Disclaimer: I do not own the Avengers or any other Marvel characters. I only own my OC.
A/N: Alright here's the last chapter for the Iron Man story-line. Iron Man 2 is next! :) I do not own the show that is mentioned in this chapter. If you're an old school Disney Channel fan then you'll know the show Grace is watching. Just FYI, I'm thinking of ending this story after Spider-Man: Far From Home. At first I felt that Grace's story should finish in Avengers: Endgame but after watching Spider-Man: Far From Home I thought otherwise. I actually liked Spider-Man: Far From Home a lot and I would like to do my version of the story. I'd like to explore how Grace is after Tony's death and how she deals with grief and moving on. There'll probably be a few AU chapters after Spider-Man: Far From Home focusing on the aftermath of the sequel and then Grace and Peter's relationship when they're way older. I think that'll be a perfect ending. It'll be bittersweet that's for sure.
Can I just say that Jake Gyllenhaal as Mysterio was amazing. I loved and hated his character. I loved his theme song that was used in the movie. It's gonna be interesting when Grace meets him with Peter during Spider-Man: Far From Home. I definitely would like to mention his character in my story, even if it's just a small mention, before the story gets into the story-line of Spider-Man: Far From Home. Which I might do when I head into Civil War...and if you've seen Spider-Man: Far From Home you know exactly why mentioning Mysterio during that point makes sense.
"Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are graced with."
― Brodi Ashton, Everneath
Chapter 10: I am Iron Man
The following morning, after hearing her Uncle Rhodey speak on the news, Grace decided to go with Pepper to her dad's lab. When they got there they were in for quite the scene. They saw glass shattered everywhere on the ground from the glass door that used to be there. Now unlike Pepper who was looking around the area with complete shock, Grace remained somewhat calm by her side. Her composure almost fell when she finally caught sight of her dad...and the rather unusual state he was in.
He was wearing what looked like a red and gold metal suit. His face was clearly visible but the rest of him was still covered by the metal suit. Although based on the various robotic arms that were picking at the metal suit he was in the process of taking it off.
Pepper and Grace remained quiet as they slowly approached where he was. As they did this Jarvis' voice filled the lab.
"Sir, the more you struggle, the more this is going to hurt."
Tony, who was having trouble holding still, huffed loudly. "Be gentle. This is my first time." He quipped. "I designed this to come off. So―ow!" He yelped at a tug that was given on his arm. "Hey! I really should be able to..."
"Please, try not to move, sir." Jarvis interrupted evenly.
Despite being bewildered and worried of her mind, Pepper finally found her voice. "What's going on here?"
In his head Tony was panicking but he did his best to remain neutral with his expression when he saw both Pepper and his daughter. To say it was awkward to have them there with him was an understatement. Pepper and Grace kept silent as they stared at Tony, waiting for an explanation.
Tony finally ended the silence. "Let's face it this is not the worst thing you've caught me doing." He answered, aiming that sentence towards Pepper.
Pepper was about to respond to that comment when her eyes widened by what she saw next. "Are those bullet holes?"
Grace followed Pepper's gaze and gasped. She had been focusing more on the robot arms helping her dad that she hadn't noticed the bullet holes. "Dad..." She called out softly, just as worried. "What happened?"
"Uh...I think I have some explaining to do, huh?" Tony said sheepishly.
Pushing away her concern, Pepper gave him an unimpressed look now that she saw he was thoroughly okay. She frowned, and her voice sounded more annoyed this time. "You think?"
"Uh..." Grace interrupted the stare match between the two adults. Both of them looked at her, waiting to hear what she had to say. What she said next though took them by surprise. She looked at Pepper with a curious look. "What's the worst thing you caught him doing?"
Somehow Pepper was able to convince the inquisitive Grace to remain in her bedroom as she returned downstairs to Tony's lab.
Tony, who was currently working on his suit, heard the familiar sound of heels approaching him. His attention from his work switched over to her presence. He was quick to pick on how worried she was. It was written all over her face but he did his best to look past it. Instead he went with his usual casual route. Not at all bringing up the fact on how he was caught wearing the suit he had been working on. The suit only Grace was aware of and not her. However, he knew the casual route wouldn't work for long. Not with what he needed her to do.
Tony walked over towards her. "Hey, you busy? Mind if I send you on an errand?"
Pepper let out a low sigh, bringing her hands on her hips. If things weren't as serious as they were right now Tony would have made the comment on how that pose looked like such a mom pose. He cleared his throat.
