Chapter six is up! Wow, pretty fast, huh? Thanks for the reviews guys!

Chapter Six

Tuesday, day three

I don't know what I was thinking Tony would say when I asked if I could borrow the suit. Maybe I was thinking he would say yes. Maybe I was thinking he would laugh out a very obnoxious no. I didn't expect him to care enough to ask why. But he did.

I open my mouth before closing it again like a fish out of water. I didn't want to tell him about Manny. I really didn't want him to find out about my home life before I came to the tower, but as precious seconds tick by I find I have no choice. There's no time to tell him the whole story, but there is time to tell him enough so that he knows what's going on.

"My mom's in trouble and she needs to go to the hospital," I say quickly.

"Why doesn't your step dad take her?" Tony asks, raising an eyebrow. I don't know how all of them can seem so relaxed. I'm about as wound up as a coil.

"Because," I grit out through clenched teeth, "He's not there anymore. Listen, I'll explain this all later, but my sister's alone with her in a fucked up neighborhood, okay? I got to get over there quickly."

Clint knows what I'm talking about, I can tell by the look on his face. He probably went through a situation similar to the one I'm in. I turn back to face Tony who has a strange look on his face.

"The suit is for emergencies. Like the world ending; the ambulance should get there, about five minutes after you call so there's no point in going there. I'll take you in my car to the hospital, but that's the best I can do for you. Sorry, Thor, but I gotta cut the reunion short." Tony is already walking toward the staircase, ready to descend the many flights to the garage since the elevator's now in need of repair.

"But my sister-," I was ready to say alone until I remembered she'll be with the neighbor. It's a good deal, but I can't help but think the suit would be faster. That was a stupid thing to ask. Such a stupid thing to ask, because I should've known the answer. Iron Man is not a social worker and he isn't an ambulance.

We both hurry down the stairs at a quick speed, but we are on like the seventieth floor, and it seems we cannot descend quickly enough. Manny has Marta. Dear fucking God Manny has Marta, my little sister. Panic and anger swell to great heights in me and I feel scared – too many things to do in too little time. I feel rushed all of the sudden – I have to go to the hospital to check if my mom's okay, then I have to go check on Lupe, and then I have to track down and kill Manny.

"You have some explaining to do," Tony tells me after we finally reach the parking garage.

"I know," is all I can manage to get out. I can't really focus on that because I feel like my body is shutting down. Numbness is overtaking me and I can't quell the flood of panic I'm having. I'm vaguely aware of practically collapsing into the seat of one of Tony's many cars. My breathing comes out heavy and I put my head between my legs, trying to calm myself.

"Kid? Luis? Hey, Luis! What's wrong?" Tony sounds freaked out as he leans over the arm rest to try and look at my face.

"I-I'm fine," I manage to gasp out, even though I don't feel fine at all.

"Sir, I believe he is having a panic attack," JARVIS chimes in helpfully from the dashboard of the car.

"Um, okay, uh, breathe. Take deep breaths in and out." Tony instructs clumsily as he pats my back a couple of times. After about three minutes pass I feel good enough to sit up straight and lean back in my seat.

"Drive," I command, trying to make my voice sound stronger than I feel.

Tony watches me for a minute before switching gears and pulling out of the parking space. "JARVIS, tell Pepper that I'm taking Luis to see his mom in the hospital. Also I'd like you to track the Valentina Enri-."

"Valentina Garcia. She took my step-father's name. I still have her maiden one." I say, staring out the window.

"Right. Track the ambulance that is about to admit Valentina Garcia. Then tell me what hospital they're going to"

He zooms out of the garage and onto the street, causing me to latch onto the door for dear life. I reach for my seat-belt and buckle it quickly to avoid flying out the window at the next stop-light.

"Explain." Tony commands as he swerves in and out New York's famous traffic.

"My step-dad's an asshole," I manage to say as the car comes to an abrupt stop at a red-light. "He beat the shit out of my mom."

"Was he the one who beat you up when you came to the tower?" He asks even though I'm sure he knows the answer already.

"Yea," I say, past being embarrassed.

"Is he the reason you came to the tower?"

"Yea, well, kind of. He got pissed when he heard me asking who my real dad was and beat the shit out of me, as you can tell." I wave to my face where the scabbed over cut remains from where his ring got my cheek. "My mom told me I should go find you because I couldn't stay there anymore or Manny would probably kill me. So then I came and found you."

"No other family?" He asks, quietly.

"No, my grandpa died a couple years ago, and he was the last family I had." He doesn't say anything, and the only noise that fills the car is the sound of sirens and horns. After a few moments I speak up once again, "I didn't tell you, because I didn't want you to pity me. I'm sorry."

