Jay wasn't one to let things slide. The more she observed Tony's behavior, the more convinced she became that there was something he wasn't telling her. Over dinner, her questions became sharper, her tone more insistent.
"Okay, so let's recap," she said, setting her fork down with deliberate precision. "In the last week, you've gone from collapsing on the beach and nearly dying, to... I don't even know. Running circles around delivery gigs, speaking Korean like a native, and looking like a Men's Health cover model. Am I missing anything?"
Tony smiled nervously, trying to project a casual calm. "I told you, Jay—I've just been feeling good. Maybe the hospital scare snapped me out of my slump."
Jay crossed her arms, leveling him with a glare. "A slump? Tony, you look like you've been secretly training with The Rock. And don't think I didn't notice how you handled that bar fight at the restaurant. You were too calm—like you knew exactly how it was gonna go."
Tony sighed, setting down his glass of water. "Look, I know it seems weird—"
"Weird?!" Jay interrupted, her voice rising. "Tony, this isn't just weird. It's... it's impossible. People don't just bounce back from near-death experiences like this. And they definitely don't casually bench-press their coffee table into pieces."
Tony winced. Thanks for noticing that, Jay. "All right, fine," he said, holding up his hands. "You're right. Something's changed, okay? But I'm still figuring it out myself."
Jay's expression softened slightly, but her eyes remained wary. "Figuring what out? Is it medical? Something from the hospital? Or..." She hesitated, lowering her voice. "Is it something else?"
Tony hesitated, his mind racing. Roomie, suggestions?
Partial truth advised. Avoid mentioning my presence explicitly.
Tony took a deep breath. "I don't know for sure yet. It's like... my body's adapting somehow. I can't explain it, but I feel stronger, faster. Like I've unlocked something. That's all I've got right now."
Jay studied him for a long moment before finally sighing. "Fine. But I'm not dropping this, Tony. If you're turning into a superhero or something, I deserve to know."
Tony chuckled softly. "Superhero? Come on, Jay. You've been watching too many movies."
Jay rolled her eyes. "Just don't make me your Lois Lane, okay? I don't have time to get kidnapped every other week."
The conversation shifted as they finished dinner, but the tension lingered in the air. Tony offered to walk Jay to her car, hoping the cool evening breeze would clear his head. As they strolled through the quiet streets, the sound of tires screeching broke the peace.
A black sedan careened around the corner at high speed, barreling down the narrow street. Tony's instincts kicked in immediately—something wasn't right. Moments later, a second car appeared in pursuit, its headlights cutting through the dark like knives.
"Tony, what the hell?" Jay whispered, gripping his arm as they stepped back onto the sidewalk.
Before Tony could respond, the first car skidded to a stop in front of a small convenience store. The driver—a panicked young man clutching a duffel bag—leapt out and bolted toward the store. The second car stopped abruptly, and two men in dark suits stepped out, both carrying guns.
"Stay here," Tony said firmly, his voice low and steady.
"Tony, don't—" Jay began, but he was already moving.
Tony's body moved before his mind could fully process the situation, his instincts honed by years of experience and now amplified by his enhancements. The first man's gun gleamed under the streetlights, and Tony's eyes locked on the subtle tension in his trigger finger.
That's my cue, he thought.
He closed the distance in a blur, his enhanced reflexes turning what would've been a mad sprint into a calculated glide. His hand clamped down on the barrel of the gun, twisting it sharply. The man gasped as the weapon was wrenched from his grip, and Tony tossed it behind him, hearing the metallic clatter as it hit the pavement.
"Too slow," Tony muttered, delivering a lightning-fast jab to the man's midsection. The assailant doubled over, wheezing as he staggered backward.
Roomie, how'd I do?
Efficient. Reflex timing: 0.3 seconds. Strike precision: optimal. Recommended improvement: apply more force to incapacitate.
Tony smirked. Noted.
The second man reacted quickly, raising his weapon and taking aim. Tony pivoted, his enhanced senses picking up the subtle shift in the man's grip and the direction of his aim. The gun went off, the sound a deafening crack, but Tony was already moving. The bullet grazed his shirt, missing him by a hair.
Detection of trajectory indicates shooter is inexperienced. Minimal threat.
Yeah, I caught that, Tony thought, closing in on the second man. He swiped the gun from the assailant's hand with a fluid motion, then twisted the man's wrist just enough to force him to drop to his knees. A swift elbow to the chest sent him sprawling onto the hood of the car, dazed but conscious.
The first man lunged at Tony from behind, clearly unwilling to back down. Tony caught the movement out of the corner of his eye and spun, his palm striking the man's shoulder with enough force to send him crashing into the passenger-side door.
"Stay down," Tony said, his voice low and commanding.
As the two men groaned on the ground, Tony straightened, his muscles humming with energy. That was... something, he thought.
Analysis: Tactical efficiency at 92%. Reaction times continue to improve. Observed weakness: insufficient follow-through on secondary assailant.
Tony snorted softly. Weakness? I handled it.
Reducing threats to full incapacitation ensures minimal risk of escalation. Precision strikes to joints or pressure points could enhance results.
Tony rolled his eyes. Noted, Roomie. I'll take a martial arts refresher course, okay?
Recommendation is sound.
Tony sighed, stepping back as the man with the duffel bag stumbled forward, his eyes wide with fear and confusion. "Who... who are you?" the man stammered, clutching the bag tightly.
"Just a guy who happened to be in the right place," Tony replied, his tone calm. He turned toward Jay, who was still rooted to the sidewalk, her face a mix of shock and awe. "You good?"
Jay blinked, snapping out of her daze. "Am I good? Tony, what the hell just happened? You just... you took those guys down like they were nothing. And that speed—how are you even human right now?"
Tony exhaled, gripping the steering wheel tightly as he drove her home. "Jay, I promise I'll explain everything soon. But right now? I just need you to trust me."
Before Tony could respond, distant sirens began to wail, growing louder by the second. He glanced down at the two men on the ground and knew sticking around wasn't an option.
"We need to go," he said, grabbing Jay's hand.
"Tony—" she started, but he cut her off with a firm look.
"Now," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
They hurried down the street, slipping into an alleyway before the police cars arrived. Tony kept his grip on Jay's hand firm but gentle, his mind racing. Roomie's hum was faint now, as though assessing the situation in real time.
When law enforcement arrives, anonymity is advised. Physical description may match incident reports.
Yeah, I figured as much, Tony replied silently. We're not sticking around for interviews.
They reached Jay's car, and Tony gestured for her to get in. She hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on him.
"Tony, what's going on with you?" she asked, her voice low. "That wasn't just a fight. You moved like... like nothing could touch you."
"I'll explain," Tony said, his voice steady. "But not here. Let's get out of here first."
Reluctantly, Jay nodded and climbed into the driver's seat. Tony slid in beside her, his body still buzzing with adrenaline. As the car pulled away from the scene, he glanced at her, his jaw tightening.
Roomie, I've got to get ahead of this, he thought. She's not gonna let this go.
Transparency will strengthen trust. Selective disclosure is recommended.
Tony sighed. Easier said than done.