Hey guys! Since this chapter is the 20th, I thought I'd make it a little longer than I normally do. I mean I'm very glad I made it this far! Anyway, I really hope you all like it! IRON MAN 3 HERE WE COME!

It had been so long, it took the longest time, for my arm and ribs to fully heal after the whole Malekith and dark elves fiasco in Greenwich. My dad and I settled our differences, knowing that we would work out everything especially together. I didn't have children, so I didn't know what it was like to be my dad. Despite this, I really tried to see things in his perspective, or rather in a father's perspective. It took a lot of convincing on my father's end, but I finally gave in and took a temporary leave from SHIELD which Fury was all too understanding about after I explained everything. So for the next several months, which nearly stemmed into a year, I'd been focusing on my mental and physical wellbeing. The therapist I'd been seeing was the least annoying out of the ones I'd met with so far, but lately, he'd been getting on my nerves. I tried keeping it professional, but something deep within me had snapped when he kept getting into personal matters. I knew he was only trying to do his job, but considering he still felt like a complete stranger, I didn't handle it too well.

"Miss Stark. We're not done here."

I glanced back at my therapist and raised an eyebrow at him.

"I think we are done. I've been coming to this place for over five months and I don't believe we're getting anywhere." I replied.

"These things take time...I've already told you this." He sighed dejectedly.

"I've already had enough time taking things slow. I'm done here. I don't like talking about these dumb feelings I have, I don't want to talk about my past." I sighed in frustration before recalling what Thor told me. "I just keep moving forward, that's the only thing I can do."

Moving forward is the only thing we can do sometimes...

"Your father won't like this one bit. He wants you to recover, Tyra." Dr. Harrison grew annoyed at my behavior.

"My father is my best friend, but I think he needs more therapy than I do. I'm used to helping him. Not the other way around." I scoffed.

"You need to think about yourself for a change! Haven't you heard that having so much to deal with can take a toll on a person?!" He argued.

"Well I've been doing fine so far, haven't I?" I retorted.

"You've been through a lot since your father was kidnapped in Afghanistan. You've only went to therapy twice because you were forced to. Reports show that you wouldn't even open up, not even a little. You just told them what they wanted to hear. I'm not giving up on you Tyra...now sit. down." He glared at me.

Wow...that's a first.

I slowly made my way back to my seat and refused to look at Dr. Harrison. He made me nervous, so very nervous, but I couldn't figure out why.

"Miss Stark, this is your chance to let it all out. You don't have to tell me everything right now, but just give me something to work with. We can start small and build up from there." Dr. Harrison said.

I paused for a second to think.

Where should I start?

"What do you wanna know?" I mumbled.

"Let's start with your father in Afghanistan. How did you feel at the time? What was going through your mind?" He asked.

I started to think back.

"I was probably seventeen or eighteen at the time, I almost went into shock when Pepsi told me to to turn on the TV...I couldn't believe it."

"Ms. Potts?" He glanced at me in confusion.

I nodded in confirmation.

"I went to take a bath before going to bed. I ended up trapped in the- -wait a minute. Why the hell am I going over this? Everyone knows about it. Don't tell me you didn't know what actually happened." I then snapped.

"I already know of it yes, but I would like to hear it from your perspective." Dr. Harrison told me.

"No...it's just stupid. Restating facts that you already know. I don't see the point in doing that, I'd rather not waste time." I got out of my chair again.

"Miss Stark! Sit back down!" Dr. Harrison yelled.

"NO! I'm done here! This is all just stupid! Everyone knows my story- -!"

Dr. Harrison sits up, giving me the most worried look, like he actually wants to help me. I almost fall for it.

"Miss Stark! I'm not the media, I don't want to hear what everyone else already knows! I need to know exactly what happened from your perspective so that I can properly assess you."

"You've had over five months to do that!" I cried.

"You haven't been exactly cooperative. You shut everyone out- -"

"Because I don't have reason to trust you or anyone else!" I snapped.

"Tell me why." He persisted.

I find myself at a loss of words as Dr. Harrison looks at me pleadingly, and reluctantly, I find myself sitting back down.

"People...make me uncomfortable. If I don't know you, I can't...I can't talk to you. Especially in confidence." I averted my gaze. "I'm sure you already know I have communication issues which uh...stem from my autism..."

