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Disclaimer: I do not own Iron Man

Some things changed but one thing always stayed the same. I always tied Dad's tie. Always.

As I did it up for him, he smiled down at me. There was something in his eyes I didn't recognise.

"You're a good daughter."

I laughed. "Yes I am."

"I mean it," he said with emphasis. "I don't know how I ended up with such a perfect daughter, especially with me as your father, but you are amazing. I love you. No matter what anyone says, no matter what you hear, I will always love you."

I suddenly realized Dad was having a rare serious moment. I absorbed his words with a small frown, wondering what had brought on this sudden burst of affection and proclamation of love. Sure, we loved each other but we didn't do all the mushy shit like other families did. We knew we loved each other and we just reminded each other every now and then when we were feeling sad or thankful. I tried to remember the last time Dad had had a sappy moment. Six months ago, when I had been in the hospital after 'the accident'. I understand why he had done it then. Watching someone you love come close to death makes you want to tell them how much you love them. But why now? Neither one of us was going anywhere anytime soon.

I told myself to stop questioning why my father had told me he loved me. Just be happy and thankful!

"Thanks Dad," I said before pulling him in for a quick hug. "I love you too. And despite what you may think, you were a good father. Remember the time you were teaching me how to ride a bike and you padded the whole driveway so if I fell over I wouldn't hurt myself?"

He smiled at the memory. "And then you went too fast and hit the driveway gates headfirst?"

"Hmmm, yes," I said with a touch of sarcasm. "That is a particularly fond childhood memory of mine."

He bent down and gave me a kiss on my cheek.

Sappy moment passed, we made our way down to the car and started driving but I was hardly paying any attention. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go wrong. To top it off, my leg was starting to ache. Ever since the accident, both my leg and my arm ached randomly.

"Come on Morgan."

I brought myself back down to Earth and saw that we had arrived already. I got out of the car and began to follow dad through endless hallways, ignoring a few gawkers and cameras. I hadn't even thought about the fact that cameras and reporters would be here. I looked down at my frayed jeans and simple tee. I shrugged. All eyes would be on Dad anyways.

We stopped before a set of large oak doors. My leg was continuing to ache. I leant down and rubbed it, knowing it wouldn't make much difference anyway. I noted dad's eyes slid down to my leg but someone distracted him as they came up to talk to him.

"Here you go." Pepper.

I turned around. She was giving me a gentle smile while holding out a bottle of water and two aspirin. I grinned at her. "Thanks." Just having her here calmed my nerves.

I quickly took the pills and a swig of water. Suddenly the doors to the court opened and we had to go in. The room was packed. Before the row of the committee members was a long table, presumably where dad was to sit. The rows of seats behind the table were full, leaving people to stand against the walls. I ignored the glaring cameras as I followed dad down the aisle. He, however, waved and grinned as people clapped for him.

My eyes travelled up to the row of committee member and saw that none of them looked happy. Great.

Dad took a seat at the centre of the long table while both Pepper and I squeezed into the rows of seats behind him. I didn't know if I would be able to sit here for long. The pain in my leg was not going away and my head was beginning to pound.

People began talking but I couldn't hear what they were saying. I kept my eyes on the ground, willing all the pain to disappear. I knew I should have been listening to what was going on but my mind wouldn't focus. I don't know how long I sat there, not paying attention to anything going on around me. Pepper gently touched my shoulder once or twice but I kept my gaze on the floor.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the aspirin kicked in and the pain began to fade. I looked up, wondering what had been going on while I had been out of it. None of the committee members looked any happier as they stared at dad...who was staring at me.

"Turn around," I hissed.

"Mr Stark! Can we please pick up where we left off?" asked the man who seemed to be running the show. "Mr Stark, please!"

Dad swung around in his chair. "Yes dear?"

Oh God. The crowd laughed but I found it anything but funny. This was not a game yet he was treating it as such. "How long as he been like this?" I whispered to Pepper beside me.

"The whole time," she murmured back.

Fan-bloody-tastic. I had tuned out and dad was being cocky. He needed to be more careful and realize that he isn't untouchable.

