Phil pulls his cell phone from his pocket, deciding that a little forewarning may be in order. Not that he expects Tony to be particularly agreeable either way, but considering the subject patter of the dossier currently sitting in his lap, he feels it's for the best. The phone only rings once before he's greeted by a smooth, familiar voice with a notable British accent.
"Good evening Agent Coulson."
"Hello, JARVIS," Phil answers. "Good evening to you as well. Could you please tell Mr. Stark that I'm calling?"
"Of course. One moment, please; he's only just landed."
Phil waits silently as he's put on hold, listening to the soft jazz selection played in place of JARVIS' voice. It was amusing how the AI always seemed to play jazz or big band or several other styles of music that Phil enjoyed whenever he was on hold, and oftentimes he wondered if it was what JARVIS always played or if the AI picked it out in particular.
"Sir has requested that I inform you that he is 'out' at the moment," JARVIS says, his voice cutting into the music.
"Why am I not surprised?" Phil says, crossing one leg over the other. "Would you mind telling him that I'm insisting he answer the phone?"
"Not at all. If you'll pardon me for another moment…"
They pull up outside Stark Tower while Phil is still on hold and he exits the car, dossier tucker under his arm and his phone pressed to his ear. He reaches the front door by the time the AI addresses him again.
"I do apologize. Sir is being very difficult tonight."
Phil wonders if it's possible for an AI to feel miffed, because JARVIS does a very good job of sounding like it. And it's not the first time.
"I wouldn't expect him to be anything else," he says into the receiver. "But seeing where we are, I was wondering if you might do me a favor."
"Yes, Agent Coulson?" is the reply.
"I believe we both know that I could hack my way past Mr. Stark's security protocols, but I would prefer not to touch your mainframe if I don't have to," Phil says. "Would you mind letting me in?"
"With pleasure. Thank you for your consideration."
"What's a little consideration between friends?" Phil says, a small smile playing across his features as the door unlocks for him.
"I quite agree. If you'll just step into the lift, I'll take you to the penthouse level."
"Thank you, JARVIS," Phil says, stepping inside the building and making his way to the lift.
"As always, Agent Coulson, you are most welcome. If you will give me another ten seconds, I can connect you to Mr. Stark's mobile phone."
"Much appreciated."
Phil has to hold back a chuckle as he hears JARVIS inform Tony that his protocols are being overridden while managing to sound very sorry about it. Sometimes it pays to make friends in the right places.
"You didn't override JARVIS' security protocols, did you?" Pepper asks once they're in the car.
"Looks like you figured me out," Phil says with a smile, settling back in his seat.
"You say that like it was hard to do," Pepper responds with a laugh.
"Why do you say that?" Phil asks.
"Oh, come on, Phil," Pepper says, rolling her eyes. "We both know you've got a soft spot for JARVIS."
He squirms when she prods him in the belly.
"Under all those layers of tough, secret agent you're just a ball of fluff," she says with a knowing smirk. "I've seen you with Dummy before, remember. Besides, I think JARVIS may have a little crush on you."
Phil quirks an eyebrow at that. "Is that even possible?"
"Considering Tony made him, I wouldn't say it's impossible," Pepper says.
Phil nods in agreement. "If that's the case… maybe I should have bought him dinner before I went through his mainframe."
Not for the first time in his life, Phil is glad that the glass partition between the front and back seat is tinted and mostly soundproof because the comments that come after that and the laughter that follows aren't even remotely professional or dignified.