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𝙰𝚌𝚝 3
CHAPTER ONE:
PANEL

❛expo❜
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"Alright Iron Man two will be beginning now," Dr.Strange says making Tony look at him.

"When will my daughter be coming? I want to see her. I need to see her," Tony tells Strange who nods.

"She'll be coming after this movie," Strange tells him making Tony nod as he sighs in relief.

"Can I see her just to make sure she is okay?" Tony asks just needing to make sure she was alive and safe.

Strange nods as he opens a portal of sorts and there in the middle of it was Lydia laughing as she sits in her bed watching The Vampire Diaries.

Maria gasps looking at the granddaughter who grew up to become more beautiful than she could ever imagine.

"What happened?" Howard asks noticing her leg was propped up and her arm was in a sling with a cut on her forehead.

Everyone then looks at the girl worriedly. Team Captain looks down guilty. They never wanted Lydia to be hurt. Never Lydia.

"A war happened and Lydia was hurt," Rhodey says as Tony's jaw clenched seeing his daughter.

"But she's alright. She'll be healed soon," Pepper tells the worried grandparents and Tony who was looking at his daughter guilty.

He shouldn't have let her come. He didn't want to but telling Lydia she couldn't do something was as if talking to a brick wall. She was going to do it whether you wanted her to or not. 

Lydia on the screen phone goes off making her look at it and she small smile appears on her face before she begins texting back.

Pepper looks at the screen wide-eyed before smirking as she laughs making Tony confused.

"Why are you laughing?" Tony asks confused as Pepper shakes her head. 

"Nothing," Pepper says with a knowing look as Lydia's phone begins to ring and she laughs answering.

"Missed me already?" Lydia asks with a smile as she pulls the show leaning back slightly.

"Wait who is she talking to?!" Tony asks worriedly as Strange just looks around trying not to laugh.

"You know something! What is it!?" Tony yells at Strange who just looks at Tony.

"I might know," Strange says making Tony glare at him as he points a finger at him.

"Tony calm down. It might just be one of us or something," Pepper says shrugging but she knew it was a lie.

"No that's not it and he knows it and as her father, I deserve to know," Tony says towards Strange who sighs looking at him.

"Lydia falls in love and he is similar to you in many different ways," Strange says making everyone look wide-eyed.

"No!" Was screamed around the room the loudest from Tony.

"Nad! Nope! Absolutely not! My daughter will not be in a relationship with anyone like me at all! She won't be in a relationship ever!  She'll be a nun!" Tony exclaims as he paces around the room.

"He is very intelligent like you, but he respects and falls for your daughter very hard. The perfect gentleman for her. You actually approve of their relationship. Later. Much later," Strange says as Tony scoffs. Whoever the kid is will be dead before he even looks at his daughter.

Tony didn't realize the look Strange sent Peter who was staring at Lydia with a soft expression but Pepper did and was trying her hardest not to smile.

Strange then closes the portal as the screen lights up making everyone turn as ACDC's Shoot to Thrill starts to play and six months later is shown on the screen.

"Happy please!" Lydia begs the man as she stands in an off-the-shoulder ruffle top and striped bottoms.

"Aww she looks so cute," Ana says making Maria nod.

"No Lydia. Your dad said you can't be in the expo," Happy tells Lydia who pouts looking at him.

"Why not?" Clint asks looking at Tony who sighs.

"A safe hazard. Someone could try to hurt her and I won't allow that. And there are also reporters everywhere," Tony explains as Clint nods in understanding.

"Then can we get some hot chocolate or cheeseburgers?!" Lydia asks hopefully looking at the man.

Happy smiles at her before noticing Tony walking towards them.

"Why don't you ask him?" Happy questions as he points to Tony. Lydia turns and a bright smile overcomes her face.

"Dad!" Lydia yells running towards him. Tony smiles as he wraps his arms around Lydia spinning her around.

Lydia laughs as Tony smiles at her brightly before bringing her into a tight hug.

"Can we get some cheeseburgers?" Lydia asks him making Tony smiled at her brightly.

"Of course, we can!" Tony tells her making Lydia clap as they head towards the car. Happy opens the door as Tony puts Lydia in her booster seat and buckles her in before getting in the front seat with Happy beside him.

"Mr.Stark?" A woman asks coming towards the car and making Tony look at her.

"Yeah? You found me," Tony says looking at the woman as Lydia just watches them.

"You've been served," the woman tells him as she tries to hand him a letter, but Tony doesn't take it.

"He doesn't like being handed things. He has a peeve," Lydia tells the woman as she plays with her bunny making the woman turn to her.

