Yeah, this was supposed to be posted much earlier..but I have yet to recover fully from Civil War. So..yeah.. *curls back under the comfort of my handy shock blanket*

-Lovely

Lots of Love to grapejuice101, SomebodyWhoCares, adela, Like the river, & Guest for your reviews last chapter.

Also, holy Cap's star-spangled buns! 51 favorites and 74 follows since being published?! Thanks so much, you beauties *smooches*

-Pinky Swear

-Paring(s): Tony Stark/OC

-Rating: High T for language, suggested violence, and slight adult situations

-Movie-based

Disclaimer: I don't own Iron Man II. The characters belong to Marvel Studios and Stan Lee. I only own any OCs introduced.

chapter two:

"What a Knock Out"

I'm only a fool for you

And maybe you're too good for me

I'm only a fool for you

But I don't fucking care

-Idfc, Blackbear

The sound of Tony Stark's confident voice mixed with the monotone Russian translator became background noise for Ivan Vanko. It unconsciously fueled him to pull through faster on his secret project which the genius would meet firsthand as he killed him in front of everyone and all who loved him. The violent reminder brought an eager smirk on the man's rough face.

It would be especially thrilling witnessing the expression his successor made then. His gaze drifted to the screen, seeing ever sought-after Tegan Hayes trying to leave the courtroom with an irritated expression as the press pestered her for comments. He clicked his tongue with a disappointed shake of his head. She was very different from Stark, personality-wise but not intelligence, but it was such a shame she proceeded to walk in the boisterous man's shadow. Therefore, she could not continue to live either.

As the finishing results glowed successfully before Ivan, he silently sent a deadly promise to the bane of his existence.

"Revenge will be mine soon, Tony Stark."

"Wake up. Daddy's home." The high-tech workshop awoke obediently at the sound of its' creator's voice. The four computer monitors and overhead lights glowed to life while blue toned holograms scanned the crowded room for an update report on what possibly needed fixing or adjusting.

"Welcome home, sir." Jarvis, his loyal AI, greeted warmly. "Congratulations on the opening ceremonies. They were such a success, as was your Senate hearing." A video of said event on Youtube was pulled up on the far left monitor. "And may I say how refreshing it is to finally see you in a video with your clothing on, sir."

Tony chuckled before breathing in, sighing happily. It was good to be back in his comfort place as always. It had only been two weeks since being home but it felt like an eternity. With his looming secret, he feared and never could tell when would be the last time he'd see or be in it. So Stark took every chance to spend his time in the workshop without rush and just enjoy himself.

"So what can I play with first?" he pondered aloud. Reviewing the scanning data, everything seemed in perfect order, no doubt thanks to Hayes, and all that needed work were the suits. But before he could do so, the man had to take his daily dose of chlorophyll which was clumsy and messily made by U—his newly made twin robot of Dum-E that he threaten to turn into a wine rack almost daily.

"How many ounces a day of this gobbledegook am I supposed to drink?" Stark asked the AI while pouring himself a glass of dark green liquid.

"We are up to 80 ounces a day to counteract the symptoms, sir." The genius grimaced with false joy at the news and chugged it quickly down. Next, were to check his palladium levels.

The blood toxicity had gone up immensely since the night before—24% now. Jarvis informed that the continued used of the suit was accelerating his illness which he already known. Plus, it was burning out the Arc's palladium core more often than previously, resulting in him being scarred with dead protruding veins around the area.

Still knowing all those dangers, it wasn't like he could stop doing so especially after that now infamous Senate hearing. He sighed heavily. Sometimes Tony really hated not thinking of what his actions would later cause; always letting his pride and emotions get the better of him. Having Tegan beside him usually helped but not that time. Senator Stern and Hammer kept pushing all his buttons and he just had to put them in check for all their bullshit.

"Madam is approaching." the AI stated, bringing his creator out of his jumbled thoughts. "I recommend once again that you inform her—"

"Mute." Jarvis was silenced right as the female genius stepped inside, fresh from her shower. Towel drying her damp hair, she strolled barefoot over to his desk dressed now in a sky blue v-neck and grey cotton shorts looking tempting as always for her lover. Literally, the girl could come out wearing a burlap sack and Stark would still want to jump her bones.

"Awfully quiet in here without the usual blaring classics." she noted teasingly, going around his desk before taking a seat on top of it.

"Nothing wrong with a little silence now and then." he smiled, rolling his stool to nestle himself between her long legs. "Unless you'd like to fill it with a more fun noise than music." The young woman blushed a bit but tried to act nonchalant about their sudden intimate position and his not-so subtle suggestion.

