---

"Good morning Mr. Stark," George said from his security desk, as Tony Stark walked in.

Tony glowered a bit, "You know I prefer a less formal greeting."

"I do indeed, Tony. But I greet everyone that way when they first come in, from then on I address them they way they wish to be addressed."

"So, how many industrious employees have beat me to work this morning?"

"That depends upon what mean by work. We have the sweaty six playing their weekly basketball game, Doug is playing blind chess against 3 members of his team again. Oh and he's doing this mornings New York Times crossword puzzle in pen while doing it. Johnson has been here all night doing some research in Lab 2. Another five are having coffee and offering tips to three chess players. And finally Mr. Potts is in his office. So really only one has beat you to work."

"Damn," Tony muttered.

George stifled a laugh, "Another salad for lunch?"

"Yes, he said disgustingly, "Damn rabbit food. Well have a good day George."

Tony stalked his way down to his offices. He had two here, one to do work in, and one to meet with people in. He went into his work office and a moment later Peter Potts walked in. "Good morning Peter."

"Good morning Tony. I have your schedule for today."

"Anything exciting on it?"

"Colonel Rhodes is scheduled at nine AM for another day of test flights of the Mark VI armor."

At the mention of the Armor, Tony glanced up at the only artwork on the walls, the earliest was a childish drawing of a medieval knight in olive drab armor with US Army insignia on it. They progressed on through a montage of fanciful drawings of armor he had done through elementary and high school. Then a technical drawing and picture of the exoskeleton he had built in college. These were followed by photos of the five prototype suits Stark Industries had built. None of them had been successful.

"Good, I can't wait to see what he can get it to do today. Also, how is the Green Stone Project coming?"

Peter tapped a few keys on his computer, "Their last update shows no change. They are sure that it has a large potential to produce energy, but they have no idea how to access it."

"Good, or rather not good, but I have another job for them. Have one of them finish a final report, while the others start on a new project. I want them to begin a study on the new Metahumans. Two purposes; one a database of all known metahumans, along with best estimates of what they can do, and to what extent. Second determine how much energy they are producing and where this energy is coming from. All of this is to only be stored on the internal server, and I will provide a list of people with access to the files."

Peter stood speechless for a moment, this was the last thing he had expected. Tony had scoffed at the idea of metahumans not long after Jade had made her announcement. "Um, yes. Uh, what is the purpose of this?"

"A couple, including if we can tap the power source, we may be able to power the suit. Also, while I haven't been paying that much attention, I assume that there have been some cases of the police facing off against them. I want to see if we can supply the police and military with the necessary weaponry to fight them."

"Anything else?"

"No. Yes, I don't want the research team to do any research on the real identities of who these metahumans are. Store all the information under either the name they use, or a suitable identifier. I need to start working, give me a warning before I am to meet with Col. Rhodes."

With that, Peter disappeared back into his office and began translating Tony's verbal orders into full fledged written orders. Tony on the other hand began going over the power consumption of the current Mk VI Armor. The last tests had peaked at over fifty megawatts. Several hours later, Peter buzzed him.

Tony walked into Lab 4 to see Randall Sinclair setting up several sensors for the next test flight. "Hello Rhodey, how's it going?"

"Tony. It's going OK, but I think this is going to be the last test flight, at least for me. Unless you can do something about the power consumption, the Military just won't be interested."

"I've been waiting for this. I'm rather surprised that you have stayed with it this long."

"I've been, well, slightly exaggerating the possibilities of the suit," he said blushing slightly, not that anyone noticed.

"Oh?" Randall asked.

"Even with the power tether, and the limited space, flying this thing is fun. More fun than anything I've flown."

Tony, Randall, and several others watched and monitored the test flight for the couple hours that it ran. Everything went fine, except when Col. Rhodes attempted a hand stand while flying. That garnered a laugh from everyone.

With the testing over, Col. Rhodes stomped over in the gold and red suit. The gold was the natural color of the mesh suit and the red of the other pieces just went well with the gold. "Rhodey, how come you are the only person that has to stomp their way around in that suit?"

He reached up and removed the helmet, "It's almost as fun stomping around in as it is flying."

They discussed the tests while Col. Rhodes took off the armor. He had put the suit through every maneuver he could think of while tethered by a large power cord. Finally Col. Rhodes asked the question he had avoided the whole time he was testing the suit, "So Tony, exactly where are you getting the power to run that suit?"

Tony looked at him and said deadpan, "I have a nuclear reactor in the basement." Then Tony broke into a big grin.

Col. Rhodes got a shocked looked on his face, then paused and let out a forced chuckle, "Uh, forget I asked."

Their group broke up as lunch time approached, Tony looking a bit disappointed as he remembered the salad he was having thanks to Peter beating him to work this morning. 'Ah well,' he thought, 'it probably is better than whatever I would have bothered to get. Assuming I got anything at all.'

*****

Tony was looking over a package sitting on his desk. Two DVDs in crystal cases, actually he got something like this fairly regularly, usually from sort of crackpot that wanted his ideas paid for. His father had received similar things and the standard then was to throw them out unlooked at. Tony had often wondered what his father had missed out on.

Tony changed the policy, he had a team look over every proposal. Most of the time, they were crackpot schemes for 'free energy' or 200 mpg gasoline engines or equally silly ideas. Sometimes though, a real proposal came through, and Tony had hired several of his employees from unsolicited proposals. All of the proposals were cataloged and kept on file, part of that teams job was to see if any of them actually showed up.

That brought him back to the DVDs on his desk. The team had viewed them and passed them on to him immediately. He put the disk labeled One into an isolated DVD player and pressed 'play.'

Snow was on the HD TV for a few moments and then it cleared. On the screen a stylized eye appeared. He recognized it, knowing it was the symbol used by the person identified as "Catwoman" in New York. The subtitles came up and followed the voiceover exactly.

"Hello Mr. Stark. I am Catwoman. I have some technology that may interest you. Please watch this DVD entirely. If you require further verification, have someone research the information online and with the second DVD. Since you are watching this, your computer technicians have informed you that there are no viruses on these DVDs. This is important. Many of the documents I reference are available on the second DVD."

(http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/fiction/23850/cat-s-cradle has the rest of the video.)

Tony leaned back and thought for a while. The tech offered would be worth a great deal, assuming it was real. But first he would have to verify that is was real.

It took a week or so, but he finally got back a report. From everything his people could tell, everything on the DVDs was legitimate. He thought long and hard about what to bid, the amount that won would be significant, but for the most part he didn't really want the tech. Most of it's uses were outside his business model, and the instant collapse of the structure, struck him as dangerous. Still he had to bid, there was a definite implication that other things would be up for auction in the future. So a bid big enough to look serious, but not big enough to win.

He had been spending too much time going over reports on metahumans. There was a limit to what could be gleaned from videos and eyewitness reports. There was obviously something providing the energy that these people were using, but without actually getting some scientific instruments near them, it wasn't possible to detect the energy.

In mid August he got a break through, or at least the possibility of a breakthrough. Randall had returned from his vacation with the news that he was a metahuman. He had even floated the idea of testing in front of him. Perhaps this would lead to the data he needed.

*****

---

---

Tony sat at his desk, in his meeting office. He was unsure what Alan wanted to talk about, although the note had said it was a security issue. Randall was to follow that meeting, and he hoped that he knew what that was about. It had been about a month since he had found out about Randall's powers.

The door buzzed and Alan walked in and took the offered seat. "Good afternoon Alan."

Alan looked at Tony, with a worried face, "I hope it is Tony."

"So what is it that you wanted to talk to me about? Some thing to do with security?"

"Yes. I, uh. During a recent security check I found that someone had been hacking into the server that stores the security data from one of the properties Stark Security monitors. I tracked down the hack, and found that it had come from Doug's computer."

"Doug Ramsey?"

"Yes," he nodded. "That's why I decided to tell you. If he was making official changes he would have logged them. But these, I checked, and there are several accesses going back about a month."

Tony leaned back and crossed his hands. A moment later he asked, "Do you have any idea what he did or is doing?"

Alan laughed, "To be honest, I didn't even try to figure it out. I wouldn't even have found out about if it weren't for the automatic logs. There's maybe a dozen individuals, that given a reasonable amount of time could figure out what he did. The Feds could do it, again given enough time, probably other governments, and a few corporations. But, any of them would have to get physical access to the server. I might be able to do it, if you want the report I should have it done in about 10 years, assuming I don't do anything else during that time."

