"Tony. No. Put that the fuck down!" I hiss, pressing my hand against my forehead. Tony's smirk strengthens and he waggles a finger at me.

"Language, Amelia." He scolds and its hard to resist cussing him out. I grab the stiletto heels from his hands and gently put them down to prevent any wear.

"Ah, so you do at least know my actual name." I sass and he sighs at my attitude. He looks pretty comical anyways with his big sunglasses, weird fedora, and loose sweatshirt sitting over a red t-shirt. Incognito, he said. Sketchy, I say. "Tony, I've gotten most of my clothes from thrift stores, this is a luxury I don't need." My voice gets more heated as we continue walking through the store. Tony sighs again. No doubt he's tired of this. I made this argument before we even stepped in the store.

"Sweetie, it's fine. I have more than enough money to buy this entire company, so don't worry about clothes. Pick what you like. It's that simple." He knuckles under my chin then pushes me towards the clothing racks. Sweetie repeats in my head and I do my best not to dwell on it, knowing perfectly well I will anyway.

"It's wasteful, Tony..." I continue objecting and he stops me in my tracks with a gentle hand on my shoulder. For a moment, he lets his sunglasses drop on his nose so I can see his hazel eyes. I can't help but squirm a bit under his tender gaze. I'm not used to people looking at me like that.

"Alright. What is this really about?" He asks, eyes searching and shockingly patient. I purse my lips for a moment, weighing my options.

"I don't want to owe you anything." I grumble, thinking back to all the sugar daddies and boyfriends my mom has had that gave her nice gifts, but that always wanted more in return.

"Aw, kiddo." He sighs and presses his fingers to his lips for a moment. "I don't expect you to give me anything back, Amelia. I'm giving because I want to give. Don't think for a moment that I want anything from you but your company." Tony tells me firmly, but with a surprising amount of tenderness. A few moments pass of me looking into his eyes and considering his words.

"Fine." I agree and Tony sighs with relief.

"Good. And nothing I spend on you is a waste. God, I've got to teach you to be more of a glutton." He grins at me and fluffs my hair, then fixes his glasses. I quickly bat his hand away as I hide a smile. "Now, go choose stuff or I'll do it for you. I mean, I will anyways, but this way at least some of your stuff will be chosen by you." Tony encourages and I accept this, although I pout when he has people take things to the counter when he catches me keeping track of the prices. He watches me carefully before picking out things himself and I'm shocked to find he actually picks stuff I like; including a camouflage jacket and an AC/DC shirt. I keep to jeans, shorts, and t-shirts, but Tony picks up jackets, shoes, even a skirt or two. He notices me watching him grab a burgundy skirt with gold buttons down the front and smirks at my scrunched-up nose. "I used to hate wearing suits, but you'd be surprised what looking professional can get you. Just try it." I purse my lips, but nod once.

"Do you only ever think of profit?" I ask and grimace when it comes out sounding a little harsher than I meant it to. Tony huffs in response.

"How long is it going to take before you like me, kiddo? It's something that has to be thought about. I prefer your methods of thinking though." A smirk alights his face as I pause to look at him. "Codes, inventions, equations." He explains and coaxes a little smile out of me.

"That isn't all I think about, you know." I reveal and move opposite him with a rack between us. His glasses fall again and I can see the crinkles beside his eyes from his smile when he meets my eyes. I continue, "I think about money, the crazy big bathtub in my room, uh..."

"Your mom?" Tony finishes and his glasses are back up. I purse my lips with distaste.

"No. Not usually." My eyes trail back down to a horribly ugly brown sweater covered in what looks like hair. Quickly, I move to another rack and Tony follows.

"Jarvis has been telling me about your previous living situation and honestly, it sounds like shit. What the hell was going on there?" He asks a little crassly and my eyes are sharp when I look back at him.

