Gabie
III
"This is amazing," Izzy giggles as she watches "Come Fly With Me" on a laptop in our shared art space. Tony granted me a full scholarship to the art school so now I can go whenever I want. Izzy and I also have a private room where we create our pieces.
"I know, I've watched all six episodes about twenty times," I reply. "It never gets old."
"I totally get that," Izzy responds and turns to face me. I'm plastering my hand for a project and getting the plaster everywhere.
"Hey you need a hand?" I frown at the pun and she cackles.
"I'm fine thanks," I deadpan but let a grin slip. Izzy and I have become friends. Allie is real proud that I have a friend besides her.
Izzy returns to the computer just as my phone rings. I grab the phone with my free hand and put it to my ear.
"Allie what's wrong? Why are you calling? You hate talking on the phone," I greet nonchalantly.
"Gabie something really bad happened! All the tv's and I mean every tv just had this scary terrorist propaganda shit on them! This guy the Mandarin is attacking the US and its bad Gabie. It is bad, Tony's freaked. We're going to see his friend Rhodey now to see if he knows more because this might become an us problem. Could you meet us at the bar location I'm sending you now?" Allie rambles off. My phone vibrates with the new text seconds later.
I'm not too concerned considering Allie can be a drama queen but I'll go see her.
"Yeah I'll drive there. I just have to get this plaster off my hand," I answer casually.
"Gabie I know I overreact but you should have seen this message, it was mad creepy," Allie murmurs intently. Now I'm more worried. She sounds really serious.
"Alright I'll be there just stay calm and stay with Tony."
"Alright thanks," she sighs. "I'll see you." She hangs up before I can say goodbye.
"Something wrong?" Izzy asks and I shrug.
"Allie is panicked, I have to go see her. I'll be back tomorrow hopefully," I answer and pick up a knife. With perfect precision I cut the plaster off and leave in a rush before washing my hands.
It has been quiet since New York and I'd hate for this to screw it up.
III
Arriving at the bar I see an Iron Man suit in the parking lot and groan. That's a bad sign.
Exiting my jeep I shuffle into the bar. My eyes find Allie at a table with Tony and an unfamiliar man. The man must be Rhodey, Tony's friend.
Allie's eyes are glued to a tv above the bar. She's watching he news.
"Central to my Administration's response to this terrorist event, is a newly minted resource. I know him as Colonel James Rhodes, the American people will soon know him as the Iron Patriot," President Ellis declares and gestures to a red, white, and blue Iron Man suit next to him. The mask of the Iron Patriot lifts to reveal Rhodey. The suit looks like the War Machine was painted by Captain America.
The film of President Ellis is paused an replaced by a news anchor. It's Bill Maher, he's always criticizing the president.
"And how is President Ellis responding? By taking the guy they call War Machine and giving him a paint job," he scoffs. Joan Rivers is sitting next to him as nodding in agreement.
"Same suit, but painted red white and blue. Look at That. And they also renamed him Iron Patriot. You know, just in case the paint was too subtle."
"I totally agree," I grumble and walk over to Allie. "Hey."
"Gabie! You're here!" she exclaims and throws her arms around me. "Thank god."
Colonel Rhodes and Tony both turn to me.
"What's with the Captain America fan art all over your suit Colonel Rhodes?" I snark and he groans. I grin and sit next to Allie at the table.
"It tested well with focus groups, alright?" Rhodes defends.
"I am Iron Patriot," Tony mocks.
"Listen, War Machine was a little too aggressive, alright? This sends a better message," he explains defensively. Allie isn't laughing she has that pondering look on her face. Tony stops grinning when he sees her.
"So what's really goin' on? With Mandarin. Seriously, can we talk about this guy?" Tony murmurs and moves his chair closer to the Colonel. Rhodey, as Tony calls him, looks hesitant about speaking.
"It's classified information, Tony." Tony raises and eyebrow and Rhodey huffs.
"Okay, there have been nine bombings."
So this is a big deal then. Allie wasn't overreacting.
"Nine," Allie utters.
"The public only knows about three. Here's the thing, nobody can ID a device. There's no bomb casings," Rhodey adds making me raise an eyebrow. An explosion but no bomb?
"You know I can help, just ask. I got a ton of new tech, I got a prehensile, I got a new bomb disposal. Catches explosions mid-air," Tony says seriously.
