Hellooo! :D
I know I've made Tony a hard guy to love as of late. But hey, he was a hard guy to love before the whole Afghanistan incident (which is when all of this is supposed to be occurring), so, I guess I'm just trying to stay true to the character development we've all come to know and love! LOL! :D
Anyway, you guys are SO SO great for sticking with this fic, and bearing all of this angst and strife. I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's a bit intense, as we have come to a spot in the story where the metal must meet the meat!
Happy Reading! And I promise I will update ASAP, as I will have left you in quite a tight spot at the end of this installment...
"And this," Vanessa said proudly, a few hours later, as we were wrapping up the tour of her company's new facility in the industrial area of Greater London the next day. "Is what I like to call our 'pride and joy'. As I'm sure you'll agree, Tony," she cooed, wrapping herself around the crook of Tony's arm. The three of us stared through thick shatter-proof windows at what appeared to be a state of the art research lab, filled with cutting-edge equipment and workers in lab coats wearing googles and latex gloves.
I looked sidelong at Tony, who studied the room silently for several moments. Then he turned to Vanessa and smiled. "Looks like you've pulled out all the stops on this place. Well done, if you don't mind my saying so," he said, smiling warmly at her.
"Well, I'd hoped you'd like it," she replied, feigning bashfulness. "This is where you'll be spending your time while you're here. Those projects I want you to look over? We have a large drawing room in that back corner where you'll be able to make yourself quite comfortable," she said, pointing toward a closed door in the back of the room.
"Perfect," Tony said. "When do we start?"
"As soon as you're ready, love," she said. "And you," she said, spinning around to look in my direction with a leer. "I don't expect you're interested in what we're doing here. No layperson would be! How could they?" she said with a forced, phony chuckle. "The whole thing would be dreadfully boring to you, I'd imagine! But surely London offers something you'd find of interest?" she asked snidely.
I had to admit, sitting around looking at project blue prints for new uses for nuclear power wasn't my idea of fun. And it's not that I had an issue with spending some time relaxing here on my own, but I didn't appreciate being shooed out the door like an unwanted house cat. Especially by Vanessa.
I smiled curtly, my hackles raising at her condescending statement. "I appreciate your consideration, Ms. Matthews," I said politely, trying to control my ire. "London is one of my favorite cities, and I certainly have taken advantage of what it offers when Mr. Stark and I have had the pleasure of visiting in the past," I shot back. I flicked my gaze to him. "But, ultimately it is up to him to dismiss me," I said resolutely.
Tony shrugged and nodded in agreement. "She's right, Pep," he said. "You'll be bored to tears by what we'll be doing. So feel free to cut out and tour the great city of London! Enjoy yourself! Go shopping! See the sights! I know how to find you if I need you," he assured.
I frowned in confusion. "Oh-kay," I said slowly, not understanding why Tony was continuing to feed Vanessa's perception that I was a some noobie tourist. But, rather than break my ever-professional exterior and argue, I just smiled politely again, and nodded courteously. "Very well. I'll make sure you have everything you need, and then I believe London and I have a date," I said, changing my tone to one of good humor.
"Wonderful," Vanessa cooed, in great satisfaction.
XxXxXxXxXx
I sat watching the foot traffic outside the window of the coffee shoppe I'd found, and had managed to spend the last couple of hours in, since I'd left Tony and Vanessa at the factory. It was on a quiet little side street, away from the main veins of traffic, where a lot of pedestrians were walking to and from their points of destination, with the collars of their jackets turned up, and umbrellas over their heads in defense against the weather. It was a typical dreary day, with fog and a slight drizzle, and I was grateful to my cab driver who had directed me to this place to find something warm to drink, and a cozy atmosphere in which to spend a few quiet hours people-watching. I was enjoying my time alone, and away from Tony and Princess Kissy-Face (I'm sorry. Really. I don't mean to sound so childish. These names just keep coming to mind. Vanessa. Her name is Vanessa.) I only wished there was someone to share it with.
Just then, my phone vibrated on the table with a notification. My eyes lit up when I saw who it was. "Nick," I said, dreamily, grinning. I opened his message. It read simply:
How's London?
I giggled at how such a simple message was making me smile so widely. I nodded and smiled impishly. "Fine," I said, typing the same in reply. Then I added:
It's rainy and foggy as ever, but fine. And you?
I hit send, and held my breath, hoping he'd respond. It was like he'd read my mind. Cute AND telepathic?, I mused to myself jokingly.
Then my phone buzzed again, and I startled a little from the excited little thrill it sent to my heart. I opened his reply.
