"Are you sure this is going to work?" Scott Lang asks.
"No, that's why we're conducting a test." Tony replies.
"I understand that, but does it have to be a live test?" She asks. "Can't we send one of your AI suits, or a camera, or something."
"In most cases we could," Tony responds, "but all of those would require some form of remote access, which unfortunately does not exist across time and space."
"What I am trying to say is, why does it have to be me?" She inquires. "Can't we send a monkey, or... or..." she thinks about it for a moment. "Maybe not a monkey. Why would I want to do that to a poor monkey?"
"Sending animals into the unknown would border on unethical legality." Tony answers.
"Where are we even going to get a monkey?" Bruce asks. She is in her female form again, has changed outfits, and is wearing what looks like an oversized lab coat.
"That too." Tony says, pointing a pen at Bruce. "Plus a monkey, even one with a camera, would not have the capability of retrieving definitive data to prove this experiment works?"
Scott has to think about what Tony just said before responding. "And you think I'm capable?"
Tony looks up at Scott skeptically, wondering how serious she is being. While he knows she is definitely more than capable of finding proof, he is suddenly feeling doubtful.
"What if I trip?" Scott asks, earning herself another questioning look from Tony. "In front of a dinosaur? A hungry one?"
"You're not going to see any dinosaurs, Scott." Bruce says. "I don't think Tony is capable of sending you that far back in time, right Tony?"
Bruce and Scott both look toward Tony, who continues to work for a few seconds. After another few moments he looks up and is surprised to see they are actually waiting for an answer. He looks at the mobius strip then back toward the other two, thinking about it for a long moment. Tony chooses to shrug, implying it's possible.
"No, no, no..." Scott begins to whine.
"He's joking." Bruce says, "You're joking, right? Tony?"
Tony looks back toward the screen and starts tapping away. "That's why we have these tests."
Scott raises her eyebrows in disbelief. "I'm gonna get eaten?" She says. "I'm already used to being bite sized, but I'm seriously going to get eaten."
"Tony, are you sure about this?" Bruce asks, with legit concern.
"He's not gonna get eaten." Tony responds. "I am like 99.9% certain he's not gonna get eaten."
"That's a relief." Scott replies.
"I'm not so certain he won't see a dinosaur... or more than likely end up floating around in outer space..."
"What?!" Scott exclaims.
"Time and space is finicky." Tony defends. "The planet is always moving. Timelines overlap and cross. Someone could even be standing in the exact same spot where you materialize.
"Someone could be standing there?!" Scott shouts. "Like, I'd just pop out of them? Birthday cake style?" Scott has to grab the nearest computer terminal to keep her balance. "I can't do this... I can't do this!"
"Relax!" Tony snaps. "I've chosen a place and time where nobody should be around."
"But how do you know?" She asks. "Shouldn't I take a suit of armor or something? Maybe a laser... and an air tank?"
"Tony, she has a point?" Bruce interrupts. "Maybe one of us should go? We'd be safer."
Tony looks down and takes a deep breath while he thinks. He looks back up toward Scott and weighs the options, then looks toward Bruce. "You're right..." Tony tells them putting down his pen. "It should be me."
"What?" Scott asks. "I didn't mean, for you..."
"No, it makes sense." Tony interrupts her. "Bruce and I can defend ourselves, but my armor can still function in space." He presses a few keys and steps away from his computer. "That is the most likely place you'd end up anyway, should this not work." He straightens his shirt. "I should go."
"Tony, are you sure about this?" Bruce asks. "Can't we run a few more tests?"
"No we can't." He replies. "We've only got enough particles for four trips, and there are three of us. That means we only have one chance to test this."
Bruce looks down feeling a little heartbroken at being wrong.
"I'll be fine." Tony says, reaching forward and lightly gripping Bruce's shoulder. "Just make sure you pull me back on time."
"OK..." Bruce says, shyly trying not to smile at his touch.
"I'd also ask if you're sure, but..." Scott looks down to think, "I get the feeling you're tired of that question."
"Yeah." Tony agrees, patting her shoulder too.
"You're going to need these." Ant-man removes her belt and hands it over to Tony along with the two size changing triggers. "Left is to shrink. Right is to grow."
"Right," Tony answers, having memorized it long ago. He turns around and walks toward their equipment. "Okay, I'm going to open the quantum tunnel and pass through." He turns back round. "I want you to wait exactly five minutes, then pull me back out."
"You got it, Tony." Bruce says, moving toward the computer terminal.
"Alright then." Tony activates the quantum tunnel. "See you in five." He activates his suit then presses the shrink button, vanishing from their sight.
"Is it working?" Scott Lang asks, afraid to take her eyes off the tunnel.
"I hope so." Bruce responds.
*** In the quantum realm ***
Tony is shocked by how many colors he is seeing. It surprises him at just how much light surrounds him. The tunnel looks to him like something out of a cheap syfy movie. It occurs to him, under any other circumstances he would be overly excited and eager to learn more. Unfortunately, he was on a mission.
Tony presses a few icons on his suit's wrist, and it points him to where he wants to go. There seems to be a bright opening in the tunnel as if it was expecting him. The fact that it even exists proves beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he was right. He has to refrain from letting excitement control him. He does so by flying through the opening.
*Clank* His metal boots land loudly on the marble tile. He looks around the darkened Avengers compound and realizes it's night time and the lights are off. "Bruce?" Tony calls. "Ms. Lang?"
There is no answer.
"FRIDAY, lights." He says aloud as he deactivates his suit.
"It would seem the power is currently shut off." FRIDAY responds.
Tony looks around and no longer sees the quantum tunnel equipment along with all his recent projects which had been littering the area. It is clear, no one has been here for months. "Access the nearest satellites and check the time and date. Try not to leave any trace of your presence."
