Wack!

I jump up in my bed and hit my head on the bunk bed on top of me.

"Ow," I grumble as I rub my head. I glance over to see Kayla glaring at me.

"Come on and get dressed. She-Devil is going to be here any minute and you overslept!"

I spring out of my bed and start throwing on clothes and making up my bed. As I throw the sheets on I accidentally knock over a newspaper clipping. Kayla bends down and picks it up.

She smiles at me sadly as she reads the headline, "Tony Stark lost in court for custody over son", "You really think he's still going to get you out of this hell hole?"

I snatch the paper and stuff it back underneath my pillow, "Of course not. It's just a nice reminder that he tried."

Kayla shakes her head and from the look on her face I know she doesn't believe me. Hell, I don't believe me.

"And watch your language. You're only ten for crying out loud."

She rolled her eyes as she pulled her frizzy hair into a bun, "Yeah but you wouldn't function without me.

"I could too, Sourpatch."

Before she could walk in Ms. Greenworth walked in. She was the definition of a demon. Audrey had dropped me off at her group home six months ago with the promise she would return soon to take me back to Tony. Yet, I'm still here. The only reason I stayed is because Audrey reminded me it would look like I'm actually interested in not being seen as a criminal and it would look better for Tony. It's not like it helped much. The judge refused to give custody of me to Tony based on a personal vendetta he had with Tony's father. No one found this out it until after the trial, so now I'm stuck waiting for a new judge. And Audrey said this wouldn't take too long. The only person keeping me sane is Kayla, and that's after she bugged me for the first two weeks I was here.

"Well children, I see that we all managed to be awake on time today with our beds made in an orderly fashion. Congrats. Proceed to the dining room for breakfast and since it's Saturday, your chore assignments."

Some of the kids groaned but I just grabbed my backpack as I proceeded to the dining room. There was about thirteen other kids besides Kayla and I living in the group home. Greenworth's husband owned a large sum of land of Herkimer County, several hours away from the city. Audrey claimed this was the only group home available, but I'm pretty sure she wanted to make sure I didn't run away again. On Saturdays, when we didn't have to take a long bus ride into town, we had to stay on the farm and do chores. I hate manual labor, but if we didn't do it, well let's say the Greenworths believed in corporate punishment. I did not missed being beat while living with the Starks.

We head to the dining room where our bowls of oatmeal are laid out and file in next to each other. I stir my oatmeal and glance at the television. The only thing that's ever on is the news and we're only ever allowed to see it during meal times. I can't wait to get out of here.

I see the headline on the television and I almost spit out my meal.

"...the Starks ask for their privacy as the search for their daughter. They also ask that if you spot her, that you return her home immediately. Thank you."

The lawyer steps away and I see Tony and Pepper. Pepper looks like she had been crying and was nervous. Tony looked off into the distance and I could see the hint of fear in their eyes. I can't believe Morgan had run away! She could be anywhere!

The tv clicked off and I practically jumped out of my chair. I need to get out of here.

"...and finally, Kayla and Antoni you're in charge of the stables for the day."

I hear Kayla groan next to but all I do is nod.

I grab my bag and Kayla and we start walking towards the stables.

"...earth to AJ. Hello!"

I jump at her voice and smile sheepishly, "Sorry. Just thinking."

She looks at me, "No you're scheming. What are you scheming about?"

I sigh as we enter the stables, "I'm going back to New York. My sister's missing and I have to find her."

She rolls her eyes, "What makes you think you can find Morgan if Tony and Pepper Stark can't?"

"I find her the first time," I shrug, "Look, I just want to make sure she's okay. I'll come back as soon as that happens. Cover for me?"

She looks at me bewildered, "You want me to ignore the fact that the genius is somehow going to get to New York City, which is a four hour car ride away, and then wander around the city looking for his little sister. How the heck am I supposed to cover for you?!"

I shrug, "You're smart. You can figure something out."

"Or...I could come with you?" she asks with a pleading look.

"What?! Kayla, it could be dangerous!"

She shrugs, "I'm a foster kid. I never get to go anywhere! Please?"

I sigh, "Fine. Only if you promise to go to Audrey after we see if Morgan's okay."

She nods.

I gesture towards the house, "Sneak back in and grab your bag, while I think of a transportation plan."

She nods as she runs off.

She gets back in a matter of minutes and we set off towards the forest.

"So, how are we going to get to New York?"

"The Mason's have an old car in their garage. If we can start it, that's our ride."

She raises her eyebrows, "We're going to steal a car?!"

"Well...fix and then steal but yeah. It's better than walking."

She shakes her head, "What did I get myself into?"


` When we got to the old barn, as per usual, no one was there. I gestured for Kayla to stay quite as I slowly slid open the door. In the middle of the barn was an old red pick up truck.