"I see. Yes..." Harrison nods.

Harrison seems to have had some sort of epiphany and takes his seat across from me, jotting down some quick notes on a piece of paper.

"So...you've struggled forming connections, communicating with others for most of your life. Now...tell me...how did you fare with things before 2008, before your father's kidnapping?"

"I..." I pause, unsure of what to say next. "Pepper thought I'd been doing good. Honestly, all I had to do was smile and pretend that I liked people. I just...I kept everything hidden away inside." I confessed.

"Tell me why. As a defensive mechanism?" Harrison questioned. "Did you feel threatened by unfamiliar faces? Or even...your friends and family?"

"Around my father and everyone I knew, I actually felt...comfortable, like I could relax and talk with them freely and be myself. But around Obadiah Stane, I felt unsettled. Ever since I was a kid...he told me how he really felt about me. Like I was a mistake, like I've only been a problem since the day I was born. I almost started to believe him. When my father was kidnapped, I only started to believe him more. I was never suicidal by any means, but when I found myself landed in the hospital and people kept questioning me to the point that I believed them...I didn't know what to think anymore. I thought that maybe deep down...maybe I did try to kill myself." I barely uttered. "But then I found out what he really did. Obadiah...made me doubt myself."

"And after his death? How did you feel then?" The doctor prodded gently.

Can't slip up around this guy...as far as the world knows, Obadiah Stane died on a fucking cruise ship when it mysteriously sunk. No one knows what happened at Stark Industries that night...

"Like part of this weight on my chest was lifted. Everything seemed fine and dandy, things were changing for the better, and then not long after, it felt like my world was ending again when I figured out that dad had palladium poisoning. That's when my visions started getting stronger..." I admitted.

"Your visions?" Harrison raised an eyebrow.

My eyes widened at my slip up, and I got out of my seat immediately as I ignored Dr. Harrison's shouts of worry.

It had been a little over a month since I last saw Dr. Harrison after my slip up, not that I cared that much anyway.

I didn't trust him...but then again, I don't trust anyone really.

I didn't talk to anyone about how I was feeling after that. I just preferred to keep things bottled up and silenced. It wasn't healthy sure, but there were going to be things that I would always feel uncomfortable talking about. Was I naive and stupid?

Most likely...

I didn't think my life mattered as much now. I loved helping others, I loved living in the moment. I tried not to look back at my past anymore. I only kept moving forward, trying not to let my past eat at me, although the only times that I could drown out the darkest parts of me were through alcohol, and secretly I continued seeing Victoria Harris, the woman I had a passionate night with all those years ago when I actually took a risk and went out. I hadn't spoken to her since after I disappeared in Norway and incidentally met my mother. I worked things out with her and explained everything she only needed to know since I obviously wouldn't be able to tell her everything. And although she made it all too clear that she wasn't looking for a relationship, for some reason, I felt at ease with her. I didn't talk about my dangerous lifestyle and everything that was wrong with me, and she didn't dare to ask. It was nice pretending to be someone else with her. Perhaps, being with someone and pretending to be someone else was kind of refreshing. However, soon enough, Victoria had to focus on her career as a model and told me it'd be a while before she'd contact me again because she was working out a contract. I also didn't dare tell my father that I hadn't been seeing Dr. Harrison for quite some time, if he hadn't bothered trying to contact my father already. If Harrison had done so, my father didn't say anything to me. Suddenly, I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard my dad say my name.

"Tye, come have some nachos." Dad gestured me to come over to him.

I couldn't help but laugh as I saw some cheese dripping out from the sides of his mouth. I reluctantly came over and stole some nachos from the plate. I couldn't even bother to remember how long it had been since I had eaten anything.

"Thanks for the merienda, JARVIS." Dad said.

"You're welcome, sir. Although, I'm quite pleased that you've finally decided to eat something today. I'd also like to you remind you that you and your daughter have been awake for nearly seventy-two hours." JARVIS informed us. "Though Tyra has been awake far longer than you have, sir."

Dad glanced over at me.

"Is that so?" Dad muttered.

I averted my eyes and looked down at my feet as I blushed.

