Truth, Love, and Home: Tony Faces and Accepts His Family

Disclaimers: I do not own Marvel, Disney, Fox, Sony, or any characters, movies, and ideas associated with the before mentioned companies. This is a work of entertainment. There is no monetary gain or other profit being made from this fiction. I am not making money from this and no copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: Tony Stark has a secret daughter that only he, Pepper, Happy, and Rhodey know about. She visits him during her stay in New York for official business. The team is shocked and surprised by her and Bucky sees it as an opportunity to give Steve a nudge to go back into the world after Sharon.

Chapter 3: Em : Elizabeth Maria

Natasha returns from her mission early and the only thing she wants is a hot shower and a bottle of vodka. Walking out of the elevator she hears an unfamiliar female voice in the kitchen. Taking her gun out of the holster, she stalks towards the kitchen. Peering around the corner, she sees a lean young woman wearing sweat pants and a sports bra rummaging through the refrigerator grumbling on her phone.

The young woman straightens up and runs a hand through dark chestnut hair. "Yeah, I know that data is there because I know I saved it. Have you tried looking under the file labeled "Bern 2015?" No? Why am I not surprised. Now you see it? Good, the next time you call, please make sure it is an actual emergency. I'm not on vacation! I'm scheduled to do a conference in two days at MIT and then I've got to see about a few things regarding the family business." She turns and sees Natasha pointing a gun at her. "I've got to go. I think the welcome committee is here."

Natasha looks at her and keeps her glare and gun steady. "Who are you?"

Looking at Natasha, the girl rolls her eyes. "Elizabeth Maria Stark. Lady if you're going to threaten me, then you're going to need something a little bigger than a Dessert Eagle; I've lived in Sweden for four years, that isn't scary."

Tilting her head, Natasha looks at her and sees the resemblance. "You are related to Tony."

Rolling her eyes, Elizabeth sighs. "I would hope so, half of my genetic material belongs to him. He hasn't told anyone has he?"

Natasha is about to respond when Tony and the others walk in. Scowling, Elizabeth throws a roll of paper towels at Tony. "I messaged you a week ago that I was coming and you told your team nothing. She thought I was an evil agent or something. What the hell, dad?"

Everyone, stops and looks at Tony. Shifting, Tony chuckles. "Looks like Clint isn't the only one with a secret family."

Looking at Tony, Elizabeth shakes her head and grabs her sweat shirt off of the couch. "Nice. I'm going out. Explain it while I'm gone or have Pepper do it. I don't care."

She shoves her way passed the team and waits for the elevator. Tony sighs and looks at the ceiling. "FRIDAY, hold elevator."

Growling, she looks at him. "FRIDAY, belay that."

Frowning, Tony shoves his way passed the shocked team. "Em, I'm sorry. I got occupied."

Crossing her arms, she stares at the doors. "Yeah, I heard. You almost died. Thanks for calling me and telling me you were fine."

Sighing, Tony runs his hands through his hair. "I didn't have time. We had to save Cap and prepare for Bucky's trial."

Turning quickly, she glares at him. "I'm not doing this in front of your friends, but here is a good question. How long does it take to send one damn email or text? Let me go get something to eat because I'm not eating moldy take out."

The elevator doors open and she turns and walks into a walk of muscle and she falls back. "Ow! What the- hello."

Flustered, Steve helps her up. "I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"

Nodding she looks at him and the man behind him and gives her brightest smile. "Hi. I'm Elizabeth Maria. My friends call me Em."

Looking closely at her Bucky laughs. "I know a Stark when I see one. Tony, you have a daughter?"

Nodding, Tony looks between Steve and Em. "Yeah, she's my daughter. Sorry Capsicle and Robo-Soldier, but she's going on a food run."

Grinning, Bucky looks between Em and Steve. "But I'm sure she could use a guide. She still smells like Switzerland."

Tony glares at Bucky. "She's a big girl she can go alone."

Shaking his head, Steve looks at Tony. "No, it's late. It won't take me long to get dressed down. I will be back."

Smiling, Em nods. "Okay."

