"Who exactly is Annabelle Cooper?"

Bruce's words repeated over and over in his mind for the solid minute he remained unmoving where he stood. Why was this happening now? Why now when he knew it would affect Annabelle the most, and who the hell had given the press his daughters name? It couldn't have been anyone close to her, they would have known better. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the TV; the clear, unmistakable image of him and Annabelle frozen on the screen for anyone and everyone to see. All the hard work he'd done, measures he'd set up, effort he'd gone to in an attempt to ensure the world didn't find out per her request. Everything set up undone by one single published photograph not caught in time. He'd have to have a discussion at length with JARVIS about how it had managed to slip through the protocols he'd set up… but that was something to focus on later. Tony felt the eyes of everyone on him, watching him, when he finally spoke, his voice dry and hoarse.

"J play the TV," Tony muttered and held his breath as the screen came to life, the image still unmoving as an unidentified male voice accompanied it.

"The mysterious woman pictured here with none other than Tony Stark, has now been named as Annabelle Cooper. We've been told that the image was taken about two, or possibly even three, weeks ago but was only sent in to our team in the past hour or so. Our team of experts studying the image believe she's only in her early twenties, no older than twenty-one or two. No more information on Miss Cooper has been released. If this is to be believed and understood, it would make Miss Cooper almost twenty years his junior. The question everyone here in the studio and at home are now asking is – who is this woman?"

The screen changed to two well-dressed people, a man and a woman, sitting across from each other at a table in a brightly lit studio. The image of he and Annabelle was projected now on to a range of several smaller screens, creating almost a semi-circle like pattern surrounding the two newsreaders. Tony's jaw locked in to place as he forced himself to keep his gaze focused solely on the TV, only too aware of his teammates eyes trained on him for his reaction. He didn't need to see them too know they were staring him down, he could feel it. He didn't like this, he didn't like it at all. The female newsreader spoke now, switching between looking at the camera and looking to her co-presenter.

"I'm sure viewers at home remember that, around this time back in 'oh nine, Tony Stark was pictured a few times over a very short period of a single day with a much younger woman. To everyone, it was as though once out there for the world to see, those pictures suddenly seemed to disappear exceptionally quickly. It was almost seeming as though they'd never been released in the first place, wouldn't you at home agree? Could this be the be the very same woman as from six years ago resurfacing now?"

With the image still visible in the background, the camera angle switched to focus on the man as he spoke now. He almost looked… smug?

"I almost don't want it to be, because if it is, then we are looking at the potential possibility of an adult male and an underage girl -"

"Turn. It. Off," Tony growled, fists clenched tightly as his sides.

Tony wasn't sure if it was one of the team or JARVIS who had switched the news report off, but it didn't matter, and he didn't care. He just couldn't stomach hearing the man finish his sentence, if he had... Tony felt sickened, disgusted about what he'd just heard. Is that really how people saw him? Did he really come across as the type of person that could engage in a paedophilic relationship with someone so young? He knew he had a reputation years ago, but hadn't he changed his ways enough. Never once before had he given the press reason to suspect he would engage in… that. Tony physically shook as he thought to the things that were being insinuated, being said about him and his daughter. None of the others spoke, all waiting for him to say something, but he couldn't. He couldn't give them anything, couldn't give them what they wanted. He was frozen, incapable of voicing anything out of pure shock and disgust. It was a few minutes of nothing before he registered movement out of the corner of his eye beside him, Bruce coming to stand close enough to dare to place a hand on his shoulder.

"Tony?"

Tony snapped then, the spell of silence being broken. Shrugging Bruce's hand off sharply and backing away from his friend, Tony shook his head. "JARVIS," he called, his voice far from steady as he began pacing. "I want to know who the fuck had the audacity to publish that photo and give out her name. I want the bastards buried."

"Looking for them now, Sir," the ever-faithful AI responded immediately, and Tony knew it would only be a matter of minutes before he had the answers he needed. He couldn't even feel smug about it, it wasn't the time to marvel in his genius. "Should I inform Ms Potts?"

Pepper. He would need every ounce of Pepper's knowledge and power of press to contain the mess before it got out of hand. There would be no coming back from it if it did, it wouldn't matter whether the truth was told or not, there was a high chance it wouldn't be believed. Tony nodded, still pacing. "Oh yeah. Yeah, I'm gonna need her to run interference to try and get this contained because once the vultures dig their claws in... Have her come up here and we can discuss it in my lab. Don't say why though, I need her to hear it from me directly. Just say its urgent matter and I need her now, J."