"Tyra...you should go get some sleep." Dad put his hand on my shoulder.

"JARVIS is just being over dramatic. I'm fine." I smiled faintly.

"Tye." I finally looked at dad.

He seemed as exhausted as I was, but tried not to show it.

And dad thinks I'm the only one that needs therapy? That man worries about me too much.

"Go take a nap. I'll finish up here."

I frowned and struggled to hold back a yawn.

"Can I at least finish up testing everything out with you? I think I can handle being awake for a few more minutes." I begged.

I gave him my best puppy dog face. Dad seemed to be pondering about it for a minute or two.

"Fine." He gave in. "But after that, your adorable ass is going to bed." He added.

I burst out laughing at his phrasing.

"I'm going to be leaving for a few days. I might as well leave after we're done here." I admitted.

"Leaving? What for?" He gave me a skeptical look.

"I was going to visit Steve before going on my last mission." I answered.

"I thought you told me you were done working with SHIELD already." Dad sighed angrily.

"I gave them the notice and everything, but I'll be done working for them after Christmas. I told them that if they really needed me after Christmas, if it had something to do with saving the planet...that I'd be here to help." I explained.

"Alright, fair enough. So uh...you and..." Dad coughed and looked away from me. "You and...Boy Scout huh?"

Is he...blushing? What's he so flustered for?

And then it finally clicked together.

"You mean...me and Steve dating? No, we're just really good friends." I began blushing as well.

"Okay that's a relief." Tony then glanced up at the ceiling. "JARVIS, cancel Plan: Break the Star-Spangled Banner." He quickly mumbled.

"Yes, sir." JARVIS replied.

Hmmm...me and Steve huh? I wonder what that would be like and...WAIT A GODDAMN MINUTE!

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!" I squeaked.

"What? I didn't say anything." He smiled sheepishly. "And did you just squeak? That's adorable." He chuckled nervously. "Have I ever mentioned how much you mean to me?"

"What the hell is Plan: Break the Star-Spangled Banner?!" I stared at him with wide eyes.

"I uh...might have been over protective again..." He stammered. "I was just gonna give the Boy Scout a message if he ever got any certain ideas about you if you two happened to be getting too friendly. Maybe tell him hands off in a sort of threatening manner...I wasn't gonna actually break him."

Oh my god...WHAT THE HELL?!

"I'm just going to pretend I didn't even hear that." I shook my head.

Plus I had some moments with a certain Victoria Harris...not that dad needed to know...Can't imagine how he'd feel if he found out about that...

I finished injecting myself with the tiny nanobots, a new component that my father and I were experimenting with lately. It was an idea that we had been toying with, using nanotechnology and connecting it to the armor. After much practice in theory, we decided that everything was good to go for the testing phase. I step onto the platform as I ignore dad, and face the camera filming me.

"Attention everyone! Welcome to the birthing suite! I would like to announce the imminent arrival of your bouncing, badass, baby brother." I greeted.

I smiled at the armor in their cases, talking to them as if they were actual people and my audience.

Maybe I do need more sleep. Explain to me how I'm not dropping dead right now?

I turned around and faced the camera once more.

"This is the first test of the prehensile armor, Mark Forty-two designation Prodigy."

"Oh Tyra...don't ignore me...come on. I wasn't going to do it." Dad whined. "Not as badly as it sounded anyway..."

"JARVIS. Give me a beat." I continued.

Sexy and I Know It begins to play from the loudspeaker and I started dancing along with the catchy tune. I stick out my hand for several seconds and grow irritated when nothing comes to me. I try again, thrusting my hand out only to have nothing come to me...again.

"Come on!" I sighed in frustration.

"Maybe the internal sensors aren't working." Dad mused.

I pat my arm repeatedly and finally the internal sensors start to work. A piece of the armor on a table nearby begins to slowly hover in the air before it comes flying right at me and attaches itself to my arm as it starts assembling along my arm. I smile and stick out my other arm, feeling pleased as another piece of armor comes and latches onto me. The leg pieces begin to fly over as well and also attaches to me. I feel like I'm being tackled as another piece of armor, the torso area, knocked the breath out of me as it came at me at a really high speed. Finally, all that's left is the face piece. Dad finished taking some notes and stared at the scene looking very amused. The face piece hovers and I just stare at it expectantly.

