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The Department of Defence has a series of offices in the New York area that are devoted to national security of various sorts. Pepper had been shuffled through them, and, after a long and laboured discussion behind the scenes about where she should go, an accord had been reached — much to General Ross's chagrin.
With so many resources being redirected to the ACT-F initiative, the fact that Thaddeus was losing another to the alien-taskforce was just another thorn in his side. Regardless, the long table that Pepper finds herself at is in a conference room that looks, well, like every other government conference room.
The walls are bland. The coffee is old. The technology, however, is ALMOST cutting edge. If it weren't for a budget cut here and there, it probably would be. It was cutting edge about three years ago. Beggars can't be choosers.
The door opens, and Sue Storm peeks in. Doctor Storm walks with an air of confidence, and her petite frame somehow manages to command respect thanks to her pant suit and the tight bun her hair has been pulled into. She manages a flicker of a smile for Pepper and she treads into the room with her hand extended, aiming for a handshake. "Miss Potts," she greets warmly, "I don't believe we've actually met, which seems like quite the shame." Even her posture exudes that same warmth, "I'm Doctor Storm." Pause. "You can call me Sue."
*
The red head meant it when she said she wouldn't waste this opportunity. It was a careful juggle, with the Vigor. If she didn't take it in the morning, she'd be a wreck, but if she took it too close to work starting, then she'd still be powered when she walked into the office. So she got up early, took it the first moment she was awake, and spent the morning getting ready and wasting time. So she's been awake about three hours now and is primped to the nines — carefully twisted up red hair, artful make up hiding the thin of her cheeks and pallor of her lips, her suit has even been slightly taken in so it looks prim, proper and perfect as ever. She's looking as close to 100 percent as possible.
As the door opens, Pepper stands almost immediately, doing her best to put energy and respect into her motions. She's still smiling, offering one of her small hands to the slightly taller woman, "Dr. Storm. It's… it's truly an honor. I know how busy you must be. I… I appreciate this so… So much."
*
Pepper says, "Ah… Sue. If you're sure? I don't want to be disrespectful. But, please, call me Pepper… Especially if I'm calling you sue."
*
A smile follows the remark about her name. "Most people around here call me Sue. I only encourage Doctor Storm from the Defence types." She smirks, "I'm about 90% certain that General Ross hates me." She shrugs. "I understand I'm in relatively good company if I'm correct." Her smile softens and she draws out a chair next to Pepper. She sits down, taking extra care not to allow her own exhaustion to register, but briefly it seems too. She manages a tight smile and shakes her head slightly. "I'm not sure what they've told you, but I'm heading up a taskforce to combat the alien threat."
Her smile softens some — there's no question that Sue Storm has a commanding presence, but it's different than most. It bears with it an unusual maternal edge that, undoubtedly does and doesn't play into her favour. "And you, Mi — Pepper have been suggested as a potential resource."
Her eyebrows lift. "I don't know if that's of interest to you, but we have a lot of projects going on in order to combat whatever is coming. I'd be happy to have you in any capacity." Her head shakes slightly, "We're in desperate need of organization. I have a personal assistant, but I think…" her expression turns a bit sheepish, "…we need an office manager. With the Fantastic Four I've been on top of that. With Act-F, I'm barely treading water. It's a lot of balls in the air at once."
*
The redhead looks Sue over quietly, all too well able to recognize the well hidden exhaustion there — it takes one to know one. A touch of concern crosses Pepper's own slightly bloodshot eyes. "Sue, then." Pepper affirms gently, her voice a bit more steady. Supportive and calm, that's Pepper, already being the clear head about things that anyone needs in support. Pepper listens curiously to the offers, her head tilting a bit to the side.
"…Well, really.. Whatever you need, Sue. I used to be Tony Stark's executive assistant, but I do have a business degree. I'm fairly good at making things run as smoothly as possible. Keeping everything up in the air. I… I know it's a favor, taking me on here. I want to be wherever I am most needed. If that's office manager, then that I will do. Just point the way. I can start today, even, if you like."
*
Sue actually emits a chuckle at that. "A favour for us both, Miss — Pepper. Pepper." She lifts her hands in resignation. "I've been juggling too much for too long. And… it's getting challenging." She shoots Pepper the smallest edgings of a smile. "My life apart from this place is typically a three-ringed-press-circus, but this place still manages to eat far more of my time. Emergencies require cool heads and rapt attention."