"Very well, Sir," JARVIS said. The AI paused momentarily before speaking again. "Would you also like me to contact Miss Cooper while you wait?"

Shit. Tony was so focused on being concerned about damage control that he had missed one vital thing, and probably the biggest and most important thing in the whole situation – Annabelle. It was safe to assume that she would be yet to know about this, given that she was currently in London undoubtedly uninterested in anything other than her mother and rearranging her new nurse friend's life. For the first time since she'd gotten on the plane, he was glad. He knew it wouldn't take long, however, for her to find out what was going on. Once she was back in the States, where her face would be plastered on every gossip column and celebrity newsroom, it would be exceptionally hard to keep this from her… but if he could keep her out of the loop while they attempted to control the situation… Tony shook his head, knowing it would not be in his daughters' best interests to inform her of the impending doom they would both be facing before he knew all the facts.

"No, it's too close to…" he stopped himself from continuing, remembering present company and their lack of need to know. He shook his head again, continuing to pace, though the speed increased from before. "No, J, not with everything she's got going on at the moment. It'll be too much for her and I don't want her dealing with more than she, not with what's happening this week."

"Very well, Sir." Tony could tell JARVIS wasn't in agreement and obviously believed he wasn't making the right call, but he couldn't argue with his AI now - he had more pressing matters at hand. "Ms Potts will be with you in two minutes."

Tony's pacing just increased with speed the more agitated he got. He needed to try and calm himself, get his blood pressure down, not wanting to tempt having an anxiety attack in the middle of his teammates. He paid no attention to any of the others in the room, trying to control his rapid breathing. He was so focused on his turmoil and blocking the others out that he failed to notice his teammates muttering behind his back. It was only when a grunt came from Clint being hit in the stomach that Tony remembered they were there.

"A teenager, Tony," Clint asked, dodging another elbow from Natasha. He glared at Tony with a disapproving look that he found could only rival his fathers. "Really?"

Tony ignored him. He didn't want to rise to the bait, instead choosing to run through the countless ways this situation could blow up in both his and Anna's faces. There were many, many ways.

"So, you are cheating?" Steve, it seemed, decided now was the time to approach him, standing tall with an air of authority as he crossed his arms over his chest. If Tony thought Clint's look was bad, it was nothing compared to Steve's, not that he found himself caring of course, what with much bigger things to worry about than the opinion of Captain America. "I thought you'd changed from the man you were."

Tony froze at the Captain's words, rounding on him. He was about to respond, a mixture of anger, betrayal and hurt bubbling in his chest, but he stopped himself. He realised not that no matter how much he attempted to defend himself, no matter how much he pleaded his innocence; he knew nothing he said at the present time would change the way he was currently thought of by the people standing around him. Well, he briefly thought, revealing the whole truth about him having a secret daughter could, but there was no way he would be doing that without consulting Anna first… and he wouldn't be doing that until after her mother's anniversary.

"Tony are – are they – have they -" Bruce stammered, and Tony turned slowly to face him. At least Bruce had the decency to look guilty as he accused Tony. "Have they got that right?"

Had Tony been a weaker man, the disappointment and confusion being displayed on Bruce's face would have broken him. Instead Tony stood in front of his friend, his breathing all but evened out, and air of betrayal filtering between them. He couldn't decide what was worse, the accusations coming from Bruce or Steve. He fought to keep his voice neutral, refusing to show any further emotion to those he believed to be his friends. Evidently, he would have to reassess.

"How can you even think that of me?"

He could sense someone shifting ever so slightly behind him. Whether it be because Clint was starting to feel guilty himself for his assumption or not Tony wasn't sure, and didn't really care at this point in time, the damage from their comments had already been done. Tony narrowed his eyes. Clint's voice had lost its edge, but the disbelieving tone was still there. "Well, with what we've just heard…"

Tony could only stare between the two, holding himself back from making remarks he knew he would come to regret. Luckily, Natasha decided to come forward, standing in front of Tony and holding her hands up between Bruce and Clint, acting as a barrier.

