Alrighty boys and girls! Let's get it! `-`
Things take an unexpected turn when I walk into the workshop one day and see Pepper's hand quite literally inside of my father's chest. At first, I think Pepper has gone psycho and became physically strong enough to punch through someone's chest. I make a squealing noise of discomfort before my eyes roll to the back of my head at the disturbing sight. Minutes after regaining consciousness, Pepper and my father are literally hovering over me and attempting to revive me. That's when everything becomes grim and awkward as my father explains how he was mortally injured in Afghanistan and had to use arc reactor technology as a magnet to keep shrapnel from going to his heart to prevent himself from dying. It was a long tale, but I clung to every word like gospel, and also found myself sick to the stomach by the end of it all at the same time.
"Wait...that thing is keeping you alive?" I looked at the glow on my dad's chest in awe.
Pepper's already finished washing her hands before she's up the stairs to retrieve some 'drinks', although I could tell it was to give the two of us a minute alone.
"The man that saved my life...Yinsen. He came up with this on the fly. Really saved my ass." My dad frowns.
"I'm...I'm really sorry that he didn't make it." I mutter softly.
Dad places his hand on top of mine, giving it a small but reassuring squeeze before moving back a bit.
"I know this is a very weird thing to bring up suddenly, but I literally just remembered to ask you. JARVIS mentions how secretive you've been lately, and how anxious you are all the time. As endearing as it is that you've decided to sleep in my bed with me every night for the past week, I'm getting concerned. So, dear, what's going on in the world of Tyra Elizabeth Stark?" My dad asks with a small smile.
For a brief two minutes, my father waits patiently for an answer as I struggle to form words. It becomes increasingly difficult to communicate everything properly so that he'd understand fully. However, telling dad that I'm scared someone was plotting to murder me was another matter entirely, and he would think I'm crazy. I wasn't sure how to approach the subject without fully lying to him or making sure I didn't sound bat-shit insane.
"I'm...fine...doing better...you know, since you're back. I just really missed you." I stammered.
"You're sure that's all this is? It was just me being...gone?" Dad looked unsure.
"Yeah, I- -"
"I'm gonna have to stop you and get all serious. You almost died while I was missing. In fact, Pepper told me that you tried to kill yourself. Why would you do something like that? Over me? What was your goal? Were you so depressed even before I left and I just didn't see it?"
It was conflicting to lie to my own father about something so serious, but who would believe me? I needed evidence that someone tried to kill me, and not just from the video footage of someone entering the house and disabling JARVIS. I needed a solid lead that would explain everything. I needed a suspect that I could tie all of this to.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!"
Dad snaps his fingers in front of my face, looking scared as all hell, and I'm certainly not helping matters the longer I remain silent. Finally, he lets out a dejected sigh and turns around to leave.
"I didn't do it." I blurt out.
My dad stops and pauses before slowly turning back to face me.
"Honey...something isn't right here. Either you're lying to me, or- -"
"I'm not lying...I was in shock when I heard you went missing, but I wasn't at this breaking point that I'd try to take my own life." I answered truthfully. "I can't remember everything about that night, because people have me so confused about what did or didn't happen or what they saw- -but I know I didn't try to kill myself. The people at that fucking hospital made me think I was going crazy."
I couldn't prevent the tears that slipped out and already I could hear my voice waver.
"I kept doubting what really happened, and they made me think that I did try committing suicide. It took me a little bit to realize that I'd never do something that stupid. No matter how much I missed you terribly. No matter how much I wish I could take back what I said the night before you left. I made you feel terrible when I rejected going to the weapons demonstration and I didn't even get to say I love you before you left and- -and- -"
My thoughts are halted when I'm being pulled in for a hug. The low hum of the tiny arc reactor inside dad's chest was pressed to my ear as he held me against him. The tears flow freely now, and this time I don't fight back his embrace but welcome it instead.
"It's alright, honey. Now...tell me what you had JARVIS delete." Dad pulls back slightly.
"I don't think now's the right time to bring it up. I don't want people to think I'm crazy again. I don't wanna go back there." I shake my head.
"Go back where?" He looks at me in confusion.
"That hospital." I whimper.
His eyes widened before he also blinks away tears. He smiles and lets out a shaky chuckle before planting a kiss to my forehead.
"Sweetheart, you're never going back there. That much I can promise you. You can tell me."
I frown and shake my head frantically, finding myself unable to speak properly due to nerves. I hadn't felt so frustrated in trying to communicate since I was only a small child and had to learn sign language. Dad calms me down and gently pulls me in for another hug as he rubs my back soothingly. I nearly fall asleep against him, finding myself physically and mentally exhausted without fully knowing why.
"It's alright, Tye. You're okay." Dad mumbles.
"I can't...figure it out." I barely utter. "I think someone's trying to kill me...and I don't know why."