"No, that's alright I'll just ask him. I doubt it is anything illegal, or unethical. And don't worry, I won't mention your name."

Alan let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you. I doubt he would be vindictive, unless he ends up in jail or something."

"Is there anything else?"

"No, I think that I should get back to work."

"Have a good afternoon, and let me know if anything changes about that."

Alan got up and left the office, nodding to Randall and the secretary as he headed through the outer office. As he left he heard Tony over the intercom, "Miss Robinson, please tell Randall to come in now."

"Yes, Mr. Stark. Mr. Sinclair please go in now," she answered and said to Randall.

Randall walked in to see Tony sitting with his head in his hands. "Did she call you Mr. Sinclair too?" Tony asked.

Randall chuckled as he sat down, "Yes, Mr. Stark."

"Don't you start on me. I've been trying to get her to call me Tony for fifteen years. Every time she just nods and says 'Yes Mr. Stark.' So what did you want to see me about?"

"It was about that special project. Control is coming along well. I can consciously control it, but I'm not sure about the unconscious control."

"That's good, so are you interested in some scientific testing?"

Randall paused, "I am, but I really don't want everyone or anyone else to know about it."

Tony thought for a minute, "How about if we keep the data in a secure folder, only accessible by you and I? Oh, and apparently Doug, because he can go anywhere he wants, no matter what I do."

Randall laughed, "Yes keeping Doug out would be nigh impossible. That would be on the in house server only?"

"Absolutely! I don't want to cause you any problems. Oh, and speaking of Doug, he is your his good friend, right?"

"Yes, he's going to be my best man."

"You wouldn't happen to know why he has been hacking into one of the Stark Security servers?"

Randall blushed, "Uh, I kind of asked him to. Could we make this private?"

"Alright, Jarvis."

"Yes Mr. Stark."

"All recorders off this office."

"Yes Mr. Stark."

"That's all Jarvis."

"Thank you, I asked Doug for a little help. That night June and I were attacked, I went in and edited the recording of me coming into the building. I did an OK job, but if anyone examined them they would have known that they were edited. So I had Doug fix it."

"So was that what he was doing?"

"The first time, after that I asked him to set up a way for me to leave without it being recorded. I guess it took him a few times to get all the coding right. Since I don't have to worry about any errant recordings, I can change back and forth consciously, but I don't know if I can still control the change in a stressful situation."

"So are you going to be the next big 'Superheroine'?"

Randall looked away a bit, "I don't plan on that, but I have been chasing away the drug dealers and muggers from my neighborhood."

"Is that safe?"

"So far, I am being careful. I've wired some of the alleys with cams, and I scout out the area before doing anything. Having a backup would be great, do you know any one capable of doing that?"

"Well despite having been looking for volunteers, we haven't found any real metahumans. We have received a few messages, the first was from Jade. It was simple it said "No. Jade" that's all. I was suspicious about it, but Doug said that it just appeared in our Inbox, and couldn't be traced back to anywhere. We've tried getting in touch with Green Arrow and Blue Beetle, but haven't heard from either. We thought about Booster Gold, but I am not sure I trust that "from the future" thing."

So, there hasn't been any success?"

"Actually there were a couple in the Bay Area, that we got messages from. None have of them have checked out."

"Did they actually show up for the meeting?"

"Yes, and the reports I got back were a bit funny. One was a guy named Eli Heller. He said he could bend spoons, and he could; his own spoons anyway. Funny it didn't work on the spoons my people supplied."

Randall laughed, "I wonder how many con artists are out there trying to make a buck off of fake abilities. And the other?"

"According to the report it seemed very promising, the guy claimed to be able to teleport to anywhere in the world. Unfortunately when Stan and Jack met with him and asked for a demonstration, he went nowhere."

"Were they surprised?"

"By him going nowhere? No. They were surprised by what he was wearing though. It was a green bodysuit, they said it looked like latex, there was also a hood with two orange antennae on top."

"This guy was walking around dressed like that?"

"Yes, but it was downtown San Francisco, and he had clothes on over it, but his head and antennae were exposed."

"Uh, I'm glad they have that job and not me, I would be laughing too much. Well, I should get back to work."

"Yes, you should, I am not paying you to chit-chat with the boss. Would Saturday be good for testing, I don't have anything planned for that day."

Randall thought for a moment, "Saturday should work, around Ten?" When Tony nodded, Randall continued, “Is it alright if I bring June along?"

"Certainly, and how is the wedding planning going?"

"It's going well, we have a church and thanks to you, a place for the reception. June has talked to a couple of photographers and all the other fun stuff, so just about everything is set."

"That's good, and just send me the bills."

Randall looked startled, "You don't..."

Tony cut him off with a stare, "I said I would pay, and so I will."

Randall sighed, "I'll have June send them here, or rather you can tell her Saturday, because she will want to argue about it."

With that Randall got up, shook Tony's hand and left.

-----

Saturday morning came and Randall and June showed up at Stark Industries, at security they were surprised when June received a permanent guest ID. When they asked about it, the guard said Tony wanted her to have it, and that he expected her to be visiting more often. He also congratulated them on their upcoming wedding.

Randall and June joined Tony in one of the labs, where he had had some testing equipment placed. June walked up and gave Tony a hug. He flinched for a moment before returning it.

Randall waved, "Good morning Tony."

"Good morning, Randall." He looked down at June, "Good morning June."

Randall looked around at some of the equipment, wondering where Tony had gotten one of the TSA's full body scanners, there were also several sorts of video cameras set up, including a 3D setup. "Uh, there's quite a lot set up here."

Tony came the closest he ever did to blushing, "Well other than some medical gear I wanted. EEG, EKG, and others that would be stuck to your skin, I got everything I could think of. June, you wouldn't know how to hook that sort of stuff up would you?"

"I'm an ER Nurse, we don't often do that, so when we need it, we call an expert. The same thing for any thing beyond pulse, blood pressure, and the other basics."

Tony frowned, "I'm not all that knowledgeable about medical things, beyond how the muscles and bones work from an engineering stand point. I may have to see about hiring a doctor. Oh, and speaking of hiring; June are you interested in a new job? One of the on staff nurses mother had a stroke, and he will be leaving soon to take care of her full time."

Randall looked up, "Who's leaving, and how come I hadn't heard about it?"

"Damn, I wasn't supposed to say anything. He didn't want anyone to know or make a fuss."

June hesitated, "I'll have to think about it, I really like it where I am."

"That's fine, just let me know. So Randall are you ready to start?"

"Uh, Tony," June interrupted, "just how safe is all the information you are going to collect? I really don't want to see Randall on YouTube."

"Hmmm, the shortest explanation is that if you do, you can beat up Doug." He paused, and June looked a little blankly at him, and Randall laughed.

"What does that mean?"

"A slightly longer explanation. Everything recorded here goes directly to a computer in the basement. That computer isn't connected to the internet or to any computer that is. Actually it isn't connected to any computer that has an external drive or connection port attached to it. And only Doug and I have the authorization and passwords to remove data from the computer. It's about as secure as any computer in the world."

With a slightly glazed look to her eyes, she said, "OK, I guess."

"So Randall, are you ready?" With a nod from Randall, Tony continued. "Jarvis."

"Yes Mr. Stark."

"Turn on all sensor recorders in Lab 6 and record all data in file folder 'Furball.'"

"Yes Mr. Stark."

Randall stared at Tony, "'Furball?'"

"It's better than your name, isn't it? So where to start?"

"Well Tony, this is your show. What would you like to see first?"

"How about a high-speed recording of you changing?"

Randall stripped down to a pair of shorts and got into position in front of the high speed camera and changed into Wolfsbane, and back several times. Simultaneously energy sensors of several types recorded changes in every energy type Tony had been able to think of and get detectors for. This was followed by strength tests, an aborted endurance test (after around 3 hours and 2 marathons they gave up for now) and several comparison tests between Randall's and Wolfsbane's reaction times.

It was a long day, and it would take a long time to go over all the data, fortunately Tony had people to do that for him.

