Lost Voice
Start: 6/20/2013 Finish: 9/4/2013
Summary: Pepper wants kids but Tony's not too keen about having little kids running around. As a compromise, Pepper adopts a girl about to be rotated out of the system. Her name is Lithia; she doesn't speak and is incredibly shy but is brilliant, even out smarting Tony every once in a while. However, she is hiding a secret that can help or hinder the Avengers. Pre-Avengers to Post but Pre-Iron Man 3 (since I haven't seen IM3). Eventual Loki/OC
It's a classic tale: the quiet high school girl and the bad boy. The two meet, and slowly something starts to happen. Only the girl holds hidden power, while the "boy" is an ex-demigod once bent on world conquest. Throw in an overprotective rich dad with an army of robot suits and some very interesting friends — 2 assassins, a demigod, a WWII solider, and a big, green rage monster — and you have more drama and chaos than a budding romance could ever need.
Chapter 1 ~ First Encounters (6)
All New – Jeanette Beidermann
Pepper entered the house, a few files in her arms and talking fast on the phone. Stepping off the front step, she shut her phone and called for Tony. The man appeared. "What?" He asked, working on some sort of invention.
"We need to go over these files. I have an appointment with the orphanage director in the morning and we have yet to pick a child out." Pepper said, setting the files on a table for Tony to open.
Tony groaned and flipped open the first file. "Why are we doing this again?" he asked, skimming the file.
"Because I want kids and you don't like little kids." Pepper explained, "I've narrowed it down to these two. That one is a 14-year-old boy. He's fairly new to the system but his Aunt filing for custody. The other is a 17-year-old girl. She came to the orphanage as a baby and has bounced around the foster care program ever since."
Tony closed the boy's file and opened the girls. He read this one in a greater depth. Her name was Lithia Kaylyn Embry; light chestnut hair; hazel eyes. She didn't talk, had surprisingly good grades while she had been in school, and all of her previous foster parents had adored her but had returned her to the orphanage for untold reasons. Tapping the rather thick paper file, Tony said, "Her."
Pepper rolled her eyes slightly but nodded. Tomorrow, Pepper would adopt a daughter.
XXXX
Lithia had been summoned to the director's office later in the day. She cautiously entered the office. She knew that her birthday was in just a few weeks and was dreading being aged out of the system. "Ah Lithia, come in." the director said as she cracked the door open.
Entering sheepishly, she saw a rather pretty woman sitting in a chair. She smiled happily at Lithia but the girl quickly cast her hazel eyes to the floor. She stood near the door. "Lithia, Ms. Potts has just finalized the adoption process." The director said, making Lithia look up slightly. "What I mean to say is that she is now your legal guardian. You are you go gather your things and go with her at once."
No sooner were the words out of his mouth than Lithia was running headlong to her shared room. She only had a few things and they all easily fit in her old suit case. She packed her clothing as well as a well-worn book of Norse mythology and a relatively new book on advanced thermodynamic theory. The last thing Lithia packed was an old, tattered blanket. It had been the thing that the blanket the orphanage had found her in. Zipping the suitcase closed, she walked out of the room and meet Ms. Potts at the doorway.
"Hi Lithia, it's nice to meet you finally. Please call me Pepper." She said, smiling at the girl.
Lithia kept her eyes cast down. Pepper let her smile fall but motioned toward the door. A black car was waiting for them. Pepper entered the car first and Lithia handed her bag to the driver. Getting into the car after Pepper, Lithia buckled herself in and kept her eyes on her old sneakers. Pepper wanted to say something when her phone beeped. Looking down, she smiled when she saw the name on the caller ID. Sending a quick reply, she looked up to see Lithia had not moved from her position.
"That was my boyfriend, Tony"—Pepper gave her a gentle smile—"just checking up; making sure we're on our way."
Lithia just nodded, still not looking up from her shoes. Pepper sighed. She knew that the girl didn't talk, but she didn't know that she wouldn't look at her either.
"What's he like?..." she asked, her voice almost non-existent.
Pepper smiled, glad to see her charge opening up. "Hmm… What's Tony like? There's about a million things I could use to describe him, but I'll let you be the judge when you meet him. For now, I my best guess to sum up Tony is like a big kid with too many projects."
Lithia nodded again, turning her gaze from her shoes to the window. "So… Is there anything you'd like to tell me about yourself?" Pepper asked, trying to coax more conversation out of her charge.
Lithia looked away and looked at Pepper's shoes. "I… you won't take me back… will you?" she asked, her voice shaking.
Pepper was taken aback by the question. "Sweetie, you have nothing to worry about," she replied. "I wouldn't take you back, no matter what. Just ask Tony."