"Tony doesn't go after younger women," Nat said, turning to face Tony, a glint in her eye and a minuscule smirk playing on her lips, letting him know that she was, in fact, on his side. "Not anymore at least."

Tony had a distinct feeling Natasha knew the truth. In fact, he wouldn't actually be surprised if she did, he'd be rather disappointed – she was the resident spy after all. He felt somewhat relieved that he had at least one person in the room fighting his corner. He wasn't able to question her though, because from behind him the elevator dinged and the familiar sounds of Peppers heels connecting against the tiled floor alerted them to her arrival.

"Tony!" she called, as soon as he was in her sight. Everyone turned to her. Her cheeks were flushed from being summoned and her hair was slightly out of place. "What the hell is going on? You have no idea the shit I'm having to deal with downstairs."

"Whatever shit it is can wait." Tony met her halfway, steering her back towards the elevator, before anyone else had the chance to speak, ignoring her protests of being manhandled. "We've got problems – very big problems."

They all stared as the two disappeared, muttering to each other, in to the elevator. There was no doubt Tony was filling Pepper in about everything that had happened in the last ten minutes. Even after the doors has closed and the two were no longer in earshot, the group remained in silence, themselves marvelling over what had happened. Aside from Natasha, who had moved off to make herself a drink, none of them really knew what to say or how to react. Natasha watched, sipping her drink, as the three men exchanged glances.

"Well," Bruce said, finally breaking the awkward and uncomfortable silence. He shifted from foot to foot. "That was…"

"I can't believe he'd do that," Steve said with slight anger in his voice.

Natasha sighed and let out a small laugh, drawing the attention to herself as she re-joined them. She clapped Steve on the back as she reached him. "He's not cheating on Pepper, Steve. Trust me – she would know if he was."

A quick glance at Clint, one that would be unmissable to the untrained eye, had the archer gasping. It shocked both Bruce and Steve, who had returned to silence. Clint made for Natasha, but she slipped easily away from him, heading for the elevator herself now.

"You know, don't you?" Clint demanded, the other two finally catching on with wide eyes. "Tell us."

"No doubt you'll be hearing it from the man himself soon enough," Nat called over her shoulder, stepping in to the now waiting elevator, Clint hot on her heels.

"Nat!" Clint called, getting there just in time for the doors to close in his face, obscuring a grinning Nat from view. "Natasha!"

Clint took off to the stairs, determination to find out what Natasha knew for himself fuelling his fire. Bruce and Steve exchanged a glance, shrugging at each other before following the archer at a more leisurely, less urgent, pace.

Annabelle had ended up inviting Sam back to her hotel suite, spending the few hours before the end of his shift embarking on a spot of retail therapy. She wasn't usually a big shopped, but as she strolled through the streets of London. There were a fair few stores that happened to take her fancy. She had met back up with Sam as the end of his shift, finding him waiting outside for her. She wasted no time in pulling him in to a bone crushing hug, much to the shock of those standing close to them. Annabelle had taken them back to her suite, ordered room service and together they watched countless films, finishing four bottles of wine and 3 boxes of chocolates between them. The night had ended with them both passing out, side by side on the king size bed, about two o'clock in the morning.

Room service had been pre-ordered for five, and it had come bang on the hour, waking the two very hungover and sleep-deprived occupants of the room. They ate in silence, neither of them wanting to move too much for fear of it aggravating the bands performing in their hands. Annabelle was ready, though sluggish, to leave by six, ensuring Sam he would be fine to stay and sleep it off. On her way out, she spoke to the manager, extending the rooms stay till Sam was ready to leave.

Her flight was delayed by an hour but once they were finally in the air, Annabelle drifted off and slept until one of the flight attendants shook her shoulder gently and said they'd be landing in half an hour. She'd travelled light to London, only requiring a carry-on. Anything she'd bought while out the day before was being shipped straight to California. She didn't want to have to lug it all round Boston and then New York with her. Landing went smoothly and with being one of the fortunate ones in first class, Annabelle was one of the first off the plane. She smiled to herself as she passed those waiting for their luggage – oh the joys of hand luggage.

"Anna!"

Annabelle spun round, looking for the familiar voice that had called her name. It took her a few minutes to search through the sea of people but Annabelle finally locked eyes with her Godmother as she called her name again. "Anna!"