He tenses against me and pauses for a few seconds, before he resumes rubbing my back. I find myself falling asleep within five minutes.
The next morning, I find myself sleeping in my father's bed again. Surprisingly, dad is still asleep, which has me relieved as I carefully get out of the bed without waking him up. I find Pepper sitting in the kitchen and doing work on her laptop as she sips on some coffee. I go to the coffee pot and make myself a cup as well after grabbing creamer in the fridge. Pepper's roused out of her thoughts when she hears the fridge close and greets me with a small smile.
"How's your father doing? Did you two have a good talk last night or something?" Pepper asks.
"...or something." I mumble softly.
Pepper's smile falters when she sees the look on my face and shuts her laptop after saving her work.
"What's wrong Tyra?" Pepper asks concernedly. "You think I haven't noticed your recent behavior since your father's return?"
"Wha- -" I start.
"Tyra Elizabeth Stark. You have been struggling to form actual words, which only happens when something's really bothering you, or when you're nervous. I'm almost tempted to contact your old speech therapist." Pepper looks at me knowingly.
I sip at my coffee, trying to calm my nerves as I inhale the aroma of the hot beverage. Pepper wasn't wrong by any means, but I felt like this was something I needed to figure out on my own. I take a deep breath as I glance down at the reflection in my coffee cup.
"Things haven't been the same. I'm scared." I confessed.
At this, Pepper perks up and looks at me with wide eyes.
"What do you mean, sweetie?" Pepper lowers her voice.
"You don't find it suspicious that the night I allegedly tried to kill myself was the day my father went missing in Afghanistan?"
Pepper's body stills and the longer she stares at me, the more she realizes how serious I'm being. I can tell she's mulling over my words though.
"Tyra...th- -that's crazy. Why would anyone want you dead? Listen to what you're saying." Pepper stammered.
"That's such a good question, isn't it?" I raised an eyebrow. "Look, forget I said anything please. I don't mean to stress anyone out."
Pepper's calling for me as I quickly go down to the workshop, but I ignore her anxious shouts of my name.
In the very corner set up at the workshop, is my own small art studio, which I go to when I need to relieve stress or when I'm just inspired. I can't help but think of my father's recent addition to his body, the arc reactor in his chest. It was beautiful to look at, but knowing what it was implanted in my dad's chest for was saddening.
"Holy shit, that's amazing."
I'm startled and whirl around to find my father standing behind me.
"Pepper told me you've been here for a couple of hours. You really zoned out again, huh?" Dad smirks.
I merely nod, unable to really find anything remotely interesting to say.
"Is that supposed to be my arc reactor? It's almost like a damn picture." Dad lets out a low chuckle.
"Y- -yeah. I just...found myself mesmerized by it." I blushed.
He smiles at me and ruffles my hair before he's handing me a much smaller fine tip paintbrush.
"You gotta sign it so I can hang it in my office." He tells me.
"You want it?" I can't help but smile.
"Why the hell wouldn't I? It's pretty amazing to look at." He purses his lips.
I carefully take the paint brush from my dad and dip it in a dark red acrylic paint before signing at the bottom right corner in cursive.
"Mwuah! Beautiful!" Dad smacks his lips together.
I can't help but giggle at his amusing behavior before flicking some paint on him.
"Wow really mature." Dad playfully punches my arm. "So, I'm going to be starting a project, and I'd love it if you joined me on this."
I stare at him in surprise before he gives me a warm smile that puts me at ease.
"Really?" I nearly stutter.
"There's only one condition." His hand is on my shoulder.
I wait patiently and nod at him to continue.
"You can't get bored with it and leave at any time." Dad gives me a look of mock seriousness.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes and crack a smile at him.
"So you ready for our special project?"
"I'm always ready, old man." I teased. "JARVIS, you up?"
"For you and Mr. Stark, always miss." JARVIS replied.
"JARVIS, I'd like to open a new project named Mark II." Dad added.
We walked over to the large table in the workshop and dad turned on this holographic projection of a huge bulky metal suit. At the very center of its chest was the shape of his arc reactor. It didn't take me long to figure out that this was something crucial that must have helped in his escape.
"Would you like me to store this under the Stark Industries central database?" JARVIS asked.
"Actually, I'm not sure who I trust right now..." Dad mutters lowly. "Until further notice, keep this under my private server and only give access to me and Tyra."
At this, I find myself surprised. I circled the table and looked at this design of the armor in awe.
...my dad made this in a cave with a box of scraps? I'm impressed...
"Wow..." I breathe out.
"Working on a secret project, sir?" JARVIS asked.
"Yeah, I don't want this to fall into the wrong hands." Dad said seriously.