"Well here you go," the woman says trying to hand it to Lydia but she just looks at the letter.

"I don't take things from strangers," Lydia tells the woman making Tony smirk. Happy reaches over and takes the letter.

"Alright you are hereby ordered to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee tomorrow morning at 9 am," the woman tells him making Lydia confused before she smiles at the woman brightly.

"Wait what?! Why?" Howard asks Tony before he nods realizing why.

"The suit," Tony and Howard say at the same time sharing a look before looking back at the screen.

"Can I see your badge?" Lydia asks her hopefully.

"You wanna see the badge?" The woman asks Lydia who nods making her brown eyes bigger and more hopeful.

"She likes the badge," Happy tells the woman who shows the girl her badge making Lydia smile brightly at it.

"I like it!" Lydia says before smiling towards her dad who smiles back at her as he starts the engine.

"Princess, how far are we from D.C.?" Tony asks making Lydia look at him.

"244.2 miles which equals 4 hours 21 minutes if you take I-95 S," Lydia tells Tony who smiles brightly at her.

"Sounds good! Let's get some cheeseburgers and head towards D.C.," Tony says as he drives off making Ellie smile brightly.

"She just knows that from the top of her head?" Nat ask impressed making Tony nod.

"She's my little genius," Tony says smiling at his daughter.

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Tony stood behind Lydia curling her hair carefully as she sits down watching Tangled already dressed in a pink dress long sleeve sheer shirt and a skirt with high socks and flat shoes. Her necklace on that she hasn't taken off since she got it.

"Wait you did Lydia's hair?" Wanda asks Tony who nods smiling at his daughter remembering when he used to do her hair. He sort of missed that time with her.

"Yeah, I had Pepper teach me. We started with barbies before pepper let me do her hair and then I did Lydia's," Tony says with a shrug as many smiles at him impressed.

"Alright princes done," Tony says spraying some hairspray before running his fingers through her curls making them look much better.

"You run your fingers through them," Ana says impressed that he knew that as Tony nods.

"Pepper gave me lessons on different ways to do hairstyles and how to do them correctly when Lydia was younger," Tony says as many look at him impressed as Pepper smiles at him.

"Thanks, dad! It's perfect!" Lydia says hugging Tony tightly making him smile at her.

"Good! Now when we get there I need you to stay with Pepper and Happy alright?" Tony asks making Lydia nod.

"Yes sir," Lydia says as she salutes him making Tony laugh at her.

"She does that all the time to me," Clint complains but with a small smile on his face.

"Come on," Tony says picking Lydia up as he sits her on the ground. Lydia smiles at him as she grabbed his hand and the two leave the hotel they were staying heading to the Capital building.

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"Mr. Stark," Senator Stern says as he hits the podium with a gavel, with an agitated and slick voice spoke.

"Could we pick up now where we left off?" Senator Stern asks as Tony smiles at Lydia tickling the blonde who was beside Pepper laughing.

The gavel is banged once more, louder this time, in an attempt to regain Tony's attention.

"Mr. Stark, please," Senator Stern says with the same slick voice as before.

"Dad," Lydia says pointing towards the front as Tony winks her turning around.

"The only person besides Pepper sometimes Tony listens to," Rhodey says making Happy nod and agreeing with him.

"Yes, dear," Tony says with a little smirk. The audience that had gathered mostly reported a chuckle at the exchange.

Lydia laughs into her hand as Pepper shakes her head but with a small amused smile at the girl. 

"Can I have your attention?" Senator Stern asked with a disapproving and exasperated look.

"Absolutely," Tony tells him with a clearly fake smile.

Lydia looks around and immediately noticed that everyone in the crowd was on her father's side, the scattered and audible chuckles were evidence enough.

"When isn't the crowd on Tony's side?" Clint asks rhetorically as the Iron Man and Captain side sends him a look making Clint realize what he said and shut up.

"Do you or do you not possess a specialized weapon?" Senator Stern asks after clearing his throat.

"I do not," Tony says leaning closer to the microphone as Lydia nods agreeing with her dad.

"You do not?" Stern asks him looking at the older Stark.

"I do not," Tony tells him before pausing for a moment to think over his words.

"Well, it depends on how you define the word weapon," Tony tells him.

"The Iron Man weapon," Senator Stern says as Tony looks at him.

"My device does not fit that description," Tony responds his voice balanced and firm.

"Well... How would you describe it?" Senator Stern was stunned for a moment with his brows furrowed.

