Chapter Text
Tony was on his lunch-break in the lab when it happened.
Pepper texted him, once, then twice, which should’ve been the first clue that something was wrong. She only disturbed him during lab time in absolute emergencies.
A.K.A- either Avengers business or personal life (as if they had one) shit
We intercepted a suspicious package addressed to you.
I think you need to come see this.
Tony stared at the messages, confused, before going to find Pepper. Apparently, he didn’t need to, because she came running into the lab, arms wrapped around a box.
“Do you have one of those DNA scanner thingamajigs?” She panted, out of breath.
“A machine with DNA analysis technology? Uh, over there, I think.” Tony responded, pointing at the left corner of the room. Pepper walked up behind him and plucked a strand of hair from his head mechanically.
“Hey! What’s the big-” She shoved a slip of paper at him. He grabbed it equally as aggressively.
His squinted eyes widened as he read further and further down the text.
Tony,
Your daughter was born in August of 2001. Her first name was Penny. I gave her up for adoption to two wonderful parents, but unfortunately I lost contact with the child when they both passed. Inclosed is your proof. Don't go looking for me- I'll be dead by the time you receive this package.
- S
Tony looked up to see a pink baby blankie with a matted bunny head. Some patches of it had obviously been wet at one point, and it was then that Tony realized what it was.
A DNA sample.
He watched, detached from his own body, as she clipped off a patch of stained faux fur, gently placing each sample on a petri dish before letting the machine conduct its tests. The room was dead silent, bar a gentle whirring sound, until a loud beep rang throughout it.
DNA Match - 50%
Relation - Parent, child
No match in federal DNA database
“Well, at least she’s been behaving herself.” Pepper commented. Tony couldn’t even conjure his own sardonic statement.
“Pep- organize me some kind of press conference.” He fell down in a swivel chair. “And FRIDAY- show all matches for female, 2001, and Penny internationally.”
It was going to be a long night.