Grey, makeup free and freshly showered, slid into the kitchen like a woman on a mission, throwing three lasagnas into two ovens, pulling things out of the refrigerator, and jumping from task to task, mumbling under her breath the whole time. Bucky tried to help and got whacked with a spatula for his efforts. After that, and with the reminder of brunch fresh in their minds, the rest of the family stayed clear, with Jim and Pepper only pitching in to set the table and grab the wine. Happy came up from the garage just as Jayne came in through the front door with ink on her jaw.
"You're a mess," Happy said as a greeting. He pointed to his own face, letting Jayne know where the problem was.
"Well fuck you too," Jayne shot back, tilting her head to see her reflection in a framed picture. She wiped at the ink until it came off on her thumb. "Grey made me scrap my whole first article. Well, technically it was her dad still being alive, but whatever."
"I am very glad to still be alive, so no, not whatever," Tony said as he came around the corner, his hair still wet from his disastrous shower. Jayne's eyes flicked between him and his daughter, astonished by just how much they looked alike. "Tony, nice to meet you."
"Oh, right, yes. Hi, I'm Jayne Vittori, I'm the Iron Family's PR rep, nice to finally meet you in person," Jayne said, waving when she realized Tony wasn't going to shake her hand. "I also moonlight as Grey's personal assistant because as much as I love her, she's useless without someone telling her what to do."
"It was literally one time, Jayne, leave me alone," Grey called from the kitchen. There was a thump, then a clatter, then an, "Oops. Uh, dinner's ready! Jarvis, would you please do the summoning? Jayne, Happy, some help getting this to the table?"
The lights in the house turned blue, and footsteps could be heard coming down the hall. Happy and Jayne went into the kitchen, where Grey was holding a baking sheet of hot garlic bread with her bare hand, trying to balance it with the salad. Happy grabbed an oven mitt, then everything she was carrying.
"You're an idiot, get out of here, go sit down and pour your wine," Happy said, rolling his eyes fondly. Grey walked into the dining room just as Bucky did.
Any other time, watching the giant form of the Winter Soldier attempting to hide behind Grey would've sent Pepper into peals of laughter. However, seeing Tony wanting to hide as well sent every overprotective instinct into gear, and Pepper stepped forward, taking Tony's hand in her own.
"Tony, this is Bucky Barnes, of the Howling Commandos. Grey was able to rescue him from Hydra, and he's been training us in the mornings. He's been staying with us until he's safe from the trigger words," Pepper said. Tony stared at Barnes, who was still half behind Grey, who was carefully keeping a neutral expression, not wanting to sway anyone's free will.
"Heard you helped protect my daughter while I was gone," Tony said finally, running his hands through his hair before sighing. "Thanks for that."
"She ended up protecting me," Bucky said softly. "She's a good shot."
"There's a story there that someone will be telling me during dinner," Tony implored, looking at Grey, rather than Bucky. Tony sighed again and held out his hand. Bucky hesitated, and glanced at Grey, but shook the offered hand before she could reply. "And I'm starving, and this all smells good – shall we eat?"
"Shit, this is good," Pepper exclaimed after her first bite. Grey just looked smug as everyone else dug in.
"Told you," Grey bragged, her face heating up from the praise.
Tony shoved his chair back in horror and practically jumped to his feet to go wrap his arms around Grey. It was over-dramatic and comical, the way he wrapped his arms around her head protectively.
"I can't eat like this, dad," Grey said, through his arms. Despite her protests, she had a small smile on her face at his actions and made no move to dislodge him.
"You took on four, armed, Hydra goons, by yourself, with a handgun? And lived?" Tony gasped, tightening his grip. "I am never leaving you again, absolutely, ever."
"I will stab you," Grey threatened. "Sit down and eat your food."
Tony unwrapped himself from Grey but pressed a kiss to the crown of her head before he walked away.
"Wait, Hydra isn't known."
"Plans were in place to pretend they were the Ten-Rings, taking her to you, rather than getting me back," Bucky said, speaking up for the first time since dinner started. Grey took his hand in hers and placed a kiss to the back of it, proud of him. "Now she won't go anywhere without a weapon."
"I'm a very public figure, with very powerful enemies coming after me," Grey said daintily. "Of course I've taken measures to protect myself."
"Who else carries weapons around daily?" Tony asked. Jim, Pepper, Happy, Grey, and Bucky all pulled a side arm out of somewhere and plopped them on the table. Jayne pulled a combat knife out of her boot and sat it next to her plate. Tony gestured from Jayne to Bucky. "I think she scares me more than you. That's not a knife, that's a sword."
"Just wait until you see the girls spar, then Pepper will scare you the most," Bucky said.
"Pepper should always scare everyone the most," Grey said brightly, taking a sip of her wine. "I've seen her throw Jim, I've seen her throw Bucky, she knocked a filling out of my molar once."
"Miss Potts, are you abusing my only child?" Tony teased; an eyebrow cocked.
"Only when she deserves it," Pepper said without blinking. "Which means she better come prepared tomorrow morning."
"What did I do?" Grey asked, turning to face Pepper, sitting next to her. Pepper was looking at her phone, which didn't help Grey's confusion.
"You said fuck on live TV this afternoon," Pepper said calmly before flipping her phone around so Grey could see the twitter post.
Queen Margaret Stark finally cursed on live TV, and I love her for it. #IWasFuckingRight #TonyStarkReturns #StarkFamily
"Oh, I'm trending on twitter," Grey said softly in surprise. "Awh, they're calling me a queen!"
"Damn well better be," Jayne said petulantly. "Cynthia and I have worked too hard to get you looking like royalty to have it fail. Also, I submitted my article, it's going to run in the New York Times, as well as People."
"I love it when I'm in the news," Grey said dreamily, reaching for the bottle of wine. Bucky grabbed it and refilled her glass for her with a half pour. She gave him a sappy look in thanks. "Feels like a fanfiction of myself."
