Disclaimer: I don't own Tony Stark, Jarvis, Pepper, Natasha, or any of the Marvel characters you might encounter in this story. I do own Jake and the other people on the ranch. Please don't steal them.

A/N: Thanks so much, Anon, for the review. It meant a lot to me. i hope you like this chapter!

After a while, Tony finally realized that Jake actually was not as reckless of a driver as he had thought. Tony had neither fallen off the four-wheeler, nor had the vehicle wrecked as they went through those gullies which Jake called "draws". He also came to realization that Jake had absolutely no idea who he was. Tony found himself liking that fact, since that meant that Jake wasn't just being nice to him because he was the 'great Tony Stark'.

He was thinking about this, when suddenly Jake stopped the four-wheeler next to a barbed-wire fence. Tony looked at Jake questioningly. "So, uh, what're we doing now? I mean, we checked the cows, and the water, and the feed, haven't we?" He held up his hands in a questioning gesture.

Jake nodded. "Yeah, but I saw that the fence was down." He gestured toward the fence, which Tony now saw was not in perfect condition. Several of the wires had come loose from the posts and were sagging down, leaving a large gap in the fence.

Tony nodded sagely. "Oh, so you need to fix it? Do you have the materials?"

Jake grinned. "Yeah, I always carry around some fencing supplies. Here," he went to the front of the four-wheeler and unscrewed the front storage compartment. "It's a good thing all we need are some staples and a clip or two, or I would have to come back here with more supplies." He winked at Tony. "Oh look, I even have two sets of pliers. Do you wanna help?"

When Tony nodded his assent, Jake tossed him a strange set of pliers, which appeared to combine the function of pliers, hammer and wire cutter. Tony looked at it curiously, wondering if he could possibly use a tool like this in his workshop, and if so, what functions it would have.

As Jake explained to Tony how the pliers worked, and what they needed to do, he seemed surprised by how quickly Tony picked up the skill. He nodded approvingly as Tony drove a staple into a wooden post around a strand of wire.

"So what do you do, Tony?" he asked curiously. "Most people take a little practice before they can drive a staple as well as you can."

Tony shrugged. "Guess you could say I'm sort of a mechanic, a bit of a blacksmith too. I'm used to using a hammer."

Jake nodded matter-of-factly. "Nice. So where do you live?"

Tony hesitated, then decided that it didn't really matter if he told the truth. "I used to live in California, then I moved to New York City last year."

Jake raised his eyebrows. "So you were there for the whole alien invasion thing?"

Tony smirked. "Yeah. That was a little freaky."

"You kidding? We hardly believed it out here. I mean, I didn't even think aliens existed. Then here they are, invading NYC." Jake shook his head. "Guess it was a good thing those super-hero guys saved the day."

Nodding in agreement, Tony asked, "So, uh, what do you think of these super-heroes?"

Jake looked pensive. "I'm not sure. I mean, I'm really glad that they stopped those alien dudes before they took over the world. But then…they just disappeared. We don't know much about them at all. And they're kinda scary, y'know what I mean?"

Tony frowned. "Actually, y'know, I'm not sure I do. Could you explain a bit more?"

Nodding, Jake assented. "Well, there's Captain America. It's really great if he's actually come back, and he sure helped New York out, but how do we know it's actually him? I'm sure the government knows. But how does anyone else know for sure? Then there's Iron Man."

Tony forced himself to not look any more interested than he already had been. "What about Iron Man?"

Jake shrugged. "Actually, he seems one of the least mysterious of the lot. I thought he was really stuck-up when we started hearing about him on the news a few years back, but what he did against the aliens was really good. And then, just a few months ago, he saved the president. I think he's okay—if a little too full of himself."

Tony's lips twisted ironically. Well, this is what happens when they don't know who you are, Tony, he told himself. Shaking his head ruefully, he inquired of Jake, "What about the others?"

"Hulk. That guy has done a lot of damage in the past, but it was nice to see him on the good side this time. But there's the fact that he's completely out of control."

Tony shrugged. "I don't know about that. I've heard the man is actually a pretty great guy."

Jake huffed. "That could be, but the problem is, is no one know if he is or not, except maybe a few higher-ups. If they would just let everyone meet them, I think it wouldn't be so much of a problem."

Tony frowned. "You're saying if they get out and talk to people…?" He let his words trail off with a questioning emphasis.

"If people could meet them, I think it would be easier to trust them," Jake clarified.

Nodding, Tony assented. "That makes sense." When Jake didn't answer, he continued, "So what do you think about Thor?"

Jake raised his eyebrows. "Thor? Actually, I'm not sure yet. First, he's an alien. Second, he's hundreds, maybe thousands of years old, and was worshipped as a god at one point by humans. He actually can summon lightning with his hammer. And his brother just tried to take over the earth. It's all so far-fetched. But it's true, as far as I know. I have no idea what to think of Thor." He drove the last staple into the fence post as he spoke. "There! That's the last one. Let's go home." He turned and grinned at Tony. "Coming, or do you want to stay out here on your own?"

Tony hurriedly clambered back onto the four-wheeler.

"Tony? Tony, are you there in the lab?" Pepper's voice floated down the hallway. Hearing no response, she gave an impatient huff of air and turned apologetically to the fiery-haired woman standing next to her. "I'm so sorry, Natasha. You know how he can be." She looked at the wall and addressed the AI. "Jarvis, do you know where Tony is?"

"I have indeed located Mr. Stark, Ms. Potts. However, I do not know how you can reach him," was the AI's enigmatic response.

Pepper frowned. That certainly wasn't normal. "Jarvis, tell me where Tony is," she demanded. "Natasha needs to talk with him."

"Very well, Ms. Potts. Mr. Stark appears to be in the northeastern section of the state of Wyoming, and he has no cell phone. Also, I cannot find any roads leading to the place where he currently is."

Natasha smirked, reflecting that that was certainly something which could happen to Tony, although she had no idea how. Pepper frowned, concern written all over her face. "What? How did that happen?"

If Jarvis had been a human he would have given a resigned sigh, Pepper was certain. "I am afraid that is a long story, Ms. Potts."

Pepper sighed. "Alright, spare us the details. Bring up a map so we can see where he currently is and figure out how to get him home."

Immediately Jarvis complied, showing a holographic map with a star indicating where Tony was. Natasha's eyes widened. "Wait…I know this place," she muttered. After some thought, a grin crept across her face, much to Pepper's surprise.

"What is it, Natasha?" she asked.

Natasha gave a sly smile. "You don't need to worry about Tony. But hopefully you won't mind him being gone for a few days, maybe a week?"