Chapter 12
When Star woke up from her nap she had texts from Happy regarding callers and visitors. Most of them were more press, looking for an interview or even a comment about John.
One was from a name she hadn't heard in years. Gideon Malick, one of her fathers business associates. Gideon had convinced her father to let him marry Star when she was barely 18 but something made him back off.
Gideons message simply said they needed to meet soon to discuss the status of her father's businesses. Star deleted the rest of the messages, she really didn't want to give the press any more meat or reveal anything that might affect the divorce settlement. She decided to call him the next morning, business would wait a few hours.
Star checked the clock and saw it was after 4pm which made her wonder where Bucky was. It scared her that she was becoming so dependent on him already but having him back had pushed up some feelings that she had to suppress since he left. She was torn between fear that all the good she had discovered in the last few weeks would be pulled out from under her and the sliver of optimism and hope for a better future.
She shook it off and sent Bucky a text
'U coming 4 dinner 2nite?'
When 10 minutes had passed with no response, she ordered dinner for 2 and figured Bucky would be back and eat the leftovers before they went bad.
Dinner was delivered and she still hadn't heard from Bucky so she ate her fill and put the rest in the fridge. She curled up in bed and watched a movie to distract her. Star dozed off only to be woken up by her phone dinging the same time as someone knocked on the door. She moaned and climbed out of bed to answer the door, noticing it was after 11pm.
Star opened the door to see Bucky looking tired but hopeful with a bouquet of flowers.
"Hey Doll" he spoke softly "Sorry it's so late. I didn't mean to take so long. Once Tony and Sam get started talking about plans and the future it's rough to shut them up."
He looked her up and down and realized she must have been sleeping based on her sleepy eyes and mussed hair.
He swore softly "Shit. I'm sorry. I woke you up."
She nodded, sleepily, "It's ok" and moved to the side so he could come in.
"Do you have a vase? These need some water."
"Yeah, gimme a sec." She took the flowers and set them in a vase with water on the dresser.
Then she sat down on the bed "I take it things went well with Tony?"
Bucky smiled "Yeah, we should be ready for our grand opening in a couple of weeks. Having the Stark name and money behind you really helps get things done. How was your day?"
She shrugged "Not very exciting. Pepper and I found some nice court appropriate outfits. Hopefully I won't need them all."
"Why don't we get us both some rest, doll."
He followed her to the bedroom, undressed and curled up behind her, reaching around to hold her hand. Both were asleep in minutes.
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The next morning Bucky had to leave early to meet with Steve and Sam.
Star had breakfast and a shower to get her day started. She looked at her messages and sighed, bracing herself to deal with Gideon Malick.
She dialed the number and waited as it rang. Almost ready to give up she heard a deep voice "Hello?" and startled.
"Mr Malick? This is Y/N Pierce, Alexander Pierce's daughter"
He laughed softly "Y/N honey, please call me Gideon. I've just returned to the states after hearing of your father's passing. I wanted to offer my condolences and as distasteful as it is, we need to discuss your fathers business.
Are you available at all today? I'd love to take you out for lunch if you are."
Star grimaced thankful he couldn't see her. "I'm not busy today but there are paps waiting for me to step out. I don't think we could have a peaceful lunch. If you're willing to meet me here, at Stark Tower, we could have lunch in the dining room with some privacy."
"That would be fine. What time should I come by?"
She sighed, one more string from her father to deal with. "Would 2 be alright?"
They confirmed their meeting and Star ended the call as quickly as possible.
Then she called Happy to let him know she was having a guest, and called the kitchen to request lunch at 2.
She spent the rest of the morning organizing her new outfits and preparing herself for lunch.
At exactly 2 she got a call from the reception desk to let her know Malick was here and being escorted to the dining room.
When she arrived she saw that lunch had already been set up and waited for a few minutes for him to arrive, pacing the dining room.
She heard a knock at the door and went to let him in.
As soon as she opened the door he looked her over and took her offered hand to kiss.
Gideon smiled and it gave her the creeps "Y/N, dear you have grown so much since the last time I saw you. You look lovely for someone who is dealing with the loss of a parent and a cheating spouse. You're the spitting image of your mother but somehow even more beautiful."
He looked around the room "Good the food is here. Let's sit down we have much to talk about."
After the usual pleasantries he drank down his scotch and got to the point. "I'm sorry to force this when you are grieving but unfortunately business must be taken care of.
The first point being John. I backed him during the election because I trusted your father but recent revelations are making me question that support. Sadly affairs aren't uncommon but for him to get her pregnant and flaunt his indiscretions is unacceptable. I can't in good conscience back him again.
I do have a proposal for you. Since I can't back John I'm throwing my son's hat in the ring. Grant is a good man and would treat you right. If he did cheat-"
"Wait, what? Cheat? No! I'm not getting married again unless it's for love. I just filed for a divorce from John, who my father forced me to marry, and won't commit to a marriage with someone I don't even know.
We can work together on business matters but that's it."
Gideon glared at her "I'll give you some time to come to your senses. Recent events have obviously clouded your judgement." He stood up to leave. "I'll call you at the end of the week and hopefully you have a better answer by then." And stormed out, leaving Star wondering how she could deal with him.
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The next morning Star had her meeting with the judge her divorce case had been assigned to. Happy and Rhodey took her to the courthouse where she met her attorney. She also saw John and a new bodyguard, plus a man in a suit that she didn't recognize, she assumed it was his attorney.
