"Just let me in the house, Agent Zero." Fury grumbled into the phone. He was currently waiting outside the Stark's Malibu mansion.
"Why should I?" Lucy rebutted, smirking from the window of her bedroom. She could just make out the dark from of the Director in the waning moonlight. "It would be more fun for me to watch you struggle."
"Marie." He warned.
"Fine. Fine." She grumbled hacking into the Stark security system, making it look as if SHIELD had infiltrated JARVIS. "Take away all my fun."
The alarm activated allowing Fury to enter the premises. "Thank you." He said into the speaker.
"Yeah, yeah." Lucy replied, "Just, don't tell him about me yet."
"I won't."
"Good night, Nicholas."
"Good night, Agent Zero." And the line disconnected.
She could hear a door open from down the hallway. Peaking her head out she questioned, "Eddie? Is something the matter?" she referred to the soft beeping that resonated through out the estate.
"I'm sure its fine, Arie." Tony pushed her back into her room whilst looking around for anything suspicious. "I'm just going to go down and do a quick check on JARVIS. Go back to sleep."
She smiled, always so protective her godson, "Alright. Good night, don't stay up too late." And she kissed his cheek in parting, if only he knew what was waiting for him downstairs.
"Night." Tony waved, shutting her door softly.
He turned back to the rest of the dimly lit house and proceeded down the stairs. "JARVIS?" he called.
"Welcome home, sir…" the AI system was malfunctioning.
Tony walked a few more feet into the living room until he saw a figure, illuminated only by a single lamp.
"'I am Iron Man.'" The unidentified man quoted, "You think you're the only superhero in the world? Mr. Stark, you've become part of a bigger universe. You just don't know it yet."
Tony squinted into the darkness, "Who the hell are you?" he looked toward the stairs where his aunt was sleeping, then back at the figure, assessing whether or not he was dangerous.
"Nick Fury." The shape replied walking into the light, "Director of SHIELD. I'm here to talk to you about the Avengers Initiative."
-permafrost-
Stark Expo – Flushing, New York 2011
Lucy had never actually been to a Stark Expo. She hadn't thought it necessary, usually she was present for the development of all the new products, or she had a hand in designing them. She didn't like to venture into the public; crowds had gotten rowdier since her day. This was supported by the screaming masses in the arena, waiting for the arrival of their hero. Lucy watched from the side of the stage. The line of dancing girls reminded her of a show she had seem many years ago. But instead of sporting the classic red, white, and blue they were wearing the lights signature to the Iron Man suit. And of course, the outfits, if they could be called that, had gotten a lot more risqué.
"Tony! Tony! Tony! Tony!" they screamed as he flew in and landed with a resounding thud. The stage converted into metal arms, disassembling in the suite and revealing the cocky man she called her unofficial son. Finally released from the confines of the suit, he raised his hand in greeting, the audience screamed louder at being acknowledged.
"Oh, its good to be back." Tony clapped along with the horde, smiling at their enthusiasm. "Did you miss me?"
"Blow something up!" a man from the crowd yelled.
"Blow something up?" Tony reiterated, "I already did that." He waved like it was nothing. Then pausing for dramatic effect he continued, "I'm not saying that the world is enjoying its lonest period of uninterrupted peace in years because of me. I'm not saying that from the ashes, of captivity, never has a greater phoenix metaphor been personified in human history." He spread his arms out in comparison with his words, mimicking a bird's wings.
"Always so humble, my Eddie." Lucy muttered under her breath as she crossed her arms and regarded the world's newest superhero.
"I'm not saying that Uncle Sam can kick back on a lawn chair, sipping on an iced tea because I haven't come across anyone who's man enough to go toe-to-toe with me on my best day." Tony was saying.
"Uncle Sam…psh…Don't tempt me." she rolled her eyes.
"I love you, Tony!" somebody else yelled.
"Please, its not about me. Its not about you." he shook his head, It's not even about us. It's about legacy. It's about what we choose to leave behind for future generations. And that's why for the next year and for the first time since 1974, the best and brightest men and women of nations and corporations the world over will pool their resources; share their collective vision, to leave behind a brighter future. It's not about us. Therefore, what I'm saying, if I'm saying anything, is welcome back to the Stark Expo. And now, making a special guest appearance from the great beyond, to tell you what it's all about, please welcome my father, Howard." And he walked off stage.
Lucy straightened losing her crossed arms, her eyes widening, "Howard?" So caught up in seeing her old friend for the first time in years she didn't think to go and catch her godson.
The screen cracked with the premastered video and audio of a film made long ago. "Everything is achievable through technology." Howard was saying as he moved across the large screen, "Better living, robust health, and for the first time in human history, the possibility of world peace…"
"Oh, Howard." Lucy smiled nostalgically, "If only you could see your son now. You and Maria would be so proud."
"So from all of us here at Stark Industries," screen Howard continued, "I would like to personally introduce you to the City of the Future. Technology holds infinite possibilities for mankind, and will one day rid society of all its ills. Soon, technology will affect the way you live your life every day. No more tedious work, leaving more time for leisure activities and enjoying the see life. The Stark Expo. Welcome." The crowd cheered again.
Lucy's phone vibrated from her back pocket. Touching the screen she opened a new text message.
To Arie: Sorry we couldn't catch up. I've just been subpoenaed. –T
She sighed, and here she thought she was going to have a relaxing weekend off.