It takes many hours before we manage to configure a proper and more sleek design. After that, we finally build the flight destabilizer on the bottom of the feet on the armor, and to the palms of the hands on the armor. The armor isn't completely built yet, as we're in the beginning stages, but at the rate we were going, it wouldn't take more than a week.
"Are you sure I can't do it? I don't wanna see you get hurt." I pout.
"Okay one: I know you just wanna try it out so you can fly and pretend you're Mary Poppins. Two: I'm your father and I'm the one that doesn't want to see you get hurt." Dad smirks.
I fold my arms and slump down in my chair in defeat.
"Oh don't give me that look. There's no use in changing my mind, you brat." Dad chuckles.
I finally get over it before going back to work, checking on the cameras set up to make sure they're ready to record our progress on the suit.
"Alright, let's do this right. Start back a meter and to the center." Dad ordered me.
I nodded and did as he said also making sure to adjust the cameras the robots were holding.
"Alright, and we're rolling." I press a button on the keyboard below the monitor. "By the way, you're on fire safety." I gestured to Dummy who held a fire extinguisher.
"Alright...let's start this nice and easy...how about at 10% thrust capacity to achieve lift off?" Dad said.
"I don't think that's a good idea...I'd go for 1% and see how it goes from there." I suggested.
"You worry too much, Tyra. Loosen up...alright...3...2...1..."
My eyes widen comically when he flies up incredibly fast, crashing into the ceiling before falling to the ground.
"DAD!" I ran over to him.
Dummy continued to spray the fire extinguisher on dad and I shooed Dummy away. Dad groaned as I helped him sit up.
"Alright how many fingers am I holding up?" I question.
I held up my hand and checked to make sure if he had any cuts or bruises.
Or a concussion rather...
"Four?" Dad seemed unsure.
God damn it, dad...
"Two..." I corrected him.
I helped him up and proceeded to take off the equipment and gear on him before I helped him up the stairs and out of the workshop.
And so for the next several days, our progression on the suit comes by faster and with much ease now that we have a better idea of what we're doing. I feel like I've been slowly becoming myself again, before my father's kidnapping. I've started sleeping in my own bed again, and after replacing the door to the bathroom, it's almost like the incident never took place. I still find myself wondering where the hell those prescription bottles had come from, but I try to take my mind off of it when I go to help my dad work on our special project. I still however, try to find the connection to the mysterious man in the security footage, and find myself analyzing the video feed almost every night before I go to bed. It doesn't help my anxiety at all, but I feel like I'm getting closer and closer to some type of an answer.
"Will you just attach it already?" Dad grumbled.
"I'm working on it you old goat!" I snapped.
"Did you really just call me an old goat?" Dad gave me a look.
"I could set you on fire right now if I wanted to. I don't think you should test me right now." I teased.
At least he shut up...
Pepper came down to the workshop with some coffee and a small box all wrapped up like a christmas gift.
Hmm...I wonder what it's in the box...
"Obadiah is upstairs." Pepper informed us.
"We'll be up in a minute...we just gotta adjust this and test it out." I replied.
"I thought you said you were done making weapons." Pepper looked at dad suspiciously.
"It's a flight stabilizer" Dad explained. "It's completely harmless- -"
I can see my dad start it up, and immediately move to stop him.
"Dad wait- -!"
Dad held his arm up, and without meaning to, activated the flight stabilizer which made him fly back several feet. Pepper and I both winced at the loud crash.
"I didn't expect that..." Dad muttered.
After coming upstairs we found Obadiah playing the piano. As talented as he was though, I never pegged him as the musical type. I watched Obadiah carefully as I took a slice of pizza that was left on the living room table and began eating after receiving looks from dad. It was clear after my hospital release that Pepper, Happy, and my father took great interest in making sure I ate since I lost so much weight.
"It went that bad huh?" Dad asked Obadiah.
"Just because I brought back pizza from New York does not mean it went bad." Obadiah replied.
"You sure about that?" Dad chuckled.
"Well it would have gone better if you actually came." Obadiah rolled his eyes.
"You said to lay low and that's exactly what I'm doing." Dad retorted with a smug smile.
Dad grabbed a slice of pizza and plopped onto the couch right next to me.
"This was a board of directors meeting, Tony. The board is claiming that you have post traumatic stress. They've filed an injunction." Obadiah explained.
Dad and I nearly dropped our pizza in shock.
Excuse me?
"A what?" Dad's eyes widened.
"They wanna lock you out, Tony." Obadiah bluntly said as he averted his eyes.
"You're serious? They wanna boot him out of his own company?!" I blurt out.
I can feel myself rant before I even realize it, but I find myself compelled to defend my father. I didn't like Obadiah's tone, and I didn't like the man in general since I was a child.
