Loki often wondered why Odin looked down upon mortals. Sure enough, their entire life was just a mere percent of an Asgardian's but nonetheless what they had, he realized that the Asgardians didn't. And one of them was compassion and empathy.

Asgardians were majorly ruled by their brawn rather than the brain. They were straight-up savages, at least in his opinion. Take Thor for instance. Thor would readily fight an entire fleet by himself but hesitate while showing empathy towards those he considered below them. Loki blamed Odin for that. Frigga had tried her very best to raise both her sons as grounded as possible but unfortunately Odin had more influence over Thor than anyone imagined.

He himself was favored by his mother, hence why he always considered himself more compassionate than the oaf of an older brother he had.

But even he doubted that he could so as much compassion towards a stranger's child as the couple holding his goddaughter did.

The older girl, Sharon was walking along her parents holding her mother's hand while his goddaughter was in the arms of the man. And she looked extremely happy and cheerful. Excited even.

It baffled him to a degree. He didn't know the relation Lily and James shared with Tony, the man who had taken the responsibility of raising and providing for his goddaughter. Though he was sure there had to be a relationship because no man was compassionate enough to raise a stranger's child.

But then there was the couple in front of him. Harrison and Amanda Carter. Who literally had blood relation whatsoever with Tony or Marguerite. Hence, they were under no obligation to do everything they had been doing for his goddaughter.

Yet here they were, treating her as their own child, buying her everything reasonable she asked for, coddling her like any parent would, taking care of her. Perhaps it was because of their own daughter, who felt a strong connection with Marguerite. Or maybe it was something else. He didn't know.

But what he did know and realized was that despite the fact that she wasn't related to anyone with blood where she living, she was loved, protected, safe and happy.

And perhaps the best he could do for her was leave her be so she wouldn't have to face the same consequences as his own children.

She would be fine. He knew it.

His next course of action was to look for Sirius, Remus, and Peter. If he remembered it right, Sirius was supposed to be Marguerite's godfather. So why wasn't he doing his job?

Just as he turned around, he stopped, coming face to face with,

"Heimdall,"

"Prince Loki." he greeted and his eyes spared a quick glance at his goddaughter behind him before they locked back on him, "Allfather has asked for you. I would suggest against making him wait any longer."

"I understand but I have an urgent business that needs tending."

"As you wish, my Prince."

Loki nodded, "Is there anything else?"

Heimdall looked passive for a moment before he spoke, "Prince Thor would be sent soon to fetch you. I wager you don't wish for him to know about...her."

Loki's jaw tightened.

"I came here to fetch you before he could. Perhaps that urgent business can wait."

Loki sighed. Sirius was capable. So were others. They could take care of themselves.

"Very well."


When Nicholas Joseph Fury got a phone call from his boss Peggy Carter asking to come around to her place to sort some work, he followed those orders. He picked up those files she had requested, got in his car, and drove to his destination.

Recently in the wake of the death of Howard Stark and his wife, SHEILD had been through a bit of a rough phase. Howard Stark was an important member of SHIELD. His death had been more rippling than he had imagined.

Personally, Nick was never fond of that man. He was arrogant, selfish, eccentric, ambitious, and often hot-headed. But Nick could also not deny that Howard Stark was smart, resourceful, and often loyal to the fault. Especially when his ego had been rising high as of late due to his 'legacy' and 'contributions' to the USA and the rest of the world. He did mourn the man, yes.

But it also made her question if there had been an ulterior motive. That had been something he wished to discuss with Peggy. He could investigate on his own but that would raise flags and he didn't wish for that to happen now.

He pulled outside the house and got out and made his way to the door. He pressed the bell and waited.

The door was opened by Daniel, who smiled at him.

"Nick. I believe my wife asked you to come."

"Yes, sir."

"Please. Come in." he opened the door wider and he walked in. He removed his coat and scarf, hanging them on the stand.

"She's a tad bit busy right now, Do make yourself comfortable. I'll let her know." he paused and looked at him, "Can I get you something?"

