AN/ I own nothing but leave me a review of what you lot thought!
"Good morning Miss Stark. It's 9:00 AM, the weather in Malibu is 71 degrees with clear skies. In your schedule today you have a lunch appointment with Pepper Potts at noon. At 6'o'clock this evening dinner with Obadiah Stane. Will you be needing anything this morning Miss Stark?" JARVIS announced once detecting minor movement from Grace who was blearily shifting in her bed. Each limb was numb from lack of movement, she really kind of passed out the second her head hit the pillow.
"Morning JARVIS" she yawned in greeting clambering tiredly onto her feet, twisting her wrists and rolling her neck out of its stiffness. Gradually the youngest Stark manoeuvred about the room gathering clothes and getting ready for the day.
"There appears to be limited breakfast supplies in the kitchen after your night-in with Miss Potts", entering the en-suite Grace grinned at the memory of last night as she spread toothpaste on her toothbrush, scrubbing away as the AI continued, "The milk is gradually passing its consumption date, Mr Stark ate the last of the pop tarts yesterday, but we do however have some healthy fruit options for you to try this morning Ma'am."
"Urgh" Grace groaned, a disgusted expression involuntarily covering her face, spitting the minty foam out into the sink.
"I know how fond you are of them Ma'am. Might I urge you to try them, they are a good source of vitamins and mineral. Nutrients include potassium, fibre and folic acid all of which help sustain-"
"I think I will go out and pick up some stuff for breakfast" Grace countered brushing her hair
"As always Ma'am it is so nice for my opinions to be valued. Shall I summon Mr Hogan?" JARVIS sarcastically uttered.
"No I think I'll walk, it's not that far" the teen replied slipping on some comfy shoes and walking to the front door.
"Walking is indeed a most beneficial source of exercise and holds great values to the body. Studies have shown that the cardiovascular exercise lowers the level of LDL cholesterol in the body whilst increasing the-"
"Mute" she commanded hopping down the spiral steps, allowing her finger to stroke the water while she passed. It was far too early for a biology lesson and lecture on her poor diet and lack of exercise.
Immediately the familiar British accent disappeared and was replaced with silence. The peace was not to last though when several documents listing the advantages of a healthy diet pop up along the corridor.
"Stop cheating JARVIS. What would your parents say of such behaviour" she mock scolded. Grace had to give JARVIS this, for an AI lacking bodily features he had a mean glare. Her victory was short-lived though when a vent suddenly opened causing a great force of air of smack her face sending her hair flying.
"Very funny" she muttered, patting her hands about her head following JARVIS's childish outburst, "such actions are beneath you JARVIS" she tutted to a suspiciously smug house.
"Don't wait up honey" she proclaimed in a higher pitch and her best English accent as she vacated the house.
The warmth of the sun instantly engulfed her like water encasing a stone. Peeking through the high gate at the end of the drive-way Grace found no people loitering. Although there was rarely press of strangers waiting there it had become a force of habit. Whenever her father did anything scandalous or particularly stupid a flock of cameras would swarm to the gates. On many occasions Happy had nearly run the journalists over in his attempts to leave. There was also that one stalker incident, that woman was really deranged and truly believed her father loved her and that Grace was as good as her daughter. That was terrifying but nothing compared to how far she deteriorated when Tony denied it and she became aggressive. Shockingly Tony had never even slept with her. But she was secured in a mental facility currently and nothing to fear.
Slipping through the opening and locking it behind her she began her ten minute walk down-hill to the closest store. Reaching in her pocket Grace pulled out her phone and scrolled to her father's number. She stared undecidedly for a few moments, her thumb hovering over the green call button then the cancel option.
"Screw it" she mumbled and hit the screen lightly before bringing it to her ear. To her surprise it didn't even ring and instead went directly to voicemail. Her dad's phone rarely died or was disconnected like that. Pushing aside the strange occurrence she waited through his message, carefully crossing the road.
"Hey you've reached me. If you don't know who I am then you don't deserve to talk to the great God that I am. Either Obie has me trapped in a meeting, Pepper has stolen my phone, or Gracie and I are doing ultra-cool things you mere mortals wouldn't understand. Leave a message and I'll probably not get back to you later" her father's teasing voice declared, a hint of a laugh evident in it. Grace remembered the day he recorded it. They were at the kitchen island, JARVIS had been periodically pleading with Grace it eat a piece of fruit. Eventually he begged she at least touch it. It was during the recording she plucked a grape and tossed it at her father's forehead watching it rebound hilariously across the room. Seconds after Tony was done the young Stark questioned "Happy JARVIS?" to which his reply was the dry, "Immensely Ma'am".