"It's hilarious that the one time my father's being responsible that suddenly the company wants to get rid of him! You know there's more to Stark Industries than making weapons right? Or did you not feel obligated enough to try to bring that up to the board? All you people ever wanted was to make a profit! You don't give a shit about anyone else, you just wanted to fatten your pockets right? I'm sick and tired of- -"
Obadiah seemed stunned, at my sudden change in attitude, knowing that I wasn't the type to speak up.
"Heyheyhey! That's enough!"
Dad interrupts my frantic ranting when he moves to grab me by the shoulders and turn me to face him.
"You okay? Your voice was starting to waver a bit. Listen, I appreciate you defending my honor but I'm sure Obie has enough on his plate. Just calm down and let's go back downstairs, huh?" He gives me a small smile.
Dad grabs my hand and pulls me along with him, trying to stop me from ranting any longer. Behind that smile of his, I get the sense that he's just as pissed off as I am about the whole thing.
"What are you two working on down there?" Obadiah suddenly asks.
I froze in my spot and pulled away from dad to look back at Obadiah. Dad continued down the stairs to the workshop knowing I'd catch up with him. It was obvious that Obadiah was acting more suspicious...more shifty. I couldn't help, but think that he was responsible for everything, which he most likely was.
What if he filed that injunction on my father? But why?
It was clear to me that Obadiah wasn't to be trusted right now. He could be the one that tried having both me and my father killed for all I know.
I still needed proof though...
"Goodnight, Obadiah."
I shifted my gaze away from him suddenly feeling nervous. I finally followed my dad and went down to the workshop before Obadiah could say anything else.
I still felt that uneasiness from last night linger from Obadiah's visit. Sure, he's been a family friend, an advisor of sorts, since before Howard Stark's passing. He wasn't exactly the most kind man though, always thought of me as a problem rather than a child with special needs. Since last night however, my demeanor changed whenever I kept thinking about my encounter with Obadiah. Thinking back, I even recall Pepper saying that Obadiah was the one that gave the order for me to remain in the mental hospital. It was more than unsettling that someone so close to the Stark family could be capable of such things, if he was responsible for the kidnapping of my father and my placement in the mental hospital. Or even...
Staging my 'suicide'...
The idea was thought provoking, and my time today was spent trying to investigate this possibility. Out of everyone that my father and I knew, Obadiah had the most to gain should the two of us have been removed from the picture. Full rights to Stark Industries would have been passed down to Obadiah, who could have done whatever he pleased to the company, which included the continuation of the mass production of weapons.
"Miss Stark you have a visitor. Shall I let him in?" JARVIS asked.
My thoughts are put on hold and I raise an eyebrow.
Who the hell would want to visit me?
"Who is it?" I cautiously ask.
"His name is Phil Coulson, and he claims that it is an urgent matter. As far as I can see, he is unarmed and does not appear dangerous." JARVIS replies.
"Thank you, JARVIS." I sighed in relief.
I make my way to the front door, and look through the peephole to see what appeared to be an ordinary man. I hesitantly unlock the door and peek out to see this so-called Phil Coulson.
"Hello, you must be Miss Stark. I'm Agent Phil Coulson from the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division." Phil shook my hand.
That's some name...
"Would you like something to drink, Phil?" I asked politely.
"No thank you, Miss Stark..." Phil smiled.
After leading him to the kitchen, Phil takes a seat at the island table as I take the seat across from him. I begin analyzing Phil instinctively, taking in his appearance despite that there's truly nothing out of place. Phil truly does look like an ordinary man, but deep down, I know better than to believe he's anything but that.
Balding or buzz shaved hair, kempt and tidy appearance, very stern but warm eyes. Pin of an eagle, but it's not just an eagle...it's a different symbol. A symbol of...the Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Division as it is so carefully placed on his small badge. Never heard of this organization before, perhaps they specialize in- -
"Miss Stark, is there something wrong?" Phil spoke up.
Once again, I'm roused from my inner thoughts, and feel myself blushing under Mr. Coulson's all too curious gaze.
"So what is it that you're here for?" I interjected.
"I wanted to ask you a few questions, if that's alright." Phil responds carefully.
I nodded my head and made a flippant hand gesture for him to continue. Phil clears his throat and proceeds, folding his hands neatly together as he leans forward and continues to make eye contact with me.
"It's about your father's kidnapping in Afghanistan as well as his rescue." Phil tells me. "I find it hard to believe that he was rescued by just Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes. You wouldn't happen to know anything about your father's escape would you? Or...anything regarding his kidnapping. If there's anyone who would want him held for ransom or would want him killed? I know the police must have already asked you these questions..."
"Actually they never did. Or never got to..." I confessed.
He's more intuitive than I realized. He knows more than he's letting on, but he wants me to fill in the blanks for him. To...confirm his suspicions. What is the Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement Logistics Division really? Who is Phil Coulson truly? And why does he want to know anything regarding my father? A government agency perhaps? What are his motives...