"Highly unlikely, Mr. Stark, since Pep called saying she was on her way." Tegan warned, "And from the sound of her voice, she knows about your little donation and is pissed."

He shrugged indifferently, drawing random patterns on her exposed thigh. His lover suppressed a delightful shiver. "Yeah..not surprised about that."

Grey eyes fixed him with a stern glare, crossing her arms. "I don't blame her for wanting to tear you a new one too. Spontaneously donating your whole art collection to the Boy Scouts was stupid and unnecessary. As Indiana Jones would say, 'It belongs in a museum', love." The older man smirked at her pop culture reference.

"Come on, the kids could use a little art in their lives along with learning to tie knots." Tony looked up at her with his readable dark browns of his. She could easily see the playfulness swirling in them. "Say, isn't it customary for the significant other to give a 'welcome home' kiss when their partner has been gone awhile?"

"In some countries, yes." replied Hayes with a sniff blankly. He pouted his lips up at her childishly then, waiting. She sighed, wondering what she was gonna do with this man, before caving in. His lover had been wanting this just as much as him anyway.

The kiss started closed mouthed until Stark's tongue licked along her bottom lip sensually. She parted her lips with a breathy pleased sigh, dying to let him roam. The man was insanely skilled in that peculiar intimate action which left her either dazed or gasping for more. But the unpleasant taste of something like wheat grass assaulted her mouth when he did and caused her to pull back, grimacing. Tony slightly whimpered at the lost of contact.

"Are you still drinking that disgusting health drink?"

"Yes, and that disgusting health drink is good for the body, young lady."

The female genius leaned forward, burying her face in his neck. "Well, I don't like it."

"Too bad." he chuckled before sighing, bitterly remembering his hidden affliction. "And I can't believe I'm saying this but we should stop anyway."

A mischievous smirk slowly formed on her kiss-swollen lips. "Are you sure about that, Mr. Stark?" Nips and open-mouth kisses were placed all along his throat. Eyes instantly falling shut, his head canted back a tad at the sensation. He grasped her hips, a low groan disrupting the quiet. Just hearing sexual sounds fill the silent room was a major turn on for Tony. He could feel himself become semi-stiff down below from that combined with his lover's sinful affections.

Pink lips now trailed along his jawline, still giving little bites now and then, before hovering over his skyward tilted own.

"Have you changed your mind now?." she whispered breathlessly, running her fingers slowly through his dark hair.

"Oh, yes.." he thought hazy for her petting but managing to shake his head no slowly. "But I'm not saying that aloud. I will not give in, you wicked temptress."

"No? Well.." Tegan brushed her mouth tantalizingly close to his, giving only the lightest touch. Stark gasped like a man starving of thirst and he wanted nothing more than to drown in the young woman-turned-vixen at the moment. "..I have more exciting ways to persuade you, my love."

God, he was in deep. Never before had the genius yearned after anyone; it always being vice-versa. But it took a twenty-four year old Irish-born woman to make him almost beg for her touches like a dog did with treats. And with having to push her away some because of his secret, his unhealthy need for Tegan was to the point of suffocating. About to surrender to the forbidden lust and revealing the truth, Jarvis unexpected saved him once again.

"Ms. Potts is about to enter the house, sir." he told smoothly, "So it would be wise if you and Madam removed yourselves from your..comprising seating arrangement." Two pairs of different colored eyes blinked before peering down at themselves. Somehow without realizing, Hayes ended up in Tony's lap with his hands firmly groping her butt and keeping her there. The two chuckled and removed themselves from each other with a little bit of reluctance.

"To be continued at a later time and date, Mr. Stark." the young woman promised in a seductive tone, draping her towel over his shoulders to hide to blossoming purple love bites.

She had just flopped down on the couch when Pepper appeared at the bottom of the stairs. His assistant was clearly still peeved from her deep frown and the angry way she pushed in her access code. So Hayes decided to stay quiet for this argument. Once inside, Potts went straight for the kill, glaring gaze focused on her boss.

"Is this a joke?" she questioned, voice raspy a tad. Oh, no..she sounds sick, thought Tegan. Pepper was scary when mad..even worse so when she was under the weather. "What are you thinking?"

Stark gave a bewildered, innocent expression. "What?"

"What are you thinking?" the woman stressed again to him.

"Hey, I'm thinking I'm busy and you're angry about something." He stepped around his desk. She sniffed in both anger and to clear her runny nose. "Do you have the sniffles? I don't wanna get sick."

