Iron Man

Friction

Part Two

Pepper remained quiet as Victor Peterson explained his environmental project. Pepper looked over the flies, charts, and blueprints. It looked amazing on paper. She even wondered how it would look in person. But what amazed her even more was to even being sitting across from this man again. The last time she saw him was in college, which didn't end on good terms.

Yet here he was, sitting before her in a suit with a smile spread across his lips. But she couldn't help but wonder if he's truly changed, for she couldn't explain it. But something didn't seem right.

"Last time I saw you, you were a bumbling writer,"

"And you were my muse. But writing didn't pay the bills, so I had to change," Victor said.

"As do we all."

Victor and Pepper rose to their feet. Shaking hands with smiles, Pepper continued, looking into his eyes. For even though there was a smile on his lips, his eyes seem to hold something else.

"I have changed, honest; well, I hope to hear from you." Victor said.

Pepper nodded as she watched Victor leave the room. The moment he was out of sight, she plopped back down in her chair. Looking down at her list. She placed Victor's name down. Placing a label on the USB he gave her, she placed in her back with the others.

He made it on to Tony's project list, but that meant nothing. Tony could look at his project and dent it, which happens often. For usually only picks one off his list so she would have to wait and see. Maybe this would be the last time would ever lay eyes on Victor, which would make her thrilled.

Happy watched as the door opened and Mr. Peterson stepped out the room. He smiled at him and waved before walking down the hall. Happy's eyes narrowed. He didn't like that guy. His smile looked fake and that suit he probably bought it for today. And when he peaked in on Pepper during the interview, even though she was smiling, Pepper hesitated something she rarely does.

Scratching his chin, Happy nodded to himself. If that Peterson guy showed up again, he would definitively monitor him closely.

Meanwhile, up in the Avengers helicarrier, Tony leaned back in his chair as he skimmed over the list Pepper emailed him. The team had been busy stopping villain after villain and with what little downtime he had; he slipped in some project work.

Sighing as he inserted flash driver after flash drive, his eyes fell upon two environmental projects he found interesting. One was an electrical alternative, while the other was about purifying large bodies of water.

Pulling out his cell phone, Tony dialed the number and held his cell phone to his ear. Tapping his finger on the table, he sighed as he waited for someone to pick up.

In a parking lot, Victor Peterson looked down at the unconscious body of a young man. He dropped a wallet beside him that read Charles Anderson. He also dropped his cell phone that had a cracked screen that showed four miss calls.

A buzzing noise reached Victor's ears as he pulled out his phone as he held it up to his ear.

"Hello?" Victor asked.

"Mr. Peterson?" the voice asked.

"Yes, who is this?"

"Hi, I am Tony stark from Stark industries. I have looked over your project's blueprints and I am interested. Since my number one pick isn't answering, I was wondering if let me fund the project." Tony said.

"Yes, that would be great," Victor said enthusiastically.

"Great, So I have some time next week say Friday afternoon?"

"Sure at the company?"

"Yes,"

"See you next week," Victor said before hanging up the phone.

Slipping his cell phone back in his pocket, Victor dusted himself off as he looked down at the unconscious man.

"Sorry Charlie, you not meant to be in this story," Victor said in a sinter tone.

Walking away with a smile spread across his lips, Victor mentally jumped for joy. With his plan finally set in motion, his smile grew, for it meant one thing.

"We'll shall me again…. my muse."

A shiver ran up Pepper's back as she opened her eyes. She was sitting in the back of the car with Pepper driving. Glancing at the time on her watch, it read 4:30PM.

She has been to four meetings and handled many calls since this morning. Not to mention all the interviews. Pepper was grateful for what sleep she could get.

"While you were asleep Tony texted you and called me." Happy said. "He's decided about whose project he's going to fund."

Pulling out her phone, she skimmed over her messages. Her eyes widen when she saw the name Victor Peterson. Setting her phone down, Pepper closed her eyes and rubbed her temples.

Glancing up at the rear-view mirror, Happy sighed. He knew she wouldn't be happy about this.

"So how do you know this Peterson guy?"

"Yes, I met him in college," Pepper said, still rubbing her temples.

"Ah, was he a boyfriend, friend or enemy?" Happy asked, hoping to get some more information out of her.

Pepper sighed as she finally looked outside the window before sighing again.

"All three…"

Happy wanted to know more, but after getting that vague response, he wasn't sure he should ask anymore. But Pepper spoke again.

"No more questions, Happy I don't feel like talking for a while."

Happy nodded and remained silent as Pepper kept looking out the window. Pepper looked at the sky, hoping to see the sun. Yearning for its light to warm her skin and give her the courage she needed to deal with this. But at last it remained hidden behind the clouds. She even heard a low rumble echo through the sky. As the once blue canvas, now faded to a dark gray. Even mother nature knew what was coming and for once she didn't think she could weather this storm.