Stark Struck | The Avengers

Chapter II: Coffee Runs

Chapter Two

        "Intern! Here- now!" Mr. Brown yelled from his office. I was on that particular floor, but I'm sure just about everyone in the building could hear him. His voice boomed that much throughout the building.

        I pushed my way past people to his office, and poked my head in the CEO's glass door. His salt and peppered hair was a mess and he looked tired.

        "You called, Mr. Brown?"

        "Yeah, go get me a coffee."

        I sighed, I should've expected this. Everyday Brown's been calling me in and ordering me to get him his morning caffeine.

        "And what kind of coffee would you like, Mr. Brown?" I asked with a false smile.

        "Just an espresso this time. Now get the hell out of my office." He shooed me out of the door again and hollered at me, "And don't come back here 'til you have my coffee!"

        I walked away from Brown's office. I passed by Carol, one of the nice receptionists, as I walked through the lobby of the building. "Brown want his daily coffee?"

        "Yeah, and he seems even more tired today. It just means I'll have to pick up more than one." I replied.

        "You know, Alex, you could just go to the breakroom and fake it. Just don't say where you got it from."

"Problem is Carol," I turned at her before I close the door. With a guilty smile on my face, I replied, "That's exactly what I do."

***

        "Uh, I'll take a regular cappuccino."

        "Comin' right up." The Starbucks woman turned from the counter and started to make my 'coffee.'

        A few minutes later, the woman - whose name tag read 'Jill' - gave me my cappuccino. I swiftly made my way to the cream and milk. I added a cup of cream, a splash of milk, and a bit of sugar. Picking up a stirring straw, I made my way out of Starbucks.

        I tried to take the clearest route back to the New Station. I'm not so sure if that was a good idea...

        Clangs of metal, gun fire, and sizzling snaps came from the dark alley I had started to go down. I stopped in my tracks to see who the people were. A bullet shot passed my ear. The shooter didn't look like they were aiming for me, but they barely missed me. I ducked out of the way and backed up against the wall. I popped my head towards the fighting people.

        I saw glints of electric blue whipping around. Then glints of metallic gold and red. My eyes widened in realization who the red and gold person was. "Holy sh-"

        The electric blue stringed lights stopped, and so did the man of gold and red. I covered my mouth with one of my hands as soon as I realized I might've said that too loud.

        I had a Jack Sparrow moment, I stepped back, nearly tripping over myself, and ran away just like him. My cappuccino split a little bit but I kept running. I pushed past people and ran into the News Station. Pretty sure I looked like an idiot because I might've been wearing a bit of my coffee.

        Carol looked at me with wild eyes. "Alex, what happened? You look like you saw a ghost."

        I leaned on the front desk, one hand on my heart. "Not a ghost - Iron Man. And Whiplash." I breathed, "'battling' it out in an alley."

        "An alley? And I thought Vanko was dead."

     "Apparently not." I said, sitting down on one of the black, leather sofas. "But ho-ly crap, seriously, Iron Man. IRON. MAN. Tony freakin' Stark." I put my head in my hands. "The billionaire."

        "You could say that again." Carol said winking at me. She sat down next to me, "But Whiplash- Ivan Vanko... Do you think another war is coming? But this time with Vanko and not Loki?"

       "Maybe. I don't know, it didn't really make sense. Iron Man, Tony Stark, in an alley fighting. It seemed more fake, but he had repulsor beams, and Whiplash had his electric whips."

        "I guess we'll just have to wait and see. But if you don't want a 'war' raging, I suggest you get Brown's coffee."

        "I guess so..." I replied. I stood from my sitting position and strode to the elevator. I slide to the floor of the elevator. Was it really Tony Stark in his Iron Man suit? Why was he fighting Vanko? In an alley? Why not in the open? Tony is the performance type of person... And is Whiplash a threat right now? Last time, Tony nearly died...

        What the heck am I talking about? I don't know Tony Stark. I've never met the guy. Heck! All I've seen are pictures and interviews!

        But he's Tony Stark... He's well, his name describes him. He's just amazing. Fine, fine, call me a fangirl. I don't care.

        The elevator stopped, the doors opened, and I stepped into the breakroom.

        Sitting in a seat was Mr. Brown. "Ah, Miss. Heart, I knew you would be here," he sipped on an espresso and smiled creepily. "You have your wish."

        I hesitantly stared at him. "...And what would that be Mr. Brown?"

        "You have your big break and your first interview."

        "With who?" I asked with a hint of excitement in my voice.

        "Anthony Edward 'Tony' Stark."