Chapter 5
Ever since Tony Stark got kidnapped. Skye has been working around the clock. Getting used to the new temporary head of Stark Industries, who really likes to boss her around.
She now has to wear actual ties to work.
And sometimes, she'd be so frustrated by him. She would just text Bobbi to meet her at her hotel room for some angry sex. After she'd cooled down they would go out for drinks and chat like old friends.
Their first encounter turned from one night stand to a friend with benefits. And that was exactly what it was. Although, they're more friends with each other, no introducing each other to their own friends. They agreed to that.
Other than having angry sex with Bobbi and taking her frustration out on her. She would also hang out with Happy and Pepper. Getting closer to the two.
On days when Pepper was free in the evening, they would meet up at Skye's apartment and watch some old chicklits. Talk about whatever comes to her mind. Skye didn't mind the sarcastic comments from the woman, she actually finds it refreshing.
Spending time with Happy was different than spending time with Pepper. With Happy, she would be in the ring. Fighting with Happy, training to extend her stamina.
One day, he took her to a shooting, and oh boy, did she surprise him when she efficiently picked up the gun and shot the target with 100% accuracy. A coy smile snapped him out of his state of awe and confusion. 'I've been practicing.' was enough for him to blink and get her permission to keep a weapon on her, concealed of course.
During her time with Happy. They sparred on multiple occasions, her getting the high ground each time, thanks to the training of Stick. Their banter has turned more light hearted. They spent a lot of time together going over security drills.
Two months after Tony's disappearance, there was a day and it was the worst. Without her permission or even a slight warning. Stane had hired someone to install a virus for her to dismantle. Just as a 'test', he said. That test took the last half of her work day to clear up.
Then the sleazy bag had the audacity to come in and explain that her resume wasn't in the system. That is because she deleted it after she got hired by Stark.
The day of frustration was so bad. That she had called up Katelin and asked her where she was. When she mentioned a cafe near her café, Skye told her to wait on her outside and that she'll be right there.
Arriving on the motorcycle, she saw a slight worry in Katelin's eyes. Once they got down in her garage. Skye just opened the elevator and kissed Katelin before pushing her in.
She loosened her tie and got in after her. Attacking Kate's neck, she fumbled to unbutton her blouse.
Once in Skye's apartment, she pushed the blonde against the closest furniture that was around. And of course, minute after reaching her climax. Her elevator dinged and a voice rang out. "Hey Skye, Matt said- Oh jesus!" He called out.
"Fuck!" Skye cursed, "Foggy." Throwing a blanket over Katelin before putting on the shorts that she left on her coffee table.
She kissed Katelin before telling her to go ahead and bathe. Buttoning her shirt, she walked over to Foggy before smacking him upside the head. "What are you doing here, unannounced." She hissed.
"Sorry." He said, "I have to use your washer and pick up a few things from Matt. Extend an invite and all." He rambled. "Really hot chick by the way."
Skye just threw him a, 'are you kidding me' look. "Use the washer, grab his stuff and get out." She said and walked into the kitchen, "Next time, let me know you're coming."
Seconds after the elevator closed, she picked off all the clothes and stepped in behind Katelin. Sitting behind Katelin, she began to nibble on the side of her neck. "Sorry about him." She whispered and grazed her fingers against Kate's ribcage.
Katelin moaned and threw her neck back onto Skye's shoulder. "You can make up to me."
The hacker let her hand roam down from the rib cage down to her groin. "I'm sorry for calling as well. My boss is a bitch."
"Less boss and more action."
–
In her free time, which she barely has now that Stane is her boss. She hacks into the military system to try and keep track of how much land they cover. Each time she checks in on them, she loses bricks of hope that she had built for Stark.
She doesn't tell Pepper anything of her actions. But she knows that Pepper knows. They had quiet moments of just understanding between the two.
When Happy invited them to a bar, the two agreed and sat in one of the bars that Skye and Tony frequented.
She wears a somber look on her face.
