Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel; only Rebecca and the world surrounding her.
White Walls - The Maine
Welcome to Lithe from the To Build A Home Series!
Thanks to BlackcatLover13 and everyone that reviewed, favorited, and subscribed to this story so far!
Here's the start of Iron Man 2! We're getting very close to some one appearing very very soon!
White Walls
We bleed the same blood
You and me
We bleed the same blood
The way that the river runs through
I bleed for you
2010
Becca sneezed as the strong smell of hairspray entered her nose. She didn't even know which direction that whiff came from since she was literally standing in a room that if you would have lit a match the place might have went up in flames.
"Ms. Stark. 10 Minutes until show time."
Said girl thanked the assistant and before going back to the times on the paper in her hands. This was her final college assignment. If one thing went wrong tonight she wouldn't graduate. It's kind of funny how she was more nervous about graduating college than when she was being tortured on a mission. Oh, how her life has changed.
"Alright ladies! Let's get out to the backstage!" Becca called out to the woman that were stationed all around the dressing room. They were clad in a red and gold two piece that was basically just flashier bikini. Also, red high heeled boots and matching elbow length gloves. The gloves and the bikini top had round glowing lights in the center of each. If you couldn't tell by just the description they were dressed as something someone would wear for a sexy version of the Iron Man suit Halloween costume.
For her final project, she created a routine for an event. But not just any event. Her father decided now was the perfect time to bring back the Stark Expo, now that they were officially out of the war fair game. Tonight was opening night and they had asked her to coordinate the opening ceremony.
The ladies all lined up in the two lanes they had been assigned to since the first day of rehearsal. Which started about 3 weeks ago. They were all underclassmen, so her advisor since day one, Ms. Gabbert decided to use her senior project by killing two birds with one stone. And as she waited in the wings, seeing her advisor in the crowd, her nerves were skyrocketing.
"Becca, you okay?" Happy slid up next to her, taking a look out at the crowd as well.
"Nope. Think I'm going to vomit." She said, swallowing the lump in her throat.
"Do you need something? What do you need? I'll go get you something. Should I tell Tony to cancel the landing?" His words rushed out one after another like they always did when the security guard was nervous.
"Haps, calm down. I'm fine." She placed a soothing hand on his shoulder. Soothing him down actually made her nerves settle. It made her role of the 'sweetheart' so much truer. Her father was the reckless and she was guardian. And now tonight they were both on the stage to celebrate the life of her grandfather.
"Ms. Stark, we have only 1 minute left." The assistant came running back over to her, the headset falling down her black hair. She, like everyone here, just wanted this to go as smooth as possible.
Becca nodded, finally turning away from Happy and the crowd to see the girls wide eyed and edgy. She knew that feeling all too well. "Okay, ladies. You're going to be great. You've all worked so hard on this routine and I'm truly blessed to have such talented women as you guys. So, go out there have some fun and kill it!"
The group cheered back at her in agreement. The young Stark got the attention of the audio technician, giving him a thumb's up to get things going. As 'Shoot to Thrill' by ACDC started blasting through the convention center the ladies took their cues to head out onto the stage. The girl's followed through with their routine, before lining up in the back to wait for the big surprise. Rebecca looked up at the opening in the ceiling of the event center opened and in came her father. Clad in his Iron Man suit, Tony landed on the stage getting a giant rise out of the crowd. The ladies continued to dance as he spun around in a circle, the suit slowly being taken off of him by robots out of the stage.
As the girls finished up the final movements of the routine with the song, her shoulders finally fell from their spot so close to her ears from tension. It happened and without a single flaw. She was honestly so relieved that she was one step closer to being done with school.
"Oh, it's good to be back!" Tony celebrated, as the girls took their routes off the stage, leaving him in the center of it alone. The crowd hollered in celebration with excitement and asking her father to 'blow something up'. Which he responded back with "I already did that."
