"Maria Stark foundation is in New Mexico, cleaning up after Thor, thanks to Clint," Natasha said, glancing at a check list in her arms. "Margaret Stark foundation is in New York, cleaning up after Blonsky and Banner. Blonsky is being stored away by SHIELD."
"At the ice box?" Grey asked. Natasha blinked, the only sign she was surprised. She knew better than to question how Grey knew things. Sometimes it was her powers, sometimes it was just her genius.
"Yes."
"Fine. Anything else?"
"Fury invited Tony to a meeting today." Grey nodded. The warehouse scene. Natasha wrote the profile piece as she wanted to, which upset Fury, and bewildered Clint and Maria, so Grey was curious to see which they would see make an appearance. Since Fury had mostly stuck to script so far, she doubted anything would change.
"I'll drive him. You'll send me the address?" Grey didn't comment on the fact that she was still mostly on bedrest after getting stabbed – again. Except this time, her appendix ruptured, giving her complications that almost caused her to bleed out.
"Of course," Natasha agreed. "I'm heading back to SHIELD for a while anyway. Clint needs some backup for a job in the Netherlands, so I'll help with that, and check in when I'm back."
"Have fun, be safe," Grey said. Natasha laughed as she took her leave. She would have some explaining to do, both to Fury and to Clint, who had already been questioning her, following her on camera appearance as Natasha Romanoff, following the Grand Prix disaster.
The rest of the family piled in the room as Natasha was leaving, crowding around Grey, who was being discharged shortly.
"Now while we're all here, I have something I need to say," Tony said, immediately calling all attention to himself. Grey sat up with James' help, knowing what was about to happen. Happy, who also knew, pulled Jim out of the way, leaving Pepper standing next to Tony with no idea.
"Tony?" Pepper asked as he took her hand. He maneuvered them so his back was to Grey, so she could see Pepper's expression as he knelt down, pulling a dainty box out of his pocket. When he flicked it open, there was a beautiful 8 carat princess cut diamond on a yellow gold band with accent diamonds surrounding it.
"I'm going to get really sappy here, but I've been thinking this since the moment I got home from Afghanistan to see you there waiting for me. Pepper, I see you in every sun, the rise and the fall, I see you in the joy of victory and am comforted by you in the bitter embrace of defeat. I see you in the warmth of the galaxies, and the void of blackholes. I hear you in every love song, and in the birdsong every morning. Pepper, you are my first thought every morning and my last thought at night. When I picture the perfect world, you are by my side. I don't want to ever do this without you in my life. Say that you do too, please Virginia Potts, say that you'll marry me?"
Grey watched from her hospital bed as Pepper burst into tears and nodded so hard Grey worried for her head. Of course, Grey was crying too, but it wasn't her moment, so she smothered her sobs in a terrible hospital tissue that was too thin.
"Yes, oh my God, yes, Tony!" Tony stood and scooped Pepper up in his arms, spinning her around while she hugged him. Once her feet were safely back on the ground, Tony slid the ring on her finger, and Happy handed over the bouquet of flowers Tony carefully designed. Red tulips, blue salvia flowers, white heather and gladiolus with trailing ivy.
"It's a little patriotic, isn't it?" Pepper said, accepting the bouquet, and immediately burying her nose in a gladiolus.
"Except that bouquet is screaming how much he loves you to anyone who can read it," Grey said. "And it matches your suits. Are red and blue the accent colors for your wedding?"
"Just blue," Tony said, not looking away from his fiancée. He looked starstruck. "I want it all about her."
"Blue and gold, perfect. James, love, there's a binder behind you, can I have it please?" Grey asked. "Pepper, don't worry, this wedding it going to be the most beautiful thing you've ever seen, promise."
"We'll sit down later this week for it," Pepper promised, tears still in her eyes as she glanced at her ring. "Put the binder away and hug me. I'm engaged!"
Pepper hugged Grey, who got a mouthful of flowers for her attempt. As Pepper pulled away, her eyes once again locked on her ring, Grey spat out a Salvia petal. Neither Tony nor Pepper noticed. James did his very best not to laugh.
"James, sugar, would you gather my stuff? Happy, go find a nurse or a doctor and get whatever forms and care instructions I need, dad has a second appointment today and I'll need to drive him over." Grey shook her head at her lovestruck parents, acting like teenagers on prom night. James and Happy started moving the moment Grey finished talking to them. "Jim, go with Happy, make sure they send a copy of everything to Helen, and grab a copy for us as well. On a CD or a thumb drive – don't you dare give me paper copies."
"Yes, ma'am," Jim pretended to salute, before chasing off after Happy.
"As for you two love struck teenagers, Jesus Christ, this is absurd. Can someone help me get dressed?" Tony and Pepper jumped apart and turned to help Grey. "Dad, I'll go with you to meet Fury."
"You're waiting in the car," Tony insisted. "And I'm driving."
"Fine," Grey said, wincing as Pepper helped get into an acceptable outfit for the cameras that were sure to be waiting for them outside the hospital.
Iron Man 2
"At this time, we'd like to keep you on as a consultant," Fury said. Outwardly, Tony was calm. Inside, he was kicking his feet and giggling like a schoolgirl. He got to his feet and crossed the warehouse to stand in front of Fury. He held out his hand to shake and clapped his free hand on top of Nick's.
"You can't afford me," Tony said flippantly. He turned to leave but paused. "Then again. I will drop my usual initial deposit in exchange for a small favor. My family is being honored in Washington, and we need a presenter."
"I'll see what I can do," Nick said, nodding his head. He had expected a fight, especially with Romanoff writing a different report than he had asked Tony turned back to face him. He walked backwards as he gave Nick a smug grin.
"Besides, Stark Industries holds the trademark of the Avengers Initiative. So, you really have no say in who is and isn't Avenger material."
Tony left the warehouse before Fury could even think of a response. Grey was sitting out front, her car idling while she read emails in the passenger's seat. She grinned as he pulled out of the parking lot.
"How'd it go?" Grey asked, a wide smile on her face.
"Stunned into silence. Made a complete escape before-" Tony held up his phone, which was ringing. "Before this. Hmm."
