Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel or any of its characters and lines from the movie used in this story. What is written here is for entertainment purposes only. I do not make any profits from it.

The Starks have lunch together every Sunday. The get-together is held at Tony's childhood home where his parents continue to reside after he moved out to Point Dume to go and live his bachelor ways.

Sundays weren't always composed of the family catching up over a delicious meal. It only started after Maria had suffered a mild heart attack a few years ago. Being the only woman both husband and son love deeply, Maria's state caused tensions to rise between the two men who have never gotten along, only speaking to the other when something Stark Industries related came up.

Tony blamed Howard for not taking good enough care of his wife while Howard stated that if Tony didn't choose to appear in the news with a scandal every week, his poor mother's heart wouldn't be in distress.

It was at that point that Maria had strained to cry out and beg them both to settle their differences (which weren't many considering how alike the two were and this is probably why they never got along) and for goodness sake learn to love the other seeing as life is short!

Seeing the woman choke up with tears had both Stark men mumbling their sorrys.

It took every ounce of energy from Howard to swallow his pride and to admit in the privacy of their hospital suite that "I haven't been a very good father."

"No shit," Tony muttered under his breath which Howard chose to ignore. Much louder Tony, who was 30 at the time and CEO of Stark Industries, said, "You never saw me as your kid! I was always something you created, something you wanted perfected. Mom was the only one who ever treated me like a human being. Ever since I could remember, you pushed me hard, molding me to become your greatest creation."

"That's because you are, Tony!" Howard walked up to him and held his son by his shoulders. "You are my greatest creation. All I've ever wanted was to see you reach your fullest potential because I know you have so much to offer the world. And I was right. Look at you. You build better weapons to protect Americans than I ever did." He looked away. "I know I never praised you, much less said I was proud of you. I told myself it was because I didn't want you to settle or to become egotistical. I see now that a few words of 'good job' wouldn't have hurt." He returned to face his son. "I'm sorry for not being the best dad. And contrary to how I treated you, I am very proud of everything you've accomplished. That even includes you learning your alphabet a bit later than most kids. I... I love you, Tony. Your mother's right. Life is too short to spend it quarreling or being estranged." He paused, thinking of his next words. "If.. If it's alright with you, I'd like to get to know you... and spend time with you... Not as the CEO of our company but... as my son."

Tony's gaze traveled to his mother, who was waiting expectantly for his reply.

"All I ever wanted was your approval," Tony said quietly, finding it quite hard to say it out loud. His father has always been proud of him? He clasped Howard's shoulders in return. "I'd like to stop fighting too. It's too tiring going up against a fellow genius."

Howard barked out a laugh and gave Tony a hug—his first one.

Eight years later and the family was gathered in the dining room on a Sunday.

Tony rolled his eyes as Maria once again brought up his love life or lack of a permanent and stable one.

"All I'm asking is for you to finally bring a suitable girl home." She reached across the table and took her son's hand. "I'm 77 and your father is 91. We're not getting any younger, honey. And I'd like to leave this earth knowing that you found someone."

Tony sighed and gave her a look, pleading her to stop. He brought his fork up to his mouth to get a bite off his steak.

But she didn't stop. "Are you having trouble with the ladies?"

Tony's already opened jaw dropped even further and he put his fork down before he even had a bite.

His mother continued, "Is that why you can't seem to hold on to them? I've seen the different girls you're with. The Jarvis robot updates me." Maria refuses to call Tony's AI butler simply 'Jarvis' because she maintains that that's for the real Edwin Jarvis, God rest his soul. "Do you need your father to give you some advice? Do you want a woman's perspective?"

Tony cringed and shook his head. "Mom, please. Can we not? Every Sunday, you do this. Aren't you tired? No, I don't want or need girl advice. I do fine with the 'ladies', okay? And can you stop spying me on me via Jarvis?" He returned to his fork and steak, getting ready to finally eat.

Maria threw her hands up. "Then why can't you stick to one girl?"

Tony sighed and set the fork down once more. It doesn't look like he's going to be eating any time soon. He glanced at his father who was watching the interaction with amusement behind his eyes.

