Chapter Two

When Tony Stark claimed that he wanted to adopt her, Ada thought he must be joking. It wasn't until clinging to the backseat of the car for dear life that she realized he was being serious. She didn't bother checking to see just how fast he was driving. He must have broken about a dozen speed limits and laws within less than an hour. She tried not to look out the windows after watching several trees, cars and other scenes blur past. She sent a silent prayer that they would reach their destination without any broken limbs in the process. She wasn't sure how he managed to evade the cops for so long, especially given that they were on a busy highway.

Finally, the car came to a screeching halt. Ada let out a rush of air she hadn't noticed she was holding. Her trembling fingers finally released their grip on the seat. If it wasn't for the fact that she had been wearing a seat belt, Ada was certain she would have gone flying through the windshield after the car stopped so suddenly. As it was, she struggled to sit up and shuddered at the sudden wave of nausea that followed.

"We're here!" His cheerful announcement didn't go by unnoticed as Ada groggily peered out the window, trying to recover from her initial shock.

"Where exactly is 'here'?" she asked, hoping she could hold in the contents of breakfast before they got inside.

She hadn't realized until that moment how much her stomach was churning from the drive. She wanted nothing more than to climb out of the car and forget that traumatic ride. Though, judging from the look Mr. Stark was giving her as he glanced at the vehicle, he wasn't a stranger to those kind of reactions. He had more than likely driven the car multiple times with other passengers to worry about. That or he had been bracing himself for whatever reaction she would have for his terrible driving skills.

Mr. Stark reached her door and opened up, raising an eyebrow in amusement when he caught the state she was in. She tried to shake it off, knowing that looking as if she was going to throw up wouldn't help matters. She'd never gotten car sick before. Then again, she'd never needed to ride in a car before. She peered around him to get a better view of where they were at. What she saw made her jaw drop once again.

A mansion. A huge, elegant looking mansion standing over the cliff of the ocean, stood in front of her. Mr. Stark's smirk told her that he'd been anticipating her reaction. She couldn't help but try and take everything in at once. The large windows that overlooked the ocean, the beach, and everything else just added to the effect.

She knew he had money. She'd almost forgotten that notion. The idea that someone who had as much money as he did would adopt someone like her just left her mind reeling with confusion. Her world suddenly felt as if it had changed dramatically once he decided that he was bringing her home with him. She'd never been anywhere near the beach, and now, she could visit it every day, if Mr. Stark allowed her. She wasn't sure what to make of it as she tried taking everything in at once.

"I know it's a lot to process, but, welcome home," he gestured to the mansion itself.

Ada clamped her mouth shut, wondering what had led to him deciding that she was 'adoption' quality. After all, she was nothing more than the trouble-making kid who got into fights with the others. Ada tried casting the doubt aside, feeling more than overwhelmed as she followed him silently towards the doors.

Luckily, the awkward silence didn't last much longer when they reached the doors that seemed to open automatically. Ada's heart felt as if it was pounding when she saw the inside of the massive building. It was just as elegant looking on the inside as it had been from the outside.

A large entryway marked the entrance, with stairs on the left side, and a doorway leading to what looked like an eat-in kitchen. To her right looked like a large living space with an open bar, and in front of her was another living space with a grand piano, television and just about everything Ada could imagine.

What really took Ada by surprise, though, was the 'Welcome Home' banner that loomed above her. Ada felt her heart nearly skip a beat at the sight. She couldn't fight back the tears that started to form when she realized that Mr. Stark had really gone out of his way to make her feel welcome.

Sitting in the living room were three other people. Ada eyed the trio warily. One was a woman with strawberry blond hair, smiling warmly at her as she rose to her feet. The other was a taller, muscular looking African American man. Lastly was a stout looking man with dark brown hair, grinning from ear-to-ear as he eyed her for the first time.

"Hi, you must be Ada," the woman greeted her warmly as she reached them, "I hope Tony hasn't been too rough on you," she added the last part in an accusing tone when she noticed just how overwhelmed Ada looked.

"His driving was more than questionable," Ada murmured under her breath.

Mr. Stark just frowned as the two men laughed in agreement to her accusation. They seemed friendly enough when she and Mr. Stark reached them. She wasn't expecting a welcoming committee upon arriving at the mansion, especially given the circumstances of their unusual situation.

"I like her already," the African American man chuckled with a shake of his head. She couldn't help but smile at that.

