I hope you enjoy the chapter! ^-^

After the whole debacle in Washington DC, my father decided to treat me and told Happy to go to an art store that I liked. It was interesting that my father allowed me to gush and rant to him about art terms and the styles of painting and drawing that I've been dying to try. At first, I thought it was just my dad wanting to spoil me after having a grand ol' time sticking it to Senator Stern at the hearing regarding the Iron Man and Iron Woman armor. Then, when he just gave me a warm and patient smile after our shopping spree, I wondered if it correlated with how he was reacting at the opening of the Stark Expo.

Either way, I'm worried about how my dad's acting.

FLASH!

"How did you figure it out?" My dad gave me a suspicious glance.

"You clearly don't give her enough credit."

A red-headed woman in a tight black combat suit smirked at my father as she sat across from him in a booth we were all in.

"You've been acting...weird." I averted my gaze.

"That's putting it lightly." Nick Fury chuckles.

"That doesn't actually answer my question..." Dad scoffs.

"I found that test you used the night of the Stark Expo. You weren't being subtle, and you forgot to dispose the device properly that evening. It wasn't extremely difficult to search for." I bluntly replied.

"Wait- -you went through my stuff? Tyra! What the hell? I- -"

"If I hadn't done so, I- -I wouldn't have been able to find a way to slow down the palladium poisoning! I don't give a shit if i- -it's invasion of privacy! The fact that you were fucking d- -dying and you weren't saying a goddamn word t- -to anyone pisses me off so much! After all you've b- -been through the past two years, you were gonna submit and kick the bucket because o- -of palladium poisoning?! And all because y- -you wouldn't ask for help?!" I snapped.

My dad shuts up immediately, staring at me in complete surprise from my outburst, knowing I had never shouted at him in such a way before. I cursed at myself for stuttering, but I knew I had gotten my point across when my dad blinked away tears.

"I'm sorry. I just...didn't want you to worry. You've been through enough." He mutters.

"I have." I nod in agreement. "B- -but you can't push me away. Not anymore. I can't lose you twice. We're...we're a team."

I take my father's hand within mine, giving it a reassuring but gentle squeeze.

"God, you're such a brat." Dad cracks a smile. "But thanks...for not giving up on me."

FLASH!

"Hello, Miss Stark? Are you...alright?"

I gasp as I sit upright, finding a redheaded beauty standing beside me.

Wait...isn't she...She's the woman from my dream! What the hell?

"Miss Stark I'm gonna need your impression." She informed me.

Excuse me?

"I uh...I don't really know you well enough to- -"

"Your fingerprints, Miss Stark." She clarified.

Oh...

"I don't uh...know you though. W- -who are you?" I asked.

Pepper came over when she noticed how confused I was.

"Oh, Tyra. This is my new assistant, Natalie Rushman." Pepper introduced us.

"New assistant? Why would you need one?" I teased.

Pepper's smile fades instantly before she's glaring in my father's direction.

"Oh...I see your father didn't tell you..." Pepper grumbles.

Oh...I see how it is.

I'm almost afraid to ask, but Pepper gives me a gentle look before she clarifies the question forefront in my mind.

"Well, your father decided to make me CEO of Stark Industries."

WHAT?!

There are many thoughts racing in my head as I process what Pepper tells me. I want to be happy for her more than anything because she deserves this more than anyone, but at the same time, I'm furious. Not only because my father didn't tell me he was planning on doing this, but because he never considered me to take over the company.

But why would he? I'm just...I'm just a stupid nineteen year old girl.

"Tyra? Are you okay?" Pepper placed her hand on my shoulder gently.

I blink away tears, feeling so much self doubt and sadness course through me.

What's going on with my dad? Why's he doing all of this?

"C- -congrats Pep...I'm happy for you..." I barely mumbled.

"It's okay if you're mad, Tyra. You can tell me..."

"I'm more...disappointed than angry." I confessed.

Pepper's expression grows upset but she fails to stop me from leaving. From the corner of my eye, I see Pepper's new assistant Natalie watch me carefully.

Who is she really? Why was she in my dream? That can't be coincidence, no way in hell.

