AN: So...to those of you that are already reading, I must apologize about Chapter 1. I had so many damn mistakes lol That's what I get for typing late. Anyway, I have corrected them. Okay, so here we go. I'll only post a chapter if I have the next one written up, my way of ensuring that I don't leave this story hanging too. I need to finish my other stories, which I plan to...I just have to get myself in the groove.
Also, I finally got my timeline together for this story. This is going to take place during Avengers, but I am merging Iron Man 2 themes within. So technically Iron Man 2 hasn't happened if that makes sense.
Chapter 2: Upside Down
Tony pushed all of his papers and the little things he was tinkering with off his work table and on the floor, growling in frustration. Metal clanged against the tile floor as he stared upon the cameras in frustration. Fury looked on from the outside, watching the man break. He turned his eyes towards Pepper who was watching him with pity. "I knew. You have to understand that Tony isn't going to let this go. He's not going to be able to focus on saving the world and trying to save his daughter. Tony has had that file sealed for 18 years, updating is as time went on, keeping tabs, watching her grow via pictures. Now somebody has hacked into Tony Stark's data. Do you realize what other information he or she has? On everyone here? I'll do what I can, but I won't make promises. Tony's world, his Earth, is passed out cold on a couch." She walked into Tony's garage without another word, and Fury sighed, his hand raking over his face.
He pushed open the garage door, looking upon Tony and Pepper. "What do you need?" Fury asked, coming to look at the screen. It was a video of Bella at the airport, the cameras following along up until the point where Thor whisked off with her. Tony paused the frame, pointing to the man in the turtle neck. Tony looked at Fury, rage in his eyes. "I want to know who the fuck that is...He's in no American database, nothing on him, or the vans. They don't exist... I want to know why that is." Fury nodded before turning to walk out, his leather blazer flapping behind him. "I'm on it Stark. You help me, I help you!" Pepper leaned against Tony, looking at Bella through the monitor with sadness in her eyes. "She's safe now Tony." She whispered. Tony shook his head, running a hand over his face. "This was never supposed to happen." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Sir. A video just came in, marked as urgent. I believe the parents of Miss Swan were slain.." The two of them cut their eyes to the screen, Tony watching everything that took place. "Where is this video feed coming from?" He questioned, initiating Jarvis to start his search.
Thor was standing off to the side, waiting on word from Fury about the next move. He cut his eyes towards the sleeping brunette, watching her in curiosity. He realized he could have killed her if she was standing an inch closer to the left. He tilted his head about as she made some sort of sound in her sleep, her hand curling around the pillow tightly. Thor walked forward, unsure of what he should do. A slight sheen of sweat started to cover her forehead as she whimpered, her brows lowering. She flinched in her sleep, turning her body, and if it weren't for Thor she'd have fallen on the floor. She jolted awake in his hold, groggily taking in what was happening. Thor braced her back on the couch, staring at her blood-stained clothes in alarm. "Are you hurt?" He asked, checking her for injuries, wondering where all the blood came from.
Bella shook her head, shuddering at the thought. "I'm fine. Where are we? Who...what are you?" She looked around the large room in wonder, taking in the city lights from the massive window. "I am Thor. Prince of Asgard. God of Thunder." Bella just glanced at him, taking in his attire. "Of course...Superheroes..." She whispered.
"Where is Tony Stark?" She asked, looking towards Thor. She stood, heading towards the window, looking out at the bustling city. Thor pointed towards the stairs, tilting his head at her once more. "The man of Iron is down there. Shall I retrieve him for you?" Bella swallowed, shaking her head. "That won't be necessary." A voice stated, and Bella looked over towards who she assumed was Tony. Bella could see the resemblance almost immediately, his brown eyes mirroring hers.
The blonde behind him gave her a warm smile, stopping beside Thor. Bella gave her a wobbly one in return, her eyes once again glued towards Tony.
Tony didn't know what to say, staring his flesh and blood in the face. She looked just like him. Tony stuck with the only thing he could do. Bella's eyes widened in surprise as Tony drew her into his arms. Bella could only blink back tears as she hesitantly wrapped her arms around his back.
"I'm so sorry. I never meant for this to happen." He whispered in her ear, holding her tightly as her knees buckled, her eyes screwed shut. She sniffled, letting Tony lead her to the couch, sitting down beside her. "Was it all a lie?" She asked, looking at him with pinkish eyes, a tear slipping down her cheek.
Tony shook his head, wiping the tears away, never once in a million years did he think he'd ever have this conversation. "No not all of it. Charlie and Renee loved you. That's why I gave you to them. I was just 24, young, and it's not that I didn't want you, I just didn't know how to be a father. I'd fuck you up, kid. I wanted you to have better than what I had. Your birth mother wanted you aborted, and I'm sorry but that's the truth. Charlie and Renee were young just like me and couldn't have kids. They'd love you. My life wasn't as hectic as it was now, but once I realized I had enemies, I put a lockdown on you. Charlie and Renee decided to keep in contact with me afterward, sending me pictures and videos of you growing up. I watched everything they sent me every day, looked at it a million times. I did what I thought was best. It was for a while.."
