Chapter 26: Truth Coming OutNotes:
All rights go to Marvel
Chapter Text
Skye's POV
Not that I was surprised but Pepper turned out to be a great person. She would remark whenever she could and wouldn't hesitate to tell her opinion on any matter.
After all these years alone I had only stumbled upon one person on my self/power discovery journey. And the truth was that he was struggling just as much as I did at the time and so we had helped each other. But that was it. And though I did keep tags on all of my family, and Jemma of course, and had also started talking with Natasha again but it wasn't the same as having someone physically there to talk to.
I made the mistake to go to bed while full of those thoughts. It turned out not to be a very smart move.
I walked through the corridors of the Academy. My memory didn't fail me as I walked from the gym to the room that I shared with Jemma.
There was this nagging feeling that something wasn't quite right. As I reached my destination and stood outside the room I realised what was bothering me during this whole time. The whole Academy was deadly quiet and also practically empty since I didn't bump into anyone. Carefully I twisted the handle to enter and found Jemma at her desk studying. It was an image that I had so clear in my head and this time it was no different. No sooner had I stepped inside than Jemma's gaze snapped in my direction. Once her eyes really focused on mine, I saw a flame there that I had never seen before.
"What are you doing here?" Her voice dripped with what could only be described as hate.
I took a step back, almost hitting my back on the now-closed door. This was not the Jemma that I remembered. "What… I… why would you…?" I was at complete loss for words.
"Why would I what?" She snapped at me once more, interrupting the little conference of thoughts that I had managed to master. "Why would I what, Skye?" She repeated emphasizing my name. I was cornered at the door with no way out as she angrily came and stood just a few centimetres from my face. "Why would I say that? Or why would I say it like that? The sweet Jemma that you knew died the day when you disappeared without saying anything other than leaving this damn letter behind" and with that she threw the object, which was roughly folded into a ball.
"I did that to protect you" I whispered because I was unable to master a louder voice.
"You did that to protect yourself because you are selfish" she countered. "You always kept secrets. Ever since the beginning and I was starting to break your walls down and you got scared. That's what happened"
"You have no idea what you are talking about" I tried. I opened my mouth to speak again but then someone else interrupted me.
"Oh, she doesn't?" The recognition came just before I spotted the red hair and green eyes. "I know you, Skye. Hell, I raised you!"
When Natasha came into the picture with her deadly assassin gaze, she was followed by the rest of my family. I wanted to curl myself in a tiny ball and disappear when I noticed their sad and angry faces. The second part was impossible to happen, so I did what I could and found myself in the corner with my hands wrapped around my bended knees on the floor.
"Did we hurt your feelings by speaking the truth, kid?" Followed Clint's remark.
"Oh, see… she's gonna cry" Phil's voice was the next to echo.
"Stop" I whispered as I felt the ground shaking.Please… please. Not now. Not again! I mentally screamed.
"Why would we stop? Did you stop to think how your disappearance would affect us?" May replied as she, and all the others, closed in and towered over me.
I thought I saw the rest of the room darken while their faces lightened up. The shaking peaked up and all I could do was repeat "I'm sorry" over and over again. That was while trying to get my rapid breathing under control.
It was Jemma's turn to, once again, say something but instead she lowered to my level. My head was still tucked between my knees and so I had no idea what she was going to do. The action that followed took me by surprise as she touched my shoulder and I flinched, but her hand never lost contact with my body.
"Skye," she said more softly than expected, but with a sense of emergency in her voice. "Skye, wake up. You need to wake up"
I blinked and was back on my bed at the Stark Tower with Pepper standing over me and looking with a concerned, yet urgent expression on her face.
"What's going on? What are you doing here?" I asked, maybe a little bit more harshly than I should, and my hoarse voice didn't help the situation. But I had just woken up from a nightmare to find the woman there, whereas one of my conditions for accepting this job was that no one would enter my personal room or floor in this case as Stark was quite generous with my accommodation and payment.
My question didn't seem to surprise phase Pepper who must have expected such a reaction on my part. "There is an earthquake going on and we are evacuating the building. J.A.R.V.I.S. informed me that you were still in your room and not responding to any of his calls. So I figured that it would be best if I came to get you out instead of some personnel. His protocols are overridden in case of an emergency so he didn't have any choice in letting me in" she said in a hurry and I could see the all she wanted to do was grab me and urge me out of the building. However she hadn't moved an inch since I woke up and she just observed, waiting for any kind of reaction.
It took me a few seconds for her words to really register. Since the shaking occurred in my dream as well, and let's face it I was used to the feeling by now, I hadn't realised the earthquake that I could feel was happening because of me.
I jumped out of the bed in a hurry and pointed at the door. "You should get out of here, I have some stuff to grab and I'll meet you outside"
"I'm not leaving you here! Forget about your stuff, you have to come out. Nothing is worth that much" she said. The tone was similar to the one she used when she dealt with Stark and it meant all business.
"Please, go" I softly begged.
What I got was a simple shake of her head. "I'm not leaving unless you're coming with me"
"Fine!" I said as I looked around for a place to hide. I knew the drill that I had to follow, by heart. I spotted the room closet that I had, which was practically empty since I only had a few clothes with me. "You can stay if you want to, but I'm not leaving" and with that, I bolted towards the closet and locked the door behind me before Pepper had a chance to stop me.