Dad steps out of the boxing ring and walks over to Pepper, clearly confused by what's going on and unknowing of how upset I was.

"Where is she going?" Dad asks.

"Tony, I wouldn't get near her right now- -" Pepper tries.

I felt something touch my shoulder and panicked as I felt threatened all of a sudden. I started remembering Obadiah and didn't think about the consequences as I turned around and punched as hard as I could. My eyes widened drastically as I realized that it was my dad that I hurt and I instantly felt horrible.

Oh dear lord in heaven! Why did he scare me?!

"Holy shit...I didn't know you could hit that hard." Dad gasped.

Dad picked himself up from the ground and tried coming near me again, but I backed away immediately.

"Don't. Just don't." I warn him.

"What did I do?" Dad asks.

"Oh don't act all innocent." I snap. "When were you going to tell me that you were giving away Stark Industries to Pepper? I'm not mad that it's Pepper because I trust her more than anyone not to let the company go down the toilet. But why didn't you tell me about it first? Do you think I'm not capable of understanding? If you would have just explained..."

Dad frowns deeply, before talking.

"Tyra, I was gonna tell you..."

"Well it's too late now. I found out from someone else, the new CEO. So thanks." I grumbled.

I walk away, not giving him a chance to say anything else in return.

I distract myself for the rest of the day when I go up to our old but ginormous attic, knowing it'd be the absolute last place my father would ever look for me. From there, I go through my grandfather's belongings, finding a bunch of old news reels which I start up on an old projector nearby after finding a blank space on the wall. A handsome blonde man is in one of the old news reels, and immediately I perk up when I recognize him.

Holy shit...it's Captain America. My grandfather knew him, I almost forgot...

"Miss Stark, you have an incoming call from Agent Coulson from SHIELD. Shall I answer?" JARVIS asked.

"Might as well..." I sighed and turned the projector off.

"Miss Stark. I was hoping to meet with you...you're late."

I looked at my pocket watch and my eyes widened.

"I am...so sorry." I apologized. "I lost track of time..."

"What were you doing that's so time consuming?" Phil asked.

"I found some old news reels of Captain America, probably belonged to my grandfather. It's insane that they're still in such good condition." I replied.

Phil went silent for a few seconds.

"Phil?"

"Did you say, Captain America?"

"Yeah, why?" I leaned back on the couch.

"...I might be a fan of his." Phil admitted.

"Well maybe you could come over and watch some of this stuff with me when you have time off from SHIELD."

"We've only known each other for a few months and you're already inviting me into your home like we've been the best of pals for years?"

"Uh yeah, duh...it's Captain America, Phil." I pointed out.

"....if I have time...I might consider coming over to watch those with you."

"Okay, so back to business! Where and when would you like to meet? I'm sorry for being late again."

"Meet me on the roof in twenty minutes." Phil said.

I find myself at a loss for words after Phil hangs up on me, but I do as he asks of me anyway. On my way, I find myself grabbing a water bottle from the kitchen, and nearby, I hear someone stumble. I tense up until I realize it's my father, completely reeking of alcohol. The sight had me deeply concerned, but also angry all at once.

"H- -hey honey bun...where've you been?" Dad asked.

Dad...why are you doing this?

"You're drunk again aren't you?" I rolled my eyes.

"Only for you." Dad laughed.

"Wow. I don't even know what to say to that." I shake my head.

"Wait! Tye! Baby girl! Sweetie!" Dad slurs.

I whirl around and give him an annoyed glare.

"What?"

"W- -why you gotta be so mean? I just wanna spend some time with my baby girl." Dad pouts.

"Well ask me again when you're sober and I'll reconsider." I snap.

Dad frowns and continues to stare as if what I said didn't make any sense.

"Dad. I don't know what's going on with you. You're...acting different. What aren't you telling me? You have me scared." I confessed.

At this, he becomes emotional and blinks away tears, and I want nothing more than to hug him.

"I'm so sorry, all I ever do is fuck up. I- -I can't help it I guess. I'm just so...I'm scared and I don't know what to do and...and I'm running out of options." Dad mumbles.

