Chapter 8: Return to New York
It wasn't long before the armored transport Happy had arranged arrived at the extraction point. Ethan's crew loaded up and headed for the nearest Afghan airstrip.
At the airport, as the group prepared to board, Yinsen turned and walked over to Ethan. He took both of Ethan's hands in his own.
"Thank you for saving me. Even though... I know I wasn't the reason you came."
「DING!」
「Congratulations, Host! Yinsen has been added as a friend!」
「Attribute Gained: Chemistry Lv.8!」
「Integrate immediately?」
"Do it."
A torrent of chemical knowledge flooded Ethan's mind — molecular structures, reaction pathways, synthesis techniques, advanced pharmacology. In seconds, he'd become one of the foremost chemists on the planet.
He smiled warmly at Yinsen. "We're friends now, aren't we? And friends look out for each other. That's how it works."
Yinsen laughed softly. Nothing else needed to be said.
"Dr. Yinsen — would you like to come back with us?" Ethan asked.
"Already tried." Tony cut in, waving a hand. "He turned me down. Says he wants to go home and see his kids."
Ethan said nothing. Because he knew the truth — Yinsen's family had been killed by the militants long ago. Everything he'd told Tony in that cave about going home to see them had been a lie. A beautiful, necessary lie designed to give Tony Stark a reason to fight his way out.
Yinsen's eyes went hollow. "Tony... I lied to you. My family is gone. They were killed by those men a long time ago. Everything I said in there — about going home — I made it up." He stared at the ground. "The truth is, I don't know where to go."
Ethan studied the man's face. The light had gone out of his eyes. Ethan put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm building a community school in Hell's Kitchen. We need a science teacher — someone who actually knows what they're talking about. I've got a seven-story apartment building with a spare room, meals included, full benefits." He paused. "What do you say, Doc?"
"Yinsen, buddy — don't listen to him." Tony stepped in immediately. "Come work for Stark Industries. I'll set you up with your own lab in Stark Tower. State of the art. Whatever you want to research, you research. A mind like yours doesn't belong in some neighborhood school."
Ethan shot Tony a look. "How about you worry about yourself first, Stark? Take a look at that nightlight in your chest. When that thing stops glowing, we both know what happens — and 'surviving' isn't guaranteed. So let's table the recruiting war for now. Yinsen comes with me. If he's not happy in Hell's Kitchen, I'll personally deliver him to your front door."
Tony opened his mouth to argue, then thought better of it.
The group boarded Tony's private jet. Within the hour, they were airborne and headed for JFK.
Pietro put in his earbuds and was asleep before they hit cruising altitude. Deadpool Dog was working his way through a five-course meal prepared by the flight attendant. Wade was also eating — while simultaneously hitting on the flight attendant with the persistence of a man who had never once been told "yes" and refused to let that stop him. Yinsen sat with Happy, the two of them deep in quiet conversation.
Ethan settled into a leather seat across from Tony, swirling a crystal wine glass. The glass was filled with 1982 vintage... Coca-Cola.
Tony, meanwhile, had transformed. Gone was the gaunt, filthy prisoner in rags. In his place sat a man in a perfectly tailored suit, eating steak with a knife and fork, radiating the effortless charisma that had made him the most famous face on the planet.
Clothes really do make the man, Ethan thought.
"So, Ethan." Tony set down his fork. "What's the plan when you get back to New York? That dog of yours — the ugly one — it's clearly intelligent. Would you consider lending it to me for a while? I'd love to run some tests."
Ethan shook his head without hesitation. "They're my family, Tony. Every single one of them. Nobody gets loaned out."
Tony blinked. Something flickered behind his eyes — surprise, maybe, or recognition.
"Family, huh." He was quiet for a moment. "Must be nice."
"You've got family too, you know." Ethan spread his hands. "Pepper Potts. The way that woman moved heaven and earth to find you — you really think that's just an employee-employer thing? Come on, man. Wake up. You're not getting any younger."
Tony actually sputtered. "I — what are you — we just met and you're giving me relationship advice?"
But even as the words came out, Tony couldn't shake the feeling. He'd known this guy for all of six hours, and somehow it felt like talking to an old friend. Maybe it was because Ethan had saved his life. Maybe it was something else.
He didn't examine it too closely.
"Tony — it's okay if I call you that, right? I mean, you're technically my client, but we're also friends now." Tony didn't object, so Ethan continued. "The people who knew about your Afghanistan trip — it couldn't have been a long list. Have you thought about who set you up?"
Tony was a genius. He heard the implication immediately.
"You're saying there's a mole. Inside my company."
"It's your business, not mine. I'm just pointing out the obvious — whoever did this wanted you dead. And now that you're alive? They're not going to just shrug and move on. They'll try again. And they might go through the people closest to you to do it."
Tony's expression darkened. He looked down at the arc reactor glowing through his shirt. He might be living on borrowed time himself — but the thought of someone hurting Pepper because of him...
