Just so you all know I am directly quoting the movie dialogue for most of this (other than where my OC makes things deviate). Thank you for the reviews/favorites/follows! This chapter marks the beginning of "Iron Man 2." And I don't know much of anything regarding being a lawyer, so if anything's off, let me know and I'll see what I can do :)
Iron Man jumped from the plane, dropping down onto the stage below as fireworks went off, landing in a crouch before standing and addressing the cheers of the crowd. Back-up dancers dressed in crude versions of the suit danced behind him as robot arms came up to remove the metal suit, revealing a well-dressed Tony Stark behind everything. He waved and made sure his suit cuffs were on properly before the music ended and he turned to the crowd.
"Oh, it's good to back. You miss me. I missed you too." He smiled as a man in the crowd shouted for him to blow something up. "Blow something up? I already did that." He clasped his hands together as the crowd quieted, letting him speak. "I'm not saying that the world is enjoying its longest period of uninterrupted peace in years because of me."
The crowd roared as he continued.
"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 sippin' 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!"
"I love you, Tony!" A woman called out as the crowd chanted and he calmed them.
"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 am saying—if I'm saying anything—is welcome back to the Stark Expo."
The crowd roared in delight as Tony gestured to the screen behind him.
"And now, making a special guest appearance from the great beyond to tell you what it's all about, please welcome my father, Howard."
Tony walked off as the video of his father played, stepping backstage and checking a device that informed him of his blood toxicity. He frowned, flexing his hand and giving the video one last look before heading out to meet with Happy, his head of security and driver.
"All right. It's just you out there, so watch out," Happy warned him, catching his thrown suit jacket.
They stepped out into a small hallway, leading to the VIP area where guests of abundance cheered at him as he passed through. He waved, signing a few posters and shaking hands, even getting a number from one blonde woman before Happy moved his forward to the car. He met a few last key guests before they made it out.
"Very mellow," he hummed as Happy agreed.
"That wasn't so bad."
"No, it was perfect."
"Look what we got here, the new model," Happy said, unlocking the white car that awaited them, though a red-head was leaning against it, drawing Tony's gaze.
"Hey, does she come with the car?"
"Let's certainly hope so."
He walked towards her with a smile. "Hi."
"Hi," she smiled back, shaking his hand.
"And you are?"
"Marshal."
"Irish, I like it," he hummed, though not as interested as he would be as he walked past her and to get into the car.
"Nice to meet you, Tony."
"I'm on the wheel. Do you mind?" He snapped his fingers at Happy while the man lowered the top. "Where you from?" He then asked Marshal.
"Bedford."
"What are you doing here?" He questioned, slipping past her and getting in the driver's seat.
"Looking for you."
"Yeah? You found me." He cleared his throat. "What are you up to later?"
"Serving subpoenas," she replied, giving away what had bothered him about her as she handed him the envelope.
"Yikes," Tony frowned as Happy took it.
"He doesn't like to be handed things," Happy explained.
"Yeah. I have a peeve."
"I, uh, I got it."
Marshall didn't mind as Tony rubbed at his forehead. Jess is going to be pissed.
"You are hereby ordered to appear before the Senate Arms Services Committee tomorrow morning at 9 am."
"Can I see a badge?" Tony asked, remembering what Jess had told him probably a million times after a rather embarrassing accident involving a woman seductress dressed as a mock police officer.
"You want to see the badge?"
"He likes the badge."
She showed him. "You still like it?"
"Yup," he chirped, starting up the car and looking to Happy. "How far are we from DC?"
"DC? 250 miles."
Tony revved the engine and took off. "Ah, give Jess a call, would you?"
"On it."
Happy dialed the number and held the phone to Tony's ear.
"Hey, Jess, it's me."
"Saw your stunt show," Jess drawled over the line. "You know, you're really going to piss some people off if you keep flaunting about like that."
"Eh, I'll take care of them."
"Right, because you haven't met anyone man enough to challenge you?"
Tony cracked a smirk. "I've met you."
"Oh, haha," she huffed. "Was I supposed to take that as a compliment or insult?"
"Compliment, definitely. Say, how quickly can you get to DC?"
"Why? What did you do?"
"Why's it always got to be something I did?"
"Because it's never something I did. You're the trouble maker here, remember?"
He rolled his eyes. "I got a subpoena."
There was silence for a second. "Did you ask for a—"
"A badge? Yes. She was real."
Jess let out a heavy sigh. "I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Perfect. Have Pepper set us up in a suite nearby. I'm meeting with the Senate of Arms something or another at nine."
"Senate Arms Services Committee?" Jess corrected.
"That's them."
"Great. Now, I know why you've gotten a subpoena. You're drawing too much attention to yourself. Again."
"That's my job," he hummed. "You going to represent me legally?"