"Well, you've already met Miss Pepper Potts, Colonel Rhodes, or Rhodey, and Happy. You'll be seeing them a lot here," Mr. Stark explained, introducing each of them. "Alright, why don't I show you to your room, that way you can get situated?"

Ada gave a nod of agreement before looking at the three people warily. Once again, she wondered how she was lucky enough to end up at a place like this. She knew that Mr. Stark wouldn't have adopted her unless someone convinced him to. She had seen enough interview processes to know that she wasn't necessarily the type of child people wanted to adopt.

"What made you of all people decide to adopt me, of all people?" she asked once they were far enough away.

"Let's just say I heard from a friend that you needed a home," he replied without hesitation. Ada just blinked at that, unsure of how to answer as he went down another hall, "So, what do you do for fun?"

His question caught Ada off guard. She had to think for a moment when they stopped by a door, which she guessed was her new room.

"I've always been interested in science and technology," she explained with a shrug, looking down at the floor sheepishly, "Emily always said that's the reason so many people were turned away during interviews."

Mr. Stark frowned once more at her explanation. Ada knew for a fact that that was one of the many reasons she had turned away so many adults. Between that and not knowing where she came from hadn't helped matters. Her mysterious appearance at the orphanage was one of the many reasons the caretakers never went into full details over her history. She had a feeling that if anyone figured out her history, it wouldn't end well.

"Well, today's your lucky day," he told her after a moment's pause, "I happen to have a lab in the basement, where all the magic happens. I could teach you everything I know."

She just stared at Mr. Stark in disbelief, unsure of what to say. There were so many times when she would want nothing more than to learn how to build something, or, to learn more in general. Now, Tony Stark was actually giving her an opportunity she knew she couldn't refuse.

"That-That would be great," she stammered, still finding it hard to believe any of this was really happening.

This all felt like a dream come true. Between getting adopted by Tony Stark, being welcomed into his family, and everything else, it was all so overwhelming. Ada kept wondering if she would wake up back in the orphanage, and find out that it had been nothing more than a dream. After all, he wasn't necessarily the type of person she expected to adopt someone. When he mentioned that someone had put him up to the idea, she suspected this was nothing more than a ploy for the media. Everyone made him out as a playboy, genius and a billionaire with an ego to match the size of his mansion.

"Good. Get yourself unpacked and situated; you can come down for dinner once you're ready," he told her once that was said and done.

She gave another nod as Mr. Stark turned to leave. Ada braced herself for whatever room awaited her. Once again, Ada found herself gaping at what she saw before her.

It looked more like an elegant hotel room, than that of a normal bedroom. A double-sized bed lay in the center of the room, against the back wall. Three huge paneled windows overlooked the ocean. To the front of the room was a long bookcase, with a television in the center of it. As Ada walked across the room, she noticed a large walk-in closet where she could keep what little clothing she had inside. Beyond the closet was a bathroom, with everything included.

Ada couldn't help but throw herself onto the bed the minute she could. The mattress itself was twice as comfortable as what she was used to. Several pillows lined the bed, and Ada buried her face into the pillows as she enjoyed the softness for as long as she could.

For the first time in her life, Ada finally found something she could consider a real home. Somehow, she knew this wasn't just a dream. This was very real, and for once, she had no qualm about leaving the orphanage.

…

"The girl is in his custody, sir."

Phil Coulson stood in front of Director Nick Fury as they overlooked the status of the little girl they had brought to the orphanage six years ago. They had been watching her progress over that time. When they realized that she wouldn't likely leave the orphanage due to her intelligence, a decision had been made to contact Tony Stark. While the choice hadn't necessarily been one of Coulson's favorite choices, he knew Stark was the best option they had, for the time being.

"Good; let's hope he doesn't mess this one up," Fury sighed with a shake of his head.

Stark had put up one hell of an argument when he was contacted by Strategic Homeland Intermission End Logistics Division. Unsurprisingly, it was Coulson who had contacted him. He'd been adamant about it, reminding Stark that this would be good for him.

The problem was, Stark's irresponsibility had left everyone worried about the way Ada would be raised. She was already difficult with adults, and, Stark's attitude rubbing off on her could make things ugly, fast. Everyone would need to stay on edge, especially as she got older.

"We'll be keeping an eye on her, and make an assessment every birthday," Coulson reassured him. He'd grown fond of the little girl, after all. After taking care of her when she was in their custody, it had been difficult to give her up in the first place, "If she shows any signs of changing, we'll be the first to know."

"Good. You're dismissed, until then," Fury ordered.