Of course, he finds this funny, Tony thought dryly.

He turned back to his mother. "Mom, dad didn't marry you until he was 40 and didn't have me until he was in his 50s. I'm 38! If my math is right, and it always is, I have two more years before I should settle down."

Maria shook her head firmly, "That's two enough years to start looking for a suitable wife and court her." Her face lit up as an idea came to her. "How about Virginia? I like her. She's smart and beautiful."

"Mom," whined Tony, trying his hardest not to blush at the idea of his mother matchmaking him with his assistant. Not that it was a bad thought. Turning to Howard, Tony said, "Dad, a little help?"

Who would've thought he'd turn to his father for backup. But their relationship had improved so much over the years to the point that they bounce ideas off one another. And if there was anybody who could understand his determination to stay a playboy, it was Howard Stark.

Howard swirled his wine glass as he said, "I agree with your mother. Virginia keeps you in line, Tony. Now, that's a woman to marry. It's the reason why I married your mother." He sent a soft loving gaze to his wife who smiled.

Their son frowned. "Not you too! I thought you of all people would understand me!"

Howard chuckled and sipped his wine. Afterwards, he said, "I do understand. I've been where you are and let me tell you that my only regret is not hooking up with your mother sooner. The life of a playboy genius is lonely, Tony. Our inventions don't love us back."

Maria grinned and said, "Tony, listen to your father."

Tony sighed for the umpteenth time and said, "Yes, ma'am."

There was no winning this, not when he's fighting two stubborn and bored retirees. Tony guessed he should at least be grateful for the fact that his parents are still spry and active, and not lying on their deathbeds like most of the people their age. He should just give in and make them happy. Anyway, Pepper isn't a bad candidate for a wife.

He shook the thought away, finally successfully taking a bite of his lunch. His Personal Assistant would smack him if she knew he was entertaining thoughts of marrying her.

After lunch and a few hours of conversing between Tony and Howard about the Arc Reactor, the busy CEO prepared to go home.

"Would you like me to give you a list of approved women?" asked Maria when Tony kissed her on the cheek goodbye.

"Maria, give the boy a break," said Howard, patting his son on the back. Tony mouthed a thank you at him. Howard winked and continued to say, "A list will only give him a reason to prolong choosing. One name will do."

"Virginia," urged his mother, pronouncing the name very slowly and enunciating every syllable.

Tony resisted what has become the natural response to roll his eyes back into his skull. Instead, he decided to curl his mouth to form a smirk. "If it were only that easy. I'm a busy man, you know. Wooing Pepper Potts takes some careful planning. Between the weapons demonstration I have to do in Afghanistan this week, the land mines, and MIT speech, I'm afraid my entire year is full."

This time it was his mother's turn to roll her eyes. She cupped her son's cheek and kissed it. "Be careful in Afghanistan. I know you'll be far from the action, but... Just stay safe."

"Ye of little faith. I'm always careful, mother dear. I'll see you next Sunday," and with a "Bye, Pop" to Howard, Tony climbed into his car.

Contrary to his last words, Tony Stark was not as careful as his mother had hoped. The following week brought Maria and Howard the unfortunate news that their only son had been kidnapped during an ambush that occurred after the demonstration.

Colonel James Rhodes personally delivered them the news. His morose countenance by their entrance doorway had Maria tightly clutching Howard's hand. Once they heard the whole thing, she had buried herself in her husband's chest, staining his shirt with her tears. Howard held her as she sobbed, managing to compose himself for the both of them to ask the necessary questions.

It wasn't their first rodeo. Tony was kidnapped twice when he was younger, once as an 11-year-old and another when he was eighteen. But there was only so much fear and uncertainty that parents can take.

How did this happen was the most important question. Tony was surrounded by top-brass military personnel. How could they have lost him? Furthermore, what's being done to get him back? How many search and rescue teams were dispatched to find the country's top defense contractor? What do the kidnappers want? Was a ransom issued? Has a call been received? And who the hell were the bastards behind the whole thing?

The butler appeared with the cook at one point and escorted Mrs. Stark to the master bedroom, her wails echoing in the mansion.