It took several months of study, but he finally had a report. He glanced initially at the various test results, increases in strength, reaction time, endurance etc. They were interesting, but didn't tell him much. Unfortunately where the energy came from to support the changes and increases in physical attributes was still a question. The energy was there and some of it had slipped over into the electromagnetic spectrum. It had been detected, but the amount was tiny, almost undetectable. The investigation team had almost dismissed it as part of the equipment being used, but it showed up during every change and only at those times.

Time to see if he would be willing to be tested again, but that would have to wait until he was done with his wedding and back from the honeymoon.

******

---

---

---

Randall's wedding had been a rousing success, and Tony had been honored to give away the bride. It was a rather small affair, just family, close friends and associates. The one surprising attendee was Col. Rhodes, Tony insisted on inviting him.

The reception was being held at one of the country clubs that Tony was a member of, there were times when being wealthy was useful. The reception was going well, when a group of armed thugs busted in. Several of them moved to each side of the hall, and one headed out onto the dance floor where Tony was dancing with June's mom Judy.

People were screaming, and the thugs were yelling. Suddenly the one near Tony raised his gun and threatened June's mother. There was a bright flash of light and then all the lights went out. The emergency lights kicked on and went out a moment later. There was a loud scream from the dance floor, and now there was a slight glow coming from there.

Randall stood up when the thugs broke in, and growled. June pulled him down, and told him not to do anything stupid. When the lights went out, he kissed her and said, "Now I can."

He discarded his tux, and changed into Wolfsbane before moving out. The glow coming from the dance floor gave her enough light to see by, but she doubted that anyone else could see much, if anything. She saw her first target, he had backed against a wall and appeared to be trying to peer into the darkness. He was yelling at his comrades, but that just lost in the screaming. She quickly walked up to him, and simultaneously grabbed the barrel of the rifle, shoved it at the ceiling and slammed the back of her other hand across his neck, crushing his esophagus and spine. One down and six to go. The next three went down just as quickly. By the time she got to the fifth guy, she saw that Col. Rhodes was approaching from the other side and would get there first.

She continued closing hoping to get there before anything happened to Rhodey. Her worries were unfounded as she watched him strike the thug three times dropping him to the ground. A moment later she got close to him and she yelled, "Check fire Rhodey," hoping that that would keep him from attacking her.

It worked to some extent, he stopped and dropped into a defensive stance. She paused out of range, "I've taken out four."

Rhodey tried to see who was there, only a few people here knew him well enough to use that nickname, and he didn't recognize the voice. "I've gotten two of them. That leaves the one by Tony. Who are you?"

"Call me Wolfsbane," she replied. "I can't see much on the dance floor from here." She heard him suck in his breath at what she said.

"What are you doing here? And how can you see anything, I can't even really see you other than a dark shape."

"Just visiting and good night vision. Can you follow me?"

"Yes, lead on," he said as he picked up the rifle.

Wolfsbane sighed, and hoped he knew what he was doing with the gun. As she turned to lead the way she felt her tail hit something, and then someone grab it. "Leave the tail alone," she growled.

"Sorry Ma'am, it surprised me," Rhodey replied.

"Not as much as it surprised me the first time." Wolfsbane led them towards the dance floor. As they got closer, she could see that only a couple of people were standing and none of them were holding a rifle. When they reached the dance floor, she could see three people laying alone in an area of about ten feet across. One was Judy, she looked to be unconscious, her chest was rising and falling slowly. The second body was smoking slightly and not dressed for the reception.

The last body puzzled her, a young girl lay there naked, glowing and sparking. That explained why no one was approaching, but who was this. Rhodey stepped up next to her, and asked the obvious question, "Who is that?"

"I have no idea at the moment, but I don't see Tony anywhere. We need to establish some order here, though."

"Quiet," Rhodey yelled and people nearby quieted down, but those farther away didn't.

Wolfsbane peered out into the darkness, it was much harder to see out there now that she was close to the light source, and leaned back and let out a loud howl. Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and became quiet.

"Go ahead Rhodey, you'll be easier to understand."

Col. Rhodes cleared his throat, "I need everyone to calm down, whomever came in here with the guns have been disabled and there is no more threat." He paused and whispered, "Can you go check outside?"

Wolfsbane nodded, and Col. Rhodes continued. "I need someone with medical training here on the dance floor and anyone with some light."

Several doctors and nurses came forward to see what was needed. They quickly established that Judy had just fainted and quickly brought her around.

People started pulling out cell phones, but all of them were dead, with the exception of Col. Rhodes. He pulled out his military issue phone and found that it was working. He called 911 and explained the situation. When Wolfsbane returned he told her. She told him that the whole building appeared to be dark, and that she hadn't seen any other thugs.

They stood there and watched the doctors as the general noise level rose. Col. Rhodes again yelled for the people to quiet down, and that the police were on their way. They were joined by Wolfsbane's Aunt, Uncle and parents, as June and Jeri checked on Judy.

Two things happened almost simultaneously. First a doctor said, "I can't examine her." Pointing at the girl. "Every time I get close, I get a pretty strong shock."

Second; June stepped over, "My mom says that that is Tony." Also pointing at the girl.

Wolfsbane, Col. Rhodes, and the doctor all turned to her and said, "What?"

June looked at them, "My mom said she was dancing with Tony, when the man with gun showed up. He grabbed Tony and there was a flash. The man screamed and started smoking, while Tony's tux burst into flames and he started shrinking. She felt a shock and that was the last she remembered."

Wolfsbane looked back at the girl, and noticed that the fur on her arms was standing up. She wasn't entirely sure but she didn’t think it had been even when she was closer earlier. A moments decision was all it took, "Rhodey can you handle the police when they get here?"

At his nod, Wolfsbane began to yell out orders. "Peter, Doug I need you to come with me. June can you come too?"

June glanced back her mom, and then nodded. Wolfsbane continued, "I need the floor mat from the entrance. We're going to take her to the lab. It's the only place I can think of to deal with the electricity. Doctor if you would join us."

The looked at her, and said, "Yes, she needs medical treatment."

As a couple of people dragged the floor mat over, Wolfsbane went to his family and said to his Uncle, "Umm, Rusty can you explain everything? Sorry about dropping this on you, but I have to go."

Rusty Sinclair looked at her and said "Yes. Good luck."

As she walked away, she heard her parents start to ask what that was about.

She walked over to where the mat had placed next to the girl and stepped onto the mat. After a pause she squatted down and moved the girl onto the mat. She stifled a scream at the first shock and gritted her teeth against the pain.

With the girl on the mat, Wolfsbane jumped off and collapsed on the ground. June quickly came over and asked if she was OK.

Wolfsbane shook her head and looked at her hands, both had electrical burns on them, "Not really, but I will be. Can someone help me pick her up? And we need a truck."

Several people carefully rolled up the mat covering the girl and then helping Wolfsane pick her up. As they made their way out, Wolfsbane noticed that their group had grown by one, Jeri was carrying her tux. Doug and June got into the front of the borrowed truck, and the rest got into Peter's car.

*****

---

---

As they got into traffic, they saw the first police cars and ambulances pulling into the country club. There was a general sigh of relief at that, the police could have delayed them too long. On the trip Wolfsbane explained her plan to Doug.

"Doug, we are going to take her into Lab 4. Once we are in there we will hook her up to the feeds to the suit, and shunt the power she's generating onto the grid."

"Is she generating that much power?" Doug yelled back through the open window.

"I think so, she's glowing like a light bulb and getting brighter."

They pulled up to the gate of Stark Industries, and Peter talked to the guard to get them through. When Doug pulled through, he could see the guard obscuring the camera and pointedly not looking back. Peter waved the truck up to pull along side where he asked, "Where to?"

Wolfsbane answered, "We're going to Lab 4, have them open the door, and grab some visitor passes."

Peter pulled up to the main entrance as Doug headed towards the back. Leading Jeri and the Doctor into the building the guard at the desk jumped up, "Mr. Potts, I thought you were at the wedding."

"We were, but there is an emergency and it's a long story. Clearance 'Tinkerbelle.' I need six visitor passes, and you to open the outer door to Lab 4. Also call in anyone on backup for tonight."

"Yes sir. Anything else I should know?" he asked as he begin coding the passes.

Peter thought for a moment, "Yes, I expect the police to show up some time soon. When they do ask them to wait, and call me over the intercom."

