SCU 3: Tera Howe & Tony Stark (Lady Soulstrifer & Alexander Tau)

[Soulstrifer]

She goes to him. Her eyes taking in everything in the softest way. She doesn't bother covering herself as she advances to stand before him. Tera's callused hands come up slowly to capture his face gently. The maps his features and brushes her thumb over his cheek. How is it possible that she can feel so much for one person? How did she let herself fall so desperately for him?

Tony... I am not going anywhere. I would traverse the very grip of death to be with you. I am here for you. Only you... I will not leave you... not when you need me the most. So let the war come... I am might be afraid but I will not give the enemy the satisfaction bending me to their will.

She kisses him and gives a small lopsided smile. She was a brave woman... Foolish, but brave none the less.

You know... when I am with you... I don't dream.

That thought alone seems to fill her with a brilliant joy. She moves away from him, further from the water and finds a nice sunbathed patch of grass to fall down upon.

[Alexander Tau]

Tony stands and watches is pure awe as she walks away. Magnificent is the only actual word his mind forms the entire time. When she finds a place in the grass he starts to follow and his brain sluggishly starts to work.

'This is as amazing. I have seen magic so I can't call it that. It is more natural than magic. My perceptions have changed. I am still me. I have a mission and an obligation. But sometimes all I can see is her.'

'She is beautiful. Anyone with eyes can see that. But she just shines now. Angelina is fire incarnate. I hope Tera never knows just how well I know that talented bitch. But seeing the two of them together it was so clear. Light beats fire. Who knew?'

All of this passes through his mind in the short walk. Her smiling face draws him down. And once again she causes his brain to cease to function. Instinct takes over. Life rules.

[Alexander Tau]

The Narrator speaks...

It is Friday April 6th.

Hours ago a group of IMI Security in plain clothes met a courier at LAX. The man carries a brief case. It is handcuffed to his wrist. He is carrying a gun.

Everybody looks serious. They get into 3 big black SUVs.

Destination: Stark Mansion

[Soulstrifer]

Tera jolts upright nearly falling off the bed in her hurry to escape the dream. She groans and wipes desperately at the hints of tears in her eyes. Frustration and pain mingle together and she gets up. She wanders around the room for a bit, observing his things where they sat. She does bend to pick up a pair of his pants off the floor. A small sigh leaving her as she puts them into the near by hamper. She knew he had people for this... but she couldn't help herself. It kept her mind off things to do little simple tasks.

Tera eventually makes it to the shower and she stands under the running water, her eyes half lidded as she stares down at the tile under her. She rests her forehead against the cold black marble and holds onto herself like she might fall apart if she lets go.

Miss Tera, Report from IMI. The Arc is showing signs of increased power levels...

Tera nods more to herself than anything at the voice that echoes through the room. She doesn't move though. After what seems like hours she gets out and dresses. She had really only been there for a few minutes. She grabs the keys to her Lotus and heads out without a single word.

She arrives the same way she always does when she's in a car, like a bat outa hell. With more poise and grace than any normal person she gets out and goes in. The first person she comes across she doesn't even give them a chance to say anything she simply grabs them and keeps walking.

Talk, now.

[Alexander Tau]

"Well Ma'am we don't know much. The Arc that you ah... included in the Extremis project had been running for a couple of hours. But then it just kicked into life. We well we are not sure what it is doing but we are reading power throughout his entire ah... cocoon." he stammers out.

By now Tera has half dragged the man into the lab. She is looking at what used to be the man she loves.

"Miss Howe? There are some men from Security waiting for you. They are escorting some sort of courier." she is informed before she can even begin to react to what she is seeing.

There is a room just down the corridor.

"Miss. Howe. This delivery was intended for Tony Stark. However considering the circumstances it goes to you. Sign here please." the Courier asks politely.

She does. What she gets is a steel brief case. Using the provided keys she opens it. Inside is a large manila envelope and a smaller steel case.

Tera looks at the thick envelope. On it written in pen are two words... The Ring.

Jarvis speaks to her.

Tera I think you should hear this.

The sounds of Tony Stark in his Lab are heard...

Look Jarvis I know what kind of girl she is. I could propose with a twig twisted into a ring. She will say yes or she will say no but it is not about the ring.

She would want something fairly simple. Pretty sure. Special of course. But expensive? No.

I get that.

But... I am not some guy. The world watches every single thing I do. If I did not already have all the money I really need I could just charge a dollar a minute for access to my internal security cameras and I would have all the money in the freaking world.

Anyway...

I am Tony Stark and I am Iron Man. I cannot spend less than $500,000. Just can't. So simple is out.

It has to be the best Jarvis. Global search. Start now. Best diamond, best platinum, everything. A one of a kind ring. Have my will rewritten. Rhodey gets bumped down. Tera inherits it all if anything happens to me. And Jarvis if anything does happen. Get her that ring. Tell her that I knew I loved her from the moment I saw her.

