Chapter 4- Hi, I'm Awkward.
Josie Slept, and slept and slept some more.
One morning the sunlight shone through the window landed on on Josie's face, she scrunched her face up and let out a grunt. Opening her eyes she blinked a few times and realized that her lids still felt extremely heavy, but her stomach growled loudly. Carefully she pushed herself to sit up and looked around the room she was in, she looked down at the floor and smiled when she spotted Tyrion and Jamie sleeping in their puppy beds. Even slower she swung her legs over the slide of the bed and her bare feet touched the floor she let out a soft gasp and carefully stood. She started to wander around the room, it felt very homey and she smiled at the fresh lillies that were sitting on the dresser with a Get Well Soon balloon attached to them.
The door opened causing Josie to turn and look, she adjusted her eyes and came face to face with none other than Pepper. A Smile broke out over Josie's face, " I am so happy to see you." she said in a sleepy groggy voice. She moved towards the woman and embraced her in a weak hug that Pepper returned " I am pretty sure I heard your stomach growl all the way in my office. Why don't we get you something to eat?" she asked. Josie nodded and linked her arm with Peppers and they very slowly walked down to the kitchen, Pepper helped Josie get setted in one of the chairs at the island as she went about making her an Omlette. Josie watched and chewed the back of her lip " Pepper, It's not that I am not happy to see you, but how did I get here? Where is Steve or Bucky even?" she asked as she leaned back in the chair and wrapped her arm around her mid section.
Pepper smiled at her " It seems that Tony has a soft spot for you, and I do as well. Steve is off doing something, we are actually not sure where he is but Natasha and Sam are with him. Last we knew he broke everyone out of the raft and eventually they all got plea deals. Scott and Clint took house arrest so they could still be with their families. Vision and Wanda are off doing their own thing. So it is just Tony, You and I here. " she said with a smile towards Josie. Josie furrowed her brows and sat up and leaned against the counter " So Steve just left me here? He just dropped me off and left?" she asked in a soft yet hurt voice. Pepper looked up at her, her face softened as she realized how this looked to Josie, and honestly she would have looked at it the same way.
Turning off the stove she went over and wrapped her arm around Josie and hugged her to her chest as she one hand come up and placed itself along Josie's hair and she stroked her hair back from her face. " He asked us to keep you safe, trust me, he did not want to leave you. The flowers on the dresser are actually from him, he told me to tell you there is a letter next to them for you. This was not easy for him Josie, but I cannot blame you for feeling that way." she told her softly as she gently brought back Josie's face and smiled at her. Josie nodded as she took a deep breath, " alright. I.. I'm still so tired. But I don't want to be alone. Is it alright if I eat, and hop a show.. Oh god I don't have any clothes here." she sighed as she looked down at the counter. Pepper smiled " You have lots of clothes here. Tony sent me out shopping for you, Don't worry I did not go facy he told me if it was not something a jeans and tshirt nerd would not wear then don't buy it." she laughed lightly.
Josie laughed " sounds about right." she confirmed " I was wondering if I take a shower if you would help me brush and braid my hair, and maybe we could watch Game of Thrones or something?" she asked in a small voice. Pepper looked at the girl sitting next to her, when she had met Josie she was drawn to the fact the girl had a huge presence about her, very lively and bright, Fun yet laid back. But the woman in front of her now seemed so small, and probably felt so abandoned that it broke her heart a bit. Pepper turned the stove back on, " we can do that for sure, I will make sure all my phone are turned off and we will have a girls day. Tony told me that you got him into Thrones, thank you for that by the way."she laughed lightly. Josie smiled at her " I would really like that Pep. And yeah I did, he is becoming a regular old pro at it, the problem is he has charts of possible outcomes of the show, the shithead." she rolled her eyes as she smiled weakly.
Josie at half of the omlette and excused herself to go upstairs for a shower. When she went up to her room she walked over to the dresser and picked up the Envelope with her name on it, going over to her bed carefully she opened it and took the letter out.
