Hey everyone sorry this took so long had to move out of my apartment and deal with some summer school issues. The decision shall be revealed and we get some Father daughter time along with a Skype call with our favorite British teleporter. This chapter's mostly for character development, plus Nora's been through enough she deserves a bit of happiness. Please read and review. Thank you and enjoy :)
'I can't believe I'm doing this.' I thought to myself.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to John F Kennedy International Airport. Local Time is 12:30pm local time and the weather is currently 40 degrees." The captain said.
Forty Degrees? I was already regretting this. Everyone waited until the plane came to a complete stop before unbuckling their seatbelts and grabbing their things. I brought a carryon for my laptop and tablet. I packed light. Dad said I should go shopping while I was in town, which was code for I already had someone buy you a new wardrobe but I'm not telling you.
I grabbed my luggage and walked out of the terminal. There were a few drivers holding signs up except for one who was holding a tablet with my first initial and the last name Martell.
I told dad I could take a cab. I walked over to him.
"Hi," I said.
"I'm sorry ma'am I'm not with the airport." He said rather rudely trying to hold the sign up to those passing by.
"I'm the one you're waiting for." I said.
"I highly doubt that kid, you're missing a few letters at the end of your name to be Doctor Martell." He said.
"Want to see some ID?" I asked.
"Not now kid." He said.
I sighed. I pulled out my phone and dialed dad. He answered on the second ring.
"Hey kid your flight land on time?" He asked.
"It did you sent someone for me?" I asked.
"Yeah, I sent Happy, he's probably holding up a tablet with your name."
"I know he doesn't think I'm who he's supposed to pick up." I said glaring at Happy with a smirk.
Dad sighed, "Put Hogan on the phone."
"It's for you." I said holding out the phone to him.
"Who is it your Dad?" He said sarcastically. Wow, Got it right on the first go.
"It's your boss, you might want to talk to him." I said.
"Oh yeah right," He said taking the phone. "Hey listen here jerk I…." Then I heard dad's voice and Happy paled.
"Uh sorry sir, I'll bring her right over." He said before hanging up and handing me back the phone. "I'm so sorry about that I thought…"
"You thought Tony was punking you. It's okay I get it." I said.
"Let me help you with your bags." He said grabbing my suitcase.
"Thank you." I said as I followed him to the parking structure.
"That's our limo." Happy said.
"Limo?" I said looking at him.
"Mr. Stark said to give you the celebrity treatment." Happy said.
I told dad to keep it simple, I guess he decided to ignore me. Happy opened the door and I got in and surprise surprise dad was in there.
"Uh Hi." I said.
"Hi. You actually came."
"I did, almost got back on the plane when I saw the snow though." I said shivering.
"Good thing I had your new wardrobe stocked with coats and sweaters." He said handing me a coat. "Figured you'd be cold."
"Thanks, the cardi's more for show than anything. So what's the plan for the day?"
"Don't know I was thinking lunch at this Italian place I go to, go see a few of the sights, maybe even give you a tour of the tower…"
"Sounds good. Can we stop by the penthouse so I can grab some warmer clothes." I said.
"Sure, Happy to the penthouse." He told his body guard/friend.
"Before I forget, here's the key." He said handing me a set of keys with an Iron man Mask keychain.
"Cool, you know any good grocery stores in the area I have to stock up." I told dad.
"Kid seriously, look who you're talking to, that's all been taken care of. It you need anything tell Jarvis and he'll have someone bring it over." He said.
"You have Jarvis installed in the penthouse?"
"Of course what is this the stone age."
"Forget I asked."
"So I got your plans for the house. The contractor will start tomorrow and should be done by the time you get back."
"That's good it'll be nice to not have to live in a construction site."
"You know you could just move up here permanently." Dad said again.
"But it's snowing…" I whined.
"Not all year."
"Name five things that make New York better than Dallas."
"I'll do you one better, I'll show you." Dad said with a smirk.
We went up to the penthouse and I grabbed a change of clothes. I grabbed a chunky knit beige sweater top with dark jeans and warm brown boots. Whoever dad had pick out my new wardrobe did a great job. Everything was my size and was my style.
I changed quickly and we were off.
"First stop, Lunch." Dad said.
