14140/Always have backup

Always have backup
Date of Scene:	18 February 2022
Location:	Stark Industries Lear Jet, over the US.
Synopsis:	Tony fills Natasha in on plans, and asks for her help without actually asking. It works out!
Cast of Characters:	Iron Man, Black Widow (Romanoff)

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Iron Man has posed:
It's turning into an almost balmy day for late winter. Temperatures are soaring to the upper 40s with the sun shining. For most people, it's a day to fully live, to start the welcome of spring. For others, however, there are still things to do, places to go.

Then, there's Tony Stark.

There is very little that can actually get to him, to really dig deep under his skin, but one of those triggers has actually been found. Threats. He //gets// it, he does. He's a name, but this one is different. And it's one that makes himm afraid for those around him that he cares about.

Therefore, with phone to ear, Tony's 'calling a friend', calling in a favor, or.. could it be just to discover more information and have someone around so when he faces the music, it won't be too bad? Regardless of motive, and it is probably a mash-up of all of them, he's making a phone call.

"Agent Romanoff," Tony begins, but it quickly devolves to, "Natasha. Could use another on the flight out to California. How soon can you make it to the airport?" Of course it'll be his Lear.

How's that for 'hello, how are you?'

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
When the phone rang, Natasha glanced down at the display, almost automatically sending it to voicemail. She was in her office at SHIELD, a lot of report writing in her near future. That's what happened when one took a vacation. The work just waited for her to get back instead of other people handling it.

Seeing Tony's name, she pushed the answer key but it was audio only. No vidcam. Triskelion rules. Hearing him speaking before she could even say hello had Nat smiling to herself. Very Tony.

So much said in so few words. First he was calling her in an official sort of capacity. Since he used her title first, before the name that she went by with the team. Asking for her to come along for something like that meant there was a problem. Tony wasn't one to ask for help unless it was extreme. The last indicated time was of the essence, though she couldn't know why. The combination was enough for her to make an immediate decision.

"I can be there in hour. How long of a stay?"

Iron Man has posed:
"Just an overnight bag. Change of underwear and socks, tops. Swimsuit optional for the jacuzzi," Tony's response is rapidfire, holding that 'situation normal' tone that he'd give for, say, Pepper. He adds, "Flight to California to meet with my aircraft division for the Avengers' Christmas present, so no peeking. Back to the house to sleep, then fly back. Quick trip. Already said 'no' to the party invitations."

Tony's in the back of his car, Happy at the wheel. Dark sunglasses sit on his face to keep the sun from digging into his brain. "Forty five or you're chasing with a Quin."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
That makes Natasha smile. Normal people might be offended at that sort of remark. She was used to Tony. "Fifty-three or you can watch your own back." Yet she was still smiling and he probably could hear it in her voice. "See you there, Tony."

And she quickly hung up the phone. Which might be a surprise to him.

She quickly make another phone call. Letting the person on the other end know the sudden overnight trip she'd be taking. With an added, "I'd appreciate if you keep yourself on call if I need you. Not sure what I'm stepping into here." When she finished that call, she moved over to the hidden locker. Breaking out a variety of weapons which were stashed on her person. Then taking an overnight bag that was already there. Along with a few other bags packed to varying levels of need.

Forty-four minutes later and Natasha was at the private area to board Tony's Leer jet. She was dressed in regular clothes. Jeans, boots, a red t-shirt with a lightweight black leather jacket over it. The duffle bag slung over her shoulder. When she moved her arm, there would be a glint of gold at her wrists just under the sleeves, indicating her wristbands were in place.

Iron Man has posed:
"See you then." Tony also hangs up with a brief touch of his finger to display and sets the phone back into a top pocket. The dark sedan is unmistakable as it turns into the airport drive, accessing the road all the way to the hangar. When he does step out, he looks very much.. exactly like Tony. Completely together with suit, tie, hair rakishly windblown and his beard carefully clipped.

A full arm wave is given when he spots her, and he turns to walk into the hanger proper. Happy looks as if he's going to follow, but Tony waves him off. "Go home, Happy. I'll call when I get home. I'll be //fine//."

Tony doesn't expect to be fought with, and certainly not with someone present. Turning back around, he climbs the steps to the private, personal aircraft. "Overpacking again?"

Ducking his head, he heads in and makes himself comfortable in the spacious, luxurious cabin. The moment he sits down, he's unbuttoning his suit jacket and a flight attendant is handing him a drink. On the rocks.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"You know how I am. Preparing for anything and everything."

