Awakening

Who's happy with my more frequent updates? I am! As soon as this part of my school life is over (a week and a half from now) I'll start posting to HOA again. Sorry about the wait on that ya'll.

(And if anyone wants to see a disclaimer check the first 45 chapters of this story and the 80 chapters of Book One. I think everyone knows I own nothing by now, right? Good, cause I'm on a most-likely permanent disclaimer strike.) XD

I, of course, had sensed that most of the lovely Avengers and company were in the kitchen as soon as we arrived back at the Tower.

I had just forgotten that no one had seen me in over a day.

So, as soon as I walked into the room as if nothing had happened and pulled open Bob the fridge as he cried "You may eat my innards your sparkiness", I was tackled by a rather hyper/relieved Darcy and Jane, Pepper not far behind.

"PENNY!" They all screamed as I was tackled to the ground and crushed beneath a pile of flailing and suffocatingly tight limbs.

"Waa!" I exclaimed as I was pushed to the floor, the men behind me all chuckling, though I could sense a few people's relief from here. Romanoff wasn't laughing, nor was she hugging me, for which I was quite glad. I'd be rather...concerned...if she was.

"Hi guys!" I exclaimed, my voice slightly muffled by...Jane's?...hair. "Yeah, I'm back….now would you mind getting off of me?"

"I think I like squeezing the life out of you." Darcy stated in a tone of voice that actually caused me to be worried. Her voice was almost cold!

"If you don't I can just vanish and come back tomorrow night?" I suggested though I'd never actually do that. Ok, that wasn't true, I'd still be in the Tower, but they didn't know that.

"No!" Jane and Darcy exclaimed as they jumped off of me and Pepper helped me to my feet as I blew a few strands of hair out of my face. Pepper looked tired, but she gave me a small smile before pulling me into a hug.

"I'm glad you're alright." She whispered into my ear and I had to wonder just what Tony had told her. She probably knew that I'd been unconscious for over a day, but I was curious as to what reason Dad had given her.

"I am too," I joked as Pepper pulled back and she gave me an amused smile before pushing me towards the other two woman who looked ready to tackle me again.

"Where have you been!" Jane exclaimed as she crushed me again in a hug, I was barely able to turn my head in time so that my face wasn't crushed in her bosom.

Her arms were wrapped tightly around me and to be honest I could hardly breath. Oh it wasn't nearly as bad as Star's hugs, but it was pretty close.

Man for a human Jane was strong!

"Erm, oxygen please, Jane?" I managed to ask and it was with relief that Jane released me. Sure, I probably wouldn't die by suffocation by they didn't know that! Not to mention I felt no need to share such info with them.

"Well?" Darcy demanded as she also gave me a hug. Thankfully it seemed that the two of them crushing me had been enough for Darcy because she let me go before I could lose any oxygen.

"Um…." I said slowly as I scratched the back of my head. What on earth was I going to tell them? Damn, Dad and I should've come up with a cover for me while we were out. That would've been smart.

"I was with Mortem." I lied swiftly, knowing that Mortem hadn't been around since right after I passed out. Hopefully no one would freak out too much...besides, as far as most of these people knew Mortem practically lived at the Tower.

It wasn't like I had another reason to vanish for a whole day besides the fact that I had a boyfriend. It wasn't like they thought I'd been kidnapped or something...right?

"What?!" Jane and Darcy exclaimed, along with Rogers and Barton.

Bruce and Pepper just blinked at the lie but didn't comment, I loved those two.

I shrugged at Jane and Darcy's wide eyed looks before turning and giving Selvig a raised eyebrow, I didn't like that narrowed eyed look he was giving me.

"Yeah, things've been a bit insane around here so I spent the day with Mortem. Sorry if I worried anyone; I got back to the Tower earlier…" I trailed off as Dad strode into the room and took over for me without hesitation. He had paused right outside of the kitchen and had put together what my story was.

Ok, even when I called my dad an idiot he was a genius.

"...but I took her out to eat and for some father-daughter time." Tony said simply as he walked into the room, nodded to it's members, and then kissed Pepper on the cheek.

"It's after eleven." Rogers pointed out, causing Dad and I to exchange glances before shrugging.

"Ok, so it was more like dinner, desert, movie and joy ride; what next, you want to know what I had on my burger?" Dad drawled sarcastically as he crossed his arms over his chest. I was just glad that the hologram had faded and he now looked like himself. There was only so much of a blonde Stark I could take.

Rogers flushed just a tab but shook his head. Barton burst out into chuckles though, causing Dad and I to look at him in question.

"You know you just described a typical teenage date, right?" Barton exclaimed in glee before laughing some more.

Dad and I shared a wide eyed look before making disgusted faces and both of us stepped forward to smack Barton over the back of his head.

"Oh shut it," I told him as everyone else tried to stifle their laughter. "I already have a boyfriend."