"Look. My mother was a single mom trying to make ends meet. We lived in a shit apartment, then she got addicted to some drug or other and the apartments steadily got more and more shitty. I ended up having to pay for rent and groceries and pretty much everything else. She wasn't the best, but then again she wasn't put in the best situation to do her best, was she?" I ask rhetorically to his slightly frowning face. "So, no. I don't really think of her." Of course, this brings our almost nice conversation to a screeching halt. Nice job, Amelia. We clear out what feels like half the store before moving to another, even more horrifying prospect. Before I can chicken out, Tony gently pushes me through the pink glass doors and into the perfumed horror that is...Victoria Secret. My face feels like fire and I'm sure is as red as a tomato as he wheels me over to the register. A nice-looking lady, Carrie, her nametag says, looks up at us and smiles her work smile.

"Hi, how can I help you?" She asks perkily and looks to Tony instead of me, sensing he knows more about what we're doing. Which is a hundred percent true.

"She needs one of everything she likes, but she doesn't really know what that is. Make sure she doesn't check the price." He looks down at me with a triumphant smile. "I'm going to look for something for my fiancée. Take care of her?" I can't see his eyes, but I'm almost positive he winks at me before walking away. Carrie apparently thinks she's won the lottery and is quick to show me around the blissfully empty store. While Tony was right, I have no clue what a lot of this is, I enjoy the thought of having more than two bras and having more than one type. Same with underwear. Although, it's a no to the sticky bra. I'm nearly mortified when we go back to the register to find a mountain of things there. Tony only grins at the amount and takes out his credit card. Of course, people take the bags to the car for us so we take our time going back to it.

"Hm, ice cream. What do you say?" He asks me and takes off his glasses as the mall thins to look excitedly at the little truck.

"I say you just spent about five years rent on me." I tell him, incredulous.

"Uh-huh. Flavor preference?" He ignores my surprise and orders chocolate chip mint for both of us when I don't answer. "This used to be my favorite when I was your age." Tony tells me with bright eyes and an easy smile. I accept it with a little trepidation. It's been ages since I had ice cream. It's another luxury. He got it on a cone too and the cone has always been my favorite part. After my first lick I'm smiling. "Finally, a genuine smile." Tony surprises me by saying.

"What?" I ask before once again affixing my lips to the ice cream. Tony takes bites out of his ice cream and I watch, surprised he hasn't gotten brain freeze yet.

"I was starting to think you were never going to give me one." He continues as we walk across the asphalt to the startling white of his Lamborghini. There is no way I'm eating my ice cream in there. It was terrifying enough just wearing my ratty flip-flops in it.

"You didn't smile at me until you found out I was smart. Besides, I'm smiling at the ice cream and not at you." I point out and speedily lick the drips off my cone before they hit my hand.

"Oh, so that's how it's going to be? I'll let you know I am a hilarious person. I'll get a smile out of you, and a laugh, in no time." He tells me determinedly as I fight a smile right now. He's more like my age than his own.

"Sure, buddy. Whatever makes you happy." I humor him as we reach the car and I get to the cone of my ice cream. I quickly shove the cone in my mouth and finish it in about a minute while Tony continues nursing the scoop on top. "You're not driving like this." I tell him as we both get into the car.

"I only have a couple bites left and I'm not waiting." He starts the car and I quickly get buckled. My eyes are on that ice cream as he spins out and speeds down the street, absentmindedly biting it. Once he's finally done I relax back into the supple letter seats. "You need a massage or something?" Tony asks as we speed down the highway. I shake my head immediately, knowing he has the power to actually hire someone to give me a massage. "You really need to loosen up. How about a day at the pool? Pretty sure we got you a couple bathing suits back there." He glances in the mirror at the pile of bags blocking his vision. Shockingly, that sounds great.

"Actually, that sounds great." I sigh, thinking of the shimmering water awaiting me.

"Good. The damn thing doesn't get used enough. Should get some before we leave." Tony remarks nonchalantly. My dark eyebrows pop up.

"Leave?" I ask interestedly, worry crawling up my throat. He glances at me and nods.

"We're moving to the new Avengers facility tomorrow." He tells me and I feel like I'm shrinking in my seat. More people? Yikes.

"I don't really belong there, Tony." I point out the obvious and start pinching the skin between my thumb and pointer finger. Tony wouldn't let me wear my tool belt today, but I still feel safe with my little pocket knife clipped to my bra.

