hypoxic | IC Inbox (entranceway)

Agent Fitz, this is Pepper Potts.

I just wanted to say thank you for your help during the recent event. You went out of your way to be kind to me and kept me calm and I really appreciate it. I hope you're doing better as well.

[ there's a yelp on his end, followed by aggressive paper-shuffling. The event had been the sort of challenge that they all might just agree to never speak of again. ]

Oh -- no, it was hardly anything you ought to thank me for. It's simply a relief that it's passed without casualty.

[ It might be the sort of thing one wishes to forget, but Pepper is nothing if not willing to thank people when they help her! ]

It is a relief. You're part of that. You're doing better, I hope?

Oh, that was... it's long passed. [ he grimaces, though. ]

Time helps. It seems that you might relate.

[ Proper Potts isn't on their list of known powered people. She's done a good job of keeping this to herself. ]

[ It was pretty easy to do, given the kerfuffle around the president's kidnapping and attempted assassination. That helped. ]

Time and a lot of therapy.

[ But she has a feeling there's something else there, and she almost smiles a little, though he can't see her right now. ]

Tony figured out the Extremis thing. It's - dormant, I guess is the best way to put it. The only thing it does now is when I get a paper cut, it heals pretty fast.

It sounds like Mr. Stark and I have a few things to discuss, then. [ he grinds his teeth at the idea, though. It's painful to talk to Stark. ]

But in any case, it's encouraging to know you've recovered. You'll let us know about any flareups, yeah?

Nothing's happened in... three years, not until this event. You can see why we kept it quiet - it was kinda personal, and I'm not a danger to anyone these days.

[ Why is she explaining this? Who knows. She wasn't expecting anyone here to find out about it, so maybe she feels like she owes one. ]

Of course I understand why you'd want to keep it quiet. Preserving the security and safety of the powered community is something we take seriously. There and here.

If you ever feel the need to seek out a dampener, I hope you'll trust me to be discrete.

A dampener? You have something like that?

I'd need to modify it for what we know about Extremis, but I'm familiar with the technology.

[ they're the actual men in black. Surely Pepper didn't think aliens were the only thing that needed to be covered up? ]

I don't need it, I just... have to wonder if Dr. Banner knows.

[ he takes in a sharp breath at that, continuing in a colder tone. ]

Doctor Banner's been here. We weren't able to mend his issue, unfortunately.

[ And Pepper, for her part, lets out a breath on a sigh. ]

That's too bad. I'm glad he's not here anymore, though. That's the last thing he needs.

He made his mark before he left.

[All the Avengers did. He tries not to still be bitter about it.]

Bruce - Dr. Banner, he's a good guy.

[ He's probably the Avenger Pepper likes the most - or at least, knows best, given his friendship with Tony. But still! Bruce is Good People. ]

And so are you. I'll definitely drop you a line if I need help with any of this stuff again.

[A "good guy" who's also a coward. Bruce Banner runs away when he's needed most, and Fitz will never forgive him for his absence.]

I'll be here for you. Whatever you need.

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