AN/New chapter, let me know what you think at the bottom please! As always I own nothing, it is quite tragic really.


Grace stared unwaveringly at the ceiling. It was a very interesting ceiling. Sure it was plain but the rising sun shining through windows really added something to it. In fact Grace swiftly decided it was the most fascinating ceiling in the entire house.

…okay fine she was stalling and she knew it. This was the worst ceiling ever in the history of everything and she could not care a jot about it. Her inner turmoil was eating up at her and she had had enough. She was torn. At an impasse. A fork in the path. Crossroads whatever those people called it she was there. And quite frankly it sucked. She could see no moral or spiritual lesson here. That's what everyone always described situations like this as. Fate trying to teach a lesson. A defining of character. A moment to shine. A chance to choose her destiny. Once in a lifetime event.

Grace saw none of that just two really crappy options that she didn't want to have to pick.

She could go downstairs, act normal and give her father the cold shoulder if he was that annoyed by her presence. Clearly all he saw her as is a publicity stunt to get in the press's good books. Counter his playboy character. A person he play happy families with whenever he needed to. Grace could make this a business relationship. She would perform like the proper respectable young lady to the public eye but at home have nothing to do with her father. Cut off ties. Leave, move out, sort her own life out without him. Survive without him like she does her mother. Self-sufficiency.

But in choosing that route she had to accept she was abandoning him. She was ditching him in her past. She knew that pain all too well. Could she really inflict it upon the man who raised her? The man who chased monsters out the closet, fed her, washed her, stayed up all night when she was teething? Had he not earnt a chance to redeem himself or explain? As a victim of abandonment she was fiercely loyal, it was a side effect she supposed. But did her dad really deserve this loyalty? He left her all the time. Lunches were missed, events he didn't attend. She knew they had a deal but if he was breaking it why should she follow the terms? Tony repeatedly picked his own wants and desires over others…didn't that mean she could do the same?

Thus the cycle of conundrum begins again.

To go downstairs and talk or not to talk…that is the question

Should she wait around and find out if it was a heat of the moment comment or worst of all a true comment he fully believed, after all thoughts and arguments have to spark from somewhere. Should she stay…knowing her life was always going to be a little bit worse or should cut and run.

"Good morning Miss Stark. It's 6:45 AM, the weather in Malibu is 72 degrees with scattered clouds. Today's date is the 5th of May. Will you be needing anything this morning Miss Stark?" JARVIS announced breaking Grace from her thoughts.

It was decision time.

He probably wouldn't even be downstairs. The flight time to Afghanistan is roughly 16 hours then on top of that the company usually scheduled the landing to be early morning local time so they have the full day to market and do deals. Time efficient they liked to called it. Tony's jet likely left at 5:30 AM Malibu time to be there roughly 9:00 AM 6th May Afghanistan time.

A memory tore at Grace. When she was younger, her father explained the concept of time zones how depending on where he was the local time could be hours ahead of her in Malibu. He called it time travelling. Claimed he was all-knowing and wiser for he was a time traveller, sent back from the future. That he had already lived the next couple of hours.

But on the other hand, when did her father ever follow the schedule or do as he's told. It's likely he decided to have a lie-in and was asleep in his bed or tweaking gadgets in the tech cave.

Leading back to the aggravating question tormenting her…to go or not to go.

Grace had no idea how English literature teachers coped hearing that Shakespeare quote repeatedly day after day, she had only suffered this morning and she was fully prepared to destroy all copies of Hamlet in a 100 mile radius.

"JARVIS is, er, is dad here?"

That way fate, whom Grace blamed for putting her in this crossroads problem in the first place (after all everyone else claims the scenario is because of fate why can't she?), could decide what Grace should do.

"Indeed Ma'am. He has been in the basement since 3:47 AM. May I be of further assistance?"

'Damn, whose genius idea was it to leave things to fate. What does she know about anything'.

"No, thank you JARVIS that will be all" Grace replied exhaustedly.

Scraping energy together she clambered out of bed and set about making herself presentable.

It was 7:05 by the time she'd washed her face, got dressed and convinced herself to get out her room. While stumbling down the hall to the spiral stairs she heard a distant female voice calling out.

It was unusual for Pepper to do so for she knew how badly the pair of Starks could get engrossed in their work, music, film or whatever they were doing. They were not destined for multitasking that was certain.

"Hey Tony?" an unfamiliar voice purred up the stairs freezing Grace.