My Josie,
I hate having to do this but it is for the best. The fact that I have to leave your side after so little time together actually feels like someone is pulling my heart from my chest. I don't know where I am going or when I will be back. Pepper has a phone for you, it is a secure line that goes directly to me, Text or call, if you cannot sleep you know how to talk to me, the hardest part about all of this is not being able to hold you in my arms, to stroke your beautiful hair or even seen your face.
I hope to be back sooner rather than later.
All of my love always and forever,
Steve
Josie swallowed and looked down at the letter with tears in her eyes., taking a deep breath she slid the letter back in the envelope she walked over and placed it in the letter in her top drawer. Searching through she found a pair of shorts and a tank top, she clutched them to her chest and went in search of the bathroom. Office, Office, workout room? She sighed and headed to where she heard noise, water in fact. She knocked at the door, when she heard come in, she slowly opened the door and saw Pepper sitting on the edge of the tub drawing a bath for her, she looked at her and the look of confusion must have shown " I drew you a bath, it has some lavender oil in there with will help you relax all together. I'm not sure what you did to wear yourself out but we will get you back on your feet." she said as she took the clothes from Josie and set them on the counter.
Josie took a deep breath and smiled at her, it was sweet of her. She locked her eyes with with Pepper's " I used my power without well I guess the best way to word it would be without properly charging up. Usually I have to go out and connect with nature, before I do something like I did, but not just that I have never stopped that many people all at once, and then tried to hold them all back. It zapped me and now I guess I have to recharge." she explained. Pepper tilted her head as she looked at her and nodded her head " that makes sense, how often do you need to be out in nature?" she asked curiously. Josie took a breath " usually I go out for a few hours ever day with the dogs and wear them out." she said with a sheepish grin.
Pepper left Josie to her bath, she scrubbed everything her hair and her body felt raw but clean by the time she was done, but even thought she felt completely exhausted she felt good. After drying off she sat on the toilet so that she did not lose her balance while she was getting dressed. Once she was done with that she grabbed a brush and a hair tie and started to head downstairs when she heard Pepper talking to someone, " No, I am telling you that poor girl feels like she has been left alone and you are not going to badger her about her powers you are going to leave her alone and let her rest Tony. Or you are going to have me to deal with, Now go have dun with James and we are going to do out thing here. I will see you later." she said as she hung up her phone and set it down.
Josie came down the rest of the stairs and cleared her throat lightly, Pepper turned around and smiled at her " alright, so we have the place to ourselves tonight , I was thinking pizza for dinner and what season of Thrones did you want to watch?" Josie smiled at her, carefully she went over and set down the brush and the hair tie, then she went over and wrapped her arms around Pepper in the tightest hug she could muster "Thank you Pepper, thank you so much. For everything. " she said as her voice trembled . Pepper wrapped her arms around her and hugged her back " Sweetie you are most welcome, you tried to bring a peacful outcome to all of this, things will work themselves out." she told her Josie looked at her " Steve's letter said you had a phone for me? I would really like to text him to let him know that I'm ok. Can I have it please?" she asked softly. Pepper nodded and went over to her desk and pressed her thumb to the lock and opened it, taking out the phone she closed the safe and took it to Josie.
While Josie sat in a chair and Pepper worked on her hair, Josie turned on the phone, opening a new message she typed out a message to Steve.