"Not true. I'm going to be there and you belong with me." He shrugs as if that isn't extremely sweet and continues, "I even added a last-minute desk in the lab for you to tinker with me. I've got to see what you can do with real tools." Tony reaches over and fluffs my hair as we pull into the driveway. The gate is still open. I might've broken it so it's always that way now. Oops.

"Are you sure? I could just get an apartment nearby and...and maybe call every once and a while?" I end in a question, uncertainty and insecurity rising up in my chest. Tony stops in front of the door and gets out, walking to my side and stopping me from getting out by crouching in front of the door. His expression is earnest and gets me to stop fidgeting for a moment.

"Look, kiddo," He starts, amber eyes shiny and...worried, I think. "while your arrival may have shocked me just a bit so I shit my pants, your presence is not unwanted. In fact, it's demanded at this point. Even more surprising, I like having you around." He teases a little before leaning in and pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Okay?" I purse my lips a moment, then nod, convinced by the concern shining out of his eyes. I believe I'm becoming dangerously fond of Tony Stark.

"Okay." I accept and take his hand as he helps me out of the car. We start walking towards the doors and I glance back at the car. "What about the stuff?" I ask and continue following Tony. He waves an unworried hand to the car as we enter the blissful air conditioning.

"The bots will get them. I want to show Pepper the things I got her. Are you still going to the pool?" He asks as we ascend the stairs. I nod and he smiles. "Good. I'll send some suitcases to your room so you can pack your stuff afterwards. We'll probably leave by eleven tomorrow, so be ready then?" He asks as we part ways.

"Okay. See you later." I wave lamely and walk to my room. Seems the bots made quick work of the bags since all of them are already here.

"Welcome back, Miss Stark." Jarvis greets me and I smile softly.

"Hiya, Ames. Did you have a good time?" Amica is close behind and I answer them both while searching the mountain of bags for a bathing suit.

"Surprisingly, yes. I'm afraid Tony has more than spoiled me. Look at this!" I huff and put my hands on my hips.

"I heard you talking, Ames. The bathing suits are in the white and blue bag all the way to the left. Behind the big red bag." Ami helps me out and I sigh in relief, picking the white top with palm trees on it and simple black bottoms. I change while staring out at the window at the extremely welcoming sight of the pool.

"This is quite the treasure trove, Ames. Would you like me to make an index of possible outfit combinations?" Ami asks and I tilt my head back to look at the ceiling as if I could see her face.

"Genius, Ami. Thanks." I tell her and find myself looking forward to her collection. Maybe fancy clothes aren't the worst things in the world.

"Mr. Stark would like me to remind you to wear sunscreen." Jarvis tells me and the corner of my mouth turns up at the parentalness of that.

"Tell him thanks from me, J." I respond and purposely don't put any on. I'm planning on being in the water the entire time anyways. Quickly, I make my way downstairs and J helps me to find the door to the back. When it opens heat rushes in and I blink as I absorb it. "Fuck." I breathe. It didn't feel this hot earlier. The door closes automatically behind me as I step out and walk to the sparkling water. Luckily enough for me, there's a float already in the water. Lime green and long, it's perfect for laying on. The second I set a foot in the water I sigh. The last pool I was in was a public pool at a not too great hotel, so this is basically a paradise for me. After my first step I rush in and dive under the crystal-clear liquid. The bubbles around me feel like a cocoon and I burst out of them with a ridiculous smile on my face, doing a couple laps before struggling onto the float and relaxing in the sun. My relaxation is cut short however by a sudden splashing on my face. "Hey!" My eyes snap open to find a shirtless Tony frowning at me.

"I tell you to put sunscreen on and you specifically walk out without any. Bad move. You're already turning pink." He scolds and shakes the can in his hands. "Out. Sunscreen." I'm still looking at him in surprise. It takes him a moment, but he notices my hesitation. "What?"

"How are you already so good at this?" I ask without moving. Tony's brows furrow.

"I'm good at a lot of things, kid. Narrow it down for me." He remarks and I roll my eyes. I'm thankful my cheeks are already hot or else I'd be blushing from embarrassment.