"Come on pal. I'm not afraid of you." I smirk.

The face piece then flips upside down as it comes over my way. I then jump just in time and flip over as the face piece connects. I fist pump in victory as I feel the armor on me.

It was a success- -

I got knocked down to the ground from behind by another piece of the armor and everything falls off of me while scattering all over the floor.

Never mind...

"As always, Miss Stark, it's a pleasure watching you and your father work." JARIVS commented.

I winced as I managed to stand up.

"We can fix that."

I held the side of my head, wincing at the headache starting to form. Dad rushed over to me and led me over to sit in a chair.

"I think it's time for you to lay down don't you think?" Dad raised an eyebrow.

"I'm still mad at you. Don't forget that. I'll push the flight for tomorrow morning. I have a huge fucking headache now and sleeping on that jet will only make it worse." I groaned.

Dad tensed up a little bit.

"So I'm not off the hook?" He then held my face in his hands. "You're hurt."

"Huh?"

"You have a huge cut on your forehead. Good news is that it won't need any stitches."

He grabs an alcoholic wipe, dabbing gently at my forehead, before putting antibiotic cream on the cut and placing a bandaid over it.

"Now go get some sleep. I'll finish up here." Dad urged me.

Dad kissed my forehead and playfully pushes me towards the door to leave. I hesitantly left the workshop after he began tinkering with the armor again.

The next morning, I prepared a small breakfast as I began writing a small note for Pepper and dad, but suddenly, I come to a stop as my attention was now drawn to the TV. I held in my breath and stared at the unauthorized broadcast on the television. The Mandarin was leaving a message no doubt.

"Some people call me a terrorist, but I consider myself a teacher."

I felt tears spring into my eyes as I saw people being shot down, instantly reminded of when my father left for Afghanistan.

"America...ready for another lesson? In 1864, in Sand Creek, Colorado, the US military waited until the IM braves had all gone out hunting, so they could slaughter the families left behind...and claim their land."

The Mandarin was staring right into the camera.

"39 hours ago, the Ali Al-Salan air base in Kuwait was attacked. A quant military church filled with wives and children of course. The soldiers were out on maneuvers. The brave were away..."

A video is shown of a doll dressed up as the president tied to a stake and lit on fire. People are cheering and the Mandarin seemed amused in the video clip as he walks away.

"President Ellis...you continue to ignore my attempts to educate you sir, and now, you've missed me again."

The Mandarin is now seen in his throne again on camera.

"You know who I am, you don't know where I am...and you'll never see me coming."

Video clips of explosions cut in before the Ten Rings logo is shown and the broadcast is finally over. I turned off the TV and hugged myself, trying to remain calm.

"Miss Stark, shall I alert your father?" JARVIS asked. "Miss Stark, you must breathe or you're going to lose consciousness."

I opened my mouth and let out air I didn't realize I was holding in. I began breathing deeply.

"Are you alright, madam?"

"I'm...okay..." I let out a shaky breath.

I can't believe I have to try and figure out where the Mandarin is. Why did SHIELD have to torment me?

I glanced over at the letter I was writing for Pepper and dad. In a worst case situation, if I wasn't back in time for Christmas...I'd give them their present now. For Pepper, I bought her a diamond necklace with matching earrings, thinking about how they would match her eyes. For dad, however, I made him something special with my own two hands. I found old pictures of us together throughout the years and put them all together in a slide show using an invention I made. It was similar to a locket, and I admit I got the idea from the movie Treasure Planet (still love that movie), which, when opened, it would project holograms. I just programed the locket to project all the pictures I could find of us. It went all the way back to when I was a baby. I made myself a similar locket, thinking it would be nice if I always kept a piece of my father on me. For the design of the locket, I made it look like the arc reactor knowing it held sentimental value for the both of us. I placed both wrapped presents on the kitchen table and reread the letter one last time, looking for any grammatical errors.

Pepper and My Almighty Father,

In case I'm not back in time for Christmas, I've decided to leave you your presents.

For you Pepsi, I bought you something that I knew would make your eyes pop out. You always look beautiful no matter what you wear though, just saying.

