AN: well here you go! a few days late but i have a feeling that this chapter will make it up for it!

Read, Review and Enjoy!

Chapter 11

I walked into the living room and headed down stairs to the lab.

"What the hell?" I yelled as I saw my dad.

"This isn't the worst thing you've seen me do," my dad commented as the robots started to take the suit off of him.

"I'm not talking about that," I said as I waved that away. "I'm talking about the dumbass move you did by flying into enemy territory!"

"How do you know about that?" my dad asked.

"Because Rhodey took me to the base so I could fly a plane today and I was dragged into mission control so I could watch my dad being shot at by fighter planes," I continued to yell.

By that time he had managed to get out of the suit and headed towards me.

"I didn't realize that you would be there," he confessed before he gave me a quick hug. I returned the hug and buried my head into his shoulder.

"You didn't even tell me you were leaving," I said. "Something could have happened to you and I would have never known; you would have just disappeared again."

My dad tightened his grip on me.

I took a step back; I didn't want to hear what he was going to say to justify this.

I heard Pepper's heels against the tile and as I turned my head towards her

I noticed the package was still sitting on my dad's desk and it was still wrapped, I ignored the feeling of hurt that rushed through me.

"Hey," my dad acknowledged her. "You mind if I send you on an errand? I need you to go to my office. You're going to hack into the mainframe and you're going to retrieve all the recent shipping manifests. This is a lock chip," My dad handed her a USB drive "This'll get you in. It's probably under Executive Files. If not, they put it on a ghost drive, in which case you need to look for the lowest numeric heading."

I stared in shock as I watched my dad order Pepper like that, when had she become a part of this anyway?

"Dad," I said softly as I watched the interaction. "This is dangerous, we shouldn't send Pepper."

Both Pepper and my father ignored me as they continued their conversation.

"And what do you plan to do with the information if I bring this back?" Pepper asked.

"Same drill," my dad said as he walked over to the table. "They've been dealing under the table, and I'm going to stop them. I'm going to find my weapons and destroy them."

"Wait," I called out. "You know who has been dealing under the table?"

"Tony, you know that I would help you with anything, but I cannot help you if you're going to start all of this again," Pepper said as she ignored me too.

"There is nothing except this. There's no art opening. There is no benefit. There is nothing to sign. There is the next mission and nothing else," My dad said.

I felt my heart break and I could hear the choked sob that escaped my throat before I threw my hand over my mouth. There is nothing else. That sentence rang through me like a train.

Pepper sent a look at me. "Well then I quit," she said before walking over to where I was standing.

"You stood by my side all these years while I reaped the benefits of destruction. And now that I'm trying to protect the people that I put in harm's way, you're going to walk out?" My dad asked as he turned to look at Pepper and me.

"You're going to kill yourself, Tony. I'm not going to be a part of it, I'm not going to help take another parent away from Scarlett," she snapped.

"I shouldn't be alive, unless it was for a reason. I'm not crazy, Pepper. I just finally know what I have to do... And I know in my heart that it's right." My dad said.

Pepper sighed as she squeezed me tighter and then took a step back. "This isn't the only thing you have to live for," she scolded him. "You need to realize that." She picked up the USB and walked out of the lab.

"Am I not good enough?" I asked as I looked up at my dad.

"What?" My dad asked.

"How come the thing you have to live for is revenge? Why can't it just be to have a better relationship with me?" I asked.

"Scar," my dad took a step towards me.

"No," I said taking a step back. "I have done everything in order for you to pay attention to me. I graduated early at the top of my class with a science degree. And I don't even like science!"

My dad didn't say anything as I continued to rant.

"And I hacked into government databases in order to get you back and I found you, not Rhodey or, or your stupid suits, me; I did it!" I yelled. "And I had to watch and listen to people shooting at you because you feel like this is you're better calling!"

I was breathing hard and I could feel myself start to hyperventilate again.

It's been rough day for me and my poor lungs.

I shook my head and started to head up the steps.

"Scar," my dad yelled as I continued to walk up the steps. "Scarlett."

I could feel the tears well up as I walked into my room.

"Come on Max," I said as I pulled out a bag and started to pack, I was done; this environment wasn't healthy. I needed to get out and focus on me and my recovery.

"Ah!" I cried out as I threw my pillow at the wall.

This wasn't fair, I thought to myself and plopped on my bed and put my head in my hands. How come I'm not good enough?

