So I was struggling with a bad case of writer's block, but I think it's finally passed. Sorry for the short chapter, but the next one should be back to normal :)
Thank you for all the reviews :D I'm happy my story has entertained!
Oh and to Haha21, I just realized that you're right. Thanks for pointing that out to me :) Though technically it was all in dialogue so it could be the way that the characters are talking (I think I'll just go with that explanation :P) I'm surprised it slipped by me, blame it on late night proof reading.
Anyways, on to the story. I expect to have the next chapter up soon. This one was mainly filler, just trying to work through my writer's block. Remember to review!!
Alexis sat in the back of the car, trying to pry open the packaging of the "Gameboy" that sat on her lap. She growled in frustration and continued her efforts. Around her were more the a couple of toys, everything from coloring books and a teddy bear, to a science kit for children. The last item being chosen by Tony.
"Hey, Rhodey," Tony was talking on his cell phone as he drove through the city. "I was wondering if you wanted to meet for lunch.." Alexis turned her attention back to her task, finally getting it open and grinning as she looked for a game to play. "Sure, I'll see you in five minutes then." Tony pushed the off button and put his cell back in his pocket. He turned back to glance at the child in the back seat as he drove down the busy street. "Hey, kid."
"Yeah?" Alexis looked up, just about to push the power button on her new toy on.
"You liked my friend Rhodes, right? You met him last night, remember?" Tony took a left turn and slowed the car, scanning the sides of the street for a place to park.
"I remember." The little girl said simply. "I guess so.." She turned on the new video-game and began pushing buttons, the device capturing her attention. Tony frowned a bit, but didn't say anything else as he parked the car at the side of the road. He put the top up and turned off the ignition, then got out of the car.
"Time to go," he said as he opened the back door for the child. "Leave your toy here, you can play later." Alexis pouted and sighed, putting the device down next to her and climbing out of the back-seat. He smiled at her and took her hand as he shut the door, pushing a button on his key chain to lock the car.
"Where are we going?" She asked as Tony led her down the sidewalk. She looked around at all the people walking around her, some taking notice of the well known playboy with a child and starring at them both. She frowned and tried to walk closer to Tony, tripping him up as she did.
"Whoe!" Tony stumbled forward but quickly steadied himself. "Well, I have a boring meeting to go to, and you're going to have fun with Rhodey until it's over." Tony smiled and scooped the child into his arms, preventing any future falls.
"How come you have to go to boring meetings?" Alexis asked as she tried to hide from all of the staring passers by. People were pointing at them and talking amongst themselves.
"Pepper makes me," He replied with a smirk, apparently unfazed by all of the attention they were getting. The child giggled, making Tony smile. She pulled absently at his dark blue tie, fascinated by the knot for a moment.
"Hey, Tony!" James Rhodes called to his friend as he approached him. Pepper had called him to warn him about Tony's plan, but James had his own plan. He smiled at the little girl he had only briefly met before, and she shyly smiled back.
"Rhodey!" Tony grinned and set the child down. Alexis stayed close to his leg, peering at Rhodes carefully. "I need a favour.." Tony glanced at his watch, he only had two minutes to get to his meeting and didn't have time to be subtle.
"Yeah, you want me to watch the brat?" James crossed his arms and starred at his friend.
"Ah, Pepper called to warn you, huh?" Tony smiled sheepishly, he knew he shouldn't have let his assistant in on his plan to surprise Rhodes with baby-sitting duty. "Yeah, I have a meeting I have to go to, should only take about an hour. So you'll do it then?"
"Go ahead and go to your meeting, I'll baby-sit. This once, Tony." Rhodes paused and looked at his friend meaningfully. "But afterward we're going to have a talk."
"Sure, thanks man," Tony grinned, brushing off the serious tone in the other man's voice. He looked down to Alexis, who was still hiding behind him. "I'll be back in a hour, ok? Be good for Rhodey," He chuckled a bit and turned to enter the building behind them. An upscale restaurant hidden away between two stores on the busy downtown street. Alexis watched him go and sighed, she turned to Rhodes.
"I'm not a brat," she said, a frown painting her childish features. James smiled at the little girl and held out his hand for her to take.
"My mistake," Alexis sighed again and reached up to hold his hand. He looked at his own watch and made a mental note of the time. "Are you hungry?" She nodded in response. "Ok, lets get some lunch then."
Alexis followed him down the street, not really having any say in the matter. She was glad all the attention was off of her now that she wasn't with Mr. Stark. She sighed and dragged her sneaker clad feet along the pavement, both relishing and hating her freedom at the same time.
"You and Mr. Stark are friends?" She asked as she tried to avoid the many people who didn't seem to notice her. She couldn't decide if too much attention was worse then none at all. At least she didn't have to worry about being stepped on with Tony.
"Yeah, I wonder how sometimes, though" Rhodes said as he thought about his friend's irresponsible behavior. He glanced at the child holding his hand and once again wondered if Tony would be able to be a parent. "Do you like living with Tony so far?"
"Yeah," Alexis grinned as she recalled her new toys, one in particular came to her mind. "I got a "Nintendo DS", and a "Mario" game." Rhodes smiled at her enthusiasm and continued to make small talk as they waited for Tony to arrive.