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They couldn't find out how such sensitive information was leaked out, and this left a frustrated Tony. It had been a few days since then, and he had been delaying the inevitable press conference that he knew was looming. Grace hadn't left the tower, as he feared that she would be bombarded by the masses, and he knew how uneasy she could get around strangers.

He also had THAT problem to deal with as well.

The fact that his daughter was dating his father's obsession. It was an unsettling thought, and he hadn't gotten used to. The lovey dovey glances they gave one another and how they could be often found together...Cuddling! It sent shivers down his spine, and any glares he sent their way usually ended up with Pepper scolding him. And he had yet to talk to the captain.

Maybe punching the guy hadn't really been the best start to the "Hurt my daughter and I will make it so they won't find your remains" talk. He would of course try and talk the solider out of his dating his daughter, but if that should fail. He at least needed to make it blatantly clear to the old man that hurting his little girl would be the last mistake he ever made.

He would have to corner Steve alone of course, as his daughter had blackmail material on him that he couldn't afford to be shown to anyone else. Clint could still be seen chuckling to himself, and he knew he wanted Tony to invoke his daughters rage, and show the embarrassing picture to someone else.

The opportunity for a private talk, came when Rogers, Natasha, Clint and himself and been assigned a mission to deal with a terrorist group. Thor had gone to visit the 'girl who he liked yet wasn't yet dating' Jane, and he would probably be back before they returned. His science brother didn't need to turn green for this, so was probably tinkering back in the lab.

The mission had been a success with the terrorist group easily defeated. Natasha and Clint had gone to debrief, leaving him and spangles.

He couldn't help the grin that spread on his face, as he actually looked uncomfortable.

Good. He should. He paused a moment to enjoy Steve squirming with unease.

"Grace used to be such a small kid, cute though" Tony randomly started, not even looking at the patriotic man Steve frowned slightly snapping out of his thoughts, wondering what the billionaire was doing. Was this his way of having 'the talk?'

"She wouldn't even look me in the eye, cuddling her Phil bear and trying to hide when we first met. Imagine my surprise when she looked up, sporting a black eye "This caught Steve's attention, imagining a tiny little grace black and blue.

"You couldn't even get near her without her flinching "Tony's eyes had hardened "She'd apologise all the time too, most of the time for no reason. Not to mention she used to have nightmares a time I found her hiding in her closet, crying 'don't hurt me' and then asking me if there was something wrong with her." He recollected the last part in anger, his little girl with so little self-esteem, wondering if there was something so wrong with her that meant she was beaten so much. Tony glanced at the super solider.

"Do you see where I'm getting at spangles?" He asked coldly, almost patronisingly at the soldier.

Steve simply hung his head, anger filling him.

Grace, a innocent child, had been hurt like that? She had never mentioned it, was that why she had allowed Zac to hurt her? Because she was used to be treated like that? The thought angered him immensely.

"Who hurt her?"Tony pretended not to notice that Steve had clenched his fist, his knuckles white.

"Her uncle Cal"Tony sneered "Wouldn't have even known if she hadn't called Phil for help." Tony still admired his little girl for the courage she had. Most abuse cases didn't end that like that. Kids wouldn't ask for help, instead waiting till they were able to run away or…

Or they didn't make it.

But his little girl 'd called a captain America fan-girl for help and she had gotten out.

She'd saved herself.

"She obviously hasn't forgotten about it "Tony spoke casually, as if speaking about the weather." and with what happened with that bastard" Steve knew he was referring to that punk Zac "Well, it isn't going to help"

"And let's not forget her good old mother decided she wasn't worth the trouble to begin with" Tony stated, not even glancing at the solider who tensed with the reminder that Grace had been abandoned by the very person who bought her into the world

"I'm no psychologist, but life has messed her up pretty badly, both emotionally and physically" Tony didn't mention how much life had fucked around with her, to more precise, why Grace had finally called for help. That was something he had no right sharing. Even he wouldn't stoop that low.

Graces words of being covered in scars echoed in Steve's brain. She always insisted on wearing long sleeves, even when it was hot. She had thought that he wouldn't want her because of the wounds she had suffered at the hands of a scumbag.

When he got back, he decided he needed to talk to Grace, at least to show her that he didn't care about the markings on her skin.

He lov- liked grace for who she was.

"What I'm getting at Steve" the blonde man straightened, knowing that whenever Tony referred to him by his actually name, the billionaire was being deadly serious.

" Is that if you're not serious about her, and all of her emotional baggage, I suggest you leave her the fuck alone" Tony, looked at Steve for the first time since he had begun his unusual emotional talk. "She's not some rebound, nor is she someone you can date because she conveniently knows about you being a masked man." He snarled, his eyes darkened, looking almost black as he glared at him.

"I'm extremely serious about my feelings towards her Tony" He said sincerely, not breaking eye contact with the billionaire.

A tense silence followed, before Tony turned away.