"What are we having?" I asked.
"Something you can only get here." He said. After twenty minutes in grid locked traffic we arrived at a small pizza place. We all got a slice of pepperoni. We were sitting at one of the tables when a bunch of kids came over asking for dad's autograph. Dad posed while I took a few pictures and by the time I was done with that my pizza was cold. I didn't complain, cold pizza is great.
Next stop the Met.
"I thought it was time you got to see your favorite painting in person." Dad said.
I looked at the small canvas of the original Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh. "I thought it'd be bigger," I said making Dad laugh.
"That's what she said." Dad muttered.
"You're like five years too late with that pun." I said chuckling a bit.
"And we're done." Dad says leading me out.
After more driving in traffic, I've had enough. I got out of my seat and moved over so I was closer to the front.
"Happy, can you pull over please." I said.
"Uh sure." He said looking at the rear view mirror.
"See something you want to check out?" dad said confused.
"I need a break, I just got off a plane, I need to stretch my legs." I said.
"That's good we're pretty close anyway. We can walk the rest of the way." He said.
"You sure? Anytime you step out in public you tend to draw a crowd." I reminded him. No matter where we ended up there was always someone who noticed him. This was what it was like every time dad went out. I don't want that. I'm not ready for that. I can bet anyone whatever they want that our outing was going to end up on a magazine cover or on TMZ later.
"It'll be fine, I have a hoodie and glasses." He said pulling out said items.
"That is so not going to work."
"Want to bet?"
We get out of the car and walk down the block and dad was actually right. No one bothered to give him a second look. Everyone was just too caught up with getting to where ever they had to be. We walked a few blocks before we got to Central Park.
"Wow, this place is huge." I said looking around. The entire place was covered in snow but I could imagine how nice it must be when it wasn't.
"It is, good place to go for a morning jog." He mentioned. I liked to run in the mornings and I loved doing it in Texas because of how big the ranch was and the big wide-open spaces. There was even a lake nearby. I did ten miles each morning going to and from the lake.
"Maybe but who wants to run in this." I said reaching down and touching the snow.
"They have indoor gyms too."
"It's not the same."
"You run and get gross and sweaty. What's the difference?" He said.
"There's no better rush than running and seeing the world pass you by and feeling the wind rushing past you." I said.
"I can get you a fan?" Dad offered making me laugh.
"You really think I need a fan in this weather.
"Come on, I'll get us some coffee from the stand."
We walked around and drank our coffees. After a while we stopped at a bridge to watch the sunset.
"How are you liking it so far?" dad said.
"The coffee beans are a bit burned but it is warm." I answer.
"I meant New York." Dad said rolling his eyes.
"It's a lot different that Dallas but I can see the appeal." I said "that traffic though."
"Yeah, that's never going to change."
"Next stop." Dad said pulling his phone out.
Happy picked us up and we were off. We got out of the car. I looked around and saw we were at a theater. The sign above the ticket stand read Broadway in big bright lights.
Dad decided to take advantage of my love for all things Disney to try and convince me to move to New York and tell the world who I was and worst of all it was working. Well it would've if it weren't for the Aya's voice in the back of my head.
'It's only temporary, you know it can't happen.' Aya's voice echoed.
"Two front row seats to the Lion King." Dad said and it happened again.
"Mommy look its Iron Man." A little boy said.
"Timmy don't point, Oh my god you're Tony Stark." The boy's mom said.
"Going out on a limb and say you're a fan." Dad said.
"Yes you are amazing, thank you so much for everything you do. You probably don't remember but you saved us last year during the invasion." She said.
"That seems like forever ago." Dad said sadly.
"Can I get you're autograph?" The little boy said.
"Uh, I'll do you one better. How about a picture?" Dad offered.
The little boy just nodded. His mom took out a camera and was staying out of the picture.
"Why don't you get in the picture ma'am? I can take it." I offered.
"Oh thank you," She said happily. I snapped a few pictures and handed her back the camera.
"Actually can you take one of us?" Dad asked her.
"Of course." She said smiling. Dad unlocked his phone and explained which button to press. She snapped one of us before thanking us again and walking away.
"Show's about to start." Dad said before we walked in.