No sooner had I closed the door than I heard Pepper knock hard on its surface and playing with the lock in a futile attempt to unlock it. "Skye! Come on! Get out of there. The earthquake is getting worse by the minute"
I know it and this is why I have to do it now, I wanted to tell her but only thought about it.
I could faintly hear Pepper speaking, trying to get me to leave the Tower with her. I quickly switched the lights off and went to sit in a dark corner in a lotus position. With my hands gripping my knees hard, I focused until everything became a noise in the background. The only things that I felt or heard were my even breathing and the vibration shaking the room by coming off my body in waves.
I closed my eyes and only saw darkness. I created a mental image of the feeling that I got from the vibration and how the waves were moving. It took some time, but with a lot of effort, I managed to stop them.
And just as the quake subsided, the purple lines from the fractures in my arms grew larger. I couldn't hold the grip on my knees any longer because the pain started to spread through the rest of my body as my arms were unable to hold all the pressure from my powers. I collapsed, with my back hitting the wall as the adrenaline started to leave my body. Though the pain tolerance had increased greatly during the last year, I was still heavily affected by episodes as big as this one was.
I tried to think back to the last time when something on a similar scale occurred because of me. It had been at least half a year and I had been confident enough that I wouldn't have another incident, especially since my birthday was a few weeks back. The nights full of terror came and went without as much of a tremor. So I had made the mistake to relax and this, in combination with the bad track that I had about changing environments, must have been the reason for the earthquake that had just finished.
"Hey Skye? The earthquake seemed to have stopped but we still have to get out for the proper checks before we can come in again. Can you come out of there now, please?" I faintly heard Pepper's voice as it was muffled from the door separating us.
Now with my thoughts shuttered, I had to find a way to deal with Pepper as well. Damn it. Why couldn't I just get a break?
I made a move to get up, having forgotten the pain for a second as my arms had grown numb. However, the feeling didn't last long because the moment I touched the floor to get up, my arms gave out in protest and I fell on the floor.
"Crap!" I cursed and wanted to say much more but eventually just gritted my teeth. I mustn't have spoken the word loud enough for Pepper to hear as I had a feeling that she would be worried and asking if everything was okay. And she was the only one in close proximity to help me out in the situation that I had found myself in. "Jar, could you please allow Pepper to enter the room?" I kindly asked.
"As you wish Ms Skye" came the A.I.'s reply.
"Hey Jar, let me ask you something before you do that. Why couldn't she enter before?" I asked while realisation hit me. Or it could be the weird-like-floating feeling that I was having due to the pain.
"What do you mean?"
"Pepper said that your protocols are overridden when in an emergency. This was how she managed to get in the room in the first place, correct?" I asked, a bit out of breath and got the affirmative reply from J.A.R.V.I.S. soon. "Since she could open the door to my room, why could she not open the door to the closet?"
"In the first case that you mentioned, I was directly instructed to unlock the door of your apartment and room from Ms Potts. In the second, I received no such command from Ms Potts though she did ask you repeatedly to unlock the door. Since the request was never directed to me, I had no obligation to open the door. This is your floor and by extension, I would have only unlocked the door without your command had I picked up that you were in great danger" I hummed in response as I digested the information I had just received. "However, I do detect elevated heart rate, rapid breathing and you seem to be in distress and pain. Unless you wish for me to alert authorised and medically trained personnel, should I let Ms Potts in now?"
"Sure… thing," I said in between batted breaths and by grunting.
I hadn't even finished my sentence when the door of the closest whooshed open and Pepper came running in my direction. "Let's get out of here" she repeated once more and stopped a few feet away. When she saw that I wasn't moving at all to follow her instruction she came in closer. "Skye, are you okay?" She asked as she lowered to my level, hands on her knees.
"Help me up?" I asked and tried to sit up with no success.
She eagerly nodded and moved to do what she can for me to move. First, she supported my back so that it was on the wall and that I wasn't lying on the floor. "Come on, up we go" and she got my arm to throw it over her shoulder. As soon as her hand wrapped around my lower arm, I hissed and greeted my teeth. She was alerted immediately and moved a little back, worrying that she hurt me somehow. Her eyes fell on the purple lines on my arms and she looked closer, examining them. "Skye, what happened?"
I cursed mentally for the lack of wraps around my arms and hands. I usually wore them all day long, both to hide the purple marks and as it helped ease the pain that sometimes coursed through them. But, during the night and with the security that my personal space would remain personal, I let them breathe a little bit before they ended up wrapped up again the next day.
"If I told you that I fell from the quake and hurt myself would you believe it?" I asked though I knew what the answer would be. For a slight surprise, I got a deathly glare from her and not a vocal reprimand. "Fair enough"
She helped me out of the room. "I have a first aid kit under the bed if you would be so kind as to get it for me" I tried to change the subject though I knew I couldn't avoid it forever.
"No," she said and there was no room for argument. "We are going to sit and you are going to tell me everything. Then we are going to a doctor to check you out because I want to make sure that your injuries will be properly treated" and with that, she eased me on my bed.
"Promise me that whatever I tell you, you won't tell anyone," I said sternly. She made a move to nod and I raised a shaking hand to stop her. "Not even Stark" I explain and saw her hesitate for a second before nodding reluctantly. I let out a sigh at that and smiled slightly. For some reason, I believed her and it felt good to share my secret with someone. "Where should I begin?"