Skye does sit up straighter when a man walks into the bar. Dressed in a military uniform. Skye recognizes him. Rhodes, he is the man that was Stark's liaison to the military.
Skye wants nothing more but to punch the man and blame him for Stark's disappearance. She is sure that it is a crime to punch the military. So she sits and obeys. Instead of wearing the somber look on her face, she just held her head up high and doesn't look the man in the eyes.
After that bar experience, she called her brother and Foggy. Taking the two out to the bar back in Hell's Kitchen. Back to their roots.
Drunkenly, they all sat in a booth. Just grinning at each other, talking about what has been going on lately.
Then Foggy spoke up about Katelin. Matt just grinned and said, "I know."
Skye squinted her eyes at him. Then he just tapped his nose. The older girl just bursts out laughing. There were days that Matt would just sniff around whenever Skye had a girl over and he would just know.
Then Matt tells about his escapades with the new girl he has been hanging out with called Elektra.
The hacker never wants to set foot in Fogwell's until she sees the floor being disinfected herself.
Then, the month just passes.
–
The found him.
That is the first thing she sees when she starts her computer up to stalk the military once again.
Stark is found. Alive.
She threw on some clothes from the day before and just ran into the elevator. Holding the phone up to her ears, dialing Pepper.
Pepper, half awake, answers the phone. "Do you know what time it is?"
"It is time to get the fuck out of bed." Skye said with a grin. "They found Stark. He's being transported to a hospital and I'll send the address to you."
A gasp was heard from the other side of the phone. "Tony?"
"Tony is back." Skye confirms. "Look, can you call Happy-"
"I'll do that." Pepper immediately answers. "What are you going to do?"
"Getting us permission to go to his hospital room. You know how they are when it comes to visitors."
"Right." Pepper said, "How are you going to do that?"
"I have to pick up some papers in the office and change some things in the hospital system. Maybe leave some fixer uppers behind. You'd be surprised how easy it is to hack into the system. I'm rambling, see you at the hospital-" She said and hung up once she entered the garage floor.
Putting on her helmet, she immediately drove off to Stark Industries. Once arriving, she saw that the boss' office light was still on.
Dismissing the thought, she ran into the building and repeatedly pressed the button to go up faster. Even though it really does not change anything. Then the elevator stopped at a floor.
The doors slid open, revealing Stane. The bald bearded man wore an angry expression and after setting eyes on the hacker, he immediately put up a front.
Skye nodded in greeting and noted the change in expression. Growing up in the foster system teaches you to notice things and just observe.
"Late night in the office?" Skye asks, making small talk.
"Just had to pick some things up. How about you?"
"Same." She answered and the doors opened once again. "Good evening, Stane."
"You too, Murdock." She was uncomfortable with the way he said her name.
She pushed away the uneasy feeling and ran to her office. The computers are already at her request to JARVIS. She started on hacking into the hospital's mainframe right away. Revealing that Stark is resting in a private room, she immediately gives Pepper, Happy and her permission to visit.
She also forged a note to his file that they were called and allowed to visit. Letting them stay the night as Pepper was the guest with the overnight pass. She also forged it for her and Happy signed in as his bodyguard, so that they could stay there with no problems. Keeping a gun on them as well.
Going over to install some of Stark's medical papers she put the files in her bag and told JARVIS to send everyone Tony's location while she made her way back to her motorcycle.
–
Arriving at the hospital, they let her through without an issue. She hurried and opened the door, gently.
Revealing a sleeping Tony Stark and a sleeping Pepper on her side. By observation, she saw Happy in the far corner, looking at the two with a look in the eyes that she recognizes.
Fondness.
Skye quietly picked up a chair and set it next to the retired boxer. "How is he."
"He didn't let anyone touch him. Kept saying to leave him alone."
Skye sighed, "Doctors can't do anything if he doesn't give permission."
Happy just shrugged. "He was held hostage. It could be some leftover trauma."
Skye just nodded and turned to stare at the two.
