For just a moment before you fall, you're weightless. And then it's the wind, your pulse and the adrenaline running from your toes up your neck, and everywhere in between. Grey screamed bloody murder as she fell.

Pepper leaned forward to watch Grey as she fell. The screaming stopped for a few seconds, and Pepper turned to the employee.

"She probably blacked out for a second. It can happen for first timers," he said calmly. Sure enough, Grey's screams returned as the rope bounced her upwards again.

"Well, she asked for ideas on how to get over her fear of heights, this was the best we could come up with," Pepper said as they started lowering Grey to the landing pad. Jim was already down there, hopefully ready to catch Grey if she fainted.

"Should try parasailing. You stay up in the air for longer. It's what my mom did," he said. "You ready?"

Pepper took a deep breath as they clipped her to the rope securely. This wasn't her first time bungee jumping, but she could still feel the coil of fear in her gut. It was never the height she was afraid of. It wasn't the fall that made her palms sweat. It was the fear of crashing.

Grey had given her an out. Said that Pepper could stay on the ground with no judgement, just like Happy. But Pepper knew that she couldn't let Tony do this alone. So, Pepper took a deep breath and didn't think about crashing. She thought about flying, and she stepped off the ledge.

Line Break

"I'm just saying, I think it's stupid," Hope heard before she could knock on the door. "They deposed Pym because they knew he'd never apologize, and he was going to cause their stock to drop."

"It's more likely that there's something else at play here, and someone is using this as cover," the familiar voice of Samantha Kim came. "Give it time, by the end of the week, I'll have their settlement check in hand, and you'll be able to buy a small island."

"I don't want a small island, as lovely as a vacation would be," the other woman said. "I want my father's reputation back to where it was before he dragged our name through the mud."

Hope debated turning on her heel and running away. She'd made the appointment with Kim in a bid to avoid the wrath of Stark's daughter, but it seemed like she was about to come face to face with her anyway. Hope sighed and knocked on the door.

"Yes?" Samantha asked. Hope opened the door. "Ah, Ms. Van Dyne, right on time. We were just discussing your father's company change in leadership. We were surprised to hear of Darren Cross' promotion to CEO, rather than yours."

"Yes, that is the reason I'm here today," Hope explained, taking a seat, keeping an eye on the heiress, trying to see if her overture would be welcome. "I am prepared to renounce my father's words in a press conference this Thursday. My lawyers will be reaching out in regard to my personal settlement."

"The suit against you was an either or, Ms. Van Dyne," Samantha said, frowning softly. "There's no obligation for both."

"You won't get anything from Hank," Hope said, shaking her head. "And Pym Technologies will drag it out for years. I'm offering my personal settlement on behalf of the company. I would ask you accept it and leave the company alone."

Samantha raised her eyebrows in surprise. They had known they would get resistance from Pym Tech, and were prepared to let them stall until their reputation fell apart. That had been the plan from the moment Grey brought up the suggestion of the lawsuits. Samantha looked at Grey.

"We would need to discuss it and get back to you about it," Samantha said, as Hope expected. "You said your conference is slated for Thursday? You'll hear from us by Wednesday morning."

"Thank you, both for your time," Hope said, quickly getting to her feet. She turned back as she reached the door and looked over at Grey. "I truly am sorry, Grey. About Hank, and that Tony is missing. He and I were close as kids."

"We appreciate your thoughts, Hope." Hope left the office and walked down the hall. She hoped they would accept the offer and spare the company. Hank's beliefs had made it as far as they had solely because Tony had never cared. If Grey turned the weight of Stark Industries against Pym Technologies, they wouldn't survive.

Line Break

"I'm awake," Grey insisted as she ran into the room. She smacked against the dining room table, unable to stop in her socks. Her newly brown hair was falling into her eyes as she shook her head. She winced and rubbed her hip. Bucky walked in behind her, bypassing the dining room, and heading to the kitchen to start coffee. "What happened?"