'He didn't. Not today. Not after what I went through last night. Not after all i had complained about him chosing girls over her. He wouldn't' she desperately argued.

Inching her feet closer in dread she peeked through the gap of the steps. And sure enough, distorted through the water fountain was another leggy blonde dressed in nothing but her dad's maroon shirt.

As if it couldn't get any worse she noted with a foul taste burning in her throat it was the shirt she had bought him at Christmas and demanded he wear to her graduation. It was a unique shade that worked well with the distinctive Stark chocolate brown eyes. It was another twisted knife to the gut.

Collapsing back to the wall Grace allowed her body to slide numbly down the white walls. Light filtered over the interior balcony that overlooked the main living area.

'This is so typical. This is JUST like him. Why did I expect anything different? My vent yesterday meant nothing to him. I unleash what had been torturing me for years and he acts like he always does…for himself! Clearly I was the only one upset or affected about yesterday because he saw fit to leave and pick up the latest bimbo. The new Barbie. Update the bed-warmer.'

Hurt stabbed at the back of her eyes.

"Bastard probably doesn't even care" she whispered as a single tear escaped tracking down her cheek before Grace promptly slashed it away with her hand.

Unexpectedly a loud booming British accent declared,

"You are not authorised to access this area" amongst the loud beeps denying entry.

"Jesus" she heard Miss Princess mutter. It truly was such a shame dad took out the miniature electric shock. Now that was way more entertaining. Stupid lawsuit threats.

"That's JARVIS, he runs the house. I've got your clothes here, they've been dry cleaned and pressed. And there's a car waiting for you outside that will take you anywhere you'd like to go." Pepper explained in her official tone she saved for press releases, public relations or moments like this. Grace often wondered if this was actually in her contract or if she was paid extra.

"You must be the famous Pepper Potts" Butter Spread inquired. Grace could vaguely make out Lady Godiva strolling closer to the red-head, uncaring of her nude state, through the water fall in the centre of the stairwell.

"Indeed I am" Pepper confirmed. She was definitely more qualified for this morning chore than Grace. For one she had much better patience and could hold down her breakfast.

"After all these years Tony still has you picking up the dry-cleaning"

'Oh that floozy is treading a thin line.' Grace warned mentally, 'that red hair is natural and should be taken as the caution sign it is.'

"I do anything and everything that Mr Stark requires." Pepper answered unaffectedly.

'THAT'S IT?!' Grace internally cried, 'she slags you down and you say nothing? Something is deeply wrong with Pepper today obviously.' She was stopped in her mental diagnosis as Pepper continued,

"Including occasionally taking out the trash. Will that be all?"

'I take it back. That woman is on top form today. I never should have doubted her' she thought as she heard blondie 'hmph', snatch the clothes and strut back to the master bedroom to change.


Tony looked at the clock for possibly the billionth time this morning which was quite the achievement since this had been habit from about 4AM. Thinking on it starting at that time was rather ridiculous. There was no way his baby was going to be conscious at that hour. Gracie could only manage 7 AM because of all the years practice, and trust him that had been a difficult and painful process to begin. Tony didn't realise how stubborn a four-year-old girl could be or just how shrill their protesting screeches could be. He was positive there had been lasting damage to his ear drums.

Yet, despite knowing this and the astronomical probabilities Gracie was awake at that hour had done nothing to dissuade the anxious father from constantly checking the clock. The clock currently read 6:45 AM. She would be getting up now if she was even going to come down and see him. If she still deemed him worthwhile after yesterday's fiasco.

His jet to Afghanistan was set to depart an hour earlier but the dark haired playboy gave no indication of departure, in fact he was still in an old t-shirt and jeans with patches of oil and grease stained on. He was not leaving until he had at least seen Grace or somehow began clearing the air between them.

It was one of Grace's curses being related to him. Inheriting his brain. On the one hand it made her a marvel, an astounding processor. She could come up with ideal solutions to issues Tony had toiled over. Yet this same brain meant she could often act as rashly as himself. Granted her heart that Pepper had helped nurture to compassion prevented the mini Stark from performing as many 'selfish' or 'uncaring' acts as himself. But she could decide an answer and stubbornly stick to it. For example in nursery when she concluded she did not like that Cindy Hoffman at all, nothing could deter his kid from pranking that Cindy something fierce. To be fair that glue in her shoes trick was hilarious and well worth the parent teacher meeting it warranted. Besides who knew it was inappropriate to laugh at your own kid's achievements outside academia. Gracie was being creative…what was it he had termed it… oh yeah Grace was trying to express herself on another level. Needless to say Pepper wasn't impressed and promised to ground Grace if she did it again...Tony had bought her an ice cream and a bag of chocolate buttons in celebration of her mischief ways.

