Sorry this is so late. RL has been hitting me hard. I will try and get the next one out asap.

Chapter 20

The next few months few by, Uncle Tony and Steve actually started to be friends and get along. Papa started to really heal and was working out again. He wasn't going to be an agent again but he was going to be an Avenger. He was the one who made sure everything that Uncle Tony and Bruce thought up stayed working. Steve and I flourished, and it was by far the best relationship I had ever been in. Yes it sucked when he went to fight but I knew what I was getting into.

About 4 months after the NY fight Uncle Tony and Aunt Pepper moved out to the Malibu offices. Uncle Tony's PTSD had gotten worse and after the last fight it was clear that something had to change. I just have to say that its a good thing they had needed the Hulk and he could catch Iron Man easily. Aunt Pepper could control the business from any of the offices so it was an easy transition for her. I got my areas together, we were working on better products, and were starting to get the ground work for some really spectacular inventions.

Before I knew what hit me it was Christmas and the six month anniversary of Daddy's death. It was a time to celebrate with my new family but also a time of great sadness. Christmas was the one time of the year we all made sure to be home. It was always a fun time just for our little family. Sure we had additions over the years. First Nick and Aunt Tasha, then Maria, and when she could get away Aunt Pepper. Now it was Uncle Tony and Aunt Pepper missing and Daddy not there at all. Papa was the one who came to me to see what I wanted to do this Christmas.

"I don't know. That's all I can really say right now?" I was sitting on my couch, in my Capt. America pj's clutching my coffee mug. Papa and I had breakfast together every Wednesday. When we had started to plan Thanksgiving I just couldn't believe it and he had noticed I'd gotten quiet for the last week.

"That's fine I just wanted you to think about it. We will do whatever you want."

"What do you want?" He sighed and looked into his cup. He had started to talk more about Daddy but this was different. They had almost gotten married on Christmas but had changed their minds and changed it to April 10th. It was the day they had first admitted they loved each other.

"I want to stay in my room and cry but I know that isn't what he would want. I want to celebrate but still make sure to remember him. Just know that there will probably be tears." I got up and hugged him.

"That is one thing we both agree on. How about this, no one here has had really good holidays. Why don't we tell them about our traditions and let them have input. We could start new traditions with the new family. That way we still do some of our stuff but we can include the new family. Though I will tell you now that Fury is dis-invited forever." While Steve and Aunt Tasha still worked at S.H.I.E.L.D it was really just to keep an eye on them. Steve had admitted to me that he wasn't sure what he would do if he didn't have S.H.I.E.L.D there to keep him busy. I told him I could find all kinds of things for him to do.

Aunt Pepper said originally that her and Uncle Tony were coming back for Christmas. They wouldn't be there for Thanksgiving, as we all were planning heading to Malibu, but they would come back in December. Thanksgiving went well as we had almost everyone there. Jane had went home to her moms but everyone else flew out to California. It was a bitter sweet moment to be celebrating but not have Daddy there. I will be honest and admit that I shed a few tears but mostly kept it together. Once we were back it was a world wind of shopping and trying to wrap up everything at work for the end of the year. I had a few freak out moments when I would be shopping and start to shop for Daddy until I would remember. Steve was an amazing boyfriend and would calm me down, or bring me my favorite food or drink from the local cafe.

I started to tell Steve about our Christmas traditions and he told me what he and Bucky had done as well. We ended up talking about it over a team dinner and started to plan what we wanted to do. Steve took me ice skating in Rockefeller Center, Bruce and I made strings of popcorn for the huge Christmas tree in the main floor living room, Aunt Tasha and I baked Christmas cookies all day, Jane and I started a holiday movie marathon that ended up being a team movie night, and Papa and I spent two days together shopping and making gifts for everyone.

I was setting in the kitchen making a list for Christmas dinner when J interrupted me.

