Of All The Stars

8~The Goodbye

Multiple hours later, back at Stark's mansion, Pepper came out of the guest room after just helping Estrid get to bed. She walked back to the master where Tony was sitting on the bed. She sighed loudly as she sat down.

"What?" Tony asked curiously.

"What what?" Pepper said innocently.

"Come on, I know that sigh. What's up?" She sighed again.

"Have you ever thought, I mean, uh, have you ever thought about, one day you know, having a kid?" Tony sighed.

"Are we really having this talk right now?"

"I know, I know. But just having Essie here, even though it hasn't been long, its just like turning on all my motherly hormones."

"Yeah, I know. Lets talk about this maybe another day?" Pepper nodded, "I'm gonna go get some water." Tony stood up and walked out of the room, jogging down the stairs. He started filling his water cup up.

"Are we really going to keep doing this?" he asked not looking up.

"I think you know why I'm here Stark." A deep voice responded.

"Look, I told you before, I'm not interested in your super secret boy band."

"That's not why I'm here. Iron Man is a suitable candidate, but you are not."

"Jeeze, what did Romanoff put in that report?" he said sarcastically.

"Stark, I'm here for the girl." That caused Tony to stop what he was doing and turn toward the man on his couch.

"What girl?" Tony asked, playing dumb.

"Agent Romanoff notified me of the child who would manipulate air, not to mention the flying. I also took a look of the blood test you did on her. You know, the one that matches the man that S.H.I.E.L.D is currently hunting down?"

"I'm not selling her out to you." Tony said stubbornly.

"Listen Stark, if the dad knows we have her, we can get him to come in. Isn't that the whole reason you brought her back in the first place? To find her dad?"

"You know where my father is?" a small voice from the stairs said, causing Tony to sigh and Fury to stand up.

"Hello Estrid. My name is Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D, and yes, I can get you to your father." Estrid slowly walked down the stairs, watching Fury suspiciously. "Listen Estrid, if you come with me I can get you back to your father." She looked at Tony for verification.

"Yes, Estrid. He can get you to your dad." He sighed.

"Okay. You're coming right Anty?"

"Nope kid. I have to stay here."

"You can't come?" her eyes started to water.

"Estrid, we need to go." Fury stated as he started walking to the door.

"But I don't want to leave you!" She said as she ran and hugged onto Tony's legs.

"I know kid, but you need to go find your dad."

"I going to miss you." Estrid said as tears streamed down her tired face.

"Bye kid, I'll see you sometime soon okay?" he pried her off his legs and looked her in her eyes.

"Aw come on, don't cry on me now." she sniffed and wiped her eyes. Tony then knelt down and whispered something in her ear causing her to giggle. Fury put a hand on her shoulder and steered her toward the door.

"Bye Anty." She sniffed as she waved to him. And then Fury shut the door. Tony sighed and sat on the couch. He groaned as he felt an unfamiliar sense of guilt and sadness wash over him. Taking a sip of water, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes, trying to ignore the way his nose had started running.