She manages another grin at the bit about Tony Stark, "I met Mister Stark once. Smart man, but… he mistook me for one of his secretaries. Have to say I was a bit affronted." The grin turns somewhat grim and she shrugs, "But it's also terribly routine. I would choose to live in my Fantastic Four uniform here if I could swing it, but then I'd be taken even less seriously." Pause. "Let me frank, I need the help managing the message. I need the help organizing the troops and ensuring everyone is doing what they need to be. Checking in constantly is becoming rather arduous."
*
A slightly wider smile as Sue finally gets Pepper, even if it's a slightly odd nickname, it's hers. Pepper reaches across the table and, as long as Sue doesn't pull away, she actually rests her fingertips across the woman's palm and gives a small squeeze. "Sue. First? Take a breath for me. Just a deep one in. Let it out… Second? Do it again." Pepper states firmly, her voice gentle, offering the exact calm in the storm that Sue is probably looking for. Once that is done, Pepper pulls back enough to sit up straighter and pull out a note pad from the breast pocket of her jacket.
"You miss being able to just be Sue Storm. And right now your manager, director, secretary, mom and time clock keeper, I'm guessing? You need someone to be all of those things so YOU can go back to doing what you do best, which is be a super hero. I…I think I can manage at least four out of five of those things…"
*
The contact has the desired effect and Sue manages a slow, deep breath. She holds it for a few beats and then slowly releases it. The action is repeated and she manages a very small smile. "Thank you," because she needed that. A flicker of a smile follows the assessment, "And I'm planning a wedding," her tone is deadpanned, but moments after she offers the information she cracks up. "It's absurd. We're facing alien incursion and a woman calls me daily to ask about the colours I want in my wedding scheme." She inhales another deep breath. "Frankly, I don't give a damn." She laughs again. It feels good to laugh.
Her gaze turns upwards and she nods. "Alright. If you can manage some of these balls, then I think we've reached an agreement." Her lips thin into a tight line. "While the DoD is technically hiring you, I'm going to be paying you from Fantastic Four resources. This is for my sanity, and, to be honest, I'm trying to help us work as independently from the government as possible. YEs, we are their task force. But no, they do not get to own our work product. That's ours." Because she definitely doesn't want the government owning any weird death lasers Reed, Johnny, or Forge create. "We're mandated to do this job, but we need propriety over what we produce. Let Lucy," Karolina, "know your salary expectations for the industry. We'll match whatever you made at Stark Industries. Reed promised me an assistant months ago, so I'm taking liberties and hiring two." She lifts a hand absently, "He genuinely cares more about my sanity than the money. And we're incredibly well resourced as far as teams go."
*
Pepper relaxes a bit more herself as she sees Sue's shoulders just slightly dropping, the evidence of the breaths actually doing their job. Sue needed it. She gives one last squeeze of her hand and then fully lets go, sitting up straighter than before and leting her smile reset to a more business like, professional tone. The commentary about the wedding makes Pepper have chuckle and half wince, "…Well…I… I can see their point. Those things are… important. But also, if you tell me what you DO want, what colors you like…I can help. Those decisions are easy, then you can sign off on all the finals." Pepper is clearly a woman who cares for fashion, down to her lipstick and lapels, so that's no burden to her.
"Uh… I…I don't want to hurt your funds. I don't mind if the Department of defense pays me. This is a favor, after all, I know… I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for General Ross' daughter. And… Mr. Stark paid me… very well. Stupidly so, probably. I… I'm happy to start at the secretary pool base. Just happy to have a job at all, really." Pepper smiles warmer, not just being humble, she genuinely means what she's saying. Even if it means the designer suits, nice car and private condo are gone.
*
Sue actually stifles a laugh. And then manages an apology, "Sorry. Reed Richards has…" she clucks her tongue "… a number of patents on random inventions. We have funds." Her eyes stare meaningfully at Pepper and she manages an easier smile before shaking her head. "You don't need to worry. This is for my sanity." And as far as colours are concerned, "Just… something understated. There are no colours I hate, although I have to admit getting married swimming in pink doesn't exactly appeal." She shrugs.
