Graduation: Chapter Two of the Fireheart Saga

Part Two: When Opportunity Knocks

A groan slipped Amelia's lips as her alarm buzzed loudly the next morning and it took two swipes of a lazy arm to turn it off, wincing when she threw back the covers only to hear the distinct thud of her heavy textbook hitting the floor. "Sorry." She whispered, as if the occupants below could hear, and dragged herself from the fluffy pillows with about as much enthusiasm as a dead rat.

Why did Amelia need to be at the hearing? She jumped in for a quick shower, the water doing nothing to wake up her slow body, and frowned to herself. What exactly did they expect her to say that her father wouldn't? Yeah, go ahead, take the suit, what do I care? It's not like the government doesn't already have enough spangly new weaponry to obliterate the enemy with. Amelia might not like the fact her father – and by extension herself – was under even more scrutiny now, but at least Tony had his priorities straight. Hand the suit over to the politicians and they'd be at war by the end of the week.

Twenty minutes later, Amelia called down for some breakfast, switching on the morning news as she nibbled away at a plate of bacon, toast and eggs, her cup of coffee filled right to the brim.

Unless they wanted her there to catch Tony out, that he might omit certain truths in front of his daughter. The thought put a smile on Amelia's face as she changed into her burgundy suit, shrugging the blazer over a black blouse and slipped into a pair of black heels. If they thought Tony would hold back because of her, they had another thought coming.

Amelia had her bags ready to go when Happy knocked on her door, threading her still damp hair into a tight braid along her back as he collected them. "So, what do we think today, Happy?" Amelia asked jovially as she followed him down to the lobby, adjusting the strap of her satchel on her shoulder to account for the extra weight of her textbook. "Mild trainwreck or crash and burn?"

"Ten dollars says no survivors." Happy bet as they met up with Pepper by the reception desk as she checked them all out.

"You're on." Amelia shook his hand.

"What are you doing?" Pepper sighed, signing the bottom of a form.

"Placing bets on Dad's hearing today." Amelia explained as she leaned back against the desk, watching the elevators for the man himself. "You want in?"

"Certainly not."

Amelia tapped the desk rhythmically, "I reckon he'll at least come out with his head on his shoulders."

"I'm not betting on your father."

"Come on." Amelia reasoned, "It's easy money."

"That's concerning." Pepper frowned, handing back the pen and checking her watch.

"Don't tell me he's gonna be late." Amelia grumbled, glancing at the huge clock on the wall herself.

"You even need to ask?" Pepper grumbled back, they were gonna be late if they waited much longer.

Much longer of course turned into a lot longer when Tony finally strode out the elevators, dressed in a grey suit Pepper undoubtedly brought him. "I don't like being late." Amelia snapped at Tony as they reached the capital, an aide hurrying them along the long corridors.

"We're not late." Tony replied chipperly, hands in his pockets, wearing a pair of brown tinged aviator glasses. " ."

The committee room was packed full when they arrived. Tony was immediately ushered to the long mahogany table at the front, microphones and bottled water sitting atop the wood, two screens set up either side of the committee where Senator Stern sat at the head.

Amelia crinkled her nose as she took a seat beside Pepper for the beginning. The ratty looking man with a whiny voice and greying hair banged the gavel to quiet the murmurs running through the room, clasping his thick fingers in front of him on the tall bench as he regarded Tony with empty warmth. He started the hearing slowly, going through all sorts of procedural crap before getting to the questions, and even then he dragged them out, asking for every little detail as Tony described the process with which he built the suit. Her father answered with as much bravado and snark as usual, regarding the Senator with as much as respect as he did them, often turning in his seat to gesture at Pepper, mouthing a few words every now and again, especially when it reached midday and he sent her out for hotdogs.