The camera flashes were blinding as Gemma Ivo stepped out of the courthouse, everyone was eager to get a shot of Anthony Ivo's daughter after the judge had made their decision. They all expected to see her in tears, it was only natural. Her father had been declared guilty and was sentenced to a life in prison.

In reality Gemma was numb to it all. Her relationship with her father had been complicated for many years now. And although what he had done hurt her, it was a pain that she refused to accept or acknowledge. It was easier to pretend that it didn't exist, after all when it came to her father she was used to the disappointment.

Gemma couldn't help but wonder what the headlines would be. Would they call her cold hearted? Or would they think of her as strong? She found that she cared a lot more than she wanted to admit.

Security guards remained at her side as the press attempted to reach her. Their voices seemed to melt together as they shouted questions at her. They asked what she felt and whether or not she would be the next CEO of Ivo Technologies.

Of course they were wondering if they would leave such a large business like Ivo Tech to a 22 year old girl. Gemma was wondering the same thing. Though she highly doubted the share holders or the board of directors would allow it. She knew nothing about business after all.

Rushing down the steps Gemma headed directly towards the black truck that was waiting for her. She met her drivers eyes as he immediately opened the car door for her to enter.

Javier had been driving her since high school, he was practically family at this point. Because of him Gemma had never bothered to even attempt learning to drive.

Thomas Morrow sat beside her in the car as they immediately drove off. After such a long day in court all she wanted to do was get to her apartment downtown and forget about it all for just a couple of hours.

"They'll forget about it soon." Thomas told her as he placed his hand on top of hers in an attempt to comfort her. He had become one of her only friends when she first started working at Ivo Tech about a year ago.

This couldn't be easy for him either, Thomas had looked up to her father. They worked closely together on other projects, and Thomas had been at Ivo Tech for much longer than Gemma.

They were so close that some said that Anothony Ivo treated Thomas like as son and that Professor Ivo was preparing Thomas to take his place in the future.

Gemma shook her head knowing the truth of it. The Ivo name would always be associated with what her father had done, there was no escaping it. "No they won't."

"I mean someone or something is attacking the Justice League every other week." Thomas continued and although what he was saying was true it didn't change anything. "They'll all focus on that soon enough."

Sure there was always some threat wanting to create chaos, but no one would ever forget that Anthony Ivo created a robot that mimicked the powers of meta humans. He almost beat the Justice League with the monster that he had created.

And he damned his daughter and the company that he built for it.

The board of directors at Ivo Technologies didn't give Gemma much time to process what had happened or to prepare herself for such an important meeting. Though that was probably their intention. They wanted her unprepared and still processing what happened. 

Gemma and Thomas stepped into the elevator headed toward the third floor of Ivo Tech where the meeting was about to take place. They had called her early in the morning giving her less than two hours to arrive.

"You'll do great in there it's going to be fine." Thomas encouraged as he walked a couple of steps behind Gemma. He had done a lot to be there for her during all of this, and it was something that she greatly appreciated. Especially now that she was alone.

"Well everything is against me." Gemma reminded him as the walked down the hall to the conference room. She wiped her sweaty hands on her skirt nervously taking a deep breath as she stopped. "I appreciate the confidence though."

Thomas smiled as he reached over opening the conference room door for her. "Anytime."

She couldn't help but feel a little stunned and in disbelief at all the older white men in the room. It only worsened the image she had of her father.

Gemma could not deny that all the men in front of her were intimidating. They were older and had much more experience than her, not to mention that they were looking at her like a clueless child that didn't belong. And maybe she didn't. A fact that she didn't mind because she didn't want to belong in this room she wanted to change it.

They all introduced themselves quickly, much too quickly for Gemma to even attempt to remember their names. They clearly didn't care if she did as they all took a seat for the meeting to begin.

"Stock numbers are already at an all time low." One them began his tone serious as he looked at everyone in the eye. Gemma had no doubt that this was the man that believed he was going to be the next CEO, and he probably would be elected. "We need to move and we need to move fast to repair the company's image."

"The press had a lot of sympathy for the girl, I think it's as simple as making her the new face of Ivo Tech." One of the men stated like if she wasn't sitting in the room with them.

"She'll do press and we'll replace Anthony's image with hers on all the promotional materials." Another continued as they all nodded in agreement and Gemma was sure that she had never been more humiliated. They spoke about her like she was a thing for them to use, not asking for her say in the matter. "Then we'll select a new CEO within the next two weeks."

Realizing that they had no intention of asking for her opinion Gemma gathered all the courage she could to make herself seem more confident and mature than she felt. "Let me get this straight you want to make me the new face of the company but not give me any power making decisions?"

"You still have the Ivo name." One of them dismissed, and their clear disregard of her made Gemma angry.

She wasn't the type to get angry or upset easily, but she couldn't stand being disrespected or seen as less than what she was.

"I want to be the head of the research and distribution divisions of the company." Gemma declared firmly, and although she knew they all saw her as some clueless girl she was determined to prove them wrong.

One of the men looked at her with what could only be described as pity. "You don't have the qualifications to hold a position like that."

"I have a Ph. D in mathematics, engineering, physics and biology." She reminded them knowing that she was the smartest person in the room, sure all the men around her were experts in business but she had much more to offer than any of them. "I think I'm more than qualified."

"You lack the experience needed." Another one of them countered.

Gemma sighed annoyed with their reluctance even though she expected it. And as much as she wanted to hate them for it they were looking out for the business too. "Like you said the Ivo name is mine. Don't you think I should have a say on the products that my name is being printed on? I won't let my name get printed on something that I don't approve."

They all looked at her with either surprise or irritation, not expecting her to have any real demands. But they knew just as well as she did that they had to please her in some way. They needed her to cooperate to be able to fix the company's image.

"You get six months as the temporary head of the research division." The man who was soon to be elected as CEO stated, and although they were giving her a crumb Gemma knew that it was enough. That was all she needed to prove herself. "After this trail period we can finalize contracts."

Gemma nodded temporarily satisfied with what they were giving her, she looked across the room to where Tomas was standing taking notes. He was a lower level employee and normally would never attend such crucial business meetings but Gemma needed someone in her corner.

When the meeting finally ended Gemma excused herself eager to get started.

"Thomas can you contact my lawyer and tell them to add a new clause to the contract stating that in five years I need to placed into consideration as CEO?" Gemma questioned, though it sounded more like an order as the stepped inside what had been her new designated office.

It was all bare and lacked any real personality. The office was mostly for show, she knew that. But it would also help remind the rest of the company employees that she still held a position for the company. At least she would in a couple of months of their little trail period was over.

Thomas who was still taking notes as they walked came to stop. "You're going to try to be CEO in the future?"

"This is my company." She stated firmly determined to not me pushed aside by old white men who treated her like a child. Sure, she was only 22 and lacked any real experience, she didn't doubt herself. "I'll get a degree in business and learn the ropes. I can do this I know I can."

Thomas smiled and he looked at her seeming slightly shocked but also proud. "You don't have to do it alone."

It felt nice to have at least one person that she could rely on, someone that was on her side through the mess that had become her life.

A/N: So what did you all think of the first chapter? There won't be any Jaime for the first couple of chapters as I will be focusing on setting up Gemma's character. There's sonic Easter eggs in there for those of you who read comics. But I'm so happy to see how many of you are excited for this story I hope you all enjoy!