•Night Angel•

CHAPTER LXXIV - STARK EXPO PT.II

April, 2010. 20:05. Stark Expo. Flushing Meadows, New York City. NY.

Sophia saw Tony starting with his speech and she smiled. He seemed so happy and comfortable, that at that moment she had no doubt that this was his element, where he belonged.

-I'm not saying that from the ashes of captivity, never has a greater Phoenix metaphor been personified in human history.- Tony said to the audience and Sophia laughed.

He turned to the left and saw his sister standing there with her arms crossed over her chest and a smile on her face. His heart filled with joy, seeing his Star was there to support him and cheer him up in an important moment like this. He sent her a smile and a wink and turned back to the audience.

Sophia smiled at her brother's gesture and winked back. As she was watching Tony's intro to the opening of Stark Expo, Happy got closer.

-Hey, Sophie. There's someone out there that is asking to come backstage for an exclusive on Tony. I told them no, but then asked for you.- Happy said and Sophia sighed.

-Okay, uhm.- She turned to one of the staff members.- Hey, sorry. How long till uncle Howard's video starts?.- Sophia asked and the guy looked at a screen.

-Uh, 2 minutes.- The guy answered and Sophia nodded. She had watched most of Tony's speech and she wouldn't be missing much, but she had to attend the press person quickly.

She turned to look at Tony and heard how he was saying the last parts of his speech. She turned back to Happy and nodded to him.

-Alright, but let's do this quick.- Happy nodded and both of them took off.

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Tony's POV

-Therefore, what I'm saying, if I'm saying anything is welcome back.- I made a small pause and then smiled. -To the Stark Expo!.- I said and people started to cheer and scream happily.

A loud ovation was heard and it made me smile. It had been a long time since this Expo happened and I was actually happy it was going on right now.

-And now, making his special guest appearance from the great-beyond, to tell you what it's all about, please welcome my father, Howard Stark.- I said and people cheered loudly once again.

I started to go backstage as a video of my father played on the big screen behind me. When I arrived at the back, I didn't see Star nearby. She must be attending something, I thought.

As I grabbed my water bottle and drank from it, I turned around to check if I was alone. When I saw no one near, I took out my medical scanner. With a pinch to my thumb, the screen lit in green and red letters.

BLOOD TOXICITY: 19%.

I removed my finger and cleaned the small drop of blood.

A little while ago, a few weeks to be precise, I found out that I had blood poisoning from the palladium in my arc reactor on my chest. I haven't told anyone, mostly because I don't want to worry them.

So far, it doesn't seem so bad. Of course it is increasing a little rapidly, but it's not something to be worried about. Of course, there's no cure for this, but it's going to be fine. I hope so. Although, I feel bad I haven't said this to the person I trust the most. Star has no idea and even though the poisoning levels are still low, they are going to increase with time, and right now, it's starting to run out.

Why have I kept this a secret? Because I'm always worrying her. I was kidnapped and she spent three months without sleeping, eating, resting. I was in a shooting at Gulmira and she was scared I was going to get shot by the Jeriko and die in the desert. This would just be another big thing to the ones I've had in the last year and a half and I can't give that to her. Another worry..