CEO of Stark Industries

Have you ever noticed that ( VIRGINIA "PEPPER" POTTS ) from the ( MARVEL UNIVERSE ) looks a lot like ( BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD )? But ( SHE ) also go/goes by ( RESCUE ). Having the ability to/of ( RUNNING STARK INDUSTRIES ) sure makes them a force to be reckoned with. They’re known to be ( DIPLOMATIC ) but also ( STRICT ) and they’re ( 45 ) years old.

“You’re welcome” He mused, hanging them over with ease before smiling softly looking a bit bashful “Yeah, Mom always said that it would be nice if I learned how to cook, plus it was nice hanging out with her without my sister screaming in her ear about something or other.” He replied before smiling “Pasta Primavera it’s been awhile since I’ve made it but I’m sure it will be good. Would you like to come over for Dinner Miss Potts?”

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        "Oh, that's sweet." Pepper didn't know what to say to James. It was a cute reason to have learned to cook, but she couldn't imagine what it was like to have memories from a life long gone. Her first thought was to politely decline, but in an instant, she decided against it. If Tony was trying, she would try too. "I would love to. Thank you."

she nodded, following her new boss. tula was excited, she couldn’t wait to show the surface how science and magic can go hand in hand in atlantis. “i’m excited to get started.”

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       Arriving at Tula's office, Pepper opened the door gesturing for the young woman to walk inside. "This is for you. We thought you deserved your own office since you'll be spearheading everything."

She spoke too soon. This had been a bad idea, and Morgan was smart enough to KNOW it was a bad idea and yet— it was her mother. She could fess up, try to adjust the lie or- or what? Tell her the truth ? Pepper was already buried under all her work at Stark Industries, it wasn’t fair for Morgan to pile onto it all, to tell her the truth and burden her (but she was okay burdening Tony?). “I…” Lie? Truth? “I’m his daughter.” Ah, there. A middle ground. Lie of omission.

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        Pepper's throat closed, mouth drying like a withering rose in the desert. It wasn't unlikely that the girl sitting before her was Tony's daughter. For as long as she had known him, he had been a playboy. It was a part of Tony that she tried to ignore to shield her heart from it. That had come to an abrupt end with the young brunette in front of her. Feeling her heart break in her chest, she tore her eyes away from Morgan. "How do you know? Do you have some sort of paternity test? That's a big claim."

 James looked at the other he didn’t start off saying he was Bucky though he was sure it could clear up plenty of confusion. It was a nickname only his friends used and though he’d known about Pepper through Tony he thought his real name worked best. “Yes, Said he promised to get them to you as soon as he was done” He replied handing them off before chuckling softly “I may have had to promise to cook one of his favorites but yeah he listened to me”

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       "Thank you." She took the files from him, quickly flipping through them scanning for the spots where Tony was supposed to initial. Closing the manila folder when she was satisfied, she looked back up at James. "You cook?" Pepper asked, trying to hide the surprise in her tone. "What did you promise to cook him?"

Tony pouted a little, shrugging his shoulders. “I felt bad for him,” he said. He didn’t like admitting that, although he wasn’t even really sure of why – perhaps because it showed a vulnerable side of him that he worked so hard to hide from everyone, even Pepper at times. Although she always ended up seeing through him anyway. “It’s not like he had a choice, what he was doing. I remembered how I felt when I was trapped in that cave, which definitely was not as good as I felt at the Playboy Mansion parties I went to back in the day, and that was only for a few months. He was trapped in his own mind for years. I thought he deserved a break.” Besides, Bucky hadn’t been the one who lied to him – that was Steve. “Well, maybe I might start now that someone has given me actual coffee,” he said, lifting his chin stubbornly. “Being properly caffeinated can do wonders.” He frowned a little at her question, his expression thoughtful. “Um…”

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       Tony caring for the people around him was nothing new. Behind that disconnected façade, he was a warm and loving person. It was a side of himself that he didn’t allow many people to see which had always been sad to Pepper. She wished that the entire world could see Tony the way that she did. “Well, it was nice of you to give him a chance and a place to stay.” The man before her was not someone who easily stepped into the shoes of others. It could be broken down to a hundred different reason she was sure, but he was simply stubborn. When Tony felt like he was right (and he usually was) he wouldn’t let things go, so it was eye opening to see him have a change of heart about someone who had hurt him so badly. Pepper was happy to see Tony giving James a chance. Everyone deserved a second chance in her eyes, whether it was the man who murdered your parents under mind control, or your friend who lied about it to try and protect their friend who was mind control. She hoped that some day he would be able to reconcile with Steve and that the Avengers could get back together. They were the family Tony wanted and the family he deserved. “Being properly caffeinated can also keep you up for days at a time which is not healthy.” She retorted, arms crossing over her chest as she tried to reason with him. “I’ll take that as a no. Do you want takeout from that little Chinese place down the street? I can have it delivered.”

