Pepper Potts had been doing some cleaning in their home while Tony had been doing- Oh, well God knows what he was up to at the Stark tower. She had taken care to get their daughter- Madison's laundry folded and she was taking care to put the clothing away. Though, when placing her daughter's jeans in the second drawer she came across a small package. A pack of Marlboro cigarettes. She was smoking? Since welcoming Madison into their home it had been a learning experience for both of them caring for a teenager. They both didn't expect them to have a child so soon but, Tony had a daughter she didn't know he had. Which was rather surprising since she knew Tony for a long time now. A daughter. His daughter. Yet, though- with the old Tony Stark the future had been precarious. So, a child he did have. A beautiful, young lady with dark chestnut hair and hazel blue eyes. Nearly, a spitting image of her father. But was she also to start his bad habits so young too?

Pepper sighed and shook her head in disappointment and shoved the pack of cigarettes into her pocket. She knew it was upsetting that she was snooping in her daughter's room but it was something that needed to be addressed- immediately. She left the basket of additional laundry she had not- yet put away on Madison's bed as she walked downstairs to grab her cellphone to call Tony. She turned out of the bedroom and to the right, past the master and guest bedroom to a flight of stairs in which she tread down slowly. With each step down the flight of stairs, she felt a nervousness grown in her. This was a new step for her in parenting. So far, she hadn't been given a reason to be readily angry towards Madison though, she wouldn't tolerate a sixteen-year-old smoking and she wanted to make sure Tony knew she wasn't okay with it. She could see past Tony and his carelessness but she didn't want the same mistakes happening with their daughter.

She sucked in a breath, walking towards the kitchen; her heels clicking and making an echoing sound as the house was empty other than for her. As she approached there was a rectangular, white countertop island and a display of barstools neatly aligned adjacent to the rest of the kitchen and its contents. She walked over to the island which bared a bowl of fruit and her cellphone which sat next to it. Upon picking up the phone she was hesitant for a moment feeling her heart hammer in her chest. She was nervous. Eventually, she plucked up the courage to dial the number and was now listening to it ring on the other end. She leaned her left hip against the island, throwing her weight against it as she waited for Tony to pick up on the other end. She inhaled softly and then exhaled slowly as if trying to relieve some of her nerves.

"Come on, Tony." She muttered to herself quietly. And it rang, rang and rang. As she was about to hang up she heard a faint crackling on the other end and then she hear his voice.

"Pep, can I take this later? I'm in the middle of something."

Knowing Tony, that wasn't a question and if she didn't say anything he'd be quick to hang up the phone.

"Not this can't wait. We need to discuss your daughter's recreational habits."

"What? She putting 'Bang Snaps' on the toilet seat again." Tony joked and then inhaled softly in a rather impatient manner.

"No Tony," She said in a serious tone, his was definite that she had also rolled her eyes. "Are you aware our daughter is smoking?"

"What?-" Tony suddenly spat in surprise.

From Pepper's end it sounded like he had choked on something as she could hear him coughing. It made her wince.

"Give me a minute."

There was a long moment before Pepper finally heard silence on the other end. "Tony?"

"I'll be there in 20. Make sure she gets the memo we need a little chit-chat."

With that, the line went dead on the other end before Pepper could even say anything else. She sighed, feeling rather crossed.

Note: If you made it this far it is greatly appreciated! I am still working on my portrayal skills. This is part 1 of ? for my mini-story "It's Just a Cigarette" from Pepper Potts POV from the viewpoint of the third person.