After the call from the congressional liaison office ended, Nick Fury's office fell silent for two seconds.
Tony checked the time on his wrist.
"Forty-eight hours."
His tone was level.
"I'm a very reasonable man."
Wasp glanced at him.
"You don't look reasonable at all right now. This is the first time I've thought you were handsome. Seriously."
Tony turned and headed out.
"That's their problem, then. Also, ma'am, was there something wrong with your taste before? My good looks are an objective fact."
Outside the door, War Machine leaned against the wall.
He hadn't gone in earlier.
He didn't want to get involved in Tony and Fury's argument.
That sort of thing could easily turn into both sides thinking he ought to talk the other one down.
He wasn't going to.
His only job today was to stand at the door and keep the S.H.I.E.L.D. people from charging in.
When Tony came out, Rhodey glanced down at an internal update.
"Washington's in chaos."
Tony pressed the elevator button.
"How much chaos? Tell me. Make my day."
Rhodey handed him the screen.
"All three of the Administrative Bureau's technical demonstrations have been interrupted. Two procurement committees have called emergency halts. And a few old friends' funds are taking a dive."
Tony finally smiled.
"I like that news."
Wasp leaned over for a look.
The screen was full of market news and internal briefings.
She couldn't make sense of the densely packed numbers, but she understood the red arrows.
Lots of red arrows.
Now those bigwigs could get a "rosy glow" buff just by opening their phone screens.
They should thank Iron Man for his gift.
"They lost a lot of money?"
Rhodey took the screen back.
"The companies lost more, but the companies aren't even the most interesting part today."