"The Dubai office called. There was a shooting in Pakistan, committed with illegally held Stark Industries weapons. There has been at least eighty-one fatalities, with injuries in the dozens," Pepper explained quickly, throwing up several muted news stations covering the hostage situation that was still ongoing. "Authorities have checked three serial numbers on weapons they've been able to collect. After cross-referencing them with our databases, we can now say that they're weapons that had been marked for destruction. Clearly that didn't happen."

"Okay. We need to immediately release a statement about those weapons," Grey said, rubbing at her forehead. Next to her, Jim suppressed a yawn, propping his head up on his hand. "Jarvis, can you reach out to Jayne and also someone from the PR department, I want a personal statement as well as one from the company."

"Saying what?" Jim questioned. "That we didn't do it, they know that."

Pepper's phone chose that moment to ring. It was Jayne.

"Jarvis said it was urgent, what happened?" Jayne was yawning too, rubbing sleep out of her eyes as she squinted at the screen of her phone.

"There was a shooting with Stark weapons in Pakistan, they shot up a mosque during prayer," Pepper said. "Grey wants a personal and a professional statement released. I know it's early, can you come in?"

"Early, Pepper, it's one thirty in the morning," Jayne bitched, even as her camera tilted, showing her getting out of bed. "Ugh, I'm coming over, and I'm getting ready there, I'll see you in thirty minutes."

Her phone went dark, and everyone turned to Grey, who was holding her coffee mug like it was the only thing keeping her standing.

"Jarvis, take notes for me. We at Stark Industries had no idea these weapons were still intact, let alone in someone's hands. We will expand our investigation to include these weapons." Grey tilted her head, her eyes flicking back and forth as she thought. "We would like to donate some amount of money to cover medical bills for survivors and funeral costs for the casualties. Any other donations will be matched up to some other amount of money, ask someone from finance. I'd also like to make a personal donation directly to the Ahmadiyya Mosque for repairs and renovations, or whatever. Pepper, will you make a personal donation on behalf of my father?"

"Yes, absolutely. We'll release statements through Jayne for us, and what if we reached out to Christine Everhart, you wanted to recruit her, right?"

"Have the PR department release something directly to her, but no contracts yet," Grey said. She finally took a sip of her coffee and sank into a chair. "Jim, reach out to any friends you have in that area, I want to know the serial number for each weapon used in this attack."

"You want to use this against Obadiah," Pepper realized. "You're adding it to his case."

"I want him charged as an accessory to murder for each person killed with an illegal Stark weapon," Grey said, an out of place smile on her face. "Ask Sam if that's possible."

"And we were so close to a long weekend," Pepper mourned, heading to her room to change into better clothes. "I'm sleeping in tomorrow and there's nothing you can do to stop me."

"Tomorrow's my birthday."

"Shit," Pepper cursed. She shook her head and made plans to just move into the mansion. She slept there more than her own condo anyway.

By the time Pepper returned, showered, and dressed, Jayne was falling through the front door, still in her hello kitty pajamas and house slippers.

"I am demanding a guest room if I'm going to be on call 24/7," Jayne said instead of a greeting. Bucky just held out her coffee cup and accepted her bags.

"You can have my room, I'm usually in Grey's anyway," he said with a shrug. "And I'm starting to understand Grey's push for multiple apartments in the New York tower."

"And Happy's decision to have his own space," Jayne mourned. "Lucky bastard. Alright, let's get to work so I can take a nap."

By the time noon rolled around, the family had released four news articles, held a press conference, donated a hundred thousand dollars, and cursed the time difference a dozen times.

"You know all that was completely unnecessary, right?" Pepper asked, leaning over to whisper to Grey as they sat in loungers on their private beach. Most of the family was taking a nap, but Grey and Pepper decided against it. "That shooting, while terrible, wouldn't have affected anything we want to do going forward."

"It's not about that," Grey said, shaking her head. "While tragic, it was a chess move."

"A chess move," Pepper repeated, frowning slightly. She glanced over at Barnes, who was talking with Happy a ways down the beach.

