Goddess of Deception

*October 16, 2010*

I hand Phil a piece of paper that says Tony Stark's third annual benefit for the Firefighters Family Fund

"What's this?" Phil said

"Our chance to talk to Tony. They blew us off last time." I said

"I guess we can give it a go," Phil said

I pull up to Phil’s apartment in a new Audi. I am dressed in a white low cut silk dress. Makeup, hair the whole nine yards.

“Wow. I’ve never seen you dressed like this. You look great by the way.” Phil said

“Thanks. Stark has a short attention span, so I’m going to try and keep his attention till we get the information we need. Because obviously, he’s not going to want to talk to you.” I said

“That’s true. Hey, is this your car?” Phil asked

"Yea, why?" I said

“How much is S.H.I.E.L.D. paying you because I don’t make this much,” Phil said

I laugh

“I’m 1300 years old. I have lots of stuff that’s valuable. I have lots of money, in lots of different places, under lots of different names. What are you going to tell on me?” I said

“No, I was just curious. So you're a millionaire?” Phil said

"Actually yes. I have quite a lot of money. It cost a lot to keep switching identities every couple of years." I said

We arrive at the fundraiser. Stark arrives and goes to the bar.

“Mr. Stark?” Phil said

“Yeah?” Stark said

“Agent Coulson,” Phil said

“Oh yeah, the guy from the...” Stark said

“Strategic Homeland, Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division,” Phil said

“God, you got... you need a new name for that,” Stark said looking at Phil, then I catch his eye.

“Woah, she’s with you?” Stark said

“I’m Agent Thorsdotter,” I said

“You’re an agent too. You could be on the cover of magazines. I know some people so just let me know when you want to dump the whole suit and tie gig.” Stark said

“Thanks, but, uh…I actually enjoy my job.” I said

“At least let me buy you a drink?” Stark said

“I don’t drink while I'm on the job,” I said

“Oh, your working right now?” Stark said

“Yeah. We need to debrief you. There's still a lot of unanswered questions, and time can be a factor with these things. Let’s just put something on the books. How about the 24th, at 7 p.m. at Stark Industries?” I said slowly realizing that Stark is ignoring me and looking at another woman.

I turn around to see he is staring at Pepper Potts.

“Tell you what... you got it. You're absolutely right. Well... I'm gonna go to my assistant and we'll make it date.” Stark said walking away

“Wow, it worked,” Phil said excitedly

“You know, he didn’t hear a word I said,” I said

“What? He made the date.” Phil said

“With her maybe,” I said pointing to Stark and Pepper

“Not with me. And that’s a first” I said

“First for what?” Phil said

“Being ignored for someone else. I tell you what, he’s in love with that woman.” I said

“Go ahead and get a drink on Starks tab. Lift your spirits.” Phil said

“Yeah.” I said

I walk over to the bartender

“Give me a bottle of the strongest thing you got back there. It's on Stark” I said

The bartender hands me a bottle of Spirytus. I pop the top and take a swig.

“Woah. I don’t need you to die from alcohol poisoning.” Phil said

“Chill out. I am very rarely able to get drunk. The alcohol usually isn’t strong enough. Probably the whole Demi-God thing.” I said

“You want some?” I asked Phil

“No, I don’t drink,” Phil said

“Good man,” I said

*October 17, 2010*

“You heard about Gulmira,” I said

“Yeah, Whatever it was, took out a Raptor,” Phil said

“It has to be Stark. I was right next to where he was held prisoner.” I said

“Yeah, but I don’t know how. Guess we’ll find out on the 24th” Phil said

*October 24, 2010*

We are waiting in the lobby of Stark Industries. I look at my watch. 7:30

“Told you. We’re wasting our time here.” I said

“We can wait a little longer,” Phil said

Pepper soon comes down the stairs

“Phil,” I said pointing to her

“Ms. Potts? We had an appointment. Did you forget about our appointment?” Phil said

“Nope. Right now, come with me. I'll give you the meeting of your life.” Pepper said as she kept looking back.