"How about the beginning?" And did I begin, while trying to think of the excuse that we were going to use to Stark when we saw him.
Chapter 27: What's Up With Stark?Notes:
All rights go to Marvel
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Skye's POV
"Skye are you okay? What the hell happened?" I heard Stark's voice as he entered the room.
"I told you already" followed Pepper's exacerbated tone. "She was in her apartment during the earthquake. I went to get her and as we were heading out the quake peaked up and I fell over, while a tall closet was about to fall on me. Skye went to catch it before it hit me and she hurt her hands in the try as she fell and they got trapped between the floor and the closet" she said the excuse that we made up and had memorised by heart. So much for my excuse of falling being lame. By the way that Pepper was talking I could guess that she had already said the story at least half a dozen times before coming into my apartment with Stark. She pointed to the fallen furniture, which had actually fallen. This was the only true part of the cover that we were trying to sell. "Honestly Tony, what is the point of having a simple closet in an apartment when there is already a room closet installed?" Pepper now had her hands on her hips.
"We have already talked about this Pepper," Stark said and waved his hand dismissively. "The room closet is in another room completely, too far. What if she wanted to put some stuff or clothes closer to the living room? Or what if we had an emergency meeting? She would lose precious time by having to go that far to change".
"Yeah, precious few seconds" Pepper murmured, not enough for Tony to hear, but I heard it nonetheless.
At this point, I coughed because it seemed like their disagreement would never reach an end and my presence in the room was long forgotten. And though I didn't mind hearing them argue, it was one of the funniest parts of my day, my hands were throbbing and my patience was growing thin. The attention went back to my face and I smiled at them both.
"It's okay Stark. Honestly, the hands will heal quite quickly and I'll be good in a couple of days" I tried to reassure.
With my fair share of accidents, while using my powers, I had learned the healing period it would take for me to be able to work on computers again. Of course, each episode was different from the other and it was a matter of how bad it was and how many vibrations I was directing within, but the time window usually varied between one to six-day. I had never hit a point when I would need more or equal to a week to recover.
Stark moved closer and sat on another sofa in the living room of my apartment floor. He rested his elbows on his knees and hid his face with his hands. He seemed… upset.
Then he lifted his head as if hit by lightning. " How do you even know how many days it would take for them to heal? The doctor said that it would be at least a week" he said while something that sounded like concern leaked into his voice. What is it with Stark today? I thought.
I lifted my hands that were once again wrapped tightly with a new set of bandages. It was deemed that I didn't have to wear gypsum since it didn't look that bad at the exams and I was glad for that. The wraps, I was used to, but if I was forced to wear the hard material it would drive me crazy. "If you haven't noticed already, I am quite clumsy. This ain't the first time that I hurt my arms and it won't be the last. I am used to it really, it's okay" I lifted my shoulders in a doesn't-really-matter kind of way.
"But it's not" he cut my movement halfway. "It's not okay," he said almost to himself. His eyes were trained on me, but he wasn't really looking. It was as if his mind was a million miles away.
I saw the change in his demeanour and shot Pepper a glance. She was looking at him with equal worried eyes and when she looked back at me I could tell that she had no idea what was going on. She carefully walked a bit closer, her steps echoing to the now quiet room. As soon as the palm of her hand was placed on his shoulder, he snapped and got up.
A smirk made a way to his face, as he was trying to get the playboy expression back on. I could see, however, that the smile never truly reached his eyes. He turned to me and pointed a finger at my face. "You have to be more careful, kid. I am not paying the doctor's bills if you get hurt on my watch over and over again" he said in a challenging tone.
"Oh, please" I replied, giving in his desire to get a response from me. "I could easily hack into your account and get the money if I wanted to. I am the head of your cybersecurity, remember?"
He scoffed and waved his hand dismissively. I was beginning to think that this was his new favourite movie of the week. But since he couldn't come up with a teasing answer all he could do was walk away. "Feel better kiddo" he was almost off the apartment but he stopped at the door frame. "You said two days, right?", and with that, I nodded. "The Expo starts at three days. I will have J.A.R.V.I.S. observe you and inform me immediately if you as much as go near a keyboard. Or a tablet with the desire to work. Because on the third day, you will be working since sunrise to make sure everything is ready to go for the Expo"
"Sir, yes sir," I said laughing at the same time. And since he mentioned J.A.R.V.I.S. I had to say something more. "I will make sure that Jar won't have to inform you about any of my activities" and I watched with pleasure as his expression turned to that of confusion at first and then into disgust.
He saw me and knew that this was something that I had planned. So he adopted his distinctive smirk once more and gave a mocking bow. "Well played Skye, well played indeed" and like that he was out of sight.
Pepper had stayed back since we had agreed to talk a little bit more about what was going to happen from here on out, but she had more pressing matters to attend to. Matters with 'Tony' written on top. "Go" I simply said and she gave me a grateful smile, forming 'thank you' with her lips but never pronouncing the words.
I leaned back at the sofa, now that the apartment door was once again locked and I was left alone to my, once again, personal space. No computer access for a couple of days, hmm? How hard could it be?
Notes:Sorry for this chapter being a bit shorter than the previous ones. I usually want them to be 1000 words minimum, but at the later chapters, I tend to go around 2000 minimum. Also, apologies if Stark appeared a bit OOC (out of character) but it was intended.
I haven't said that in the previous chapters, but a huge thank you for reading this story. I hope you enjoy it :) See you tomorrow.
