Our new Lives as Tony Stark and Pepper Potts.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

Senator Stern: "Mr Stark, could we pick up now where we left off? Mr Stark. Please."

I turn around from looking at Pepper and face him. "Of course. I was waiting for you."

I grinned when I saw his face twitch.

Senator Stern: "Can I have your attention?

"I'm all yours."

Stern: "Do you, or do you not possess a specialized weapon?"

"No, I don't own such a weapon."

Stern: "You do not?"

Tony: "Nope. Well, it depends on how you define the word weapon. Can you?"

Stern: "The Iron Man weapon."

"Iron Man weapon? I wouldn't describe my Iron Man armor as such a thing."

Stern: "Well… How would you describe it?"

"Very advanced prosthesis... Yeah. That's better."

Stern: "It's a weapon. It's a weapon, Mr Stark."

I scoffed. "Please. We all know why we are here, and it's not for the well-being of the American citizens..."

Stern: "My priority is to get the Iron Man weapon turned over to the people of the United States of America."

"Well... I'm sorry then. Because it isn't going to happen. If I turned over Iron Man, then it's like Turning over myself. I don't plan on going into indentured servitude or prostitution, depending on what state you're in. 

It just isn't going to happen."

Stern: "Look, I'm no expert."

"In prostitution? I hope not. Aren't you a senator? Come on."

I looked back at Pepper to see if that'd get a laugh out of her, and I saw she was trying to stifle a laugh. 'Gotcha.'

Stern: "I'm no expert in weapons. We have somebody here who is an expert on weapons. I'd now like to call Justin Hammer, our current primary weapons contractor."

I watched Hammer walk in with a smile like he owned the place. 'Let's lower you a few pegs.'

"Let the records show, that I see someone entering the chamber, but an expert in any field isn't one of them."

Hammer: "Aw. You got me, Absolutely. I'm no expert. I defer to you, Anthony. You're the wonder boy. Senator, if I may. I may well not be an expert, but you know who was the expert? Your dad. Howard Stark. Really a father to us all, and to the military-industrial age. Let's just be clear, he was no flower child. He was a lion. We all know why we're here. In the last six months, Anthony Stark has created a sword with untold possibilities. And yet, he insists it's a shield. He asks us to trust him as we cower behind it. I wish I were comforted, Anthony, I really do. I'd love to leave my door unlocked when I leave the house, but this ain't Canada. You know, we live in a world of grave threats, threats that Mr Stark will not always be able to foresee. Thank you. God bless Iron Man. God bless America."

Stern: "That is well said, Mr Hammer. The committee would now like to invite Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes to the chamber."

I turned to see Rhodey walk in. I got up and met him in the aisle.

"So this is why you've been ignoring my calls. Morgan's missing her uncle Rhodey."

Rhodey: "Yeah, I'm here. Deal with it."

My smile vanished and my tone got darker. "Watch your tone or we will be dealing with another problem." 'I knew he'd do this, but it still doesn't change that he went behind my back while fling it. That pisses me off.'

Rhodey: "Got it."

We then walked to our seats.

Stern: "I have before me a complete report on the Iron Man weapon, complied by Colonel Rhodes. And, Colonel, for the record, can you please read page 57, paragraph four?"

Rhodey: "You're requesting that I read specific selections from my report, Senator?

Stern: "Yes, sir."

Rhodey: "It was my understanding that I was going to be testifying in a much more comprehensive and detailed manner."

"It's okay buddy. He's just trying to make me look bad to force his way. It's okay we understand that what you said isn't what you mean. Go on."

Stern glared at me.

"I feel threatened! Note that. I feel threatened by Senator Stern."

Stern: "Mr. Stark can we please."

"Can you please not glare at me?"

He let out a deep breath and looked back at Rhodey. "If you may?"

Rhodey: "I'd just like to make sure you do realize, that me reading one paragraph out of context does not reflect the summary of my final..."

Stern: "Noted and understood Colonel. I do. Thank you."

Rhodey: "Very well. "As he does not operate within any definable branch of government, Iron Man presents a potential threat to the security of both the nation and to her interests.

I did, however, go on to summarise that the benefits of Iron Man far outweigh three liabilities and that it would be in our interest…"

Stern: "That's enough Colonel"

Rhodey: "…to fold Mr Stark…"

Stern: "That's enough"

Rhodey: "…into the existing chain of command, Senator."

"I'm not really much of a joiner. Sorry, but I think... well, if we amend the hours a bit I'd consider Secretary of Defence, if you ask nice."

