Hammer's Payback - Iron Man Fan Fiction (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Chapter 14

Tony finished talking with Bob Keckle, the submarine owner Cameron introduced him to. The guy was excited to be helping out Iron Man, but he kept his groupie-gushing to a minimum. He refused to let Tony rent his four-man sub and also refused payment for piloting, but insisted on making Tony his guest. He only agreed to let him buy the fuel. Having someone else drive was not a problem for Tony. He had a pilot for his private jet and Happy had been his chauffeur for years. But it felt slightly awkward to be a guest in someone else's vehicle and to have a pilot who would not be his employee. Still, what choice did he have? He was lucky Cameron knew someone closeby with a sub in good order and willing to help him.

Someone knocked. "Food's here," Happy called through the door. He didn't wait to be invited but came right through. He set down a box of donuts on the coffee table in the living room. A large thermos hung from a strap on his shoulder. He pulled it off and held it up. "Here's your espresso. You want a cup, or you gonna guzzle from the jug?"

Tony grinned. "What is that, a gallon?"

"You said 'lots'," Happy reminded him.

"Yes, I did." He reached for the thermos and Happy gave it up. Tony unscrewed the cap and took a swig. It was not unlike cheap booze. You didn't drink it for the taste. This much espresso was sure to keep him hyped for days. He stuffed the thermos down between his leg and the couch cushion and grabbed a donut. It was then he noticed Happy staring at him. "What?"

"You tell me. You're not the same guy I left forty-five minutes ago."

"I got a ransom demand. They want the Mark V." Please don't ask to see the recording. I can't watch it again and you don't want to see it either.

Happy kept his eyes on the floor and spoke in a guarded, low tone. "You gonna give it to them?"

"Yep."

"Wait. Just like that?"

"Just like that. Hoping once they have it, I can track them to where they're holding Pepper."

"What if he kills her anyway?"

"Hammer doesn't want the suit. He's using that to pay off his jailbreak accomplices. He's too greedy not to exploit this for everything it's worth. He'll keep her alive." He had better.

"When's the drop?"

"Whenever I want. I have to do a few things first." He knew Happy would offer to drive next and while Tony didn't mind his driving (he'd proven more than capable in Monaco) he didn't want Happy to try to come along when he boarded the sub. "I'll need the Rolls." Not for the drop, which was close enough to walk, but for the trip to Newport. He didn't really want to tell Happy about that part.

"I should come with you."

"Iron Man doesn't need a bodyguard. You said so yourself."

"You're giving up the suit. That means you're just Tony Stark."

Just Tony Stark? Did Happy need a boxing lesson right here? Tony might have obliged, except this was Pepper's apartment and the last thing she needed was to come home to a mess. "I've got more than one suit. Rhodey's bringing me the Mark VI. Besides, even if I needed a bodyguard, you're Pepper's employee now."

The big guy rolled his eyes. "I don't think she would object."

Tony laid a hand on Happy's shoulder. "I got this, okay?"

He shrugged, defeated. "Okay, boss."

"Pepper's employee, not mine."

"Whatever."