By the time the show was over it was really late.
"I have one last thing to show you" he said. "And you need to put this on." He said pulling out a blindfold.
"Really?"
"Yup turn around." I did as he said and he put it on.
A couple of minutes later the car stopped. I heard the door open and then mine was open.
"Up and at em, we're here." Dad said. "Watch your head."
"Would if I could." I said.
"Okay, hold onto me and walk." Dad said. I heard a ding and the sound of doors opening. We walked forward and then stopped. I felt the same rising and sinking feeling of riding an elevator before we stopped. There was a ding and then we walked again.
"There are a few steps in front of you so step down three steps." I did as he said. "Okay now keep going. Six more steps and stop." He takes off the blindfold and I open my eyes.
"Wow, now that's a view." I said.
"Exactly what'd you'd expect ninety five floors up." He says bragging a bit.
"Where are we?" I said.
"Avengers Tower, my baby, well my other baby." He said with a smile.
"Cute, You upgraded." I said looking around.
"Yeah after the invasion the place was in shambles and I thought it was a good time for a remodel. Well another one." He said.
"It looks good. A lot more modern. More homey than the bachelor pad you designed before."
"It was not a bachelor pad.."
"Dad you modeled the bar after a seventy's ski lodge. The only thing you needed was a mounted moose head or something." I said.
"What no…"
"Jarvis when did dad design the previous bar?" I asked.
"That would be after he and Miss Potts watched the film 'Hot Tub Time Machine'" He answered.
"I rest my case." I said.
"Might I say ma'am it is wonderful to have you here." Jarvis added.
"You were programmed to say that weren't you?"
"I am not permitted to disclose that but it is a possibility." The AI answered. I turned to look at dad.
"What can I say it's really good to have you here. I've been trying to get you out here for years. Literally."
"I know and I wanted to visit but life always got in the way."
"It has been a complicated few years."
"You became Iron Man."
"You graduated early and went to med school"
"Aliens invaded New York"
"You went missing and joined the army."
"You challenged a terrorist on TV"
"You asked your mentor in the army to move in with you."
"Yeah,"
"Are you sure you two aren't a thing?" Dad asked again.
"Dad, Wren and I are just friends. Strictly platonic. We're just two people who were in a bad situation that had a lot in common that became unlikely friends."
"Then why is he moving in?" He asked.
"What's this really about?"
"I'm just trying to figure this out. You've never been bothered by living alone why now all of a sudden do you decide to get a roommate." Dad asked.
"I spent a lot of time alone and after everything I don't want to isolate myself anymore. Wren and I got along so well because we were both going through kind of the same thing. Also it's really hard to find people I can get along with and he's one of the few that can handle me. He's a good guy once you give him a chance." I said.
"Okay I'll give it a rest it's just the way you two bicker kind of reminds me of the way Pepper and I bicker."
"Yeah only difference is you two are an actual thing. We on the other hand strictly friends and that is never going to change."
"If you say so."
"I know so." I let out a yawn. "I think it might be time to head back."
"You know you could spend the night here." Dad offered.
"Thanks but I'd rather head back to the penthouse. I have a full day planned out starting with a morning run and followed by hours at the library."
"Fine but we're having moving night tomorrow." He said.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." I said as we walked to the elevator.
"If you need anything…"
"I'll let Jarvis know." I finished.
"Good," he said. He pulled me into a hug and we split apart before the doors opened. "Have a good night."
"You too." I got into the limo and Happy started driving me back to the penthouse.
"How'd you enjoy your first day in the city ma'am?" He asked.
"It was good, it's a lot more crowded than Dallas. Also you can just call me Nora." I said.
"How long have you known Mr. Stark?" He asked.
"A few years. MIT." I said.
"Kid genius too huh." He said.
"Not really."
"How old are you again?"
"Twenty." I said casually.
"And you're already a doctor?"
"Kind of…" I said.
"How are you kind of a doctor?"
"Well I'm a surgeon and a Ph.D so depends on your definition of doctor." I said.
"Again, kid genius." He said.
"Get a lot of those around here?"
"No just the way you and the boss act. Its uncanny." He said.
"We just know each other pretty well. Its hard to find people with common ground." I said.
