𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄 || 𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐊

𝟐𝟑.

IRON MAN 3
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Okay I'm trying something different here.
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Y/N was currently walking beside Pepper in Stark Industries. She had recently explained to Pepper her situation about the whole S.H.I.E.LD thing and how she lied to her and Tony. Surprisingly, not just Tony, Pepper forgave Y/N.

As of right now, Y/N was Pepper's sorta like right hand woman or well her assistant at Stark Industries. She was also kind of there for protection just in case any funny bullshit tried to pop off while she was around Pepper or Tony. But she mostly just left the bodyguard work to Happy, who was very proud to take that position.

Although. she still had her position as a S.H.I.E.L.D Agent and an Avenger.

"Tony has got them in his basement. They're wearing party hats. This is an asset that we can put to use." Happy tells Pepper and Y/N who were listening. "Uh-huh. So, you're suggesting that I replace the entire janitorial staff with robots." Pepper says signing something on a clipboard.

"What I'm saying that the human element of human resources is our biggest point of vulnerability. We should start phasing it out immediately." Happy continues. "Hold on, Happy, what?" Y/N double backs on what he had just said. "Did you just say that?" Pepper says.

"Security?"

"Happy?"

"Yes?"

"Okay. I am thrilled that you are now the Head of Security. Okay? It is the perfect position for you." Pepper tells him. "Thank you." Happy spoke.

"However..."

"I do appreciate it."

"...since you've taken the post..."

"You don't have to thank me."

"We've had a rise in staff complaints of 300%." Pepper informed Happy. "Thank you."

"Happy, that wasn't a compliment." Y/N adds.

"It's not... It is a compliment. Clearly, somebody's trying to hide something." Happy states. "I..." Pepper starts to say but gets interrupted by one of the secretaries. "Excuse me."

"Yes." Pepper responds. "Ms. Potts, your 4:00 is here." The secretary says. "Thank you."

"Did you clear this 4:00 with me?" Happy asks her. "Happy, we'll talk about this later, but right now, I have to go deal with this very annoying thing." Pepper says. "How so?"

"I used to work with him and he used to ask me out all the time, so it's a little awkward." Pepper whispered. "I don't like the sound of that." Happy says. Pepper, Y/N and Happy all stop in the doorway and look over the guy who was standing in Pepper's office wearing a sharp gray looking suit. "Pepper."

"Killian?"

"You look great. You look really great." Killian tells her. "God, you look great. I... I... I... What on earth have you been doing?" Pepper stammered before speaking clearly. "Nothing fancy. Just five years in the hands of physical therapists. And please, call me Aldrich." Killian states.

"Uh, you were supposed to be issued a security badge." Happy says. "Happy, it's okay. We're good." Pepper assures. "Yes. Are you sure?"

"Yes. Stand down."

"Okay. I'm going to linger right here." Happy says. "Thank you." Pepper tells him as she nods to Y/N who nods back and walks out with Happy. Y/N pulls Happy aside "Happy Hogan. Pepper appreciates what you're doing and trust me, I do too." Y/N speaks. "Thank you. But where are you going with this?"

"Trust me, I've worked in security and I know what the person or people you're protecting need. They want protection, assurance and solidarity. Just don't overdo it, it kinda gets overwhelming. I have to run, but I'll see later. Bye, Happy." Y/N smiles and walks away.

As Y/N walks away to handle whatever business she had to deal with Happy walks over and sits down on a couch. Not long after that, he gets a video call which so happened to be from Tony. Happy kind of struggles to answer it before he eventually gets it. "Is this Forehead of Security?"

"What?" Happy replies to Tony's statement.

"You know, look... I got a real job. What do you want? I'm working. I've got something going on, here." Happy continued. "What, harassing interns?" Tony says as he walked around his shop. "Let me tell you something. Do you know what happened when I told people I was Iron Man's bodyguard? Or at least one of them. They would laugh in my face. If Y/N, were to say that they would believe her. She's intimidating, you know?" this causes Tony to chuckle again.

"Oh, don't I know it." Tony continues chuckling with a smile.

"Anyway, I had to leave while I still had a shred of dignity. Now, I got a real job, I'm watching Pepper." Happy went on. "What's going on? Fill me in." Tony says as he walked down the stairs to a lower level of his workshop. "For real? All right. So, she's meeting up with this scientist. Rich guy. Handsome. Right. I couldn't make his face, at first. Right? You know I'm good with faces."

"Oh, yeah, you're the best." Tony adds watching his suit getting lowered down. "Yeah. Well, so I run his credentials. I make him. Aldrich Killian. We actually met the guy back in... where were we in '99? The science conference?"

"Switzerland."

"Right, right, exactly." Happy says. "Killian. No... I don't remember that guy." Tony tells him. "Of course you don't remember. He's not a blond with a big rack. At first, it was fine. They were talking business. But now it's like getting weird. He's showing her his big brain."

"His what?"

"Big brain. And she likes it. Here, let me show you. Hold on. See?"

"Look at what? You watching them? Flip the screen, and then we can get started." Tony tells Happy. "I'm not a tech genius like you. Just trust me. Get down here."

"Flip the screen. Then I can see what they're doing."

"I can't! I don't know how to flip the screen! Don't talk to me like that anymore. You're not my boss. All right? I don't work for you. All right, I don't trust this guy. He's shifty." Happy says. "Relax."

"Seriously?"

"I'm just asking you to secure the perimeter. Tell them to go out for a drink or something." Tony adds. "You know what? You should take more of an interest in what's going on here. This woman is the best thing that's ever happened to you, since Y/N and you're just ignoring her."

"A giant brain?"

"Yeah. There's a giant brain. There's a shifty character. I'm gonna follow this guy. I'm gonna run his plates and I'm gonna... You know, if it gets rough, so be it." Happy states.

"I miss you, Happy."

"Yeah, I miss you, too. But the way it used to be. Now you're off with your super friends. I don't know what's going on with you anymore. Same with Y/N, half the time she's gone, too. The world's getting weird."

"Hey! I hate to cut you off. Do you have your taser on you?" Tony asks. "Why?"

"I think there's a gal in H.R. who's trying to steal some printer ink. You should probably go over there and zap her." Tony says. "Yeah, Nice." Happy replied with sarcasm.