"Parenting. How are you already...I don't know. Dadish?" I know I blush as I say it, but there's no taking it back. Tony looks like he's about had a heart attack and been given the best gift ever simultaneously.

"I'm good at parenting?" Tony puts a hand over his reactor and heart while dramatically shaking his head. "Ames, if you think that, you've only been exposed to horrible parents." Tony shakes his head further at me. "And out. Won't tell you again before just draining the pool." He threatens, further proving my point. I slip off the float and swim towards the stairs while keeping him in my sight.

"See? Like that, that's such a typical parent thing to say!" I point out and walk over to him, accepting the towel he offers. Tony blinks, seemingly still processing the thought that he's acting like a parent. A good parent. "Did you want to have kids?" I ask curiously, feeling bold and startling him out of his stupor. Tony's expression changes to confused.

"I kind of have one." He jokes, tilting his head towards me to mean myself. I shoot him a light glare at that sassy answer.

"I mean before I ambushed your life." I specify. The question has been swimming around my mind. There are a lot, but I figured this is a good starter. He's so weirdly good at parenting. Not sure how well I'm doing as a daughter.

"Well, the way it happened with you wasn't ideal, but maybe. In the future I can see it as a possibility. If Pepper approves, of course." He answers honestly as I pat myself dry. Tony eyes me carefully as I put down the towel and put my hand out for the sunscreen. "Any other questions?" He asks and abruptly starts spraying my body with the sunscreen. I instantly shut my eyes and suck in my lips to at least save them from the barrage, releasing them only when Tony moves around me to do my backside.

"Why are you moving?" I let myself ask, feeling more and more comfortable with him.

"We're moving." He emphasizes and finally finishes covering me with a thick layer of sunscreen. He guides me over to the lawn chairs and sits me down, then sits across from me. "Well, it's just easier overall. I'll be able to be around the team to help out more and Pepper won't have to deal with me all the time. It'll be easier to supply whatever they need and help how I can with missions and stuff like that." He explains and rests his elbows on his knees, completely relaxed in his red and black swim trunks.

"So, what's my role? Weird stalker? Assistant?" I ask with a little snark, but Tony only smirks.

"I was thinking smart ass daughter. And assistant, if I find out you're good enough." He teases and my eyebrows shoot up.

"Good enough?" I question, pushing down my smile at daughter. "I'll prove it to you right now." I stand, but he grabs my hand.

"Nah. You spend your day in the sun and we'll fiddle around tonight after dinner." He tells me sternly, a warning in his eyes. Apparently seeing my extreme lack of tan as a vitamin D deficiency. Shaking my head, I accept his terms.

"Only if you stay out too. How long has it been since you've been outside for an extended period of time?" I shoot back. His mouth opens then closes without a sound. My smirk is smug as I get back into the pool, swimming to the wall he's nearest to so I can keep talking to him.

"Fine, smartass. Have any more questions for me?" He asks and puts his feet up on the lawn chair.

"Uh, do any of the Avengers...know I'm coming? Or, you know, that I exist?" The question feels weird coming out of my mouth, but I feel like I have to ask. I have no clue how I'll be received there. Ugh. Tony's eyes become livelier at the question.

"Ah, good you asked that. We'll be doing a press conference when we get there to get ahead of reporters." He tells me nonchalantly and my brain stalls at the new information.

"A what?" Tony must be able to hear the terror in my voice because he sits up and shields his eyes from the sun to see me better.

"Announce you're my genius offspring. Won't be long. Just a quick talk and back inside to escape the leeches." Tony jokes, but I feel like I'm having a minor stroke. Absentmindedly, I start picking at the skin on my hand.

"Yeah, uh, no thanks. I'll be your crazy stalker before that." I tell him shakily, moving backwards to sit on the float to keep me out of the water in case I faint. Tony hops up and sits on the edge of the pool, letting his feet dangle in the water.

"I'm not introducing you as anything else than what you are, Amelia. What's going on?" He asks, his voice taking on a parental firmness. This time my mouth opens and closes without a word coming out.

