Text message.
To Talia and Phil: Eddie and I are heading to Stark Industries. I'll watch over him. Phil can you come pick me up? I'm going to let him work alone for a bit. –M
To Marie: Be there soon. –C
-permafrost-
Lucy looked up from her phone as the two seated silver convertible started to slow down. They were approaching a produce stand on the side of the road. The man stood up from his chair beside his makeshift fruit store in the back of his truck.
"How much?" Tony asked looking in his wallet.
"6 dollars. $6." The man held up a box of gorgeous ripe strawberries.
"Uh. I don't have any dough." Tony replied looking around, then spotting his expensive watch, he went to take it off.
Lucy rolled her eyes, fishing out her own wallet she handed the man a $20. "There you go, keep the change."
"No, that's…" the man protested.
"No, it's fine. Take it." She insisted smiling.
"Thank you." He nodded handing her the fruit, and then taking a closer look at Tony he asked, "Are you Iron Man?"
Tony shivered as she took the box "Sometimes."
She smirked over at her godson, Eddie never did like anybody handing him things. "And thank you." She waved good-bye to the nice man.
"We believe in you!" he yelled after them.
"Do you want to explain to me why you just made me buy you strawberries?" she questioned taking a bite of the juicy fruit. "You don't even like strawberries, your favorites are blueberries."
"They're for Pepper." He replied quietly as they sped quickly along the hot Californian freeway.
"Gin?" she looked over at him confused, "You know she…" Lucy sighed, "Nevermind." He would find out soon enough.
-permafrost-
Pepper was on the phone with an important business partner when her secretary walked in. "It was an illegal seizure of trademark property…" she was saying.
"Miss Potts?" came a nervous voice from the doorway.
"Relax." Tony consoled the flustered PA. An amused Lucy followed behind him, munching on the few strawberries she'd managed to grab before he took away the box.
"Mr. Stark is here." She continued looking back and forth between her boss and the intruder. "He refuses…"
"I don't." Tony walked around her into the office, "It's fine. I'll just be a second. You are excused thank you very much."
"It's alright Linda." Lucy comforted the anxious woman, "Strawberry?" she held up the last one in the palm of her hand.
Linda gave her a strained smile and took the peace offering, slowly closing the door behind them.
Pepper gave her unwelcome guests a glare as they walked about the room, "Listen, its our position that Stark has and continues to maintain proprietary ownership of the Mark II platform."
Lucy went over to the TV on the wall that was playing the news. The reporter was saying, "When Mr. Stark announced he was indeed Iron Man he was making a promise to America…"
"No, the suite belongs to us…" Pepper announced sternly.
"…we trusted that he would look out for us…" crackled the screen.
Pepper sighed frustrated, "Yeah, but you're not…Burt…Burt…"
"…he obviously did not. And now, we learn that his secretary a woman named Virginia 'Pepper' Potts, has been appointed as CEO of Stark Industries. What are her qualification?" the reporter continued snidely. "Miss Potts is doing nothing to manage this terrible…"
"Mute." Lucy commanded harshly, Pepper didn't need to hear this poisonous trash.
"No." Pepper retorted, "Burt…Burt listen to me. Don't tell me that we have the best patent lawyers in the country and then not let me peruse this."
Tony was walking around, observing the pristine office. Everything was clean and polished, very Pepper. Except for the junk sitting in the corner by the door of Tony's old stuff. "I'll get this stuff out of here soon." He motioned.
"Well, then, tell the president to sign an order." Pepper eyed his movements suspiciously as he tinkered with the items.
Pulling aside a great white sheet he exposed the city model from Howard's 1974 Stark Expo introduction video.
Lucy pulled out a chair in front of Pepper's desk and motioned Tony to join her.
"We'll talk about it at the Expo." Pepper was saying, "Hammer's giving some presentation tomorrow evening." She paused looking up at him, "Will Tony Stark be there?"
"Will I?" Tony asked grabbing another chair.
"No, he will not. Bye."
"I would like to be." He said at the same time Pepper slammed the phone down. "Got a minute?" he sat down.
"No." Pepper deadpanned.
"Come on, you just got off the phone." He reproached.
"Fine, 30 seconds." She replied checking her watch. "29, 28."
"Ok." Tony sat up flustered, "I was just driving over here, and I thought I was coming to basically apologize, but I'm not."
"Oh." Pepper sat back in her chair, "You didn't come here to apologize?"
"Look, that goes without saying, and I'm working on that." He took a deep breath, "But I haven't been entirely, uh, upfront with you, and I just want to try to make good…" he trailed off distracted, "Can I move this? This is crazy." He pointed to a perpetually spinning weight and balance contraption on her desk. "It's like a Ferris wheel going… and I'm trying to get some."
