Francesca Stark is the second child of Howard and Maria Stark. After her parents died in 1991, the 12 year old was sent away to boarding school (by Tony) until she was 18 and able to take care of herself. She has since then resented her brother for...
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"Again. Again. Again" the boxing coach yelled as Francesca punched and jabbed at the padding. "Again" he yelled once more before his hands fell to his side.
Francesca mad at herself for not being her best walked over to the corner of the ring grabbing her drink. Her coach walking over behind her.
"You need to have that fire again. I didn't take that scrappy girl off the street because I didn't think she had fire" he muttered huffing at the end of his comment. Francesca could sense he was frustrated with her as well. She took another swig of water glancing over to the tv in the corner of the room. On the screen was none other than Tony Stark, her brother. The headline read that he had proclaimed himself as Ironman. She threw down her water bottle angry and jumped back in the middle, giving it her all.
"There's the fire" the coach smiled taking the punches as they came. Francesca blocking out the world continued to push through the pain. Giving one last punch that sent her coach flying backwards onto the wire that boxed them in. As he got up he grinned, "more" he whispered jumping back at her. Francesca continued to put her anger into every punch.
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6 months later.....
Francesca was working her shift at the restaurant in midtown when the news was turned on. Her brother once again, the center of attention, was in court with the United States Government. The news channel was replaying the footage from a few days ago. She made a face as she poured coffee for the person at the countertop.
"Don't you just love that guy?" The customer asked. Francesca looked at the man sliding him his coffee.
"Love, ha, he's cold. Only worries about himself and his money" Francesca commented grabbing the sugar container.
"He's saving the world. He's far from cold" the customer continued pouring sugar into his coffee as he walked the tv.
"I've successfully privatized world peace" Tony cockily said as he stood up from his chair. The crowd of people displayed their love for Tony with the audience applauding at his comment. Francesca rolled her eyes and continued to the booth in the corner.
"Hi can I help you?" Francesca asked digging through her apron pocket looking her notepad and pen.
"Coffee please" the girl responded before Francesca could look up. She swiftly turned on her heel, heading behind the counter grabbing a coffee cup and the coffee pot. She placed the cup on the table. When she looked up she was shocked to see the person in the booth.
"Hi, I'm Pepper-"
"Potts. Tony Stark's assistant I know. Look are you going to order food or should I expect a proposal of some sort. If I know Tony he wants, no correction, needs something" Francesca asked with an attitude. She looked back at the kitchen to find the chef frantically ringing the bell for her to run her food to the table.
"Tony has asked to see you. He's looking to hand over Stark Industries" Pepper continued still beaming her stiff and rehearsed smile. She shuffled through some papers in her briefcase.
"He can sign it over to whom ever. I could careless-" Francesca muttered as she poured the coffee.
"He wants you to have it" Pepper interrupted. Francesca dropped the coffee pot on the floor, glass and hot coffee scattered all over. Francesca snapped out of her daze grabbing a rag and throwing it on the floor hoping to mop up the coffee.
"That's a good one. Tell Tony he can shove his sinister joke up his ass and-"
"It's not a joke. The driver is outside ready to take you to his tower a few blocks uptown" Pepper said pointing the man in a suit standing outside of the town car. He looked stern with his hands crossed against his body.
"I swore I would never talk to Tony again"
"Please. Put the past aside. Stark Industries needs a leader... and fast" Pepper pleaded. Francesca looked to the kitchen once more. She hated this job, especially the horrible pay and working conditions.
"Fine but if he pisses me off and says one thing I'm gone. Forever. He can kiss me owning the company goodbye" Francesca argued throwing her apron on the counter and walking out to the towncar where the the driver opened the back door for her and Pepper.
The drive was short and nerve racking for Francesca. She hadn't seen her brother since she was 12, at her parents funeral. She was now 31 turning 32 soon.
She exited the car and headed up to the top of the tower. She had passed by its obnoxious sign many times. As she exited the elevator she was met by her brother who was sitting on his couch, looking through some sort of digitalized file.
Pepper cleared her throat as they stepped out.
"Francesca, sister. Welcome. Green smoothie?" He asked snapping his finger. The robot arm carried over an already made smoothie.
"No thank" she said waving the robotic hand away.
"Come on I'll give you a tour" Tony said waving her on. Francesca looked at Pepper who was occupied with the device she was carrying. Francesca followed him.
"That's my Ironman suit" Tony pointed out. "Cool right? J.A.R.V.I.S. please unlock the suit case" Tony announced. Francesca looked around confused.
"Certainly sir" the British computer voice said, unlocking the glass chamber that surrounded the suit. Smoke slowly falling to the floor.
"You named your virtual assistant after our childhood butler?" Francesca asked slightly creeped out.
"Hey don't judge. Go ahead you can touch it" Tony said raising any eyebrow with a grin.
"Tony, really why did you bring me here?" Francesca asked. Her arms crossed against her chest.
"Chessie I-"
"Don't call me that. That nickname died with dad" Francesca bitterly snapped.
"Fine. Francesca, I'm done with Stark Industries. I want to focus on Ironman. So I'm giving it to you. I'll be moving out of her and back to Malibu in the next few days. Pepper can still be your assistant but I'll definitely need her in California. I'll send someone over to help you-" Tony said drowning out Francesca's voice.
"Tony, Tony, Tony!" Francesca shouted finally catching his attention.
"What?"
"What if I don't want it?" Francesca asked looking around. It seemed extremely overwhelming and she knew deep down her dad never wanted this for her. It was always to be Tony's.
"Fran I need you" Tony said gripping her shoulders and looking into her eyes. Francesca knew this was serious.
"Fine. I'll step in... for now. I don't want this forever" Francesca said. Tony sighed shaking his head "okay, fine" Tony agreed. "You should be thanking me though. Really. Boxing and waitressing. Not much of a money maker if you ask me" Tony said as he climbed the stairs, he was feeling quite guilty lying to his sister. It wasn't that he couldn't balance both Ironman and Stark Industries, no, it's the fact that he's slowly dying by the thing that keeping him alive.
Francesca rolled her eyes at her brother's comment, his self absorbed self showing once again. She looked around, taking one more glance at what she just had agreed to.
