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Chapter 36 – Tony's Meetings

Tony sat on the leather sofa in his office with his feet propped on the table in front of him. Captain Steven Rogers and a General from the Army were both present. Exton stood somewhere unseen, in the shadows.

Tony sipped his thermos of chlorophyll as the General leaned up and put his elbows on his knees. "I have the Joint Chiefs asking me questions that I quite frankly, don't have answers for."

Tony nodded.

"I have 52 people, plus a Vice President who have just up and vanished."

"So, you're just counting Americans? I heard it was also 12 from Torchwood and 4 from MI6-"

"How the hell do you know that?"

"It's my business to know stuff like that. Especially when it's something that deadly."

"And you're sure you aren't responsible for this?"

"Stark Industries has never, and will never, make chemical weapons. I don't find them…"

Captain Steven Rogers finally spoke, "Fair."

Tony pointed at him, "Yes. That's the word."

Captain Rogers sat back and crossed his arms. "Howard Stark was friends with men from the first war. Senior. He said the tales of chemical warfare were unbelievable. Howard said it gave him nightmares, just thinking about it. If he was going to make a weapon, he said he would rather have it be something that would kill a man. Not torture them."

Tony disguised his groan by drinking the chlorophyll. "Besides, NATO has the Chemical Weapons Convention of '97. Legally, I can't make anything like that. You might want to look into your own stock. Last I heard, the US was behind on eliminating their stockpile by 10%. There is only so much longer NATO will extend that deadline, man. What's the hold-up?"-

"How the hell can you possibility know that?" The General barked.

Tony rolled his eyes, "It's my business to know that."

Captain Rogers sighed, "That's classified information. Surely it is."

Tony smiled, "The date you are looking for is 2023. That's how long the extension is. Better get to work, Capt."

The General groaned. "You are much more informed than I thought. Where is Pepper Potts?"

"Miss Potts is under the weather. I'll be sure to tell her you asked about her."

Captain Rogers shook his head. "She's never sick-"

"She never admits it when she is. Anyway. Surely this isn't the only thing that you came down here for. I already am expecting a subpoena about this….dissolving agent-"

The General shook his head. "I don't think that's going to be necessary. I wanted to come down and speak to you. The President seems convinced that you are not involved."

"I'm not involved. You've known me a long time, General. If you think about that entire thing, there's really no logical reason I would do something like that. It would be terrible for business. Not to mention how the distribution of arms sales has been changed by me in the last few years."

The General nodded, "That's very true. I wouldn't have wished anyone going through what you did over in the desert. But, it really changed how so much was done. If no one has told you yet, and at the risk of sounding condensing, your father would have been proud of the direction you have gone."

Tony shook his head. "I don't agree, but thank you anyway for that."

The General sipped his coffee, "But, I also have another problem."

"You're a ray of sunshine today, aren't you?"

The General sat back and sipped his coffee. "Are you possibility testing any new tech?"

"There's always new tech being tested at Stark Industries. Are you talking about something in particular?"

"I had two pilots tell me they saw something similar to a Cyberman, over in Afghanistan, this morning."

"A Cyberman? That's a Torchwood concern."

"I've spoken to the new Director over there. Lewis Smith?"

Tony chuckled. So, Lewis had finally picked himself a last name. He would have to pick on him later about it. "I know Lewis. He's a good guy. What did he say?"

"He said he was certain that it wasn't a Cyberman. But, he wasn't sure what it was. He recommended I speak to you about it."

Tony thought to himself. "Damn that, Lewis."

Captain Rogers poured himself some more water. "This Rogue Cyberman has been seen a lot over there. I have people looking for him."

"Yeah?"

"He has saved so many soldiers. In fact, he saved two squadrons this morning."

Tony nodded his head. "Well, if he's helping, I wouldn't worry about it."

The General sat down his coffee. "It's our job to worry about it. Why would he be there?"

"You're asking me?"

"It's the desert. Why?"

"It's a hotspot. A war? Lots of caves to hide in? The environment reduces static electricity? Just be grateful he's there and not in a major city."

The Captain shook his head. "But, why?"

"You're asking me to get into the head of a Cyberman?" Tony asked. "I'd rather not if it's all the same. I have my own problems."