"No." Pepper shook her head annoyed.
Lucy groaned this was going nowhere. "Take my seat Eddie." She asserted, standing and going over to inspect the city model she helped create, leaving the couple to sort out their problems. Howard didn't have the patience to sit by himself and glue tiny trees and benches to a huge board, who else could he rope into helping him?
Tony shifted to the other side of the desk and started again, "Do you know how short life is?" he placed his hands on the desk leaning in earnestly, "And if I never got to express…and by the way," he added as a side note, leaning his head on his hand, "this is somewhat revelatory to me. And I don't care… I mean, I care. It would be nice. I'm not expecting you to… look, here's what I'm trying to say. I'm just going to say it."
"Let me stop you right here, okay?" Pepper interjected.
"Uh hmm." Tony nodded.
"Because if you say 'I' one more time, I'm actually going to hurl something at your head, I think."
"There were a lot of them." Tony agreed.
"I am trying to run a company." Pepper leaned onto her desk seriously, "Do you have any idea what that entails?"
"Yes."
"People are relying on you to be Iron Man and you've disappeared, and all I'm doing is putting out your fires and taking the heat for it."
Tony couldn't sit still. He wasn't good with emotions, or being in the wrong. He opened and closed his mouth several times trying to establish a point and failing. Picking up a random object he tapped it against the table until it flew out of his grasp.
Pepper came to an abrupt stop in her speech, catching the item, "I am trying to do the job that you were meant to do." She paused noticing for the first time the box of fruit on her desk, "Did you bring me strawberries?" she scoffed, "Did you know that there's only one thing on earth that I'm allergic to?"
"Allergic to strawberries." Tony concluded rubbing his head. "This is progress, Pepper." He clasped his hands together, "I knew there was a correlation between you and this…"
"I need you…" she began.
"I need you too!" Tony sat up, "That's what I've been trying to say…"
"To leave." She finished, "now."
From the other end of the office, the door clicked open and a tentative voice was heard, "Miss Pott?" Natasha as Natalie requested.
"Hi, come on in." Pepper welcomed.
"Wheels up in 25 minutes." Natasha notified walking toward the desk holding out a paper for Pepper to sign.
Happy nodded to Lucy who was still standing in the corner. Turning to Pepper he asked, "Anything else, boss?"
"I'm good, Hap." Tony replied unthinkingly.
At the same time Pepper said, "No, I'll just be… another minute."
The room fell into a tense pregnant pause.
"I lost both the kids in the divorce." Tony laughed raising his hands in disbelief. "Nothing?" he questioned looking for a response to his joke. Lucy and Happy both shook their heads, "No?" He cleared his throat trying to recover, "Are you blending in well here, Natalie?" he addressed Natasha pointedly, "Here at Stark Enterprises? Your name is Natalie, isn't it?"
Natasha gave him a sharp glare that went unseen by Pepper. Lucy laughed quietly to herself.
"I thought you two didn't get along." Tony pointed between the undercover spy and his CEO.
"No. That's not so." Pepper answered handing Natasha the completed documents.
"Ah." Tony nodded in understanding, "It's just me you don't care for."
"Actually while you're here," Pepper stood up retrieving her coat and other belongings, "maybe you and Natalie could discuss the matter of the personal belongings."
"Absolutely." Natasha smiled as Pepper walked out the door with Happy trailing behind her.
"I'll see you later, Arie." Pepper waved on her way out.
"Bye, Gin." Lucy nodded to her friend as she left then moved to stand by Tony.
Natasha was gathering the last few documents she needed, "I'm surprised you can keep your moth shut." She ridiculed as the door shut.
"Boy, you're good." Tony praised, "You are mind-blowingly duplicitous. How do you do it? You just ear things…" he paused coming upon a revelation, "You're a triple imposter." Then he whispered as if sharing a secret, "I've never seen anything like you. Is there anything real about you?" he continued remembering something, "Do you even speak Latin?"
"Fallaces sunt rerum species." She replied walking toward the exit.
"Which means?" Tony yelled after her, turning his chair around to follow her movement, "Wait. What? What did you just say?"
Natasha stopped and snapped at him, "It means you can either drive yourself home or I can have you collected."
Tony smirked, impressed, "You're good."
"Don't worry, Talia." Lucy spoke up, "I'll make sure he gets home."
"Thanks, Ree." The undercover agent spun around and left the room.
"Wait." Tony faced his aunt, "You two know each other? How do you know each other?"