Chapter 28: Change Of SceneryNotes:
All rights go to Marvel
Chapter Text
Skye's POV
I thought that being separated from computers for two days would be agonising. Especially after leaving the Academy, hacking would be the way to pass time and make a living and so it had become second nature to me. But I had to admit that it created an opportunity to get back to something that I had neglected ever since my arrival at the Tower. And that was physical exercise.
True, in my state, or more specifically the state that my arms were in, I couldn't do as much as I would like to do. But Tai Chi was always there for me to relax and lose my thoughts into. This focusing without straining myself too hard was something that I hadn't even realising that I had missed. A connection to May and Natasha that would never truly be lost. Also, J.A.R.V.I.S. had to report to Stark only if I were to go online, but not if I were to hit the gym. The billionaire had no idea about this part of my life, among others, and I was glad for it. After all, with the Expo coming closer and closer by the day he seemed to spend more and more time at his basement, building and upgrading his suits. So, all I had to do was use the facilities in my apartment and he had no idea what was going on. Because, of course and there would be a fully equipped gym in every apartment in the Stark Tower. Why not?
Apart from this time-passing activity I would spend some hours with Pepper. It would drive me crazy if I just stayed locked up in my room for 48 hours and Pepper truly needed someone to be there for her, and Stark wouldn't be the one no matter how much she wished for it.
She would talk and talk and talk. Sometimes it would be to herself as she went through analytics and arrangements that needed to be made. Other times she would address me and I would stay quiet and listen to her as she went on and on about her thoughts and what was going on. Honestly, being in the same room as her just for a few hours gave me more intel about the company, herself and Stark than any internet-based research would have in days.
And, apart from everything else, it was nice having someone who knew about my powers and past.
Pepper would more often than not ask me if I needed anything or if I were in any pain. Being used to act like a mother to Stark seemed to have stuck and she seemed to have adopted a similar role when dealing with me. It was cute if anything else. She reminded me of Jemma in this part.
We grew closer in the span of those days of my recovery and even on the day of the Expo when, as Stark had said, I was working since sunrise, she would knock on my door regularly just to make sure that I was alright and didn't need anything. After half the day had past, I couldn't stand the sound of her knuckles on my door every hour, or so, anymore. So I informed J.A.R.V.I.S. that if I were in the room and Pepper wished to enter she had my permission. But only if I was in the room, giving her full access all day and with no restriction was too much. I wanted to see how the restricted access would work out before I gave her more trust.
But when she came next time to see how I was doing, I found an ear-to-ear smile in my sign of trust. And to her credit, she didn't comment it at all, just checked that I didn't need anything and left.
It was incredible. Stark would get in trouble without even looking for it. I was on one of the Industries' private planes, flying to Malibu, California as I was watching the replay of his attendance at the Senate Armed Force Committee in DC that took place only this morning.
"The point is, you're welcome, I guess" Starks voice echoed through the plane. It was near the end of the whole ordeal.
"For what?" Senator Stern had to ask and make Stark start rambling about his achievements. It was obvious that the playboy didn't like the Senator and the guy provoked him all the time. I mean, come on. He was asking for it.
"Because I'm your nuclear deterrent. It's working. We're safe. America is secure. You want my property? You can't have it!" He was now hitting the desk with every word as he was speaking very passionately. " But I did you a big favour. I've successfully privatised world peace. What more do you want? For now!?" I turned the TV off after that.
Sitting back on my chair I pressed my fingers over my closed eyelids remembering the events of that day. Just as the Senator had pushed Stark to a corner, he took over the television's use for display of evidence and showing the U.S. trials with Justin Hammer to recreate Iron Man suits with trials and similar trials all over Asia. All failed, of course, since Stark's blueprints were safely secured and it was my job to make sure that they stayed that way. Given what I saw today, I wouldn't let that happen, not if it was up to me. And after all of that he disappeared and went to his mansion alongside with Pepper and his errand boy, Happy.
Pepper…
I still couldn't understand how she could stand Stark from time to time but from what I had gathered, it was all down to her love for him. I watched the news, with her in the background and I could tell that she was totally filled up with him.
While they were alone all evening in Malibu, I was working in the Industries which was a much more quiet place without them being present. I was wrapping everything up when Jar informed me that I got a call from Pepper. Curious about what she could want at that time and if something had happened with Stark I picked it up. And, yeah, something had indeed happened. Stark made Pepper the new CEO of Stark Industries. The arrangements would happen the next day for everything to be official and legally proper, but it was happening. And Pepper wanted me to get ready and leave for California with one of their private jets as soon as possible to continue working close to her as she took her new role in the company.
This was how I found myself, well past midnight on a jet and on my way to Pepper and Happy welcoming me to the airport with one of Stark's cars.
"Get in" he simply said without even leaving the car.
"Nice to see you too. How are you?" I asked as I placed my small language in the back sit and I sat in the front. He didn't even turn his head from looking at the road to glance at me. "Look, I get it. You don't like me or you are indifferent to my face. But we will be seeing each other frequently from here on out, so why not try to get along? Just give it a try" I let out a sigh and slumped onto my seat. He didn't reply and he kept the same facade until we reached the mansion and he showed me my room.
"It's not as big as the one you had in the Tower. You should get used to it, because this is it" and with that he disappeared to the corridor, probably heading for his own room.
