Illegitimate Prodigy

Welcome to the Avengers Facility

The ginger blonde woman sitting in the seat next to her was fuzzy, and at first the young Stark couldn't make out who it was. Groans escaped her lips, her right hand lifting to her forehead only to wince when she accidentally bumps the cut on her forehead. The memory of falling asleep wasn't there, and she didn't know where she was. Where was her dad?
"Hey...how are you feeling?"
That was Pepper's voice. Her gaze met the window when her vision cleared. All she could see was open fields. The sun was just then coming over the horizon, leaving the sky a blue/purple color. She was trying to remember the last time she was conscious— how she got into a car with Pepper. Did she hit her head during the altercation with the Vulture, and the argument she had with her Dad never actually happened? Her eyes blinked aggressively, her body shifting higher in her seat, and her neck turning to face Pepper. Cringing again her hand met her neck— that was when she remember the ice pack—the medicine that her father handed to her.
"You? You drugged me? Are you insane?" Annabelle shot a glare at her father's girlfriend. Pepper's expression was clearly not an amused one.
"Correction, he drugged you. This was not my idea of getting you to the facility.."

"I told you I was fine! I told you I could stay at the tower but neither of you listened!" She yelled.

"Annabelle!" Pepper snapped, a tone she never truly heard come out of her mouth. She sounded almost like her mother, which immediately made Belle feel like a teenager again, being lectured on the way to school. "Your father is just trying to protect you, and you are refusing to accept that protection..." She lowered her voice. "I understand the need for vengeance, anyone would." The familiar blue eyes shifted from the road, Annabelle having already looked away from her. "These people.. anyone that considers your father an enemy..." Annabelle noticed Pepper adjust her grip on the steering wheel, but she kept her brown gaze forward. "They will not use discretion because your young. They will kill you if they have a chance." The Stark's eyes watered and dropped to her hands that lay in her lap. "Annabelle, look at me."

Without hesitation she looked back up at the CEO, this time she stared intently despite driving. "Do not give them that chance."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The facility was surrounded by high fencing and guards. If she didn't actually know what the building was used for she would say it was to keep people in rather than people out. Pepper pulled the vehicle to the opening where a guard waved her through immediately.

The grounds were sawed with green grass, however that was the most landscaping that had been done. The road to the front was decently long— the property massive on its own. "Certainly a big change compared to the Tower," Annabelle said, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. Pepper nodded, a exhausted yawn revealing itself. The Stark didn't even think about whether Pepper had gotten any sleep. Annabelle actually thought it was rather selfish her father told her to take his daughter to the facility. Knowing full well she'd be angry when she woke up from her drugged up stupor. Of course, maybe that was the reason. If he drove it would have only turned into a fight. Happy wouldn't have been considered because it's a little past his responsibilities.
Pepper always had a way of calming Annabelle down for some reason. She wasn't sure if it was because she unusually calm even when Annabelle was angry.

They took a curve around the building which brought them near the front doors. Tony stood outside, wearing an all black suit with a zip up vest underneath. He stared intently at the car, his face not really showing any emotion at all. "No arguing," Pepper quickly spoke, the car coming to a full stop.

Annabelle kept her eyes forward at first, letting Pepper exit the car. She walked around the front, greeting Tony with a quick kiss. She could tell they both were talking about her, until Pepper patted the small of Tony's back and turned to walk through the front doors. His brown eyes transitioned to look back at his daughter sitting in the vehicle.

- - - - - - - -

Tony wasn't in the mood to deal with Annabelle's attitude today. Her undeniable stubbornness that she undoubtedly inherited from him. He could have just stayed at the tower, letting her adjust to the facility on her own. However, that didn't sit right with him and he knew he had to be here. Even if it meant arguing with his daughter.

When Annabelle didn't exit the car, Tony approached the car, yanking on the handle and letting out an exasperated sigh. "Come on, kiddo. Not to sound like a dick, but I have to be somewhere, and I want to show you the grounds before I leave." No response from his ornery daughter in front seat. Shoving his left hand into his suit pant pocket, he averted his gaze. Waiting for any kind of response even if it just meant eye contact and a nod. The pause was too long.
"Look, Belle, I know..."

"Dad." Her voice was quiet but his head turned back to give him her undivided attention. "I know you're just trying to protect me." Her matching brown eyes occasionally shifted around the grounds before glancing back up at him. "I should have listened— and I'm..." she hesitated, her face wincing slightly when she accidentally touched her bandaged with her right hand. "I'm sorry."

The apology almost made his knees buckle and he didn't anticipate it at all. He was speechless. Removing his left hand from his pocket, he extended toward his daughter who immediately reciprocated. Gripping his hand gently, he gingerly pulled her up from the vehicle. It was clear she was sore from the Vulture's attack, which made his blood boil a little.
Annabelle shifted around him, releasing her hand. Tony was ready to guide her through the front doors but as soon as he shut the car, she swooped underneath his arms. Her tiny frame wrapping itself around him. His arms stayed extended in surprise, but after a moment he let his arms fall around his daughter. He inhaled deeply smelling her washed hair from night before. "Thank you," he whispered, before kissing the crown of her head.