Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, their lives, the actors, their lives, the movies, the comics. Zilch.

Author's Note: Thank you guys for your support! Once again I'm posting this from my iPhone, so please excuse any and all mistakes and typos. Please let me know so I can get them fixed. Enjoy!

Tony pulled his R8 Audi into the underground parking garage of the heavily guarded SHIELD facility. It was the last place he wanted to be so early in the morning, when he could be nestled up to Pepper instead. With a frustrated sigh and a near pout he slammed his door shut and stuffed the keys into his jean pockets.

He shook his head as he admitted to himself that he had surely crossed over from playboy jerk to hopeless softie. Who would have thought? Definitely not Mr. Playboy himself, but he happily accepted his new life as a devoted or nearly devoted (because let's face it…as Iron Man…he was always running around leaving Pepper to fend for herself) boyfriend.

That explained why Tony was in such a foul mood. Once again, he would have to leave her and ruin whatever plans he had with her. Pepper had made arrangements for them to spend the day together, uninterrupted by their schedules, to allow them to enjoy some stress free time. She had revealed her plans to him as they lay in bed last night after a very intimate and soul-healing love-making session. He had kissed her and promised her their day would go without a hitch, and that he wouldn't let anyone interfere with her plans for them. Especially since they both needed the time to recover-Pepper from her stressful nights of waiting for him, and Tony from the recent battle he had shared with his newest nemesis.

Yet here he was! Plans ruined. Pepper alone in bed, not upset at him for ditching her, because she knew Fury was a man that got what he demanded (most of the time anyway). Bless her soul for being so understanding. Tony was one lucky bastard when it came to having the world's best superhero-savvy girlfriend. He would have to make it up to her…again.

"Where have you been Stark?" Fury reprimanded Tony for his tardiness before he even stepped out of the elevator.

"Watch it, Deacon." Tony stepped out and walked quickly towards the conference room, leaving Fury a few steps behind him.

"Deacon?" Fury caught up and walked beside Tony as he handed him a file folder.

Before Tony scanned the contents inside, he stopped in his tracks and turned to face Fury with a bewildered look. "Good god, Nick. Are you pulling my leg right now? Deacon…Dennis Hopper…Waterworld…Kevin Costner…?" He looked down and shook his head disapprovingly when he realized Fury had no idea who or what he was referring to. "Wow. You need to get out more and watch some movies. Google him."

"I don't have time for your antics right now, Tony." Fury changed the subject and encouraged Tony to walk towards the room with an outstretched hand.

"You better have time. I took time from mypersonal schedule to come here and meet you at this ungodly hour." They entered the room and sat on opposite sides of the table where they could see the projection screen that was hanging from the ceiling.

"Suck it up. The more concentrated you are, the faster we can get out of here, and the faster you'll be back home…with your girl." Fury rolled his eye.

An exasperated sigh escaped Tony.

Fury had Tony's full attention so he took a moment to display his first slide on the screen. "Let's not waste any time then. You've met The Mandarin. Also known as Gene Kahn. Though, he has many more names, he likes Gene Kahn." Tony nodded and glanced down at the folder to pull out Mr. Kahn's dossier.

"Born in China. Parents died while he was just a kid. Yeah, I got the basics. But what's his story? What's with the rings? Where did he get them? How do we stop him?" Tony closed the folder in front of him.

Fury sighed and continued. "He was raised by an aunt. Don't have much information on her, but we know she's the one who molded him to become who he is. Very dark. Very evil. Very clever being. He's grown up thinking that nothing can stop him." Fury turned back to the screen and switched the slide.

"A UFO? What does a UFO have to do with this?"

"Not a UFO, Tony. A ship. The ship where he discovered he could be everything he is now." Tony shrugged, waiting for Fury to explain. "The ship was commanded by…an alien species. The leader of which was strong and powerful. Invincible even. Tales say they crash landed in China where Gene discovered it and what was inside."

"Little green men?" Tony grinned. "I feel like Agent Mulder right now."

"Tony…" Fury shot an annoyed look at him.

"Fine." He rolled his eyes back at Fury.

"It's unknown whether he made contact with any 'little green men', but one thing's for sure, the rings he wears are alien. The powers within were harbored by the species that first owned them."

"How does he have control of them?"

"Kahn became intrigued by their power so he studied them and mastered their abilities."

"Studied them?"

"Yes. He's very smart, Tony. Could rival your level of intelligence."

So many things ran through Tony's head when he heard Fury compare him to The Mandarin. He wanted to say something that would irritate him, but he held back and bit his tongue. The quicker Fury got through his debriefing, the better. So he settled for a quick one liner. "I doubt that."

Fury nodded. "This man is dangerous. The perfect combination of elements for a mastermind of chaos. He considers himself a scientist with unlimited powers. Which is why he's fearless."