Well, it appeared that he wasn't indifferent but just didn't like me. It also appeared that being Stark's personal bodyguard and errand boy was not a great job to have. And he wasn't in a position similar to Pepper's so he couldn't really express his opinion on the billionaire's behaviour. And then there was me, a new face in the close circle of Stark who could speak with him, and who was closer than many to the new CEO.
But, I didn't really care what he thought and if he knew that the smaller room that I got in the mansion, comparing to the apartment of the Tower, was a relief more than an annoyance he wouldn't be particularly happy.
Ha, I thought. I have never seen Happy happy… poor guy.
I was awake for at least a couple of hours before I heard a knock on the door with Pepper's voice following it. "So, how do you like the place?" She said and entered to see how I settled on the place.
"It's nice. I like the room, it's more my style. But hadn't really had the chance to wonder around to see the rest of the mansion" I said mindlessly with a smirk on my face.
"Sorry about that" Pepper said and I turned with a look of confusion, not understanding the reason for her apology. She was looking down and she was wearing a small frown that I didn't know where it came from. "I know that you had to come here in the middle of the night and considering the time difference between here and New York…"
"Don't even mention it" I walked up to her, hoping that my closeness to her would be enough to get her to actually look at me. When that wasn't enough, I faced myself and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Really, don't worry about it. You have a lot more in your plate now. I wasn't even tired when you called so I would have been up either way" I smiled when she finally lifted her head. "So, how do you feel about your new job?" I teased and moved back to my desk as she went to the small sofa in the room. "Hard?"
"Hard?" She laughed when she said the word while raising her eyebrows. "No. Hardness would be all the years that I was trying to run the company on Stark's behalf and get him to agree and sign for everything. I know how almost everything works by now and have the authority to do as I please for the best of the Industries. I just have a lot more to deal with and I have to have people I trust close to me. And I trust you, Skye"
She spoke of trust so easily, though we only knew each other for about a week. And, once again, she seemed to read my mind. "Yeah, I do trust you. Why do you think I got you here in the first place? The mansion doesn't have lots of rooms and the only ones here at the moment are the two of us, Happy and Tony. And this is why I am going to give you a promotion". She got up from the couch and just then did I notice the folder full of paperwork on the inside. She got out a couple of them and gave them to me.
I read through all the lines and was left with my jaw hanging open. "This gives me full access to all the cameras all over the Industries, plus access to all the files concerning the company. I– I don't know what to say" I lifted my face to see the smiling face of the woman.
"Don't say, do. Sign the papers" she handed me a pen. "Of course, nothing will be official until the new assistant that will come today and is from legal gets Tony's signature for my appointment as CEO. But I can't think of anyone better to keep an eye on this place and the people inside it". She pointed the papers, still held tightly in my hands, with her chin. "So, what do you say?"
"I can't even… thank you" was all I managed.
"As you said before, don't mention it" she went to place a hand on my shoulder but J.A.R.V.I.S. interrupted us.
"Ms. Potts, Natalie Rushman is in the entrance asking to see you"
"Please let her in, I'm going to the lobby to greet her" she said and I handed her the papers, now signed. "The notary's here" she declared and left to go meet her.
Chapter 29: New Assistant Coming UpNotes:
All rights go to Marvel
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Natasha's POV
I was looking at the mansion's interior design and detecting every possible exit. The mansion's layout was just as the blueprints that I had memorised were. Though it was getting harder and harder for us to hack into the Industries' systems, this operation was planned months ago, ever since Stark revealed himself to be Iron Man despite the alibi that we provided for him. So, we had our fair share of intel already gathered. But this new person who upgraded their security walls was a mystery to Fury and it would be a great bonus should I get a name or at least a face to look into.
However, my goal here was to keep an eye on and assess Stark. And whatever else I might want to find came in second.
"Ms. Rushman" my thoughts were interrupted by Pepper Potts' confident voice.
I spun around and came face to face with the soon-to-be new CEO of Stark Industries. All it would take was a few signatures on the papers that I was currently holding close to my chest. "Ms. Potts, it is a pleasure to meet you" and with that, I extended my hand for her to shake, which she did without a second thought. Good.
"The pleasure is mine. And let me thank you for coming in such short notice" she said as she started walking across the room with me right behind her.
"It was no problem" I replied with a smile and sweet tone. I was going to use both of those a lot in this mission and I had a feeling that my cheeks would get sore afterwards from the effort.
We never stopped walking as we crossed the lobby and headed to a room that was the source of punching sounds and muffled discussions. "I will let you get your papers and everything in order as I inform Mr. Stark of your arrival. Give me a few moments and come in" she said kindly, but left no room for discussion. Especially as her form disappeared inside the gym saying loudly "The notary's here!", followed by other words directed to Stark. She would make one hell of a CEO, that was for sure.
The paperwork was already prepared on my hands and so I took this time as an opportunity to inspect this place better. I immediately noticed the security cameras that were hanging high on the walls, having one or two blindspots from what I could gather in this glance. They were not in the mansion schematics that we had in our possession, which meant they were new. I had to make sure to let Fury know of that development.
I noticed the lack of Potts' voice coming from the other room and took this as my cue to enter. No sooner had I entered the gym than Tony Stark's and Happy Hogan's discussion on the boxing ring stopped.