"Gina!" Annabelle called in surprise, pushing her way gently through the crowd in to Gina's waiting arms. "What are you doing here? I thought we were meeting for dinner."

"We were," Gina said, gripping Annabelle in a tight hug, releasing her after a full minute. "But Tony messaged yesterday asking if I'd come and meet you. He arranged a car and everything."

Annabelle rolled her eyes, swatting Gina's hands away as she tried to take her bag. "Of course, he did."

"He worries about you," Gina said softly, leading the young woman to a waiting car. "Especially at this time of year, Anna."

Annabelle sighed as she slid in the car, Gina following and the driver pulling away as soon as they were buckled in. "I know he does; I just didn't expect this. It's a lovely surprise, don't get me wrong." Annabelle sighed again, looking at Gina expectantly. "What else has he arranged?"

Gina being Gina wasted no time in revealing the extent of Tony's arrangements. "The car is yours till your flight to New York, complete with the lovely driver. Let's see… He's made reservations for dinner tonight at some swanky place that's far too posh for the likes of us and the bills already been taken care of."

Annabelle tutted but they fell in to silence. She knew her dad would do this once she was back stateside, before she could tell him not to. The journey to Gina's apartment from the airport took just over an hour and in that time, Annabelle explained the time she spent with Sam, Gina agreeing that the man's colleague's treatment of him was unfair. They laughed about how Anna had spent the night, Gina commenting on her being a lightweight compared to her at that age. They were still a ten minutes' drive away when Annabelle shifted just enough to partially face her Godmother.

"How's the divorce going?"

Gina's eyes darkened but she scoffed and let out a harsh laugh, her voice laced with bitterness. "Twenty years together, nine of those married. All the shit we went through for her to turn around and say I'm not entitled to anything? Well, the fucking bitch will be in for a hell of a surprise when she's told I'm taking her for everything – including the fish."

Annabelle knew almost all of what Gina had been through with her soon to be ex-wife. Gina's parents had disowned her the moment she came out to them as bisexual. Kirsten's family had taken her in as one of theirs, but it just had never been the same. They'd overcome a hell of a lot of backlash before they got married and it only got worse from there. Initially, they'd wanted kids and it had taken a lot of blood sweat and tears to be able to afford just one round of IVF with a sperm donor. Gina had lost the baby at thirteen weeks. Two more miscarriages followed before Gina decided she couldn't put her body through anymore and when Kirsten refused point blank to carry, they'd turned to surrogacy. That had failed twice, and the birth parents pulling out of the adoption two years ago had been the catalyst to the downfall of their marriage. Annabelle took hold of her Godmothers hand, squeezing it gently.

"But you never like the fish."

Gina grinned, wiping the lone tear from the corner of her eye. "I know."

They broke in to laughter, only stopping when they pulled up outside the apartment she'd kicked Kirsten out of. The driver brought Annabelle's bag to the porch, giving her his number and saying he'll be back to pick them up for dinner. Inside, Gina had already kicked off her shoes and cracked open the wine, pouring both a generous helping, practically filling the glass. Annabelle laid on one couch, Gina the other. Annabelle took in the room, noticing the absence of all images of Kirsten. She shook her head.

"I'm never getting married."

Gina sighed, looking at where her wedding photo used to stand. "Marriage isn't all bad."

Annabelle grinned at her, tilting her glass in Gina's direction. "Say's the woman going through a bitter divorce."

Gina laughed. "Touché."

At dinner, yet more alcohol flowed, though Annabelle stopped after her fourth glass. Gina didn't stop, but Annabelle knew how the woman could hold her drink. Too many nights had been spent witnessing her mother and Gina drinking on a night they both had free. They'd ended up getting back to Gina's just after midnight, both passing out on the couches they'd been on earlier.

By the time Annabelle had woken, Gina had already laid breakfast out on the bar and a freshly brewed coffee placed under her nose. It was a few minutes before she realised the date.

Annabelle froze. It was the first year she hadn't instantly realised the date, and her mother wasn't the first thing on her mind. She sat, tears slowly sipping down her cheeks. She knew Gina was talking to her, but she wasn't hearing it – she was too busy feeling guilty for not instantly remembering her mother on her anniversary.

"… but first – Annabelle?"

"It's been six years, Gina." Annabelle closed her eyes, leaning back against the couch. Gina came to sit beside her, wrapping her arms round the young woman's shoulders.

