Sunnydale AU: redux

[americas_son]

The day after Sherlock's phone call, Cal gets up early to stop by the Stark residence as promised.

He pulls into the driveway in the car Tony gave him - the only car he drives now - and sits there for a moment after he kills the engine. He takes a slow, steadying breath, hands still on the wheel.

He willingly volunteered for this, but he's not looking forward to it.

(Behind him, a security vehicle pulls into place. Peter doesn't usually send bodyguards with Cal to the Stark residence, but this morning he's sending a message, discreet but clear, that Cal is under protection at all times.)

After a couple moments, he gets out and heads for the door.

Comments

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

"Mm. He had Connolly let me know, in the exceedingly likely event that the whole thing blows up in his face."

At least he knew the steps to take after, and the importance of taking them right away. That gives Peter something to work with, at any rate.

He's been one of the major factors in Mr Chandler's swift and sharp lesson in asserting himself, and he doesn't regret that, but another practice round or two would have been nice before Mr Chandler decided to take on the current CEO of a major fucking weapons manufacturer.

[if_inconvenient]

"If the conflict becomes any more open than this I will have to inform Tony."

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

"Of course," Peter says. "Mr Chandler has managed to arrange things so he'll have an excuse to be there this afternoon as well, so that could be sooner rather than later."

Mr Chandler is taking his self-assumed task of Tonysitting very seriously.

[if_inconvenient]

"Regrettably, I won't be available in the afternoon. I do have an ongoing investigation. I trust that you can handle any emergencies in my absence."

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

"I'll make sure my guys are on the premises."

He considers.

"Mr Chandler will have to leave sometime, though. How likely is Tony to notice someone extra on the property if we're discreet about it?"

Especially since Sherlock can probably arrange to keep Jarvis from bringing it to Tony's attention.

[if_inconvenient]

"Be very discreet, and it shouldn't be a problem. But Jarvis will tell him if asked, so best not give him a reason to ask."

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

"Of course." Peter almost sounds offended. As if he'd send anyone other than his best. As if any of his guys are anything but the best.

His employers have a stake in keeping Stane contained too, after all.

"It'll be Connolly. He can come back around after Cal leaves."

[if_inconvenient]

"Good."

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

"And of course I'll be in touch."

Whether anything happens or not.

"I assume you're looking into the Starks' deaths. And that Stane is unaware of this."

[if_inconvenient]

"Correct on both counts."

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

Peter can't help but shake his head in amazement. What an arrogant idiot.

Really, it's little wonder Mr Chandler feels so confident in taking him on.

"What the hell else does he think you'd be doing there?"

[if_inconvenient]

"I don't believe he expects me to act rationally at all."

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

On the one hand, Peter can understand that sentiment. He himself has long since decided to simply avoid dwelling on the matter of Sherlock's choice of identity and concentrate instead on the kid's obvious and very useful intelligence and levelheadedness. Makes things easier.

On the other hand, has Stane met Sherlock?

"Convenient for you," he remarks.

[if_inconvenient]

"Very."

They've discussed this advantage of his before, in fact.

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

They have. Peter's appreciation for it has since grown.

"All right. If anything unexpected comes up, I'll contact you as soon as I can."

[if_inconvenient]

"Thank you. Anything else?"

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

"Be careful," Peter advises. "Don't give yourself away at the last minute."

Sherlock is the last person in the world who needs to be told something like that, but - some things are automatic.

[if_inconvenient]

"I'll take it under advisement," he says dryly. "Goodbye, Mr Beardsley."

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

"Good luck," Peter answers, and hangs up.

He means it, too. It'd be nice if Sherlock found something concrete at that site. Peter doesn't put too much stock in evidence, but having some never hurts.