Chapter Text
Steve was not happy. At first, everything was perfect. Tony had finally received the punishment he deserved, and Steve no longer had someone he couldn't trust on his team anymore. If it had happened earlier, maybe poor Wanda would have her parents and her brother alive.
The team's installation in the Compound was a really good thing too. They were further away from any place related to Tony and SI, which was really all for the better after the ULTRON disaster, and since Steve was far-sighted, he had made clear to the world he wasn’t on Tony’s side.
After a few months of freedom and happiness, however, things started to go downhill. The team's gear was not being replaced, and the annual funding increment they used to have never came.
Of course, Tony was being petty, even from jail. It was probably his answer to the team sticking up for Wanda. He had tried to make her admit that she had been behind Banner’s madness in Johannesburg, but Steve knew that was just a way to shift the blame. Tony didn’t want to be the only one blamed by the crowd. Typical Tony.
The Avengers' plans depended on that annual increment. Of course, they still had the regular funds Tony allocated before going to jail, but it wasn’t enough to achieve Steve’s vision for the Avengers, and to find Bucky at the same time. Steve shouldn’t have to choose between finding Bucky and the Avengers. Because of that, Steve had been forced to demand an appointment with Miss Potts
He was currently waiting to be called into her office, and she was already 15 minutes late. For him, being punctual was a mark of respect, but he should have known that Tony’s girl would be as rude as he was.
Finally, her secretary called him in to Miss Potts's office.
“Welcome, Captain Rogers. I hope tou had a pleasant trip…”
That was another thing he wanted to talk about. Both Quinjets had been taken away for maintenance a few weeks ago and had not been returned. What was going to happen the next time the Avengers were needed? Or worse, if Natasha finally found a viable trace of Bucky and he had no way to join him? Steve gritted his teeth.
“That's one of the things we need to talk about, Miss Potts,” Steve said professionally.
“Hello, Captain Rogers.”
“I heard you the first time,” he said, looking at her like she was stupid.
“Really? I wasn’t sure, since you didn’t answer….” Pepper gave him an angelic smile, which made Steve flush with embarrassment.
“Sorry, Miss Potts… Good afternoon, I suppose…”
He didn’t know how to start to ask her about increasing the funding now. He shouldn’t have let his anger towards Tony get in the way of his manners.
“Captain Rogers, in your email you asked about increasing the Avengers' annual funding, and you were also asking for new gear for all of your team. Could you give me some more details, please?”
“Yes. Wanda doesn’t have any gear, and we all need ours replaced. It's all too old to protect us properly. Also, Natasha needs new Widow's Bites and Sam needs his wings to be serviced.”
“I agree, your team's safety is the priority, Captain. However, with Tony in jail your former contractor and mechanic is not available to fix your weapons or your gear anymore,” said Miss Potts apologetically.
Steve hadn't considered that .
Furthermore,” she continued, “Tony gave you one year of funding three months early, because of his upcoming jail sentence. As you know, Tony’s personal funds have been frozen by the government. You might have to find another sponsor for next year, or maybe even now, if the current funding is not enough.”
Steve smiled at her.
“Don’t worry, Miss Potts. On Natasha’s advice, I contacted the President and he willingly made an exception for the Avengers. Tony will be able to give us money, and it shouldn’t be too hard to find someone in SI able to replace Tony as our mechanic.”
Miss Potts's eyes seemed to glow orange for an instant and Steve thought the light of the sun was beautiful in her eyes.
“How thoughtful of you, Captain Rogers. Unfortunately, no one in SI is able to do this kind of work. All of our weapons and military engineers resigned when Tony decided to end weapons manufacture. It was a big thing a few years ago, but it was before your time, so you probably didn’t know….”
Of course Steve knew all of that, but he had expected SI would make an exception for the Avengers. Miss Potts was looking at him, desperate to help without being able to. Everything was Tony’s fault, and now this poor woman was uncomfortable because of him.
“Maybe if you add extra to the funds, we could get a new contractor?”
She should be happier. Steve was helping her fix the situation. The poor woman deserved some help, and he would not be like Tony, who was unable to think of anyone other than himself.
“It’s a good idea, Captain. I will organize the new funding once I have Tony’s approval on it. It’s just a formality, but I will have to go to Sokovia to get his sign-off.”
“I though you were acting as his proxy?”
Steve was confused, but Miss Potts's answer made sense to anyone who knew Tony Stark.
“Yes, effectively. However,” she looked uncomfortable, “Tony likes to have control, and it’s very difficult for him in jail. If I want things to go smoothly, it's better for both of us to ask him first. We don’t want him to change his mind about the funding once he's ended his prison term, right?”
Of course, Tony was pathetic like that. Not really a surprise. However, Steve had thought he might have treated his girl better.
Steve stood, ready to leave now he had no further questions for Miss Potts.
“I understand, Miss Potts. Please, get back in touch with me once you have Tony’s approval.”
“Of course, Captain Rogers. May I give you one piece of advice?”
He stopped, his hand on the doorknob.
“Please do, Miss Potts”
“Tony’s financial situation is not of the best. The Avengers need the best the world can give to help them protect the planet. It might be a good idea not to have all of your eggs in one basket. Of course Tony will always fund you, but what's the point if it’s a too-small amount of money?” she said quietly, as if it was a dark secret.
It probably was, but Steve would not break her confidence.
“Thanks, Miss Potts. It’s a wise piece of advice.”
He closed the door behind him.
+++
Alone in her office, Pepper exhaled loudly. That had been close. It sounded like the President was in Rogers's pocket. She had known he wasn’t Tony’s friend, but this was a whole other level of craziness. In the current situation, she could not refuse to fund the Avengers, it was the only good press Tony had. Fortunately, she would be able to delay the funding, even though using Tony like that had made her feel sick. It certainly confirmed all of Rogers's views about a woman's place in a relationship, not to mention about Tony himself.
She had to start moving her pieces sooner than expected. Rogers was too self-righteous, and his friends were too well-connected not to be a threat. With Tony's credibility at an all-time low, she could not be too careful. She, Rhodes and FRIDAY had to organize something to limit the President's actions concerning Tony’s money.
Now she had to call Christine Everhart sooner than originally planned. She sincerely hoped the journalist would put aside personal animosity in favor of a really juicy story.