Tony Stark's Office

[Tony Stark]

"My dear boy, I didn't know she was crazy when I stuck it in there. Also...it was a chance encounter on a beach in Rome. Then we met again in Madrid. I didn't realize she'd be so persistent. Or so....fecund."

[Ryan Gabriel]

Ryan smirked. "Right, because I didn't just see you there with not one, but two certifiably crazy bitches and a pregnant stalker. The last one I totally feel your pain on, though, by the way. I hate paternity tests."

[Tony Stark]

"Oh, but I was interested in the lovely Ms. Nightridge for more...professional reasons." Tony said with a smirk, "Give me a little credit. Maddie I just wasn't able to avoid. You know how it is." he added, unlocking the door.

[Ryan Gabriel]

"Yeah, I think I heard," Ryan said dryly. "The last thing that girl needs is more guns. And dare I ask if there's any credit to that third woman's claim?"

[Tony Stark]

"We hooked up a few times, if memory serves." Tony said easily as they entered the room "You know how it is, right?" he said, smirking at Ryan "While we're hiding, can I offer you a drink?"

[Ryan Gabriel]

"Please. I have a feeling when I get back out there, the gun-freak is going to be even more pissed at me than usual. Don't give her anything that works, by the way. Please. Not even to hold."

[Tony Stark]

"Oh, why is that." Tony said, turning to face the bar and mix Ryan a drink. Since he was inbetween Ryan and the bar, it was unlikely Ryan would notice the white powder that Tony slipped into the drink.

[Ryan Gabriel]

"Because she's a crazy bitch, and I'm a crazy bitch magnet? Come on, you have to remember how that goes," Ryan said, rolling his eyes.

"Plus, I sort of got roped in by her little sister, and then cut her loose. So... yeah, hell hath no fury like the crazy older sister of a woman scorned."

[Tony Stark]

Tony chuckled as he handed Ryan the drink "Ryan, my boy, this is why you need to go after the girls, instead of letting them come after you."

[Ryan Gabriel]

"Preaching to the choir," Ryan sighed. "Fortunately, I snagged one before she could get away again. Sad that she couldn't make it tonight, really, but there are always other parties."

[Tony Stark]

"Really? Aren't you a little young to be settling on one girl?" Tony asked jovially "Who is the lucky minx?"

[Ryan Gabriel]

Ryan smirked a little. "Please. It's Bear. She's not limiting me to just her. Since I am still young enough to handle the masses without mechanical assistance," he joked, taking a pull from his drink.

[Tony Stark]

"Ah, to be young again." Tony said with a smirk "Now-a-days....twice or thrice in a night, and I'm spent. But I'm glad to hear that Bear isn't opposed to sharing. Monogamy is so...dated, don't you think?"

[Ryan Gabriel]

"Then it should be right up your alley, Uncle Tony," Ryan countered with a cocky grin. "How did it go again? Here's to the ladies we've loved and left," he said, raising his glass.

[Tony Stark]

"And loved all over again." Tony said, taking a sip of his drink.

[Ryan Gabriel]

"Amen to that," Ryan sighed, downing the rest of his drink.

[Tony Stark]

"So, are you going to be busy next weekend?" Tony asked, taking another swig of his drink.

[Ryan Gabriel]

"Not that I know of. Unless Dr. Doom decides to invade London or something, at least."

[Tony Stark]

"Excellent. Can I get you another?" he asked, indicating Ryan's empty glass "I was thinking we could have a night out on the town. Go to some of the nicer clubs, dance with some pretty girls, bring the best looking half dozen back here......" he chuckled knowingly.

[Ryan Gabriel]

Ryan scoffed. "Please, you know that's not my thing," he said, holding his glass out for a refill.

[Tony Stark]

"Ok, the best looking dozen." Tony said with a chuckle, refilling Ryan's glass. "I still say that you shouldn't knock what you haven't tried."

[Ryan Gabriel]

Ryan gave Tony a look. "I have tried it, and you damn well know that. My mom almost gave you second-degree burns the last time we did that. I know you're not senile enough to forget that."

[Tony Stark]

"Yeah, of course." Tony said, hastily covering the flub "Still, Mommy is an ocean away. No reason not to indulge a bit." he added, topping off Ryan's glass. He knew that the drug would be taking affect at any time, and hoped that he wouldn't make any more mistakes before it did.

[Ryan Gabriel]

"Never really... listened much to her annn..." Ryan blinked, trying to shake the sudden dizziness off. "Annneeeewwwwwwwhat the ffffuuu..." He didn't even manage to finish saying it before he fell to the floor.

[Tony Stark]

As Ryan crumpled to the floor, a panel opened in Stark's office and a young man, who bore a remarkable resemblance to the one on the floor stepped out.

"Did you get a good scan?" Tony asked.

"Not as good as I would have liked." 'Ryan' replied "I should be able to stand up to casual telepathic scans, though."

"Excellent, excellent." Tony said with a smile "I'll make sure he's taken down with the others, you go back out and enjoy the party."

"Thanks, Uncle Tony." Ryan said, grinning at him as he poked his doppleganger with his toe "Are we still on for Saturday?"

"Of course, my boy, of course." Tony said with a smirk "Both of us have a reputation to maintain.