"I'm not saying, that the world isn't enjoying its longest period of uninterrupted peace in years because of me." And Tony's egomaniac speech reined on gathering the cheering and applauds from the crowd. "And I'm not saying that from the ashes of captivity, never has a greater phoenix metaphor been personified in human history. I'm not saying that Uncle Sam can kick back on a lawn chair, sipping on an ice tea, because I haven't come across anyone who's man enough to go toe to toe with me on my best day."
Becca really couldn't help the dramatic eye roll that fell upon her face, hearing Happy snicker from beside her. Tony Stark really was something else.
"Please, it's not about me. It's not about you. It's not even about us. It's about legacy. And to help me with that, I would like to present to you one of my greatest accomplishments. Say hello to the grace of this family and the one who put together this opening ceremony here tonight, my daughter. Rebecca Stark."
She took one last deep breathe before walking out from behind the scenes. It was almost comical how quickly she can turn into the part of heirloom that she had grown up with. The cheap, soft smile fell onto her lips, her body stood up even straighter than normal, and her hand came up to wave at the cheering crowd watching her. Studying and analyzing everything she does.
"We honestly can't thank you all enough for coming out and celebrating tonight with us." Becca looked out across the faces, trying to not forget the speech in her head. "As my father was saying, tonight is about looking onward. It's about what we choose to leave behind for future generations and that's why for the next year, and for the first time since 1974, the best and brightest men and women of nations and corporations the world over will pool their resources, share their collective vision to leave behind a brighter future."
"It's not about us." Tony gently placed his hand of her daughter's back for emphasis. "Therefore, what I'm saying, if we've been up here saying anything at all, is welcome back to the Stark Expo!" He gave Becca a soft smile, knowing this was a lot for her but that she was doing such a good job as the crowd continued to roar in celebration.
"Now, we have a special guest appearance," Becca took control of the crowd again, "from the great beyond to tell you what it's all about, please welcome my grandfather, Howard Stark."
The two Starks crossed paths across the stage to each go to the opposite side as the video played of Howard, for the audience to watch from the first expo so many years ago.
"Rebecca, that was fantastic!" Ms. Gabbert met with the young dancer immediately in the shadows of the wing.
"I'm so glad you enjoyed it, the girls did an absolutely phenomenal job." Becca gushed right back with her professor. "They deserve almost all the credit."
"Oh dear, always so humble. It's trait I certainly enjoy about you."
As Ms. Gabbert continued to congratulate Becca on the performance and so on, she couldn't help but take notice to her father on the other side of the stage. He looked off. He was the one that was so gung-ho about bringing this back, but there was something off with his attitude. Something wasn't sitting right, and she was going to figure it out.
They finished up the end of the presentation which was quick and painless. Happy navigated the two out of the hordes of people, mostly girls literally throwing themselves at her father. They were technically done for the evening, Becca wanted nothing more than to go back to her apartment, eat pizza, and sleep while Tony wanted to celebrate.
"Are you sure you're not a 98-year-old grandmother?" Tony joked with his kid.
"I like to sleep; sue me." She barked back before thanking Happy for holding the door open for her.
"That wasn't so bad." Happy interjected between the two family members.
"No, it was perfect." Tony agreed with him as the three walked to the parking lot.
"And look what we got here, the new model." Happy unlocked some white car that Becca had no idea what it was, but there was a woman leaning up against the driver's side door with a piece of paper in hand.
"Does she come with the car?"
"I certainly hope so."
"You both are gross." Becca glared at the two of them before giving the women a soft smile as she walked around her.
"And you are?" Tony asked after the two greeted each other.
"Marshall." The redhead told him, shaking each other's hand.
"Irish. I like it."
"Pleased to meet you, Tony." She had a sickening sweet attitude about her that was making Becca uneasy. Happy took the top down on the car, while Becca pulled herself into the backseat.
"Where you from?" Tony walked around to the driver's side.
"Bedford."
"Yeah, and what are you doing here?"
"Looking for you."
"Yeah? You found me." Tony fell into the driver's seat with Happy taking his place in the passenger. "Tell me, what are you up to later?"
"Serving subpoenas." She smirked, holding the paper out to him.
Everyone in the car had a quiet 'oh shit' moment over them. "Yikes." Tony pursed his lips, looking down at the steering wheel.
