Arc Eight. Chapter Two Hundred Twenty-Seven. I.D.G.A.F

With Gwen and Liv at the Expo, covering for both Stark Industries and Parker Incorporated, Pepper, Tony and Peter were now free to finish their argument. The WSC company, Damage Control, had turned up and the Expo was now off limits to civilians as they cleaned up the remains of the drones.

MJ had just laughed and dragged Friday away, and given Peter could hear them both giggling in her home, he knew they were having fun. It was the grumpy quartet that was causing problems.

After a quick examination, both Jocasta and Vision were over by the bathhouse, discussing their own plans. Jocasta was still giving Peter stares, but it seemed she no longer viewed him as the homewrecker Tony had made him out to be.

The problem was Pepper and Tony.

"I warned you what would happen if you lied Tony, and guess what, you just lied, to my face." and Tony smiled,

"Oh come one Pep. This is different. I mean, how could I know Ultron would make a version that looked like you. MJ is taking it well." and as Pepper glared at him, Peter knew this was one argument he was not getting involved in.

"Don't you Pep me. And what happens when she's found out. What happens when the first thing anyone asks you is why does Tony Stark have a robot version of you? This isn't just a Stark Industries issue, I got enough crap after you smeared my involvement with Venom over the internet, and to be honest Tony, this is much worse."

"I'll fix it." and he smiled and held open his arms, "I promise. I can fix this." but Pepper stepped back, and surprisingly, moved and stood in front of Peter.

"Liv sent me an open invitation to Parker Industries. If Tony ever pulled a stunt like this again. Does she need you to sign off on it?" and Peter sat upright, ignoring the look Tony was giving him.

Shaking his head, "No, but this is not something to discuss here, or well, now." and as he looked over at Tony he glared angrily at him,

"Did you plan this?" and Peter's face scrunched in disbelief.

"Contrary to popular belief Tony, I am not the cause of all your problems."

Pepper lay a hand on his thigh, "it's fine Peter." as she turned to face Tony, and sighed. "Tony, until we sort out our personal problems I want to step back from Stark Industries. I can't do both. I can't clean up after your giant ego messes, and this, this is just the icing on that cake."

She stepped forwards and placed a hand on his shoulder, and as he patted it with his, she shook her head. "You know the military contacted me, after your little stunt in Africa, and so did the Korean government, for assaulting Helen Cho, and the Japanese government, for staging a battle next to an active volcano. I can't. I'm not your personal secretary, I'm supposed to be running your company, not your life." and as she turned away from him,

"Peter, I know you can't afford me. My wages would bankrupt you within a month, but I am willing to take a reduced salary in exchange for stock options. Liv told me that you're not in charge of the company, some R and D and that's it. Everything else is left to her?" and he nodded, "I'm guessing Venom can't be associated with Parker Inc?" and he frowned but nodded again. "See, if you'd kept your mouth shut about being Iron Man we wouldn't be in this mess." and Tony snorted,

"We're in this mess because of him. Ultron was created under his watch. The cream was his creation," and he shook his head and stepped towards her. "I know, I know I can't blame all my problems on Peter, but nobody sees just how irresponsible he is."

Pepper looked at Tony, and over at Peter. "He is. Venom did some bad things, Peter did some bad things, Peter?"

"Yeah, I know. My mom and everyone tells me I need to be more responsible, and I am trying. I did apologise, but Tony," and Tony interrupted him,

"You fixed nothing." and he balled his fist, "See?" and Pepper shook her head.

"Apologise, to me and to him, and I'll forgive you."

"To him? You want me to apologise to him?"

"I even offered to get someone to fix his heart" Peter interrupted, and Pepper stared at him,

"No, This is Tony's time to talk."

Tony sighed and clenched and unclenched his fist a few times. "I am sorry Pepper. I was irresponsible and did not consider my actions. I did not know Ultron was creating a duplicate, and if I could change things I would."

