A/N: This chapter is one day early, but also a little shorter than usual. So this is basically another buildup to the climax I'm wanting to hit and I promise it's coming and that it's vvverrry good. Soon. Very soon. Also, this chapter also has the consequences from the previous chapter which I apologize for lol. Ross wasn't supposed to die, but this is Graves we're talking about soooo. I guess Ross isn't gonna be going on that vacation with his wife anytime soon. Wow, I sound despicable. Hm.

Anyway, my average for a chapter is usually about 3,000-4,000 words but this is around 2,000 words mainly because I didn't want to put too much in this chapter and it felt good to end it where I did. I will say that it ended with a lot more unanswered questions because you know I can't go too long without those :)

That's about it, so here's chapter 10 (finally in the double digits lol).

"Once Pepper says

you gotta do something,

there's no argument there."

Once again, Ned Leeds was having another normal day as he told his mother goodbye and left the car. He was about to climb the concrete stairs to the entrance of Midtown Middle when he spotted a very familiar black car. How could he forget it? It was the car that he had seen Adelaide get out of before she entered the Stark Tower and met Tony Stark. Of course, there were many cars like that one in all of New York, but he knew it was the same one when his friend stepped out of it. His heartbeat sped up, wondering who else must be inside that car. It was just his luck when the window of the driver's seat rolled down, revealing the face of Happy Hogan. Adelaide bent over, talking to him. Ned wasn't that far away and he could hear their conversation pretty clearly.

"Happy, you drop me here and pick me up every day," she said, "By now you should know how terrible this dump is."

"Not my problem, kid. Tony and Pepper sent you here, tell them." Adelaide sighed.

"I've told Pepper a million times, but she says I have to go to school. Something about education and friends. But I have better things to do, you know." Happy chuckled.

"Once Pepper says you gotta do something, there's no argument there," he said, making Adelaide sigh and slump her shoulders lazily against the car. "At three, okay?"

"Can't you take me back to the Tower now?" she asked.

"Pepper's orders. And, hey, try to have some fun." he said, beginning to roll up the window and Adelaide took a step back. "But not too much. Bye, kid." Adelaide stood there until the car rolled away, wondering if he'd notice her if she climbed on top of it and made herself invisible. In fact, it wasn't such a terrible idea. She could just hitch a ride back to the Tower with Happy and wander around invisibly until 3 and hitch a ride to school where Happy would take her back. It was a genius plan, but she doubted the unexcused absences would go unnoticed by Pepper.

"Bye," she mumbled to herself before turning away and climbing the stairs that ascended to her least favorite place. In the midst of her sulking, she didn't notice her friend standing there, his mouth agape. She walked past him, waiting for this day to end already so she could go back to the Tower.

Ned was left dumbfounded at how casual his friend had been talking to Happy Hogan. She said that he drove her here and back every day. He had so many questions, he didn't know what to think first. Why did Happy Hogan drive her every day? Did she always go back to the Stark Tower after school? What if…What if she lived at the Stark Tower? Ned shook his head. That was absurd. Crazy. Preposterous. Insane. If she lived at the Stark Tower, then she'd tell them…right? As crazy as the idea was, what if it was true? Then that meant Adelaide lived with Tony Stark. And Pepper Potts?! What on earth was going on? Ned felt dizzy with all the questions and he leaned onto the railing on the stairs for support. None of this made sense. Had Adelaide been lying? Maybe he was just jumping to conclusions, but…wait. Did Timothy Lark even exist? And what about the keychains? Ned didn't know what to do. He stood there, against the railing, trying to sort out what he knew from what he thought he knew, but the line had become fuzzy. The only way he could find out the truth was to ask Adelaide herself, but if what he thought was true, and she had been lying this whole time, then would she tell him to truth now? There was so much he didn't know, but he was dying to find out.

Suddenly, the bell rang and Ned absentmindedly hurried to class, his mind foggy. He knew had to do something. But what?

Adelaide had begrudgingly dragged herself to English and plopped down in her seat next to Michelle who's nose was already stuck in a book. Adelaide couldn't understand how someone could want to read this early in the morning. She'd rather take a nap, but just as she was about to lay her head down on her desk, Mrs. Goodall clapped her hands, her annoying smile just making Adelaide feel lazier. How were these people so energetic at this hour?

"I hope you all remember the test that we have today and studied well in advance. Please clear your desk and have out a pencil while I pass out the tests," she announced, sounding happy about it. Adelaide threw her head back and groaned. She had forgotten all about the test and hadn't studied at all. Just great. Maybe after seeing how many tests Adelaide was failing, Pepper would realize that school just wasn't for her and let her out. She laughed to herself. Like Pepper would do anything that absurd. Adelaide sighed when Mrs. Goodall put the test on her desk. It already looked hard. She glanced over at Michelle who was already working on her test, as the rest of the class was. Adelaide glanced at Mrs. Goodall, who was writing something on the board, her back to the class.

"Pst," she whispered, "Did you study?" Michelle gave her a glare and went back to writing on her test. Adelaide took that as a yes and slumped back in her seat, defeated. There was no point in stalling. The answers weren't going to come floating to her so might as well start it now. Just as she picked up her pencil, the intercom crackled to life.