"You do know that once they find out we're dating, I can't keep doing that, right?"
"Then, they won't know." He shrugged. "Or, you can find some other decently competent lawyer who lets me do as I please with little complaint and I hire you for something better."
"Something better? I'm not going to be your personal anything, I hope you know that."
"Nah, I've got Pepper for that. You can be my head tech engineer."
"Tony, I don't have the qualifications—"
"Nonsense. I'll hook you up with MIT for some online courses. I've got some sway with them, and you're good, Jess. Really good. Should've been in engineering from the get-go. Eye injury or not."
"Don't try to flatter me, Tony. Just get to DC and I'll meet you there. Hopefully, we can pull up something to get you past the senate, who obviously dislikes you."
"Think about it?" He pressed, waiting for the inevitable response.
"…Fine. I'll think about it, but no press releases. I'm not about to be flaunted by your side like a fancy bauble just because we're dating."
"Just have Christine do an article or something since you're so buddy-buddy with her," he huffed, having not grown to like the reporter and her close relationship with Jess.
"Maybe I will. And just because I'm bi doesn't mean you have to worry about anything."
"Who said I'm worrying?"
"Uh-huh. You're right. I'm the one who should be worrying, you womanizer."
"You're joking," he said, only to hear the pause on the other line. "You are joking, right?"
"I'll see you later, Tony."
"Jess? Jess?" He pouted as Happy took the phone back. "She hung up on me."
"Well, I can't entirely disagree with her."
Tony shot the man a glare. "Since when were you on her side?"
Happy looked away sheepishly. "Since she may have gotten me a nice gift for my birthday?"
"What? What gift? When was your birthday?"
Happy frowned. "A week ago."
"Oh… uh, happy birthday."
"Yeah, thanks."
The silence that ensued sure put a damper on the ride to DC.
The gavel slammed down attempting to draw Tony's gaze away from Pepper as they spoke quietly across a few pews.
"Mr. Stark. Please, pick up now where we left off," the senator said, getting frustrated when Tony didn't turn around. "Mr. Stark? Please."
Jess smacked his chest, drawing his attention back around.
"Yes, dear," he addressed the senator, earning chuckles from the crowd of people behind him.
"Can I have your attention?"
"Absolutely."
"Do you or do you not possess a specialized weapon?"
"I do not."
"You do not…"
"I do not," Tony confirmed, pausing briefly. "Well, it depends on how you define the word weapon."
"The Iron Man weapon."
Jess leaned forward to her mic. "Just to make a note, nobody calls it that."
The senator barely gave her a glance as Tony added to it.
"My device does not fit that description."
"Well, how would you describe your device?"
"I would describe it by defining it as what it is, senator."
"As?"
"Uh, as a… mm, it's a high-tech prosthesis. That's actually the most apt description I could make of it," Tony said, earning laughter again as Jess again stepped in.
"It's defined as a human-powered propulsion device. Much like an aircraft or a jet pack. It's a suit that flies."
"It's a weapon. It's a weapon, Mr. Stark, Miss Norris. I hate to inform you, it's a weapon."
"Please," Tony spoke over him. "If your priority was actually the well-being of the American citizens—"
"No, my priority is to get the Iron Man weapon turned over to the people of the United States of America."
"Well, you can forget it."
Jess sighed. "Mr. Stern. Even if you were somehow able to convince Mr. Stark of handing over his suit, no functional citizen would be able to use it. As we saw in the incident at Stark Industries, if you give someone with even the slightest power complex a suit of this type, they're going to use it to do the exact opposite of protecting the country and its citizens. And no offense to any of the servicemen or women here, but many people who get a form of power—be a gun or weapon, or even a position in government—they all tend to misuse it in some form or fashion. It's how we end up with trigger-happy soldiers, traitorous spies, and corrupt government officials.
"Not to mention how much of the technology in the suit would pass right over your head and a majority of the human population who already struggle with technology like smartphones. And you might think that giving the army this sort of suit would help—which I'm assuming it your intention, by dragging Mr. Stark to this pointless meeting—but what happens when something malfunctions and a suit gets left behind on a battlefield? What happens when our enemies get a hold of it and discover its technology, improve on its technology? Now, we've given the world a new war and we're still fighting out the current one. Except this war will cause more deaths than every other war in history because some bigoted moron in a seat of power thought giving irresponsible eighteen-year-olds metal flying suits would bring world peace. How simple-minded do you have to be to believe that?"
The senator bristled, red in the face. "Who the hell is this? Get her out of here!"
"What for?" Jess questioned, sitting back without a care as she flipped through a bundle of papers. "I'm Mr. Stark's lawyer, and nothing I've said is wrong. I'm just stating the facts that you are blind to."
