Chapter 10: Constant - Theme 066

Series: Tight Coupling

Rating: PG

Word Count: 1329

Summary: God, he could really go for a Jamocha shake right about now.

Disclaimer: Not mine. sigh

A/N: I am so sorry about the delay. Real life has been a bit too real lately. I've got the next couple of chapters planned so updates should be a bit better. Major massive thank you's to everyone reading and reviewing. Y'all are wonderful!

The picture Tony Stark was currently making was actually a very familiar one: the crisp suit with a rumpled tie, his hair slightly tousled, and tumbler in his hands. And actually, if anyone cared to look closer, they might have noticed that his eyes were brighter and more focused than previous and the liquid in the tumbler was in fact, club soda. However, the crowd at the event was whispering about him as usual, however instead of the tried and true gossip about his billions or his bedmates, the gossip consisted of his ability to now fly about in a metal suit.

However, as a veteran of these such gatherings (he was currently attending an anniversary gala at one of Stark Industries sister companies, well, he thought that was where he was. Pepper had dragged him away from the suit two hours earlier and threw him into the car and then Happy drove. Actually for all he knew he may not even be in California anymore.) he knew that the speculation would continue no matter how many press releases went out and no matter how many times he avoided the casual, but not really, questions from people. So he did what Tony Stark did best.

He teased. He flirted. He never gave definite answers to questions and just kept smiling. And counting the minutes until he could escape back to his workshop. Tony's left Jarvis in charge of modifying one of the GPS systems and wanted to get home to test it out. He glanced at his watch and rolled his eyes when he realized that he had at least thirty minutes to go.

Tony sipped his drink and really wished he could have talked Pepper or Rhodey into attending. He surveyed the crowd and came to three conclusions.

1. He was pretty sure that the blonde at the bar was very willing to let him find if she was a natural blonde.
2. He really was pretty sure that the new calibrations on the suit would allow him to fly for at least three times longer than he was currently flying.
And...
3. The loud group of businessmen to his left were talking about Stark Industries and not in completely glowing terms.

Tony downed the rest of his club soda and sauntered over. He kept his face deliberately open and blank as he subtly joined the circle of men. As he expected the gentlemen just moved aside and while they all recognized him, only a few looked uncomfortable at being caught badmouthing Stark Industries. The rest just kept talking.

"Well, Stan over at Davies and Davies says they're never going to recover from last year," a small man with an unfortunate orange bow-tie was saying. "They've been supplying Stark Industries for over a decade now and their contract was terminated three months ago. Not to mention all their shares that they lost."

Bow-tie's eyes flicked over to Tony's and then away.

"Like I said," he continued. "Who knows what they'll do now."

"What do you think Stark?" a large man with a red face asked. "Plenty of folks lost out on Stark Industries this year."

"Well, yes," Tony said. "Of course they did. Nature of the beast and all that gentlemen. Of course, some companies may have done worse than others," Tony deliberately looked Bow-tie in the eyes. "And this was despite the rather large commissions and recommendations they might have received on behalf of their long-standing relationship with Stark Industries, which if handled responsibly would have carried them through any downturn the stock market may have thrown at them."

Tony smirked at the man who was slowly reddening in the face.

"They aren't the only ones who've lost out Mr Stark," Bow-tie replied. "A number of companies expected to do well this year and Stark Industries has let them down."

"Well, that's the risk everyone takes in the business world, I'm surprised I'd have to remind you of this fellas," Tony said.

"There are a few people that are upset at more than just stock numbers Stark," the red-faced man said with narrowed eyes. "Obadiah has been greatly missed these last few months."

The smirk on Tony's face froze.

"Yes, he certainly has been... missed," Tony said quietly.

"In fact, his disappearance was rather, inopportune," red-face continued. "If the circumstances weren't so, ah, tragic, you might say folks were mighty upset with Obie."

"Well, they're not the only ones," Tony said in a fake bright voice. He felt his phone vibrate in his jacket pocket. He fished it out. Pepper's face flashed at him. "If you'll excuse me."

Tony walked away quickly and answered the phone.

"Potts, you have timing worthy of Rolex," Tony said as he headed towards an empty alcove.

"That bad Mr Stark?" Pepper remarked.

"Worse," Tony said. "I forget, am I supposed to be angry, sad or flippant about the death of Obidiah Stane? I honestly can't remember anymore."

There was a slight pause, then Pepper said softly, "I think you can be any of the above Tony. Maybe even a few others for good measure."

Tony closed his eyes and smiled a little. "Good answer Miss Potts."

He heard a sigh of relief on the other end and Tony cleared his throat.

"So, what's up?" he asked.

"Well, Jarvis thought you'd like to know that the modifications are finished on the suit," she said briskly. "And..."

Tony waited.

"And..?" he prompted.

"And I figured you could use an interruption right about now," she said. "Call it assistant's intuition."

"Well, thank you Miss Potts," Tony said. "Actually I've got a job for you. I need you to get me the complete guest list of everyone here and cross reference it with any companies Stark Industries may have done business with in the last 20 years."

"Of course, may I ask why?" she asked.

"Just curious. Can you also check to see how many of those companies have lost a substantial amount of money in the last year?" Tony went on.

"Lost money... As a result of Stark Industries or just in general?" Pepper said.

"Clever girl. Both actually," Tony said. "Oh and get the geek squad in Accounting to send me the latest stock forecasts."

"Don't call them that. Do I need to remind you that I used to work for the geek squad?" Pepper told him.

"Oooh, did you wear horn-rimmed glasses?" he asked.

"No," she said.

"Pocket protector?" he tried again.

"I don't think anyone's worn a pocket protector since 1995," Pepper informed him.

"You're single-handedly destroying all my fantasies here Potts," Tony said. "Humor me and say that Excel turns you on."

"Well, I have always liked managing assets," she said.

Tony laughed out loud.

"Pepper Potts," he admonished. "Just when I think I've got you figured out."

"Stark!" a voice called.

Tony turned to look as a very tall Southern CEO that was hosting the event headed his way.

"Stark! I need you to settle a bet for these folks over here!" he called.

"Be right there Charlie!" Stark called back. He lowered his voice. "I'm being summoned by Foghorn Leghorn. Look call me again in five minutes with an emergency and get me out of here."

"An emergency? What kind of emergency?" Pepper asked sounding far too amused.

"Anything! Flash flood, earthquake, rampaging moose," he said quickly.

"Wow. We're actually talking rampaging moose level of badness are we?" she replied.

"Yes! Call me back!" Tony said before snapping his phone shut.

He headed towards the crowd Charlie had around him, wishing, and not for the first time, that they served chocolate milkshakes or Red Bull. If he had to go without alcohol, a healthy stimulant would be a welcome substitute. God, he could really go for a Jamocha shake right about now.

He pasted a grin on his face as he joined the group and muttered to himself, "Come on Potts, save my ass again."

It wasn't more than two minutes later that the people standing next to him jumped when his phone vibrated loudly against the metal of the arc reactor. The crowd at large was then taken aback at the huge smile that broke across his face when he answered and then again at the way he practically skipped out of the room on what he labeled an emergency.

Apparently Iron Man was needed to help an escaped animal from the zoo.