The guard paused, "Yes sir." Then he said to the other two, "Wear these over your neck the whole time you are in here." He handed the others to Peter.

They passed through the interior door, and headed to Lab 4. On the way Jeri asked, "Clearance 'Tinkerbelle?'"

He looked at her, "Tony wanted something simple for us to use as an emergency clearance code. No one would associate me with Tinkerbelle to guess it, and its not likely to come up in casual conversations."

Doug pulled around to the back of the facility, and up to the door of Lab 4, just as it began to rise. Once there was enough clearance to pull in, he did. Wolfsbane picked up the encased girl and leapt out of the truck as soon as it stopped. She ran over to near the Mark VI armor and set her down.

As Doug got out she yelled, "Call the reactor room, and tell them to cut the power feed to Lab 4, and let me know when they've done it."

A minute later Doug yelled, "Power's off."

There was a wrenching and ripping sound as Wolfsbane ripped the power line out of the wall. As she pulled the cable over to the girl, June said, "She moved."

Wolfsbane looked over at her, "Good. Now I need you to go over to the breaker box, and when I say so flip the red handle all the way from the left to the right."

She stripped down the wires, and lay one of the wires across the girls left hand. When she saw June in place, she lay the other end across the girls ankle. "OK, June flip the switch."

June pulled the lever, at first it didn't move, then she put her back into it and the lever moved from one side to the other. After it locked into place, she asked, "What did I just do?"

Wolfsbane squatted there holding the wires in contact with the girls arm and leg. "You just connected her to power grid."

"I did what?" June yelled.

Wolfsbane sighed, "She, Tony is generating electricity, a lot of electricity. We need to do something with it, until she wakes up and can control it. So the best way to get rid of it is to put it to use. Doctor, can you come over and look at her, the glow seems to be diminishing."

The doctor came over and looked at her for a moment, "She's breathing, and the glowing is diminishing. Hmmm, I think... Yes. Nurse Alli..., sorry Nurse Sinclair if you would give me a hand." The two of them began a preliminary check of the girl.

Peter walked over and looked at Wolfsbane, "I just realized something, Miss. Exactly who are you and how do you know your way around here?"

Wolfsbane twisted her head around to look at Peter, then at the doctor, "Uh Doug, could you explain this to Mr. Potts."

"Sure, and you better come up with a better solution, because she is putting out about as much power as the reactor," he said as led Peter off to the side to explain the situation.

Jeri walked up and ogled Wolfsbane, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Looking over at her, "Yes, can you bring me one of those stools, and stop looking at me that way!"

Jeri almost pouted as she went to grab one of the stools. Wolfsbane chuckled at the look on her face.

Doug and Peter walked back over. "So do you have a plan yet?" Doug asked.

"Maybe. Doctor what can you tell me?"

The doctor looked up, "Not much. She's unconscious, her pulse is strong, as is her breathing. I don't know much about metahumans, let alone their transformations. You might know more about than me."

Wolfsbane laughed, "I went unconscious too, but I don't know for how long. Although it wasn't days or even hours. She isn't really in any danger though?"

"I don't think so, unless the electricity harms her, but you seem to be draining that off."

"Thank you. Doug, Peter we need some more people here. A couple of electricians, whomever you can get that made the first suit, and unless you can do some recoding Doug, the programmers that wrote the code for the suit."

Doug answered, "I can probably do the programming, what do you want reprogrammed?"

Peter stood thoughtful as Jeri and June helped Wolfsbane to sit on the stool that was brought up, then covered the girl with the blanket she had gotten from the medical kit. He spoke up as Wolfsbane was comfortably seated, "The whole suit team was at the wedding. I have Col. Rhodes' phone number for his cell phone. I can call and pass the message to them. I can call in a couple of the electricians also."

"OK get the electricians first, then get the suit team. We probably won't need them until the morning. Oh and have someone bring in some water. Doug you know how the individual processors on the suit backing control the power to material locally to increase reaction time? I need them to continually feed the power without crushing the wearer. They are also going to have to communicate with each other, so as there is enough power where ever it is needed."

Doug blinked a couple of times, "I, hmmm, I can do it. You want me to go do it now?"

"Yes, how long will it take?"

"Hours, a day at the most." He said, then he headed off to his office.

Peter walked over, "I have the electricians on their way, and I've left messages at home for the suit team. I'm going to head back to the front, I expect the police to be here any minute. What do you plan on doing when they get here?"

"I'll probably change back, let me know before you head back here with them."

Peter looked down at the young girl, "Do you really think that that is Tony?"

"I do. June's mom had no reason to lie, and I didn't see Tony anywhere."

"That might cause some problems. I better call the lawyers."

"Huh, why?" Wolfsbane asked.

Peter turned to her and said, "Look at her, she is definitely under 18. I'm not sure what the government has been doing with metahumans, but if somehow she is declared a minor, there will have to be guardians appointed, and who knows what else. Also can you imagine what AIM, Wayne Enterprises, S.T.A.R. Labs, Boeing, Lockheed, Lexcorp, and all those other companies are going to try?"

Wolfsbane almost pulled the wires off the girl in shock, "I hadn't thought of that. You better get a lawyer down here quick."

Peter hurried out of the lab. Wolfsbane sat staring at the Doctor for several minutes before asking, "Doc, can I trust your discretion?"

He looked up from his patient, "About?"

She sighed, "This isn't my normal form, and I'd rather not deal with the police looking like this. Can I trust you not to tell them who I really am?"

"What, oh. Hmmm. Let me take a look at your arms." With that he stepped over and looked at the healing burns on her arms. "There now you are my patient and I won't be able to divulge anything you show me."

Wolfsbane chuckled, "Thanks. June, Jeri can you come over here and give a hand?"

They walked over and June asked, "What do you need?"

"Help hold me steady while I change, and then get dressed before the police arrive."

They held her still while she shifted form back into Randall. Jeri had a very disappointed look on her face. Then helped him get his pants, shoes and socks, and undershirt on. "That's enough."

The doctor had been staring the whole time, "Does that hurt?"

Randall was surprised by the question, "No, I'm not sure how to describe it, but it isn't painful. How is she doing?"

"Her? Her breathing is normal, and her other vitals are back to normal. If I didn't know better, I'd say she was just sleeping. I would like to get her off the floor though."

They were startled by Peter's voice over the intercom, "Randall?"

"Yes Peter," he answered.

"Col. Rhodes called me, and I don't know how he managed it, but no one there has mentioned a large wolf-girl. Your secret is pretty much out amongst the guests, but as far as the police know you left and brought everyone here. Speaking of the police, I can see them pulling up to the gate now."

"Thanks for the heads up, I'll let Doug know. Oh, and let maintenance know that we need a wooden table, three foot by six and a foam mattress here."

Randall let Doug know, and that he should come back up to the lab to talk to the police.

*****

A few minutes later Peter entered the lab with several police officers, Doug entered right after them.

Peter glanced around and introduced Detective. Swenson and Officers Johnson and Phillips.

Dot. Swenson looked at the overly well dressed group and asked, "So who's in charge here?"

Randall chuckled, and Detective Swenson glared at him, "What's so funny?"

"Your question. 'Who's in charge?' There are many answers. In this lab, I am. Inside Stark Industries, I guess Mr. Potts is. Security wise, probably Mr. Ramsey. Medically, the good Doctor here. So your question has many answers," Randall answered.

"Hmmmmph. OK, whose idea was it to leave the scene and come here?"

Randall answered, "That would of been mine."

"Why did you think that that would be a good idea?" the Detective continued.

Randall nodded at the girl, "Because of her."

The Detective looked down at the girl, "Who is she?"

"We think that she is Tony Stark," Randall replied.

"What?!"

Randall started to say something, then stopped. He looked at the Detective, "You're here to question us about what happened and what we saw?" At the Detective's nod, Randall went on, "Then I think that you should get that done, before we talk about her."

Detective Swenson paused for a moment then nodded, "Is there someplace that I can do that privately?"

"There's a conference room across the hall, will that do?" Peter asked.

"That will do fine, any volunteers for first?"

Peter glanced around, then nodded and left with the detective.

A short while later, Peter returned and sent the next. While this was going on the electricians arrived, but the officers wouldn't let them in. At Randall's insistence, they got permission from the Detective to let them in and get instructions on what Randall needed made. They nodded asked a few questions and then left.