I'm awake, and you are not here. I don't like this, not one bit. - J
She hit send and placed the phone in her lap, she closed her eyes as she let Pepper work on her hair. Once she had her braid in, they moved to the living room, Josie had brought a blanket with her as she covered up she watched as pepper went around and called I the pizza and got everything all set up for them. Pepper told her she was going to grab a quick shower and then they would watch. Josie curled up in the corner of the couch, and closed her eyes. Her phone vibrated in her hand, blinking she picked the phone up and looked a the screen
You have no idea how much I wish I could curl up and wrap you in my arms, I am so glad you are ok Josie. I do regret one thing, and that is that I did not kiss you before everything went down. I know I'm always late. - S
Josie laughed lightly and shook her head as she slowly texted him back
I miss your warmth, Pepper has been so kind and so helpful. I'm still very weak and tired but it will get sorted and I will be back to normal in no time. - J
she smiled as she heard Pepper coming down the stairs, she smiled at her " he texted me back." she told her. Pepper smiled " Steve is a good guy, and he is head over heels for you. I have never seem him so content and happy then when you are two are together." Pepper told her. Someone knocked at the door, Pepper went over and grabbed the Pizza and came back into the living room. Josie smiled at her and the women sat and talked as they ate and watched their show.
A year and a half later
Josie had settled into life here, she had started working with Pepper on some of her projects so that the poor woman didn't have the work load on her shoulders all the time. Tony of course had asked Pepper to marry him and Josie was meant to be the maid of honor. When they were not working, Josie and Pepper would watch TV together and work on wedding plans. Josie heard from Steve when he could and she knew he was on missions but sometimes it would take him days to reply. Tony for some reason was very on the fence that she still spoke to him but she never wanted to pry and ask him why.
Tony, Pepper and Josie walked with Tyrion and Josie in the park one day, Tony was walking backwards and talking to Pepper about his vivid dream that she was expecting. Pepper looked over at at Josie with a look of humorous disbelief on her " Do you hear this? We're not even married yet." Pepper sighed. Josie laughed " I would say the boy got bit, He's got wedding feva!" she said as she wrinkled her nose in a cute manner at Tony. Pepper started talking to Tony about his suits when Josie noticed a golden ring forming in the air behind him, " Uh... guys? What the hell is that?" she asked, Tony turned around and a man came walking out of the circle causing Josie's eyes to get wide. " Tony Stark, I'm Doctor Stephen Strange I am going to to need to you to come with me." the man said. Josie tilted her head " To where? Equestria? Like seriously dude you just came out of a circle of glitter." she said. The man looked at her then back at Tony " Oh uh and congratulations on the wedding." he said.
Tony clapped back and the man looked a bit annoyed " We need your help." he said. Josie had moved up to stand next to Tony and in front of Pepper just in case they needed protection. " I am not overselling it to say that the fate of the universe is at stake." strange said.. " Who is We?" Tony asked. A Man walked out behind Tony " Tony." eh man said, he looked nervous and extremely upset. " Bruce." Tony and Pepper said at once. Josie blinked and looked him over. Looking over at Pepper Josie reached out and placed a hand on placed a hand on her shoulder " I'll go with him for protection." she told her softly. Pepper hugged her tightly and thanked her.
They ended up in some building, and Josie took a seat and watched as they all talked about Thanos and infinity stones she chewed her bottom lip and he explained to Bruce how the Avengers split up, catching the man up on everything he missed. Josie watch as Bruce looked so sad and sighed " You know, if you looked any sadder I would be hugging you boy" she told him. Bruce offered her a small smile, then looked at Tony, " So call Cap." he told him. Tony shook his head " I have no way too." Tony said sighing. Josie cleared her throat " I do." she said quietly. Tony snapped around and looked at him" what do you mean you do? Pepper said you were E-mailing." he said looking none too pleased.
Josie perked an eyebrow at him and crossed her arms over her chest and gave him the ' bitch please' look " First of all the last time I checked I am 98 years old, I will damn well do as I please. And second of all, I will not" she said standing up and walking over so she was face to face with him " talked down to by a damn Youngster like you. If you need him, and I call him. He will come, Natasha and Sam as well. You gotta remember something boy, we were in each others lives before you were a tingle in your daddy's sac, that is not about to change." she stated simply.
Tony and Josie stared each other down, until they heard a rumble in the distance. Tony asked if stephen was moving his own hair when he looked at the man and Stephen shook his head " Not at the moment." he said.