To Eddie: Where and when. –M
To Arie: D.C. Wanna race? –T
To Eddie: I always win. –M
To Arie: Not this time. I got a head start. –T
To Eddie: That's what you think. –M
-permafrost-
"I can't believe it." Tony shook his head getting out of his speedy little sports car. Lucy was leaning against the entrance to the hotel she had booked for him.
"Believe it." She smirked then stood up and went to hug him. "Good luck tomorrow. I'll see you back in Malibu."
"Fine." Tony grumbled like a little kid. "Have a safe trip."
"Watch yourself tomorrow, Eddie." she warned, "They're getting annoyed with your little wisecracks."
She didn't accompany him into the actual Senate Armed Services meeting. After all, she was a ghost. Technically being considered dead caused her to avoid all unnecessary government contact.
Text message.
To Eddie: You called the committee 'ass-clowns'?! On national television?" –M
To Arie: Yeah…in my defense they were being asses. –T
To Eddie: Oh Eddie… Also I'll be gone for a few days. I'll see you when I get back. –M
Lucy was currently looking through the files on Tony's personal drive.
'Blood toxicity 24%' it read. The palladium core used in the arc reactor was poisoning his blood. "Eddie." She breathed out in disbelief, "What have you gotten yourself into."
Picking up her phone she dialed a well-known number, "Nicholas. I need to borrow Talia."
"Do I want to know?" Fury answered from the other side.
"Tony has gotten himself into a spot of trouble. I'm going to be on a short mission. I need her to watch over him."
"Why should I call her in?"
"Don't act like you haven't been watching him." She scoffed, "This way, we'll both have answers."
-permafrost-
Natasha, currently undercover as Natalie Rushman a notary public, was in her car. She was on her way over to Stark's mansion to deliver some documents. Tony was handing over his company to his former assistant Pepper Potts. "You know," she spoke into the car's Bluetooth speaker on the phone with Lucy, "this is probably the easiest mission I've had in awhile."
"Consider it a vacation." Lucy grinned. She too had Talia on speakerphone to have her hands free. They were at opposite ends of the spectrum now. Natasha in Malibu while Lucy was in D.C. down in the SHIELD labs. Sometimes Fury let her use them when she needed more equipment.
"Really though." Natasha continued, "The hardest thing I've had to do so far is slip a pill into someone's coffee so I could deliver these papers."
"Who?" questioned Lucy as she mixed a test tube with a glass stir stick, testing its consistency.
"Samantha, I think her name was. Samantha Carlisle." Nat turned into the spacious driveway, "Thanks for those by the way. They worked like a charm. She vomited everywhere."
"You're welcome." Lucy replied wafting the chemicals toward her face. It just wasn't right yet.
"I've got to go, I'll tell you how it went later." Natasha said as she put the car in park.
"It'll be easy." Lucy laughed, "You're pretty and I think he has a thing for red heads."
"Talk to you later, Ree."
"Bye, Talia."
-permafrost-
Lucy tried to control herself but she was snickering too hard. Her eyes were watering with amusement. "Wait, wait, wait. He did what now?"
"He had Happy give me a boxing lesson." Natasha smiled, reliving the story for her friend.
"And what did you do?"
"He was going to hit me what was I supposed to do?"
The only thing that could be heard from Lucy's end was another bout of giggles. When she finally calmed herself enough to speak she said, "Oh, Happy. I wish I could have seen his face." She sighed trying to stop the pain in her stomach from laughing so long. "But the profile worked and everything?"
"Yeah." Nat nodded as she pulled away from the mansion, "I'll probably be getting a call in a few days when he finally convinces Pepper."
"Hold on I've got another call," she checked the caller ID. "Got to go Talia, my godson calls. We'll speak soon."
"Alright, bye."
Lucy hung up and answered the other incoming call, "Eddie."
"Arie!" he greeted exuberantly, "I've got you on speaker with Pepper."
"Hello, Ginger." She addressed the other woman.
"Hey, Arie." Came the tired sound of Pepper's voice.
"To what do I owe this pleasure, Eddie?" she questioned even though she already had an idea of what this conversation was going to be about.
"Settle something for us." Tony replied, "As you know, Pepper's CEO now."
"That's right. Congratulations, dear. Your present is in the mail, it should be there in a few days."
"You didn't have to…" Pepper tried to speak before Tony interrupted.
"As I was saying. I need a new assistant and I've just found the one I want, but Pepper here won't let me have her."
"Yes." Pepper sighed, "And as I was saying earlier, I've got three excellent potential candidates lined up to meet you." She told him then to Lucy she said, "We don't mean to bother you with this trivial thing. I know you're really busy. Honestly, Tony, what were you thinking you know when she's off on business she can't usually talk with us."
At the same time Tony spoke over her, "What was I thinking? What do you mean what was I thinking? I was thinking I'm a grown man who should be able to make his own decisions. So I brought in my Aunt to tell you that. Isn't that rights?" he looked toward his phone.
"It's alright Gin," Lucy tried not to laugh at their squabbling, "I'm sure if something goes wrong you'll have the almost immeasurable joy of telling him 'I told you so'."
"See!" Tony turned to Pepper smiling at the support before he processed what she just said, "Wait…"
"Talk later, Eddie. Got to run. Bye!"