Pepper was supposed to be at the airport bright and early to pick up Calico, before it got crowded, but Calico was left standing outside of the airport, alone (and afraid).

After several awkward moments of the small red-haired woman standing on the sides of the building, she finally walked outside and sat on the curb with her backpack. She rested her head in her hands, a bit put out at having to wait for Pepper, her older cousin, after her long plane ride (to a place she'd never been at that).

And Pepper knew Calico didn't fare well with other people (what with her having her whole "socially impaired" situation). The young woman found it almost cruel that Pepper had the gall to abandon her in the strange city!-

"Oh, Calico! There you are!" Pepper's voice rang loudly in the morning air. She threw her arms around Calico and rambled on about how sorry she was for leaving her sweet baby cousin all alone.

"Pepper, I'm so tired." Calico whispered. Pepper frowned and ushered her into a car that had, at some point, pulled up to Calico's corner.

"Sorry I'm late, Cali. It's my boss. He had a bit of a hangover." Pepper apologized again.

"B-boss? Will we be living in the same house?" Calico asked.

"Yeah, but I already told him about our situation, so he'll try not to bother you."

"Err…"

"That won't stop him, though. Just ignore him…"

Calico pouted and shut her eyes, enjoying the car ride. She soon nodded off to the sound of Pepper's voice and the motions of the car.

"Cali! Wake up! We're here." Pepper's voice snapped Calico out of her nap.

Her silver eyes trailed to the gigantic house in front of them. She felt herself shrink as she stepped out of the car, backpack in tow. Pepper held Calico's smaller hand in her own and guided her into the foyer.

"It's big." Calico sighed softly. Pepper giggled and looked at her watch. She gasped and grabbed Calico's slender shoulders, giving them a gentle shake.

"I'm late, alright? I have to be to work. Your room is the last one upstairs to the left. This is the main house."

"Uh-"

"Mr. Stark is most likely in his workshop, the kitchen, or watching TV. He should be at a meeting, but he's… Yeah. Avoid those places and you'll be able to avoid contact. But you will have to deal with him eventually."

"I-"

"I'll see you later~!" Pepper cooed, kissing Calico on each of her soft cheeks and running out the front door (as fast as she could in heels, anyway). So the young ginger embarked on her first adventure; to her new bedroom!

Calico felt her jaw drop as she made her way to the back upstairs. The house was large and white, perfect and clean...

But what really made it perfect was her room. It was a soft, baby blue with a gigantic bed (as opposed to the tiny mattress she slept on before Pepper had come to her rescue), and several dressers. The living space was large enough for her to be comfortable, but small enough for her to feel secure. And the bathroom brought her near tears.

Calico dropped her bag on the ground and smiled widely, taking it all in. She'd never been in a home so beautiful.

"Like it~?" a male voice sang from the doorway.

Calico jumped and covered her eyes, slowly turning toward the door. She peeked through her fingers and nearly died at the sight.

There was a man- a severely handsome man! - with short, messy brown hair and large chocolate-colored eyes. He had what Calico referred to as facial scruff- that is to say a goatee- and was sporting a black tee-shirt. His chest was glowing in the center.

There was a smug grin on his face when he realized she was staring at him. Calico felt heat rise in her cheeks. She proceeded to lower her hands, attempting to smile back.

"I-I um... What?"

"Like your room?" the man repeated, leaning against the wall and sliding his hands into his (nice-fitting) jeans. Calico nodded stiffly.

"It's p-perfect." she said in her light, feathery voice. He was silent for a moment, apparently deciding that she was fit for further interrogation.

"What's your name? I'm sure Pepper told me at some point, but I'm not good with names."

"Calico Potts. You must be Mr. Anth-ony Stark?" Calico's face reddened. She slapped a hand over her mouth, hoping he didn't hear her stumbling over her words. He chuckled.

"How cute... Yes. Call me Tony!" he said, sticking out a hand. Calico shook it, attempting to look grown up (But failing- Calico wasn't the most adult looking adult). She pulled away her hand and nodded in the direction of her bed, where her turtle-pack resided.

"I have to unpack my- er - backpack, so if you could..."

"You only brought one bag? What kind of girl are you...?" Tony snickered, walking down the stairs. Calico gripped her chest and plopped down on her bed, practically exploding with fear and excitement and other emotions she didn't even know existed.

Calico lived under the same roof as Tony Stark- genius, playboy, billionaire, and philanthropist! He wasn't even as scary as she imagined him being.

Pepper's shrill cries pierced the air as she yelled at Tony about him not being at some meeting. Calico giggled.

This could actually be fun!