Dad, I made you something that I think has sentimental value. You don't have to wear it, but I tried making it look..."non-feminine" because I know how you are with your dumb manly pride. You'll get what I mean after you unwrap your gift. It took me a long time to make this, like several weeks actually, so make sure it stays with you. AND SAFE. If I see that you're not wearing it by the time I get back home, I'll be beating your ass until you have to replace it with robotic parts.

Anyway, I wanted to let you both know that I love you guys so much. Have a Merry Christmas (Again, I hope I make it back home in time...) and make sure you both remain safe. Pepper, I'm trusting you as always to make sure my dad doesn't step out of line.

I love you guys so much!

-Tyra

P.S. Ask Rhodey if he's received his gift by Christmas, I mailed it to him.

I smiled while placing the letter next to their presents on the kitchen table. After calling to make sure my flight wasn't cancelled or anything of the sort, I walked out of the mansion, placing my luggage in the car. I glanced back at the mansion one last time before stepping into the car and driving away.

You two better stay safe...

I arrived in DC in only a few short hours with the Stark Industries private jet. I was excited to see Steve, but could not get out that image of us being a couple thanks to my dad. I try to shove those thoughts away as I make my way to the destination of our choice to meet up. When I find Steve Rogers, he smiles and comes over to hug me. I gladly return the hug.

"Tyra, how have you been holding up?" Steve asks.

I shrug and wrap an arm around Steve's shoulder casually as we walk together. Steve offers to take my luggage, but I don't let him.

"I've been nothing but stressed, if I'll be honest here. SHIELD has me trying to figure out where the Mandarin is. If I can't bring him back to the US alive, I have to kill him." I mumbled lowly.

Steve seemed surprised and put his hand on my shoulder in concern and worry.

"They have you on a job like that?" Steve's eyes widen.

"Surprising I know. I'm a big girl though, Stevie...I can take care of myself out in the big world." I teased.

"I'm not saying you can't handle it, but...they want you to go after a terrorist like that all alone? I thought the Iron Patriot was on the case." Steve scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

"So they think...I mean, they'll only use Rhodey if they absolutely need to. I could use him for back up though...this is gonna be a tough job." I sighed.

"Does your father know?" Steve stared at me in suspicion.

"About that..."

"And you didn't tell him did you?" Steve chuckled and shook his head.

"I told him that I had one last mission to take care of before I'm officially no longer a SHIELD agent. I didn't completely lie to him." I smiled sheepishly.

"You're as sneaky as Natasha sometimes..." Steve joked.

"Oh my gosh! I need a camera! Someone give me a camera!" I started yelling around us. "Captain America made a joke! I repeat Captain America just made a joke! I need a camera!"

Steve laughed and playfully pushed me.

"Knock it off. People are looking." Steve smiled.

"The way you just said that made it sound like you're doing something naughty." I winked teasingly.

Steve blushed and averted his eyes from mine.

"Thanks for that image. You really are a Stark aren't you?" Steve replied.

"Did Howard have our sense of humor too?" I joked.

"Yeah, but I can't tell which Stark in your family has the worst humor." Steve played along.

"What was that?" I poked his side.

"I'm not ticklish." Steve smiled smugly.

"So you say." I grinned deviously.

"So when do you have to leave?" Steve changed the subject.

"Eager to get rid of me huh? I knew you hated me." I feigned sadness.

"No! I don't hate you! I just wanted to take you out for lunch before you start your mission." Steve clarified.

"Well I've got a few hours of freedom left before I officially start working."

Steve began leading me over to his very awesome and classic motorcycle while handing over a helmet to me.

"I'll surprise you." Steve simply replied.

"Really? That's all I'm getting out of you?" I rolled my eyes and put the helmet on.

"Pretty much." He chuckled.

Oh Steve...

After Steve dropped me off at the hotel I was staying at temporarily, I watched TV for over an hour, trying to relax a bit. I kept thinking about Steve and the talk we had not so long ago. We talked about numerous things, I told him about some things he had questions about (mostly with things he missed out on over the years), we talked about politics and I would joke about how Steve was so Republican, and he would also ask questions of how I was doing with things that happened recently. It was weird how I missed Steve already because I actually enjoyed our talks, I loved that I could tell him anything without being judged. It was like spending time with Victoria, but somehow even better than that mostly because I could be myself around him.

