iron Man marker on top of the square marked Avenger's Tower. "This… thank everyone for me, would you?"
"I'll be certain to mention it at Christmas morning brunch," he confirmed as she reluctantly repacked the board game."
"You know, I'm starting to see your point," Bryn admitted. "I am really thinking about blowing off this party to stay in and play board games."
"Agent Romanov is doubtless keen to see your dress," Jarvis reminded primly. Bryn pulled a face.
"Yeah, okay, you've made your point," she stated, gently tucking the board game into her locker and grabbing her backpack and garment bag. "I'm going up to the gym to get a shower."
"Enjoy your evening," he replied sincerely.
"Hey Jarvis," she smiled at the security camera as she reached for the door. "If I don't talk to you before… Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Bryn," he replied. Her smile brightened as she slipped out the door.
Note:
The chapter references events at Christmas that were mentioned in passing in Chapter 5 of If the Night Runs Over