Merry Christmas
and have
a Happy New Year
Chapter .2.
The Avengers had started thinking and discussing about the age they saw on the drives license. They were debating if the drives license was real. Because Tony sure didn't look like he was 76. Steve had told them they would ask Tony to explain and if he said the license was real they would have to vote on weather to have Tony come with them on missions or sit out.
Steve was thinking about Tony's age. If this was real that would mean Tony was around during the war. And that Howard didn't tell him he had a 2-year-old son or even a wife. He would have surely have remembered if Howard mentioned that! Steve thinks back to when he met Tony. Tony never showed any sign of being in his 70's. And he didn't say anything that indicated his age. So what was he going to do? Tony was not like him with the serum where he could heal quickly. So how could Steve justify a 76 year-old being on their team? Then again he himself was technically around Tony's age so what right did HE have to tell Tony he couldn't be on the team because of his age? But it was a majority vote. So he would have to see what happened and what Tony said…
Bruce was pacing the room trying to think of an explanation for Tony's youthful appearance. And think about how nobody knew Tony's age was 76. HE didn't even have a clue how Tony hide everything. Then again Tony ALWAYS refused to go to Hospital or have any Doctors look at him. So what was Tony hiding? Some underling medical condition? He would have to ask Tony to examine him to see if he still could be capable of being on the team at his age. If he didn't pass the examine or refuse to have one he would have to vote for Tony to sit out on missions. It was for the his own health that Bruce was going to give him the options. He hoped this would go over well and he didn't have to do something drastic…
Thor frowned looking into space. The Man of Iron being so old surprised him but didn't at the same time. Stark's aura always felt older then Stark claimed he was. But when Bruce told him what age Tony would be in Asgardian years he was stunned. According to Bruce, Tony would probably be older then the Allfather! Thor knew a man that age should not be fighting and should be on the Council as Advisors or scholars. Stark should be celebrated as the wisest of men and congratulated on reaching the age he did. Now Thor had been told they need to vote on Tony's future on the Avengers Team and Thor was thinking about what to tell the Man of Iron. He hoped he could show the Man of Iron that there was no shame of being so old and now was the time to enjoy his later years of life…
Natasha was frowning as she looked through the files on Stark. In none of them it said Tony's age was 76. In none of them it really talked about his life. If Stark was hiding his age then it was likely that Tony deliberately hid his age, real birth certificate and all other documents and made fake ones. With his IQ he would have no trouble doing that. So now what to do? If Tony was 76 he was at an age he shouldn't be in the field as. But looking at Tony he seemed to look like he was healthy. But with his medical history and the fact he had no medical evaluation was against him. Unless he could prove by a medical profession SHIELD could provide that he was healthy enough to still go in the field and be Ironman then she knew her vote…
Clint was muttering to himself trying to figure out if this was a joke or not. If this was a joke then everything would be alright. But if it wasn't the team would have to make a decision about what to do. Clint really didn't want to have to vote. He knew what regulations he should follow but on the other hand Tony was his friend. And didn't Tony deserve to at have some loyalty and trust? That he still had the right judgement to make the calls about if he could handle missions or not? But Clint did think want if Tony was not capable of making those decisions because of his age? Now many people that age could make that type of decision. So maybe Clint thought he would have to vote for Tony's own good. Or at least wait to see if Tony agreed to a physical and a mental assessment. Yes that might he wise to be bought up so they could get all the facts before they vote. Clint happy with his thoughts sat down to wait for Tony to get back…
Rhodey was running his fingers through his hair. How could Tony keep this secret from him? But how could Tony possibly be 76 years of age. That would mean Tony was old enough to be HIS Grandfather. That was wrong on so many levels to Rhodey. He always thought of Tony as a little brother. But to find out that Tony was older then a little brother well that didn't sit right by him. But it did explain some of his attitude in MIT. But the question was what would he do now? Tony was way too old to be in the field even looking so young. He should have his feet up in the Caribbean not out fighting HYDRA or other crazy villains! Rhodey had always looked out for Tony so now he would do it again. If Tony wasn't going to look after himself and do the right thing. Then Rhodey would help make that choice for his friend once again…
Tony was happy he got the food and was happily making his away to the Tower. But something felt wrong to him he just didn't know what.
