Disclaimer: Don't own, don't care, don't sue.

(Malibu, California, July 9th, 12:23am)

"Mr. Stark, you're certifiably insane." Naomi said, staring at him in disapproval.

Stark frowned instantly, not liking the fact that he was being scolded by an eleven-year-old. "How dare you." he grumbled. "I illegally employ you, bring you to my mansion and this is the thanks I get?"

Zane snorted next to Naomi. "We weren't exactly in a sewer, Mr. Stark. We were in Paris."

Stark waved away Zane's (quite valid) statement and continued showing them his metal death trap, sorry suit (the repulsers as Stark called them anyway.). Anastasia ignored him and continued poking around his workshop as Stark explained his invention to a bemused Zane and Naomi. Isaac and Mia had already disappeared, presumably to the kitchen if Isaac's whining early was anything to go off of.

After the bomb being dropped that Obadiah Stane had been in communication with Stark's kidnappers, Zane and Stark had quickly figured out an agreement. Stark would keep them on retainer in exchange for them getting protection from the various governments that were on the look out for them as well as guaranteed jobs if they ever wanted out of the 'mercenary' lifestyle. Stark had readily agreed and even threw in a permanent place to live.

After they got that worked out, everyone quickly rushed to Malibu so that their plan could be set in motion, Stark having to do some hasty maneuvering so that his scarily smart PA wouldn't find the five kids.

While Stark flew back to Malibu on a his very nice private jet, Anastasia portaled her and her teammates to Venice where they waited until Stark touched down and managed to find a way to sneak them into his mansion. Since then, Zane, Naomi and Stark had been strategizing while the rest of them snooped around Stark's luxurious lifestyle, attempting to find any bugs or wire taps Obadiah Stane may have left. So far Isaac had managed to find one hidden in Stark's security lock to his private lab.

Stark had been furious. And the team wasn't exactly happy either, it meant that Stane wouldn't go down as easily as they hoped.

"So," Anastasia spoke up, finally bored with her snooping. "Why are we here for your test exactly?"

"Because if something goes wrong Sheppard can catch me or you can portal me to something comfy to land on, Blondie." Stark said snootily.

Zane gave a blank face at that statment. "Right, so how high a chance is there that this won't work?"

Stark made an 'eh' gesture. "About 30 percent."

"Great," Zane said dryly. "Just how I wanted to spend my afternoon."

With a sigh he floated in the air, moving so that he was near Stark. Their employer gave the twelve-year-old a grin before clapping his hands together.

"Let's get started."

Anastasia traded dubious looks with Naomi but didn't say anything.

Stark pointed at one of his robots and started speaking.

"Day eleven, test thirty seven, configuration two-point-oh. For lack of a better option, Dum-E is still on fire safety." Here he pointed at said robot. "If you dosue me again and I'm not on fire, I'm donating you to a city college."

The robot made a saddened sound but Stark ignored it. Anastasia snickered at Stark's words. Who knew pieces of technology were so emotional?

"All right, nice and easy." Stark said, sounding a bit nervous. "Seriously, just gonna start off with one percent thrust capacity."

He put his hands out slightly in front of him, aimed at the ground. Anastasia leaned forward slightly, curious as a cat. Naomi grabbed her by the back of the shirt and pulled her two steps back as Stark counted down.

"And three, two, one." The repulsers turned on, lifting the billionaire off the floor a few feet.

The two girls stared in surprise. It worked, and it didn't blow up! Zane was just as impressed, unfolding his arms from the disinterested pose he had out them in. Stark had a dazed look on his face, as if he couldn't believe he was in the air as well. Zane moved slightly closer, his arms spread out as if ready to grab Stark in an instant.

Stark wobbled in the air for a few seconds, looking slightly panicked as he moved around a bit. Zane placed his hands on genius's biceps and held him in place. Stark steadied himself with Zane's help before landing smoothly on the ground, a loud thunk! resounding throughout the room.

Zane slowly let go, looking impressed as he did. Stark nodded to himself then spun around to face the fire extinguisher-holding robot.

"Please don't follow me around with it either, cause I feel like I'm gonna catch on fire spontaneously. Just stand down, if something happens then come in. And again, let's bring it up to two-point-five." Stark readied himself again. Anastasia subtly portaled in an old mattress in the corner, just in case.

"Three, two, one." Stark quickly counted down, shooting back into the air again. Zane rose with him, making sure he didn't wobble too much. Stark moved around the room this time, drifting over his very nice and expensive cars. Stark hastily moved away from the cars, muttering 'no' and 'not over here'. Zane diligently kept their boss from wrecking his stuff, manhandling him this way and that way until finally they landed back at their starting point.

"Oh, yeah," Stark smirked. "I can fly."