The issue here that relates to that story is that Tony had become Cindy Hoffman in this scenario and he sincerely doubted he would get away with a couple pranks and destroyed clothing. For as like Cindy in this problem he was, there are distinct difference that would change Grace's retribution. Grace never cared for Cindy, and therefore was not concerned at all with any future interaction with her. Tony, however, is her father. He knew that when Grace cared it hurt a million times worse meaning the result is a million times worse. She could shut him out and distance herself. Leave him with the 'Press Grace' the media get to see. Her fake smiles and laughs, the mask and façade she places upon herself. Not the witty, movie-loving, pyjama wearing kid he sees every day.

Worst of all she could leave him completely. After all why would she stay? He had practically yelled at her that he'd abandon her so what's to prevent her from deciding to ditch him. He missed countless events and landmarks in her life. She was right what she said about him. He had no clue what he would do without her. His life had centred around her for so long he couldn't imagine a time when it hadn't. Heck her being at school across the country had near killed him if it wasn't for the frequent phone calls and trips home.

He was torn by these thoughts as his music was suddenly switched off.

'Pepper' he mentally groaned. If she found out what Tony said he was as good as dead. If it wasn't for the fact Grace looked so much like himself, he'd swear she was Pepper's purely based on the protective maternal instincts that consumed the red-head. She was like an angry mama-bear when she needed to be and boy was it terrifying.

"Please don't touch my music" he requested distractedly. It was his and Grace's music here therefore only they could mess with it.

"You are supposed to be half-way around the world right now" Pepper declared unsurprised at his presence once she ended her phone call. Since Tony was still breathing Pepper obviously hadn't encountered Grace meaning the kid had yet to emerge from her room.

'This is bad. Very bad'

"You seen the kid?" he tried to investigate subtly in a nonchalant voice. The key to his continued survival depended on Pepper remaining oblivious to his specific comments last night.

"No I haven't. I thought she was down here with you" Pepper replied suspiciously. When Tony made no move to answer she growled, "What did you do?"

The two Starks had endured squabbles and disagreements before but this was their worst fight ever.

"What makes you think I did anything?" the playboy cried petulantly at having been caught.

To this his assistant merely raised an eyebrow. "If it wasn't your fault you wouldn't be asking me if I'd seen her" she argued logically. He hated it when she did that.

"We had a fight" he confessed reluctantly after a few seconds of awkward silence.

"About her birthday?" Pepper queried gently. She was aware of the Stark's deal and what it would mean to Grace. Tony simply nodded. "What did she say?"

"The truth I guess. She just…unleashed an unbelievable amount of pent up aggression. I knew she'd be pissed but…but she was fuming. Ended up getting me worked up too and I said something stupid." Dropping his tools back on the small table located nearby he murmured, "I-, it's…I don't want to leave her like this. That can't be the image she has of me while I'm gone for the week. She can't focus on those comments on her 18th" his saddened tone echoing off the concrete.

"Have you talked to her?"

"She won't even look at me" was his despondent response.

"God she must be upset." Tony glared at her in a 'well thanks a lot' manner. "Why not leave her a note or something if she won't listen to you. I mean eventually she'll have to exit her room and she can read it then and then you can talk to her properly when you get back."

"Yeah maybe. But I'd rather she would listen to me now. Hear it from me. See how much I mean it" Shaking his head decidedly to get away from this depressing subject he announced, "I don't want to talk about it anymore." Jerking his head towards the stairs where the most recent Barbie would have encountered Pepper he probed "How'd she take it?" as he collected his tools once more.

"Like a champ." She commented dryly shifting her focus from her boss's parental troubles to the checklist in front of her.

Tony hated it when he was in a fight with someone. It is always the way. The more you try not to think of someone the more the crop up. Even the most tenuous links. For example just now he was thinking about his one night stands and how Gracie reacted to them. When she was thirteen she changed his ringtone to 'Wham, Bang, Thank You Ma'am' by Dean Martin, claiming it was a warning to the opposite sex. Not that it had helped any. A tiny grin tugged at the corner of his mouth at the recollection.

