Fireworks filled the night sky overflowed by the cheers and joy of the crowd waiting. Peter and Ned are at the VIP box of the Pavilion sitting, having a clear view of the crowd and the stage, munching on gummy bears as they watched his Dad dodge all the fireworks and somersault landing on the stage suited as Iron Man. The crowd cheered and screamed for Tony Stark. As the machines started dis-configuring the suit from his body, his father grinned widely, while the dancers come around him dancing at the lively music. Dad's about to deliver his commencement speech followed by his Grandfather from a video a long time ago. He saw his Dad looked at him and smiled as he started his speech. Peter watched his Dad proudly while wearing his Iron Man mask.

"Please, it's not about me. It's not about you. It's not even about us. It's about legacy. It's about what we choose to leave behind for future generations." Dad looked at him and continued his speech. He always says that I'm his legacy.

"Peter, do you think one day you'll be the one giving that kind of speech? Stark Expo's gonna be your thing." Ned said to him but eyes still fixed at the stage.

"Huh? No, Ned. I don't know. There's only one Iron Man and Tony Stark, and that's my Dad, this is his thing."

"You're clearly the one he's talking about Peter Stark."

Peter just shrugged.

A few moments later, his Dad walked off stage and his Grandfather Howard Stark, made his speech from the screen. He always wondered what his Grandfather was like. Dad doesn't like to talk about it but he knew that Dad's relationship with Grandpa was the complete opposite of what he have with his Dad. They weren't close apparently and he heard that he wasn't a supportive father. It saddens him that Dad had experienced that kind of coldness.

"Hey boys, like my speech?" An arm wrapped around his shoulders and knocked his helmet gently.

"Dad! That was great!"

"That was awesome Mr. Stark!" Ned said smiling.

"All right. Ready to go home now? Let's loose that helmet now, Pete. I want to see your face."

He took off his helmet, and his curls bounced around. His dad tried to fix his unruly hair before they took off.

"All right, it's a zoo out there kids, watch out. Stick with me and Happy, okay." Tony said at the boys standing closely at their side. Peter's holding Dad's hand while Happy holds Ned at his side. They put their arms around the kids protectively. Happy was leading the way, securing their position avoiding anyone who will suddenly jump on them, while Dad greeted some of the famous people waiting for him and also introduced his son to some of them.

"Come on, kids. There we go." Happy motioned for the exit door and finally they're out without any more people following them. The bodyguards all took care of that now.

"Very mellow."

"That wasn't so bad."

"No, it was perfect. You guys enjoyed that?" Tony asked both kids.

"It was fine." Peter replied. He's used to being introduced to random famous people.

"Look what we got here, the new model." Happy motioned for their ride. It is the new Lotus Evora top-down four seater sports car.

"Hey, does she come with the car?" Dad eyed the woman who was leaning on it.

"I certainly hope so. Hi." Happy greeted.

"Hi. And you are?" Dad asked the lady.

"Marshal. Pleased to meet you Tony."

"I'm on the wheel. Do you mind? Where you from?" Dad assisted Peter on the passenger seat and put on his seat-belt then went to the driver's seat. Ned and Happy are in the backseat.

"Bedford."

"What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you."

"Yeah? You found me. What are you up to?" Dad started the engine.

"Serving subpoenas."

The lady handed Dad a letter and Dad didn't take it.

"Yikes." Aside from the fact that Tony doesn't like to be handed things, he felt embarrassed to be served a subpoena in front of his son.

Happy reaches over and takes the letter. "He doesn't like to be handed things."

"Dad have a peeve." Peter replied.

"Cute kid you got there. You are hereby ordered to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee tomorrow morning at 9 am."

"Can I see a badge?"

"You wanna see the badge?

"He likes the badge." Happy intervened. Ms. Marshal showed him the badge. "You still like it?"

"Yep. How far are we from D.C. bud?" Tony asked Peter.

"D.C.? 250 miles Dad." and they rapidly drove off.

They first dropped of Ned, then went to the jet. Tony doesn't want Peter to stay up late in the car on the way to DC, so they flew the jet instead. It was an hour tops when they landed and got at the hotel.

"What's a subpoena Dad?" Peter asked while jumping on their bed.

"It's being summoned to appear on court." Tony replied drying his hair with the towel, he just showered.

"What for? You didn't do anything wrong." He stopped when his father went to the bed.

