"Antonia Natasha Stark" Bellowed Howard storming into the lab, slamming a magazine onto the workbench his daughter was at "What the fuck is this!"

Taking off her welding goggles, Toni smirked as she read the headline 'Stark party princess strikes again."

"What it was just a little fun," leaning back into the chair fiddling with a screwdriver that was left nearby"They didn't have to be so prude about it. Nobody got hurt."

Howard couldn't believe what he was hearing "Nobody got hurt? You went to a party, started a fight and a teacher lost his job all because you decided to have some fun."

"And why not? It's not like their going to kick me out, besides that teacher was a jerk, he threatened to kick me outta class." Glaring at her father Toni stood so they were almost eye level. "if i was absent one more time i'm months ahead of that class why should I go every day just to be bored."

"What's going on with you Toni" demanded the CEO "I've been getting calls from Rhody almost every week he's worried about you keeps telling me that you're out all hours of the night skipping classes to party, sleeping with everybody you can get your hands on."

Toni scoffed "What I'm not allowed to go have fun but you are? What about all those women you bring home after the galas you and Maria go to, Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, daughter like father they say."

Toni went leave but was stopped by Howard grabbing her arm dead calm "Is this because of what Maria told you?"

"You and Maria can go fuck yourselves with that plan." Spat the teen "There is no way that I'm going to marry some little fuck boy know it all and let him run SI while I sit on my ass being the perfect little trophy wife. I can talk circles around the science and weapons community while drunk off my ass and you want me to smile and wave for a camera and be like Maria instead!"

"Antonia Weapons development is no place for a woman even one as smart as you are, it's full of blood, back stabbers and liars so of course I don't want my daughter in it, You're better off going to the charity functions and galas" Argued Howard.

"I bet if I was male you would have no issue letting me take over SI." screeched Toni throwing the screwdriver onto the table "You would probably push me into it instead but no I was born with a vagina so i'm not fuckin worthy to lead a company that sells weapons because I'm too emotional and too fuckin fragile."

"You wouldn't understand Antonia." Scolded Howard, temper flaring.

"Understand what! You too fuckin predigou-" the slap that cut her off was very unexpected much was Howard yelling at her. Holding her cheek tightly shock and disbelief ran rampant across her features. Her father had never hit her before.

"Get your head out of your ass and listen here" inforced Howard "You are going to marry the man you're mother and I chose and that will be that. You're husband will be in charge of SI and then when they're old enough your sons will inherit it. Do you understand."

Defiance shone in Tony's eyes as she spat "Fuck you." before she ran out, slamming the door. Once she was gone Howard sunk into the worn workbench hands fisted in his hair "I'm sorry Toni this is the only way I can protect you."

Howard didn't know how long he sat there before Jarvis came down to inform him that it was time to go. Sitting up Howard took a deep breath and pushed the guilt and hurt away. "Alright Jarvis let's get going."

…

A banging on the door accompanied with shouting of "Young miss." awoke Toni from her sleep cheek aching from what transpired earlier. With a groan Toni got up

A maid was on the other side of her door. "What do you want?"

"The police are down stairs they would like to talk to you."

Confused Toni nodded and followed the women down to where the officers awaited. Walking into the living room, They both jumped up from the spot on the couch. "Miss Stark, we're sorry to wake you, But we have some bad news that you might want to sit down for."

Complying with what they said Toni sat across from them. 'What news?"

Sitting down the officers looked hesitantly at one another before one of them finally spoke up. "Miss Stark we're sorry to inform you but you're parents were in an accident." clearing his throat he continued "Neither of them made it I am afraid."

Fogg settled over the genius mind as the officer's words registered, "What?"

This time the other one spoke "We're going to need you to come down to the hospital with us, Is that okay?"

Toni nodded numbly as she stood allowing one of the officers to gently lead her outside and into the cruiser.

….

It was a hellish week for Toni as she, and Obie arranged Howard's and Maria's funeral so many press conferences and people coming by offering condolences and even family members she never knew she had appearing out of nowhere trying to tip their way into what ever was on the wills. By the day of the funeral Toni was emotionally and physically exhausted but still stood in the rain wearing a black dress and red tinted sunglasses telling the Eulogy of her parents to those who came, saying everything but telling nothing.

A week later when her parents lawyer came to read the will was when peggy showed up, red lips lined perfectly and not a hair out of place on her person. When she saw Toni -eyes rimmed red, clothes all wrinkled- she pulled her into a hug and proceeded to help her look like she was expected to.

"Toni" Peggy called after the will was read and everyone had left.

Looking up from the copy of Howards will.- it was a surprise Howard left her everything including SI- eyes blank and tired she forced herself to speak "Yes Peggy?"

Reaching to her purse Peggy handed her a white envelope with Toni scrawled on it "It's from your father, He and Maria stopped by my house before they went to the gala."

Reaching out a shaking hand to take it the letter from her godmother Toni mumbled a quick "Thank you" before reading it.

Toni.

I'm sorry to say but if you're reading this then that means I'm dead. Even though you and her never get along all that much I am hoping that you're mother is alive and that you're not dealing with this alone. But knowing my luck you are and all I can say is I'm sorry, I'm sorry for leaving you alone, I'm sorry I never told you my reason for going alone with your mother's crazy idea. I know I was so against you becoming the CEO but for good reason. HYDRA has somehow made its way into SI and I was hoping to spare you from them I know it's a shitty excuse especially after teaching you all that was needed to lead SI. So now the choice is yours, Antonia once you turn 21 you can step up and become the CEO or if you would like Obie will continue running it. I hope you will stay away but I know that's a fool's hope so instead take what's yours Toni and bring them down to their knees do because I know you can succeed where I could not. I Love you Toni and never forget that you will and always will be my little girl and I couldn't be more proud to be your father. Never fear, never falter and never compromise because starks are made of iron and we forge our own way fuck anyone who tries to stop us. I love you goober.

Howard Stark.

Shaking with suppressed sobs, clutching the letter close Toni bit out "I hate you, you were never supposed to leave."