"Nothing. What should I wear?" I change the topic and lay back out on the float to avoid meeting his eyes. Silence engulfs us for a few beats as I'm sure Tony decides whether or not to start an argument over this.

"Yeah. Not buying it. Spill, kiddo." Tony surprisingly decides to risk it and I toss my arm across my eyes with a heavy sigh.

"Have you given any thought to the people you're disappointing?" I ask before sitting back up to face a very confused Tony. "Having an illegitimate child isn't great for the image of one of the world's superheroes." I point out the obvious with slumped shoulders.

"Maybe, but now you're here, hiding you wouldn't really be any better now would it?" Tony sasses and shakes his head at me. "Plus, while the way I acted back then may not have been the best and not being careful was a mistake, you certainly are not." I blink as Tony makes his stance perfectly clear. I'll admit it, I'm a little thrown here. Over the years, usually when she was drunk, my mom would mumble the opposite sentiment. Hearing the father I never knew express something I've never believed myself is jarring. "Hey, you hearing me sweetie?" Tony startles me out of my daze and I lay back on the float, closing my eyes to keep in the tears.

"Yeah, I got it." I answer curtly, worried my emotions might get the better of my voice. "What do you think I should wear?" I ask to keep him distracted while I discreetly wipe my tears away.

"Maybe one of the skirts I got you?" I open my eyes just to send his smirking face some side-eye before closing them once again and facing the sun.

"I'll have to practice walking in them. And the heels." A long sigh escapes my lips at the prospect. Tony chuckles lightly and I hear him splash around a bit.

"Pepper can help you with that. I'm sure you'll do fine." Tony assures me and I snort, looking over at him as I flip over.

"Sure. Pepper better be a miracle worker." I mumble to myself, but Tony catches it.

"She's stayed with me this long. I'd say miracle worker is an apt name for her." He jokes and I shake my head at him. We're silent for a while and I'm surprised to find the silence companionable rather than uncomfortable. Sooner than I'd like, Tony has to leave. "Alright kiddo, my reactor is getting hot. Ouch, damn. I've got to add a coolant. I'll see you at dinner."

"Kay." I watch him leave feeling a little sadder than I'd like that he's leaving. After a while longer outside, I head in and take a heavenly shower. Then comes the issue of getting dressed. "I really didn't think this was going to be this hard. Suggestions?" I ask either Jarvis or Amica as I swipe through the various outfit choices she's projected on the windows.

"Not really my area, Miss Stark." J replies and I smirk a little. Ami, however, is already on it.

"I've put them into sections for you, Ames. Comfort, casual, high fashion, black tie, swimwear, and pajamas." Amica saves me and brings up the first outfit in each section to show me examples.

"Comfort, please." I ask and she shows me each outfit accordion style. "Thanks, Ami." I make sure to thank her as I slip on purple sophie shorts and a black shirt that says meh. Accurate.

"Sure, Ames. Nice tan, by the way." A glance down reveals I do actually have a pretty nice tan going. Not knowing what else to do, I pack. Like Tony said earlier, suitcases were already in my room when I got here. Amica helps me to organize them and J tells me to just set them outside my door for the movers later. I keep my backpack beside my bed with a change of clothes for tomorrow, but by the time I've finished everything it's dinner time.

"Mr. Stark is on his way to retrieve you for dinner, Miss Stark." Jarvis warns me and I jump up from writing a new idea to get to the door first. When I swing it open Tony's already standing there with his fist raised to knock.

"Jarvis beat you to the punch." I tell him and duck under his arm to start walking. He catches up quickly. "So, what's for dinner tonight?" I question as I start smelling it emanating from the stairs.

"Italian. Once again, I didn't know what you wanted so I ordered a little more than necessary." He warns and throws an arm around my shoulders when I stop in shock at the sheer amount of food on the table.

"Tony!" I scold and he laughs.

"Ah, come on kiddo." He guides us over and sits us down the same place we were in last night. "I didn't know what you liked. You're skin and bones anyway. Eat as much as possible and I'll send the leftovers to the facility before us. It'll be gone in a day, I promise." He rolls his eyes and mumbles something about super soldiers before picking up what looks like chicken parmesan.