The questioning continued until just Randall and the Doctor were left, at that point the Doctor said he couldn't leave his patient and Randall said that he couldn't remove the cables or leave either.

The Detective returned and after some discussion he and the Doctor moved off to one side, while June monitored the girl. When he had finished he came over and questioned Randall.

With the questioning over, Detective Swenson looked down at the girl and said that after she regained consciousness, he wanted to talk to her. He also let everyone know that if there were more questions he would be in touch.

As soon as the officers left, the electricians rushed in carrying what appeared to some clamps and a bundle of cloth. Everyone stared at them as they approached the girl and Randall. Randall smiled and laughed, "Another Stark failure to the rescue."

The electricians gave him a dirty look, and the others got even more puzzled looks as the watched the men very carefully wrap one end of the cloth around the bare cables and clamp it in place, and then slide loops of the end over the girl's arm and leg.

Randall carefully lifted the exposed wires off the girl and set them on the mat, the electricians began covering them in insulation. Randall stood up and stretched, and a distinctive popping was heard from his joints.

As Randall stretched, the girl moaned. Everyone rushed to be close, until the Doctor shooed them away.

“Where am I?” she asked, just before screaming.

*****

---

---

Randall quickly reached out and covered her mouth. "Shhh. We'll answer your questions as soon as you answer a couple for us. OK?" She nodded slightly. "Now are you going to not scream?"

She nodded again and Randall removed his hand. She looked around at the people standing there.

Randall looked at the others and a couple of them nodded for him to continue. He looked back down at her and asked, "Do you know who you are?"

She looked puzzled for a second before nodding.

Doctor Jones sighed, and Randall asked, "Who are you?"

She looked up at him like he was an idiot and said, "I'm Tony Stark." A small 'meep' escaped from her mouth as she reached up to cover her mouth, her right arm dragging the connection with. "What's wrong with my voice?"

A collective sigh came from those surrounding her and Doctor Jones spoke up, "What's the last thing that you remember?"

She drew in a deep breath, "I was dancing with June's Mom," she looked over at June, "when a bunch of armed thugs rushed in. One of them came up to us. He threatened Judy. There was a big flash and the next thing I know is I am here," she looked around her eyes stopped on the Mark VI armor. "I’m in Lab Four?"

"Yes you are in Lab Four," Randall said. "Apparently you carried the Metagene, and the stress or shock or whatever of what happened triggered it."

"What does that have to do with my voice? Wait, it turned me into a woman?"

Doctor Jones spoke up, "A girl, I would guess around 14 years old."

"Damnit. Sorry ladies. I was looking forward to being the elder statesman of the ultra rich. I was older than all of them, Wayne, Queen, Luthor, Gates. At least those that made things. Now, I guess I am the youngest."

Peter laughed, "Only Tony Stark would complain about becoming fifty years younger."

Tony looked around, "Wait a minute if I am a metahuman, what can I do?"

Everyone looked at each other, before Randall answered. "Uh, Tony you seem to be producing about as much power as, uh..." Randall looked around again. "Enough to power the armor over there. It would be nice if you could stop doing that."

"Stop? How am I supposed to stop it?" She looked up at everyone. Everyone looked around and then started talking at once, but not really saying anything.

Doctor Jones yelled, "Quiet! Tony, I'm not sure what it should feel like, but is there anything that feels different?"

A giggle slipped out of Tony, "Uh, who are you? A whole lot feels different. My knees and back don't hurt, I feel lighter, I'm hungry."

"Sorry, my name is Doctor Jones. I work with June and came along to provide medical care. I'll send you a bill later."

"Thanks Doc, but like I said a lot feels different, but nothing feels new. I mean there is no weird pressure, or hot spot. I really have no idea how to control this. Anybody have any suggestions? Randall?"

"Not really Tony. I can't really explain what it takes to change, but it isn't something that I have to keep thinking about. Once I change, either way it's over."

Doug spoke up, "Um, Tony." Tony looked over at him. "I've been in contact with a few metahumans, working on the database, and well they might be able to help or at least give you some advice. But I know at least one has one of Jade's rings."

Tony lay back down, "It's an idea, but what are the other downsides to it?"

"The fact that you are a metahuman will come out. I know that you don't want one of those rings in here too."

"Well my metahuman status isn't going to stay secret very long. I imagine that I look a bit different."

June bent over Tony, and said, "Yes, I think that you are taller."

Tony opened her eyes, "I have this sudden urge to stick my tongue out at you."

"Seriously Tony I have an idea on how to control or at least use up the electricity you are producing," Randall said trying to get control of June.

"What is it?"

"Doug wrote some code, and if it works, we can make a partial suit for you. Instead of the processors just talking to the adjacent ones, they will all communicate and apply the electricity around the suit. It should use the electricity you are producing allowing you to quit powering San Jose, and get around. It'll give you an advantage of being bulletproof also."

Tony turned to look at Randall, "Why just a partial suit? Why not the a complete version of the Mark VI armor in my size? I seem to be generating enough power."

"Uhh. Well the mesh exists, and making that part of the suit isn't really a cost issue. I don't think I am authorized to sign off on the expenditures to construct the rest of the suit. I've seen at least a rough estimate, and my great-great-great grandkids would still be paying that off."

Tony laughed, "Good excuse, but I can, or at least I think I still can. Peter can you write up the work order for me and get it into the system before someone shows up and to try to oust me."

"Yes, I'll write it up before I go to bed," Peter was nothing if not efficient, something he had learned from his mother. "By the way, Tony, Ms. Walters will be here in the morning, or should I say later this morning."

Tony yawned, followed by several others, "You would think being unconscious for several hours wouldn't make you sleepy, but I am, and I imagine everyone else is too. And Randall, June it's your honeymoon. Peter can you get everyone home, or at least a bed?"

"Yes sir. Doctor?"

"As much as I'd like to go home to bed, I think I should stay and give Mr. er Miss Stark another examination in the morning. If you have someplace I can sleep."

"Peter give him the room off my office, the rest of you, know which rooms you can use. Sorry Jeri, someone please show her to a room also."

*****

Sunday morning, the seven of them met again to discuss what was needed to get done over breakfast. June thoughtfully brought a clean sheet, and with Jeri's help fashioned a toga for Tony to wear.

While things were getting organized, Dr. Jones gave Tony another examination. "So how are you feeling this morning?"

Tony, now sitting up, answered, "I'm a bit lightheaded, and off balance, but other than that I feel great. Like I told you last night all those pains that come with getting older are gone. Everything even looks brighter and sharper."

"Well, I think the lightheadedness will probably clear up after you eat, and the balance will come with time. Your eyes look a bit dilated, so if you go someplace bright protect them."

About the time that the Doctor had finished, and Tony was dressed, Doug and Peter wheeled in a couple of carts covered in breakfast food. They all sat around table eating. After a bit, they began discussing exactly what it was that they needed to get done that day.

June and Jeri decided to go get some clothes for Tony. Dr. Jones offered to come back later, and discuss Tony's case with his own physician who said she would be in afternoon. Peter informed Tony that Ms. Walters would be around 10, and that he had informed the San Jose Police Department that she was awake. They said that a detective would be around to speak to her at about 10:30.

"I'm going to write up a quick press release, and get it out," Peter finished up.

Doug glanced around, "Tony, there is something important that we have to get done, and I don't think that it will be easy. We are going to have to switch the voice recognition files so Jarvis will recognize you."

Tony looked up, "Oh, what. Let me see. Jarvis."

The disembodied voice replied, "Unknown user. Access denied."

Tony, "Crap. You are right, that won't be easy. Randall, what are your plans?"

"I'm going home, to get some less formal clothes, then I need to go talk to my and June's family. Depending upon how long that takes, I should be back sometime this afternoon. Doug, do you want me to get you anything?"

"No, I'm good. I have a rather large collection of clothes here, and everything else I need. Thanks though."

As everyone but Doug left, Peter hesitated at the door and turned back, "I almost forgot, Mom will be stopping by later." Then he quickly dashed out the door.

Tony said some things that most definitely shouldn't be coming out of a teenaged girls mouth.

Doug looked at him with a puzzled look, "What's wrong with his mom coming by?"

"Do you know who his mom is?"

"Sure, Pepper Potts. She used to have his job, and now runs Stark Charities," Doug answered.

