As the days went on, I settled more into school and my new life. I'd meet with Rose for science help every Tuesday and Thursday, and I was slowly getting a better understanding of the subject. I'd also begun noticing what she meant about Peter, Ned, and MJ. The more time I spent with them, the more I noticed secretive glances, subtle (MJ) and not-so-subtle (Peter and Ned) brush-offs and redirections, and the attendance problems Rose had mentioned. With my time at the tower, it had also become pretty clear that Peter knew the medical team pretty well.

Between that and all their time spent together 'in the workshop'—where Tony had a 24/7 open-doors policy for me except for when 1) he was doing something potentially dangerous, 2) there was an Avengers emergency, or 3) if Peter was over— I was starting to get an unpleasant nagging feeling that Tony was involved in whatever was going on…and the drugs idea was becoming uncomfortably plausible as time went on. Like me, Peter also did some training with some of the Avengers. Except when I was done with them, I was usually exhausted and ready to fall over, and often covered in bruises. Peter? Just as energetic as usual, and rarely had a mark to show for it. That being said, I had noticed a few bruises over time…bruises that disappeared faster then they had any right to. I'd previously thought he was using make-up to cover them up, but due to his blank expression the other day when I asked him to pass my concealer, that no longer seemed likely.

"Hey, earth to Y/N!"

I snapped to attention, giving Natasha a sheepish look. "Sorry."

"Uh huh. You'd be even more sorry if I'd acted on the presumption that you should know by now to always pay attention, and had simply attacked you when entering, instead of trying to hold a conversation," she shook her head at me and indicated for me to follow her over to the other side of the room where the mats were.

First she led me through a series of stretches, then shadow boxing for cardio and to warm up my muscles, before making me do several rounds of grueling exercises for weapon work and hand-to-hand combat.

An hour later, I collapsed onto the floor mat, laying out as I gasped, "I miss when you just made me do push ups."

It wasn't totally true, since I probably would have gone insane if I was still only doing push-ups over a month after starting training, but the sentiment was accurate.

She stood over me, smirking, "Oh, you miss the push-ups, do you? Well, then let's see some."

I glared at her, "That's not what I meant, and you know it."

"I know, but if you have energy to complain, you have energy for push-ups. Give me 10."

I groaned and rolled over, pushing myself up on shaky arms. I managed to do five before my arms gave out and I faceplanted onto the mat.

"I see the training is going well." Steve said, his tone amused, as he entered the room.

I lifted my head to look at him, "Save me."

He chuckled and reached down. I gratefully clasped my hand in his, letting him pull me up onto my feet. My newfound standing position was immediately threatened as he clapped my back supportingly, almost tumbling me back onto the ground. Thankfully, his reflexes were faster than mine, and he caught me, stabilizing me before carefully letting go.

He raised his eyebrow, "You okay? Nat's not working you too hard, is she?"

I sighed, "I'm sure she'd say she's not working me hard enough."

Nat crossed her arms, smiling, "You're right, I would."

Steve looked me over with concern, "Go have something to eat and drink. Replenish your energy."

I gave him a mock salute, "Aye, aye, Cap'n."

As I left the room, I heard him tell Natasha, "You know, if I'm going to be able to help train her, there needs to be some of her left when I get here."

"So get here earlier, hotshot."

I continued down the hallway, the vague sounds of them sparring disappearing as I passed through a set of doors and into another section, where there was a small kitchen. I'd left a smoothie in the fridge here for an after-training snack, and gratefully pulled it out now. I sipped on it as I debated where to go next. I was supposed to go back to the penthouse to do homework, but I really didn't feel like it. Shrugging, I headed that way anyway, sure that I could find something else to do up there.

I stopped in my tracks as I entered the main room, eying a trio of strangers in the sitting area. A tall, elegant brunette and an older man with well-kept grey hair sat quietly on the couch, watching as a tall man with brown hair excitedly pointed out the window, rambling about all of the places he could see from this high up.

The door clanged shut behind me and they all looked over in unison. The two on the couch both raised their eyebrows in matching looks of curiosity, but the one by the window lit up and tripped over himself trying to run over to me.

"Oh wow, hi! You must be Stark's daughter, huh? I know no one is supposed to know about you, but well, I'm practically an Avenger so I was one of the few who got the memo, you know. It's great to get to meet you! I'm Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man, though I'm sure you knew that."