"I'm alright, sir. Thank you," he noted and sat down on the sofa.

"I'll get Peggy." with that Daniel walked upstairs

Nick looked around the living room, the files resting on his lap. Surprisingly there were a large number of children's toys scrambled around. He guessed they might belong to Peggy's grand-niece. He had never met the girl but had heard about her.

He exhaled and looked around when his eyes zeroed in on something peeking out of one of the doors. He shifted to get a better look. It was a child, a girl.

The girl walked out and made her to the living room. Her black hair was braided but at the first glance, it was bright green eyes that caught his attention. The only little girl he knew that had a connection with Peggy Carter was her grand-niece but he had seen her photos; she was blonde and older.

"Hi." he smiled, "what's your name?"

But she continued to stare at him.

"Maggie?"

They both looked up as Peggy walked down the stairs.

"G'amma" the girl grinned and ran to her as the older woman lifted her in her arms.

"I thought you were napping."

"Woke up." the girl replied

Peggy smiled and walked into the room, smiling at Nick.

"Thank you for coming, Nick. I know things are hard at Triskelion."

"We are trying our best to make them smooth, mam."

"I'd wager." she spared a look at the girl in her arms, "Nick, meet Marguerite. Tony's girl."

His eyes widened a little. "I didn't know Tony had a daughter."

"Yeah, we also found out just a few weeks ago too. Tony and she have been living here for a while now." she sat down opposite to him, letting the girl down, "Love, why don't you go see what Grandpa is up to?"

"Where?"

"Upstairs."

"Otay."

And she rushed to the stairs, climbing up as quickly as her little feet could take her.

"She's what? A little over a year?"

"Completed 17 months. "

"She's small."

"So was Tony, actually. His puberty was a blessing." she chuckled, "Thank you for the files. I'd come to get them myself but Tony's out with Obadiah and Daniel's getting old. Don't tell him I said that."

"I understand. Kids are...energetic."

"That's one word for them." she took the files but fixed him a look, "Nick, Maggie's not someone Tony wants to be public about. I believe the secret will remain so."

Nick looked at her, letting what she just said sink in. It was not a request but an order.

He nodded, "It will."


"What's got you squirming?"

Tony looked at Obadiah and exhaled, "It's nothing."

"Nothing got you squirming?"

He exhaled again, "Just some stuff."

"Well, at least tolerate out this meeting, okay. Then we are going to talk."

"I have someplace to-"

"We are going to talk after the meeting," Obadiah remarked, a sense of finality in his voice as he opened the door and walked into the room. Tony exhaled, heads in his pocket and he followed him in.

That whole time he hoped Obie would forget. that something would come up.

After his parent's death and once most things settled, Obie came to him to prepare him to take over the company the moment he'd finish his education. That wasn't too far away.

That meant he had been spending less time with Marguerite than he liked.

On that note, he had yet to tell Obie about his spawn. He couldn't go public with her, the fear that someone could figure things out, even by a stroke of luck, and come for her. Harry had told him that he was getting paranoid but if it was his paranoia that kept his daughter safe, so better be it.

He pretty much dragged himself through the meeting. Another nagging through was that he had to return to MIT for his final assessments. He just wished he could go home and sleep it all off, cuddling his daughter.

"Don't tell me you slept through all of it."

Tony snapped back to reality and looked at the older man. He noticed other members getting up and walking out. The meeting was over.

"No, I was awake. For most of it."

Obadiah gave him a disapproving look.

"You'll handle it, you always do."

Obie rolled his eyes, "Boy, you have to take over sooner than you realize. Start paying attention. Weapons aren't going to make themselves. And they sure as hell aren't going to sell themselves to the US military."

"Yeah, yeah, I got it. Don't worry." he stood up, buttoning his blazer.

"where do you think you are going?"

"Home?"

"No. We are supposed to talk about what's gotten you squirming."

