nwo_potts (nwo_potts) wrote in nwo_shield, @ 2008-06-26 22:44:00 |
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Clint had only been back in town a few days...two, to be exact. He'd rented himself an apartment and hadn't left it, not even unpacking what few possessions he had left. Finally, after running out of both food and patience, he decided that it was time to force himself out of his year-long depression, and make contact with some old friends.
Being almost noon, he could assume Tony was already in his office. He'd gotten to know the Weapons Merchant when both men had first started working for S.H.I.E.L.D, and something of a rougeish friendship had been born. Which was why, Clint assumed, Tony would be fine with him entering through the window. To get in to see Tony Stark would probably take days anyway, and walking into an office building packed with people wasn't a priority for Clint. Besides, a volley rope down the side of the building and a small sonic disruptor placed against the window was just as easy.
Sliding the loose pane aside, Clint dropped in to the...empty office, and sighed. Great. This was embarrassing. Where the hell was Tony?
Tony was in fact away at a meeting that, if Happy hadn't shown up to drive him to, Pepper was close to hijacking the company car and forcing him to go to. Since his involvement with S.H.I.E.L.D., he'd been neglecting the business side of Stark Industries and Pepper could only run the gamut for so long.
Sending him on his way, she decided that now would be a good time to go through his office and re-organize all his files. She knew that whenever she gave him something to sign, it would be put in a folder in a drawer somewheres and she was convinced she was going to set some order to the office.
Opening the door, she walked in and was surprised to see a tall man standing in the office. By now, of course, nothing could shock Pepper, so all she said was, "As you can see, Mr. Stark isn't in right now, but may I help you?"
The crisp, authoritative voice shocked Clint so much that he dropped one of Tony's many planners, watching as the small leather book fell open on the floor. He turned, red-faced, and took a moment to recognise the woman before him. He'd only met her a few times before he had disappeared, but few people forgot the infamous Pepper Potts.
"...Pepper?" he asked, taking the thin black mask from his face, letting it cowl around his neck. There was no way to tell if she would recognise him, but it would certainly be easier if his face were uncovered. There were a few more lines, and the light behind the eyes was considerably darker these days, but he was still Clint Barton, archer and drinking buddy of Tony Stark.
Her eyes widened. "Clint! Oh my goodness!" She hurried over and stood in front of him. "It's been ages." And then she noticed the open window. Peering at it, she gave him a smile. "You know, I understand that using a door to enter a building is slightly cliche, but it's a bit easier than scaling a wall; although, I suppose not nearly as daring."
She crossed her arms and looked at him. She'd heard he'd had some recent private problems, and if the creases and dark circles under his eyes were any indication, he looked like he needed to talk.
Glancing at the window and rubbing the back of his neck somewhat sheepishly, Clint grinned and looped an arm around Pepper's stiff shoulders, pulling her into a loose hug. "I thought Tony would appreciate the flair, and I figured it would be easier than trying to book some of his time. But by the look of it, I should have called ahead..."
He sat on the edge of Tony's desk, removing his gloves and mustering up a smile. Pepper was incredibly easy on the yes, and it'd been a lifetime since he'd even considered looking at a woman. "How are you, Pepper? I heard Tony underwent some, uh...interesting changes since I left."
Pepper couldn't help but stiffen at his embrace. She always tried to distance herself from everyone, but she had to admit, it was nice to see him.
Sitting across from him, she thought for a moment. "I'm doing well, thank you Clint. We've been quite busy here at Stark International, what with all our government contracts in negotiations. With Tony... well, that's a whole other topic all together."
How much should she tell him? What exactly did or didn't he know? Last she'd heard, he'd taken a leave of absence. "What changes are we talking about Clint? I don't think you're referring to his sudden desire to switch from Prada to Gucci."
Clint's eyes shone as he grinned at her, arms folded over his chest, wearing almost the same S.H.I.E.L.D uniform he'd had befoe he left. black and purple, padded and technical, very Hawkeye. "No, Pep..." he cleared his throat, smirk twitching at the edges of his mouth, "Those suits aren't the ones I've been hearing about. I'm still in contact with some of the S.H.I.E.L.D crew...from what I hear, Tony's designing his own line these days.