Translation: There is likely a change of clothes in that bag and other things that wouldn't be allowed on a commercial airliner. Likely he wouldn't expect anything else from Natasha. Her bike would be left behind in the hanger, where it should be safe.

She entered the plane right behind Tony, setting her bag down next to one of those luxurious seats. A glance as the attendant came through, already a drink in hand for Tony without a word asked. Obviously, she'd done this a few times.

"Vodka neat," was her response to the look from the attendant, before the woman could even ask. Natasha settled in and glanced around the cabin before focusing on Tony.

"So do I get an explanation or we playing this as casual business and I go back to being Ms. Rushman?"

Iron Man has posed:
The flight attendant nods graciously, repeating the order to be sure she's got it right. Natasha has, after all, been on the aircraft more than a few times and the stock of the Lear's bar rivals any in NYC. Never know who will be on the flight, or how many, after all.

The cabin doors close, and there is that soft *whrrrrr* of aircraft jet engines as the plane taxiss for its place for take-off.

It's not a handful of seconds that Natasha's drink is delivered with a quick 'will that be all?'. Tony waves her away, and after following her progress, straightens up again. Those sunglasses are still on, and will likely be for the trip. Someone actually started drinking early.

"Little bit of business and pleasure," Tony returns. "Depending on your sense of 'pleasure', that is." He smiles quickly, the gesture there and gone. He begins again, leaning back in his seat, holding his almost empty glass aloft in a single hand, "I met another widow, and she's looking to come out of the cold." It's a story, and whether he believes it or not doesn't seem relevant to the task at hand. "Point is, she says there's someone out there who wants to take me out, and it's personal." He gets 'personal', he does. "I really don't care," he begins after a short pause, "but they're not looking for glory, so it's going to be quiet. This other widow said that it was 'widow level'."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
That had Natasha's attention. All semblence of casual was gone in an instant when he mentioned a widow was involved. There were quite a few widows, graduates of the Red Room. That were out there still doing work for their homeland. So that didn't surprise her.

What did surprise her was a widow wanting to change sides. Other than herself, that hadn't happened in her lifetime. WHich had put a large target on her back for a long time before they realized it was easier to let her go than to continue that pursuit. They had lost too many operatives. Operatives of that level were not easy to replace.

"So you aren't sure if she is telling the truth but better safe than sorry." She considered a moment. "If it is personal, they might come for you or those you care about. You have safeguards in place for Pepper and Happy?" Since those were about the only ones she knew the man was close to outside other heroes.

Iron Man has posed:
Tony watches Natasha through the lenses of those dark glasses as she takes in every last nuance of what he's said. Slowly, he nods, a slight uptick of the sides of his mouth showing acknowledgment, agreement and the satisfaction that he doesn't have to stop and explain it for the brain surgeons in the back row. He can always rely on Natasha.

"Exactly." Just in case it needed to be said to fill that silence between them. "No idea how much it is, but I'm pretty sure I'm paying her more now." There's the answer. "I've got Pepper covered," he admits softly. "I really don't care what happens to me, though I'd like to survive this." Just sayin'.

"Bur more, I really want to send a message." He leans forward a little in his seat, "I want to find out who, so we can have a little sit down and chat."

Chat.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
That explained it. He wasn't trying to have someone watch his back. After all, Tony had a suit of armor to do that. He also had the confidence levels of ten men. So asking for her to cover his back was a bit out of character. This made sense.

He wanted to find out who was behind the threat. And she was in a position to pursue such things, a bit moreso than any of their other teammates. Cap would be too honest and less able to use underground sources. Clint had his sources but he also tended to prefer being a white knight. Natasha? She worked best in the shadows. And she had many contacts from the past. Even some on the other side that would be willing to help her gain information. She had friends in other circles who sometimes blurred the line, just as she did.

"I will find out what I can and arrange that chat." She picked up her glass and considered a moment. Taking a sip and watching him over the rim of th glass as she did so.

"I'll need to talk to this other widow. Find out what she knows about the threat to follow up on it. Perhaps when we get back."

Iron Man has posed:
With the threat of his head on a platter or not, Tony's used to the threats. There's always the little men who think they can come up against him, but they always fall. At one point or another, they fall. He also knows that he's not an innocent in this world either, but it's probably why he's looking to make it a slightly better place. Redemption,, after a fashion?

"I knew you could," and Tony leans back on the leather chair, looking as if he's relaxing, but they both know he's on point. Alert.. even if he hasn't stopped drinking since getting the news this morning.

"Oh, if it helps, the Colonel.. Captain.. whatever she is now. Carol. She brought this other one in. Seems she believes her, which is why she came up this morning to give me the news." So, it's still hot off the presses.