A loud standard beep noise snapped Grace from her memory.
"Hey Dad, it's me. I-uh- was just calling to see how you're doing. I missed your called last night so thought I'd-uh-I'd try to catch you. Erm but you're busy I guess. Hope the meeting goes-wait- I mean went well. Stupid time difference. And now I'm rambling. Stop laughing I can hear it all the way from here. So- uh- we're fine, nothing is really happening here. JARVIS is still standing and advocating rabbit food for breakfast. Anyway-erm- call me when you get this I guess. Bye dad" she stuttered uncertainly into the microphone.
She didn't know how to act post-fight. She didn't want to let him off the hook when he hadn't apologised or cleared anything up between them. She wasn't going to be her usual self so that he would think it is perfectly acceptable to say those sorts of things to her, but on the other hand she didn't want him to panic and freak out when he was on the other side of the globe. That would be unfair.
Grace was roughly half-way there when there was a sudden boom in traffic. In the distance she could see ten large news vans speeding round the corners, the distinctive satellite dishes balancing on the top. The teen was further surprised when a number of motorcycles and cars no doubt carrying more reporters followed them.
'Must be a heck of a story. That volume of press.' Grace observed as they raced closer, 'Perhaps that Rose Fortescue-Whittingham has finally been caught' she hypothesised referring to the adulterous socialite who lived a couple houses up the hill from them. The 30 year old Mrs Fortescue-Whittinghamhad been cheating on her 70 year old husband for years. The Stark was truly astonished none of the media had figured it out sooner, she was hardly discreet.
With this set in her mind the dark-haired lady continued her route down-hill, she would probably hear all about the story tomorrow.
Without warning there was a loud screech of car brakes next to her where the first van had halted abruptly causing the vehicles behind him to make evasive manoeuvres prior to their unexpected parking in the middle of the road.
There was no time to dwell on this turn of events as multiple people hopped out their vehicles, cameras, paper, tape-recorders and other common journalist tools attached, and hurriedly approached her.
Grace rolled her eyes, a quote from a neighbour was a bit ridiculous considering the prize story was a couple minutes up the road. Nevertheless the crowd continued their advance as the youngest Stark walked faster in futile hopes they'd leave her alone and pester another neighbour for their views and quotes on the scandal.
"MISS STARK!" A female voice cried attempting to get her attention and stop her. Her proclamation sparked everyone else into action and a similar boom of "Miss Stark" "Grace" burst forth.
They refused to be ignored for long and in no time at all the 17 year old found herself surrounded with various cameras and microphones pointed at her.
"Look I just want to go for some breakfast, I'd appreciate it if you kindly left me alone" she tried gently. Getting on the bad-side of the press was dangerous. They could ruin your reputation and destroy you if they've felt the need for vengeance. Grace shifted through the mass of people hoping to escape their clutches. Unfortunately they moved with her.
'Fantastic' her brain muttered, 'Lucky me, I'm the quote of the day.'
"What are your thoughts on your father's abduction?"
"Have you anything to say to reports of Mr Stark's disappearance?"
"Will you step up into the company and take your father's place as CEO at Stark Industries? How do you think this will affect shares to have a 17 year old step into the breach?"
"Have you received any form of ransom?"
"What are your thoughts on recent events?"
Questions came barrelling at her from all directions, each reporter clambering over themselves to get closer to her preparing for her answer.
Grace snorted and an amused grin came over her face. 'Great, he is away and the conspiracy theorists come out to play leaving me with the mess to deal with'.
"My father is not missing, he is on a business trip overseas and shall be returning home in a week. There is no cause for concern" she revealed officially as she had seen Pepper and Obie do over the years.
For a brief few moments confusion spread through the crowd.
"I was referring to reports of his capture in Afghanistan not his departure from Malibu" a male newsman who had questioned her earlier elaborated.
"This is in connection to the attack on Mr Stark's while he was away" another journalist called.
'Well at least isn't as stupid a conspiracy as I originally thought. After all things like that can happen in Afghanistan'. Though she had had about enough of these silly reporters interrupting her day. Her patience was wearing thin.
