Chapter 4 - Backstabber

The next day you began to tell Tessa all about Stark's appearance and the budget for the new project. She was elated until you mentioned the time frame it needed to be running by.  She sank in her chair and rubbed her face, "Ok, so the first step is to order supplies." You interjected, "No worries, I did that last night. I overnighted the shipment and it will be arriving in the next hour." 

"Great! Ok, after supplies we have to assign staff." She looks at you, "I only want the best on this project. Especially given the time frame." 

"I agree and I also addressed it last night. I sent Madison and Jeff an urgent correspondence containing the design draft and a detailed workflow. They are meeting at the shipping dock to collect the supplies. Madison and her team will be overseeing the water chamber and Jeff and his team are going to coordinate the filtration project. Tessa, I am not a rookie." You sat at the chair across from her. You could see that she was stressed out. That's when you noticed her office looked oddly clean. Everything has even been taken off her walls. "What's with the spring cleaning?" You gestured around you. 

"Huh?" She lifted her hands from her head, "Oh, yeah." She looked around and made eye contact with you. "After your outburst with Stark yesterday I thought I could make a quick exist if my stuff was already packed up." 

"Smart move," You laughed. " Luckily you can bring it all back." You stood up from the chair. "I have a really great feeling about this." 

"Where are you going?" Tessa asked as you made your way to the door.

"I know that you have more of the manager expertise but this," You slipped back on your lab coat and goggles. " This, is where I started and you said it yourself Tessa, "You only want the best on this project." After you left her office you went straight down the metal grated steps towards the workshop.

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It was six o'clock when Madison and Jeff had to dismiss their teams. Even though the department was on a time crunch there was a strict no over time policy for hourly associates. Their team members had to head home, no exception. The bright side was that they accomplished a lot of work on the conversion tank and filtration. In fact, the filtration was tested in various water supplies, including sewage, and each test passed with a better quality then most marketed water companies. The holding tank was an easier assembly and you were just waiting for the chemical coating to dry. It only had a few more minutes left and you went up to your office for some water. Then you could head downstairs and weld each part together. 

Before you walked into your office you could see through the glass wall that Tony was leaning against your desk. He was looking rather frustrated with an Rubik's cube in his hand. 

"Am I interrupting something?" You pulled your office door open.

"This." Tony looked at you with the cube in his hand, "Is clearly built incorrectly because I used to do this all the time."

You walked to your office chair and toss your lab goggles down, "Don't worry Tony, that happens with age." 

He put it in his suit pocket while sitting down in the chair across from you.

"What can I help you with Tony?"

"I am here just to check on my investment. Did all the supplies come today?"

"Yes, everything came. We just finished the water conservation tank and filtration system. I am just waiting for the chemical to dry on the tanks tubing before welding them together today."

He looked rather surprised, " Forgive me what? You're doing the welding?"

"Girls can weld Tony." You took a drink from your water bottle and stared at him, repulsed by the remark.

"Of course girls can weld, I am not sexist. I just mean that you are the departmental head, don't you typical distribute that work?"

"Yes, but this project is important to me and if it fails I want to know that I did everything I could."

"Ah yes I forgot, because you don't just bend over." He leaned forward as he said it.

"Exactly." You shot him a smile and glanced at the clock. "It should be done, want to come with me?"

"Yes, I am rather curious to see the little thing in person." 

" I am sure women say that to you a lot." You stood up from your desk and when the words came out you completely forgot who you were talking with. Your mind placed Tony as a best friend that you went to high school with. He was still the owner of the company and you really needed to catch your witty remarks better.

He just bite his lip and stood up next to you, "Cleaver." 

He started to walk in front of you and while he was pulling out his own goggles from his pocket, the Rubik's cube fell out next to your feet. You picked it up, noticing he was unaware you shrugged and began to solve it. 

When you made your way down the stairs still walking behind him you turned the corner to the welding room and placed the Rubik's cube into your lab pocket. "The welding shield is on that wall." You pointed to the rack they were hung on. "May you please grab me one, and I will grab the torch." He handed you the shield but before you started you went over each piece with Tony and answered any questions that he had. You never like to be optimistic with your designs until they are tested and done but by his reaction he had a lot of confidence in it.

He stood behind you as you started the torch and begin to weld the two pieces. There was one small area left to cover and Tony tapped you on the shoulder. "Hand it here." Tony said 

"Why?" You looked at your lines and they were perfect. 

"You are inventing something that is going to change the world. I just want to be included in a little part of it." 

You handed him the torch without any further questions. When he was done Tony took your shield and you hung the torch back up. The overall size of the item could fit into the palm of your hand. You couldn't stop staring at it. You were proud that in a single day you were able to get all the parts assembled. That leads the rest of the timeframe for demos and modifications. 

"Funny." Tony said looking at you. "How something so small can keep your attention like that." You knew the execution was poor but he was trying to make a reference to the small penis joke from earlier. 

"Ha Ha." You slipped back on your regular lab goggles and proceeded to the door. You held it open for Tony and let him walk ahead of you. The second you were out of his view you began solving the Rubik's cube again. 

When you made your way back into your office you started to collect your laptop and other items to head home. Now the clock said 9:00pm but you wanted to keep going, to continue with the project and complete it in record time. You know that your mind isn't going to let you sleep anyways but you had to call it night and leave work. Lucky for you, you'll be back tomorrow morning to pick up right where you left off. 

Tony was in your office with you, " I just want to let you know that so far you are doing a hell of  a job proving Michael wrong." 

"Honestly, it's my biggest driving factor." You said sarcastically and grabbed your bag. Walking out Tony held the door open for you. 

"I just don't understand what the problem is between you two." Tony Remarked,  "If you both got along a lot of great things could be accomplished for the company." 

"I think I can get a lot accomplished on my own actually." With that you pulled out the Rubik's cube and tossed it to Tony.

He caught it and scratched his head, "When did you.."

You gave him a wink but you heard a noise coming from Tessa's office. "What's that?" You stopped and gave Tony a glance  but he just shrugged. Then you heard it, almost a scream and you knew it was Tessa.

You dropped your bag and raced down the metal grate. You turned right into her office and swung open the door. Then you saw it, a pair of suit pants around the ankles and ass checks in between a pair of long tan legs. Both faces turned to you. Checks red from passion and embarrassment,  it was Michael and Tessa. 

You could throw up from the turning feeling in your stomach. Tony then walked into view  and they both looked mortified to see him. "Michael." Tony said as a matter a fact and not as if his hairy ass checks were exposed.

"Stark." He responded hesitantly.

 "Meet me in my office tomorrow morning." Tony then looked at you, " Y/N.. go home."

You didn't  need to be told twice. You walked out of the office and grabbed your bag that Tony held up for you. He shut the door to their office and was walking behind you but you didn't wait for him. You took a ride in the elevator alone and the only person left in the lobby was the head of security. You never talked to him before, typically he is running around hounding anyone not wearing a badge but because you were one of the few who always had it on, he always left you alone. Tonight however he acknowledged you and  wished you a good night. You thanked him and walked out of Stark Industries feeling like you were in an episode of the Twilight Zone.