Date: 25/11/2008
Location: Miami, secure military base, airfield
The morning at the base was quiet. The sun only recently appeared over the horizon and soldiers heading to the mess hall. But the thoughts of all those waiting near the tarmac were very much screaming in celebration and relief. The air carrier that just landed came to a slow stop near them , the hatch lowering slowly.
The person stepping out of said Carrier was none other than Anthony (Tony) Stark, aided by Rhodes. The same guy that had been held captive by terrorists for the past 6 months. The same guy that decided the first thing he'd say to the people who were worrying for his safety ,ever since the incident, was:
"Missed me?" in a nonchalant and casual way, like he couldn't be bothered to die in that dessert, never to see them again.
To the side , a few medics come with a stretcher, to take the prideful guy to a hospital most likely.
"Are you kidding me?" Tony rolled his eyes, waving off the medics, and stepping ever so slowly forward, acting like a tough guy in front of his audience.
"You're eyes are red" tony commented standing in front of Pepper as she nearly sniffled back a few tears.
"Tears of joy, I hate job hunting," she joked, regaining her composure. " though Matthew did make for a competent boss"
" yeah, well vacations over"
Matty simply watched them , his poster seemingly relaxed , he leaned onto the door of the waiting car, shades covering his definitely not watering eyes.
"How was your trip?" he said as the two broke apart and walked over to him. "I heard it was eventful."
" You're funny" Tony deadpanned , going in for a half hug, wary of his arm.
" Don't do that again," Matthew sighed , returning the hug . If Tony felt his shoulder grow wet , he didn't comment on it.
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The entered the car, happy already in his seat up front, Matthew beside him.
"Where to sir?" Happy asked , glancing into the rear-view mirror.
"Take us to the hospital , please, Happy." Pepper started before Tony immediately denied it.
" no."
" no?" Pepper asked, confused while Matthew just sighed, " Tony, you have to go to the hospital and have a doctor take a look at you" she reprimanded , but Tony only spoke over her.
"No is a complete answer, I don't have to do anything. I've been in captivity for six months." he slowed to a calm voice of a man exhausted of people telling him what to do " there are two things I want to do. I want a cheese burger, and the other.."
" That's enough of that, not gonna happen" she rejected him, an impulse at this point.
"It's not what you think." he denied before continuing, " I want you to call for a press conference"
Why do you want a press conference? Matthew frowned and turned back just as pepper asked
" What on earth for?" but Tony ignored them both and instructed Happy to get the cheese burger first.
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Location: Stark Industries
Driving into the front entrance of Stark Industries , burger in Tony's hand just about finished. The sidewalk was filled with employees and reporters welcoming back their long missing boss.
Obadiah was the first to open the car door , a theatrical smile and jolly demeaner exploding from him as he did so.
"Look at this, ha? Tony," he says , hugging Tony as he finished up wiping the oil off his face and returned the hug. Pepper came out the other side of the car already appearing beside the two. Matthew stayed seated in the car , not attempting to open the door, probably psyching himself for the bombardment of the press. "We were going to meet you at the hospital"
"No , I'm fine" tony stated as they broke the hug , happy coming around the front with the paper bag of cheese burgers
" You had to have a burger, huh? Well come on." Obi guided Tony through the crowd, Matthew finally steeping out of the car, the cameras flashing again as he came into view.
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They walked into the room filled with press, a round of applause and flashing lights sounded. The crowd was still clambering as Obi started to speak ,but Tony found a seat on the floor before a word left his mouth.
" Hey ,would it be alright if everyone sat down ? please sit down, that way you can see me and i can.." the press like the dutiful little pawns they are, sitting as he unwrapped the last cheese burger, " a little less formal and.."
Matthew stood closer to the entrance , leaning against the receptionist counter and listening but he could see to the side of him a balding man in a pressed black suit and a disarming smile walking over to him, the same man that was speaking with pepper moments ago.
" I never got to say goodbye to my father," Tony started, Matthew meeting his gaze from across the lobby. He continued on before getting Matthews attention again. "I saw young Americans killed by the very weapons I created to defend them and protect them. And I saw that I had become part of a system comfortable with zero accountability."
The reporters raised the hands again , starting their talks for attention before Tony pointed to a man with the name tag 'Ben'
" what happened over there?" Ben asked.
"I had my eyes open. I came to the realization that I can offer this world more than just another thing that blows up, and that is why , effective immediately, I am shutting down the weapons and Manufacturing division of Stark Industries-" before he could finish the crowd clambered to their feet, yelling for explanations and statements , while Obadiah tried doing damage control.
"Excuse me, you're Matthew Stark, correct?" Matthew's snickering in the corner was interrupted by the man from before.
" Who's asking?" Matthew turned to him, attention being grabbed away from his entertainment by the irate Stane.
{you can guess who it is}