"You're insulting a senator!"
"I've done no such thing. Have I once specified that I was speaking about you in any of my comments? I think I can speak for the whole room when I say our government has been run by corrupt bigots throughout its history. Though, if you are taking a personal offense, then doesn't that say more about you than me?"
Stern only seemed to be getting angrier, and Tony cracked a small smile at Jess's boldness, leaning back up to his mic.
"There's no use arguing with her, Senator. Trust me, I've tried. But what she's basically trying to say is, I am Iron Man. The suit and I are one. To turn over the Iron Man suit, would be to turn over myself which is tantamount to indentured servitude or prostitution depending on what state you're in. Can't have it."
The audience laughed, and Tony smiled at Jess, reaching under the table and giving her leg a squeeze of reassurance, having noticed her jaw working back and forth and her tense shoulders. She visibly relaxed at the touch, as the senator tried again.
"Look, I know an expert."
"In prostitution? Of course not, you're a senator, come on!" Tony quipped, throwing a peace sign to the audience as they chuckled.
He gave Pepper a look, but she gave a brief shake of her head as the Senator continued.
"I'm no expert in weapons. We have somebody here who is an expert on weapons. I now would not like to call Justin Hammer, our current primary weapons contractor."
Tony gave the slim man a look. "Let the record reflect that I observe Mr. Hammer entering the chamber and I am wondering if and when any actual expert will also be in attendance."
"Also, an expert on who's standards?" Jess questioned, raising a brow. "Because a local mechanic might be an expert on Honda's but that doesn't make him an expert on semi-trucks or airplanes. No offense to Mr. Hammer, but finding a weapons expert in the same league as the Iron Man suit is nearly impossible—sans Mr. Stark. So, having a quote-on-quote 'weapons expert' tucked under the senator's arms seems a bit of a stretch and a setup. As a lawyer, I should know how expert opinions should always come from impartial sources. Namely, those not affiliated with either party. And since Mr. Hammer is obviously associated with the senator and is a clear rival to Stark Industries, his words should be taken with a grain of salt. Biases are being put into play here and make a majority of what is about to be said invalid in a court—which, judging by the gavel and subpoena that brought Mr. Stark here—this is."
She sat back in her chair again as murmurs started up in the crowd and the senator pounded away at his gavel as Justin nervously chuckled into the mic.
"Absolutely. I'm no expert. I defer to you, Anthony. You're the wonder boy. Uh, senator? If I may. I may well not be an expert, but you know who was the expert? Your dad, Howard Stark. Really a father to us all and to the military-industrial age. But let's just be clear, he was no flower child. He was a lion."
Jess raised a brow. "And what does that have to do with anything? It's like you're making a case about the fact that you're second best in the weapons industry because your father was also second best."
"Enough, Miss Norris," the senator snapped, making her raise a brow.
"What? So, he's allowed to verbally attack my client but isn't allowed to get any in return? Sir, I do believe this court hearing for Mr. Stark is so full of bias that there's no point in us being here. This is one competent capable human being trying to explain to you why he should keep his items in his possession, while you find every bloody enemy he has to poke and prod at his past and weaknesses in the hopes that you'll bully him into giving you something to keep your butt in that chair. Speaking of, aren't elections coming up again soon? Is that what this is about? Finding a big enough 'wow factor' to keep your spot in a seat of power?"
Tony couldn't help but comment. "Ooh, you get a little feisty when you're working, don't you?"
"Only with the sort of people who don't follow the rules put in place and think they can get away with it while I'm in the room," Jess huffed, waving a hand. "Though do please, go on. Might as well finish up this circus of yours so I can go back home and sleep soundly knowing my government is in such capable hands," she mocked.
Justin cleared his throat. "In any case, we all know why we're here. In the last six months, Anthony Stark has created the sword with untold possibilities. And yet he insists it's a shield. He asks us to trust him as we cower behind it. I wish I were comforted, Anthony. I really do. I'd love to leave my door unlocked when I leave the house, but this ain't Canada. You know, we live in a world of grave threats. Threats that Mr. Stark will not always be able to foresee."
"Threats that apparently don't threaten Canada," Jess sighed, earning chuckles. "Can't live in a 'world' of grave threats if Canada is apparently safe without Iron Man."
Justin sat back down to the applause of only the senator, who then asked for another person to enter.
"The committee would like to invite Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes to the chamber."
"Rhodey?" Tony questioned in shock as murmurs started up again and the media stood to get pictures. "What?"
Tony started to get up, heading over to shake his hand.
"Hey, buddy. Didn't expect to see you here."
"Look. It's me, I'm here, deal with it. Let's move on," Rhodes said back shortly.
"I just, I—"
"Drop it."
"All right. I'll drop it."
