Pepper Potts' On A Mission
One cannot say when it happened, or who it was initially directed at, but Pepper Potts was furious. Her heels could be heard clicking heavily down the hall of her floor as she fumes. The latest meeting forgotten, the newest portfolio gripped tightly in her hand, unread. Angry thoughts of homicide running through her mind. And only one man can incite this reaction, her husband, Tony Stark.
Pepper had forbidden the man from wearing his suit for the next week as it was their anniversary week. They were supposed to be in their private jet on their way to their private island in the Caribbean. But…No! Tony had to suit up, and for what? For what?
Pepper slowed her steps and took a deep breath, "JARVIS?" "Yes, Miss Potts," The AI answered. "Where is Tony?" Pepper set down the portfolio and shook out her hand. "Iron Man is currently in Sokovia with most of the Avengers, along with some Supernaturals," JARVIS replied. "Supernaturals?" Pepper wondered. "Yes, Mrs. Barnes' family are assisting in taking down Hydra, as well as the Red Room. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are recuperating in Wakanda." "Thank you, JARVIS," Pepper plopped into her seat in a very unladylike manner.
She opened the portfolio and found it was a report from Clint and Natasha in regards to a school for the supernatural. They propose that SI sponsors the school to keep it out of SHIELDs' hands. She read through the report and realized the two spies were right. Pepper sighed, closed the report, and rubbed her temples. She got up from her desk and moved to leave her office. Pepper was going to go pack a small bag, "JARVIS, alert Happy and have our private jet ready for take-off to the closest airport to Mystic Falls, Virginia." "Right away, Miss Potts," JARVIS happily obliged.
Soon, Happy and Pepper arrived at the Salvatore Boarding School for the Gifted. Pepper noted, "Beautiful. It's very welcoming." Happy agreed, "It is. Tony spoke about it briefly. That new intern for next year is studying here." Pepper looked at Happy, "The one that hacked into Tony's vid-con?" "That's the one," Happy held the door open. Since their visit was unscheduled there was no adult to meet them.
Happy stopped the first kid that crossed their path, "Excuse me? We're looking for Caroline Forbes-Salvatore? Can you direct us to her office?" The little boy nodded excitedly, "Yes, sir. It's right this way." Pepper and Happy followed the little boy up the stairs and to the door marked 'Admin Office'. Pepper smiled, "Thank you." Happy knocked on the door.
A feminine voice says, "Enter." Happy and Pepper enter the room and approach Caroline at her desk. She stood to meet the guests, "Hello, how may I help you?" Pepper introduced herself, "Hi, I'm Pepper Potts and this is Happy Hogan. We're with Stark Industries. I believe you met my husband and his band of misfits." Both Happy and Caroline snickered at that. "Yes, we did. Alaric met them first and spoke with Mr Stark about Landon and his recent hacking incident. Is this pertaining to that? Please, have a seat." Caroline moved around her desk and sat back down.
Pepper and Happy took a seat as well. Pepper cleared her throat, "No, not entirely. We're here to put it bluntly, make sure Nick Fury and SHIELD don't try to recruit your students. And that is putting it nicely." "I see. So, we're on the government's radar now?" Caroline was smarter than she looked. Happy answered, "Supernaturals have been on not just SHIELD's radar since Mrs. Barnes had been taken into the Red Room 15 years ago. Hydra had been looking into Supernaturals since their conception, but capture was futile until Mrs. Barnes." Caroline slumped into her seat, "So, what should be done?"
Pepper brought out the contract she wrote on the jet, "Stark Industries would like to sponsor the school. Through these channels we would be legally able to contribute to the children's safety. It would provide a means for us to establish extra security measures without being called into question. It's worded in a way that Stark Industries has first rights to any graduates that may want to intern with us. And even if they don't SI can provide resources to point those who deny the internship in the right direction. Full background checks and disclosures from other offers will have to be cited before the graduate can make a decision to also ensure their safety. It may seem like a violation of privacy but as of right now, we don't know how deep Hydra or even SHIELD goes."
Happy could see Caroline was getting anxious, "The decision doesn't have to be made right away. We just want to be aware of the possibility of your students being recruited. On a side note, the Avengers and some supernaturals are tracking down Hydra as we speak. Unfortunately, they do live up to their namesake so it will take time. Director Fury has been combing through SHIELD but that also will take time. We have found several Hydra agents working within SHIELD and have removed most of them but there are probably others."
Caroline sat forward, "So, let me get this straight? You want to sponsor the school so you can first dibs on the graduates while also protecting them from evil, maniacal types that are probably plotting to take over the world?" Pepper couldn't help but giggle, "Well, when you put it like that it sounds like the plot of a cheeky spy movie. But essentially yes. Tony, Clint, Natasha, and some others saw what some of these kids are capable of and in the wrong hands…" Caroline sighed, "Yeah, I hear you. It's just a lot to take in."
She paused for a moment, "I'll speak with Alaric, Stefan, Damon, and the professors and see what their opinion is on the matter. I already know Damon and a few of our professors will want to throw it out the window because they're paranoid like that. I'll work with them. I really don't see too many negatives. Is there a way I can contact you directly?" The three of them stood. Pepper handed Caroline a card, "This is my personal cell and email. You can contact me when a decision is made. Also, feel free to contact me if a guy in an overcoat with an eye patch shows up. I'll make sure he knows to go through me if he wants to step foot on this campus." Caroline smirked, "You speaking as if I already said yes." Pepper gave a half-smile, "No, but he won't know that, now, will he?"
