No Strings Attached

5

Before Angela knew it, a week had passed. Her life with the Parkers became almost like a routine.

Wake up. Go to school. Chores. Paint. Sleep. Repeat.

She had come to learn that Peter's internship with Stark Industries was real despite what everyone else at school says. Speaking of school, she hadn't made many friends besides Ned and MJ, but she was approached a few times to join a sport team or club. She turned them down, knowing that she would have to leave Midtown when her grandfather came back for her. She didn't want to be too attached, but that didn't stop her from having her fun.

It was Friday and Aunt May had to work late again. So, as Peter and Angela were leaving the school, he asked her.

"Do you wanna come with me?"

Angela was confused at first. "Where?"

"Stark industries." Peter answered. "Being home alone can be lonely and I was wondering if you wanted to come with me today. I already asked Mr. Stark and he said it was fine with him."

Angela didn't really have to think before answering "Sure" with a smile.

As they left, a sleek black car pulled up and hope bubbled in Angela's chest. But it was quickly extinguished when the window rolled down to reveal a man that she didn't recognize. Swallowing her sadness, she let Peter push her into the car.

The ride to Avengers Tower was a surprisingly short one. Peter and Angela had started talking and sharing memes with each other as soon as they got in the car. The driver rolled his eyes and rolled up the window separating the front and back seats, effectively blocking them out.

"Don't worry about Happy, he's always like this."

"His name is Happy?" She giggled. "That's kind of ironic."

Once at the tower, Happy let the kids out and Peter dragged Angela into the tower where he was greeted by the receptionist. Everyone smiled fondly at Peter as he led her to the elevator, but stared daggers into Angela. It was unsettling and she quickly caught on to the fact that NOBODY messes with Peter Parker.

"Welcome back Peter. I have informed the boss that you have arrived." A voice said out of nowhere.

Angela jumped, her head swiveling around, trying to figure out where it came from. Peter laughed.

"That's just Friday, Mr. Starks AI. She's wired through the whole building so if you have a question, just ask her."

"H-Hi Friday." Angela stuttered.

"Friday, this is Angela. She's a friend of mine." Peter introduced her.

"Angela. Friend of Peters. Information saved."

The elevator doors opened and Angela spotted several people dressed in white lab coats running around with stacks of papers. She would have found it hilarious were it not for their stressed expressions.

Peter pulled her away and towards another elevator that took them directly to the 69th floor. "Nice." Angela muttered, earning another laugh from Peter.

Once there, she marveled at all of the tech equipment and flashing lights of the hologram. Angela wiped the drool off of the corner of her mouth and followed behind Peter as he approached a man hunched over a messy desk.

"Mr. Stark?" Peter spoke, startling the man. He jumped, smacking his arm against a metal suspension poll he had been welding.

"Jesus Christ kid, you scared the shit out of me!" Tony placed a hand over his arch reactor. "Who's this." He pointed at Angela.

"My name is Angela Neuman, it's nice to meet you." She held her hand out for him to shake.

Tony's eyes went wide and his jaw dropped. "You have got to be kidding me." He groaned and rubbed his face. "Neuman? As in Nathaniel Neuman?"

"You know my grandfather?" She dropped her hand and let her confusion show.

"The narcissistic misanthrope that calls himself a lady killer but is really just a pervy old man in a suit? Yeah, I know him." Tony mumbled. "Hey, kid. Can you deliver this to floor 28? Amanda needs them."

"Sure." Tony handed him the stack of papers and sent him on his way, leaving Angela alone with Tony.

"Listen here, I wouldn't trust your old man with holding an egg let alone another human being. So whatever it is your "grandpa" sent you to do, just forget about it and leave."

"What?" Angela said, confused.

"I'm not buying it. Leave the kid alone and just go somewhere else, I'll even pay you to do it. Just go."

Angela crossed her arms and stomped towards Tony. "Listen up, I'm only saying this once. I don't know what beef you have with the old man, but know it has nothing to do with me. I am here because he fucked up and can't take care of me. May Parker took me in even though she didn't have to and Peter brought me here because he wanted to. I did nothing to deserve this treatment and will not take anything you offer me so you can take that check and shove it up your pompous ass right next to that thick head of yours."

Angela backed off a bit, leaning against a table. "Peter is the first friend I have made in a while and wish to keep him if I can help it." She scowled.

The door opened and Peter returned, having delivered the papers. He glanced between his friend and mentor who were glaring at each other and wondered what happened. "Is everything okay?" He asked.

"Fine." They both answered simultaneously, not breaking eye contact.

For a while, it was quiet. Peter had walked Angela around the lab and showed all of the non classified equipment, explain what each one did. To his surprise, Angela understood everything he was telling her and asked the occasional question that he, for once, didn't know the answer to.

Now, Angela sat across from Peter, tinkering with left over materials while Peter worked on his project. Tony glanced over his shoulder at the pair and frowned.

Nathaniel Neuman was bad news. He had a run in with the man a few times but he never imagined that he would come back. Not only that, but he got this random kid involved and now Peter was in the middle of it. Tony had brushed off the mans actions before, but now, he was sick and tired of it. Whatever this man was playing at, wasn't good. He just hopped that Angela knew what she was getting herself into.

Angela however, didn't know. She had no idea that the great Tony Stark knew her grandfather. In fact, she didn't know he had other family until she first met May. Now that she thought about, she didn't know anything about her guardian except what he wanted her to know.

The uncertainty crept up on her like a predator ready to pounce. Her thoughts ran rampant and she felt the need to return home and do some digging. Tony's reaction to her knowing Neuman was troubling, even more so when paired with the fact that he spoke of him with so much spite and assumed she was there to do harm.

"Hey, you okay?"

Angela hummed and peered up at Peter who had stopped working and was now staring at her. "Yeah."

"What are you working on?" He asked.

Angela smirked and wound up the device, setting it down on the table. "Watch."