𝙸𝚗𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢 (𝚆.𝙼𝚊𝚡𝚒𝚖𝚘𝚏𝚏)

The Beginning of It All -- (Iron Man I)

2008.

Zach sat in his room back in Tony's Malibu Mansion on the coast of California, watching over the sea with a glass of whiskey in his right hand, gently spinning the liquid within and contemplating his life before taking a swig. Wishing he could be inebriated, he still sat there unbothered and untouched by anyone with heartbreak and regret within him. Added with the fact his father was missing and presumed dead.

Three months earlier, Tony Stark set out to the Kunar Province with his bodyguard, Harold "Happy" Hogan and Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes, on behalf of the U.S. Army to present the Jericho missile, as a means to end the War on Terror.  However, things did not go as they were expected to.

~ Flashback to days earlier ~

"Rhodey!" Pepper welcomed him into the mansion, and ushered him in as Zach laid on the sofa, trying to nap. "Where's Tony? Did the Jericho go as planned?" Rhodey just stayed silent as he took a seat and nonverbally showed her a seat as well.

"What happened, James?" Pepper asked seriously, and detecting the change in tone, Zach sat up to face Rhodey as well. Rhodey wiped his eyes, and rubbed his forehead. "I'm sorry, Pepper," Rhodey finally spoke up. "But the convoy Tony was in on the way back... it was attacked by terrorists."

Pepper's hand went over her heart, as Zach clutched the cushions of the couch, leaving small burns on them which thankfully neither of them noticed. "The officers with Tony were all killed," Rhodey showed them the pictures of the bullet-ridden Jeep. "Tony's body was never found, leaving him either dead or captured. We don't know which one." Rhodey then made eye contact with Pepper. "I'm sorry, but you may have to be looking for another job if it is the former."

"I'm not leaving," Pepper firmly spoke up. "My boss may not be here, but my son is, Rhodey. I'm not leaving him alone."

"I know, but Zach is an adult now," Rhodey answered her. "I know, you've been a mother to him for years now, and--" "That doesn't change my decision." Pepper snapped. "He's my son. Regardless. I can try to keep a steady hand with this, let's hope Obadiah doesn't become mad with the power he's got."

"Obadiah's shit." Zach muttered to himself. "Always hated him..."

"Zachary..." Pepper scolded him. "Don't let him hear you saying that."

"Why am I being scolded, I'm right!" Zach shrugged. "He was always bossing me around as a kid, he's the one always making Stark Industries with all the weapons bullshit." He stood up, beginning to walk downstairs to Tony's workshop. "Whatever, going to Dad's workshop. See ya, Uncle Rhodey."

He traveled down the stairs as Rhodey looked back to Pepper, who looked back to Pepper and back to the stairs, Zach not being there. "He's still like that, is he?" Rhodey asked her, as she looked down and nodded.

"He's heartbroken, James." Pepper answered and looked at a framed photo of her and Zach, aged twelve and embracing Pepper as a motherly figure. "He's been down ever since he moved back. I just hope I can help him."

~ End of Flashback ~

Since the two years after coming back from England, Zach spent his first days back in his room, unpacking everything piece by piece to get his life back together. As well as doing something he never thought he would do again.

Have a one-night stand with his ex-girlfriend, Athena Fields.

Which then turned into more hookups.

Pepper was surprised to see her again coming out of Zach's room holding her clothes, but with more of Athena's visits, she became unfazed by her comings and goings. Other than the nights he spent with her, he kept himself inside the mansion. He took time to get over Ella leaving, with Goose trying to comfort him as if she were emotional support for him.