They arrived in Monaco for the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique in style. Private plane to Monaco, and then Happy chauffeured them to the Hotel de Paris where they were staying to watch the race. "Bee," Tony asked suddenly as they pulled up, "what's…" "English, French, and Monegasque," she replied. He nodded, then asked, "Do you…" "Yes. Learned Monegasque last week," Biela smirked. Tony let out a low whistle. "You are awesome." "It's a family trait," she replied. Pepper and Happy rolled their eyes.
As the car stopped, the crowds began to cheer. Tony got out and gave his signature peace sign, to the spectators' excitement. He then let Biela out the front door as Happy let Pepper out the back. As they walked in, Tony told Pepper, "Now remember, no matter what happens in the next…twenty minutes, just go with it." "Go with what, Mr. Stark?" she asked. "Like that," Tony said approvingly.
Biela caught sight of Natalie waiting for them. "Hey," Tony said, whipping off his sunglasses. "Hello," she replied. "How was your flight?" "It was excellent," Tony replied. "Nice to see you." "We have one photographer from the ACM if you don't mind," she said, gesturing. "If you'll take these," Tony said, gesturing to the glasses he and Pepper had just been handed. Biela quickly stepped back to join Natalie as the photographer stepped forward. She discreetly slipped the contract from her purse to Natalie's.
"When did this happen?" Pepper asked through her smile. "You made me do it," Tony replied. "I made you do what?" Pepper asked lowly. Biela was sure that she was the only one who could hear them. "Smile," Tony instructed, striking a pose. Pepper laughed, annoyed. "Stop acting constipated," Tony said, still smiling for the press, much different from his real smile. "You are so predictable," Pepper said. "Don't blow your nostrils," Tony added. When the picture was over, he said, "Thanks," and dropped the smile.
"You look fantastic," he said to Natalie. She did. The spy somehow managed to make the low, salmon dress look good with her red hair. "Why, thank you very much," she replied. "But that's not professional," Tony added. "What's on the docket?" "You have a nine-thirty dinner," she said. "I'll be there at eleven," he replied. "Absolutely," she replied. "Is this us?" Tony asked. "It can be," Natalie replied. "Great, make it us," Tony said. "Okay."
He moved to his seat at the table, and Biela set her purse down next to him. She could hear Pepper greeting another businessman. "Mr. Musk," she said. "How are you?" "Hi, Pepper, congratulations on the promotion," the man said as he rose. "You look great," he said, shaking her hand. "Thank you very much," she replied with a smile. Tony turned to the man and shook his hand. "How's Merlin?" the billionaire asked. "Good, I've got an idea for an electric jet." "You do?" Tony asked, surprised. "Then we'll make it happen." He and Pepper began to walk away. Biela followed close behind.
"Do you want a massage?" she heard Tony ask. "Oh God, no I don't want a massage," Pepper said. "I'll have Natalie make you an appointment, I don't want you to be tense," Tony said. "I don't want Natalie to do anything," Pepper replied. "You want one, Bee?" "No thanks," she said. "By the way," Tony said, guiding Pepper to the bar, "I didn't mean to spring this on you," Tony said. "Thank you very much," Pepper said to a waiter. "Green is not your best color," he said to her. "Oh please," Pepper said, sitting down at the bar beside Tony. Biela sat on her other side.
She was about to put something in when she noticed who was a few seats down. He poked his head out and said, "Anthony? Is that you?" Biela groaned inwardly. She hated Justin Hammer. So did Tony. He said, "Well, if it isn't my least favorite person on Earth, Justin Hammer!" "How you doing?" Hammer asked. Pepper smirked lightly. So did Biela. "You're not the only rich guy here with a fancy car," the man said.
"You know Christine Everhart, from Vanity Fair, you guys know each other?" "Hi," Christine said. "Yes," Biela said nodding lightly. How could anyone forget the reporter who had a. been Tony's last 'conquest' before Afghanistan, b. shown him the pictures of Gulmira, and c. pushed him into revealing he was Iron Man?"
