Has anyone poured a bucket of ice down your back? The freezing cold leaves you so shocked that you can't speak? The cold settling in your bones, rendering you unable to move? Then you also know the feeling after the chilling sensation has settled in your bones.

That numb feeling that fills your being.

"You'll help me, won't you sweetie." It was more of a statement then a question, as if it was already obvious.

She sat on a bench through the rapid downfall of rain, the weather soaking her through. Pedestrians rushed to get out of the shower, a rapid array of coloured umbrellas, filled her vision but her mind was dwelling on what had previously occurred.

"It's not a huge amount. You will get it fairly easily"

Droplets poured down her cheeks as she sniffled, finding little comfort in her jacket. Dark locks plastered to her head, and she clenched her fists, trying not to shake. She soon found herself back at the tower that stood out like a lighthouse against the dreary sky above her. She hadn't remembered moving from the bench, and she was surprised in her haze she hadn't been run over or at least collided with another human being.

Happy seemed to spot her immediately, however she wasn't in the mood to speak to the kind driver.

She wasn't in the mood to speak to anyone.

"Miss stark? "She simply shook her head, not meeting his eye as she walked past him to the elevator, leaving a trail of water in her wake.

In the warmth of the elevator, she shivered, the numb feeling seeming to fade away, to be replaced with the bitter cold. Her cheek still felt the sting, from her mother's palm, the only sensation she could feel.

"You ungrateful little bitch!" She screeched, having chased the younger stark out of the café. She'd gripped her forearm, before sending a blow to her cheek.

She hadn't thought to dodge, or to retaliate as Natasha had taught her. It wouldn't have solved anything.

"After all I've done for you!"

Her mother had never done anything for had brought her into the world, that didn't mean she had been a parent to had been stupidity and naivety that had made her think her mother had changed.

She could only blame herself.

"YOU SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN BORN!"

She'd left the blonde hissing and spitting her venom laced words that reminded her all too much of the leather strap that had whipped her back raw , and had wandered around for some time, fearing the blonde had maybe followed her.

But she soon just felt tired.

She suddenly craved for that same enclosed place she had called Phil from. The closet had brought her comfort in as a child, its close walls had been a solace to her in those dark days.

Having not paid attention, she suddenly realised that the elevator had stopped, and she found herself in the living room. Her dad was the only one not present, with the other avengers lounging on the sofa

She must have been out for longer then she realised.

Steve glanced at the elevator, and smiled realising Grace had returned. Tony had been worried sick, and seemed just as glad that she was back. He had been surprised that the man hadn't sent out a search brigade.

His smile fell however when he noted the drenched stark, her eyes staring vacantly in front of her. She almost seemed closed off, her hands crossed, as if creating a physical wall.

As if comforting herself.

"You alright mini stark? "Clint asked, breaking the silence. Grace blinked, seeming to snap out of her thoughts.

"Oh, yeah" She trailed off "Sorry, I meant to go to my room"

None of them were convinced. Tony, approached the young woman, before she could even close the elevator

"You're absolutely drenched Grace, Katniss can you go get a towel? "The archer hesitated, taking one last concerned glance at the brunette before going to fetch a towel.

Grace didn't so much as react as her father led her to the sofa.

"I can just dry up in my room…"She muttered blankly. Her words were ignored as Clint quickly returned with a fluffy towel. Grace made to grab the towel, only for Tony to take it, and went about drying her hair for her.

"Geez kid, you didn't leave Happy with much information" Tony joked "You could have at least answered your phone"

Tony ruffled her hair, as Grace didn't reply.

"Probably on silence again. What were you doing swimming in puddles? "Tony continued the single sided conversation.

"She obviously didn't have an umbrella" Natasha stated.

"What is this 'umbrella' you speak of Lady Natasha?" Thor pondered, only for his inquiry to be ignored

"Well I know that spidey" Natasha sent the man a glare.

"Spidey, wow" Clint deadpanned, sounding particularly unimpressed.

Bruce let out a sigh.

"That's Tony for you "Grace missed the small smile he sent her way, as Tony sent out a cry out mock outrage at his science brothers statement. Steve crouched down, trying to meet the down casted eyes of his girlfriend.

"Do you want me to make you a hot chocolate Grace?" He asked softly, as he gently held her hand. "My mother used to make the best ones, and I've figured out how to make it" He noticed her hand shaking in his own, as she gripped it tightly.

