Third one! Fun begins. Truly, I originally made this as an outlet for my feelings and it did help me make amends with myself. I hope you enjoy it and please review and all that jazz. –Radio
A Spoon in One Hand and A Beer in the Other
Emma was in awe of the hustle and bustle of New York. It overwhelmed her for she had only been to Chicago as a major city and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles did not do the city justice. Besides all that emotion, fear snuck in from the back of her mind. She really wished her family did not enjoy watching crime shows so much. Thoughts of potential muggings and rapes danced in her mind making her move closer to Happy from her spot in the front seat of the SUV-Stark Industry model- as her nerves burned.
"Don't worry. Tony is a great boss. You'll love the tower. Well, you would if, ya know, it wasn't being remodeled again. When it's finished it will be fantastic. Right close to the park. Great view." Happy advised to the poor young girl. She had no idea what she was getting into working for Tony.
Happy was surprised when Tony informed him of picking up a stray to help him run the new Avengers' Tower—as the genius called it now. Pepper was less enthused when Tony listed what the new girl would be doing. Emma was to run files, impute data, keep Tony—and Bruce—alive with food and water in the lab(s), help the Avengers with any needs, cook food, keep Tony in line when Pepper was gone and overall was the nanny to the superheroes. Hence why Pepper was not amused and made sure to not let Tony buy matching t-shirts with their names on them for events.
Happy could not decide whether the girl was to be a maid or assistant to Tony and Pepper. She was so young and Happy could see that she had a big heart. He knew the other employees might have trouble with Emma with jealousy, rumors, and unwelcomed greetings. Not everyone was like that but there were a few. When he had brought this up with Tony he had been given a smirk and reply of;
"She'll charm their socks off." Then the scientist laughed like he had some inside joke which he probably did. Happy hoped she survived life in the Tower. With the remodeling and attacks on NY, most of the citizens were on edge. Tony believed in the girl so Happy would do his best to help her.
"You'll do fine. Tony will start you easy. Give you time to settle in. if you have any trouble the new cellphone Tony has for you has my number. I'll just be a call away to help you." Happy continued in hopes of easing some pressure off the nervous girl. He could feel it coming off of her.
Emma sent him a smile grateful smile.
"Thank you." She responded a bit shaking but less nervous. "New cellphone?" She asked in hopes of a distraction.
"Company issue. Don't worry. You'll do fine." He answered holding up a phone and laughed as they continued through mid-day traffic. She seemed shy but with Tony as company that would not last long.
"Emma! Welcome to my once Stark Tower now soon to be the Avengers' HQ! Did you like the limo?" Tony said all in one breathe as he welcomed her in the Tower's underground garage with open arms. His good cheer was infectious and Emma could not stop the smile from blooming on her face. Tony was like her favorite cousin in a sense.
"The limo had my family shocked while the jet made my brothers flip out." Emma chirped back allowing Tony to throw an arm around her shoulders. She did her best not to flinch at the normalcy of the action. It stilled and would continue to surprise her how comforted and relaxed she was in his presence. He made her feel like it would all be okay in the end. Almost as if her whole freak out here did not even happen. She might actually be able to do this job, she thought hopefully.
"Fantastic! Now first the grand tour! Of the place, then we can get your photo id stuff-don't worry you look fine, don't sweat that. After which Pep will have some boring business stuff that I don't like for you to sigh your soul to me. Hopefully by then we can eat and go over our plans for your new life here." Tony listed as he practically dragged her to the elevator.
"I'll send her stuff up." Happy informed from beside the car.
"Great!" Tony replied giving Happy the thumbs up which was retuned. "If all goes as to plan you should be good by Tuesday." He continued when the elevator doors closed and Metallica filled the space which caused her to smile.
"What happens Tuesday?" She asked with a slight raise of an eyebrow.
"My buddy Bruce, he's an avenger too, is coming to join us. Do you even know about the Avengers, Miss. Michigan?" Tony questioned back with an equally raised eyebrow. 'The eyebrow sass is strong with this one.' He thought.
"No I don't sir-" Emma began feeling self-conscious but was broke off by Tony.
"We agreed that it's just Tony. No sir, Mr, anything formal." Tony stated with hand gestures to prove his point.
"Why?" Emma blurted out and blushed at her actions. "S-sorry it's just that. I-I've never-"She stammered feeling dread seep into her guts. She was completely botching this up!
"Stop. Relax. Breathe." Tony orderd and she followed his instructions. "Now look at me." Emma turned to look him in the eye and blinked. His brown eyes held no anger or upset over her blunder and it took only a few seconds for her to relax fully.
"Thank you. I-I just. I have some issues and I am just so grateful for this job and opportunity. I;m sorry if I mess up of something like calling you 'sir' but you are my boss and all. I'll do my best to comply and I will also do my best at my job. I'm sorry for going out of line or anything." She was rambling now. Fear overtaking her courage. She needed to stop. Her face felt hot and her chest started to hurt.
"You have nothing to fear. Tony is horrible at formality." A feminine voice came from in front of them.
Emma turned her head forward in surprise at the tall, beautiful strawberry blond women. She was smiling kindly at Emma and once again in the presence of a stranger did the girl feel her panic dissolve. It was almost magical how safe she felt.
"Pepper's right, as always." Tony said as he directed Emma out of the elevator into a large lobby. "I hate formalities almost as much as I hate politics. I'll compromise and allow formalities when you are around others but when with the team and stuff ditch 'em."
