Hey guys! I've been hella busy over the last few days and i've earned myself a nasty sunburn as the result. Happy belated Canada Day to my fellow Canucks! Enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter 21: Father.

Thursday.

Tony had enough of sitting at home and doing nothing. For the past few days he had ignored his friends phone calls and text messages, he even ignored the call he got from Coach Dean. Tony took his isolation one step further and completely locked himself up, the only contact he got was with his mother and even then it was only a few minutes.

"How's the ankle?" Maria asked as she bustled around the kitchen getting her papers organized.

"Better." Tony spat out. "I'm going to the hospital today."

"That's great." Maria said as she stacked piles of paper.

"Busy?" Tony commented into his coffee that had a pleasant aroma of scotch.

"A little bit, we're close to signing another deal." His mother said stacking papers into her arms.

"Be safe, Tony." Maria empathized as she walked towards the mansion doors.

"Yup." Tony murmured not looking up.

For the next ten minutes, Tony sat at the island looking into the blackness of his coffee. He had replayed the last week over and over in his head but came to no conclusion on anything, grabbing his coffee he made his way back to bed.

A few hours later, Tony found himself sitting in the emergency room awaiting his turn. He frowned at the incompetence of these people and wondered why they were so slow. Twiddling his thumbs he looked around the room and saw the wide stares the few people in the room gave him. Leaning his head back against the wall he thought about this cruel torture of waiting.

Tony looked up as the emergency door opened and a nurse came out holding a clip board.

"Tony Stark?" The nurse said with a straight face.

Sighing Tony got up and followed the nurse through the emergency room.

"Here you are." The nurse said pointing to a chair. "The doctor will be here soon."

Soon my ass Tony thought to himself. Tony looked around the room and saw patients sitting in hospital beds with family members around them. Feeling a deep stab he looked away and focused his attention on the pattern on the ceiling.

Scratching his leg, Tony thought of the boring whitewash walls and wondered why doctors continued to use the same annoying colour for everything.

"I'm going insane." Tony said to himself.

"Tony Stark?" A voice said from above him. "Hi, I'm Dr. Nick Pierce."

Shaking the man's hand, Tony took in the kind smile.

"I've been told that you've had some damage done to your ankle a few days ago, care to explain."

"Just a tweak."

"I see.." He said in a kind tone. "How come you didn't get X-rays then?"

"How should I know? It was late." Tony said with a bite, Tony clenched his hands. All he wanted to do was punch Dr. Pierce, his kindness was rubbing him the wrong way.

"Well, let's get these X-rays done, shall we?" Dr. Pierce said holding the door open. Hobbling into the room, Tony sat down on the bed and handed his phone to Dr. Pierce.

"Put this on." Dr. Pierce said handing him an apron. After putting on the apron, Tony layed down on the table and waited for the X-rays.

"Just so you know Tony these are harmless and won't take much longer. Sit still for about ten minutes and the results should show up soon."

Closing his eyes, Tony sat still and waiting for it to be over. What felt like forever took less than ten minutes, but it might as well been forever.

"Okay Tony, you can get up. Follow me and i'll show you the results."

Grumbling to himself, Tony grabbed his crutch and followed Dr. Pierce into the next room.

"As you can see from these pictures." Dr. Pierce began as he put up pictures of his ankle on the screen. "There is a break in the bone."

"Wonderful." Tony said rolling his eyes. "How long for it to heal?"

"Well, as far from what I can tell, it's a clean break. So, It will take around 6-8 weeks to heal."

"Are you kidding me?" Tony exclaimed. "I've got football to play. I can't be out for that long."

"I know how hard this is. But it's all I can do for you. I will put a cast on and prescribe you more painkillers." Dr. Pierce said putting his hand on Tony's shoulder.

All Tony could think of as Dr. Pierce put on his cast was the disappointment he felt and how he could have just ruined his football career.

5:09pm

Tony let out a huge breath as he flopped down on the couch. He looked over and tried to think of what he could do to his new metal crutches. Lifting his leg on the table he thought how long it would take to get this thing filled up with signatures.

"Jarvis, what did I miss?"

"Sir, you have 4 missed calls and 7 text messages." Jarvis responded.

"Calls?" Tony asked as he picked at the edge of his cast.

"Maria Stark, Happy Hogan, James Rhodes and Coach Dean."

"And what about texts?" Tony asked again as he made his way to the kitchen.

"Two from Happy Hogan, two from James Rhodes, Scott Macintosh and two from Pepper."

Tony perked his head up at the mention of Pepper, he wondered when she got a new phone.

