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Previously: After the opening of the Stark Expo, Tony was called to Washington D.C. for a hearing in front of the Senate and Ed was offered a place to stay with the Parkers.
May 8th, 2010 – Queens, New York
I flopped onto the floor of the Parker's living room, next to the coffee table where I had deposited my breakfast of eggs, toast, coffee and, most importantly, bacon.
Even though I had thought the offer was only for the night, the family insisted I could stay for as long I wanted and managed to convince me with the wonderful smells of breakfast.
So, here I was, on a rainy Saturday morning, eating amongst the Parker family in their living room, in front of the television as we waited for the hearing to start.
All while I was in borrowed sweatpants and a loose t-shirt they had given to me the night before to sleep in.
They were a very persistent family.
"You don't think Mr. Stark will lose his suit, do you?" wondered Peter, readjusting his glasses for the umpteenth time from his spot on the sofa behind me as he ate his own breakfast from the plate on his lap.
"He'll most likely manage to talk his way out of it," I answered just before stuffing a large bite of toast and eggs into my mouth. I was almost trying to convince myself at that point too because stuffing my mouth with food was a good way to avoid answering any more tough questions… I didn't even know how all this was going to work…
This was all new to me and was mostly lost in what the proceeding would be. I didn't feel comfortable that morning to call Pepper either to explain it to me: she had enough on her plate as it was…
Therefore… I was just as much in the dark as everyone else.
One thing I was sure of was that it was going to be interesting. It was Tony after all and he wasn't going to give up his Iron Man suit without a fight whether it be physical or verbal.
"It may be an uphill battle but I don't think it's anything Mr. Stark hasn't faced before," added Ben as he took a seat in an armchair, coffee mug at hand. "He does fly around in that suit of his fighting off bad guys regularly."
"He's a real like superhero!" cheered Peter, sounding a little better than before.
"Exactly," agreed Ben with a smile. "He had a power and he's using it for good. Remember what I always say?"
Peter sat a little straighter as he recited, "With great power comes great responsibility."
"Perfect," said Ben, leaning back in his armchair. "The Senate has to see that side of the coin as well."
I just kept eating. If this government was like the one in Amestris or it if hadn't really changed since the 1940s, I somewhat had my doubts that it would be so easy. However, I kept those darker views to myself. I was going to let those positive thoughts be the lasting ones without adding my rain clouds over them.
Besides, those words Peter recited held of lot of meaning.
"Alright, everyone, show's about to start," said May, taking a seat on the sofa next to her nephew, increasing the volume on the television. "Ed, are you sure you don't want to –?"
"'m fine," I mumbled, my mouth half full with food. "Thanks."
She sent me a look but thankfully dropped it. She had already asked a few times to have me sit somewhere more comfortable but I truly was fine eating on the floor, next to the coffee table.
"… please? Mr. Stark, please?"
On the television, on top of the almost annoying voice of an unknown man, there was several hits of a gavel. The camera was focusing on Tony who was looking back at the large audience. I could just make out Pepper amidst the sea of people in suits and badges, some people even in their military uniforms.
The room was so full that there were also others standing along the wall and I was guessing they were reporters and observers equally. The cameras on some gave it away…
"Mr. Stark."
Tony finally turned around, almost smiling cheekily. "Yes, dear?"
I bit back a snort at that response.
The camera panned to a series of raised desks set up in front of the room where an exasperated man put down a gavel and asked, "Can I have your attention?"
Tony just smiled. "Absolutely."
I took a deep breath, reaching for my coffee mug, already having a feeling that this might be more difficult than planned if Tony was already going to piss off the man who seemed to be in charge.
Not that I would have done any differently though. I just knew this would be an uphill battle…
"Do you or do you not possess a specialized weapon?" asked the man with the annoying voice that the message on the television labelled him as Senator Stern.
"I do not," replied Tony easily.
"You do not?" repeated Stern and I groaned, my dislike for this man already growing.
"I do not. Well, it depends on how you define the word 'weapon'," clarified Tony with a shrug. I sensed there may be a double meaning to his use of the word 'weapon' and I shuddered, unamused.
"The Iron Man suit."
