Chapter 1 Blind Sight
"Are you missing us yet?" Lucas asked Vision and I as we Skyped him and Lucy one evening after they were done with their classes and they were in their room that they requested to share. "It's a month since move-in."
"It certainly is quiet without you here," Vision remarked.
"Have you guys met with with hockey teams yet?" I replied.
"Yea, there's tryouts during fall break," Lucy said.
"Are you nervous about them?" Vision said.
The brother and sister shook their heads.
"No, but only because this isn't our first tryout by any means," Lucy said.
"That's good, but remember, a little bit of nerves is good," I said.
"We know," Lucas said. He looked at his watch. "We need to head to dinner. Don't know about Luce but I'm starving."
"You're always hungry," Lucy pointed out with a laugh.
"Go enjoy the food," Vision said, chuckling.
"If Ruben still works there, definitely get whatever he's making," I said. "He's one of the best cooks there. That or pasta line."
"We will," Lucas said.
We said our goodbyes and ended the call.
We've had twelve years of not being called in. Avengers AI wasn't made yet, but we had a feeling that we would need to gather soon.
Vision frowned as he saw me get up and run right into the coffee table not for the first time. "Rose, are you sure you're alright?" he asked as he got to his feet and placed a hand on my back as I rubbed my shin. "That's the fifth time this week you've ran into the coffee table. It's like you can't see."
"Yea, yea, fine," I said, trying to brush that off. "Just a bit clumsy."
"You're never clumsy," Vision pointed out. "You're one of the most graceful people I know. You've been wearing your glasses all the time now But they don't seem to be helping."
"I just forget to take them off," I said as I took off my glasses but had to put them back on as everything instantly looked blurry.
"If something's wrong, you can tell me," Vision said as he took my hands in his. "You know that, right?"
I nodded. "I know," I said. "Everything's fine. I promise. If there was something wrong, I'd tell you."
"Alright," Vision said. "I love you."
"I love you, Vision," I said.
He gave me a kiss and then hugged me.
I let out a silent sigh as I returned his hug, glad to be in his arms.
Twelve years it had been since we came back from West Coast. We loved the time we had off: we were able to see our kids grow up. We were able to be actual parents, from going to their hockey games to Vision being the intimidating father when Lucy had her first date and me having to reassure the boy that he was just being overprotective, but also include that if he hurt her, then we wouldn't be too nice, much to her annoyance. We got them through their rough points in life and when we thought they needed it, I helped them better control their powers.
They both expressed huge interest in joining the Avengers the summer before they started college, and while we were both hesitant, we did have to admit that they reminded us a lot of Wanda and Pietro, who were settled down across town, Pietro finding a woman and Wanda set to marry Stephen in the coming months, asking me to be her maid of honor. After Vision, Lucas, Lucy, and I all sat down and had a very long and serious talk, we put them on the reserve list for the Avengers so that for whatever reason someone couldn't fight, they would be subbed in. I also had taken a lot of time to help Nathan once he got old enough, and when he said that he wanted to fight, I said that he would have to talk to his parents about that, they I had no say in whether he could do that or not. Laura and Clint had a long discussion, as well, but in the end, Clint also put him down as a sub.
Along with that, I had been able to complete a few degrees, which I was really proud about, and all the Avengers came to my graduation to celebrate with me. I had set a huge example for Lucas and Lucy, who had always expressed interest about going to college, even if Lucas was high on the list of prospects for the NHL and Lucy wanted to pursue the life of a dancer and actress. When they were looking for colleges, they asked me about Lake Forest College, and while I wasn't trying to be biased when I told them about it, I couldn't help but beam when they told Vision and I that they both applied early decision and got accepted.
Clint had told me on multiple occasions that being a parent was extremely hard, but I, honestly, didn't see what was so bad about that. We never had problems with them breaking rules or had to get on them about their grades. In fact, there were times when we had to encourage them to actually go out and do stuff instead of telling them that they couldn't go do something they really wanted to do. Most of the time, we went out to New York Ranger games, something we all really liked to do.
