Six months later.
The Stark Expo in Queens
After months of preparation the grandiose event was in its opening night.
It was a warm May night and the weather was perfect for a clear night in May 2011.
Laura herself had overseen the whole event.
She was currently standing to the side on the stage in one of her black pant suits, fiddling with one of the beads of her necklace while a large crowd in the tens of thousands waited eagerly for it to begin.
The expo itself was at the ground of the old one at the New York State Pavilion in Flushing, Queens.
Thanks to her working with the elected officials to convince them to allow them to use the grounds.
They agreed with her argument that the economic impact would be good for Queens and the city as a whole.
The past six months had her working nonstop.
Flying back and forth between Los Angeles and New York via Tony's plane, constantly for the expo and board meetings.
Her transformation of Stark Industries was well underway.
They were about to reveal the Stark line of products.
Phones, tablets, TV's, computers, software that were being made in their factory that she transformed from making weapons.
All of their devices consisting of a minimalistic clear glass design.
They even had some ventures into electric engines, planes, and cars.
They even had an F1 team that was surprisingly successful in its inaugural season.
Yep, Stark Industries was the place to work in America and the number one destination for engineers.
Tony himself was more than absent than usual which frustrated her to no end.
She was doing the jobs of two people!
But Stark posted record profits last quarter, the stock was at a record high and she was the talk of the tech and engineering world.
Just today she rang the opening bell of the stock exchange to celebrate the 20:1 stock split.
All of this had made Laura into a multi-millionaire.
Her net worth well into nine figures.
Between all of that she was in the process of getting her MBA so she would be more qualified for her job.
She also started a charity in her name to help build schools and provide teachers for children in Sub Saharan Africa.
After all, her birth parents were from there and she was fortunate every opportunity to succeed.
She also built a new version of her legs.
The braces themselves were sleeker now, fitting comfortably around the outside of her pants.
She also got her cast off which she was grateful for.
She was almost back to normal.
But she also began an intense workout program with Happy almost every day in Tony's gym.
Today was also her birthday.
Her 25th birthday.
After everything that happened in the past year she was amazed she even made it to 25.
So she bought a "small" gift for herself.
But still after everything that had happened and all that she was doing she felt... empty on the inside.
She saw the event organizer walking up to her while carrying a clipboard and sighed.
"Ms. Watson, you're up." she gestured to the stage and she groaned.
She still hated public speaking.
She dug in her bag for her anxiety meds.
The manager gave her a bottle of water and she gave her the bag.
"Thanks." she nodded while taking it.
Pepper encouraged her to see a therapist which she strongly refused to but she was able to get her doctor to prescribe them to help her deal with her attacks from her kidnapping.
Along with sleeping pills to help her sleep which she still struggled too.
"All right let's do this!" she got herself psyched up while jumping up and down and the manager strapped a mic to her collar.
The loud speakers began playing "The World Is Yours" by Nas , getting everyone's attention and they began clapping and cheering.
"The world is yours, the world is yours It's mine, it's mine, it's mine Whose world is this? (It's yours) It's mine, it's mine, it's mine Whose world is this? The world is yours, the world is yours It's mine, it's mine, it's mine Whose world is this" was heard while she marched outwards with the spotlights on her.
The crowd saw here and after a minute calmed down.
"Hello everyone thank you for coming! May I just say I may be a girl from Brooklyn but boy is it nice to be back in New York! The greatest city on Earth! Yeah!" she cheered loudly, causing everyone to cheer wildly.
"You know, I found it very fitting to choose this particular site for this little event. Where it all began all the way back in 1974. For the next year companies, and people from around the world with gather and showcase what products, showcases and ideas they have to offer to you. Our legacy. And to start off tomorrow I will personally reveal a huge announcement from Stark Industries that I know everyone here will be interested in so please watch the livestream tomorrow at 12pm on YouTube..." she said, earning some claps from the impatient crowd that had been waiting all day for something else.