"Should I talk to her?" Tony mumbled to himself.

"That would be wise, considering the state you left her in." Jarvis replied.

"Wasn't asking you.." Tony said with a bite in his voice.

Letting out a sigh, Tony opened the alcohol cabinet and grabbed the first bottle his hand came in contact with. Tony felt his spirits lift a little when he realized he grabbed a half-full bottle of Jack Daniels.

With the bottle in hand Tony slowly made his way back to the couch. Putting his leg on the table, he took a sip from the bottle and stared at the ceiling.

"Hey Jarvis?" Tony said distractedly.

"Yes Sir?"

"What are the chances of playing college football?" Tony asked putting the bottle to his lips.

"4% of high school players get the opportunity to play, Sir." Jarvis faithfully responded.

"And coming back from injury?"

".5% of players."

Tapping the rim of the bottle, he looked into it and drained the rest.

"Incoming call from James Rhodes."

"Ignore." Tony said as he turned on the TV.

Laying down, Tony let his leg hang awkwardly off the edge of the couch. Grabbing a throw pillow he bunched it up and stuck it under his head while keeping his eyes on the newscast.

"Hey Tony, wake up." A calm voice said.

Mumbling quietly, Tony rolled over and pushed the hand away. Hearing a faint chuckle, Tony smiled at the contagious laugh.

"Come on Tony. We need to talk." The familiar voice said.

Twisting to look at the person, he recognized Maria in her work outfit.

"Hmm?" Tony murmured in a quiet voice.

"Hey sleepyhead." Maria said in a warm voice as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"What time is it?" Tony groaned as he layed on his back.

"It's 8 in the morning, sweetheart." Maria said with a small smile.

"Why?" Tony sighed. "Are you waking me up this early?"

"I just wanted to let you know that tonight we have a board of directors dinner. So, I need you to be dressed and ready by 7."

"Okay, I'll be there."

"Have a good day sweetheart." Maria said as she kissed his forehead. "I'll see you tonight. I love you."

"Love you too." Tony said as he fell back asleep.

A few hours later, Tony woke up for the second time feeling refreshed. Stretching out on the couch, he looked up at the ceiling and wondered what his friends were doing.

"J, what time is it?" Tony asked as he picked up his crutches.

"11:37am, Sir."

Making his way to the kitchen, Tony saw a note on the counter that had a list of names along with the names for caterers, looking at the list he saw a few familiar names including Obie. Leaning against the counter, Tony could see that dark rain clouds were forming over the ocean.

"Incoming call from James Rhodes." Jarvis sounded.

Scratching his hand, Tony looked down at his leg.

"Answer."

"Hey Tony. You there?" Rhodey's loud voice sounded throughout the kitchen.

"Yeah, what's up platypus?"

"I'm worried about you. Even Virginia is worried." Rhodey said hurriedly.

"It's Pepper and don't be I'm fine." Tony waved off.

"Let's get together tonight. You busy?"

"Board of directors dinner." Tony said in a deadpan voice.

"Okay, well call me. Don't be a stranger." Rhodey said as he clicked off.

Clicking his tongue, Tony racked his brain trying to figure out what to do for the next seven hours.

"Jarvis, get the workshop ready." Tony said with a small smile

Virginia was starting to get worried. Tony hadn't returned her calls or her text messages, she had even asked James and Happy if they had heard from him. She was on the verge of going to his house and forcing him to talk to her, but she knew that that wouldn't end well.

Walking out to her car, she tried to find a way to talk to him.

"Hey Virginia." A voice said from behind her. Turning around she saw Regan walking towards her. Over the last few days, Virginia had talked to Regan plenty of times and she found out that he extremely nice and funny.

"Hey there. What's up?" He said with a smile on his face. She smiled at his contagious smile and his bright blue eyes.

"Just walking to my car. What's up with you?"

"I'll walk you, just waiting for a few friends." Regan said walking next to her.

"Got any plans for the weekend?" Virginia said trying to make conversation.

"I think I'm going paint balling with a few friends, what about you?"

"I've never been, it looks like fun. Probably study and hangout with my little brother."

"Oh that's cool. What's your brothers name?" Regan asked as they walked into the parking lot.

"Alex." She said with a smile. "Well here I am. I hope you have fun."

"Let me get that." Regan said opening the drivers door for her."

"Thanks." She said with a smile and a small blush on her cheeks. "Bye Regan."

"Bye, have fun with your brother." He smiled as he closed the door.