"Will you pay attention, the sooner I get this done the faster I can get you on your merry way" Pepper groaned, fiddling with a slip of paper on her clipboard, pulling Tony from his memories.

"Why you trying to hustle me out of here?" Tony questioned continuing to fiddle with the car engine.

"You're flight was scheduled to leave an hour and a half ago." Pepper uttered disapprovingly getting back to her original purpose of coming down here.

"That's funny. I thought with it being my plane and all… that it would just wait for me to get there" he retorted cheekily.

"Tony I need to speak to you about a couple things before I get you out of here" the ever professional side of Pepper remained, not rising to his childish behaviour. She had worked for him so long now that nothing he really said or did affected her.

"Doesn't it kinda defeat the purpose of having your own plane if it departs before you arrive?" Tony continued shifting from the car engine to the car wheel, swapping his tools for a cloth to wipe his hands down. Ignoring him Pepper proceeded,

"Larry called. He's got another buyer for the Jackson-Pollock in the wings. Do you want it yes or no?" finally lifting her gaze from the list in her hands. She had learned early on it was best to ask simple yes or no questions thus limiting the Stark family ability to ramble on about irrelevant things. It was particularly useful in a rush.

"Is it a good representation of his spring period?"

"Um, no the springs is actually the neighbourhood in east Hampton where he lived and worked not spring like the season" The redhead tried to correct only for Tony to interject with,

"So…"

"I think it's a fair example. Um I think it's incredibly overpriced" Pepper confessed bluntly. Not that her opinion would stop him, if anything he would probably take it as encouragement.

"I need it. Buy it. Store it." The father decided getting up from his position near the floor and heading across the room to the coffee machine. He had been up since 3AM, caffeine had replaced his blood a long time ago.

"O-kay. The MIT commencement speech" Pepper began following him.

"Is in June. Please don't harangue me about this stuff. It's way, way, way down" he complained, waving the matter away. His traitorous mind felt the need to stab him once more and remind him that this year they'd likely request Grace come along too. They had really gone all out last time, bragging how the 'latest Stark graced their halls'. Yes they really were overly pleased with themselves with that pun. It took all he had not to laugh when he first saw it. Poor Gracie was mortified.

"Well they're haranguing me. So I'm gonna say yes." Pepper ignored him. Sometimes he really did wonder whether it was even worth answering her questions. She still signed him up for various obligations. It was much better when Grace had been a young kid, he managed to get out of so much by claiming she was unwell, not feeling too good or various other illnesses. On one occasion the papers thought she must have been born with some incurable disease that kept him at home all the time. Well little did they know that ice cream, films and popcorn did wonders for this particular virus his daughter was 'afflicted' with.

"Well deflect and absorb it, don't transmit it back to me" he instructed, mentally slapping his brain for torturing him with so many Grace related thoughts, as if he didn't feel guilty enough. Collecting the hot expresso from the machine he returned to face his assistant.

"I need you to sign this before you get on the plane" Pepper ordered opening the file in her hands and holding out a pen.

"What are you trying to get rid of me for? What have you got plans?" he guessed, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

"As a matter of fact I do" she responded unfazed by his goading.

"I don't like it when you have plans" he whinged taking the pen.

"I'm allowed to have plans on my birthday." The redhead scolded playfully knowing full well he had forgotten the exact date. It was their little banter every year. He was usually more preoccupied with Grace's upcoming birthday on the 9th to focus on Pepper's birthday. All he knew it was around his daughter's.

"It's your birthday?" Tony queried scribbling his signature at the bottom of the outstretched file.

"Yes"

"I knew that. Already?" he quipped jokingly.

"Yeah isn't that strange, it's the same day as last year" Pepper teasingly explained.

"Well get yourself something nice from me" Tony instructed.

"I already did."

"And…"

"Oh it's very nice."

"Yeah?"

"Very tasteful. Thank you Mr Stark" Pepper acknowledged in a quiet tone whilst retrieving the pen from her boss, smiling kindly.

"You're welcome Miss Potts" he uttered in a similar volume. Suddenly he downed his expresso, eyes widening momentarily with the familiar jolt of coffee. "Okay" nodded before slipping past Pepper to his bedroom to pack.


Tossing the last of his clothes into his small carry bag he would be living out of whilst away Tony sighed. He had been considering Pepper's suggestion regarding Grace for the past ten minutes. It was a good idea, Grace was sure as hell not going to see him if she hadn't already come down this morning meaning he was still well and truly in the dog house. He could distantly hear Pepper scuttling in her heels round the living room down the hall from here.

