Updates: 28/08/2020
Happy 28th Birthday too me! Also Happy 54th Birthday to my Dad.
And like I do every year for my stories here is an update for you!
Enjoy!
Chapter .3.
Tony was furious and hurt as he flow. How could they judge him when he never gave them a reason to doubt him? What right did they have to judge him on his age? When Rogers was older then him? It just proved to him that they were never really his friends. As if they were they wouldn't judge him on his age. He was healthier then most of them even with the Arc Reactor. The serum had that effect on him. It should be obvious why he looked young.
And why his injuries normally healed fast. After all how did they think he survived having the Arc Reactor put into his chest?
He didn't think even if they suddenly accepted his age that he would ever go back to the Avengers. After all how could he trust them to have his back? How could he trust them not to smother him? Or bench him if they think the situation was too dangerous?
He was also upset because Rhodey…no Rhodes should have at least trusted him as he thought they were like brothers. Obviously he had miscalculated. But he did think after being friends for a couple of decades Rhodes would know him better and at least trust his judgement.
Natasha didn't surprise him at wanting him to back down. As they had never been close. After all she did lie and infiltrate his company and spy on him. Thank goodness he never talked about his family when she was near him. Or they didn't come to visit him when she was there.
Barton he was furious at. Why on earth did he want a mental assessment down on him? Did he really believe that he was senile? Did Barton believe he had Alzheimer's? The nerve of Barton. When had he ever show any mental problem? When he had ever shown he was forgetful? Well besides from forgetting Birthdays. But he remembered his Wife, Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren's Birthdays. And that was a lot of dates to remember.
Banner surprised him. He thought they were friends. Did he waste all that time getting to know Banner and protecting Banner for nothing? Banner had spent the most time around him so what reason did he give Banner to ask for a health assessment?
Rogers he wasn't surprised about as they had never gotten along. And he didn't think they ever would. Especially know. Anyway what right did Rogers have to judge him with HIS age and all?
Thor he kind of understood as he had never grasped Earth's culture. But when did he give the blonde reason to doubt him Physically?
Sure he never showed his true physical condition. But he had hoped actions spoke louder then words. How many times had he saved ALL their asses? What happened to respect and gratitude?
He housed, clothed, and fed them and provided them with new gear. And THIS was the thanks he got? Well they could put up with not having their gear upgraded after all wasn't he too old and senile to be of any use to them?
So what if he was 76 he could keep up with them. He had been an army officer. Serving more tours of duty then even Rhodes and Rogers. Rogers didn't even complete basic training! He was given the serum and didn't follow up with his training.
Even with the serum in HIS veins he went through basic training. He wanted to prove and honesty earn his place in the army. He didn't want to give the army any reason for doubting him. And he had never let them down.
"Bastards", Tony mutters as he sores
"Sir Colonel Rhodes is on the line", JARVIS tells him
"Not answering J", Tony replies darkly
"Sir Captain Rogers, and Doctor Banner are trying to call", JARVIS says a few minutes later
"Jay I am not answering any calls from them", Tony growls.
He knew he couldn't trust himself to be civil with them at the moment.
"Sir you have a call from Miss Potts", JARVIS says to him
Tony scowls as he knew that those blasted Avengers or Rhodes had called her.
"Put her through J", Tony states
"Tony is it true?" Pepper asks
"Is what true?" Tony asks rolling his eyes
"Are you really…76?" Pepper asks
"So I take it the Avengers called. Or my money is on the Colonel", Tony says sneering Rhodes title.
"Tony they just worried about you. And they have a right to be! After all you have been through so much and your age…", Pepper states
"Stop right there Miss Potts. My age has nothing to do with anything or anyone other then me. I haven't ever given them a reason to doubt me physically. And as for being through so much I know I have but it doesn't change things. I have been through a lot worse then being held hostage by the Three Rings and tortured. So YOU and those so called Avengers have NO right to judge me", Tony tells her
"It is ok to slow down Tony", Pepper tells him
Tony grinds his teeth. How dare she?
"My parents after all are enjoying a nice retir…", Pepper states
Tony was seething now at her words.
"Miss Potts I will politely ask you to mind your own business. Your only concern should be my company. As it is I am currently reevaluating my choice as CEO", Tony tells her
"Tony your not thinking clearly…"
"ENOUGH! I suggest you start packing your office. As I believe I will be needing a new CEO. Good day Miss Potts", Tony says hanging up
So know he knew that nobody besides his biological and adopted children and family would accept his age.
"JARVIS lock down my Labs and MY floor at Avengers Tower. And tell the beloved residents that my belongings and so on will be out by the end of the week", Tony orders
"Of course Sir. Anything else?" JARVIS asks
"Revoke ALL codes and emergency codes that Rhodes and the others have for my Labs, properties and so on", Tony orders.
"I have done so Sir. All codes have been revoked", JARVIS replies
"Also have the lawyers serve the Avengers and Miss Potts with NDA's saying they are not allowed to tell anyone my true age and birth", Tony orders
His lawyers were the only ones that knew his true ago as his son Richard who was 55 was his head lawyer.
"I will contact Mister Richard immediately Sir", JARVIS replies
"Thanks J. Tell my son he doesn't have to be the one to serve them with those papers if he doesn't want too", Tony says even through he knew his son would be happy to do so after learning what happened.
"I will pass along the message Sir", JARVIS replies, "Anything else Sir?"
"Go through my list of Children and Grandchildren and let them know I am at the Ranch in Texas and will likely to be making it my permeant residence from now on. But don't worry for any of the family that are already on the Ranch", Tony replies after thinking for a minute.
"I will do so Sir. Any other orders?" JARVIS asks
"Not now. I am nearly home. But J I will be activating JACOSTA for the beloved heros. As I would like you to stay with me and my family", Tony replies
"I would be honoured Sir but what about DAKOTA?" JARVIS asks
DAKOTA was the Ranches AI.
"You both will be working side by side", Tony replies
Tony sees his Ranch come into view and smiles. He would see his lovely and devoted wife soon. He sees the horses look up at his arrival. He and his Ranch hands had trained the horses not to be spooked by his suit.
He touches down and the armour immediately starts to come off.
He smiles when he sees kids running towards him excitedly.
"Grandpa!" "Pops!" "Granddad!" "Poppy!"
Tony laughs as he scoops up his 3-Year-Old Great Granddaughter Miranda Stark. The rest of the kids hug him around his legs.
"Hello to you too", Tony laughs kissing their heads and hugging Miranda tightly.
"We missed you Poppy!" Miranda declares
"And I have missed each and everyone off you", Tony replies smiling his mood lifting.
"I won first place at a schools spelling bee!" one says
"I won at a science fair!"
"I have drawn you some pictures Poppy!"
"Can we go riding Pops?"
All the kids where happily telling him what he had missed. When movement across the field catches his attention.
Tony looks over the field to see his amazing wife walking towards him. Her long blonde hair waving in the breeze. Her green eyes filled with happiness and joy.
The only sign of her age was the wisdom in her eyes and only one or two winkles.
"Alexandrina", Tony breaths putting Miranda down.
"Anthony", Alexandrina says
Tony pulls her into his arms and kisses her passionately.
She kisses him back just as passionately.
All of Tony's anger, hurt and pain washes away with her in his arms and being with his family.
Finally he was home…
Where he belonged…
And more importantly he was where he was accepted…
Author's Note: What do you think? Please Review:)