Smiling to herself, Virginia backed out of the parking spot and drove out of the parking lot. Driving the short drive home, Virginia thought of how easy it was to talk to Regan. She couldn't help it but she started to compare Tony and Regan. Shaking her head, Virginia payed attention to the road before she got into an accident.

Arriving home, she saw Alex playing in the front yard with Jesse.

"Hey boys." Virginia greeted as she got out of the car.

"Hey Ginny!" Alex shouted enthusiastically. "Come play."

"One second, let me put my stuff away." She said as she made her way inside. Making her way into her room she put her books down and took off her shoes.

"So, what are we playing?" Virginia asked as she walked outside.

"Keep away!" Alex said as he held up a Frisbee.

Throwing the Frisbee back and forth, Virginia smiled as Jesse started to bark.

"Come on Jesse, get the Frisbee." Alex said encouragingly as he threw the Frisbee close to the ground. Virginia watched on as Jesse jumped up and caught the Frisbee in mid-air.

"Way to go, Jesse-J." She said scratching his ears. Virginia started to laugh as Jesse rolled over onto his back. Scratching his belly, Virginia felt a raindrop on her hand.

"Uh, oh." Alex said holding up his arms.

"Come on bub, let's go inside."

"I don't wanna." Alex said folding his arms.

"Don't make me chase you." Virginia said getting up.

"Come and get me." Alex said as he stuck his tongue out.

"Oh it's on." Virginia said as she lunged for him. Alex shrieked in terror and ran away from Virginia's outstretched hands. Chasing him around the yard, Virginia smiled at Alex's screams mixed with giggles.

"I'm going to get you." Virginia said as she cornered Alex behind a tree. By now it was starting to rain harder and Alex and Virginia were getting thoroughly wet.

"Can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man!" Alex said as he ran out from behind the tree.

"Got you!" Virginia said victoriously as she gathered Alex in her arms.

"No fair! I slipped." Alex pouted.

"Still got you. Mother nature is on my side." She mocked as she took Alex inside.

Once they got inside, Kathy welcomed them with warm towels and kisses on their foreheads.

Alex scrunched up his face as Kathy kissed his forehead.

"Mooooooommm..." Alex whined.

"Oh stop." Kathy fussed as she ran her fingers through Alex's wet hair. "Go upstairs and take a warm shower before you catch a cold."

"But-."

"No buts. Go." Kathy scolded.

Virginia tried to hide a smile as Alex walked dejectedly up the stairs.

"How was school?" Kathy said as the two walked into the kitchen.

"It was okay, I've got some homework." Virginia waved off.

"That's good."

"Want some hot chocolate?"

"I'd love some." Virginia said with a small smile. "Thanks Mom."

Wrapped up in a warm towel, Virginia crossed her legs and waited for her drink.

8:32pm.

Tony sighed and looked down at his empty plate. They had just ended dinner and now they would begin the endless mingling and boring conversations about things that didn't matter, or rather that didn't matter to Tony.

Tony had mixed emotions about Director dinners, it let him have a chance to see his father for more than five minutes and it let him also talk to the interesting people but one of the downsides were the countless questions about his future and if he's ready to take over the multi-billion dollar company.

Rubbing his hands together, Tony walked into the kitchen to grab a drink.

"Hey Tony. How's the leg?" Obie greeted as Tony walked into the kitchen.

"It hurts, but nothing I can't deal with." Tony commented as he poured himself a drink.

"Hey, Hey. No drinking, won't sit well with your painkillers." Obie scolded as he took Tony's drink.

Tony rolled his eyes. "Really? Says the guy who pops pills, drinks and smokes all at the same time."

Obie narrowed his eyes and threw back the drink. "Take it easy." Obie said as he left the kitchen.

Pouring himself another drink Tony set down his crutches and leaned against the counter.

10:23pm.

By now Tony had a nice buzz going and he had talked with half the directors and their wives. Even in his buzzed state Tony could charm his fathers guests. With a drink and crutch in hand, Tony made his way from group to group talking with confidence.

"Hey Mom." Tony said as he walked towards her.

"Hi Tony. How are you?" Maria asked with a smile on her face.

"Leg hurts a bit but I'm good."

"When was the last time you took your painkillers?" Maria asked with a hint of worry in her voice.

"About 4 hours ago." Tony responded.

"So Tony, how go your studies?" A wife asked.

"Great, passing every class like usual." Tony responded kindly.

"That's great, who do you see yourself with in the future?" Another asked.

"Uh.. I don't know about my leg so top football schools are out of the question. MIT is definitely a front runner though."

"Oh that's a great choice." she commented.

With a small smile he said his goodbyes.

Walking amongst the groups somehow he found himself as a spectator while his father was talking to Obie and another director.