When we had to take them to Lake Forest for Freshman Orientation, we asked them how they wanted to go. When they suggested a road trip, we packed the van with everything and made it into a final vacation for them before they would have a lot of schoolwork. Since Vision and I got back, we had to get used to how quiet the house was. Every week they could Skype and we would talk for a bit, but it was something we were still adjusting to.
After a few moments, Vision let me go. "Shall we dance?" he asked as he went to the stereo, turning it on, some slow music playing.
I smiled as the two of us danced around the room, the two of us staring at each other as we went.
Vision led me into a spin but the rug caught my foot, something that normally happened, and I would've fallen had he not scooped me up into his arms, the two of us laughing.
"I love your laugh," Vision remarked as he brushed a strand of hair from my face. "It sounds magical and it always causes me to smile."
"Thanks, but can you put me back on my feet?" I replied, chuckling. "I'm kinda dangling here."
"I was going to keep you this way until I went to bed," he said teasingly. "You don't like that idea?"
"Not really, because that makes it hard for me to kiss you," I said.
Vision sighed. "Alright, if you say so," he said with a smirk. He brought me back to my feet but immediately pulled me into a kiss.
After about a minute, we broke the kiss and continued to slow dance, our foreheads touching and gazing into each other's eyes.
We didn't realize the time until the grandfather clock in the corner of the room chimed it was eleven, causing us to jump and then laugh it off.
"Two of the strongest Avengers on the face of the planet, startled by a measly clock," I remarked.
"Come on, let's get some rest," Vision chuckled. "Tomorrow evening we have the scifi marathon to watch and we're also meeting with some potential Avenger recruits in the afternoon."
I nodded as the two of us went to our room and got ready for bed, falling asleep almost immediately.
XXX
The next morning when we woke up, I almost had a panic attack when I didn't find my glasses where I had put them when I went to sleep.
I heard Vision already awake and in the bathroom taking a shower. I had to find them before he came out and saw me scrambling for them, which would be a huge clue as to something being wrong with me.
"Ok, think Rose, what animal would be best to track?" I whispered as I sat up, not daring myself to touch the ground yet in case my glasses had fallen to the ground. "Let's try a Basset Hound."
I turned into the breed of dog and jumped as far away from the bed I could before sniffing around on the ground, determined to believe that they had fallen in the night somehow.
I searched all around the room, even under the bed, but I couldn't find them. I turned back to normal and felt around my nightstand.
Suddenly relief went through me as I felt them farther back than usual, quickly putting them on as I heard the water turn off and went to lay out my clothes for the day.
"Morning Rose," Vision said as he walked into the room, giving me a kiss before he started to get dressed. "Sleep well?"
"Yea, did you?" I replied as I got ready for my shower, hoping that he didn't notice how stressed I looked at the moment due to me thinking that I lost my glasses, thus leaving me basically blind.
"I did," Vision answered. He paused. "You appear stressed. Are you alright?"
I mentally cursed, forgetting that he could read people easily. "Yea," I said. "Just that Cap has high hopes about these prospects. Don't want to let him down, you know?"
"I mean I guess that could make one stressful," Vision said. "But you're never the one to stress about this stuff."
"I'm jumping in the shower," I said quickly, giving him another kiss before I stepped into the bathroom.
Vision frowned as I closed the door. "Strange," he mumbled. "This is really concerning me."
XXX
Talking with the now Avengers-in-training was a piece of cake aside from me having to sign off on their forms and Vision and I were back home to get ready for the marathon.
I knew we had a step down from the hallway to the living room but I misjudged just how many steps I took, instead not taking a step in time and falling to the ground, my glasses flying off of me and landing a few feet ahead of me, the first time I've actually fallen due to not actually being able to see.
"Rose!" Vision exclaimed as he came forward and kneeled next to me, offering me his hand. "What was that?!"
"I forgot about that step," I muttered lamely, reaching for his hand but missing it the first time because of how blurry everything was, his red skin blending in with the red color we had the couch. I got it the second time and he helped me to my feet.
"Are you hurt?" Vision said as he grabbed my glasses and put them on me.
I nodded. "No, no," I said. "I'm not hurt."
"Are you sure?" Vision replied, stressing it to mean more that just physical pain.
"Yes, I'm sure," I said. "You know how I am after interviews. Never really in the right mind for a little bit."
