Bella had to admit it. Extremis was one of the most interesting ideas she'd seen in a long time. Original? No. She'd worked on many experiments where Super strength was the end result. There had been super soldier serum in the 50s, the only formula that really worked. She'd met its only recipient. But this could, in theory, make a person far stronger than the super soldier serum ever could.
She stood inside the hologram of Mr. Killian's brain, which he had used to show her and Pepper how the serum took effect on the mind. "Well, this is very interesting, Mr. Killian. And I don't use the term lightly. So, what you're saying is that this Extremis will give those who take it not only incredible strength and speed, but also possibly regrow limbs?"
"Yes, Miss Stark, that's exactly what I'm saying. It should be even more effective than super soldier serum – which, I believe, you've seen the effects of first hand?"
That comment brought her back to Earth. She did not make weapons anymore, and she especially didn't like the idea of altering the human DNA – which was at the root of this project. "Yes, Mr. Killian, I've met Captain America, even if I am not a member of the Avengers." Tony and the rest of the team had decided to hold off on officially making her a member until she turned eighteen – though they already treated her like one. "It would be difficult to replicate, let alone surpass the serum, but not impossible."
"This sounds very much like it could be used for the military. Super soldiers, that sort of thing," said Pepper.
"Well…"
"We don't deal with that sort of thing anymore, Aldrich," said Pepper.
Bella nodded.
"Aldrich, I wish you luck," said Pepper, standing up.
The three walked out to the front together. Pepper and Mr. Killian chatted back and forth. Bella mused over the project. As an inventor, she welcomed any sort of scientific advance or invention. As a person, she had lines which she didn't believe should be crossed. Human DNA should not be tampered with.
Out the door, he paused for a moment, then glanced at Bella and kept walking.
"Goodbye, Pepper," he said.
"Are you ready to go?" asked Happy.
"Uh… I forgot something inside."
Happy stared at the vehicle Mr. Killian climbed into. As it pulled away, he took a step forward and snapped a picture.
Bella considered saying something, then silenced herself.
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It would have been impossible to miss the giant pink rabbit out in front of the house.
"What is that?" asked Bella.
Pepper pulled to a stop in front of the rabbit. "I have no idea."
Inside the house, an Iron Man suit sat on the living room couch. "Like it?" asked Tony.
"It's… quite something," said Pepper. "Just like the rabbit outside."
"How do you intend to get it inside the house?" asked Bella. "Are you going to take out a wall?"
"The wrecking crew is coming tomorrow."
"With all the suits you've been designing, don't you have one that you could use to do yourself?" asked Pepper.
"Actually, come to think of it…"
"We can wait for the wrecking crew," she said quickly.
Something felt strange about watching the suit. Bella headed down toward the stairs. She had a bad feeling about this…
Downstairs, in the workshop, Tony was executing chin ups on a bar while talking into a headset.
"Tony?" said Bella in disbelief. "What are you doing?"
He'd been busy with more than the rabbit while she was gone.
Pepper's high heels tapped on the stairs, as did the Iron Man suit's feet.
Tony quickly let go of the bar and turned to face her.
"This is a new level of lame," announced Pepper as Dummy offered her a plate of food, which she pushed aside. "You ate without me? On date night?"
Tony gestured to his Iron Man suit. "He was just –"
"You mean you," said Pepper.
The suit came over to stand between Pepper and Bella. Okay…creepy.
"I just mean we were just… just hosting you. While I finished up a little work."
Pepper and Bella sighed simultaneously.
Tony took a deep breath. "Look, I'm sorry. It's just… nothing's been the same since New York."
"Oh, really? Wow, I didn't notice that," said Pepper. "At all."
"You experience things, and then they're over and you still can't explain them? Aliens, other dimensions, I'm just a man in a can. The only reason I haven't cracked up is you. And Izzy. I love you both. But, honey? I can't sleep. I do what I know. I tinker. The threat is immanent, and I have to protect the two things I can't live without. That's you and Izzy. And my suits, they're, uh…"
"Machines," offered Pepper.
"They're part of me," said Tony.
"A distraction."
"Maybe."
"What threat?" asked Bella.
Tony stared. "Haven't you been watching TV?"
"No. I've been working on projects so much I haven't had time."
"The Mandarin," said Tony. "He's been appearing on the news. Every time he does, he has something blown up." Tony turned on the TV. "Here. You watch it. I'm going to take a shower and go to bed."
He walked up the stairs.
"Well, looks like date night's canceled," said Pepper. "I'll just go."
Bella hated watching the news. All they ever seemed to talk about was debt, death, and other depressing things. She had an especial loathing for pieces on terrorist attacks, mainly because it reminded her of the ones she'd seen that her own weapons designs had been behind.
The Mandarin dressed in a Chinese robe and would randomly appear on TV, with some new horror to announce. His appearance would be preceded by a logo containing ten rings. Ten Rings… the terrorists Bella had worked for. She prayed he didn't know about her.
And how was the America government dealing with this threat? By giving the Iron Man suit belonging Colonel Rhodes, a friend of Tony's, a paint job. Instead of War Machine, his suit would be red, white, and blue, and he would be called the Iron Patriot. Bella somehow doubted that would do any good. She eventually couldn't take it any more and turned the TV off and sat, staring at the dark screen.
Where was S.H.I.E.L.D. in all this? Or the rest of the Avengers? And why hadn't Pepper or JARVIS, who surely must have heard something about it, told them?
"Miss Stark, there is an incoming call from Agent Barton."
Bella sat up. "Put him through."
"Hey, Bella," said Barton "How are things at Stark's?"
"The way they always are. What do you know about the Mandarin?" She hesitated. "Have you noticed the Ten Rings emblem at the beginning of each broadcast? Are you actually allowed to tell me if you have?"
"Yes, we have noticed. You probably wouldn't believe me if I said we hadn't. We've got nothing else, though. And… did you just find out about the Mandarin now?"
"I haven't watched the news or been on the internet in months, okay? No one told me!" Bella groaned in frustration. Then something occurred to her. "How'd you know I was even awake? It's two in the morning." Silence. Bella sensed she already knew the answer. "Barton?"
"We have an agent monitoring the house. You know, because of your connection to the Ten Rings and the Mandarin's appearance."
Bella wasn't sure whether she should be grateful or somewhat annoyed that they were being watched.
"Miss Stark?" It was JARVIS's voice. "I hate to disturb you, but something seems to be wrong with Mr. Stark."
"Agent Barton? I'm going to have to call you back."