Line Break
Stark Industries Shifts Focus: A New Era of Clean Energy Begins
Jayne Vittori
07/29/2010
In a bold move that signifies the dawn of a new era for Stark Industries, former CEO Tony Stark gave full support to his daughter Margaret's move away from weapons manufacturing. During an emotional press conference yesterday evening, Tony Stark made his first appearance since his kidnapping on April 26th, almost three months ago. His first order of business? To confirm that Stark Industries will not renew or accept any new weapons contracts. Stark Industries' final weapons contract is set to expire on December 31, 2011.
This decision marks a significant turning point for Stark Industries, a company long known for its innovations in defense technology. Margaret's shift away from arms manufacturing is driven by not only what her father witnessed during his captivity, but also by a commitment Margaret made to find new ways to protect the world. Margaret emphasized that Stark Industries is now focusing on bettering the world through advancements that do not contribute to the arms race, but rather, to a greener, safer future.
"We're moving away from weapons to focus on technology that will benefit everyone," Margaret said. "It's time we use our technology to preserve life and the planet, not endanger it. Stark Industries is committed to becoming a leader in clean energy, and we're starting immediately."
The company has already made significant steps toward this new goal, with plans to power fifty Stark Industries factories with solar energy. Once they've established that, they have plans to work on carbon emissions, to lower the carbon footprint of the industry giant.
This ambitious target is just the beginning of Stark Industries' expansive green energy agenda. The company is set to partner with leading environmental and technology firms to push the boundaries of what is possible in renewable energy. In addition to solar power, insiders confirm that Stark Industries is also exploring wind energy, hydro-electric plans, advanced battery storage, and cutting-edge smart grid technologies that would revolutionize energy consumption worldwide.
Employees from the weapons division will have the opportunity to train and transition into these new areas of the company, ensuring that Stark Industries remains a hub of innovation and employment. "Our workforce has always been our greatest asset, and we're committed to offering them new opportunities within Stark Industries as we enter this exciting new chapter," Margaret said.
For Margaret Stark, the still-new CEO, this transition is personal as well as professional. Speaking at the press conference, Margaret shared her excitement about the direction the company is headed. "We have a responsibility to our planet, and to future generations," she said. "Stark Industries will lead the way in clean energy, just as we led in defense technology. It's a new era for us, and for the world."
The announcement was met with widespread support from environmental groups, as well as the business community, which is eager to see how Stark Industries advanced technologies will shape the future of clean energy.
In addition to Margaret's revolutionary shift, the Stark Expo is set to return in May 2011, celebrating innovation in all her forms. The Expo will feature groundbreaking advancements from across the technology spectrum, giving the world a glimpse into what's next in energy, transportation, healthcare, and beyond.
As Stark Industries turns the page on its defense legacy, its focus on renewable energy signals a monumental shift in how the company, and the world, views the future. From weapons to solar panels, wind farms and beyond, Stark Industries is ready to build a cleaner, brighter tomorrow for everyone.
Stark Industries Bows Out of the Weapons Business: A Bold Move or a Betrayal?
Marsha Smith
07/29/2010
In what can only be described as a shock to the defense industry, Tony Stark has announced that Stark Industries, a company synonymous with American Military strength, will no longer renew its weapons contracts. This decision marks the end of an era for the once-mighty defense contractor, as Stark shifts the company's focus to clean energy – a move that many are hailing as visionary, but others are calling irresponsible and even un-American.
During Margaret Stark's press conference to discuss the investigation into Stark Industries' errant weapons, Tony Stark revealed himself, telling the gathered reporters that with help from the United States Air Force, he'd escaped from his captors, the Ten-Rings. He claimed that he had changed in the three months he was away, and that Stark Industries would now concentrate on green energy and "bettering the planet." While the announcement has drawn applause from environmentalists and tech enthusiasts, many Americans are left wondering; Who will defend our nation now?
For decades, Stark Industries has been a cornerstone of America's defense, providing cutting edge weapons technology to ensure the country's safety. Stark's decision to abandon this crucial role leaves a void that may not be easily filled. With threats from hostile nations and terrorist groups still looming, many are asking if now is the right time for Stark Industries to turn its back on the military. Is the Stark Family putting their personal ideology above the safety of the Unites States?
Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson voiced what many are feeling in the wake of this announcement: "This isn't just a company deciding to go green – it's a company that's built its fortune and reputation on defending this country, now walking away from that responsibility. It's a betrayal."
Carlson's sentiment is shared by a growing number of Americans who are concerned that Stark Industries' exit from the defense industry could weaken the nation's security. Stark's pivot to clean energy, while noble in theory, raises questions about the company's priorities – and whether the family is more interested in pleasing environmentalists than ensuring America remains the strongest military power in the world.
Critics are also pointing out that the timing of this shift is suspicious, coming just as Margaret Stark is getting her feet under her in her new CEO role within the company. Some are speculating that she might not have enough experience as the head of such a large company. Others worry she's letting her emotions get the better of her regarding her father's trying ordeal. The question is, is it fair for the Stark Family to let their personal drama dictate a move that affects national security?
Margaret Stark, Tony's daughter and the current face of Stark Industries, seems to be fully on board with this decision. She spoke at her press conference with idealistic fervor, stating, "We have a responsibility to our planet and to future generations." While Margaret's intentions may seem well-meaning, they reflect a clear departure from the values Stark Industries once stood for: strength, defense, and American might.
Even more telling was the exclusion of Stark Industries COO, Obadiah Stane, a long-time advocate for the company's defense contracts. Stane's suspicious distance only fuels rumors that there may be internal conflicts brewing within the company, as he has been vocal in his support of the newest Jericho defense contracts. Some wonder if Margaret Stark is sidelining those who disagree with her radical new direction.
As the country watches one of its largest defense contractors leave the battlefield, there are legitimate concerns about what this means for the future of America's military dominance. Will Margaret's green energy solutions really provide the same level of protection for the nation, or is this simply a public relations stunt by a family trying to clean up their image?