"I think I'd like to ask you a question first before I answer yours though." I blurt out.
Phil looks completely intrigued by this, and sits up straighter before he gives me a small nod.
"Why do you want to know? And why should I consider trusting you?"
"I can assure you that I mean you no harm- -"
"That's not what I asked, Mr. Coulson. Don't try to divert my attention please."
At this statement, Phil's expression could be read and interpreted as impressed, but I was never truly good at reading expressions anyway.
"You're a government agency of some kind right? But why do you give a shit about anything regarding the Starks? Do you feel threatened by us? Or is it something else?" I continued. "Or perhaps...you want an ally."
Phil's lips quirk up into a smirk as his eyes scan over me as well.
"You are...not what I imagined for a teenage girl." Phil lets out a breathless chuckle.
I give him a confused look, but say nothing in return.
"Alright, I'll answer your questions. Our organization is a government agency of sorts. As for why you should trust me, I'd like to think of us as being on both sides of the same coin. We have something in common. We both want what's best for the world, and with Stark Industries not manufacturing weapons anymore after your father's return..."
"So you think someone tried to have him killed too?" I muttered softly.
Phil perks up at this, his smirk fading away as he grows more serious.
"Don't forget that you almost died. Someone will answer for that, I promise you." Phil adds. "Now...is there anything you can tell me regarding your father's kidnapping and rescue?"
Wait...he knows I didn't try to...commit suicide? Why else would he have said that?
I feel myself shaking as I reach into my pocket for my flash drive, and reluctantly hand it over to Phil.
"I don't know much about my father, but...I do know that someone tried to...kill me...the night my dad went missing."
Phil stares down at the flash drive with intrigue and curiosity, and carefully pockets it into his jacket.
"It's security footage of that night...someone...someone broke into my house. But he had a house key...and he shut down JARVIS our AI, but forgot about the cameras around the house." I blink away tears. "I- -I deleted the footage after making a copy. I don't wanna get sent back...to that hospital...they...i- -it was awful. I- -I don't wanna go back there. I'm not crazy...I'm not..."
Phil's expression goes to that of sympathy and concern as he places his hand on mine. I flinch at the contact, but don't pull away.
"Someone w- -wanted me dead the night my father went missing...tried to make it look like a- -a suicide." I stammered.
If he didn't believe me...I couldn't rely on anyone...I would literally be on my own...
"I believe you..." Phil says.
He believes me?
"You...you believe me? Really?" I barely utter.
Phil nodded, giving my hand a small but comforting squeeze.
"We'll make sure to keep a close eye on you, Miss Stark. Now...about your father's escape...could you give me some details?"
"My dad told me that he built something with another person being held captive in the cave they were in...he didn't make it, but my dad did...that's all I know." I answered.
There was no way I was telling anyone about the suit.
If the government was able to build one...well...let's not think about that.
Phil stands up, straightening his tie as he gives me a reassuring smile.
"You're very brave for telling me all of this, Miss Stark."
Phil claps a hand on my shoulder gently before reaching into another pocket and pulling out a business card.
"That's my personal number. You call me if you remember anything else, or if you just need to talk. I've been told I'm a good listener." Phil says.
Coulson walks to door, and I blurt out his name before I can stop myself. Phil turns around and glances back at me as his hand hovers over the door handle.
"Phil? Thank you for listening...and also...keep an eye out for Obadiah Stane. I don't trust him." I inform him.
"Can do, Tyra." Phil nods.
"Day eleven, test thirty-seven, configuration 2.0; for a lack of a better option Dummy is still on fire safety." Dad glared at the robot. "Don't hit me with that thing again or I'm donating you to a city college." Dad threatened.
Dummy made a noise and turns its, what would be considered the head, down, which makes it appear guilty and sad.
"Are we gonna be serious about this now?" I raised an eyebrow at dad.
"Yup! Nice and easy..." Dad replied. "Okay, let's start it off at 1% thrust capacity."
"So now you're taking my advice?" I scoffed.
"Shut it, smart ass. 1% Tyra!" Dad snapped.
I giggled at dad's childish behavior and typed in the needed information on the computer. I gave him a thumbs up, signaling that he was ready to go whenever he wanted to.
"Okay...3...2...1."
The two of us wait in anticipation when the thrusters start up once more. Unlike before, the 1% thrust capacity truly does make a difference. Dad begins hovering over the ground, the biggest grin on his face when everything is going how it should.
"Yeah!" I cheered.
Things take a different turn when he has trouble steering, and I run over to the computer as I'm ready to remotely shut off the thrusters just in case.
"Not the Lamborghini!" Dad yelped.
Uh oh...