"I can handle that." Emma replied relaxing under the smiles of her elder company.
"This is Pepper Potts, by the way. My better half in everything relatively normal." Tony introduced with his easy smile and bright eyes. The two females shook hands.
"Either Pepper or Ms. Potts will do." Pepper informed kindly. "I'll be helping you through most of what you need to know but based on your training you have the skill sets needed. We'll ease you into the work day by day."
"Thank you. I'll work hard." Emma promised with a smile.
"Awesome! Onto the tour! This is the front and main floor of the tower." Tony began sweeping Emma into the life of Stark Industries in New York.
He went around explaining parts of the Tower and their functions. He introduced her to the nice—and less sluty (Tony's words)—receptionist at the front who would be able to help her if needed. She was a kind, middle aged women with two kids whose husband worked in finances.
Tony continued back to the elevator with Emma and Pepper in tow. He stopped at different levels, at times clumping groups of floors together, and would tangent off and explain where she would go to get this or that paper work. At her flustered expression, Pepper leaned over and informed her that she had everything written down with a map and directions for her. God Bless Pepper Potts.
"These next four floors are my candyland! You'll be coming here with me to help out and stuff. Full R & D—that's research and development. Otherwise known as my second—er—fifth?-home." Tony explained before rushing the group back into the elevators nearly bouncing with excitement. "This next floor is a spare floor that we're using while they fix the upstairs. You'll be staying there until the rest of the rooms are finished." He added.
"Rest of the rooms?" Emma questioned slightly confused and still in a whirl from it all.
"Yup! For the team! You'll meet them later. Don't worry they're not that scary." Tony replied.
Emma nodded slowly. She remembered only a bit about the attack but there had been a cover story on Captain America, Ironman—Tony, The Hulk, and Thor with only a mention of the two other members.
"I'll tell ya the whole story later. Maybe over dinner." He tacked on. "But first, lunch!" he exclaimed dragging the two laughing ladies into the kitchen.
"What are your cooking expertise?" he asked with an eyebrow wrangle. Emma decided to be brave and answer as she would want to.
"A whole book of family generations of cooking, some Thai food knowledge, general knowledge and a mom on speed dial." She quipped with a smile. Tony smiled widely.
"I told you she had it I her!" Tony cheered confusing Emma and causing Pepper to roll her eyes and mouth 'don't worry about it' to Emma. "So I should not worry about food poisoning?" He teased as he rummaged through the fridge.
"Nope. I have the power of generations of cooking. Mainly my great grandma cooking with a spoon in one hand and a beer in the other." Emma replied honestly. It was a favorite of stories she heard from family.
"I like it! Though today it's just sandwiches." Tony laughed.
During lunch Emma sighed paper after paper that she was sure included her soul and first born child until Tony whined about it being boring and shoved sandwiches at the two. They were good sandwiches. After which, they played the interview style of 20 questions. It was a nice time that allowed the group to connect.
It was before dinner that Tony brought her to her temporary room. It was fantastic. Queen bed with like ten pillows on silk magenta sheets and a mahogany bedframe. Large room with a full wall of windows. Flat screen TV hooked up onto the cream colored wall opposite her bed. Two night stands matching the bedframe with modern art like lamps. A large five drawer matching dresser. A walk in closet and a huge bathroom. A desk sat near the windows. It was amazing.
"Is this for real?" She muttered as she turned about the room.
"Yeah, don't worry. Your real room will be way better." Tony commented.
"This almost feels like too much Tony." Emma replied dazed.
"Forget about it. On the desk is your new id (they had taken it when on the main floor) phone, Stark card—can use it for everything, and some other stuff. Your things are right here" Tony said pointing to her things that sat against the wall near the TV. "And get settled in. Pepper's gonna take you shopping tomorrow for fancy stuff. Then you and I will talk lay out. See you for dinner in say two hours? Good." Tony suggested.
"See you at dinner." Emma said as he left her alone. When she was sure Tony was gone she let out a girlish squeal and jumped on the bed in glee.
She loved it here already. From the classic rock/ heavy metal elevator music to the AI butler. She loved it. Emma felt a stab of guilt hit her heart at how 'at home' she felt here. She had only been here less than twelve hours. She pushed the guilt away reminding herself that her family was only a phone call away and Tony would let her visit when planned. She had nothing to fear making this place into her new home for it was. She was to live here and work for until Tony kicked her out. Hopefully by then she saved up enough money to keep herself afloat.
After fighting the guilt away, she pulled away from the wonderfully supportive bed from heaven and began to unpack her things. That took almost an hour and half. Then she called her family to inform them of her safe arrival and how she was doing. Reassured them she had not been mugged, raped, or tricked by a homicidal manic. She had to shake her head at how morbid her family could be. They watched too much CSI and Cops to be healthy.
Once that was taken care of, she turned her attention to the items on the large desk. There was more on it then Tony implied. Including a Stark operated home computer, a laptop, a tablet, her id, credit Stark card, and the list of jobs, names, and directions for files and items for her new job. On top of the laptop sat a chrome blue high tech cell phone. Emma started with that. Transferring information and photos from her old phone onto the new one. She did the same with her old Toshiba laptop and new Stark laptop. This took her until Tony came barging into her room to drag her out for Chinese take-out.
Her hectic day ended with a fantastic shower and a peaceful slumber that was only broken by a strange haze in the back of her dreams.