𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 [𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐨

That night Madison flew from her mission to where her father was giving a presentation at a college. When the girl arrived she had a heavy heart.

The events of what had happened earlier that same day were stuck in her mind. Flashes of the screams of the people, and the blazing fire. The fire brought back memories of her California home being destroyed and her father and herself almost dying.

She sat in the crowd amongst all of the other MIT students. Madison watched as her father showed off his new device.

Madison instantly was on the edge of her seat as she saw her grandmother. Maria was playing the piano and singing, "Try to remember the kind of September. When the grass was green... Wake up, dear, and say goodbye to your father."

Then her grandfather walked in the fake room. Howard looked around and glanced at the sofa, "Who's the homeless person on the couch?"

A younger version of Madison's father then stood up off of the couch. He was wearing pajamas and a Christmas hat. He looked the definition of a college playboy after a night out of partying.

"This is why I love coming home for Christmas," the younger version of Tony laughed, "Right before you leave town."

"Be nice dear. He's been studying abroad," Maria claimed, talking to her husband.

Howard then looked at his son, "Really, which broad? What's her name?"

"Candice," Tony replied, a smug look on his face. Madison's grandfather then snatched the Christmas hat off of Tony's head, "Do me a favor? Try not to burn the house down before Monday."

"Okay so it's Monday. That's good to know," Tony stated as he leaned against the wall, "I will plan my toga party accordingly. Where you going?"

Maria just simply replied, "Your father is flying us to the Bahamas for a little getaway."

"We might have to make a quick stop," Howard informed.

The younger version of the billionaire leaned against the wall and glanced at his father, "At the Pentagon. Right? Don't worry, you're gonna love the holiday menu at the commissary."

Howard then walked out of the room. Madison's grandmother stopped playing the piano. Maria then stood up and walked over to her son, "He does miss you when you are not here. And frankly, you're going to miss us. Because this is the last time we're all going to be together. You know what's about to happen. Say something. If you don't, you'll regret it."

Tony's father then walked back into the room. Tony turned around and looked at the man, "I love you, dad. And I know you did the best you could."

Maria then leaned in a kissed the younger version of Madison's father on the cheek. When she pulled away the girl saw her actual father leaning against the doorway, watching what was happening.

Her grandparents then left the room, leaving only the past Tony and the present Tony. Her father then spoke, "That's how I wished it happened."

At that point Madison watched as her father spoke, but she couldn't exactly hear the words he was saying; Madison already knew what the project was. She was to focused on trying to remember her grandmother's face.

She had never met Maria or Howard. Sometimes she wished she had, even though Tony described his father as being a huge dick. But her grandmother was described as one of the most beautiful and sweetest people in the world.

The image of her grandparents lingered in her mind as she though of their death. Madison knew what her father went through; she knew what it felt like for your parent to die. Even though Tony always came back. Unlike the people today.

Madison's face then fell even more as she remembered what happened. The burning building. The screams of the innocent. Madison couldn't save them; things went wrong and she felt horribly guilty.

Eventually she was torn away from her thoughts by her father saying, "Go break some eggs." Then the crowd started to cheer.

The girl then stood up and met with her father back stage. Madison felt her heart drop at the look of her father's face. Then she heard one of his assistants say, "Mr. Stark, I am so sorry about the teleprompter. I didn't know Ms. Potts had cancelled. They didn't have time to fix it."

"It's... fine," Tony answered, locking eyes with his daughter, "I'll be right back."

"We'll catch up later," a man said as Tony wrapped his arm around his kid and guided her away into a quite hallway.

Madison glanced behind them and saw that no one was following. She then walked with her father and then stopped in front of the elevator. The girl then noticed a woman waiting as well.

"That was nice, what you did for those young people," the woman spoke.

Tony then looked at the woman himself, "Ah, they deserve it. Plus, it helps ease my conscience."

"They say there is a correlation between generosity and guilt," the woman claimed, "But if you got the money... break as many eggs as you would like, right?"

Tony then turns his body and takes a step forward, getting closer to Madison. The girl bites her lip out of nervous habit as she sees that the elevator button hasn't been pushed yet. Madison pushed the button as she asked, "Are you going up?"

"I'm right where I want to be," the woman replies as she reaches into her bag.

Instantly Tony grabs onto the lady's wrist, fear for his daughter's safety taking over his body. A second later he realizes what he did and Tony let's go, "Okay. Okay. Hey. Sorry, it's an occupational hazard."

"I work for the State Department. Human Resources. I know it's boring," the woman explained as she pulled out a picture, "But it enabled me to raise a son. I'm very proud of what he grew up to be."

She then shoves the photo at Madison's father, "His name was Charles Spencer. You murdered him. In Sokovia. Not that it matters in the least to you. You think you fight for us. You just fight for yourself."

Tony shakes his head in response as the woman continues to speak, "Who's going to avenge my son, Stark? He's dead and I blame you. Maybe one day you will lose your daughter and know what it feels like."

And with that the woman turned and walked away. Leaving Madison with yet another reason for her wanting to just break down.