A long way back home

Part 7

Stark Industries Building, 2008

This takes place right after the conference at the end of Iron Man.

Once the conference was over, Col. Rhodes ushered Tony through a lateral door, only to find that some reporters had guessed what their escape route was going to be. They immediately started taking pictures again.

"The conference is over, folks," Rhodes said pointedly, but the reporters ignored him; they still had questions about the Iron Man suit, they said, but they were the same questions -questions Tony had already answered in a dozen different ways.

Still, Tony smiled; he kept smiling as they made their way to the elevators, and he smiled and waved till the doors closed.

Once he and Rhodes were alone, the smile turned cynical.

"I can see the headlines already: 'Billionaire smiles as his empire collapses around him.' Or: 'Tony Stark, Tin Man in an Iron Suit.'" He shook his head. "Ah, well. This'll get me back into People's 25 Most Intriguing list at the very least. Who knows," he added as he looked into the mirrored door of the elevator. "Maybe I'll be Sexiest Man alive again."

Suddenly, his view was blocked by Col. Rhodes.

"What the fuck did you just do?"

"Not now, Rhodey."

"All you had to do was read the cards! Was that too difficult?"

"Hey, you've got any aspirin? My meds wore off a while ago." He stared hopefully at his friend. "No? Nothing? Look in your pockets, will ya?"

Rhodes stared at him in disbelief for a couple of seconds, then shook his head in resignation.

"No, Tony; I don't have aspirin with me. I'm not your nurse, I'm not your nanny, and right now I don't even wanna be your friend." He took a deep breath. "I can't believe you did this. After all the work me and Coulson did for you. And Pepper. Jesus, what are you gonna tell Pepper?"

Tony started loosening his tie.

"She'll understand."

"You wanna bet?" Rhodes smiled in relish. "I think you're in deep shit this time, pal."

"Thank you, Colonel. I appreciate the support."

"Any time, Mr. Stark."

Tony rubbed his neck. He needed an aspirin, and he needed it now.

Rhodey was eyeing him attentively.

"So, The Iron Man's not so tough, after all." He shook his head. "Do you know what you got yourself into?"

"No," Tony said honestly. "But that's what makes it exciting. And please, don't call me 'The' Iron Man, will ya?"

"What do you want me to call you, then? Neck-brace Man?"

The doors opened and Tony stepped out. Glancing around, he realized Rhodey hadn't moved.

"You coming?"

"No, I'm not," Rhodes said. "Pepper's gonna hold back if I'm there, and I don't want her to hold back; I want her to take a full swing at you."

"She'll understand," Tony said again.

"You keep sayin' that. What's for her to understand, anyway? That you're an egomaniac son of a bitch?"

The doors closed before Tony replied.

"That I did it for her," he said quietly.

Tony paused for a couple of seconds, then took a deep breath and went into his office.

"Now, don't be mad," he started, then did a double take. Pepper wasn't there.

Happy was, though. And he looked pissed.

"She's not here."

"Yeah, I can see that," Tony glared.

"She emptied her desk," Happy said, glaring back. "And it's -" And it's your fault. He didn't have to say it; the look on his face was eloquent enough -at least to Tony, who knew very well whose fault it was.

"It'll be all right," Tony said. "I'll talk to her."

Happy looked worried now. "I don't think she'll listen, boss."

"Leave that to me," Tony replied testily. Why didn't his friends have a little more faith in him for a change? More calmly, he said, "There are reporters waiting outside; take the limo –make sure they see you. I'll take another car."

"Where do you want me to go?"

"Wherever you want to. Go to Vegas."

He didn't wait for a reply. He turned and left the office.

tbc