Better, now that I'm talking to you. I'm sorry. Was that a dopey thing to say?
I giggled and typed.
Sometimes dopey is good.
I hit send. Only seconds later came a response.
Just to be clear, is right now one of those times?, he asked.
I chuckled and typed.
Very much so.
But I didn't hit send. I hesitated. There was more I wanted to say, but I wasn't sure how to say it. But then I decided, what the hell? He messaged me first! He's obviously wanting to talk. So I started typing again.
How did you know you I wanted to hear from you?
I hesitated once more before clicking send. But I finally did it, quickly, and with a pointed jab. Then I tossed my phone down like it had suddenly begun smoking. I bit my lip, as the seconds crawled by like centuries, praying I hadn't scared him away.
Then came his response. I gasped, and quickly picked up my phone, my eyes scanning his words.
No super powers here, I'm afraid, it began. I was just wanting to find out if we could get together tonight?
I frowned in confusion. "But I'm in...London. You...we just..." I murmured in a stammer. I picked up my phone and typed:
I'm not following
I waited, chewing my lip impatiently for his answer. I sat there, staring at my phone for at least five minutes. Thinking he'd somehow forgotten that I was in London (even though we'd just been talking about it), and was embarrassed that he'd asked the question, I dismissed our conversation and sighed heavily with disappointment. I shifted my gaze back to the pedestrians on the street, and took a sip of my coffee.
Just then, out of the blue, my phone buzzed again. I swallowed hard, and picked it up, reopening my messaging. It was Nick again, and his reply read:
Sorry. Just disembarked at Heathrow. About tonight, though. Are you free?
I gasped, in shock. And furiously began to write my reply.
Heathrow?! Really?! You're really here? What on Earth are you doing in London? Surely, you didn't come just for me! "Although that would be the most romantic thing ever, and I'd have half a mind to marry you on the spot," I murmured giddily.
Only milliseconds fell between my message and his next one.
I know it would be romantic if I said yes, but alas, I have to be honest. A big client of mine called me this morning and requested a face to face meeting as soon as possible, so I hopped the next flight. It shouldn't take long. A couple of hours, and then I'm free. So how about a night together in London Town? You game?
I suddenly couldn't stop grinning. I was grinning so hard, my cheeks hurt.
Yes. Yes! Absolutely!, I replied, over-joyed.
Terrific! I'll call you as soon as I'm sprung outta there, and we'll decide where to go, he wrote back.
Sounds perfect!, I replied. I can't wait!
XxXxXxXxXx
I stood over the top of a large illuminated drafting table in the back drawing room of Vanessa's research lab, the CAD blue prints she'd given me spread out over the length of it. She'd come and gone periodically over the last few hours as I'd worked, and for the last few minutes, she'd been standing close by, her arms folded, and her fist to her mouth, seemingly anxiously awaiting my input.
I sighed, with an air of frustration, and rubbed the bridge of my nose, closing my tired eyes for a moment. "Vanessa," I said finally, pulling my gaze up to meet hers. "I have to say...I'm failing to understand why you'd need my two cents on any one of these projects. It seems you've already got them pretty well mapped out. I can't say that I'd change any..."
Vanessa gave me a sheepish grin. "Can I make a confession to you, love?" she asked almost giddily, interrupting me, and pulling me around to face her. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and smirked.
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. "A confession?" I asked.
She nodded emphatically. "Mmmmm Hmmmm," she purred. She giggled, and then shook her head. "Oh, you are going to laugh when I tell you this," she began.
But I wasn't laughing. "Tell me what," I said sternly, suddenly feeling my annoyance rise up in my brain and burn in my ears. Vanessa wasn't much of a game player, as I knew of her thus far. But now wasn't the time for her to start. I wanted her to start talking, or I was packing up and hauling my ass outta here. She dragged me all the way to London for something I thought would be work-related. Not a surprise vacation. Hey, she was beautiful, and a great lay and all, but I vacation on my own time. On my own terms.
She walked a couple of fingers flirtatiously up my chest. "Oh, Tew-ny," she cooed. "Poor, sweet, gullible Tew-ny."
I startled at her words and scoffed, looking at her in surprise. "Excuse me?" I asked abruptly.
She clucked her tongue and pulled away from me. "These blue prints you've been studying?" she said, pointing to the table as she circled around it. I turned around to watch her, my chest heaving as I was now on full alert, wondering what she was going to pull on me.
She stopped moving, and braced herself on the table with both hands. "Decoys," she whispered.
I gritted my teeth. "Decoys," I replied flatly.