I pause to look at my pocketwatch.

Phil can wait a few more minutes...I'm finally getting somewhere with him.

I walk over to my father before pulling him in for a hug. I'm reminded of my recent dream and feel like it's almost surreal.

There's no way that dad's dying...right?

"You know you can come to me about anything right?" My voice cracks. "Asking for help won't hurt you."

Dad slumps against me, wrapping his arms tightly around me to pull me in closer. I fight the urge to push him away as I feel my senses become heightened, it's almost overwhelming.

"You...you look just like your fucking mom. And you remind me of her everyday." He breathes out.

At the mention of my mother, I find myself confused.

"How? I mean...what was she like?"

"She was...she was such a rational and calm person."

I help move him over to the couch, and watch him carefully as he tiredly rambles.

"I mean, she was very flirtatious and outgoing, don't get me wrong, it was how you were born- -but...she had this air about her. Like you could literally tell her anything at all and everything would be okay. She was so kind-hearted. Ha...kind-hearted..." He snorts. "You just...you've got a big heart of gold...like she did. And...an..."

His eyes fell shut, and I actually can't help but smile at how adorable my old man was. I find a soft blanket on the couch before draping it over my unconscious father. I grab my water bottle before making it up to the rooftop.

The flight over to this secret SHIELD base has me on edge, but the last conversation with my father still lingers in my mind and puts me at ease. I never knew my mother because she'd left right before I had turned one years old, but my father rarely mentioned her because it was a sore subject for him. So for him to be so open about her, it made me a little happy.

Although he was influenced by alcohol...

It still didn't make up for all of his weird behavior, but maybe it was a step forward from where we were.

"Hi. I'm Dr. Selvig. It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Stark." And older man greeted me.

I'm brought out of my thoughts, as I forget where we are already. I had only been following Phil after we landed, and stared at the older man in confusion. It was difficult making eye contact, but I shake the man's hand regardless.

"It's uh...nice to meet you too, Dr. Selvig. So why am I here, Phil?" I question Phil.

"Well we were kind of hoping that you could help us with a project of ours." He merely replies.

Phil gestured me to follow him and Dr. Selvig, which I hesitantly do. We're all brought to a ginormous room, a lab of sorts, with other doctors and SHIELD agents working diligently. My eye is caught on a bright glowing object in the very center of the room, shaped into a cube. It was breathtaking and mesmerizing to look at, but I could feel myself become increasingly uncomfortable when I felt a sense of Deja vu. It was that object from my dream, the one that the long raven-haired man was after.

Why does it feel like my dreams aren't dreams? I don't know how to explain it...it's just...it can't be a coincidence at this point.

"I've...I've seen this thing before..."

At this, Phil and Selvig look at me suspiciously.

"It looks so familiar...why?" I mutter to myself.

"You've seen this before?" Phil questions.

"I honestly don't know. I mean...it feels like I have."

Phil lets the subject drop for now before he continues with our conversation prior.

"We call it The Cube. It holds strange power...unlimited power. We're not sure how it works though."

"I take it that's why I'm here? To help you figure out what this thing can do? To like harness the energy?" I clarify.

"Yes, and Dr. Selvig will help you every step of the way..." Phil smiled.

"So...when did you get the cube? It sounds like you guys have been working on this for a long time." I averted my eyes.

"It was actually found by your grandfather." Dr. Selvig spoke up.

No shit, really?

"My grandfather found it? When?" I spoke softly.

"When we won the second world war, Captain America went missing in action. Because he was one of the highlights of your grandfather's career, Howard had a fondness towards Steven Rogers. He made it his mission to search for him, but during his search found the cube instead. The Nazis tried to harness the power of the cube, an defeated the Allied powers."

"But...Captain America stopped them?" I raised an eyebrow.

I never heard of this story before, I mean, it's not exactly something that was taught in history courses. Probably for good reason too, this cube holds tremendous power.

"We believe so. The Red Skull, otherwise known as Johann Schmidt, believed he could control the power of the gods. Apparently he'd been searching for the cube for a long time. Everyone thought he was crazy...but I guess we were all wrong about that. If it weren't for Captain America...we probably would have lost the war." Coulson explained.

