I can't tell you how many times I revised this chapter. I had hoped to have it done before May but my annoying inner voice did not like how I wrote certain things. At first, I thought I made Elena too uncaring and then too soft. I don't want Elena to be perfect though. I want her to make mistakes and have questionable judgement at times. I know she's a girl genius but she's still a teenager. She needs to learn and to grow and I hope I am able to portray that correctly. Anyway, I'm really happy with this chapter so please let me know your thoughts. Also please know I am editing this all on my own and apologize for any errors. I've gone back and fixed a lot of errors in the first two chapter and hope to do so with a few more. As always, this story takes place in the MCU, and has some slight comic book easter eggs at times but I own nothing but my original characters. Responses to reviews at the end!

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Elena was purely going through the motions after she overheard Clint's conversation, with the man, whose name she couldn't remember for the life of her. After Pepper had grabbed her and dragged her to the stage to officially open the auctions for the night, Elena made her way to the restroom. Luckily, no one but an attendee was in there when Elena walked to the sink and looked at herself in the mirror. She wanted nothing more than to take some cold water and splash it on her face to help shock her out of her stupor, but the beauty team had put too much effort into her look for her to ruin it now.

She quickly took a few deep breaths, knowing at any minute someone could walk in on her. The bathroom attendee was nice enough to offer her a towel with a comforting smile. Elena took a quick second to adjust her hair and put some more lip-gloss on before she decided to head back out to the party.

People passed her, shaking her hand, casually touching her one of her shoulders or he arms. Sometimes it disturbed Elena how people had no mind touching someone they had never met, just because they were in the public eye. As she was touring through the faceless crowd, she felt some grab her hand. She quickly turned around grabbing the wrist over top of hers in a defensive response. She was shocked to see the man she had known as Frank, was the one who had stopped her.

"We need to talk," he said pleadingly.

"Okay, let's go outside away from prying ears, never know what one could overhear." Her voice produced a cold tone with those last few words.

"Warranted" he acquiesced to her, motioning with his arm for her to lead the way.

The two of them headed upstairs, Elena stopping to greet people on the way, in order not to raise any suspicion. She knew if people thought she was taking a man to speak with him in private the rumors would be vicious.

Elena knew there were a few balconies on the upper level that no one was using just yet. Elena would use them often to hide out whenever there was event held at this venue. Elena walked to the security guard and ask him which one they could use, he pointed to the one at the far end of the hallway. Thanking him, she motioned for Clint to follow her.

Once there, Elena opened the glass door and walked to the railing. She looked over to see that the red carpet was still in full swing. Allowing Clint to shut the glass doors behind him, she turned to him. Her arms crossed in front of her creating a defensive body language, while her left eyebrow raised up in curiosity, "Speak," her tone was precise.

He took a deep breath, "My name is Clint Barton, I work for the Strategic Home-"

"Yeah the place with the ridiculously long name I remember it," Her tone had not warmed to him and her interruption of his intro spoke volumes to her impatience.

"I was assigned to watch over you once your father went missing." Elena scoffed at that, of course, someone had seen an opening at that vulnerable time for her. He held his hands out in front of him physically asking her to let him continue. "I was trying to recruit you on behalf of my boss Director Nick Fury. I knew that if I went in firing you would reject the whole notion." He spoke calmly and truthfully yet kept his distance so as not to overwhelm her or come off as threatening. Clint was very conscious to keep his body langue friendly.

"You tricked me so I would listen to you?" The icy chill in her voice continued, and her body language had not softened. Clint recognized that she had her barriers up.

"I needed a way to get in to talk with you, and me showing up at your house would have freaked you out" He chuckled trying to pull some humor from her.

"Yeah because this situation isn't doing that at all" Her sarcasm was so palpable Clint grimaced.

He hung his head, "Look, Trust Fund the only thing I lied about was my name and occupation. All though I could be a gym instructor technically. I teach recruits how to fight so really it was just my name. Everything was purely me. I promise you, Elena." He implored to her. Clint knew he had chosen to reveal so much of himself to Elena because she was a person he could trust, which was rare in his line of work. He could only hope that by doing his job he hadn't burned a bridge with her.

"So, you weren't just pretending to be my friend just to recruit me." She laughed out in disbelief, knowing that is what usually happened. People always had a hidden agenda with her.

"That was the idea at first but you're just so damn likable kid, I enjoyed our time together" He laughed crossing his arms in front of him as he rubbed his face.