Grey reached over and declined the call. Tony laughed and dropped it in the cupholder. It lit up again, showing the same caller ID. Nick Fury was calling back. Grey answered the phone through her car.
"Grey Stark, how may I ruin your day?"
"What the hell did he mean you people own the Avengers Initiative?" Fury barked.
"Oh, us people, is it? Yes, Stark Industries filed for the trademark of the Avengers Initiative. We don't trust SHIELD, Fury. Not after you attempted to shove spies into our company, not after you tried to slip Romanoff into dad's office. We aren't going to trust SHIELD because you idiots kept our family's things and only just now gifted them to us as a manipulation tactic. If you want the Iron Family to have any connection to SHIELD that isn't a lawsuit for corporate espionage, you will quit trying to manipulate us, and simply ask. We want a lot of the same things."
"I think he's just mad we stole itsy bitsy from him," Tony put in. Natasha, after she'd been brought into the fold, refused to write Fury's loaded profile. She pointed out that not only would any character profile be flawed as she wasn't qualified, Fury asked for proof of his narcissism – only for none to be found. Tony wasn't a narcissist.
"Fair point, he thought she was loyal - that's what he gets for trusting a Russian Spy," Grey teased. "Listen, Nicky, we're so happy to work alongside you, if the situation calls for it, but no more manipulation, no more bullshit, no more spies. If we're going to be a team, we have to be a fucking team."
Grey ended the call just as they pulled onto the highway. Tony laughed the entire way.
Iron Man 2
Margaret Stark Announces Engagement of Tony Stark and Pepper Potts
Stark Industries is delighted to announce, on behalf of Margaret Stark, the engagement of Tony Stark, Director of Research and Development, to Pepper Potts, CEO of Stark Industries. The engagement took place on June 5, 2011, marking the official beginning of a new chapter for the pair who have already built a remarkable legacy together within Stark Industries.
Margaret Stark shared her heartfelt excitement about welcoming Pepper into the family, stating, "Pepper has been an incredible leader and mentor—not only to me but to our entire company. I couldn't be happier to welcome her as part of our family officially. She and my dad are unstoppable together, and I know they'll bring that same dedication and spirit into their marriage that they bring to Stark Industries. It's wonderful to see them so happy."
The engagement ring is as striking and meaningful as their partnership, featuring an 8-carat lab-grown princess cut diamond set in a luxe heritage band of yellow gold—a nod to the signature gold details in their Iron Family suits. The couple celebrated their engagement privately with close friends and family.
The Stark Family and Stark Industries wish Tony and Pepper all the happiness in the world and look forward to the bright future ahead for them both. Congratulations to Tony and Pepper!
Iron Man 2
"It is my honor to be here today," Senator Stern said through gritted teeth. He stood at the podium, outside the White House. "To present these distinguished awards to The Iron Family; Colonel James Rhodes, Ms. Margaret Stark, Ms. Virginia Potts, and Mister Tony Stark, who is of course, a national treasure."
Grey raised an eyebrow, where she was standing between her parents. She and Pepper wore similar fitted suits, Pepper skipping the skirt for family solidarity. Pepper's engagement ring glittered in the sun.
"Thank you, Colonel, for such an exceptionally distinguished performance," Stern said as he pinned another medal on Jim's dress uniform. "You deserve this."
"Thank you, Senator," Grey said as the medal was pinned on her suit jacket.
"Thank you, Ms. Stark. For your valiant efforts. They haven't gone unnoticed." Well, that was a threat if Grey'd ever heard one.
"And you think you have?" Grey asked, raising an eyebrow behind her sunglasses. A sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead. She didn't bother to hide the wily smile that appeared on her face, unsettling the Senator.
"Thank you, Ms. Potts," Stern said as he moved along. "For your distinguished service."
"Stern," Pepper said back, unwilling to say more to the man.
"Thank you, Mister Stark, for such an exceptionally distinguished performance," Stern said. He made sure to catch Tony with the needle. Or he tried to, anyway, Tony's daughter had slipped a thin sheet of metal in his shirt pocket. Tony didn't feel a thing. "Oh sorry. Funny, how annoying a little prick can be, isn't it? Let's get a photo."
The photographer took only one shot before Stern was squeezed out, and Jayne rushed forward with her photographer, who took several shots of the Iron Family. Some were professional, some were cute, and one had the non-military members of the family pulling their medals off to bite them for the picture that ended up on the cover of the New York Times.
Afterwards, there was an after party, where Grey was finally introduced to President Obama and his wife Michelle – the latter causing her to burst into tears of excitement. If Grey framed the picture of her beaming between the Obamas and kept it in her office in a place of pride that was entirely her business.
Line Break
"The man is clearly an idiot," Grey said, shaking her head in disbelief. Not disbelief over the stupidity of Justin Hammer, no she believed that just fine. "And yes, he's responsible for so many illegal things his charge sheet comes with a paper clip, but Vanko saw this as another opportunity to take revenge on my family, clearly not something Hammer expected."
If Grey hadn't been wearing a full face of makeup, she'd have dragged her hands over her face, annoyed with herself for defending Hammer. Annoyed with herself for understanding that he'd had no knowledge of Vanko's plans. Annoyed, she couldn't ignore the injustice.
"Are you defending him, Ms. Stark?"
"I really wish I wasn't, congressman," Grey said. "But one cannot be found guilty of a crime one had no knowledge of. Will we sue the pants off of him in a civil suit, absolutely, my lawyers already have the papers ready to go. Do I think I could get a jury to convict him? Eh, probably not."
"I see. We will take your words into consideration, Ms. Stark. We declare this session to be closed for the day, everyone, good afternoon." He smacked the gavel onto his desk, and stood, leaving the room before Tony had even made it to his feet.
"Grey, you are too nice for your own good," Pepper said as she wrapped her arm around Grey's shoulders. "Hammer doesn't deserve this."
"Well, he deserves all the prison time he will get. He's too stupid to go to jail for something akin to treason like Vanko would have."