Pepper ignored his impolite comment, continuing fiercely. "Did you just donate our entire modern art collection to the—"

"Boy Scouts of America." the two finished together. Tegan suppressed a laugh at the look they gave each other.

Tony shook his head, walking away with his assistant following. "It's a worthwhile organization. I didn't physically check the crates but basically, yes. And it's not 'our' collection, it's my collection. No offense."

"No, you know what? I think I'm actually entitled to say 'our' collection, considering the time that I put in, over ten years, curating that."

"It was a tax write-off. I needed that." Pepper pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling a stress headache forming. Trying to get through to the genius was like talking to a brick wall. Anyway, it was really useless arguing about it seeing as the whole collection was already well in the hands of the Boy Scouts now.

She changed the subject instead. "You know, there's only about eight thousand and eleven things that I really need to talk to you about." Potts announced while Stark still half-listened.

"I need you to wear a surgical mask until you're feeling better." he requested over his shoulder. "Is that okay?"

"That's.." The under-the-weather woman coughed once. "That's rude. Back on topic, one example would be the Expo. It's a gigantic waste of time."

Tony rolled his dark eyes at that. "There's nothing more important to me than the Expo. It's my primary point of concern. I don't know why you're—"

"The Expo is your ego gone crazy. Tegan even agrees with me." the other woman stated then, making said person blanch. That was one topic she didn't want to hear or get involved in. She quickly but quietly stood, tiptoeing for the door without notice. Pepper's mention of her got the billionaire full attention. He scoffed in disbelief.

"Uh, I'm sorry, but you have some false information there. Tegan is completely with me on this."

"No. No, she is not. She just hasn't said anything because she doesn't want to upset you."

The two glared at each other before turning to glance over at the couch. "Right, Tegan?" The spot was empty. They peered at the door to see her standing there like a deer caught in headlight with the door in hand. She laughed nervously before sighing, releasing the handle from her grasp. The young woman suddenly felt as if she was a child caught in a nasty custody battle. But she wasn't gonna lie and Tony really did need to hear the harsh truth of reality that he believed himself to be untouchable from.

"Actually, Tony..since we're on the topic, I do agree with Pepper." His lover frantically tried to clarify further when noticing the small flicker of betrayal that crossed his face, ignoring the smug smile Pep wore as well. "On some things! Not everything! Like the Expo, I think, shouldn't be all year along. Maybe half that." Or less..

"Wow.." he uttered, looking away from her. Thinking he was upset with her, she stepped closer to apologize when he picked a framed portrait of Iron Man in in the likeness of the Obama 'Hope' poster.

"Look at that. That's modern art." Stark professed suddenly, brushing pass the dumbfounded women. "That's going up."

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!" Potts exclaimed before proceeding into another topic-flopping argument about the state of Stark Industries to Tony replacing the Barnett Newman with the framed poster. And Tegan, the mediator as always, tried to calm them down but ended up getting a headache of her own instead.

"You know what? Enough already!" she shouted angrily, standing between them. The two bickering adults paused and looked at her, still peeved with each other. Now was the time to confess what's been floating around in her mind for the past couple months since her lover's stranger-than-usual behavior came about.

The female genius continued, her Irish lilt coming out strong. "Okay, I hate that it has to come to this and I was hoping it would be a long while until I had to agree. But I'm stepping up and asking—no, demanding—to take your place as CEO of Stark Industries!"

She blew a strand of hair from her face, crossing her arms and staring at the two before her. Truthfully, the young woman didn't want to become CEO right now but felt she had no choice. Stark's was slowly becoming in shambles, stressing Pepper and the big wigs out. And she didn't want that for company she'd grown to admire since a child.

Pepper stood there with her mouth open, astonished while a grin nearly seemed to split Stark's face in two.

"All right, I'm all for it!" Tony rejoiced, pulling her into an almost crushing bear hug. "Aw, little Turtle is gonna walk in Daddy Stark's footsteps at last." He pretended to wipe away a tear. "I'm so proud." Tegan squirmed out of the genius' hold with her pale face bright red. His assistant thought it was from embarrassment which was and more. Tony's 'daddy' comment had a bit of a strange but pleasurable effect on the young woman.

"Yeah, now is not the time to find out I might have a kink!" she scolded herself while saying calmly aloud. "One more thing too. I'll only fully committed if Pepper becomes co-CEO with me."

Blue eyes widen. "Me?"

"Yes." Tegan nodded. "You did great last time I made you in charge."

"Things were a lot simpler six months ago, Teg." she muttered warily, noticing the lack of former crazed co-founders and weaponized suits.