Though everyone jokes about us being a couple constantly.

I turned off the television after hearing all the recent talk about Iron Patriot. To be honest, I didn't understand why people were so mad. I glanced closer at the image of the new armor. It wasn't designed by me or my dad, however, the re-design was by a company named Advanced Idea Mechanics.

AIM...I liked the sound of it...it was creative I guess...

I then remembered that Pepper was having a meeting with their founder and creator, Aldrich Killian.

I wonder how that'll go...or what he even wants with Stark Industries.

Finally, I start reviewing any and all files SHIELD had about the Mandarin. I had to start somewhere after all.

This is all so...useless...there's nothing remotely useful in these files...The Ten Rings...what are they?

Anything and everything about the Mandarin wasn't useful.

This guy knew how to cover his tracks...he's practically invisible.

The next day after finding no results, I decided to take a small break and call Pepper Potts, the new CEO of Stark Industries.

Maybe I could use Stark Industries tech to get more info on the Mandarin.

"Hello?" Pepper answered.

"Hey Pepsi, sorry if I'm bugging you. This a bad time?" I asked.

"Well a little bit...I'm kind of in that meeting I was telling you about...with Aldrich Killian...like right now." Pepper muttered uncomfortably.

Whoops..

I heard someone in the background.

"Oh uh...hold on...he actually wants to speak with you..." Pepper mumbles.

Pepper sounded confused, but reluctantly handed over the phone to Mr. Killian.

"Hello Ms. Stark, I know this is completely bizarre, but I couldn't seem to find out how to reach you. You're a tough person to get in touch with. I was hoping that I could meet with you sometime."

I raised an eyebrow, despite the fact that he couldn't see me. Although the awkward silence for the next several seconds made up for that.

"For a business proposal." He clarified. "Perhaps I could meet up with you around seven tonight?"

He seemed polite...weird and forward but polite.

"That sounds okay, I guess. Mr. Killian was it?" I asked.

"Yes, Ms. Stark. But please, call me Aldrich. Mr. Killian makes me sound old." He joked.

"Alright Aldrich as long as you call me Tyra, we're square. Where would you like to discuss this business proposal?" I chuckled.

"If it's okay with you, I'd like to pick you up."

Oh jeez...it sounds like we're going on a date or something...very unprofessional already, huh? Or am I reading too much into it?

I couldn't let him know where I'm actually staying at considering I'm away on a mission. I can't let him see my base of operations. It's a good thing I had a Stark Industries car delivered.

"I'm actually in Washington D.C. Wanna meet up at Tosca? It's this Italian restaurant. I went there for a special occasion at one point." I smiled. "I could text Pepper the address and let her show it to you if you'd like."

"I'll have Pepper send you my number, if you could send me the address after our meeting. I should be getting back to that by the way...I'll be looking forward for tonight, Tyra."

"Um, yes. I'll be looking forward to it as well, Aldrich."

"Goodbye, Tyra." I heard him hand the phone back over to Pepper.

After several seconds of silence, probably because Killian was temporarily leaving the room, Pepper spoke up again.

"Sorry about that...but it sounds like you're going to need to get ready for tonight. I'll call you later okay?" Pepper said.

"Yup."

Pepper hung up and not even five minutes later I got a text message from Pepper. It was Killian's number. I smirked and added the number to my contacts list.

What could go wrong?

"Miss Stark, you are receiving a FaceTime call from Col. Rhodes. Shall I answer?" JARVIS asked.

Rhodey?

"Yeah, sure."

Rhodey's face shows up on my laptop and I smile at him as I greet him, but my smile fades when Rhodey's expression is anything but pleased.

"Tyra, I'm concerned about your father. Has he been acting a little differently to you?" Rhodey cut to the chase.

I straightened up my dress and glanced back at the screen.

"Nothing too noticeable...why? Did something happen?" I looked at Rhodey with concern.

"Earlier today when we got some grub...he had some kind of anxiety attack. Just ran to the armor when he got all panic-y and it really got everyone's attention. I think he's a little upset that you're gone. It obviously sounded like he was worried about you. He kept mumbling your name." Rhodey informed me.