I remained silent for a few seconds just trying to take this all in.

"Yeah, power of the gods my ass." I snorted.

"Oh you have no idea." Selvig muttered dreadfully.

"You kinda just implied something." I blurted out.

Coulson looks at Selvig's embarrassed expression with amusement as he fumbles for words.

"I- -I mean, um...what I meant was- -" Selvig stuttered.

Selvig looks to Phil for help, and Phil sighs before nodding his head.

"Did you hear about recent news in New Mexico? From the past year or so?" Phil asks.

"Yeah, there was some weird stuff happening, weird power energy signatures. The government was seriously trying hard to keep the public blind as to what was happening so no one really knows for sure." I said. "People were saying that there were aliens- -"

"Tyra, what I say here cannot leave this room." Phil's expression becomes serious. "If you're serious about becoming one of us at SHIELD, I need to know that I can trust you. So...can I trust you to keep quiet about this?"

When realizing how deadly serious Phil was being, I grew nervous, but I nodded my head regardless.

"I need to hear you say it." Phil mutters.

"U- -um, yeah. You can trust me. I'll keep it secret." I stammered.

It's as if Phil's searching for something the longer he stares at me, and as the seconds tick by, I feel myself unnerved under his gaze. Finally, Phil nods, and relaxes his body composure.

"Ever since World War II, there have been strange anomalies occurring around the world. SHIELD was formed in World War II to maintain national security, and sooner was tasked with maintaining global security- -" Phil started.

"I don't- -"

I'm interrupted when Selvig places a hand on my shoulder to stop me, and Phil continues explaining.

"The recent events in New Mexico were in other words, unworldly. There was a crater that SHIELD was sent to investigate and keep a perimeter around, and at the center, was a hammer of some kind. A professor, Elliot Randolph, an expert in Norse mythology, had clarified that this was Thor's hammer Mjolnir. You with me so far?"

"Whoa, whoa! Hold up for a second! What does Norse mythology have to do with any of this?" I look at the two men in disbelief.

"Miss Stark, everything that everyone's thought to be mere myth has become reality. The god, Thor, he exists!" Selvig smiled. "He was on Earth to retrieve Mjolnir!"

"Wait...you two are actually serious." I barely utter.

"His brother, Loki, the trickster god, he exists! Had his brother exiled to Earth in a plot to become king of Asgard! Tried to kill Thor by sending a creature known as the Destroyer to Earth. The group of scientists I was with, we were only searching everything regarding atmospheric disturbances, but never once thought we'd discover something like this- -"

"Wait wait wait! Just stop! Please!" I shake my head.

They smiled as if my reaction was priceless.

"I swear if you two are making this shit up..." I shook my head not bothering to finish my sentence. "Alright...so...the cube...when do you want me to help get started on that?"

"Well first I have to make you your official SHIELD I.D. card, so you can actually come in here." Phil told me. "But I can guess that you'll be able to work in about...two weeks or so...is that fine? We just need to go over the paperwork together." I nodded.

"I know this is a lot to take in, but again, everything we've spoken about is strictly confidential Miss Stark." Phil reminds me.

I nod as I stare at Coulson carefully, before the three of us walk out of the room together.

Well this is gonna be fun...

The next following day, I'm exhausted and still trying to process everything regarding last night. Pepper and Natalie come to inform me that we're all going to Monaco, and already have a bag packed for me. Pepper keeps questioning where I was last night, but I refuse to truly answer, just giving the bullshit excuse that I needed to get out of the house and came home late. I honestly don't understand why I'm here in Monaco to begin with, but since I'm 19, I'm legally allowed to drink so I guess it's not all bad. I shake my head and move to purchase an appetizer at the bar, before I'm being handed a drink instead.

"It is from the gentleman down the bar, Miss." The bartender informs me.

I stare at the drink in confusion and reluctantly take it from the bartender before glancing around for the mysterious man who bought said drink.

"Well, well. Tyra Stark...fancy meeting you here."

Oh god...please don't tell me it's him.