They both went to take their seats and Jess gave Rhodes a look.
"Refuse everything he asks for," she stated simply, earning a raised brow.
"Excuse me?"
"This whole thing is a circus. He's grabbing at straws, bringing in his business rival as empirical evidence and turning to selfless bullying tactics to try and get the people to turn on Stark. If he asks for you to read anything from that paper of yours, refuse. This isn't a real court of law. You cannot be punished for refusal and I will back you up on that if it comes down to it."
"Well, you've certainly gotten bolder."
Jess scowled. "I've always been like this. It just gets worse when I'm working on little sleep because some idiot decided to drag us here."
"Tony?"
"Stern."
Rhodes cracked a small smile. "Right. I'll keep that in mind."
"I mean it though. Don't read anything. He'll undoubtedly cut you off before you can finish. He doesn't want context, he wants verbal attacks."
Rhodes nodded as the senator cleared his throat.
"I have before me a complete report on the Iron Man weapon compiled by Colonel Rhodes."
"Doesn't even say weapon on the report," Jess muttered into the mic, earning a glare in return.
"And Colonel, for the record, can you please read page 57 paragraph four?"
Rhodes glanced at Jess, who shot him a look saying she told him so, and he tried to explain to the senator. "You're requesting that I read specific selections from my report, senator?"
"Yes, sir."
"It was my understanding that I was going to be testifying in a much more comprehensive and detailed manner."
"I understand. A lot of things have changed today, so if you could just read—"
"You do understand that reading a single paragraph out of context does not reflect the summary of my final—"
"Just read it, colonel. I do."
Rhodes hesitated, before lowering the report. "I refuse."
"Excuse me?"
"I refuse to read only a segment of my report so that it throws a bad light on someone who I consider a friend. I can give you a summary of my report or nothing at all. I will even post it publicly so that the people can read it for themselves in context."
"You do understand that by refusing, you are—"
"Completely and utterly safe by a court of law," Jess jumped in, challenging the senator. "You requested him to read a passage and he refused said request because taking information out of context does not mean anything in a proper court hearing, which—again—this is not. Feel free to challenge me on that, Mr. Stern, but with the media in the room, there are several million eye-witnesses to this injustice and I have more evidence than necessary to back up Rhode's refusal as well as get you kicked out of your position early. So, I suggest you drop the matter of the report and continue with this ridiculous parade, so we can all go home."
"Then, I would like to go on and show, if I may, the imagery that's connected to your report, Mr. Rhodes."
Rhodes hesitated, giving Jess a look, but she waved him on and an image appeared on the screen. "Intelligence suggests that the devices seen in these photos are in fact attempts at making manned copies of Mr. Stark's suit."
Jess nudged Tony, who nodded, letting her know he was on it as he pulled out a device just out of sight to begin hacking into the screen.
"This has been corroborated by our allies and local intelligence on the ground indicating that these suits are, uh, quite possibly at this moment operational."
"Hold on a second, buddy. Let me see," Tony said, leaning forward and using his phone-like device to hack the television and enhance the image. "Oh, boy, I'm good. I've commandeered your screens," he explained as the crowd began to murmur and he took another one. "I need 'em. Time for a little transparency. Now let's see what's really going on."
"What is he doing?" Stern questioned.
"If you'll direct your attention to said screens, I believe that's North Korea," Tony mused, changing the image to that of a large robot falling out of a warehouse and breaking down.
"Can you turn, turn that off," the senator ordered. "Take it off."
"What for?" Jess questioned. "You wanted people to see the Iron Man suit lookalikes. Why are you trying to hide the truth from the people, senator?"
"Iran," Tony continued, changing the image to another failed suit as Justin got up to try and disconnect the video. "No grave immediate threat here. Is that Justin Hammer? How'd Hammer get in the game?" He questioned another video feed. "Justin, you're on TV, focus up."
The video of said man showed him trying to get a suit to work only for the soldier wearing it to have his whole upper body twisted completely around, much to the shock of the crowd as he unplugged the TV.
"Wow. Yeah, I'd say, uh, most countries five, ten years away? Hammer Industries, twenty."
"I would like to point out that that test run pilot survived," Justin was quick to throw in.
"Yeah, I don't think that's the point, Hammer," Jess smirked. "Hold on, who's primary weapon's expert, are you? The senator's? Oh, doesn't that mean this whole trial thing was his idea because he couldn't find an expert good enough to make a suit to his liking?"
"I think we're done, is the point that they're making. I, I, I don't think there's any reason to continue talking about it," Stern gave in.
"Point is, you're welcome, I guess," Tony interjected.
"For what?"
"Because I'm your nuclear deterrent. It's working. We're safe. America is secure. You want my property? You can't have it! But I did you a big favor," he said loudly, standing up and facing the crowd. "I've successfully privatized world peace."