"Please. It won't just be you taking on the work load. I'll be there too." the younger woman begged, pouting with big grey puppy dog eyes. Potts sighed, knowing well she couldn't refuse when she did so. But Tegan was also right. With the both of them, it would still be hard but they could handle it since the women understood each other greatly after so many years together. Pepper trusted Hayes. Not only blessed with the same intelligence as her predecessor, that girl really did care about the future of Stark's.

"Okay." she smiled big at the two people she'd grown to love dearly, "I'm in." Champagne was gathered afterward in celebration. As the trio clinked glasses and drank, Tegan eyed the gleefully chatty genius suspiciously.

"Was this his plan all along?"

In order to discredit all that Tony said in the hearing, it needed to be done publicly. Killing Stark in front to thousands or millions that so-called adored him with the very technology he said no one else but he and his successor could create would be just the right act of revenge too for everything the Stark family had done to his own. Especially his deceased father. Ivan gritted his teeth angrily at the remembrance of his father, sick and on death's doorstep, apologize for it not being him in Tony Stark's place instead. He would make it up to the once great man who raised him so his soul could at last rest easily.

So, for the plan to get into motion, he enlisted the help from one of Stark's biggest enemies—the Ten Rings. Ivan had showed them what his Whiplash Armor could and what he was going to use it for. Once promising to help them recreate it for their army, he was in and told an agent of theirs would meet with him soon. Which was why he was waiting in shadows of a walkway for several minutes during a snow storm.

The agent eventually arrived as promised and handed over a small grey envelope for leaving. Inside, was a fake passport and the right documentation along with a ticket to the Grand Prix in Monaco which was only a few days away.

Tegan, dressed in a fitted black and white patterned off-the-shoulders dress, with Pepper beside her entered the in-home gym of the billionaire who was at that moment practice boxing with Happy. His former assistant informed him of the notary's arrival as the other woman headed outside onto the balcony.

The female genius sat down unladylike on floor and slipping off the constricting four-inch open toed pumps. A relieved sigh escaped her lips as she wiggled feeling back into her numb toes.

"Ah. Home at last." The scent of salt water on the wind was refreshing and familiar. Tegan was so used to the constant sunshine and Pacific that she really didn't miss the cloudy weather back in England anymore. Basking in the sun, the young woman tried to reprieve. She'd been on her feet practically all day, running here and there to have meetings and finalize everything for the transfer of the company. Not even CEO yet and she was exhausted.

"A busy day at the garage hasn't left me this drained before either."

A deep frown formed on her pretty face at that thought. Because of her sudden decision, she quit working at the car shop after seven years; having been there since the time she was eighteen. Informing of her departure was bittersweet. Hugs and laughs were passed around. Her former co-workers were clearly sad to see her go but understood, assuring her she was more than welcome to come help out whenever she needed a break. Which was kind but Hayes would really miss talking cars or goofing off with them on a daily basis.

"Shit..with all this happening now, I have to put finishing the Camaro off for a bit too." she realized, biting her lip hard. Oh no. Tears were threatening to bubble to the surface..

"..You all right, Tegan?" Watery grey eyes looked up to find her best friend Joven looking handsome in a button-up and slacks. His eyes, those well-known green with lovely speckles of amber brown ones, peered down at her with a concerned smile. She hadn't even hear him walk up, too lost in her depressing thoughts. Standing wordlessly, she pulled him into a tight hug, burying her face in his chest.

"Teg?" he called, more worried.

"I'm fine. Just tired." came her soft false reply. He grimaced, unconvinced, but didn't push. Instead, allowing her to continue holding on while he stroked her long brown hair like he always did to calm her. It made her want to cry even more, also worried before he wouldn't do so after everything between them. But she was glad to still have him as a reliable friend and someone to go to when she couldn't with Tony.

As the companions held each other, they didn't notice said person glancing in their direction as he stepped out of the boxing ring. His dark eyes widen before narrowing with jealousy as he witnessed the loving expression on the younger man.

"What is she thinking?" he thought angrily, "The kid is still smitten, for Christ's sake! Don't hug him like that." A pitiful, envious voice added then, "I should be the one you do that with only.." He mentally shook his head and took a seat next to Pepper.

Once urge to break down subsided was gone, the young woman stepped back with an embarrassed smile.

Joven tilted his head at her, smiling as well. "Better now?"

She laughed softly. "Yup. What about you? You've been sick, right?"

"Uh-huh, I was." he nodded, "Thought I'd come by and let you know I'm well and healthy again."