"But enough about me. I know you're not here for me. So please look up high into the night for the guest of honor. The real reason why you're here. The one! The only! Tony Stark!" she announced loudly.
The crowd went nuts and she used all of her will power to not roll her eyes.
"From all of us at Stark Industries, "The World Is Yours" she quoted their slogan as it appeared on the large screen behind her.
She bowed, and walked off while taking off her mic.
"Morons." she muttered under her breath while taking her bag back.
Dancers walked past her as she pulled out her phone and took out her hearing aids, tuning out the event.
She heard faint echoes of the cheers and "Shoot to Thrill" blasting from the speakers and a C-130 flying overhead.
Fireworks were launched into the clouds while Tony himself was flying down.
He got hit by one but flew down faster. He landed hard on a platform in the middle of the stage, causing everyone to erupt.
Robotic arms rose up and began taking off the suit pieces, revealing a tux.
One took off his faceguard and he smirked at the cheering crowd while the dancers concluded and walked off.
"It's good to be back. You missed me?" he asked them.
"Blow something up!" a man yelled.
"I missed you too. Blow something up? I already did that." he joked and everyone continued to cheer.
"I'm not saying that the world is enjoying its longest period of uninterrupted peace in years because of me. I'm not saying that from the ashes of captivity, never has a greater phoenix metaphor been personified in human history. I'm not saying that Uncle Sam can kick back on a lawn chair, sipping on an iced tea because I haven't come across anyone who's man enough to go toe-to-toe with me on my best day!" he shouted and everyone clapped again.
"Please, it's not about me. It's not about you. It's not even about us. It's about legacy. It's about what we choose to leave behind for future generations. And that's why for the next year and for the first time since 1974, the best and brightest men and women of nations and corporations the world over will pool their resources, share their collective vision, to leave behind a brighter future. It's not about us. Therefore, what I'm saying, if I'm saying anything, is welcome back to the Stark Expo!" a large cheer from the crowd was heard once more.
"And now, making a special guest appearance from the great beyond to tell you what it's all about, please welcome my father, Howard." he bowed and walked off as the screen behind him began playing a video of Howard Stark.
"Everything is achievable through technology. Better living, robust health, and for the first time in human history, the possibility of world peace. So, from all of us here at Stark Industries, I would like to personally introduce you to the City of the Future. Technology holds infinite possibilities for mankind."
Laura was still looking down at her phone, ignoring Tony while browsing through articles about her.
She read through the ones about her opening the stock exchange, past ones like the interview she gave to Popular Mechanics about her legs, the Forbes 30 under 30 one about her new position and tenure.
Pepper even suggested that Christine give her an interview which she conceded but it was surprisingly flattering.
An email alert popped up and she clicked on it.
It was from the head of her donation and went wide eyed while reading it.
Someone had just donated $5,000,000 to her charity!
But the doner was anonymous.
A hand was waved in front of her face, getting her attention.
She looked up to see Tony right in front of her who was talking.
She put her phone away and popped her earring aids back in to here him talking to her.
"What?" she said without interest.
"Were you literally tuning me out?" he asked with mock hurt.
"I'm not a fan that you turned my expo that was supposed to be about your company and made it about you." she crossed her arms.
"Hey Watson." he turned her to the crowd still watching the screen.
"Look at the crowd." he gestured at it.
"They love this quit being a buzzkill." he joked.
"I'm not being a buzzkill this is just your ego times a million!" she exclaimed.
"Hey, can you get me a bottle of water please." he asked.
"Fine but I still have a ton of things I need to talk to you about." she pointed her finger at him before walking away.
He brought out a blood toxicity test kit.
He pricked his finger into it and it read "19%"
He tucked it back into his jacket pocket as Laura was coming back.
"Here." she gave him the water bottle who took it and drank it.
"You good?" she asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Yep. Let's go." the two began walking off.
"I will say the only good thing about being back in the city is I'm close to my mom's house. I'm so close to some her food." she said while rubbing her hands together.
The two walked out to the exit where Happy was waiting for them.