"My device does not fit that description."
Ben hummed from his seat, muttering, "That could be a good loophole."
"Well, how would you describe it?" wondered Stern.
Tony didn't miss a beat, almost cutting the man off. "I would describe it by defining it as what it is, Senator."
I just stared at my coffee at this point. Tony and his mouth…
"As…?"
"It's a high-tech prosthesis," answered Tony which actually resulted in some chuckles from the crowd. "That… That's actually the most apt description I can make of it."
"Would that excuse work?" whispered Peter nervously but none of us had an answer for him.
"It's a weapon. It's a weapon, Mr. Stark. If you –"
"Please, if you're priority was actually the well-being of the American citizen then –"
"My priority is to get the Iron Man weapon turned over to the people of the United States of America," stated Stern with finality.
Oh boy… The pleasantries seem to be over then…
Tony had almost managed to turn the tables on the conversation but Stern used his possible experience in politics and brought the subject right back…
"Well, you can forget about it," almost snapped Tony. Yes, the pleasantries were definitely over… "I am Iron Man. The suit and I are one. To turn over the Iron Man suit would be to turn over myself, which is tantamount to indentured servitude or prostitution, depending on what state you're in." His remark caused more chuckles from the audience and… I had to admit, a smirk from me. May, however, sighed, shaking her head.
"You can't have it," repeated Tony.
"Look, I'm no expert –"
"In prostitution?" interrupted Tony almost too loudly. "Of course not! You're a Senator, come on!"
That had the crowd laughing and Tony even turned around to face them. I was sure he was looking at Pepper's reaction. I was also sure that said reaction would not be one of amusement.
That, Pepper and May had in common.
"Is this going well? I can't tell," said Peter slowly, his voice wavering slightly.
"It… It had the possibility of going better," said Ben, trying to reassure his nephew.
"I'm no expert in weapons," corrected Stern as he tried to keep calm. "We have somebody who is an expert on weapons. I'd now like to call Justin Hammer, our current primary weapons contractor."
Another man was taking a seat in front of the row of Senators and the message on the television wrote 'Justin Hammer, CEO of Hammer Industries, DOD Primary Systems Contractor'.
"He took over the government contracts after Stark Industries stopped producing weapons," explained Ben, mainly to Peter but that was news to me as well.
With that background information, I was pretty sure this Hammer character wasn't exactly going to be on Tony's side. They had been competitors on a really expensive contract…
"Let the record reflect," began Tony, "that I observed Mr. Hammer entering the chamber and I am wondering if and when any actual expert will also be in attendance."
Oh, and Tony wasn't on his side either.
"This'll be interesting," I mumbled, taking a gulp of coffee as a murmur went through the crowd.
Hammer forced a chuckle, raising his water glass towards Tony. "Absolutely, I'm no expert. I defer to you, Anthony."
"Anthony?" I repeated in confusion. No one called Tony 'Anthony'. I had nearly forgotten that that was his full first name…
"You're the wonder boy," continued Hammer, standing and grabbing his microphone to walk around the table. "Senator, if I may. I may well not be an expert but you know who was the expert? Your dad."
He even had the audacity to smirk as he eyed Tony.
"Bastard," I muttered under my breath in German.
"What'd you say, Ed?" asked Peter and I jumped slightly, not thinking that he had heard me.
"Don't repeat it," I quickly added, glancing towards Ben and May and sending an apologetic look at them.
"Howard Stark," continued Hammer. "Really a father to us all, and to the military-industrial age." My grip on my coffee mug tightened, noticing that Tony was growing more uncomfortable as Hammer went on with his speech. "Let's just be clear. He was no flower child. He was a lion. We all know why we're here. In the last six months, Anthony Stark has created a sword with untold possibilities. And yet, he insists it's a shield. He asks us to trust him as we cower behind it. I wish I was comforted, Anthony, I really do."
"His name's Tony, asshole," I grumbled, realizing just how much Hammer was antagonizing Tony with every chance he got. The name, mentioning Howard, questioning Tony's intentions and even that shield comparison…
Shield. Captain America. Steve.
Just stab after stab after stab.