"Darcy I think you need to see this." I heard the T.V. in the room next to me turn on and went to see what was going on. Steve and Aunt Tasha had left the night before for a mission, (I was promised they would be back for Christmas in 4 days) so I was instantly on high alert. I know by now seeing my Uncle on T.V. shouldn't surprise me but I let out a gasp at how haggard and pissed off he looked. Then he turned to the camera and gave out his address for all to here.

"What...the...hell?! J what is going on?"

"It seems that Happy was caught up in one of the Mandarin's attacks. Sir is not happy with how the government is handling it well."

"Understatement of the year J." Steve had mentioned the Mandarin in passing saying that they were looking into it, but he was hard to find. I started to text Aunt Pepper but my phone started ringing. I looked down and saw my Papa's face.

"Your Uncle has lost his mind!"

"I know, I was about to text Aunt Pepper to find out what's going on when you called. Do we need to head out that way?"

"Tony wants to handle it him self for now. I plan on heading that way tomorrow if nothing changes." My phone beeped and I saw it was Aunt Pepper. "Papa, Aunt Pepper is trying to call. Let me call you back."

"Ok Baby girl, make sure she promises not to kill your Uncle."

"Ok, will do. Love you."

"Love you too, sweetheart." I switched over to my Aunt. "Please tell me you haven't killed him yet?"

"No, he's still alive. I know you'd want to help."

"This is very true. Where are you? J said that Happy was hurt so you have no protection. Also how is Happy?"

"I'm heading to the house. Happy is in critical condition but they expect him to come back from this."

"Ok, after you talk to him call me. Or better yet have him call me. I really need to yell at him right now. He needs to remember that he has a team to help him with the bad guys now. Also if this isn't fixed by tomorrow Papa is heading your way. He may go early if he realizes you have no protection."

"That is a good plan. If I need it to change I will let you guys know. Now, I am heading in to verbally kill your Uncle."

"Ok, have fun." I hung up and headed to the kitchen. I needed coffee and cookies after this. I informed J to start the coffee and started that way. The elevator dinged and I turned to find Bruce and Jane walking in.

"Did I hear right? Tony just threatened the Mandarin and gave out his address on T.V.?"

"Yep, Aunt Pepper is heading to talk to him now. If she lets him live it will be a miracle. I am making coffee and am getting some cookies. Join me?" They both nodded and followed me. Right as I got my coffee and come cookies J told us we needed to turn on the T.V. I practically ran to the living room where J had turned it on. It was right at the moment that a missile flew into my Uncles house. I screamed and dropped everything in my hands.

"J, please tell me they had left."

"I'm sorry Darcy, I can not." Before anything else could be said another missile flew into the house and it started to fall into the sea. "Ms. Potts and guest are now safe but Sir has not come up yet." After that comment I really don't remember the next 48 hours. Papa showed up 30 minutes after the feed had started and sat with me. I know Steve and Aunt Tasha texted me but I just gave my phone to Papa. I remember seeing the Mandarin on the T.V. again but at that point I was pretty hysterical. Bruce had to give me medication at one point because I was freaking out so bad. All I know is I started to come out of my haze when I heard Aunt Peppers voice. Then Uncle Tony was next to me.

"Come on Sweetheart, I came all the way out here just for you. Now open those beautiful eyes of yours." I feel someone take my hand and try to open my eyes. The lights hurt so I shut them quickly and groaned. "That's it, come on."

"Shud up. To nois-y. Lights bad." I heard someone chuckle but the hand didn't let go.

"Ok, try to open them now." I shook my head and boy was that a bad idea. My free hand flew to my head.

"Ouch, what had pend."

"Bruce had to give you some meds and they didn't agree with you. He thinks you're going to be a little sick for the next few hours. Most of it has run threw your system." I heard Aunt Tasha say. It was then that my brain caught up with who was home. I quickly opened my eyes and moved to hug Uncle Tony. This was a very very bad idea, and I ended up clutching my stomach and almost puking. He must have noticed me turn green because he leaned forward and started to rub my back.

