"When there's nothing left to call my own, I'll be there for you."

-Anonymous

Dakota Antonia Stark had always loved her lab. It was secluded, quiet, and far away from anyone else who would be struck by the urge to just walk in. At that moment, she was working on a new gadget. It appeared to be a large disk, and it was spitting sparks out as if there was a fire lit somewhere deep inside of it.

Dakota reached across the table, keeping a hand on the top of the disk to hold it closed, and feeling for a screwdriver. Finally, her fingers found the cold plastic. She pulled it to her, and closed the top. She grinned triumphantly, before flipping a switch on the disk. The shape of her friend, Chris Banner, fizzled into existence. She was blue, though, in the hologram.

"That went well," He commented. "Can you see me?"

Dakota nodded in confirmation. "I can." Her grin turned cocky. "You know, you're looking a little blue. Did something go wrong today?"

Chris rolled his eyes. "It's the hologram, Dakota. Anyway, Dad and I will be over sometime soon."

"I shall await it with impatience," Dakota replied. "Bring chocolate or something. It'll make my day."

Chris shrugged a shoulder. "Isn't your brother allergic?"

"Too bad for him," Dakota said. She reached over and switched the disk off. She lifted it up easily, and slid it into a circular space she had reserved especially for it. After closing up, she turned off the lights, locked the door, and wandered upstairs.

"Dad," She called, sticking her hands in her pockets. Dakota glanced into the long hall of bedrooms, and heard swearing and the sounds of roaring and metal clashing together coming from one. "Dad?" Dakota walked to the room, and looked in. Tony Stark was sitting on the ground, in plaid pajamas, with a PlayStation 3 controller in his hands, a stream of cuss words coming from his mouth, and a huge dragon filling a TV screen.

"Hey, 'Kota," Tony said through gritted teeth as his character shot a large ball of something blue at the dragon.

"Is that Skyrim? Really?" Dakota asked, crossing her arms and raising a light red eyebrow at her father. "This is what happens when you get bored, eh?"

"I am not bored. I am saving the world," Tony replied, his thumbs moving extremely quickly to avoid the blast of fire that was being blown at him.

"Didn't you already do that in real life?" Dakota said. She leaned against the doorframe, pretending not to notice the game.

"I don't have to nuke space in this, and I am in no danger of dying," Tony flashed his daughter a grin. "It's a pretty good deal, if you ask me."

"I didn't ask you, but whatever you say," Dakota replied.

"Dakota," Pepper's voice called.

"You just might be in trouble, darlin'," Tony said, his voice teasing.

"If I am, it's your fault, Dad," Dakota joked. "Coming, Mom!"

Pepper was waiting for her daughter in the kitchen downstairs, with a video screen open in front of her. "The Banners are here," She informed Dakota as she walked in. "Can you go get the door?"

Dakota sighed. "Sure."

"Thanks, sweetie," Pepper kissed the top of Dakota's head.

"You're welcome," Dakota said. She went to the elevator, and pressed the down button. "JARVIS," She called.

"Yes, Miss Stark?" JARVIS asked in his cool, calm accent.

"Let the Banners in," Dakota replied.

"Of course," JARVIS said.

Dakota entered the elevator, and waited until it reached the ground floor. Bruce and Betty were there, as was their son, Chris. "Hey, Dakota," Chris grinned when he saw her exit the elevator.

"Hey, Chris," Dakota grinned back. "Bruce, Betty, welcome. Come on in. The others should be arriving soon."

The Banners joined Dakota in entering the elevator, and brought them up. Greetings were chorused as Pepper and Tony greeted Bruce and Betty.

"Tony, why are you still in your pajamas?" Bruce asked.

Tony glanced down at his clothes. "It's the new trend," He joked. "Haven't you heard?"

Bruce chuckled. "Whatever you say."

Dakota linked arms with Chris. "So, did you bring chocolate?" She inquired.

Chris laughed, and took a Butterfinger bar out of his jacket pocket. "Yes, I did."

"You are amazing," Dakota declared, taking the chocolate and nearly dragging Chris towards the table, where their parents were waiting.