"For what it's worth, I do too. But, we well definitely have a little pow wow." There's that flicker of a smile that creeps up, and he can't help himself. "Two widows in one place. //This// I have to see." The last bit is coupled with a flirty, good humored expression, and he reaches over to grab his empty glass as if simply holding it will make it fill itself back up, magically. "I mean, really. Two hot women.."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
That earns a snort from Natasha. Not a polite sound. Certainly not ladylike. But just a little derisive snort at the mention of two hot women. "Now I know she's attractive. Another piece to the puzzle."

She knew some of the widows. A few personally from history. A few by reputation alone. There were some she wouldn't trust as far as she could throw them. Others? The might have the potential to turn if the right thing happened to trigger it.

Them trusting this stranger meant nothing to her. If she was a widow, she was taught to earn trust. But Carol usually was a good judge of character. Tony, ever since Natalie Rushman, he proven to be less easily fooled though he still had a weakness for a pretty face. She didn't think that was ever going to change, unless he figured out things with Pepper. She could see it. They just didn't seem to be on the same sheet of music yet. Perhaps they wouldn't be and she'd watch their missed opportunity. Time would tell.

"To get this cleared up immediately, there will be no mud involved. Or Jell-O."

Iron Man has posed:
As if by magic, the attendant does return with a newly filled glass, and upon removing the empty one, she sets the filled on a table near the man. Brows rise for his companion; she'll be happy to get more if the lady would like?

Tony looks theatrically disappointed, though not so far as snapping his finger. Any who know the man know that with a few more drinks, he'll be entering his more manic phase, and, well, it's probably a good idea he has someone like Natasha along. "That," Tony points with his newly filled glass, "is disappointing." He pauses again before adding, "We'll figure something out."

Now, however, he lays his head back a little, closing his eyes behind the glasses. "All I care about is making sure my people are safe. And it's getting harder to keep them out of the line of fire." It's a confession of a sort, and he shakes his head. "If this sends a message, so be it."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Being public with your identity has that effect. It's unfortunate but reality with your history." His personal and business. Something he has said he recognizes. Recognizing and accepting are different things. She understood his concern. It is why she kept personal attachments to a minimum. She finished off her vodka and offered the glass to the attendant, giving a nod that she would indeed like a refill.

Not to mention she tended to outlive them all. Put a damper on friendships when they got weak and gray haired while she remained the same year after year. It's why she had so few people she allowed through her personal walls. Though that had been changing in recent times.

She also knew that, despite his words, Tony had some moral compass in there. One she didn't have except by exposure to others. One she had learned of through Clint when she had taken steps and joined SHIELD. It was newer for her, in the last decade or so.

But that compass would not interfere with her. Thus he likely wouldn't be surprised as she added, "If you need me to send it, I'll be glad to do so."

Iron Man has posed:
Tony knows all about his history, and his recent past, and he's fine with it. He sleeps okay, for the most part.

Okay, maybe not, but having something in the center of one's chest does have something of an effect on a person.

Tony's a loner simply because.. he is. Being virtually attention abandoned has led to the opposite effect than one would imagine; he doesn't seek lasting relationships. Not.. really. But maybe?

Tony believes in the concept of innocents.. and too many have been harmed. "You definitely need to talk to Yelena." There's the name. "I trust you to know how to do what you do best." If she does that, he can protect Pepper; as much as she'll allow him to, anyway.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
To Tony, nothing changes. Natasha remains as she had been. No shifting in expression. No alternation of her breathing. It's as though he said Joe or Mary or Elizabeth. It was just a name.

Yet internally, Natasha had shifted immediately from one mode to the other. Gone was the companion. The friend. The Black Widow was taking notice because Yelena was a name she had heard. Certainly, there was more than one Yelena in the world. Maybe even in the Red Room. But she didn't believe in coincidence.

"Yelena Belova?" she asked as she turned her head, motioning to the attendant that she'd changed her mind about that drink.

Because if that was the Widow in question, everything had just changed.

Iron Man has posed:
"Blonde. Very Russian," Tony nods, and his head quirkss. Nothing changes, but the man has learned a few things from the board room. It's in the little things. This time, it's in the question, and that drink in his head is lifted to his lips for a swallow. "Yes." It's a definitive answer, one based in confidence.

Dark eyes narrow under his glasses, and finally he pulls them up and off of his face. For all of his drinking so far, they're still keen, most definitely intelligent, and studying.

"Am I turning this plane around?"

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
He knew her well in addition. The fact she had declined a drink then changed her mind in the span of minutes likely was a huge red flag.