Tony headed for the door and Josie followed close behind, the people in the street with in hysterics, running and tripping over their own feet, Josie sighed as she an to catch up to Tony with the others close in toe. Tony started barking for Friday to evac and call responders when the Good Doctor threw some of his magic in a certain direction. There were two creatures standing in the street, Stephen and Tony told him they were Trespassing, and Tony asked Bruce if he wanted a piece.
Bruce looked nervous and shook his head " Um no.. " then he started to focus as if he was trying to change, his neck started to turn green and Josie looked at him. He could not do it. Tony told him it was ok, he looked at Josie " Protect him?" he asked. Josie nodded as she smiled lightly at Bruce and took a step in front of him, One of the big guys threw something at them, Josie threw out her hands " Impressio!" she called out. Wind gushed all around them the car threw back at the intruder. Bruce looked at her impressed, then shit really started to go south. Before she knew it she was being pulled through a portal, she let out a quick scream as she landed on top of Bruce nose to nose and half a taxi landed next to them she turned her head and looked back at him " Next time buy me dinner first." she winked at him. Tony came flying through the portalBruce went running over " are we doing good?" he asked, Tony nodded " yeah really good hey are you going to join in?" he asked. Bruce looked panicked " I'm trying but he won't come out." he said. Tony got up and a hammer came flying at them causing them to scatter. Be went to strike down on Tony when a young voice could be heard saying " Hey. Mister Stark." Tony she could imagine he was blinking " hey kid where did you come from." they bantered back and forth.
Stephen could be seen being carried away and Tony told the kid to follow him, the hammer guy came at them again and Wong opened up a portal and Josie used her magic to push him through, as Wong closed the portal it severed his hand and Josie wrinkled her nose and kicked the hand, she turned her head and looked at Tony and pointed where Peter had taken off " Tony, go save the bab!" she snapped at him and she turned around to handle everything else. Josie took a deep breath and watched as Wong made a portal and started to go home, Bruce was talking to him and she pulled out her phone. Bruce turned and looked at her, " First thing is first we need to get back to Headquarters, You drive. I'll call, My car is at Stark Towers." she said as she took off. She would collect Pepper and the dogs and they would head out.
After making it back to the tower, they loaded up the car and Pepper took the wheel, Josie sat in the front and Bruce in the back, absolutely loving playing with and petting the dogs. Josie took out her cell phone and hit the call button on Steve's number. It rang and rang and rang, Josie put it on speaker and set her head back against the rest. Finally someone answered the other line, " Josie, what's going on Doll I missed you." Josie smiled and picked her head up "Well, I spent the day talking to a wizard and being attacked by aliens, but I met your friend Bruce, he seems like a good Lad." she said as if it was nothing. She could hear Steve move on the other end. " I'm sorry you want to run that by me again?" he asked.
Josie looked back at Bruce and spoke into the phone " Shit has hit the fan Steve and fast, There is this guy coming for Earth according to Bruce, he already attacked Thor, wait is that a code name? You can't possibly mean Thor as in Thor Odinson, God of Thunder and Lightening." she siad looking at Bruce. He looked sheepish and nodded his head in comfirmation. Josie let out a whistle " anyway, Bruce said he already blew through Thor, and he is headed for Earth to collect the infinity stones. And an even bigger problem, Vision went AWOL about 2 weeks ago, he has Wanda with him, He has the.. what was it called Bruce Mind stone in his forehead." she said looking back at Bruce who once again nodded his head confirming.
Steve was silent before he cleared his throat" Josie are you alright?" he asked. She nodded her head " Yes, I'm fine, but Steve, I need you to find Vision and Wanda, when you do, tell them that I said it is time to come home. Because it is in fact time for all of you to come home. You, Sam and Natasha as well." she told him. Steve sighed " Thank God, I am going to hug the hell out of you when I see you. Where should we all meet up?" he asked her. Josie sat back in her seat " Pepper, Bruce and I are on our way to Headquarters with Tyrion and Jamie. Once you find Vision and Wanda, we will be ther.e" she told him.. Steve turned around and spoke to Nat and Sam " Alright, we will be there soon as possible." he told her.