"Yeah, I didn't. These politicians just want to mess us. Wanting the suit to be their property."

"They can't do that. It's yours."

"Exactly bud. They can't take it away anyway. I got it." Tony winked at his son assuring him.

Peter laughed. "You're gonna kick their asses tomorrow, aren't you?"

"Whoa.. language young man."

"Sorry, Dad." Peter covered his mouth smiling.

"But yeah, of course I will." They laughed together and Tony hugged his son, kissing the top of his head.

True enough, Tony kicked ass at the senate, proving to everyone that no one can take away, replicate or even beat the suit he made. Peter watched the whole scene at the hotel room since it is being broadcast on National TV. Happy was with him the whole time to babysit. They went back home to Malibu after the hearing.


"Wake up, Daddy's home." The blue lights flickered to life scanning all the objects in the lab and blue holograms of different prototypes came into view. The four Iron Man suit are displayed from Mark I to Mark IV.

"Welcome home, Sir. Congratulations on the opening ceremonies. They were such a success, as was your Senate hearing." JARVIS opened up a YouTube video of the Senate hearing quickly garnering hits and Tony laughed. That was fun. He drank a glass of chlorophyll in one gulp.

"Check palladium levels." He used the Stark Medical Scanner for blood toxicity.

"Blood toxicity, 24%. It appears that the continued use of the Iron Man suit is accelerating your condition. Another core has been depleted."

Tony takes the Arc Reactor out of his chest and the core pops out, rusted again and slightly smoking. "God, they're running out quick."

"I have run simulations on every known element, and still none can serve as a viable replacement for the palladium core."

Tony inputs a new core. It's silver, giving a judgment of just how badly damaged the other one was and replaces Arc Reactor in chest.

"You are running out of both time and options."

Tony stared and observed the blue lines around the reactor on the computer screen forming rather quickly. He put down his shirt afterwards. Every failure to get the right element, he became disheartened but still continue to rise up.

Pepper approached the lab and went to Tony's side, reading the vitals.

"Tony, this is getting worse. You know, you don't have to do this alone. Maybe the Doctors can check." Pepper stared into Tony's eyes.

"The Doctors can't do anything if there's no viable replacement Pepper. Trust me on this. This is something I gotta figure out myself." He stood up and put his hands in her arms convincing her.

"Figure what?" They both jumped startled in surprise. They were both lost in the moment that they didn't notice how light footed the kid in front of them is. Tony quickly closes all the programs running and put the screensaver on which is all just pictures of him and Peter.

"Jesus! Peter, you gotta stop doing that." Tony put his hand on his forehead. Ooh, that was a close one.

"Why are you both whispering earlier Dad?"

"Sweetheart, what are you doing here?" Pepper asked.

"I got bored playing video games in my room." Peter went to his bike at the corner next to the cars and started biking around the lab. "You both look like deer in the headlights earlier."

"Of course, of course he already knows that idiom." Tony muttered under his breath.

"Be careful around here Pete, and you still need to finish your homework! You're forgetting it again." He called out to Peter.

"'Kay Dad."

Pepper's phone blinked and she checked it. Her eyes went wide. "Is this a joke? What are you thinking?"

"What?" Tony asked while they both started walking around the lab.

She puts her phone up for him to see it.

"Did you just donate… our entire modern art collection to the…"

"Boy Scouts of America." They both said the same time.

"Tony, please stop with the indecisive decisions already!"

"It's not indecisive. It's a worthwhile organization. I didn't physically check the crates but, basically, yes. And it's not "our" collection, it's my collection. No offence."

"No, you know what? I think I'm actually entitled to say "our" collection considering the time that I put in, over 10 years, curating that."

"It was a tax write-off. I needed that."

"Stop it, Tony. I know you believe you're dying but we'll get through this. You'll get through this. You always do!" Pepper said to him in a low voice, something Peter can't even hear.

"There's still no replacement Pepper and I'm running out of time, and I need to see my lawyers Pep. It's about time I finalize my will."

"You can't give up hope Tony." Pepper said eyes almost pleading.

"I'm not Pepper. I'm just getting it ready, just in case. I need to get it in order for my son." Tony looked at Peter now shooting basketballs at the hologram game.

He started walking again and saw the modern art frame of Iron Man that's just on the floor.

"Wow. Look at that. That's modern art. That's going up." Tony picked up the painting searching where to hang it.

"You've got to be kidding."