"Can I have your attention?"

I looked at the small name plate in front of the man doing the questioning. Senator Stern. What an appropriate name. Right now he certainly was looking stern.

"Absolutely," dad replied into the small microphone on the desk in front of him.

"Do you or do you not possess a specialised weapon?"

"I do not."

"You do not?" Senator Stern questioned.

"I do not...well, it depends on how you define the word 'weapon'."

The Senator leaned back in his chair, like he was somehow enjoying this interrogation. "The Iron Man weapon."

"My device does not fit that description."

"Well...how would you describe it?"

I could hear the agitation slipping into dad's voice. "I would describe it by defining it as what it is Senator."

"As?" the Senator prompted.

"As...hmm...it's a high tech prosthesis."

That earned a few chuckles from the crowd.

"That's actually the most apt description I can make of it."

I sighed and rested my head in my hand. The flashing lights from the cameras were beginning to annoy me. I wondered how many people across the world were watching this.

"It's a weapon. It's a weapon Mr Stark." Stern sounded as annoyed as I was.

"Please, if your priority was actually the well-being of the American citizen-"

"My priority," Stern said, speaking over dad. "Is to get the Iron Man weapon turned over to the people of the United States of America."

"Well, you can forget it," dad said matter-of-factly.

I couldn't believe these people were wasting their time trying to get dad to turn over his suit. He built it and owned it. End of story.

"I am Iron Man." Bloody oath. "The suit and I are one. To turn over the Iron Man suit would be to turn over myself which is tantamount to indentured servitude or prostitution, depending on what state you're in." Once again, the people laughed. God, I wished he would just take this seriously! "You can't have it."

"Look, I'm no expert-" the Senator begun.

"In prostitution?" Dad asked. "Of course not. You're a Senator. Come on." He spun around and gave the peace sign to the room. I shook my head at him but I may as well not have bothered. He briefly caught my eye. I widened my eyes, trying to convey to him that he should tone it down a bit. He kept my gaze for a moment longer then turned back.

"I'm no expert in weapons," the Senator corrected. "We have somebody here who is an expert in weapons. I would now like to call Justin Hammer, our current primary weapons contractor."

I watched Dad's head shot up at the mention of Justin Hammer. The man seemed to come from out of nowhere, coming to stand at the end of the long table where Dad currently sat. Dressed in a gray suit, complete with nerd glasses, he looked like he would pass for an expert. But I knew better. I couldn't believe they had brought this douche in. I had only met the guy once but he was a total, utter tool.

"Let the record reflect that I observed Mr Hammer entering the chamber and I am wondering if and when any actual expert will also be in attendance."

Okay, I couldn't get angry at him for that one. A small laughed slipped out of me. Dad looked back and gave me a grin. Hammer seemed to shrug it off as he sat down in the furthest chair at the table.

"Absolutely. I'm no expert. I defer to you, Anthony." He sent Dad a sly grin. "You're the wonder boy."

I wanted to stalk straight over there and pummel those glasses into his face. For years his company had been trailing behind Dad's. He had been trying and trying to better Stark Industries and he kept failing. And because he is a jealous prick, he is gunna say whatever he can to make Dad look bad and get the suit turned over to the United States 'people'.

"Senator, if I may. I may well not be an expert, but you know who was the expert?" Hammer stood up from his chair, grabbing his microphone as he did. "Your Dad. Howard Stark. Really a father to us all, and to the military industrial age. Let's just be clear. He was no flower child. He was a lion." I watched Stern's eyes travel from Hammer to Dad. The bastard was actually enjoying this shit. "We all know why we're here. In the last six months, Anthony Stark has created a sword with untold possibilities. And yet he insists it's a shield. He asks us to trust him as we cower behind it. I wish I were comforted, Anthony, I really do. I'd love to leave my door unlocked when I leave the house but this ain't Canada. You know, we live in a world of grave threats, threats that Mr Stark will not always be able to foresee. Thank you. God bless Iron Man. God bless America."

