<div class="floatleft">(http://images.hitfix.com/photos/158565/Iron_Man_2_Morning_Read_Comic_Con_Day_One_article_story_main.jpg)</div><hr/><br/><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>  Name:</strong> Tony Stark<br/>  <strong>Title:</strong> Iron Man<br/>  <strong>Location:</strong> Fitness Level - Sparring Room<br/>  <strong>Time:</strong> 7:06AM Friday<br/>  <strong>Tags:</strong> <strong>Natasha</strong></span></span><br/><br/><br/><hr/><br/><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: times new roman;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">      Her first move caught Tony off-guard, physically as well as mentally. Of course he was older, slower, and extremely less-experienced in hand to hand combat - so her landing a quick and unexpected blow wasn't a complete surprise. What had surprised him was the attitude behind the attack, and the possibility that he actually <em>had</em> gotten under her skin. He couldn't count the number of times he'd done so before even on a single hand. That or something else had rattled her chain this morning, but taking it out on him was completely unlike Natasha.<br/><br/>     But then... how well did he really know her? Sure she'd been an assistant at Stark Industries - but that was all just a cover anyways. They'd been in combat together, albeit briefly; but the majority of his knowledge about Natasha had probably come from this very ring over the last few months. It really wasn't much to go off of.<br/><br/>     As quick as the thoughts raced to his mind when she's launched at him, he dismissed them - focusing on the task at hand, which would be much more than he could handle - especially in the sour mood she appeared to be in. Unless that too was just a ruse. He couldn't assume anything, he just took up a neutral stance as she bounded back a bit - so he'd be ready for what came next. He could feel the pain in his ribs from her early score, there would be a bruise there tomorrow for sure.<br/><br/>     Tony hated taking a defensive position, but he couldn't be overly aggressive to Widow either. Counterstrikes tended to do much more damage than the blows she came up with on her own. He took a step toward her, hands up and ready to block or parry blows as he sought out his own opportunity to strike.<br/><br/>     <strong>"I'm sure it will kick in eventually; but I suppose you should take your shots now, while you still can."</strong> It was an instinctive reply. One which he'd likely pay for having said in the very near future, but he almost couldn't help it. He'd do the same thing in combat against a real opponent, so it was probably best that he learned to deal with angry rage-driven opponents. And that was why he had no desire to go toe-to-toe with Banner. Ever.<br/><br/>    He was less than a meter in front of her now, and light on the balls of his feet - ready to move, shift, and utilize his legs for offense or defense. That was the biggest lesson he'd gotten from Natasha, every part of the body was weapon: arms, legs, knees, elbows, head; anything and everything. Improvisation was key. <strong>"I take it today we'll be reviewing all the past lessons?"</strong> He feigned a light jab just to get some movement out of her, but was careful not to put any weight or force behind it that she could use against him.<br/></span></span></div>