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Of course he was late, though it's only been a few minutes. Peggy almost expected it. While she probably did more to help 'raise' and give Tony love than Howard did — Peggy did always check in as aunt, mentor, worried family friend; there were always Christmas gifts and birthday gifts from her — it didn't mean they were close. It just meant she knew his ways. It's almost relaxing waiting for him, in a quiet, clean, above ground office surrounded by so much modern technology. She's nursing the cup of tea that the secretary made for her and just relaxing. It's the most quiet she's had in ages.
Peggy is in one of her modern cut, boring, government style suits. It doesn't exactly *fit*, definitely tight at the waste and the jacket no longer buttons, but it's what she has until she's willing to give into the fact that she should get some matenrity clothes again. She never kept the old ones, never thought she'd need again. Her graying hair remains in neat waves around her face, old fashioned style always in place that way. She looks older, but not abjectedly exhausted, at least. Simply the woman who carries the world on her shoulders.
*
Tony rarely pays attention when he's told he has appointments. Sometimes he actually meets with people, but sometimes he either makes them wait an extraordinarily long time or he completely forgets entirely. When he was told, however, that 'Aunt Peggy' was going to be coming by, he actually made the attempt to be there on time. Well, he was in the office but got carried away on a phone call to a young, up-and-coming female film director and lost track of the time. When the phone call actually ended, he looked at the time and cursed up a blue streak…a streak that continues up until he opens the door to the Executive Suite.
"Aunt Peggy!" The woman is greeted with a big smile and open arms. "To what do I owe this surprise?"
*
Before Peggy had her own children, she had Tony. She did care, and so he gets the mother's look, up and down, as he comes through the door. Making certain he's eaten enough, he doesn't look sick, he seems happy. The usual once over. Even British and reserved, the smile that cuts across Peggy's features is a genuine one as she stands from the guest chair and sets her tea down.
"Tony!…well, I feel like it's been months since we spoke, for one… I… I wanted to check in, mainly." It's mostly the truth. There is always some other motivation, but Peggy's care and worry for him is genuine. He even gets a hug, tight, if brief. While she's not a hugger, well… Some things go deeper than personal space. "…and Mickey keeps asking if you'd make her Halloween costume. I think she's met you three times that she can remember. I don't know how she got it into her head…but she knows you make things."
*
Tony doesn't seem to be drunk or hung-over, so that's a plus. He doesn't look to have gained or lost any weight, but then again, his suits are so perfectly tailored that it might be hard to tell. Happy? Well, Happy is as Happy does. He doesn't seem particularly depressed but then again, he's always been rather up and down moodwise. For now though, he seems happy. "Come on in…you should have knocked on the door or something. Hey, do you want some more tea?" Before she can answer, he gestures for another pot of tea to be made and brought in.
It takes him a moment to remember just who 'Mickey' is but either he remembers or he hides it really well for he asks, "What does she want to be? I mean, maybe I could or we could call out to Disney and see what they could make. I probably have a number from a Broadway Costumer here too," he goes over to his desk to look in his rolodex.
*
"You are going to spoil her more than Daniel and I already do… She wants to be Minnie or Mickey, hasn't decided yet. But… well, Disney is right on the nose. It's the *thing* these days, I suppose." Peggy states with a smirk which speaks of someone who is completely out of touch with this side of things, but she really is trying. "And tea isn't-" Well…it's too late now. She just gives him a smile and heads back for the chair at his desk, so they can sit and talk. She settles in comfortably, still with the rather trained, restrained grace she's always shown.
"…I know Howard has been… well… Since he came back, he's been worse. I guess… I just wanted to check in. See how you were handling it. I've not been the most accessible either, and I am sorry. Not that you would ever reach out." That gets a smirk and a rather pointed look from her.
*
"All the way in California…might be tight to get here by the 31st, but I can make a call or two. Just let me know if she decides this week. Otherwise just…add a bow and a skirt to a Mickey Mouse costume?" And people wonder how Tony Stark can be so brilliant. Since they've gone the Disney route, he moves away from the rolodex to perch on the end of his desk to converse. That is, until Peggy brings up Howard.