"You know, there's this great idea called asking someone that I think you should try sometime." I sass, shaking my head as I slide on the floor instead of the white couch. After surveying the choices, I take what I think is tortellini and start eating. "You could've even gotten J to ask me." Tony looks a bit surprised at that.

"J?" Tony repeats and I realize he doesn't know about my nickname for Jarvis.

"She means me, sir." Jarvis speaks up and I smirk. Tony looks pleased and surprised at this new development.

"Ah. This just proves my hypothesis that he already likes you more than me." Tony teases and I swear Jarvis sighs. I smother a laugh rising in my throat at the sound.

"She does have a friendlier disposition than you, sir." I can't hold back my laugh now, letting the giggle tumble out of my lips. Tony doesn't seem to mind that Jarvis is teasing him, instead he only smiles at me.

"Well I'm sure you'll be a hit with the team as well. Good to know my genes haven't ruined you." He fluffs my hair as I frown.

"If genes were all that made up a person I'd be screwed without yours, Tony." I tell him and turn back to my meal without seeing his expression, but if fluffing my hair is a sign of his irritating affection, he appreciated it.

"Sorry about Pepper not being here, kiddo. She insisted on staying late at the office. I sent her some food, but we'll be lucky if she's home by eleven." Tony sighs and I look up at him. His face is a little more downcast then when Pepper is here. A small smile brightens my face. He must really love her.

"So, that means you're going to teach me how to walk in heels, right?" My tone is teasing, but the way Tony's face blanches tells me he doesn't think I am.

"Well, I can't say I've got much experience...how about I call in a friend?" A little light seems to alight in his eyes as he takes a phone out of his sweatpants pocket. My eyes scan his changing expressions interestedly as he talks, but he never says a name. He hangs up and looks a little too excited when his eyes meet mine. "She'll be here in twenty minutes. Perfect." Tony relaxes back on the couch as I watch him, confused.

"Who's coming?" I ask, pushing my empty container further back on the table so it doesn't fall.

"It's a surprise. You'll like her though and she's more than adept at moving in heels than me, trust me." Tony assures me and we sit in silence until said lady shows up. Dark jeans, a green button up, and bright, red hair makes her easy to see.

"Natasha Romanoff?" Her name comes out of my mouth before I can stop it and I'm quick to stand. She stops just after stepping into the light of the living room and puts a hand on her hip.

"Why am I here, Tony?" She asks and looks me up and down, then her eyes switch a couple times between the two of us.

"Amelia here needs to learn how to walk in heels and I instantly thought of you. Plus, Pepper is working." Tony stands and gestures to me. "Meet Amelia Stark." He announces and I won't lie, my heart soars hearing him say the name and the pride in his voice. Understanding crosses her face as I nod to her in greeting.

"Biological daughter?" Natasha asks and I shrug and nod to indicate the affirmative. "Well. Welcome to the team, Amelia. Glad Tony already knew so I didn't have to tell him. You two look a lot alike." She shakes her head and smirks, so I have no clue if that was a compliment or an insult. My eyes scan Tony's proud eyes and fluffy curls, both things we share. I'll take it as a compliment.

"Thanks. And I go by Ames." I correct her and she smirks again.

"Ames, then. Go ahead and bring me your heels so we can get started. Tony owes me food in return for my helping out." Tony waves her to the table as I jog up the stairs and grab the suitcase that holds my shoes. Yes, an entire suitcase. I sort them out on the floor as Natasha eats what she likes, then sit back beside Tony. As she eats, rigatoni I think, she walks back and forth along the rows, then chooses some simple black ankle boots. "We'll start with these."

"Okay." I agree and she lets them fall softly into my lap. I'm quick to put them on and stand, although I teeter just a tad. Tony stands and steadies me without a thought, releasing me only when I gently push his arm away. The carpet is a little weird to walk on, but the hard floor is much easier.