"You say that like it's over?" She asked, catching the meaning in his wording

"Well my cover's been blown and your father's back, so there's really nothing left to my assignment." Clint shrugged, sending her smile.

"Honest to God, Elena" he raised left hand and placed his right hand over his heart, "None of my motives were malicious. My organization is one that helps, and they would be lucky to have you. If you want, after tonight, you never have to see me again." Clint backed away from her but looked her over hopefully. Elena Stark was one a few good people left in this world, and Clint didn't want to taint that.

Elena decided in that moment how she felt about the man in front of her. The man she knew, had been there to help pull her out of her lowest points. If what he said was true and he was as genuine with her as he said, then Clint Barton was a good man. Elena worried for a second that she was being too forgiving, but she shook her head realizing that her instincts were telling her that her read on him was true.

She smiled at Clint, lowering the arms in front of her, "You've seen me at my worst Bird Brain, I can't let you go knowing that kind of knowledge."

"I guess that's true, who knows what people would pay for that info. You were a bit of a hot mess Trust Fund" amusement glinting in Clint's eyes, as he walked closer to Elena.

"You wouldn't dare Bird Brain," She mockingly glared at him, punching him in the arm as he came within reach. He leaned against the rail next to her and glanced out at the world in front of them contemplating for a moment, "You know I never did ask, why Bird Brain?"

"Your hawk tattoo," Elena's tone told him that it should have been obvious. Clint grimaced for a second, "Okay three things I lied about. That tattoo was fake, just part of the undercover. It was always something I wanted to try out but can't really pull off when you are a spy."

She gasped and put her hand over her heart dramatically, "I feel so betrayed that was my favorite part of you."

"Hey!" he groaned in disbelief, as Elena smirked at him.

"Now I need a new nickname for you." She turned to face the street, so they were both looking out at the city.

"My operative name is Hawkeye." Clint offered.

Elena burst out into laughter, doubling over for a second, "Hawkeye!? Are you serious, oh no I'm keeping Bird Brain!" Her laughter taking over her again, she was finding it hard to catch her breath because of it. Gasping a little she doubled over, Clint approached her in concern, "Slow breaths Trust Fund. Come on, in and out." He helped her control her breathing and took a step back.

"Thanks." She quickly looked up at him in a concern when a thought crossed her mind, "You are deaf right?" She asked because her mind brought up to her the damage her device could cause to his hearing if he wasn't actually deaf.

He laughed the smirked tapping his ear, "Not anymore."

"Hey, I gave you the gift of sound, I could take it away," Elena jokingly threatened.

He crossed his arms in amusement, "I'll call that bluff. You like me too much."

"Ehh," she waved her hand back and forth "I may like you, but I could still program them to play Taylor Swift songs all day every day." The look in her eyes telling Clint not to test her.

"You wouldn't," his tone spoke his disbelief, as he shook his head trying not to fall for her games.

"Try me Bird Brain" She spoke confidently, smiling at him.

"I really like having you as a friend Trust Fund," Elena appreciated his honesty but couldn't take the vulnerable moment

"Please you just want me for my brain" She motioned her left hand up towards her head.

"It's your compassion that won me over not your brain. Anyone can be smart, it takes a certain person to have as much empathy as you do." Clint never broke eye contact with her, hoping to convey how much he valued her.

She shrugged uncomfortable with his praise, "I guess we should head back down one at a time, don't need any rumors that I'm dating an older man. People already think I have Daddy issues." She complained.

They began to leave when Elena stopped Clint with a question that had been bugging her, "Where did Frank Bowman come from, because there was a whole bunch of background info on him?" She needed to know how there was so much background information on a person who doesn't exist.

"I named the alias and my organization has people that create an internet history," He shrugged not really knowing the whole technical aspect of it.

"Ah, so it was just a random name." She replied a little disappointed that it was so simple.

"Eh not quite, Frank, I got from my middle name Francis, and then well I use a weaponized carbonite bow as my weapon, so yah know Bowman." He explained, knowing she looked for meaning in everything

Elena's eye bugged out at that last bit of information from Clint and let out a laugh, "I'm sorry did you just confess to being Robin Hood?"

"Yeah, yeah nothing I haven't heard before," He grumbled as the furrow in his brow grew deeper at his displeasure of that comparison.

"That is one bad dad joke level name Bird Brain, was Fran Archer not available?" She mocked.

"Hey only my friends know I'm that level of corny, I have a tough guy image to uphold." His stern one trying to overcome her laughter.

