AU-squared: someday it will have a name

[americas_son]

Cal could study for the sociology test coming up on Monday. It's not like his grade in that class is so stellar that he can afford to bomb it.

But he could also play sounding board for Sherlock's latest "only in Sunnydale" case.

Guess which one he picked?

Comments

[inhandcuffs.livejournal.com]

"And I can go ask alternate me what the hell he was up to."

Everybody wins!

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I bet he'd love that." Actually, he probably would.

And okay, maybe Cal should be sharing his theories about why, but - it's been a long time, for this Tony. Does he even want to go digging that up?

(Cal realizes that this world's Obadiah Stane cannot possibly have died the same way his world's did.

But it doesn't occur to him that Stane might not have died at all.)

[inhandcuffs.livejournal.com]

"If I can't ask me what the hell I'm up to, who can? Don't answer that, Pepper."

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

Pepper doesn't exactly give him a who, me? look, but she doesn't not give him one, either.

"I'll make sure to keep you both informed," is all she says.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

This time, Cal notices the nickname. Pepper?

Well, it's better than Virginia. He thinks he'll stick to Miss Potts, though.

"Thanks," he says.

[inhandcuffs.livejournal.com]

"Okay, no more emergency. I'm going to work on my cars." He waves a hand at both Cal and Pepper, generally. "Shoo."

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

Pepper sees the startled look that crosses Cal's face and once again steps in to smooth things over, saying with a gracious smile,

"If you could come with me, I'll show you where you'll be staying."

She can't help but wonder what the Tony Stark in Cal's world is like, if a display like this surprises him. As far as she can tell, Tony's manners have not improved with age, but they haven't gotten noticeably worse, either.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Okay, yeah. Thanks."

Cal follows Miss Potts out, deciding that he is actually okay with that, anyway. He needs time for everything to sink in.

That, and his body is beginning to remind him that he took a hard fall and the bruising is going to be spectacular if he doesn't do something about it.