A/N: I thought of this story back when I saw the first Iron Man film back in '08, but haven't gotten around to writing it until now. I'm sorry if this idea has been done to death, but hopefully I can add my own original spin to the idea.

Reviews would be greatly appreciate. As I'm not really sure how I feel about this as an introduction.

Disclaimer: This story follows the events of Iron Man 1 and 2. Iron Man and all its character and plot points belong to Marvel Entertainment.

It was a hot day in Afghanistan, the sun looming high in the sky. A US military squad combed the area of a small town. It was just sixteen kilometers east of their camp. Reports say that terrorists had been seen hiding out there. No doubt they were planning a strategy of attack. This was nothing but a recon mission. Get in, scout the area, collect intel, then get out. But it didn't go down like that.

The squad was led by a young sergeant. She was overconfident and was liable to make decisions without thinking about them first. She was scouting down a street occupied by spectating citizens. She was just about to call it a day and head back when she heard the sound of a man's cry. Pivoting in the direction the noise came from she found a native man shouting frantically at her in a language she didn't understand. "Calm down, sir," she called to him, standing her ground. He didn't calm down, though. He came towards her, his hand snaking into his pocket. Thinking the worst, she shot with no warning. Screams erupted in the streets. She came forward. Checking the body, she found no weapon. Clutched in his hand instead was a letter freshly drenched in his own blood.

The sergeant had been demoted and was relocated to a base in California where hopefully she would do no more damage. She was originally demoted to cleaning duty, but with a little begging she was able to make a deal. If she could prove that she's capable of making good choices that keeps people alive, then she would be granted permission back on the field. But nobody warned her what that would entail.

She was in her quarters awaiting orders when she was approached by the colonel. She stood and saluted when he entered the room. "Pack a bag," he ordered, "I've got a job for you."

That's how she found herself in a crowded room full of reporters. Colonel Rhodes had yet to explain to her what was going on. All he said about it while they walked up the steps to the building was, "He's a little hard to get along with at first. Just don't let it it get to you, okay? And try not to make eye contact for too long. He hates that."

Upon entering the building she found Tony Stark sitting on the edge of the stage in front of an audience of reporters. Pulling a cheeseburger out of his pocket he called for everyone's attention. "Hey, would it be all right if everyone sat down? Why don't you just sit down? That way you can see me, and I can . . . And a little less formal, and . . ." He trailed off before he took a bite out of his sandwich.

She looked on in amazement as the group of people sat down in front of him. "Is that Tony Stark?" she whispered over to the colonel.

"Yeah, that's him," he sighed.

"But I thought he went missing. What is he doing here?"

"We found him on our last search mission; brought him home." His eyes roamed the room until he found a familiar face. He approached who could be assumed was a friend and knelt down next to her. She stood at his side obediently while the two shared a little back and forth. While the two spoke the younger woman was left to think about the situation she was in. From what she could guess she'd say that her job has something to do with Stark. Was she going to go after his captors and bring them to justice? That had to be it.

She was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of Tony's voice. "I never got to say good-bye to my father," he said. "There were questions I would have asked him. I would have asked him what this company did. If he was conflicted, if he ever had doubts. Or maybe he was every inch of man we remember from the news reels." He actually exhibited a hint of emotion in his voice. She couldn't tell if he was being sincere or if it was just an act for the press. But either way something must have happened to him over there to make him talk like this. As if reading her own thoughts he went on to explain, "I saw young Americans killed by the very weapons I created to defend them and protect them. And I saw that I had become part of a system that is comfortable with zero accountability."

It was silent for a short second before hands were raised. He called on a man in the front row. "What happened over there?"

"I had my eyes opened," he said as he got to his feet. "I came to realize that I had more to offer this world than just making things that blow up. And that is why, effective immediately, I am shutting down the weapons manufacturing division of Stark Industries." At this everyone in the room stood shouting out questions for him. He had continued to talk, but was drowned out by Obadiah Stane as he tried to do damage control. When Tony had said all he had to say he stormed off the stage, reporters holding out recorders for a comment as cameras flashed in his face. Colonel Rhodes took action as he shielded him from spectating eyes, leading him into an isolated area where they could talk, the two women following behind them.

When they were finally alone, Colonel Rhodes took it upon himself to speak first. "What the Hell was that?" he asked.

"Did you not hear me?" Tony asked. "Because I thought I made it really clear up there."

Ignoring his comment he said, "So you stop making weapons, then what? What else is there for you?"

"I don't know. I heard pharmaceuticals is a good market to be in." He glanced over at the woman to Rhodey's right and asked, "Who's this?"

"This is Private Miranda Ridley. She'll be serving as your bodyguard," Rhodes explained.

"I'm sorry, what?" Tony asked.

Miranda, who had saluted in the middle her superior's sentence, faltered as she looked at him completely bemused. "What?"

"You heard me," Rhodey said.

"No, I don't need a bodyguard," Tony said.

"Yeah, I'm sure he'll be fine now that he's back in America," Miranda tried to reason.

"I'm not going to feel right about this unless I put someone on to protect you. Just let me have the peace of mind, okay? And you," he turned to Miranda, "You need to learn the value of a life."

She felt annoyed by the fact that he was calling her out in front of the two people before them. She said, "With all due respect, Sir, I was under the impression that I would be put on an important mission. But it appears that you have me doing babysitting work."

"She sounds really moody. Are you sure she's the right person for the job?" Tony spoke up.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she snapped at him.

"No offense," Tony said, "but I'm just not sure I want my life entrusted to a whiny little girl."

"I'm about two seconds away from snapping your good arm in half," she threatened.

"On second thought, you just exude testosterone," Tony shot back.