"Great. Another psycho." Tony shook his head. "How do we stop him?" Tony reiterated his question from earlier.

A heavy sigh escaped Fury. "Not too sure we can at the moment. You have the technology and armor to keep up with him, but you will never win. He'll counter everything you have with his rings. You saw first-hand what he can do with them."

"I don't accept that answer. There has to be something we can do…something we can come up with to slow him down."

"Let me work on that. For now, keep in mind what and who you are dealing with." He pointed to the file Tony had beneath his palm. "There's a detailed description for each ring he owns. It'll be hard to know which one is which when you are in battle, but at least this way you know what to expect."

Tony glanced down and sighed yet again. "Great. So for now I'm his punching bag."

"No. I would prefer you let this go for a few days. It is not necessary to challenge him right away. We don't need you to get hurt trying to take on this guy without the proper resources. Let us try some things out. Try to stay out of his path for now. Keep an eye on the lab and what they are doing, but do not get noticed."

Easier said than done. It wasn't in Tony's nature to sit back and relax in situations like this. His first instinct was always to get to the bottom of it. Efficiently and confidently. Not wait and observe. Tony was and had always been a 'do now think later' type of person. It didn't always work out in his favor, but his gift of solving problems went far beyond literal mathematics, and it allowed him to comfortably act on his moments of spontaneity.

"I can't promise anything. I just want this guy stopped and locked away from…everyone he can harm." A rare moment of weakness was present in his eyes as he straightened the sleeves of his leather jacket.

"Now is not the time to act on emotions, Stark. You've never been one to do that in the first place. Don't start now." Fury warned him softly.

"Sure thing Patchy. Whatever you say. Just be aware that if he comes anywhere near Pepper, I will not stand down. I will handle him then and there no matter what he can and cannot do to me." Tony retorted with a smirk.

Fury knew arguing with Tony on such a matter would be futile. He would never win that battle, but he did want to get him thinking about the potential consequences of letting his emotions get in the way. "What are you willing to give up to protect her, Stark? How far are you willing to go?"

Tony was silent for a while, and when he looked up at Fury, he shook his head from side to side and shrugged. "I don't think there's anything I wouldn't do for her."

Fury nodded after he made his way to the door from which they entered. He turned slowly to look back at Tony.

"So what do we know about him and his involvement with nanotechnology? What does he want with it?" He changed the subject.

"We have a few of our own people involved with nanotech looking into that. We're pulling someone into the assignment. Someone with an extensive background in the field. Have them get in with Kahn as an undercover scientist."

"Too dangerous." Tony shook his head.

"We have no other option." Fury countered sternly.

A nod escaped Tony. "I hope your scientist is ready to see what is going on behind closed doors."

"My scientist is more than ready. She's more than qualified. Don't worry about her. She'll do her part. You just do yours."

"She? At the expense of sounding sexist, you're brining in a woman to go undercover into Kahn's labs?" His eyes widened.

Nick grinned. "You did sound sexist." He shook his head. "You should know better than anyone that a woman is very capable of doing a man's job."

"Trust me Nick, I know." The chair he sat in rolled back as he moved to stand. "I'm sure she's intelligent and capable of getting us what we need, but this is a dangerous mission. You'd be putting her life in jeopardy."

"Like I said. Don't worry about her. She's the best in her field. And as far as her safety goes, we will have our people around to help her should she get into any trouble. Kahn is a man, just like any other, a beautiful woman…who could also match his passion for science will work to our advantage."

Tony shook his head. "Your call, Fury." Just then his phone vibrated in his pocket and he reached in to pull it out. "Are we done here?" He kept his eyes trained on the screen.

"Yes. Study up on Kahn. It'll benefit you in the long haul to know his tactics and his weak points."

As Tony turned to walk out with the file in hand Fury stopped him. "Tony…" He turned back to face him. "We'll keep an eye on Pepper. He won't hurt her."

Fury's statement caught Tony by surprise. The director of SHIELD was not one to make anyone feel better. Especially not by offering to 'keep an eye' on anyone that wasn't part of his missions. Tony nodded with not only the surprise evident on his face, but with a look of resolve as well. "No he won't." Turning the nob he nodded one last time before walking out. He talked to Fury as the door closed with his back to it, "I hope you can keep an eye on your girl, too."

He saw the elevator doors close before he pulled his phone out to glance at the text that had come through earlier. Tony, I know it's been a while. Don't ask how I got your number…hahaha. I'm in town, got a job out here. Let's meet so we can catch up.

It was too much of a coincidence. Tony shook his head and rubbed his palm over his face as he read the number on the screen. 'This is bad.' He thought to himself.

To be continued…

So who do you guys think this mystery texter is? I'd like to know because I have no idea. ;-P I totally do, though. See you guys soon!

P.S. I watched Skyfall this weekend and guess what trailer came on. Yup! IT looks even better on the big screen!