I, of course, noticed this, but went on to Potts who was standing in a corner of the room, never sitting and doing something on her phone. "I promise this is the only time I will ask you to sign over your company," she said to Stark, whose eyes were still trained on my form. This was going to be so much easier than I thought. Pepper followed my instruction for the sign over, while Stark beat Hogan up and walked to the edge of the ring.
"What's your name young lady?", he asked with eyes full of curiosity.
I titled the edges of my lips upwards a little bit at the attention that I was getting from him. "Rushman. Natalie Rushman" the name came out naturally as if I truly were her.
He seemed to analyse me before he spoke again. "Front and centre. Come into the church" as he pointed at the ring.
At this Potts and he argued as to whether I should or should not listen to him and actually get into the ring but, after my reassurance, I did get in there. Trying to show some nativity as to why I was there I looked at him, waiting for a reaction. This was the first close-up that I had with the playboy and though my eyes didn't leave his as he drank his dark liquid, I did inspect him. My peripheral vision caught a peculiar and very interesting pattern crawling from his chest and upwards to his neck and I mentally noted it.
"What?" He suddenly asked, finally giving in the silence that had wrapped the room. Without getting any reply from my part, he turned to his bodyguard and asked him to show me the basics of boxing.
"Sure thing" Hogan replied as he motioned for me to move further into the centre of the ring. "Come on, don't worry. It won't bite" he mocked and I had a hard time not responding or show him some of my knowledge on boxing. I was dully paying attention to what Stark and Potts were talking about and soon Start asked me to spell my name.
"R-U-S-H-M-A-N" I replied as he typed it onto his table and looked over the cover that S.H.I.E.L.D. had created from me.
"So, have you ever boxed before?" Hogan's voice brought my attention back to him. When I turned I found a silly, underestimating smile on his face.
Oh, how much I would enjoy making it disappear. But, I didn't let that show in my persona as I replied with a simple "I have, yes". And boxing isn't the only martial art that I have done before, I restricted myself to just think and not speak.
"What, like, the Tae Bo? Booty Boot Camp? Crunch? Something like that?", he asked and all I could do was clear my throat.
Was this guy full of prejudice or what? The file on him didn't justify the character that he was showing at the moment. Maybe he was finally able to let his frustration on Stark's behaviour on someone and that was me. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time and all. But I doubted that this was the case. I bet that there were a lot of women rising at the ranks all around him as he simply remained Stark's bodyguard no matter the years he had in that position. One such woman would be Potts, but she couldn't have been the only one for him to act this way towards my face. So… who else was it?
While I was making plots in my mind, I never got lost in there. I could hear Hogan from the ring explaining some basic moves and techniques of boxing as if I was the dumbest person on earth. On the other side of the room, Stark and Potts had sat and argued, as the man was still looking at my cover.
I turned to look at Stark and Hogan found it as a great opportunity to teach me a lesson. "Rule number one, never take your eye off your opponent," he said and made a sloppy right punch aiming to my face.
I was so glad that Fury had allowed me to use whatever means necessary to impress Stark and for him to make me his new assistant because I was going to enjoy this next part very much. It was revenge time.
The punch almost made contact with my cheek before I turned quickly and grabbed his wrist with my left hand. Twisting it hard, I was happy to hear a small cracking sound coming from it. I could see the surprise all over Hogan's face but before he could say anything my legs were wrapped around his neck and he was harshly thrown onto the ground. I was still holding his intending arm tightly and had him in a chock hold.
"Happy!" Potts exclaimed as soon as she heard the thump his body made when it made contact with the floor, while Stark declared me the winner as soon as the bodyguard tapped out.
"Rule number one" I whispered to his ear. "Never underestimate your opponent" the sweet smile always on my face as I got up and exited the ring. "Just… I need your impression" I told Stark getting back into business for him to sign my papers.
"You have a quiet reserve. I don't know… you have an old soul" he started but had no idea what he was talking about and had troubles coming up with ideas. He was clearly struggling as he completely misinterpreted the meaning of my words. "I meant your fingerprints" I interrupted all serious. All fun aside, this was my job and I had to get it over with, no matter how much Stark liked to play and talk all day.
"So, how are we doing?" Potts asked not allowing Stark to reply to me.
"Great," he said as he pressed his thumb on the box that I had indicated. "Just wrapping up" and with that, he pressed harder and made sure his print was on the page before retreating his finger from the paper. "Hey, you're the boss" he smirked at Potts who was watching the whole exchange carefully and with trained eyes.
"Will that be all Mr. Stark?" I asked as I retook the, now filled and signed, paperwork at my chest and held them as if they were a precious lost treasure.
"No" Star began, but Potts interrupted with a "Yes. That will be all Ms. Rushman. Thank you very much"
So I nodded slightly and exited the room. However, I was close enough to hear Stark say "I want one". The happiness that I was radiating was not forced as my plan had worked out perfectly. I left the mansion and walked swiftly to my car. Once locked in and knowing that no one would hear me, I took my phone out and made a call.
"Romanoff, is this line secure?", came Phil Coulson's voice from the speaker. I simply confirmed before my call was transferred to the director. "How did it go?"
"Give him a few hours and I'll be in". After that, I hang up and headed to my safe house in the nearby area. It might have been only half a week since I last spoke with Skye, but it wouldn't harm to check for any new messages.
Notes:So, guys, I have a question. English is not my first language but I have spent the last (about) 4 years in the UK studying so I feel pretty confident in the language. I also have my amazing Beta looking at the work to correct things and make it go through Grammarly as well, cause it helps if we both have missed something.
