Tony cast one last eye over the plans for the redesign of the Tower. Really, it wasn't a lot, but still, Avengers Tower seemed to be undergoing a reconstruction every other month.
This time, the changes were minimal. The floor above Candy Land – the ten levels of the R&D division of Stark Industries in the Tower was being retrofitted to become an additional lab. This would tie it in to the ones below and also to the three above, specially purposed for himself, Bruce, Peter and Doctor Cho when she was around.
Hopefully, that would keep Jane Foster and Eric Selvig happy with their specialised research. Not to mention keeping Darcy out of the way – the Tower really only had enough room for a certain number of smart-mouthed individuals and, with Peter added to the mix these days, that number was fast approaching critical mass.
The next part of the redesign was more cosmetic, altering the super-reinforced floor for Bruce and the Hulk so that it could sleep two. Jennifer may be a much more tame version of her cousin, but she was still super strong and weighed a tonne – not that he'd ever say that to her, for some reason, girls tended to be sensitive about their weight and he liked his head where it was, thank you very much.
The last part, since he had the construction crew in anyway, was to change up the training floors some. Harry particularly, backed up by Pepper of all people, seemed adamant that their newbies needed training. The web-head and rodent girl were one thing, but if Tony's instincts told him anything, it was that there'd be a big, green addition to that group before too long.
"Approved," Tony said, swiping the plans away.
"Yes, Sir, "Jarvis replied. "I shall forward the schematics to the contractors."
Tony swivelled his seat around to a combination of three screens clustered together and rubbed his hands together.
"Right. Time for something fun," he remarked. "Give me some thinking music."
In response, some Black Sabbath began playing at a volume that made talking only just possible.
"Hmm, not quite right," Tony said, shaking his head. "Switch it up to something funky, something really out there."
The music being played changed mid-tune to something that had Tony bobbing his head.
"Perfect. A little David Bowie sets the mood perfectly," Tony grinned. "Alright Jarvis, new file: Iron Man Armour Mark XLVII."
"Of course, Sir," Jarvis replied. "Does this suit have a particular function?"
"Yes," Tony replied seriously. "Capable of independent space flight."
"File created. Are you ready to begin?" Jarvis asked.
"In a minute," Tony replied. "Second new file. Put this one in the Quinjet files. Label it: Mark V, specialising in independent space flight."
"File created. Is there a reason for this type of project?" Jarvis asked.
Tony frowned. "Let's just say that I'd rather we not get caught with our asses hanging out again."
"Always a good sentiment, Sir," Jarvis replied.
"Right. Throw up the Mark XLIII armour on the left monitor and the Quinjet Mark III schematics on the right monitor," Tony instructed. "There's going to be a fair bit of overlap in these projects, so I'll be primarily using the middle monitor."
"Yes, Sir," Jarvis replied as both schematics appeared.
"Right," Tony said, interlocking his fingers and flexing his arms to crack his knuckles. "Let's get to work.
ooo00ooo
"You're early," Tony stated, pointing an accusatory finger at the trio that Happy had just escorted up from the garage of Avengers Tower.
"Sorry?" Jane replied, sounding as though she wasn't actually sure if she should be apologising or not.
"Would you believe our plane got in early? I mean, that never happens. Except this one time, right? But what are you gonna do?" Darcy explained with a shrug.
"Thank you for sending Mister Hogan to pick us up," Erik said, reaching over to shake Tony's hand.
Immediately, Tony's hands flew up and he backed away.
"Don't mind him, he doesn't like to be handed things. Including hands, it seems," Pepper apologised as she walked into the lounge.
"Can you blame me? You never know where things have been," Tony stated.
"But it's alright for me to take things from others and then hand them to you?" Pepper asked before continuing without waiting for an answer. "Jane. Darcy. It's so good to see you both. You, too, Erik."
The three women hugged in greeting, leaving the two men looking on indulgently.
"I thought Thor would be here," Jane half-stated, half-asked, looking around the open room.
"Point Breaks' down playing with our newest puppy," Tony explained happily.
"A puppy? Thor? This I've got to see?" Darcy exclaimed with a huge smile. "Can you imagine the adorableness? The levels have got to be off the chart."
"Darcy, if you're going to stay here, the first thing you're going to have to learn is never to listen to what Tony says, only to what he means," Pepper told the young woman with a pat to her arm.
"Huh? What does that mean?" Darcy asked.
"In this case, I would assume that someone brought a new person to the Tower and Thor is … testing out their skills?" Jane asked, looking at Pepper.
"I like her brain, she's smart," Tony said, cocking a thumb at Jane before turning to point at Darcy. "This one, though, we can keep her, she's more fun."
"There, see, I told you I was fun and you didn't believe me," Darcy said pointedly to Jane.
Pepper closed her eyes momentarily before interceding.
"Come on, I'll take you down so that you can say 'hi' to Thor," she said.
ooo00ooo
"Woah, that's one big, green woman! And I mean all woman. She's like … she's … hulk-like," Darcy exclaimed.
The woman in question turned from where she was standing in front of a weightlifting bar that was filled with the biggest weights imaginable. The menacing stare that she was giving had Darcy backpedalling, her hands raised in front of her.
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