Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers or Iron Man.
Summary: NEST contact Tony Stark, who comes to help them take down the Decepticons. He brings Pepper and Rhodey along with him. Set after Revenge of The Fallen, and after the first Iron Man film.
Warnings: There may be bad language and hints of slash in later chapters, though nothing explicit.
Co-operation
Chapter 4:
The mess hall was packed with noisy soldiers, most of them still discussing Tony and Ironhide's combat demo. Tony had been approached by several engineers and praised for his suit. Pepper was sitting at the end of the table, eating quietly, pondering what Galloway had said. Epps and Rhodey were discussing some sort of combat exercise they had been on in the past, whilst Lennox and Tony listened.
"Tony?" Pepper asked.
"Yes?" Tony asked, turning his attention to Pepper.
"Just now, did... did you think of Obadiah, when he said he wanted to use the suit and everything?" Pepper asked.
"Yes. Why do you think I got so mad?" Tony asked. He turned to Lennox. "Hey. You know that irate government official – the one I had nothing to do with – what can you tell me about him?"
"Director Galloway?" Lennox asked.
"I don't know his name." Tony lied. "And I certainly did not irritate him..." He glanced at Rhodey, who rolled his eyes. "But tell me about him."
"He's... well, he's just a pain in the ass." Lennox shrugged. "I have never seen him show any emotion other than anger."
"Oh wait – he did show fear once." Epps said, pointing at Lennox with his fork. "Remember when we were flying over Egypt and we had to get him off the plane so we could bring Optimus back? He looked like he was going to shit his pants."
"He probably did." Lennox laughed. "He still hates me for that."
"Wait. What happened?" Rhodey asked.
"Lennox told Galloway that we had to bail out of this plane. We didn't have to, but we had to get rid of him. It's a long story as to why." Epps said. "Anyway, Lennox gave Galloway a crash course in parachuting, then yelled at him to pull his chute."
"The dumbass pulled his chute on the plane." Lennox said. "He didn't even say goodbye when he went flying out the back."
"Remind me not to make you two mad." Rhodey said.
"Don't make Galloway mad either." Lennox warned. "He stripped me of my rank just before that happened. It's only because of Morshower that I got it back."
"So basically, making this guy mad isn't a good idea?" Tony asked. He groaned when Lennox nodded.
"Tony, I thought you said you had no idea who this guy was." Rhodey raised an eyebrow.
"Shut up, Rhodey."
"Anyway, do you guys wanna come for a drink later?" Lennox asked. "Me and Epps were heading to the bar tonight for beers and pool."
"I'll come." Rhodey said.
"Count me in." Tony said. "Pepper?"
"Hm?"
"Bar? Tonight?"
"No, I think I might have an early night." Pepper smiled. "Besides, it's Rhodey's turn to babysit you."
"Thank you, Pepper. Thank you so much." Rhodey said.
"Hey, we can have that race too." Tony said. "You know, the one Epps and Lennox wanted to have after their age debate and I decided to join in because I can't resist a little bit of competition."
"Oh yeah. That race." Epps said. "I'm gonna wipe the floor with you."
"In your dreams, Epps." Lennox grinned.
"I already can't wait." Tony said, rubbing his hands together.
xXx
"Okay guys, can we get this over with?" Rhodey asked. "This is a stupid and immature idea, and I just really, really want a cold beer."
"Rhodey, just because you no longer experience the emotion of 'joy' and just because you do not understand the concept of fun it doesn't mean that the rest of us have lost our inner child too." Tony deadpanned. He clapped his hands together. "So, let's get this race over with. The loser can buy the first round. Afterwards, I'll buy the rest of the rounds because I'm filthy rich and not living off a soldier's salary."
"And you don't have a family to look after." Epps said. "That costs a lot."
"Well I'm not really planning on ever having a family to look after, so life is golden." Tony shrugged. "Where are we running from and where are we running to?"
"Erm..." Lennox looked around. "How about... we run from the Autobot hangar to... the admin building. Then from there we can go to the bar... after Epps catches his breath of course."
"You mean after you catch your breath." Epps said.
"No, after you catch your breath."
"No Lennox, you've got it wrong."