I picked up my phone and called Clint.

"Yello," Clint said as he picked up.

"Hey Big Bird," I said quietly. "What are you doing?"

"Chilling with Elmo," he said "What's wrong?"

"My dad and I got into a fight," I admitted. "And I was packing my bags and I just wanted to talk to someone."

"Wait, packing?" Clint asked, I could hear him getting up and walking out of somewhere. "Tweety bird, tell me what happened."

I sniffed. "Apparently he figured out who is dealing underneath the table and he is going to take care of it, because the only thing that matters is and I quote 'the mission, there is nothing else'."

"Shit," Clint swore.

"So I yelled and I think it's time for me to go," I summarized. "And I know you're my babysitter so I didn't want you to freak out when I wasn't here anymore."

"I'm not your babysitter," Clint said "Scarlett, I'm your friend."

"You're more than that Big Bird and you know it," I teased him.

I heard voices coming from the other room.

"Hey I'm going to go," I said. "I think my dad has someone over."

"Hey Tweety bird, I'll be over tomorrow. Don't make any big decisions tonight," he said.

"Really?" I asked with a smile. "Thanks, Big Bird."

We hung up and I walked over to the door. "Come on, Max," I called out and we headed to the living room.

Who the hell was my dad talking to? I thought to myself as I stepped into the living room.

Obi was there and he was talking to my dad. No scratch that, he was taking the arc reactor out of my dad's chest.

"Dad," I breathed out as Max started to growl.

"There she is," Obi said as he placed the reactor in a case. "The mastermind behind this," he took a step towards me. I slid my glance towards my dad who was stuck on the couch, he wasn't moving or speaking.

"What?" I asked as I glanced between the two of them. Max growled again before launching himself at Obi.

I ran over to Dad as I looked over at him. I couldn't understand what was wrong with him, why wasn't he moving? I heard Max whine and a loud thump. I turned around and saw Obi standing right behind me. I scrambled to the side. He reached his hand out and grabbed my ankle; I tripped and fell to the ground. He started pulling me to him. "Get off!" I yelled as I kicked out. I felt contact as he released my ankle with a cry. I rushed up and ran to the steps that led to the lab, we had an extra arc reactor in there plus the suit was there. I felt his arms around my waist. "No!" I yelled as he picked me up. I started kicking my arms and legs out. Obi threw me into the air and I felt myself land on the glass coffee table, it shattered and I fell on my back as the glass showered around me. I groaned as tears prickled my eyes. Obi walked over to me and leaned over. I shot my hands out to stop him but he just swatted them away. He reached out and gripped my hair and dragged me up by my hair, he grinned at me before slamming my head into the ground. I heard some weird noise escape my throat and as black spots danced in front of me, my hands started to find anything to fight back with. He dragged my head up and slammed it back into the ground.

And then darkness.

My head was throbbing as I woke up. I lifted my head up, my hair fell in my eyes and I went to go brush the hair out of my eyes but my hands were tied to a chair. I looked and saw another rope tied around my middle, and each leg was tied to a leg. "What the hell?" I asked as I tested the bonds.

"Oh Scar," Obi said as he stepped into my view. "This is not how I planned for this to happen."

"Obi?" I asked as I tugged again. I could feel the skin on my wrists being rubbed raw with every tug.

"You spent years on this little reactor," he continued as he finished walking up to me and squatted down to eye level, "and you've created something so powerful it outshines everything that both your grandfather and father have ever done."

"What's going on!" I cried out as I tugged and tugged on the ropes.

"Shh," he said as he stroked my hair. "Scar, what is going on is that you're going to build me more arc reactors and I'm going to sell them." I could feel tears well up in my eyes.

"It's you," I breathed out. "You're the one selling under the table."

Obi just looked at me and gave me a pained smile. "Scar," he reprimanded me "Are you going to build me an arc reactor?

My mind was racing, trying to understand what was going on. Obi had been the one dealing underneath the table, but he had been working with my grandfather, my dad… "My dad?" I asked.

Obi just sighed. "By now he's probably dead."

I felt my entire body sag in my bonds. "No," I said shaking my head as I pulled harder on the bonds, I could feel the skin on my wrists break.

"Scarlett!" Obi snapped. "Build me an arc reactor."

His reaction startled me and I took a deep breath before answering. "No," I stated, shocking myself from how sure I sounded "I won't."