"Yeah? Well apparently he died in 2005 and last year he reportedly developed a moon base." She reminded them of previous rumours and articles that had been printed in the past regarding her father. "I can assure you my father is perfectly fine. He has a security team accompanying him at all times, on and off the military base. Furthermore all possible measures to ensure his safety have been taken and strictly adhered to. Therefore I repeat there is no cause for concern" she promised with conviction. He would be with professionally trained military personnel and Rhodey always went with her dad on trips like this. Nothing was going to happen to him, this was just the media looking for a story.
In the distance a familiar black came charging up the hill undetected by Grace through the crowd encasing her.
Silence greeted her as multiple people in front of her exchanged glances with one another. Eventually there was murmurs of "She doesn't know" and "No one has told her". Their whispering and conferring did it for Grace. It was the final straw.
"ENOUGH" she yelled over the various tones making them all mute as they face her again, cameras and microphones once more aimed in her direction. "Look if my father had been injured, taken, abducted by Martians or anything of that sort don't you think I would have been the first to be informed? I would definitely have been told before now" she stated firmly.
There was no chance for questions as another more familiar and welcome voice cried out.
"GRACE!" Pepper called. Grace whipped her head around trying to locate the redhead. She found her scrambling out her dad's personal Stark Industries car, Happy at the wheel, and hastily making her way towards the teen, shoving reporters out of her way, "Come on we've got to go" Pepper hurried get nearer and nearer.
As the assistant came more into view the dark-haired daughter noticed certain things. While the reporters shifted their focus and started their calls of "Miss Potts!" Grace could see the blotchy skin of her cheeks. Pepper's upset and red eyes as well as the dried tracks of tears recently brushed away.
"Pep?" the teen queried brokenly. There was no need for any more words. The underlying question was as clear as if Grace had shouted it at the top of her lungs.
At this Pepper's expression crumbled, Grace involuntarily echoed this change as water pricked at the back of her own chocolate orbs.
"Tell me he's not…they're wrong aren't they?" Grace argued in vain, "He can't-he- they promised he'd be safe. They promised they'd protect him!" She raged, rapidly getting distressed further.
"I'm so sorry sweetie. We've got to go." Pepper consoled shoving another journalist away. Apparently at the end of her tether Pepper bellowed, "GET OUT OF MY WAY!" startling the nearest photographer, whose camera was flashing brightly in both their faces, off his feet.
"No, no, no, no, no. He can't be. They're lying" Grace denied, shaking her head vigorously as tears trickled over her black lashes. Quickly she started to spin in circles. Constant flashes of cameras were blasting in her face. Vaguely she could hear Happy getting out of the car and assisting Pepper in her efforts to reach the Stark child. Dizziness hit Grace like a wave. Shutting her eyes instinctively, the nauseous feeling consumed her. She couldn't breathe. Her lungs felt empty. Her throat was dry. Feeling pressure on her shoulder as a cameraman bumped into her, Grace opened her eyes and was greeted by the sight of Pepper. Happy was behind her creating a clear path to the car, his glare practically obliterating people in his way.
"Grace? Sweetie? Can you hear me? Everything is going to be okay" Pepper soothed barely a metre from her.
The voice became distant. The questions from journalists fading. Black spots clouded her vision.
Then everything went black and the last thing Grace was aware of was colliding with the floor.
'Urrgghhhh' Grace groaned, 'had the strangest dream'.
"JARVIS, what time is it?" she moaned slowly opening her eyes, what she saw shocked her, "You're not JARVIS".
An elderly short lady, dressed in regulation nurses uniform, wisps of blonde hair framing her face with the occasional grey strand, stood at the bottom of her bed. A soothing smile no doubt perfected over her many years of service. A tag labelled her as "Mary".
"No I am not" she confirmed in a friendly tone. "You took a bad fall and a bump to the head. We want to make sure it's nothing serious. I'll need to ask you a couple of standard questions, nothing to worry about"
Grace nodded her understanding. Mary walked to the side of the bed, sitting down in the provided chair she began. "Do you know who you are?"
"Grace" the teen answered looking round the room to find herself alone. 'Where is Pepper?'
"Full name" Mary corrected, examining the file in her hand.
"Grace Maria Stark"
"Good. Your age?" Mary praised kindly, a warm expression on her face.
"Seventeen, eighteen on the 9th. Erm could you tell me where Pepper Potts is?" Grace wondered.
