File ID: 81300 - 10 days after the battle of NY

Name: Anthony Edward Stark/Iron Man

Species: Human

Date of birth: May 05, 1970

Place of birth: United States of America

Citizenship: American

Occupation: CEO, Stark Industries, Consultant, SHIELD

Family status: In a relationship (note: patient added: "I guess so")

Tony Stark does not arrive to my room alone. He is followed by two agents and as soon as he sits down on the sofa he pulls out his phone.

"Am I bothering?" I ask. He hums scrolling on the phone. "Tony-"

"Look, ma'am. I don't need this," he finally says without lifting his gaze from the screen.

"That is not your decision, Tony," I reply. "Everyone has to see me. This therapy isn't optional." I pause. "Are you afraid of the things we might discover if you talk to me?" I ask. Hearing the question Tony sets the phone next to him on the sofa with a huff.

"Stella Moon, is that right?" I nod. "Can I call you Stella?"

"As you prefer."

"So Stella, I want you to know that I am not afraid of anything. Especially not of this sofa and a little girl who majored in a pseudo science only because she didn't have a better idea." I wait silently while I look into his eyes. He turns his gaze away first. I don't take offence to what he said - it's not the first time I hear it, and damn sure it's not the last.

"Are you sure? Just because two agents are still guarding my door in case you want to leave too early." It is easy to see he wants to retort, but he remains silent. I look at him with a neutrally polite smile.

"Tell me about yourself, Tony. How are you these days?"

He sighs in irritation. "I'm fine. Working on new suits. And I continue the trainings."

"Already? Shouldn't you rest a bit more?"

"Why should I? Because I fell from space?"

I nod. "For example, yes."

"It's okay. The doc said I'm alright."

"And Pepper doesn't mind?"

He frowns. "How does Pepper come into this conversation?"

"Are you not together?"

"I didn't know you were going to question me about my girlfriend. I wouldn't have come if I did."

"You didn't quite come here, Tony. You were brought in." I pause. "Do you not want to talk about Pepper?"

"Only if you tell me about your boyfriend." I raise my eyebrow. "What?" Tony asks smiling, "you don't like intimate questions?"

"It's not about that," I respond. "But I don't have a boyfriend." At that Tony looks over me with a gaze that Miss Potts certainly would not like. I know he is doing it to embarrass me, but I do hope I don't blush. There is something in Tony Stark that is impossible to resist.

"Oh really? How come?"

"I don't have time for dating and I am yet to find a man I can put up with for more than six months."

Before he could answer, I go on. "You are basically the most famous Avenger. It must be a burden."

"Oh, no. No, the most famous one is Captain America. Patron saint of our country. Ask Perfect Rogers how big of a burden it is."

"Are you bothered by the fact that Steve Rogers draws some of the attention to himself?"

"I'm bothered by the fact that he lacks the basis to do so," Tony admits. "I designed everything for myself. I built Iron Man from nothing. But Steve? Steve got a shield from my father and a vial of strength, that's all. I can fly right into a murderous alien horde with a rocket on my shoulders, but he whirls that stupid shield and everyone sees only him." He falls silent. He seems rather flustered.

"Do you have conflicts? Arguments?"

He chuckles. "You should ask if we ever have periods when we are not arguing. The Cap knows everything and knows everything better."

"What about the other team members? I've heard you spend quite a lot of time with Mr Banner."

"Banner understands what I talk about. Feels nice."

"What about Pepper?"

Tony rolls his eyes. "I really don't get it. Why are you fixated on Pepper? She is not a physicist. Pepper is a businesswoman."

"But does she understand you?" He thinks for a moment.

"Yes. She does. Pepper is wonderful, really. And the most wonderful thing about her is that she tolerates me."

"Is it hard? To tolerate you?"

"What else could it mean that even Captain Kindness is unable to?" The remark makes me smile which he obviously takes as encouragement. He relaxes on the sofa.

"Are you happy, Tony?" I finally ask.

Long moments pass before he replies. "Course I am." He lies, but I let him.

"How did it feel to sacrifice your life in the battle?" I attempt to switch the topic.

"I don't know," he shrugs. "Millions would have died if I hadn't done it. I didn't have a choice."

I raise my eyebrow. "Is that so?" He doesn't answer. "Don't you think that the reason behind these conflicts with Steve is that you and he are the same?" He stares at me and then laughs again.

"This is ridiculous."

"You both have an intrinsic need to save everyone around you. Both of you know everything and know everything better. You both want to make the world a better place while fighting off your own demons. You both have suffered great losses."

As I speak he gets more and more sullen. "As I said, this is ridiculous," he claims. "The only thing we have in common is that my father was his too."

"What do you mean?" He rolls his eyes.

"You know what I mean, Stella. During my childhood I kept hearing about Steve. Mostly from my own father. About how strong and intelligent and brave and generous he was. How do you think it was to grow up seeing that the one person you look up to looks up higher worshipping the local hero?"

"It must have been hard."

"It was."

"Are you mad at him?"

"At Steve? It goes without saying."

"At your father."

He stops to think again. "No. He did what he thought was right."

"Was he a good father?"

"A marvellous father to Captain America," Tony responded. "Now listen, ever since you said you don't have a boyfriend I've been thinking about why you haven't found anyone."

I let him control the discussion - or let him think he does. "Well, they say psychologists choose this profession to heal themselves. Maybe I have issues," I answer with a smirk.

"Oh is that so? It's getting exciting."

I smile and lower my notepad. "I hate to have to interrupt the session right now," I say standing up. "We'll take it up next week from here."

"Come on. You just started to open up," Tony whines. He stands up reluctantly and shakes my hand.

"I'll see you next week."

"Right." Perhaps next time we can do it without the agents, I muse, but I would not bet on it yet.