"What do you think about the recent fights in the middle east?" The portly director pitched in.

"Opportunity." Howard said around a cigar.

"How so?" The man asked.

"We know that no one over there is as advanced as us and to gain the upper hand they all need and want the top quality. That is what we have, Jenkins."

"How do you know that we have the top quality? For all we know someone else could be number one over there." Tony said looking into his glass.

"Believe me when I say that I know what I'm talking about. Stark Industries is number one in the world."

"But you can't know that. Have you ever been to the middle east? How can you be sure that SI is-."

Tony swallowed his words when Howard gave him a menacing glare.

"Go on." Obie encouraged.

Looking at Obie for confidence he went on. "As I was saying, how can you be so sure that SI is the only option for the people?"

"I built this company from the ground up. I work day in and day out to make sure SI will never fall to inferior people, I know what I'm talking about."

Grounding his teeth, he turned away. "Day in and day out takes a toll on a man.." Tony muttered.

"Let me talk to our contacts and we'll set up a meeting. It shouldn't take more than three weeks to get something done." Howard said smugly as Tony walked away.

11:00pm.

After the confrontation with Howard, Tony found comfort in drink. Ever since then he hadn't moved from his stool at the kitchen island, empty bottles of mainly scotch and vodka lay in arms reach of him. Tony frowned when he poured the last bit scotch into his mouth, he forgo glasses when he first sat down. Reaching for another bottle, Tony knocked over empty bottles he felt a small smile creep onto his face when they rolled off of the counter and smashed on the floor.

"What was that?" Maria asked as she came rushing into the kitchen.

Tony looked over to her with his eyes glazed over. "Nothing." He slurred as he tried to prop his head up with his hand.

"Oh Tony." Maria comforted as she came over and rubbed his back.

"What's going on in here?" Howard said walking into the kitchen. He stopped in his tracks when he saw the empty bottles and Tony's plastered look.

"Surprised Father? Well you shouldn't be." Tony said as he stood up swaying, he gripped the edge of the counter for balance. "I've picked up your drinking habits, so what."

Standing to his full height, Tony stepped up to his father leaning on one crutch. "Disappointed? Good, at least you feel some emotion towards me." Tony breathed as he pushed past his father.

After dinner, Virginia and Alex went straight for the TV. This had become their nightly ritual. They would watch Phineas and Ferb until it was time for Alex to go to bed. Sometimes Michael or Kathy would come watch, but most of the time they would take the chance to have some peace and quiet while the kids were occupied. They were 3 episodes deep when Kathy called bedtime for Alex.

"Alex it's time for bed."

"But-." Alex whined.

"What did I say about buts?" Kathy scolded for the second time that day.

Finally getting the couch to herself, Virginia stretched out and pulled a blanket over her. She watched as Dr. Doofenshmirtz explained his back story for one of his -inators.

"Mind if I join you?" Michael asked from behind the couch.

"Go ahead." Virginia answered sleepily. Virginia felt her Dad pick up her feet and put them in his lap.

"Where's Mom?" Virginia asked as she rolled onto her back.

"She was tired so she went to bed." Michael responded. "What's the point of his show again?"

"Phineas and Ferb build cool stuff while their sister Candace tries to get them in trouble and they also have a secret agent platypus as a pet." Virginia said. She didn't realized how childish that sounded until it came out of her mouth.

"Sounds... Exciting." Michael said trying to stifle a laugh. "I never thought you would be interested in this type of show. I always thought you would watch those crime shows with your Mother."

"It's fun to watch it with Alex, don't blame me Mr. How It's Made." Virginia said with a smile.

"Hey, that show is educational and interesting." Michael defended.

She smiled and continued to watch the show. Every now and then Michael would point something out and explain the ridiculousness of it. Snuggling into the couch, Virginia could feel her eyes start to close.

She was half asleep when a loud bang sounded on the front door. Looking at her Dad in terror she pulled the blankets up and around her. Michael signalled for her to be quiet and slowly got up from the couch. Virginia peeked around the back of the couch and watched as Michael made his way cautiously to the front door. Virginia felt a little at ease when Michael looked through the peep hole and saw that his shoulders relaxed a little.

She got up from the couch when he started to undo the locks.

"Who is it?" Virginia asked warily.

"See for yourself." Michael said as he opened the door. Peeking around her Dad's shoulder, she saw Tony lying against the door frame in a soaked suit.

"Tony?"

Cliffhanger! Help with the father-son conflict would be extremely helpful. Shout out to believeinangel for being the 250th reviewer.