Saving Grace

Eleven

As it turns out, Tony does have another bad idea.

The Stark Industries car that was built to race in the Grand Prix sits on the track. The race is being broadcasted live, the footage appearing on the screen back at the hotel. Upstairs, the TV in Grace's room is playing it as she draws a picture of Happy, who's sitting in the room with her.

Meanwhile, Tony has on a Stark racing suit as he pushes through a small crowd of cameras and reporters. There isn't a single mention of his daughter — only the race, and a little bit of the Expo. Tony smiles and jumps over the low barrier between the audience and the side of the track where all the cars are parked.

The cameras are on him, the footage appears on the TV. Grace drops her picture in surprise and watches intently, saying nothing. Happy looks up when he hears Tony's voice through the speakers: "Well, what's the use of having and owning a race car if you don't drive it?"

"Is he driving?" Grace asks, not taking her eyes off the screen.

Happy sighs. "I think he is."

"Is he going to get hurt?"

"Probably."

"He's not very smart sometimes, is he?"

"No, kid, he's not."

Then, Pepper, waiting for Tony at an empty table downstairs, sees him on the TV, too. She sees the original driver throw his helmet down and walk off in a rage. Her heart drops into her stomach, and then her stomach drops into the floor. "Natalie. Natalie!"

Natalie runs over, a covered plate and silverware in her hand. "Yes, Ms. Potts?"

"Did you know about this?"

She looks at the TV, then suddenly sounds concerned and stressed. "This is the first that I've known of it."

"This... This cannot happen," Pepper says, watching as they change the original driver's name to Stark on the screen.

"Absolutely, I understand, how can I help you?"

"Where's Happy?"

"Upstairs."

Almost on cue, Pepper's phone rings with a call from him. She looks at Natalie. "Switch with him. Quickly." She answers Happy.

Grace watches as Tony puts his helmet on and climbs in the race car. She barely listens as Happy talks with Pepper on the phone.

Then, Natalie walks in, holding the covered plate, and Happy leaves. Natalie sets the plate and silverware on the table, then sees what's on the TV and grabs the remote. "Maybe we should-"

"No," Grace says. "Leave it on."

Tony, like the other racers, revs his engine. The countdown begins, then ends almost just as quickly. All of the cars take off, shooting out of the starting line. Grace follows Tony's car, never taking her eyes off it.

Everything seems to be going fine for a while, though there's an underlying feeling of unease.

Then, a man seemingly from someone's pit crew calmly walks onto the track. The cameras are on him in an instant. Grace keeps her eyes on the screen. "Natalie, who is that?"

She sounds worried when she replies. "I don't know."

The man takes his helmet off. The announcer is talking frantically, but not in English. Everyone downstairs is looking at the TV, including Pepper.

The man opens the orange jumpsuit he's wearing, revealing a chest piece that looks like a black version of Iron Man's, an arc reactor in the center. He pulls out electrified whips as his the top of his jumpsuit literally burns off of him. Grace's heart stops, and, downstairs, so does Pepper's.