"I'm gonna put this up right now. This is vital."

Peter just stared at them, tweaking another idea for his science fair project. U and Dummy was with him now giving him a smoothie and helping him gather the materials.

"Let me tell you. Stark is in complete disarray. You understand that?"

"No. Our stocks have never been higher."

"Yes, from a managerial standpoint."

"Well, if's messy then let's double back." Tony found an interest on the corner of where to put it and went there.

"No, no, no, no. You are not taking down the Barnett Newman and hanging that up." Pepper tried hard to stop him.

"I'm not taking it down. I'm just replacing it with this."

Tony climbed and stood on the counter about to take down the Barnett Newman to put the Iron Man picture up.

"Okay, fine. My point is, we have already awarded contracts to the wind farm people."

"Yeah. Don't say "wind farm." I'm already feeling gassy."

"…and you won't make a decision."

"I don't care about the liberal agenda any more. It's boring. Boring. I'm giving you a boring alert."

He jumps off the counter.

"You do it."

"I do what?"

"Excellent idea. I just figured this out. You run the company."

"Yeah, I'm trying to run the company."

"Pepper, I need you to run the company. Well, stop trying to do it and do it."

"You will not give me the information…"

"I'm not asking you to try… I'm asking you to physically do it. I need you to do it."

"I am trying to do it."

"Pepper, you're not listening to me!

"Pepper, I'm trying to make you CEO. Why won't you let me?" Tony raised his voice so that he would get Pepper's attention.

"What? Wait - What?! Me? What about Peter?" They both looked at Peter now mixing chemicals while wearing protective gear at his part of the lab.

"Look at him, Pepper. He's seven years old. He's adorable and oh how I wish he could just stay like that forever. He's years away from taking over, and I still don't know if he would want to run this. He's like me. He's gets bored with corporate stuff. He likes chemistry. He likes science. Peter will always be my heir, my successor, my legacy. But until he's ready and really wants this, I want you to run the company."

Butterfingers went to them carrying a bottle of champagne and one sparkling non-alcohol drink with glasses on it.

"Wait- you're not doing this because you're dying right?"

"No Pepper. You're brilliant. You run the company better than me, honestly. Okay?" Tony said holding her arms, it was what Peter also said to him. He poured champagne on the glass.

Pepper sat down, she can't believe it and just stared at Tony's eyes full of sincerity.

"I hereby irrevocably appoint you chairman and CEO of Stark Industries effective immediately. Yeah, done deal. Okay? I've actually given this a fair amount of thought, believe it or not. You're the perfect CEO. Congratulations? Take it, just take it."

He hands her the glass, and Peter approached them and sat at his father's lap holding a glass as well with a non-alcoholic drink. Peter already knew this as his Dad had already asked him weeks ago if it's okay with him, to which he replied "Pepper's perfect for it Dad. She runs the company mostly than you are, you know."

"Congratulations Pepper." Peter smiled and hugged her.

"Thank you sweetheart. I don't know what to think." Pepper said almost in tears. She's shocked, confused, and happy at the same time.

"Don't think, drink. There you go." Tony said and they all tap their glasses and drink to celebrate.


Tony picked up Peter from school the next day. He and Happy proceeded to his regular workout and sparring while Peter decided to go swimming. He still keeps eye on Peter on the monitor screen from the Gym and JARVIS automatically sends an alert if anything happens.

"The notary's here! Can you please come sign the transfer paperwork?" Pepper announced as she walked inside the gym of the house.

"I'm on happy time." Tony replied and hits Happy's face with his elbow which makes Happy startled. "Sorry".

"What the hell was that?" Happy asked disgruntled.

"It's called mixed martial arts. It's been around for three weeks."

"It's called dirty boxing, there's nothing new about it"

"All right, put them up. Come on."

Tony and Happy both stopped and focused their attention when a beautiful lady walked in. She's a redhead with a beautiful face to match, has the perfect body curve that can lure every man at her will.

"I promise this is the only time I will ask you to sign over your company." Pepper said and the lady brings the paperwork for her to sign.

"I need you to initial each box." The notary gestured to Pepper.

Tony can't keep his eyes off the lady so Happy taps his head with a light punch, not enough to hurt him. "Lesson one. Never take your eye off…" Tony kicks him hard and he goes crashing into the corner of the ring, punching his gear to finish off the sparring.

"That's it. I'm done. What's your name lady?" He asked pointing to the notary while Pepper's still signing the paperwork.

