Welcome back and hope you enjoy!

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Early the next morning, I arrived at Tony's mansion.

"Hello, Miss Angie. It is wonderful to have you back," greeted JARVIS, as I walked down the steps to the living room. "Although, I wish it was under better circumstances."

"You and me both, JARV." I set my stuff on the couch. "Do you know where Pepper is?"

"Ms. Potts is currently at Stark Industries with Colonel Rhodes. Would you like me to contact her?"

"Yes, please," I replied, grabbing my things. "Could you tell her I'll head up there after I get cleaned up?"

"Of course, miss."

I thanked him and went to my room. I threw my things on the bed and left to shower. After changing my clothes, I passed by the mirror and saw my eyes, red and swollen from the tears. Why, Tony? Why? I need you…. I wiped a stray tear and quickly put on some makeup. Soon after, I headed towards the garage. After I got in the car, I asked JARVIS to call Pepper.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Pepper. I'm on my way."

"Great," she said irritably. "Maybe you can get through Stane's thick head."

"What happen- you know what?" I replied "I don't even want to know, see you in a bit."

"Alright, bye."

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"Angie! Over here! Can you comment on Stark's disappearance? What do know about his demonstration?"

Finally, I pushed through the swarm and walked through the doors. Pepper and Rhodey met me at the door and I gave them a snarky grin.

"They never give up do they?" I joked.

"Well, you are a 'Stark'," Rhodey replied. He walked over and gave me a hug. "How ya doing?"

"Okay, I guess." I let go of him and gave him a look. "And I'm not exactly a….never mind." I grimaced at my attempt of a comeback. I turned to Pepper, who gave me a sad smile.

"I'm glad to see you," she said, hugging me as well. "But not under these circumstances."

I mirrored her smile. "Me too, Pep."

She let go, blinking away her tears, and motioned for me to follow her. "So, let's get you up to speed on everything…" I nodded in reply and followed both of them to Tony's office.

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After we got to Tony's office, Pepper and Rhodey told me all that had happened. After Tony's weapons demonstration, the convoy had been ambushed, and he had been taken in the process. The people who had taken him were a terrorist group called the Ten Rings.

"Okay…." I said, trying to comprehend….all of this. I blinked and turned to Rhodey. "How, Rhodey? How in the freakin' hell did this happen?" He looked away not able to answer me.

I could hear him run thousands of apologies through his mind, but could never find one to tell me what I wanted to hear.

"I'm sorry, Rhodey, I-" I let out a deep breath. "What do y'all got so far?"

He shook his head. "Not much, but we're getting close." I nodded in reply and looked down at my hands in my lap. "What's up?"

I looked back up at them with tears in my eyes. "The last time I talked to him, I told him I hated him." They both gave me a sad look.

"We were fighting," I choked, "I don't remember what about, but I told him I hated him." I wrapped my arms around myself. "Before he left for the demo, he texted me, telling me he'd be back so we could work it out. I didn't reply." I shook my head. "He could be dead, and the last thing I said to him was I hated him."

Sobs overtook my body. Pepper rushed over to me and wrapped her arms around me, while Rhodey knelt down and took my hand in his.

"It's okay, sweetheart," Pepper said, as she rubbed her hand up and down my shoulders. "He knows you love him; y'all were just upset." I nodded my head into her shoulder. "Look at me." She lifted my chin to look at her. "This is not your fault, you hear me?" I nodded my head again and hugged her. "But…." Of course….

"We do need to talk to you about something. Stane recommends-" My eyes widened.

"No, heck, no. I know what you're going to say, so, no." I shook my head. "I cannot run this place." They both gave me a look that said, 'Tony couldn't', but still. "And yes, I know that Tony couldn't either, but I'm not even a Stark."

"You and I know that's not true, Angie," Rhodey replied. I sighed in reply, He's right….as always.

"I'm sorry, you two. I can't do this," I repeated. "Not until I know for sure he's gone. Then, we'll see."

"In that case, maybe you could help me," a voice said from the doorway. Obadiah Stane….Gah! The old jerk. Let's just blame it on first impressions.

"Until then, Mr. Stane," I drawled, "I will help Pepper and Rhodey with the search for my uncle. Nothing more, nothing less."

"As you wish," he snarled, leaving the room.

