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 10:

Lennox threw himself to the ground when he heard the explosion and felt the heat from the searing fireball. He looked up and saw Tony walking away from Galloway's car – which was now a smouldering wreck – wearing one of his Iron Man gloves.

Everyone who had been inside the hangar heard the explosion, and came running out to see what the commotion was all about. Everyone was still holding drinks in their hands, as they stared open-mouthed at the destroyed car, Tony Stark and Major Lennox on the floor.

Lennox got to his feet and stormed over to Tony. He placed a hand on Tony's shoulder and turned him round, forcing Tony to look at him. Tony aimed his glove at Lennox, and then lowered it when he realised who was standing in front of him.

"That's it." Lennox said. "I've tried to keep you under control and I've tried to be patient but this – this is the final straw! I'm taking you to Morshower. He can decide what we're going to do with you, because I sure as hell don't know anymore!" Lennox's voice got louder. "That was Galloway's car! He just has to say one word to the President, and we could be shut down! I know you don't like him – no-one likes him but we don't do this! We keep our emotions in check."

"I can't keep my emotions in check!" Tony roared. "Galloway won't take no for an answer, he's following my staff and Rhodey is in a coma! Rhodey! He's your friend too – aren't you concerned about what's going to happen to him? Because I sure as hell am! I can't lose him, Lennox. Rhodey and Pepper are all that I have."

"This is out of my hands." Lennox held up his hands, as if to emphasise his point. "I'm taking you to Morshower."

xXx

"Tony, is all of this true?" Morshower asked in despair. He glanced up at Lennox, who nodded his head. "Did you really threaten Director Galloway and then destroy his car?"

"Well sir, if the smoke cloud outside your window and sirens and blue flashing lights from the fire brigade are any sort of hint, then yes." Tony replied, folding his arms, sitting in a large leather chair on the opposite side of Morshower's desk. "I did destroy Director Galloway's car."

"Do you have a good – well – any reason at all for doing so?" Morshower asked.

"I was stressed, he was hassling Pepper and I wanted him to leave her alone." Tony shrugged. "He doesn't seem able to take no for an answer. I am not going to sell him my tech. EVER."

"Tony, now that I know it was you I'm gonna have to call Galloway up here and I need you to apologise to him." Morshower said, picking up the phone and tapping in a number.

"That's fine. Get him up here." Tony said, leaning back in the chair, looking around the office at the pictures of the various military units around the room. "Do you mind if I take a look?"

Morshower nodded and began to talk on the phone in a hushed tone. Lennox walked over to Tony and tapped him on the shoulder, and beckoned him to get up. Tony stood up and followed Lennox over to where one of the pictures was. Lennox pointed at someone in the photo and grinned.

"Rhodey." Tony whispered. "When was this taken?"

"A while ago." Lennox said. "About two or three years I think. We were out in Afghanistan and so was he. Rhodey came on a couple of exercises with us and was in our camp." He placed a hand on Tony's shoulder and squeezed. "You're not the only one worried about Rhodey. He's like a part of the family, Tony. I know I got stressy with him when he wouldn't follow my orders, but it's my job to keep the majority of my guys alive."

"Well, I never have been good at following orders." Tony said.

"Director Galloway, I'm glad you agreed to come up here." Morshower said, interrupting Tony and Lennox.

"Agreed is not the word I would use." Galloway snapped. He turned to face Tony. "Do you have any idea what you've done, Mr Stark? You've blown up my car. That's a federal offence. Do you hear me? A federal offence. I will make sure that you go to jail for this. I am a government agent, and you have threatened me and then destroyed my car. I will not let you get away with this."

"I have bigger problems then you right now." Tony sighed. He pulled his cheque book out of his pocket and scrawled something down. "Here, have a million dollars. That should solve everything. Now – leave me alone." Tony touched his fingers to his brow in a casual salute and left the room, slamming the door behind him.

"General Morshower, you can't let him get away with this!" Galloway protested.