Lithia let out a light laugh. "He… sounds interesting." She said, smiling. "But… Ms. Potts…"
"Please, call me Pepper," Pepper said, interrupting Lithia slightly.
"…Pepper… don't… don't be surprised if I… I don't talk to Tony…" Lithia finished, her eyes going back to her window.
"Not at all," Pepper insisted. "We just want you to feel comfortable with us. Though I should warn you, Tony will make it part of his list to get you to talk to him."
Lithia smiled lightly as the scenery flew passed them. "We're arriving at the penthouse Ms. Potts." An animatronic voice said from the car's speaker system as the car turned up a winding road. The grounds were immaculately groomed and the grass was a vibrant shade of green. A large, futuristic looking house appeared and Lithia saw that part of the house hung over a cliff edge. The car slowed and stopped. "Welcome Ms. Potts." The voice said as the driver opened the door and Lithia stepped out.
The driver took out her bag and Lithia quickly took it, nodding her thanks before staring at the house again. "Please, don't stand around all day. Come in." the voice said, making Lithia furrow her eyebrows.
"Lithia, I'd like you to meet J.A.R.V.I.S. our artificially intelligent computer," Pepper introduced the voice as the front door opened without her using a key. "J.A.R.V.I.S., this is Lithia Embry."
"It is a pleasure to meet you Ms. Embry." J.A.R.V.I.S said in reply.
Lithia remained silent. "Jarvis, is Lithia's room ready?" Pepper asked.
"Yes Ms. Potts. Second door on the top floor. I took the liberty of giving you a room with a bathroom attached as well as a wall window." JA.R.V.I.S. reported. "I read your file Ms. Embry. You once lived near the sea correct?"
"Y-yes." Lithia replied quietly.
"Very good. Please follow me… or the illuminated floor lights please Ms. Embry. I'll bring you to your room and see to you being settled." J.A.R.V.I.S. said and a few lights lit up on the floor.
Lithia walked toward the lights and more illuminated. She smiled and followed the lights. "I think she likes you Jarvis." Pepper said as the girl disappeared behind a corner.
"Doubtful, Ms. Potts," J.A.R.V.I.S. replied. "According to her file, she has a hard time opening up to any male figure. Though her quiet demeanor is a preferred change to Mr. Stark's flamboyant character."
Lithia entered her new room and gawked. It was huge and immaculate. The walls were a gentle crème color with lightly tanned, lush carpet. The king sized circular bed was covered with matching blankets and numerous pillows. "The bathroom is here." J.A.R.V.I.S. said and a light came on near a far door. "As you become more settled, feel free to tell me any changes you wish to make to make this room more personal for you."
Lithia nodded and set her suit case down on the bed and unzipped it. On top of her small amount of clothing lay her baby blanket and a dark grey unicorn toy. She took the toy and carried it near the large window. The sun brought warmth through the glass and the ocean under her made Lithia smile. "I think we'll be alright here Virgil." She said quietly to the unicorn toy.
"Ms. Embry, Ms. Potts has asked me to ask you if you would like to meet Mr. Stark now." J.A.R.V.I.S. asked, gently startling her from her gazing over the sea.
Lithia nodded and retraced her steps back to the main room. "Look, behave, got it?" Pepper was speaking to someone else as Lithia slowly entered the room. "Oh Lithia, I'd like you to meet Tony Stark. Tony, this is Lithia."
There was a quiet moment as Tony was waiting for Lithia to look up at him. She didn't, just kept tensing up as the silence progressed. "Hi kid. I'm Iron Man." Tony tried, appealing to his fame to get a response from her. If anything, Lithia shrank more.
Tony took a good look at Pepper's charge. She had a subtle wave in her hair while white tee lay under a light blue jean vest. Her legs were clad in large black pants that were clearly too large for her slight frame. A pair of rather ratty black Converse One Star shoes covered her feet. He could see her tense posture but couldn't understand why she was so anxious. He also saw the unicorn in her hand. "That's a nice unicorn you've got there." He said, gesturing to the figurine.
Lithia actually took a step back. "Look Lithia, I'm not going to hurt you. I'm just trying to be nice to you." Tony said, just laying it out for her.
No sooner had the words left his lips than she had spun and bolted for her room. "Excellent first impression, sir. Your charm with the female gender never ceases to amaze." J.A.R.V.I.S. said, chiming in.
"Thanks Jarvis." Tony snapped back.
Pepper sighed and went after Lithia. She found the girl sitting on the railing of her balcony, her unicorn next to her. "Lithia, you okay?" Pepper asked, making Lithia turn.