"And I got really tired of people believing that I was dating my daughter last year." Dad quipped with a wave of his hand, which caused everyone to chuckle again.

"You also have a girlfriend," Pepper reminded him, and he smiling dazzlingly at her before wrapping his arms around her waist and pulled her into a kiss that caused most of the people in the room to turn away, while Barton and Darcy cat called.

I just rolled my eyes.

"Oh, I know." Dad stated as they separated and Pepper gave him another loving smile before they turned back towards the kitchen.

"So what did you all think happened to Pen anyway?" Tony asked as he leaned back against the counter, Pepper still in his arms. But I didn't think she was leaving her spot any time soon, she looked very content.

"Well…" Barton started slowly as Bruce chuckled softly under his breath. Giving the man a questioning look I turned back to the archer just as Rogers let out of huf of air.

"We were just concerned...you practically vanished after the conference, and...Penny hadn't been seen before hand...so..."

"What?" Tony asked the Cap as I strode back through everyone to pull Bob open once again.

"Hello again!" He exclaimed at the same time Dad continued.

"You didn't think she'd been kidnapped or something, had you?" He asked teasingly with a smile on his face, I knew cause I could hear it in his voice. I turned back around just in time to see Rogers and Barton scratching the back of their heads sheepishly and I suddenly felt the urge to slam my head into the wall, hard.

I groaned as I closed Bob the Fridge and Dad scoffed and gave them a disbelieving look.

"You seriously thought that Pen had been kidnapped? Man you two are idiots." Tony was shaking his head slowly in disbelief.

"Hey!" Barton protested and I paused from grabbing a few mugs from the cupboards and gave the archer a very unimpressed look.

"I'm only gonna say this once so pay attention." I stated simply, if not a touch coldly, and everyone turned to me, even Romanoff. "There isn't a force on earth that could kidnap me even if they wanted to."

I looked into every single person's eyes as I said this, Dad and Bruce giving me the tiniest of nods as our gazes connected.

"Besides, they'd have to get through all of us first." Dad quipped at the end, breaking the tense air and letting Jane and Pepper laugh just a bit.

Rolling my eyes fondly I turned back to making hot chocolate. I wasn't making enough for everyone, just me, Pepper and Dad. I knew I wouldn't be sleeping, but Pepper looked ready to pass out, and so did Dad; though Pepper and I were probably the only ones to realize it.

"Yes, they would." Bruce stated semi darkly, and I raised an eyebrow at the doctor in question. I didn't need another person in my life being overprotective. But it was still nice.

Bruce ignored my look, causing me to sigh.

"So…" I said slowly as glanced from the slowly heating tea pot to everyone in the room. "Where's Thor and Coulson?"

The strange tension that had risen fell away as everyone relaxed.

"Thor's at Stark Manor, spending some time with Loki and the family." Jane said, being the semi-expert on Thor, or at least, as far as she knew. But I wasn't about to tell the woman that I had been Thor's godfather/uncle in a previous life.

I nodded to her answer, as it did make sense, before glancing over at Rogers just as he opened his mouth.

"Agent Coulson is on the Helicarrier, helping with preparations regarding docking and repairs." Rogers stated simply, and I saw Barton and Romanoff nod as well.

I couldn't help the slightly surprised look I gave the 'older' red head as our gazes locked. Raising an eyebrow in question, but schooling my face otherwise blank, Romanoff gave me a very...curious...look before breaking eye contact.

Interesting, though at least she hadn't sneered at me.

"Ah," I said simply just as the teapot whistled. Pulling it off of the stove, Jarvis clicked it off and I poured the hot water over the cocoa mix before stirring it, and then pouring in the milk.

"So, how'd your little trip to the castle in the sky go?" Dad asked lightly and the room fell into light conversation. Rogers, Pepper, Dad, and Barton were talking about the trip to the Helicarrier, with Romanoff giving a few comments here and there.

Darcy, Selvig, and Jane all made their way to a small corner and started what was supposed to be a quiet discussion regarding everything they had learned about the team and my family in the last two days.

Putting the milk back on the counter, and using my senses to determine that no one was watching, I quickly conjured the sleeping pills that Pepper kept in her bathroom cabinet. I assumed she had them just in case she ever had to drug Dad, or even me. Sliding two of the pills into my hand, they instantly became crushed by my powers, and the rest of the bottle vanished back to Pepper's cabinet.

With a discreet swipe of my hand as I reached across Dad's mug for the stirring spoon, the powdered pills fell into Dad's cocoa. I stirred Pepper's and my own cocoa, in light purple, and dark blue mugs respectively, before stirring Dad's red and gold one. That way our hot chocolate wouldn't be contaminated by the sleeping pills. Topping all three drinks with generous amounts of whipped cream I smiled; done.