"You're too nice," Tony agreed. Grey just rolled her eyes. "Can't believe you're a Slytherin."
"I'm a Hufflepuff, I want fairness and equity across the board," Grey said adamantly through a smile as they walked through the sea of press.
"Yeah, but you add an or else at the end there that scares me into thinking you're a Slytherin." Tony paused, letting Grey do her thing. She stepped up to talk to the press.
"Today we explained to our government what happened at our Expo. My family's company came back from Obadiah Stane's reign demanding accountability and transparency. This is just another continuation of us holding ourselves accountable to you. Once the report is finalized it will be available on the Stark Industries site. And for those interested, we have created a page that follows all the Iron Family missions that aren't classified. That's all for today, we'll be taking no questions."
Happy stepped forward and ushered the three down the remaining stairs and into the car.
"I have a question," Pepper said once they were in the car. "Where's James?"
"He had a meeting," Grey said with a sly grin on her face. She knew where he was, and what he was doing. She was the only one, except for Bambi, that knew. James didn't want to tell anyone else, just in case it didn't work.
Line Break
"You'll stand trial with the military, as you were legally a prisoner of war," Samantha explained. "They've granted you an exception, I'll be in the room with you. I won't be able to do anything, but I will be there for you. And General Morrow from the Air Force has already let me know he's running the court martial."
James let out a breath of relief. Not just for General Morrow being there, but that he was going to get a chance to stand a fair trial and start living his life again. He was going to get to take Grey out publicly, help the Iron Family save people. He was going to get away from Hydra. They couldn't use him as a secret assassin if his survival was no longer a secret. He was so close to being free he could almost taste it – but still, he forced himself to relax, to tuck the hope away in a small box in his chest.
"I appreciate that. How much have military tribunals changed in seventy years?" He didn't care. Didn't care if things were so different he had to stand on the ceiling. He was going to get his chance.
"Unfortunately, I couldn't tell you, likely a lot, but a trial is a trial, and you'll be okay. You have a very good case. Now, I don't know who else it's going to be, but we'll find out the day before, and Grey's promised to vet them for any inconvenient connections," Sam continued. James almost laughed. Trust Grey to find some way to ensure his protection, even when she couldn't be there for him. "We expect this to take a few weeks, so we likely won't have an answer for a while, but I fully expect a verdict of not-guilty due to lack of Mens Rea, legalese for lack of intent. You wouldn't have done these things if you hadn't been taken prisoner. Do you have any questions for me?"
"What's the worst-case scenario?"
"The worst case is you not showing up," Sam said with a bit of a laugh. "Because that will result in a nationwide manhunt and could get you signed over to the World Security Council if they ask. Other than that, they find you guilty of treason for the assassination of JFK. You'd likely spend the rest of your life in jail. Be glad this isn't a civilian trial – California still has the death penalty."
Getting signed over to the WSC would be a fate worse than death. Alex Pierce was on the World Security Council and would hand him straight back to Hydra and he'd be in the chair before he could even consider protesting. He would need to make plans, just in case.
The death penalty didn't scare him. Returning to Hydra scared him. Losing the Stark Family scared him. He'd grown fond of everyone in the year he'd been with them. From Pepper's surprisingly maternal influence to Tony's engineering binges in the lab, James had found himself the best home he could imagine. And that was before he even thought about Grey and all she'd done for him.
"That's really unfortunate," James said. "Suddenly glad for the military."
"Worst case is not going to happen. You are going to give your statement, you'll more than likely be found not guilty, and be forced into additional therapy, and possibly community service. Both of those can be commuted into service with the Iron Family, keeping you with them. You might be electronically monitored, but again, if you're in the custody of the Iron Family, they're likely to accept whatever Tony says.
"Not Grey?"
"We don't want to risk a conflict of interest when it's revealed she's your girlfriend," Sam said bluntly. James nodded, accepting that. "Any other questions?"
James pulled out a notebook, and Samantha raised an eyebrow. She knew Grey's handwriting when she saw it. At least he was prepared. The Stark Family always came prepared, it was just a matter of who prepped them, Pepper or Grey.
"Just a few."
Line Break
Grey woke up with every hair standing on end. Despite the weighted blanket, James' arm, and their shared duvet, she shivered, burrowing in closer to James.
"S'ok," he mumbled, feeling her move. He pulled her closer before he sat up. Grey could tell whatever was bothering her was also irritating James. "What the hell is happening?"
"Gonna crawl out of my fucking skin," Grey complained, giving up on sleep and pulling her sleep mask off and tossing it. It flopped out of her hand and landed on the floor. "This is not okay."
"No, I feel it too, it's an itch," James said, reaching for a loose jacket as he stood up. He tossed it to Grey, who pulled it on with a shudder. "Right at the back of my neck."
"Jarvis, any reason we're about to have an anxiety attack with no triggers?" Grey asked, pulling the hood up over her hair, and yanking the strings. She shuddered again, a full body convulsion that had her burrowing deeper into the hood.
"The Santa Ana winds are blowing, Miss Stark, Sergeant Barnes. The winds are known to set people on edge. Winds typically last one to seven days, with the average being three, and the longest known Santa Ana Event being fourteen days," Jarvis explained. James tugged on sweatpants and brought over a set for Grey, who was still pouting on the bed. She changed, begrudgingly, and followed him to the kitchen, where he set about making breakfast potatoes.
"Good thing we're moving to New York?" Grey tried.
"There will be plenty in New York to set our teeth on edge," James said with a heavy sigh.
"You two are up early," Tony said as he came up from the lab. Jarvis had likely told him they were up and moving. He paused when he could read the upset in their eyes. "What's wrong? Please tell me it's not Hydra."
Any other time, Grey would've laughed at Tony's immediate assumption of Hydra. It was a fair assumption. Despite not moving overtly, the nazi organization was still doing what they could to interfere with Stark Industries, likely as revenge for stealing their best asset.
"The winds," James said, his head still in the spice cabinet, digging for something to add to his eggs.
"The Santa Ana's," Tony realized. "Those would irritate you two, wouldn't they. Week-long trip out of state?"