Ah. That change. Right. As much as she liked Clint, she just wasn't sure what she could say. "You know Tony: if he thinks he can fix something, he'll do it and the consequences be damned."
She hoped that explained some, by still being vague. She hesitated a little but then continued. "You said you're still speaking with some of the old crew...does that mean, you're not part of S.H.I.E.L.D. anymore?" Tony had never clarified why he'd stopped skipping meetings to go drinking with Clint, but Pepper had assumed the worst and let it be. She hadn't gotten this far by asking the wrong questions.
"I'm not sure, yet," he answered, folding long fingers together against his thigh. "SHIELD was a good way to keep on top of my skill, but then...well, my family..." he trailed off. How much had the public been told? True, Pepper was a staple part of Tony's life, but he had only joined Fury's ranks <i>after</i> Clint had left, his grief spurring him to run. He looked down at his hands, somewhat lost as to what to say next. Only then did it occur to him that not only had he not talked to anyone about his family, but...he hadn't had an actual conversation with <i>anyone</i> in almost twelve months.
She could sense the atmosphere was changing, so she changed the topic. "Well, I'm sure Tony will be very sorry he missed you. I know you were instrumental in some very impressive hangovers."
Drumming her fingers on the arm rest, she asked,"Will you be here long? Should I try to locate him? From what I understand, he wasn't too far away."
As if summoned by the mention of his very name, the doors burst open and Tony entered his office. Before even looking up, he had shrugged out of his jacket and loosened his sky-blue tie, throwing the latter over a chair. "Pepper," he began, taking a phone from his pocket and tossing it towards yet another chair, "Hold my calls, and do order me a...I'm sorry, is this a private meeting..."
He arched an eyebrow, looking between the two of them, clearly taking a moment to recognise his old friend. Once it clicked into place, he let out a delighted whoop and almost knocked Pepper aside, slinging his arms around Clint's neck and pulling him into a huge hug.
Rolling her eyes, she got up and started to pick up the objects Tony had haphazardly thrown around. "I'm so sorry Clint, I feel like I should apologize. Obviously, Mr. Stark has forgotten his charm school manners, and is behaving quite rudely." This, of course, was said with a slight smile and a light tone. Teasing Tony was one thing she had high up on her priority list.
Clint laughed, shaking his head and managing to pry himself away from Tony long enough to get a word in. "It's fine, Pepper, don't worry about it. If Tony isn't destroying something, it's not really Tony..."
Tony scoffed, deeply offended by this entirely true remark, keeping an arm around Clint's shoulders as he addressed Pepper. He'd had no idea his old friend was even still alive, let alone coming back to join the ranks. After the death of his family, he'd just...vanished. "Pepper, my sweet, since when do you entertain strange, dangerous men in my office when I'm not here? And not even, I assume, filming it for me?"
"Mr. Stark, I believe filming my every meeting is a bit much, even for you." She folded Tony's jacket and set it on the desk, placing his discarded cell phone on top of that.
"And, I'm sorry, but strange and dangerous?" She cocked an eyebrow at Clint. "Since when has Clint ever been strange and dangerous?"
"After about four Vodkas, in a very certain part of town, Pepper darling..." Tony quipped, slapping Clint on the shoulder and taking a seat behind his desk, motioning for Clint to find a chair for himself. He retrieved his planner from the floor, completely unphased by the missing window behind him. "Now, tell me immediately, where have you been?"
Clint shrugged, glancing back at Pepper with a somewhat helpless expression on his face. He was only ever lost for words in Tony's presence, but it was easily to be overshadowed by such an animated man. "Around...you know. Getting things back together." There was no other way to put it.
She understood the look on Clint's face. It was one she'd seen on many people's faces after a brief moment with Tony. He was just so full of energy, it could be tiring very quickly.
"You know ," she interjected, "Clint's travelled a long way to get here. I think the least you could do is let him get his bearings before you ask such questions. Have I really taught you nothing?"Turning towards Clint, she winked. It was times like these she wished she was psychic, but her eyes could convey the message she wanted.
She thought for a moment. “Actually, you know what, better idea. Let me call Happy. He'll take you to the club, and you two can talk to your heart's content.” She knew that with her being there, the conversation wouldn't be nearly as honest. Taking out her cell phone, she made the call. “All set up. I hope you have a change of clothes Clint.”