"Who is this Peter Parker?" I asked Dad as we sat in our jet.

     Here's the story of Tony Stark's troublesome daughter: We were in a rush to get on plane because I missed ten minutes of our actual departing time. Dad was very angry and didn't even wait for me when we rushed towards the plane so I thought I'd have to wait until he calms down.

     "Someone," he answered lowly and lazily as if didn't even intend to tell me. Well, I didn't expect him to answer either. But then he sighed, in which relaxing his tensed muscles and me. "To be honest, I don't know who he is. I saw the public camera that there was this boy clinging and saving people so I searched out for him."

     "Clinging?" My eyes narrowed.

     "Yes," Dad answered. "There's this string coming out from his wrist. I don't know how to explain to you. Just look at this."

     Dad handed me his tablet. The screen already showed a situation, where there was a guy at one of the cars that was parked at the curb. Maybe this was somewhere in the Queens since this Parker boy is from Queens. And before the guy can do anything, someone, dressed is a red and blue suit appeared. His face was masked, however.

     And I assumed that was Peter Parker.

     I tapped on the screen and the video played. I waited. But my patience was low that I looked up at Dad to ask him where was the part that he said a string coming out from his wrist. But then I saw it. I don't know what Peter Parker did to the guy, but when my eyes were focused on the tablet again, I saw that he was flying - clinging - onto something and not on a metal bar or something. He was hanging on the string.

     "Oh. That's....odd." That was only what I managed to say. I handed him his tablet back, but he didn't take it.

     "Odd?" He raised his eyebrow. "I think it's brilliant. Look at this." Dad touched a button on his watch and the video changed. This time, it showed the same person in red and blue suit - Peter Parker - saving town's people in a bus by stopping a car. An expensive car that must have weight three times his weight, almost hitting the bus.

     Something in my heart stirred. The first video of him didn't do me anything, but the second video made me want to see his face so badly. I wanted to know how he looked. I felt my lips twitched and I hoped Dad didn't see it.

     "Is that Peter Parker?" I asked him, handing him back the tablet. This time Dad took it and put it on the table in front of us.

     Dad nodded his head yes.

     "Why do you want to see him?" I was eager to know. And not just that, I cannot wait for us to land at Queens and meet him.

     "To recruit him," Dad answered with a wince like he knew there's something not right to do it.

     I scowled. "Recruit for what?"

     Dad looked - stared - at me for a few seconds as if to apologise to me or to tell me what he was going to do by eyes.  I have a clue. After what happened and after the fights, I think I knew why Dad was recruiting Peter Parker, but I didn't want to jump into conclusion. I didn't want to think bad about my father because he's my father. But the guilt in his eyes told me that I'm right; the guilt in his eyes told me to forgive him.

     "Dad. You can't recruit a schoolboy to do your favour." My voice was a mixture of stern and disbelief, yet still soft.

     "I don't know what else to do, Terri." Dad leaned sideway to the window and held his forehead. "I tried to think other things to bring the members back, but they're just....useless." He shook her head. "I....I didn't mean to keep us apart. The contract. I just didn't want anyone to accuse the Avengers taking innocent people's lives anymore. I've been blamed too many times. I wonder if they've been scolded like me. The burden is too heavy. Heavier than raising a careless daughter."

     I snapped my eyes at him, but didn't say anything to defend myself knowing that's not the point of what my dad was trying to tell me. His broken face, his distant eyes, his downward lips, softened my heart - though I won't forget that he said I'm careless. I've never seen him so lifeless before. He was very strong back then, but maybe because of being too strong then made him a little weak now.

     I have to distract him. I have to.

     Biting my lip, I said, "Dad."

     He looked up at me with his wide dark eyes. The eyes that I adored when I was little - and still is. The eyes that reminded me of my friends in the Facilities - Ryder and Natalie, both have dark eyes. I wonder if I had a sibling(s), would any of them had eyes like Dad or like Mom like me. Dad's pupils dilated when he found mine.

     I bit my lower lip, nervous about what I was going to say would make him frustrate more. "Remember when I was little and we you taught me how to box?"

     Dad was confused on why I suddenly brought that up. But he didn't ask why I was bringing that up. He asked, "Yes, why?"

     "Nothing," I said. "I just want to say thank you for teaching me boxing because I beat a couple of boys and girls, who bullied Tessa and I in school."

     This time, Dad looked at me, astounded. "How come you've never submitted to the Principle's office?"

     "Because I beat them outside of school," I told him, chewing my lips so I won't laugh at my own stunts and at Dad's face. Sure, it was his new knowledge - and it would be Mom's too because I never told her as well. But it's one of the best memory from elementary school.

     "You beat them outside of school?" Dad was still stunned. "Wait, no, wait. How come you never told me you beat the crap out of someone? Surely, your mother wouldn't be very happy about it. But why you never told me?"

     I pressed my lips and shrugged. "I don't know. I thought it wasn't a big deal and it's my problem. I don't like anyone to know my problem."

     Dad raised his eyebrows. "So that's how you fell out of your skateboard?"