"I would describe it by defining it as what it is, Senator," Tony tells him as his smirk disappears and his voice hardens.

"As?" Senator Stern asks him as Lydia rolls her eyes making Pepper tap her leg shaking her head at the girl.

"She is the worst at that. Does it all the time," Pepper mutters as she looks at Tony who smirks at her. 

"It's a high-tech prosthesis. That is...," Tony tells him, choosing his words carefully

"That is... That's actually the most apt description I can make of it," Tony continues over the laughing audience. Everyone seemed to be enjoying this but Pepper.

"Is that how you explain it to your daughter?" Senator Stern asks him making Tony's entire demeanor change. Tony shifts in his chair, pulling himself completely upright and his expression turns hard and calculates as he glares at the Senator.

"Oh yeah, he shouldn't have asked that," Nat mutters to Clint who nods agreeing with her. 

"My daughter is not part of this hearing," Tony says firmly as he sends a look to Lydia who smiles at him encouragingly as Tony nods at her.

"And my only thought is making sure my daughter is safe. No matter what. Do not bring her into something that does not involve Senator. I would never ever endanger my daughter's life by having any type of weapon near her. If you think I would that can be a conversation we can have at another time. Off the record," Tony says glaring at the man slightly as the room goes silent.

The only thing that could be heard was the occasional clicking from the reporters as the other senators shift uncomfortably.

"Why bring Lydia into it? It's like he is asking for Tony to snap," Steve asks shaking his head.

Steve knew that right now he wasn't in the Stark's good graces but that didn't mean he didn't care about the girl. He still remembers when he first meets her on the Helicarrier. He was surprised to see a little girl on it but was glad he met her.

"I mean no offense," Senator Stern says as Tony just stares at him.

"Right. Of course not," Tony says looking at the Senator as Pepper holds Lydia's hand, and the blonde smiles at her softly.   

"It's a weapon. It's a weapon, Mr. Stark," Senator Stern says and it was clear he was uncomfortable as Tony glares at him.

"Please, if your priority was actually the well-being of the American citizen...," Tony begins but the senator interrupts him.

"My priority is to get the Iron Man weapon turned over to the people of the United States of America," Senator Stern tells him.

"He can't do that. It's dads property. He made it and didn't hurt anyone. If he didn't have that suit I would be dead," Lydia says loudly making many looks at her as Tony winks at her making Lydia smile at him brightly.

"Lady Stark is adorable," Thor says looking at the girl making Nat look at him and shake her head watching the screen again.

"Well, you can forget it. I am Iron Man. The suit
and I are one. To turn over the Iron Man suit would be to turn over myself which is tantamount to indentured servitude or—," Tony begins before turning to Lydia.

"Princess cover your ears right quick," Tony says with a wink making Lydia look confused but does it as Tony smiles at her turning back to the panel.

"Prostitution, depending or what state you're in. You can't have it," Tony tells him before nodding at Lydia who removes her fingers from her ears making Lydia smile at her as he smiles back at her.

"I have to keep her innocent for as long as I can," Tony says because truthfully he didn't want Lydia anything like him. He wanted her to be better than he is.

"Look, I'm no expert -," Senator Stern tells him as he grows more and more agitated with the billionaire.

"In prostitution? Of course not. You're a senator. Come on!" Tony says as he throws his arms out and gestured to the crowd to make the attendees laugh more.

"What's prostitution?" Lydia asks Pepper who looks at her wide-eyed before she glares at Tony who smiles at her sheepishly.

"Tony!" Maria yells at her son as Clint laughs with Nat and Tony sighs.

"I'm no expert in weapons," Senator Stern continues ignoring Tony's remark.

"We have somebody here who is an expert on weapons. I'd now like to call Justin Hammer, our current primary weapons contractor," Senator Stern says as Lydia looks disgusted with just that name.

"How many people does Lydia not like?" Rhodey asks Tony who looks at him as he begins to count before shaking his head.

"I don't know there's too many now," Tony says as Rhodey nods at him.

"Let the record reflect that I observed Mr. Hammer entering the chamber, and I am wondering if and when any actual expert will also be in attendance," Tony says making Lydia cover her mouth as she begins to giggle.

The crowd then begins to whisper among themselves about the disrespect Tony had just displayed. Senator Stern hits the gavel once again.

"Absolutely. I'm no expert. I defer to you, Anthony. You're the wonder boy," Justin Hammer says laughing it off as if it was funny.

"Senator, if I may," Justin said as he stands from his seat and walks towards the tramway. In his hand, he carries a microphone.