Plonking on his bed he zipped up the bag and stared out to his sea view.

"JARVIS" he called.

"Yes sir" the AI instantly acknowledge his summons, "How may I be of service?"

"Bring up a camera will you". No sooner had Tony requested it than a mirror of himself appeared in front of him, blocking his view outside. It was not recording yet, giving time for the father to think over what he would say to make this right. "Screw it. JARVIS hit record and when it's done email it over to Gracie. Oh and make sure she can't delete it!" he added as an afterthought. She could be like him in that aspect.

"Indeed sir."

Seeing the tiny red dot appear a gentle smile pulled across Tony's face,

"Hey Kiddo…"


Grace stubbornly remained in her room until noon to ensure she avoided a run in with her dad. She did not feel like dealing with him today. Perhaps when he got back they could talk but it would be on her terms. She refused to let him walk all over her like he had done in the past hence her refusal to open the file he had JARVIS send her this morning. It could wait until she was in a better mood.

JARVIS had been niggling her all day to go to the kitchen and eat. It was part of his coding. His programming and purpose was to take care of the house, Tony had seen fit to list Grace under part of the house. Because of this numerous funny stories arose from here childhood. The most famous was when she had been in the back garden playing with her father resulting in them both being caked in dirt. Their playing had developed into a game of tag and as Grace charged through the open doors to the back of the house, JARVIS set off a sprinkler alarm to 'clean' the house. This would have been fine if the sprinkler had been what its description made it seem like. Indeed a filter of water would have been much better than the water cannon volume of liquid she had been doused in. Black curls were plastered to her face as dribbles of water trickled down her drenched clothes. When Tony came across her he near wet himself with laughter. This only got worse when vents unleased hot air to dry 'the house' sending her hair whirling around her face like a hurricane.

Opening the door to her bedroom Grace began her decent downstairs.

"Ah Miss Stark how generous of you to finally honour us with your presence" the smug AI greeted, causing Pepper's head to snap towards the stairs.

"Yeah, yeah, JARVIS I get it" she grumbled shifting through the room, "What are you still doing here Pep? Thought you'd be at the office today" she wondered aloud congenially narrowly dodging the refrigerator door JARVIS whipped open halting her path.

"Milk Ma'am" he 'commanded'. Rolling her eyes she retrieved the carton allowing JARVIS to shut the door once more as she placed the carton on the kitchen island.

"No, since Mr Stark isn't at the office I don't need to be. That and your father asked me to stay. Thought you might like some company" she offered gently, closing her laptop and placing it to the side.

"Cereal Ma'am" JARVIS instructed, attempting to instigate movement from the teen Stark. Grace didn't move having unintentionally become stuck from Pepper's statement.

"He did?" she inquired softly her finger nervously picking at the milk carton. 'Maybe he wasn't so indifferent to their fight after all'.

"Yes. Apparently you two got into a bit of a to-do last night. He seemed pretty torn up about it. Want to tell me what happened sweetie?" she carefully tried to coax the answer out of the youngest Stark.

"I don't wanna talk about it" Grace dodged avoiding Pepper's gaze.

'Damn those Starks. As stubborn as each other. They will outlive god trying to have the last word through pure pig-headedness' She moaned.

"Cereal Ma'am" JARVIS repeated a bit more tiredly at having been ignored.

Both occupants of the room remained unhearing of the AI. Pepper lifted a single brow and glared at the young lady across the room.

"Maybe if you talk-"

"I don't think so" Grace interrupted opening the drawer beside her and obtaining a spoon.

Suddenly a loud cough noise vibrated round the house,

"Cereal Ma'am" JARVIS reminded for the third time.

Grace shuffled closer to the cupboard housing various breakfast supplies.

"Sweetie, what's the matter? You know you can talk to me." Pepper enticed, "you're upset and I'm worried" she added moving to the opposite side of the island while Grace kept her back to her.

Turning to face Pepper with a fake smile,

"I'm fine really Pep. It's just dad being dad." Grace hedged.

A kitchen light flickered beneath the breakfast cupboard repeatedly,

"Might I remind you Ma'am cereal goes wonderfully with milk" JARVIS advised.

Snorting Grace opened the panel and collected the nearest box,

"Anything else JARVIS?" she questioned teasingly.