They paused in silence for a second complete comfortable with each until Clint offered his hand out to Elena in gesture of truce. She took it without hesitation, but quickly stepped up and enveloped Clint in a hug. Clint quickly returned it.

The moment didn't last long, when Elena stopped and pulled away form him, "But does this mean I have to find a new trainer?"

Clint stepped back creating some space between the two, and sent her apologetic look, "Sorry Trust fund." His response the only answer she needed.

Elena tilted her head back towards the sky in a dramatic fashion and groaned out, "Ugh that sucks."

Clint laughed and shook his head at her dramatic antics, "You'll live." His voice not hiding his amusement with her.

They fell into silence again, they both where no longer in a hurry to leave their little bubble on the balcony. Elena quickly realized if Clint's assignment with her was over then there was a very real chance that he would be leaving soon. "When will I see you again?" There was a slight hesitation to her voice. She wasn't sure she was ready to hear the answer that she was dreading.

Clint shrugged looking away from her, "I'll be around for a few more weeks till my next assignment, who knows where that will take me." Clint looked over to see Elena's disappointed look and quickly continued, "I actually gave you my personal number so you can reach me whenever you need me. I think I have a job coming up around the New York area so we can meet up then if it times out for you." He offered to her, but he saw it barely lightened her spirits.

Elena nodded at him "I think I'd really like that Bird Brain," She made sure the voice really conveyed how much that would mean to her.

"You got it, Trust Fund." He spoke gently to her, placing a hand on her should in support for a quick moment before moving it away and placing it in his coat pocket. They allowed themselves to fall into comfortable silence once again.

Once they decided to part ways, Clint stayed on the second level, while Elena descended the stairs. She saw Pepper talking in the crowd. Once she was spotted, Pepper waved Elena over, but before she could take another step towards Pepper, she was affronted by a blonde woman in a black dress, with a folder in hand.

"Elena Stark, nice to meet you," The woman stuck the hand not holding the folder out for Elena to shake, "Christine Everhart, I'm with Vanity Fair and we would love to do a piece on you for our inspiring women's edition." Not pausing for Elena's answer, she went right to it, "Not even legally allowed to drink but you can perform surgery on a person, very impressive." She said as if that was a great conversation starter. Elena struggled not to roll her eyes at such an obvious and over used interview question.

"Well, I'm only just now going into my residency program so no one's letting me perform surgeries just yet." She spoke politely, making sure the words "just yet" where emphasized. She really was interested in being the focus of this woman's article.

"Any quote for young girls looking to follow in your shoes," She briskly asked holding her hidden recorder up to her. Elena was a little surprised that she had missed where this reporter was hiding that.

Elena took a deep breath before letting out her practiced answer, "My path is my own, young girls don't need to follow in my shoes. We need to stop promoting that one person's life is the example that needs to be followed. Any girl can be whatever she wants to be, but they all won't be able to do it the same way. It could take them 5 years, or it could take them 20, but as long as they end up doing what they desire then it doesn't matter how long that path took, or what direction it came from." She had this answer down pat since she graduated high school at the age of 12. Just another point that this woman had no originality to her questions.

"Right," she replied both her tone and facial expression indicated she wasn't entirely thrilled with Elena's answer. "And what of your father's path, do you intend to walk that familiar road?" Her voice taking on a very presumptive tone.

"As in?" Elena's voice was biting, she could already tell what this woman was implying.

"As in his war profiteering? Do you intend to make medical equipment to sell through Stark Industries that wouldn't be necessary if it weren't for the wars, your father's weapons started?" Christine raising her voice as if the louder she asked the righter she would be.

Angered by this woman accusation, Elena felt her facial expression harden, "The equipment we make fills many needs, not just to serve those in waring countries. Also, we have never started a war just so that people would need our equipment. I would never allow Stark Industries to hoard medical equipment for profit. We give those items to the military for them to be disbursed, if they require more they need only ask." She informed crossing her arms in front of her

"The military is withholding these measures until they have cleared the areas of enemy forces," She countered

"That's not my call I can't control what the military does," Elena argued upset that this woman would try to write that Elena made a profit off of the suffering of others.

"Why not cut out the middleman and just disburse the equipment yourself?" Christine inquired still trying to trap Elena into saying the wrong thins

"We can't just walk into a war zone and bypass the military, You, as a journalist, should know that is not how it works. Any aid that I can send I do. Price has never been an issue."

"Then who approved these weapon shipments?" Christine asked as she went to show Elena the photo in the folder she had been holding.

