Let's Be Insane Together (CWAC Book Three)

Chapter 9: Meeting the Family

Harley rubs her hands over her dress as she stares up at the Avenger Mansion, the last time she'd been, the last and first time she'd been here, she ended up stealing a jet.

"Harleen?" she growls and looks up before smiling a little. Happy Hogan stares at her.

"Hey, Happy" she waves, Happy she had liked. He spent more time with her then her father did. Happy hands the clipboard in hand to the guy next to him before approaching her.

"I saw your name on the list but I never thought you would actually be here" he pulls her into a hug. "You look so grown up," he tells her softly pulling back. "Come on, I'll walk you in...you never got to see the tower," he tells her as they walk towards the doors. "Or the facility" he mumbles. "This is definitely the best so far...." Harley doesn't have the heart to correct him, that she has already been in the Mansion. "She's with me," he tells the other security guard.

"You are still his glorified bodyguard?" she asks, Happy laughs and looks to her.

"He just hates admitting he cares for someone....so yeah, I'm his bodyguard" Harley nods. "How was...Arkham?"

"It didn't work out" she answers with a shrug. "I live in Hell's Kitchen now" Happy looks to her as she twirls a strand of hair around her finger.

"Well you look good" she smiles and nods.

"I know" Happy chuckles as he and Harley walk into the main hall, music plays, lights are low, and the Avengers are scattered around. Harley looks around and shrinks a little.

"They're really nice," Happy tells her. "Don't worry...now, where is he?"

"At the bar probably" Harley mumbles. Happy smiles and shakes his head. Harley was unfortunately born a year before Howard and Maria's death, which meant that she got the worst of Tony as her father, the drinking, the girls, she's not had the best view of Tony as a parent, and given that her mother ran off two days after she was born. It's not really any surprise that the girl has issues.

"Harley" Shea bounces over to them. "I can't believe you came"

"Seems to be a running theme" Harley mumbles.

"I've got it from here, Happy" Shea grabs Harley's arm and pulls her along away from Happy. "Tony!" she shouts with a smile, Tony turns from where he's talking with Hawkeye, his eyes widening slightly as he takes in Harley.

"Harley" he whispers and moves towards her. "Hey...I thought.."

"Yeah, well...I changed my mind" she mumbles. "That's okay, right?"

"Kidding, right? That's great" he beams at her. "Come on, let's get you a drink....you can drink right?" Tony walks away, Harley looks to Shea who rolls her eyes.

"You better follow him, or he's gonna come back and drag you off," Shea tells her, Harley nods and follows after Tony. Tony looks to her.

"It's not going to mess with your meds?" Harley frowns at him. "Drinking?"

"Oh, no...I'm not on any meds" Tony frowns at her.

"You're not? I thought with your....episodes....the docs"

"I know what they said. I just didn't agree" Harley tells him. "I've been good," she tells him with a smirk. Tony glances to her as they reach the bar.

"Fine, all right....you were the psychiatrist"

"Not a very good one" she mumbles. Tony leans on the bar.

"That wasn't your fault" she joins him and shrugs. "Third generation Stark, you just got unlucky, kid" she smiles a little. "Being a little messed up in the head it seems is genetic, and snowballs with each generation....scotch on the rocks" he turns to the bartender. "Harley?"

"He won't be able to do it" she states with a smirk. "It's very specific" Tony raises an eyebrow at the bartender.

"He's the best" Tony points out. "Try him" Harley sighs.

"In a shaker add ice, Chambord, St. Germain and Vodka. Shake. Strain into martini glass. Top with Champagne and add a cherry" Harley states leaning next to Tony who smirks.
"I think I got it" the bartender turns away from them. Tony leans closer to Harley.

"So...you know how I said I wanted you to meet some people?" Harley nods. "It's okay if you don't want to....we can just...hang out"

"No...I want to...I do...I just...I'm not very good with normal people"

"Oh," Tony smirks. "Kiddo, these are not normal people" he takes her hand on the bar and smiles. "Just stick around till everyone none residential lives here disappears....try and enjoy yourself" the bartender sets two drinks on the bar and smiles.

"How'd I do?" he smirks at Harley.

"It looks fine" Harley answers pulling the drink closer. "It'll do" Tony smirks and grabs his own drink.

.........................

Shea sits with Harley as the party winds down, the redhead glances to the blonde.

"Thank you" Harley frowns and looks to Shea.

"For what?"

"For coming...Tony...he didn't talk about you at all" Harley scoffs. "Just hear me out...." Harley rolls her eyes. "I accidentally read his mind" Harley looks to her. "Yeah...don't worry" she assures Harley. "I don't tend to do it without permission...hence the accidentally.....anyway.....I was tired, half asleep....and I slipped up, he was thinking of you so I asked....and it was like flood gates" Shea smiles. "So far it's just been me and Rhodey....but I think Rhodey already knew" Shea shrugs. "This is good......he's opening up to the others.....their no more secrets pact thingy" Tony looks over to the two of them and smiles. Harley looks to Shea.

"So..what do I call you mommy now?" Shea laughs and shakes her head.

"God no" Tony's smile widens.

"Don't tell him this....but I'm seeing someone...I think anyway, it's complicated..." Harley frowns. "It was him that persuaded me to come...and Tony'll freak out, considering the last boyfriend he knew about actually sent me insane" Shea smiles.

"Don't worry...It'll be our little secret" they share a smile.

"Thank you" Tony whistles getting everyone's attention.

"All right. Now that the boring part is over" he grabs his glass and smiles. "I want to introduce you all to someone very important to me" Tony looks to Harley. "You've probably noticed the new face" he points to Harley who looks so out of her depth. "This is Harley...." Harley smiles a little. "She's...."

"Dr. Harleen Quinzel Stark" Harley finishes for him. "His daughter" Tony smiles a little at her.

"You have a kid?" Bucky asks with a smirk. "A grown-up kid? A hot grown-up kid?"

"She's also insane" Tony points out.

"Thanks" Harley mutters dryly.

"Sorry, kiddo....." Tony replies. "That's not how I wanted it to come out"

"So why are we only just hearing about her now?" Pietro asks eyeing up Harley.

"Because.....she's been away" Tony offers. "And I hadn't seen her in almost ten years....so...Anyway...here we go, there she is....everyone Harley, Harley everyone"

"And I'm out" Harley stands. "Too many faces..." she motions to the Avengers, Tony looks to her. "I'll see you around...." she tells him.

"You're leaving?"

"I have a dog to feed" she answers grabbing her jacket.

"You have a dog...." Harley smirks thinking about Marvel.

"Sure...a dog" she walks backward and smirks. "Tell Happy I said bye" Tony nods and smiles at her. "See you around, Shea"

"Night, Harley"