And, apparently, Hammer wasn't done just yet. "I'd love to leave my door unlocked when I leave the house, but this ain't Canada. You know, we live in a world of grave threats, threats that Mr. Stark will not always be able to foresee. Thank you. God bless Iron Man. God bless America."
I had to put my mug down before I threw it at the television or even break it from my strength.
What could be seen as a silver lining in all this was that the only people clapping in that chamber at the end of Hammer's speech were the Senators.
And most were pretty hesitant.
"I don't like him," mumbled Peter softly, a sentiment echoed by the rest of us.
"That was well said, Mr. Hammer," said Stern as Hammer took a seat once again. "The committee would not like to invite Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes to the chamber."
I perked up at the name. James Rhodes? Rhodey?
Tony had the same reaction as the microphone just caught him saying, "Rhodey? What?" There was actual surprise in his face as he looked back and… it truly was Rhodey walking down the center aisle towards the front.
A murmur floated through the audience as cameras starting snapping many photographs and Tony stood, meeting Rhodey part way. They were far enough from the cameras and microphones that the conversation between them even though brief, was not broadcasted to the entire world.
"Rhodey should help Tony's case," I said slowly but I had a sense of doubt in the back of my mind. "They're friends."
"Even with his duty to the military and the government?" asked Ben slowly.
I took a deep breath, not answering that question. Rhodey was a soldier first and foremost but… Tony was his friend.
As Rhodey and Tony took their seats, Stern said, "I have before me a complete report on the Iron Man weapon, complied by Colonel Rhodes. And, Colonel, for the record, can you please read page 57, paragraph four."
"Scheiße…," I muttered before biting my tongue and turning towards Peter. "Don't repeat that either."
A complete report on the suit? How long had he been working on it? Had he mentioned it to Tony? Probably not seeing Tony's surprise and reaction.
Thankfully, Rhodey wasn't going to just blindly follow orders. "You're requesting that I read specific selections from my report, Senator?"
"Yes, Sir."
"It was my understanding that I was going to be testifying in a much more comprehensible and detailed manner," stated Rhodey calmly, standing his ground. Oh… He would probably have helped Tony's case but…
The Senator, on the other hand,… I hadn't thought it he could look slimier but he still managed… "I understand," stated Stern. "A lot of things have changed today. So, if you could just –"
"You do understand that reading a single paragraph out of context does not reflect the summary of my final –"
"Just read it, Colonel," interrupted Stern. "I do, thank you."
Damn… I actually thought Rhodey would be able to get his point across but… Stern truly was a malicious asshole who seemed to have it in for Tony.
Or more, he wanted the Iron Man suit. Badly.
Probably both.
Rhodey nodded slowly as he began flipping through his report, giving May the chance to say, "He at least tried…"
"Maybe the others will take what he'll read with a grain of salt," murmured Ben, leaning forward, his gaze fixed on the television screen just before that paragraph was read.
"As he does not operate within any definable branch of government," began Rhodey, hesitating slightly before he read the rest, "Iron Man presents a potential threat to the security of both the nation and to her instincts."
No shit that Senator wanted Rhodey to read that part in particular! That ASSHOLE! He –
"I did, however," added Rhodey quickly, "go on to summarize that the benefits of Iron Man far outweigh the liabilities."
The Senator, by this point, was trying to get Rhodey to stop talking but he wasn't successful.
Good.
"And it would be in the –"
"That's enough, Colonel."
"– government's best interest to enlist –"
"Colonel, I said that's –"
Tony, by then, had leaned forward, closer to his microphone and cut both of them off. "I'm not a joiner but I'll consider Secretary of Defense, if you ask nicely. We can amend the hours a little bit."
Stern ignored not only the light laughter from the audience but also Tony's comment. "I'd like to go on and show, if I may –"
"You may not," I muttered darkly, very tired of his fake politeness…
"– the imagery that's connected to your report."
Rhodey shifted in his seat. He was probably regretting heavily about doing that report… "I believe that it is somewhat premature to reveal these images to the general public at this time."
He had barely finished his sentence when Stern had cut him off. Again. "With all due respect, I understand. And if you could just narrate those for us, we'd be very grateful."