Elena put her hand out to stop her, "Ms. Everhart you are barking up the wrong tree. I have absolutely no say or knowledge in the weapons department of my father's company. He has personally halted the weapons manufacturing, so there should be no shipments authorized and that is the extent of my knowledge." Her tone indicating that she was finished with this conversation.

"You know ignorance is not always bliss." The reporter tone was smug as if she knew Elena was nothing but a farce.

"Are you implying that I am willfully ignorant?" Elena asked aghast at the insinuation.

Christine Everhart shrugged and looked at Elena as if she had won their argument as she held out the folder for her to look at, "Am I Miss Stark?"

Elena snatched the folder away from her and made note that the photos she was seeing were from some of the drone footage she had sent to Rhodey when her father was missing. Someone had hacked her system. "I assure you if I knew or was made aware of any misgivings in the company, I would address them directly. I have no proof that these weren't stolen. Your desire for a Stark family scandal is unfound. We are not selling weapons to enemy countries in order to profit off of their continuous fighting. We also are certainly not making medical equipment, only to hold countries hostage with the promise of that equipment. I understand you are hoping to be the writer of some kind of groundbreaking piece, but your information is off, and your attempt at gotcha journalism is mediocre at best. There's your quote." She shoved the folder forcibly back at the woman in front of her.

"Not very accountable then if this is happening under your family's nose," She smirked knowing she had made her point.

Elena felt her body sagging in defeat, Christine was right, if this was happening, her and her father had not idea. It was their responsibility to figure out the source of the weapons shipment and put a stop to it. "I've had my head on the clouds for a while I guess it's time to accept my reality." Elena intoned knowing she could no longer keep her ideas about Obadiah from her father. He was the only one who had this much unchecked control over their shipments.

She stormed away, heading in the direction she had last seen Pepper. However, Elena was distracted when her gaze was caught by someone else. She walked over to him with purpose his back against the bar, "Are you party-crashing your own party Old Man?" She asked leaning her back against the bar.

"My name is on the invitation," He scoffed at her accusation.

"Yeah well I was told I needed to be here because you weren't coming, but since you're here we need to talk." She altered raising her eyebrow up at him in a challenge.

"Not work talk Squirt. Tonight's a night off" He shrugged looking around, obviously distracted by something.

"It's important." Elena demanded, but was sidetrack by the fact that her father seemed otherwise engaged with something behind her.

She turned to see her father's attention was drawn to a balcony outside where one Miss Potts was standing, allowing herself to accept his distraction for a minute she spoke, "You know Pepper looks fantastic tonight," Elena smirked at her father waiting to hear his reply.

"Yeah she does," His gaze never faltering.

"Maybe you should make your move" She snarked at her father, leaning in to nudge him a little.

"What move?" His head whipped around in confusion, finally breaking his gaze away from the balcony.

"The move I've been waiting for you to make since I was 10!" Elena exclaimed. To her this attraction her father had for Pepper was inevitable, and for the life of her she couldn't understand why he wasn't acting on it.

"I think your dress is too tight Kid you are talking nonsense." He dismissed suggestion without missing a beat. He wished the bartender would hurry up with his drink, because Elena's comments suddenly had him feeling very parched.

"Sure, sure Old Man," Elena's smile took on a Cheshire sized grin, as she spoke. She didn't buy his denial for a second. She wanted nothing more than to stay in this moment with him. Wishing that his relationship with Pepper was the only problem they had to face. But those photos had been burning in her mind. She felt her smile instant drop as she pleaded to her father. "But seriously we need to talk about the company I think-" Elena's text notification went off, and she lost her train of thought as she quickly took it out of her bag.

She looked to see she had a text from Josh, a smile graced her face. And for a moment she lost herself. The text read How do you do trauma? I've been on the rotation for an hour and I've been puked on twice. I'm going back to plastics.

She laughed and quickly texted back Wuss

She was interrupted in texting anything further by Tony, "Hey what's that goofy smile. I don't like that smile; I know what that means." His tone off put as if her smile had offended him.

"Oh yeah, what does it mean?" She questioned with a smirk.

"A boy!" He spat out disgust. Not please that someone had cause him to practically see hearts over his daughter's head.

"I plead the fifth," She replied quickly putting her phone back in her clutch.

"That essentially admitting guilt Squirt!" He yelled at her, but she just stuck her tongue out at him. Again, her thoughts went back to the serious conversation with her that she needed to have with her father "Dad-"

Before she could continue her thoughts about her conversation with the reporter, an event coordinator came up to Elena, "So Sorry Miss Stark, but it's time for photos with some firefighters and their families, they are eager to meet you."

