NOTE: This issue follows the events in Captain America Annual 2003. Some plot ideas were suggested by David Wheatley.

Steve Rogers' Brooklyn Apartment

"Where's Captain America?" Iron Man asked, as he stood by the door of the apartment. He was addressing Sharon Carter and Maria, who was hugging her leg. "I need to speak with him."

"He's not here right now," Sharon admitted. "He's on a mission right now in another dimension."

"What d'ya want wit' my daddy?" Maria asked. "He's Cap'n America."

Iron Man bent down to look Maria in the eyes. He put a comforting hand on her head and another one on her shoulder. "I'm sorry to tell you this, Maria, but your father is not the real Captain America."

"No, yer lyin'. He's real. Yer the fake. He's the real Captain America."

Iron Man stood up. "I'm sorry, Maria, Sharon. But he's as fake as I am."

There was a crackle of energy in the bedroom.

Sharon seemed too distracted to notice. She then went to the bedroom to see who that was. "That must be him. We'll straighten this out."

"You better go with your mother, Maria," Iron Man suggested.

"I'll prove to you he's real. He's really my father."

Seconds later, Sharon and Maria explained to Captain America that his best friend, Iron Man, was here, with dire news. He listened to what Tony had to say but he just couldn't believe it. That he was a figment of someone else's imagination, that he was a byproduct of some child's power. It seemed that it was part of some bad science fiction movie.

"Liar!" Cap said, once the news had digested into his system. He launched into battle and attacked Iron Man. He hurled Shellhead against the opposite wall, creating a hole in the wall.

Iron Man retaliated by blasting Cap with a repulsor blast in the stomach but he had blocked with his shield. "You have got to believe me, Steve. I don't mean to cause you grief, but hat possible motive would I have in lying to you?"

"I don't know. But somehow I believe you. I've seen the result of Franklin Richards' power and it seem probable and possible, too."

"I'm sorry, Cap. This hurts me as much as it does you. I'll take my leave now."

Cap extended a hand and Tony shook it. "Goodbye, Tony. Take care."

Stark Solutions

"You did what?!" Pepper Potts asked Iron Man, as he had arrived at his headquarters later that day. She had an incredulous look upon her face; in fact, Happy Hogan and Jim Rhodes all had incredulous looks on their countenances. What Tony had done seemed to be nigh impossible.

"I don't think that was wise, boss," Happy said, trying to reason with him.

"You should have consulted us first, Tony," Rhodey said. "That wasn't too smart, and if what you say is true, you shouldn't have told his daughter first."

Iron Man lifted up his face plate, revealing the face of Tony Stark. "I know, I know. Hindsight is always 20/20, right? Somehow in he back of my mind I knew that Steve wouldn't take it well. Who would? So I told Agent 13 and Maria first, hoping that would break the impact. I realize my mistake now."

Rhodey left the room, in a huff. He was really steamed, angry.

Happy continued with his work. He followed Rhodey out the door. Apparently, the two were discussing possible ways to rectify this situation. The good thing was that Cap wasn't an Avenger anymore, so this wouldn't tear the Avengers now.

Once the door slammed closed, Pepper approached Tony. Stark by now had taken off his armour and put it in his briefcase. He then opened his closet and took out a black three piece suit, putting it on.

"How did he take it?" Pep asked.

"Not well at first. But once I explained to him the situation behind it, he began to see my view point. But his daughter was in denial the whole time. I just feel bad for her. I wonder how she is going to take this."

"Only time will tell," Pepper said nonchalantly. "Only time will tell."

Rumiko's Apartment

Rumiko Fujikawa lay in bed, torn by dreams of her beau, Tony Stark and his alterego, Iron Man. Several days ago, Iron Man revealed to her that he was really Tony Stark. She was surprised at first, but somehow relieved. She was glad that they were one and the same because now she wouldn't be torn between two lovers. Now she could love the same man and not feel guilty.

A couple hours ago, Tony said to her that he had to go to see Steve Rogers, Captain America, on a personal matter. He didn't tell her what the personal matter was, but she was sure that he would reveal it to her in due course.

There was a knock on her open window.

She was startled at first, but once she saw Iron Man's silhouetted form she bade him to enter.

"You might want to close the window, Tony," Rumiko suggested. "When we talk in here. I guess I don't want my neighbors to find out your secret identity."

"Good idea." Iron Man slammed the window shut, closed the shades, and walked inside her apartment. "I have something to tell you. Something very important."

He took off his mask to reveal the face of Tony Stark. "I love you, Ru. And I think you love me. So you have to understand that this is very hard for me to say."

"Does this mean that you-" she began to say, but Tony shushed her quiet.

"Ssshh. What I have to say has to be said without inetrruptions." When she nodded her assent, he continued. "Now, Ru, please listen to me. This is hard for me."

Rumiko massaged his hands and brought him closer to her. "Whatever you have to say, you can tell me."

There was a giant pause.

"I'm not the real Iron Man."

"Whatever do you mean? There is another Iron Man? Like that War Machine character?"

"No. I'm not the real Tony Stark. Y'see, Iron Man, Tony Stark, died in battle with a being called Onslaught. Franklin Richards, the son of Reed and Susan Richards, created the Franklinverse where he created duplicates of the heroes that had died. Like Captain America and I."

"So, you're what? Alternate Iron Man?"

"I guess you could say that. I hope this won't break our relationship."

Rumiko embraced Tony. "I love you, Tony. I don't care if you're from the future. I will always love you."

"And I love you, Ru."

They kissed like long-lost lovers.

Back at Stark Solutions (The Sub-basement)

"Did everything go well with Ms. Fujikawa?" Jocasta asked.

"Better than with Steve. She reacted in the exact same way that I hoped my relationship with Anastasia Swift would have turned out."

"Miss Swift was too headstrong. She is very similar to Captain America in some ways. Models are like that. Typical girl power."

"I have to give Steve credit tho. He has done what most super heroes only wish at doing. To become a father. He has raised a beautiful daughter, who hangs on his every word and adores him like none other."

Tony picked the cordless and dialed Captain America's Hotline number. There was one ring and then, Steve Rogers answered.

"Captain America speaking. How may I assist you?"

"Steve, it's Tony. I called because I wanted to apologize to you for telling your daughter that you're not the real Cap, before I told you. I-I don't have the words to describe my guilt."

"Don't worry about it, Tony. I explained to Maria that it doesn't matter what world I came from, I am as real as her and I love her. She still doesn't like you."

Tony laughed. "I feel better now. Thanks, Cap."

Tony hung up the phone.