One thing is certain; this move will not go unnoticed. The Stark name may soon be associated with solar panels and wind farms, but for many Americas, it will also be remembered as the family who walked away from their country when it needed them most.
Tony Stark's Heroic Return: A Stark Family Triumph and a New Path Forward
Christine Everhart
07/29/2010
The world was stunned yesterday evening when Tony Stark made his dramatic return to the public eye, crashing his daughter Margaret's press conference and delivering news many had doubted they would ever hear - he had escaped captivity.
After spending nearly three months in the hands of the Ten Rings, a terrorist group notorious for their dealings with illegal arms, Stark's return is nothing short of miraculous. Rescuing himself in a daring, self-led escape, Tony Stark fought back against his captors – just like his daughter – and destroyed the cache of illegal Stark weapons they held, a symbolic gesture marking the beginning of Stark Industries' new era.
His reappearance came at a pivotal moment for the Stark family and their company, which had just been cleared of any wrongdoing in relation to the distribution of those same weapons to enemy forces. As Tony strode into the conference, Margaret's face lit up with a mixture of shock and vindication. Her first words to him? "I was so fucking right." The raw emotion in her voice was a testament to her belief that her father would return – despite the odds, despite the naysayers.
Margaret Stark, who had taken control of Stark Industries in her father's absence, has consistently maintained her faith in his survival. As Tony stood beside her last night, it was clear that the Starks' bond is more than familial – it's a partnership built on resilience, loyalty, and an unwavering sense of duty to one another.
Their triumph is not just personal; it signals a fundamental shift for Stark Industries. Following his escape, Tony Stark announced that he wholeheartedly supports his daughter's decision to not renew any weapons contracts after their current expiration. By the end of 2011, Stark Industries will no longer produce weapons – instead, the company will shift its focus to clean energy and technology aimed at improving the world.
"This is the right thing to do," Tony declared. "We've seen firsthand the damage that weapons can cause when they fall into the wrong hands. It's time for Stark Industries to lead with responsibility and integrity. We owe it to the future, to our families, and to the world."
For Margaret, this decision aligns with the vision she has held for the company in her father's absence. Since stepping into her role, she has sought to steer Stark Industries toward innovation and sustainability, and Tony's return only reinforces that mission. "Together, we're going to build something better," Margaret added, sharing her father's determination to leave behind the company's weapons-focused legacy.
Not everyone, however, is celebrating this decision. Conservative commentator Sean Hannity voiced strong criticism, reflecting the concerns of those who believe Stark Industries' departure from the defense industry could leave a dangerous voice. "The Starks are abandoning America's military in the name of feel-good green energy. It's a betrayal of the men and women who rely on Stark technology to keep them safe. They're putting ideology over national security, and that's a mistake we'll all pay for," Hannity said.
In stark contrast, liberal pundit Rachel Maddow praised the family's bold new direction, calling it a testament to their sense of duty – not only to the world, but to their family. "This isn't just about walking away from weapons – this is about a father and daughter united by a shared vision of a safer, more sustainable world. It's rare to see such a personal commitment to doing the right thing, even when it means making difficult choices. The Starks are showing us all what true leadership looks like."
The announcement of Stark Industries' fifty solar-powered factories by 2012 underscores their commitment to this new path. The company is aiming to become a global leader in renewable energy, pushing forward technologies that not only power cities, but do so sustainably.
As the Stark family takes this bold step together, their journey is being closely watched by the world. For Tony and Margaret, this is not just about business – it's about setting a new standard for corporate responsibility and redefining the legacy synonymous with strength, but now it's clear: that strength will be measured by the positive change they bring to the world.
Tony Stark's escape is the ultimate victory, but it's also a rebirth – both for him, and the company his father built. As the Starks step into this new chapter, one thing is certain: they'll be doing it side by side, with a shared vision of a brighter future.
The Stark Family's Vision: Turning Tragedy into Technological Revolution
Alice White
The New York Times
07/29/2010
In what could have been a story of tragedy, the Stark family has instead turned personal adversity into an opportunity to reshape the future of both technology and global sustainability. With Tony Stark's miraculous return from captivity at the hands of the Ten Rings and the family's collective decision to steer Stark Industries away from weapons manufacturing, it's clear that this is no ordinary corporate pivot—this is a revolution in the making.
For years, Tony Stark has been lauded as "the futurist," a man whose genius and vision shaped much of the technological landscape, especially in defense. But now, after his harrowing escape and the company's newfound direction, attention is shifting to his daughter, Margaret Stark, who is proving to be just as pivotal in reshaping Stark Industries' future. If her father was the futurist, Margaret would quickly emerge as "the altruist," with a focus on ensuring Stark Industries' innovations serve not just America but the world.
At the family's July 28th press conference, Stark Industries made two groundbreaking announcements. First, the company declared its withdrawal from weapons manufacturing, signaling the end of their defense contracts by the end of 2011. This is not just a change in focus—it's a declaration of a new purpose. Stark Industries, once a cornerstone of global defense, is positioning itself at the forefront of green energy and sustainability. With plans to build 50 solar-powered sites by 2012, the company is poised to lead the charge in renewable energy solutions.
But Margaret Stark's vision doesn't stop there. The surprise unveiling of Stark Industries' new line of smartphones and tablets has sparked excitement across the tech world. With pre-orders available starting July 29th, these devices are expected to compete directly with the giants of Silicon Valley, such as Apple and Microsoft. The development of consumer technology had not been part of the public narrative around Stark Industries, but it's clear now that this is just the beginning. The company may be pivoting away from weapons, but it is charging full steam ahead into the future of tech—innovating in ways that harken back to the technological race of the Space Age.