The crowd chuckled.

"Just a suggestion."

Stern: "I'd like to go on and show, if I may, the imagery that's connected to your report."

Rhodey: "I believe it is somewhat premature to reveal these images to the general public at this time."

Stern: "With all due respect, Colonel, I understand. And if you could just narrate those for us, we'd be very grateful. Let's have the images."

Rhodey: "Intelligence suggests that the devices seen in these photos are, in fact, attempts at making manned copies of Mr Stark's suit. This has been corroborated by our allies and local intelligence on the ground…"

'Now. Let's see the truth.' I brought out my phone and started to tap.

Rhodey: "… indicating that these suits are quite possibly, at this moment, operational."

"Hold on a second buddy. I don't mean to stop your amazing speech. But I want to make sure you get it correct... media can be horrible otherwise."

The screens changed and said [Welcome Mr. Stark.]

"Oh, I'm good. Now if you please. Let's see the truth.

If you will direct your attention to said screens, I believe that's North Korea." The guy in the suit falls over almost comically."

Stern: "Can you turn that off? Take it off."

"Iran."

The suit can fly. For all of five seconds before crashing, judging by the smoke, probably on fire.

"I don't see a threat there." The screen changes again and this time Hammers on the screen. "Oh, Justin. Stop trying to turn off the screen and look. You're on the screen."

TV Justin: "Okay, give me a left twist. Left's good. Turn to the right." The guy turns too far and is facing his behind. "Oh, shit. Oh, shit."

"That looks like it hurts.

So In conclusion, I'd say most countries, or maybe Five, Ten years away. Hammer industries 20, 25 years."

Justin: "I'd like to point out that that test pilot survived."

"Can he walk though?"

Stern: "I think we're done is the point that he's making. I don't think there's any reason…"

Tony: "The point is, you're welcome, I guess"

Stern: "For what?"

Tony: "Because I'm your nuclear deterrent. It's working. We're safe. America is secure. You want my property? You can't have it. But I did you a big favour."

I stood up and faced the camera. "I've successfully privatised world peace.

What more can you ask for!

I tried to work with this Ass-Clown."

Stern: "Fuck you Mr. Stark. Fuck you."

"Love you to Honey." I blew him a kiss and put on my sunglasses as I walked out.

"I'll be here till I die. You're welcome."*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

Senator Stern: "Mr Stark, could we pick up now where we left off? Mr Stark. Please."

I turn around from looking at Pepper and face him. "Of course. I was waiting in you."

I grinned when I seen his face twitch.

Senator Stern: "Can I have your attention?

"I'm all yours."

Stern: "Do you, or do you not possess a specialised weapon?"

"No, I don't own such a weapon."

Stern: "You do not?"

Tony: "Nope. Well, it depends on how you define the word weapon. Can you?"

Stern: "The Iron Man weapon."

"Iron Man weapon? I wouldn't describe my Iron Man armor as such a thing."

Stern: "Well… How would you describe it?"

"Very advanced prosthesis... Yeah. That's better."

Stern: "It's a weapon. It's a weapon, Mr Stark."

I scoffed. "Please. We all know why we are here, and it's not for the well-being of the American citizens..."

Stern: "My priority is to get the Iron Man weapon turned over to the people of the United States of America."

"Well... I'm sorry then. Because it isn't going to happen. If I turned over Iron Man, then it's like Turing over myself. I don't plan on going into indentured servitude or prostitution, depending or what state you're in. 

It just isn't going to happen."

Stern: "Look, I'm no expert."

"In prostitution? I hope not. Aren't you a senator? Come on."

I looked back at Pepper to see if that'd get a laugh out of her, and I seen she was trying to stifle a laugh. 'Gotcha.'

Stern: "I'm no expert in weapons. We have somebody here who is an expert on weapons. I'd now like to call Justin Hammer, our secondary weapons contractor."

I watched Hammer walk in with a smile like he owned the place. 'Let's lower you a few pegs.'

"Let the records show, I see someone entering the chamber, but an expert in any field, isn't one of them."

Hammer: "Aw. You got me, Absolutely. I'm no expert. I defer to you, Anthony. You're the wonder boy. Senator, if I may. I may well not be an expert, but you know who was the expert? Your dad. Howard Stark. Really a father to us all, and to the military-industrial age. Let's just be clear, he was no flower child. He was a lion. We all know why we're here. In the last six months, Anthony Stark has created a sword with untold possibilities. And yet, he insists it's a shield. He asks us to trust him as we cower behind it. I wish I were comforted, Anthony, I really do. I'd love to leave my door unlocked when I leave the house, but this ain't Canada. You know, we live in a world of grave threats, threats that Mr Stark will not always be able to foresee. Thank you. God bless Iron Man. God bless America."