"Alright, with ankle boots you can walk pretty much walk the way you normally would." Natasha encourages as she helps me over the wall of shoes to solid ground. She walks back and forth with me, then steps back to watch me move by myself. "Good. So, you've got a few natural enemies while in heels. Grass, gravel, cobble stones, and grates of any kind. Avoid these at all costs but if you can't, try to walk on the balls of your feet and not your heels." Natasha instructs gently, then switches me to scarier looking heels once she's sure I've got it down. Tony giggles every once and a while from the couch, but quiets down when I shoot him a glare. I straighten up when Natasha pushes on my back and my shoulders, and do my best to look forward instead of at my feet.

"You'd tell me if I looked like an idiot?" I ask Natasha, feeling very much like an idiot. She purses her lips like I do to keep from smiling.

"I swear. You're doing well. You just need more of a look." She crosses her arms across her chest and taps her fingers on her arm as she studies me. "Imagine you're about to kill whoever you're walking towards."

"Romanoff." Tony scolds from his spot lying on the couch. Natasha waves off his concern, staring at me with focused green eyes.

"That's the kind of intensity you need." She nods at me and steps over to the wall just in front of me so I'm walking towards her. I take a deep breath and focus my eyes on her. Natasha definitely isn't a person I would ever think to try and murder, but I do my best to summon the intensity she wants. I feel silly, but there's something to it. There's a confidence in my anger and when I walk over to her she smiles the tiniest of smiles. "That's it." I instantly slouch.

"Yay. Can I just wear my socks now?" As I ask I'm slipping off the shoes with a happy sigh and wiggling my toes satisfactorily. "Uh, you'll be at the new facility, right?" I question as she sits down once again on the small armchair. As she answers I repack my shoes.

"Yes." She replies, interest shining in her eyes. "Would you like to ride with me over there tomorrow? I came here on my bike." My hands stall over the suitcase and the thigh high boots I'm holding tumble into the container. I glance at Tony giving Natasha a warning face, then back to her.

"By bike you mean motorcycle, right?" My tone must be a little too excited because Tony stands up while shaking his head vehemently.

"No, no, no. No motorcycles for you. Push that out of your mind. You know what? Time to tinker." Tony walks past a smirking Natasha and takes my hand, sliding me to the stairs on my socks until I remember how to walk. We jog down the stairs, a laugh in my stomach and a small smile on my face.

"So, uh, why no motorcycles?" I ask with a teasing smile and Tony groans.

"I have enough heart problems without adding a heart attack to it." He taps on the metal protecting the core before tapping in the code and slipping us both into the lab. "Now, fiddle over here while I fiddle over here. Make whatever you want." He sits me down at a desk filled with parts and projector all the way to the left. The minute my eyes see them the gears in my mind start turning.

"Whatever I want?" I ask just to hear him say it.

"Yeah kid. Alright, now this-"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, thanks. Hush." I wave him away and he pauses, chuckles, then walks over to his wall of suits. "Ami? You have access to these screens?" I ask quietly and clear a space for me to work, opening multiple drawers to find the tools I need; like a sawdering iron.

"Sure, Ames. I've also scanned your notebook and put it in a private file. Are there any you want me to bring up?" She asks and I glance up at the projections as she pages through them.

"Mm, page twenty-six, please?" I tell her and the pages fly by before coming to an abrupt stop just where I want it. "Thanks, Ami. Thunderstruck?" I request, smirking as the song comes on over the speakers.

"Hm, good choice Jarvis." I hear Tony call out and smirk.

"Your daughter's choice, sir." Jarvis corrects him and I spare Tony a glance to soak in his happy look. My head nods along to the music as I continue assembling the things I need. Shockingly, Tony doesn't bother me. I notice him glancing over at me every once and awhile, usually when he hears the sawdering iron, but he doesn't stop me. My hands work without me having to think about it. Flying over the metal pieces according to my many sketches and even tying up my hair when needed. As always, I lose myself in the work. All I hear is the hum of the music, clinking of my tools, and nothing else. Well. Until someone shatters the relative quiet.

"It's two in the morning!" I'm startled by Pepper yelling and look up to see her standing across from me facing Tony and Natasha. Seems they were just sitting there and watching me work. It's flattering and creepy at the same time

"But Pepper, she's almost got it! She could finish the exoskeleton within the night!" Blinking off my focus, I peel the coding out of my ears that's been feeding me the music directly and lay them in front of me.