Feeling trapped by not want int to disappoint the people they were trying to raise money for Elena smiled, but turned to her father, "Seriously tomorrow we need to talk it's important." Her tone indicating her seriousness. Tony frown at her tone, not liking how upset she sounded. He nodded and gripper her hand tightly for a second before releasing it.

Elena turned back to the event coordinator "Lead the way, don't want to keep them waiting!"

"Our conversation about the boy isn't done Squirt" He called out in attempt to lighten Elena's mood from whatever was troubling her.

"Sorry can't hear you I'm busy!" She laughed as she turned away from him to follow the girl with the headset.

Time flew for Elena while talking with the firefighters and their families. She enjoyed talking with them and praising their good work. She even discussed some ideas about equipment to help them when they were fighting wildfires. While she was talking, she notices Pepper march over in her direction. Pepper waited until there was a gap in the conversation to talk, "Have you seen your father? He owes me a drink" She huffed out.

Elena shrugged, "Last time I saw him, he was at the bar, but I haven't seen him since." She found herself looking around for her father, hoping he would still be around so they could talk.

"Well that's rude," She offered not explaining exactly what she had deemed rude about Tony's behavior. Elena shrugged it off and just assumed her father had left Pepper to deal with a mess he had made.

Pepper cleared her throat and turned, "After you're done here some associates from Rand Enterprises want to have a talk about setting up some meetings with you once you settle in New York."

Without hesitating Elena responded, "Hard pass. I'm not going to New York on some business venture. Plus, Ward gives me bad vibes. I have a feeling our meeting would just somehow end up being a private dinner. Nope, I'm good."

"Joy's not so bad," Pepper offered.

"I'm telling you it won't be Joy I'll be meeting with." Elena's tone indicating that this discussion was over.

"Well we could always set you up to have a meeting with Hammer Tech," Elena's head shot up as she glared at the innocent-looking redhead, "I'd rather lick a subway pole," the deadpanned in Elena's voice told Pepper that she was not amused.

"I'm messing with you, we don't even have meetings with Hammer," Pepper placated.

"Also how does anyone even know I'm heading to New York? I haven't seen that broadcasted on the entertainment sights yet." Elena grumbled not very keen on the idea that so many people knew her whereabouts.

"The head of Metro Gen has been holding fundraisers ever since you were accepted, and his main selling point has been you." Pepper explained.

"Wow so glad I'm being pimped out before I even start." Elena posture once again taking a defensive stance. Elena was never comfortable with people using her name as a boost and she certainly didn't like that a man she hadn't even met yet was doing it without even consulting her.

Pepper sent Elena a sympathetic look knowing how much she hated being used for her name. She knew it made Elena made feel cheap and made it seem as if her accomplishment didn't matter. All that mattered is that she was a Stark. It's why Elena patented her inventions under simple Stark, she knew people would doubt them if it was just her name. Lots of the public assumed Elena was all glamour and no substance. Hell, half the media assumed she flew through school so fast because Tony paid the schools off.

"Ellie, -" Pepper's tone border on worried but Elena was quick to interrupt her.

"No, it's fine just more of the usual, I guess. I don't know why I assumed moving across the country would change that." Her tone lace with disappointment Elena felt her walls come up as she spoke. She now knew she couldn't go into New York as if it were a brand-new start. She was going to have to always be on. There would be no room for error, or the public would tear her to pieces.

Elena's phone rang and she saw Josh's name. She excused herself and went to the closest balcony for some privacy, "Aren't you supposed to be helping someone right now?" She answered, her tone teasing as she calculated that it would be 2am in New York.

"There is a lull in the madness, and I was in the on-call room trying to sleep when I turn to the TV and see this gorgeous lady hogging up the headlines." His voice was smooth but held a tinge of tiredness. Elena was a little surprised how happy she was to hear his voice though.

"Oh," her tone curious, "What is Angelina Jolie done now?" Her coy answer brought a laugh to Josh.

"Not sure, however, one Miss Stark was walking the red carpet in a very nice black dress, that I would have killed to see in person." His was charming and somehow knew the way to flatter her without making it sound forced.

Elena rolled her eyes his cheekiness, "That's against the doctor's oath." Her quip fast and impressive.

"Well I guess I should just leave the hospital now." his tone unapologetic.