"I need you to go to my office." Tony started swiftly instructing her. "You're going to hack into the mainframe and you're going to retrieve all the recent shipping manifests." He picked up a small jump drive from his work desk. "This is a lock chip. This will get you in." He said as he handed it to her. Pepper took it, unsure. "It's probably under executive files. If not, they put it on a ghost drive, in which case you need to look for the lowest numeric heading."
Pepper locked eyes with him briefly. "And what do you plan to do with this information if I bring it back here?" She asked, worried.
Tony was now paying attention to the design that was on his computer screen. He was completely ignoring the sharp yet concerned look Pepper was giving him. "Same drill. They've been dealing under the table, and I'm going to stop them. I'm going to find my weapons and destroy them."
Pepper let out a small unamused laugh. She was trying to remain calm despite what was just said. "Tony, you know that I would help you with anything but...I cannot help you if you are going to start all of this again. For God Sakes think about your daughter."
"You don't think I've thought about her? I have!" Tony vehemently responded as he faced her again. "That's why I have to do this. There is nothing except this. There is no art opening, there is no benefit, there is nothing to sign. There is the next mission, and nothing else."
Pepper became quiet for a moment there. She just looked at him. Neither of them broke eye contact with one another...until finally Pepper spoke. "That so? Well, then, I quit." She threw the jump drive on the work table. Just as she began walking away, Tony spoke causing her to halt.
"You stood by my side all those years while I reaped the benefits of destruction. And now that I'm trying to protect people that I put in harm's way, you're going to walk out?"
Pepper took in words and gave him a sad look. Her green eyes gleaming with tears that were close to escaping. "You're going to kill yourself, Tony." She shakily said. "I'm not going to be part of it. Neither should Grace." She felt her heart slowly break for the six year she had come to care for. "She's already lost her mother. Her uncle's out of the picture because of his own issues." Pepper breathed in and out, controlling her wavered voice. "I mean, all she has is you, Tony."
"She has you too." Tony softly told her.
Pepper's voice might have steadied but her eyes were filled with emotion. "But you're her father."
"I know...and you have no idea how grateful I am to still be here with her, but..." Tony lowered his gaze. "I shouldn't be alive." He said as he took a seat. "Unless it was for a reason." His dark brown eyes looked into her green eyes. Those green eyes that belonged to the woman that had offered him comfort whenever he was at his lowest. Those green eyes that belonged to the woman who cared for his daughter as if she were her own. "I'm not crazy, Pepper. I just finally know what I have to do. And I know in my heart that it's right."
Pepper's gaze on him softened. She let out a sigh before she started making her way towards him. She grabbed the jump drive she had thrown not long ago. Pepper locked eyes with him again. "You and Grace are all I have. You know that, right?"
Tony gave her a teary eyed smile.
Pepper returned the smile and then made her exit.
Grace found it odd when Pepper practically ushered her out of the house with her. The redhead told her she needed to run an errand for her dad and that she needed her to tag along. She briefly explained that her dad wouldn't have been able to watch her because of the work he had to do in the lab.
The six year old was in disbelief with how well Pepper had been taking everything in regards to her dad's project. She had expected a full on lecture but there wasn't a lecture. At least not when she had been in the lab with them. Maybe she had given one when she went downstairs again? Who knows. All Grace knew was that Pepper didn't seem mad. If anything she seemed more fidgety. Then again, Pepper was good at hiding what she was really feeling at times. Was this one of those times?
Grace surprisingly didn't find herself asking such a question.
When Pepper told her to wait in the waiting area while she went to retrieve what she needed from her dad's office, Grace made no argument. She sat down and began reading the book she had brought along with her. It was the Goosebumps book Pepper had bought for her. Although she already finished reading it, Grace decided to read it for a second time. She was about to turn the page when she heard someone take a seat next to her. She was pleasantly surprised to see who it was.
"Agent Coulson." Grace politely greeted the older man.
Coulson nodded his head in acknowledgement. "Grace." He looked bemused. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm waiting for Pepper." Grace simply told him. She lowered her book and looked at him as if they were about to exchange secrets. "What are you doing here?" She whispered the last part.
Coulson honestly found her attempt at being sneaky to be amusing. "I have an appointment with Ms. Potts."
Grace's playfully demeanor went away. "Oh..." She muttered. That's right he did have an appointment. One he had made her with dad at the charity event they had gone to. As she had predicted the appointment had been forgotten. Though honestly there was a perfectly good reason for such forgetfulness.