"A mass shooting happened, and we did something about it, therefore, the next time there's a mass shooting, people will look to us to do something about it. Then we might actually be able to do something about it, about gun violence in this fucking country."

"I don't think I know what you're talking about anymore." Grey turned to Pepper in outrage, before her mind caught up. The fight melted out of her, leaving a distraught look in her eyes. Pepper worried. This wasn't the grief of a superhero timeline, this was real trauma, something Grey lived through that had scarred her.

"Because it's still 2010," Grey said softly. "Just wait, because it's going to suck."

"What is?" Pepper was afraid of the answer.

"Watching school shootings become commonplace," Grey sneered, disgusted. "You think Columbine was bad? Psht, half the time people don't even mention Columbine anymore. And there's fuckall I can do about it because I was a stupid kid when they happened, so I don't remember dates. I just remember hearing about another one, then a school assembly. Usually followed by more drills. At least I didn't have to go through ALICE training. That got brutal after Sandy Hook."

"That's why you said that to Sam and Jen," Pepper realized. "You said something about being angry."

"If you're not angry, you're not paying attention. I saw it on a protest sign during the March for Our Lives a few years back," Grey said. "Kids held a national walk out in protest after a really bad shooting. I'd already graduated at that point, but mom and I went to support it."

"Aren't you exhausted?" Pepper asked. She thought it was a valid question, considering Grey saw the world as a chess board. "Seeing all these connections, all your chess moves?"

"I don't see the world like that. Not really. It's more like foreshadowing. I know that gun violence is going to be a problem further down the road, so I make moves now, so no one is surprised when we do it later."

"Like with the initiative."

"We get it set up now, we're not scrambling to do it later. It's why all the documents are dated for 2013. Because by then, we'll be expected to exist." Grey paused. "Not to mention the public relations disaster that would happen if we were affiliated with SHIELD when Hydra comes out."

"I still don't see how you're not exhausted."

"Oh, I am, I'm completely dead on my feet. But I can't stop until Dad's back. Then we can take a break until the Expo." Grey yawned until her eyes watered. "And it's a three-day weekend, so we can sleep in Sunday."

"What do you want to do for your birthday?"

"As long as I get to eat my cinnamon rolls for breakfast, I have no fucks to give," Grey said, suppressing another yawn. "Maybe I should take a nap. I'm so fucking tired."

Line Break

Bucky lurked in a dark corner of the conference room as Grey meticulously signed all the paperwork that would give her control of Stark Industries. He kept one eye on Stane, watching the various expressions on his face as he interacted with the board. Three men were in his pocket. A fourth was sympathetic but stood apart.

"She did very well," a different man said as he sidled up to Bucky. "Richard, I sit on the board."

"James," Bucky said. "Personal security, Miss Potts thought it necessary after the attack."

"Terrible thing, that was," Richard said. "Has there been any news on Mister Stark?"

"Not yet. She's hopeful." Grey was always hopeful, even when she was falling apart. It was the best thing about her.

"I knew Howard," Richard said. "He appointed me back in '86. I knew Tony too. He's been taken before. Twice escaped on his own, he can do it again, I have faith. Ah, seems they're ready for the photo. Nice meeting you James."

Bucky watched the men gather around Grey as a photographer took several shots of Grey shaking Stane's hand. He watched as Grey lost her smile, then spun on her heel and smacked the man standing behind her. Happy, across the room, gestured for Bucky to do something before sticking his head out the door and shouting for more security.

"I don't give a flying fuck what you assume, you put your hand on my ass. No, I don't particularly care that you were Obadiah's personal choice for secretary of the board, that behavior is so far from acceptable, you can't even see it anymore." Grey snapped, glaring up at the man with a red handprint on his cheek. The photographer kept taking pictures of Grey in her furious glory, until Bucky stepped up and placed a hand on Grey's shoulder. Happy came back with three additional security guards, who immediately bracketed the man. "Let's make sure this man is fired effective immediately. I want all his security access revoked and him banned from not only future employment at Stark Industries, but also all of our properties. Let's get him escorted up to his office to clear it out, okay? Oh, and if you could make sure he goes out through the back."