Becca cleared her throat, holding her hand out of the side to take the paper from the lady. "He doesn't like to be handed things."
"Yeah, I have a peeve."
The woman didn't give a damn though. "You are hereby ordered to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee tomorrow morning at 9 A.M."
"Can I see a badge?"
"You want to see a badge?"
Happy nodded. "He likes the badge."
The redhead smiled, holding up the star badge for him to get a long look at. "You still like it?" She slowly walked away from the car.
"What the hell did you do this time?" Becca sighed, reading over the paperwork.
"Oh, you know, just doing my damn job probably." Tony started the car, before looking over at Happy. "How far away are we from D.C.?"
"D.C.? 250 miles." Happy explained to him.
"Bec, what's your life like tomorrow?" He looked in the rearview mirror at his daughter.
Her eyes glared up from the paper to look at him in the mirror. "Not spending it in D.C."
"Hmm, too bad." And with those words he sped off, taking them off to the nation's capital without giving them a choice in the matter.
"I know this is odd for me to say, but I honestly can't believe we are still here."
Becca snorted at Pepper's comment that she had whispered in her ear. They were currently in the Senate hearing room going into the second part of her father's hearing of the day. Before they had an hour recess they were getting basically no real answer from Tony and she highly assumed it would be the same now. The two women were seated in the second row while Tony was in the interrogation seat upfront. Now, while he should have been paying attention to the members seat in front of him, he was trying to get their attention.
"Mr. Stark," Senator Stern banged the gavel, trying to regain his focus, "could we pick up now where we left off? Mr. Stark, please."
It finally took the fifth time of Pepper telling Tony to turn back around to do as he was told. "Yes, dear?" His comment getting a chuckle from the otherwise usually cold room.
"Can I have your attention?"
"Absolutely."
The Senator wore the fakest, smuggest smile. "Do you or do you not possess a specialized weapon?"
"I do not." Tony got up close to the microphone to make sure he was heard crystal clear.
"You do not?"
"I do not…well it depends on how you define the word weapon."
"The Iron Man weapon." Senator Stern sat back in his seat, feeling like he was going to win no matter what.
Tony shook his head. "My device does not fit that description."
"Well, how would you describe it?"
"I would describe it by defining it as what it is, Senator."
"As?"
"It's a-" he thought about it for a split second, "-it's a high-tech prosthesis." Gaining another laugh from the crowd, except for Becca and Pepper. "That is actually the most apt description I can make of it."
"It's a weapon." Stern leaned forward again. "It's a weapon, Mr. Stark. I hate to inform you-"
"-Please, if your priority was actually the well-being of the American citizen-"
"-My priority is to get the Iron Man weapon turned over to the people of the United States of America."
Becca could feel herself shrinking into her seat at the confrontation. Everything about it was making her cringe and not want to be in the room anymore to listen to this.
"Well, you can forget it." Tony says matter-of-factly. "I am Iron Man. The suit and I are one. To turn over the Iron Man suit would be to turn over myself which is tantamount to indentured servitude or prostitution, depending on what state you're in." Laughter. "You can't have it."
"L-look, I'm not expert-"
"-In prostitution? Of course not. You're a senator. Come on!" He was again gained the love from the crowd, looking back to give them a peace sign. But what he really saw was his daughter slouched in her seat, hand covering her eyes. He looked over to Pepper sitting next to her, who gave him an unsatisfied look.
"I'm no expert in weapons." Senator Stern regain the attention. "We have somebody here who is an expert on weapons. I'd now like to call Justin Hammer, our current primary weapons contractor."
At the name, both Starks sat up straight, watching the blonde man walk in for the side chamber. The one man who has been trying to combat Stark Industries since he got into this business. And just an all-around nuisance of a person.
"Let the record reflect that I observed Mr. Hammer entering the chamber, and I am wondering if, and when, any actual expert will also be in attendance." Tony snarked, as the man sat down parallel to him.
Stern banged the gavel, again trying to gain the attention of the abnormally active room.