Bucky smiles at Tony and makes a marking motion. Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he grins."Do you guys want anything?"

Smirking, Clint chuckles. "A bowl of popcorn and front row seats."

Looking at Tony, Em frowns. "You don't have to be mean to him. He didn't mean to walk into me!"

Scowling, he looks at her. "You are flirting with a man twice my age!"

Tossing him a signature Stark smirk, she looks at him. "I was not flirting. Trust me if I were flirting the whole world would know it."

Scoffing, Tony looks at her. "Really? Prove it!"

Smiling, she turns to Bucky. "Mr. Barnes, may I just say I admire well built things. Your mechanical arm is nice too."

Natasha takes her place with the rest of the team. Looking at Clint, she smirks. "It's like watching Tony argue with a mirror. A younger funnier female mirror."

Nodding, Clint pulls candy out of his pocket. "Yep. I wonder if Tony knows that he's turning really red.

Taking the offered candy, Sam shakes his head. "Probably not. Is it just me or is anyone else waiting for a DBZ stand off with someone shouting "Smart ass levels are over nine thousand!" I mean that would be hilarious."

Tony looks at Em and sighs. "We will talk about this later. Go get some food and come right back."

Cracking her neck, she looks at him. "I'm getting groceries and duh, I'm coming back. I came to visit you, have SI meetings ,and hold lectures regarding theoretical physics."

Shocked, Tony looks at her. "The one Jane and Erik Selvig are raving about?"

Nodding, she sees Steve come out. "Yeah, we can talk about it later. I'm making spaghetti tomorrow. Meat and no meat options. I am a fan of Dr. Banner's research. It would be an honor to meet him in calmer setting. Yes?"

Nodding, Tony looks at her. "Yeah. We can talk after dinner tonight, okay?"

Steve watches the two Starks talk quietly and he looks at Bucky. "I wonder how much he's actually sacrificed to make the world safe."

Looking at the pair, Bucky stuffs his hands into his pockets. "I'm willing to bet that she's a big reason that he's wanted the world safe."

Rushing out of the common room, Tony goes down to the workshop and grabs a bottle of scotch. Looking into the bottle, he sighs. "When did she start hating me?"

In the grocery store, Steve and Bucky watches as Em grabs healthy food as well as baking supplies. Clearing his throat, Bucky taps her shoulder. "Baking for an army?"

Looking at the two she shakes her head. "No. I've got a lot going on in the next few days and baking settles my nerves. I figure that everyone burns enough calories fighting crime to eat most of it."

She continues to fill the shopping cart and Bucky nudges Steve. Shrugging, Steve looks at him and back at Em. "What do you bake?"

Slightly shocked, she clears her throat and taps her fingers. "Cookies, cakes, cupcakes, muffins, brownies, and anything else I can get a recipe for, it's nothing really. Speaking of brownies and muffins, I need some chocolate and sour cream."

They follow behind her and Bucky looks at Steve and whispers. "Say something you idiot."

Rolling his eyes, Steve whispers to Bucky. "What am I supposed to say? I messed up with Sharon and I have no idea to talk to someone with her level of genius!"

Rubbing his face, Bucky looks at him. "Ask her about something she likes, obviously she likes baking. Try!"

Clenching his jaw, Steve looks at Bucky. "I just met her! I literally just ran into her!"

Making a face, Bucky points to Em. "Just do it!"

Rolling his eyes, Steve looks at her. "She's Stark's daughter, she probably hates my guts. We did almost kill him!"

Face palming, Bucky looks at him. "And using us to piss him off! She doesn't care about that obviously and he almost killed you too! Quit stalling and start flirting!"

Biting his lip, Steve looks at Em once more. "So, what kind of muffins do you bake?"

Looking behind her, she smiles. "Most any kind. I've not tried apple cinnamon yet. I usually do the basics like chocolate chip and berry varieties."

Nodding, Steve walks closer to her. "What kind of varieties?"

Tilting her head, she looks at the eggs display. "What do you mean?"

Looking back, Steve sees Bucky motioning for him to continue. Turning to face her, Steve clears his throat. "Um, you said berry varieties. What kinds of berries do you like to use?"