Rapid oncoming footsteps made Grace look towards the staircase. Pepper was walking down them. Grace frowned, noticing how frazzled the redhead looked. She was gripping her purse tightly. When she reached Grace the redhead made a discreet expression that said to get up and follow her. Grace was able to pick up on that and did so. When she came to Pepper's side the redhead pulled her as close as possible. Grace didn't even say anything when the older woman stuffed her book into her bag.
Coulson saw how the redhead wasn't slowing down with her walking. "Ms. Potts." He called out. "We had an appointment. Did you forget about our appointment?"
Pepper shook her head rapidly. "Nope, right now. Come with me."
"Right now?" Coulson asked, slightly puzzled. She was behaving rather unusually and it had Coulson wondering what was up with her.
"Right now." Pepper stressed out. "We're having it right now. Walk with me." She gestured to him.
Coulson followed her steps. "Okay." He had an inclining feeling that this was now way more urgent than the original appointment they had made.
Pepper glanced behind her back. "I'm gonna give you the meeting of your life. Your office."" She breathed out as she faced forward again.
Grace was curious to see what Pepper had looked back for. When she glanced back she saw Obadiah up the staircase, scowling down at their retreating forms. Now Grace didn't know where the courage came from with what she did next but she felt it had been long overdue. If her mom had been alive she probably would have found her next action to be distasteful but Grace felt Obadiah deserved it.
Grace Stark stuck out her tongue at Obadiah before facing forward again. Neither Pepper or Coulson had seen her do that as they continued their walking. Obadiah had though and Grace had the image of him looking appalled by her action saved in her mind.
It was rather amusing.
Pepper's next step after explaining to Coulson about Obadiah's deceitful actions, was to call Tony. She needed to tell him just how much of a danger the older man was.
As Grace and her were standing to the side, away from Coulson who was making his own calls, Pepper dialed Tony's number. Within a couple of rings the call was answered. However, the second the call was accepted all Pepper could hear was slow breathing. She furrowed her eyebrows, muddled.
"Tony? Hello?" Pepper called out. "Tony, are you there?" She called out, more concernedly this time.
Once again there was no answer but the call was still going.
Grace reached for the cellphone and Pepper let her have it. The redhead had the hopeful thought that maybe if Tony heard her voice he would answer. Although she didn't understand why he hadn't answered her.
"Dad." Grace managed to say before she heard the sound of the end tone. She lowered the cellphone, frowning. "He hung up."
Okay, now that wasn't right. Pepper did not like that. Now she knew something was definitely wrong. Tony would never purposefully hang up the phone on his daughter. She gestured for Grace to give her the cellphone. Once in her hand, Pepper began scrolling down her contact list.
"Are you gonna call him again?" Grace asked. She was just as worried as Pepper was. Especially after discovering the awful truth about Obadiah. Grace was feeling various ways towards the older man once finding out that he was the reason why her dad had been kidnapped. The most notable feeling being anger. How could he have done that to her dad? She sure didn't trust but her dad had and Obadiah almost had him killed.
No, Obadiah Stane was not a good person at all. He was a bad person...a really, really bad person.
"No." Pepper shook her head. She looked at the young girl, cellphone by her ear now. "I'm calling Rhodey."
Tony Stark was having trouble moving and speaking. His whole body felt as if it were freezing from the inside out, only there was no coldness. It didn't take long for Tony to know who was doing this to him.
"You remember this one, right?" Obadiah showed the small device he had used on him to get him in this weak state. "It's a shame the government didn't approve." He continued to speak, the device now turned off. "There are many applications for causing short-term paralysis."
Obadiah walked around the couch Tony was sitting on. Once in front of Tony, Obadiah grabbed his face and turned it to look straight at him. "Tony." Obadiah let out a disappointed sigh. He slowly began taking off the blue protective ear plugs he put in.
"When I ordered the hit on you, I worried that I was killing the golden goose." Obadiah told him as he reached for the bag that was on the ground. He pulled out a peculiar looking silver tool. "But you see..." He pushed the silver tool into Tony's chest, reaching for the arc reactor.
Tony gasped in even more pain as he felt Obadiah pull the arc reactor from its socket. "It was just fate that you survived then. You had one last golden egg to give." Obadiah's eyes gleamed at the glowing arc reactor he was now holding. With the cables still attached, Obadiah stared down at Tony. "Do you really think that just because you have an idea, it belongs to you?"