"Rushman. Natalie Rushman"

"Front and center. Come into the church." He motioned for her to come to the ring.

"No. You're seriously not gonna ask…" Pepper tried to stop him.

"If it pleases the court, which it does."

"It's no problem." Natalie agreed casually and started to walk to the ring.

"I'm sorry. He's very eccentric."

Tony pulled up the rope and Natalie enters the ring. She stared at him with piercing green eyes. Tony swigs down more Chlorophyll and stared at her as well, trying to read her. She has the perfect body and face, he thought. One more look and he's probably going to be smitten.

"What?" He asked and Natalie just stared, the corners of her lips slightly smiling.

Tony can't help but slyly smile, feeling a bit of exhilaration. This woman is something.

"Can you give her a lesson?" He said to Happy and stepped out of the ring. He saw Peter on the monitor still at the swimming pool.

"No problem."

"Pepper." Tony waked towards her and sits beside her on a chair that just fits both of them.

"What?" Pepper asked still fixed on her phone typing.

"Who is she?"

"She is from legal. And she is potentially a very expensive sexual harassment lawsuit if you keep ogling her like that." Pepper said matter of factually.

"I need a new assistant, boss." He said to her, since she's now the new CEO of the company. He needs a new assistant.

"Yes, and I've got three excellent potential candidates. They're lined up and ready to meet you."

"I don't have time to meet. I need someone now. I feel like it's her." Tony said smiling, he's clearly smitten now.

"No it's not."

"Oh Good God, kid. You're dripping wet." Tony said at the sight of his son coming to him. Peter went to the gym to watch his Dad spar with Happy. He suddenly came up to them just wearing his dry boxers on. His hair still dripping wet. Tony picked up the towel and started drying his hair and back, wrapping another dry towel on his body.

"Who's the lady Dad?" Peter asked staring at the beautiful woman at the ring with Happy.

He sat his son in his lap and hugged him from the back.

"Well, let's ask her. How do we spell your name, Natalie?"

"R-U-S-H-M-A-N." Natalie spelled her name and Tony started typing it the screen of the table. They can use computers on every single part of the house with just a tap.

"What, are you gonna google her now?" Pepper asked annoyed.

"I thought I was ogling her." He brings up Natalie's file on table.

"Wow. Very, very impressive individual." Tony showed the languages she's fluent in and her beautiful pictures.

"She speaks Latin?" Peter asked.

"No one speaks Latin, sweetheart. It's a dead language. You can read Latin or you can write Latin, but you can't speak Latin." Pepper answered.

"Did you model in Tokyo? 'Cause she modeled in Tokyo." Tony pulled up a stunning picture of Natalie in a lingerie.

"That's inappropriate Tony, close that. Peter's here." Pepper widened her eyes already at Dad.

"I need her. She's got everything that I need."

"Need her for what Dad?" Peter asked as they watch Happy talk with Natalie.

"My new assistant, Pete." Tony rested his head on Peter's shoulders hugging him while they watch.

"Rule number one, never take your eyes off your opponent." Happy gestured as he goes to take a swing but she grabs his hand and flips him over hard, legs over his head. A slight moment Happy can't breathe.

Tony and Peter watched in amazement how in a second Natalie knocked out Happy.

"Wow.." Peter murmured and Pepper screamed "Oh, my God! Happy." in a mom voice kind of way.

Tony laughed and stood up holding Peter's hand. "That's what I'm talking about."

"I just slipped." Happy said in defense.

"You did?"

Happy looks like he's in pain but still acts like its normal. "Yeah."

"Looks like a TKO to me." Tony gestured Peter to ring the bell and they high-fived.

Natalie leaves the ring and went to them.

"Natalie, meet my one and only son, Peter." Tony introduced his son, hands on his son's shoulders.

"Hi, Ms. Rushman. Nice to meet you." Peter said formally, clutching his towel wrapped around him. A little embarrassed because the beautiful woman is staring at him and he has no shirt on.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Peter Stark. You can call me Natalie." She bowed her head to level with him and motioned for a handshake in which he accepted.

Natalie then talked to Tony and Peter went towards Happy to check on him.

"I need your impression Mr. Stark."

"You have a quiet reserve. I don't know, you have an old soul."

"I meant your fingerprint."

"Right."

"So, how are we doing?" Pepper came to them smiling and Tony put his fingerprint on the paperwork finalizing everything.