Obi gave me an exasperated sigh before walking over and clipped something to one side of the chair and the proceeded to do the same thing to the other side. I looked over each side of the chair trying to figure out what was going on.

"I remember when you were little," Obi began. "Your parents were so happy, your father wasn't building weapons anymore and I couldn't have that so on your first birthday I approached your mom and offered her 5 million dollars to take you and run."

I could feel my heart stop as tears trailed down my face. This was it, this was why I didn't have a mom, because of Obi, because of his desire to sell to terrorists.

"Of course she said no," Obi continued as he fiddled with the machine that was attached to the cables. "So I doubled the offer," Obi finished. "And well, you know the rest." He finished messing with the machine, walked over to me, and crouched down to face me.

He cupped my face. "Of course she left you, but look how well that turned out for me?" He practically cooed at me. He took a rag and stuffed it into my mouth "You will end up making me my arc reactor," he tied another rag around my head "You Starks just need extremes to see my way," Obi stood up and walked back to the machine. "Last chance, Scar," I looked between Obi and the machine. My dad was probably dead and Pepper wasn't due back at the house 'til at least tomorrow. I was going to be with Obi all night. My head was throbbing and I just wanted to be done, I was tired and I just wanted somebody to come rescue me and save the day. But I couldn't just give him the arc reactor design. I worked so hard on this so I could help people I couldn't let him have it to kill them instead. I took a deep breath and shook my head no.

Obi sighed once more as he flicked the switch. Pain coursed through me as I screamed through the gag. He was electrocuting me; that was what the cables were for. Minutes seemed to pass as I thrashed and throbbed before he turned it off. I was heaving as I tried to catch my breath through the gag. My wrists were fully bleeding now as I leaned over the bonds that held me upright.

"Again?" Obi asked, he pretended to wait for my answer.

I didn't answer as I tried to brace myself for the pain that was about to happen.

Turns out that all my preparing was for nothing because the pain was almost unbearable. I had, had shrapnel in my back and experienced having to learn how to walk again but nothing could prepare me for this.

I was sobbing as I kicked my arms and legs. My throat was raw and I was getting really dizzy from the blood loss.

Obi turned it off again, the only sound in the sector was my panting as I sobbed.

"I have to say I'm impressed," Obi commented. "I always thought growing up you were more on the pushover side."

I didn't even have the energy to speak I just let my body sag as I listened to the words Obi was saying. It was true, I was never a kid who stuck up for myself, I just let people say what they wanted about me. I wasn't the hero, I wasn't the good guy.

I was the damsel in distress and I needed someone to rescue me.

"Nothing?" Obi said. "You don't have anything to say?"

I wheezed and then froze, there was a sound, which meant that there was someone there. I felt a surge of energy rush through me. I started screaming and making as much noise as I could in order to draw the attention of whoever it was that was in here. Obi walked over to me briskly and slapped me. "Quiet," he hissed. That was all I needed to convince me that this person wasn't on his side, which meant that they could rescue me. So I continued to make noise. Obi slapped me again; I felt the skin on my face split as blood joined the sweat and tears that was already there.

My body felt numb which was better than the pain, but I was getting dizzier and exhaustion was ever creeping upon me. I really just wanted to take a nap, but I kept fighting. Obi growled at me and pulled out a knife.

My eyes widened as my breathing became shallower. What was he going to do to me? I fell silent as my thoughts ran rampant. I was breathing harder and faster as Obi started to smirk once more. I could feel myself on the brink of a panic attack and Obi knew it.

He moved the knife closer to my face. "Scarlett," Obi sang.

I started shaking my head back and forth; I couldn't make Obi out now as I blinked out tears. But it didn't matter because Obi just gave me another grin before spinning the knife in his hand and driving it into my thigh. I let out a guttural scream through the gag and sagged as Obi stood up. He patted my head and then left me alone. I managed to let out a sob and then I welcomed the darkness that had been pushing down on me.

"Scarlett?" I heard a voice call out. "Oh shit."

I could feel hands on me as I struggled to wake up.

"Tweety bird, you've got to wake up," the voice said again.

I felt the gag being removed and I breathed deeply, greedily.

"Open your eyes for me," the voice encouraged.

I tried twice before I managed to open my eyes. Clint was kneeling in front of me; my face was cupped in his hands as he was talking to me. I took a breath and licked my lips. "Obi," I whispered out. "It's Obi."