He doesn't even pretend to hide a grimace, "He came by once. He's not allowed to come back. What he wants is impossible." That said, his smile returns and he waves off Peggy's look, "Oh, come on. You're the Director of SHIELD and have a husband and a kid…or more…" she gets a pointed look from him as he looks at her unbuttoned jacket and tighter skirt. "Besides, I have Pepper to babysit me if that's your concern."
*
That pointed look at her jacket and skirt gets a slightly awkward downwards glance that, for the normally reserved Peggy Carter, is practically a signed guilty confession that there is 'more'. Even at her age. Which is probably exceptionally poor planning, but life is like that. Her nose wrinkles in consideration of Howard. "Should I even ask what he wants? I suspect the true answer is attention, but that's not changed in twenty years." Peggy half sighs, not pushing the issue, but she doesn't look happy with her fold friend in any way. If nothing, she just seems tired about it.
"…Baby sit you? I have never known you to really need a babysitter. Perhaps reminders to eat, but you get there eventually. And I don't think you had this Pepper the last we really spoke. I'm glad you've found a woman who can actually keep you in line. I never thought it'd be possible." She half smiles at that thought, rather hopeful about it, in truth. "And Director of SHIELD or not, you are still family. You should come by the house."
*
"Attention," Tony confirms, "And he seems to think he can just decide that we're going to now have a relationship." He has obviously dismissed that idea. But back to a different subject, "Oh…oh, no. Pepper's not mine. I mean, she is in that I pay her…to work…but she's dating the janitor. Well, one of the janitors." He seems almost amused saying that out loud. "She's a good secretary though. Probably the best I've known. And she does babysit me on occasion…" because even he knows he needs it. "Eat…food…do you want anything? There's this fantastic sushi place int he Village. Do you know sushi? Raw fish and rice…all in these tiny little…rolls. Slices of rolls. Amazing. I can have some brought up." He leans back to the intercom to make the request.
"Oh, I wouldn't want to get in the way of your family by coming by the house. That's really kind of you to offer though…" no doubt he'd feel uncomfortable in a household that's a complete and loving family. That's just weird.
*
"…The…Janitor. I see." Peggy arches a single brow, trying not to read anything into Tony's response, but she knows Tony and she has a horrible habit of reading people constantly, like it or not. She files that thought away for later, happy to let him change the subject to food, even if his commentary on it quickly is turning her stomach in a way she really doesn't care to show in public. She raises her hand, a disagreeing motion, trying to get him to stop before he really gets going.
"Ah…fish and I are… not on speaking terms at the moment, Tony. Begging your forgiveness. I'm…quite fine, I promise. And I mean it about the house. At least to see Mickey. She's so bloody tall…" Peggy shakes her head, this kids growing up thing still a bit of a wonder to her. But, before they get in too deep, she does let out a slow breath and levels eyes with him.
"…You know, SHIELD could…really still use your help. If you'd be up for it. We're not the US Government any more. You'd have far more freedom than your father did, back in the day…"
*
"Sorry…" Tony actually apologizes as his talk of the delicious sushi doesn't agree with his pregnant friend. She's still pressing coming by to visit and he gives a sigh, "Sure, I'll try to come by sometime." If he remembers to tell Pepper to schedule and then remind him every hour until he's actually there. Which means he might come by in six months or something.
He moves to sit back on the edge of his desk when Peggy mentions SHIELD, "You have my dad. Isn't that enough? I don't make weapons anymore…" and Howard seems to have no qualms about any such thing. "It's not even really about the government…you all do the super-spy thing and I…run an energy and tech business. If you're asking Iron Man, well, that's a little different."
*
Even the promise of an attempt to come by is enough to make Peggy smile. It's a start. She has few friends and, in a strange way, he's considered one. She nods firmly, "I'll tell this Pepper of yours to put it in your schedule." The smile turns into a grin at that. Yes, she fully acknowledges the way his mind works. She's know him too long.
Then they are on to business and her smile is simply gone. Little about SHIELD makes her smile these days. She sighs, sinking a bit deeper into that chair of his and running one hand back through her hair as she considers the best way to phrase this all. "…Your father is not reliable, to say the least. And it's not about weapons. It *is* about tech. Though…Iron Man could be nice, also. We're still trying to keep a team together to respond to… larger than human matters, even if it's not the Avengers. It's our job. But much of it is about technology. Things I can't even dream of, I'll admit. We used to be ahead of the curve. Now, we're just keeping up."
