Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize. Only my OC, Agent Clarissa Melanie Connors, and her story line belongs to me.

~0~ = little break

An annoying ringing woke me up from my sleep. I groaned into my pillow, rolling over to my bedside table to get my phone. I glanced at the clock next to it, seeing that it was 3 in the morning. I squinted my eyes, the light emitting from my phone was a shock to my sleepy eyes. I scowled when I saw who was phoning me.

"Nick, you better have a good reason for phoning me," I practically growled into the phone.

"There's a problem in Budapest, I thought maybe you'd want to check it out," He informed me.

I groaned.

"Was that it? You woke me up at 3 just for that?" I asked Nick.

"Well, yes," Nick replied calmly, "You're the one who usually would want to be kept busy."

I shrugged to myself, knowing he was right. For the past 70 years, I have been going on a lot of missions, especially ones that require me to leave the country. Although I still had a slight fear of planes and needed Phil, Clint, or Tasha to be with me, I was all for it for leaving the country. The past decade my fear has gotten better.

"I thought I left a memo saying I wouldn't be in for a week or two and left you in charge," I reminded him.

"Oh, I didn't get the memo..." I could practically see Nick awkwardly scratching the back of his neck.

I sighed into the phone, "Just send Clint and Natasha to it, I'm sure they can handle it."

"Are you sure you don't want to take this Clarissa?" Nick asked me.

"Yes, I'm sure, they've handled worse. Besides, I trained them myself. I'm going to stay at Tony's for the meanwhile. I promised I would be at his award ceremony thing. I'll be back as soon as I can, report back to me if anything big happens," I ordered Nick as if I was his mother, which I practically was.

"Big as in Rome '08 or Texas '06?" He joked.

I laughed, "Texas, definitely."

"Alright, see you in a few Clarissa," Nick bid goodbye.

"Goodnight Nick."

I closed my eyes, ready to see the wonderful blue eyes I've been dreaming of ever since.

~0~

"Pepper!" I greeted the strawberry blonde when I saw her sitting at Tony's couch, her laptop in front of her.

"Clara!" She said, walking around the table to give me a hug.

"How have you been?" I asked her.

"Fine, you know, got a lot of work to do." She told me, gesturing to her computer.

"I see," I raised an eyebrow at her and smirked, "Tony treating you okay?"

"Well, Tony's Tony you know," Pepper said with a shake of her head and a small smile.

"Yes, I do know. Where is he, by the way? It's getting a bit late."

"Right! The ceremony, almost forgot. He's downstairs in the workshop, as always. I tried to get him ready just in case you were to stop by earlier but..."

Pepper cut herself off with a shrug of her shoulders making me laugh a bit.

"It's alright Pepper, I'll handle him. Are you sure you don't want to go? I can pull a few strings and get you a seat at our table if you want."

The strawberry blonde waved her hand and shook her head.

"No, no it's alright Clara, I need to catch up on some work anyways. I'm okay, you guys go ahead and have fun." She reassured me.

"Alright then, I'll just go see him. I'll see you tomorrow then, I've got some guys coming in with a few of my luggage, can you just sort that out and put it in my room?" I asked her as I went down the stairs.

"Of course."

I smiled at her and went down to the workshop. I could hear the music getting a bit louder as I stepped down. Another smile broke onto my face as I saw my godson once again after a few months. Calls and video chatting weren't the same as seeing him in person. I quickly entered my passcode for the door and entered, crossing my arms as I leaned against the glass wall. Tony was too busy working on a car to notice that I entered the room.

"Wow, I thought my own godson would be more excited to see me..." I said, having to slightly yell to make my voice louder than the music.

I saw his body freeze for a moment before going back to whatever he was working on.

"I mean, you are early. You weren't supposed to be here for another hour or so," Tony teased.

I scoffed and turned my head away from him. I heard him drop his wrench on the ground and stood up. He and walked towards each other and I opened my arms for him and gave him a big embrace.

"C'mon let's hit the road," I said, after getting out of his tight hug.

"You've been here, what 2 minutes and you're already bossing me around?" He joked.

"Pretty much yeah. Pepper's got your suit in the car so let's go," I ushered him towards the door.

"Wait, wait, wait! The awards show isn't for another 3 hours, what's the hurry?" He asked me, but still climbing the stairs.

"Can't I spend a little time with my godson?" I asked, a mock pout on my face.

"We can talk on the plane ride there!" Tony tried to argue with me.

"Nope, we are going to go for coffee then to the Palace, where you will change into you suit and I will change into my gown and then you will escort me there where you will presumably leave in the middle of the ceremony and play Craps or something and you will most likely take a brunette home."

I took a huge breath after my little speech. Tony stared at me in awe.

"It is scary how you know that," He confessed to me, still a bit dazed.

"I raised you, I think I should know those things, bye Pepper!" I yelled to the strawberry blonde.

Pepper glanced up from her computer to give Tony and I a small wave and a smile.