"What's going on?" Pepper turns around to look at me while Tony and Natasha do the same thing.

"It's past two in the morning, Amelia. You all," she looks pointedly at Tony before meeting my eyes again, "should be asleep." I deflate a little.

"I couldn't work a bit longer? A couple more hours?" I ask and give her my best big-eyed look. Pepper sighs and shuts her eyes, clearly used to this method of coercion.

"No. No more working. Everyone is going upstairs to bed." She opens her eyes to find Tony opening his mouth. "No objections." Tony's mouth closes as Pepper walks to the door and holds it open for us to walk through. Frowning a little, I walk around the desk and wait for the adults to leave first. Natasha smirks and scans me interestedly before walking through the door first, starting up a friendly conversation with Pepper. While she's distracted, Tony walks towards me and takes my face in his hands.

"Christ, you're doing fantastic!" He presses a quick kiss to my hair and marvels at what looks like a headless skeleton made from metal. What one day soon I hope will be my very own suit.

"So, you'll let me wear it?" I ask, a little surprised he's so happy about it when he wouldn't even let me ride a motorcycle.

"If you can make it you can fly it. Damn." He breathes and throws an arm around my shoulders as we rush out to prevent Pepper from yelling at us again. "You know, I noticed you had Amica bring up some files. Your ideas?" Tony asks quietly as we walk up the two flights of stairs to the floor with bedrooms. Apparently, Natasha is staying as well because she walks up the stairs behind us with Pepper.

"Uh, yeah. All the things I couldn't make in the moment because I was limited by the technology or time." I shrug, looking at his intrigued face.

"Would you mind if I looked through it? Promise not to steal any of your ideas." He puts a hand on his heart as he swears. I'm not sure. I feel like it would be like he's reading my diary.

"Let me think on it?" I ask and he instantly nods as we come to my bedroom door.

"Sure, kiddo. Remember we're shooting to leave at about eleven?" He tells me and knuckles under my chin before walking down to his own bedroom. I open my door and glance inside, but pause before going in. When I hear Tony's door shut, I decide. My tongue in between my teeth, I let the door shut and slip silently down the hall back down the stairs. I make it to the workshop door before I'm caught.

"If you continue, you'll be exhausted tomorrow, Miss Stark." Jarvis tells me, but I believe his voice is lowered so as not to wake the others. Thoughtful.

"Come on, J. Just a little longer, I've almost finished the framework. Ami?" The door clicks open after I ask Amica and I slip in. "I'll stop in an hour or two." I promise and press the coding to play music back in my ears.

"If you're anything like your father, that is a lie." Jarvis responds and I wait a few moments before music begins playing again. A victorious smile on my face, I get to work.

"Thanks, J. Ami, bring up my sketches again?" I request and she instantly does so.

"Sure thing, boss. May I suggest using your brass knuckles technology to the suit?" A light bulb goes off in my brain and I nod, quickly starting to work in a different direction.

"Genius, Amica. Thanks." From then on, I lose myself in the music and my work. Jarvis doesn't stop me when I finish the skeleton, so I continue. I've just finished the feet and hand thrusters using violet lights instead of Tony's blue, when I get busted. I cringe away from a hand when it touches my shoulder, but when I face them I find it's just Tony with a knowing look in his eyes.

"Now, why am I not surprised." He asks with a scolding smile.

"Amica, music off." My hands are covered in metal, so this is the only way I'll be able to hear him. I shrug with a sheepish grin. Tony looks me up and down while nodding. "Pretty good kid, but it's eight in the morning. If you want any sleep you've got to take a break now." He reaches out and taps the lining of my mask so it lifts up the skeleton. I pout a little.

"But if I just keep pushing I'll-"

"Pass out. Trust me." Tony's eyes shine and after a moment of looking into them, I sigh.

"Alright." I accept and he smiles.

"Good. Now let me help you out of this." Tony and I make quick work of the semi-suit, then he escorts me upstairs and actually into my room before stepping out. The shutters close and I fall asleep in seconds, thinking about my suit.