Startled, she looks up at him. "You were listening? Wow. Um. Blueberries, black berries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries."

Frowning, Steve looks at her. "What do you mean by "you were listening?" of course I was listening we are talking."

Shaking her head, she looks at him. "Sorry, when guys talk to me they usually just agree with everything I say and don't ask questions. They just assume I'm talking to hear my own voice and agree hoping for the chance to get in my pants."

Shaking his head, Steve sighs. "Kids these days have no respect for anyone."

Nodding, she puts three large flats of eggs in her cart. "That's pretty much why I'm single now. It is difficult enough being the youngest person on my research team without having the lab assistants hitting on me like drunken frat boys; which in their defense they usually are."

Bucky gives Steve the thumbs up and motions for him to continue. Rubbing his neck, Steve looks at her. "You mentioned that you had a busy week. May I be so bold as to ask what your schedule is like?"

Smirking, she looks at him. "I am available after one tomorrow afternoon and the whole day after tomorrow. Wednesday is packed with MIT lectures and Thursday and Friday are filled with more SI meetings."

Swallowing, Steve looks at her. "Would you like to get coffee tomorrow after your meetings?"

She almost drops the pasta she's holding as she looks up at him. "Really? Um, yeah. Sure, okay."

Smiling, Steve nods. "I know this great place, if you're interested. It is close to the tower and is locally owned."

Putting the pasta in the cart, she smiles and looks back at Bucky. "I'm assuming your friend thinks that I should agree. Normally, I don't agree with people, but I like your idea. I hate the big coffee chains, so local is perfect."

Steve is about to say something when his phone rings. "Hello? Hi Tony." He looks at Em and his heart twists. Judging by Tony's voice and tone, he's drunk and isn't going to remember what ever they talk about. "Yeah, we are almost done at the grocery store. I know where all those places are and yes we took the regular car. See you soon, Tony."

Pushing her cart towards checkout she gets her wallet. "What did he say?"

Looking at Bucky then her, Steve puts on a brave smile. "Everyone's food is ready. He will see us when we get home."

She nods and looks at the price screen on the register. Paying the cashier, she goes and opens the car trunk. "How drunk was he?"

Startled, Steve looks at her. "What do you mean?"

Sighing, she looks at him and Bucky. "I'm not stupid and you're a terrible liar. He was drunk wasn't he?"

Nodding, Steve looks at her. "Yeah, I'm sorry."

Shaking her head, she puts the eggs and bread in the back seat. "It isn't your fault. One of you can drive and pick up the orders. I still don't know my way around."

Nodding, Steve takes the wheel and Bucky sits in the front passenger seat. The drive and stops are silent and the super-soldiers can't help but notice how quiet she is. Looking back, he sees her arms wrapped around herself and her dark chestnut hair sticking up against the window. He thinks she looks like an old woman in a young woman's body or that she's stretched too thin. Tapping his fingers against the steering wheel, he sighs. "Bucky and I can get everything in, why don't you go sit?"

Shaking her head, she looks up. "Nah, I just need to eat and then sleep. I can help."

Bucky turns to look at her. "Let us, after all, we've been acting like school boys this whole time. You can take the take out in and we can bring the groceries in, sound good?"

Relenting, she nods. "Thank you."

She walks in with the food and sets it up on the counter. Looking around she sees the team puts on a smile. "Hey, food's here. I'm going down to the workshop to give dad his pizza."

Giving a shaky smile, Bruce tries to grab the box. "I can do it. I'm sure you're tired."

Smiling softly in return, she looks at him. "I can handle it."

Looking into her eyes, Bruce nods. "Okay. He's got water and stuff in his shop."

Nodding, she grabs a blanket. "Thank you. I will be back."

The trip to the elevator is quick -two point five-six seconds- and she looks through the glass door. He's passed out at his work bench. Sighing, she walks in and places the pizza where he can see it. Gently she places the blanket over his shoulders and grabs two bottles of water and a pack of aspirin with in his arm's reach. She kisses the top of his head and sighs. "I love you dad, it's nice to see you again. I wish you felt the same."