Sadie tried not to cry as Steve rode with her to school. He had informed her that he would be getting a lift, via Stark Jets, to England that afternoon.

They all got out as kids were filing into school. For once, Sadie didn't feel like joining them.

"I'll be back, I promise." He told her, smiling.

She hugged him, but wouldn't say a word.

Tony looked away sadly.

"Bye Steve." She said and turned, running into school so she could find the nearest bathroom to cry in.

Tony felt bad but hopefully school would take her mind off of Steve leaving.

"Thanks for doing this." Steve said as they drove towards the jet. Happy would make sure Steve got his motorcycle there.

"Like I said, returning the favor." Tony said.

"You never explained that to me." Steve said, "How is this returning the favor?"

"Sadie has never told anyone about what happened to her, not even to me." Tony admitted, "I just brushed it off and I think that was a bad idea. I'm so used to just being able to move on that I thought she was just like me enough to do it as well."

Steve nodded, "Where is the bastard?"

Tony smirked, "Jail, where he belongs."

Steve shook his head, "Not enough, guy should be incinerated."

Tony nodded at that and couldn't agree more.

"Why'd he do it?"

"Beats me. I didn't wait around for an excuse at the trial; I had a kid waiting to be picked up from the hospital."

"You know, where I come from, guys like that didn't live long enough to tell the tale."

"I made sure he suffered before the cops got him." Tony smiled.

He remembered leaving Sadie upstairs and finding Parker and slamming him into the wall a few times and knocking him through the glass window. The guy looked like a punching bag at the trial.

Tony realized he hadn't thought about it much afterwards. He too was trying to forget his failure at saving his daughter. Maybe that wasn't a good idea. Sadie had been trying to talk to him all along and he hadn't listened.

"Tell Aunt Peggy I said 'hey'." Tony said as they pulled up.

Steve looked nervous, "She won't recognize me."

"You kidding, you haven't changed a bit!" Tony said and Steve gave him a look.

"Seriously, I think she'll be thrilled to see you." Tony said, trying to comfort Steve.

"Thanks again, Stark."

"Call if you need anything Rogers." Tony saluted and watched as his jet took off with Steve. He sat back and thought of everything that had happened. He wished he could just move on but truth was, life went on and the bad stuff didn't always go away. Heck, he was a superhero, even he knew that logic. Shame he hurt Sadie by not realizing it till now.

He prayed she was doing well in school.

….

"Okay class, it's time to start thinking of your research projects. This will be a project due at the end of the year. The best reports and findings will get presented at the annual Stark Industries Young Scientists Fundraiser. Every student at the school participates and puts a lot of effort into their findings. I hope to see some stellar papers this year. Any questions?"

Sadie listened and was shocked. She'd forgotten her dad's company had a fundraiser for young scientists in the state of California. She'd heard of kids as young as seven years old presenting their reports at booths during a science fair and some during the dinner. But only three would present for the grand prize that would help raise money for their school.

"These papers will also be a finalizing grade this year, so make it count even if you don't get in."

The students nodded and Polly glanced at Sadie, who looked down.

"I'm going to come around and talk to each of you about what you plan to research. For those of you waiting for me, talk amongst yourselves and start working on your math homework."

The students got out their workbooks while they also discussed their research ideas.

"I'm gonna do some research on technology or something with computers. Maybe I'll design a new program!" Arthur said, excitedly, "What about you guys?"

"I'm thinking of doing something relating to NASA. Maybe some astrophysics or something." Tanner commented.

Sadie made a mental note to get him in touch with Selvig for his project.

"I'm doing a study on nutrition and the idea behind ending world hunger." Polly said, proudly.

Sadie looked down and shrugged, "I'm not sure yet." She mumbled.

Truth was, she didn't want to participate. She didn't want to get first place just because her dad was Tony Stark.

She'd certainly do the paper, but she had to convince the teacher that she absolutely could not enter the competition.

"Oh, before I forget," Mrs. Wile said, interrupting Sadie's thoughts, "We are also taking a field trip to Stark Industries next week, make sure you take your permission slips home. Rumor has it that we'll get to meet Mr. Stark, the CEO if he's around that day."

"No way! Iron Man!" a kid yelled excitedly.

