Chapter Text

"Welcome home Elizabeth," Jarvis said as I walked in. "Is anyone home?" I asked. "You are currently home alone," Jarvis answered. "No Pepper?" I asked. "Acording to my records it is Ms. Potts's birthday," Jarvis told me. "Shoot, I didn't get her anything. I'll get something later." I said. I went in the workshop. "You really need to clean this dad," I mumbled sitting down at his desk. I didn't know what to get Pepper though. "Jarvis open up my dad's recent credit card purchases," I said. I scanned the list of items until I saw something that Pepper might have gotten on my dad's behalf. I googled the dress. "Nice choice Pepper, but it needs shoes to match," I said looking at it. I looked online an ordered a pair of shoes to match. "You have an incoming call from Katerina Anderson," Jarvis said. "Hello," I said answering the call. "Hey Les, why did you leave?" Katerina asked. "Oh, I had to ask my dad something before he left," I lied. "Oh, well Kelsie and I just wanted to know make sure you were alright," Katerina said. "K, thanks bye," I said hanging up. I went upstairs and walked around. Normally I didn't have the house to myself. Pepper left an issue of Vogue on the coffee table. I flipped through it and sighed, "This house is so boring alone." I went out to the balcony. The air was warm and the ocean looked very refreshing. I decided to go swimming. I carefully walked down the steps to beach with a towel in my new bikini. I relaxed on my towel while listening to my iPod. I ended up falling asleep until breeze woke me up. I waded in the cold water. I looked up at my house and decided that it was a good time to go inside. My stomach growled when I walked into the kitchen. "I'm starving. Jarvis what time is it?" I asked. "It is 6 o'clock, miss. Might I suggest ordering a pizza," he replied. "Sounds good. Cheese, extra small," I said. "Estimated delivery time is 1 hour." Jarvis told me. Southern California traffic can truly be a pain. I had an apple to tie me over while I got out cash for the pizza. I surfed through channels on the tv as I waited. I sighed, there was nothing interesting to watch. I sat on the couch listening to the news while I texted Katerina. "Is there anything to watch at 6 on tv?" I asked. "Nothing really until seven," she texted back. Luckily for me the doorbell rang. "Nice house," the pizza deliver said giving me the pizza. "Thanks, keep the change," I said handing him the money. I went down the workshop to watch continue watching tv. The show America's Funniest Home Videos was airing. I find it funny to see how normal life is compared to having a billionaire father who has to robots and an artificial intelligence in your house. "I think I calling it a night," I said putting the left over pizza in the fridge after the show ended. I went in my room, checked my phone for any messages, nothing new.

I woke up with a cold chill. I don't know why but something was wrong. When I went into the livingroom Pepper was sitting on the couch. "What are you doing here?" I asked. She looked scared and didn't answer. I looked at the tv, CNN was on. "Weapons designer and Ceo of Stark Industries Tony Stark has been reported missing. Stark was attacked shortly after giving a weapons demonstration. Serveral men were killed and many injured..." The reporter said. A crippling pain came in my stomach. "Is this true?" I asked. "Yes Elizabeth," Pepper said. I stood there for a minute taking it all in. "Rhodey gave me a call this morning but the media just found out. There going to look for him and they will find him, Les, trust me." Pepper said. "I'm going back into my room," I said turning a way.

Tears began streaming down my face. I couldn't comprehend what was happening. I sat on my bed and just stared at the ceiling. I looked at my phone, there was a notification. "Text from Dad," it read, "sos I lov u" I could tell it mean I love you. The message was sent at 2 a.m, the time of the attacks. I read the message over and over. I spent hours looking a the message. "Les, Rhodey is on the phone," Pepper told me walking in. "I'll answer it," I said taking the phone. "Hey Rhodey," I said. "Elizabeth, I just want you to know that were sending out a team to search for your dad now. We're not going to stop until we find him, alright," he said. "Thank you," I said hanging up and handing Pepper's blackberry back to her. "I know until they find him it's going to be rough but you're going to have to stay strong," Pepper said. "I can't though," I said. "You can Les. I'll stay will you until your father comes back. I'm going to have to go to my apartment to get some things. I'll try to be back in 2 hours but depending on traffic it might be awhile. I'll bring back some food too." Pepper told me. I fell back into my bed, not knowing what to expect.