Chapter 1: Can I have a bow?

Pepper Potts

Pepper sat at the kitchen table, her head on her hand, pretending to read, but really reflecting about the awful turn of events today. She'd been told that her presence was needed at S.H.I.E.L.D., which wasn't bad, but then she'd arrived and everything got messed up. She'd been taken to a medical room and forcibly given some kind of drug which made her feel extremely dull and slow, as well as making her feel like she'd suddenly aged at least 10 years. Then she and Jane Foster had been taken to some dark room with the Avengers, and as soon as the door closed, she'd started to feel even worse. She'd immediately felt drowsy and fallen over, but she couldn't control her limbs at all and she'd felt like she couldn't breathe. In that moment, Pepper had been sure she was going to die. Upon waking up, she'd discovered that her body had been returned to the state it had been in when she was somewhere between 20 and 25, and the same with Jane. Both of them had also kept their memories. But the Avengers had all been reverted to child-like states, both mentally and physically, though the actual age seemed to vary.

According to Nick Fury, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent named Tessa Rundle had pulled off this scheme. She was a brilliant scientist who had created the anti-aging drug, managed to call all of the Avengers, plus Loki, Jane Foster, and herself to S.H.I.E.L.D., and administer the drug before anyone realized what was happening, as well as evade capture. Now no one had any idea how to reverse the effects.

Pepper had asked why she and Jane Foster had only been reverted to young adults, but after telling their story, they'd been told the drug given to them beforehand had been designed to slow the "anti-aging" process and allow them to keep their memories. And the Avengers were now all different ages because of their prior differences in age and state. It also seemed that the ones who were completely human had been most affected.

"So, why don't you tell us your names, your ages, and a little bit about yourselves," Pepper suggested to the seven children sitting in front of her, wondering if they actually knew their ages. But she figured this was the best way to see how much they remembered.

"You go first," said Steve, who looked even smaller than before, since he was next to Thor.

"Alright," Pepper agreed. "I'm Pepper and I'm 23," she said, stumbling on the 23 because she'd never thought she'd say that again. "I'm Tony's boss and I enjoy…cooking."

"The Lady Jane should go next," Thor said firmly, and they all turned to look at Jane.

"I'm Jane, I'm 22, and I like science," she said, seeming slightly awkward with the kids.

Steve happily went next. "I'm Steve and I'm uh…three! And a half! I like red and white and blue," he said, pointing the t-shirt he wore, which had a picture of his shield on it. "And helping people," he added.

Natasha, who sat next to him, turned to look at Pepper with intelligent green eyes. "My name's Natasha and I'm five. Clint's my best friend and I like doing gymnastics." She pronounced the word carefully and poked Clint lightly in the belly.

"Hey! I'm Clint and I don't like being poked!" he exclaimed. "But I do like archery and I want a bow and lots and lots of arrows! I'm six," he added as an afterthought. Then he put his head on Natasha's shoulder and she poked him again.

"I am Thor! I am about 15 in your Earth years and I can control lightning. I like Lady Jane and the thing you call coffee. It is marvelous!" No one knew quite what to say to this proclamation, so they quickly moved on.

"My name is Loki, I'm 14 years old, and I enjoy causing mischief," Loki said quietly, his eyes gleaming. They didn't know what to say to that either.

Bruce looked at Loki uneasily. "My name is Bruce and I'm 7 years old. I enjoy reading and quiet.

"I'm Tony!" Tony said immediately. "I'm 6 and I like flying and machinery and Pepper!" he grinned up at her cheekily.

"Okay then," Pepper said. "Well, why don't we…"

"I'm hungry," Tony interrupted.

"I guess it's dinnertime then," Pepper said, restraining a sigh and forcing a smile. "What do you guys want?"

"Coffee!" Thor exclaimed immediately.

"French fries," Clint decided. "And a bow. And lots and lots of arrows. But not to eat, because that would be yucky."

"Uh…cake!" Steve said eagerly.

"Pasta?" Natasha suggested.

"Pizza," Bruce said quietly.

"Ice cream." Tony said firmly. They all looked at each other and started arguing.

"Okay! Be quiet!" Pepper spoke over them. They didn't hear her.

"One…" Jane began. "Two…" They stopped, and Pepper looked at her with new respect. "Loki, what would you like?" Jane asked, since he was the only one who hadn't said anything.

"I don't care," he said moodily.

"Alright then. Uh, no cake, no coffee, and no ice cream," Pepper decided. The kids who'd picked those looked disappointed. "And Clint, you can't just have French fries."

"Can I have a bow?" He really wanted that bow, Pepper thought wearily.

"Maybe later," she told him, and looked down disappointedly. Then he straightened. "Can I sit next to Natasha? Please?"

Pepper could stop a chuckle from escaping. "Yes, that's fine. And I think we'll have macaroni and cheese for lunch, okay?" There was a general chorus of agreement.

"May I help, Lady Pepper?" Thor demanded. "I would like to see this cheese and macaroni food!" Pepper had a moment of panic and frantically looked at Jane.

"I think Pepper's got it. She likes cooking, remember? Why don't you help us pick a bedroom for everyone, since Stark Tower is so big and you're the oldest?"

Thor thought for a minute. "This way everyone!"

"Other way," Jane murmured.

"Will there be a bow in my room?" Pepper heard Clint ask as they walked off.


Author's Note: This story is a lot of fun to write, and I hope you enjoyed it! Please review!