Natasha considered the question. Yelena Belova was known by reputation. She was the new Black Widow. Others were just widows or, at times, received a different designation such as red. But there had only beeen two Black Widows. When Natasha had taken her path, it was no surprise someone would one day rise up in the ranks to replace her. From the rumors she'd heard, the woman had even surpassed her scores in the testing.

Natasha had a lifetime of experience though which potentially gave her an edge. One wouldn't know unless they faced off against each other. She would prefer that not to happen if the other woman seriously wanted to change sides. That being the big question here. Was she serious? Was this her way of getting a foot in the door to take the kill herself? Too many unknowns and she hated that.

But Carol and Tony's instincts were the widow was serious about her wish to convert. "Not as long as you have a secondary player in the game to keep an eye on her and Pepper. I could offer a third as well if needed."

Iron Man has posed:
"Steve."

It's a word that is filled with meaning. Tony has circles within circles. "And, home base." Who knows what goodies Tony has embedded in Stark Tower itself? He's made modification, and is always upgrading the Avenger's mansion, compound.. and if he does that for the Avengers, just think of what he's got up his sleeve.

Tony drains the glass, and sets it aside with an exhaled, contented with the quality of his scotch sort of sigh. "He's there with her."

Shifting in his seat to get a little more comfortable, he cants his head, "Half a mil for your thoughts. See? Worth more than a penny." He chuffs a soft breath and leans forward a little once more. "I'm not going to have Pepper under lock and key. I want a subtle watch on her, but I'm going to make sure whatever attention there is, it's on me." Even now, he's considering his moves; planning his actions. Not knowing who it is makes it a little harder, but..

Dropping the sunglasses over his eyes once more, he sets his empty glass aside once more and laces his fingers to lay across his stomach in a posture of repose. "If I keep doing what I'm doing, they're going to move because they hate me. I'm not going to stop what I'm doing."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
Two extra pieces in play. The Knight and the Rook. Between Steve and JARVIS, Natasha was less concerned about the other Black Widow's presence. She might be good but, like Natasha, she would have a challenge dealing with both of those.

At the offer of half a million, she had to smile a little as she sipped her vodka again. Which for the record was some damn fine alcohol. She expected no less from Tony. If he served her bad vodka, there would never be an end to the complaining. Or she might just switch out his good scotch for some rotgut and see how he liked it.

"Steve can watch her subtly. I have complete confidence in him keeping her safe. If Yelena is telling the truth, she'll be excellent as a bodyguard. I don't know her personally, only through reputation. She's damn good at what she does." And there is a hint of respect in her tone.

Perhaps she should fill him in a bit but there was something that stopped her. If Yelena wanted him to know the details of her being the new Black Widow, she would tell him. If it turned out Yelena was lying about turning over a new leaf? Then Natasha would have no compunction about being respectful of one's secrets.

"So you are thinking we make a splash while in California." A statement, not really a question. "I'll get Natalie out of the mothballs to help with that." Those that knew them would know the truth. But those on the outside that might want to harm him? They might make a nice target. "I've got a face mask that will allow me to not be quite myself but still be Natalie." Since after going public as an Avenger, it was more difficult to function in the world of espionage without such toys.

Iron Man has posed:
Tony puts his head back, dark eyes closing if only for a few moments. The man almost never sleeps, or if he does, no one knows when he does it. Part of the mystique! A light shrug lifts his shoulders and he frowns in a quick gesture, "Sure. I'll call my team in California and we'll make sure we're seen." More than they are now. "Ms Rushman will be find on my arm." He quick smiles and opens his eyes, the search for the duffel bag a little obvious, "Let me guess, you brought something with? Or are we stopping in the Malibu house first?"

Dark eyes return to Natasha, and they linger there for a long moment, trying to get a bead on, well, everything. She's still the best poker player he's met. "We'll be playing up a new, experimental aircraft. Not lying. Targeting, radar reflective, the works." Still not lying. "No heat signature." He lets that sink in for a few before he taps the center of his chest to underscore his words.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"I brought something with. Since I wasn't sure what we were getting into. I may need a new suit since that would've been ruined in the duffle. If you have a steam iron on this thing, I can get the dress ready to go before we land. Then you can take me shopping. That should draw some eyes and attention. Help me spend that half mil you now owe me," she added with a grin.

When he mentions the experimental aircraft information, that gets a low murmur of appreciation from Natasha. "Now you are speaking my language." For she did love her quinjets. It was one of her greatest pleasures and a reason she usually demanded to do the flying. With each thing he had mentioned, her eyes lit up like a little kid at a candy store being tempted by so many delightful treats.

"Tell me more."