Allie

III

The house is surrounded by emergency rescue and news reporters.

I stand alone at the edge looking down at submerged wreckage of Tony's home.

On the surface the half-burnt rabbit stuffed animal floats along.

"We should go."

I barely hear Maya's voice, I'm too focused on all the chaos.

Gabie and Tony are missing.

I can't feel Gabie, she must be unconscious.

Before my feet sits a cracked Iron Man helmet.

Bedding down slowly I pick up the ruined relic.

On the inside there's a small flashing red light and a quiet beeping noise emanates from it.

Curiously I place the helmet on my head and it locks into place.

"Allie, it's me."

I gasp in shock and relief, the heavy feeling in my chest quickly dissipating. Tony is alive and he is okay.

"I've got a lot of apologies to make and not a lot of time. So first off, I'm so sorry I put you in harm's way. That was selfish and stupid and it won't happen again. Also, it's Christmas time, and I should be more honest with you as well as try harder to get along with Natasha and Steve. Done. Sorry. And I'm sorry in advance because...I can't come home yet. I need to find this guy. You gotta stay safe. That's all I know."

Tears well in my eyes, but I understand the reasoning.

"Gabie is safe and she's with me so don't worry."

Another wave of relief rushes over me, Gabie is alive.

"I just stole a poncho from a wooden Indian."

I chuckle at the thought and in my mind I can see him smirk.

No more words follow after his remark and I frown.

There's a tap on my shoulder that makes me jump in fear and rip the helmet from my face.

"Police are showing up, they are going to ask questions," Maya hisses and I nod. "We can take my car." She pulls my from the site and guides me to her car.

"There's a nearby hotel we can go to," I offer. "Just drive North."

III

Gabie

III

The voice belongs to a young boy holding a potato gun. Tony instantly puts his hands up while I direct my hand to the boy.

"You got me. Nice potato gun. Barrel's a little long. Between that and the wide gauge, it's gonna diminish your FPS," Tony rambles making the boy frown. In defiance he shoots the gun at a glass on the shelf above Tony. It shatters making the boy beam in pride. "And now you're out of ammo."

The curly-haired blonde boy shrugs and lowers the toy weapon.

"What's that thing on your chest?" he questions and approaches Tony.

"Kid stranger danger," I point out and he shrugs again. The boy places his toy on the desk and squints at Tony's chest.

"It's an electromagnet. You should know, you've got a box of them right here," Tony replies and gestures to the box of gadgets.

"What does it power?"

Tony leans to the side and points the desk light at the suit on the couch.

"Oh my God!" he exclaims with wide eyes. "That...that's... Is that Iron Man?"

"Technically, I am," Tony responds as the boy walks closer to the suit. "And that is my good friend Quiver over there." The boys gaze snaps towards me and he gapes.

"Tony! Secret identity much!" I growl. "Not to mention we aren't friends, I am actually actively trying to kill you."

"But you guys are on the same team!" the boy exclaims in a worried voice and I pause. I'm making a very bad impression on this kid.

"I'm kidding, Iron Man and I are great friends," I lie and he believes me.

"I'm sure this nice boy can keep a secret," Tony assures. "He would have figured it out anyway and he's right technically we are on the same team."

"Technically, you're both dead," the boy chimes in and presses a newspaper to Tony's chest. My anger diffuses, I do not want to have a screaming march in front of this kid.

Standing I go over to Tony and peer at the paper from over his shoulder.

The newspaper has our pictures with the headline 'Mandarin Attack: Stark and Trent presumed dead.'

"A valid point," Tony mutters.

"Oh yeah I forgot to tell you about that at the gas station," I muse and Tony frowns.

"Forgot to tell me that we're dead?"

"Hey it's been a long day," I retort.

"What happened to him?" the boy inquires suddenly making us both look away from the paper. He is sitting next to the suit and gazing at the armor.

"Life." I snort at Tony's response but the boy frowns so Tony adds more. "I built him, I take care of him. I'll fix him."

"Like a mechanic?" the kid concludes.

"Yeah."

"Oh. If I was building Iron Man and War Machine-"

"It's Iron Patriot now," Tony interjects prettily and I elbow him. He has to act more mature around children.

"That's way cooler!"

"No, it's not," Tony disagrees but it barely dampens the childlike enthusiasm.

"Matter of opinion Stark," I hiss.

"Anyways, I would have added in um... the retro..."

"Retro reflective panels?" Tony finishes and the boy nods rapidly.

"To make him stealth mode," he says and I smile.

"That's clever," I compliment.

"You want a stealth mode?" Tony inquires rhetorically.

"Cool, right?"

"That's actually a good idea. Maybe I'll build one," Tony admits and the boy lights up.

As the kid examines the suit he accidentally pulls off one of the fingers.

"Oops!"

"Not a good idea! What are you doing? You're gonna break his finger? He's in pain, he's been injured. Leave him alone," Tony scolds making the boy shrink back.

"He didn't mean to," I defend sharply.

"Sorry," he mumbles.

"Tony," I say in a warning tone and glare at the mechanic.

"Are you? Don't worry about it, I'll fix it," Tony mutters and gives a half smile. Sometimes Tony Stark can be so awkward and other times so charismatic. "So, uh, who's home?"

"Well, my mom already left for the diner and dad went to 7-Eleven to get scratchers. I guess he won, 'cause that was six years ago," the boy responds sardonically.

If Allie were here she'd have an empath melt down.

"Mm. Which happens, dads leave. No need to be a pussy about it."

"Tony!" I snap but he continues without care.

"Here's what I need: a laptop, a digital watch, a cell phone, the pneumatic actuator from your bazooka over there, a map of town, a big spring, and a tuna fish sandwich."

"What's in it for me?" the kid demands.

"Salvation. What's his name?" Tony returns and I groan. For Christ's sake he's dragging a child into this.

"Who?"

"The kid that bullies you at school, what's his name?" Tony elaborates and I shake my head.

"How did I get here," I grumble to myself.

"How'd you know that?" the boy fires back.

"I got just the thing." Tony presses the arm of the shit and a compartment opens up. He pulls out a shiny metal tube-like object and holds it out to the boy.

"This is a piñata for a cricket." The boy seems unconvinced. "I'm kidding, it's a very powerful weapon. Point it away from your face, press the button on top. It discourages bullying."

"Tony you're giving him a weapon! Have you never spoken to a kid before!" I exclaim in exasperation. "Tony Stark you will be the death of me."

"It's non-lethal, just to cover one's ass," Stark responds and I roll my eyes for the trillionth time.

"Again with the swearing," I mutter.

"Deal? Deal? What'd you say?" Tony prompts as he holds the weapon out of the boys grasping reach.

"Deal," the boy agrees as he marvels at the 'non-weapon.'

"Deal," Tony confirms and gives him the tune. "What's your name?"

"Harley. And you're..." Harley trails off while looking at Tony.

"The mechanic."

"He's Tony and I'm Gabie," I introduce for him. Tony gives me a pouty look and I scoff. "You are not doing any of that 'you know who I am' crap right now Stark."

Tony glowers at me then turns and begins staring at Harley for a minute before speaking again.

"You know what keeps going through my head? Where's my sandwich?"

"Tony don't be rude!"