–
Directly the next day, Tony Stark was out of the hospital. Up and walking, bossing everyone around.
He even bossed Happy around to drive them to get a burger. Happy being Happy can't refuse and listens to his friend.
Skye just frowned as she wore her casual suit without a tie. She stepped out after him and was greeted by flashing lights. She nodded at Happy and he just sighed.
"Turn your flashes off!" He yelled, "He's recovering!"
Walking right behind Skye. She saw that Stane was waiting for them. Well, them is loosely said. Tony Stark and co. The man had a look on his face that Skye could just not trust. At all.
Then Stark makes his speech and declares that Stark Industries will stop producing weapons. Then the slimy bastard tries to talk him down, saying that it is something that his father wouldn't have wanted.
–
"He called me into his lair and told me to replace his expired arc reactor."
"Those things have expiry dates?" Skye asks, dumbfounded.
"Skye, focus. I literally put him in cardiac arrest!" Pepper exclaimed over the phone.
"I know." Skye told her, "He already told me."
"You should've led with that."
Skye moved out of the way of some workers and kept walking down the street. "Look, I'll see you later. Allright?"
"Okay. See you later." Pepper said and hung up. Pushing the phone in her pocket, Skye entered the hotel, hoping to know something more about another friend.
"Hey Fred!" She greeted, "How have you been?"
"Just fine, Skye." The front desk manager of the four seasons hotel said, "What can I do for you?"
"Katelin hasn't been answering my phone. Would you so happen to have a card that you can give out? So that I can check on her."
Fred just looked at her with a look in his eyes that Skye can decipher. She already prepares herself for the news. "Mrs. Frayer has moved out. She had mentioned that she had to go overseas for her job."
"Oh."
"She left a few days ago."
"Thank you for telling me, Fred." She said and took out her wallet. Sliding the old man a few bills. "Buy yourself something nice. You're a good man!" She called out as she left the lobby and walked out to the busy New York City streets.
She unlocked her phone and called up Katelin's number. Straight to voicemail. "Hey Katelin. I kinda wished you left a note, you know what I mean? Take care of yourself. You're a great friend. Call me whenever." She hung up, short and sentimental.
She gave a bitter smile as she walked through Central Park. Looking around at the different people who were just living their life. Arriving at her apartment complex, she nodded at her front desk manager, dropping off a pretzel from the stand in front.
She looked down at her phone and noticed the missed call from Stark along with a message.
'New project. Come over!'
Grinning, the hacker went up to her apartment and changed into her tinkering outfit. Or well, an old grey t-shirt that got ruined once.
–
"What we doing today." She called out as she entered the lair. "Also, getting Pepper to replace your arc reactor? Not cool!"
"in the back!" Tony shouted.
Skye walked over and gaped at the metal shoe laid out in front of him. "You're remaking it?"
"Remaking it to be even better." He said with a grin.
She then saw it, in his eyes. He didn't want to feel powerless again, like the time he was taken hostage. He didn't want to feel like that again. She recognizes a haunted look as well.
"What do you need me to do?"
"I have some programming skeleton on there." He said and waved towards the computer in the corner. "If you could just, smooth out the edges. That would be greatly appreciated."
"Got it bossman." Skye saluted and sat in the corner facing the man. She observes as he continues to build the suit that she had heard about. The big tin man.
She looked at the skeleton program infront of her and just blinked, skeleton was an understatement. Barely anything except vague instructions. "Want me to program JARVIS into it?" She asks.
"Obviously." He then added, "I'm making you a helmet, for your motorcycle. Adding JARVIS into that as well. As a thank you."
"Thank you for what?"
"Looking for me." He looked at her with a smile, "Rhodes said someone's computer glitch onto the crash of the convoy."
Skye just looked at him with a fond smile, "Legally, that wasn't me." She then remembered that Tony wasn't updated on her girl drama. "Remember the blonde before you left?"
"Oh yeah, she was so into you." Stark answered as he welded some pieces together.