The Captain shook his head. "I think it's a better idea to shoot whatever it is down, next time it is spotted."

The General nodded, "That's my assessment as well. Do you have anything that can shoot down a Cyberman, Mr. Stark?"

"Lewis said it's not a Cyberman."

"He doesn't know what it is. What if it is?"

Tony groaned and rubbed his face. "I'll have to talk to Torchwood to see what a Cyberman is made of. I don't even know."

The General nodded. "That sounds like a good place to start."

He sat down his coffee and stood up. The other two men stood up with him. The General shook Tony's hand. "I really appreciate speaking with you on such short notice. Thank you, Mr. Stark. It's good to see you back in the office."

Captain Rogers shook Tony's hand. "Tell Pepper that I hope she's feeling better."

Tony nodded, "Certainly."

They walked out of the door. Tony had time to pick up his thermos and shake it up again as Lance walked in with Arcite and a young, skinny kid. The kid seemed to be awestruck that he was in Tony Stark's office.

Tony didn't look up. "Lance. Your brother is on my shit list."

Lance laughed. "Ah. Give it ten minutes. You'll love him again."

Tony grinned, "Yeah, probably. So, is this him?"

The kid looked like he might pass out from excitement. "I'm Parker. Peter Parker. It's an honor to meet you Mr. Stark." He shook Tony's hand excitedly.

Lance chuckled at the boy's nervousness.

Tony asked, "Want some water? Soda? Valium?"

Arcite stood with his hands behind his back. "Excuse me, Mr. Stark. I don't believe it would be appropriate for you to give this young man any medication."

Tony waved his hand as he drank from his thermos. "Yeah, you're right. Parker. Sit down."

The wide eyed kid sat on the leather sofa in front of Tony and Lance. Arcite stood in the corner of the room.

Tony sighed and looked at the kid. "How old are you?"

"Fourteen."

"You're in what grade?"

"Ninth. Why?"

Tony took out his phone and discovered he had missed a text from Pepper. She had sent him a picture of Soli in a pet store. He was holding a small mouse and smiling at the camera. He smiled and texted her back, then started a video of the odd, skinny kid wearing a red suit, swinging through the buildings of New York. He shook his phone and the image displayed over the coffee table between them.

"Tell me what you know about this." Tony said.

Peter sat up and watched it, "Oh, the Spiderman. It's all over YouTube."

"Well, it's not anymore. I took it down." Tony told him.

"You can't do that."

"Just like you can't encode your location worth a shit. How old of a computer are you working with?"

Peter sat back and crossed his arms. "It's an old system. Yeah."

"Where are you getting these videos? You are making them, I know. But, what I can't figure out, is how you are making them while you are swinging around."

Peter shook his head. "That's not me-"

"You really need to work on your poker face, kid." He looked back at Lance. "This is worse than I thought."

"Got him, just in time." Lance agreed.

Tony pointed at Peter. "Look. Have you ever heard of a Cyberman?"

Peter sighed, "Of course I have."

"Aliens?"

"Yes."

"And you out doing shit like this? Don't you think for one second, that someone is going to think you are one?"

"Mr. Stark, it's not like that-"

Tony clapped his hands together. "HA! Less than five minutes. That's a confession. You owe me $500, Lance."

Lance shook his head. "I don't think that's a confession."

Tony yelled to Arcite, "Archie. He's just admitted it, right?"

Peter shook his head. "No! No! No! This isn't me."

Tony thought. "Damn. The bet was less than five minutes, right?"

Lance nodded. "That's the bet."

"Stop the clock. I'll be right back." Tony insisted and popped himself away.

Peter's eyes grew huge in shock at his sudden disappearance. "What did he do?"

Lance groaned, "Went to get someone to cheat. Damn him. I didn't think of this."

Tony popped right back holding Genie's hand. She giggled and hugged Lance. "Hello, Lance!"

He kissed her cheek. "Hello, sweet girl."

Peter was star struck. "That's Genie Smith! Really?"

Genie turned around and stood between Tony and Lance. She rested her elbows on both of their knees. "Who is that, Uncle Tony?"

"That, is a new friend of mine."

Peter stood up and offered Genie his hand. "Peter. I'm Peter. It's nice to meet you, Genie."

