A/N: Sorry for being out of the loop so long peoples. You know how it is…

Anyway, a lot of you were on the right track in guessing who our mysterious Professor Jones although no one quite got it. You'll find out this chapter who he is.

~Occupied~

"Damn."

Professor Jones sighed and reached into his jacket pocket. John watched him extract a packet of cigarettes and light one up. He offered the box to John but he was waved away. Jones shrugged and put the packet back in his pocket.

"So that didn't go to plan," muttered Jones. "You should have phrased that better. The kid only took a couple of seconds to pick up that you said 'was'."

He was right John reflected. He really had messed that one up. He hadn't even realised how he'd phrased his relation to Maria until the kid's face had gone blank and then suddenly white and he was gone from the room.

"I should go after him I think," said John moving towards the door.

Jones shook his head. "Give him a minute."

John eyed the door, torn. He knew what it was like. One day your parents were there, the next they weren't. The kid hadn't even stuck around for an explanation and once the shock wore off a little he was going to want answers and preferably yesterday.

But Jones had a point so to occupy himself, John sat down instead. He'd give the kid ten minutes. That'd be enough.

Jones leant back in his chair, the leather creaking. His tie hung loosely. There was an old grease stain on the right sleeve and his hair was dishevelled. No doubt he ran his hands through it. John had a similar bad habit. It'd driven Mary crazy sometimes.

He swallowed, halting that memory before it could rise up. He wasn't good with memories, never had been. Maria was enough for today. Mary would be too much.

"Jones is it?" he asked, seeking distraction.

"Usually," grunted the man opposite. "Well to my enemies and the boss anyway. Full name is Henry Walter Jones the Third. Just call me Mutt."

"Right, Mutt," said John, trying the name out. "I take it you know Tony pretty well?"

"Kid's smart. Too smart really but what kid that age who's a genius isn't? I was like him sort of. Not a genius but I could find my way out of trouble usually although mostly I put myself there in the first place."

Mutt smirked, no doubt recalling the days of his youth. He had to be fifteen years older than John, give or take five he supposed.

"Anyway, Tony's alright. His heart's in the right place although you wouldn't know it," continued Mutt. "Kid's got a chip on his shoulder but then an absent father does that."

John nodded. He hadn't known Howard, hadn't known Maria either after he went to Vietnam. Their lives were different and they'd been busy. Then Mary had died and John had chosen his new life and known that in order to protect his sister, he would have to disappear from her life. He'd just never thought that once he finally killed the thing that took Mary from them that Maria wouldn't be there at the end of it.

He'd be 40 in a few years and already so much pain and grief. Was this really his life he wondered some days.

He checked his watch. Five minutes gone. By the time he found Tony that'd probably be another 5, if not more. Time to go then.

He stood and extended his hand.

"Thanks Mutt. I better go find Tony now."

Mutt stood, grasping his hand in return.

"Not a problem John. You send Tony my way if you need. I know you're family but the kid's known me longer and it might help."

John nodded. Mutt was probably right but he'd been the one to take the call. He had the details first hand from Coulson. Tony deserved in this moment to have his absentee family step up to the plate for a change.

Just this once he deserved it.