"Attention all Midtown students. There is an emergency assembly in the gym. Teachers, please lead your classes to the gym in a calm and cordial manner. Thank you."

As much as Adelaide wanted an excuse to not take the test, the announcement made her heart beat faster. She could feel in her chest that something wasn't right, but she didn't know what. She was in the dark, just as the rest of the school seemed to be. Mrs. Goodall didn't miss a beat and she began leading the class out of the room in a line, the smile still on her face. Adelaide didn't miss how it was slightly trembling as she passed by her on her way out. Adelaide's stomach was tying itself into knots. She hated not knowing what was going on and she found herself feeling for her scar as she walked in the line to the gym. This time, it did nothing to comfort her.

Adelaide turned around to ask Michelle if she knew what was happening, but the girl wasn't there. Strange, she thought. She swore Michelle was right behind her as they left the classroom together. Adelaide scanned the rest of the line, but Michelle had seemingly disappeared and Mrs. Goodall didn't even seem to notice. The moment they approached the gym doors, Adelaide forgot all about Michelle and her heartbeat doubled. She was anxious to know what was happening. Once inside, she craned her neck, trying to see what was happening, but she couldn't see past the large crowd of kids in front of her. Somehow still calm and collected, Mrs. Goodall directed them to the bleachers. She wasn't smiling anymore.

Adelaide scanned the bleachers and found Peter and Ned sitting next to each other. She ignored Mrs. Goodall's instructions and walked past her to her friends. As she crossed the distance to them, she could finally see what was going on. It was a confusing sight and all Adelaide got were more questions. There were several police officers and men dressed in suits, all of them wearing a grave look on their face. Their principal was among them, who was normally a happy guy was now looking solemn as he watched the kids pile into the bleachers. Adelaide's breath was stuck in her throat as she took in the scene. What had happened?

"Do you know what's going on?" Peter asked her. Adelaide shook her head and glanced at Peter and Ned. Judging by the looks on their faces, they knew this was something serious. In fact, everyone in the room knew it was something serious. No one was making jokes and aside from the tense murmuring, it was quiet. After everyone had settled into the bleachers, their principal, Mr. Morris, stood up, clearing his throat. The whole room fell silent and the hairs on her arm rose. She shared a worried glance with Peter. The curiosity was ripping her apart.

"Students and teachers," he said, "I'm sure you all are wondering what is going on. There has been…an incident at our school. It happened yesterday. More specifically, at 1:34 pm. I…I have no words to say about how deeply I feel about this, but I will let Officer Kindcaid explain the events." He sat down, but Adelaide's eyes continued to watch Mr. Morris. The man suddenly looked very tired. She could see it in his slumped shoulders and the way his eyes looked lost like he didn't know where to look and if he did, he seemed to be looking far away, into his thoughts. Officer Kincaid stood up and the air around them tensed even more – if that was even possible.

"Students," he began, his voice hard like a rock, "your beloved coach, coach Byron Ross died yesterday, here in this gym." Loud gasps came from the crowd, but Adelaide couldn't make a sound. Sure she hadn't known Coach Ross very well, but the fact that someone had died in the same building that she was in when he did and now she was standing in the room where it happened, chilled her to her bones.

"Oh…my god," she heard Ned say. Peter was turning slightly pale and Ned looked as if he'd seen a ghost. Adelaide was rubbing her thumb over her scar over and over again. There was a terrible feeling in her chest that she couldn't explain. Maybe it was the essence of death in the room.

"Our investigation reveals that he did not die a natural death. We cannot be sure yet, but we have reason believe it was a terrible accident. Again, this is not what we believe happened for certain, and we are still hard at work trying to find the answer. Our job is a bit difficult due to the fact that Bryon Ross's body is nowhere to be found, but we will not let that stop us. Mr. Morris has informed us that, during the moment of the incident, you were all in the cafeteria. My request is that if any one of you know anything that might be able to help, we encourage you to step up and tell us. We're the good guys and we're here to help. My team and I going to be here for the remainder of this day so if you have anything to tell us, don't hesitate. We want to know what happened to Byron Ross as much as you do. Thank you for your cooperation."

For a moment, no one moved. Then, it was like everyone wanted to get out of here as fast as possible. Frozen in shock, the three teenagers took their time to leave the gym and even then, they were silent. Until:

"I can't believe this is happening," Ned said, staring straight ahead. Peter nodded in agreement.

"Me neither. I mean, we were right here in the same building when it happened."

"How do you think it happened?" Adelaide asked. The boys shrugged.

"I have no idea," Peter said, "It could be anything." For the rest of the day, Adelaide continued to ponder about what the accident could've been. Something still didn't feel right. If it was an accident, then why were there so many police and detectives there? Mr. Morris' face did not say that Coach Ross had died by accident. Her gut was telling her something just wasn't right. Adelaide knew the NYPD knew more than they let on, but how was she supposed to find out what they were hiding? There must be a reason they were hiding it. Adelaide just had to know why.