Lithia slowly swung herself back over the railing and stood on the balcony. "I know that this has been a lot today and you must be tired. Do you want to try eating dinner with us or eat in here?" Pepper asked.
Lithia hung her head. "You don't have to talk to anyone Lithia. We're not going to force you to talk." Pepper continued.
Lithia looked up through her eyelashes before nodding her head in agreement. Pepper smiled and headed back to the living room. "We're going out!" Tony said at the door.
"Tony, may I speak to you?" Her voice was calm, but Tony had learned when Pepper's tone meant 'do as I say, or else'.
Tony shrunk and walked away with Pepper. Lithia carefully placed her unicorn on an end table while she waited for Pepper and Tony. "…Jarvis?..." she said softly.
"Yes Ms. Embry?" J.A.R.V.I.S. replied, a little surprised by her speaking to him.
"… this… this might be silly but… would you watch Virgil for me?" she asked cautiously.
"Nothing will happen to him under my watch Ms. Embry." J.A.R.V.I.S. replied.
Lithia smiled as Tony and Pepper returned. "Would you be alright with going out Lithia? We can always order delivery." Pepper offered, glaring lightly at Tony.
Lithia walked away quickly. "Where is she going?" Tony asked.
Pepper was about to reply when Lithia returned, a black cropped jacket over her clothing. "Looks like we're going out!" Tony laughed.
Pepper rolled her eyes at him but smiled at Lithia. "Since you're up to it, you can pick, all right?" she said, touching her shoulder lightly.
"…um… Italian?" Lithia asked softly.
"Italian it is." Tony shouted from the garage. He peeled out in a silver Audi R8.
"Tony, that only seats two. There are three of us wise guy." Pepper said, rubbing her forehead.
Tony blinked before knocking his head on the horn, making it blare. Lithia laughed softly as he backed back down. He returned a moment later in a dark, mahogany Cadillac Ciel. "Better?" he asked.
"Subtle…" Pepper sighed.
They climbed in, Lithia getting in the back. Once buckled in, Tony tore off again. Lithia yelped lightly but no one heard her over the engine. With Tony driving like a maniac, they reached an Italian restaurant in no time. The place was a famous 5 star restaurant. Lithia gawked at the luxurious place. "Tony, next time drive at the speed limit," Pepper scolded. "You're not going to be able to pay off any more tickets if you keep this up. Besides, don't you think this place might be a bit much?"
"It'll be fine Pepper." Tony assured Pepper before turning to Lithia. "If you ever feel uncomfortable, we can go. It'll be alright." He said, taking a relatively serious tone.
Lithia nodded slightly before Tony smiled and tossed his keys to the valet before waltzing in. No sooner had they all entered before the owner was whisking them off to an exclusive booth. Lithia sat carefully as a waiter appeared and placed menus in front of everyone. He offered the best wine but Pepper quickly denied it, giving a glare to Tony. Lithia looked over the vast menu, gulping every now and then. There were so many options and all so expensive. "Pick whatever you like," Pepper said, having folded her menu.
Lithia shrunk behind her menu at the suggestion directed her way. How could they expect her to make up her mind already? There were just too many options. A hand appeared and turned some of the page of her menu. She saw very simple meals. "I always order off this menu." Tony said. "Easier to understand."
Lithia glanced up and her eyes met Tony's glowing arc reactor. She smiled slightly before ducking back behind her menu. Tony smiled. Already, she was improving. "Ready to order?" the waiter appeared, all smiles.
Pepper ordered first. "I'll have meatballs and spaghetti." Tony said, tossing his menu at the waiter.
"And you young Miss?" he asked, turning his attention to Lithia.
She hid behind her hair as she pointed to the plain spaghetti. He cocked an eyebrow but read it and nodded. "Your food will be out shortly." He said, disappearing.
Lithia cast her eyes to the table. She felt so out of place. Everyone here was dressed to the nine and clearly rich. Who was she? Just some gutter snipe that was lucky to be adopted. Her tension was building greater and greater. She needed to get out or she would break down. She quickly left, giving Pepper a slight look before fleeing to the roof. It was empty of all people but looked over the city. Lithia tried to calm herself when the sound of footsteps caught her attention. "Lithia? Are you alright?" it was Pepper.
Lithia sat down on the roof, folding her knees to her chest and resting her forehead on them. Pepper sat next to her, close enough to be a comfort but far enough away to give her space. She knew that Lithia was damaged goods. To the extent was unclear but Pepper hopped that, one day, she would tell her. Tony followed Pepper to the roof and saw them sitting there. Silently, he went to Pepper's other side and sat. They all sat in silence, just looking over the city.
