XxxxXxxxxXxxxxxXxxxxx

Chapter 4 – Meeting Tony's Friend

The Doctor and Genie arrived back into Tony Stark's workshop in the convertible. The Doctor slowly backed the car into the parking spot he had taken it from and put the top up on it. He got out of the car and was greeted by Tony who was standing behind his desk.

"Hey! Already back?" he asked.

The Doctor looked over at him and saw another man sitting on the other side of the desk. "Yeah. We ran into some…..friends…so we cut it short."

Tony looked back down at what he was working on and shook his head. He mumbled, "Well, that sucks."

The Doctor walked around and opened the door of the car. He announced, "Jarvis. This is Genie. She is my guest."

Jarvis spoke. "Welcome, Genie."

Tony's face lit up as he continued to work on something. "Gene! I didn't know you were coming to see me."

Genie ran over to the desk where Tony stood. He sat down what he was working on and caught her. He kissed her cheek as he sat her up on the top of the desk and went back to his work. "You can help me out here. What color is that little wire just there?"

The Doctor smiled as he joined them at the desk. He held his hand out to the new man. He was tall, muscular and had a very short hair cut. "Doctor Jonathan Smith."

The man smiled and shook the Doctor's hand. "Captain Steve Rogers."

Genie turned her head and looked at him. "A captain? Of a ship?"

Steve smiled, "No. In the United States Army. Have been for a while."

Tony was looking back down at what he was working on. "Yeah, a long-ass while."

Steve held his hands out, "Language?"

Tony shook his head. "Phhhhh….. Steve. This is Gene. John's daughter." He handed her a magnifying glass and said, "Here, Gene. Hold that for me so I can see this tiny wire."

Genie did as Tony asked her. The Doctor crossed his arms and looked at Steve. "Active duty Army? You must be a friend of Rhodey's."

Steve nodded his head. "Yeah. He was a Marine, though. Rhodes introduced me to Tony several years ago. I'm supposed to help keep him out of trouble, but my C.O. just doesn't understand what a tall order that is."

Tony smiled proudly. "I have a reputation. But, I've gotten better. Here, hold this Gene." He handed her a tiny flashlight.

The Doctor tried to understand. "So, you are his…what? Bodyguard?"

Tony laughed. "No."

Steve shook his head. "Nah. They really don't know what to do with me. So, I do odd things. Teach mostly. Over at the Academy."

Tony smiled, "Steve-o has a very interesting reason why, Doc. You would love to hear this."

Steve rolled his eyes. "That's classified."

Tony pointed at Steve. "Captain was a popsicle. I think his brain is still thawing out."

Steve pointed at the barstool in front of him. "Have a seat, Doctor Smith. No, Tony. I'm not thawing out."

Tony leaned into Genie and teased. "I call him, 'the Cap-sicle.'

Genie laughed.

Steve rubbed his face. "Nevermind, this guy. He's crazy."

The Doctor sat down and looked at Steve, "You do look familiar. I can't put my finger on it."

Tony pointed at the Doctor. "You guys probably crossed paths at some point. Tell him what year you were born."

Steve rolled his eyes. "Civilians. They never understand classified information."

The Doctor pointed at himself. "I'm the Director of Torchwood in London. I have clearance to things above Top Secret on orders from the President of the People's Republic of Great Britain and the President of the United States. It's alright."

Steve sighed.

Tony laughed, "Steve Rogers was born in New York, in the year of our Lord, 19 and 21."

Steve rolled his eyes and corrected him, "No, Tony. 1920."

The Doctor looked at him in surprise. "That's who you are! You were the guy Dr. Josef Reinstein used his serum on that made super soldiers. Wow! Did it extend your lifespan? That was….nearly 100 years ago."

Steve smiled and shook his head. "No. I was in an accident and was frozen for a few years."

Tony helped, "Yeah. Rhodey was put in charge of bringing him into the 21 century after he was found. How are you even still in the Army, man? I've never thought of that. Hasn't your time been up for a while?"

Steve crossed his arms and groaned. "That's complicated."

The Doctor pointed at him, "Howard Stark helped with that experiment. I remember that. I saw his research. Brilliant guy."

Steve pointed at Tony. "Why do you think Rhodes brought me to him?"

The Doctor rolled his eyes as he realized it. "I am so thick! I have never put that together. That was your Dad. Howard Stark."

Tony laughed, "That's the story."

The Doctor held his hand out, "You even look like Howard. Wow."

Tony shook his head and looked at Genie. "See, now your Dad is insulting me."

Genie giggled.

Steve smiled. "Yeah, he does. I think it's the beard."

"Shaving it off today, then! Hell no." Tony insisted.

Genie waved her finger in front of Tony's face. "No. Don't do that."

"Why not, Gene?"

"I like it. It's you." Genie shrugged her shoulders.

Tony nodded as he went back to his work, "Alright. But, I won't be getting you anything for Christmas now. Just saying."

Genie giggled at his grumbling.