Bucky marveled at how quick Grey could pivot, from indignant heiress to the person in charge, without a stutter or a pause. Pepper stepped in and took charge, calling for legal to meet the offender at the front doors with his termination paperwork, and IT to ensure he loses his access to anything he might have had.

"Are you okay?" Bucky asked, looking at Grey while smothering the urge to check her for injuries. Or worse, storm after the man and throw him out the window. The conference room was only on the second floor; he would survive.

"The fucking audacity men have. He literally just watched me become CEO and he still thought it was okay to grab my ass? Jesus fucking Christ, men have no respect anymore." Grey seethed for a moment before looking up at Bucky. "No offense."

"How's your hand?" Pepper asked as she walked over. The conference room had been cleared, the board scattering as Happy tore into Obadiah for letting the offender on the board.

"Stings like a motherfucker," Grey said, holding it up. Her palm was still red from where she smacked him. "Still, I smacked him good. Bet you he'll remember to respect women now."

"That's Harold, all the women in his department call him Handsy Harry. I should've warned you," Pepper said. "Still, it'll be good to replace him as head of the engineering department."

"First, we will be going through all the complaints to HR about any person in my company laying hands on another. I will not tolerate this type of workplace hostility," Grey said sternly. "Need to add that to my to-do list anyway, lump that in with the handbook. Is there anything else? Oh, and add his association to Stane's file."

"Richard might be worth watching," Bucky said, surprising Pepper. "He sought me out, made it a point to speak with me. I think he could be an ally."

"Richard's been on the board since Howard was in charge. I'll make a note of it," Pepper promised. "Are you ready to face the press? We can't skip this, not even for Harold's actions."

"Honestly, as long as no one else grabs my ass today, I'll be fine," Grey said, rolling her eyes. She led the way down the hall to the elevator, absently checking her makeup in a compact.

Bucky stood out of the view of the cameras and watched as Grey confidently announced her promotion to CEO of her father's company. She spoke of her ideas to expand the company, and her willingness to listen to what her employees had to say. As she spoke, Bucky watched the press, and the crowd. Jayne sat up front, asking scripted questions anytime Grey veered off topic, or got asked something they didn't want to fully answer.

"For however long Stark Industries will have me, I will lead with integrity, accountability, and transparency. Thank you," Grey said, smiling at the cameras for a moment before walking off the stage. "Can we go through a Wendy's? I'm starving."

"You did good, kid," Happy said as he walked over, Pepper on his heels. They bracketed her, Bucky falling into step behind them. "Yes, we can hit Wendy's. Robbins is bringing Jayne home once she's done here."

"We need to hire a chef for the house," Grey said, flipping through a notepad that might have been one really long list. "Because I'm starting to get sick of take-out. I'll have Jarvis get us a short list. Do we have a schedule this week?"

"Tomorrow we're doing the official rounds at the downtown offices, and then we're touring the research labs in Pasadena in the afternoon. Cynthia is coming to dress you for that as well," Pepper said, checking her tablet. It felt similar to all the times she did this with Tony.

"I love that woman, but I miss the days when I could just wear sneakers," Grey mourned, glancing down at the platform heels she was wearing. Bucky moved around them to open the doors at the front of the building. More press was gathered out front, those after different stories. Bucky moved around them as well, expertly keeping his face hidden from the cameras. No one said anything until they were safely in the car and on road. "At least she lets me wear block heels, my leg couldn't handle it if I had to wear stilettos."

"I might join you on that, they look more comfortable than my Louboutin's," Pepper agreed. "But, back on topic, Thursday there's a dinner with several business partners, we're to reassure them that the change in leadership doesn't automatically mean a change in partnership. You will not offend these people at this dinner."

"Pepper-"

"No. If you hate them, if they're Hydra, if they're whatever, you will be their best friend during the meal. You can wreak havoc on Friday, but you will not ruin this dinner." Grey raised her hands in surrender with wide eyes. Pepper could be scary when she wanted to be.