Vision bit his lip, really beginning to worry about me. "Rose, I highly suggest you talk to Tony," he said. "I'm really worried about you right now."
"It's nothing," I said. "Just an off week, you know? Everyone gets them every once in awhile. Come on, it's almost time for the marathon. We don't wanna miss the first episode. That's the most important one."
"Ok. I'm going to make us some tea and when we can settle down for the night to watch the marathon together," Vision said after a long pause as he walked to the kitchen.
"Alright," I said as I walked to the couch and sat down in my spot, ignoring how sore my knees felt at the moment from the hard impact with the wood floors.
Vision returned and sat down next to me, handing me a cup of tea and then putting an arm around me as I turned the TV on to the marathon.
The two of us were content while we sat there through the night, drinking our tea as we watched the TV.
When the sun started to rise, we heard a sound that was distinctly from Tony's Iron Man suit landing and we looked at each other before getting to our feet and rushing outside.
"Tony?" I asked as he walked to us, lifting his mask up.
"What's going on?" Vision added.
"The base is down," Tony said. "I couldn't connect to your communicators. AI is starting up. Now. You two have to pack your stuff and get to the base for the physical exams."
Vision and I nodded as we rushed inside and to our room, grabbing our bags and quickly putting clothes into them, knowing that right now we just needed the necessities and could come back to get anything like pictures after the initial action died down.
"It's been twelve years," Vision remarked as he looked at his uniform before putting it on. "Our uniforms were just collecting dust during that time."
I nodded as I put on my uniform, struggling to zip up the front of my jacket because I couldn't see well.
Vision closed his bag and looked up at me. He started to put the pieces together. "You can't see, can you?" he asked.
I bit my lip as I shook my head. "Not well," I whispered. "The glasses aren't helping. It wasn't noticeable at first, which is why I didn't say anything. But in the recent year it's gotten worse. I won't be able to pass the physical exam. I won't be able to join you in battle, Vision. You or the rest of AI."
"Tony can help you," Vision said as he walked around the bed to me, zipping my jacket up for me and securing my cape. "He's not going to leave you hanging. He's gonna make sure that you can fight like you have. Are you done packing?"
"Yea, I just need to get my combat boots on," I said. Realizing they were lace up, I added, "If you could help me put them on, that is."
"I can," Vision said as he grabbed them from the closet and making me sit down on the bed so that he could quickly put them on and tie them.
When he finished, we grabbed our bags and met Tony in the living room where he was waiting for us.
"Took you long enough," he said. "Come on, we're going to Avengers Tower. JARVIS already checked and it's up and running. I can contact the others who will be in AI and also work on getting the base up again. Avengers base will be your place of operation."
We both nodded as the three of us went outside and flew into the air after locking the house up.
As we flew, I found it more and more difficult to be able to see, the light from sunrise doing nothing to be able to help me.
Because of how much I was struggling, I was slowing down.
Vision noticed I was starting to fall behind and reached out to grab my hand to keep me with him without Tony noticing.
When we got to Avengers Tower, Tony immediately noticed how I stumbled upon landing, since I couldn't see the ground well. "Are you hurt?" he asked me.
I shook my head. "No, I'm not hurt," I replied. Feeling Vision watching me, I added, "It's my eyesight. It's been getting worse."
"How long?" Tony questioned. "Why didn't you contact me?"
"Ever since they got better after having the bleach thrown into them," I said. "But it's only started to get really bad in the previous year. I thought it was just something that has to do with development and that maybe one of your upgrades on me would correct the problem, but that hasn't been the case."
"I can't chastise you right now because I need to get you worked on," Tony said. "Vision, start to contact the others. Their names on in the AI folder. Tell them it's urgent and they must report here as soon as possible for their exams. Contact Hank last. The old man needs to get some rest." He guided me to his lab without a reply from Vision, knowing that he had his work cut out for him. "Rose, I'm going to active your self-repairs. Same deal as usual."
I nodded as he had me lay down on the table and removed my glasses, everything becoming blurry. I closed my eyes to keep from getting a headache.
"I'll see you when you wake up," Tony said before injecting me.
There was a flash of pain that overwhelmed me and everything went black.