Finally, he regains his composure, steering back over to where he started with less than minimal damage to anything. I find myself staring at him in awe and find myself grinning from ear to ear as soon as he lands.
"Yeah...I can fly..." He smirks.
I run over and nearly tackle him to the ground as I'm filled with so much happiness for the first time in what feels like forever. Dad catches me in his arms and even twirls me around in a circle.
"Holy shit! We did it!" I shouted excitedly.
My dad gives me an amused but disapproving look when he gently ruffles my hair.
"Language." He merely scolds.
I roll my eyes and shake my head, but let him pull me in for a hug.
"Good job, kid. I couldn't have done this without you."
Dad places a kiss to my head, and I feel myself smiling in his embrace. Finally when he pulls back, he ruffles my hair as he walks off several feet.
"Alright, enough of that mushy shit. Let's test this baby out, huh?" Dad teases me lightly.
I put on the ear piece and gave my dad another thumbs up as I waited back over at the computer again. After typing in the commands, Dad starts getting hooked up with the armor design. As soon as the helmet is placed on, I activate JARVIS, making sure the systems are properly activated and good to go for his test drive.
"Lookin' good, old man." I winked at him.
"As always..." He joked. "JARVIS are you there?"
"At your service sir." JARVIS replied.
"Tyra, make sure to keep monitoring the stats."
"Okie dokie." I mock saluted. "Okay...JARVIS should be uploaded, so you can talk to him wherever you are."
"Prepare suit down and check diagnostics." Dad said.
Pieces of the armor started shifting around before going back into place.
"Dad, there's still terabytes of calculations that need to be done before- -"
"Tyra, sometimes you gotta run before you can walk..." Dad interrupted.
With that being said, Dad takes off flying in the armored suit before I can get another word in.
"God...you're still such an ass monkey..." I shook my head.
"I heard that." Dad said.
Whoops...forgot about the ear piece...
I sat in the computer chair and kept observing the computer.
So far so good...
"JARVIS, what's the highest recorded altitude?" Dad asked.
"The record for highest altitude flight is eighty two feet, sir." JARVIS answered.
Is he doing what I think he's about to do?
"Dad don't even think about it!" I hissed into my ear piece.
"Learn to have a little fun, Tyra!"
"Dad stop right now before you do something you'll regret! Like I dunno, die!"
Dad ignores me this time, and continues on his reckless adventure to being a frozen popsicle.
"Alright, let's see what this thing can do!"
As dad went higher the computer starts going crazy as all sorts of alarms start to sound off, the connection to the armor beginning to glitch out and fade the farther he flies up.
"Dad! Knock it off! I'm losing your signal!" I shout worriedly. "You're gonna fucking freeze the suit if you don't stop!"
When the computer blacks out, I start full out panicking over my father's wellbeing.
"I've just lost connection with Mr. Stark." JARVIS informed me.
In my panicked state, I frantically start typing on the computer to reboot the system in a last attempt to hopefully get the suit up and running again from my end.
Nothing was working though.
"Dad! You have to break the ice!" I screamed into the ear piece.
When the computer starts back up again, the monitor shows my father's status. He's unresponsive in the armor still, but I at least got a signal this time. My stomach drops however, when I notice that he's going towards the ground at a rapid rate, and from how fast he's going, he'd crash and die as soon as he hit the ground.
"DAD!" I cried.
I find myself sobbing uncontrollably, when he still fails to respond. By some miracle, his comm comes back online, and he manages to save himself before crash landing to his death.
"WOOOHOOO!" Dad cheered.
I'm shaking uncontrollably as I plop back down in the chair, and before I can help it, I'm being brought back to that moment in time when I thought I actually lost my father in Afghanistan. I can barely see through all the tears, my breathing becoming more rapid as I'm filled with absolute anxiety. I'm wrapping my arms around myself as I rock in my seat, trying everything I can to calm down, but the flashbacks just keep getting stronger as I'm reminded of that night. I'm finally brought out of my thoughts when I hear a loud crash through the roof all the way down to the garage. The entire house shakes from the racket, and I look over to see the large hole from the garage all the way to the roof where Dad had landed on the Lamborghini. Dummy takes this as a sign to start spraying him with the fire extinguisher. I would have been laughing at that, but I was more than pissed off right now.
"Get out of that fucking suit, so I can kill you!" I hollered at him.
Dad stood up and the face piece on the helmet pulled back.
"What's wrong?"
"What's wrong? WHAT'S WRONG?! I almost lost you again, you major asshole!" I cried angrily.
When he really looks at me, his smile completely fades once he realizes how scared and upset I am. He moves to me, but I quickly back away as I furiously wipe at my eyes and try to will away my tears.
"Tyra, shit, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to- -"
"You nearly scared me to death on your little joyride! Why can't you ever listen to me?!"