Rhodey took a moment to compose himself before motioning in a certain direction. "Let's have the images." The camera's focus was now on a television screen in the chamber as it began to show very grainy photographs of… something. Even the part that was enlarged was indistinguishable.
"Intelligence suggests that the devices seen in these photos are, in fact, attempts at making manned copies of Mr. Stark's suit," explained Rhodey almost reluctantly and I squinted, trying to make anything out. How in the world did they determine that? "This has been corroborated by our allies and local intelligence on the ground, indicating that these suits are quite possibly, at this moment, operational."
"Hold on a second, buddy," came Tony's voice and, a moment later, the television screen with the grainy image changed. Black windows with code popped up and the message 'WELCOME MR. STARK' was written at the bottom. "Oh! Boy, I'm good," stated Tony with a smirk. "I commandeered your screens. I need them." There was a murmur from the crowd at that statement. "Time for a little transparency. Now let's see what's really going on."
"What is he doing?" asked Stern in annoyance.
"If you would direction your attention to said screens, I believe that's North Korea," explained Tony.
"This is going to be interesting," I muttered, watching as the screen showed a scene in black and white, lines of – I was guessing – Korean written here and there as a large… robot was exiting a hangar. It wasn't moving very fast and it almost looked unstable as it –
Oh, shit, definitely unstable as it toppled over.
Of course, it would… The top part looked so damn heavy compared to the stupidly skinny legs they had placed on it.
The real issue was when it hit the ground, the machine gun attached to the arm went off and started rapidly firing in every direction and –
I looked away for a moment as the person holding the camera went down, splatters of blood landing on the screen.
"Can you turn that off? Take it off!" Stern wasn't shown on the television but we could clearly hear his voice.
"Iran," continued Tony and the video from North Korea was switched to…
Something was falling from the sky in the middle of a desert. The closer it got to the ground, the bigger of a sand cloud it picked up. The rest of the scene was hard to see as Hammer stood in front of the screen, probably in an attempt to shut the whole thing off.
If didn't stop us, though, from seeing… something fly right into the camera, knocking it over violently.
"No grave immediate threat here," said Tony as the image on the screen changed once again. By then, the broadcast had switched to another television that wasn't being blocked and… "Is that Justin Hammer? How did Hammer get into the game?"
I couldn't help snorting at the situation. Asshole Hammer on the screen was standing next to a suit of armor, running through some tests with his own version of the Iron Man armor.
"Justin, you're on TV. Focus up," said Tony as the audience's murmuring grew louder.
On the screen, Hammer said, "Ok, give me a left twist. Left's good. Turn to the right."
And then shit hit the fan. May gasped out as the suit did a full 180 degrees turn and we could hear the yelling from the man in the suit. I had to look away. How the fuck had that even been possible?!
Thankfully, Hammer finally managed to unplug the screen and it went dark.
"Wow, yeah," stated Tony, almost looking amused. "I'd say most countries, five, ten, years away. Hammer Industries, twenty."
Hammer had rushed to his seat, grabbing his microphone as he quickly said, "I'd like to point out that that test pilot survived."
"He survived but at what cost…?" wondered Ben softly, massaging his face.
"I think we're done, is the point he's making," stated Stern begrudgingly. "I don't think there's any reason –"
"The point is," cut in Tony, impatiently. "You're welcome. I guess."
"For what?" snapped Stern.
"Because, I'm your nuclear deterrent," snapped Tony in exasperation. "It's working. We're safe. America is secure. You want my property? You can't have it! But I did you a big favor." He stood then, turning towards the audience as he said, "I've successfully privatized world peace."
He even held up his hands with peace signs with that statement and the audience at it up. They even STOOD as they applauded him.
"What more do you want? For now!" Tony whirled around, motioning to the row of Senators with a wave of his arm. "I tried to play ball with these ass-clowns."
"BEEP you, Mr. Stark," spat Stern, the broadcast actually censoring his swearing. However, it was clear what was said because we could still see his mouth move… "BEEP you, buddy. We're adjourned. We're adjourned for today."
Tony grabbed his sunglasses from the table, put them on with a smirk and sent the group of Senators thumbs up.