"Not to fret dear, I'm sure she is waiting for you outside" Mary comforted smoothly, "Can you tell me today's date?"
"6th of May" Grace replied quickly, "I know but the thing is I really need to talk to her-"
"And you will but for now there's a couple questions left. Parents' names?"
"Anthony Edward Stark, I don't know who my mother is" Grace revealed accepting the nurse's condition.
"No problem. Everything seems to check out so far. I'll need another look at your pupils and then that's you I think" she offered optimistically.
A loud roar echoed down the corridor outside and into the small private room while the elderly nurse searched her pocket for a miniature torch.
"WELL HER FATHER CAN'T BE HERE! Now move she needs me" Grace instantly recognised this voice to be Pepper Potts.
"Miss if I could ask you to calm do-" a distinctly male voice requested in a considerably quieter voice.
"DON'T YOU DARE ASK ME TO CALM DOWN! WHAT DO YOU KNOW? NOTHING! There is a 17 year old girl in there, alone and freaking out. She needs me with her." Pepper yelled, definitely closer to the room than she had been seconds earlier. A bright light flickered in Grace's left eye.
"Sorry Miss but family only until we know more. You are certain you don't know her mother's contact details or any other relations that could be notified?" the male nurse who lacked any sense of self-preservation pleaded once more in a squeak. The same bright light flashed in Grace's right eye.
"Oh of course I'm lying. Forgive me. Tell you what I will quickly deploy my unicorn to the land of abandoning wenches and let her mom know what's what and while I'm at it I'll send my magical owl over to Afghanistan. I have no idea where her dad is but I'm sure some pea-brain bird can find him while the entire US military can't!" Pepper sarcastically berated.
Mary grinned and gave a comforting wink to Grace. "You're fine, a nasty bump is all. You may check yourself out whenever you like". Mary got to her feet slowly and began heading to the door but she too froze when listening to the following outburst.
"Miss if I could just speak to her mother th-" once more the man attempted. His voice was much clearer than before and it was obvious he was futilely standing at the door, blocking Pepper's way in.
"Listen to me" Pepper growled loud enough to creep through the wooden door, "I've known that kid in there since she was 5 months old. I've fed her. I've changed her. I've washed her. I've stayed up till 3 in the morning because she was bawling her eyes out with teething pains. I have scoured the city looking for child clothes that would fit her for longer than 5 seconds. I've taken her to and from school. I've attended every graduation she's ever had. I've sat in those horrendously smelly doctor waiting rooms for her. I've spent practically every Christmas and New Years with her. I know her social security number. I know exactly where the scar on her knee is and precisely which tree she fell off to get it. I know that it takes a while to really get close and know her completely. I know she is practically identical to her father in every way that matters. I know her biological mother must have been a moronic ass completely lacking any semblance of a brain, it's the only explanation for how she could act so absolutely stupid by deciding to willingly leave that girl. I know everything there is to know about Grace Maria Stark, unlike her 'real' mother. Short of shoving her out my vagina there is nothing more I could have done for her!" Pepper ranted bluntly, the famous fury of a red-head unleased on the suicidal nurse blocking the door. Grace pinched her lips between her teeth in efforts to contain her laugh at Pepper's out of character crude remark. It took quite the feat to piss THE Pepper Potts off and it seemed that the poor man at the door had done just that. There were a couple heavy breaths as the dragon quelled her flame, "So if you want a 'mother' then I AM YOUR GODDAMN WOMAN. SO OPEN THE BLOODY DOOR!"
"You are Mr Stark's wife?" Mary asked with an underlying hinting tone, knowing this was utterly false as she held open the door. Through the gap Grace could see the stunned form of the male nurse Pepper had been 'speaking' to. His jaw hung open, fingers slack allowing the clipboard in his hand to gradually slip in his hands, eyebrow missing in the mass of brown waves on his head. His eyes were so wide Grace could see the green in them despite the distance.
"Sure, let's go with that. Glad we understand one another" Pepper rumbled pushing past the idiot and into the private room. With an acknowledge nod to Mary, the assistant charged to the young Stark's bedside. Mary departed, leaving the two women alone.
"Sweetie! Are you okay? How's your head? It was quite the fall you had. I would have been with you when you woke up but they made me stay behind and fill out some paperwork then that jerk wouldn't let me in. Happy is at the vending machine getting you some of your favourites. Oh sweetie I am so sorry." she stated in one rushed breath.