Caroline asked them, "Since you're here, would you like a tour?" Pepper and Happy had a silent conversation before they nodded. "Great, follow me. It's actually close to the end of the school day, so you'll be able to see some of the classes in session," Caroline led them through the school. Happy seemed to note the boys in the gym playing an intense game of basketball, "Do the kids get enough of a workout?" Caroline stood next to him with Pepper on her other side, "Most of them are werewolves who triggered their curse. They try to expend as much energy as possible throughout the day to keep from having outbursts. Most suffer from severe anger issues. The sports help to a certain extent." Pepper made a note for more advanced gym equipment that can handle something as strong as Steve, maybe stronger.
Throughout the tour, Pepper kept making notes of things she could suggest making improvements on. She will speak to Tony about everything after they start sponsoring the school. Pepper has a feeling they'll say yes, if only for the extra protection. The tour concluded in the library. The shelves were filled to the brim with books. A few tables scattered throughout with somewhat comfortable chairs. Again, Pepper taking notes on what SI can do to improve the school. She even made notes about the werewolf cellars.
Caroline stopped in front of the glass cases that held her husband's journals, "These are what truly inspired Stefan and I to open the school. Everything that happened over a span of 8 years in this town really showed us how uneducated we were when it came to the supernatural world. And we wanted to ensure others wouldn't be so ignorant when they realized there was more out there. The main goal was to help others to learn and adapt so they could live as normal lives as they could, all things considered. You know? Overall, the decision will be up to myself, Alaric, Stefan, and Damon since this was the Salvatore brothers' home before we turned it into a school."
With that, Caroline escorted the two back to the front door where a car was waiting for them courtesy of Happy texting beforehand. They said their goodbyes and Caroline assured Pepper she will be contacting her very soon.
Happy and Pepper drove through the town of Mystic Falls before stopping at the only B&B for the night. Their return flight is in the morning, so they decided to go eat at the Mystic Grill before turning in for the night.
Caroline had gathered all the adults into the dining hall to discuss the contract. She was right about Damon. He scoffed, "How do we know this isn't some ploy to imprison us?" Caroline rolled her eyes, "It's not, Damon. That's what SI wants to prevent. By sponsoring the school, they will be able to amp up the security as well as offer the students good jobs within SI." Alaric noted that Caroline seemed excited, "You seem like you're already on board?" She nodded, "Mostly. It was the fact that SHIELD, and Hydra already know about us. They have ever since Hayley opened her big fat mouth."
Damon smirked, "You still hate the bitch?" Caroline scoffed, "With a passion. She sold her daughter then sold us all out when she pointed Hydra in the direction of the Originals. We're all at risk here. Even you, Damon. Human or not. Because you were a vampire but now, you're not." A darkened expression crossed Damon's face as the memories from Augustine came up, "Yeah, I know what that's like." He sighed, "Alright, I'll bite. What do we get out of it?"
Caroline smiled and went over everything in the contract then said, "I also noticed Pepper taking notes about improvements around the school." "Like what?" Stefan asked. "Like…better gym equipment that can withstand the abuse from angry werewolves. Remodeling a few of the classrooms, as well as more comfortable furniture for the library. Even possible reinforcements of the werewolf cells. Pepper is the main representative we'd be dealing with. She is the CEO of SI. Mr. Tony Stark is just the face and money, but Pepper Potts is the one truly running the place." "How did Miss Potts come to know about the school?" Stefan asked his wife.
Alaric answered first, "Well, Landon Kirby had hacked into Mr. Stark's private vid-con to connect him with Hope. Mr. Stark, Steve Rogers, Clint Barton, Natasha Romanov, and Thor came to my office when Hope returned to school. Loki, and Frigga joined them for the tour. That is also how the twins ended up on Asgard. Turns out, Lizzie and Josie were unawakened Valkyrie. Since that changed their status from human to Valkyrie, they no longer have to worry about the Merger." Stefan was relieved when Caroline first told him that, but he was also saddened that they had to leave. Damon thought it was awesome and wanted to hear all about Asgard when they returned. Caroline looked over at everyone seated, "So? Are we saying yes?" Everyone either nodded or verbally said, "Yes."
Only a few hours after returning to SI, Pepper received an excited call from Caroline. They have agreed to be sponsored and will welcome SI and whatever changes they wish to make. Pepper had JARVIS draw up the official contract and sent it directly to the school's fax. It was signed and notarized before lunchtime. Caroline was shocked at how fast everything went through. Pepper made arrangements for SI to start renovating and installing their security measures to start before the end of the week. She made a note to inform Tony of their newly acquired school upon his return home.
The staff, professors, and students at the Salvatore Boarding School for the Gifted were excited about the new changes, as well as the precautions taken to ensure their safety while attending school. The older students were even more excited about the opportunities that await them after graduation. One particular student felt she was part of this evolution of the school since it started because of her twin. Hope kept quiet as everything happened around her. She couldn't help but feel proud that her twin initiated this change in her life. In the life of her friends and fellow students. Hope will make sure to tell Lily how she helped keep the students of the Salvatore Boarding School safe.
AN: This story will not be much longer. There will be NO Thanos but there may be somebody else from space. We shall see.