Bella held the locket between her fingers, frowning. "Who were those men?" She asked, her eyes meeting his. Tony pursed his lips, his most twitching is anger. "I don't know, but I'm working on it. I'll keep you safe...I'm all you have."
Bella stared at the glowing circle under his shirt, brow crinkling in confusion. "The only thing keeping me alive," Tony stated, knocking on it was his dominant hand. Bella's brows shot up at the sound of metal. "Does it hurt?" She asked, wanting to run her hand touch it, but decided against it. Despite this man being her father, she didn't know what to think at this very moment. Tony just gave her a chuckle.
"Let's get you set up. Anything you want is yours. You don't have to ask. I know this is going to be difficult, but we're family." Tony sighed sadly at the look in her eyes, lifted her chin with his finger, meeting her eyes. "There wasn't a day that went by that I did not think about you. Every part of my life is out there for the world to know, and for 18 years you were all I had to myself. You're a Stark. We can get through anything, and look good while doing it." He smiled slightly as her lips turned up briefly. "There ya go."
Pepper watched with tears in her eyes as Bella and Tony walked into the elevator. "I wish to find these men who mean her harm," Thor stated, crossing his arms over his chest. Pepper looked up at him in confusion before nodding. "What about Loki?" She asked. Thor looked down at her, his baby blue eyes piercing hers.
"Oh, I am not done with my brother. He's as what you midguardians say, an idiot. A fool my brother is. Do not worry. I will find him in due time and take him back to Asguard." Thor bowed down slightly in respect, watching the elevator doors close.
"What exactly is he doing sleeping on my couch?" Tony asked, glancing up from his work. Pepper shrugged making her way over to him. "I think he wants to help her." Tony raised a brow. "What, a God has a crush on my daughter? How fantastic." Pepper softly laughed shaking her head. "I don't know about that, but it's the hero complex thing. He did save her life. I've got to admit, she's a looker, Tony." Tony smirked. "Well, she takes after her father." Tony then frowned, his mind going to the sweet parents Bella had as a child. "It'll work itself out," Pepper whispered, running a hand along his shoulder.
Tony leaned his head against her shoulder, his mind wandering to Renee. "Jarvis, pull up everything you can on Renee Dwyer." Jarvis went to work, and Pepper finally got Tony to sleep...at least for a little while. You could say that the Stark's had a way with nightmares. Bella laid in the bed, tossing and turning, her mind tormenting her with the gruesome images of what could have happened to Renee. She kept reliving the same scene over and over in her head, the loud sound of the gun going off, and Charlie's face as he was shot in the chest, except this time, Bella couldn't get to him in time. Her dream would become a twisted nightmare as the man in the black turtleneck would chase her through the woods, shooting her dead where she stood, her body lifelessly laying on the ground.
Tony faired no better, his mind too making up for the lost time in heinous ways. Bella was his number one blessing, and in one night, he was so close to losing her altogether. Pepper could only hope something went right for once in his life since becoming Iron Man. The life of a superhero was never easy.
"Do midguardian women enjoy flowers?" Thor's question threw Tony off, making him tilt his head in response. At his look of confusion, Thor elaborated. "The woman upstairs. I wish to cheer her up. I have nothing better to do, and Loki is somehow hiding from me." Tony drowned the shake he had, letting out a sigh. "Most women do. I'll admit, I don't know if she likes flowers. I've never met a woman who doesn't. Her name is Isabella by the way, although she apparently goes by Bella."
"Isabella. That means beautiful does it not?" Tony nodded, glancing at Thor in suspicion. "Mhmm. I already don't like you, please don't make me hate you." Tony started to make his way down to the garage before stopping. "A Gillyflower is what you're looking for.." Tony disappeared around the corner, his voice carrying, "There's a flower shop on 6th Ave. I'm not taking you there so good luck!"
That morning, Bella found herself all types of turned around, and as she entered the elevator, a voice made her jump. "Good morning Ms. Swan. Mr. Stark is in the garage. Would you like some coffee?" Bella looked at the corner of the elevator as if she'd see a camera or microphone of some sort. "My mane is Jarvis. An Artificial Intelligence System. I am here to help with anything you need." It responded. "Um, no thank you." Bella found this place to be something out of a sci-fi movie. The doors opened on both sides of her, and Bella glanced at each side, trying to familiarize herself with her surroundings. "Miss Bella." Thor's voice from behind made Bella jump once again, and she turned, smiling gratefully. "Thor." She stepped out of the elevator, blushing slightly as Thor placed a single flower in her hand. She looked to him with questions in her eyes, smiling as he seemed to try to find the words. "I'm not used to speaking to humans, but I thought this flower would bring a smile upon your face. I wish to help you with your problem. I know what it is like to be in a place that you aren't accustomed to." He offered his arm, walking Bella towards the garage.