The audience gave him a standing ovation.
"What more do you want? I've tried to play ball with these ass-clowns. Even my lawyer was dancing in circles around them."
"Fuck you, Mr. Stark. Fuck you, buddy." Stern snapped as Jess snorted.
"Oh, yeah. Big senator man cursing out a national hero. Let's see how well that goes during elections, pretentious asshat."
"We're adjourned. We're adjourned for today. You've been a delight," he said sarcastically as Tony put on his sunglasses and blew kisses.
"Let's go, Jess."
Jess rolled her eyes. "Yes, sir."
Tony sat at his desk and clapped his hands, starting up some music and making his screens come on with holograms scattered through the room.
"Wake up, daddy's home," he hummed with a snap of his fingers.
"Welcome home, sir," Jarvis responded. "Congratulations on the opening ceremonies. They were such a success as was your senate hearing. And may I say how refreshing it is to finally see you on a video with your clothing on."
Jarvis popped up a YouTube video of him at the senate meeting, making Tony chuckle. A blender went off, splattering something green all over his kitchenette, making him scowl over at Dum-E.
"You," he called out, making the arm knock the blender over. "I swear to God, I'll dismantle you. I'll soak your motherboard. I'll turn you into a wine rack, no matter what Jess says."
The robot lowered its arm with a sad whine as Tony poured himself another glass of his green vegetable juice.
"How many ounces a day of this gobbledygook am I supposed to drink?"
"We are up to eighty ounces a day to counteract the symptoms, sir."
Tony raised his brows as he drank, before pulling out his blood toxicity checker. "Check palladium levels."
"Blood toxicity, twenty-four percent," Jarvis replied as Tony scowled at the spot of blood on his thumb and it brought up scans. "It appears that the continued use of the Iron Man suit is accelerating your condition. Another core has been depleted."
Tony grimaced as he pulled out his chest piece and ejected the melted chip inside. "God, they're running out quick." He slipped in another core and replaced the chest piece.
"I have run simulations on every known element and none can serve as a viable replacement for the palladium core. You are running out of time and options."
Tony lifted his shirt with a few deep breaths, eyeing the checkered pattern encircling his chest piece as Jarvis continued.
"Unfortunately, the device that's keeping you alive is also killing you. Might I suggest informing Jess of this matter and getting her assistance? She may be able to help provide alternatives or at the very least, suggestions on how to prolong—"
"No, no. I'm not going to drag her into this."
"Miss Potts and Jess are approaching now, sir. I still recommend that you inform them—"
Tony dropped his shirt, eyeing the stairs as the two women made for the door and hiding his screen. "Mute." He took one look at Pepper's expression though and pointed back at the door as he drank more juice. "Uh-uh."
"Is this a joke?" Pepper snapped, displeased. "What are you thinking?"
Tony snapped his fingers as he emptied his glass. "What?"
"What are you thinking!" Pepper complained, as Jess sighed and ran a hand through her hair in exasperation.
She looks tired. Did she sleep at all since we came back? Tony thought idly, before holding his hands up in surrender at the other woman charging his way. "Hey, I'm thinking I'm busy and you're angry about something," he hummed, getting up. "Do you have the sniffles? I don't want to get sick. Just keep your distance."
"Did you just donate our entire modern art collection to, to the—"
"Boy Scouts of America."
"Boy Scouts of America?"
Tony grabbed a blueprint and tossed the hologram into a holographic hoop. "Yes! It is a worthwhile organization. I didn't physically check the crates, but physically, yes. And it's not 'our collection,' it's my collection. No offense," he said, shoving aside more images and snapping his fingers as he threw more holograms into the bin.
"No, you know what? I think I'm actually entitled to say 'our collection' considering the time that I put in—over ten years—curating that."
"You did?"
"Yes."
"It's a tax write up. I needed that, right Jess?"
Jess held up her hands, back facing them as she looked over a hologram. "Leave me out of this, big shot. I told her I could get it back, but she wanted to discuss things with you first. My suggestion?" Jess looked at him from over her shoulder. "Give it back."
"Duly noted," he grumbled as Pepper went on.
"You know, there's only about eight thousand and eleven things that I really need to talk to you about."
He walked back towards Dum-E and pat the robot. "Dum-E, hey. Stop spacing out. The breach port's already machining that part."
The robot whined as Pepper stopped him from wandering around more.
"The expo is a gigantic waste of time."
"And money," Jess chimed in, waving her hand through the pages of a holographic printout. "And a large source of headaches for your lawyer who's getting more lawsuits in a day than climbers Mount Everest gets in a year."
Tony grabbed Pepper by the arms as she coughed once. "I need you to wear a surgical mask until you're feeling better. Is that okay?"