I look back to see Stane standing over the railing looking at us.

“I have to call Tony,” Pepper said trying to call him

“Tony…Tony are you there?” Pepper said

“Somethings wrong. I have to call Rhodey.” Pepper said

“I'm calling for backup,” I said calling for more agents

“I don't know, he's not answering his phone. Please go there and make sure everything's okay.” Pepper said to Rhodey

We are in the garage getting into our cars.

“Runa, with me,” Phil said

“I know a shortcut,” Pepper said as we get in the car

We arrive at Stark Industries. Pepper opens all the doors.

“Section 16…Section 16…There it is.” Pepper said trying to open the door

“My key's not working, it's not opening the door,” Pepper said swiping her card

I hand Phil what we call the Skeleton key.

“Wow, what is that? It's like a little device, like a thing that's gonna pick the lock?” Pepper said

“You may wanna take few steps back,” I said

The lock explodes. We walk down into the room. We find a suit.

“Looks like you were right. Stane was building a suit.” I said to Pepper

“I thought I’d be bigger,” Pepper said

We start to check out the rest of the room. Then I hear a loud commotion and shooting. A bunch of our agents are down and Pepper is gone. There are explosions going on all around us. Phil runs up to me.

“I can go out there and help. Let me go. Please. I can do this.” I said as my fists and eyes start to turn blue

“Now, you can’t,” Phil said

“What if Stark dies,” I said

“You can’t,” Phil said

I back down. I want to go out there so bad, but I don’t. I carry two men out one on each shoulder into the parking lot. Then the building explodes.

“Holy shit,” I said

Of course, S.H.I.E.L.D and other government agencies flood the area. Stark takes care of Stane. And by taking care of I mean kill him.

*October 25, 2010*

Stark is getting ready for the Press conference to talk about the incident at Stark Industries. S.H.I.E.L.D is there to give him an alibi.

I hand Stark the alibi paper.

“Here is your alibi,” I said

“Okay,” Stark said

“You were on your yacht. We told Pepper to put you in Avalon all night and sworn statements from 50 of your guests.” I said

“I was thinking maybe we should say it was just Pepper and me, alone on the island,” Stark said

“That's what happened. Just read it word for word.” Phil said pointing to the paper

“There's nothing about Stane here.” Stark said

“That's been handled. He's on vacation. Small aircraft have such a poor safety record.” Phil said

“What about this whole story that it's a body guard? He's my body... ? That's kinda flimsy.” Stark said

“This isn't my first rodeo” Phil said

“Mr. Stark. Just stick to the official statement and soon this will all be behind you.” I said

“You've got 90 seconds.” Phil said

“Oh, agents, I just wanted to say thank you very much for all of your help.” Pepper said

“That's what we do. You'll be hearing from us.” Phil said

“From the Strategic Homeland...” Pepper said

“Just call us S.H.I.E.L.D.” I said

“Right.” Pepper said

We walk out into the press conference.

“And now Mr. Stark has prepared a statement. He will not be taking any questions, thank you.” Rhodes said

“It's been a while since I was in front of you, I figure I'll stick to the cards this time. There's been speculation that I was involved in the events that occurred on a freeway and the rooftop...” Stark said before he was interrupted

“I'm sorry Mr. Stark, but do you honestly expect us to believe that that was a bodyguard in a suit, that conveniently appeared, despite the fact that...” The reporter said

“I know that it's confusing...It is one thing to question the official story, and another entirely to make wild accusations or insinuate that I'm a superhero.” Stark said

“I never said you're a superhero.” The reporter said

“You didn't? Well, good, because that would be outlandish and...fantastic. I'm just not the hero type, clearly. With this... long list of character defects and all the mistakes I've made,largely in public.” Stark said

Rhodes whispers in his ear.

“Yeah, okay. The truth is...I am Iron Man.” Stark said

Notes

This is what Runa's dress looks like

This is Runa's car