"Not Iron Man, Mr. Stark. And if we do meet him, we will be asking questions about his company and the science only." She clarified.

A few kids gasped and got excited, while others moaned. Polly looked nervously at Sadie, who was sinking into her chair and turning green.

"Mrs. Wile?" Sadie said coming up to the teacher's desk once the class had left.

"Did you need something Sadie?"

"It's my research paper."

"Do you know what you want to do?"

"I do, but I can't enter the competition."

"Why not? I think you'd be good at it."

Sadie sighed, "My dad is Tony Stark."

She nodded, "I know, I met him." She laughed.

Sadie stared at her, "So you know why I can't enter this competition?"

Mrs. Wile leaned back in her chair and looked at Sadie, "Sadie, I think this is something you should do, regardless of who your father is."

"What if I win and it makes the other kids jealous?"

She smiled, "Sadie, I know all about you. I know you were bedridden for years and excelled in education way beyond Third Grade."

Sadie stared at her in shock.

"I'm an old friend of Jimmy's." she grinned, "Trevor's my brother."

"I think you would benefit writing a paper for this school and presenting at your father's benefit. Keep in mind, you'd be winning for the school."

"What if I don't win?"

"Then you're still the same Sadie everyone loves here. And if you win, you're the girl who got us the first prize!"

Sadie finally smiled for the first time that day and nodded.

"Now, what were you thinking of researching?"

"I want to do more research in anti-electron collisions. I did a paper while I was sick, and I met Dr. Bruce Banner. I want to expand his research and mine. I know it's scary to think about, considering it could really affect nuclear and atomic bombs and such, but maybe we can find a way to control it."

Mrs. Wile smiled, "Now that is what I call a research paper."

"There's one more thing…" Sadie said, "The field trip."

Mrs. Wile rolled her eyes, "We are not going down that road Sadie, that's up to your father at this point."

Sadie sighed. She knew a dismissal when she heard one.

…..

One week later, Sadie was sitting on the couch with her father doing her homework when Pepper came in holding a piece of paper.

"Sadie what's this?" Pepper asked.

Sadie looked over at Pepper and saw the permission slip for the field trip in her hands. She blushed.

What's up?" Tony asked, looking over from his spot next to Sadie on the couch.

"Nothing." Sadie said quickly.

"Sadie, it's a permission form for a field trip to Stark Industries."

Tony raised his eyebrows, "We have field trips at my company?"

"Tony you've talked to kids who've come before." Pepper said, annoyed.

"Yeah, but I was always drunk or hung-over." He shrugged.

"Point is…" Pepper said, rolling her eyes, "Sadie, the field trip is tomorrow! Why haven't you given us this form?"

"I had no clue we had a field trip coming tomorrow." Tony admitted, "I should speak, since it's your class."

"There's a note from the teacher asking if Tony can speak as well." Pepper said, looking at Sadie.

"Then it's settled, I'll come in and speak." Tony said.

"No!" Sadie said.

"Oh boy." Pepper mumbled, finally realizing what was going on, "Sadie, have you told anyone who your father is?"

Sadie blushed and Tony looked affronted.

"You haven't told anyone who I am?" he asked, "But I got you a bunch of Iron Man stuff, we have the same last name, I've even pick you up! How do they not even know?"

"Because I haven't told them." She admitted.

"Sadie, why haven't you told anyone?" Pepper asked, sitting on the coffee table.

"Because I don't want them to like me for my dad, I want them to like me for me." She said, looking down.

Pepper smiled and nodded, Tony however, looked outraged.

"Sadie, I'm a part of you!" he said, "A big part."

"He's right." Pepper said, "You can't keep hiding who you are, Sadie. And because of this, I am letting Tony sign the form and am letting him speak for your class tomorrow."

Sadie groaned and put her head in her hands.

Tony looked victorious.

"But…" Pepper continued, "He is not allowed to say he is your father or acknowledge that fact in front of your class."

Sadie looked up and could see a ray of hope through this. She smiled and looked at her dad, who seemed to deflate in front of them.

"We'll let them figure it out on Career Day next month." Pepper said, getting up.

Tony felt victorious again and Sadie was still looking green.

Maybe she could fake sick tomorrow.