"He is dramatic," Lydia tells Pepper who smiles at her shaking her head.

"No Lydia can't call anyone else dramatic. She is dramatic," Clint says shaking his head as many laughs agreeing with him.

"I may well not be an expert, but you know who was the expert? Your dad," Justin says as he points to Tony.

Howard leans up at this listening to this closely.

"Howard Stark. Really a father to us all, and to the military-industrial age," Justin says as Lydia watches Tony tense before she glares at Justin with heat.

Justin looks towards her feeling the glare and gulps slightly before looking back at the Senator.

"Poor man! Lady Starks glare is mean!" Thor yells shaking his head. 

"Let's just be clear, he was no flower child. He was a lion," Justin says as the Senator looks pleased at the dark look on Tony's face making Lydia turn her glare to him.

Senator Stern feels it and turns to her making Lydia raise an eyebrow at him as if saying is this the best he's got making the Senator shift uncomfortable before looking at Justin.

"Her glares is scaring a senator," Jarvis says impressed as Pepper smiles nodding.

"It's why she will be such an amazing CEO. She had the best qualities for them," Pepper says as she smiles at her daughter's figure on the screen.

"We all know why we're here. In the last six months, Anthony Stark has created a sword with untold possibilities. And yet, he insists it's a shield. He asks us to trust him as we cower behind it," Justin says shaking his head with a sarcastic smile is shown on his face along with disdain towards Tony.

"I wish I were comforted, Anthony, I really do. I'd love to leave my door unlocked when I leave the house, but this ain't Canada. You know, we live in a world of grave threats, threats that Mr. Stark will not always be able to foresee. Thank you. God bless Iron Man. God bless America," Justin says as he walks back to his chair and turns around to do a small salute.

"Eww," Lydia says disgusted for only Tony and Pepper. Pepper shakes her head trying to stop her smile as Tony laughs winking at his daughter. 

"That is well said, Mr. Hammer. The committee would now like to invite Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes to the chamber," Senator Stern says making Tony and Lydia confused.

Rhodey? What?" Tony asks confused as Rhodey walks in. He stood beside Lydia squeezing her shoulder before walking towards Tony who gets up to greet him.

"Wait you testified against him?" Maria asks wide-eyed as Rhodey looks at her.

"I was served. I didn't have a choice in the matter," Rhodey tells her making everyone nod understanding his words.

"Hey, buddy. I didn't expect to see you here," Tony says pleasantly shaking Rhodey's hands.

"Look, it's me, I'm here. Deal with it. Let's move on," Rhodey says nodding at Tony briefly.

"I just-," Tony begins to say but Rhodey interrupts him.

"Drop it,"  Rhodey tells him leaving no room for debate as the two made their way back together to their seats.

"All right, I'll drop it,"  Tony says with a fake smile on his face.

"Lydia will be excited that you're here. She's been pestering me to take her to see you. She misses you," Tony tells Rhodey who tenses up slightly as Tony watches him.

"You knew that was a low blow," Rhodey tells Tony who nods.

"Yep," Tony tells him making Rhodey shake his head at Tony.

"I have before me a complete report on the Iron Man weapon, complied by Colonel Rhodes. And, Colonel, for the record, can you please read page 57, paragraph four?" Senator Stern demands rather than requests.

"You're requesting that I read specific selections from my report, Senator?" Rhodey asks making it clear to everyone watching what the Senator was asking him to do.

"Yes, sir," Senator Stern tells him.

"It was my understanding that I was going to be testifying in a much more comprehensive and detailed manner," Rhodey states calmly looking at the Senator.

"I understand. A lot of things have changed today. So if you could just read...," Stern says quickly.

"You do understand that reading a single paragraph out of context does not reflect the summary of my final...," Rhodey begins to explain looking at the Senator.

"He wants you to read it so it makes Tony's suit look unsafe," Peggy states as Rhodey nods at him.

"Just read it, Colonel. I do. Thank you," Senator Stern says sternly.

"Very well," Rhodey says sending an apologetic look toward Tony before turning to the requested page.

"As he does not operate within any definable branch of government, Iron Man presents a potential threat to the security of both the nation and to her interests," Rhodey reads clearly hating this.

"I did, however, go on to summarise that the benefits of Iron Man far outweigh three liabilities and that it would be in our interest...," Rhodey says making Stern quickly try to stop the Colonel from speaking. 

"That's enough Colonel," Senator Stern says sternly but Rhodey continues speaking.

"...to fold Mr. Stark...into the existing chain of command, Senator," Rhodey tells him as Tony leans toward into the microphone.