"Now that you mention it, a bowl is an excellent device to be eating it in Ma'am if you don't mind me saying so" he answered sarcastically causing a light smirk to cross Grace's face. It was promptly dropped however when she was reminded of how much her dad had put of himself in JARVIS's systems. It was like she couldn't get away from him.

Having successfully satisfied the AI in her creation of a bowl of cereal Grace saw Pepper watching her with a comforting expression.

"Your dad being your dad isn't always a good thing sweetie. I mean god knows he is as smart as they come but it doesn't mean he can't be a complete idiot." Pepper consoled lightly, knowing how ignorant and hurtful Tony could be…both on purpose and accidentally.

Grace snorted but continued to stare at her bowl, taking mouthfuls every now and then.

"I could get JARVIS to tell me. You know he likes me better than you. At least I never graffitied him" she teased making the teen's neck snap up to meet her.

"I was four!" she cried petulantly.

"And don't think you can make me change the subject by taking a trip down memory lane little Miss. So come on, out with it." Pepper commanded.

Silence reigned for a few minutes while Grace refused to look at her life-long friend instead choosing to swirl her spoon around the near empty bowl. Until finally a sniffle could be heard and she whispered in a broken voice,

"He doesn't want me"

"Oh sweetie." Pepper soothed immediately travelling round the island and wrapping the sad teen in a desperately needed hug. Feeling the young lady's body sag into hers she enquired sceptically "Is that what he said?". Tony adored Grace, Pepper seriously doubted he would have uttered such a thing.

"He might as well have" Grace grumbled into the taller woman's neck as her arms clung tightly round her waist.

"Did he maybe say it because he was upset or mad?" Pepper suggested softly, having fully experienced Tony Stark's temper before. Grace simply snuggled closer into the comforting embrace and mumbled something incoherent.

Pepper rested her head atop the black-haired beauty, smoothing down the long curls she soothed,

"Of course Tony wants you. Gives him more of an excuse to act like a baby" she joked, gaining a muffled chuckle. "Honestly sweetie your father loves you. He's a moron and I'll sure give him a thing or two to think about but trust me he loves you."


The rest of the evening passed in what Pepper dubbed a 'men-detox' where they would deal with no members of the opposite gender, be they brother, husband, boyfriend, college or father. This 'detox' included copious amounts of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, an insane amount of chick-flicks and several power-lady characters. Pepper originally planned to take Grace to lunch then meet up with some old high school friend but selflessly rearranged it so she could spend the night here, cheering up the youngest Stark.

Grace couldn't hide her grin at Pepper's actions. She was the sole maternal influence she had in her life and the woman sure knew how to make her feel better. It had scarcely hit 1 AM, Pepper had left an hour ago but it took this long for Grace to clear away all their treats and pillows. The two agreed to meet for lunch tomorrow at Pepper's favourite café for a belated birthday celebration. Grace felt bad for spending Pepper's special day moping and whinging and therefore promised to be in a better mood tomorrow.

Exhaustedly stumbling up the stairs Grace dragged her body towards her bed. She was nearly there when her phone began to vibrate in her pocket. Groaning and resisting the urge to smack her head on the nearest wall the dark-haired Stark blearily tugged the device free from her pocket.

Examining the glowing screen she was met with a picture of herself folding her ears down with her fingers and sticking her tongue out. Besides her was her father in a similar pose, smiles covering both of their expressions while they laughed. Her phone continued to buzz.

'Technically it is still my man-detox' and I am too tired to talk now doesn't he know what time it is here? Urgh I'll call him tomorrow' Grace groggily concluded. With that decided she pressed the red button terminating the call.

Wearily stripping herself of her clothes and putting on her pyjamas Grace inelegantly flopped on top of the bed in time for the next buzz of her phone. Unlike before this alert did not last as long, it vibrated twice and ended.

Blinking drowsily at the screen that final thing she read before sleep claimed her was,

"Good night kiddo. Love Dad xxx"


AN/ There we are. Let me know what you think in a review! :) Just an FYI here Tony is meant to be calling just before the meeting in Afghanistan therefore his kidnapping isn't too far away. So the next chapter will be the abduction and will contain Grace's finding out of this etc. Also you might find out just what Tony recorded before he left.
Saricaykes-
Thank you so much! I know I've read some of the bad ones, hopefully I won't go down that path but if I do feel free to smack me back to sense! Yeah I wanted a bit of their back story sorted before it all begins and gets hectic. 3 :).
Live4dancing- Thanks for the review! This was a plot idea that wouldn't leave my head so I'm pleased you like it :).