Dropping the spoon back into the sink I turn around with the purple and Iron Man colored cups in hand.

Blinking, as the rest of the room ensnared my attention, I realized that Dad and Barton were discussing updates Fury might be willing/could be coerced into doing.

"But that'd be awesome! Think of all of the defence and problems we could solve if the ventilation system had their own control and defence station!" Barton exclaimed excitedly, and I suddenly really didn't want to know some of the other upgrades he had suggested. (If I ever got curious in the future I could just listen to their conversation while reviewing this memory at a later date.)

"Well, you can pitch that idea to Fury. That way I'm not the one he'll skin alive if it doesn't work; but then again, I'd be 'asked' to build such a thing anyway if you sell Fury on it, so..." Dad trailed off and I blinked at him in surprise.

"Fury's contracting you to help fix the Helicarrier?" I asked in slight surprise as I pieced together what Dad was talking about.

Ok, I wasn't all that surprised that Fury and the Council wanted Dad to upgrade the Helicarrier, I'm just surprised that they were actually doing it. Dad's time wasn't cheap after all, and the Helicarrier would be a large project

"Hmhmm," Dad said with a wide cheshire cat grin as he plucked Pepper's purple mug from my hands.

My eyes widened and I couldn't help but blurt out, "That's Pepper's!" as I tried to quell my panic.

Dad raised an eyebrow at me and then winked at me and Pepper, causing Pepper to roll her eyes.

"Yeah, but her's has more whipped cream."

My eyebrow twitched, and I knew very well that all three cocoa's had the same ammount of whipped cream! Dad was just being irritating.

"That's my favorite mug." Pepper stated plainly as she eyed my father. Obviously her Tony-senses were tingling.

"I know." He smiled cheekily and I took a deep breath.

Ok, I could fix this.

How could I fix this?

Just as Dad was lifting the cup to his lips something in my brain just clicked and I had to fight the urge to smash my head into a wall.

God I was an idiot sometimes.

Without even an outward twitch, my magic surged and a simple switching spell caused Dad's drugged cocoa to replace Pepper's normal one.

He didn't even notice.

Now I just had to get him out of the room before he passed out in front of everyone. He loved me, but I had a feeling he wouldn't forgive me easily if everyone saw that.

As Barton and Rogers drew Dad back into conversation, I handed Pepper the mug and locked eyes with her.

"You might want to get Dad out of here, the cocoa was drugged. He'll be asleep in about ten minutes, and he'll be getting drowsy in a few minutes." I projected to her mentally, and Pepper's eyes widened just slightly as my voice appeared in her head.

It was a testimony of just how used to abnormal and strange things that Pepper didn't reveal anything or even act shocked. I had to give Pepper points for that, she'd come a long way.

"Alright boys," Pepper cut in smoothly, interrupting Dad who was explaining to Rogers just why the Helicarrier needed holographic interfaces. "It's getting late and we've had all had a long day. Now, I don't know about the rest of you but I want to sleep, so Tony, we're going to bed."

Dad looked positively horrified at the thought of sleeping, if you knew how to read him. But neither of us were going to let him protest. Before Dad had even managed to open his mouth to say something, he was already halfway to the door. Pepper had a grip as tight as a cobra, and we both knew that there was no escape.

"Night all." Pepper called as she dragged Tony out of the door.

"Night!" most of in the room called out cheerfully, getting a kick out of seeing Tony being dragged off.

"Sleep tight Dad, Pepper!" I called out happily, knowing that in a few minutes Dad would be out till morning.

Hopping onto the kitchen counter I sipped my cocoa (which had peppermint in it) happily. I got a strange sense of pleasure of getting one over on my father.

"Penny," Bruce said wearily at the look at my face. "What did you do."

"Do? What makes you think I did anything?" I asked way too innocently, and no one who knew more longer than three days was buying it.

"Spill it already," Darcy stated as she crossed her arms over her chest. "We know you too well."

Seeing everyone now giving me intrigued looks, and some narrowed eyed gazes I sighed. Eh, Dad could kill me later.

"Fine, I didn't do anything all that interesting, just drugged Dad's cocoa." I shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal and taking another sip of my cocoa.

I used that as an excuse to hide a smirk behind the mug, Rogers wide eyed look was just priceless!

"You did what?!" Jane, Rogers and Selvig stated in disbelief as Barton fell to the ground laughing. Darcy followed him a few seconds later and my smug smile grew as I noticed Romanoff's lips twitching.

"Do you have a reason for doing that?" Rogers asked slowly, and I mentally applauded the man. Three days and he's been learning. At least he wasn't jumping down my throat with high morals or acquisitions, thank heaven.

"Course I do." I said with a roll of my eyes. "Dad hasn't slept in over two days, and while normally that wouldn't be too big of a problem but he's been running himself into the ground with everything that's been going on. He'll probably kill me come morning, but at least he'll be awaken enough to do it."