"And leave them so short-staffed, that's so rude." Her voice may have held a mocking tone, but the smile on her face was hard to miss. She hadn't had this type of banter with some who wasn't family in a while. It felt nice to be herself for a moment when she was surrounded by a sea of people who required her to be a plastic version of a person

"Yes, you're right." He sighed in fake utter disappointment, "I guess I'll stay. But only if you wear a dress twice as nice to our meeting." He bargained, his voice taking on a suggestive tone., Elena could swear she could see his cat who ate the canary grin from here. It's was one he often worn when he knew he charmed their Bio Chem PA into letting him eat in labs.

Not rising to the innuendo bait, Elena scoffed, "Twice as nice? Unless we are going to a gala in Europe, I think I'll be very much dressed down." If he was expecting fancy outfits like this all time, he was sorely mistaken.

There was silence for a second before he persevered "Can I make an argument for the shoes?"

She let out a laugh "Maybe, depends have you been swayed by trauma yet?" Her voice taking on a seductive octave at the word trauma.

He groaned before answering "Never, you and your field are crazy."

Reverting back to her light tone "Then I guess flats it is"

He made a noise of disbelief and commented, "Now who's the rude one?" His voice indicating that he was disappointed in her lack of compromising.

Elena rolled her eyes at his disappointed tone. She flicked a stray hair out of her eyes and looked down at the designer shoes that where currently killing her feet. She loved these heels, she just hated the blisters that came with them, "I'm not too sure if you are worth me sacrificing my comfort just yet."

"You wound me." His tone indicating, she had done anything but.

"You'll survive I'm sure." She laughed out, enjoying this moment of peace. She hadn't been too sure how she felt about Josh just yet, but it was nice to have someone to joke with. Plus having some in New York would be a nice surprise.

Elena heard a muffled voice in the background that sounded like it was spoken on a loudspeaker, "My name has just been called, so I want to say with all honesty you looked beautiful tonight and I'm looking forward to our dinner. Goodnight" He clicked off before she could respond. His tone had sounded genuine and it had left Elena a little off guard.

"Goodnight Josh." She whispered out knowing he wouldn't hear her. Elena hung up the phone with a huge smile on her face. She looked at the time a figure now would be as good as any to try to make her escape. She texted Happy that she would be looking to leave in the next 30 minutes.

Happy within seconds responded, letting her know that he was driving to Wendy's for their order and he would text her when he was out front. Elena quickly went back inside, placed her last bids, and let Pepper know she was leaving. She made her way outside to see most of the paparazzi had dissipated.

Elena took a deep breath and wrinkled her nose at the smell of cigar smoke that wafted through the air. She looked around but couldn't really make out anyone particular.

She saw the car Happy was driving and made a start to walk down the steps when a hand harshly grabbed her upper arm pulling her back. "What ideas have you been putting in your father's head, Elena?" Obadiah's voice snarled in her ear as he pressed her side against him, his hand painfully clamped down upon her.

"Nothing that probably wasn't already there, to begin with," She snarled back trying to grab at his hand to release her. His gripped tightened as she scratched at his hand, "No need to make a scene Elena we are just talking" he mocked, his grip somehow seemed to get even tighter. Elena was sure if she had been frailer, he would be crushing the bone.

"You're hurting me" she seethed, continuing to try and get him to release his grip on her.

"I know," His face taking on that sickening smile of his. He pulled his face closer to her ear, "This is just a reminder that I can continue to do so. You think you're protected because you're Tony's daughter? I can touch you whenever I want. You interfere with my plans and I'll make sure-"

"Is there a Problem here Mr. Stane?" Happy's voice spoke out unhappily as he interrupted Obadiah's threat.

"No, you can go back to the car." He spoke out a fake enthusiasm, a snakelike smile on his face, as he tried to shoo Happy away. Obadiah put a little space between him and Elena, but his hand remained on her arm.

"All due respect Miss Stark has an early day tomorrow and Mr. Stark will be unhappy with me if I don't get her home soon." Happy stepped closer to the two, showing he would not be deterred. His expression almost unreadable.

"I'm sure Tony won't miss her." Obadiah tried to argue, his voice had slight harshness to it.

"Well if there is no issue, as you have said, then I don't see why Elena can't leave with me." Happy countered back subtly calling Obadiah out.

Happy knew that he was not leaving Elena alone with Obadiah. While Stane was distracted by Happy, Elena swiftly brought her pointed heel down to the top of Obadiah's foot. She aimed for the juncture of his foot that was not cover by his shoes.

"Ow you bitch." He shouted as he quickly released Elena, raising the foot she had just stepped on a little in the air.

"Oh, so sorry Obadiah, how clumsy of me." She responded innocently as people exiting the event looked at them in concern, having overheard Stane's outburst.