Justin laughed, pulling the microphone close. "Absolutely. I'm no expert. I defer to you, Anthony. You're the wonder boy." Saying the words that he knew even if they didn't get under his skin, they certain made some room in his brain. "Senator, if I may," Justin stood with his microphone to walk around the desk," I may well not be an expert, but you know who was the expert? Your dad." He pointed at Tony. "Howard Stark. Really a father to us all, and to the military-industrial age."
Becca felt Pepper place a hand on her own. And that's when she released she had become tense and was flicking her thumb against the inside of her finger. It's a tick she had acquired when she had started training with knives. When she was at home or in the office, one would find Becca mindlessly twirling a knife in her hand. And when she didn't have something, this tick would come out.
"Let's just be clear," Hammer continued on, "he was no flower child. He was a lion. We all know why we're here. In the last six months, Anthony Stark has created a sword with untold possibilities. And yet, he insists it's a shield. He asks us to trust him as we cower behind it. I wish I were comforted, Anthony, I really do. I'd love to leave my door unlocked when I leave the house, but this ain't Canada. You know, we live in a world of grave threats, threats that Mr. Stark will not always be able to foresee. Thank you. God bless Iron Man. God bless America."
Was that a testimony or a campaign speech with the bullshit that came from his mouth. The only ones he got to clap for him were the Senator's upfront.
"That is well said Mr. Hammer." Senator Stern finally gave a true smile, clearly his workings. "The committee would now like to invite Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes to the chamber."
"Uncle Rhodey?" Becca whispered to herself, turning in her seat with the rest of the audience to see Rhodey walking in clad in his uniform. Tony greeted his friend with a handshake and words between the two that no one else could hear, before the two took their seats.
Senator Stern greeted the Colonel before digging right back. "I have before me a complete report on the Iron Man weapon, complied by Colonel Rhodes. And, Colonel, for the record, can you please read page 57, paragraph four?"
"You're requesting that I read specific selections from my report, Senator?" Rhodey's eyebrows raised so high at the question.
"Yes, sir."
"It was my understanding that I was going to be testifying in a much more comprehensive and detailed manner."
"I understand. A lot of things have changed today. So if you could just read-"
"-You do understand that reading a single paragraph out of context does not reflect the summary of the final-"
"-Just read it, Colonel. I do. Thank you."
Rhodey was annoyed, but he stayed calm even with the Senator clearly using his power in his own favor. He took a moment but read "As he does not operate within any definable branch of government, Iron Man presents a potential threat to the security of both the nation and to her interests." He looked over to his right, honestly feeling horrible for his friend. "I did however, go on to summarize that the benefits of Iron Man far outweigh the liabilities and that it would be in our interest-"
Stern shook his head. "-That's enough Colonel-"
"-to hold Mr. Stark-"
"-that's enough-"
"-into the existing chain of command, Senator."
Tony finally had enough of sitting back and being talked about. "I'm not a joiner, but I'll consider Secretary of Defense, if you ask nice. We can amend the hours a little bit."
Stern just wasn't backing down on how he thought of Tony and Iron Man. "I'd like to go on and show, if I may, the imagery that's connected to your report."
"I believe it is somewhat premature to reveal these images to the general public at this time." Rhodey professed.
"With all due respect, Colonel, I understand. And if you could just narrate those for us, we'd be very grateful. Let's have the images."
The crowd looked over to the TV set up on the left side of the room to see the images.
"Intelligence suggests that the devices seen in these photos are, in fact, attempts at making manned copies of Mr. Stark's suit. This has been corroborated by our allies and local intelligence on the ground indicating that these suits are quite possibly, at this moment operational."
"Hold on a second, buddy. Let me see something here." Tony leaned forward doing something on his phone before hacking into their system to take control of the screens on either side of the room, getting the rise out of the 'higher ups'. "Boy, I'm good. Time for a little transparency. Now, let's see what's really going on."
"What is he doing?" Stern suddenly became nervous.
"If you will direct your attention to said screens, I believe that's North Korea." The video showed a large 'iron man' falling over and proceeding to fire bullets around.