So, when you address someone by their 'title', like "Mr" or "Ms" (like when I'm addressing Pepper and maybe Tony (depending on who's talking), am I supposed to put a dotafter? So, is it like "Ms. Potts" or "Ms Potts"? Grammarly says to ditch the dot, but for me, that feels wrong. So I wanted to ask around about what people think or if anyone knows which is the correct one?
Thank you so much! I hope you're enjoying the story so far. We've just passed the half-point of Book 1, yeah!
Chapter 30: Let The Race BeginNotes:Hi y'all! So sorry for not posting yesterday ^^' I was travelling most day and then had troubles with the internet. As promised, since I missed a day I will be posting two chapters today. I need to check the text and all, but I will be posting Ch. 31 soon after that one :) Hope you enjoy!
All rights go to Marvel
Chapter Text
Skye's POV
I was really enjoying the new access that I just received from the new CEO. Stark had signed the papers and along with his signature came my promotion. I was going through several of the cameras both in New York and in the mansion. J.A.R.V.I.S. was talking to me through the earpiece that I was currently wearing, helping me get familiar and guiding me through the systems more quickly.
That was until I heard a knock on the door. "Am I interrupting something?" I heard Pepper ask, popping her head inside the room.
"Just finishing some stuff up" I replied, turned off the computer and spun my chair around to see her. "What can I help you with?" Followed immediately since I detected the business tone in her voice.
"I know it's been like half a day since you arrived here, but I need you to prepare a bag for a daily trip. There is the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique happening tomorrow and Stark Industries have a car in the race. It will only be benefits and it's necessary for an appearance to be made and we are leaving in an hour" she said while at the same time typing something on her phone.
"And why are my skills needed for this trip? Don't get me wrong, I am just the cybersecurity manager, not general security" I responded matter-of-factly.
At this Pepper lifted her gaze and switched off her phone. "You are and this will be my first formal appearance as a CEO. I want you there, with your computer and skills, so that if anything were to happen company-related we will be able to get the situation under control fast. As I said this morning Skye, I trust you and you not being 13 hours away and in another continent would be a great reassurance". I couldn't argue with that and ended up nodding my consent, though I had a feeling that I would end up participating in the trip whether I liked it or not. "Great!" Pepper said clearly satisfied by my answer, as if a weight was off her shoulder. "Now, do you have anything formal to wear or should I order something for you to find once we arrive?"
Oh, no. I had agreed to go with them, but I was not going to go in there with them. "What do you mean?" I questioned and got up, blocking Pepper's way from my closet.
"Well, since this is a formal appearance, there is a dress code. Unspoken really, but it is there. You can't just come in with your jeans and t-shirt" she pointed at my current clothing. It was, more or less, the general clothing of my choice and I definitely didn't have anything formal. I wouldn't be able to stand it if I were to wear a dress.
"I am wearing my t-shirt and jeans because I am not going to be by your side during the race" I stated.
"Come again?" There was some challenge in her voice as if she wanted to add "Yes you are going to be there".
"In the contract that I signed once Stark employed me, among other terms was one that stated that I was not to make any public appearances unless I wish to. I read the second one that you gave me this morning and it did not include any cancellation of the terms stated in the initial contract" I spoke as if I was reading from a manual. Then my voice went softer as I added, "You know I would like to keep in the shadows for as long as possible. And now you know why. I can work just as fine from the stadium watching the race. My phone has a hard enough software to allow me to work just as I would work from a computer"
I waited a few moments as she contemplated my words. She didn't speak for a long time so I said one more thing, just to be clear. "I will not hesitate to walk out of here if you decide to go against my decision. I survived alone for years and I can do it again if need be"
This seemed to shake her off the trance she was in. "No, no, no. There is no way I'm forcing you to attend the meetings. I really forgot about it. Gosh, I am so sorry Skye, I was just thinking which seats to book you to enjoy the race". It all sounded like a big sentence from the speed that she was talking. "But yeah, jeans should suit you just fine" she smiled. "I'll see you in an hour then"
And this was how I found myself in the Stark Industries jet once more. Of course Stark and Pepper were in a different section of the plane, enjoying some quiet time and probably some rest considering the time difference to Monaco and that we would lose most of the night. Happy and I on the other hand were in a second, smaller section, each one keeping to themselves. Happy was resting, or at least trying to given that he was running all day long with or for Stark… again.
I was not sleeping lots of hours in general, and the time difference didn't help at all, as my system still thought it was late afternoon. So I stayed up on my computer being very thankful for the internet that the jet provided.
I had yet to go through all the new-accessed files and so I kept on working on that. I wanted to learn and memorise as much as possible before we went back to Malibu, or wherever else Pepper decided to go to. Being informed and knowing what was happening in the Industries would provide some reassurance in case anything were to happen. So, there I was, going through the files when I noticed that a payment was made in the company's name that wasn't there the last time that I checked. Curious, I opened the attached file to read the full thing.
What it basically was, was a receipt for an aeroplane ticket that Stark purchased.
That was strange. Having a private jet and all I thought that he wouldn't have to go anywhere with a common aeroplane. Focusing back on the document, I searched for the name that the reservation was made for only to find a woman's name.
Natalie Rushman.
