SUNNYDALE, CALIFORNIA
Silence.
The awkward silence was what filled the Summers dining room as Buffy and her friends continued to stare at the clearly panicky Joyce awaiting to hear her news. The elder Summers woman had summoned the who gang to their home with important news yet had spent the past 20 minutes pacing back and forth as she ran shaky hands through her hair.
Joyce had to admit, she was nervous, talking to Tony and convincing him to take Buffy was the easy part but revealing the truth of Buffy's paternity was always difficult.
Every time they had revealed their little secret things had never gone well. From the risk of the press to people constantly trying to use them to get to Tony. There was a reason very few people knew the truth.
But that wasn't even what scared Joyce the most, it was the reaction Buffy would have to move to Malibu. She knew Buffy had tried to keep her distance from Tony since she became the Slayer, she didn't want to risk him getting hurt.
"Mom?" Buffy stutters as she stands in the corner of the room, unsure of what the hell was going on right now "You're on mute."
Joyce inhales tightly before rubbing her hands together and turning to face the group of curious eyes "Okay..." She breaths gulping slightly "Buffy, the reason that I wanted to talk to you and your friends...was because I tried everything I could think of to get you back into school but I wasn't able to, I'm sorry."
The blonde Vampire Slayer winces slightly, to be honest, she wasn't surprised. What kind of school would actually want her given her history.
"So what now?"
"Buffy, I called your father."
At her mother's sentence, Buffy's entire body went stone cold and her eyes widened in shock. She hadn't seen her dad in two years, she had gone radio silent on him after she became the Slayer for a reason. She knew what her dad was like, he would throw himself into the world of vampires like it was a fun adventure and get himself killed.
While Buffy was having a silent panic attack, her friends apart from Giles were all frowning in confusion. To them, they all still thought Buffy's father was Hank Summers aka nothing but a simple lawyer.
Ignoring the shocked looks from the Slayer's friends Joyce merely focuses on her daughter, while she hated having to do this as she had just got Buffy back. They didn't have much of a choice here.
"No schools are willing to take you unless they knew the truth and we have gone through a lot of effort to give you a normal life. So your father and I had a talk. I want you to go and stay with him, homeschooling there will be easier than here. And considering you had a 4.0 GPA before you were the Slayer and were set to graduate early anyway. Who knows, with him around you will most probably finish your senior year early then you can come back."
Buffy couldn't help but wince slightly at her mother's words, she had always played the dumb blonde stereotype to a tee, only her teachers had known the truth but now the cat was out of the bag.
Hearing a sputter of shock behind her Buffy smiles awkwardly as she glances over at her friends who were all staring at her with wide eyes, barely able to comprehend what they were hearing.
"You had a 4.0 GPA when you were in L.A?" Willow couldn't help but ask as she stares at Buffy in shock, she constantly had to help Buffy study yet the blonde somehow had a better GPA than her.
Before Buffy could answer though Joyce merely smiles softly "Buffy was top of her class, had a gift for mechanics too. Her father and her rebuilt one of her grandfather's cars when she was 7."
While Buffy remains silent trying to ignore the stares being thrown her way, Xander's draw opens in shock while Oz merely chuckles almost giving her a nod of approval.
"Cool."
Ignoring her friend's stares Buffy merely focuses on her mother, she couldn't risk her dad getting involved in all of this "Mom... he can't get mixed up in this. You know what he would do."
"We don't have a choice."
While Buffy frowns in confusion Giles pulls off his glasses letting out a small exhale as he cleans them before finally summoning the courage to explain the truth for the sudden need to get Buffy out of Sunnydale "Buffy...it isn't just the concern over your education. This has to do with The Council. Another Slayer is being summoned here as The Council found out some information that has deemed you...a flight risk you could say. They know about your father."
There it was, the one thing she had feared more than anything. Merrik had told her not to ever let anyone in The Council ever find out the truth about her father before he died. He had warned her that The Council would try and use her to gain access to weapons or something much worse.
Dropping down onto the small seat beside her the blonde inhales tightly, taking a shaky breath as she runs a hand through her hair. She just couldn't believe this was happening right now.
Two years she had kept this quiet and it had all gone up in flames.
The Watcher sighs as he watches the young girl before continuing with his warning, as much as he hated this, losing her once again was their best option. They couldn't take any chances with this threat of The Council looming over their heads.