Stern raised from his seat, leaning over the desk. "Can you turn that off?" Justin jumped out of his seat to try to help the Senator while Rhodey simple sat there with his hands perched, just letting things happen.
"Iran." Another explosion as the suit attempted to fly but crashed no more than five seconds later. "No grave threat here."
Becca finally was sitting straight up in her seat, an amused grin overtaking her face. She looked to her left to find Pepper was enjoying it as well, just a little more subtly.
"Is that Justin Hammer? How did Hammer get in the game? Justin, you're on TV. Focus up."
Said man was now trying to rip out every wire and box possible to turn it off as his 'iron man' seemed to have turned the person inside's upper body around to the back. You could hear the man crying out inside. Justin finally unplugged the TV, walking back to his seat in what looked like anger and complete embarrassment.
"Wow. Yeah, I'd say most countries, five, ten years away. Hammer Industries, twenty."
"I'd like to point out that that test pilot survived." Justin grabbed a hold of microphone as fast as he could.
"I think we're done is the point that he's making." Stern pointed, still standing. "I-I-I don't think there's any reason-"
"-The point is, you're welcome, I guess." Tony shrugged.
"For what?"
"Because, I'm your nuclear deterrent. It's working. We're safe. America is secure. You want my property? You can't have it!" Tony slammed his hand on the desk for emphasis. "But I did give you a big favor." He stood and turned to face the crowd. The people that he had made laugh throughout the meeting to gain them on his side. "I've successfully privatized world peace."
As the crowd stood up and applauded to his announcement, Becca slowly sunk down in her seat. Her hand coming up to block out the embarrassing scene in front of her. Her father and Senator Stern continued with harsh words against each other, before Tony took it in his own terms to leave. But not without continuing his political divide as he spoke to the audience and the tv cameras on the way out. There was absolutely no stopping him once he got in this mindset.
Pepper quickly stood up to run after her boss, while Becca stayed there to wait for the crowd to die down. As Senator Stern dismissed the room, Becca grabbed her bag and checked her contents before finally standing up. Looking to her right across the row of seats she found Coulson staring back at her with his hands folded and a smirk present across his lips. She looked around to see if any of her people would be watching, but her father and Pepper had left the room and Rhodey was speaking to the members of the board up front.
"Been here long?" She asked, coming to stand in front of him.
"Was just enjoying the show." Coulson joked, getting a small smile from his operative. "You seemed stressed throughout the whole thing."
"It's hard not to when Tony Stark is on his game." Becca crossed her arms, whispering lower for only their ears. "This isn't anything SHIELD related, correct? Just the government getting involved?"
He nodded, looking over her shoulder for a brief second before back at her. "It's nothing that was ordered under us. I'm simply here to make sure we have the intel if, or when, we are needed to step in."
She scrunched her nose in disgust. "This whole thing is becoming more and more of a hassle."
"Welcome to our world." He laughed, getting her to as well.
"Becca, you ready?" Rhodey called out from his position in the aisle, eyeing the man his niece was speaking with in uneasiness.
"Be right there." She gave him a smile before turning back to her superior. "I'll be back in New York in a few days."
Coulson nodded. "Take your time, you're not on call at the moment."
Becca thanked him before she turned and stepping beside Rhodey.
"Who was that?" He leaned down to ask her as the two walked out of the room.
"An agent I was speaking to back from when Dad disappeared. He just wanted to ask how things were going." The lie easily slipped from her tongue. "A very nice man."
The man nodded, but was still apprehensive to him.
The two met up with Pepper, Tony, and Happy who had stationed himself outside with the car for them to get in and get to the jet. The ride was awkward and it became even more awkward between Tony and Rhodey as the crew made their way on the Stark Jet.
"Tell him to apologize for ambushing me." Tony crossed his feet on the small table in front of him and Pepper.
Rhodey shook his head. "I ambushed you-"
"-Yeah, you did-"
"-because I sent you a report-"
"-oh, you know, I didn't-"
"-a month ago with red letters on the top of it-"
"-did not-"
"-saying 'Tony please fact check is'." The Colonel finally got the last word.
Pepper nodded, tired of this bickering way more than Becca was. "You received it."