All Tony could do was silently stare at him. Anger could be seen in his eyes.
Obadiah smirked at seeing his anger. "Your father, he helped give us the atomic bomb. Now, what kind of world would it be today if he was selfish as you?" He then completely detached the arc reactor from the socket. Tony let out another gasp, his eyes widening.
Obadiah now held the arc reactor in his hands. He stared at it with eerie wonder. "Oh, it's beautiful. Oh, Tony, this is your Ninth Symphony." He said, taking a seat next to him. "Oh, what a masterpiece." The older man exclaimed, showing the arc reactor to an immobilized Tony Stark. "This is your legacy. Your true legacy that is, not Grace. This right here is a new heart for generations of weapons."
As Tony had no choice but to listen to Obadiah, he began to feel blood drip down from his ears. His breathing was becoming even more ragged. He knew he wouldn't be able to last long. Still, there wasn't a chance he was about to just give up. He needed to mentally keep himself together.
"Weapons that will help steer the world back on course. Put the balance of power in our hands, the right hands. I wish you could see my prototype." Obadiah smirked as he put the arc reactor into the suitcase he grabbed from the side. "It's not as conservative as yours." After shutting the suitcase he let out a sigh. "It's too bad you involved Pepper in this. I would've preferred if she lived. As for your precious daughter..."
The composure Tony was able to gather slipped after he heard all that. Now all he wanted to do was yell and pummel Obadiah to the ground...but he couldn't. Obadiah was quick to see the sheep panic and anger growing in Tony's dark brown eyes. He took immense joy in that.
"You know she never did like me. She never actually said she didn't, but I was quick to pick up on her dislike." Obadiah shook his head, almost fondly. "She has gut instincts, that one." He chuckled darkly. "In a way she sort of reminds me of Howard. Your father also had that gut instinct but I guess we can't say it was accurate enough, huh?"
Obadiah then gave Tony a patronizing pat on the cheek. "Don't worry. I'll make sure to pay her a visit right after Pepper."
This time Tony was able to release an angered sound. Obadiah looked at him before just laughing it off. "Well, it's not like I can let Grace off scot-free. After you're dead she's the one that's going to inherit everything and I can't have that." Whatever sick amusement Obadiah had vanished. An annoyed look appeared. "Not again. Not after you." He seethed, shaking his head. Without even sparing him another glance, Obadiah got up from the couch and made his way out.
Unfortunately, all Tony could do was watch the man that was going to harm his daughter and the woman he cared for, leave.
"I don't know, he's not answering his phone." Pepper rapidly informed Rhodey over the cellphone. The redhead was currently alongside Coulson and several other agents. Grace was by her side keeping up with them. They were in an underground parking lot. "Please go over there and make sure everything's okay. Thank you, Rhodey." She said before ending the call.
Lowering the cellphone, Pepper glanced at Coulson. "I know a shortcut." Coulson nodded his head as he got into his car.
Grace saw that they weren't the only ones in the underground parking lot. She saw Happy there as well, already waiting outside a Black SUV. Pepper let out a sigh of relief when she saw him. She had worried that perhaps her text hadn't gotten through but that hadn't been the case. Happy got her message without any issues.
"Good, you're here."
Pepper turned to face Grace. She gently put her hands on the younger girl's shoulders. As if bracing her with what was going to happen next. "Grace, sweetie, you're going with Happy."
"What? Why?" Grace couldn't help but ask.
"Because we have to arrest Obadiah and I can't have you there with us when that happens. I can't put you in danger." Pepper earnestly told the six year old. The redhead looked at Happy again.
"Happy, you got her?"
Happy nodded his head. "I won't let anything happen to her."
"But I want to know what's happening." Grace's voice shook with heavy emotion. "I...I didn't get to talk to my dad before we left." She quietly cried out. "What if I never talk to him again? What if he..." She couldn't dare finish that sentence.
Pepper's heart broke at seeing such a sad scene. "He won't." She gently hushed her concern. "You'll see him again, okay, sweetie. You will, I promise."
Seeing how the redhead needed backup, Happy entered the conversation. "Your dad would want you safe and sound, Grace."
Pepper gave Happy a brief thankful smile before looking at Grace. "He's right, he would."