"Can we?" Grey asked, nearly jumping at the opportunity. "I mean it, get me out of here, I'm crawling out of my skin."
"Do we have any plans?" James asked, usually the voice of reason. "Things that would need rescheduled?"
"I have a finance meeting about the expo that I can't move but can do virtually - it wouldn't be the first time. Pepper has a director's meeting, but that can be pushed back. Jarvis?"
"Right away, Sir," Jarvis said.
"Go pack, we'll head up to San Francisco for the week. Unless you want to go sight-see in Portland?"
"Don't care, wherever we can get clearance to land," Grey said over her shoulder as she ran to her room to change and pack. Anything to get her away from these winds.
Line Break
"How are you already sunburnt?" Jennifer asked as she took a bite of her burger. "It's not even noon."
"How are you already eating, it's not even noon?" Grey shot back, pulling a floppy hat out of her purse. She put it on and tilted it, so the sun was off her face. She was just grateful she remembered to pack a hat.
It was the annual Stark Industries Fourth of July Picnic in Los Angeles, and the ladies were gathered around the duck pond, chatting, and eating.
"You're mean today," Jen pouted, finishing off her burger.
"It's my last LA picnic," Grey said. "I'm nostalgic."
"Last time we were here, you were treating everyone like chess pieces," Pepper said, coming over with two solo cups of white wine. She handed one over to Grey, who smiled in thanks. Before she could even take a sip, she was surrounded by a swarm of young girls, begging for autographs.
"I'm so sorry Margaret," a young woman said as she hurried over, trying to corral the girls she had been in charge of watching. "They saw you, and they're faster than me, I am so sorry for the interruption."
"Hey, no, don't even worry about it! C'mon, let's get a group picture and I'll sign something for everyone, and we'll do one on one pictures, and Bambi can make sure they get to parents." Pepper pulled out her phone and took a group photo of Grey getting swarmed by sixteen kids under ten, then pictures of her posing with each child. Most threw up a peace sign, some raised their hand like a Repulsor. Grey matched their poses, with a wide smile on her face the entire time. It took thirty minutes, and Bambi's reminder to get the kids names to send the pictures to the correct parents, and the girls were alone again.
"Are you gonna finish the story?" Jayne asked, watching the kids impatiently. She wanted answers for the memoir she was determined to start writing while things were slow. "You promised me a story."
"Oh, bitchy," Grey said, taking a sip of her wine. "But fine. There's not a lot to tell. He didn't like having his own room, so I moved a couch into mine, put up a room divider. It worked for a week; he would get a few hours of sleep without nightmares. Then Hydra happened and I started having nightmares. So, one night, I asked him to stay with me, and after that we ended up sharing a bed."
"Yeah, but how did you end up dating the Winter Soldier?" Sam asked, now acutely aware of his long list of crimes and assassinations now that she was working on his case, trying to get him legally brought back to life and free from Hydra's grasp. She knew about the chair. She knew that the man had more issues than the American Medical Journal.
"Those two are idiots," Pepper said, cutting in when she could see the blush on Grey's cheeks. "After finding them cuddling on the couch for the two hundredth time, I asked when they started dating, they looked at me, then each other, then me and shrugged. Grey finally said we didn't realize we were dating. Even though they'd gone on more dates than me and Tony, and we're engaged!"
"After that conversation we talked about it and that was that it wasn't anything special," Grey said, taking a gulp of her wine. She passed the cup over to Jayne, who took it with a frown, until Grey pulled out a water bottle. Just a second later, several photographers swooped in to take pictures of the CEO of Stark Industries. Pepper smiled and accepted the quick question with ease, sending them away in minutes. "Last year was much better."
"Last year we practically hid from the cameras," Pepper said. "This year, we invited them."
"Last Los Angeles picnic," Grey said, giving the accepted excuse. The family knew this was all silent shows to gather goodwill when the aliens hit New York. "Are we going to do this in New York too?"
"I want us to," Pepper said. "I've put in for it, guess we'll see next year. Central Park would be nice. Maybe we can have the executive holiday party at the Penthouse – that would be interesting."
"You mean now that we actually like enough people in the executive positions to host it somewhere nice?" Samantha teased. "This was the first New Year's party I didn't Irish goodbye."
"Well having your ass grabbed by a coworker is enough to ruin any party mood," Grey put in, remembering her own meeting. She was still mad about that. It was no wonder the man couldn't find a new job.
"Not to mention the cigar smoke," Pepper said nauseously. She hated speaking ill of the dead – of a man whose death she participated in – but she really did hate cigar smoke.
Line Break
A Hero Returns: James Barnes, WWII Veteran and Howling Commando, Rescued by the Iron Family
Christine Everhart, Stark Industries
On July 25, 2011, the past collided with the present as James Barnes, the legendary friend of Captain America and WWII hero, was discovered alive by the Iron Family in a long-abandoned WWII bunker. Found in a cryostasis pod that preserved him in his early thirties, Barnes is emerging from a harrowing history of forced captivity as a Soviet sniper under extreme duress. His release by the Iron Family, now famed for their justice-focused missions, marks the start of a new chapter for this celebrated veteran.
Barnes recently faced a classified trial for his forced actions under Soviet influence, with all records sealed to protect the sensitive nature of his alleged missions. For decades, this former POW was subject to an unwilling role in covert operations that intelligence experts believe helped shape the balance of power during the Cold War. While the details remain classified, officials disclosed that his actions, however involuntary, influenced key historical events, impacting governments, defense strategies, and geopolitical decisions that continue to resonate.
The court determined that Barnes' actions were under extreme duress, a victim of coerced tactics used to keep him in a near-continuous state of duty. Based on overwhelming evidence of his captivity, he was found not guilty on all counts. With his record cleared and his past acknowledged as a consequence of war, Barnes is now free to reclaim his life.
For the Stark family, the return of Barnes is deeply meaningful. Margaret Stark, CEO of Stark Industries, expressed profound respect for Barnes' resilience and the values he represents; loyalty, courage, and a commitment to justice, despite the extraordinary challenges he endured.