"I didn't get that." Tony denied the allegation.
"It was on your desk."
"Oh please, like I remember. That's not fair because you know I wouldn't remember even if I did. Maybe Becca accidently grabbed it."
"Woah!" Said girl pointed a finger, as she was suddenly brought into this fight. No longer able to just stare out the window. "Don't blame me for this."
Tony shrugged, gesturing with his hand. "I'm just saying you might have accidently got a hold of it before heading back to New York."
"First of all, no. And second of all, I haven't been home in over 2 months. Didn't know about it."
"And how do you think that makes your dad feel? Huh? Never home, never answer my calls. It's like you've thrown me away for your new big shot friends in the city."
She gave him a glazed over stare at his words to try to get pity from her. "You are a nightmare."
"I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me." The older Stark pulled his feet off the table before turning back to the argument with his best friend. "Have you apologized yet?"
"I wouldn't hold my breath." Rhodey squinted with the sun reflecting in his eyes through the window.
"This would be a good time. I'm supposed to be Iron Man and you're supposed to have my back-"
"-and I do-"
"-and I got out of the gate and that left a vacuum, and now you're with Hammer, and I'm sorry!"
"Boy, would it be great to be at home in my apartment right now. But I'm stuck on this jet with children." Becca's head fell back against the seat dramatically.
Pepper nodded looking at the papers on her lap. "You know what would be really great, is if we could get through some of the stuff on the list."
"I'm Iron Man."
"Breaking news." Becca whispered, getting a half chuckle from her uncle across from her.
"Okay, Iron Man," Pepper replied sarcastically, "could we maybe-"
"-you don't know what that means-"
"-get through some of the stuff on this list-"
"-I protect the free world."
"We'll cancel Monaco." Pepper was officially annoyed.
"You guys are going to Monaco?" Rhodey questioned.
"What do you mean us guys?" Tony countered back. "You both are coming with us." He pointed back and forth from Rhodey to Becca.
"Umm, for the fifty time, no." Becca moved her legs to sit crisscross on the plane seat. "I have to finish up my finals so I can graduate."
"Yeah, and I'm not going either." Rhodey shook his head.
"Oh, come on." Tony exhaled turning to look at Rhodey, already knowing he wouldn't get anywhere with his daughter when school was on her brain. "That's our thing. We need this."
"Yeah, I've got a lot of stuff to do, Tony. I've got responsibilities."
"So, you don't wish to come?" He watched Rhodey shrug. "Just say-say what you mean. You don't want to hang out with me anymore."
"I think hanging out with you is bad for our friendship."
From an outsider's point of view besides hearing those words, you would have automatically watched Becca and Pepper's faces both wince in pain at the statement made by the Colonel. And then felt the awkward silence in the air as no one talked after that. After that the conversation just continued to get venomous from talking about Tony's birthday party and them never doing what he wants to do. After the hell day they had, the four of them desperately just needed to get away from each other.
Being at the Stark Mansion for only a day and a half was already making Becca's skin crawl. There was something off with the atmosphere in the home. In fact, the general air around her father was making her antsy at every turn. He was on edge, bickering with everyone more than usual, and but mostly keeping to himself as well. From someone's point of view who didn't know that dynamic in the Stark family this might look normal, but it was driving Becca crazy.
She knew it obviously started when Obi was killed and he had officially become Iron Man, but that was so long ago now, why was it still seemingly new. It probably didn't help that she was playing double agent to her own family. If the Stark family had a motto it was 'Keeping Secrets and Feigning Happiness.'
"You have got to be kidding me!"
Becca's head popped up from her spot on the couch where she was studying at the sound of Pepper's angry voice drifting through the first floor. That was another thing. Pepper had taken on so much more now that Tony was supposed to be in full control of Stark Industries. And it looked like the poor woman was about to lose her mind at any given second.
"I'm going to kill him. I'm honestly going to kill him."
At that Becca knew she needed to step in. "What did he do?" She asked as the older woman began her haste descendent to the basement in her heels.
"What didn't he do is the real question to ask!"