She smirked slyly and nodded. "I actually brought you here for something much bigger," she said eagerly. She jiggled up and down, excitedly clapping her hands, and squealing with delight. I found the whole display unnerving.
I just stood there, my jaw set, my nostrils flared, growing more and more freaked out and pissed off by the second. "Vanessa, you'd better cough up what it is I'm doing here or I'll..." I threatened.
"We're partnering, darling!" she said, as if it were obvious. "You own the biggest munitions company in the world! I own the biggest nuclear energy company in the world! Wouldn't it only make sense that we merge the two?! The world would be at our mercy!" she said delightedly.
I spluttered and recoiled. "What?!" I demanded. "Vanessa, what the hell..."
She slithered around to me again, coiling herself around me like a constrictor. "Don't you see, my darling?!" she hissed, just millimeters from my face. "We hold every single key to every single kingdom on the planet. All that's to be done is to make ourselves known to the world's highest bidders, and we'd be the biggest force this miserable little rock has every seen!"
I shook my head. "No," I said sternly. "No. It wouldn't work. We'd never get away with it. You're talking about nukes, Vanessa! Sold to whoever had the most dough, right?! No matter the destruction, no matter the..."
"That's not our problem, love!" she argued.
"Yeah, but getting thrown in the slammer for the rest of our lives is! You don't think they'd be on us faster than white on rice before we ever made the first sale?! And of course we'd have to worry about the destruction! Are you insane?! Do the words nuclear holocaust ring a bell?" I shouted.
To which she only began to chuckle darkly in reply. She pulled away from me. "Scare tactics from our childhoods only, Tony," she purred in a sing-song voice, walking back toward the drafting table.
I stood stone still, watching this maniac before me as she flipped through the pages of velum her fake blueprints were on. "You don't honestly believe these country would use what we'd supply them, do you? What would possess them to destroy the source of every thing they love? Hmmmm? Why would they give up their money? Their power? Their chance at world domination? You can't control what's been destroyed, Tony. And wasn't it your beloved President,Teddy Roosevelt, who said, 'speak softly and carry a big stick?' " she asked, over her shoulder. "Why not be the one to distribute the sticks? Level the field, a bit? Let them stand in the stale mate, missiles pointed at each other, while we walk away with all of the profits?"
"A nuke's a pretty damn big stick," I replied snidely. "And you're actually willing to trust bat-shit crazy, power-hungry dictators to make good judgement calls with a nuke in their hands? Vanessa! Some of these guys lose their shit if somebody so much as looks at them wrong. What could possibly make you think..."
"Kim Jong-un, only yesterday, has signed a preliminary offer for 20,000 nuclear war heads to be shipped in the next 3 months," she stated. "And his initial payment of ten million will be sent to an account in the Cayman's. All you have to do is say yes, darling," she cooed. "And the rest will be taken care of."
I nodded. "I bet he has. But you'll just have to tell him tough shit," I replied coldly.
She chuckled, and walked back over to me. "Mmmmmm-no, I won't," she said, matter-of-fact. "And neither will you."
Just then, the door to the room swung open and two over-sized guys in black suits stormed in. Each of them grabbed me around the arms, and slammed me down on a stool beside the drafting table. I struggled to try to break free, but it was hopeless. Each of them outweighed me by at least seventy five pounds a piece. One of them managed to work a long, capped syringe out of his pocket, filled with a clear liquid. I squirmed even harder.
"Hold still, bloke, and quit your squirmin'," he said, in a thick cockney accent, yanking the cap of the syringe off with his teeth simultaneously, which he violently spit out onto the floor.
"Oh, Tew-ny," Vanessa said forlornly, straddling my lap, and cupping my face in her hands. "I hate to have done this to you, darling! We could have been so good together, if you would have just agreed to go along like I'd hoped," she said.
"I'll...never...go along..with you," I grunted, fighting futily to get away.
She sighed heavily. "Pity," she moaned, pouting. Then she kissed me hard, the bile rising in the back of my throat as she shoved her tongue inside my mouth. Then, she broke the kiss abruptly and nodded to the goon with the needle. He nodded back and jammed it in my neck, shoving the plunger down hard before yanking it out again. I yelped, yowling with pain, the mysterious clear liquid coursing through my veins with a sharp burn. My chest heaved, as I tried to catch my breath, but my lungs felt like they were being squeezed in a vice. My heart thundered in my ears, and my vision suddenly went static-y, like an old black and white tv before I began to black out.
"You...bitch," I growled, with the last bit of breath I had, before it all went dark.