This combination of sustainability and cutting-edge technology suggests that Stark Industries is entering a new era—one that aims to change the world, not through the power of destruction, but through the power of progress. As Margaret Stark continues to rise as the face of this transformation, it's clear that she is not only driven by the legacy of her father but also by a desire to create a better world. Her leadership, though still in its infancy, shows a determination to push technology toward a brighter and more ethical future.
Analysts speculate that the Stark smartphone and tablet series will be a disruptor in the tech world. Early details suggest these devices will feature advanced AI integration and proprietary Stark Industries technologies previously unseen in consumer products. Some industry insiders are even hinting that Stark's innovation could represent the next leap in personal computing and communication—perhaps a moment of advancement akin to the technological boom seen during the space race.
As the Starks prepare for Stark Expo 2011, scheduled to begin in May, the world waits to see just how far this family's vision will reach. Tony's return is a reminder of their resilience, but Margaret's rising influence signals that the future of Stark Industries is about more than just its past—it's about revolutionizing the future. The shift toward clean energy and technology signals a commitment to not just imagine the world of tomorrow, but to actively build it.
This family, faced with personal and professional crises, is taking their near tragedy and turning it into a triumph of human potential. While many have long dubbed Tony Stark the ultimate visionary, it seems that his daughter Margaret— "the altruist"—is equally determined to create a world where technology serves the people, rather than the battlefield.
With green energy, smart technology, and an ever-expanding sense of responsibility guiding their decisions, the Stark family's revolution is just beginning. The world is watching as the next chapter of Stark Industries unfolds—and there's no telling where this future will take us.
Iron Man
Even though Tony was free from the desert, the girls didn't change their schedules and were up the next morning for their usual six o'clock run on the beach. Tony, who was recovering, and forbidden from work and physical activity until Dr Cho arrived the next day, was waiting for them in the kitchen with water and fruit juice.
"Good morning, ladies, how was your run?"
"I fucking hate cardio," Grey snapped, gritting her teeth and wincing as she sat down stretching her leg out in front of her. Tony recoiled from the venom in her voice, offended and upset, until he saw the tears glimmering in her eyes.
"Hey, what's going on?" Tony asked, his voice softening as he moved to sit near her. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine, it just hurts," Grey said, rolling her eyes and blinking away the tears. She waved him off and surged to her feet, ignoring her drinks. "I'm at the range today, better go."
Grey limped away, rubbing at her right knee. Pepper held up a hand until Grey disappeared down the stairs. She learned the hard way to give Grey some space when she was like that.
"Happy forced her into a few different doctor's appointments after she had a breakdown while you were gone. She'll have to give you the details herself, goodness knows she hasn't given us any." Pepper shook her head with the exasperation of a mother watching her child self-destruct. She was never sure if she wanted to throttle Grey or bundle her up in a hug.
"But you suspect?" Tony asked, worried. Pepper gestured for him to sit down.
"She let it slip to Barnes that she has some form of chronic pain disorder," Pepper said softly, sipping her juice. "And there are suspicions that she has some form of depression."
"Everyone has depression," Tony said shortly, worried and annoyed. Worried that his daughter, his kid was sick and was hiding it. Annoyed that she was hiding it so well, hiding it on purpose. "But I'll talk to her, see if... I'll talk to her."
"It won't go well," Pepper warned. "She damn near bit Jim's head off."
"He was an ass about it, of course she did," Happy said as he walked in, Lyn on his heels, helping him unload groceries. "Lyn, this is Tony, Tony, this is Lyn Hyater, the family chef."
"Nice to finally meet you, Doctor Stark," Lyn said, nodding her head as she unloaded the groceries. "And thank you, for approving new appliances in the kitchen."
"Anything you need to keep feeding us," Tony said, waving away the praise. "And please, call me Tony. You're in charge of keeping me fed, there's no need for formality."
"Grey's right though, we are due on the range today. Tony, you should be fine if you want to come shoot with us. We're thinking of having a contest with the legacies next time they're here – which is likely soon now that you're home – and you will not make us look bad."
"Oh, you did mention they were back, didn't you. Obie isn't gonna like that," Tony said absently. He frowned when he realized what he'd said, then scrunched his face in confusion. "When's the doctor getting here? I wanna go to the lab."
"Tomorrow morning," Pepper assured, reaching over to put her hand on Tony's shoulder.
Line Break
"Tell me why I shouldn't kick you the fuck outta my house," Tony demanded, laying in the makeshift hospital bed they'd set up in the lab so Dr Cho and Hali, her nurse practitioner could check over him. He had wounds on his upper arms and shoulders from the mark one suit, his left arm was still tender from being dislocated and reset incorrectly. The sides of his hands were burnt from insufficient protection while welding.
Grey was sitting next to him, waiting for Dr Cho to return with the supplies she needed to get started. Grey was in sweatpants, wearing an old MIT shirt from Tony's closet. Both father and daughter had bags under their eyes. Tony hadn't slept, unable to, so Grey sat up with him through the night. This was their third version of the same conversation.
"Because you need my help to make sure you stay alive, Pepper needs my help with the company, and I'm CEO, so you need me too," Grey said, trying a different tact. "Plus, the media kind of adores me."
"Your ego is worse than mine," Tony complained.
"By design, yes," Grey said shortly. Regret flashed across her face for the tone she used. "I'm playing a character I can barely maintain, solely to give you a better life, Tony, what do you want from me?"
"I want to not have a battery in my chest," Tony raged, his hand coming up compulsively to tap on the arc reactor. The glow was visible through the shirt he was wearing. "I want to never have been kidnapped!"
Grey forced herself to swallow down the anger that threatened to overpower her. She did not want to remind him that she tried to stop him from doing exactly that. She bit back the four hurtful things that popped into her mind to throw back in Tony's face and tried to change tact.
"What are you really mad about?" Grey asked, pulling a page out of Pepper's book. Pepper was great at helping her manage her own, overwhelming anger.
"He's my godfather," Tony said sadly, crumbling in on himself. "He was the one that had my mom killed. He's behind my dad's death. He's behind my kidnapping. He's, my godfather."