"Obie-"

"Look, if you are still reeling from Howard and Maria's death, which I find understandable, but if the Board finds out that you are not at your 100%, things could get complicated. So let me ask this, do you want to get therapy?"

Tony took a deep breath, "You wanna talk? Fine. Let's go to your office and talk. I don't want unnecessary ears."

The walk to Obie's office was shorter than he expected. Or was it because he had a lot in mind? He didn't know.

"Sit and talk," Obie ordered

Tony took a deep breath, clasping his hands.

"Don't react. Hear me out."

"I'm listening."

He took another deep breath, "I have a daughter."

He spared Obie a look, who looked mostly taken off guard but not as much as he had imagined.

Finally, after a few moments, he snorted, "Past caught up to you, huh?"

"something like that."

"So, mother dumped her on you, or is she her way to your inheritance?"

Tony's jaw clenched. He wanted to snap at him but he guessed it had been his past habits that made Obie have that opinion.

"She's dead. Her mother. and I took her in on my will. I want to raise her."

"No offense, Tony, but do you know how to even raise a child? Do you have any experience whatsoever?"

"I don't have any experience to run this company either. But I'm trying my best, aren't I? It's gonna be the same."

"Did Howard know?"

Tony scoffed, "Why do you think I moved out?"

Obie exhaled, "I guess he didn't accept her. He always said 'later' whenever I asked."

Tony nodded. "Mom came around eventually."

"Hmm. Good." he leaned forward, "So are you going to come forward about her?"

"I'd rather not." he gulped, "Spotlight is not for children. Obie, it messed me up. Growing up in the spotlight as Howard Stark's son. You know how hard it was for me. that is the last thing I want for her. She will remain a secret until I or she decides otherwise."

Obie took a deep breath, staying silent for a few moments before he hummed, "Alright." then he sat straighter, "but just because you became a new father doesn't mean I'm gonna cut you some slack when it'll come to the company."

Tony nodded, "Alright."


When Tony returned home, he was met with a very pissed-off-looking Rhodey and an amused Jeanette. Oh, and there was Nick too.

"Hi, Nick." he carefully muttered and turned his attention to Rhodey, "Do I want to ask?"

"Did you know?"

"Did I know what?"

"Maggie!"

"Maggie?"

Rhodey pressed his lips, trying to make his thoughts coherent while being pissed. Jeanette was bouncing his daughter on her lap while she played with the older woman's curls. Even Nick looked confused and amused.

Rhodey then pointed a finger at his daughter, "Maggie."

It took a couple of seconds before it clicked, "Oh yeah Amanda started calling her that."

"And you never corrected her?!"

"I don't have an issue with that name." Tony shrugged, hanging off his coat onto the hangar

"You know I do. And no goddaughter of mine is going to be called Maggie!"

"What's wrong with the name?" Nick asked

Tony snorted, "He had a girlfriend who cheated on him named Maggie."

"And no way are we calling her that!" Rhodey added

"Oh, what is the fuss about?" Peggy walked in, "Cannot give an old woman some silence and peace?"

Rhodey immediately flushed, "I'm sorry, Ms. Carter."

"Mr. Rhodes disagrees with us calling her 'Maggie'," Nick answered

"Oh, he more than just disagrees." Tony quipped, taking his daughter from Jeanette.

"Mam, sir," he regarded both Peggy and Nick, "With all the respect in the world, I simply cannot let my goddaughter be called the same name as cheating, lying, and back-stabbing woman who took advantage of me. Not on my watch. I'm sorry."

"and they say I'm the dramatic one," Tony muttered which caused Jeanette to giggle

"Then what do you propose we call her, Mr. Rhodes?" Peggy asked

"Anything but Maggie," he paused, his mental gears probably moving at their utmost capacity, "H-How about Meg."

"Sounds like the short for Megaladon."

Rhodey fixed him a glare, "Don't overcomplicate this."

Tony chuckled.

"Marge?" Jeanette asked

"As in 'Simpson'. I veto that right away." Tony quipped

Jeanette rolled her eyes.