Don't know what it means to be a husband. My father never even told me he liked me. My mother was not much better. Oh she said the words but I don't know if she meant them. I'll probably suck at this.

I would never have let go. Make sure she knows that.


It is for you. And if he was here he would give it to you. What you do with it is your decision.

[Alexander Tau]

Eventually Tera will see the following document...


Mr. Stark,

As per your instructions we surveyed the entire diamond industry. Private collectors were contacted so that their stones could be surveyed. In the end the stone price is nearly one million dollars more than the market value for a similar stone. That is if one existed.

The center stone is certified by 3 independent experts as the most perfect diamond in existence. The search encompassed every possible source. The smaller stones are of a nearly similar quality.

The setting is one of a kind and crafted in France by the most respected artist alive. Everything was done well sir. Every person involved treated this task with a sincere desire for perfection. I can safely say that each one of us feels we are giving something back to you with this effort.

We met your specifications sir. We hope she likes it.



Sincerely,

Daniel Stakes
Project Leader, IMI, 'The Ring'



Ring Specifications

Size 5.1 carats
Small stones: Total .78 carets

Color D (top possible)
Clarity FL (top possible)
Cut Ideal Brilliant (top possible)

Stones: $1,690,000
Setting: $20,000
Certifications: $290,000

Basic Ring Value: $2,000,000

Added Value based on Purchaser (Tony Stark): $750,000
Added Value based on Recipient (Tera Howe): $250,000

Total Insured Value: $3,000,000

Images Attached

[Alexander Tau]

That evening at 6 pm...

Tony Stark lands in his lab. He walks forward. A grey case opens all on it's own. His armor starts to fly off his body. The pieces seeming to loose their structure in mid-air.

The gold sheath around him slowly retracts. In a very short time he stands naked in the open space.

He feels good.

Strong. Healthy and for the first time since his captivity his heart was safe. He had a little trinket for Tera as the result of that bit of healing. Robots bring him clothes.

His new mind brings him information. He knows where Tera is. He knows what Mama is doing. Dinner is ready and about to be served. Jarvis lets both of them know that the master of the house has arrived. He could have spoken directly to them but no need to be spooky tonight.

He sees that Tera has gone a bit elegant with a lovely dress. Dressing to match is not hard for the billionaire.

Stark heads for the kitchen. He had a little something to show his cook.

Smells good.

Mama Wilson is not a small woman and she has some lungs on her. The sound she makes is not unlike that of a good air raid siren.

"Mr. Tony! We were so worried about you. Look at you now! And you proposed! I was so worried you were going to end up like me old and alone. Miss. Tera is beaming. No wonder that rock would make a dead woman smile!" she gushes.

Glad you approve. Got another surprise for you. A few things have changed for the better.

He has been unbuttoning his shirt. When he gets enough done he pulls it open. The fact that the Arc is no longer there is hard to miss.

Again with the air raid siren.

"You got rid of that horrible thing! Does that mean you are finally healed?" she asks.

Tony nods.

Better than healed. I am stronger, tougher, and faster than ever before.

He lets his cook gush and coo over him for a few minutes. When the house sensors tell him Tera has left their room he heads to the living room. He pours them both drinks and takes his over to the huge windows.

In his hand is a fine silver chain. On it a small heart dangles. The heart is not made of gold or silver. Kinda looks like well polished lead. Another present for his woman. One that others would not want. But he knows she will. It will be a reminder of what can be overcome.

[Soulstrifer]

She lets her hair curl and fall all around her shoulders. She doesn't seem to mind the gown at all. Normally she would shy away from something like this, finding it far too elegant for her to wear. As silly as it is she always worried she would ruin them with one of her shenanigans and so she avoided them completely. No ... today it didn't bother her at all.

She did smooth the silk over her curvy hips as she leaned against the frame of the door and watched him for a moment. He had donned something quite appropriate. She couldn't help the way her eyes swept him. She smiles a little. Was quite nice to look at wasn't he... especially with all that new muscle.

She can't help the sly little smile that crosses her face at those thoughts. She moves towards him.

Are we under siege Sir? Should I take shelter from the raid? Or are you simply trying to give Mama Wilson a heart attack?

[Alexander Tau]

The Narrator speaks...


We have come to the end of our telling of the Tale of Tony and Tera. They met, fell in love and got engaged. There is much more in their future.

The Iron Man and The Oracle will lead the Earth into a new Age. Other Heros will rise and together they will make our world a better place.

They will become legends.

There will be a Wedding some day. A day unlike any this old planet has ever seen. The whole planet watching two people pledge their love. What could be better?

There will be children. One will be named Tanya. They will inherit their parents powers and write their own legends.

Tony and Tera will write their names across the stars. They will live forever. Together.

The End.