"That's a story for another time, Eddie." Lucy patted his arm, "Besides, you'll find I know most people we'll come across. One of the perks of living a long time." She smiled grimly.
Sighing Tony looked back over to the desk. Spotting the irritating spinning device he grabbed a few items and tried to stop it from moving.
"What are you doing?" Lucy stared on in disbelief shaking her head.
The rods just kept spinning. "Nothing apparently." Tony muttered in defeat. Standing he grabbed the box of strawberries, intending to throw them away.
"Hey mister!" She trailed after him and stealing the container, "Just what do you think you're doing with those? Just because you don't like them doesn't mean I don't."
He rolled his eyes releasing the fruit into her hands, but not before taking one for himself. As he was about to leave the room, the large model of the city once again caught his eye. Slowing moving closer he whipped off the other half of the dustsheet. Stepping back again he cupped one eye to help his see something hidden in the structures.
"I was wondering when you'd notice that." Lucy commented picking out another strawberry.
-permafrost-
"How are you getting back?" Tony huffed as they shoved the final piece of the large display into his tiny sports car.
"I have my ways." Lucy dusted her hands off. "You go first, I'll be there soon."
He looked at her, "Are you sure?"
She shooed him off sitting down on the front steps of the building, "Don't worry about me. I've got my strawberries I'm good. Go on, you don't have time to waste."
Tony shrugged and climbed into his car pulling away from the curb and back to his house.
Picking up her phone, Lucy typed out a text message.
To Nicholas: He's figured it out. Won't be long now. –M
To Agent Zero: Good, it's about time. –F
A few minutes later, Agent Coulson pulled up beside her in an unmarked black sedan. "Marie?" he called taking off his sunglasses.
"Phil!" she saluted, standing and picking up her box of fruits. "Come, let's go for dinner. I don't feel like doing any work. If we give Eddie a few hours I'm sure he'll be finished."
Coulson made a skeptical face, "Are you sure? I'm supposed to…"
She but him off, "Don't worry. He's interested now. He won't be running off anytime soon. Anyway," she offered him a strawberry, "I want to hear how your stay with the cellist went." She raised her eyebrows knowingly at her friend.
-permafrost-
Tony had taken advantage of the couple hours he had alone. The destroyed house looked worse, if that were even possible. There were various new holes punched out in the concrete of his house, allowing for tubing to be inserted at various angles. Long black wires were tangled on the grown and tools were strewn everywhere. Piles of miscellaneous items were stacked one on top of another to try and make the heavy-duty tubes balanced all around. Tony was adjusting the height a the final few cylinders when he was interrupted.
Coulson typed the access code into the door for Tony's lab. "I heard you broke the perimeter." He stated, stepping back to hold the door open for Lucy who came in with take out for Tony.
"Uh, yeah." Tony admitted satirically, "That was like three years ago, where've you been?"
"I was doing some stuff." Coulson replied looking around at the mess.
"Oh yeah?" Tony turned back to his modifications, "Me too, and it worked. Hey I'm playing for the home team, Coulson. You and all your fabulous furry freak brothers, now are you going to let me work or are you going to break my balls?"
Coulson had walked over to a large open crate sitting at the side of the room. Inspecting the contents his eyes widened as he pulled out a red, white, and blue, circular object. "What's this doing here?" he lifted it up holding it on his arm
Lucy and Tony both looked up at his question. Her eyes widened, "Oh that's nothing." She rushed over from the kitchenette trying to put it away as fast as possible. "Just and old prototype."
"That's it." Tony spoke up. "Bring that to me." he motioned toward Coulson.
Lucy closed her eyes, allowing the agent to pull the shield from her hands.
"Do you know what this is?" Coulson asked, looking back toward Lucy who was making her way back to preparing Tony's dinner.
"That," Tony took the disc, flipping it in his hands, "is exactly what I need to make this work. Lift the coil." He commanded Coulson, "Go. Go. Put your knees into it." Shoving the shield under the tube he nodded, "And drop it." Reaching over he grabbed a tool, "Perfectly level." He remarked, satisfied. Then looking back up at the agent he continued, "I'm busy what do you want?"
"Nothing." Coulson answered, "Goodbye. I've been reassigned. Director Fury wants me in New Mexico."
"Huh. Fantastic." Tony commented, "Land of Enchantment."
"So I'm told." The agent shurgged.
Tony nodded, "Secret stuff?" he questioned mockingly.
"Something like that." Lucy chimed in walking over to the two men. "I'll be heading out as well, Eddie." She notified him, "And your dinner is in the microwave."
"Good luck." Coulson shook Tony's hand.
Tony stared at his aunt before turning his attention back to the agent, "Thanks."