"That's rude," she countered as Jess snorted.
"There's nothing more important to me than the expo," Tony argued, walking once more. "It's my primary point of concern. I don't know why you're—"
"The expo is your ego gone crazy," Pepper countered as Tony picked up a blue and red picture of Iron Man.
"Wow, look at that. That's modern art. That's going up."
"Oh, you've got to be kidding."
"I'm going to put this up right now."
Pepper looked to Jess as Tony made for the painting on the wall by the kitchenette. "Jess? Little help?"
Jess shrugged. "I'm his girlfriend and lawyer, not his mother. Let him put up whatever he feels is art. It's not hurting anyone."
"Wow, thanks for the support, Jess," Pepper sighed. "Why did I bring you down here with me again?"
Jess hummed, heading over and rifling through Tony's fridge for a drink. "I do believe you said something along the lines of: 'He sold my life's work,' 'I'm going to kill him,' and 'You're coming with me because he only listens to you.' Yet, I haven't been able to get more than a few words in, so…"
Pepper groaned as Jess pulled out a beer and popped the cap on the counter with a wiggle of her brows, amused by the whole thing going on in front of her. Pepper continued on with what she'd been complaining to Tony about.
"Stark is in complete disarray," she snapped at him; the two talking over one another.
"Why is it so—"
"Do you understand that?"
"No. Our stocks have never been higher. You are missing—"
"Yes, from a managerial standpoint!"
"Well, if it's messy, then let's double back there."
"Let me give you an example."
"Let's move on to another—"
Pepper then noticed the painting Tony was switching out with his poster. "Oh, no, no, no, no, no."
"—subject."
"You are not taking down the Barnett Newman and hanging that up."
"I'm not taking it down," Tony argued, shoving the stuff off the countertop and climbing on top of it to hang the poster. "I'm just replacing it with this."
"Okay, fine. My point is, we have already awarded contracts—"
"Yeah."
"—to the wind farm people—"
"Don't say wind farm. I'm already feeling gassy."
"—and to the plastic plantation tree."
"Yeah."
"Which was your idea, by the way."
"Right."
"Those people are on payroll."
"Everything was my idea," he said, gesturing to himself.
"And you won't make a decision!"
"I don't care about the liberal agenda anymore. It's boring. Boring. I'm giving you a boring alert. You do it," he said, hopping off the counter and looking to Jess. "You both do it."
Jess, who'd been bouncing her eyes back and forth between the two arguing for the last few minutes, paused in taking a sip of her beer. "Say what?"
"We do what?" Pepper complained, confused.
"Excellent idea. I just figured this out. You two run the company."
"Oh, no. Hold on a second," Jess cut in, taking one last chug of her beer to finish it off as Pepper bristled.
"Yeah…"
"Pepper, I need you to run the company," Tony declared again.
"We're trying to run the company."
"Well, stop trying to do it and do it."
"You won't—You're not giving me the information that I need—"
"I'm not asking you to try to do it. I'm asking you to physically do it."
"—in order to—You're not doing it."
"I need you to do it."
"I am trying to do it!"
"Pepper, you're not listening to me!"
"No, you're not listening to me!"
"I'm trying to make you CEO!" He shouted, finally making her stop and he lowered his voice. "Why won't you let me?"
Pepper leaned in, eyeing him cautiously. "Have you been drinking?"
"Ah, chlorophyll," he answered, taking her by the shoulders. "I hereby irrevocably appoint you chairman and CEO of Stark Industries, effective immediately, with Jess as your second in command."
"Yeah, no. I don't want it," Jess popped up beside them. "I thought that's what you were trying to do, and I've got enough on my plate as your lawyer. Don't add to my workload."
"And I've already been looking for a replacement for your lawyer position, as we discussed before, Jess. This way, you can help me more effectively. Like I said, head tech engineer."
Jess scowled, grabbing his ear and tugging on it harshly.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow!"
"I don't want it, you dolt. And even if I did, again, I'm missing the appropriate qualifications, so you wouldn't and shouldn't give it to me until those qualifications are fulfilled."
"I've actually given this a fair amount of thought, believe it or not!" He argued as she let his ear go and Dum-E rolled over with champagne. "Doing a bit of headhunting, so to speak. Trying to figure out who a worthy successor would be, and then I realized—" He popped the cap off the champagne bottle and poured some glasses with a smile. "It's you. It's always been you, well, and Jess."
"Don't. Want. It," Jess emphasized as Pepper sank into a chair in shock and Tony continued as if Jess hadn't argued.
"I thought there'd be a legal issue, but according to Jess, I'm capable of appointing my successor. My successor being you two." He handed out the champagne flutes and Jess took it with a scowl, remembering when he'd had her look it up, though she'd thought it would be aimed at someone else; not her.