"I know, Tony. Trust me, if there was anything I could do to salvage this…"
"Why do you want him dead?" Tony asked. Grey sighed.
"He pulls the reactor out of your chest and leaves you to die on your couch," she said. Grey could see the scene in her mind, Obadiah using the paralytic device, and some device from hell to pull Tony's heart out of his chest. How quickly Tony went pale. His struggle to get to the other reactor. How he only succeeded because of Rhodey. Unbidden, tears pooled in her eyes, unable to bear the thought any longer.
"He's my godfather," Tony whispered, sounding lost.
"He's the man behind all your misfortune, he's the man behind your parent's death," Grey said gently.
"You brought the man responsible for my parents' deaths," Tony spat, his anger reappearing over his grief. "And for what, some boytoy?"
"James Barnes has been a prisoner of war for sixty years. If you don't think he deserved to be free, you're not the man I thought you were," Grey snarled back, her own anger rising to meet his.
"The man you know is a fictional character, I'm a real man with real feelings and they fucking matter, especially in my own damn house!"
"Shut the fuck up, Stark," Grey said, jumping to her feet. Tony was so surprised, he fell silent, his mouth agape. "You act like it's been a damn picnic here for us, we've been looking for you nonstop, trying to make sure your company doesn't implode when we expose Stane's crimes. We've been fighting against Hydra, who isn't even supposed to be operating openly yet. I killed four men, in your damn house."
"Men that were after you, because of your actions."
"I did the right thing," Grey snarled, grinding her teeth to keep a tether on her own furious anger. She wanted to tear something apart, throw things and scream until her throat bled. She seemed unnatural in her stillness, even her chest didn't move with her breath. Something was keeping her still, and neither Stark was sure if it was her rage, or her control. "You have no idea the things we're going to face, you've heard a summary of a decade's worth of bullshit, and you think you know everything just because you're a genius? Fuck your IQ, fuck your degrees, and fuck your engineering. There have been thirty feature length movies. Dozens of comics, shorts, novels, not to mention TV shows, all centering on you. Do you really want to face that alone? With no idea of what's happening, of who to trust?"
"Thirty movies?"
"I can name fifteen off the top of my head. I've forgotten more about the MCU than you've learned about engineering. You might be a genius, but I'm the closest thing we're going to get to a walkthrough guide." Grey took a deep breath and looked at Tony. They both glared at something that wasn't there and tried to calm down. "I'm not the enemy here."
"You're manipulating me to get what you want." Tony was sick of people manipulating him, pushing him around for their agendas, and he wasn't going to have the person masquerading as his daughter doing it. He'd have her locked up before he ever let someone lead him around like that again.
"All I want is for you to live, Tony, why can't you accept that?" Grey asked. "Pepper, Jim, and Happy are all on board. Jarvis is thrilled that someone else is trying to make sure that you're happy and healthy. Why isn't that enough for you?"
"No one is without an ulterior motive," Tony said. He learned that the hard way, with Tiberius, with Sunset. Even now, with Stane if Grey was to be believed.
"Does that include you? What the fuck is your ulterior motive?" Tony didn't say anything, just stared at Grey, an unreadable expression on his face. Grey felt her heart break all over again as she saw it. Her rage might be real, but his was just hiding his fear and pain. "The only ulterior motive I have here is to save the people that didn't deserve the hand life dealt them. I've seen too many lives ruined in this line of work. I'm not letting it happen. Yeah, maybe I've spent too much time watching Agents of SHIELD that I've accidentally adopted Phil's philosophy of being the shield but what does it matter? I can save them. I can save you."
Grey had tears in her eyes as she finally stopped shouting. The silence rang between them as Tony stared at his distraught daughter with new eyes. Her chest heaved as she cried.
"I don't want any more secrets," Tony said firmly. He hated not knowing something.
"I can't do that," Grey said, laughing a bit. Tony frowned. "Tony. C'mon. I can't give you every moment that's going to happen in the future. That only puts you at risk. Or worse. I am so happy to give you and Pepper and Jim and Happy the broad strokes of what's going to happen. But the day to day? Let that go, not even I plan on controlling that much."
"What can you tell me?"
"How about I tell you about the rest of this movie, yeah? Give you some of the bigger picture."
Line Break
"This is fascinating technology, Doctor Stark," Doctor Helen Cho said as she examined the arc reactor in his chest. "What is powering it?"
"Palladium," Tony said, holding his hand up before she could panic. "It's temporary until I'm cleared to go back to the lab. I have a design for one powered by a new element Grey had to synthesize it for me, Starkanium."
"I'm going to have Hali run a heavy metals blood test, just to make sure there's nothing emergent. She created you a new element?" Helen asked, turning her expectant look to Grey.
"Technically, pops discovered it, I just put it together. I'm decent at puzzles," Grey said, waving away any praise.
"Modesty isn't a good look for you, kiddo," Tony said. Dr Cho nodded, giving Tony permission to put his shirt back on.
"Your lung capacity is diminished. I understand you want to start some physical training; I would be very careful with cardio. I won't forbid it, but you need extra oxygen. I'd like you on supplemental oxygen when you can. You don't have to do it publicly I understand this is private, but supplemental oxygen might save your life."
"So, you are an old man!" Grey teased, taking notes on Pepper's tablet. "Gotta hook you up to oxygen. We'll figure it out. Dr Cho, is there anything else we should be aware of?"
Hali, Dr Cho's assistant squinted at her computer before tilting the screen to show the doctor. Grey glanced up at the ceiling, before looking directly at the computer. A blue light flashed, just out of sight of the visitors.
"His heavy metal screen is clear. There's a little palladium in his blood, but not enough for lasting symptoms. Dr Cho can leave a prescription for a chelating agent to help get that passed faster," Hali said. "I would recommend switching reactors immediately."
"I have two IV bags of it, I'll leave them here for you." Doctor Cho turned to Grey. "You know how to do an IV?"
