Stark Industries [Tuesday]

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

Pepper was taking some much-needed inventory today, because she knew better than anyone that they wouldn't find out they were out of something until Tony called her and demanded she order in a few thousand dollars' worth.

She liked to spare her patience where she could.

[see OOC note on the Gig, zomg.]

Comments

[tyler_gone]

Tyler wandered into the shop in mid-afternoon to check in on Tony again, and was both surprised and pleased to see Pepper there. He'd really needed to talk to her, anyhow. "Hey."

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

"Mr. Durden," Pepper greeted, actually smiling genuinely when she looked up from her clipboard. "How are you?"

[tyler_gone]

"A lot better than I was," Tyler said honestly. "I'm healing up from the crash and everything. How are you?"

He hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. "I'm actually really glad you're at work today. I wanted to talk to you for a second."

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

"I'm fine," she assured him. "No trauma for me, aside from the normal ups and downs of working for Tony."

She set her clipboard aside, giving him her full attention. "Is there something I can do for you?"

[tyler_gone]

"So, army showing up, just a normal day at the office for you?" Tyler was skeptical, in an impressed sort of way.

"And maybe." He didn't really like asking for favors, so he got a little shifty-eyed. "You know Tony's not really the best with ... fine details."

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

"That's...a way to put it," Pepper said delicately. "Or details at all, unless he's particularly interested in something."

[tyler_gone]

"Right," Tyler agreed. "So I'm not exactly expecting him to keep an eye on my double, the army, any of that. It'll just fall off his radar if nothing's going on."

"But you," he added. "You are very good with details, and you aren't going to lose track."

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

She smiled very widely at that. "Did you honestly think I was going to? I was pulling up articles on Bruce Banner the first time I met you, Tyler."

[tyler_gone]

"And I wouldn't have broken down in hysterics if you'd told me that," Tyler pointed out, smiling a little himself. "Not that you could have known how many doubles there are here."

"Anyhow -- would you tell me if he does anything that might get the army out here again? I'd kind of like a running start."

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

"You'll be the first person I tell," she promised. "Before Tony, even."

[tyler_gone]

Tyler blinked at that; he would have settled for "before the thugs are at your door" and recognized that, in a way, this was an honor.

"That's all I can ask," he said. "Thanks."

Another question occurred to him, and he found a bit of scrap paper to scrawl it down. Did T. take care of the bugs?

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

She glanced at it, nodded, and quickly wrote We think. Can't be too sure, but provisionally yes.

"It's no problem," she said aloud. "If there was a fugitive out there with my face, I know I'd expect the same courtesy."

[tyler_gone]

A quick smile flashed over Tyler's face at the note, and he mouthed "Great."

"Doubles are strange," he said instead. "No matter how used to the idea you think you are, it's something else to see one. But I hope you never find out the fugitive part firsthand."

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

"So the doubles thing actually happens...often?" she asked, raising her brows and wondering if there was anyone out there who looked like her.

[tyler_gone]

"It might just feel like that to me because I got used to the idea fast, when I was first here," Tyler explained. "My roommate had one, and there was a set in my cabin that summer. I don't know offhand if there are many right now." And he frowned; he should know that.

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

"I'll have to find out," she decided. And keep a spreadsheet.

[tyler_gone]

"Let me know if you get a count -- I'm curious now," Tyler told her, then glanced toward the stairs. "Y'know, I don't think I need to bug Tony today if we're spending the weekend together. Good to talk to you, Pepper."

[lots-of-olives.livejournal.com]

"I'll let him know you dropped by," she said with a small smile. "Good seeing you, Tyler."