"Yeah I'm fine we can go home but right now I need to know everything you know about what happened to Dad" Grace demanded sitting up from the bed.
Having checked her out the two women rode in the back of the car as Happy drove. Pepper explained what she knew about the incident during the car ride back to the Starks'. Apparently the demonstration went off without a hitch and her father being her father decided to split from Rhodey and ride in another Humvee. Rhodey's group were a few minutes behind the first group so they wouldn't bring unwanted focus by creating a large convoy. It was standard military procedure. Explosions and gunfire were heard but by the time they got there the Humvees were destroyed and her father was nowhere to be found.
Pepper and Happy had been on route to the house to tell her when they saw her surrounded by the press. Obadiah had tried to call multiple time during the ride but he was not the one Grace wanted to speak to. Grace fell out of the car numbly. She could not feel the pain and terror from earlier. In its place an unbelievable anger arose. 'How could they let this happen?'
"Pep-I uh, I have no food. It's why I was out when-when- when they-" she stated weakly to the ginger.
"Sweetie don't even worry yourself about it. Get inside. I'll go buy some stuff. I need to pick up some clothes for me tonight as well" Pepper offered hopping back inside the car. The family friend had promptly declared she would stay the night to keep an eye on Grace. She said this in a tone that brokered no argument. Truthfully the assistant was thankful for something to do. Organising, planning, fixing. These were her skills. She couldn't sit idle with her brain. She needed to keep her focus off of the abduction. As the car rolled away Pepper advised through the window, "Stay inside the press will be looking for you". The media were still camping outside the hospital not noticing the trio slip out the back.
"JARVIS" Grace summoned the moment she crossed the door.
"Welcome home Miss Stark. Is there anythi-" He scarcely got the words out before Grace interrupted him,
"I need you to get me Rhodey immediately"
"Of course Ma'am." There was a brief pause when in one rare moment JARVIS proved himself to be more than an AI all the other people got to see. "Mr Stark will return to you Grace."
The black haired girl sniffed and nodded, wiping the back of her hand across her face. Sitting on the sofa she waited.
Rhodey had obviously been waiting for her call as he answered the skype call after the second ring.
"Grace-" the teen in question stopped him from going further. She was mad and right now he was the only thing she could blame. She knew deep down it was irrational and not Rhodey's fault but at this moment she couldn't have cared less. Rhodey lost her Dad.
"HOW COULD YOU HAVE LOST HIM? HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BY YOUR SIDE!" she roared. The rage pumping through her blood making her stand. The second she saw his face it all came tumbling out of her.
"I know." he agreed, expert negotiating and training being employed, "we are doing all we can to look for him I swear Gr-"
"HOW HARD CAN IT BE TO SEARCH A DESERT RHODEY, THERES LIMITED PLACES TO HIDE! CAVES OR A SAND DUNE THAT'S IT! HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO HAVE SURVALLIANCE IN THE SKY? GET A FUCKING CHOPPER AND PUT IT IN THE GODDAMN AIR AND FIND MY DAD RHODEY!" She cried, angry tears flowing down her cheeks, arms waving manically. She was too far gone for control.
"Grace, I know you're scared-" Rhodey appeased raising his hands in a subtle calming gesture.
"I'M NOT SCARED. I'M FURIOUS! LIVID! ENRAGED! YOU PROMISED TO KEEP HIM SAFE. EVERY TIME HE GOES AWAY YOU GO WITH HIM TO PROTECT HIM! THAT'S WHAT YOU SWORE TO ME WHEN I WAS A KID!" She bellowed referring back to when she was a child. She had been distraught Tony was leaving her behind to go abroad yet Rhodey could go. She called it unfair but Rhodey had explained he was there to watch his back and keep her dad safe. "HOW COULD YOU LOSE A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR MAN?! IT'S NOT LIKE THOSE FREE TOYS WITH KIDS MEALS! WHAT KIND OF IDIOTS DID YOU LEAVE HIM WITH RHODEY?! WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO SAY FOR THEMSEL-"
"THEY WERE ALL DEAD!" he shouted back. Grace's uncontrolled emotions sparking his. That mixed with his guilt of losing men "Sorry" he breathed. "There was no one left to ask" he reiterated in a more official tone.
Surprised at his outburst Grace froze. Taking a few deep breath trying to reign in her raging temper she spoke.