"Now to Peter." but Tony shook his head,

"Pete. I don't like you." and he sat back down on his chair and crossed his arms and legs, "and I refuse to admit that it was all my fault, or apologise." and Peter shrugged and sighed.

"25%" and he held up his phone, showing his conversation with Liv, "and if you need a place to stay, then we have guest houses here."

"30, and the offer is appreciated but I don't intend to mix business with pleasure ever again." and Peter nodded,

"Liv will get our lawyer on the contract and you can sign once it's prepared." To snag Pepper Potts, Liv had suggested going as high as 40, but thankfully he didn't have to.

Tony threw up his hands, "and nobody sees this? you're just walking away?" but it was Vision that interrupted.

"Mr Stark, I believe that she is quite correct. After Jocasta and I reviewed the evidence, You are just as much to blame for this situation as Peter Parker is. To quote Friday, you are both idiots."

Peter stood, "look, Tony. I respected you, and MJ doesn't blame you, the cream has that effect on her but you didn't push it. You walked away. Maybe things would be different, but they aren't. I won't step on Stark Industries toes, and the offer to fix your heart is still there." and

Tony scoffed, "Using magic?"

"The world is a lot stranger than you know Tony." and he sent Jean a text. Erik was still recovering at the mansion and had taken up a teaching position while he healed. While Peter and Charles were talking Jean was more likely to get him to agree. After a few minutes his phone dinged, and he checked,

"Erik will come and see if he can help, this is for Pepper though. I don't like you either."

"Fine" Tony snapped,

"Double Fine" Peter snapped back, and Tony rolled his eyes and pulled a face.

"Peter. Don't make me change my mind." Pepper warned him. Working for one immature man child was bad enough, she didn't need a younger version.

"Sorry Pepper."

"Change your mind? Are you still?" and as Pepper nodded Tony slumped, "but Pep. I need you. Stark Industries needs you." and she shrugged.

"You need a babysitter, not a CEO." and Peter coughed to hide his laugh, as Pepper raised an eyebrow at him. "And the same goes for you." and he nodded, suitably chastised. "35%," and as he opened his mouth to argue she crossed her arms and glared at him, and he slumped back and nodded.

"Good. Now make more coffee, and we can see about everything else once Liv and the others get here."

"If I may interrupt." Vision began, "Jocasta and I are willing to remain with you, Mr Stark. While we believe that Peter may provide opportunities that would otherwise not present themselves. We do still hold ourselves as creations of yours, and would like to show our loyalty."

Peter shrugged, "I never had an issue, Vision. Tony made a big song and dance about you being his." and Vision nodded at him,

"But, now he has been suitably chastised, we would still like to remain as part of the Iron Legion."

"What about her face?" Pepper asked and subconsciously Jocasta raised a hand and touched her cheek,

"Oh, I solved that, ta-da." and Friday, fully clothed and with pale creamy cheeks and bright ruby lips stepped out. Wearing a pale white summer dress, with a light tan cardigan. Her hair was now long and flowed down her face, and was a dark brown colour. Peter also noted but refused to comment, that her chest was now several sizes larger than MJs.

"What the hell?" Tony stared at the beautiful young woman, "Friday?"

"Yupper Dupper Boss. MJ used her symbskin and makeup to make me a fake face. And these bad boys," and she grabbed her chest and squeezed them. As Pepper snorted and looked away, Peter laughed as well,

"Uh, what?" and as she looked down, she had left indents where she had squeezed them too tightly, "aww shoot. MJ, can we fix these?"

MJ laughed and stepped in front of Friday, sliding her hand into her dress and adjusting the fake enhancers. "Thanks, sis." and as Friday twirled, she moved over to Jocasta, "uh oh, mom looks mad again. Sis, can we do Jo next?" and as MJ nodded Jocasta look hesitantly over at Tony

"Fine, just" and he sighed, "Just make it as permanent as possible. Vision?" but he shook his head,

"Ultron loaded the default male face. If it is based on anyone, you would have to ask Dr Cho. However, I am perfectly happy with how I look."