Obadiah realizing there was an audience, shot out a fake smile and spit out, "No worries Elena, I'm sure you weren't aiming for my foot."

"Of course not," Her eyes widened in innocence and her tone was docile, however, Elena's smile spoke differently, "Goodnight Obadiah," She quickly turned, grabbed Happy's arm, and walked down the stairs.

Once back in the car, Happy looked at Elena in the review mirror as she looked over her arm, "You okay Ellie?" He was concerned about the girl in his back seat. For a moment he didn't see a woman who was practically an adult, instead, he saw a 7-year-old girl with tears running down her face after being bullied at school.

The flashback was quickly over, and back was the older Elena in control of all her emotions. Her face was stern, but her eyes were sad, "Yeah Happy, all good." Her voice told him it was all but good.

"You want to tell me what that was about Ellie?" He was gentle with her. He always had been.

"Just one man's ego trip, that all Hap" She spoke her voice cracking a little at his name. She had quickly learned that people viewed her emotions as a weakness, a fact that often made Happy upset. She was putting on a face for him, that she needn't to.

"Should we be concerned?" He asked watching her face in his review mirror to see if she would let her tough exterior down.

"I think we need to be weary" Her head now facing the city as they drove away making it harder for Happy the gauge her expression.

"You know I got your back kiddo. He doesn't scare me."

Elena looks thoughtfully out of the window as she grabbed a fry from the bag next to her, "I think he was trying to scare me." Her voice is eerie with apprehension. Happy's nod of agreement went unnoticed by Elena as she continued to look out the window letting the rushing cityscape calm her anxiety. They both rode back to the mansion in silence, only the rustling of the to-go bags was heard between them.

Once Elena was home, she wanted to have a conversation with her father about what had happened tonight. It was time the talked about Obadiah. Happy was reluctant to let her go inside alone not sure if Tony was home or not. He didn't want her to be alone, unsure of what Obadiah was capable of. He informed her that he would be hanging around the property for a little bit and would let their security program to do some extra patrols that night.

Elena hugged Happy and let him know how much she appreciated his worry. She bid him goodnight and began to towards the front door.

She made her way inside to see Remy standing guard by the elevator door. He whined and pawed at the door when he saw Elena was home. Elena walked up and gasped seeing that Remy was leaving bloody paw prints, there was a trail of them in the hallway as well. She knelt down to his level and checked around his paws to make sure the blood was coming from him and not because he had stepped in a puddle of it.

She saw a few pieces of glass were stuck in his paw, she quickly picked up her pup as he whined trying to get back at the door. "I know bud I'll go check on him in a sec."

She comforted her dog as she carried him over to the couch, she quickly maneuvered the shawl she was wearing down onto the couch to act as a towel before she laid him down. She gave the command for him to stay. He whined but laid his head down in submission

Backing away from the couch Elena turned and called out "DAD!" Trying to see if he was awake to tell her what had happened, seeing as there was blood on the stairs Elena quickly pushed the button to call the elevator. She was starting to panic that there was no answer.

"Mr. Stark is not currently home at the moment he has taken the suit out," Jarvis said calmly as Elena stepped in the elevator, rapidly pushing the button that would send her down to the lab. As the doors opened, Elena stepped into the room and let out an audible gasp. The glass wall that had formerly separated the lab from the staircase was now in shatters and one of the overhead florescent lights was now vertical and hanging limply by a lone wire.

"What the fuck Dad?" Elena whispered to herself as she took in the destruction. She knew Tony could get messy with his inventions, but this was way out of hand. It looked as if he had been in a fight.

Elena felt her whole body deflate as it occurred to her that her father was not a stable as he had claimed to be. "Jarvis, call my father please." Her voice broken as she struggled to control her emotions. Her father was in pain, and he was lashing out.

"I'm sorry Miss Stark but he has restricted communication with the suit for the time being. I am only allowed to communicate with him in case of an emergency or when he contacts me." The A.I. system informed her.

She looked around at the destruction before her and called out, "I think this is an emergency, he destroyed our home."

"I would like to say that while troublesome I'm not sure it qualifies as an emergency and that the destruction has been contained to only the lab area and not the entire household." the A.I.'s sarcastic tone doing nothing to quell Elena's anguish at the situation.

"Jarvis where is my father?" Elena seethed up at the ceiling.

"His GPS has him located in Afghanistan," Jarvis informed her matter of factly.

"I'm sorry?" She called out in confusion.