"Stop it, the both of you," Rhodey interjected. "Tony, I personally handpicked her. I assure you that she's one of our best." The tension in her shoulders lessened as she heard this. She couldn't tell if he was being truthful or if he was just telling Tony what he wanted to hear. Either way, she appreciated the sentiment. "Now, you two better learn to deal with it, because I'm not giving either of you a choice in the matter."

"I thought as much," Tony thought aloud.

"And if you two are going to live together you had better learn to get along," Rhodey added.

"How did I know you were going to say that?" Tony said as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Rhodey, please-"

"Tony, I am asking you as your friend, just let me have this," Rhodey interrupted. "I'm not going to let anything else happen to you."

Tony heaved a sigh as he heard the sincerity in his friend's voice. "Fine," he said. Knowing that she really didn't have a say in the matter, she chose to keep her mouth shut and accept the orders that were given to her.

"Good," Rhodey said. "Come on. I'll walk you guys to the car."

They walked out to the curb where the car was waiting for them. By this time a majority of the reporters had dispersed, but a few still lingered as they tried to get a comment from Tony. He managed to dodge them as his chauffeur opened the door for him and he got in. "Happy," the woman said, getting his attention, "can you put Private Ridley's bag in the trunk?"

"Gladly," Happy said as he took the bag from her.

"Private Ridley." She turned her attention back to her colonel. "I want you to know that I wouldn't put you on this job if I didn't trust you," he said.

She didn't know if there was any truth to that statement, but she took the compliment nonetheless. "Thank you, Sir," she said.

"I have faith in you. You can do this," he said, patting her on the shoulder.

"Yes, Sir. Thank you, Sir," she replied.

"Okay, you're excused," he said. "Get to it."

"Sir." She saluted as he took his leave.

When he had left she heard a voice from beside her, "Excuse me." She turned to see the strawberry blonde who accompanied Tony. "I'm Pepper Potts," she said extending a hand to shake, "I'm Tony's assistant."

"Miranda Ridley," she introduced herself, taking the woman's hand in her own.

"I know you must be frustrated by the circumstances, but I'd just like to say I appreciate having you here to keep an eye on Tony. I admit that I'm very worried for him," she said.

She was taken aback by her sudden display of gratitude. All she could think to say was, "I'll do my best, ma'am."

Pepper chuckled, "Oh, please, there's no need to be so formal. You can just call me Pepper."

"All right, Pepper," she corrected herself.

"Hey, are you two done yet?" Tony called from inside the car. "Let's get this show on the road. I've got a glass of whiskey waiting for me at home."

"I think that's our cue," Pepper said.

"After you," said Miranda. She held the door open for Pepper. Once she was safe inside Miranda followed suit, closing the door behind her.

"Who's this?" Happy asked as he turned the key in the ignition.

"This is my new bodyguard. I think her name is Amanda," Tony said.

"It's Miranda, actually," she corrected.

Her words went on deaf ears, however, as Tony said, "You know, that's a clever name for you. 'Who are you?' 'A man, duh.'"

"I really don't like your attitude," she said.

"Yeah? What about you?" he asked. "Do you always talk back to your superior officers like that?"

"No," she snapped, annoyed by the direction this was going in, "you just caught me on a bad day."

"Do you have a lot of bad days?" he shot back at her.

She didn't even want to dignify that with an answer. It was obvious to her that he was just trying to get a rise out of her. Maybe he thought if he got her angry enough she'd mess up, giving him a reason to go back to Colonel Rhodes and tell him that this isn't working out. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction. So instead she kept quiet as she directed her attention at the passing scenery outside the window. She was hoping he would give up once he realized she was ignoring him, but he kept on pressing.

"How long have you been in the military?" he asked.

"Four years," she replied.

"Four years and you're still a private?" Miranda closed her eyes as she exhaled sharply through her nose. She tried counting to ten as she tried to keep her anger in check. Noticing her reaction Pepper interjected chiding him to stop. "What?" he asked. "I think I have a right to know. If you're as good as Rhodey says then why aren't you a higher rank?"

Counting hadn't helped cool her off any, as she had counted to twenty by this time and she was still pissed off. She finally snapped, "My ranking and time of service have nothing to do with my abilities in the field."

"Really?" Tony argued. "Because I thought that was the whole point of a ranking system; to indicate ones experience."

At that moment Happy had stopped the car at a red light. "I hate this light," he thought aloud to himself. "It takes forever to change." At this Miranda got an idea.

"Happy was it?"

"Yes, ma'am," he said, looking back at her through the rear-view mirror.

"Do you mind rolling down the windows for a minute?" she asked.

"Sure," he said as he rolled down both windows in the back.

Tony and Pepper looked curiously at her as she looked out the window Tony sat next to. On the sidewalk next to the crosswalk stood a woman looking down at her phone as she waited for the light to change. "Hey!" she called out to the woman. She looked up from her phone towards the direction Miranda had called from. When she got her attention she shouted, "You might want to move." Then she unholstered her hand gun and aimed it in the woman's direction. The woman screamed, though Miranda couldn't hear it over Pepper's own shrieks. She ran out of the way just as she pulled the trigger. The pedestrian managed to get out of the way just in time as the bullet zoomed past her, planting itself right in the middle of the button that changes the crosswalk signals. As the light changed Happy cried, "What the Hell was that?"

"That was me getting the job done," she replied as she holstered her weapon. "Now drive."

As the car started to move again Tony said, "I have no idea what that was supposed to prove, but I like your moxie." Miranda took this as slight approval. It wasn't much, but she'll take whatever she can get. Meanwhile, Pepper still shaken from the sudden gunfire sat dreading the weeks to come.