The secret assassin pushed her books on to the couch and began following after her. She didn't understand how Pepper could ever walk as fast and as sturdy in the heels she wore daily, but she gave her major props for it. Just as Pepper entered the last digits of the code to enter the workshop, Becca had made it to the last stop, grabbing the door before it slammed shut as Pepper strutted through.
"Uh uh." Tony pointed at Pepper as he sat at his circle desk in the center of the room. Becca took notice to the gross looking liquid that he had been drinking lately in the glass at his lips.
"Is this a joke?" Pepper stalked over to him, Becca trailing behind slowly. "What are you thinking?"
"What?"
"What are you thinking!" Her voice tripling in volume each time.
"Hey," Tony drawled out spinning away from her, "I'm thinking I'm busy and you're angry about something." He stood up walking away from the two. "Do you have the sniffles? I don't wanna get sick."
Becca sulked over to the couch set up in the corner of the room, not wanting to follow the duo around as they fought back and forth. She was just making sure no blood was going to be shed.
"Did you just donate our entire modern art collection to-to the-"
"-Boy Scouts of America-"
"BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA!"
She watched as her father looked to be walking through his virtual inventory to pick things out, as Pepper just fumed with each step she took behind him.
"Yes, it is a worthwhile organization." Tony explained, playing target practice by throwing the virtual objects at it to 'earn points'. "I didn't physically check the crates, but basically yes. And it's not our collection, it's my collection. No offense."
"Wrong words." Becca mumbled under her breath, as she got comfy on the coach, texting Eve to ask how New York was.
Pepper shook her head. "You know what, I think I'm actually entitled to say 'our' collection considering the time that I put it-over ten years curating that."
"It's a tax write up. I needed that."
"You didn't even ask."
Tony stopped for a second. "Yes, you're right. I should have asked." He looked around her to see his daughter. "Becca, do you mind if I donate our art collection to a very good cause, that will help the young children of the world?"
"You're digging a bigger grave for yourself." She called out, eyes staying focused on her phone.
"Thank you, sweetheart." He replied back with the same sarcasm, before turning back to his assistant. "See, no problem here."
"You know, there's only about 8,011 things that I really need to talk to you about…"
Becca tuned them out at this point, after years of practice it just came so easy. Tony and Pepper were basically her ying and yang. Yes, they fought and argued about everything, point proven, but they flowed so well together. She wouldn't lie, when she was younger she honestly wished and hoped that one day the two would magically fall in love and live happily ever after. But as she grew up she understood that's not how things happen. But she could always hope.
"Ooh, no no no no! You are not taking down the Barnett Newman and hanging that up!"
Pepper's voice brought her back to reality as the two were now just a few feet away from her again.
"I'm not taking it down." Tony pushed glasses off the counter so he could jump up on top of it. "I'm just replacing it with this." It was a colored print of the Iron Man suit and he clearly needed it up in view.
Pepper shook her head, looking over at Becca to make sure she wasn't the only way seeing this. Becca merely gave a shrug as she now sat up. "Okay, fine." She looked back at Tony. "My point is, we have already awarded contracts to the wind farm people."
"Don't say wind farm, I'm already feeling gassy-"
"-And to the plastic plantation tree, which was your idea by the way. Those people are on payroll-"
"-Everything was my idea-" Tony still stood on the counter.
"-and you won't make a decision!"
"I don't care about the liberal agenda any more. It's boring. Boring. I'm giving you a boring alert." He jumped down from the cabinet to look her in the eyes. "You do it."
Pepper looked at him like he was ridiculous. "I do what?"
"Excellent idea. I just figured this out. You run the company."
"Yeah, I'm trying to run the company-"
"-Well, stop trying to do it and do it-"
"-You will not give me the information-"
"-I'm not asking you to try-"
Becca's head was hurting now listening to the two just talking over each other. And at that point she had had it. "Pepper!" The two shut up and looked at the younger girl, who wore a smile looking at the older women. "Run Stark Industries."
"What she said." Tony pointed at his daughter before looking back at the woman in front of him. "I'm trying to make you CEO. Why won't you let me?"