In the judges chambers they all sat, tense and waiting. When he finally arrived, John was agitated and pacing.
"Good morning. I'm judge Christopher Batzer" he looked around the room "Mr Walker, Ms Pierce, we-"
John snapped "Congressman Walker and she is Mrs Walker."
The judge glared at him "You will not interrupt me when I'm speaking, Mister Walker, and the lady in question has asked to be addressed as Ms Pierce. Y/N Pierce is the name on her paperwork and will be what she is referred to in this case."
He sat down at his desk.
"I've read through the filing and see that Ms Pierce is asking for a clean break where she keeps what belonged to her and her family while offering a generous settlement. Including your Manhattan penthouse." He looked at John "And you Mr Walker are unwilling to sign. What changes are you asking for?"
John's attorney tried to speak up but John interrupted him "Your honor" he said nastily "Nothing belongs to her. Her fathers will stipulated that she must stay married to me and pop out a kid within 2 years of his death. He was also contesting her grandmothers will which will come to me as well. Besides that I don't agree to any divorce or separation. This is because her father told me how he wanted things handled when I married her. I'm just trying to honor his wishes."
"Very well Mr Walker but his will has an exception for infidelity and Ms Pierce has evidence to prove you were unfaithful. I was also told there was proof of abuse, including criminal charges, which is another exception mentioned in his will."
John shook his head " I never abused her. She has a drug problem and is clumsy when she's high. She forgets when she hurt herself then fabricates stories. She recently overdosed" he fights back a sob "and we almost lost her. I'd rather die than lose her."
Star started clapping and could barely contain her laughter "That's one Hell of a performance there John but the judge has seen the police reports and Rollins' confession."
John spat "Fucking cunt!" As he stood and reached for her but Happy stepped in his way, smiling "Not a chance pal."
The judge cleared his throat "Making threatening advances towards your ex and name calling aren't the way to endear yourself to the court, Mr Walker"
John snapped "I am a United States congressman and expect to be treated with respect. I could have your job. She is my wife and I will deal with her however I see fit. I will never agree to a divorce." He looked at Star with a hateful glint in his eyes "She's mine!"
The judge rolled his eyes "Thank you for showing your true colors and making this easy for me." He looked over to Star and her attorneys "Divorce granted and all of Ms Pierce's assets up to and including her inheritances from her father and her maternal grandmother, will transfer to Ms Pierce once probate is finished. Both should be within 90 days.
Baliff, please escort Mr Walker out of the building"
Star sat for a moment in stock. She knew how awful John was but he had always been able to keep himself controlled and certainly never expected him to help her case against him.
The judge called her name "You're free to go ma'am. Unless you have a question."
That brought her back "I'm sorry, he just gets to me sometimes."
The judge smiled sadly at her "I wish you luck. Be careful, that doesn't seem like the type of man to let something go."
Happy and Rhodey escorted her back to the car, through a mob of press pelting her with questions, and she stared out the car window all the way home.
Luckily Tony had a private garage and no one but his inner circle had the access code so the press couldn't follow them.
When they arrived upstairs Star could hear male voices. Bucky, Steve, Sam and Tony laughing boisterously at who knows what. She followed the sound to the dining room and saw them standing up talking while the table was being set for lunch.
Tony saw her first and smiled "There she is, we've all been waiting anxiously to find out how it went. So, how'd it go?"
Star shrugged "Some good some not so great. John showed his true colors to the judge so I think that helped me. He granted the divorce and told him that the evidence of infidelity nullified his inheritance from my father so it comes to me. My inheritance from my grandmother as well."
Bucky looked confused "That all sounds good. What's the not so great part?"
She sighed "John is becoming more unhinged, he was always able to keep up appearances when others were around but Happy had to step in to keep him away from me. The judge had him removed from the building and warned me to be careful. I don't know how safe I'll feel if I stay at home."
Tony shook his head "Don't even worry about it, you can stay here as long as you like. Hopefully until John starts his sentence. Pepper really loves having you here, with running the company she doesn't have much time to spare and a lot of women are intimidated by her."
A pair of interns brought in lunch and they all sat down.
After a few minutes Tony spoke up again "So Gideon Malick came calling yesterday?"
Star looked at him, surprised "Oh, yeah he had business dealings with my father. At least that was his excuse, he wants me to marry his son and help him beat John in the senate race next year. Obviously I told him no."
Tony looked pensive "and how did he react?"
Star shook her head "Not well. Said he would contact me by the end of the week and hoped I have a better answer."
Bucky looked confused "So who is Gideon Malick and why do we care what he wants?"
Tony sighed "He's very a powerful businessman with alleged ties to less than legal operations. He's ruthless in getting what he wants."
Sam shook his head "Great. We have two power hungry assholes to deal with."
Star shook her head "John is an amateur who doesn't have anything without my father's backing. He's dangerous and unpredictable but has nothing on Malick."
Tony agreed "John is preschool, Malick is graduate school. He's from my fathers generation and one of the few people dad hated working with but he didn't have much choice. If you want to do business in this state, you have to kiss his ring."
The room fell silent for a few minutes as they all ate and considered the newest details while thinking of their next moves.
Star offered them a small grin "At least my inheritance and marriage are handled. Right?" She paused "You know you guys don't have to get involved in this mess. It could be dangerous and I don't expect any of you to risk-"
Steve looked at her seriously "We have your back and won't let either of them get to you. All of us."
All of the men looked at Star nodding in earnest as she bit her lip, worried about what she was getting them into.