Gold Strike: Arachne

Christmas

Black screen.

Tony: (voice over) "And, so, as Christmas morning began, my journey had reached its end."

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Jax and Ana were driving together, looking at each other, smiling.

Tony: (voice over) "You start with something pure. Something exciting."

Ana's car continued to drive.

Tony: (voice over) "Then come the mistakes."

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The vice president was being arrested for his involvement.

Rhodey watched them take him away.

Tony: (voice over) "The compromises."

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Trevor was brought to a police station.

Reports were waiting outside, taking pictures and clamoring.

Tony: (voice over) "We create our own demons."     

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Doctors were prepping in a hospital surgery room.

Tony: (voice over) "As promised, Jax and I got Pepper sorted out. It took some tinkering. But then I thought to myself, 'Why stop there?'"

The doctors were working over an unconscious Tony.

Pepper and Jax were outside of the hospital room, watching.

Tony: (voice over) "Of course, there are people who say progress is dangerous."

Rhodey and Ana walked toward Pepper and Jax with coffee, handing them each a cup.

They watched the surgery.

Tony: (voice over) "But I'll bet none of those idiots ever had to live with a chestful of shrapnel."

The doctors had taken the arc reactor out of Tony's chest to remove the shrapnel.

Tony: (voice over) "And now, neither will I. Let me tell you... that was the best sleep I'd had in years."

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Tony and Pepper were getting ready for an elegant party.

Tony put a necklace around her.

Pepper turned to face him, leaning her head against hers.

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Happy was still in his hospital room. He was starting to wake up, coughing.

The nurse calmed him down. "It's okay. It's okay. It's okay."

Happy watched the TV, seeing Downton Abbey was on.

They watched the show together.

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Harley returned home after school, walking into his room to see it full of high-tech computer technology and toys, with a toy Mustang car for him to sit in. He walked in, closing the door, smiling, looking around. He found a potato gun with a note above it, walking closer, picking the note up to read.

Merry Christmas, Harley

Your friend, Arachne

Harley looked around, laughing.

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Tony walked toward the remains of the Stark mansion with a paper bag. He stopped at the edge, looking over the ocean. He took the arc reactor that had used to be in his chest out of the paper bag, looking at it for a moment, tossing it into the water, turning around, walking away.

 Tony: (voice over) "So, if I were to wrap this up, tie it with a bow, or whatever, I guess I'd say my armor? It was never a distraction. Or a hobby. It was a cocoon."

Tony got into his car.

Tony: (voice over) "And now, I'm a changed man. My son? He changed with me, too. We both changed. For the better."

Tony drove away.

Tony: (voice over) "You can take away my house, all my tricks and toys. One thing you can't take away? I am Iron Man."

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Jax and Ana were driving along the freeway in Ana's car.

"So, I think that getting through this mission is what helped you get through with what happened your last mission," Ana told him.

"Meaning?" Jax asked.

"You haven't been freaking out," Ana answered. "You've been eating. You've been sleeping. Haven't had an anxiety attack in... God knows how long."

"So all that I needed to do was get through another mission?" Jax asked. "Great. I'll remember that for next time."

Ana smiled. "I've seen it happen a lot, you know. Not just with you. It happens. No need to beat yourself up about it."

"What about you, Arachne?" Jax asked. "You ever go through something like that?"

Ana shook her head. "Not since my family got free from Hydra. But you can imagine finding out it had infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D didn't do us any favors."

"But I imagine you guys taking it down did," Jax told her. Ana smirked. "Thank you, Ana." Ana looked at him. "I honestly don't know what we would have done without you."

Ana smiled a small smile. "I like that sound of that."

"Of what?" Jax asked.

"You needing me," Ana answered.

Jax smiled, shaking his head. "I didn't say that."

"Doesn't mean you didn't," Ana replied. They smiled, chuckling. "Besides, I should be the one thanking you."

"Why?" Jax asked.

"'Cause even while I helped you and your dad, when I needed saving, you came running," Ana answered. "Well, flying, anyway."

"I'll always be there to catch your fall," Jax told her.

"And what would you say if I told you I'm falling in a completely different way?" Ana asked.

Jax looked at Ana. "I'd say good." Ana looked at him. "Because I'm starting to fall with you."

Jax and Ana looked at each other, smiling.

They continued to drive off into the sunset.