*
They're no longer ahead of the curve because they no longer have Howard. However, her statement about his reliability is still correct. The question is, is Tony much better? Or is he unreliable in different ways? "A team that's Not the Avengers and Not Sanctioned by NATO. I'm listening." He's also turned on his business ears now that they've changed subjects and this is certainly where being sober can come in handy. "What sort of tech are you looking for?"
*
A slight clearing of her throat, "…well… we are still a NATO organization. While I'm calling the shots, I cannot pretend that NATO isn't over our shoulders." Peggy admits simply, not exactly looking guilty, but there is a line of discomfort there. A tightrope she's not enjoying walking these days, since Paperclip happened. Still, she seems encouraged by the sharp look in his eyes. Tony sober was far more pleasant to deal with that Howard or even Tony drunk. She sits forward, hands folding on the opposite edge of his desk. "Survellience devices, for one… something able to scan for… other energies, or radiation, the like. Not just a video camera, I can handle those. Armor that could protect against the same, or defend against other… Powers. I send my teams in with weapons made to fight men and they are sometimes fighting Gods."
*
Tony is, at least, a friendly drunk! He gives a little, "Huh," at the mention that they're still NATO but then he quiets and listens to what is being requested. "Other energies like what? Gamma radiation? Nuclear radiation?" At that last he looks a little suspicious. "Are you asking me to make something that can sniff out nuclear weapons? Because I fail to see how that's not almost as bad as making the weapons myself."
He shifts on his desk, pulling his legs up to sit cross-legged there, in his very expensive suit, "Maybe you shouldn't be sending your men against those Gods? Send in the guys who can handle it instead?"
*
"…Yes. To both those radiations. And having something that can sniff out nuclear weapons means we can keep them out of the hands of people who would be a threat to the entire world with them." Some might call it hubris, the fact that Peggy Carter thinks she knows better about nuclear weapons than anyone else, but she doesn't say it with pride. She says it with a fierce, mother lionness sort of protectiveness of a woman who has spent her whole life trying to keep the world out of this sort of danger. It never crosses her mind that she's not the right person for the job.
The second comment gets a slight sigh but she doesn't back down. Dark eyes just give a levelled look in his direction. "Yes, maybe. I wish it were that easy. But when there is a threat, we will defend, whether we have Avengers at our back or not. This is our job. We all known what we've signed up for."
*
Tony rests his wrists on his ankles and watches Peggy, listens to her, and tries to read between the lines and hear between the words. His mind is going as only -his- mind can, working through scenarios and troubleshooting…thinking about what could be done and how it could be applied. The answer, when he decides upon it is a very simple, "Hmmm…No."
Hopping down from the desk, he paces a few steps before moving to the mini-bar in his office. "There are too many variables. In those Gods," he clarifies. "I mean, I could make Iron Man suits for everyone but where's the fun in that? Also, I'm not sure that it would do what you want. That said, unless I know what needs to be protected against, how do I know what I'm supposed to make? A better bulletproof vest? Boring but possible. Something that can deflect, say, one of my own concussive blasts? Maybe, but that would be a -lot- of Vibranium, of which we have very little. Obtaining it might cost more than your organization can handle. Something that can deflect lasers? I don't think your agents want to be encased in lead."
*
There is only a *trace* of annoyance in her eyes when he says no. Peggy Carter isn't a woman who takes No very well, but he's one of the people that can get away with it. She sighs, lips pursing as she listens to the full of his answer and doesn't interrupt, no matter the temptation. When he finally finishes, she looks up to the ceiling a heartbeat or two, searching for help from god? From inspiration? Just to not look at the smug, intelligent thoughtfulness on his face? Who knows. She finally starts: "…Fine. I get that the assignment is too…General. If I came to you with specific needs for specific missions, would you be willing to take the contracts? You know the money is there."
*
Tony isn't afraid to say 'No' to anyone, whether it's his own father, his assistant, or even one of the people who forged a positive relationship with him. There is enough arrogance to allow him this and he doesn't seem guilty or apologetic at all. At her counter, he looks back from fiddling with one of the tumblers on the bar but not yet pouring a drink, "Maybe. Just because there are details doesn't automatically have me signed on. I'm not going to create surveillance for you to sniff out nuclear radiation. Period." That's too close to weaponizing and he wants out of that game. "You know who the major players are. You don't need me for that."
