"And so, gentlemen, I believe in order to fully produce enough for this year, we need to start the production process early, because the demand has risen enough to merit it," Howard finished. As one of the councilmen began to speak, the large door to the conference room burst open, or rather opened slowly due to the lack of force behind it.

As soon as there was a wide enough gap, little Anthony Stark ran into the room and attached himself to his father's leg. Howard sighed as he looked down into his son's damp, brown eyes. "Daddy…"

"Yes Tony? What's happened? Can't you see I'm in the middle of something important here?"

"There's…" he lowered his voice to a whisper and widened those big eyes, "There's something in my room." There was a lengthy exhale as Howard rubbed the hand that wasn't on Tony's back on his own forehead. He wasn't really sure why he had ever decided to be a father. "I have to finish this meeting okay? Then I'll come check your room."

His son, of course, refused to leave, and since Maria was at a gala, and Jarvis had the week off, he had no choice but to sit him down on a chair in the back of the large conference room and tell him to sit quietly for a few more minutes.

As he ended his presentation and the meeting adjourned, the sound of soft snores could be heard from the corner. The councilmen looked slightly condescendingly at Howard and shared knowing looks. They stood and quickly whispered good-byes before exiting the conference room.

Rubbing his eyes tiredly, the genius millionaire walked over to the small five year-old sleeping soundly in the large cushioned chair. He took a deep breath and picked him up carefully. It appeared, however, that his efforts were in vain as a sleepy Tony yawned and began to fidget in his arms. "Dadda?"

"Yes?"

"Will you come make the monster leave my room now?" His voice was thick with sleep and it sounded as if he were wholly unconcerned with the situation.

"Of course." Tony proceeded to bury his head into Howard's neck as he walked toward his room.

As he walked, he couldn't help his mind wandering to his parenthood. He felt he was too busy for a child, but Maria had wanted one so much. As it was, Maria insisted he spend more time with him. It wasn't that he didn't like the kid; Tony was nice and intelligent, he just didn't have the time. He was chastised constantly about not being there for Tony, and the "impact" that would have on his life. He was oddly proud of being a father, but sometimes it became a burden.

"Tony? Where is the monster?" Tony stirred and attempted to blink away the sleepiness.

"S'over there."

"Tony, that's not a monster, that's a shadow."

"A what?" He sounded genuinely terrified, as if he thought a "shadow" was some sort of an evil creature that would kidnap him in the night, which he probably did.

"It's when the light is shining and leaves the outline of an object on the wall because the light…"

"…Can't pass through it! Oh." Howard gave him a weary smile. He was a bright kid, and he did kind of feel bad about dumping the whole company on him when he got older. He set Tony down on his bed and got him to sit still for long enough to tuck him into bed. But as soon as he got up, Tony immediately got out of his covers and grabbed Howard's wrist.

"Tony..." Howard sighed again, "I just tucked you in."

"Won't you stay please?" He flashed those watery eyes, the ones everyone said were Maria's, and started worrying his bottom lip.

"Okay, but only if you promise to stay in bed." Tony frowned, but consented.

"Alright. But will you help me build one of those microchips this weekend? I want to impress Mommy and Jarvis when they get back."

"Sure. Now go back to sleep, okay?" Tony grinned wildly, but got under his covers nonetheless. Howard tucked him in yet again and pulled up a chair. It was going to be a long and uncomfortable night.