Misunderstood

Two

Sophie woke up, finding that she had fallen asleep on the couch. She sat up stretching as the windows began to let the light in.

'Good morning Miss Sweets. Mr Stark has asked me to inform you, that he had to return, early this morning. He had made you breakfast, and there is a car downstairs for your convenience'... Jarvis tells her.

Sophie stood up, stretching her whole body out... 'Thanks Jarvis. I missed you buddy'... She reaches for her bag on the coffee table, pulling out her meds.

'You have been missed too. Its good to have you home again'...

Sohoie heads to the kitchen, the faint smell of coffee was in the air... 'You know I'm coming to New York, right?'

'Of course Miss Sweets. Mr Stark has been excited at the prospect of you joining him there. I do look forward to working with you again'...

'Right back at you Jarvis. Could you gain access to my phone please? I can start calling out a list of new equipment that I would need in my lab, for when I arrive'... She heads to the coffee machine, and pours herself a cup. She turns, spotting a plate of pancakes and bacon, a bottle of syrup next to it with a note.

'I got jarvis watching you, so make sure you eat. Can't wait for you to come home. Love you'

Sophie rolled her eyes, as she takes the plate and syrup to the breakfast bar, with her coffee. Reaching to the drawer, she gets her cutlery... 'I promise I'm going to eat Jarvis. You can let him know'... She opens her bottle of meds, putting 2 in her hand.
As she puts them in her mouth, ready to swallow, she hears the voice.

*You know we don't really need those. How long do you think you can keep control?*

Sophie quickly swallows them, gulping down her coffee, before digging into her food.

'I have downloaded myself to your phone Miss Sweets. I have already began making arrangements of the necessary equipment you would need, based on the layout of your lab, and you field of expertise'...

'Can you play my calm mix please?'... Sophie calls out. Within seconds, Norah Jones is playing, and Sophie hums along with the songs, feeling herself relax.

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A few hours later, she was in work and having a meeting with her boss, to discuss her giving notice. She did love her job here, but knowing she was going to be closer to Tony, made it better for her.

'You know, you will be missed Dr Connors..'.. Gerald smiled across the desk at her. He had always made her feel welcome and comfortable... 'I know your contract says to work 2 weeks notice, but considering that you will be working with Tony Stark, we can make an exception. All work that you have right now, you can pass along to your assistants'

Sophie ground her teeth. She knew Tony had paid a large sum to the company, in hopes of getting her out of her contract sooner. She forced a smile on her face... 'Of course sir. I trust them implicitly. They have all been amazing, and I know they will carry on without me'

Gerald chuckled, he knew her well enough, to see the tell tale signs that she was putting on a front. He sat back, peering at her... 'I take it, you've deduced the truth?'

'Oh, I have a lot of things to say sir, but I fear my reputation would take a hit if I spoke my mind right now'... Gerald threw his head back and laughed. Sophie couldn't help but chuckle along too.

'I fear for Mr Stark right now, more than your reputation, my dear. You can go when you wish. Though, do return on Friday, we would all like to see you before you leave us completely'... Gerald smiles at her. Sophie nodded at him, and stood, leaving his office.

Striding down the hallways, she makes her way to her office. Storming past her assistants, no one spoke to her. They could tell she was angry. Sophie slammed her door behind her, pulling out her phone... 'Call him Jarvis'

She flopped down in her chair, as she heard it ring. He picked up, almost immediately... 'Uh, how much trouble am I in?'

'June 1996! That's how much trouble you are in Tony!'... She knew he would understand what she meant. It was as though she could hear him gulp down the phone.

'I'm sorry, really really sorry'... He stammers out.

'I highly doubt it'... She sits back in her seat, taking a few breaths... 'Look, I get that you're trying to look out for me, but please let me do this my own way. You know I hate it when people try to control aspects of my life'

Tony did know, and he knew the reason. After everything her parents had done, even if they believed they were trying to help, they had controlled her life, until the day they died in '95. He had promised her then and there, he would never do that to her.

'I really am sorry Soph'... She heard the sincerity in his voice, which calmed her down.

'I know you are. Look, I'll let you find the psychiatrist for me. Considering your personality, I'm sure you have a few on speed dial'... She quipped back at him, hearing him chuckle.

'I promise to try really hard not to control anything you say or do. And if by chance it happens, you have fiull permission to punch me... just not in the face or groin'.... Sophie smiles, shaking her head at his words.

'I love you Tony.  I'll be there soon, you have my word'... She stands up, looking out the window onto the streets below.

'Love you too little sis. I'm here if you need me'... She hangs up, tossing her phone onto her desk. Now came the fun part, telling her assistants that she was leaving, and they were to carry the workload.

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8 days later, and Sophie was stood looking out at her lab in the tower. She had an entire floor, to herself, and the other 9 floors below, for other R&D labs. She was excited to get started. Her room, she would unpack later, but this right here? This was her safe space.

She walks over to her first station, boxes were waiting to be unpacked. Kicking her shoes off, she hopped on the spot... 'Hey Jarvis, can you play my happy mix please?'

Lynard Skynards, Sweet Home Alabama started playing over the speakers. She began to sing along, as she opened the first box, finding it was her microscopic equipment. She was excited, and danced over to the station she had set aside for it.

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Tony watched her on the monitor as she danced around her lab, unpacking everything. He smiled, he hadn't seen her this relaxed in years. He hoped she would feel safe and comfortable here. Now that he was publicly known as Iron Man, people could come for Sophie, and he had to keep her close, protected.

She was the one person, he would sacrifice everything for, and he couldn't risk her, getting hurt. She may have control over her other side, but if anyone found out about that, they could exploit it. Tony had met her dark side, more than once. She was someone who would enjoy hurting others.

He sighed, watching as she moved onto another box, unpacking. Pepper walks in, from the elevator, and over to his side, watching the monitor too... 'Shes going to be ok Tony. She's safe here, she home again'... Pepper wrapped an arm around his waist, as he turned, dropping a kiss to her head.

'I just hope you're right. I don't know what I'd do if anything would happen to her..'.. He smiled down at Pepper... 'Shes going to help me finish the arc reactor this week too'

He turned back to the monitor, watching his sister let loose in her lab. He had her home again. Between the two of them, the reactor would be finished within days.

😘