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Chapter 47 – Stark Expo

They popped backstage. Pepper was helping Tony put on his jacket. He saw them and a smiled broke across his face. "Hey! Both of you! Wonderful!"

Rose held the Doctor's hand. "I hope that's alright. I have no idea what's going on."

Tony laughed, "Ambushed the girl, huh?"

The Doctor laughed, "Something like that."

Rose rolled her eyes. "I'm not even going to ask. You two speak your own language anyway."

Pepper nodded her head. "It's probably better we don't ask. We can't be called in to testify if we simply don't know!"

Lewis laughed, "I love this assignment."

The announcer said something and Tony clapped his hands. "Alright! That's my queue. I'll call you in a bit, Doc." AC/DC played loudly as Tony walked out on stage to the audience of thousands who were going crazy.

Rose let go of The Doctor's hand and walked to stand next to Pepper. "Explain to me what this is? Are there a million people here?"

The Doctor turned around and pointed at Lewis. He asked quietly. "Well?"

Lewis smiled, "Well, what?"

"Phhhhh….. you know what! What did she say? Did you ask?"

Lewis sighed and nodded.

"And?! Man, you're killing me here!" The Doctor told him.

Lewis rocked on his feet and laughed. "She said yes. To working for you and being my bride. It's been a hell of a day!"

The Doctor smiled as he embraced Lewis. "I'm so happy for you both! Wow! Great news."

Lewis laughed, "Thank you for your help with that. I appreciate it so much."

The Doctor told him something in Quauhtin, which Lewis repeated.

Pepper called, "John! You're almost up."

The Doctor buttoned his jacket and took Rose's hand. He kissed her quickly, "Ready for this?"

"What am I doing here? What am I supposed to do?" Rose asked him.

He smiled, "Just be brilliant. Don't worry. I'm with you. You're safe."

Tony held his hand out and Pepper patted them on the back. "Okay, go on out."

The Black Key's 'Have Love Will Travel' as they walked on stage together. The crowd went crazy as they saw them. Tony stood to the side and clapped as they both waved to the crowd.

Tony and The Doctor shook hands, then Tony kissed Rose on the cheek. He pointed to them as the crowd cheered.

After the crowd got quiet, The Doctor spoke, "Welcome to the Stark Expo! Tony has asked Rose and me to come out and help with the opening ceremonies. I hope you aren't disappointed to see us!"

The crowd went crazy again. He looked at Rose and smiled as he kissed her hand. "Isn't Rose beautiful?" he asked which only caused the crowd to scream louder.

Rose laughed at him, "This is madness."

Tony spoke once the crowd calmed down. "Doctor Johnathon Smith and his wife, Rose Tyler are close friends of mine and the smartest people I've honestly ever met! Well, aside from me, of course. That's what this is all about. Bringing together the brightest minds! This guy can tell you anything! Let me put him on the spot here. Doc'. Tell me about the Stark Expo."

The Doctor smiled and pointed at Tony. "You didn't tell me I'd have to speak, Tony! But, since I'm here. The Stark Expo brings minds together from around the world and to share ideas to try and develop new inventions to improve quality of life for mankind and the world in the future. It was created by Howard Stark in 1943. It's not been held since….. when Tony?"

Tony laughed, "1974! Give him a hand! Didn't I tell you!?"

The crowd cheered loudly. Rose looked at The Doctor and laughed.

When the crowd got quieter, Tony rubbed his beard. "And of course, you know about Rose Tyler. Brilliant mind. A doctor, too! Nobel Prize Winner in Physics! Smart, sexy, the complete package. The Doctor is a lucky guy!"

The crowd went crazy again. Rose laughed, "Thank you, Tony!"

The Doctor leaned over and kissed Rose quickly.

Tony smiled. "Doctor Smith has became famous for his devices that have saved millions the pain and suffering of simple problems such as broken bones and headaches, and has agreed to give us a demonstration tonight of his newest product that's now being shipped to nearly every hospital in the world. But more importantly, every soldier in active combat will now have this device with him or her. Would you like to see it?"

The crowd cheered. Rose looked curiously at The Doctor as he reached in his pocket and turned to Tony.

Tony pulled up his sleeve. "Alright. I'm going to be the victim here. Poor me, huh? Good thing my friend is a Doctor."

Tony took a knife and cut his arm. It bled like mad. Rose covered her mouth and turned her head. Tony showed it the crowd. "I'm a soldier. I just got injured in the field. Far away from anyone that can help me. I even have shrapnel embedded in my arm, moving into my blood stream. I know, because I make that bomb."

Tony gave his arm to The Doctor, who used the device to heal Tony's wound. Tony spoke, "See, I'm getting all healed up. This device will even regrow the tissue from a burn! And for the shrapnel…."

The Doctor put the device back in his pocket and took out something that looked like a ribbon. He tied it around Tony's arm where the wound had been.

The Doctor spoke. "There! A magnetic strip that keeps the shrapnel from moving a millimeter."

The crowd cheered. Tony smiled. The Doctor laughed as he leaned in and told Rose. "I don't think I've ever seen Tony happier."

Rose smiled at him. "He is clearly in his element."

Tony smiled and continued. "Please, it's not about me. It's really not even about The Doc and Rose Tyler! It's not even about you. It's about legacy. It's about what we choose to leave behind for future generations. And that's why for the next year and for the first time since 1974, the best and brightest men and women of nations and corporations the world over will pool their resources, share their collective vision, to leave behind a brighter future. It's not about us. Therefore, what I'm saying, if I'm saying anything, is welcome back... to the Stark Expo!"

The crowd went crazy. Tony walked over and took Rose's hand. Both men leaned in and kissed her on the cheeks at the same time for the photographer, then walked off stage with huge smiles on their faces.

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