Viper

Chapter 8: Stark

I quickly get to the tower to help Tony finish our newest project, as well as to wait for Coulson.

"Good to go on this end. The rest is up to you, babe."

"I'm here too, Dad."

"Hey, Sarah. Shouldn't you be finishing up packing?"

"Okay, I get it."

"You disconnected the transmission lines? Are we off the grid?"

"Stark Tower is about to become a beacon of self-sustaining clean energy," Tony confirms.

"Well, assuming the arc reactor takes over and it actually works."

"Assume? Hon, didn't you develop this technology? Got your head in the clouds, Genny? Light her up."

"How does it look?"

"Like Christmas, but with more us."

"We've got to go wider on the public awareness campaign. You need to do some press. Sarah's in DC tomorrow, and I have to go to HQ soon."

"Genny, you're killing me. The moment, remember? Enjoy the moment."

"Get in here, and I will."

Sir, Agent Coulson of SHIELD is on the line.

"I'm not in. I'm actually out."

Sir, I'm afraid he's insisting.

"Grow a spine, Jarvis. I got a date."

"Levels are holding steady. You should really answer the phone."

"Gen, please. That's not—"

"I know."

"Sh. You're a genius. All this came from you."

"Stop trying to butter me up, but we can celebrate a little."

"The security snafu? Yeah, that was on you."

"Oh?"

"Our private elevator was teeming with sweaty workmen. I'm going to pay for my comments in some subtle way later, aren't I?"

"Not going to be that subtle, Tones."

"Call your brother. Can you bunk over?"

I roll my eyes.

Sir, the telephone. I'm afraid my protocols are being overridden.

"Gen?"

"Sorry, I guess, but then again I'm not."

"Mr. Stark, we need to talk."

"You have reached the life model decoys of Tony and Genny Stark. Please leave a message."

"This is urgent, and I think Director Jones would agree."

"Security breach. It's on you."

"You're right, it is. Phil! Come in."

"'Phil'?"

"I can't stay."

"Oh, I know."

"His first name is 'Agent.'"

"Come on in. We're celebrating."

"Which is why he can't stay."

"She needs you to look this over as soon as possible."

"I don't like being handed things," Tony says as Phil tries to hand him the file.

"That's fine. Let's trade, Phil. Here you go. There we are. Better, dear?"

"Official consulting hours are between 8 and 5 every other Thursday."

"Tony, Darling, this isn't a consultation. Love, it could be the end of the world. I'm going to make sure Sarah is ready. Phil?"

I walk up the stairs to Sarah's room, and she pulls her bags out into the hallway.

"Ready, Babygirl?"

"Yes, Mama. I'm ready."

"I love you, ya know."

"I love you too, Mama."

"Let's go, baby."

"Hey, hon, you got a second?"

"Half a mo," I whisper to Sarah and Phil.

"You know, I thought we were having a moment."

"I was having 12% of a moment. This is serious. Phil's shaken, even."

"Okay, you would know— Why is he 'Phil'?"

"Because he works for me. Now, look at all this."

"This is—wow! Genny, you've been—"

"Busy? Yeah, I know. We're leaving tonight."

"Tomorrow."

"You have homework, and a lot of it. I spent good time on this."

"Well, what if I didn't?"

"If you didn't?"

"Yeah."

"You mean when you've finished? Well, um, then—" I whisper something in his ear. He gasps, and Phil looks at the ground.

"Square deal. Fly safe."

I give him a long kiss before telling him to work hard and walking over to Phil and Sarah.

"We're dropping her by LaGuardia."

"Yes, ma'am."