     At this, I laughed, even louder when I saw Dad's smile. I nodded my head. "Yeah. But I didn't beat too much of them. Just the jock, the jock's right boy, the jock's girlfriends and her bitches, the bitches boyfriends who are the jock's best friends."

     "Jesus Christ, that is an awful family tree!" Dad stated. "Tell me what else you did? Instead of getting zero in Chemistry and riding my bike and use my credit card."

     "You sure you want to know?" I smirked.

     "Why not?" he said cheerfully as if he had forgotten his problems with his Avangers friends. "I want to be proud over something I'd created and-" Dad stopped in the middle. He looked at me into my eyes as if he remembered something.

     "What's wrong?"

     "Oh, Terri, I'm so sorry." He returned to be the broken Tony Stark. "You know, when I argued with your mother when you called her, I heard myself I mentioning you. Please know that I didn't mean a bad way. You're my life, Terri. I didn't regret having you. I love you with all my gadgets and treasures and life, but Pepper. It was not you, but it's her. She's....."

     "No, Dad, I understand." I gave him a reassuring smile. "Mom is not stable since you both split up, too. She kept on telling me to get a boyfriend so that I would have someone. She goes out shopping a lot and bought me things that couldn't compete your technologies. I think she's afraid that I won't love her as much as I love you."

     "But you love her, right?"

     I chuckled. "What, Dad? Of course I love her! She's my mother, after all. But when she keeps on acting like everything's fine, I....dislike her."

     "I'm sorry, Terri."

     "Don't apologise, please. Because I want to tell you a secret."

     "A secret?"

     "Yes, a secret about Mom," I said while leaning in to show him I'm serious. "You know, if you want yours and hers relationship to be good once again, I suggest you to propose her. Remember when she said 'we're not a family when we're not married'?"

     Dad shook his head. "Terri, you know I couldn't do that," he said apologetically. "I couldn't put you guys in danger. I don't want to be bound to something. Marrying her. I feel like there's a promise I didn't think I can keep. She's too precious for me. She's-"

     "Dad. A wife is much more meaningful than just a girlfriend. At least, she knows where she stands beside you. I'm your daughter and always will be. I can't let you two being apart. I want my parents to live together. I want my old life."

     Suddenly, Dad titlted his head and frowned. "Terri Elaine, are you begging me?"

     I leaned back. I didn't know it was an act of begging, but if that's what I looked like in front of him to save his and Mom's relationship, I wouldn't be ashamed to admit. "I supposed so."

     Dad sighed and looked at the clouds outside. "I knew it, Terri," he said in which surprising me. "I didn't mean to keep it from you, but I know you would tell me to propose her so I want you to say it first, to assure myself I'm thinking the right thing."

     "And you are."

     He turned back to me. "But give me time, darling." He smiled. "After these all calm down, you can help me to buy a ring for her, okay? But right now? Right now, I want you to tell me what else you did, troublemaker."

~•••~

We arrived Queens just the time Dad planned to meet Peter Parker. Three o'clock, where Dad figured that's when Peter got home from school. I didn't know Dad's obsession over Audi too high that he rent one to drive us to Peter's apartment, where he lived with his aunt.

     "You sure about this, Dad?" I asked as we ascended the stairs to their house. "What are you going to tell the lady with your presence here?"

     Dad glanced at me over her shoulder. "You are going to pretend that he's your friend. You guys are a partner for this charity and I, as a sponsor for you two, are bringing you to a place where we're going to do the charity."

     "How convincing," I said sarcastically while rolling my eyes, although it was not a bad idea. "She must see the resemblance between you and I; and what's the relation between us?"

     "A partner?"

     "Partner?"

     "Your father knows someone and that someone is me." He shrugged. At times like this, where Dad could play at acting and pretending and lying to someone, he looked almost happy. "She won't suspect anything, Terri. You have your mother's eyes and...."

     "Yeah. I look like you." I crossed my arms on my chest as we stood in front of the door. Neighbours passed by but they didn't look twice at us, which I'm relieved about.

     "What, who cares if you look like me? We both are good at lying so Plan B will come up later."

     "You should've told me about this earlier!" I glared at my father. If I knew he was going to make me someone else, I would've time to collect as many lies as I could and rehearse it so it would look natural when I say it.

     Dad laughed and looked at me as if I'm crazy. He shook his head. "Knock the door."

     I gaped. "You do it! You're the one who wants to see him."

     "Just. Knock the door," he said through his greeted teeth, giving me the look with his wide eyes.

     I took a deep breath, moved my jaws and unfolded my arms. I turned to face Peter Parker's door and knocked it thrice. As we waited for the door to open, I saw Dad standing on his toes and hands shoved inside his trousers at the edge of my eye. He looked nervous.

     When there was no answer, Dad insisted me to knock the door once again; however, just when I was about to knock, the door opened. I almost knocked the woman's forehead. Almost.

     "Hello?" she greeted with a friendly smile, though she looked confused looking at two strangers at her front door. She was beautiful. Although I saw lines at the edge of her eyes and mouth, but she was too young to be a widow.