"Okay, besties, promise. Even if someone grabs my ass again?" Grey cracked a smile, causing Pepper to break.

"I'll give you that one," Pepper conceded. "I can't believe he thought he would get away with it."

"If they can get away with it once, they'll think they can do it again. The fact that he wasn't fired after the first offense means that someone in my company is hiding more than illegal weapons," Grey said with a grimace. "Once dad's home, we're shaking this company and knocking all the bad apples out. I'm thinking it's time we act like Howard did."

"You want to privatize Stark Industries?" Pepper asked, shocked. That move was still talked about by financial critics. "Won't that be an actual disaster?"

"We currently have to run every decision through the board. When we suspend the weapons program, they're going to overturn it within 48 hours. So, we buy them all out. Divvy it up amongst the family, so we are the board. Like in Grey's Anatomy!"

"That doesn't happen in Grey's Anatomy," Pepper pointed out. Grey looked at her like she was stupid before smacking herself on the head.

"Not yet anyway," Grey pointed out. "Anyway, if we run the company, we have more freedom, and we won't have to fight tooth and nail for the Avengers Initiative."

"We'll discuss it, later," Pepper said, shaking her head lightly. "Much later."

Line Break

Stark Industries Embraces Change Under Margaret Stark's Vision

Jayne Vittori, Stark Industries

1 June 2010

In the wake of Tony Stark's abduction in Afghanistan, Stark Industries finds itself navigating a tumultuous period, yet the company remains steadfast under the leadership of his 19-year-old daughter, Margaret Stark. As she takes the reins during this challenging time, Margaret embodies hope and resilience, steadfast in her belief that her father will return.

Stark Industries has long been recognized for its pioneering spirit in technology and engineering, expanding from its roots as a family business founded by Howard Stark. Under Tony's leadership, the company evolved into a global powerhouse, and Margaret is determined to honor his legacy while propelling the company toward a new era of innovation.

"I have no doubt that my father will come back," Margaret stated with unwavering conviction. "He's a fighter, and he's always believed in turning challenges into opportunities. We will continue his work here, and I'm committed to making sure Stark Industries reflects his vision."

While the company has been known for its defense contracts and advancements in weaponry, Margaret is looking to guide Stark Industries in a direction that emphasizes technological advancement for the greater good. "We have a chance to explore avenues that prioritize safety and sustainability," she remarked, hinting at potential initiatives aimed at renewable energy and community-focused technology. "The world is changing, and we must adapt."

Margaret's vision includes expanding the company's focus beyond traditional sectors. Insiders suggest that she is keen on exploring innovative projects in renewable energy, healthcare technology, and advanced robotics—all areas that align with her desire to foster positive change in the world.

Though navigating this transition without her father is no easy task, Margaret draws strength from her family's legacy. "We've always been a family-oriented company, and that's not going to change," she emphasized. "I want every employee to feel valued and part of something bigger. Together, we can innovate and create solutions that benefit everyone."

As the company prepares for the road ahead, Margaret's leadership stands as a testament to her belief in resilience and progress. Her faith in Tony's return serves as a rallying point for the team, igniting a renewed sense of purpose.

As Stark Industries enters this pivotal chapter, one thing is clear: Margaret Stark is ready to lead with a vision that honors her father while charting a course toward a brighter future. With her at the helm, the company is set not only to survive this tumultuous time but to thrive, reflecting the core values of integrity, innovation, and hope that define the Stark legacy.

Line Break

"Nice article," Bucky said to Jayne as she walked in. He was reading the newspaper on the couch, the newspaper filled with articles celebrating and criticizing the decision to put Grey as CEO. "How much coaching did you have to do to get those quotes?"

"Only a little. She wanted to put something in there about the different eras of the company, and how hers was different."

"I don't follow."

"Howard made the company into a national, multimillion dollar company. Tony made it an international, multibillion dollar company. Grey said hers is going to be an intergalactic multitrillion dollar company."

