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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jan 18, 2018 22:24:58 GMT -8
Stark IndustriesThe Stark Industries New York Facility in New York City is one of the many investigation and research facilities created by Howard Stark.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Jan 19, 2018 1:47:29 GMT -8
*** New Year's Eve - December 31, 2017 *** Pepper sighed and finished off her caramel macchiatto as her eyes landed on the clock. Everyone would be excitedly counting down the minutes to midnight, while here she was finalizing the agenda for the next Monday's board meeting. If she were being honest, she was glad to say goodbye to the current year and the rollercoaster ride it had been. The ball had started rolling with that impromptu proposal at the new Avengers facility press conference. Then it somehow became like that boulder that Indiana Jones had to run away from. And where had Tony run to now? Some lavish, no doubt over-the-top party at his place upstate. Their place, she thought sadly. The invitation still lay there on her desk, somehow mocking her. Not even sure why she had held onto it. She gave it a defiant toss into the waste bin, along with her empty coffee cup. Her fingers absentmindedly tapped on the computer keyboard, unable to focus on the monitor. Pepper knew their situation had changed drastically in the aftermath of the Sokovia Accords, but she'd made it clear to Tony that she was there to help him deal with everything. The grief of learning the truth of his parents' deaths and what he believed was a subsequent betrayal by Steve Rogers and other Avengers. She thought the engagement, the wedding planning and all that followed would mark a turning point. He would be her Tony again -- loud and brash and unstoppable in his own charming way. Then somewhere between venue selections and cake tastings, his attention had gone elsewhere. He spent hours in his workshop, and she retaliated by spending hours at the office. Maybe they were just too different when it came down to it. Maybe she would never be okay with taking a backseat to the world when it needed saving. Or maybe that was why she still loved him and always would. With another heavy sigh, Pepper rubbed her eyes and leaned back in her chair. It was useless being here. She couldn't focus. She might as well be at home wondering what Tony was doing instead of here pretending to work while actually wondering what Tony was doing. As she began to pack up her things, she noticed the screen on her phone spring to life. Hope Van Dyne? she wondered as she read the name. She knew Hope was in town and that they had planned to get together for lunch, but she wasn't expecting a call tonight. She tapped the button on her earpiece to take the call and feigned some holiday enthusiasm. "Hello, Hope! Happy New Year!"
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jan 21, 2018 18:40:51 GMT -8
(via phone)
A couple of silent beats. Music, talking, laughing in the background. "Hey, Happy New Year to you too, Pep," came the slightly distracted answer. Volume of background noise starts to lower as if moving away from it.
Another silent beat before Hope's voice came back, sounding chastising. "Pepper, are you working?"
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Jan 21, 2018 20:57:06 GMT -8
"Pepper, are you working?"
"No, no," Pepper answered quickly. "I'm at this, uh, Vanity Fair party. Last-minute thing, pretty low-key." She felt bad for lying, and she wouldn't have attempted to do so to Hope's face. But if Tony was off having a grand time, why shouldn't she? After all, Hope knew the double-edged sword of being in a relationship with a genius who often needed to work on his own. Then she felt a pang of guilt that Hope had been without Scott for a while now and was probably feeling that loss tonight.
"Actually, yes, I am working," Pepper admitted. "Only because I thought I could get more done while everyone else is away. But I can't seem to focus, so I really am just leaving." She began the process of logging out and shutting down her computer. "Sounds like you found a fun party, though. If you'd like to postpone our lunch date, I'll understand."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Feb 5, 2018 20:36:15 GMT -8
(via phone)
"No, no, I'm at this, uh, Vanity Fair party. Last-minute thing, pretty low-key."
"Mmhmm," came the disbelievingly reply.
"Actually, yes, I am working. Only because I thought I could get more done while everyone else is away. But I can't seem to focus, so I really am just leaving ... Sounds like you found a fun party, though. If you'd like to postpone our lunch date, I'll understand."
"No, no. I'm not sure how much longer I'll stick around. Not much in a party mood." Her tone was one of an easily given confession given to another who understands.