As soon as Howard got what answers the pilot was able to give, he pulled out his mobile phone from his pocket and began a call.

"Your people will do what you can to find him, James. But so will mine."

Rhodey silently doubted that involving Stark Industries to assist in the search for Tony would result in any fruit. He supposed the old man just needed something to do to feel useful and Rhodey wouldn't begrudge him that.

If Rhodey had voiced out his opinions, Howard would have replied that it wasn't his company he was calling but an entirerly different organization by the name of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Sunday lunches were painfully quiet now; it highlighted the empty chair that Tony used to sit on.

"Howard," whimpered Maria. "Please don't let me bury an empty casket for our son." Drops of tears trickled down her cheeks. "Parents shouldn't outlive their own children."

Howard got up from his seat and transferred to the empty one beside her, abandoning the lunch their cook made. He pulled her against his chest. "There'll be none of that. He's a smart kid, Maria. He'll find a way to escape. He did it the last two times. Plus, he could just annoy his captors to let him go."

It was an attempt at humor but the both of them didn't have any heart to laugh.

"Virginia must be worried sick." Maria looked up at him. "We should ask her to come next Sunday. She takes good care of us." Pepper Potts visits once a week to check up on the couple, bringing any kind of news which was usually the same one—that he hadn't been found—and attempting to cheer them up.

Howard ran a thumb across one of his wife's tear stained cheek. "Good idea. We all shouldn't be alone. We'll invite Hogan and Obie as well."

"Has Nick given you an update?" asked Maria, settling back against his chest, the spot that was her refuge every moment of every day.

"No. There's nothing to update."

By the third month, S.H.I.E.L.D. and the military still haven't found any trace of Tony Stark. Obadiah Stane had already advised his friends to begin a healthy process of mourning as holding on to hope wouldn't do them any good.

Howard was inclined to agree with him but everytime he saw his wife and the emptiness that ruled her eyes, he pushed away the thought. He would never stop searching.

That was when he decided he would join Colonel Rhodes in Afghanistan. After ensuring that Maria would be well taken care of while he was away, he flew to the base.

...

They found him.

On what was ordered by the military to be the last sanctioned search attempt, Rhodey and Howard found Tony walking in the desert, a jacket wrapped around his face to shield himself from the scorching sun and in what must be a state of dehydration.

Rhodey reached Tony first, dropping to the ground to give him a firm hug. Howard was next. He pulled his son up to his feet, checked him out for wounds, and then finally broke down in tears.

"It takes a lot more than terrorists to kill a Stark." Howard wiped the tears away and kissed his son on the forehead in a rare show of affection.

Tony noticed there were more lines on his dad's aging face since he saw him last.

When they pulled away slightly, Rhodey spotted the round glowing object embedded in his best friend's chest and quickly separated both father and son.

"Oh, God! Tony what have they done to you?" Rhodey cried.

Tony knew what he meant. Rodey thought the Arc Reactor was a bomb. Before he could explain, Howard held a firm grip on Rhodey's arm.

"Colonel, I don't think that's a bomb." Howard had created things that went boom before. This was no such object.

"It's alright. It's keeping me alive," was the explanation Tony supplied.

Rhodey nodded and helped him walk back to the helicopter. Once inside, a medic on board ordered Tony a course of antibiotics and fluids.

"You don't happen to have a cheeseburger on you, do you Doc?" asked Tony, followed by a cheeky grin.

It was only after a small meal that the newly escaped prisoner of war revealed the story behind the Arc Reactor (with Howard interrupting a few times, inquiring about the specifications of the chestpiece) and his escape.

Not wasting any minute when they returned to the base, phone calls to the proper people were made and a flight back to LA immediately chartered.

While on the plane, Tony was staring into space, memories of the sounds of gunshots and screams deafening him. The thought of returning to Stark Industries only to make some more of the weapons that was partly responsible for his current situation sent bile rising to his throat.

Suddenly a phone appeared in front of him.

Tony looked up to see his father holding it out to him. "It's your mother."

Tony nodded and took the call. "Hi, mom."