A few people clapped, including Senator Stern, but most of the room remained quiet. That's when I suddenly realized something. The people behind me were not here to see Dad fall. They were here to support him and the Iron Man suit.

Despite knowing this, my urge to punch Hammer had increased tenfold during his speech, causing me to squeeze my hands into fists. Now they were stinging. I opened my fists to see small crescent moon shapes in my palm.

To everyone else it would seem like Hammer's little speech had no effect on Dad but I could see the tension in his shoulders.

"That is well said Mr Hammer," Stern said as Hammer took a seat. "The committee would now like to invite Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes to the chamber."

"Rhodey? What?" Dad asked, turning around in his chair.

Suddenly the photographers crouching in front of the table leapt up, clicking furiously. Everyone turned in their seats, including myself, watching as Rhodey, dressed in his uniform, entered the room. Why was he here? Neither Dad or myself had known he was going to be here so he couldn't be here to help us. Sure enough, I turned around to see Stern smiling. Shit.

Dad stood up from his chair and walked halfway down the aisle. "Hey buddy, didn't expect to see you here," Dad said with faked nonchalance.

Rhodey said something to Dad that I wasn't able to hear from my spot. As they walked back towards the table Rhodey gave me a small smile. I tried to return it.

"I have before me a complete report on the Iron Man weapon," Stern said as Dad resumed his seat, with Rhodey taking the one beside him. "complied by Colonel Rhodes. And, Colonel, for the record can you please read page 57, paragraph 4?"

It was news to me that Rhodey had done a report on Iron Man. I began wondering just what he had written if the Senator wanted some of it read out. Surely he wouldn't have written something that could damage Dad's reputation as Iron Man?

"You're requesting that I read specific selections from my report Senator?" Rhodey asked.

"Yes sir."

Rhodey glanced at Dad. "It was my understanding that I was going to be testifying in a much more comprehensive and detailed manner."

I wished I could see Dad's face so I could tell how he was feeling but I could barely see the top of his head as he slouched down in his chair.

"I understand," Stern said. There was a hint of a smile playing on his face. "A lot of things have changed today. So if you could just read-"

"You do understand that reading a single paragraph out of context does not reflect the summary of my final-"

"Just read it Colonel." Stern's tone was suddenly sharper. "I do. Thank you."

Rhodey looked defeated but slightly nodded as he thumbed through a stack of papers, looking for the right page. "Very well," he said as he opened to the correct page.

Dad shifted in his seat to the side and leant back.

"As he does not operate within any definable branch of government, Iron Man presents a potential threat to the security of both the nation and to her interests." Rhodey looked guilty over to Dad.

In that moment I hated Rhodey.

"I did, however, go on to summarise that the benefits of Iron Man far outweigh the liabilities," Rhodey continued. "And that it would be in our interest-"

"That's enough Colonel."

"-to fold Mr Stark-"

"That's enough."

"-into the existing chain of command Senator."

Dad suddenly leaned into the microphone. "I'm not a joiner but I'll consider Secretary of Defence if you ask nice. We can amend the hours a little bit." People around me laughed.

I couldn't believe the Senator was manipulating Rhodey's report to his benefit. You could not take a small piece of text out of a huge report and get all the details accurate. He was just a huge ass trying to get things his own way.

"I'd like to go on and show, if I may, the imagery that connected to your report," the Senator said.

I almost threw my head back in exasperation. There was more? And what images could they possibly have that would convince everyone that turning over the suit was in everyone's best interests?

"I believe it is somewhat premature to reveal these images to the general public at this time." Rhodey's argument was ignored as the Stern spoke over him.

"With all due respect, Colonel, I understand. And if you could just narrate those for us, we'd be very grateful."

Sonofabitch! I literally wanted to strangle him! He was being unreasonable.

All eyes turned to the somewhat large TV situated beside the judges. The screen changed from a logo to a birdseye view of a desert area. There were a few buildings and hangers in the photo but everyone's attention was drawn to a circled area of the photo. Squinting, I could just make out what seemed to be something large and mechanic-like.