"And if you want to start at the bottom of the secretary pool, that's your prerogative. General Ross may have gotten you this meeting, but let me assure you, your talents and abilities are what are getting you this offer. So while Ross's daughter may have been a start, it's you that I want on our team." Her hands press on the table and she emits a soft sigh. "So. You'll take the offer?"
*
The woman's eyes narrow just a bit, studying Sue closer. She doesn't say anything for a few heartbeats, but then she leans over to scoop up her purse and pulls out an eyeshadow pallette. She holds it up at the side of Sue's cheek, considering a few heartbeats. "That green, and creams, with gray accents. Just a thought to start." Pepper flashes another smile, clicking shut the compact again and looking back up to Sue. The question of taking the offer makes her eyes widen even more.
"What? Yes! God… yes, offer taken. Done. As long as you'll have me, I promise. I'll earn my keep. Just… just let me know when and how you want me to start. Point me the right direction." Pepper might look drawn beneath the surface, her eyes bloodshot beneath all that perfect make up, but she does genuinely seem ready to work.
*
Pepper's study unsettles just a little, but then she's talking about colours, which wins an easy grin and relaxed shoulders. "That sounds lovely. And, resolved. Having it resolved would simplify my life considerably." Sue nods, "Good. Then I'd like you to get started. We need to get rolling with weapons' testing. There's a man in Manhattan who's working with us. If you could check in with him around some of his inventions to help defend this planet, that would be helpful. I need to touch base and I haven't had an opportunity. He goes by Forge. Please, have a chat, see what his ideas are, and encourage him to build them. I've managed each of us to keep propriety control over our work product, and please assure him as such. The department of defence will have no access to it — he will get to control how it's used, how long, and when." She manages a flicker of a smile.
*
"Oh. Forge. Yes. I've met the man. Most… intriguing. He and Tony didn't exactly hit it off. I… have no clue really what happened there. Hopefully I can make a better impression just on my own. And yes… the department is very… Nosy, aren't they?" Pepper asks, trying to be polite as possible, but how quickly she had been ushered in and out for blood tests, among other questions before she was finally put through to Sue? It was almost suspicious. Either way, she doesn't push it because she is lucky to be here.
"Alright then. I'll start today. Give me your wedding planner's contact information, so everything on that side of things can go through me and be off your desk. The really important decisions I'll bring to you when the time is right. I'll touch base with the files, catch up on the work, then go meet up with Forge whenever his schedule is free. I… I don't really… have much outside of this, so I don't mind working late hours."
*
"Good, thank you," Sue replies pointedly as she scribbles a name and number on a piece of paper. She nods sharply. "And please do be in touch with Forge. I've been meaning to touch base. I'm going to be chatting with Bill Foster about a sample of some street drug he had me test — we think we may use it to our advantage." Her hands lift haphazardly. "I'll be coordinating with you as needed. I really do believe that together we can manage this. Trust President Johnson to recognize women have amazing abilities when it comes to leadership, organization, and the future of the human race."
She manages a small smile. "I'm glad you're here. Truly. I need the help."
*
The redhead stands, getting ready to leave, but that all stops with the Bill Foster comment. If Sue is at all good at reading people, well, the moment she says street drug, everything in Pepper freezes. Her smile falls away, eyes going a bit wider. "…What… drug? V-vigor?" She can't even entirely say the name of it without that craving pushing behind her voice. Craving and unsteadiness, as she fights it. It's been a few hours. She's not sick yet, but her head is pounding for it. She'd need another dose before the work day was out or she'd be going mad. "…and use it to your advantage… How?"
*
If Sue notices the change in Pepper's manner, she doesn't let on aside from the very small change in the reflection in her eyes. "That's the question," Sue offers in turn. "We think we may be able to synthesize components and reduce it to its non-addictive elements. Maybe." Her hand wavers in the air. "Regardless, I should get back at it. The lab calls~" She manages a tight-smile.
*
Well, if Sue wasn't going to push, Pepper doesn't bring it up. A conversation for another time. "I… I look forward to working with you, Sue. And I'll call Forge." With that promise and one last flash of a smile, Pepper turns on the ball of her foot and heads for the office. Does she have a desk? She'll figure it out, one way or another. By lunch time she's punching away at the typewriter, getting reports caught up to date and already clearing Sue's schedule of any not necessary meetings.