•Night Angel•

CHAPTER LVII - I AM IRON MAN

August 2008. 13:25. Stark Industries, Los Angeles, CA.

Third Person POV

This was going to be a tough day, for everyone.

After the events of 36 hours ago, the press had spread rapid rumours about the cause of the incident and what had happened. Just like with everything else, Tony would need to make a statement, and that was the last thing he wanted.

He would rather be anywhere but there.

But, as the head and CEO of Stark Industries, he had a role to accomplish. He knew that was what she would've wanted. No one talked about what had happened the night before because to be honest, there was not much to talk about.

Everyone was still in shock and no one could really wrap their minds around it.

Tony was sitting at his office, with Pepper applying a little bit of make-up on his bruises, cuts and dark bags under his eyes. He hadn't slept very well, even though he was told to get some rest. He just couldn't close his eyes, because everytime he did, he saw the same image displayed in his eyelids, making him open them again.

Rhodey was outside, talking to the press about the events from a day and a half ago, as Tony prepared for his big entrance to give a statement.

Now, the idea of dealing with nosey reporters was not what he wanted or expected to do so early in the morning, but, like I said, he had to.

Tony was reading the newspaper articles that talked about what had happened. He was surprised by how fast rumours travelled and how fast they had already made a few articles about it.

"Fortunately a member of Tony Stark's personal security staff..."

Rhodey's voice vanished in the back as Tony read aloud one of the articles to Pepper.

-"Iron Man". That's kind of catchy, it has a nice ring to it.- He said as he moved a little from Pepper. -I mean, it's not technically accurate. The suit's a gold titanium alloy but it's kind of evocative, the imagery, anyway.- He said as Pepper finished applying makeup on his face.

Phil came through the door and stood in front of Tony, giving him some cards that had written an alibi so he could tell the press what had happened. Or sort of.

-Here's your alibi.- Phil said in a monotone voice as he handed the cards to Tony.

-Okay...- Tony took them hesitantly as Pepper took out the nose band-aid on Tony's face.

-You were on your yacht. We have port papers that put you in Avalon all night, and sworn statements from 50 of your guests.- Phil said to Tony.

-See, I was thinking maybe we should say it was just Pepper and me alone on the island.- Tony said and Pepper turned to look at him with an un-amused look. She was used to this sort of thing by now.

Phil didn't really listen to Tony's suggestion and looked at him pointedly. -That's what happened. Just read it, word for word.- Phil said and gave a little smile. An almost invisible one.

As Tony read the cards, he noticed one of the main events of last night was missing.

-There's nothing about Stane here.- He said as he scrunched his eyebrows.

-That's being handled. He's on vacation.- Phil said, once again in a monotone voice. Tony was not surprised anymore about this. -Small aircraft have such a poor safety record.- Tony shrugged a little. The story was not so different from the suggestion Sophie had made to him about getting rid of Obadiah. His heart crushed a little.