As for protective gear for her team, that's what's up in the air. "I don't care about the money," and she should know that. "I'm not like my dad."
*
"…Tony. Nuclear threats are world wide issues, one of the most dangerous ones *everyone* is facing. It's not a weapon. It's a tool to help us save lives." He might have that arrogance, but Peggy Carter is just as stubborn, especially when it's something she believes in. She sits up straighter, shoulders squaring, the look she gets when she's settling in for a debate she is willing to fight to the bitter end. "And yes, there are other players, but you are the *best*. You are the one I trust. That's why I'm here. And I know you're not like your dad. So don't do it for the money. Do it for those people out there. You want to make the world a better place? Make certain there is still a world left *to help.*"
*
"It's been a threat since the fifties, Peggy. We built bunkers and had alarms and everything just in case. Please…you and I both know that bunkers wouldn't protect us if someone dropped another Atom Bomb right here. We'd be toast. Half the East Coast would be gone." Tony looks back at her, "What makes you think you should be the one controlling that power?" He might trust her, he might admire her, but she shouldn't be the one near the red button.
"Like I said, get me the details and I'll look over the contracts. I'm not going to blindly agree to something. Give me -some- credit as a businessman. I think they went over that in Business Class 101."
*
"I don't want to control the power, I just want to shut it off. And I'm the one because I have spent my entire damn life doing everything I can to protect this world. Not just this country, the whole damn world. I've seen it all, I see the dangers which are coming, I'm not kissing any government or company's boots. I'm in it for the same reasons I was in it when I signed up at 19 — to make certain people can sleep at night. None of that has changed, twenty five years, organizations, or name swaps aside." Peggy doesn't hesitate with those words. There is an utter fire behind them, actually, a determination which has driven her through those years. This isn't a stylized answer, it's something straight from the heart.
The last comment lets her calm just a *bit* more, a slow breath taken in to take some of the determination from her statement. She nods quietly to the other words, "Yes… I will get you the details about those matters. But I beg of you to rethink the detector part. For everyone's sake."
*
Tony shakes his head, "I don't think you're listening to what I'm saying and I don't think you're hearing what -you're- saying. Ok, so you dedicated your life to this. So have a few others. You're not the only one trying to protect the world and by giving you the ability to call down other countries…sneaily and illegally, violating UN and NATO codes, I might add, isn't going to win you friends and help you influence people. Once this country's adversaries find out you have something…something that -I- made for you, one, my credibility will be shot, two, they will call you out on it on an International stage, and three, they will try to obtain that tech and copy it for their own uses. There are probably more things that will happen, but these things are, I'd say, about 99.9% certain to happen."
*
The dark haired woman does hear him out. Peggy has learned to practice patience in her middle age, even when she doesn't want to. His comment about sneakily and illegally makes her dark eyes widen a bit more, though, and she sits forward in her chair, hands resting on his desk so she doesn't end up gesturing rather violently into the air because she *wants* to lose her head about this and it simply isn't the time. "…Illegally? Dammit, Tony, who do you think I am? This isn't to go sniffing out Russian bombs or sneaking into Cuba looking for things. This is to make certain when the *actual* bad guys — ones who are threatening the whole world, if they manage to get their hands on things we can find them before they go missing too long." Of course, just by saying that, she may have revealed something. No one would EVER imagine someone could steal nukes unless it's already happened.
*
"Then how do you propose this detector work?" Tony turns to face her, an eyebrow raised. "If it's not to sniff out who already has them, then what? Since we're not the only ones to be making them, I can't invent something that will magically appear as a tracer bug on every single warhead as it's being created so that they can eventually be traced if they happen to go missing." There's a pause there, "Did we actually lose some warheads? Is that why you're asking? Because you need help finding your keys?"
