A/N Update #7 and update #final. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I've never felt more tired for a day of school in my life. The Avengers apparently care about my education and since I've had a week off, I have to go back. But I can't sleep. I can't think. I won't see him, because I'm too scared. Clint's taking me in, and he's supposed to explain, but it's Clint so I can't be sure he will.

He doesn't. He just drops me there and then says he'll be back, and that he's going to see dad. I get in to homeroom as the bell goes. Hayley and Max obviously don't think I'm coming in and they're sitting where they usually sit, not looking. I don't announce myself. There's no need. I say yes to my name in the register and that's when Hayley and Max turn around. I smile weakly and Hayley's face falls she knows something's up. She turns and I can imagine her asking, "what do you think is wrong?" Especially when I see Max shrugging his shoulders.

"Hey." Hayley smiles at me as we walk out together. "Where were you last week?"

"Tell you later." I shrug off. I'll probably cry when I talk about it and I don't want to do that in a hallway.

I can't concentrate, I can't write, I can't read. Not even in Russian. At break I go to the toilets and call Clint, then Steve, then Natasha, and no one picks up, which leads me to believe that something's gone wrong. I try dad as a last resort, and he picks up. "Yana what's wrong? Clint said you were at school."

"I'm... I'm not sure."

"Is it just one of those days?" A lump begins to build up in my throat.

"Yeah. Get... get better soon so you can hug me." The bell rings and I cut off before he asks if I need picking up. When I meet up with the others, I think Hayley asks me where I was, but I can't hear properly, everything's scrambled. I walk to the next lesson tired and confused.

Hayley and Max don't ask me anything about it. I don't say anything. At lunch they talk while I sit, not really listening. "I can't see you like this anymore. What's up?" Hayley says to me.

"Dad's in hospital. It's my fault." They both look at me, as if expecting more. "HYDRA took him, to get at me. Four days it took to find him. I get it if you don't want to be friends with me. It might happen to you."

"No." Max says instantly. "You're a good friend, and I don't care if I die for you." I'm shocked. Didn't expect him to say that.

"I would too." Hayley says softly. I didn't expect that. I'm genuinely surprised. I'm honoured to have such good friends.

Somehow dad manages to get home after two and a half weeks. He says he's fine, but Steve says he's to be on strict bed rest and not to do anything. He tells JARVIS this which drives dad close to insanity. It's great. I'm just so happy that he's definitely going to be okay. He's still hurt, but he'll be okay.

A couple of days later we're watching a film, just us. It's some cringey rom-com, set at Christmas for some reason, even though it's June, and neither of us are actually paying much attention. "You know, I could make a better film than this." Dad quips, his attention turning back to the screen.

"Is that what Stark Industries is going to do next?" I raise my eyebrows.

"I think Pepper will probably talk me out of that one. Maybe when you run the company." What?!

"What do you mean?"

"When I'm dea-"

"You're not going to die. Ever."

"So I'm going to be imooooooortal?" He sings. I roll my eyes. "Anyway, when Pepper and I are old, we'll need someone to run the company. And who better than you? I mean it's years away, but I trust you. I love you."

"Love you too daddy."

A/N So that's it, Fresh Start over. Can't believe I met my target of Christmas. Thank you to all those who've read this and an even bigger thank you to everyone who followed, favorited and reviewed! And also a massive Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it, Happy Hanukkah if you celebrate that, and if you don't celebrate anything, Happy Holidays and enjoy the break!

Random007