His mother's voice had a soothing effect on him despite the fact that her tone and sobs meant that he spent the entire phone call assuring her that he was well and calming her himself.

"No, I can't stay on the line with you until we land. Other people might call, mom." In a futile attempt to keep his mother preoccupied, Tony suggested "Why don't you work on that list of women? I'll be needing them when I get back... Of course, they won't be one night stands." He doubted there would be any more trysts in his immediate future. His Arc Reactor made sleeping with women he barely knew difficult. "Yes, they checked me out. I'm really fine, mom... I love you too." He could see Rhodey and a few other soldiers snicker at him. "The soldiers on this flight are listening to me talk to you and they're laughing. You're ruining my rep, mom... Yes, I drank a lot of water... Okay, mom. Bye bye. I'll see you soon."

Finally, he hung up.

"You couldn't have told her I was asleep?" Tony raised an eyebrow at his dad.

Howard returned his look with equal measure. "She spent three months crying for you."

Tony lowered his gaze. He meant it as a joke but it was ill-favored for sure. "I'm sorry. I'm grateful, of course. I just..." He trailed off. He had so many things on his mind, so many that he wanted to say. Starting with the company.

Howard clasped him on the shoulder and Tony looked up. "Dad, I-"

"You beat them," said Howard at the same time. "You didn't let them win even though nobody would have blamed you if you gave in. Stuck in a cave with only scraps and you achieved the impossible. Lesser men would have simply given up. Including me. I'm so proud of you, son. And I'm even prouder that you're not making me call for funeral arrangements."

The revelation from his father only proceeded to make Tony feel even more conflicted. Howard just said he was proud of him. Would he still say that if he knew Tony was thinking of shutting down his entire legacy?

"What was it you wanted to say, Tony?"

Tony shook his head. "Nothing."

"Tony, I know you. Nothing is ever just nothing with you."

"It's about the company." The son sucked in a breath, awaiting his dad's response.

"We can talk about that later, alright." Tony exhaled. "Right now, just rest. You've been through a lot. And... I have to talk to you too. There's someone I'd like you to meet when we get back. He's gonna debrief you and a whole lot of other things."

When the doors to the plane finally opened, the first thing Tony spotted was her red hair.

Pepper's hair had always captured his attention. It was the only color he held on to in the dimness of the Afghan cave, the only thing that made his dreams so vivid. Seeing them now and knowing they were real and no longer a figment of his imagination made him walk faster to reach its owner.

His mother reached him before he did Pepper. Maria was hysterical, kissing and hugging and weeping. It was only Howard's words of 'She spent three months crying for you' that prevented Tony from groaning at the excessive show of affection.

"You're thinner," she noted. "And pale. You were stuck in that cave too long." She took her time holding him and checking over every visible area of skin to locate any wounds.

It took minutes for Tony to finally walk up to Pepper and every fiber in his being not to reach out for her hair.

Pepper's tresses weren't the only thing that were red. Her eyes were too and Tony knew his parents weren't the only one who had worried over him.

"Tears for your long lost boss?"

"Tears of joy. I hate job hunting," was her reply. Her voice sounded off too, hoarse and bit raspy.

Howard and Maria watched the interaction with bated anticipation, wondering if Pepper would show Tony an inch of emotion she's shown them the past three months. But Pepper was a professional and reigned her emotions in.

They all got inside the Rolls Royce, his parents and Pepper not willing to take him out of their sight.

"To the hospital, please, Happy," said Pepper to the chauffeur.

Maria nodded her agreement but Howard shook his head. Tony had told him before they landed that they can't go to the hospital. It would risk exposing the RT to the public eye.

"No. The man just got back from captivity, Miss Potts. The hospital is the last thing he needs. I'm sure Tony would like to go home."

"Actually, I'd like to stop by a drive-thru for a cheeseburger and call for a press conference."

"A press conference?" asked Howard, "Tony, that can wait."

"Hogan, drive. Cheeseburger first." Tony turned to his father. He had made up his mind. The only thing left to do was convince his father of the same conclusion. "Dad, I need to talk to you about the company."