The Sweetest Rose-LokixOC

Chapter 11

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Tony took Cassandra on a tour of the tower, floor by floor. Below the penthouse was a full gym with state-of-the-art exercise equipment and a pool. She made a mental note to go for a swim later.

They swung by the tech department where the billionaire issued her a new cellphone to replace the one she lost in the explosion and a tablet for her new job for which Cassandra needed some clarification. "What is my job title anyway?"

"Same as your old one. I've been meaning to hire historians for my team only I haven't had the time between my duties as Iron Man and the launch for my new car line." Tony said with a lazy wave of his hand, the bracelet on his wrist jangling.

Loki opted to remain behind in the penthouse to sulk. Since neither of the men got along it was probably for the best. They nearly came to blows over something as stupid as a coffee mug!

As Cassandra and Tony walked down a narrow white corridor to the first floor of the research and development department, she still struggled to comprehend the casual animosity between Iron Man and the god.

Loki certainly did not help things by deliberately antagonizing Tony for his own amusement. Their personalities were very similar, Cassandra bet in other circumstances the men would be friends.

Tony paused before the corrugated steel door at the end of the hall, pressing his palm to a control panel for entry. The door unlocked with a loud buzzing sound to reveal more gleaming white walls, a cement floor, and glass topped computer tables manned by corporate minions wearing headsets.

"This is software development. We're working on some stuff for SHIELD." Tony didn't elaborate beyond that.

Cassandra wisely didn't ask what tech the secret spy agency wanted.

They continued the tour. Most of the floors of Stark Tower were dedicated to research and development. Beyond computer tech, the Hulk had an entire lab for his gamma radiation studies.

Bruce hovered before a series of monitors unaware Tony and Cassandra observed him.

When they arrived at the energy department, Tony proudly showed off models of his latest inventions.

"The purpose of the tech I'm developing is to eliminate dependency on fossil fuels and other pollutants that damage the Earth." He explained, showing her a model of a self-sustaining power plant.

"A lot of tech companies are working to be green. How are you any different?" Cassandra asked, taking the toy building into her hands for a closer look at the structure.

"Stark Tower is run by a self-sustaining energy power cell that uses quantum energy. I got the idea from some of the experiments Dr. Pym ran a few years ago. Right now, it's only a prototype but the cell I use only has to be replaced annually." He said then launched into a complicated science jargon that went right over her head.

Cassandra understood the concept of green energy, but Tony seemed to go one step further than all the energy companies out there. The billionaire lived up to his reputation as a genius. Setting the model down, Tony took her down to the library, a sublevel below the lobby.

Stomach churning nervously, Cassandra exited the elevator hyperaware of her surroundings. She really hated being underground.

Rows upon rows of books filled the open space around a cluster of tables and chairs. Unlike the spotless sterile environment of the other departments, an air of neglect hung around the library. A lone employee sat at the circulation desk reading a book, her graying hair pinned back neatly at her nape. The librarian's glasses slid down her nose as she jerked in surprise to find visitors in her domain. "Sir?" She asked uncertainly.