Damaged - Chapter Two
Nestled against the plush padding of the oxblood coloured sofa, Anna rested her chin in the palm of her hand and stared out as people passed through the main lounge. She felt exhausted. A vibration beside her leg startled her from her sluggish thoughts, and she reached down toward her boot to pull out her smartphone. Anna hit the glass screen and swiped her first finger to the left, opening the messages. A smile tugged at her lips.
To: A. Wellington
From: STEVE ROGERS
How was the flight? Everything OK?
Before she could hit out a reply, a light holiday jingle played out on the sleek black Stark Industries tablet that rested in Happy's lap. She watched as the man jumped in surprise, biting her lip as Happy gripped the electronic device with force. The man fumbled, evidently looking for the 'answer incoming call' button. Turning to her right, Anna reached over and tapped the glass screen three times before swiping downward.
Happy cleared his throat. "Hello?
Tony Stark's voice crackled through the speakers. "Is this forehead of security?"
"What?" snapped Happy, holding the tablet up to his face. "Look," he continued, ignoring the amused look the analyst fired at him. She turned back to stare through the glass walls of the boardroom. "I've got a real job. What do you want? I'm working here." He pinched the analyst's arm, keeping her attention. "We've got something going on here."
"Annie, that you?"
And still not taking her eyes off of Potts and the visitor, Anna wriggled her fingers and waved at the front-facing camera.
"What's he doing?" Stark asked the female. "Harassing interns? Interviewing suspicious plant life in the lobby?"
Happy bobbed the tablet up and down, trying to find a good camera angle. "Let me tell you something," he muttered. "You know what happened when I told people I was Iron Man's bodyguard? They would laugh at my face!" Stark's rumble of laughter sounded, but Happy continued with, "I had to leave while I still had a shred of dignity!"
Anna smiled despite herself.
"Now I have a real job," claimed Happy. "I'm watching Pepper."
Now Stark's interest was peaked. "What's going on? Fill me in. Anna?"
"For real?" asked Happy, dubious.
"Tony-"
"Yeah."
Happy straightened his suit and nearly dropped the black tablet. Anna turned to him and tried to pluck the device from the man's hands, but he held tight to the glass rectangle. "Alright. So she's meeting up with this scientist rich guy - handsome-"
"Right."
"And I couldn't place his face at first. You know I'm good with faces, right-"
"Oh, yeah," mocked Stark, "you're the best."
"In other words," interrupted Anna, leaning toward the tablet to state her input, "I ran a full body screen and found out that-"
"His name is Aldrich Killian. We actually met the guy," Happy cut in, leaving the analyst to widen her eyes.
"You did?" she questioned, turning to her right to look back at the blonde stranger. "When?"
Happy ignored her question. "Back in…? Where were we in 1999? The Science Conference?"
A pause on the other end of the video call. "Switzerland," said Stark.
"Right," agreed Happy, nodding his head. "Right. Right. Exactly. Killian-"
"I don't remember that guy-"
"Of course you don't," chided Happy. "He's not a blonde with a big rack." At Anna's stare, the security figure bobbed his head in a silent apology. "Anyway," he carried on. "First it was fine - they were talking business. But now… it's getting weird. He's showing her his big… brain."
"What?"
Anna moved closer to the tablet. "From what I can tell," she answered, still keeping her eye on the redhead and the man, "it's a feed of Killian's brain. And I hate to say it, but if what he's showing her is right, it's pretty advanced technology."
"You don't like this guy either?"
"And this big brain?" sounded Happy, not letting the brunette answer. "She likes it. Here, let me show you." The man held up the tablet, holding it out toward the office. "See?"
"Look at what? You watching them? Flip the screen and then we can get started."
"I'm not a tech genius like you two," snarked Happy, spitting at the screen. "Just… just trust me! Get down here-"
"Flip the screen," repeated Stark. "And then I can see what they're-"
"Look! I don't know how to flip the screen!"
"Anna?"
"Give it here," murmured Anna, grabbing the tablet. She turned the screen and mimicked Happy's earlier movements, holding the screen out toward the glass doors of the office. She held the tablet up for a few short seconds before handing it back to the man beside her.
"And don't talk to me like that," barked Happy. "You're not my boss, alright? I don't work for you. And I don't trust this guy." Anna hit his leg. "We don't trust this guy," he corrected. "He's got another guy with him. He's shifty-"
"Relax," instructed Stark. "I'm just asking you to secure the perimeter. Tell him to go out for a drink or something-"
Happy glared down at the screen. "You know what? You should take more of an interest in what's going on here. Listen, this woman is the best thing that's ever happened to you. And you're just ignoring her."
"It's a giant brain?"
