Hello everybody! It's been awhile since I've posted anything on Fanfiction. I hope you enjoy this new story I've come up with. This story is set before Iron Man 3. I won't spoil anything about the movie, but those of you who have already watched it will know what I'm talking about. I do NOT own any part of the Avengers or Iron Man. Enjoy! Reviews are much appreciated!

Chapter One

The sky was blue and bright over MIT. Fresh, spring grass had just sprung up from the ground that had been long buried by the winter snow. Cambridge, as much as I loved it, could be quite a pain when it came to winter. And on the days it didn't snow, the biting wind while walking around campus was not at all fun.

It was my senior year at college, but I didn't look at all like the other seniors. I was only eighteen. Needless to say, I was a genius. I was a major in robotics engineering and was doubling my major in physics. Not that it's a big deal or anything. I had been in love with science from the day I picked up a toy robot. I could remember it now. I was three years old and I had taken one of the boy's toys at the orphanage (I had been an orphan since I was a baby). The head of the orphanage didn't know where I had come from. I had been put on the doorstep and was found the following morning with a note saying both my parents had died and that there was no other family. Anyway, I had torn that robot apart and was able to put it back together in nothing flat. I had been hooked ever since. I even tore up the caretaker's cell phone. She had to do without one for a whole week and I got grounded.

I laughed at the old memory as I sipped on my iced coffee while heading to class. It was the only class of the day and it proved to be boring, just like all the others. Even the most advanced classes seemed basic. But there was a surprise at the end of the class.

"Class, I have a surprise for you all," said Professor Peters, "One of our alumni has come to pay us a visit."

I nearly choked on my coffee when I saw who it was. Tony Stark. Also known as Iron Man, one of the Avengers, and who used to be the world's best weapon manufacturer. This had officially turned into the best class ever. He was wearing a suit and tie and sunglasses.

"Good morning kids." Stark said, taking off his sunglasses and setting them on the professor's desk. We were all silent, too fascinated to speak.

"I can see you're all surprised that I'm here." Stark said, looking at all of us. He started talking about why he was there, being alumni and all. Then he started talking about his life and how he had built and completed all sorts of projects at early ages in life, finally completing his studies at MIT.

"Then my little sister was born." Stark said. There was pain in his expression, but he quickly brushed it aside. Of course. His mother and father, Maria and Howard Stark, had had a child right before the accident that had killed both Howard and Maria. The baby, Abbey, was never found. Some had assumed the baby had been ejected from the car and had been carried away by wildlife. After several years, the search was given up.

"But after that tragic accident, I took over Stark Industries and look where I am today." Stark continued. He went on to a short speech about our futures and how to do our hardest in order to succeed.

When he was finished, Professor Peters went up. "Thank you, Mr. Stark. Class that concludes today's lecture. I expect to see you all on Wednesday at ten." With that, the class started to leave.

"Rebecca." Mr. Peters called my name before I could leave. I turned. Mr. Peters was gesturing for me to come over to him and Mr. Stark. Very confused and very nervous because the world's most famous superhero was standing there in the same room as me.

"Yes?" I asked timidly.

"Mr. Stark, this is Rebecca Shields. She is our youngest MIT student that we have had since you," Mr. Peters said quite proudly. Mr. Stark looked me up and down, and for a moment, his eyes met mine and they locked. There was something about them that was familiar...

"Ms. Shields." Stark said, putting his hand out for a handshake. I shook it.

"Mr. Stark." I replied.

"Professor Peters tells me you are in robotic engineering." He seemed a little impressed for a genius in the field himself.

"And physics." I added.

"Impressive. And you're how old?"

"Eighteen." I replied.

"Not but a year older than I was when I graduated." Stark said, bragging a bit on himself.

"She's the best student we have." Professor Peters cut in again. Stark ignored him.

"Well kid, keep up the good work." Stark said to me before quickly picking up his sunglasses and quickly exiting the room.

"That was...odd." Professor Peters said. "He said he'd stay a while afterwards."

I thought it was quite odd as well, but being Tony Stark, he probably had other business to attend to.

Tony's P.O.V.

I had to leave that room. I knew I couldn't stay any longer or I might actually break down. It wasn't a normal thing for me, but this was too much.

It was her. It was really her. My sister, Abbey. I quickly whipped out my phone and dialed Pepper's number. She answered it immediately.

"It's her." I said. The words couldn't come out quick enough.

"Are you sure?" She asked. We had been looking for a while with a few misleading tips, which had been painful for the both of us. She didn't want me to get my hopes up on this one, but this time I was absolutely certain.

"She has Mom's eyes." I said, remembering Mom's dark brown eyes. I could picture her vividly with those warm eyes and dark, wavy hair. This girl was the spitting image of her. "She even sounds like Mom. I know it's her."

"How do you want to go about it?" Pepper asked.

"I was thinking about telling her outright." I replied. There was silence for a moment, then Pepper spoke.

"That's a little bit much, don't you think?" She asked. "It's a lot to take on, living your whole life as another person, never knowing that you had billionaire parents, and a brother who happens to be one of the world's greatest superheroes." I smiled at that last bit.

"I admit, it's a lot to take in, but..."

"And the press would have a field day, knowing that your long-lost sister has somehow mysteriously returned. She probably has no experience with the press whatsoever" I laughed.

"The press is going to go ballistic no matter what happens. And she's a Stark. She'll have to get used to the limelight."

"I'm just saying, you need to come up with something a little less...bold. This is your sister we're talking about."

"I just want her back." I said. I felt so conflicted. The brother part of me wanted to take her into my arms and never let her go, but the realistic me said this would take time, maybe even years to have the bond I wanted so badly.

"I know." Pepper said softly.

"I don't know what to do." I admitted. It was kind of embarrassing, really. I was usually the one with the brilliant ideas, mostly in the science department, but when it came to relationships, I was clueless. At least I had Pepper to get me through this.

"I still think I need to tell her." I said. "That's the only way I can get her to understand."

"Then do it gently." Pepper warned. "She's probably been through a lot."

Indeed, she had. From her early infant years to fifteen she had been stuck in an orphanage. I was extremely thankful she had had the family brains and gotten into MIT, but the guilt of all she had gone through was too much to bear. All those years she should have been home with her family, with me. And all these years I thought I had been all alone. Now everything was completely different. And I would do anything to get her back. Anything.