As Barnes takes his first steps into a future once out of reach, he has found not only freedom but a new family. "I spent sixty years hoping for freedom, and Margaret and her family gave it to me," he said. "I'd follow them just as quick as I followed Captain America back in the war."
With Stark Industries' groundbreaking technology and their commitment to restoring justice, they continue bridging the past with the future, offering this hero a well-deserved chance at peace.
Classified Trial Reveals: Was James Barnes, the Rescued WWII Hero, Secretly 'The Winter Soldier'?
A startling leak from James Barnes' recent classified trial hints that the war hero may have a dark, hidden past. A source suggests that Barnes, beloved friend of Captain America and recently liberated by the Iron Family, may have operated covertly for decades as the infamous "Winter Soldier." Allegedly forced into this role, he is said to have been involved in highly sensitive missions—and perhaps even suspected of a role in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The Stark Family and their legal team moved quickly to secure a classified trial, fueling rumors that they wished to keep Barnes' history out of the public eye. The Iron Family has made clear statements defending Barnes, claiming he was manipulated and held under extreme duress by Soviet forces. Yet, speculation around his involvement in historical events casts a long shadow.
While the Iron Family stands firm in their loyalty to Barnes, this bombshell leak raises questions: Was Barnes an unwilling agent—or something more complex? For now, the public will be left wondering what secrets this "Winter Soldier" may still hold.
Grey was doing damage control. Something they had prepared for, but didn't expect to need with the classified trial.
"Are you going to settle down and listen to me, or are you going to be escorted out by security?" Grey finally barked, smacking her hand into the podium. Silence reigned as the few rowdy reporters finally sank into their seats. "James Barnes had a trial for the things he did as a prisoner of war. James Barnes was found not guilty. That's all you need to know; the rest is classified."
"But we deserve to know!"
"No, you really don't," Grey said, gesturing to the reporter that spoke. Henry Robbins moved and stood near them, his arm out, indicating they should leave.
"You can't do this, we have rights!" the same reporter shouted out as he left.
"And so does James Barnes," Grey said forcefully. "If and when a time comes where you might need to know what he did, you will be informed, but until those things are necessary to your survival, you have no need to know. As far as the leak, you don't need to know!"
"James Barnes is one of the family," Tony said from next to Grey. "We expect you to treat him the way you do us. That means respect our privacy and know that we will tell you things as they impact you."
"I'll finish up here, you two go," Christine said, walking across the stage. As the Iron Family's head of PR, she often held their press conferences, relaying things the world had interest in. "Like they said, James Barnes has been found not guilty of any crimes he committed while he was under Soviet control. And while Russia traditionally doesn't comment, we have received this statement from their government. We apologize for any harm done by our predecessor's government. Had we had knowledge of James Barnes' plight, we, of course, would have taken appropriate action to see him freed and returned home."
"How much do we believe that?" Grey muttered to her dad as they left the press conference, climbing in the car and heading back to the house.
"About as far as I can throw James without my suit," Tony said dryly. "Their version of appropriate action would probably be a bullet in the head."
"You know, if America and Russia actually decided to get along, we'd accomplish great things. Too bad Russia's led by a tool bag," Grey complained.
"You think everyone should just get along for the sake of the planet?"
"The planet, the future, and the kids," Grey said. "The three biggest reasons for everyone to get their shit together and work for the betterment of planet earth."
"I went from a weapons contractor to a hippy," Tony said breathlessly. "My father is rolling over in his grave."
"His granddaughter is sleeping with Bucky Barnes," Grey put in. "He's been rolling in his grave."
Line Break
To Tony and Pepper Stark. The best parents someone could ask for. All my love, M Stark. Starks are Made of Iron.
"Grey, did you dedicate the tower construction to us?" Pepper asked, her heart in her throat as she looked at the statue in the middle of the main lobby. It looked like the large arc reactor, complete with the light show, but didn't power anything.
"Of course I did," Grey said, tearing up in the face of Pepper's tears. "You two have done so much for me, so much that you didn't have to do. I wanted to show my appreciation."
Tony pulled Grey into a tight hug, almost sending them both to the ground with force. When Grey reached her hand out to Pepper, they did end up on the ground, laughing until James found them and picked them all up.
"Let's head downstairs and get Jarvis and Bambi in the building mainframe, and head up to the penthouse."
Without Jarvis or Bambi in the building, they had to go down the six flights of stairs to the building's mainframe.
Jarvis took twelve minutes to incorporate himself into the building. He lit it up bright, arc reactor blue, then the same orange as the suit's eyes. Outside, even though the family couldn't see it, the sidewalks around the tower were filled with people, watching the tower light up in awe. Bambi was able to download into the building slightly faster, able to follow Jarvis' code into all the little hidey-holes so they didn't have to find them alone. Bambi switched the color to purple, then Peacemaker's shade of pink, before going back to arc-reactor blue.
The people on the street cheered, knowing that New York was the new home of the Iron Family. This was the beginning of something exciting.
Line Break
Anonymous Millions for Former POWs? New Sources Reveal Margaret Stark Behind Generous Donation
Cody Wallace, Reuters
In a surprising turn, an anonymous multi-million-dollar donation made on May 20th to benefit former prisoners of war has now been traced back to none other than Margaret Stark, former CEO of Stark Industries. This substantial gift had initially been credited to an unnamed donor, but recent leaks suggest it came directly from Margaret's personal accounts, reflecting her deep and quiet commitment to helping those who have endured captivity.
Margaret Stark, who has led Stark Industries through a period of transformative changes and ethical accountability, is already well-known for her contributions to humanitarian causes. Yet, her decision to keep this particular donation anonymous speaks volumes about her intentions, making it clear that this was not a move for publicity but rather an authentic gesture of solidarity with former POWs.
In light of the recent discovery of James Barnes, who was rescued by the Iron Family after decades in forced captivity, Margaret's donation carries even more significance. As one source noted, "Margaret Stark is fiercely private about her personal philanthropy, but her actions here underscore her dedication to supporting those who've endured hardships—especially for the sake of our country."