Anna nodded her head despite not being in the camera frame. She listened as Happy muttered into the microphone, telling the namesake of Stark Ind. more information regarding the male sat opposite them. "And there's a shifty character," repeated Happy. "I'm gonna run his plates. And I'm going to follow him. And if it gets rough? So be it." He turned to the analyst. "You coming with me?"
Stark interrupted. "Stop by the house first," he told them. "Annie, go with Pepper. Hap? You do whatever it is you need to do. OK? I'll see you soon." A slight pause from the connection feed. "I miss you both."
"Yeah," replied Happy as Anna smiled. "I miss you too. But the way it used to be. Now the two of you are off with the super friends. I don't know what's going on with any of you anymore. The world's getting-"
"Hey, hey. I hate to cut you off, but do you-"
As Stark ignored the truth in his friend's words, Anna sighed and tapped out a response to Steve. Hitting the touchpad with light touches of her digits, the analyst hit the send button and flashed Happy a small smile as he cut the video feed. The conversation died and the two remained in silence for the remainder of Pepper's meeting.
"How's New York?"
Anna watched as Pepper Potts weaved in and out of lanes, and stared out at the blue sea. She shrugged her shoulders, letting her head fall back against the grey leather headrest. "New York is New York," she answered, not knowing how else to respond. "It's busy and never-ending."
Potts smiled. "And Steve?"
Anna couldn't help but roll her eyes at the question. "Steve is a constant. He's always there. He never questions me or my decisions. He lets me make my own choices. And we've grown close, I suppose."
A scarlet eyebrow quirked in the analyst's direction. "How close, Anna?"
The brunette glared at her friend and CEO. "Nothing like that." She blinked. "You really have been spending a lot of time with Tony-"
"Hm," hummed Potts, shaking her head.
It was Anna's turn to fire the questions. "And Killian? How do you know him?"
"We worked together. Briefly."
Anna nodded her head. "That must have been interesting," she commented.
Potts' humour was dry. "Not nearly as interesting as working for Stark Industries," she quipped, letting out a small laugh. And as they neared the beautiful house built into the coast, the redhead slowed the car to a stop. "Any idea what he's got us for Christmas?"
"None."
"God help us," muttered Potts, starting the engine and cruising toward the house.
An over-sized rabbit loomed over the driveway, a gift-tag the size of the analyst's head wrapped around the figure's neck read Merry Christmas, Pepper xxx. Anna bit her lip and faced the woman to her right, holding her tongue to fight back the wave of laughter that threatened to bubble past her lips. A soft golden glow emitted from the house, and whilst Potts stared at the gift in undisguised distaste and wonder, Anna crept forward and pushed open the door to the home, standing still as JARVIS' scan read her body mass and features.
Potts followed, her clipboard clutched under her arm. "I'm sorry we're late," she responded, walking into the lounge. "We were-" She paused at the sight of the red and gold suit resting on the cream sofas. "What is that?" she exclaimed, stopping in her tracks.
Anna stepped forward, frowning.
"You're wearing this in the house now?" continued Potts, slipping off her shoes. Anna followed suit. "What is that? Like Mark 15?"
The Iron Man stood, twisting his head to look at the model number emblazoned on the left bicep. Stark's voice sounded from the suit. "Yeah. Something like that," he agreed. "You know everybody needs a hobby. Right, Annie?"
Sensing that something was certainly of with the way in which Stark greeted the two of them, Anna's eyes swept over the living room. A smile played on her lips as she spied the Christmas stockings hanging from the fireplace. Tony, Pepper, Anna, and JARVIS.
"Oh," said Potts, staring at the suit. "And you have to wear your hobby in the living room?" She flicked through the mail absent-mindedly whilst she waited for a response.
"Just breaking it in," answered Stark, stalking forward to the two women. He stood behind the redhead, working his steel encased fingers into her flesh. "You know it's always just a little pinchy in the-"
"No more details, thank you," interrupted Anna, shaking her head.
Stark pointed to the drive-way. "Hey," he started. "Did you see your Christmas present?"
The women shared an identical look. "Yes," said Potts, "I did. I don't know how I could have missed that Christmas present. Is it going to fit through the door?"
"Well, actually," stammered Stark, "that's a good question. I've got a team of guys coming tomorrow. They're going to blow up that wall, so-"
"OK," agreed Potts, still smiling down at the pictures she held in her hands.
"Tense?" he asked, still working his fingers on the woman's neck. He turned to face his employee. "Good day, Annie?"
She nodded, taking a seat on the couch opposite, pulling out her phone to send a message to Steve.
"Ooh, shoulders are a little knotty. Knotty girl," quipped Stark. "I don't want to harp on this," he continued, "but did you like the, uh, custom rabbit?"
"Did I like it?" repeated Potts, turning to share a slight grin with the analyst.