"Director Galloway, that man just gave you a million dollars." Morshower said bluntly. "I see no point in punishing him any further. Major, show the Director out please."

"Do you think he'll be happy with that cheque?" Lennox asked, closing the door behind Galloway.

"When is he ever happy with anything?" Morshower asked. "Just make sure Stark gets on that plane tomorrow morning. It'll be for the best if he gets out of here."

"Of course." Lennox said. He grinned lop-sidedly. "Was it even a federal offence that Tony blew up his car?"

"I don't know myself." Morshower said. "Now get out of here. There's still a hangar party going on."

xXx

Tony went straight back to his room and closed the curtains. He turned on the bedside lamp, dimly lighting the room. He went over to his suitcase and pulled it out from under the bed, unzipping it as he did. Tony opened one of the compartments, and pulled out a bottle of scotch and two tumblers. He poured scotch into one of the tumblers and downed the contents, then refilled it.

He opened the wardrobe and began to pull clothes out of it, throwing them into the suitcase. He was going home, just like Lennox had said. This whole mission had been a bad idea. He would go back to his company in the States and visit Rhodey when he woke up and then bring him home. If there were any problems, he could pay someone to look after Rhodey.

A few hours later, Pepper walked into the apartment. She stepped over the almost empty scotch bottle laying on the floor and stood in front of Tony, with her arms folded. He was sitting on the bed with a glass of scotch in one hand and the TV remote in the other.

"So is this what you've been doing all night?" Pepper asked sternly.

"Pepper. How was the hangar party?" Tony asked without looking at her.

"It was good."

"Why are you back so late?" Tony asked.

"I was with Epps, Graham, Maggie and Glen." Pepper replied. "We played a bit of poker and then we all turned in for the night. Graham just walked me back here."

"Oh." Tony cleared his throat. "So... you and Graham. Is it possible?"

"No."

"Really, because –"

"No."

"Oh okay. Well, why not?"

"Are we really going to talk about relationships?" Pepper giggled.

"No. I guess not." Tony smiled.

"Good." Pepper sat down beside him and patted his knee. "Besides, you probably wouldn't understand a thing I'm saying – you've never had a proper relationship in your life. You'll also be too busy thinking about some sort of new tech you want to build when we get home." She checked her watch. "I should probably start packing up some of my stuff. I'll be next door if you need anything." She stood up and started to head for the door.

"Pepper."

"Yes?" She asked, stopping and turning around to face him.

"I'm still looking for that amazing girlfriend who knows my true identity – you know, the one who's always worrying about me." Tony smiled.

"Everyone in the world knows your identity, Tony. I'm sure it won't be too hard to find her." Pepper said.

"Well tell me if you see her."

"Will do. Goodnight Tony."

"Night."

Why does he do this to me. Pepper closed the door behind her and leant against it in desperation. Tony made her job impossible sometimes. She wondered if he knew what he did, with all of his remarks, the obvious-but-not hints that he liked her. It drove her crazy. When he said 'tell me if you find her' she wanted to scream at him that it was her, but she knew she couldn't do that. He was her boss. She worked for him. Yes, she was one of his closest friend's too – one of his only friends – but she knew how he was with girls and she didn't want to be the next one in line. I've had too much to drink. I'm over thinking it all. She shook her head and unlocked the door to the room next door.

Tony was standing in front of the wall between his and Pepper's rooms, with one and splayed out on it. He was never shy or nervous around anyone. What did Pepper do to him to take all of that away? He liked her. He liked her a lot and he made it obvious enough. Or maybe he didn't. She was right – he had never had a proper relationship. He didn't know how a proper relationship even worked. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and downed the rest of his glass of scotch. Packing could wait until morning.

Another chapter done. In my plan there are only about three chapters left, but who knows. There could be more, there could be less. It depends if I get attacked by any rabid plot bunnies or if they just continue raving somewhere else.

Tell me what you think guys!

I Caught Myself :D