Hacky Sack ~ An Avengers Story

Nine - Apologize

Bucky and I walked into the tower up to the elevator being greeted by Jarvis, "Good afternoon Mister Barnes and Miss Stark." An uneasy feeling coursed through me once again at the name that I presume Tony instructed Jarvis to call me. Damn Bastard... Bucky glanced at me, feeling my disliking to the address, "Where to?"

"Take us to Stark please." Barnes answered the AI seeing that we don't know what floor he's at. My guess is that Bucky doesn't know what most of these floors are either. Without Jarvis, we'd be screwed. "So that's what you were talking about."

"Uh-huh." I shifted my weight back and forth between my toes and heels, feeling nervous for this conversation with Stark that I know is going to be emotional. "You'll be fine Cedar. It's Tony, he isn't capable of having a serious conversation." Buck tried to be reassuring, but even he knew that that wasn't the most 'reassuring' thing to say.

"I don't know how much that helps Buck." I replied honestly, rubbing at my wrist. He chuckled awkwardly,

"Right, sorry." The elevator dinged as it opened up to Tony's lab. His eyes remained glued to whatever he's tinkering with. I looked up at Bucky,

"As much as I'd like to have someone to keep me sane..."

"It's better that you talk to him alone. I get it." He showed his palms, "Just... try not to kill him."

"Я не могу обещать (I can not promise)." I mumbled, stepping out of the elevator. Just you and I now Tony...

I walked over to him silently, his eyes refusing to leave his work. I don't know if he's ignoring me, or if he's truly too developed in what he's doing. I tried to casually break the ice, "Whatcha working on?"

Tony jumped back, clearly startled by my presence. Guess he really didn't notice I was here, "Jesus Cedar, you scared me half to death." He held a hand over his chest. His expression hardened, "I thought you didn't want anything to do with me."

I felt a pang in my chest, I really hurt him didn't I? Tony went back to focusing on the gadget before him, "Look, I know I may have overreacted a bit. But in my defense this is a lot, you know?" He still won't acknowledge me. "So I went home and cooled off a bit, had a few visitors, one being Austen. Him and I had a little chat." Tony's motions stopped, but still had his gaze averted. "Turns out he knew about my past the whole time, thanks to you."

"Cedar let me exp-"

I held up a hand to cut him off, "No, let me explain. I was mad at you for a while for all of a sudden wanting to reclaim me as your daughter after years of not even contacting me. Well, not a while. This has all happened in what? Less than twenty-four hours? Besides the point. Austen told me that SHIELD forbade you from contacting me in any way."

"And I didn't." I rolled my eyes at his interruption, "Sorry."

"Anyway, I realized that I really can't be mad at you. For that part at least. You could've gotten in a lot of trouble for going against SHIELD. So I wanted to apologize for jumping to conclusions. I thought that you only wanted me back as your daughter because I still had powers." I looked down, ashamed for my false accusations without knowing the whole story.

Tony stepped closer to me, resting both hands on my upper arms. "Cedar," He began, "I would never. You shouldn't be apologizing. You didn't know every part of this complicated mess, no thanks to me. And I get it if you don't want to live this kind of life - though who wouldn't its a fucking awesome life style, getting the perks of being my daughter and all." He started rambling until I cut him off with a glare. "Sorry. But still, I get it. I was the one who wanted you to have a chance at a 'normal' life. Just tell me what you want and I'll make it happen."

I stayed silent, not even sure what I wanted at the moment. "I want a cheeseburger."

Tony laughed straight from the chest as he wrapped me under his arm, "That's my girl." He hesitated, "That's the next big topic. What's your opinion on the whole... you know... daughter thing?"

I sighed, "I don't know Tone. It feels weird, but normal at the same time. Weird because I thought Johnathan was my father the whole time. Normal because maybe like Steve was saying in the lab yesterday, my memories of you are still there in my subconscious."

"Maybe spending enough time with me will bring them back." I couldn't help but groan, "I don't think I can handle spending that much time with you Stark."

"Hey!" He shook my shoulders under his arm as we walked into the elevator. "Ooo! Idea! You should legally change your last name to Stark."

"Tony!"

"It was just an idea, calm down. But just think about it. 'Cedar Stark'." He waved his hands in front of our faces as if painting it across the air, "It just has a better ring to it than Cedar Evans, don't you think?"

"Tony I'm this close to draining the power in your reactor."

"Okay, okay, okay." He dismissed the idea.

"Besides, you've already got Jarvis calling me 'Miss Stark'."

Tony looked at me confused, "I didn't tell him to do that."

"You didn't?" Tony shook his head, "No. It must be destiny then."

"Stark." I warned.

"Kidding!" He then mumbled an almost incoherent, "I'm totally not."

We ended up in the lounge where most of the others were. They looked at us cautiously as we walked out, Tony's arm still draped over my shoulders. I took a seat on one of the chairs at the mini bar while Tony went behind and poured a glass of Whiskey. "Pour me one."

Tony cocked an eyebrow at me, "How old are you?" I gave him a look, "I'm just kidding. You're fifteen."

"Dude."

"Did you just 'dude' me?" He asked, mocking offended.

"Did you just call me fifteen?" I used a similar tone. He rolled his eyes as he grabbed another glass, accepting his defeat whilst pouring the dark liquid into the transparent container. "To resolved conflict?" He brought his glass to mine. I scanned the room for Bucky.

"Тони проблемы (Tony problems)." I clinked my glass with his. I heard Bucky snort from his spot on the couch from my toast from earlier. "Hey!" Tony shouted.

"Wait, you can speak Russian?" I asked with a pout. He looked offended, "Yes dear, I can."

"Hehe, oops?" I faked innocence as he gave me a disapproving look.

"Let me guess, you planned to talk shit about him behind his back in Russian?" Clint spoke up from the sofas.

"What? No!" Sarcasm dripped from my words.

"Oh she so was." Steve chuckled beside Bucky. "But are we gonna talk about their new alliance?"

"I think I may have to break it after that little stunt. Or I'll ground you. Ooo I like that idea better." Tony thought aloud. I cringed,

"Tony I'm twenty-one years old. You can't ground me. I don't even live here yet."

"Yet? Oh my god you're considering it!?" He asked like a little girl when their parent agrees to buying them a puppy.

"Considering."

"That's practically a yes." Steve chimed in. God is everyone here a child?

"At least stay here a couple nights and get a feel for it. If you like it then stay. If you don't then I will personally escort you home." Tony offered with a light smile, "Now if I remember correctly, you said you wanted a cheeseburger?"

"Yes please." I groaned, feeling my stomach rumble.

"I'd give my left arm for a cheeseburger." Bucky got up from the couch and stretched. Everyone looked at him in disbelief. Did he really just say that? He did not... "Oh right, I forgot. Don't have one of those."

We were all silent. That was until I burst out laughing, holding my sides. Holy shit why is that so funny? Eventually everyone else in the room began laughing as well until we our sides hurt. Maybe sticking around wouldn't be that bad...