"Shh," Clint said as he quickly untied me. "We know."

I nodded my head. "He wanted to arc reactor design," I continued to inform him.

"Did he get it?" Clint asked as he started to wrap my wrists

I shook my head. "No," I said. "I wouldn't do it."

Clint looked at me and smiled. "I'm so proud of you."

I managed a small smile before he yanked the knife out of my thigh. "Motherfucker!" I yelled as Clint made quick work out of tying the wound with another bandage.

"Here," Clint said offering me a wipe.

I shot him a grateful look as I wiped my face off.

"Ready?" he asked me as I finished up.

"My dad," I asked looking at Clint. "Is he okay?" I held my breath as I waited for Clint's answer.

"Rhodes got to him in time," Clint said with a smile as he pulled me up.

"He's okay?" I asked needing the confirmation.

"He's here," Clint said.

I smiled and gave him a tight hug around the middle; I accidentally put weight on my bad leg. I gave a yelp and went to stumble and Clint picked me up bridal style. "Come on," he said. "Let's get you out of here."

Clint carried me outside. "Pepper!" I croaked out as I saw her standing outside.

Pepper turned around and saw us. "Scarlett!" she cried out as she headed towards us. Clint set me down and I fell into Pepper's arms. She wrapped her arms around me as I buried my face into her shirt. Her familiar scent drifted over me.

"Yes," Pepper said. "She's here."

I looked up at her and noticed the Bluetooth piece in her ear. "Is that my dad?" I asked her. Pepper nodded and I took the headset out of her ear and put it in mine.

"Dad?" I asked breathlessly

"Scar?" I heard him reply, relief in his tone.

"You're ok!" I exclaimed as I leaned against Pepper.

"Well, I'm being chased by a crazy man in a huge suit," my dad commented.

I sniffed and my mind started racing. "Have you fixed the icing problem?" I asked trying to help.

"Scar you are brilliant," my dad replied.

My dad went silent as I started to think of anything that could help my dad. I turned to Clint who was standing there, guarding Pepper and me.

"Is there anyone in the building?" I asked him.

Clint put his hand to his ear. "Coulson, is everyone clear?"

"What's going on?" Pepper asked.

"I'm thinking of a way to help," I replied.

"They're clear," Clint told me.

I nodded as I turned towards the building; the original arc reactor staring back at me. The cause for all of this trouble, well that's not true. I guess this is all my fault if I'm being honest with myself. But I can't be so for now this is what is the cause of our problems. So this is going to be the way we get out.

"What are you thinking?" Clint asked me as i limped towards it.

"Pepper," I called out. "You need to get clear of the building."

Pepper nodded and took off running.

"I can blow the reactor," I said turning to face Clint. "And if we do it with Obadiah on the roof, then it will overload the suit."

Clint nodded as he thought over my plan. "Tell your dad to get to the roof and then tell me how to do it," he ordered me.

I found myself shaking my head. "There isn't enough time to explain it to you," I said. "I have to go in."

"Scar," Clint said. "It's dangerous."

"You think I don't know!" I snapped. "You think that I want to do this!"

Clint was silent so I turned to talking to my dad. "Dad, can you get Obadiah to the roof of the arc reactor building?" I asked.

"Shouldn't be too hard," my dad said. "Just wait until I'm clear to blow it up."

I gave him a fake laugh. "Always," I promised.

I turned back to Clint and took a deep breath. "When it overloads, it's going to blow up and then out so we are going to have enough time to get out."

Clint nodded. "Are you sure about this Tweety bird?" He asked.

I shook my head no. "Not even a little bit," I told him truthfully.

Clint took my hand and squeezed it before scooping me back up bridal style.

"Is this how you always feel?" I asked him. "When you're saving the day?"

Clint looked down at me. "Like what?" he asked as he stepped into the building.

"Like you're going to throw up?" I admitted.

Clint laughed as he headed up the short steps to the arc reactor. "You're going to be fine," Clint promised me. I nodded and leaned against the panel as Clint set me down.

I heard a loud thump and my head shot up. My dad and Obadiah were on the roof fighting. My first thought was that Obadiah's suit was giant compared to my dad's and my second thought was that I was going to throw up as Obi threw my dad across the roof.

I guess Clint could tell what I was thinking or it could be because my face drained of color, but Clint cupped my face with his hands and tore my gaze away from the roof to him.

"Scar," Clint said. "We need to help your dad."