"A man that powerful, with access to that many weapons, the Council will try to use you to get to them. And if you don't help them they will declare you rouge and have you killed. They would rather start fresh with a new Slayer than risk you using those weapons against them."
While the other teenagers in the room begin scrambling in panic screaming at the three in hopes of trying to figure out what the hell was going on right now. Buffy remained silent, their voices merely fading into nothing but white noise as she tries to process everything that she was hearing.
Ignoring the teenagers' outburst Giles merely continues to keep his focus on Buffy who was frozen to silence "Buffy, being in Malibu around your father is the safest option for the time being. The Council will not be able to lay a hand on you. The only reason they think they can now is because not only are you away from him but your identity is still unknown to the world."
Cordelia who was growing frustrated by the ongoing conversation the Summers Women and The Watcher were having right in front of them quirks an eyebrow curiously, this was just so weird "What's so special about Buffy's dad? He's a lawyer not even as good as mine."
Joyce couldn't help but sigh loudly, it was officially time. Inhaling tightly she glances in between the group of teenagers with a pointed gaze that made all of them gulp "What we are about to tell you all, never leaves this room is that understood?"
Despite how sweet Joyce normally was, the look in her eye as she glared at them made all the teenagers nod sharply, too terrified to risk her wrath.
With that, Joyce glances at her daughter who was rubbing her hands together nervously "Buffy, it's okay. Tell them."
Buffy looks at her friend then nods, it should be them, she had wanted to tell them for so long, it was only right that it be here. But...she never thought she would be this nervous "My... father is not Hank, he is my step-father. My real father is-is...Tony Stark."
Everyone's jaws drop, of all things they had been expecting that was not it. "Tony Stark? As in billionaire genius?" Xander asks his eyes widening.
"Yeah... that would be my dad."
Suddenly Cordelia's hands slam on the table making everyone jump "Oh. My. God! You're rich like really rich. Like you could buy a private island. I bet your trust fund is huge!" Cordelia says as she jumps up and down in excitement, causing everyone to roll their eyes.
Buffy rolls her eyes, this was exactly why she hadn't told any of her friends in L.A. "I'm not rich, my dad is rich not me."
Willow turns to Giles "Giles are you sure that Buffy is in that much danger?" She asks, she really didn't want Buffy to leave, they had just gotten her back, she couldn't just leave again, she couldn't.
"Unfortunately yes, the council has a black ops team trained to deal with rogue Slayers. The sooner you go the better. They also can't find out your going, which means pack light and drive there, don't take a plane. The council has eyes everywhere."
Buffy looks at her friends with tears in her eyes, she didn't want to do this, but she knew deep down she had to; if she stayed they would hurt her friends trying to get to her.
Placing her weapons chest into the back of her mother's car Buffy lets out a small sigh before closing the hood. Leaning against the car the young Slayer couldn't help but find herself staring at her home, she hated this, hated having to leave.
She had just returned only to find herself being forced out of her home, with no idea if she would ever be able to return.
Inhaling tightly the blonde moves to climb into the passenger seat of her mother's car before closing her eyes tightly, dreading what was to come. While she loved her father, he was stubborn and impulsive, if he ever found out who she really was, he would get overexcited and involve himself in everything supernatural.
It would just end up getting him killed.
While she knew this was going to be hard, she couldn't risk him getting involved, which meant she was going to have to keep her distance. Keep out of his way and hope that his projects kept him so busy that he barely noticed her.
Just the idea of having to do this to her dad broke her heart, she wished more than anything that she could be the normal girl she used to be. However, this was the hand she had been dealt in life.
Running a shaky hand through her hair the blonde glances out of the window as her mother pulls the car out of the driveway. And as her old home slowly disappeared from her sight the blonde could only hope that her 18th birthday came sooner rather than later.
The minute she turned 18 she could get out of Malibu and keep her dad safe. She just had to hold on till then.
MALIBU, CALIFORNIA
"Okay, so let me get this straight." Pepper mumbles as she continues to pace back and forth in Tony's garage, still trying to comprehend all the information he had just pilled on her "So...your daughter is moving in here. With you?" She asks skeptically. Honestly, she just couldn't believe that anyone would have a child with Tony let alone let that child live with him knowing his lifestyle.
The billionaire merely nods as he continues going through the blueprints that were covering his desk "Yep." He answers without even bothering to glance up at the furious redhead "She got expelled from her school, Joy wants her up here, something about homeschooling. Buff hasn't exactly got the best reputation at the high schools here either."