A slight pause. "Hey, you know that funny story you told me about Stark getting smashed and over-sharing his suit abilities at one of his parties?" The tone was a forced lighthearted humor in a poor attempt to make light of a serious situation. "What are the chances of that happening again?"
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Feb 7, 2018 18:49:14 GMT -8
(via phone)
"Hey, you know that funny story you told me about Stark getting smashed and over-sharing his suit abilities at one of his parties? What are the chances of that happening again?"
"I would sincerely hope 'slim to none'," Pepper replied. The memory of the devastation, both physical and emotional, left in the wake of said birthday party was already starting to cause a current headache. "Try explaining to any insurance adjustor that the cause of all that damage was a battle royale between Iron Man and War Machine. I think he laughed at me for ten minutes straight. Not that I fault Rhodey for it; I've certainly wanted to toss Tony through a wall a few times."
Pepper stood and walked toward the window, looking out on the lights in the night. "What made you think of that?" she asked. "Hope, if you're trying to get info out of Tony, don't waste your time. He doesn't know anything about Scott. I know he and your father don't have the best history, but I would tell you if I had any leads."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Feb 10, 2018 15:10:09 GMT -8
(via phone)
"I would sincerely hope 'slim to none.' Try explaining to any insurance adjustor that the cause of all that damage was a battle royale between Iron Man and War Machine. I think he laughed at me for ten minutes straight. Not that I fault Rhodey for it; I've certainly wanted to toss Tony through a wall a few times."
"Here, here," followed by a chuckle.
"What made you think of that?
Pause on the other end of the line.
"Hope, if you're trying to get info out of Tony, don't waste your time. He doesn't know anything about Scott. I know he and your father don't have the best history, but I would tell you if I had any leads."
"No, no," came the quick, defensive reply. "I wasn't trying to-- I'm not worried about--" a frustrated sigh. "Stark's been hitting the bar pretty hard tonight and now he's disappeared into his workshop," came a blurted announcement. Another short pause. "Sorry, I shouldn't have bothered you. It's not your problem. I'm already here so I can keep an eye on things."
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Feb 12, 2018 0:39:55 GMT -8
(via phone)
"Stark's been hitting the bar pretty hard tonight and now he's disappeared into his workshop. Sorry, I shouldn't have bothered you. It's not your problem. I'm already here so I can keep an eye on things."
Pepper sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. The slight headache was suddenly getting worse. Tony drinking, flirting, partying to excess was not surprising. After all, she already knew about the party. She had made a conscious decision not to go. But if Tony was being self-destructive, it was her problem. "No, no, I ... I'm glad you told me," she said. "Hope, do you mind if I put you on hold for a sec?"
She tapped the headset again and then focused her attention on her phone. Navigating through the screens, Pepper found her way into the menu for the house's security system. Maybe if she could see what was happening, she could continue to justify ignoring the situation. She tried to login to Friday's surveillance feed but found herself rejected. She typed in her username and password again.
"Access denied. Bridezilla is not an authorized user," came the reply in bold, red text.
Pepper frowned and huffed at her phone. Very mature, Tony, she thought, as she tried to login again.
"Access denied. Bridezilla is not an authorized user."
She rolled her eyes and placed the phone back on her desk. She'd just have to find another way to assess the situation, and she knew she could count on Hope to be both honest and discreet. Pepper composed herself and clicked the headset back on. "Hope? Hey, sorry about that, just tying up some loose ends," she commented casually. "Look, I don't want to cut into your fun, which I'm guessing is why you chose to attend a party in the first place. But I appreciate you letting me know. And I hereby authorize you to use any force necessary to keep Tony from doing something stupid."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Feb 24, 2018 0:56:54 GMT -8
(via phone)
“Roger that. I’ll see you tomorrow!” came the light and carefree tone as Hope ended the call.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 22, 2018 14:28:10 GMT -8
(via text message)
'Pepper, I'm so sorry, but I'm going to have to cancel lunch tomorrow after all. Emergency work trip. I'll fill you in when I get home.'