"If we're leaving, why aren't we downstairs where the cars are?" Tony asked.

"I asked Pepper to get Happy to bring the car around front."

As said, Happy was standing by the car with his shades on. His smile widened when he saw me.

"Ms. Connors, good to see you!" Happy greeted me.

"Happy how many times have I said to call me Clara?" I asked him, my eyebrow raised.

"Too many to count miss," Happy said with a chuckle.

He opened the passenger door for us when my phone rang. Tony looked at me briefly.

"Get your ass in that car and sit there, it's work it'll only be a minute," I ordered him.

He rolled his eyes at me but still sat in the car. I looked at my phone and saw it was Clint calling me.

"Aren't you supposed to be in Budapest right now?" I asked him.

"Hello to you too Lanie," Clint said dryly.

"Hi, but seriously, how do you have time to call me? Where's Tasha?" I asked.

"I'm just watching our target and I got bored. Nat's under cover right now so I'm alone," He informed me.

"Well, I have to go, Tony's waiting for me and we know he's not very patient. Say hi to Tasha for me and stay safe," I told him.

"Don't worry about us, you trained us after all," Clint said proudly.

"Goodbye, Clinton," I said with a roll of my eyes and hung up the phone.

I entered the car and sat beside Tony.

"Okay, Happy let's move it!" I told him.

The flight to Vegas was short and quiet, only small talks between Tony and I. I ordered the workers to take our stuff to the hotel and got a car that took us to a small, quiet cafe.

"So, what have you been up to while I was away?" I asked Tony, taking a sip of my latte, looking at him by the rim of my mug.

"Just working on some projects for the company. Fixed a car or two, nothing major," Tony told me nonchalantly.

I raised an eyebrow at him and sent him an amused smile.

"You have a pretty boring life," I told him.

He let out a bark of laughter.

"But seriously, anything? Girlfriends?" I pried.

"Are you kidding me Rissa? Me of all people to have a girlfriend," He rolled his eyes at me as if what I said was completely impossible.

"Tony, sweetie, I do want you to find someone and settle down you know. And I think that the person you need isn't that far away, she might be right under your nose."

I patted his arm, hinting at him about Pepper. Ever since her interview so many years ago I just knew.

"What about you huh? Where have you gone?"

He wasn't accusing me of leaving him or anything. Tony knows that my job with the government requires me to leave the country from time to time. I didn't tell Tony the full extent of my job.

"Well, I just came back from New York just as a check in, I was supposed to go to Germany but I already said I was going to the awards ceremony so they gave it to another person," I informed Tony.

"Hmm, Germany, haven't been there in a while," Tony spoke thoughtfully.

"Do you have any plans? Leaving the country soon?" I asked, relaxing back into my chair.

"Stark Industries has a weapons demo at Afghanistan and I'll be the one going with Rhodey. We're showing the Jericho," He smirked at the name of his weapon.

"The weapon you only have to fire once... You know that's how your dad did things," I informed Tony.

I could see Tony's demeanor change at the mention of Howard. I understand Tony's contempt with his father. I was also upset at how Howard treated Tony during his childhood. Maria was there, but I could see that Tony wanted his dad's approval.

"He'd be proud of you, you know that right?" I said quietly, "I'm proud of you."

He looked at me and smiled slightly. I couldn't help but feel a bit emotional that my baby boy has grown up to be this man sitting in front of me.

"Thanks, Rissa," Tony glanced at his watch and his eyes widened, "Oh shit, we're gonna be late and you still need to get ready!"

I took his arm to look at his watch, we still had a good hour and a half to go back to the hotel and get ready. I chuckled at his panic-stricken face.

"How long do you think it takes me to get ready?" I asked, still laughing.

"I don't know, 2 hours?" Tony guess with a shrug.

I scoffed.

"I think you're confusing me with yourself. I am not that conceited," I told him.

"Whatever, let's go. I'm bored and the sooner we get to the ceremony, the quicker we can go home," He stood up from his chair and waited for me to do the same.

~0~

Like I said to Tony, it took me less than 2 hours to get myself ready for the party. I took a quick shower and put on very light, natural, make-up on. The dress I wore was a simple yet elegant black dress. I let my hair down in it's natural waves. Tony met up with me at the lobby of the hotel. He let out a low, playful whistle and tilted his shades down when he saw me.

"Looking ever so fine tonight Rissa," He complimented me.

I gave him a smile and reached out to smooth his collar and lapels.

"Don't you look dashing," I said back, "but please, take the shades off. You look ridiculous, we are inside."

Tony rolled his eyes at me.

"They complete the look," He tried to argue.

I let out a fake sigh and shook my head. Tony offered me his arm and we walked to the venue and was bombarded with photographers. Obadiah greeted us with open arms. First he hugged Tony then planted a kiss on my cheek. I grimaced internally. I've always been wary about Obadiah. I just sense a bad vibe coming from him. Trying to be polite, I still gave a small smile towards him.

"Tony! Clara!"