Steve pointed at Genie. "Your daughter is adorable, Doctor Smith."

The Doctor smiled at her. "Genie. Captain Rogers says you are adorable."

Genie smiled, "Thank you."

Tony looked back at her and smiled. "Best looking girl I've ever had in here." He leaned in and whispered to Genie. "Don't tell Pepper I said that."

Genie giggled.

The Doctor pointed at Steve. "Alright, this will be odd but do you know of a man named Nick Fury?"

Steve looked surprised. "You knew Fury?"

"Knew? What happened to him?" he asked.

Steve sighed. "Killed in the Cyber Invasion. Saved 213 people that day. They have a statue in his honor at the Academy. Amazing man. I didn't know him well. That was only a few months after I was found. Story was, he was about to start something big. Some new agency. Rhodes talked a bit about it to see if I was interested."

"What did you tell him?"

"I told him that anything I could do to be of service to my country, I would always do it." Steve insisted.

The Doctor nodded his head. "Noble. I admire that. So, you are training recruits? Is that it?"

Steve shrugged his shoulders. "Sometimes. I just go where they send me."

"What if you went into…I don't know…..something more…fitting of your talents? Have you thought about that?"

Steve smiled. "I'd love that. They are all too…scared of me to allow me to do anything in the field anymore."

The Doctor pulled out his phone. "I can make a phone call, right now. President Howard Shepherd a close personal friend of mine. Say the word and I'll get you back in the action."

Steve looked surprised back at Tony. "Is he serious?"

Tony laughed, "He is. Why do you think I called your sorry ass over here?"

Steve held up his hands in surprise. "You are really swearing in front of this child?"

Genie looked up at Steve. "He paid $200 to my dirty word jar. He has a few more left."

Steve laughed quietly, "You made him a swear jar?"

Genie nodded her head.

Steve laughed, "Oh, I like you Genie. Is it Genie? Gene?"

Genie smiled, "Genie. My Tony calls me Gene. He's my Godfather, so that's alright."

Steve looked surprised. "You?! You have a god daughter?"

Tony smiled proudly, "And life is just full of surprises."

The Doctor looked back at Steve. "So, Captain Rogers? What do you say?"

He rubbed his chin. "It would be nice to be back in the game. There's no more Nazi's. But…."

The Doctor laughed, "Oh trust me. The world will never. Ever. Run out of bad guys to fight."

Steve nodded his head. "If you don't mind. Yeah, make the call. Oh, and call me Steve."

The Doctor dialed the phone and shook Steve's hand again. "I'm John. Simply John."

The Doctor bit his lip as he waited for someone to answer. He smiled, "Howie. It's your Wheel Horse. How are you feeling today?"

Howie's voice could be heard through the phone.

The Doctor ran his hand through his hair and smiled. "Tell Pete to just bring you back to my place. Jacob is anxious to see you. Hey, real quick. I'm sitting here with a friend of mine who is currently serving in the Army. I will go into it later, but I think his talents are better served in something else. Something where he can help me and Pete, but through the State Department here. Who should I talk to about that?"

Howie said something that made the Doctor look confused. "Oh. So, that means you. Alright, well, I'm talking to you about it, Howie."

Howie laughed and the Doctor smiled. "Right. Thank you, Mr. President. I'll text that right over so Miles can get to work on it. Thanks."

The Doctor ended the call and handed his phone to Steve.

Tony looked confused, "What the hell is a Wheel Horse?"

The Doctor shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea." He looked at Steve. "Alright, type in your name, serial number, rank, all of that and I'll text it over to him."

Steve looked up at him. "Just type it in?"

Tony laughed and took the phone from him and started typing. "Steve. Give me your card." He looked at the Doctor. "He's really old-fashioned. He doesn't know how to use a cell phone very well."

Steve handed Tony his military ID card and Tony took a picture of it. He typed in a few things and handed the phone back to the Doctor. "Alright! Steve is on the path to bigger and better things."

Tony pointed at Genie. "And I have something for you, Gene." He took the thing he had been working on and put it together. The Doctor and Steve watched as it formed a small, silver bracelet. Tony put it on her wrist and held it. "Alright. Say your full name, Gene."

Genie looked down at the bracelet on her wrist. "Sara Genevieve Tyler-Smith."

The bracelet glowed white and fastened itself to her wrist. She smiled at it. "It's just like Daddy's!"

Tony smiled. "Almost exactly like Daddy's. This will keep you from getting hurt. So, when you have your lizard moments and want to climb on something, there is a force field in it to keep you from hitting the stone floor. Also, tap it and say, 'Tony'."

Genie tapped the bracelet. "Tony."

Tony's bracelet lit up. Jarvis' voice spoke. "Genevieve has requested you."

Her mouth opened in surprise. "Can I call Daddy, too?"

Tony nodded, "Sure. Just say, 'Daddy'."

Genie tapped the bracelet and said, "Daddy."