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Apr 23, 2018 0:21:56 GMT -8
Pepper was finally committed to packing all her things and heading home when she was stopped by the chime of a text message. Seeing that it was from Hope, she prepared to assure her friend that she was absolutely leaving the office right now.
'Pepper, I'm so sorry, but I'm going to have to cancel lunch tomorrow after all. Emergency work trip. I'll fill you in when I get home.'
She frowned slightly at the change of plans, mostly because she was looking forward to the firsthand account of what Tony had been up to. But she understood how quickly plans could change. She quickly typed a reply:
"Okay, raincheck then. Hope it's nothing serious. Your permission to restrain Tony extends into the new year."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 28, 2018 9:27:18 GMT -8
(via text message)
'To any extent? I hear neutering improves behavior and temperament...'
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Apr 29, 2018 18:07:36 GMT -8
'To any extent? I hear neutering improves behavior and temperament...'
Pepper laughed as she read Hope's reply. She had no doubt that Hope was willing and able to keep Tony in line, whatever the current circumstances. But she didn't actually wish harm to Tony. At least not that much.
'It would not improve his temperament, Hope. And what would he think with then? Be safe. PP'
Out of a now increased feeling of loneliness, Pepper decided to give Happy a call and see what he was up to on this holiday eve.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jun 3, 2018 5:10:36 GMT -8
(via text message) 'Happy New Year, love! On my way to Europe!'(A very expressive photo, showing Tony with Hope and Natasha in the background, is attached to the message)
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Jun 10, 2018 18:08:17 GMT -8
Pepper had finally shut down her computer, stuffed everything in her oversized purse and slung it over her shoulder. She was in the elevator on the way down to the car when her phone buzzed again. When she saw that it was a message from Tony, she wondered whether it would be better or worse to open it, given the state Hope had said he was in. But curiousity won out and she opened the message with an attached photo. Wait, he was leaving for Europe? And he was doing so in the company of Hope and a former Russian spy-slash-Avenger. And looking very pleased with himself about it.
The elevator insistently dinged to tell her the doors were open while she was still standing there in confusion. "Ugh," she groaned. What had started as a fairly small, localized mess might just be about to go global. She exited the elevator and began typing a reply.
"I have so many questions. But let's start with why are you going to Europe? Hope was supposed to stop you from doing something stupid, not drive you to it."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jun 11, 2018 6:20:07 GMT -8
(via text message)
"I didmt know Hope's supposd to br my boss. But thenn again that'a what all of you like ti be right? So whatshall that mean? Stoo me from doing what?"
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Jun 11, 2018 17:41:42 GMT -8
She couldn't help but roll her eyes at his typo-filled text tantrum. So she began typing a reply of her own:
"Actually, on paper, I am your boss. And I delegated that authority to Hope when she told me how you were acting at the party. I'm still trying to pay off repairs from the last time you drank and suited up. Why is Romanova with you? How am I supposed to explain that to anyone who asks?"
She hit send, then waited a few moments. Not wanting to seem harsh when it was really concern for him making her sound that way. So she quickly added another message:
"I'm worried about you, Tony. Not a good way to start the year."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jun 23, 2018 5:27:18 GMT -8
(via text message)
"Okay, let's pretend you haven't sentt that first message. I'm actuallly right there with you aboit it would be a better way to start the year with you around to keep an eye on me. ;-)"
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Jun 27, 2018 22:19:53 GMT -8
And just like that, what could have been a raging fire was cooled down to an ember. Such was Tony's ability to charm even in written form. Or such was her inability to stay mad at him in the face of whatever risky situation he was getting himself and Hope into. Even if Hope and Natalia could handle themselves.
"That is still part of my job description. But Hope will be my eyes and ears on you for now. Take care of whatever it is in Europe and come back to me in one piece."
But just in case he thought was getting off scot-free, she added...
"I'm still mad at you."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jun 28, 2018 5:24:11 GMT -8
(via text message)
"I will. Ttyl"
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