"Ah, no I'm f –"She paused, and Steve noted droplets falling onto her lap. The avenger's eyes widened, all of them seemingly at a loss. With her free hand touched her cheek, realising she was infact crying.

Feeling a flood of embarrassment fill her at her breakdown, she shakily stood up.

"Ah, sorry" She tried, viciously wiping her eyes with her free hand. Steve hadn't let go of her hand, despite her pulling. Upon standing up however, she realised that the world seemed to blur, and the cold around her seemed to grow.

Steve was a silent guard as he sat next to her. Bruce had told them she had a high fever, from stress, he had concluded. The cold rain hadn't helped either. Natasha had changed her into a pair of grace's pyjamas, and Bruce had kept a monitor on her condition as she lay in the lab that had become a make-shift medical bay. He had attempted to keep Tony out with little success.

He wasn't sure how long he sat there, when grace woke up, in a semi-conscious state, he realised.

"Daddy…"She muttered. Tony rushed towards her.

"Hey kiddo" He let out a smile, which quickly fell when she started to cry.

Bruce frowned, not liking the sight of the girl crying as well as the fact in her ill state, she could easily be dehydrated.

"Woah woah, what's with the waterworks" She sat up, and clung to Steve like a small child, perhaps getting him and tony confused.

"Mommy came to see me today." Tony stilled, and Steve's eyes widened. Bruce was the only one that seemed to retain the ability to speak.

"Was she the one you went to meet? "He asked softly. She glanced at the doctor, and nodded.

Tony being the smart man that he is, didn't take long to figure out why Grace's mother had come to see her. Graces mother, no…Miss Holloway had seen the news about Grace, and remembered that she had a kid with a billionaire. She had probably told Grace all the things a little girl abandoned by her mother wanted to hear, about how she had missed her and how she hadn't intentionally left her.

And then when his little innocent girl actually began to believe her biological relative, she probably asked for money.

"She really hates me "She sobbed, the rest of her words muffled as she clung to Steve like a lost kitten. The sight of the heartbroken girl, wounded the three men in the room. Steve held her tighter in his arms.

Eventually her sobs died down, and she fell back into unconsciousness, a tense silence among the three men.

Tony was the first to snap.

"Jarvis, I want to be alerted immediately if THAT woman comes back to the tower"

"Of course sir." He then stomped out of the room, and the two quiet men remaining, followed him. As Bruce went ahead. Steve glanced at the sick girl, her cheeks damp from the tears that had flooded from her eyes.

Hesitating for only a moment, he leaned down, a hand on her cheek, as he dried a stray tear.

Hoping not to wake her, he leaned in closer.

And kissed her.

It was only light, and perhaps lasted less than a second, as Steve quickly pulled away, berating himself for taking advantage of the brunette in her unconscious state. Deciding to leave before he did something else, he followed after his teammates.

Tony had just finished explaining to the others about Graces mother when Steve entered the room.

Natasha eyes had hardened, not at all impressed with Tony's most likely accurate deductions as to why Grace's mother had paid a visit.

Unlike his deathly silent partner, Clint Barton was outraged, cursing under his breath. His mind flashing to the almost defeated look on Grace's face. If he saw that money hungry bitch.

Well he wouldn't be against putting an arrow between her eyes.

Thor was more saddened by Lady Graces' mother. The usual loud god, falling into a depressive mood.

"This must have upset the Lady Grace greatly "He had muttered. He tried to imagine what it must have felt like to finally see a parent figure after so long, only to find they hadn't been interested in seeing you at all. "But are you sure that this is what the woman wanted?" Tony quickly turned to Thor, his dark eyes flashing in anger.

"Of course I'm sure! Why else would she come look for Grace now?"

"Grace was very upset as well when mentioning her mother as well "Bruce added, trying to keep somewhat calm

Whilst the Avenger discussed this, it was Jarvis who broke up their conversation.

"Sir, Miss Anne Holloway is currently downstairs sire, and Mr Hogan is currently trying to escort her out of the premise"

Natasha raised an eyebrow

"Trying?"

"It seems she is somewhat intoxicated" Tony didn't seem upset by this revelation, instead a dark smirk crept across his face.

Oh he was going to enjoy this.