Oh shit. I had been wondering why no one had made any attempts to steal Dad's suit. It was because they were making their own.

"Intelligence suggests that the devices seen in these photos are, in fact, attempts at making manned copies of Mr Stark's suit." Rhodey said.

My eye's flicked over to Dad to see how he took this information. He had to have known this was going on. And he hadn't told me. Because then I would have been right.

Dad wasn't even looking at the TV. He was fiddling with his phone.

"This has been corroborated by our allies and local intelligence on the ground, indicating that these suits are quite possibly, at this moment, operational."

How on Earth had these people managed to replicate our suit? No one had our designs or some of the machinery that we used to make the suits. They must be poorly made but are somehow functional, apparently.

"Hold on one sec buddy," Dad said suddenly, leaning across the table. "Let me see something here."

He held up his phone, which was barely more than a piece of glass, and lined it up with the TV. People began murmuring as he tapped away, wondering what the hell he was doing. I was wondering the same thing. Suddenly a black box appeared on the TV screen. Numbers and letters flashed in the box along with the words 'Welcome Mr. Stark'. I bit back a laugh, finally realising what he was doing.

The people behind me whispered louder as Dad spoke. "Boy I'm good. I've commandeered your screens." He whipped around and did the same thing to the screen on the other side of the room. "I need them. Time for a little transparency. Now let's see what is really going on."

I frowned, wondering what the point was to taking over the screens. What could he show them that would make them believe Iron Man was safe in his hands?

"What is he doing?" Stern asked with clear nervousness in his tone.

"If you will direct your attention to said screens," Dad said as he placed the phone on the table, continuing to swipe and press it. "I believe that's North Korea."

Suddenly video footage appeared on the screens. It was in black and white with Korean symbols on the screen but what captured everyone's attention was the large and odd looking robot. People gasped as they watched the crude robot try to walk and stumble. As it fell to the ground, the machine attached to it began firing. People screamed in the video as they fled. Shots continued to be fired and something that looked suspiciously like blood slashed across the screen.

"Can you turn that off?" Stern said. "Turn it off. Take it off.

Hammer jumped from his chair and raced to the TV, fumbling for the switch to turn it off.

"Iran," Dad continued.

The video changed to another scene. Another poorly developed suit was attempting to fly. Though Hammer was standing in front of the TV, still trying to switch it off, we could clearly see the suit crashing into a heap, exploding on impact.

"No grave immediate threat here," Dad said. "Is that Justin Hammer?"

The video changed again. It now showed Justin Hammer standing near a robot, which looked more sophisticated and professional than the other ones.

"How did Hammer get in the game?"

Hammer shoved away someone trying to help him switch off the TV and began desperately searching for the plug. On the screen he was commanding the robot, making it lift a leg.

"Justin, you're on TV," Dad said. "Focus up."

The committee at the table were whispering. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. Here Hammer was trying to get Dad's suit turned over, when he had tried to create one himself. Dad looked over his shoulder, giving me a wink.

I turned my attention back to the TV in time to see Hammer commanding the robot to twist to the left. It did so, but too far. Sparks flew from it as its whole upper body did a 180. The Hammer on screen gasped and fled, yelling "Oh shit! Oh shit!" as the robot sparked and died.

The screen suddenly went black as Hammer pulled the plug. He turned around to take his seat. His face was as red as a beetroot. Everyone in the room was staring at him, murmuring. People had actually began to stand up to see better.

"Yeah, I'd say most countries, 5, 10 years away," Dad said in a serious tone. "Hammer Industries, 20."

Biting my lip wasn't enough. I covered my mouth with my hand, my shoulders shaking with laughter. I looked beside me to see Pepper's mouth tugging up in a smile.

"I would like to point out," Hammer said, grabbing a microphone from the table, "that that test pilot survived."

"I think we're done is the point he's making," Stern said. He had stood from his chair at some point. "I-I don't think there's any reason-"

"The point is, you're welcome, I guess," Dad said.

"For what?"