"And I also said that they have to accept the position first, along with all the paperwork you need to fill out to make it official and explaining the sudden change in managerial status to the board—"
Tony cut her off with a quick kiss, pulling back with a smile only for her hand to snap up and grab his jaw harshly.
"Don't try to silence me with a kiss when I'm upset with you."
"Just thought I'd try it," he muttered through a wince before she let go, making him rub his jaw with a pout. "You really won't take it?"
"No," she huffed. "I like my job now—"
"But people will find out about us."
"And when they do, I will step down. Until then," she sighed heavily and gave him a look. "Get me into the MIT classes."
He beamed. "Really?"
"I told you, I'm not taking a position I'm unqualified for. So, if you're that adamant about me being the head tech engineer or whatever, I'll need the proper certification for it."
He leaned in, pausing at her glare before smiling and kissing her cheek. "It's settled then. I'll get things set up first thing tomorrow morning. Congratulations you two."
"Don't congratulate me yet," Jess grumbled. "You're lucky I've been preparing for this. I've got another lawyer I trust backing up all my lawsuits while we're together too. So, when they do find out we've been together for a while, they won't be able to throw out the cases I've been working on while we were together."
"Clever girl," he purred, looking to Pepper as the woman held back a smile and he lightly pressed the champagne flute to her hands. "Take it. Just take it."
"I don't know what to think."
"Don't think," he advised. "Drink."
"Yeah, thinking about it now might make you change your mind," Jess huffed, lifting her own glass. "And he wouldn't want that."
"Shush you."
"The notary's here," Pepper called out, making me pause my idle pumping of iron with my right hand as my left stayed steady holding a textbook Tony had gotten me to prepare for the MIT courses. "Can you please come sign the transfer paperwork?"
"I'm on happy time," Tony countered back, boxing with Happy in the ring and landing a good hit to Happy's forehead, startling the man in padded equipment. "Sorry."
"What the hell was that?" The man complained.
"It's called mixed martial arts. It's been around for three weeks now."
"It's called dirty boxing," Happy argued. "There's nothing new about it."
"Now, now, Happy. He's just getting carried away and mixed martial arts does usually involve a bit of combination of martial arts techniques which probably look like dirty tricks to boxers," I chimed in, cracking a small smile despite Happy's frown.
"Then, why don't you fight him?"
"All right."
"Wait, what?" Happy blinked as Tony responded much the same.
"What?"
I put down the iron and textbook, stretching my arms. "I said, all right. I did mostly kung fu back in college and it's been a while, but I'm tired of reading text and he's looking a bit bored, wouldn't you say, Happy?"
Tony blinked but shrugged. "All right. I'll allow it. Come on in, Jess."
Happy let out a soft sigh of relief, clambering out of the ring and pulling off the padding, offering it to Jess, who waved it off.
"No thanks. We'll have a proper spar, eh, Tony?"
"Sounds good. I'll go easy on you."
"Oh, you'll regret that, because I won't go easy on you," I smirked, pulling on some gloves once I climbed into the ring.
I caught sight of a red-head entering the gym then, giving her a brief look before returning my attention to Tony. He'll notice in a minute. Sure enough, Tony had seen my gaze drift and turned, frowning at the woman.
"I promise you this is the only time I will ask you to sign over your company," Pepper continued as the woman went over towards her with the paperwork.
I lightly knocked Tony in the back of the head with my glove, drawing his attention back to me as I raised a brow.
"You ready?"
"One minute," he replied, turning back as I let out a soft sigh.
Don't let it get to you. It's just the way he is, I told myself as he called out to the woman.
"What's your name, lady?"
"Rushman. Natalie Rushman."
"Front and center. Come into the church," Tony gestured her in and I rolled my eyes, moving to lean back against the ropes as Pepper groaned.
"No. You're seriously not gonna ask her—"
"If it pleases the court, which it does."
"It's no problem," she said confidently, making me eye her.
Most women would immediately refuse. Leave it to Pepper to find someone who just takes things as they're thrown.
"I'm sorry," Pepper apologized. "He's very eccentric."
Tony lifted the ropes to let her into the ring and I felt a twinge of jealousy as she ducked slowly under the ropes and he eyed her. Don't let it get to you. You've done well for six months. Just let it go. Let it go, dammit. I hadn't realized I was grinding my teeth until Tony cleared his throat.
"Jess, can you, uh, give her a lesson or spar or something?"
I somehow managed to plaster a smile on my face, wondering if he realized how tight it was. "Sure, I suppose so."
"Great."
Tony slipped out of the ring and settled on the couch next to Pepper as he eyed Jess and Natalie.
"Who is she?" He asked Pepper.
"She is from legal, and she is potentially a very expensive sexual harassment lawsuit if you keep ogling her like that."
