13th of October, 2012
7:34 pm
"C'mon, Sky! We were meant to leave fifteen minutes ago!" Tony yelled.
"Yeah, yeah!" Sky called back, pinning the finishing touch to her hair. Walking out of her bathroom into the bedroom, she glanced at herself in the mirror. Satisfied, she grabbed her purse and rushed downstairs, meeting her dad in the foyer.
"Fancy," he commented.
"Well," Sky said, "I am a Stark."
"True, that," Tony replied.
The two walked out into the cold winter air over to Tony's Acura NSX. They slipped into the sleek car and Tony turned on the heater. The car hummed around them, as Tony drove off towards the restaurant.
"So, what restaurant is it?" Sky asked.
"Geoffrey's Malibu," Tony replied, taking a left turn.
"Sounds like a pizza parlour," Sky said, and Tony took a quick glance at her.
Around ten minutes later, the two rolled up to the restaurant. Sky followed her father through to the reception, and the lady directed them outside. There was an amazing view over the ocean, along with a chill breeze, causing Sky to wrap her cardigan tighter around herself. She immediately saw the rest of the team at a large table, chatting and laughing amongst themselves, and getting multiple stares from others around them. As the Starks walked over, they all stood up to greet them. Sky noticed that all the guys, except for Thor, was wearing tuxedos. Thor was just wearing his usual.
Natasha was the first to reach Sky. She hugged Sky and then held her by the shoulders at arms distance. "It's been a while," Natasha said, "You been training?"
"Of course," Sky replied.
Natasha removed her hands and smiled. "Happy Birthday."
Pepper then hugged Sky.
"Hey Pepper," Sky greeted.
"Happy Birthday Sweetie," Pepper said.
An arm then came around her shoulders, and Sky followed them, seeing that they belonged to Clint.
"Hey Clint," Sky greeted.
"Happy birthday," he replied.
Steve then came up and hugged her tightly.
"Can't… breathe…" Sky mumbled, and Steve let go, his face crimson.
"Sorry," he apologised, "Happy birthday!"
Bruce was his usual awkward self. Sky went up and hugged him.
"Hi Bruce," Sky said.
He patted her on the back.
"Happy Birthday, Sky," he replied.
"Skylar!" Thor boomed.
"Hey Thor!" Sky replied in the same tone.
"Hey Sky," she heard Rhodey say behind her.
She spun around and hugged her godfather. "Hey Rhodey"
The nine of the sat down. Sky was next to Rhodey and Tony. The waitress came up and they all ordered, Sky choosing Herb Crusted Salmon. Her face was flushed as she walked away.
"How's the Inter-Dimensional Project going?" Bruce asked, and Sky glanced over at Tony.
"It going okay. I had a successful test this afternoon, of transporting an item there. Also, D sent over three items," Sky explained.
"Three items?" Tony repeated, "I thought he only sent over the USB."
"He also sent me this bracelet," Sky held up her right arm, showing the bracelet, "and that pair of headphones I was wearing all afternoon."
"Right," Tony said.
"Who's D?" Steve asked.
"He's the guy from the other dimension. I helped him build an IDP Pad in his dimension through IDP Message," Sky explained.
"You should show me this IDP Pad later," Bruce said.
Sky looked at her dad. "Uh, yeah, they're all coming over after dinner," he said.
"Right. You're the greatest at explaining things," Sky mumbled.
"I only forgot to mention that little fact," Tony said, and broke out in a smile, "because I was too caught up in the moment."
"Oh, god," Sky mumbled.
"What happened?" Rhodey asked.
Tony went in to full explanation. "Well, I couldn't find Sky this morning, so I assumed that she was downstairs in her lab. I went down there, and she was so caught up in her project that she didn't even hear me come in. So I scared her, and she threw her project across the room."
The guys erupted into laughter. Natasha and Pepper were shaking their heads.
"Yeah, real funny. Hilarious," Sky said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Yeah, and that project that Dad broke, D is looking at it. He is even kind enough to fix it for me."
"He is not you slave, is he?" Thor asked.
"What? No!" Sky said. "He wanted to look at the project, so I sent him that one. He's not my slave, he's just helping me out!"
"How old is this D anyway?" Clint asked.
"He's fifteen," Sky replied. Quickly remembered something, she turned to her dad. "Apparently our dimensions are quite similar. He lives in New York City. I traced the coordinates here but it's just think concrete there."
"Interesting," Bruce said.
"Is it possible to transport actual people?" Steve asked.
"I'm not going to try that yet, as I don't know the side effects it may have on one's body and mind. Once more successful tests are done I might try a hamster or something. It would be a while until I can actually transport a human being successfully," Sky explained.
Steve nodded.
Multiple waitresses then came over with the food, placing the seafood dishes in front of them. They all dug in, creating small talk and striking up conversations. Sky overheard Tony's conversation with Pepper.
"You're going away tomorrow?" Sky asked, and Tony faced her.
"I was going to tell you," he defended.
"How long will you be gone for?" Sky asked.
"…two months," Tony said. "I was going to tell you tomorrow morning." Tony glanced above Sky's head. "Shut up, Rhodey."