"I know, baby girl, I know," Gina said softly, running her fingers through Annabelle's hair. "The flowers you ordered arrived not long before you woke up. Do you want to head straight there?"

Annabelle nodded and moved off to get ready without saying a word. She was back downstairs within fifteen minutes, wearing a simple sundress and sandals. The car arrived less than ten minutes after Gina called, and with the flowers loaded in to the front seat, the two women settled in to the back. They'd only been driving a few minutes when Annabelle started speaking.

"I met the father of the man who died with mom." Gina looked at her, shock on her face. "He was there, at the corner we crashed, remembering his son. At least I think it was him; the timeline fit."

"Did he know who you were, did you tell him?"

Annabelle shook her head. "I don't think so and no, I didn't, it didn't come up. I didn't want to say anything either. We were both there for a reason… it was just weird we were there on the same day, that's all."

"That's crazy."

They lapsed in to silence again for the remaining five minutes' drive. Once the driver parked, he instantly got out, closing his door and leaning against it, giving the two sometime alone. Annabelle gave herself a nod and stepped out, taking the flowers from the front before joining Gina, who now had a large bag in hand. They walked together down the path, arms linked at the elbows, to where Annabelle's mother was buried. It didn't take them long, only a few minutes, and neither of them spoke along the way. One look at the headstone baring her mother's name and Annabelle stopped, tears slipping down her cheeks at the sight. The stone itself was starting show signs of weather damage, overgrowing weeds and dead flowers littering the bottom of the stone and the surrounding grass. Excrement from birds and other wildlife made the site seem unloved, uncared for. She felt guilty as she bent down to remove a few of the leaves from the base of the stone. This was her mother's final resting place… yet it looked like this?

"I come as often as I can," Gina said, kneeling down beside her and helping to remove the old and dried flowers. "Not as often as I like but I do come when I can."

"I haven't been since March," Annabelle muttered, kneeling now and yanking at the weeds. "I should be coming all the time."

"You live in California," Gina reminded her.

"I should still try and come more often," Annabelle maintained. She looked down at her now muddy fingers and realised she was wildly unprepared for the task at hand. "I don't have anything with me to clean this."

"Luckily, I came prepared."

Gina dragged the large bag she'd brought over to them, pulling out everything they would need to clear the area, tidy it up and make it something the woman they were there for would be proud of. She handed Annabelle a pair of gardening gloves, taking a pair for herself, along with two aprons to protect their clothes, sponges, clothes and sprays to clean the headstone. Annabelle accepted it all graciously, thankful Gina had thought of everything she had forgotten. They worked together to completely clear the small area of dead leaves, twigs and flowers, the headstone of dirt, muck and grime. It took a while, almost an hour and a half, but they finally got the grave looking presentable again, with the flowers Annabelle ordered neatly placed along the base of the headstone. The lettering on the stone stood out now, and as Annabelle stepped back, it was now clear who it belonged to. Annabelle stripped off the gloves, tossing them to the ground before taking off the apron, turning it over and using the clean side to sit on. Gina did the same and the two sat side by side, just staring.

"I'm going to get us something to drink," Gina said, standing again and heading back to the path.

Annabelle knew she was doing it to give her some time alone and again, she was grateful for her Godmother. She dusted off her hands and folded her legs under her.

"So, Dad created yet another suit…"

Annabelle didn't know how long she spent detailing the events of the last few months, but it was longer than the average person took to get a drink. She went through breaking up with her boyfriend of four months, Gina's impending divorce and finding Sam in London. She voiced her internal debate over whether or not to move to New York with Tony and Pepper, something which she hadn't discussed with anyone. It wasn't that she didn't like living in the Malibu mansion anymore... it was just too big for one person. It was starting to feel lonely. It felt lifting to get it off her chest, just saying it out loud cemented her decision, and now she vowed to bring it up to Tony when she got to New York. Gina had been gone about half an hour she Annabelle heard the woman coming up behind her, a bottle of water appearing over her head and in front of her face.

"Water?"

"Thanks," Anna said, accepting the drink and downing the entire thing, not realising how thirsty she was. Gina handed her another. She slipped it slower this time.

"She'd be proud you know," Gina said, smiling sadly at Annabelle. "Everything that got thrown at you in the last six years you've just dealt with and steamrolled ahead. You're strong, just like her."