Stern: "That is well said Mr Hammer. The committee would now like to invite Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes to the chamber."

I turned to see Rhodey walk in. I got up and met him in the aisle.

"So this his why you've been ignoring my calls. Morgan's missing her uncle Rhodey."

Rhodey: "Yeah, I'm here. Deal with it."

I smile vanished and my tone got darker. "Watch your tone or we will be dealing with another problem." 'I knew he'd do this, but it still doesn't change that he went behind my back while fling it. That pisses me off.'

Rhodey: "Got it."

We then walked to our seats.

Stern: "I have before me a complete report on the Iron Man weapon, complied by Colonel Rhodes. And, Colonel, for the record, can you please read page 57, paragraph four?"

Rhodey: "You're requesting that I read specific selections from my report, Senator?

Stern: "Yes, sir."

Rhodey: "It was my understanding that I was going to be testifying in a much more comprehensive and detailed manner."

"It's okay buddy. He's just trying to make me look bad to force his way. It's okay we understand that what you said isn't what you mean. Go on."

Stern glared at me.

"I feel threatened! Note that. I feel threatened by Senator Stern."

Stern: "Mr. Stark can we please."

"Can you please not glare at me?"

He let out a deep breath and looked back at Rhodey. "If you may?"

Rhodey: "I'd just like to make sure you do realize, me reading one paragraph out of context does not reflect the summary of my final..."

Stern: "Noted and understood Colonel. I do. Thank you."

Rhodey: "Very well. "As he does not operate within any definable branch of government, Iron Man presents a potential threat to the security of both the nation and to her interests.

I did however, go on to summarise that the benefits of Iron Man far outweigh three liabilities and that it would be in our interest…"

Stern: "That's enough Colonel"

Rhodey: "…to fold Mr Stark…"

Stern: "That's enough"

Rhodey: "…into the existing chain of command, Senator."

"I'm not really much of a joiner. Sorry, but I think... well, if we amind the hours a bit I'd consider Secretary of Defence, if you ask nice."

The crowd chuckled.

"Just a suggestion."

Stern: "I'd like to go on and show, if I may, the imagery that's connected to your report."

Rhodey: "I believe it is somewhat premature to reveal these images to the general public at this time."

Stern: "With all due respect, Colonel, I understand. And if you could just narrate those for us, we'd be very grateful. Let's have the images."

Rhodey: "Intelligence suggests that the devices seen in these photos are, in fact, attempts at making manned copies of Mr Stark's suit. This has been corroborated by our allies and local intelligence on the ground…"

'Now. Let's see the truth.' I brought out my phone and started to tap.

Rhodey: "… indicating that these suits are quite possibly, at this moment, operational."

"Hold on a second buddy. I don't mean to stop your amazing speach. But I want to make sure you get it correct... media can be horrible otherwise."

The screens changed and said [Welcome Mr. Stark.]

"Oh, I'm good. Now if you please. Let's see the truth.

If you will direct your attention to said screens, I believe that's North Korea." The guy in the suit falls over almost comically."

Stern: "Can you turn that off? Take it off."

"Iran."

The suit can fly. For all of five seconds before crashing, judging by the smoke, probably on fire.

"I don't see a threat there." The screen changes again and this time Hammers on the screen. "Oh, Justin. Stop trying to turn off the screen and look. You're on the screen."

TV Justin: "Okay, give me a left twist. Left's good. Turn to the right." The guy turns to far and is facing his behind. "Oh, shit. Oh, shit."

"That looks like it hurts.

So In conclusion, I'd say most countries, or maybe Five, Ten years away. Hammer industries 20, 25 years."

Justin: "I'd like to point out that that test pilot survived."

"Can he walk though?"

Stern: "I think we're done is the point that he's making. I don't think there's any reason…"

Tony: "Thats point is, you're welcome, I guess"

Stern: "For what?"

Tony: "Because I'm your nuclear deterrent. It's working. We're safe. America is secure. You want my property? You can't have it. But I did you a big favour."

I stood up and faced the camera. "I've successfully privatised world peace.

What more can you ask for!

I tried to work with this Ass-Clown."

Stern: "Fuck you Mr. Stark. Fuck you."

"Love you to Honey." I blew him a kiss and put on my sunglasses as I walked out.

"I'll be here till I die. You're welcome."