Tony sighs, keeping one hand on the wheel and running the other through his hair, "Luis, I'm not mad at you. It's not your fault, okay? I just wish you told me this shit before something serious happened."

"What were you gonna do anyway? Besides, I thought everything was okay. When I talked to my mom the other day she said Manny hadn't come home yet. I though he just went on one of his benders and when he'd get home he'd pass out like nothing happened." I lean against my hand and watch New York fly past in a swirl of colors.

"He probably watched the news," Tony says grimly.

"Why would – oh," Suddenly, my actions don't seem as funny as they did only an hour ago. Tony's right. He probably seen me announce that Tony was my dad on live TV and got pissed that my mom never told him I was the bastard of a billionaire.

"It's my entire fault isn't it? Pepper told me that it was for my safety, but I didn't think of anyone, but myself." I let out a bitter laugh, "The one thing I do for myself and this happens."

"You did what was right. Those cards were bullshit, and we both know it. I thought it would keep you safe, but it wasn't well thought out, and, despite the consequences, I'm happy you didn't listen. Personally, I think I prefer Luis Enriquez than Jeremy West."

I look over at him, surprised. "Thanks, because right now I think I'd prefer Jeremy West." Tony says nothing else. He just drives, following the coordinates of the ambulance on the GPS. I watch as New York passes by and think of the worst scenario. What if my mom dies?

The thought makes me want to throw up. Manny will get the twins if she dies. Unless I call DCFS, but then what? We'll all go to the orphanage because I'm not old enough to take care of them yet. Maybe Tony would adopt me and I would live in the tower full-time, but would he adopt my sister's? Would they just go to a foster home full of ten other kids? No, she can't die.

She won't die.

When Tony finally parks by the emergency room of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Hospital I practically bolt out of the car and through the emergency room doors. People shoot me strange looks seeing that I'm still wearing my press clothes, but I don't pay them any attention.

I stop in front of the nurse at the desk, "Hey, did they admit a Valentina Garcia recently?"

The nurse glances up from the work in front of her, "Yea, about five minutes ago. Are you family?"

I nod, "I'm her son."

"Well, the doctors are checking her out now. She was unconscious when she arrived, so it may be awhile." She says, already returning her gaze to the papers.

"Okay," I say numbly, backing away from the desk only to run into Tony. I hadn't even noticed he was behind me; he put on a dark pair of sunglasses and a sweatshirt with the hood up. He looks ridiculous.

"Scared you're going to be mobbed by fans?" I ask dryly.

He shrugs, "What can I say? The public love me."

I sigh, "You don't have to stay. Thanks for the ride though." I walk into the waiting room area and collapse onto one of the uncomfortable chairs. In the room there are about six other people. Two of them are gangbangers. I can tell by the colors they wear and the tattoos that pollute their arms. One is a dark-skinned girl, about my age, crying silent tears as she draws in a notebook. Another is an old woman, clutching a rosary in her shaky hand.

"I'm not just going to abandon you here," Tony shrugs and sits down next to me, slouching against the seat. "Besides, I'd like to talk to your mom about a couple of things."

I roll my eyes and say nothing.

Two hours and thirty minutes pass before a nurse comes out to get me. "Your mother is in stable condition. She woke up about ten minutes ago," She tells me as she leads me through the halls. She has a kind face, but her personality has been roughened, no doubt from the time she's spent in the ER.

"What's wrong with her?" I ask, scared of the answer.

"She was very brutally beat, but luckily, the damage didn't really affect any major organs. She had some internal bleeding, but the doctor fixed it. All her ribs on the left side were fractured," I on instinct touch my own ribs that are beginning to heal. "Bruises and cuts, mostly. She has some damage around her throat, that might strain her vocal cords a bit, but she'll be okay."

I nod dumbly as we stop in front of her room. Tony insisted she get her own. He said he's even pay for it. I'm grateful, probably more grateful than I can express, even though he did sleep most of the time in the waiting room.

"You can go in," The nurse tells me. Her name is Patricia. I nod once again, but make no move to open the door. The nurse seems to understand and only gently touches my shoulder before leaving. I look through the small glass window and see her, but she doesn't see me, instead, she stares at the ugly wallpaper.

At first I don't even recognize her. Her face is bruised up so bad it's hard to make out her features. She has what can only be a cigarette burn right under her chin; there are hand shaped bruises on her neck. A long cut on her collarbone that matches the one on my face.

I have to look away for a second because of the guilt that threatens to choke and kill me. I did that. All because of that stupid press conference. When I was little, I always wondered if I was like my dad. Do I talk like him? Do I act like him? Do I look like him? Yes, to basically all of them. I don't know if that's a good thing yet, but right now, I feel like it isn't.