"Perhaps you can ask her," Nick suggested, "It is her name, after all."

Tony hummed and looked at her. "Baby, ho una domanda."

Her green eyes lit up when she heard the language change. She took a second or two to process then nodded, "Sì?"

"Come ti chiami?"

Her lips turned into a pout and her brows furrowed. Her lips formed shapes for a few seconds and then she looked at him. "Maugwee!"

Jeanette was the first one to laugh, followed by others.

"There." Tony declared, "You have it. From now on, it's Maugwee."

"Maug?" Jeanette asked

"Love?" Tony asked

She shook her head, "Wike Maugwee."

"Maugwee it is."

Rhodey sighed, hanging his head, "As long as it is not Maggie."

"Son, you gotta get over her," Nick suggested

"I've been telling that for years." Tony said, "Well if we are done with her name, I'm tired and it's her nap time. so we both are going to a deep slumber."


Tony walked into the dark kitchen, getting himself a glass of water. Jeanette and Rhodey had left hours ago and he hadn't heard anything from Peggy and Daniel so he figured they all returned to bed.

"Hey, Tony."

He turned to see Nick walk in.

"I thought you left."

"Just leaving now. Lots of work to do after your parent's death. And since Carter couldn't come to the office often..."

"Thank you."

He hummed, getting a glass of water himself. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine."

"Really? It's been barely two weeks?"

Tony pressed his lips, "I still miss her. Mom." he gulped, "If he had just stayed sober for one fucking day..." he sighed, "It never gets easier, does it?"

"No, but you'll get used to it."

"Figured." he finished his water and then faced him, "Is it wrong that I don't miss them as much as I should?"

"What do you mean?"

"I-I mourn them. Like any child would after they lose their parents. I miss them. I feel down. I..." he exhaled, "I should feel despair, numbness...denial, shock. But...all I feel is anger and sadness. And even that isn't extreme. I...is it wrong I feel that way?"

Nick fixed him a look and then leaned on the countertop, "You want to know what I think?"

"That's why I'm telling you this."

Nick took a deep breath, "Carter told me. About your daughter's situation. Not all of it, clearly. But enough that I can join the dots. which means I'll be coming here often than before since she now wants to do all the doable work from home."

He pressed his lips, "Your relationship with both your parents worsened after they refused to accept her. It was mostly Howard from what I gather. Your mother tried to make up for that, but everything she did was not enough for that heartbreak, that treatment.

You don't feel those things because your relationship with your parents was fractured. You were dissociated from them for a long time, especially Howard. Even if you were close to Maria, it wasn't the same after she watched you walk out when he refused to accept your daughter."

He kept the glass in the sink, "Another reason is that you have her. I saw the way you hold her. Your love for Marguerite, your need to protect her, is far greater than your anger, sadness, despair over your parent's death." he shrugged, "I'm not a shrink, but this is what I think."

Tony took a deep breath, "It helped, thanks."

Nick nodded, "anytime, son."


Whatever expectations Obadiah had for Tony's daughter, she exceeded them all.

Three days after the reveal, he expressed his desire to meet her and Tony agreed, taking him to Peggy Carter's house.

She was beautiful.

With pale skin, bright green doe eyes, black hair, Obie figured she'd be gorgeous once she grew up.

"Does she have European ancestry?" He asked

"Her mother was British."

"That should explain why she's so white." he chuckled, "It's a shame that your Italian genes aren't just as visible. In fact, there isn't a lot of you I can see in her."

Tony paused. Why did it feel like a backhanded compliment and a discreet jab that she might not be his daughter?

"Figures," Tony muttered slowly, "you've never seen me as a baby. Mom recognized her right away." he smiled at her sitting on his lap, "She said that my baby inherited most of me but the eyes. Everyone says that her eyes are the most prominent features. I always agree."

Obadiah hummed, "I was wondering. Your parent's house in Long Island is gonna be vacant now. Maybe you could move back."