Dad apologized repeatedly, but nothing he said changed the face that I was still furious at him. Every time I told him to do something, he'd do the exact opposite. One of these days, he was gonna get himself killed.
What do I do when he manages to actually do that?
FLASH!
I froze in my spot when the god of mischief had noticed me.
"I wouldn't leave if I were you, darling. I still need that." Loki winked at me.
Fury stood up and got in front of me protectively.
"This doesn't need to get ugly. We have no quarrel with your people." Fury spoke lowly.
"An ant has no quarrel with a boot." He started walking over to us.
"Are you planning to step on us?" Fury looked at the man in disbelief.
"RUN!" Fury yelled at me.
I snapped out of my daze and made a run for the exit. Before I could comprehend what had happened, the mischievous man teleported in front of me, causing me to stumble backwards in surprise. I finally screamed as Loki grabbed my arm and lifted me up like I was a toy doll. He grinned deviously, but grew confused when he noticed I wasn't as afraid.
"Let go of me you jerk!" I struggled against him.
"You are an odd Midgardian. You should be afraid...and...you look familiar. Have I threatened you before?" The man raised an eyebrow at me.
FLASH!
I find myself lying on the floor, finding myself in a haze as if I've been drugged. It was something those monsters did to me at the mental hospital to keep me quiet and unable to fight back. I slowly pick myself up, wondering what the hell just happened, but more importantly try to figure out why that dream felt so vivid and realistic. I picked up my cell phone from the floor as well when I heard it vibrate, and answer it immediately.
"Hello?" I mumble tiredly.
"Tyra. Please tell me you're almost done getting ready."
"Ready..." I find myself confused.
"For the charity ball we're going to. You promised me you'd go with. Your father isn't attending, but I figured it would be good to at least get you out of the house. I'm almost there to pick you up, so please be decent by the time I get there."
When I see that I'm in a green silk dress, I find myself completely at a loss for words and hang up the phone.
"What the fuck...?"
Did I just have memory loss or something? I mean, I did just faint or something, waking up on the floor and all...
"In the end...you will always kneel..."
I whirl around and see no one behind me, although it sounded like someone was murmuring in my ear. I shiver and rush to the bathroom, locking it carefully behind me to find all sorts of makeup and jewelry sprawled about.
So I was getting ready for this charity ball? Why the hell don't I remember doing so?
Since most of the work is already done, I fix my makeup as Pepper taught me, put on my high heels and put on an elegant and charming golden diamond necklace that shimmers in the light. After putting on the matching bracelet, I grab the matching purse and my cell phone before making my way to the limo awaiting me in the driveway. Happy greets me happily and even complimented my dress and soon enough, we left for the charity call. Pepper keeps making small talk with me on the drive there, but I can't stop staring at her. I find that she looks absolutely stunning in the dress, and it's enough that I'm distracted with whatever the hell happened to me earlier.
Minutes after stepping out of the limousine, cameras are flashing at Pepper and I, and we just politely smile and wave at the press as we walk past.
"I didn't expect to see you here, Tyra." Obadiah smiled.
I tense at hearing the voice, and hope to everything holy that no one else noticed.
"H- -hi." I stuttered. "Um...Pepper wanted me to come tonight." I breathed out.
"I just thought it'd be good to get her out of the house." Pepper adds.
Pepper gives me a look of concern when she notices how anxious I look, and puts her hand on my arm.
"Do you want me to get you a drink? You look a little..." Pepper starts.
"She probably just needs to dance to get her mind off of things. I know how much this one hates crowds, the complete opposite of her old man." Obadiah jokes.
Pepper lets out a small chuckle, knowing how true Obadiah's statement is.
"Now come on, let's go dance. I promise you'll have fun." Obadiah smiles.
What seems like a fun suggestion comes across as an order in my direction. I fail to come up with response in time before Obadiah takes my arm into his and leads me to the dance floor. We sway slowly together, ignoring everyone else until it feels like the two of us are the only ones here.
"So how are things? Are you feeling better? I sent you flowers while you were at the hospital." Obadiah tried making casual conversation.
Yeah...I'm sure you did.
I looked into his eyes which only seemed to grow darker. You could tell that he meant, "how are you still alive?"
I might as well cut to the chase. Come on, Tyra...it's just like ripping off a bandaid.
I take a deep breath, mustering up all the courage that I could to finally give this man a taste of his own medicine.
"Oh I'm completely fine...though I wonder about something...like who you hired to kill me and my father?" I smiled at him.
To say that Obadiah was completely surprise would have been an understatement, but he quickly manages to regain his composure and pretends to laugh as if I told him a joke. I can feel my heart hammering in my chest as I await his true reaction to my accusation.
"Now why would you say that?" Obadiah asked.