"How do you know my name?" She asked.

Peter chuckled, "Everyone knows your name."

Tony put his hands on Genie's shoulders. "Alright. We're going to play the truth game. Alright?"

Genie giggled and covered her mouth. "Alright. I love games!"

Lance looked at his watch. "Okay, I'll give you 60 seconds, Stark. Go."

"Double or nothing I can get it in ten seconds."

Lance grinned, "I'm game. And go!"

Tony pointed at Peter, "Are you the guy in the video?"

Peter shook his head and insisted, "No."

Genie looked up at Tony, "Nope!"

Tony clapped his hands. "You lose, Lance. Thank you for playing."

Lance groaned and dropped his head dramatically.

The Doctor popped into Tony's office. "Tony! Are you kidding?"

Tony held his hands out. "What? Rose said it was alright."

Genie danced around. "I'm just playing a game, Daddy."

He put his hands on his hips, "The truth game I bet."

She leaned on Lance's knee, "How much do you want to bet, Daddy?"

Tony and Lance laughed at her response.

The Doctor smiled proudly at her, "You are spending too much time with Quauthin, cheeky young lady."

Lance pointed at Peter. "This is Peter. My new project, Primus."

Peter stood up and shook the Doctor's hand. "It's an honor to meet you, Doctor Smith. Wow. I can't believe I'm here. I've seen you and Mr. Stark on television. And Genie, wow."

The Doctor looked confused, "Yes. It's nice to meet you. What do you mean, your new project, Lance?"

Lance reached over and took Tony's phone. He played the video for the Doctor and Genie to see. He pointed at it, then pointed at Peter.

The Doctor's mouth dropped open. "Peter Parker?"

"You know who I am?"

The Doctor nodded, "Yes. And good idea, Lance. Genie, come back with me."

"Aww. Daddy."

"Come on. Your Uncle is using you to win a bet."

She turned around and looked cross at him, "Then you should be fair and give me some of that!"

Tony groaned, reached in his pocket and handed her several bills. "There. You rat." He kissed her face. "Don't spend it all in one place. Go with Daddy. I'll see you later."

Genie took her Daddy's hand and they popped away.

Tony and Lance looked back at Peter's stunned face. "How are they doing that?"

Tony sat back, "That's classified. So. Let's get to the bottom of this. How are you doing this? Are you just….really into gymnastics?"

Peter shook his head. "No. It's not me!"

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Tony returned upstairs to the penthouse apartment with Lance and Arcite.

"Pepper?" He called.

Exton walked into the room quickly, "She's sleeping. I'm sorry. I should have told Lance."

Tony looked at his bracelet for the time. "It's noon."

"She said she wasn't feeling well."

Tony nodded. "I'll go check on her. Where is Soli?"

Exton smiled, "Arov requested him. He's training all of the children today."

"To do what?" Lance asked.

"Boxing and self defense. He's just their size. I understand from Legate, it's damn impressive."

Tony nodded proudly, "That's my boy. Awesome."

Arcite spoke in his serious tone. "His name is not Arov, that's his species. His name is Chiron. And with the gravity being so much less here, I'm sure he does appear impressive."

Tony shook his head. "I'm going to check on Pepper. You two can argue it out."

Tony took off his jacket and held it on his arm. He jogged up the steps and heard her voice as he got to the top of the stairs. He walked into the bedroom and saw her sitting up, leaning on the pillows and speaking on her phone.

"Yes. I really should." Pepper agreed with whoever she was talking to.

Tony tossed his jacket on the sofa and lay down across the bed, propping his head on her stomach. She ran her hand through his hair.

"No. I appreciate you calling. I'm really alright."

Tony whispered, "Who is that?"

She continued to play with his hair and talk on the phone. "I'll have to give it some thought."

Tony noticed the voice sounded female that spoke on the phone with Pepper.

"Well, I'm certainly not going to do that!" Pepper insisted. Tony couldn't help but grin at her sudden Irish accent.

She looked back at him and gave him a warning look. He sat up and propped his head on his fist, listening to her speak on the phone. With everything she said, her accent became thicker and thicker. He laughed silently at her. "Oh shit, this is awesome."