Tony looked at Doug thoughtfully before asking, "What do you know about my background?"

Doug's face brightened, "You graduated high school at age 14, got your first BS at 17..." As Doug went through every academic and scientific achievement of Tony's and then started in on Patents and inventions, Tony finally interrupted him.

"I should have you write my next resume. You know that list better than Peter. What do you know about my social life?"

Doug got a puzzled look on his face, "Your social life? Uh... Let's see, you host a charity dinner once a year."

After a minute or so of silence Tony spoke up, "You need to get out more. Back after my parents died, I was a bit of a partier. I drank, smoked, slept around, and Pepper kept the business going. Now I am a woman, worse a young girl and I don't think that Pepper will ever let me live this down."

"To be honest, when I was recruited to work for you I was more interested in your technical background than your personal activities. I did look for a criminal record though, and all I found were speeding tickets and a couple of drunk driving citations."

Tony's head jerked up, "I was lucky, and I sobered up before the DUI laws got tough. I still drove fast though." Looking down at herself, "Now I probably won't even be able to drive."

Doug smiled, "I'll get you a nice bicycle. Shall we start?"

With a glare at that comment, Tony nodded.

"Jarvis."

"Yes Mr. Ramsey."

"New user, Miss T. Stark, access level one."

"Yes Mr. Ramsey. Miss T. Stark, please state your name."

Tony got a sour look on her face, "Miss T. Stark."

"Please repeat after me. Aardvark."

"Aardvark."

Several hours later, "Zygote."

Tony repeated, "Zygote."

"Initial level one voice recognition done, thank you Miss T. Stark."

Doug looked up, "That's all Jarvis. Are you sure you don't want to shorten that process now?"

As the door opened Tony said, "I'll think about it."

As a crowd of people entered, Doug asked Tony if she really went twelve for twelve with 1976 Playmates, Tony affirmed this and added that she also went twelve for twelve with the Penthouse Pets of 1977. She then said her life changed when Larry Flynt asked if she would equal that with the '78 Hustler centerfolds.

Jeri and June got to Tony first, "Well we have some clothes for you, but well, you might not like them. Yet," June said.

"What do you mean?"

Jeri answered, "With those things hanging off you, we had to find clothes that could be put on without going up and down your arms and legs."

"And those are?"

"Well for underwear, we have a string bikini," June explained.

Then Jeri pulled out a tie-dyed mass of cloth, "And we found these colorful hippy wrap pants for you."

Tony looked at them and blushed a little, "I had some of those in the late '60s."

While the two of them sorted everything out, Tony looked to see whom else had arrived. She saw that Randall had joined Doug, and Peter was leading Ms. Walters over to her. She heard a rather surprised Ms. Walters ask, "Just who is that supposed to be?"

Peter said without a pause, "That is Tony Stark. I told you that apparently he, or rather she now, carried the metahuman gene, and it had activated last night."

Jennifer Walters looked skeptical, "I'm going to need some proof."

Tony sighed, "Jennifer we agreed upon some code words to verify any messages from me, correct?"

"Assuming that you are Tony Stark, yes we did."

Tony rattled off a series of seemingly random words, and then continued, "If you need further proof, come over here and I'll whisper something that only the two of us know to you."

Jennifer frowned, walked over and leaned near Tony, "OK, go ahead."

Tony stretched up and whispered, "January 15, 2005, the Seattle Hilton. You were wearing pink and I was wearing a smile."

Jennifer blushed deeply and stood straight, "OK, you are Tony. This could cause a lot of problems. We are going to have to work quickly to keep you in charge here. I imagine that every defense and tech company is going to try to get their hands on Stark Industries."

While Jennifer and Tony talked, Jeri and June held up a sheet so Tony could change. By the time it was decided upon what had to be done legally, Detective Swenson arrived.

Detective Swenson walked over to Tony, and looked at the people standing nearby, "Can we have some privacy?"

Peter, June and Jeri walked away talking quietly to each other. Jennifer stood by looking over the Detective. He looked back at her, before asking Jennifer, "Who are you?"

She pulled a card out of her bag and handed it to him, "Jennifer Walters, Mr. er Ms. Stark's attorney."

He took the card and glanced at it, then to Tony, "And you are?"

Tony took a breath, "I am Tony Stark."

"Can you provide any proof of that?"

Jennifer cleared her throat, "Mr. er Ms. Stark has given me certain code words known only to the two of us to verify identification. I am convinced that she is Tony Stark. Of course we will provide DNA samples to further verify this."

The Detective looked a little flustered, "Um, OK. Ms. Stark can you tell me what happened?"

As Tony opened her mouth, Jennifer interrupted. "Before you answer that, is my client being charged with or suspected of any crime?"

Detective Swenson paused before answering, "To the best of my knowledge, not in the course of this investigation. I have already, based upon the answers I received last night, recommended to the District Attorney that no charges be leveled against any guest of the party, as they were acting in self defense. The DA may decide otherwise, but I doubt it."

"That's fine, Tony go ahead and answer."

Tony spoke deliberately and slowly, "I was dancing with Judy Allison, when several masked men entered carrying assault rifles. One approached the two of us. He threatened us and I felt an intense tingling sensation. I think there was a very bright flash of light, and the next thing I know I am here looking like this."

"Hmmm. You wouldn't happen to know who it was that killed four of the perps would you?"

Before Jennifer could stop her, Tony answered, "I was unconscious, how could I know that?"

The Detective humphed, "Thank you for your time. If I have any more questions, I'll be in touch."

*****

---

---

After the Detective left, people began to trickle in to work. Tony wasn't upset it was a Sunday after all. She just smiled and thanked them for coming in. When they came in to take measurements for the suit, the technician stared at Tony's and blushed. He stammered out something about not being able to take the measurements.

Tony sighed, and asked June or Jeri to come over.

Jeri came over and looked at her, "Whatcha need cutie?"

Tony glared at her, "Don't call me that. I need someone to take my measurements. He doesn't seem capable of it at the moment."

Jeri looked over at the blushing man and smiled, "I can understand his discomfort. You are his boss, and he doesn't want to touch you wrong."

The man nodded and handed Jeri the measuring tape, "Uh, waist?"

Jeri looked at him, and asked, "How accurate do you need?"

He blinked a couple times, then thought. "The nearest centimeter should be close enough."

"OK, you tell me what to measure, and I'll call out the numbers."

A little while later he mumbled thanks and ran off.

"So what exactly is it that he is going to make?"

Tony pointed over at the suit hanging near the wall, "One of those in my size."

Jeri walked over and examined the suit, she tried to lift it, but it was quite heavy. She looked back at Tony, "It's heavy, how are you going to carry all that weight?"

Tony smiled, "It augments the strength of the wearer, so I won't really notice it."

"How does it work?"

Tony stared at her for a minute, "The quick and dirty answer?" When Jeri nodded, Tony continued, "It's three layers, the inner layer is made up of sensors, the middle layer is teeny-tiny micro-processors, and the outer layer is the alloy that does all the work."

"Aren't you worried I'll tell someone how to make one?"

Tony laughed, "Robert Heinlein described that much 50 years ago."

Jeri kept looking at it, eventually moving the legs, at that point she turned back and with a wicked look said, "Ooooh crotchless."

Tony giggled, "Would you like to know why?"

Jeri walked over, "Sure."

"Well after we made the first version, we tested it on a clay form, to see how it would act. Clay came shooting out every where just like toothpaste. It took several adjustments and tries before we got it so that the suit didn't seem to be doing any damage."

Jeri nodded and started to get a far away sort of look.

"Before I would let anyone wear it, I wanted to be sure that no one would be hurt. I had people examine every square inch of the suit. Finally someone noticed that there were marks in the crotch, and then she realized that the clay model was lacking a physical attribute."

Jeri got interested a bit more, and asked, "Your model was sexless?"

Tony nodded, "We added a, well some non-anatomically correct clay stand-ins and turned on the power."

"So what happened?"

Before Tony could answer, another voice said, "Let's just say that my wife would have beaten Tony to death had that problem not been fixed before I wore it."

Tony spun around and grabbed Rhodey in a bear hug, "Rhodey!" Before catching herself and stepping back.

Rhodey got a strange look in his eye before holding out his hand. "Has he, er she been doing much of that?"

