July 31st 2004
'You'll be coming to EnviroInfo, and Forum Engelberg?' for the first time Tony was taking a back seat when they visited CERN.
Watching his daughter present to a room of scientists at a minimum double her age, was an unexpected thrill, but also a rush of emotions he couldn't quite get a grip on yet. Afterwards, the offer of a joint research project with one of the physics teams didn't surprise him, but the offer of her taking up a full time internship with them in Switzerland certainly did. It was only Pepper's hand on his arm that stopped him from stepping forward and stepping in.
He was grateful she did stop him. His precious little girl graciously accepted the Joint Research offer, and politely and gently explained that between her current study load, and her ongoing research projects at home, she wouldn't be able to do a complete internship credit- but that she hoped they would ask again in a couple years. then she added "maybe when I'm 12" with a small, but slightly playful smile. Tony contained his joy. Thank every god he hadn't steam rolled in as the protective father.
Imagine being without his sweet baby every day. He barely went 3 days without seeing her and that was only when he knew he was going to get laid. Seriously, properly laid. Not a hurried one nighter with some bimbo. It was still rare she didn't travel with him, but in an effort to give her more of the independence she had said she didn't have- What independence did she need? She was a child! She needed to be with her parent- he occasionally left her home "alone".
With security, Pepper or Happy, and Kristina. Rhodey too if he was around. He wasn't completely devoid of common sense, he knew she was valuable to people who wished to harm him.
Alright, he conceded to himself in that moment, maybe she didn't have much independence. But she was coming up on 10, how much independence does she need?