Chapter 71: Toni is back

Throughout the flight, Toni kept talking about her experiences during the kidnapping and asking about your newfound abilities. You patiently listened to her and even explained the world of mutants, mutates, and your own superpowers.

You even filled her in on S.H.I.E.L.D., hinting that her father might have been one of its founders. Toni, however, seemed more interested in you and your powers than S.H.I.E.L.D. or her dad's past.

You had spent the night together on the plane. While nothing more than kissing happened, Toni held you tightly all night. Her display of physical affection has only increased since then.

The military jet touches down on American soil. You help Toni out as she leans on you for support.

Both of you spot Pepper and Happy waiting for you there.

You can see tears in Pepper's eyes, and you can tell why Happy has his sunglasses on.

"Thank you, Luke," Pepper says with a warm smile.

"Red eyes? Missing your long-lost ex-boss?" Toni teases with a playful smile.

"Just glad you're back," Pepper replies with a happy smile.

Toni smiles back at her before turning to Happy. "Good to see you again, Happy," she says with a nod.

Happy's voice cracks slightly as he mumbles, "H-happy to see you... Ma'am." You shake your head at his attempt to be macho.

"Let's go to a cheeseburger place first," you suggest. "Toni must be craving one."

"How'd you know?" Toni asks, her eyes lighting up. She hugs your arm and leans in closer as you walk towards the car.

"I also need to announce a press conference," Toni adds with a smile as you open the door for her.

As you both get in, Pepper and Happy look at each other, confused by your newfound closeness.

"Are you sure you don't need to go to a hospital?" Pepper asks Toni as you three sit in the back seat with you in between.

"No, I have stayed a month in captivity, and I want my cheeseburger first," Toni remarks, looking out at the city in thought.

"Pepper, I think you should go back to Stark Industries," you suggest while looking at her.

"Are you firing me?" Pepper asks, baffled.

"I appreciate all you've done for me, Pepper," you express as you hold her hand in yours. "But Toni filled in on why you followed me. I was naive to think you followed me for my charm," you add with a chuckle.

"Look, it wasn't just because of what Toni said. I cared and still care for you, so I also agreed with Toni's decision willingly. She didn't force me," Pepper explains, looking into your eyes sincerely.

"Thank you, that does make me feel better, but I still think you should go to Stark Industries as Toni will need you more," you say sincerely, squeezing her hand as you look into her eyes. Pepper shyly looks away because of your close proximity.

"Yes, I will be needing a new COO soon," Toni speaks up, ruining the moment.

"Oh, then Obidiah?" Pepper asks with a raised brow. You give her a wink, making her nod in understanding.

"But who will take care of your company? You are busy with who knows what, and Susan is busy nowadays with the Fantastic Four business. There has to be someone who can have a firm grip on the company," Pepper asks in worry.

"It will not be immediate, but I was thinking of making Sage the new COO," you say with a smile.

"Oh, then I can rest assured. If it's Sage, then there is no need to worry," Pepper responds with a relieved expression.

"That little girl I saw? I should have talked with her for a bit. I want to see why she has both of you praising her so much," Toni notes with a pout.

"Well, you will definitely be surprised," you reply with a wry smile.

"So that means you will be my boss once again," Pepper observes with a heavy sigh, hiding a smile.

"Well, as your new boss, I will just give you a warning that there will be some major restructuring soon," Toni declares as the car stops at a Burger King.

---

"Toni ... Toni, welcome back! It is so good to see you!" Obadiah opens the door and hugs Toni with a warm smile.

"Me too," Toni remarks with a fake smile.

As they both converse with Pepper and Happy following them, you stay behind as you see Moira in the crowd. She walks besides you and gives you a subtle nod, making you realise that they were ready for the arrest.

You go inside and stand in a corner with Moira, not wanting to draw attention. From afar, you see someone you know very well from your meta knowledge approach Pepper.

"Miss Potts, can I speak to you for a moment?" the man asks politely.

"The press conference is starting soon," Pepper informs, her gaze fixed on the crowds of reporters capturing images of Miss Stark.

"I am not a reporter. I am Phil Coulson from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division," Phil introduces himself, handing her his card.

"That is a mouthful," Pepper raises an eyebrow as she tries to read the tiny font.

"Look, Mr. Coulson, Toni has already spoken with the D.O.D., the FBI, the CIA--" Pepper explains with a sigh.

"We're a separate division with a more...specific focus. We need to debrief Toni about the circumstances of her escape. More importantly--" Phil starts explaining but is interrupted.

"Well, great, but I don't work for her. I work at the Watson Group. No, I mean I will work for her, but officially--" Pepper speaks with a weird look.

"I just need a minute of her time. She will listen to you," Phil continues politely.

"I will see if she has time; can you please sit down now?" Pepper requests with a professional smile as Phil nods and moves to stand aside.

You smile wryly at how polite Phil always is. You were afraid he would approach you, but he simply stands to the side and focuses on Toni, who has just sat down in front of the podium.

"Hey, would it be all right with everyone if they sat down? This way I can see you, and you can see me," Toni says, motioning for all the reporters to sit down on the floor with her.

"I saw young Americans killed by the very weapons I created to defend them and protect them," Toni starts emotionally.

"I always wanted to meet you, Mr. Watson," your focus shifts from Toni to the silent lady beside you.

"Why so, Moira? And you can just call me Luke," you say with a smile.

"Just curious. Your life, what you have achieved in such a short amount of time—all the companies you invest in become part of the Fortune 500. Your future deals are the stuff of legends. Some people call you a genius, but some call you a prophet," Moira remarks, looking at you with hidden sharp eyes.

Okay, that just confirmed it. She is definitely a mutant. She has definitely reincarnated. Now you just have to figure out how many lives she has lived until now. At least it is good that she is willing to talk to you; that does give you an advantage.

"What can I say? Lady luck had always smiled upon me. Speaking of which, I did read up on your file. You have a master's degree in genetics and have reached a very high position in the CIA, and that too at such a young age. Now that is what I call impressive," you speak with an impressed tone.

"You did a background search on me?" Moira asks with a raised brow.

"I just wanted to know more about the woman who I was going to ask on a date," you speak with a smile as you look into her eyes.

"Oh?" Moira looks surprised. "Hmm, yeah, I would love to have a date with you. I am sure I will enjoy it," Moira responds with a sweet smile.

She is too good of an actor for you to tell anything more about her, but you know one thing: she is definitely interested in you, and you are guessing that it is not because of your charm.

"So I had my eyes opened. I came to realise that I have more to offer to this world than making things blow up," Toni declares with determination as she stands at the podium.

"And that is why, effective immediately, I am shutting down the weapons division of Stark International," Toni speaks definitively.

"Stark, Ms. Stark," the reporters go wild as they rush to get a statement from her.

Obadiah comes to the podium, trying to pull Toni gently away. You arrive silently, just a small distance away from Toni for the real fun part.

"Until such a time that I can decide what the future of the company will be, what direction this will take," Toni speaks her words and steps aside near you.

"Well, the one thing you can gather from this conference is that Toni is back," Obadiah speaks awkwardly at the podium.

"Well, yes, I am back, even though you tried your damned hardest to make sure I never came back," Toni speaks up from beside Obadiah, making the reporters go silent.

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