Pepper exhales in disbelief as she watches her boss, she just couldn't believe Tony had a daughter, but to be fair from the sounds of it, they were very similar personality-wise.
Like father like daughter.
"And why did she get kicked out of her school in L.A?" Pepper asks curiously, from what Tony had told her she was a smart sweet girl, and while maybe a little sarcastic, it didn't make sense that that same girl would get kicked out of two schools in the space of two years.
Tony couldn't help but let out a small laugh at her question, sounding way too proud of the fact that his daughter had been expelled "Well, she kinda...burnt down her school gym."
It was safe to say, that Buffy burning down a building was not what Pepper had been expecting to hear. Her jaw dropped open leaving her mouth gaping open like a flycatcher. Shaking her head the redhead couldn't help but scoff "She really is your daughter." She mumbles softly; if there had been any doubt in her mind that this girl was his, that fact alone had just confirmed the truth for her.
Sighing she tries to get back to the important topic here, Tony was about to have a troubled teenage girl living here, under his care and he was far from prepared. "When does she get here?"
"She should be here any minute her mom is driving her up."
Pepper nods at his words before letting her mind float to the mysterious Joyce Summers, the mother of Tony's child. They had yet to really talk about Buffy's mother. Pepper needed the details, not only did they need to be prepared to answer questions regarding Buffy's parentage once the press found out but to be honest, Pepper couldn't help but find herself curious about the woman who was strong enough to raise a Stark's spawn.
"Yes, what about you and Joyce, was it a one-night stand?"
"No, well, sort of...I don't know. " Tony stutters, his relationship with Joy was always complicated, always had been "We were friends, really close then we meet up one time and had a few drinks and well..."
Pepper groans slightly, that was enough detail for her "Okay, so you guys are on good terms."
"Yes."
Pepper couldn't help but sigh in relief at that, she did not want to add, buffer between Tony and his baby mama onto her resume. While soaking in her own relief it was then that she finally noticed it. The rare smile on Tony's face and the glee in his eyes. This wasn't one of his fake smiles for the press, this was real.
To be honest, she had never seen him look so innocent and well...happy.
"You're excited."
At her words, the billionaire quickly glances down hiding the small smile as he continues to pretend to work. Honestly, he hadn't done an ounce of work since Joyce had called. His mind just hadn't been able to focus on anything other than seeing his daughter, it had been 3 years since she had last stayed with him and that was only for the summer. The mere idea of having her here full time, excited and terrified him all at the same time. His one goal in life since the second Buffy was born was to not screw her up.
He wanted nothing but the best for her.
"Mr. Stark, Miss Stark is here."
At the sound of Jarvis's announcement, Tony's eyes widen, all the fear disappearing from his gut as excitement filled him.
She was here.
His crazy Buffster was back.
Without a word to his assistant, Tony leaped out of his chair like a mad man and began rushing up the stairs.
Almost tripping over his own feet the eldest Stark stumbles into the living room where sure enough his two favorite blondes were stood. Joyce ever the art lover was already examining the art pieces that she was personally responsible for supplying him over the years and it brought a bright smile to the billionaire's face.
Slowly his eyes landed on his daughter for the first time in what felt like an eternity.
She was standing with her arms crossed in the corner of the room, staring out of the floor-to-ceiling windows out into the ocean with an unfamiliar emotionless look on her face. He couldn't help but stare at the sight of her, gone were the colorful skirts and cheerleading outfits, instead, she was wearing something that seemed so un-Buffy like to him.
A black leather jacket, matching heeled boots green trousers, and a black vest.
As though she could feel him examining her the blonde glances over at her father gulping awkwardly as he begins moving towards the two women.
"Hey." She whispers clearing her throat slightly trying to avoid her father's penetrating gaze. His stare was kind of starting to creep her out, he was looking at her like he hadn't seen her in centuries.
As awkward tension fills the room, Joyce couldn't help but roll her eyes "Tony." She breaths with a wide smile as she wraps her arms around the billionaire.
Tony grins slightly only to groan as she pulls back and slaps his chest "Ow! Why!"
"Do not take her to Vegas again." She warns shoving a pointed finger into his chest causing him to gulp nervously "I'm serious Tony."
"Okay!" He exclaims nodding his head in agreement, if there was one thing in this word he was truly afraid of, it was an angry Joyce Summers.
However, being the moron he was he still threw a flirty smirk her way and held out his pinky "Pinky promise."