"Tell me everything you've got. Every single detail you know." She had intended it to come out in a calm and collected voice but it was a distinct growl, reflecting the temper still bubbling beneath her skin.
"Grace that's classified. You know I can't tell you, no matter how much I wished to" Rhodey commented sadly.
Fire could have blazed out of Grace's brown eyes. In fact there was every chance her eyes managed to make a snapping noise as they whipped themselves to the remorseful image of Rhodey. Prowling forth to the screen causing her intimidating features to become more crisp she snarled viciously,
"You listen here, and you listen well. My father has been taken by unknown assailants who let's face it aren't exactly inviting him to a Sunday picnic. We don't know how much time he has, where he is, what they want with him or who is responsible. So you can either tell me what I want to know OR I can make a complete arse of you and your entire department by hacking in and finding out myself."
Meeting her glare defiantly Rhodey uttered, "Top of the line security prevents leaks and firewalls too tough to crack make it impossible-"
"I think it'd be a good idea if you had it." Grace retorted threateningly.
Neither spoke for the following few minutes. Both staring determinedly at the other. Eventually Grace rose a single brow in a blatant challenge, gradually moving her hand to her pocket to pick up her phone, readying herself to do it. "I'm not too sure how well the government would take it to find out a seventeen year old broke through 'top' computer defences with a phone" she goaded.
That did it for Rhodey. Sighing he performed a swift sweep of his surroundings to ensure he was alone and secure.
"No matter what I can't tell you there has been increased activity by a terrorist group known as the Ten Rings. I am also forbidden from informing you that it was a planned and perfectly choreographed assault. Furthermore I would not tell you we are going to perform an aerial investigation on a suspected Ten Rings sight for evidence Mr Stark had been taken there. You understand?" Rhodey quickly revealed in hushed tones.
As soon as it came the fury coursing through her veins fled her body and the hurt returned.
"Thank you" Grace breathed, the news of today catching up with her, causing her eyes to droop.
"I'll keep you updated. Grace" he summoned demanding her eyes open and pay attention, "I promise you we will find him"
"Sorry Rhodey, about earlier. All this anger I think it's contagious. I know you're doing your best" Grace apologised before saying goodbye and signing off from the Colonel.
It was 1AM and Pepper had retired to the guest bedroom hours ago. Bless the red-head she had tried her hardest to make the distraught teen eat something. Yet despite the combined efforts of JARVIS and Pepper, the Stark barely downed five mouthfuls.
Time passed so unbelievably slowly but also ridiculously fast. Grace could feel every second drag by. Each tick of the clock. The gradual decent of the sun. At one point she was certain she could pinpoint the exact moment her cells divided and replicated themselves. But somehow, despite this, Grace found hours of her day missing. They had flown right past her as she did nothing. Her mind was numb and minutes became hours that skipped her by.
Grace lay unblinkingly in her own bed mutely staring at her wall. Her mind racing at one hundred miles a minute. What would she do if he was gone? What would become of her…of the company…of everyone who relied on her father? What if his last thought was that she hated him? That she detested the sight of him? What if he'd died thinking all he had left the world with was an ungrateful brat who was too immature to say goodbye to their father over one fight?
Suddenly an immobile picture of Tony popped up on the wall facing her. His black hair, identical to hers, stuck up at various angles from the many time he ran his dirty hands through it. His soft chocolate eyes that had ladies far and wide swooning looked hopeful at the camera. He wore a raggedy old black t-shirt. Grace recognised the background as his room. To his left rested his tiny carry bag. A grievous observation filtered through her brain.
This was from the day he left.
A sob shook itself free.
'JARVIS' she breathed mentally, a sad tug at the corner of her mouth persevered 'house knows exactly what I need'.
Wordlessly a message gently faded into view beside it. "Play Ma'am?"
Shakily taking a breath she vocally gave the affirmative to the AI's question.
Eyes glued to the image in front of her Grace gazed intently as the video came to life.
"Hey kiddo" Tony greeted, a gentle smile resided on his face, something Grace couldn't help imitating. "Please don't hit stop or delete!" he rushed out evidently believing at the time of recording she would. "Just-just hear me out Gracie. I know you don't want to listen to me right now after all I've said. I know you're pissed and rightly too. I get it. I'll beat my own ass later" he teased pulling a watery chuckle from his daughter. "But I can't leave without talking to you…well at you I guess. This is the first speech I've made in a while without any prompts, cards, plans or a Pepper on standby so I beg you bear with me to the end, because it's important this speech. This might be the most important speech I am ever going to make. I need it to be perfect so stick with me kid."
