•Night Angel•

CHAPTER LXXXIX - "NOT RECOMMENDED". WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?

June 2010. 13:05. Warehouse. Somewhere in Los Angeles, CA.

Third Person POV.

As Tony exited the warehouse where Nick Fury had asked him to meet, he found his sister leaning on the hood of her red Mustang. When she saw her brother walking towards her, she stood up straight and looked at him with a smile and a funny look under her glasses.

-So, how did it go? Are you part of the Avengers Initiative now?.- Sophia asked and Tony snorted. They got inside the car and as they placed the seatbelts on and Sophia started driving, she turned to Tony , waiting for an answer.

-No.- He said as he looked out of the window.

Sophia furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at the road.

-What? Why not?.- Sophia asked her brother. Tony hesitated as he placed his shades on, looking out of the window.

-Because apparently, I have compulsive behaviour, I am prone to self-destructive tendencies and I have textbook narcissism. So, I'm not recommended.- Tony listed and then huffed. -Huh. Not recommended. What does that even mean?.- Tony asked and Sophia laughed.

Truth is, she knew that he hadn't been accepted. Natasha was asked to make a report regarding Tony's behaviour to see if he was suitable for the Initiative or not, and she said that he was not, at all.

Now, Sophia had not been asked to do it, due to her relationship with Tony, so she understood, but she also saw coming the fact that maybe they would say no to him.

-Well, so what now?.- Sophia asked as she turned to give Tony a quick glance.

-They want me as their consultant. But I said that they can't afford me.- Tony said with a proud smile and a little movement of his head. Sophia hummed in response and Tony looked at her from his peripheral vision. -But of course you already knew this, didn't you?.- He asked and Sophia moved her head from side to side.

-Sort of. I just knew that maybe they wouldn't take you for being reckless, but they still need you and I'm sure you're going to help. You're just a little sensitive about this.- Sophia said and let out a laugh at the end.

Tony turned to look at his sister and rolled his eyes.

-Ha, ha, very funny.- He said. -By the way, get ready, we have a ceremony to attend.- Tony said and Sophia nodded.

-Let's do this.- Sophia said as she stepped on the gas, driving as fast as the wind on the driveway, ready for her and her brother to start a new chapter that hopefully would be a little easier than this one.

—------------------------

June 2010. 11:45. United States Capitol Park. Washington, DC.

-It is my honour to be here today to present these distinguished awards to Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes and Mr. Tony Stark, who is of course, a national treasure.- Senator Stern said as he introduced Tony and Rhodey for their award ceremony.

Sophia was sitting in the front row as she watched her brother and friend be awarded by the person who hated him the most.

And for her it was a complete joy to see the senator suffering for doing this ceremony for her brother. It was funny seeing how he struggled to speak good things about Tony and award him when it was the last thing he wanted to do in his life.

The senator proceeded to place the medals on each of the men, stopping with Tony as he pinched him purposely with the thing on his hands. As he finished, he turned around and asked for a photo to be taken.

Just when Sophia thought this man couldn't be anymore embarrassed, he was taking his photo with the guy he hated the most. And this just made Sophia smile ten times more.

As they took the picture, Tony made a peace sign and Sophia laughed. His signature movement.

Tony turned to look at the audience and saw his sister in the front row watching him with a smile on her face.

He might've gotten a medal as a recognition prize, but his greatest award was having his sister alive, by his side and supporting him in every step of the way. Not even a million medals and awards could ever compare to the greatest gift and prize he already has.

His Star.