"We're here." He said.
"Thanks for the ride Happy. Good night." I said as I got out of the car.
I got up to the penthouse and slipped off my boots and coat. My phone started ringing and I saw it was from Wren.
"Hey you." I said happily.
"Hey I'm just checking in as promised." He said.
"Still on base?" I asked.
"Just got back for a day or two before heading out. Had to restock and the squad had to be debriefed." He said.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah just lot of uprisings in the area." He said sadly.
"Saw some stuff on the news but I'm not sure what's real and what's exaggerated." I said.
"You got out at just the right time." He said. Wren looked exhausted. "Where are you? That doesn't look like the ranch."
"Um, I'm in New York. Decided to visit Dad, spent the month while the contractor finished the remodel."
"So you're going for it? You're going public?" he said surprised.
"Um, not exactly."
"What do you mean?"
"I talked to Aya, apparently now isn't the right time to go public but that didn't mean I couldn't be in New York. Actually she kind of encouraged me said I needed to get out more." I said.
"Well she is right? How was the first day?"
"Dad decided to show me the five things he thought made New York better than Dallas. Started off with pizza where we were surrounded by his fans, which distracted us and I had cold pizza not that I minded. Went to the Met where we stopped at the exit by more fans. Made it to Central Park saw the sunset, it was pretty."
"And then you got surrounded by fans?" He asked.
"No actually Dad wore a hoodie and glasses and they didn't notice."
"Seriously?"
"I know I was surprised too. Caught a show on Broadway. Finally got to see the Lion King. Then he blindfolded me and took me to the ninety fifth floor of Avengers Tower for the view." I said.
"Someone's pulling out all the stops." Wren said.
"Yeah, he is." I said sadly.
"You feel guilty." Wren said
"Dad really wants me to stay, do the father daughter thing without having to hide and I want that, I really do but…"
"Aya won't let you." He said.
"I'm lucky she even let me come to New York. I feel like I'm leading him on and making him think this can actually happen and I feel like shit for it." I said.
"Nora, it's okay."
"No its not Wren. I'm here for a month and its great and at the end what am I supposed to say sorry dad this isn't working out? This isn't the end of a relationship it's my dad one of the few constants in my life. One of my best friends. The yin to my yang. The robin to my batman." I said.
"Technically you'd be the oracle to his batman." Wren said.
"You been reading the comics I sent you?" I asked.
"I had a bit of down time. Very entertaining." He said.
"I'll introduce you to anime later. You had a very sheltered childhood." I said.
"What did you expect, I was raised in an orphanage." He said.
"I'll ease you into it, by the time I'm done you'll be singing Disney songs in the shower."
"I highly doubt that." He said making me laugh.
"What time is it over there?" He said suddenly realizing the time.
"It's about one in the morning."
"What are you still doing up?" he said sternly.
"Talking to you."
"You should have said something, go to sleep and while you're there eat something other than hot dogs and coffee. I'm serious." He said.
"Yes Dad..." I said sarcastically.
"You know our deal I take care of myself over here you take care of yourself over there."
"I remember and I do take care of myself."
"Nora I've seen you go three days eating nothing but a granola bar and copious amounts of coffee. How many times have I said coffee is not a food group?"
"I remember and I promise I'll try to eat from another food group. Does popcorn count as a vegetable?" I said jokingly.
"Don't make me teleport to New York, you know I will." He said threatening me.
"I get it, I will eat. I'll turn into a hipster and take pictures of all my meals and send it to you if you want." I said.
"Don't exaggerate just be healthy I've grown rather fond of you and no longer completely hate your guts."
"Did you really hate my guts to begin with?" I said.
"Good night Nora." He said
"Fine, I'll talk to you later. Have a good day." I said before hanging up.
I changed into a grey thermal long sleeve and lilac and dark purple spot bottoms. I hopped into the bed and got under the covers. I was almost asleep when a thought crossed my head.
"Jarvis?"
"Yes Miss Stark?"
"Are there any cameras in the pent house?"
"No Miss your vitals and heat signature are recorded just to make sure you are safe"
"So you didn't hear the conversation I had earlier."
"Any conversations you have are only recorded if you request it."
