Lieutenant - Daughter of the Captain

Chapter 4.0 - Coulson

***TRIGGER WARNING***
Please skip section outline by this symbol 《  》 if you are sensitive to things such as assault, sexual harrasment/assault/rape, or panic/anxiety attacks.

"Agent Coulson, I believe Mr. Stark is aiming to conceal my origins from you and your employers. I believe it is in everyone's best interest if we agree to be honest with each other. What do you think?" She remarked, watching Tony's face contort in confusion when he noticed her speaking, before turning her attention to the confused man beside her.

"I think...that does sound like Stark. What do you have to be honest about, miss...?" He responded, leaving her another opportunity to provide him with her name. Which she promptly ignored.

"It's a sensitive topic, and probably best discussed at your headquarters. All you need to know at the moment is that it's important," she stared straight into his eyes, conveying to him the seriousness of the situation. 

Phil contemplated for a moment, staring down at the child in front of him. However, before he made his decision, he had one question that needed answering. 

"I'm not Stark's," She added. 

Question answered. 

"Alright then, I think we can work something out-" Coulson began, before being interrupted by Tony. 

"Working what out? What is there to work out?" Tony butted in, hastily walking over to the pair. The girl gave Coulson a look that said 'I told you so' and approached Tony.

"Thank you, for your hospitality and your generosity Mr. Stark. But I'm afraid I must be on my way," She said, trying to be somewhat gentle, yet stern with the man. He scoffed at her.

"On your way? On your way where?" He started, his face stony, but his eyes betrayed him. He didn't trust S.H.E.I.L.D., especially not with a child. He was appealing to her fear, trying to convince her that she wasn't safe so she shouldn't go. "You have nowhere to go, they'll take you and you'll disappear. They'll make you a war heroine like they did Roger's in the forties. Or they'll make you an agent or something...you'll have no shot at a normal life if you go with him," he finished, his voice softer on the last few words. He was pleading with her, now.

"I don't have one now..." She whispered. She hadn't felt her words before she spoke them. She had always known it, always accepted it. However, even though her planning and execution she had never truly felt the gravity of her situation. She was taught not to feel, feelings only got in the way. So, when she spoke those words, and her face became one of fear and uncertainty. Of pain and crippling anxiety...it wasn't a mask.

And it terrified her.

But it worked.

"You don't have to do it alone..." She expected the words to come from Pepper, but they were Tony's. In an instant, all her training came crashing back into her. She blinked the wetness from her eyes and clenched her shaking fists. She put the mask back on.

But even then, she considered his offer. She could stay with him, and find her way to S.H.E.I.L.D. through a financial and economical barrier, rather than surrendering herself to their mercy. It was the smart choice, she knew that much. So smart, in fact, she almost accepted right then and there.

"I have to find him," She realized, speaking the words out loud. She looked into Tony's eyes, watching as he went from confusion to realization to...something else...

...jealousy? Perhaps having to do with his relationship with his father...

"Yeah, I guess you do," He relented, and seeing the hurt in his eyes, Pepper opened her mouth to speak. But he was quick to cut her off, "No, she's right. He's practically her dad, she should go find the Capsicle," he finished, making his way back to his computer that now displayed various holographic images and videos.