"Yes ma'am." She didn't, actually, but Jarvis could talk her through it fairly easily. He'd helped her take and run samples of Bucky's blood.
"She knows everything," Tony pretended to complain. "Except how to take out the trash."
"I thought that was Happy's chore," Grey said. "Or Pepper's, according to what she said to Christine. Love that woman."
"You didn't love her this morning," Tony pointed out.
"She shot me," Grey said. Doctor Cho looked at Grey, who lifted up her shirt to show what would later become an amazing bruise. "Airsoft for training, painful, but not terribly deadly."
"He cannot take blunt force to his chest," Doctor Cho said firmly, pointing at Tony. "I don't mind your training, but if Doctor Stark is taking part, he has to wear protection on his chest. Any blunt force damage could force the few remaining shrapnel further into his heart. In addition, because of the arc reactor, he has limited lung capacity, and his heart is weaker."
"We will take every precaution for him, Doctor Cho," Grey said gravely. "If necessary, we won't let him train at all."
"You'd bench me?" Tony demanded, hurt clear on his face.
"If it saved your life, yes," Grey said, her eyes glowing as she stared at her father. He flinched back, unused to being on the receiving end of them. With a blink, her eyes were back to normal, and Tony nodded, understanding this wasn't a fight he was going to win.
"I've finished, you'll have my notes tomorrow. Hali, would you pack everything up? I have a meeting with Miss Potts."
"Of course, Doctor Cho," Hali said, taking her gloves off.
Jarvis, work on the oxygen problem. Grey typed out and sent. Again, a small light flashed blue, letting Grey know he was on it.
"I'll take you upstairs, this way Doctor Cho," Grey said, tucking her tablet under her arm and leaving the lab. Grey delivered the doctor to Pepper, who was sitting in the living room, reading a stack of papers. "Pepper, they've finished downstairs. Hali is packing up now."
"Happy's outside, arguing with Jim about some sport, you can let him know," Pepper said, standing smoothly to shake the doctor's hand. Grey took the dismissal and headed out through the kitchen.
"They're wrapping everything up now," Grey said the moment the door shut behind her. "Dad's fine. Needs extra oxygen and officially needs chest protection, but other than that, he'll live. Oh, that might've been a HIPAA violation. Why are we arguing sports?"
"Barnes prefers baseball over football," Jim said with disgust.
"Wait seriously? I don't like any sport where you can't score on defense," Grey teased, grinning up at Bucky.
"Stevie liked baseball," Bucky shrugged. "But I'll support Army's team. I should see how they've done."
"Navy's better," Grey said with a nod.
"Whatever you say," Bucky said, tilting his prosthetic in the sun to bounce the light back in her eyes. She squinted at him and flipped him off. "Army's a million times better."
"Wrong, Navy's won more games, with our current line up being fifty-four Navy, forty-nine Army seven ties, nine games not played. Navy's in the middle of a win streak lasting from 2002 to 2015. Eat shit, Army," Grey said, her eyes glowing a bit.
"You can't bring the future into this," Bucky said.
"You mean to tell me the Navy's winning this year?" Jim said, talking over Bucky. "I'm going to the watch party in December this year. Last year I bet on Army, lost a thousand bucks."
"Don't ask me Superbowl winners, cause I got no fuckin' idea," Grey said, immediately holding her hand up at Jim. He pouted. "Hogan, go help the pretty nurse pack up and get out, dad and I have science to do."
"He's cleared for the lab? Good. Pepper'd never admit it but she's chomping at the bit to get started on the suits. If they're heading out, I should go. Have Jarvis let me know when they're gone." Bucky pressed a kiss to the top of Grey's head and went inside.
"He does know he doesn't have to hide, right?" Happy asked as he followed, heading for the labs rather than a bedroom. "We're not going to bring in a threat to him. He's family."
"Since when do you know everything about Army-Navy football?" Jim asked when it was just the two of them.
"Oh, Gods no, Jarvis sent me those stats, I did know about the win-streak though. I started following football like three days before I ended up here," Grey said. "Wanted to look up the stats for the Navy."
"Why Navy?"
"Mom and I were in the Navy," Grey said, a soft smile on her face. "I washed out, of course, bad leg made boot camp a bitch, and ten-counts? Not my friend. Still, I remember enough."
"You continue to surprise me, and I really hate it," Jim said, throwing his arm around Grey's shoulders and leading her back inside. "But I am glad we gave you a change, kid. You did good."
Line Break
"His vitals do appear stronger," Jarvis said as the light finally calmed down. Grey kept blinking, swearingshe'dgone blind when Tony put the new reactor in his chest.
"Tastes like coconut," Tony said, sticking his tongue out. "Feels better, more powerful."
"I can hear it humming," Grey said. "The first one definitely didn't hum."
"How'd itgo?" Pepper asked, coming into the lab. "That meeting was awful. Stark tablets have begun productionacross the country, less than a week after the announcement, that might legitimately be a record somewhere.I deserve a raise."
"How about a promotion to CEO?" Grey asked, still blinking away spots. "I might have actually gone blind, here I thought that was just an exaggeration. Jesus."
"Stock went down thirty-six points, but back up by fifty-three," Pepper continued, flicking the chart to screen on a wall. "Stane is livid, which personally, makes this even better."
"Any updates on the investigation into him?"
"They're investigating his financials, he got served with a warrant, so he's likely gonna be suspicious soon," Pepper said. Grey looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Hmm. So, he's going to call a board meeting shortly before the Firefighter Family Fundraiser, and get dad shut out," Grey said, squinting as she thought. "I've always wondered what caused him to do that, you think this is it?"
"Lock Tony out of his own company as revenge? It's possible," Pepper mused. "I'll keep an eye out for any unplanned Board of Directors meetings, how do we want to approach it?"
"I don't want to be CEO again," Tony said adamantly. "I like working on the suits, and I love working in my lab. Put me back in charge of Research and Development, Pepper, you and Grey can keep the company running."