There was no paper work, and there were three last names not there. Born Morgan Stark, going by Morgan Potts more often then not in the future, and being Morgan Parker when she was little and laying low with Peter keeping an eye on her (babysitting may have been the better term perhaps). She watched her mom at work, finding a joy in it that was so utterly silly and childish yet so wonderful. It brought Morgan back to the time of being a little girl and watching Pepper work her magic, watching her handling business and being important— it wasn’t something Morgan would ever think she’d miss. Yet here she was, having missed it. “It’s perfect.” More then Pepper could know, it was perfect. “Y-yeah, we were…” Lying, fibbing, hijacking, all versions of not telling the truth that Morgan couldn’t continue to sport for too long less she be caught. “I think actually um, Tony might have my file. Mr. Stark I mean.” Not Dad, she didn’t misfire with that one but Tony was too familiar. Too late to fix that one though. 

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      “Good.” As long as Morgan was pleased with the drink they could proceed with their business. Pepper’s brows raised as the young woman mentioned Tony. Tony didn’t have any hand in hiring new employees. Paperwork wasn’t something he enjoyed. Pepper had been handling that part of business since the day she was hired. “Mr. Stark doesn’t handle new hire paperwork. Why would you assume that he has your files?” She asked suspiciously. 

Bucky had really never had the pleasure of meeting Pepper in person, but Tony would talk about her non-stop whenever he asked about his whole company and what not. So when Stark asked him to drop off a couple things he didn’t hesitate to seek out Pepper. “James Barnes Ma’am” He replied before chuckling softly “I completely understand, and it’s not really a meeting, Tony told me that you were waiting on these designs and files? He pulled an all-nighter and I immediately sent him to bed and told him I’d take care of delivery.”

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       James Barnes. She knew the name. It had been made familiar to her, but she couldn’t place her finger on it. There was a piece of the puzzle missing. “Tony asked you to bring these to me?” It was then that she found the missing puzzle piece. This was Bucky; the man who had killed Tony’s parents. The man who Tony had befriended after everything that had happened between the Avengers. “And he listened to you?” She asked impressed. 

tula smiled slightly, reaching forward to shake the other’s hands. “nice to meet you, miss potts,” she greeted with a nod as she followed behind her. she walked through the door and waited with her outside in the hallway until it was time to follow. “i appreciate more companies like stark’s are taking an interest in atlantean science. i truly believe working together could create betterness.” and possibly help the environment in the long run. she was tired of seeing oil in her home.

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      “Nice to meet you too, Tula” Pepper lead the Atlantean towards the new wing. “Atlantean science is fascinating.” The redhead wasn’t nearly as into science as Tony, but she knew her fair share and picked up more from here and there while she ran the company. “We do too. I’m excited to see where this partnership takes us both.” 

Her mother was a level headed woman who dealt with the insanity around her with a silver tongue and a handle of her emotions. She befriended secret agents and superheroes, didn’t hold her tongue, and considered everyone a person. Treated everyone fairly. It would be the fair thing to tell her the truth and yet— it was different then her father. Morgan remembered her mom. Fights about eating vegetables, making sure she got doses of fresh air or did her labwork outside, her mother taking care of her, teaching her, and then losing her. The pain was almost a decade ago yet the pain still felt fresh. No, she didn’t need to deal with it just yet. She wouldn’t burden her mother, at least for now. “Thanks.” A grin glided to her lips at being called pretty by her mother, even without knowing their connection. Good confidence booster. Felt good. “Uh-” She couldn’t lie to her mom directly, she just couldn’t. “-I’d prefer just Morgan for now, if that’s okay?” It wasn’t even a lie whatsoever, just a plead. “Sounds good.” God she’d missed her mom so much. “Either is good.” Morgan used to have both most of the time, especially when she chugged coffee to keep herself awake and working. “Thank you.” She uttered, using the manners the woman across from her had taught her in a time that had yet to come. 

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      “Just Morgan.” Pepper nodded. The young woman reminded her a lot of someone, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. Frustrated, she pushed the thought away, the name still on the tip of her tongue. “As long as all your paperwork is correct and your last name is there.” Pepper had too many things going on with Stark Industries and Tony himself to worry about one new hire’s last name that she would only remember after reading in a week. After requesting two coffees from her assistant, she opened the file. The door opened before she was able to read it. Jessica walked into the office with two coffees. “Thank you, Jessica.” She thanked the woman as she set down the cups and walked out. “I hope that’s okay.” Pepper looked back at Morgan. “Where were we?”

Tony wracked his brains, trying to remember if she had told him that she was coming back today. It also wasn’t beyond her, in his opinion, to just show up without announcing any imminent arrival, especially if she figured that way she could catch him in the act of failing at self-care. Which, to be fair, he did a lot. “I know who Bucky is,” he said, with a little scowl. “He’s kind of hard to miss.” Although the government had done a pretty good job of that for a while, he supposed. But he was smarter than the government. His pout deepened. “Hey, my emotional maturity is at least at a seven-year-old level, thank you,” he said. He nodded. “Yeah,” he said, with a little shrug. “He didn’t really have anywhere else to go. I have plenty of room. The whole building is mine, so.” He shrugged again. “Most of it is living quarters for people who may need a free place.”

