Faith in her Timing

Chapter 2: A man out of time

As Tony predicted, Timothy came home and he and Rio talked. They both said that they were sorry for what happened, but the real issues weren't addressed. It was too difficult. Too complex to solve with one conversation. Rio was holding on to reason, Timothy was holding on to faith and they were both convinced the other was in the wrong. Saturday arrived and so did the pre-party stress that came with it.

"Tony!" Pepper desperately cried out when she saw the ice sculpture of a naked cupid being brought in. Happy, Tony's head of security, shook his head. "I'm sorry, miss Potts...I-I eh...I'll find Tony!" He assured her and hurried off. A reluctant Tony Stark shuffled in Pepper's direction a few minutes after that.

"Hey, Pep! What do you think of Cupid?"

"Tony, he's naked! Timothy's a priest! You know what he and Rio have been fighting over and then you bring in a naked symbol of sex?"

"Love, he's a baby, Pep. Not an adult."

"Tony!"

"Alright, alright, I'll get rid of the baby. Waste of a good ice sculpture. But oh well, with Rogers there..."

"Tony..."

Clearly Pepper's patience was wearing thin and Tony knew he had to distract her somehow, since there would be plenty of opportunities for her to be mad at him, at the party itself. He needed some coins in the bank.

"Alright, alright, I'll play nice. Hey, Timothy! Man of the hour!" Tony hurried towards the Monsignor when he saw him come in, a very annoyed Pepper following Tony close behind.

"Mister Stark. I really have to object, this is simply far too much honor for me." He said softly, a hint of a condescending tone drifting between his words. Tony snorted.

"I agree."

Timothy's jaw dropped and his eyes widened in shock. Pepper quietly walked off, knowing this might turn ugly.

"I agree this is too much honor for you. It's not for you, it's for her. I saw what you did to her the other day. At lunch. I didn't like it."

"What Rio and I..." The Monsignor started to reply, but Tony interrupted him.

"I didn't like it. I know, you come from the church, the two of you made whoopee, vows of chastity and all that jazz. But make a choice already. It's her or baby Jesus. In my eyes, you can have both. She sure isn't looking down on you for loving her, none of us are. All we are is happy. We've seen that girl go through hell and back and not just with her little time warp. She deserves to be happy. I don't know you, but I see you make her happy. I want you to see that too. Right Pep? Pepper? Pepper?" Tony wandered off again, to see where Pepper ran off to, leaving Timothy behind a little dazed and confused.

If only it was this easy. He knew Tony meant well, but meeting Roman the other day had been like a warm bath for him. Finally he felt welcome in a church again, finally he felt like he could be useful. Of course there would have to come a day where he had to tell the man about his personal life. Of him and Rio. But somehow he was dreading it less than he thought he would. He felt like Roman would understand.

Timothy was pulled out of his thoughts by the sound of a door opening and closing again. Rio stepped into the room, wearing a little red dress. His eyes scanned her outfit and he felt that familiar mixture of lust and shame overtake him.

"Hey you." Rio quietly said and stood in front of him awkwardly.

"Hey." Timothy answered, not knowing what else to say. Rio averted her eyes, so he wouldn't see the tears welling up. But he knew her too well and pulled her against him. Seeing her cry was too much for him, his weak spot. One of many, to be exact.