Tony and Rebecca's eyes had never been so wide in their life. Not only was Pepper alive, but she had Extremis and she was now using the arm piece of a suit to attack Killian who had managed to walk back toward them. Pepper was always a nurturing and gentle woman in Rebecca's eyes, but right now she had turned into a machine.
Rebecca couldn't believe Pepper had survived not only gaining Extremis hours earlier, but she had walked out of the fiery pit and saved their lives. Pepper was her hero, just as she had been her whole life.
''Honey,'' Tony began as Pepper stood in shock, looking around at what she had just done.
''That was really violent,''
One month later...
Rebecca looked out the window of her dad's car as buildings passed her by, people carrying on with their lives like normal, everyday worries and chores on their mind. Looking down at her hand, she was glad it no longer held the orange glow she so often thought about. Tony had created a serum to reverse the effects of Extremis on her and Pepper, giving them a normal and comfortable life. There were no more Iron Man suits, at least none that were in use, and the glowing Arc Reactor in Tony's chest was gone.
That was a scary day for everyone. Rebecca remembered waiting outside the operating theater with Pepper, Rhodey and Ben as the surgeons removed the shrapnel in his chest. Rebecca had grown used to the blue light she would forever associate with her father, but their lives were going to be better now. No more danger, no more fights.
Rebecca had always fought to be part of all that, to be by her dad's side and defend her family just as he did. But that had changed. She almost lost her dad, she almost lost Pepper and she almost lost Ben, not to mention she herself almost died. She didn't want that anymore.
''You ready for this kiddo?'' Tony asked as they pulled into a parking lot.
Taking a deep breath, Rebecca nodded. Tony and Pepper had talked to her about seeing a psychologist almost everyday since they had been at their new home. It was one thing for Tony to bottle things up and keep things from his family, but he didn't want Rebecca to be like that. They had talked together about a lot of things from New York to the night Rebecca had the accident on the highway.
Rebecca hadn't opened up like that in a very long time, but after everything they had been through together in the past few months, the three of them were closer than ever before.
''I know it's scary,''
''I just want it over with,'' she admit. ''I want to be better, I want to put all this behind me,''
''I know that, but hey, it's-''
''Gonna take time, yeah,'' Rebecca sighed. ''Good thing I've got nothing better to do,''
Rebecca knew she needed to do this. She had seen things she wish she didn't, been turned into a monster and killed people. That was going to stay with her forever, just like New York was. But the only way she was going to be able to move on and live happily was to learn how to live with it.
Tony reached over and pulling his daughter close, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
''I'm proud of you Rebecca,''
''Until I get out of this alive, don't be,'' Rebecca joked.
''Hey, I know I was stupid making all those suits and hiding them. I made a lot of mistakes and I'm gonna be working through them for a long time. I have regrets, sure. But I don't regret you for one second, okay? Don't look down on yourself, you're stronger than anyone I know,''
Rebecca smiled up at her father before falling back into his embrace.
''I love you dad,''
Living in a new house was uncomfortable at first, but Rebecca had gotten used to it over the past few weeks. The house she grew up in was gone, smashed to pieces, nothing left. But it was okay.
This was starting new. No more fighting, no more drama, no more living like anything other than a regular family. At least that was the plan.
They were in New York now, but with the company and their lifestyle, they would be travelling back and forth between a lot of different places. Ben was sorting out arrangements for an apartment and eventually Rebecca was going to be staying with him once everything was settled with her family. That was something Tony still hadn't come to terms with, but Rebecca assured him when he and Pepper were home she would be too.
As much as Rebecca didn't agree, Tony had continued with work on the Avengers Tower. He argued it was only for emergencies, for when the world needed them and when the Avengers needed somewhere to go, and Rebecca didn't see the point of fighting it.
She respected what he did with the Avengers, she respected all of them, but she just didn't want to be a part of it anymore. She wanted to make a life for herself, a normal life.
Rebecca wanted to do something that was going to help people but in her own way, so she had decided to create a new division of scientific research and development at Stark Industries which she was going to run. She would be in charge of recruiting members, and she would stay away from the weapons and suits for the time being. She wanted to work in quiet, in darkness for a while, away from the madness of the world.
''How'd it go sweetie?'' Pepper hugged Rebecca tight after she walked through the door.
Tony followed behind, a smile on his lips as he stared at the two most important people in his life.
''Better than expected,'' Rebecca explained. ''But I'm glad to be home,''
''The first session is always the toughest,'' Pepper nodded. ''Come on, I made your favorite pasta,''
Rebecca smiled and took Pepper's hand, walking into the kitchen like a mother and daughter. They had always been close, but having both endured the Extremis virus and been cured, they both held even more respect for one another. Rebecca had hugged Pepper for almost five hours on their first night back as a family.
Pepper served some food for them all but after sensing that the girls might want to talk alone, Tony took his into his new lab where he was still working on perfecting their new house.