Pepper had to stop for a second and let the words of both Starks sit in. "Have you been drinking?"
Tony was now the one taken back by the question. "Uh, Chlorophyll." Becca was now the one looking confused by the words. "I hereby irrevocably appoint you chairman and CEO of Stark Industries effective immediately." He held her arms, the woman still in shock. "Yeah, done deal."
Becca bit her lip to calm the ever-growing smile that was about to take over her face at the announcement. She jumped from her spot to go to the small kitchenette, grabbing 3 glasses and a champagne bottle.
"I've actually given this a fair amount of thought, believe it or not." Tony walked over to Becca to grab the bottle and pop the cork. "Doing a bit of headhunting, so to speak, trying to figure out who a worthy successor would be. And then I realized it's you. It's always been you." Pepper slowly sunk into the chair by her. "Becca didn't want it-"
"-Oh, hell no." The brunette girl laughed, holding the glasses out for her father to pour.
"And because of that, I thought there'd be a legal issue, but actually I'm capable of appointing my successor. My successor being you."
Becca walked over and handed the still dumbstruck women her glass of champagne. "All we need is you to see yes." She kneeled down on the floor in front of the chair, while Tony squished in next to Pepper.
"Congratulations."
"I-I don't know what to think." Pepper's voice thick with emotions.
"Don't think, drink."
"The Tony Stark motto. Welcome." Becca gained a laugh from both of them. "So, is that a yes?"
"Yes, definitely yes." The three clinked their glasses before each taking a celebratory drink.
Pepper swallowed the bubbles, still not fully knowing how to handle the promotion. "Why me though?"
"Because you're family." Becca smiled at the woman that she had been looking up to for so many years now. "And our trust for anyone outside of the inner circle as kinda of been broken with everything that has happen."
"It's true." Tony agreed with what his daughter said. "You've be with me since almost the beginning. You helped raise Rebecca. You are family. And there's no one else I'd rather put in charge then you."
She couldn't tell if it was the words or her sickness that was making Pepper start to tear up. But the emotion that was in the small family was one of pure happiness.
"I'm officially back." Becca sighed, entering the shared office. She was expecting Natasha and Clint to be there, but she wasn't expecting Natasha to be packing. "And you're leaving?"
"The prodigal daughter returns!" Clint joked, getting a middle finger from said girl, as he threw a small ball in the air to catch.
"Welcome back and yes." Natasha put more items in the bag sitting on her desk. "I've been assigned on Undercover Ops."
Becca nodded, dropping her own bag on her own desk. "Always thrilling. What's the mission?"
"Don't know, haven't been briefed yet." The redhead kept her head down, finishing up the last of her packing. Becca found it awfully strange that she a) didn't know her mission yet when they are usually briefed automatically and b) Natasha very rarely talks with her head down. She was always one to look people in the eye when she was talking.
"Must be one important target, for you to even not know." Clint stated. It made Becca a little bit easier if Clint didn't even know what was going on.
"That or I'm probably looking after someone's egotistical son who doesn't understand what 'no' means." She zipped up her bag and threw it over her shoulder. "Alright, champs. Don't have too much fun while I'm gone."
"Good luck." Becca gave her a smile which she returned, giving a nod to Clint and then heading out the door. Becca waited a few seconds to make sure Natasha had really left before speaking again. "So that's kinda of weird, right? Not knowing where she's headed?"
"Not really." Clint finally placed the ball back on his desk before turning to look at her. "It usually happens when it's a really big client or mission head. That way she won't be able to tell anyone anything before to accidentally blow the cover."
She nodded, accepting the answer before finally collapsing in her chair. "You know what, dealing with my family for 3 days is more exhausting than a mission I have decided."
"Why, Ms. Stark, I have no idea what you mean?" He played off a fake girl voice to really get on her nerves.
"Must you annoy me?"
"You want to go throw some knives?"
"And that's how you reel me back in."
How big of a deal will Garrett be in Becca's life & how will Peggy's words affect her future?
Up next: Becca's Graduation, Tony's Birthday, and a reveal.
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