I blinked at him, "Um, hi." My brain frantically worked trying to remember who Scott Lang—Ant-Man— was and anything I knew about him. I was only drawing blanks. I'd probably heard the name at some point, but the Avengers had a lot of people that helped them out, and at some point it had all started blending.

Realizing he was still staring at me like an eager puppy, I put a smile on my face, "It's nice to meet you, Scott. You'll have to forgive me, I'm really bad at names, could you remind me who your friends are?"

I gestured at the couch duo, who took the cue to stand up and come over to join us. The older gentleman reached his hand out towards me, "Hi, Miss. Stark, I'm Hank Pym."

Pym… "Pym Technologies?" I queried as I shook his hand.

He smiled at me, "That would be the one," He inclined his head towards Scott, "also I wouldn't say I'm friends with him."

Scott made an offended expression, "Rude."

Mr. Pym continued as though he hadn't heard him, instead gesturing to the woman. "And this is my daughter, Hope Van Dyne."

She gave me a warm smile and shook my hand, her grip firm but gentle. "It's nice to meet you."

I returned her smile, biting back a laugh as Scott piped up excitedly, "She's my girlfriend!"

She rolled her eyes, glancing at him with tender amusement. Mr. Pym just looked exasperated.

I fidgeted uncertainly, "So, what brings you to the tower?"

Scott shrugged, "Oh, we got summoned by the great and powerful Stark."

Mr. Pym mumbled, "He's not that great and powerful."

On cue, the doors opened and Tony walked through, followed by Wanda, Pietro, Clint, Vision, Rhodey, and Bruce. They all waved when they saw me, Pietro even risking a surreptitious wink. Tony smiled and came over to give my shoulder an awkward pat, "Hey, kid, see you've met the riffraff."

Mr. Pym gave him a dry look. "We are not riffraff."

Tony shrugged, "I'll admit, you and your daughter are fairly intelligent. But you can't tell me ex-convict Thumbelina over here isn't riffraff."

Mr. Pym hummed his agreement and Scott shoved his hands in his pockets, looking down sheepishly as he mumbled something I couldn't make out.

Tony turned to face me, "Now's the awkward part, kid."

I sighed, "Classified Avengers time?"

He nodded, "Classified Avengers time."

I gave a grudging nod, "I'll be in my room."

Tony gave me a quick smile and bumped my shoulder with his, "Thanks, kid. I'll see you at dinner."

I smiled back and turned to go. Scott stepped slightly into my path, raising his hand to give me a high-five, "It was cool to meet you, Y/N, see you around!"

I returned his high-five with a smile, unable to resist his enthusiasm, and went up to my room. I killed time reading and surfing the internet, before actually moving on to the homework I was supposed to be doing.

Eventually, FRIDAY chimed on, "Y/N, dinner is ready. Also, I've been told to inform you that there will be an additional last minute guest, as Peter's aunt, May, will be joining."

"Thanks, FRIDAY, let them know I'll be there in a minute."

I washed up and headed down, rather excited to finally meet May. I'd heard lots about her from Peter and couldn't wait to see what she was like in real life, as somehow we hadn't managed to cross paths yet. I was mildly disappointed when I entered the room and she wasn't there yet, but pushed it down, greeting Rhodey with a wave, nodding hello to Pepper, and bumping Tony's shoulder as I sat down beside him. I smiled over at Peter, "So, your aunt is joining us today?"

He grinned, "Yep! She got off work early today, so Tony was cool enough to invite her over."

Tony leaned back, resting his arms over the back of his chair, "Of course, I am the height coolness, besides," he raised his eyebrows at Rhodey, "I'm always happy to have a chance to see Aunt Hottie."

Pepper gave him an exasperated look of displeasure and Peter just turned green and looked like he wanted the earth to swallow him up. "Please don't call her that Mr. Stark."

Tony shrugged, "It's not my fault she's an aunt, who happens to be attractive," noticing Pepper's look of disapproval, he quickly added on, "Though nowhere as attractive as you, hon."

Rhodey hid his laugh with a cough, muttering, "Nice save," under his breath.

I took Peter's side, turning to Tony with my nose scrunched in disgust, "Peter's right, Tony, it's kinda gross hearing you talk like that." It really was—it was already enough knowing that he was a "playboy", I really didn't need to experience evidentiary behaviours, at the dinner table no less.

