We Can't Go Back

Where's Home?

NEW YORK- 2011

"Mr. Stark, I've been alerted of a breach in one of your father's warehouses," Jarvis tells Tony.

His father had lots of warehouses, many he wasn't aware about. They were all logged with Jarvis though so he never really thought much of them. He usually wouldn't be too concerned but his father was a weapons manufacturer and if someone is trying to break in to find some of his father's technology, he ought to stop it.

He suits up and flies off to the location. However, when he arrives, he doesn't see any signs of break in. Whoever is doing this is smart enough to break through whatever security measures his dad set up.

"Heat signatures?" Tony asks.

"One."

That is surprising. Usually there were at least two people involved in this sort of thing.

He enters and follows Jarvis's directions but he can't see anyone in here. He walks past many crates that most likely hood weapons that could kill thousands. Usually Jarvis was right but no one is here.

Tony leans against a tube shaped glass container and practically has a heart attack when he hears pounding from within. He looks down and sees a beautiful blonde woman. At first he thinks that this is some kind of trap box and that she was the one who broke in. However, all it takes is a cursory glance at the container to realize that it's some kind of life support machine.

Call him crazy but he knows in his gut that this girl isn't a threat. With the push of a few buttons, the chamber opens and she sits up with a gasp. She blinks rapidly, probably adjusting to the harsh overhead lighting. However, one look at Tony and she begins scrambling out of the machine and moving away from him in fear.

That's when he realizes that his mask is still on. It's got to be pretty jarring to see Iron Man standing over you. He removes the mask and the woman straightens before scrunching her face in confusion.

"Howard?" She asks.

So she knew his dad. He doesn't know how she would though because his dad died 20 years ago. She looked to be mid-twenties so unless she knew him when she was five, he doesn't know how that's possible. He has the brief thought that maybe she was some love child he had and she grew up seeing him in photos. However, she doesn't look like him at all and unless she completely took after her mother, she shared no blood with him.

"No. I'm his son. Tony," he says.

"Son? That's not possible. You're older than Howard," she says dismissively.

He doesn't know what rock this woman has been living under to not know him. He was splashed over every news channel in the world. He was one of the most common household names and that was even before he announced he was Iron Man.

"How old do you think I am?" He asks.

"35?"

"I'm actually 42. My skin care routine must be working," he says.

She looks so confused that he can't help but feel pity. She seems to be having trouble getting a grip on reality.

"Howard is 28 years old. You can't be his son," she says.