He even blew them some kisses.
"You've been a delight," stated Stern sarcastically.
Tony winked at him before walking down the center aisle, high fiving and shaking hands with everyone he passed as he turned towards the camera following him. "My bond is with the people," he affirmed. "And I will serve this great nation at the pleasure of myself. If there's one thing I've proven is that you can count on me to pleasure myself."
"Oh for the love of…," I grumbled.
The camera followed Tony a bit more as reporters shouted out questions at him but he seemed more focused on the people he was walking by.
Well, I had been right that this would be interesting. Tony did not disappoint in that aspect.
The problem was… Even if Tony won that battle, I had a feeling the war was not yet over, the war over the Iron Man and the technology behind it.
"So… Mr. Stark can keep his suit?" wondered Peter slowly, almost hopefully.
"For the moment, yes he can," replied Ben. So, he was as sceptical as me that this was over. "At least he knows what angles to expect next time. If there is a next time."
"Hopefully not," whispered Peter.
May stood then, sending her nephew a smile. "No use worrying about what could happen. At least this one ended well. Now," she reached for his empty breakfast plate. "What did you guys want to do today? Are you too cool to hang out with your uncle and aunt?"
"Never," laughed Peter but I was more focused on May heading for my dishes and I scrambled to my feet.
"It's okay," I quickly said but she had grabbed my plate already. "I can help, I –"
"Hush," said May with a smile also picking up my empty coffee mug. "If you want to help, discuss what the plan for today is going to be."
"But –"
"I can't hear you," called May, walking away towards the kitchen.
I sighed heavily before at least calling back, "Thank you!"
"That I heard!" replied May with a small laugh.
She just may be the most persistent member of this family…
"So…," began Peter, standing next to me. "Did you need to head back to the hotel or… are you staying a bit longer?"
"But don't think you'll be imposing," repeated Ben. "Or think that you're forced to stay. It's whatever you feel comfortable with."
I hesitated a moment, glancing between uncle and nephew before looking out the window. Well… It was still raining and, even if I would have wanted to go back to the Expo, I… I surprisingly was fine with staying with the Parkers a little longer.
It beat being alone in the hotel room or outside in the rain at the Expo.
"I guess you may be stuck with me a little longer," I said with a smile.
The smile on Peter's face made it worth it.
"What is the name of Peter Pan's fairy?"
Uh…
The Parkers were all watching me, waiting for an answer as May glanced between the card she held and myself.
Shit… From the look on Peter's face, this must have been another obvious question but I was blanking on the name. I vaguely remember hearing the name 'Peter Pan' years ago, back in the 1940s, but I didn't give it too much attention.
A boy who never wanted to grow up? I couldn't relate to that…
"Ed?" tried May, cocking her head to the side.
"Um…" Nothing was really coming to mind… "Dorothy," I blurted out and I knew almost instantly that it was the wrong answer.
Peter sighing was a good hint…
"No…," said May slowly. "Tinkerbell. Dorothy is from the Wizard of Oz."
Damn. I knew that name sounded familiar…
"This doesn't seem to be your category," remarked Ben as he rolled the die. "You'll get it eventually though."
I hummed, nodding slowly but I highly doubted that. It was the second game of Trivial Pursuit that we were playing and I barely got half the necessary 'chips' before Peter had won.
The second time around wasn't any better.
This was just a very obvious indication to me that I needed to get caught up on… everything not related to science.
"Ed, your turn to read the question," said Peter.
I blinked, glancing at where he landed and picked up a card, reading out the orange question. "How much salary does a player collect by passing Go in Monopoly?"
What the hell did that even mean?!
"200 dollars," answered Peter with a smile, already reaching for the orange chip.
I quickly glanced at the answer and nodded. "Yup, that's right."
Was it a game? Or did people get actual money?
200 dollars was a lot…
In all honesty, I rarely felt stupid but the last hour was filled with too much confusion and unknown answers to things that should apparently be very obvious. I didn't really like this feeling.
And it made me look uneducated in front of the Parkers.
Stupid game.
Hopefully they don't ask me about my studies once this was done…
I rolled the die and hoped I would land on a category that I would actually KNOW the answer.
