October 9th 2000

'Is that my Sassabelle?' Tony held his arms wide catching his little girl as she leapt to him, Happy closing the car door behind her, opening the door for Peggy 'good day at school?' Kristina rounded the car and waited a safe distance away, aware that Peggy had control of the situation.

Peggy stepped out of the passenger seat, shaking her head 'not for the school'

Tony held in his chuckle, attempting to look stern when he pulled her away a little 'what happened kiddo?'

'Brandon Higgins insisted that my measurements for the laser system were wrong, and refused to use them! I TOLD him his measurements would make it unstable, and it did!'

'Brandon's story is that he used her measurements and that's what made the system explode, he's saying she did it on purpose'

Tony felt the ire rising 'what did the school say?' Fucking Brandon Higgins. Was it illegal for an adult to punch a child who was bullying his baby?

'It's a case of he said/she said, and as Brandon is in hospital likely losing an eye, that was punishment enough. Astrid is suspended for a week' Peggy was clearly holding in her frustration, but he could see it at a simmer behind her calm. She loathed injustice, and she knew Astrid would never lie about something like this- she was always happy to admit her mistakes, because she wanted to learn and make things better, right.

'WHAT?' He put his daughter on her feet again, infuriated. She looked between her adults, nervous. Brandon had been injured, and she was very worried she would catch the blame for it.

'I should really talk to you privately concerning the details, Tony' Peggy said pointedly, then bent to reassure her goddaughter 'You're not in trouble, darling, we promise. I'm going to make sure the school takes proper responsibility and that Higgins is properly dealt with'

He nodded, squeezing Astrid's shoulder lovingly 'Happy, Kristina, would you mind walking Astrid in to Pepper, my office? Are you hungry kiddo? We can order takeout for lunch before my next meeting, your pick'

Astrid nodded, immediately taking Happy's hand. The love she had for the driver turned security was one of the sweetest things Tony had gotten to watch develop. she remembered his birthday and would spend weeks perfecting a drawing for him. Last year she had made matching friendship bracelets- even now he could see the fraying ends poking out from under his watch and her school blazer. And knowing Happy adored her in return, made it easy to trust him with his most precious girl. He knew she would be safe with him.

Watching the trio walk inside, Peggy gestured to the garden, wanting to walk and talk as she preferred with difficult conversations these days.

'The school has an excellent reputation, but the further along in age she gets, the more I believe Astrid would benefit from hands on, expert led home education. You've got some of the greatest minds here, in the building. I know she needs other children to interact with, but she's stifled by the constraints of the education system, even the ones geared towards children like her. I think if she were educated the same way we would an adult, she would thrive even more' she took a breath 'Not to mention she is so very advanced- its attracting the wrong attention from children who are used to being the best and smartest. She's a target for their insecurities'

'What do I do about other kids to interact with then?' That was always the sticking point. She was around adults all the time. She already spoke like an adult, all her 'play' was creating robots, computer programs, occasionally playing the games he had grown up with, like Galaga. And she loved her Nintendo 64, god she kicked his ass in Mario Kart. She liked Lego, and mechano, but she always made prototypes with it then sprouted a new brilliant idea. Giving her an actual childhood was proving incredibly difficult. She already struggled to relate to kids her own age, no matter how friendly she was.

'I don't know Tony. It's a difficult situation, she's such a unique case. I think we'd benefit from bringing this to a child psychologist. One experienced with exceptional children' Peggy just sighed. She'd never expected so many challenges to raising this child. 'And of course there's the Higgins child'

'That little fucker has been bullying her since she started!' Tony had to contain himself, control the desire to tear the kid- and the parents who made him an asshole- apart.'Every shitty little thing he's said, it's recorded. I'm going to rip that school a new asshole and make sure that kid flounders in the worst possible public school'

'Breath, Tony' Peggy gestured placatingly 'did you bring his bullying up to the school?'

'Of course I did! I sent them audio of the little turd insulting and mocking her. Nothing. "He's just jealous. Astrid knows he's intimidated, it's under control"' he rolled his eyes 'lucky I had video proof of when he tried to hit her and she punched him in the face, or they would have expelled her then'

'You taught her to fight?' Peggy was aghast. Well, she should know how to fight, but she was a little miffed he hadn't told her. Aunt Peggy would have shown her a dozen ways to incapacitate the bastard without attracting any attention.

'Rhodey's been training with her. Teaching her self defence. She doesn't attack first' he explained gently 'I know I should have told you but I didn't want to worry you, Peg. She's capable. She loves it. All that gymnastics has given her flexibility and speed- she'd probably be a perfect spy later' he glanced at her 'not that that's a suggestion- no recruiting her to SHIELD, Peg'

'I'm retired Tony, I'm well and truly out of that life' she smiled a little wistfully. Not entirely. She still spoke to Nicholas regularly, consulted occasionally. But she would never suggest her goddaughter to enter any form of position like that 'Astrid's talents would be wasted on anything in that realm, regardless of her abilities'

'mmmm' he nodded, distracted for a moment by his phone 'I'm going to pull her out of the school. You're right, we've got brilliant people here. Kristina can form their work into a curriculum, I can hire specific tutors if needed, all that. Her mind needs nurturing, not to have to compete with idiot kids who have superiority complexes' he stopped 'I don't say it enough... or at all probably. But Thank you, Aunt Peg. I don't know I'd be able to handle half of this half as well as I do without you here to back me up'

She put a perfectly manicured hand on his arm 'you might not be my son, Tony, but you're my boy. I will be here to back you up as long as I can'

It was as close to an "I love you" the two of them had ever come, and it hung between them comfortably as they walked back to the building.

'I think it's the right choice. I do think a child psychologist is a good idea, just to cover that base in regards to peer development. But being with the brightest minds in the country- that can only be a good thing for her' they stopped in front of the doors to the busy building 'Can you send Happy down to take me back to the school? I need to pick up my car'

'I already text him, he should be here any minute' Tony smiled, running fingers through his hair. He needed a haircut 'I won't lie, having Sass closer all the time will make me feel better too. Knowing I can drop in on her, and there won't be any little shits like Brandon Higgins... it'll make me at least 5% less stressed'

'5% is a good start' she gestured inside 'here he is'

'Sorry to keep you Ms Carter, Miss Stark was attempting to braid my hair' he gestured to his head, multiple tiny braids in his short hair, "tied" at the end with small crimped metal, like she'd broken staples in half 'Are you ready?'

Tony smiled indulgently, and hugged Peggy swiftly 'See you for dinner Sunday, Peg'

'I'll see you then. I'm ready, Happy. Your braids look lovely' even Peggy had a soft spot for Happy it seemed.

Tony waited till they pulled away from the curb, waving, and went to go see his little girl.