"I didn't say anything," Rhodey said, holding up his hands.
They all finished their dinner and the waitress took their plates. Another waitress came up and asked if they wished to order dessert.
"Yes please," Tony said.
Sky ordered a Maple Blueberry Cheesecake.
"So what did Tony give you?" Pepper asked Sky.
"He gave me my very own suit. It can turn invisible," Sky said, smiling in excitement.
"Of course he did," Pepper asked, glancing at Tony.
"Oh, and it can create holograms. Full on coloured and all. You won't even be able to tell the difference between the real thing and the hologram," Tony explained.
"And again," Sky said, "You failed to tell me that, too."
"It slipped my mind," Tony argued.
"Of course," Sky said. "Can I try it out tomorrow?"
"Sure," Tony said, "But there will be no flying. If you do, JARVIS will notify me. Also, if you leave the house, or if someone else comes."
"Geez, overprotective much," Sky mumbled, earning herself a look from Tony.
The waitresses then came with the deserts, and they all enjoyed their desserts.
"So," Sky started, turning to Rhodey. "What did you get me?"
"That is for later," he simply said.
They all finished their refreshing desserts, and Tony paid the bill. The nine of them walked out the front of the restaurant, and were immediately surrounded by paparazzi.
Sky held onto Tony's arm as they weaved their way to the Acura NSX. Wedging themselves inside the car they heaved.
"How have you lived with this all of your life?" Sky asked, placing her purse on her lap.
"So have you," Tony accused.
"You have for longer," Sky said.
"True."
They sped off towards the house, the others in their own cars following. Back at the house, Tony drove down the ramp, parking his car in the lab. The others parked out the front of the house. Sky and Tony met with the others upstairs. They all sat down on the couch.
Natasha gave Sky a small box first. Sky opened it, and saw a dazzling gold ring, encrusted with emeralds. Slipping it on her right ring finger, Sky thanked Natasha.
Pepper then gave another small box to Sky. Smiling, Sky opened it, and she saw a silver infinity ring with diamonds encrusted in it.
"Thank you, Pepper," Sky said, slipping it on the same finger.
Thor the held up a silver necklace with a purple pendant.
"For you, Skylar." He said, handing her the necklace. As she put it on, he continued. "The gem is of Asguardian origin."
"Awesome," Sky replied.
Clint then held out yet another small box. Sky opened it graciously, finding an Avengers key chain.
"Thanks Clint!" Sky said, smiling.
Steve handed Sky an actual wrapped present.
"Thanks Steve," Sky said, and she carefully unwrapped the paper, not ripping it. Two books were hidden inside, 'Grave Secrets' and 'Bare Bones', the fifth and sixth books of the Temperance Brennan series by Kathy Reichs.
"Yes," Sky whispered to herself. "Thanks Steve."
"No worries," he replied.
Sky also got another wrapped present, from Bruce. Opening it in the same manner from before, she revealed a telescope.
Her face lit up in excitement. "Awesome!" She exclaimed.
Rhodey stood up and left the room, leaving everyone confused.
"Bathroom break?" Pepper suggested.
Tony, standing up, said, "The bathroom's the other way." He followed Rhodey out.
The others anticipated in silence.
Then, "No." Tony.
"Too bad." Rhodey.
The two walked in the room, and Rhodey placed a small figure on Sky's lap.
Sky stared at the small animal on her lap, and a smile grew onto her face. It was a little black kitten, with blue eyes and a little bow around its tiny, fragile neck.
"No way," She simply said. Looking up at Rhodey, she smiled. "Thank you so much!"
Turning her attention back to the little kitten in her lap, she began talking to it. "I guess if I'm going to keep you, I should name you," she said.
"It's a he," Rhodey said.
"I need to talk to you Rhodey," Tony said, pulling him out of the room.
"I'm going to call you Coal," they heard Sky say as they exited the room.
"Why did you get her a cat?" Tony asked.
"Because it's her birthday, Tony," Rhodey replied.
"Why didn't I get consent?"
"Did the others need 'consent'?"
"That was jewellery and books. Not a pet."
"Look, Tony, the poor kid's always lonely, with you going on all these business trips lately, and now with your Iron Man getup. She needs someone to hang out with when you're away," Rhodey said, and went back into the living room.
"Right," Tony said, and followed his friend.
Tony saw Sky on the floor, teasing the kitten with the string of the bow. It meowed as it attacked the string
Suddenly, Sky sat upright. "Ooh! I still need to show you the IDP, Bruce," She said, standing up and tugging on his arm.
"Okay, okay, I'm coming," he said, following her downstairs.
Coal continued to play with the string. Tony sat down on the couch as the others chatted amongst themselves. Coal rubbed its body against Tony's legs.
"If you pee on the carpet, I'll strangle you," Tony muttered.
Coal meowed in response.
Sky and Bruce reappeared. Sky sat back down next to her father, picking up Coal as she did so.
"If he pees on the carpet–"
"What does it matter? You're going away for two months anyway, aren't you?" Sky said and got up, walking away.