Jeri laughed, "A little bit, she giggles some, and earlier she was sitting on table just swinging her legs back and forth. So what did happen to that model?"

Tony grabbed Rhodey’s hand to shake it, "Everything was smashed flat and pressed into the rest of the clay. We tried for weeks to fix it, before just removing the crotch."

Rhodey shook Tony’s hand, before pulling her back into another hug. "It’s OK you can hug me."

Jeri lunged over, "Hugs all around."

Once Jeri had released them, Rhodey asked, "So how are you doing really?"

Tony hopped back up on the table, "Really? Physically it's great. Nothing hurts anymore, everything looks clean and crisp. I have all this pent up energy, not the electricity, but I want to run around and do things. Mentally, I mostly still seem to be me. My mind is still working on all those projects in my head. Emotionally, I have no idea. I imagine that I will crash at some point, but I don't know when or how."

Jeri leaned over and gave her another hug, and whispered just loud enough for Col. Rhodes to hear, "What about sexually?"

Tony blushed. "Sexually?"

"Sure sexually." Jeri looked around, there was a fairly wide variety of adults of both sexes in the room. "Look around the room and tell me what you think of the various people."

"Um, OK." Tony spent the next few minutes looking around at everyone.

"So does anyone here turn you on?"

"It's really weird. You for example. I can see that you are a very attractive woman, and to be honest I would have bedded you in a heartbeat before today. Now I don't know, you are still very attractive, but I don't know if I would want to take you to bed."

Jeri smiled, "That's OK, you are a bit too young for me anyway. Call me in about five years though."

Tony then looked up at Col Rhodes, "Rhodey on the other hand looks different than he did, and I don't think it's just that my vision has cleared up. But if I try to think about taking him to bed it seems wrong some how."

Rhodey blushed this time, "Uhh, that's good, er interesting. Anyway you are way too young for me, and my wife would probably beat me to death. So what was with the discussion about the suit? I thought that you were keeping it secret."

"I am having one made for me. It was Randall's idea, to deal with the electricity." She waved at the connection.

"Is that a good idea?"

Tony sighed, "It's either that or I stay here powering San Jose until I die."

"You can't control it at all?"

Tony shook her head, "Other than feeling better than I have in years, I can't feel anything different."

"So what are you going to do about the suits strength enhancement?"

"What do you mean, Rhodey?"

Col Rhodes sighed, "Tony I could punch my way through a brick wall with one punch. Unless you are going to be wearing the full suit, the first time you stomp your foot or punch something you will have mush left, if that."

Tony's jaw dropped, "Doug, Randall get over here!'

Doug, Randall, and several others came running over. "What's the problem?"

"Rhodey explain the problem, you have the most experience with it."

Rhodey led them away, and most of the others left when they realized that they weren't needed. Jeri and June stayed and gave each other a knowing glance.

"Tony," June started, "we are going to give you some girl lessons."

"Huh, what kind of girl lessons?"

Jeri smiled, "Nothing drastic, but some basic things that you probably know already, but didn't realize. Things like how to sit without giving everyone a show. How to sit while wearing a dress. The things that little girls learn growing up."

June continued, "Once you're free of those cables, we or at least I will give you more, like hygiene, makeup and more advanced lessons."

Tony was about to deny needing them, but looked at their determined faces, "OK, where do we start?"

Tony's day got busy after that, June and Jeri began his girl instructions, which only took a break when both Tony's doctor and Doctor Jones appeared along small truck's worth of medical equipment.

The two doctors gave Tony a thorough physical examination, and both suggested that as soon as she was able, to go see an OB-GYN. June suggested hers and offered to take her as soon as possible.

June and Jeri were drilling Tony on the proper way of sitting, when she noticed a commotion at the door to the lab. She looked over and saw Pepper Potts coming through the door. In a slight panic she looked for a place to hide.

Pepper walked through the door to what she had always thought was Tony's holiest of holies, Lab 4 was always the lab that Tony used for his most secret projects. What she saw surprised her, she looked around and there was a large number of people doing things in the room, very few of which she recognized. Admittedly she no longer knew his employees the way she had when she was his executive assistant, but she saw her son, and a couple of people she remembered meeting once or twice, and the newlywed couple. That left a half dozen or so people that she had never met.

She walked over to her son, who jumped up when he saw her, knocking over the chair he had been sitting on. "Mother," he called out.

"Peter, what's going on here? And where is Tony?"

Peter gave his mother a hug, and pointed over to where Tony was sitting. "Right over there."

Pepper looked where he was pointing and saw two women and a young girl. The girl looked scared, and had some cables attached to her wrist and ankle. "Over where?"

Peter sighed, "Follow me." He started walking over to the three he had pointed at. "You've heard about the meta-humans?"

"Yes, we along with Miss Queen and a few others have set up an assistance program for those willing to ask for help. Not many have come to ask for help though."

"Well, Tony apparently had an inactive metagene."

"Had?" Pepper asked.

"Yes had. Last night at the wedding reception a group of well armed criminals attacked the wedding reception. One threatened Tony and that triggered the gene. Tony is now that young girl." Peter said pointing at Tony.

Pepper stifled a laugh and looked at her son. He didn't often tell jokes or pull practical jokes, but when he did they were usually very elaborate and along the lines of something like this. Peter's face was not what she expected though, she could see worry in it, instead of the usual stoic lines. Pepper turned and walked towards where Tony was repeatedly standing and sitting, Peter paused then returned to the desk he was using, setting up a major press conference in less than 24 hours, and on a Sunday wasn't the easiest thing to do.

Pepper walked up to the trio, and looked at them, she hesitated a moment then said, "Miss, pardon me, Mrs. Sinclair, Miss, can I borrow Tony for a while?"

Tony jumped up and yelled "Pepper," in what was a very girly scream. Everyone in the room turned and looked, before pointedly returning to what they were doing. June and Jeri, who stifled a chuckle, being the exceptions.

"Certainly Mrs. Potts. This is my friend Jeri Phelps. Its nice to finally meet you. We'll be over by Doug if you need anything Tony."

Once June and Jeri got out of easy earshot Jeri began whispering, "She is so hot, I would do her in a moment."

June almost stumbled, "Jeri she is probably old enough to be your grandmother."

Jeri glanced back, "Even so I would still do her."

June rolled her eyes, "Jeri you would do anything female."

"Almost, but you would do her too."

June smiled, Yeah, but you should see the picture of her in Tony's office. Actually, Doug can we do some web surfing on this computer?"

Doug looked up surprised, he hadn't noticed anyone nearby, then looked at the PC sitting on the other end of the table. He thought for a moment then said sure.

While June and Jeri began looking for old pictures of Pepper, the real Pepper was talking to Tony.

"My son said you are Tony Stark, pardon me for being a bit skeptical," Pepper said to the young girl.

Tony sighed, "No one believes me, I am doomed." She smiled, and he asked "How about if I tell you something no one else knows?"

"I'm not sure what that would be, but go ahead."

"July 23, 1973 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York. You were wearing a red negligee and I was wearing a smile. Which you promptly slapped off my face," Tony ended frowning. "You are the only woman I wanted, really wanted, that I never had."

Pepper blushed slightly, and then sat down and began talking to Tony. The two of them were being studiously ignored by the rest of the room. Even after Tony collapsed sobbing in Pepper's arms.

*****

Agent Leonard Brown of the DEO walked into the office suite he shared with a couple of others. No one else was in yet, which was the way Leonard liked it. He was always first in and he used that to feed his superiority complex. He flipped on the lights before setting his Iced Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha on his desk.

He sat down and turned on his PC, taking a sip of his drink while he waited for it boot up. When he logged in and it asked for his password, he typed in Dynamo#1. It wasn't the best password, but it was going to be his superhero name, until after volunteering he found out that he didn't have the metagene. He still resented that, American Dream was out saving the world and he was sitting behind a desk.

Finally after several more sips of his drink his PC finished all of the security protocols and connected up with the main DEO servers. He was going through his mail, when the phone rang. He jumped slightly at the noise, the rarely rang, it rang a second time before he remembered he was the only there and had to answer it. "DEO, Agent Brown speaking how may I help you?"

"Agent Brown, this is Detective Charles Swenson of the San Jose Police Department. I understand that we are supposed to report new metahumans to your Department."

"Yes you are. You know of a new metahuman?"