The problem was… I already got the science chip… I was missing everything else and I apparently sucked at nearly all of them.
"Ok, geography, you can get this," said May, picking up the card. I truly hoped I did… "What is Asia, a country or a continent?"
Oh, thank you Gate! Something I knew! "Continent."
"Good jo!" exclaimed May, putting the card away.
Fine, it was a damn easy question but, if I took into consideration that I didn't even come from this world, knowing what 'Asia' was was a good start.
I didn't feel completely stupid.
The game continued and Peter read the next question for his uncle. "The Greek mathematician Euclid is known as 'the father of…' which brand of Math?"
Science. Of course, I knew that one… Random knowledge though but it had come up when I came across the Euclidian formulas and –
"Geometry?" tried Ben and Peter nodded enthusiastically. "Pure guess!"
"You still got it!"
It was better than my guesses…
When it was my turn again, I almost groaned when the only option I could choose was the 'Literature' one.
"Let's see if your guess will be better," chuckled Ben as May picked up a card.
"Oh, it should be easy," she said with a smile and I felt my stomach drop slightly. None of the apparent 'easy' questions had actually been easy for me. "What English writer wrote the famous words 'All the world's a stage'?"
Fucking shit… I had NO idea. Even though it was apparently an obvious answer, I didn't know which authors were from England I had read some fictional books but clearly not enough to know who this person was.
And… The longer I took to answer, the more concerned the Parkers were becoming.
I was almost too thankfully for the sudden and surprising ring coming from my cell phone.
Even though it was… Tony?
"Uh… Sorry, I'll be right back," I said, grabbing my cell phone and heading out of the living room, answering the call as I entered the kitchen. "This is a surprise."
"Why are we speaking German?" came Tony's response. "Pepper is already looking discouraged."
"I'm visiting and, knowing you, I probably am going to swear at some point."
"Ah, still at the Parkers I see?" asked Tony, switching to English. Pepper must have said something to him about it. "Is that where we have to pick you up from?"
"You're already on your way back? It's over in Washington?"
"For now," replied Pepper and my eyes widened at that. She had understood what –? "My phone is translating s you speak," she added. "I didn't learn German overnight…"
"Oh… That's practical."
"When it translates properly. I'll need to look into that when we get back to Malibu," said Tony.
"But yes, we're on our way back," continued Pepper, probably trying to get the conversation back on track. "We can have Happy pick you up if you want. We'll be heading back to Malibu tomorrow morning. If that works for you, of course."
Oh… That soon? I had wanted to visit the Expo some more before heading back to the West Coast – and getting on a damn airplane again – but… that meant I also would need to find a way back without Tony and Pepper.
Even though my arm had holographic technology on it, it wasn't going to get through airport security without the whole experience becoming a scene.
"Yeah, that works for me," I replied, trying to keep any disappointment from my voice.
"Ok, good, we can come back to New York in a week or two, we still have some business deals to take care of and you can join us then," added Pepper and I almost smiled. There, problem solved.
"We do?" came Tony's voice and the sigh from Pepper was VERY clear.
"Alright, we won't keep you any longer. Have –"
"Wait… Uh… Quick question. Who the fuck said 'the whole world is a stage'?" I asked, almost feeling guilty about cheating.
Almost.
But, damn it, I hadn't gotten one single answer right in that category since we started playing!
"Why do you need to know that?" wondered Pepper in confusion.
"You're cheating at a trivia game?" asked Tony almost at the same time. "I thought you were a prodigy!"
"Not in literature, I'm not!" I hissed.
"Short Stuff actually doesn't know something. Pepper, mark the date."
"Fuck off!"
"Tony, enough," cut in Pepper with a sigh. "Ed, it's Shakespeare. We'll brush up on cultural knowledge later, deal?"
"Deal, thanks. Happy can text me before he's on his way and I'll let him know where I am."
"Ok, have fun! And no more cheating!" said Pepper.
"I won't."
"Unbelievable!" added Tony, seeming almost in shock about the situation.
"You are such a pain… Bye!"
And I hung up before he could add any more comments.
Well, hopefully Pepper was right and I could FINALLY get something right…
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