Grace looked between Pepper and Happy, processing everything they've told her. They were both right. Her dad would want her safe. Besides, she wouldn't want to interfere with the arrest of Obadiah. Although she would have loved to see him in handcuffs and being shoved into a cop car. He deserved to go to jail. Still, as much as she wanted to, she knew she couldn't.
Grace had to leave it to the adults. She nodded her head.
"Okay." She quietly said.
Pepper brought into a brief hug. After letting her go she led her towards Happy. "Take her to the hotel I told you about." She reminded him. "I'll contact you if things head south. Hopefully they won't." She added that last part in a low voice. She opened the door to the driver's seat of her car. After closing the door, the car's window lowered.
Grace watched as Pepper's face came into view. She had on a soft, yet determined expression. "You'll see me soon, Grace. Your dad, too."
The young Stark couldn't find her words. She just nodded her head. Grace then watched as Pepper's car followed the path the rest of the agents had taken.
"Come on, kiddo." Happy gently patted her shoulder, leading her into the Black SUV. Throughout the drive to hotel Happy was taking her for her safety, Grace's stomach was in knots.
It took all of his strength (that he had left), but Tony was able to gain movement again. Somewhat, anyways. He had to practically drag himself to the elevator and then managed to push the button that led to his lab. While in the elevator he saw how grey and veiny his hands were. He knew the rest of them were in the same condition, especially his face.
Once the elevator doors opened, Tony flung himself out. He leaned against the walls as he stumbled his way further into his lab. Once inside his eyes locked on the item he was looking for. Tony kept thanking Pepper over and over again in his head as he made his way towards her present that he left on his work table. He took another step but the second he did this he lost balance.
This time he wasn't able to get up and instead started crawling towards the arc reactor. His movements were getting weaker and weaker as he got closer. It was as if the sand in an hourglass was reaching its endpoint. Tony reached for a plastic bin and tried using it as a way to lift himself up in order to grab the arc reactor from the work table. However, that plan failed and he missed causing him to fall, his back leaning against the work table.
Tony shakily breathed in and out. He closed his eyes, defeated.
I'm sorry, Grace. Pepper. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you both.
Then the familiar sound of one of his helping robots made him open his eyes. Looking to the side, Tony realized it was the one Grace had named Mikey. Mikey the mechanical arm. It had grabbed the arc reactor that was on the work table for him. Never had Tony been so happy to have one of his helping robots around. He gave the helping robot a very weak smile as he took the arch reactor into his hands.
"Good boy." Tony breathed out. He then threw it onto the floor causing the glass to shatter.
Thankfully he was able to put the original arc reactor back into the socket without any issues. Once the arc reactor was in there, Tony began to feel the pain that had been coursing through his body start to slowly leave. He still couldn't necessarily find the strength to get up yet, so he laid on the ground and concentrated on leveling his breathing. Along with the breathing he was counting in his head. His counting came to a stop when he heard a familiar voice.
"Tony! Tony!" Rhodey ran into the lab. His eyes widened when his saw closest friend on the ground. He ran towards him in worry. "Tony, are you okay?" Gently he turned him over.
Finally able to freely move his arms, Tony clutched onto him. "Where's Grace and Pepper?" He immediately asked. After he asked this question he saw that the color on his hands were returning to normal. That was a good sign. It was no longer difficult to breathe, move, let alone speak.
Rhodey took in Tony's condition and helped steady him. Despite sweating through his shirt, Rhodey saw how his skin was losing the greyness that must have been there. "Grace is with Happy. She's safe." He reassured his friend.
"What about Pepper?" Tony asked concernedly.
"She's fine." Rhodey swiftly answered. "She's with five agents, they're about to arrest Obadiah."
Tony shook his head. "That's not going to be enough." He stated, his gaze hardening with both fear and anger.
"My dad is being so weird. He wants me to have dinner with him this weekend."
"Uh, don't you have dinner with him every night?"
"Well, me bowling on Friday night is pretty much guaranteed to be worse than your dinner on Saturday."
The character's voices coming from the TV seemed like they were fading away. Grace's attention that was once on the show waned. Moments ago she had been anxiously flipping through channels before she landed on the Disney Channel. The show Lizzie McGuire was currently on. That made Grace aware just how late it was. Nowadays the Disney Channel only showed reruns of old Lizzie McGuire episodes late at night.
