Howling2themoon- Thank you for reading, and I know that it's been a while, but here's the latest installment in this story, and I hope that you enjoy it.

Juliet and Molly- If you were looking for an end to all of the suspense, the you probably will not have found it here in this chapter, but at least you can rest assure knowing that the trial story arc is over, if you want. Thanks for reading and enjoying up until here

Thank you to everyone else who has read and reviewed earlier chapters. I'm starting a shout out system to all commenters from now on, just putting that out there. But mostly just enjoy the story :)

Ava sat rigidly on the wooden bench. She was sitting in the front row, but it was still too close to the rest of the audience for her taste. But since it was the state who was attacking Tony, and not Ava herself, she had no business on the other side of that little gate. Well, except for when she'd been called up to the stand as a witness of course, but that was a whole nother situation.

The judge walked into the room, and the bailiff told everyone to rise for the honorable Judge Picknik. The court is now in session." Ava stood up with everyone else, including Becca, who was still in charge of Ava's welfare until further notice. Hopefully that notice would arrive today in the form of being put back into Tony's custody.

The judge sighed. "I have taken into great consideration all of the facts of this case. The Bench family is reported missing, and the minor, Avalon Bench, was found in the care of one Anthony Stark. I have heard from several witnesses, including the minor herself, who all say that her stay at Stark Tower was completely consensual. There is also evidence in the form of journal pages stating that the Benches indeed kidnapped Avalon as a baby, along with scientific proof that Tony Stark is the biological father of Ava Bench. Keeping all of that in mind, I believe I've reached my decision, however, I have to ask something of Avalon." Ava glanced at Becca, and her caretaker motioned for her to stand up, so she did.

Ava cleared her throat. "Uh, sure thing, judge. What did you want to know?"

The judge smiled gently. "What do you wish to be the outcome of all of this?"

Ava sighed. "I just want everything to go back to normal. I mean, I just want to go home. To Stark Tower."

The judge nodded. "Then on the counts of kidnapping and wrongful imprisonment, I declare the defendant, Anthony Stark, not guilty on both charges. I also declare that the minor, Avalon Bench, may return to the custody of Mr Stark, though the proper change of guardianship forms need to be filled out,"

Tony raised one eyebrow. "Wait, so do I have to actually adopt her?"

The judge looked annoyed with Tony. "I wasn't finished talking yet. The proper change of guardianship forms need to be filled out for Mr Stark to officially be considered the paternal parent of Avalon, and the only ones who need to be able to show proper adoption papers are Margie and Stan Bench, when they are located. Case Dismissed."

The media seemed like they were everywhere, with everyone itching to be the first to report the story, complete with quotes from those who were most directly involved in the trial. Because of that, there was only one news crew that caught the heartwarming scene of Ava jumping over the gate, and into Tony's arms. The two hugged for a long moment, and then Pepper wrapped her arms around them as well, making it a group hug.

The reporter smiled to herself at the sight. It was for things like this that she had ever gone into photojournalism, and she was glad of the reminder provided by the touching family reunion that she was witnessing.

Ava pulled back from Tony and Pepper after what felt like forever. "Hey you guys, I think that we should all go out for ice cream."

Tony rolled his eyes. "And maybe a stiff drink or two." At Ava's raised eyebrows, he sighed. "Fine, just plain old ice cream. But trust me, you'll be regretting that decision in a few minutes, when you realize how terribly you screwed up, actually asking to be put back into my custody."

Ava shook her head. "I wouldn't have said it if I didn't really mean it." She shrugged. "Besides, who else has a house with such a perfect space for flying built right in?" She lowered her voice a bit. "I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about the journal pages. It's not that I didn't think you deserved to know, it's just that I didn't want you to have to feel like you were obligated to take care of me if you didn't want to, and I thought that-"

Tony cut off the teen by pulling her into another tight hug. He spoke in his best stern voice, though he didn't seem entirely bothered when Ava only giggled in response. "Well, don't you ever do that again, young lady. If you ever find out that I'm your dad ever again, and you don't tell me, then you're going to be grounded for a billion years."

Ava grinned. "Do you really think that you could put up with me for that long without being driven absolutely insane? Because make no mistake, Mr Stark, you being my father does not change too much. I'm not going to go any easier on you, and I'm going to continue to hold it over your head whenever you get anything wrong. About anything."

Tony chuckled. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you. But hey, at least on the plus side, we all know where you got that horribly nasty stubborn streak from. I'd never met a woman more stubborn than Pepper until I met you."

Ava peered over Tony's shoulder to roll her eyes at Pepper, who returned the sentiment wholeheartedly. Pepper cleared her throat. "Tony, we really should be heading back home like now. As soon as people hear that you've got a daughter, and heir to your empire, they're going to be lining up on the streets to get a good look at her."

Ava nodded, and grabbed one hand from each of the adults. "Come on, let's go." As they turned to leave the room, which was now almost completely empty since the media had been forced out into the hallway, Ava spotted Becca. She let go of Tony and Pepper for a moment to run over to the woman who'd watched over her for the past couple of weeks. Ava grinned up at the woman. "Thanks for taking care of me, even though I'm such a horrible nuisance."

Becca laughed. "You would not be calling yourself a nuisance if you'd ever seen any of the other kids that I've watched over due to one circumstance or another. It all worked out, though, didn't it, Ava? It's like I said, they would never put you where you don't want to go. So you got what you wanted, right?" Ava suddenly felt shivers run up her spine. "That means you get to go back home to Tony and all of the Avengers. Aren't you so happy for that?"

Ava had to force herself not to frown, since that would be rude. "Yeah, sure. Well, see you around, Ms Anderson." She grabbed Tony and Pepper, and pulled them out of the courtroom as quickly as possible.

The social worker continued to stand there, even after the strange little family had left. She smiled to herself, and raised her phone to her ear. "Everything is as it should be."

The voice on the other end sighed happily. "Good. I'm glad that everything's worked out properly. It would suck if I lost all of my progress, after all of that hard work, simply because of the justice system. You did well, Becca. You should be proud."

The woman nodded. "Oh don't worry, I'm very proud, alright. She didn't suspect a single thing."