CEO??

Chapter 16

The rest of the team voiced their agreement, also agreeing that White Wolf and Black Widow were also great because they turned their lives around and made a horrible past into a heroic present.

I was touched and Shuri was grinning because I was finally realizing how much people actually appreciate what I do, and my parents were also getting positive recognition. I smiled brightly at them all, returning my thoughts to their work.

"These are all great, guys!" I praised. "I'm impressed. I doubt even Tony could build a whole computer or a vital monitor from scraps in that amount of time."

They were all grinning, with Connor and Sarah blushing as I called them out specifically. "Thanks!" Ellie said for them all. "We worked hard."

"Well, it was worth it. You guys aren't working in Lab Seven anymore. We'll move Ecological Recovery in there. You guys will be working in this lab, under me. I will literally be the only person who will be allowed to give you orders, with the exception of my assistant and perhaps Shuri," I said. I turned to said princess, who had been unusually quiet, having just sat back and watched me do my thing. "What would be a good title for the positions I just created?" I asked.

She laughed. "Personal interns, perhaps?"

I smiled. "Personal interns it is for now. So, what do you guys say?"

They all nodded quickly. "Of course!" Ellie exclaimed. "Who would pass up a chance like this?"

"Alright, well, I'll be assigning the guest floor you were on earlier as your living space. You can choose to stay in the tower or not, that's up to you, but you will have free reign of the space. Paint the walls, rearrange furniture, I don't care."

"Won't Dr. Stark care?" Timothy asked. "Or Ms. Potts?"

I smirked. "They don't get a say. They made me CEO without telling me and their miscommunication led to problems throughout the company. Only good thing from that is you guys coming to work under me. I shouldn't be unreachable unless I'm in a meeting, so call me if you need me."

They laughed and began calling family to inform them of the development and, if underage, ask about staying in the tower. Sarah and Connor had to ask but were given permission. The rest readily agreed as well and arrangements were made. The adults had apparently decided to room together so they could take work home, carpool to work, and split the price of living. They gave the kids rides to work as well and the five often hung out outside of work. They were as close as I was with Shuri, Ned, and MJ. They all went home for the night and Shuri and I got food and returned to the lab where Darren was just waking up.

"Hey, Ren," Shuri said, coming up with a nickname on the spot. She liked him already. Good. "We got you some dinner." She passed a plate of food over and he smiled gratefully before beginning to eat.

"What time is it?" he asked tiredly.

I laughed and checked my watch. "8:57, Kid." Now I sounded stupid. He was only four years younger than me.

He didn't seem to mind the name though and gave me a small grin. "What are we doing next?" he asked.

I smiled and pulled up a stool for him. "Designing a phone for Loki," I answered, showing him the blueprints. I had a silent conversation with Shuri before asking, "Would you like to help?"

"I'm not the best at this kind of stuff," he said. "Can I watch though?"

Shuri nodded. "Sure, Ren. Pyotr and I don't mind. You also might need to remind us to do basic human necessities, like hydrate."

He smiled. "I can do that!"

We got back to work, and soon the blueprints were finished. We began working on a prototype, voicing our thoughts aloud rather than how we usually work together, instinctively knowing what the other was thinking without having to use words. Darren was here to shadow me, and that was a learning experience. He would only learn if he could see how the process worked.

"Hey, it's been a few hours and you were up early, Peter," Darren said quietly. "You need sleep."

I sighed and set down my tools. Shuri did the same. We nodded simultaneously; our minds being practically linked after working together. "Thanks," we said. "That's a good idea."

He blinked and stared at us weirdly. "Umm... are you guys okay?"

We snapped out of it. "Yeah, Kid. Sorry about that. It usually happens after we work together for a bit. We just think in sync. Oh, hey, that rhymes."

They laughed and we headed to bed. I was staying at the tower for the week to work with Shuri and get my interns settled in. Plus, I couldn't leave Darren. I gave Darren a better room on my floor and Shuri took her usual one. We said goodnight and I collapsed onto my bed, falling into the dreamscape.

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Thoughts?