"And there's no way Dad can see what I'm doing in here or what I say or who I talk to and what about?"
"No Miss, Mr. Stark has ensured you have all the privacy and security you may require and might I add ma'am your father has been preparing for your arrival for quite some time."
"Way to pour salt on the wound buddy." I said.
"Good night Miss" he said.
"Night." I said rolling over and closing my eyes.
The next morning-
I got up like I normally did except the first thing I saw when I sat up was the New York skyline. Everything in the Penthouse was connected to Jarvis so when I sat up the curtains opened and the light came though.
"Good morning Miss Stark. It is currently seven forty five in the morning, eastern daylight time. The weather is currently a high forty-eight degrees. Would you like to order breakfast?" Jarvis asked.
"No thank you," I said yawning and stretching.
"I'm going to go for a run first then come back and whip something up."
"Yes miss, I suggest you wear the clothes on the top left drawer of the dresser. They should be appropriate to keep you warm on your run."
I got up and pulled them out. "Perfect, Jarvis can you find the best running route for this morning."
"I shall send it to your phone at once Miss."
"Thank you."
I got dressed in black thermal leggings and grey long sleeve dry fit top. I put on a black puffer vest over it and a grey knit beanie. I put on my earphones, grabbed my phone and put on my gloves before I was off.
I walked out of the building lobby and stopped when I saw Happy.
"Morning." He said when he saw me.
"Morning." I said confused as to why he was there.
"Mr. Stark sent me. I'm at your service. Anywhere you need to go or anything you need I'm your man." He said.
"Uh, Happy no offense but I'm a big girl I don't need a babysitter." I said.
"I know that but its my job." He said.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah."
"I thought you were head of security at Stark Industries?"
"I haven't been cleared to go back to work after what happened in December." He said.
"Don't like sitting still huh?" I said.
"No."
"If you're stuck here you may as well head upstairs." I said handing him the keys.
"I can take you where you need to go?" Happy said.
"I'm going for a run." I said.
"Oh sounds good I'll go with you."
"It's ten miles." I said.
"Or I could wait here."
"Go upstairs sit back relax, watch TV or a movie and if you can make some coffee that'd be great." I said.
"My show is almost on." He said contemplating it.
"Go upstairs just leave the door unlocked."
"Fine but keep your phone on."
"I will." And with that I started running. Jarvis was giving me directions to the park and I was playing some music.
"Pause music." I said and it stopped. "Call Dad." I said.
"Dialing Mr. Stark" Jarvis said. He answered on the third ring.
"Morning kid." He greeted.
"Why did you send Happy to babysit me?" I asked.
"I didn't send him to babysit you, I just thought you might like some company." He said.
"Still babysitting." I said.
"Look, Happy has been getting a bit stir crazy and has been driving me crazy so I gave him something to do. He can be a bit much but give him a chance."
"Okay but just for today. He almost came with me on my run but talked him into going up stairs and watching TV." I said.
"Probably watching Downton Abbey." Dad said,
"Seriously?" I said.
"Yeah, huge fan. Gotta go see you at dinner." He said before hanging up.
Looks like I have a chaperone. I continued running around Central Park and made it back to the penthouse in an hour or so.
Just like dad had said Happy was watching Downton Abbey. As soon as he saw me coming in he quickly changed the channel.
"How's Lady Crawley?" I said with a smirk as I walked in.
"Uh who?" he said suddenly very nervous.
"uhuh, I'm hopping in the shower." I said as I walked into the bedroom.
I came out dressed in a cream-colored turtleneck and dark navy jeans with tan colored boots. I wore my pocket watch necklace and the arc reactor necklace that was tucked under my shirt.
"Hope you like breakfast sandwiches." I said before going over to the kitchen and starting on breakfast. I came out twenty minutes later with two plates. I put one in front of Happy before I grabbed the remote and switched it to the channel Downton Abbey was showing.
Happy just turned to give me a look.
"Doctor Who starts in ten minutes." I said.
"We ate in silence until I was done with breakfast and so was he. I grabbed the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. I grabbed my bag with my laptop and book bag before putting it down on one of the couches.
"So I need a ride to the library." I said. "You mind?"
"No lets go and thanks for breakfast that was by far the best breakfast I've ever had."