He got back to the Tower quickly and got in the elevator to bring the food to his friends. He still couldn't believe he had friends even if he was keeping the biggest secrets he had from them. He was proud to serve his country again in some form. And Ironman was a good way to do that.
"J where is the team?" Tony asks
"They are in the living room Sir. They appear agitated", JARVIS tells him
Tony frowns, "Did something happen J?"
"They were arguing not long ago Sir. Do you want anymore details?" JARVIS replies
"Nah J I will find out probably in a couple of seconds anyway", Tony replies
"But sir…", JARVIS starts
"J quiet", Tony replies
When Tony arrived in the living room he could tell immediately something has changed. They were all looking at him funny.
"What? Have I got something on my face?" Tony jokes
"Nothing like that Tony. Did you get the food alright?" Steve asks with concern
Tony raises an eyebrow at the concern when did he become concerned about Tony going out to get food?
"I got it. What is up with the lot of you? Did something happen?" Tony asks
"Everything is fine", they reply wanting to eat first and observe Tony before talking
"Uh huh. Sure. Keep telling yourselves that", Tony replies not believing them for a second
He gives out the food. As he does it he gets unusual thank yous from everyone. As he ate he felt and saw everyone give him looks every now and then. Ok this was weird. They were looking at him like he might break. Or analysing him.
Tony puts down his food in frustration.
"Ok that is enough! Tell me what the hell is going on!" Tony demands glaring at all of them
"Calm down you don't want to hurt yourself Tones", Rhodey tells him
"'Don't want to hurt yourself'?" Tony repeats Rhodey's words
Tony's mind was going fast what did he…Oh…oh the looks, the concern and the analysing him told him what was going on. How did he not notice it when he walked out the elevator? How the HELL did they find out?
"JARVIS! Did the team somehow find out Code Silent?" Tony growls
Code Silent was the name of his Generation. He had programmed this code into JARVIS to alert him if someone found out his real age.
"Yes sir. I tried to tell you sir", JARVIS replies
"Code Silent?" Clint asks confused, "Age getting to you Tony?"
Tony glares at the team.
"So you found out my age?" Tony asks trying to calm down
"So it is true?" Steve asks looking at Tony carefully trying to see if he lies about anything
"Is what true?" Tony asks
Rhodey sighs and hands Tony his drivers license. Tony actually snatches it from Rhodey's hand.
"Didn't you all grow up knowing it was wrong to snoop into someone's wallet?" Tony asks them knowing his license had been in his wallet
"So it is not fake?" Clint asks
"For the love off…why on earth would I make up an license and have the year of birth as 1937? Making my age 76? Why on earth would I fake that?" Tony asks them looking at each off them
He could clearly see what they were thinking. And nothing he would say was going to change their minds. As they were already made up.
Tony had always been scared of this. His age coming into the factor of his abilities to do his jobs. He thought his friends might see past his age when they found out especially Rhodey but clearly not. He was just an old man too them. To old too be any good to them. To old too keep up with them. Even through HE knew he could run circles around them.
He found he shouldn't be surprised at this. They didn't really know him after all. But he was still hurt and disappointed. Well he guessed Ironman would be going solo again. Just as well he wasn't made out to be on a superhero team. He wasn't their generation. No matter how hard he tried he would never be like them. As he told Fury he wasn't meant to be part of his 'boy band'.
He would just have to go solo. Be with people who knew he wasn't really old on the inside or out. And be a part time superhero and a more fulltime Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather.
"I guess I now know what you truly think don't I?" Tony says quietly looking at them and getting up
Tony decided he didn't need to hear what they were going to say. He already knew.
"J prepare the mark xx", Tony orders moving away from his…no the True Avengers.
"Tony! Where are you going?" Bruce asks in alarm
"We need to talk about this Tony!" Steve calls to him
"Come on Stark your 76! Act your age and be a grown up. We just want you to have a physical!" Natasha tells him
"And maybe a mental assessment with your age and all", Clint adds
But he gets glares by everyone else.