"Make her CEO," Pepper and Grey said, pointing at the other. Pepper smiled at Grey, who frowned at her.
"Make Pepper CEO," Grey said again, firmly. "I have every intention of throwing my entire person behind the Avengers. I do not have time to run Stark Industries and a team of superheroes."
"Not to mention that we're buying Marvel once we announce Iron Man," Tony put in. Grey just nodded in agreement. There were already plans to make her President of Marvel Comics once Stark Industries purchased it. "Are we doing that after Gulmira?"
"No, we'll have a much flashier introduction to the world," Grey said, wishing she had her Iron Man notebook in the lab with her. She'd fallen asleep working on it, so it was likely under her pillow or her bed. "It depends on how we're handling Obadiah."
"We need to talk about that," Tony said. "I want him to go to court, if only for our accountability, and for transparency's sake. I want to do it right."
"And then what, have him...?" Pepper trailed off, not fully wanting to voice Grey's cold plan for him.
"What are the odds he talks?" Grey asked. "Like squeals, turns on his friends?"
"I think if we don't kill him someone else will," Tony said, his voice wavering over the word kill. "Either because they're afraid he'll rat, or just because he's a liability. What happened in your visions?"
"He created the Iron Monger suit. You send Pep to S.I. to find the proof he was dirty. Stane chats with her, and eventually discovers what she did. Stane leaves S.I. and comes here to get the reactor out of your chest. Pepper takes Phil Coulson back to SHIELD for backup, then heads to the factory, sector 16 or something, where Stane is getting ready to start his rampage. Jim arrives home just in time to put the old reactor in."
"Wait, that's why you made two extras?" Pepper asked. Grey nodded.
"I'm not letting my dad die, I just got him back," Grey said.I just found him,went unsaid as she looked at Tony. "Pepper calls dad tells him what's happening, dad suits up and fights Iron Monger. A city bus gets damaged, and dad gets run over by a soccer mom on accident. Eventually, dad tricks Stane into flying up too high and icing over. It severely damages the suit, and after more fighting, dad drops him into the arc reactor, that Pepper supercharged and had waiting to blow."
"He dies anyway," Tony said softly, sad. "By my hand."
Tony looked devastated and looked to Grey for the answers. Grey felt helpless, knowing she'd been advocating for the man's death simply because he could reveal that she's a fraud.
"Let me speak with Bucky, he's played the bad guy long enough, he might have alternative options for us," Grey offered, even as she knew that there were no good options. Hydra had people everywhere, and if they even thought that Obadiah was a risk to them, they'd take him out. "Is there anything else we need to be aware of in the coming weeks?"
"I should have the boot thrusters ready to test by Wednesday, Tuesday if Jim's able to help over the weekend," Tony said. "The repulsors can't be fabricated, they have to be assembled, so it's taking some time to do by hand. I'm putting together five sets total, but it'll just be the three of us flying for now."
"I've got a sit down with Christine Everhart on the nineteenth, she wants to do a spotlight on Tony Stark's Hidden Daughter," Grey said, emphasizing the capital letters that Christine included in her emailed request. "And my board meeting the Monday before that, what is that, the sixteenth?"
"Once you have the thrusters, how long to fabricate a suit?" Pepper asked, a calendar view of August open on her tablet.
"With no weapons, just flight capabilities, maybe twelve hours? With weapons, maybe sixteen, seventeen hours per suit, I can only make one at a time here. I plan on putting two fabrication units aside for personal use in New York." Tony paused. "We are still moving to New York, right?"
"Yes, likely some time in fall 2011," Grey said, looking to Pepper to confirm the timeline. She nodded.
"I've got a team looking at lots for a tower, there are a few I like, but I'm not paying that fee, don't worry," Pepper said. Grey looked alarmed.
"This is fine," Tony assured. "You should've seen her when we were buying the warehouses in San Francisco, that was terrifying. Pepper doesn't play with real estate."
"She demanded to know everything about what I wanted it to be, just wait, she's coming for you next, I don't know shit about designing lab spaces."
"She does," Tony said, pointing at Pepper with a smitten look on his face. "She built our Atlanta labs from the ground up. Pepper's a genius."
"Pepper is right here," she said, bright red. Grey snorted and hid her smile behind her hands. Tony wasn't even phased, just turning his best doe eyes up at her. Pepper's blush flared again, and Tony gave her a lazy grin. Grey felt like she was intruding.
Line Break
"Are we doing anything about this one?" Jayne asked, walking into the lab with a tablet in her hands. Grey looked up and squinted, trying to read the headline from her desk. She gave up after a minute and looked at Jayne expectantly. "Nine dead in a shooting at Connecticut Beer Distributor. A jackass with a gun got caught stealing from his job and rather than, you know, resigning as agreed, decided to shoot ten people before himself."
"Was it our guns?" Pepper asked before Tony could ask why it was their business.
"Unfortunately, yes. One of the handgun models originally slated for law enforcement that was sold publicly."
"So, the gun was purchased legally, and everything was above board with it?" Grey asked, back to squinting in Jayne's direction.
"Yes."
"No action needed, it was a legally purchased weapon," Grey said, shaking her head as she went back to her computer screens. "Pepper, will you proof this when you have time? I hate gun violence as much, if not more than you, Jay, I get it, but if everything was above board with the purchase there's nothing I can do."
Grey swiped something over to Pepper's workstation and started on a new email. Jayne typed out a quick message and sent it off, shaking her head as she did.
"Damn gun violence," Jayne muttered, crossing the room to plop down on the couch closest to Tony.
"Why are we debating commenting on gun violence?" Tony asked, leaning over to whisper to Jayne. He could recognize Pepper's work face and didn't want to bother her. He was surprised to see Grey wearing the same expression.