"Is that why she complained to me that you hit her?" Bucky asked, entirely too amused.

"Oh, please, I hit her with a magazine."

"Uh, yeah, and it hurt," Grey said, walking in on trembling legs. "Also, parasailing is terrifying. I hate heights and I'm going to hate every moment of whatever other torture Pepper has planned for me."

She flopped onto the couch next to Bucky and pouted.

"You're terrified of heights, and you still plan on joining Tony in the suits?" Bucky asked softly while Jayne and Pepper left for the kitchen.

"Well, yeah. He's my dad, I'm not letting him do this alone. It's why Pepper and I have started going for morning runs, despite how much running fuckin' hurts." Just the thought of it made Grey rub at her leg. Bucky had noticed her doing that a lot. He wanted to ask but was unsure of the best way. Grey continued on, unaware of his worried thoughts. "It's why I asked Pepper to find me ways to get over it. Or at least get it so I stop blacking out mid-fall. Are you still going to work with Happy on Tuesday? Pepper and I are going to be holed up in the office all day so you'd likely be bored, hanging around."

"Yeah, Hogan wants to get a jump on how we're going to increase security once you approve the budget increase," Bucky said, drawing Grey to his side. She melted against his side, and Bucky realized that she wasn't afraid of what he could do, what he had done. He swallowed roughly but tried not to react. "He's asked me to see all the ways people could break in or steal something. I think it's going to be fun. He's confident his security is good enough, but I already know seven different ways in the building without being detected."

"Didn't you two do this same thing with the house after the… after?" Grey asked, still unable to fully talk about the attack. Pepper had set her up with a therapist within 24 hours and had even found one for Bucky. They both had sessions once a week.

"Yes, but I don't think we'll use the same laser fencing, it was expensive," Bucky said so casually it took Grey a moment to realize what he said. When she pulled back to look up at him, he laughed, a full laugh that made Grey melt. They stayed on the couch for a few hours, just enjoying the peace.

Line Break

Bucky was finally starting to adjust. It took a month of therapy before he felt he was safe enough to teach the girls the basics of self-defense.

"I want to see what you know how to do, whether by previous training or instinct, got it? I'm going to come at you, slower than people normally would, but using the same techniques Hydra would." He looked relaxed, wearing sweatpants and a short sleeve shirt. Grey and Pepper were in shorts and t-shirts. "Pepper, you first?"

Bucky waited until she was ready and swiped at her. Pepper ducked under the arm and attempted to hit him, but he side stepped her, taking another swing. He caught her on the shoulder and twisted, causing her to flip, and they both landed on the mats.

"Not bad. Jim, walk her through the basics of getting out of a grab, would you? She's got the build for judo." Pepper climbed to her feet and sighed.

"I took two years of self-defense classes when I moved to LA," Pepper sighed. "Clearly I didn't do enough."

"Self-defense is great if you're getting mugged downtown. Hydra is going to come at you with everything they have or die trying."

"Literally, since most of them come prepacked with cyanide capsules in their teeth, cheekbones, wherever else," Grey grumbled. "Personally, I'd keep it in my wrist. Less likely to be found, and easy to activate with cuffs."

"You scare me so much sometimes," Pepper said, crossing the room to stand with Jim. "But it'll be nice to watch Bucky make a fool of you."

"Oh, I'm sure this is going to suck for me," Grey said, sauntering up to Bucky and winking at him playfully.

Bucky looked at her and Grey planted her feet, not wanting to get knocked completely back. He took the same wide swing at her that he used against Pepper, but Grey didn't duck. She tossed both her arms up to block his swing with her forearms. In one move, Grey cross stepped into Bucky's personal space and used her right elbow to smack him in the face, then quickly followed up with a left jab that even she could tell was weak. It gave her just enough room to step back and get her right foot up and kick him backwards. Bucky took a step back, likely more in surprise than by force.

"How the fuck did you do that?" Pepper shrieked, looking over in surprise. Grey shrugged, just as surprised.