"Because I'm your nuclear determent," he replied. "It's working. America is secure. You want my property? You can't have it. But I did you a big favour."

He stood from his chair and turned around to face us. "I have successfully privatised world peace."

While he gave the peace sign, everyone behind me stood from their chairs and clapped. The whole room was giving him a standing ovation.

"What more do you want?" Dad continued. "For now! I tried to play ball with these ass-clowns." He gestured back to the table of committee members.

"Fuck you Mr Stark," Stern said. "Fuck you buddy."

I couldn't help it. I laughed.

"We're adjourned. We're adjourned for today," Stern said.

"Okay." Dad grinned and slid on his sunglasses.

Stern scowled. "You've been a delight."

Dad gave him the thumbs up before blowing his kisses. I stayed in my chair as he walked down the aisle, talking to the cameras as he went. I looked to Pepper beside me.

"That went well huh?" I asked sarcastically.

"Sure did," Pepper replied with equal sarcasm.

"Can't see why they wouldn't want him protecting America," I said.

That was probably exactly what the Government was thinking. They probably had no problem with the suit...I mean, come on, it's awesome. They just didn't like the drunken, playboy millionaire who was in it. No doubt if they got their hands on the suit, they would just put one of their men in it. Assholes.

"Hey."

I turned around to see a sheepish looking Rhodey staring at us. Part of me wanted to be angry at him but I couldn't.

"I just want you to know I had to compile that report for USAF."

I nodded. "Yeah I know."

"The purpose of the report was not to make Iron Man or your father look bad. I was asked to write a report on the Iron Man suit and make recommendations about its use. If Senator Stern had let me finish, I would have said that the technology the suit possesses is a great benefit to America and that your father should be given an official position within the department of defence."

"Rhodey, I know. I'm not angry at you." I'd known Rhodey since I was a kid and it was going to take more than a report for me to hate him.

"Really?" he asked incredulously. "Because your face when I was speaking said otherwise."

"My face was more angry at dad than you Rhodey. Speaking of, I think I better go find Dad before he does anything else stupid," I said. I was anxious and just wanted to leave. The sooner I was out of this place, the better I would feel.

I turned and left Pepper and Rhodey. I wasn't angry at Rhodey but I wondered if Dad would be. Surely Rhodey gave Dad some pre-warning about the report? He wouldn't just spring it on him. The more likely scenario would be that Rhodey did send Dad the report but, as usual, he didn't read it. If that was the case, Rhodey should have known to send it to Pepper.

I walked the endless halls slowly, part of my mind trying to remember the way out, the other part thinking about everything that had just happened. For now the suit was still Dad's property. But for how long? Senator Stern didn't seem like he was just going to let this go. We would certainly be hearing from him again. And I was afraid of what would happen when we did. The general public certainly seemed to be on Dad's side but would that be enough to stop the Government from taking the suit and all our other prototypes?

I pushed open the doors to see Dad in a sea of reporters. And a smile on his face.

Was I the only one taking this seriously? I was getting sick of Dad's blasé attitude towards everything. I honestly had no idea how he managed to raise me without the help of a full-time nanny. When I was little, it had been fun to have a Dad who didn't care and didn't take things too seriously. Now it was just annoying.

He had to have moments when he took things seriously, running a company and all, but those moments were rare.

Our new Audi was waiting in the nearby car park. Besides the keys dangling in his hands, Dad was making no move to leave. I waited for a minute. Then I snapped.

I would probably regret it later, when Dad yelled at me, but I stalked over to him and grabbed the keys from his hand. As I started the car, I saw the mixture of shock and surprise on his face. Then I was speeding out of the lot.

He would have to take the rental car with Pepper. I didn't care. I was wanted to get on the jet and leave. Of course the jet wouldn't leave until they all got there, but I would be much more comfortable on the jet than standing around a lot of reporters.

I was speeding through the traffic when I realised I had no idea of the way to the airport. After quickly pulling over and consulting the map on my phone, I was back zipping through the cars. As the speedo crept up, my anger faded. By the time I reached the airport, I was regretting my decision.

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