"I was thinking of it. Eventually, maybe but right now, I need to think about her. It would help her the most if she stays here with Aunt Peggy and Uncle Dan. I need to be here too."

"It's far from work."

"Yeah well until I graduate you are gonna handle most of it anyway. Wait till then, see how it goes."


Dark brown eyes stared at bright green ones.

Bright green eyes stared back at dark brown ones.

"Meg,"

"No,"

"Rita,"

"No,"

"..."

"..."

"Gury."

"No!"

"That was strong," Daniel muttered, sounding highly amused

Rhodey's jaw clenched. "Peggy."

"G'amma!"

He sighed, "Why, baby girl, are you making it hard for me?" he looked at her, "I'm going back to MIT tomorrow. Can we at least settle on a nickname?"

She nodded, most probably only understanding only half of those words, "Maugwee!"

"Yes, love, that's your full name. Margurite. No one's gonna change that. But that's a mouthful, no?"

She pouted, "Wike Maugwee."

Rhodey sighed again, "I can sure say you inherited your stubbornness from your father."

"While I find all of it extremely amusing on both your accounts, I'm afraid we are getting late for her appointment," Daniel said

"Oh yeah, Tony mentioned." Rhodey stood up, "I can drive you both,"

Daniel chuckled, "That's alright. Our ride's going to be soon. Thank you, James."

"Anytime, sir," Rhodey replied, quickly lending Daniel a hand in packing a quick bag for her. "Tony said he'd be meeting you there."

Daniel nodded, "She's rather well behaved for a girl her age. But I'm not going to stop Tony if he wants to be a part of it."

"Have a safe ride!"

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang.

"Alright, darling. Ready?"

She looked timid but nodded.


Arriving at the clinic, he found Tony already there.

"Do I look nervous? Obie said I looked nervous." He asked, quickly securing her in his arms

"Visibly, yes, you do. It's just a booster vaccination. Why are you so worried?"

"You know I don't have good relations with needles."

"Will you be alright, then?"

"Drugs are the last I want to think about when I have her."

"That's good on your part."

And then they were interrupted by a nurse, decked in the usual uniform, her blonde hair pinned back.

"Hi. Can I have her name and age?"

"Marguerite Stark. 17 months."

The nurse nodded, noting down the details, "I'll call you guys when your chance comes up."

"Thank you," Tony muttered as she walked away. He took a deep breath and then looked at Daniel, "I'm not doubting your or Aunt Pegs but the discretion is tight, right?"

Daniel nodded, "Dr. Beckett is a SHIELD doctor."

"Then why does he have a private practice?"

"It's not private, not entirely. It's still government-controlled. You know the situations of many SHIELD agents. Secrets families and secret identities. Those people would not get unwanted attention if they walk into a clinic for their kid's healthcare. That nurse," he jerked his chin at the nurse who had earlier approached them for the data, "SHIELD agent. So are other people who work here. This is a SHIELD extension."

Tony cleared his throat, "Kind of helps. Though I do wonder why does SHIELD has a pediatrician?"

Daniel snorted, "My opinion was not asked on the same so I don't know the answer. You should ask Peggy."

"Ms. Stark." the nurse-cum-secret agent approached them, "The Doctor will see you now."

The two men got up and made their way to the inner room.

"Mr. Sousa," the man, Dr. Beckett, greeted, "I hope you didn't have to wait for too long."

"It was all fine." Daniel smiled, "This is Tony."

"Mr. Stark," he extended his hand

Tony quickly shifted his daughter on one hand and shook it, "Tony, please. Mr. Stark was my father."

"and hello, Marguerite. How are you?"

The girl smiled a little, "Hi. Am good."

"That's great to hear. Let's see what you have for today, shall we?" he smiled at her and opened the manila folder on the table. Tony caught the glimpse of her name on top before it was opened.

"Well, today we have DTaP and Hepatitis A." he smiled at her, "Ready to be brave?"