"Nailed it, right? Just wait till you see yours, Anna. You'll love it."
Anna stared at her friends, fighting back a harsh retort. "It's not a rabbit, is it?" she asked, somewhat fearful.
"No," said Stark, and the Iron Suit's head shook. "Yours is something I've been working on for a while. You'll love it. Trust me."
"Really?"
"Really, really," agreed Stark. "And the rabbit?" He turned to face his lover.
Potts rose from her seat. "I appreciate the thought," she answered, wrapping her arms around his neck. The couple remained ignorant to the analyst sat on the couch. In response to the display of affection, Anna smiled despite herself and scrolled through hers and Steve's most recent SMS conversation. SHIELD had been running tests on the soldier all afternoon. Feeling the familiar vibration of a new message, Anna swiped her thumb over the glass screen and tapped out another quick response.
How is Christmas with Stark - S
Bearable. - A
The sound of steel and iron ringing together pulled the woman away from her private conversation. She looked across the lounge to see her friends embraced. Stark tapped the headplate of his armour, childish noises emitting from the mouth piece. "Huh," he mocked. "Damn it. No can do."
At this, Anna frowned. Was Stark refusing to kiss the love of his life? Just what had she missed in those five minutes?
Stark touched the mouthpiece with a golden finger. "You wanna just kiss it on the, uh, the facial slit-"
"Mhm," hummed Potts, tilting her head back to share a secretive glance with the analyst. The two women knew that something was going on, but neither could place their finger on it. "Well," began Potts, taking a step backward. "Why don't I run down to the garage and see if I can't find a crowbar to jimmy that thing open?" She backed away from Stark, holding her hand out to Anna. "Want to help?"
Anna stood. "Sure," she complied, following Potts toward the spiral staircase.
"Crowbar?" repeated Stark, watching the two women closely. "Oh!" He shouted. "Except there's been a, uh, a radiation leak!"
"We'll take our chances," argued Potts, rolling her eyes.
"That's risky!" continued Stark, following them down the stairs. "At least let me get you like a-"
Anna stopped in her tracks on the stairs, the suit halting behind her. For down the stairs, nestled in the advanced lab, was Stark.
"This," declared Potts, "is a new level of lame. You ate without me? On date night?"
Anna crept into the lab, staring at the wreckage of the racing car Stark had destroyed the previous summer. She side-stepped Potts and the empty Iron suit, glancing at the monitors and computer systems. She was unsurprised to see a camera positioned on her private level of Stark Industries, Manhattan. Still watching over her, she mused.
"He was just-"
"You mean you were just," corrected Potts, shaking her head.
"Well, yeah," agreed Stark. "We were just hosting you whilst I finished a few up a little work-"
"No," muttered Potts, still disgusted with his behaviour.
"And, yes, I had a quick bite. I didn't know if you were coming home with Anna, here, or if you were having drinks with Aldrich Killian."
"What?" snapped Anna.
Potts repeated her wording. "What?" she asked, speaking to the suit that had turned to stare at her, waiting for a response. "Aldrich Killian? she echoed, shaking her head. "What are you checking up on me now?"
"No, Annie-"
"Anna?"
The brunette held up her hands. "If you want someone to blame," she argued, "blame Happy. I only ran a screen test on the guy-"
"We were concerned," added Stark.
"No," said Potts. "You were spying on me-" She deflated, not wanting to continue the argument. "I'm going to bed."
"Come on," murmured Stark, following her. "C'mon! Pep? Hey!" he shouted, "I admit it. My fault. Sorry," he apologised. "I'm a piping hot mess," he told the women, throwing his hands down. "It's been going on for a while. And I haven't said anything. Nothing has been the same since New York."
Potts stalked back to the entrance of the lab. "Oh, really?" she muttered, sarcasm strong in her tone. "I didn't notice that at all."
"You experience things," said Stark. And suddenly Anna was thrown back to four months previous, back to when she and Stark had had that conversation. And now she knew that back then he was building up the courage, trying to find the right words, to say to Pepper. "And then they're over. And you still can't explain them? Gods? Aliens? Other dimensions? I'm just a man in a can. The only reason I haven't cracked up is probably because you moved in, which is great. I love you. I'm lucky. But Honey?" he stopped, rubbing a hand over his jaw, "I can't sleep."
Anna bit her lip in silence, watching as her friend admitted his insecurities for a second time.
"You go to bed," said Stark, speaking to his lover, "I come down here. I do what I know. I tinker." He shook his head, sitting down upon his desk. "Threat," he told her, "is imminent. And I have to protect the one thing I can't live without." He held his hand out to Potts. "And that's you."
Potts stepped forward, frowning.
"My suits?" continued Stark. "They're-"
"Machines," answered Potts.
