A Fragile Hope (and other Avengers Oneshots)

Introductions and Celebrations

"J.A.R.V.I.S, do you know what day it is?" Tony Stark remarked, folding a thin tablet and frowning.

"Sir, it is Tuesday, the 24th of February," replied the system.

"Do I have anything?"

"Not currently, sir, although there is a planned meeting with Director Fury on Thursday and Ms. Potts is arriving late today."

"You know, J.A.R.V.I.S, I've been thinking, we should do a get together or something. Like a party."

"Any particular reason, sir?"

"Nah, just like...I guess like a team meeting, before things get awkward, you know?"

"Which date would you like me to plan for?"

"How about...like Friday. Yeah, this is a Friday night type thing." Tony replied, spinning around on the chair to pick up a screwdriver.

"Who should I inform?" J.A.R.V.I.S asked.

Tony snapped a metal panel into place. "Everyone, I guess. Call S.H.I.E.L.D and tell Nick to get Romanoff and Barton and the other agents of interests, get Rhodey, and Cap but tell him to bring Falcon, male sure to call Banner who may or may not be in Sri Lanka, find Wanda, and whoever else."

"Will that be all, sir?"

"Yes, I think so...Wait, what about Thor?"

"My database does not have contacts for him."

"Figures. Guess well have to party without him."

Tony Stark sighed and experimentally flung a metal bolt at the device he was working on, which appeared to be a projected ray of white light. The metal popped and hissed as it hit the beam, eventually disintegrating.

"The delay time still takes the advantage out of the barrier," he observed. "Re-graduate the internal walls of the cylinder. I'm going upstairs for a pizza break."

"Of course I'll come," said Steve Rogers from the thin screen. "I'll should be back by next Friday."

"Next Friday?" Tony frowned through a mouthful of sausage and bacon pizza. "Cap, it's this Friday."

Rogers sighed. "Stark, come on, I'm busy."

"No you're not," Tony said. "Bye, see you this Friday."

He shut the screen as Jarvis's voice came on over the intercom.

"Sir, Agent Barton on the other line."

"Call back all at once, why don't you," Tony muttered. "My pizza is going to get cold."

He grudgingly answered the phone.

"Hey, Hawkey," he said.

After the fourth or 5th call, J.A.R.V.I.S came on over the intercom again.

"Sir, Ms. Potts has arrived, would you like me to notify her of the plans?"

"Yes, go ahead." Tony said, striding up the stairs to the living room.

"Well, what's this?" Pepper said, smiling, as she walked into the room.

"Hey," Tony said, looking up. "Wha--Wait, where did you get that suit?"

"I bought it in London," she answered. "Do you like it?"

"Yes, you look very professional," he grinned.

"Well, I am very professional," Pepper said softly.

"Don't I know it," Tony agreed, pecking her on the cheek.