"For once, could you get along with him?" Rhodey demanded.

"Him calling me 'the brat' is enough of any explanation not to," I replied, crossing my arms.

"You were 10. How old are you now? 23?"

"Let's just find Tony and get this over with," I said, turning to leave. "If you could excuse me, I need to make a phone call." I pulled out my phone and dialed the number.

"Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters."

"Hey, Scott. It's Angie. Is Charles there?"

"Yeah, let me patch you through."

"Thanks, Scotty."

"No problem, Oc." Click.

"Hello, Angie. How are you?"

"Could be better, but I'm getting there," I replied. "So, um, I'm going to be out a while. I could be a month or more, but I'm not too sure."

"I will tell you again: take as much time as you need. And have faith, my dear. You'll find him soon enough."

"Thanks, Charles. I'll try to keep you updated," I sighed. "Talk to you soon."

"And to you as well." Click.

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After I came home, I ran to my room and threw myself on the bed. Sobs rattled my body, guilt and worry overtaking me. I'm so sorry, Tony….I don't hate you…..Please come back….

"Miss Angie, would you like me to order your favorite takeout for dinner? I hear a nice meal can help soothe individuals in their time of grieving."

"That's sounds great, JARV. Could you order me some extra cream cheese thingys, too?"

"Of course, miss." Thirty minutes later, my General Tso's arrived, along with some cream cheese rangoons. As I ate, JARVIS turned on a movie. Half-way through the movie, I began to drift off. Soon, I began to dream.

"-They found him. He's coming home!-"

"-Angie?-"

"-shutting down the weapons manufacturing division of Stark Industries-"

"-why did I trust him?-"

"-you're going to get yourself killed-"

"-Tony!-"

I bolted up with a gasp. Well, at least he'll be okay. For now. I rubbed my eyes and yawned. "JARVIS, what time is it?"

"Five o'clock in the morning, ma'am. Oh, and Ms. Potts stopped by. We would have woken you, but Ms. Potts thought we should let you have your rest."

"Thanks, what did she come by for?"

"She wanted to check up on you." the AI replied. "She also said that her and Colonel Rhodes needed to speak with you again today."

I grimaced. "At Stark Industries?"

"No, miss. She said they would bring lunch."

I nodded and got up off the couch. "I might as well get up. Turn on something upbeat, please."

JARVIS turned on some music and I began to make some breakfast. After I ate, I showered and got some sort of clothing on. And right on the strike of 12, Pepper and Rhodey strolled in with three boxes of pizza.

"What'd ya get?" I exclaimed, running over and stealing a box from them. They laughed.

"Yours is in here somewhere, Ange," Rhodey said, taking back the box I stole. I pouted and crossed my arms. "Don't act like you haven't eaten. I know what you ate last night."

I raised my brow at this. "How do you know I didn't tell JARVIS to tell you I ate?"

"I didn't ask the AI." He pointed over to the trash. "Checked the trash."

"Gross," I scrunched up my nose. "Now will you please give me my pizza? I'm wasting away over here." They handed me my Barbeque Chicken with Bacon and started eating their own pizzas. "So," I said with my mouth full, "What'd you need to talk to me about? It's not about the company again, is it?"

Pepper shook her head. "We wanted to make sure you were okay. You left in a such a rush yesterday, we were worried," she replied.

"I'm….getting there."

Both of them gave me smiled. "Good…"she said."Do you need to go back to work or anything?"

"My boss understands the situation and said to take as much time as I need. One of my friends is covering for me." I took another bite, "So, no worries." Pepper glared at my disregard for manners. I sheepishly grinned and swallowed my food. "Sorry…." I turned back to my pizza, not feeling hungry anymore. I pushed the box away and rested my head in my hands.

Rhodey closed his box and gave me a worried look. "You sure you're okay?"

"No…." I replied, eyes starting to well up again. "I just realized that for the first time since my mom died, I'm gonna be alone again."

He shook his head, furrowing his brow. "No, you are not. You have us."

Pepper nodded in agreement. "That's one thing that will never change." She cupped her hand under my chin, lifting it to make me look at her. "And don't you forget it."

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Hey guys! This story was one of my firsts and I want to grow as a writer. So, to any of my readers, whether new or old, feedback is wonderful.

See ya next time!