As Margaret remains a trending figure on social media for her outspoken stances and bold leadership style, this latest revelation only adds to the public admiration surrounding her. While Stark Industries as a whole has embraced an ethos of social responsibility, Margaret's personal contributions suggest that her commitment to these values runs even deeper than her role as CEO requires.
"Why does everyone know everything about me?" Grey whined, looking at the newest article with her name on it. Long gone was the time she wanted to be a journalist. "And what's this line here, Margaret is fiercely private about her personal philanthropy? I've only made one anonymous donation, and it's already been leaked it was me!"
"That's the only line you're mad about? Not the insinuation that you only donated because of Barnes?"
"I mean, I did only donate because of James," Grey said, frowning at Pepper. "If my boyfriend hadn't been a prisoner of war, I'd likely have donated to the Trevor project instead. I'm not a politician, my personal donations are allowed to be personal."
"This could be bad for you, Grey, if people think you'll only donate to causes you care about-"
"Pepper, I care about every cause that helps someone," Grey said firmly. "The Trevor Project, POW/MIA, Food Not Bombs which I only just discovered, I'm sending money to all of them. Might as well, my salary's just for show."
"Single handedly trying to solve all the worlds' problems," Pepper teased, shaking her head. "Although, I'd like to see them try to reason away you donating to Food Not Bombs."
"They'll probably claim I'm secretly homeless or something," Grey said, shaking her head. "You and dad should make some public donations, get the spotlight off me. Have dad debut the September Foundation, just in time for the school year."
"I'll bring it up. Oh, and Happy needs your new grocery list for New York," Pepper said. "Bambi has the link."
Line Break
Jayne should've known better than to burst into Grey's room while she was asleep. She especially should've known better than to burst into the room while her boyfriend was asleep. Jayne had two guns pointed at her before she could even explain. Thankfully, both Grey and James were trained well enough to put the guns down as soon as they realized it was just Jayne.
"Wassat?" Grey asked, reverting back to sleepy mode when she realized it wasn't a real threat. James put his gun away and started getting dressed, grumbling under his breath about important girlfriends and early morning problems.
"Sorry. If we thought yesterday was bad, today is worse. I know you get to sleep in on Mondays, but not today, stock is down three hundred points and Pepper needs help. Wakey wakey."
"What happened yesterday?" James asked as he came back in the room with clothes for Grey. Grey changed, not caring about flashing Jayne. Grey moved quickly for someone who was just sound asleep. Jarvis started the morning routine, throwing the weather and several headlines up on the window overlooking the city.
"London Riots," Jayne said. "Police brutality."
"Hugh Carey died – I think we're expected at his funeral, Bambi, double check that for me," Grey said, hopping into sweatpants. Her eyes flashed at the reminder of what caused the London Riots the night before. Police brutality was always quick to fire her up. "There was a shooting in Ohio, eight killed, including an eleven-year-old."
"And a NATO chopper crash that killed thirty and a dog," Jayne said, reading off her tablet. Grey sighed heavily and grabbed her red hoodie – the same one she brought over from her timeline – and shuffled into her Birks. "We've already sent the Riley del Sol Foundation to cover funeral costs. Pepper authorized them to pay for the Afghani funerals as well, for the few that died that weren't American soldiers."
"All that in one day? Shit," James said, running his fingers through his hair. He was genetically blessed, his hair didn't knot or tangle, so he looked good afterwards. Grey needed a brush, a blow out, and the prayers of her family to get her hair to look good.
"I think we'll survive this crash," Grey said, her face scrunched up. "Ugh, I need coffee."
"Coffee is ready in the kitchen," Bambi said helpfully. "Lyn is making breakfast now."
"Then let's go!" Grey said, looping one arm through Jayne's, and reaching back for James with her other one. She never cared when she grabbed the prosthetic, something that always made James happy, knowing he was accepted, knowing he was home. "Nothing like a disaster before breakfast."
"It's gonna be a long day," Jayne whined as she shuffled along at Grey's pace. "Oh, and Bambi, if you ever wake me up like that again, I'll kill you."
"What happened?"
"Bambi decided the best way to wake me up was blasting It's the end of the world as we know it through my apartment speakers," Jayne snarled, glaring at the ceiling. "Now I get why Sam and Christine told me to get my own place."
"Oh please, they're going to be just down the road, Pepper picked out both of their apartments, they're two floors up from Happy's in the same building," Grey said. "Bambi will likely find their way into their homes too."
"Of course I will," Bambi said from the ceiling. They preferred to flash the lights purple, over Jarvis' blue.
"Took you long enough," Pepper said as they finally entered the communal living space on their penthouse floor. This floor was just for family, and had suites for Pepper and Tony, Grey and James, Helen and Jim, as well as apartments for Jayne and two vacancies. One would likely be for guests, and Grey had secretly designed the other one for Peter, complete with a window that opened to allow him in and out. It was void of decoration for now, but Grey already had Lego sets hidden in the closet, and Star Wars posters in frames.
Down one and two flights of stairs, apartments for the Avengers were set up, assigned and labelled, just missing the furniture and personal touches – Grey had plans for that. Those floors opened into a giant communal space, the same floor as the helipad. Lyn had plans to expand the culinary team to provide at least two on-site chefs. Lyn would stay on as the personal chef for the Iron Family and manage the culinary teams for the Avengers. She was offered an apartment within the tower, but laughed in Grey's face when it was offered. Grey figured it was a fair response. Not everyone would be excited to live alongside the entire family.
"I almost got shot, I'm gonna need you to be more sympathetic, here, Potts," Jayne said with her hands up.
"I told you to wake her up, not storm into her room like an idiot – you know who she sleeps with," Pepper said, winking at James. "Besides, it's a Monday, and it's always risky to wake her up on a Monday."
Line Break
Margaret Stark was a genius or a wedding planner, and Pepper Potts was a bride. She stood there in her dress, an ivory strapless A-line with a slit up the side, and chunky gold heels. Grey stood there in an elegant black bridesmaid's dress, with chunky gold heels. Sam and Jayne stood in matching dresses and shoes. Pepper wore her light red hair down, falling in curls over her back, while the trio of bridesmaids wore updos.