Obadiah's smile never fades as he keeps eye contact with me, and I can tell that he's just waiting for me to continue so he can find out what dirt I have on him. I kept trying to say something I knew would get under his skin, try to get a confession out of the man to confirm my own suspicions about what's been happening. I only had an firm belief that Obadiah was the answer to all my questions, but I needed to hear it from the horse's mouth so to speak.
"You know...your plan almost worked. Having someone try to stage my suicide, making sure not a single police officer could interview me in the hospital before you had me moved to that institution...it was clever." I guessed. "But seriously, it was all in the timing that gave you away." I lied. "I kept thinking who would be stupid enough to some stunt like that the night my father was 'kidnapped'? Who would benefit if both Tony Stark and his daughter Tyra wouldn't be around to run Stark Industries? And then the answer was more than obvious."
I kept a straight face as I stared Obadiah in the eye, his smile long since faded, and his expression replaced with an almost sinister and murderous one. I can feel my stomach flutter with nervousness, but I do my absolute best not to show any weakness in front of Obadiah as I wait for his answer.
"You think you're very fucking clever don't you?" Obadiah chuckles lowly. "You know, I heard about how much you hated that hospital. I can always send you back with just a snap of my fingers. None would be the wiser. You always were such a...a problem. Since you were born, since your diagnosis of your goddamn 'learning disability', it's all been a real fucking pain. I told your father to give you up for adoption, you know. It almost worked. But when your mother was still around, your old man would go all doe-eyed and shut up."
I can feel Obadiah's hold on me tighten drastically, and immediately, my breath hitches with anxiety as I search frantically for a way out of this. He puts his lips to my ear as the song finishes and everyone applauds.
"When I finally kill you, I'm going for your father next." Obadiah murmurs into my ear.
I'm frozen in my spot when Obadiah finally releases me and walks away. I walk to the open bar and sit down as I'm still shell-shocked from the confession and threat from Obadiah. I ask for a sprite and take a small sip through my straw, finding Pepper nowhere in sight.
"Miss Stark?"
I glance over to find Phil Coulson befriend me once again, and I find myself unable to smile as I'm still shaken up, but I greet him regardless.
"H- -hi, Phil." I mutter nervously.
"Is everything alright?" Phil asks concernedly.
"I mean, I basically just got a confession and another threat from my almost murderer, but I'm fine I think." I blurt out.
Phil's eyes widen slightly in surprise when I say this so flippantly, and he's quick to put a comforting hand on my shoulder. I flinch at the contact and move away, finding the touch so sudden and unwelcomed at this moment in time.
"S- -sorry. I don't like being touched sometimes." I stammer.
"You don't have to apologize for that." Phil gives me a small smile. "So...do you need a drink while you tell me about this confession?"
"I have a drink." I give him a look of confusion.
"I mean a real drink." He replies.
He waves over the bartender, gives him a firm nod. The bartender seems to know Mr. Coulson, and he's quick to put down to glasses and fill them up with alcohol. Phil hands me a glass before grabbing his own. I cautiously sip on the drink given to me, and find myself repelled with the taste. Not wanting to seem rude though, I continue to drink it. Surely enough, after ten minutes after Phil and I sit in comfortable silence, I finish my drink feeling much more relaxed than I was previously.
"You ready to talk yet?"
I glance around to make sure no one's listening.
"Stane basically admitted everything. I was just throwing around an accusation with nothing substantial to go on." My speech slurred slightly. "But he fell for it. Told me everything I wanted to hear...well...not what I wanted to hear, but you get my point."
"I guess he's not as smart as he looks then if he just admitted everything. Or he's more arrogant than I thought." Phil replies. "I originally came here tonight to talk to you about Mr. Stane anyway. You were right to be suspicious of him."
I find myself perk up at this, and lean in closer as Phil talks lowly into my ear.
"Obadiah has been working on a secret project, though none of us know what it is. We think he's been working on this since your father's return." Phil informed me. "Had some things sent to Stark Industries from the site your father was rescued from in Afghanistan. You mentioned Mr. Stark and an associate built something for his escape."
So Obadiah...he's...rebuilding the old armor prototype?
"Technically we can't go in without cause, but if we work together quickly, we can put an end to Mr. Stane's plans before they come to fruition." Phil says.
I find myself trembling with fear and anxiety, but Phil rests his hand on my lower back.
"Tyra. I know how hard all of this is for you, and I'm sorry I can't ask anyone else to help. But I need your connections right now." Phil urges. "If you can get into Mr. Stane's office and find something substantial against him, it could help us put a stop to him for good."
At the pleading look on Phil's face, I give him a small nod. I knew this was something I had to do and had to do alone.
"I'll try. First thing tomorrow, I'll find a reason to get to his office and see if I can find anything there." I promised.
I hope you liked this chapter! Let me know what you think! Seriously! XD But be nice please!