I found myself nodding with him as I turned back to the control panel. I started to throw all of the relay switches up so the arc reactor would overload. Just as I had finished I heard a crash. I glanced up at the sound and saw Clint throw himself over me so I wouldn't be cut by the glass that was falling from the ceiling. "I'm ready!" I yelled into the headset. "Dad, get off of the roof!"

Clint stood and helped me straighten up. My head was tilted up as I stared at the fight that was happening. I inched my hand towards the button so I would be ready to press it when my dad was ready.

But my dad fell through a hole where the glass was. I yelled out as he just managed to grab the beam of the ceiling.

"Press the button!" my dad yelled.

I shook my head. "Not until you're clear!" I yelled back.

My dad grunted "Clara Scarlett Stark!" he yelled. "Press the button!"

"I'm not going to kill you!" I yelled back as I took my hand off of the table. I wouldn't, I couldn't press that button. I couldn't be the reason my father died.

"I'm sorry," Clint said.

I whipped around to face him. "What?" I managed to get out before Clint pressed the button. "No!" I screamed as Clint scooped me up and took off running.

I kept crying no over and over again as I tried to escape his arms, I kept beating against his body. But Clint ignored me and continued to run. I finally gave up and let myself cry as I clung to him. I closed my eyes and pressed my face against the cool leather of his jacket. He did it, he actually pressed the button. My dad was really dead this time, he wasn't coming back. No tricks or surprises, just dead. I wished for the darkness to take me back. To help me escape the cold reality that was washing over me. But nothing was helping me. I felt the rush of heat from the blast hit us but Clint kept running.

We finally got to where Pepper was. I pushed against Clint and he set me down again. "Mom," I sobbed as I collapsed in Pepper's open arms.

"Shh sweetie," she said as she rubbed my back. "I'm right here."

"Scarlett," Clint said.

"Stop," I said as I threw the Bluetooth piece at him. "How could you?"

Clint sighed as the little black piece of plastic bounced off of his chest. "I had too," he said. I could hear the earnest tone, he was pleading for me to understand.

I sniffed before turning back into Pepper. I didn't have anymore tears to cry, between what had happened with Obi, to all of the drama with my dad. I was exhausted, my leg hurt and my wrists were starting to burn. I was tired and done. I couldn't feel any emotion anymore. I felt empty and hollow. "I'm tired Pepper," I whimpered.

"I know, sweetie," Pepper said as she ran her head through my hair. "I know."

Pepper rested her chin on my head. Clint and Pepper must have had one of those cool adult conversations where they don't say anything because the next thing I knew Clint had scooped me back up and we had started walking again.

I was too tired to fight him so I just laid my head against him.

"Go to sleep, Tweety," he said softly. I glanced up at him; his expression had softened with sadness and concern both equally expressed. I nodded and closed my eyes. This time the darkness welcomed me with open arms.

AN: aw, poor kid just can't seem to catch a break, well this story is almost done and I just wanted to let you know that I am planning on continuing the story through the rest of the marvel movies!

A huge thank you to the reviews left next chapter! I only need 10 more until 100! thats crazy to think about and I just feel so happy that you guys have enjoyed the story so much.

So I've decided that if we reach 100 review before I post the next chapter then I'll release the title of the next story and a sneak peak! also has Ant-man? I LOVED it and this was the one that I was really worried about, I won't say anything else in case you haven't seen it, but the end credit scene... Broke my heart, drop a review/ Pm if you want more of my thoughts on it!

storylover001: Thank you! and yes I will continue this story, there is a lot more Scarlett and Tony to come!

Guest newbie: thanks! and welcome the story! I am planning on a lot more tony/Scarlett moments there will be plenty of them in the next story so dont worry!

Guest2700: I can promise that there is a scene like that coming up in the next story so be on the look out for that and, thanks for the compliment!

Guest: I'm glad that you enjoyed the chapter, I hope this one will be just as good. as for Jarvis, oh he will totally tattle on Scarlett just as he will tattle on Tony as the stories go on, he really is a part of there tiny family and wants what is best for both of them

mun3litKnight: i can neither confirm nor deny that something bad is going to happen =) but i'm glad that I can keep you on your toes

S.A. Lovelace: thanks! Pacing is something that i continue to struggle with as i write these stories so to here that i manage to keep it steady makes me really happy! and I'm glad that you love this story!

JJAndrews: Thanks for the review!