I open the door quietly and step in before shutting the door just as quietly. She turns her head to face me, wincing slightly. The white in her right eye is no longer white, but red, probably from a burst vein. Manny would get them if he yelled too loud.

"Hey mom," I say softly, standing awkwardly by the door.

"Hola, Luis." She says just as softly, her voice sounds scratchy and rough.

A minute passes before I speak again, "Mamá, lo siento."

"There is nothing for you to be sorry for. Nothing at all. Come here," She gestures toward the chair next to the bed. I walk over to the chair and sit down, taking her hand.

"It's my fault," I hang my head; "If I didn't say I was Tony's son on TV this would have never happened."

She lets out a slightly gurgled sigh, "I think that this was going to happen anyway. Your announcement was just fuel to the fire." She squeezes my hand, "Don't cry, hijo." My left hand immediately goes to my face. I hadn't even noticed I was crying.

"Everything is so fucked up," I mumble into my hand angrily. A hand slaps the back of my head and I jolt slightly, looking at my mother, surprised.

"What? You think your tears are a pass that let you swear?" She asks. I can't help the laugh that escapes my throat, because the words are just so her that for a minute I can forget the broken woman in front of me, and remember the when she was together.

"When I first seen you on TV," She begins with a smile on her face, "I was at work and everyone in that restaurant knew you from the neighborhood. They were all confused because you were on, but they were happy, because they thought you really were the new apprentice of Tony Stark.

I was angry, though. Because I knew you were his son, and I didn't want him to be ashamed of you, because there's nothing to be ashamed of. But then, you told everyone that you were his son, and everyone in the café was confused because they know you are my son. But I was happy, because now I know you will never let someone treat you as something lesser than you are."

I smile at her, one corner of my mouth twitching up, "Then what?"

"It got really quiet, and everyone was watching at me. So, I stood up on a table and announced very loudly, 'Yes, I slept with Tony Stark and Luis is our son! Isn't he beautiful?'"

"Ew, mom." I shake my head, but I can't fight the grin on my face.

"Luis, no matter what the consequences of your actions was I am happy with your decision. I love you, Luito. I care about you more than I care about myself; don't regret what you said, because I don't."

I look at her for a second before nodding, "Okay. Te quiero, mama."

She smiles before her eyes flicker around the room, "Donde están Marta y Lupe?"

My grin melts away and I turn my own gaze back to the floor. "Lupe is at home with a neighbor. I called her already and told her everything is okay… Manny took Marta."

"What?" Her voice is concerned, "Why aren't they looking for her yet?"

"He's her dad, so they can't call it kidnapping unless you press charges against Manny for domestic abuse. Then they'll see him as an unfit parent and be forced to find them." I inform her, tapping my foot twice.

"Oh," She lowers her head back to the pillow.

Oh no. "You are pressing charges, right?"

Her silence says everything. I shake my head slightly, but say nothing. No, that asshole is not keeping my little sister. I'm not surprised – I was already preparing myself for this while waiting. I've already taken things into my own hands.

"He wouldn't hurt Marta anyway," She offers lamely. Disgust hits me like a tidal wave, but, luckily, before I have a chance to say anything, Tony opens the door.

"Oh! Fuck, sorry, family moment. I'll just let myself out." He turns to leave, but before he can I stand up.

"No, it's okay. You two can talk. Mom, I'm going to call Lupe to check in... Um, is it okay if Tony…"

"It's fine, hijo. You can go," She says waving a hand toward the door, but never taking her narrowed eyes off of Tony.

"Okay, I'll be in the waiting room." I say before leaving the room and walking out and into the sterile, white hallway.

Tony's POV

Tony Stark didn't remember the woman in front of him. Maybe, it was because her face was so badly battered she was unrecognizable, but he didn't think that was the case. Over the last four days he tried to remember a Valentina Enriquez. He tried very, very hard. But in his life he had been with so many waitresses, so many flight attendants, so many reporters, that he couldn't remember. He didn't think he ever would.

"Hello, Tony." She greeted, dark hair sprawled around her like a frizzy halo. "You don't remember me do you?"

"Not really, no." He leaned against the wall at the end of the bed.

"I didn't expect you to. It's okay," She said, with a light raise of her shoulders.

"I want to talk to you about Luis," Tony began, slightly awkwardly. "About… What happens after these two weeks are over?"

"What do you want to happen?"

"I don't know."

She lets out a mirthful laugh, "The Genius Tony Stark doesn't know what he wants? I'm going to tell you what I want, then. I want Luis to have a real father."