"Think you can do that with any sort of regularity?" Bucky asked, impressed. "We need to work on your left though, that was terrible."

"Even I could tell that sucked," Grey said looking at her left elbow with a pout. "You're about to make me do so much work, aren't you?"

"I'm not apologizing for it either," Bucky said, shrugging.

"Are we gonna have to do this once a week?" Grey asked from her spot, face down on the floor of the living room. Her hair was still wet from her shower, and Bucky was helping her by balancing an ice pack on the back of her left knee. "I don't think I can handle this once a week."

"We're doing this four times a week, sorry, Grey," Bucky said softly. "It's the best way to get a crash course."

"You mean it's the best way to learn the most assassin shit before dad gets back?" Grey asked the rug under her. Pepper came in, freshly showered, but wearing casual clothes, instead of ones for the office. It had become a work from home day. "I need to stop having ideas."

"It's not that bad," Pepper said, as she gingerly sat in her armchair. "Okay, maybe it is. Judo hurts."

"Only until you learn how to properly fall," Bucky assured. "We'll do that too; I hadn't expected a successful throw this fast."

"Rude," Grey exclaimed. "If I can singlehandedly move a queen-sized mattress from a box truck to the bedroom, I can throw Pepper, she's stick thin."

"Rude," Pepper replied. "We should probably start doing yoga in the evenings, stretch, loosen up some."

"On the beach or no deal," Grey grumbled. She finally propped her head up on her hand, looking up at Pepper. "If I'm going to get my ass kicked every morning, we're doing beach yoga."

"I'll order you a yoga mat," Pepper said, leaning back in the chair. "Oh, don't forget, we have the shareholder's meeting tomorrow and I need you to put in an appearance. Tony never showed up, and they're putty in Stane's hands. If you're serious about buying all them out, you gotta show up."

"Awh. Remind me why I can't make you CEO pro-tem?"

"Because they won't listen to me unless Tony gives me the job. The only reason the board hasn't voted you out is because Tony's fatality clause will protect you in the eyes of the public," Pepper explained. "Moving against you is political suicide. If you appoint me, it's open season on us both."

"And then dad doesn't have a company to come back to, right, yes, I know."

Line Break

"What the fuck?" Grey hissed, staring at the tablet in front of her in something that might have been shock, maybe horror, or some extreme form of confusion. "What the actual fuck is this?"

"Grey, are you okay?" Pepper asked, looking up from her own tablet.

"Fuckin' no?" Grey said, pulling back from the tablet and squinting at it. "I think someone in finance made a mistake with a decimal."

Grey passed the tablet over to Pepper, who looked at it. It was a deposit notification, showing Grey's first paycheck as a CEO.

"You're right, there is a mistake - did you accept a lower salary than Tony had?"

"Lower?" Grey shrieked, her hand over her heart. "You mean that's, that-that-that amount is less than what dad made? Oh, oh! That's my salary for the month, then, right? Still kinda high, I would think, but sure, okay."

"Grey, this is just your biweekly paycheck. It's less than what Tony got each check, but that might be down to your benefits or 401k deduction."

"That's not a mistake? It's not supposed to be like, just six thousand?"

Pepper laughed, and Grey felt her confusion deepen. Pepper said, "Grey, it's your biweekly check, standard tax deductions, with twenty percent heading for your 401k. Which I'm still not entirely sure why you set up."

"What the fuck is my salary then? If I'm getting sixty-three thousand dollars every other week? That's like... that's so much money I can't even do that math!"

"Based on current tax information, and knowledge that she is saving twenty percent for her retirement account, Miss Stark is making roughly four point six million dollars per annum," Jarvis said. Grey choked on her water, spitting it as she coughed and sputtered, staring at Pepper.

"That's so much money, oh fuck. What the hell do I even do with all that money? Now I know why dad has so many cars. You can buy a car every other week! Jesus fucking Christ!"

"You're the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company, what were you expecting?"

"I dunno, a hundred grand a year maybe? Two if I felt like being greedy." Grey stood up, still staring at Pepper like she'd grown horns.