Lucy smiled hugging her godson goodbye. "Behave. We need you." She gave his cheek a quick peck and walked with the SHIELD agent to the exit.
"Yeah, more than you know." Tony quipped at their retreating backs.
"Not that much." Coulson countered with a grin as he and Lucy left the genius to his work.
-permafrost-
Strains of Benny Goodman's Sing, Sing, Sing blared out of the car speakers as Lucy and Coulson made their way from California to New Mexico in the fading light of sunset.
"You know what, Phil?" Lucy commented from the passenger seat, "I think you're the only person I know who willingly listens to jazz and swing these days."
"Well, you can't go wrong with the classics." He smiled over at her from the driver's seat. "By the way," he hesitated, "was that what I thought it was back there?"
Lucy turned her head to look out at the passing scenery. Rolling hills had given way to flat dry ground as far as the eye could see. "If you're talking about the shield," she spoke not meeting his gaze, "then yes. It was one of Howard's early prototypes for S…" she cleared her throat. "for Steve." She paused, "I honestly didn't know he kept any of that stuff." She took a deep breath and continued, "I can get it for you if you want? When Tony's finished with it of course." She finished with a grin.
Coulson laughed, "I shouldn't ask for it. I know you're the one who sneaked those cards into my folders. I finished my card collection by the way."
"It's alright." She shrugged, "I'm sure Tony won't mind. It'll just be collecting dust anyway."
"Thanks." Coulson couldn't contain his excitement, "By the way we need to stop for more gas."
It was completely dark now. The temperature had dropped dramatically in the desert without the blazing heat from the sun. Coulson popped open the gas cap and started filling up the tank.
"I'm going to the restroom." Lucy called to him as she made way to the tiny convenient store.
Colson nodded. He slid his credit card and clicked the gas into place, leaving it to fill itself up as he followed her into the mini mart.
Exiting the bathroom Lucy spotted Coulson inspecting the donut display. "Just get both." She snickered, nodding at the classic powdered and chocolate frosted options, "I'll share with you."
"Heads up! Don't move!" came a shout and a gun clicking into place from the front of the store. "Who else is here?" a second voice rang out, "Who owns that car outside?"
Both of the agents stood up in response, checking out the disturbance. Two inexperienced gunmen stood threatening the young woman at the cash register. "You want to take this or shall I?" Coulson whispered to Lucy.
"I got the last one." Lucy murmured back, "It's your turn."
He nodded and spoke up so the men could hear him. "I do." They turned and pointed their guns at the newly revealed agents. "But its really more like a lease." He shrugged.
"Toss the keys over here." One of the guys commanded.
"Okay, okay." Coulson put his hands out in front of him calmingly and reached into his pocket for the keys.
The gunmen turned back to the lady, "Empty the cash register and start filling these bags with cigarettes…"
"Excuse me." Coulson mentioned, Lucy tried her hardest to keep her face straight. "I also have this gun. You'll probably be needing that."
"Put it down!"
"Right now! Put it down!"
"Ok, we don't want any trouble." Lucy placated the armed thieves.
The men ignored her, "Toss it over here."
Coulson grimaced, "I prefer not to throw it and risk the gun accidentally going off." He spoke as if to a child. "Maybe I could slide it over?"
The men exchanged glances, "Yeah, slide it over to my feet. Don't try anything funny."
"Ok, I'm just going to move over to this aisle." Coulson motioned trading places with Lucy, "and I'm going to slide it over to you."
As he tossed the handgun over to the first man who leaned down to pick it up, Coulson also tossed a bag of flour directly into the face of the second man, blinding him. Then jumping up, Coulson kicked the first man's rifle as he shot so the bullet went into the gunman's foot. Grabbing that same gun he clocked both the thieves in their faces, knocking them out cold.
The shop lady still had her hands up in a sign of surrender, her eyes wide in disbelief.
"Sorry for the mess." Coulson looked around regretfully at the spilled flour all over the floor.
Lucy brought up the donut packets. "We couldn't decide." She remarked nonchalantly, as if nothing strange just happened.
Coulson reached into his pocket and withdrew a bill that he laid on the counter. "Keep the change." He smiled at the woman then picked up his purchases.
"Wait!" the lady called after the agents who were about to leave the store, "What should I tell the police?"
Coulson looked over to Lucy who raised her eyebrow, "Tell them those Tae Bo tapes really paid off." He gave as an excuse.
"Good night." Lucy waved to the lady who was still in shock as they exited the store. Catching up to her friend she questioned, "Tae bo?"
Coulson shrugged, "Eh."
Lucy laughed, "Wait till I tell Fury the funny thing that happened on the way to Thor's hammer."