"That will never happen", Tony growls at them still walking
"Man of Iron there is no shame in your age! The Allfather himself would nearly be your age in human years the good Doctor tells me!" Thor says cheerfully
"Oh that makes me feel sooo much better", Tony says sarcastically
"Come on Tones we are just looking out for you!" Rhodey replies
"Tell me this. Yes or no. Will you allow me to stay on the team?" Tony asks stopping at the doors to the balcony
"If you have a physical by SHIELD Doctors and pass then yes", Natasha informs him of the groups decision
"My word or JARVIS's not enough for you?" Tony asks them looking at them with a look they have never seen in his eyes.
"You have lied about a lot Tony. Why wouldn't you about this?" Steve asks with a tired sigh
They see a look in Tony's eyes something they didn't like. It was a look of…betrayal and was the hurt?
"Stay in the tower. Have your little 'boy band'. I will just do what I do best", Tony replies backing up pressing buttons on his watch
"Boy band?" Steve asks confused
Natasha knew what boy band meant. The conversation that Tony had with Fury about the Avengers.
"What you do best?" Clint asks confused
"Tony what are you doing?!" Bruce asks in alarm as Tony gets close to the edge, "You can fall!"
"Oh no my dear Doctor Banner I won't fall", Tony says sneering Bruce's title
Bruce flinches at the sneer.
"What do you mean?" Rhodey asks
"Don't be a fool Stark. Come inside and talk", Steve says trying to order to Tony
"You haven't the authority to order me around Captain", Tony growls emphasizing authority and Captain
"What do you mean?" Steve asks confused
"Come on Tony be responsible", Rhodey tells him
"And you Colonel Rhodes also don't have the authority to order me", Tony continues
Steve and Rhodey were confused as to why Tony was emphasizing their ranks. Rhodey had flinched when Tony called him Colonel. Tony never called him that before.
Natasha's eyes widen piecing together a possible reason.
"Stark are you…?" Natasha hints
"As of now the tower is yours Captain, Colonel, Doctor, Prince, Agents do what you like with it. As for me…", Tony starts saying their titles formally and with an air of command
They all flinch at their titles coming out of Tony's mouth in that way.
"Why so formal?" Clint asks
"And what do you mean 'As for me'?" Rhodey asks
"As to all your questions in the last few minutes I have this to say and do. I say you now can address me as either CEO Anthony Stark of Stark Industries, or Doctor Anthony Stark, with Doctorates in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Physics, Science, Maths, Nuclear Physics, Electrical Engineering etc, etc or more importantly as Brigadier General Anthony Stark of the US Army…", Tony starts pressing one last button on his watch
Their jaws drop at the title he gave them.
"Brigadier General?" Steve and Rhodey stutter out shocked
Natasha looked like Tony had confirmed something for her.
"Your Army?" Bruce asks shocked that the fun loving Tony Stark was actually a military man
Oh who was he kidding? Tony had shocked them with a lot off information these past few hours. And few minutes.
"Yes…And now I have one, no three last words for you", Tony replies looking at them sternly
"What are they? And last words?" Rhodey asks with fear in his voice
"I. Am. Ironman", Tony replies firmly and falls back off the balcony
They scream for him they leap to the edge and see Tony hurdling towards the ground but suddenly a Ironman suit appears out of nowhere forming around Tony's body. And suddenly Tony wasn't going to hit the ground he launched himself into the air rocking away from them faster then they had even seen the suit do.
"Oh my god did you just have a heart attack?" Clint asks panting at the scare he just had
"Shit I need the Hulk out room", Bruce gasps stumbling away
"That do we do now?" Natasha asks the others who were left
They all looked at each other. They didn't have the answer too that. This conversation didn't go anywhere near what they expected it too.
In fact THEY might have to get checked out by doctors. For a heart attack after seeing Tony supposing plunge towards his death before being caught by his armour.
The other thing on the mind of Steve and Rhodey was the fact Tony called them by their military titles then told them to call him Brigadier General.
He couldn't be military could he?
Was he really a Doctor with that many Doctorates?
But as they thought the Military Title was more unbelievable then the Doctorates.
With all this revealed what else was Tony hiding from them?...
Author's Note: What do you think? Please Review:)