"You thought you'd make only two hundred thousand dollars a year?" Pepper asked, trying her best to keep a straight face. Fortunately for her, Jim and Bucky chose that moment to come up from the shooting range in the basement. "Jim, Grey expected to only make two hundred thousand dollars a year, as CEO of Stark Industries."

"Seriously?" Jim asked, looking at Grey in amusement. "Grey, Pepper makes over a million as Tony's PA. Tony made like five million a year for his own salary."

"I'm setting up a charity," Grey said flatly, climbing to her feet. She yanked her tablet out of Pepper's hands, ignoring the cackling laughter. "Fuck all y'all, that's too much money."

Jim and Pepper laughed as Grey stalked away, shaking her head as she did.

"Just wait until she figures out what she makes on top of that," Jim said conspiratorially, as he accepted a bottle of water from Bucky.

"Shouldn't she be used to having that much money?" Bucky asked. Panic flared through Pepper and Jim.

"Having that much money and being paid that much money are two very different things," Jim said calmly, despite feeling anything but. "Besides, Grey worked a receptionist job in college and was only making eleven an hour. That's not even twenty-three grand a year."

"That's a really good pay raise," Bucky said, understanding Grey's reaction more. "Most women in the forties only made a grand a year."

"Oh, Jim, are you coming base jumping with us tomorrow?" Pepper asked. "It's our last attempt to get over the fear of heights."

"Pepper, I've parachuted out of at least a dozen planes or helicopters in my career. I'm not afraid of heights," Jim said, pretending to be scornful.

"So, you don't want to come?" Pepper asked, pretending to be suspicious.

"Nah, I'm down," Jim said. He settled down opposite Pepper in the living room, reaching for his paperback. "Base-jumping is fun. An old unit of mine all went together. Thought Sanchez was going to piss his pants."

Bucky excused himself to check on Grey, and Pepper and Jim returned to their own things, Jim reading his book, and Pepper checking her emails.

"Tony's going to be okay," Jim said, breaking the silence. Pepper looked up at him with a soft expression.

"What happened to the man that was only barely trusting her?" Pepper asked, half teasing, half wondering what had changed. Jim wasn't a man easily swayed, so if his trust was no longer begrudging, something had changed his opinion.

"She's been CEO of one of the largest companies in the world and has only done what she's promised. She's listening to her employees. She's making moves to oust and replace people that shouldn't be working at SI, and did you know she reached out to the Teamsters?"

"The union people?" Pepper asked, surprised.

"Yeah. She reached out to a local chapter and asked them to look into her various factories and warehouses. She wanted to make sure they were having their voices heard," Jim said.

"CEOs hate unions," Pepper pointed out.

"Grey's serious about looking after everyone. Not just us, not just the Avengers, or the company as an abstract. Each individual person. No one can fake that."

"I was convinced when she tried to save the man that was sent to kill her," Pepper admitted, recalling the night of the attack. "It was horrible, waking up to gunshots, running to the living room, not a clue what we were walking into. Grey didn't hesitate, just dove to try and stop him from bleeding out. It didn't matter that he was the enemy, or the bad guy, or even a nazi. She saw a man dying and tried to save him."

"Even soldiers struggle with that sometimes, especially if one of ours is hit," Jim said. It went unsaid that it was something he struggled with too.

"Speaking of soldiers, we've got a luncheon with General Morrow on Wednesday, did you want to come? We're going to Sushi Kaneyoshi," Pepper offered.

"They don't do lunch," Jim said. "Unless that's new."

"Grey is putting some of her paycheck to use, is paying the people to come in early. Offered them ten grand each," Pepper chuckled. "The manager said that most of the staff would've done it for half that."

"She's worse than Tony," Jim said fondly. "Sure, I'll come. I haven't had a chance to catch up with Tom in a while."

"Grey's leaking the location to the press, just a heads up."

"Now why the hell would she do that?"

"I'm starting to think she likes to be in the newspaper," Pepper laughed. "Or she's playing chess again, and we're missing something."