"When's the last time you got a good night's sleep?" Rhodey demands and evades the topic of Tony interfering.
"Einstein slept three hours a year. Look what he did," Tony counters and Allie huffs.
"People are concerned about you, Tony. I'm concerned about you," Rhodey continues and Tony scowls.
"And me too Tones," Allie adds and pointedly looks at me.
"I guess I care as well iron wallet," I huff.
"Wow you guys are gonna come at me like that?" Tony snaps and Allie deflates sadly.
"Hey don't get snappy with us metal mouth," I retort.
"No. No, look, I'm not trying to be a dic-" Rhodey stops short as two children approach the table "tator."
"Do you mind signing my drawing?" the little girl asks.
"If Richard doesn't mind," Tony responds and takes the crayon from her. "You alright with this, Dick?"
"Fine with me," Rhodey spits out through gritted teeth.
Tony looks down at the drawing and starts writing. It's a drawing of Iron Man flying into the wormhole with Siren and Quiver on the ground below. The other Avengers aren't depicted.
I'm in awe, I haven't ever seen myself drawn as a hero.
"What is your name?"
"Erin," the girl says and smiles. The boy next to her, probably her brother, stands quietly in awe.
"I loved you in A Christmas Story, by the way," Tony mutters.
"Who's your favorite hero?" Allie inquires warmly.
"Iron Man! He saved us all!" the girl cheers.
"And you?" I direct to the boy.
"I like Quiver, her powers are really cool," he murmur shyly and it warms my heart. I'm some kids favorite superhero.
"Listen, the Pentagon is scared. After what happened in New York... aliens, come on. They need to look strong. Stopping the Mandarin is priority, but it's not-"
"It's not superhero business, I get it," Tony finishes, his scribbling on the paper is getting frantic.
"No, it's not, quite frankly. It's American business." I shoot Allie a look and she shrugs.
"If this isn't superhero business why are we here?"
"Tony was concerned and I wanted to help," she explains.
"That's why I said I...got it," Tony grumbles and Allie frowns. On the sheet he's writing 'Erin help me' on the Iron Man. She looks at him with concern as he starts looking ill.
"Are you okay?" Rhodey queries.
"Tony? Do you need to leave?" Allie inquires gingerly.
"I broke the crayon," he states without meaning.
In his head his thoughts are a chaotic and overwhelming mess.
"Are you okay, Mr. Stark?" Erin questions.
"Take it easy. Tony," Rhodey soothes and Allie puts a solid hand on his arm.
That's when the little boy leans in and whispers to Tony.
"How did you get out of the wormhole?"
Tony jerks and rises abruptly, storming out of the bar.
"Tony!"
"Wait a minute! Tony!" Rhodey calls and jumps up to follow him. Allie glances to me before trailing behind.
"Sorry kids Mr Stark doesn't like talking about New York," I rush out and chase after Allie.
"What'd he say?!" Tony exclaims nonsensically as he heads for the suit.
"Tony please talk to me," Allie begs.
"Tony!"
"Sorry. Have to check on the suit...make sure...okay," Tony rambles and steps right into the parked suit. It closes behind him just as Allie reaches for him, locking her out. The desperation on her face pushes me to open our bond and link us to his mind.
"Check the heart, check the...check the...is it the brain?" Tony rambles. Allie is clutching to a metal arm and staring blankly. This must be hard for her.
"No sign of cardiac analomy or unusual brain activity," Jarvis reports.
"Okay, so I was poisoned?"
"My diagnosis is that you've experienced a severe panic attack."
"Same," I utter to Allie.
"Me?"
Rhodey knocks on the suits head to get his attention. People have gathered around us watching Tony and whispering about Allie and I. Out of curiosity I let some of their thoughts float through my mind.
"Who are those girls?"
"What are they doing with Tony Stark and Colonel Rhodes?"
Allie and I have kept our identities a secret and kept ourselves out of the public eye when it comes to Tony Stark. Allie is worried what the media will say about her and Tony if it is revealed they're soulmates and she fears someone will connect the dots about our identities.
"What's going on?"
"Come on, man. This isn't a good look, open up," Rhodey mutter and knocks on the helmet.
"Sorry, I gotta split," Tony responds nonchalantly and blasts off in the suit. As he flies away I close the link and Allie tears up.
"Gabie I have a really bad feeling."