I look around to see who called our names. that's when I spot Rhodey coming towards us with open arms. He and Tony shared a hug before he greeted me the same way.

"Hey Rhodey, how are you feeling?" I asked him, linking my arm with his as he led me towards my table.

"Great, you know. Honored that I'm the one who would be giving the award to Tony," He told me.

Rhodey pulled out the chair for me and sat next to me as I smiled at him.

"I can't think of anyone else who would be perfect for the job," I told him honestly.

I looked around, trying to see if I could spot Tony. He was still talking to a few reporters, specifically the attractive women.

"Rhodey, do me a favor will you and tell Tony to come here. I need to speak to him before he runs out to the casino," I requested of him.

"Of course, I'll be back," Rhodey left the table and made his way towards Tony.

Shortly after, Tony came to me and sat down.

"Do I need to have a talk with you about being on time to your own award ceremony?" I questioned him.

"I'll be back on time don't worry. If you want, I'll even bring Happy with me," Tony tried to negotiate.

"Alright, but make sure you're here. Rhodey's the one giving you the award so you know how much that'll mean to him okay?" I explained to him.

"Yes mom," Tony said in an annoyed tone of voice making me chuckle.

"Okay, go win for me baby boy."

I gave him a kiss on the cheek and watched as he sauntered off to Happy and dragged him towards the casino.

~0~

I spent the rest of the evening making small talks with some of the board members of Stark Industries that I've gotten to know when I was CEO of the company until Tony took over when he turned 21. Soon enough, it was the portion of Tony's life shown on a video.

"Tony Stark. Visionary. Genius. American patriot. Even from an early age, the son of legendary weapons developer Howard Stark quickly stole the spotlight with his brilliant and unique mind."

The voice from the video said, showing clips of Tony in magazines. I looked at the entrance again to see if he showed up.

"At age four, he built his first circuit board. At age six, his first engine. And at 17, he graduated summa cum laude from MIT."

I smiled fondly when the video showed pictures of Tony from when he was just a boy into his teens.

"Then, the passing of a titan, Howard Stark's lifelong friend and ally, Clarissa Connors stepped in to help fill the gap left by the legendary founder with the help of Obadiah Stane, until, at age 21, the prodigal son returns and was anointed the new CEO of Stark lndustries."

My heart clenched at the mention of Howard and my eyes misted when the video showed an old picture of Howard and I. It hurt to see the people I care about age as time went on but I didn't.

"With the keys to the kingdom, Tony ushers in a new era for his father's legacy. Creating smarter weapons, advanced robotics, satellite targeting. Today, Tony Stark has changed the face of the weapons industry by ensuring freedom and protecting America and her interests around the globe."

The video ended with Tony's face on the big screens. I watched as Rhodey stood on the podium, starting to say his speech.

"As liaison to Stark Industries, I've had the unique privilege of serving with a real patriot. He is my friend and he is my great mentor. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present this year's Apogee Award to Mr Tony Stark."

He looked at the applauding crowd, his eyes landing to where I sat with Obadiah to see if Tony was beside me.

"Tony?" He asked to the crowd again.

Rhodey made eye contact with me, asking through his eyes where he was but I gave him a look and he seemed to understand where he was. I leaned over to Obadiah to speak to him quietly.

"Do you want to take this or shall I?" I asked him.

"It's okay, I'll do it," He whispered back.

I nodded at him as he stood up and made his way to the stage.

"Thank you Colonel," He started, Rhodey nodding at him, "This is beautiful. Thank you. Thank you all very much. This is wonderful... Well, I'm not Tony Stark. But if I were Tony, I would tell you how honored I feel and what a joy it is to receive this very prestigious award."

He took a small pause, laughing slightly as he continued to talk.

"Tony, you know... The best thing about Tony is also the worst thing. He's always working. He never rests! But of course we have him to thank for all the protection he gives our great nation, so thank you very much everyone and have a goodnight!" Obadiah raised the award as the guest began to clap once more.

I quickly stood up and began to walk away from the table to join with Rhodey who was talking to Obadiah who gave him the award again. Once I arrived, Obadiah excused himself for the night, which left me alone with Rhodey.

"You going to yell his head off?" He asked me, smirking slightly.

"Of course, you coming to watch?" I asked, already heading towards the casino where Tony would most likely be.

"Don't mind if I do."

AN: I'm back! I'm so sorry for the wait, but it was a well needed break. I got a few chapters done and I'm really happy about that. I love writing Clary in with Tony, I feel like it's Howard I'm writing about with her. It's sad that it will take a long time for her and Steve to get back together but worry not! I will throw in some flashbacks! I'm afraid that my schedule will change drastically soon because my school starts next week so you'll see less updates :( but I will try my best to not forget this story! I also deleted Lights, Camera, Action! for the time being because of how stressful it was to have to update two stories at once so I apologize to those who took the time into reading it. I will hopefully put it back up once I'm in a more stable situation. Thank you for reading and I hope to see you next time! -E