XXV.
"Welcome home Sir, your opening ceremony and Senate hearing were a smashing success. It's wonderful to see you showing off your intellect rather than your body." Tony smirked as he went to check his blood levels, "I do have a great body but Bruce is too shy for that." In all honesty, he didn't know what would phase Bruce, the man was unflappable.
17% saturation. Not great but not bad either. It hasn't climbed in a while. His core was nearly due for a reset though. A few choice keys and a sharp press of his thumb in a remote location on his desk and a click was heard. Putting together the whole sneaky system was a pain but ultimately fun to do. Tony had a few scattered around the house in out of the way places in ways only he could (hopefully) open regardless of where he was in case of emergency. And to think, he was going to put his extra palladium cores in a cigar box. Bruce was adamant that not happen, they were just cores Tony didn't see the problem. The things he did for his roommate.
"I have run simulations on every known element, every combination of elements, and every proportion of combinations of all known elements. Based on the scanning results from Sir Bruce's MediChamber, none are a suitable replacement, Sir."
Figures. "Well, this sucks."
"Quite Sir," there was a moment of shared depression all around when JARVIS notes that Pepper was close by. "Ms. Potts is approaching," he intoned, Tony saw that she looked worn out and was that a sniffle? Of course, she was sick. Why wouldn't Murphy's Law kick him when he was down? She didn't look too pissed, more tired than anything so at least there was that.
"Mind telling me why you donated all of your old inventions?" For one they were just lying around picking up dust and nothing in them were important.
"It was either that or my art collection." Her frown which wasn't focused on him quickly became the trademark 'Tony I am upset with you' frown.
"You mean the art collection I near handpicked myself?" Her pretty red eyebrows furrowed. Oh, he dodged a bullet there. Actually, the art was next on his list but now he couldn't very well get rid of it now could he? He was trying to make his people less distraught with his death not piss them off before he went. Tony shrugged. She gave one last deep frown before letting out a breath and changing the subject. "The expo was a huge waste of money."
Tony fiddled with the hand sanitizer he kept in his pocket, "I think it'll work more down the line," he wanted to leave something good of him behind. "Tony," she starts before raising her hand to her mouth, was that a sneeze coming on? A flicker of panic set in, he had to get her to wear a mask or something. Tony edged away ready to say that very thing when Bruce interjected,
That will only incense her, try suggesting she looks unwell and to go home and rest.
It couldn't hurt, and if it didn't work then he'd tell her to wear a mask. "Maybe we should do this some other time, cause Peps, you don't look so hot. Why don't you go home and take a nap or at least take some medicine? I probably have some around here somewhere." She stops mid-rant, for a moment she just stood there gobsmacked. Something about that irritated him, was him saying that such a surprise?
Recovering she states lowly, "I can't go home and rest I have too much to do, what with you going off and doing whatever the hell you've been doing." It occurs to him that she's doing all the stuff Obadiah used to do on top of her own job. Well, no time like the present to give a present.
"I see your point. Alright, then I hereby appoint you CEO of Stark Industries." He made sure to use his serious face so she knew he was indeed serious. For the second time that day she stood shocked. "I, wait, you what?"
Tony snapped his fingers as Butterfingers came baring champagne, chilled and ready for them to partake in. He's been waiting to do this since he decided a while back. "You, my trusted and beloved Pepper are now CEO of SI." She held her glass with confused wonder. "I've given it a lot of thought after Obie did what he did and I created the Iron Man suit I realized I couldn't run the company and do everything else I need, and want to do."
She watched him through his words with a weighing stare. "I couldn't very well leave it to anyone else. I mean who better to run it than you? I mean look at you! You're already doing it, you just aren't being paid the proper amount is all." He reached for the bottle and popped it open, "Congratulations," he poured them some drinks.
"I don't know what to say," she murmured still sending him a critical stare. Tony snorted into his glass.
"Pah! Say? Don't say anything just drink." This day turned out to be not so bad. He'd have to cleanse the rooms but it was worth it see the astounded look on her face.