"They're part of me," amended Stark, shrugging his shoulders. And to the analyst's eyes he looked worn and exhausted.
"They're a distraction."
Stark nodded his head. "Maybe," he replied. "But I have to protect you all." He turned to face the brunette behind him. "You, Annie, Happy. My family."
And with gentle movement, Potts removed the headpiece and kissed him. "I'm going to take a shower," she told him, voice quiet though all in the room could hear.
"OK."
"And you're going to join me," smiled Potts, throwing a small grin at the analyst as she walked away.
Anna rolled her eyes at the scene, smiling as she watched Dummy from the corner of her eye. She'd always been quite fond of the robot.
"Better," nodded Stark. "You go," he told Potts, "I'll be a sec. Gotta give Annie here her present."
Potts smiled. "OK," she agreed, and she left the lab.
Stark righted himself. He looked over at his top analyst and Head of R and D and smiled. "Ready for your present?"
"Where is it?"
Stark smiled. "Down in the lower lab. C'mon," he said, guiding the twenty-seven-year-old through a second staircase, down toward the private research space beneath the house.
The walk was made in silence, Anna too busy contemplating Stark's earlier words. His sleeping habits hadn't improved, she'd noted. He'd spent all his time working on new suits and designs. New friends for him to play with and adjust. Had she neglected him in his time of need? After all that Stark had done for her? She shook away the thoughts as they entered the space, Anna stopping her tracks just as Stark did. Six Iron suits lined the corners of the room. The man clapped his hands and the ground beneath them moved. Something emerged from the ground.
And now in the middle of the lab, standing upright and glittering in the yellow lights, was a seventh iron suit. This particular mark was painted chrome with hints of purple and silver streaked across the head and face plates. This suit was smaller than the others with no electromagnet chest piece. And as she stared at the design, a sick feeling crept into the stomach of the analyst. And without silencing her thoughts, she muttered the words, "What the hell is that?"
"That?" repeated Stark, nodding his head toward the violet and chrome suit. A smile lit up his face. He stepped toward the analyst, pulling her closer to the creation. "Just a little something I like to call your Christmas present-"
"No." Her lips were pulled into a tight frown. And turning her back to the thing, she realised she couldn't bring herself to look at it. And so she stared at Stark, wishing he would listen and understand.
Stark frowned. "No?" he echoed. "What's wrong with it? Purple's still your favourite colour, right?"
Anna folded her arms across her chest and glowered at her friend. "Destroy it," she told him, attempting to keep her voice steady. "Paint it red and gold. Give it to Rhodes. Donate it to one of the charities. I don't want it."
"Annie," began Stark, placing his hand on the woman's arm. "Look, you're scared of flying and I get that-"
"No," bit Anna, her glare unwavering. "You don't."
"This will protect you, Anna. JARVIS is linked up to the head piece. You'll never be alone. And you don't have to do anything. JARVIS will do it all for you. All the flight plans-"
"No."
The man changed tactics. "You and Happy?" he began. "You're my friends. And I have to protect you. This? This suit will protect you when I can't. It's programmed to protect you. Nothing will happen to you-"
Her words were final. "Destroy it." And without sparing the suit and its creator one last glance, she charged from the lab and up the glass spiral staircase, well aware of the tears building behind her eyelids. When would Tony learn? Anna did not want to fly. She didn't want an iron suit. She didn't want the mess that came with flying. She didn't want Malibu's sunny skies. She didn't want to be there. And making her way through the ground floor of the high-tech home, Anna resolved to grab the keys to the closest car, find Happy, and start the forty-two hour drive back to Manhattan.
"Sir?" called the bodiless voice, distracting the genius from his own thoughts. "I've compiled a resource which may explain Dr. Wellington's aversion to flights-"
"What is it, J?"
Holographic images and letters lit up the lab - shimmering blue and green photographs and news reports. Stark looked at each one in turn, brow furrowing as he glanced over the information. Reaching out to snatch one of the articles, he clapped his hands and spread them apart, watching as the report expanded. His eyes roamed over the words, letting the news sink in, before breathing out a harsh swear. "Why didn't I know about this?" asked Stark, running a hand over his face as he turned to stare at the other images. Each article showed the same photograph - a ruined military aircraft engulfed in flames. "Does Pep-"
"Miss Potts ran a thorough screen test on Dr. Wellington prior to her interview six years ago. This is part of Dr. Wellington's file."
Stark closed his eyes. And yet all the man could see were the words Colonel Jacob Thomas Wellington killed during mid-flight explosion, June 28th 1991.
Author Note: A huge thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, and to everyone who's alerted and favourited this story!
Please continue to do! Next chapter will have quite a bit of Steve in it! :)