"Hmm, that's funny. Pepper's done being sick too." Her gaze drifted over to Potts who was talking with a red-haired woman. Gosh, was I really that stuck in my mind to block out everything? She turned back to her friend with a mischievous smile. The young man just raised a confused brow. "Must be a bug going around.."

"Yeah, there must be." McBride simply shrugged. Tegan pouted a bit, annoyed he didn't take her bait. She was still trying to figure out who his mystery girl was and believed it to be Pepper..thanks to the cold both ended up coincidentally contracting at the same time.

"How do I spell you name, Natalie?" came Stark's voice from inside loudly then. Curious, the two friends headed back inside, joining the man and Potts.

"Wow. Very, very impressive individual." Tony commented. Hayes glanced over his shoulder and immediately frowned. He was background checking Natalie who currently stood in the ring with his bodyguard.

"You're so predictable, you know that?" sighed Pepper from beside him.

The young woman whispered in her ear, "What's all this about?"

"Tony believes Ms. Rushman is just what he needs as his new assistant." she replied, all but rolling her eyes.

"Well, she is." he interjected, "Listen to this. She is fluent in French, Italian, Russian..Latin? Who speaks Latin?" Joven scoffed in disbelief at what was occurring. The billionaire was openly praising the woman of discussion right in front of his girlfriend.

"No one speaks Latin anymore. It's considered a dead language." Hayes deadpanned, "Read? Yes. Speak? Nope."

"Hey, did you model in Tokyo?" the man inquired his former assistant casually. "'Cause she modeled in Tokyo. See? I need her. She clearly has got everything that I need."

"Oh, please. She's not that impressive, Stark!" the other woman remarked, doubtful.

Her lover inwardly smirked. "Someone seems jealous.." She shook her head and started walking away, seeming disinterested now. But her long-time companion knew better..the girl was seething underneath that bored mask.

He followed after her. "Tegan—"

"Oh, my god!" Pepper's sudden shriek caused the two young people to turn back. There, in the ring, Rushman had poor Happy in leg choke hold. She quickly released him and stepped out like she hadn't just flipped a grown man with utter ease.

"Wow.." Joven blinked in awe along with Tony and Pepper. Tegan, on the other hand, rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath before stomping away, not wanting to admit she was too.

Y'all don't know the struggle I had keeping that sensual scene between Teg and Tony on the fine line of PG-13. So, who knows..smutty goodness could happen in the near future now *eyebrow wiggle

Lovely's Thank You Section

[Readers who favorite]

Shadowsammy, Reedy-Girl, LadyBugQueen421, ILittleLatinaI, lostfeather1, EctopicKnight2, Lyric Dreams, Stalona, TwoHeartedMarauder, IsobelFrances, monkeysmallfry02, LilyMayRose, Lucy Stark, MariaM95, MarvelWorksWonders, SlytherinHolmes, TimeLordCompanion, amatista1996, camsam17, emmybear0216, hayhay196, hrodenhaver, itsolive, taurielles

[Readers who follow]

Warrior of Faith, Being Normal Is Boring, sweetwizard88, Catherine. alice, BlueEyedGunSlinger, BludgerToTheKnee, CookieLover200001, kelbell79, jsmn612, hannah. kaho, The Name Is Greed, Vyxen Hexgrim, carbon13, bowling101, Random2Friends, JanaWalker2209, meggieXx, tallgirl32, Reedy-Girl, colorfulimagination123, LillianOrtega, AngiLOVE3, DinoPower, Lara Barnes, MaryElisabeth, Nevergonnafitin, ProperEnglish, SLPlove, SomebodyWhoCares, SpiritofaWaterGoddess, The Anonymous J, angelic13demon, animexchick, booknerdallie, cutelittlekitten18, fmmh, iamalex117, katniss12, lolsmileyface6, obbbid, sarahrachel21, silent song of shadows, tammymikaelson-downey, xPunkyFishx

[Readers who did both]

redhoodfan, Don't-Say-It-Feel-It, kira kitty 21, Weirdo Named Carter, Hatersgonnahate99, ILittleLatinaI, lostfeather1, Naomi97, kruemel01, TwoHeartedMarauder, Superpersonman, TEENWOLFISAWESOME, trickst3r-97, Always and a day Love, The mad wolf, YNoThinkBrain, Aiphira, Calliope's Scribe, Devious Neko Boi, Kazz the 13th, Lili Tommo, LuceRunsAway, MARVELanonymous, NekoAria14, The Captains Muse, Voldymoldy666, grapejuice101, i love athrun, rabbitkirsty, soyo5050

*Remember to either review, fave, or alert*

(Check my profile for the music playlist to the Infinity Heart series, updates, & more)