Stark Industries, Tuesday

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Work still needed to be done, but last night had been surprisingly productive for Tony. He vaguely wondered if the woman was still up there, but remembered J.A.R.V.I.S. would take care of her if she needed something before leaving.

Just had to tighten a few things...

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[screwyoumarvel]

Steve peered in the door and said, "Hello?"

He looked much better, really.

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No answer from Tony.

But J.A.R.V.I.S. was more than happy to speak. Really.

"Mr. Stark is in the workroom. How can I be of assistance, sir?"

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The walls were talking.

...this was Tony. He was kind of surprised the walls had never talked before.

Steve held up a leather artist's portfolio with a certain round object inside. "I brought his property back," he explained. "Where should I leave it?"

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"Of course." The voice went quiet for a moment to inform Tony.

Who wandered out with one of the stabilizers still on his arm.

"Shouldn't you still be in the clinic?" No hello, that would be too polite.

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"I'm fine," Steve said. He was mostly fine. He held up the portfolio. "I brought it back, like I said."

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Tony continued to give him a Look. "You look like crap."

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"Yeah," Steve agreed. "But you saw me Sunday, so you know this is an improvement."

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"Right." Tony waved vaguely toward the front desk. Where an employee would be if he had anyone on today.

"Should I get to work on better security-- Not that J.A.R.V.I.S. isn't doing an excellent job of giving a stern talking to any intruder-- or just assume you'll take the shield next time something like this happens?"

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"Maybe," Steve said if he weren't going to be gone soon. "Did. Did you say Jarvis?"

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"Yes, that's his name," Tony said dismissively.

"A pleasure to meet you."

Tony ignored the AI for now. "Why?"

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"The AI is named Jarvis," Steve said faintly. "Is there, uh, a reason for that?"

Out of ingrained politeness he added, "Hello. Nice to meet you."

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"It was as good as anything," Tony replied with a shrug. "Pepper suggested Jeeves."

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Sometimes, alternate dimensions could still mess him up. "So your Jarvis is an AI. Not...a person. How interesting."

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Turning to look at him with slight confusion, Tony crossed his arms over his chest. "Should he be a real boy?"

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"Well, he is where I come from except for that he's a Skrull. Alternate realities," Steve mused, "are interesting, aren't they?"

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Skrulls make the best butlers!

"Huh." Tony frowned and looked at the control panel for the AI. "Well it's probably for the best. I've only been able to keep one assistant. Another would just end badly."

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This was a test: "Please tell me Pepper's human."

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Tony nodded slowly. "Unless she's been keeping secrets."

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"Well," Steve had to point out. "It's Pepper."

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"...fair enough." Tony waved again, finally noticing he still had something on his arm. "She has put up with a lot. But I wouldn't call it an inhuman amount."

Well... he wouldn't.

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"No," Steve agreed, "you wouldn't. What are you working on?" Like he would understand.

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Tony turned over his hand, showing the circle in the palm. "Something to balance the flight."

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Steve fought down laughter. "Yes, I can see how you would need that."

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"I haven't fallen like that since then," Tony informed him loftily.

This was mostly because he hadn't done it since, so...

Moot point.

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"I'm sure you'll improve," Steve said.

No, really. He was.

"And if not, you have the robot."