"No need to apologize, Miss Stark, I'll repeat myself if needed." Jarvis's voice offered.

"No Jarvis, I'm sorry that I'm going to have to reboot you because I think you are mistaken. Why would my father be in Afghanistan?" Her tone was bordering on menacing, completely fed up with the system's uncooperative nature.

"He is headed to a town called Gulmira." Jarvis informed, "And your father has designed it so that I am never mistaken, Miss Stark." The voice above spoke frankly. Elena knew from watching the news that the town had recently been under attack, but she had no clue as to why her father would be headed there right now.

"The minute he opens communication back up I want you to tell me." Elena order pointing her pointer finger up at the ceiling as if scolding a child.

"Understood Miss Stark." After Jarvis's answer, the room went silent, there was no whirring of machine assembly or music playing in the background. It left Elena feeling uncomfortable and upset.

She stormed back into the elevator, her dress getting caught under her feet. Frustrated with everything going on around her she quickly reached back for the zipper and tore the dress off of herself kicking it and her heels off to the side. Once the elevator reached the 3rd floor of the house she gathered all of her items and stormed into her room in nothing but her matching strapless bra and underwear.

She quickly threw on an oversized t-shirt and some shorts. Then she grabbed her first aid kit from under the sink and ran down the stairs to get to Remy. When she arrived back down in the living room, she found Remus had remained on the couch looking downtrodden, whining as he saw her. She walked over to him and quickly set her stuff down and gave him a gentle pat. "I'll be back in two seconds."

Knowing how Remy could be about his paws, Elena scurried to the kitchen and grabbed some peanut butter along with his favorite red kong toy. She quickly put the peanut butter in the toy and made her way back to her pup. Elena placed the toy in front of him and began to sterilize her pliers. As she was setting up, Remy was lazily licking his toy keeping his attention on Elena's hands, as if he knew she was trying to distract him. Elena realized she would need something else to keep him calm as she worked. Knowing her voice kept him calm she began to explain to her pup how to do a basic appendectomy. As she droned on Remy calmed down and became engulfed in his toy, no longer watching her hands set up her supplies.

She gently took the paw closest to her and began to remove the slivers of glass embedded into the soft underside of his paw. He only had glass on his front paws so Elena figured Remy must have heard the commotion and went downstairs to check it out but stop when he got hurt. As soon as she was done, she wrapped his paws and kissed his head. Remy stopped licking his kong long enough to give her a few kisses with his tongue on her hand. "Love you boy." Remy simply barked in response.

"Jarvis leave a message with Remy's vet that I will be in for an appointment before official hours start," She called out, her attention focused on double-checking her bandage work.

"Consider it done Miss Stark," The voice informed her.

Elena wanted Remy upstairs with her tonight but didn't want him putting more pressure on the wounds. So, with both arms she gathered her dog to her and stood up, he barely in her arms and was basically half the size of her. She was pretty impressed that this was the second time that night that she was able to carry her dog. Elena had been weight training with Clint and was now much stronger than a few months ago, so she figured she could handle taking him to her room.

She carried Remy to the elevator and brought him to their room laying him on the bed "Jarvis I want to be alerted the moment my father returns or is reachable by phone." She demanded again, angry that her father's actions had hurt her dog.

"Certainly Miss Stark," Jarvis's voice gave her no comfort.

Remy whined again as Elena settle in for the night, Elena cuddle with her pup, stroking his fur, "Don't worry Remy, he'll be okay, well until he gets home and then I'm going to kill him." She muttered as she turned her body away from him so she could flick her bedside lamp off and settled in for the night.

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Well there you have it we are chugging along with the first movie. Hoping to have it completed in the next chapter or two and then have a few pure Elena time before going into Iron Man 2! Thank you so much for your words of support! It really brings a smile to face! Please continue to let me know your ideas, thoughts, and comments on Elena and this story! Every one stay safe and healthy, appreciate you all.

Tammifolk- Glad you are finding the story exciting! I'm hoping to pick up the pace a little more in the next few chapters.

cheshirekadi- Hope you enjoyed the name explanation! I always like the times when Clint makes fun of his own weapon choice and I thought his alias could be his own inside joke!

animexchick – I'm so happy you are enjoying this story! The fact that I trumped food for a little bit amazes me! I hope you enjoyed her reaction, I said before I hate when characters are obnoxiously mad at someone before hearing them out, and when their anger doesn't match the level of offense. I think I was able to strike a nice balance, but let me know what you think!

April2016 – Thank you so much for letting me know you are enjoying my story!