Why didn't dad call me?

"That's...horrible...why's he so upset about me? I told him I'd probably be back before Christmas. Is he really that worried about me?" I sighed.

I remembered my dad mentioning he hasn't properly slept since the battle of New York.

And all because he's worried about me...

"Tyra...there's something more to it then that. I know there is. He's been out of it since New York. Both of you have been out of it really..." Rhodey gave me sad look. "I know everything...who do you think your dad talks to other than Pepper?" He then cracked a small smile.

"I guess we've both been trying to cope...I've been scared to actually talk to him about it. I got to a therapist like he wanted me to- -"

"And you stopped seeing him." Rhodey cut in.

"What? Why would you say- -"

"Because you don't like talking about your feelings to a stranger much like your father. You don't see the point because everyone knows who you both are, they know everything about you because of the media, am I right so far?" Rhodey pointed out.

Wow...he knows me better than me.

"I honestly don't know how you do that. Maybe you should be my therapist instead. I'd certainly trust you a lot more." I joked.

"But seriously, have you noticed anything about your father's behavior? I think you should check in with him. When was the last time he got any sleep? It's like he hasn't slept in days." Rhodey asked.

"Well, we were both working on a new prototype armor before I left. Neither of us had slept for over 72 hours. I was used to staying up for that long because I've been having some nightmares. Do you think he's having nightmares too?" I then sighed sadly.

Man...some daughter I am...I should have paid more attention to dad. I should have helped him...

"He made me go to bed before I left. I thought it wasn't a big deal, but I've noticed that he kept tinkering with the suits a lot more. I should have noticed that something was bugging him...I feel terrible now. Do you think I'm a bad daughter?" I then groaned in frustration. "I can't believe I didn't pay attention...I was just too busy dealing my inner turmoil to actually pay attention, I've been trying to move on you know? Traveling through universes does things to a person!"

"Whoa! Calm down, Tyra! You're not a bad daughter, things happen, I get it." Rhodey gave me a look of understanding.

"I was rambling wasn't I?"

"Yeah, you were starting to." Rhodey smiled. "Go check on your old man when you get the chance okay?"

"I will...now it's my turn to ask you something. Did you find out anything on the Mandarin lately? Any news?"

"Wait a minute...you're the chick from SHIELD whose investigating about the Mandarin aren't you? Is that why you left?" Rhodey gave me a surprised look.

"Yeah..." I smiled sheepishly. "I'm the agent from SHIELD. They have me trying to find the Mandarin, and if I'm not able to detain him and bring him to America, I have orders to kill him. I honestly don't know why they gave me the job. I haven't been able to find shit on this guy! He really knows how to hide."

"I could see why they would want you...you've got pretty neat detective skills." Rhodey joked.

Who says neat anymore? Oh Rhodey...

I gave him a look of confusion.

"You figured out what Obadiah was up to when he tried killing you and your dad. Plus you found the connection between Ivan Vanko and Tony. Don't act so coy. You work fast and you pick up on things a lot faster than most people." He chuckled.

Oh...I guess he did have a point.

"You're right...I can do this...I just...man this is gonna be tough. I'll need as much help from you as I can get! So you better answer your phone when I need you!" I told him.

"Let me know if you actually find him, I don't want you going in alone. You may have some skills, but with a guy like him, you're going to need back up. That's not up for discussion by the way." Rhodey smiled.

"And there it is. The final decision made by the godfather." I said dramatically.

"You're damn right I'm your godfather. I'm going to be there for you and your dad, so get used to that."

And there's the sass...

I glanced at the clock and my eyes widened in realization.

"Shit, I gotta go. I'll talk to you soon okay?"

"Where are you going all dressed up like that?" Rhodey seemed amused.

"I've gotta meet up with this guy, Aldrich Killian. He said he wanted to talk to me about some business proposal." I replied.

"Aldrich Killian?" Rhodey seemed surprised.

"Heard of him?" I joked.

"He's the guy that redesigned the Iron Patriot suit." He told me.

"I like War Machine a lot better, but I know." I asked.

"Yeah." He nods.

"Well, I gotta leave. Talk to you later, Rhodes."