"Are you ready?" Grey asked, holding out Pepper's bouquet. White roses with gold leaf detailing, and blue salvia flowers. With flowers in hand, the girls walked to the front of the cabin, where Jim was waiting for Pepper. Tony bought the cabin as a wedding present for Pepper. A place where the family could go and get away from being The Stark Family.
"He's cried twice," Jim said, holding his arm out to walk Pepper down the aisle. "Twice, Grey."
"I'm gonna be bawling, trust me," Grey said, already tearing up. "My parents are getting married, Jim this is the best day ever!"
"I get to marry my best friend," Pepper said with a beaming smile. "C'mon, let's do this!"
Tony Stark and Pepper Potts Tie the Knot in Intimate Upstate Ceremony
Christine Everhart
In a quiet departure from the high-profile image usually associated with the Stark name, Tony Stark and Pepper Potts were married yesterday in an intimate ceremony at the Stark family's secluded vacation home in upstate New York. Surrounded only by close family and friends, the couple exchanged vows under an early autumn sky, framed by the serene fall colors and elegant Persian blue, white, and gold accents.
The bridal party reflected the closeness of their inner circle, with Pepper's bridesmaids including Samantha Kim, Stark Industries' president of legal; Jayne Vittori; and Margaret Stark. Standing alongside Tony were Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes, Tony's childhood friend and Iron Family comrade; James Barnes; and Harold Hogan. Each bridesmaid wore a classic black dress with gold accents, mirroring the groomsmen's matching attire. The floral arrangements—delicate blue salvia mixed with white roses—added a sophisticated touch to the setting, creating an atmosphere both timeless and personal.
While the event was strictly private, one detail shared by sources close to the couple is that Stark and Potts took steps to ensure the focus remained on family. Known for her privacy and poise, the new Mrs. Stark's decision to limit the celebration to just family and friends aligns with her longtime, steady influence at Stark Industries, both as a trusted advisor and as its new CEO.
Even as Stark's public persona has softened over the years, this wedding marks a significant change, one that insiders note highlights Tony's commitment to his personal relationships and family legacy. With no reporters present, the day was described as warm and joyous, celebrating a partnership that has grounded Stark Industries through its most transformative years.
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Stark, a pair whose quiet strength and love will surely be admired for years to come.
"I married my best friend!" Tony cheered as he and Pepper raced back up the aisle, hand in hand. Jim, Happy, and James started gathering chairs, while Grey directed the legacies around the back of the cabin where the dance floor and reception were set up. Pepper wanted to change dresses between the ceremony and reception, giving her something she can dance in.
"What do you think, us next?" James asked, sliding up behind Grey. "Do you even want to get married?"
"You want to marry me?" Grey asked incredulously, tilting her head back to look up at him. "Me?"
"Well, you're kinda bossy, and you snore a little bit. But there are worst things than spending the rest of my life with my best friend," James said, causing Grey to melt. She turned around to face him and smiled.
"You'll have to ask my parents," Grey pointed out, causing James to go slightly pale. "But they'll say yes. Well, Pepper will. She said she wants to adopt me, do the paperwork and everything. Of course, she told me that after Cynthia did my makeup, so I burst into tears and ruined it."
"You sure do cry a lot," James teased, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead.
"I just have a lot of love," Grey insisted. "Come on, Sugar, let's go dance."
Line Break
Wearing black for yet another event in the span of a few days had Grey nostalgic for her gothic phase. In a fitted black suit, with a Calla Lily on her lapel, Grey looked and felt somber as she stood up in front of ground zero and gave another speech on September eleventh.
"Good morning, everyone, and thank you for being here with us today. This day marks ten years since a moment in history that reshaped not just our country but the world. September 11, 2001, changed us all, engraving a memory we will always carry and a story we must continue to tell. On that day, I was just a child, home from school, watching images unfold that seemed impossible, unimaginable. The towers, the smoke, the confusion—it's something that will forever be seared into my mind. Like so many of you, I felt helpless. We watched from our homes as courage, compassion, and loss filled the streets of New York. But even then, amid all the pain, there was something else. Something powerful. It was the first responders running toward danger, neighbors reaching out to help, and families standing by each other as they sought answers and hope. And in that, I saw what it means to be part of a nation that believes in each other." Grey had learned, since last year. All about the boats and ferries that brought people fleeing Manhattan. About the first responders that ran toward the towers to respond when traffic was too bad. She learned, and she cried, and she wished with all her heart the Iron Family had been around to do something, anything to help.
"Today, we gather not only to remember the lives taken from us, the bravery of those who answered the call, and the families who endured unimaginable loss. We're here to honor what grew from that tragedy—the resilience, the unity, and the strength we found in each other. We stand on sacred ground, where the memories of those we lost are woven into the foundations of this city and country.
One World Trade Center, now standing tall, is a testament to our resilience. Its rise is a tribute to those we lost, a symbol of a promise kept, and a reminder that while we may stumble, we never stop rebuilding. In the face of heartbreak, we've built a monument to hope and strength. We turned grief into purpose, and through that purpose, found ways to build stronger, together.
In these past ten years, we have changed. We have learned what it means to protect one another, to live with a new awareness, to seek unity in times of division. We understand now more than ever that our strength lies in connection, in compassion, and in the simple fact that we are not alone in our struggles or in our healing.
Today, as we reflect, let us carry forward the stories of those we lost, the bravery of those who protected others, and the unity we found as a nation. May we honor their memory by living with purpose, by reaching out, and by remembering the power of hope that brought us together on that day and in the years since.
Thank you for being here, for remembering, and for honoring. In their memory, we look to the future, stronger, united, and forever full of hope."
Grey stepped down to rapturous applause, many of the attendees having their own tears on their cheeks. Grey hated sad speeches.
"Well done, Ms. Stark," President Obama said as he shook her hand. "Your speech writer deserves a raise."
"Oh, well thank you," Grey said, bobbing a pretend courtesy. "Jayne and I worked on it for hours. Trying to get to the heart of the matter without me bursting into tears."