She nodded, but her hesitance and fear were quite evident. He got up, gesturing Tony to the patient's bed.

He now kind of regretted not being there for her first vaccination. But it wasn't like he could have made a trip from MIT to here and back just for a few hours in the middle of the week.

Another nurse came in. Tony had no doubt that the nurse was a secret agent. If the nod he gave Daniel was anything go by, he was right. He prepared the syringes while Beckett wore his gloves and overlooked the process.

"You know how it goes. Just a little pinch." Beckett told her.

She nodded in response, tightly clutching his hand.

"Alright," he muttered, tapping the syringe to release the air bubbles and approached her.

"Hold her tight and comfortable," Beckett told him and Tony nodded. Beckett also guided him on how to hold her, making sure her thigh was visible.

"It's going to be over soon," Tony muttered, not even looking at the syringe.

She closed her eyes with a bold wince, which in turn made him wince. And then she opened her eyes, maybe after 10 seconds.

The white rims had started turning red and the eyes reflected more light now.

Oh no. She was going to cry.

He gulped, tightening his hold on her.

"Just one last time. Then we are done." Beckett said

She kept looking at him, once again repeating the same expression.

"Done!" Beckett loudly claimed, "You were very brave and strong today, Marguerite. Wow. I'm impressed."

Tony shifted her straight in his lap, noticing the bandages on both thighs.

"You are a great girl. Very strong girl."

Despite the pain, which he had an idea of, she smiled, "Gasee."

That made Tony snort and Daniel chuckle.

"Gasee?" Beckett asked

"She's learning Italian. Grazie means thank you." Tony answered

"Ah. So smart too. You, little miss, are full of surprises." he touched her nose as they all made their way to his previous table. He reached to a drawer beside the table.

"And this is for you for being smart and strong." he handed her a lollipop and she quickly grabbed it.

"Alright, then." Beckett cleared his throat, "Hepatitis A needs a booster, 6 months from today. After that, she'll have lasting protection, her whole life. DTaP on the other hand needs a second dose after she turns 4, so there's time. I also see that her Influenza vaccine is not done, so I'll schedule it for next month along with... the third dose of polio vaccine." he looked up at them and smiled, "There will be a slight fever for the next couple of days. Nothing out of the ordinary. No need to worry. It will fade away. Other than that there shouldn't be any problem."


"What did he mean she'll get a fever? Did she get a fever last time too?"

Daniel sighed, "You know how vaccines work a lot better than I do. And yes, she did have a fever last time as well."

"Why didn't you or Aunt Peggy tell me?!"

"It was expected. Her fever faded away in two days. It's common, Tony. Besides, you were tying your loose ends at college. It wasn't an emergency."

"She was sick."

Daniel sighed again, "You know as well as I do, vaccines are important. Don't you remember getting fevers after you got vaccinated?"

He paused, "It's different,"

"Not that different. And I know all of this is coming from a place of concern, but you are slightly overreacting. Peggy handled it like a fish in water. "

Tony sighed, "Okay. Maybe. But you can't blame me! I'm freaking out here!"

Daniel chuckled, reaching to take his granddaughter.

"Take a nap, love. I'll wake you when we'll get home."

She nodded and cuddled into him.

"Tony, kids pick these things. If you freak out, she'll freak out too. The best you can do is freak out in secret. Besides, this was her third trip. She handles it always like a champ. You stop trying to freak her out."

"Easier said than done."

Daniel hummed, "You ready for tomorrow? You are leaving for MIT."

"Yeah." he exhaled, "This should be the last trip."

"I know you are worried about her, but you better focus on this last trip of MIT. There will be big changes once you'll return. The company, for instance."

"I know."

"You'll be fine."

"I sure hope so."


Okay, apologies for the length, or the lack of it, and any typos. I'm down with a fever which gave me a rush to finish things.

So do excuse any discrepancies this one time. I might read it in the morning and make some changes if there are any.

Hope you all doing well, are being safe and secure.

You know the drill.

Ciao