Oh, Brother

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I stood, frozen to the sidewalk, as I stared at the giant building. I took a deep breath and strode inside, clutching the folder in my hands.

A cool voice greeted me as I stepped into enormous lobby.

"Hello, and welcome to Stark Tower. Please check in at the front desk. General business persons may enter the large elevator. Those who wish to see Mr. Stark must use the call-screen. Thank you."

I checked in quickly, and faced the call-screen. I hesitated for a long moment, before I closed my eyes, and tapped "call."

"Sir, you have a call from the lobby."

Tony groaned and looked up from the blueprints he had been studying.

"Show me."

"Of course, Sir."

A girl's face flashed onto one of the many screens surrounding him. He took in her long dark hair, blue eyes, and freckles in a glance. She bit her lip nervously, and he smirked at her discomfort.

"Send her away, JARVIS," he said, turning back to his blueprints, "She's just another fangirl."

"Not so fast, JARVIS," Pepper called.

She strode over and ran her fingers throughTony's hair as she studied the girl.

"I want to talk to her."

Tony stiffened at the declaration.

"Ah, no. She is not coming up here."

"You're right," Pepper smirked, "I'm going down there."

The screen was still blank. I pulled out my phone to check the time. If he didn't answer in the next minute, I was going to leave.

A ding pierced the quiet lobby, and I jumped in surprise.

"Hello?" I called.

A woman with bright auburn hair stepped out of the elevator and turned toward me.

"Oh hello," she smiled as she walked over, "Is Tony not answering again?"

I shook my head and she smiled apologetically.

"I'm Pepper Potts, " she said, thrusting her hand toward me.

I took it.

"Risa Evans."

She smiled and motioned to the folder in my hands.

"Is this why you're here?" she asked.

I nodded.

"Mind if I see?" she reached toward me again.

I hesitated, "Can you get me in to see Mr. Stark?"

"Depends on why you're here," she smirked.

A long moment passed before I relinquished my hold on the folder.

Tony watched the amazement spread over Pepper's face as she scanned the papers in the envelope. She glanced at the camera Tony was watching her from and handed the folder back to the girl.

"Go on up," she said, and she walked with the girl over to the elevator.

"Pepper," Tony mumbled, "what are you doing?"

I wriggled nervously as the elevator shot upwards. This was it, the chance of a lifetime. I straightened as the doors slid open to reveal the modern penthouse apartment.

"Mr. Stark?"

Tony Stark popped up from behind one of the many tables.

"Ah, hey," he smiled thinly, "you must be the fangirl Pepper saw reason to send up."

"Oh, no," I hurried to correct him, "I'm not a fangirl."

His left eyebrow shot up.

"You're not a fan of Iron Man?"

"No, no," I stuttered, "I am, but that's not the reason I'm here"

His right eyebrow followed the left.

"Really?"

"Mr. Stark, I," I blinked slowly, "I'm your sister. "

Stark's face fell, "My what?"

I took a shuddering breath, "Your sister. I have all the paperwork here. "

I thrust out my arms, my knuckles white around the folder.

Stark strode toward me, a look of concentration on his face. He stopped in front of me, and looked me up and down. I swallowed dryly, too nervous to speak. He reached out suddenly, one hand closing on my folder, the other on my arm. I felt a sharp pinch, and yelped.

"What was that?!"

Stark smirked and tossed the folder to the side.

"What are you doing?!"

He didn't acknowledge my outbursts. Instead he placed his hand on one of the screens.

"J.A.R.V.I.S." He droned, "Scan DNA."

"Scan DNA?" I raised an eyebrow, "Mr. Stark what-?"

"Match found," the cool voice from the lobby filled the room, "Risa Evans, birth name Risa Stark."

Stark's shoulders tensed, and he turned slowly, a look of awe on his face.

I had been standing in the same spot for what seemed like hours. I was completely frozen as Stark slowly walked over to me, eyes locked on mine. He stopped inches from me.

"J.A.R.V.I.S. is never wrong," he breathed.

We moved at the same time, our arms wrapping around each other in a tight embrace.

I closed my eyes and breathed in his scent. It was so foreign, yet so familiar. I sighed happily. I was home.