"Bacon grease, bad for your body but tastes amazing." I said.
"What are you checking out at the library?"
"Nothing just going to study for a few hours."
"What are you studying for?" happy asked confused.
"Boards. I have three weeks to review a years worth of knowledge which I learned in six months." I said.
"How'd that happen?"
"I joined the army." That's when we pulled over in front of the library. "Thanks for the ride. See you when the library closes."
Later that Day-
I was studying when I looked up and saw how much darker it was than when I got there. When I got there I put on my earphones put on my study/all nighter playlist and got in the zone. I thought it was time for me to go. I packed my things and walked out of the library. I waved goodbye to the friendly librarian and walked out. I was expecting to see Happy and a limo but instead I saw Dad leaning against one of his cars.
"I thought I was going to have to go in there and pry you away from your desk." Dad said.
"I think the librarian was going to beat you to it." I said realizing just how late it really was.
"I got us reservations to this place Pepper loves but I just had them deliver instead. It's movie night." He said.
"Shit sorry." I said.
"It's not a big deal. I forgot how caught up you can get with studying. Did you eat lunch at least?" he said as my stomach started growling. "I'll take that as a no."
"I kind of lost track of time." I said and thought just how ironic that statement was.
Dad sighed, "let's go, you're having a three course meal including dessert and not touching another book until tomorrow."
"But Daaad," I whined.
"No buts, only way I'm letting you pull an all nighter is if you're working on a side project in the lab."
"Can I do both?" I asked.
"Sure just not tonight. It's my turn to pick the movie." He said.
"What are we watching?"
"You'll see."
Back at the Penthouse I changed into a pair of sweats and an old ACDC T-shirt. I went back to the living room where dad was taking out the food from it's back.
"I got you salad and pasta a la carbonara." He said. "Or you can have a Chicken Parm."
"I'll take the carbonara. Are there any breadsticks?" I asked.
"Even better I got garlic knots." He said.
"Awesome." I said grabbing one. "So what movie are we watching?"
"It's an old one. The first Star Wars. I watched it when it came out. Jarvis the original was supposed to take me but he had to go run an errand for your Grandfather. I was pretty pissed but one of dad's assistants; I don't remember her name also wanted to go see it. She volunteered to take me. Your grandfather was happy to get me out of his hair while he finished his presentation so he agreed. She was one of the few people who talked to me like an actual person not someone they had to keep happy."
"You never talk about them, Gramps and Grandma, I mean."
"There's not really much to tell. The happiest day of your Grandpa's life was when he shipped me off to boarding school. The Worst day was when I got kicked out." Dad said sounding resentful.
"Why'd you get kicked out?" I asked.
"I caused a minor explosion with my miniature rocket."
"But you used to build weapons for a living?"
"The rocket didn't explode, the generator it crashed into did."
"Oh, Gramp's must have been pissed."
"Oh he was, Mom on the other hand she was proud. Making a working rocket at age six she was impressed. She did give me the whole have to be responsible for my actions and damage to property was unacceptable. Be more careful. Yada yada."
"I remember my first explosion."
"At five and a half, trying to make your own generator, so proud." Dad said with a smile.
"I'd never seen Nana turn so red." I said laughing.
"She was also very proud of you."
"I'm sure she was after the fire was put out." I said.
"I remember that phone call. I didn't know if I should laugh, cry or yell. Probably the closest I ever felt to Howard."
"Say what you want about Gramps but if it wasn't for the fact you two didn't get along we probably wouldn't be as close." I said.
"Yeah, maybe. I just wish he wasn't such a jerk. I don't know how mom put up with him. That woman was a saint."
"What was she like?" I asked.
"A lot like you actually. Smart, I can't tell you how many times I watched her trick you grandfather into doing something without him realizing. Kind, She started the Stark Foundation, said she didn't want to just be a trophy wife. Patient and no matter how much I probably disappointed her and Howard she never gave up on me."
"She sounds amazing."
"She was, we should eat before the food gets cold." Dad said taking a bite of his chicken. That was my hint to drop the subject. I already got him to talk about it more than he normally would have.
"I'll start the movie." I said reaching the remote and started the opening crawl with the very familiar words,
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away