The Doctor's bracelet lit up and Friday said, "Genevieve has requested you."

Genie laughed, "This is great!"

Tony nodded his head at her. "That's only for emergencies. Don't call me to tell me who won the football game. If you need me, call me. I'll pop right to you. If you need your Daddy, he can do the same thing. Only emergencies. If you are in trouble. Right?"

Genie nodded, "Yes. Thank you, Tony."

He smiled at her. "You bet. See. That's the smallest one I've ever made. I wasn't sure if it would work or not."

Genie held it out to show her Daddy. He smiled and then kissed her hand. "Tony is keeping my princess safe. What else does it have on it?"

Tony opened the drawer on the desk and tossed the keys back inside. "Ah, the usual. GPS, emergency transport to your ship if needed, but you have to trigger it with your voice. It will also call Pete, Lewis, or Rose."

The Doctor nodded, "Legate?"

Tony nodded, "Yeah. Any of them. She just has to say their name. There is also a defense on it I didn't put on anyone else's. Genie, say 'Do not touch me'."

Genie looked confused, "Do not touch me."

Nothing happened. Tony looked at the Doctor. "Touch her. Anywhere. I dare you."

The Doctor bit his lip. "Ummm…" He looked back at Steve.

Steve smiled, "Your daughter."

The Doctor shook his head. "I honestly don't want to. What would happen to me?"

Tony laughed, "Good choice. I wouldn't let you anyway. If you touch her right now, you'll be picking your ass up off the floor. She's charged with an electroshock program running on her wristband."

"You've turned her into a taser." He said impressed.

Tony nodded, "Exactly. Gene. Say, 'You can touch me'."

Genie said the words and Tony patted her head, "See. She's fine. Can you remember all of that Gene?"

Genie smiled, "Yes, Tony."

The Doctor turned to her, "And I need to hear from you now, 'I will not play with that. It's just to be used for emergencies. No other time'."

Genie rolled her eyes and repeated the words.

The Doctor, satisfied, patted the tabletop. "Tony, that is brilliant! Thank you! I'd love that for Rose. Wow."

Tony nodded. "I'm on it. Man, I wish you were headed back out to Plentitude. There are some parts I need for all of these bracelets."

He smiled, "I'm leaving in an hour for there."

Tony looked up at him, "Really?" Then in a bad British accent, "Fancy some company then, governor?"

The Doctor rolled his eyes as he looked back at Steve.

Steve asked, "You don't find that offensive?"

The Doctor said, "Nah. He does such a bad job at it, it's comical. Besides, I'm not British."

Genie laughed, "You should try an American accent, Daddy."

He smiled at her. "I bet I could do a better job at that than his British accent."

Tony put his hands on his hips and nodded. "Alright. Come on. Let's hear it."

The Doctor smiled and shook his head, "Ah, hell."

Tony pointed at him, "Nope, that was British."

Genie laughed, "Come on, Daddy."

Tony leaned into the desk and looked at him seriously, "You can speak every language there is. Tell me, can you speak American?"

He rubbed his face and asked Steve. "How do I get myself into these things?"

Steve laughed, "It just happens I suppose. Give it a try."

He groaned. "Alright." He smiled and licked his lips. Then, in an American accent, he said, "Let's go to the baseball game and have apple pie and coffee."

Genie and Tony laughed loudly.

Steve applauded. "I thought that sounded right. You sound like you are from…..Minnesota."

Tony wiped tears from his eyes and Genie laughed, "Daddy! You are an American!"

He shook his head. "Sweetheart. Daddy isn't an American."

Tony nodded his head. "I'm impressed. I'll have some of these bracelets ready by this afternoon. I'll bring them with us. How long are you going to be gone?"

"Just a quick trip over there. Two nights, three days. Hopefully. One of the machines I have there is malfunctioning. Hey, you could probably help me with that."

Tony nodded his head. "Get Timon, too. He's like the tech whisperer."

The Doctor turned to Steve. "You want to come, too?"

Steve shook his head. "Thank you, but I can't. I'm on duty in the morning."

Tony pointed forcefully. "Answer the damn phone when I call. It might not be me, and you can get a better job."

Steve rolled his eyes. "Right. Phones in your back pocket. That's so strange."

The Doctor walked around the desk and took out his screwdriver. He scanned Tony quickly.

Tony held his hands out, "And?"

He put his screwdriver back in his pocket. "Full recovery. Keep taking your anti-rejection medication every day, but you can go back to doing whatever you like. Everything reads normal."

Tony shook the Doctor's hand. "Well, how about that? Best news I've had in years."

The Doctor picked up Genie and said, "Tell your Tony you will see him in a bit. We have to go get your Goofy."

Tony smiled, "Yes. Don't forget Goofy. Thanks, John."

The Doctor nodded at Steve. "Ring me if you need anything."

Steve smiled, "Likewise. It was my pleasure meeting you both."

Genie waved to him as they popped away.

XxxxxxXxxxxxx