The episode that was playing was one Grace had seen before. It was the episode where Lizzie debated on whether to go bowling with her friends or having dinner with her dad. She already knew the ending of the episode but honestly for Grace there wouldn't even be a debate. She would have chosen to have dinner and hang out with your dad. Who cares if a cute boy was going to be at the bowling alley. Bowl later. Family comes first. Family always comes first.
The episode certainly didn't help distract Grace from her current worries. It had been a few hours now and neither did Happy or her heard anything about her dad or even Pepper. Happy kept reassuring her that everything okay by saying that no news is good news. Which for Grace didn't really make much sense but Happy was head of security, so she just had to trust him. He was the one looking after her.
But still, she couldn't help but worry.
What if something did happen? What if Pepper was wrong? What if her dad was...what if he was...
The sound of the door knob moving made Grace's thoughts falter. She quickly turned off the TV. She became still on the bed and watched as Happy cautiously started making his way towards the door. Before he reached the door, it opened. The worry that had been there on his face left once he and Grace saw the person who opened the door.
"Dad!" Grace cried out, running towards him.
Tony let out a big smile at seeing his daughter. He got on his knees and opened his arms wide, embracing her. He pushed away the pain he was still feeling from the fight he had with Obadiah. Nothing was going to stop him from hugging his daughter. Behind him stood Pepper. The redhead watched with a loving smile as father and daughter once again reunited.
Tony kissed the side of her head. He pulled away from the hug. "It's way past your bedtime, missy." He finally spoke. He tried to sound serious, but the playfulness was there. That made Grace laugh. Her laughter went away when she got a good look at the bruises that were on her dad's face.
"I told her that but she said she wouldn't close her eyes until she saw you again." Happy chimed in. He appeared to be in order on the outside but inside he was dancing with joy at seeing that his boss was alive.
"Thank you, Happy. For keeping her safe." Tony earnestly told him.
Happy slightly shook his head. "No need to thank me, sir."
"Dad." Grace called out, catching his attention. When he looked at her he saw how she was shifting between her feet. She looked anxious. "Is Obadiah in jail now?" She wanted to know what happened to him. Her dad was here and despite the various bruises on his face, he appeared fine. But what about Obadiah? Where was that evil old man?
Tony sighed. He knew that he'd have to tell her about what happened to Obadiah eventually. Although death was something Grace was now well aware of, it still didn't make it any easier. Even if the person who died was someone who wasn't good. Death to Tony was never an easy topic to talk about, not after the passing of his parents. Especially not when discussing the topic with a kid, much less his own kid. "He's gone, sweetie."
Grace's dark brown eyes widened a little. "You mean he's...gone, gone."
All Tony did was nod his head.
Grace was quiet for a moment there. "He was a bad person." She replied, almost shy like. It almost felt like talking about him would make him appear there with her and the others. "He always gave my tummy a bad feeling when he was around."
"That's called having a gut instinct." Tony's dark brown eyes connected with hers. "Next time you have that feeling tell me and I promise I'll listen to what you have to say." He gently booped her nose causing Grace to smile.
"Okay."
Grace hugged him again. "I just wanna say that I'd never skip eating dinner with you." She suddenly told him. "Even for bowling and if a boy was there. Boy's are icky and bowling wouldn't be fun unless you were there with me."
That made Tony laugh as did Pepper and even Happy who heard the whole thing. Now Tony had no idea where that had come from but he was happy to hear her say that. "Aww, shucks, sweetie." He pulled back from the hug. "That's probably the kindest thing you've ever said to me." He jokingly told her.
"I love you, dad." Grace softly told him.
"I love you too." Tony smiled, at peace. Grace was with him, and she was safe.
At the moment all was right with his world.
"You've all received the official statement of what occurred at Stark Industries last night. There have been unconfirmed reports that a robotic prototype malfunctioned and caused damage to the arc reactor. Fortunately, a member of Tony Stark's personal security staff..."
Grace continued to watch her Uncle Rhodey on TV. He was speaking at the press conference that was happening live right outside the room she was in. She wasn't the only one in there. Her dad, Pepper, and Agent Coulson were also there with her.
Pepper was attending her dad who was sitting on a stool, by making sure he was ready. Which meant she was applying makeup on his face to cover up the bruises he had received yesterday. Her dad didn't at all seem to mind the pampering as he was too busy reading the newspaper he had in hand. Grace shifted her attention away from the TV and onto the newspaper's title.
Who is Iron Man?
Grace really liked the name and evidently so did her dad.