"We became friends with benefits after you left." She told, "Just sex, then we just get dressed and actually act like friends. It was nice."
"Sounds nice. No drama?"
"We put down some ground rules."
"Handy."
"Since you got back, she upped and left."
"Did she leave you anything?"
"Nothing." Skye answered, "I left her a voicemail." Shrugging, she looked back at Tony. "Gained my friend back, lost another. That's fine, scales are balanced."
"Sounds like a done deal."
"It is. Just sad it had to happen like that."
"Should I have sent you a text as well, or.." He joked.
Skye just rolled her eyes and chuckled, amused. "Don't you disappear on me again." She muttered.
She nearly didn't hear him whispering, "I won't."
–
On days that she was free, she spent it with her little brother. She once tries to show her a video of Stark flying for the first time but, you know.
Blind.
Then she got invited for pizza with Pepper and Stark. Since when does pizza come with a Stane? Because she would rather not have him around, at all.
She grabbed her pizza from the pile and looked at Pepper. "When is Stark up?"
"Stark is always up." his voice said as he appeared from the stairs. "Stane, what a lovely surprise."
'Yeah, right.' Skye thought as she oppressed rolling her eyes at him.
"What she doing here?" Stane asked and pointed at her. Causing her to raise her eyebrows at him.
"I'm programming one of his designs." She said and took a bite, "I'm also hungry."
"How did it go?" Stark asks
Stane just made a trained micro-expression at her. "Right. Just because I brought it back from San Francisco. Doesn't mean it went bad." The bald man said. "Would've been better if you were there."
"Uh-huh, you told me to lay low. That is what I've been doing. I lay low and you take care of all-"
"Hey, come on now." Stane abandoned the piano, "In public. The press. This was a board of directors meeting."
Stark looked taken aback, "This was a board of directors meeting?"
"The board is claiming you have PTSD. They're filing an injunction." He shared his piece of information and Skye frowned.
"They want to lock you out."
"'Cause stocks dropped 40 points? We knew that was gonna happen."
Pepper then interrupted, "56 and a half."
"It doesn't matter. We own the controlling interest in the company." he said with such an attitude, Skye was a bit taken aback.
"Tony, the board had rights, too. They're making a case that you and your new direction aren't the company's best interest."
"I'm being responsible!" Stark said and Skye could sympathize. He had told her about what he saw when he escaped. Stark cannons were at the base. He felt responsible.
"That's a new direction for me," He said and then quickly corrected himself, "for the company. I mean, me on the company's behalf of being responsible for the way that.."
He took a breath in, "This is great." He muttered and stood up.
"Oh come on. Tony. Tony."
"I'll be in the shop. Skye, I need your thoughts." He said and walked down the stairs.
Skye nodded and stood up, pizza slice in her hand. She looked back at Pepper with a comforting smile, saying 'I'll take care of him, while you take care of this.'. It was their way of unspoken communication.
Stane then halted Tony. "I'm trying to turn this thing around, but you gotta give me something. Something to pitch them." He then pointed towards his new heart. "Let me have the engineers analyze that. You know, draw up some specs."
"No. No, absolutely not." Stark immediately threw the idea away.
"It'll give me a bone to throw at the boys." Stane argued. Then the two turned petty, and the big bald man took Tony's pizza box. "Mind if I come down there and see what you're doing?"
"Good night, Obie." Tony says and walks down the stairs. Skye just followed her boss down the stairs. Happily munching on a pizza.
–
"Oh my god. Tony, no." Skye said as she looked at the scene in front of her. When Tony said he had something to show her, she thought it would be something to add to the costume.
Not, a tin man falling from the rooftop down onto one of his prized car. Which is located in the garage/basement.
The warped voice of Tony Stark rang out, "Tony, yes. Now help me out." He ordered and Skye sighed as she stood up.
A/N: I know that the Daredevil plot is coming along slowly, but, I just gotta write Iron man 2 out a bit and make it a 'long story short' situation so we can get to Hell's kitchen content
