So no one wants to get a Secret Santa fanfic? No one? Also, I like how I wrote this chapter even though it's not normal. My friend described it as 'the writing itself is a metaphor' so enjoy.
Chapter 12
Things were better after school because Tony was gone. Pepper picked her up and the two girls used Tony's card to go out for dinner. Daisy suspected Pepper would have spent her birthday alone otherwise, and couldn't live with that. Both girls were the victims of Tony Stark's existence, and on days like today they liked to imagine it was them who were related, not Tony and Daisy.
When she finally dropped Daisy off at home, the girl could almost imagine her life was happy. The house was so quiet without Tony, and man was it nice. "Goodnight J.A.R.V.I.S."
"Good night Daisy."
Perhaps it was odd to let a teenage girl stay home alone for a week, but not for Daisy. Tony was constantly disappearing to this thing or another, and she liked being alone. J.A.R.V.I.S was programmed to alert Tony and Pepper if she threw a party or something, but she wouldn't do that anyways. Tony threw parties, and Daisy was not going to be anything like him.
"Good morning Daisy."
"Good morning J.A.R.V.I.S."
"Happy is waiting to drive with you to school." Ever since she'd gotten her permit Daisy had been doing all the driving, but Happy was certainly a better teacher than Tony. (He didn't understand why she couldn't just do it, the arrogant prick.)
"Thank you J.A.R.V.I.S." Daisy readied in a hurry, and went down to meet Happy. "You know we could take one of Tony's cars and he'd never no."
Happy laughed, but didn't take her up on the offer. Letting a 15-year-old girl drive a sports car is just asking for trouble. Tony only had those cars because he was trouble.
She was in Computer Science when Ms. Martin showed up. The guidance officer whispered a few words into the teacher's ear before motioning for Daisy to come. The other cadets whispered about being in trouble, but Daisy's heart was cold. She hadn't done anything. What could she possibly be in trouble for? What was going on?"
Ms. Martin didn't say anything, just led Daisy to her office where Pepper stood her eyes red. "What's wrong?" Daisy whispered looking hurriedly between the adults. "What happened?"
"Daisy, it's Tony," Pepper choked out. "Rhodey just called… his… Tony's hum-vee was bombed. They can't find him, but his escort is all dead."
Daisy fell into Pepper's arms, choking back on a sob. This was her fault. Daisy had wished for her father to die and now she'd gotten her wish. He was missing, probably worse, because of her. And even if it wasn't her fault she was a terrible person. She'd told Tony she hated him. She'd wished him dead.
It was a long night. Pepper and she sat in silence, staring at Tony's closed door. He wasn't in there. He wasn't in his hotel room in Afghanistan. He was missing. Or he was dead in a ditch. He wasn't safe. He wasn't coming home at the end of the week. He might never be coming home.
He isn't found that week, and Daisy barely moves from the couch. Pepper is up, handling the press, making everything work, but Daisy can't. She just doesn't know what to do. She doesn't know what to feel. Everything is such a mess.
He isn't found the next week, but Daisy goes back to school. She pretends to be happy when people offer condolences. She doesn't get in fights when people make jokes about it. She just does her work. Maybe she can be good enough that he'll have to come back.
She knows that makes no sense, but it is the only thing that keeps her doing.
The weeks turn into a month, and it's been too long. Even if the rumors are true and Tony is just being held hostage Daisy is still a minor. Social services calls Tony's lawyer. They look at the will. Rhodey would have been glad to take her in, but he can't care for her and look for Tony. Pepper steps up. The courts agree. Daisy agrees. She moves out. She can't stay in their house without Tony there.
The month turns into two. Daisy meets with Obadiah. He's temporary CEO until Tony is found. Or until Daisy turns 18 if he isn't. Tony make it clear his stocks go to her should he die, and Daisy makes it clear that as soon as she turns 18 she will take up the job. The Board of Directors has made it very clear that they will let her. She will be easy to control. She will be easier to control than Obadiah.
Daisy's birthday comes. Pepper takes her out to dinner and offers to have a sweet sixteen party. Daisy refuses. She gets her license. Pepper goes back to the house to get Daisy the car Tony bought for her months ago. Daisy can't go back.
It's August. Daisy is taking half a dozen online classes, getting all the credits she needs to start in September as a Junior instead of a Sophomore. She plans her schedule to take all the classes she needs. She'll graduate in June at 16. Tony would be proud. Dead men can't be proud. It's been three months. Hostages don't live three months. Rhodey won't say it. Rhodey is looking for a body. Rhodey has given up hope. Daisy has given up Hope.
Rhodey calls Pepper. The woman starts crying. Daisy doesn't understand her words. "They found him. They found him."
Tears of joy stream down Daisy's face as she begins to process the words. Tony was alive and safe. He would be home in less than a day. Tony was alive.
And for the first time in three months, so was Daisy.