"You're very kind Thor. So I'm assuming you're not from Earth." She states, watching her feet as she walked down the steps. "No, I am from Asgard. One of the 9 realms in this galaxy. The first time I was sent to Earth was by my father as punishment to understand the values of life and humility. I lost all my powers, and feel in love with a midguardian woman by the name of Jane, and through her, I learned what it meant to appreciate life, honor, and I understood myself a bit better. I eventually got my powers back to defeat my brother Loki. He is once again raising hell on this place." Bella could see the stress on his face and felt bad for the man. She couldn't believe this other world existed. She thought the world of vampires was interesting. Her birth father is a genius and a superhero, there is a different world within the galaxy, and gods apparently exist. Peachy.
Bella raised her hand to knock on the glass window, pausing in her tracks. It was uncanny to her. She wondered what her mother looked like. Tony glanced up at her from the file he was viewing, waving her in. Bella noticed the little keypad, looking to Tony. "It's your birthday," Jarvis spoke, the month, day, and year flashing briefly before the door opened. Bella walked inside, her eyes widening at the different suits and cars along the walls. "Holy shit.." She whispered, looking at the hologram Tony was standing in front of. Thor followed behind curiously, trying not to step on anything of importance. "Hey. How'd you sleep? I see Point Break has found you." Bella snorted looking to Thor. "I slept..okay... and yes. What's that?" She asked, pointing upon the folder, walking around the table to get a good look at it. Tony watched her expression closely, her eyes wandering over the photos and videos.
"You weren't kidding..." She murmured, her hand reaching out as if she could actually touch the images. She pulled her hand back as the video seemed to play. "I remember this. Mom thought I'd be good at ballet..." She frowned then, looking to Tony. He was as quiet as can be, no judgment in his eyes, or anything of the sort. "She was your mother Bella, I made my decision a long time ago. They were better parents than I could have been. Ever. They sent me everything. They tried to stay together for you, for me, but it didn't end up that way. I was worried about how that would affect you as a child." Bella swallowed the lump in her throat nodding. "Would I have ever known about you if it weren't for what happened?" Tony cleared his throat, looking down at the floor. "No." He admitted, closing his eyes. "I didn't want my life to mingle with yours. I wanted you to be happy. When I learned of the threat in my company, I called both Charlie and Renee and gave them preventive measures, that if anything happened to me, you were to know the truth if the situation presented itself. You just wouldn't have heard it from me. They both decided to tell you about me if something happened to them, I never knew about that until just last night...I don't know if you want to see the details.." His expression turned grim, looking to Bella for her decision.
She sucked in a breath nodding to Tony. He flicked his wrist, the folder moving out of the way, a video of a very distraught looking Renee on screen. Bella let out a shaky breath, looking away for a moment before turning her attention back to the screen.
Mr. Stark. Tony, I guess. I think it's time. Over the years, Charlie and I have prepared a plan for Bella to find you if anything was to ever happen to us. There have been strange men hanging about, some have even approached me at the store. This was just last week. I've already been in touch with Charlie, and he is making arrangements that if anything happens, Bella is safe. If you're watching this, then I am dead, and that means Charlie is too. If my prayers are answered, I can only assume Bella is with you.
Hey honey. I just want you to know that you were our greatest gift, and there is nothing I can say or do to repay Tony. He's a nice man and will lead you to great things. Never stop being you. We loved you, and we always will. You'll always be my daughter. I did what I had to for the safety of you.
Now, Tony, I don't know anything about these men, but they know a lot about you and us. I can't find much about them or who they work for. I have seen a briefcase with them, it said HAMMER on the side. That's all I can say. I-"
Bella's eyes widened at the figure that was creeping behind her, her hand reaching out to grasp on to something. Thor's arm was at her disposal, and she wrapped her hand around it, squeezing with all her might. Her mind was in shock as she watched Renee struggle, fighting with all she had before the man put a gun to her temple, making her freeze. "Where's the meeting point?" Renee shook her head, her body instantly going limp, blood covering everything within the vicinity of her body. Bella looked away, her eyes screwed shut. "Who is he?" Thor asked, his focus dancing between Bella and the man on the screen. "My step-dad," Bella whispered, finding a trash can to throw up in.
"Phil Dwyer?" Tony asked, already searching for his name. Bella nodded, wiping her mouth with her sleeve. Tony pulled up a picture, but to his surprise, a different picture showed up. Bella gasped, the word DECEASED showing up next to STATUS. "Phil Dawyer has been dead for 20 years. Whoever that man is, is not Phil..."