When the elevator opened into Tony's workshop Coulson pushed the girl in and quickly escaped back inside. The child gulped and looked around her but saw no sign of anyone else. Tiptoeing forward she crouched down to set her luggage on the floor. As she did she heard some clattering and a loud voice ordering around a 'Dummy' and 'You'.

Getting up from the floor Tony Stark sets about putting his tools back into order, making sure everything is in its place. He wonders what's taking so long before he turns around and is greeted by the sight of his daughter for the first time.

She's crouching, hands still clenched around the handles of a small suitcase and lunchbox. Slowly she lets them go and straightens. Both of them are silent for a while and the little girl picks at the hem of her faded yellow shirt.

Tony approaches the girl, slowly because she's still refusing to look up, and sits down in front of her. "Hi there." He says as he leans down to meet her gaze.

She looks up shyly and nods her greeting. Switching tactics Tony introduces himself, "I'm Tony Stark. I hear we have the same name."

She nods again, "My names Toni."

"Do you know who I am?" Tony asked nervously, he doesn't think he knows how to explain it himself.

Toni nodded, "You're my father."

"I don't know what anyone has told you about me-"

"Mommy said a lot of things about you."

She was looking at him now and Tony ran a hand through his hair. Was he going to have to undo one woman's lifelong lectures of hate?

Toni looked away again, "Mommy knew how to use words to hurt."

'Oh,' Tony tamped down the urge to throw something. He had known what to expect, but still, hearing and seeing it with his own eyes…it was a tough pill to swallow. "It's good you figured that out."

"You don't have to be angry. Mommy was really sick." Toni said quietly, "I know this isn't the ideal situation for you, and just so you know, you don't have to keep me if you don't want to."

A lump formed in Tony's throat, "What?"

"The reservation where Granma lived has offered to take me in." Toni shrugged. "They can find a family…"

"No, nononono, you don't need to worry about any of that. You're welcome here kiddo."

"Oh," Toni looked down again and wrung her hands. "Thank you."

'Back to square one,' Tony thought. "So, Cha'Kwaina, huh? What's that about?"

Startled little Toni looked up and after a moment shrugged, "It's my Native American name. It means One Who Cries. Granma said it suited me. The medicine man gave it to me."

Nodding Tony pulled himself out of his chair and began a walk across the room, "So are you thirsty or anything? What would you like, a soda?"

Toni stared after him and followed slowly, "Soda's fine."

Tony popped open two cans of Dr Pepper and handed one to her. Leading her over to a couch they sat down on opposite sides. "So," Tony started, "Tell me about yourself."

This seemed to boggle the young girls mind and she struggled for words.

"Ok, let's make this easier; tell me about your mom." As he said this he pulled up a computer screen with a picture of her mother. Toni stared at the screen as it swung through the air in wonder.

"She was going to be a famous model before I was born." A well-practiced line. "After I was born she turned to the drink and then she got into drugs. She was pretty cranky when she wasn't high." Her gaze wandered to the can she was currently rolling between her hands. "You're Iron Man aren't you?"

Changing the topic, as to be expected. "Yeah, I am."

Toni looked around her, avoiding his eyes. "You save people?"

"I try." Tony answered.

She looked up at him with a sincere smile, "That's wonderful."