"I'm not a joiner, but I'll consider Secretary of Defence if you ask nicely. And make sure my daughter can be my second in command," Tony says winking at Lydia who laughs at him along with the crowd. 

"Tony you know Lydia will become the head by the end of the week," Nat says making everyone nod agreeing with her.

"I'd like to go on and show, if I may, the imagery that's connected to your report," Senator Stern says clewing his throat once again seeming nervous once again.

"I believe it is somewhat premature to reveal these images to the general public at this time," Rhodey says looking at the Senator.

"With all due respect, Colonel," Senator Stern says in a tone that held no respect in it.

"I understand. And if you could just narrate those for us, we'd be very grateful. Let's have the images," Senator Stern says making Rhodey gesture to a man who switches on a large television monitor on the side of the room,

"Intelligence suggests that the devices seen in these photos are, in fact, attempts at making manned copies of Mr. Stark's suit. This has been corroborated by our allies and local intelligence on the ground...," Rhodey says making Lydia and Tony frown at that as Tony begins doing something on a Stark device as Lydia watches him.

"Hold on a second buddy. Let me see something here," Tony says as he sets up his device to connect with the screen showing the pictures.

"Boy, I'm good. I commandeered your screens. I need them. Time for a little transparency. Now, let's see what's really going on," Tony says as many looks bewildered at this and Lydia smiles back.

"She loves chaos," Nat says shaking her head.

"What is he doing?" Stern asks uneasily.

"Why Senator is there something you have to hide?" Lydia asks with an innocent smile on her face.

"If you will direct your attention to said screens, I believe that's North Korea," Tony says as a video of a suit falls over showing it clearly doesn't work very well at all.

"Dummies," Lydia says shaking her head as she chuckles.

"Can you turn that off? Take it off," Stern says as Justin Hammer stands up.

"Iran," Tony says as it shows that this suit can fly. For all about five seconds before crashing, judging by the smoke, probably on fire. Justin is by the screen, trying to find the off switch. 

"Ouch!" Lydia says laughing harder as she shakes her head.

"No grave threat here," Tony says as Lydia looks closer.

"Daddy I think that's dummy number one over there," Lydia says pointing to Justin as Tony looks and nods. 

"You're right Princess! It is. Justin, you're on TV," Tony says as Justin tries to block the screen with his body.

Justin managed to unplug the television at that moment after everyone sees him working on the suit.

Justin tries to scramble back to his seat as whispers and some laughs. Senator Stern rubbed the bridge of his nose with dismay.

"So this was just for the military to get your suit?" Peggy asks making Tony nod.

"Yep," Tony tells her as Peggy shakes her head.

"Wow. Yeah, I'd say most countries, are five, or ten years away. Hammer Industries, twenty," Lydia says shrugging as Tony nods at her pointing to his daughter.

"I'd like to point out that that test pilot survived," Justin says obviously humiliated.

"And no one cares," Lydia tells him making Justin glare at her as Lydia waves at him.

"I think we're done is the point that he's making. I don't think there's any reason...," Senator Stern tells Tony.

"The point is, you're welcome, I guess," Tony says to him.

"For what?" The senator asks.

"Because I'm your nuclear deterrent. It's working. We're safe. America is secure. You want my property? You can't have it. But I did you a big favour," Tony says as he stands up and turns around to face the crowd

"I've successfully privatized world peace," Tony says as he holds his hand up with peace signs and everyone stands up, all talking at once.

"What more do you want? For now! I tried to play ball with these ass-clowns," Tony says as points back at the panel.

"Tony!" Maria yells at him shaking her head.

"Fuck you, Mr. Stark. Fuck you, buddy," Stern declares.

"Starks can just piss anyone off can't that?" Peggy asks although rhetorically.

"Were adjourned - were adjourned for today," Stern stated with a sigh. Tony's smile was beaming as he picked up his sunglasses, and put them on.

Rhodey's still sitting down and has the same look on his face as Pepper did. Basically, both are tired of Tony not taking serious things seriously.

"Okay," Tony says turning to Lydia who laughs at him. 

"You've been a delight," Senator Stern mutter in a voice that suggests Tony was just the opposite.

The spectators were also in various periods of laughing as Rhodey shakes his head in amazement at just what Tony had pulled from the committee as Lydia claps smiling brightly.

❀ ༄ ❀ AUTHOR NOTE ❀ ༄ ❀
And Iron Man 2 begins!

I only did this to show some Tony and Lydia scenes. The next chapter will be meeting Natasha.

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! I love you all! <333