"An unfortunate training exercise occurred with an F-22 Raptor occurred yesterday," Rhodey announced to the press. "I am pleased to announce that the pilot was not injured. As for the unexpected turn of events on the ground in Gulmira, it is still unknown who or what intervened, but I can assure you that the United States government was not involved." Biela watched the screen, listening to Tony yelps of pain in the background. "Seriously, I thought you designed that thing to come off," she said.
"Well it is a tight fit, sir," Jarvis said. Biela heard heels coming down the stairs. "Someone's coming," she told Tony. "Sir, the more you struggle, the more this is going to hurt," Jarvis said. "Be gentle, this is my first time," he said as he struggled with the robots. "I did design this thing to come off, so…OW! Hey!" "Please try not to move, sir," Jarvis said.
Biela watched as a woman, who she assumed to be Pepper Potts, walked over to Tony, paying no interest to her as she lounged on the couch watching TV. "What's going on here?" the woman asked. Tony froze at the sound of her voice, then turned to look at her. "Let's face it, this is not the worst thing you've caught me doing," he said. "Are those bullet holes?" she asked in shock.
"Yes, but they didn't penetrate, I checked already," Biela said from her place on the couch. The woman turned to look at her. "Bee, this is my assistant, Pepper Potts, Pep, this is my friend Biela Evans, I told you she was coming," Tony introduced. Biela got off the couch and shook Pepper's hand. "Pleased to meet you," she said sweetly. "Tony told me so much about you while we were in the caves."
Pepper raised an eyebrow and glanced at Tony. "I'm not sure whether to be scared or flattered." Biela shrugged. "Probably the latter, we didn't have much time to talk, we spent most of our time working or sleeping." Meanwhile, Tony had finally gotten the suit off. "Pep, would you mind taking Bee shopping?" He turned to Biela. "We furnished your room, but we didn't really know what you'd like, so it's rather Spartan at the moment." "Will that be all, Mr. Stark?" Pepper asked. "That will not be all, Miss Potts. I need Starbucks!"
The two females laughed as they went upstairs.
Pepper and Biela walked outside, where a fancy black car awaited them. The driver got out to open their doors. "Biela, this is Happy Hogan, Tony's chauffeur and bodyguard. Happy, this is Biela Evans, Mr. Stark's especial friend who will be staying with us for a while." "Pleased to meet you, Miss Evans," the man greeted.
"Where to?" he asked once they were in the car. "We're going shopping, Happy. To the highest-end children's clothing store you can find, please," Pepper said. "Wait, has Tony fed you, yet?" "I got a late dinner yesterday on the plane," Biela shrugged. "You must be starving!" Pepper exclaimed. Biela shrugged. "Not really, I only at once or twice a day in Afghanistan, and I've only had really tiny portions of food for the past two weeks, something about starvation shrinks the stomach."
"Got it," Pepper said. "Happy, pizza first, then shopping, please." "Certainly, Miss Potts. And it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Evans." "Thank you, Mr. Happy." The driver chuckled.