"Oh, because while you were a hostage living it up at hotel terrorist, some extremist nutjob shot up a mosque with Stark Industries weapons that had been marked as destroyed by the company," Jayne said, giving Jarvis control of her tablet to pull up the articles on the shooting, and also the press conference held after it. A collage of pictures came up, showing Grey with pink hair holding a press conference, a black blazer over a dark red blouse giving her the appearance of someone who was mourning. She had black calla lilies pinned to her blazer, and fury in her eyes as she spoke. Sparkling gems were hidden in her hair, giving the impression of a crown. "Grey held a press conference, announced that those weapons had been marked for destruction, she also released the documents the company had proving it. Stock jumped like twenty points for her accountability. Marsha Smith had a field day."
"Marsha Smith – she wrote that article this morning, called us anti-American, right?"
"Un-American, yeah. Surprised she didn't call you a coward, that's more her speed. She damn near accused Grey of setting up her own kidnapping when Hydra showed up," Jayne said. "She's just a vulture, Tony, she's not taken seriously in real journalism circles."
"Can we sue her?" Jayne almost laughed. Rich people were all the same. Inconvenience? Sue. Problem? Sue. If someone introduced her to Donald Trump, she'd loose it.
"Sam and Jen are keeping an eye on what she writes. If she crosses into slander or libel, they have a suit ready to go." Tony frowned at Jen's name. "Jen Walters, she's an intern at S.I. Legal working with Sam Kim. Grey practically adopted her on the spot."
"Okay, so Hydra attacked, we have you and legal now part of the club, there was the shooting in... Pakistan? Pepper said something about a lunch with Tom, anything else I missed?" Tony asked.
"That might be everything, I think, no! Oh, the Pym's!"
"What did that jackass do this time?" Tony half-whined, rolling his eyes. Pym's grudge against Howard was starting to get old with everything else he had on his plate.
"Well, once Grey finished with him, he got deposed, slapped with a five-year gag order, and his daughter paid out nearly three million dollars. Pym Technologies was forced to give Grey ten percent of their stocks," Jayne explained. Tony's mouth fell open in surprise. Forbes and Time ran articles, calling it "A Daughter's Justice" and vilifying Hank.
"I'm so proud of you, kid," Tony called, looking at the article on Jayne's tablet. Grey didn't look up but flashed him a thumbs up and kept working. If he looked close enough, he could see her mumbling under her breath.
Tony thought about the fight they had the day he got checked over by Dr Cho. He thought about his first shower home, when he had a panic attack so bad Grey had to come physically pull him out of it, sitting in the shower in soaking wet clothes for thirty minutes while he adjusted to his new reality.
At every turn, Grey had done exactly as she'd promised. She fought for him, for his company, for his name, and all she asked in return was food and weed from the dispensary down the road to help her sleep.
Tony tilted his head to look at her out of the corner of his eye. She was working hard on the new employee handbook for Stark Industries, checking it against European standards, and also checking with everyone she knew to make sure it was equitable across the board. He hadn't asked her to do that, she saw something wrong, and she jumped in to fix it, asking for help any time there was something she didn't understand or know. He wanted to be like that. Help people in any way that he could.
Tony didn't want to pretend anymore. Grey was his kid – no matter what anyone said. It was time he started pulling his weight.
"I'm heading to the lab; I want to start putting together the repulsors for the suits. Mind if I borrow Barnes? I heard he was a nerd back in the day," Tony teased, trying to set the former assassin at ease.
"Your dad promised me a flying car," Bucky said, looking up from his docuseries on the Civil Rights movement.
"What if I made you a flight suit?" Tony offered, climbing to his feet. Jayne handed him the small supplemental oxygen tank Helen insisted he use around the house.
"I was thinking of fighting just as myself," Bucky said, falling into step next to the smaller man.
"Sure, but just to fly in?" It would be too easy for Tony to make a suit just for the thrill. Not only would it allow him to get to further away jobs with them, eventually, with a lot of tricky coding, it could be used as a way to contain the Winter Soldier. If it came to it.
"You'd do that for me?" Neither man knew it, but Bucky was having the same set of thoughts, focusing on keeping him contained if he ever became a danger. He didn't think he could destroy a suit Tony created.
"Of course!" Tony paused and leaned back to look at Bucky, thoughtful. "Might need to make you a bigger exoskeleton. And put more power in the thrusters to compensate for your higher mass. And that arm. Don't worry, I'll have you a new one by the time we start the Expo – that's still on the calendar, right? I can't keep track anymore."
Pepper and Grey watched their boys walk away talking amicably, and shared a smile. Things might work out for them after all. With every moment that passed without an explosion, Grey felt a weight lifted off her shoulders. Watching the recording of Howard and Maria's death destroyed Tony in the movies, and Grey had agonized about bringing Bucky home. Especially when she was leaving the widows alone until Yelena was freed by the mind control. She had her reasons, but they all tasted bad.
"When's the firefighter family fundraiser?" Grey asked, scrolling through her calendar trying to find it. She shook off the darker thoughts with practiced ease.
"It's coming up, it's on the twenty seventh," Pepper said, checking her own. "I'll send an email to Cynthia, have her start pulling options for you. I already have a dress, but you have your whole theme going."
"Queen Margaret Stark," Grey said, wiggling happily back and forth. "I do love twitter. Instagram is dropping sometime this year – just wait until we have that, it's so much fun."
"You mentioned that when you hired me, what is it?" Jayne asked, joining the conversation. Any mention of the future had her dying to know more.
"It's twitter, but for pictures!" Grey said excitedly. "Once it comes out, Jayne, we'll have you start the Iron Family, Stark Family, whatever accounts you want, we should be able to handle personal accounts ourselves for now."
"Green energy, superheroes and now social media, you sure do know how to take over the world," Pepper complimented, a joyful smile on her face.
"The three S's. Sustainability, Superheroes, and Social Media. With those, we can do anything," Grey said brightly. Jayne just laughed.
"Grey, I think it's just you, that can do anything. You're damn near magical."