Josie hung up the phone and looked back at Bruce, she offered him a small smile " we will get this all sorted, Are you hungry?" she asked him softly. Bruce looked at her and blinked a little bit " I, are you really 98?" he asked her. Josie laughed and nodded her head " Indeed I am, and I will always look like this, it's a long story." she told him. Josie brought up her phone when she heard it go off, it was from James letting her know he was on his way to Headquarters as well. She looked back at Bruce " You look like you need a distraction, so tell me what would you like for dinner?" she asked him.
Bruce had finally helped her figure out that they would have Burgers and Fries for dinner, once they got to the compound Josie handed her ID to Pepper so they could get in the gate. They drove up to the building, Josie was out of the car first followed by the dogs, she went over and threw open the door "Where the hell is my Rhodey at?!" she called as soon as she walked into the doors. James came around the corner smiling "You all are a sight for sore eyes considering who I have been on call with." he said as he came out and wrapped Josie up in a huge hug. She laughed and gave him back a tight hug " Let me guess, the Secretary of Douchery. Ya need any help with him?" she asked him.
James sighed and rubbed his hand over his face then looked at Josie " Honestly I have no idea what the hell is going on and I am running in verbal circles, trying to explain shit to this guy." he told her. Josie nodded " Steve, Nat and Sam are going after Vision and Wanda. After they find them they are coming back here. I am well away they are wanted as fuck but James there is no way we are going to be able to do this without them." she said. James nodded and went back into the communication room, Bruce went to get cleaned up and Pepper went to lay down. Josie went in and whipped up some food, then came back to the Communication room. Walking in she looked at Secretary Ross and smiled at him " well well, look at you sitting there all high mighty. Has Nobody knocked you off that self made Throne of yours yet Ross?" she asked him in a mocking tone.
Ross and Josie had a weird relationship, he enjoyed working with her because she took no shit, and she liked dealing with him because he was smart enough to know that his shit was not going to fly with her. Ross stood up and she walked up to him, he grunted " I hear your boyfriend is on the move, with one of my jets. But before I get into all of that, let me say your make up looks amazing today." he told her. She smirked because he was right, she looked down good and she kinda new it, if you asked her she looked a mess. " Cut the shit Ross, Yes he is on the move. What is it to you?" she asked him as she started to walk around the hologram with her arms crossed over her chest. Ross looked at her " the fact you have 4 of the most wanted Criminals in one air craft." he started, James spoke up " Only because you came up with that. The Accords made them Rogue." he said. Josie looked at Ross " and had it not been for you and your damn accords, Vision and Wanda would have been right here." she told him.,
Foot steps could be heard coming up the hallway and Josie turned to look, she smiled when she saw Steve and Nat walking up the hall way. She broke out into a smile, they came marching towards them and Oh my god he had a beard! . Steve came to stand in front of Ross, Ross looked at Stever and Natasha " Youve got some nerve. The World's on fire and you think all is forgiven?" he asked. Steve looked him dead in the eye I am not looking for forgiveness and I am way pasted asking permission. Earth just lost its best defender So we're here to fight and if you wanna stand in our way we will fight you too." Steve told him. Ross turned and looked at James and Josie " Arrest them." he said. Josie and James looked at each other and Josie snorted and looked at Ross " I'll get right on that peaches." she said as she hung up on him.
James walked up and shook Steve's hand, then Steve turned to Josie, she stood there with her arms at her sides. Steve took a step towards her, Josie closed the distance and jumped into his arms with her arms wrapped around her arms around his neck, she pulled her head back and started kissing all over his face causing him to laugh. He placed a hand on the back of her head and quickly and passionately pressed his lips against hers in a longing kiss. Josie gasped softly and threaded her fingers in his hair and returned the kiss with just as much passion. Once they pulled their mouths apart everyone was looking at them but they were only looking at each other, as they pressed their foreheads together, she smiled at him " Bout time you came home Solider."