Once that was said and done, Coulson gave a nod before leaving the office. This was one mission they couldn't afford to mess up. Wherever Ada came from, and whoever she was, she was everyone's responsibility, now.

…

It was late at night when Ada finished her first meal in her new home. With Colonel Rhodes leaving for an early morning routine with his line of work, Mr. Stark and Pepper were busy talking while Happy asked a barrage of questions that Ada wasn't entirely prepared for. She tried answering them best as she could. Even Pepper had noticed with a start that Ada sounded older than she was.

Until then, she hadn't really given it much thought. Ada didn't think of herself wise beyond her age. Everyone at the orphanage believed and knew otherwise. For a six-year-old, she could have passed for a young adult. Maybe that was why she never got along with the other kids. Maggie was the only one she ever really got along with, and that was because they had been roommates.

"Well, first things first, I'd like to give you a gift," Pepper said once everyone had finished getting to know one another. Ada rose an eyebrow as the strawberry blond left the table, returning a moment later with a small box wrapped with bright paper around it. "Tony did say that today is your birthday."

Ada was silent for a moment, unsure of what to say once more as she eyed the brightly wrapped box warily, "Yes… But, getting adopted is one of the best presents anyone could give me."

She couldn't hide the tears that threatened to overwhelm her when Pepper handed the present to her. While Mr. Stark hadn't said anything about that comment, she could tell he was trying to hide the grin that followed.

"See, Peps? What'd I tell you?" he asked with a playful nudge, "She's perfect."

She only blushed out of sheer embarrassment while Pepper rolled her eyes. Ada looked down at the gift in her hands before opening it carefully, pulling the brightly colored ribbon and setting it to the side. Once she opened the box, she let out a quiet gasp as she saw what lay inside.

The gift was a stuffed cheetah, her favorite animal. Ada eyed the gift curiously, realizing with a start that it was an exact replica of the one she had lost a year ago. The old one she used to sleep with had been thrown away, because it was too worn out. Even Heather, with all her sewing skills, couldn't repair it.

"How did you…?" Ada couldn't bring herself to finish the question as she remembered how heartbroken she had been when she lost her favorite stuffed animal.

"Tony did a little research before we made a final decision," Pepper explained before he could open his mouth, "We hope you enjoy your new life."

Gently, Pepper held onto Ada's hand as tears formed at the edge of her vision. She kept telling herself that she wasn't going to cry. She was too choked up for words, now. This was truly the best birthday gift anyone could have given her.

…

"Does anyone know where she came from?" Pepper asked as she sat at the bar a few hours after they made sure Ada was fast asleep.

Once they were finished cleaning everything up, Tony had offered drinks for everyone after their hours of hard work setting up for the party. To say it wasn't a success would have been an understatement. Seeing those tears of joy had left Pepper feeling warm and happy, knowing that they'd made someone's life better.

"No," Tony replied after pouring a glass of whiskey for himself, and a drink for Pepper and Happy, "That's part of the reason they asked me to adopt her. Mentioned I was the best choice for her."

Pepper threw him a look of disbelief. If there was one thing she had learned about while being his secretary for the last who knew how many years, it was that he was anything but responsible for a child. All the rumors flying around about Tony Stark being a playboy, philanthropist, and billionaire were true.

"So, this was all a publicity stunt?" Happy guessed, frowning at the thought of hurting the little girl that way.

"It's a good way to get the media off our backs, for a while," Tony replied gruffly, "The kid needed a home, and I needed a way of getting on their good side."

Though, he wasn't going to lie when meeting her for the first time had surprised him. Ada wasn't like the other kids at that orphanage. Her intelligence alone had surprised him, along with the fact that she reminded him of himself, when he was her age. She had the potential to be so much more. She just needed someone who was willing to push her to that potential. While Tony was anything but father material, he knew that this had been the right choice.

"Look, Tony, Ada is going to be your responsibility, from now on," Pepper reminded him pointedly, "And, as scary as that is, she's going to need you."

Tony wrinkled his nose at the thought of having to take care of a kid. Pepper was right about one thing – kids were a huge responsibility. One he didn't think and knew he wasn't ready for. But, someone had trusted him with the task of raising her. Like it or not, he needed to step up the plate and do what everyone least expected: Be a father.

AN: Remember, reviews are always appreciated! Also, I'm planning on taking down the original once I reach chapter ten, or fifteen, so, that's just a heads up to anyone who still wants to take a look at how cheesy my writing was, back than XD