Shaking her head in annoyance Joyce lets out a small laugh before playfully tapping his shoulder before turning her attention to their daughter.
Moving over to the young Slayer she places her hands on Buffy's shoulders squeezing them supportively, she knew Buffy was going to struggle with this. She would have to shut out Tony so he didn't find out the truth and involve herself "You're gonna be okay." She whispers before cupping the 17-year-old's face in her hands "Buffy I have to get back on the road. Are you going to be alright?"
Sighing Buffy lets out a small breath before throwing her arms around her mom, pulling her into a tight hug "Yeah. I'll be fine mom."
Joyce smiles sadly as she pulls back kissing her daughter's forehead softly, not wanting to let go, but this was the deal they had been dealt. This was the only way to keep Buffy safe "I love you, Buffy."
"I love you too."
With that, Joyce squeezes her daughter's hand once more before finally, she exited the Stark home.
Then there were two.
Buffy inhales tightly as she looks over at her father who was watching her intently, shifting on her feet awkwardly the blonde couldn't help but feel conflicted. They had not really spoken since she was called, she wasn't the same girl he remembered.
Sure enough, Tony couldn't help but find himself frozen too, unsure of what to say. He had never seen Buffy like this. Normally she was a ray of sunshine, babbling like crazy yet nothing but silence.
Shoving his hands inside his pockets he couldn't help but frown as she spots her belongings. His shopaholic daughter seemed to have gone to rehab or something because instead of hundreds of bags containing shoes she only had a large duffle bag and a padlocked wooden chest by her feet.
"Is that all you brought? Or do I need to rent a van?" He teases only to fill with disappointment as she merely shrugs "It's all I need. So um...my room is it still.."
"Yeah." The billionaire assures her as moves over and grabs her duffle while the blonde quickly lifts the chest into her arms.
With that, he slowly starts to lead her through the massive home. As they walk side by side Tony couldn't help but find himself confused, normally he and Buffy were like two parrots chatting and having banter yet there was nothing but silence.
"Um.." He stutters slightly unsure of how to handle the situation, his father skills weren't exactly the best when it came to a teenage daughter with a history of burning down buildings "So, I had some construction done a few months ago. Your room is a little different. I guess less barbie playhouse more teenage rebel." He tells her with a small chuckle as they finally come to a stop outside of a set of double doors "Jarvis...if you could."
"Of course Mr. Stark."
At the sudden unfamiliar voice, Buffy couldn't help but jump "What the hell is that?!"
"Buff, meet Jarvis, Jarvis meet Buffster."
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss Stark."
Buffy couldn't help but let out a small breath at the sound of the British voice, this was completely insane "So...A.I?" She asks causing Tony to nod just as her bedroom doors open automatically.
The blonde couldn't help but snort "Let me guess, you need someone to run the house and remind you to eat."
"I also have to remind him to sleep, he can be quite stubborn Miss Stark."
"Traitor." Tony hisses before smiling as he places Buffy's duffle down on the floor before leading her into her newly organized bedroom.
Buffy couldn't help but exhale in disbelief as she takes in the sight of her new room. It was definitely different, to say the least.
It was definitely bigger for one.
Between the large king-sized bed covered in what she could only guess was the best Egyptian cotton to the stunning chairs placed in the corner of the room by the large bookshelf. It was a dream. Plus the new floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading out onto her own private balcony overlooking the ocean was pretty awesome.
"Holy...this place is bigger than my entire house." She whispers placing the chest down so she could walk further into the room.
As she steps onto the soft grey and black carpet she couldn't help but exhale, this place was amazing, it even had its own freaking fireplace!
Honestly, she was in shock, she really had forgotten just how much money her dad actually had to spare.
It was insane.
Tony couldn't help but smile slightly as he watches her slowly graze her fingers over the brand new desk before making her way to the filled bookcase.
Excitedly he moves over to one of the two other doors in the room "You may have to go shopping to fill out the wardrobe by the way." He teases before pushing open the door revealing the walk-in closet of every girl's dream.
"Wow." That was all that Buffy could think of to say as she makes her way into the room, staring around with wide eyes. This was nuts, it was truly like she was Carrie Bradshaw right now. Between the empty rows of hangers for probably hundreds of clothes and the mounted shelves filling the end wall which she was pretty sure was just for shoes, it truly was a shopaholic's heaven.