"It'll be after Rhodey catches his breath." Tony announced. "He's going to see us all having fun and he's going to join in. It always happens. Remember when we were on my plane, Rhodey? You were trying to work BUT I started drinking, you reluctantly started drinking and then we had fun."
"With the air stewardesses." Rhodey added.
"Sounds like a party." Epps said.
"It was." Tony grinned.
` "Can we get on with this now?" Lennox asked, checking his phone. "I just got a text from Graham. He said he's going to meet us at the bar."
"Who's Graham?" Rhodey asked.
"He's a friend. He's one of the British soldiers serving here." Epps explained.
"Do you guys wanna get on with your race now?" Rhodey sighed.
xXx
Tony, Lennox and Epps were collapsed in a heap outside the admin building. Rhodey walked over to them with his hands in his pockets, whistling some sort of unrecognisable tune. Rhodey raised an eyebrow and looked down at them all, wondering when they were going to sort themselves out and get up off the floor. Lennox was breathlessly declaring his victory, whilst Epps was laying face down on the floor. Tony was clutching his arc reactor and swearing about the physical activity.
"Tony, are you okay?" Rhodey asked, realising what was happening to Tony. He knelt down beside his friend and squeezed his shoulder.
"Just... having... problems... nothing... I... can't... fix..." Tony wheezed. "Just... overexerted... myself..."
"Okay. Just sit here and rest." Rhodey said, propping Tony up against the wall. "Just relax. We don't have to move until you're ready."
"Rhodey, are you his mum or something?" Epps asked and Lennox burst out laughing.
"Don't make me..." Rhodey started to say. All four of them froze as Morshower stepped through the double doors.
Morshower stopped and looked at Epps and Lennox, who were bickering intently; Tony, who was in some sort of distress – judging by the fact he was clutching his arc reactor, which was glowing through his vest, and taking deep breaths. He then looked at Rhodey, who was the only one standing, and seemed to be the only one who could make order out of the chaos.
"Rhodes, what is going on?" Morshower asked.
"To be honest sir, I have no idea." Rhodey shrugged.
"Well... sort this out Rhodes. There are some important people working in this building and I'm sure they don't want to see American soldiers and Tony Stark in a heap on the floor." Morshower said bluntly.
"Yeah, I'll drag them down to the bar." Rhodey said. "Do you wanna come with us, sir?"
"No, not really." Morshower said. "Have a good evening, boys."
"You too, sir!" Lennox called from on the floor. Morshower shot him a disapproving look, and headed off towards the car park. "Can we go to the bar now?"
"Yeah, when you idiots get up off the floor." Rhodey rolled his eyes.
xXx
The bar was in a small concrete building on the outskirts of the base. The inside of it was plastered with pictures of old American cars and American aircraft. There was a pool table at one end of the bar, with dartboards at the other end and a jukebox in the corner, blaring out 1950's rock and roll tunes. The bar was down one side of the building, with several stools lined up against it.
Well, that was what the bar was supposed to look like.
Lennox opened the door, and ducked to avoid a barstool thrown in his direction. Epps, Tony and Rhodey stepped into the doorway to see what was going on. There was a bar fight going on, and at the centre of it was Graham.
"Oh damn it, Graham." Epps sighed. "Lennox, you up for bailing him out?"
"But he's fighting American soldiers." Lennox protested. He shrugged. "Like I give a damn, let's go and rescue him."
"Who even is Graham?" Tony asked, looking at Rhodey.
"Why do you expect me to know?" Rhodey shrugged.
"You know everything."
Lennox and Epps stepped forwards, and Epps tapped the shoulder of the soldier that was about to punch Graham. The soldier turned around, and Epps punched him in the face. Another one of the American soldiers grabbed Epps from behind. Graham dragged the soldier off of Epps, and punched him in the stomach. Lennox kicked one of the other soldiers in the knee and threw him down on the floor. Tony and Rhodey were stood in the doorway, watching the bar fight with confusion. Graham stopped in front of them, and then had a beer bottle smashed over his head. Everyone in the bar stopped and watched Graham fall on the floor. Tony looked at Rhodey.
"I like him." Tony pointed to Graham.
I know this chapter is shorter than the others, but it's how I've divided my chapters up in my plan and I think that was a good place to end it.
Thanks for all the reviews and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story!
I Caught Myself.He'