It's been two days since I got to know that my dad was slowly dieing from palladium poisoning. While walking with Pepper in the boxing room – yes we have a boxing room – my mind was still whirring with ideas on how to save him.

"The notary's here, can you please come and sign the transfer paperwork?"

"I'm on happy time." He said, as he gave Happy two punches in the gut. He then grabbed his head and striked his elbow in Happy's face.

He was shocked, to say the least. "The hell was that?"

Dad jumped from one side to the other as he replied back, " it's called martial arts, it's been around for three weeks."

"It's called dirty boxing Dad, there's nothing new about it." I called out, trying to seem normal with my usual snarky attitude.

They continued bickering as I heard heels silently come from the door. Nobody else noticed but I did as I swiveled back my chair to the door. There was a red headed, real gorgeous woman out there , with a file in her hand. Face passive, which meant business.

Finally Happy noticed her, as he stopped lecturing Dad and looked in her direction, same with dad. The woman gave them a slight look and continued on to Pepper.

"I'm telling you this is the only time I will ask you to sign over your company." She said as she started talking with the woman.

" I need you to initial each box – " she continued as my mind wandered off.

She seemed . . . off.

Like this wasn't her real person. Like she was something else.

Laughing it off, I turned back to the present.

"What's your name lady?" Dad called out.

"Rushman, Natalie Rushman."

"Front and centre, come into the church." He said.

"No you seriously aren't gonna– " Pepper protested, but I didn't. I had a feeling this Natalie could take Happy.

"If it pleases the court, which it does." Dad wasn't gonna take no for an answer.

"I'm sorry, he's very eccentric." I said to her as she passed me. She gave me a small flitting smile as she went to the ring. I watched her intently, wanted to see how she would do with the infamous striking the head move of Happy.

When Happy did the move – as predicted – Natalie whipped around, grabbed his hand, and grabbed his head with her legs and flipped him on to the mat, one hand tightly clutching his , almost threateningly.

Okay, didn't expect that.

Nevertheless I jumped up and laughed so much, I think I fell off my chair. That was so epic!

"That's what I'm talking about!" I said, still laughing a bit.

"Hey! I just slipped. Now stop laughing young missy ." Happy called out as tried getting a few breaths in. I was still sniggering a bit. This was hilarious.

"Looks like a TKO to me."

"Huh, just um. I need your impression. " Natalie called out.

Even if she was a badass , I was still suspicious of her.

"Oh, you're quite reserved, I don't know –"

" I meant your finger print" she said as she pulled out the file.

Dad did as he was told – for once – and gave the file back to Natalie. Turning to Pepper , he said "You're the boss."

" Will that be all, Mr. Stark?" She said.

"No."

"Yes"

You can guess who said who.

"Ms. Rushman, thank you very much." With that Natalie walked out.

Dad was still staring at the direction, even when she was long gone.

" I want one. "

"No." Both me and pepper said.

*********

Grand prix

Monaco

We have been in Monaco for a day now, having to attend the grand prix where one of the participants was going to drive Dad's car. Coming out of the limo, dad flapped his coat around, trying to look stylish or whatever he says he wants to be, and sent out a peace sign, while I timidly come out and just wave to the cheering hoard.

It's polite to do that, said Pepper.

Walking inside, I was behind Dad as he turned to me and Pepper as he said, "Whatever happens in the next twenty minutes, just go with it."

"Go with what?" She said.

"Mr. Stark. How was your flight?" The overly chirpy voice of Natalie Rushman reached me, making me sigh a bit.

"It was excellent. Oh it's nice to see you. "

Dad it's gross to openly flirt with your daughter and potential girlfriend behind you.

"There's one photographer, if you don't mind."

When dad nodded , Natalie rushed off , while dad pulled me in and he and pepper smiled fakely in front of the camera as I just blinked, taken off guard.

Walking off a bit, I trudged up to Natalie from behind, trying to take her off guard, but as expected , she turned around easily, with a smile on her face.

"What can I do for you miss.Stark? " She called out in her sweet voice.

Putting on a smile, I said ." I want to talk to you actually, can we go somewhere private?"

"Sure."

Walking to a corner , where hopefully we could have some privacy, I turned around to her.

"What is your deal?" I sharply said, no time for games now.

"I - I have no idea what you are talking about miss. " She stammered, a small pour on her face.

"Something is off about you. Are you a gold digger? No you dont seem like one. Plus you kicked the crap out of Happy like it was no deal. So let me ask again, why are you here?"

"Ma'am, I'm just the personal assistant of Mr. Stark. That's all."

"Nopes. That's not all. You know, last year when Dad came out as the 'Iron man' , a man visited my father secretly. Wearing an eye patch. " I started, and I saw a flicker of recognition in her eyes, although it was so minute I almost thought I imagined it.

"Ah, so you do know the man. Now, if I wasn't a genius, I would say you are an enemy. But , you had the legit documents of my company in your hands, and if you were the enemy, you could have easily taken down any of us anytime. But , now that I think of it, you know a lot about fighting, know the eye-patchy guy. I would say you are a spy. "

Catching the minute look of surprise on her face, I beamed in happiness, having guessed correctly. But all thoughts of Glee flew off my mind when I was suddenly gasping for air as she tightened her grip on my neck.

" Kinky, but sorry I'm not into bondage and stuff." I wheezed out.

Soon, some shouts and Peppers distinct voice, calling for Natalie was heard. As if she suddenly realised what she did, Natalie, or whatever her name is let go of my neck and composed herself.

"We will talk about this later. " I coughed out a bit, but managed to send her a small smirk.

"Sure, sweetheart." I said, getting up and massaging my sore neck slightly .

It feels happy knowing that you got something right. The only question remaining is,

What is this Natalie's motives for coming here.