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        Pepper’s brows furrowed when he scowled at her. That was unusual for the most part. Sometimes, every now and then Pepper would say something just harsh enough to pull a similar reaction from the man, but this seemed unjustified. “Good to hear you still have your memory.” She replied flatly, brows raising as she spoke the words. “That doesn’t exactly explain what he’s doing here, but it’s your building. Your name’s on the side of it.” Pepper didn’t bother asking anymore questions. She only pried where his health or safety were concerned; Bucky moving in didn’t necessarily effect either of those but it still made her wonder what she had missed. “Oh I’m sorry: You haven’t emotionally matured in forty-three years. I don’t think you’re starting now.” Pepper nodded as if she was speaking to a child, a small smile creeping up her features. “It is yours.” Walking towards Tony, her heels clicked against the laminate floors, only stopping once she did. “Now, did you have breakfast this morning or lunch for that matter?”

“tula, tula marius,” she repeated. “i’m here for the atlantean study?” she reminded. while on surface she needed a job - why not a job that could help both the surface and atlantis. “i’m not sure it was too much of a meeting or more so an introduction to atlantean science,” she joked.

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       “Tula.” She repeated the name, trying to place it, only remembering when the girl mentioned the Atlantean studies. “Oh of course.” Pepper walked over to her, sticking her hand out for a handshake. “I’m Pepper Potts. I’m the acting CEO of Stark Industries. Let me show you the new wing we built and where you’ll be working. Please follow me.” She turned towards the entrance to her office, holding the door open for Tula. 

Mom, the word was reared back on Morgan’s tongue, stuffed into the back of her throat. There she was— her mother, breathing and alive and warm skin. Morgan remembered seeing her so alive, giving that speech and then there was BOOM and suddenly all that remained was the vessel that used to house her mother. She only saw her corpse the once. It had been colder then anything Morgan had ever known before. Colder then freeze rays themself. Now here she was. It wasn’t the woman who raised her, who tucked her into bed at night, her kissed her forehead– (Morgan felt tightness in her chest from the painful passing memories) – this was someone new and all the same. Pepper Potts. “It’s Morgan,” She spoke softly. This time, she couldn’t just not use Stark, but also Potts was off the table. She just couldn’t– (could she??). “I like coffee too.” She had been so young during Pepper’s living days, wanting coffee but ‘too young’ in Pepper’s words. Morgan hadn’t started actually drinking it until years later. Once, Happy had told her she took her coffee the same way as her mom did. (Those would have been nice mornings, the two of them sharing coffee and talking– god she missed talking with her mom so much.) 

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       “Morgan.” The name fell from her lips with ease. It was her uncle’s name; a man who despite being eccentric was someone she was fond of. “That’s my uncle’s name. You’re much prettier than he is though.” she smiled warmly at the young woman. “Do you have a last name Morgan or is it just Morgan?” Sitting in her desk chair, she rolled towards the desk and reached for one of the files she had stacked nicely on top of it. “Do you want one? I can have someone grab you one. Actually, that’s a good idea.” Pressing a button on the phone that sat on the edge of her desk. “Jessica, can you please bring in two coffees?” Turning to Morgan again, she whispered, “Do you take cream or sugar?” 

Tony whipped around at the distinctive sound of heels clicking on the floor, almost falling off his stool, barely saving himself by grabbing the edge of the table. “Uh–” It took him a moment to process what she was saying. He hadn’t expected her to show up today. Or really any time in the near future – not that he was complaining by any means. “Bucky?” he said blankly. “Yeah, I know he’s here. He lives here.” He shrugged. “Maybe I emotionally matured,” he suggested, and then flashed her a grin. “Not really, but I do realize it wasn’t really his fault. The guy’s a vet, for god’s sake. I wasn’t just gonna let him live in some scummy apartment.”

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        Pepper stared at Tony, waiting for an answer. It was clear from his expression that he hadn’t been expecting her which wasn’t a surprise in the slightest. Without Pepper around, there wasn’t anyone to remind him that she was coming back. Happy and Friday may have tried, but Tony was the kind of man to nod and pretend he was listening instead of processing important information. Unless it was something he was interested in of course. He was a toddler in a grown man’s body. “Yes, Bucky, the man with the metal arm.” she nodded in confirmation. “You haven’t emotionally matured in forty-five years. I don’t think you’re starting now.” She told him honestly. If there was one thing Pepper never did it was lying to Tony. Her honesty was blunt but it was also consistent, cutting through the bullshit people liked to feed to him.  “Oh, so he lives here now?”

        Pepper had given no warning for her trip back to New York. She knew Tony would just take the time to try and make himself or the situation look better than it actually was, and the last thing she wanted was to give him the chance. “Do I need to change the security codes?” She asked, walking into Tony’s lab. “I’ve only been gone a few months and I just saw the man with the metal arm,” she chose her words carefully, not wanting to be so blunt about the murderer of Tony’s parents walking around Stark Tower. “walking around the third floor. Did you know he was here?” 

        “I’m sorry I have a lot going on. What did you say your name was again?” Pepper finally looked up from the file she had been reading through when she had been interrupted. “I didn’t think I had any meetings today. I might need another coffee.” She let out a soft laugh, trying to cover her mistake with a little humor. It wasn’t often that the appointed CEO made mistakes, especially not in front of others.