I blew him a kiss and ended the FaceTime call, getting ready to leave.

I managed to make it to the restaurant without many complications. I didn't really know who I was looking for, but I sat outside the Tosca restaurant anyway. I made sure that I laid low, so I wouldn't get ambushed by people as well.

"Tyra Stark. It's nice to finally meet you in person."

I turned around and glanced at a very suave looking gentleman. His blonde hair was slicked back and he had the most handsome face I've ever seen since encountering Steve and Thor.

Damn...the sexy face matches the sexy voice...

"...hi." I blushed. "Yeah...my name's Tyra." I held out my hand. "It's nice to meet you as well, Aldrich."

Aldrich gently grasped my hand and pulled it over to his lips for a gentle kiss.

HOT DAMN! I'm blushing like a schoolgirl aren't I?!...GET IT TOGETHER!

"So you like Italian I take it?" He smirked.

"We could go somewhere else if you'd like. You said you wanted to pick me up right? I just chose this place to meet you here." I averted my eyes and looked down at my feet.

"That's right. Thanks for reminding me. I wanted to take you to a specific location, it goes with my presentation, but since we're both dressed up, I'll get something prepared for us." Aldrich winked at me.

"Thanks, I'd like that." I smiled.

Aldrich took a strand of my hair and tucked it behind my ear.

"Why hide such a beautiful face?"

I finally looked at him and found it extremely hard to look away.

OH GOD! MY OVARIES ARE GOING TO EXPLODE! WHY IS THIS MAN SO CHARMING?!

"Uh...so...shall we go?" I squeaked.

"Did you just squeak?" Aldrich chuckled. "That was really adorable."

Why does everyone say that?!

"I wanted to discuss this project I've been working on for years. It's called Extremis."

Aldrich grabbed some silver spheres from his pocket and dropped them all over the floor.

"Now this is my brain." Aldrich grabbed a remote and pressed a button.

There was a huge projection all around us, which I found beautiful and impressive all at once.

"Go ahead and pinch me."

I blushed and tried to get rid of all inappropriate thoughts as he held out his arm and waited patiently. I pulled back his sleeve slightly and pinched him as he instructed. Something in the projection began to glow a bright red before fading away.

"Now imagine rewriting our genetic material. Extremis rewrites the operating system of the human body, upgrading strength, speed and durability to the very zenith of human possibility." Aldrich explained.

As much as I thought this was extremely interesting, I couldn't help but notice that this description of Extremis Aldrich was telling me, was sounding like another remake of the Super Soldier Serum.

AIM was trying to make super soldiers huh? Not on my watch...

"I uh...this is all really impressive and everything..."

"But?" He raised an eyebrow.

"But I think Extremis should be used for something else. I'd rather have the government not use this to their advantage and create millions of super soldiers. If you're asking me to help fund Extremis, I'm going to have to decline, Aldrich. I'm really sorry. You're incredibly brilliant, but I don't approve of using something like this as a weapon." I looked at him apologetically.

"Really?" Killian looked surprised that I was turning him down.

"Aldrich...money and power aren't everything. Trust me, I would know. My father would also know that too. We stopped the weapons manufacturing for a reason. Those weapons ended up falling into the wrong hands, you know?"

Aldrich seemed as if he was pondering about what I said.

"I can see your point. Pepper basically told me the same thing today. Somehow, I thought you would be different." He said.

Wait...if Pepper already said no to him...did he know she would refuse? Is that why he came to me? Was he trying to seduce me or some shit? Did he really think I'd say yes to something like that?

"If you could give it some time...to think about it, I would be very appreciative." Aldrich smiled at me.

I gave him a suspicious look and he raised his hands up in defense, trying to be funny.

"I'll tell you what, I'll buy you dinner and you can think about it while we eat. Sound good?" Aldrich winked at me.

"Alright...fine." I cracked a small smile.

Let's just hope I won't regret this...

Hey guys! I hope you liked the chapter! Let me know what you think, but be nice please! :D And quick question for those of you who saw Iron Man 3, did you think that Aldrich Killian looked a little bit like Ryan Reynolds? I mean it's okay if you don't think so at all, but I dunno...there was something about Killian that reminded me of Ryan Reynolds...his eyes maybe? Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!