"He has a real father. Me, remember?" Tony raised an eyebrow at her.

"You share the same blood, yes, but do you share the same heart? All I want you to do is be there for him. I don't want you to send him back home after two weeks, and be close to him by paying child support."

"I don't want that either," he said, feeling slightly insulted.

"Really? Because responsibility never seemed like your game? Are you sure you aren't just going to brush this all under the rug?"

Tony stood up straighter, indignant, "Listen, I'm not just going to abandon him, got it? I'm sorry that I wasn't there for 15 years, but I'm not going to just leave him."

"Why not?" Her voice rose, but only slightly.

"Because he's a good kid! He deserves better!" The words surprised even him. Valentina leaned back into her pillow and closed her eyes, smiling slightly.

"Oh… I see what you did there." He pointed accusingly at her. She set him up. It was a test to see if he was just going to ditch the kid. He'd thought of it before, he wouldn't lie, but the thought weighed to heavy on his conscience.

"I just wanted to make sure you cared about him," She replied, not opening her eyes.

Back to Luis' POV

Walking into the waiting room I sit on the chair closest to me and put my hands over my face, dragging them down slowly with a groan.

"What's your problem?" A voice from next to me asks. It's the crying girl from earlier. Her hair is light brown and separated into about a small braids. Her eyes are brown, but several shades darker than her skin, so dark they seem to have no color at all. She wears a pair of torn jeans and a crinkled tank top. She's been here longer than I have.

"I'm in the emergency room. What do you think is wrong?" I ask raising an eyebrow at her. She shrugs and returns to her drawing. Okay, now, I really hate when people start talking to you and then stop like they've never started.

"That's it? That's all you're going to say?" I ask.

She huffs, "Listen, I was trying to be nice and ask, okay? What else do you want me to say?"

"Ay, calm down." I raise my hands in surrender before glancing down at the notebook in her lap. "You draw? Me too." I jerk my chin to the notebook.

She nods, "Yea." She turns the page to give me a better view. It's of a woman in a hospital bed, light shining across her face. It's done well, like, really well. Better than anything I've seen in awhile.

"Wow, that's really good. Who's it of?" The words leave my mouth before I can stop them. Her face falls slightly. "Oh, shit, sorry that was a stupid question."

She shrugs again and shuts the book, clutching it to her chest instead. "It's of my mom." She offers after several minutes of silence.

I shrug, "My mom's here, too."

"Why?"

"Home problems," Is all I say, but it seems to be all I need to say because she just nods.

"AIDS," Is all she says to me, but it's all she needs to say. I don't say I'm sorry and she doesn't say it to me. I know why she said something to me no – she wanted to talk to someone who understood what she was going through. Like how after tests you know you failed you talk to someone else who probably failed too.

"I'm Luis," I say, turning to her and holding out my hand for her to shake.

"Anika," She replies taking my hand and shaking it once. "I'm sorry I asked. That was rude."

"It's cool," I say. "Sorry I was kind of a dick earlier."

She shrugs once again, but a smile pulls at her lips. She opens her mouth to speak, but before she can my phone rings.

"Sir, no phones in the building." The nurse at the desk says, standing up.

"Right! Right, sorry. Sorry." I say to my new ER friend before getting up and practically running out the door.

"Hey, Clint." I say, answering the phone, "I take it you got my text earlier?"

"Yea, you crazy bastard." His voice is gruff and somewhat annoyed.

"Just what I like to hear. So I take it you agree, right? Your gonna teach me how to override JARVIS?" I ask, hopefully.

Silence. "Yea, but only because your step-dad reminds me too much of my own dad, and I really wish I got to kill that prick. Why do you want to override JARVIS, anyway? And what does it have to do with your dad?"

"My mom won't press charges. Tony won't let me use his suits, and he'll know if I do. I guess I'll just have to design my own suit and then track down Manny myself. I need to override JARVIS because if I don't the bastard is gonna snitch."

Like I said before: I'm taking matters into my own hands.

And my plan is not going to fail.

Wow, quick update, huh? It's because I was pretty excited about this chapter. Anyway, did you guys like it? I was very very happy about the number of reviews last chapter! Good work people! And Manny better watch his back because Luis is pissed. Also, main villain introduction in the next chapter.

About Anika: She probably will only be in this story two or three more times, because, yes, she is Luis' love interest, but they both have bigger things going on in her life. But I wanted to explain why she's there in case it didn't come across. Her mother is dying of AIDS, and unlike Luis' mom she will probably not make it through.

Next chapter up soon, hopefully! Review! Oh, and if you guys have tumblr, follow me at pfft-girl-please.