*
"I don't know how the bloody detector should work, I'm not the science genius, that's why I'm sitting here in your office!" Peggy huffs out quietly, still just biting back her temper. It's not quite so easy to control these days, between hormones and lacking sleep. Then he dares as the question and probably anyone else, save her husband, in the world would miss it, but there is a slight downwards tick of her eyes and a faint tightening of her jaw. He's hit the nail on the head. She gives it a few heartbeats before breathing out quietly. "…they aren't my damn keys, but I've certainly been tasked with finding them."
*
Hey, she admitted he's a genius. He knows it, but it's always nice to hear from others. The temper doesn't bother in him; in fact, he almost intentionally tries to rile people up on occasion. It's fun to see where they'll break and what they'll say. "Ah, so you lost Daddy's keys then?" Tony almost seems amused by that, "And you need to find them before he gets home from work?" Now the metaphor may have gone too far. He watched Peggy, brown eyes making contact even as he lifts a finger to rub at his chin. He watches her for a very long moment, possibly to the point where it might even get uncomfortable. Finally, he offers, "I'll see what I can come up with, but you don't get to keep it."
*
The pushing of the metaphor just gets a low roll of her eyes, though her jaw is still tight with tension. "…*Daddy* lost *daddy's* keys, if you insist on that horrid analogy, but yes, we are doing our best to find them before someone drives an entire car across the world." Peggy mutters quietly. Cat's out of the bag and if she didn't trust Tony, she'd not have hinted at it in the first place, so she's not TOO worried about it. She then sighs and sinks back in the chair, relaxing a bit as he comments about seeing what he can come up with. She tips her head in agreement that she doesn't get to keep it. "That is fine. I don't need to keep it, I just need it… until this situation is resolved." She then gives him a faint smile, shifting to stand, "I'm sure I'm taking up too much of your day… but I do appreciate it, Tony. Truly."
*
"I don't know that I was exactly clear. I'll build it. It doesn't leave my sight. When we're done with it, it gets disassembled and any and all references to it get burned." If they lost nuclear warheads, what else can they lose? "No one touches it but me. Not my dad, not Captain America, not you…" he glances to Peggy's abdomen, "My guess is you should stay far away from it, actually." He's not sure what he's going to need to use in order to build it.
When she stands he steps forward, "You know, you can also come visit when you -don't- need something from me."
*
A slight wrinkle comes to her nose at his comment about no one else using it. Maybe that was a battle for another day, however. She frowns deeper to him, but doesn't push it. "…We'll talk when we see if it can actually be done. I don't know that you'll really relish field work, but… I'd be happy to make you an acting agent for this matter. We just need to get it handled." Her arms cross at that look to her stomach, almost subconsciously just trying to hide it. His last words, however, do soften her expression a touch more. "…I tend not to visit offices when it's not on business. But… yes. I'd like that. If I can ever chase you down at home. If you ever *are* home. And the offer stands. I want you to come to the house. It…it's been too long."
Her arms then unfold and she steps around the desk. If he permits, though she doesn't push it, she leans in for a quiet, quick hug. "It…it's good to see you, Tony. You're looking good. I… I'm happy." Her voice even has just a touch of pride in it, that isn't about work at all, is just about someone she cares for.
*
"I can probably fly as fast as any of your planes," Tony points out casually. He's probably not going to budge on being the only one to handle the item. "And I'm probbaly at home more often than you think. Just call ahead first." In case he's inebriated or otherwise engaged. As far as viting -her- home, "I'll see. I may be allergic to kids…" but that has yet to be officially diagnosed.
He doesn't pull away from the hug, but it's just a little awkward. "It's good to see you too, 'Aunt' Peggy," and he looks down at himself and shrugs. "It doesn't take much to make you happy then, huh?"
*
The hug lingers just a few moments. Peggy doesn't want to make it more awkward than it has to be. But then she pulls back enough to share the look over his frame and a wry smile brushes her lips. "No, I mean it… sober, working… Your eyes are more clear than I've seen them in a long time. It's… good. I've missed this Tony." Not that she ever got to see much of it save a few times in his schooling years. She reaches up, combing just a touch of hair back from his forehead before fully pulling away. "Well, come test your allergy. Mickey has a way of not being an awful child, but far too smart for her own good. Reminds me of someone, really…" Peggy mutters with that lingering smirk. She then scoops up her jacket and turns to go. "…Be well, Tony. Don't be a stranger." And, unless he stops her, she's out the door.
*