Chapter 2- Altercations

Rhodey spotted the instant change in Tony's mood. Here we go, he thought to himself as Tony practically skulked through Howard's office door. Rhodey bit his lip and turned to Happy next to him.

"I might need a hand here," he whispered. Happy looked at him a little quizzically, but followed the Lieutenant as he edged to towards the office door. Howard had had been on the edge of getting pretty violent whenever he 'talked' to his son recently and Rhodes had definitely smelt the alcohol on his breath when they had passed each other earlier that morning. Tony never said anything in these encounters; he just stood there and took whatever his father had to throw at him as he worked himself into a rage. Rhodey had been nagging him for months to stand up for himself, but he prayed to God that today wouldn't be the day he finally found the courage to do so. He had a bad feeling that whatever this was, it wasn't going to end well.

Happy was, of course, oblivious to Howards drinking, there were very few people who weren't and as a result he was understandably confused by Rhodey's concern. But much to Rhodey's gratitude he didn't say a word and just followed. They both perched on the chairs outside the door inconspicuously and then it began.

oOo

Tony stepped through the door, closing it gently behind him; he didn't need to be asked. He also knew better than to sit down, 'wait till you're invited!' the harsh words echoed through the 6 year olds head, so he just loitered in the doorway.

"You wanted to see me." He said quietly, staring at the floor and shuffling uncomfortably. There was a silent pause. Howard looked up; there was the usual look of stern disappointment on his face. He put his head back into his work, it was after all much more important to finish that than talk to his son. Finally he pushed it to one side and looked Tony in the eye. 'Oh crap', Tony swallowed. Eye contact; that meant it was serious. His heart sank further. If Howard could avoid eye contact with his son he always did.

"How on earth have you managed to spend so much of your allowance this month?" Tony shifted uncomfortably; there was very little point in avoiding the question, but...

"What? I haven't spent that much." He said innocently.

"Don't try that with me Tony, you have spent $15,000 this month alone. Fifteen grand! So what the hell are you spending that kind of money on?" Tony stared in disbelief and rolled his eyes.

"Is that all this is about? I spent more last month, I spent a 200 grand on a car for God's sake and you didn't bat an eyelid." Tony began to grow irate, and it was mimicked by his father's tone. He took a deep breath trying not to lose his cool, but he knew where this conversation would lead and he didn't want to give up all his secrets just yet. He just hoped that he could stall things by arguing.

"That's because I knew what you were spending it on, this month it's just withdrawn from the account and gone, you've not got anything new so where the hell is the money Tony!"

"Why do you even care, you've never fucking cared before, besides we are not exactly short on the stuff!" Tony had, had enough, he usually watched his temper around his father it only lead to trouble, but he had been ignored and shunned by him all his life and finally he cracked.

"You ungrateful little shit; I had to work hard all my life for that money! You've never done an honest day's work in your stupid, fucking little life."

"That's rich!" Tony interrupted, his clenched fists starting to go white. He took a moment, should he really get into conflict with his father? Yes, it was about time he stood up for himself, or that was what Rhodes kept telling him. "For the last 5 years I've done all your bloody work for you, you haven't invented a damn thing and then you slap your name on everything I churn out for you, day in day out!" Howard stood up and slammed his fists down on the table.

"Damn it Tony!" His father's face grew a very unhealthy shade of red, his voice was deafening, but "You are an embarrassment! If I find out you're a bloody addict and you drag my name through the mud I will destroy you!"

"Wha... Drugs, you think I'm on drugs?"

"It wouldn't be far for a failure like you to fall!"

"You fucking hypocrite, there's only one addict in this room Dad, look at you! Your hands were shaking when I came in, must have been what, 20 minutes since your last scotch?" Tony was furious at the accusation, it made him sick.

"How dare you!" Howard roared, but Tony refused to be intimidated.

"You want to know where your stupid money is, fine!" Tony knew it was pointless to hide it for any longer; his plan was failing and his father would never give in. "I gave it to Erica, so she could finish Uni." Howard practically exploded.

"You gave it to that manipulating bitch! Tony you idiot, can't you see that girl is no good"

"Why? Because she's not rich!"

"NO TONY! Can't you see she's using you, stop trying to throw your life away over a stupid teenage fling?"

"Oh shut up you old bastard! You don't know anything about her and I'm not a kid anymore." He daren't pause while he had the rare command of his father's attention. "Oh, yeah, and I also got her this!" Tony pulled a delicate velvet ring case out of his pocket and opened it to reveal a simple but stunning silver, sapphire ring.

"We are getting married and there is nothing you can do to stop it!" Howard's face looked ready to burst and his whole body shook with rage. Tony, despite his own anger, couldn't help but smirk internally at the state of his so called father. Just before Howard could open his mouth to respond Tony threw in the finishing touch. "And by the way, she's pregnant!"

Tony turned to make a quick exit, and that's when the shit hit the fan…