"Make sure you join me. And Happy Birthday Laura." he added quickly, surprising Tony.
"Thanks Happy." she smiled at him.
"It's your birthday?" Tony asked her and she rolled her eyes.
"Yes and don't worry your gift was very nice." she held up her wrist, revealing her expensive looking watch and he rolled his eyes back at her.
"Open up, let's go." Happy opened the double doors to a large crowd and press taking their pictures.
They walked down while Happy was doing his best to keep the crowd at bay.
Tony was shaking hands with everyone while Laura swallowed with unease at the flashes.
A blonde woman tried giving Tony her number but Happy shoved her back.
He began signing an Iron Man helmet a kid was wearing but Laura dragged him away.
"Come on. Come on." she said while pulling him by the wrist.
"Larry King." Happy introduced him to them.
"Larry! Larry. Yes, my people, my people." Tony shook his hand.
"Big fan of the show Larry." Laura complimented "Larry King" while shaking his hand.
They made it outside and Laura breathed a sigh of relief.
"Finally." she said relieved.
"That wasn't so bad." Happy told her.
"Very mellow." Tony agreed as they walked up to two supercars.
"Like my birthday gift Tony." Laura smiled widely at her new black Mercedes SLS.
"That's yours?" he asked surprised.
"Yeah its the new one. I figured why not? I'm incredibly rich now and life is too short, you know?" she shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.
"You're too young to be having a mid life crisis Watson." he joked.
"Hey. I'm perfectly a okay..." she said but ran over to get inside.
Reaching down to open up the gullwing door.
Ungracefully sliding in the driver seat with her prosthetics.
"Does she come with the car?" Tony asked Happy about the woman next to it.
"I certainly hope so. Hi." Happy introduced himself while he and Tony got in as the roof lowered.
Laura shuffled upwards to close the door, started her car and lowered the windows.
"Hi. And you are?" he asked.
"Marshal." she introduced herself.
"Irish. I like it." he grinned.
"Pleased to meet you Tony." she smiled back.
"I'm on the wheel. Do you mind? Where you from?" he asked while he and Happy got in the car.
"Bedford." she answered.
"What are you doing here?" he asked her.
"Looking for you and Ms. Watson" she hinted and Laura frowned while peaking her head over to her.
"Yeah? You found me. And she's over there... What are you up to later?" he asked after pointing back at Laura while hitting on her.
"Serving subpoenas." she revealed them.
Laura narrowed her eyes at the Marshal and got out to march out over to her.
"I thought I told you assholes to back off!" she said angrily, shocking Tony.
"Watson, what is this about?" he asked surprised.
"This is one of the things I've been needing to talk to you about!" she snapped back at him.
Alarming him.
"Ms. Watson, you have been uncooperative with our investigation regarding Mr. Stark's weapon which has lead us no choice but to subpoena both you and him to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee tomorrow morning at 9 am.…" she began but Laura put her hand up.
"First off it's not a weapon… The "investigation" is just more political bullshit from your masters to steal Mr. Stark's property and I won't have it! I'm done with all of you!" she said while getting into her face.
She stood her ground calmly while Tony got up to hold her back.
"Laura, just calm down." he grabbed her arm while she clenched her fists.
"Ms. Watson I must warn you that threatening a federal agent is a felony." the Marshal warned.
"Yeah well you can take your threats and subpoenas and shove it. This is what I think of them!" she tore up the subpoenas into a million pieces and tossed them back to her.
They scattered onto her clothes and Tony sighed while the Marshal brushed herself off.
"Can I see the badge?" he asked the Marshal while still holding Laura back.
"You wanna see the badge?" she held it out.
Laura simply narrowed her eyes at her and marched back into her car.
She slammed the gullwing door and sped around to Tony.
"How far are we from D.C.?" he asked her.
"250 miles. " she sighed as "NY State of Mind" began blasting from the speakers.
"Race you there?" she offered with a smirk.
He smirked back before speeding off.
"No fair!" she slammed onto the gas pedal, burning rubber to chase after him.