That ring of it sounded familiar, only I couldn't place quite where I had heard it from. I scanned the rest of the receipt and found only Stark signature on the digital paper and not Pepper's. He may not have been CEO anymore but he still had a lot of authority in there and since this was not a too great expense, he probably could fill it on his own. However, it felt only right to ask Pepper if she knew about this transaction.
I quietly walked over to the snoring Happy and to the section where the former and new heads of the company were. Stark was fast asleep, not that I expected anything else. Pepper on the other hand was reading quietly a book, but her phone was always in her hand in case she needed to use it.
I walked up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder only for her to tense up. "Sorry" I apologised. "I didn't mean to startle you"
"It's okay really. I should lay down for a bit either way. Just lost track of time" she rubbed her eyes emphasising her words. "What can I do for you?"
"It's nothing really, it can wait until you have some rest"
I made a move to leave only for Pepper to gently grab my hand and stop me from taking another step. "Skye" was all that needed to come out of her mouth for me to make a one-eighty.
"I just… does the name 'Natalie Rushman' mean anything to you?"
With that her whole face lit up and any sign of sleep disappeared. "Yeah, she is the notary that came this morning. The one that I told you about?" I nodded at that. "Why, what happened?"
"The name appeared on a new payment that occurred with the company's money. It was for a plane ticket, business class, from Malibu to the closest airport to Monaco and back. It was also accompanied by transportation payments to the Grand Prix" I announced and opened said file on my phone screen to show to Pepper. "Is there something wrong?" I asked alarmed when I noticed the furrowed eyebrows that suddenly appeared on the woman's face after my story.
"I want you to find everything you can about her" her tone all so serious. I could fill in her thoughts though she didn't voice them. "If Stark's gonna play it this way, I'm going to be ready" because, apart from his signature, this whole situation screamed Stark.
"Will do" I confirmed and retreated to my part of the jet to start my research.
As soon as I typed the name on my searches program I began reading about her life. I finished and had made some mental notes about the main events in life. I finally pressed the 'photos' option to put a face to the name and realised that all I was reading was a cover. Well, this made things more complicated now, didn't it?
As Pepper, Stark and Happy reached the Hôtel de Paris, the place where all the rich people went to watch the race, I was already inside the stadium with two seats of my own. Pepper insisted on booking me a couple of seats instead of one so that if anything were to happen I wouldn't be limited from a spacial point of view.
I watched from the cameras of the Hotel as the duo walked in, as I had hacked into their systems. After hacking major organisations and having Stark's software combine with mine on my phone, getting into this place was a piece of cake.
It wasn't too long before my sister, pretending to be Ms. Rushman came into the picture and I could see that Pepper was very calm about the whole play, surprising Stark. She looked into one of the cameras and nodded as she must have had a feeling that I would be watching over her on this trip. A small laugh escaped my lips and I shook my head at the same time. If I stayed close to Pepper for too long she would be able to see my every move. What happened to my spy training? I thought jokingly.
After that I sat back, enjoying the peace and scenery. More of the scenery that was, since most of the stands were full and people were talking really loud from all directions.
It was quite some time since the last time that I checked on everyone back on the Hotel and so I opened my security feed once more. I found Pepper, on a window table, Natasha speaking on the phone, probably with someone from S.H.I.E.L.D., but there was no sign of Stark. I checked every single camera in the building that he was supposed to be in, but he was nowhere to be seen. That was when the announcement echoed from the speakers. It may have been in another language, and I had to brush up on my French, but from what I gathered, Tony decided to enter the race with the car that Stark Industries sponsored.
Seriously?! I mentally cursed while calling Pepper. Did that guy have a death wish or what? He couldn't possibly be hoping to drive a race car in Monaco for crying out loud. The racetrack was full of turns and if someone weren't an experienced driver it could end really badly.
"Did you know about this?", was what I heard as soon as Pepper picked up the phone.
"I had no idea, honestly. This is the first that I have heard of it" I replied as the cars got ready in the string line.
"What is this idiot thinking?" This was the first time that I had actually heard Pepper so upset vocally and not just mentally. I could almost see her with her head in her hands and eyes tightly closed.
The race had now officially started and the crowd was going crazy.
"This– This cannot happen" Pepper murmured from the other side of the line.
"Look, I can see him, he just passed by this part of the racetrack. If he keeps like that and doesn't do anything reckless he will be fine and get an earful from you when the race is over…" I finished dragging the word a little bit as I spotted something that didn't look quite right.
"Skye? What's going on?" Pepper asked as she picked up on my dragging.
I watched closely as someone in an orange uniform entered the track and stood right in the middle of it. "Tell me that you see that" I whispered and had already started making my way towards this person.
"I do" Pepper sounded breathless. A gasp escaped her lips, as well as most of the audience's when the top of the uniform got burned from what appeared to be something like a modified harness with electric whips.
"Shit, he is here for Stark" I exclaimed as if this was the discovery of the century. "Pepper, do you have Mark V with you?" I asked, now running towards the racetrack when the guy cut in half the front part of a racing car.
"Happy has it"
"Get him and get the suit here as soon as possible" I faintly heard Pepper calling Natasha's cover name and her talking back to the CEO asking for instructions. "I'm gonna buy you as much time as I can"
"Skye, stay put. You hear me?" But when I didn't answer she screamed one last time my name before I hang up and made my way to the track, as this guy had just cut Starks car and he flipped a handful of times before stopping by crashing into the wall.