I take a sip, knowing very well that this drink was necessary if I were to be dealing with Justin fucktard Hammer.

"It's so good to see you again." Justin practically purs.

Oh god it is him...just kill me now...

"Hi...Justin..." I try to be polite.

I look into the drink and refuse to make eye contact, not really in the mood to talk to this egotistical man.

"I thought you seemed like the vodka type." He chuckled. "Or would you prefer one of those fruity cocktails instead?"

I would have thought that I'd be overwhelmed with an alcoholic drink like vodka, but surprisingly, I down it like a pro and don't even choke on it as the liquid courage glides down my throat smoothly. I feel much more relaxed as I turn to face Justin, and give him a small friendly smile.

"It's good...thank you." I replied.

"So I was right huh?" Justin winks.

Oh god, stop. You just make me so uncomfortable.

Justin buys me another drink and I thank him curtly once again as I feel warm and fuzzy inside from the alcohol. Eventually, I'm on my third drink, and I'm feeling so pleasant that I can finally tolerate Justin Hammer.

"Not that I don't like your company exactly, but what are you doing here?" I bluntly ask.

"Can't a guy just buy a girl a drink?" Justin chuckles awkwardly.

"Not if it's you...no offense." I smirk.

Before Justin can answer, my dad practically swoops in, planting a kiss to my cheek as he drapes his arm around my shoulders casually.

"There you are, honey!" Dad grins.

"Hey hey Tony! How's it hanging, my man?" Justin laughed.

This is just so awkward...please put me out of my misery

Dad pulled me over to his side as I nurse my drink in hand.

"Just fine...We're just here- -" Justin got cut off.

"Tony Stark. It's been a while."

We both turned to see Christine Everheart.

"Oh yes! Christine over here is doing a story on me! You should stay! Since we're the best of friends, let's get a picture together!" Justin said.

I walked over to Pepper as dad continued talking to Justin.

I wasn't in the mood to deal with that shit...

"What's up?" I sat down with Pepper.

"Is that vodka? You aren't even twenty one yet. How did you- -?"

"Courtesy of Justin Hammer. According to him, I seem like the vodka type. And also, I'm of legal age to drink here." I laughed.

"Somehow I'm not surprised that he was trying to flirt with you again." Pepper rolled her eyes.

Dad then came over and sat down with us, giving me a stern look.

"So...any reason why Hammer was trying to pick you up, honey?" Dad asked me.

"Why act so surprised? He always flirts with me. He's dumb enough to think I'll eventually fall for that act." I sipped some more of my vodka.

Dad then took my drink from me.

"That isn't a good habit...I don't want you getting into that." Dad mumbled softly.

"And lying to me is a good habit?" I retorted.

"What do you think I'm lying about?" Dad snapped.

Seriously? You're going there?

"Well I know it's something pretty bad if you're acting like the old you, you know...the old you before Afghanistan."

Dad seemed surprised at my statement and then drank the rest of my vodka before getting up and leaving.

"I wish you two weren't fighting right now..." Pepper sighed.

"What do you really think he's lying about?" Natalie asked.

I glance at Natalie suspiciously through my slightly drunken haze.

"Why do you wanna know?" I pursed my lips.

"Just curious. You really care for your father, just wanted to get to know the Tyra Stark is all." Natalie smiles.

I'm immediately reminded of my dream, wondering why the hell Natalie was even in it when I hadn't met her yet. Maybe it was just coincidence, but at the rate and pure content of these dreams, it had to be far from coincidence. I just needed to understand what the hell these dreams meant, or what they were. Maybe I was one of those psychics on television? It was hard to tell, but it was the most reasonable explanation I had at the moment. Or, at the very least, the most reasonable explanation that wasn't completely farfetched. As practical and scientific type of a person that I was, I'd like to think that there were some supernatural instances in the world.

Man I just need some answers.

I glance at the television nearby in the bar, looking at the race taking place just outside. Our driver was being replaced, by guess who? My fucking father.

And he's being reckless again...why does that surprise me at this point...

I'm sorry if the chapter is short! XD I'm trying! Let me know what you think! And be nice please!