"Iron Man?" Tony said aloud, thoughtful. He seemed to approve of the name. "That's kind of catchy. It's got a nice ring to it. I mean, it's not technically accurate, the suits a gold-titanium alloy, but it's kind of evocative. The imagery, anyway."
"Iron Man like the song by Black Sabbath!" Grace exclaimed now standing next to where he was sitting.
Tony smiled at his daughter's music knowledge. "Yeah, like the song. Guess that makes the name ten times cooler." He winced a little when Pepper took off the bandage that was on his nose. He then played it off by making a funny face at his daughter.
"More like twenty times." Grace excitedly added as she laughed at the face he just made.
"Here's your alibi." Coulson handed Tony a set of blue index cards. Tony put aside the newspaper and grabbed the index card. "You were on your yacht."
"Yeah." Tony quietly agreed.
"We have port papers that put you in Avalon all night." Coulson continued to say. "And sworn statements from fifty of your guests. Which of course includes your daughter, Grace."
Tony managed to make a thoughtful face while Pepper continued to cover his bruises. "See, I was thinking maybe we could say it was just, ah, Pepper and I on the island and Grace was staying with her Uncle Rhodey."
Pepper leaned back, already giving him a warning look. While Grace frowned. "That's not fair. I want to be on the island too!"
Tony shook his head. "No you don't, sweetie. Not with the stuff Pepper and I―"
Pepper gave him a glare. "Don't even think about finishing that sentence." Tony did just that but not without giving Pepper one of his classic mischievous grins.
"That's what happened." Coulson once again spoke, referring to the index cards.
Tony sighed. "Alright." He answered dropping the lightheartedness, well kind of.
"Just read it word for word." Coulson firmly instructed.
Tony read the index cards and then furrowed his eyebrows. "There's nothing about Stane here."
"That's being handled." Coulson informed him. "He's on vacation. Small aircraft have such poor safety records."
"But what about the whole cover story that it's a bodyguard?" Tony questioned. "I mean, that's kind of flimsy, don't you think?"
Coulson gave him an unimpressed stare at his questions. "This isn't my first rodeo, Mr. Stark. Just stick to the official statement and soon this will all be behind you."
Pepper applied the last bit of makeup on Tony and Coulson took that as his cue. "You've got ninety seconds." He then started walking out of the room.
Pepper was quick to reach the agent. "Oh, Agent Coulson. I just wanted to say, thank you very much for all your help." She gratefully told him.
Coulson nodded his head. "That's what we do. You'll be hearing from us."
Pepper took a deep breath. "From the Strategic Homeland Interven―"
"Just call us S.H.I.E.L.D." Coulson interrupted.
"That's much cooler and a lot faster to say." Grace casually commented.
Coulson gave her one last smile before he finally left. Grace wondered when she would see the agent again. Despite his serious outward appearance, he really was nice.
"Right." Pepper announced now that it was just the three of them. "Let's get this show on the road." She grabbed Tony's suit jacket and walked over to him.
"You know..." Tony began saying, now standing next to Grace. "Actually, it's not that bad. Even I don't think I'm Iron Man."
"I think you're Iron Man." Grace brightly told him.
Pepper gave her an amused look, shaking her head. "He's not, sweetie." She said as she helped Tony put on his suit jacket.
"Actually now that Grace thinks I am, I have to agree." Tony grinned with the index cards between his teeth. It was an amusing sight for Grace.
Pepper sighed. "No, you're not."
Tony shrugged his shoulders. "Alright, suit yourself. You know, If I were Iron Man, I'd have a girlfriend who knew my secret identity." He playfully started saying. "She'd be a wreck, cause she'd always be worrying that I was going to die. Yet so proud of the man I'd become." He turned to face her, index cards now in his hands. "She'd be wildly conflicted, which would only make her more...crazy about me. Tell me you never think about that night." He suddenly told her, changing the topic.
Grace couldn't stop looking at them with growing curiosity. This was like one of those moments from the soap operas her mother would watch at night. Grace could tell something was about to happen.
"What night?" Pepper asked, trying her best to sound unsure.
Tony gave her a look. "You know."
Pepper's features softened. "Are we talking about the night we danced? And went up to the roof, and then you went downstairs to buy me a drink and left me there by myself?" She finished saying. Those soft features long gone."Is that the night you're talking about?"
Tony's flirting demeanor deflated. "Hmm."
"That so." Pepper said as she straightened his suit jacket.
Well...whatever moment they were having was over now. "That was a rude thing to do, dad!" Grace childishly reprimanded Tony.