"But without her guidance, and a part of me would rather fail with her by side than succeed without her."

"Nothing can change what happened."

"I know," Annabelle said, wiping her eyes. "I don't know what I'm doing with my life, Gina. I majored in Psychology, but I have no idea where to go with it."

"You don't have to rush in to anything, not until you feel ready."

"You're not gonna ask me for my five-year plan?" Annabelle said, smiling slightly.

"Do you have one?" Gina asked.

Annabelle gave little laugh. "No? I heard Dad and Pepper talking a while back about offering me a position at SI, but I just don't know what I want. I don't want any success I have in life just to come from Dad."

"That's understandable," said Gina, nodding. "Do you have any ideas?"

Annabelle sighed. "A few, I think? I know I want to do something in Mom's memory, not sure what yet but it'll take a few years at least to set whatever I do up. I'm gonna do some charity work for the next few months you know? I'll set some volunteering lined up until I – what?"

Gina's face changed in to something of a mixture of fear, unease and also somewhat sympathetic. She tried to school her expression but failed miserably. "Nothing."

"Gina."

Gina bit her lip. "I'm just… I'm just not sure right now is the time to be throwing your name out there with charity work…"

"Okay, one minute you're asking me what I plan on doing and then the next you're steering me away from the one thing I'm actually set on?" Annabelle was beyond confused. "What is going on, Gina?"

"I knew you hadn't heard," Gina sighed, hanging her head as she shook it. "I knew you hadn't the moment you didn't mention it."

"Heard what?" Annabelle questioned. "What are you talking about?"

"This isn't something I want to discuss with you here," Gina said.

She stood and gathered everything back in to the bag, motioning Annabelle to follow. She walked off, leaving the younger woman to jog to keep up. They made it back to the car, the driver moving to open the doors. Gina whispered something to him and he nodded, but her bag in the trunk and walked away, confusing Annabelle even more. Gina stepped in her side, closing the door and Annabelle had no choice but to follow suit.

"Spill."

Gina pulled out her phone, pulling something up on the screen but held it away from Annabelle. "You haven't been on Twitter or read the newspapers or anything?"

"Gina, I haven't even checked my phone since I got on the plane in London, I'm pretty sure it's currently dead at yours and I'll have a tonne of missed calls from Tony."

"Anna…" Gina said softly, turning her phone round to show the image that had been released of Annabelle Tony, and the string of comments beneath it. "Somehow… the press got hold of this photo of you and Tony walking on the beach. I'm not sure if it was a pap or just someone random that managed to get in the area but it's out there now and everyone has seen it. There're rumours, Anna, about who you are… and they're not about you being his daughter."

"You what?" Annabelle said, confused. She took the phone from Gina, reading the comments. It was sickening. She exited the page and searched for more, bring up article upon article of people speculating who she was and her relationship to Tony. It seemed not one person seemed to think they were related by blood. "They think I'm – that he's – oh God. I'm gonna be sick."

"Breathe, Annabelle," Gina said, rubbing circles in the young woman's back as she stuttered. "I've spoke to Tony and to Pepper; they're trying to sort it out, do damage control and try and calm everything down. Maybe just lay low for a while."

Annabelle shook her head. "And let the fear of press rule me? I can't let this ruin the only plans for my life that I've managed to make."

"What are you saying?" Gina asked, unsure.

"I'm saying…" Annabelle sighed, handing the phone back. "That maybe it's time to come clean; tell the world I'm the daughter of the Tony Stark."

"Anna…"

"Gina," Annabelle said, feeling the fight leave her. "To be honest, I've been waiting for this to happen again, I'm actually quite surprised it took this long. I can't – I'm not going to have Tony's name dragged through the mud to keep who I am hidden. It's not fair and it'll end up affecting everyone, not just me and Tony. It will hurt Pepper and it could end up hurting you to, and that's not right."

"I get it, I do, and I understand, baby girl," Gina said softly, taking Annabelle's hand. "But you have to be sure about this, Anna, because there's no going back once it's out there."

"I know, I'm sure." There was determination written on her face and in her voice and Gina knew there was no backing down from this. Once she had her mind set on something solid, you wouldn't be able to change it.

"It's time the world knew I'm Tony Stark's daughter."