Tony smiles slightly, he could see it in her eyes, she may be quiet at the moment but the Buffy he knew was in there. He just had to get her to open up to him again.
"Come on..." He says drawing her attention "There is someone I want you to meet."
Following her father through the house, Buffy couldn't help but examine every aspect of the beach house. While there were only a few small changes since she had last been here, it just felt so different. Honestly, looking at her old home now, it was hard to believe she had spent most of her childhood and pretty much every summer here. It just felt like a completely different life. Someone else's life.
Slowly they begin to head down the glass steps leading to the garage or as her mother had called it: Tony's Man Cave.
As they enter the large garage Buffy's eyes widen as she spots an unfamiliar red-head in a white suit and heels in the room standing by her father's desk. Her dad never let anyone in the garage other than her, Joyce, and her Uncle Rhodey.
Hearing the footsteps, Pepper quickly turns away from the paperwork she was filing through to face Tony and the mysterious Buffy. Slowly her eyes land on the small blonde who was now standing behind her father nervously. Pepper couldn't help but smile at the green-eyed girl, she was now what she expected to say the least. To be honest, she had expected Buffy to be taller, yet here she was. It was hard to believe that this girl had burnt down a school and gotten into brawls with football players. She was just so little.
"You must be the famous Buffy." She says softly as she smiles kindly at the young girl, who reluctantly smiles back at her nervously "It's lovely to meet you, Buffy, I'm Pepper Potts. I work for you father."
"Sorry." Buffy couldn't help but mumble causing Pepper to snort in amusement, this girl was certainly Tony's daughter. However, before she could even get another word in the ever-busy redhead's phone buzzes loudly, causing her to curse under her breath as she spots the incoming message.
Sighing Pepper glances over at Tony "Tony I have to go. Obadiah needs some files about the Jericho Missiles."
With that, she quickly focuses back at the young Slayer and squeezes her shoulder in a kind and supportive manner "It was lovely to meet you, Buffy." Pausing she glances at Tony before frowning Buffy with a small chuckle "Good luck with him."
Buffy couldn't help but snort slightly "You'll help me hide the body?"
"Definitely." Pepper assures her with a laugh before exiting the garage ignoring Tony's glare of annoyance.
Then there were two once again.
As the father and daughter stand in the room, letting the awkward silence fill the garage Buffy's eyes land on the cars lined up on the other side of the room. Her eyes slowly widen as they land on a certain 1967 Chevy Impala in the corner of the room "Is that what I think it is?" She breaths as she slowly makes her way to the car, her hands grazing the hood softly.
Tony couldn't help but smile as he watches his daughter with the car, while Buffy was a horrible driver according to Rhodey who had refused to ever get in a car with her again, she still had the same love for vintage vehicles as he did.
"Yep got it two years ago." He tells her as he moves over to the car "Rebuilt it myself."
Slowly the small smile that had crossed his lips drops as he spots Buffy merely shrug at his words, not even uttering another word causing silence to once again fill the air.
"So do you want some pizza or something?" He asks, hoping to get her to open up a little to him but sure enough, he was left in disappointment as she shakes her head and begins heading towards the stairs.
"Actually um, I think I just want to crash you know. I'm kinda beat."
There it was, the feeling of disappointment filling his gut. He and Buffy had always been close, he used to be the fun parent, and she was daddy's little girl. Yet now it seemed like all she wanted to do was avoid him.
"Sure." He mumbles trying to hide the hurt from his voice "I'll have Happy come over tomorrow, he can take you shopping if you want."
Sure enough, his hopes for a smile were yet again shattered as she merely offered him a weak one before shrugging "Thanks. Goodnight."
Without another word, she was gone, making her way up the stairs and away from him. Tony exhales loudly before dropping into his seat. He just couldn't understand what was going on with her. She used to love spending time with him yet now he was getting nothing. He wasn't sure if this was just a phase of I'm a teenage girl and I hate my parents or if it was something deeper. But he had to admit deep down he was worried, she was hiding something from him, he could feel it in his bones.
However, as much as he wanted to push the subject, Joyce had made it clear since the moment Buffy turned 13 they had to be careful. If they pushed her too hard it would only drive her further away.
As he sits there in his own misery he couldn't help but think back to every conversation they had today. Not only had she been quiet but not once had she called him dad.
It was like she was a completely different person and it just made him want to know more about her.
From now on his focus needed to figure out how in the hell to reconnect with his daughter.