"Keeping emotions in check is the hardest part of giving speeches like this," Barack said sagely. "I've struggled with it myself. How was the wedding?"
"It was beautiful," Grey said. "I'll tell them you asked, they were sad to miss this years' memorial, but I insisted they actually take a Honeymoon. They deserve it."
"Did they get the gift we sent?"
"They did, I'm sure Pepper's already sent out thank you cards, she's efficient like that." Grey grinned. She had helped with getting them all sent out before they left for Hawai'i. "They're not even relaxing; they went to Honolulu to help with conservation efforts."
"Sounds exactly like what I would expect from Pepper," Michelle said. "Won't you join us for lunch? Bring Jim and James, we'll have you at our table. And don't you dare burst into tears again."
"I can't promise that, Michelle, I cry a lot, just ask James." Barack and his wife laughed. "I'll see you at the table."
Line Break
"Took you long enough," Grey teased as Tony and Pepper finally walked through the door.
"Shut it, Stark," Pepper snipped, walking in sunburnt. "Happy birthday Sam! I'd hug you, but I'm sunburnt everywhere."
"I thought the best part of marrying the pretty girl was getting to rub sun oil all over the pretty girl?" Grey asked Tony, trying her best to not outright laugh as Pepper settled for a high five from the Air Force crew that was scattered around the living room. Katherine Dugan and Jim Morita came out too and were sitting in the dining room with plates of breakfast. Jim had even brought his wife, Rosalind, who was chatting in Chinese with Zora.
"We went out on an excursion, a hike, and it was going fine until we stopped to jump off a cliff – my wife is a daredevil and lives for the thrill – and we forgot to reapply."
"She certainly has fun shoving me off cliffs," Grey said, thinking about their early flight training. "I do kinda wanna go cliff diving again, that was a lot of fun. Oh! We should all go this weekend!"
"It's my birthday, and I say we stay inside," Sam said. "I love flying, but I'm not jumping off a cliff."
"I'll go," Sam's sister, Sarah said brightly. "I've gone before, in college, and it was so much fun!"
"Should've given her the wings," Sam pretended to complain. Grey was just glad to see him smiling again. Riley's death had hurt them all, but it had almost killed Sam. He still wore the engagement band daily. Grey understood. James had gifted her a locket with their baby's fingerprints. She never took it off.
"Nope, I like being a history teacher," Sarah said.
"Oh, that's right! Sam told me you majored in American History – it's how he knew who James was when we introduced him!"
"So, you do listen when I talk," Sarah teased, causing Sam to pout at her. "I wish I could read the court transcript; I considered going into law, but I love being a teacher."
"You're underappreciated," Grey said. She continued, "teachers in this country do a thankless job, and y'all deserve better."
"Teaching isn't terrible, Grey, sure the kids can be rowdy, but it's not the end of the world," Sarah said, appreciative, but confused by the sentiment. Grey supposed it was because it was still a few years early. "Unless you know something I don't."
"She always knows something we don't," Sam said. After the funeral, Sam had asked if she knew Riley was going to die. She had been honest, and said yes, but also that she had taken steps to keep him away from the mission that killed him. She had – this was the universe fighting back. Sam had almost collapsed at that point, grief taking over his body, and Grey had held him, cried with him. She apologized as she cried, and Sam said there was nothing to forgive. "She's a Stark, they're all geniuses. Geniuii? What's the plural for genius?"
"Starks," Allie called from her spot in the dining room with Zora and Luna. Luna was trying to crawl around, but was being corralled by her big sister. Grey was the first to laugh, but it quickly spread like wildfire as the Starks settled in to spend the day. Pepper made herself at home in the dining room, chatting with Samantha Kim, who was also celebrating her birthday.
"Grey, who else has a birthday today?" Samantha asked. "You said three, didn't you? Jen's was yesterday."
"Hali, Helen's APRN. They weren't able to come, since they came for the wedding," Grey explained, flopping on the couch. She sat between the arm and Sam, who was sitting next to James, absently leaning against his arm. "But I sent her the biggest Cinnabon roll I could, and a card from all of us."
"Where'd the cinnamon roll tradition come from?"
"Grey's mom, actually," Tony said, knowing Grey's story and adjusting it to fit. "When I went to the hospital the next day, the OB nurse told me everything about it. She showed up with a cinnamon roll, while in active labor. Said it was her family tradition to have cinnamon rolls on her birthday. Since it's the only part of her mom we still have, we kept the tradition."
"I didn't know it came from Susan," Jim Rhodes said, lounging on the other couch with Sarah and Tony on either side. Since Emma Frost was a real, non-mutant person in this world, Grey couldn't use her, so they made up an MIT student, gave her Grey's mom's name and left it at that. Jarvis backdated a death announcement and obit, both of which Grey kept copies of in a scrapbook, just to be safe. "Tones, you just said it was a new tradition."
"Oh, you know dad, Jim, he probably thought he told you, and forgot he only did it in his head," Grey said, waving her hand in the air.
"Yeah, he's just like Grey, he'll have an entire conversation in his head and think it was real," James teased.
"Okay I did that like one time," Grey said, reaching across Sam to swat his shoulder. "Rude ass."
"Like father like daughter," Jim said, throwing his head back to laugh at the twin offended expressions on their faces. "Wonder if Pepper's next to start doing that."
"Doubt it, she's the only one still put together," James said, nodding gravely. His serious expression lasted only a moment, before he started laughing.
"What am I next to do?" Pepper asked from the dining room, before shoving half a cinnamon roll in her mouth in one bite.
"Become exactly like these two," Sam said, jerking his thumb in Grey's direction. Pepper nodded sagely, and fought to swallow so she could speak.
Pepper had to hold her hand over her mouth as she said, "being a Stark is contagious. It's not a DNA sequence, it's a personality type."
"I feel like we should be offended here," Tony said, looking at Grey. "I'm feeling offended."
"Okay, boomer," Grey said, kicking back in her seat. Sam found it the funniest, and doubled over laughing, nearly taking Grey's eye out with his elbow. She leaned to the side as he cackled.
"Now I'm definitely offended," Tony whined.