"New job." Tony's voice was sharp, urgent. "First contract: protect Pepper Potts. Keep her safe until we find whoever's behind this. Second contract: find them."
He held up one finger. "Ten million."
Ethan smiled and shook his head. "You two are really something, you know that? She spends a fortune hiring us to rescue you, and now you're spending a fortune hiring us to protect her. At this rate I'm just a full-time employee for the Stark-Potts household."
"Twenty million." Tony read the hesitation as a negotiation tactic.
"It's not about the money." Ethan held up a hand. "When you get back to the States, there'll be people watching over you — powerful people. I'd rather not get involved with them." He paused. "As for finding whoever sold you out? Five million. Friends-and-family discount."
Ethan already knew exactly who the traitor was. This was practically free money. But he couldn't just come out and say it — Tony would never believe him. The man behind it all was Obadiah Stane, Tony's own godfather. His father's oldest friend. You didn't drop a bomb like that without evidence. Better to guide Tony toward the truth and let him discover it himself.
Besides, Ethan had just made a hundred million dollars off the guy. Squeezing him for more felt... wrong. Even for a mercenary with a Five-Finger Discount skill.
"But here —" Ethan pulled a slip of paper from his coat and held it out. "This is my personal number. If Pepper's ever in trouble, call me. We'll be there inside five minutes. Pricing negotiable."
He added: "And if you're really worried, send her to Hell's Kitchen for a while. We'll keep her safe."
"Hell's Kitchen?" Tony looked at him like he'd suggested hiding Pepper in a volcano. "You're joking. That's the most dangerous neighborhood in New York."
"Dangerous for most people, sure." Ethan met his eyes. "But for Pepper Potts? Hell's Kitchen is the safest place in the city. Because that's where we are."
Tony studied him for a long moment. Then pocketed the phone number.
"I'll think about the Kitchen thing. But the other job — finding whoever did this — that's yours. The second you have something, call me."
He stood and walked toward Happy, his mind already racing ahead to blueprints, to the suit, to the power he needed to build. Because at the end of the day, Tony Stark trusted only one thing to keep the people he loved safe: himself.
Ethan shrugged at Tony's retreating back, closed his eyes, and settled in for the ride home.
Hours later. JFK Airport. New York.
The jet touched down on a private runway.
Waiting on the tarmac: four vehicles. Two Rolls-Royces. A military armored transport. An ambulance. Plus a full contingent of personnel — Pepper Potts standing front and center, eyes locked on the plane; Colonel James Rhodes and a squad of military liaisons off to one side; and a medical team with a stretcher at the ready.
All of them here for one man.
The cabin door opened. Tony Stark appeared at the top of the stairs.
He spotted the stretcher being wheeled toward him and waved it off immediately. "I'm fine. I can walk. I can jump. I could probably do a cartwheel if someone dared me. Send it back."
He descended the stairs slowly, and Pepper watched him come — her eyes red, one hand pressed over her mouth.
"You're crying." Tony stopped in front of her. His voice was softer than anyone had ever heard it. "Were you worried about me? Don't be. I'm home."
He pulled her into a hug.
Pepper laughed through her tears, wiping her eyes on his shoulder. "These are happy tears. You know how hard it is to find a good job in this economy."
The moment hung there — warm, fragile, real.
FWEEEEEE!
A wolf-whistle shattered it like a brick through a window.
Ethan, still standing in the cabin doorway, whipped around and hit Wade with a death glare that could have stripped paint.
He'd deliberately held back, giving Tony and Pepper their moment. He'd even been enjoying the show. And then this idiot —
Pepper stepped back from Tony quickly, smoothing her blazer. She walked up to Ethan with a composed smile, professional mode re-engaged.
"Mr. Cross. Thank you. For bringing him home safely. I'll have the final payment processed by end of week."
Tony appeared at her shoulder. "Put it on the company card. I'm expensing this."
"Obviously. I certainly don't have that kind of money." Pepper rolled her eyes.
Ethan waved it off. "Don't mention it. And don't forget our bet, Ms. Rushman owes me a friendship." He glanced at the military escorts flanking the runway. "Looks like you've got things to handle. I won't keep you, Mr. Stark. The other matter we discussed — I'll be in touch the moment I have something."
He spotted Colonel Rhodes in the crowd. Military. Government. The kind of people who asked too many questions.
Time to leave.
Ethan turned to go, then paused. Looked back over his shoulder.
"Oh — one more thing, Tony."
Tony raised an eyebrow.
"Keep an eye on your new secretary."
He didn't wait for a response. Just walked down the stairs, collected his crew, and disappeared into the New York afternoon.
Ethan knew what was coming. The blueprints Tony was clutching would become the Iron Man suit. And the moment that suit took flight, the Marvel Universe's clock would officially start ticking.
The age of heroes was about to begin.