"Frankly, it creeps me the hell out that a guy who was friends with my old man from world war two, is now dating my daughter" Tony said, looking less serious, something Steve found himself grateful for.

Who knew that he actually preferred stark, NOT being serious.

"I understand Tony." Steve tried.

Tony laughed,

"No you don't, and you never will" He quickly dismissed and it was almost as if he was bragging, his usual cocky tone returning.

Tony wasn't a heart to heart person after all. Steve let out a sigh.

Tony had seemingly finished, and he noticed that their two team mates were approaching them. He was about to walk towards them, when he felt a tight grip on his soldier. He turned to find tony smirking at him.

However this wasn't his usual arrogant expression.

"But what you better understand Steve, is that if you hurt my damn daughter… you'll have wished they never thawed you out" He stated ominously, that same grin on his face. He patted his shoulder, though it was more like a smack, as he went to greet the others.

Steve took a deep breath. And vowed to never truly anger the easy-going billionaire.

Because he reckoned that if angered.

He was probably worse than the hulk.

…..Much worse.

Grace knew she probably shouldn't have left the tower. She had worn fake glasses and a beanie over her hair.A poor disguise, but it had seemingly worked.

She had gone out for a quick walk and even stopped at the small bookshop she liked.

Her dad wouldn't even have to know she had left.

Satisfied with her thinking, she stepped through the doors removing her disguise, only to pause, surprised as noted Happy, and was arguing with a woman. He seemed to be trying to get her to leave, and seemed to be struggling.

Perhaps this was a reporter?

Happy noticed her, and seemed to deflate further, muttering something about losing his job

"Mr stark told you not to leave the tower" He exclaimed, not seeming to note how the woman had directed her attention in her direction.

"I only left for a little bit" She pointed out. "Is this another reporter happy?"

The woman let out a sob, before quickly, and strangely hugging Grace.

Happy frowned.

"Miss, I insist you leave immediately before I escort you out."

"Oh my sweet Grace "The woman cried, only tightening her grip on grace.

Grace pushed the woman away, and took a step back.

"I don't know who you are, but I s-suggest you leave "She stated.

"Oh, you don't even recognise me! "She cried "It's me, your mother!" Happy narrowed his eyes, not seemingly unimpressed with the woman.

Grace was also confused.

This woman seemed like her father's type, with her model like figure and platinum blonde hair. She wasn't a young fling, thankfully, as the beginnings of wrinkles had formed in the crease of the woman's eyes. She was very skinny, but she still looked glamourous. Blue eyes stared at her hopefully, and she avoided this woman's gaze, feeling slightly uncomfortable under her scrutiny. It was hard to say whether this woman was being genuine.

"Jarvis, who is this woman? "She asked.

"According to records miss, this is Miss Anna Holloway, and you do share similar features with her miss. Shall I inform Mr Stark?"

"No" She managed "Thank you J" She glanced at a concerned looking happy.

"Happy, Tell dad that I've gone out for a bit if I'm not back before then." Happy looked ready to argue, but then seemed to hold back

"Yes miss"

"Oh my sweet little girl, I've missed you so much" Grace didn't respond, simply walking out with her mother following, linking arms as if she hadn't abandoned her. She slipped on her disguise as she walked through the door.

She didn't speak to the woman, until they were far enough way from the tower.

Finally, she turned to the blonde woman, and pulled away from her.

"Why are you here?" She asked with clear unease. The woman-her mother, she quickly corrected, seemed almost shocked at this question.

"I've been looking all over for you" She cried. "My mother wouldn't let me see you, and when she died, you were gone,my sweet little girl."

Grace was inclined not to believe her, but this was her mother and what if she was telling the truth? Who was she to turn down the woman she had always hoped would come to see her again?

She had always wanted a relationship with her. Pepper was the closest thing she had to a mother, but was it so wrong to hope for a chance to reconcile with her blood relative? She wanted to know why it had taken so long for her to see her again. Why had her mother never bothered with her?

"And then I saw you on the news, and I knew I had to come find you "She placed a hand on Grace's cheek. "And look how beautiful you are, you've grown up so much. Oh I missed you. "Tears actually formed in her blues eyes, and Grace felt tears form in her own.

Her mother had actually missed her! The woman hugged her tightly, and despite how this should have been a heartfelt reunion. She couldn't help but feel confused.

Her mother had never hugged her before, not from what she remembered, nor was she ever so loving towards her. Her mother had treated her like something she had been stuck with. Nonetheless Grace had always craved a hug from her mother, when she got lonely, or when things had gotten so bad at Uncle Cal's.

"Now let's go get something to eat, okay. And you and I can catch up "Grace nodded, hoping to get the answers she craved.

Hope filled her.

Maybe her mother genuinely wanted to form a mother daughter relationship with her.

Maybe something good had come from her identity being exposed.

And maybe her mother had changed from all those years ago.

So despite the voice in the back of her mind, urging her to be careful, she accompanied her mother, who seemed to so desperately want to spend time with her.