"Great. Just wrapping up here. Hey. You're the boss."

"Will that be all, Mr Stark?" Natalie asked.

"No."

"Yes, that will be all, Ms. Rushman. Thank you very much." Pepper ended the conversation and Natalie leaves and Tony turned to Pepper.

"I want one." He said to her looking at Natalie as she walks away.

"No."


Staring at the company grounds of Stark Industries, Tony was lost deep in thought on how to solve his current predicament. His blood toxicity is getting high and he still can't find a replacement for it. He stands at his former office waiting for Pepper. He saw the old board of Stark Expo his Dad built just leaning on the wall full of dust.

"What a surprise. You're early! This is the first time." Pepper went inside the office and went to him.

"Well, I miss you that's why." He kissed her on her cheek.

"Really? Yeah, the new job is grueling."

"Let's talk." Tony said seriously that made Pepper feel wary.

"Okay. You're scaring me. What is it?"

"Pepper.. I want you...

Tony stood in front of Pepper, quite hesitating.

"I want you to take care of Peter. Just in case, the worst of the worst happens. I know you'll be a great guardian to him."

"No Tony. Don't. Don't say that."

Tony put his hands on her arms.

"This is difficult for me. So hard, you know that. You know how much I wanted to be with my son until he grows up to a fine man. I love him more than my life. I'll do anything to protect him.

The last will is just a fail safe. I just want my boy to be in good hands. I know you'll take care of him and you'll protect him as much as I do."

Tony's voice broke, he never wanted to do this. His eyes in the brink of tears. His heart felt like it's slowly being ripped apart.

Pepper gulped and look at his eyes with a few tears now. "I will, Tony. Of course, I will." She hugged him comforting his telling it's going to be all right.

"You sure about this?" Pepper asked Tony for the nth time.

"I'm sure Pepper."

Tony finalized his last Will and Testament later on in-front of his Lawyers. In case he died, all of his Assets and Seat at the Board of Stark Industries will be passed down to his son, Peter.


"What do you think of Natalie, Pete?" The father and son are at the lab. Tony's watching his kid mix chemicals for the glue he's working on for quite some time now.

"Hmmm... She's strong and beautiful Dad. That move at the ring is..."

"Unladylike. Unexpected."

"Yeah. She looks smart too, but..."

"But?" Tony looks up from his microscope. He's observing the tensile strength of the glue. It has become stronger now.

"Um, I don't know, I'm feeling she's something more?"

"Oh, you felt that too. You wouldn't mind if I hire her as my assistant?"

"I don't. It's okay. Wouldn't Pepper be mad?"

"She will, but we can handle her." Tony smiled and laughed.

"You're fishing on troubled waters, Dad."

"and you're getting inclined with your idioms, kid. It's good though, yeah? You're good.

He patted Peter's hair.

"and this is improving, Pete."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Look at this." Dad pulled the data and Peter looked at the hologram showing different calculations of the glue being spread out in a lot of ways.

"Wow." Peter said in amazement.

"This can be useful in a lot of ways, medically and commercially. We'll patent this under your name.

"Congratulations bud. Your first invention." Tony tapped Peter's shoulders. "I'm always so proud of you bud."

"Thanks Daddy." He hugged his Dad. It always feels great when his Dad says he's proud of him and compliments him. He feels the joy overpowering his heart.

"You want to present this at the expo?"

"Too soon, is it?"

"It's not. You'll be my youngest presenter. My legacy, the future of Stark Industries." Tony grinned at his son tapping his nose with a finger.

"Okay, let's do it!" Peter nodded and laughed.

"That's my boy!" Tony kissed his head. He's glad he's not afraid and shy to show and share his talent to the world. This world doesn't deserve the pure hearted and bright mind of Peter's. He too good.

"You ready for the race?" Tony held in his hand his race car hologram in the Monaco Grand Prix hologramed at their front.

"Yes! Is Uncle Rhodey gonna be there?"

"He has a thing and apparently, doesn't want to hangout with me anymore." Dad said in aversion.

"That sucks Dad, I'm sorry, that's both your thing right?" He remembered Dad saying he and Uncle Rhodey used to watch races. The first time his Dad was called by Ms. Agnes, the social worker. They were both on the race track then.

"Yeah, it was. It's all right bud. We'll have fun." They started playing with the hologram of the Grand Prix running simulations on the race track.