"I won't do anything."
"Well, you better tell Jess that," Pepper replied, looking up from her tablet. "She was grinding her teeth earlier."
"Really? How could you tell?"
"How couldn't you?" Pepper countered. "And you leaving her up there is asking for trouble."
"Nah, it's fine." He waved off. "Jess is great at keeping her cool and she doesn't look even the slightest bit upset."
"That's because you're blind and are used to other women. I've told you—"
"She's not like other women. I know." He spoke up louder, interrupting Jess asking if she'd boxed before. "How do I spell your name, Natalie?"
"R-U-S-H-M-A-N," the woman answered as Tony clapped his hands twice and popped up a holographic desktop on the table surface.
"What, are you gonna google her now?" Pepper asked.
"Hm? I thought I was ogling her," he teased, skimming through Natalie's files. "Oh, wow. Very, very impressive individual."
"You're so predictable, you know that?" Pepper sighed.
"She's fluent in French, Italian, Russian, Latin. Who speaks Latin?"
"No one speaks Latin. It's a dead language," Pepper answered, a little curious herself now. "You can read Latin, or you can write Latin, but you can't speak Latin."
Tony enlarged a photo of Natalie in lingerie. "Did you model in Tokyo? 'Cause she modeled in Tokyo."
"You're caring about looks now?"
"You saying Jess isn't pretty?" He challenged.
"No, I'm just saying she isn't a model type of woman, which is the type you're typically messing around with. So, you ogling at a model while your girlfriend is feet away just seems a little…"
"Petty?"
"Just a bit."
They both looked over at the ring where Jess grunted, taking a hard punch to the gut as Natalie raised a brow.
"You're pretty good," the red-head commented, making Jess's eyebrow twitch.
"Don't patronize me."
Tony and Pepper watched in surprise as the two boxed, each opponent testing the other to see what sort of skills they possessed. When things shifted from normal boxing to something a little more flexible, it was apparent that things weren't going to end well.
"Shouldn't we—"
Tony leaned forward, eyes flickering back and forth between the two as blows were dodged, redirected, and blocked. "Oh, no. This is getting interesting."
Then, Natalie grabbed Jess's wrist, making the woman's eyes go wide as she realized the trouble she was now in. Natalie twisted it, making her grimace and bend forward, allowing Natalie to swing her legs up and grab Jess in a neck lock. Jess was then flipped head over heels onto the floor of the ring.
"Oh my God, Jess!" Pepper cried out in alarm as Jess slapped Natalie's leg around her neck to give in.
Tony headed over as Natalie got up, grinning. "Now, that's what I'm talking about."
Natalie offered Jess a hand up and Jess glared, rolling onto her side and pushing herself up on her own as she rubbed at her neck with a cough. Natalie pulled her offered hand back to her side and slipped out of the ring instead as Happy leaned through the ropes and eyed Jess nervously.
"You all right?"
"Fine," Jess spat, removing her gloves and stepping out herself.
"What about our spar?" Tony asked, leaning around the redhead in front of him to get a look at her, but all he saw was her back.
"Spar with her. I'm going for a run."
He blinked, a little surprised at the icy tone as Jess left, but Natalie approached him and distracted him once more.
"I need your impression."
He eyed the red-head uncertainly. "You have a quiet reserve. I don't know; you have an old soul."
"I meant, your fingerprint," she clarified, holding out the form he needed to sign.
"Right."
Pepper, though worried about Jess, headed over with an 'I told you so' look on her face. "So, how are we doing?"
"Great. Just wrapping up. Hey." He finished signing the form and adding his fingerprint. "You're the boss."
"Will that be all, Mr. Stark?" Natalie asked.
"No."
"Yes," Pepper pressed. "That will be all, Miss Rushman. Thank you very much."
Natalie walked out, and Tony turned to her.
"I want one."
"You already have one, and she just went out for a run." Pepper shot him a look as she too gathered her things to go. "And I suggest going after her, or at least making this up to her."
"What for? While I didn't expect her to lose the fight, it's nothing to be bothered about."
Pepper sighed. "It wasn't about the spar, Tony. And despite Jess not being like other women, even she's capable of getting jealous. If you want to hang onto her, I suggest you fix things. She's not as lenient about your womanizing as I am."
Tony frowned as she stepped out, finishing his bottle of chlorophyll and looking to Happy. "What do you think?"
Happy shot him a glare too. "I think Jess is too good for you, and you're surprisingly ignorant of woman."
"I take that as a 'go after her,'" Tony grumbled, drumming his fingers on his thigh. "Was she really that upset?"
"You remember her during that senate meeting?"
"Yeah."
"This was ten times that."
Tony winced. "Right. Making it up to her it is."