"Yes I found out very early Sunday morning..."

"And you waited until now to inform us?"

"No, this is my fourth call to your office, this is the first time I got to speak to a person."

"Oh, our office isn't actually staffed on the weekends. Never mind that though. This new metahuman, what information do you have?"

"His, er her name is ah, Anthony Edward Stark, S. T. A. R. K."

"Anthony Edward Stark. Stark! The old rich bas.., guy?"

"Yes except that the old rich gentleman is now a thirteen or fourteen year old girl."

Leonard could feel his blood pressure rising, it wasn't fair. Tony Stark who had just about everything he could want is now young and a metahuman. He took a deep breath and let it out before speaking again. "OK, Detective Swenson, let's start over. You said that Tony Stark is now a metahuman? Alright I will need some more information. His address?"

Agent Brown spent the next twenty minutes getting all of the information from Detective Swenson that he could. Then he began thinking, plotting really. He was alone, and didn't expect anyone else in for at least another half hour. A few minutes later he began pulling up all the forms he would need to establish a new identity for Ms. Stark, one of his own choosing.

He turned on CNN to provide some background noise while he worked. As he entered then information, a story caught his ear. The anchor was announcing that someone from Stark Industries had called a press conference for One PM that afternoon and that there were rumors about something that had happened at a wedding reception the previous Saturday night.

He glanced at the clock, and realized that he was now under a time deadline. He had to get everything set up before that press conference so he could control what happened. Fortunately most of the process was automated; with a new name and date of birth, a new birth certificate came from one printer; some more information and school records from a second; medical records came out; all the records that a growing child needed. Leonard was lucky, because of the age, there were no photo IDs needed.

All of the official paperwork was done, that was the easy part, now he was trying to write two short speeches. One for Stark's executive assistant, and one for Stark herself. Stark had been on TV enough that Leonard knew he was always introduced by his assistant, even the old footage when he was introduced by Pepper Potts. He barely acknowledged his coworkers as they came in, but that was normal. Leonard wasn't the most sociable person to begin with and he hadn't improved after finding out he wasn't a metahuman.

As he sat there typing he could barely make out what his coworkers were saying, something about football and the '49ers and Raiders chances this year. Normally he would have commented, he did like football, but he was on a deadline. Their conversation changed, and he heard his name mentioned, along with the hope he was typing his resignation. He scowled at that, but he was almost finished now.

Finished with the speeches, Leonard printed them out, nice and easy to read. He thought about what he had written and was sure that Stark wouldn't be happy, but that was too bad he was the US Government, and no one could stop him. A quick search gave him the location of the press conference and GPS would get him there on time.

*****

Tony glared at June and Jeri, she wasn't real happy with the outfit she was wearing. Jeri noticed the glare, "What?"

"This is not what I would normally wear."

June chuckled, "True, but you would look odd in suit right now. Anyway, once this is done we will go shopping, if we can avoid the press and you can choose your own clothes."

Tony looked down at the yellow dress, white tights and black shoes. The only thing that it did do was cover the golden body suit she was wearing. She was still getting used to it, it was constantly moving and occasionally pinched something sensitive. Fortunately the motion, although at a very small scale, helped dissipate any heat generated, although she imagined that she had an incredible heat signature. "How long until the press conference?"

June glanced at her watch, "About fifteen minutes."

Tony glanced up at the security monitor, it was currently showing the room full of reporters and cameramen. Tony looked them over, and recognized most of them. Two of the still photographers looked out of place. Neither looked old enough to be accredited reporters. She pointed them out to June, "Who are they?"

June looked at the monitor, "I'm not sure, why do you think they are cute?"

"The one with brown hair... I just want to know, they don't look much older than me."

June picked up the press list and looked back to see where they were standing, the two of them appeared to glaring at each other. "They are from two New York Papers, James..." she was interrupted by the door opening loudly.

She looked at the door and saw Peter approaching with a look on his face that actually frightened her for a moment. He was with someone she didn't know wearing a black suit that screamed 'Fed.'

"Tony," Peter called out.

Tony turned, and after a moment let out a whispered curse. She too recognized the 'Fed.'

Seeing that he had her attention, "This is Agent Brown of the DEO."

"Hello, Miss Stark I presume," Agent Brown said as they walked up.

Tony turned to Jeri, "Jeri could you do me a favor and go get the lust of your life?"

Jeri stopped and shook her head, before saying, "OK Hun, I'll be right back." She gave Tony a quick hug, before heading out.

Agent Brown looked like he wanted to stop her, but seemed unsure about doing it.

Tony turned back to him, "How can I help you?"

"I don't know if you are aware of it, but the Government has a program set up to help people like you." After Tony had nodded, he continued. "I'm here to help you with that. I have new identification, birth certificate, school records, is Straight A's OK?"

Tony began looking over the paperwork she had been handed. "Chelsea Amy Buchanan? What kind of a name is that? And I'm eleven?"

Perspiration began to bead on Agent Brown's forehead. "I'm sorry, but the computer spits out a random name. Normally it would give you the same last name, but you are an only child and unmarried. You'll note that Anthony Stark is listed as your father though. You are um, your own illegitimate daughter."

Tony's face became red, as she listened to the Agent, "And my age?"

"Uh, that is what I was I told. Sorry, but there isn't much I can do about that. Here, I uh, wrote you and Mr. Potts speeches to explain what happened." He handed the two of them their speeches. "Just stick to the speech."

Peter looked at the first page, and realized that he had to go out to start the press conference. He walked out into the conference room. As he got up to the lectern and started, the door into the room they had been waiting in opened.

Tony could hear Peter start his speech. "I have a tragic announcement..."

Tony looked at the door and saw Jeri and Wolvesbane walk in. Agent Brown's jaw dropped and he began clawing for a gun that wasn't there.

Tony smiled, "Be a dear, and don't let him interfere."

Wolvesbane smiled, "No problem cutie."

As Tony walked out into the conference room, Jeri called out, "Knock 'em dead."

"Peter," Tony interrupted. Peter stopped reading the speech and looked over.

"Yes, aren't you early?"

"I'll take it from here."

Peter stepped away from the lectern, and pulled out a step. Tony stepped up and onto the step. "I'm sure you are all wondering exactly what is going on. Before I clear everything up, I have a little background information to discuss."

Tony smiled as she paused listening to the murmuring and clicking of cameras. She looked over the reporters, took a deep breath and began.

"Good afternoon. A little over a year ago, a young woman in a glowing green costume appeared and gave a press conference about the coming of the metahumans. Shortly after that Terra appeared in Houston, and was followed by others all across the US and around the world. Some have been very public about their activities others likely very private."

Wolfsbane stood in the anteroom, watching Agent Brown closely as Tony continued her speech. It was a bit scary, and she was getting worried that he would have a stroke or heart attack, his face was already turning purple.

As they watched, the outer door opened, and in walked a lady in Marine Corps duty fatigues, she took about three steps before stopping and dropping into a combat stance. She was followed by Col. Rhodes, who nearly ran her down before side stepping around her and walking over to June and Jeri giving them both a hug. Before Col. Rhodes could finish his hugs, she had relaxed, although she was keeping a wary eye on Wolfsbane.

Agent Brown took a moment to notice whom had walked into the room, before realizing that perhaps he had someone that could help him, "You soldiers, arrest this thing."

The lady looked at Agent Brown with contempt, before looking glancing back to Col. Rhodes. Col. Rhodes snorted, "We aren't 'soldiers' and US law prevents us from performing police functions. Besides which, you have no authority to give either of us orders. You might want to calm down a bit though, you don't look so good." Then he said to June, "How's Tony doing?"

"She's doing just fine, although the reporters look a bit dumbstruck. I doubt they have many press conferences with teenage girls that they have no idea who she is."

The group turned back to listen to the rest of Tony's speech.

"Last Saturday two employees of Stark Industries were married, amongst those attending was Anthony Edward Stark, he was acting as father of the bride. At the reception a group of thugs attacked the reception, several moved out to cover the crowd and the last approached Mr. Stark where he was dancing with the bride's mother. Unknown to all present, Mr. Stark carried a latent version of the Metagene, when the gunman threatened them, the gene was triggered.

"You might wonder why I am making this announcement. Well it turns out that I am Toni Stark, although I think that I will spell it with an 'I' now."

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