''So honestly, how was it?'' Pepper asked as they began eating.
''Seriously, it was fine,'' Rebecca assured. ''We talked about everything, I got a lot off my chest,''
''Well that's good, I'm proud of you,''
''Why are you and dad so proud of me? I haven't done anything to deserve it,'' she shook her head. ''I was an idiot and got myself into some pretty serious trouble, I'm more of a disappointment than a badge of pride on either of you,''
''Rebecca, you're nineteen years old. You're supposed to make mistakes and get into trouble, but you've been through things you shouldn't have. You grew up in the public eye, you still are, you're intelligent beyond belief, you're stronger than anyone I know and you're still going. You're going to make a name for yourself. People will have a much more positive and helpful Stark Industries in a few years because of you. You're worth being proud of,''
That night Rebecca ran down the hallway in her pink pajama pants to open the door for Ben who resembled an excited puppy when he saw her. Rebecca grinned and jumped up into his arms as he hugged her tight. They hadn't seen each other in a few days since Ben was busy with the last week of his job. He was going to be joining Rebecca in her research division and would have quit his job right then and there if she hadn't persuaded him to give them notice and do it all properly. Apparently it was always good to have powerful connections, no matter where or who they were.
Ben swung around with Rebecca still in his arms and shut the front door, standing still for a moment as she kissed him.
''Not long before we get to work now,'' Ben reminded.
''Mm hmm. You ready to take orders from me?'' she laughed.
''You're the only one I'd take orders from ma'am,''
''Oh well then it's going to be easy living with me if that's the case,''
''Hey you two, pizza's in the living room!'' Pepper called out.
Ben sat Rebecca back down on her feet, running his hands through her hair which was just above her shoulders. Rebecca smiled sweetly at him before grabbing his hand and leading him down the hall. Tony was sitting on the couch with his arm resting behind Pepper, laughing at whatever she had just said. Rebecca hadn't seen them this happy before. They were opening up more than ever and it was proving to be the best thing for them.
''Hey Pepper, Mr. Stark,'' Ben waved as they entered the room.
''Nice you see you again Ben,'' Pepper smiled.
''You gotta start calling me Tony,''
''I'm sorry,'' Ben shook his head. ''Hard habit to shake,''
''Did you get the cheese pizza with extra sauce?'' Rebecca asked excitedly as she took a set on the floor next to the small table.
''I've been ordering your pizza since you were a little kid Bec, do you think I'd ever forget extra sauce?'' Pepper chuckled.
''I'd hope not,''
They began eating in comfortable silence, each taking a piece of pizza and resting against the couch. They had no television on in the background, ignoring the consistent stories being ran about them and their efforts to clean up their mess from the past month. The world knew about Aldrich Killian's plans, but nothing was going to stop them from blaming Tony Stark whenever he was involved.
That's another thing Rebecca wanted nothing of. She didn't want to deal with the media anymore. No more waving in politeness, interviews during a Stark Industries conference, nothing.
''You did something new to your hair, didn't you?'' Tony asked with a mouthful of pizza, pointing over to his daughter.
Since Rebecca had hacked away and her locks when running from Killian, there was nothing she could do but get used to it. She had dyed it a darker brown than her usual chocolate color and had it cut properly instead of in chunks. Of course it took her father over a week to notice.
''I'm not even going to answer you,'' she shook her head. ''Hey did you get all of that stuff set up for Harley?''
''Yeah he should have come home to a nicer looking work space today actually,'' her dad nodded. ''Also let him know he's got a spot at Stark Industries when he's old enough,''
''Not everyone's goal is to work at Stark Industries dad,''
''Who in this room is starting their own research division at said company?'' he countered.
Rebecca frowned in defeat.
''At least you two arguing like children will never change,'' Pepper rolled her eyes. ''I'm going to get some ice cream out,''
''Ooh, I wonder if we've got those chocolate chips!'' Rebecca remembered, jumping up and following Pepper out.
Ben finished his slice of pizza and realized that it was just him and Tony left in the living room. Even though he knew the man and was comfortable around him, there was something about being in a room alone with your girlfriend's dad that just added an unknown tension.
However there was something Ben wanted to say. It had been on his mind for a very long time and after everything that had just happened these past few weeks, he knew that he would regret not going through with it.
''Mr. Stark,'' Ben began.
''Seriously? You're in my house, call me Tony,''
''Right, sorry, Tony,'' he smiled. ''Uh, I was hoping to ask you something...about Bec,''
Tony's eyes flickered up with a serious stare.
''Sure,'' he said steadily.
''Well it's not really about her but, well it is, but it's more of...more of permission for something I'd like to ask-''
''No chocolate chips,'' Rebecca sighed as she walked back into the room. ''We'll just have to settle for chocolate syrup,''
Ben quickly smiled up at her as Pepper entered as well, trying to not think of the fact he had left his conversation with Tony at a very important part. But it didn't matter, Tony didn't need any more information. He knew what Ben was going to ask.