     "Hi." Dad pushed me aside and I stumbled. As if possessed by her beauty, he focused his eyes on her and said, "I'm Tony Stark. This is Elaine. Is this Peter Parker's house?"

     The woman slowly nodded. "Yes. Is there something wrong with him?"

     Dad quickly dismissed the woman's negative thought about her nephew and explained, "I'm from Stark Industries. I heard Peter and Elaine are partners for a charity so I'm here to get he and Elaine to discuss about the charity event. You see, the event is....huge. It would be a lost if he-"

     Dad shouldn't be talking too much. If he continued to talk alot, this won't look like it's real. And he's having so much fun at the moment so it's hard to blame him after what happened the past weeks. So I cut him.

     "I'm sorry to bother you, Miss-"

     "May," she said. "Just call me May."

     I smiled. This act was easier than I thought. "I'm sorry to bother you, May, but is Peter here?"

     "He should be in ten minutes," she told me. "Come inside. I'll make you some tea. And I baked a cake."

     With the mention of cake, I smiled wider. I haven't eaten since yesterday, too caught in the moment of a coversation with Dad about Mom and all the trouble I'd done. And then because I haven't had enough sleep, I spent most of the journey by sleeping. I woke up when the plane already landed and kept yawning while Dad drove us to Peter Parker's apartment.

     "Where are you from, Elaine?" May asked me as she walked into the kitchen, preparing us coffee and cake while Dad and I took a seat. The coffee table in front of us was full with megazines - fashion megazines, woman's megazines, home decor megazines, and etcetra. "Peter didn't talk about you. Are you guys something?"

     My heart was pounding as I glanced at Dad. I am good at lying, but I still feel the burden in the situation. I'm just a teenager. I could slip up something I never intended to say. I knew what May was referring to and I wondered if my father want me to deny it or to go along with it. But when I looked at him to confirm, he already gave me a look. A look to deny it.

     "We just...met." I laughed nervously. "On the internet. We decided to team up for the charity as soon as he said he was interested with it."

     "Oh, really?" She perched behind the cabinet door and I felt her eyes behind my head. "How come he never told me anything," I heard she mumbled to herself.

     Dad and I exchanged look and I saw him giving me a thumb up. I chuckled silently and shook my head.

     May came with a tray in her hand and three cups of coffee and a plate of cake. "Please, help yourself."

     "Thanks," Dad and I said in unison. We both reached for the coffees first. I brought the mug to my lips, blowing the hot smoke before sipping it with a slurp. The good taste of the coffee made me hum in relief; and beside me, I heard Dad letting out his relaxation as well. We both let out a sigh of relief and Dad was putting his mug back on its saucer while I was about to take the third sip when my phone rang.

     It startled me. I jumped on my seat and the hot liquid fell on my wrist. The burning sensation made me almost dropped the mug, but my brain told me to hold it until I put the mug down. Dad muttered, "Jesus" while looking at me in confusion although he knew I'm one who's easy to get shock.

     I wiped my hand on my jeans and then took my phone out as it continued to ring.

     The ID that appeared on the screen made me panicked. As Dad restraint herself fron leaning closer to me to look at my phone, I looked up at him with mouth open. "Mom!" I whisper-yelled.

     My father glared at me.

     "What should I tell her?" I asked him.

     Dad kept quiet, though he still gave me an appointed look.

     "What should I tell her?" I repeated. "Where am I? What're we doing?" I tried not to say it aloud by speaking through my clenched jaws.

     When Dad glanced at May, I followed him. When Dad smiled at her, I followed him. May looked confused with the situation, but didn't say anything. Maybe too stunned to say anything and the fact that Dad and I were acting strange. I pleaded for his help, but he ignored me and asked me to pick up the call outside.

     Groaning and disappointed, I stood up and accepted the call before it stopped ringing and ringing again. "Hello?"

     "Well, it takes you forever to pick up the call," Mom pointed sarcastically. She sounded tired.

     "I'm sorry. I'm...." I turned to look at May and Dad over my shoulder, see it if they were listening to me. To my luck, they were already engaged to a talk and I had to thank Dad for that later.

     But I still needed to get away when I knew I have to lie to Mom. May would think we're lying about the charity when I'm lying to Mom. And Dad would be doomed.

     "Calm down. I'm not going anywhere," I assured her, reaching for the door knob to twist. But before I could do it, there's another person who did it for me.

     Mom's voice faded as my eyes looked up at the person in front of me at the door. His dark brown eyes became a darker shade when our eyes met. We're about the same height, making me feel like I'm tall. When my heart pounded faster when I'm nervous to lie to May for the sake of Dad's mission, it pounded faster to meet the eyes of the boy who owned blue and red suit and who could produce a string out from his wrist.

     Mom's yell at the end of the line snapped me out of my thoughts and I averted my eyes from him and focused on Mom again. He stepped aside to let me out and once I'm out and he's in, I turned to look at him over my shoulder, only to see that he's doing the same.