He sighed, frowning a little, "You kids ruin all my fun. But fine, for you, kid, I'll stop."

I grinned at him, "Thanks, Tony."

I turned back to face the table, noticing Peter beaming in my direction, probably grateful I'd put a stop to Tony.

The penthouse door opened, and a beautiful woman entered, her long hair swinging as she gracefully made her way over to us. I recognized her immediately from photos that Peter had shown me, and stood up to greet her.

"Hi Ms. Parker, it's great to finally get to meet you."

She gave me a warm smile, "You must be Y/N. Please, call me May, it's lovely to meet you too, sweetie."

She sat down and Tony instructed FRIDAY to have the food sent in. I watched May and Peter as we ate, the easy way they interacted and the loving but stern way she scolded him during the meal, for eating too fast, having his elbows on the table, and for talking with his mouth full. I'd caught his eye a few times when it happened, being further entertained as he blushed at my amused look.

After dinner, we migrated into the seating area, and I found myself sitting beside May.

"So, Y/N, excuse me being blunt, but are you doing okay? Getting enough attention from Tony? Do I need to give him a lecture on how to parent?" She gave me a half-joking smile, "Do I need to give you any lectures on not giving your parent a hard time?"

I returned her smile, "I guess you're the expert on parenting in this group, aren't you? I appreciate the concern, but I'm good. Definitely no lack of attention over here. If Tony isn't around, I have Pepper, or Happy, or several of the Avengers, plus Peter obviously, and of course, my uncle spends as much time with me as possib—"

"I'm sorry, what?!"

I turned towards Tony, startled by his squawked question and sudden dark expression.

Somewhat nervous, I reiterated, "Uncle Bucky spends as much time with me as he can."

His expression grew darker, garnering concerned looks from those around us. Pepper laid her hand on his, giving a gentle squeeze, and he took a deep breath and swallowed hard. Pasting a polite smile on his face, he addressed me, his voice taut, "I'd like to discuss that further with you, but now is not the time," his tone lightened, levity entering it as he quickly switched the topic, asking May a question and drawing attention away from the moment.

Even as I laughed along with everyone else to a joke Rhodey had brought into the conversation, my joviality was muted by underlying concern about Tony's reaction.

Once the door had closed behind everyone else, including Pepper who wasn't spending the night today, Tony gestured over to the couch and we went to sit down.

He leaned his head back, his eyes closed as he pinched his hand to his forehead, a look of consternation on his face.

I watched him with concern and confusion, "Tony?"

He exhaled heavily, dropping forward to rest his arms on his knees as he looked at me. "How much time exactly have you been spending with...Bucky?"

"Well, before I started school, he came over most days for about an hour, but since then I only really see him on weekends. Why?"

An emotion I couldn't fully place flashed in his eyes. He glared at the ceiling, then looked intently at me. "I don't know why FRIDAY didn't alert me, I'm sorry. I should have realized this sooner. But now that I do know, I'm implementing a new safety rule. You are no longer allowed to spend time alone with Bucky. Hear that, FRI?— Bucky is banned from the tower unless I'm with Y/N."

Shock coursed through my body, and I stared wide-eyed at Tony, "What!? That's ridiculous!"

He gave me a steely gaze. "No, no it's not. That man is dangerous, and I don't want you alone with him."

"He would never hurt me!"

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I do! He's my uncle, he's family. He cares about me."

"That doesn't matter. Not with him. You don't know the whole story."

I crossed my arms, glaring at him, "That's not my fault, now is it? But it doesn't matter anyways, because I don't need to know everything he's been through to know that I'm safe with him."

Tony's eyes twitched and for a moment I could see the pain hidden in their depths. He blinked, and when he opened them, they were hiding his emotions once more. "No, it's not your fault, it's his. He should have told you the truth by now, so that you would know that you're not safe with him. He's a coward, not wanting to tell you because he knows he deserves to be ashamed and guilty for what he did. I've given him some grace time to tell you, but you know what," He stood up suddenly, angry purpose in his expression and tone, "that's over. It's about damn time you're told. Come on."

He strode off to the elevator and I blinked for a moment before rushing to catch up to him, "Tony, where are we going?"

He told FRIDAY to take us to the garage, then turned to me. "To go see Bucky."