Tears escaped her eyes as she took the man before her in. He was nervous. All those times on stage he carried himself with an enviable confidence, yet here alone talking to her made him panic.
"People constantly ask what the best part of me is. Depending on my mood I either say my ass or my hair. Because let's be honest kiddo I am rather dashing. Right not the time. Sorry. Anyway, deep down I just assumed my real, honest to God answer would be my brain. Makes sense right? It's what provides this life for us. But today it finally struck me that all these years I got it wrong. This fight with you, the chance of losing you and my brain might as well have the same standing as a dirty sock. It doesn't even come close to being the best part of me. Because the best part of me always has been, and always will be, you. The way you make me feel, you're the light of my day kid. You make me a father. And trust me there is no better feeling than that." Grace's heart soared with pride at his comment. Her smile was so dazzling her cheeks were pressing up against her eyes. Meanwhile Tony stared vulnerably at the camera unseeing of her reaction until his typical bodily defence of rambling rose up again, "That and the fact you actually are 50% me, but still you got the best bits Gracie." The teen laughed at his logic. He always had an answer for everything. Tony wrung his hands anxiously when he continued.
"I know you are still hurt and upset at what I said. And I am not naive enough to think all is forgiven yet but-but kiddo I want to make it right. You have no idea how sorry I am to be missing your 18th. Honestly I really would rather be there with you. B-But I'm going to call you on the big day. A-And I know I'm in no position to request things or make demands but kid please, just this once could you do me a favour? I'm gonna call and would it be at all possible for you to not ignore the biggest ass-hat in the world and answer? I have this persistent and recurring need to constantly know you're okay. Could we maybe pretend that on that day everything is normal between us? That you are an incredible teenager who has a serious phobia of healthy food and lives in a strange house. And pretend that I am this bizarre dad who escaped the mental asylum and has major problems acknowledging his five month old baby is in fact 18?"
Silence met his request. Tony said nothing for a while but Grace could see him thinking. His stare had become slightly vacant as he explored his mind. There was a comforting familiarity of it that sent stabs at her heart.
"You were right y'know" he suddenly confessed startling Grace out of her observations.
"You called me selfish and you're right I am. I don't think through my actions, I greedily seek out my interests and there is probably a picture of me accompanying the definition of it in the dictionary. But I don't think you realise quite what this means. Because you see my biggest interest is you. I want my daughter. Honestly I need my daughter. Which means I shall relentlessly plead, work and strive to fix this. You aren't allowed to ditch me, in fact I won't let you, I refuse. When I get back we are going to have a two day birthday celebration. I'm talking cake, ice cream, go-karts, laser tag, heck we could even use the jet to go somewhere." His face glowed with the plotting and planning. Grace watched unheedingly as she saw his expression grow with each suggestion. He unexpectedly adopted a serious face which caused Grace to pay her full attention once more.
"So the thing to take away from this, quite frankly, stupidly long video is two things. First, that I, Tony Stark love you unconditionally, to the point it is genuinely humiliating. Like the need I have for you to be in my life is so ridiculous it should be embarrassing. And second, because of that fact, I will never ever abandon you kiddo. I physically can't. I can't go months without seeing my kid…can barely go weeks if I'm honest. So no matter where I go, where we end up, whatever happens…I will always come back to you. I'll be some scary stalker you can't shake." Tony's eyes caught movement behind the camera, flickering his gaze back to her he finished.
"I've got to go. Pepper is loitering menacingly at the door and I seriously fear for the future of my reproductive parts. There is a manic twinkle in her eye, I'm telling you she's plotting something. If I wasn't paying her she might have murdered me long ago. See you in a week kid, I love you."
AN/ There ends another chapter over and done. Leave a review of what you thought! Additionally I have no clue what Malibu is like or if it is normal to have local/corner shops close to fancy mansions like that, so if Grace's walk is completely impossible I apologise. Also how was Grace's passing out bit, I've never fainted or anything like that so I was a bit concerned. Again sorry if Grace's rant at Rhodey seems a bit extreme or unfair but I thought in the circumstances it was justified in that she needed something to blame and he was the easiest. Oh and if Pepper seems overly mad I thought it was understandable with the kind of day she's having.
