Iron Beta: Life as Tony Stark's Daughter

Chapter 10

A/N

Not much to say here...I don't own anything but Taylor, yadda, yadda...

I did reach 600+ views, though.

Anyways...

Chapter 10

When I awoke in the morning, I couldn't hear the telltale signs of movement I normally heard in the morning, living with six other superheroes — two of which had a tendency to be extremely heavy-footed.

"Jarvis?" I whisper, "What time is it?"

"Good morning Ms. Stark. It is currently five a.m., most of the tower's residents are still asleep. Might I suggest joining them?"

I sigh and slide out of bed. "Nah. Sorry, J, but there is no chance I'm going back to sleep."

"Understood Ms. Stark. I will start the coffee maker."

I nod and pad out my room. I decided to walk — I stay out of the vents until Clint's awake.

Once I reached the kitchen, I could hear the coffee maker gurgling, but by the looks of things, I wasn't the only one in need of its contents.

My dad was sitting at the table, hair a mess, hunched over and glaring into his coffee mug like it was Hammer, Vanko, Stane, and Loki combined.

Instead of walking in and announcing my presence like I would with the rest of the team, I just stood silently against the door. Contrary to popular belief, my dad wasn't completely oblivious — he would notice me eventually.

And eventually he does. It takes about five minutes for him to wrench his gaze away from his steaming cup of liquid caffeine and glance at me with a shy smile.

"Taylor."

"Dad."

"Mind if I join you?"

"Well the coffee maker started on its own, so either Jarvis made coffee meant for you or the robotic apocalypse is finally happening."

I slide onto a stool after I grab my mug, and smirk into my coffee as I reply "Well we all know who would be behind that, now don't we?"

"You would be right next to me."

"Yes," I say as I set my mug down and look him in the eye, "Just like always."

He squirms and fidgets slightly as he replies. "Yeah...Taylor, I'm sorry for what I said yesterday, I was mad, and so worried, and...ugh. I wouldn't be surprised if you wanted to be a mini-Hawkeye now and join S.H.I.E.L.D. or something." The last part is whispered as he bows his head like a scolded child.

"Never."

He jerks his head back up in disbelief. "What?"

I shake my head in amusement. "I'm going to tell you what I told everyone else yesterday — I've spent two years investing in our partnership, and I'm a fool if I throw that away over a few hot words."

"But I-"

"-Spoke in the heat of battle." I cut him off. "We're both very aware that you, sir, have a tendency to say things you don't mean when you're scared or worried or high strung."

I can visibly see the tension melt from his shoulders and his face sags in relief.

"Good to know Beta."

I smile as I get up to refill my mug.

"And me work for S.H.I.E.L.D.? You wound me."