"Yes, yes we do," Pepper said, just as Tony said, "Yes, roughly." "BTW, big story," Hammer said to Christine, "the new CEO of Stark Industries, congratulations," he said, pointing to Pepper. "I know, I know," Christine said. "My editor will kill me if I don't at least grab a quote for our powerful women issue." "Oh, sure," Pepper said with a press smile and a nod.
"Um, she's actually doing a big spread on me for Vanity Fair," Hammer bragged. "For my own, right?" "Oh," Pepper said, managing to look interested. Biela schooled her features to match. "Well, she did quite a spread on Tony last year," Biela mentioned. "And she wrote a story as well," Tony interrupted. "It was very impressive," Pepper noted. "That was good," Tony said. "Very well done," Biela added. "Thank you," the reporter nodded. "I'm going to go wash," Pepper said, excusing herself to her table. "Don't leave me," Tony said desperately. Biela followed Pepper to the table, grabbed her StarkPad out of her purse, and went back to Tony.
"Hey buddy, how you doing?" Hammer said, clapping Tony on the back. "I'm all right," Tony said. "You're looking gorgeous," Hammer said. "This is not, I'm not," Tony tried to say. He put his sunglasses on to pose for the photographer. "Can I ask, is this the first time you guys have seen each other since the…" the photographer snapped a picture. "That was awful," Tony said with a fake smile, pushing Hammer away.
"Listen, is this the first time you've seen each other since the Senate?" Christine asked. "Uh, since he got his contract revoked, when you were, yeah," Tony said. "Actually, it's on hold," Hammer interrupted trying to save his reputation in front of the reporter. "That's not what I heard," Tony said, walking away. Biela followed him. "What's the difference between 'on hold' and 'cancelled'?" Tony asked. "Yes, what is it?" Christine asked. "The truth?" Tony asked. "Ah, the truth is, why don't we put that away," he said, slapping the recorder Christine was holding.
"The truth is that I'm, uh, hoping to present something at your Expo," Hammer insisted. "Well," Tony said, sitting down, "if you invent something that works, I'll make sure I get you a slot." Biela sat down beside him. "So, difference between 'on hold' and 'revoked'? Bee, can you explain it?" Both Hammer and the reporter turned to look at her. "Revoked means that the contract is no longer in existence and Mr. Hammer is in very bad graces with the United States military," she said simply. "On hold implies that they are considering revoking the contract, and he is still in very bad graces with the United States military."
"Who would take over the weapons manufacturing for the United States military if Hammer Industries' contract was revoked?" Christine asked, looking between the two weapons moguls. "Well, Stark Industries has been looking at…" Tony began, before he was interrupted by Natalie's, "Mr. Stark?" Tony stood. "Your corner table is ready." "I actually have a slot," Hammer said. "Hammer needs a slot, Christine!" Tony exclaimed. "Bee, why don't you stay here and explain the Accountability Line we've been working on to Miss Everhart?" "Of course, Mister Stark," Biela said, outwardly graceful as she sat back down. Inwardly, she was fuming. She was eleven. She did not want to have to explain this to a reporter. "We kid, Tony and I, we kid, we're kidders," Hammer said.
"Miss Evans, I believe?" Christine said. "What was Mister Stark asking you to explain?" "The Stark Industries Accountability Line is a line of weapons that we are working on in order to ensure that our military is provided with high-quality, meaning not Hammertech, weapons that we can assure the world will not be misused or double-dealt like previous SI weapons," Biela explained. "How does Stark Industries plan to do this?" Christine asked.
"Well, I can't reveal all the details, but Mr. Stark has installed security measures to prevent the weapons from being taken into enemy hands. The more dangerous the weapon, the more high-security they are." "How does this affect prices?" Christine asked. "Well, the security measures do add a rather steep price to the weapons, but considering the quality of our technology, and the small amounts of it needed, due to the world peace created by Mr. Stark's Iron Man, we believe the extra cost to be reasonably, given the circumstances."
"How do you feel about this, Mr. Hammer?" Christine asked. "Tony and I, I love Tony Stark, Tony loves me, we're not competitors…" Biela stopped paying attention, because her eyes were riveted on the screen.