Peter however wasn't happy. This was too easy, too convenient, Pepper suddenly taking a spot at Parker Incorporated, but as his eye caught Peppers she shook her head and mouthed Liv at him and he knew to remain quiet.

Friday and MJ led Jocasta back into MJ's home, but the atmosphere seemed to be more sedate this time. Jocasta was clearly uncomfortable, but Peter knew, if she was more than just an AI she would grow and adapt, they all would.

Pepper sat down at the breakfast table, poured herself another coffee, and looked over at Tony and Peter, both sitting on opposite sides.

"So, this is how this works. Tony. Peter has nothing to do with my decision. You were given a chance, and you blew it." and as Tony opened his mouth to talk, "Aldrich Killian." he closed it and leaned back, frowning.

"I have no qualms about taking back Extremis, and I have no problem with releasing Gwen from her contract, and selling back Peter's patents and technology to him. I do, however, have a problem with you destroying a man's marriage by promising Maya Hansen a lab, a stolen copy of Gwen's research on the Stacy formula, and a copy of the work she did on the Extremis virus."

Peter raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"I also have a problem with you screwing her in your office last week, as I was just coming to finalise a deal we made with Wakanda. I gave you a chance Tony, and you blew it, several times. So I spoke to Liv, I even spoke to Aldrich, and got his side of the story. This mess?" and she shook her head, "I've had enough, You're too unstable, too unpredictable. I can't anymore Tony, I just can't."

As Tony was about to try and change her mind the warehouse door opened, and Jean, an excited Laura and Wanda came in, Erik walking confidently, even though his eyes were a milky white colour. Peter knew he couldn't see the visible spectrum anymore, but with his mastery over magnetism, he could easily detect and use the Earth's magnetic field to move around.

Laura dived at Peter who caught her and spun her around, "hey short stuff, do good?" and she nodded,

"Passed math, got my gid" and Peter laughed,

"It's G.E.D, and good for you," he said, kissing her on the side of the cheek, "you can get more later." and Wanda came over and kissed his cheek too,

"How was Hogwarts?" and she rolled his eyes as he grinned at her

"Stephen would be very angry to hear that Peter. But it was fine."

"While I don't appreciate you making kissy faces at my daughter, I believe that you have a problem only I can solve?" Erik asked before Peter and Wanda got any more personable in front of him.

"Oh yeah, Metal fragments in his heart." and Peter points over at Tony who snorted,

"A blind guy. You expect me to." and the look on Eriks face shut him up.

"Well, that was easy. I refuse. I had enough of your terrible attitude Peter, I don't need some moron who's one good stress-related accident away from death to criticise me either." and as he paused and sniffed, "I would however like some coffee. I take it Emma has been coming around?" and he smiled as he walked over to the table. "Can someone? I can't sense the glass, and your pot has a plastic handle."

Tony snorted, "neat trick. So you're the purple guy?" and Erik laughed,

"Yes, thank you, Peter. Your name of Magento seems to have spread, but I suppose it's better than spoon guy."

Laura pipped up, "Spoon Guy!" as she made him coffee, "it was awesome though."

"Yes, I know, but still. Do all children these days have no respect for the elderly?" and Peter laughed,

"Poor Magento." Erik scowled and blew on his coffee. Laura left the sugar spoon in it so he could sense where it was.

"Really? So he was the one flying and moving the helicarriers?" and while shaking his head, the spoon levitated from Erik's cup, twisted itself around into a pretzel shape and then righted itself back into its original shape.

"You have sixteen fragments in your heart, the closest being about four centimetres away from your left ventricle. Removing them would be a simple matter. I could even break them down into fragments so small your body would pass them harmlessly,"

As the spoon floated back into his mug and stirred it,

"But frankly, Mr Stark, I don't give a damn."