"That's our ride?" Kayla asked, with a slightly disgusted tone.

I roll my eyes as I walk over to pop the hood, "Yep."

"We are so going to get caught. Can you even drive?"

I grab some tools and start working on the engine, "Yep."

She gestured to what I was fixing, "How long is that going to take?"

"Shouldn't take too long."

She nods and is silent for about thirty seconds before asking, "Why haven't you lose hope in your dad?"

I stay silent as I continue to work.

"Don't think I don't notice. I know you believe nothing last forever but you can't let it go. Why?"

I sigh, "Because they showed me what it's like to have a family. And I believed him about wanting me. It's not like he didn't try, but CPS doesn't particularly want a kid to be in dangerous when living with someone, and I was kidnapped and chased by bad guys a few times. Plus, that wasn't even his fault."

"So that's why we're going to find Morgan? What if she was kidnapped by bad guys? Isn't Ironman they best person to deal with that situation?"

I shut the hood, "She wasn't kidnapped, she ran away. I have a feeling she was looking for me."

I look of realization flashed over Kayla's face as she nodded.

I gestured to the passengers door, "Now get in. We have a four hour drive ahead of us."


I stretch as I pull into an empty parking lot. We had been driving non-stop for four hours and I was tired and starving. I glanced at the clock and it was now twelve o'clock. Kayla was passed out in the seat next to me. I gently shake her awake. She jumps up and glares at me.

I shrug, "We better go before get caught. Plus, it's easier to see the city on foot."

We climb out of the car and Kayla stretches and asks, "So where to first?"

I sigh, "First we need money, which generally means pick-pocketing."

Her eyebrow raises as she says, "Aren't you supposed to be going on the straight and narrow?"

I nod, "I tried. It's harder than it looks. Plus, I'm hungry and we need money to get around."

She rolls her eyes, "Most people can do it."

I begin walking towards the streets, "I'm not most people."

She groans as we continue walking. Once we get to the end of the block, we turn and there is a street full of bust people.

I look over at Kayla, "Meet me in the alley at the end of the block. Okay?"

She nods and I walk ahead of her straight into the people. It's a huge crowd, so lifting a few wallets was easy. Most people don't even notice it's gone, especially if it was in their pants pocket. I reach the alley and look for Kayla. A few minutes later, she emerges looking exhausted from dealing with people.

I smile, "How you liking the big city?"

She glares, "It's a lot. Did you lift anything or are you all talk and no show?"

I smile as I lift up the three wallets that I borrowed, "Of course I did. Now let's see what we got."

I opened the wallets and took out all the cash in them. There was about $100 dollars in total.

I slip the money into my pocket and say, "Ok now, we go leave wallets at a local store and head to the Lower East Side on the bus. It'll be like 15 minutes. Plus, I'll get you food."

Kayla nodded, "Why would Morgan go there?"

I sigh, "Because no one would look there. Would you expect a five year old to be able to get to the Lower East Side by herself?"

Kayla shakes her head.

"Exactly. Let's get going."


After hopping off the bus, I breathed in deeply. I had missed the smell of the city.

Kayla looked around curiously, "So this is where you grew up?"

I nod, "Yep. Best place in the world. Come on, I know where she is."

We walked through the streets to my hiding place. I open the gate for Kayla step in.

"Where are we?"

I let out a breath as I glance up the fire escape, "Home."

I start climbing up the fire escape and Kayla follows. When we reach the top I glance inside and feel a tugging in my heart. Morgan's in there, curled up in my old sleeping bag.

I gesture for Kayla to remain quiet and I slip inside the window. I lean down and gently shake Morgan.

"Come on Half-Pint, time to wake up."

Morgan stirs slowly and rubs her eyes. It takes her a moment to register me and her face breaks into the biggest grin I had ever seen.

"AJ!"

"Hey Morgan!" I laugh as she launches herself at me.

"What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you. Speaking of which, what are you doing here?!"

She at least had the decency to look kind of guilty, "I'm sorry. I wanted to see you but Daddy was taking forever. I figured you might be here."

I squeeze the bridge of my nose, "I missed you too Mo, but you can't run off like that. Everyone's probably really worried."

She sniffles, "I know. I'm sorry."

"Tell that to Pepper and Tony when I take you back."

She brightens up, "You're coming with me?!"

I nod, "Got to make sure you get back safely but I can't stay. We'll drop you off at the doorstep or something. And you can't tell anyone I'm the one who took you back, ok?"

She nods and stands. A look of confusion crosses her face, "Who's that?"

I look over to see Kayla standing awkwardly by the window admiring the artwork, "Oh yeah. Kayla, this is my sister Morgan, Morgan this is my friend Kayla."

Morgan brightens up and waves, "Hi!"

Kayla gives her a small wave back.

Now I just have to figure out how to get Morgan back to the tower.