She playfully smacked him. "Let me call you later, Brianca. Thank you."

He laughed hysterically as soon as she ended the call.

"Tony. You…." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Please say 'Tony' again. I love how you say that."

She rolled her eyes.

"I've never heard you talk like that. Wow. Why don't you speak like that all the time?"

She groaned and shook her head. "It's never bad unless I talk to someone from there. The more I talk to them, the worse it gets."

He started to laugh again. She hit him with a pillow. "Shut up, Tony."

He stood up and walked into the bathroom. He teased her with the worst Irish accent she had ever heard, "Oh, me lady. I need to go check for signs of the little people. Maybe leave out a glass of whiskey."

He quickly dodged the pillow she threw at him as he dunked into the bathroom. "Impossible man."

She got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. He was standing in front of the mirror, testing his palladium level.

"What is it?"

He turned back to her and put his thumb in his mouth. "It's up a little. I just need to sleep tonight."

She sat on the cabinet next to him. "How much is a little?"

He sighed, "Not much. How are you feeling? Exton said you were taking a nap."

"I'm alright. I think, I was just tired. The possibility of lying down was appealing. I just wanted to relax for a little bit. There's a banquet tonight."

"That I'm not going to."

"It's Disney!"

"Don't care."

"Stark Industries sponsored it-"

"So? Good tax write off. I'm not going."

She rolled her eyes. "Tony. You should really go. People will expect you to be there."

He leaned on the cabinet. "I can't. I'm busy."

"With what?"

"Giving you a….ummm….engagement present."

She looked confused. "A what?"

He smiled at her. "Now you sound more like yourself. What did the Irish Winemaker want?"

She shook her head. "Oh, to tell me you called her. She doesn't know it was you. She said someone claiming to be my assistant rang and asked how I took my coffee."

He grinned at her. "That's how I remember it. Yep."

She smiled as he rubbed both of her legs. He kissed her lips quickly. She put her hand on his chest. "I might be contagious."

"With 'Honeymoon Disease?' Does that mean I'll want to-"

"Ah!" She stopped him talking.

He chuckled, "I can't think of anything else I want to do, but you. How long do we have to wait before you're well?"

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

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Tony popped Pepper someplace warm. The salty breeze blew her hair.

"Don't open your eyes, yet." She heard his voice tell her. He moved behind her and held her around her waist.

She wore a lovely brown dress without shoes. He had put on a pair of swimming trunks and remained barefoot before they had popped to where ever he had taken her. He wore a black t-shirt and no shoes.

She smiled as he took her ear lobe in his mouth and sucked it. Then he nibbled it. It caused her to shiver. "Where are we?"

"At your engagement gift. You can open your eyes."

She saw that they were at a small house at a beach. The thing she saw immediately was the blue ocean that seemed to go on forever in front of them. They stood in the sitting room with window paneled doors that were opened, inviting the ocean breeze into the home. The floors and walls where wooden, white boards.

It took her breath away. She gasped and walked to the open doors and saw a small swimming pool with nets hanging on one side, just barely in the water.

"Tony. This is stunning."

He nodded. "It's copied here from Soneva Jani, in Maldives. I loved it there, but there wasn't any privacy. I thought about it when I was gone and this is probably as close to nowhere as we can get here."

"Where are we?"

He chuckled, "John and Rose's island. We're just on the other side. John copied this over here for us. So, we're protected from everything and the best part is: no Quauthin. We're by ourselves over here."

"Only took two days for you get sick of that, huh?"

"Must be a record."

"This is so beautiful, Tony." She walked back over to him and smiled.

He kissed her, "I'm so glad you said yes. This is yours. Do whatever you want. But, I do insist that you relax. Pepper, you work too damn hard."

She wiped a tear from her eye and whispered, "Tony."

He caught her lips with his own and kissed her.

"Are we really on our own here?"

"Completely. I'll have to pick up my own clothes." He teased.

She rose her eyebrows and took off her dress, reveling her bikini he had suggested she wear under it.

He rubbed his chin and watched her take off her top. He mumbled, "Completely….on our own."

"Then get a couple of towels. I'm getting in the pool."

His brain shorted out. "Oh hell yeah." He clapped his hands together in excitement.

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