Someone mentioned something about getting a 6 pack of brewskies, and the Off Licence I work at has some half-price Budweiser that's almost at its best before date, so…

Dear old Dad…

"I understand that you're a little, well, stressed since Betty made our relationship public." Tony sat at one end of the table, next to Natasha, "I'm sorry that things have gotten a little, well, out of hand."

"You meant he guy security caught trying to take photos of me through my bathroom window?" Faith looked up from her meal unsure what to try first, "Yeah, that was a first: normally they offer me money first..."

"The press can be a little distracting, but you learn to live with them. The security Fury assigned you should take care of most of them."

"Hey, I can deal with them on my own!"

"Yes, but your idea of dealing is to beat them into unconsciousness and leave the rest up to the legal department." Tony sipped his drink, "I think you need to work on that if you're going to be a member of the Ultimates."

"What Tony is trying to say is that maybe you should try and tone down your behaviour a little." Natasha smiled at her future daughter-in-law, "I know how hard it can be, but you do get used to it, after while."

"Yeah, well, I guess me 'hit first, ask questions later' policy could use a little work." Faith chased her salad around the plate with her fork, "But what's the real reason you asked me here tonight?"

"Can't a man invite his long-lost daughter out to dinner in a five-star restaurant with the woman he loves?" Tony asked.

"Not when his long-lost daughter is the result of a one-night stand, no." Faith looked her father in the eye, "look, unlike what a lot of the papers are saying, I'm not looking for money. I mean, yeah, it's nice to have, but I've learnt over the years that there are more important things in the world than cash."

"Never the less, you will be getting a substantial allowance." Tony took Natasha's hand, "There is another thing we need to discuss: you know by know that I have, at best, five years to live. I'm already having my will re-written to take into account that fact that Natasha and I are getting married, but I've instructed my lawyers to include you as my main heir. Should Natasha and I have any children, not something we've discussed to any length, they will be added. But as my eldest, you would stand to inherit the bulk of my fortune, as well as my company."

"Wow there!" Faith held up her hands to stop him, "What the hell do know about running a multi-national company? I can't even balance my chequebook!"

"Stark International can all-but run itself, so you'd have to do very little actual work." Tony reassured her, "I've missed out on the last 18-years, and I want to try and make up for them."

"I'm not looking for anything from you: I only wanted to know who my father was." Faith put her knife and fork down, "I know that to you, my mother was just a woman you met in a bar while on a business trip to Boston. To me, she's just someone who couldn't be bothered to spend any money on birth control. I've never expected anything from my natural parents. I didn't come looking for a farther figure, if that's what you're thinking…"

"Would Rupert Giles fill that roll?" General Fury appeared out of nowhere and joined them at the table, a plain-clothed Captain America taking the last free seat.

"This is a private dinner Nicolas." Tony looked more than a little upset at their arrival; "I take it there is a good reason for you two to be here?"

"We've been doing some background checks on your daughter." Fury looked at Faith, "Just who are you working for, really?"

TBC

I was drunk when I started this and sober when I finished it…