An Assassin Never Tells

T W E N T Y - O N E

May 10th, 2011

Pepper was furious, and who could blame her? Tony was in big trouble this time, and he wasn't taking things seriously. She was projecting her thoughts to me clearly, so I knew exactly what she was thinking, ah the beauties of telepathy. The pair quietly argued in the middle of the courtroom as Senator Stern was trying to regain Tony's attention.

"Mr. Stark," he began, "could we pick up now where we left off," no response, "Mr. Stark. Please."

"Yes, dear," Tony said, with near full sincerity. I internally facepalmed.

"Can I have your attention?"

"Absolutely."

"Do you or do you not possess a specialized weapon?"

"I do not."

"You do not?"

'Oh, here we go,' I projected to Pepper.

'Well, you're technically a government official, can't you do something," she responded.

'Not unless I want to blow my cover and get taken back to base.'

"I do not," continued Tony, "Well, it depends on how you define the word weapon."

"The Iron Man weapon."

"My device does not fit that description."

"Well," urged Stern, "How would you describe it?"

"I would describe it by defining it as what it is, Senator."

"As?"

"It's a high-tech prosthesis," the crowd laughed at the non-joke, "That is... That is... That's actually the most apt description I can make of it."

"It's a weapon," argued Stern, truly living up to his name, "It's a weapon, Mr. Stark."

"Please, if your priority was actually the well-being of the American citizen..."

"My priority is to get the Iron Man weapon turned over to the people of the United States of America."

"With all due respect, Senator," I butted in, standing from my seat to Stark's right, "by handing over the Iron Man suit to the American people, you would really just be putting them into more danger as if it were to be left the wrong hands, it can become a weapon."

"And what makes you so sure of that, little girl?"

"First of all, little boy, you will treat me with the respect I deserve. I am a fully grown adult woman with a cleaner record than yours. Second of all, I studied public safety and earned my first master's degree in it. You, on the other hand, studied politics and government, and so while you think you have some idea of what's best for the American People, you do not."

"I don't have time for this," muttered Stern.

"You can forget it. I am Iron Man. The suit and I are one. To turn over the Iron Man suit would be to turn over myself which is tantamount to indentured servitude or prostitution, depending on what state you're in. You can't have it," Stark continued.

"Look, I'm no expert-"

"In prostitution? Of course not. You're a senator. Come on," Pepper was not impressed.

"I'm no expert in weapons," he continued, "We have somebody here who is an expert on weapons. I'd now like to call Justin Hammer, our current primary weapons contractor."

"Let the record reflect that I observed Mr. Hammer entering the chamber, and I am wondering if and when any actual expert will also be in attendance."

"Absolutely. I'm no expert. I defer to you, Anthony. You're the wonder boy. Senator, if I may. I may well not be an expert, but you know who was the expert? Your dad. Howard Stark. Really a father to us all and to the military-industrial age. Let's just be clear, he was no flower child. He was a lion. We all know why we're here. In the last six months, Anthony Stark has created a sword with untold possibilities. And yet, he insists it's a shield. He asks us to trust him as we cower behind it. I wish I were comforted, Anthony. I really do. I'd love to leave my door unlocked when I leave the house, but this ain't Canada. You know, we live in a world of grave threats, threats that Mr. Stark will not always be able to foresee. Thank you. God bless Iron Man. God bless America," monologued Hammer, trying to blow away the room with his appeals to the people and his formal words.

"That is well said, Mr. Hammer. The committee would now like to invite Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes to the chamber," stated Stern.

A/N: Happy Saturday, lovelies! I hope you're all having wonderful weekends and are excited for your spring break (if you haven't already had it)! I love you all so very much, and thank yall for the reads, the votes, and for adding this book to your reading list!!! <3 :)