Pepper glanced at Grace and smiled. "Yes, it was rather rude of him to leave like that. That's why when you're older you should find yourself a nice gentleman who excuses himself whenever he leaves."
Tony right away frowned at the thought of his daughter dating. "Oh no, she's not gonna find herself a gentleman."
Pepper raised an eyebrow at him. "Oh, so you want her to date a jerk? Someone who lacks manners?"
Tony shook his head. "Of course not. What I mean is she's not gonna be dating any boys. Besides, Grace finds boys icky. Isn't that right, sweetie?"
Grace right away nodded her head while making a face. "Yeah, boys are icky."
Pepper laughed. "You say that now but―"
"But nothing." Tony swiftly interrupted. "My daughter doesn't need a boy."
"Whatever you say." Pepper replied, amused. "Now, will that be all, Mr. Stark?" She asked with faux seriousness.
Tony followed along. "That will be all, Ms. Potts." He grinned.
"Good luck, dad." Grace said, causing Tony to smile her way.
"Thanks, sweetie." Tony leaned down to give her a kiss on the forehead. After that Pepper and her watched as he hurriedly made his way to the press conference that was outside.
Pepper and Grace waited a few minutes before they too joined the press conference. They, however, were in the back, away from the various journalists that were there. Grace saw her Uncle Rhodey standing by the podium that was on the stage. Her dad was behind him.
"And now Mr. Stark has prepared a statement. He will not be taking any questions. Thank you." Rhodey announced, stepping to the side. Tony took his place up front. He cleared his throat before speaking into the microphone.
"Uh, been a while since I was in front of you." He began saying, taking the route of lightheartedness. "I figured I'll stick with the cards this time." That made several of the journalists there laugh.
"There's been speculation that I was involved in the events on the freeway and on the rooftop." Tony evenly read off the index cards. Right after this was said there was an interruption from the crowd. Said interruption came from a blonde woman. A blonde woman that had Grace looking at her with recollection. She had seen her once. It had been on the same day her dad had left for the weapons demonstration.
"I recognize her." Grace quietly told Pepper. "I put gum in one of her shoes." Grace had done that because she overheard her say something to Pepper. Nobody ever disrespected Pepper. The blonde was lucky Grace didn't put gum in her hair. The whole gum incident was something her dad didn't know about yet. Neither did Pepper...until now.
"That was you?" Pepper asked Grace. The redhead remembered the shriek the blonde gave when she had put on one of her shoes. Now that she knew who had done it, Pepper was impressed but also mildly surprised. It made sense that Grace would have done that. Besides Tony, she was the only other person there. And despite Tony having his childish moments, Pepper doubted he had been the one to have done that.
Grace shrugged her shoulders. "I overheard what she said to you. She was being mean."
Pepper smiled. "Well, thank you for that and it is the same woman. Christine Everhart."
Grace wrinkled her nose. "If she wasn't such a meanie I'd think that was a cool last name, but it's not." Pepper had to contain her laughter.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Stark." Christine continued saying. "But do you honestly expect us to believe that was a bodyguard in a suit that conveniently appeared, despite the fact that you―"
"I know that it's confusing." Tony tried explaining. "It's one thing for you to question the official story, and another thing entirely to make wild accusations or insinuate that I'm a superhero―"
Christine smirked. "I never said you were a superhero."
Tony furrowed his eyebrows in thought. Retracing what was said, he realized she was right. "You didn't. Well, good, because that would be outlandish and uh, fantastic." He let out a sigh. "I'm just not the hero type, clearly. With this, uh, laundry list of characters I've made, largely public."
Rhodey leaned towards Tony and reminded him to stick to the plan. Nodding his head, Tony looked at the index cards again. As he looked at them there was a pause with everyone (minus Pepper, Grace, and Rhodey) looking at him, anxious to hear what he had to say.
"Yeah, okay, okay." Tony composed himself. "Truth is..." He looked at the crowd, and then for dramatic effect he dropped the index cards to the floor.
"I am Iron Man."
And just like that whatever tranquility was in that room disappeared. As the reporters started going mad with questions, Grace remained by Pepper's side. The redhead let out a sigh. Rhodey looked just as done as Pepper from hearing Tony admit that.
Grace's reaction was different though. She caught her dad's gaze and then shortly after she sent him a smile. No words needed to be exchanged in order for Tony to know how happy she was for him at the moment.