"I am showing a discrepancy in my own dates and time." FRIDAY responds. "Online systems say it's 11:12PM eastern time, August 27th, 2017... Happy Anniversary."
"Shit!" Tony says, looking around. "It worked." He starts rummaging through papers on the nearest desk, looking for some piece of concrete evidence. "I have to find something to bring back." After nearly a minute of searching he peers toward the lounge area and spots the damaged Ultron head that had been wandering around the lab. "That should work." He says rushing toward it.
Tony is bending down to pick up the proof when he hears something.
*Pat pat pat* 'footsteps' He wonders. Tony tries to move out of the lab to hide, but chooses the wrong direction to go.
"Tony!" Pepper exclaims loudly.
For a brief moment Tony is certain the experiment had failed. Then it unexpectedly dawns on him. "Pepper! You're a..." Tony's eyes go wide with awe at what he is seeing. "Girl..."
Pepper is looking up at Tony confused. She is wearing one of his T-Shirts, and seemingly nothing else. The pattering Tony heard was her bare feet walking across the tile. She looks up at Tony confused before responding. "And yooou're my husband." She declares placing a finger on his chest. "How did you get dressed so fast?" She asks, turning around, wobbly. "Weren't you still in bed?"
"Yes..." Tony responds, still somewhat confused. "I uh... had to uhm, use the restroom." He points over his shoulder.
"Again?" Pepper asks. "Didn't you just go?" She giggles looking him up and down once more. "Why did you get dressed to use the restroom? You're silly."
"Pepper, what are you doing here?" Tony asks. "And... are you drunk?"
"I'd better be." she says, leaning in and placing her face on his chest. "It's our anniversary."
"I mean, how did you get here here?" Tony is still confused. He has to wrap his arms around her so she doesn't fall. He can't help but feel a sense of longing for her that he has truly missed.
Pepper turns her head to look up toward Tony, while still leaning in on him. Her eyes completely captivate him. "You flew us here?" She half asks, confused at his questions. "Woosh!" she says playfully pointing her palms toward the floor. "It was so cold."
"Flew us?" Tony is somewhat shocked that he does not remember this night. He thinks back and recalls drinking on their anniversary, but not much else. It never occurred to him that him of all people would be hare, let alone Pepper.
"I love you Tony." Pepper mumbles, turning her face into his chest. He feels her hands start to slide under his shirt and wrap around his waist. Her palms and fingers feel very warm on his back, and he can't help but pull her closer.
"I love you too, Pepper." Tony responds, wanting the moment to last much longer. He places his cheek on her head and pulls in her scent.
"I'm so glad I married you." Pepper says, pulling away and trying to look up into his eyes once more. Tony has to crane his neck slightly to see her. He can't help but admire her beauty. "I know I made you wait, but I really love you, Tony."
Tony begins to caress her back with his right hand as his left moves up to caress her face. "The wait was worth every minute." He tells her, with a soft smile.
She reaches up to caress his cheek. "When did you get stubble?" she asks, roughly running her palm across his face. Tony winces and pulls away slightly. "You look like shit." She hiccups.
Tony can't help but laugh.
"I'm sorry..." Pepper replies. "I still love you, even if you smell like motor oil."
"I still love you, too." Tony says, meaning every word, and enjoying her warmth. He can't resist eeling both guilty and not guilty at the same time.
"I hope nothing ever comes between us," Pepper continues "and we stay this happy, forever and ever and ever." She throws her right hand out, gesturing for a long time. Her left hand has to cling to Tony's shirt so she can remain balanced.
Her last words make Tony feel very emotional. "Me too." He replies, not knowing what else to say. Despite her inebriation, Pepper sees the emotion in his eyes.
"I mean it Tony." She tries to reassure him, placing her right hand back on his chest. "I hope nothing ever changes this..." *Hiccup* "What we have."
"It won't." Tony responds, fighting back his emotional secret. "I'll always love you." He leans down and kisses her, not minding the taste of whatever champagne they had that night. The moment lasts for what seems like a lifetime in Tony's mind. He does not want to let her go, knowing full well he is not her Tony.
Pepper's hands begin to caress and wander unexpectedly up and down Tony's back, making it even harder for him to release her. For just a brief moment he thinks she is preparing to let go when suddenly her hands shoot down and she aggressively gropes his butt. One hand on each cheek. Her kiss breaks away just long enough for her to look him in the eyes and joke, "Mine!" She declares.
Tony Stark begins to smile at her playfulness when, *Pop.* He vanishes, leaving Pepper stumbling in the hall alone. She reaches for the nearest computer terminal and manages to regain her balance.
"Tony?" Pepper calls out, standing in the dark, confused. "Tony!" She calls again.
"I'm still over here, Pepper." 2017 Tony, drunkenly calls from another room. "It's not that dark Honey."
"How did you get over there so quickly?" she asks, walking back towards the room. "Wait," she stops, "I still have to go to the bathroom." She turns around once more and continues to her original destination, oblivious of what just transpired.
*** Back to the present ***
"It worked!" Bruce announces. "You're back." she declares with relief. She looks Tony up and down with concern. "Where's your suit?"
Tony squints as his vision adjusts to the bright room. He tries looking around for Pepper, but only sees both Scott and Bruce watching him with hopeful eyes. Despite knowing exactly what happened, he feels very confused.
"Tony... are you alright?" Bruce asks. She steps around the terminal and walks toward him. She reaches out to touch him, but hesitates, looking very concerned. "DID it work?" She asks worriedly.
Tony locks eyes with Bruce and after a long moment nods.
"I can't believe it!" Scott replies, with a relieved breath. "So what next?"
"Next," Tony says, turning toward Scott. "We get the stones." He pauses as he feels a chill go up his spine. "All of them."