There were some room-wide blinks at that, before everyone but Bruce nodded slowly, obviously replaying the last few days over in their minds.

Romanoff didn't look surprised, and I had to admit that she did know how to read Dad better than most of the other sin the room. She had worked for us/him for a few weeks after all. Bruce also didn't look surprised, but he had known, more or less, about his lack of sleep.

He also knew about our random four day straight science fests that we tended to do more often than not. But that hadn't been going on. Dad had been worrying, and doing about a billion other things at the same time.

That wasn't healthy, and he wasn't going to risk his health over me.

"Oh," Jane and Rogers said while Selvig nodded slowly. The elder scientist hadn't really been talking, and I had a feeling that his mind wasn't as stable as it once was. But what could I do? My Duties were telling me to leave the man's mind alone, for whatever odd reason, so I didn't really have a choice.

"Anyway, I'm gonna vanish ya'll." I hopped off of the counter after draining the last of my cocoa.
"See most of you tomorrow." I said with a wave as I strode out of the room. I was going to go play my violin for a bit, check up on Odin, pop in to see Loki, and then maybe go visit Mortem.

"Night!" Everyone called out after me, and I sensed most of the occupants slowly leaving the room behind me as well.

It seems that they had been waiting for Dad and I to make out appearance before going to bed. That was nice of them.

"Stark!"

I looked back in surprise at Romanoff's voice, and gave her a questioning look as I paused in the hallway and let her catch up to me.

What was this?

"We need to talk." She said quietly, and I could instantly see/sense the emotions behind her mask.

Nodding to myself I starting walking down the hall again, the russian redhead now keeping pace with me.

"So," I said slowly but not coldly or awkwardly. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I want to apologize." Romanoff said simply, though I could sense, and guess, how hard it was for those words to pass her lips. "What I did was wrong, and there is no excuse for my actions. I hurt you and caused your father great distress. I won't make justifications, but I swear to you that it won't happen again."

For a moment, nothing but silence followed Romanoff's words as I thought about what she said. If I was completely honest I didn't hate the woman, in fact I didn't really hold the fact that she shot me against her. I rarely held a grudge. I've lived too long to hate everyone who has every tried to kill me. Besides, it wasn't even completely her fault.

Sensing the fact that my silence was just making ROmanoff more nervous I stopped with a sigh.

"I don't hold it against you," I said softly, turning to meet Romanoff's eyes. "and to be honest I really don't have a problem with you. Yeah, you almost killed me." I shrugged. "If I hated everyone who's tried to kill me," or succeeded, "I would never be at peace.

"I believe you won't do it again, and I am going to hold you to that promise. Not for my own sake, but for Dad's, for Bruce's, for Jane's, Darcy's, Thor's and Loki's. There are a lot of people in this world who I'm just not ready to leave behind yet, and I'd rather it not be you who separate us."

Romanoff's mask had fallen and obvious surprise was on her face. I didn't know what she was expecting, and I wasn't about to dig around in her head to figure it out, but I'd surprised her. Good.

"I'm willing to start over, make a clean break. You've entered the Stark world, are joining our odd little family, and I don't think you're going to be leaving anytime soon. So why don't we try to get along?" I asked with a soft smile and held out my hand to the woman.

"Hello, I'm Penella Piper Maria Stark, daughter of Tony Stark; genius, sixteen, doctorate holder, mutant, and friend of some very powerful beings. It's nice to meet you."

I smiled widely at the Agent who allowed a small smile to flicker across her lips.

"Agent Natasha Romanoff, born Natalia Alianova Romanoff*; master spy, assassin, hand to hand combat master, and partner to Clint Barton. It's nice to meet you too." Romanoff said quietly as she shook my hand strongly.

"Call me Penny, Agent Romanoff," I told her kindly. Dad, Mortem, Insania and Hel probably wouldn't let her off of the hook for a while, and that's not even mentioning Bruce, but like I said.

I've had too many people try to kill me, and kill me, to hold a real grudge. Besides with Fati, but she's been trying to destroy me for millennia, so that's different.

"Then call me Natasha." She gave me another small smile before nodding at me.

"Try to get some sleep tonight, I'm not above drugging your hot chocolate." Natasha called out over her shoulder as she walked away.

I couldn't help it, I laughed.

"Good to know," I replied with a smile. "Good to know."

And then Romanoff became Natasha, and I gained another friend.

FINALLY! I'm sooooo happy Natasha and Pen are friends, and I didn't even have to do a whole, completely pointless, mini plot arc this time. (For the Baby-Pen thing, don't worry original readers, I'll post it as a one-shot eventually).

Anyway, this would've been up earlier but my Quantum Physics elective is doing an overnight in our (haunted) school so….yup.

(I'm not posting why ...but I LOVE my teachers XD)

Enjoy!
Cp