"Natasha I might need the bin." I waved him off quickly

"No, I'm ok, or I will be. Just let me sit for a second." Everyone was quit while I gathered my bearing. "Ok, I think I should be ok as long as I make no sudden movements. First things first." I turned back to Uncle Tony and hit him on the arm as hard as I could. Which even in my state was pretty hard. He yelped and jerked back.

"What the hell, kiddo?"

"No, what the hell, you! Do you know what you did to this house the last few days. You have a team now. That means you don't do shit by your self. I- We thought you were dead." He at least looked contrite, but it didn't seem to sink in. He started to protest but I wasn't done.

"Also trusting the Mark 42 to a ten year old. Wow, I guess now I see why they call you a genius. Come on, you know better. And don't get me started about putting your address on T.V. Do you know how many groupies we will have to drag away from that house. Plus it got blown up! You do remember that I had stuff there right? And putting Aunt Pepper in that spot. You and I will be having a very long discussion about talking to the media. Long!" I slumped back into my bed, and look at that it was my actual bed. Hunh, wonder how I got here. So not the point. I laid back and took some deep breaths. That had taken a lot out of me.

"Ok, whatever you want. But first can there be presents?" The confusion must have shown on my face. "Christmas? It was yesterday and I have never been more thankful that I had sent mine out early. But you know presents?" He looked so child like and I knew he was playing me but I was to grateful for him and Aunt Pepper still being alive that I let me get away with it.

"Fine but we will be talking." He held out his hand and we shook on it. I turned and noticed that everyone seemed to be home. If we could just get Thor here we could have the whole team here. Bruce cleared me to light duty, which meant I could walk to the living room and sit down. That was it, he did say that I should be fine in the next day or so.

After getting everyone settled in the living room, Uncle Tony and Aunt Tasha played elves and handed out presents. The sound of laughter and conversation flowed around me. I looked around the room and saw my new family. Aunt Pepper and Uncle Tony on the floor with Aunt Pepper almost in his lap. Bruce on the other side of Uncle Tony looking at the complete first editions of the Harry Potter book set Papa had gotten him. Aunt Tasha and Maria were setting on the couch and it looked like Aunt Tasha got Maria a new ring. I had to laugh when Maria kissed her before giving her an answer.

Papa was the first to congratulate them before coming back over to set with Steve and I. Steve was looking through the Art set and books Papa and I had gotten him. He had already opened the Ipod I had gotten him and put it in his pocket. He had been fascinated with mine so I got him one that had all the music we had talked about him needing to hear and some he would remember. Jane was next to Bruce and seemed to be staring out the window a lot. She happened to look my way and I tried to smile bigger for her. I knew she was missing Thor as much as I was missing Daddy.

I was opening my gift from Uncle Tony but was confused when I pulled out keys. "Are you making me move?" I asked. He let out a laugh.

"Never, look closer." He had a look that Aunt Pepper and I always worry about. I flipped them over and took a closer look. Then promptly dropped the keys and stared at him.

"You didn't."

"Oh I did." I wasn't sure I I wanted to hit him, hug him, or both.

"Tony what did you do?" Aunt Pepper asked. He made a waving motion at me and I picked the keys back up.

"He got me my dream car. 66 corvette. She better be in cherry red."

"Of course, though I have to admit I wanted to add gold," I squawked. "But I didn't. Promise." he held his hands up in surrender.

"Good, no use buying me the perfect care then ruining it."

"Hey now, I happen to think it would have made it better."

"Anddd, you would be very wrong. You know what I think about that." I had started to tire again and leaned into Steve a little more. He moved so that I fit into his side with his arm around my shoulders.

"You sound like you've talked about this a lot."

"Fought about it you mean. These two are a lot alike but when it comes to cars and colors they are completely different. They have been planning "The Perfect Car" since she was ten. I'm surprised he held out this long. He wanted to get her one for her sixteenth birthday." Aunt Pepper said. After that conversation started to flow again and I leaned more on Steve. It was nice to just listen to the noise around me. I looked up and sent a silent message to Daddy. I hoped he was as content as we were.