The Iron Woman

Colonel Rhodes

I sat in the computer chair holding dad's arc reactor.

"Andy asked about you. He always does." Rhodey said.

I pondered the thought for a moment. Andy had been my best friend since I was in the middle school. He Peter and I had been inseparable. Well, until he joined the air force. I haven't seen him since. Rhodey had though. Andy was his nephew so naturally he went to go see him anytime he could.

"I know. I wish I could see him, but he's always so busy." I stated.

But of course that was only the half truth. Andy was very busy, but I never took the time to go see him. So in all actuality it was my fault too.

"Yeah... being in the air force is time-consuming." Rhodey stated.

I just nodded. The guilt was slowly starting to rise in my gut.

"But, he's giving a speech today. If we leave in fifteen minutes, we can make it." He said.

"Okay, alright. Let's go then. Just let me get dressed." I replied.

I got up and set the arc reactor next to my computer before going upstairs. Peter was teaching Morgan to use his web-shooters in the living room. He saw me and came over.

"Hey. You alright? You haven't come out of your cave today." Peter chuckled a bit.

"Yeah, I'm just going to get dressed." I smiled.

"I thought you didn't have to work?" Peter queried.

"I don't. I'm going to see an old friend of ours." I explained.

"Who?" He asked curiously.

"Andy." I replied simply.

"Rhodes?" He asked.

I nodded in confirmation.

"That's great! Tell him I said hey." Peter said.

I nodded and hugged him tightly. "I love you."

"I love you too. Are you sure you're okay?" Peter questioned.

"Yeah... I am."

I went upstairs and took a quick shower before getting changed and going back downstairs. I now sported a grey suit, I'd never worn it before so I thought I'd try it. It was very plain, but it looked good on me so I wasn't going to complain. I was also wearing my Dad's aviator sunglasses as usual.

"You ready?" Rhodey asked, looking at his wrist watch.

"Yeah." I replied.

We walked outside and to the helicopter. Because how else do rich people get around right? In all actuality, I like to fly in planes. By myself though. Not because I want to flaunt my riches and show off my private jet, but because I like solitude. As much as I used to party and be around other people, I just truthfully don't like it. I guess that's just the real Maya Stark. Boring, I know. 

"Is this really necessary?" Rhodey asked.

"It's the most efficient way." I said.

"Right." He reluctantly agreed

I just rolled my eyes and looked out the window.

(Timeskip)

I sat in the back of the room as far away from the paparazzi as I could get. I watched Andy speak. He was really good at it too. He didn't seem nervous at all, he really was quite the public speaker. Always had been really. He looked so much older than the last time I'd seen him. He was really. I hadn't seen him in almost ten years. I smiled, I was proud of him. I really was. After he'd finished his speech he walked towards the back of the room. Andy stopped at the last row and turned to me.

"Well if it isn't the infamous Maya Stark." He smiled. 

"Uh... maybe." I was leaned so far back in my chair I was almost laying down and my sunglasses were tilted at some weird disproportional angle.

He chuckled. "What happened to hiding behind sunglasses and narcissism?" He asked sarcastically.

"I grew out of it." I sat up and took my sunglasses off quick.

"You certainly did. I haven't seen you since you were what? 15?" He queried.

"Sounds about right." I confirmed.

"So then we have a lot of catching up to do. How about dinner with me and... I don't know. Say the president of the United States?" Andy asked.

"Well, I've kind of stopped fitting in with rich people and public figures." I stated.

That was the honest truth. It really was. Rich people scared me. I bet some of them sleep with their money in piles next to them. Like that amazon dude. I shuddered at the thought.

"You never really did." Andy said.

"Fair point." I agreed.

"So... dinner?" He asked.

"Yeah I guess I got time." I said.